Games

GoG giving away Unreal and Return to Na Pali expansion pack

by
GoG giving away Unreal and Return to Na Pali expansion pack 1

GoG is giving away the full package of the first game in the Unreal series, which contains both Unreal and the expansion pack Return to Na Pali. This is called Unreal Gold.

It was first released back in 1998 by GT Interactive. It was the main game of several development teams including Digital Extremes, Epic Games, and GT. It was the product of companies that later went on to produce games like WarFrame and Gears of War. And it was one of the most successful FPS games for PC of all times and is often compared to Quake and Doom for the gameplay, fast-paced action, and graphics at the time.

It was also the first game ever to use the Unreal Engine, which is now one of the most popular development tools in the whole industry. It’s been used in many video games from AAA companies to indie titles and has received tons of awards from industry leaders. It’s also gotten the record for the “most successful video game engine” by the Guinness Book of World Records.

GoG is now giving away the first full package of the game for free for the next 48 hours, so grab your copy now. If you like the series, you can get the whole bundle for 80% off which includes pretty much all the Unreal games. This will only cost you $5.97 for those looking to play the following successors tot he first game.

Whether or not you’re a fan of the game, it’s still worth a play through. It’s backlog-worthy. Free is free. Grab it now from GoG. So worthy.

PC Building Simulator gets colored cables and new hardware in newest update

by
PC Building Simulator gets new hardware and keeps dropping content.

PC Building Simulator released another update which adds a bunch of new stuff any PC builder will appreciate.

If you’ve never heard of this game, it’s one of those simulator games that went viral. PC Building Simulator will let you build a custom PC from scratch and also repair PCs in a struggling repair shop that challenges players to bring it back to profitability. Start with simple tasks like virus removal and work up to fixing hardware issues.

The newest update to the game adds the Antec DF500 case and is probably one of the first of many cases added to the game. The developers have developed a partnership in order to get the license to use their products.

CPU water cooling is also added in the newest update. It’s a simplified version of the water-cooling system used to cool the CPU. It’s an all-in-one water cooler rather than the complex ones enthusiasts use today. Perhaps in a later update, we’ll get the hardcore version.

Colored cables with over 100 options can be selected to brighten up the computer parts to make it a little prettier. Not all of the colors work properly, but it should be fixed within a new update. It’s a major patch of the cabling feature and the devs will surely improve it.

Other bug fixes have also come along in the newest update. You can see the full patch notes here.

GTA V gets battle royale in Trap Door update

by
GTA V gets battle royale in Trap Door update 2

The battle royale trend continues. Its next bandwagoner is GTA V.

Five years after its release, the game is still getting content updates to the online mode. The newest one is a new Adversary mode called Trap Door. Players also get discounts accompanying the update as usual.

The Trap Door mode sits with other GTA V Adversary Modes like The Vespucci Job and Hardest target. However, this is a true battle royale mode, with two teams facing off on a shrinking platform upon the Pacific Ocean. Well, it’s not true battle royale. But it’s pretty much GTA’s take on it.

Teams are small with no aspirations like the 100-player matches of the battle royale leaders. The contests take place over several rounds and any player that gets killed is dropped into the red zone, which gives them a chance to escape it in order to redeem themselves.

The system is vastly different from revivals on other teammates. The player’s second chance depends on themselves rather than strangers, which is a welcome twist to the genre. Rockstar’s continual improvement to the game isn’t anything surprising, given that it’s one of the best-selling games of all time and makes sense to continue giving it some TLC.

But this isn’t the first time GTA has done this. Motor Wars was similar and was released to the game last year.

Discounts to new weapons and vehicles will apply with this update and discounts on vehicles and weapons. Players will also get extra cash for doing Smuggler’s Run and Biker Business games.

RAGE 2 being made by Avalanche Studios and id Software

by
RAGE 2 being made by Avalanche Studios and id Software 3

RAGE 2 didn’t seem like it would happen. After all, how would Bethesda convince Mr. Goodman to come back to making games in 2018?

Nevertheless, the 2011 shooter is getting a sequel and id Software is teaming up. With Bethesda.

RAGE 2 packs a carnival of carnage so intense it can only come from two legendary AAA studios. That’s right, this is a f****ing AAAAAA game.

That’s right. RAGE 2 is coming as announced by a trailer. It’ll be made from the people behind DOOM. Avalanche Studios are the creators of Just Cause and Mad Max. While this is id Software’s real RPG, they’re following the guidance of companies who know how to do it right.

From the trailer, you can see how awesome this game is going to be. It’s not a dungeon crawler anymore, but rather a huge environment with regular battles and driving. There may be some racing as well with some mutants competing towards a finish line. The trailer also shows off mech suits and giant robots as well. It’s definitely the game on steroids.

The Wingstick is also here, which is a combination of boomerang and machete for those who don’t know. This tool was probably the best part of the first game, so it’s nice to have it back. Nanotrite abilities will let players cush baddies from above or go into rage mode.

RAGE 2 will be discussed at Bethesda’s E3 press conference. It’ll be released in Spring 2019 and available on PC, Xbox One, and PS4. This game will be followed for updates nonstop until release. Stay tuned.

SteamVR Input allows control scheme support for pretty much any controller

by
SteamVR Input will allow players to use any controller and use custom schemes.

Value has just announced the beta for SteamVR Input.

It’s a new input system that allows players to make bind configs for controllers in the game. This works whether or not the controller is in production when the game is released. This lets Valve’s homegrown JoyToKey or XPadder to work within SteamVR. Players can make any input system and any other player can choose to use it if they want in the Steam Community.

Support for SteamVR Input is built-in to the system and anyone with the application can access the new input system. Developers can also customize default bindings for every controller type and create new control all the schemes without having to go back and change them for each controller type. SteamVR Input is currently in beta, but you can try it out by going to Properties > SteamVR > Beta and select your build.

There’s basic documentation in the announcement post for software and hardware development information that’s worth checking out.

SteamVR Input comes from the announcement that Nintendo Switch Pro Controller will be supported by Steam. The support for this controller and the new input system allows Valve to make a new effort to expand controller support across other builds.

 

Space Agency Sim Mars Horizon confirmed

by
Space Agency Sim Mars Horizon confirmed 4

UK developer Auroch Digital announced a new space game called Mars Horizon where players will manage their own spaceport.

It combines rocket building, mission control, and space agency management, according to the devs. It lets players choose agencies in all major countries in the space race and guide it through decades of technology. The country to first send a ship to Mars is the hero.

There was also a reveal trailer released for the game as well that showcases the game’s artwork and mechanics. Auroch also got back in from the UK Space Agency during the development as well. They provided a grant, advice, and info on space exploration and space agency management, so the game is somewhat realistic.

It’ll feature custom rocket building, diplomatic relations with other nations, and a realistic space agency sim. The company has worked with many other titles that have been socially conscious.

Mars Horizon is coming out for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and a PC release with an unknown price to be announced.

SUPERHOT VR announced for PC and PS4

by
SUPERHOT VR announced for PC and PS4 5

SUPERHOT JP will be the newest game in the SUPERHOT saga of games.

The gameplay will be pretty much the same with its classic rhythm slow-motion combat with a new variety of Japanese environments like Toky alleyways, trains, castles, and karaoke bars. You’ll be fighting the red baddies in lots of different locations across the country.

The Japnese devs at Game Tomo say the game will have about 18 regular levels and about 3-4 endless lives. There will be new weapons including a bow, and the game modes will be the same. Players can also expect new menus, UI, and even a storyline. The game will also have new abilities like see-through shoji screens and new items.

The gameplay and artwork will be the same as the original SUPERHOT.

SUPERHOT JP will take place in Tokyo for development with the original team helping out. A JP release will come first then more countries following. No price nor release date has been announced yet.

It’ll be available on the PC and PS4. VR may or may not be included.

 

Rainbow 6 getting a new map – what’s new in the update

by
Rainbow 6 getting a new map - what's new in the update 6

The popular FPS is getting another content update even though it’s a pretty dated game now.

They just keep on releasing more and more maps, weapons, and content for this game as the playerbase and community remains pretty stable over time. Ubisoft announced that Rainbow 6 Siege will be getting a new map based on a Tuscan Villa. And it’ll be named “Villa” as appropriate.

Villa is a part of the upcoming Operation Para Bellum update which will include two unknown GIS Operators. It’ll be the most competitive map ever made by Ubisoft and features staircases, tunnels, and plenty of nooks and crannies. The floors will also be destructible.

Operation Para Bellum will include a new internal gadget, buffs for Echo, and adjustments for the Clubhouse map as well as dropshotting. There will also be a new system to Pick and Ban which allows for an “extra layer of strategy between teams” because each side allows the other to counterpick during the banning phase. This will allow some interesting combinations the 6th Operator pick is chosen and teams will have to react to it accordingly.

Villa will be the next location as it’s owned by the Vinciguerra, a family rooted in crime and smuggling art pieces. They’re trying to rid their documents and save their prized valuables before the counter-terrorists investigate the villa.

Stay tuned for more news on the latest Rainbow 6 Siege update on the 20th of May during the Pro Finals.

NEOGEO mini by SNK loaded with 40 classic titles

by
NEOGEO mini by SNK loaded with 40 classic titles 7

The NEOGEO that debuted back in 1990 is now coming back as a NEOGEO mini because SNK is celebrating their 40th anniversary.

This console loads up 40 nostalgic titles and sports a 3.5-inch display. Classic games can be played without the need for a TV at all. The small display is comfortable to the touch and allows it to be held in just your hand. It measures only 162mm tall and 135mm wide and weighs just 600g.

The console will be available in two different designs that cater to the western and eastern markets uniquely. The eastern version is red, white, and black that mimics the original NEOGEO cabinet. The western version is a modern take with white, black, and blue. It comes with an AC adaptor. The frame includes a joystick, ABCD buttons, HDMI output, headphone jack, and two external controller ports in case you want to connect to your TV.

The 40 games are unknown at this point, but promo ads show off some popular titles like The King of Fighters and Real Bout Fatal Fury.

Other details like price, release date, and games haven’t been confirmed as of now. SNK fans will log some hours.

Nintendo shuts down Miitomo, but plans to expands mobile line

by
Nintendo shuts down Miitomo, but plans to expands mobile line 8

Miitomo, Nintendo’s planned smartphone app, has been shut down.

There wasn’t a specific reason for the shutdown, but it’s likely because no one uses the app. While it’s nice to have a smartphone app for everything, some apps are just not necessary- at all. Miitomo was launched with over 10 million users in the first month but then dropped over time.

Nintendo will still have a mobile extension of their company. The new president, Shuntaro Furukawa, said he’s interested in making more mobile games and make it a big business.

We’ll have to see what Nintendo’s plans are in the future for mobile gaming. The president wants to expand it to capture mobile gamers that are fans of Nintendo. He wants to make it turn into a huge, 100 billion yen platform.

Han Solo update coming to Star Wars Battlefront II – get the details

by
Han Solo update coming to Star Wars Battlefront II - get the details 9

EA has finally revealed details on a new event coming to Star Wars Battlefront II.

The Han Solo Season event with be live on May 15th and allows all players to celebrate him with new content that spans many eras in Solo’s history. Players will be able to play through many contents from the original trilogy this May including before Solo: A Star Wars Story content in June.

Here are some details of what’s coming in the Han Solo update:

A new map. Players will be able to play in Jabba’s Palace and play in Blast, Hero Showdown, and Heroes vs. Villanins. Hero Showdown allows players to duke it out in a round-based eliminiation mode where players can use their favorite duos per match.

New Appearances. Players will be able to snag neww Appearences from the Return of the Jedi, such as Calrissian with his Skiff Guard or Organa wearing the boounty hunter Boushh’s gear with a new voice over. Starfighter Custom Arade is also a new mode where players can play airborne in the cockpit with Starfighters from all ears.

The Ewok Hunt had players battleing as either an Ewok or Stormtrooper in Endor. The update introcuded some microtransactions that were removed previoiysly. Crystals were also added as a way to unlock Appearnaces.

More details will be coming soon. Stay tuned.

Dragon Ball FighterZ Co-Op mode, character balancing, and new content

by
Dragon Ball FighterZ Co-Op mode, character balancing, and new content 10

Bandai Namco has announced an update to its most recent fighting game Dragon Ball FighterZ.

It’ll be a free content update arriving May 9th with two new features and improvements as well as gameplay patches.

DBFZ is the newest fighting game which launched earlier to commercial success. It’s been praised with awesome graphics and looking just like the TV show.

The most exciting thing is the co-op mode. Patry Battle will allow up to three players to play together in co-op and fight epic bosses. And the game will be host to a monthly competition where players can duke it out and get points for their Z-Union. There will also be many various gameplay changes from Training Moe to character balancing.

Self-damaging attacks no longer affect the combo damage displayed. Goku’s Black’s medium and heavy versions of Fierce God Kick won’t lock down a knocked out opposites, and the damage scaling of Vegeta several Ki-Blast moves has been matched with a single Blast instead.

Nintendo Switch Online price, launch titles, cloud saves, and more details

by
Nintendo Switch Online price, launch titles, cloud saves, and more details 11

Nintendo has revealed some pricing details of their Nintendo Switch Online platform launching this September 2018.

It’ll come with a large library of 20 games, 10 of which have been announced. It’ll also have cloud saves, special deals, and other goodies for subscribers.

Here’s a brief summary of what to expect so far.

Pricing will be as follows:

  • One month (solo): $3.99
  • Three months (solo): $7.99
  • Twelve months (solo): $19.99
  • Twelve months (Family): $34.99

There aren’t any 1 or 3-month plans for the Family Membership because these accounts allow up to 8 accounts total which can be spread out worldwide.

Cloud saves will be much-improved and won’t have that horrible save disaster the Switch previously had. Now the cloud platform should be working 100%. No more data wiping! That’s something to be excited about.

And the library of games will have an online feature to play with friends. They can also watch your screen and you can watch theirs and take turns. Screen sharing will also be available s well. Voice chat will be done with an app on smartphones. All games will work offline as well. So far, 10 games have been announced:

  • The Legend of Zelda
  • Ice Climber
  • Balloon Fight
  • Donkey Kong
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Dr. Mario
  • Mario Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros. 3

Nintendo is behind it he online marketplace, but now they hope to claim a market share with their online platform. Switch owners won’t be able to play games without an online payment plan after September 2018. More details to be revealed.

We’ll have to see how this plays out. Stay tuned for updates.

They Are Billions gets Six Wonders update – see what’s new

by
They Are Billions gets Six Wonders update - see what's new 12

Numantian Games has released a new update for their Steampunk RTS They Are Billions.

In a Steam post, they outlined the new content that’s coming to the game. It’s called The Six Wonders update, and here’s what new.

They’re adding six new major buildings to the game:

  • The Lightning Spire gather energy from lightning strikes for the use of your people and also gives you 1500 victory points (VP).
  • The Victorious is a fortified shelter that shields your colony from the infected.
  • The Atlas Transmutator takes common materials and turns it into oil and gives you 2000 VP.
  • The Academy of Immortals trains your people by famous heroes and gives you 1500 VP.
  • The Crystal Palace allows climate control to help crops thrive in barren lands and gives you 1500 VP.
  • And the Silent Beholder reveals the whole map and enemies permanently and gives you 1500 VP.

The update is currently available to all owners of the game. Some new campaign content may be added to Survival Mode, such as map themes, features, and infected as well, according to the post.

The game is still currently in Early Access on Steam, but a campaign mode will be released on launch. They Are Billions is one of the most unique RTS games I’ve played in recent times. If you’re looking for a game that’ll keep you busy for a while, look no further.

Taco Gun lets you blow up your friends in local multiplayer coming on May 17th

by
Taco Gun lets you blow up your friends in local multiplayer coming on May 17th 13

Taco Gun, developed by Floating Island Studio, is coming to Steam on May 17th, 2018.

If you like local couch multiplayer, this may be a game you want to check out. You play as a character who’s been hardened by society in a world where bullets are food. Standoffs with pistols are a common thing and taco shells need to be dodged with precision. Food is everywhere, but the world you live in is very difficult to survive in. That’s where Taco Gun comes in.

You’re packed with weapons such chili peppers, coconuts, and other foodstuffs on your adventure. You need to shoot your enemies before they can shoot you. There are 8 levels you can try out, each with their own environments that have some hiding places, but you need to find safe places to protect yourself. There are 7 characters to pick that each have their own abilities and play styles. The game is difficult to explain, so watch the video below.

It’s a party game where you need to destroy your friends in local multiplayer. You can choose from between 2 to 4 individuals and choose which character or level you want to destory before starting the match. You can get pretty creative with the combinations. You can mix chili suances or use powerups to throw a bunch of tacos and have them rain from the skies.

If this sounds like your type of game, you can check it out on Steam and get more info about it. It looks like a pretty interesting game that could be hit-or-miss.

Airport security sim TSA Frisky taking flight on May 17, 2018

by
Airport security sim TSA Frisky taking flight on May 17, 2018 14

Out There Entertainment’s new TSA Frisky got a release date.

It’s coming out on May 17, 2018 for PC. It’s a VR title that comes with a single-player campaign where you play as a TSA agent and you need to keep everything in order at the airport. You need to make sure all passengers aren’t carrying prohibited items by rummaging their luggage. You’ll have to frisk, watch, ID, scan, and search passengers to find drugs, illegal goods, food, weapons, and even prohibited liquids. It’s a difficult job and it ain’t easy being the TSA guy.

One thing you’ll have to watch out for is your stress meter. If it maxes out, it’s game over. You need to get all passengers through check-in while keeping your stress low- ’cause you know, stress is bad.

TSA Friskyalso has a nice upgrade system where objectives and goals are both available to players looking to improve their skill as a virtual TSA agent. Each shift unlocks new equipment and getter tech as well.

Remy Bustani, a founder of Out There Entertainment, states:

[The team] liked the idea of taking the dreaded security check at the airport and use VR to really exploit the fun in that, VR is a unique platform and gives us as developers the tools to take something out of real life and make something fun out of it.

The game will come out for PC and supports VR systems like Windows Mixed Reality, Occulous Rift, and HTC Vive. You can try a demo of the game on Steam.

See UPS’s Toy-Con-Trainer made with Nintendo Labo

by
See UPS's Toy-Con-Trainer made with Nintendo Labo 15

Nintendo Labo has finally launched last week and its course for global domination has begun.

Labo is Nintendo’s cardboard approach to have players create their own cardboard creations using the Switch to code them if necessary. It’s like Nintendo’s form of the Raspberry Pi. Guess who jumped on ship? UPS.

They’ve decided to show off their own creation- the Toy-Con-Trainer on its Twitter account.

It shows off a custom carry case designed to move each of Labo’s individual toys- just like a logistics company would. The Toy-Con-Trainer was designed by UPS themselves, so it’s not officially a Nintendo product. Fans have already requested the blueprints for the build so they can build it themselves. Third-party support for the Labo? Probably.

Labo comes in two kits- the Robotic Kit which allows you t interact with sister robots using the Switch. The other is the Variety Pack which features a bunch of awesome things like a fishing rod. Users can create their own peripheral using the Toy-Con Garage if they don’t want to follow a guide. There will also be a competition for players who want to create their own toys.

Nintendo also revealed prices for replacement parts which allows you to buy single parts instead of the whole set.

Patch 1.0.6 adds a founder’s edition limited-edition rifle

by
Patch 1.0.6 adds a founder's edition limited-edition rifle 16

the newest update to Sea of Thieves adds a new limited-edition rifle. And it’s awesome.

It’s a “launch crew” rifle added in the 1.0.6 patch. Specifically, it’s called the “Launch Crew” Eye of Reach rifle for only the next two weeks. It’s a founder’s edition rifle and will cost just one Gold, according to the forum.

Rare has also reduced Skeleton accuracy when shooting cannons from stands at long distances. Regional stock is also being changed with shopkeepers in different regions now only having specific item sets. This will help reduce mistimed deliveries. The bell on the small ship has been moved to the other side of the ladder as well. This is to reduce accidentally bell-rining. Rare also changed the position fo the ammo crates on the sloop and galleon.

There will also be new cosmetic outfits as well. Rare also address the flying ships bug and other issues as well.

There are also a few other quality-of-life improvements in the patch. See the full patch notes post for more details.

Sea of Thieves will be getting weekly new content as well. It’s a good time to be a pirate indeed.

Spartan Fist coming May 15th to Steam; it’s a “first-person puncher”

by
Spartan Fist coming May 15th to Steam; it's a "first-person puncher" 17

Spartan Fist launches May 15th on Steam.

Developer Glass Bottom Games has confirmed it in a press release. Spartan Fist is a first-person puncher game where players take control of a character named Emma Jones- a detective looking to make some big bucks quickly. Emma looks for the ultimate cash prize by entering the arena of Spartan Fist.

If you’ve played other games by Glass Bottom Games, you’ll notice the characters are a continuation of previous games like Hot Tin Roof: The Cat that Wore a Fedora and Jones On Fire. But the game doesn’t require any previous knowledge to play, so you’re okay if not.

There was also a new trailer released about the game which shows off some of the gameplay and unique blocky artwork that was used in previous games by the same developer. You can use fist-based weapons like “kitty fist” or “rock fist” which changes how your character punches. Every playthrough will be unique when the game is restarted.

The artwork is one to behold. It’s gory, violent, and awesome, but all done in a colorful array of blocky voxel goodness.

You can buy it on Steam for $15.

Call of Juarez Gunslinger back on Steam

by
Call of Juarez Gunslinger back on Steam 18

Call of Juarez Gunslinger is coming back to Steam.

Developer Techland secured the rights to the game from giant Ubisoft. Actually, they resecured the rights to both Call of Juarez Gunslinger and Call of Juarez The Cartel. If you visit the Steam page right now, you can see Gunslinger back on Steam fully under the ownership of Techland Publishing. And they’ve removed the manual and a link to Ubisoft as well. The game is fully back in play.

You can snag the game right now for 33% off until May 4th or even play a quick demo of it. This news only applies to the PC version of the game. PSN still has a page but you can only whitelist the game for now. Xbox still has it up for purchase and works for both Xbox One and Xbox 360 under Ubisoft.

Only Gunslinger has been revived. The Cartel is still under Ubisoft’s control. Techland hasn’t spoken whether or not the game will come back to the marketplace.

PC Building Simulator sells over 100,000 copies; Updates on the way

by
PC Building Simulator sells over 100,000 copies; Updates on the way 19

PC Building Simulator is probably the hottest simulator game in town.

It sold over 100K copies according to a press release from the developer. The game is constantly being updated and is a viral hit among PC or simulator game enthusiasts.

It’s a game by Claudiu Kiss and The Irregular Corporation where you need to fix, upgrade, and build PCs for guests. Players run their own computer repair shop and need to service customers who come in with issues with their PC. It gets pretty difficult in the later levels of the game as the problems get more and more advanced. The game has players doing everything from fixing them to building new ones from scratch.

The game scored licensing deals with many major companies like GeForce and EVGA. Their brands are represented in the game with true-to-life models of their parts. It’s been in early access since March 27th, 2018 and has sold over 100,000 copies so far. The success is amazing and there are more updates on the way.

PC Building Simulator is on Steam for just $19.99. The game’s well worth its price if you’re a computer enthusiast. A lot more updates are on the way and planned for the game, according to the company behind it. It’s surprising no other company has thought of this idea yet given that it’s such a widely popular hobby.

Science Adventure game Steins;Gate 0 launching on May 8th

by
Science Adventure game Steins;Gate 0 launching on May 8th 20

Steins;Gate 0 will launch on May 8th, 2018.

Spike Chunsoft is releasing its original Japanese game with an English translation. It’s the fourth main game to be released in English, following the English translation for the PS4 and PS Vita. And it’ll finally be on the PC as well. The game will have a special 10% discount on Steam if you’re an owner of Steins;Gate, which will bring the price to about $36.

The game takes place where the previous game left off. One of the alternative endings of Steins;Gate leaves a story to be continued. Steins;Gate 0 has players continuing the time-traveling saga with Okabe Rinataro looking for the person he can’t find. In this new game, you’ll have to deal with Amadeus, the AI that attempts to correct his past mistakes as well as the possibility of WWIII. It takes a much more serious tone compared to the previous game.

It’ll have multiple storylines that are completely separate and a ton of side-stories as well. You’ll be making decisions by replying to text messages. However, this is completely up to you and your decisions completely affect the outcome of the game.

Steins;Gate Elite will also launch later this year which will combine both the original visual novel and anime adaptation of Steins;Gate. There’s currently an anime adaptation of the game airing online as well. When Elite rolls out, expect a price drop for both the original and 0.

Chucklefish’s new game Eastward announced for PC and Mac

by
Chucklefish is working on a new RPG adventure game.

Chucklefish is working on a new game named Eastward.

They’re the people behind titles like Starbound and Stardew Valley. Eastward is another pixel art adventure game that has both RPG elements in a post-apocalyptic world. It’s has a 90s style feel developed by Pixpil, a small indie studio in Shanghai, China. Chuckelfish is making their own engine for the game.

it’s based on the artwork of Hong Moran with an eerie touch of wasteland. The company announced the game on its Twitter account and also released a trailer for it as well.

You’ll be playing as a “digger” in a world where the human population has been wiped out. You’re just a worker but you find a secret facility with a girl encaged within. You get exiled from your village and you want to save the girl and help her escape. But you’ll encounter possible dangers from mobs and other creatures lurking in the world.

The artwork for the game looks very appealing and it has that special touch that only Chucklefish can replicate. It makes you want to dive right in and just start playing the game and get absorbed into its colorful world.

No release date has been announced for Eastward. yet. It’ll be available on PC and Mac, but may creep its way onto consoles later on. Get more info on the official page for it.

Either way, this looks like an exciting new entry for their excellent lineup of games so far.

GOG Galaxy now has user profiles – friends, activity, and game tracking stats

by

GOG players now have user profiles, according to a news post on their site.

If you’ve never heard of GOG, they’re Good Old Games. That’s the name of their company and they focus on DRM-free gaming. All their games are downloadable and don’t require another third-party launcher (like Steam) to run. That’s their gig and what they do best.

Now, they rolled out user profiles for their desktop client. Yes, they have a client. It lets you launch their games you purchased but doesn’t make it a DRM platform. It now has privacy settings for user profiles and allows users to choose who can see their activity, friends list, and own games. Each profile is split into different parts just like Steam. You have your recent activity, updates from friends, recently played games with your friends and other activity. There’s also stats like time played, unlocked achievements, and of course, your personal friend’s list.

But you don’t need to use their client if you don’t want to. A lot of their games work without the platform itself and you can just download it and play it like the good ol’ days. Some gamers want a game that’s literally plug and play without the whole DRM setup.

Regardless, if you’re a fan of GOG Galaxy, you can appreciate the new features in their platform and the constant improvement they’re going through to make it better over time. It’s hard being a DRM-free platform once you introduce your own platform. They’re doing this carefully to stick to their mantra. Either way, it’s a good time to be a GOG fan.

Retro action platformer Fox N Forests releases on May 17th

by
Fox N Forests is an SNES-era inspired retro platformer.

Fox N Forests will be coming out to PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PS4 on May 17, 2018.

It’s a retro action platformer made by Bonus Level Entertainment and published by EuroVideo. The game was originally funded in 2016 on Kickstarter where it successfully brought in enough capital to build the game. It’s inspired by classic games like Super Ghouls N Ghosts and other similar 16-bit platformers.

The game is described as being “inspired by the classic SNES era” by Bonus Level Entertainment. It takes gameplay elements from Zelda and Castlevania, amongst others. You play as a fox with a crossbow which allows him to switch between two seasons instantly. It also allows you to change the level based on the season you’re currently in which can alter the platform such as freezing water paths or jumping across leaves in winter or autumn. The game also has a nice soundtrack that’s rather catchy and has old-school artwork like you’d expect from the same era.

It’ll be their first project and it’ll be released under EuroVideo’s label Wild River.

They released a video that highlights one of the game’s levels called “Fungus Forest” which you can check out:

Source: TechRaptor.

Tencent and Wizards working on Magic: The Gathering Arena

by
Tencent and Wizards partner up.

Wizard of the Coast, the developer of the original Magic: The Gathering Online back in 2002, they went ahead and set forth for the next game in the series.

They’ve built games with Stainless Games over the years, such as Magic: The Gathering – Duels of Planeswalkers and Magic Duels: Origins. They did okay, but game reception was poor. Now they’ve decided to set up an in-house development studio called Magic Digital Studio for their next game.

Magic: The Gathering Online won’t be retired. But it will be designed to focus on an engaging and dynamic experience that’s true to playing the actual card game. It allows players and viewer to both watchers exciting and less confusing matchups. It also focuses on new sets with no backward compability for older card sets from previous games.

The game is said to integrate both:

“integrate modern online services that will create a dynamic overall experience and also someday integrate with other aspects of your Magic life.”

They’ve partnered up with Tencent to help bring Magic to more gamers “throughout the world.” Chris Cocks, the West Coast President states that he wants to bring the game to western players as it is in Asia, where the dominant playerbase resides.

Steven Ma, Senior VP of Tencent’s Interactive Entertainment Group states that it’s a “legendary game and has had a huge influence on culture and industry” and that they’re “thrilled to bring this amazing experience to players in Asia and look forward to helping expand its global community.

They also have plans to bring the game to PC, mobile, and console platforms.

Wizards of the Coast announced that their latest card expansion set Dominaria will be on Arena during a large update schedule. It’ll be available today with the economy updates as well. There will also be in-game events and many more. You can check out the forums for more details.

Every single card from the new expansion will be playable in digital format and include news skins and visual improvements. There will also be an experimental event going on in New Zealand where pre-release cards will include in-game codes that they can redeem for virtual items as well.

Puzzle Fighter is shutting down – lots of freebies to grab

by
Puzzle Fighter will be shutting down.

Capcom Vancouver has announced that it’ll be shutting down Puzzle Fighter, it’s mobile puzzler fighting game.

It’s a reboot of the 90s puzzle game which came out in November 2017. Players could choose as classic characters from many different series like Mega Man, Darkstalkers, Dead Rising, Final Fight, Resident Evil, and Street Fighter. The game has only been available on mobile platforms so far.

In a post, Capcom explains that instead of Puzzle Fighter, it’ll be shifting its focus onto Dead Rising instead. They also gave a sincere thanks to fans of the semi-popular mobile fighting game by gifting them 10,000 gems (in-game currency). New characters such as Regina, Dr. Wily, and Ada Wong are free to play as and new levels such as the Lab, Darminor, and Uroboros are all free as well.

The soundtrack is also available on SoundCloud for people who like the OST. And the Classic Mode special event will now be constantly available at all times until the server shuts down.

In-game purchases have been suspended but existing purchases can be still used anytime to upgrade your characters.

The server will shut down on July 31st, 2018.

Source: Techraptor.

Darwin Project is going free to play

by
Darwin Project will be free to play soon.

Scavengers Studio’s Darwin Project has become free to play!

Darwin Project is a battle royale game that takes the battlegrounds up north. Players fight each under the control of a show director who has influence over the outcome of the game. The director can drop bombs, zone areas, and even screw up a single contestant (or all) at any time. The players need to adapt and use the environment in order to kill the others. Using tracks and searching for clues is unique to the genre.

The announcement was made on Steam by Creative Directory Simon Darveau. The game has been in paid Early Access until recently, so for those who paid for it, they’ll get some bonuses like the Founder’s Pack which contains MTL Legendary sets, 3 Legendary Axes, 3 Legendary Bows, and a full jumpsuit collection. You also get 5 Fan Gifts as well. They’ll all appear in your inventory automatically.

If you’re unhappy with the extra gifts you get, you can opt for a full refund no matter when you bought it. This is pretty nice of them, considering that you get bonus items that you decide whether or not are worthy of the price you paid.

Darwin Project will go free to play in hopes to compete with leading Battle Royale games. Charging for the game doesn’t seem to work when you have games like Fortnite dominating the free to play market. The game will also be free to play on Xbox One as well.

Photo: Steam.

Three new (free) content updates announced for Sea of Thieves

by
Sea of Thieves is no longer a sailing sim anymore!

Sea of Thieves is finally getting a much-needed content update!

After being criticized for being a sailing simulator with nothing to do, Rare has decided to release a roadmap of what to expect in the next coming months. It’ll get a few updates, three of which are already announced to let people know that it hasn’t abandoned the project.

The first update will roll out in May which will be called The Hungering Deep and brings a new epic boss for players to take down. It’ll require multiple parties to discover and defeat the threat together. The spiles will be a plenty!

The next update is called Cursed Sails and will roll out in Summer 2018. This update brings a new type of ship to the game and also another epic boss. The expanded ships will allow you to change how it looks and functions as you scale the sea. It’s not just a single ship, it’s a whole ship type.

The last update is called Forsaken Shores and is probably the biggest one. it’ll add a whole new area to sail and new enemies to fight as well. There will be new rewards that are themed to that part of the world and a new gameplay mechanic. This is the big one.

There will also be three more updates coming later on, but none of the hems have details yet. Weekly events will be introduced to the game to teach players the new mechanics and events between updates. This will also help them explore existing locations via quest or fetch missions. Getting a chest from a boring local or getting an item from an NPC in the middle of nowhere both help facilitate players to new places they wouldn’t otherwise go before the updates were added to the game. It’s a way to get players playing.

All updates will be free as well, so Rare will be backed up in developement for thigns like pets and ship captains.

Sit tight for updates on the way, captain!

Photo: https://seaofthieves.gamepedia.com/Sailing

Sega Ages first lineup of games announced for the Switch

by
Sega Ages is coming to the Switch!

Sega has up and gone ahead announced their first lineup of games for their Sega Ages collection for the Switch.

We wrote about this previously and in short, the Sega Ages is a program where Sega brings their classic games over to a multitude of platforms. They did this for the 3DS as well and it was done successfully. Now, their first batch of games for the Switch has been announced.

We’re looking at Alex Kidd, Phantasy Star, Thunder Force IV, Sonic, and Gain Ground. These games included some goodies already and personally I know I’ll be getting Phantasy Star and Sonic (duh). Out of the list, those two were fond memories even though I was totally a Nintendo kid growing up.

This release of Sega Ages will bring over some titles to the West that weren’t available previously. It’ll roll out in Summer 2018 and will be handled by M2, which did the same games for the 3DS. Sega Ages is perfect for fans who liked Sega stuff and weren’t able to play them or just want to relive the classic games without buying an actual Sega console. In terms of Sonic the Hedgehog, some special elements from the 3DS would be added, such as the Spin Dash attack and the Mega Play version. In Thunder Force IV, players will get the Styx Mode and online leaderboards. In Phantasy Star, you’ll get additional options such as difficulty and walk speed.

Sega Ages originally came to fruition back on the Sega Saturn in 1996 in Japan. Then it came to the West with some awesome titles like Space Harrier, OutRun, and After Burner II. It’s nice to see this coming to the Switch. Now it’s a constant thing for Nintendo fans. It’s difficult to avoid getting some Sega on your Nintendo.

Players will be able to get ahold of this sometime in the Summer. Sit tight for updates.

Photo: Wikidpedia.