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RSS FeedsVarious Video Game Stories for Half the Week of August 23, 2021
Posted: 07:39PM
Author: Guest_Jim_*
With gamescom 2021 happening this week my inbox has been inundated with press releases, so rather than wait until Friday to cover it all, I thought I would share what I have early. As usual I will be going through these in alphabetical order by publisher, which means starting with some news from 1047 Games, the studio behind Splitgate. Last we heard the free-to-play, online multiplayer FPS was having its open beta extended indefinitely as the developers continue to work on improving its backend and servers because of the significant load from its popularity. The first month of the open beta saw over 10 million downloads and was clearly more than was expected.
As part of Opening Night Live, Splitgate's Season 0 was not only announced but launched, adding new seasonal challenges and rewards, a new map, new modes, and a battle pass with 100 levels. One of the new modes is Contamination Mode that is what it sounds like as contaminated players have only a melee weapon and the uninfected wield shotguns. The match ends when everyone is infected with players earning points with kills, regardless of which side they are on at the time. The new map is Karman Station that is described as an "open galactic playground" and features an exposed center and outer sniper tower, but do not be fooled as teamwork will be necessary to claim objectives in the neighboring corridors and rooms.
A Season 0 trailer was also shared, showcasing gameplay at a level above me, but is not an inaccurate representation of the experience.
Source: Press Release (1047 Games – Splitgate)
Next we have some news from 2K as it announced with Marvel Entertainment Marvel's Midnight Suns, a tactical RPG set in the Marvel Universe that will have players team up with the titular team to take on supernatural forces from the underworld. Hydra has revived Lilith, the Mother of Demons and she is dedicated to completely an ancient prophecy that will restore her evil master Chthon. The Avengers have turned to the Midnight Suns, Nico Minoru, Blade, Magik, and Ghost Rider, who each have their powers rooted in the supernatural to help them in the fight. This also includes resurrecting the Hunter, a forsaken child of Lilith's and the only hero known to have defeated her.
The studio developing the game is Firaxis Games, the same studio behind the XCOM and Civilization franchises and while a cinematic trailer has been shared today, it will be next week, September 1 when we get the first look at the gameplay. The game itself is targeting a March 2022 release on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
Source: 2K (Marvel's Midnight Suns)
Deep Silver made an announcement that many have been interested in, including myself, as the Saints Row franchise is returning with the upcoming reboot, Saints Row. Slated for a February 25, 2022 release, this game is a reboot for the franchise that will be set in Santo Ileso, a fictional city in the American Southwest as you and your crew will form the Saints to take on Los Panteros, The Idols, and Marshall Defense Technologies. Santo Ileso is the largest Saints Row playground yet created with nine unique districts and you will get to shoot, drive, fly, and wingsuit around it as you build your criminal empire with Neenah, Kevin, and Eli at your side. The game will also feature the "most advanced suite of customization tools yet seen in an open-world game" and it will cover your character, car, and crew.
Being a Saints Row title, it is hardly surprising the announcement trailer is behind an age gate, so here is a link for those of you curious about what the future holds for this franchise: Saints Row Official Announce Trailer. It will be coming to PC via the Epic Games Store, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
Source: Press Release (Deep Silver – Saints Row)
Devolver Digital has a couple pieces of news from the week, thus far, such as the announcement of Cult of the Lamb from developer Massive Monster. In this dark game you play as a lamb possessed by an ominous stranger that saved your life, but at the cost of needing to build a following in its name. In a crumbling world with false prophets, you will need to build your cult and explore mysterious regions to grow your community and spread the word. When returning from your journeys, you will find the needs your followers must be fulfilled to receive their devotion, which will increase your power.
Cult of the Lamb is aiming for an early 2022 launch on PC and consoles.
Source: Press Release (Devolver Digital – Cult of the Lamb)
The second piece of news from Devolver Digital does not concern gamescom but is the release of an update for Phantom Abyss, the asynchronous multiplayer game featuring procedurally generate temples to explore. Dubbed the Overturned Update, it adds new content and features such as 28 new chambers and rotating rooms to turn adventurer's upside down while searching for the temple's relics. A Blessing has been added as well, with this one coming at the cost of others but will ensure you never lose your Basic Whip.
Phantom Abyss is currently in Early Access on Steam and so we can expect more updates with new content to arrive in the future.
Source: Press Release (Devolver Digital – Phantom Abyss)
Dotemu has shared a new trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge featuring April O'Neil, who will be a playable fighter alongside the heroes in a half shell. She will be wearing her iconic yellow jumpsuit and have her reporting gear as she pummels the Foot Clan's soldiers. Her agility combined with her far-reaching slide kicks enable here to approach her targets quickly.
The game is slated to release in 2022 for Pc and Nintendo Switch.
Source: Press Release (Dotemu – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge)
Koch Media announced King of Fighters XV: The King of Fighters during gamescom Opening Night Live and that this title from SNK Corporation will be launching on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 on February 17, 2022. The title will feature 39 characters, including classic characters and fan favorites that have been resurrected, all alongside those crucial to the game's events. This will make it the first time the heroes from each saga come together and it will continue from the previous game's Story Mode as it heads toward an explosive climax.
In addition to the classic 3v3 team battle system, the game will include new features such as Shatter Strike for countering enemy attacks, and improved MAX Mode, and MAX Mode (Quick) that has a rush function to accelerate combos by rapidly pressing the attack buttons. The game will support 1 to 2 players locally and 2 to 8 for online play, with online modes including Casual and Ranked matches, Room Match, and Online Training. The new Draft Vs mode will have you trying to grab your favorite characters before your opponents can.
Pre-orders for the console versions are already available covering the Standard Edition with just the base game at $59.99, Day One Edition with the Terry "Garou: Mark of the Wolves" DLC outfit that is also $59.99 but only a physical retail SKU, and the Deluxe Edition (Digital) with three days of early access, the Team Pass 1, and exclusive "Classic Leona" outfit, priced at $84.99.
Source: Press Release (Koch Media – King of Fighters XV)
Prime Matter has shared a new trailer for Encased, an upcoming isometric dystopian sci-fi RPG being developed by Dark Crystal Games. Last month previews were published and it was noticed that almost everyone was playing the game "normally," following the standard path through the Dome, the game's setting. To address this oversight, the developers put together this trailer, showing off how you can go with such playstyles as pure stealth or pure pacifist and find full narratives and story options still available.
Encased is currently in Early Access on Steam with the first act and part of the second included, but will be released on GOG and Epic Games Store as well.
Source: Prime Matter (Encased)
Also being published by Prime Matter, Wasteland 3 has had its Cult of the Holy Detonation expansion shared at gamescom. This is the second and final expansion for the game from inXile Entertainment and will be arriving on October 5, 2021, along with the Colorado Collection bundle. In this expansion you find what mutant cults call the Holy Detonation, a nuclear explosion somehow being held in stasis under the Cheyenne Mountain military complex and presently being worshipped as a deity. It could be used to power Colorado Springs for centuries or reduce it to rubble in an instant but cults are warring over who should be allowed to honor it. This expansion will be included as part of the Expansion but will also be available individually for $6.99. The trailer is age-gated, so here is a link to it: Wasteland 3: Cult of the Holy Detonation - DLC Announce Teaser.
The Wasteland 3: Colorado Collection is what you may expect as it contains the base game, the first expansion, The Battle of Steeltown, the second expansion described above, and the Colorado Survival Gear that is granted at the start and should make your arrival into Colorado a bit easier. It will be available on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 on October 5 with an MSRP of $59.99.
Source: inXile Entertainment (Wasteland 3)
Publisher Ravenscourt and developed Wild Forest Studios shared a new gameplay trailer for Night is Coming, an upcoming mashup of survival and city-building that is arriving next year on PC. In the trailer you can see as you must work to satisfy your settlers' needs during the daylight hours, and prepare your defenses for when night falls and the monsters come. The monsters and mythical creatures come from the Count Dracula and Van Helsing universe and you will need to assign your soldiers, build defensive structures, and wielding magical spells to keep the villagers sane.
Source: Ravenscourt (Night is Coming)
The upcoming Kung Fu action game Sifu from Slocap has had its release date revealed as February 22. In this single player experience, players will fight to avenge your family by going after the assassination squad that murdered them, all set in a fictional Chinese city with an ancient mystery to uncover. A magical pendant revives you if you die, but the cost is years of aging each time.
Sifu will be available on PC via the Epic Games Store and PlayStation consoles with the Standard Edition priced at $39.99 and the Deluxe Edition at $49.99. Pre-orders are up now with the Special Avatar Pack and exclusive Photomode Cinematic Pack included with both while the latter also receives 48 hours of early access, a digital art book, and the game's soundtrack.
Source: Press Release (Slocap – Sifu)
Square Enix shared a couple pieces of news this week as well, including the announcement of Final Fantasy IV releasing to Steam and mobile platforms on September 8 as part of the Pixel Remaster series. In this title the Kingdom of Baron has sent the Red Wings, an elite airship fleet to attack the surrounding countries but Cecil, a dark knight and captain of the Red Wings decides to fight against Baron. Searching for the crystals, he must travel over and under the land, to the Land of Summons and even the moon, and will eventually team up with Kain the dragoon, Rosa the white mage, Rydia the summoner, and more. As part of the Pixel Remaster series, the game features updated 2D pixel graphics, rearranged soundtracks, improved gameplay, and quality of life improvements such as the bestiary.
Source: Press Release (Square Enix – Final Fantasy IV)
The other item from Square Enix is a new trailer for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, showcasing Grand Unifier Raker and the Universal Church of Truth. There are actually two versions of this trailer with the one embedded below lacking the commentary from Bill Rosemen, the former editor for the comic from 2008 to 2010, but that version can be watched here: Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy - Grand Unifier Raker Cinematic [Commentary]. In it you can see as the team meets Grand Unifier Raker who is not interested in harming them, even though Rocket just shot at him. Instead, he will bring them to the Matriarch.
This cutscene was shared by NVIDIA actually, as it announced the game will feature both ray tracing and NVIDIA DLSS when it launches October 26. It will be available on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and streaming via NVIDIA's GeForce NOW. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Cloud Version will be launching on the same day for the Nintendo Switch in select regions as well.
Source: Press Release (Square Enix – Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy)
Another game announced as having ray tracing and DLSS support is Dying Light 2 from Techland. By partnering with NVIDIA, the developers have been able to implement advanced ray tracing effects into its proprietary C-Engine. These effects include physically correct shadows that will incorporate the angular width of the Sun along with improved ambient occlusion, with DLSS helping to recover some of the performance cost from these effects. The trailer below not only shows off the visual improvements but provides some of detail on what has been achieved.
Source: Press Release (Techland – Dying Light 2)
Lastly, Ubisoft has begun the open beta for Riders Republic, the game that places you inside a social playground filled with various outdoors sporting activities from skiing and snowboarding to wingsuiting and biking through recreation's of iconic American national parks. This beta is open on PC via the Ubisoft Store and Epic Games Store as well as the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, and there is cross-play support. The beta goes until August 28 and already includes Mass Races that pop up every hour and can involve over 50 players, Versus Mode so you can challenge up to five friends, and Tricks Battle to compete in 6v6 matches to land as many tricks as you can to earn points. On August 27 the Free for All mode unlocks, allowing you to face up to 11 opponents in a select playlist of events.
Source: Ubisoft (Riders Republic)
