All The Games From Future Games Show Spring 2021: The Lord Of The Rings Gollum & More

The Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2021 live presentation took place earlier today and there were A LOT of games. Check out all the reveals, announcements and trailers below:
Shadow Tactics Blade Of The Dragon Aiko’s Choice

Publisher Daedalic Entertainment and developer Mimimi Productions have announcedÂ Shadow Tactics Blades of the Shogun Aikoâ€™s Choice, a standalone expansion to the 2016 tactical stealth game. It is slated to release sometime in late 2021.
Check it out on Steam.
Here is an overview of the expansion, via Daedalic Entertainment:
About
Aikoâ€™s ChoiceÂ is a brand-new standalone expansion to the beloved stealth tactics gameÂ Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, set in Japan around the Edo period.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun â€“ Aikoâ€™s ChoiceÂ focuses on one of the main gameâ€™s protagonists: the kunoichi adept Aiko. She is a master of camouflage and distracts enemies disguised as a Geisha. Although Aiko was certain that she left her old life behind her, a new enemy deeply connected to Aikoâ€™s past reappears from the shadows to challenge her. Together with her friends of deadly assassins she sets out to hunt down the ghosts of her pastâ€¦
The expansion features three fully fledged main missions, set in brand-new environments, and three shorter interlude missions.
In the style of the main game, you take control of a team of deadly specialists to sneak in the shadows between dozens of enemies. Choose your approach when infiltrating enemy bases in hidden forest camps or lively Edo period towns. Set traps, poison and distract your opponentsâ€”or avoid enemy contact completely. Carefully plan your every move and come up with your own ingenious tactics to vanquish enemies and complete each of the challenging missions that lie ahead!
Disclaimer: You donâ€™t require a copy ofÂ Shadow Tactics: Blades of the ShogunÂ to playÂ Aikoâ€™s Choice. Even though you can enjoy this standalone expansion on its own, we recommend to play at least the first few missions of the main game in order to get a feeling of the gameâ€™s mechanics as well as the characters and story!
Key Features

Return to the beautiful world of Shadow Tactics set in Japan, early Edo period.
Rejoin your favorite characters for one final adventure set within the story of the main game Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun.
Experience a previously untold tale centered around the kunoichi adept Aiko, who has to face a vicious enemy connected to her past.
Explore three fully fledged main missions, located in brand-new environments, and three shorter interlude missions.

The expansion includes all the features of the main game:

Play a team of completely different characters with their unique skill sets.
Synchronize your teamâ€™s actions to strike down your enemies at once with the â€œShadow Modeâ€ feature.
Choose between non-lethal or deadly stealth attacks.
Find dozens of ways to take out or sneak past your opponents the way you want.
Choose from three difficulty levels to match your skill.

Hidden Deep

Control members of your team: explore, climb, swim, scan, blast, shoot and more to accomplish dangerous missions in a huge suboceanic mining and research facility. Hidden Deep is an atmospheric sci-fi action thriller, heavily inspired by Aliens, The Thing, and Half-Life.
It’s coming to PC via Steam in 2021.

Glitchpunk

Inspired by classic top-down action games, Glitchpunk lets you brawl, shoot and drive your way through a dystopian future. As an android bounty hunter in a brutal world of gangs, cults and corporations thereâ€™s plenty of work for you. Lock and load, let her rip!
It’s coming to Steam Early Access in Q2 2021.

Life Of Delta

Publisher Daedalic Entertainment and developer Airo Games have announcedÂ Life of Delta, a post-apocalyptic point-and-click adventure game coming to consoles and PC viaÂ Steam. A release date was not announced.
Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page:
About
Life of DeltaÂ is a point-and-click adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world.
After the Great War, all humans are wiped out. The only survivors are decaying service robots and humanoid lizards that were born from a long nuclear fallout.
Our story follows Delta, who is a small service robot and like any other robot, he is just trying to survive in this harsh environment. One day he is forced to embark on a journey through a vast post-apocalyptic world in order to find his lost friend. Because of his small size, he needs to use all of his wits to overcome all dangerous scenarios and challenges.
Key Features

25 hand-painted levels of post-apocalyptic Japan and hundreds of carefully handcrafted character animations.
You will be solving over 50 engaging mini-games such as building spaceship engines and mixing toxic potions.
Interact with various characters throughout the game, each with a unique story to tell.
Fully animated cutscenes to paint a more interesting story.
Beautiful original soundtrack.

Fling To The Finish

Fling to the Finish is a cooperative racing game where teammates are tethered together by a stretchy elastic rope. Get up close and personal with your partner as you share a controller to manoeuvre two characters bouncing, rolling, and flinging their way to the finish line!
It’s coming to PC via Steam in 2021.

Inkulinati

Inkulinati is an ink-based strategy straight from medieval manuscripts, where a rabbitâ€™s bum can be deadlier than a dog’s sword. Become a master of the Living Ink, embark on an ever-changing journey, build your own bestiary, defeat medieval superstars and collect perks to unleash hidden powers.
It’s coming to PC via Steam in 2021.

The Lord Of The Rings Gollum

Publisher Nacon, and co-publisher and developer Daedalic Entertainment have released a sneak peek trailer for the story-driven action-adventure game The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.
Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page
Athletic and agile, sneaky and cunning. Driven by the desire to once again hold in his hands what he lost, Gollum is one of the most fascinating characters in the world ofÂ The Lord of the Rings.
He has seen things that others can not imagine, he has survived things that others would not dare mention. Torn by his split personality, he can be vicious and villainous as Gollum, but social and cautious as Smeagol.
While being vital to the story by J.R.R. Tolkien, many parts of Gollumâ€™s quest have not been told in detail yet. InÂ The Lord of the Rings: GollumÂ you get to experience this story. From his time as a slave below the Dark Tower to his stay with the Elves of Mirkwood.
Use stealth, agility, and cunning to survive and overcome what lies ahead. Climb, leap, and grapple your way past dangers or into advantageous spots.
While Gollum might not be a fighter, it is not unlike him to assassinate a careless enemy when the chance presents itselfâ€”or dispose of them in more creative and villainous ways.
The decisions you make and the way you play have a direct influence on Gollumâ€™s personality: Always struggling between the two sides embodied by Gollum and SmÃ©agol, it is up to you to decide whether the darker side of Gollum takes over or if there is a spark of reason left in what once was Smeagol. One mind, two egosâ€”you decide!
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is due out for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC via SteamÂ in 2022.

Arctic Awakening

GoldFire Studios has announcedÂ Arctic Awakening, an episodic narrative adventure coming to consoles, and PC and Mac viaÂ SteamÂ in 2022.
Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page:
About
It was supposed to be routine. A supply drop to an Alaskan town, auto-pilot on, guard down. You and Donovan were already planning post mission drinks when it happened.
The storm.
Half the plane disappeared in a flash. Donovan was gone, lost to the howling tempest. Waking from the crash you find yourself alone, trapped in a frozen wilderness, your only companions a court-mandated therapy bot and temperatures that can cut a man to shreds. Hope for survival lies in finding your friend and maybe a way home.
You are Kai, a pilot without a plane lost in the wilderness of the far north. Youâ€™ll need your wits about you to brave the elements, find your co-pilot and get the hell out of Dodge. Along the way, you might just discover what it was that cut your plane clean in twoâ€¦ and what it is making those noises after dark.
Arctic AwakeningÂ is an episodic first-person adventure set in the mysterious Arctic North where you and your robotic companion, Alfie, must search for your co-pilotâ€¦ and a way home.

Hard Won FriendshipsÂ â€“Â Arctic AwakeningÂ is a narrative adventure, where your choices affect the decisions of those around you. Your actions will change your relationship with your companions and perhaps your story itself.
Lostâ€¦ And FoundÂ â€“ Exploration is key to unravelling the secrets that surround you. Uncover the mystery of your missing co-pilot, the source of the catastrophe that left you stranded, and maybe, just maybe, find a way home.
You Are Not AloneÂ â€“ InÂ Arctic AwakeningÂ the environment itself is a character, one not always on your side. Dynamic weather means each new area never feels the same, and gorgeously realized vistas combine with an ever-changing world to create an atmosphere of discovery, potential and fear.

Key Features

First-person narrative adventure where you must first face the elements to uncover the mysteries around you.
Stunning Arctic vistas to explore and secrets to uncover.
Story-centric choices that will affect the relationships you build.
New episodes with more adventures, secrets and characters.

Cris Tales

Publisher Modus Games and developers Dreams Uncorporated and SYCK have released a new trailer introducing the characters ofÂ Cris Tales.
The companies alsoÂ announcedÂ the gameâ€™s voice cast:
Main Characters

Kira Buckland in the role of Crisbell â€“ Crisbell is the main character of Cris Tales. She is a young orphan with a slim figure that is unaware of her latent powers as a time mage, until Matias the frog helps her unlock her abilities. She is able to see into the past and future, and can interact with both of them to change the present.
Cody Rock in the role of Matias â€“ Matias is a small, orange talking frog with a black top hat who meets Cris Bell at the beginning of the game. After stealing a rose from the garden Cris Bell is tending, he leads her to the Cathedral where she discovers Crystals of Time, granting her the power to control time. He will assist her party in various ways throughout the game.
Lindsey Vega in the role of Willhelm â€“ Wilhelm is Crisbellâ€™s magic teacher who you will meet early on in the game. He looks like a child, but has a pretty remarkable level of skill and experience. He tends to be a bit sarcastic. He is well known in the city of Neva Tulira and is friends with many members of the Oroitz family, the most powerful family there.
Zeno Robinson in the role of Cristopher â€“ Christopher is a brave and heroic Mage Warrior that helps defend the Kingdom of Narim from Goblins. He fights with dual gauntlets that can be joined together to create a shield to defend against enemy attacks. His magical abilities allow him to conjure different elemental attacks such as fire and water that can be enhanced by Cris Bellâ€™s time powers.
Lizzie Freeman in the role of Zas â€“ Zas is upbeat, outgoing, and a bit of a wildcard. Cris Bellâ€™s party will encounter her upon arriving in the Kingdom of Cinder, where she will aid the team with her explosive set of tools. She is instantly recognizable by her athletic build, dark apparel, and large green bag.
Daman Mills in the role of JKR-721 â€“ JKR-721, also known as K, is a mechanical android built to fight. His armor grants him the ability to charge and attack rapidly with a series of electrical attacks, assisted by a jetpack hidden underneath his coat. He exhibits a genuine curiosity about the world, and will join Cris Bell on her adventure.

Other Characters

Suzie Yeng as Various Characters
Sean Chiplock as Various Characters
Jenny Yokobori as Kari Hudo
Cassie Ewulu as Lucia
Sarah Thomas as Fenia
Rhiannon Moushall as Assan
Christina Kelly as Lau
Lindsay Shepherd as Rysa and Nasar
Adin Rudd as Lucio
Michael Kovach as Azufra
Farah Rishi as Orola
Dawn M. Bennet as Rhallus
Tamara Ryan as Gladys
Laila Berzins as Buki
Marissa Lenti as Sophia
Dani Chambers as Adri
Kamran Nikhad as Enzo
Natalie van Sistine as Mother Superior
Tyler Carson as Armando
Tiana Camacho as Galley and June
Meredit Sims as Volcano and Paulina
Vincent Fallow as Farmer Robert

Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page:
About
Experience Past, Present, and Future simultaneously in this gorgeous, indie love letter to classic JRPGs.
Cris TalesÂ is a gorgeous, indie love letter to classic JRPGs with a new perspective. Peer into the past, act in the present, and watch as your choices dynamically change the future â€” all on one screen as you play! Join the newly awakened Time Mage Crisbell and her fantastical companions on their journey across a dark, fairytale world facing a grim future.
Crisbell must embark across Crystallis and the four Kingdoms in a bid to stop the powerful Time Empress and rewrite the future of the world and all those living in it. Along the way, sheâ€™ll meet and recruit powerful allies with their own unique stories and skills like Matias the Frog and Willhelm the Child Mage.
As she explores the world and meets her unique companions, Crisbell will have to make choices with far-reaching consequences for the people she meets â€“ consequences that will impact the world youâ€™ll experience in real-time throughout your journey. Each companion will be invaluable as you face these choices and the myriad enemies who stand in your way. Will you buffet them with attacks, or discover creative ways to use Crisbellâ€™s time powers to alter the reality of each fight?
Beautifully hand-drawn 2D art is animated frame by frame to bring the branching pasts and futures of each region, enemy, and NPC to life across more than 20 hours of gameplay. Experience a unique combination of branching stories, innovative combat, and classic RPG excitement inÂ Cris Talesâ€™ exciting and unforgettable exploration of how our actions echo through time.
Key Features

A Love Letter to Classic JRPGsÂ â€“ Inspired by timeless JRPGs likeÂ Chrono Trigger,Â Final Fantasy VI,Â Valkyrie Profile, and modern classics likeÂ Bravely DefaultÂ andÂ Persona 5, meet and recruit a unique cast of teammates, challenge myriad enemies, and make your way through an expansive world.
Experience the Past, Present, and Future SimultaneouslyÂ â€“ Peer into and learn from the past, decide on actions in the present, and alter the course of the future in ways that will reshape the world dynamically depending on the choices you make.
Master Strategic Turn-Based CombatÂ â€“ Warp your enemies into the past or future, synchronize attacks for enhanced group abilities, and master the timing of attack and defense to go beyond your partyâ€™s limits in combat.
Uncover a Fascinating Story & CharactersÂ â€“ The Empressâ€™ plot to destroy the world is complex and layered. Use your wits and recruit powerful allies throughout the world to uncover and undo her multi-faceted web and make your way to the True Ending of this enchanting tale.
Discover a Beautiful WorldÂ â€“ Climb aboard an airship or boat and traverse this handcrafted, dark fairytale world. From the shining kingdom of Crystallis to the slums of Saint Clarity, discover each unique location and shape its future.

Cris Tales is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam,Â GOG, and the Epic Games Store, and Stadia sometime in July 2021.

Axiom Verge 2

Thomas Happ Games has released a new gameplay video and developer presentation forÂ Axiom Verge 2.
Here is an overview of the game, via Thomas Happ Games:
About
Axiom Verge 2Â is a 2D â€œmetroidvaniaâ€ action adventure. Though a sequel toÂ Axiom Verge, is a completely new game: new characters, new abilities, new enemies, and a new world. You can play it before or after the originalÂ Axiom Verge.
The sole developer, Tom Happ, is responsible for all the music, art, game design, and programming in this game.
Key Features

Expansive non-linear exploration of a huge interconnected map.
Hack any enemy with unique and interesting consequences for each.
Launch a remote drone with its own separate abilities and behaviors.
Speedrun Modeâ€”play with a streamlined interface and additional features to facilitate speedrunning.
Plus one other major feature players will be excited to discover on their own

Axiom Verge 2 is slated to release for the Nintendo Switch and PC via the Epic Games StoreÂ in 2021.

Naraka Bladepoint

24 Entertainment has released the official gameplay trailer for the 60-player action battle royale game Naraka: Bladepoint.
A global open beta test was alsoÂ announced, which will take place from 23 April 25 April 2021. To sign up, you can visit the gameâ€™s Steam page and click â€œApply Now”.
Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page:
A Next-Generation Battle Royale Game
When melee combat meets battle royale, pretty much EVERYTHING changesâ€¦ Vertical map design, truly diverse character skills and a brand-new resurrection system. Enjoy the thrill of clashing blades and flying arrows in the battlefield ofÂ Naraka: Bladepoint!
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!
From the shoulder of a giant Buddha to the very highest mountain peaksâ€¦ From the rusty, rattling chains of floating coffins to secret trails of an abandoned mine.
Naraka: Bladepointâ€™s interactive map design allows you to roam Morus Island with freedom. Walk every path you find. Reach every place you see. Eliminate every opponent you encounter.
Become Godlike with Your Grappling Hook
Every player is equipped with a grappling hook that can be aimed at anyone, anywhereâ€¦

AssaultÂ â€“ Instantly zip through obstacles to pounce on your target.
AmbushÂ â€“ Hide in the darkness and wait for your moment. Ready your hook and surprise your targets with deadly long-range takedowns.
AvoidÂ â€“ Sometimes discretion is the better part of honor; escape from battles in a flash with a well-aimed grappling hook maneuver.

You can do EVERYTHING with your grappling hook.
Warriors, Assassins, Swordsmen, Brawlers, and Monks
Together In blood and dust, heroes from around the world gather in Morus Island, there is only fighting, there is only death or life. Only one can remain.
Remains of Behemoths, Deserted Townships, Enigmatic Temples
Explore a vast, mysterious battlefield where every section is unique and breathtaking. Learn the truth ofÂ Narakaâ€˜s world and its endless battles.
Poetic Yet VIOLENT. Mysterious, but ENCHANTING,
Naraka: Bladepoint is slated to release for PC via SteamÂ this summer.

Savior

Savior is an action-adventure platformer. Dramatically change a vast open world. Parkour effortlessly with pain-free intuitive platforming. Engage a variety of opponents with strategic, precision melee combat. Discover a rich world full of quests, colourful characters and countless secrets.
It’s coming to PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch in winter 2022.

Quantum Error

TeamKill Media has released a four-minute gameplay trailer forÂ Quantum Error. An extended version will be available on 26 March 2021.
Here is an overview of the gameâ€™s story, via itsÂ official website:
When the Monad Quantum Research Facilityâ€”30 miles off the shore of CA â€“ is attacked by an unknown entity, engulfing the complex in flames and putting it into a full containment lock-down, a distress call is sent for mutual aid to the Garboa Fire Dept in San Francisco, California.
Fire Chief Sturgis answers the call and sends youâ€”Captain Jacob Thomasâ€”your partner Shane Costa and a crew by helicopter to the Monad Facility.
Your mission is simple: save as many lives from the burning complex as possible and get out. However, what starts as a rescue mission quickly plummets into darkness, when you arrive and find that things are not as they appear.
Quantum Error is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Of Bird And Cage

Of Bird and Cage is a unique metal album presented through a short story-driven game. Play music in a brand-new way. Featuring famous artists like Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), Rob van der Loo (Epica), Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation), and many others!
It’s coming to PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch sometime in 2021.

Gamedec

Publisher and developer Anshar Studios have announced that single-player cyberpunk isometric RPG GamedecÂ will launch for PC viaÂ SteamÂ andÂ GOG on 16 September 2021. A Nintendo Switch version is also plannedÂ for release in 2021, but a date has yet to be announced.
Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page:
About
GamedecÂ is a single-player non-combat cyberpunk isometric RPG. You are a game detective, who solves crimes inside virtual worlds. Use your wits to gather info from your witnesses and suspects, get to the bottom of deceptive schemes, save lives, and investigate the extraordinary relationships between virtual worlds and their inhabitants. The game continually adapts to your choices and never judges â€“ You are the sum of your choices.
Welcome to Warsaw City of the XXII century. The Tech of the future is so advanced that the term â€œrealâ€ is relative and â€œlifeâ€ and â€œdeathâ€ have many meanings. Virtual worlds give rise to problems of the human nature: lust, sloth, envy, and pride. The residents of these virtual game-worlds need specialistsâ€”Gamedecsâ€”Private Investigators with experience in those worlds who work to discover the secrets and explores mechanics hidden in those realities for the commission of your clients. You are one of them. You are a Gamedec.
GamedecÂ emulates the nature of tabletop RPGs by focusing on character development through decision making. Gather aspects and craft your unique set of professions that will allow you to lead investigations in a way that feet your style. Discover extraordinary relationships between the virtual worlds and their inhabitants thanks to the gathered information in the codex.
Like in classic tabletop RPGs, youâ€™re given the freedom to approach situations from multiple angles rather than forcing a single solution â€“ the choice is yours and yours alone.
Key Features

Interact with NPCs to gather intel and access different dialogue options depending on your choices, developed profession and acquired knowledge.
Visit numerous virtual worlds, from the deceitful farm-like environment, through dark-noir cyberpunk realities to fantasy-based realms.
Use your Codex and Deduction to unscramble facts and evidence to conclude the case. Find your own answer and respond accordingly to your own ethics, integrity or just a sense of poetic justice.
Shape your character through actions that grant positive or negative effects. Determine how to you want to be perceived by the other by selecting traits, which correspond to your gameplay style. Develop your own Gamedec through your decisions, choices, and actions.
Meet various characters in both Realium and Virtualium that can be friendly, or hostileâ€”depending on your decisions throughout the game.

Embr

Publisher Curve Digital and developer Muse Games will releaseÂ Embr for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via SteamÂ this summer, the companies announced. The game is currently in Early Access for PC viaÂ Steam.
Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page:
About
The Emergency Services Revolution has begun! Become an Embr Respondrâ„¢ today! Fight fires and save lives while climbing the ladder of success, all within the comfort of flexible working hours. Embrâ€™s mission is simple; bring Ã¼ber firefighting to everyone, everywhere.
As an Embr Respondrâ„¢ï¸, youâ€™ll answer calls for help, and with the addition of EmbrGigs, you can make extra money by delivering food, helping clients move, salvaging valuables, and much more! Break down doors, clear gas leaks, elude expensive security systems, and put out firesâ€”no job is too big for an Embr Respondr.
Join us in what leading tech experts are calling â€œthe startup of the centuryâ€, and become the hero we all know you are!
Key Features

Respondr Coordinated ResponseÂ â€“ Tackle jobs with up to three friends and fellow Respondrsâ„¢ to make even the deadliest fire a co-op fuelled stroll through the park.
Save the Day, Your WayÂ â€“ Break down doors, smash windows, fix electrical circuits, clear gas leaks, evade security systems, and do whatever it takes to get the job done and get paid!
Long and Extensive Career PathÂ â€“ Climb the ladder of success as you become the best in the business. Take on 8 varieties of jobs across 17 neighborhoods and two districts. Rescue clients and valuables, salvage goods and cold hard cash, escape from sinister competitor traps, clean up gas leaks, and even deliver food under fire! Amass ratings and unlock even richer jobs from corporate clients.
Personalized Equipment ServiceÂ â€“ Be a cut above the competition by purchasing and upgrading over 20 new tools. Scale building with the Grapplr, throw yourself or your clients safely out the window with the parachute, or keep your clients cool with the ice gun. With over 100 clothing and vehicle upgrades with different capabilities purchased directly from Embr, you can tailor your experience, in style. Welcome to modern private firefighting.
THE Emergency Services RevolutionÂ â€“ Join the brand new Embr Early Access program and partner with us to shape the future of Embr as a valued Embr Respondr and Community Member! Leave your feedback anywhere from Steam forums, Embr Discord, to emails and social media. We read them all. And remember to give us a Wishlist and Follow!

Kathy Rain The Director’s Cut

Award-winning adventure Kathy Rain returns in the Directorâ€™s Cut of the point and click game, featuring an extended story with more puzzles to solve and new areas to explore. Witness the rise of an iconic detective as you uncover a dark and sinister truth hiding behind the calm exterior of a small rural town.
It’s coming to PC via Steam sometime in 2021.

Back 4 Blood

Back 4 Blood was recently delayed to 12 October 2021. It is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC viaÂ SteamÂ and theÂ Epic Games Store.

Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Tempestfall

Battle the forces of Nighthaunt in this VR-exclusive action-adventure Warhammer Age of Sigmar game. Wield iconic weapons of a Lord-Arcanum and deliver Sigmarâ€™s justice using motion-based abilities and magic across the realm of Death.
It’s slated to PC VR via Steam and Oculus Quest in 2021.

The Longest Road On Earth

The Longest Road on Earth is a thoughtful and deeply personal narrative-title. Stripped-down mechanics and the lack of dialogue or text allow you to fully immerse yourself in the ordinary lives of four characters. Each short-story will allow players to be swept away by the haunting and poignant lyrics of over twenty original, emotionally-charged songs, sung by Beicoli.
It’s coming to PC via Steam and mobile in spring 2021.

Green Hell

GREEN HELL is an Open World Survival Simulator set in the uncharted unique setting of the Amazonian rainforest.
It’s coming to consoles and PC via Steam in June 2021.

Operation Tango

Espionage-themed cooperative adventure gameÂ Operation: Tango will launch for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on 1 June 2021.
Here is an overview of the game, via Clever Plays:
Operation: TangoÂ plays out much like a virtual escape room, bonding players in the process. One player will take on the role of Angel, the â€œField Agent,â€ while the other plays as Alistair, the â€œHacker.â€ Playing from separate devices, each player enjoys a completely unique play experience. The pair must work together, in constant verbal contact, and linked in an augmented, fully-connected, and highly-stylized world to solve puzzles and complete each high stakes mission.
The game takes its tagline, â€œIt Takes Two to Save the World,â€ to heart, in that only by sharing the vantage points of each role can players overcome the many challenges that stand between them and completing each mission. The resulting experience is more like an in-person game night or team challenge.
Players hosting the game can invite a friend to join them for free via their game platform, where applicable. However, to host a game, players must own a copy ofÂ Operation: Tango. At launch, the game will have cross-play across systems.

Serial Cleaners

Serial Cleaners is a single-player stealth action crime story in which you alternate between playing four eccentric mob cleaners taking on the bloodiest jobs the carefree 1990s had to offer. If you remember the nineties differently, their dirty work is the reason why.
It’s coming to PC via Steam in 2021.

Don’t Forget Me

Inspired by games like Her Story and The Red Strings Club, Donâ€™t Forget Me combines classic adventure gameplay with a modern puzzle system. Enter the minds of patients and use deduction to access their memories and progress your story.
It’s coming to PC via Steam on 20 April 2021.

Fire Commander

Publisher Movie Games and developers Atomic Wolf and Pixel Crow have announced the tactical game Fire Commander for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC (Steam). It will launch on 15 September 2021.
Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page:
This is a Way of Life
How would it feel to head a group of firefighters and manage a fire station? Facing the fire and making decisions that can affect the lives of many people? Now you have the chance to experience it in Fire Commander!
The Many Faces of Firefighting
From extinguishing fires, to saving people and valuable equipment, experience a variety of environments and dangers, including the risk of a toxic spill. Be free to utilize different vehicles, class specializations and tools. Creatively combining them, discover multiple ways of dealing with any situation. In action, consider such factors as backdraft, smoke, or materials with a different combustion temperature.
The welfare of your crew and the success of the missions depend on your decisions.
Stand Behind Your Peopleâ€™s Back
Putting your life on the line together can form strong bonds between you and your crew. The team becomes your family. Take care of your people, before and during rescue actions. Send your firefighters on training courses and develop their skills. Be sure that during emergencies, everyone will know what to do.
Key Features

Different classes of firefighters.
Experience system with unlockable skills.
Numerous rescue vehicles and a growing fire station.
Story and side missions.
An enemy you cannot outpower, only outsmart.

War Hospital

Publisher Movie Games and developer Brave Lamb Studio have announced World War I society survival gameÂ War Hospital for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam). It will launch in Q4 2022.
Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page:
About
When the bullet hits the target, another fight starts. A fight for life. A fight for the soul.
The year is 1917. You are major Henry Wells, a retired British combat medic, drafted back and thrown into the nightmare of World War I. Understaffed and undersupplied, you are the last bastion of hope for countless soldiers at the French Front.
Life of Hundreds is in Your Hands
Treat horrible war injuries as the commander of a field hospital. Build a facility to heal them while the artillery shells explode ear-splittingly close. Use real WW1 equipment and see how your tools and methods evolve. Your choices will make a lasting impact.
Be the Angel of the Battlefield
Build a micro-community of life-savers and survivors. Kindle hope in your staff and soldiers. Bring a speck of normalcy by inspiring periods of ceasefire. Play a war-themed game that celebrates life, not death.
â€œIn the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.â€ â€” Albert Einstein
Key Features

A war-themed game focused on saving lives, not taking them.
Society survival that challenges tactics as well as morals.
Faithfully recreated setting of the French Front in World War I.
Realistically depicted conditions of a British field hospital.
Develop and put to use innovative WW1 medical technology.

Lost Words Beyond The Page

Lost Words Beyond The Page is an atmospheric narrative adventure written by Rhianna Pratchett. Set between the pages of a diary and a fantasy story where you run on words and use them to interact with the world around you.
It’s coming to consoles and PC via Steam on 6 April 2021.

Haunted Space

Publisher Merge Games and developer Italian Games Factory have announcedÂ Haunted Space, a science-fiction horror game for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam). A release date was not announced.
Here is an overview of the game, via itsÂ Steam page:
About
Experience the next generation of space combat inÂ Haunted Space. Sci-fi blends with horror elements in a story-rich adventure based on exploration, fast-paced dogfighting, trading and ship crafting, with customisable flight simulation and intense multi-stage boss battles.
In the far future, the second age of human civilisation reached the distant Neterun galaxy and discovered a powerful energy called Sonic Matter. Millions of settlers arrived in Neterunâ€™s systems and a vast factory called the Metal Mother Facility was built to harvest this valuable resource. But humanity soon discovered they were not aloneâ€¦
Take on the role of a Raider, in the service of the Human Empire, as you traverse a treacherous galaxy in the far reaches of space. Take on quests across multiple systems or strike out on your own to fight, explore and scavenge resources and credits. Trade, craft, customize your ship and fight to survive as you uncover the mystery of a galaxy haunted by an ancient civilization.
Key Features

Explore the Neterun GalaxyÂ â€“ Traverse multiple unique star systems, each filled with danger and intrigue. Play in first person or third person perspective as you overcome the challenges of this dangerous backwater of space.
Experience a Deep and Epic Sci-Fi Horror StoryÂ â€“ Neterun is full of monuments and relics left by an ancient civilization and the galaxy is haunted by their ghosts. Unravel the reasons for their presence and fight for survival against their supernatural threat in a story inspired by the dark and twisted tales of Heavy Metal and 2000AD.
Take on the Fearsome ColossiÂ â€“ Overcome the odds in fierce multi-stage boss battles against ancient God-like creatures composed of organic matter and space debris.
Make Your MarkÂ â€“ Trade and craft new ships and ship equipment using powerful and customizable ship modification toolsâ€”create and buy new weapons, shields, cargo containers, engines and more. Stunning ray tracing effects and immersive audio put you in the heart of the action like never before.
Play Your WayÂ â€“ InÂ Haunted Space, the innovative co-pilot system allows you to choose the level of control you prefer, from a complete space simulation, through to a more arcade style experience. At its maximum level, the co-pilot makes the game accessible for blind and visually impaired users, and it also supports eye-tracking.

Sub Rosa

Sub Rosa is a multiplayer first-person shooter about tense deals, double-crosses, and the occasional high-speed car chase.
It is in Early Access on Steam right now.

Martha Is Dead

Martha Is Dead is a first-person psychological thriller coming to the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC sometime in 2021.
The game is set in Tuscany in 1944. As conflict intensifies between German and Allied forces, the body of a woman is found drowned. Her twin sister must alone deal with the acute trauma of loss, while the truth of the brutal murder is shrouded by mysterious folklore and the extreme horror of war which draws ever closer.

Sifu

Developer Sloclap reveals more about their upcoming game, Sifu.
It is slated to release for the PS4, PS5 and PC via Epic Games Store sometime in 2021.

Kena Bridge Of Spirits

Ember Labs has released a new showcase video for Kena: Bridge of Spirits featuring new gameplay footage.
It is slated to release for the PS4, PS5 and PC via the Epic Games Store on 24 August 2021.

You can watch the almost two-hour-long Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2021 live stream presentation below:


The Next MapleStory 2 Closed Beta Session Is Starting Soon

You can now add MapleStory 2 as the next game to get the Battle Royale treatment; the next closed beta session of MapleStory 2 will include a mode called Mushking Royale where you have to be the last MapleStory avatar standing in a 50-person free-for-all.
You drop in on a hot air balloon, you have a map that gets smaller over time, and you’ll eventually have to kill or be killed. You can climb on walls, jump through obstacles, and raise your level by defeating monsters around you. Oh and you can camp like the little bitch crafty player that you are in bushes.

So when is the next closed beta session happening? It will happen from 18 July to 1 August, PT time. Mushking Royale will only be available from 20 July to 22 July.
You can register and try your luck here:Â http://maplestory2.nexon.net/en/signup/
So far, there’s no word on a Southeast Asian release yet; let’s hope that this Closed Beta session isn’t region-locked.


Ghost of Tsushima Out Spring 2020

Sucker Punch’s open-world action game set in feudal Japan, Ghost of Tsushima, will be out next year; Summer 2020.
During the Game Awards 2019 livestream, PlayStation showed off brand-new gameplay and footage, complete with a badass sword-swipe character title transition. Seems like the game is emphasizing stealth and magic; our titular character is effective at assassinations and throwing ghost balls to distract/hinder his targets.

Did I forget to mention that this game looks gorgeous?


No Objections Here: The Great Ace Attorney Is A Worthy Addition For Adventure Game Fans

Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5,Nintendo Switch
Genre: Lawyer-Filled Visual Novel Adventure Game Set In The 19th Century
I’ll have to be upfront here: I love the Ace Attorney series from Capcom. They’re basically adventure game & visual novel titles featuring lawyers representing the defendants and prosecutors in a battle of wits, arguments, and spiralling anime story drama with sprinkles of comedy and hijinx all around.
The Great Ace Attorney is essentially a grand spin-off tale that predates all the Ace Attorney games, focusing on the ancestor of Phoenix Wright and his fledging lawyer adventures in 19th century Japan, England, and in-between. And it’s just at engrossing as past titles.
Courtroom Drama

The basics of video game lawyer adventure gaming work remain the same: investigate, gather evidence, scrutinise and cross-examine testimonies, and then discover the truth behind the case in question. This iteration of Ace Attorney has some additions that make for exciting “battle anime”-like trials like group testimonials with different witnesses at the same time, and jury appeal bits. Otherwise, the core thrill of anime courtroom battle in adventure game/visual novel form remains the same.
The reason why you want to shell out RM165 for The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is the presentation, the conversations, the story, and the setting. The 3D engine here is similar to the one used in Ace Attorney 5 and 6, but updated and tweaked for dramatic effect. Every staple from the Ace Attorney titles, finger-pointing and all, is showcased with great effect here.
This being a remastered collection, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a single tale split across two games (2015’s The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures & 2016’s The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve). Obviously this series has a longer runtime -about 30 hours or so- but this entry has less legal filler than past games and feels a tad more tight narrative-wise. With its cast of eccentric characters like the aptly-named Herlock Sholmes to the colourful witnesses and jurors, along with the aforementioned mechanics, there’s a lot to love here. Most of it can be attributed to the localization team at Capcom for doing a bang-up job with translating the lengthy script to what we’re seeing here.
Trial Of The Century
True, there is still the usual “lead you by the hand” moments and having to follow the motions of the story even if you already pieced out what happened a few witness stand bits ago, but that’s part and parcel of the Ace Attorney experience. At the very least, it’s smoothed out here and all the brain teasers and logic puzzles involving debating & arguing here made me feel a tad smarter when I solve them on my own.
As such, you’ll get your money’s worth here if you’re a fan of the series since the original games. Don’t go into this fresh though; a lot of wordplay and easter eggs will be lost on you if you didn’t get a chance to revisit the older titles, which are probably dirt cheap price-wise and in collections right now.
Final Score: 80/100


Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Will Be Out In July Instead Of September

Nintendo’s big JRPG sequel Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will be pushed forward from its September release date.
The Monolithsoft game will be out on 29th July instead. In addition, there’s a ton more being shown off here. Let’s break it down.

Pairs of characters can now fuse together into one badass form via the Interlink system. Noah and Mio can fuse together to become one powerful demon Ultraman mecha-like thing called the Ouroboros that possibly deals tons of damage in combat. Sena and Lanz can do the same (giant mecha with two giant gauntlets), along with Eunie and Taion (female form with two giant revolving shields/wings).
Noah can use other skills from other party members via Chain Attacks.
Yes, the Nopons from the earlier trailer are your party members, or at least support attacks and hang with your team. And they’re called Riku and Manana.
You have two extra party members joining you: Valdi and Zeon. They may be temporary ones though.
Other new characters introduced in this trailer include Ethel the commander of Keves’ army (lady with white hair), Isurd the army leader of Agnus’ Lambda Colony, and Cammuravi the army chief of Agnus’ Delta Colony.

Here’s the official Nintendo-written features about the new systems and combat bits:

Battle with up to seven characters: Like in previous Xenoblade Chronicles games, battles start by facing enemies directly in the overworld. Players can control Noah’s party of six, as well as additional characters they’ll meet during the adventure. Each character has their own role in battle, which allows for diverse strategies.
Class change: Noah is a Swordfighter, specializing in close-range attacks, while Mio is a Zephyr, drawing enemy attention while evading their strikes. Thus, each character has their own class with their own strengths. Progressing in the adventure, players can change characters’ classes, creating a customized party.
New Interlink system: Each of the tag-team pairs – Noah and Mio, Lanz and Sena, Eunie and Taion – can make use of the Interlink system if certain conditions are met. They will then combine into a giant form called Ouroboros. Each Ouroboros has its own powerful move set, and deciding when to transform can be the key to winning a battle.

There’s even a Special Edition for the game for pre-order on the My Nintendo Store. This version features a special box, steelbook the game, and an art book.

Check out the trailer and screenshots below. For more on Xenoblade Chronicles 3, here’s a detailed breakdown of the original trailer.


Horizon Forbidden West Is Officially Delayed To Early 2022

The long-awaited sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn will be pushed back to next year according to Guerilla Games.
Horizon: Forbidden West, the action-adventure game where you fight a ton of mechanized animals and dinosaurs as badass female warrior Aloy, will be out for PS4 and PS5 on 18th February, 2022. The delay is due to polishing the game to its final stages and pandemic schedule complications.
Previously, the game was given a 2021 release window. For more on Horizon Forbidden West, check out our previous coverage.


Netflix Geeked Week 2022 Will Launch New Show Trailers This June

Netflix has announced that it will dropping a bunch of teasers and trailers for its upcoming sci-fi and fantasy shows later next month.
Called Geeked Week 2022, the streaming company will be showcasing its upcoming shows with hype from 6th June to 10th June. Upcoming shows include Stranger Things 4 (coming end of May), The Sandman, The Gray Man, The Umbrella Academy (Season 3), and a lot more. The trailer even featured Gwendoline Christie as Sandman’s Lucifer Morningstar.
Hosts for this year’s Geeked Week include Jacob Bertrand, jstoobs, Jaeden Martell, Reece Feldman aka guywithamoviecamera, Ella Purnell, Tiffany Smith, Felicia Day, B Dave Walters, Geoff Keighley, and Mari Takahashi.
With Ella Purnell there, we might get a peek at a new Arcane: League of Legends season. Or even more video game TV show tie-ins heading to Netflix’s way since Geoff Keighley’s showing his Summer Games mug on the show. Not so much the animated stuff.
Check out the trailer below.


Assetto Corsa Competizione Brings Authentic Racing Home, Even In 2020

“It’s the final lap, I slammed the brakes and immediately dropped into third as I swung my BMW M6 GT3 right into Copse. The Audi R8 LMS was hot on my tail so I didn’t dare to shave off my speed as I head into the esses of Maggotts and Becketts. The telepathic handling of the BMW negotiated the bends well. The same can’t be said for the R8 as understeer got the better of his car, I’m glad I wasn’t in that Audi.
However, a driver can only be complacent after crossing a chequered flag. The R8 was in my dirty air, reeling me in at the Hangar Straight. I knew I had needed a miracle if I was to stay in front of him. Stowe’s next. I took an early turn, clipping the apex quite early, blocking him off the optimal line, but my manoeuvre backfired as I veered off into the grasses. He saw my error and took his opportunity. I can only imagine the smug on his face as he took my place. I steered the car back on track and tried my best to stay on his tail.
The Audi was feeling confident, as he braked too early into the Vale chicane. At that exact moment, I knew exactly what to do. I put the car on the inside line and braked hard into the entry of the chicane. I retook my spot and prepared myself for the Club righthander.
The race was mine.”

The passage above describes one of my typical experiences racing at Britain’s iconic Silverstone Circuit. Assetto Corsa Competizione for the PC is nothing less of an extraordinary game, especially since the gaming scene is lacking these types of true driving simulators these days.

Assetto Corsa Competizione touts itself to be the ‘Official GT World Challenge Game’. So far, it seems to be upholding that title even past its September 2018 release date. Here are a few reasons why.
#1: It Displays Tough Love
Right off the bat, Assetto Corsa Competizione clicked perfectly with me. It ticks almost all of my ‘Racing Sim’ checkboxes. As KKP’s resident racing sim aficionado, I had to pick up this game.

To be frank, the game presented itself to me as a tough game to love initially. It did not appear to be as streamlined in terms of UI and how-it-holds-your-hand-as-you-start-the-game compared to different titles of the same genre such as F1 2019, Gran Turismo Sport, nor Forza. However, it manages to be outstanding on its own right.
This is a GT race category simulator, so expect lengthy races once you start off. For veterans of the genre, this is just another drive, but for newcomers to racing simulations, grab some sustenance, as you’ll be driving around the same track for at least an hour.
#2. It’s As Realistic-Looking As You Can Get
There’s no other way to put this; Assetto Corsa Competizione looks absolutely fantastic. The cars are absolutely detailed right down to the interior. Each car has been meticulously modelled to reflect its real-life counterpart.
As a BMW fan, I am quite familiar with my car of choice, the BMW M6 GT3, and to my eyes, I can confidently say that they have detailed it quite well, and that is a huge positive point in my books.Â

Let’s take the tail of this Audi for example, the lighting and the reflection looks pristine. Simply surreal!

If you have a beefy setup with a mighty graphics card, don’t be shy to crank up the graphics and be amazed by the visuals, or even better, play the game in VR! The game is magnificently optimised for VR gameplay. While I did not have the opportunity to try the game in VR, it’s should be worth a check for those with suitable peripherals.
#3. There’s A Lot Of Road & Courses To Drive On
The range of tracks offered in the game is a treat to drive on as well. There are Brands Hatch, Barcelona, Hungaroring, Nurburgring, Monza and many more. To increase the realism factor, each track was laser scanned to ensure pinpoint accuracy of each bump, bend and turn.
Scanned for pinpoint accuracy.
For example, the Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps is an extremely fun track to race on with its winding straights and technical bends. This track was featured in other racing simulations such as F1 2019 and the Gran Turismo series and happens to be one of my preferred circuits.
The iconic Eau Rouge into Raidillon uphill sweeping bend is bumpy and I’m totally aware of each bump and gradient from the force feedback. If you’re looking for an accurate representation of a track, Assetto Corsa Competizione is your top candidate alongside those two games mentioned previously.
Simply stunning!
#4. Those Car Sounds
The true jewel of the game comes from the solid sound and audio design, which caught me truly unprepared for the pure eargasmic experience I was about to have. To put it into context, Gran Turismo had quite a subpar sound design with players often comparing the engine notes to a noise of aÂ  vacuum cleaner, and after spending close to a thousand hours combined in both Gran Turismo 6 and Gran Turismo Sport, I totally agree.

My ears were treated with a crescendo of engine revs as we hit the first turn, tyres were screaming for grip. It sounded surreal, especially with great audio equipment on hand. All that’s needed to complete the experience was the smell of burning rubber.

Gran Turismo Sport lacks the oomph andÂ  soul that is conveyed through the engine’s sound. Thankfully the same cannot be said for Assetto Corsa Competizione. I drove the British-made Bentley Continental GT3 which has a V8, producing a meaty burble and it sounds exactly like the real deal. Driving a Ferrari is another joy altogether. The Italian thoroughbred sounds vibrant and lively thanks to the harmonically-tuned exhaust pipes. All the pops and crackles from each downshift sound exactly like when you’re sitting on the grandstand at Sepang International Circuit.
Long story short: the engine sound engineer deserves a raise.
#5. A Ton Of Modes To Keep You Busy
Assetto Corsa Competizione offers a handful of race modes, featuring Championship mode, Career mode, Single Player mode, Multiplayer mode, and Special Events.
Special Events allow you to drive against other players’ times.
Championship and Career modes feature hour-long races which take an actual toll on the mind and body if you haven’t done full-length racing in sims before. The Single Player mode is great if you want to enjoy short races or simply drive around tracks to get accustomed to them. For more serious drivers, head on to Special Events and Multiplayer, where everybody seems drive miles better than you, leaving you in their dust trails.

Before each race, you are allowed to tune your car to your liking. You are able to tweak and fettle your car to however you’d like it to be. The granular tuning system means you have complete control over the characteristics of your machine, whether you want it to oversteer or to have an extra bite for late brakings, it’s up to you.

However, for those who aren’t feeling dandy of adjusting your car worrying that you’ll ruin it rather than improve it, the game offers three presets for specific situations; Safe, Aggressive and Wet. The Safe preset allows you to explore the track and the car as most of the assists and settings give more leeway to how you drive. The Aggressive setup requires more precision in car handling but allows you to post impressive lap times. The Wet setup is self-explanatory; it’s used when it’s raining.
If you’ve just picked up the genre, you might be clueless about what to do to drive properly on the track. Fortunately, the driving assists are pretty unabridged, covering almost all the aspects of a drive such as Traction Control, ABS, Stability Control, Pit Limiter and such. However, you might need some reading to understand what each of these terms and acronyms means.
#6. The Meaty Intercontinental DLC
The Intercontinental GT DLC pack was released recently, adding updated car liveries as well as the circuits Bathurst, Laguna Seca, Kyalami and Suzuka of the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge to the game.
Is it worth buying? Enthusiasts of the added circuits will enjoy as the circuits are crafted perfectly and are a picture-perfect resemblance of the real-life circuit. Bathurst, another favourite of mine, was a blast to drive on.
The bottom line, if you are fond of any of the listed tracks, get the DLC.
Some Quirks To Keep In Mind
While I’ve been singing this game high praise all day long, there are some issues that I think need to be addressed.
Unlike Codemaster’s racing sim titles, there is no ‘redo’ functionality. While this feature is divisive in the sim enthusiast community, at the end of the day it’s still a game, and sometimes people do not want to spend another hour restarting a 40-minute race after screwing up the penultimate lap.
Welp, let’s sit on this chair for the next 12 hours
Speaking about long races, if you want to progress in the Career mode or Championship mode, be prepared to spend at least two hours for a race as an entire race session consists of a 15-minute Practice Lap, two 10-minute Qualifying laps, and two 40-minute races. However, again, if you need to get rid of the itch to drive, the Single Player mode is there for shorter stints.
Bringing It Home
Assetto Corsa Competizione is a wholesome racing sim that ticks many of the motorsports enthusiasts’ checkboxes. Developers Kunos Simulazioni did an absolutely fantastic job of crafting a well-optimised game with stunning visuals, realistic audio, and almost zero bugs.

While the game is great in terms of realism, it’s definitely a challenge for non-motorsports fans. If you’re looking for something casual, this might not be the game for you.

But if you live, breathe and sleep in the Cathedral of Speed, this is definitely a massive delight for you. You will definitely enjoy the sonorous rumble of powerful cars while you thunder down the home straight, or you can forget about racing and simply power around the track sideways, regardless of your position.
As His Excellency Jeremy Clarkson once said:

Pros

The most realistic PC driving game you’ll see & hear.
Lots of modes to playtest.
Challenges you fair & square.

Cons

Not for casual racing game fans.
Needs a “redo” function badly.

Final Score: 80/100


Pre-Order Metal Wolf Chaos XD, Get Exclusive Suits For Your Mech

In a recent tweet, FromSoftware showcased a dynamic PS4 theme and the console-exclusive suit for those pre-ordering the PS4 version of Metal Wolf Chaos XD. The game will be released on 6 August 2019 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and GOG.

Pre-ordering the game on any platforms except GOG will get you a respective platform-exclusive suit for your armored mech.

The original Metal Wolf Chaos was an Xbox exclusive released in 2004 only in Japan. To no one’s surprise, the game pretty much flew under the radar but gathered a cult following thanks to its ridiculous tone and frantic gameplay.
In 2016, Indie publisher Devolver Digital reached out to FromSoftware on Twitter, offering to help localise the game and Metal Wolf Chaos XD is the beautiful result of that collaboration.
In the game, you play as the President of the United States and pilot a mech to defend your country against… the Vice President of the United States. I’d love to say more but believe me, it’s better for you to just enjoy the ride next month.
Did I mention that you can have eight weapons strapped on the back of the mech and you can fire all of them at once? That’s freedom, baby.


Netflix’s Ghost In The Shell 3DCG Anime Unveils First Trailer

A few months ago, Netflix teased us with a brief look at the upcoming 3DCG anime Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045. Of course, that wasn’t anywhere near enough for fans to understand what this new show is about. Thankfully, we have a new trailer to fix that.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIqzdn-Gjwk&w=560&h=315]
The anime is a new installment to the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (SAC) series which has spawned two seasons and a movie. Most of the voice acting cast from SAC along with the show’s director Kenji Kamiyama are making a return as well.
This time, the Section 9 crew are hired as a mercenary unit to face a new type of enemy called a “Post-Human”. Apparently, the big bad can hack into top-ranking military cyborgs in seconds and even seem to possess superhuman physical capabilities.
Personally, I would’ve preferred another traditional 2D animation show but that’s just me. One thing that makes me like this rendition of GitS is Ilya Kushinov’s character design. He really knows how to draw anime women.
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 is scheduled to release in April 2020 exclusively on Netflix.


Ni no Kuni Mobile Game Launches This June In Japan, South Korea, & Taiwan

Get your favourite mobile game-playing app ready, JRPG fans. The Ni no Kuni action RPG mobile game, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, will be out on 10th June.
The catch? It’ll be out for Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan markets, meaning that there’s no English version in sight for now. The game will be available for the Apple App Store and Android Google Play store. If you want to get a head start, you can pre-register right now.
Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds features a lush beautiful Studio Ghibli-looking fantasy world coupled with action RPG gameplay and 3v3 multiplayer. It’s looking more like another version of Genshin Impact, but by Level-5 and Netmarble folks. Honestly, that ain’t too bad if it means seeing a new Ni no Kuni game.


The Crew 2 Season Three Episode One Goes Live In Free Update

Ubisoft has announced that The Crew 2 Season Three Episode One: US Speed Tour East, the latest update brought to the open-world motorsports game, is now available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC via Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Store.
In Season 3 Episode 1: US Speed Tour East, Motorflix welcomes players to line up for the biggest tour ever across the east coast of the United States. Each week, players will discover a new stage race from one city to another and special time attack events taking place along the way. A total of 16 new events will be available throughout the episode.
In addition, Season 3 Episode 1 brings new improvements to the game. It includes a refresh of the LIVE Summit experience with a reworked UI, implementing a more rewarding and generous competition system and extending the participation to Star level players.
This new season also contains major updates to increase in-game quality-of-life, including a change in the scoring system in Stunt Mode to prevent exploits as well as an option to transfer Performance Parts from one vehicle to another, checkpoint placement improved for more than 50 races and more.

Episode 1: US Speed Tour East will be accompanied by a new Motorpass which contains exclusive vehicles such as the Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo Pulse Performance Ed. (Touring Car), the Pontiac GTO The Judge Sparrow Competition Ed. (Rally Raid), the KTM XBOW-R Spear Racing Ed. (Alpha Grand Prix), vanity items, outfits, currency packs (Crew Credits and Bucks), and more.
Separate from the Motorpass, Episode 1: US Speed Tour East will continue with its free monthly vehicle drops letting players enjoy and pilot new vehicles including the Chevrolet Corvette C2 (Street Race) and the Honda CB1000R (Street race) both available on July 14. Players can expect more vehicle additions over the course of the Episode alongside new vanity items.
Finally, during The Crew 2 Free Weekend, players will have a chance to unlock in-game rewards by watching the stream on participating Twitch channels. Players can watch one hour and 30 minutes of The Crew 2 and have the chance to unlock 45,000 Crew Credit while stocks last. To discover how to claim rewards, players can visit this page.
The Crew 2 will be free to try from 8 July to 12 July 2021, and viewers on Twitch will have the occasion to earn Drops rewards during the Free Weekend.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Here Are Your The Game Awards 2021 Nominees

The Game Awards 2021 is taking place on 9 December 2021, but Geoff Keighley has announced the nominated games three weeks earlier. Despite being plagued with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year has seen some pretty good games.
What’s interesting here is that Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks have gained the most nominations with a whopping 20, while Sony follows with 11 nominations. Square Enix and EA are tied with 10 nominations each, respectively.
You can vote now onÂ the official website here. You can also head on over here for last year’s winners and announcements.
Check out the full The Game Awards 2021 nomination list below:
Game of the Year
Recognizing a game that delivers the absolute best experience across all creative and technical fields.

DeathloopÂ (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
It Takes TwoÂ (Hazelight / Electronic Arts)
Metroid DreadÂ (MercurySteamÂ /Â Nintendo)
Psychonauts 2Â (Double Fine ProductionsÂ / Xbox Game Studios)
Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartÂ (Insomniac GamesÂ / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Resident Evil VillageÂ (Capcom)

Best Game Direction
Awarded for outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design.

DeathloopÂ (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
It Takes TwoÂ (Hazelight / Electronic Arts)
ReturnalÂ (HousemarqueÂ / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Psychonauts 2Â (Double Fine Productions / Xbox Game Studios)
Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartÂ (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Best Narrative
For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.

DeathloopÂ (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
It Takes TwoÂ (Hazelight / Electronic Arts)
Life is Strange: True ColorsÂ (Deck Nine GamesÂ / Square Enix)
Marvelâ€™s Guardians of the GalaxyÂ (Eidos MontrealÂ / Square Enix)
Psychonauts 2Â (Double Fine Productions / Xbox Game Studios)

Best Art Direction
For outstanding creative and/or technical achievement in artistic design and animation.

The Artful EscapeÂ (Beethoven & Dinosaur /Â Annapurna Interactive)
DeathloopÂ (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
Kena: Bridge of SpiritsÂ (Ember Lab)
Psychonauts 2Â (Double Fine Productions / Xbox Game Studios)
Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartÂ (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Best Score and Music
For outstanding music, inclusive of score, original song and/or licensed soundtrack.

The Artful EscapeÂ (Johnny Galvatron, Josh Abrahams, composers)
Cyberpunk 2077Â (Marcin Przybylowicz, Piotr T. Adamczyk, composers)
DeathloopÂ (Tom Salta, composer)
Marvelâ€™s Guardians of the GalaxyÂ (Richard Jacques, composer)
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139â€¦Â (Keiichi Okabe, composer)

Best Audio Design
Recognizing the best in-game audio and sound design.

DeathloopÂ (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
Forza Horizon 5Â (Playground Studios / Xbox Game Studios)
Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartÂ (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Resident Evil VillageÂ (Capcom)
ReturnalÂ (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Best Performance
Awarded to an individual for voice-over acting, motion and/or performance capture.

Erika Mori as Alex Chen (Life is Strange: True Colors)
Giancarlo Esposito as Anton Castillo (Far Cry 6)
Jason Kelley as Colt Vahn (Deathloop)
Maggie Robertson as Lady Dimitrescu (Resident Evil Village)
OziomaÂ Akagha as Julianna Blake (Deathloop)

Games for Impact
For a thought-provoking game with a pro-social meaning or message.

Before Your EyesÂ (GoodbyeWorld Games / Skybound Games)
Boyfriend DungeonÂ (Kitfox Games)
ChicoryÂ (Greg Lobanow, Alexis dean-Jones, Lena Raine, Madeline Berger, A Shell in the Pit/Finji)
Life is Strange: True ColorsÂ (Deck Nine Games / Sqiare Enix)
No Longer HomeÂ (Humble Grove, Hana Lee, Cel Davison, Adrienne Lombardo, Eli Rainsberry/Fellow Traveler)

Best Ongoing
Awarded to a game for outstanding development of ongoing content that evolves the player experience over time.

Apex LegendsÂ (Respawn / Electronic Arts)
Call of Duty: WarzoneÂ (Infinity Ward / Raven Software /Â Activision)
Final Fantasy XIV OnlineÂ (Square Enix)
FortniteÂ (Epic Games)
Genshin ImpactÂ (miHoYo)

Best Indie
For outstanding creative and technical achievement in a game made outside the traditional publisher system.

12 MinutesÂ (Luis Antonio / Annapurna Interactive)
Deathâ€™s DoorÂ (Acid NerveÂ /Â Devolver Digital)
Kena: Bridge of SpiritsÂ (Ember Lab)
InscryptionÂ (Daniel Mullins GamesÂ / Devolver Digital)
Loop HeroÂ (Four Quarters / Devolver Digital)

BestÂ MobileÂ Game
For the best game playable on a mobile device.

FantasianÂ (Mistwalker)
Genshin ImpactÂ (miHoYo)
League of Legends: Wild RiftÂ (Riot Games)
MARVEL Future RevolutionÂ (Netmarble)
PokemonÂ UniteÂ (TiMi Studios /Â The Pokemon Company)

Best Community Support
Recognizing a game for outstanding community support, transparency and responsiveness, inclusive of social media activity and game updates / patches.

Apex LegendsÂ (Respawn / Electronic Arts)
Destiny 2Â (Bungie)
Final Fantasy XIV OnlineÂ (Square Enix)
FortniteÂ (Epic Games)
No Manâ€™s SkyÂ (Hello Games)

Innovation in Accessibility
Recognizing software and / or hardware that is pushing the medium forward by adding features, technology and content to help games be played and enjoyed by an even wider audience.

Far Cry 6Â (UbisoftÂ Toronto / Ubisoft)
Forza Horizon 5Â (Playground GamesÂ / Xbox Game Studios)
Marvelâ€™s Guardians of the GalaxyÂ (Eidos Montreal / Square Enix)
Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartÂ (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
The Vale: Shadow of the CrownÂ (Creative Bytes Studios/Falling Squirrel)

BestÂ Virtual RealityÂ / Augmented Reality
For the best game experience playable in virtual or augmented reality, irrespective of platform.

Hitman IIIÂ (IO Interactive)
I Expect You To Die 2Â (Schell Games)
Lone Echo IIÂ (Ready at Dawn /Â Oculus Studios)
Resident Evil 4Â (Armature StudioÂ / Capcom/ Oculus Studios)
Sniper Elite VRÂ (Coatsink / Just Add Water /Â Rebellion Developments)

BestÂ ActionÂ Game
For the best game in the action genre focused primarily on combat.

Back 4 BloodÂ (Turtle Rock /Â WB Games)
Chivalry IIÂ (Torn Banner Studios / Tripwire Interactive)
Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
Far Cry 6Â (Ubisoft Toronto / Ubisoft)
ReturnalÂ (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Best Action / Adventure
For the best action /Â adventure game, combining combat with traversal and puzzle solving.

Marvelâ€™s Guardians of the GalaxyÂ (Eidos Montreal / Square Enix)
Metroid DreadÂ (Mercury Steam / Nintendo)
Psychonauts 2Â (Double Fine Productions / Xbox Game Studios)
Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartÂ (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Resident Evil VillageÂ (Capcom)

Best Role-Playing
For the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression, including massively multiplayer experiences.

Cyberpunk 2077Â (CD Projekt RED)
Monster Hunter RiseÂ (Capcom)
Scarlet NexusÂ (Bandai Namco)
Shin Megami Tensei VÂ (AtlusÂ /Â Sega)
Tales of AriseÂ (Bandai Namco Entertainment)

Best Fighting
For the best game designed primarily around head-to-head combat.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba â€“ The Hinokami ChroniclesÂ (CyberConnect2Â / Sega)
Guilty Gear: StriveÂ (Arc System Works)
Melty Blood: Type LuminaÂ (French-BreadÂ /Â DELiGHTWORKS)
Nickelodeon All-Star BrawlÂ (Ludosity / Fair Play Labs / GameMill)
Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate ShowdownÂ (Sega)

Best Family
For the best game appropriate for family play, irrespective of genre or platform.

It Takes TwoÂ (Hazelight / Electronic Arts)
Mario Party SuperstarsÂ (NDcubeÂ / Nintendo)
New Pokemon SnapÂ (Bandai Namco StudiosÂ / The PokÃ©mon Company/Nintendo)
Super Mario 3D World + Bowserâ€™s FuryÂ (Nintendo)
WarioWare: Get It Together!Â (Intelligent SystemsÂ / Nintendo)

Best Simulation / Strategy
Best game focused on real time or turn-basedÂ simulationÂ orÂ strategy gameplay, irrespective of platform.

Age of Empires IVÂ (Relic EntertainmentÂ / Xbox Game Studios)
Evil Genius 2: World DominationÂ (Rebellion Developments)
HumankindÂ (Amplitude Studios / Sega)
InscryptionÂ (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
Microsoft Flight SimulatorÂ (Asobo Studio / Xbox Game Studios)

BestÂ SportsÂ / Racing
For the best traditional and non-traditional sports andÂ racingÂ game.

F1 2021Â (Codemasters / EA Sports)
FIFA 22Â (EA Vancouver / EA Sports)
Forza Horizon 5Â (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
Hot Wheels UnleashedÂ (Milestone)
Riders RepublicÂ (Ubisoft AnnecyÂ / Ubisoft)

Best Multiplayer
For outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massively multiplayer experiences, irrespective of game genre or platform.

Back 4 BloodÂ (Turtle Rock / WB Games)
It Takes TwoÂ (Hazelight / Electronic Arts)
Knockout CityÂ (Velan StudiosÂ / Electronic Arts)
Monster Hunter RiseÂ (Capcom)
New WorldÂ (Amazon Games)
ValheimÂ (Iron Gate Studio / Coffee Stain Publishing)

Content Creator of the Year
For a streamer or content creator who has made an important and positive impact on the community in 2021.

Dream
Fuslie
Gaules
Ibai
TheGrefg

Best Debut Indie
For the best debut game created by a new independent studio.

Kena: Bridge of SpiritsÂ (Ember Lab)
SableÂ (Shedworks /Â Raw Fury)
The Artful EscapeÂ (Beethoven & Dinosaur / Annapurna Interactive)
The Forgotten CityÂ (Modern Storyteller /Â Dear Villagers)
ValheimÂ (Iron Gate / Coffee Stain Publishing)

Most Anticipated
Recognizing an announced game that has demonstrably illustrated potential to push the gaming medium forward.

Elden RingÂ (FromSoftwareÂ / Bandai Namco)
God of War RagnarokÂ (Sony Santa Monica / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Horizon Forbidden WestÂ (Guerrilla GamesÂ / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Sequel toÂ The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildÂ (Nintendo)
StarfieldÂ (Bethesda Game StudiosÂ / Bethesda Softworks)

Best eSports Game
For the game that has delivered the best overall esports experience to players (inclusive of tournaments, community support and content updates), irrespective of genre or platform.

Call of DutyÂ (Activision)
Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveÂ (Valve)
Dota 2Â (Valve)
League of LegendsÂ (Riot Games)
ValorantÂ (Riot Games)

Best eSports Athlete
The eSports athlete judged to be the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2021, irrespective of game.

Chris â€œSimpâ€ Lehr
Heo â€œShowMakerâ€ Su
Magomed â€œCollapseâ€ Khalilov
Oleksandr â€œs1mpleâ€ Kostyliev
Tyson â€œTenZâ€ Ngo

Best eSports Team
Recognizing a specific eSports team (not the full organization) judged the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2021.

Atlanta FaZe (Call of Duty)
DWG KIA (League of Legends)
Natus Vincere (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive)
Sentinels (Valorant)
Team Spirit (Dota 2)

Best eSports Coach
The eSports coach judged to be the most outstanding for performance and conduct in 2021.

Airat â€œSilentâ€ Gaziev
Andrey â€œENGHâ€ Sholokhov
Andrii â€œB1ad3â€ Horodenskyi
James â€œCrowderâ€ Crowder
Kim â€œkkOmaâ€ Jeong-gyun

Best eSports Event
Recognizing an event (across single or multiple days) that delivered a best-of-class experience for participants and the broadcast audience.

2021Â League of LegendsÂ World Championship
PGL Major Stockholm 2021
PUBG MobileÂ Global Championship 2020
The International 2021
ValorantÂ Champions Tour: Stage 2 Masters


Warframe Beginner’s Guide: How To Space Ninja To Success

Warframe is an action F2P game featuring space ninjas, co-op gameplay, space, and loads of grinding. It’s also a game that has been around since 2013, which means that the game has a ton of content to rival both Destiny games from Activision and other games similar to it.
Here are some additional beginner tips for you so that you can have a smooth team ninja experience.
Set Your Expectations Realistically
Warframe is a long-term investment kind of online game. Here are some general tips for the game.

There is no true endgame. Some players try to collect every warframe, some will stick to a few and work on making them as powerful as possible. Other players partake in “fashionframe” and customize their warframe’s appearance to stand out from the crowd. Warframe doesn’t really have raids like you would see in Destiny 2, though there is extremely challenging group content. It’s up to you to find a purpose in Warframe.
Most things can be purchased for real money to skip some of the grind. But because you’ll still need to invest significant time to power that gear up, it’s not really pay-to-win.
There is a robust, player-driven economy that trades exclusively with the premium currency called Platinum. That means you can sell items you find for Platinum and use that to buy things from the premium cash store.
There are few restrictions on free-to-play players except inventory slots for gear which costs around a dollar or two worth of Platinum.
If you’re a “free” player, it’s worth noting that you can take your sweet time in each instance and stage to search all the rooms and find as many resources as possible.Â Warframe is not a game you should rush.

Join A Clan
Warframe can get pretty deep and confusing, so it doesn’t hurt to join a group or clan filled with helpful folks and friends. Being able to ask a friend for advice is a more efficient use of your time than spending hours crawling through wikis and videos trying to find the answer yourself. There really isn’t one right answer for a question concerning Warframe’s mechanics and quests.
Here are some places that can sort that out, especially one that features players from your Southeast Asian region.

Warframe’s subreddit recruitment thread.
Warframe Wiki’s Clan recruitment board.
The official Warframe forum clan listing.

Complete The Star Chart
In Warframe, it’s easy to get confused by all the terminals in your spaceship and all the little nuances and wrinkles involved with any one system. When that happens, your best bet is to head out to the Star Chart and take on a new mission and have some fun killing Grineers, Corpuses, and Infested for a bit.
Completing the Star Chart is one of the few universal objectives every Warframe player should strive to finish. You ca unlock access to powerful weapons and warframes, as well as open up new quests, provide access to cool public space stations. It’ll take roughly 50 or more hours to do it, but completing those missions are the key to doing anything fun in Warframe. Once you have missions like Survival and Defense unlocked, you’ll have a blast farming and staying alive for better loot.

Get The Hang Of Mods & Weapon Mastery
At first, Warframe seems like a pretty simple game: You run through levels killing bad guys, completing objectives, and collecting resources. And then, after the tutorial missions are over, you’ll be shown the modding and upgrading systemsâ€”an indecipherable mess of proper nouns and open-ended customization that feels impossible to grasp. It’s a breaking moment for many new players. Don’t worry, though, once you start to understand some basic principles it all becomes a lot more comprehensible.
One of the biggest differences in Warframe is that your level doesn’t automatically make you powerful. Your warframe might be the max rank of 30 but enemies will still poke holes in you like a wet napkin. Unlike most RPGs, the level of your gear in Warframe is merely an indicator of itsÂ potential. In order to fulfil that potential, you’ll need to modify and customize that gear using mods. To understand why is to understand Warframe’s myriad progression systems and how they overlap.
Mastery RankÂ is the closest thing you have to an overall character level. Each time you level up a piece of equipment like a weapon or warframe to rank 30 by using it in combat, you gain a small bit of Mastery Rank. At certain thresholds, you can undertake a quick trial to increase your Mastery Rank, unlocking the ability to wield more powerful weapons and gaining some secondary upgrades like one extra base mod capacity in all your gear.
RankÂ is the level of each piece of equipment and it maxes out at 30. It’s a bit complex, but by simply equipping that gear and taking it on missions it’ll slowly earn experience points (called affinity) and rank up. The only thing that ranking up a piece of gear does is increase itsÂ Mod Capacityâ€”increasing the potential to fit more and more powerful mods to augment that gear’s base stats.
ModsÂ are found from all sorts of sources and provide a ton of different upgrades. These are essential because they are what makes any piece of gear powerful. More basic mods might simply increase a weapon’s damage while others might add elemental damage or trigger special effects. Collecting and upgrading these mods -there are 800 of these bad boys FYI- is what will actually make you powerful in Warframe.

Go To These Resources
While it’s nice to ask your new clanmates about Warframe stuff, sometimes you may need to be self-reliant and be resourceful. So here are some good places to get Warframe info.

The Warframe WikiÂ will become your bible, especially when you’re looking for information about what loot drops where. We suggest you find out how damage in Warframe works and what kinds of warframes are there so you can figure out what to grind/buy in the future.
iFlynn’s Ultimate Beginner’s GuideÂ is exactly what you need if you need good beginner videos. This staggering 31-part YouTube series is a literal step-by-step walkthrough from mission one all the way to high-level content. Do watch his explainer on how damage works as well as the best weapons and warframes you should aim for.

Finish Up The Leftover Missions
Now that you have a grasp on the basics and a bookmark bar stuffed full of resources, the next steps are up to you. There’s no real endgame in Warframe and it’s up to the player to decide what is worth their time. Here are some suggestions after you’re done with the Star Chart.
–One area worth checking out is the Plains of Eidolon, a vast open world zone full of dangerous, towering Eidolons. Though it unlocks early on, the Plains are best visited after you’ve completed a good chunk of Star Chart.
-Another major milestone to look forward to is completing the few structured quests that can be found in your codex. Of those, the most important one is The Second Dream, which begins a series of “cinematic quests” that help fill in a great deal of information about Warframe’s story.
-Most importantly, get involved with the Warframe community, make friends, and try out a little of everything from missions to even PvP. Warframe is an inherently social game and has an enormous amount of things to do; it might even rival some MMOs in terms of breadth and scale.
This guide is powered by Dell Alienware because we’ve been using the latest Alienware 15 for all of our PC games.Â Including Warframe.Â


Ultra Instinct Goku Joins Dragon Ball FighterZ Later This Month

Publisher Bandai Namco and developer Arc System Works have announced that the highly-anticipated second DLC fighter of Dragon Ball FighterZ‘s FighterZ Pass 3, Ultra Instinct Goku, is slated to arrive on 22 May 2020.
We initially got our first look at Ultra Instinct Goku at the end of the Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour Finals earlier this year. Fans will appreciate that the character is faithful to his depiction in the final Tournament Of Power arc in the Dragon Ball Super anime.
Ultra Instinct is Goku’s most powerful form to date, with unprecedented power levels. In Dragon Ball FighterZ, he seems to sleek teleportation movements and avoiding the attacks of his opponents with ease.
There are actually three more unannounced DLC characters yet to come as part of the game’s FighterZ Pass 3. It’s anyone’s guess who they could turn out to be, but fingers crossed for Toppo.
Check out the awesome earth-shattering powers of Ultra Instinct Goku in the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyBvc4Ibpjg&w=560&h=315]


Square Enix Launches Balan Company Action Game Studio

Square Enix has announced the launch of Balan Company, a new action game brand that brings together talented action game developers, visual and music creators from both inside and outside of the company.
According to Square Enix, the â€œCompanyâ€ in Balan Company refers to the creative staff, in the style of a musical cast or theatre troupe. It symbolizes how professionals from different disciplines in the new studio is like a company of players, with games as their stage, to tell great stories and provide the “ultimate in action game entertainment”.

However, not much else is known about the company, which remains mysterious. Square Enix does promise that more information on the first title from Balan Company will be announced in the near future.
You can visit the official website here,Â which will provide information on Balan Company’s future products.


Mulan Might Not Premiere In China Due To Coronavirus

Disney’s Mulan live-action movie remake is clearly targeting a huge chunk of its market in China, but it looks like that might not be a reality soon. Due to the increasing death toll caused by the Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak, it seems highly likely that it will not be releasing in China after all.
Speaking with Independent UK, Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian said:

â€œIt certainly has worldwide and global appeal, but thereâ€™s no denying that this is a very important film for the Chinese market.”

To date, the coronavirus has caused all 70,000 cinemas in China to close. The outbreak has now killed more than 2,800 people around the world, with more than 82,000 infected.
It’s unclear if Mulan will still be able to make a splash if it’s not released in China. The pressure on the international market will be much more than usual. Disneyâ€™s MulanÂ is slated to premiere on 27 March 2020. In the meantime, check out the latest trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-eFm–k21c&w=560&h=315]


Stardew Valley Esports Is Now A Real Thing

Stardew Valley is one of the most popular farming simulator games out there. Well, if Farming Simulator can have esports, what’s stopping Stardew Valley from having its own?
Nothing, In collaboration with @UnsurpassableZ, developer ConcernedApe has announced the first-ever official Stardew Valley cup. It will feature a prize pool of US$40,000 and take place at 12 am GMT+8 on 5 September 2021.

In collaboration with @UnsurpassableZ, I'm pleased to announce the 1st official Stardew Valley Cup! It's a competition of skill, knowledge, and teamwork, with a prize pool of over $40k. See some of Stardew's most dedicated players in their element! Main event is Sept. 4th 9am PST pic.twitter.com/qtDW5e5LvD
— ConcernedApe (@ConcernedApe) August 21, 2021

In aÂ video on YouTube, Unsurpassable Z explained that there will be a hundred different challenges in the Stardew Valley Cup. Each completed challenge is worth a particular number of points based on the difficulty. Each team will compete simultaneously to rack up as many points as possible across the duration of the tournament. These challenges include completing tasks in the community centre to reaching floor 100 in the Skull Cavern.


Overwatch 2’s New Deatchmatch Mode Patch Introduces Some Crazy Bugs

For those who don’t know, Overwatch 2’s latest patch brings in a limited-time deathmatch mode that makes the game’s Ultis and special abilities a bit OP than usual.
The mode is called Battle For Olympus, and it’s available as an arcade mode with new challenges. It’s a free-for-all deathmatch with seven heroes to pick from, all of them with powered-up abilities and amplified Ultimates. For example, Reinhardt gains a buff when he does his “hammer down” Ulti, pinning up to three targets at once.

Speaking of challenges, you need to finish six of them to win the Winged Victory Mercy skin, which came out back in 2017.
Long story short, it sounds like a fun Arcade Mode deathmatch that hearkens back to titles like Unreal Tournament where everyone has access to Quad Damage in the heat of the fight. This is especially when people want to take a break from Ranked play. However, it isn’t without its caveats.
Junker Queen received a list of buffs in the patch, including one unintended buff to her axe ability. The new patch adds a new ability to the axe’s cooldown: it is reduced by 2 seconds for each enemy it impacts. However, the cooldown can be triggered if you’re hitting breakable objects, turrets, or shields; this is obviously a bug. After all, with the amount of objects in the game, Junker Queen’s axe has little to no cooldown as a result.
?

THIS ECHO BUFF IS CRAZY pic.twitter.com/MBinX0XpJ7
— Questron (@Questr0n) January 5, 2023

The Battle For Olympus event will last from now until 19th January (PST).


Nigate Tale Is An Isekai Anime Hades With Monster Girl Waifus

Platform(s):Â PC
Genre: Isometric Action RPG Roguelike, Isekai, Waifus
That was fast.
Supermassive Games’ Hades was released in 2020 to critical acclaim and incredible financial success after being available in Early Access since 2018. It certainly didn’t take long for developers and publishers to catch on and take inspiration from what was one of the best rogue-like action indie games out there.
China-based publisher 2P Games and developer Hermit Games have done exactly that with their latest game, Nigate Tale. Just like miHoYo’s Genshin Impact was clearly inspired by the best elements from The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild, Nigate Tale has followed the formula laid down by Hades and added several unique twists of their own.
Who Needs Greek Gods When You Have Monster Girls?

In Nigate Tale, players assume the role of Roy, who’s basically the protagonist of an isekai anime. One day, when flying in his machine, Roy encounters a mysterious cloud that transports him to a strange world populated by strange creatures. In order to escape, he has to fix his ship by fighting through a procedurally-generated labyrinthic castle. Oh, did I mention that this world is populated by beautiful and titillating monster girl waifus?
Before I get ahead of myself, Nigate Tale is an isometric action RPG. If you’ve previously played Hades, you’ll be right at home. Basically, you’re encouraged to play with a controller (I used an Xbox Series controller) and the basic controls are simple. You perform a melee attack with X, a ranged attack with Y, an auxiliary attack (utilizing a special gadget like a ball shooting a spinning laser) with B and dodge by rolling with A. It’s also a roguelike, which means that you’ll start all the way from the beginning if you die and no two playthroughs are the same (procedurally-generated, remember?).
The combat feels surprisingly satisfying and punchy to pull off, which instantly reminded me of Hades (again). There’s simply no avoiding the comparisons with Hades. The biggest and best gameplay mechanic in Nigate Tale is the Monster Girls. Just like the Greek Gods in Hades, you meet and interact with these Monster Girls throughout the game. There’s a good variety of them as well, including a catgirl, an octopus girl, and even a centaur girl (you name it).

You can cultivate your relationships with these Monster Girls by talking to them and giving them gifts (an item called Magical Cake or something). Every time you give a Monster Girl a Magical Cake, not only do you unlock more dialogue and advance the plot of the game, but you also get more benefits. You see, just like the Boons in Hades, these Monster Girls give the player bonuses in combat. If you give them enough cakes and unlock reach far enough in their relationship, they’ll even give you a monster sprite creature to accompany and help you during combat.
Different Monster Girls can bestow different abilities, powers and more. For instance, Alona is fire-based and so, any special ability she gives you most probably has the elemental Burn effect, which you can then add to either your melee weapon, ranged weapon, dodge rolls, or even as a passive ability to spontaneously burn enemies. It’s awesome, and you can even mix and match (just like in Hades) with abilities from different Monster Girls at any one time.
This means that you can experiment with different abilities from different Monster Girls. There are also several melee, ranged, and auxiliary weapons to craft, as well as three different categories of skill trees to unlock. Each of these uses different materials and resources, of course (like meteorites to craft new weapons and crystals to unlock the skills in the skill trees). There are only four resources in the game (including gold, which is used to purchase items in the dungeon), so don’t worry about getting overwhelmed about having to collect too many different types of resources that you can’t even remember what they’re for.

Several hours into Nigate Tale and I was hooked on the addicting gameplay loop. It’s a testament to the developers that the game is fairly balanced even at the beginning of Early Access. The game isn’t too hard or too easy, and it provides a lot of replay value. What I like most about Nigate Tale is that (again, just like Hades) the game feels satisfying because you can feel your character gradually getting more powerful and improving over time.
Skill trees.
Unlockable weapons.
I would also like to mention that Nigate Tale features an extensive encyclopedia (or monsterpedia, as I like to call it) listing every single type of enemy in the game (and trust me, there’s a lot of variety here). I always appreciate it when games offer a monsterpedia (or whatever you want to call it) because I don’t see it a lot these days (besides in games like Nioh 2). Most developers just don’t bother anymore. Nigate Tale has it so that means that Hermit Games cares enough about the game to add little details like background and bits of info for even the smallest enemy grunt in the game.
Yes, that’s a huge lobster dude.
Still In Early Access

However, it should be noted that Nigate Tale is also very clearly still being worked on and in Early Access. While the gameplay is surprisingly polished, there are other aspects of the game that requires a lot more attention. Most importantly, Nigate Tale lacks two big things; voice acting and good music. The level design is also a bit repetitive (a lot of them look same-y), but that can be remedied with future content updates.
Yes, Nigate Tale doesn’t feature any voice acting whatsoever, which is disappointing considering the lively and interesting dialogue between Roy and the Monster Girls. Perhaps the developer plans to add voices in the future, and I hope that they do because as of now, it’s really missing a lot of charm that voice acting would have provided. Besides that, music is one of the weakest elements of the game. It’s unmemorable and generic, which is in stark contrast to the brilliant soundtrack in Hades.
It’s also bizarre that while I chose English as my preferred language in the settings, the game still had certain sections where the game is narrated in Chinese. Even if you’ve picked English, the Chinese language (probably Mandarin?) still pops up from time to time. Another aspect of the game that makes it look unrefined is the dialogue. As I previously mentioned, the dialogue is lively and interesting but it’s hampered by imprecise translations and overly wordy sentences.

In fact, the dialogue isn’t the only problem. The descriptions of the abilities in the skill trees and explanations for some of the game’s features can be difficult to understand because of the awkward translations. Some mechanics aren’t given proper introductions and may feel confusing at first. The developer will have to improve on this by hiring better translators and localization teams to work on the game’s writing and dialogues. This is the game’s biggest issue as of now, and the game needs to be localization needs to be improved.
It’s impressive that Nigate Tale is a game that’s just entered Early Access but is already turning out to be a good game to play (and not just because of the monster girl waifus). I initially went into this game thinking that the monster girl waifus would be the only appeal, but I’m glad that I was proven wrong. While it still needs a lot of work, there is virtually unlimited replay value. The game can only grow and improve from here on out. I’m genuinely excited to keep on playing this game, and that’s not something I always say about games in Early Access.
Nigate Tale is now available via Early Access with a special limited-time discount of 15 percent off at RM33.15 on Steam.


[Report] Horizon: Forbidden West Will Be Delayed To 2022

Multiple sources have confirmed that the further adventures of Aloy the metal dinosaur hunter will be delayed to 2022.
Sony planned to release the Horizon: Forbidden West, the sequel to Horizon: Zero Dawn, in Holiday 2021, but delayed it to Q1 2022 according to Bloomberg and Venturebeat. Previously, PlayStation Studio lead Hermen Hulst said in June that the sequel was “on track to release this holiday season”, but did not put a date to it. We think that the pandemic may have a lot to do with this alleged delay.
A possible PlayStation event that’s due in September may actually confirm this new release date, along with other release windows for titles like God of War 2/Ragnarok. That game’s slated for 2022. To which we say: take all the time you need. We can wait.


Free Fire Unleashes New Squad BEATz Campaign

Garenaâ€™s brand new campaign for Free Fire, Squad BEATz, invites players from around the world to embark on a journey of self-expression this spring.Â
Introducing Free Fireâ€™s Squad BEATzÂ
Squad BEATz tells the story of four young people from around the globe, represented by Free Fire characters â€“ Alvaro, Notora, Shirou, and Kapella â€“ who all often feel out of place and different from others around them. In turn, this strengthens their resolve to prove and express themselves through other means, such as style and music. With their own unique cultures and personalities, Free Fireâ€™s Squad BEATz embraces each otherâ€™s individuality as they battle their way through in Free Fire.
Free Fire celebrates being uniquely you through its Squad BEATz campaignÂ
Just like Free Fireâ€™s Squad BEATz, the upcoming campaign seeks to empower players all around the world to celebrate their individuality and unique personalities by expressing themselves through vibrant in-game costumes, musical genres, and unique battling styles in Free Fire.Â
Starting 4 February 2022, Free Fire fans and players can look forward to expressing their unique fashion styles in the game while also battling together in style with their squad with a revamped interface, exclusive collectibles, as well as an exciting lineup of in-game missions.Â
An upcoming music video featuring Squad BEATz in their personalised ensemble will also arrive on 12 February. True to Squad BEATzâ€™s core, the theme song will showcase a unique blend of four genres â€“ reggae, funk, pop, and K-pop â€“ representing the four characters.Â
AlvaroÂ

The Alvaro costume bundle features an electrifying shade of blue. With a pair of stylish joggers and kicks, Alvaro can move to his favourite genre of music, reggae, in complete comfort.
NotoraÂ

A purple flame emanates from Notoraâ€™s fiery outfit. This funky get-up oozes confidence and fun – a perfect pick to throw on when it is time to squad up and party to funk music with her team!Â
ShirouÂ

A smoke-emitting outfit adorns Shirou. Luminescent accents enhance the overall appeal of Shirouâ€™s ensemble and give the pop music fan a cool aura.
KapellaÂ

Kapella, Free Fireâ€™s in-game popstar, sports a gem-like two-piece costume complete with matching gloves and thigh-high boots – incorporating a touch of K-pop flair.Â
Experience the vibrant world of Squad BEATzÂ
Fans and players of Free Fire can prepare to be enthralled by the vibrant hues of a refreshed interface, exclusive collectibles, and in-game events during the Squad BEATz campaign. In addition to the four stunning costume bundles and other collectibles available, players can also catch Squad BEATz performing up close and personal in spawn island starting 4 February!Â
Show off your musical prowess in Boom Boom BeatzÂ
Local Free Fire players can put their rhythmical sense to the test in the upcoming Boom Boom Beatz web event, starting 7 February 2022. The locally exclusive event will include four beatmaps featuring Free Fire original songs, which will grant Survivors attractive prizes, including the Switching Steps emote as the grand prize!
Upon completing all four stages, players will unlock a freestyle mode where they can create their own tracks. Music lovers players can share their brilliant works with the rest of the world through the Official Free Fire community channels.Â
Stay tuned for more updates and the latest Free Fire news on Facebook and YouTube. Free Fire can be downloaded on both the Apple iOS App and Google Play.