New Games

New Games


Reminder - we're giving away a virgin ... Nintendo Switch

Posted: 12 May 2017 12:00 PM PDT

We're doing the contest thing again, and this time you get to win a Switch right after E3! Your odds of winning are visible this time: your number of entries out of the total entries submitted below.

How to win: Tell a friend about the site with a verified social media profile using Gleam (terms and conditions) and you're in. Gleam will then draw a winner at random, and I'll announce the winner after E3. Good luck!

Reminder - we're giving away a virgin ... Nintendo Switch screenshot

Let's Do Launch: The want, envy, and satisfaction of the PlayStation 2 launch

Posted: 12 May 2017 11:00 AM PDT

[The PlayStation 2 is my favorite console, and it's easy to see why. 16-Bit Blast Processing relives his experience with the PS2 launch for the March Bloggers Wanted prompt. Here's a pro tip: If you write a blog, it could make its way to the front page - just like this one! Now, finish reading this, get out there, and write your butt off! - Wes]

The PlayStation 2, in my opinion, is the greatest console of all time in terms of library, exclusive games, and in a large part for myself due to nostalgia. The PlayStation 2, for me, holds so many memories growing up as a kid watching random Japanese footage of it being unveiled for the first time and looking up footage online on Canadian dial-up internet, waiting upwards of five minutes for a thirty second video to load properly without any buffering and hoping nobody in the house wanted to use the phone.

Let's Do Launch: The want, envy, and satisfaction of the PlayStation 2 launch screenshot

Read more...

Blaster Master Zero was downloaded on Switch 80,000 times

Posted: 12 May 2017 10:30 AM PDT

Inti Creates announced that Math Blaster, Master Blaster, Blaster Master Zero was downloaded over 80,000 times worldwide on the Nintendo Switch alone. It was developed by only 35 people in six months and released just over a month ago on March 9, 2017 for Nintendo Switch and 3DS.

Those are pretty impressive numbers for a simple remake made by a small team. The original Blaster Master released in 1988 on NES.

Blaster Master Zero was downloaded on Switch 80,000 times screenshot

Read more...

Birthdays the Beginning feels better with the latest PS4 patch

Posted: 12 May 2017 10:00 AM PDT

The chill-as-heck ecosystem sim Birthdays the Beginning hasn't been out a week in North America, and already it's getting better. The first PS4 update is not only here, but it's a marked improvement.

Arc System Works and Toybox Inc. have touched up many of the ease-of-use issues that had certain game aspects -- like flying around in first-person to scan newly-created species -- feeling like too much of a slog. Those movement controls are in a much better place now, as is the minimap.

Notably, players can also now unlock Free Mode far earlier than before, which is a crucial change. A large part of Birthdays is toying with your world design to figure out the rhyme and reason behind new flora and fauna popping into existence, and this mode is a no-consequences way to do that.

I didn't explicitly say it in my review, but if you're into fishkeeping, you'll probably dig this game.

Birthdays the Beginning feels better with the latest PS4 patch screenshot

Read more...

Microsoft's E3 plans don't include Halo 6

Posted: 12 May 2017 09:30 AM PDT

Xbox's biggest character won't be at the year's biggest video game show. Master Chief will be standing on the sidelines, not helping anchor Microsoft's efforts at E3 2017. (Well, unless he ends up part of some offshoot project.)

A 343 Industries employee confirmed that Xbox is not bringing Halo 6 to E3 this year. "We'll have a little something at E3 but it's not related to the next major entry in the franchise," Halo community manager Brian Jarrard said on reddit. Some potential candidates for that "little something" might be: Halo Wars 2 DLC, Halo esports stuff, or maybe something virtual reality-related with Xbox app on Oculus.

What it definitely won't be is Halo 6, though. Really, we could've seen that coming. Halo 5 released in 2015 and there's almost always at least three years between major Halo titles (with two years between Reach and Halo 4 being the only major exception). Master Chief will have to wait until 2018 or longer. In the meantime, Xbox needs someone else to step up and fill his big green shoes.

Halo Community Update - May 11th, 2017 [reddit]

Microsoft's E3 plans don't include Halo 6 screenshot

Deal: Expensive Battlefield 1 collector's edition now only $18, minus the game

Posted: 12 May 2017 09:15 AM PDT

In a sweet one-day-only deal at Woot, the Amazon-owned retailer is selling the Battlefield 1 Collector's Edition for only $18 plus a flat shipping of $5 (that's $23 for those without a calculator handy). You'll recall this is the $130 list price package that does NOT include the game. It does come with a load of goodies, including:

  • Collector's Edition Statue (14" Tall)  
  • Exclusive Steel book  
  • Exclusive cloth poster  
  • Deck of playing cards  
  • Messenger pigeon tube with exclusive DLC content  
  • Exclusive patch  
  • Premium packaging

The current package goes for about $55 as a "used" copy and about $99 for a new copy. Woot's deal ends tonight at 10:00pm Pacific, or until it's sold out.

Deal: Expensive Battlefield 1 collector's edition now only $18, minus the game screenshot

This song is the heartfelt tribute Magikarp deserves

Posted: 12 May 2017 09:00 AM PDT

Last year, The Pokémon Company produced a Japanese song for Magikarp, "the pity Pokémon." Even without knowing the words, it was enjoyable (and by enjoyable, I mean distressing), but now we've got those too. The translated song went up today, and it'll make you wanna hug your Magikarp.

This song is the heartfelt tribute Magikarp deserves screenshot

Read more...

EA embraces memes in Madden 18 with GOAT edition, Tom Brady is the cover boy

Posted: 12 May 2017 08:30 AM PDT

With all the Super Bowls he's won, it's hard to imagine this is the first time Tom Brady has been featured on the cover of Madden. What better time than after an improbable comeback: down 28-3 in the third quarter to defeat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime. The rally cemented Brady in many people's minds as one of the all-time greats, or in hip young meme-speak, "G.O.A.T."

Madden 18 releases just prior to the season on August 25, 2017. For the first time in series history, the game will run on the Frostbite Engine (presumably Frostbite 3), allowing for "stunning new stadium exteriors surrounded by vast cityscapes" according to the product description on Amazon. Also, a short clip in the trailer possibly suggests a story-based career mode like those in the NBA 2k series.

EA embraces memes in Madden 18 with GOAT edition, Tom Brady is the cover boy screenshot

Read more...

Xbox is holding a massive sale made up entirely of backward compatible Xbox 360 games

Posted: 12 May 2017 08:00 AM PDT

Through the Xbox One, the Xbox 360 has lived on -- well, to some extent. Not every Xbox 360-era game is backward compatible yet, but a good number of them are. Nearly 400 titles are a part of the program right now, and you'll soon have the opportunity to get many of them on the cheap.

Next week, Xbox is holding a backward compatibility sale. Xbox's Major Nelson revealed the sale on Twitter, noting that more than 275 games will be discounted. Of those, only four were specifically mentioned: Red Dead Redemption, Skate 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, and Grand Theft Auto IV

The promotion doesn't start until May 16, so there's plenty of time to daydream about your wishlist. Savings are "up to 75 percent off," which doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot. We'll surely be checking back in next week to see what's included and how good the deals actually are.

@MajorNelson [Twitter]

Xbox is holding a massive sale made up entirely of backward compatible Xbox 360 games screenshot

This weekend's PlayStation Network flash sale is tempting

Posted: 12 May 2017 07:30 AM PDT

PlayStation Network flash sales are highly subjective, but I think this latest sale is particularly good in terms of the game selection and how steep the discounts are. It'll last until Monday morning.

I'm tempted to go for XCOM 2 at $23.99 and struggle my way through it with the slightest of hope that I'll get lucky on Hail Mary shots and my long-term strategy won't fall apart around the midway point. Those of you who missed Doom should give that a look (it's $19.79), PlayStation VR owners should consider Battlezone ($23.99), and all y'all ought to give SOMA ($8.99) some love.

This weekend's PlayStation Network flash sale is tempting screenshot

Read more...

Gwent is getting an open beta soon, but before then closed registrations are shutting down

Posted: 12 May 2017 07:00 AM PDT

CD Projekt Red has their hands full with Cyberpunk, but until that one drops they're toiling away with Gwent -- a standalone derivative of the card game in The Witcher universe.

Users have been testing out the closed beta for weeks now by way of signups on the official site, but that phase is set to end soon. The developer has announced that as of this weekend, it'll be your "last chance" to sign up for the closed portion, so if you're interested, head on over and try your luck.

That said, Gwent will head into its open phase soon enough. We'll get details as soon as next week, but if you've been putting it off, you may as well make the effort to get in now. Surprisingly I haven't played much of this spinoff, as most of my card game time is spent in Hearthstone, or dabbling in its many competitors like the Elder Scrolls version, and so on.

Maybe by the time the open beta hits I'll get around to it -- I mean, Gwent was mighty fine in The Witcher proper!

Gwent [Twitter]

Gwent is getting an open beta soon, but before then closed registrations are shutting down screenshot

Flash sale: Civilization VI hits 52% off, Dawn of War III dives to 40% off

Posted: 12 May 2017 06:30 AM PDT

If you still don't have Civilization VI in your library and you're a fan of the series, the sales generators are in your favor today as the game is now 52% off for a limited time.

Digital retailer GMG now has the game at a total of 52% off with with its seven-year anniversary coupon code. This follows the other flash sale we wrote about a few days ago. For those that missed the mistaken 50% off discount from Amazon last month, this is your second chance. We're fairly positive the game won't be any cheaper in the near future, even during Steam's popular Summer Sale.

Weekend Flash Sale

As part of today's flash sale, GMG is also offering Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III with a big cut down to $36. That's a decisively strong discount for a title that was released less than a month ago. Both the Civilization VI and Dawn of War III deals should expire tomorrow May 13 at 11am Eastern.

Listed above is also Mass Effect: Andromeda, which was price slashed down to $35 for a 42% off cut. While that was supposed to be a 24-hour deal, we suspect GMG has a few keys too many and has decided to keep the offer alive. In terms of expiration of deals above, we think Civilization VI will hold true to tomorrow morning's expiration date, while Dawn of War III and Andromeda will continue to sell until they are out of stock (for that price bucket).

Game deals from Dealzon. Sales help support Destructoid.

Flash sale: Civilization VI hits 52% off, Dawn of War III dives to 40% off screenshot

My Nintendo gets a few Mario Kart related rewards

Posted: 12 May 2017 06:00 AM PDT

I always feel obligated to update people on the happenings with My Nintendo, because I know one person somewhere cares. I don't know who that person is, but this is for you.

As of this week Nintendo has altered its rewards, adding in new Mario Kart 8 themed stuff. There's three offerings -- a wallpaper (for smartphones or your PC), a Link (but still Mario Kart) themed calendar, and a sample of the Deluxe strategy guide.

Oh, I don't know, I wish any of these rewards were physical? I'd love to get an official calendar with that rockin' Link motorcycle art. Even if they just did Platinum (not even Gold) rewards at the end of the fiscal year, I'd take it.

Here's hoping that once the program is in full swing with Switch rewards that it's even half as glorious as Club Nintendo.

Mario Kart [My Nintendo]

My Nintendo gets a few Mario Kart related rewards screenshot

Newest DiRT 4 trailer takes a look at real drivers

Posted: 12 May 2017 05:30 AM PDT

A lot of people don't realize that the DiRT series is based on a real sport. Rally driving is pretty damn dangerous and many a driver stare death in the face on a regular basis. You have to be crazy to get behind the wheel on a slim mountain, but that life or death factor is what makes for gut wrenching excitement. Codemasters is looking to capture that feeling with DiRT 4, so this latest trailer takes a closer look at the racers that are helping shape the game.

Newest DiRT 4 trailer takes a look at real drivers screenshot

Read more...

Review: SteelSeries Arctis 7

Posted: 12 May 2017 05:00 AM PDT

I've been pretty consistent about my feelings regarding SteelSeries headsets for the past four years or so. They're on the expensive side, but they more often than not end up being my headset of choice on various platforms.

I'm probably going to start rotating the Arctis 7 into that equation.

Review: SteelSeries Arctis 7 screenshot

Read more...

Street Fighter V's Ed actually looks really fun

Posted: 12 May 2017 04:30 AM PDT

Ed is nearing release (at least in beta form) this month, and Capcom has given us an introduction of sorts to the Balrog/Bison mashup of a fighter. While his weak story involvement and his aptly coined "Psychic 8-Mile" original look were pretty bad, this video has pretty much sold me.

Ed's V-Skill can be used to block fireballs, initiate a command drag, and his trigger launches a variable speed fireball. I absolutely love his OTG (off the ground combo) potential, as in the video he's seen using his V-Skill to drag players around and set up new combos. Also, despite his relation to Balrog, he is not a charge character.

Like I've said in the past, Capcom is doing wrong by the community in many ways, but at the very least they're nailing their character drops and mechanics.

Street Fighter V's Ed actually looks really fun screenshot

Read more...

Claybook is a puzzle-platformer made of clay

Posted: 12 May 2017 04:00 AM PDT

I always love a good clay-based aesthetic, and Claybook, an upcoming physics-centric puzzle-platform game from former Trials series developers, takes full advantage of its malleable look.

"Everything acts like it would be made out of real clay," according to independent studio Second Order. "Every inch of the environment can be shaped and molded. Everything has matter inside it, not just an outer shell. Clay can be deformed, destroyed, melted to fluid and frozen back to solid."

This looks so cool to me. Like, hell, even just messing with the clay water seems entertaining.

Claybook is a puzzle-platformer made of clay screenshot

Go grab your Mega Steelix and Mega Pidgeot stones in Pokemon Sun and Moon

Posted: 12 May 2017 03:30 AM PDT

Nintendo is still rolling out Mega Stones in various ways, and this one just happens to be easy peasy code-based.

If you own Pokemon Sun or Moon, log in, then type in the code "AZUL." You'll get a set of Mega Pidgeot, Mega Steelix, Mega Heracross and Mega Houndoom stones for your trouble. In a sort of balancing measure you can't use the stones online until May 16, to ensure that everyone is able to grab them and is on equal footing, which makes perfect sense.

I've been winding down my Pokemon Sun and Moon time since I nabbed every 'Mon, but it's still one of my favorites in the series. It has so much character -- I really hope we don't have to wait too long for a followup or even a third version.

Pokemon Sun and Moon [Serebii.net]

Go grab your Mega Steelix and Mega Pidgeot stones in Pokemon Sun and Moon screenshot

Alan Wake's music license expiring soon, Remedy has to pull game from sale

Posted: 12 May 2017 03:00 AM PDT

It seems that Remedy's Alan Wake won't be available for purchase much longer. Announced over on the Remedy forums, the team will be pulling the original game from sale due to the music license expiring. This will affect both PC and 360 versions as well as physical copies and digital ones. American Nightmare was able to get re-licensed, so that game will remain (for now).

If you've always fancied getting the game, Remedy will be holding a sale on Steam from tomorrow (May 13) until May 15. The game will be 90% off (making it roughly $3), so you really won't have much reason to say no. American Nightmare will also be on sale to push people to get into the series.

I definitely enjoyed Alan Wake when I played it. With Remedy seemingly losing the rights to Max Payne, Alan felt like a proper continuation of the dark comedy they started with Max. It also had similar controls and even featured the voice of everyone's favorite pill popping, depressive murder machine (James McCaffrey). It was just plain good.

Alan Wake Sunset Sale 13.-15.5.2017 [Remedy Community]

Alan Wake's music license expiring soon, Remedy has to pull game from sale screenshot

Read more...

Switch party game Battle Sports Mekuru is out on May 18 in Japan

Posted: 12 May 2017 02:00 AM PDT

If you're in the mood for more Switch party games (there's already a few at the moment, like Fast RMX, Snipperclips, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe), you can mosey along to the Japanese Switch eShop and grab Battle Sports Mekuru on May 18 for 980 yen (roughly $8.60). For those of you that forgot, the Switch allows folks to easily swap regions with different accounts and pick up any game digitally (it's also region free on a physical level).

Given the price it's hard to believe that Mekuru will involve any more drastically different modes, so fighting it out on block style arenas seems like that's all she wrote.

Switch party game Battle Sports Mekuru is out on May 18 in Japan screenshot

Read more...

Fans mistake Wild West Online screenshot for Red Dead Redemption 2 'leak'

Posted: 12 May 2017 01:00 AM PDT

Earlier this week, a supposed leaked screenshot from Red Dead Redemption 2 surfaced online. It's a genuine image, as it turns out, but there's just one problem: it's not from Rockstar's coveted new open-world adventure. It's actually from something called Wild West Online. Uh, whoops!

Ahead of an impending Kickstarter campaign and a planned launch on PC later this year, PC Gamer got the first details about the game, a player-versus-player MMO which reportedly "won't be the typical routine of questing and grinding levels, but a seamless open world using server shards where a few hundred players will coexist together or die trying."

I mostly thought the nature of the presumed leak was amusing, but if things go according to plan, Wild West Online sounds neat in its own right (albeit worryingly ambitious). For instance, instead of sending NPCs after you to make you pay for your crimes, it'll be on other real-world players to hunt you down. There's a lot of ideas like that which sound good but maybe won't be as fun in practice.

"There's an audience for [this type of game] that just wasn't being served on PC," said DJ2 creative vice president Stephan Bugaj. "So we wanted to make this big, open Wild West world with a bit of a twist that, like the best MMOs, is a place where people can really live in."

Wild West Online revealed: The Red Dead-like MMO 'built from the ground up' for PC [PC Gamer]

Fans mistake Wild West Online screenshot for Red Dead Redemption 2 'leak' screenshot

That collaboration between PaRappa and Gitaroo Man creators is real

Posted: 11 May 2017 11:45 PM PDT

Well! The rumors and leaked pictures are true, the creators of PaRappa the Rapper and Gitaroo Man are working on a project together, that's described as a "story-drive rhythm action adventure."

Given the mashup, for weeks folks believed that it would be a literal crossover with the two characters from both of the aforementioned franchises, but this clearly seems to be a brand new IP. There's a teaser website up right now that basically just confirms the existence of the project (along with a tweet, so we'll likely get more info soon).

I would have loved a PaRappa reboot, but I'll take this for sure. More rhythm games in the world is always a good thing.

Project Rap Rabbit [Project Rap Rabbit]

That collaboration between PaRappa and Gitaroo Man creators is real screenshot

Read more...

The Russians are coming for Europa Universalis IV

Posted: 11 May 2017 10:45 PM PDT

The Russians. Comrade Putin and company have threatened our very democracy with alleged phishing schemes that fooled an old man and single-handedly led to Trump -- who is gay for Putin, by the way. I love our modern red scare, woke homophobia and complete inability to reckon with personal failings. The damn commies are at it again (even if they haven't existed in 30 years).

Europa Universalis IV is cashing in with a new "Immersion pack" (slightly smaller than an expansion pack), Third Rome, which focuses on Russia. Updates include:

  • Tsardoms and Principalities: New ranks of Russian government with new abilities and, for Tsars, strong bonuses including the right to claim entire States – not just provinces
  • Iconography: Commission great religious icons for the Orthodox Church, boosting your empire’s power depending on the saint you choose to revere
  • Patriarchs: Consecrate highly developed provinces with Patriarchs, adding to the authority of the Orthodox Church, but for a cost.
  • Streltsy: Special Russian soldiers that excel in combat, but raise the cost of stabilizing your empire
  • Siberian Frontier: Russian nations can slowly colonize uninhabited border regions, with no fear of native uprisings
  • New Graphics: Includes three full unit packs and new portraits for Eastern Europe.

The Russians are coming for Europa Universalis IV screenshot

Tropico dev goes to space with Surviving Mars

Posted: 11 May 2017 07:52 PM PDT

Haemimont Games (Tropico) is partnering with Paradox on a new, "deep city building game that takes place on the planet Mars" called Surviving Mars. "The name Elon Musk Simulator was taken," Paradox Fredrik Wester joked during the announcement.

A Paradox press release reads:

"In Surviving Mars, players will lead a colonization effort on the surface of Mars, from the very first rovers and supply drops to the construction of suitable habitats for brave settlers from Earth. Every colonist will be vital to the mission as the colony struggles to gain a foothold where the environment is hostile and resources are scarce. With each success, however, players will gain the ability to expand further, and even establish a thriving society – and lead a new generation that has never known the Earth."

It is coming in 2018 to PC (Windows/Mac/Linux), PS4, and Xbox One.

There's a hands-off presentation I'll be checking out later at PDX Con, but for now appreciate the nice bubbly visuals and sly sense of humor -- though it's a bit more serious crack at Mars colonization than the Tropico series.

Tropico dev goes to space with Surviving Mars screenshot

Read more...


MMORPG News

MMORPG News


Overwatch - Year of the Rooster Coming with New Skins, New Game Mode

Posted: 24 Jan 2017 06:52 AM PST

Blizzard is ready to bring the Chinese New Year into Overwatch with today's expected announcement of the Year of the Rooster event. Details about the event have been leaking throughout the internet all week, incuding the Year of the Rooster launch trailer and the news that the Lijiang Tower map will be turned into a form of "capture the flag" with the flag being replaced by, what else? A rooster!

Camelot Unchained - Sailing Against Time

Posted: 24 Jan 2017 06:00 AM PST

I was in the midst of one of my now standard bullet point breakdown columns when I hit a wall of sorts. Not a bad wall or a good wall but a curious wall. One that sent me down a path of many questions. I've called time the ultimate ganker. When does it start to impact the designs of Camelot Unchained and does that lead to a crowd funded trademark soft launch? All indicators say they are staying the course but at what point has enough time passed to force a shifting of the sails?

Ashes of Creation - The Immersive World and Environments Spotlighted in Devblog

Posted: 23 Jan 2017 06:20 PM PST

The Ashes of Creation team took to their website today with a brand new developer blog focused on the world itself and the environments of the game will bring a more immersive experience for its players.

Final Fantasy XV - Moogle Chocobo Carnival to Arrive Today + New Trailer

Posted: 23 Jan 2017 10:11 AM PST

Square Enix has sent word that the Final Fantasy XV Chocobo Carnival will be arriving today beginning at 5:00 pm Pacific / 8:00 pm Eastern. Players will need to head to Altissia and can take part in chocobo races, play other carnival games and earn treats as well. All players, free and premium, can take part if the Holiday Pack is downloaded. The event will run through February 20th.

The Division - Last Stand Game Mode Detailed, v1.6 Lands on PTS

Posted: 23 Jan 2017 10:05 AM PST

The Division will be receiving another DLC with the release of patch 1.6 and Last Stand in the near future. Last stand challenges to players to control a trio of tactical areas on one of the four Dark Zone maps. Within each control point are three objectives that have to be completed in order to get control. Once a location is secured, points are awarded until one team reaches the maximum score to win.

- Player's Choice Awards - The Best MMO of 2016

Posted: 23 Jan 2017 10:00 AM PST

In our third and final Player's Choice Award for 2016, we're asking you to pick your top overall MMO of the year. Read on, add your vote, and prepare to argue!

- Tales of Berseria: Another in a Long List

Posted: 23 Jan 2017 09:00 AM PST

The newest title in the long running Tales series releases in North America on January 24th and the EU on January 27th. Rob weighs in on how it stacks up.

Conan Exiles - Leveraging the Favor of the Gods

Posted: 23 Jan 2017 07:26 AM PST

The role of religion and the avatars of the gods is the subject of the latest developer blog on the Conan Exiles site. Each god is given a brief introduction before delving into the importance of gaining the favor of the gods on the way to the "ultimate reward for worshipping the gods" - the ability to summon their Avatar to wreak havoc on enemies.

Total Pageviews

statcounter

View My Stats