Monthly Archives: March 2016

New Releases: Oculus Rift, MLB The Show 16, Resident Evil 6, More

Posted on March 27, 2016 by John Scalzo

newreleases032716

While the Samsung Gear VR has been available for a few months now, the real virtual reality revolution begins this week with the launch of the Oculus Rift. Unfortunately, the headset itself is currently sold out at all retail outlets, but you can definitely peruse the 30 titles in the launch lineup while you wait for stocks to replenish.

Baeball fans still have to have to wait a week for Opening Day, but Sony wants us all to “Play Ball!” this week with the release of MLB The Show 16 on the PS4 and PS3. As usual, the sports sim will receive a number of new features this year including a revamped Franchise Mode. Players will also be able to go on a quest for popularity in Conquest Mode and compete in online tournaments with Battle Royale Mode.

Capcom continues their Resident Evil anniversary celebration this week with a PS4 and Xbox One re-release of Resident Evil 6. Resident Evil 6’s intersecting storyline will be augmented with all it’s previously-released DLC including Siege Mode, Predator Mode, Survivor Mode, Onslaught Mode, and The Mercenaries maps.

The Resident Evil storyline is certainly a roller coaster ride, so watch as I use that to segue into this week’s Early Access release of Atari’s RollerCoaster Tycoon World.

And finally this week, a pair of RPGs will be available for PlayStation players. Nights of Azure is an RPG for the PS4 from developer Gust and the one of the creators of Fatal Frame, Trillion: God of Destruction is an RPG for the Vita about destroying a god with 1,000,000,000,000 hit points.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox One | Tagged ,

Latest Doom trailer introduces the Prowler demon and the BFG

Posted on March 25, 2016 by John Scalzo

Bethesda has teleported another trailer for Doom onto the Internet, and this time they’ve given us a closer look at the demons and weaponry that populate the game’s multiplayer mode.

Players who received an invite to the Alpha Test got a chance to play with the multiplayer’s Demon Rune mechanic, but this new trailer reintroduces us to the Baron of Hell (who bits the head off another players) and a new monster known as a Prowler. The Prowler leaps like a gazelle, runs like a cheetah, and may just have limited flight capabilities… uh, like a bird.

Thankfully, players will have an entire arsenal at their disposal to stop these (temporary) denizens of Hell. The Gauss Cannon can see through walls before firing a tremendously powerful cartridge, while the Chainsaw and BFG need no introduction to fans of the franchise. However, for the newbies in the audience, BFG stands for “Big F-in Gun” and it delivers on the promise of every syllable in that name.

Doom will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on May 13.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Batman Is Forever: 4 Ways to Bring Back the Arkham Series

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Chris Cobb

batmanarkhamasylumanimated

Rocksteady sent us all on a wild ride back when Batman: Arkham Asylum first launched, finally giving the world a chance to properly squeeze on that rubber cowl and proclaim, “I’m Batman!” Two sequels (and a WB Games Montreal-helmed prequel and an Armature-developed side-scrolling spinoff) later, the future of the series is still very much up in the air now that its original developer has stepped away… or have they? Regardless, it seems likely that someone will continue the legacy of the Bat, but what direction could the series possibly take? Well… I’m glad you asked, hypothetical Internet stranger! (more…)

Posted in Opinions, PC, PS4, Top Story, Xbox One | Tagged , , , ,

Daily Scoop: March 25, 2016 – Fallout 4 on sale this weekend!

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Nicole Kline

This weekend can’t get here fast enough! I’m hoping to play more of Fallout 4 and really sink my teeth into the Automatron DLC, and maybe get closer to the Platinum Trophy in Diablo III: Reaper of Souls. I’ve also got an UnPub Mini, some Dungeons and Dragons, and a board game night, so lots and lots of games are planned!

Humble is having a Paradox Interactive Weekend Sale. Cities: Skylines is $14.99, Pillars of Eternity Hero Edition is $22.49, and the Magicka Collection is just $9.99, among others.

Over at Steam, the Weekend Deal is Fallout 4! It’s on sale for just $40.19, so if you’ve been waiting for a deal, this is the one. The Daily Deal is Shadow Warrior. Get the game for $3.99, the Special Edition for $4.99, or the Classic Redux for $0.99. Already have the game? Upgrade it to the SE for just $0.99.

Hit the jump to see today’s t-shirts! (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop |

The Banner Saga 2 will be released for PC on April 19; PS4, Xbox One release coming this Summer

Posted on March 25, 2016 by John Scalzo

bannersaga2-header

Stoic Studio has announced that The Banner Saga 2, their Viking-flavored strategy RPG sequel, will be released for the PC on April 19. And though it’s a bit at odds with the game’s Scandinavian setting, PS4 and Xbox One owners will get a chance to download it this Summer.

To celebrate the game’s release, Stoic is bringing the party to next month’s PAX East expo, where they’ll have a demo of the game available at the Versus Evil booth (#10081). A panel focusing on the development process (with Art Director Arnie Jorgensen, Technical Director John Watson, Writer Drew McGee, Tech Designer Matt Rhoades, and Composer Austin Wintory) will also be held on Saturday, April 23.

A pre-order option for The Banner Saga 2 is now available on Steam, and you’ll get a 10% discount if you buy it before April 19.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged ,

Nintendo Download: Hyrule Warriors Legends, SNES Classics on 3DS, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, more

Posted on March 24, 2016 by John Scalzo

It’s time to check in with some classic characters in this week’s Nintendo Download.

After 30 years and more than a dozen games, the cast of characters from the Legend of Zelda franchise has reached massive proportions… and nearly all of them make an appearance in the 3DS re-release of Hyrule Warriors. Now known as Hyrule Warriors Legends, the portable game introduces several new characters (including Linkle, Link’s female counterpart) and a new level based on The Wind Waker. It’ll be available through the 3DS eShop beginning tomorrow.

Elsewhere on the 3DS eShop, a trio of Super NES classics are now available to download for the New 3DS. Donkey Kong Country is one of the most visually impressive side-scrollers of the 90s; Super Mario Kart started the whole kart racing genre; and EarthBound is a great RPG that’s even more beloved today.

If you’re looking for a new game for your Wii U, have no fear, more classic characters are here. Yoshi’s Nintendo 64 adventure, Yoshi’s Story, is now available through the Wii U eShop. As is, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge Director’s Cut, WayForward’s hair-raising side-scroller.

More information about all of these games (and a few other new releases) can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Nordic Games plans to release four massive RPGs in the next two years

Posted on March 24, 2016 by John Scalzo

nordicgames-header

Nordic Games has updated their release calendar for the next two years and it includes a quartet of new RPGs in addition to a few games we already knew about (The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 for mobile/Wii U, Battle Worlds: Kronos for PC/PS4/Xbox One, MX vs ATV Supercross Encore for Xbox One, and Aquanox Deep Descent for PC/PS4/Xbox One).

The publisher is referring to their upcoming RPG slate as the “Big Four” and it includes a mix of sequels and original properties. This year, Nordic will release multi-generational saga The Guild 3 and RTS/RPG hybrid Spellforce 3 exclusively for the PC. And next year, they plan to launch the action RPG ELEX and the traditional JRPG-styled Battle Chasers: Nightwar for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

More information about Nordic’s “Big Four” can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One | Tagged , ,

Battleborn’s Open Beta will launch on April 8 (for PS4) and April 13 (for PC, Xbox One)

Posted on March 24, 2016 by John Scalzo

Gearbox Software will fill the badass-sized hole in our hearts this May with their next project, Battleborn. But first, the developer has unveiled a brand new Story Trailer to fill fans in on the backstory of their new universe. They’ve also announced that an Open Beta is on the way for PC, PS4, and Xbox One owners.

Beginning on April 8, PS4 players will gain access to the Open Beta, which will include a ton of content: two Story Mode episodes, two Competitive Multiplayer Modes (Incursion and Meltdown), and 25 playable heroes that you unlock as you progress. PC and Xbox One owners will be able to join the Open Beta a week later, on April 13. Players on all platforms will be able to download the Open Beta on April 6, and it’ll shut down for everybody on April 18.

Gearbox helpfully put together a huge Open Beta FAQ at Battleborn.com.

Battleborn will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on May 3.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged