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Koji Igarashi’s Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night will be released on June 18
The visuals present in the earliest demos of Koji Igarashi’s Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night did not receive the kindest reaction from fans. Many leveled their criticism against the “bland” environments, but others targeted the game’s “poop” presentation. Since then, the famed developer took these criticisms to heart and continued to pour his soul (and millions of dollars worth of Kickstarter funds) into the game’s presentation in anticipation of a 2019 release.
Now, Igarashi is ready to showcase just how far Bloodstained has come in a brand new trailer, which has been embedded above.
Igavania is back! With the support of the Bloodstained community, 505 Games and ArtPlay have taken the extra time and care to ensure we’re doing things RIGHT. Check out some before and after comparisons in this new video to see all the hard work we’ve poured into Bloodstained over the last year.
Publisher 505 Games also used this opportunity to announce the Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night’s release date. It’ll be available for the PC (through Steam and GOG), PS4, and Xbox One on June 18th. A Switch launch will follow a week later on June 25.
World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019 includes Super Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat, Solitaire, and Colossal Cave Adventure

The World Video Game Hall of Fame has welcomed four new games into the fold, as the inductees from the Class of 2019 were announced this morning in a special ceremony. This year, three games that practically defined gaming in the 1990s lead the way, while a groundbreaking text adventure from the 1970s also made the cut.
If you’ve ever used a PC in the last 30 years, you’re likely very familiar with Windows Solitaire. The card game was originally made available by Microsoft in 1990 to help Windows users hone their mouse skills, and it’s been a staple of the operating system ever since. No less ubiquitous was 1992’s Mortal Kombat, which helped usher in the ESRB after a congressional hearing was convened to debate the merits of it’s gory presentation. That same year, Nintendo’s Super Mario Kart proved that young players were just as ruthless, as the consolemaker introduced the franchise’s cutthroat multiplayer mode to the world.
Those three titles were inducted alongside William Crowther’s Colossal Cave Adventure, which is well-known as the first text adventure (and thus, the forerunner of the entire adventure genre).
Curators from the Strong Museum’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games, which operates the World Video Game Hall of Fame, had a lot to say about this year’s inductees.
“The best games fire the imagination,” said Jon-Paul Dyson, the Director of the Strong Museum’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games. “Anyone who first typed a command like ‘Get Lamp’ into Colossal Cave Adventure could see the power of electronic games to create magical worlds of the imagination.”
“Windows Solitaire proved that sometimes analog games can be even more popular in the digital world and demonstrated that a market existed for games that appeal to people of all types,” said Jeremy Saucier, the Assistant Vice President for Electronic Games and Interpretation. “In many ways, it helped pave the way for the growth of the casual gaming market that remains so popular today.”
Digital Games Curator Andrew Borman said: “Beyond its controversial content and role in triggering debate about the role of violent video games in society, Mortal Kombat’s compelling gameplay, iconic characters, and many sequels have kept players coming back again and again.”
“Super Mario Kart truly excelled as a social game that appealed to players of all skill levels, especially with its engaging multi-player settings,” said Julia Novakovic, an Archivist. “It invited friends, family, and gaming fans of all ages along for an unforgettable ride that has made it the longest-running racing series in gaming history.”
Eight other finalists (King’s Candy Crush, Atari’s Centipede, Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution, Cyan Worlds’s Myst, Sega’s NBA 2K, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Melee, and Valve’s Half-Life) will have to try their luck again next year, but you can put your support behind them now as Public Nominations for the Class of 2020 opened after the ceremony.
Posted in News, PC, Retro
Tagged Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection, Super Mario Kart, Windows Solitaire, World Video Game Hall of Fame
Descenders’s 1.0 Update will leap onto the PC and Xbox One on May 7

Descenders, the downhill biking game from RageSquid, will finally exit Early Access when its 1.0 Update becomes available for the PC and Xbox One on May 7. The developer has released half-a-dozen updates for the game since it launched last year, but they plan to pack a wide variety of new features into the 1.0 Update, including online multiplayer and four new mountainous worlds:
Descenders 1.0 Update Features
- Online multiplayer
- New Destiny-styled central hub filled with players
- Ride with strangers or lobby up with friends
- Double the content, with four whole new worlds, including “Jungle” and “Favela”
- New music, new modes, new tweaks, new customization, and tons of new stuff
In addition to celebrating this major development milestone, RageSquid also confirmed that Microsoft will make Descenders available to download through the Xbox Game Pass program on May 7 as well.
Posted in News, PC, Xbox One
Tagged Descenders
New Retail Releases: Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, Fade to Silence
Just a pair of new titles will make their way to retail shelves this week.
After bringing Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age to the PS4 in 2017, Square Enix will now give Switch and Xbox One owners the chance to relive the acclaimed RPG. The remaster includes several improvements over the original PS2 release, including enhanced visuals, 7.1 surround sound, and an Auto Save option. Meanwhile, the new Zodiac Job System features more customization in leveling up characters and the punishing Trial Mode asks players to survive 100 consecutive battles.
Elsewhere on store shelves this week, THQ Nordic will bring Fade to Silence to the PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The post-apocalyptic survival game will feature wintry environments and massive monsters as players gather resources in the hopes of “balancing short term needs versus your long term goals” while unraveling “a puzzling story.”
That’s it for this week’s retail releases, but you’ll find plenty of other new games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop this week.
EA Sports will put Patrick Mahomes on the cover of Madden NFL 20 when it launches on August 2
EA Sports has officially announced that Madden NFL 20 will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on August 2. It looks like fans of the Kansas City Chiefs will have to fret over the Madden Curse this year as quarterback Patrick Mahomes will serve as the game’s “Cover Athlete.”
In addition to his appearance on Madden NFL 20’s cover, the 2018 NFL MVP will contribute directly to the game’s development in “Face of the Franchise: QB1,” Madden’s new Career Mode…
Mahomes inspired and contributed to the development of Face of the Franchise: QB1, a brand-new and personalized career campaign in Madden NFL 20 that allows fans to create their own college quarterback to play through the College Football National Championship playoff, the NFL Combine, the NFL Draft, and a career as a starting Quarterback for an NFL team. In Face of the Franchise: QB1 and traditional Franchise, a new Scenario Engine generates unique playable scenarios, events and dynamic challenges that build the story of each fan’s distinct NFL career.
“The last year has been life-changing for me and landing the cover of Madden NFL 20 is both a huge honor and a dream come true as a lifelong Madden fan. To also get the opportunity to impact the experience in the new Face of the Franchise: QB1 by providing input on the gameplay is something I never expected,” said Mahomes. “I played Madden with my dad when I was a kid, and this is definitely a full circle moment for me.”
While Mahomes will serve as the spokesman for Madden NFL 20, many of the NFL biggest stars will get a unique showcase in the game thanks to the “Superstar X-Factor” system.
Seann Graddy, the Executive Producer of Madden NFL 20, explained the basics behind the new feature: “The team this year wanted to ensure that the superstars of the NFL responded and played differently in all aspects in Madden, just as they do on the field every Sunday. We wanted to make sure the stars felt like stars.”
Fans of the franchise can get a taste of the superstar vibe that Madden NFL 20 is going for in the Reveal Trailer embedded above, and they can also look forward to “new player celebrations, run/pass option (RPO) plays, and unique playbooks” when the game ships this August.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Madden NFL 20
Play as Thanos for a limited time in Fortnite’s new Avengers: Endgame event
After what seems like an impossible wait, Avengers: Endgame is finally in theaters… but Marvel has also made sure that Thanos the Mad Titan made his way back to Fortnite in a new limited time event that begins today.
The “Fortnite X Avengers: Endgame” event will split players into two teams: the Chitauri and the Heroes. The Chitauri invasion squad has been tasked with searching for Infinity Stones, and according to Epic’s official website, the first player to find a Stone will transform into Thanos and receive a massive power boost:
Each time an Infinity Stone is claimed, Thanos’ abilities grow more powerful and the Chitauri gain health.
- Reality Stone (Red) – Heath and Shields doubled
- Soul Stone (Orange) – Siphon activated
- Mind Stone (Yellow) – Jump Height doubled
- Space Stone (Blue) – Ground Pound AOE size tripled and damage X6
- Time Stone (Green) – Big Knockback added to each hit and damage X3
- Power Stone (Purple) – Laser Damage X6
But the Heroes will also be able to obtain more powerful implements of destruction during the event, including Thor’s Stormbringer, Hawkeye’s Bow, Captain America’s Shield, and Iron Man’s Repulsors. With these Mythic Weapons, they’ll be able to take the fight straight to Thanos and possibly prevent the supervillain from collecting all six Infinity Stones and performing a “Snap Royale” on the universe.
New Marvel-branded gear will also be available during the “Fortnite X Avengers: Endgame” event. Players will be able to unlock free rewards (such as Sprays, Banners, and a Quinjet Glider) by completing challenges, and two Outfit Sets (one featuring Black Widow and a mystery set coming next week) will be available for purchase through the Fortnite Store.
Mortal Kombat 11’s Launch Trailer teases an epic new storyline for the franchise
Mortal Kombat 11‘s launch is less than a week away and now NetherRealm Studios has capped their months-long media barrage with a new Launch Trailer that teases the epic events ahead. Promising massive battles and multiple versions of your favorite characters, the time-hopping two minutes of this trailer are a must watch for all fans of the Mortal Kombat franchise.
Mortal Kombat 11 will be released for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on April 23.
Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will be released on November 15, 2019
As promised, Electronic Arts and Respawn Entertainmen delivered the first look at Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at this year’s Star Wars Celebration earlier today.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will take place in the shadow of Order 66, and players will take control of a young Jedi named Cal Kestis (played by Gotham‘s Cameron Monaghan) as he goes on the run after surviving the slaughter:
The game will feature an authentic story set shortly after the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, when the Jedi have fallen. Fans will play as a young Padawan named Cal Kestis, brought to life by Cameron Monaghan, who has survived Order 66, the Emperor’s secret decree to eliminate all Jedi. Players must pick up the pieces of Cal’s shattered past to complete his training and master the art of the iconic lightsaber – all while staying one step ahead of the Empire and its deadly Inquisitors.
According to the publisher, players will visit several “iconic” locales in Fallen Order, but they’ll also get the chance to explore new planets and meet “a roster of fresh characters” new to Star Wars. And of course, the Empire will always be right on your heels:
Players will meet Cal on Bracca, a brand-new Star Wars planet and one of several new locations introduced in the game. Cal is hiding from the Empire in plain sight but is forced to go on the run when he exposes his Force powers. Along the way, Cal will make new friends, like his mysterious companion Cere, as well as run into some familiar faces, all while being accompanied by his faithful droid BD-1. Cal’s flight from the Empire is made even more dangerous as he is being pursued by the Second Sister, one of the Empire’s elite Inquisitors, who seeks to hunt Cal down and extinguish this surviving Jedi. Assisting the Second Sister are the terrifying Purge Troopers, special Imperial forces trained to seek out Jedi and aid the Inquisitors in their dastardly work.
Unlike EA’s previous Star Wars projects, Fallen Order will offer a completely single-player experience with no multiplayer options, loot boxes, or microtransactions. In a way, Fallen Order’s scenario almost feels like a continuation of 2008’s The Force Unleashed, albeit from the other side of The Force.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 15. The game’s jaw-dropping first trailer has been embedded above.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order







