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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice wins “Best of Gamescom” at Gamescom 2018

Gamescom 2018 closed its doors for the last time today, and From Software’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice slashed its way towards the coveted “Best of Gamescom” award.
There were a wide range of winners at this year’s expo, with all three consolemakers predictably winning “Best Game” on their respective platforms. In case you were wondering, those awards went to Spider-Man (“Best PS4 Game”), Ori and the Will of the Wisps (“Best Xbox One Game”), and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (“Best Nintendo Switch Game”). Nintendo’s fighter also collected the audience-voted award “Most Wanted Consumer Award.”
Other platform-specific awards were claimed by Ubisoft’s Anno 1800 (“Best PC Game”) and Madfinger’s Shadowgun War Games (“Best Mobile Game”).
The complete list of nominees and winners can be found after the break. And it’s never too early to start planning for next year’s expo. Gamescom organizers announced that next year’s show will begin on August 20. (more…)
Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Tagged Battlefield V, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Destiny 2, Divinity: Original Sin II, Farming Simulator 19, FIFA 19, Forza Horizon 4, Gamescom 2018, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Spider-Man, Super Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Team Sonic Racing, The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan, Total War: Three Kingdoms
Epic Games will add “robust competition system” to Fortnite this Fall

Epic Games hand-delivered the “August 2018” development update for Fortnite earlier today on their official website. The communique from the development team includes new information about weapon balancing and building effectiveness, as well as the first statement about the battle royale’s recent launch on Android platforms.
But the real meat of this announcement can be found under the Competitive heading, which is where Epic announced that a “robust competition system” is coming to the game this Fall:
We are aware of a strong desire from competitive players for more opportunities to compete directly against one another within the same match. Development recently began for a robust competition system which will allow for all players to compete with one another and be recognized for their accomplishments. The first version of this feature is expected later this Fall.
Ideally, this new scoring system will help Fortnite transition into the full-fledged esport that Epic hopes it’ll be.
In addition to the new competition system, the developer also confirmed that “the ability to completely remap your gamepad to exactly your preference” will also be added to Fortnite this Fall.
Call of Duty: WWII’s final expansion, the Shadow War DLC Pack, will be released for PS4 on August 28
Activision has announced (via the PlayStation Blog) that the fourth, and final, expansion for Call of Duty: WWII will be available to download for the PS4 beginning next week. The Shadow War DLC Pack will contain three new multiplayer maps, a new War Mode Mission, and the last chapter of Nazi Zombies.
Two multiplayer specialists from Sledgehammer Games discussed a few details about the new maps:
Multiplayer Map: Airship – Set in a secret enemy base high in the Alps, Airship takes the battle to new heights. Fight for control of the docked zeppelin, or take your chances running along a treacherous cliff, where one slip up can lead to an unfortunate trip down the mountain that will end in a respawn.
“I like trying to control the blimp,” Greg Reisdorf, [Multiplayer Creative Director] Reisdorf said. “But if you notice your opponent is kind of owning the airship, there’s a couple of sneaky vantage points you can utilize that are from either spawn.”
Multiplayer Map: Chancellery- The enemy forces have taken hold of a French Chancellery, but they won’t expect a chaotic firefight in the middle of the night. Wrest control of the stronghold’s main courtyard, while covering your team from the flanking pathways to the map’s main area for this epic night-time brawl behind enemy lines.
“It’s all about the windows,” Reisdorf said. “Being able to hold those two buildings across the courtyard is a lot of fun if you can get up there with a buddy, or plant a deployable, to watch your back.”
“And you can get in those trucks in the courtyard too,” [Multiplayer Development Director Adam] Iscove added. “There are always people who will run to the courtyard, and likely not checking the backs of those trucks. So, if you’re in there, you can surprise them.”
Multiplayer Map: Excavation – In an Algerian mine, the enemy stockpiled priceless art and gold from their European conquests. The battle will ensue around these pillaged goods, the dunes of a tank graveyard, and rock outcroppings scattered around the map.
“There is hole in the middle of the map where you drop onto this pile of gold coins and valuable fine art,” Iscove said. “There’s always somebody either coming or going that way, so it’s a fun place to drop in and surprise people, or crouch and wait for them to come down.”
I’m sure plenty of “Excavation” players will imagine themselves fighting alongside the Flying Hellfish, but the new War Mode Mission strikes a different pop culture chord, and focuses on Hitler’s well-documented obsession with the occult:
War Mode: Operation Arcane – On top of these Multiplayer experiences, there is also Operation Arcane, a new War Mode Mission that will take players deep within a secret enemy research facility in the Austrian mountains. Allied Forces players will be tasked with infiltrating this lab, stealing enemy secrets and schematics and finally destroying whatever classified technology remains in a hanger full of UFOs.
Of course, being that it is a research facility, there are a few clandestine weapons, such as the Tesla Gun, and mysterious super soldier serums that players can use to help turn the tide of battle.
And speaking of the occult, the final Nazi Zombies map takes place within the Lost City of Thule:
Nazi Zombies: The Frozen Dawn – Shadow War also includes Frozen Dawn, the final chapter to the epic Call of Duty: WWII Nazi Zombies story. In this experience, we rejoin Marie, Drostan, Olivia and Jefferson as they try to stop an incredible evil once and for all.
Acquiring the Sword of Barbarossa has not put an end to the undead threat. A darker and more powerful threat lurks in the depths of Thule. In the unfathomable depths of a lost city, our heroes are humanity’s last hope of ending the cult of Thule. Luckily, they will have a few secret weapons to help put the ancient rulers of the world to rest.
Call of Duty: WWII’s Shadow War DLC Pack will be released for the PS4 on August 28. As usual, PC and Xbox One owners will be able to download it roughly four weeks later.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Call of Duty: WWII
Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler was the best-selling game in July 2018

It would have been amusing if Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler took the #8 spot in The NPD Group’s monthly report of best-selling games (as reported by GamesIndustry.biz). But instead, the retro-styled RPG smashed expectations and landed in the top spot for the preceding four-week period. That means the publisher is likely less amused and more amazed.
Nintendo Switch exclusives dominated the list of best-selling games last month, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (#3), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (#5), Super Mario Odyssey (#7), and Mario Tennis Aces (#10) all cracking the top ten. The recent Switch launch of Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy (#9) also likely accounted for its rise in the rankings (the game is also available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One).
The Switch was also the best-selling console in July, the first time that’s happened since December 2017.
You can find out how the rest of the top ten shook out, with a quick rundown of the remainder of July 2018’s best-selling games, after the break. (more…)
Guacamelee 2, F1 2018, Little Dragons Cafe, more coming to PS Store this week
A nice variety of games will be added to the PlayStation Store this week.
Drink Box returns to their “Mexiverse” with more luchador-inspired action in Guacamelee! 2 for the PS4. The sequel features four-player co-op, as well as new levels, new wrestling moves, “sassy” new bosses, and “300% more chickens.”
Speaking of bizarre franchises, Sega will re-release Shenmue I & II for the PS4 this week, and fans will once again be able to search for the killer of Ryo Hazuki’s father.
Also available this week for the PS4 is F1 2018, the latest game in Codemasters’s long-running racing simulation series. The new entry in the franchise will include the complete schedule for the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Finally this week, Aksys Games will ask players if they can run a cafe and raise a dragon in Little Dragons Cafe for the PS4.
You can learn more about the rest of this week’s additions to the PlayStation Store (including Brawlout, Slime Rancher, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr, and more) after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PS4
Tagged F1 2018, Shenmue, Shenmue II
J. Jonah Jameson delivers “Just the Facts” in two new Spider-Man trailers

We don’t know who Sony and Insomniac lined up to play J. Jonah Jameson for this September’s Spider-Man, but judging by the two newest trailers for the game, the mystery actor was definitely inspired by the legendary J.K. Simmons.
The Daily Bugle publisher will have his own radio show in Insomniac’s game, and it looks like Peter Parker is a regular caller. While Jameson is convinced the superhero is still a menace to the city, he inadvertently reveals some helpful tips for your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
In the first trailer, “Marvel’s New York,” Jameson and Peter talk about the skyscrapers, warehouses, and rooftops that Spider-Man will sling past on his way to stopping (or causing) street crime. And in the second trailer, “Combat,” the increasingly agitated host discusses Spider-Man’s different suits and gadgets with a frustrated Peter.
Spider-Man will be released exclusively for the PS4 on September 7, and you can find both trailers after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PS4
Tagged Spider-Man
New Gameplay Trailer confirms Devil May Cry 5 will be released on March 8, 2019
Gamescom 2018 attendees got their first look at Devil May Cry 5, and Capcom unveiled a brand new Gameplay Trailer for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One action game during today’s special episode of Inside Xbox. In addition to the new video, the publisher also unveiled the game’s official release date… March 8, 2019.
As we saw during the E3 Trailer, players will take control of Nero in the upcoming game, but be sure to watch the new trailer all the way to the end for a quick glimpse at the game’s second playable character:
The threat of demonic power has returned to menace the world once again in Devil May Cry 5. The invasion begins when the seeds of a “demon tree” take root in Red Grave City. As this hellish incursion starts to take over the city, a young demon hunter Nero, arrives with his partner Nico in their “Devil May Cry” motorhome. Finding himself without the use of his right arm, Nero enlists Nico, a self-professed weapons artist, to design a variety of unique mechanical Devil Breaker arms to give him extra powers to take on evil demons such as the blood sucking flying Empusa and giant colossus enemy Goliath.
Devil May Cry 5 is currently playable at the Xbox booth at Gamescom 2018 (August 21-25), and Capcom will also bring it to PAX West next week (August 31-September 4) to give attendees in Seattle a chance to try out the demo as well.
Oh, and in case you missed it, that’s Dante on his flashy motorbike at the end there.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Devil May Cry 5, Gamescom 2018, PAX West 2018
Supermassive Games returns to horror with The Dark Pictures Anthology
Supermassive Games released Until Dawn in 2015, and the narrative-horror adventure became one of the first times a slasher-style story was used in a game. Today, the developer announced at Gamescom that they’re going back to their horror roots with The Dark Pictures Anthology, a series of standalone games for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Each game in the anthology well tell its own self-contained tale of horror, and the first will follow a group of aquatic adventurers in search of a shipwreck:
The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan chronicles the adventures of a group of friends in search of a mysterious World War II shipwreck, whose holiday diving trip turns sinister as a storm slowly envelops them. With survival their only concern, the player must take control of the five protagonists and traverse the terrors of the sea, both to uncover its mysteries, and to live to tell their tale.
“We are incredibly excited to announce the Dark Pictures Anthology and the first game in the series, Man of Medan,” said Pete Samuels, the CEO of Supermassive Games and Executive Producer of The Dark Pictures. “With each title being a standalone game, we have the opportunity to create a unique horror experience every time, with new stories, settings, characters and cast.
Samuels went on to add: “As a studio we have a passion to deliver powerful cinematic horror, and we can’t wait for players to experience these new games across PS4, Xbox, and PC. We have a great partner in Bandai Namco Entertainment and we look forward to working with them to help bring these terrifying tales to gamers everywhere.”
The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan will be released sometime in 2019. For now, the game’s first trailer has been embedded above.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Gamescom 2018, The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan







