Most Recent: PS4

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night’s launch pushed back to 2019; Vita version canceled

Posted on August 20, 2018 by John Scalzo

In a new Kickstarter update, Koji “IGA” Igarashi announced that Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night‘s PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One launch has been pushed back to 2019. Within that same update, Igarashi also confirmed the game is no longer in development for the Vita.

According to the developer, the delay is to “raise the quality level” of the game:

Our first announcement is that the game will now launch in 2019. The most important reason for this is to raise the quality level, especially after all the very valuable feedback from the Beta Backer Demo.

He went on to say that the Vita version of Bloodstained was canceled due to Sony’s plans to discontinue the handheld:

The second announcement is that the game will no longer launch on PlayStation Vita. This decision is largely due to Sony’s plans to discontinue the Vita console, ending production of physical copies and stopping certain online store support features.

It is extremely unfortunate, but as a result, we won’t be releasing the game on Vita. For the backers who have ordered the PS Vita version of the game, you will be able to choose another platform or request a refund.

You can see “IGA” deliver this message personally in the video embedded above.

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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will be released on March 22, 2019; Collector’s Edition announced

Posted on August 20, 2018 by John Scalzo

Activision and From Software have announced that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on March 22, 2019.

But first, fans looking to unleash their inner ninja will be able to try out a playable demo of the action-adventure game during this week’s Gamescom 2018. The demo will give players the chance to explore three core tenets of ninja combat:

  • Sword Combat: The core combat in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is measured by an intense clash of steel. Players will take command of special Sword Arts to supplement their regular attacks, and tear down enemy defenses before sealing the final blow.
  • Shinobi Prosthetic: Players can equip and switch between a variety of unique Prosthetic Tools to find the weakness of a formidable enemy. Additionally, tools such as the Grappling Hook can be utilized to bring an extra dimension to exploration and traversal throughout the world of the game.
  • Resurrection: Used as an opportunity for a tactical retreat or to deceive an enemy and go on the counter-offensive, this new combat strategy allows players to resurrect on the spot, even after a hasty death.

In addition to confirming Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s launch date, Activision and From Software also unveiled a special Collector’s Edition for the game, which will include a the game disc in SteelBook packaging, a 7” Shinobi Statue, a Collectible Artbook, a Map, a Digital Soundtrack, and Three Sengoku Era Replica Game Coins.

A close-up of the Collector’s Edition has been embedded above.

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

New Retail Releases: Shenmue I & II, F1 2018 Headline Edition, Little Dragons Cafe, More

Posted on August 20, 2018 by John Scalzo

It’s Gamescom Week, and like E3 Week last month, most game publishers have decided not to launch any new games during Europe’s biggest gaming event. But a few brave souls are racing ahead and trying anyway…

This week, Sega will give gamers another chance to experience the Shenmue franchise with the launch of Shenmue I & II for the PS4 and Xbox One. This re-release will include original and modern control options, as well as Japanese audio.

Codemasters got the green light to release F1 2018: Headline Edition for the PS4 and Xbox One this week. The speedy simulation will include the full calendar of circuits from the 2018 Formula One Season. Racing game fans will also be able to look into All-Star Fruit Racing for the PS4 and Switch this week.

Also this week, Aksys Games will bring Little Dragons Cafe to the PS4 and Switch. Players can raise their own little dragons and master the art of cooking by running a cafe.

And speaking of firepower, Grip Digital’s Mothergunship, a “bullet hell” first person shooter, is now available on retail shelves for the PS4 and Xbox One.

Finally this week, Retroism will release Return of Double Dragon for the Super NES. The game is actually a re-release of 1992’s Super Double Dragon, but it includes several bonus levels that were exclusive to the Japanese version of the game, as well as an expanded moveset for the ninja brothers.

That’s all for now, but we’ll be back later this week with a complete look at the latest additions to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.

Posted in News, PS4, Retro, Switch, Xbox One | Tagged , ,

Sabotage Studio will bring The Messenger to PC, Switch on August 30

Posted on August 17, 2018 by John Scalzo

Sabotage Studio’s The Messenger wall jumped its way into our hearts when it was unveiled by publisher Devolver Digital back in January. The game’s unique combination of Ninja Gaiden-like platforming and MetroidVania-style level design was exciting, as was its stylish use of portals to transport players between 8-bit and 16-bit worlds.

As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival. What begins as a classic action platformer soon unravels into an expansive time-traveling adventure full of thrills, surprises, and humor.

Yesterday, the developer announced that The Messenger will be released for the PC and Switch on August 30. And to celebrate, they uploaded a brand new trailer that’s packed with ninja action, and which is currently embedded above.

Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged

Activision unveils new Gameplay Trailer for Spyro Reignited Trilogy… and delays its release until November 13

Posted on August 17, 2018 by John Scalzo

Activision has been playing “Good News/Bad News” with Spyro fans all Summer long.

First, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy compilation had a great showing for the game at this year’s E3 Expo, but then the publisher revealed that only the first game in the franchise, Spyro the Dragon, would appear on the retail disc (the other two games will require an additional download).

And now, the publisher recently pushed out a hefty new Gameplay Trailer for the compilation, showcasing the Hurricos Realm from Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage. That video is embedded above, but they also announced that the launch date for the Spyro Reignited Trilogy has been rescheduled from the relatively-soonish September 21 to the much-further-out November 13.

Writing on the Activision Games Blog, Toys For Bob’s Paul Yan said the compilation needs “more love and care”:

Everyone here at Toys for Bob is so proud to be reigniting the original Spyro trilogy after all these years. We’re deeply committed to getting these games right, so we’ve decided to move the release date of Spyro Reignited Trilogy to November 13, 2018. I really hoped that you would be rescuing dragons and scorching Rhynocs sooner, but the Trilogy needs more love and care. In November when you’re exploring the Dragon Realms, Avalar and the Forgotten Worlds, we know you’ll agree the extra time was worth the wait.

Yan didn’t expand on what “more love and care” means exactly, but hopefully the developer will find some way to fit all three games on the disc.

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is currently in development for the PS4 and Xbox One, and is widely expected to also make its way to the Nintendo Switch sometime in the future.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

The Walking Dead: The Final Season, Death’s Gambit, Phantom Doctrine, more coming to PS Store this week

Posted on August 15, 2018 by John Scalzo

Sony has revealed this week’s PlayStation Store update, and it’s the typical blend of late-Summer weirdness and big franchises trying to sneak in before the Fall’s big rush.

Telltale Games is leading things off with the first episode of The Walking Dead: The Final Season, the final entry in Clementine’s journey, for the PS4. Players have stuck with the character through three games, and now they’ll finally see if she can find a place to call home.

Also available to download this week for the PS4 is Death’s Gambit, a brutal side-scrolling platformer from Adult Swim Games. Rather than avoiding the undead, players will become an agent of Death and attempt to unravel the mystery of Siradon.

Finally this week, PS4 owners will be able to purchase Phantom Doctrine, a tactics-style RPG that takes place during the Cold War.

You can learn more about the rest of this week’s additions to the PlayStation Store (including Guns, Gore, & Cannoli 2, State of Mind, and Super Night Riders) after the break. (more…)

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Capcom will bring Devil May Cry 5 demo to Gamescom 2018

Posted on August 14, 2018 by John Scalzo

Capcom’s Hideaki Itsuno has confirmed (via Twitter) that the first playable demo of Devil May Cry 5 will be available for fans during this year’s Gamescom event.

Presumably, we’ll learn more about the rest of Capcom’s presence at the big European showcase sometime this week, because the 2018 edition of Gamescom will throw open its doors on Tuesday, August 21st…

Devil May Cry 5 is a direct sequel to 2008’s Devil May Cry 4, and it’s set to be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in Early 2019.

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Dark Horse will release a God of War comic miniseries in November

Posted on August 14, 2018 by John Scalzo

Sony and Dark Horse Comics are planning to give fans another God of War adaptation to add to their bookshelves this Fall.

The first issue of the God of War miniseries will be available on November 14, and it’ll be written by Chris Roberson (iZombie, Witchfinder). The art team will include artist Tony Parker (Mayday, This Damned Band), colorist Dan Jackson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and letterer John Roshell of Comicraft. E.M. Gist (The Strain, Will Save The Galaxy for Food) will provide cover art for Issue #1.

According to Dark Horse, the miniseries will serve as a prequel to this Spring’s critically-acclaimed sequel for the PS4:

The God of War comic series finds Kratos living in the remote Norse wilds after his war on the gods of Olympus. Seeking to put the rage that defined most of his life behind him, Kratos inadvertently sparks a feud with a mysterious cult of berserkers after attempting to save a stranger being mauled by a monstrous bear. But for the former Ghost of Sparta, no good deed goes unpunished.

In case you missed it, Titan Books will publish a God of War novelization later this month, and it’ll be written by J.M. Barlog (the father of Game Director Cory Barlog).

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