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EA will announce at least two never-before-seen games during their 2017 E3 event

Posted on June 9, 2017 by John Scalzo

The 2017 E3 Expo will unofficially begin this weekend, when Electronic Arts opens the doors to “EA Play 2017,” their E3 Press Conference. EA Play 2017 will feature eight new titles, and it can be viewed online at EA.com or Twitch beginning on Saturday, June 10, at 3:00 PM (Eastern Time).

So what will EA talk about during their 90 minutes in the spotlight? In addition to a closer look at six previously-announced blockbusters, the publisher plans to unveil “more surprises,” including at least two never-before-seen projects. The six games currently confirmed for EA Play 2017 are:

EA Play 2017 Lineup

  • Star Wars: Battlefront II – Featuring all Star Wars eras, a single player campaign and epic scale multiplayer battles, Star Wars: Battlefront II presents the most robust Star Wars game to date. The game is developed in partnership with three powerhouse studios: DICE, Motive Studios and Criterion Games, each with a rich background of creating award-winning games.
  • FIFA 18 – Powered by Frostbite, FIFA 18 blurs the line between the virtual and real worlds, bringing to life the heroes, teams, and atmospheres of the world’s game.
  • Madden NFL 18 – With Frostbite, the spectacle of NFL gameday comes alive delivering photorealistic players, crowds and stadiums, and introduces an all-new mode to the Madden NFL franchise.
  • NBA Live 18 – Delivering gameplay innovations and a brand-new way to play with “The One,” NBA Live returns with an experience completely centered around a player’s individual journey.
  • Need For Speed Payback – This explosive adventure is filled with intense heist missions, high stakes car battles, epic cop pursuits and jaw dropping set pieces. It’s blockbuster gameplay never before seen from the series, fueled by a gripping story of betrayal and revenge. With Need for Speed Payback, it’s about building the perfect ride, getting behind the wheel and playing out an action driving fantasy.
  • Battlefield 1 – It’s a Summer of Battlefield including the entry of the Russian Army and the biggest front of WW1 in Battlefield 1: In the Name of the Tsar. Partake in the skirmishes of the Albion assault in a freezing archipelago and fight in the snow-covered ravines of the treacherous Lupkow Pass.

EA Play 2017 will be followed by a second livestream that includes further details about the all-new “Nivelle Nights” map in Battlefield 1 Need For Speed Payback, Madden NFL 18, FIFA 18, and Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes.

If you’re going to be in Los Angeles for this weekend, you can attend the EA Play FanFest at the Hollywood Palladium to play any (or all) of games. More than 150 demo stations will be available, and tickets are free (but limited). You can learn more about how to attend the EA Play FanFest at the event’s official website.

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Nintendo Download: Cars 3 Driven To Win, Shantae Half-Genie Hero, Shock Troopers 2nd Squad, more

Posted on June 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

Three new additions to the Nintendo eShop will make the Switch an even more family-friendly destination this week…

Beginning this Tuesday, June 13, Switch owners will be able to put the pedal to the medal in Cars 3: Driven To Win. Based on the upcoming Pixar film, Cars 3: Driven To Win is a collaboration between WB Games and Disney, and includes six different driving modes. Cars 3: Driven To Win will also be available for the Wii U.

If you’re looking for something to download today, WayForward has re-released their side-scrolling platformer, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, for the Switch. Players will need to use all their skills to save Sequin Land from the “bodacious buccaneer” Risky Boots… including the ever-popular Belly Dance!

Finally today, Hamster Corporation is back with another NeoGeo re-release on the Switch. This time, the publishing company has made Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad available to download through the Nintendo eShop.

You can learn more about all of these games after the break. (more…)

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Axiom Verge is coming to the Nintendo Switch this August

Posted on June 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

Axiom Verge, Thomas Happ’s love letter to the Metroid franchise, will be released for the Nintendo Switch this August.

After a successful launch on the PS4 in April 2015, Axiom Verge expanded its universe to also include the PC, Vita, Wii U, and Xbox One throughout the next two years. For the game’s Switch debut, it’ll be available on retail shelves in a special Multiverse Edition, and as a digital download through the Nintendo eShop:

Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition

  • A Copy of Axiom Verge – On a Cartridge
  • Deluxe Booklet – With Developer’s Commentary and Art
  • Double-Sided Poster – Featuring World Map and Weapons/Items from the Game
  • Exclusive Making-Of Documentary – Produced by 2 Player Productions
  • Soundtrack CD – Available Only on the Nintendo Switch

A new trailer for Axiom Verge’s upcoming Switch release has been embedded above.

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Natsume will bring several Harvest Moon and River City games to E3 2017

Posted on June 6, 2017 by John Scalzo

Natsume has announced their lineup of games for this year’s E3 Expo, and fans of Harvest Moon and River City Ransom should be very happy with what they have to announce. During next week’s industry showcase, the publisher plans to fully unveil Harvest Moon: Light of Hope (which is coming to the PC, PS4, and Switch), River City: Knights of Justice, River City: Rival Showdown, and more:

Natsume’s E3 2017 Lineup

Harvest Moon: Light of Hope (PC, PS4, Switch)
In Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, players begin the game as they set out looking for a fresh start and new surroundings. During their voyage, their ship is hit by a monsoon and goes down. As they drift into a small harbor town, now in a shambles from the storm, it will be up to the player to help rebuild the town and save the lighthouse…but it won’t be easy! Nevertheless, with some hard work growing crops, tending livestock, and gathering materials for repairs, players will be able to make new friends, start a family, revive the lighthouse, and save the town!

Wild Guns Reloaded (PC)
In Wild Guns Reloaded, Annie has tracked down the famed bounty hunter Clint to get revenge on the Kid Gang. With eight stages, each with three zones, there’s plenty of bad robots to blast away. With a true arcade game feel, Wild Guns was the first sci-fi western to arrive on home consoles, and to this day, there really isn’t any other game like Wild Guns!

River City: Knights of Justice (3DS)
River City: Knights of Justice (known in Japan as Nekketsu Mahou Monogatari), is scheduled to launch as a 3DS eShop exclusive this Summer. Kunio and his friends go medieval in this unique entry to the River City series, as they are transformed into heroes and villains that would be home in any RPG! Players will use swords, staves, and even magic to bring peace back to Riverandia!

River City: Rival Showdown (3DS)
River City: Rival Showdown (known in Japan as Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari SP), will launch this Fall for the Nintendo 3DS. One night, Kunio is attacked by two mysterious individuals. On top of that, Riki’s girlfriend has disappeared, and it’s up to Kunio to find out the truth! Kunio has just 3 days to unravel the mystery, and he’ll need your help to take down all who stand in his way! Take on some familiar faces from the River City games and meet new ones in this fast-paced beat-’em-up RPG.

Harvest Moon 20th Anniversary
Natsume’s European publishing partner, Rising Star Games, will be showing titles in the booth as well, including Harvest Moon: Lil’ Farmers (Android, iOS) and the European version of Harvest Moon: Skytree Village. As part of the year-long 20th anniversary celebration, Natsume has also unveiled a re-release of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life – Special Edition and Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland for the PlayStation 4, both of which will be available to play at the show.

The 2017 E3 Expo kicks off on Tuesday, July 13.

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Nintendo announces Pokken Tournament DX for Switch, as well as Pokemon UltraSun/UltraMoon and Gold/Silver for 3DS

Posted on June 6, 2017 by John Scalzo

Nintendo hosted a special Pokemon Direct livestream this morning, and they revealed that three games from the massive franchise will be re-released in new editions (and on new platforms) this Fall.

First up, Pokken Tournament will make the leap to the Nintendo on September 22 as Pokken Tournament DX. The expanded re-release will include five new Pokemon (Darkrai, Scizor, Empoleon, Croagunk, and Decidueye), as well as 3v3 Team Battles, Daily Challenges, and Friends-only Group Matches.

Also on September 22, Nintendo will add Pokemon Gold and Silver to the Virtual Console section of the 3DS eShop. Originally released for the Game Boy Color in 2000, Pokemon Gold and Silver introduced the Johto region and the franchise’s internal clock.

Finally, Nintendo announced plans to re-release Pokemon Sun and Moon on the 3DS as Pokemon UltraSun and UltraMoon. The expanded RPG will launch on November 17, and include an alternate storyline and new Pokemon not seen in Sun and Moon.

Sadly, the heavily-rumored Pokemon Stars was not announced for the Nintendo Switch… perhaps it’ll be included in Nintendo’s E3 2017 festivities. But the consolemaker did promise that we’ll hear more about Pokken Tournament DX, Pokemon UltraSun and UltraMoon, and Pokemon Gold and Silver next week during the industry’s annual showcase.

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FIFA 18 will be available on September 29 with Cristiano Ronaldo on the cover

Posted on June 5, 2017 by John Scalzo

EA Sports has announced that FIFA 18 will be released across the globe on September 29. The publisher also confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo, the award-winning forward for Real Madrid and Portugal’s National Team, will serve as the game’s global cover athlete.

Ronaldo also lent his “footballing” expertise to FIFA 18’s development team with a motion capture session that will inform “important gameplay elements” in the game:

To deliver innovation in FIFA 18, Cristiano Ronaldo’s data was recently recorded during a training session at a mobile EA Capture studio in Madrid. Data capture of Ronaldo’s acceleration, run cadence, skills, and shooting technique were all recorded to bring veracity to his likeness and personality in FIFA 18. His data also informed important gameplay elements including fluidity, player responsiveness, and explosiveness.

The first trailer for FIFA 18 has been embedded above, and EA Sports has promised to reveal more details about Ronaldo’s contributions to the game during their E3 Press Conference, which is scheduled to take place this Saturday, June 10 at 3:00 PM (Eastern Time). A livestream of the presentation will be available to watch on EA.com.

FIFA fans will also be able to purchase a special Ronaldo Edition of FIFA 18 for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The Ronaldo Edition will grant access to FIFA 18 three days early, and come bundled with bonus content for FIFA Ultimate Team including 20 Jumbo Premium Gold Packs, eight Special Edition Kits, and a Cristiano Ronaldo Loan Player for five matches.

FIFA 18 is in development at EA Vancouver and EA Romania, and will be available on September 29 for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

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THQ Nordic announces release dates for Battle Chasers, ELEX, and SpellForce 3

Posted on June 4, 2017 by John Scalzo

THQ Nordic has announced release dates for three of their upcoming games. Battle Chasers: Nightwar and ELEX will make their debut on the PC and consoles in October, while PC-exclusive SpellForce 3 will follow in December:

  • First will be Battle Chasers: Nightwar on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch console on October 3rd, 2017.
  • Next up is ELEX, the new open world RPG from Piranha Bytes will hit PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on October 17th, 2017.
  • Last but not least, SpellForce 3 – the unique mix between RPG and RTS – will be out exclusively on PC on December 7th, 2017.

THQ Nordic is expected to showcase all three of these games at this month’s E3 Expo. So we should learn more about Battle Chasers: Nightwar, ELEX, and SpellForce 3 in about a week and a half.

And in addition to announcing a trio of release dates, the publisher also unveiled a brand new trailer for ELEX. You can find it after the break. (more…)

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Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s Director says it takes place “long after” the rest of the games in the series

Posted on June 2, 2017 by John Scalzo

With its mixture of high technology and decaying Hylian ruins, it’s obvious that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes place in some kind of post-apocalyptic future, and many fans believe it should replace Zelda II: The Adventure of Link as the chronologically last game in the official timeline. But while Nintendo has previously been mum about where the game sits on the timeline, this theory gained some considerable support earlier this week when Game Rant spoke with Breath of the Wild’s Director, Hidemaro Fujibayashi.

In a short interview, Fujibayashi confirmed that Breath of the Wild does indeed take place “long after” the other games in the franchise:

It takes place in an age long, long after any of the titles released to date. It is the most recent age. And because of this we believe players will be able to easily immerse themselves in the game. Of course, regardless of the time period, the story does unfold in Hyrule so for those who’ve played other titles in the series there will be a lot of recognizable places to enjoy.

Fujibayashi’s comments confirm what many fans already believe, but it’s also important to remember that the franchise’s chronology splits into three distinct branches after the events of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. So while we now know that Breath of the Wild is set “long after” the rest of the games in the series, we still have no idea which branch it sits on.

So we got an answer… but we also got more questions. At this point, I expect nothing less from Nintendo.

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