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Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid fighting game will be released this April

Posted on January 17, 2019 by John Scalzo

Today has been a big day for fighting game fans. Not only did NetherRealm Studios unveil the first details for Mortal Kombat 11, but nWay has announced they will release Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid for the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One this April. A PC launch will follow later in 2019.

According to nWay, Battle For the Grid will feature Rangers from multiple eras of the show, as well as an “easy to learn but hard to master” control scheme:

Power Ranger: Battle for the Grid is an easy to learn but hard to master fighting game that delivers a modern take on the Power Rangers franchise. The game features stunning graphics with vivid details and pits new and classic Rangers and villains against each other in team battles. Featuring a streamlined combat system, the game welcomes newcomers to the genre with simplified controls, while maintaining depth and detail for more intense and experienced competitors. Players will be challenged to test their skills online against friends and other players around the world, providing endless replayability. With new content and game modes releasing throughout the year, the game will continuously offer the community new ways to play and compete.

A special Digital Collector’s Edition of Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid will also be available for purchase, and it’ll include the full game, a Season One Pass, and two exclusive character skins (Lord Drakkon Evo II and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Pink Ranger).

The first trailer for Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid has been embedded above.

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

NetherRealm officially reveals a ton of new trailers and information about Mortal Kombat 11

Posted on January 17, 2019 by John Scalzo

Today was the day. NetherRealm Studios officially pulled back the blood-soaked curtain on Mortal Kombat 11 in a massive livestream that featured a ton of new information and a handful of new trailers.

You might be disappointed if you were expecting something radically different from the eleventh game in the long-running series, but fans of the franchise got exactly what they wanted out of this first look at Mortal Kombat 11. That includes a “time-bending” new storyline that picks up directly where Mortal Kombat X left off, as well as a glimpse at some gruesome new Fatalities, seven confirmed kombatants (Baraka, Raiden, Skarlet, Scorpion, Sonya Blade, Sub-Zero, and new fighter Geras), and an Injustice-inspired Gear System:

The Story Mode [is an] all-new, time-bending narrative, featuring Kronika, the first female boss character in Mortal Kombat history, who is the Keeper of Time and creator of existence. New fighter Geras [is] a powerful and loyal servant of Kronika, who is able to manipulate time.

Mortal Kombat 11 will be released for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on April 23. PS4 and Xbox One owners who pre-order the game will receive access to a Private Beta that begins on March 28, and players who pre-order the game on any platform will be able to play as Shao Kahn at launch.

Seven new trailers for Mortal Kombat 11 can be found after the break, including Reveal Trailers for Geras and Sonya Blade (who will be voiced by WWE’s Ronda Rousey), a Story Trailer, a Gameplay Trailer, a Fatalities Trailer, a walkthrough for the new Gear System, and a Behind-The-Scenes Trailer filmed at NetherRealm. (more…)

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s Blackout Free Trial will be available on January 17-24

Posted on January 15, 2019 by John Scalzo

It’s easy to assume that Fortnite owes quite a bit of its massive popularity to the fact that it’s free to download on all platforms. And now it looks like Activision will attempt to entice gamers to play Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 with a similar trick later this week.

The “Blackout Free Trial” will open up Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s battle royale mode to all PC, PS4, and Xbox One owners beginning on January 17th. The gratis game will be available for one week and will shut down on January 24th.

A new trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s Blackout Free Trial has been embedded above.

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Pinkerton Detective Agency wants Rockstar Games to pay up for using name in Red Dead Redemption 2

Posted on January 15, 2019 by John Scalzo

Quick, let’s do some free association. If I say the name “Pinkerton,” what do you think of? If you’re in your 30s or 40s, your mind probably instantly went to Weezer’s 1996 album of the same name. But fans of Red Dead Redemption 2 might also be reminded of Andrew Milton and Edgar Ross, two Pinkerton Detectives that are constantly hounding the Van Der Linde Gang.

The Pinkerton Detective Agency was an actual private police force in the late 1800s and early 1900s, though they continue to operate as a security company to this day. In their heyday, Pinkerton Detectives were often hired by industrialists to stomp on unions and used extreme measures when hunting outlaws. According to The Verge, the current incarnation of the Pinkerton Detective Agency (which is owned by a Swedish company) has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Rockstar over the use of their name, and they’re seeking a royalty payment for all sales since the game’s October launch.

Rockstar has responded by suing Pinkerton, claiming their use of the name is accurate to the historical record. The publisher also cites a variety of media that has referenced Pinkerton agents over the years including Deadwood, Titanic, and the video game BioShock: Infinite (which was published by Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company).

While Rockstar’s legal fight with Pinkerton has just started, the detective agency has a pretty steep hill to climb. As Rockstar’s suit shows, using trademarks in a work of fiction is a common practice, and it rarely results in any kind of penalty for the publisher.

On top of that, Rockstar is no stranger to these types of legal proceedings and how to win them. Just ask Lindsay Lohan.

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New Retail Releases: Ace Combat 7, Travis Strikes Again, Onimusha Warlords

Posted on January 14, 2019 by John Scalzo

Game publishers are once again going with quality over quantity with this week’s new retail releases.

Bandai Namco is leading things off with Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, which will be available in stores for the PS4 and Xbox One. The seventh entry in the dogfighting franchise will offer players “highly detailed aircraft and photorealistic scenery,” as well as virtual reality support through PlayStation VR.

Also set to launch this week is the long-awaited return of Travis Touchdown in No More Heroes: Travis Strikes Again. This minigame-focused spinoff will be available exclusively for the Switch, and fans who purchase the Retail Edition will receive a Season Pass that includes access to all future downloadable content.

Finally this week, Capcom is partying like its 2001 and bring an enhanced re-release of Onimusha: Warlords to the PS4 and Xbox One (it’ll also be available as a digital download for the Switch). This new version of the game features updated visuals (and a new 16:9 widescreen mode), improved controls, and an Easy Mode.

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

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God of War and Spider-Man lead the way as 2019 DICE Awards nominees announced

Posted on January 12, 2019 by John Scalzo

I have a feeling it’s going to become a familiar refrain this awards season, but the DICE Awards have announced this year’s nominations, and Sony’s God of War and Spider-Man are leading the way. Both games will be competing for the “Game of the Year” award against Subset Games’s Into the Breach, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2, and Lucas Pope’s Return of the Obra Dinn.

All told, God of War nabbed 12 total nominations while Spider-Man secured 11 nominations (and both are up for many of the same awards including “Adventure Game of the Year,” “Game Design,” and “Game Direction”).

The winners in all categories will be announced during the DICE Awards ceremony (which will take place during the DICE Summit) on February 13. A complete list of this year’s nominees can be found after the break. (more…)

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Sneak up on this Launch Trailer for Hitman HD Enhanced Collection

Posted on January 11, 2019 by John Scalzo

In case you missed it, IO Interactive brought 2006’s Hitman: Blood Money and 2012’s Hitman: Absolution to the PS4 and Xbox One today as part of the Hitman HD Enhanced Collection. The developer also unveiled a new Launch Trailer for the compilation, which has been embedded above.

IO Interactive has remastered both games for their next-generation debut with enhanced visuals (4K Resolution and 60FPS) and updated control options.

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Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remaster and Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age will come to Switch, Xbox One in April

Posted on January 11, 2019 by John Scalzo

Square Enix is filling out their 2019 calendar with official release dates for a pair of Final Fantasy re-releases for the Switch and Xbox One.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remaster will be released for both platforms on April 16, and it’ll be followed two weeks later by Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age‘s launch on April 30:

Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remaster
Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remaster contains Final Fantasy X and its sequel Final Fantasy X-2, renowned as some of the most popular titles in the whole Final Fantasy series for their emotional stories and stunning graphical quality.

Final Fantasy X follows the story of superstar athlete Tidus, whose fate intertwines with the beautiful summoner Yuna as they embark on a pilgrimage to save the world of Spira. Final Fantasy X-2 takes place two years later, following the stories of Yuna, Rikku and Paine in their exciting adventures to uncover ancient secrets and overcome powerful enemies. Having shipped over 14 million units worldwide to date, Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remaster invites new players to discover a stunning RPG adventure you will never forget.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
Based on the 12th numbered entry in the smash hit Final Fantasy series that has sold over 6 million units worldwide, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age has re-worked the game’s design and re-mastered their visuals in full-HD, making full use of current generation hardware capabilities to improve the graphical and audio quality for the ultimate play experience.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age takes place in the breath-taking world of Ivalice, where magic is commonplace and airships fill the sky. The small kingdom of Dalmasca is caught between warring empires Archadia and Rozarria, and the lone heir to the Dalmascan throne, Princess Ashe has devoted herself to forming a resistance to liberate her homeland. The story begins when Ashe meets Vaan, a young thief who dreams of flying free in the skies, as their adventure changes the destiny of the world’s greatest nations.

To commemorate the announcement, Square Enix also decided to release new artwork for Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age from artist Akihiko Yoshida. It’s been embedded above.

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