Sony @ E3 2015: The Last Guardian re-announced for PS4!

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Mike Ryan

Sony started off their 2015 E3 Press Conference with a bang as their first announcement was the re-announcement of The Last Guardian! First shown over seven years ago, and once thought cancelled, the game has been resurrected, and even has a release window!

A new gameplay video showed off the game’s protagonist and his giant, eagle/dog companion interacting with the environment. The game definitely has an Ico/Shadow of the Colossus feel to it, with (what appears to be) a heavy emphasis on exploration and environmental puzzle-solving.

The Last Guardian is set to release for the PS4 next year.

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Xbox Game Preview brings “Early Access” for in-development games to Xbox One

Posted on June 15, 2015 by John Scalzo

xboxone-logoBeginning today, Xbox One owners will be able to purchase in-development as part of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Preview program. Similar in style to Steam’s Early Access program, Xbox Game Preview will allow developers to put unfinished games on the Xbox Games Store and players will be able to purchase. However, to avoid abuse of the system, Microsoft is asking all developers to create a demo version of their game so players can try before they buy.

For now, the program is launching with just two games. Elite: Dangerous, a spaceship simulator from Frontier Development, and The Long Dark, a survial game from Hinterland, will both be available beginning today within a special Xbox Game Preview section of the Xbox Games Store.

More games will be added to the Xbox Game Preview program in the future, including Might and Delight’s Shelter and Bohemia’s DayZ.

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First Star Wars: Battlefront gameplay trailer brings us back to the Battle of Hoth

Posted on June 15, 2015 by John Scalzo

Guard: Your Tauntaun will freeze before you reach the first marker!
Han Solo: Then I’ll see you in Hell!

As part of EA’s E3 Press Conference, DICE gave us our first look at Star Wars: Battlefront in action by returning to the ice planet Hoth, one of the most recognizable locales in the Star Wars galaxy. I’ve lost track of how many games include a level that takes place during the Battle of Hoth, but Star Wars: Battlefront is definitely one of the most interesting. The trailer whips back-and-forth between the Rebel perspective and that of the Empire, giving viewers a complete view of the battlefield. The ice is littered with Snowspeeders, TIE Fighters, X-Wings, AT-STs, and a menacing AT-AT… which is made all the more menacing by the appearance of Darth Vader.

There’s no rampaging Wampas (yet), but its all fairly epic in scope. But to increase the epicness a tad, the trailer ends with Luke Skywalker (in his Return of the Jedi costume) going Lightsaber-to-Lightsaber with Vader in the middle of the battlefield. It’s definitely non-canon, but it works.

Star Wars: Battlefront will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 17.

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This E3 2015 trailer gives us our first look at Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst

Posted on June 15, 2015 by John Scalzo

EA took their turn on the E3 Press Conference merry-go-round and they came out shooting with both barrels. But one of their biggest new games mostly eschews guns for a more physical form of combat. I’m talking, of course, about the insane parkour that’s at the center of Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst.

In addition to showing the trailer embedded above, developer DICE got a chance to talk about their latest passion project, which seemed unlikely to ever exist just three years ago. Taking place in the city of Glass, and serving as a prequel (of sorts) to the original Mirror’s Edge, Catalyst will reveal the backstory behind Faith, a “Runner” working against the dystopian government:

In Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst, you will experience the rise of Faith, a daring Runner who uncovers a hidden truth within the walls of the city of Glass. Through her journey, Faith will explore every corner of the city, from the highest, most pristine skyscrapers, to the dark and gritty tunnels that lie beneath. Players will need to master the environment, using their momentum and timing their combat to fight the oppression of the ruling elite, uncovering the dark secrets behind the city’s beautiful façade. Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst gives players the freedom to explore the entire city, discovering a variety of new activities, like Dash, races from point A to B, environmental puzzles and story missions to complete at their own pace.

Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst is built on top of a sprawling open-world of glass and steel, and DICE has decided to tease out some of the details of that world through the official Mirror’s Edge website. In addition to a biography of Faith, the developer also published a primer on the art of freerunning in the game and a small glimpse at some of the darker corners of the city.

Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on February 23, 2016.

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Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is coming August 25… but a public beta is available now

Posted on June 15, 2015 by John Scalzo

gearsofwar-header

Finally pulling back the curtain on the worst-kept secret in gaming, Microsoft has announced that Gears of War: Ultimate Edition will be released for the Xbox One on August 25.

To make this the biggest version of Gears of War ever available, Microsoft and The Coalition will add five campaign chapters to the Ultimate Edition that were previously only available on the PC version. An extensive visual upgrade, running at 1080p, will also make the game look better than ever before.

Fans who can’t wait to dive back in to Gears of War won’t have to wait long, Microsoft also announced that a public multiplayer beta test is now available to download through the Xbox Games Store. As long as you’ve got an Xbox Live Gold subscription, you’re good to go.

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Xbox One will get Xbox 360 backwards compatibility update this Fall

Posted on June 15, 2015 by John Scalzo

xboxone-logoDo you miss your old Xbox 360 games now that you’ve upgraded to the Xbox One? Well then, I’ve got some good news for you! Microsoft will begin offering backwards compatibility for select Xbox 360 (and Xbox Live Arcade) games this Fall. But how will it work? Glad you asked…

Players won’t have to pay anything for the privilege as backwards compatibility will be included as part of a free update to the Xbox One. However, Microsoft has to have permission from the original publisher to enable backwards compatibility. As such, only 100 Xbox 360 games will work when backwards compatibility goes live this Fall. Once backwards compatibility is enabled for a game, players will have the option to use them with all the Xbox One’s new features, including in-game screenshots, Twitch broadcasting, and the GameDVR.

If you’re part of the Xbox Preview program, you’ll be able to test out Xbox 360 backwards compatibility starting today with a limited number of titles. Microsoft plans to add more games to the list all the time and the consolemaker is even accepting suggestions through the Xbox Feedback forum.

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Forza Motorsport 6 will be released on September 15

Posted on June 15, 2015 by John Scalzo

Microsoft unveiled the first gameplay trailer for Forza Motorsport 6 today during their 2015 E3 Press Conference. In addition to some of the prettiest car racing you’ll ever see, the trailer ends with confirmation that Forza Motorsport 6 will be released exclusively for the Xbox One on September 15:

Experience unrelenting action in the most beautiful and comprehensive racing game of this generation, available exclusively on Xbox One beginning September 15, 2015. Collect, customize, and race over 450 Forzavista cars, all with working cockpits, opening doors, and full damage, including the all-new Ford GT. Compete in epic 24-player races across 26 world-famous locales. Master wet weather and night racing on your road to victory.

As always, Forza Motorsport 6 will be developed by Turn 10… a group of developers who clearly love their cars.

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Bandai Namco confirms Dark Souls III will launch in early 2016 for PC, PS4, Xbox One

Posted on June 15, 2015 by John Scalzo

After last week’s accidental reveal, fans knew to expect a Dark Souls III announcement sometime during this year’s E3 Expo. Bandai Namco didn’t disappoint and Microsoft got to do the honors during their E3 Press Conference, unveiling a teaser trailer for the medieval action RPG.

Dark Souls III is the latest chapter in the critically acclaimed Dark Souls series with its trademark sword and sorcery combat and rewarding action RPG gameplay. Players will travel across a wide variety of locations in an interconnected world of unrelenting challenge and deep RPG gameplay as they search for a way to survive the coming apocalypse.

Set to be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in early 2016, Dark Souls III will once again be developed by From Software with Hidetaka Miyazaki at the helm.

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