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Dontnod’s upcoming episodic game series, Life Is Strange, could easily be described as Gone Home meets Heavy Rain. Hey, look at that, that’s just what a variety of critics say in the trailer above. But in Life Is Strange, you can rewind time and change the past, which can have disastrous consequences.
The first episode of Life Is Strange will be released on January 30 on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Like most episodic titles, there will be five episodes in all.
Zeboyd Games brought their ultra-retro Kickstarted game, Cosmic Star Heroine, to the PlayStation Experience earlier this month. This video shows half an hour of alpha gameplay, which the developer warns is a very early demo.
“Many things are missing from the demo shown, including sound effects, items in treasure chests, several gameplay mechanics, and a lot of polish (graphics, text, writing, etc.),” they wrote in the description of the video. “These things will be added in due time!”
The game has some great humor, and the combat is definitely a throwback to retro hits like Chrono Trigger. Cosmic Star Heroine is scheduled to be released in 2015 on PC (Windows, Mac), PlayStation 4, and Vita.
Finding original games, especially from the bigger game developers, is becoming something of a chore. WWhile Ubisoft and Activision continue to produce annualized franchises that fans don’t seem to want as much anymore, truly original titles can always be found on Kickstarter. Designers and developers on the crowdfunding site are creating new experiences and approaching tired genres from a different angle, holding their begging bowl out to the masses to drum up enough cash to keep the lights on long enough to finish the game. So as we enter the season of giving, here are three projects that could use a helping hand. This time we looked at French-inspired animal courtroom drama Aviary Attorney, haunted house FPS Curse of the Darkness, and comic-book inspired side-scrolling adventure Spectrum.
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Square Enix has announced the Collector’s Edition of Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, which costs $99.99 and comes with a golden steelbook case, a soundtrack by the composer, a manga giving details on the characters and world, an art book, five life-size replica copies of Ace’s Cards, and a code to play the demo for Final Fantasy XV.
Regardless of which version of the game you pre-order, you are automatically entered into the Collector’s Edition Sweepstakes to win “exciting prizes,” including a custom next-gen console, Ace and Noctis art, a Vermilion Bird lapel pin, and more, according to the PlayStation Blog. Square Enix also announced that Director Hajime Tabata will be doing a Reddit AMA on January 23, 2015 at 10:00 AM (Pacific Time).
Final Fantasy Type-0 HD will be released on March 17, 2015 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
There’s a brand new bundle over at Indie Royale right now – the Debut 22 Bundle. Beat the average to get East Tower – Akio, Star-Twine, Cruel Arena, Bit Shifter, Bomb the Monsters, Star Nomad, and Make it Indie!. You can also get a bonus album if you spend over $5.00.
There are some new sales up at the Humble Store as well. Pick up Company of Heroes 2 for $9.99, Costume Quest 2 for $5.99, Dreamfall Chapters Season Pass is $17.99, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director’s Cut is $4.99.
Over at Steam, the Midweek Madness deal is Crusader Kings II for $9.99. You can also get the massive Crusader Kings II Collection, which includes 43 items and costs $39.99. Today’s Daily Deal is the beautiful Dungeon of the Endless, which is on sale for $6.49.
Hit the jump to check out today’s shirts!
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Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker is coming to the 3DS in early 2015, and with it comes almost twice the content of the original Devil Survivor 2. Fans of this strategy RPG will be happy to know that the plot has been expanded, continuing from the original ending, and adding in a new character. You can opt to start the game from this new content, or play it from the beginning. For those of you new to the series, you don’t need to have played the first game.
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker “also includes fully voiced English story dialogue, giving new depth to the cast of Devil Survivor 2’s original story.” Other features include Demon Fusion, multiple endings, and new character abilities.
I would try to describe the game, but I don’t know if I could do it justice: “The world of Record Breaker is on the brink of non-existence. Just before the heralding of the apocalypse, when life was normal, some thrill-seekers were registering on a website that promised to deliver fake videos of their friends being killed. As people wondered what these videos could mean, an invasion began and humanity was forced to face a struggle to survive in an unprecedented catastrophe. For the main character and his friends, they stand up for humanity when the very same website uploads an application on their cell phones, summoning demons. From there, newly minted demon tamers begin the fight to survive and save the future of mankind, but the protagonist’s decisions aren’t without consequences. What he chooses may save the lives of his friends, or seal their fate.”
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker will be out in early 2015 digitally and physically for the Nintendo 3DS for $49.99.
Ascension: Deckbuilding Game, one of my all-time favorite ways to waste time on the iPad, has just been released on PC through Steam by publisher Playdek. You can get the original base game as well as all five of the expansions and promo packs for $9.99. In case you were wondering, this is a fantastic price for all of this content.
In Ascension: Deckbuilding Game, you battle against one to three players to take over the game’s fantasy world, Vigil. Online play is real-time and asynchronous, and you can also utilize the pass-and-play feature. The game “also boasts cross-platform connectivity to allow players across all platforms to play against one another online.” As someone who regularly destroys the AI, this is extremely appealing.
Playdek’s CEO, Joel Goodman, said, “We’re pleased to bring our first PC game to fans… PC gamers can now get the same engaging and strategic Ascension experience that mobile users have enjoyed and made the No. 1 deck-building game on iOs.”
Ascension: Deckbuilding Game is available now on Steam for $9.99.
Three new Xbox One games are now available to download from the Xbox Games Store:
More information on all three of these games can be found below.
UPDATE: Risk was pulled from the Xbox Games Store shortly after release and will be re-added sometime in early 2015.
Xbox One Games
Tetris Ultimate ($9.99)
The world’s most-loved puzzle game arrives on next-gen consoles, and is better than ever in Tetris Ultimate. With six exciting modes, fun new features, and unique visuals, the evolution of this iconic game is the ultimate must-have on next-gen consoles. Experience the Best of Tetris In this fast-paced game of skills, you can take on the puzzle game solo, battle a friend, partner up with friends, or make battle teams. Up to four players can get in on the action.Kalimba ($9.99)
Kalimba is a mind-bending and playful puzzle-platformer. Choose between single-player and local two-player, where cooperation is key. The island of Kalimba has been cast into darkness. Jump, slide, and fly your way from the underworld to the heavens in order to restore light in the land.Risk ($14.99)
Modern combat meets Risk – the classic game of global domination. Risk steps into the near future with modern armies. Using the 2010 rules as standard, Risk offers an exciting strategic experience. Direct the war from your high-tech control room, fighting on the classic map layout on 3D; Deploy tanks, planes and infantry. All in the modern warfare twist on the classic game of global domination! Xbox Live league play allows you to compete with people from around the world.
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