Florence + The Machine just released a three-song soundtrack for Final Fantasy XV

Posted on August 12, 2016 by John Scalzo

After using a Florence + The Machine cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” during their Final Fantasy XV “Uncovered” event, Square Enix is teaming up with the British band again for a three-song soundtrack album.

Songs From Final Fantasy XV contains the aforementioned “Stand By Me” cover, as well as two original songs. “Too Much Is Never Enough” is described as “a cinematic epic, featuring sweeping strings and Florence’s rich, emotive vocals.” And “I Will Be,” which is featured in the new Final Fantasy XV trailer embedded above, showcases the band’s quieter side with a ballad.

“I’ve always seen Final Fantasy as a beautiful and creative game so I don’t think I could have worked with another video game. It wouldn’t have made sense,” said lead singer Florence Welch. “In some ways the landscape of Final Fantasy and my own internal landscape seemed to fit quite well, it’s mythical and beautiful and epic.”

Final Fantasy XV’s Director, Hajime Tabata, added: “We are incredibly excited to have collaborated with Florence on both the cover of ‘Stand by Me’ and on the two original tracks inspired by the world and story of Final Fantasy XV. Music has always been a hugely important and much beloved part of the Final Fantasy series, and with these three tracks we really wanted to create a musical experience to live within the game, and that will transport listeners, whether new to the series or not, into the epic Final Fantasy XV Universe.”

Songs From Final Fantasy XV is now available to buy from your favorite digital music service, and you can also listen to it for free through Spotify.

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops III Descent DLC Pack now available for PC, Xbox One

Posted on August 11, 2016 by John Scalzo

Just in case you forgot, Call of Duty: Black Ops III‘s Descent DLC Pack is now available to download for the PC and Xbox One. Originally released last month for the PS4, the downloadable expansion adds four more multiplayer maps and a new Zombies episode to Treyarch’s shooter:

  • Empire: Treyarch adapts its Black Ops III movement system to the Call of Duty: Black Ops II fan favorite map Raid. The re-imagining of this classic, medium-sized map features an authentic Roman villa that has been “recreated by a modern-day eccentric billionaire,” where a classic map structure mixes with the new gameplay mechanics of Black Ops III.
  • Cryogen: Located far off the coast in the Dead Sea, an isolated compound holds some of the world’s most dangerous criminals in frozen isolation. Sentry towers keep watch over the small map’s circular design as frenetic combat is funneled around the prison’s cryogenic tubes, where opportunities for wall running attacks abound.
  • Berserk: Ancient sentinels from a lost civilization guard the entrance to Berserk, a Viking village frozen in time. Players will fight through blizzards, and control the center bridge as they navigate this medium-sized map’s wooden buildings, deadly rocky outcroppings, and tight chokepoints.
  • Rumble: Gamers battle amongst larger-than-life mechanized warriors in Rumble, a stadium where giant robots battle to the roar of the crowd. This medium-sized map funnels high-speed combat to the central arena, where players battle their way through fallen mechs and pyrotechnics.

Descent also thrusts players to an alternate universe of Nikolai’s motherland, the 1940s Soviet Union, in the next highly-anticipated chapter of the Origins Zombies saga, “Gorod Krovi.” Players face-off against a swarm of mechanized zombie infantry and dodge hell-fire from aerial dragon assaults, all in the middle of a raging battle within the remnants of Stalingrad. “Gorod Krovi” delivers the most exciting Zombies experience yet, filled with horrifying new enemies, exciting new gameplay mechanics and an epic set of Zombie annihilating weapons.

The Descent DLC Pack is included as part of Call of Duty: Black Ops III’s Season Pass, or it can be purchased as a standalone download for $14.99.

Posted in News, PC, Xbox One | Tagged

Nintendo Download: Wave Race 64, Mega Man X, Mario Sports Mix, more

Posted on August 11, 2016 by John Scalzo

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If you’re a fan of retro gaming, then today’s a good day to visit the Nintendo eShop. Three games from Nintendo’s illustrious past are now available to download through their digital storefront.

Let’s start with the Wii U eShop, and that’s because owners of Nintendo’s home console are now able to download Wave Race 64, one of the best games from the Nintendo 64’s launch period. An argument could even be made that it’s one of the best games ever released for the Nintendo 64, period. Also available to download this week is Mario Sports Mix, a mash-up of hockey, basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball that was originally released for the Wii in 2010.

Jumping over to the 3DS eShop, we find that Mega Man X, the first Mega Man game released for the Super NES all the way back in 1993, is now available to download for Nintendo’s handheld. Fans love the game’s colorful new characters and more mature storyline, and the brutal difficulty will provide a challenge for even the toughest players.

More details on all of these games (and a few other new releases) can be found after the break.

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Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U | Tagged

Please rise and watch the 1992 Dream Team challenge the 2016 Men’s Olympic Basketball Team in NBA 2K17

Posted on August 11, 2016 by John Scalzo

After all the panic and worry, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio kicked off without a hitch and Team USA seems to be doing pretty well on the basketball court. Their 3-0 record includes a 98-88 victory over Australia, and they’ll take on Serbia this Friday, before closing out the Group Phase with a contest against France on Sunday. But first, 2K Games wants everyone to get excited for NBA 2K17 with this new trailer pitting the current National Team against the 1992 Dream Team.

So please rise for the “Star Spangled Banner” and watch as virtual versions of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird take on Kevin Dyurant, Carmelo Anthony, and NBA 2K17 cover athlete Paul George.

NBA 2K17 will be released for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on September 20. However, the 1992 Dream Team is only available in the game as a pre-order bonus. But on the plus side, you’ll receive NBA 2K17 four days early in a special “Tip-Off Edition” that’ll be released on September 16.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged

Amy Hennig to deliver PAX West 2016 Keynote

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Nicole Kline

AmyHeadshotAmy Hennig, the senior creative director at Visceral Games, will be delivering the PAX West 2016 Keynote, and I am trying really hard not to just totally fangirl, but it is really difficult. Hennig – known for the Legacy of Kain series, the Jak and Daxter series, and, you know, just the best parts of the Uncharted series – is currently working on a Star Wars game at Visceral.

Jerry Holkins, co-founder of Penny Arcade, said, “Amy’s revolutionary work on the Uncharted series played an immeasurable role in shaping the modern gaming landscape. We’re thrilled PAX West attendees will have the chance to listen to one of gaming’s leading visionaries.”

I met Hennig once and she was not just one of gaming’s leading visionaries – she was also just so rad. I cannot wait to be in attendance at my first PAX keynote in eight years.

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Daily Scoop: August 11, 2016 – Square Enix sale at Humble

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Nicole Kline

We had a great Game Makers Guild meeting last night! I got to play some cool prototypes and hang out with game designers. I wish every night could be that rad!

There’s a Square Enix sale happening at the Humble Store! Rise of the Tomb Raider is $38.99, Just Cause 3 is $29.99, Thief is $7.49, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut is $4.99. There’s also one of my personal favorites in there – nab Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition for just $7.49!

The Weekend Deal at Steam is a big Kalypso anniversary sale, and it’s full of games. Get Tropico 5 for $6.24, Urban Empire for $33.99, Crowntakers for $2.49, and Ziro for $1.24, among many others. The Daily Deal is Mafia II, which is $5.99 for the regular edition and $7.99 for the Digital Deluxe Edition.

And now: shirts!

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Posted in Daily Scoop |

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition will be available on August 30

Posted on August 11, 2016 by John Scalzo

We all knew it was in the works, but CD Projekt made it official today by announcing that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition will be released on August 30. The Game of the Year Edition is the most complete version of The Witcher 3 and it’ll include the epic original game, every update, and both downloadable expansions (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine):

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition offers over 150 hours of open world adventures and sees players take on the role of professional monster slayer Geralt of Rivia, as he seeks out the child of prophecy in Wild Hunt, faces off against a ruthless bandit captain in Hearts of Stone, and unravels the terrifying secret of the beautiful region of Toussaint in Blood and Wine.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition will priced at $49.99 for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One. You can pre-order now from your favorite game retailer or watch the brand new announcement trailer embedded above.

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

Sony unveils five new The Last Guardian screenshots

Posted on August 11, 2016 by John Scalzo

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After devoting nine years to its development, Sony and Team Ico are finally ready to release The Last Guardian for the PS4 on October 25. While the consolemaker has said very little so far this year about their flagship title for the Fall, they did release a quintet of new screenshots on Facebook late last night.

Beautifully depicting the growing bond between the nameless boy and the griffin-like Trico, the screenshots can be found after the break.

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