Handicapping the 2016 World Video Game Hall of Fame Finalists

Posted on May 3, 2016 by John Scalzo

videogamehalloffame-2016finalists

We’re just a few days away from learning which games will be inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame this year. In 2015, Tetris, Super Mario Bros., Pong, Doom, World of Warcraft, and Pac-Man were selected as the inaugural class by the institution’s induction committee. The Hall’s Class of 2016 will be announced on Thursday, May 5, and five or six games are once again expected to rise above the other finalists.

But which of the 15 finalists will be honored this year? Using the Hall’s induction criteria as a guide, I can think we can determine the odds of which games will make it in and which will have to wait until next year.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in 3DS, Features, Mobile, PC, PS2, PS3, PS4, Retro, Top Story, Vita, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged , ,

Daily Scoop: May 3, 2016 – Towerfall Ascension in newest Humble Bundle

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Nicole Kline

We’re down to the wire now – just one more week until the release of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. I’m beyond excited!

There’s already a great new bundle over at Humble – the Eye Candy Bundle! And boy is it ever full of beautiful games. Pay what you want for Human Resource Machine, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut, and A Boy and His Blob. Beat the average to unlock three games that I am absolutely in love with – Mini Metro, Mushroom 11, and the incredible Towerfall Ascension. Finally, pay $10 or more to unlock Evoland 2. You also get a coupon for 10% off Humble Monthly.

Elsewhere on the Humble site, three new games were added to the Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle today. Beat the average to unlock Swords & Soldiers II (Wii U), Nano Assault EX (3DS), and Runbow (Wii U).

Over at Steam, the Midweek Madness is early access to Hurtworld, which you can get for $14.99. The Daily Deal is Risen 3 – Titan Lords, which is $4.99. Alternatively, you can get the Complete Edition for $7.49, or get the Risen Franchise Pack for $12.50.

Finally, Microsoft launched a big ID@Xbox Game Fest Sale on the Xbox Games Store today. The week-long sale will feature dozens of indie games on the Xbox One including Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, Gone Home, Flame in the Flood, and more.

Hit the jump to check out today’s t-shirts!

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Daily Scoop |

Wii U owners can dig into Terraria beginning on June 28

Posted on May 3, 2016 by John Scalzo

After more than a year of waiting, Wii U owners will finally be able to get their hands on Terraria starting next month.

The Wii U Edition of Terraria will include all the same digging, building, exploration, and fighting that fans have come to expect from the game. But it’ll also include an option for touchscreen controls with the Wii U GamePad, along with four-player splitscreen multiplayer and online play for up to eight players. Other features found in Terraria’s Wii U Edition include:

  • 14 different environments such as eerie dungeons, slippery ice wastes, wild jungles and more
  • Hundreds of craftable weapons, armor and items
  • More than 150 enemies ranging from zombies to armies of goblins
  • Epic boss battles that test players’ combat skills
  • Vast worlds of exploration that introduce new potions, magic, gear and more

According to publisher 505 Games and developer Re-Logic, Terraria will be available for the Wii U on June 28.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged

Relic unveils Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III with an epic announcement trailer

Posted on May 3, 2016 by John Scalzo

Relic Entertainment has announced they will make their glorious return to the Warhammer 40,000 universe with the upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III. So feast your eyes on the epic announcement trailer embedded above, and get yourself reacquainted with the Space Marines, Eldar, and Orks as they continue to wage endless war on each other.

According to the developer, Dawn of War III will “combine the epic scale of Dawn of War, with the customization and elite heroes of Dawn of War II.” Relic is also promising to deliver a “rich strategic experience” and “stunning visuals” as they bring the franchise into the modern age.

“This is the Dawn of War that fans have been waiting for,” said Executive Producer Stephen MacDonald. “Our biggest units ever? Check. Giant orbital lasers? Check. Base-building, epic heroes, huge battles, it’s all in there. Get ready for the biggest Dawn of War yet. For the Emperor!”

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III is currently in development exclusively for the PC, but Relic isn’t ready to announce a release date just yet.

Posted in News, PC |

Dishonored 2 will sneak into stores on November 11; Full reveal planned for E3 2016

Posted on May 3, 2016 by John Scalzo

Bethesda and Arkane Studios have kept quiet about Dishonored 2 since its E3 2015 debut, but that all changes today as the publisher and developer confirmed that it’ll be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 11.

In the stealthy sequel, players will have a choice of two playable characters: Corvo Attano or Empress Emily Kaldwin. Both characters are front and center on the cover of this month’s issue of Game Informer, which will also include an in-depth discussion with the team behind Dishonored 2 including Creative Director Harvey Smith, Lead Designer Dinga Bakaba, and Art Director Sebastien Mitton.

Bethesda also promised to give the public their first look at actual gameplay from Dishonored 2 during their 2016 E3 Showcase, which will take place just ahead of the E3 Expo on Sunday, June 12.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , ,

Splatoon’s Squid Sisters will get their own Amiibo figures on July 8

Posted on May 3, 2016 by John Scalzo

There’s no question that Splatoon‘s Squid Sisters, Callie and Marie, have become Nintendo’s newest stars. Obviously, the game’s fantastic online multiplayer modes struck a chord with Wii U fans in 2015, but the freshest MCs in the business stole the show every time they introduced new maps or hosted a Splatfest. And now, thanks to their popularity, Nintendo plans to immortalize the Squid Sisters in plastic with an Amiibo 2-Pack this Summer.

The Squid Sisters 2-Pack will be released on July 8, and it’ll be priced at $24.99. After tapping either of the Amiibo figures to the Wii U GamePad, Callie and Marie will bust out some “squidtastic dance moves” in a series of brand new music videos. More Splatoon figures will be available this Summer as Nintendo will also re-release the Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, and Inkling Squid Amiibo in new colors on July 8. The Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl will be sold individually for $12.99 apiece, or you can grab all three figures in a special 3-Pack for $34.99.

Believe it or not, Callie and Marie performed their first live show at the Niconico Tokaigi gaming event in Japan. You can get a glimpse of their mind-melting performance after the break.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged

Kickstart This! In the Shadows

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Andrew Rainnie

Welcome to the new and improved Kickstart This!, where our spotlight will only shine on one lucky game project per week (though others might sneak in as a quick shout out). This time, while I could have gone with Clique by Dead Art Games, or The Dolls by Australian outfit Hush Interactive, I was instead swayed by In the Shadows from Colorspace Studios. While the other two games show promise, Colorspace really sold the concept and premise of their game in the trailer video.

Let’s dance with shadows…

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Features, PC, PS4, Top Story, Xbox One |

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered will not be available as a standalone download

Posted on May 2, 2016 by John Scalzo

callofduty-logo-header

The Call of Duty news continues to roll on today, and now we’ve learned that Activision has no plans to sell Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered as a standalone download. According to an FAQ on the publisher’s official website, Modern Warfare Remastered will only be available as an add-on bonus bundled with special edition copies of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare:

6. How can I get Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered is only available through the Legacy, Legacy Pro, and Digital Deluxe editions of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

7. Can I play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered without buying Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare?
No, you must own Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare in order to get Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered.

The Legacy, Legacy Pro, and Digital Deluxe Editions of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare are all priced at a $20 premium over the standard edition, so if you want Modern Warfare Remastered, it looks like you’re going to have to pay extra for it. However, the FAQ’s wording doesn’t rule out the possibility that it’ll be available as a standalone download at a later date. But for now, the only way to make sure you receive a copy is to purchase a pricey special edition of Infinite Warfare.

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