As we roll into the month of December, not only are we expecting news for the remaining DLC for Breath of the Wild, but also for the Fates DLC pack for Fire Emblem Warriors. The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu tells us not only the date, but also some of the previously unknown contents of the pack.
Needless to say, there are some interesting choices for the costume picks.
I apparently missed the announcement of Amazing Katamari Damacy, a free-to-play endless runner themed around Bandai Namco's consumerism simulator. It released sometime ago on iOS (to which no one on staff can actually find a date and the official website doesn't even exist), but is now available on Android. The game also received an update today for Apple devices, so we'll just say that it came out right now!
Even though endless runners are a dime a dozen, Katamari seems like a decent fit for the genre. The game also captures the distinctive style of Keita Takahashi's work and looks pretty sharp in the screenshots. I just wish I could find out more info on the game, like who developed it or why the app store states it can run on iOS 8, but requires iOS 10.
There are a few in-app purchases, but no descriptions (I notice a theme going on here). I would imagine you don't need to bother with those, but I don't have a device to test this out on. Either way, it is now available and more Katamari is never a bad thing.
Bandai Namco just released 'Amazing Katamari Damacy,' an endless runner with a Katamari theme [Android Police]
Last Friday, we were invited to a Call of Duty: WWII press event at Toronto’s Scotiabank Theatre. They took over the whole place, filling rooms and walkways with WWII-era scenery, all timed along with the announcement of WorldGaming's Canadian Championship $60,000 CoD series.
Locomalito's Super Hydorah lands on PlayStation 4 and Vita next Wednesday, December 13.
This is a touched-up version of Hydorah, a great freeware shoot-'em-up in the vein of Gradius and R-Type. The PS4 version of Super Hydorah has local co-op (and a separate co-op mini-game called Robot Chase), while the Vita version is single-player only. That said, if you buy one you'll get 'em both.
These cross-buy PlayStation ports follow the Steam and Xbox One releases from earlier this year.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Locomalito, so it's been real nice to see some of his old games like this and Cursed Castilla popping up on newer systems with assistance from Abylight.
Impulse Gear has given Farpoint players a reason to return today with the arrival of a free Versus Expansion Pack. You'll be able to compete in two-on-two PvP modes (round-based Deathmatch and the capture-and-hold Uplink), earning new player skins and weapons as you progress.
It's briefly shown in the trailer, but one extra little wrinkle is that you can have aliens fight on your behalf. "A key part of the gameplay is capturing enemy spawn points," says Impulse Gear co-founder Seth Luisi. "If you capture them the enemies will fight on your side. Each enemy type has a different function and abilities so choosing which one to spawn, and when, is a tactical decision."
Even if you aren't keen on competitive multiplayer, you'll still be able to unlock player skins and the new weaponry. The progression system also applies to Farpoint's existing Challenge and Co-Op modes.
There are a few other tidbits, including: new Trophies, new turning comfort settings (all of which can be disabled), extra chaos in the Chaos difficulty for co-op matches, and "easy crouch while sitting using the crouch button toggle." Again, this is all free. (Aside from needing PS Plus for multiplayer.)
I never did get my hands on a PlayStation VR Aim Controller, so I skipped this game, but this DLC seems worthwhile for anyone with the full setup. There isn't much else like it on PSVR.
Farpoint for PS VR: Versus Expansion Pack Releases Today [PlayStation Blog]
Neowiz has locked down a Q1 2018 launch window for its Western release of DJMAX Respect.
The PS4 rhythm game sports 147 tracks, local and online multiplayer, and it'll have "every single song from the series as DLC available after launch." In the West, there will only be a digital release.
Although longtime fans would've surely gotten on board with Respect by now given that it's been out in Korea since July, it'll be nice to have an easily-accessible version available to folks in the West. Truth be told, I haven't really given the series much thought since the PlayStation Portable days.
If you're way into playing and streaming DJMAX, Neowiz is taking applications for a partner program.
I pretty much lost my shit when I saw Monster Hunter: World's reveal. I'm fairly new to Monster Hunter, getting started in 4U before putting a cumulative 800 hours between both that and Generations. We're now just days away from the beta of Monster Hunter: World, not just a brand new game, but also one that's not on the 3DS' paltry 280p screen covered in Vaseline!
Did you get your fill of Superhot? The time-moves-when-you-do shooter is about to receive a "deeper, longer, rogue-like" standalone expansion and I am down. Mind Control Delete hits Steam Early Access on December 7, and it'll eventually be free for Superhot owners once it's fully released next year.
The Early Access build won't have story elements, advanced power-ups, or new enemy types -- that stuff will make it in leading up to the autumn 2018 launch -- but it is a chance to see the new structure.
If you spring for Mind Control Delete this week, you'll have access to:
There's no mention of VR support for Mind Control Delete but I hope that changes with time. Superhot VR is one of the best pure gaming experiences I've had in recent years. I'd pay good money for more.
Superhot: Mind Control Delete [Steam]
[This month’s Bloggers Wanted prompt is all about fan fiction. Whether you want to write your own or drool over your favorite creations from others, it’s all fair game. Almost a year ago, Vadicta took a harmless mobile game about playing cards with your grandpa and turned it into a terrifying story about abusing the elderly. It stuck with me, and I love it dearly. There’s clearly something wrong with this guy, but we can’t stop putting his work on the Front Page. His depravity is so dense it’s endearing. – Kevin]
After more than a dozen hours with Cribbage With Grandpas, I’m certain of one thing: I have no idea how Cribbage works. I won maybe two games and both were by sheer luck. Cribbage is the kind of game someone desperate to come up with his own card game would create. It’s over-complicated. There are pegs in a board, for some reason, to show score. All of the rules seem totally arbitrary, and I only know what scores based off rote memorization. I don’t know how to make sure I have a nice crib that MTV would want to visit. What is a Nib? What is a Nob? Why do we do a run of cards before scoring? What reason is there for thirty-one to end one row in a run? Why do we even create cribs? Why are we playing this card game when we could be playing any other card game ever? I feel entirely inept at all times and like I’m only going through the paces in order to experience the most important part of the game.
Time with grandpas.
If you've been itching for an opportunity to participate in the officially sanctioned NBA 2K League when things get started in earnest this May, you now know what it'll take to pass muster: the eSports competition's Brendan Donahue has confirmed details of the initial qualifying phase. The first stage runs through all of January and is open to any 18-or-older player in the world with a copy of NBA 2K18 for PS4 or Xbox One, whether they're solo or part of a team. To qualify, you'll have to win at least 50 games in the Pro-Am mode and submit an online application before January is over.
Source: Reddit
Sky, Bolo, and everyone's favorite Rottytops are stepping up for Friends to the End, the "final piece" of the Shantae: Half-Genie Hero storyline. On-the-fly character switching for the trio sounded fun when details for this DLC first came to light, and in practice, the whole concept looks fantastic.
Sky creates platforms, Bolo grapple-hooks, and Rotty straight up chucks her head. I also like the leveling system. Characters power up as they collect gems and drop back down when they're hurt.
Friends to the End is set during the main Half-Genie Hero quest, so we're getting a mix of previously-unseen story bits along with "altered memories (revamped versions of existing levels)."
The DLC is finished but still awaiting approval from the various platform holders. WayForward anticipates launching "in time for the holidays" and if you're a backer, this will be a free download.
Friends to the End! [Kickstarter]
It looks like 2017 will not only be the year of the loot box, but also the year of corporate sponsor DLC. WWE 2K18 has Colonel Sanders and now Street Fighter V has Red Bull branded costumes. What a time to be alive!
While we already knew that these costumes were coming exclusively to the PS4 version of SFV, we now have a better idea of what they look like. There are 16 costumes in total and it looks like Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile, R. Mika, Rashid, Balrog and Zangief are all set to become walking billboards.
Matt Makes Games, better known as Matt Thorson, has been on my watchlist since TowerFall. It was a pretty amazing brawler for what was essentially a one-man show, and Celeste looks like it'll be yet another day-one type of game.
The whole idea is to "climb a mountain," with platforming trappings and everything that comes with it. While we've known all this for a bit Matt has finally revealed the release window, and we won't have to wait much longer as it's coming in January 2018. I'm especially interested in the emotional angle (there's talk of "confronting self doubt") to see if he actually pulls it off, or if it just ends up being fluff in an otherwise great looking platformer.
Celeste [Steam]
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time had a great collective of horrifying imagery. It wasn't just the pixelated graphics -- the whole idea of facing down a Shadow Temple with creatures that look like they came straight out of the nightmares of H. R. Giger was a pretty big ask. The fact that they sprayed blood is a "bonus" on the creep-o-meter.
Cosplayer Torayami has embraced it though, posting their ReDead outfit on Reddit for all to see (and scream at). Torayami claims that they know someone who cosplays Dead Hand, and that they'll do a shoot together eventually. I'd love to see it!
[OC] Redead cosplay [Reddit]
One of the bummer gaming stories of 2017 was the news that arcade-style shooter specialists Housemarque would no longer be producing arcade-style shooters. In an honest and open interview given to Engadget in October, CEO Ilari Kuittinen spoke of how the genre was unprofitable and had become a road they would have to abandon in order to prosper.
At least there is still exciting work on the horizon, as the Helsinki-based outfit have recently announced that they have purchased a new license for popular game engine Unreal 4, adding that they intend to use it in a "soon to be announced" new title.
A press release from the company reads: "We have made the decision to use Unreal Engine 4 exclusively going forwards. Unreal 4 enables fast prototyping, contains modern pipelines and editors for artists and designers and provides really valuable documentation and support forums. Plus, it’s still very customizable so we can still use our award-winning rendering and visual effects tech with the engine. We’ve got some exciting stuff in the works!"
The Nex Machina developers remain tight-lipped on the details of this new venture, but hopefully the creativity, great music and pulse-pounding action that defined wares such as Resogun and Matterfall will be readily apparent in whatever the team are at work on.
Gal Metal didn't come out of nowhere -- we found out that it existed earlier this year -- but this drumming-centric rhythm game still looks fresh and rad. From the mind of the "extreme" Tak Fuji you'll drum to your heart's content with the Switch Joy-Con alongside of an anime band.
I feel like both of the videos below do a fantastic job of giving you the gist of what it's all about. You get plenty of gameplay in the first clip, and a slow, helpful walkthrough of exactly how to play it in the second.
Provided that the tracklist is up to snuff, I'll be "importing" this on the eShop.
Hot on the heels of the news Europe will be getting Films vs Books as its next Splatoon 2 splatfest topic, Nintendo Japan have announced that their next bout of ink-based warfare will be over... erm... designer Winter clothing.
Japanese Splatfests are no stranger to product placement. We've seen fights over McDonald's food before, and the original Splatoon featured a memorable Autobot/Decepticon battle. This latest face-off is a little less interesting, asking players which Winter clothing they prefer from fashion label Uniqlo.
Pearl is all about the undergarments, choosing Heattech thermal wear. Marina, more of a big jacket kind of gal, is in the corner of Ultra Light Down outerwear and I'm failing to make this sound exciting, I know.
This looks like the kind of clothing I see around the fighting game community, expensive Japanese labels, while I'm stood there in my sweet-ass £4 T-shirt and distressed jeans (actually distressed, not fashionably) But maybe this Splatfest will appeal more to you hip kids with your Supreme and your Bathing Ape. Fun fact: I got thrown out of the Harajuku BAPE store, but that's a story for another day.
The Uniqlo Splatfest is live from 15:00 JST on December 9 until 15:00 JST December 10.
If you partake in hobbyist gaming you've probably heard of Tokaido (or have seen the box in a hobby store). It's been out for good while in the tabletop arena, and creator Funforge explains that to date, it's sold 250,000 copies worldwide. Its chief designer, Antoine Bauza, also helped craft one of my favorite board games -- 7 Wonders -- which is also just making its way into the digital arena (on iPad).
That success led to a breakout Greenlight campaign, which eventually allowed the team to release Tokaido on Steam. It's now for $10, and follows the exact same rules as the board game, which sees players traveling along the Tokaido road, based on the real location in Japan. The object is to experience as many Earthly desires as possible while you're moving about, which are essentially converted into victory points.
There aren't many reviews yet so we're attempting to get a copy now for coverage.
Tokaido [Steam]
It's the Capcom Cup 2017 this weekend. Some of the best Street Fighter V players on the planet will gather at the Hilton hotel in Anaheim, California to battle it out in the culmination of a year's worth of Capcom Pro-Tour events.
The tournament will be a three-day affair, beginning with the last-chance qualifier on Friday December 8 and ending with the Grand Finals on Sunday December 10, which will run concurrently with the PlayStation Experience. This year will also feature the first Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite "Battle for the Stones" tournament, with players throwing down on the comic-book crossover, hopefully winning more than some shitty plastic eggs.
All the regular World Warriors are set to do battle this weekend, including 801Strider, Luffy, Smug, Phenom, Snake Eyez, Problem X, Bonchan... the list goes on. The top entrants have put in serious time and legwork racking up those CPT points to make it to the big show. The finalists could bag themselves a share of a $370,000 prize pool. Nice.
Unfortunately, 2016's Capcom Cup champion NuckleDu will not be returning to defend his title. In accordance with Capcom rules, his spot is to be offered to last year's runner-up, Ricki Ortiz. Ortiz has accepted the offer, ironically in a year in which she failed to qualify for the Top 32, perhaps owing to the nerfs laid down on her main, Chun-Li.
Capcom have also promised special "announcements" at the event, with big reveals typically happening right before the Grand Finals. A lot of people are rooting for a Sakura reveal, a rumour which gathered steam after clues were dropped at Red Bull Battlegrounds last month.
Anyone wishing to watch the tournament online can do so on the Capcom Fighters Twitch channel. A second live stream is expected to run concurrently. The tournament will be broadcast from 11:00-21:00 PST on Friday and Saturday, with the finals running 14:00-20:00 PST on Sunday.
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is fast approaching and it seems like the final roster has been locked down. Square Enix is celebrating the situation with the game's opening movie, which is pretty dope if you're okay with a ton of quick cuts.
There's also a trailer detailing some of the extra DLC Japanese folks get if they buy the game from certain retailers like Cloud's bat with nails in it. Finally, Square Enix has uploaded a cutscene featuring Noctis' first interaction with Lightning and the Warrior of Light (in English!).
The most curious tidbit, however, is one the good folks at Nova Crystallis caught during Square Enix's presentation. NT also seems to mess around with a loot box/gacha system, but it seems limited to in-game currency for now. But there's a shop where you can purchase skins, icons, weapons, etc. too so there's no further detail as to how that will shake out.
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT hits Playstation 4 January 30.
Japanese mag Famitsu, which appears to be single-handedly pumping out info for Sega's Valkyria Chronicles 4, has revealed a selection of all-new characters who will be arriving on the battlefield next year.
The most attention in the article is paid to the wonderfully-monikered Crimaria Revane. Crimaria is a new Valkyria, dressed in elegant military garb and rocking long, icy hair. She is shown accompanied by her wolf companion, Fenrir, and appears armed with snowflake-shaped weaponry.
Every so often, especially during lull spots like right now, the Final Fantasy XIV team re-ignites their free login campaign. You can take advantage of it starting this week through January 4, with some provisos attached.
For one, once you log in, your four day timer will start -- that gives you 96 total hours if you play without stopping, to catch up. Honestly given that this is a catch-up patch, it's doable so long as you have at least one max-level character held over from the Stormblood launch -- outside of Savage and Ultimate content of course.
At the moment most of the hardcore playerbase is either still going through the Ultimate raid difficulty, or taking a break until 4.2 hits. Once that arrives you can look forward to more content like dungeons, a new EX boss, another raid tier, the rebooted Relic gear system "Eureka," and more . We'll likely get more info on 4.2 mid-December, when the year's last producer stream is scheduled.
Free Login Campaign [Lodestone]
No, this isn't a rib, WWE 2K18 is finally making its way over to the Switch, despite being a little bit on the late side. The language used in the official press release implies it might be releasing at different dates though, dependent on region I'm assuming: “WWE 2K18 will be available for Nintendo Switch this week as it rolls out worldwide in physical and digital formats starting December 6.”
The Switch release will be fully featured and contain all the modes that you can find on other versions of the game. It'll also still offer bonuses for those that pre-ordered the game and will still be receiving all the planned upcoming DLC packs.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War has a significantly high-priced season pass at $40, which will grant you access to four DLCs. In the meantime you can also grab some free add-ons and updates, including the Online Fight Pits, which will be released later today. It's basically an update for the fighting arena that allows you to use orc followers to earn upgrades and loot.
As for the paid stuff -- the Slaughter Tribe Nemesis expansion is out now, and the other three add-ons are dated with one coming December 12, the third in February, and the last one in May. It's crazy that we have to keep track of staggered dates for pre-purchase DLC half a year out for a single player game with loot boxes, but it is 2017.
Next month sees the release of Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, with the one-on-one fighter finally receiving the one aspect gamers have been most vocal about since the game's release back in February 2016: an Arcade Mode.
Developers Capcom have revealed details on how the single-player content will work. Players will chose from one of six paths, each representing a generation in the Street Fighter series: Street Fighter, Street Fighter II, Street Fighter Alpha (or Zero if that's how you choose to live your life), and Street Fighters III, IV and V.
Destiny 2 has a long way to go until it claws back from the hole it dug post-launch, but there's an effort being made today with some updates and a new expansion. We'll see if it's actually enough, but for now, if you pre-purchased the DLC you probably want to know when you can actually play it.
Bungie has swapped the weekly reset time yet again, so you're going to be waiting a bit today until the expansion is live. The game is going down today from 7AM PT to 10AM PT, and just one hour into that downtime you can pre-load (read: download) Curse of Osiris onto your machine. At 10AM PT, presumably when the downtime is over, you can actually play it.
Bungie has been a little incosnsitent with their timeframes, so it's hard to say how this deployment will go. Sometimes it's over as early as much as an hour or more, sometimes it's extended. Watch the official Bungie Twitter account and don't take off work early, is what I'm saying.
Once we've played through the DLC we'll give you a verdict on how it holds up. As for the "Raid Lair," it does not even have a date or estimated window yet.
