News:: Hell yeah, Jeff Goldblum is in Jurassic World Evolution

A dinosaur theme park management game from Frontier Developments is pretty much the dream scenario. Will Jurassic World Evolution live up to expectations? It's too early to call. But one thing is certain: it's got everyone's favorite dad, and he's "gonna be with ya the whole game."

Jeff Goldblum is bringing back Dr. Ian Malcolm for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and also Evolution. In the game, he "guides players through the moral choices and tactical decisions that will test their building and management skills as they attempt to successfully run their own Jurassic World."

I'd say I posted this news entirely for the header image, but that's not quite true -- there's also a video! Jeff Goldblum could speak about dang near anything and he'd still have the same mesmeric effect.

The image is good as hell, though.

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/hell-yeah-jeff-goldblum-is-in-jurassic-world-evolution-494172.phtml

News:: Cursed Castilla and Super Hydorah headed to Switch

We're going to start seeing beloved games built with GameMaker Studio resurfacing on Nintendo Switch. An upcoming export-to-Switch feature for developers will help enable new ports for titles like Undertale, and that's such wonderful news. One-man powerhouse Locomalito is also on board.

Locomalito is once again turning to the folks at Abylight, this time to bring his shoot-'em-up Super Hydorah and his action-platformer Cursed Castilla EX to Nintendo Switch. They're both excellent.

If you've never really followed Locomalito before, it's never too late to start.

The Switch versions will be released "as soon as feasible," which is about as specific as Abylight can afford to get right now -- the exporting feature for GameMaker Studio isn't even finished yet.

I'm always happy to see more people have the opportunity to play games I love.

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/cursed-castilla-and-super-hydorah-headed-to-switch-494163.phtml

News:: Coffee Stain's new game Satisfactory has my curiosity

Sanctum and Goat Simulator developer Coffee Stain Studios is getting the word out for its next game, Satisfactory, which may or may not be about building things on an alien planet. We'll have to see!

Aside from the name and logo, all we have to go on is this mood-setting teaser. There's a reptile shrimp dog doing reptile-shrimp-dog stuff while conspicuous machinery can be heard off-camera.

If this game is remotely what I'm expecting, it could hit the spot. I want to build, run, and manage. Coffee Stain will have more to share at the Game Developers Conference next week in San Francisco.

Satisfactory isn't running an alpha until May, but you can already sign up to participate.

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/coffee-stain-s-new-game-satisfactory-has-my-curiosity-494158.phtml

News:: Metal Gear Survive adds co-op rescue missions

I had a decent enough time with Metal Gear Survive and, going forward, I'm curious to see how long its post-release support lasts. Today's update has new co-op rescue missions in which you'll sneak around Wanderer hordes with a survivor on your back, as well as an event called "The Captive Ferrymen."

Along with these changes, you'll find a bunch of other stuff in the 1.04 update:

• Added controller customization features
• Speeding up the digging of the Wormhole Digger will be reflected on personal score
• Added new plan to Base Camp Dig
• Added enhancement items for weapons and gears (Legendary)
• Bug fixes and game balance changes

As it now stands, it's possible to reach Lv. 3 for your Base Camp in single-player. The plans can be earned from Base Camp Dig 05, and with them, you'll have a bit more room to work with.

I've already had my fill of Survive and don't care to finish the post-game or max out my secondary character class. That said, I may pop back in from time to time depending on how these updates go.

Update 1.04 is Now Available [Konami]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/metal-gear-survive-adds-co-op-rescue-missions-494154.phtml

News:: Ys VIII for Switch launching June in Japan, Summer for the West

The latest issue of Japanese publication Famitsu has revealed that dramatic RPG Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana will be landing on Nintendo Switch in Japan on June 28.

The latest chapter in the long-running Ys franchise was released on the PS4 in the West last year, but faced controversy over its poor localisation. This was then followed by hampered efforts to bring the game to PC, with the port, at one, point seemingly abandoned.

Despite the above issues, Ys VIII was able to pull itself back together, fixing some of its localisation woes and securing an April release for its debut on PC. The game would go on to receive great reviews from both critics and fans.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana launches on Switch in Japan June 28, it is expected to hit the U.S. and Europe this Summer.

Ys VIII coming to Switch in Japan June 28 [Famitsu / Gematsu]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/ys-viii-for-switch-launching-june-in-japan-summer-for-the-west-494068.phtml

News:: Tomb Raider 1-3 remasters are coming to PC, free if you own the original '90s versions

Tomb Raider may have had its ups and downs (and I'm talking across all media, including film), but the initial trilogy was fantastic. Tomb Raider II will always have a special place in my heart, but the strides the first made made ripples throughout the industry at the time, and the third in some ways feels like a culmination of what the team had learned the first two go-arounds.

Some people dig them so much that they even picked up the original DOS versions on Steam, but according to studio realtech VR (the same team that handled the mobile ports), remasters are incoming. OpenVR and a new engine are confirmed, and if you own those original editions on Steam, you'll get the remasters for free. Oh, and a mobile version of III was announced as well.

It's timely, given that new Tomb Raider film is out this weekend, but no dates have been set for the PC remasters.

realtech VR [Twitter]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/tomb-raider-1-3-remasters-are-coming-to-pc-free-if-you-own-the-original-90s-versions-494095.phtml

News:: Xbox looks like it's doing a Sunday E3 press conference again

The sprawl of E3 festivities is like the elastic band on a well-worn pair of tighty whities. It only gets more and more stretched out as time goes on. At some point, you stop expecting it to spring back to its original elasticity. You just hope it doesn't stretch out too much further.

Last year saw some of the biggest names in gaming shifting their schedules by a day. Electronic Arts went on Saturday. Xbox, always a mainstay in the first slot on Monday, opted to try its hand at a Sunday press conference. It seemingly went so well that it's happening again in 2018.

The Verge is reporting that Xbox's E3 2018 press briefing will take place on Sunday June 10 at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific. That's one hour earlier than last year, but ostensibly the same time. If this time slot proves to be true (and it's perfectly plausible given 2017's show), then we'll again have about a 24-hour gap between Xbox's and PlayStation's presentations -- probably the two closest competitors in the console space.

We've asked a Microsoft representative for confirmation of Xbox's E3 2018 press briefing. We haven't received a response at time of writing. We'll update this post if/when we hear back.

@tomwarren [Twitter]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/xbox-looks-like-it-s-doing-a-sunday-e3-press-conference-again-494167.phtml

News:: Fulfill your dream of being a Scooby-Doo villain with State of Decay 2 Collector's Edition

Survival-horror sequel State of Decay 2 is getting a Collector's Edition, complete with everything you need to delve into the spirit of the zombie-smashing sequel... Erm, except the game itself.

The State of Decay 2 Collector's Edition comes with an iron-on patch, a 4GB USB stick styled as a severed thumb (a literal thumb-stick!) a steelbook casing and a brain-shaped stand to house it in. Best of all, the set contains a latex zombie mask, which you can use to scare kids away from the local amusement park, the same one you discovered was built over an untapped oil reserve.

The Collector's Edition is available for pre-order now at around $70. Although you have to purchase the game separately, State of Decay 2's standard edition is only expected to run at $30. The low price, according to Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg, was chosen as a way to "build a long-term relationship with the State of Decay community and to foster deeper experiences with the franchise."

State of Decay 2 launches on PC and Xbox One May 22.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/fulfill-your-dream-of-being-a-scooby-doo-villain-with-state-of-decay-2-collector-s-edition-494096.phtml

News:: After a delay, Final Fantasy Explorers-Force is arriving this month

Final Fantasy Explorers-Force, a smartphone sequel to Final Fantasy Explorers on 3DS, caught my eye a while back. Sadly I had to wait longer than I thought to see it fully in action due to a delay, but now it's set for a March 15 release on Android and iOS.

It seems to have brought back the same job-based party system of the original, giving the whole thing a Phantasy Star feel while maintaining the Final Fantasy aesthetic. Naturally classic jobs like Dragoons and Paladins will be in, as well as full-on transformations into cameo characters like Cloud and Squall.

So uh...as they say...Switch port when?

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/after-a-delay-final-fantasy-explorers-force-is-arriving-this-month-494094.phtml

News:: The prose of Pyre's consequences

I can’t look at the night sky and not think of Pyre. Stars are a fundamental part of the game’s narrative. Not only do they guide your way, they act as a sign of hope. The cosmos lights many paths forward, and in Pyre, looking up affords your allies a chance at freedom from exile. One escapes purgatory through due process: Claim victory in the ceremonial Rites, return home. That’s the only way out. Not all Rites offer liberation, but participation is required to qualify. Therein lies the role of a Reader -- they translate the celestial beacons into a language all their own. Directing your caravan, however, comes with a flood of ethical caveats.

Pyre’s journey begins by throwing you, the Reader, into exile. A group of three fellow vagabonds find you dying in the Downside, an oppressive limbo that’s home to those cast out by the Commonwealth. The three masked wanderers save your life, find out you’ve been exiled for your literacy -- a rare trait in the game’s fiction, and the ride begins. Alongside Hedwyn, a lovable and pleasantly hopeful young man (despite being in exile for years), and his overprotective guardian Jodariel, you’re introduced to Rukey. He’s a mangy cur with a pristine mustache, yet somehow still pales in comparison to some of the more intriguing characters you’ll meet.

From here, every character you encounter -- including the mysterious Voice in the sky that strings you along throughout the game -- refers to the Reader as ”you.”

And “you” have a lot to learn.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/the-prose-of-pyre-s-consequences-493992.phtml

News:: Pillar of Eternity II pushed back to early May

It's only a month, but it might feel like an eternity to hardcore CRPG players. Obsidian's newest game needs just a little bit more time, and that revelation comes mere weeks before launch.

Obsidian announced today that Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire's PC release will be pushed back to May 8. It was previously scheduled for April 3. While no specific reason was given for the delay, Obsidian simply says it's "taking just a few extra weeks to polish and put those finishing touches on the game."

This news will be disappointing for some, because there are a lot of people who were eager enough for Pillars II that they already pledged financial support. Like its predecessor, Pillars II was crowdfunded -- this one to the tune of $4.4 million. That's more than 33,000 people, not to mention the ones who will buy it after release, who have to wait just a little bit longer. Also, it's set to release on PS4, Switch, and Xbox One later this year, and there's no word about whether this delay pushes back the timeline for the console versions.

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/pillar-of-eternity-ii-pushed-back-to-early-may-494145.phtml

News:: Final Fantasy VII Remake team hiring for 'core members'

Ah Final Fantasy VII Remake. That thing you know will probably eventually come out, but might be delayed years on end.

Square Enix is knee-deep in development still, and a recent listing for new "core members" of the team implies that there's more work to be done. Here are a few highlights from the listing:

• A major project of fully remaking Final Fantasy VII on PlayStation 4.
• Can work in the best development environment!
• Gain experience in a flat organization, use your talents to your heart’s content.
• Recruiting core members for the project!
• Work on a big title for a chance to help your career!
• Enjoy flexibility with discretionary work system and good benefits.

The reason for the all hands on deck approach? Square Enix states, "the part about reproducing the original work in high-quality graphics is reaching a satisfactory standard, and we’ve come to the conclusion that in order to meet fan expectations we must increase its quality another step higher." Well, keep stepping, Square Enix, because all eyes are going to be on you when this thing comes out.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Progress Shared In A New Job Listing For Core Members [Siliconera]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/final-fantasy-vii-remake-team-hiring-for-core-members--494092.phtml

News:: Amazon will give away free games every month with Twitch Prime

Today, Amazon announced a new Twitch program called Free Games with Prime, and what it does is pretty self-explanatory. Subscribers with Twitch Prime memberships will receive a collection of free games to keep each month. The program starts on Thursday, March 15th, when subscribers will have free access to games such as Superhot and Oxenfree.

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/03/13/amazon-free-games-with-prime-twitch/

News:: Warhammer: Vermintide 2 pops half a million sales in first week

Indie developer Fatshark have proudly announced that their recently released (as in last week) title Warhammer: Vermintide 2 has already sold over 500,000 copies on PC.

The first-person action-adventure sees a band a warriors, the Heroes of Ubersreik, battle the Chaos army and the Rotbloods, a clan made-up of hordes of rodent-like fighters. Vermintide 2 adds new features to the mix through its improved career mode, new talent trees and the all new "Heroic Deeds" system: a selection of condition-based quests.

In a press release, the Swedish developer spoke of their happiness of the title's rapid success. "We are proud and happy that gamers worldwide have taken Warhammer Vermintide to their hearts," says Fatshark CEO Martin Wahlund. "500,000 games sold was a milestone that we had, but not less than a week after release."

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is available now on PC. PS4 and Xbox One ports are expected  to follow later this year.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/warhammer-vermintide-2-pops-half-a-million-sales-in-first-week-494072.phtml

News:: Final Fantasy XIV's long-awaited 4.25 Eureka patch is live, here's how to access it

Alongside of its major "4.2/4.3" and so on updates that bring new raid and dungeon content on top of hundreds of quality of life updates, the Final Fantasy XIV team also provides mini-patches that add in anything from quests to job alterations.

This time fan-favorite Hildibrand gets a mini narrative continuation, but the big draw is most definitely "The Forbidden Land," Eureka, a whole new area for players to dive into and earn artifact gear from. Obtained from Rhalgr's Reach (X:9.8 Y:12.5) after you've completed the story, the new questline will send you into Eureka, an instanced area of "up to 144 players" that syncs to item level 300. From then on you can enter by speaking to an NPC in Kugane (X:8.5 Y:14.2), where there is a massive focus on getting a party together (you can invite inside of the instance, something that's not typically possible), as well as change jobs at a specific port, and unlock the ability to ride mounts.

The entire zone is dictated by experience points that contribute to your "Elemental Level," which is earned by defeating enemies and lost after being KO-ed past elemental level six. Magicite and an elemental affinity system further complicate things. As a reward you'll unlock protean crystals, which enhance your gear by way of the NPC Gerolt, located in Eureka.

The only thing left is to give it a go and see if it's worth playing beyond the first initial honeymoon week!

Patch 4.25 notes [Final Fantasy XIV]

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/final-fantasy-xiv-s-long-awaited-4-25-eureka-patch-is-live-here-s-how-to-access-it-494081.phtml

News:: Capcom is bringing Devil Hunter Dante to Monster Hunter: World

Capcom is looking to introduce yet another collaboration into its hugely popular Monster Hunter: World universe to go alongside Aloy (if you are a PS4 player), Ryu, and Sakura. The character they've chosen is Dante! 

No doubt to coincide with the release of the Devil May Cry HD Collection re-release, Capcom has just released a trailer for the new armor set and the look is based off the first Devil May Cry with a slightly different look for male and female hunters. The Dante armor set will also have a special Charge Blade in the form of Force Edge/Alastor combination so if you're a charge blade user who likes Dante, then you are in luck!

No word on when the collaboration set will be released (and we are still waiting on Sakura) but the method to obtain the Dante set should be similar to the others and will be available to all Monster Hunter: World players when it's out. 

[Via Capcom Unity]

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/capcom-is-bringing-devil-hunter-dante-to-monster-hunter-world-494108.phtml

News:: Super Mario Cereal now for sale without the amiibo functionality

Earlier this year Nintendo debuted a special "Super Mario Cereal" line, which featured a red box and amiibo support. Said amiibo support was by way of a chip inside of the box, and when scanned, registered as a "tasty amiibo," and granted Mario Odyssey players extra coins and hearts.

It was really tough to find at first but eventually started saturating the market, even appearing on Amazon Pantry, but that ship may have sailed according to one Redditor's finds. Now it seems like the same exact cereal is hitting the shelves without the amiibo chip, simply labeled as the same Super Mario Cereal line.

We've reached out to Nintendo for more information, but for now, consider picking up the red amiibo box if you still need it.

New amiibo-less Super Mario Cereal box [Reddit]

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/super-mario-cereal-now-for-sale-without-the-amiibo-functionality-494075.phtml

News:: The first teaser for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald has apparated

If you somehow haven't been fatigued by never-ending franchises such as Harry Potter (excuse me, "J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World"), you'll likely enjoy the the teaser trailer for the first of four(!) sequels to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Here's your first look at Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, releasing Nov. 16.

The teaser attempts to pull at your nostalgic heartstrings, with a brief return visit to the familiar Hogwarts for a questioning of a young Albus Dumbledore, played by young Pope Jude Law. It appears that Dumbledore has recruited his old student Newt Scamander, keeper of the titular "fantastic beasts," to take down notorious dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, played by notorious actor Johnny Depp.

So one of the most famous wizards has enlisted a Magizoologist to thwart an infamous and murderous criminal—on paper, this is like if the CIA asked Jane Goodall to take down Baghdadi.

The sequel will take us to Paris, after the first film took us through a tour of what the American wizarding world looks like in New York City. If you thought the American word for "muggle" ("no-maj") was lazy, you'll be happy to know that the French counterpart "non-magique" is just as simple. Pretty much everyone from the first film is back, but the focus seems to be more on Grindelwald and less on the fantastic beasts, making us wonder why this isn't called The Crimes of Grindelwald and Where to Find Them.

Perhaps we human beings are the real fantastic beasts.

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/the-first-teaser-for-fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald-has-apparated-494126.phtml

News:: Review: Detention

Detention is a surreal horror game set in historic Taiwan, where the nation is in a state of Communist paranoia and certain literature has been outlawed. The game follows two students that wake up to find themselves alone in their school, and things just get weirder and creepier from there.

While there are two playable characters, the majority of your time will be spent with Ray. The wordless girl must search through the school and try to piece together just what the hell is going on.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/review-detention-493882.phtml

News:: Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy on Switch will be handled by Toys for Bob

It has been announced that the upcoming port of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy will be handled by Californian studio Toys for Bob, while the PC and Xbox One editions will remain with original team Vicarious Visions.

Toys for Bob broke into the industry in the dawn of the '90s with the Star Control titles for home computers and the FMV sword-and-sorcery title, The Horde. Though the company would make some generic licensed titles in the later years, they are more-recently known for the incredibly successful Skylanders series.

In related news, it has been noted that the non-PS4 versions of N. Sane Trilogy will remove all of the small nods to Sony developer Naughty Dog, such as the Nathan Drake poster on Crash's wall.

Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy is available now on PS4. It is scheduled for release on PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch on July 10.

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-on-switch-will-be-handled-by-toys-for-bob-494078.phtml

News:: The Lord of the Rings Online team has their own loremaster that studies linguistics and medieval history

I recently got back into Lord of the Rings Online and it's been a blast. Not only has Standing Stone Games (who took over for the original developer Turbine) been updating the game with quality of life enhancements, it's also finished off the main story as it pertains to Lord of the Rings, bringing players into the dark realm of Mordor.

But Middle-earth is a huge place full of wonder and mystery, so naturally the tale shouldn't end there. I sat down with Ben "DrOctothorpe" Schneider, Lead Designer on Lord of the Rings Online, to catch up and see where the massive decade-long project is headed.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-online-team-has-their-own-loremaster-that-studies-linguistics-and-medieval-history-494011.phtml

News:: ‘Pit People’ makes turn-based strategy a party

In our world of ubiquitous broadband and online multiplayer, couch-based co-op gaming isn't the first consideration for most development studios. For the folks behind Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers, Battleblock Theater and now Pit People, however, being able to play with other people on the same screen has always been a priority.

"Co-op memories are very strong with the right games and there's all sorts of fun interactions going on, not only in the game, but for the players on the couch," said Dan Paladin, co-founder, art director and designer on Pit People. "Whenever it makes enough sense, we'll do our best to make sure it is always included! Our brains are firmly rooted in the old school stand-up arcade era."

Source: Pit People/Xbox One

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/03/13/pit-people-local-coop-play-turn-based-strategy/

News:: Games for Change create counter-point to White House 'Gaming Violence' video

Last week, The White House YouTube channel uploaded a video titled "Violence in Video Games". The video featured an 88-second edit of some of the most violent gaming footage its makers could find (and apparently only from games that came out years ago.)

Organisation Games for Change, who constantly push for positive impact through our favourite medium, have uploaded their own 88-second edit of video game footage, albeit one with a somewhat different choice of shots and resultant tone, and its sublime.

I'm not going to waste any more time pontificating. Enjoy.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/games-for-change-create-counter-point-to-white-house-gaming-violence-video-494104.phtml

News:: Nintendo pitches Detective Pikachu and his wacky voice in 30 seconds

The 3DS isn't quite dead yet, as Nintendo has a few first-party games slated for 2018, on top of several third party offerings.

This month's flavor is Detective Pikachu, the wacky adventure that involves a talking Pikachu and the mystery of a boy named Tim's missing father. Nintendo has crafted a slick 30-second pitch trailer directly before its launch, setting up the general narrative as well as giving us a look at the talking wise-cracking titular detective.

Detective Pikachu already arrived back in 2016 in Japan, and will drop in the west on March 23 alongside of a giant Pikachu amiibo. The upcoming film, featuring Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu, is expected to arrive in May of 2019.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-pitches-detective-pikachu-and-his-wacky-voice-in-30-seconds-494102.phtml

News:: Darksiders: The Documentary reveal trailer

Gameumentary is proud to present you with the official trailer for our upcoming Darksiders documentary which will be out late this March.

The documentary is Gameumentary's longest production yet and will cover the story of Darksiders 1, 2, the closure of Vigil Games, and what came after.

The full documentary will be available on Gameumentary's YouTube channel on March 27.

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/darksiders-the-documentary-reveal-trailer-494038.phtml

News:: Nintendo just dropped a semi-useful 5.0 patch for Switch

Nintendo has been doing a decent job of patching the Switch, and even if it has a long ways to go in some areas, at least we're getting more than just "stability" fluff.

As part of its 5.0 update, the Switch now has better social features (adding friends via Facebook and Twitter), more icons, better PC to Switch downloading (it queues faster), news filters, more secure PIN entry, parental controls for video capture, notifications for when pre-purchased software is ready, and Pro Controller grip color icons.

The big one for me is news filters, as my multiple accounts from different regions constantly spam my feed. Cloud saves when though?

Update 5.0.0 [Nintendo]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-just-dropped-a-semi-useful-5-0-patch-for-switch-494077.phtml