Nightdive Studios has announced that the N64 version of Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion will be among the next games to get the remaster treatment. Not only that, it already has a release date of November 14 and is coming to PC and consoles.

Originally released in 2000, Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion was an interesting turn for Acclaim’s Turok series. It really shows the awkward evolution of the first-person shooter genre in the wake of 1998’s Half-Life. While the first two games were largely just fast-paced key-hunting games like early FPS, Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion incorporated more story elements and cutscenes. It involved two would-be Turoks trying to fight back against an encroaching threat in the wake of Joshua Fireseed’s apparent death.

https://youtu.be/SdCaj5ZRp-A

It’s the last numbered Turok entry and, really, the last good one. The level design kind of gets mired in the muddy brown industrial look of the late ‘90s, and the action isn’t as swift as the earlier titles. A lot of the real Turok identity gets lost in the pursuit of gaming trends. Despite that, it’s an interesting early-3D game.

While Nightdive previously remastered the first two Turok games, a rerelease of Shadow of Oblivion wasn’t guaranteed. The first two titles already had PC ports that the studio could work off of, whereas Turok 3 never left the N64. However, since they were able to “reverse engineer” and provide the N64 campaign of Quake 2, I had hoped that they put in the effort because they were working on a port to Turok 3. And sure enough…

Does this mean we'll get Turok: Rage Wars someday?

Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion is getting the KEX Engine treatment. Nightdive is boasting a lot of the same enhancements that the Quake 2 remaster received, including real-time lighting and updated models. It’s coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch on November 14.

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I’ve never really gotten elbow-deep into the Quake series. Before the 2021 Quake remaster by Nightdive Studios, I was actually most familiar with Quake 4, and I really don’t remember that much about it. In 1996, I was into Duke Nukem 3D. And then after that, it was Goldeneye 007. I at least played Quake 2… The N64 version.

But after the first Quake was remastered and introduced me to the series, I held off on any more series exploration, anticipating the second one would eventually get the same treatment. My patience paid off, and the Quake II remaster has arrived. Once again, it’s a terrific introduction.

[caption id="attachment_396573" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Quake 2 (PC [Reviewed], PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch)
Developer: id Software, NightDive Studios, MachineGames
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Released: August 10, 2023
MSRP: $9.99

After the development of the first game in the Quake series was beset by creative differences, many members of id Software departed, including Sandy Peterson and John Romero. This is considered by many to be the end of classic id Software, as it seemed like the heart had left the brain with an empty bed.

You can sort of feel that in Quake II. There was something of an anarchic directionlessness in Quake that is replaced with something a lot more cohesive. Quake still felt like a first-generation shooter like Doom. Quake 2 is a lot closer to Half-Life.

You can see this clearly in the narrative. Earth has been under attack by the Strogg and hasn’t been faring well. So, the meaty humans launch a counter-attack, taking the fight to the meat substitute Strogg’s homeworld of Stroggos. Quake II and all the expansions are set around this counter-attack as you take control of different space marines attempting to hinder the enemy’s ability to wage war on humanity.

The first Quake really didn’t have much of a narrative, and this is definitely not a continuation. This comes with its pros and cons. The biggest positive is that a more defined narrative gives you purpose that helps drive you through the game. The downside is that the Strogg don’t care much for interior design, and there’s little visual diversity throughout the campaigns.

https://youtu.be/cyxBE163n20

Out of item

Nightdive’s remaster is similar to their approaches to the original Quake and the recent Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition. They have gathered all the expansions into one package, added a newly created campaign, and transported everything to their more modern KEX Engine, bringing with it a number of extra visual and gameplay options. And then, after already doing more than most would expect, they continue on to polish up the graphics and gameplay without tampering with the overall feeling and aesthetic of the title.

It’s extensive. They even upscaled the cinematics. Then, somehow, they ported all of the N64 version of Quake II’s levels. For whatever reason, when Raster Productions handled the N64 port, they wound up remaking almost all of the levels. It’s just as much its own campaign as the other expansions. It seems like it would be quite an effort to re-port the N64 version back to PC, but it was very worth it. It contains visual flourishes that make it, at the very least, aesthetically worth exploring.

The two expansions by Xatrix Entertainment and Rogue Entertainment are necessary inclusions, even if they mostly just feel like added content. Which, to be fair, is essentially what they were when they first released.

Meanwhile, the new campaign, Call of the Machine, by MachineGames is a great way of showing off the many successes of Quake 2 while minimizing its deficiencies. Visual variety is a lot better here, depicting a lot of different and interesting locales based on the Strogg War story but in places not shown in the games. It’s an effective way to demonstrate the outstanding gunplay, fast action, and interesting enemies without eliminating the unique flavor of the base game.

[caption id="attachment_396572" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Someone hang a poster

Which to be fair, as much as I hassle Quake 2 for its repetitive brown corridors, I do enjoy it. The main campaign is maybe a 6-8 hour romp. It kept my attention through to the end, even when similar games with shinier corridors failed to. Games like Dusk have demonstrated the lasting appeal of the clunkier and more straightforward games of yesteryear, and Quake 2 is an essential example of that.

But beyond that, Nightdive's remaster makes things a little more pleasant. One great feature is the compass, which draws a path to your next objective. It’s not that Quake 2 was obtuse beyond reason. Each of the “units” of the game is composed of a handful of small levels, so you’re destined to trip over what you’re looking for. It’s just a matter of how much backtracking you’ll have to endure.

For example, you might finish a secondary objective and see the message “turbine disabled.” Perhaps you won’t realize it’s talking about the fan that you just passed and can now bypass. So, you continue on your merry way, and then when you finally circle back, you say, “Ooooh. It was talking about this turbine.”

So, I mostly used the compass whenever I came back to a familiar-looking room and wanted to make sure I wasn’t just going in circles.

[caption id="attachment_396574" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

That's a lot of screens

As usual for Nightdive remasters, their all-encompassing approach to Quake II makes it the definitive way to play the game. Beyond just compiling all the expansions, certain features, such as AI, were buffed up, and cut content was restored. And then there’s also the multiplayer, which in some versions supports 8-player split-screen local. Or you can play online, if you don’t like sharing your screen.

But if, for whatever reason, none of that sounds good to you, the original versions are still available.

For me, it was a great introduction to Quake II. The PC version, I mean. It’s an oppressively brown shooter, but it still carries the speedy, lightweight combat that makes older FPS games still pop today. The changes that Nightdive brought in for the remaster make it even more enjoyable and accessible. It may not have the same experimental charm as Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition, but it more than makes up for it with its tight and gory gunfights.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game purchased by the reviewer.]}

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A little later but also a little cheaper

In a post on their community website, Studio Wildcard revealed that the upcoming remaster of ARK: Survival Evolved has been delayed until October. Officially titled ARK: Survival Ascended, the remastered version utilizes Unreal Engine 5.2 and offers full cross-platform support.

Delays are nothing new to ARK fans, with the highly anticipated sequel ARK II getting delayed as well just a few months ago.

As disappointing as a delay can be, there is some good news. ARK: Survival Ascended has received a discount on its launch price. The open world survival game will now launch in Early Access at the price point of $44.99. A $5 launch discount will bring the price to $39.99.

[caption id="attachment_390075" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Studio Wildcard[/caption]

Content for ARK: Survival Ascended delayed as well

Unfortunately, the delay affected more than just the remastered game release. ARK: Survival Ascended had planned on following a content release schedule similar to the original game. It was originally planned to release with The Island map and the first big DLC and map, the Scorched Earth.

Therefore, The Island will release alongside ARK: Survival Ascended but The Scorched Earth content releases will be split up. The Scorched Earth map will now release in December, with Ragnarok and Aberration moved into Q1 2024. All of the remaining DLC and maps will continue to release beyond that.

[caption id="attachment_390076" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Studio Wildcard[/caption]

Fan frustrations continue

This isn't the first point of frustration for ARK fans. The remaster of ARK: Survival Evolved was originally a bundle with ARK II, increasing the price of the game. However, after fans voiced their frustration with the issue, Studio Wildcard changed course and separated the two games.

Despite the change, some fans are still not happy.  Many thought the Unreal Engine 5 version of the game would be a free update, but instead, it would now have the cost of a AAA game. When you realize the original ARK: Survival Evolved released at $29.99, it's easy to see the cause of frustration.

Having received two price cuts, from $60 to $50 and now $50 to $40, perhaps this is a good thing. Who knows, maybe if the delays continue fans will get their wish for a free update.

ARK: Survival Ascended will now launch in October on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation and PC.

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QuakeCon announcement incoming?

Everybody's favorite spoiler, The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea, is at it again, this time apparently lifting the lid on an incoming remaster of one of the most genre-defining shooters of all time, id Software's Quake II.

While Activision is yet to officially announce said remaster, we have been here once before, as game ratings board previously leaked the remaster of the original Quake, ahead of its official reveal at the annual gathering of all things id, QuakeCon. Given that QuakeCon 2023 is set to take place in a little over a month from now, it seems pretty snug that Quake II Remastered is scheduled to make its appearance.

Originally released in 1997, at the height of the second major FPS boom, Quake II is a violent, sci-fi shooter that sees top-tier marine Bitterman fend off an entire alien invasion with an arsenal of bombastic weaponry. With its smart, interconnected stages, multiple player characters, and commitment to chaotic destruction, Quake II was highly praised by critics and fans, becoming a mainstay on the early online multiplayer circuit and boosting the Activision coffers long before Call of Duty was even in consideration.

We will be sure to give you a heads-up when an official announcement is forthcoming. QuakeCon 2023 takes place at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas from August 10-13.

The post Quake II Remastered surfaces on Korean Ratings Board appeared first on Destructoid.

Damned if you Don't

As part of yesterday's Grasshopper Manufacture 2023 live stream, the studio announced that its recently-revealed Shadows of the Damned: Remastered is "probably" going to be released on "all current platforms."

A typically tongue-in-cheek promo re-introduces us to Mexican demon hunter Garcia Hotspur, who is not only "More terrifying than any demon", but is also "the most determined, devoted man in the world". So form a queue, ladies. The preview then describes Shadows of the Damned as "A nonstop-action love story taking you straight through the deepest depths of Hell". Sweet.

"Coming to all current platforms," concludes the preview, before adding "Probably."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THS60cC3768&t=270s&ab_channel=GrasshopperArchives

Elsewhere in the Grasshopper Direct, community manager James Mountain seemingly returns from the dead, while fellow CM Maddie Copp turns up cosplaying as No More Heroes' notorious Bad Girl. It also looks really hot under those studio lights. Of course, "Suda51" himself puts in an appearance, dazzlingly dressed in a lucha mask and green suit, reminiscent of Saints Row villain Killbane. Suda seemed a lot bigger and much more American than you may recall, but that's just your brain playing tricks on you, as it was definitely him. Even though he had a different face.

The show closed with a fleeting glimpse of the studio's next game, with viewers treated to what appears to be the in-game menu for the mystery project. While little can be divulged from the sneak peek, I did notice an "Emerald Flowsion" gauge, at least confirming that Goichi's love for pro-wrestling will continue to make its mark on all of the studio's output.

Shadows of the Damned: Remastered is currently in development for all platforms. Probably.

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Feeling Catty

Capcom has quietly issued a brand new trademark for the unannounced title Monster Hunter Puzzles: Felyne Islands, suggesting that the Japan-only PSP release, Airu de Puzzle, may be getting dusted off for an all-new worldwide release. The trademark was filed with multiple international licensors.

As noted by Gematsu, Airu de Puzzle is a cute, block puzzle title that launched on PlayStation Portable (PSP) way back in 2012). The fun handheld title has players battle it out in typical block-busting action, championed by the adorable feline friends of the Monster Hunter franchise. The backstory sees the characters, (and even some of the monsters), of Airu village gather together for an exciting puzzle festival, which will also, conveniently, provide plenty of the mythical energy to bring prosperity back to the island.

You can check out the original trailer for the PSP release below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkjSRmqcnGU&ab_channel=CapcomChannel

Now, to be clear, this is just hearsay, but the new title of Felyne Islands sure sounds like a localization of the 2012 release, unless Capcom is planning to build a brand-new title from scratch. Given the newfound love of Monster Hunter on a global scale, it would make sense that the developer might simply be mining its back catalog for timeless titles that would most certainly sell in 2023, perhaps when afforded just a little HD polish. Either way, we'll be sure to give you the heads-up when Felyne Isles is officially announced, in whatever form it eventually presents itself.

Capcom trademarks Monster Hunter Puzzles: Felyne Isles worldwide [Gematsu]

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A Spider-Man 2 prequel comic is on the way, too

[Update: Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered for PS5 is now available as a standalone title from the PlayStation Store, priced at $49.99.]

There's more on the way for Insomniac's take on Spider-Man, and now, the remastered version of the original is getting its own release. Insomniac Games is releasing a standalone version of Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered on PlayStation 5 sometime later this month.

Originally, the remastered version of 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man was only available as a part of Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition. Now, there will be an option to get Peter's adventure all by itself for PlayStation 5 owners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E051WtpyWg

For those who already own either a disc or digital copy of the original PlayStation 4 game, they will be able to upgrade to the PlayStation 5 Remastered edition for a $10 fee. Miles Morales owners, meanwhile, will also be able to get the remaster through the Ultimate Edition upgrade. And if neither is your option, Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered will run you $49.99 on the PlayStation Store.

As an important note, if you have a physical copy of the PS4 Spidey and want the digital PS5 remaster, you'll need to put the disc in every time you want to play the digital version.

Free comic book day

If you want a peek at what is new in the world of Spider-Man, and what's in store for the future, then this coming Saturday would be a good time to head to your local comic shop. Saturday, May 6 is Free Comic Book Day, a pretty rad event where lots of publishers put out free issues of various comics.

Part of this year's comic roll-out is a new prequel comic for Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Here's an excerpt from today's PlayStation blog, talking about what to expect:

"When we initially sat down with the team at Marvel, we explored a few different ideas about what kinds of stories we could tell in a prequel comic. But we kept coming back to the same core premise—What if Peter, Miles, and MJ had to team up against a new Super Villain whose powers they didn’t understand? Additionally, we wanted to make sure that we could get a peek into what this heroic trio has been doing since the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. What is Pete up to now that there are two Spider-Men in the city? How is Miles doing in school? And how is MJ’s journalism career going?"

Sounds like there will be a lot to contend with leading up to Insomniac's new Spider-venture. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is still slated for sometime this fall.

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Discover the truth behind death in June

The stylish Nintendo DS adventure Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective gets its second lease on life this summer. Capcom has locked in a June 30 release date for the Ghost Trick remaster on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam.

Originally released for the DS back in 2010 and brought to the U.S. in 2011, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective was confirmed to be getting an HD remaster last month.

It's well-deserved, as Ghost Trick is definitely one of the gems of Nintendo's dual-screen handheld. The HD remaster will bring it all to more modern consoles with single screens, with upgraded visuals and sound. That includes new music arrangements by Great Ace Attorney composer Yasumasa Kitagawa, which are fully synchronized with the original music. The Ghost Trick remaster will even let you flip between the new and original music at will, too.

Add on a new gallery of artwork and music for Ghost Trick, and it does seem like the Phantom Detective is getting the historical treatment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ob83jbeJ4Y

Activate your ghost powers

If you've not seen Ghost Trick before, it follows the soul of Sissel, who wakes up to find he's dead. As he unravels the mysteries surrounding his murder, he has to possess and manipulate objects to alter events.

It's a quirky, entertaining story with a fair bit of heart. If you dig this era of writing, especially from the Ace Attorney team, this is absolutely one to keep an eye on.

Pre-orders are live now, and Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective hits PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam on June 30.

The post Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective comes back to life on June 30 appeared first on Destructoid.

Kiss the moons

Roughly a year after launching Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, Square-Enix has circled back to address some of its glaring issues with a patch this month. The patch is expected to address issues relating to the title's frame rate, tweak the growth system for Pip, and fix numerous bugs.

Chrono Cross was the anticipated sequel to the SNES classic, Chrono Trigger. It was extremely well-received at its time of release but has since developed a reputation as “not Chrono Trigger” (source: my old college friends). When Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition eventually hit the scene, I found the game to be decent, but not one of Square’s best PS1 titles.

[embed]https://twitter.com/chronogame/status/1627595394946416640?s=20[/embed]

That’s fine. It’s still a worthwhile game, especially if you love Square’s PS1-era RPGs. This recent port, however, I found to be kind of stinky, although that’s not what I actually said. My sentiment was more along the lines that it was a barebones port that was serviceable but had framerate issues that made it feel like it failed to reach my bare minimum expectations. Hopefully, this patch will bring the port up to more acceptable standards.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is available now on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. No date was given for the patch.

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Also known as Cybernator

Get ready for some heavy mech action, as Rainmaker Productions and M2 have announced they’ll be dropping their uncensored port of Assault Suit Valken on Switch this Spring. If you’re not sure what I’m so excited about, Assault Suit Valken was released in North America under the name Cybernator. If you still don’t know what I’m excited about then I’m deeply hurt.

[embed]https://youtu.be/Mc_EQ0HjkjM[/embed]

Cybernator was published by Konami back in 1993, and it was awesome. However, the SNES version published in North America and Europe was censored and its translation was extremely barebones. While I could probably live without the censored content’s depictions of suicide, I definitely welcome the re-translated dialogue. Along with the translation comes standard features including like save states, retro screen filters, and unlockable cheats. You can also choose from arranged and original music, view production artwork, and check out an 80-page translated guide. Finally, they’ve included an interview with Satoshi Nakai.

But what you should be saying is, “Shhh… You had me at Assault Suit Valken is Cybernator.”

Interestingly, what is shown in the trailer is a port of the SNES original rather than the 2005 PS2 remaster. Personally, I prefer the game's original pixel-art look. It’s surprising but welcome to see that M2 feels the same way.

Assault Suit Valken Declassified is coming to Nintendo Switch this Spring.

The post Assault Suit Valken Declassified penetrates the dry dock Spring 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

It's time to d-d-d-d-duel

GameCube-era card RPG series Baten Kaitos is getting a re-draw, in the form of Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster. Bandai Namco is remastering both the original and its sequel, coming to Nintendo Switch in summer 2023.

The card-centric RPG series follows the story of Kalas, an adventurer seeking revenge for his brother and grandfather. The other entry, Baten Kaitos Origins, or Baten Kaitos 2 in Japan, takes place two decades prior to the first and follows Sagi, a spiriter with connections to both the Guardian Spirits and the Alfard Empire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr8r70Jf31g

These are often talked about as cult classics of the GameCube, with some very interesting mechanics. Namely, they use cards for their battle systems, and the esoteric requirements for getting those cards has certainly made the speedrunning scene for them wild.

Bandai Namco is remastering both in this singular collection, due out this summer. It looks to only be locked in for Nintendo Switch, too. According to a Q+A on the Bandai Namco site, several quality-of-life enhancements are being made alongside the visual upgrades. New features will allow players to turn encounters off, skip cutscenes, and auto-save. No content has been added or deleted for either Baten Kaitos entry, either.

Heart of the cards

This is a wild revival for Bandai Namco to pick up, but this ongoing trend of bringing cult-classics back to life is one I can get on board with. Baten Kaitos I & II was revealed during today's absolutely packed Nintendo Direct, where fellow cult-classic Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective also got a remaster locked in.

With Live A Live and others having their own return to the spotlight, it's been a banner time for old-but-beloved games. Maybe those pipe-dreams of left-field remasters won't seem so out there any more.

For the GameCube card RPG fans, Baten Kaitos will return to deckbuilding on Nintendo Switch later this year.

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Just the first one?

If you were holding out hopes for the Metroid Prime Trilogy to make its way to Nintendo Switch, you’re either going to be really excited or really disappointed. Nintendo has announced that a remaster of the first Metroid Prime will be making its way to Switch. Rather than just an enhanced port that was found in the Wii collection, Metroid Prime Remastered features some touched-up graphics to bring it into the modern day.

[embed]https://youtu.be/48LzZEG2Pck[/embed]

The remaster will allow you to use the sticky original lock-on controls or the more standard dual stick setup.

No word on if either of the other two games of the trilogy will receive similar upgrades. For now, Metroid Prime Remastered launches on Nintendo Eshop later today for $39.99. Physical version February 22nd.

The post Metroid Prime Remaster stealth drops today appeared first on Destructoid.

“Remastered”

Paradox Interactive has announced that Colossal Entertainment’s city-builder Cities: Skylines is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S by way of Cities: Skylines - Remastered.

The basic idea of this version is to take advantage of the extra horsepower provided by current-generation consoles. Most notably, the buildable tiles have been bumped up from 9 to 25, which puts it on par with the PC version. In addition to this, you’ll be able to tweak the weather in the environment control panel, there are additions to the UX, and perhaps most importantly: a map editor. You’ll also get all the expected performance enhancements that come with a generation jump.

[embed]https://youtu.be/sXAn3RuwQOw[/embed]

I think we’re stretching the term “Remastered” a little far in this case, but I guess they had to call it something distinguishing. Really, this mostly nudges the console version closer to what PC players have been enjoying all this time. The one advantage that the PC version still holds over the console port is mod support.

One major advantage here is that the remastered version will be provided for free to anyone who owns the PS4 or Xbox One version of Cities: Skylines, so long as the upgrade is on its respective platform. It’s hard to argue with free.

As a longtime fan of city builders, Cities: Skylines is a wonderfully expansive entry in the genre. After EA dropped the ball with the 2013 version of Simcity, Cities: Skylines picked that ball up and ran with it. While it was initially released back in 2015, it has been receiving a steady flow of expansions and updates that have kept it relevant. Personally, I still fire it up somewhat frequently. Some are calling for a true sequel to finally come along, but I have no idea where they’d go from here. It’s pretty all-encompassing.

Cities: Skylines is currently available on consoles and PC. Cities: Skylines - Remastered will drop on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on February 15, 2023. It’s a free upgrade for owners of the PS4 or Xbox One versions, respectively. If you’re new to the title, it will run you $39.99

The post Cities: Skylines Remastered Edition breaks ground on February 15th appeared first on Destructoid.

Another day, another rerelease

The past few years have been rife with some awesome remakes or remasters of some of the best classic games out there, including but not limited to titles like Bioshock, Final Fantasy VII, Dead Space, The Last of Us Part I, and the upcoming Resident Evil 4 remake. While this trend is only heating up with seemingly more and more remakes/remasters released and announced every year, I'm starting to think about what other classic games I'd like to see get a fresh coat of paint, so to speak.

This is a bit of a tricky one for me because I didn't game as much when I was younger — unless Disney Interactive Studios is willing to revive the 2007 PS2 banger that was High School Musical: Sing It! That's not to say there aren't some classic games that are nostalgic for me, even if I didn't play them myself. I spent endless hours as a kid watching my dad and brother play titles like Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, and Left 4 Dead.

https://youtu.be/DK4jDHCY6Ns

Bringing back some childhood favorites

Both Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank have a similar kind of thing going on, and not just in their naming conventions. Both franchises have really solid level design, and aside from fixing some camera jankiness and tightening up the controls, a graphical update would do the most legwork, especially for some of the earlier titles in both of the series.

I'm also a staunch believer in the fact that we don't have enough cute gaming mascots these days. The Nintendo classics like Mario and Kirby have been around forever, and the likes of PlayStation and Xbox are for the most part only represented by hardened-looking fighters like Halo's Master Chief, God of War's Kratos, and Horizon's Aloy. I love those characters as much as the next guy, but seeing the fuzzy, friendly faces of Ratchet and Daxter step into the limelight yet again would be another benefit of seeing those titles get a refresh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SPWsmasgXU

As for Left 4 Dead, I know I'm dreaming with that one since Valve is so focused on Steam, but a girl can dream, right? As scared as I was, Left 4 Dead was a game that I actually tried to play when I was younger, which I guess accounts for my obsession with the zombie genre and first-person shooters in my adult life. I don't remember a ton about this game considering I didn't end up playing a ton of it because I was so bad, but without returning to it at all since I was like twelve, I can imagine that the gameplay system could use some updates. And of course, improved graphics are always nice to see.

For every fan, there's a skeptic

Of course, some players aren't as thrilled about the onslaught of remakes/remasters as others. In an industry — and media landscape in general — where brand-new IPs are few and far between, I can't blame anyone for wishing studios would spend all the time and money they put into a remake working on something entirely fresh. As excited as I am to see another take on a game like Resident Evil 4, I also happen to side with the skeptics, too. After all, The Last of Us is my favorite game of all time, but I'm solidly on the side that says it did not need to be entirely rebuilt in a new engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E69tKrfEQag

So with all these updates coming out, and even more that are still rumored, I want to know: what classic game do you want to see get a remake/remaster next? Which of the remakes that have come out so far over the past few years is your favorite? Is there a particular level or gameplay moment you'd be extra excited to see get a refresh? Let's discuss in the comments!

The post What classic game do you want to see get a remake/remaster next? appeared first on Destructoid.

Beats 'n' Blasts

NIS America has finally confirmed that sonic shmup Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is being localized for the west — the beat-heavy blaster will launch on PC and console platforms this summer, following on from its Japanese release in February.

As we have previously reported, Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is a revamped edition of MOSS' legendary 2005 arcade shmup, which boasts new modes, including the dual-ship Double Play option, a selection of game modifiers, online leaderboards, and additional features to present the best version of this beloved shooter classic. The crux of the release, however, lies in its fully remixed and re-recorded soundtrack, which sports a plethora of celebrated names from Japan's electronica scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIaYNsy57CA&ab_channel=NISAmerica

Among the musicians featured in the new release are GoSatoBan, Heavy Metal Raiden, Fantom Iris, O.T.K., Soshi Hosoi, Daisuke Matsumoto, Cosio, Keishi Yonao, Ryu☆, Raito, and Yu Shimoda — who have recorded a total of 20 new stage and boss battle themes. Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX also features a customizable U.I. and soundtrack, allowing players to choose from a selection of wallpapers, and define a personal playlist of their favourite tunes from both the original and re-recorded scores.

Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX launches summer 2023 on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. A Collector's Edition is now available to pre-order from the NIS America Online Store. This physical release, retailing for around $70, includes a console copy of the game, alongside a phone stand, poster, and a two-disc soundtrack CD of the awesome MIKADO MANIAX score.

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One step closer to the edge...

Following the incredible global success of Capcom's Street Fighter II, it didn't take any time at all before the market was awash in one-on-one fighters, fast eclipsing the scrolling beat-'em-ups and shmups that had dominated the scene leading into the 1990s. All of a sudden, seemingly every developer pivoted to competitive fisticuffs, with seemingly hundreds of Street Fighter-alikes hitting arcade centers — many featuring developers and IPs seemingly plucked out of thin air.

And while a few of these releases would carve out a piece of the pugilistic pie for themselves — such as Mortal Kombat and eventually The King of Fighters, there was a whole wave of titles that fell by the wayside. In most cases, this either came down to the games being poorly produced or just plain bad, or the game itself being perfectly fine, but there not being enough room in the market for the little guys. After all, if you were the proprietor of a struggling arcade center and had an empty space in the corner, were you putting in Mortal Kombat II or Fighter's History Dynamite?

Breakers had a lot working against it. Not only was it an unknown IP from an exceptionally unknown developer (Visco Corporation), but it also stepped into the ring very late in the game, hitting the scene in 1996. By this point, most fight fans had adopted the 3D visuals of Tekken and Virtua Fighter, while 2D games had pushed into the realms of instant classics such as Street Fighter Zero 2 and The King of Fighters '97. By comparison, Breakers seemed almost five years too late, and — in many ways — it was.

But something strange has been happening in the FGC lately. Players have been looking to the past for games that might have escaped the spotlight — the unsung heroes that have long resided in the Where Are They Now? file. Somehow, Breakers has found itself plucked from decades of obscurity and returned to the competitive scene, powered by word-of-mouth, grass-roots establishment, and a quirky desire by players to walk the path of the warrior less traveled.

And so, some 25 years on from its low-key release, Breakers is picking itself up off the canvas, and challenging the entire FGC to one more round. Stranger things indeed...

Breakers Collection (PlayStation [PS5 reviewed], PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)
Developer: QUByte Interactive
Publisher: QUByte Interactive
Released: January 12, 2022
MSRP: $19.99

Developed and published by Brazilian outfit QUByte Interactive, Breakers Collection is compiled of two mildly-different releases: Breakers (1996) and its remixed and readjusted follow-up, Breakers Revenge (1998). For those less inclined, think of Revenge as "Super Breakers" in regards to its actual sequel status. Perhaps the most well-known of Visco Corporation's wares, Breakers very closely follows in the footsteps of Street Fighter II conceptually, with players squaring off in 2D, one-on-one, best-of-three fashion. Gameplay-wise, however, Breakers is more similar to SNK's Fatal Fury series.

The story, of what there is, concerns the Fighting Instinct Tournament, or F.I.S.T. tournament. The narrative does not, in fact, tell the tale of Sylvester Stallone forming a trucker's union, but retreads the well-worn road of a deadly martial arts tournament hosted by a mysterious benefactor. The winner of the F.I.S.T. will face the host and hopefully win riches beyond their wildest dreams — though each of the combatants has his or her own reason to face down the supernaturally-skilled head honcho.

And thus, the player chooses one of 10 unique combatants and embarks on a string of globe-trotting fist-flinging brawls, utilizing their chosen character's bespoke fighting abilities and mastery of the spiritual arts in order to prove themselves the strongest warrior in the world, and the undisputed F.I.S.T. champion. It's nothing new, and that's fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhbLiZiJU-8&ab_channel=QUByteInteractive

The simple pleasures

From a gameplay standpoint, Breakers is surprisingly gimmick-free, given its late-'90s vintage. The fighter utilizes a four-button system, with the addition of throws, special moves, and multiple Supers. Movement plays a big part in Breakers, with dashes and backsteps covering much ground, and an ability to reposition oneself when floored. There are no universal air dashes, double-jumps, parries, or even Fatal Fury-style "evades". In fact, at first glance, Breakers seems frankly bland in its systems, especially when compared to the range of fighters available in '95-'96.

But the joy of Breakers and Breakers Revenge lies within this simplicity. Breakers might not be the most option-filled scrapper on the block but, despite its stripped-down nature, it's just a hell of a lot of fun. Breakers has the all-encompassing "X" factor that makes its gameplay both engaging and satisfying, in much the same way that Super Street Fighter II Turbo remains a riot to this day, despite its age.

Breakers' meter system rewards players for smart defensive and offensive play, allowing the fighter to build up multiple Super moves in a row. A typical combo will see a normal canceled into a special, which can be canceled into a Super — However, should the player have more than one super, then Supers can be canceled into themselves for ridiculous damage, accompanied by explosive visuals.

Juggling also plays a huge part in Breakers, with full special-to-super combos being applicable to almost any falling opponent. Juggling is one of the keys to victory in Breakers, often the path to a fighter's optimal damage. While there is no strict "combo breaking" tool for those on the business end of a beatdown, Breakers has its own mechanic for reversals. Known to the community as "Breakering", this system allows a fighter to leave blockstun early provided they know the precise gaps in an opponent's chain.

It is this combination of meter-management, juggle optimization, and Breakering knowledge that affords the fighter its depth

Haven't I seen you somewhere before..?

Breakers is a delightfully retro-looking, if admittedly dated title. And that's not "2022" dated, Breakers was already looking its age on launch day. This is balanced out with fun character designs and loud, colorful stages, as well as some splendid special effects. Every member of Breakers' wild roster is suspiciously familiar, but each combatant is viable and fun to play.

This is true whether you lean towards the flamboyant Pielle Montario, the rubber-limbed Alsion III, or the Flashdance-looking-ass of Tia Langray — essentially what happens when Chun-Li, Ken, and Sakura fall into the pod from The Fly. My personal favorite has always been the Amazonian wild woman, Rila. Beast Lady Goes Rawr. A fun side note, all mirror match characters, despite being standard pallete swaps, have their own names and backstories. An absolutely baffling, but very funny feature that is perhaps unique to Breakers.

For Breakers Collection, QUByte Interactive has, within its limitations, attempted to deliver as solid a package as it is able. Breakers and Breakers Revenge feature their original Arcade Modes, as well as an all-new Team Battle feature. A Training Mode includes hitbox, input, and damage data, as well as recording slots. Frustratingly, it does not appear to have a "1-hit-block" stance for its dummy. Brilliant "smart replays" will allow players to interrupt match playback to experiment with alternate options. This fantastic tool will hopefully make an appearance in future fighters.

While the servers were not live at the time of writing, my experience with the recent beta found it contained slick online play with clean connectivity. QUbyte understands that the competitive community is the key audience for Breakers Collection, and has ensured that this release is up to snuff in regards to online options. Breakers Collection supports rollback netcode and crossplay across all platforms — a key feature in shepherding the global audience. Player lobbies and a spectator mode are also on deck, as are custom player profiles and leaderboards, further encouraging community engagement.

I didn't hear no bell...

Breakers Collection is, admittedly, a title produced with a specific audience in mind — namely the tightly-held Breakers fan community which has, for many years, been forced to go down the path of emulation, arcade hardware, or Neo-Geo locals in order to play these off-radar releases.

And for these die-hard Breakers, the new collection delivers — offering a polished, accessible format with which to play their favorite scrappers with fellow fans from all over the world. Importantly, Breakers Collection will also offer this forgotten gem its first real exposure to a global audience in over two decades — and at a relatively modest price point. This will, hopefully, help the aforementioned community to grow, assuming that new players are willing to take the chance on some old-school cool.

Breakers Collection offers 2D fight fans the opportunity to relive one of the finest examples of myriad Street Fighter II clones, refreshed with polished gameplay and modern online technology. While first-timers may be warned off by its perceived simplicity, Breakers remains a fun, satisfying, and compelling scrapper, deserving of its resurgence in the competitive scene. Breakers may have dated somewhat over the ensuing decades, but this solid scrapper, much like Tia's legwarmers, never goes out of style.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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The adventure returns February 17

Bandai Namco has released a new gameplay overview trailer for its upcoming RPG Tales of Symphonia Remastered, which will launch on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on February 17.

The epic anime adventure, a remix of the 2003 Nintendo GameCube classic, tells a typical tale of a mysterious "Chosen One" who is prophesized to one day rise up from the people and save the land from impending doom. And when that doom finally arrives in the form of parallel worlds Sylvarant and Tethe'alla, young hero Lloyd Irving realizes that doing the right thing doesn't always work both ways...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ2mYyeIPbo&ab_channel=BandaiNamcoEntertainmentAmerica

The new remaster features a variety of aesthetic and technical overhauls, including enhanced graphics, a modernized control system, retweaked balance, and a variety of additional features to further polish the beloved GameCube adventure. Tales of Symphonia Remastered supports up to four players in co-op action, as you and your energetic party travel the lands, battle beasties, and attempt to alter the fate of not one, but two worlds and the people that reside within them.

If you're too young for the original title, or you simply never got around to checking it out, then this new remaster will offer a fresh opportunity. Held in very high regard by both critics and players of its time, this anime escaped will be worth a peek for anybody with a fondness for the classic approach to adventure gaming.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered launches February 17 on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

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We're off again, lil' buddy

Skunkape Games has announced that it has begun development of Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse Remastered, following on from its previously released remasters of Telltale Games classics Sam & Max Save the World Remastered and Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space Remastered. This latest retread will launch on unannounced platforms later in 2023.

First released on PC and PS3 way back in 2010, The Devil's Playhouse was the third of Telltale Games' Sam & Max adventures, and sees the Freelance Police investigate a series of strange phenomena linked to the powerful psychic machinations of the mysterious "Toys of Power". The original release of The Devil's Playhouse sported a fresh new game engine, and allowed the player to take direct control of both Sam and Max independently — allowing for a shakeup of the title's puzzle elements and adding an extra emphasis on synergy and teamwork between the two characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYPuWAQvRyw&ab_channel=Skunkape

While Skunkape Games has not offered any official information on the new title, we can likely expect The Devil's Playhouse Remastered to feature updated character models and environmental textures, tauter controls, and slicker U.I. integration. If we're lucky, we might also see the new release include additional artwork, voicework, and music, as was the case for both Save the World Remastered and Beyond Time and Space Remastered. We'll be sure to give you a heads-up when more information — including platforms and a release date — is forthcoming.

Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse Remastered is currently in development at Skunkape Games.

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Retro compendium jettin' west via ININ Games

Veteran publisher Taito, in conjunction with developer M2, has released a teaser trailer for its upcoming shmup compilation Ray'z Arcade Chronology. The classic shmup series take to the stars once again when it launches in Japan on PS4 and Nintendo Switch in March 2023.

As we have previously reported, Ray’z Arcade Chronology compiles the three original titles from the franchise — namely RayForce (1994), RayStorm (1996) and RayCrisis (1998) — with a newly revamped edition of the 2013 remaster RayStorm HD, complete with brand new features including a classic 4:3 screen ratio and the original arcade dipswitch settings. The compendium is then rounded out with a brand new remaster of RayCrisis, titled RayCrisis HD, specifically developed for this new release.

Ray’z Arcade Chronology will launch in Japan March 9, 2023, on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Western fans of the pew-pew persuasion need not fret, as publisher ININ Games has already confirmed that it will be localizing the collection for western release, although a specific launch date is yet to be announced.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axxz_iaJ0Jc&ab_channel=taitochannel

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Open the grimoire once more in 2023

The latest from Vanillaware has a western release date. GrimGrimoire OnceMore arrives for PlayStation 4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch on April 4, 2023.

This remaster of Vanillaware's PlayStation 2 game GrimGrimoire updated the resolution and screen ratio, while also adding some new gameplay features. New and improved mechanics have been added to its magical school RTS battles, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOFwoilgAeE

The setup of GrimGrimoire OnceMore is that you're Lillet Blan, a new student at Silver Star Tower, training to become a great magician. But as mysteries and secrets are uncovered, Lillet will have to fight using her familiars to uncover the truth.

It's a bit of a strange set-up, but looks absolutely gorgeous in motion. I'm personally pretty interested in this just to see the RTS development of Vanillaware's from years past. The studio is well-known for its 2D action games, but 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim also took on a strategy approach and knocked it out of the park, becoming one of my favorite games of 2020.

Play it one more time

Seeing more of Vanillaware's back catalog get the remaster treatment is certainly exciting, too. Between 13 Sentinels and the Odin Sphere remake, I've been drawn back into the studio's work. So getting to see another piece of its history updated for modern consoles is a delight.

With English and Japanese voice options, new spells to wield, and more to explore, there's a lot to like here. GrimGrimoire is charging into a heavily packed 2023 launch lineup, for sure. But with April looking particularly thin if you're not a Dead Island fan, I think there will be some time found to play through this one.

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Live A Live

When I first covered the rumor that Square Enix was reaching well into its own past to dig up long-lost Super Famicom release Live A Live, I will admit that, despite being pleased with the preservation element, I didn't really think that the endeavor would amount to much. After all, various '90s classics have been resurrected time and again, only to fall short of their former glories or, in the worst cases, miss the point entirely.

But Live A Live was something different. Live A Live, launched in 1994 at the tail-end of the 16-bit reign, was both ambitious and way ahead of its time. The unknown release featured a slew of characters and worlds, multiple backstories, and a fascinating chrono-conundrum set against the backdrop of eight different time periods — from prehistory and Imperial China, to the American Midwest and the far-flung future.

To build this complex story — complete with wildly different stylistic settings — for the humble Super Famicom was an incredible feat, and conceptually beyond anything available on the console at the time. A feat readily achieved by director Takashi Tokito (Parasite Eve, Chrono Trigger), designer Nobuyuki Inoue (Sword of Mana, Mother 3), composer Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts), and the rest of Square's talented RPG sector known as Development Division 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbzZl49kklU&ab_channel=Destructoid

And yet, despite the high praise received for the title at launch, Live A Live would never officially see the light of day outside of its native Japan. Launched just too late for the suits, already eyeing up the fledgling 32-bit market, Live A Live would not be localized for western audiences, spoken of only via word of mouth, gaming magazines, and newsletters... And now, it is readily available for Nintendo Switch.

Developed by Square's Team Asano, and overseen by Tokita himself, the Live a Live remake wisely avoids tampering with the original title too much, merely cleaning up the visuals, accurately translating the dialogue, and offering small tweaks to elements of its gameplay, control, and U.I to better present the title on modern technology to modern audiences. The delightful characters and worlds were redrawn by Naoki Ikushima, while Shimomura, having lost the master tapes, recomposed the entire soundtrack by ear — a task she admitted held momentous weight, given fans' love of the game's score.

Finally released in the summer of this year, the Live A Live remake retains all of its power to capture and charm an audience's imagination. Importantly, it finally cements over a large pothole in the history of developer Square Enix, and sees one of the most pioneering and ambitious RPG releases ever developed to players young and old, many of whom now have the opportunity to experience this fine adventure for the very first time.

It may have taken almost three decades, but Live A Live can finally bask in its long-deserved spotlight.

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Spectator mode, replays, online stability and more

Earlier this month, publisher 3goo released the 2005 2D fighting title The Rumble Fish 2 onto modern consoles, offering the unique scrapper its first worldwide home release ever. Unfortunately, despite the quality of the game itself, the release was a woefully disappointing way to present this long-lost classic.

The new release of Rumble Fish 2 forces 16x9 widescreen support, has a soft filter by default, does not support keyboard for its Steam release, and is missing rudimentary fighting game features for its online modes, such as lobbies, a replay function, and even the ability to rematch your opponent. Additionally, The Rumble Fish 2 is priced at $30, and locks three characters behind an additional $10 paywall. Yikes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtrhFxv-2WA&ab_channel=3goo

Following a slew of negative feedback directed toward The Rumble Fish 2 on Steam, a developer has responded to the "Top Review", suggesting that an update is incoming. The update is aiming to add some of the requested features, including savable replays, a spectator mode, additional practice mode settings, and more. A separate update also rolled out on all platforms today, which fixes several unspecified issues with the game's online and offline modes.

It's a big positive to see 3goo address some of the issues with this disappointing release. A 4x3 option would be essential, as dedicated players are discovering that the forced 16x9 ratio is, incredibly, causing some wall-bounce combos to break. Additionally, the locked DLC characters should be addressed, whether the publisher caves and offers the trio to all players, or simply reduces the retail price of the base game. There is still much to do to make The Rumble Fish 2 an appealing release, but this update is a start.

The Rumble Fish 2 is available now on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

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A legacy foretold

Square Enix, confirming recent whispers, has officially announced that the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series will be released on PS4 and Nintendo Switch platforms in the spring of 2023, following on from the titles' previous release on PC and mobile platforms back in 2021.

The Pixel Remaster series contains the first six mainline titles from the iconic RPG franchise, with each release featuring crisp, HD visuals, overhauled controls, a redesigned U.I., and several quality-of-life features. In addition, each game's memorable score has been composed by the series' veteran maestro Nobuo Uematsu. The series includes Final Fantasy I-VI, dating all the way back to 1987.

Square Enix announced that the six games will be available to purchase digitally as a bundle or as separate releases. In addition, two physical releases were also announced as Square Enix store exclusives. Unfortunately, given the late-night timing of the official announcement, these editions essentially sold out while many fans were in slumberland. A "waiting list" for a $75 Standard Edition and a $260 Anniversary Edition is now available on the Square Enix Store, and hopefully, both titles will be restocked.

The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series affords players the opportunity to witness the birth of a legend, readily available on modern platforms and looking better than ever before. Porting these classic RPGs to PlayStation and Switch platforms only further ensures that a little bit of gaming history can be retold to younger audiences, setting the stage for the litany of incredible adventures to come.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series launches on PS4 and Nintendo Switch spring 2023.

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The Road Less Traveled...

In a little over a month from now, Persona fans will be afforded the opportunity to revisit two classic titles in the stylish JRPG franchise, as Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden make their long-awaited debut on PC and console platforms. Ahead of their respective releases, publisher Atlus has detailed a handful of new features coming to these epic tales of demons and dating.

https://twitter.com/p_kouhou/status/1602830739246137346?s=20&t=s39AvXd7ai_x3zneH0RZ8A

High-Resolution Graphics

As explained by Morgana, (who... erm... doesn't actually appear in either game), both Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden will receive a fresh coat of paint in the form of newly remastered high-resolution visuals, optimized for larger displays and presenting each title's strange worlds sharper than ever before. In addition, the control system has received several tweaks, to allow exploration and action to flow in a little more contemporary fashion.

Initial Difficulty Setting Option

Players can now select from one of five difficulty options from the start of the game. Originally, players could only select the difficulty when entering New Game +, but now you'll be able to set the challenge right from the off — So those who just want to experience the story will be able to rock modes such as "Easy" or the practically death-free "Safety". Don't fear the reaper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7tVV9zRFMM&ab_channel=OfficialATLUSWest

Album

Persona 4 Golden has a new "Album" feature, selectable from your save room. This allows the player to revisit cutscenes and conversations from earlier in the game. Additionally, for the sake of interest, players will be able to select different conversation options and decisions from the ones they initially took, offering a sneak peek at how the chatter might have played out should they have chosen a different path of dialogue. This feature will not, unfortunately, be included in Persona 3 Portable.

Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden will launch on January 19 on PS4, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch platforms. A price has not been officially confirmed, but the two titles are expected to retail for around $20 each.

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If you haven't played it, it's new to you

One might assume that the dawning of a new gaming generation would essentially bring an end to the flurry of remasters and remakes that we saw flood the market in the most recent decade. But of course not. Much like the film industry, the concept of taking a second pass at some beloved (and even not-so-beloved classics) is clearly here to stay — with no sign from the cash registers that it isn't still a hugely lucrative endeavor.

2022 contained two very extreme examples of the remaster/remake concept, namely in the form of Square Enix sliding-door RPG Live a Live and Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part I. On one hand, we had a long-lost RPG dating back to 1994 and Nintendo's Super Famicom, while on the other we had a remake of a game less than 10 years old — one that had already been remastered at that.

It will be interesting to see how blurry the lines become in regards to how long is "long enough"? And while I have zero problem with the concept of remakes and remasters per se, it's worth raising an eyebrow at the idea that each new generation of hardware immediately requires the re-establishment of the previous generation's best-selling games. Not franchises. Games. Time — and the creativity of the next wave of studios, developers, and players — will tell.

Here are the nominees for Destructoid’s Best Remaster/Remake of 2022

• Live a Live
• Metal Max Xeno Reborn
• Pac-Man World Re-Pac
• Tactics Ogre: Reborn
• The Last of Us Part I
• The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
• World of Warcraft Classic: Wrath of the Lich King

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Bare (Broken) Bones

While the mid-'90s fast gave way to a love of 3D fighting titles, spearheaded by the success of Virtua Fighter, Tekken, and Dead or Alive, there were still plenty of developers who knew that the 2D aesthetic was where it was at. And due to budgetary or stylistic reasons, some franchises retained the flat-planed approach to the act of kicking names and taking ass.

And while Street Fighter III might not have quite been the launch success Capcom had hoped, the love for the game demonstrated by the most "hardcore" of the fighting game community was enough to ensure that many 2D fighters would continue to spill into the market, particularly in Japan, where the traditional look was perhaps better appreciated by digital sluggers. And so, The King of Fighters,  Darkstalkers, Samurai Shodown, and Fatal Fury would continue adopting 2D action for their main canon — leading to all-time greats such as SNK's Garou: Mark of the Wolves.

But there was an abundance of great, lesser-known 2D fighters that either faded into the background, or simply never saw the light of day outside of their native Japan. Titles such as Breakers' Revenge, The Last Blade, and Art of Fighting 3 could all deliver the goods, but simply couldn't find their niche within an overcrowded, overcooked market. Ironically, it would not be until decades later — amidst the visual splendor of Tekken 7, Guilty Gear Strive, and Street Fighter 6 — that younger players would even become aware of these titles' existence, thanks to remasters and compilations by some of Japan's most veteran publishers.

Today, we take a look at one such release, The Rumble Fish 2, freshly launched on modern platforms by publisher 3goo. This is a particularly special case, as it represents the funky fighter's first-ever official release not only on home platforms but also on western soil. Unfortunately, as magnificent a moment as this is for the genre, the returning fighter has not exactly put on its Sunday Best for its grand comeback...

The Rumble Fish 2 (PlayStation [PS5 reviewed], PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)
Developer: Dimps / 3goo
Publisher: 3goo
Released: December 7, 2022
MSRP: $29.99

The Rumble Fish 2 was released to Japanese arcades in 2005, a product of the then-highly common Atomiswave arcade platform. Developed by jack-of-all-trades studio Dimps, the 2D fighter is the follow up to the equally obscure 2004 release The Rumble Fish, which was only Dimps' second arcade release to that point. Following the tradition of fighting game sequels, The Rumble Fish 2 builds upon the foundations of its predecessor, adding new stages, mechanics, and characters to its already colorful roster, while rebalancing overall gameplay to provide a more measured and exciting experience.

The narrative, (of what there is to speak of), of The Rumble Fish is set against the backdrop of a decaying and dystopian city, revitalized on an economical basis by the mysterious PROBE-NEXUS. But, despite the super corp's generosity in helping civilization, PROBE-NEXUS financial greed has created a capitalist nightmare, with the very foundations of life built around the rich and the elite. In what seems to be a distraction for the people, the company announces the F.F.S. (Fight for Survival) Tournament, which garners the interest of the area's toughest, hardiest, or most desperate warriors. But, as is always the case, there are many ulterior motives at play, on all sides of the conflict.

This tournament is presented by RF2 to the player as a series of standard two-round, one-on-one fights, as the player climbs the ladder toward the top of the tournament bracket and the mysterious competitor that stands atop the mountain. For the most part, any fighting game player knows the score: strike, special, super, dash, crouch, backdash, block, hyper jump. Although, when compared to many of the anime fighters of the day RF2 remains mostly grounded, without air dashes, or double jumps, (though juggling is a common practice, as are Off-The-Ground specials.)

The Rumble Fish 2, however, does contain some very cool, unique gimmicks. For starters, the player is afforded two meters, one for offense and one for defense. The offensive meter builds as the player lands hits, and can be used to activate Offensive Arts (Supers) and moves such as the block-destroying "Jolt Attack". Meanwhile, the defensive meter — built through blocking and evasion — can be spent on "defensive" special moves (perhaps a counter or a projectile shield) or the "Impact Break" — a block cancel that offers up additional frames for a counterattack. Should both meters be filled, then the player can pull off a devastating Critical Art. This is obviously an expensive spend, so use it wisely, if at all.

The Rumble Fish's second unique sense of identity is aesthetic and lies in its trademark "S.M.A" (Smooth Move Animation) technology. Essentially, each character is built up of multiple 2D sprites, all layered on top of one another and moving in tandem with each other. This allows RF2's roster to have a smooth "rotoscoped" movement style, similar to Elena in Street Fighter III. Admittedly it takes a little getting used to visually, but it's a cool idea, and one rarely seen in fighters.

Due to the mechanical nature of the pixels, this allows for characters to incur damage while fighting, such as puffy faces, bruised skin, and torn and stained clothing. These few bespoke ideas, from gameplay to visuals, really help The Rumble Fish stand apart from the pack, and — rather than feeling gimmicky — bring life and excitement to the title.

The Rumble Fish 2 is really hearty underdog fighter. The brand and budget are not there, but the cast is fun and unique — including a sword-swinging kid in a onesie, a 10-ft tall shark man, a sexy secret agent, and a ninja who can lay booby traps around the battlefield — while the action itself is solid and engaging, with neat mechanics that actually work, rather than feel like gimmicks for the sake of gimmicks. I'm sure The Rumble Fish 2 was a great way to spend ¥100 in the arcade on a Saturday...

...Unfortunately, we aren't in an arcade, and it doesn't cost ¥100, and it isn't Saturday. (It might be Saturday).

Outside of the fighting itself, The Rumble Fish 2 has some serious packaging problems. Priced at a lofty $30, there isn't the content nor the polish to warrant its purchase. There is the original arcade mode, survival, time attack and local Vs. and online play, but many elements of this release are so poorly mastered that it makes the whole comeback seem like an afterthought. For online battles, there are no lobbies, there isn't even a rematch feature (you are booted back to the title screen after one fight), nor is there any ping counter, replays, or spectator option.

The Rumble Fish 2 does support rollback netcode, and actually plays great when the fists and finally flying — but without rudimentary online features, the drive to engage evaporates quickly.

There is a Training Mode, but it is missing many useful features, such as a record/playback option or a screen reset. There are visual tweak options, such as screen filters, and the game's image is frustratingly "soft" by default, with a CRT vibe that wipes away all those beautiful pixels. The game also plays in fixed 16x9, with no option for its original 4x3 ratio. And the list goes on. There are no custom keyboard controls on PC. The PS5 version doesn't support PS4 controllers/sticks, and you cannot cross-buy the two versions together. So if you purchased RF2 on PS5 and have a PS4 stick, you're outta luck.

But mouth-gaping is truly withheld for publisher 3goo's decision to lock three characters, (Beatrice, Hazama, and, ironically, Greed), as paid DLC. To have access to the entire roster of an almost two-decade-old fighter, players must roll out an extra $10 on top of the already staggeringly high $30 entry fee. I don't hate the concept of paid DLC for fighters the way that most do, but I have to draw the line somewhere, and locking characters out of a 20-year-old 2D fighter that never saw the light of the home market is quite literally it. Staggeringly unwise decision-making by the publisher.

And thus, The Rumble Fish 2 is a woeful tale of two halves. On one half, this unique 2D scrapper is a great, old-school fighter. One finally given a brand new lease of life resurrected for the global fighting game community after years of being spoken of in whispered tones on shady emulation websites. The other half, however, reveals a shocking lack of desire to give this lost legend the comeback it deserves, with little in the way of basic features, and shockingly egregious DLC practices.

Of course, there is still the possibility that the team might see to fixing many of the aforementioned issues, but we can only review today what we can review today. At $30, with $10 DLC, it's incredibly difficult to recommend The Rumble Fish 2 to anyone, even the most ardent fighting game devotee.

Almost 20 years on from its initial arrival, The Rumble Fish 2 still packs a punch as a spunky fighter that dared to hold its own in a crowded market, powered by a fun cast, a unique look, and solid gameplay. Unfortunately, this expensive release fails to capitalize on its grand comeback, offering barebones features, lacking rudimentary options, and greedily locking characters behind paywalls. That this long-lost fighter would receive such a half-hearted presentation is hugely disappointing.

The post Review: The Rumble Fish 2 appeared first on Destructoid.

Breaker Stuff

[Update: The Breakers Collection beta is now live and can be downloaded from Steam.]

QuByte Interactive has announced that it will be holding an open beta this weekend to test the online stability of its long-time-coming rerelease Breakers Collection. The test period will kick off on PC (via Steam on Friday, November 4, and will rock on for an as-yet-undisclosed amount of time, ahead of the title's January release.

Breakers Collection, as we have reported many times, is a compendium of two cult '90s fighters, Breakers and Breakers' Revenge, which was available in arcades and on the Neo Geo platform in the mid-1990s. The new rerelease features both games in their entirety, sporting modern-day technological boosts such as rollback netcode and crossplay support, as well as a range of cool new features including Team Battle Mode, Interactive Replays, online profiles, and a deep Training Mode.

https://twitter.com/qubytegames/status/1585738737576685569?s=20&t=SvEeQrq8DSxf7_4gyedVOA

If you want in on the beta beatings, then all you need do is wishlist Breakers Collection on Steam and download the beta client prior to the big server switch-on this Friday. While the Breakers titles struggled to find their feet alongside the Street Fighter Alpha series, as well as the then-influx of 3D fighters such as Tekken and Soulcalibur, there is no denying that the series has its own charm, and is still a fun and engaging 2D fighter even today, decades on from its initial release. This new release will provide the dedicated Breakers community with a much-needed official platform for the fighter's competitive scene.

Breakers Collection launches January 12, 2023, on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Physical editions are available to pre-order now exclusively at Strictly Limited Games.

The post Breakers Collection open beta (literally) kicks off today appeared first on Destructoid.

The dungeon crawler makes its way to PC

Dungeon-crawling RPG Kowloon High School Chronicle is making its way to PC via Steam. Arc System Works is releasing the updated version of the PS2 RPG onto Steam on November 10.

This remastered version has already been released for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. Now, PC players will get a chance to check out this older dungeon crawler. The Steam page is live here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgFfhjaPoZc

Kowloon High School Chronicle first launched for PlayStation 2 in Japan, back in 2004. The new remaster not only brings it to new systems, but adds some revamped graphics.

The set-up of Kowloon is pretty interesting, too. You play a young treasure hunter masquerading as a transfer student. During the day, the player attends class and hangs out with friends, using a novel and slightly bizarre conversation system to foster relationships.

Then at night, the protagonist and their party can venture into the labyrinths and catacombs beneath the school, in pursuit of hidden treasure. This is where it becomes a first-person dungeon crawler, with some pretty neat puzzles.

Daily life of treasure hunters

I've played a solid chunk of the Nintendo Switch version of Kowloon High School Chronicle, and it's definitely a different kind of RPG. Between the style, music, and life sim elements, it's got a fair bit of Persona in it.

But I'm also a big fan of crunchy, weird interfaces and old internet UI. I mean, look at this wanted ad from the game's in-universe internet.

If you want something offbeat, this might be what you're looking for. Especially those of you looking to load up the Steam Deck with RPGs before the holidays.

Kowloon High School Chronicle hits PC via Steam on November 10, and is also currently available on PS4 and Switch.

The post Kowloon High School Chronicle hunts for treasure on Steam in November appeared first on Destructoid.

Welcome (back) to the jungle

A new recruitment video from studio Virtuos has sparked internet whispers that the global game developer has started work on a new Metal Gear Solid project. The rumors circulated this weekend after "clues" were spotted in the presentation, which was designed to spotlight the studio's Montreal team.

While speaking with one of Virtuos' key concepts artists, Louis-Alex Boismenu, the hefty (and highly recommended) tome "The Art of Metal Gear Solid" is placed tantalizingly in shot, with the book seemingly being used to prop up Boismenu's desk lamp. This might seem to be "reaching" on the fans' part, but it is rare that videos such as these would include such an odd detail. You'd think the book would be cleared aside during shot-blocking. I would have done so and I'm basically Kubrick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWjDzBrmveo&t=73s

Lending further weight to this theory are rumors, sourced by VGC back in 2021, that Virtuos might have been handed the contract to develop a remake of 2004 adventure Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. This still unconfirmed rumor, coupled with some recent recruitment adverts and the aforementioned video, has led fans to believe that the studio is working on something Metal Gear Solid-related. However, who knows quite what is on the books or when the truth will out, remains a mystery.

All that said, it must be noted that sometimes a lamp prop is just a lamp prop... Still, it's not hard to admit that these various clues are all starting to add up.

The post Virtuos video sparks whispers of new Metal Gear Solid project appeared first on Destructoid.

You cannot stop The Bydo Empire

One of gaming's endless wars is set to rage on, and it looks like it's time to fuel up the legendary R-9 vessel once again, as Granzella has announced that R-Type Final 3 Evolved is currently in development for PS5. The new remaster has an expected Japanese launch date of March 2023.

R-Type Final 3 Evolved — revealed in the latest issue of Japanese publication Famitsu — is a revamped edition of the 2021 release R-Type Final 2, making the initial title of that game even more ironic than it already was. While details are incredibly slim at this stage, Famitsu reports that Final 3 Evolved will feature improved visuals, online multiplayer lobbies, a selection of mini-games, and an impressive 100 total ships as well as seven all-new stages, making this one of the most feature-packed releases in the iconic Irem franchise.

In addition, Final 3 Evolved will utilize support for the upcoming PSVR2 hardware, allowing players to be immersed in The Bydo Empire battle like never before. I personally cannot wait until the famous boss character Dobkeratops is quite literally assaulting my eyeballs with their eyeballs. While no western localization was announced, such a release remains highly likely, given the appearance of previous titles on North American and European shores. We will be sure to let you know right here on Destructoid when more details are forthcoming.

R-Type Final 3 Evolved is currently in development for PS5. It is expected to launch in Japan March 2023.

R-Type Final 3 Evolved announced for PS5 [Gematsu / Ryokutya2089]

The post R-Type Final 3 Evolved in development for PS5 appeared first on Destructoid.