Spice is life, and it's about to flow in full as Dune: Spice Wars prepares to leave Early Access. Developer Shiro Games and publisher Funcom announced plans to bring Version 1.0 to Steam in September 2023. There's also a release trailer to go along with the news. The new preview shows off more of the real-time warfare and the various means of political sabotage at your disposal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJPQ2dRt-8

Dune: Spice Wars originally launched in Early Access on April 26, 2022. The 4X real-time strategy game tasks players with battling for control over Arrakis. Multiple factions—including House Atreides and House Harkonnen—are available along with key characters from Frank Herbert's novel. 

[caption id="attachment_399159" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Shiro Games[/caption]

Tremors

In addition to controlling spice resources and pulling off acts of subterfuge to expand, you'll need to watch out for sandworms. Ignoring wormsign is a great way to lose your spice harvesters and troops. The number of games featuring any form of giant worm management or warning system in place is shockingly low. We'll take what we can get and consider it a bonus if a quality RTS happens to be attached. 

The folks behind Dune: Spice Wars previously worked on Northgard, a strategy survival game based on Norse mythology. Northgard launched in 2018 and received its latest major update in April 2023. Like Northgard, players seem mostly positive on Spice Wars so far. Hopefully this sandworm will boast a similarly long post-launch tail. 

If you're looking for more on how this one came together, the devs have been fairly active in showing off concept art and other details.

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Larian founder and CEO Swen Vincke has shared an update on its massive RPG Baldur's Gate 3 coming to Xbox. While Baldur's Gate 3 is now looking set to debut on Xbox Series consoles this year, it won't have split-screen co-op for the Series S version.

Vincke announced that, after meeting with Xbox head Phil Spencer, the team found a "solution" to bring Baldur's Gate 3 to Xbox players.

"All improvements will be there, with split-screen coop on Series X," said Vincke. "Series S will not feature split-screen coop, but will also include cross-save progression between Steam and Xbox Series."

Split vision

While no split-screen co-op will disappoint Series S owners, Vincke stated back in June that split-screen would be one of the potential hangups for the Xbox version. He mentioned compromises might need to be made for an Xbox version, and it looks like lack of split-screen on Series S is going to be among them. Microsoft typically requires feature parity between Xbox Series games, but for now this is one bullet point that will stay on Series X. 

In an interview with IGN earlier this week, Spencer had commented on the Baldur's Gate 3 situation. "The decision to do split-screen or not is a creative decision, a dev decision," Spencer said. "So if we think about Forza, it has nothing to do with any kind of hardware thing on S and X, just where they wanted to focus their time." Vincke had previously confirmed to IGN that Xbox had committed some help to Larian in getting BG3 up to scratch on its consoles.

Next up for Baldur's Gate 3 is the PlayStation 5 version. Larian will bring the game to Sony's console on September 6, following an earlier delay.

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AK-xolotl is a game with an elevator pitch built right into its name. The latest from publisher Playstack and developer 2Awesome Studio ranks high on the "we came up with the title first" list, but thankfully, it also looks like a good time. The top-down roguelite shooter now has a date and a trailer showing off its fast-paced fireworks.

This axolotl with an AK rolls into action on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on September 14, 2023.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xteTxUFl2xs

The gunplay in AK-xolotl looks pretty hectic, with some downright bullet hell-style patterns on display. In roguelite fashion, death isn't the end; it's just an excuse to start over, get stronger, and unlock new weapons. It's all accentuated with the help of nice looking pixel art visuals and some impressive sprite work, so hopefully the final game matches that energy. 

Look who's talkin'

Beyond the frantic shooting, AK-xolotl introduces an ally-raising system with the Axolittles. These little baby axolotls can be nurtured and fed until they eventually grow into adorable killing machines of their own. It looks like nurturing may involve putting diapers on them? This is the most I've ever thought about axolotls, much less changing their diapers. 

Based in Barcelona, 2Awesome Studio previously developed cyberpunk action-platformer Aeon Drive and shoot 'em up Dimension Drive. They also handle publishing and porting for a few other titles. If you want to try out their latest and give AK-xolotl a spin, the extended demo is available to play right now on Steam.

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When it comes to capturing childlike wonder and exploration, few projects do it quite like Lil Gator Game. The humbly-titled adventure made a delight out of exploration, and new content has arrived for those who hunger for more carefree travels.

Playtonic Friends and developer MegaWobble revealed New Game+ mode, baby mode, and updated language support. If you've already made your way through everything, New Game+ will no doubt be among the most exciting. The execution is about what you'd expect from the feature. Hop into your cleared save data and go about the game's quests with the full toolkit and bracelets of power at your disposal.

[caption id="attachment_398518" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Playtonic Friends[/caption]

Baby's day out

True to its name, baby mode lets you play the entire game as the young version of Lil Gator. Embrace youth eternal as you glide around and make new discoveries in the mode, which is available in the settings from the start. Lil Gator Game also added four more translations in the new update. Players can now experience the game in French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish (Latin American). It's all available now, making it a great time to take this gator for a spin if you haven't already. For those who have, a return trip to this quaint, cozy world is an even more attractive option.

Lil Gator Game originally launched in December 2022 and has picked up plenty of fans since its debut. The pressure-free adventure is currently available on Switch and PC. 

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Can you survive in the world of The Lord of the Rings? If you've been asking yourself that question your whole life, you'll be able to find out soon enough. Publisher North Beach Games via IGN revealed plans to launch cooperative survival game Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria on October 24, 2023.

When Return to Moria first launches it will be available digitally on PlayStation 5 and PC via Epic Games Store. There will also be a physical release for PlayStation 5 on December 5. Beyond that, an Xbox Series X|S version will follow in early 2024. 

[caption id="attachment_398468" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via North Beach Games[/caption]

The deep places of the world

It's been a while since we first heard about Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. Announced back in June 2022, this one is going for a survival twist as players create their own Dwarf before venturing into the treacherous mines. Players will have to craft superior armor and weapons to tough out the challenges that await in the dark and foreboding locale. Your ultimate goal involves recovering treasures and restoring the mines to their former glory, if you can make it out alive.  

Thankfully, there's at least a little bit of safety in numbers. While you can play Return to Moria solo, there's an online multiplayer component that sounds like the main attraction here. It was also previously confirmed that Tolkien scholar Corey Olsen — AKA The Tolkien Professor — is onboard as a consultant. We'll see how sturdy our Dwarves really are when the mines open on October 24.

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There are dozens of bizarro beat 'em ups outside of the mainstays, from Ninja Baseball Bat Man to Night Slashers. And then there's Gourmet Warriors. Released on Super Famicom in 1995 as Gourmet Sentai Barayaro, the brawler finally arrived in English in 2018 thanks to Piko Interactive. Now it's sharing the love with more platforms as part of publisher QUByte Interactive's Classics lineup.

Following a release on Steam and a physical SNES cartridge, the next stop is PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Gourmet Warriors brings the beatdown to those platforms on August 31. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyVx-_ozhBE

Heat 'em up

What puts the Gourmet in Gourmet Warriors, anyway? The characters might not be bipedal Food Fighters, but there is a rudimentary "cooking system" in place. While there are no traditional healing items, enemies drop ingredients that can be used to whip up meals between levels. I never thought I'd compare it to Zelda, but here we go. Like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the right concoction can replenish more health. The three playable characters — Bonjour, Mademoiselle, and Trés Bien — have their own favorites, so you'll want to keep that in mind when cooking. 

The story hits all the mid-90s notes. The year 20XX, World War III, a setting called Zeus Heaven Magic City? The overexcited Vince McMahon meme intensifies with each sprinkle of narrative spice. In an alternate timeline, we would absolutely be talking about "that awesome Gourmet Warriors anime that ran for 87 episodes and two films."

Gourmet Warriors comes to us from developer Winds and director Satoshi Fujishima, who worked on games like 1994's X-Kaliber 2097. It has its roots in the campy buff action of the side-scrolling shoot 'em up series Cho Aniki. Some of the character models here may have already tipped you off on that one. The forgettable soundtrack is your first reminder of where this one rests in the halls of beat 'em up history, but genre completionists and oddball aficionados need to experience it at least once. 

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Officially revealed back in June, Persona 3 Reload now has a release date. Those looking to dive into the full remake of the PlayStation 2 RPG can mark their calendars for February 2, 2024. If this one has been living rent-free in your head since 2006, you can celebrate its return with the deluxe Aigis Edition.

While we spent some hands-on time with the remake, Atlus shared a new trailer to showcase more of the fresh updates. You can check it out below to see how the overhauled visuals give new life to a fan favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax-u7i2_6nQ

If you're curious about the updated music, there's also a trailer highlighting the new battle theme.

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

Persona 3 Reload goes beyond tweaks to the visuals and music. Changes have been made to mechanics like Shuffle Time, for instance. The voice cast is also new, including the likes of Zeno Robinson as Junpei Iori, Aleks Le as the protagonist, and more. It looks like a solid mix of modernization and the type of overall faithfulness hardcore Persona fans expect. 

[caption id="attachment_398444" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Atlus[/caption]

Aigis ain't nothin' but a number

In addition to the standard $69.99 digital and physical release and two extra tiers of digital editions — Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Digital Premium — Persona 3 Reload's centerpiece is the Aigis Edition. There's no price at the moment, but this one packs in a bunch of physical and digital bonuses. The game comes in a collector's box along with an art book, two-disc soundtrack CD, and an Aigis figure. All the DLC available at launch will also be included in a DLC pack voucher. You'll be able to grab this one on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. 

Persona 3 Reload is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam and Microsoft Store). It also has its sights set on Game Pass, so get ready to evoke in February! 

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Earlier this year we saw the first gameplay trailer for Flashback 2, and now our hero Conrad B. Hart is back for more. With Gamescom underway, a new trailer is here to show off more of the sequel's action and intrigue.

Flashback 2 has original creator Paul Cuisset teaming up with developer Microids Studio Lyon to put players back in the role of the young GBI agent, and this new trailer shows more of how the new release differs from the 1992 original. Previously confined to methodical side-scrolling movement and quick and deadly gunplay, Conrad's freedom has expanded. You can see the 2.5D potion in motion as Conrad rolls, jumps, and shoots below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7ei5RIgyzI

Hangin' tough

Flashback 2 has other original team members on board in addition to Cuisset. This includes Thierry Perreau on game design and Amiga composer Raphael Gesqua. 

While it looks like a faster-paced take on the classic, it's nice to see Flashback 2 clinging to cinematic adventure game animations. The way Conrad hangs from ledges and performs all-important combat rolls should look familiar enough to longtime fans. Sure, they may have misspelled "Washington" in one of the cinematics, but it looks like a lot of care was put into bringing the battle against the Morphs to 2023.

Flashback 2 spins its dystopian sci-fi yarn on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC on November 16. It's going physical and digital on consoles, too, and the Collector's Edition packs in some extras for those who want to shout their Flashback love from the heart of their shelves.

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The dream of owning the first Metal Gear games in one location will soon come to fruition with the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection. Now, a new platform is getting on on the action. In addition to current-gen consoles and PC, Konami announced plans to bring the first volume of the Metal Gear Solid bundle to PlayStation 4.

The PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC versions were previously locked in for October 24. PS4 details are still TBD, however, so we'll have to wait for further info. For now, we know the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection will be digital-only on PS4. The PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch collections will be available both physically and digitally. 

https://twitter.com/metalgear_jp/status/1693518300725366829

Bring back Ultra Games

As previously reported, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection packs in some essential sneaking missions, including the MSX classics. In addition to Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, players can relive the stealth action of Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. 

The NES version of Metal Gear I spent too long attempting to figure out back in the day is there, too, as is the less celebrated followup, Snake's Revenge. Much like the NES Metal Gear, creator Hideo Kojima was not involved in this sequel, and it shows. As a piece of gaming history, though, it's essential. Snake's Revenge reflects a company capitalizing on the popularity of an original title in international regions. Also, like most Ultra Games, the soundtrack — from composer Tsutomu Ogura — rips. 

As for what lies beyond all this, we'll have to wait and see if those volume 2 leaks pan out whenever Konami gets around to detailing the next collection. 

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We got word of a sequel to cyberpunk hack-and-slasher Ghostrunner back in May 2021, and now we have a date. 505 Games set Ghostrunner 2 up as another drop in a jam-packed bucket on October 26, 2023. 

Along with the news came a new trailer for the first-person followup, which continues the story of Jack, a veritable cyber ninja who was thought to be one of the last active Ghostrunners. The new gamescom story trailer dips its toes into what's new this time around. This includes a quick look at the absurdly fast motorcyle and some of the vehicular combat that comes along with it. There's also a nasty AI cult to contend with, which doesn't sound too divorced from reality.

Ghostrunner 2 features a totally revamped progression system, with new abilities and paths available. According to 505, the sequel hopes to be more approachable to both new and experienced players alike. There's also a new block and perfect parry system, for those who pride themselves on their flashy CQC skills. It sounds like there's more freedom in the encounters and exploration, too, particularly when it comes to taking on bosses.  

[caption id="attachment_397767" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via 505 Games[/caption]

Rev 'em up

Those looking to pick up Ghostrunner 2 when it launches can dig through a few pre-order options. The $39.99 Base Edition is both physical and digital, and the $49.99 Deluxe Edition and $69.99 Brutal Edition are digital. Picking up the Brutal Edition grants access to the sequel two days early on October 24. There's also a Season Pass with a new mode and four asset packs, a bonus animated skin and a motorcycle skin. If there's a way to make my motorcycle look as ridiculous as possible, count me in. 

Ghostrunner 2 will dash to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC when it launches on October 26.

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Sympathy for the Underdog

We're still a few months away from seeing the eighth mainline entry in the Like a Dragon series. Fortunately, it won't be long before players meet Kazuma Kiryu again in the spinoff, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. That's right, Kiryu did such a thorough job erasing his name that he goes by the unsuspecting name of "Joryu". All the while, he'll find himself once again embroiled in threats, violence, and underworld intrigue. But those who manage to endure these trials will get treated to a Special Trial Version of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama revealed this and much more in an overview trailer and developer update video, which doled out a deeper look at the spinoff's story and gameplay before moving onto the bonus goods. Of note to hardcore fans, the unlockable Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth demo will include scenes that aren't present in the main game. This won't be a problem for Like a Dragon completionists, but it's an interesting approach to demo presentation. Of course, we don't know how much content we'll see in the sample. 

Like a Dragon Gaiden catches up with the former series star after he faked his death and made himself scarce. Yokoyama says this entry will offer "the best insight into the personality of Kazuma Kiryu". Even though, of course, we all know his personality really only comes out on the dance floor. The other side of his personality awaits at the end of his fists and feet. The trailer reinforces this by highlighting the gadget-focused Agent Style combat alongside some old fashioned Yakuza street fighting. 

[caption id="attachment_397465" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Tokyo Drifter

It wouldn't be a Like a Dragon game without minigames to distract you from those battles without honor and humanity. Gaiden looks to get carried away with everything from arcade games to arena brawls, cabaret clubs with somewhat creepy live-action footage and, of course, karaoke. What's that? You made a time-sensitive threat against the orphans I devoted my life to back in Okinawa? Sorry, the night is young and I just got to the chorus of "Today is a Diamond." 

Mainstays like Goro Majima, Daigo Dojima and Taiga Saejima are on tap for the Coliseum battle arena and can join your team if you pre-order to get the Legendary Fighter Pack. They'll join Kiryu (sorry, I mean Joryu!) when Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name launches on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on November 9, 2023. Meanwhile Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth will launch sometime in early 2024. 

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The season is about to change, and with it, we have some changes to Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga. The game's upcoming Legends DLC will launch in time to join the fall playlist, which Freedom Games has showcased in a new trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSb8BhMJutY

Developer Dancing Dragon Games (Skyborn, Echoes of Aetheria) first entered the battlefield with Symphony of War in June 2022. The title takes inspiration from series like Fire Emblem and Ogre Battle, which has resonated with retro strategy-RPG fans. The Legends DLC was revealed during the 2023 Guerrilla Collective showcase, just shy of the game's one year anniversary. This update promises to deliver eight new chapters for the main story, 13 new unit classes, new characters, and additional game modes like the always-welcome New Game+.

[caption id="attachment_397235" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Dancing Dragon Games[/caption]

Class act

Symphony of War moves beyond focusing on specific troops to building up larger squads of up to nine units, eventually giving players command of a full army. The main heroes come into play when it's time to lead those squads into the turn-based battles throughout the campaign. Familiar ground for strategy-RPG aficionados, no doubt.

Legends DLC plans to expand upon this these mechanics with a new army meta that introduces necromancy and the undead. If raising an army of your own sounds like too much hassle, maybe literally raising them from the dead would be a more, um, palatable option?

As for the aforementioned new chapters, the eight added to the lineup are concurrent with the existing main story. They'll focus on expanding plots and tying up loose ends instead of starting anew with fresh faces and factions. 

We'll get to see how it all expands for ourselves when Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga goes live with its Legends DLC on August 28, 2023.

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