The paranormal horror game Phasmophobia originally launched on September 18, 2020, on PC where it enjoyed popularity among streamers. Kinetic Games has PS5 and Xbox Series X/S ports in the works, but you'll have to wait a little longer than expected before you can get your hands on them. The studio has announced that the game has been delayed, pushing its Early Access console launch from August to October, in the week leading up to Halloween.

https://twitter.com/KineticGame/status/1694849069045194958?t=tRaDEz-xKbFYrOeZT2OxnQ&s=19

As the studio explains on Twitter, the delay is the result of a "fire incident" in its office building, along with "unpredicted development issues." With the extra time gained by the delay, the studio hopes to perfect and fine-tune the ports.

[caption id="attachment_399024" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Kinetic Games.[/caption]

Phasmophobia lands just in time for Halloween

The delay isn't too long, and in the meantime, PC players can enjoy the recently released Ascension update which brings several changes, including a new leveling system with "new rates of progression, new unlocks, and a prestige system," along with several minor bug fixes.

PS5 owners will be happy to know that a PS VR2 version is also in the works, and crossplay will allow friends to play together regardless of what platform they're on. The game has already demonstrated that it is capable of providing a terrifying VR experience thanks to its VR support on PC.

Phasmophobia's minor delay pushes it into an appropriately spooky time, which could end up being a positive for it. However, Phasmophobia will have to contend with several other headliners scheduled for October, including horror titles like Alan Wake 2 and Alone in the Dark.

The post Phasmophobia console launch delayed to October due to “fire incident” appeared first on Destructoid.

Ticket sales for Genshin Concert 2023 are now underway, and every location that has opened up so far has sold out almost immediately. Genshin Concert is a live orchestral performance showcasing some of the gorgeous music in Genshin Impact. Ticket sales are staggered based on location, with Singapore and Malaysia opening up first.

Both dates for Singapore’s concerts were sold out in a matter of minutes, described by one Reddit user as an “absolute bloodbath.” Malaysia’s ticketing website was overwhelmed entirely, resulting in an error where people couldn’t even join the queue.

It’s not just Asian locations that are mad for tickets though. Two American locations began their own ticket sales shortly thereafter. New York has two concerts, and both of them reached a ticket queue of over 4,000 people within five minutes of opening. At least the website is holding up though! The same can’t be said for the website handling Mexico’s sales, which was still returning a 508 error half an hour after opening.

Other locations in the US, Asia, and Europe have yet to open their ticket sales. Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago tickets open tomorrow. If you’re at all interested in snagging a ticket for yourself, be prepared to camp out early to get your place in the queue and may the Archons be with you.

Ticket Gacha and Scalping

The mad rush for tickets has some people suggesting that ticket sales should be based on a lottery — adding a gacha element to the gacha game’s live concert. The idea is being handled with varying degrees of seriousness, with some users joking about buying multiple tickets for a chance at a VIP seat.

Scalping has already begun too. Sale listings for Singapore and Malaysia tickets have begun appearing on Carousell, a marketplace platform for Southeast Asia. Many of these listings are auction-style, with most bids going much higher than the original selling price.

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Sony previously unveiled its plans to release a handheld streaming device codenamed Project Q. After a period of silence, we’ve now gotten a better glimpse of the device and its specs. The streaming device's official name is the PlayStation Portal, and it is set to launch this year with a $199.99 price tag.

The handheld has many of the immersive features of the DualSense controller, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. It'll also sport an 8-inch LCD screen capable of 1080p resolution at 60 FPS.

[caption id="attachment_398407" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Sony.[/caption]

Who's the PlayStation Portal for?

According to Sony, the Portal is for people "in households where they might need to share their living room TV or simply want to play PS5 games in another room of the house." This is a feature that has been available since at least the PS3. Remote play has only become more accessible since then, and you can easily take advantage of this feature on PCs, mobile devices, and tablets.

Perhaps the biggest benefit comes with the DualSense features which will ensure you can have the full PS5 experience even when you're not on your couch. A few publications have had hands-on experience with the remote play device. IGN reveals that you won't have to be connected to the same network as your PS5, which means you'll be able to use the device anywhere as long as your PS5 is on and connected to the net.

If you're interested in the Portal, you should be aware that there are some limitations. Most notably, it lacks Bluetooth, you won't be able to play VR2 games on it, and it can't access PlayStation Plus Premium's cloud streaming. There are also general issues that arise with remote play, including latency issues and the need for a constant internet connection. Lastly - and this should be stressed - it is purely a remote play device not capable of running any games locally. If you're not connected to the internet, it is useless.

The lack of Bluetooth likely isn't an oversight, as Sony will be using PlayStation Link wireless audio technology which "delivers low latency, lossless audio and easy switching between multiple PlayStation Link hosts such as PS5 with the USB adapter and PlayStation Portal." Conveniently for Sony, this appears to limit users to using PlayStation Link-compatible headsets, or settling for wired ones. It's hard to not cringe at this choice, as the push for proprietary peripherals such as memory cards played a role in the death of PlayStation's handheld devices.

There are still a few unknowns surrounding the device. Its battery life hasn't been confirmed, nor is there an official release date. The Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore headsets - which, as you'd suspect, leverage PlayStation Link - are also set to release this year, though no release date has been given.

The post PlayStation Portal will launch at $199 this year – Sony explains who it’s for appeared first on Destructoid.

My history with Armored Core started with the very first game on PlayStation. I was enamored by the cover the enticing giant mech on it; and kept it close while I experienced a whole slate of robot-based oddities like G-Nome, and Heavy Gear. From then on, I sought out every subsequent entry, until I finally put it together that From Software – who had also provided me with hours of entertainment with the King's Field series – was responsible for it all. By the time Demon's Souls came out the studio was a worldwide household name, but they were killing it before Souls changed the industry.

With a pedigree like that, you can see why so many people hold Armored Core in such high regard; so I'm happy to report that Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon keeps that legacy going.

[caption id="attachment_398039" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon (PC, PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
Developer: From Software
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Released: August 25, 2023
MSRP: $59.99

Just so that you're current, let's take a deep dive into the Fires of Rubicon lore: Coral is a substance that leads to unprecedented technological advancements. Until it doesn't, and there's a massive fire that destroys everything. Following that, there's a recovery period populated with corps and mercs (that's you!), which is where you come in.

You're caught up! No literally, you're caught up.

That's pretty much all the background you need on Armored Core 6, as the crux of the experience lies with earning money, and buying/mixing/matching parts to form your custom-curated machine of destruction. The narrative goes in circles sometimes (especially with some of the listless pre-mission banter), but it's enough to propel you forward into more mech-based combat and keep you guessing. But really, the world of Rubicon 3 is a fascinating character in its own right. All of the biomes you'll adventure through (whether it's a product of artifice or natural beauty) are fascinating to witness, to the point where I'd definitely be interested in seeing more of this specific universe at some point.

Mission variety generally errs on the side of killing, but there are a few forked paths (in-mission) to follow on occasion, and the environments are varied enough to help funnel you into constant action. While some sandboxes are a little too corralled for my tastes, the illusion of freedom is enough, because of how dang good everything looks. On the flip side, the game's invisible barriers do help prevent mission locations from becoming pointlessly big and barren.

It really helps that Armored Core 6 is absolutely gorgeous. From Software's art department has been putting in work worthy of art books for decades, but they really outdid themselves here. One of the very first missions looked like something I haven't seen in any game this year, and helped cement the fact that this is an unforgiving universe that will crush you on a moment's notice, even if you are piloting a huge killing machine that looks like it came straight out of an anime.

[caption id="attachment_398049" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

What I like most about Armored Core 6 is how everything feels like a puzzle: from mech construction in the hangar to moment-to-moment combat in the thick of it, when you're managing your boost meter every so slightly to ensure you have enough to dodge a massive blast coming your way. The quick aerial boost system ties everything together. By pressing a button (Square on PlayStation), you can sacrifice a quick bar of boost to instantly dodge. This can be chained in numerous ways (including weaving it together through a boost dash, even in the air), but all of this finesse is governed by a boost meter.

It really is like a ballet, and you're in control of both the precise movements and the overarching song. If you like tanky builds, you can craft a giant literal tank tread mech that sacrifices maneuverability for staying power. Glass cannon builds are a cinch to create, as are speedsters who zip around and manually dodge everything the game can throw at them. Once you're done tinkering, you need to actually put your creation to the test and figure out the ins and outs of that particular build.

Boss battles are where everything really shines. The variety on offer is frankly overwhelming, from tiny little Kitfox-like creations that zoom about, to foes who can employ active camo, to gigantic monstrosities that can deal a ton of damage in a single shot. I found myself constantly on my toes, having to learn and relearn how I thought my mech worked and push it to the limit. That's exactly the kind of feeling you want in a game like this, where you get to see the fruits of your labor up close and personal.

If you're worried that Armored Core 6 will be insurmountable because you've never played an AC game before (or any mech games, for that matter), don't be. There are a number of levels that From Software has pulled to ensure that you won't be completely locked out, including a full checkpoint system. While you can go for an S-Rank and finesse missions all you want, dying right before a boss, in nearly every instance, will allow you to restart from a closeby checkpoint.

[caption id="attachment_398050" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Going a step further, you can even reconfigure your build from the garage in this checkpoint menu, which feels like a pretty big lifeline for a From Software project. For folks who have limited time to play games, this will be a Godsend, but it's also nice that you're able to repeat missions for cash or have a go at the arena (quick CPU battles). There is a PVP system (co-op is not present at all in any form), but I wasn't able to test it.

From Software also accounted for this with the timed unlock of specific mechanics. You won't be able to fully customize your mech from the start. Rather, you'll need to finish a few basic missions before you can purchase parts, customize them, and spec into specific builds (like kinetic or energy-based damage). You'll also unlock fully-constructed blueprints of mechs that you can use for testing, without fear of "screwing up a build" or overspending.

I was a bit skeptical that From Software would find a way to make Armored Core relevant again after a lengthy hiatus, but they figured it out. The spark of the series is still very much alive without giving up its soul and making it something else entirely, and a new generation will be able to appreciate why these games were so venerated. Just be ready to tinker a bit, and take some Ls.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher, and deals with the single player portion of the game.]}

The post Review: Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon appeared first on Destructoid.

NetherRealm's Mortal Kombat 1 is just a few weeks away, and players are slowly learning about what's in store. GamesHub's Edmond Tran recently revealed an interesting detail that suggests the upcoming game may feature some nifty accessibility options. After losing in the Mortal Kombat 1 beta, he did a little sleuthing and discovered that he was playing what he believes to be a blind gamer. This led to him learning that the fighting game features a descriptive audio option for Fatalities.

https://twitter.com/EdmondTran/status/1693244537651785899

The example Tran posts has a narrator describing how Li Mei yanks out her victim's guts and decapitates them with a kick. The gruesome descriptions should serve as a great aid for visually impaired gamers hoping to immerse themselves in Mortal Kombat's gory world. That said, they're nauseatingly vivid enough to use for the awesome factor alone.

[caption id="attachment_393384" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via NetherRealm.[/caption]

Mortal Kombat 1 blends the old with the new

The closed beta test ran from August 18 until August 21, and several players have been showing off the upcoming game's slick visuals and bloody Fatalities. Johnny Cage has received quite a bit of attention, with many players enjoying his moves.

https://twitter.com/JockyRhonson/status/1692629225444970702

Fatalities are a key focus of Mortal Kombat 1. These are of course joined by Quitalities, which will make a return. This finishing move will activate when the loser of a match quits before the end of the round, causing their character to suffer a spectacularly violent death. The game will also introduce Kameo Fighters to provide you assistance during matches. Kameo Fighters revealed include classic franchise characters such as Ferra, Khameleon, Mavado, and Tremor.

Mortal Kombat 1 will be making an appearance at Gamescom 2023, though it won't be the only fighting game available. Tekken 8 is also scheduled to show up, and it'll be playable at Bandai Namco's booth.

The post Mortal Kombat 1 has a descriptive audio option for Fatalities appeared first on Destructoid.

KO_OP's Goodbye Volcano High was first revealed during Sony's 2020 PlayStation Showcase. Featuring colorful dinosaurs in their last year of high school, the game has been subject to numerous delays. The first came in 2021, when countless other games were subject to the same fate due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, it was pushed to this year and then delayed again after missing its June 15 release date.

https://twitter.com/KOOPMode/status/1693691706737103311

Its August 29 launch date appears to be the one to stick, as KO_OP has announced that the game has gone gold. The announcement congratulates the team for their "huge achievement", which is understandable, as it appears development was a trying process. Finally, almost four years after the first reveal, we'll finally get a taste of what the studio has been cooking up.

[caption id="attachment_397940" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via KO_OP.[/caption]

What to expect from Goodbye Volcano High

Fang, Reed, and Trish, members of the band VVORM DRAMA, are three dinosaurs in their final year of high school. With only a limited time left, they'll have to make some tough decisions. In a PlayStation blog post, KO_OP described it as a cinematic game that's meant to feel like binging on a series, though "unlike with TV, you’ll have the power and the emotion in your hands as you guide our characters through a branching narrative."

The game has rhythm elements to complement its musical themes and features an original soundtrack by Montreal-based artist Dabu. A demo of Goodbye Volcano High is available on Steam for players to discover more about what the game has in store.

The post Goodbye Volcano High has finally gone gold appeared first on Destructoid.

Resident Evil 4 received a remake in March 2023 which brought Leon’s classic adventure to modern consoles. As was the case with Resident Evil 7 and Village, Capcom has promised a VR mode for the remake. We’ll get to see a little more of the VR mode at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show, which kicks off on September 21 and runs until September 24.

Resident Evil 4 isn’t the only Capcom game that’ll be making an appearance. The company also lists Street Fighter 6, Exoprimal, Monster Hunter Now, and the Ace Attorney trilogy on its official webpage outlining its Tokyo Game Show plans.

[caption id="attachment_397688" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

Capcom has big plans for the Tokyo Game Show 2023

Capcom will have its own booth at the Tokyo Game Show where attendees will have the chance to try out some of the company’s latest games. The event will also feature the return of the Resident Evil airsoft shooting range in collaboration with Tokyo Marui. For those who can’t make it, there’ll be a prerecorded stream which’ll share some of Capcom’s biggest news. It airs on September 21 at 07:00 AM PDT.

We received our first teaser for Resident Evil 4’s VR mode during the May PlayStation showcase, though not much was revealed. We'll hopefully see a few more details this time around, including whether game modes outside of the main campaign will also receive the VR treatment.

The company will have to put on a good show if it hopes to stand out, as several other gaming giants have confirmed that they’ll be showing up, including Bandai Namco and Square Enix. Sony will also be there, though they’ll only be exhibiting indie titles.

The post Resident Evil 4 VR mode scheduled to appear at Tokyo Game Show 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

Remnant 2 is chugging along, and based on the reception so far, it has a long future ahead of it. Not only is the game a hit commercially and critically, but the development team is also addressing multiple pain points due to player feedback, which you always love to see. A patch was just released on PS5, and like most of the patches before it (on any platform), there's a lot to unpack. Here are the big takeaways.

Crashes and trophies are fixed

Trophy/Achievement bugs are some of the most annoying glitches out there, especially if they only impact one or two seemingly small tasks. It's not uncommon for AAA games to have a few bugged trophies, which can cause problems with the ever-present chase of Platinum status. Thankfully, this fix is retroactive, so your trophies should "ding" automatically. Note, however, that you will need to interact with the World Stone to pop some of them.

This update also comes alongside performance and crash improvements, which can be extremely crushing for a game like Remnant 2. I even went through some launch week crash woes on PC myself. That's on top of a heap of precise bug fixes.

A focus on quality of life

In the past 10 years or so, dev teams have been laser-focused on community feedback, which can help foster a lifelong relationship between some fans: and Gunfire Games is keeping that tradition alive with Remnant 2. Although the game works just fine there are a ton of things that could be improved, and the August PS5 patch is doing just that.

Big changes include the ability to buy unlocked archetypes from Wallace (an NPC) for all future characters, which is huge for folks who are playing through multiple runs. Some obscene requirements were reduced (like what you needed to do to pick up the Revivalist Trait), and the spawn rate for special rewards from Cass has been increased. No one really likes pointless grinding that potentially exceeds dev intent, so this is a step in the right direction.

You can read the full patch notes below!

Remnant 2 PS5 patch - Full patch notes - 08.15.23

The post Remnant 2 just got a PS5 patch that fixes crashes, trophies, and adds quality of life features appeared first on Destructoid.

HoYoverse announced via social media channels that two new characters will be coming to Genshin Impact: Wriothesley and Neuvillette.

What do we know about Wriothesley and Neuvillette?

Wriothesley (apparently pronounced “rizz-ly” or “rise-ly”) has a Cryo Vision and is the Lord of the Fortress of Meropide, which is some sort of prison at the bottom of the sea. He is Ousia-aligned; although his previous character art showed him with a Pneuma Vision shape, this was swiftly corrected. Aside from this, we know nothing about his weapon or kit, and will have to wait for further announcements to see how he plays.

Neuvillette is much more mysterious, with some of his information censored with triple question marks. We do know that he is the Chief Justice of Fontaine and some kind of father figure to the Melusines. He is likely very important to the main story in Genshin Impact, which would give a reason for all the secrecy. Neuvillette uses Hydro, but not through a Vision. What exactly he is and how he uses his powers are a great mystery, possibly with answers in upcoming Archon Quests.

[caption id="attachment_396793" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image via HoYoverse[/caption]

When are Wriothesley and Neuvillette coming to Genshin Impact?

Drip marketing like this usually comes in two versions before the characters are released. This means we can expect Wriothesley and Neuvillette sometime in Version 4.1 of Genshin Impact. Whether they will be in the first half or second remains to be seen, along with who will accompany their banners.

If you are interested in either of these characters, you may want to start saving Primogems now.

The post New characters Wriothesley and Neuvillette announced for Genshin Impact appeared first on Destructoid.

The September 2023 games list is one of the hottest in recent memory. From the massive Starfield to the promising Soulslike Lies of P, there's something for everyone. Even motorheads will be happy this month. Here's what's coming out in September 2023, including some honorable mentions.

[caption id="attachment_396332" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Ubisoft[/caption]

The Crew: Motorfest (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Ivory Tower
Price: $69.99
Release Date: September 14
Trailer

Just when you think the summer season is over, Ubisoft brings us back to the heat and smell of fuel in The Crew: Motorfest. This time we're traveling to the Hawaiian islands. In this open-world game, we'll be racing through the city of Honolulu. Additionally, we'll be able to "test [our] off-road skills on the ashy slopes of a volcano [and] master the perfect curve on the tracks," according to the game's official website. We'll also be able to drive on the beach and adventure through "hidden paths of the luxurious rainforest." With over 400 cars as well, Ubisoft's racing open-world title sounds like a nitro boost to the soul.

[caption id="attachment_396327" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via CD Projekt Red[/caption]

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: CD Projekt Red
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Price: $29.99
Release Date: September 26
Trailer

The highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 DLC Phantom Liberty is releasing this month. Starring Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, V and Johnny Silverhand are taken into a new follow-up adventure. This time, you'll be trying to save the NUSA President in a new area called Dogtown. The game's Steam page teases that "your decisions impact not only the fate of the characters around you, but also yourself" when it comes to the ending. It's one of the most anticipated September 2023 games because we can't wait to see how it ends.

[caption id="attachment_396548" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via NEOWIZ[/caption]

Lies of P (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: NEOWIZ
Developer: NEOWIZ
Price: $59.99
Release Date: September 19
Trailer

After a lengthy and promising demo, Lies of P is finally releasing this month. This Soulslike is set in a beautiful European-inspired world full of creepy machines and gothic architecture. You play as Pinocchio, a puppet that's trapped in a horrific world. As he explores it, he'll "untangle the unfathomable secrets of the city's elites and choose whether to confront predicaments with the truth or weave lies to overcome them on the journey to find [himself,]" according to the Steam page. Hopefully, the game lives up its impactful demo from earlier this year.

[caption id="attachment_396553" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via WB Games[/caption]

Mortal Kombat 1 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: WB Games
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Price: $69.99
Release Date: September 19
Trailer

Mortal Kombat 1 continues the fighting game hype this year. WB Games and NetherRealm Studios are bringing a new origin to the series with a fresh reset of the MK timeline. It will also introduce Kameo Fighters that can be summoned to help you pull off incredible combos or get you out of a bad situation. Hopefully, the game lives up to its high expectations. Homelander and Peacemaker will be a few of the DLC characters as well.

[caption id="attachment_396555" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Bethesda[/caption]

Starfield (Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Developer: Bethesda
Price: $69.99
Release Date: September 6
Trailer

Starfield is the kind of game you desperately want to be good before it releases. There's so much potential. You can travel to over 1,000 planets with all manner of cities and environments to explore. There are quests to complete, hopefully with many intriguing characters to meet. You can even customize your own spaceship to your liking. It's a sci-fi fan's dreams come to life. I really hope it lives up to everyone's expectations, just like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim did in 2011. It would be a huge win for Xbox Game Studios if Starfield lands with players and critics.

[caption id="attachment_392728" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via EA[/caption]

Honorable Mentions

These five titles aren't the only highlights from the September 2023 games list. It's going to be a very busy month. You can also play the following:

• Rune Factory 3 Special (Switch, PC) - September 5
• Enchanted Portals (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - September 6
• Fae Farm (Switch) - September 8
• NBA 2K24 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – September 8
• MythForce (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - September 12
• Super Bomberman R 2 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - September 12
• Eternights (PS4, PS5, PC) - September 12
• Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster (Switch) - September 14
• Monster Hunter Now (Android, iOS) - September 14
• Gloomhaven (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch) - September 18
• Party Animals (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - September 20
• Witchfire (PC) - September 20
• PayDay 3 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - September 21
• EA Sports FC 24 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - September 22
• Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - September 26
• Mineko's Night Market (Switch) - September 26
• My Time at Sandrock (PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - September 26
• Paleo Pines (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
• Disney Speedstorm (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - September 28
• Gothic Classic (Switch) - September 28
• Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) - September 28

The post Most anticipated game releases – September 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

Ubisoft has announced that the upcoming Assassin's Creed Mirage has gone gold. Even more surprisingly, the game's release date has shifted up a week, from October 12 to October 5. No explanation was given for the changed release date, though it's unlikely fans are complaining.

https://twitter.com/assassinscreed/status/1691117533846482944

Assassin's Creed Mirage is supposed to be a smaller, more streamlined Assassin's Creed. Promotional material for the upcoming game, which is centred on Valhalla's Basim, reveals that it returns to the franchise's roots by placing greater focus on parkour and stealth gameplay.

[caption id="attachment_396580" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Ubisoft.[/caption]

Assassin's Creed Mirage coming sooner than expected

The "gone gold" announcement simply means that a release version of the game is complete and ready for duplication and shipping. Rather than sit on the game, Ubisoft has decided to release the game earlier. While this does suggest some confidence in the game, it doesn't necessarily mean it won't be getting any post-launch patches.

One of the benefits of the new release date is that Mirage gets to launch relatively early in a month which is absolutely stacked with headlining releases. Ubisoft has avoided releasing Mirage on the same week as Forza Motorsport and Lords of the Fallen, though it now shares a release week with Detective Pikachu Returns. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Alan Wake 2 are both highly anticipated sequels also scheduled to release in October.

In many ways, it feels like Assassin's Creed Mirage is a response to some of the complaints lodged against Valhalla. If it can avoid the open-world bloat that plagued Valhalla while providing a compelling narrative for Basim, Mirage could be the breath of fresh air the franchise needs.

The post Assassin’s Creed Mirage is launching a week earlier appeared first on Destructoid.

Overwatch 2 has been available for a while on multiple platforms, though it was in Early Access. With the Invasion update, the game left early access and officially launched on August 10.

Reception hasn't been particularly good, and the game currently sits with "Overwhelmingly Negative" user reviews on Steam. The main reasons for the review bombing relate to how the free-to-play model was implemented, as well as the lack of previously promised content.

[caption id="attachment_373661" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Blizzard Entertainment[/caption]

Overwatch 2 has had a less-than-perfect launch

One of the main criticisms Overwatch 2 is facing is that it is far more money-oriented than its predecessor. For example, some Heroes and game modes are locked behind a Battle Pass system. They can be unlocked through normal gameplay, though paying players can simply bypass it all. Some content has also been cut from the game, including the planned PvE Hero Mode.

Explaining why this is the case, Blizzard's Aaron Keller wrote a blog post revealing how plans were made but developers struggled to find their "footing with the Hero Mission experience early on,"  leading to the decision to cut it. The Invasion update does come with PvE Hero missions, but they are locked behind the Battle Pass system, leading to further annoyance.

When scrolling through the user reviews, it is easy to see a trend among the complaints. They're succinctly summarized in Steam user BraySC's review: "They released Overwatch 2 as a free-to-play business model, which leans more heavily into microtransactions, overpriced skins and predatory behaviour. To make matters worse, they shut down the first game, making it unplayable for people who purchased it, meaning the player base has to move over to this free-to-play business model to keep playing the game." There are also plenty of mentions of Blizzard's history of workplace sexual harassment allegations in the reviews.

As of August 13, only 9% of the 92,028 reviews are positive, making Overwatch 2 one of the most negatively reviewed games on Steam. The negative reviews aren't limited to Valve's store, and players have also been voicing their dissatisfaction on Metacritic where the game sits a user score of 1.4 as of August 13, indicating "Overwhelming Dislike."

Things haven't been all bad for Overwatch 2, however. On Metacritic, the critic review score is a respectable 69 as of August 13. It also hit a commendable peak of 75,608 concurrent Steam players on August 11, indicating that there may still be hope for the colorful FPS.

The post Overwatch 2’s Steam launch met with “Overwhelmingly Negative” reviews appeared first on Destructoid.

Earlier this year GeForce Now accidentally leaked a few unannounced titles, including Titan Quest 2. Unfortunately, such leaks aren't always accurate, so I didn't get too excited.

However, as part of the 2023 THQ Nordic Digital Showcase, we got a first look at Titan Quest 2. The action RPG will be coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Even though we didn't see any gameplay, the announcement trailer did show off Ancient Greece as we've come to appreciate it in Titan Quest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY6yb8OoFvw

I can't wait to explore Ancient Greece again

Titan Quest was a very popular ARPG that came out back in 2006 on PC. Eventually, it was remastered and re-released on PC as well as consoles, and it received several DLC expansions that brought the title back to life. Praised for its build diversity, itemization, and replayability, Titan Quest also served as the framework for the popular ARPG Grim Dawn.

According to THQ Nordic, the sequel will return to the classic mythology-inspired setting of Titan Quest. The upcoming action RPG is being developed by the creators of SpellForce 3. Furthermore, Titan Quest 2 will feature some of the staples from the original, including a flexible character system, meaningful loot, and challenging combat. Also, TQ2 will include online multiplayer just like the original Titan Quest.

Without getting a look at the gameplay, this is about as excited as I can get. I put hundreds, maybe even thousands of hours into Titan Quest as a teenager. It was clearly a passion project from Diablo 2 fans. Despite how great D2 was, I personally enjoyed Titan Quest overall more.

THQ Nordic didn't provide any release timeframe yet, but hopefully we'll get some more details about Titan Quest 2 soon.

The post Titan Quest 2 is real and I’m very excited appeared first on Destructoid.

In the lead-up to the release of the PlayStation VR2, Sony ran a marketing campaign to hype up fans. One of the ads featured musician Ozzy Osbourne, who also promoted the VR2 headset on Twitter. One of his tweets, posted on February 20, stated: “Did this spot with @Playstation team. We had a lot of fun. Their new VR2 is really amazing.” The tweet also included a PS VR2 video ad featuring Osbourne.

The seemingly innocuous message caught the attention of the UK's Advertising Standards Authority. The main complaint is that the tweet did not adequately identify itself as marketing material. On August 9, The ASA concluded that the “ad must not appear again in the form complained about.” Furthermore, Sony and Osbourne were also warned to “ensure that in future their ads were obviously identifiable as marketing communications and made clear their commercial intent.”

[caption id="attachment_381372" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Sony.[/caption]

A little trouble from a little tweet

When the complaint was made, Sony responded by stating that it believed the word “spot” in the now-deleted tweet “would be clearly understood by Twitter users to reference an ad or advertising spot.” To bolster its case, Sony also provided media articles that use the word “spot” when referring to TV ads.

This wasn't enough for the ASA and it ruled that the word was “not sufficient to clearly indicate to consumers that the tweet was part of a commercial relationship between Sony and Ozzy Osbourne and that the tweet was therefore an ad.” The ASA concluded that “the ad breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 2.1, 2.3 and 2.4 (Recognition of marketing communications).” The video ad is still viewable on the PlayStation YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XL2YASn9xE

Overall, it seems like the entire issue is just an oversight on Sony and Osbourne's part. Though the ordeal may be a little bump in the road for the PS VR2, its first year on the market has been relatively strong. Titles like Tetris Effect, Synapse, Horizon Call of the Mountain, Resident Evil Village and VR Skater continue to make a strong case for the headset.

The post Ozzy Osbourne tweet promoting PS VR2 banned by UK’s Advertising Standards Authority appeared first on Destructoid.

The highly anticipated Tekken 8 recently caused a stir among fans when they noticed that the End User License Agreement on Steam made mention of the controversial anti-tamper software Denuvo. Fortunately, game director Katsuhiro Harada took to Twitter to announce he has “no plans to introduce Denuvo or anything else.”

https://twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/1688677772116504576

According to Harada, the mention of Denuvo is likely because the EULA is a copy of Tekken 7’s. Although Harada’s Tweet isn’t a definitive confirmation that Tekken 8 won't use the anti-tamper software, it is a good sign.

[caption id="attachment_394394" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Tekken 8 could avoid some of Tekken 7’s problems

Developers use Denuvo to prevent (or at least stall) games from being cracked and pirated. Ideally, it shouldn't affect gameplay. Nevertheless, both players and developers have previously complained about the anti-tamper software, with some developers eventually removing it from their games. Denuvo has acknowledged the negative press, though the issues surrounding it continue.

Tekken 7 was well recieved when it released in 2015. However, it did suffer from frame rate drops and other performance issues on PC. Harada attributed this to the game’s anti-tamper software, which happened to be Denuvo. This naturally explains why fans felt upset about the mention of Denuvo in Tekken 8's EULA, and why Harada is so adamant on avoiding it.

https://twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/984835707209375744

Though Harada has suggested players “sit quietly”, impatient fans have been exploiting the Closed Network Test to play beyond the test period. Tekken 8 will release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, though it has yet to receive a release date.

The post Tekken 8 won’t have Denuvo, according to Katsuhiro Harada appeared first on Destructoid.

August is going to be a good month for Gran Turismo fans. The Gran Turismo movie hits theaters on August 25, and you can enjoy some new content in Gran Turismo 7 to celebrate the movie's launch. Update 1.36 goes live on August 7 at 12 AM PDT, and it adds a new livery that’ll allow you to recreate the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 ’18 seen in the Gran Turismo movie.

Polyphony Digital is also running a gift campaign. From August 7 until September 28, you’ll be able to claim the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 ’18 showcased in the upcoming movie.

[caption id="attachment_395283" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Polyphony Digital.[/caption]

Get your engines ready

To claim your nifty Nissan from the Gran Turismo movie, all you need to do is hop into GT 7 and select the special panel on the upper right side of the World Map screen. In addition to new movie-related content, new cars have been made available:

• Chevrolet Corvette (C1) ’58
• Maserati MC20 ’20
• Toyota GR Corolla MORIZO Edition ’22
• Toyota Ambulance Himedic ’21 (Purchasable at Brand Central from late September)

Fukuoka Eastern Fire Station has been added to the Scapes, and the following Extras Menus have been chucked into the GT Cafe:

• Extra Menu No. 26: ‘Maserati’ (Collector Level 40 and above)
• Extra Menu No. 27: ‘Aston Martin’ (Collector Level 44 and above)
• Extra Menu No. 28: ‘Kei cars’ (Collector Level 27 and above)

Gran Turismo 7 will also be celebrating the World Series Showdown 2023 Amsterdam taking place between August 11 and 12. With the "Predict the Winners" campaign, you can score in-game credits by predicting which teams will win the Manufacturers Cup and Nations Cup at the World Series Showdown.

The Gran Turismo movie, directed by Neill Blomkamp, has been touted as a true story based on the life of Jann Mardenborough and his unusual rise in motorsport. Gran Turismo is one of many PlayStation franchises receiving film adaptations, including Ghost of Tsushima and possibly Days Gone.

The post Gran Turismo movie content arrives in GT7 appeared first on Destructoid.

Evo is a major event for fighting game tournaments and news. This year, we've seen updates announced for some of the biggest games in the genre, including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Mortal Kombat 1. There's even a brief teaser for SNK's next bout. Here's all the news at Evo 2023 you should know about.

[caption id="attachment_395265" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Capcom[/caption]

Street Fighter 6 x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

After a musical performance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song, Capcom announced a new crossover for Street Fighter 6. Starting August 8, there will be four skins for your custom characters based on the radical reptiles, pizza-riffic emotes, new titles, stamps, mobile wallpaper, and camera frames. This bit of EVO 2023 news was one of the highlights of the show for me.

https://youtu.be/TY-k6jYzXtg

A.K.I. joins the battle in Street Fighter 6

Capcom also teased its next Street Fighter 6 character, A.K.I. She looks twisted, and poisons your custom character in the trailer. No gameplay was shown, but we do know she'll be available sometime this Fall.

[caption id="attachment_395269" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Mortal Kombat YouTube channel[/caption]

Ashrah, Havik, and Reptile are in Mortal Kombat 1

Three new characters were announced in a stellar Mortal Kombat 1 trailer. You'll be able to play as Ashrah, Havik, and Reptile when the game arrives on September 19, 2023. Ashrah is a surprising choice, as she hasn't been in the series since the PS2 game Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. Regardless, she looks like she fits in with her brutal Fatality. Sareena is also coming back, but as a Kameo fighter this time around.

[caption id="attachment_395273" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via arcsystemworks YouTube channel[/caption]

Johnny returns in Guilty Gear Strive's Season Pass 3

Shirtless and ready to strike his foes, Johnny returns as the first character of Guilty Gear Strive's Season Pass 3. He swings his katana with a quickening pace, and also unleashes cards, even turning people into them and slashing them up when the opportunity arises. He'll be available to play on August 24.

Season Pass 3 will include one more character in 2023 and an additional two in 2024. It will also come with two more stages, more color variants for your characters, and two extra colors for the Season 3 characters.

Arc System Works also confirmed that the game's reached 2.5 million players, making Guilty Gear Strive a huge success for the studio.

https://youtu.be/cTyy0kgQ8Ug

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves hypes up the crowd

After The King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown getting acclaim from fans and critics alike, the Fatal Fury series is returning with City of the Wolves. Not much was announced, but there was a little teaser by SNK, showcasing Terry and Rock Howard in the game. The graphics seem to be an upgrade too, with more visual details and improved lighting.

No release date has been given, but SNK fittingly said it is "furiously in development."

[caption id="attachment_395281" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via SNK OFFICIAL YouTube channel[/caption]

The King of Fighters XV adds Najd and Duo Lon, and KOF XIII gets a re-release date

On August 8, Najd will be available as a DLC character in The King of Fighters XV. Duo Lon will then follow her sometime this Autumn, which starts on September 23 and ends on December 21.

Additionally, The King of Fighters XIII Global Match will hit PS4 and Switch on November 16 with rollback netcode.

https://youtu.be/30GpU_0A8Rg

Raven and Azucena join the Tekken 8 roster

Fan favorite character Raven and the coffee-obsessed newcomer Azucena are a part of the Tekken 8 roster. Raven is using his shadow skills that might remind you of Naruto's Shadow Clone Jutsu. Meanwhile, Azucena has an intriguing dodge feature with some tasty counters shown off in the trailer. Tekken 8 still has no release date attached.

[caption id="attachment_395287" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via RIot Games' YouTube channel[/caption]

League of Legends fighting game Project L adds Yasuo

The in-development 2v2 fighter Project L is adding the champion Yasuo into the mix. His move set includes a far-reaching sword and quick attacks in the air. He can also release tornados and wind walls against his opponents.

"He can outplay with mix-ups, he can go to the air for really technical combos, play defense with his wind wall, or honestly just win neutral with his huge normals," said lead champion designer Alex Jaffe. Sadly, no release date for Project L was announced amid all the news at Evo 2023.

https://youtu.be/GYIOUxYBukw?t=354

Plankton is a new character in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

The tiny Plankton from Bikini Bottom is joining the bout in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 in a mech. He has all sorts of weaponry to fight off the likes of Aang, Reptar, and Spongebob SquarePants. He, alongside Squidward, will be a part of the main roster when the game launches later this year.

https://youtu.be/2Dc4F_fC0nc?t=42

Killer Instinct is getting a huge update

Cult-favorite Killer Instinct is getting a major update from Xbox Game Studios and Iron Galaxy for the first time in years. It will include better matchmaking, a balance update, and all-new 4K support on Xbox Series X|S. It will be coming this Fall. Now that Iron Galaxy and Xbox are working together on this, perhaps talk of a sequel could arise between the two companies after Rumbleverse's shutdown in February.

https://youtu.be/m55Ju_OmSvU

Under Night In-Birth 2 Sys:Celes is bringing "Dramatic Stylish 2D Fighting Action" in 2024

After more than ten years and many versions, Under Night In-Birth is getting a sequel. It will be launching early next year for the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Sorry, Xbox fans. Additionally, there will be rollback netcode.

Arc System Works says there will be "completely redesigned visuals" and "even more playable characters to be added" down the line. The trailer's description also touts that there will be "new moves and new battle systems" that further evolve the battle in Under Night In-Birth 2 Sys:Celes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbI26Ehde3g

GranBlue Fantasy Versus: Rising gets a release date

The release date for the sequel Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is November 30, as announced at Evo. As the festive season begins, we'll be battling it out as Gran and other characters in a three-part story and a new mode called Grand Bruise. Additionally, there is crossplay and rollback netcode available in this new version of the game. More characters are available too, including Anila, Grimnir, Nier, and Siegfried.

https://youtu.be/yKUH3zTNWMk

Maypul comes to Rivals 2

Finally, the fox-like combatant Maypul joins the Smash-like Rivals 2. She brings three different plants with her to the battle, including Lily, Terry, and Poppy. She'll also be the fastest character in the game. Maypul's combos look thrilling in the trailer itself. The game launches sometime next year.

That's it for Evo 2023 news cycle. Which fighting games are you most looking forward to next year, and will you be playing as Michelangelo in Street Fighter 6's avatar battles?

The post All the fighting game news from EVO 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

Remnant 2 has been a trending game since its release on July 25. Recently, Game director David Adams hosted an AMA on the Remnant subreddit. It was a generally positive AMA, with many fans expressing their love for Gunfire Games' latest title. Adams discussed the future of Remnant 2, revealing that the studio has plans for DLC and updates to the game's quality of life.

[caption id="attachment_387141" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Gunfire Games[/caption]

More content is coming to Remnant 2

In the AMA, Adams spoke about both the past and future of Remnant 2. Giving a bit of insight into the development process of the game, Adams revealed that a team of roughly 90 people worked on it. Emphasis was placed greatly on the design process, with only about 8 people working as programmers. As for the game's future, Adams claimed that developers have general plans to “tighten up the current game and try to build on it over time” as well as a “lot of plans and schemes for the franchise.” Fortunately, he did go into detail regarding what you can expect.

Adams mentioned Remnant 2 DLC a few times in the AMA. He revealed that work on the first DLC started immediately after the main game was completed, and he promised that developers aren’t planning to “phone it in.” There are currently three DLCs planned, and like the main game, they’ll have plenty of puzzles and secrets. At least in Adams' opinion, the first DLC is "already looking pretty cool."

It was confirmed that DLC will bring more armor, allowing players to be a bit more fashionable when they’re out exploring. It was also revealed that there are new archetypes on the way, though Adams predictably did not specify precisely what's in store. Quality of life improvements are in development, and Adams did list some of them, including adding loadouts, improving latency in co-op, including the option to hold a button to sprint, and tweaking the trait system.

Some Reddit users asked about crossplay, as this would allow players on different consoles to play together. According to Adams, crossplay is something that developers are looking into, though they are encountering “issues with the different platforms and what they require in order to allow crossplay.”

It should please fans to know that Remnant 2 has been a hit, and it has already sold over a million copies. This puts Gunfire Games in a good position, and the studio has the chance to impress fans again with the upcoming DLC and updates.

The post Gunfire Games discusses future of Remnant 2 in Reddit AMA appeared first on Destructoid.

Final Fantasy XVI is the latest entry in the long-running RPG franchise. It represents a new direction for the series, and the game earned itself considerable critical acclaim upon release, scoring a 9 here on Destructoid. This hasn’t quite translated into financial success, at least according to the latest reports following the release of Square Enix’s first-quarter financial briefing.

Square Enix’s financial report reveals that although net sales are up thanks to the release of new titles such as Final Fantasy XVI, operating income is down partly due to amortization of development cost. According to Bloomberg, Square Enix President Takashi Kiryu told analysts on a post-earnings call that Final Fantasy XVI did not meet the high end of the company’s expectations.

[caption id="attachment_395215" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

The Final Fantasy franchise and the PS5's install base

Though Final Fantasy is one of Square Enix's flagship franchises, it appears it is not performing well enough to meet the company's goals. In a note to investors (per Bloomberg), Citigroup analyst Junko Yamamura stated that “the Final Fantasy franchise’s profitability is weakening and improvements will take time.” This doesn’t mean that Final Fantasy XVI was a complete failure, as it managed to sell 3 million units shortly after launch.

The financial report also reveals that net sales are down year-on-year for its MMOs, though the dip is easily attributed to Endwalker launching last year and no new expansion until next year's Dawntrail. PC browser and mobile games were unable to “offset weak performances from existing titles.” News of Square Enix’s declining operating income has affected the value of the company’s stock, driving “the stock down as much as 15% in Tokyo” according to Bloomberg.

Square Enix isn’t about to give up on Final Fantasy just yet. Part of the problem, according to Kiryu via Bloomberg, is the slow adoption of the PS5. Addressing comparisons of FF XVI's launch numbers to FFVII Remake's, the company released a statement to IGN arguing that "the attach rate of Final Fantasy XVI is considerably high, given the PS5 install base," though the company has plans to "carry out a wide range of initiatives to encourage even more people to play the game." This should be easier now that supply constraint factors for hardware are no longer as big of a problem for Sony.

As the financial report also reveals, Square Enix has various initiatives in store to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is slated for a 2024 release. Of course, the highly anticipated Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is also in the works and it has a 2024 release date.

Final Fantasy XVI is available now on PS5.

The post Final Fantasy 16 failed to meet Square Enix’s high-end expectations appeared first on Destructoid.

Developer French-Bread has officially announced its next entry in the Under Night series. French-Bread and Arc System Works will launch Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes in 2024 for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.

Set as the sequel to the first Under Night In-Birth, UNIB II will feature the "final chapter" of the Hollow Night storyline that started over a decade ago with the original release. Under Night mixes light novel story with fighting game action.

https://youtu.be/m55Ju_OmSvU

As far as fighting games go, Under Night is squarely in the anime fighter subgenre and is a pretty enjoyable one, too. For Under Night In-Birth II, there will be an expanded move list, new character abilities, and updates to the battle system. There's also an EXS button, which sounds like a beginner-friendly control scheme similar to auto-combos.

For fighting game players, the big news is that yes, Under Night In-Birth II will have rollback netcode. It's always nice to have, as it lets players meet up and fight online with a solid connection. It's quickly becoming the gold standard, but it's nice to see French-Bread and Arc System Works emphasize its inclusion.

Into the Under Night

Those at Evo 2023 this weekend will get to play some Under Night In-Birth II, as Arc System Works' booth is hosting gameplay demos. It's not the only brand-new fighting game in town, either. Mortal Kombat 1, Tekken 8 and Riot Games' Project L are all in Las Vegas this weekend too. That's not even counting all the currently released fighting games at Evo, hosting tournaments.

It's going to be an exciting weekend for fighting game aficionados, for sure. I'm also pretty happy to see Under Night get a sequel like this. It's a fighter I frequently enjoy going back to, and I'm interested in seeing what French-Bread's got in the oven.

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes will head to PlayStation, Switch, and PC sometime in 2024.

The post Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes arrives next year appeared first on Destructoid.

Sonic Superstars is attempting to recapture that classic Sonic feeling, though it will be bringing a few new elements to the franchise. A villain named Trip is preparing to make her debut, and though she's decked out in spiky armor, she won't be your typical Sonic enemy. In an interview with Game Informer, Sonic Team creative officer Takashi Iizuka discussed a bit more about Trip’s origins and role in Sonic Superstars.

[caption id="attachment_394939" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Sega.[/caption]

Trip and her trouble

Not much is known about Trip yet, though the official site for Sonic Superstars reveals that she has been enlisted by Fang and Dr. Eggman to protect them as they venture through the Northstar Islands. She has a striped, furry tail, and she is completely covered in metal armor that has prevented us from seeing her face.

In the interview with GI, Iizuka revealed that Trip was created by him and Naoto Ohshima, the creator of Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Eggman. In order to have a truly new story, they felt that a new character would be necessary. When designing her, they bounced around a few ideas, including an armored lizard and the ouroboros. Some of the ideas made it into the final design, as the “base of her character is a sungazer lizard” - literally an “armored lizard” in Japanese.

Trip's personality and backstory will also be an important part of her character. Instead of a one-dimensional character, they were aiming to create something that would “stand out and be a character that people can kind of relate to and empathize with and enjoy as a character in the world.” Unlike your average Sonic villain that is presented as a formidable foe, Trip—at least initially—is quite clumsy and she even “falls on her face in the very first scene that you see her in."

Of course, Trip won’t be there alone. Dr. Eggman and Fang will also be present, presenting a nice blend of both old and new. Though he is also an iconic villain, Iizuka confirmed that Shadow won’t be making an appearance.

The platformer is expected to launch on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox in late 2023.

The post Sega reveals more about Trip, Sonic Superstars’ new villain appeared first on Destructoid.

Striking Distance Studios, the developer behind 2022's The Callisto Protocol, is laying off some developers. The company confirms it has left 32 employees go in a move to "realign" the studio, for current and future projects.

Twitter user @bogorad222 first spotted LinkedIn messages discussing the layoffs and, in a statement sent to IGN, Striking Distance confirmed the news. The studio, known for 2022's The Callisto Protocol, says 32 employees are affected by the layoffs which were implemented "to better position its current and future projects for success."

"Striking Distance Studios and KRAFTON have implemented strategic changes that realign the studio’s priorities to better position its current and future projects for success. Unfortunately, these changes have impacted 32 employees. Honoring the invaluable contributions of each departing team member with material support in the form of outplacement services and meaningful severance packages is our top priority during this difficult moment."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT7swHyN8FQ

Striking Distance suffers layoffs

The Callisto Protocol was released to lukewarm critical reception. Though it has garnered a dedicated following, it was previously confirmed that Callisto failed to meet Krafton's sales targets.

Striking Distance also mentioned that providing ex-employees with "outplacement services and meaningful severance packages" remains a top priority. However, this is not the first time the studio finds itself at odds with its employees. After the release of The Callisto Protocol, some employees complained that they had not been credited for their work. A post-launch update restored their omitted development credits.

The mention of "future projects" in the statement does suggest that Striking Distance is working on something new. Nevertheless, it appears the studio's debut title hasn't been the running start one would hope for.

The Callisto Protocol is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

The post The Callisto Protocol studio Striking Distance confirms layoff of 32 employees appeared first on Destructoid.

Released on April 28, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has been a success for Electronic Arts and Respawn Entertainment, earning both critical and commercial acclaim. Although it originally skipped the last-gen consoles, the EA first-quarter earnings call revealed that Respawn has PS4 and Xbox One ports on the way for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. As the released EA report brief reveals, the company is looking to continue capitalizing on its financially well-performing franchises, including Star Wars Jedi.

[caption id="attachment_375326" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

EA is not done with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor yet

As reported by The Verge, EA CEO Andrew Wilson announced during the earnings call that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will come to PS4 and Xbox One, though a release date wasn't mentioned. This is an unexpected turn of events, as in an interview with PLAY Magazine (as reported by Game Rant) game director Stig Asmussen had previously stated that Jedi: Survivor was skipping last-gen consoles to ensure a "true new-gen experience in the Star Wars universe."

The financial report points to Star Wars Jedi and FIFA as the catalysts for its first-quarter performance. It highlights that in addition to attracting millions of players globally, Jedi: Survivor is also “seeing players spend more time in-game than its predecessor.” FIFA was noted for “delivering a record Q1 for the franchise,” and this comes as the series undergoes massive rebranding following the end of EA’s partnership with FIFA. The next entry in the series will be titled EA Sports FC 24.

Respawn has continually been working on the game since its launch, with patches being released to improve performance on all gaming platforms. Time will tell how developers will manage to ensure smooth performance on the dated last-gen consoles.

The post EA is working on PS4 and Xbox One version of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor appeared first on Destructoid.

Tekken 8 was originally announced in 2022, and a Closed Network Test was recently released on multiple platforms in July. To the dismay of the developers, some gamers have since cracked the CNT to play it in unintended ways. Bandai Namco is warning players against playing Tekken 8's cracked CNT, and those caught could face consequences.

[caption id="attachment_392950" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

Be patient or risk a ban

Players with the cracked CNT can not only play the game offline, but continue to play it beyond the test period. In a Twitter post, Bandai Namco warned that this violates its Terms of Service and the Tekken World Tour's Code of Conduct.

https://twitter.com/BNEesports/status/1685978121948770305

Unauthorized access to the CNT could result in a ban from the upcoming Tekken World Tour and other official tournaments. In other words, competitive players may want to heed this warning. It is understandable why developers would emphasis this penalty in particular. Those playing the cracked version would have a headstart on practice, which could affect the results of official tournaments.

This isn't the only problem the CNT has caused, as it has also resulted in Tekken 8's partial roster leaking. Though Bandai Namco has officially announced 16 characters, the leak reveals a longer list of playable fighters.

It has certainly been a good time for fighting game fans. Street Fighter 6 launched to critical acclaim in June, and Mortal Kombat 1 will launch on September 19. Bandai Namco has not yet revealed a release date for Tekken 8.

The post Bandai Namco warns players to stop playing the Tekken 8 cracked test appeared first on Destructoid.

Gunfire Games' Remnant 2 has been making waves since it launched on July 25. The tough co-op shooter wears its FromSoftware influence on its sleeve, which has resonated with fans and critics alike. The developers have revealed that Remnant 2 has already sold over a million copies, exceeding the first game's launch sales by a considerable amount.

[caption id="attachment_394243" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Remnant 2 soars to the top of the charts

When Remnant: From the Ashes hit shelves in 2019, it took two months before it sold over a million copies. As Gunfire Games has announced, the sequel achieved this feat in just four days. Yoon Im of Gearbox Publishing stated that "Remnant 2 exceeded our expectations. As a commercial and critical hit, we’re incredibly proud of the Gunfire team and everyone here at Gearbox Publishing who brought this title to life."

There were early signs that Remnant 2 was gearing up for an explosive launch. Before its release, it had claimed the top spot on Steam's best-seller list, overtaking trending titles like Starfield and BattleBit Remastered. It currently sits in third place, surpassed only by Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Baldur's Gate 3. When it was finally released, it doubled the number of concurrent players its predecessor had at launch.

The high sales numbers have been accompanied by plenty of critical acclaim, with our own Steven Mills scoring it an impressive 8.5. And with its numerous secrets, we'll likely talk about this one for some time still.

Remnant 2 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

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Assassin's Creed Valhalla's Basim is the star of Assassin's Creed Mirage, the upcoming game that will serve as the latest entry in the franchise. In many ways, Mirage represents a return to an older for the series, as it will borrow many elements from older entries. It will also have a length and scope similar to the classic titles, which may be a relief for players who were overwhelmed by Valhalla's epic size.

[caption id="attachment_394615" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Ubisoft.[/caption]

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is much shorter than Valhalla

In 2022, there were rumors and reports that Ubisoft was planning a shorter Assassin’s Creed title centered on Basim. As the release date for the since-revealed game draws nearer, we are discovering just how short it will be. Ubisoft lead producer Fabian Salomon recently sat down for an interview with YouTuber Julien Chièze and discussed a bit about what players can expect from the upcoming game. The conversation is in French, though the important parts have been translated by PCGamesN.

According to Salomon, Assassin's Creed Mirage can be completed in around 20-23 hours, and completionists can expect to spend 25-30 hours. Basim’s adventure will be a lot closer to the classic Assassin’s Creed titles which also had much more manageable lengths. The first two entries and Brotherhood all have playtimes of under 20 hours according to HowLongToBeat. That's far shorter than 2020's Valhalla, which has a playtime of around 60 hours, or over 100 if you're trying to see everything.

This isn’t the only way the upcoming game will resemble classic titles. As vice president and executive producer of Assassin's Creed Marc-Alexis Côté explained to IGN, developers looked to the first game in the franchise for inspiration, and Mirage is very much a love letter to the game that started it all. Hence, like the first game, Mirage will have a greater focus on “stealth, on close-quarter combat, on parkour, and a denser city”. For players who really want to crank up the nostalgia, an optional visual filter featuring the desaturated blue-grey color palette that characterizes the first Assassin's Creed game will also be available.

It appears that you can expect a far more streamlined experience with Mirage. As developers have previously revealed, the upcoming game will have less of a focus on RPG elements, and it will have a story-focus linear structure. A short and sweet playtime may be welcomed by some, as a recurring criticism of Valhalla is that it is bloated with busywork to pad the playtime. Many wallets may also be grateful, as the standard edition will launch with a price tag of $50 to reflect the game's smaller scope.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is scheduled to release on October 12 on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Players who pre-order will receive an exclusive mission titled "The Forty Thieves."

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The best stages of fighting games transport us to an exciting arena. It could be a stunning wilderness, a ruckus crowd, or an ancient temple. What's most important is how they set the tone of the fight and if the intractable nature of the stage is well suited to a fighting game. Let's hear the roar of the crowd and get stuck in on what makes an exciting fighting game stage.

[caption id="attachment_394297" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Capcom[/caption]

The stunning setting from stages of fighting games

Arguably, the most important element is the graphics of each stage. There's always a balance between being too simple and too distracting. For example, I hate it when pro fighting game players always pick the plain white training stages during EVO or local meetups that take me out of the experience. On the other side of the coin, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Final Destination has way too much going in the background that keeps me off focus.

The best fighting game stages have enough flair to be entertaining but not too still to the point of boredom. Duomo di Sirio is one of my favorites from Tekken 7, for example. There's not a lot going on in the background, but there's an elegance to the European-inspired setting. There are sculptures in the background and illustrative architectural touches that make it stand out. As the battle continues, you can punch your foe off the balcony, giving a more dynamic feel to the fight. The stage's music is also exhilarating.

Bustling or serene, fighting game stages can fit different qualities

Additionally, the best stages show the environment's culture perfectly. Street Fighter 2's Shopping District depicts a bustling Chinese market. There's a cyclist rolling down beside the fight as a chicken flaps its wings inside a cage, a woman is washing her hands in a bowl, and meat is hung up by hooks. To give a more recent example, Street Fighter 6's Fete Foraine presents a stunning Parisian night. The Eiffel Tower is glowing in the background of a market filled with a clown, food stalls, and a spinning ride. There are also people enjoying their food on red and white cloth tables. Capcom does a great job of detailing its stages with all sorts of references and cultural reflections of each environment.

If you want a stage that's more serene, take a look at Genbu Temple, also in Street Fighter 6. It's not populated with onlookers to the fight, but the slight monochromatic styling of the stage next to the pink blossom trees is so striking. Awesome stages can take different forms.

[caption id="attachment_394294" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Cinematic stages

NetherRealm's recent fighting game output has provided interactive stages. They're cool because your environment presents a new layer of strategy to each bout. In Injustice: Gods Among Us, you're able to bounce off a car's hood to get out of the corner or ride a motorcycle into your opponent in Wayne Manor. There's even the option to smash The Joker's face into the car. You can also launch your opponent out of the arena with an impressively detailed cinematic cutscene.

Meanwhile, Dragon Ball FighterZ impresses anime and fighting game fans alike with its thrilling animations that seem ripped straight from the show. One critical element of the stages in this game is how they can crumble around you. If you use a powerful ability, the environment is wiped out, adding believability to the intense cutscenes that play beforehand.

https://open.spotify.com/track/6WdFcnGJNgLOeL4RBCU95l?si=5e500366ef3a46c8

The music

While some games focus more on the character themes nowadays, each stage's music is important in capturing excitement in a fanbase. While Jin and Heihachi are simply fighting on a shallow ocean floor and nothing else, the "Infinite Azure" track is spectacular. The beats are addicting and maintain an intense tempo, but there remains a calm tranquil tone that's refreshing to listen to. It features a few surprises in the composition, like a heavier emphasis on the percussion mid-song. Without this music, it would be a dull yet beautiful stage to fight in.

Going back to Dragon Ball FighterZ, "West City" retains the upbeat yet heavy stakes of battle. The deep bass, strings-focused melody, and then the horns all make for an epic theme while you're fighting against the likes of Tien, Cell, and Goku. While the environments show an accurate recreation of West City from the anime, the music truly makes it a fantastic stage I go back to over and over again.

You cannot talk about great fighting game stage music without mentioning "Jazzy NYC" from Street Fighter III: Third Strike. The deeper cymbal section at the beginning represents a hip-hop energy as you enter New York City. The theme is lively and has you bobbing your head up and down. The jazzy saxophone-like MIDI has an amazing solo in the middle of the song that just exudes energy. It's one of, if not the, most popular stage theme in Street Fighter history. If the music is right, it will emphasize the stage's vibe perfectly.

What are your favorite fighting games stages?

There are so many fantastic fighting game stages out there. I personally have a soft spot for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale's novelty approach to mixing two games into one area, like God of War and Ratchet & Clank in Metropolis. There's also the majesty of Tekken 5's Moonlit Wilderness with its gorgeous moonlit sky and flowers that glow from its light; it has an epic theme with it, making this stage the ultimate package. What are your favorite fighting game stages?

The post What makes an exciting fighting game stage? Let’s dive in appeared first on Destructoid.

We're rapidly approaching the long-awaited release of Baldur's Gate 3 after an extended period of Early Access. However, Larian Studios has stated that the game won't support preloading ahead of its launch. If you've pre-ordered the game and want to jump in as soon as possible, prepare to set aside some time to download this hefty title.

[caption id="attachment_393716" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Larian Studios.[/caption]

Baldur's Gate 3's release date draws nearer

Baldur's Gate 3 will arrive on PC on August 3 at 5 PM CEST, and PS5 on September 6. An Xbox Series X/S port is also in development, although it has yet to receive a release date. Like other titles in the series, players will be able to create their own characters and partake in a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired campaign.

In a community update on Steam, the developers confirmed that preloading is off the table for Baldur's Gate 3. In other words, players can't install the game ahead of its release. This would have been useful for a game like Baldur's Gate 3 which will weigh approximately 122 GB.

There are a few other things Baldur's Gate 3 fans should know about. Though the game has been available in Early Access, progress made here will not transfer to the final game. Nevertheless, the game will feature cross-save capabilities, allowing you to begin your adventure on PC and continue on PS5 later if you wish.

It fortunately appears that making the game easily accessible is a priority for the developers. Those who purchase Baldur's Gate 3 for PC will receive access to both the Mac and Windows versions, though the Mac version will arrive at a later date. Larian Studios also wants the game Steam Deck Verified by launch, as it is already optimized for the handheld.

With the game's large size, players may have to wait a bit at launch before they can dive in. However, the Early Access version should give you a good idea of what to expect.

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Each Tekken in the series is usually a landmark for console generations, with its spectacular graphics and superb game design, and that's certainly the case with Tekken 8. With its stunning lighting, entertaining new Heat system, and crisp netcode, this entry is certainly going in the right direction with its closed network test. Get your fists ready if another test or the full game arrives soon. There are many reasons why I can't wait for the next battle.

[caption id="attachment_394395" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The next evolution of Tekken

The Tekken series has stepped it up again with its thrilling combat system. It keeps evolving, with each game adding a new compelling element; this time, it's the Heat system. The Heat Timer heightens the attack power of your character and enables you to chip damage away from foes even if they're blocking. You can only use it once per round, but it is key to your survival. Heat Smashes can be activated during the timer, letting you perform a flashy, yet powerful attack. It takes around a fifth of your opponent's health. The Heat System ups the stakes as it runs out, and the other player desperately blocks incoming strikes for around 10-15 seconds.

That's not all about the Heat system, however. There are certain moves—like Jin's Heat Engager—that activate the timer automatically within a combo. Button mashers may hate this, but if you use it strategically, these moves can be effective at disrupting your foe's reign-of-terror combos. Another way to stop your foe from attacking is a Power Crush. It's a counter that's utilized to stop yourself from getting juggled. Rage Arts are also back and are flashy as ever.

Tekken 8 feels great to play with all-new moves and combos to initiate on your opponent. In the excellent training mode, you can get used to the precise timing with every strike if you want to link a combo. Tekken 8 shows awesome bread-and-butter combos to perform on your enemies, and you can watch a video demo with the inputs on the screen. Combo challenges can also be shown through the UI, so you can reference them quickly. It's an approachable game for newbies who want to become intermediate players online.

How is the Tekken 8 netcode?

Despite Tekken 8 likely being many months away from release, the netcode during the alpha seems to be a success. Many games ran smoothly, as if the other player was sitting next to me in a local tourney. However, I did encounter a somewhat laggy game, despite there being five bars on my competitor.

[caption id="attachment_394396" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Damn, Tekken 8 is pretty

If you look at the trailers, you may believe there isn't a huge jump in graphical quality. Think again. Once you're playing it on a PS5, it's absolutely stunning. The facial animations of characters like Lee Chaolan are astonishing as he exaggerates his mouth and eyes. Additionally, you can see the intense hatred in Kazuya's face through his eyes on the main menu; it's actually haunting whenever you boot up the game.

The environments are filled to the brim with detail. The puddles in the New York stage reflect the lights from Times Square's advertisements, and the lighting from the neon signs stands out sharply on screen. You can even see the haze of smoke in the distance, and the crackling of the earth beneath your competitor's feet. The action is all in a wonderful 60 frames per second as well. You could name it as one of this generation's prettiest titles. Thank goodness there isn't a PS4 or Xbox One version holding it back.

As each battle continues, you'll see the sweat pouring from the characters as they desperately fight to win. Paul's sleeve breaks apart as he readies up his Rage Art and it remains that way for the rest of the match. Bandai Namco seems to pulling out all of the stops to make this as stunning as it can be.

Another neat factor of the game is the unique intros for rivalries in Tekken 8. When friends Lee and Paul face each other, they cross fists, breaking apart the glass under them in the Arena. It looks similar to how each Tekken trailer begins. This addition is a nice touch for long-time fans and adds further intensity to the fight ahead. The same happens with Jin and Kazuya as well.

Tone down the distracting music

Tekken 8's soundtrack is more like something you'd hear on a dance floor than an arena. The dubstep is obnoxious and distracting for some of the tracks included in this closed test, especially in the Urban Square stage. However, there is a standout banger for the Yakushima stage. It feels like a more rounded composition with gorgeous strings, stunning vocals, and a pumping backbeat that keeps the song moving forward. That's until the final round creeps in, and there's a blast of incessant dubstep within an otherwise great track. If this trend continues into the full game, I'm prepared to lower the music volume to 0 and put on my own playlist.

The electronic composition for the Arena stage is also decent but, in my opinion, goes way too hard with the bass. So far there are no tracks that come close to bangers like "Heat Haze Shadow" or "Infinite Azure" from Tekken 7 or Tekken 5's "Moonlit Wilderness."

Tekken 8's stellar so far

Bandai Namco hasn't pulled its punches with Tekken 8. Every character is animated incredibly well, and the action feels fluid, even more so than in Tekken 7. The new mechanics like the Heat Timer adds to the formula, creating a more fast-paced fighter that will be thrilling to watch at EVO and other tournaments. The music is a somewhat letdown as it's gone way too hard on the electronic and dubstep from past entries, but Tekken 8 is a promising fighting game I can't wait to get my hands on.

The post Hands-on: Tekken 8 seems ready for the next battle appeared first on Destructoid.

Since Sega released the first Sonic the Hedgehog game in 1991, the lovable blue speedster remained a permanent fixture in pop culture. Though it has plenty of nostalgic value, Sonic Team will not be returning to 2017's Sonic Mania. In a recent interview with Game Informer, Sega explained why this is the case.

[caption id="attachment_394447" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

What happened to Sonic Mania 2?

Sonic Mania was a success that sold over a million copies in its first year of release. This might have indicated a sequel could happen, but that hasn’t panned out. In the interview, Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka revealed that the plan was originally to make a new Sonic game in the classic style following Sonic Mania.

"There was a period after the development of Sonic Mania when we worked with them to consider concepts for the next generation of Classic Sonic," Iizuka told GI. "It's too bad that it didn't become a finished game. Still, I'm pleased that the next generation of Classic Sonic that we talked about with them has been achieved with Superstars."

The upcoming Sonic Superstars will be using 3D assets. The team felt that the 2D pixel art style attracts a certain "core" audience. While most of these players may be lifelong Sonic fans, developers also wanted the upcoming game to appeal to a wider audience of new players. Hence, as Iizuka explains, they “needed to use the 3D assets to really give it that current look”.

Sonic Team amiably cut ties with developer Christian Whitehead who worked on Sonic Mania. Whitehead went on to form Evening Star, a studio working on its debut Penny's Big Breakaway. But Superstars does look to be using some pieces of Sonic Mania's legacy for the upcoming side-scroller.

https://twitter.com/CFWhitehead/status/1668971982493470720?s=20

Speaking to Game Informer, Whitehead backs up the account. He says Evening Star's goal was to move "beyond" 2D pixel art

"Evening Star did work with Sega to explore possible directions Classic Sonic could go after the success of Sonic Mania," Whitehead told GI. "Sonic Mania 2 was never in development, though, because we actually agreed early on that we should try to make something fresh, like hand-drawn 2D or 2.5D."

Though the upcoming side-scroller Sonic Superstars won’t look like the classic Sonic games, developers are still dedicated to making it feel like them. As Iizuka explains, the “game was created from zero – from absolutely nothing – but we were still looking at all those four classic games and creating physics that are going to match and feel like what the classic series needs to be”.

Sonic Superstars is slated to release in late 2023 on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

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