Sometimes a story is over, but not quite done. Over a year has passed since the conclusion of TALES OF ARISE, but there’s more to the story that hasn’t been told yet. Enter TALES OF ARISE – BEYOND THE DAWN the upcoming expansion to the award winning JRPG from Bandai Namco Europe. Adding 20+ hours of game content, the new expansion adds new quests, dungeons, boss fights, and an epic new story arc all within the backdrop of an evolving, beautiful fantasy world. TALES OF ARISE – BEYOND THE DAWN will be available on November 9, for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC via STEAM®.
Watch the trailer below:
TALES OF ARISE – BEYOND THE DAWNbegins one year after the conclusion of the original TALES OF ARISE. Alphen and the rest of The Six are caught between being revered as the Liberating Heroes of Dahna and reviled as the Destroyers of Rights by Renans. By chance, they encounter the enigmatic Nazamil, a powerful young girl who is the daughter of a Renan lord and a Dahnan slave. The Six offer to protect Nazamil, but more will unfold as players progress and bond with their companions having to face a divided world after the fusion of Rena and Dahna. In this expansion, players will experience exciting new challenges and see a world that is at once familiar yet evolved.
Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S. is a leading global publisher and developer of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.
Bandai Namco Europe is producing intellectual property for a global audience and is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, PARK BEYOND™, and the upcoming UNKNOWN 9™ Awakening – developed by the recently acquired Reflector Entertainment based in Montreal, QC.
Bandai Namco Europe serves as the Headquarters of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. for mainland Europe, which is known for creating and publishing many of the Toy & Entertainment industry’s top franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TAMAGOTCHI™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, DARK SOULS™ and the recently released ELDEN RING™.
The wicked 4v4 prop haunt frenzy has new surprises in store, with entertainment during the van ride, a refined controller experience, and Steam Trading Cards!
SKÖVDE, Sweden – September 15th, 2023 – Vaulted Sky Games and Coffee Stain, publisher of Valheim, Deep Rock Galactic and Satisfactory, are pleased to announce that the highly-acclaimed prop hunt game Midnight Ghost Hunt is receiving some game-changing new features in its new update! A retro-inspired mini-game has been added into the Hunters’ van ride before each match, plus full controller support and the introduction of Steam Trading Cards.
Check out the trailer below:
The van that ferries Hunters to their potential demise across a variety of ghoulish maps has received a major refurbishment. To entertain them and while away the minutes as they prepare to face a bevy of flying props and vengeful spirits, Hunters can play the ‘Ghost Invaders’ mini-game on the GhostMaster handheld gaming console. This top-down shooter is inspired by retro games of yore, and Hunters can even customize the in-van console with a swathe of unique console skins to choose from.
For those who prefer analog sticks and buttons over a keyboard and mouse, full controller support has finally landed in the game! The developers have been hard at work refining specifics to provide a controller experience as smooth as possible, so players can sit back and ghoul out however they want to play.
In addition, Steam Trading Cards are now available to appease the collectors out there. Players automatically collect virtual cards as they progress in-game, featuring artwork hailing from the world of Midnight Ghost Hunt. Full sets of cards can be turned into game badges, tradable Steam community items and so much more!
Midnight Ghost Hunt launched into Steam Early Access in March last year to huge acclaim, and recently hit over one million players after its launch this June on the Epic Games Store. This new update is the next step on the game’s exciting journey to full commercial release.
To celebrate the game’s whopping ninth update, Midnight Ghost Hunt’s price has been knocked down by 66%, on the Epic Games Store until September 18th and Steam until September 26th! After that it will be available for $19.99 at full price on both platforms.
About Coffee Stain
Coffee Stain is a game developer, publisher and investor with offices in Skövde, Stockholm, Malmö, Trollhättan and Gothenburg. Founded in 2010, Coffee Stain is responsible for Goat Simulator, the Sanctum Games, A Story About My Uncle, Huntdown, and Satisfactory, currently in Early Access. Coffee Stain is also the publisher of popular games such as Deep Rock Galactic, Valheim, Songs of Conquest, and Midnight Ghost Hunt, made by external developers.
To find out more about partnerships and opportunities with Coffee Stain, visit the official website or follow Coffee Stain on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Vaulted Sky Games
Vaulted Sky Games is a new indie game studio with a love for multiplayer!
Founded by former visual effects artist Samuel Malone in 2018, Vaulted Sky strives to create fun experiences you can share with others. We think the very best gaming experiences can be derived from engaging with others all around the world, connecting and sharing in our favorite form of escapism.
Vaulted Sky intends to prove that compelling games can be created by a small team that can quickly adapt and incorporate new ideas as they arrive.
Captivating World War II narrative adventure launching on Nintendo Switch across European retail stores.
Madrid, Spain – 15th September 2023. Publisher Meridiem Games has today confirmed that the special boxed Resistance Edition of the facinating narrative RPG-lite adventure title Gerda: A Flame in Winter will launch for Nintendo Switch on 23rd November 2023. Developed by Bird Island and published by DON’T NOD, Gerda A Flame in Winter breaks with the conventions of the videogame world by presenting the unique and captivating World War II story of Gerda a young nurse who is torn between her community and her desperate quest to save her husband.
Watch the Gerda: A Flame in Winter boxed Resistance Edition trailer here
The Gerda: A Flame in Winter Resistance Edition will be published and distributed by Meridiem Games across European retail stores this autumn. This special boxed edition will include a specially designed sleeve and will contain two unique art postcards and an exclusive bookmark.
About Gerda: A Flame in Winter
February 1945. The war is almost over, but your fight is about to begin. You play as Gerda Larsen, a young nurse who is torn between her community and her desperate quest to save her husband, Anders. Many other lives will come to depend on your decisions.
Gerda’s journey will involve moral dilemmas, difficult conversations, and sticky situations. It’s a dangerous world, and you must help her adapt to it with the choices you make, which always have both short- and long-term consequences.
If you give away precious resources to somebody who needs them now, will you come to regret it later? Will there be consequences if you, as a nurse, help a person who is suffering even though they may later cause suffering to others?
A story-driven RPG-lite – Make the most of what you have: your personality points, your allegiances, and your resources. Your relationship with people and factions will determine how your story unfolds. Level up Gerda’s mental skills by reflecting on her experiences in her diary to gain personality skill points. Use these skills during events and conversations to unlock special actions, gain others’ trust, or keep them from suspecting you.
Make your own history – You can choose where to explore and when – but do so wisely, as people move around and events can be time sensitive. As you investigate and make progress, your choices will send you down many different narrative paths. Will you do whatever it takes to save Anders, or will you cling fiercely to your morals? Your actions will lead to several poignant conclusions and change the fate of your community in Gerda: A Flame in Winter
Gerda: A Flame in Winter will launch as a special boxed Resistance Edition for Nintendo Switch on 23rd November 2023 across European specialist stores. For more information, please visit http://www.meridiem-games.com/en
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About Meridiem Games
Meridiem Games is an independent video game publisher and distributor for all platforms. The entire Meridiem Games team is focused on meeting the demand of players who are fond of physical editions, titles such as Fahrenheit 15Th Anniversary PS4, KUNAI Day One Edition NSW, Daymare: 1998 Black Edition PS4, Pang Adventures Buster Edition PS4 / NSW, etc. They have come out in their physical edition thanks to Meridiem Games.
About DON’T NOD
DON’T NOD is an independent French publisher and developer, based in Paris and Montreal, creating original narrative games in the adventure (Life is StrangeTM, Tell Me WhyTM, Twin MirrorTM), RPG (VampyrTM), and action (Remember MeTM) genres. The studio is internationally renowned for unique narrative experiences with engaging stories and characters and has worked with industry leading publishers: Square Enix, Microsoft, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Focus Entertainment, and Capcom. DON’T NOD creates and publishes its own IPs developed in-house, as well as using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with third-party developers whose editorial visions parallel the company’s own.
DON’T NOD (ISIN code: FR0013331212 – ALDNE) is listed on Euronext Growth Paris
Experience high-speed family fun with wild spins on NASCAR’s most iconic tracks!
MINNEAPOLIS – Sept. 15, 2023 –NASCAR Arcade Rush launches today for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Jump into the driver’s seat for heart-pumping, high-speed NASCAR competition and excitement like you’ve never seen before on wildly reimagined versions of the motorsport’s most iconic racetracks!
Experience the thrill of NASCAR racing in a completely new way with intense arcade races on real-world NASCAR tracks, totally reengineered with jaw-dropping twists, hair-raising turns, gravity-defying jumps, nitro boosts and other surprises. Customize your car and driver as you compete to take the top position across a variety of game modes, including the Career NASCAR Cup Series plus online and local multiplayer.
Key Features
Iconic Tracks, Wild Twists: Experience real-world NASCAR locales like Talladega Superspeedway, Daytona International Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and more in all-new ways that will thrill your imagination and deliver a new level of playability within the vaunted NASCAR video game franchise.
Race Your Way: Choose from a full array of vehicles spanning 75 years of stock car racing history and horsepower. Customize your car and driver to suit your style with new paint schemes, rims, spoilers, visual effects, suits, helmets and more, with thousands of combinations to discover.
Robust Racing Modes: NASCAR Arcade Rush features expansive single-player modes, including the Career NASCAR Cup Series, Quick Race and Time Attack. Take on your friends in thrilling head-to-head local multiplayer*, or race rivals around the world in 12-player online multiplayer.
NASCAR Arcade Rush is available now for $49.99 on digital stores and at major retailers.
Fans can also purchase the NASCAR Arcade Rush Project-X Bundle for $59.99. This fully loaded digital exclusive features the complete base game, as well as a ton of bonus NASCAR Arcade Rush Project-X playable content, including:
A hovercraft car model developed as part of Project-X
Project-X paint scheme, rims, wheels and spoiler
Project-X themed drivers suit and helmet
Project-X team sponsorship option
Project-X vehicle FX package
A set of four additional in-game emojis to showcase your style
NASCAR Arcade Rush is published by GameMill Entertainment. For more information, visit NASCARArcadeRush.com.
*Local multiplayer available only on PC, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
About NASCAR
Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
About GameMill Entertainment
GameMill Entertainment, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a third-party publisher of console and mobile games for passionate fans around the world. Development platforms include PC, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft consoles including the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Sony consoles including the PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4, and mobile devices. With development across the globe, GameMill is a source of entertaining and fun games for all ages.
All-new entry into the storied franchise features handcrafted missions, gripping single-player narrative
THE INNER SPHERE (September 15, 3049) – Piranha Games revealed MechWarrior 5 : Clans today, a new stand alone MechWarrior game coming to PC, Xbox and PlayStation consoles next year (www.mw5clans.com). MechWarrior 5: Clans, while retaining the MechWarrior 5 designation, represents a transformative step forward in the MechWarrior 5 franchise. MechWarrior 5: Clans linear campaign will be an evolution of gameplay and storytelling in the MechWarrior series, experienced from the perspective of Clan Smoke Jaguar in the pivotal conflict known as the Clan Invasion starting in the year 3050.
MechWarrior 5: Clans follows Piranha’s 2019 hit, MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, which was a campaign-based, open ended, procedural experience, selling more than 1.5 million units with a current 9/10 Very Positive ranking on Steam from more than 7,500 user reviews.
Pilots can get a glimpse of MechWarrior 5: Clans in a short teaser released today:
MechWarrior 5: Clans features a captivating and intricately crafted story that immerses players in the conflicts of the Clan Invasion. The campaign takes place across a variety of planets through stunning, meticulously designed biomes where immersive realism is baked into every detail. Hand crafted maps and missions deliver engaging combat, both complex and chaotic, demanding thoughtful, strategic play. Tactical options abound with an all new cast of customizable Clan Mechs boasting sleek and powerful Clan technologies. MechWarrior 5: Clans explores a pivotal time in the MechWarrior universe brought on by the Clan Invasion and incredible technological advances in Mech warfare, reflected within the Clan Invasion time period.
MechWarrior 5: Clans follows the elite five-mech squad, a “Star”, from the Smoke Jaguar Clan. The promising cast of rookie pilots complete their training on their home world of Huntress just ahead of the Clan Invasion, a critical turning point in the BattleTech lore. The game immerses players in both the personal and military conflicts of the Clan Invasion . As you progress through the campaign, you’ll experience a deeply engaging narrative that unfolds with well-developed characters and moral dilemmas that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Top Tier Simulation-style MechWarrior combat returns in MechWarrior 5: Clans. Clan Mechs and Clan Tech bring a whole new dynamic to MechWarrior 5: Clans. New progression and customization systems encourage pilots to alter Mech loadouts with expansive customization through an updated Mech lab, Hardpoint, and Omnipod system. Adaptability to the scenario at hand is key to a strategic victory.
MechWarrior 5: Clans sports a gripping set of gameplay features for new and veteran pilots:
The Clan Invasion is here: For the first time since MechWarrior 2 (released in 1995), pilots can immerse themselves in an action packed Clan Invasion story – one of the most epic time periods in the franchise that changed the course of the Inner Sphere’s factions and politics forever. MechWarrior 5: Clans is the absolute perfect entry point into the MechWarrior universe for newcomers, and the game which veteran pilots have been waiting more than 30 years to play.
This Isn’t Run-and-Gun, This is MechWarrior: Celebrated core MechWarrior combat returns in MechWarrior 5: Clans. Pilots must strategically plan and execute Star-based team assaults if they are going to bring honor to Clan Smoke Jaguar while advancing their position within the Inner Sphere.
Customizable Mechs: Victory starts in your Mech Lab with an expanded collection of technologically advanced Clan weapon systems, equipment and Upgrades. Clan Mech’s superior technology grants you the ability to swap out larger parts for greater customization and functionality ahead of assaults. Plan accordingly based on terrain, structure, and biome specificity for the best chance at victory.
All-Star Strategy: Your squadron (aka your Star) is depending on you. Protect the members of your Star in battle, deepening your bond as you engage the Inner Sphere’s determined defenders. Immerse yourself in the story as you lead your Star through the complex missions and thrilling combat.
Stunning Visual Design: Harnessing the power of Unreal Engine, MechWarrior 5: Clans abounds in environmental detail and destruction – from precisely designed confined cityscapes to bogs spanning incredible distances, battles will take shape on breathtaking landscapes and the complex infrastructure of the Inner Sphere.
SAN MATEO, Calif. – September 15, 2023 – Monomi Park, creators of the highly popular Slime Rancher franchise, revealed the forthcoming major content update for Slime Rancher 2: Come Rain or Slime. This anticipated update will deliver an array of new weather elements that will captivate both the existing community and newcomers alike. Prepare to immerse in Rainbow Island where the forces of nature reign supreme and where beloved slimes make their triumphant return. This next update is set to make its grand debut this Fall 2023.
New features coming to the second major update to Early Access Slime Rancher 2:
All New Weather System: The skies and environment will come alive with rain, wind, thunderstorms, lightning and more! As the weather dances across the different areas, you can discover their unique impact on the environment and slimes. Discover how weather systems escalate and produce new phenomena like tornadoes and tangle vines.
Return of Tangle and Dervish Slimes: Prepare to welcome back some of your favorite slimes with rebalanced behaviors. These slimes will captivate both new and experienced ranchers. Rediscover their abilities as they carve a unique niche in the ever-evolving ecosystem.
Weather Symphony: Immerse in an auditory feast that beautifully reflects the ebb and flow of dynamic weather changes. Each weather type boasts its own captivating melody, further enhancing the immersive experience as you explore the effects of nature’s whims on the island’s inhabitants.
The stage is set for a landmark update that transforms slime ranching on the far far range. Prepare for a journey of enchantment and discovery, while unveiling the mysteries within Rainbow Island.
Stay tuned for more details on the second update Slime Rancher 2: Come Rain or Slime by visiting the official website: https://www.slimerancher.com/news/
About Monomi Park
Monomi Park is an independent game studio based out of sunny San Mateo, California. Founded in 2014 by Nick Popovich and Mike Thomas, Monomi Park is committed to creating inclusive and innovative gaming experiences that defy expectations. Its flagship title, Slime Rancher was released into Early Access in 2016 with an official release following in 2017. It is one of the highest-rated games on Steam of all time with a 98% positive average score and has sold over 6 million copies across all platforms with over 15 million players worldwide. Slime Rancher 2 launched into Early Access on September 22, 2022 and sold over 300,000 copies in the first week.
When it comes to Bethesda Game Studios, fans have come to expect certain things as the company made their debut with Morrowind back in 2002 and have managed to produce countless successes through the years, making use of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises to craft open worlds with incredible amounts of content for players to explore their own way, delivering an RPG experience unlike anything other developers have been able to offer. Now, over twenty years past their first release, the development team has produced their first original offering in the form of Starfield, promising a galaxy at players’ fingertips. Is this endeavor successful and is Starfield truly a Bethesda game unlike any other?
Story
Players take on the role of a deep-space miner, working at a dig site like any other and using their laser cutter to mine resources for what seems like a standard job. Players can build their character background to offer various unique perks or story elements throughout the game but, regardless of these choices, everyone starts here as a miner. After being sent to mine a particularly unusual part of the dig, players discover a strange “artifact” affecting the gravity around it in unusual ways and, upon touching it, find themselves experiencing unique visions unlike anything ever experienced by human kind. When word of this artifact and the player’s subsequent vision and collapse, they quickly find their world expanding as the legendary group known as Constellation looks to recruit them to their team.
The core storyline of Starfield is a fascinating one in a couple of ways but primarily because it feels like the perfect set piece to help introduce the player to the galaxy at large and let them off their leash, free to wander from planet to planet and faction to faction taking on any missions that may interest them. The main storyline does involve some major revelations and features players uncovering new mysteries of the universe with some rather significant implications that go far beyond anything Bethesda has previously teased for the game and we won’t spoil it here. Along these same lines, the main storyline also feels like it is only the tip of the iceberg since, as mentioned before, the world, or more fittingly worlds, Bethesda has crafted here feel like a grand tale that can continuously unfurl the deeper players dig into a location with new storylines and moments of intrigue appearing around nearly every corner and in some rather surprising locations as well, meaning that players can easily spend over sixty hours of the game barely scratching the main storyline if they so feel like and still find countless more to explore.
The world of Starfield is also fairly reactive to some of what players do. Sure, stealing random items and getting a bounty on your head may not have long lasting effects outside of drawing fire from security for a respective faction but completing various quests and their outcomes will play into other events that will happen down the line. For example, after obtaining a spaceship once used by a legendary pirate that hunted other bandits, my ship would occasionally strike fear into pirates when jumping into a system, causing them to flee in terror or rally and try to fight back harder, even calling in for back-up at times. Swapping to another ship saw this come to an end but it remains within my fleet and a readily accessible vehicle should I need a smaller speedy fighter. Along these same lines, a mission involving saving a group of scientists protected by rival security factions doing battle with spacers (pirates) saw myself encountering leaders of both security groups in other systems down the line, hearing words of praise for my actions in helping the settlers and them in their plight. Sure, most of these decisions often boil down to simply killing a target or even talking them down with persuasion but these choices do end up playing a role in how stories and events play out and will have consequences. In fact, even trying to backpedal on an earlier conversation that saw my character talk poorly about a rival and try to convince the boss that he was worthwhile saw the boss not taking my attempts seriously, choosing to still kick the guy out thanks to my earlier claims.
The way storylines and content unfolds in Starfield is fascinating. The smallest sounding task can quickly become a massive multi-hour journey involving multiple quests that can take players all over the galaxy, experiencing new events in these locations as well. I could go on for quite some time about how grand in scale some of the content in Starfield can become. Warping into a system with a collection of allies on my tale ready to destroy a fleet of cultists, boarding a ship with a party ready to take down a group of pirates, or even raiding a derelict ship only to discover that it was previously used for xenomorph experimentation with human organ harvesting as a side-job. Many of the worlds that players explore may not have the most interesting storylines in the grand scale, especially the simpler worlds where players can randomly land anywhere and generate caves, buildings to explore, and unique flora and fauna to scan, but most of them have at least something interesting to uncover should players feel like looking, offering more content than anyone could imagine in a single playthrough let alone a game changing New Game+ mode.
The breadth of the content in Starfield is stunning and it all is handled with some rather solid lore and world-building. Various elements of the galaxy’s history and conflict among the stars is explained sufficiently and even the companions that players can gather, story related and crew that they hire, also have their own backstories. The actual relationship systems with these characters is a bit on the simplistic side and it would have been great if there were more actual companions besides the small amount available, as well as a bit more variety in the type of crew that players can hire to man their spaceship and outposts. Being able to hire some of the more rougher and tumbling members of a faction would certainly make things more interesting at times but even then, the characters on offer are fairly well-fleshed out, though it is a bit disappointing that players can only have one companion with them at a time outside of quest reasons, especially when traveling and exploring worlds with allies and friends that players have made in their grand adventures is always an exciting endeavor, especially when you never know what the next planet might hold, a feeling that very few games, even those from Bethesda’s own storied library, can offer.
Gameplay
With so much interesting content to explore, it is great to note that, for the most part, Starfield plays in similar fashion to what one would expect from a Bethesda Game Studios title as all exploration can be handled in first person, with a third-person camera being an option should players choose, and a massive array of weaponry to use ranging from standard guns, shotguns, etc. to laser rifles and more elaborate firearms and even a few melee weapons. Firefights on the ground with enemies feels fitting enough, though don’t expect the type of tight and snappy controls found on an FPS as Starfield is still an RPG at heart and while the gunplay may feel a bit better than their recent Fallout entries, it still isn’t quite up to a standard FPS level.
The worlds of Starfield are filled with a massive amount of stuff to pick up and gather, some of it useful and most of it not and while players can still move at a normal pace when overencumbered, they will expend “O2” faster and cannot fast travel meaning players will need to be a bit on the selective side when it comes to looting everything that isn’t nailed down. O2 is a replacement that usually just dictates how long players can run for at a time with fully expended O2 causing a buildup of CO2 and triggering a small amount of damage. Players can also make use of their “boostpack” to jet around for brief periods of time while jumping with planets having less gravity allowing players to really take to the skies in a fight, though running around on a planet with heavier gravity will expend O2 faster.
One of the most enjoyable elements of combat in Starfield is when players are in space as the spaceship combat is a delight, as long as players make sure to keep their ship upgraded and unlock a certain nearly required skill. As players take part in interstellar dogfights they will need to manage their reactor level by distributing power accordingly, decreasing their engine output to put more energy into the cannons for example, in an interesting and intuitive way. It must be said though that players should almost immediately obtain the “Targeting” skill that allows players to lock-on and target specific enemy ship parts as not only can this allow players to specifically take out an enemy ship’s engines to try and board them, it also can be used to disable a far superior ship’s weaponry, leaving them weaponless and easy for the picking.
The ship building itself is an incredibly intricate process that does have a few limitations but not too many. Players can only have one shield generator, warp drive, etc. for their ship but otherwise the sky’s the limit as to player creativity. Customizing a ship with unique parts and swapping out their types will change the inside of the player’s ship as they travel through it, interacting with their crew and offering such an interesting level of depth. Those afraid of tackling this can choose to simply purchase part upgrades or spend a decent chunk of change buying ships available throughout the many spaceports in Starfield or, if they feel up to it, stealing a ship by boarding it and killing the crew.
Exploration in Starfield is a bit more on the limited side then some may think at first as it isn’t entirely possible to simply fly from location to location. Instead, players will warp jump from system to system, choosing to land anywhere they want on most planets and exploring the worlds on foot. These worlds can then be populated by plants and animals that players can scan and harvest for resources, even setting up customizable outposts that they can use to drill for resources within the planet itself and using it as a base of operations should players really want to get in-depth. This can lead to a lot of quick travel at times between missions as players jump rapidly from location to location but those who really want to explore can still find plenty to search through should they feel like it, just don’t expect to fly to Mars from Neptune in a straight line.
Leveling in the game can also be a bit of an odd bag, not because leveling is unusual, it isn’t. Players will gain XP for completing missions, killing enemies and animals, scanning resources, etc. and every level up provides a skill point. Where to use these skill points is where things can become a bit more difficult as Starfield has broken the skill system down into a massive list of unlockables that range from near useless to incredibly vital as they keep main mechanics behind them. This includes the aforementioned Targeting for spaceship combat, stuff like having an actual stealth meter for sneaking around or being able to pickpocket people, crafting basic upgrades to equipment, or even using your jetpack. Some of these are simple tier one upgrades and every skill can be upgraded further, using a skill point to do so once player’s complete their subsequent challenge such as being able to pilot more advanced spaceships by destroying countless enemy crafts in combat. There does not appear to be a level cap of any kind in Starfield but it does mean that players will need to balance their needs as often many skills will be vying for their attention with every level up they obtain.
It wouldn’t be a Bethesda Game Studios game without bugs and, while we didn’t experience many small issues with Starfield, outside of the occasional physics bug or getting stuck in a bit of flooring, there were some larger issues that cropped up. Making use of a conquered pirate ship that I had registered as my own eventually saw the ship glitching into non-existence, freezing me in space or vanishing from the landing pad, forcing me to discard the powerful ship and return to my starter one at the time and, to a much worse degree, a completely missing main story quest that refused to appear and required reloading an incredibly old save, losing nearly ten hours of progress simply to have the quest appear like normal and unlock perhaps the most interesting and vital questline in Starfield’s main storyline. These issues will likely be addressed through patches but remain a problem players will need to watch out for in the game.
Audio & Visuals
For the most part Bethesda’s take on space in Starfield is a more grounded one. Player will travel in spaceships filled with technological marvels but nothing too beyond the stretch of the imagination while also visiting cities that span the wide-range of futuristic paradises to wild-west towns barely hanging in there near the edges of settled space. The worlds themselves are fairly diverse though players will find that many of them are simple lifeless worlds filled with resources and a few odd anomalies they can track down and not much else. The character models are decently designed with some odd looking NPCs here and there, though it would be nice to see more character variety for the party members once again. It is also worth noting that the alien wildlife that players encounter and fight can be rather terrifying at times as there are some truly creepy looking creatures to discover and whether these are random, or placed by Bethesda, is unknown but also incredibly interesting for variety’s sake.
The voice work throughout Starfield is handled incredibly well with plenty of unique ambient dialogue that changes as players complete quests while all conversations are voiced by a wide sounding variety of actors. The player character is thankfully not voiced, giving players plenty of opportunity for unique dialogue choices that will have some surprising results at times. The soundtrack features a rather impressive collection of music, with some truly great sounding pieces of background music during exploration and combat though it would be nice to have some sort of in-game radio to listen to when traveling through a more lifeless world or delving into a ruined outpost or derelict ship.
Overall
Starfield is a massive game unlike anything that has come before it. Players can spend hours upon hours simply traveling through space, visiting worlds and seeing what they may find on them. Sure, most may simply have resources and unique creatures to discover, but there are countless others with storylines and quests that just continuously unfold, making players wonder why their quick pit stop at a resort planet turned into a multi-hour adventure. With a wide scale of mechanics and depth to take advantage of, Starfield may have some issues throughout its design and a fair share of problematic bugs, though still feeling a bit more polished than average for a Bethesda title, Starfield’s galaxy is one that begs to be explored and feels like a truly shining example of what a developer can do when given enough time and a big enough vision.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
New Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin trailer reveals the broad scope of the game, including map editor and livery customisation – Delivering a truly comprehensive RTS game at launch.
Cambridge, UK – 15th September 2023 Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV, ‘Frontier’) released today a new trailer for real-time strategy game Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin, revealing the wide range of features coming at launch on 17th November.
Cinematic campaign – Enjoy a rich, character driven story of desperate conflict in a savage realm, co-written by acclaimed Black Library writer Gav Thorpe.
Comprehensive multiplayer – Dive into 1v1 and 2v2 cross platform multiplayer matches with any mix of human and AI opponents and climb a 1v1 competitive ladder.
Eternal conquest – Battle across procedurally generated wildlands towards the final enemy in an extended singleplayer experience. Share the seed and see if others can do better.
Endless creativity – Build, share and compete on your own maps or other people’s, paint your own armies, and create beautiful dioramas to show them off.
The game is available to pre-order now. Watch the Game Overview trailer here:
Realms of Ruin allows players to personalise their experience with the game. With the Map Editor, players will use similar tools to the developers to construct multiplayer maps for the game, creating their own battlegrounds in the savage Realm of Ghur. From terrain painting and shaping to prop, foliage, water and gameplay objective placement, players will be able to create their ideal battlefields and then enjoy them in custom online multiplayer matches. They will also be able to share their creations using a cross-platform in-game Workshop, where the community will be able to download, play and rate their maps.
Army Livery, meanwhile, enables players to customise the colour palettes used when they play each of the four factions in the game, using paints from Games Workshop’s Citadel collection. In addition to player-created palettes, the game will feature official Games Workshop paint schemes. Whether fans of the tabletop game want to field Hallowed Knights or Big Yellers, Army Livery underlines Frontier’s efforts to create the most authentic game possible. Players can create palettes for entire factions, or even craft colour schemes for individual units.
With the Scene Editor, players can create spellbinding dioramas to share with the community, posing characters in curated and shareable snapshots of the battle for Ghur. Adjust individual frames of animation to get every detail just right, and display customised units from Army Livery for that extra personalised touch. Players can tweak visual settings to their liking, then take the perfect image to share with the world.
Map Editor, Army Livery and Scene Editor are available across all versions and platforms of the game, with players able to build maps with either a mouse and keyboard or a controller. These additional features underline Frontier’s commitment to delivering the definitive Warhammer Age of Sigmar RTS experience.
One more Age of Sigmar faction is yet to be revealed for the game, joining the mighty Stormcast Eternals, brutal Orruk Kruleboyz and spectral swarm of the Nighthaunt – more details will be revealed ahead of launch.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin launches on 17th November forPC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S for a suggested retail price of £49.99/$59.99/€59.99 for the Standard Edition, £59.99/$69.99/€69.99 for the Deluxe Edition and £64.99/$74.99/€74.99 for the Ultimate Edition.
Wage a campaign of brutal conquest in this realm-shattering real-time strategy game set in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar universe. Command four unique factions in dynamic battles as part of a story-driven campaign and test your mettle against warlords afar in online multiplayer.
About Frontier Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV, ‘Frontier’) is a leading independent developer and publisher of videos founded in 1994 by David Braben, co-author of the iconic Elite game. Based in Cambridge, Frontier uses its proprietary COBRA game development technology to create innovative genre-leading games, primarily for personal computers and videogame consoles.
About Games Workshop Games Workshop Group PLC (LSE:GAW.L), based in Nottingham, UK, produces the best fantasy miniatures in the world. Games Workshop designs, manufactures, retails, and distributes its range of Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 games, miniature soldiers, novels and model kits through more than 523 of its own stores (branded Games Workshop or Warhammer), its own web store, and independent retail channels in more than 50 countries worldwide. More information about Games Workshop and its other, related, brands and product ranges (including its publishing division ‘Black Library’ and its special resin miniatures studio ‘Forge World’) can be found at www.games-workshop.com.
NCSOFT’s next title, BATTLE CRUSH, was showcased with new gameplay footage at the Nintendo Direct on September 14.
Sign up now for Global CBT starting on October 23 – available in 25 countries in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.Global launch expected in Spring 2024 – BATTLE CRUSH will offer a cross-play experience for Nintendo Switch, Steam, and mobile platforms.
PANGYO, Korea (September 15, 2023) – NCSOFT, a global premier game developer and publisher, today announced its next title BATTLE CRUSH’s global Closed Beta Test (CBT), taking place on October 23 through to 30 (UTC).
BATTLE CRUSH is a brand-new action battle brawler from NCSOFT, slated to launch globally in Spring 2024. This multi-platform game will be full of quick, action-packed battles available on Nintendo Switch, Steam, and mobile with cross-play support.
Today, BATTLE CRUSH was showcased at the Nintendo Direct with its latest gameplay footage, offering a glimpse of its strategic brawl battles. NCSOFT also revealed a new trailer featuring an extended look at the gameplay with a global CBT announcement.
The new trailer for BATTLE CRUSH can be viewed below
The CBT sign-up is now open on BATTLE CRUSH’s official website. The CBT will be available in 25 countries in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. It will be playable on Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Google Android – with cross-play support.
In BATTLE CRUSH, players will fight with their chosen characters, called Calixers, to become the strongest player out of 30 and be the last one standing as the ground collapses beneath their feet while enemies come from all directions. It offers a dynamic, strategic brawl battle experience with simple and easy controls. With its unique battle arena, the game also provides various play modes that up to 30 players can enjoy concurrently. A diverse range of Calixers, inspired by mythological figures with their own story and skills, will be available to choose from.
The game offers three different modes that players can choose depending on their tastes: Battle Royale, Brawl, and Build-Up.
In Battle Royale, up to 30 players fight to determine the final winner. It can be played in Team mode, where players can join a party of up to three to fight as a team, or in Solo mode, where each player competes individually.
The Brawl is where a single player can select three different Calixers with which to fight. Set on a smaller map compared to Battle Royale, it adds excitement and tension to the battle. Both Team and Solo modes are also available.
The Build-Up is a one-on-one mode, where the first to take three games out of five becomes the winner. Before starting the game, players can plan their strategy by evaluating their opponents’ character choices. After each round, the defeated player gets the chance to select items before the next round begins, allowing for an unpredictable and fun experience until the very end.
For those who sign up for BATTLE CRUSH’s upcoming CBT, players can invite up to three friends and collect rewards that can be used during the Test. Players can receive three invite codes for each account. When each code is redeemed by a friend, both the inviter and invitee will receive in-game currency – Crystals – that can be used to purchase Battle Pass during the CBT.
Sing and swim together with up to 4-players, in this rhythmic adventure game based on the most viewed YouTube video in history
Outright Games, the leading global publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, in collaboration with The Pinkfong Company, the global entertainment company behind the cultural phenomenon Baby Shark, is thrilled to release Baby Shark: Sing & Swim Party. Based on the most watched video on YouTube, with over 13 billion views, and an RIAA Diamond certification (11x Platinum), the world of Baby Shark takes its first swim into the video game waters today and is available now on Nintendo Switch™, and digitally on PlayStation 4®, PlayStation 5®, Xbox One, Xbox X|S, and Steam.
Watch the launch trailer below
In this cooperative rhythmic adventure game, fans can play as their favourite Baby Shark Family characters as they travel across 7 different recognisable locations from the Baby Shark videos, for their vacation to the Fin-Tastic Festival. Featuring both a Rhythm mode where you must stay on the beat and a Runner mode where you avoid obstacles and collect stars, the game teaches players more about the Shark Family’s story as they complete the different levels. With 30 songs including catchy classics such as ‘Baby Shark’, ‘Disco Sharks’, and ‘Shark Dance Party’, players will sing and have fun on their oceanic adventure.
Designed with the whole family in mind, the game can be played in solo mode or with up to 3 family members and friends in 4-player local co-op mode. The game was designed with the youngest players in mind and has accessibility features including full game voice-over for all dialogue, location names, and instructions, to assist those learning to read. It also features a gradual difficulty curve over the course of the levels, so that younger players can dive in and learn to play at their own pace.
Pinkfong’s Baby Shark has been captivating fans around the world since it first broke the internet in 2015. After taking the world by storm, Baby Shark has expanded its universe with an animated TV series, podcasts, live shows, merchandise, and even a full-length feature film in development for the 2023 holiday season. With the upcoming Baby Shark: Sing & Swim Party, fans can look forward to another extraordinary chapter in Baby Shark’s legacy of fostering imagination, creativity, and love for music in the hearts of families everywhere.
Stephanie Malham, COO of Outright Games said: “We are delighted to finally release ‘Baby Shark: Sing & Swim Party’ into open waters. The audio, visual and haptic interactions found in our game are only possible on consoles and PC. When combined with the rhythmic runner gameplay that is tailored for this beloved franchise, fans will be able to experience the world of Baby Shark in an engaging and unique way that’s never been seen before”
Francisco Encinas, CEO of RecoTechnology said: “When designing ‘Baby Shark: Sing & Swim Party’, our main aim was to ensure that the gameplay would be accessible to the youngest of players, while offering an appropriate challenge for fans of any age. To achieve this we ensured the difficulty of the game increased over time at a lighter, slower pace that creates a more compelling and varied play experience.”
Baby Shark: Sing & Swim Party is available now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC.
About Outright Games:
Outright Games is a global video games publisher with a focus on bringing quality family entertainment to a worldwide audience. Founded in 2016, Outright Games has established its place in the market delivering engaging interactive games of beloved entertainment licenses globally. Outright Games brings stories and characters to life with titles including favourites such as Peppa Pig: World Adventures with Hasbro, DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos with Warner, Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova and Paw Patrol: Grand Prix with Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of The Nine Realms with NBC Universal. With an Outright Games title, there will be fun for all the family to enjoy.
About The Pinkfong Company
The Pinkfong Company is a global entertainment company that delivers content and entertaining experiences around the world. Driven by award-winning brands and IPs, the company has created and distributed a range of content across genres and formats including original animated series, world live tours, interactive games, and more. Believing in the power of entertaining and engaging content, The Pinkfong Company is committed to connecting people around the world and bringing joy and inspiration to worldwide audiences of all ages.
About Reco Technology
Recotechnology is a company founded by professionals from the entertainment and media sector with a long experience in the field of video games. Since its incorporation in 2012 it has developed multiple games for the different platforms of Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, PC/Steam, Android, IOS… being the official developer and publisher of all of them. From our origin we seek to develop new and high quality games and IPs for all types of audiences.
