10 August, 2023 – Psyonix, the San Diego video game developer, is partnering with Bundesliga, Germany’s top professional football league, to launch in-game content in Rocket League beginning today! In celebration of Bundesliga’s upcoming 60th anniversary on 24 August, content themed after six Bundesliga clubs — FC Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, 1. FC Union Berlin, Sport-Club Freiburg, Bayer 04 Leverkusen — is now available in the Rocket League Item Shop.
The Bundesliga content includes:
The Bundesliga Decal Bundle – This bundle features a Fennec car Decal for each of the six Bundesliga clubs and is available for 1500 Credits.
The Bundesliga Mega Bundle – This mega bundle includes the Fennec car Decal for each of the six Bundesliga clubs, a Player Banner for each of the six Bundesliga clubs, Bundesliga Match Ball Wheels, Bundesliga Wheels, a Bundesliga Player Banner, and the Bundesliga Hymn Player Anthem (also available separately) and is priced at 2500 Credits.
The Bundesliga content is now live in Rocket League from 10 August until 24 August.
If you or a member of your team is interested in a Bundesliga Mega Bundle code, please let us know and we will send you one.
ABOUT ROCKET LEAGUE
Winner or nominee of more than 150 “Game of the Year” awards, Rocket League is one of the most critically acclaimed sports games of our generation. Rocket League is a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem with easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition. Available on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on Epic Games Store, Rocket League includes nearly endless customization possibilities, online Ranks and Competitive Tournaments, a fully featured offline season mode, multiple game types, casual and competitive online matches, and special “Mutators” that let you change the rules entirely.
To learn more about Rocket League, please visit www.RocketLeague.com, “Like” it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter @RocketLeague for all the latest developer updates and news.
ABOUT PSYONIX™
Based in San Diego, CA,Psyonix is a critically acclaimed video game developer and a leading expert in Unreal Engine technology. For more than 20 years, the studio has been a driving force behind some of the most successful games in the industry, including Gears of War, Mass Effect 3, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Bulletstorm, Unreal Tournament III, Unreal Tournament 2004, and the award-winning sports-action hit, Rocket League®. Psyonix joined the Epic Games family in 2019.
Journey hand-in-hand with a friend thanks to cross-platform support across PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android in the new 1.0 release. Glimpse the boys’ future in the all-new playable epilogue, and experience an altered ending in the final stages with refreshed puzzle mechanics.
Two boys with a penchant for adventure run away from home, but the sight of a dead deer causes them to lose consciousness. Upon waking, the pair realizes that despite occupying the same space, they each perceive the world differently, their realities forever altered. One sees a lush world full of greenery and animals, while the other inhabits a machine-filled existence filled with robots.
Embark on a collaborative co-op-only adventure, communicating via voice chat to navigate bi-dimensional puzzles with only half of reality within reach. Observe details from both player’s surroundings, interact with artifacts in each world, and devise an agreed-upon plan on how to move forward.
BOKURA goes beyond a simple puzzle game; it’s an adventure to live through conversation with a friend. With no “right” or “wrong” way to play, only by discussing and working together will the path forward manifest. Wander down unexpected paths ion a conversational journey, and witness a touching branching narrative story that changes with every choice, leading to multiple endings.
“We are very grateful for the feedback and support we received during early access, and it’s a pleasure to provide community-requested features at launch,” says tokoronyori, creator of BOKURA. “Similar to how a child would ask a neighbor friend out to play in summer, we encourage all of you to invite a friend to experience BOKURA with you!”
BOKURA is now available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android for $5.49, with English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese language options.
Known for his unusual visual creations, distinctive world building and deeply emotional stories within his games, tokoronyori first introduced his peculiar style with Farewell Planet, a game filled with mysteries where robots believe they are human.
Tokoronyori creates memorable gaming experiences by incorporating specific mechanics only gaming can bring. BOKURA is published as part of the Kodansha Game Creator’s Lab project.
About Kodansha Game Creator’s Lab
Established in 2021, Kodansha Game Creator’s Lab is the fourth department of the prestigious entertainment publishing company Kodansha Ltd., founded in 1909. Its motto is “Everything for the creator,” reflecting the company’s goal to support young talents and introduce indie creators to the wider public.
About Ryu’s Office
Ryu’s Office offers in-depth marketing solutions for smartphone, console, arcade, and PC games in Japan. The team particularly focuses on the planning and production of numerous live broadcasts based out of Japan for the gaming industry.
Eight restaurant brands pair with streamers in competitive Fortnite tournaments* as they go head-to-head for a $25K prize pool
August 9, 2023 – DoorDash serves up an express streamer showdown in this year’s Battle of the Brands Featuring Fortnite at PAX West 2023, the West Coast’s most-attended gaming event from show organizers ReedPop and Penny Arcade.
Returning for the third year, join host Chris Puckett alongside casters Rome and dreamcrazzy as eight beloved restaurants, Burger King, Del Taco, Jack in the Box, KFC, Little Caesars, McDonald’s, Popeyes®, and Taco Bell, pair up with eight streamers in fierce Fortnite tournaments. The online qualifiers begin on Friday, August 18, with four of the eight streamers playing Fortnite on their own channels and competing against each other throughout the month. During Battle of the Brands, DoorDash will be dropping over $5,000 in gift cards to fans**.
The online streams culminate in all eight streamers’ delightful delivery at PAX West, which returns to the expanded Seattle Convention Center from Sept. 1-4, 2023. Taking place on stage at PAX Arena, witness an intense day of competition on Saturday, September 2 with eight hours of Fortnite matches including special Creative islands, team, and solo matches.
The DoorDash Battle of the Brands Featuring Fortnite comes to an epic conclusion with the finals from 2–6pm PT Sunday, September 3, where the eight streamers, seeded based on their Saturday performance, will join PAX attendees. The top six seeded competitors advance to the final knockout round, where they’ll compete for a $25,000 prize pool.
“We couldn’t be happier to order another round of Battle of the Brands with DoorDash at PAX West,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder, Penny Arcade and PAX. “The lineup is bigger and better than ever and we can’t wait to announce the participants and see who wins the top prize.”
“We’re thrilled to bring Battle of the Brands back this year in an even bigger way. Whether participating in the showdown or ordering your go-to meal on DoorDash to enjoy as you view the action, we’re creating the ultimate experience for participants and viewers alike,” said Jennifer Richardi, Head of Consumer Brand Marketing at DoorDash. “As the tournament heats up, we’re excited for the dynamic duos of fan-favorite brands and skilled streamers to take the stage at PAX West to see who will take home the victory title and exciting grand prizes.”
DoorDash Battle of the Brands Featuring Fortnite goes head-to-head at PAX West on Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3, for the live finals. Badges for PAX West are available now, with media and content creator registration currently open. For more info, check out the PAX West website, and follow PAX on Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram. Follow @doordashgaming on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram to stay on top of all the action during the tournament.
*This event is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or otherwise associated with, Epic Games, Inc. The information players provide in connection with this event is being provided to the event organizer and not to Epic Games, Inc.
**No Purchase Necessary. Purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Official Rules (including eligibility requirements and dates) apply. Sponsor: DoorDash, Inc.
About DoorDash
DoorDash (NYSE: DASH) is a technology company that connects consumers with their favorite local businesses in more than 25 countries across the globe. Founded in 2013, DoorDash builds products and services to help businesses innovate, grow, and reach more customers. DoorDash is building infrastructure for local commerce, enabling merchants to thrive in the convenience economy, giving consumers access to more of their communities, and providing work that empowers. With DoorDash, there is a neighborhood of good in every order
About PAX
PAX, or Penny Arcade Expo, is a festival for gamers to celebrate gaming culture. First held in Seattle in 2004, PAX has nearly doubled in size each successive year, with PAX Prime 2014 selling out of tickets in a matter of minutes. Connecting the world’s leading game publishers with their most avid and influential fans, PAX expanded with a second show in Boston in 2010, and a third in San Antonio in 2015, making it the three largest gaming shows in North America. The first international PAX was held in Melbourne, Australia in 2013. In 2017, Penny Arcade established PAX Unplugged, its first tabletop-focused show, held in Philadelphia.
About ReedPop
ReedPop is a boutique group within RX – one of the world’s leading events organizers. Launched in 2006, the group has become the number one producer of pop culture events across the globe as well as a full service digital content provider and media company. Delivering once-in-a-lifetime fan experiences curated specifically for localized audiences, ReedPop currently features events in North America and Europe, including: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), PAX West, East, and Unplugged, Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), Star Wars Celebration, MCM Comic Con, Eurogamer Expo (EGX), and more. In addition to organizing and managing events, ReedPop also runs and operates the Gamer Network and its portfolio of leading gaming websites including Eurogamer, Rock Paper Shotgun and GamesIndustry.Biz. The staff at ReedPop are a fan-based, globally focused group of professionals that are uniquely qualified to build and serve the communities with whom they share a common passion.
About Penny Arcade
Penny Arcade has been the world’s most popular webcomic for over 20 years, with over 3.5 million readers. Started in 1998 in the living room of Mike Krahulik & Jerry Holkins, it has grown into a media empire encompassing multiple beloved properties such as Lookouts, Automata, and beloved D&D live-play series Acquisitions Incorporated. Penny Arcade was responsible for the creation of Child’s Play, a gaming charity that has raised over $45 million dollars for children across the world. They are also the founders of PAX, the number one consumer gaming festival in North America, with hundreds of thousands of loyal visitors every year.
SMG Studio’s F.A.R.Tastic cross-platform sequel heads to PlayStation Plus for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®5 when it launches on 15th August.
Wednesday, 9th August 2023 – SMG Studio, DevM Games, and Team17 Digital have today announced couch moving co-op game Moving Out 2 will be headed to PlayStation Plus for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 at launch next week on 15th August. Also launching on Nintendo Switch™, PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One, Moving Out 2 is set after the intergalactic conclusion of the 2020 original, and sees the Furniture Arrangement and Relocation Technicians (F.A.R.Ts) head beyond the realms of their dimension and go multiversal across a series of other universes, each with wildly different and puzzling environments to that of their own.
Moving Out 2 Key Features
· Location, location, location: Travel the multiverse and overcome new levels and puzzles that pit F.A.R.Ts against their biggest removals challenge yet.
· Co-op Continued: Players can either take on Moving Out 2 solo or with friends (or enemies) in both couch and cross-play enabled online co-op.
· Assist mode: Movers of all abilities are welcome in Packmore; with Assist Mode, the possibilities (and fun) are endless, and inclusive!
· Zany characters: Featuring a whole new host of smooth movers, Moving Out 2 showcases entirely new characters that will both enchant and horrify.
In addition to the game’s digital release across all formats, Fireshine Games will be distributing physical releases of Moving Out 2 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One consoles.
Visit www.movingout2.com and sign up to receive emails with the latest information on the game first.
About SMG Studio
Founded in 2013, SMG Studio creates original experiences with a strong sense of humour. Using the patented D.A.F.U.Z. System, SMG’s games are Dynamic, Addictive, Fun, Unique, and Zany. Known for titles like Death Squared, Thumb Drift and One More Line, SMG is headquartered in Sydney, Australia with additional offices in Melbourne, Australia and Los Angeles, California.
Moving Out was the debut project from SMG’s new Melbourne studio.
About DevM Games Founded in 2009, DevM Games is the solo venture of Jan Rigerl. DevM, located in Stockholm, Sweden, has created numerous games, for web, mobile and PC. Such as Extreme Forklifting 2, Desert Worms, Silly Sailing, and now Moving Out.
About Team17 Digital Founded in 1990, Team17 Digital is a leading developer, video games label, and creative partner for developers around the world. Part of Team17 Group plc, which floated on AIM in 2018, Team17 Digital has an extensive portfolio comprised of over 140 titles, and fully encapsulates the spirit of independent games. Team17 Digital’s portfolio of multi-award-winning and award-nominated in-house brands include Hell Let Loose, Golf With Your Friends, The Escapists, and the iconic Worms franchise, alongside its games label partner titles, including the award-winning games Blasphemous, Greak: Memories of Azur, and Overcooked! franchise.
Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo. “PlayStation” and “PS5” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
Wrestling is one of those entertainment mediums that has been around forever, amassing a ton of fans worldwide. While the sport is no stranger to the industry, the idea of it fitting into a turn-based RPG certainly is. WrestleQuest is an all-original title, featuring mechanics never really seen in the video game world thus far, along with a lively cast of famous talent from the past and present. Does this title have what it takes, or does it job before the finish? Let’s find out.
Story
WrestleQuest‘s story isn’t really as fleshed out as it is odd, but in a good way. Players take the role of an action figure dubbed “Muchacho Man Savage”, a toy that idolizes the wrestler Macho Man Randy Savage, and dreams of being a big Superstar by setting out on a journey to learn the pastime with other names such as Brink Logan, who also is defining his path from zero to hero. Along the way, there is plenty of talent in this world of toys to show you the ropes and a ton of cheeky humor mixed in, which keeps the experience light and fun throughout, so most wrestling fans will easily have enough to chew on as they get a kick of nostalgia as they level up and conquer the mat.
As much as I love WrestleQuest‘s concept, I do think that the story can get a bit stranded by its own identity. There are some fun things going on and you don’t have to take it too seriously, but WrestleQuest is an RPG, and as such I think I expected the story to be a bit more than what it was. The opening hours feel oddly paced when telling the narrative, and aside from having a plotline, the game never seems to utilize storytelling to progress for a lot of it, instead leaning on those cameos and booked appearances to pull it through. Sure, it’s still entertaining, but a game that kind of gets lost by the amount of ideas that went into this part of the finished product. To put it simply, it’s hard to really understand what the focus is a lot of the time, as WrestleQuest has a lot to show, but not a whole lot to say.
Gameplay
This is where a lot will be made up for RPG fans who feel the pain of the under-achieving narrative. WrestleQuest is a pixel-art RPG, and has the player go from town to town, battling foes in combat in the same vein of the likes of Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, and Dragon Quest. Players control a squad of characters and can select to strike, perform a special technique, or even showboat to win battles appropriately, which is honestly a lot of fun. Gear and moves can be unlocked as you level up and progress, which of course benefits your toy in battle, making you eventually feel quite immortal in and outside of the ring.
Each battle can spawn a ring almost anywhere, and most of the combat comes down to winning a mini-game (or maybe even a light quick-time event) in order to dish out extra damage. You see, the main goal of each battle is to pin the opponent, and the player has to perform like a wrestler to win. Go figure, right? Everything from pinning to following up strikes has a quick little “match the button prompt” command that ensures a hit, keeping the game far more engaging than most other RPGs on the market with the same styling. In order to win, you do not just select an attack – you have to perform it, and that makes these mechanics feel interesting and involving throughout.
Outside of combat, there are a lot of secrets, cameos, and wrestling nods and finds to discover, which makes exploring this world fun, even if it isn’t as deep as your typical run in a standard RPG. As a lifeline fan of the sport, the game had me “marking out” several times, as I encountered some hilarious references and abilities that those who know the sport will be more fond of. I can imagine those who are less familiar will be a bit more hesitant to indulge in this world, but I found it lovely – even if it could have used a bit more of a play on a deeper tale to bring out a bit more of a personal touch.
Visuals
Pixel art was the assignment, and this team delivered on that through and through. The character models are lovely and endearing, resembling 16-bit toys of not just wrestlers, but almost everything under the sun. The world is also well crafted, with environments resembling your standard yet classic RPG towns and dungeons, but with an over-the-top flair where the sport comes out and shines in dramatic fashion as you dive into the details.
Audio
I hope you like Macho Man impressions. There are a ton of them here as your main character is built on his very persona. That isn’t a bad thing, but hearing the constant “Oh yeahhhhhhh!” can make moments where you play as someone else feel like a needed breather. There are other voice lines that repeat often, but I don’t think I really take that as a bad thing as these are toys and wrestlers, and the repetition just kind of fits into what the game is going for. The soundtrack is also a lot of fun, playing tunes that are sure to be enjoyed as you battle your way through the silly yet good-natured plot.
Overall
There is an episode of Nickelodeon’s Doug where Doug enjoys music and makes a band. Eventually, more and more characters keep joining the band with their own favorite instruments and it becomes congested, where he gets so overwhelmed by the chaos that he falls into the background of his own creation before eventually being kicked out altogether. The band still moves on without him and he goes back to playing with his friends, rediscovering his passion yet again for music without all of the weight of fame and fortune. I know that is a weird reference to bring up here, but it kind of reminds me of WrestleQuest.
There is so much to love here for a wrestling fan. The issue is that the charm of the plot kind of gets lost in all of the cameos and weight of the experience, making it feel weighted down by its own gimmickry, where you lose track of what the core of the narrative even is. I love a good cameo, but cameos here are treated like props. taking the player out of the immersion of a video game and that kind of hurts the overall product as a result. Sure, there are still a lot of great things here, but if Megacat ever does a follow-up, I would want to see a little more of a wrestler exploring the world and their own story, without ill-fitting surprises that kind of overshadow and weigh down the entire narrative. Either way, I still give credit for such a unique and bold take, and fans of the sport still have a lot here to pull them through.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
For some time now Deck13 has focused heavily on offering difficult action RPGs that would fall under the soulslike category, putting their own unique spins on the formula to try and set themselves apart from others in the genre. While Lords of the Fallen back in 2014 may have been fairly close in nature, their later The Surge series saw the developer experimenting more to some rather solid success. Now Deck13 has moved to try something a bit different with Atlas Fallen, instead offering an open world action game focused on fast-paced combat and powerful monsters. Has this German developer managed to find treasure in the desert that is Atlas Fallen?
Story
The world of Atlas Fallen has suffered under the tyrannical rule of the sun god Thelos for as long as history can remember, with humanity toiling away for the god to harvest Essence that will then be offered to the god in an effort to keep it happy and keep the dangerous wraiths that exist in the world at bay. Players take on the role of an Unnamed, someone deemed lower than a slave by the ruling class but when a powerful sandstorm tears the caravan apart and allows wraiths to run wild, the player has a chance to search outside of the camp only to stumble upon a mysterious relic, simply known as the Gauntlet. After quickly battling against their captors and witnessing the rage of Thelos upon the land, players find themselves with a new friend as the being within the Gauntlet, known as Nyaal, has promised that there is far more to the world than they may know and while he may not remember much now, their journey to free the people from the rule of Thelos and class system will bring everything to light.
Although Atlas Fallen has an interesting set-up as well as some solid world lore that players will discover throughout the game, most of the story is a bit on the bland side that feels like it doesn’t live up to its potential and rarely comes off as a surprise, even feeling a bit rushed near the end despite being a fairly short game as far as open world RPGs are concerned. There are a couple of simple twists here and there but most developments are incredibly easy to predict or something that anyone who has played games before has seen countless times before, especially in regards to character tropes. That isn’t to say that there aren’t interesting characters, there are quite a few actually. Unfortunately most of them are simply side characters while the player character and Nyaal serve as the most generic pairing of lead characters around. Perhaps this is due to the incredibly poor voice acting for nearly the entire cast but the story rarely feels like it makes the most of its potential given the setting. It is nice to note that while Nyaal can chime in during standard gameplay, a growingly familiar mechanic, players can also adjust how often they want character banter to happen or shut it down entirely should they truly wish to.
Gameplay
Atlas Fallen features four main zones with its open world and many of these locations are actually quite impressively designed. Sure, a few locations may be a bit on the barren side, but the amount of locations to explore, side-quests to undertake, and collectables to gather never feels overwhelming thanks to the layout of these locations. It also helps that, although some areas in certain maps aren’t accessible right away players will eventually unlock extra abilities, such as longer jump glides, additional object manipulation, and more to help give these locations some extra life. This in-depth exploration is certainly optional, especially since the game doesn’t feel too challenging, but players who want to get the most out of a location will find many useful upgrade materials, essence stones, and more offered as rewards for their efforts.
One element that makes exploration in Atlas Fallen enjoyable are the movement options that open up as players progress through the game. They will quickly gain access to the sand surf ability, allowing for quick movement along the desert as well as double jumps, air dashes, and more to help keep movement fast paced. This level of movement carries over to combat as well as the game’s combat system prefers to keep players moving while offering plenty of choices for customization. Of the three weapons offered, the Sandwhip offers the most movement options as it allows players to use its strong attack to zip towards an enemy, unleashing a combo on them before disengaging which works just as well in the air as it does on the ground. Alongside the Sandwhip the Dunecleaver Axe serves as the initial default weapon that works fairly well but quickly will find itself overshadowed by the elaborate Knuckledust weapon once players obtain it, if not for its great looking design when used in combat then certainly for its power.
One of the most unique features of Atlas Fallen’s combat system is the Momentum Gauge. As players dash around the battlefield and attack enemies, they will quickly build momentum that has three tiers as well as additional slots that correspond to the various Essence stones that players equip. On the surface, the Momentum Gauge is a bit of a risk and reward system as the higher the gauge the more damage players deal to enemies but the more they receive should they be struck. It also allows their weaponry to assume stronger forms, extending their basic combo attacks and offering new options in fights. Players can burn their entire Momentum Gauge by triggering a powerful Shatter attack that will devastate most foes in the area with their health even indicating when a Shatter will instantly slay them.
Now, the Essence Stones that have been mentioned before are various buffs and abilities that players can locate around the world, craft from ingredients, and obtain from completing quests. Each stone can only be slotted into certain spots on the Momentum Gauge but once the gauge reaches it, it will automatically apply the buff or allow players to use the ability at will. For example, creating a mini sand-tornado may require the bar to be filled halfway while a passive buff to allow for easier or even automatic sandskinning to parry enemy blows may take nearly a full momentum gauge to apply. This level of risk and reward in fights makes most encounters exhilarating, especially since the sandskin ability, that works as the game’s parry, is easy to use and manages to lock down attacking enemies in a temporarily crystalized state.
Learning to master the game’s combat elements is easily the best part of Atlas Fallen, especially when facing down the larger beasts that players will need to take down. While the general wraith enemies that players fight are relatively normal sized or just a bit large and twisted, there are an abundance of extra large creatures that all have unique attack elements as well as certain parts of them that can be broken off for better loot and to deal massive damage to them. Taking down these massive beasts with their sand warped appearances never fails to delight as most of these encounters really highlight how fun the combat is in the game. One annoyance that persists throughout Atlas Fallen however is the fact that nearly every larger enemy has the ability to summon smaller wraiths to battle against while you take them on which often ends up being more of an annoyance thanks to how often they respawn than an actual challenge and this issue happens constantly throughout the larger enemy encounters.
Between the amount of character customization available through the Essence stones players can really outfit their character to best fit their playstyle and as mentioned before, those who want to explore will find plenty to enjoy besides collectables as there are various elements of platforming, extra strong Wraiths to hunt down, and even some extra tasks here and there outside of the usual side-quests. That being said, while the exploration may be fun, the actual missions throughout the game are mostly generic in nature. Nearly all of them involve simply being a fetch quest and even main story quests can often feel like busywork rather than anything meaningful.
One element that is immediately offered when starting is the ability to play the entire game in co-op and while we weren’t able to test this out too much outside of a few instances, any time we played with a co-op partner saw the game running perfectly smooth with our partner being able to immediately jump into the game without much of a hassle. With how enjoyable combat is in single player, it can get quite hectic and enjoyable with a partner though it does appear that there may be some issues with progression if players aren’t quite matched up in the story.
Visuals & Audio
The design of the world in Atlas Fallen is fairly impressive by how it makes use of the game’s focus on being in a desert world where most life is barely hanging on. Surfing along the sand and exploring is a real delight for the most part and there are a number of unique locations and environments to explore through the game, though the oft endless desert can be a bit repetitive sometimes. The character models are fairly generic with armor design being the true standout here while enemy designs are wonderful looking, especially larger threats and bosses, but it would be nice if there was more variety to them. This wouldn’t be too much of an issue if players weren’t constantly needing to battle against wraiths as they explore side-content or take on side quests and fight the same foes they’ve faced countless times before.
As mentioned earlier, the voice work in Atlas Fallen is bad. There are some side-characters that are handled fairly well and it is quite evident as most of the decently voiced characters also have the most interesting stories. Unfortunately the main characters are a complete disappointment and drag the story down more than they should due to the relatively generic developments. The soundtrack features a solid collection of music that works well for both exploration and combat though doesn’t quite stand out outside of a few of the larger foe themes that help make these battles feel even more epic in nature.
Overall
Deck13 stepped outside their usual wheelhouse for Atlas Fallen and that deserves some credit, especially since they have created an incredibly fun combat system with some great movement options to help make exploration through the open world an enjoyable experience, making both combat and traversal feel tightly designed outside of a few niggling jumping issues. Sadly Atlas Fallen is held down by the lack of interesting writing, repetitive objectives, and some of the flattest voice acting for a main cast of characters that you can imagine. That being said, those looking for a decent open world action game will find Atlas Fallen’s momentum based combat a fitting offering, just don’t expect great writing to go with the excellent feeling combat.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
In a world torn asunder and most people treated like less than a grain of sand, we rise from being a nameless servant to a powerful warrior as we face down wraiths and learn some of the history in the world of Atlas Fallen.
Rise from the dust and glide the sands of a timeless land, filled with ancient dangers, mysteries and fragments of the past. Hunt legendary monsters with powerful sand-infused weapons and abilities in spectacular, super-powered combat.
Atlas Fallen Developer: Deck13 Publisher: Focus Entertainment Platform: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X Release Date: 11 Aug, 2023 Price: $49.99 USD
Recommended – “Atlas Fallen’s momentum focused combat makes this open world action RPG shine like a gem in the desert but poor writing and acting tarnish its quality. ”
Join us in the first moments of Wrestlequest, as we learn the basics of this RPG and start out on a journey filled with bumps, bruises, and charm with some familiar faces popping up throughout.
TAG TEAM WITH DESTINY! Pro wrestling and RPG fantasy collide in the ultimate pixel-powered adventure. “Macho Man” Randy Savage and tons of other icons offer guidance as you powerbomb your way to glory beyond the ring. This hero’s journey ain’t just an epic quest, it’s WRESTLEQUEST!
WrestleQuest Developer: Mega Cat Studios Publisher: Skybound Games Platform: Windows, PlayStation 5/4, Xbox SeriesX, Nintendo Switch Release Date: August 22nd, 2023
Recommended – “Wrestlequest has some fantastic combat mechanics and a ton of nods to the world of wrestling, but gets weighed down by its own substance far too often.”
The LARP-inspired “A Song of Ice and Dust” lets players defend The Dustfaire from the Frostlanders, paintball by paintball
Sydney, Australia, August 9th 2023 | Deep Silver and Volition announce that Saints Row’s third DLC expansion is out now. It follows a major free patch that set the game in the new District of Vallejo. Saints Row is also set to release on Steam on August 24th.
A Song of Ice And Dust is a LARP-themed tale set in the crumbling district of Vallejo. Players will experience the epic climax to Saints Row’s popular Dustmoot story, a tale of two “frenemies” (the Boss and Gwen) who, despite their differences, still really hate each other.
After a brutal bloody wedding betrayal of the Dustlanders, it´s time to join forces and defend The Dustfaire from the clutches of the Chill Queen and the Frostlanders, paintball by paintball.
Watch the trailer for A Song of Ice and Dust here:
The DLC comes within 5 new campaigns missions, a new enemy faction (The Frostlanders), 4 new vehicles, weapons, and more than 20 outfits and cosmetics. It follows the game’s third major free update includes an entirely new district for all players, as well as more fixes and quality of life improvements. A Song of Ice and Dust is available now to buy and is also included in the Saints Row Expansion Pass.
Saints Row Update Overview:
A Song of Ice and Dust DLC for Expansion Pass holders is out now and also available to buy separately
The free Dustfire Update Patch launched in August is available for all players and includes:
New Vallejo District added to the map
New @atcha and wingsuit saboteur activities
Improvements to customisation including improved layering on clothing
New pop-up shop, discoveries and threats
Challenge tracking and achievement/trophy fixes for completionists
More main game improvements and bug fixing in multiple areas
A Song of Ice And Dust is the final Expansion coming to Saints Row this quarter, after the previous releases of The Heist and the Hazardous and Doc Ketchum’s Murder Circus.
All Expansion Pass packs will also be available to purchase separately. Check your preferred platform store holder for local prices.
Saints Row is out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, the all-in-one games and entertainment systems from Microsoft, the PlayStation® 4 and the PlayStation® 5 computer entertainment systems, and on Epic Games Store for PC.
For more information on Saints Row visit the website SaintsRow.com follow us on Twitter and Instagram @SaintsRow and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SaintsRow.
Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds by creating products of the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires. Deep Silver has published more than 200 games since 2003, including its own brands like the open world extravaganza Saints Row, the zombie action franchise Dead Island, and the gritty, post-apocalyptic Metro series. Upcoming highlights from Deep Silver include the next entries into the TimeSplitters and Dead Island franchises. Deep Silver development studios include Deep Silver Dambuster Studios and Free Radical Design, both in Nottingham, UK; Deep Silver Fishlabs in Hamburg, Germany, and Deep Silver Volition based in Champaign, IL, USA. For more information please visit www.deepsilver.com. All product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyright material of the respective owners. All rights reserved.
ABOUT DEEP SILVER VOLITION
Deep Silver Volition combines long-standing industry experience and state-of-the-art technology with creativity and a strong dash of humor, to create the truly unique gaming experience their fans know and love. Its portfolio comprises the critically acclaimed Saints Row series of games, Agents of Mayhem, Red Faction, Descent/Freespace and Summoner series. The studio is in downtown Champaign, Illinois. The Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area is home to the University of Illinois and is a diverse, growing community that combines the arts, a vibrant technology sector, and affordable housing. Deep Silver Volition currently employs over 240 talented people. In 2013, Volition joined PLAION / Deep Silver as one of their three international development studios. Four years later, the group was acquired by Embracer Group. To learn more about Deep Silver Volition, please visit the official website DSVolition.com, and follow on Twitter @DSVolition and Facebook @VolitionGames.
ABOUT PLAION
PLAION is a leading independent developer and producer of games and entertainment products, with nine development studios and five publishing units based all over the world. Founded in 1994 as Koch Media, PLAION offers a unique breadth of services and solutions, dynamically growing its business to push ourselves and our partners to the forefront in all the segments we operate in. PLAION runs a multi-label strategy, with fully owned publishing units, such as Deep Silver, Prime Matter, Milestone, Vertigo Games and Ravenscourt, publishing games for consoles, PC and VR platforms across all physical and digital channels. Additionally – as a global publishing partner – PLAION has formed long-term multinational publishing collaborations with numerous game publishers including Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, Capcom, Focus Multimedia, Giants Software, Koei Tecmo, Paradox, Sega, SNK, Square Enix, Techland, THQ Nordic, Tripwire, Warner Bros and many others. With its parent company in Höfen, Austria – and the HQ in Munich, Germany – PLAION owns local publishing companies in Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Australia, the United States as well as Japan and Hong Kong. PLAION owns nine game development studios: Deep Silver Dambuster Studios (Nottingham, UK), Fishlabs (Hamburg, DE), Warhorse Studios (Prague, CZ), Milestone (Milan, IT), Voxler (Paris, FR) , DigixArt (Montpellier, FR), Flying Wild Hog (Warsaw, Kraków, Rzeszów, PL), Free Radical Design (Nottingham, UK) and Vertigo Games (Rotterdam, Amsterdam, NL). Additionally, PLAION collaborates with numerous independent development studios around the world. Part of PLAION is also PLAION PICTURES, a leading independent film distributor in Europe with a library of more than 1.400 titles. Further business operations include Sola Media, a sales agency and production company for family entertainment, Spotfilm Networx, a multi-channel streaming network, and a sub-label dedicated to Japanese animation. PLAION also owns the leading video game merchandise company DPI Merchandising (Denver, Roseburg, USA and Munich, DE) and a Quality Assurance Facility in Olomouc, CZ. PLAION is an Embracer Group company.
First DLC packs to arrive alongside game’s launch, with more to arrive in September
Sydney, Australia – 9th August 2023: SEGA has announced the first details of the paid post-launch downloadable content coming toSamba de Amigo: Party Central on Nintendo Switch™, starting when it launches on the 29th of August!
With 8 different packs planned for release, players can look forward to plenty of music sure to get the party grooving. Here is the breakdown of the first three music packs set to be individually released:
29th August
Sonic the Hedgehog Music Pack ($7.70 RRP)
“Open Your Heart” from Sonic Adventure™
“Reach For The Stars (Re-Colors)” from Sonic Colors™: Ultimate
“I’m Here” from Sonic Frontiers™!
Japanese Music Pack ($7.70 RRP)
“Kaikai Kitan” by Eve
“MATSUKEN SAMBA II” by Ken Matsudaira
“KING” by Hatsune Miku
27th September
SEGA Music Pack ($7.70 RRP)
“Baka Mitai (Taxi Driver Edition)” from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
“Go Go Cheer Girl!” from Space Channel 5™: Part 2
“Rhythm Thief Theme” from Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure™
A K-Pop Music Pack will launch on the 27th of September, so please stay tuned for more details on that set.
Finally, for those who decide to purchase either the physical or digital Standard Edition of the game, a “Deluxe Upgrade Bundle” ($18.00 RRP) will also be available on the 29th of August that includes all the bonus items the Digital Deluxe Edition provides over the Standard Edition!
We’ll have more to share about the exciting lineup of tracks coming to Samba de Amigo: Party Central for Nintendo Switch soon.
About SEGA of America
SEGA of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA CORPORATION, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment. Established in 1986, SEGA of America publishes and develops innovative interactive entertainment experiences for console, PC, mobile and emerging platforms. In 2020, SEGA ranked #1 among Metacritic’s Annual Game Publisher Rankings. Its globally beloved franchises include Sonic the Hedgehog, Like a Dragon™, Virtua Fighter™, Super Monkey Ball™, and Crazy Taxi™, along with Atlus’ Persona™ and Shin Megami Tensei™ series. Since its debut more than three decades ago, Sonic has become an entertainment icon featured in several dozen games, TV series, movies, merchandise and more. SEGA of America has offices in Irvine and Burbank, California.
ⒸSEGA. All rights reserved. SEGA is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. SEGA, the SEGA logo, Samba de Amigo and Samba de Amigo: Party Central are registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA CORPORATION. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are property of their respective owners.
