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STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life Now Available on Console and PC in Europe and Australia, Welcoming Everyone to Forgotten Valley

Modern Reimagining of Farming/Life Sim for Fans of All Generations Out Now!

London, U.K. — 27 June 2023 — Marvelous Europe today released STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Nintendo Switch™ system in Europe and Australia. A reimagining of the fan-favorite entry in STORY OF SEASONS (Bokujo Monogatari in Japan), STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life adds modern visuals and design updates to the game to enhance the original experience for seasoned fans while welcoming younger fans to the popular farming/life sim genre.

“It has been an honor to work on this reimagining of such a beloved classic like STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life,” said Rika Hoshina, Director for STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life, “Everyone on the development team has poured their hearts into recapturing the magic that charmed so many of us when the original game released.

We hope that STORY OF SEASONS fans around the world, old and new, enjoy their time in Forgotten Valley, where everyone is welcome.”STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life brings players to Forgotten Valley, a tranquil community where they put down roots, begin their new carefree life growing crops and raising animals and weave a generation-spanning tale. Players will bring life to the land, find love among the town’s friendly folk, and make lasting memories with a family of their own.

This remake of an unforgettable tale of friendship, family, and farming blooms introduces a plethora of new events, enhanced festivals, a cornucopia of never-before-seen crops, and even more recipes to cook. Returning fans will find plenty of exciting updates to Forgotten Valley, while newcomers to the series will discover the joys of cozy farm life and the extraordinary characters that make the series shine.

KEY FEATURES

Befriend the residents of Forgotten Valley – Find new friends among the charming cast of characters in the tranquil town of Forgotten Valley and get to know them through all-new events!

Establish your homestead – Live a carefree life on the farm growing crops and raising animals. Raise even cuter animals, new hybrid crops and build upgradeable facilities.

Your Story, Your Way ‒ With the option to play as a male, female, or non-binary protagonist, as well as all eligible marriage candidates available for romance regardless of that choice, you can truly be who you want to be.

Fall in love, start a family and build precious memories – Watch your child grow into adulthood as the years pass! Will they inherit the farm? Or will they find their calling somewhere else?

A Wonderful Life for a new generation – Revisit a beloved story as never before, with reimagined visuals, animations, and additional updates to bring A Wonderful Life to a new generation.

STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life released on Windows PC via Steam, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Nintendo Switch™ system on June 27, 2023. It is currently available for physical purchase for consoles through the Marvelous Europe website for a RRP of €39.99/£34.99 for the standard edition, and a premium bundle including a 140-page, A5 notebook, charming chibi stickers and A3 poster within a custom outer box for a RRP of €49.99/£44.99.

As an added bonus, players will be able to download the “Mukumuku Costume” DLC for free on all platforms through July 5, after which it will no longer be available.

Published in Europe and Australia by Marvelous Europe and in North America by XSEED Games, this title has been rated PEGI 3.

About Marvelous Europe

Marvelous Europe is the publisher behind Mandragora, Nova Antarctica and Ninja or Die, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvelous Inc., developer of the beloved Story of Seasons (known as Harvest Moon prior to 2013) and Rune Factory series.

Established in 2012, Marvelous Europe is passionate about helping games to reach a global audience while nurturing emerging developers and studios. With decades of experience and strong ties to the worldwide indie game dev community, the highly skilled European team is committed to supporting studios worldwide find success, while continuing to publish and distribute select Marvelous Inc. content.

Assetto Corsa Competizione launches 2023 GT World Challenge DLC on Consoles

Today June 27, 2023, global video game publisher 505 Games and developer KUNOS Simulazioni launch Assetto Corsa Competizione’s version 1.9 update with revamped physics and a new vehicle, alongside the console launch of the premium 2023 GT World Challenge DLC.

The free 1.9 update introduces the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, the 2023 upgrade to the McLaren 720S GT3 which won titles in the Asian Le Mans Series, IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and GT World Challenge Europe last year. Furthermore, the 1.9 update will apply countless improvements, new liveries from the 2023 season and an update to the  Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO to mirror the recent advancements that the car has been undergoing over the past year.  In addition, further improvements have been made to the physics system continuing Assetto Corsa Competizione’s quest to be the most realistic racing simulator on the market.   

Previously only available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S racers will now be able to acquire the 2023 GT World Challenge DLC. This £10.99 DLC brings three brand new vehicles to the ever-growing roster of real-world cars, including the Ferrari 296, Porsche 911 GT3 R and Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO. Push them to their limits on the DLC’s latest track, the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, home to numerous international racing competitions.

Version 1.9 is available from today on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S as a free update to all players.

The 2023 GT World Challenge DLC is available from today on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S for £10.99.

For more information, visit Assetto Corsa’s official website and 505 Games’ official website.

Dig through A Little to the Left: Cupboards & Drawers right now

Tidy tons of trinkets today

K’jipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia, CA – 27 June 2023:  Everything has neatly slotted into place for developer Max Inferno and publisher Secret Mode! A Little to the Left: Cupboards & Drawers is now available on PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch™ as downloadable content for A Little to the Left.

A Little to the Left: Cupboards & Drawers has players sorting through multi-layered levels, with multiple drawers and secret compartments galore. From cleaning products and craft knives to dice and D-batteries, players will arrange and align hundreds of objects in A Little to the Left‘s most elaborate puzzles yet.

About A Little to the Left: Cupboards & Drawers
Sort, stack, and organize household objects into particular arrangements. Prepare to clean out the cabinets and secret compartments of the home with even more charming illustrations, surprising scenarios, and 25 delightful new Cupboards & Drawers themed puzzles to discover.

  • 25 new puzzles: a mixture of Cupboards & Drawers themed levels and traditional organization levels
  • Puzzles nested within puzzles
  • New functionality: multiple steps to organizing within a single level
  • Secret compartments
  • Multiple drawers that are opened/closed within a level, requiring players to move objects between them

Nintendo Switch page:
https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/a-little-to-the-left-cupboards-and-drawers-70050000040214-switch/

Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2343790/A_Little_to_the_Left_Cupboards__Drawers

A Little to the Left is out now on PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch™ with an SRP of £12.99 | $14.99 | €14.99.

A Little to the Left: Cupboards & Drawers is available now on PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch™ with an SRP of £4.99 | $5.99 | €5.99.

About Secret Mode

Greetings from The Bunker! Secret Mode is the publishing wing of the award-winning Sumo Group Ltd. Our goal is to publish internally developed projects from any of our 17 game development studios across the UK, US, Europe, and India, as well as third party independent game developers. We believe that games are for everyone, and that creativity has no limits. We believe quality and fun are everything.

About Max Inferno

Annie and Lukas are MAX INFERNO, a seaside indie game studio from K’jipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia. They make charming games that are inspired by moments in their daily lives.

Annie and Lukas have always loved making things together: Halloween costumes, treasure hunts, dance moves… Now they have a platform for all of the odd and lovely ideas for interactions they want to see in the gaming world.

Mythical Games Secures First Close of $37 Million Towards Latest Round of Funding

The full round will close later this year with an additional $20-30 million in funding to continue developing the Mythical platform’s infrastructure

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES – JUNE 27, 2023 – Mythical Games, the next-generation gaming studio behind the Mythical Chain, Mythical Marketplace, and popular gaming titles such as NFL Rivals and Blankos Block Party, and the soon-to-be-released Nitro Nation World Tour, has secured $37 million as part of its Series C1. Led by digital asset manager Scytale Digital, with participation from ARK Invest, Animoca Brands, PROOF, Stanford Athletics, MoonPay, as well as participation from existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, Gaingels, Signum Growth, Struck Capital, and WestCap. The full round is expected to close later this year with an additional $20-30 million raise, with a few additional investors and several strategic partners that are in discussion.  

The $37 million in this Series C1 will primarily be used to achieve profitability within 12 months and deliver on Mythical’s mission of providing innovation to video games through web3 infrastructure to mainstream gamers through new economy and game models. Through its chain, marketplace technology, and games, Mythical has seen an influx of more than 2.5m new users and north of $1 million in gross sales per day in the last year. The additional funding will ensure that Mythical is able to scale its games and infrastructure to a much larger mainstream audience

“Mythical continues to be focused on producing the best games and building a dynamic marketplace bringing players and stakeholders directly into the game economies,” said John Linden, Mythical Games, CEO. “With over a million mobile downloads of NFL Rivals since launch last month and averaging over $1 million in daily transactions via the Mythical Chain, we are focused on getting the company to profitability and are seeing our vision realized and our strategy paying off. Last year – thanks to Blankos Block Party – Mythical was one of the few web3 games to reach over 1 million player accounts. By the end of 2023, we anticipate over 20 million player accounts across our entire game portfolio, driven largely by NFL Rivals and the upcoming release of Nitro Nation World Tour. It’s a testament to not only the work we’ve accomplished of late but of the continued interest in and dedication to this new frontier of game economies.”

Today’s announcement is an extension round following Mythical’s prior capital raises of $150 million led by Andreessen Horowitz and $75 million led by Andreessen Horowitz in 2021. With this latest round of funding, Mythical maintains its unicorn valuation.

“As evidenced by their incredible growth this last year, Mythical Games is poised to become the dominant gaming platform in Web3,” said Mark Cachia, Founder and CIO of Scytale Digital. “We believe wholeheartedly in gaming as a vehicle to bring about mass adoption of blockchain tech and are proud to be a partner and lead this round of investment.” 

About Mythical Games

Acknowledged by Forbes’ Disruptive Technology Companies To Watch in 2019 and Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas 2021, Mythical is a next-generation games technology company creating a web3 gaming ecosystem by leveraging blockchain technology and playable NFTs for tools that enable players, creators, artists, brands and game developers to become stakeholders and owners in new “play and own” game economies.

Led by gaming industry veterans, the team specializes in building games around player-owned economies and has helped develop major franchises including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Marvel Strike Force and Skylanders.

Mythical Platform protects gamers that may be new to blockchain through a custodial wallet for their digital items, while allowing advanced players the freedom to link their own wallets via bridges between the Mythical Chain and public mainnets. With its “gamers-first” focus, the Mythical Platform ensures players don’t need to dive into the intricacies of blockchain to enjoy ownership of their digital collections and have a great game experience.

About Scytale

Scytale is a digital asset manager with a focus on blockchain solutions. The company was an early adopter/investor in blockchain with Horizon Fund I in 2017. Horizon Fund II closed in early 2022. Scytale largely invests in projects building real world solutions across different Web3 ecosystems.To date, Scytale Horizon II has invested in 15 projects with a diversity of offerings, which include gaming, music, legaltech, security, as well as blockchain and metaverse infrastructure, among others.

FARMING SIMULATOR 22: PREMIUM EDITION AND EXPANSION ANNOUNCED

Premium-amount of content for farmers: With the upcoming Premium Edition of Farming Simulator 22, publisher and developer GIANTS Software fulfills farmer’s dreams of agricultural variety. At this year’s FarmCon, the new Premium Expansion content will be presented on stage – a first trailer already offers a glimpse.

Watch the Farming Simulator 22 Premium Edition trailer HERE:

Featuring the internationally awarded Farming Simulator 22, six maps, seven official content packs, and two expansions, new and returning farmers enjoy a sheer endless mass of family-friendly activities for cooperative and competitive farming. Available November 14th on PC & consoles – boxed and digitally.

Expansion Adds Crops, Map & Machines 

The Premium Expansion, also available separately, is part of the edition and introduces a new map: Zielonka – an environment in Central Europe, perfect to grow vegetables, as carrots, parsnips & red beet are added to the list of overall 20 crops, alongside new factories, and production chains.

Authentically digitized with more details than ever, over 35 vehicles and implements extend the fleet. Manufacturers Dewulf, Gorenc, Agrio & WIFO debut in the series, with even more machines by BEDNAR, Fiat, GRIMME, Kverneland, SaMASZ & others. 

Edition Contains Year 1 & Year 2 Content

The comprehensive Premium Edition of Farming Simulator 22 also contains the following packs: Antonio Carraro Pack, Kubota Pack, Vermeer Pack, Göweil Pack, Hay & Forage Pack, as well as two yet-to-be- announced packs. Furthermore, the forestry-focused Platinum Expansion that introduced Volvo to the series and featured many other brands, gameplay mechanics, a new map, and more is also included alongside the Premium Expansion.

Farming Simulator 22: Premium Edition will be available for PC, Mac, PlayStation®5 (PS5™), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One on November 14th. Featuring Farming Simulator 22, seven official content packs, two expansions, hundreds of machines and six maps, it’s the most comprehensive Farming Simulator package to date. The included Premium Expansion is offered separately, too.

# # # 

ABOUT GIANTS SOFTWARE
GIANTS Software is an international video game developer and publisher from Switzerland established in 2004 and known worldwide for creating the popular Farming Simulator series. The team with offices in Switzerland (Zurich), Germany (Erlangen), USA (Chicago) and Czech Republic (Brno) is very committed to maintain close contact to the agricultural industry and to engage with the community.

ABOUT FARMING SIMULATOR 
Since 2008, over 30 million units of Farming Simulator have been sold worldwide. The game series has been released on all popular platforms including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs since then. From the start, the team enabled users to create mods with the company’s own GIANTS Engine. With the Farming Simulator League (FSL), the series introduced a competitive esports mode in 2019 – with teams competing in professional tournaments and many acclaimed brands and sponsors on board.

© 2023 Published and developed by GIANTS Software GmbH. Farming Simulator, GIANTS Software and its logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of GIANTS Software GmbH. All manufacturers, agricultural machinery, agricultural equipment, names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game in some cases include trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. The agricultural machines and equipment in this game may be different from the actual machines in shapes, colours and performance. © 2023 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. “PlayStation”, “PS5” and “PS4”, are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

Microsoft, the Xbox Sphere mark, the Series X logo, Series S logo, Series X|S logo, Xbox One and Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X|S are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. “Mac” is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other names, trademarks and logos are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

SwissGames is bringing 22 Swiss studios to gamescom 2023

From 23 to 27 August Swiss indie developers are presenting their games

Zurich, Switzerland, 27 June 2023 – This year, SwissGames will once again be on site at gamescom in Cologne. 22 Swiss studios will be there to present their current projects. As part of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, SwissGames is an initiative to promote Swiss game developers at home and abroad.

Impressions of gamescom 2022:

The line-up is once again a diverse mix of 2D and 3D games, from hand-drawn artistic single-player experiences to brightly coloured multiplayer titles.

Some highlights of the games presented this year are the action rogue-lite Munch by Mac n Cheese Games, the whimsical spooky-noir game Tom the postgirl by Oopsie Daisies, the party racing game Ultimate Godspeed by Ninoko and the charming third-person RPG Wéko the Mask Gatherer.
Munch is an action rogue-lite set in a dark fantasy world. Players defeat enemies and then eat them in the spirit of the game’s title. This allows them to take on new forms and learn new abilities. That way, they keep evolving based on what they eat – true to the motto “You are what you eat”.

Tom the postgirl is a hand-drawn 2D adventure game with a healthy dose of dark humour and (questionable) decisions. Players follow Tom, a girl who is not very good at her actual job of delivering packages. But Tom is all the better at stalking the villagers. In the game, players make decisions that have dramatic consequences.

Ultimate Godspeed is a party racing game that players can play on their own, with or against their friends. To win, players either build shortcuts with ramps or platforms, or they try to eliminate the competition with well-placed traps. They just have to be careful not to end up in these traps themselves!

Wéko the Mask Gatherer is an action adventure about the gecko Wéko, who collects masks in an atmospheric world and uncovers dark secrets in the process. The charmingly designed world invites exploration and gradually opens up to players. The challenging gameplay includes battles, the use of the masks collected by Wéko and the abilities they grant him.

The following titles will be at gamescom 2023 as part of the SwissGames line-up:

Bold Beasts by 5am Games
Rottenburg by Dama Dama Games
Plank Builders by Diditopia Games
Aestik by Hooded Traveler Games
Pocket Oasis by knit’n’purl game studio
Pool Party by Lakeview Games
Castle Come by lauflauf
Munch by Mac n Cheese Games
Flying Legends by Momento Games
Don’t be Estranger by Naraven
Psychotic Bathtub by natsha
Ultimate Godspeed by Ninoko
Echo of the Waves by Oneira Games
Tom the postgirl by Oopsie Daisies
Wéko the Mask Gatherer by SIRO GAMES
Grimoire Groves by Stardust
Crow’s Nest by Strangers
Truth Detectives by Studio ZB
Seven Dwarfs: Legends Untold by Surprised Turtle Studios
Circle of Kerzoven by Kerzoven
Turtles by Twisted BrainZ 
LightClash AR by Vizar Technologies

Studios Stardust, SIRO GAMES, Ninoko, Team Kerzoven and Diditopia Games will be exhibiting at the Indie Arena Booth.

Those who would like to see the games for themselves and meet the developers will find the SwissGames booth in Hall 4.1, booth number C050g – B041g, in the Business Area of gamescom. On Wednesday, 23 August from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., the Business Breakfast will take place.

Registrations for this can be made via [email protected].

Another opportunity for networking (no registration required) will also be offered on Thursday, 24 August from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with Swiss Drinks. The latest information on SwissGames is always available on the Website and the official Twitter account.

Below Special Boxed Edition Now Available for PlayStation 4

Explore. Survive. Discover.

Madrid, Spain – 27th June 2023. Publisher Serenity Forge is thrilled to announce that the boxed Special Edition of the roguelike action adventure game BELOW for PlayStation 4 is now available across European retail stores. 

Developed by Capybara Games and published by Serenity Forge, BELOW is a solitary journey through the haunted depths of a forbidden island filled with deadly wildlife, terrifying traps and a foreboding presence lurking in the darkness.

Meridiem Games is responsible for the design and manufacture of the boxed Special Edition of BELOW for PlayStation 4, as well as its distribution across European specialised stores. The Special Edition boxed release will include a map of the mysterious island detailing the different areas to explore, as well as a concept art book where you can delve into the inspiration, conception and creation of the game.

Test your senses in the underground labyrinths of The Island, a shifting terrain full of life, mystery, and death. Explore a cavernous, interconnected world filled with intelligent wildlife and lethal traps as a presence lurks in the shadows. Survive the dangers of The Depths and discover what lies below… or die trying.FEATURES:

  • Explore the vast subterranean underworld of The Isle: a dangerous, unfathomable deep. Choose your path through a labyrinth crawling with deadly monstrosities, traps and hazardous environments. Death awaits at every false step, and there are no hints to guide you.
  • Survive spelunking through The Depths of BELOW is a treacherous endeavour, with death around every corner. The world is alive with flora & fauna, and there are many ways to scavenge materials and harvest ingredients to create life-saving remedies or useful survival tools.
  • Discover what lies below? Only the bravest wanderers will find out. The Depths are filled with secrets and danger. BELOW embraces the idea that players enjoy discovering secret areas, finding hidden passageways, and unravelling the deepest mysteries hidden in the darkness…

Watch the Special Edition announcement trailer for BELOW here

The boxed Special Edition of BELOW is now available for PlayStation 4 across European retail stores.

For more information, please visit www.meridiem-games.com

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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 Serenity Forge

Based in Boulder, Colorado, video game development and publishing studio Serenity Forge prides themselves on the care and dedication they put into their work, creating meaningful games that challenge the way you think. Firm believers in the artistic, cultural, and educational power of video games, Serenity Forge aims to craft unique interactive experiences to broaden players’ horizons and expand their perspectives.

About Capybara Games Capybara Games is an award-winning, independent video game studio based in Toronto Canada. Known for their distinct style and keen eye for quality, CAPY’s games include Grindstone, BELOW, Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, Super Time Force Ultra, Critter Crunch, OK K.O.! Let’s Play Heroes, and Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes

Aliens: Dark Descent Review

Aliens: Dark Descent

Developer: Tindalos Interactive
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Platforms: Xbox One, Playstation 4, PC, Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S (Reviewed)
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $39.99 – Available Here

Overview

The Alien franchise is no stranger to the industry. Over the years we have seen a fine number of hits and duds release, with Alien: Isolation setting a bar years ago that has yet to be topped. Aliens: Dark Descent is ready to give things a go with a new take, offering a story-driven strategy romp with a focus on horror. An RTS in the Alien Universe is new, but does this title have enough in its cargo bay to live up to the predecessors of that past? Let’s find out.

Story

I think going into Dark Descent I had lower expectations. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Alien movies and usually try to be optimistic with licensed fare, but the past has proven that this universe has more misses that hits when it comes to putting together an original tale. Thankfully, those expectations were knocked out of the park as the narrative is fantastic in this title, with a ton of twists and turns to keep you engaged until the end.

Players initially take the role of Maeko Hayes, a strong female protagonist who runs the USS Otago. After an outbreak of creatures spills loose on the ship, she must assemble a team and attempt to control the horde before it spills out to the world. On paper it may sound a bit simplistic, but there is a lot of arching narratives here involving crew betrayal, life and death decisions, and so on that really give a lot of satisfaction to anyone looking for a great piece of lore in this setting. On top of that, the game is actually very intense, offering that demanded element of horror as the player assembles and progresses through the game.

Gameplay

While the story is great within Aliens: Dark Descent, its the gameplay that truly makes it shine. Overall, this title plays a lot like XCOM and similar strategy titles we have seen in the past. Controlling your character in a top-down world feels very point and click, where you can interact with your environment. Luckily the controls are very easy to learn and accessible enough to easily get the hang of. As you progress, you gain a squad and must go to each area, avoid and conquer alien life, and achieve specific objectives without dying in the process.

Your squad consists of several different classes to control and upgrade as the game moves forward, featuring specific abilities and techniques to keep the chaos at bay and the group alive. Injuries and anguish can cause the team to under-perform, so you must try to strategize to keep everything as calm as possible, despite the threats constantly being high on the ship. To be honest, this isn’t anything new in terms of most RTS titles out there. The menus, class system, and everything else feels familiar and plays fine, with nothing really unique brought to the table. When you add in the narrative and tension however, the game breaks through its design limitations and really starts to feel special.

Exploration is also a large part of the experience here, as the decisions you make may come back to hurt or assist you later. For instance, you can block off aliens by welding doors, but that also causes a newly sealed door that may effect your squad later on. Players also have to utilize the environment to stealthily avoid overpowered foes, which is tricky due to the stress and tension you have to manage for not just yourself, but your whole squad. Sometimes it feels that the stress is an exciting addition to the mechanics here, but I also had a lot of annoyance with the squad getting jolted by just being in a tight space that could not really be helped otherwise. I think there are some great ideas here, but maybe the stress elements would have been better if they were limited to specific missions or areas, rather than always running even when the game takes more of an action slant.

Visuals

The cutscenes here are awesome. I really cannot state that enough. Dark Descent can be very cinematic and the story benefits from the work this team put into that experience. The actual game looks fine when in action as well, even if the top-down view may not always feel fitting for specific moments of combat or play. Animations however always seemed consistent and there is a great level of atmosphere added by the dim lighting and creepy environment in front of the player at all times.

Audio

The voice acting here is where the audio shines. The cast all have great performances that bring your crew to life, with a lot of personality to incentivize the player to keep their team healthy and well. Again, the audio also provides a great atmosphere to make that tension mechanic feel real and that adds to the execution for the overall experience. Sometimes the silence also pays in numbers to the benefit of that as well, with the eerie sound effects coming into play as you pray not to make another encounter as you trek through.

Overall

Aliens: Dark Descent is another win for fans everywhere as it is indeed to great title that will surely satisfy newcomers and veterans to the franchise alike. While it may not be perfect in all areas due to its over-ambitious tension mechanics, it is a thrill to play and for a strategy title, and that is certainly saying something. Its refreshing to see licensed titles take risks, and Dark Descent is proof that straying out of the norm can lead to success, with another Alien game that is sure to be a fan favorite for years to come.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Atomic Heart releases its first DLC on the 2nd of August. Watch the bombastic new trailer!

The cinematic shooter extends its plot and pimps the experience with a new area, new enemies, new weapons and a new ability.

Sydney, Australia – 27th June 2023: Focus Entertainment and studio Mundfish have announced the first DLC for Atomic Heart, the action RPG set in the mad utopia of fictional 1955. Atomic Heart: Annihilation Instinct will release on the 2nd of August, with a look at the new content in a powerful new Release Date Trailer. This first DLC is packed with all types of new content to keep the experience as thrilling as ever: a new area, new weapons, new enemies, and a new glove ability. Focus Entertainment and Mundfish are also excited to announce the immediate availability of the highly requested New Game+ mode!

Watch the Annihilation Instinct DLC Release Date trailer online here.

An explosive DLC crafted to bring out your Annihilation Instincts

Continue the story in the Annihilation Instinct DLC and learn what happened to this dystopian world after the climax of Atomic Heart. Prepare to embark on a journey through the new mind-bending Mendeleev Complex and its surrounding swamps and discover the truth about NORA as Major P-3 is pulled back into Facility 3826. Survive vicious, shape-shifting new enemies and take them down using two cunning new weapons – ranged one the Secateur and melee one the Klusha – as well as your glove’s new Techno-Stasis ability, allowing you to manipulate time itself.

Meet a new enigmatic character, as well as returning ones in surprising circumstances and dive deep into the AI’s insanity to curb its Annihilation Instinct.

New Game+ mode is designed to test skills and enhance the experience.

For more player happiness, the New Game+ mode is available now for free along with the latest update. In the most difficult game mode yet, players will need all of their previously unlocked skills and arsenal to deal with the strongest enemies Atomic Heart has ever unleashed, thanks to their new specific resistances and attack effects, which will be reflected in the different colours of the enemies’ aura.

Atomic Heart is out now on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. The Atomic Heart: Annihilation Instinct DLC releases on the 2nd of August.

The Smurfs 2 – The Prisoner of the Green Stone announces its release date with a teaser trailer

Help the Smurfs save their village from the clutches of the evil Stolas on November 2nd!

Sydney, Australia, June 27th, 2023 – Publisher Microids and IMPS unveil a first teaser and new screenshots for The Smurfs 2 – The Prisoner of the Green Stone, a 3D adventure/platform video game. Developed by OSome Studio, The Smurfs 2 – The Prisoner of the Green Stone is an all-new story releasing November 2nd, 2023, both in retail and digital versions for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Watch the trailer here.

About The Smurfs 2 – The Prisoner of the Green Stone:

Handy Smurf has created a revolutionary invention: SmurfoMix! However, it’s missing a key ingredient, the Green Stone, which lays in the greedy clutches of Gargamel.

He sets off on a mission to retrieve the famous Green Stone, a key ingredient that would greatly help him improve his invention, from Gargamel’s laboratory. But a fatal misstep causes it to explode, its fragments scattering throughout the Cursed Land. In addition to unleashing into the wild its incredible powers to copy and decompose matter, the Green Stone has set free the evil Stolas, a new order bent on creating a reign of terror.

A crack team of four Smurfs must then adventure to save the Cursed Land from the mighty Stolas! Well equipped, the Smurfs can count on the SmurfoMix and an unexpected ally… Gargamel himself!

Key features:

  • Meet the team of four iconic Smurfs: Handy Smurf, Brainy Smurf, Dimwitty Smurf, and Smurfstorm.
  • An accessible and intuitive gameplay that will delight both Smurf fans and action/platforming fans.
  • Enjoy dynamic gameplay with exploration, platforming, and even more intense combat thanks to the SmurfoMix!
  • For the first time in a video game, collaborate with Gargamel! Use his teleporters to travel through the Cursed Land and discover three brand new unexplored regions.
  • Collect various resources to improve the Smurfomix throughout your adventure!
  • Embark on the adventure with a friend or family partner in co-op mode.
  • A new story which respects the license, set in a beautiful, well-crafted colourful universe!

The Smurfs 2 – The Prisoner of the Green Stone will be available on November 2nd, 2023 both in retail and digital versions for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

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2023 marks the Smurfs’ 65th anniversary! Stay tuned for upcoming cool Smurfs-related news by following them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or by checking out their website!

Smurf Microids on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord and Linkedin or on http://www.microids.com/

The Smurfs: www.smurf.com

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About Microids

Microids is a French video game publisher. Founded in 1985, Microids’ editorial strategy now focuses on 4 major areas: adventure games, racing games, retro gaming and games inspired by iconic titles. By collaborating with renowned studios and authors (Revolution Software, Sloclap, Oddworld Inhabitants, Pendulo Studios, Eden Studios, Go Nagai, Charles Cecil, Benoît Sokal, Paul Cuisset…), Microids has become a major player in international video games. Taking inspiration from legendary titles, Microids reaches a wide audience and creates original adventures which give gamers the chance to play as some of their most beloved characters.

About Peyo, IMPS (International Merchandising Promotions & Services)

IMPS is the world license holder for The Smurfs. Ever since its establishment in 1984, IMPS has worked closely with its teams worldwide to develop with success many merchandising programs, retail operations, publishing activities, broadcasting offers, theme parks, shows, video games, online games, official Smurfs license soundtrack… All of which played a part in the global success of the franchise. IMPS is managed by Véronique Culliford, Pierre Culliford’s daughter, the Smurfs’s creator, better known by his pseudonym Peyo.

©2023 Microids SA. All rights reserved. Developed by Osome Studio. Edited by Microids SA. All rights reserved.

Peyo – 2021 – Licensed through I.M.P.S. (Brussels) – www.smurf.com