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Avatar: The Last Airbender Heroes Aang, Toph and Zuko Will Join Brawlhalla as Epic Crossovers on November 16

Philip Federico
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Sydney, Australia — November 7, 2022 — Today during this year’s Brawlhalla World Championship, Ubisoft announced a collaboration with Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, bringing heroes Aang, Toph and Zuko to Brawlhalla as Epic Crossovers on November 16. Brawlhalla fans can also look forward to Battle Boots, a new Weapon available in December. 

Aang, Toph, and Zuko Join the Brawl on November 16: 

  • Aang, an Epic Crossover for Wu Shang, is the last Airbender and only known survivor of the Air Nomads. His destiny is to learn the art of the Avatarand defeat the Fire Lord of the Fire Nation. Because Aang is the Avatar, he must learn how to bend all four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. He is a trickster and longs for a life full of fun experiences. Aang uses Gauntlets and Spear, and his Signature attacks show Aang bending all four elements, even entering the Avatar state. 
  • Toph, an Epic Crossover for Kor, was born blind and grew up learning to adapt and thrive. As a powerful Earthbender, she’s stubborn, uninhibited, exuberantly self-confident, and loves to say and do whatever she pleases. She has no patience with other people telling her what to do, but she’s more than happy to boss others around. Used to being underestimated, she uses people’s misperceptions of her to gain an advantage over them. Toph uses Gauntlets and Hammer, and her Signatures use her earthbending skills to increase the power of her attacks. 
  • Zuko, an Epic Crossover for Hattori, is the son of Fire Lord Ozai and a powerful Firebender, banished from the Fire Nation for speaking out against his Father and the Fire Nation’s conquest. During his mission to retrieve the Avatar, Zuko faced much internal struggle and turmoil. Supported by his uncle, General Iroh, Zuko ultimately joined the Avatar’sgroup to become Aang’s firebending mentor and restore both his and the Fire Nation’s true honor.​ Zuko uses Sword and Spear, and in his Signatures he takes on the disguise of the Blue Spirit and unleashes his firebending mastery. 

Developed by Blue Mammoth, Brawlhalla is an epic free-to-play platform fighting game that transports over 80 million players to a fight for glory in the halls of Valhalla. Choosing from more than 50 unique characters, players can jump into single-player and co-op modes, as well as online and local competitions. Brawlhalla also supports cross-platform play between the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®5 system, PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices where players can play custom games and queue together for all online matchmaking. 

For more information on Brawlhalla, please visit: brawlhalla.com 

For the latest news on Brawlhalla and all of Ubisoft’s games, please visit: news.ubisoft.com. 

About Nickelodeon 

Now in its 43rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands. 

About Blue Mammoth 

Founded in 2009 and acquired by Ubisoft in 2018, Blue Mammoth Games is a development studio based in Atlanta, Georgia. The experienced team specializes in online multiplayer games with large player bases. 

Blue Mammoth develops Brawlhalla, a Free-To-Play fighting game on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, Mac, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®5 system, iOS, and Android devices. Brawlhalla has over 80 million players and is currently the most played fighting game on Steam. 

About Ubisoft 

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew®, Tom Clancy’s The Division®, and Watch Dogs®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2021–22 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,129 million. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com. 

© 2022 Ubisoft. All Rights Reserved. Brawlhalla is a registered or unregistered trademark of Blue Mammoth Games in the US and/or other countries. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. Blue Mammoth Games is a Ubisoft Entertainment company. 

Bayonetta 3 Review

Dustin Spencer
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Bayonetta 3 Review

Bayonetta 3

Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $59.99 USD – Available Here $79.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Has it really been over a decade since Bayonetta debuted? Since then, a lot has changed, as the angel slayer has become a namesake in the industry, getting an exclusive Nintendo deal along with an appearance in Smash Bros. – forever cementing her legacy with her impact, rather than just a long and tenured library. Platinum are out to fix that last part now, with Bayonetta 3 finally launching for the Nintendo Switch. Does this title still have the luster of prior releases, or is the third installment the first dark mark for the franchise? Let’s find out. 

Story 

Bayonetta 3 starts off with a bang. Introducing an alternate universe, we see a scene play out as an alternate universe Bayonetta is destroyed in front of a young woman by the name of Viola. Desperate to right the wrongs of her reality, Viola sets out to find the Bayonetta we all know and love to save all sides – with many former allies joining in along the way. For spoiler purposes, that is all I can really say about the plot, but it is indeed fantastic. This is one of those titles where you can feel the chapters melt together as the writing is still sharp and exciting, with plenty to become immersed in throughout the journey. The new characters fit great, and the old ones are just as fun in this installment, all perfectly adding to an already stellar experience. Personally, I did feel like this ending doesn’t have the punch or the satisfaction of the past two titles, but most should still leave with little disappointment as this third chapter stands tall by the time the credits roll. 

Gameplay 

The gameplay within Bayonetta 3 has a lot of new additions this time around, but first you should know that the feel and fast-paced combat is still very much still the forefront of the experience. For those new to Bayonetta, you should know that the gameplay falls into two different categories that complement each other as you progress through. Large, focused battles have the player practice timed based dodges and attacks to avoid damage and rack up combos, utilizing the time-altering “witch time” in order to slow down the chaos and center in on a specific target. Players can upgrade equipment and concoct recipes for health and other boosting options to better their chances of survival, while also unlocking new weapons and techniques as they head into new areas. 

The second part of the combat relies on exploration. Players get some lengthy sections where they can take a look around, participate in puzzles, and hunt for rings and other currencies in order to gain strength for their next battle segment. It’s a game still built on balance, with some new options to make it feel distinct and original. Instead of summoning Infernal Demons for only climaxes, Bayonetta can now utilize new abilities to control these large, over-the-top allies in real-time battles. This means that while you can still cut down enemies the old-fashioned way, you have a great advantage in doing a quick summon to knock out larger foes in quick fashion.  

It’s interesting for sure to see this change, as at first glance, I felt it would slow down combat and was a bit worried. Thankfully, these keep that pace and enhance it a bit with new strategies that can be used to attempt to get closer to platinum ranking for each fight. Demons battle while the player “controls” their attacks nearby, where you can unleash attacks via various button inputs. Due to how seamless this mechanic is, the player can still attach parries and dodge, keeping these moments exciting and fluid. I will say that if I had any changes I would make, it would be a bit more of the blend of exploration and big battles, as I feel exploration takes a bit longer to get to this time around and doesn’t always allow the player to have those long-winded breaks from the past, as Bayonetta 3 is without a doubt more intense than the last entry. While the boss battles are fantastic in scope and feel, I do think more time to get to know this world and new sights would have easily cemented this installment as the best in the franchise, rather than just putting on par with the rest (which is still nothing to be ashamed about). 

Visuals

Sure, the Switch isn’t known for power, but Bayonetta 3 still pushes the limits of the hardware with non-stop animation and fluid combat without much stutter or slowdown. Character models are crisp, and the colors look phenomenal as all the action hits high notes. Everything plays silky-smooth, and while the cutscenes could use a little bit of polish with dialogue syncing up, I had very little issue with still enjoying the story segments that quickly churn into action bouts in a moment’s notice.  

Audio

Bayonetta 2 still has my favorite soundtrack from the series, but that doesn’t mean what 3 brings is any less than stellar. This selection of tracks fits in perfectly with the quirky darkness that the franchise is known for and captures the action and thrills from the battles as the music selection changes to set the stage for even grander encounters. Hellena Taylor is hard to replace as our featured protagonist, but Jennifer Hale does a fantastic job with her new duties as she still captures Bayonetta’s charm and cocky endearment without missing a bit. The rest of the cast return and do a great job reprising their roles, with Anna Brisbin stepping into the role of Viola with a phenomenal performance played. 

Overall

Bayonetta 3 is ultimately more of what we love. While the new mechanics do a lot to make the game feel distinct and original, this is still the same action romp that we fell in love with over a decade ago. Some could argue that it is time for the franchise to start taking some risks, and to that I could slightly agree. That said, if it isn’t broken, enhance the formula- and that is exactly what this sequel is all about. Bayonetta 3 is a fine installment that creates another notch on the bedpost for this Umbran Witch, with more seamless and intense combat, and another tale that will surely be cherished for generations to come. 

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Potionomics Gameplay

Philip Federico
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Potionomics Gameplay

In Potionomics players inherit their uncle’s potion shop as well as his massive debt. Watch as we learn the ropes of potion brewing and haggling through the first two days as we begin our mission to win the upcoming contests and save the business.

You’ve inherited your uncle’s potion shop—and a huge debt. Better get brewing! Customize your store, hire heroes to gather ingredients, befriend (or romance) fellow vendors to learn new haggling strategies, and go head-to-head with competitors in this narrative-driven, deck-building shop simulator.

Potionomics
Developer: Voracious Games
Publisher: XSEED Games, Marvelous USA, Inc.
Website: https://www.xseedgames.com/
Platform: Windows
Release Date: 21 Oct, 2022
Price: $24.99 USD

Available now on Steam – https://store.steampowered.com/app/1874490/Potionomics/

Summary:

Recommended – “Potionomics combines management sim, crafting, and deck building together to create a fine game that oozes with charm but is far stricter than it appears.”

Check out our Review for Potionomics here!

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Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion Review

Travis Bruno
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Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion Review

Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: Xbox Series X (Reviewed), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, PC
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $19.99 USD – Available Here

Overview

As the credits rolled on Resident Evil Village it always seemed like there was more to the Winters family’s journey and that Capcom would simply bring out some DLC to bring their story to a close. Well, after more than a year wondering just what that DLC would entail the company revealed that not only would it continue to follow the Winters family but would also add in a bit of extra content to the base game in the form of a third person camera and some powerful new characters in the Mercenaries mode. So, now that Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion has arrived, was it worth the wait?

Story

Now it is worth noting that the main focus of this expansion happens to be the Shadows of Rose storyline, meaning that those who have yet to play the original Resident Evil Village until completion will want to do so before playing it or continuing to read further as this expansion takes place explicitly after the events of the base game. 

That being said, Shadows of Rose begins many years after the events of the game where players learn that while Rose has managed to grow up, it wasn’t without hardship as her special powers have been more of a curse than a blessing. As such, when she learns that there may potentially be a way to completely cure herself of these abilities Rose is ready to take the risk even if it means having to delve into the consciousness of what might be the last surviving piece of the Megamycete. The very same piece responsible for her own abilities, her family’s hardships, and the vessel for every memory of those that have come in contact with it. Despite the unknown dangers that may await, Rose accepts the challenge only to find that the mindscape of the Megamycete is more twisted than anything she could have expected.

Initially dealing with a familiar face turned foe before facing down a harrowing encounter with an old enemy and more, Shadows of Rose brings the player through three levels of consciousness all of which take place in hauntingly familiar but twisted locations from the base game. Rose’s journey through these areas is a fairly interesting one with numerous reveals about her past as she struggled to grow up with her powers and interactions with the manifestations within the Megamycete. 

It is a bit unfortunate however that not only does Rose’s journey feel a bit on the short side clocking in at a little under three hours with there easily being plenty of untapped potential from her past and other areas from the core game but her powers are also fairly uninspired for most of the playthrough. While players do learn more about Rose’s abilities as the story unfolds, they are kept mostly tame until the finale which feels like a missed opportunity despite the fact that the ending does feel emotionally satisfying and fills in some gaps from what players have already learned.

Gameplay

The most notable difference in Shadows of Rose is that it can only be played with the third person camera angle that has been introduced in this expansion. Not only does this allow players to get a small taste of the camera angle outside of the original story mode but also allows for some of the new gameplay mechanics to come into play. Now Rose will obtain the usual rundown of weapons including a pistol, shotgun, and pipe bombs to take down the enemies that she encounters within the Megamycete but she will also be able to use her powers for a variety of things. Initially Rose will use her abilities to eliminate sources of corruption blocking her path but can eventually use them to stun enemies, freezing them in place. Frozen enemies will begin to move after a short time but players can use this advantage to either escape or put down a creature should they wish. This same ability can be used to immediately throw an enemy off of Rose should they grab a hold of her but players will need to be careful, any offensive use of Rose’s abilities will drain her until she can recover using a new recovery item.

Besides shooting and dodging a new type of enemy that will appear vaguely familiar to fans of the latest games, players will also need to solve a few small puzzles throughout their time in Shadows of Rose though these are fairly simple as well as take part in a number of stealth sections. These stealth sections actually work incredibly well here and serve as some of the best source of scares that players can experience, especially with how certain sequences play out. Alas, as mentioned before, the Shadows of Rose mode is fairly short and will leave players wanting more especially since, outside of the final battle, the last area is incredibly simplistic.

Outside of the Shadows of Rose mode players will also be able to experience the third person camera through the main campaign. This camera angle does spice things up a bit for those looking to see the world of Resident Evil Village in a new light, especially since the camera angle does wonders for some boss encounters. That being said, while the camera angle can be changed on the fly through the options, having it shift between third and first person view whenever a cutscene plays out is a bit of an odd feeling.

Finally the third major addition in the Winters’ Expansion comes with the improved Mercenaries mode. Players will find that Mercenaries will now automatically have Chris Redfield unlocked for use on all stages with Chris playing as a physical powerhouse that can utilize powerful punches and far stronger orbital lasers to take down the hordes of enemies that attack in a far more aggressive manner than in the base mode. In a rather odd decision, especially since they are part of paid DLC, both Heisenberg and Lady Dimitriscu are actually locked away from players unless they have already accomplished certain goals. 

Heisenberg can only be unlocked once players beat all stages with at least an A rating and while this may not be too difficult, it is a strange obstacle to put in the way of a DLC character. Once unlocked Heisenberg serves as an even stronger powerhouse capable of meleeing foes using his makeshift hammer, using metal as projectiles, and even summoning a lycan to fight by his side. In similar fashion, Lady Dimitriscu can only be unlocked once players get an S rating on the newly added Blood River stage which is a rather odd requirement especially since she is by far the most enjoyable of the three as her powerful claws, ability to summon her daughters, and more make her a force to be reckoned with. All three of these characters certainly help spice up what was a lackluster mode though the strange way that the two best characters remain locked behind challenges is strange especially since the core aspects of the Mercenaries mode remain the same as before.

Visuals & Audio

As mentioned before, players will be playing through the Shadows of Rose mode entirely in third person which provides a great sampling of what the angle can offer throughout the main campaign. The areas in Shadows of Rose are a scary twist of familiar areas corrupted by the Megamycete with the first two areas really standing out as a great use of assets, even if they simply are reused areas. It is worth noting that the new enemy types are a bit on the bland looking side and while their attack animations and Rose’s death animations are handled well, the way each enemy dies the exact same way is rather noticeable.

As for the soundtrack the title makes great use of the familiar music as well as some new tracks used as subtle background noise while the English voice cast have handled their characters well, especially with the Mercenaries mode allowing players to hear a bit more of two fan favorite characters as they tear through enemies.

Overall

With Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion bringing a number of enhancements to the table, players will find that it is mostly a great addition to an already amazing game. The Shadows of Rose mode offers an emotional and occasionally scary story with new gameplay elements that ends a bit too soon for its own good while the third person camera gives the main game some extra flair for those looking to dive back into it. As for Mercenaries mode, the new characters are a blast to play especially since enemies are more aggressive; though locking most of them behind challenges is a strange move.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Review

Admir Brkic
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Review

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Beenox, Treyarch, High Moon Studios, Sledgehammer Games, Toys for Bob
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC (Reviewed)
Release Date: 28 Oct 2022
Price: $109.95 AUD – Available Here $69.99 USD – Available Here

Overview

Do you have a guilty pleasure when it comes to TV shows? You know, that one series you watch that isn’t exactly stellar, the acting is average at best, the story is so and so but at this point, you invested a lot of time that it would feel weird to throw in the towel. Call of Duty franchise is my guilty pleasure when it comes to video games. I’m not particularly invested in the overall story, wouldn’t even consider myself a fan but whenever a new entry in this franchise is out, I say to myself “well, I might as well give it a go”. And that’s not a bad thing at all. Being reserved and somewhat detached from all of it helps me to be objective about it and without a strong bias. So, let’s do that while we dig deeper into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.

Story

One thing to point out at the start is that this game and its predecessor is a soft reboot of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series. So if you played the OG games, you have a general grasp of the story. The previous game ended with the introduction of iconic Task Force 141. Here we will be joining the ranks of Soar, Gaz, Ghost, Captain Price, and Colonel Alejandro Vargas as the campaign takes us all over the world.

We start by hunting the dangerous terrorist Hassan Zyani, then getting involved with a cartel and ending up in the skyscrapers of Chicago. Of course, the story this time has gone through some minor changes. Shepard’s betrayal is still here but it is done in a way that will make sense for the reboot. Some new characters and levels are introduced just to amp up the stakes and because it’s not fun playing the same game over again with nothing but updated visuals.

Gameplay

There is a lot of new stuff and surprises in this reboot. Stealth missions, the one where you provide support to ground units from a military plane, a couple of stealth missions, driving sections (where you can hijack vehicles GTA style), and my personal favorite – Alone. A mission where you play as injured Soap, starting without any weapons and you have to sneak around enemies while looking for resources to craft makeshift smoke bombs, traps, and grenades.

As for the multiplayer, I never thought I’d say this but……I’m actually having fun with it. This is coming from someone who played every single Call of Duty game in existence. In some of them, multiplayer was glued as an afterthought, in some, the campaign would be generic and hamfisted to no end cause all of the focus was spent on multiplayer, and then there were some that had nothing good in them. I like the choice of being able to customize everything. From weapons, perks and kill streaks to everything about your profile (emblem, calling card, operator skins).

I also have to mention that I’m playing with the Vault edition of the game, which means I get some exclusive operators such as Farah, Ghost, Soap, and Price. There is also the FJX Cinder weapon blueprint and 50-tier skips for season 1 of the battle pass. But even with all that aside, there is surprisingly a lot of content here. Customizable playlist for multiplayer (if you only prefer team deathmatch you can select it in the filter and you will only join sessions with that mode), third-person mode, co-op, invasion, prisoner rescue mode…..the fun never stops.

Visuals

I’m glad that Activision finally decided to move away from one particular engine that only had minor facelifts and tweaks throughout the years. It only took them a decade or so but hey, better late than never. All joking aside, the game looks great even on medium settings. The night vision missions are especially immersive and motion capture has probably reached the ceiling in this game considering how natural and smooth it looks. In any case, you haven’t played this game properly until you visit Amsterdam and admire all of its beauty. The gunsmith addition for multiplayer is a notably welcome feature considering just how much freedom in customization you have when it comes to making your own signature weapon (camo, attachments, stickers, and so on).

Audio

There is no room here for nitpicking. While the sound design is something that will rarely come into focus in the campaign, the multiplayer is where it really shines. The symphony of weapons, choppers, and explosions is something that is best experienced in the invasion and ground war modes. There is nothing like the feeling of bullets zipping over your head while you try to evade missiles and explosions as you race to the nearest cover. Even the sounds of various sniper rifles are distinguishable, instead of them sharing the same generic subsonic sound effect (as is usually the case in other games).

Overall

It wouldn’t be your average Call of Duty game if it didn’t come with a plethora of bugs and crashes. I figured at least this one would be an exception to that established rule, but no. It might seem like something that you have to willfully look past it but the overall shoddiness in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II will only drag down the overall experience.

One particular moment in the mission Dark Water stands out. I’m well into the half of the campaign and I get to this mission where the game would always freeze at one specific point. The only solution was to kill the game via the task manager. Only after some googling, I found out that I’m not alone in this and one solution that might or might not work was to restart the whole mission (luckily, it worked for me). Not to mention to occasional random 1-second freezes in multiplayer, where that one second can mean a difference between life and death. So it is business as usual. If you think of buying it maybe it would be better to wait for some inevitable fixes and updates. What can I say, it is classic tale of rushing the game to meet a release deadline.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II – Campaign & Multiplayer Gameplay

Philip Federico
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II – Campaign & Multiplayer Gameplay

In this gameplay for Modern Warfare II, we are on the hunt for a dangerous terrorist Hassan Zyani throughout the first 4 levels of the campaign and then we switch to some good old multiplayer carnage as a bonus!

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II drops players into an unprecedented global conflict that features the return of the iconic Operators of Task Force 141.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Beenox, Treyarch, High Moon Studios, Sledgehammer Games, Activision Shanghai, Demonware, Toys for Bob
Publisher: Activision
Website: https://support.activision.com/
Platform: Windows
Release Date: 28 Oct, 2022
Price: $69.99 USD

Available now on Steam – https://store.steampowered.com/app/1938090/Call_of_Duty_Modern_Warfare_II/

Summary:

Recommended – “Great campaign, coupled with intense multiplayer mayhem but all of that is dragged down by an infuriating number of freezes, crashes, and stutters – both in single-player and multiplayer.”

Check out our Review for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II here!

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Check out all the latest in the world of video games, anime, and entertainment at Capsule Computers:

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This Week in GTA Online: Heist Bonuses All Month Long, Double Rewards on Street Races, Hunting Pack (Remix), and Much More

Philip Federico
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The Heists Event in GTA Online Reap Huge Rewards All November in GTA Online

This November, GTA Online celebrates the organized criminals who dare to commit the most magnificent acts of robbery and fraud that Southern San Andreas has ever seen. Escape unscathed, count your take, and enjoy the fruits of your criminal labors all month long.

Crime never takes a day off in Los Santos, but it pays overtime to plan and execute schemes on vaults and stashes around the city this month, including:

  • 2X GTA$ and RP on all Setup Missions for all classic Heists and 1.5X GTA$ and RP on all Prep Missions in The Doomsday Heist for the whole month
  • Complete all the Heist Finales within the next 3 weeks to receive a lump-sum bonus of GTA$2,000,000 within 72 hours of completion

This week, learn the ropes and polish your skills by completing The Fleeca Job to earn Double Rewards through November 9. The extra 50% GTA$ for GTA+ Members stacks on top of this, resulting in a 3X GTA$ bonus.

Additional Doomsday Bonuses

This week only, operators can also earn an extra 50% GTA$ and RP, plus the Cliffford Hoodie for thwarting a global threat in The Doomsday Heist.

To make matters easier, setup costs for The Data Breaches, The Bogdan Problem, and The Doomsday Scenario are all 50% off, and Gas Masks used during The Doomsday Heist are 35% off.

Successfully breaching a submarine and completing The Bogdan Problem anytime this week, meanwhile, will net you the Cliffford Varsity bomber jacket.

Get the Black Rockstar Tee

Visit Los Santos anytime this week to claim the rare Black Rockstar Tee. We’ll be giving away more tees to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Grand Theft Auto throughout the month, so be sure to check back on the Rockstar Newswire periodically for further details.

2X GTA$ and RP on Street Races

A real motorhead looks at the map of Los Santos and sees an ocean of choices: stoplights turn into starting lines; traffic turns into a field of competitive racers; detours turn into lap-saving shortcuts. Whether you’re first or last, all competitors will earn 2X GTA$ and RP for taking part in Street Races this week.

2X GTA$ and RP on Hunting Pack (Remix)

Hunting Pack (Remix) takes the high-speed tension of the original Hunting Pack, and injects it chock-full of adrenaline, weaponized vehicles, assorted unpronounceable research chemicals, and Double Rewards all week long.

Only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S

Premium Test Ride: Bravado Banshee

At this point, the Bravado Banshee is practically synonymous with Grand Theft Auto. Generations of players have cut their teeth weaving through oncoming traffic in the Banshee, and now the crew at Hao’s Special Works is determined to put it in a lane all its own.

This Week’s HSW Time Trial
Once Hao’s sorted you out with best-in-class performance, floor it in this week’s HSW Time Trial between East Vinewood and Vespucci Beach to put his modifications to the ultimate test.

Premium Deluxe Motorsport Showroom
Pay a visit to Simeon Yetarian’s Premium Deluxe Motorsport showroom to stroll between the following vehicles — just don’t ask the local auto-mogul how he got his hands on them:

  • The Karin Sultan RS Classic painted Torino Red
  • A Bleached Brown Vapid Hustler with the Basic Pinstripe livery equipped
  • The Übermacht Sentinel Classic in Bluish Silver with Racing Blue Pearlescent
  • A Black and Pearlescent Race Yellow Albany Hermes with the Ghost Flames livery
  • The Übermacht Cypher dripping in an Olive Green paint job and wrapped in the Fleeca Circuit livery, which is only available for a limited time 

Luxury Autos Showroom
Stop by the Luxury Autos Showroom — located right across the street from Record A Studios — and peer in the window display to get a look at the Übermacht SC1 and Lampadati Viseris, compare stats and specs, and buy either (or both) of them.

Car Meet Prize Ride: The Declasse Mamba
Competitive LS Car Meet Members who manage to fight their way to the top of the pile and place Top 3 in Street Races for 5 days running will earn the keys to the Declasse Mamba.

Visit the Test Track inside the Car Meet to give the Ocelot Pariah, Överflöd Autarch, and Grotti GT500 a spin before you commit to purchase. The Test Track allows you to freestyle however you’d like, or you can compete in a Scramble against your peers, or race against the clock in a Time Trial.

On The Diamond Casino Podium: The Pfister Comet SR
Drop by the lobby of The Diamond Casino & Resort to spin the Lucky Wheel and potentially walk away with the Pfister Comet SR rotating on the podium nearby.

GTA+

GTA+ Members can make the most of this month with a Buckingham SuperVolito helicopter and Penthouse Suite 1 atop Eclipse Towers. Plus, get a free Apartment Style change for any of the three Penthouse Suites at Eclipse Towers, as well as:

  • Guaranteed Panther Statue target once per week on The Cayo Perico Heist
  • 50% extra GTA$ on The Fleeca Job, The Prison Break, The Humane Labs, Series A Funding, and The Pacific Standard Job
  • Free Utility Vests and Bulletproof Helmets, plus the Still Slipping Tie-Dye Tee and Hat
  • 2X Rep on all LS Car Meet Races
  • Additional Member bonuses

Visit the GTA+ website to check out all the GTA+ Membership Benefits available through December 12. To learn more about how to make the most of your GTA+ Membership, check out the GTA+ Guide.

DISCOUNTS:

Extend your empire’s tendrils far underground: purchasing a Facility, as well as any Upgrades and Modifications you might make to your siloed base of operations, costs 40% less this week.

See below for the full list of vehicles discounted this week to see if there are any additions to your roster that you’d like to make. And check back in at the Newswire next week as the Heists Event continues to dole out increased rewards and rare unlocks.

  • Buckingham Akula – 35% off
  • HVY Barrage – 35% off
  • Brute RCV – 25% off
  • TM-02 Khanjali – 25% off
  • Överflöd Autarch – 30% off
  • Grotti GT500 – 30% off
  • Ocelot Pariah – 35% off
  • Volatol – 35% off
  • Übermacht SC1 – 35% off
  • Lampadati Viseris – 35% off
  • Vapid Hustler – 35% off
  • Übermacht Sentinel Classic – 35% off
  • Albany Hermes – 30% off
  • Canis Kamacho – 30% off

Prime Gaming Benefits
GTA Online players who successfully connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account with Prime Gaming will get GTA$125K just for playing anytime this week. In addition, by playing anytime between November 3 and December 7, receive a one-time log in bonus of GTA$500K for being a Prime Gaming Member. Those who are also GTA+ Members will receive an additional GTA$500K on top of this bonus.

All bonus GTA$ will be deposited into your Maze Bank account within 72 hours at the start of the next weekly event. To ensure access to future benefits, make sure to visit Prime Gaming and sign up.

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.

DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS: FRIENDS OF THE GREAT KINGDOM RELEASES TODAY!

Philip Federico
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Bandai Namco Europe today released DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS: FRIENDS OF THE GREAT KINGDOM on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5 and STEAM®.

The beloved cat-type robot Doraemon once again crosses over with the popular game series “Story of Seasons” in an all-new heartwarming story.

Experience a casual farm simulation gameplay set against a picturesque landscape with realistic natural elements, such as weather, and changing seasons, designed with a delightful storybook feel. Watch firework displays, gaze into the sparkling night skies or chase the sunrise. Relax and create unforgettable memories with your friends on planet Illuma.

More than 80 of Doraemon’s secret gadgets are featured, for more fun and a dream-filled farm experience! Use secret gadgets such as the “Hopter” and “Mini Raincloud” to build a farm in the clouds or use the “Adapting Ray” to go underwater and harvest pearls! You can even bring a friend on your adventures on the planet of Illuma in 2 players offline mode.

Also coming out today, as part of the Season Pass, is the first DLC “Winter Tales”, including new outfits, a furniture set and an additional mini story, bringing a new season for Noby and friends to discover. Expect 2 other DLCs to come out, adding new experiences and fun to the game! The Special Edition and Deluxe Edition including bonus seed sets as well as the Season Pass are available.

Finally, a demo is out today, offering to give you a first taste at this cozy game experience on a foreign planet that feels like home. Progress through the free demo and get your special rewards to kick off your farm life!

For more information about DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS: FRIENDS OF THE GREAT KINGDOM  and other titlesfrom Bandai Namco Europe please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU. Join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoEU.

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About Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S.

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™.

Sci-Fi Action RPG “Atomic Heart” Drops Feb. 21, 2023 (PC, PS, Xbox)

Philip Federico
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Pre-orders Open Now for Action RPG Atomic Heart, Releasing Feb. 21, 2023

PARIS — Nov. 3, 2022 — Focus Entertainment and Mundfish are thrilled to announce the release date for their upcoming action RPG Atomic Heart, set in the mad utopia of an alternate post-WWII world. The game will release on Feb. 21, 2023, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. It is also available to pre-order now!

Enter a world of wonders and perfection in which humans and their AI creations live in harmony… or so it seems. Set the record straight on this deceitful utopia, exploring a twisted sci-fi world, blasting rogue robots, giant machines and even mutants. Adapt your fighting style to each opponent, and use your environment and upgrade your equipment to gain the upper hand in a visceral, spectacular and unforgiving combat experience. If you want to uncover the truth, you’ll have to pay in blood.

Players can pre-order Atomic Heart today to get access to exclusive weapon skins with the “Labour & Science Weapon Skin Pack.” Three editions of the title are available for pre-order: the Standard Edition, consisting of the base game; the Gold Edition, which includes the base game plus the Atomic Pass; and the Premium Edition, including all content contained in the Gold Edition, plus an exclusive digital artbook and extra cosmetics. The Atomic Pass takes the Atomic Heart experience further with four DLCs, opening up access to new areas and labs, as well as new weapons, enemies, bosses and more!

Exclusive to the Focus Store, fans can also pre-order Atomic Heart’s Limited Edition Bundle, which includes the base game on the platform of your choice (PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X in retail, or a Steam key for PC), a Steelbook®, metal poster, and the official artbook created by the developers.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Review

Dustin Spencer
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Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Review

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Developer: Ubisoft Milan
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $59.99 USD – Available Here $79.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Mario and Rabbids once seemed like an odd – if not unfitting combination five years ago. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle changed that, with intuitive and strategic gameplay – laced with a silly flare that made the title a smash hit for the Switch early on. All this time later, we now have a sequel ready to refine the game further in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope. Does this blend still work, or has the mix overstayed its welcome? Let’s find out. 

Story

Our tale starts a time after the events of the first title, with Mario, Luigi, Peach, and their Rabbids counterparts having fun in the Mushroom Kingdom. Suddenly, a new adventure unfolds as a species of Luma called “Sparks” (which is basically a Rabbid version) show up. The Sparks are being pursued by a villain by the name of Cursa, who with her army are out to drain the power from Mario’s new friends, while spreading darkness to every locale it visits. Our heroes then must board a ship and set out to rescue captured Sparks and clean up the darkness that is consuming the universe. 

While this story isn’t exactly the most original or deep, it works well enough to have a nice charm to it. The Rabbids have more interesting roles this time around, and the whole narrative feels light and fun, without ever feeling overly forced or cheesy. The locations are also full of surprises and nods to both franchises, giving fans a bit of love as they brighten up every space they visit. 

Gameplay 

If the first Mario + Rabbids was able to grab you with its new approach on gameplay, this title is likely to pull you back in as everything feels more of the same, but with a lot more polish and refinement this time around. Mario and company can now move around much easier, with a lot of older styles being purged to provide an experience that feels closer to that of the Mario franchise, rather than the turn-based strategy gimmick that may have put off some as they dove into unexpectedly when booting up Kingdom Battle. The grid-based battles are now a thing of the past, with free movement now opening a lot more room for strategy and interesting mechanics. Things are still turn-based, but now Mario and the rest of the cast can now explore limited spaces, with the player able to scope out the environment, choose an action, and then switch to other characters in order to fulfill a turn successfully.  

Most battles will have the player utilizing the environment to their advantage as they hide behind blocks and buildings for defense, moving around freely thereafter to set up and perform an attack. All characters can still use their standard weapons, which will vary in attack based on what power-ups or abilities are used within the turns of a normal battle. Players can now dash attack enemies to destroy or stun them, with a new real-time element coming into play. For example, a stunned Bob-omb can be used to chuck at a group of enemies for a quick, powerful explosion that can decide the flow of a battle instantly. The improvements show greatly here, as Sparks of Hope easily takes what was great about the first title and improves on nearly every mechanic to make the game far more accessible, while adding new depth and strategies to every encounter. 

The Sparks themselves are just as fun to use in this romp, as each provide special abilities and powers to your team. Some have simple powers, such as to boost a strike or reflect incoming attacks, while others found later can unleash healing auras or drain enemy HP. While it may sound like everything is easier, the game does have a steady challenge that is found later in the game, with memorable and somewhat tricky boss battles that will test the player’s skill level as they attempt to slowly tap away at the larger health gauge. Upgrades and leveling bring a good bit of balance, with tons of customization welcoming multiple playthroughs. 

I’ll be honest, I didn’t get to spend a ton of time with Kingdom Battle the first time around as it didn’t quite catch me compared to the other titles in the early Switch library. Sparks of Hope just feels so much more refreshing and enjoyable due to its new stylings and additions, and while it still isn’t going to be for everyone, it does manage to be something the player can get sucked into for hours at a time, itching to revisit each time they boot up their console. There is a ton to unlock, and the progression feels so satisfying due to better pacing and combat mechanics that are effortless to execute. 

Visuals 

The graphics here are outstanding. With silky-smooth animation comparable to a feature film and bold and bright colors, Sparks of Hope certainly knows how to present itself. The transition between cutscene to gameplay is also fluid, with little movements and facial expressions adding a ton of character to the whole experience. 

Audio

The soundtrack is also nice, but not as memorable as other titles in either franchise. While it does its job to capture the world within, I just felt the music never quite captured the epic scope that the visuals and narrative attempted to convey. The Rabbids are fully voiced this time around and while I have never been an avid follower of that franchise, there is some humor to their slurps and chugs as they ramble. Those who want traditional will be happy to hear Mario and Luigi’s little quips as well, which kind of brings the whole game back to that 3D Mario vibe. 

Overall

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a worthy sequel and extension of the Mario and Rabbid universe that is sure to be a gem on the platform for years to come. Where Kingdom Battle was a great attempt, Sparks of Hope is a home run, delivering wonderful gameplay in a fully realized format that feels complete and utterly satisfying. There are a lot of weird crossovers and spin-offs in the industry, but this follow-up is one that has now cemented itself as a front-runner as Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is easily one of the best titles on the console to date. 

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

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