Starting today, the No Man’s Sky Fractal update will be available for old and new players of the game. Just in time for the release of PS VR2, the update has been thought to provide an even more immersive experience to players on VR devices, including 3D audio, an adaptative user interface and a simplified and interactive gameplay.
The update allows players to easily switch from VR to standard gameplay while staying on the same save. It also features a bunch of additional options on all platforms. Players can earn a new starship, the Utopia Seeder, and discover a new expedition “Utopia” which challenges players to work together and rebuild an abandoned solar system for the mysterious Utopia Foundation.
The update also features new content for Nintendo Switch users, who will now have access to all the Nexus and Quicksilver missions, as well as the “Trace of Metal” story, which were already available on other platforms.
Players on PlayStation, Steam Deck and Switch can also experience great immersion, as they now all support gyroscopic controls, making exploring and scanning new discoveries more comfortable and precise than ever.
Watch the trailer here:
No Man’s Sky Fractal update is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC.
This PlayStation 4 version of Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is the first entry in the Theatrhythm series to be released on non-portable consoles. Theatrhythm is a rhythm-action game with a RPG coat of paint that features a wide selection of music from the Final Fantasy series as well as other Square Enix titles. It was released previously for the Nintendo 3DS and iOS. It even had its own arcade cabinet which was never released outside of Japan.
Story
Theatrhythm doesn’t have any kind of story. It’s an arcade game first and foremost. However, many of the contexts and nuances that are exclusive to each title in the Final Fantasy series remain untouched. In the event music stages, for example, a montage of cutscenes from that particular game will play in the background. These stages really nail down the nostalgia. Beware of spoilers!
Gameplay
Theatrhythm plays very similar to many other rhythm games that came before it. Symbols will move from the left to the right on the screen, and you need to match these icons with the correct inputs while following the beat of the song. Players that are already familiar with other games in this niche such as Dance Dance Revolution or Taiko No Tatsujin will feel mostly at home here. Despite this, the original touch screen-based gameplay from Theatrhythm is different enough from the aforementioned titles, which makes it an experience that stands on its own. These mechanics transitioned perfectly to the DualShock 4; the two thumb sticks are used for slide type inputs while the rest of its buttons can be used in any way you wish to execute simple tap and hold triggers.
The difficulty curve is very generous, and it allows players to choose up to four different settings which range from basic to supreme; basic is very simple and easy for anyone to just pick up and play. It serves as a kind of warm-up before tackling higher difficulties. Supreme, on the other hand, will seriously test your memorization and hand-to-eye coordination in some songs.
There are four game modes: The main quest mode uses a RPG motif for its progression. Players can choose one of the main Final Fantasy games or its many spin-offs to start. A brief but effective tutorial serves to get players familiar with the game’s flow. After that, it’s time to assemble your party. Each character comes with a pre-assigned role such as summoner, fighter, etc., each with their own sets of skills and stats that can be leveled up.
Each title starts with a series of FMS (Field Music Stages). These stages, as their names suggest, are the overworld portion of the RPG. They’re normally easy, although some of their gimmicks can take a bit of practice to get used to. The Final Fantasy series has some of the best overworld themes in any RPG. As such, these stages are extra delightful to play.
The BMS (Battle Music Stages), alternatively, functions as the dungeons and boss battles, and they require the use of your party stats and offensive/defensive skills to the fullest. It’s also pretty easy to die on BMS in the beginning of the game. With each stage completed, players can earn trademarked Final Fantasy items such as potions, phoenix downs and, most importantly, collectacards and summonstones. Collectacards can grant your characters stats buffs and also debuff enemies stats. Summonstones are equippable accessories that allow the player to call upon Ifrit and company for a lot of damage.
Quest mode is where you’ll be spending most of your time, and it really does feel like a RPG provided that you’re invested in the game enough. Truth be told, though; if you aren’t challenging yourself by amping up the difficulty or undertaking sidequests, then the novelty of playing Final Fantasy songs wears off pretty quickly, as the basic and “expert” difficulties get boring fast. One thing I can almost guarantee: If you’re a fan of game music, especially Square Enix’s offerings, and you decide to take your time and experiment with this game, then you won’t be able to put this game down for a while.
Besides quest mode, you can play any song that you previously unlocked on the music stage selection menu. It’s also where the EMS (Event Music Stages) are located. As I mentioned passingly above, these are easy stages with cutscenes containing key moments from a particular title that play in the background. The main function of EMS is to evoke emotion in the player, and it features tear-jerkers like “Eyes on Me” and “Aerith’s Theme”. I – almost – cried.
I couldn’t test the online multiplayer, but it seemed fun going by the description alone. There’s a new mechanic called burst which is an additional bar that fills as the match goes on. When the burst bar is full, it will give the opponent some sort of funny disadvantage like big chocobos covering their screen for a limited time.
Visuals & Audio
The characters are presented in a cartoon-esque style resembling marionettes. Their animations also follow this same premise which is befitting of the game’s title. Compared to the Nintendo 3DS version, Final Bar Line looks largely the same, but it runs in an obviously much higher screen resolution. Characters and enemies are also much bigger. The backgrounds use more well-defined textures, but they remain pretty simple; that’s understandable, because it could be detrimental to the gameplay to have too much happening on the screen at the same time. This same logic doesn’t apply to the field stages, though, and they could have received a better treatment, as they are too simple and samey. As it couldn’t be different, the showrunner here is the soundtrack. The songs sound are clean and loud enough. Their number is also impressive; 385 songs are included in the base game. More songs are expected to drop with season passes and these will encompass Square Enix’s other franchises such as Nier, the Chrono series, Dragon Quest and many more.
Overall
Seemingly the last game on the Theatrhythm series, Final Bar Line could have ended on a literal high note. The lack of more variety regarding game modes, and the steep DLC prices slightly tarnishes an otherwise outstanding package. The online multiplayer could extend the game’s longevity by a huge amount, but time will tell if it will garner enough audience to be successful. Even then, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is certainly the best way to enjoy the series currently.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Tales of Symphonia is up there in the conversation of not only one of the greatest “Tales” titles, but also one of the most memorable Action-RPGs of all time. While we have seen a re-release before, Bandai Namco are out to bring the favorite to modern platforms with Tales of Symphonia Remastered. Is this newer version worth a look, or is remake fatigue setting in? Let’s find out.
Story
I would imagine most would understand the Story of Tales of Symphonia, and not a lot has changed with this remastered version. Players take the role of Lloyd, who along with a party of brave citizens are out to restore the world’s mana while looking after a young girl who is the key to their success. Sure, there are a lot of tropes here, but those familiar will find that almost nothing has changed, and the narrative is exactly the way you will remember it. The story flows through progression in the form of cutscenes. Skits also take place, allowing players to get campy dialogue from the heroes as they interact with the world around them. That is fine, but I do feel that skits can feel a bit intrusive as prompts beg you to give these non-voiced sections a watch, even if the moment for them has already passed. I personally don’t find a lot wrong with dialogue to expand the story for any game, but here it just feels dated and unnecessary in their older form.
Gameplay
Remasters usually bring a lot to the table when it comes to revamping archaic mechanics. Tales of Symphonia Remastered still plays fine for the most part, but a total lack of polish and optimization make it show its age far more than what is needed. For battles, players enter a screen and can move around with their squad, with the ability to attack, block, or use magic or items to their benefit when needed. Again, there isn’t anything “broke” with this style, and fans of the franchise will feel right at home as they level up and learn arts that truly keep these techniques interesting and fluid.
The poor optimization mainly comes from the lack of updates. Battling is fine, but overworld enemies are represented by generic black blobs, skulls, and other sprites that kind of make the experience feel rushed. Sure, this was in the original, but two decades have passed and seeing updates like we do with the likes of Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy in terms of design would have kept this experience feeling richer and more enjoyable. On top of that, the game chugs during simple exploration. It’s as if the testing was minimal, and the cohesion of the world you are in was a bit of an afterthought. I love older RPGs and played this title in original state on the Gamecube quite a bit back in the day, but from the menus to the sluggish battles, there is no doubt its ready for an overhaul to truly earn its “remaster” status, as this isn’t quite that.
With all the critique, I must say that there are still some original ideas that shine. Cooking adds a nice layer of depth to the game’s mechanics, and makes shopping feel meaningful and unique. The gem system in place is also satisfying, as building skill sets is fantastic and keeps the combat from feeling mundane or dull. It’s just a shame that the core experience isn’t as immersive as it once was. Tales of Symphonia deserves all of its accolades, but this version is really a reminder of why this franchise has seen multiple updates, and it feels like a huge step backward to jump in yet again outside from the narrative and nostalgia attached to the release.
Visuals
If anything needs fixing in Tales of Symphonia Remastered, it would be the visuals. You know how cheaper RPGs look when they’re optimized for a mobile device? Characters that once felt expressive now lack outlines that make them fit within the world, and animations even in cutscenes and skits look poor. Overlays and dialogue boxes are also rough, as their clean look doesn’t mesh with the art style, and makes the experience look cheap and dated this time around. These issues don’t hold a candle to general animations either, as the game hiccups when simply brushing up against walls or the edges of a path. I love the art style of Symphonia and the characters are still recognizable, it’s just that the presentation is now so all over the place that we lost a good amount of the charm with the subtle changes to clean up what really didn’t need cleaning.
Audio
The audio is great. Yes, it is a relief that the soundtrack still rocks as much as it did, and the voice cast still sounds great after all these years. I would have liked to have seen some more fan service, such as a soundtrack jukebox since this is such an acclaimed release, but alas, what is here audibly works well enough, and most will find that the lack of changes with the sound are serviceable enough to make it through a playthrough with little problem.
Overall
Tales of Symphonia Remastered feels rushed and dated, with new menus and odd optimization that doesn’t just need a patch, but a total rehaul. New players will enter and feel a atmosphere of generic sprites and a presentation that leaves a lot to be desired, while the older crowd are likely to be alienated by the lack of…remastering within this release. If you have no other way to join Lloyd and the gang pick this up on the cheap as there still is a lot to love. Those who still have their older versions, however, will probably be more content to keep those around and await a remake that just doesn’t feel as outstanding as it should. Remasters should be a tribute to an experience and too many other studios before this one have the bar set just a little too high for this one to squeak by getting a solid recommendation.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
With record-breaking CCUs, brand-new content and a constantly evolving game, this FPS extraction shooter is better than ever five years on!
FRANKFURT, Germany – Feb. 22, 2023 –Hunt: Showdownis celebrating its landmark fifth anniversary with a brand-new Twitch Drops campaign that offers a wide range of rewards, including a Legendary Hunter (“Kill Buyer”), and for the first time, special anniversary crates containing various items.
In five years, Hunt has gone from strength to strength, with record-breaking CCUs in the past two years and new content added regularly, including new maps, bosses, live events, and hundreds of weapons. Additions in the last two years alone have included the Stalker Beetle, Questlines, fiery map-changer “The Inferno,” fan-favorite boss Scrapbeak, a new map (“DeSalle”), and much more.
Live events have offered increasing amounts of rewards, and the Moon Event series that started with Traitor’s Moon and continued through to the most recent Devil’s Moon event have become narrative experiences and gone deeper into the game’s lore. There is always more for current and new players to experience in the Bayou, and there’s never been a better time to play!
Fifth Anniversary Twitch Drops Event
On each day of the Twitch Drops event, players can earn rewards for watching Hunt: Showdown streams. To join in, players simply need to connect their Hunt and Twitch accounts and watch participating Twitch Drops-enabled streamers. Fans can find out more about how to connect their accounts by visiting our dedicated Hunt: Showdown Twitch Drops site.
Schedule and Rewards:
Feb. 23 – March 2: Watch streams for 180 minutes to unlock Legendary Knife “The Marquis” Feb. 24 – March 2: Watch streams for 180 minutes to unlock Legendary Weapon Bornheim No. 3 “Alley Cat” Feb. 25 – March 2: Watch streams for 210 minutes to unlock the Legendary Mosin-Nagant M1891 Obrez “The Fifth Tale” Feb. 27 – March 2: Watch streams for 210 minutes to unlock Weapon Charm “Gator Eye” Feb. 28 – March 2: Unlock the Gator Eye as a prerequisite and watch streams for 240 mins to unlock Legendary Hunter “Kill Buyer”
Feb. 23 – March 2 – Watch streams for 210 minutes and unlock Weapon Charm “Hera’s Gift”
New for Twitch Drops
For the first time, there will be random drops of special Hunt Anniversary Crates. Players who watch Twitch Drops-enabled streams for two hours a day will receive a crate with various items in it, including weapons, Hunt Dollars, and equipment. Viewers can earn up to four Hunt Anniversary Crates every day during Twitch Drops.
Hunt: Showdown is out now for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. Players can find out more about the game, the latest Twitch Drops event, and how to connect their Twitch and Hunt accounts by visiting www.huntshowdown.com.
About Hunt: Showdown
Hunt: Showdown is a competitive first-person bounty hunting game that packs the thrill of survival games into a match-based format. Set in Louisiana in 1895, the game boasts a mixture of PvP and PvE elements that creates a uniquely tense experience. It’s not just the creatures who are a threat—it’s every Hunter on the map. In the classic game mode, a match of Hunt pits 12 players—playing solo or in teams of two or three —against each other as they race to take out gruesome beasts for a bounty they must collect and get off of the map. Hunt‘s quickplay mode offers a shorter match for solo players to scavenge for weapons as they compete for a diminishing pool of bounty. The higher the risk, the higher the reward–but a single mistake could cost everything. Hunt is available now on Steam, PlayStation and Xbox. For more information, visit www.huntshowdown.com.
TERRASCAPE – CREATE YOUR OWN TOWNTOPLITZ PRODUCTIONS AND BITFALL STUDIOS PRESENT A SPECIAL MIX OF CITY BUILDER AND PUZZLE GAME
German developer Bitfall Studios cooperates with Toplitz Productions / SunDust.
Oberhaching, Germany, February 21, 2023 – Place the first lumberjack hut. Draw the next card and be surprised! In TerraScape you can build a complete village according to your own wishes. The challenge is to place the buildings wisely. The more clever they are placed, the higher the reward, which has a direct impact on your score. Will you be lucky with your next deck? In TerraScape, luck and skills are the keys to success.
Experience an inviting, varied and relaxed game that gives you the opportunity to shape and expand your empire with each pack of cards. Earn points by placing your cards wisely and get your reward in the form of further decks of cards, which you can use step by step and very clever to secure the future of your city and thus your success in the game.
Different game modes and procedural maps guarantee exciting challenges – you alone set the pace of your game.
“TerraScape caught our attention from the very first moment! The special graphics, the decelerated game concept and the well implemented game mechanics make the product appealing,” explains Stefan Berger, Head of Business Development & Sales Toplitz Productions. “We are looking forward to the cooperation with Bitfall Studios and the release of TerraScape.”
“With TerraScape we are releasing our first game title and are looking forward to the joint release with the great team at Toplitz Productions,” explains Nico Pattmann, Co-Founder and CEO of Bitfall Studios GmbH. “The combination of puzzle and city builder elements excited us from the beginning, which is why our entire team was passionately involved in the development from the idea to the release. We are proud of the current result and look forward to the feedback from our community.”
The first wooden planks and bricks have already been placed: TerraScape will challenge your strategic skills to bring your city’s vision to life in Q1 2023 as an Early Access Game.
Don’t just rely on your luck! It is up to you to realize your ideas in the beautiful world of TerraScape and create your paradise round by round!
About Toplitz Productions
The German-Austrian publisher, whose name originates from the mysterious Toplitz Lake in the heart of Austria, develops and publishes games with “heart & soul” for all platforms. The company consists of a healthy mix of experienced industry veterans and young talents, all of whom are passionate gamers. They enjoy working with creative developers on many exciting titles, such as those from the “Dynasty” and “Giant” series.
Stay up to date and learn everything worth knowing about Toplitz Productions by following the company on Twitter, Facebook, the official website and Instagram.
About Bitfall Studios
Bitfall Studios GmbH is a German developer studio and its team stretches from Fulda to Berlin. The studio, founded by Lara Klimm, Nico Pattmann, Felix Günther and Nico Wegner, stands and lives for passionate game visions and developments. With the upcoming release of “TerraScape” in 2023, Gamer can expect an intoxicating mix of innovative puzzle game and detailed city builder.
Discover the ending theme “travelers” performed by highly-acclaimed singer suis
Hertfordshire, 22nd February 2023 – Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer GUST Studios opened up pre-orders for their magical JRPG, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key. In addition, KOEI TECMO Europe treated fans with a new trailer featuring the ending theme performed by suis, the vocalist of the band Yorushika. Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key will be available 24th March 2023 on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and Windows PC via Steam®.
Discover the ending theme of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key on YouTube
Titled “travelers”, the ending theme of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key will help bring closure to the third chapter of Ryza’s summer escapades. Says Suis: “I am a novice at this adventure, but have been asked to play a major role with the end song, having the opportunity to sing a wonderful song that will warm everyone’s hearts for all the paths we have taken. I am looking forward to seeing how the song will reach your hearts in this final summer, at the end of this adventure!”
Players who pre-order the game by 23rd March 2023 will receive the digital pre-order bonuses “Straw Hat”, “Summer Flower Crown” and “Great Alchemist’s Staff”. These exclusive accessories can be equipped by Ryza separately from her costume.
Alongside the standard edition of the game, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key will be available in a Digital Deluxe Edition which includes the “Another Look” costume set*, the “Back to Summer” costume set**, and “Gem Packs” and “Key Packs” which will be useful for the adventure. In addition to the contents of the Digital Deluxe Edition, the Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key Ultimate Edition will include the “Gust Collaboration” costume set*** and the “Atelier Ryza 3 Season Pass” which will allow players to download all the additional digital content available for purchase at a later date. The digital content will include party character costumes, recipe expansion packs, additional maps, Gust Extra BGM packs, and more.
KOEI TECMO Europe revealed previously that it will be releasing two delightful special edition versions of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key – a Premium Box and a Special Collection Box, available exclusively through the KOEI TECMO Europe Online Store. The Premium Box version of the game includes an Art Book, a B2 cloth poster featuring an original art piece, a set of two illustrated clear files, a mini acrylic character charm, an early-access DLC costume for Ryza and a copy of the game all packed into a beautiful collectable box. The must-have Special Collection Box version of the game features all of the contents in the Premium Box version, as well as an Original Key Case, an A1 wall scroll featuring an original art piece, a selection of acrylic charms featuring the cover art from each game in the trilogy, and a set of twelve illustration cards.
These products are now available to pre-order. To learn more about these special editions, and future offerings, be sure to sign-up to the KOEI TECMO Europe Online Store mailing list.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key also features an Early Purchase bonus. Anyone who purchases a physical or digital copy of the game within two weeks after launch will be able to download a special set of seven Summer Look costumes. These costumes may be available for purchase at a later date.
* The “Another Look” costume set includes two costumes in different colours for each of the 11 party characters for a total of 22 costumes.
** The “Back to Summer” costume set includes two summer outfits based on Ryza’s exclusive costumes from previous titles. *** The “Gust Collaboration” costume set includes two costumes exclusives to Ryza based on the costumes of Plachta and Ramizel from Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream.
ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.
KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO’s best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ Warriors series, the fan-favourite Ninja Gaiden and fighting entertainment title Dead or Alive. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark-samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of GUST, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at http://www.koeitecmoeurope.com
Tokyo, 22nd February – Thirdverse is proud to announce the release of “ALTAIR BREAKER”, their VR multiplayer transcendent sword-fighting action game, for the PlayStation®VR2 headset on February 22, 2023. This version of “ALTAIR BREAKER” includes content up to the major update Ver. 2.0.0 “EVENT HORIZON” that was previously released for the Meta Quest 2 and PCVR versions.
Supported Platform: PlayStation®VR2 Release Date: February 22, 2023 Price: $29.99 (download only) Genre: VR Multiplayer Sword-fighting Action Audio: English, Japanese Subtitles: English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean Players: Up to 4 players co-op (online only) IARC Rating: IARC 12+ (*) in order to play online you need an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
About ALTAIR BREAKER In this VR multiplayer transcendent sword fighting action game, players can experience the sword fighting action unique to VR in the virtual world “ALTAIR”. Thanks to the intuitive controls unique to VR, anyone can easily experience the transcendence of sword fighting actions that would be impossible in the real world, such as high-speed sword fighting moves, cutting enemies, aerial combos and wide-range special skills. In addition, multiplayer is available and players can team up with up to 4 people: fight together while communicating with other users all over the world by voice chat.
The PlayStation VR2 version of ALTAIR BREAKER is compatible with the PlayStation VR2 Sense technology, as well as many other elements:
Foveate rendering with eye tracking
Headset feedback
Game contents up to the major update Ver. 2.0.0 “EVENT HORIZON”, delivered for the Meta Quest 2 and PCVR versions.
Composer/Representative of Noisycroak. Music creator in many fields, mainly for games’ soundtracks. Key works include “Super Smash Brothers Ultimate” (main theme “Lifelight”, composition and arrangement), “Crayon Shin chan: Ora to Hakase no Natsuyasumi – Owaranai Nanokakan no Tabi” (main theme, composition and arrangement), “Windboys!”, “Bungo to Alchemist”, “Romance of The Three Kingdoms 14”, “Echochrome” Series, and “Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! What Did I Do to Deserve This?” series.
Popular Anime and Games Voice Actor Xanthe Huynh to dub navigator character “Stella”
Xanthe Huynh is a Los Angeles actor with a degree in the Dramatic Arts from the University of California, Irvine. Represented by Dean Panaro Talent, she’s been working in voice over for over 10 years and is known for roles such as Palla-Palla from Sailor Moon SuperS, Tsugumi in Scarlet Nexus, Miggy in Aggretsuko, Maquia in Maquia When the Promised Flower Blooms, Haru in Persona 5, Marianne in Fire Emblem Three Houses, Kanon in Neo: The World Ends With You, and Vatista in Blazblue Cross Tag Battle.
About Thirdverse, Co., Ltd. Aiming at the creation of “a new virtual world where one billion people live”, Thirdverse plans, develops, and publishes VR games at its two studios in Japan and the United States, as well as blockchain-related business at the subsidiary established in Singapore.
Location: 11F KANDA SQUARE WeWork, 2-2-1 Kanda Nishiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Representative Director and CEO: Hironao Kunimitsu Establishment: April 30th, 2013 Corporate Site: https://www.thirdverse.io/en/
Console announcement trailer reveals acclaimed inventory management roguelike will be exiting Steam Early Access in May
Warsaw, Poland – February 22nd, 2023 – Jaspel and Different Tales are pleased to announce their inventory management roguelike, Backpack Hero, will be exiting Steam Early Access and releasing on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch in May 2023 in a new console announcement trailer. During its Early Access phase, Backpack Hero has attracted 180,000 playerswith its compelling twist on the standard deck-building roguelike. Success in each combat encounter isn’t about what you carry, but how you organize items in your bag.
Described as “the next big thing” by Splattercatgaming and “utterly enthralling” by GameSpew, Backpack Hero offers a roster of five heroes to choose from, each with a unique pool of items and abilities that completely change the way you play. The robot, CR-8, for example, lets you program commands in your backpack Factorio-style, while Pochette carries pets, giving Backpack Hero a Pokemon-esque twist! There are hundreds of rare items to discover and arrange into powerful combinations, over forty enemy types for you to battle and colorful characters to be encountered on your procedurally generated adventures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZLcGOJxGaw
There’s even more to come from Backpack Hero too. The new console announcement trailer offers a sneak peek at the highly-requested “Town” feature. This adds a whole new layer to a game that’s already received bags of praise in its Early Access phase, offering a rewarding progression path for you to expand your item pool and unlock new heroes. With the addition of the Town feature, you will transfer your organizational skills from your backpack to the streets to construct a perfect town with the resources you gather on your adventures.
“The whole team is incredibly thankful to the community of Backpack Hero!” said Jasper Cole, one of the game’s three creators. “Over the past year, we launched on itch.io, started a business, ran a Kickstarter, released on Steam Early Access, and got to grow the game in many ways that exceeded our wildest dreams. I’m so excited to see the game on other platforms! This is possible because of the community that supported us, and I am so thankful to you for supporting this humble little indie team.”
Stay tuned for more detailed information about specific platforms, features, and dates!
About Jaspel Jaspel is a humble indie team currently developing Backpack Hero. The remote, three-person studio is made up of Jasper, ‘TheJaspel’, ‘Felix’, Binary Counter, and ‘Calvin’, Gangs Robin.
About Different Tales Different Tales is the home for bold creators. An independent Studio & Publisher based in Warsaw, Poland – developing AA games and offering boutique publishing to tiny teams: dev-friendly terms, co-development, and long-term partnerships.
About Indie Ark Founded in 2019 and based in Shenzhen, we are a Chinese video game publisher focused on seeking out creatively and artistically outstanding indie titles and provide them with one-stop full-package local publishing services. We are happy to be the bridge that connects each other, clears language and cultural barriers, helps your game reach more local audience and achieve the success it deserves, as we always believe great games deserve more applause.
Survival crafting game inspired by historical expedition receives new trailer ahead of spring 2023 early access launch
PARIS – Feb. 21, 2023 –Twin Sails Interactive, the publisher of Gloomhaven and Ember Knights, has today announced a partnership with Odinsoft to publish Survival: Fountain of Youth, the single-player survival game set in the 16th-century Caribbean islands. The agreement comes alongside a new video highlighting Survival: Fountain of Youth’s upcoming 2023 early access launch.
Dive into an open-world survival crafting experience as a shipwrecked member of Juan Ponce de León’s expedition for the Fountain of Youth. Awaken on the shores of an uninhabited archipelago and get to work securing shelter, food, and water. Stave off hunger, thirst, and dangerous diseases while exploring uncharted environments, scouring for clues to the missing crew’s location, and crafting weapons and tools to establish a base of operations.
Combine a myriad of materials to assemble a wealth of useful items. Start with primitive bows, ideal for small game hunting, and eventually progress to powerful muskets strong enough to fight back against the archipelago’s deadly predators. Lash wood together and build a simple raft capable of exploring nearby landmarks, and work tirelessly to eventually assemble a glorious Spanish schooner to patrol for secrets across the tropical paradise.
Travel to different islands with sea vessels to seek out signs of fellow explorers, but be prepared for unexpected challenges. Assemble supplies before setting out on sea voyages and unlock new regions by either uncovering mapping notes abandoned by previous expeditions, referencing copper plaques hidden in ancient ruins, or crafting more technologically advanced vessels capable of longer trips. Plot a route and set sail on an epic journey full of ancient civilizations to explore, mysterious messages from missing crew members, and the clues tied to the secret of the fabled Fountain of Youth.
Survival: Fountain of Youth’s upcoming early access launch allows the development team to continually update and iterate on the experience through a collaborative process of listening to and implementing community feedback to create an immersive survival crafting game inspired by historical events. The early access version will debut with two expansive regions to explore, full of resources, fauna, and secrets to uncover, with three additional regions planned in subsequent updates, adding new biomes, story quests, and much more.
“Finding a reliable publishing partner was as challenging as finding the Fountain of Youth, and we were thrilled to get in touch with Twin Sails,” said Stas Ignatov, Head of Publishing at Odinsoft. “Their deep analysis of the game, thorough expertise, and genuine interest in the project were the key reasons for us to partner with them. Twin Sails is dedicated to helping Odinsoft make Survival: Fountain of Youth one of the top survival games of 2023 and fulfill players’ expectations in the best possible way.”
“We are thrilled to publish Survival: Fountain of Youth, the long-awaited unique blend of survival and historical fantasy,” said Nicolas Godement, Managing Director of Twin Sails. “We are very excited by the game’s expertly crafted mechanics immersing players in a world filled with danger and mystery, supported by a well-written story full of twists and turns. We look forward to working with Odinsoft’s team of adventurers to craft an unforgettable experience.”
Survival: Fountain of Youth will arrive on Windows PC via Steam Early Access in Q2 2023, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions planned alongside the version 1.0 launch. For more information, wishlist Survival: Fountain of Youth on Steam.
About Twin Sails Interactive
Twin Sails Interactive is an international video game publisher, part of the Asmodee Group, an Embracer company since March 2022. Based in Paris, our team of passionate professionals partners with developers to help drive their titles to success. Originally known as a specialist of digital board-game adaptations under the name Asmodee Digital, Twin Sails expands Asmodee’s reach into original, creative titles aimed at a wide audience on PC and consoles. Following the release of the acclaimed Gloomhaven adaptation and the well-received early access launch of Ember Knights, Twin Sails is publishing AA titles such as Survival: Fountain of Youth, as well as indie gems Wantless, Innchanted, News Tower and Amberial Dreams, with more yet to be announced.
Odinsoft is an independent game development studio based in Los Angeles, Calif., with development offices in Turkey. Composed of numerous game-industry veterans, Odinsoft seeks to create highly immersive experiences for players across the globe. Survival: Fountain of Youth is Odinsoft’s debut title. For more information about Odinsoft, please visit the official website
Hinwil, 22 February 2023 – Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake fans will get a unique chance to drive the team’s new car before pre-season testing even started – as the new C43 goes live in EA SPORTS’ F1 22.
As part of the team’s ongoing strategy to bring its growing fanbase closer to the heart of our racing, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake C43 has been made available to drive in Time Trial mode in the official Formula One video game – the only 2023 car to feature in its roster – ahead of the start of pre-season testing. The striking red-and-black livery will take to the track in Bahrain on February 23-25 in the capable hands of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu – but fans all over the world will be able to sample the latest machine produced in Hinwil before then.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Managing Director of Sauber Group and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Representative: “Fans mean everything to us, and to be able to give them the chance to drive our new Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake C43 before they even see it on track in real life is something that was never done before in the official F1 video games. We’re proud to be at the leading edge of this pioneering approach, but this is not the whole story: we have a lot more in store, planned for the season, and we can’t wait to show you.”
John Merchant, F1 Global Brand Director at EA SPORTS: “Pre-season testing is a highly anticipated moment in the Formula One calendar and the first opportunity for fans to see how the new cars perform on the grid. We’re delighted to become part of the 2023 re-start by giving our players the opportunity to be the first to race and test the C43.”
About Sauber Group of Companies:
The Sauber Group of Companies is composed of two operational entities: Sauber Motorsport AG, which operates and manages its Formula OneTM team; and Sauber Technologies AG, which focuses on third-party business in the areas of advanced engineering, prototype development and additive manufacturing, in addition to full and model-scale testing in the factory’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel and ground-breaking innovation in the field of aerodynamics. The companies collaborate closely and share know-how to apply the expertise of more than 550 dedicated individuals at the headquarter in Hinwil, Switzerland, to all internal and external projects.
The Sauber Group puts sustainability at the heart of its mission; its business, operating under the ISO 14001 environmental management standard, has been carbon neutral since 2011 and the company has achieved the Three-Star level in the FIA Environmental Accreditation Framework.
Since its founding in 1970, the innovative Swiss company has been setting standards in the design, development and construction of race cars for various championship series, such as Formula One, DTM, and WEC. Following its own Formula One debut in 1993, Sauber Motorsport AG has established one of the few traditional and privately held teams in the sport. A member of the exclusive club of teams which competed in more than 500 F1 races, it celebrated 30 years in the sport in 2022 and continues to go from strength to strength on and off the track.
