Join us for the first 30 minutes of gameplay for Cat Cafe Manager as we travel to the sleepy village of Caterwaul Way and start building a home for dozens of unique felines! Gameplay runs through the first 6 days of business.
Travel to the sleepy village of Caterwaul Way and rebuild your grandmother’s cat cafe. Renovate your restaurant, befriend the local cats and townsfolk, forge lasting friendships, unravel catty mysteries, and build a home for dozens of unique felines!
Cat Cafe Manager Developer: Roost Games Publisher: Freedom Games Platform: Windows Release Date: 21 April 2022 Price: $19.99 USD
Embracer Group, the parent company and owner of companies such as THQ Nordic, Gearbox Software, Deep Silver, and many more more has announced that they have entered into an agreement with Square Enix to acquire Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, and Square Enix Montréal. This acquisition includes a “catalogue of IPs including Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief, Legacy of Kain and more than 50 back-catalogue games from Square Enix.”
In total the acquisition will bring roughly 1,100 employees across the studios in eight global locations under Embracer Group’s name and the total purchase price has been listed at 300 million USD. It is worth noting that the deal has not yet been completed though it is expected to close during the second quarter of Embracer’s 2022/23 fiscal year.
”We are thrilled to welcome these studios into the Embracer Group. We recognize the fantastic IP, world class creative talent, and track record of excellence that have been demonstrated time and again over the past decades. It has been a great pleasure meeting the leadership teams and discussing future plans for how they can realize their ambitions and become a great part of Embracer,” says Lars Wingefors, Co-founder and Group CEO, Embracer Group.
”Embracer is the best kept secret in gaming: a massive, decentralized collection of entrepreneurs whom we are thrilled to become a part of today. It is the perfect fit for our ambitions: make high-quality games, with great people, sustainably, and grow our existing franchises to their best versions ever. Embracer allows us to forge new partnerships across all media to maximize our franchises’ potential and live our dreams of making extraordinary entertainment,” says Phil Rogers, Square Enix America and Europe CEO.
This might be my first time reviewing The Stanley Parable, but it’s actually the third time that I’m playing it. The game first came out as a mod for Half-Life 2 back in 2011 and my understanding of it was…….all over the place, to be fair. Mainly because my level of English was just average at best so I had serious trouble following the story and the basic premise of the game. Got one ending and called it a day. Then in 2013, the mod evolved into a standalone game with its official Steam release. And almost a decade later, we got something called The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe. It promises new endings, choices, and secrets to discover so let’s see what’s it all about.
Story
And here is our first hurdle. Describing the game and the story of it while trying not to go all-in with spoilers is nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to reviews. But what to say when the whole game is misleading by design? When the initial presentation of the game is fundamentally different from the actual game? You have to find a way and convey something while saying nothing at all (which, to some extent, is what The Stanley Parable is trying to achieve).
But let’s start from the basics. The story is about Stanley, an employee 427 in an office building. He has a cushy government job consisting of pressing keys on the keyboard every now and then while monitoring data coming from the computer screen. One day, his screen goes blank, he leaves his room for help and discovers that the whole building is abandoned. And this is where our story starts taking shape. Almost every action of his is being described by the game narrator, who often breaks the 4th wall and scolds Stanley (aka you) when taking the “wrong” path. With that premise explained, it would be easy to describe the game as your average walking simulator but The Stanley Parable has always been so much more. It is a game and a meta-commentary on the games in general and a somewhat satirical dissertation on the video game industry and a cynical jab at the achievement system in video games. It pokes fun at everything and it also manages to take itself seriously as well.
Gameplay
If I could focus on one selling point of the game, it’s that there is no wrong way to play it. Seriously, they thought of everything. To illustrate the point, here is some relevant info: the original mod had six different endings, the first Steam release from 2013 added 10 more and I managed to discover 8 new ones so far in The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe. One time, I wanted to peek more into one room that is usually closed on more than one occasion so I used the good old sv_cheats 1 approach and then firing up noclip command (the veterans of Source will know).
And guess what? There is an ending for that too. There is an ending if you die on purpose, an ending that’s unlocked if you do everything opposite of what the narrator says, there is also one for standing still and not doing anything at all, and let’s not forget the ending that you get if you keep doing one ending over and over again. The Stanley Parable has always been a game of discovery, introspection, satire, and futility.
Visuals
Besides new endings and easter eggs, another thing you might notice is the significant visual overhaul. The game now looks more polished, with clearer textures and better lighting. Furthermore, every seemingly unimportant action might have a significant impact on visuals down the road. On your 45th playthrough, you might finally check out that blinking light on the answering machine in one of the office cubicles. Answer it, approve the order and on your next playthrough, almost every room and corridor will be filled with dozens and dozens of cardboard boxes. That was all your doing.
Audio
It is almost impossible to talk about this game without mentioning the life of the party. The narrator. He is funny, reliable, insane, angry, unpredictable, disappointed, and all the other things I have yet to discover with each new playthrough. At the same time, he is presented as this omnipotent being that knows Stanley to his core and a few minutes later he can be genuinely unprepared for some of your actions and one end is specifically made to show you how he loses his sanity without you. You two are inseparable. The is no Stanley without the narrator and no narrator without Stanley.
Overall
I pretty much manage to explain what is the game about while saying nothing much of substance (somewhat mirroring the game even) but there is one more important question left. The one that is not exclusive to this game really. Who is The Stanley Parable for? For a niche audience or does it dare to shoot for something bigger? I thought about this a lot and I finally have the answer.
One day, a friend might ask you for a game recommendation. He will say “I want to play something different. It has to be unique and I want to be surprised. It doesn’t have to be what I usually play but I want it to be something good. Do you have that kind of game for me?” And that will be your cue. You will then say “I sure do! Have you heard about lord and savior The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe?” And they will certainly say “I have not but something tells me this will be a start of a beautiful friendship”. Roll credits.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
After a number of delays D3 Publisher and Sandlot have announced that Earth Defense Force 6 will be releasing on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on August 25th in Japan. Currently no Western release has been announced but each game, including a voxel spin-off, has been released in the West so far.
Earth Defense Force 6will take place a few years after the massive invasion that occurred in the previous game and will still offer the Ranger, Wing Diver, Air Raider, and Fencer classes though they will now play a bit differently than they have in the past.
The company has also announced that all launch copies of the game will include three members of the Hololive Japan, Ookmai Mio, Shirakami Fubuki, and Nakiri Ayame as inflatable decoys that can be deployed to temporarily draw enemy insects and other creatures away from the player.
It appears that the wait for Final Fantasy XVI may not be as long as many had suspected as, in an interview published in Uniqlo’s UT Magazine, producer Naoki Yoshida has stated that development for the game is “in the final stretch.” The magazine interview is being held as part of a collaboration between the clothing brand and Final Fantasy for the 35th anniversary.
The full translated interview, as found on R/FFXVI, states: “Right now the development of Final Fantasy XVI is in its final stage. As a single player game, we are aiming to integrate story and gameplay even further. Different to a game where many people play online at the same time, the extent to which the game has an individual focus changes how immersed you are in the story. I think it’s become a story with quite a lot of depth. To people who have grown up, entered working society and think “reality isn’t as easy-going as a video game”, and at some point ended up separating from Final Fantasy, we want to want them to remember their passion from back then. We’re making the game with that intention.”
This news follows the previous announcement that the next major announcement for Final Fantasy XVI would be revealed sometime this spring after a delay in development. Currently Final Fantasy XVI is being developed by Square Enix as a PlayStation 5 exclusive.
In our latest gameplay, we cover the first 50 minutes of the gothic-anime metroidvania Hunter X. It’s a very fast-paced action adventure game for PC.
HunterX is an action-adventure game full of spirited battles. Use various styles of weapons and magic to experience your own fighting style and explore a great world.
HunterX Developer: ORANGE POPCORN Publisher: ORANGE POPCORN Platform: Windows Release Date: 26 April 2022 Price: $14.99 USD
Recommended – “HunterX is a metroidvania done the old way. It features fast and addictive gameplay, but lacks variety and polish in its presentation and design.”
Check out latest gameplay for The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe as we complete two bizarre endings and a special third one featuring your brand new bucket companion.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is an expanded re-imagining of 2013’s The Stanley Parable. You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will make a choice, and you will become powerless. You are not here to win. The Stanley Parable is a game that plays you.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Developer: Crows Crows Crows Publisher: Crows Crows Crows Website: https://www.stanleyparable.com/ Platform: Windows Release Date: 28 Apr, 2022 Price: $24.99 USD
Recommended – “It might make you laugh, leave you confused and upset, possibly sad, even scared but never indifferent. Not so much a game as it is a unique experience worth checking out.”
Official Trailer Now Live for the“Touhou Project-Based 2D Action Game”: Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony
The game publisher CFK has revealed the official trailer for Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony. The game is set to launch on Nintendo Switch and Steam on Thursday, July 28, 2022, but gamers can add it to their wishlists and follow the store page for more updates on the game’s release.
Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony Official Trailer
Another big update called ‘Shock & Awe’ just released for all players of the game as part of its Frontrunner Season
Sydney, Australia, April 29, 2022 – Vertigo Games, the VR specialist publishing and development arm of the global Koch Media Group, have just released the ‘Shock & Awe’ update for After the Fall®. This addition to the game’s Frontrunner Season brings a great set of arsenal and is available for free to all owners of the game on Meta Quest 2, PSVR (both digital and physical) and PC VR.To celebrate, Vertigo Games released two separate trailers today. The action-packed Co-op trailer is made with supported LIV software, which allows creators to produce high-quality mixed reality content. The Frontrunner Season overview trailer showcases all the new -and previously added content in the game since launch.
MIXED REALITY CO-OP TRAILER
FRONTRUNNER SEASON OVERVIEW TRAILER
The ‘Shock & Awe’ update brings a great set of arsenal, including the Shockwave Power Device, Rage Booster, Warhead, and a Tommy Gun. Players can grind for floppy disks in order to claim these new items, which enable them to take on hordes of Snowbreed in new, impactful ways. Besides the new consumables and combat device, a free-for-all PvP mode and the ‘Stockpile’ PvP map are now added to the game as well. This new map is a repurposed warehouse that’s all about close-quarter combat and lightning fast respawns with items that can be found scattered throughout the map.
The Frontrunner Season already brought the well-received Horde mode update and Boulevard update, which introduced two horde mode maps, a new revolver, the Boulevard Harvest map, the ‘Skimmer’ enemy (which is now added to all Harvest Maps), the LMG and Revolver weapons, and lots of player outfits. Moving forward, Vertigo Games plans to keep expanding and further improving the world of After the Fall for all its players.
With intense 4-player co-op and crossplay (PC VR, PlayStation VR and Quest 2) at its core, After the Fall offers action-packed co-op gameplay, built from the ground up for VR. Starting out in a shared space with up to 32 other players across all platforms, players venture out into the remains of post-apocalyptic LA in squads of four, wielding weapons with real-life movements. To stay ahead of their enemies, players scavenge the undead-infested VR world, with new discoveries lurking around every corner. When they’re ready, the competitive Tundradome PvP arena and endless hordes in Horde mode awaits them.
Developed by Vertigo Studios Rotterdam (Arizona Sunshine) and published by Vertigo Games, After the Fall – Launch Edition is now available on Quest 2, PlayStation VR and Steam, with a Deluxe Edition on PlayStation VR and Steam. A release on the original Quest will follow at a later date. The physical edition called After the Fall – Frontrunner Edition is now available on PlayStation VR in Europe, USA and Japan.
Vertigo Games is a multi-platform VR publisher and developer with offices in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Los Angeles, California. With teams in the areas of development, publishing and LBE (location-based entertainment) distribution, the company offers a growing portfolio of quality VR games that provide novel, powerful and full-featured gaming experiences both inside of the home, and outside of the home through its leading LBE content provider and management platform SpringboardVR. Games include Vertigo Studios’ evergreen brand Arizona Sunshine®, the epic VR action FPS After the Fall®, and the music game Unplugged VR®. The company recently announced it has 5 more high-end titles in the pipeline for the coming years. Vertigo Games is a Koch Media Group company. vertigo-games.com
About Koch Media
The Koch Media Group is a global developer, publisher and distributor of video games, VR games, gaming hardware and merchandise.
The group’s publishing, marketing and distribution activities extend throughout Europe, America, Australia and Asia. Koch Media has more than 25 years of experience in the digital media business and has risen to become a leading global publishing partner.
The Koch Media Group runs a multi-label strategy, with fully owned publishing units, such as Deep Silver, Prime Matter, Milestone, Vertigo Games and Ravenscourt; publishing games for consoles, PC and VR platforms across all physical and digital channels.
Additionally – as a global publishing partner – Koch Media has formed long-term multinational publishing collaborations with numerous game publishers including; Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, Capcom, Focus Multimedia, Giants Software, Koei Tecmo, Paradox, Sega, SNK, Square Enix, Techland, THQ Nordic, Tripwire, Warner Bros and many others.
With its parent company in Höfen / Austria – and the HQ in Munich / Germany – Koch Media owns local publishing companies in Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Australia, the United States as well as Japan and Hong Kong.
The Koch Media Group owns 10 game development studios: Deep Silver Volition (Champaign, IL / USA), Deep Silver Dambuster Studios (Nottingham / UK), Deep Silver Fishlabs (Hamburg / Germany), Warhorse Studios (Prague / Czech Republic), Milestone (Milan / Italy), Voxler (Paris / France) , Digixart (Montpellier / France), Flying Wild Hog (Warsaw, Kraków, Rzeszów / Poland), Free Radical Design (Nottingham / UK) and Vertigo Games (Rotterdam / the Netherlands). Additionally, the Koch Media Group collaborates with numerous independent development studios around the world.
Part of the Koch Media Group is also Koch Films; a leading European independent film distributor with business primarily in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy as a cinema, TV, online and Home Entertainment distributor. The Koch Media Group also owns leading video game merchandise companies Gaya Entertainment (Munich / Germany) and DPI Merchandising (Denver, Roseburg / USA) and a Quality Assurance Facility in Olomouc / Czech Republic.
Sydney, Australia, 29 April, 2022:Crossfire: Legion – the real time strategy (RTS) game featuring tactical action in furious battles across a shattered version of the near future and in Early Access from 25 May, 0100 AEST – is coming to ESL Play (Electronic Sports League). Competitors will be battling it out across one of three global regions – Asia, Europe or North America – with the qualifiers held from 5 June and the grand finals being held on 28 June with cash prizes for the winners. The finals will be streamed live on the Prime Matter Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/primemattergg
Players looking at throwing their hat in the ring can register from today on the ESL Play website (https://play.eslgaming.com/crossfire) until 5 June.
This announcement comes as the developer releases a video outlining their vision and thinking behind the title, combining the fundamentals of a classic RTS with the competitive elements of modern gaming.
Watch the Developer’s Vision:
Crossfire: Legion has you taking control of a fearless faction commander and their army of one of three factions – Black List, Global Risk and New Horizon – as they battle for supremacy across a wide variety of terrains and environments in both single and multiplayer campaigns.
Players build their own customised army that will – hopefully – enable then to vanquish their enemies. But, as the old cliché goes, no plan survives the first engagement, so be prepared to think on your toes and adapt your strategy as the game progresses; it’s up to you to prove your strategic prowess on the battlefield.
Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Prime Matter the premium gaming label dedicated to delivering a range of diverse and immersive games from amazing gaming development talent all around the globe. Working across projects of all styles, scopes and sizes, single-player, co-op to live ops, from producing to publishing, from ambitious teams taking their first step that need full support without compromising their dream to larger established successful studios searching that next step in the global market and building of brands. Prime Matter looks to lead through creativity, expression and passion, with games that will grip and enchant with enthralling story-telling, winning an audience with its incredible moments and larger-than-life experiences. Prime Matter is a proud member of the Koch Media Group.
About Smilegate
Smilegate is a global gaming company that owns global game IPs, including the world’s No.1 online FPS game ‘CROSSFIRE’, blockbuster hack & slash MMORPG ‘Lost Ark’, and mobile turn-based RPG ‘Epic Seven’. With roots in game development, Smilegate now also provides game publishing and investment business and is expanding as a global company with regional offices in the US, China, Southeast Asia and Europe. Its flagship IP, ‘CROSSFIRE,’ is one of the largest and most successful franchises in gaming history, with more than 670 million registered users to date and over 8 million concurrent players globally. Learn more by visiting Smilegate.com [smilegate.com]
About Blackbird Interactive
Blackbird Interactive is a Canadian video game development company based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
