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Genvid Entertainment and Skybound Entertainment Announce 

The Walking Dead™: Last Mile – A Facebook Gaming and Facebook Watch Exclusive Launching Summer 2022

 The Next Massively Interactive Live Event (MILE) Will Enable Fans to Directly Experience and Impact a Persistent TWD World and Characters

March 1, 2022 – NEW YORK, NY and LOS ANGELES, CA – Genvid Entertainment and Skybound Entertainment today announced The Walking Dead™: Last Mile (TWD:LM), a massively interactive live event (MILE) launching this summer as a Facebook Gaming and Facebook Watch exclusive. Part game, part interactive television show, TWD:LM will immerse participants around the globe in the universe of The Walking Dead in new and unparalleled ways – putting the all-new TWD:LM story and protagonists in the hands of the players as the saga unfolds minute-by-minute, day-by-day, week-by-week.

“We’re thrilled to unveil this new MILE experience that will take place in The Walking Dead universe, where fans can play games and influence this new world and its inhabitants as a community,” said Robert Kirkman, Chairman of Skybound Entertainment and creator of The Walking Dead. “With The Walking Dead: Last Mile, audience members can stream a living, breathing world of The Walking Dead, working collectively and individually to impact the story at every turn. We’re excited to collaborate with our partners Genvid and Facebook to bring this pioneering vision to life.”

The project’s partners – in conjunction with lead simulation developer Pipeworks Studios – look forward to revealing more details soon. Fans can stay up to date on details of TWD:LM by following @TheOfficialWalkingDead on Facebook and @TheWalkingDead on Twitter.

Atari Unveils Kombinera, a Colorful and Demanding Puzzle-Platformer Coming April 2022

300 Levels of Fiendishly Challenging Puzzles Lurk Behind a Veneer of Colorful Shapes and Simplistic Controls; Launching on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Atari VCS, and Mobile Devices

New York, NY (March 1, 2022) – Atari® — one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers — is excited to announce today a brand new title supporting the company’s renewed mission to publish high-quality, premium games. Joining the ranks among the publisher’s roster of popular original titles, Kombinera is a dazzling neon puzzle-platformer that tests players’ skills and smarts from St. Louis-based Graphite Lab. The game will make its way to PC via Steam and Epic, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Atari VCS, and mobile platforms (iOS, Android) in April 2022.

Kombinera is a really fun project for Atari because it’s a modern game that anyone can play and enjoy on today’s platforms, but it also feels like a pick-up-and-play Atari classic,” said Atari CEO Wade Rosen. “And that’s really what our mission is — bringing high-quality gaming experiences to players while staying true to Atari’s roots.”

Kombinera is truly the product of a combined effort and the desire to create something different from the pack,” said Matt Raithel, Graphite Lab Owner and Studio Director. “Juicy animation, clever storytelling, and memorable puzzles were all made better through collaboration with Atari’s creative team.”   

Watch the Kombinera announcement trailer here:

Kombinera is a new IP from Atari that seeks to carve out its own place among the very best puzzle-platformers on the market. The phrase “the ball is in your court” has never been so literal! The game sees players take control of multiple colored balls — simultaneously and each with their own distinct abilities — while navigating through over 300 increasingly perilous environments and puzzles. All of the balls move in unison, avoiding obstacles like tricky barriers and spikey walls requires intense concentration and brain-taxing problem-solving. 

Additional Key Features of Kombinera Include: 

  • Combine, Progress, Win!: A level is completed once every ball is combined into one, but getting there isn’t as easy as it sounds! Leverage each colored ball’s special abilities wisely and remember: as you progress through each chapter, the more obstacles you’ll overcome. Hazardous environments create tricky scenarios that will require strategic thinking and varying perspectives.
     
  • Special Properties (and Priorities): Each colored ball interacts in a special way with obstacles of the corresponding color. This gives each unique advantages and resistances when traversing a level, forcing you to decide which color combinations you should prioritize. 

Kombinera will be available on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Atari VCS, and mobile platforms (iOS, Android) this April. To learn more, visit the official site here

To stay up-to-date on all things Atari and retro-pop-culture, follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Atari 
Atari is an interactive entertainment company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit us online at www.Atari.com.

©2022 Atari Interactive, Inc. Atari wordmark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.

About Graphite Lab

Founded in 2009, Graphite Lab is led by owner and Studio Director Matt Raithel. The independent video game development studio produces hit titles featuring some of the world’s most visible and iconic brands. Graphite Lab specializes in bringing brands to life in fun and entertaining ways, including recent releases on PC, consoles, and mobile platforms. Graphite Lab is headquartered at 11861 Westline Industrial Dr. in St. Louis, Mo. For more information, call (314) 735-4134 or visit graphitelab.com.


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TURTLE BEACH REVEALS THE NEW STEALTH 600 GEN 2 MAX AND STEALTH 600 GEN 2 USB WIRELESS GAMING HEADSETS

The New Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX Adds the Flexibility to use Across Multiple Platforms and a Whopping 48+ Hour Battery Life

White Plains, NY – March 1, 2022 – Leading gaming accessories provider Turtle Beach Corporation (NASDAQ: HEAR) today unveiled the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX and Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB as the newest entries to the brand’s best-selling Stealth 600 series wireless gaming headsets. Using the latest latency-free, lossless wireless connectivity technology, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX provides multiplatform capability to connect to even more gaming systems, like Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One or PS5™ and PS4™, plus Nintendo Switch™ or PC. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX also takes battery life to new heights with a whopping 48+ hours per charge. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB delivers an immersive wireless gaming audio experience with 24+ hours of battery life. These upgrades complement the headset’s ability to deliver the powerful 3D spatial surround sound* and unmatched comfort that’s made the Stealth 600 headsets best-selling products since their debut. 

“We’ve redesigned our ultra-popular Stealth 600 Gen 2 wireless headsets so gamers can connect to more devices and play longer while keeping the powerful sound, crystal-clear chat, and plush comfort that has made these a best-seller,” said Juergen Stark, Chairman and CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. “We’re always listening to feedback from our fans and the community, and today gamers are playing more games than ever before, and on multiple systems. With our new Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX, gamers can easily switch between different platforms and use proprietary Turtle Beach features like our Superhuman Hearing® sound setting to stay alive longer and win more games.”

Since their August 2020 launch, Turtle Beach’s Stealth 600 Gen 2 has been THE #1 best-selling headset series.Additionally, in November 2021 TechRadar named the Stealth 600 Gen 2 for Xbox as one of its Top Xbox One Gaming Headsets, saying, “Turtle Beach’s Stealth 600 Gen 2 delivers exceptional bang for your buck, thanks to its excellent sound quality and robust features.”

The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX and Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB come in a variety of colorways. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX will be available in Black, Midnight Red, or Arctic Camo for a MSRP of $129.99. and. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB will be available in Black or White and maintains the best-selling model’s $99.99 MSRP.

The Designed for Xbox Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX and Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB are available for pre-order today at participating retailers in the UK and Europe, with plans to launch in those territories on April 3, 2022. The Designed for Xbox Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX and Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB will be available for pre-order in the U.S. on April 3, 2022 and are planned to launch in May 2022. The PlayStation versions of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX and Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB are scheduled to launch later in 2022.

Full details on Turtle Beach’s all-new Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAXand Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB follow:

Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX wireless multiplatform gaming headset delivers incredible battery life and high-quality game audio. A monster 48+ hour battery life keeps the headset going for days while a low-latency, lossless connection to your game system is handled by Turtle Beach’s proprietary lag-free 2.4GHz wireless USB transmitter. With the simple flip of a switch, players can select their favorite game system and experience immersive, 3D spatial surround sound* through large and powerful 50mm speakers, and crystal-clear chat with the Gen 2’s flip-to-mute microphone. Soft, ProSpecs™ glasses-friendly ear cushions offer plush comfort, and easy access controls let players adjust their settings and activate features like Superhuman Hearing for a proven competitive advantage. Available in Black, Midnight Red, or Arctic Camo for a MSRP of $129.99.

Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB wireless amplified headset delivers high-quality game audio & chat on Xbox or PlayStation. A long-lasting 24+ hour battery means less charging and more gaming while a low-latency, lossless connection is handled by Turtle Beach’s proprietary lag-free 2.4GHz wireless USB transmitter. Players will experience immersive, 3D spatial surround sound* through 50mm speakers, and crystal-clear chat through the Gen 2’s flip-to-mute microphone. Soft, ProSpecs glasses-friendly ear cushions offer plush comfort, and easy access controls let players adjust their settings and activate features like Superhuman Hearing for a proven competitive advantage. Available in Black or White for a MSRP of $99.99.

For more information on the latest Turtle Beach products and accessories, visit www.turtlebeach.com and be sure to follow Turtle Beach on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About Turtle Beach Corporation

Turtle Beach Corporation (corp.turtlebeach.com) is one of the world’s leading gaming accessory providers. The Company’s namesake Turtle Beach brand (www.turtlebeach.com) is known for designing high-quality, comfort-driven headsets for all gamers. Innovation, first-to-market features, a broad range of products, and top-rated customer support have made Turtle Beach a fan-favorite brand and the market leader in console gaming audio for over a decade. In 2021, Turtle Beach expanded the best-selling brand beyond headsets and successfully launched the first of its groundbreaking game controllers and gaming simulation accessories. Turtle Beach’s ROCCAT brand (www.roccat.com) combines detail-loving German innovation with a genuine passion for designing the best PC gaming products, including award-winning keyboards, mice, headsets, mousepads, and other PC accessories. Turtle Beach’s Neat Microphones brand (www.neatmic.com) creates high-quality USB and analog microphones for gamers, streamers, professionals and students that embrace cutting-edge technology and design. Turtle Beach’s shares are traded on the Nasdaq Exchange under the symbol: HEAR.

A Brand-New Look at Gameplay for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Check out the thrilling, action-packed gameplay walkthrough alongside details on skill trees for all six classes

Today, 2K and Gearbox Software offered a fresh look at gameplay for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands®. The new gameplay walkthrough features two Fatemakers teaming up for some co-op heroics beneath the treacherous peaks of Mount Craw, an optional area within the game that gives you a sense of the scale of zones you can find off the beaten path.

Additionally, the Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Game Guide has been updated with a full list of always-on Class Feats, iconic Action Skills, and passive Skill Tree abilities for all sixclasses. You’ll start your adventure by choosing a primary class, but it won’t be long before you earn a secondary class slot with the Multiclass system to create a truly hybridized character build.

Whether you’re looking to start theorycrafting your perfect build right away or want to get a general sense for which classes you’d like to combine for maximum Multiclass might, you can check out all the details on the game’s official website.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will launch on March 25, 2022 across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and PC via the Epic Games Store exclusively at launch, and on other PC digital storefronts later in 2022. Pre-orders are now available across all launch platforms, and players can also visit playwonderlands.com to register for the game’s newsletter.

Developed by Gearbox Software, the OFLC rating for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is M. To learn more, please visit playwonderlands.com and follow @PlayWonderlands on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Online Account (13+) required to access online features. See www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy for additional details.

2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

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NETMARBLE INTRODUCES PROPRIETARY BLOCKCHAIN ECOSYSTEM, MBX

NETMARBLE INTRODUCES PROPRIETARY BLOCKCHAIN ECOSYSTEM, MBX

SEOUL – Feb. 28, 2022 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, is thrilled to announce the launch of its own blockchain ecosystem, MBX (MARBLEX). The ecosystem, officially available beginning in March, is powered by Netmarble’s inherent MBX currency.

MBX, a Klaytn mainnet-based blockchain ecosystem, is focused on elevating the excitement of Netmarble games by incorporating blockchain technology. The ecosystem not only encourages organic engagement from players, but also rewards them for their participation.

The ecosystem, utilizing its own MBX currency and MBX Wallet, will be available for players to experience for the first time in March when it is applied to A3: Still Alive globally.

Meanwhile, as Netmarble has established a blockchain subsidiary, Netmarble will seek opportunities to bolster its competitiveness by leveraging the ecosystem for various games and technologies, as well as opportunities in the NFT and Metaverse sector.

Netmarble will share a white paper on MBX, along with its official website, in March. Detailed information can currently be found by following MBX on Twitter and Facebook.

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About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a top developer and publisher pushing the boundaries of the mobile gaming experience with highly innovative games including Marvel Future Revolution, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, Lineage 2: Revolution, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, Blade & Soul Revolution and MARVEL Future Fight. As a parent company of Kabam, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble strives to entertain audiences around the world with a variety of mobile games based on its powerful franchises and collaborations with IP holders worldwide. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com

Dying Light Gets PC Crossplay and Epic Games Store Release with Launch Discount

Dying Light Gets PC Crossplay and Epic Games Store Release with Launch Discount

With Dying Light hitting Epic Games Store, Techland brings a PC crossplay option

Wrocław, Poland — 1 March 2022 — The original Dying Light is now available on the Epic Games Store with a launch discount, and with this new addition, all PC players of Dying Light can unite and survive the streets of Harran.

Techland brings all Dying Light players together with Epic Online Services solution, which means that all PC players using Steam, Epic, and the GoG platform, as well as all Windows, Mac OS, and Linux users, can now play together in co-op.

Today’s premiere of Dying Light on the Epic Games Store brings a launch discount for Dying Light Enhanced Edition (-60%) and Dying Light Platinum Edition (-70%). This sale will be active until 8 March at 2 am AEDT. Dying Light on the Epic Games Store is available here.

Follow us on DiscordFacebookTwitterInstagramVK, and YouTube to be up to date with all the news about upcoming Dying Light updates.

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About Dying Light

A first-person action survival game set in a post-apocalyptic open-world overrun by flesh-hungry zombies. Roam the city devastated by a mysterious virus epidemic. Scavenge for supplies, craft weapons, and face hordes of the infected. Dying Light was published in 2015 and has been played by over twenty million people all over the world. From the creators of hit titles Dead Island and Call of Juarez. Winner of over 50 industry awards and nominations. The game whose uncompromising approach to gameplay set new standards for first-person zombie games. Still supported with new content and free community events years after the release.

About Techland

Founded in 1991 in Poland, Techland is a renowned independent game developer and distributor for all leading platforms, including PC, Sony PlayStation, and the Xbox family of devices. Techland is best known for the original Dead Island games, the Call of Juarez series, and the Dying Light franchise, a global phenomenon played by over 20 million unique players to date. To top that, Techland’s experienced teams allow the developer to work on two of its own AAA titles at the same time. Comprising over 400 professionals across three offices in Poland, the company is committed to delivering unforgettable experiences and using the latest technology for innovative entertainment, which includes the proprietary C-Engine. For more information about the company itself, visit the official website at: www.techland.net.

All product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or copyright material of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

ELEX II Review

ELEX II

Developer: Piranha Bytes
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Platforms: Xbox Series X Xbox OnePlayStation 4PlayStation 5, PC (Reviewed)
Release Date: 1 Mar 2022
Price: $49,99 USD – Available Here

Overview

I always had a soft spot for post-apocalyptic RPG games. Mostly because it’s not too hard to get sucked into that world. Add some decent RPG mechanics, a huge open world, immersive story and you got my attention. First ELEX was a bit rough around the edges, but that game had a heart in the right place. The inevitable sequel is here and as long as they added some improvement to the formula and spiced up the visual, I think we will be fine. Let’s see now what we’re working with here.

Story

We continue right where we left off. Same protagonist, same universe, but new problems. Several years after Jax defeated the Hybrid, a new threat is upon us. The dangerous powers of dark Elex are threatening all life on the planet. To defend the peace on Magalan, Jax now has to convince the factions to unite against a common threat (aka suicide mission approach from Mass Effect 2) and also find his own son, Dax, who got separated from him. Magalan is the world of consequences. Five major factions are Berserkers and despite what their name might imply, they rely more on the actual magic than the melee approach. The Albs, Outlaws, and Clerics are more focused on using Elex in their everyday life, while Morkons are the mysterious faction that you can usually find in the old tunnel systems of Magelan. The NPCs will remember what you did and treat you accordingly and they can join or leave your group depending on how you behave. Your decisions and behavior during a playthrough will be the key points for one of the many endings you can get.

Gameplay

The first thing I’ve noticed is that one of the selling points of the game (here and in the previous entry), the jetpack, is now way easier to control. I can’t tell you how many times I died in the first ELEX just by going up way higher than intended, running out of fuel in midair, and falling down to my demise. This being an ELEX game, you can forget any sort of hand-holding at the start. The beginning is hard and unforgiving. You have to pay close attention to where you’re going since most of the enemies can kill you in one hit (until you work on some skill and get better equipment). With each level up, you will get the attribute points that you can assign to strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, and cunning. Each attribute has a noticeable effect on your character, for example, dexterity will improve your ranger damage while constitution will give you more hit points. On the other hand, abilities are tied to learning points. You get them by consuming special potions and while leveling up. You also have to find a correct teacher in-game so you can assign them accordingly. Combat in ELEX II is nothing to write stories about, it’s pretty straightforward and your attributes and equipment will determine the outcome even before you land )or take) the first hit. But again, the immersing aspect of the game is always more tailored to building your character properly, crafting equipment, and learning new abilities. There is also enchanting in the game, sort of. Once you learn the “gemstone socket” ability, you can first them into any weapon or armor piece with an empty socket. Most of them will give you a neat bonus of more experience per kill or health per hit, so it’s wise to invest in them as well.

Visuals

The entry-level to run this game properly is also unforgiving, just like the game difficulty. There is a certain barrier that separates it from looking like a PS2 game or making every other location into a screenshot material. There is a noticeable improvement in visuals but it comes at a cost. You will need a decent rig to run it properly. Even with minimum requirements listed on the store page, it’s still a struggle to maintain decent fps. however, if you’re way above that minimum threshold the game will be a joy to explore as it is to look at. The aesthetics of the equipment in the game is something that deserves a separate mention. Many armor sets have a distinct style and wearing one will make you seem like you’re going from a postapocalyptic sci-fi game to a medieval sandbox.

Audio

The voice acting in ELEX II is decent at best, but the environmental sounds and atmospheric audio is where the game truly shines. You can often tell if you’re stumbling into a dangerous area just by listening to the sound alone. Pro tip: if you hear an animal that is louder than you – just run. The louder they are, the more chance that they can kill you in one or two hits. Even though most of the game boils down to solo exploration and scavenging for parts and items, you never feel like you’re alone with the atmospheric background music that’s sprinkled throughout the game.

Overall

While ELEX II still struggles to attain a proper footing, there is evident improvement here compared to the previous game. The RPG mechanics have been greatly expanded, the world is larger and more immersive this time so if you were a fan of the previous entry, purchasing this is a no-brainer. Just know what you’re getting into. This is an RPG that isn’t going to hold your hand and you have to invest a bit of effort to get a lot of enjoyment back. But once you get into it, it’s hard to get out. Once you get out of the quicksand that is the starting area and things start to piece themselves together in terms of world-building and gameplay, it’s incredibly hard to put this game down.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

ELEX II First Hour of Gameplay

Join us for the first hour of gameplay for ELEX II. We run through the first few main story missions and side quests. We meet up and speak to Jax’s wife Caja and accompany their son Dex over to the Bastion.

In this sequel to the vintage Open World RPG ELEX, Jax must once again unite the free people of the Science-Fantasy world of Magalan against a new threat – the Skyands, who want to change the face of the planet forever.

ELEX II
Developer: Piranha Bytes
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Platform: Windows
Release Date: 2 Mar, 2022
Price: $49.99 USD

Available now on Steam – https://store.steampowered.com/app/900040/ELEX_II/

Summary:

Recommended – “A great improvement over the previous game with a vast open-world and better gameplay, but it still comes with a steep learning curve.

Check out our review for ELEX II Here

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

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PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ EATING ITS WAY ONTO PLAYSTATION 4, XBOX ONE, NINTENDO SWITCH, AND PC WITH XBOX GAME PASS AVAILABILITY ON MAY 27, 2022

PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ EATING ITS WAY ONTO PLAYSTATION 4, XBOX ONE, NINTENDO SWITCH, AND PC WITH XBOX GAME PASS AVAILABILITY ON MAY 27, 2022

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announced PAC-MAN MUSEUM+, coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PCs via STEAM and Windows PC (supports Xbox Play Anywhere), and playable on day one with Xbox Game Pass on May 27, 2022. The game will also be compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ presents a unique curated collection of classic and modern PAC-MAN games spanning the 40-plus year history of the storied iconic video game character’s library.

In addition to the eclectic selection of classic PAC-MAN titles, the collection also features a customizable in-game arcade, where new items can be earned by completing missions and earning in-game coins in each of the 14 featured titles. Players can unlock cabinets, figures, decorations, wallpapers, and custom flooring to design their own creative arcade layout, complete with a jukebox to customize their musical soundscape. For a limited time, players who purchase the game within the first 30 days of launch will be able to obtain a launch bonus which includes five silver or gold figures that can be displayed in their virtual arcade.

For players looking to prove their PAC-MAN prowess with competitors around the world, they can go online and register their top scores in a variety of worldwide leaderboards to see how they stack up against the best joystick jockeys and arcade game acolytes out there.

The full list of PAC-MAN titles featured in PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ includes:

  • PAC-MAN
  • SUPER PAC-MAN
  • PAC & PAL
  • PAC-LAND
  • PAC-MANIA
  • PAC-ATTACK
  • PAC-IN-TIME
  • PAC-MAN ARRANGEMENT Arcade ver.
  • PAC-MAN ARRANGEMENT CS ver.
  • PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION
  • PAC Motos
  • PAC’N ROLL REMIX
  • PAC-MAN BATTLE ROYALE
  • PAC-MAN 256

PAC-MAN MUSEUM™+ & ©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

Shadow Warrior 3 Review

Shadow Warrior 3

Developer: Flying Wild Hog
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platforms: Xbox Series X Xbox OnePlayStation 4PlayStation 5, PC (Reviewed)
Release Date: 1 Mar 2022
Price: $49,99 USD – Available Here

Overview

If there is one thing that is common to all of my most anticipated games, it’s that they’ve been delayed over and over again. Sometimes it’s a few weeks, months, or even a year. But as they say, all good things are worth the wait. I got access to Shadow Warrior 3 almost 2 weeks before release so I had plenty of time to dissect it. It’s a third entry in the series that introduced a lof new gameplay mechanics and peculiar design choices. There is a lot to talk about here, so let’s get it started.

Story

Our hero Lo Wang is joining forces with its former employer and nemesis Orochi (now turned sidekick) to recapture an ancient dragon that they released from its eternal slumber. The plan is simple: obtain a maks of a dead god, a dragon egg, a bit of magic, a lot of firepower, and hopefully, things go according to plan. Spoiler alert: they don’t. In true Shadow Warrior fashion, the story is often ludicrous and bordering on insane so prepare for a lot of twists and turns. There is also a mask stealing raccoon in all that mess and a certain boss that looks like he just woke up from a 7-day drug-fueled orgy. In any case, you’re in for a fun ride.

Gameplay

As I said above, Shadow Warrior 3 comes with a whole lot of changes. No more semi-open world like in Shadow Warrior 2, no more unnecessary loot drops, it’s all refreshingly linear with way more attention to the story. Pretty early in my playthrough, I started seeing the game as an unintentional homage to DOOM Eternal. Why is that, you might ask. First off, the level design is more arena-like. You’ll have short platforming sections where you eventually end up in sections with dozens of enemies thrown at you. Then the game turns into intense tests of skill when it comes to dodging enemies and evading their projectiles, all while killing the smaller ones so you can build up the fatality bar for the really dangerous ones. Oh right, the fatalities. Another gimmick reminiscent of the new DOOM games. Killing enough enemies and picking up fatality orbs will gradually fill up the relevant bar so you can swiftly get rid of the big baddies with a gory execution. This also brings me to the topic of gore weapons. Killing certain enemies with executions will reward you with limited use of gore weapons. They are extremely powerful and helpful when you are being overwhelmed. The one-hit kill katana from samurai enemies has saved me more times than I can count. Weapon and character upgrades are still there, but this time you earn them by occasionally picking them up in levels (most of them are well hidden) and completing various weapon challenges. Things like headshot push/kill/execute a certain number of enemies with certain weapons. And last, one of the novelties that spice up the gameplay is environmental kills. In almost every arena you’ll find peculiar switched that upon hitting open trap doors or activate spiky rollers that obliterate every enemy in its way. It’s a great way to dispose of more dangerous enemies while conserving some ammo.

Visuals

It’s not uncommon that every sequel receives a bit of a visual upgrade, but I can’t list many examples where a sequel looked so……..pretty as is the case here. Flying Wild Hog devs somehow managed to make even damp and boring caves look mesmerizing. Visual upgrade is not limited to level design only, the enemies are now violently colorful and their design is often bordering on comical. You would also think that also that upgrade requires some strong engine under the hood, but no. The game is surprisingly well optimized.

Audio

When it comes to audio, we need to address one elephant in the room first. During the early trailers and gameplay videos, one thing that was apparent was the different voice actors for Lo Wang. For most of the folks, the reception was not as positive as you’d expect but after finishing the game twice I have yet to see anything bad on that front. Granted, I played Shadow Warrior 2 almost three years ago so the memory of that different voice actor is a bit hazy to me. And that’s what it is at the end of the day, it’s different but nothing immersion-breaking. I think the new voice actor did a fine job and it’s just a matter of getting used to him.

Overall

However, there is one thing that might worry some people on the release day way more than a different voice actor. I mentioned that I completed the game twice already and that didn’t take a lot of my time. The first playthrough was just a bit over five hours and the second was even shorter. Granted, I didn’t go for all the upgrades the first time but Shadow Warrior 3 was still surprisingly short for such a story-focused game. The good news is that if you can get past that, you’re in for a ride. Shadow Warrior 3 is a big step up from its predecessor in terms of visuals, gameplay mechanics, and fast-paced swordplay & gunplay. All things considered, it’s a sequel that lived up to my expectations.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.