Check out our latest gameplay for Residual as we explore ancient alien secrets in a a forgotten galaxy full of strange planets! Join us as we explore the first planet in Residual and discover some of it’s many hidden secrets!
In a forgotten galaxy full of strange planets, you crash-land on one with the ancient mystery. Craft tools and mining devices. Hostile biological life, and more stand between the voyager and survival. You’ll have your snarky and occasionally helpful Personal Disaster Bot with you the entire way.
Residual Developer: Orangepixel Publisher: Apogee Entertainment Website: http://www.orangepixel.net/ Platform: Windows Release Date: 9th September, 2021
Recommended – “An enjoyable non-violent 2D pixel-art platform open world survival-craft exploration game with an interesting story, cool soundtrack, challenging world environments and non overly complicated puzzles.”
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Check out the first hour of Dice Legacy gameplay. Dice Legacy is a rogue-lite city builder that puts a twist on the genre by replacing traditional units with dice that can fill a variety of jobs depending on the player’s luck.
Dice Legacy is a dice-based survival city builder set on a mysterious ringworld. Your ship has reached the shore of an uncharted continent. Roll and use your dice to gather resources, expand and defend your settlement, survive the winter and interact with the strange inhabitants of this eerie world.
Dice Legacy Developer: DESTINYbit Publisher: Ravenscourt, Maple Whispering Limited Platform: Windows Release 09/09/2021
With Tales of Arise set to be released worldwide tomorrow Bandai Namco has released a five minute long overview trailer giving fans a look at a little of everything that the upcoming JRPG has to offer. The story begins with two people, Alphen and Shionne, born on different worlds, each looking to change their fate and create a new future.
Tales of Arise will feature a new graphics shader, a world where a mix of unique, natural environments change in appearance based on the time of day. Climb over the rocky terrain, swim in rivers, gather around the campfire, cook food, head to the next town, defeat the master of an alien planet, and liberate the people.
The new trailer can be found below and Tales of Arise itself is set to be released tomorrow September 10th for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC with a demo currently available on consoles.
Epic Games and Remedy Entertainment have announced that they will be releasing Alan Wake Remastered sometime this fall for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC. This version of the game will include both the core game as well as both “The Signal” and “The Writer” expansions. The game will also be re-rendered 4K visuals with special attention being paid to “the character model of Alan Wake himself and the cinematics” as well as new commentary from the game‘s creative director Sam Lake.
Currently no price nor new screenshots for this remastered version of the game have been released but Remedy has stated that more information will be coming soon.
For many years the farming game genre has been ruled by Story of Seasons on consoles before various other titles began to spring up around the concept. Many of these games managed to implement not only the farming, foraging, and friendship building style of the genre but also began to include some action elements as well. Perhaps the most notable happened to be both the Rune Factory franchise from the same developer as Story of Seasons or Stardew Valley to a simpler degree. The latest game to jump into this ring happens to be a cute little title by the name of Kitaria Fables. Set in a fantastical animal filled land with swords, magic, and plenty of crops, is Kitaria Fables worth picking up?
Story
The land of Canoidera was once plagued by a strange evil force known as “The Calamity” that made usually docile monsters aggressive to everyone around them. A band of heroes managed to come together and put a stop to The Calamity and bring peace back to the land, but now signs of it’s return have begun appearing in various places as monsters are once again becoming hostile. Players step into the shoes of Nyanza von Whiskers as he is deployed to the distant Paw Village in order to investigate complaints of monster attacks in the area.
Shortly after arriving with their strange talkative companion Macaron, Nyan finds himself immediately embraced by the village, especially once they learn that he is the grandchild of a famous soldier who once lived among them. With the family farmhouse as their base of investigations, Nyan quickly learns that things are far more complicated than a few monsters running amok and that there are more secrets to this world than he could have ever known and that the truth behind these secrets may just save all of Canoidera.
Kitaria Fables tells a fairly straightforward tale with a few solid reveals every now and then to keep players invested in learning more about the world. The land is filled with a number of colorful animal characters with interesting personalities and tasks that they will give the player but unfortunately that is as far as things go. While this simple tale is still a good one, it also lacks most of the interactions that many fans of the genre tend to enjoy. Although many of the characters are charming, players have no real way to interact with them beyond simply talking to them or accepting the rare quest that generally involves either fetching items or slaying monsters.
There is no way to give gifts or befriend any character outside of what happens in the story as, in the end this is a narrative driven game only. Players cannot marry or even partake in any special events or holidays in Kitaria Fables as there aren’t even seasons in the game, instead days are represented with an ever growing counter at the top of the screen alongside the weather and time of day. While the story does work well enough, it would have been great to see more interaction with the people and world Nyan is trying to save.
Gameplay
Shortly after settling into their farm, Kitaria Fables immediately opens up for players to explore and take on various tasks however they wish to. They can explore the land up to various points, fighting enemies and collecting their dropped items, or simply spend time planting seeds on the farm and making sure that their crops grow properly. For the most part, players will be spending the majority of their time in Kitaria Fables doing the former as the latter is almost treated as an afterthought.
Combat and exploration in Kitaria Fables is handled simply enough as players are able to explore various small zones, traversing from one to the next and generally respawning enemies as needed. Initially players will have access to only a sword but can quickly gain other weapons such as a bow with weapons having their own unique skills while magic serves as its own set of attacks. Weapons come with only a simple combo attack and players can dodge out of the way of incoming enemy attacks that are represented with glowing cones/circles whenever a foe is about to strike. Magic and weapon skills come in a variety of different forms and can be mapped to the shoulder and trigger buttons though it is worth noting that each skill not only has a cooldown but uses up a mana gauge that can only be refilled by dealing damage. This serviceable combat works quite well and is rather forgiving, which is a good thing because players will be doing plenty of fighting.
Oddly enough, despite being stylized like an RPG Kitaria Fables actually has no form of leveling whatsoever. Instead players can only grow stronger by equipping various pieces of equipment they either find hidden away in locked chests or by grinding an excessive amount of materials from enemies in an effort to craft a weapon or piece of armor at the various in-game blacksmiths. In fact, even spells require drop materials to be upgraded and unlocked, with these materials first needing to be refined into another material before use, increasing the grind even further.
Outside of the heavy grinding for the sake of increasing Nyan’s strength, players can also find themselves spending plenty of time on the farm, though the rewards for doing so feel like an afterthought. Often various NPCs will make a request for certain crops or items that can only be created from certain crops but outside of these moments, players are almost discouraged from farming. Not only does produce sell at a very low price, even items made from the player’s produce can barely be worth the effort. Outside of selling them they can be eaten to recover health but considering enemy’s tend to drop healing items on their own, this is rarely effective. It is also worth noting that, despite the lack of an actual calendar, the game does still feature a clock that turns from day to night with NPCs retiring to their homes, which players cannot enter. This can be troublesome when trying to complete a request and also troublesome when trying to balance farm life and battling monsters that often require long distances to battle as fast travel points are few and far between.
Kitaria Fables also allows players to bring a friend with them in couch co-op in an effort to help make the game feel a bit more family friendly, however it ends up bungling this approach for a variety of reasons. Players are limited to only one set of farming equipment from the start, with other tools only purchasable through a shop that occasionally appears at night, meaning that any farming aspects with two players must either be divided tasks such as planting/tilling while the other waters, etc. The same can be said in regards to combat as any upgrades the player manages to get are not reflected in the second player, meaning twice the amount of grinding for what is already an excessively high amount.
Visuals & Audio
One element that Kitaria Fables excels at is providing a colorful and charming world for players to explore. There are plenty of varied environments to explore and every character that players talk with is charming in their own right with a cute design to match. The magic spells are fairly tame looking while the enemy models are varied enough to keep things fresh. It is worth noting that Nyan can be slightly customized with various fur patterns as well as armor eventually.
It is worth noting that there is no real voice work to speak of as characters simply make generic noises when speaking if at all. As for the soundtrack the title features a nice collection of calming music as well as a few slightly more intense tracks that work well when diving into a dungeon and facing off against a boss.
Overall
In many ways Kitaria Fables feels like a charming game full of heart that allows players to explore, farm, and fight however they wish with no real time limit holding them back but at the same time, this action RPG focuses so heavily on grinding for dropped items that it rarely feels like players are actually making progress especially when one factors in the fact that farming feels like a complete afterthought. The simple and solid story works well enough though the lack of player interaction is a major downside considering how colorful the world itself is and the potential that is left untapped.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Angel Shores Skin Pack as free bonus DLC within the release week! Extended Edition to offer exciting bonus content
Duesseldorf/Germany, September 07, 2021 – More buses, more brands and freedom like never before! Today, astragon Entertainment and stillalive studios are happy to announce that with Bus Simulator 21 the most extensive bus driving experience in the history of the popular game series is ready for departure on the digital stores as well as numerous retail stores around the world!
The official Bus Simulator 21 – Release Trailer is offering some deeper insights into the game:
Bus Simulator 21
Now available on the PlayStation® Store, the Microsoft Store, on Steam™ and astragon.com!
Angel Shores Insider Skin Pack DLC available as a free download within the release week!
Bus Simulator 21 – Extended Edition comes with a brand-new MAN Lion‘s City 12 city bus and 3 additional MAN interiors
With Bus Simulator 21 the latest part of the popular simulation game series is now available on the digital download stores as well as a disk version in numerous retail stores around the world. Players can look forward not only to the most extensive vehicle fleet, but also to numerous new and improved features and the freest gaming experience in series history to date!
Numerous brands and bus models!
With 30 officially licensed buses by 10 world-famous brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Scania, BYD, Alexander Dennis, Blue Bird, Grande West, Setra, IVECO BUS and MAN bus enthusiasts can choose from an unprecedented variety of bus models in Bus Simulator 21 – including city buses, articulated buses and, for the first time, also e-buses and a double-decker!
Two maps, multiplayer and an even freer open world approach!
Compared to its predecessor, Bus Simulator 21 offers two huge, lively maps: The North American-inspired city “Angel Shores”, and the European based city “Seaside Valley” known from its predecessor Bus Simulator 18 including the areas of the official map expansion. Both maps are offering an even freer open-world approach that invites players to explore their surroundings: For example, to pay a visit to the bus dealer to look at new models or to go on a merry search for carefully hidden easter eggs – be it alone or in cooperative multiplayer mode with up to three other players.
Another innovation is the floating day and night cycle, including dynamic weather. In addition, players will – for the first time – be able to access convenience comfort functions such as fast travel to all important points on the map, an option to fast forward the time to any point, and take-over the buses of their teammates or AI colleagues at any time they want. True to the motto “Less time in menus and more time on the road”, players are free to choose whether they want to use these options via the map menu or within the game world directly.
Enhanced management features!
If bus driving isn’t enough for you, you can also look forward to numerous whole new and improved management functions which, if desired, provide even more depth to the game. In Bus Simulator 21 you can not only create your own routes freely, but for the first time also use more in-depth micromanagement in order to optimize the income of your local transport company: examples are setting up detailed timetables including peak times, efficient route planning that takes the number of passengers at specific day or night times into account and more.
Exciting challenges and random events!
During the bus rides, players can expect plenty of variety: In addition to the huge selection of different bus models with their unique driving behavior, challenging traffic situations – such as narrow streets, oncoming traffic, serpentines, bus stations, night journeys, construction sites, cross-country journeys, potholes, traffic jams, traffic obstacles and speed bumps – ensure that bus drivers will have ample opportunity to prove their driving skills in different situations. Random events such as a litter left behind in the bus, special requests from passengers, fare dodgers, loud music, and blocked bus stops should of course also not go unnoticed by the driver.
Numerous customizing options for buses and player characters!
To ensure that the bus company presents an individual corporate identity to the player’s wishes, Bus Simulator 21 offers extensive options to customize the appearance of buses and bus drivers. Buses can not only be designed freely in terms of color but can also be decorated with a huge selection of stickers, complete paintworks and advertisements. Meanwhile, the new character editor comes up with more than 15,000 design combinations with which the appearance of the bus drivers can be adjusted according to the player’s preferences in terms of physique, clothing, skin color, hairstyle, accessories, etc.
Angel Shores Insider Skin Pack DLC as a free download during release week!
Players wishing for even more options to customize their bus fleet, can look forward to a very special gift during the release week of Bus Simulator 21: From September 07 until September 13, 2021 the Angel Shores Insider Skin Pack DLC with 10 additional skins will be available for all buyers of the game as a free download on Steam™, on the PlayStation®Store and on the Microsoft Store!
Extended Version comes with exciting bonus content!
The Bus Simulator 21 – Extended Edition, which is available as a digital download version only, also contains an exciting package of tempting bonus content: The MAN Bus Pack including a brand-new MAN Lion’s City 12 city bus as well as three additional MAN interiors to adapt the interiors of the MAN buses!
Regardless of which offer the players will choose: The game’s additional content packages will also be available as separate DLCs on the digital stores so that every player can mix and match their unique dream content package.
Bus Simulator 21 is now available for 34.99 EUR / 34.99 USD / 29.99 GBP (RSP) on PC, as well as for 49.99 EUR / 49.99 USD / 44.99 GBP (RSP) on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One. The Bus Simulator 21 – Extended Edition is available on the digital download stores for 39.99 EUR / 39.99 USD / 34.99 GBP (RSP) on PC as well as for 54.99 EUR / 54.99 USD / 49.99 GBP (RSP) on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One. The console versions will also be drivable on the newest console generation.
Kingston Announces Pocket-Sized XS2000 Portable SSD and Record-Breaking DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive
XS2000: portable and compact SSD with pro-formance and durability
DataTraveler Max: high speed, high capacity advanced USB, supports PS5 extended storage
Australia – September 8, 2021 –Kingston Technology, a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announced the launch of XS2000, a pocket-sized portable SSD utilizing USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 speeds to deliver next-gen performance in a compact, external on-the-go drive, and DataTraveler® Max, a high performance Type-C®1 USB leveraging the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard, to keep up with users’ storage demands. Both products connect with USB Type-C® and can be easily used with mainstream devices on the market. On top of content creation and business usages, XS2000 and DataTraveler Max can also be used as extended storage for PS5.
XS2000 delivers lightning-fast transfer speeds up to 2,000MB/s2 giving users enhanced productivity with little interruption. XS2000 offers remarkable performance and capacities up to 2TB3 to offload and edit high-res images, 8K videos and large documents in a flash, transferring up to 400 HD photos per second, or taking less than 30 seconds to transfer a 1-hour 4K video, making any location an instant studio workspace. The drive connects with USB Type-C®1 allowing content creators to easily store and access their files anywhere on a PC or mobile device. At nearly half the size of a typical portable SSD, XS2000 includes a removable ruggedized sleeve and IP55-rating4 to withstand water and dust, making it the perfect companion for on-location adventures whether you go from work to play to passion projects.
“XS2000 is purpose-built with the ultimate combination of high performance and high capacity to keep up with the content demands of consumers around the world,” said Kingston. “Plus the compact size, similar to a key fob, and added durability make this the ideal drive to keep productivity flowing for the everyday content creator to prosumer and corporate professional.”
DataTraveler Max (DT Max) delivers record-breaking speeds up to 1,000MB/s read and 900MB/s write2 to make it one of the fastest USB drives on the market and the first of its kind. DT Max is designed with portability and convenience in mind. The unique ridged casing protects the connector when it is not in use and is easily moved in a single motion. Seamlessly transfer and store large digital files such as HD photos (up to 200 HD photos per second), 4K/8K videos, music and more with top speeds and high capacities up to1TB3. The addition of a keyring loop and LED status indicator makes the drive ideal for users who need storage on-the-go.
“DT Max offers industry-leading speeds and uncompromised storage space to enable consumers to create and keep up with today’s content demands,” said Kingston. “We deliver unparalleled performance that our customers have come to know and expect, and with this launch we are proud to set a new bar for USB-C flash drives.”
XS2000 is available in capacities 500GB to 2TB and is backed by a limited five-year warranty5 with free technical support, while DataTraveler Max is available in capacities 256GB to 1TB and is also backed by a five-year warranty with free technical support. For more information visit kingston.com.
XS2000 Portable SSD Features and Specifications:
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Performance: Industry-leading read/write speeds up to 2,000MB/s1.
High-speed Capacities: Up to 2TB2 to support high resolution images, 8K videos, and large documents.
Built for Durability: Tested to be water resistant, dust resistant4 and shockproof with an included rubber sleeve.
Pocket-sized Portability: Small, lightweight form factor for easy, on-the-go storage.
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
Speed1: Up to 2,000MB/s read, 2,000MB/s write
Capacities2: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
Dimensions: 69.54 x 32.58 x 13.5mm
Weight: 28.9g
Casing Material: Metal + Plastic
Operating temperature: 0°C~40°C
Storage temperature: -20°C~85°C
Warranty/Support5: Limited 5-year warranty with free technical support
Compatible with: Windows® 10, 8.1, Mac OS (v.10.14.x +), Linux (v. 2.6.x +), Chrome OS™
Compatibility Table
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
Windows® 10
✓
Windows 8.1
✓
Mac OS (v. 10.14.x +)
✓
Linux (v. 2.6.x +)
✓
Chrome OS™
✓
XS2000 Portable SSD
Part Number
Capacity
SXS2000/500G
500GB
SXS2000/1000G
1TB
SXS2000/2000G
2TB
DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive Features and Specifications:
Latest USB 3.2 Gen 2 Standard: Move your files in a flash with incredible speeds up to 1,000MB/s Read, 900MB/s Write
Latest USB 3.2 Gen 2 Standard: Move your files in a flash with incredible speeds up to 1,000MB/s Read, 900MB/s Write
Uncompromised Storage: Available in a range of high capacities from 256GB-1TB to carry your digital library on-the-go
USB-C®1 Connectivity: Supports next-gen laptops and desktops for seamless file transfers
Unique Design: Convenient one-handed sliding cap, LED status indicator, and functional keyring loop
Capacities3: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Speed2: USB 3.2 Gen 2 – Up to 1,000MB/s read, 900MB/s write
Dimensions: 82.17 mm x 22.00 mm x 9.02 mm
Weight: 12g
Operating temperature: 0°C~60°C
Storage temperature: -20°C~85°C
Warranty/support: 5-year warranty with free technical support
Compatible with: Windows® 10, 8.1, Mac OS (v. 10.14.x +), Linux (v. 2.6.x +), Chrome OS™
DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive
Part Number
Capacity
DTMAX/256GB
256GB
DTMAX/512GB
512GB
DTMAX/1TB
1TB
1 USB Type-C® and USB-C® are registered trademarks of USB Implementers Forum.
2 Speed may vary due to host hardware, software and usage.
3 Some of the listed capacity on a flash storage device is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. As such, the actual available capacity for data storage is less than what is listed on the products. For more information, go to Kingston’s Flash Memory Guide.
4 IEC/EN 60529 IP55 certified to withstand water flow and limited dust contact. Must be clean and dry before use.
5 Limited warranty based on 5 years or “SSD Life Remaining” which can be found using the Kingston SSD Manager. A new, unused product will show a wear indicator value of one hundred (100), whereas a product that has reached its endurance limit of program erase cycles will show a wear indicator value of one (1). See Kingston.com/wa for details.
From big data, to laptops and PCs, to IoT-based devices like smart and wearable technology, to design-in and contract manufacturing, Kingston helps deliver the solutions used to live, work and play. The world’s largest PC makers and cloud-hosting companies depend on Kingston for their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels the technology the world uses every day. We strive beyond our products to see the bigger picture, to meet the needs of our customers and offer solutions that make a difference. To learn more about how Kingston Is With You, visit Kingston.com.
# # #
Kingston and the Kingston logo are registered trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation. IronKey is a registered trademark of Kingston Digital, Inc. Kingston FURY and the Kingston FURY logo are trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Fight Off Hordes for Extra Rewards in Call to Arms – Plus, The Quick Draw Club No. 3 Now Available, and More
Towns are overrun with hordes of attackers and your skills are in heavy demand. Station yourself and your allies as you prepare to gun down waves of armed assailants in a range of locations — Call to Arms is paying out double RDO$ & XP to all willing to stand up and fight.
Today is the first day players can join The Quick Draw Club No. 3, the third in a series of passes designed to benefit the criminal elements of society’s underbelly. Ranking up across 25 Ranks will recoup your initial investment of 25 Gold Bars, plus earn you access to special bonuses, rare items such as a new Knife Variant and a unique Hairstyle, and more.
Purchasing all four installments of The Quick Draw Club will earn you a Reward allowing you to claim the upcoming Halloween Pass 2 for free. Meanwhile, owners of the previous two Quick Draw Club Passes who purchase The Quick Draw Club No. 3 this week will receive a Reward for 25 Capitale and 10 Fast Travel Rewards within 72 hours of purchase.
2X RDO$ for Free Roam Missions
Should you happen upon any strangers offering Free Roam Missions, don’t pass them idly by as they’re all paying out 2X RDO$ through September 13. With crime on the rise, make sure to empty out the pockets of the fallen in all Gang Hideouts, Blood Money Crimes, and Free Roam Missions to find more Capitale than usual this week.
The Zapatero, Bandit Mask, and Blue Enamel Inlay Material For Sale In response to many requests, a new set of items from previous Outlaw Passes are now available to purchase.Dress with the same flair as an infamous gunslinger from south of the border by donning The Zapatero outfit or protect your identity from prying eyes and witnesses alike with the Bandit Mask — both previous Outlaw Pass items are returning to Red Dead Online for purchase this week.
The Blue Enamel Inlay Material is now available at all Gunsmiths, too. Purchasing a weapon modification this week will yield 25 Buckshot Incendiary Shotgun Shells and 200 rounds of Express Revolver Ammo. Use them well.
All Red Dead Online players logging in this week will receive 3 Special Snake Oils and 3 Potent Bitters. All rewards will be deposited within 72 hours.
Discounts
Embarking on a life of vigilante justice by purchasing the Bounty Hunter License will cost you 5 Gold Bars less this week. Meanwhile, all Role-related Pamphlets are 30% off and Role Gun Belts are 40% off in the Catalogue. Stables are offering 40% off all Breton Horses and Stirrups, while all Spurs are half off. All forms of ammunition are 40% off for the next seven days as well, to help maximize chaos and bloodshed.
5 Gold Bars off the Bounty Hunter License
30% off all Role Pamphlets
40% off all Breton Horses
40% off all Role Gun Belts
40% off all Ammo
40% off all Stirrups
50% off all Spurs
Prime Gaming Benefits
Red Dead Online players who connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account to Prime Gaming before September 28 will get a Reward for a free Vitalism Studies Pamphlet and an Offer for half off an Established or Distinguished Naturalist Role Item of their choice.
Eagerly awaited tactical sci-fi RPG available on Steam, Epic and GOG with special launch discount available in the first week
8 SEPTEMBER 2021 – Dark Crystal Games and Prime Matter are pleased to announce Encased – the tactical sci-fi RPG – is available now, across the globe, on Steam, GOG and Epic Games Store.
Coinciding with the launch is a brand-new trailer giving users a quick overview of the title:
“In the beginning there was nothing but the concept on an RPG with enormous freedom of choice. After three years of hard work, we managed to create an entire universe populated by hundreds of characters, warring factions, anomalies, artifacts and mysteries.
All of this would have remained a dream without the incredible support of our community, investors, publishers and – most importantly – players. This is the path we have travelled together with you,” said says Viacheslav Kozikhin,Dark Crystal Games’ Creative Director.
The Encased story is set before, during and after an apocalypse in an alternative 1970s after humanity discovers The Dome; a giant zone left by an unknown civilization colloquially known as The Forefathers.
Players begin their journey in one of five disciplines – science, engineering, security, management or convict – which affects both their initial stats, specialisation and opens (or prevents) unique dialogue within the game.
However, your starting mission turns into a disaster as a strange anomaly of incredible proportions – The Maelstrom – goes out of control, cutting all communication with the outside world and plunging The Dome into chaos.
Your only hope of survival is travelling across the vast wasteland, find companions and confront or cooperate with the six factions that sprung up in the aftermath.
The game also encourages alternative playthroughs: Players can create a character with low intelligence to get unique dialogues and character reactions; or play as a pacifist, using only non-lethal methods of eliminating enemies; you can kill every living thing in your path turning The Dome into a very lonely place indeed (alternatively you can use your silver tongue and high charisma to resolve conflicts); or you can avoid everyone by staying hidden and play the game as the ultimate loner. Encased remembers every decision you make and will lead you to one of many varied endings, depending on your actions throughout the game.
Key features of the game:
Turn-based tactical combat
An extensive system of skills, abilities, and perks
Six opposing factions
Random encounters both on locations and while traversing the global map
Systemic interaction with the world around you
Play as a lone wolf or recruit companions
Stealth, crime, and reputation systems
Weapon crafting and upgrades
Survival elements
About Dark Crystal Games
Dark Crystal Games is an independent RPG studio founded in 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The core of the team was formed by ex Larian devs, passionate to create their own RPG in the post-apocalyptic setting. In 2018 Dark Crystal Games launched a successful Kickstarter campaign that funded the development of the game and raised its production level. The project was promoted and developed by publisher Black Tower; three years on and Encased is almost ready to ship
About Prime Matter
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 member of the Koch Media Group.
Encased Suggested PC Specs
Minimum: WINDOWS® 7, 8, 8.1, 10, Intel® Core™ i5-3.3 GHz or better, or AMD Equivalent, 4GB RAM, : NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660m or AMD Radeon™ R7 260x (2GB of video memory)
Recommended: WINDOWS® 7, 8, 8.1, 10, : Intel® Core™ i7-3.7 GHz or better, or AMD Equivalent, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB), or AMD RX 480 (8GB)
A ground-breaking narrative experience sees The City and MyCAREER come together on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles
2K today revealed an in-depth look at the updates coming to The City* in NBA® 2K22 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, featuring a vibrant basketball community, a variety of rewards and activities, and a fresh new MyCAREER story with an original quest-driven narrative, cutscenes, and vibe that all takes place within The City.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KDasyD5m1g
New innovations in The City in NBA 2K22 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S include:
New City Quests will be solo ventures for players to experiment with their careers off the court, from becoming a fashion mogul to a rap icon;
An increased population will make The City feel as if it’s teeming with life, featuring new NPCs to fully bring the world around you together;
Ability to upgrade your crib – such as a penthouse with a zipline to take you directly to specific courts – as a player’s home plays a part in MyCAREER as a location where coaches and friends will give players new quests;
Explore new buildings added to The City, including a matchmaking building and Club 2K, where players can access music from some of the hottest labels that drop with every Season;
Rewards include new ways to get around The City, such as Go-Karts and Inline Skates, new emotes, intros and outros, animations, customized name plates and more.
The Neighbourhood is also returning for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC players. This year, set sail aboard the “Cancha del Mar”; from the lobby to the top deck, each level of the ship is designed to offer various hoops activities. Additionally, Seasons will offer exciting new Excursions that take place in tropical and recognizable locales, with every Season providing fresh content, new rewards, and unique events for engagement.
For more details on what’s new in The City and The Neighbourhood for NBA 2K22, check out the latest Courtside Report below.
NBA 2K22 MyCAREER
Hi everyone! Before we get to our newest Courtside Report for NBA 2K22, we’d like to send a big shout-out to the 2K Community and 2K fans around the globe. We work hard every year to bring you the best sports gamingexperience possible, and it’s always exciting when we finally get to share what we’ve been working on for the latest instalment of NBA 2K. So without any further ado, let’s talk about what’s new in MyCAREER and the Cityon next-gen PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms, as well as some exciting new makeovers to the Neighbourhood on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
New Gen NBA 2K22 Experience
MyCAREER
We always strive to deliver a unique MyCAREER experience, and last year’s introduction of the City was a big step toward making 2K an immersive, open-world basketball adventure. This year we take a giant leap, as the MyCAREER story takes place entirely within City limits, bringing a level of immersion and control to the mode that feels completely new.
What makes this possible is a quest-based MyCAREER that not only delivers the kind of engaging, unique storytelling that MyCAREER players have come to love over the years, but also allows the user to take full control of the narrative, completing both main storyline Quests and a host of Side Quests in various City locations. We’ll have more details on story specifics and the Quest system below, but the main takeaway here is that MyCAREER is no longer like a movie, and is more like an interactive adventure. We think you’ll find this change refreshing and unlike any other basketball video game experience out there.
Of course, it wouldn’t be MyCAREER without taking your tricked out MyPLAYER to the City to compete on the blacktop against the best MyPLAYERs in the community, and we’ve got a host of improvements and enhancements to the City experience too — including the introduction of Seasons to the City — that will help bring your online multiplayer experience to new heights. Again, we’ll have many more details on what’s new below, but let’s start by talking about MyCAREER and your brand new MyPLAYER, MP.
Meet MyPLAYER
Each year, MyCAREER allows you to take control of a unique MyPLAYER’s journey to the NBA and beyond, and this year is no different. 2K22’s MyPLAYER is MP, a high school star with a hit social channel featuring videos of him embarrassing amateurs on the playground.
MP has just moved to the City with his best friend and business manager Ricky Bennett, and they’ve got big plans. Not only do they want to take over the basketball world, but they want to make their marks in the exciting worlds of music and fashion. The ultimate goal remains to make it to the NBA and lead your team to a championship (or three!), but how you get there and how you build your Personal Brand along the way (more on our new Personal Brand system below) offers more diverse and entertaining options than ever.
In NBA2K22’s MyCAREER, you progress through the story however you like. It’s a much less linear and much more open experience, allowing you to build draft stock through pickup games, college, the G League, training sessions, interviews, and more. The story hasn’t left MyCAREER. In fact, it’s become more immersive than ever, allowing you, the player, to dictate the terms. There are many paths you can take to the NBA, and many side hustles you can pursue once you get there, but it’s up to you and your friend Ricky to find the path that’s right for you.
NBA Intrigue
Getting to the NBA is just the beginning of this year’s MyCAREER story. Once you make it to the league, you’ll have to navigate a complex set of circumstances that we don’t want to give away just yet, but they involve difficult conversations with coaches, GMs, agents, and the press, and you will find yourself right in the thick of the behind-the-scenes drama that NBA fans love and that makes up such a huge part of the NBA fan experience. The choices you make in your first NBA season will be hard, each with its own set of pros and cons. These choices allow you to pursue the career and Personal Brand that’s right for you, making you feel more in control of your career than ever as you live with the consequences of how you choose to chase NBA glory.
Characters
The sheer number of characters you interact with is one of the highlights of this year’s MyCAREER. You’ll be visiting your PR Director at the team facility, reporters in their offices, and reps of brands like Nike and Adidas at their company headquarters. Almost anything you do in MyCAREER can be done by interacting face-to-face with colourful personalities. A favourite around the office is Marvin Castleberry, the pretentious record store employee. Make sure you stop by for a little music trivia. You’d be surprised what you can earn as a reward!
Quest System
As we touched on earlier, this new structure exists with the help of our all-new Quest system. Players of open-world RPGs will be familiar with the type of vibe we’re going for. You’re not just taken from cut scene to cut scene. Instead, you choose who to talk to and when triggering tons of unique interactions with interesting personalities filmed in a cinematic style. It’s a lot of fun to play, and allows us to add more narrative beats and story arcs than ever before, deepening the feeling of living in a real, breathing world. Not only will things happen to you that are outside of your control, just like in real life, but the choices you make, in everything from play style to interview responses, unlock mini-story arcs and rewards that tailor the experience to what’s going on in your MyPLAYER’s career.
Music and Fashion
NBA stars are some of the most creative, enthusiastic entrepreneurs in the business world. We wanted to capture the excitement of pursuing side hustles in this year’s MyCAREER by introducing music and fashion storylines that you are free to pursue if they match your interests. That being said, some of our favourite scenes in the game take place in these storylines, so we recommend you check them out, especially if you’ve ever wanted to lay down a track in a professional recording studio. We don’t want to give too much away here, but we’re very excited for the community to see what’s in store for them should they choose to pursue outside interests in these always fascinating industries.
Personal Brand
Speaking of outside interests, an NBA star has to carefully develop his Personal Brand to make the most of endorsement opportunities, so this year we’re introducing a Personal Brand system that mirrors this real-world dynamic. We’ll keep track of everything you do, on and off the court, and assign Personal Brand points to a variety of characteristics like Free Spirit, Flashy, Corporate, Fundamental, and more. Your actions and decisions influence your Personal Brand, and your Personal Brand dictates what off-court opportunities are available to you, so think carefully about what you do and how you do it.
Side Quests
This year we’ve added lots more Side Quests to enrich the experience outside of the main story arc. We mentioned music and fashion above, but there’s a lot more where that came from, ranging from races around the City (more on that below) to sit-down interview opportunities that crop up when you do things like run up the score at the end of a blowout. So while there is the main story arc that you can follow, there are also tons of opportunities for fun diversions throughout the City that can change on a daily, weekly, and yes, Seasonal, basis.
MVP of the City
Everything you do in the City — and we mean everything — earns you MVP points. NBA and City games, interviews, Side Quests and runway walks (yes, runway walks!), among other things, all bring you one step closer to becoming MVP of the City, the ultimate goal for any 2K baller. MVPs of the City unlock a penthouse apartment, quick access to affiliation courts, and more. No matter if you’re a City player, NBA enthusiast, or somewhere in between, you can become an MVP of the City just by playing the game the way you like to play it.
Seasons
On top of everything else discussed, we’re introducing the concept of Seasons to MyCAREER and the City, meaning you’ll have fresh content to look forward to every six weeks. New Side Quests, new apparel, and much, much more. To learn more about how Seasons will keep NBA 2K22 fresh throughout the year, see our just-released Seasons Pre-Launch Courtside Report.
We’ve given you a lot to chew on when it comes to all the enhancements we’ve made to MyCAREER, but we don’t want to gloss over what we’ve done to keep the City itself fresh, so let’s get to it!
An All-New City
The first thing you’ll notice when you enter this year’s City is how real it looks. Our art team did an incredible job making everything from bricks to fire escapes to windows look a lot more lived in. There’s dirt, scuffs, and aging exactly where you’d expect to see them in a city that wasn’t built yesterday, and depending on what time of day it is, the light hits buildings and monuments just so in a way that really showcases these enhancements. Take a moment to look around at sunset and we think you’ll see exactly what we mean.
We’ve also added interiors that you can seamlessly enter and exit without any load whatsoever, including a huge, open-air mall that makes browsing quicker and more enjoyable than ever.
The City looks and feels exactly how you’d expect a real-life City to look and feel, and we can’t wait for you to check it out.
New Locations
Part of bringing the City to life is adding new locations. We touched on this above, but everyone you interact with in 2K22 now has a place in the City, and you’ll find yourself seeking out underground rappers, baristas, reporters, former MyPLAYERs, NBA stars, and more. There might even be a couple of newcomers throughout the year thanks to Seasons. Keep your eyes peeled for the newest additions to the City. You never know who you’ll meet…
You’ll also notice that new locations and returning favourites are now teeming with life. Visit Perco Latte and observe everyone enjoying coffee and a conversation. Take a stroll through the farmer’s market and see all the people vying for the best produce in the City. The goal here is to make the City feel real and lived in, and we think you’ll be happy with the results.
Daily Quests
Ever wonder what you should be focusing on today? Now, you will have the opportunity to get 5 new Daily Quests that will help you earn rewards like VC, XP, Personal Brand Points, MVP Points, exclusive gear, and more. There’s a lot of variety to what you can do, too, ranging from completing statistical milestones in City, NBA, and Pro-Am games, to earning endorsement cash for promoting local businesses in creative ways, to taking selfies in front of City landmarks. You’ll meet people like Zach LaVine cover every inch of our new and improved City while completing Quest objectives. Whether you’re a completionist looking to cross every “t” and dot every “i”, or someone who’s just looking for a change of pace, Daily Quests are exactly what you’re after.
Seasons
Season XP
We touched on Seasons in the MyCAREER section, but they’re also being added to the City at large, and there are some BIG changes here. In prior editions of NBA 2K, Park and City players have had one big grind from Rookie to Legend, but this year there will be a new way to mark progress every Season, from Level 1 to Level 40, with fun new rewards at every level along the way. Does that mean you’ll lose all the cool stuff you’ve earned when a new Season rolls around? Absolutely not! Everything you’ve earned from previous Seasons carries over to future Seasons. The real benefit to moving towards Seasonal XP is that it keeps each Season fresh and allows you to achieve satisfying progress quicker than ever before. Every 6 weeks there will be a new pool of rewards like player panels, green indicators, clothing drops, jump shot releases, and more.
Get to Level 40 and you’ll earn the BIG REWARD for that Season. Level up to 40 in 4 seasons (doesn’t have to be in a row) and you’ll become a Legend! We obviously can’t give away what Legends will earn, but we can already tell you the Legend reward will be as fun as ever.
City Spruce Up
In addition to refreshing rewards, Seasons will also refresh the look and feel of the City. There will be new court floors, new murals, and of course seasonal changes. Every six weeks the Season will change in ways both profound and subtle, just like a real-life City! And hey, start preparing yourself for the City Slam! What’s that you say? In time…
Seasonal Quests
Every season will introduce 4 new Seasonal Stat Quests, pushing City ballers to do things like score a ton of points, throw down vicious alley-oops, drop dimes, and more, over the course of an entire Season. On top of that, every week there will be one new Race of the Week. Speaking of…
Race of the Week
This might just be the king of all Side Quests. That’s because whoever wins the Race of the Week will win One. Million. VC. You read that right! One million VC! Each week there will be a new racecourse set up throughout the City. You’ll use one of the various vehicles available to you: skateboard, BMX bike, etc., to complete the course as quickly as you can. The person with the fastest time in the entire community – one winner across both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms – will receive one million VC. Pretty cool, huh? This isn’t a winner-take-all, though. Those who don’t finish first still get fun rewards like MVP points, VC, and XP. Start your engines! (or your feet…)
New Apparel
Fashion’s a big part of a baller’s lifestyle, and we’ll be adding new looks every season, allowing you to spruce up your wardrobe as the year progresses. Be on the lookout for drops from clothing brands like DIM MAK and Billionaire Boys Club, in addition to returning favourites. There will even be some apparel items that boost attributes (think shooting sleeves…), so this part of the game is as robust as ever.
Matchmaking Buildings
One of our most requested features over the past few years has been matchmaking. We still love hooping on Affiliation Courts and holding them down, but for those of you who want a matchmaking experience, we’ve got you covered with the introduction of four brand new, 24/7 matchmaking modes that take place in locations throughout the City:
3v3 Player vs Player – No Squads Allowed!
Want to hop into a game without having to deal with a super team that’s been playing together for years? This is the mode for you. Randoms only! Randoms unite!
3v3 Player vs AI
Team up with other MyPLAYERs (squads allowed!) to take on a wide array of famous ballers, starting with our cover stars: Dirk, Kareem, and KD. Think you’ve got what it takes to defeat these legends? Hop in this mode and find out. And oh yeah, the player pool will grow and change every Season, so you’ll always have a new batch of NBA legends to test your skills against.
3v3 Player vs Player – Cage Matches
Trampolines and basketball go together like peanut butter and jelly. Now you can get into a cage quickly and take on all comers. Feel like running with a squad? You can do that here, too.
1v1 Player vs Player
Sometimes you need to settle things the old-fashioned way: a one-on-one duel. This matchmaking mode allows you to get into 1v1 games quicker than ever.
Affiliations
The City wouldn’t be the City without Affiliations, and we’re delighted to announce they’re back and better than ever, with each Affiliation occupying its own unique borough in the City. We’ve also made a tweak to the XP system, giving you a 20% XP boost for playing games on your home court.
Events
A big part of playing in the City is events, and that hasn’t changed in 2K22. We’re bringing back some of your favourites, while adding new and exciting events to keep things fresh. One of the biggest events coming to Season 1 in 2K22 is the Chips Ahoy! Weekend Challenge where the winning baller takes home 1 million VC! We don’t want to give away too much more here either, but we think you’ll enjoy what we’ve got in store for you. And of course, events will update with each new Season.
Gatorade Private Courts
With the addition of Gatorade Rental Courts last year, we allowed players to work on their game solo or play pickup with other players of their choice. However, the Courts weren’t always available, and some players didn’t love having to spend VC on rental time, so this year we’ve eliminated the VC charge completely and added the ability to hop on a Gatorade Private Court whenever you feel like it. A small change, maybe, but one that we think will improve your quality of life in the City.
All Aboard the New Neighbourhood for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC
We’ve talked about what’s coming to the City, now what do you say we discuss the new horizons PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC players will experience in NBA 2K22? For the first time ever, players will set sail on a Neighbourhood that moves, aboard the “Cancha del Mar” for some competition on the high seas! From the lobby to the top deck, each level of the ship is artistically designed with plenty of your favourite hoops activities to keep you entertained all year long.
The Lobby
The ship is constructed with five tiers, starting in the lobby on Deck 4. The moment you board the cruise will make you feel as if you’re actually on vacation, ready to indulge in some festivities. To help get you situated, Heather will assist you with navigating the ship, offering tutorials to help accommodate your stay. She’s one of many NPCs that will assign you quests during your voyage.
MyCOURT
When you’re ready to settle in, take the elevator to Deck 8, where you’ll find your MyCOURT, Pro-Am games and Team Practice Facility. MyCOURT is essentially your homebase and you can choose to customize it however you want; whether that entails plastering a colourful mural on the walls, reimagining the court, or changing out the scoreboard, the choice is yours. Competition is around every corner on the cruise and some of the best competition will take place in the Engine Room. Pro-Am 3v3 games will be accessible to you, but only if you join a Pro-Am squad.
Rewards
As you work your way through the ship, you’ll find Ante Up, the Game Room, Restaurants, Daily Pick Em, and the Daily Spin on Deck 14. We’ve got so many rewards to share with you guys this year and we’re excited to see what you earn. On top of the daily rewards, the restaurants will do more than just serve fine-dining, they’ll also give out gifts and boosts a couple times per Season, which you won’t want to miss.
Game Modes
Resting above Deck 14 is Deck 15, which features 2v2s, 3v3s, and the Gatorade Training Facility, which has everything you need to keep your conditioning at an elite level — plus some breathtaking views.
Once you finally reach Deck 16, you’ll find numerous courts waiting to host 3v3 games and even a new 5v5 court – with Park rules – surrounded by a lazy river, properly titled The Moat. You’ll be able to easily identify which NPCs offer side quests because they have an “!” floating above their head. In addition, the top deck features a reality show called “The GOAT Boat” and you can interact with the members to receive more challenges.
Season Excursions
Lastly, to avoid getting cabin fever, the cruise will dock at myriad locations this year. Seasons will serve as the gateway for exciting new Excursions, taking you to tropical and recognizable locales each Season. The launch of every Season will lead to more fresh content, new rewards, and unique events for you to engage with. There’s so much to do on and off the cruise, bolstered by thrilling new events. Without giving too much away, keep an eye on the horizon this year for some things you’ll have to see to believe.
Closing Remarks
We here at Visual Concepts couldn’t be more excited to see MyPLAYERs from around the world unleashed in our all-new City and nautical Neighbourhood. Whether you’re a new-gen player or a current-gen player, we’re giving everyone more to do and more to see, plus a wealth of new content. Exploring these new worlds will bring new challenges, thrills, and modes designed to get the most out of your experience. We’ve come a long way from The Park, and we’re thrilled with how much we’ve evolved and where we’re heading. You now get to live in a massive, open world that’s all about hoops. And the world is yours to do whatever you want in it. How cool is that?
Before we wrap this thing up, we’d like to thank the fans and the community from around the world for playing NBA 2K and giving us feedback year after year. We do this for you, and we’re looking forward to providing you with the premier NBA and hoops experience on both the new-generation PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, as well as PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. We’ll see you on the courts!
NBA 2K22 is currently scheduled for release on September 10 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms. For more information, please visit the game’s official website.
Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K22 is rated PG by the OFLC.
