Paramount Pictures officially announced the movie Sonic the Hedgehog 2 with a very short trailer. The movie is scheduled to hit Australian cinemas sometime in 2022. Little official detail has been released about the film, and the trailer is no more than a fancy text effect revealing the new logo for the film. Paramount Pictures is promising to follow up soon with more information.
The original Sonic the Hedgehogfilm starred James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, and Jim Carey. The film grossed $319.7 million in the box office and was one of the big hits in the shortened 2020 film release schedule.
Borderlands® 3 Director’s Cut Add-on and New Premium Cosmetics Revealed; Tales from the Borderlands® and Broken Hearts Day Event Return
A brand new raid boss, murder mystery missions, daily and weekly challenges, and behind-the-scenes extras coming to the latest Borderlands 3 add-on, launching March 18
The latest episode of The Borderlands Show was packed with exciting updates and announcements, including news on the upcoming Director’s Cut* add-on for Borderlands® 3, the impending re-release of award-winning adventure title Tales from the Borderlands®, the Disciples of the Vault premium cosmetic packs coming soon to Season Pass 2*, the return of the Broken Hearts Day seasonal event, and special limited-time discounts on select digital editions of Borderlands 3 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.**
Director’s Cut launches March 18 and will be available individually or as part of Season Pass 2.The add-on features an enticing variety of content, but the headline act is its brand new raid boss: Hemovorous the Invincible, an absolutely titanic Varkid lurking behind a door on Pandora that’s been locked since Borderlands 3 launched. Only the fiercest big game hunters have a chance of kicking her chitinous butt in the pursuit of top-tier loot. Better consider your tactics, refine your build, and bring some friends. Oh, and be ready to get caked in Varkid guts — it’s going to get messy!
Director’s Cut also includes a series of murder mystery missions, featuring brand new locations and a novel crime scene analysis mechanic. Ava is convinced she has a lead on some potentially supernatural slayings and has decided to document her findings in serialized podcast form. Consider yourself her gun-toting co-host as you investigate strange happenings on Pandora, Promethea, Eden-6, and Nekrotafeyo in search of answers (and loot), with help from some familiar faces. Eagle-eyed Vault Hunters may even uncover teasers, hints, and secrets that tie back to the main story.
In addition, Director’s Cut will give you access to three Vault Cards, which are your ticket to upcoming bundles of themed loot! When you play with a Vault Card active, you can work to level-up the card by completing daily and weekly challenges. There’s a selection of over 100 unique challenges to pull from, so you never know exactly what each day and week may bring. Gain enough progress and you’ll unlock a massive cache of themed cosmetics, plus some supremely powerful gear that scales to your level.
The first of the three Vault Cards, which will launch as part of Director’s Cut, features items that honour some of Borderlands’ most beloved fallen heroes; the remaining two Vault Cards are scheduled to launch by the end of 2021. Vault Card content doesn’t expire, and when multiple Vault Cards are available, you’ll have the option to select which one you want active at any given time.
And finally, the Director’s Cut add-on delivers a treasure trove of never-before-seen behind-the-scenes content. You’ll get a peek into the development of Borderlands 3,from bloopers to cut content, and have access to a gallery showcasing concept art, storyboards, lost maps, and tons of footage that charts the game’s development.
Today’s episode of The Borderlands Show also surprised Vault Hunters with a new set of Multiverse cosmetic multipacks called The Disciples of the Vault. Much like the Final Form multipacks, The Disciples of the Vault multipacks each contain a one-of-a-kind Vault Hunter Body with a new Head to match. These latest cosmetics give you a look at what would have become of the Vault Hunters had they joined the Children of the Vault and will be available for purchase individually, though Season Pass 2 and Borderlands 3 Ultimate Editionowners will receive all four multipacks at no additional cost. Either way, the Disciples of The Vault arrive on March 18.
In other exciting news, award-winning narrative-driven adventure game Tales from the Borderlands returns next week after more than a year away from digital storefronts! Set between the events of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, Tales from the Borderlands follows two unreliable narrators on a quest borne of greed but destined for greatness. Your choices shape this tale to be uniquely yours, with plenty of unforeseen consequences ranging from hilarious to heart-wrenching. See the eventual fates of unforgettable characters like Handsome Jack and Scooter in this essential piece of the Borderlands canon. This re-released version consolidates all five original episodes into a single package, which launches on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on February 17. You can also play the game on your Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5 via backwards compatibility.
And that’s not all, Vault Hunters: the free Broken Hearts Day seasonal event returns to Borderlands 3 on February 11. During Broken Hearts Day, you’ll see hearts hovering around lovesick enemies in all corners of the galaxy. Shooting a heart triggers one of several unique effects; shoot enough hearts and you’ll unlock special themed rewards. There are five total items to collect, including recolours of last year’s cosmetic rewards and two Legendary weapons that can only be unlocked during this event. If you missed ’em last year, don’t miss ’em again now. Broken Hearts Day runs until February 25.
Still haven’t joined the mayhem? For a limited time, get 50% off Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition and 55% off Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition on Xbox via the Microsoft Store and PC via Steam and Epic**! You can also pick up a copy of the Borderlands 3 Standard Edition for 67% off on Xbox via the Microsoft Store, PlayStation via the PlayStation Store, and PC via Steam and Epic! See full dates and availability below.***
Borderlands 3is available now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. For assets and additional information, please visit newsroom.2k.com.
* Requires a copy of the Borderlands 3 base game to play.
** Based on 2K’s suggested retail price. Offers apply to digital editions only. Offers valid only while supplies last. Exact offer dates & discount will vary by region and retailer & are subject to retailer’s own terms. See retailer’s site for specific details & terms. Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. 2K Games is not responsible for the fulfillment of any retailer offer.
*** Offers on the Epic Games Store valid from February 4, 2021 to February 11, 2021. Offers on Steam valid from February 4, 2021 to February 18, 2021. Offers on the Microsoft Store valid from February 9, 2021 to February 22, 2021. Offers on the PlayStation Store valid from February 3, 2021 to February 17, 2021.
Borderlands 3 is developed by Gearbox Software for 2K. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
Mr. Perfect, Vader, British Bulldog, Doink the Clown and more also arrive in latest update
2K has announced that infamous WWE authority figure and occasional in-ring competitor Mr. McMahon will step into the WWE® 2K Battlegrounds ring alongside several additional WWE Superstars, Legends and Hall of Famers, including Paige, Mustafa Ali, Lana, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Doink the Clown, Mr. Perfect, The British Bulldog, Big Boss Man and more. The roster update starts today* and includes 24 new WWE Superstars, as well as two new arenas and 19 new customization items, making it the biggest roster update yet!**
The following WWE Superstars, Legends, Hall of Famers and arenas are currently scheduled to appear in WWE 2K Battlegrounds via automatic updates, with some content requiring unlocking**:
Wednesday, February 11*:
Mr. McMahon;
Gran Metalik (unlocked);
Mojo Rawley (unlocked).
Wednesday, February 17*:
Mr. Perfect;
Doink the Clown;
Vader;
Sonya Deville (unlocked).
Wednesday, February 24*:
Paige;
Cactus Jack;
Mustafa Ali (unlocked);
Tucker (unlocked).
Wednesday, March 3*:
Ricky Steamboat;
British Bulldog;
Maryse (unlocked);
Big Boss Man (unlocked).
Wednesday, March 10*:
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart;
Earthquake;
Tamina (unlocked);
Austin 3:16 Anniversary Arena (unlocked).
Wednesday, March 17*:
Typhoon;
The Brian Kendrick;
Lana (unlocked).
Wednesday, March 24*:
Curtis Axel;
Alundra Blayze;
Bo Dallas (unlocked);
WrestleMania 37 Arena (unlocked).
Featuring fast-paced action and an assortment of power-ups, special moves, unconventional melee items and interactive environments, WWE 2K Battlegrounds offers a unique arcade style and aesthetic for casual and hardcore WWE games fans alike.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds is developed by Saber Interactive for 2K. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
*Exact dates subject to change.
**Some Superstars, arenas and cosmetics require unlocking through in-game currency. In-game currency can be earned or purchased. Unless otherwise indicated, content requires unlocking to access.
With the Lunar New Year celebrations kicking off as we welcome the Year of the Ox later this week, both World of Tanks and World of Tanks Blitz are unleashing two unique themed events to mark the occasion.
World of Tanks PC is introducing the Lunar Challenge, which will run from February 11th through 21st. This special event will see tankers test their skills with 10 stages which offer up great rewards. There will be two ways to complete each stage: missions for commitment (available for Tier VI-X vehicles) and the more challenging missions for mastery (exclusively for Tier IX-X).
For completing all 10 stages, players will get their hands on the tanking embodiment of the Ox, the brand-new 122 TM, as well as a unique Lunar New Year 2D style, which can adorn any vehicle. Additionally, tankers who have already got their hands on the 122 MT can take on daily missions; those who complete 8 of them will be rewarded with a stunning 3D style exclusively for the Chinese medium. For more information about the Lunar Challenge, please check the dedicated article.
World of Tanks Blitz is also getting in on the action with a special event that will run from February 10th through 19th. Lunar Rising is made up of 9 stages and players will need to win just once a day to get all the rewards, including collectible Lunar New Year items like the Red Lantern, Red Envelope, Mystic Knot and Lunar Ox. As well as all these items, players will be able to get their hands on a never-before-seen camo: Unexpectable. How unexpected!
Additionally, the Lunar New Year-themed Operation Lichun will be available in World of Tanks Blitz throughout February. Players will be able to get their hands on valuable in-game rewards, including a collection of special camos; those who take the Premium Pass route will get even more rewards and the Ox, a brand-new Tier VI Chinese medium tank. For more information about both Operation Lichun and Lunar Rising, please head to the official World of Tanks Blitz portal.
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About World of Tanks
World of Tanks is the first team-based, massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to armoured warfare. Throw yourself into the epic tank battles of World War II with gamers all over the world. Your arsenal includes over 600 armoured vehicles from 11 nations, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.
World of Tanks Blitz is a cross-platform, free-to-play, team-based MMO action game dedicated to fierce tank combat. Available on iOS, macOS, Android, Windows 10, Steam, and Nintendo Switch, the game lets players control over 370 legendary armoured vehicles and boasts more than 137 million downloads worldwide.
World of Tanks Blitz is a fun, lighthearted approach to the genre that bends the rules of reality, putting an engaging twist on tank combat. Deep mechanics and realistic physical models across both authentic and alternative historical settings combine to create fluid gameplay and tactical diversity.
Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 5,500 employees and offices spread all over the world. Over 200 million players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Their flagship products include the massively popular free-to-play hit World of Tanks and the strategic naval action game World of Warships.
Battle Vampiric Shadow Souls in a Reimagining of Japan’s Famous Akihabara District on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, and PC
TORRANCE, Calif. – Feb. 10, 2021 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today announced a special retail Day 1 ”10th Anniversary Edition” for the upcoming remaster of AKIBA’S TRIP, AKIBA’S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed(originally known as AKIBA’S TRIP Plus in Japan), coming to the Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC this summer. The 10th Anniversary Edition for the PS4™ system and Nintendo Switch will be available for pre-order shortly on the XSEED Games Store and participating retailers for a MSRP of $49.99. The standalone game will be sold digitally for $39.99.
First shown off at E3 2019, AKIBA’S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed has expanded its vampire-hunting action with a newly announced Nintendo Switch™ version and a more expansive visual update. Experience the acclaimed origin of the “strip action RPG” series in English for the very first time and return to the glittering streets of the golden age of the Akihabara district circa 2011. Dive into the seedy underworld lurking in the shadows of this haven of “otaku” culture to uncover a vast vampiric conspiracy. Expose their plans (and their bodies) to the light of day with advanced stripping techniques as a part of the self-styled “Akiba Freedom Fighters” to make the streets safe for otakus once more.
The Day 1 “10th Anniversary Edition” includes a retail copy of AKIBA’S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed on the PS4™ system or Nintendo Switch™, an art book with over 60 pages of newly commissioned art and original illustrations from both games in the series, and the official soundtrack containing 47 tracks across 2 CDs.
KEY FEATURES:
Playful Reimagining of Japan’s Electronics Mecca –Take a virtual tour of the Akihabara district circa 2011 recreated in painstaking detail, complete with accurate street layouts and shops based on real businesses operating at the time.
Fight Like a Nerd –Wield an arsenal of replicas, collectibles, and other amusing objects as you humiliate vampires into submission, all while wearing a stylish array of customizable clothes and costumes.
Your Choices Matter –Choose which faction to support in the fight for Akihabara and watch as your decisions affect the course of the story, culminating in one of several different endings.
Full Dual Audio –Enjoy hours of voiced-over banter with a choice of English or the original Japanese.
Developed by ACQUIRE Corp. and to be published for the Nintendo Switch™ system and PS4™ system in North America and globally on Windows PC by XSEED Games, AKIBA’S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed will launch in all available territories this summer. The retail Day 1 “10th Anniversary Edition” of the game on the Nintendo Switch™ and PS4™ system will be available for pre-order shortly on theXSEED Games Store and participating retailers, and the standalone game will be available digitally on all platforms at launch. The title has been rated “M for Mature” by theESRB for Nintendo Switch™, PS4™ system, and Windows PC.
XSEED Games is the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvelous Inc., which is a publicly traded company listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Formed in 2004 and located in Torrance, California, XSEED Games publishes interactive entertainment content for PC and consoles from the Marvelous portfolio as well as from a wide variety of third-party partners. Whether it’s Marvelous properties such as STORY OF SEASONS (Bokujo Monogatari), SENRAN KAGURA, and Rune Factory, or third-party titles such as the Corpse Party and AKIBA’S TRIP series or Granblue Fantasy: Versus, XSEED Games has grown its reputation among gamers with its critically acclaimed localizations and commitment to fans, remaining ever dedicated to its “indie spirit, player-first” approach.
SAN DIEGO – February 10, 2021 – Psyonix, the San Diego video game developer, and Ford announced that the Ford F-150 RLE (Rocket League Edition) bundle will be available in Rocket League beginning February 20 on all platforms! On top of being the presenting sponsor for all of the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) X Winter Majors, Ford and Psyonix are also introducing the Ford + Rocket League Freestyle Invitational, a brand-new competitive event featuring some of the best Rocket League freestylers as selected by Psyonix.
The Ford F-150 RLE bundle will be available in its own tab in the Item Shop and features the iconic Ford F-150 RLE, Ford F-150 RLE Wheels (standard and Special Edition), Ford F-150 RLE Boost, Ford F-150 RLE Engine Audio, Ford F-150 Player Banner, and Chairman Decal. The Ford F-150 RLE bundle will be available for 1500 Credits from February 20 until February 28.
In addition, the Ford + Rocket League Freestyle Invitational will be introduced as a brand-new two-day event. Eight of the top Rocket League freestylers will compete and demonstrate their best freestyle moves to a panel of judges for a chance to win a real 2021 Ford F-150. The first day of competition will take place on February 24 and will conclude on February 28 ahead of the RLCS X North American Major Grand Finals live on Twitch. More information about the Ford + Rocket League Freestyle Invitational, such as the participants, judges and hosts, will be revealed at a later date.
To learn more about the Ford F-150 RLE bundle and the Ford + Rocket League Freestyle Invitational, please read the latest blog post HERE.
ABOUT ROCKET LEAGUE Winner or nominee of more than 150 “Game of the Year” awards,Rocket League is one of the most critically-acclaimed sports games of our generation. Rocket League is a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem with easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition. Available on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on Epic Games Store, Rocket League includes nearly endless customization possibilities, a fully-featured offline season mode, multiple game types, casual and competitive online matches, and special “Mutators” that let you change the rules entirely.
To learn more about Rocket League, please visit www.RocketLeague.com, “Like” it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter @RocketLeague for all the latest developer updates and news.
ABOUT PSYONIX™ Based in San Diego, CA, Psyonix is a critically-acclaimed video game developer and a leading expert in Unreal Engine technology. For more than 15 years, the studio has been a driving force behind some of the most successful games in the industry, including Gears of War, Mass Effect 3, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Bulletstorm, Unreal Tournament III, Unreal Tournament 2004, and the award-winning Sports-Action hit, Rocket League®.
ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services. Ford employs approximately 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.
Firewall Zero Hour Developer and Global Publisher Perp Games, partner to bring Solaris Offworld Combat to physical retail.
First Contact Entertainment’s critically acclaimed sci-fi multiplayer VR shooter will have a physical edition release of the PSVR version.
London, UK, February 2021 – First Contact Entertainment and Perp Games are delighted to announce they are partnering to bring the critically acclaimed, Solaris Offworld Combat to physical retail, by ‘Spring 2021’.
Developed by VR Experts, First Contact Entertainment, and the team who brought youFirewall Zero Hour, Solaris Offworld Combat is a fast-paced, multiplayer shooter that drops you straight into intense action! Now thanks to the PSVR, you can take full advantage of the PS Aim Controller support and experience the highest level of immersion possible.
Quote from Developers
‘We’re pleased to announce that we’ll be working with PSVR specialist Perp Games to bring you the boxed version of Solaris Offworld Combat. We know how great it feels to hold a game in your hands, and we can’t wait for all of our fans to grab a copy!”
“First Contact Entertainment is one of the leading VR studios, and it is a great honour to partner with them.” said Rob Edwards, Managing Director at Perp Games. “We were fortunate to play an early build of Solaris Offworld Combat last year and we were blown away by the focus on all out action and fun. We knew then that the age of immersive multiplayer VR gaming had begun.”
Solaris Offworld Combat will be available globally on PlayStation VR from Spring 2021.
Perp Games is a global video games publisher, with a proud track record of publishing award-winning titles, exciting indie games and some of the world’s most recognized franchises, from the most talented studios. Perp Games is an established and recognised global force in entertainment, bringing extraordinary and exciting games to market, across multiple formats and media.
About First Contact Entertainment
First Contact Entertainment is a Video Game Development studio that specializes in VR content with an emphasis on Games as a Service. Our diverse team is made up of an amazing group of fresh and experienced developers with numerous years of experience working on AAA & Independent titles.
Our vision and goal is to always innovate on new technologies, create compelling games and experiences that are fun for everyone, and most importantly, to enjoy ourselves along the way.
We develop for Sony PSVR, Oculus, and Vive platforms using UE4. Welcome to the next generation of video game development!
PARIS — Feb. 9, 2021 — Necromunda: Underhive Wars, the turn-based strategy title inspired by Games Workshop’s iconic license, is expanding even further on February 16 with its second gang DLC for PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC! Developer Rogue Factor and publisher Focus Home Interactive are excited to present the Cawdor gang, a ferocious cult of battle-hardened fanatics ready to convert and conquer the Underhive!
The Cawdor bring a fanatical bent to the action-packed, vertical shootouts of Necromunda: Underhive Wars’ single-player and multiplayer modes. Bound by their beliefs and forever hiding their faces behind elaborate masks, Cawdor zealots will shrug off blows that would seriously injure other fighters, maintaining their full battle capabilities even when grievously wounded.
Cawdor fighters allow for the same suite of heavy gameplay and cosmetic customization as all other gangs. Recruit, customize and build up your mysterious cultists with your choice of careers, perks, weapons, equipment, colors and more to create a truly unique and dangerous force!
The arrival of the Cawdor gang follows the recent release of the “Van Saar Gang” DLC and numerous major patches as part of Necromunda: Underhive Wars’ ongoing post-launch support. For more info, visit the game’s official website.
There are a number of different ways developers can try and create a game that will scare players. Some go the visceral route with plenty of gore, others focus on mostly jump scares, or feature creepy environments that boggle the mind, but no matter which route or combination is taken, the key element to most horror games comes from their atmosphere. Tarsier Studios’ Little Nightmares surprised many when it originally released as it featured not only a strangely unsettling world filled with twisted sights that would make the skin crawl, but it also served as a great puzzle platformer at the same time. So now that the developers have continued their story with Little Nightmares II have they managed to improve upon their formula?
Story
Rather than continuing the story as Six, this time around players take control of a small boy named Mono. Mono crawls out of a television screen only to find himself trapped in a strange forest filled with traps and only one path to try and escape it. Along the way Mono finds himself saving the protagonist from the first game, Six, from a monstrous hunter’s cage only to find that the trap filled forest was the least of their worries as the horrors that exist within the house and further beyond inside of the Pale City.
Whereas the previous setting of The Maw offered plenty of dread with its immense size and nature, the fact that players are now seeing that the monsters that dwelled aboard the ship are not an anomaly but instead appear to be the norm for this twisted world and the small children that are Mono and Six are out of place. Similar to the previous game, Little Nightmares II focuses heavily on showing and not telling players about the world as the environments that the pair travels through are littered with creepy objects and little clues about the nature of what has happened to the city and how warped things are.
Across a roughly seven hour campaign players will venture through a variety of locations that, while we won’t spoil them specifically, each features grotesquely villainous adults that tower over the children and shine as some of the best moments of the game once again. Each level also features an additional unique threat to help keep things feeling fresh. There are many spine-tingling moments that await in each stage, especially when players make a mistake or are forced into a chase sequence as these moments reveal the true nature of some of these monstrous creatures.
Outside of the straight horrors that players see on screen there is a bit of social commentary running through Little Nightmares II as well as almost every stage in the game features television sets scattered around the world, some with dead people still watching them, others only surrounded by clothing, and even others that can be used to lure things to their deaths. This focus on showing off how the denizens of the Pale City have fallen into such an addiction to screens works fairly well compared to real life even if it is a bit on the nose. That being said, it does an extra bit of creepiness to the world of Little Nightmares II and considering how ghoulish it already is, that is quite an accomplishment.
Gameplay
For the most part Little Nightmares II plays similar to how the first game in the series played as Mono must navigate a world that was designed for beings much larger than he is. Players will find that while Mono can still jump, climb, push and pull objects, and throw things, there is a new tool in his arsenal that is new for Little Nightmares II and that is the ability to wield weapons. Occasionally players will be able to find sticks, pipes, or even a hammer that all happen to be oversized and can use these items to smash through an object that may be blocking his path or taking out a specific smaller foe but this is easier said than done. Since every weapon is so big for Mono, he requires a wind-up to swing it and is slowed down while dragging it along, meaning that players will need to purposefully time attacks to avoid a frustratingly quick death.
Of course, the best way to stay alive in Little Nightmares II is to stay out of sight and once again sneaking by crouch-walking below furniture, into shadows, diving underwater, and more works the best to avoid catching the deadly eye of each stage’s signature enemy. Of course being caught can and will bet met with an instant death or, in some scripted cases, a chase scene that requires players to think on their toes but thankfully even if they should fail the game has a fairly generous checkpoint system that can even pick-up halfway through encounters sometimes to keep players engaged even if they aren’t the best at stealth or are struggling at running away.
While the fun of running away from horrors and eventually facing the fear of dealing with them is one of the core elements of Little Nightmares II, the other is puzzles and for the most part the game features plenty of solid puzzles and subtle environmental ones that, while not particularly challenging, require some extra thought to complete and this is helped by the fact that Mono is not alone in his journey. Despite how it may seem, this is not a co-op game by any means and instead Six is entirely AI controlled and will take actions of her own when near puzzles or interactable objects. This means that Six will occasionally move towards the proper direction of where players may need to solve something, help carry objects, or assist in long jumps. Of course Mono can also hold Six’s hand and call out to her if the player feels like which is a nice touch though it does break a bit of immersion sometimes as Six can often be clearly visible to an enemy that will instantly kill Mono and will ignore her entirely.
It is also nice to note that one particular level features a returning element from a piece of DLC in the first game as Mono will find a flashlight that, when aimed at a certain type of enemy, will freeze them in place. Requiring players to not only navigate a level alone, trying to solve puzzles, all while keeping horrific creatures at bay with a flashlight makes for some great tense gameplay and one of the best moments that don’t involve the twisted adults.
Visuals & Audio
As mentioned before, one of Tarsier Studios’ strengths in the first game was creating gloomy creepy atmospheres stages that the player must navigate through and thanks to Little Nightmares II being a bit bigger in scope, the team has been more creative with their world designs this time around and players will truly appreciate the intricate details that are scattered throughout the various stages and the designs of the monstrosities that Mono and Six have to avoid and run away from in order to survive.
It also helps that the game features some great atmospheric build-up and sound design. With minimal music players will be able to hear creepy sounds coming from just off-screen, the cracking of a spine as enemies search for Mono, the shrieks of terrifying delight when discovered, and much more combined together to create a truly frightening atmosphere that works wonders when combined with the game’s overall design.
Overall
Exploring this unnerving land and uncovering more elements as Mono and Six explore makes for an interesting story and one that players will enjoy even if it still ends up feeling a bit on the short side featuring an occasionally clumsy AI companion and a few new mechanics that range from being a bit frustrating to highly enjoyable. Little Nightmares II continues to excel at providing players a uniquely horrific world to survive in with satisfyingly challenging platforming and puzzles that, while not complicated, take a bit of extra thought to solve and prove that the series can still keep going strong from here out.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Redhill’s debut team shooter IP has secured over $30M in funding to date
HELSINKI – Feb. 10, 2021 – Redhill Games has announced the free open beta weekend for the team-based first-person shooter Nine to Five will run from February 11-14 on Steam. Kicking off tomorrow at 1pm ET/10am PT, the first public beta weekend will pit three teams of three against each other over three invigorating rounds with evolving objectives.
Set in a near-future where corporations rule everything and being a mercenary is just another job, Nine to Five is a shooter that’s as much about outsmarting your rivals as it is outgunning them. Matches develop over three phases, each influencing the next, forcing players to constantly adapt their strategy to win.
Redhill Games has secured over $30 million in financing over the past two years, with investment from Makers Fund, Play Ventures, and Redhill’s newest partner, Netease, plus backing from Kowloon Nights and Business Finland.
Players can sign up to be notified when the Nine to Five beta goes live on Steam and stay up to date on the latest developments at www.ninetofive.game.
About Redhill Games
Headquartered in Helsinki with multinational leadership and talent drawn from many of PC gaming’s top companies, Redhill Games was established in late 2018 with a core focus of creating high-quality titles that capitalize on the team’s extensive knowledge of free-to-play, games-as-a-service experiences. The studio employs over sixty talented developers from eighteen nationalities and continues to grow.
