Boundary, the exciting new sci-fi multiplayer FPS from Chinese developer Surgical Scalpels and Chinese publisher Huya recently revealed the technology they are using to bring more realism to their zero-gravity shooter. The latest raytracing technology enables players to see the future of raytracing technology in today’s games and the added level of detail possible.
With the team’s aspirations to provide the best in-game resolution and visual perception in an environment where physics, lighting and surface reflections require different texture effects, developer Surgical Scalpels has embraced the power of real-time ray tracing to bring a more ‘visual edge’ to Boundary.
Beginning on September 24, players will be able to participate in the raytracing benchmark by downloading the utility.
ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 CHARACTER PACK 2 NOW AVAILABLE
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announced that Character Pack 2 is now available for ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4. Also known as “The Worst Generation Pack,” Character Pack 2 adds three new playable characters to ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4’s star-studded roster: “Massacre Soldier” Killer, “Red Flag” X Drake, and “Mad Monk” Urouge. To see just how much carnage these three top rookies can create on the battlefield, check out the latest ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 trailer
Both “The Worst Generation Pack” and the previously released “The Whole Cake Island Pack,” which features Charlotte Smoothie, Charlotte Cracker, and Vinsmoke Judge, can be purchased for $11.99 each.
ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 is currently available in the Americas for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PCs via STEAM, and Nintendo Switch.
PUBG MOBILE AND BLACKPINK ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE COLLABORATION
World-renowned k-pop superstar skydives into the world’s most popular mobile game for exclusive partnership leading up to the upcoming album
Los Angeles – Sept. 24, 2020 – Last week, PUBG MOBILE official social media accounts erupted with hype as the teased and revealed the collaboration with the world-renowned k-pop female group BLACKPINK. Today, the unprecedented partnership comes into more focus as PUBG MOBILE reveals details that will have millions of Blinks and PUBG MOBILE fans around the world dropping into the blockbuster game to celebrate the upcoming release of BLACKPINK’s latest record, “The Album”, as well as the exclusive collaboration. Specially-themed in-game items, visuals, lobby music and BLACKPINK support events are now available for players to experience in PUBG MOBILE.
From Sept 24 to Oct 2, PUBG MOBILE players can listen to BLACKPINK’s recent-released popular single, “How You Like That,” in the game lobby. Leading up to the release of BLACKPINK’s highly-anticipated record “The Album” on Friday, Oct. 2, players can also enjoy listening to the new song in the game lobby since its release.
Special themed items and visuals have been implemented in PUBG MOBILE to celebrate the collaboration, so that players can experience BLACKPINK’s iconic style in game. Additional visual effects have been added to the PUBG MOBILE main menu screen and loading page. PUBG MOBILE’s airdrop plane will be painted pink with the BLACKPINK logo. Exclusive airdrop with themed color and “The Album” icon, releases pink smoke as it appears in the popular battlefields starting from Oct 2.
BLACKPINK member Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rosé have set up their own personal game account in PUBG MOBILE. By finding their UserIDs on official PUBG MOBILE social media, players can send exclusive collaborative gifts and leave messages to their beloved idols. The fans who have sent the most gifts till Thursday, Oct. 8, will get special rewards from BLACKPINK. There is also in-game support event from Sept 24 to Oct 8, PUBG MOBILE players and BLACKPINK fans can complete in-game missions to earn support points. By supporting BLACKPINK in game, players will have the chance to win permanent outfits including the Adorable Panda Suit and Killer Cadet Set, and even the autographed BLACKPINK’s new album.
In addition to the in-game events, community members can upload their PUBG MOBILE x BLACKPINK screenshots to their social media channels with the hashtag #PUBGMxBLACKPINK for additional chances of winning a signed album.
More details about the BLACKPINK collaboration event are available through PUBG MOBILE’s official Facebook, Twitter, Instagram account.
After making debut back in 2016 with ‘SQUARE ONE’, BLACKPINK heralded the birth of a major rookie group by captivating the public. The group then grew as global artists by releasing mini albums ‘SQUARE UP’ and ‘Kill This Love’, and proved their global popularity by completing their world tour in success. The group also verified their influence by performing at ‘Coachella’, the biggest music festival in the United States. After proving their global presence through ‘How You Like That’, a song full of charismatic Hip-hop sounds, released back in June, the group is now ready to renew their own best record with ‘Ice Cream’, collaborated with Selena Gomez, prior to the upcoming release of their first studio album on October 2nd.
About PUBG MOBILE
PUBG MOBILE is based on PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS, the phenomenon that took the world of interactive entertainment by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to battle in a winner-takes-all showdown. Players must locate and scavenge their own weapons, vehicles and supplies, and defeat every player in a visually and tactically rich battleground that forces players into a shrinking play zone.
For more information, please visit the official PUBG MOBILEaccounts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
New York, NY (September 24, 2020) – Atari® — one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and entertainment producers — today announced a partnership with Ultra, the blockchain-powered entertainment platform that delivers games digitally.
Ultra is creating an entertainment platform that enables gamers to play, discover, buy, trade, earn, stream, compete, and socialize with zero friction. Having already partnered with software and hardware giants such as Ubisoft and AMD, Ultra now teams up with Atari to make their platform accessible through the new Atari VCS “PC/console hybrid” games and entertainment system, which launches this fall.
Atari, known globally for some of the most beloved video games in history, will likewise be part of the Ultra experience. Ultra users will have the ability to join an Atari dedicated community and play classic Atari games including Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®.
Hot Property
The eagerly-anticipated Atari VCS video computer system will launch later this year, and also be available to purchase on Ultra using UOS or Atari Tokens — giving crypto and gaming enthusiasts the perfect platform to purchase the new hardware. Atari is also exploring the use of Ultra as a way to update many of its most-popular titles with new technologies.
The Ultra platform will directly integrate within the Atari VCS, allowing users to purchase, download and play PC games from Ultra on the system, and give gamers instant access to a huge array of titles from triple-A games to lovingly-crafted indie gems.
Ultra is also providing a full range of services to gamers, such as live streaming, in-game asset trading (of non-fungible tokens, NFTs), esports, entertainment, as well as participating in large scale esports tournaments.
“We are thrilled to work with Atari,” said Nicolas Gilot, CEO of Ultra, “an iconic brand which has made and will continue to make video game history with the VCS. It offers us the opportunity to show Ultra’s capabilities when it comes to platform integration, as well as exploring NFTs and blockchain technology with one of the best known names from the video game industry.”
“While the Atari VCS pays homage to the hardware company’s pioneering efforts to bring gaming to the masses, it’s also designed to move Atari forward in exciting new ways,” said Michael Arzt, COO of Atari VCS and Connected Devices. “We look forward to working closely with Ultra to help make the VCS the most blockchain-friendly gaming and entertainment system and to introduce a huge network of gamers and hardware fans to this amazing new frontier.”
About Ultra
Ultra is the first entertainment platform providing all key games industry services under a single roof, accessible through a single login.
Built around our PC game distribution platform, Ultra Games, our platform will provide access to countless centralized and decentralized services: Discover, buy, play and sell your games and in-game items, watch live-streaming feeds, interact with your favorite influencers, participate in contests, compete in tournaments and much more.
Ultra has been built to extinguish the frontier between blockchain and mass market, between DAPPS and APPs, and between legacy items and NFTs.
For more information, please visit www.ultra.io, and follow along on Twitter and Telegram.
About Atari
Atari® is an interactive entertainment company. As an iconic 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 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.
RollerCoaster Tycoon® is a registered trademark of Chris Sawyer. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
The all-new Atari VCS home gaming and video computer system is a unique PC/console hybrid inspired by classic Atari consoles and computers. Like the legendary Atari 2600 did in 1977, the VCS is poised to transform the TV-centric gaming and home entertainment experience. Users will enjoy an ever-expanding Atari world of all-new games, classic and remastered favorites, streaming media, and personal apps. The Atari VCS is powered by an AMD Ryzen™ 1606G high-performance Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) with Zen-core and Radeon Vega Graphics, enabling gaming and video streaming up to 4K HDR at 60fps. Unlike other home game systems, owners can also install alternative operating systems, such as Windows or Linux, via “PC Mode” and add a mouse and keyboard to transform the Atari VCS into an expandable micro-PC and enjoy more of their favorite games and applications. The Atari VCS combines the best of consoles and PC into one compact and ultra-versatile device.
The Atari VCS lineup of video computer systems, bundles, and peripherals are available for preorder at GameStop.com, Walmart.com, and AtariVCS.com in North America.
Customers can order an ORIGIN PC desktop powered by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 at ORIGINPC.com
Miami, FL – September 24th, 2020, 9:00 A.M. EDT— ORIGIN PC announced today the availability of the new NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3090 GPU on its award-winning line of gaming and professional workstation desktops for gamers, content creators, streamers, enthusiasts, artists, and professionals around the world. Customers can now order an ORIGIN PC desktop featuring the GeForce RTX 3090 for the best 8K gaming experience or workstation graphics performance at ORIGINPC.com.
The new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs, the 2nd generation of RTX, feature new RT Cores, Tensor Cores and streaming multiprocessors, bringing stunning visuals, amazingly fast frame rates, and AI acceleration to games and creative applications. Powered by the NVIDIA Ampere architecture, which delivers increases of up to 1.9X performance-per-watt over the previous generation, the RTX 30 Series effortlessly powers graphics experiences at all resolutions.
“ORIGIN PC has remained an outstanding partner on major GeForce launches, and the GeForce RTX 30 Series is no different,” said Matt Wuebbling, vice president of global GeForce marketing at NVIDIA. “We’re excited to be working with ORIGIN PC on bringing to market their latest GeForce RTX 30 Series powered PCs that will no doubt deliver exceptional gaming experiences.”
“21 years of bringing gamers incredible graphics performance culminates with the release of the GeForce RTX 30 Series on ORIGIN PC desktops. Unprecedented speeds, and benchmark setting performance easily makes the GeForce RTX 30 Series a must-buy for gamers, professionals, and enthusiasts seeking the best possible PC gaming graphics performance on the planet,” said Kevin Wasielewski, ORIGIN PC CEO and co-founder. “We’re proud to launch these GPUs in our award-winning desktops such as the ORIGIN PC NEURON and MILLENNIUM. Combined with our 24/7 support team, an ORIGIN PC powered by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series GPU is the true next-gen experience in 2020 and beyond.”
Customers interested in customizing and ordering an ORIGIN PC gaming desktop with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 can visit: https://www.originpc.com/gaming/desktops/
Customers interested in customizing and ordering an ORIGIN PC workstation desktop with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 can visit: https://www.originpc.com/workstation/desktops/
About ORIGIN:
ORIGIN PC builds custom, high-performance desktops, workstations, and laptops for hardware enthusiasts, digital/graphics artists, professionals, government agencies, and gamers. ORIGIN PCs are hand built, tested, and serviced by knowledgeable gaming enthusiasts, industry veterans, and award-winning system integrators. Every ORIGIN PC comes with free lifetime 24/7 support based in the United States. The ORIGIN PC staff is comprised of award-winning enthusiasts, experienced in the gaming and PC markets who want to share their passion with others.
XSEED Games-Published Fighter Begins Season 2;Belial and Character Pass 2 Now Available
Torrance, Calif. – September 24, 2020 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc. today announced the beginning of the second season of DLC characters for Granblue Fantasy: Versus for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC via Steam. The fallen angel Belial, one of the first primal beasts brought into being, has been added to the growing roster of characters and is currently available for purchase digitally for $6.99 on both platforms. The Character Pass 2 DLC bundle is also available for $34.99 and grants access to six new fighters, starting with Belial, as they are released.
Belial’s handsome appearance belies his true nature – that of an irreverent, cunning fighter who rightfully earns his nickname, “Serpent.” His main goal appears to be little more than sowing chaos throughout the Sky Realm, though to what end no one can say for certain. However, the Singularities of Gran and Djeeta have attracted his attention, and with it the possibility for endless amusement. Watching the two captains struggle to restore order to the world gives him a visceral thrill, motivating him to spread more and more discord and provoke direct confrontations.
About Granblue Fantasy: Versus
Japan’s megahit RPG Granblue Fantasy has topped the charts, charming players across the globe with a plethora of lovable characters and story-driven mechanics. Now, ARC SYSTEM WORKS and Cygames have teamed up to bring the universe to home console in an action-packed head-to-head fighter. Featuring a colorful cast of their most popular “crewmembers,” each with a unique fighting style that is easy to learn but hard to master, Granblue Fantasy: Versus will appeal to fans of Granblue lore and fighting games alike.
Granblue Fantasy: Versus includes an RPG mode that features an all-new, original story told through beautifully rendered cutscenes. Featuring deep action RPG gameplay, in this mode players take on waves of enemies and formidable Primal Beasts solo or by teaming up with a friend in local or online co-op. Along the way, they develop their fighters with a comprehensive character and weapon upgrade system recognizable to all Granblue Fantasy fans.
Developed by Cygames and ARC SYSTEM WORKS and published on PS4™ system in North America and on Windows PC via Steam globally by XSEED Games, Granblue Fantasy: Versus is currently available for purchase. Belial, the latest DLC character released today, and five additional characters will be available for purchase digitally for $6.99 each or as part of the Character Pass 2 DLC priced at $34.99. More information about the PC versions can be found here, and details on the PS4™ system digital and retail editions can be found here. The PS4™ system release has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB, the PC release has not been rated.
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.
More Wretched Rat Killing For Game Pass Subscribers
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, September 24, 2020. Independent developer Fatshark today announced that Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is available today on Xbox Game Pass.
The hiatus is over. The Skaven has once again infested the Xbox Game Pass, and we are now looking for more heroes to handle the situation. Skaven are not alone, they’ve also brought the Chaos faction, as well as increased the territories they are trying to claim as their own.
Back by popular demand The award-winning Warhammer: Vermintide 2 makes its way to Game Pass for the second time, and it brings tonnes of new material. The four-player CO-OP experience is tougher than ever and more material will be released during the last quarter this year.
“We’re happy to make Vermintide 2 available on Game Pass again, and can’t wait to introduce new players to the game.” says Martin Wahlund, CEO Fatshark.
About Fatshark® Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and established in 2007 independent developer Fatshark is comprised of a team of 80+ experienced games developers, who strive to create compelling interactive experiences. Apart from Warhammer: Vermintide 2, the team has previously developed titles including Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide, Lead and Gold, Krater and War of the Roses. For more information, visit www.fatsharkgames.com
About Games Workshop® Games Workshop® Group PLC (LSE:GAW.L), based in Nottingham, UK, produces the best fantasy miniatures in the world. Games Workshop designs, manufactures, retails, and distributes its range of Warhammer®: Age of Sigmar® and Warhammer® 40,000® games, miniature soldiers, novels and model kits through more than 529 of its own stores (branded Games Workshop® or Warhammer®), the www.games-workshop.com web store and independent retail channels in more than 50 countries worldwide. More information about Games Workshop and its other, related, brands and product ranges (including our publishing division ‘Black Library’ and our special resin miniatures studio ‘Forge World’) can be found at www.games-workshop.com.
Happinet Reveals Gameplay Trailer Showcasing the Acclaimed Grand Adventure on a New Platform; Free Major Updates Planned for Nintendo Switch™
TOKYO, JAPAN – (September 24, 2020) – Japanese videogame company, Happinet, is excited to share that SRPG Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia will launch worldwide on December 10 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system. 20 years since the first Brigandine game launched on the original PlayStation®, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is a classic returning to the PlayStation as a new turn-based strategy game created for modern gaming platforms and set in a familiar fantasy world primed for players to conquer and brought to life by veteran development talent, including scenario writer, Kenji Terada (Batman: Dark Tomorrow, FINAL FANTASY I – III), art director and character designer, Raita Kazama (Puzzle & Dragons, Xenoblade Chronicles), and the homecoming of composer Tenpei Sato (Brigandine: Grand Edition, Disgaea 1 -5). Happinet is pleased to confirm that Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia will be playable on the PlayStation®5.
Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia will receive major updates and improvements based on Community feedback for the 2019 Nintendo Switch™ system version, which currently has a MetaCritic score over 76%. The update will be free of charge and is expected to released close to the PS4™ system launch on December 10. Brigandine fans can expect further details, along with other game details to be shared on the official website and English Twitter account. Additionally, in partnership with Limited Run Games, limited physical edition preorders for the PS4™ system physical retail version will be available beginning October 9 and ends on November 8. Further details will be available soon.
Featuring a Fantasy world conquest within the turn-based strategy genre, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia will offer hundreds of hours of immersive gameplay in this stunning new campaign for conquest. Players choose one of six nations to assume the role of the ruler aiming to conquer Runersia. As a ruler, players will command more than 100 Rune Knights throughout the six nations leading various monster troops of various dragons, ghouls, and fairies, into fierce battles on hexagonal grid maps in the tactical turn-based battle system.
Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia Features:
Choose between six nations and enjoy the high degree of freedom- Players decide which nation to play as and which countries to invade and how to conquer the continent
Hundreds of hours of gameplay- A single nation’s plotline can take over 30 hours of playtime and content from the mainline with multiple endings, three difficulty levels, and post-ending content
Original gameplay and design from its predecessor- Combat is turn-based tactical RPG, with knights on each side leading three monster platoons into battle on a hexagonal grid to jostle for victory
Immersive gameplay and original artwork from talented veterans- Lead artist and character designer, Raita Kazama, known for his character and monster designs in Xenoblade Chronicles, Puzzle & Dragon and others, brings his artistry to the 40 base locations, over 100 unique knights, and 50 monster types in Runersia
Challenge mode- Battle in a combination of a sandbox and score attack experience where new missions are non-stop, challenging the player’s ability to change strategies on the fly as difficulty becomes harder the longer a player survives
AboutBrigandine: The Legend of Runersia In Runersia, a continent created by the Rune God, mana rains down endlessly. Eons ago, five Mana Stones were brought forth by this continent and passes through history alongside human nations, eventually embedding into special Brigandine equipment to create Rune Knights – special individuals who can wield the mana power and stones embedded into their armor to cast skills and magic as well as summon and control ancient monsters. Six Brigandine nations of Runersia, each with conflicting ideals beliefs, histories, and faiths, are divided by Brigandines of Justice, Glory, Freedom, Sanctity, and Ego, while the sixth nation exists without Brigandine. The goal is to win battles to expand their nation’s influence until the entire continent of Runersia has been taken over by the player.
The PS4™ system version of Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is currently in development by developer Matrix Software and will be published by Happinet digitally on the PlayStation®Store. The game will be playable on PS5™. This game has not yet been rated by the ESRB and rated “T for Teen” for the Nintendo Switch™ system. The Nintendo Switch version released on June 25 and is available on the Nintendo eShop for $49.99/ €49.99.
For more in-depth information about the game’s story, gameplay mechanics, and the top development talent behind making the game, please visit the official Brigandine: The Legend of Runersiawebsite and follow the game’s latest updates on the official English Twitter account.
About Happinet
Happinet is a Japanese comprehensive entertainment trading company that boasts either top or near-top market share in each of its four main businesses: toys; visual and music; video games; and amusements. For more information, visit https://www.happinet.co.jp/english/index.html
See the world from an all new perspective as you inhabit a wolf, bird, fish, and more than a dozen different creatures
Hamburg, Germany, September 24th, 2020 – Mooneye Studios is proud to announce that its acclaimed animal switching adventure Lost Ember is out now on Nintendo Switch for $29.99 / €29.99 / £24.99. Prepare to solve the mysteries of the fallen kingdom on the go!
Lost Ember is a third-person narrative-based exploration title about a wolf who can inhabit all manner of animals, along with their spirit companion. Players will be able to control over a dozen different creatures, such as a hummingbird, a fish, a mountain goat and a parrot. Along the way, your spirit guide will narrate the tale of what happened to the lost human civilizations that once settled in these wild lands.
Experience the contrasting stories of the fall of mankind and the lush life in a world reclaimed by nature. Explore the land, sea, and air, as you possess any creature you come across to experience life from a whole new perspective. Fly through gargantuan canyon valleys as a parrot! Tumble through the grass as a wombat! Swim through shimmering lakes as a fish! Your journey will take you from densely wooded jungles, to lush rainforest canopies, to barren desert plains and archaic temples. Ultimately, you’ll discover a tale of loyalty, despair, and betrayal, as echoes of the lost Yanrana culture come to life in a lush wilderness devoid of man.
“We were thrilled by the reception Lost Ember received when it launched last year on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC,” said Mooneye Studios CEO and programmer Tobias Graff. “We spent five years on the game and were delighted to see that it resonated so deeply with so many of you. We were adamant that this Switch port captures all the wonder and delight of the other versions and we can’t wait for a whole new audience to uncover its mysteries.”
About Mooneye Studios: Founded in 2014, Mooneye Studios is a five-person outfit based Hamburg, Germany. Its first title, the animal morphing adventure, Lost Ember, went on to become Germany’s second most successful video game crowdfunding campaign. Lost Ember launched on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2019 and Nintendo Switch in 2020.
It’s hard to believe that the Serious Sam series has been around for nearly twenty years at this point and even harder to believe that the last time the series saw a new mainline game released for it happened to be nine years ago. Sam Stone has been kept fairly prominent in our minds through the years as Croteam and Devolver Digital have been teasing the release of Serious Sam 4 for some time and now that it has arrived on PC, does this fast paced shooter retain the same style fans hope for?
Story
It is interesting to note that, while the story for the Serious Sam franchise isn’t exactly a deep one, newcomers will not need to worry too much about jumping into Serious Sam 4 with no prior knowledge of the franchise as it is once again a prequel set before even the third game in the series, which was a prequel to the original game back in 2001. Players take on the role of Sam Stone, better known as Serious Sam, as he leads the charge against a massive invasion by the alien organization called Mental that has nearly overtaken the Earth.
Sam, alongside other members of the Earth Defense Force, or EDF (Not the one you’re thinking about), have been tasked with traveling through Europe in hopes of finding an ancient artifact that may hold the key to defeating Mental, the Holy Grail. For the most part players should continue to expect a fairly standard story that mostly serves as a framework for the levels that players will be shooting their way through. Sam and his companions make plenty of great one-liner jokes and hit upon nearly every cliche in the book so the writing style continues to be worth a chuckle every now and again, especially when certain outlandish events, even by this series’ standards, occur.
There are extra bits of information for every enemy type that the player takes down, weapon and gadget they acquire, and mainline character they come across so players who really want to learn more about the series’ lore will be interested to know that that is an option this time around but, as mentioned before, don’t expect things to get too deep unless we’re talking about the pile of bodies Sam will builds up on his mission.
Gameplay
There is a saying that when something isn’t broke, don’t fix it and that happens to be the approach that Croteam took to most of Serious Sam 4‘s gameplay mechanics. Longtime fans should know that this means that players will be treated to a first person shooter that is incredibly quick and features numerous enemies shooting, charging, and exploding at the player all while they run around the field at an incredibly brisk rate of speed trying to survive. Sam moves like a man possessed as he never has to hesitate when running and shooting to stay alive, usually running backwards to do so and there is a good reason for that, Serious Sam 4 has upped the amount of enemy types and enemies in general that players will often end up facing at any given time.
While players will still have to deal with smaller amounts of enemies from time to time or deal with close-quarter combat in hallways, there are just as many areas that feature wide-open battles that can deliver more enemies than I’ve ever experienced in a first person shooter at one time. There can be a feeling similar to the Musou style of games at times but rather than swinging at grunts with a spear, Sam is mowing down kamikaze runners, insectoids, giant bulls, and far worse with a wide array of weapons that players will obtain throughout the game. These weapons include the tried and true shotgun variants, mini-guns that can eventually be dual-wielded, to even more powerful weapons, gadgets, and even vehicles that we won’t mention here. Often combat requires the player to be a bit strategic at times, especially when playing on anything above the Normal difficulty level, as certain enemy types are best taken out with certain weapons and figuring this out during a frantic firefight is a real blast. That being said, there were more than a few times that enemy AI would either bug out and stand there aimlessly or glitch somewhere requiring a reloaded checkpoint to continue.
Outside of the firefights players will find that there are a number of secrets hidden throughout each level in the game as well as clear side-quests that are offered for extra in-game resources. Some of these secrets are fairly simple and can reward things such as extra armor or temporary health boosts while others can be seen more as easter eggs or challenges to undertake. It is worth noting that some of these secrets do appear fairly difficult to find as even scrounging some levels only unveiled a few per run through. It is also interesting to note that Serious Sam 4 features the introduction of some incredibly light RPG mechanics that see Sam breaking alien artifacts that can, in turn, be used to unlock some abilities. Generally these abilities mostly rely on things such as having enemies drop items to being able to dual wield special weapons and really lay the hurt on Mental.
There is also a multiplayer component as well that allows players to take on a story mission either solo or with up to four people at a time. These missions aren’t really balanced the best to be taken on with numerous people and considering everyone plays as Sam and immediately respawns after death, it is clear that there wasn’t too much extra thought put into multiplayer but being able to mow down foes with friends is still a blast despite the barebone implementation.
Visuals & Audio
Graphically Serious Sam 4 is something of a mixed bag. The enemy character models are gorgeous and gruesome at the same time and feature plenty of variety overall in the amount of foes that players face off against and many of them even “gib” into satisfying chunks when defeated with powerful enough weapons. On the other hand the character models for the human characters are a bit disappointing and often a bit lifeless looking with even Sam himself looking rather toned down in nature and while this is a prequel, he shouldn’t have lost that much muscle mass. While the level designs are nicely varied and the travel through Europe allows for plenty of different sights to be seen, most of the designs are only solid looking from a distance and suffer from some rough textures up close.
Once more Serious Sam himself is voiced by John J. Dick which works great as the voice of the character and the rest of the voice work is suitably fitting with the sound effects of the various weapons and signature sounds of some of the enemies remaining true to form. As far as the soundtrack goes, players will find a solid mix of rock that fits perfectly with the intense action of firefights and subtle tunes when simply exploring an area though no singular track stands out as exceptional.
Overall
Croteam knew what Serious Sam fans love and has delivered more of it in Serious Sam 4 with what has ended up becoming an excitingly over-the-top first-person shooter that has upped the intensity of the action to an entirely new level compared to its predecessors. The lack of real innovation outside of some new weapons and light RPG mechanics may be a bit disappointing, along with the fact that outside of the story mode and multiplayer story mode there is little else to do except replay levels again, but this old-school style of shooting remains as solid as ever.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
