New Game Mode Comes to Hunt: Showdown in Update 4.0
Update 4.0 adds Quickplay game mode, new challenges, gunplay changes and much more!
FRANKFURT, Germany – Dec. 13, 2018 – Early access development means constant updates, and today Crytek have released another big one for their early access online multiplayer bounty hunting game, Hunt: Showdown. In conjunction with the new release, Hunt: Showdown will be on sale for 25% off on Steam from December 13 at 10 am PT/ 1 pm ET/ 7 pm CEST to December 19 at 10 am PT/ 1pm ET/ 7pm CEST.
One of the stars of Update 4.0 is the new Quickplay game mode, designed to offer players the option to play a game of Hunt with a shorter match length—and different gameplay. In a Quickplay match, ten solo players race against the clock to find and activate wellsprings of energy—win and keep both Hunter and loot, or perish. Watch the new Quickplay video right here.
Players will also find a slew of world improvements—from bug fixes to readability tweaks for both maps—and daily and weekly challenges added by popular community request. On the weapon front, gunplay changes for Update 4.0 center around unifying the feel of weapons so that they are more consistent and fluid overall, and the game’s audio has also seen a lot of developer attention, with improvements and bugfixes across the board.
About Hunt: Showdown
Hunt: Showdown is a competitive first-person bounty hunting game that packs the thrill of survival games into a match-based format. Set in Louisiana in 1895, the game boasts a mixture of PvP and PvE elements that creates a uniquely tense experience. It’s not just the monsters who are a threat—it’s every Hunter on the map. In the classic game mode, a match of Hunt pits ten players—playing solo or in teams of two—against each other as they race to take out gruesome monsters for a bounty they must collect and get off of the map, while Hunt’s Quickplay mode offers a shorter match for solo players to scavenge for weapons as they compete for a diminishing pool of bounty. The higher the risk, the higher the reward–but a single mistake could cost everything. Hunt is available now on Steam. For more information, visit https://www.huntshowdown.com/.
About Crytek
Crytek is an independent videogame developer, publisher, and technology provider dedicated to pushing the boundaries of gaming with its cutting-edge 3D game development solution CRYENGINE. With headquarters in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) and studios in Kiev (Ukraine) and Istanbul (Turkey), Crytek has created multiple award-winning titles, including the original Far Cry, the Crysis series, Ryse: Son of Rome, Warface, The Climb, Robinson: The Journey and Hunt: Showdown. Crytek delivers fun and innovative gaming experiences for PC, consoles, and VR and continues to grow its reach in the games-as-a-service market. Every Crytek game is created with CRYENGINE, which can be used by anyone to create games.
METRO EXODUS HAS GONE GOLD AND WILL NOW RELEASE A WEEK EARLY ON FEBRUARY 15th, 2019
Watch the spectacular game title sequence from Elastic, the creators of the iconic Game of Thrones and Westworld title sequences
MOSCOW – Dec. 13, 2018 – Deep Silver and 4A Games are proud to announce that after five years of development Metro Exodus has gone gold and will release a week earlier than scheduled. The highly anticipated third entry in the critically acclaimed Metro saga launches on Feb. 15, 2019 on Xbox One, the all-in one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC.
“Our fans have been waiting patiently for Metro Exodus ever since we announced the title at E3 2017,” said Klemens Kundratitz, CEO at Deep Silver. “We had previously delayed the release date to ensure 4A Games had the time to deliver their ambitious vision for the game, but now we’re delighted to confirm that Metro Exodus has gone gold and we are able to bring the release date forward to February 15th, 2019.”
To celebrate, Deep Silver revealed the stunning title sequence for Metro Exodus.
Created by Santa Monica-based studio, Elastic, the award-winning makers of some of the most iconic title sequences of recent years including Game of Thrones and Westworld, this beautiful introduction to the game is set to an original score by Metro series composer Alexey Omelchuk.
“We were absolutely thrilled to be contacted by the team at Deep Silver and 4A Games to create this Title Sequence,” said Andy Hall, creative director at Elastic. “It’s the type of project we love. Once we had been immersed in the game, we essentially lived in this frozen and terrifying landscape for many, many weeks… we are delighted with the final film.”
Metro fans can look forward to brand new gameplay reveals in 2019 with an upcoming story trailer. Be the first to hear about the latest updates by registering at MetroTheGame.com, following us on Twitter and Instagram @MetroVideoGame or on Facebook at Facebook.com/MetroVideoGame.
MORE ABOUT METRO EXODUS
The year is 2036.
A quarter-century after nuclear war devastated the earth, a few thousand survivors still cling to existence beneath the ruins of Moscow, in the tunnels of the Metro. They have struggled against the poisoned elements, fought mutated beasts and paranormal horrors, and suffered the flames of civil war. But now, as Artyom, you must flee the Metro and lead a band of Spartan Rangers on an incredible, continent-spanning journey across post-apocalyptic Russia in search of a new life in the East. Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created. Explore the Russian wilderness across vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter.
Inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Exodus continues Artyom’s story in the greatest Metro adventure yet.
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Embark on an incredible journey – board the Aurora, a heavily modified steam locomotive, and join a handful of survivors as they search for a new life in the East
Experience Sandbox Survival – a gripping story links together classic Metro gameplay with new huge, non-linear levels
A beautiful, hostile world – discover the post-apocalyptic Russian wilderness, brought to life with stunning day / night cycles and dynamic weather
Deadly combat and stealth – scavenge and craft in the field to customize your arsenal of hand-made weaponry, and engage human and mutant foes in thrilling tactical combat
Your choices determine your comrades’ fate – not all your companions will survive the journey; your decisions have consequence in a gripping storyline that offers massive re-playability
The ultimate in atmosphere and immersion – a flickering candle in the darkness; a ragged gasp as your gasmask frosts over; the howl of a mutant on the night wind – Metro will immerse and terrify you like no other game…
ABOUT DEEP SILVER Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds. Deep Silver works with its partners to achieve a maximum of success while maintaining the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires.
Deep Silver has published more than 200 games since 2003, including its own brands like the open world extravaganza Saints Row, the zombie action franchise Dead Island, and the grim post-apocalyptic future of the Metro series. Deep Silver also owns the development studios Deep Silver Dambuster Studios in Nottingham, UK; Deep Silver Fishlabs in Hamburg, Germany, and Deep Silver Volition based in Champaign, IL, USA. For more information please visit www.deepsilver.com
All product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyright material of the respective owners. All rights reserved.
ABOUT 4A GAMES 4A Games is a multicultural, multinational video game development studio with offices in both Malta and Ukraine – known for its atmospheric first-person shooters Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, and Metro Redux.
Established in Kiev, Ukraine in 2005, the studio was founded by a passionate team of game industry veterans with the goal of creating AAA-quality games for current gaming PCs and then “next-gen” game consoles. In 2014, the studio moved its headquarters – along with more than 50 team members and their families — from Ukraine to the island of Malta.
Currently at the heart of the company are over 100 talented designers, programmers, artists, effects specialists, and writers from all over the world with a diverse and unique set of backgrounds – bringing countless years of experience in software development and computer games in particular. To learn more, please visit www.4A-Games.com
ABOUT ELASTIC From compelling TV Series and blockbuster movies, to captivating commercials and ground breaking visual experiences, Elastic puts storytelling and strong ideas first. Elastic Studios houses a collection of visual storytellers who use a full range of techniques across design. animation, live action, and Visual Effects, to bring new worlds to life and create hidden possibilities with stunning visuals.
Based in Santa Monica, Elastic has earned accolades at awards shows and festivals around the world including the Academy Awards, Cannes, The Emmys, D&AD, SXSW and many more.
Recent commercials work includes spots for Adidas and Toyota, while recent main titles work have earned Elastic 6 Emmy nominations in 2 years, including sequences for Westworld on HBO and Altered Carbon on Netflix. Elastic recently completed work for the thrilling and highly regarded Main Titles for Marvel’s ‘Ant Man and The Wasp’.
DRUNKEN FIGHTER AND MARTIAL ARTS NOMAD BOOST DEAD OR ALIVE 6’s ROSTER
Returning FavouritesBrad Wong and Eliot Added to an Already Stacked Lineup of Competitors
Hertfordshire, 13th December 2018 – KOEI TECMO Europe and TEAM Ninja are excited to announce the addition of two returning fan favourites to the DEAD OR ALIVE 6 roster: Brad Wong and Eliot. The two fighters bolster the announced line-up to 24 playable characters at launch.
Brad Wong, known as “The Drunken Fighter,” is a master of Zui Ba Xian Quan. He uses his drunken style to confuse opponents while striking adversaries from unusual stances ranging from hand-standing and facing backwards to laying down on the ground. Wong spent years training in the remote mountains of China, until his master ordered him to begin a journey in search of a legendary liquor. After entering DOA’s third and fourth tournaments, he skipped the fifth; but the drunken boxer returns in DEAD OR ALIVE 6, looking to take out all comers.
Joining Wong in DEAD OR ALIVE 6 is the traveling martial arts scholar, Eliot. Known as “The Apprentice of the Iron Fist,” Eliot launches at opponents with a furious volley of consecutive Xingyi Quan attacks thanks to techniques learned from his master, Gen Fu. After participating in the fourth tournament, Eliot set off on a journey of self-discovery and martial arts training alongside Brad Wong, where Master Fu permitted Eliot to learn the legendary style of Xinyi Liuhe Quan. Eliot enters the sixth DOA tournament with the improved skill and confidence of a true first-rate martial artist.
TEAM Ninja today released a new highlight video showcasing the two fighters, and they can be seen punching and kicking in the new battle arena entitled “UNFORGETTABLE.” The gallery-like stage is comprised of a number of nostalgic locations from previous DOA titles, including their fully-operational Danger Zones.
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 is currently in development for the PlayStation®4 Computer Entertainment System, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and digitally on Windows PC via Steam®.
Pre-orders across all systems are now underway; those who pre-order DEAD OR ALIVE 6 physically at GAME, or select retailers through Centresoft, are able to get their hands on a Day One Steelbook Edition of the game, another playable character for their roster, Nyotengu, and an alternative costume for Kasumi while stocks last.
ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO’s best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ Warriors series, the fan-favourite Ninja Gaiden and fighting entertainment title Dead or Alive. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark-samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of GUST, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com
Popular Adventure Franchise Launches Latest Full Release Dec 13, 2018 @ 11:00am PST
HELSINKI — December 13, 2018 — The 3rd person Adventure cult-hit sequel Lucius III launches today. The atmospheric and slow-paced puzzle adventure comes to Steam with a 10% launch discount, including seven languages and full controller support.
Four new gameplay videos accompany the release:
The Police Station:
The Jackson House:
The Church:
The Junkyard:
Lucius III returns to its roots in terms of both gameplay and story. The game will play as a narrative adventure, focused around the atmospheric little town of Winter Hill – the very same town where Lucius spent his first six years.
Lucius continues to fulfill the prophecy of the rapture, and finally we get to see where the road takes us. The story will include his signature gruesome violence and disturbing images, but this time there will be some heartfelt moments of regret and sorrow.
About Shiver Games: Shiver Games is an independent game developer from Helsinki, Finland, founded in 2010. Lucius, Shiver Games’ first title, was released in October 2012. Since then, the company has continued working on the saga passionately.
ADATA Launches XPG GAMMIX S11 Pro and SX6000 Lite SSDs
Taipei, Taiwan – Dec. 13, 2018 – ADATA® Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules, NAND Flash products, and mobile accessories today announces two new gaming products, the XPG GAMMIX S11 Pro PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 2280 SSD and SX6000 Lite PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 2280 SSD, continuing its commitment towards offering hardware that help people achieve extreme gaming experiences.
XPG GAMMIX S11 Pro – Blazing Fast, Exceptionally Cool
Implementing advanced 3D NAND Flash, XPG GAMMIX S11 Pro SSDs features higher storage capacities ranging from 256BG to 1TB, while also providing higher efficiency, rugged reliability and a high TBW (Total Bytes Written). Employing the extra-fast PCIe Gen3x4 interface and featuring NVMe 1.3 support, intelligent SLC Caching, and a DRAM cache buffer, the SSDs accelerate read/write speeds up to 3500/3000MB/s and deliver random performance of up to 390K/380K IOPS. Whether booting, gaming or transferring large files, S11 Pro SSDs accomplish them quickly and effectively. The SSDs also support LDPC (Low-Density Parity-Check) error correcting code technology to detect and fix a wider range of data errors for more accurate data transfers. Meanwhile, End-to-End Data Protection and RAID Engine support ensure data security and improve transmission stability. What’s more, a heatsink with a sports-car-inspired design on the outside make S11 Pro SSDs look and stay cool. Compared to M.2 SSDs without a heatsink, an S11 Pro SSD is up to 10°C cooler, offering enhanced system stability.
XPG SX6000 Lite – It’s Time to Skip SATA and Go PCIe
Users looking to replace their old SATA SSDs need not look any further than XPG SX6000 Lite PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 2280 SSDs. Supporting NVMe 1.3, equipped with 3D NAND Flash, and coming with up to 1TB of capacity, the SSDs are a great upgrade choice. Featuring HMB (Host Memory Buffer) and SLC Caching, they reach read/write speeds of up to 1800/1200MB/s and deliver random performance of up to 220K/200K IOPS. As with GAMMIX S11 Pro SSDs, SX6000 Lite SSDs also utilizes LDPC (Low-Density Parity-Check) error correcting code technology to detect and fix a wider range of data errors for more reliable data transfers and a longer product lifespan. SX6000 Lite SSDs are ideal for notebooks, small-form-factor desktops, and even some ultrabooks.
Exact availability of the XPG GAMMIX S11 Pro and SX6000 Lite SSDs may vary by region. To find out about availability and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest ADATA office or XPG retailer via www.adata.com or www.xpg.com.
About XPG
Xtreme Performance Gear (XPG) is an ADATA Technology brand offering high performance PC hardware. XPG products distinguish themselves by surpassing stringent ADATA A+ Testing Methodology to ensure the highest standards for superior product stability and performance. XPG provides gamers, enthusiasts, and overclockers an extraordinary journey best experienced at full tilt. The XPG line sports advanced technical attributes and its strength shines through with sleek and powerful designs that have earned prestigious accolades worldwide. These include Good Design Awards from Japan and Taiwan Excellence Gold Awards. ADATA XPG products are recognized by overclockers and world-renowned professional gaming teams who use them as essential hardware for achieving victory. For more information, please visit www.xpg.com
PlayStation Australia encourages Aussies to #PlayItCool this Summer
National TV and radio host, Beau Ryan, gives fellow Australians his #PlayItCool tips in time for the sizzling Aussie summer PlayStation Australia to surprise and delight players with a range of hot giveaways
SYDNEY, 13 December 2018 – With a long and warmer than average summer predicted across Australia by The Bureau of Meteorology[1], PlayStation Australia has teamed up with former NRL player and host of upcoming show Sunday Night Takeaway, Beau Ryan to help Aussies #PlayItCool this Summer.
With the mercury set to soar across Australia from December through to February, the self-proclaimed ‘expert on being cool’, has pulled together a guide on how to #PlayItCool with PlayStation this summer
Ryan said, ‘As it starts to get seriously hot and sweaty, it’s important my fellow Aussies #PlayItCool and avoid the scorching heat at peak times of the day. Being cool doesn’t come easily for everyone. Thankfully it’s something I’ve perfected over the years, so I’m happy to share my tips from freezer powered air-con, to gaming at home with your PlayStation 4.’
Watch Beau give his top five tips on how to avoid the sweltering heat and #PlayItCool this summer
To further help Australians escape the heat and have the perfect excuse to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day, PlayStation Australia will run a series of giveaways during some of the hottest days of the summer. Starting this month, PlayStation®4 consoles, PlayStation®VR, games and PlayStation®Plus memberships will be given away each week across PlayStation Australia’s social media channels throughout Summer.
Follow PlayStation Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to #PlayItCool and win over this Aussie Summer season. See PlayStation Australia’s social channels for the full terms and conditions.
For more information on the PlayStation suite of products, please visit www.playstation.com,.
About Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia Pty Ltd Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia (SIEAU) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (SIEE). SIEE, headquartered in London, UK, is responsible for the PlayStation® brand and family of products and services within the 109 territories serviced by SIEE as a regional headquarters for Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE). PlayStation has delivered innovation to the market since the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. The PlayStation family of products and services include PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Vita, PlayStation®3, PlayStation®Store, PlayStation®Plus, PlayStation™Video, PlayStation™Music, PlayStation™Now and acclaimed PlayStation software titles from SIE Worldwide Studios
ZANKI ZERO: LAST BEGINNING LAUNCHES ON MARCH 19, 2019 WITH A SOUNDTRACK CD BONUS!
PLUS, AN ENGLISH VOICE TRAILER & SCREENSHOTS!
LONG BEACH, CA, DECEMBER 12, 2018 —Zanki Zero: Last Beginning comes to the PlayStation®4 system and Steam® on March 19, 2019! The game will be released physically and digitally with the Zanki Zero: Last Beginning Survival Soundtrack CD! The Soundtrack CD is available with the Day 1 Edition (PlayStation®4) or as an Early Purchase Bonus (Steam®[PC]).
Check out the new English-voiced Opening Trailer and new English screenshots!
About Zanki Zero: Last Beginning From producer Yoshinori Terasawa and game designer Takayuki Sugawara, the creators of the Danganronpa series, comes a new type of survival game, Zanki Zero: Last Beginning. Explore ruins, dungeons, and islands in this post-apocalyptic world through the POV of eight protagonists fighting for survival while also searching for meaning in their never-ending cycles of life and death.
Story God created the world in seven days. It only took one for humans to destroy it. Life as we knew it sank to the depths of the sea…until yesterday. We do not yet know this broken world or the reasons for its downfall left behind here. An earth where ruins drift about, with remnants of buildings, cars, traffic lights… Modern civilization was destroyed, becoming nothing more than debris wading in the sea. New ruins drift one after the other before our very eyes, the survivors who live on one of those decaying islands.
Key Features
8 Clones, 7 Deadly Sins, Infinite Lives – Play from the POV of one of eight protagonists in each chapter and explore the dungeons, towers, and islands to uncover the deadly sins of the protagonists’ pasts.
Survival of the Fittest – Hunt for materials and food while fending off monsters in real-time battle environments; but don’t forget to eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom (seriously, it’s bad for your health and fatal for your party)!
Live, Die, Repeat – With every life cycle lasting only 13 days, each clone’s stats, abilities, and capabilities differ as they grow from youths to old age. Depending on how you die, you can even earn bonus upgrades for your next life cycle. Take advantage of each life to the fullest!
About Spike Chunsoft, Inc. Established in December 2017, Spike Chunsoft, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. Located in Long Beach, California, Spike Chunsoft, Inc. will localize and publish titles by its parent company for the Western market. Further details will be shared at the Game Developers Conference, held in San Francisco, March 19 – March 23, 2018. Information will also be shared on the official website at: http://www.spike-chunsoft.com
About Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. Spike Chunsoft was established in April 2012 by a merger of two renowned video game developers/publishers, Spike Co. Ltd. and Chunsoft Co., Ltd. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. specializes in developing and publishing entertainment content including award winning console series Danganronpa, Mystery Dungeon and Zero Escape, and is responsible for launching titles across consoles, PC and mobile for some of the most popular series in the industry. More information about the company can be found at: www.spike-chunsoft.co.jp/company_e/information.html.
NEW MISCREATED 1.0 FEATURES TRAILER SHOWCASES WEAPONS, WEATHER SYSTEM, SELF HOSTED SERVERS AND MORE!
Entrada Interactive released a new trailer today for Miscreated that highlights all the amazing features to come in the version 1.0 launch next Tuesday, December 18 on Steam. Miscreated 1.0 launch will feature over 20 new ranged and melee weapons, over 100 new skins, player hosted servers, deadly ground attacks, underground bunkers, new weather patterns, exhaustive temperature system, new unique map areas, new base building parts, farming system, interactive world, enhanced survival mechanics, supply power to houses, complete map, immersive audio, new AI, extended consumable system, 100’s of bug fixes and so much more!
Miscreated 1.0 will be available on Steam next Tuesday, December 18 for $19.99 (a 20% discount). Media interested in reviewing Miscreated should contact Danitra Alomia ([email protected]) to request an early review code.
Miscreated is an online multiplayer hardcore survival game set in a post-apocalyptic open world. After The Final War, humanity was brought to its knees and the remaining survivors cling to the decimated and unforgiving world ravaged by a mutated plague that was “Miscreated” as part of the fallout. Players must find a way to survive as horrific mutants, hostile animals, other desperate survivors and even the elements seek to destroy them.
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden ‘is a video game based on the Swedish tabletop role-playing series Mutant. The new game mixes turn based strategy with real time stealth and exploration gameplay. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden follows the story of Bormin and Dux, two mutant stalkers on an epic adventure to save their home from a death cult.
Story
Bormin, an anthropomorphized boar, and Dux, his mutant duck companion, are stalkers on the Ark; one of the last bastions of humanity in post-apocalyptic Sweden. As mutants, Bormin and Dux are one of the few citizens of the Ark that can survive exploring the irradiated wastelands that surround the Ark and are tasked to salvage much needed supplies to keep the community running.
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden pays tribute to its tabletop heritage by having a solid story. The plot is simple yet engaging. The writers really shine when it comes to building a believable post-apocalyptic world where the survivors are piecing together our modern lives like archaeologists of the future. The conversations between characters as they observe and debate their surroundings are some of the best writing in the game.
Gameplay
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden seeks to replicate the tabletop RPG experience by offering a mix of turn based combat and real time exploration with some stealth elements. Exploration provides invaluable currency and equipment but can be a bit of a drag due to the slow movement speeds. I think bumping the speed up by ten to twenty percent while the flashlight is on would be a huge help.
The game’s stealth mechanics are basic and at times frustrating. Stealth is necessary in the game as nearby enemies swarm towards gunfire and there are often too many enemies to handle all at once. Each enemy has a hearing range and a circle representing their line of sight. The game does not take actual line of sight in consideration. If a player is standing near a wall that should block line of sight but is within the circle, the enemy will detect the player. Therefore, the game’s built in hiding mechanic is the only thing that works reliably. Repositioning hidden characters can be impossible at times as standing too close to the edge of an enemy’s detection range will cause the ring to slowly expand. For all the stealth system’s quirks, slowly setting up an ambush and taking out enemies who dare wander away from the pack is incredibly satisfying.
The combat is turn based and will be instantly familiar to XCOM fans. Good strategy is heavily emphasized in the game starting from planning the ambush to the actual combat itself as players need to position characters behind cover, consider enemy locations, prioritize high risk enemies, and use skills and equipment carefully. I like gunfire drawing nearby enemies into combat, but I would have like to see a clear area of effect where enemies can no longer hear gunfire.
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a punishing game. There are three difficulty levels that change how often player skills can be used, how much damage is taken, and how much health is recovered between fights. The difficulty is toughest in the early game when players lack the skills to crowd control enemies or recover health by consuming enemies. Even at the lowest difficulty levels, I found myself reloading saves often when ambushes did not go as planned as enemies would quickly overwhelm my small party. Additionally, resources for buying upgrades and new equipment is finite, so players will be forced to prioritize their purchases even if they do all the optional side areas.
The skill system is a bit limited as each character can only equip one minor mutation, major mutation, and passive mutation at a time. Especially when playing at higher difficulties, players will often have to change skills every couple of fights to rotate cooldown and optimize the party for the specific encounter. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a bit of a short game, so the talent trees are also a little limited. I am unsure if the system is specifically constrained because of the original Mutant tabletop rules or if this was a decision specifically for Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden.
The controls are usable, but there are some issues for specific users. The mouse and keyboard controls are generally excellent if you are willing to use the default layout. The rebinding of keys is limited as many keys are locked. For example, the R key is not listed as being used, but it is not possible to rebind it to a movement key. The controller layout is decent, though only the combat menu is optimized for a controller. Character and main menus have the joysticks emulating a mouse instead of jumping from menu entry to menu entry.
Visuals
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden offers a great post-apocalyptic art style. The armour and equipment look like they have been pieced together with scavenged items. Buildings look like they are on the verge of being reclaimed by nature. On the technical side, the game looks excellent, save for a slight issue with severe texture popping when initially loading into the level.
Audio
The audio experience in Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is good. The music is an excellent accompaniment to the game. The sound effects are decent, though a few footstep effects sound wrong as they are way too loud to be realistic. The voice acting is top notch, though I wish there were two to three more combat lines for each character as the current offerings is a bit repetitive.
Overall
For all its issues, Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a solid first step in the rebirth of the Mutant franchise. The world and the story are fantastic. Combat is fulfilling, especially at later levels. The audio and visual presentation is very good. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is highly recommended for fans of XCOM who need something to fill the time until XCOM 3 is announced.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
SABER INTERACTIVE UNLEASHES NEW CLASS GAMEPLAY TRAILER FOR WORLD WAR Z
Outlive the Dead in Four-player Co-op with Six Playable Classes, All Loaded for Action
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. – Dec. 12, 2018 – Saber Interactive has released a new gameplay trailer for World War Z, the upcoming four-player co-op multiplayer game inspired by Paramount Pictures’ blockbuster action film. This newest look at one of gaming’s most anticipated third-person shooters breaks down the game’s main classes, each bringing a unique playstyle and balance of firepower and abilities to the carnage.
Each of World War Z’s six playable classes comes loaded with several unique perks, but here’s a taste of what’s in store for the undead hordes when you play:
Gunslinger– For those who skip the questions and shoot first, the Gunslinger is loaded with an arsenal of weapon damage and ammo-boosting perks to mow down the dead.
Hellraiser– Enough explosives can solve any problem! Hellraisers come armed with C4 and other tools for effective crowd control.
Slasher – For warriors with a sense of elegance, the best way to kill is with your trusty blade. Slashers have perks that increase melee damage and effectiveness while their armed tasers deliver electrifying results.
Medic– Sometimes the best way to fight the undead is keeping your teammates from becoming one of them. Armed with a Stim Pistol, Medics can heal fellow survivors from a distance and help keep the chaos under control.
Fixer– When versatility in any situation is the highest priority, the Fixer is there for you, starting out with an explosive ammo case and several teammate ammo-restoring perks.
Exterminator– Fire is the answer! Armed with Molotov cocktails and increased fire damage, the Exterminator just wants to watch the undead burn.
World War Z takes players on a zombie-packed journey of unique survivor stories all around the world, including New York, Moscow, Jerusalem and more. Powered by Saber’s dynamic Swarm Engine™, the game unleashes hundreds of fast-moving, bloodthirsty zombies at a time on players for a heart-pounding action experience. Work together with your teammates, using deadly weapons, explosives, turrets, traps and barricades to dismember and demolish the undead menace, then level up and customize your heroes to survive even more difficult challenges.
World War Z is expected to launch in 2019 on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC. For more information, visit www.WWZGame.com, and follow the game on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WWZGame, Twitter @WWZTheGame and Instagram @WWZGame.
About Saber Interactive Based in the U.S., Russia, and Spain, Saber Interactive is an independent developer whose credits include Quake Champions, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo: The Master Chief Collection and others. Saber’s NBA Playgrounds is one of the best-selling digital console titles of 2017. The company has multiple development studios across the world making great games and bringing fun interactive experiences to life.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Players, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
Gameplay
Visuals