Thera Bytes and Aerosoft bring the zombie curing simulation game to all platforms with a full release across digital and retail, on May 27th 2025
Paderborn, Germany, May 16th 2025: Aerosoft and Thera Bytes are proud to reveal that Zombie Cure Lab, the post-apocalyptic base builder where the goal is to survive hordes of zombies while trying to bring them back to their human form, is releasing on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on May 27th!
In Zombie Cure Lab, the undead have overrun the planet. After years of desperate research, humanity has discovered an antidote that partially reverses zombification. As the leader of a remote scientific outpost, players will build a fully functional lab in the wilderness, assigning workers to gather resources, set up defences, and construct machines that can capture and heal zombies. Develop new technologies, expand your research tree, electrify your laboratory and try to create a healthy working environment for your team – you’re trying to save the world, after all
If caught and treated effectively, zombie enemies will become allies known as ‘Humbies’, human-zombie hybrids that can be used to help expand the base and continue the work of finding a fully fledged cure that will bring them back to their human form. Managing the mood and well-being of your half-human, half-flesh-eating zombie hybrid workers is as just as vital as fortifying your camp each night against the relentless waves of the infected. Overlook these details and your Humbies may just make your poor scientists their next lunch!
Key features of Zombie Cure Lab:
Build, manage and expand a zombie-curing research facility
Gather resources and process them to fuel your economy
Plan efficient production lines and balance energy systems
Assign distinct worker types across day and night shifts
Capture zombies with freezing tech and treat them into humbies
Keep your workforce happy or risk internal outbreaks
Defend your base each night from roaming undead
Research and unlock over 200 technologies to finalise the cure
Zombie Cure Lab launches May 27 for €29.99 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
About Aerosoft:
Aerosoft GmbH was founded in 1991 at Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport and develops add-on software for Microsoft Flight Simulator. From 2002 onwards, add-ons for Train Simulator were also developed. Since 2007, Aerosoft has expanded its spectrum to include other simulations, including On the Road, OMSI 2, Autobahn Police Simulator and City Bus Manager. In 2016, Aerosoft published the two successful simulators Fernbus Coach Simulator in cooperation with FlixBus and Emergency Call 112 – The Fire Fighting Simulation. Aerosoft is also responsible for the flight simulators Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and XPlane 12 exclusively in Europe. With over 40 permanent employees, Aerosoft GmbH is one of the leading software publishers in the field of traffic simulations worldwide.
About Thera Bytes:
Thera Bytes is an independent game developer based in Munich and the creator of Zombie Cure Lab, Global Farmer and several serious game projects for different partners. With a dedicated team of developers, artists and directors Thera Bytes is working on the next chapter of their 10 year-long existence with the ongoing goal to create highly immersive experiences for their customers.
16 MAY 2025 – After a Very Positive reception from close to 2000 user reviews on Steamand over 50.000 copies sold, Copycat is looking to find a new home on consoles. Whether you’ll nestle your furry new companion in a cozy (X)box, or reward them with a treat on ps ps ps PS5, one thing is certain: Copycat will win over your heart!
Copycat is coming to Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 on 29 May 2025 and it will cost $14.99 USD (regional pricing may vary).
It’s a short emotional catventure about love, loss, and identity, told entirely from a cat’s point of view. Guided by a nature-documentary narrator, you’ll prowl through sunlit backyards and shadowy alleys in a heartfelt journey to rediscover what “home” truly means.
Copycat is an emotional, narrative-driven game about the meaning of home. It follows the story of a newly adopted shelter cat, who becomes the victim of an elaborate plan, when a jealous, stray copycat steals her place in the household.
The game’s colourful visuals delight the senses while exploring dark emotional depths of the human condition. Wander alleyways, fences and rooftops as Dawn tries to make her way back home and be reunited with Olive. But when she arrives, will Olive recognise her? How will Olive make the choice between cats? Or was Dawn the copycat all along?
Key Features
Story from the heart: Copycat disguises itself as a simple story about a cat trying to discover where she truly belongs, but underneath lies a philosophical narrative layer that will make you pause and feel. It asks questions about our own existence and place in the world.
Animal expert narrates your conscience: Play as a domestic housecat while a nature documentary narrates your every move.See the world through cat eyes: Climb trees, fight dogs, and explore the neighbourhood with intuitive, smooth cat-like controls. Make mischief, knock things on the ground, hide in boxes, run through the long grass, and meow at everything that moves.
Guided by your moral compass: Reflect on themes of home, loneliness and belonging through a complex, three-act story told effortlessly through three hours of video game narrative.
Voiced with passion: Copycat is fully voice-acted featuring hours of dialogue with a talented cast.
Music to your ears: Experience a diverse score spanning jazz, lullaby music and tribal music. With a heartwarming original score composed by Daniel Bunting.
Enjoy atmospheric locations: Including the cozy family house, sunkissed backyard, creepy alleyways, and lush national parks.
A touch of Australia: Made with local voices and locations under the Australian sun.
About the Studio
Samantha Cable and Kostia Liakhov are an Australian/Ukrainian duo behind the gaming collective, Spoonful of Wonder. Their vision is to develop video games that ignite imagination, spark nostalgia and speak to the soul. They believe every game needs a spoonful of the sweet stuff. Copycat is their debut title. Website: spoonfulofwonder.com
250,000 Early Access Players to be Rewarded with Free Game at Launch!
May 2025 – In a joint statement between PLAION and Wired Productions, both are pleased to reveal that Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks is shifting into overdrive. After amassing over 250,000 Early Access players, the high-octane multiplayer vehicle combat game officially launches its 1.0 version during this year’s May 22nd Warhammer Skulls festival, and there’s a lot to celebrate. This new chapter sees publishing responsibilities transition from PLAION to independent publishing house Wired Productions, reuniting Speed Freeks developer Caged Element with their original publishing partner of 2018’s acclaimed GRIP: Combat Racing.
Available on release at a discounted price of just $15.99! The 1.0 launch brings the Free Early Access period to a close, and as a thank you to its dedicated player base, every Early Access player will receive the full 1.0 update completely free. It’s a gift from Wired Productions and Caged Element in appreciation of the support from the community.
As part of the 1.0 update, all in-game microtransactions will be removed. Players who earned or purchased in-game currency, known as Teef in-game, during Early Access will still be able to spend it for the next 12 months, though the in-game store will no longer be available to general players. Instead, Warhammer 40,000: Speed will introduce a series of new DLC packs at launch, offering content in a more traditional format.
Originally announced in 2023 by PLAION and Caged Element, Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks has grown a passionate community around its blend of chaotic speed and explosive Orkish combat. The strategic shift in publishing has been months in the making, ensuring a seamless experience for players and the team.
Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks is the adrenaline-fueled combat racer set in the brutal Warhammer 40,000 universe! Drive ferocious vehicles equipped with powerful weapons and abilities into a full-throttle battle to the death. You’ll find that Speed Freeks is a fresh, Ork-y take on vehicle combat that you’ve never seen before. WAAAGHHHHH
Quotes:
PLAION, Paul Jeal, Senior Brand Manager “What a wild ride! We’ve loved every moment working with Caged Element on Speed Freeks, which has been especially enjoyable thanks to the community’s passion, energy, and commitment to the game. With the community’s help, we’ve laid a really solid foundation for the game, and we’re thrilled to see it reach 1.0. We wish Wired Productions and Caged Element nothing but success as they head full-throttle to launch.”
Game Director, Chris Mallinson, Caged Element: “We set out to make the Orkiest of Warhammer 40,000 games, and through our early access period we’ve had thousands of people help us achieve that goal – along with our previous publisher PLAION. Now with Wired Productions picking up the torch, we’re launching out of early access and into version 1.0 with a different approach that we think players will really appreciate and enjoy. We thank both partners for their dedication to the game, along with Games Workshop. We’re of course very happy to be back with our pals at Wired Productions, since we worked with them before on GRIP. Now enuff o’ dat, on to da WAAAGH!!!”
Leo Zullo, Managing Director and Co-founder, Wired Productions “Reuniting with Caged Element feels like coming home. Huge thanks to PLAION for a smooth, respectful handover, which has been months in the making. The work that’s gone into Early Access, shaped by player feedback, has been huge. Everyone at Wired is buzzing to be back alongside our friends at Caged Element. Launch is just the beginning, we’ve got big plans and plenty of surprises coming your way.”
Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks will be available May 22nd at a special discounted price of just $15.99, 15.99€ and £12.79.
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, miniatures , novels, and model kits through more than 553 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.
Caged Element is a passionate and independent game development studio that specializes in intense vehicular combat titles. With their previous title GRIP, they unleashed a flurry of speed and chaos upon the gaming world, and are excited to extend that experience through SPEED FREEKS. WAAA GH!
About PLAION
PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Boasting a vast network of eight game development studios, fifteen regional publishing offices, three game publishing labels including Deep Silver, and PLAION PICTURES as an independent film publisher and distributor, the company extends its influence with merchandise production and expansive distribution capabilities across the globe.
Founded nearly three decades ago, PLAION has firmly established itself within the entertainment arena. With a diverse range of services and solutions, PLAION stands as the premier publishing partner for console and PC games across both physical and digital channels. Moreover, its strong foothold in the Virtual Reality (VR) domain highlights the company’s commitment to varied gaming experiences.
PLAION is an Embracer Group company.
About Wired Productions Wired Productions proudly partners with the best development talent worldwide, presenting a diverse range of curated video games that stand apart from the crowd as some of the most celebrated stories and experiences of their time.
Together with its partners, Wired Productions has won multiple awards throughout the years with genre-defining experiences including KARMA: The Dark World, Arcade Paradise, Martha Is Dead, The Falconeer, Deliver Us the Moon and more.
Wired Productions is working on a number of titles that deliver on its goal to publish truly unique video games, including the upcoming Hotel Architect and Beneath.
Sharpen your tastebuds and prepare for a ‘Ring of Fire’!
Calabasas, May 16th. To celebrate the scorching upcoming release of the highly anticipated fantasy Blades of Fire from MercurySteamon May 22nd, fans can now turn up the heat IRL with a limited-edition Blades of Fire Hot Sauce! It’s bold. It’s spicy. It’s forged in the bowels of hell, and it’s not recommended for the faint of tongue thanks to over 100,000+ Scovilles.
Here’s the deal: Want the chance of nabbing a strictly limited-edition sample? Just follow the official Blades of Fire account on X @Blades_Of_Fire and tell us why you’d like a bottle, and we’ll randomly select a few people to be ‘lucky’ enough to receive one! This isn’t just a condiment. It’s a challenge. A rite of passage. Fire in a bottle. Sharpen your taste buds.
About 505 Games
505 Games, a Digital Bros’ subsidiary, is a global publisher focused on offering a broad selection of video games for players of all ages and skill levels. The company publishes and distributes premium and free-to-play games on console and PC platforms as well as mobile devices. Publishing highlights include DEATH STRANDING (PC), Control, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Ghostrunner, Gems of War, Journey to the Savage Planet, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. 505 Games has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, China and Japan. For more information on 505 Games and its products please visit 505games.com.
About Mercurysteam
Mercury Steam Entertainment S.L., doing business as MercurySteam, is a Spanish video game developer based in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid. It was founded by former members of Rebel Act Studios, who had developed Severance: Blade of Darkness in 2001. Other titles include Castlevania: Lords of Shadow trilogy and Metroid Dread.
London (May 16, 2025) From beloved crossovers to 3D fighters, players can now revisit eight legendary fighting games with Capcom Fighting Collection™ 2 available digitally for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PC via Steam and Xbox One, all starting today!
Check out the epic Capcom Fighting Collection 2 launch trailer on YouTube below.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 combines eight games into one collection, featuring
classics and fan favourite brawlers, including:
Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro– Worlds collide in the first instalment of the Capcom vs. SNK crossover series! From Ryu and Kyo, to Chun-Li and Mai, form teams with your favourite heroes and battle it out!
Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001 – Capcom and SNK unite for another millennium showdown! Find your way to victory with 6 different systems to choose from, and craft your own battle strategy by assigning a ratio (strength) to your team members with the Free Ratio System!
Power Stone – Throw objects at enemies, launch spin kicks off pillars, fire off bazookas, throw opponents and more in this 3D fighting action title!
Power Stone 2 – The acrobatic action classic builds on its innovative and intuitive gameplay in this 4-player battle royale sequel! Battle stakes can change at any moment as the interactive environment shifts and changes, meaning victory is never set in stone!
Project Justice – An intense story unfolds on the high school campus of this 3D fighter. This sequel to Rival Schools ensures justice is served with its 3-on-3 team battles! Devastate opponents with techniques powered by your faith in your friends!
Capcom Fighting Evolution – Street Fighter II, Street Fighter III, Street Fighter Alpha, Darkstalkers, and Red Earth collide in the ultimate Capcom 2D fighter crossover! With each character representing the combat system of their respective game, it’s a showdown of skill!
Street Fighter Alpha 3 UPPER – The Upper version of the final instalment of Street Fighter Alpha 3! Choose your favourite fighting style and get ready to rumble!
Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein – 3D fighter Star Gladiator returns for a thrilling sequel! Battle as a galactic hero wielding a sword powered by plasma. Use attacks to briefly overwhelm or devastate your opponents with a dazzling display. The enthralling story that unfolds in the cutscenes is not to be missed!
And don’t forget to check out the Capcom Fighting Collection 1 & 2 Bundle, available digitally across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC via Steam, and Xbox One! Experience 18 legendary games from Capcom’s fighting history!
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 includes a variety of new features, including:
Superb Online Experience – For casual or competitive play, online functionality is available across all titles, featuring rollback netcode for a smoother online gameplay experience!
Battle It Out Online – Players can compete against friends and fellow combatants from around the world in casual, ranked, and custom matches, plus the all-new high score challenge!
Newly Remixed Soundscapes – Select your preferred Sound Style in Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001, Power Stone 2, and Project Justice with brand new “Ver.2K25” songs created special for this collection. Each track is even playable during online matches!
Practice Makes Perfect – Available across all titles, training mode is great for new players and veterans alike, with tons of customisation options to fine tune the perfect training session.
Galleries – Explore music and art galleries with new and never-before-seen concept art, design documents, original arcade marquee cards, and more!
Customise Each Battle – Fine-tune specific features of your gameplay experience via EX Settings specific to each game, one-button specials, adjustable difficulty, nostalgia-inducing Display Filters, button customisation, and more.
Mid-Game Saves – Now added to save progress.
Expanded Language Support – 14 languages will be supported, including English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Castilian Spanish, Russian, Polish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Arabic!
Additional Updates – Multiple game versions, hidden characters now available, various resolution options, Offline Versus Mode, Fighter Awards, added quality of life improvements across all eight games, and more!
About Capcom Fighting Collection 2
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is now available across Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PC via Steam and Xbox One! Combining hard-hitting classics like Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001 with fan favourite brawlers like Power Stone 2 in one knockout package, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 comes chock-full of new features, including online play and quality-of-life updates across all eight games!
About Capcom
Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including groundbreaking franchises Resident Evil™, Monster Hunter™, Street Fighter™, Mega Man™, Devil May Cry™ and Ace Attorney™. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Tokyo, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. More information about Capcom and its products can be found at www.capcom.com or news.capcomusa.com.
Elden Ring Nightreign has unveiled its latest character, Guardian, with the release of a trailer.
History shall be inked in arcane blood. Primeval sorceries stir, heralding the fall of the shadowed beast. Recluse is the latest character reveal for Elden Ring Nightreign, and uses a large battle axe with a whirlwind skill to whip his enemies into the air.
Elden Ring Nightreign launches on PS5 and Xbox on May 30, 2025.
With pre-orders now available on all digital platforms and at major game retailers, players can pick their version of choice:
Standard Edition
Includes Base Game
Seekers Edition
Includes Deluxe Edition
Steelbook
Elden Ring Nightreign launches on May 30th on PlayStation and Xbox.
World of Warships welcomes a brand new wave of Azur Lane content, alongside a new Perilous Route game mode, and an Event Pass to mark 85 years since Operation Dynamo
May 16 , 2025 – Wargaming, the developer and publisher of the leading cross-platform naval multiplayer game World of Warships, is bringing another wave of fan-favourite Azur Lane content to the high seas with its seventh collaboration. Players will be able to set sail with new ships, skins, Commanders, flags, and patches, along with the return of past in-game items from the iconic franchise. May’s update also welcomes a new action-packed Perilous Route game mode, the arrival of an Operation Dynamo Event Pass to mark its 85th anniversary, a strategic event, and all new Brawls and Ranked Battles to test maritime mettle.
Azur Lane drops anchor into World of Warships its seventh collaboration
Azur Lane returns to World of Warships with Wave 7, bringing all-new ships, skins, Commanders, and more to celebrate the collaboration. The latest wave of content welcomes four iconic themed vessels, with German Tier X cruiser AL Hindenburg, American special premium Tier IX battleship AL Kearsarge, German Tier VIII battleship AL Bismarck, and Italian special premium Tier VII cruiser AL Gorizia all joining the fray. Five fan-favourite characters from Azur Lane also come to life as new Commanders, with Hindenburg, Kearsarge, Gorizia, Admiral Graf Spee, and Scharnhorst ready to take the helm in battle.
Azur Lane ship skins from World of Warships: Legends also join the update, including Italian Tier VII cruiser AL Zara, American Tier VII battleship AL Colorado, German special premium Tier VII battleship AL Scharnhorst, and German special premium Tier VI cruiser AL Admiral Graf Spee. Wave 7 of Azur Lane concludes with four new flags, a patch, the return of content from past collaborations, and plenty of free content for fans to enjoy.
World of Warships Brings Operation Dynamo and New Dangers to the High Seas
To commemorate 85 years since 300,000 soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk, Operation Dynamo comes to World of Warships in full force with a new Event Pass. Across two progression lines, players can unlock Containers, the “Monochrome” Enemy Destruction Effect, permanent camouflages, and much more. A new limited-time Port activity also arrives in the form of a strategic event, a player-versus-everyone activity where players use cards representing the Little Ships of Dunkirk to overcome challenges and opponents. By doing this, players will earn Operation Dynamo Containers, a special “Braving the Fire Flag” and Tier VI British destroyer Gallant along the way.
May brings additional challenges to the seven seas with the arrival of Perilous Route, a new limited-time game mode that sees players escorting a damaged Command Ship to its destination whilst tackling waves of deadly enemy ships. During the journey, the Command Ship will need to make two stops to repair itself from the barrage of attacks, in which a randomised task must be completed to continue. Using any Tier VIII to IX ships, with the exception of submarines, players will have to use everything in their arsenal to finish the ship’s journey and emerge victorious.
World of Warships rounds out its May update with Soviet Submarines departing from Early Access, the continued construction of Tier IX German Premium heavy cruiser Blücher 1939 in the Dockyard, and new Ranked Battles and Brawls for players to dive into.
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About World of Warships
World of Warships is a free, historical, online combat PC game from Wargaming. With its massive fleet of most iconic war vessels, including five different ship classes and strategically designed environment, World of Warships provides the ultimate naval warfare gaming experience, suitable for everyone. Thanks to its largest collection of historically accurate ships available to play, World of Warships prides itself as a digital ship museum and a focal point for naval history enthusiasts. New thematic content and innovative game modes are being added on a regular basis, providing a diverse and exciting gameplay to its broad player base.
About World of Warships: Legends
Experience epic naval action in World of Warships: Legends, a massively multiplayer online game where you can master the seas in history’s greatest warships! Recruit Legendary Commanders from maritime history, upgrade your vessels, and stake your claim to naval supremacy with or against players from around the world in thrilling and immersive battles.
World of Warships: Legends brings the online naval action loved by millions to home consoles and mobile for the very first time, alongside a host of content and features exclusive to the console experience.
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. Its 15 offices around the world include studios in Chicago, Prague, Shanghai, Tokyo, Vilnius, Belgrade, and Kyiv. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Its flagship products include the free-to-play hits World of Tanks, World of Tanks Blitz, World of Warships, World of Warships: Legends, and World of Warships Blitz.
Capcom are back with a new fighting selection! Capcom Fighting Collection 2 balances familiar with obscure in one jam-packed set. Join us as we go through Capcom vs SNK, tackle the niche Plasma Sword, and trek through the castle in Power Stone 2. We also give Project Justice a try with mixed results and show off some of those special features within the game.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 – Gameplay
Get ready to throw down with some of the most iconic fighters from Capcom’s legendary arcade lineup! Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a celebration of classic fighting games, bringing together eight unforgettable titles in one explosive package. From the fast-paced action of Capcom vs. SNK 2 to the chaotic brawls of Power Stone 2, and the cult favorite Project Justice, this collection is packed with fan-favorite fighters, arenas, and memorable soundtracks. Whether you’re revisiting old-school favorites or discovering them for the first time, the collection offers smooth online multiplayer with rollback netcode, enhanced training modes, visual filters, and a jam-packed museum mode featuring concept art, music, and design materials.
Launching May 16, 2025, the game will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam. With full language support and modern quality-of-life features like mid-game saves and online matchmaking, Capcom has gone above and beyond to deliver a package that both newcomers and veterans will love.
Join us for a full gameplay session and see what makes this collection a must-play for fighting game fans! Don’t forget to hit that like button, leave a comment, and subscribe for more classic gaming content.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd. Publisher: CAPCOM Co., Ltd. Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows Release Date: 16th May, 2025 Price: $39.99 USD
Recommended – “Capcom Fighting Collection 2 bundles the obscure together in a compilation that aims to please with its unique blend of the other side of the fighting genre. While it may not be without its blemishes, there is sure to be something in this package for everyone.”
Capcom really have found a groove when it comes to re-releases, and is back with more with Capcom Fighting Collection 2 across a number of modern platforms. This isn’t your usual grouping of hits by far, as this collection features more obscure offerings, looking to fill some gaps that fans have hinted at for the last decade. Does this pack do the job, or was it a better idea to leave these relics in the past? Let’s find out!
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 – Gameplay
Story
Go through a castle and defeat monsters. Participate in tournaments to be the best. I mean, what are the “stories” here really worth? The narratives in this collection come light, but still are enjoyable enough to guide progression. We have the very different but welcome Power Stone and Power Stone 2, packing a punch with their unique progression systems. We also have Capcom vs SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 and its follow-up, Mark of the Millennium, which acts as your basic ladder climb to the top combatant. Plasma Sword is a very off-beat title with some creative characters, while Project Justice feels a bit more serious in the genre. Finally, we have Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper and the critically challenged Capcom Fighting Evolution, rounding out the set.
Sure, there is a lot going on here in terms of genre, but these are not Capcom’s best of the best, and they’re not meant to be. These are all titles with niche followings for one reason or another, some good and some not so much. That is kind of the charm of this collection. It’s a break from the norm, and looks outside the mainstream, and a breath of fresh air away from the usual fighters we see bundled together. Sure, the narratives may not be in sync with each other or even make much sense on their own, but there is a lot of charm to be found under this hood.
Gameplay
This is where things get interesting. I am not going to spend a ton of time talking about Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper as it is Street Fighter and while the balance changes and extra characters could probably be put in an hours-long documentary when it comes to the genre’s hardcore fans, I personally just “enjoyed” the game and didn’t spend a ton of excess time with it. It’s Street Fighter 3, it’s good, and that really is all I have for it. Capcom Fighting Evolution is interesting, but also a mess, as it just feels a bit bland and rushed. I suppose it’s nice to have it playable for archive purposes, but don’t expect an absolute winner here.
I think Power Stone was where I really started to get excited about this collection. I have played Power Stone before, but this is a different type of fighting game. First, the original is very difficult. That doesn’t mean it’s bad; it’s just different. This is an arena-style fighter, where players pick a unique character and fight in a 3D environment, where weapons and upgrades really control the flow of battle. I definitely felt a bit out of my element here, but there is something certainly novel about this title that was really ahead of its time. Power Stone 2 abandons a lot of these ambitions to just be a fun multiplayer experience. It almost feels like a Smash Bros. clone, where players have to get to the end of a castle, fight bosses, and simply stay alive as they are eliminated one by one. It’s a ton of fun and easily the most time I spent throughout this whole collection.
Capcom vs SNK has aged exceptionally well. Sure, it took me a bit to understand the “Groove” changes and variances of challenge based on character selection, but once I got the hang of things, it actually made me wonder why we haven’t gotten another one of these titles in a good bit. The follow-up is equally as impressive, with more characters and balances that make it feel like a proper upgrade. I never played Plasma Sword before this. I have heard of it, but that was about it. You basically get overpowered aliens that do combat in a small arena here with humans, and that is really the concept. From the unique abilities and techniques, I was really impressed with the whole thing as it was easy to get the hang of and even more fun to play, even if the difficulty is rather low for a newcomer like myself.
Project Justice destroyed me. While the story-based game is polished and unique, it kind of reminded me of Virtua Fighter 2. A little stiff, but still quite accessible. The characters are interesting enough, and while I don’t think the gameplay ever clicked, I can say I am happy I gave this one a whirl. The collection here, despite popular opinion, comes with no real duds. Capcom Fighting Evolution isn’t great, but it’s still a competent fighter, and I do like the roster enough to give it a pass. There are also perks that let you see the soundtracks, galleries, and the usual extras that really complete the package. This may not be the most replayable collection Capcom has released, but it is one of the most refreshing in terms of how varied the game selection comes across.
Audio
This is top tier. You know most of the music here, and while Capcom Fighting Evolution isn’t exceptional in terms of its own presentation, I found myself rather impressed with the rest of the music within the collection. Power Stone 2’s soundtrack is just so much fun, and the revolving door of music for both Capcom vs SNK titles really does hit that sweet spot and makes for some wonderful beats to bash to. The audio can be a bit mixed as some games have that natural grit, but I think there is charm to those effects, and I imagine most will as well.
Overall
Ultimately, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is kind of wonderful. It may not celebrate the mainstream success of the brand, but instead offers a different stream of games outside that scope, giving us a welcome treat of obscurity. Not every game is perfect here, but I found myself having a ton of fun with Power Stone 2, and Plasma Sword made me an instant fan with its oddness. There is a lot to enjoy within this collection, and if you are looking for a set of games with something for everyone, you can’t go wrong here.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
The clandestine operations introduced in Agents of Sabotage take center stage this week, with double GTA$ and RP on all FIB Files Finales and a GTA$100K bonus for completing any three Finales.
Plus, successfully completing The Titan Job anytime through May 21 will reward players with the limited-time Merryweather Security livery for the Buckingham DH-7 Iron Mule helicopter.
Full details from this week’s update include:
Double GTA$ and RP on all FIB Files Finales, Drift Races and Hunting Pack (Remix)
Doubled Passive Income from the Garment Factory
Successfully completing The Titan Job anytime through May 21 will reward players with the limited-time Merryweather Security livery for the Buckingham DH-7 Iron Mule (Helicopter)
Weekly Challenge: Complete any three FIB Files Finales to get a GTA$100,000 bonus
Premium Deluxe Motorsport Vehicles: The Vapid Retinue (Sports Classic), Grotti Stinger (Sports Classic), Enus Stafford (Sedan), Nagasaki Hot Rod Blazer (Off-Road), and Ocelot Lynx (Sports)
Luxury Autos Vehicles: The Declasse Yosemite 1500 (Off-Road) and Canis Castigator (SUV)
HSW Premium Test Ride: The Shitzu Hakuchou Drag (Motorcycle)
LS Car Meet Prize Ride: Place Top 3 in the LS Car Meet Series for four days in a row to win the Karin Hotring Everon (Sports) wrapped in the 35 Cover Up Paints livery
LS Car Meet Test Rides: The Bravado Verlierer (Sports), Dewbauchee Massacro (Sports), and the Dewbauchee Rapid GT Cabrio (Sports)
Lucky Wheel Top Prize: The Annis ZR350 (Sports) wrapped in the Classic Annis Racing livery
30% off the Darnell Bros Garment Factory and Drift Tune Upgrades
Gun Van Discounts: Free Homing Launcher and Grenade Launcher, plus30% off the Precision Rifle, Proximity Mines, Tear Gas, Grenades, and Armor
Vehicle Discounts: 30% off the Grotti Visione (Super), Declasse Mamba (Sports Classic), Karin Sultan RS Classic (Sports), Grotti X80 Proto (Super), Nagasaki Outlaw (Off-Road), Karin Asterope GZ (Sedan), Albany Brigham (Muscle), and Grotti Brioso 300 (Compact)
GTA+ Benefits: A free Mammoth Patriot Mil-Spec, Bigness Sketches Shirt and Jeans, plus it’s the final month for Members to claim the GTA+ Classics Collection
Please see the Rockstar Games Newswire for more information.
