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DON’T NOD Releases Tape 1 of Highly Anticipated Narrative Adventure Lost Records: Bloom & Rage  

Watch the launch trailer now!

PARIS Feb. 18, 2025 – DON’T NOD is thrilled for the release today of its highly anticipated narrative adventure game, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. It is the first game to come from the DON’T NOD Montréal studio and is made by the original creators of Life is Strange. Tape 2 will follow on April 15, where it will become available as a free downloadable update. 

Launch Discount & PlayStation Plus

There is a 10% launch discount until March 4 for Steam, Xbox and PlayStation Plus members. The game will also launch today onto the PlayStation Plus game catalog for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members. Players on PlayStation can also pre-order the retail edition of the game thanks to our partnership with Maximum Games, from participating retailers here.

A Word from Michel Koch, Creative Director

Michel Koch, Creative Director at DON’T NOD Montréal, had this to say about the launch:

“Moving to a new country, building a new team and studio, creating an entirely new universe, and breathing life into brand-new characters was no small feat—especially during strange times like the pandemic. Yet here we are, finally, ready to unveil our new game to the world, giving our characters the chance to meet you and, hopefully, bring you joy, nostalgia, and sorrow.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a game about finding your own space and voice within your circle of friends, about overcoming adversity, growing up, and embracing who you are. We hope this project will resonate with you, and that you’ll enjoy meeting Swann, Nora, Autumn and Kat as you become part of Bloom & Rage and recreate your path through the summer of ’95.”

Step Into an Alternate Reality

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage fans can expect to experience something immersive and unique in our ARG (Alternate Reality Game), which will unfold between now and the release of Tape 2. We, and our partners at Haus of Park, invite the community to come together to solve mysteries, puzzles, and hidden stories that tie deeply into the world of Bloom & Rage.

Fans can join through a Discord server where the story will begin with Erin’s request for help to repair a PC. From there, players will discover the ARG’s Mission Hub, where Erin will communicate with them throughout the coming weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read the updated version of the Frequently Asked Questions document put together for eager players here for answers to questions you may have about the game, its launch, technical info, and more.

Official Soundtrack

The soundtrack to Tape 1 has been unveiled and is ready to listen to on all streaming platforms. It is also available to buy on Steam for 9.99€/$9.99. Just as the game itself, the second half of the OST will come upon Tape 2’s release as a free update.

As well as purchasing individually, players can purchase the game together with the soundtrack in a dedicated bundle! This bundle will benefit from the 10% launch discount (until March 4) and an additional 10% bundle discount.

Vinyl Pre-order Available

The entire soundtrack on double vinyl, encompassing Tapes 1 and 2, can be pre-ordered on the Kid Katana website here. The double vinyl comes in two different colors (transparent pink for “Bloom,” transparent blue for “Rage”) with a punk-style poster and more. The OST is an 18-track dream pop/ambient/punk album by three female-led groups:

– Ruth Radelet, the former lead vocalist of Chromatics

– Milk & Bone, an electropop Montréal duo

– Nora Kelly Band, a rising Montréal alt-country band: their first official single, “See You in Hell,” was released on January 9.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is an innovative narrative adventure game set over two timelines, following four high school girls who form lasting friendships over the summer, only to face a mysterious event that will change them forever. The game explores themes of identity, rebellion, and transformation. Unravel the mysteries in “Bloom” (available today) and “Rage” (launching April 15) on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

About DON’T NOD

DON’T NOD is an independent French publisher and developer with studios in Paris and Montréal creating original narrative games in the adventure (Life is StrangeTM, Tell Me WhyTM, Twin MirrorTM), RPG (VampyrTM, Banishers: Ghosts of New EdenTM), and action (Remember MeTM) genres. The studio is internationally renowned for unique narrative experiences with engaging stories and characters and has worked with industry leading publishers: Square Enix, Microsoft, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Focus Entertainment and Capcom. DON’T NOD creates and publishes its own IPs developed in-house such as Harmony: The Fall of ReverieTMJusantTM and Lost Records: Bloom & RageTM as well as using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with third-party developers whose editorial visions parallel the company’s own. 

Step into the studio’s immersive and innovative universe at dont-nod.com.

DON’T NOD (ISIN code: FR0013331212 – ALDNE) is listed on Euronext Growth Paris.

About Maximum Entertainment

Maximum Entertainment is a global entertainment company dedicated to crafting indie to AA video game experiences through original content and licensed partnerships. A fully integrated group with a broad portfolio of content, the company emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity in its partnerships to produce the highest level of interactive entertainment. With more than 300 titles in its catalog, Maximum Entertainment has joined forces with talented creators and renowned franchises around the globe to deliver magic to the gamer in everyone. Maximum Entertainment employs experienced professionals across the entire value chain of video games including development, publishing, transmedia, sales, and operations. Visit Maximum Entertainment at www.maximument.com.

About Kid Katana 

Kid Katana Records is a VGM record label that puts artists in the spotlight and brings them closer to fans. It covers music creation up to its distribution in all formats (digital, vinyl, CD…). Since 2020, it has released more than 10 soundtracks, such as Streets of Rage 4 (Yuzo Koshiro, Olivier Deriviere…), TMNT Shredder’s Revenge (Tee Lopes, Mike Patton, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah from Wu-Tang…), Jusant (Guillaume Ferran) and Planet Crafter (Benjamin Young). 

To follow Kid Katana Records releases and news, visit their website: Kid Katana Records 

Grand Mountain Adventure 2, the sequel to the World’s Most-Downloaded Skiing Game, Available Now on iOS & Android

Original game Grand Mountain Adventure hits milestone 25 million downloads 

February 18, 2025 – Sweden – Get ready to hit the slopes as developer Toppluva AB announces that Grand Mountain Adventure 2 is available from today on iOS and Android platforms.

The sequel to Grand Mountain Adventure, a beloved sports game with over 25 million downloads, Grand Mountain Adventure 2, brings bigger mountains and a huge variety of activities, challenges and terrain for players to get creative in and shape their own ski adventure.

Explore new huge ski resorts from around the world, each double the size from the resorts in the first game. Compete in a variety of sports and racing challenges like ski jumping, wakeboarding and parachuting, or just relax and find your own way down the mountain.

Grand Mountain Adventure 2 Features: 

  • Four massive open-world ski resorts to enjoy, with bustling slopes, forests, cliffs and beautiful views in a non-linear mountain simulator, with more on the way.
  • A huge variety of activities and game modes, like paragliding, ziplining, speed skiing and 2d platform mode.
  • Hundreds of unique challenges to test your skills, including slalom, slope-style, downhill racing, and ski jumping. 
  • An advanced trick system including spins, flips, tail presses, rails, transitions and boxes. All which can, with some creativity, be combined into epic combos.
  • Earn credits by competing in challenges and exploring the mountains. Spend them on gear and clothing to customize your own style.
  • Turn on ‘Zen’ mode for the ultimate relaxation and enjoy a distraction free day on the slopes without challenges or other skiers. Or try out ‘Observe’ mode to watch the antics of hundreds of NPCs on the mountainside from afar. 

Grand Mountain Adventure 2 is available now on iOS and Android. For more details visit the official website here.

About Toppluva AB

Toppluva is a tiny indie studio based in Stockholm, Sweden. Founded in 2015, Toppluva develops the Grand Mountain Adventure series with 25M+ players worldwide on iOS, Android, Steam and Nintendo Switch. The studio consists of three snowboarding brothers — Viktor, Sebastian, and Alexander. With a passion for creating truly unique, handcrafted games, they design everything from scratch, including the game engine, physics engine, map editor, music, and 3D models.

Firenut Games Announces Psychological Horror Adventure Baptiste for PC and Consoles

Play the terrifying new PC demo now available on Steam. 

Spain – 18th February, 2025. Indie publisher and developer Firenut Games and developer Digital Dream are thrilled to announce a new partnership to publish the terrifying new psychological horror game Baptiste, which will launch for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X later this year. 

Baptiste tells the chilling story of Sara and her son Tom who are devastated by a family tragedy and seek a new start at Jagged Shore Cliff, a remote place perched high on a cliff in the United Kingdom. Instead of a fresh start, their worst nightmares are about to unfold, plunging them into a terrifying battle for survival. 

Horror fans are now able to play the first 30 minutes of Baptiste by downloading the PC demo available today on Steam. Players will be introduced to the dark story of Baptiste along with the game mechanics and the intriguing doll, stored in a glass-fronted cabinet accompanied by an ominous warning . . . 

The Baptiste playable PC demo is available to download from Steam now. Fans can also add the game to their Steam and PlayStation Wishlists now. 

Devastated by a family tragedy, Sara and her son, Tom, seek a new start at Jagged Shore Cliff, a remote location situated high on a cliff in the United Kingdom. As they explore their mysterious new house, they discover a dusty cabinet that holds Baptiste, an unsettling doll locked behind the glass. Attached to the cabinet is an ominous warning: “Never release this from its glass prison.” 

What should have been a shelter becomes the scene of their worst nightmares. What happens next defies all logic, putting their sanity and desire to survive to the test. 

Features: 

  • Total immersion: Immerse yourself in a first-hand experience that will make you feel each chill as if it were real. The line between the game and reality blurs further with each step you take. 
  • Suffocating atmosphere: Explore a mansion where horror lurks in every shadow. The masterful dubbing and sound track will drag you to the depths of a nightmare. Darkness will become your most feared enemy, putting your bravery to the test at each corner you encounter.  
  • Tormented protagonist: Play as Tom, a young man still suffering from the tragedy. After the loss of his father, he accompanies his mother on what should to be a new beginning. However, the ghosts of the past threaten to consume him. Can you keep control against the siege of his inner demons? 
  • Bloodthirsty mysteries: Disentangle the gruesome secrets that impregnate each floorboard and every crack on the walls. Each discovery will reveal a story of pain and horror that is beyond belief. 
  • Disturbing aesthetic: step into a world where beauty and terror coexist in a macabre dance. The visual design will transport you to a kingdom where the grotesque is fascinating. 
  • Surrounding narrative: Each objective, each note and each whisper weave a terrifying plot. Your perseverance in the face of fear will be rewarded with chilling revelations that will keep you on edge until the very end. 

Baptiste will launch for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X later this year. Download the PC Steam demo and add the game to your Wishlist now! 

About Firenut Games 

Firenut Games is a European video game publishing company for PC and Consoles that aims to support great talents and launch video games with a unique essence. Our philosophy is to produce video games focused on gamers.

KARMA: The Dark World Launches Exclusively on PlayStation 5 & PC, March 27th

New cinematic is the second in KARMA’S chilling trilogy of trailers

Watford, UK – 18 February 2025 – Award-winning publisher Wired Productions and independent developer Pollard Studio are thrilled to announce that KARMA: The Dark World will officially launch on March 27, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5 and PC. The highly anticipated psychological thriller will be available at launch for $24.99 / €24.99 / £19.99, with a 10% launch discount on PC, PlayStation and an additional 15% off on Steam for players who own any previous Wired Productions title.

To mark the occasion, the second in KARMA’s mind-bending cinematic trilogy of trailers dropped – featuring the haunting new track ‘Into the Mist’, written and performed by Geng Li. The 3-minute-long epic release date trailer focuses on the stunning visuals, surreal environments and emotionally-charged story inspired by cinema’s finest auteurs with shocking twists at every turn. The release date trailer showcases central characters to the story, asking ‘when every shadow hides a secret, who can you trust?’

A host of PlayStation 5 Pro exclusive features were revealed, including full-featured PSSR Integration for enhanced image quality, definition and texture clarity – along with improved reflections and distance rendering – providing rock solid 60fps performance at 4k resolution.

Inspired by the works of legendary creators such as David Lynch (Twin Peaks), Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid, Death Stranding), and Christopher Nolan (Inception, Interstellar), KARMA: The Dark World blends psychological horror with immersive storytelling, challenging players to uncover the deepest secrets hidden in the minds of their targets.

Developed in Unreal Engine 5, the game delivers an intensely atmospheric experience with stunning visuals and a haunting narrative.

“Wired Productions has always championed storytellers who push the boundaries and craft compelling narratives. Yonghe Wang and Pollard Studio team have raised the bar and have delivered a rollercoaster assault on the senses, in an abstract, surreal, dark yet hauntingly beautiful cinematic gaming masterpiece” said Leo Zullo, Managing Director at Wired Productions. “If Kojima, Christopher Nolan and the late and great David Lynch ever had the chance to work on a project from China, KARMA: The Dark World might just be the end result.”

Enter the Mind, Uncover the Truth

In KARMA: The Dark World, players take on the role of Daniel McGovern, an elite Roam Agent tasked with mind-diving into the memories of suspects. What begins as another routine investigation soon unravels into a dark conspiracy that challenges everything he believes. As McGovern navigates the minds of those he pursues, he must confront disturbing truths and question his own reality. KARMA: The Dark World is available for Wishlist now on Steam, PlayStation Store, GOG and Epic Store.

KARMA: The Dark World will also launch on Xbox at a later date, with further details to be announced in the coming months.

About Wired Productions
Wired Productions is a true Indie Publisher proudly presenting a diverse range of specially curated games from some of the greatest storytellers and independent developers. Named as “Indie Publisher of the Year” at the MCV / Develop Awards, Wired is home to an award-winning collection of titles including: DIG VR, Gori: Cuddly Carnage, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles, Arcade Paradise VR, Tin Hearts, Martha Is Dead, The Falconeer, The Last Worker, and Deliver Us the Moon. Upcoming titles include: Hotel Architect, Beneath and KARMA: The Dark World.

About Pollard Studio

Pollard Studio, based in Shanghai, China, is an independent game development studio composed of industry veterans with experience at EA, Virtuos, and other major game studios. Founded in 2018, the studio specializes in narrative-driven experiences that blend psychological depth with stunning visuals. With a core team of 20 developers, including four based in Los Angeles, Pollard Studio is dedicated to crafting unforgettable gaming experiences.KARMA: The Dark World launches March 27, 2025, on PlayStation and PC. Enter the mind—if you dare.

Drill Core’s Latest Early Access Update Treks into Uncharted Territory: Tropical Jungles

Excavate new resources in a lush Jungle Biome inhabited by creepy crawlers

SEATTLE — Feb. 17, 2025 — Drill Core, the platform miner simulator from developer Hungry Couch and publisher tinyBuild, raises the R ‘n’ D alarms as it discovers a brand new tropical planet in the latest “Welcome to the Jungle” Early Access update, available on PC via Steam today.

Sound the alarms! Drill Core Inc.’s Board of Directors call upon all excavators to explore a recently discovered planet. Become one with nature and dig to the core of a world lush with green flora and fauna brimming with shocking discoveries!

Miners must remain vigilant as unknown species of insects infest this Jungle world. These pestering creatures may be a tad unwelcoming, so it’s advised all Platform Managers err on the side of caution. While biodiversity is an important pillar for Drill Core Inc., should the need for self-defense arise, the Board of Directors encourages use of force when necessary.

Greater operational challenges await in a land filled with countless mysteries. To further facilitate these excavations, new core types were developed and deployed to all Platform Managers. These tools aim to improve mining methods, resulting in more bountiful yields of this exotic biome’s resources.

Newly implemented features bring about change to build sites, including a technological rarity system. Each structure has a rating, impacting both costs and effectiveness. These changes evoke varying playstyles, so experiment freely to substantially maximize overall profits and efficiency; Drill Core Inc. thanks Platform Managers for their willingness to tinker!

“We’re grateful to the Drill Core community and their continued feedback throughout Early Access,” said Konstantin Burov, Head of Hungry Couch Games. “This newest update introduces new challenges and possibilities that shake up the way players approach mining and encourages new ways to carve out a winning strategy”

Drill Core is available now for Windows PC via Steam Early Access for USD $19.99. The game offers English, French, Ukrainian, Serbian, German, Spanish (Spain), Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese language support.

For more information, visit developer Hungry Couch’s official website, wishlist Drill Core on Steam, and follow @tinyBuild and @HungryCouchGame on X (formerly Twitter)!

About Hungry Couch

Hungry Couch was founded in April 2019 by CEO Konstantin Burov. In 2021, the studio joined the tinyBuild family before the launch of their debut title, the open-world skypunk sandbox game Black Skylands, in 2023. The studio is now hard at work on its second title, Drill Core, a strategy mining game launching in Early Access in 2024.

About tinyBuild

tinyBuild is a Seattle-based indie label behind the Hello Neighbor franchise and over 30 renowned titles, including Hello Neighbor, Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners, Happy Humble’s Burger Farm, and Party Hard. With additional development offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Belgrade, Serbia, and Riga, Latvia, tinyBuild is rapidly building a portfolio of fun, high-quality games across multiple platforms.

NETMARBLE TO KICK OFF GLOBAL PRELIMINARIES FOR “SOLO LEVELING:ARISE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025” ON FEBRUARY 21st

LOS ANGELESFEBRUARY 17, 2025 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, has announced that the global preliminaries for the “Solo Leveling:ARISE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 (SLC 2025),” the first official global competition for Solo Leveling: ARISE, will begin on February 21st

Netmarble has previously hosted two offline competitions in Korea and is now inviting Solo Leveling: ARISE players from around the world to showcase their skills in the “Battlefield of Time.” The battlefield is now open to global fans when SLC 2025 begins with the global preliminaries. 

Players of Solo Leveling: ARISE who obtained 1,000 or more season points in Battlefield of Time Season 7, which occurred between January 16th and February 13th, are eligible to apply for the SLC 2025 preliminaries. Applications will be available in the game from February 13th through February 20th

The preliminary rounds will take place online from February 21st to March 9th, featuring two different leagues: the Asia League for players residing in Asian regions, and the International League for those from regions outside of Asia. Four maps will be available in the Battlefield of Time where players will combine their fastest record from each map to determine their ranks. 

The top 8 participants from each League in the preliminary rounds will advance to the SLC 2025 grand finals, which will be held offline in Korea on April 12. SLC 2025 features a total prize pool of 20 million KRW (13,869 USD), with the grand champion receiving 10 million KRW (6,934 USD) and an exclusive trophy. 

Players can find out more about the SLC 2025 from the official website or the official forum, which will roll out detailed information over time. 

Solo Leveling: ARISE is an action game adaptation of the hit webtoon, Solo Leveling. Taking on the role of Jinwoo, players can experience his journey through the beloved webtoon tale firsthand, leveling up, taking on dynamic battles, and creating their own combat styles by selecting various combinations of skills and weapons. Not only can players team up with hunters from the webtoon, they can summon their own “Army of Shadows” with the iconic phrase: “Arise.”

Please visit the official website, X, Facebook, Instagram, Discord, official YouTube channel and Steam to stay up-to-date with the latest information about Solo Leveling: ARISE.

About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading developer and publisher of top-grossing mobile games worldwide. Through powerful franchises and collaborations with acclaimed IP holders, Netmarble strives to elevate the gaming experience and entertain audiences globally. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling: ARISE, Seven Knights Idle Adventure, Tower of God: New World, Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE x EVANGELION ROUND TWO COLLABORATION BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 20

News Follows Reveal at Sony’s State of Play that Stellar Blade x NIKKE Crossover Event Coming in June 2025

Level Infinite announced today that GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE, the sci fi RPG shooter with adorable android NIKKEs developed and self-published by SHIFT UP, will launch its second collaboration with the iconic anime Evangelion franchise on February 20.

The NIKKE x Evangelion crossover features a special storyline set in the world of Evangelion as well as fan-favorite characters like Asuka: WILLE, Rei Ayanami (Tentative Name), and Sakura (Toji’s sister). Additionally, due to the overwhelming popularity of last summer’s first collaboration, Asuka Shikinami Langley, Rei Ayanami, and Mari Makinami Illustrious will be available again, giving players another chance to obtain them. Players can also look forward to exclusive character outfits (including free skins), a stunning 3D event map and a new mini-game.

During Wednesday’s Sony’s State of Play event Shift Up, the developer behind both NIKKE and Stellar Blade, confirmed a June 2025 launch date for the previously announced Stellar Blade x NIKKE in-game collaboration. While the specific details are still under wraps, this crossover promises to celebrate the unique connection between these games. Stellar Blade, the action-adventure game set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, is renowned for its stunning visuals, immersive storytelling, and dynamic combat—hallmarks that also define NIKKE.

Downloaded over 45 million times since launch, GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE is now available globally to download on the iOS App Store, Google Play and Windows PC.

The collaboration trailer released today unveils the newly introduced characters Asuka: WILLE, Rei Ayanami (Tentative Name), and Sakura, immersing viewers in a high stakes battle against the backdrop of the Red Sea. The action-packed footage showcases Evangelion Unit Two and Evangelion Mark.09 in dramatic combat sequences, alongside the Ark’s formidable battleship Admire. The tension escalates as they engage in a thrilling showdown against the enigmatic Gatekeeper, promising an unforgettable clash of power and strategy.

About Evangelion
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION debuted as a TV series in 1995, creating a cultural phenomenon. Starting in 2007, under the planning, scriptwriting, and overall supervision of director Hideaki Anno, it was reimagined as REBUILD OF EVANGELION, which released three parts: 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. This new series achieved immense success and attracted a whole new generation of fans.

The final chapter of the Evangelion series, EVANGELION: 3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME, is the fourth film in the new movie. It received overwhelming support with 6.73 million viewers.

GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE takes players on an immersive story-driven adventure filled with beautifully rendered playable characters and a mysterious world to explore. Utilizing advanced animated illustration, the game delivers smooth character movements and realistic character performance that brings a dynamic combat experience. Every character also possesses a special weapon and skill set which will uniquely shape the way the game is played. It’s up to the player to build the ultimate team, develop their characters and complete each mission to conquer the invaders and save humanity. In addition, the game has unique boss battle stages with huge enemies that take both coordination and preparation to take down. 

About Level Infinite

Level Infinite is Tencent’s global gaming brand, dedicated to giving players worldwide the freedom to enjoy innovative and original games anywhere, anytime. It also provides extensive support to both domestic and international developers and partner studios, helping them reach their full potential. Currently, Level Infinite has released titles such as PUBG MOBILE, Honor of Kings, and NIKKE, while also collaborating on upcoming projects like Dune: Awakening (Funcom) and Path of Exile 2 (Grinding Gear Games). To learn more about Level Infinite, visit www.levelinfinite.com, and follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

NEW MUSIC FEATURETTE AND ORCHESTRAL MUSIC VIDEO RELEASED FOR CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33 

LONDON & Montpellier, France (Feb. 17, 2025) – Independent video game developer Sandfall Interactive and games publisher Kepler Interactive today revealed a brand-new featurette documenting the creation of the original soundtrack for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the upcoming highly-anticipated Reactive Turn-Based RPG launching on April 24, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (available day one with Xbox Game Pass), and PC via Steam

Watch ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Behind the Music’ featurette below:

Within the new video, the game’s composer Lorien Testard details his love of video game soundtracks from a young age and how he channeled his talent and vision into the fantasy world of Expedition 33 with his emotional and evocative score. The featurette also includes an interview with Alice Duport-Percier, the game’s singer and vocal composer, sharing additional insight into her creative process and the journey taken to bring the music of Expedition 33 to life. 

Watch the ‘Alicia (Official Music Video)’ video below:

“I am moved to share with you today the Main Theme of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” says Testard. “We recorded and filmed this orchestral version of Alicia during three unforgettable days. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your listening and your support; it’s an immense joy to feel that our music resonates with you.” 

Listen to a sample of the complete Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 official soundtrack here

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available to pre-order now and will be available on April 24 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (available day one with Xbox Game Pass), and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store). 

About Sandfall Interactive: 

Founded in 2020 in France, Sandfall Interactive is an independent video game studio developing high-quality games for PC and consoles. With a focus on powerful narrative experiences, Sandfall Interactive aspires to deliver incredible stories with intriguing characters in gorgeous fantasy worlds inspired by French culture. The team also thrives in pushing technical boundaries by working with the latest and greatest technologies such as Unreal Engine 5. 

Their debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is currently in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. 

About Kepler Interactive:  

Kepler Interactive is a video game company and creative studio headquartered in London. With games like Pacific Drive, Sifu, Rematch and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kepler curates its partnerships with developers worldwide to showcase some of the newest and most brilliant ideas in gaming that combine experimental game design with unique art direction.  Alongside its game portfolio, Kepler’s creative studio seeks to bring games to life in areas such as art, fashion, music, architecture and design through development of lifestyle products and collaborations with artists like fashion designer Robyn Lynch. Kepler explores the creative spaces that inspire games and the people who make them – challenging perspectives and elevating the medium to a new level. 

A New Era Of Rainbow Six Siege Will Be Revealed On March 13

A new era of Rainbow Six Siege will be revealed on March 13 at the Siege X Showcase. A teaser shown during the championship weekend of the Six Invitational offered glimpses of the biggest transformation in the game’s history, including graphical and audio upgrades, deepened tactical gameplay, and new ways to play the game. The showcase will be streamed live on March 14 at 4AM AEDT on the Rainbow Six Siege Twitch channel, and more information about how you can attend the event in-person in Atlanta, GA can be found at https://rainbow-six-showcase-event.eventfarm.com/

Click to learn more about Siege X Showcase

Year 10 of Rainbow Six Siege will also kick off soon with the launch of the first season: Operation Prep Phase. A new Operator named Rauora will join the Attackers and use her D.O.M. Launcher to deploy bulletproof panels in doorways, helping her team reshape the battlefield and dictate the flow of combat. Rauora will be available at the start of the season with the Operation Prep Phase Battle Pass, and unlockable two weeks later with Renown or R6 Credits.

To learn more about the Siege X Showcase and Rainbow Six Siege Year 10, Season 1, head to https://ubisoft.com/r/r6s_siegeX_announce.

To learn more about Rainbow Six Siege, head to https://www.ubisoft.com/en-au/game/rainbow-six/siege \

About Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege   

Alongside a thriving professional esports scene and a community of over 80 million registered players, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege puts players in the middle of a fast-paced, ever-evolving multiplayer experience grounded in the selection of unique Operators. Using the right mix of tactics and destruction, Rainbow Six teams engage their enemies in sieges, where both sides have exclusive skills and gadgets at their disposal. Defenders prepare by transforming the environments around them into modern strongholds, while attackers use recon drones to gain intel for carefully planning their assault. With access to dozens of Operators inspired by real world counter-intelligence agents from around the globe, players can choose exactly how they want to approach each challenge they encounter. Through the constant addition of new Operators and maps that add to the depth of both strategy and combat, the unpredictability of each round of Rainbow Six Siege sets a new bar for intensity and competition in gaming.  

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew® and Tom Clancy’s The Division®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2023-24 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2.32 billion. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2024 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered trademarks in the US and/or other countries.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Review

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Developer: Warhorse Studios
Publisher: Deep Silver
Platforms: PC, Playstation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $69.99 USD – Available Here

Overview

Sometimes there is a gem right in front of you, but you’re just not looking. That’s how I originally felt about Kingdom Come: Deliverance when I discovered it several years after launch. The game, while far from perfect, managed to tell a very engaging story and provide a detailed RPG experience with several rarely utilized mechanics that truly made it stand out. Henry and Hans have returned in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which is ready to refine and deliver more of what made the first title so endearing and engrossing. How does it measure it as a whole? Let’s find out.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Gameplay

Story

I have to be careful here, because there is a lot of narrative in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – and revealing too much could easily spoil some important plot points. That said, this is one hell of an upgrade when it comes to the story. This sequel puts us right back into the role of Henry as he partners up with his old pal Hans to deliver a message to a kingdom. After an ambush and an insane start, the player has to recover and basically start all over to regain their reputation, but this time – Hans is part of that experience. To say the story is massive is putting it lightly, as I think I just the starting side-quests and tasks had me so delayed that I literally dropped twenty hours before even going back to the main questline involving a wedding.

Yeah, there is a lot to do here, and the world is so rich with character and genuinely interesting stories to discover that it’s hard not to want to explore. For example, one of the early side-quests has you hunt down your dog who has become lost. That in and of itself is just a side quest, but it feels important enough. While doing that task, I ended up in a murder mystery, hunting for clues over a shady death. I also found myself carrying a drunk man home on my back, only to have to save his horse from a team of bandits in the middle of the night. These are just extra side quests but feel so important because KCD2 somehow is able to make every little story feel elevated. 

Sure, the main story of these two lads trekking the countryside is fantastic, but it is not just that that makes the game work. It’s the sense of adventure and growth, and the way this world reacts to you simply existing within it that makes it become so immersive. Without a doubt, this may be the most thought-out and intriguing plot in a modern RPG to come along in a very long time, as everything is just so well connected and “living”, where you actually have a meaning to prod and poke as you tackle the main questlines.

Gameplay

If you played the first title, then you know what to expect for the most part within Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. It’s close to the same, yet far more refined. Players control Henry in first person- and must start from (almost) scratch all over again in order to progress forward. This means that no matter how much an expert you were on the prior playthrough, expect to feel somewhat of a learning curve as you get re-established here. For those new, well – this may not affect you too much. 

Combat is also done in first person, and Henry is a bit clunky with a sword on purpose, as he slowly gains skills and speed to perform with higher finesse as he gains experience. This theme continues from the first title and still can take some time to get used to, but thankfully the game feels a bit more polished in terms of combat, with more opportunities to learn to be found as you trot through the early portions of the game. In a way, just mashing the shoulder button could lead to a quick, slashing victory. That said, understanding the parry mechanic goes a long way, as players must balance positioning and timing to truly gain an edge in battle. The more you level, the easier this gets. It’s a satisfying system that really takes on the sword-fighting simulation gimmickry, with players able to roll in and out of combat due to a well-optimized UI.

I’ll admit it, I get that there is clunk in the combat system. There is a bit of guise over this with the whole “Henry is new” thing, but the clunk is there, and sometimes that does show a little more than it should. That said, for every bug or glitch (which is most of the time harmless), I never felt really restrained or that the game was broken in any way. In fact, this may be one of the more polished open-world titles, besides its somewhat silly clunk that may give you a chuckle or a frown, depending on the scenario. 

There is something to really appreciate about the way KCD2 really operates as a whole. If you get dirty, villagers treat you as if you’re poor. If you are bloody, you may cause fear to specific people. Wear armour and they recognize you as a soldier. It’s a fascinating system that really works and is kind of what this series is known for. The amount of detail in these systems is staggering. If you commit crimes, you get whipped, which causes villagers to not trust you. You can even be branded for all to see on a permanent basis. Paying off crimes greatly helps, but guards will only take so much before they break and punish you even further for your misdeeds. It feels outstanding to watch how this plays out, as it seems like every move you make is monitored and important, where the little decisions you make matter. Want to rob those bandits? Well, if you wear their armour, other bandits may decide to make your life a little harder from then on out. 

Despite the small shortcomings, there is just a weird sense of wonder with the way Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 plays out. There is so much quirk and personality in this world, and the player can tackle anything on their own schedule, which really allows the world to be fleshed out by the player if they so choose. I honestly cannot think of another game in history that has the level of detail and intelligence found here, which makes it really stand out in a market otherwise eclipsed by The Elder Scrolls franchise.

Audio

The soundtrack here is fantastic. There are so many stunning and emotional pieces that truly bring out emotional moments, as well as some that complement the game’s camp. I know I have said it before, but the story here is on point and that is mostly due to how much Henry has to say. I rarely got the same line uttered back to me, as the unique dialogue is never-ending and it feels like someone, somewhere always has something new to say. On top of that the performances are also pretty good, easy to really get behind as characters go for humour or depth. There is something really relaxing about walking through a rainstorm here, hearing the thunderclap as you hear the rain hit the leaves. I know that is an odd callout, but it really goes to show the great attention to detail this team made here. 

Visuals

Personally, I think this game looks stellar. The detail in the grass, the environments, and so on is heavy – where you can see every leaf, every thin blade, and so on. That said, there sometimes are moments where the scope is too large and it seems the draw distance has to catch up a tad, but this is never too jarring. Weather animations and patterns are also abundant, with clouds growing thick and dark until the sky pours down from above. The character models are brilliant as well, and while they may not be as modern as some would like, they are well-animated and detailed enough to really read facial expressions that add greater context and emotion to cutscenes and general dialogue.

Overall

We get a lot of Western RPGs, but they are usually trying to chase The Elder Scrolls or simply fall into some weird crafting or survival simulator after so long. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is special because it was able to develop its clear identity with its follow-up, proving itself unique in a world of clones and copies. The amount of detail put into the mechanics and world here is crazy, and the story is by far one of the most memorable experiences I have had in years – as Henry and Hans really feel like they are on a grand adventure here, and the player is part of the journey along the way. Of course, there are little imperfections with a game of this scope, but this is one title that will reward those who take the time to master it with all of its graces and may be one of the greatest RPGs to release this generation. Excellent stuff, Henry.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.