New Heroes Join the Roster, Alongside New Game Modes and a New Map!
November 22nd, 2024 – Today iDreamSky’s highly anticipated next-gen anime 5v5 shooter Strinova officially launched globally on PC for regions including North America, Japan, South Korea, Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and more. Featuring an original mechanic called Stringification that lets players freely swap between 3D and 2D forms, Strinova adds an unprecedented level of strategy and innovation to the team-based tactical shooter. Players can download the game for free from Steam, Epic Games Store, or through the official Strinova website to begin their competitive journey.
During the Steam October New Releases Festival, Strinova stood out among numerous games worldwide, securing the top spot in the “Daily Active Demo Players” category and third place in the “Most Popular Upcoming” section. This official launch adds a host of new content outlined below.
Previously, the pre-registration giveaway event on the official website attracted a large number of players to participate, and the number of pre-registrations has now reached 6 million.
Strinova is an anime-style third-person tactical competitive shooter that lets you freely switch between three-dimensional and two-dimensional forms for a one-of-a-kind battle experience. By utilizing its unique “Stringification” mechanic, you can seamlessly flatten your avatar into a 2D plane allowing you to instantly change your elevation by zipping up through walls, swimming through ceilings, or using your paper-like form to glide through the air. You’ll also be a thinner target, making it easier to avoid enemy fire. Flesh yourself out into 3D to utilize your weapons and take the offensive against the opposing team. Explore different movement routes and combat strategies, delivering a shooting experience unlike anything else.
The official launch of Strinova brings a wealth of diverse game content to players, including five unique gameplay modes: Demolition, Rank Demolition, Team Arena, Team Deathmatch, and Escort. This official launch also features 14 intricately designed maps, each with unique terrain and layouts. Additionally, there are 17 characters, each with their own distinct skills and traits, offering unprecedented potential for player expression and strategy.
Compared to the test version, the official launch introduces two captivating new characters and one exciting new map, making battlefield strategies even more diverse and dynamic.
The new character Eika belongs to The Scissors faction and is a lively high school girl with a vibrant personality. She wears a mask and wields powerful weapons, using fire to protect the surrounding area. With her signature suppressive fire skills and agile combat style, she shines on the battlefield like a moving turret, instilling fear in enemies wherever she goes. Her weapon design focuses on high-intensity damage output, capable of delivering devastating blows to foes, making her an indispensable damage dealer.
The other new character, Fragrans, aka “The Perfumer,” is a gentle woman who was originally a botanist and researcher. However, she was caught in a conspiracy and falsely accused by P.U.S of being the mastermind behind a series of Collapse Syndrome incidents, leading to her being wanted. Now, she has found her place in The Scissors faction, becoming the team’s vital link. Her ultimate skill lets her use her signature perfume bottle to provide powerful buffs to movement speed, attack speed, and healing for all allies within range, while granting herself significant damage reduction.
The new character Fragrans is a perfumer, and in her ultimate ability animation, she holds up a perfume bottle.
The new map, Cosmite, is a unique desert Demolition map set in mysterious and magnificent ruins. Its swirling golden sands, majestic main temple, ancient and enigmatic technologies, and the strange natural phenomena are intricately intertwined, creating an awe-inspiring atmosphere. As the first stop for humans upon entering the new world, Cosmite carries immense historical significance, providing valuable insights into the past. It also contains vast quantities of the rare Bablo Crystal, adding to its mysterious allure. It’s a distinctive Demolition map, with complex terrain full of various bunkers, passages, and elevation differences, providing players with rich tactical options.
That’s not all, as Strinova will continuously inject new vitality into the game through seasonal and event-driven operations. The game will gradually introduce more characters, maps, and gameplay features, providing players with a constant sense of freshness and challenge.
“Whether you’re a devoted player of competitive shooters or a fan of anime, Strinova has a unique charm waiting for you to discover,” said Alan Zhang, Executive Producer of Strinova and Vice President of R&D at iDreamSky. “For competitive shooter enthusiasts, its quality is on par with any other game in the genre, satisfying your thirst for competitive challenges. For anime lovers, its stunning visuals and distinct anime style will undoubtedly leave you ecstatic. Even if you don’t belong to either of these groups, it’s still worth a try. Exploring this free game world might reveal new joys, and you might even fall in love with it!”
It has been practically a decade since Dragon Age fans were able to experience a new game, as Dragon Age: Inquisition was quite some time ago. Since then, BioWare has seen quite a few struggles over the past ten years, with Mass Effect: Andromedafailing to live up to the franchise’s expectations and Anthem missing the mark, fans were worried if we’d ever see a new entry in the Dragon Age franchise. Thankfully that all changed when Dragon Age: Dreadwolf was initially revealed in 2022 before becoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard closer to release. So, with nearly a decade of waiting and numerous changes throughout its rough development until release, does Dragon Age: The Veilguard feel like a proper continuation to the saga?
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Gameplay
Story
Now, before we begin, it is worth noting that those unfamiliar with the Dragon Age series will likely feel rather lost as the game does very little to try and catch players up on the various plot elements that are being continued from the previous entry. That being said, there are surprisingly few smaller elements that are actually carried forward from past games, especially any further back than Inquisition. The larger story plots of course are at least explained well enough that newcomers will be able to get the gist. Of course, those who have played through the previous entry, and most importantly its Trespasser DLC, will get the most out of the countless references and even minor plot elements that pop up as easter eggs.
Our story begins ten years after the previous game with Varric seeking to track down and put a stop to Solas’ plans, the former party member from Inquisition has long since been known to be an ancient elven god known as the Dread Wolf thanks to the last piece of DLC for the previous game and is seeking to potentially destroy the world by taking down the Veil, the mystical barrier that separates the material world from the Fade, where raw magic runs rampant and incredibly powerful entities lay dormant. To assist Varric he has gathered the help of the returning Harding and a new mage named Neve, as well as the wildcard Rook. Players take on the role of the brand new Rook whose class, history, and other selected elements during character creation will alter elements of the story slightly.
Finally tracking Solas down, the group manages to interrupt the powerful ritual only to trigger a massive blast of energy that leaves not only Varric critically injured but unleashes two extremely powerful and highly dangerous elven gods that had been imprisoned in the fade for thousands of years and now that they are free, are ready to sink the world into darkness. Nevermind the fact that Solas somehow ends up trapped within a dimension of the Fade and only able to speak directly into Rook’s mind. With Solas’ former base, The Lighthouse, serving as their new home within the Fade and as a way to quickly traverse Thedas thanks to Solas’ network of portal-esque mirrors called Eluvians via the Crossroads, it is up to Rook as the new de facto leader of the group to try and not only defeat these two elven gods before they destroy the world with their Blight and other disastrous plans and try to save anyone they can along the way all while gathering new allies to fight by their side.
In many ways it feels like Dragon Age: The Veilguard is trying to be two things at once. The game is weighed down by the fact that it has three games worth of lore and plotlines to work with to the point that it is practically buckling under the pressure to try and work in cameos and references to various events in the past that doesn’t quite do enough to please longtime fans. On the other hand, it is trying to create a story of its very own within that lore, pitting Rook and their small ragtag group of allies that they gather throughout the game to take down a pair of sinister gods all while doing its best to at least keep some tenuous connection to the events of Inquisition through limited character interactions with Varris, Morrigan, and even the Inquisitor themselves from time to time.
That doesn’t mean that the storyline for Dragon Age: The Veilguard is bad. In fact, it is actually handled fairly well as long as players take to heart that this is a more dialed back experience compared to Inquisition despite the high stakes that Rook and their allies are facing. There is no gathering an army or making allegiances, but assembling a team of skilled allies in a manner similar to Mass Effect 2 to take down the big bads. Of course, there are still plenty of important decisions to be made but some of these big grand choices are unfortunately few and far between. In fact most dialogue choices are simply picking the tone of how Rook will reply to a statement, rather than actually making a choice in any way. That being said, there are plenty of smaller decisions that do play a factor into various developments though these are usually smaller in scale and tend to only result in some dialogue changes or a few extra scenes. Ironically, the player’s choice of background and factions will play a decent role in flavor text and ambient dialogue as well with the party.
There is once again plenty of focus on making sure that the party members in Dragon Age: The Veilguard are as memorable as possible and for the most part the team at BioWare has done an excellent job here. While some characters may take a bit to grow on players upon their initial introduction, others feel like winners right out of the gate. Seeing Hardin change from a minor NPC to a full dwarven ally with her own significant storyline is impressive, just as much as learning more about the detective-esque mage Neve whose work with her faction pits her against the shadier aspects of the cities she deals with. Nevermind the likes of a certain demon possessed assassin, necromancer with a skeleton butler that’s a real hoot, a gray warden finding themselves rearing a young griffin, and even a Qunari torn between their life by being raised apart from the Qun or embracing their current life.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for these characters and Rook will have plenty of time to interact and even romance every character if they so choose, though only one romantic option can be locked in here. No harem for Rook, but plenty of flirting. There is something of a dissonance to the characters and the way they interact with one another however There is very little in the way of… edge let’s say, to introducing party members to one another. While characters will talk when out in the field and question each other, there really isn’t any friction between team members even when some of their skills are less than savory or may put the whole team at risk, they are just readily accepted. That being said, it is nice to note that party members will talk quite a bit while traveling through areas and will react to story events alongside Rook who will make their own quips, helping provide plenty of interaction even if players aren’t able to make direct choices here when it comes to answering their party members. In fact, the whole storyline as a whole feels like a lot of the darker aspects have been brushed off to provide a more sterilized narrative, especially in regards to certain . Sure, there are still a number of dark developments as well as some dastardly reveals and evil machinations, but they are far fewer in number than what fans of the franchise will remember and the overall gritty nature of the series has been dialed back heavily.
This is partially due to the fact that, with the exception of Solas that serves as initial antagonist to a trapped voice providing double-edged wisdom for the majority of the game and numerous elements involving his history and how the Dread Wolf became what he is, the actual villains that players will need to tangle with are comically evil. The writing for nearly every villain is so thin that it makes sense that there is very little dialogue interaction with them at all, instead players will mostly have their weapons do the talking in most cases and very rarely actually have conversations with any sort of meaning with the villains here. This leads to a storyline that feels like its smoothed some of the rougher edges of the world for its own service but despite this, thanks to both a wonderful cast of characters and plenty of emphasis on making sure to keep players invested in their developments through near unmissable markers when someone is willing to talk or has a quest as well as some side-quests that actually contain meaningful lore, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard manages to deliver a surprisingly satisfying storyline even if it doesn’t quite feel like it’ll be able to pull it together sometimes.
Gameplay
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is designed around using The Lighthouse in the Fade as the player’s home base. here players will be able to talk with their party members, upgrade equipment they’ve found or even improve the workshop itself if they’ve found enough mementos in their journey, and directly set out to whichever location they want to go to next through the Eluvian that leads to the “Crossroads.” It is worth noting that players will be able to fast travel to any unlocked fast travel beacons but this is only outside of the actual missions. The missions that players undertake, including side missions, are strictly designed and follow a linear path with extra routes literally blocked by fog and labeled as inaccessible. This is a bit disappointing, especially since the maps themselves aren’t the most helpful for remembering and marking locations, but also because of how linear it makes the title feel during said missions.
Thankfully, outside of missions players can travel back to most locations and freely explore, often finding that new side-quests are available and that previously locked off areas are now open. This gives players plenty of room to explore as well as take advantage of various shops, including faction shops. Throughout the title players will interact with the numerous factions in the game and, depending on if they do side quests for them or sell treasure (junk) to their primary shop it will increase Rook’s favorability and the power of the faction, often unlocking special weapons and gifts that can be given related to said faction. It is interesting to note that there are also non-faction shops scattered around as well that not only sell bonus equipment, decorations for the player’s room back at the Lighthouse, but also mementos to upgrade the Caretaker’s workshop as well, increasing the total power player’s equipment can be upgraded to.
As players are venturing out, whether it is to freely explore a location or on a mission, they will find that Dragon Age: The Veilguard has drastically altered almost every element of traveling around as well as combat. Players will travel with Rook and two party members of their choice, though some missions lock certain party members in, and they will only be actually able to control Rook with the other allies simply providing support both during exploration and combat. While venturing around there will be various interactables in the environment that make use of a party member’s skills (if they have been recruited yet) to either open or clear a path but thankfully Rook can trigger these skills even if the character isn’t in the party. It is also worth noting that there are some oddly interspersed platforming sequences that really don’t fit the feeling or nature of the game, especially with how floaty the jumping is.Ironically, there is no fall damage. Should players fall a certain distance, even with the ground in sight, the game will treat it like they fell into a bottomless pit and respawn them at the top. Rook cannot swim either, making our hero drown in chest-deep water.
When players encounter enemies is where Dragon Age: The Veilguard also takes its biggest step away from previous games. In fact, the combat itself is designed to be more like a character action game rather than an RPG with party members since, as mentioned before, players only have direct control of Rook in fights. Allies will fight on their own and can use skills on their own as well though players can use a quick-dial to order them to use specific skills on a target. This also allows for the use of Mass Effect styled “Prime” and “Detonate” combo where some combinations of skills can be chained together to trigger a bonus effect for massive damage. In fact, party members have no health bars to manage, players only need to worry about keeping Rook alive to stay in the fight and this can be done using limited potions to heal, dodging and perfect parrying attacks and of course, defeating the enemies.
Rook has three initial classes to choose from, mage, rogue, and warrior, with each of these classes then having their own variations that players can build towards using skill points obtained from leveling up as well as completing various in-game puzzles. These playstyles offer plenty of variation as we took our Rook down the path of a rogue, speedily using twin-blades to take down enemies up close and dodging around or vanishing through their attacks or whittling them down with a bow at a distance before closing in for a kill. Some of the skills that players unlock are as simple as straight bonus buffs to the character, specific ability boosts, and more and it is nice to note that players can reset both their and their party’s skill tree at any time with no cost. Unfortunately there is no way to quickly re-distribute or save previous builds, meaning every reset requires unlocking every node again building in the player’s newly chosen direction. As for the player’s party members, their skill points are actually tied to their bond levels and level up trees are far smaller and a bit too simple.
Combat feels extremely quick and has quite a lot of impact at times,especially when playing as an up close and personal rogue, but it is rather unfortunate that there are a handful of issues with the game’s combat mechanics. One, they just don’t have that much enemy variety to work with which is a shocking disappointment. There are only a few mechanics to deal with enemies that have certain shields or barriers and that’s about it with only a few fights actually changing things up. Along these same lines, the game’s lock-on mechanic is absolutely atrocious, often losing lock-on simply because the enemy moved out of sight which happens far too easily thanks to the large wind-up on some skills, especially some specific subclass skills for the rogue. This is an annoyance that should have been remedied, especially for a game designed to be character action centric with the player being the main damage dealer. This also means that those who like playing a supporting role won’t find that here anymore, nor even an option for stealth. Ironically, trying to snipe enemies with the bow at a distance isn’t possible since the arrows have a surprisingly short travel distance or will make enemies “immune” to damage if they aren’t engaged directly.
The equipment managing in the game is a bit of a mixed bag. It is nice that most weapons can be seen as viable as nearly every piece of gear can increase in rarity by discovering or buying a duplicate version of it, unlocking additional perks alongside simply upgrading it at the Caretaker’s workshop. That being said, it almost always feels like players are simply moving from chest to chest, with each piece of gear being stronger than the last with few exceptions. This does diminish the game’s loot system a bit, unless players are designing their character around a specific build that one weapon enhances greatly compared to another. For those who like the looks of certain pieces of gear over another, the game does allow for transmogrifying armor or any weapon into a previously obtained one, be it from finding it in the field or even a skin bought from a vendor or found in-game.
Audio & Visuals
Among the many things that Dragon Age: The Veilguard has changed from previous entries, the art style is one of them. Rather than keeping the grittier and slightly more realistic tone of past games, this release takes on a brighter and more stylized approach to both the characters and the enemy designs, with enemy designs being a bit of a mixed bag as a result.. The character designs are nicely detailed even if some races may not look quite the same as fans remember them but enemy types have seen some significant alterations from past entries. This is unfortunate when combined with the fact that actual enemy variety is quite low for an RPG like this. Thankfully the world design is absolutely breathtaking at times, with many of the locations that players travel to being a real treat for the eyes as they navigate the environment and, thanks to the Eluvian mirrors allowing for quick travel across Thedas, there is tons of variety to be had here. It is also nice to note that the character creator for Rook is extremely in-depth to the point of offering some never before seen options, though it is also limiting a bit in some areas at the same time.
The voice work throughout the game is handled excellently. There are a few characters that take some getting used to, especially the chippy Elven girl in my case who slowly grew on me over the course of the game. There are tons of moments throughout exploring that a player’s chosen party members will banter or even joke about what’s happening, making for unique interactions every time depending on who Rook’s traveling with. As for the soundtrack the game features some rather impressive background music that is fitting for the game’s themes, including some really special tracks for vital battles.
Overall
Dragon Age: The Veilguard feels like a game that is sometimes at odds with itself, trying to do two things at once and only barely managing to hold itself together as a result. The storyline is engaging though this is primarily thanks to Solas as well as the great writing that Rook’s companions bring with them and their lovely interactions. The combat itself is also fast and fluid even if it feels like the largest departure from Dragon Age‘s history of combat yet, though even then it isn’t without its flaws. Combine this with the feeling that player interactions are kept rather minimal in impact outside of a high impact choices that come few and far between and this RPG has all the makings for an engaging and gorgeous looking action RPG, but is hampered by many strange design and gameplay choices.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
The game’s first story pack Wild Card is also available today, featuring notorious high roller Lando Calrissian
Sydney, Australia –NOVEMBER 22, 2024– Today, Ubisoft announced that Star Wars™ Outlaws is now available on Steam. The first story pack, Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card, is also available today, allowing players to continue their journey across the galaxy. Star Wars Outlaws is already available on Ubisoft+, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro and Windows PC, including Ubisoft Connect, Epic Games Store, and Amazon Luna*.
In Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card, Kay is hired to infiltrate a high-stakes Sabacc tournament. As she crosses paths with the notorious high roller Lando Calrissian, she soon learns that another game is being played. Players must complete the Gunsmith and The High Roller quest from the base game before the story pack can be played.
Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card will be automatically accessible and free to Star Wars Outlaws Season Pass owners or available for separate purchase for a suggested retail price of AU$22.95. With the release of Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card, Season Pass owners also receive the Hunter’s Legacy Bundle and Cartel Ronin Bundle with additional outfits for Kay and Nix, as well as cosmetics for Kay’s speeder and her ship, the Trailblazer.
As part of the team’s dedicated support of the game, the latest TU1.4.0 update brings with it a range of improvements, including:
Notable updates to stealth and combat that allow players greater choice in how they approach each quest including using stealth or reaching for their blaster, even in syndicate territories in cities.
Enemy AI and detection improvements, with players being notified when they’re being detected and can choose to escalate or change tactics to remain in stealth. Enemies will also now be more tactical as they use cover and seek better combat lines.
Enemy weak points have been added to reward strategic gameplay, which if targeted can trigger explosions or give players a way to defeat enemies in spectacular new ways.
Re-tuned Kay’s blaster and pickup weapons to improve the combat experience, including being able to carry two handed weapons in more situations including using ladders or grapple points.
Animations in dialogue scenes, the option to toggle off the cinematic lens, the visibility of distant lights and much more have been added to improve the experience across the galaxy.
Fans looking to purchase the game can take advantage of sales currently available, up to 25% off on all platforms, with conditions variable by retailer.
For more information about Star Wars Outlaws, please visit starwarsoutlaws.com .
*Ubisoft+ on Luna requires account linking and a Multi-Access plan. Territorial restrictions apply.
About Star Wars Outlaws
In Star Wars Outlaws, fans play as cunning scoundrel, Kay Vess (Humberly González), and her loyal companion Nix (Dee Bradley Baker, Star Wars: The Bad Batch™), as they attempt one of the greatest heists the Outer Rim has ever seen. Seeking the means to start a new life, players will join Kay and Nix as they fight, steal, and outwit their way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates and join the galaxy’s most wanted. Star Wars Outlaws is available on Ubisoft+, Ubisoft’s subscription service*, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro and Windows PC, including Ubisoft Connect, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Amazon Luna.
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.
While the GTA Online community continues their valiant effort taking on The Heist Challenge, all Original Heist finales will pay out Double GTA$ and RP this week to help with the final push towards GTA$20 trillion stolen.
Plus, completing any Heist Finale will earn players a free Pacific Standard Sweater and a GTA$100,000 bonus to boot.
Full details from this week’s update include:
Double GTA$ and RP on The Fleeca Job, Series A Funding, Prison Break, and the Pacific Standard Finales
Free Pacific Standard Sweater and GTA$100K bonus for completing any Heist Finale
Double GTA$ and RP on Auto Shop Robbery Contracts, Hotring Races, and Running Back (Remix)
The Heist Challenge Continues: Collectively stealing GTA$20 trillion until December 4 in select Heist Finales will award all players the Pacific Standard Varsity Jacket and a pair of brand-new surprises in December’s new GTA Online update.
Complete The Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid to earn a GTA$250,000 bonus
This Week at Simeon’s Premium Deluxe Motorsport Showroom: The Överflöd Imorgon, RUNE Cheburek, Dinka Enduro, Enus Cognoscenti, and Enus Cognoscenti 55
On Display at the Luxury Autos Showroom: The Albany Cavalcade XL and Declasse Yosemite 1500
HSW Premium Test Ride: The Karin Vivanite
LS Car Meet Prize Ride: Earn the Vulcar Nebula Turbo for winning a Race in the LS Car Meet Series two days in a row
On The LS Car Meet Test Track: The Coil Brawler, Ocelot Lynx, and Lampadati Furore GT
Lucky Wheel Top Prize: The Bravado Dorado
40% off High-End Apartment Properties, Upgrades and Modifications
30% off Auto Shop Properties, Upgrades and Modifications
Vehicle Discounts: 40% off the Lampadati Casco, 30% off the Mammoth Hydra, Dinka Jester RR, Grotti Visione, Coil Brawler, Ocelot Lynx, Lampadati Furore GT, and Übermacht Cypher
Gun Van Discounts: 30% off the Compact EMP Launcher, 50% off all Weapons and Throwables (GTA+ Members only)
GTA+ Benefits: A free Nagasaki Shinobi (Motorcycle), biker-themed apparel, and 50% off MC Clubhouses, Double Rewards for LS Tags, and much more
Please see the Rockstar Games Newswire for more information.
Illumineers can get hands-on with Azurite Sea at their local game store now ahead of its mass-market release on November 25, 2024
Sydney, November 22, 2024 – Ravensburger, the award-winning publisher of games, puzzles, and toys, has today released the latest set of the wildly popular Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game, Azurite Sea – out now at local game stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Eager Illumineers can collect and play the newest Disney Lorcana glimmers before the set’s release through mass market retailers and at DisneyStore.com.au from November 25, 2024.
Glimmers of pirates and inventors from across the worlds of Disney take centre stage in Azurite Sea when Illumineers set sail as part of their quest to repair The Great Illuminary. To help navigate the hazards of the Azurite Sea, characters from Disney’s Big Hero 6 join Disney Lorcana TCG for the first time, including Baymax, Hiro Hamada, Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Go Go Tomago and Fred.
Also debuting in the new set are beloved characters Chip and Dale, Gadget Hackwrench, Monterey Jack and Zipper from Chip ’n’ Dale Rescue Rangers. All cards in Azurite Sea can be used to update existing Disney Lorcana TCG decks and can be played alongside all previously released sets: The First Chapter, Rise of the Floodborn, Into the Inklands, Ursula’s Return and Shimmering Skies.
Azurite Sea Repairs to the damaged Great Illuminary remain incomplete following Shimmering Skies, so the Illumineers set out on an expedition to save it. Along with their seafaring glimmers, Illumineers sail the dangerous Azurite Sea seeking the owner of the hidden inkcaster discovered in Ursula’s Return. They can only hope to find a more experienced Illumineer, someone who can teach them the valuable skills that will help fix the Great Illuminary. Their only clue in this search is a mysterious owl symbol inscribed on the base of the hidden inkcaster that matches a symbol shown on maps of the Azurite Sea. Meanwhile, Jafar, who remains determined to rule over the realm, searches for the other half of the powerful Hexwell Crown.
The Disney Lorcana TCG set Azurite Sea will include two Single-Player decks featuring combinations of Ruby/Amber or Sapphire/Emerald (AU$29.99 / NZ$32.99), booster packs of additional cards (AU$9.99 / NZ$10.99), and a new Illumineer’s Trove (AU$99.99 / NZ$109.99). New accessories include two playmats featuring Elsa – The Fifth Spirit from Disney’s Frozen and Donald Duck – Buccaneer. New card sleeves and deck boxes will feature Scar – Vengeful Lion from Disney’s The Lion King and Winnie the Pooh – Hunny Wizard from Disney’s Winnie the Pooh.
Also hitting shelves in-time for the holidays is the Stitch Collector’s Gift Set (AU$99.99 / NZ$109.99). The set includes a Stitch-themed portfolio, four Azurite Sea booster packs and a unique “Stitch-Alien Buccaneer” water foil promo card with a stunning water-inspired foil treatment – the first time this type of foil treatment has been used in Disney Lorcana TCG!
About the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game (TCG)
First released in August 2023, the Disney Lorcana TCG is a popular trading card game in the wondrous realm of Lorcana. Players take on the role of Illumineers and wield magic ink to summon a team of Disney characters known as glimmers, who appear in both familiar and fantastical ways. The game was designed to be easy to learn for TCG newcomers while still offering strategic depth for experienced players. Featuring hundreds of original pieces of Disney art that collectors will adore, the game is welcoming to beginners, expert TCG players and Disney fans alike. Four sets of Disney Lorcana TCG cards are released annually, with a total of five sets released so far – The First Chapter, Rise of the Floodborn, Into the Inklands, Ursula’s Return and Shimmering Skies. Azurite Sea will be the fourth and final set to release in 2024. In May 2024, Ravensburger also launched Disney Lorcana TCG Challenge, an official Disney Lorcana TCG competitive circuit in North America and Europe.
Press assets for the Disney Lorcana TCG can be found here.
The Physical Version of the Game Launches on Jan. 31, 2025
SYDNEY (Nov. 22, 2024) – SQUARE ENIX® has now released the digital version of LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE for Nintendo Switch, with the physical edition to follow on Jan. 31, 2025 for Australia & New Zealand. The physical edition includes the full game on the 16GB cart. LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE is currently available on Xbox Series X|S consoles, PlayStation 5®, and PC via Steam and Windows Store.
In LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE, players step into the boots of Max Caulfield, photographer-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University. After discovering her closest new friend Safi dead in the snow, Max tries to Rewind time – a power she’s not used in years – but instead, opens the way to a parallel timeline where Safi is still alive, and still in danger! Max realizes the killer will soon strike again – in both versions of reality. Only Max can Shift between the two parallel timelines to solve and prevent the same murder.
LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE was brought to Nintendo Switch by Engine Software in association with original developer, Deck Nine Games.
Square Enix External Studios is a London based development and publishing group that works with top development studios across the world, establishing new intellectual properties and developing new franchises within the umbrella of Square Enix Holdings. Square Enix External Studios have been responsible for multiple games including the Just Cause® and Life is Strange® series, Outriders®, as well as titles such as Batman: Arkham Asylum® and Sleeping Dogs®. About Square Enix, Inc. Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including FINAL FANTASY™, which has sold over 195 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 91 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
Besiege, a best-selling game based on advanced physics and creativity that is one of the highest rated PC games, will debut on PlayStation 5 on December 12. In this medieval sandbox from UK-based Spiderling Studios, players can construct almost any siege machines to destroy villages, castles and enemy armies. Pre-orders are now available on the PlayStation Store. Pre-orders give you three days earlier access to the game, and PS Plus subscribers can buy the game at a 10 percent lower price.
Besiege is a best-selling game developed by the independent British Spiderling Studios. The PC version of the game has been well-received by gamers – the percentage of positive reviews on the Steam platform currently reaches as high as 95 percent (out of more than 43,000 reviews). Besiege has also already hit Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch consoles. The PlayStation versions were developed by Spiderling Studios, with support from Ultimate Games S.A., which is also the game’s publisher.
The gameplay in Besiege is based on constructing siege machines and then destroying settlements, castles, fortresses and enemy troops with their help. The title is distinguished by an advanced physics system, which stimulates creativity in creating constructions and sowing destruction.
The primary goal of the player is destruction. For this purpose, siege machines can be created, including, for example, standard catapults, unusual tanks or even helicopters. The created machines also serve other purposes – such as transporting resources and protecting your own units.
On the PC, the game has been under constant development for almost 10 years, and players are showing great creativity. Among other things, airplanes are being created thanks to available mods, and recordings of airplane crash reconstructions depicted in Besiege have millions of views on YouTube.
There are 4 island kingdoms waiting to be conquered in the console-based Besiege. The game includes an extensive campaign consisting of a total of 55 varied levels, as well as 3 levels to play in sandbox mode.
The console version offers two graphics modes (performance and quality). On PlayStation 5, Besiege delivers 4K resolution and a smooth 60 frames per second. Players can also share siege machines they have created with the community and check out those shared by others.
Besiege – main features:
constructing powerful siege machines;
a campaign with 55 levels in 4 lands;
3 levels in sandbox mode;
destroying settlements, fortresses and castles;
creativity-based gameplay;
70 components and building tools;
advanced physics system;
sharing machines with other players.
The release date for Besiege on PlayStation 5 has been set for December 12, 2024. Those who pre-purchase the game will be able to play starting December 9.
BARCELONA, Spain – November 21, 2024 –ILA: A Frosty Glide, a whimsical platformer following a young witch-in-training from developer Magic Rain Studios, will ascend snowy mountaintops on PC via Steam, with a Kickstarter campaign kicking off soon!
Check out the latest trailer as featured in The MIX Fall Showcase here!
Explore a remote magical island as ILA, a young witch-in-training searching her lost kitty, Coco. Soar across a thoughtful, Scandinavian-inspired open world, collecting magic and special items to enhance ILA’s flying abilities, magic skills, and style! Discover hidden paths while skatebrooming around snowy mountains and enchanted forests with a warm and inviting ambiance.
Customize ILA’s look with tons of bewitching options, including cute hats, capes, and skatebrooms, to show up dressed to impress on this kitty-finding caper. Delight in a whimsical original soundtrack, building anticipation as ILA approaches the summit, solving charming platform puzzles on her journey to become the best young witch she can be.
Plus, ILA: A Frosty Glide will soon begin a Kickstarter campaign. Backers will have the opportunity to receive exclusive rewards and even become part of ILA’s wonderful world! More details will be revealed soon.
“ILA: A Frosty Glide captures the magic of discovery and growth in a cozy winter wonderland,” said artist Yesenia Vásquez at Magic Rain Studios. “We can’t wait for witches-in-training everywhere to show off their most enchanting styles as they ascend snow-draped Scandivanian-inspired mountaintops!”
ILA: A Frosty Glide will search for a furry friend on PC via Steam soon with English language support. Stay tuned to the official Kickstarter page, join developer Magic Rain Studio’s mailing list, and follow them on Twitter/X for updates.
About Magic Rain Studios
Magic Rain Studios is a Barcelona-based indie game development company focused on improving people’s lives through games and creating titles with emotional impact. The team is currently focused on development for ILA: A Frosty Glide and another upcoming action rhythm game LUA.
Daily challenges coming soon, 1.0 arriving in November 2025
TOKYO — November 21st, 2024 — Electrogical, the arithmetic-based jigsaw puzzle game developed by kinjo and published by Phoenixx Inc., and selected as the award winner of the First GYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest hosted by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. and Bandai Namco Studios Inc., launches into Early Access on PC via Steam today. Eager engineers can enjoy a special launch discount of 15% off until Thursday, Dec 5th, 2024 at 10:00 AM PST.
Decades-long terraforming missions tend to take a toll on aging space convoys. Step into the role of electrical engineer and get to work on long-overdue repairs to return the fleet to its former, fully functioning glory. Reconnect each craft’s reactor to neko, the superconductive AI lifeblood that runs through the armada’s electrical veins.
Each circuit board requires the perfect amount of power to pass inspection. Alter electrical currents by connecting computer chips with various mathematical functions. Increase and decrease power levels with addition and subtraction chips, double and triple the voltage with multiplication pieces, and ignite sparks across long distances with radio wave tiles.
Redirect power flow by rotating the orientation of each puzzle piece, and utilize “zero” tiles that can strategically take up space without changing current energy levels. Ready to fire up the fleet? Place tiles, press the power button, and watch the flow of electricity fluctuate across each board.
Some levels only contain a single solution, and others offer multiple paths: design a perfect square with placed chips, use all available tiles, or finish with leftover tiles. Perplexed by mathematical puzzles? Activate the “Hint” function to illuminate the path forward.
Puzzle fans are encouraged to add their voice to development via the Electrogical Steam Community Hub, and users can look forward to upcoming content drops including daily challenges, Russian and German language support, new puzzle types and quality-of-life improvement leading up to the 1.0 launch in November 2025.
“Many thanks to those who tried out Electrogical at PAX West, Gamescom, and Tokyo Game Show. We received tons of community feedback that helped shape the Early Access version launching today,” said Yutuka Kinjo, solo developer at kinjo. “We encourage all those who play to continue adding their voice to development as we progress towards 1.0.”
Kinjo is the solo developer who strives to create soothing, relaxing games, and is the award winner of the First GYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest hosted by Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Namco Studios with the creation of Electrogical.
About Phoenixx
Established in 2019 by industry veterans, Phoenixx aims to support innovative and creative developers from Japan and around the world. Its mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one creator, one game, and one community at a time.
A Dark, Tactical Roguelike RPG set in an Ominous and Deadly Fantasy World
LONDON (Nov. 21, 2024) – Independent developer Unfinished Pixel today announced Blightstone, a dark, tactical roguelike RPG that brings unique twists to combat through freedom of character placement, interactive environments and hardcore resource management set in an ominous and deadly fantasy world. The new title is scheduled to launch in 2025 on Steam Early Access.
Darkness has fallen over the world. Since a magical rift tore open the land, demons and dark forces have been unleashed, corrupting everything they come into contact with. As its inhabitants flee, the land is pillaged and destroyed, leaving few safe havens for the remnants of society. But all is not lost – a new turquoise-colored mineral has appeared which can seemingly stop the plagued blight from its relentless spread. And so, a new party of heroes gathers to secure this precious resource, extract its power and fight back against the corruption that covers the land before all is lost forever…
In Blightstone, players will engage in innovative grid-free turn-based combat where environmental awareness and preparation are key. In each encounter, party members will have to be strategically positioned to take advantage of their surroundings and overcome the odds against relentless enemy forces and the pervading dark corruption. As the insidious plague spreads across the rifted world during combat and at nightfall, players will need to manage their resources and equipment effectively to survive. While few will emerge victorious in their undertaking, failure will be crucial to your eventual salvation. Earthglass shards gathered from failed runs will fortify the guiding Crystal and strengthen future adventurers, pushing heroes onwards for another chance at victory and freedom.
Developed by independent Spanish developers Unfinished Pixel, Blightstone combines the roguelike genre with highly detailed characters and environments to make an unforgettable experience sure to challenge players’ skill and strategic thinking and encourage them to dive in for just one more run.
Blightstone launches on Steam Early Access in 2025. For more information, visit the official website – https://www.blightstonegame.com and the Steam page.
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About Unfinished Pixel
Unfinished Pixel is a 17 people independent game studio based in Barcelona and founded in 2014. They are dedicated to craft fun experiences while exploring the different game genres they love. You may know them for Spy Chameleon, Super Volley Blast, Super Tennis Blast or Super Soccer Blast.
