Arkane, Bethesda, and Xbox Game Studios' Redfall is one of the most disappointing releases of 2023 for several reasons, but mainly because it feels like a collection of ideas and mechanics in search of a game. The island setting and vampire slaying action can be fun at times, but it's an experience that is also plagued with technical issues.
"Action and atmosphere" is synonymous now with FromSoftware -- developer behind the ultra-popular Souls series of games as well as Elden Ring and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. But before those games the studio dabbled in the world of mechs and mech combat, and this year it will be launching Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon and it's looking very good.
Or should that be Nautical Chart? Whatever the case, the brilliant cosmic-inspired atmospheric-horror fishing game, Dredge, is in line to pull up some new content for all the eager anglers out there who likely helped forge some of the decisions behind these upcoming additions.
Today marks the release date for the long-awaited Redfall from Arkane Austin, Bethesda, and Xbox, with the game now playable and available via Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and PC. The review code for this one came in hot over the weekend, so we're not quite done with our adventure through the sleepy vampire-infested town of Redfall, but so far, it's a disappointing outing for the studio known for great games like Dishonored and Prey.
Steam has become as synonymous with gaming as I am to the local pub in a specific seat at a specific time (such as right now). And for those not in the know, there's a backended Steam Client Beta that is constantly seeing new updates and implementations of ideas and community wants or tweaks from feedback on existing features.
Overnight Valve announced a host of recent chages to the beta platform it wants punters to check out and offer more feedback on.
Gord is what you get when you marry The Witcher 3 with Frostpunk, and that's a game that takes cues from both, while also presenting as something entirely new. And today we get a new gameplay trailer alongside info on its upcoming release this year.
And it's not a race, heh. But what Turn 10 Studios is doing for people with impairments is both incredibly interesting, and highly warranted, and today both the studio and Microsoft revealed how they've tackled opening up the experience to the vision impaired, making this forthcoming Forza Motorsport the most accessible in the series yet.
Let's face it, Aliens Universe games are as hit and miss as they come, with the misses far outweighing the hits, and largely because there's not enough of an expansive look into the rich world of the franchise. Or in how far you can go with something wholly original. Now, however, the forthcoming real-time tactical squad-based action game, Aliens: Dark Descent, is looking very much the part in this new trailer.
And we're quietly optimistic and excited about it.
From Devolver Digital and Deconstructeam, the developer behind Gods Will be Watching, comes a narrative experience with rich characters, unique locations that transcend time and space, and feature elements around divination, fate and the world of the Tarot card, including a Tarot card creation system.
We're not shying away from being a bit excited for 2K's spin on the world of LEGO with LEGO 2K Drive, coming to us by way of Visual Concepts. It looks to be a LEGO rift on the Forza Horizon series, but unlike that franchise, the game's latest video in its ANN series showcases custom LEGO builds to smash through the game-world.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a very big game. It has a lot of ground (and galaxy) to cover and it is a densely layered world with rich lore, history and ideas for the future of Star Wars. It's also a step above its predecessor without doing quite enough to elevate it to all new heights. At least not yet, based on what we've managed to play...
Thanks to Nintendo, we recently had the chance to go hands-on with a preview build of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As the follow-up and direct sequel to one of the best games of all time - and something new in the Zela series, no less - it's no wonder it's one of the most anticipated releases for 2023.
The UK's CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) has blocked Microsoft's planned historic $69 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard. The firm cites concerns over the growing cloud gaming market as the reasoning behind the decision, with Microsoft responding that it remains "fully committed to this acquisition and will appeal."
As part of a new deep dive into Diablo Iv's customisation and character build tools like skills, items, and Paragon boards (check out the video after the jump), Blizzard has also outlined the PC hardware requirements for Diablo IV at launch. Covering four specs, starting from 1080p/720p at 30 fps all the way up to 4K 60fps with ultra graphics settings.
The recent release of Dead Island 2 was a long time coming. Still, thanks to its next-level (and super impressive) gore and dismemberment system, it quickly made a case for delivering some of the most visceral zombie combat ever seen in a videogame. Not to be left out of the mix, Dying Light 2 just got a new "Gut Feeling" update that considerably updates that game's gore.
When it comes to videogame nostalgia, no one tugs the memory strings quite like Nintendo. So in an age of the 'Re-' marketing model we've been waiting with baited breath for some of The Big N's best from eras past, and perhaps none more sentimental than Advance Wars. Thankfully this week we all get Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, and it's every bit the re-release you hoped it would be.