Game Informer

Game Informer

Electronic Arts Takes Another Swing At Golf With EA Sports PGA Tour

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 03:41 PM PDT

EA has pulled the curtain back on it's new golf title, EA Sports PGA Tour. The game is billed as a next-gen golf experience and is the result of a new, long-term deal between the publisher and the PGA Tour. 

There isn't a ton of info about the title as of yet. The press release does mention features such as building a virtual career and that players will compete on several of the "world's most famous courses". Events include The Players Championship and the FedExCup Playoffs. 

EA's Tibruron studio in Orlando, FL is developing EA Sports PGA Tour. The game is being made using the Frostbite engine which will, in EA's words, offer "stunning fidelity, breathtaking immersive environments, and approachable, dynamic gameplay."

"EA Sports and the PGA Tour have created some of the most memorable golf video game experiences together, and we couldn't be more excited to expand our sports portfolio with a new golf title on next-gen hardware," said Cam Weber, EVP & GM, EA Sports in the press release. "Our team of passionate golf fans is meticulously recreating the world's top courses such as Pebble Beach, and we can't wait to give fans the opportunity to compete on some of the most iconic PGA Tour courses and win the FedExCup."

EA promises to share more news, such as a release date, in the coming months.

The game serves as a comeback to the sport for EA. The series began in 1990 before being branded as Tiger Woods' PGA Tour beginning in 1998. Tiger graced every cover until 2013, when EA ended their partnership with Woods in favor of another top golfer, Rory McIlroy. A single PGA Tour game released under his name launched in 2015 to a tepid reception. Interestingly enough, this new game is the first time the series has lacked the branding of an athlete since PGA Tour 98. 

Since Rory McIlroy's PGA Tour launched, 2K Games' The Golf Club franchise eventually morphed into a new PGA Tour Series. The most recent game is PGA Tour 2K21, which launched last fall. One would think that 2K's partnership with the PGA Tour has come to an end with this announcement, but that isn't clear either way. It's especially interesting given that 2K very recently announced a deal with Tiger Woods involving the PGA Tour 2K series. All in all, the news that EA wants another stab at golf is not unlike the one announcing the publisher's return to college football earlier this year (even the promotional art is identical). 

What do you make of EA getting back into golf, and what do you want from a new-gen golf experience? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

Hearthstone’s Forged In The Barrens Arrives Tomorrow. Here’s What To Expect

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 03:20 PM PDT

Tomorrow, 135 new cards enter Hearthstone from the new set, Forged in the Barrens. This Barrens-centric jaunt focuses on the titular World of Warcraft zone, full of animals, raptors, and of course, Mankrik's wife. Yes, players can now live the meme in Hearthstone by actually finding Mankrik's wife in the Barrens. At long last!

Click here to watch embedded media

The Barrens is just the beginning for this year of Hearthstone as the next few sets will sort of follow the leveling experience from World of Warcraft as players and characters "level up" from the Barrens to a mid-level zone and then to a high-tier one. I do hope the final path takes us somewhere cool with some raid stuff in it. You never know! I'm also really, really interested in the Mercenaries game mode that's hitting later this year. But for now, let's focus on the Barrens. There are some new key mechanics in play, and some of them you can even try out before tomorrow if you go play a few rounds in the Duels mode now.

"Scaling spells" change their functionality and power over the course of the game. They might do something small when the game starts, but change their scope at the halfway point and when you have max mana crystals. These will allow players to make important decisions on when to play spells or simply fire them off "on curve" when the situation calls for it. Frenzy effects trigger when a unit survives damage for the first time, making those Whirlwinds and other single point of damage effects more interesting and valuable even when you're not clearing out small threats.

Other significant changes include cards that work with specific spell schools, something that impacts both Forged in the Barrens and greater Hearthstone moving forward. Old spells have been grouped into their appropriate spell school schools such as nature, shadow, holy, etc and can now be impacted by a variety of cards and effects, including spell power bonuses that only work on certain schools.

Of course, there are a variety of fun one-offs in the set to enjoy as well, I can't wait to go tinker around building some golems with Kazakus.

Are you looking forward to Forged in the Barrens? Playing any digital card games? Let us know in the comments!

Full Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War And Warzone Season Two Reloaded Update Revealed

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 03:10 PM PDT

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone Season Two Reloaded is on the horizon and brings with it not only smaller file sizes, but a whole host of new content for players to enjoy. From new multiplayer maps to a brand new sniper, here is what you can expect with Season Two Reloaded in the upcoming update. 

Full Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War And Warzone Season Two Reloaded Update 

The upcoming update brings with it new maps, new modes, new Zombies content, and so much more. Let's break it down by feature to see what's on the horizon for the online shooter. 

When does it start?

The new update goes live today, March 29, at 9 p.m. Pacific for Black Ops Cold War. The new season arrives in Warzone on March 30 at 11 p.m. Pacific the next day. 

New multiplayer maps

Miami Strike 6v6

Miami Strike will feature a much tighter map layout that will be played in the light of day. Unlike its nighttime counterpart, there are a few new additions with the Paramour Hotel being blocked and the area more controlled. For those that just want to take in the sights, there will be a new waterside path also available within this particular map. 

Mansion 2v2, 3v3

Mansion is joining the Gunfight and Face-Off rotation, designed to put players on their toes as they fight across a luscious courtyard that has no idea the kind of chaos that is on the horizon. "The eastern courtyard features palm trees and a gazebo, opposite another with a central statue over a dry fountain," says Activision." Fight in the surrounding arcade among its thick supporting columns or brave it through the middle in a cross-map dash. Look for the center-wrapped room including a small hallway and an exposed balcony for a high risk, high reward power position."

Golova Multi-Team

We're heading back to Russian with the Ural Plains location, but there's much more than what meets the eye. We first saw this location within Outbreak, but now Golova will be available across other modes within MP. From churches to gardens, this map is perfect for those that love to snipe.

New modes and feature

There are quite a few new modes and features to look forward to, including Multi-Team Hardpoint. For a brief overview, here is what you need t know: 

  • Multi-Team Hardpoint
    • A more chaotic version of Hardpoint 
    • 10 squads of four 
    • Multiple Hardpoints at once
    • More points awarded for teammates within the objective
    • First squad to reach 1,000 points wins
  • Prop Hunt
    • Miami Strike and Satellite maps are now available for Prop Hunt
    • New props will also be added
  • Gunsmith Customs
    • Coming later in the season
    • Allows players to mix-and-match attachments in Weapon Blueprints of the same weapon type
  • Weapon Tuning
    • Weapon tuning will get an overhaul for balancing
    • Includes the below weapons: 
      • LC10
      • AK-74U
      • Mac-10
      • KSP 45
      • Milano 821
      • Krig 6
      • FFAR1
      • Groza
      • Magnum
      • RPG-7
  • Gunfight Tournaments
    • Taking Gunfight to a more competitive place with brackets 

Zombies

Zombies is getting some much-needed love with a new Outbreak region found in Sanatorium (night). "As the Dark Aether continues to spread, agents of Requiem must expand their search for outbreak sites across the Ural Mountains into a massive new region: Sanatorium Night." 

Players loved the more open-world take on Zombies with recent updates, but this one will have players trying to survive under the cover of nightfall. Because fighting zombies wasn't scary enough, let's add restricted vision into the mix. 

A new Outbreak Objective is also on the way with Secure, taking players to control Dark Aether in order to analyze, experiment, and ultimately harness the "transformational properties" of this phenomenon. 

Zombies will also see new vehicles, more Intel, and the Dead Ops Arcade Player as well in addition to the Arcade Silverback Slidesways Map and a new Apply Blueprint feature that will allow players to apply any Weapon Blueprint in Outbreak. 

New Operators and Weapons

It wouldn't be a new season without new Operators and Weapons. Wolf (NATO) is joining the fray, bringing with him his skills as a hunter from the Louisiana bayous. Wolf will be joined by Rivas (NATO), a powerful fighter that fought back against the Menendez Cartel's influence in Nicaragua. 

As far as weapons go, the new ZRG 20mm Sniper is a seasonal addition that promises impressive velocity and range, making it the ultimate tool for those that love to take a more strategic approach to combat. 

Warzone and Black Ops Cold War Season Two Reloaded promises a ton of fun and a lot of new additions to enjoy. You can learn even more about what's on the way with the full patch notes right here. 

Ratchet & Clank Is Free With PS5 60 FPS Update Coming Soon

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 01:59 PM PDT

Earlier this month, Sony detailed 10 free PlayStation games that are arriving as part of its 2021 Play At Home program. Initially created to give players some solace during quarantines at the start of COVID-19, Sony is continuing the celebration of videogames with more freebies. Ratchet & Clank is currently among those free titles, and it is getting a PS5 update next month. 

Click here to watch embedded media

No PlayStation Plus subscription is required to cash in on this deal, but it is a limited-time offer. For those who want to scoop up their free copy, Ratchet & Clank is free until March 31. 

The freebie deal comes at the perfect time, because Insomniac Games has confirmed that a PS5 update is just around the corner, which will allow the game to run at 60 FPS on PlayStation 5. The update is also free at no additional charge. For those who play Ratchet & Clank through the PlayStation Plus Collection, the update will also be available there as well. 

Other free games with the Play At Home initiative include: 

  • Abzû
  • Enter the Gungeon 
  • Rez Infinite
  • Subnautica
  • The Witness
  • Astro Bot Rescue Mission
  • Moss
  • Thumper
  • Paper Beast

The 2021 Play At Home celebration officially kicked off on March 25 and Sony promises even more surprises are on the way. To learn more about this year's Play At Home offerings, you can check out our previous coverage here! 

Thoughts on Sony's Play At Home PlayStation deals? Are you excited for the upcoming Ratchet & Clank PS5 update? Sound off in the comment section below! 

League Of Legends: Wild Rift Is Out On Mobile Today

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 01:51 PM PDT

If you've been waiting to play League of Legends on a mobile device, today's your day, as League of Legends: Wild Rift comes to open beta on both iOS and Android. While many players are still eagerly awaiting Wild Rift's console debut, it looks like they will still have to wait a bit. In the meantime, Wild Rift is here!

Click here to watch embedded media

Wild Rift games are much faster than their traditional PC League of Legends counterparts, but attempt to capture the style and skills of the characters and gameplay in a digestible, quick format. If you already play League and enjoy the hell out of it, I can't say that you're probably going to want to switch. But if you're constantly pressed for gaming time and want to knock out a match in 15 to 20 minutes with smooth gameplay and solid flavor, League's essence does drizzle down into its mobile incarnation. Personally, I find playing anything more than a few minutes on my phone a battery-burning chore that I'd rather be at my PC for, but I can't dismiss the large segment of players that might be looking for exactly this experience. For players who are not familiar with League, Wild Rift does a lot to streamline various game components like which items to buy at all moments of the game.

Over the next few months, players can engage in a variety of activities as well as traditional 5v5 Wild Rift play as they unlock characters and skins. Of note is "ARAM" mode, or all-random, all-mid, a casual mode that's a blast on PC and lets you shut your brain off almost entirely and just press your buttons. All players are forced into the middle of a single-lane fray so there's really no jungles to worry about or players sneaking about, everyone is in the action at all times, trying to execute that one big game teamplay moment. Maybe you'll get a chance to discover a hero you really like this way. It does happen! ARAM matches begin starting April 5.

Players can participate in ranked, move along the battle pass, and hit up the launch events to unlock characters quickly. After playing a bit in the early access phase, I think I'm still going to stick to playing League on PC, but I think a lot of lapsed players or those looking to play a game while they eat lunch with a sandwich in hand might enjoy what Wild Rift has to offer. There's only one way to know for sure, and that's to download it and check it out. I'll say this, the animations and character splashes are really awesome on Wild Rift, as someone who generally only engages with this cast in Legends of Runeterra and occasionally Teamfight Tactics.

Are you interested in trying out Wild Rift? Why or why not? Do you play League of Legends? Did you ever? Do you play MOBAs at all? Let us know in the comments!

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier's Captain America Has A Funko Pop Now

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 01:49 PM PDT

Funko Pops! You like 'em, you want 'em, you gotta have 'em. I'm back to share a new figure from the popular line of dolls, this time based on the latest Marvel series, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. If you enjoyed the line of WandaVision line Pop figures you'll probably want to make room for another Disney+ bad boy. I mean that literally. This boy is really, really bad. 

Funko has unveiled a Pop figure of the newly-minted Captain America (barf), John F. Walker. Who is John Walker? Well, you should probably know this if you've been watching the show (or read Captain America comics for that matter) but the most succinct description I can give him is "This SOB Is Definitely Not Steve Rodgers". On the plus size, his Pop figure looks like it's the perfect size for Bucky to angrily toss into a wall before he sits on the floor to watch TV like a weirdo. 

If owning a collectible of #NotMyCap isn't your thing, Funko also has figures of Falcon, Bucky, and series antagonist, Baron Zemo available to buy now. But if you must absolutely own John F. Walker, he'll set you back $11 and you can sign up on Funko's online site to be notified when this smarmy wannabe goes on sale. There's no word yet on when that will be, however. 

If you're looking for other nerdy Funko Pop figures, we previously reported on the line of figures based on the upcoming movie, Mortal Kombat as well as the toys from the most recent Funko Fair including Wolf from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice? 

What are your thoughts on The Falcon and The Winter Soldier so far, and will you be picking up this John Walker figure to give your dog something fun to chew on? Let us know in the comments!

Call Of Duty Warzone File Sizes Are Finally Getting Smaller

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 01:47 PM PDT

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone file sizes have been massively oversized since launch, a caveat that has been a huge pain in the CoD community. Luckily, that is about to change as Activision reveals how it is making the Warzone file sizes smaller and, therefore, much easier to manage. 

The Warzone Season Two Reloaded file size will still be a little hefty, but Activision promises that following that, the amount of space required will be much easier to manage. For PlayStation 5 and 4 players, Season Two Reloaded's file size comes in at 52.0 GB. For Xbox Series X and One, the file size is 57.8 GB, with PC coming in at 52.4 GB (unless you're also updating Modern Warfare, which will bring that file size up to 133.6 GB).

Season Two Reloaded brings a more optimized file size across all of Warzone and marks the start of smaller downloads from now on. "Enhancements to the overall content management system has been made possible through data optimization and streamlining content packs needed for individual game modes," says Activision in its most recent blog post. "This will come after a larger than usual, one-time update for Season Two Reloaded, which will include these optimizations and is necessary to reduce the overall footprint; future patch sizes for Modern Warfare and Warzone are expected to be smaller than the one set to release on March 30 at 11 p.m. Pacific." 

With file sizes sometimes exceeding 100 GB, it is no wonder why so many have been fed up. As someone who regularly plays Team Deathmatch in the base game, on top of Warzone, it's been tough trying to ensure I have the right amount of space in conjunction with the other online titles I'm currently enjoying. This aspect of continuous updates has been a source of ire for the community at large, so these changes to make the file sizes more reasonable are welcome by many. 

Regarding Call of Duty: Warzone Season Two Reloaded, players can expect a lot of new gaming content to pour through. To learn more about what's on the way with the upcoming update, you can check out the full blog post here. 

Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi Cast Announced, Vader Returns

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 01:12 PM PDT

Disney's decision to create new Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe stories as episodic streaming shows has paid off handsomely so far. The Mandalorian, WandaVision, and now The Falcon and the Winter Soldier are all smash hits. Many more shows are on the way, including Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi, which begins filming in April.

Ewan McGregor is reprising his role as Old Ben, who we last saw in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. That film's tragic ending of Anakin Skywalker transforming into Darth Vader is the foundation for this show, which picks up roughly 10 years after that event. Hayden Christensen is also reprising his role as Darth Vader, who will hopefully have more lines of dialogue than "Noooo!"

Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi is directed by Deborah Chow, who also filmed two episodes of The Mandalorian. Lucasfilm today announced more of the cast, which is loaded with names you'll recognize. We can look forward to seeing Moses Ingram, Kumail Nanjiani (an actor from Mass Effect and was on an episode of Replay), Joel Edgerton, Simone Kessell, Rupert Friend, Benny Safdie, Sung Kang, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Bonnie Piesse, and Indira Varma. You can see the official announcement image below:

We don't have any story specifics yet, but it's safe to assume Obi-Wan will spend a significant amount of time on Tatooine, where we see him protecting Luke Skywalker from afar in Star Wars: A New Hope. Some speculation believes Obi-Wan never leaves this planet, and that the entire show will take place on it, but I'd like to think he will explore threats that take him off world to different locations. If it is just on Tatooine, seeing Darth Vader return here will be mighty interesting.

No release date or further details were given, but it won't have the entire Star Wars spotlight. A third season of The Mandalorian is on the way, and we're also getting first seasons of The Book of Boba Fett, The Bad Batch, Ahsoka, Rangers of the New Republic, A Droid Story, The Acolyte, Lando, and Andor.

The Suez Canal Cargo Ship Is Also Stuck In Microsoft Flight Simulator With This Mod

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 12:01 PM PDT

The Suez Canal cargo ship that has gotten stuck has been an incredibly trying time regarding what that means for halted trade and economic process, but that hasn't stopped the memes from rolling in and doing what they do best: make us laugh to keep from crying. While the cargo ship in real life is experiencing freedom (at last), Microsoft Flight Simulator continues to push realism to its limit by making it stuck in-game as well. At least, this mod does.

The Ever Given has been stuck in the Suez Canal, effectively blocking world trade during this duration, for a few days now but efforts have finally yielded success when it comes to getting it back out on open water. After being "successfully refloated" today, the memes are coming to a close but Microsoft Flight Simulator is keeping the memory alive: 

The above clip was shared by Twitter user @MattRickard and it turns out that this is actually a mod, not an official update (that we know of). The above clip is actually from YouTuber Donut_Enforcement and he shared a fuller version of the above video below: 

Click here to watch embedded media

The mod itself can be found here and the creator explains that this is simply an insertion of the cargo ship and that it's not an actual visual representation of what happened. For those looking for a more authentic experience, he goes on to share another add-on that simulates the traffic jam that occurred following the blockade, which can be found here. 

Regarding how the massive cargo ship became stuck, that is still under investigation, though the Suez Canal Authority stated that the ship lost control during a high-wind dust storm, but the impact - memes aside - of this predicament has been immense. With headway made earlier today in feeding the ship, this is good news, but the ship isn't in the all-clear yet. Lt. Gen. Ossama Rabei, head of the Suez Canal Authority announced, "The Suez Canal will not spare any efforts to ensure the restoration of navigation and to serve the movement of global trade."

Luckily, all of the crew aboard this vessel is safe and accounted for. 

Monster Hunter Rise Bug Could Lock Your Save File, Here's What You Can Do

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 11:56 AM PDT

Four million copies of Monster Hunter Rise have shipped, meaning that the latest entry in Capcom's fantasy adventure franchise has had an incredibly successful launch. However, a severe bug that locks save files has been discovered. Capcom is aware of this issue and is working to implement a fix.

After completing a quest in the Monster Hunter games, it's customary to strike a pose with others (or by yourself, I suppose) to celebrate the victory. As of right now, players are reporting issues with activating the Action and Hurt poses. Apparently, if you quit your game after using these poses from the action bar, you won't be able to open your save file when you return to the game. 

In a thread of tweets, Capcom confirmed the problem and voiced its plan to get the issue remedied as soon as possible, "We're aware of an issue with the Action/Hurt Pose DLC gestures where setting either to the action bar and quitting the game can cause an error preventing you from opening the same save file the next time you launch the game...this also occurs when setting the Action or Hurt Pose gestures to the Radial Menu, so please avoid doing this (or remove if you already have done) until a fix is released."

For now, it's advised that players access these poses from the start menu. 

I'm a huge Monster Hunter fan. While I definitely enjoyed my time with Rise, for the most part, I felt as if the newer features didn't spice up the classic Monster Hunter formula in significant ways. In my review, I wrote, "Monster Hunter Rise is far from being the next definitive chapter in the series. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a polished-but-conventional adventure with a few small-scale nuances, then you'll be right at home in Kamura Village." If you haven't already, read or watch How To Get Started In Monster Hunter Rise to survive the difficulty curve in the opening hours.

Outriders Hackers Will Be Punished With Watermarked HUDs And Slower Matchmaking

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 11:49 AM PDT

Outriders launches this week, but cheaters have already found ways to exploit the experience while playing the game's demo. Specifically, some players have hacked files in order to give themselves legendary gear and bump up their levels. Although Outriders is a cooperative experience and has no competitive element whatsoever, People Can Fly would rather you didn't partake in such things and has some rather unique methods of identifying and deterring hackers. 

The developer recently posted a lengthy Steam blog (shared by Gamasutra) discussing the latest updates to hit the game ahead of its launch on April 1. In addition to detailing the changes coming to the launch version and post-launch support, People Can Fly explains exactly what it means to cheat in Outriders and how they plan to lay down the law. 

Per the blog post, cheating is identified as: 

  • Intentionally running the game on PC without Easy Anti Cheat (EAC)
  • Modifying game files to enhance a character: levels, skills, inventory, etc.
  • Externally modifying game time to reduce time dependent features such as vendors and challenges
  • Using a trainer program or similar to gain advantages within the game
  • Using gameplay altering programs such as aimbots or wallhacks

What's the punishment for breaking these rules? To start, People Can Fly says offending players can no longer matchmake with legitimate players (they can still play solo, however). That means if you hack, matchmaking will take much longer for you if you wish to play cooperatively. The crème de la crème of these measures, however, is that hackers will have their HUDs labeled with what the studio describes as a " discreet but visible" watermark so that any gameplay footage from that account will be quickly flagged. 

If you've violated any of these rules while playing the demo, watch out. People Can Fly says it plans to check every account for evidence of cheating before launch day and then at regular intervals going forwards. Accounts that fail the check will be permanently flagged. However, the team adds that if you cheated "for fun" during the demo and wish to play the full experience legitimately, you'll have to delete all of your characters and items from your entire account so that nothing fraudulent carries over. This rule also seems to only apply to Outriders on PC. It's unclear if hacking has been a thing on consoles, but if you've found a way to do so, my advice to assume the worst. 

The developer shares that only 200 of the 2 million players were caught hacking during the demo, which is 0.01% of players. That's obviously a very low amount, and the developer hopes to keep it that way as the game heads towards its full release. I can't say that I've seen anti-cheat measures quite like this, especially for a game with no PvP. At the end of the day, it looks like People Can Fly would rather players enjoy the experience the way it's meant to be played because if you're giving yourself 70 pieces of legendary gear from the start, why play it? At the same time, I can see the argument for hacks not technically hurting anyone since, again, Outriders has no competitive modes. 

Outriders is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. It'll launch day one on Xbox Game Pass as well. 

Where do you stand on hacking in Outriders? Let us know in the comments.

[Source: People Can Fly via Gamasutra]

PlayStation Store Removes PS3, PS Vita, And PSP On The Web

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 11:12 AM PDT

Earlier this month, a report surfaced stating that the PlayStation Store would be permanently shutting its doors on legacy content concerning PSP, PS Vita, and PS3 games. Following that, Sony has quietly shuttered support for these storefronts on the PlayStation Store's web version. 

The web-based PlayStation Store re-launched last year, and while the legacy content associated with it was still acceptable, it was noted today that the classic storefront had been shut down completely. 

There are a lot of reasons why people were still using the classic store. The interface was much more user-friendly, and the performance made it a much more enjoyable experience. The new store looks pretty, but it's a convoluted design that doesn't include anything beyond PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 digital experiences. It also operates very slowly, more often than not, so the closure of the legacy content is even more saddening. 

Sony has only recently officially announced the news regarding the reports of shelving older content for good, especially with so many amazing titles on the PSP, PS Vita, and PS3 systems. In the meantime, you can check out some of the hidden gems from the PlayStation Vita library right here to get them before the reported block-out later this Summer.

The topic of the PlayStation Store's closing brought up the age-old debate about digital versus physical. While there are many viable arguments for going digital and keeping physical alive, the truth of the matter is that the market's ecosystem is moving into the digital space at an alarming rate. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but the drawbacks of this have been felt through the years, most recently with Google Stadia's stipulations that your owned property could disappear. If Sony is deciding to block these storefronts to integrate into the new generation fully, it is their responsibility to preserve legacy content. Whether that be via official support or giving the necessary assets to fans to keep it alive is up in the air, both have their pros and cons, but to wipe entire generations like this is incredibly heartbreaking, especially for older gamers like myself that see entire gaming histories being erased. 

What do you think about the recent closure of the web-based PlayStation Store for PSP, PS Vita, and PS3 games? What do you think Sony should do in the future? Preserve them? Move on? Sound off with your hottest of hot takes in the comment section below. 

Giveaway: GODZILLA 4K Digital Movie

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 10:00 AM PDT

With excitement building for the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong film, what better time than the present to revisit the world of Godzilla.

From the studio
In this gritty, realistic sci-fi action epic, Godzilla returns to its roots as one of the world's most recognized monsters. Directed by Gareth Edwards and featuring an all-star international cast, this spectacular adventure pits Godzilla against malevolent creatures that, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence. Click to see more!

While it is available for purchase now, we have 10 GODZILLA 4K digital movies to give away, all you need to do is enter below by 4/12/2021 for your chance to win one. You can enter once per day via some methods below. Winners will be selected by random drawing from all eligible entries on or after 4/13/2021 and digital codes will be sent via email. GODZILLA 4K is rated PG-13. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be a legal resident of the U.S. age 13 or older to redeem movie. Full rules available with each entry method below. Good Luck!

MUST REDEEM DIGITAL MOVIE OFFER BY 9/30/2021. Consumer must reside in the U.S. and register for a digital service provider account (go to wb.com/RedeemMovie for a list of digital service providers (e.g., Movies Anywhere). May only include HD Main Feature. NOT COMPATIBLE WITH ALL DEVICES. SOME DISPLAY RESOLUTIONS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING OR DOWNLOAD ON ALL DEVICES FROM ALL DIGITAL SERVICES. Consult your digital service provider for compatible devices, available display resolutions, streaming and download capability and Terms of Service. Ultimate display resolution on playback is dependent upon connection and device characteristics, including screen resolution. High-speed Internet connection required. Go to wb.com/RedeemMovie for additional details, requirements and technical support. Neither Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. nor any affiliate is responsible for maintaining any digital service. THIS DIGITAL MOVIE OFFER MAY NOT BE RESOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons And Rick And Morty Collide In New Adult Swim Video

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 09:27 AM PDT

Super Mario, Hello Kitty, and more have all invaded the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons but the latest mashup has truly become the crossover of the ages. While not an in-game event, a new Adult Swim video shows off how Rick and Morty would thrive in the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons as a special tribute to the Nintendo Switch exclusive. 

The below video is in stop-motion animation style and was made in homage to the one-year anniversary of the latest Animal Crossing game. Was this video needed? Nah. Is it cool? You bet your stop-motion tooshie. You can check out the crossover for yourself below for your own celebration of the ACNH anniversary: 

Click here to watch embedded media

The above video shows off the chaotic duo doing usual the Animal Crossing shenanigans. Catching butterflies, fishing, digging for fossils; everything is just a little bit better when Rick and Morty is involved. 

While this is nothing official in terms of a new gaming update, wouldn't it be cool to see the Adult Swim show make its way into New Horizons as an actual in-game event? Just imagine if Nintendo went full-on Fortnite in terms of a surprising crossover, especially with a not-so-kid-friendly show like Rick and Morty. Pickle Rick costumes, mad scientist DIY recipes - the sky is the limit.

Talk about a shocker if this were ever to happen...

For now, however, the only Rick and Morty crossover we can enjoy is in the above Animal Crossing: New Horizons tribute video. What are your thoughts on the evolution of Animal Crossing since New Horizons' launch? If you could have your dream crossover into that game, what would it be? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below! Pickle Rick would want you to. 

[H/T GameRant]

Cyberpunk 2077's 1.2 Patch Is Massive

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 08:38 AM PDT

Ever since its anticipated release at the end of last year, Cyberpunk 2077 has been facing backlash and high scrutiny. With a plethora of bugs, crashes, and even broken promises, fans have been eagerly awaiting the upcoming fixes that look to remedy the myriad issues in Cyberpunk 2077's open world. Today, CD Projekt Red unveiled the notes for the massive 1.2 Patch. The fixes are evenly spread out to optimize gameplay, quests, the open world, cinematic design, environments and levels, graphics, audio, animation, UI, and stability and performance. Additionally, PC-specific as well as Console-specific changes are incoming.

Some of the most important fixes include preventing quests from being incompletable (fixes like this appear in a majority of the sections listed above), reworking missing or misplaced assets that were constant immersion breakers, and improving a bevy of backend issues to reduce crashes. Ray Tracing on AMD graphics cards has been enabled for PC players (among many other PC-centric updates) while console tweaks are far more technical: adding memory handling optimizations for Xbox, reintegrating missing water surface shaders on PlayStation 4 (though the game is still missing from the PS4 store front), and fixing multiple issues with random game freezes across the board.

You can read the extensive list of patch notes, here, on the Official Cyberpunk website. Patch 1.2 is slated to drop on consoles, PC, and Stadia very soon. 

We enjoyed Cyberpunk 2077 on PC because the noticeable bugs weren't disruptive enough to detract from the core narrative and massive sandbox. However, on older consoles, it was a disaster. I gave Cyberpunk 2077 a 5.5 in my last-gen review and said, "Cyberpunk 2077 wasn't optimized for last-gen consoles, and no amount of interesting side activities can remedy that. On PC, the world lives up to its title as the "City of Dreams." For Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players, however, their time in Night City is likely a nightmare."

Anthem Director Leaves BioWare

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 08:27 AM PDT

Jonathan Warner, the game director for Anthem, has announced that he is leaving BioWare following the announcement that the online game will no longer be receiving any more support and the teams are moving on to work on other projects. 

Warner took to Twitter to share the news of his departure, saying, "So, today is my last day at BioWare. I'm moving on to do new things. BioWare has been home to my grateful heart for nearly 10 years, and I want to wish them all the best. Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Star Wars: The Old Republic are in good hands, and I can't wait to play from this side of the screen." 

Warner first began his journey into BioWare back in 2012 as a senior producer working on Mass Effect. Three short years later, he became game director to lead the charge on Anthem. With an impressive background with companies like Disney, Microsoft, and more, it will be interesting to see where he goes next, especially with so many former BioWare vets moving on to make their own studios. 

His departure comes on the heels of Dragon Age's Mark Darrah leaving and general manager Casey Hudson. That being said, several BioWare veterans have returned to the studio to head efforts on the future of Mass Effect and Dragon Age 4. 

Anthem was a new pivot for the studio, taking the live-service route that held a lot of potential. We broke down some of the revolutionary things the game did, but a live-service title with no support is an adventure doomed to fail. With a rocky launch and extended silence about the future, the writing was on the wall for Anthem. That being said, EA, the publisher behind BioWare, has made a big change in its own philosophy regarding single-player games. So much so that the next Dragon Age's online elements have been completely stripped from the board. 

What the future holds for BioWare remains to be seen, but the studio is poised to make a comeback that many have been hoping for with the renewed focus on the franchises that so many fell in love with. 

Astria Ascending Is A New Hand-Drawn RPG With Final Fantasy Pedigree

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 08:23 AM PDT

Astria Ascending was one of the more eyebrow raising announcements from last Friday's ID@Xbox Showcase. The upcoming RPG boasts beautiful hand-drawn art and classic role-playing combat but, most importantly, is made in part by a murder's row of veterans from JRPG series such as Final Fantasy. 

Players control eight customizable heroes known as Demigods whose collective mission is to defend the world of Orcanon from monsters known as the Noises. Each character hails from a different tribe/race and has their own individual stories as well as interpersonal relationships. Combat looks to be a traditional turn-based affair while exploration involves 2D side scrolling. The game takes players through five cities and features 25 dungeons as well as a host of side quests, mini-games, and other activities. According to the game's press release, the overall experience should amount to roughly 30 hours of content.

Click here to watch embedded media

Astria Ascending comes from French-Canadian developer Artisan Studios, who RPG fans may recognize as the makers of Super Neptunia RPG. The team has enlisted several JRPG heavyweights to help create Astria Ascending. The game's story is being written in part by Kazushige Nojima, writer of the Final Fantasy VII series (including Remake), Final Fantasy VIII, and the Final Fantasy X series. The music is composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto of Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy XII, and Valkyria Chronicles fame. Finally, the art comes from Akihiko Yoshida, main character designer on titles like Nier: Automata and Bravely Default, and Hideo Minaba, who was a primary art lead on Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy's IX and XIV. 

If Astria Ascending gameplay or developer pedigree has you interested, you should keep any eye out when it launches sometime this year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. 

The ID@Xbox Showcase showed off several promising looking indie projects. Follow the links below to read news for some of the coolest games shown at the event. 

Death's Door
Loot River
Soup Pot
Nobody Saves the World
Lawn Mowing Simulator 
The Ascent

What do you think of Asteria Ascending? Let us know down in the comments! 

New Netflix's The Witcher Season 2 Set Photos Revealed Of Potential Wild Hunt

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 08:02 AM PDT

We've got a brand new look at Netflix's The Witcher season 2 for what looks like The Wild Hunt realized for the silver screen. The cast and crew are busy filming up the remaining part of season 2 in the Saunton Sands in North Devon as many of the names attached wrap up their last bit of filming (including Freya Allen, who plays Ciri).

The latest sneak peek comes courtesy of the Witcher subreddit and shows off what looks to be the Wild Hunt in full swing: 

Netflix's The Witcher season 2 has seen a wide number of setbacks regarding production. From several shutdowns due to positive COVID-19 tests (despite safety precautions allegedly being made) to on-set injuries, getting the show on the road during a global pandemic has been anything but easy. That being said, the sandy UK setting for The Saunton Sands is the perfect backdrop for this particular sequence from the books. Redanian Intelligence, the source behind most of the accurate leaks and first looks of the series, says that the locals in this area have confirmed that the above sequence is the Wild Hunt, but Netflix has yet to officially address what the scene is in particular. 

In the photos, we can see the intimidating armored horses carrying similarly armored men in an action-driven sequence. Given the second novel in the series, Time in Content, details a scene of the Wild Hunt hunting down Ciri, it's possible that this scene is depicting exactly that. Something that was noted on social media in the responding thread is that if this is the Wild Hunt, the smaller group seen in the above photos indicates that this particular instance won't play a major role in the series. 

Season 2 will see a pivot back to Geralt's childhood home of Kaer Morhen, where the world gets much darker for our cast of beloved, strong characters. With Yennefer's return from her perceived death and even more characters from the series making their first appearances, Netflix's The Witcher season 2 is the highly anticipated continuation of where this show can take such a revered franchise. 

What are your thoughts about Netflix's The Witcher season 2 on-set photos? What other scenes from the novels do you hope to see played out in real-time? Sound off with those Witcher-related thoughts in the comment section below! Jaskier would want you to. 

Evil Genius 2 Review – A Foiled Plan

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 08:00 AM PDT

Publisher: Rebellion Developments
Developer: Rebellion Developments
Release:
Reviewed on: PC

Evil Genius 2 sounds zany and clever in concept: You control a maniacal overlord who tries to take over the world by building a sprawling base full of disposable minions and devious traps. Plus, it's all wrapped in stylish audio and visual riffs on '60s spy movies. This was also the same pitch as its predecessor (which released in 2004), but the sequel leverages new features and technology to bring the concept to a modern audience. However, the inelegant systems and unsatisfying progression throw a wrench in the grand plan.

I reviewed the original Evil Genius for Game Informer, but you don't need any familiarity with the first game to understand this one. In fact, Evil Genius 2 hits so many similar notes that you'll probably enjoy it more if you go into it fresh. But regardless of your prior experience, Evil Genius 2 shines brightest during the opening tutorial. It gradually introduces an array of different options for your base, like an inner sanctum with your impressive throne, and the ability to train guards to defend your corridors. This steady unlocking of devices to build and subordinates to train left me excited about my lair's trajectory and how my operation would eventually expand. Unfortunately, once all the basic room types are available, everything plateaus; you spend most of your time performing slight variations on the same repetitive tasks.  

Click here to watch embedded media

The main campaign is a series of missions that take you through the process of conquering the world (each of the four available geniuses has a unique doomsday device, which I like). But instead of hatching schemes within schemes, the limited mechanics of Evil Genius 2 make each mission feel like the one before it. You can only arrange "capture someone, research something, train someone, build something" so many different ways before they start to bleed together.

Certain objectives are also tied to finishing tasks on the world map – an abstraction that tries to make you to feel like you have global control, but only provides frustrating busywork through initiate-and-wait missions that gate your progress toward other tasks. Your interactions on the map consist of clicking on pins and launching missions to earn money; it's a tedious combination of shallow and necessary, requiring just enough babysitting to be distracting, but not enough depth to be interesting.

When you aren't pursuing formal objectives, you are usually just trying to get more of something. You need more power for your holding cells. You need more traps to fend off infiltrating agents. You need more broadcast strength to upgrade your criminal networks. This kind of ramp-up may be expected from a strategy game, but the problem is how few of these improvements result in interesting changes to your routine. They just feel like numbers going up with no meaningful effect. And the upgrades that do make a difference (like minions automatically attacking trespassers, or being able to cut through hard stone) aren't available until many hours past the point you recognize the need for them. They are still nice when you get them, but the pacing of the progression feels weirdly throttled.

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For all of my complaints about the experience, Evil Genius 2 still taps into a simple vein of diabolical entertainment. It features a funny, cartoonish representation of evil. I cackled as agents triggered traps, cheered on my robotic assistant as she interrogated intruders, and steepled my fingers as I activated my doomsday device. The thrill of optimizing your layout and allocating your workforce is enjoyable; it's often just buried under inconvenience. For that reason, I'd especially recommend starting up a game in sandbox mode after you finish the main tutorial. This mode gives you unlimited resources and unlocks various options that you'd normally have to play for hours to obtain. Though sandbox mode also lacks the clear structure to propel you forward, it at least lets you enjoy the fun of base-building without several of the annoyances that hold the campaign back.

While playing Evil Genius 2, I couldn't stop thinking about the movie Austin Powers. That probably seems natural at first; in terms of their characters and general aesthetic, both of them lampoon the early era James Bond films. But that wasn't what I was dwelling on. At one point in Austin Powers, Dr. Evil (who was cryogenically frozen for many years) suggests a paltry ransom of "one million dollars." His henchman needs to explain to him how times have changed, and such a demand doesn't really meet villainous standards anymore. Just like Dr. Evil, the Evil Genius name has been on ice a long time, and despite being full of nefarious intent, this sequel's methods feel outdated on the current world stage

Score: 7

Summary: Inelegant systems and unsatisfying progression throw a wrench in the grand plans of this criminal mastermind.

Concept: Construct a lair, command your henchmen, and take over the world as a criminal mastermind

Graphics: Expressive animations look great when you zoom in close, but you're usually looking everything from a distance

Sound: The music expertly captures the '60s spy-movie aesthetic. It would be the best part of the whole game if there were a wider variety of tracks

Playability: Navigating the menus feels natural with time, but poor minion A.I. and a few unclear requirements makes the simulation feel unresponsive to your commands

Entertainment: Managing your base and bossing people around can be fun, but that simple joy is often obscured by layers of repetition

Replay: Moderate

Click to Purchase

Exclusive Bethesda-Themed Xbox Series X Wireless Controllers Revealed For Giveaway

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 07:49 AM PDT

What is better than a Bethesda-themed Xbox Series X wireless controller? A free Bethesda-themed Xbox Series X wireless controller. Head of Xbox Games Marketing Aaron Greenberg shared a video of Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Doom, Wolfenstein, Evil Within, Dishonored, and Prey controllers to celebrate the recent acquisition of ZeniMax. One lucky Xbox player will be getting this entire cache for free. 

Microsoft previously acquired ZeniMax Studios, a decision that was made official earlier this month. The deal was worth $7.5 billion, so the cost of manufacturing a few special controllers to celebrate was nothing in the grand scheme of things. You can check out the exclusive designs in the video below: 

The Bethesda Joins Xbox collection brings the best of numerous worlds created by the studio to life in a different way, showing off the unique branding of each IP that is perfect for any fan. Since the deal has gone live, numerous Bethesda and id Software games have made their way onto the Xbox Game Pass, with more on the way in the coming year. It was a bold and brilliant move from Microsoft regarding what the Xbox name brings to gaming. While that doesn't mean every game will be exclusive going forward, it does mean that the company has firmer footing regarding this new generation. 

The controllers seen above will work on both Xbox Series X/S and the Xbox One generations and will even work with Windows PC for additional controller support. It's a neat way to commemorate the latest acquisition, even if Xbox will have more to reveal later this year regarding what's next. 

Click here to watch embedded media

What do you think about the Bethesda-themed Xbox Series X controller giveaway? What are your thoughts on the latest grab for the gaming company? Sound off with your acquisition, and freebie giveaway hot takes in the comment section below! 

Monster Hunter Rise Ships 4 Million On Nintendo Switch

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 06:30 AM PDT

Capcom has announced that Monster Hunter Rise has now shipped over 4 million copies worldwide. The latest addition to the franchise is currently available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. It looks like the series is now well-established and embraced in the mainstream gaming reality, as opposed as its perhaps more niche inclusion in circles years ago as it lived on handhelds. Looking to get started in Monster Hunter Rise? Check out our guide right here.

"Beyond mounting monsters and using the wirebug to wall-run in spectacular fashion, not much else distinguishes Monster Hunter Rise from the installments that came before. It has enough endgame content to keep you occupied long after the credits roll (if you don't mind copious amounts of grinding) and multiplayer is still the optimal way to play, but the excitement of my early hunts waned before long," says Game Informer's Jason Guisao in our review. "Monster Hunter Rise is far from being the next definitive chapter in the series. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a polished-but-conventional adventure with a few small-scale nuances, then you'll be right at home in Kamura Village." Monster Hunter Rise scored a 7.75 as the latest installment.

Monster Hunter Rise adds on to the continually iterated upon monster slaying formula with big traversal and mobility options with the wirebug and new friends to rely upon. Namely, players can ride around the vast areas on their new dog friends, the palamutes. Palamutes join the palicoes as another friendly companion that players count on for assistance both inside and outside of combat. Some monsters that were absent in Monster Hunter: World make triumphant returns on Monster Hunter Rise, such as the bizarre and vaguely unsettling Khezu.

Monster Hunter isn't done for the year either, as Monster Hunter Stories 2 is slated to land this summer. While the Stories brand plays quite differently than the core titles, it's yet another way to get the brand out there with its iconic creatures out there to a whole new audience. You can check out the Game Informer review of the first Monster Hunter Stories game here. Oh, there was even a Monster Hunter movie this year. Everything is coming up Monster Hunter!

Have you played Monster Hunter Rise? Are you planning to? Let us know in the comments!
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