Game Informer

Game Informer

Ranking Every Metroid Game

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 05:00 PM PDT

Platform: 3DS
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: MercurySteam
Release:
Rating: Everyone 10+

Metroid is easily one of Nintendo's underrated top-tier franchises; entries come few and far between compared to Mario, Zelda, and even Splatoon these days. It's a series that rarely misses, with each entry ranging from a fun romp that's worth playing to a consistently great experience than can be considered one of the greatest games of all time. Metroid has inspired an entire genre of games that mix platforming, action, discovery, and abilities unlocking even more options for the previous three pillars, and it even remains at the peak of that archetype in its latest entries. The mark Metroid has made on modern gaming is undeniable, so we're here to celebrate the franchise surrounding gaming's most beloved bounty hunter.

The following is our ranking of each official entry in the Metroid series, including the remakes and offshoots released throughout the years. Most of these games are exceptional in their own way, and your ranking may be different. If you have any thoughts on the order, feel free to share them in the comments below!

13

Metroid Prime: Federation Force

3DS

While not a disaster and actually quite fun at times, Federation Force was simply a Metroid game the public didn't want. Released in 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS, this offshoot of the Metroid Prime series is a four-player first-person cooperative shooter that puts players in the suits of Federation Marines to complete missions that task the team to complete puzzles or take out space pirates. The cardinal sin of Federation Force is simple: You didn't play as Samus, nor did it continue the series lore in a meaningful way. During an extended drought for mainline Metroid titles, Federation Force couldn't captivate audiences like Nintendo's adventurous bounty hunter.

12

Metroid Prime: Hunters

DS

Hunters is a cool experiment, playing with where the Metroid series could go on the Nintendo DS. Rather than opting for the easy 2D route with the classic platforming gameplay set on the top screen and the series' trademark map system on the bottom, Nintendo chose to push the limits of the handheld device. It opted to create a first-person shooter in the image of the GameCube Prime titles, utilizing the touch screen and stylus for aiming Samus' arm cannon for precision shots. 

Going back to Metroid Prime: Hunters is a cumbersome experience that's far less fun to play today than when the DS was in its heyday. The way the stylus mode works, there's a feeling of needing three hands to control it properly because there are controls mapped to the D-Pad, face buttons, shoulder buttons, and the touch screen. It should be celebrated for giving faces and names to more bounty hunters in the Metroid universe, but Hunters is far less desirable to play if you're looking to play a Metroid in modern times

11

Metroid II: Return of Samus

Game Boy

Following up on the original Metroid is a tough task to undertake, let alone doing it on Nintendo's primary 90s portable, the Game Boy. Producer Gunpei Yokoi and the Nintendo R&D1 team packed an entire Metroid adventure on the primitive handheld, and in a lot of ways it looks and plays better than the NES-quality benchmark the studio was going for. Following the events of Metroid, Samus lands on planet SR388, the Metroids' homeworld, to eliminate the biological menace.

Considering the technology of the Game Boy, Metroid II is often hard to read in its original green-screen format, where backgrounds and characters don't stand out enough to tell what's going on when the action gets going. It also suffers from having the camera a little too close to Samus, making the world feel more claustrophobic than it really is.

Metroid II is incredible in terms of fitting an ambitious Metroid adventure on the Game Boy, but it's been made obsolete in and out of Nintendo. Metroid: Samus Returns on 3DS adapts the game for a new generation, and if you can find it, the fan-made game AM2R also makes for a better way to experience Samus' sophomore outing.

10

Metroid: Other M

Wii

In an intriguing move, Nintendo handed the development reins of Metroid over to the then masters of action games, Team Ninja to work on the most stylish entry in the series, Metroid: Other M. Taking inspiration from the 2D Metroid games while firmly keeping Samus in the realm of 3D movement, Team Ninja's vision produced a unique experience for the franchise. It lets Samus run and gun around a mixture of side-scrolling environments while sometimes pulling the camera behind her shoulder for more intimate combat scenarios. It's easily the most cinematic Metroid in the gameography, but its sometimes strange controls (having to swap how you hold the Wii Remote) and Samus' troubling characterization hold Other M back from being one of the greats.

9

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Wii

Samus' Wii debut largely pulled off the massive feat of translating the series' gameplay to the Wiimote/Nunchuck's motion controls. While ultimately not our favorite way to interact with the bounty hunter, the mechanics felt novel without feeling too gimmicky. The new Hypermode in particular was great, allowing Samus to unleash devastating attacks at the expense of health, adding a cool risk vs reward element to combat. In a weird but welcome twist, the story became a larger focus as Samus could converse with NPCs and we even got to see her hang around fellow bounty hunters for once. Corruption is one of the Wii's best titles and was another strong selling point for the platform.

8

Metroid: Samus Returns

3DS

Samus Returns gave new life to the events of Metroid II with a complete remake created by then-first time Metroid developer MercurySteam. This 3DS title not only gave fans of the series hope that Nintendo was willing to revisit 2D Metroid games, but also put an exciting new coat of paint on a bygone classic. Like the Game Boy version, Samus is tasked with hunting down the Metroids on their homeworld, but this time Samus has new moves at her disposal, including a parry that stuns enemies long enough to take them out with a quick volley of plasma shots.

Samus Returns isn't perfect, but a lot of what MercurySteam and Nintendo built here is present in the follow-up in Metroid Dread. Like just about any other entry on this list, it's still a fun adventure to pick up and play when needing to scratch that specific Metroid itch.

7

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

GameCube

Echoes successfully flips its predecessor's formula on its head by having Samus traverse two worlds, light and dark, to solve puzzles and open paths for the opposite realm. Echoes stands as the most difficult adventure of the Prime trilogy thanks to its challenging enemies, a dark world that constantly saps Samus of her health, and, of course, the debuting Dark Samus. This powerful doppelganger proved a formidable and memorable foe; who better to stand against Samus than herself? Echoes sometimes had us beating our heads against the wall, but it's an exceptional adventure and a worthy follow-up.

6

Metroid

NES

Like others in the Nintendo franchise pantheon, Metroid debuted with a big splash on the NES, combining an action platformer with the smooth exploratory elements pioneered in The Legend of Zelda. Metroid introduced Samus, the series' primary protagonist, a hardened bounty hunter sent on a mission to eliminate a group of Space Pirates who have captured the potential bio-weapons known as Metroids. 

All of the core tenants of Metroid were there from the start; a big explorable map and obtainable abilities that unlock new areas all set within somewhat gritty scifi trappings. Metroid is a classic for a reason, and still quite playable today. However, its remake on GBA does make this adventure obsolete in many ways, and just about every offshoot and sequel improve on the formula, making the original somewhat hard to go back to. Still, if you're looking to see where the series started, fire up the NES Switch Online library and give Samus' first official adventure a try.

5

Metroid: Zero Mission

Game Boy Advance

Zero Mission is a complete remake of the original Metroid with updated graphics, using the quality of life improvements and expansion on Samus' powers from Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion to create the ultimate version of the original adventure available. This entry is also the debut of Zero Suit Samus, who in a separate story segment after the main campaign, has to survive making her way through a Space Pirate base with only stealth and stun gun at her disposal.

Unfortunately, Zero Mission is difficult to get a hold of these days. It only exists as a Game Boy Advance cartridge or downloadable through the Wii U Virtual Console.

4

Metroid Fusion

Game Boy Advance

Releasing the same day as Metroid Prime, Fusion acts as the direct sequel to Super Metroid, and carries on its legacy in almost every way. This Game Boy Advance entry returns Samus to the 2D labyrinths the series has embodied up until this point. Samus, after absorbing a baby Metroid's DNA in the previous entry, is forced to contend with a new biological weapon, the parasite known as X. In a freak turn of events, the X have infected Samus and can replicate the bodies of their hosts, creating the greatest threat to the bounty hunter to date, a mimic of the known as SA-X that matches her capabilities.

Fusion is a great Metroid adventure that offers the typical suite of upgrades as other games in the series. It moves the narrative forward in a satisfying way and offered a full-featured Metroid game on Nintendo's enhanced portable. You can't go wrong playing Metroid Fusion, however, like Zero Mission, it's hard to get a hold of these days. Once again, a GBA cartridge or a Wii U are your main chances to play it.

3

Metroid Dread

Switch

The day Nintendo announced Metroid Dread, we rejoiced. It had been 20 years since the last canonical entry, and this one would be the final in the current Metroid storyline. Nintendo paired up with Samus Returns developer MercurySteam to revive the franchise and return to the series' 2D roots.

Dread is a fun, wonderfully designed game with a huge winding map that takes Samus through the undergrounds of planet ZDR. There Samus must confront her history with not only the Metroids, but also the mysterious Chozos, dangerous Space Pirates, and Fusion's X parasite. Everything has been leading to these events, and Dread beautifully brings the saga to a head after Samus collects plenty of classic abilities along with new tricks like the Spider Magnet and the Phantom Cloak. With these new powers, she can take on the nearly indestructible EMMIs, a fleet of robotic sentinels protecting large sections of ZDR. 

Dread is a wonderful return to form for the franchise, offering challenging boss encounters and plenty of secrets and shortcuts to be found throughout the map. We may have had to wait two decades for a new 2D Metroid, but Dread absolutely meets our lofty expectations and easily sits near the top of the series best.

2

Metroid Prime

GameCube

Retro Studios had the tall task of taking the exploratory formula from previous Metroids and modifying it to work within the burgeoning genre of first-person shooters. To the developer's credit, it absolutely nailed it. Samus' debut on the GameCube was also the first 3D entry in the series. Using new tech like the ability to scan items and organisms and the beautifully modeled and fleshed-out planet of Tallon IV, Prime feels like a revelation close to that of Super Metroid a handful of years prior. Taking place between the events of Metroid and Metroid II, Prime allows Nintendo to present an exciting Samus adventure before she goes all-in on exterminating the Metroid threat.

Prime hits higher on the list than Echoes and Corruption due primarily to its clean and successful execution of the series formula in 3D. While the sequels are good in their own rights, we have a special place in our hearts for our first Prime experience, right next to the greatest of all time, which happens to be the previous Metroid title released.

1

Super Metroid

SNES

In what feels like the true successor to the original game, Super Metroid is the blueprint for just about every Metroid game that comes after it. The planet Zebes is moody and atmospheric, mysterious, and each new room or corridor is exciting to traverse and explore. Samus' abilities are amped up compared to the previous two entries, introducing power-ups like the Super Missiles, Ice Beam, Space Jump, Grappling Beam, and the Power Bomb, setting the standard for the bounty hunter's loadout for decades to come.

It's a testament to its quality that Super Metroid is just as fun to play today as any of the more contemporary titles and holds up even for new players almost 30 years later. Other Metroid games may have improved the formula in some ways, but to us, nothing surpasses the total package that is Super Metroid.

Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest Will Continue This Year, Starts In June

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 01:02 PM PDT

As the smoldering ashes of what was to be the now completely canceled E3 2022 event slowly extinguish, video resident baron of exclusive reveals, Geoff Keighley, is quick to promote his Summer Game Fest will indeed continue this year.

In a tweet sent out this afternoon, Keighley confirmed Sumer Game Fest would take place in June with a big Kickoff Live show and more events to follow through the subsequent months. His full tweet reads: 

"Excited to share that @SummerGameFest will return this June with a slate of events. We'll be producing another Kickoff Live show with announcements, news and first looks. Much more to share in the coming weeks, along with some very cool new elements for '22."

Summer Game Fest began in 2020 and was created in combination due to the cancelation of that year's E3 Expo along with growing frustrations with the trade show in previous years. Keighley now partners with developers and publishers to show up an upcoming slate of games, featuring new looks at titles and world premiere reveals in various digital showcases throughout the summer months.

There's no word on who will show up this year for Summer Game Fest, but the scope of the event will likely become clear in the coming months. 

E3 2022 Is Completely Cancelled, Digital Included

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 12:48 PM PDT

E3 has been completely canceled this year, IGN reports with further confirmation by VentureBeat.  

In a statement to VentureBeat, the Entertainment Software Association, which organizes E3, said the following:

"We previously announced that E3 would not be held in person in 2022 due to the ongoing health risks surrounding COVID-19. Today, we announce that there will also be no digital E3 showcase in 2022."

The ESA announced in January that a physical convention would not take place but an online-only version was still a possibility. Today's news broke when IGN's Rebekah Valentine confirmed the contents of an email sent to Razor PR lead Will Powers, who tweeted that it stated a digital E3 was no longer happening as well. It appears these emails were sent to all of the ESA's partners prior to the announcement. 

There has not been an in-person E3 since 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 show was also canceled and the 2021 iteration was an online event consisting of trailers and digital booths for media. However, many publishers either declined to participate or appeared in Geoff Keighley's Summer Games Fest, making E3 2021 a shallow disappointment to fans and the press. 

It's likely due to the 2021 show's reception that the ESA also tells VentureBeat that it plans to "revitalize" E3 in 2023 as "a reinvigorated showcase that celebrates new and exciting video games and industry innovations." 

[Source: IGN, VentureBeat]

Heart Machine Announces Hyper Light Breaker, Enters Early Access In 2023

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 11:35 AM PDT

Platform: PC
Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
Developer: Heart Machine

Heart Machine, the development studio behind Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash has revealed its next project titled Hyper Light Breaker.

Breaker, which was announced on G4 this afternoon, is a new game set within the Hyper Light universe, where players will enter early access next year. Unlike Drifter, Breaker will be a 3D action title with cooperative gameplay. According to creative director Alx Preston, this new adventure is not a direct sequel to Drifter.

Click here to watch embedded media

The Steam page for Hyper Light Breaker offers this description for the game: 

"​​​​​​Enter the Overgrowth, a new land in the world of Hyper Light. Play alone or with friends to explore massive biomes, defeat brutal monsters, create new builds, survive the mysterious Crowns and overthrow the almighty Abyss King in this adventure from the creators of Hyper Light Drifter."

You can watch the debut trailer above, which sets the stage with a stylish, action-packed animated sequence and ends with a splash of a look at the game in-engine.

Click here to view embedded media

 

Heart Machine is partnering with Gearbox Publishing, although other than Steam, no other platform has been announced for Hyper Light Breaker at this time.

Breath Of The Wild 2 Delay, PlayStation Plus, And Weird West | GI Show

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 10:40 AM PDT

Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Developer: WolfEye Studios
Release:
Rating: Mature

We're back with another fantastic episode of The Game Informer Show! Join us this week for a news-heavy pod, where we dive into The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel being delayed and the PlayStation Plus changes coming in June. That's not all, though, as we're also breaking down our time at the Game Developers Conference and our review impressions of Weird West, publisher Devolver Digital's exciting new immersive sim. As always, we end all the fun with another round of Listener Questions that Muppet fans won't want to miss!

Click here to watch embedded media

Follow us on Twitter: Alex Stadnik (@Studnik76), Alex Van Aken (@itsVanAken), Jill Grodt (@Finruin), and Marcus Stewart (@MarcusStewart7)

The Game Informer Show is a weekly gaming podcast covering the latest video game news, industry topics, exclusive reveals, and reviews. Join hosts Alex Stadnik and Alex Van Aken every Thursday to chat about your favorite games – past and present – with Game Informer staff, developers, and special guests from all around the industry. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Check out the timestamps below to jump to a particular point in the discussion:

00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:25 - Breath of the Wild Sequel Delay
00:21:12 - PlayStation Plus Changes
00:55:07 - Weird West
01:13:52 - GDC 2022 Impressions
01:34:11 - Housekeeping
01:40:02 - Listener Questions

News:

Breath of the Wild 2 Delay and PlayStation Plus Changes

The Playlist:

Game Informer Staff discuss the games they're playing.

The Playlist before Topic of the Show? That sounds weird, right? You're darn tootin', partner, as this week's segment is all about Weird West, the exciting new immersive sim from developer WolfEye Studios. Van Aken is here to chat about his review impressions of the latest Devolver Digital joint and highlights the game's interesting characters, strange yet alluring sci-fi world, and how the gameplay compliments this bizarre but enticing experience.

Read our Weird West review here.

Topic of the Show:

GDC 2022 Impressions

For the first time in a long time, the Game Developers Conference was held in person, and the Incineroar of Indies Jill Grodt had the pleasure of attending. Join Jill as she talks about what it was like being back at a conference that holds special meaning to her, what games she got to play, and her overall impressions of the smaller experience. We also dissect one of GDC's biggest controversies: a prevalent former GI staff member...licking a burrito (I know, I'm sick too).

Read our Bugsnax DLC impressions here.

Listener Questions:

The Game Informer crew answers your burning questions.

This week's Listener Questions are a blast, featuring inquiries on the Breath of the Wild delay, the best Muppets, and our favorite Cinderella story games.

Read this week's questions below and submit your own via the Official Game Informer Community Discord or by emailing us at Podcast@GameInformer.com:

How relieved are you that you won't have to have BoTW2 vs. Elden Ring GOTY discussions? - Crater (Discord)
Who's the GI Crews' favorite Muppet? - SavoyPrime (Discord)
In honor of the collegiate basketball tournament nearing its' end and the Cinderella story St. Peters being knocked out of it, here's my question... what is your personal favorite Cinderella story game. If you're not familiar with that term, what game were you not expecting to play or enjoy, and it completely surprised you, in a good way? - AFireOutside (Disord)

 

For more Game Informer podcasts, check out Video Gameography, our video game history podcast, All Things Nintendo, which deep dives into Nintendo's library of games every week, and From Panel to Podcast, our latest show focusing on the world of comic books!

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Obi-Wan Kenobi Premiere Gets Small Delay, First Two Episodes Available On Day One

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 10:21 AM PDT

Obi-Wan Kenobi was slated to premiere on Disney+ on Wednesday, May 25, but the hotly anticipated Star Wars series has been pushed back. 

Thankfully, the delay is a short one. The show now begins Friday, May 27. In a video announcing the update, the man himself, Ewan McGregor, dropped the bonus news that the series' first two episodes will be available to watch on day one.

Click here to watch embedded media

Obi-Wan Kenobi fills the gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope by following the Jedi Master's exploits on Tatooine while keeping an eye on a young Luke Skywalker. He'll confront all manner of threats from the Dark Side, including the live-action debut of Imperial Inquisitors and the big bad himself, Darth Vader, played by a returning Hayden Christensen. 

The rest of the cast includes Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, and O'Shea Jackson Jr., among other names. Disney bills Obi-Wan Kenobi as a "limited series," suggesting it will only consist of a single season. You can watch the debut trailer here.

Earthworm Jim 2 And More Games Added To Switch Online In March Update

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 09:20 AM PDT

Cutting it close and making it just before the buzzer, Nintendo has released the March update for games being added to the Nintendo Switch Online Service.

Click here to watch embedded media

Earlier in the month, F-Zero X was added to the collection of Nintendo 64 titles as well as a trio of Sega Genesis titles, and now three more games are available for the NES and SNES library. Here's what you can load up and play right now if you're a Switch Online subscriber.  

Earthworm Jim 2 – SNES

"In this wild platformer released for the Super NES™ console in 1995, you worm your way back into your super suit and take on the role of Jim, the annelid with attitude!"

This marks the first Earthworm Jim title to be added to the Nintendo Switch online service, and the sole SNES addition this month. If you're looking for a bonkers comedic platformer that reeks of the 90s, look no further than Earthworm Jim 2.

Dig Dug II – NES

"DIG DUG has decided to take a vacation on a remote island, but the POOKA and FYGAR won't give him the chance to rest! In each round, clear out the enemies by inflating them until they burst or by digging up traps for them to fall into. But be careful that you don't get too close to their attacks or fall into your own traps!"

Dig Dug II is a departure from the original's classic arcade gameplay. You still have the ability to inflate enemies, but your goal now is to strategically demolish parts of an island to eliminate enemies. The NES version of Dig Dig II was originaly released in 1989.

Mappy–Land – NES

"MAPPY the police mouse has prepared all kinds of wonderful presents for MAPICO and MAPPY Jr. But the big cheese of the feline world, NYAMCO, has ordered his clowder 'MEOWKIES' to hide the presents throughout MAPPYLAND."

This sequel to the Namco arcade classic Mappy was released on the NES in Japan in 1986, while North America recieved a localized version in 1989. Mappy–Land resurfaced in 2015 for purchase on the Wii U Virtual Console.

Are you planning to dig into any of these classic games? Let us know which ones you're excited to play in the comments below!

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt Exits Early Access On April 27

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 08:20 AM PDT

Platform: PlayStation 5, PC
Publisher: Sharkmob AB
Developer: Sharkmob AB
Release:

2022 is shaping up to be a noteworthy year for Vampire: The Masquerade fans. In addition to the May 19 launch of the narrative RPG Swansong, we now know that Bloodhunt, the free-to-play battle royale, will exit Early Access and launch in full on April 27.

The game first entered Steam Early Access last September, and 1.0 launch means Bloodhunt is also coming to PlayStation 5. The third-person shooter unfolds in Prague and pits players in the roles of vampires against each other. You can play alone or squad up with friends to take on opposing players as well as AI-controlled adversaries. Your supernatural abilities are determined by whichever of the six vampire clans you align yourself with. No matter what side you choose, players use vampiric powers to climb and run along walls and drain blood from victims to increase health and boost powers. Or you can just mow targets down with guns, crossbows, and other firearms. That works too. 

Click here to watch embedded media

Bloodhunt supports cross-play between PS5 and PC. The PS5 version boasts features such as Tempest 3D audio, adaptive trigger feedback, and smaller perks such as the DualSense light displaying the color of your faction. Although the game is free, you can pre-order a special Founders Edition for $59.99 that includes the following bonuses: 

  • PS5 exclusive Samurai Mask
  • PS5 exclusive Headrush and Fast Forward outfits
  • Over 100 cosmetic items
  • 1,000 tokens for the in-game store

For an early idea of what's in store, you can read our pre-alpha impressions of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt here.

Nintendo Switch Sports Gameplay Trailer Reveals Ranked Modes, Mii Customization, And More

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 07:45 AM PDT

Click here to watch embedded media

Platform: Switch
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Release:

Nintendo Switch Sports was first announced in February when fans of the classic Wii Sports game and Nintendo newcomers learned that six sports – Soccer, Volleyball, Bowling, Tennis, Badminton, and Chambara – would be available at launch. Moreover, the latest overview trailer (see above) revealed a new ranked mode, Mii customization, and much more.

In today's trailer, much of what we all saw in February has been reiterated: the game takes place in Spocco Square, a multisports facility specific to Nintendo Switch. Activities like Volleyball and Chambara allow you to play your own way with intuitive motion controls, from serving, bumping, setting, spiking, and blocking to dual-wielding swords to level the opposition. Timing leads to more potent hits in other games like Tennis and Badminton. Bowling gives you leeway to roll the ball straight or at different curves to nab that coveted strike. Lastly, Soccer introduces a fun new mechanic to the Joy-con, allowing players to wrap the controller around their thigh of choice to simulate dynamic kicks. 

Local and online multiplayer is a given, but a new ranked mode called Pro League ups the ante. Each sport comes with a Pro League where you start at E-Rank and can gain points from victories to climb the leaderboards and enter the top-tier A-Rank. There are 12 skill-based ranks in all – it would be pretty sweet if Nintendo Switch Sports amassed a burgeoning esports scene. Of course, you can look cool while competing against the AI or other players. A character customization menu lets you create the sporty getup of your Olympic dreams. While playing online, any earned points can be redeemed for cosmetic items. You can also use Mii characters if you'd prefer that blocky, low-poly aesthetic.

Nintendo Switch Sports launches for the titular console on April 29. Golf is slated to drop in an update this Fall. 

[UPDATE] A New Marvel's Avengers Patch Is Live To Address PS5 Crash Bug

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 06:45 AM PDT

Marvel's Avengers

Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal
Release: (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia), (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S)
Rating: Teen

Update: 2:37 p.m. ET: The Marvel's Avengers Twitter account has announced that an update has gone live for PS5 to fix the crash bug. 

Original Story: Marvel's Avengers post-launch success hasn't been stellar since its release in 2020. The bright side is that Crystal Dynamics has supported the game with solid expansions and character drops like War for Wakanda and Spider-Man. Despite these fun inclusions, a new game-breaking bug on PlayStation 5 negatively affects the remaining player base's enjoyment of the superhero title. The bug in question causes Marvel's Avengers to crash every time it loads up, and the only way to fix it is by deleting your progress. 

A recent tweet thread (seen above) from the official Marvel's Avengers Twitter account spoke about the current quick-fix:

"Our team is continuing to investigate the issue causing a crash for some PS5 players. We think we've identified a fix that is currently being implemented/tested. We hope to have more news by tomorrow morning and will continue to keep you updated. In the meantime, here's a workaround that is resolving the issue for some players – just note that it will reset your campaign progress: Go to Operations and Reset your Reassemble Campaign Progress. As soon as you become young Kamala on A-Day, force close the game from the PS home screen, then you should be able to start Avengers Initiative."

According to IGN, commenters have noted that the fix works and only targets story progress – playable characters and purchased microtransactions remain unaffected. However, a large swath of players remains dismayed at the prospect of deleting their campaign. Throw in the fact that many PS5 players have missed out on this week's double XP event (which concludes today), and it makes even more sense that things look particularly bleak. Hopefully, the bug will be patched very soon. 

Have you been affected by the bug? Let us know about your experience in the comments below! 

[Source: IGN]

Weird West Review – A Fantastical Frontier

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 06:00 AM PDT

weird west review

Reviewed on: PC
Also on: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Developer: WolfEye Studios
Release:
Rating: Mature

Weird West is a spellbinding, isometric portrayal of the Wild West. From the minds behind Dishonored and Prey, this compelling immersive sim is unlike any western tale you've experienced. Its macabre frontier isn't just a land of cowboys and cattle but one brimming with old magic and hideous monstrosities like werewolves, flesh-eating sirens, gold-hungry zombies, and bewitched trees capable of trapping the souls of men. 

The game's main narrative is a five-chapter anthology following the lives of five "heroes" – a bounty hunter, a man-turned-pig, a tribal protector, a werewolf, and a zealot – whose journeys are unknowingly connected. You play as the Passenger, a faceless entity who possesses a new protagonist in every chapter for mysterious reasons. The story begins by following a rancher who's given up her old life as a bounty hunter but must dig up her irons to rescue her kidnapped family member. What starts as a safe, conventional cowboy revenge story unravels into a tale of unbelievable outcomes. You'll help a poet lift a curse in one moment, causing him to only speak in rhymes. In another, you'll contemplate turning in a sheriff after discovering they've converted the jail into a meat market and are feeding on imprisoned criminals' corpses. After a slow start, Weird West quickly ups the ante in thrilling and absurd ways, and just when you've figured things out, something unexpectedly changes. It's so fun seeing how each chapter spirals into another with every new revelation. 

Click here to watch embedded media

While the mythology of Weird West is enchanting, its sandbox gameplay brings the world to life. You can solve most problems via stealth as long as you stay out of sight and adequately hide bodies, though there's a bevy of guns, bows, and melee weapons enticing you to engage in the game's raucous twin-stick-style shoot-outs. Blast foes into bits with the shotgun's screen-shaking burst, fan the revolver's hammer to unleash a rain of bullets, or quietly eliminate opponents with Sentry Silencer. This unlockable rifle ability silences your next shot and doubles damage to unaware enemies. 

Each of the five protagonists wields unique spells in addition to perks like increased health or movement speed they share with the other characters. The Pigman can deflect bullets with his rubbery skin, soak the surrounding ground in poison, or charge enemies headfirst to deal devastating damage. At the same time, the Protector is capable of summoning spirit bears or tornadoes that can be imbued with elemental properties. Combat requires a level of precision best suited for mouse and keyboard, but if your only option is to play Weird West with a controller, I'd recommend using the game's Tactical Mode, which slows time down to let you better plan out your movements. 

weird west review

You could aim at the apparent red-hued TNT barrel for a loud explosion or blast away at a box of ammunition, sending a barrage of bullets in every direction. However, I don't recommend the latter method if you're low on ammo. Many enemies have weaknesses like fire or poison, but sometimes you'll find yourself low on supplies. Instead of using a dynamite stick or molotov cocktail to cause a fire, equip the bow and arrow next to a nearby flame to create a fire arrow. Make sure you don't accidentally blow yourself up, as I did several times. If you set yourself on fire, quickly find a water source – a pond, bathtub, or even a water pump – before burning to death. These physics-based interactions make me enjoy solving the game's challenges, though it's frustrating when awkward camera angles hinder my best-laid plans.

The overworld of Weird West is large and populated with dozens – nearly hundreds – of diamond-shaped nodes representing the many homesteads, towns, and stretches of wilderness you can travel between. The map's abundance of locations is sometimes overwhelming, with new areas cropping up on almost every trek, though I am often rewarded with new loot when I stop. In addition to serving as trade hubs and places of rest, towns are often places you can hire mercenaries to join your posse as party members. While some hired hands will help your cause free of charge – revenge often serves as a better currency than coins – many will require a hefty upfront fee before lending their trigger finger. 

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How will you earn money, though? You could break into the bank and rob its coffers if you have enough dynamite or lockpicks. Though choices often come with consequences (even outside of story moments), it's better to return at night when the bank's closed if you want to avoid a shoot-out or a criminal reputation. With a rope in your inventory, scale the bank's rooftop and quietly enter through the chimney chute. Regardless of approach, Weird West entertains a bevy of playstyles, often encouraging me to look at situations through a different lens. 

Whether in notable moments or otherwise forgettable encounters, Weird West remembers everything you do. Side characters you betray will show up much later, sometimes during pivotal moments, to enact swift vengeance. On the flip side, new friends – like the lady whose land deed I retrieved – might show up in your time of desperation if you assisted them earlier in your journey. These consequences add significance to even the smallest choices, and you never know how the world might react to a decision. If you eradicate all of the people in a town – yeah, I'm looking at all of you sickos who did this while playing Skyrim in high school – the space will become abandoned. After enough time passes, it will become a literal ghost town, as ghoulish monsters attracted by the smell of rotting corpses take up residence and permanently transform the establishment into a hellish domain.  

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Weird West's best assets are its well-developed characters and deep gameplay systems, but its overall production value is underwhelming. The game's cell-shading looks good enough on higher settings and large screens, but the composition quickly becomes muddy on less-powerful machines like my Steam Deck. Additionally, a minor bug prevented me from saving my game occasionally, leading to several frustrating deaths. 

Regardless, developer Wolfeye Studios has crafted one hell of a debut release. Weird West subverts expectations, twisting well-trodden cowboy tropes into dark fantasy vignettes brought to life by immersive sandbox elements. 

GI Must Play

Score: 8.5

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