Author: Game Infliction

Helldivers 2 Community Mourns the Loss of ‘Space Vietnam’ Map Malevelon Creek — but the Fightback Has Already Begun

The Helldivers 2 community was left in tatters after fan-favorite planet Malevelon Creek, dubbed ‘Space Vietnam’ by players, finally fell to the Automatons.

The community reacted in horror overnight as they discovered Malevelon Creek with the dreaded ‘0% Liberated’ flag, and, even more devastating, a ‘Planet Lost’ retreat order. This made the planet inaccessible, and players have even reported getting booted from its surface mid-mission.

Malevelon Creek is widely thought of as Helldivers 2’s best planet. It sees players go up against Automatons — Terminator-style killer robots – in an atmospheric environment clearly inspired by iconic imagery from Vietnam war movies. Its eternally twilight forest biome is creepy, awe-inspiring, and, if you’re doing well, more than a little heroic.

But overnight, Malevelon Creek fell in a surprise twist in the ongoing meta narrative that makes up Helldivers 2’s Galactic War. Here, Super Earth and the alien enemy wrestle for control over entire sectors of the galaxy as players battle to complete operations (sets of missions) and positively contribute to each planet’s liberation status.

Here’s a snippet of the reaction to the fall of Malevelon Creek:

However, as of this morning, the fightback has begun. IGN has verified a tiny percentage pushback on Malevelon Creek as players work to wrestle control away from the Automatons. Malevelon Creek is playable once again.

Helldivers 2’s galactic war is a single, ongoing meta narrative fans have had fun role-playing with since the game’s explosive launch. Currently there are no rewards directly tied to the liberation of sectors, so it’s all just a bit of fun. And it’s not entirely clear that players truly control this narrative through their actions, with developer Arrowhead ultimately pulling the strings as the live-service develops. Still, perhaps more than any previously lost planet, the fall of Malevelon Creek really hurt.

Now Arrowhead appears to have sorted out Helldivers 2’s server issues, it has time to return to its original post-launch plan, so hopefully we’ll get an idea of what to expect in terms of new content soon. If you’re playing, be sure to check out IGN’s comprehensive Helldivers 2 guide.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Nintendo Store Restocks Pokémon amiibo In Select Regions

Celebrating Pokémon Day 2024.

We’ve got some good news for Pokémon fans and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo collectors. In celebration of Pokémon Day 2024, Nintendo has restocked its official online stores with select Pokémon amiibo.

The Pokémon included in this restock are Pikachu, Squirtle, Ivysaur, Charizard, Mewtwo, Lucario, Greninja and Incineroar. They will set you back $15.99 USD (or the regional equivalent) and stock may vary between regions. This new batch of Pokémon amiibo are currently available in locations like the US and Australia.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Nintendo Sets Its Sights On Switch Emulator Yuzu In New Lawsuit

It wants the emulator shut down.

Nintendo has always had an incredibly strong stance against video game piracy and it’s now taking legal action against the creators of the Switch emulator Yuzu.

As highlighted by Stephen Totilo of Game File, the Japanese video game giant known for hits like Super Mario and Zelda accuses the Yuzu creators of “unlawfully” circumventing Nintendo software encryption and facilitating piracy. The Yuzu team allegedly accessed Switch games from a hacked unit and made copies of games, which Nintendo believes is a DMCA and copyright violation.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Life Is Strange: True Colors Studio Deck Nine Lays Off 20% of Staff

Deck Nine, the studio behind Life Is Strange entries Before the Storm and True Colors, as well as The Expanse: A Telltale Series, laid off 20% of its staff today.

The studio announced the news in a statement on X/Twitter today, writing, “Like many others in the games industry right now, Deck Nine has been affected by the game industry’s worsening market conditions.”

“These people are amazing, talented, and awesome developers,” the statement adds. “They have made a huge impact during their time at Deck Nine Games and we did not take this decision lightly. Please hire these people if you can, they’re amazing.”

Deck Nine didn’t specify how many people that 20% equates to, but IGN understands that the studio employed roughly between 100 and 130 staffers prior to today’s layoffs.

A number of the laid-off staffers were quick to post about the news on social media. Elizabeth Ballou, who served as a Narrative Designer at Deck Nine, wrote that all workers affected by the layoffs would be getting only two weeks of severance pay, regardless of time spent at the company.

Deck Nine previously went through another round of layoffs last May which, according to a statement sent to GameDeveloper.com, affected 30 people. As mentioned, the studio is best known for its work on its work on the Life Is Strange series, including 2022’s Remastered Collection, as well as The Expanse title it co-developed with Telltale Games.

As Deck Nine’s statement notes, it’s unfortunately only the latest in a long list of layoffs to hit the games industry over the past year. Just earlier today, Sony announced layoffs at PlayStation that will affect 900 staff members, or about 8% of its global workforce. Microsoft, meanwhile, is laying off a shocking 1,900 people from its video game workforce, it was revealed earlier this year. An estimated 10,000 game workers lost their jobs in 2023 alone, and this year has continued to be relentless in the industry.

Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Our favourite wireless gaming headset is down to under £100 at Amazon UK

SteelSeries make some of my favourite gaming headsets – and RPS’ favourite wireless gaming headset, which today is discounted to under £100 versus its normal price of £175. That’s a good price for the Arctis 7+, a comfortable and great-sounding headset that works not only on PC but also on Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S – that’s all the consoles!

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Pokémon TCG Pocket Is the Right Game at the Wrong Time

One of the big announcements from this year’s Pokémon Presents was a new, mobile Pokémon Trading Card Game, which comes as a big surprise, given Pokémon already has a game where you can collect cards and play online called Pokémon Trading Card Game Live.

Unlike the newly announced Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, TCG Live was released in 2023 on desktop and mobile, but its lackluster quality has earned it both a 2.8/5 star rating on Apple’s App Store (as of this writing) and the ire of Pokémon card players everywhere. But while Pokémon TCG Pocket does look attractive — with its gorgeous, immersive card art, and slick animations — it’s actually not the game the Pokémon TCG community needs right now. What we need is a functional digital client that fully captures the real-life tabletop game and not a watered down App Store game version emulating Marvel Snap.

Exhaustingly, up until 2023, the main way to play Pokémon TCG digitally was through an official client, Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, which was serviceable but showing many signs of its advanced age. (In hindsight, we didn’t know how good we had it.) Fans were initially excited when a replacement was finally announced in the form of Pokémon TCG Live, but it was so riddled with issues that it had us begging for the 12-year-old client back. It’s been a real Mankey’s Paw situation!

The digital card game space has evolved dramatically over the years, with Marvel Snap in particular setting a new standard that other developers appear eager to chase. Between Snap’s many awards and millions of dollars in revenue, it’s easy to see why. From the announcement trailer, Pokémon TCG Pocket seems to have been built in the same mold, a “free-to-start” game where you collect cards and challenge other players to quick and breezy battles. Given the Pokémon TCG is one of the most popular tabletop card games in the world, it seemed inevitable The Pokémon Company would get in on this trend, but it seems to have come at the expense of it’s pre-existing Pokémon TCG app that allows you to play the full game, or at least that’s how this competitive Pokémon TCG player sees it.

While we don’t know for sure whether Pocket was developed at the expense of Live, it would certainly explain the lack of polish to the latter. That kind of bad optics comes at a time when the competitive Pokémon TCG landscape is already dealing with a host of other issues. Top among them, the increasing popularity of the game has far outgrown its current capacity, leading to major tournaments selling out in minutes and leaving many players rightfully frustrated. If only there were a quality digital version capable of hosting tournaments online to help alleviate the issue…

Having a fully developed, high quality Pokémon TCG client is important for reasons beyond just being able to play the game online. It’s how many new players first discover the game, pro players rely on it to practice, and content creators stake their wellbeing on it because it’s how they showcase the game on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. But when the only option available is as underwhelming as Live, it only serves to drive people away to other, better online card games such as Magic: The Gathering Arena or Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel.

Speaking of Yu-Gi-Oh!, that’s a card game that has the best of both worlds. A flashy version of the full game in Master Duel and a simpler version in Duel Links. What Yu-Gi-Oh! has that Pokémon doesn’t is one of their games doesn’t completely eclipse the other in quality. They’re two different yet equally valid ways to enjoy the game.

Not all reactions to Pokémon TCG Pocket from the competitive Pokémon TCG scene have been negative. Pokémon TCG tournament caster and YouTuber Frosted Caribou posted on social media, “This app could be our TCG savior,” and later responded to a comment with, “Competitive players are sometimes way too quick to dismiss anything that isn’t ‘true TCG.’ If they supported bridging the gap between collectors and players more there are huge opportunities to grow the game and create fun and healthy playgroups for so many more people.”

That’s a fair point. At first glance, Pokémon TCG Pocket does seem like it’ll have a strong appeal to fans who aren’t necessarily looking to go pro, and it’s easy to see it has great potential to grow the casual, collector side of the hobby. Even if Pocket doesn’t let you play using all of the rules like with Live, its quality can still entice new players and act as a starting point before they dive into the full card game.

To be clear, I’m not knocking Pokémon TCG Pocket. Aside from issues with the “free-to-start” model, it looks like a fun, accessible way to enjoy the Pokémon TCG. It has an impressive amount of cool features, all executed with sky-high production value. It’s clear to see that it was made by people who love Pokémon cards, and that they put a generous amount of time, passion, and effort into it – and probably a Wailord-sized pile of money.

All Pokémon TCG players want is to be able to say the same thing about Pokémon TCG Live.

Connect All The Things with this £19 7-port powered USB hub

Here’s something a little different: a seven-port powered USB hub from Sabrent that makes it easy to connect a huge amount of peripherals and drives to your PC without having to fumble blindly with the back of your PC – or turn one of your laptop’s USB ports into many many more. It normally goes for £30 to £40, but today you can pick it up for just £19 at Amazon UK.

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Review: Pentiment (Switch) – Obsidian’s Medieval Murder Mystery Is Portable Perfection

Renaissance, man.

Listen. We’ve already reviewed Obsidian’s superlative Pentiment over on our sister site Pure Xbox, where we gave it an excellent 9/10 score. However, now that we’ve been given the opportunity to return to 16th-century Bavaria all over again in this fantastic Switch port, we daresay it’s better — worthy of a slight amendment to that scoreline, even. Ahhhhh, now, that’s much better.

Yes, Pentiment pretty much blew us away when it first arrived back in November of 2022. At its core a very clever and utterly absorbing medieval murder mystery, the hook here comes through a unique style and setting that results in one of the freshest and most original games we’ve played this gen. In fact, this one — previously an Xbox exclusive — is a real highlight of Microsoft’s Game Pass service, so it’s incredibly exciting to see it arrive on Nintendo’s console in such fine form.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Dinosaur Survival Horror Makes its Grand Return in Fossilfuel 2

Dinosaur Survival Horror

While the gaming world waits for Dino Crisis to one day be raised from the grave, the indie scene is already being treated to the bone-chilling world of Fossilfuel 2, a puzzle-filled horror shooter with a huge cast of dinosaurs. Developed by indie outlet DangerousBob Studio LLC, this highly-anticipated sequel takes survival horror to new depths. Brace yourself for a heart-pounding journey through flooded tunnels, puzzle-filled bunkers, and dark corners teeming with jump scares.

FF2 dinosaur
Spinosaurus will track you down on land or in water.

The Sierra Research Facility: Run, Think, Shoot, Live.

In the cold wilderness of Alaska lies the Sierra Research Facility, once the pinnacle of cutting-edge research and development. But when the dinosaurs imprisoned within its walls break free, the base becomes an underground tomb. As Jack Allen, part of an expedition sent to investigate the Sierra disaster, you’ll face the ancient reptilian menace and also discover a vast conspiracy that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

FF2 explosion
The flamethrower is particularly satisfying.

Gameplay

  • First-Person Survival Horror: Step into Jack’s shoes and sneak around maze-like corridors, hide in vents, and lay traps, as raptors hunt you down.
  • Non-Linear Layout: Explore the flooded base, revisit areas, upgrade weapons, and create safe zones by draining water unlocking the game’s multiple endings.
  • Glorious Gory Detail: Blast dinos apart, earning the game that M rating, with an arsenal of deadly weapons, from shotguns and magnums to flamethrowers that dynamically light up enemies.
  • Scuba Gear Required: Dive into flooded hallways and rooms, battling monsters of the deep, as aquatic dinos prove to be just as threatening as their land-based relatives.
  • War Photographer: Use a digital camera to snap pictures of dinosaurs. Photo points can be traded to get upgrades and weapons adding an RPG element to the game.
FF2 megalodon
A horror game with a Megalodon? Yes, please.

Features

  • Multiple endings: With multiple endings, players will have a unique experience based on the dynamic choices they make.
  • Primal action: Players will have the option to turn on Primal, which will overhaul the entire game into an intense boomer shooter, effectively giving players an entirely new experience.
  • Horde mode: Unlock achievements as you try to survive the 50-wave horde mode.
  • Sandbox mode: a Garrys mod-like sandbox can be unlocked for players to brandish their creativity. Spawn NPCs and watch them fight, or make a house with the block spawner, the possibilities are endless.

Check out Fossilfuel 2 today on the Xbox Series X|S.


Fossilfuel 2
Xbox Live

Fossilfuel 2

DangerousBob Studio LLC

☆☆☆☆☆
24
★★★★★

$19.99
Get it now

Turn up the volume, dim the lights, and get ready for the ultimate Jurassic survival horror experience. Load your shotgun and put those dinos back where they belong—in the ground!

Summary:
Return to the Sierra Research Facility, now overrun by dinosaurs in the Alaskan wilderness. Assume the role of Jack Allen, the point man of PMC Alpha, a team of mercenaries assigned to unravel the mystery behind the dinosaur outbreak.

Gameplay and Features:
Fossilfuel 2 boasts a diverse array of terrifying dinosaurs, from Utahraptor to Spinosaurus. Survive using your wits, strategically utilizing items and weapons found along the way. The game offers multipath gameplay, allowing players to make choices that dynamically shape the narrative, leading to multiple endings based on their actions. Additionally, enjoy RPG elements such as in-game shops and item collections to level up your character and achievements. Can you conquer nature and survive?

Horde Mode:
Fossilfuel 2 introduces a challenging horde mode, where players can push their skills to the limit and unlock achievements.

Multiple Endings:
Player actions matter. Progress through the game, and your decisions will influence its course. Fossilfuel 2 adapts to your playstyle and choices, ensuring significant replay value with multiple endings across 6 to 10 hours of gameplay.

Play as a Raptor:
Experience Raptor gameplay, enabling players to take control of a Velociraptor. Sneak through vents and corridors to eliminate human intruders, turning the tables on the survival dynamic.

Primal Mode:
The adventure doesn’t end after beating the game. Unlock Primal Mode, where Fossilfuel 2 transforms from a survival horror game into an action-packed experience. Start with the best weapons, face doubled and buffed enemies with new challenges, as the developers throw everything at you!

The post Dinosaur Survival Horror Makes its Grand Return in Fossilfuel 2 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

New Documentary Details Resident Evil 4 Remake’s Difficult QA Situation in Final Stretch of Development

We probably don’t need to tell you this, but developing a game is hard, even more so when a ton of quality assurance work needs to be done. The remake of Resident Evil 4 was far from immune to those struggles, as a new documentary recently revealed.

The details came in a recent episode of the documentary series 100 Cameras (spotted by GamesRadar), which, true to the name, installs a hundred cameras to capture individuals in the specific episode’s theme. This particular episode focused on Capcom.

At the time of filming the episode, Resident Evil 4 Remake had one month left in development before its release date, with a slew of QA issues that needed to be addressed. One development team member disclosed that they found “around 70” bugs after finishing just one day of playtesting.

Resident Evil 4 Remake director Yasuhiro Anpo detailed several bugs, from the screen freezing at random points to Leon falling from the map. “At this rate, we won’t make the release,” Anpo said in the episode.

The episode goes into detail of the activities of QA testers during game development, delving into the extensive gameplay testing to ensure proper functionality.

Among other things, it highlighted the rigorous testing of elements like the “Game Over” screen, and revealed that one QA tester died 300 times in a day while testing the Resident Evil 4 Remake. At one point, the QA lead, frustrated with the number of bugs and questioning why the “fixes are so sloppy,” held a meeting with Anpo, worried that the team would be unable to finish the game before its release date.

One of the major issues was the fact that new additions, including those dealing with menu screens and lighting, were being tacked on during the final stretch of development, causing new bugs to surface and leading the QA team to pile more work onto their plates.

Nevertheless, we know how this story ends: Resident Evil 4 Remake hit its March 24, 2023 release date and did not encounter any game-breaking bugs upon release. The development team’s efforts did not go unnoticed, as Resident Evil 4 Remake was a critical and commercial success.

“The Resident Evil 4 remake is the series’ most relentlessly exciting adventure rebuilt, refined, and realized to the full extent of its enormous potential,” my colleague Tristan Ogilvie wrote in his glowing review of Resident Evil 4 Remake.

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.