Blue Protocol is a Bandai Namco-developed anime MMO which released in Japan last year, and was meant to arrive in the west at some point this year courtesy of Amazon Games. Alas, that’s no longer the case – and the game is also shutting down in Japan early next year.
Back in July, No Man’s Sky reached version 5.0 with the Worlds update, which refreshed its planetary generation to introduce more variety alongside more detailed water, clouds, and weather. We didn’t write about it at the time, because I suppose re-writing the very fabric of the galaxy seemed small-time.
Today’s new update, however, adds fishing, and I can’t not write about that.
Nikhil Murthy’s Syphilisation is a “postcolonial 4X game”, which might sound like a contradiction in terms. While approaches to 4X and grand strategy vary hugely between games, factions and players, the genre as a whole is firmly wedded to imperial conquest, both structurally and at the level of narrative aspects and set-dressing. Many 4X games are triumphal re-enactments of specific periods of colonial settlement and expansion. All of which is to say that Syphilisation is fascinating. It’s a reworking of the genre which dismantles and reconstructs concepts such as diplomacy, research and production. It’s also just left early access – find more details and a playthrough video below.
If you deem yourself the ultimate Zelda fan, no matter the quality of the product, then you should probably count The Legend of Zelda’s ’80s cartoon among your collection. Wait, you don’t own it? Well, fortunately, DIC Entertainment’s 13-episode run is getting a DVD rerelease later this year.
Pre-orders for The Legend of Zelda – The Complete Series went live on Amazon over the weekend (via @VideoArtGame) — we’re honestly not sure how we missed it — and the rerelease will be out on 22nd October 2024. Should give you plenty of time to finish Echoes of Wisdom then, right?
Grab Your Space Rod and Find the Perfect Fishing Spot in the No Man’s Sky Aquarius Update
Sean Murray, Founder, Hello Games
Summary
The No Man’s Sky Aquarius update is available to download this week, and is free to existing players
This latest free update makes full use of the recently upgraded water and introduces fishing as another meaningful activity to aid survival (or relaxation) in the universe
A whole host of other water-based activities, challenges and rewards await Xbox, PC and Game Pass players
Wow! What an amazing month we’ve had, welcoming so many more Xbox and Game Pass No Man’s SkyTravellers into our newly-revamped universe, propelling our player numbers to among our highest in five years.
The Worlds Part I update really struck a chord with the community, who rushed to share amazing screenshots of their vibrant new vistas, especially the seas, oceans, and lakes which now ripple and sparkle with realistic wave formations and foam generation.
It was only appropriate then that our first expedition in this brave new world should be water-based.
The Aquarius Update is free to download for existing Xbox players this week and introduces something we have been tempted to add ever since we stood on the shores of No Man’s Sky’s planets and looked out across their watery expanses – fishing!
Those who have explored the depths in their Nautilon submarines will know that the bodies of water in No Man’s Sky are as abundant with creatures as dry land. The thrill of the catch in No Man’s Sky lies in the fact that you never quite know what you’re going to pull up. The variety of aquatic life ranges vastly from common minnow-like fish to huge alien marine mammals.
Fishing in No Man’s Sky is a uniquely relaxing experience, either alone with your thoughts or with the companionship of others. Grab a rod and your friends (optional!) and set out to explore the universe in the hunt for the perfect fishing spot. Cast off from the riverbank, float out further on your deployable Exo-Skiff, or acquire the blueprints to make automatic bait pots and establish a fish farm. Craft bait and unique lures to catch rarer fish – including legendary catches, each accompanied by a snippet of marine lore.
While you’re waiting patiently to catch a bite, why not dredge for hidden messages in bottles from those that have passed this way before? Or, participate in the associated fishing expedition launching alongside Aquarius, which sends players on a quest for the biggest catch of the day!
Of course, with this newfound ability to farm the lakes, seas and oceans, you will want to develop your cooking skills with all-new recipes and ingredient combinations out there to be discovered alongside new marine life.
Fill out your Fishing Records with over 150 unique catches, adorn your base with nautical-themed decorations, and earn a beautifully detailed set of deep-sea customisation parts, including a unique underwater jetpack.
For those who have yet to jump into No Man’s Sky, you have a lot to catch up on. The Omega, Orbital and the dramatic Worlds Part I updates so far this year alone have added so much! If you’ve got a Game Pass subscription, why not take the plunge with Aquarius?
No Man’s Sky is available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Game Pass.
No Man’s Sky comes complete with all 29 major updates up to and including Worlds Part I.
Inspired by the adventure and imagination that we love from classic science-fiction, No Man’s Sky presents you with a galaxy to explore, filled with unique planets and lifeforms, and constant danger and action.
In No Man’s Sky, every star is the light of a distant sun, each orbited by planets filled with life, and you can go to any of them you choose. Fly smoothly from deep space to planetary surfaces, with no loading screens, and no limits. In this infinite procedurally generated universe, you’ll discover places and creatures that no other players have seen before – and perhaps never will again.
Embark on an epic voyage
At the centre of the galaxy lies a irresistible pulse which draws you on a journey towards it to learn the true nature of the cosmos. But, facing hostile creatures and fierce pirates, you’ll know that death comes at a cost, and survival will be down to the choices you make over how you upgrade your ship, your weapon and suit.
Find your own destiny
Your voyage through No Man’s Sky is up to you. Will you be a fighter, preying on the weak and taking their riches, or taking out pirates for their bounties? Power is yours if you upgrade your ship for speed and weaponry.
Or a trader? Find rich resources on forgotten worlds and exploit them for the highest prices. Invest in more cargo space and you’ll reap huge rewards.
Or perhaps an explorer? Go beyond the known frontier and discover places and things that no one has ever seen before. Upgrade your engines to jump ever farther, and strengthen your suit for survival in toxic environments that would kill the unwary.
Share your journey
The galaxy is a living, breathing place. Trade convoys travel between stars, factions vie for territory, pirates hunt the unwary, and the police are ever watching. Every other player lives in the same galaxy, and you can choose to share your discoveries with them on a map that spans known space. Perhaps you will see the results of their actions as well as your own…
August was packed with plenty of summer gaming with titles that hit almost every genre in the medium. What did you enjoy most about last month’s title lineup?
How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog.
What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll.
It’s been 13 years since the first Space Marine came out. While it wasn’t outstanding in the grander landscape of gaming, enough Warhammer 40K fans seem to have cherished the escapades of bulky blue boltgunner Demetrian Titus for the action game to merit a sequel a decade later. It left its story on something of a cliffhanger, with said hero being dragged away to face untold tortures by the Inquisition, the most zealous sect of this preternaturally paranoid sci-fi universe. Today, Titus is free again. Free to stomp towards hordes of alien foes, blast them with a plasma incinerator, and shred the stragglers with a chainsaw sword. Space Marine 2 is an often-satisfying scrapper that has me convinced of 40K’s merit as a crafting ground for excellent-looking environments and creatures, even if I’m not particularly moved by the bland character of Titus and his fellow Ultramarines.
Scalpers are currently trying to sell physical copies of Concord for much more than its recommended retail price after Sony pulled the hero shooter from sale just 11 days after launch.
Scalpers who still have a sealed copy of the game are therefore seeing it as an opportunity to make some money, listing Concord on eBay for double or even triple its price. Some sellers still have it available for its standard price of $39.99 so it’s unlikely many of these will sell just yet, however.
“Ships overnight on September 4, get on September 5 so you can play for a day before the servers shut down,” reads one listing for an opened copy priced at $119.88. “On September 6 the game will be a rare unplayable collector’s item.”
A sealed copy is currently listed for $179.99, though at least warns players of the September 6 takedown and says “buy at your own discretion.” Its next comment is a tad more questionable: “Get ready for an epic gaming experience with Concord for the Sony PlayStation 5,” it says. “This rare and highly sought after game is being recalled and is available now in a USA sealed package.”
There is no denying this edition of Concord will be rare, but whether or not it becomes valuable remains to be seen. It’s likely only a few thousand are out in the wild though, given how poorly Concord sold and how low physical sales are compared to digital.
Concord has an unclear future in more ways than one, and while developer Firewalk has said it’s going back to the drawing board and suggested a free-to-play re-launch may be on the cards, Sony has made no such guarantee.
Mortal Kombat 1 developer NetherRealm has released a gameplay trailer for upcoming DLC character Sektor, showing off her Fatality and Animality.
Sektor arrives as part of the Khaos Reigns expansion for Mortal Kombat 1, the latest game in the gory fighting game franchise that’s sold over four million copies. The expansion adds new story mode chapters available from September 24, along with Kombat Pack 2, which itself includes six new DLC characters: Cyrax, Sektor, and Noob Saibot (available on September 24), and guest fighters Ghostface (Scream franchise), T-1000 (Terminator 2: Judgement Day), and Conan the Barbarian (post-launch release timing to be announced at a later date).
It’s Sektor who is the focus for this new gameplay video, though. It shows off the character’s abilities and moveset (flamethrower, missile strikes, and rocket thrusters for enhanced movement and hovering ability), and clips of cutscenes that shine a light on the story fans can expect.
Here’s the set-up, courtesy of publisher Warner Bros. Games:
In Fire God Liu Kang’s New Era, Sektor grew up immersed in Lin Kuei culture – her father was its master armorer, and her mother was a leading warrior. This vast knowledge of weaponry and formidable martial skills passed down from her parents make Sektor a kombatant like no other. Sensing a kindred spirit, Sub-Zero shared with her his grand vision for the Lin Kuei’s future and chose her to become his most trusted lieutenant. Now Sektor will force the Lin Kuei to evolve and those who cannot change will be eliminated.
The highlight of the video, though, is a look at one of Sektor’s Fatalities. Here, Sektor channels Marvel’s Iron Man, complete with cool sci-fi in-suit headshot, as she drags her hapless opponent into orbit before heading back, their body burning up on re-entry.
NetherRealm, of course, is no stranger to the superhero genre via its Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe crossover fighting game franchise. We haven’t seen a new game in that series for some time — perhaps it’s time for a return, with James Gunn’s new DCU set to kick off soon.
Meanwhile, the video also teases Sektor’s Animality, the finishing move that lets her to morph into a rhinoceros. Animalities are part of a free update for all Mortal Kombat 1 owners set to go live alongside Khaos Reigns on September 24.
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.
If somebody grabs you from behind and turns you into a human shield in Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6, they can drag you around for about five seconds before you die, assuming they don’t execute you early. Here are 12 things you can do in those five seconds: