“Star Ocean” is a fantastic name, evoking a sense of adventure, 16-bit blue skies, the majesty of space. “The Second Story R” is a terrible subtitle, evoking WhatsApp messages where I accidentally press ‘send’ too soon. Combined they produce Star Ocean: The Second Story R, a beautiful-seeming 2.5D remake of a Square Enix PlayStation JRPG. It’s out on Steam now and there’s a demo.
Payday 3‘s launch was rough, with long queues awaiting would-be heisters in the always-online game, and issues with progression and absent systems awaiting those who could login. Starbreeze Studios have now begun the process of making good on promised fixes to those criticisms, with patch 1.0.1 live now. It mostly includes “minor fixes”, but lots of them.
Citing production issues for two of its massively popular games, Wizards of the Coast has delayed Dungeon & Dragon’s The Deck of Many Things and Magic: The Gathering’s The Lost Caverns of Ixalan.
The first delay was announced on D&D Beyond, where the Wizards of the Coast team reported that after an internal review of early copies of the The Deck of Many Things expansion, it found that “the product didn’t meet our manufacturing standards,” adding that “making this right will delay the release of the physical product, both directly from Wizards as well as our retail partners.”
Then yesterday, in a separate announcement on its Magic: The Gathering website, Wizards issued a similar announcement for the upcoming commander decks for The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, pointing to “production issues” as the reason for the delay. In this case, the game maker expects the product to miss its planned pre-release window by at least a week, setting expectations with fans that “In North America, Commander decks for The Lost Caverns of Ixalan will have limited availability during Prerelease, with more availability expected following release on November 17.”
Wizards of the Coast did not immediately respond to IGN when asked if these production/quality control issues were related. It’s unclear if there’s a larger supply chain issue, or if these fairly uncommon production delays are merely coincidental. In either case, players will have to wait a little bit longer for at least these two add-ons to Wizards’ most popular games.
Not all Dungeons & Dragons expansions have seen production issues, as Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse recently launched without incident. Likewise, Magic: The Gathering has pumped out a seemingly endless stream of card sets and crossovers, most recently announcing an enormous partnership with Marvel.
Travis Northup is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @TieGuyTravis and read his games coverage here.
Pretty as a picture.
Super Mario RPG on Switch is just two weeks away, and this remake of a 1996 classic looks and feels as good as it did back on the SNES.
How do we know? Well, we’ve managed to spend a good few hours with the remake so far, and we’re having an absolute blast with it. We have 10 minutes of gameplay to show you, all from the opening hours of Mario’s first turn-based adventure.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Picture this: you’re about to embark on an extraordinary odyssey, stepping into the sandals of a legendary hero in Achilles: Legends Untold. This game is a meticulously crafted masterpiece, inspired by the rich tapestry of Greek mythology, where you’ll encounter mythical creatures and legendary characters around every corner.
But here’s the real kicker – the combat in this game is a true work of art. It’s not just your typical button-mashing; it’s a fusion of action RPG and the visceral thrill of souls-like games. Every move you make, whether it’s a dodge, roll, block, or sprint, depletes your stamina. Managing your stamina wisely is crucial to surviving the challenges that await. And when the heat of battle engulfs you, unleashing your fury to wield epic weapon skills becomes the key to success.
Speaking of weapon skills, there’s a mind-boggling array of them, each with unique effects. These skills set your hero apart and give you a whole arsenal of combat strategies. Plus, there’s a skill tree that lets you customize your hero’s combat style even further.
But it doesn’t stop there. During battles, you’ll encounter status effects that can turn the tide of the fight. Using these strategically can give you the upper hand in the most intense combat situations.
And the weapons! Achilles: Legends Untold offers a plethora of choices, from swords and spears to axes and shields. The magic here lies in your ability to mix and match these weapons in almost any way you like. Different combinations result in unique animations and movesets, creating a gameplay experience tailored to your style.
But remember, your weapon choice directly influences your combat experience. The animations and attack patterns are intricately tied to the weapons you equip. So, choose wisely, my friend.
Now, let’s talk about your adversaries. In Achilles, you’ll face a diverse array of enemies, each with unique behaviors and tactics. From cunning archers to armored cyclops and swarms of skeletons, every encounter presents a fresh challenge, urging you to adapt and learn to secure victory.
Here’s the kicker: death is not the end in Achilles: Legends Untold. It’s an opportunity to learn and improve. Every defeat carries knowledge that can be wielded to become a better warrior, making your journey through Ancient Greece all the more rewarding.
As you dive deeper into this odyssey, you’ll discover the joy of customization. Different weapons and their combinations open a world of possibilities. Whether you choose brute force, agile souls-like combat, or become an unyielding defender, your choices will define your hero’s path.
Achilles: Legends Untold is available on Xbox so whether you’re a fan of Greek mythology, games with souls-like combat, or simply love a good story-driven experience, this is a title you won’t want to miss.
So, join the ranks of gamers ready to embark on an epic journey. In this game, your combat finesse, strategic thinking, and your hero’s skills will determine the fate of Ancient Greece. Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime?
Dark Point Games S.A.
Dive into a world where mastering combat is key to survival. Block and evade attacks, then sever limbs and heads of your foes. Develop your own tactics and achieve success over your enemies. If you fall in battle, rise again, enhance your hero’s skills, try a different tactic, and venture forth once more.
Revel in the spectacular sights. Explore open worlds and take on countless challenges. Become an unbeatable hero!
The post Achilles: Legends Untold – Unveiling the Epic Journey appeared first on Xbox Wire.
BlizzCon, the annual convention held by Blizzard Entertainment as a way for the company to share updates and information on its properties from Diablo to Warcraft, is finally back. For the first time in four years, the event will be held in person in addition to a digital event for those who won’t be venturing down to Anaheim, Calif.
Whether you are watching BlizzCon from home or attending in person, we have all the details below, including the schedule for the entire two-day event and what time each panel starts.
Jump to:
BlizzCon 2023 will be streaming on the BlizzCon website, in addition to the official Blizzard Entertainment Twitch and YouTube channels. If you miss any of the panels or the opening ceremony, don’t worry; Blizzard confirmed fans will be able to watch replays of all the panels.
Here’s a full programming schedule for BlizzCon 2023, which kicks off on Friday, Nov. 3, and will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Friday, Nov. 3:
Saturday, Nov. 4:
As with previous BlizzCons, expect plenty of announcements from the company’s major franchises. We know that Bizzard is working on a new survival game set in a brand new universe, but details have been slim since its official announcement over a year ago.
Diablo IV was released this year, so expect some updates to come from Blizzard regarding its plans for post-launch content. Diablo IV Season 3 news is likely, and the company may use BlizzCon as an opportunity to announce the first expansion, as Diablo boss Rod Fergusson previously mentioned the game will get annual expansions.
This upcoming BlizzCon is also noteworthy as it is the first time Blizzard Entertainment is holding the event after Microsoft acquired its parent company, Activision Blizzard. With an opening ceremony kicking off the event, we expect the company to make nod to the historic acquisition in some capacity.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
Over 21 years ago, Sony released Boku no Natsuyasumi 2, a PlayStation 2 game that puts players in the small shoes of a young boy experiencing a coastal Japanese town’s summer. It sold well and became an instant fan favorite thanks to its relaxing setting, but unfortunately for English-speaking fans, it was never localized — until yesterday.
On Nov. 1, YouTuber and fan translator Hilltop released their long-awaited English translation patch for Boku no Natsuyasumi 2 alongside a short trailer.
The long-awaited English translation patch for Boku no Natsuyasumi 2 is now available. pic.twitter.com/YIR4o9mbiT
— Hilltop 🌻 (@HilltopWorks) November 1, 2023
“After eleven months of work, I am beyond proud to present the long-awaited English patch for one of the most special games ever to grace the PlayStation 2,” they wrote on Patreon. “I would like to thank the rest of the team for helping me in making this localization the absolute highest quality possible, with no expense spared and not a single corner cut.”
Hilltop’s patch seems especially detailed, with a small team working to preserve the original game’s nostalgic art style in everything from Boku’s journal entries to menu buttons while translating thousands of lines of dialogue.
I want to highlight the phenomenal work by @oldgamebox and @blametherobots to translate the game’s graphics, particularly the work to maintain the style of Boku’s crayon writing: pic.twitter.com/PAgk8zptqD
— Hilltop 🌻 (@HilltopWorks) April 16, 2023
The patch can be downloaded for free on Hilltop’s Patreon, and so many people have reportedly downloaded it that Hilltop had to establish a second download link after the first was overloaded. It’s currently compatible with both emulators and PS2s, and instructions for installing are included with the download.
Demand for this patch has been high for years — in 2012, we ranked the Boku no Natsuyasumi series among the best games to never get a worldwide release.
Amelia Zollner is a freelance writer at IGN who loves all things indie and Nintendo. Outside of IGN, they’ve contributed to sites like Polygon and Rock Paper Shotgun. Find them on Twitter: @ameliazollner.
Owlcat Games have whisked the wrappers off Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader‘s co-op functionality, explaining how you and up to five other players can team up to navigate the Games Workshop RPG‘s 100-plus hours of grid-based combat, violent religious differences and unrepentant planetary colonisation.
Activision has moved to explain the enormous file sizes Call of Duty fans can expect to hit their hard-drives with the launch of Modern Warfare 3 this month.
With Modern Warfare 3 campaign early access now live, players have found a total Call of Duty install imprint of an eye-watering 234.9GB on PlayStation 5. This install appears to include Modern Warfare 2, now Call of Duty HQ, as well as Modern Warfare 3’s campaign. It does not include other unreleased parts of Modern Warfare 3, such as Multiplayer and Zombies.
Activision issued a statement explaining what’s going on, while admitting file sizes “are larger than last year”.
“This is due to the increased amount of content available day one, including open world Zombies, support for item carry forward from Modern Warfare 2, as well as map files for current Call of Duty: Warzone. (Note: as part of our ongoing optimization efforts, your final installation size will be actually smaller than the combined previous Call of Duty experiences).”
Activision pointed out players are able to reduce the install footprint by heading to the manage files section of the COD HQ launcher menu. From there, you can uninstall specific content you’re not playing. Activision said it will share more information on the launch in the coming days.
Call of Duty players are used to huge file sizes for the shooter series, but it seems Modern Warfare 3’s unique launch has increased the load.
The Modern Warfare 3 campaign was developed by Sledgehammer Games in partnership with Infinity Ward, and is the direct sequel to last year’s Modern Warfare 2. It includes 15 missions, each of which rewards players with items upon completion. These rewards can be used across Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone.
Here are the Modern Warfare 3 campaign rewards:
Modern Warfare 3 launches proper November 10. It’s the first Call of Duty game to launch following Microsoft’s $69 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard, but don’t expect it to hit Game Pass until 2024. Check out IGN’s Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer review in progress to find out what we thought of the recent open beta.
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.
Like when Sir Alex Ferguson oversaw his final game at Old Trafford, there’s a complicated atmosphere surrounding this year’s Football Manager. Football Manager 2024 is the last iterative game in the series before Project Dragonfly arrives next year, through which Sports Interactive plan the most radical overhaul of the game since the introduction of the 3D match engine in FM 09. This includes a complete rebuild of Football Manager in Unity, implementing brand new animation technology, and the inclusion of women’s football. But there is a reason why the studio has stuck with this tried and tested formula for so long. Big changes come with big risks, and as any Man Utd fan will know, those changes don’t always pay off.
But such concerns are for the future. FM24 is with us right now, and while it may be swapping the dugout for the stands ninety minutes from now, this isn’t some ceremonial exhibition match. It’s business as usual, and in mostly good ways. Sports Interactive have made meaningful changes to the management game both on and off the pitch, all built on top of fundamentals that remain as complex and compulsive as they have for years. That said, FM24 also demonstrates why a change is welcome, as in its current form it can struggle to strike the balance between authenticity and fun.
