Category: Video Games

Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct: Everything Announced

Blizzard just wrapped up its Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct, a nearly hour-long presentation featuring numerous updates from across the Warcraft franchise – almost like a miniature BlizzCon. We heard about World of Warcraft’s next major update, a tease for its next expansion, new updates for World of Warcraft Classic, some long-awaited remasters, and planned updates for both Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble.

If you missed the Direct, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything Blizzard showed at its Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct today:

World of Warcraft: The War Within next major update unveiled

First up, retail World of Warcraft, which is currently near the end of the first major story beat of the expansion The War Within. Today, we got a look at the first major patch of the expansion, entitled “Undermine(d)”, which will take players into the underground goblin capital of Undermine for the first time ever.

The patch, which is planned for early next year, will include a new customizable vehicle, new story, a new arena map, a new dungeon, two new delves, a new raid, and a number of other updates. You can read more about everything planned for 11.1, Undermine(d), right here.

World of Warcraft: Midnight will feature player housing at last

At the very end of the presentation, Blizzard gave us a surprising “one more thing” tease of its next planned expansion: Midnight. Though Midnight is still a long ways away, today we learned that it will include a long-requested feature: player housing. No details were provided on this in today’s presentation, but we’re expecting to hear more late next summer when Blizzard fully unveils Midnight to the world.

World of Warcraft: Classic is headed to Pandaria

As expected, World of Warcraft Classic continues apace through the expansions, with Blizzard announcing that it will be moving to Mists of Pandaria in 2025. But for those who might be frustrated with Classic seemingly racing to catch up with retail through World of Warcraft’s expansion history, Blizzard is also dropping new “vanilla” Classic realms on November 21. The realms will include fresh PvE, PvP, and Hardcore servers, all of which will slowly progress through Classic’s cadence of updates, with the Molten Core raid opening a few weeks after their launch. In addition, the PvE and PvP realms (sorry, Hardcore) will eventually move into The Burning Crusade Classic, starting the expansion progression all over again.

Warcraft I and II are being remastered

To kick off today’s presentation, Blizzard announced it would be shadow-dropping remasters of both Warcraft I and II today. They’re remasters, not remakes, and will include fully remastered graphics as well as a number of quality of life features. Warcraft II specifically will include multiplayer, and all legacy custom maps will be compatible and playable.

In addition, Blizzard is releasing a new patch for Warcraft III: Reforged that includes a graphics overhaul and various other quality of life changes that will hopefully improve the experience. And all three games will be available as part of a Battle Chest, with flexible pricing based on which games you already have in your library.

Hearthstone is getting a crossover with…Starcraft?!

Over in the tavern, we got a look at Hearthstone’s upcoming roadmap for 2025. And Hearthstone is starting the new year with a crossover with another Blizzard property: Starcraft.

2025 will start with a mini set themed around StarCraft, featuring themes and powers unique to all three StarCraft factions: Protoss, Zerg, and Terran. This will be followed by the first 2025 expansion, themed around the Emerald Dream, followed by a return to Un’Goro Crater for The Shrouded City expansion. Hearthstone will wrap up the year in a time-themed expansion called The Heroes of Time, featuring everyone’s favorite time traveler, Chromie.

Warcraft Rumble is coming to PC

Warcraft Rumble will soon introduce new split faction leaders in a new update. These leaders belong to two families simultaneously, instead of just one. Newly-added split faction leaders will include Orgrim Doomhammer, Malfurion Stormrage, and Anub’arak, while other characters such as Sylvanas will gain a second faction in addition to their current one.

But most importantly, mobile game Warcraft Rumble is celebrating its first birthday by breaking free of the confines of our phones. Blizzard announced today that it’s coming to PC soon, with a beta launching on December 10th.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

World of Warcraft: Classic Heads to Mists of Pandaria Next Year

During today’s Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct, Blizzard announced its next big plans for World of Warcraft: Classic. Shocking no one, it’s planning to move onto the next expansion in 2025: Mists of Pandaria.

As with other Classic expansions, Mists of Pandaria will launch with “some changes” to its original form, but will largely retain the same content and features from when it first released in 2012. Among other new features, Mists of Pandaria introduced the continent of Pandaria, the playable Pandaran race that could join either the Alliance or the Horde, the Monk class, pet battles, Scenarios, and flexible raiding.

Notably, though, this will be a different experience than the one offered during the recent Mists of Pandaria: Remix event, which allowed players to speed level through Pandaria with new spells and abilities, new items, and other twists on its original gameplay.

The addition of Mists of Pandaria furthers World of Warcraft: Classic’s steady march to catch up with existing World of Warcraft content. However, recently some Classic players have begun to criticize the direction of the game and lament how far away it’s gotten from the original Classic feel as expansions have been added. While Blizzard has done some things to address this, such as add new Classic modes like Hardcore and Season of Discovery, players are increasingly asking for more opportunities to replay the oldest content.

For those players, Blizzard announced that it will be adding new “vanilla” Classic realms on November 21. This will include new PvP, PvE, and new “hardcore mode” realms, which will go through the same steady cadence of patch updates as past Classic realms, with the Molten Core raid launching a few weeks after launch. These new realms (minus the Hardcore realms) will eventually progress to The Burning Crusade Classic, giving players the opportunity to start all over once more and progress through early WoW content.

World of Warcraft: Classic’s Mists of Pandaria update will launch sometime in 2025. You can catch up with everything announced from today’s Warcraft Direct right here, including remasters of Warcraft I and II, the next patch for The War Within, and teases of the next WoW retail expansion.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Nearly Featured Playable Space Pirates

2004 sequel introduced multiplayer.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week after an initial Gamecube launch on 15th November 2004. In a new interview with developers Jack Mathews and Zoid Kirsch from Kiwi Talkz, it’s been revealed that the game’s multiplayer mode nearly featured playable Space Pirates.

The Space Pirates are an iconic, recurring enemy type within the Metroid franchise, and their similar stature to Samus would no doubt lend itself well to the first-person gameplay in the Prime trilogy, but alas, it wasn’t to be. Like many things in the tricky world of game development, playable Space Pirates simply fell by the wayside and weren’t implemented into the final game.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for November: Grand Theft Auto V, Dying Light 2: Stay Human, Like a Dragon: Ishin, and more

Dive into the gritty underworld of Los Santos, strive to stay human while you uncover the dark secrets of a post-apocalyptic world, fight for justice to change the future of Japan, and more with November’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup*! Grand Theft Auto V, Dying Light 2: Stay Human, Like a Dragon: Ishin!, and more games are available to play from November 19. On the same day, five new titles join PlayStation Plus Premium in the form of the kinetic first person shooter PS VR2 game Synapse and four Classics; Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Blood Omen 2, Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2. 

PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog

Grand Theft Auto V* | PS4, PS5

When a young street hustler, a retired bank robber and a terrifying psychopath find themselves entangled with some of the most frightening and deranged elements of the criminal underworld, the U.S. government and the entertainment industry, they must pull off a series of dangerous heists to survive in a ruthless city in which they can trust nobody, least of all each other. Experience the interwoven stories of Franklin, Michael and Trevor in the sprawling open world of Los Santos and Blaine County.

*PlayStation Plus re-release.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human | PS4, PS5

In Dying Light 2, survival meets action adventure as you attempt to endure a hostile, post-apocalyptic world. Rival factions across The City aren’t the only enemy – a virus has turned a vast majority of the human population into monsters. Take on the role of Aiden Caldwell, a wanderer with the power to change the fate of The City, but your exceptional abilities come at a price. Haunted by memories you cannot decipher, you set out to learn the truth – and find yourself in a combat zone. Hone your skills to defeat your enemies and make allies. Unravel the dark secrets behind those that wield power, choose sides and decide your destiny. But wherever your actions take you, there’s one thing you must do – stay human.

Like a Dragon: Ishin | PS4, PS5

1860’s Kyo is plagued by widespread inequality, and one samurai will change the course of history in his search for justice. Take up the sword as Sakamoto Ryoma and venture to Kyoto to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honor. In doing so, you will bring an end to the samurai era and forever change the future of Japan. Draw your blade, load your revolver, and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure that only the creators of Yakuza: Like a Dragon could produce.

MotoGP 24 | PS4, PS5

As a new season dawns, the winds of change are sweeping through the pit crews. Embark on your quest to become a MotoGP legend and shape your own epic saga. Challenge your abilities and immerse yourself in the exhilarating journey of the 2024 campaign. From humble beginnings to triumphant heights, the path is yours to forge. Engage in thrilling rivalries, build your reputation, and leave your mark on the history of your beloved team.

The Sims 4 Island Living* (Add-on only) | PS4

Welcome to Sulani, where the sun shines bright and the nights are totally chill. Escape the ordinary and enjoy a laid-back lifestyle surrounded by beaches in The Sims 4 Island Living. Explore a breezy world drenched in sun, sand, and endless fun as your Sims make their own paradise. Set sail on the glistening water in your island canoe, swim to your heart’s content, and explore the scenery on a watercraft. Everything is chill (except for the occasional sunburn) when it’s Island Living.

*Requires the original game The Sims 4. 

Digimon Survive | PS4

After getting lost on a school trip, Takuma Momozuka finds himself transported to a world inhabited by ferocious foes and new allies. Join Takuma and his friends as they fight their way back home. Digimon Survive is a hybrid visual novel and tactical RPG set in a mysterious world filled with dangerous monsters and deadly battles that will test your ability to survive. Persuade your opponents to join your team and evolve them to fight alongside you in thrilling turn-based battles. Unfold a dark tale about friendship and survival that is jam-packed with exciting drama, a unique cast of characters, and potentially grim choices.

Overcooked! All You Can Eat | PS4, PS5

Hold onto your chef hats and prepare your appetite for an XXL portion of Overcooked magic. Overcooked!, Overcooked! 2 and all additional content are blended together and remastered in this delicious definitive edition! Enjoy hundreds of levels of cooperative cooking chaos across increasingly perilous and obscure kitchens. 

Stick Fight: The Game | PS4

Stick Fight is a physics-based couch/online fighting game where you battle it out as the iconic stick figures from the golden age of the internet. Fight it out against your friends or find random sticks from around the world!

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos | PS4, PS5

Drawing upon both surreal and punk fantasy influences, the world and civilisations of Zenozoik are brimming with fascinating characters, creatures and landscapes. You play as Pseudo, a master of martial arts who lives as a recluse in the strange land of Zenozoik. When you cross paths with the Boy, a small creature whose mysterious powers have attracted the attention of Gemini, the Mistress of the Artifacts, you decide to protect him, unaware that much greater forces are involved. Roam this intriguing land and discover its paths, inhabitants and ancient secrets.

Killer Frequency | PS4, PS5

The year is 1987, and as the clock strikes midnight in small-town Gallows Creek, USA, former big city radio DJ Forrest Nash is live on air in what will turn out to be the graveyard shift of a lifetime… In this horror comedy, you must solve puzzles to save callers from being hunted down by a mysterious killer. Where every call is life and death, can you save the inhabitants of Gallows Creek? Step into the shoes of a late-night radio talk-show host – new in town and fallen from grace. The Sheriff is dead, so the townsfolk turn to you for help. You, Forrest Nash, are the only person in town who can run a phone line.

Hungry Shark World | PS4

Become a shark and spread terror on the beach! Fight man, machine and beast as you explore tropical islands, sunken temples, vast cities and frozen icebergs. Enjoy discovering expansive levels with their own distinctive enemies, hidden treasures and unique missions. Take on everything the sea throws at you, from gruesome goblin sharks and the adorable porbeagle, to prehistoric monsters and giant submarines. With rebalanced enemies and pacing, there’s a challenge around every corner!

Chivalry 2 | PS4, PS5

Return to the ultimate medieval battlefield. Chivalry 2 is a multiplayer first person slasher inspired by epic medieval movie battles. Players are thrust into the action of every iconic moment of the era – from clashing swords, to storms of flaming arrows, to sprawling castle sieges and more. Charge headfirst into stunning 64-Player cinematic battles inspired by epic medieval action films. Pick your playstyle with 4 classes and 12 subclasses, each with their own unique weapons and abilities.

PlayStation Plus Premium

Synapse | PS VR2

Dual-wield brutal firepower and surging telekinesis in the ultimate mind-breaking VR action shooter. Unleash your inner anti-hero and invade the twisted subconscious of a notorious enemy of the state. Become a mind-breaking operative and wreak havoc on the enemy’s mind with deadly weaponry in one hand and expressive telekinetic abilities in the other. Combine your powers to overcome formidable defences and delve deeper into a hostile mindscape.

Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain | PS4, PS5

Ready yourself for next month’s launch of Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered by discovering the origins of this dark gothic fantasy franchise with the original PlayStation title Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. In this top-down action adventure, embark on an epic quest through a vampire kingdom fraught with murder, magic and vengeance. Journey through an expansive world containing more than 100 hours of intense, blood-sucking, spell-casting gameplay, and enjoy cinema-quality voice-overs, dynamic lighting effects and more than 25 minutes of full-motion-video footage. 

Blood Omen 2 | PS4, PS5

Fierce attacks and brutal combos await in this action adventure, originally released on PS2 in 2002, after Soul Reaver 2’s launch the year previous. Blood Omen 2 will take you back to an alternate timeline set between the events of the first Blood Omen and Soul Reaver. Cast down from power by a mysterious warlord centuries ago, Kain reawakens in a world he barely recognizes. His armies slain, his vampire brethren nearly extinct, Kain is one of the last of his kind. With an agenda of vengeance, Kain shall unleash a wicked wrath to uncover the plot that threatens the land he seeks to conquer.

Resistance: Fall of Man

Epic military action and unnerving tension blend together in PS3’s 2006 first-person shooter Resistance: Fall of Man. Humanity faces annihilation as a relentless alien force known as the Chimera ravages Europe. Amidst the chaos, Nathan Hale emerges an unlikely hero, confronting unimaginable horrors while uncovering secrets that could change the course of the war. 

Resistance 2

Initially released in 2008 on PS3, Resistance 2 is the continuation of Insomniac Games’ science-fiction FPS saga. Now on American soil, the alien Chimera threatens Hale’s humanity in a gripping race against time to put a stop to the invasion. Once again at the forefront of humanity’s fight for survival, Nathan Hale must lead his squad through desperate missions, as new weapons and giant boss encounters increase the scale of the conflict to new heights.

*PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day. 

The Pokémon Card Deals I Want to See for Black Friday

We all want to be the very best Pokémon TCG player and collector, like no was ever was. We also all know the value of a bargain on booster boxes, big box premium collections, elite trainer boxes, and more. Black Friday 2024 should be loaded with Pokédeals, making it the best time of year to invest in some sealed products to rip open or hold on to.

Pokémon Card Deal Predictions for Black Friday

Grading Pokémon cards is also becoming more popular than ever before. Trainers won’t find cards in better condition than being pack fresh, but opening packs rather than buying singles can rack up a Gollum of cash. I’m a Pokémon Master, and the following products are on my radar for Black Friday 2024. Let’s get into it:

Big Box Deals

Pokémon TCG collectors worldwide know how good premium collections and other big box deals can be. We’re talking booster packs for less, epic promos thrown in, and other goodies such as pins and card sleeves. I think Black Friday 2024 at retailers like Amazon and Walmart will be packed with all kinds of big box deals, and here are the ones I think will make the cut:

Pokémon Tin Deals

Tins are a great way to collect some cool promos with a handful of boosters from various sets, especially at their often lower pricepoint when compared to high-end premium collections. They’re also an epic way to store bulk, dice, Pokécoins, and more. Here are the tins I think will be making the Black Friday rounds this year:

Booster Bundles

Need to complete a set sooner rather than later? Booster bundles are the offordable way to get multiple boosters to rip open in one sitting. Yes, booster boxes are ideal for collectors, but they’re mostly touching or well above $100. Booster bundles have six boosters per box for just north of $20, with Black Friday bringing price points down further. Here’s what I’m betting on:

Pokémon TCG Elite Trainer Boxes

Next to full-on booster boxes, elite trainer boxes are one of the best Pokémon TCG products to grab on a Black Friday deal. Containing eight or nine boosters, depending on the retailer and set, trainers get everything they need to battle, including unique dice, sleeves, card dividers, and a pack of energies. The main draw for ETBs is the promo card bundled in – they’re super collectable. Here are the ETBs I won’t need to flip a coin on when Black Friday hits:

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet Stellar Crown Build & Battle

These stamped promo cards are usually distributed at pre-release events, but this is a chance for trainers to get ahold of one out of four from a new set. The box also contains four boosters and a 40-card readymade deck to battle opponents on the fly. This is one for promotional card collectors, so here are the ones I think will be showing up for Black Friday:

Pokémon Iono Premium Tournament Collection Box

Deck Box? Check! Sleeves? Check! Four foil supporter cards (one being full art) and everything you need for a Pokémon Card battle? Check! These themed tournament collection boxes are a trainer card fan boys dream and a cheap way to get some exclusive swag for your themed deck. Here’s what I’m expecting on Black Friday:

Booster Packs and Boxes

Here’s where the Pokémagic happens! A Black Friday Pokémon TCG deal isn’t much without booster packs. Single sleeved boosters are fine, but what about 36 packs for a bargain? There’s no better time to invest in your collection, so here’s what I have on the cards for Black Friday:

GOG are doubling down on game preservation, and making it easier to see which games run well on modern PCs

Over the years, game retailers GOG have drifted from almost purely offering classic oldies to welcoming more and more modern blockbusters onto their storefront. In one sense, they’ve turned from a game preservation champion into a slightly dustier, DRM-less Steam. Now, though, GOG have declared a renewed focus on not just selling aged games, but on tweaking more of them to work on non-aged hardware. And you’ll be able to tell which games have got this restoration treatment from a fancy badge plastered on top of them.

Read more

Amazon Prime Members Can Save 10% on PlayStation and Xbox Gift Cards Before Black Friday

Amazon Prime members can now take advantage of a 10% discount on gaming gift cards, including those for PlayStation and Xbox. The offer comes as retailers gear up for the Black Friday sales season, providing an opportunity for digital gamers to prepare for upcoming deals.

The promotion includes significant savings, such as $25 off a $250 PlayStation gift card and $10 off a $100 card. These discounts are particularly valuable for those planning to purchase digital games, downloadable content, or subscriptions during the holiday sales period.

Think about it this way: There’s a 100% certainty of digital games sales over the Black Friday period, and these gift card discounts mean you can save even more. Or you could actually gift them, if you want? There are also discounts on Fortnite V-Bucks, Xbox Game Pass Core, and Roblox Digital Gift Cards if you’re so inclined.

With Nintendo already revealing its Black Friday plans, similar announcements from PlayStation and Xbox are expected in the coming days. For now, these gift card offers provide a timely chance to save ahead of the main sales event. Not a Prime member? Consider taking out a 30-day free trial and cover yourself for the whole Black Friday sales season.

What About PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass?

Black Friday often delivers discounts on gaming memberships like Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, so the first tip is to be patient. Additionally, these digital gift cards can be used to purchase subscriptions, making them a handy option if digital deals on memberships are announced soon. Otherwise, there’s a pretty great deal on Xbox Game Pass UItimate at Woot right now if you’re keen to grab a deal today.

When Is Black Friday 2024?

The actual date of Black Friday in 2024 falls on November 29 this year, but the deals have already kicked off. Leading up to the big event, retailers have begun to open deals online. Each day leading up to the event will slowly roll out more deals, which ultimately leads to massive discounts on Black Friday. Retailers will not reveal their biggest Black Friday deals until the big day, but most general deals will be available well in advance, such as this excellent discount on gift cards.

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Planet Coaster 2 review: a good water park is hard to build

Theme park management sim Planet Coaster was all about making roller coasters that would push your park guests to the edge of puking up their overpriced burgers while making sure the excitement levels of your twisting rides remained high. Planet Coaster 2 wants to do that again, but this time adds water parks into the mix, with slides to design, pools to plop down, and raft rides that you can click together to form ambitiously speedy spirals. You can feel some creative pride when you look down on the watery wonderland you’ve made with these tools. But you may also wonder if it was worth the effort. As a newcomer to Planet management games, I’ve found this slippy sequel fiddly, cumbersome, and poorly explained.

Read more