Category: Video Games

Mask Quest review: the cops don’t have to breathe

When I was a competitive long-distance runner at school, breath control was paramount. We were never really taught this, mind. It was an art you picked up through practice: how to breathe before the race, saturating your blood with O2 without dizzying yourself; when to permit the shorter, emergency breaths and when to apply restraint; when to deepen your inhales and charge yourself up for an attack on a hill.

And then, how to organise your body around your breath, straightening your posture to expand your lungs without tipping back too far and squandering muscle power; how to breath in time with your stride and the movement of your shoulders, so as to firm up your momentum and shave a miraculous-feeling minute off your finishing time. All this, plus various daft psychological war gambits of my own devising. When overtaking or being overtaken, I used to seal my lips shut on that side and breath through the other corner of my mouth, to make it look like I was hardly out of breath at all.

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Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater will have new dialogue, and EVA’s actor reveals why she chose a pseudonym based on her pet dog

Putting aside my natural annoyance at Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater for almost beating out the Twarhammer series in the headline real estate wars, I am more than a little excited to play. Some days, you simply must feast on a tree frog, and while we still don’t have a solid release date, that day doesn’t feel too far away. Good news for stealth fans, and perhaps gooder news for a dozen strapline writers sweating profusely, soiling themselves in anticipation of using “kept you waiting, huh?”.

Until then, I at least have a steady drip feed of new information to keep me sated, the latest of which is the substantial hint that there’ll be some new dialogue in the game, as per the video below. Alongside that, the previously pseudonymous Suzetta Miñet – who was credited with voicing EVA in MGS3 and Peace Walker – has revealed herself to be Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Cheers for the spot, Automaton West.

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Sega Delisting ‘Mega Drive Classics’ On Switch eShop This December

Select retro games will still be available on NSO.

Sega has today announced it’s delisting SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive Classics from Nintendo’s Switch eShop. The company will also be delisting multiple games and collections across Steam, Xbox and PlayStation platforms.

This classic collection will be removed from the Switch eShop on 6th December 2024. After this, the title will be “unavailable for new purchases”. If you have already purchased this collection though, it will still be available to download and play at any time.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Take a Squat and Listen, Here’s How you Survive in SlavicPunk: Oldtimer

Summary

  • SlavicPunk: Oltimer launches today on Xbox Series S|X
  • Read and watch for useful gameplay tips.
  • Experience a darker and more grim vision of a cyberpunk worldwith a distinct Slavic twist.

Hey Punk! What are you staring at? Me? Good. Always be vigilant, that’s the key to survival in the world of SlavicPunk: Oldtimer. It may be a top-down, twin-stick shooter, set in a cyberpunk world with a distinctly Slavic twist for you, but it’s real life for me!

I bet you’ve seen the flashy cyberpunk in other pieces of culture, but you won’t find it here. It’s a grim world I tell you – no bling, no glory, no perspectives, only survival in a city governed by force and lies. Don’t trust anyone and you’ll yet see the light of the day.

SlavicPunk screenshot

Now pay attention because I’ll say it just once. Do you see the guy in the picture? That’s Yanus, you’ll control him. He always stays in the middle of the screen, so you’ll never lose sight of where you are, even when the bullets start pouring on your head.

Those guns that you are holding – push the button at the right moment and you will not only reload faster but gain a damage boost. You can also modify them, to bring more strategy to the fray, but first you’ll need to put the cash on the table for mods. You can get them…

Hey, pay attention, I’m talking to you!

Where was I? Ah yes, strategy – use your head, not only your happy trigger fingers. You’ve been taking care of your body, so be sure to dodge and dash away out of harm’s way. Use the environment as cover and you’ll be good. Worst case scenario, use “synthad” to give yourself a boost just don’t overdo it, that stuff is bad news I tell you.

You’ve got your VR mod and not a shabby one either. Use it to hack your enemies and…

Hey!

…you’ve got the attention span of a six-year-old. Just watch the **** video and learn something.

Did anything useful stuck in your tiny brain? You know what, don’t answer, I don’t really care. I wouldn’t say you’re ready, but at least now you’ve got a chance. Your client is just a single step outside of your apartment. She’ll tell you that a data carrier is missing and she’ll want you to get it back for her. Simple? No, nothing is that simple. Something stinks here and this time around it’s not you. Take the job and always look behind your back.

Interested? I thought so.

SlavicPunk: Oldtimer releases on Xbox Series S|X today. Have a peek into my Stream and see what you’re up against.

You got that?

Today. Xbox Series S|X.  Wishlist and buy. Make me a happy merc, Punk!


SlavicPunk: Oldtimer

SlavicPunk: Oldtimer

Gaming Factory S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is an isometric shooter video game, based upon the works of Michał Gołkowski, a renown Polish science-fiction and fantasy books author. It is him who created the story of Yanus – a private investigator with a troubled past, now trying to solve an unexpected case revolving around a stolen data carrier, all this while fighting his own inner demons, the urban gangs and a nigh-omnipotent corporation responsible for the downfall of the city he used to call his own.
The game offers solid combat and movement systems, as well as a modular weapon upgrade system, thanks to which the players striding through the dark corners of the city may make every encounter feel and look different. Action-packed levels with stealth elements, hacking and environmental puzzle solving are intertwined with more slow-paced sequences of city exploration, side quests and storytelling.
A unique, inherently Slavic take on the cyberpunk world is sure to leave none indifferent thanks to its sharp, caustic sense of humour and a slightly pessimistic outlook at the neon-grey shades of the surrounding reality, at the same time providing a much needed breath of fresh air to the genre itself.
As a team, the question we asked ourselves was: what was the world going to look like in a couple of decades? How would a hypothetical Central and Eastern European city and its inhabitants differ from, say, Blade Runner ‘s L.A. or Akira’s Neo Tokyo?”.
The attempts to answer this puzzle has had a tremendous deal of influence upon the game’s artistic choices, including a mix of futuristic-esque and overly outdated technologies, the grim, brutalist architecture typical of the post-communist countries, the character’s not-so-obvious moral choices and the often crudely makeshift, yank-and-tuck character and atmosphere of an environment overpacked with people forced to cope with the uneven distribution of goods and wealth, often relying on their wits and sheer luck to make it to the next paycheck without losing their minds.
SlavicPunk story goes to show that there is more than meets the eye to this dystopian version of the future is, and it is only up to the players to discover what lies beneath the neon glow and the concrete streets – helping Yanus unravel his last case and find out just how brutal and ugly the truth may actually be.

The post Take a Squat and Listen, Here’s How you Survive in SlavicPunk: Oldtimer appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Where to Buy Xbox Series X|S Consoles Online (November 2024)

Some people might still line up in front of stores for the day of a new console’s release, but online shopping has definitely become the preferred method for making big gaming purchases. Online retailers generally have more inventory, and you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home. Some stores even offer the option to secure your purchase and then pick it up when you’re ready.

If you’re looking for the best places to buy a new Xbox online, we’ve got you covered. Read on for a full breakdown of pricing on current Xbox consoles, the best time to buy an Xbox Series X or Series S, information on Xbox Game Pass, as well as where to trade in your existing Xbox consoles and games.

Where to Buy Xbox Consoles Online

If you’re looking to buy a new Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, or Xbox One, here’s where you can purchase Xbox consoles online in 2024. If you’re looking for savings, it might be worth waiting for Black Friday Xbox sales, but you can also check out the latest Xbox deals for discounts sooner rather than later.

Xbox Series X

Microsoft’s flagship console, the Xbox Series X, retails for an MSRP of $499.99 and features 1TB of storage and true 4K gaming.

Xbox Series S

The Xbox Series S is the less-powerful, all-digital variant of Microsoft’s current console lineup that starts at an MSRP of $299.99. The base model features 512GB of storage and 1440p resolution gaming in a 60% smaller package. You can also get the Carbon Black Series S console, which starts at an MSRP of $349.99 and comes with 1TB of storage space.

Xbox One

The Xbox One is Microsoft’s previous generation console that released in 2013. While it’s not currently being manufactured, you can still find refurbished models online at some retailers. There are three standard models available: the original Xbox One, a slimmer redesign called Xbox One S, and the more powerful Xbox One X. It’s worth noting that Xbox Series X|S are backwards compatible with Xbox One games, so your money may be better spent on the current generation consoles.

How Much Does a New Xbox Cost?

Xbox has a variety of different consoles at different price points to satisfy the needs of any gamer. The flagship console, Xbox Series X, retails for $499.99 but can also be financed via Xbox All Access at select retailers for $36.99/mo for 24 months which also includes 2 years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It’s worth noting that you’ll need to qualify for a line of credit with Citizen’s Pay Line if you opt for Xbox All Access.

Xbox Series S, the smaller, all-digital console, retails for $299.99 for the 512GB model or $349.99 for the 1TB model. Additionally, both can be financed via Xbox All Access starting at $26.99/mo for 24 months.

While Xbox One consoles aren’t currently in production any longer after being quietly discontinued in 2020 to focus on production of Xbox Series X|S, you can find them pre-owned or refurbished at resellers such as GameStop and Amazon, as well as through third-party marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and more.

Additionally, you can often find bundles throughout the year that include either an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, sometimes with a unique color or design, as well as an included game, trial of Xbox Game Pass, or in-game content.

Xbox Game Pass Plans and Pricing

Xbox Game Pass pricing was updated with the discontinuation of Xbox Live Gold to feature a streamlined tier list depending on whether you play exclusively on Xbox consoles, PC, or both. As with most subscription services, Game Pass also had a couple of price hikes in 2024, specifically for Game Pass Ultimate. Current pricing plans range from $9.99 for essentialy Xbox Live to $19.99 for the full Xbox Game Pass Ultimate experience. On the plus side, Black Ops 6 did end up being available through Game Pass on Day One.

Xbox Game Pass Core

Xbox Game Pass Core is $9.99/month and includes online multiplayer for Xbox consoles, a catalog of 25 games to play, and exclusive member discounts and deals. This plan effectively replaced what was previously known as Xbox Live Gold. To see what games are available through this plan, make sure to check out our IGN Playlist of Xbox Game Pass Core games.

Xbox Game Pass Standard

The Standard tier of Xbox Game Pass is $16.99/month and includes online multiplayer as well as access to the entire Xbox Game Pass catalog for Xbox Consoles (except day one Xbox first-party titles). It also includes exclusive member discounts and deals.

PC Game Pass PC

The PC equivalent of Xbox Game Pass is $11.99/month and includes access to hundred of games to play on PC including day one Xbox first-party titles, an EA Play membership, and exclusive member discounts and deals. This is a great option if you only play on PC and want access to the Xbox Game Pass catalog of supported games. To see what games are available through this plan at the moment, check out our IGN Playlist of Xbox Game Pass PC games.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is $19.99/month and combines both Xbox Game Pass Console and Xbox Game Pass PC to provide access to the entire Xbox Game Pass catalog of games on whichever platform you choose, as well as online gaming for Xbox. You’ll be able to play Xbox first-party titles day one, as well as stream hundreds of games over the cloud to compatible devices. Additionally, you’ll be able to play EA titles with an included EA Play membership, and access member-exclusive deals, discounts, and perks. To see the games available to you on this membership, check out our IGN Playlist of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate games.

Best Time to Buy an Xbox

Generally, the best time to buy an Xbox console is during major yearly shopping events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the various Amazon Prime Day sales. Often times, you can scoop up the console at a discount, or purchase limited-time bundles that include additional games, Xbox Game Pass trials, accessories, or in-game content.

How to Trade in Your Old Xbox

If you’re looking to trade in your old Xbox consoles, you can do so at select retailers in-store and online. Often, the most widely available retailers are GameStop and Best Buy. However, you can also trade your used devices online at retailers such as Amazon and Microsoft.

Some retailers will offer you cash for your used goods, while others may provide you with a gift card that can be used in-store and online. This is a great way to offload your old gaming gear and get some money that you can put towards a newer console and games.

While trading devices in at retailers will often net you the lowest amount for your used consoles, there are also online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and OfferUp that may fetch higher prices, but you’ll often be responsible for packing and shipping costs, or be required to meet someone in person for the transaction, the latter of which poses its own risks.

Where to Trade in Xbox Games

Similar to Xbox console trade ins, you can also trade your existing games in at specific retailers. The most widely available retailer accepting used video games is GameStop, but they are notorious for giving you pennies on the dollar for your pre-owned titles. However, if you’re looking for an easy way to offload some of your library for cash or in-store credit, this is a convenient option. You can always look up the expected trade-in value on GameStop’s website before heading into a store, so you know exactly how much you’ll receive. Additionally, you can trade in your used games online through Amazon in exchange for an Amazon gift card.

Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

Private Division Sold to Unknown Buyer in the Wake of Take-Two Shuttering Two of Its Studios

Take-Two has sold indie publisher Private Division to an unknown buyer in the wake of shuttering Roll7 and Intercept Games, saying that it wants to focus on its core and mobile businesses going forward. While virtually all of Private Division’s live and unreleased games will go to the new buyer, Take-Two says it will continue to support No Rest for the Wicked, the recently-released action RPG from Moon Studios that’s currently in early access.

Take-Two announced the move during Wednesday’s earnings results, saying in a statement, “We are grateful for the contributions that the Private Division team has made to our company and are confident that they will continue to achieve success in their new home.”

The Private Division sale follows Take-Two’s decision to wind down indie studios Roll7 and Intercept Games, both of which operated under the label’s umbrella. An IGN report at the time revealed Take-Two’s plans to offload the label and that it had found interest from a private equity firm, with discussions faciliated by individuals with connnections to Moon Studios leadership. It’s unclear whether that firm ultimately followed through on its interest.

Private Division was founded in 2017 with the goal of provide funding and support to “triple-I” game such as The Outer Worlds. Its upcoming releases include Tales of the Shire, the cozy Lords of the Rings game that was recently delayed into 2025, and an untitled action-adventure game from Game Freak codenamed Project Bloom.

Take-Two has spent much of 2024 trying to sell Private Division, telling employees in April that it would no longer support the label and laying off many of its employees. A small group has remained to continue support No Rest for the Wicked as well as Private Division’s other upcoming games. Take-Two, for its part, is turning even more of its focus toward Grand Theft Auto VI, which it still expects to release in fall 2025.

Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

Foxhole is getting planes next summer and an infantry combat overhaul later this month

Foxhole is one of my favourite games to read about, even if I don’t play it. It’s a massively multiplayer World War 2 game, viewed from above, where battlefield logistics matters as much as aiming and flanking. Its developers have just announced a major new update coming next summer, Foxhole: Airborne, which adds planes to the game for the first time.

Planes, in a topdown MMO? It makes a little more sense if you watch the trailer.

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Mini Review: STALKER: Clear Sky (Switch) – Tighter Shooting But Less Atmosphere

Faction Wars.

Despite releasing just a year after its predecessor, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky makes significant changes to the formula of GSC Game World’s venerable series. There are tweaked visuals, improved shooting, and some added systems crammed into this prequel. As a result, it feels markedly different to Shadow of Chornobyl, but not always in a good way. The shift in focus to faction conflict de-emphasises the persistent atmosphere of dread that permeated the first game.

You fill the irradiated boots of Scar, a Stalker with a mysterious condition that allows him to survive the Zone’s emissions. Rescued from such an event by research group Clear Sky, he is tasked with tracking down a group of Stalkers as a means of repayment. These rogue mercenaries have designs on reaching the secrets at the centre of the Zone… and one of their number is our old friend Strelok.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com