The original leaks date back to 2021.
There have been ongoing rumours about Square Enix’s series Final Fantasy Tactics making a return after some leaks in 2021 and we’ve now got a small update.
If you were wondering what the status is on this supposed project, according to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, it’s “real and happening”. He provided this update on the ‘GamingLeaksAndRumours‘ subreddit a few days ago (thanks for the heads up, Push Square).
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
The legendary zombie hunter Juliet returns.
We first heard Lollipop Chainsaw would be getting a remake back in 2022, and now the first official trailer for Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP has dropped, confirming it will arrive for Switch and multiple other platforms on 25th September 2024.
This updated version of the Grasshopper Manufacture title, by developer Dragami Games, is described as the definitive version of the game, leaving the story unchanged and instead focusing on quality-of-life improvements and additional gameplay content. The scene is set in the first trailer above which features the legendary zombie hunter Juliet.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Nostalgia is one of the most powerful, over-weaponized forces in the video game industry. But it also opens up avenues for cool takes on classic ideas. Hearkening back to PS2-era action platformers, Akimbot already seems like a great example of nostalgia done right. Full of homage to classics from that era like Ratchet and Clank, I had so much fun jumping, shooting, and air-dashing through an early version of Akimbot’s first level.
As it turns out, action-platformers are French indie studio Evil Raptor’s bread and butter. 2021’s Pumpkin Jack was a cult hit among platforming fans when it hit back in 2020, and if my half-hour demo with Akimbot is any indication, it seems like it’s poised to scratch the same itch with a charming world, responsive platforming controls, interesting character designs, and well-designed levels. I just wish my demo was longer.
You’ll play as Exe, a tacit, mysterious robot with some platforming and combat chops. Shipset, your considerably more talkative, floating companion, used to work as an accounting bot who grew tired of his job and broke out, seemingly throwing a grenade behind him and angering all the wrong people. Starting in a spaceship, imprisoned by intergalactic mobsters, our lead duo breaks out after their traveling prison crash-lands on a tropical beach planet.
This opening cutscene did a great job of setting up both the odd couple-like dynamic between the leads and Akimbot’s overall tone. The quippy and charming cutscenes felt like watching a favorite Saturday morning cartoon that never was. Exe and Shipset continued chatting after I set out, continuing to flesh out the characters. Thankfully, their bickering evolved quickly enough that it never got annoying.
While Akimbot nails the look and aesthetic of the PS2 era, it is undoubtedly a modern game. Gorgeous lighting and particle effects paint the beach planet with ray-traced warm, chill, inviting vibes. From what I could tell, the quality of life is all there too; I didn’t find any of the occasionally frustrating clunkiness that so often keeps platformers from that era from aging well.
Exe, meanwhile, controls like a dream. He deftly jumped from platform to platform, with movement options that felt immediately natural to me as a big fan of 3D platformers. I had so much fun just messing around with his moveset – like the double jump and air dash he’s got from the get go – as I learned how to make the most of a jump. His air dash ends with a little extra air time and height, and once I figured out how to perfectly time my second jump at the apex of that dash, I started really cooking with Exe’s moveset. Soon, I was clearing multiple platforms at a time with relative ease.
Even his melee abilities give some extra oomph to his movement. While using his slashing melee attack on the ground is satisfying enough in its own right, doing it midair lets him perform a spinning, rising attack that adds yet another means of catching some extra height. The movement was far and away my favorite and the most exciting part of Akimbot. In fact, based on what I’ve played so far, I have a feeling Evil Raptor is going to really stretch what’s possible with Exe’s moveset as the game progresses. Even in Akimbot’s first level, which is pretty easy by most standards, I found ways to have fun and push my own abilities. To me, that’s the hallmark of a good 3D platformer.
Don’t get me wrong, though, the shooting also feels really good. Once you get a hang of Exe’s movement, Akimbot presents you with a choice between four different guns. I went with the all-around option: a pair of semi-automatic pistols that crack with just the right amount of punch as their bullets connected with my mechanical foes. I also picked up a more traditional machine gun along the way, which also felt great as I dispatched far-off foes during an on-rails sequence. I also found options to upgrade and level up each of these special starting weapons. I didn’t get to dive too deep into that, unfortunately, but it’s nice to see that there’s going to be some tangible progression for each gun.
Akimbot’s movement and shooting both get high marks based on the demo I played. Now we just need to see what Evil Raptor manages to accomplish with the moveset it’s created. But if the first level is any indication, Akimbot’s sure to be a hit with 3D platforming fans.
Choice has always been at the heart of the Assassin’s Creed series, giving you the freedom to complete your objectives any way you see fit. Now, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will expand upon this approach in an even more dramatic way, allowing you to pick which of the two new assassins, Naoe or Yasuke, that you’d like to utilize for your missions – and it’s a wild swing in either direction.
Shadows drops us into late 16th century Japan at a time of great internal turmoil in the region, which has allowed for corruption to seep into the various provinces. During a recent gameplay presentation ahead of UbiForward, we’re shown that this series of events has peaked Yasuke’s interest in the city of Fukuchiyama where a corrupt warlord has taken root.
As he walks into town, it’s like a giant has appeared. Villagers stand aside, bowing as both a term of respect and expression of awe — they’ve never seen anything quite like him before. It isn’t long until some of the warlord’s minions decide to measure up Yasuke’s abilities, which they quickly discover quickly is a tremendous mistake.
Wielding a massive Kanabo (a club-like weapon), Yasuke’s swings are punishing and skull crushing. Enemy swords are turned aside as these thugs are dispatched quick and bloody. Just to punctuate his skills, Yasuke switches to a Katana and just as efficiently cuts through more enemies until he reaches the base of the temple where his target resides. It’s here we’re shown the choice to either continue as the skilled samurai or switch over to the shinobi, Naoe – with whom stealth is placed at the forefront.
This is where Assassin’s Creed Shadows starts to feel a bit more familiar, as Naoe glides undetected across rooftops, utilizing Eagle Vision to spot enemy locations, silently dispatching foes with a Shuriken, and even piercing through a rice paper wall with a Katana to silence an unsuspecting enemy. She continues to quietly move through the medieval compound until she finds her target. He’s standing at the edge of a shallow pond, which is just deep enough for her to swim below the surface, breathing through a bamboo straw. She then swiftly emerges from the pond and stabs the warlord through the neck – and now it’s time to make an exit.
What was great here was seeing both elements of the familiar, open world approach to finding and eliminating your target, but also leaning in on how a ninja – with all their wonderful toys – can sneak into a compound, eliminate an enemy, and then swiftly escape.
We’re then guided through what an assassination looks like with the samurai Yasuke, who in this instance channels the Juggernaut from the X-men, crashing through doors and structures, slicing down guards, and easily dispatching his target with a swift stab to the gut. That isn’t to suggest that Naoe only must lean on stealth – she’s more than equipped to face guards head-on with her mix of agility and area of effect weapons like the Kusarigama (a chain-sickle) that keeps enemies at a distance, allowing her to methodically eliminate each enemy one at a time.
Beyond the combat, one element that I’m really interested to see how Assassin’s Creed Shadows handles will be the fact that we get to play as a historical figure for the first time as the Samurai, Yasuke. The fictional world of Assassin’s Creed has always been a stellar tale, from elaborate yarns that span everything from Templars to aliens, so seeing how they place him within this universe is going to be exciting to experience.
Finally getting to see Assassin’s Creed Shadows in action has only elevated my excitement for this entry in the series. From the dramatic choices in approach to targets, to its amazing feudal Japan setting, and stepping into the shoes of a historical figure, it has all the hallmarks to be another epic in the making for the team at Ubisoft.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set for release for Xbox Series X|S on November 15, 2024, and is available for pre-order now on the Xbox Store.
Ubisoft
The Assassin’s Creed Shadows Ultimate Edition includes:
– The base game.
– Up to three days of early access to the game.*
– The season pass including a bonus quest at launch and two upcoming expansions.
– The Ultimate Pack containing the Sekiryu Character Pack, Hideout Pack, and five skill points, as well as the Red Dragon filter in Photo mode.
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny.
– Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
– Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
– Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
– Create a fully customizable hideout for your shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
*Play the game up to three days before the official launch date. Exact dates and timings will be shared at a later date on assassinscreed.com.
Ubisoft
The Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gold Edition includes:
– The base game.
– Up to three days of early access to the game.*
– The season pass including a bonus quest at launch and two upcoming expansions.
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
– Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
– Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
– Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
– Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
*Play the game up to three days before the official launch date. Exact dates and timings will be shared at a later date on assassinscreed.com.
UBISOFT
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
– Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
– Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
– Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
– Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
The post Brutality and Stealth Are at the Heart of Assassin’s Creed Shadows appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Everywhere is a creative suite that aims to let players build their own 3D games – such as shooters, racing games, and platformers – without code. Instead, players can use a developer- and user-created asset library to build and “remix” game worlds, then publish them for other folks to play.
Those creative tools will be available to some people next week, when the closed Builders Beta launches on June 18th.
WIth over 50 party games split between developer Jackbox Games’ 10 different Jackbox Party Packs, players have increasingly requested a more unified way to switch between their Jackbox games. If these games are in different packs, players often need to remember which pack a game is in, close their current pack, and launch the next one. Now, after years of player requests, Jackbox Games is finally developing a way to see all of its games in one place.
Today in a post on its website, Jackbox Games announced the Jackbox Megapicker, a game library that lets players view, sort, and launch their games from different Party Packs in one location.
“With over 50 games, more and more you are saying that it takes a lot of effort to switch between packs to find all of the different games you want to play,” the post reads. “Enter The Jackbox Megapicker: a free product exclusive to Steam, where you can view your game library, sort and filter the games you love, and quickly launch an evening of fun.”
The Jackbox Megapicker is headed to Steam as an exclusive this July.
Jackbox Games mentioned that more details will be revealed on its website and in an upcoming Reddit AMA. The team also encouraged players to request features for the Jackbox Megapicker via social media.
Years after the first Party Pack was released in 2014, Jackbox Games saw a spike in popularity after its party games became a social distancing staple in 2020. Jackbox’s next Party Pack is Jackbox: Naughty Pack, its first adult-focused Party Pack (despite most people’s use of… already naughty answers in text-based games like Quiplash) that it announced at ID@Xbox in April. While it doesn’t yet have a release date, it’s due out this year.
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, and they’re currently developing a game called Garage Sale. Find them on Twitter: @ameliazollner.
When I play Minecraft, I mostly just want to build things, or maybe go exploring across its landscapes, which still have the power to surprise and delight me. My son, meanwhile, mostly wants to murder me – and in the game.
The Tricky Trials update, out now, might help redirect his bloodlust. It adds trial chambers full of traps and treasure, including waves of hostile mobs to battle against.
Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown‘s first story DLC got a two-second trailer during Ubisoft Forward on Monday, confirming its name and its coming release this September. Here’s a more specific release date that’ll matter more to some of you: The Lost Crown itself will come to Steam on August 8th.
Hands-on impressions of over a dozen games.
Summer Game Fest is over for another year, and it was a pretty jam-packed event. There are still plenty of stuff to come out of the show over the coming weeks, but what did we get up to while we were in Downtown Los Angeles for a week?
Well, we’ll spare you the details of the refreshing drinks and poolside antics — it wasn’t really that glamourous — but we’re ready to talk about most of the games we played.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Have you ever admired a sports car that cuts through the wind?
Grand Prix Story, available for pre-order today, is a simulation game that puts you in the role of a race team owner and manager. Modify your car, train your staff, build a powerful team, and aim for the Grand Prix.
When you hear it’s a racing game, you might think that it requires control skills. This game is a little different in that you don’t control the steering wheel during the race. The steering wheel of the car is held by the racer you have trained.
We love simulation games, so we decided to leave control of the car to the characters and let the players focus on managing their team. Once your car is ready, enter the race, and let’s keep an eye on them.
Even if you are not in control of the car yourself, you will feel the excitement of the race as it unfolds. While cheering on your team, observe the cars in action and analyze them for the next race.
And that’s not the only appeal of a racing game where players don’t drive. If you increase the size of your team, you can run two cars at the same time.
Racers on your team may compete against each other for the championship and it’s going to be hard to decide which one to root for.
To win a race, the driver’s technique is of course necessary, but the mechanic’s ability is also important. If you secure talented people, research the car, and improve the parts, the performance of the car will increase dramatically, and you will be able to show off your car’s overwhelming acceleration and brilliant curves that will overwhelm those around you.
Your management skills, such as contracting sponsors and raising funds, will determine the fate of your team.
Aim for the best racing team in the world!
Grand Prix Story is available on Xbox for preorder today. Get ready to get your team in gear!
Kairosoft
Try your hand at managing an auto racing team!
Become the boss of your own team, training drivers and acquiring sponsors before conquering the Grand Prix!
Develop new vehicles and parts, and customize them any way you like! Do you have what it takes to make it to the winner’s circle?
No knowledge of motorsports is required to play!
The post Grand Prix Story is Now Available on Xbox – Create your Own Strongest Team appeared first on Xbox Wire.
