The post Forza Motorsport Introduces Road Atlanta and Multi-Class Racing appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Category: Video Games
Shadows of Doubt hits PS5 on September 26 – new private detective gameplay revealed
Hi PlayStation players! I’m excited to reveal that Shadows of Doubt is coming to PS5 on September 26. We can’t wait for you to launch your investigations and begin tracking down your suspects when the game comes to PS5 next month!
Shadows of Doubt is an immersive crime-solving detective sim that puts players in the role of a private investigator, scouring the city for clues and evidence on the search for suspects responsible for various crimes and misdemeanours.
As a private detective, you’ll take on tasks and investigations ranging from theft and sordid affairs, through to kidnappings and murder, uncovering evidence through various means to track down your suspect. Our dream is for players to feel fully immersed as a PI wandering the streets of a dynamic, living city. You can buy and decorate your own apartment, while every street, building, and room is fully explorable, giving you the freedom to fully discover – and investigate – the sci-fi noir world we’ve created.
Everybody in the city has their own lives, their own living space, jobs, friends, and daily routines. They’ll grab a coffee or have a dance at a bar. And with a serial killer on the loose, any one of them could be the next victim.
Equally, that means anybody could be the perpetrator, and it’s up to you to track them down. While each case is different, you’ll typically want to try a few tried and tested measures to get some early leads. Take out the fingerprint scanner to comb the scene for fingerprints, or if CCTV is available, scrubbing through it may help you spot any suspicious characters. There are lots of ways to gather evidence, from browsing call logs for recent contacts, or collecting sales slips thrown in the trash. Alternatively, there’s always the option to take the more dubious route by bribing citizens for information, hacking private terminals or breaking into private apartments. There may be repercussions to your actions, but we’ve built Shadows of Doubt with multiple ways to solve each case, meaning you can always be the detective you want to be.
As well as improving as a detective and earning a chunk of cash by solving each case, the main form of player progression in Shadows of Doubt comes via Sync Disks, genetic updates that give you a permanent upgrade, and increasing your Social Credit level. Each time you find a Sync Disk in the city or receive one as a reward, you’ll be given a choice from a selection of upgrades, making for some interesting decision-making and introducing some RPG-like elements to the game. Upgrades range from traditional buffs like additional health or inventory space, through to more interesting modifiers that subtly change how you play the game. Social Credit levels act as a form of experience level that you gain when completing cases. There are a host of benefits that come from levelling up, from being able to buy property in the city to citizens being more likely to let you into their homes. There are a host of other benefits that I can’t wait for you to discover as well, but the overall idea is that you may choose to play Shadows of Doubt with different builds across different generated cities.
Exclusive to the PS5 version, we’ve been able to take advantage of the DualSense Wireless Controller to immerse players even further into the world of Shadows of Doubt. Feel the nuance of lockpicking through haptic feedback or – my favourite – feel the subtle pitter patter of rain when the weather takes a turn. But of course, Shadows of Doubt wouldn’t be a true detective sim if you didn’t also have an umbrella at your disposal.
Shadows of Doubt has been a real labour of love for myself and the team over the last 7 years, and we’ve been so excited to see the response the game has already received. It’s a game that can be as deep or complex as you’d like it to be, and we’ve worked hard to build intricate systems that power the sandbox behind the game’s crimes and citizens to make it as fun and fresh to play no matter your playstyle. We can’t wait to see how you crack each case when Shadows of Doubt launches September 26 on PS5.
Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone Announced for PC and Consoles
Developer Farm 51 has announced Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone, the sequel to the 2021 first-person sci-fi survival horror shooter. The new game aims to blend open-world combat, crafting, team and base management, and nonlinear storytelling into a compelling and realistic post-apocalyptic action-RPG. It’s due out on PC and consoles in 2025.
In Chernobylite 2, you play as a planewalker, someone who travels between parallel worlds in search of the titular Chernobylite, a precious and powerful material. In that quest, you’ll battle throes of terrifying creatures and do your best to unite and lead the remaining human survivors. Take a look at the announcement trailer above and the first screenshots in the gallery below.
The sequel also promises to expand on everything players liked in the first game, such as the story, side characters, relationship aspects, combat, weapons and gadgets, exploration, and more – along with adding an open world. It also includes online co-op for the campaign.
We’ll have more on Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone as development progresses. Wishlist it on Steam if you’re interested.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Is 40% Off, Stock Up Now and Avoid the Price Hike (Updated)
Woot! (which is owned by Amazon) is offering the best deal on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Right now you can get a 3 month code for only $36.49. Microsoft recently raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $19.99 per month, so now you’re saving 40% off a 3 month membership. Note that you can purchase multiple codes and apply them to your account, up to a maximum of 36 months. This deal was supposed to expire last week, however Woot! has extended the deadline to August 17.
Note: There is a coupon code “VIDEOGAMES” that takes $3 off one order. If you purchase multiple gift cards, this code will only work on a single gift card.
3 Months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $33.49
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to a library of hundreds of Xbox games, including day one releases. You can play them for the entirety of your membership without any restrictions. You do lose access to them once your membership is over, but if you ever decide to renew, all your past achievements and progress will be saved. You’ll also have access to Xbox Game Pass for PC. Although there aren’t nearly as many games as there are on Xbox, there are still plenty of AAA titles to keep you sated. Other perks include exclusive membership discounts, the ability to play your games across multiple devices with cloud gaming, free access to EA Play membership, as well as bonus in-game content and rewards. It is an exceptionally good – almost essential – membership for Xbox gamers. New release games are not cheap, and being able to play them without buying them will save you a lot of money and easily recoup the cost of the membership.
Looking for more Xbox deals? Check out all of the best Xbox deals today.
Shadows Of Doubt emerges from the wet alleyway of early access with 1.0 release next month
In Shadows Of Doubt you can fall from the roof of a corporate office building during a routine investigation, shatter all the bones in your frail detective body, wake up in a clinic fully healed, and then sprint out the door without paying your sky-high hospital bills while the clinic’s auto-turret shoots at you for doing a medical dine and dash. The early access game is on our best immersive sims list for a reason, you know, and now it has an autumn release date for the final version, along with a new trailer.
Kiborg: Arena Is a Brutal Cyberpunk Beat-’Em-up with a Roguelite Twist
The cyberpunk subgenre has been a visually and conceptually compelling backdrop for RPGs, first-person shooters, and narrative-driven mysteries. But the upcoming Kiborg from Sobaka Studios looks to turn the high-tech, low-lives conceit into a vehicle for a high-octane action brawler—with a roguelite twist. Leaning into the intense body modification and grotesque horrors that advanced technology can bring, Kiborg focuses on fast-paced, crunchy combat that’s all powered by some bizarre yet intriguing upgrades that can light up the battle zone.
Just ahead of the release of the upcoming playable prologue that sets the stage for the main game, I forged through a gauntlet of mutants, cyborgs, and giant robots with an assortment of deadly upgrades to tear through the competition in this roguelite beat-em-up spin on cyberpunk fiction.
Kiborg sees you take on the role of Morgan, a resistance fighter who outfits himself and his clones with tech upgrades to even the odds in his fight against rival factions on a wartorn prison planet. The protagonist will have to prepare himself for his descent into the carnage by training in the Arena, a VR combat simulator that supplies an endless array of foes and deadly traps in a battle zone that feels inspired by the spectacle of Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.
Kiborg: Arena and its ladder-style progression are a prologue to the main game, which features a more robust roguelite campaign across different locales. The Arena not only does a great job of establishing the mood of this hyper-violent grim world, but also chucked me into the deep end to get me accustomed to the intriguing blend of beat-em-up action and randomized roguelite-style upgrades. Along with an extended tutorial, which helped me get into the flow and learn the basics of its brawler-style combat, you also have an AI companion who will offer Morgan tips on how best to move up the ladder of the Arena.
The combat arena focuses on the familiar wave-based encounters, with each proceeding wave adding new enemies and traps and even arranging the layout of the zone itself. The core combat of Kiborg focuses primarily on Morgan’s moveset of punches, kicks, pulverizing strikes, and parrying. Morgan also wields an upgradable firearm that’s exceptionally vital against enemies too far out of the way. You can also earn permanent boosts for Morgan’s core skills and attributes in the upgrade menu outside of the Arena, which adds buffs and extends his health.
Like any brawler, mastering Kiborg’s combat is all about having a strong offensive strategy while keeping you ready to play defense. Kiborg is packed with grit and a lot of style, making the act of tearing through foes very satisfying when you get into a rhythm. However, combat can be quite unforgiving if you don’t find that flow. This is especially evident when facing a mob of enemies, each requiring specific strategies. Added to this is the game’s somewhat unpolished attack timing and visual, which knocked me out of step in some encounters.
However, what makes Kiborg and its approach to a cyberpunk brawler truly come together is the satisfying array of cyborg upgrades that modify Morgan’s body parts with specialized attributes. The tech upgrades gained from elite foes after pulling off a finishing move similar to Raiden from Metal Gear Rising Revengeance add a whole new layer to the combat. In roguelite fashion, you’ll need to decide which upgrade from the selection that will help you go all the way.
Some of my favorite moments came from diving into a crowd of enemies and unleashing a flurry of strikes that were amplified by chained lightning, homing razor blades, and even cyborg legs that left a streak of flames on the ground. One of the great thrills of a roguelite is seeing your modest hero evolve into a death-dealing warrior, and Kiborg’s building transformation into a super soldier with every round was so exciting to see unfold.
Kiborg and its Arena prologue show a promising, modest take on a cyberpunk action beat-em-up, even if it’s rough around the edges as of this preview. Still, I had a ton of fun with being able to rip and tear through enemies with some pulverizing cybernetic upgrades, and each attempt felt so different from the last. With the full game set for later release, Kiborg: Arena is just the teaser that’ll give players a solid sampling of this sleek blend of beat-em-up action and the cyberpunk mystique.
Guide: Gamescom 2024 Opening Night Live: Everything You Need To Know – Date, Time, Where To Stream
It’s that time again.
It’s the middle of August, which means it’s time for another glimpse at the future of video games with the upcoming Gamescom 2024.
As always, the festivities will kick off with the Gamescom Opening Night Live showcase in Cologne, Germany, during which regular host Geoff Keighley will reveal new trailers and information for some of the biggest games hitting shelves in the foreseeable future.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Doom modders are annoyed at the “chum-bucket” of wrongly credited mods in the latest Doom remaster
Last week, Bethesda released a remastered edition of Doom and Doom II on Steam, with lots of extra episodes and improvements. One of these new features is a built-in browser for mods, and support for many existing mods that previously required a different version of the game. Basically, lots of good fan-made mods are now playable on the Steam version of ye olde Doom. That’s neat! Ah, but there is some demon excrement on the health pack, so to speak. The mod browser lacks moderation and lets people upload the work of others with their own name pinned as the author. That’s prompted one level designer to call it “a massive breach of trust and violation of norms the Doom community has done its best to hold to for those 30 years.”
‘Team Rice’ Wins The Latest Splatoon 3 Splatfest
Update: The results are in.
Update :
The results are in for the “Which could you eat every day?” Splatfest, and it’s ‘Team Rice’ that takes home the trophy, leave the Bread and the Pasta in the dirt.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
The Witcher 4 Stars Geralt of Rivia, But Not as the Main Character
Geralt of Rivia voice actor Doug Cockle has revealed the White Wolf will star in the next mainline Witcher game, codenamed Polaris, but not as the main character.
Developer CD Projekt Red has long made clear that Geralt’s saga has come to an end, meaning a new protagonist was fully expected for Polaris, but this is the first confirmation he’ll be in the next game at all — and fuels some rampant fan theories.
Cockle didn’t share any specific details about Geralt’s role in Polaris in an interview with Fall Damage but did confirm his involvement. “I can’t say anything about [Polaris],” he said. “What we know is that Geralt will be part of the game, we just don’t know how much, and the game won’t focus on Geralt.
“It’s not about him this time. We don’t know who it’s about. I’m excited to find out. I want to know. I have not seen any script yet. I mean, I couldn’t tell you if I did. This is the thing, so I could be lying through my teeth. But I’m not. Or am I?”
Spoiler Warning: The following paragraphs feature spoilers for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Only a single teaser image has otherwise been revealed for Polaris, but it was enough to fan the fire of fan theories which believed Ciri would be the next mainline Witcher game’s protagonist. What’s considered the “true” ending of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, thanks to its story being continued in comics considered canon to CD Projekt Red’s universe, sees her become a witcher herself.
The teaser image also showed a medallion of a lynx, and while this is a brand new witcher school not mentioned previously in the books, games, comics, or wherever else, Ciri wore a School of the Cat medallion in the books and its philosophy matches her nimble fighting style.
The lynx medallion being a combination of this and her wilder School of the Wolf side (as she was raised by its members Geralt, Vesemir, and so on), could make a lot of sense. In fact, Cockle himself told IGN in December 2023 this was “the best theory” he’s heard, though this was before he knew about starring in it himself.
Geralt being featured in Polaris as a side character perhaps lends itself to this theory too, because just as the final quest of The Witcher 3 sees him give Ciri her sword, it would make sense for her to have a mentor character in some areas of the new game. “Maybe Geralt is the new Vesemir,” said marktheshark124 on Reddit.
At the very least, the confirmation Geralt is in the game somewhat debunks fan theories for a prequel to the original Witcher saga, taking place decades, if not centuries, earlier when the Witcher schools were at the height of prominence. They, and witchers themselves, are dwindling during the events of the original saga.
It will likely be a while before more information on Polaris emerges, though it is the main project being worked on at CD Projekt Red. The developer hasn’t revealed anything else, only that it will emphasize freedom and “intense gameplay.“
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.