Category: Video Games

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Collector’s Edition Gets a Significant Discount in the UK

Scalpers can get in the bin, as Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree Collector’s Edition is back in stock and on sale right now at trusted UK retailer The Game Collection. These are still incredibly popular, meaning this is extremely time-sensitive as they could sell out. but we couldn’t just sit by and not shout about it. The Collector’s Edition is down to £203.96 at the moment for PS5 and Xbox using code DAYLIGHT15. This is the best preorder deal in the UK right now, and over £26 off the list price of £229.99.

This promo code is applicable across the whole of eBay, but preorders for one of the most anticipated DLC expansions of all time certainly caught our eye, especially as it’s for the Collector’s Edition. But, the DAYLIGHT15 code will expire by June 17 at 11:59 PM, so there’s a limited time left to secure this offer. If they are out of stock by the time you’re reading this again, make sure you’re following @IGNUKDeals on Twitter/X for immediate updates for when they come back.

So what’s included? Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (base game not included), a Figurine of Mesmer the Impaler (46cm), an exclusive hardcover artbook (English), and a Digital Soundtrack. This sounds perfect for any big fans or collectors out there, so there’s no like the present to get your order in. Plus, we likely won’t see a better deal than this before the release on June 21.

In case you slept on this game when it first came out, we liked it rather a lot. In our review, the first ever 10 we’ve given a FromSoftware game, we said: “Throughout it all, while the fundamentals of combat haven’t changed much from what we’ve seen before, the enormous variety of viciously designed enemies and the brutal but surmountable bosses have brought its battles to a new level. Even with all the threads I didn’t manage to tug on my first playthrough (of what I’m sure will be several), what I was treated to can easily be held amongst the best open-world games I’ve ever played.”

It was also recently announced that Elden Ring has sold 25 million units ahead of Shadow of the Erdtree. In a post on X/Twitter, the colossal 25 million units sold milestone was revealed alongside a thank you to fans who have purchased the game. Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco announced the game crossed 23 million units sold in March 2024, meaning it’s grown another two million in less than three months. This all comes ahead of what will likely be another sales boost for the game too when its only expansion Shadow of the Erdtree launches.

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

Lollipop Chainsaw RePop Reemerges With New Trailer, September Release

After being delayed for over a year, Lollipop Chainsaw RePop, the remake of the 2012 hack-and-slash game, will release on September 25 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Developed by Dragami Games, Lollipop Chainsaw RePop follows Juliet Starling, a high school cheerleader and descendant of a family of zombie hunters, as she and the disembodied head of her boyfriend fight off the zombie apocalypse with her trusty chainsaw. While RePop won’t see the return of its original director and writer duo, Goichi “Suda51” Suda and James Gunn, Dragami Games CEO Yoshimi Yasuda assures fans that the remake will live up to fans’ expectations.

“RePOP is a definitive version of the game which leaves the story unchanged, with the focus on quality-of-life improvements and additional gameplay content,” Yasuda wrote in a tweet.

Key among RePop’s updates from the original are shortened load times and heightened resolution and frame rates. More specifically, the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC versions of RePoop will support 4K resolution and 60 fps, while the Switch will support full HD resolution and 30 fps. Other quality-of-life updates include an auto-quick time event feature, improved camera responses, and a streamer mode for music.

Lollipop Chainsaw Repop was first announced back in 2022 before being delayed from summer 2023 to summer 2024. In a follow-up tweet to the game’s release date and trailer, Yasuda revealed that players will have over 30 outfits to fashion Juliet in RePop. While all of the original game’s costumes will be available in RePop, Juliet’s copyrighted ensembles – like her Deadman Wonderland and Highschool of the Dead anime costumes – won’t be coming along for the ride.

In our original review of Lollipop Chainsaw, we gave the game a 5 out of 10, saying, “Lollipop Chainsaw doesn’t even attempt to differentiate itself from the genre, and most of what it does try new in the realm of its characters and writing ultimately ends up taking away from an incredible-on-paper action game.”

Despite our reservations about Lollipop Chainsaw, the game has garnered cult classic status among gamers with an affinity for the hack-and-slash genre. Hopefully, RePop will resonate with players the same way the original game did.

Isaiah Colbert is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow them on Twitter @ShinEyeZehUhh.

Disco Elysium studio bosses humiliated the cancelled expansion’s lead writer for speaking to journalists, claims report

Back in February, Graham wrote about potential redundancies at Disco Elysium studio ZA/UM following the cancellation of a standalone expansion to that game, codenamed X7. Now, PC Gamer’s Ted Litchfield has spoken to 12 current and former employees about the circumstances surrounding the cancellation, notably the details of the layoffs, the expansion, and the “humiliation campaign” suffered by writer Argo Tuulik as apparent retaliation for his participation in last year’s extensive People Make Games documentary. You can, and should, read PC Gamer’s report here.

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Trophies For ‘Beyond Good & Evil’ May Indicate Upcoming Launch

Ubisoft confirmed ’20th Anniversary Edition’ in 2023.

Ubisoft has been pretty quiet on the upcoming launch of Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition. However, the discovery of the game’s trophies via Exophase (thanks, VGC) may indicate that its release is just around the corner.

It would make sense too, right? With Nintendo confirming a Direct showcase to be aired at some point this month, Beyond Good & Evil feels like the perfect game to crop up during the presentation. Ubisoft also confirmed that it would be released in ‘early 2024’, but since we’re arguably well beyond that point now, we feel it could drop on the Switch eShop at any point.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

The developers of 80 Days and Heaven’s Vault are making a 1920s school detective mystery

UK national treasures Inkle – they who looped the globe in 80 days, vaulted the heavens and sang of the highlands – are making a brand new investigation-ma-jig called Miss Mulligatawney’s School For Promising Girls, though the presskit notes that this might not be the final title. It’s set in a 1920s boarding school, where you can expect “tuition in Latin, Geometry and a wide range of team sports, all within the beautiful setting of our isolated country estate”. Also some murders, possibly.

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Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster Is “Real And Happening” According To Latest Update

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

Lollipop Chainsaw Remake Is Getting A Switch Release This September

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

Akimbot Preview: Straight Out of the PS2 Era of Platformers in All the Best Ways

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.

The movement was far and away my favorite and the most exciting part of Akimbot.

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.

Brutality and Stealth Are at the Heart of Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Brutality and Stealth Are at the Heart of Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin's Creed Shadows Asset

Summary

  • We get our first look at how dramatically different the assassins Yasuke and Naoe will play like.
  • Picking between two radically different characters will be a key differentiator for Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
  • 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.

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.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Asset

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.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Asset

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.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Asset

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.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Asset

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.


Assassin’s Creed Shadows Ultimate Edition
Xbox Live

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Ultimate Edition

Ubisoft

☆☆☆☆☆
29
★★★★★

$129.99
Pre-order

Pre-order now to get a bonus quest, Thrown to the Dogs.

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.


Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gold Edition
Xbox Live

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gold Edition

Ubisoft

☆☆☆☆☆
29
★★★★★

$109.99
Pre-order

Pre-order now to get a bonus quest, Thrown to the Dogs.

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.


Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Xbox Live

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

UBISOFT

☆☆☆☆☆
29
★★★★★

$69.99
Pre-order

Pre-order now to get a bonus quest, Thrown to the Dogs.

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’s no-code game creation tools get a closed beta next week

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.

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