The Switch eShop can be a dark and dreary place. The storefront is home to some absolute gems, but a multitude of rushed, rip-off and scam games can turn these beauties from a shining beacon to a needle in a haystack.
Here to prove that there are still some good games out there, our video producer Alex set out on the hunt for something special. To do so, he got his hands on five random eShop games (ones we didn’t review on the site) and took them for a spin in the hope of finding a goodun. Did he manage it? Well, you’ll just have to watch the above video to find out.
Mecha Break Coming to Xbox Series X|S in 2025, Apply for the Closed Beta Today
Brett Buren, ÜberStrategist PR, Amazing Seasun Games
Summary
Mecha Break will be available in 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, with a closed beta test coming only to Xbox Series X in August 2024.
The game features three distinct game modes: 6v6 Battlefield mode, 3v3 Arena mode, and up to 60-player PvEvP (unavailable for the upcoming beta).
Experience an arsenal of unique mechs with diverse playstyles and customization; play how you want and master your mech’s abilities.
Oozing with high-tech style and full of fast-paced battles, Mecha Break is multiplayer mech-based shooter that puts you in the pilot seat of your very own towering mech as you dive into a clash of steel and plasma unlike any other. Now, after two successful closed beta tests on PC, developer Amazing Seasun Games is proud to announce that Mecha Break’s next closed beta test will be coming to Xbox Series X in August 2024!
While the impressive mechs and break-neck speed of Mecha Break’s combat is the flashy initial draw, the room for personal expression through cosmetic customization and diverse combat tactics will let you build an attachment to your favorite mech. The full release game will feature three distinct game modes: 6v6 Battlefield mode, 3v3 Arena mode, and up to 60-player PvEvP.
Mecha Break features customizable mechs, player-created mech pilots, a wide array of mech and weapon types, and three distinct game modes where you can discover an array of attacker, brawler, defender, sniper, and support mechs each with unique playstyles and toolsets.
For the upcoming closed beta test in August on Xbox Series X, the highlighted game modes will be the 3v3 Arena mode and 6v6 Battlefield mode. Here you’ll work together with your team and engage in intense aerial and ground combat as you fight for the objective. Employ strategic tactics for close and long-range encounters, unleash devastating firepower, cleave mechs in half with giant melee weapons, and rain missiles upon the battlefield as you and your team fight to win.
Strategic planning is key in Mecha Break, so effective communication with teammates will be essential to lead them to victory. Prepare for adrenaline-pumping battles, lightning-fast maneuvers, and explosive firepower. Experience the colossal power and thrilling movement of your towering mech. Mecha Break’s closed beta test on Xbox Series X will begin in August 2024. Stay up to date on all Mecha Break news on Discord, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).
Mecha BREAK is a multiplayer mech game that allows players to choose from diverse mechs, customize appearances, and battle colossal war machines on treacherous terrain. Get ready for the ultimate showdown—blitz, brawl, blaze!
Sumo Group, which encompasses Still Wakes the Deep publisher Secret Mode among other games, has announced layoffs affecting 15% of its staff.
The business announced the move following an internal message sent to employees today. Like many other companies, it says it’s “not been immune” to some of the difficult changes affecting the games industry recently. Sumo Group adds, “reshaping operations across the business to better navigate the upcoming challenges expected in the coming months is a path we must now take to ensure the security of the business going forward.”
“The difficult decision to reduce our costs across the business in a number of ways is a direct result of these challenges, and unfortunately will include a reduction in the number of people the business can support,” Sumo Group’s statement says. “Every alternate route to limit the impact to our people is being considered but sadly this process of transformation will affect up to 15% of our people across the Group in Canada, UK, Poland, Czech Republic and India.”
The Sumo Group website says it employs more than 1790 people across Sumo Digital and Secret Mode, meaning around 250 employees are affected by today’s layoffs. Polygon reporter Nicole Carpenter reports that the decision may have resulted in the complete closure of Timbre Games. The studio, which was founded to create AAA games for console and PC, opened in 2021. Carpenter adds that it was working on two unannounced projects.
Sumo Group’s statement continues: “This is an incredibly challenging process to go through for everyone at Sumo and our focus is now on supporting our people and working with our partners on their games as we move forward to ensure we emerge from this difficult time, ready for the future.”
Layoffs continue to affect thousands of people across the industry. Take-Two Interactive, Microsoft, Square Enix, EA, Riot Games, Sony, and Avalanche Studios are only a few of the companies to have announced that they would be laying off employees recently. More than 10,000 developers were impacted by layoffs in 2023, and that number is on track to be passed easily in 2024.
You can learn more about why some developers think the industry is going through a historic rough patch here. For a better look at how the layoffs are affecting the people who help bring the industry to life, you can click here.
I try to avoid describing video games in mathematical terms, but I can hardly avoid it here. Treasure Planet’s flying galleons plus Spirited Away’s bath house plus Spiritfarer’s gentle building and management mechanics equals Hotel Galactic. Watch the trailer below and tell me I’m wrong.
Caves Of Qud has been under development for over 15 years, but it’s finally reaching a 1.0 release later this year. Ahead of that happening, it’s received a final major content update which seeks to make the complex, detailed roguelike more approachable. The Spring Molting update, which is out now, makes the user interface work with both mouse and gamepad, adds Steam cloud saves, and more.
Blumhouse Productions exploded onto the scene in 2009 as a big deal in the horror film world. The studio had been around since 2002, but Paranormal Activity put it on the map. The use of home cameras to create something that felt much older than it actually was recaptured interest in the ‘found footage’ genre a decade after The Blair Witch Project.
Nowadays, Blumhouse Productions is a juggernaut in the movie industry, with names such as Insidious, Get Out, The Purge, and Five Nights at Freddy’s under its belt. So when the movie studio announced a video game division in late 2023, we were pretty excited. We didn’t get a peep from Blumhouse Games until Summer Game Fest 2024, but the wait was definitely worth it. And the highlight for us? Fear the Spotlight, which is coming to Switch later this year.
Check out our interview with the developers on the Official Xbox Podcast
No two players will have the same experience when they step into the combat boots of Snake in Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater.
From the moment players make their first HALO jump behind enemy lines, some will come out of firefights and close encounters with wildlife with barely a scratch. Meanwhile, other players will see Snake covered in knife slashes, bullet wounds, and burns by the time the end credits roll. These visual battle scars are thanks to our new damage system, and are just one part of the visual and audio improvements that have been brought to life in Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater.
To find out more, check out our interview with the developers on the Official Xbox Podcast:
Ultimate reality and immersion were two major goals our development team sought out to achieve. Naked Snake, our enduring protagonist, can be seen drenched in mud as players dive into cover to avoid enemy detection. Rain pitter-patters on the lush foliage as thunder clouds roll in from a distance. A snake slithering nearby provides a potential snack for the player. The thick vegetation of the jungles, forests, and swamps have been completely remade with cutting edge-detail in Unreal Engine 5 while retaining the original landscape.
To allow you to take in the new visual changes, we’ve also introduced a new third-person camera and control system. Aiming down sights and swapping between third person and first person while zeroing down an enemy will come across more naturally. Coupled with clever ways of hiding, players can engage enemy guards, either through lethal means or creative non-lethal ways – the choice is yours. These intuitive controls help ease newcomers starting their Metal Gear journey in this riveting origin story. For players looking for a more classic feel, Legacy Style offers the original camera and gameplay options at any time.
A keystone throughout the production of Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater has always been to keep the original feel of the game intact. This means including the over-head camera and controls veterans of the franchise will remember. You can easily swap between both control systems throughout the gaming session. No matter what control and camera style you choose to play with, both will deliver that classic stealth espionage action.
The Metal Gear Solidseries has always had a roster of colorful characters with deep storylines that fans have come to cherish, Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is no different. We’ve kept the original voice lines in the game, so the scruffy voice of David Hayter as Snake will greet players to the iconic universe of Metal Gear Solidonce again.
Every cutscene is enriched with dynamic lighting, detailed facial animation and improved sound design. Yet they remain completely faithful, shot for shot. Even for long time fans, watching these updated scenes is like experiencing them for the first time. Original voiceover actors were brought back to the recording booth to help update in-game button prompts to keep up with the latest gaming hardware.
Since its release, Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater has defined itself as one of the most influential and impactful video games of all time. With an unbelievably detailed update to this classic, both newcomers and longtime players alike can experience this masterpiece like never before. Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is the definitive, once-in-a-generation remake you do not want to miss.
A brand-new, free update for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2* is upon us and it’s bringing eight new suits to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – including some new designs and returning favorites from previous games. This update, dropping on June 18, also addresses some community feedback and adds stability improvements to the game.
First, we’re delighted to fully unveil four new suits created in partnership with Colm Dillane, AKA KidSuper, and some special guest collaborators. Evenly split between the Spider heroes, these are new takes on Spidey suits designed from the ground up by KidSuper, Vini Jr, Lando Norris, and Rina Sawayama. Check them out – along with some notes from each designer!
Metro Suit (Miles Morales) – Designed by KidSuper
Fashion designer, Colm Dillane, AKA KidSuper, created the Metro suit for Miles Morales, which comes with additional variant suit styles: red on black, classic Spidey, and teal on purple. KidSuper not only partnered with us to make these suits, but he also worked closely with our special guests to design their suits!
“The puffer design you often see in my KidSuper collections and the exclusive ‘original’ colorway! We came up with designs that felt super original, like something only we could pull off.”
– KidSuper
Ginga Suit (Miles Morales) – Co-designed by Vini Jr. and KidSuper.
Professional Football player Vini Jr. wears his inspiration on his sleeve. A love letter to Brazil and the beautiful, global game of Football, the Ginga suit features a design and default colorway reminiscent of both: a sporty look for Miles Morales with a black, green, yellow, and blue shader. Of course, this suit also features added styles: red on black, classic, and gold on white.
“I wanted it to be a celebration of Brazil’s culture and people. I just love the overall design because it has the energy and action that I associate Spider-Man with, but it’s beautifully mixed with some Brazilian flair. Which makes this suit super special and different from others.”
– Vini Jr.
Fluro Suit (Peter Parker) – Co-designed by Lando Norris and KidSuper
Motorsports phenom Lando Norris is all about moving fast. Paired with the high-speed action of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Norris’ suit reflects the pace – wholly inspired by racing, complete with a helmet and overalls familiar to those who burn rubber across global circuits. The Fluro Suit features its own suit styles with some variants such as a classic color scheme, white on black, and pink on blue.
“The main inspiration for the design was the feeling of speed. I also wanted to incorporate racing elements and materials like carbon, along with my trademark Fluro colour, which you can see throughout the suit. The carbon style effect on the suit is my favourite.”
– Lando Norris.
Motorchic Suit (Peter Parker) – Co-designed by Rina Sawayama and KidSuper
Singer/Actress/Model Rina Sawayama delivers a badass motorbike look to Spidey’s locker. Decked out in all leather, the Motorchic suit gives Peter Parker a revved-up design unique from any other in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The suit features other variants as well: a classic color scheme, black, and gold.
“I really wanted to explore my love of fashion whilst making this suit and what we ended up with I think encapsulates that, it’s fun, practical, edgy and chic. I personally love the metal detailing across the suit, it still feels like what I envision as classic Spider-Man but adds a more rugged feel. It looks pretty heavy duty and like it would stand up very well in combat!”
– Rina Sawayama
We’re also thrilled to announce four fan-favorite legacy suits from Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales are being added to the game! Based on community requests, these four suits are being retrofitted for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, including two for Peter and two for Miles. See what’s in store below!
Last Stand Suit (Peter Parker)
Donning a red leather jacket, the Last Stand suit is a highly requested fan favorite coming to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2! Now updated with our suit styles, the Last Stand suit gets a more classic variant, full black, and an Arachno-Man-inspired yellow and green.
Into The Spider-Verse (Peter Parker)
Inspired by Peter B. Parker’s design in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, this iconic look adds a Spider-verse flare to Peter Parker’s wardrobe. Enable the Film Style Animation mode via visual settings to get an even more authentic, filmic look!
Animated Suit (Miles Morales)
Miles gets a little animated. We’re adding Miles Morales’ Animated suit to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This suit is reminiscent of classic cartoons and comics of old.
Uptown Pride Suit (Miles Morales)
Complete with a gold trim, the Uptown Pride suit is a beloved favorite from Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales that’s making its way to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2! This time, the Uptown Pride Suit gets added colorways: silver trim, black on red, and blue on pink.
Finally, our latest update brings stability fixes to the game and addresses some player feedback, such as the ability to swap out your parry and traversal abilities from the Symbiote to Spider Arms, and vice versa. This update, version 1.003.000*, will be available on June 18th, so keep an eye out for it!
If you haven’t had a chance to jump in yet, now is a good time as any: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is currently featured in PlayStation’s Days of Play celebration! That means big discounts for physical and digital editions across PlayStation Store and at participating retailers! Be sure to get the game before the promotion ends on June 12, 2024!
We look forward to hearing what you think when the update hits next week!
*Internet connection required for update v.1.003.000
It took over a month of racing and 220 hours of playtime but a Trackmania player has finally beaten the racing game’s most horrendously difficult map. For those of you only now noticing that tens of thousands of Twitch viewers have been religiously watching video game Hot Wheels, let me elucidate. Deep Dip 2 is a fan-made tower of racetracks that was published as a challenge to the racing game’s community last month. It is 16 floors of unfathomably difficult ramps, tunnels, ledges, pipes, and beams. A simple mistake sees drivers plummeting to the bottom, like the sad cauldron man of Getting Over It. The first three players to finish would share a prize pool of over $32,000. Over the weekend, one player has now managed it, and another has since joined him. Third place is still up for grabs but, mate, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Good news, everybody! Dragon Age: The Veilguard – previously Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, strictly speaking Dragon Age 4 – is not the bantzy heist romp suggested by its debut trailer. Less Good News for returning players: going by the 45 minute segment I was shown at Summer Game Fest, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is more of a single-character action-RPG plus entourage, than a proper party-based affair in the vein of 2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition. You do get a party, drawn from a retinue of seven, larger-than-life, romanceable companions encompassing a range of classes, abilities and go-faster hairdos, but control of that party has been streamlined, and there’s a God Of Warlike emphasis on booting Fade demons into pits. Hmmm.
