Time to beat-em-up as the most famous heroes in a half-shell. Luckily, you don’t need to do it alone. Four turtles equals four players. The math checks out. Today,  Super Evil Megacorp is happy to announce that their upcoming Switch rogue-lite title, TMNT: Splintered Fate, will feature 4 player couch co-op. Additionally, the game will also be making its debut on PC via Steam later in 2024. Interestingly, the game features a new adventure for everyone’s favorite ninja turtles and will now allow them to group up with their friends. Featuring upgraded elements, the Switch version of the game will provide players with new sounds, set pieces, and more. 

TMNT: Splintered Fate introduces players to the beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on a new quest to save Master Splinter. Featuring randomly generated runs, the game ensures that every time players play will feel unique. Importantly, now, players will be able to take on the roles of Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo together with four player couch co-op. Allowing players to play with their friends while experiencing, graphical, sound, and set piece upgrades. Of course, the game will provide the same random runs featuring random upgrades, enemies, boss modifiers and more. Importantly, players can also experiment with the different turtles and discover whose playstyle fits them the best.

Importantly, a new trailer for TMNT: Splintered Fate shows off the couch co-op gameplay. Check out the trailer below.

TMNT: Splintered Fate is releasing for Nintendo Switch on the 17th of July. Additionally, the game will release for PC via Steam later in 2024. Players can preorder and wish list Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate here.

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

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It’s been just over twenty years since the adventure game Beyond Good & Evil first graced our screens. It originally launched in 2003, so technically, they could have called this the 21st Anniversary Edition – but for marketing purposes, 20th just sounds better.

I first played Beyond Good & Evil not long after it was released on Nintendo GameCube. While some of my memories of that experience have been lost to time, the feeling I had when playing it has never left. Beyond Good & Evil was, and still is, a brilliant game, and well deserving of it’s cult classic status.

An evil group called the DomZ are threatening the world of Hillys. You play as Jade, a photojournalist who has been caring for children orphaned by the DomZ with your uncle Pey’j. The world is protected by the Alpha Sections, but this doesn’t stop the DomZ from launching attacks. During one of these attacks, Jade is thrust into the fight. Along her adventure, she is recruited by Iris, an underground group who believe there is something more sinister happening. You’ll need to uncover the dark secrets, photograph key conspiracies, and shine a light on the truth.

Combat and More

Beyond Good & Evil has a nice variety of gameplay styles spread throughout the game. When you first start of the game, you’ll be introduced to combat, with Jade utilizing her Daï-Jo – a staff-like weapon. Soon after, other elements come into play, such as photography and platforming. You’ll be able to pilot a vehicle in the game, giving you access to the various levels spread throughout the open-world. Of course, you won’t be able to access every area immediately – you’ll need to follow the mission structure pretty closely, but there are a few opportunities to explore.

Within missions, you’ll spend a good chunk of time utilizing stealth to complete objectives. You can attack enemies head-on, but, even with a companion, you’ll find they’re just too overpowered – so navigating by means of stealth is usually the best option. Stealth works quite well – crouching from point-to-point, staying out of the line-of-sight of the Alpha Section guards. Each section feels a bit like a puzzle to be completed, which makes completing each section so satisfying.

While the game does an okay job at providing players with in-game instructions, there were a few tidbits that weren’t immediately obvious to me until far later into my adventure. For example, pressing down on the D-Pad brings up the character screen. Within that screen, I had no idea I could actually select each characters in-game “backpack”, allowing me to share items between them. Turns out, I was hogging the power-ups that increase character health.

Treats for Returning Fans

The 20th Anniversary Edition brings a wealth of improvements that should make most fans happy. Visually, the game is relatively unchanged, just higher resolutions and everything looks smooth & sharp. The soundtrack received a huge upgrade, with over 15 pieces of music re-recorded with a live orchestra. Another huge improvement is the inclusion of autosaves. No longer will you need to use an in-game MDisk to save at specific points – the game will autosave quite frequently.

But wait, there’s more! For those looking for a challenge, a new Speedrun Mode has been included that will keep track of just how long it takes for you to complete the game in one sitting. This mode does not allow for saves, so you better have snacks readily available.

And another addition worth mentioning is the incredible collection of images and videos from the Ubisoft vault showing the development of Beyond Good & Evil. This includes everything from conceptual work to cut content. It’s an absolute treasure trove of information.

Please Wait

Despite how amazing Beyond Good & Evil is – both the original, and this 20th Anniversary Edition – it’s not without it’s issues. The first thing you’ll notice when loading the game for the first time is the excessively long load time between the health & safety warning and the game’s title screen. It’s damn near close to a minute wait! Fortunately, with Quick Resume, you might not experience this too often. This new edition still has load times between areas – but they’re pretty quick and barely impact flow too much.

Like most games of the era, you’ll often have to fight with unruly camera angles – and these don’t seem to have been improved much with this edition. And probably the most bizarre issue was when the game would completely freeze for anywhere between 5 and 10 seconds. This happened a few times and caused me to wonder if I would need to quit to the dashboard and restart the game – only for the game to start chugging along again.

Stupid AI

In terms of the actual game, there were only a handful of moments that made me shake my head in disbelieve, particularly during the last hour of the game. The companion AI is often quite dumb and will block your path or get in the way of your attacks. During one sequence, my companions and I had to run past an active cannon firing lasers. One companion just stopped and stood in one place. I had to run back past the shooting lasers, bump into him, just to trigger his running sequence again.

The final boss of the game is also as frustrating as ever – I must have blocked out memories of it from my previous playthrough 20 years ago. Once you figure out how to beat the final boss, you should be good, but there is zero indication on how to actually do this correctly. It just makes the final bit of the game more of an annoyance than a satisfying conclusion.

Could We See A Sequel Finally?

It’s been 20 years since Beyond Good & Evil was originally released. Of course, that means that it’s been 20 very long years without the much anticipated sequel. Despite a number of announcements over the past decade or so, we’re still in the dark as to when Beyond Good & Evil 2 will even be released. Fortunately, it does appear that Ubisoft is still plugging away at the sequel and it will see the light of day at some point. Included in Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition is a brand new quest that ties this game to the eventual sequel, which will actually be a prequel. The new quest isn’t much more than another fetch quest – but it’s still a worthwhile scavenger hunt just to get a taste of what to expect in the new game, and I’m grateful Ubisoft took the effort to include it.

Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition is the absolute best way to replay a cult classic of a game. It still retains the look and feel of the original, while providing some much needed improvements like resolution, frame rate, controls and more. Hopefully this edition will create a new generation of fans. It truly is a must-play game.

Finish that sequel, Ubisoft!

***Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition Xbox Series X key provided by the publisher.***

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SkyReach Studio and publisher indie.io have announced the new release date for Critter Crops. Previously planned for 15th April, this cozy farming simulator will be launching on Steam on 22 July 2024. This additional time has given the development team to polish Mutter Island. Now, it’s almost time to harvest some good old crops and experience cozy vibes.

Critter Crops is an engaging farming simulator RPG set in a vibrant, enchanting world. Players join the young witch Sylvia on her magical journey after she is expelled from her hometown for her extraordinary powers. She arrives at Mutter Island, discovering a land full of mystery and in dire need of restoration.

Sylvia can also cultivate magical critter crops to help restore the land to its former glory. Each crop has unique magical properties, from healing herbs to elemental plants and elusive creatures. Explore an isometric world brimming with lush landscapes, mystical forests, and ancient ruins.

She will encounter a variety of whimsical creatures, both friendly and mischievous, that inhabit the island. Some will assist her in her quest, while others will present challenges that demand clever solutions and magical skills. The game boasts a captivating storyline in which Sylvia unravels the island’s mysteries while tending to her crops. The seamless integration of RPG elements with farming management enables players to personalize and expand their farms to their heart’s content.

SOURCE

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The Border Collie Games are thrilled to announce that the Steam page of ShipOS 1994 is finally live. Get ready to rebuild your family’s fallen shipping business in this one-of-a-kind management game. Take a look at the official trailer below to check out what’s in store for us.

In ShipOS 1994, you will take the role of rebuilding your family’s failing shipping empire. To achieve this, you must build a vast fleet of ships to pay off your family’s debt. Be strategic and cunning to build a wide network with optimal shipping paths.

But first thing first, to turn the tide of your business, you will need the world’s most advanced shipping management home operating system,

ShipOS 1994. It comes with the following features:

– Fleet mapping
– Contract Management
– Port and ship upgrades
– Ship servicing and refueling
– Finance management
– MP3 player
– And so much more!

There are different ships, upgrades, contracts, and strategies to choose from. This adds a layer of replayability to the game. Which also means that you are in total control of your destiny. Will be able to overcome the challenges and come out successful? or will the debt become so massive that you run out of business? Prepare to find out yourself.

SOURCE

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Developer NoLan Games and publisher TyGAMES have launched their latest indie title, Kubits Gallery on Nintendo Switch. You can purchase it right now on the Nintendo eShop. The game is also available on PC via Steam as well, so make sure to check it out.

Kubits Gallery is a logical puzzle game that will allow players to discover the wonderful history of painting around the world. A huge tragedy has occurred where every painting in the museums vanished. Everything has gone blank and no one knows what’s behind it. Fortunately, the Kubits are taking control, and with their help, you can recreate all your work.

You must solve nonogram grids (picross) to reveal magnificent canvases from the history of painting, reimagined by the tiny, chameleon-like squares that adhere to grids to create new images. Take your time and relax as you solve over 120 levels of nonograms, each set in a fictional gallery representing the history of painting in three different countries.

Features:

– More than 120 levels of nonogram (picross) with various difficulties.
– A journey through the history of painting, from prehistoric times to ours.
– Fictional galleries from 3 different countries to visit.
– Accessibility features to make playing more enjoyable like undoing your moves or 3 difficulty levels.
– A modern interface, colorful and dynamic.
– Even more puzzles to come in the upcoming updates.

SOURCE

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The indie game developer MachHabaneroGames has officially released the full version of Blow Away Survivors. It is a casual roguelite action game that features exhilarating combat driven by a physics engine. You can purchase it for just $4.49 with a 10% launch discount on Steam. Hurry up and grab a copy before the offer ends on 11 July 2024.

Additionally, the developer also mentioned that the price will increase to $7.99 (tax included) after one month.

Blow Away Survivors is a casual roguelite action game where you unleash attacks, sending countless enemies flying. You will step inside the shoes of bounty hunters and navigate through stages filled with villains from all over the galaxy.

There are four rounds in each stage, starting with regular enemies in the first round. Then followed by powerful bosses and additional enemies in the subsequent rounds. You can complete each round in as little as 1 to 2 minutes, with a maximum of 5 minutes.

Each stage comprises four rounds, beginning with regular enemies in the first round, followed by powerful bosses and additional enemies in the subsequent rounds. Each round can be completed in as little as 1 to 2 minutes, with a maximum of 5 minutes.

As a bounty hunter, you can level up by gaining experience from defeated enemies, and acquire and enhance skills. Additionally, you can customize their weapons with dropped items, creating unique builds that ensure enjoyable, strategic, and active combat experiences in short play sessions.

SOURCE

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Curve Games and IronOak Games have launched the Infinite Dungeon Mode update for For the King II. This new mode will push the players to surpass their skills. Players must unravel the secrets of the Ringmaster and face various challenges in the Dark Carnival. Remember, the experience becomes more twisted as you go deeper.

Additionally, you can also check out the new Book of Lore video that highlights the mysteries of the Carnival. It gives players an introduction to everything weird and wonderful that the Dark Carnival has in store for us.

Drawing inspiration from tabletop adventures, For The King II elevates its cherished blend of strategy, turn-based combat, and roguelike replayability with an exciting new feature: four-player co-op, the most requested addition by fans. This sequel builds on the original’s story, introducing new combat mechanics, diverse biomes, and numerous additional features. Hence, creating an even richer gaming experience.

Sterling Anderson, Studio Director at IronOak Games said, “We are passionately dedicated to making For the King II the best experience it can be for our community. The team has been listening to feedback and working hard to bring new content to players with the Dark Carnival update. We truly hope you enjoy the new mode and the re-introduction of Bards.”

If you want to know our opinion on the game, you should check out our official review right here.

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Developer Artefacts Studio and publisher Microids have announced that Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders is back on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Players will finally get to revisit one of the most famous investigations of the renowned detective Hercule Poirot.

Additionally, this version offers the option to play in 4K at 30 FPS or 1080p at 60 FPS. It also features various visual enhancements for an improved immersive experience. Moreover, the game is available in both physical and digital editions for both platforms.

Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders is a third-person detective adventure game based on the classic novel. You will step inside the shoes of the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and try to solve a case full of mysteries.

Once more, the private detective faces a mysterious adversary, ABC. Your intellect will be tested as you investigate numerous crime scenes across various picturesque cities in the United Kingdom. Leave no stone unturned in your quest, tackling rigorous cross-examinations and deadly puzzles.

You must observe, question, and explore every possible detail to make the most intelligent deductions and uncover the murderer’s plans. Check out the launch trailer below to get a glimpse of the chilling challenges ahead.

SOURCE

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The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in online casinos is revolutionizing the gambling industry. This technological advancement brings about a new level of sophistication and personalization to online gaming. Gamblers can now enjoy a more secure and tailored experience thanks to AI.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping various sectors, and the online casino industry is no exception. As a gambler, understanding these changes can help you navigate and take advantage of the new opportunities that AI brings. From enhanced security measures to personalized gaming experiences, AI is setting a new standard for online casinos.

Enhanced Security and Fairness

One of the most significant impacts of AI on online casinos South Africa is the improvement in security and fairness. AI algorithms are capable of detecting fraudulent activities and ensuring that games are fair by monitoring player behavior and game outcomes. This means you can have peace of mind knowing that your gaming experience is both safe and fair. In addition to boosting security, AI also helps in creating more sophisticated random number generators (RNGs), which ensure truly random outcomes in games.

What’s more, AI-powered systems can identify patterns of problem gambling behavior, allowing casinos to intervene early and promote responsible gaming. These systems can track betting patterns, frequency of play, and even emotional responses through facial recognition technology in live dealer games. By detecting signs of potential gambling addiction, online casinos can take proactive measures to protect vulnerable players, such as suggesting breaks, setting limits, or offering resources for help. This not only ensures a safer gambling environment but also demonstrates the casino’s commitment to player well-being.

Personalized Gaming Experience

Another crucial aspect of AI’s influence on online casinos is the customized gaming experience it offers. By analyzing your playing habits and preferences, AI can suggest games that suit your interests, enhancing your overall enjoyment. For instance, if you prefer certain types of slot machines or card games, AI can recommend similar options tailored specifically for you. This bespoke approach not only makes your gaming experience more enjoyable but also keeps you engaged and coming back for more.

AI’s role in personalization extends beyond game recommendations. It can also adapt the user interface and gameplay dynamics to suit individual preferences. For example, AI can adjust the speed of slot machines, the complexity of bonus rounds, or even the background music and visuals to create a more immersive experience tailored to each player. This level of customization was previously impossible, but with AI, online casinos can now offer a unique gaming environment for every user, significantly enhancing player satisfaction and retention.

Improved Customer Support

AI-driven chatbots are becoming an essential part of customer support in online casinos, providing instant assistance to gamblers 24/7. These chatbots can handle a wide range of queries, from basic account issues to more complex questions about game rules and strategies. The efficiency and availability of AI-powered customer support mean you no longer have to wait for human assistance, allowing you to resolve issues quickly and get back to enjoying your favorite games.

Data-Driven Marketing Strategies

The use of AI in data analysis has enabled online casinos to develop more effective marketing strategies. By analyzing vast amounts of data on player behavior and preferences, casinos can create targeted promotions that appeal to specific groups of gamblers. This means you’ll receive offers and bonuses that are relevant to your interests, increasing your chances of taking advantage of these promotions. Additionally, data-driven insights help casinos optimize their operations, ensuring a seamless gaming experience for all players.

Wrapping Up

The advent of AI in online casinos marks a new era for gamblers. Enhanced security measures, personalized gaming experiences, improved customer support, and data-driven marketing strategies all contribute to a superior gambling environment. As AI continues to evolve, its impact on the online casino industry will only grow stronger, promising even more exciting advancements in the future.

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Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is a visual novel I have been waiting decades to play. The long-awaited remake of indie classic Tsukihime has finally come out in English. Is it the same as the original? No. Was it worth the wait? Yes. Even if you don’t like visual novels, this game is still worth a try.  This review may contain spoilers.

After a childhood accident that nearly kills him, Shiki Tohno begins seeing mysterious lines. When he traces them with fingers or a knife, whatever they’re on breaks. And the lines are on everything. He wears glasses to avoid harming others and protect himself from the intensity of staring into death.

For years, he lives like a normal boy, exiled from the rest of the wealthy Tohno family. Then his father dies, his sister calls him home, and a serial killer begins stalking the city streets. Finally, a mysterious blonde girl passes Shiki on the street, and all his hard-earned control shatters.

Without hesitation and without reason, Shiki kills that girl. When he comes back to his senses, he’s horrified and confused. The next day, she tracks him down, introduces herself as the vampire Arcueid, and drafts him into her hunt for another vampire who’s slaughtering his way through the streets at night. What follows is a tangled story of love, blood, and betrayal. A tale of disability, responsibility, classism, and death.

Lunar Legend Resurrected

Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is a visual novel. Interaction and mechanics are limited, but the story develops differently depending on the choices you make. This game features two possible heroines, Arcueid and Ciel. Each girl is lovable and intimidating in her own way–and dragging a ton of action and baggage behind her. While this is a romance, it’s a very plot-focused one, and the game’s plot and thrilling presentation are some of its strongest points.

Shiki makes for an engaging, sympathetic, and sometimes scary protagonist. His perceptions are unreliable at the best of times, but those around him are also lying to him. Sometimes out of a misguided desire to protect him, sometimes to use him for their own agendas. Whether it’s a centuries-old vampire, a schoolmate, or his own family, Shiki can’t afford to trust anyone blindly. The absurdity of his life is played for both laughs and tears.

This game is a genre-blending masterpiece with a thick and often unsettling atmosphere. It can move from sweet romance to uncomfortable family drama to psychological horror very fast. The characters are complex, messy, and wonderfully realized, even the new additions. And the translation is really solid. Shiki’s internal narration is lively and engaging, the dialogue is fun, and Japanese kanji puns are carefully explained. There’s a flowchart to make finding endings and specific scenes easier. This is good, because there are also a lot of bad endings.

The original Tsukihime, published in 2000, was the first visual novel produced by Type-Moon of Fate franchise fame. It introduced many of the concepts that would go on to dominate its sister franchise. This game revisits those themes, expands the narrative, and updates the classic story with a modern setting, updated Fate-consistent lore, and a much higher budget. The results are spectacular.

Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is a Fascinating Remake

Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is a visual and auditory delight. The updated art is nice, especially the backgrounds. All of the portraits make the cast wonderfully expressive. The ‘camera’ moves around constantly to create an illusion of movement, and there are some really striking CGs. There are lots of visual and audio effects to keep the viewer’s interest. And the expanded story more than deserves a read.

The game is almost fully voiced and the Japanese voice acting is quite solid. The soundtrack is very good at setting the mood, even when that mood shifts on a dime. And the soundscape can provide all the ambiance a scene needs. Ciel and Arcueid hold themselves differently, have unique reactions when angry or embarrassed, and have very different relationships with Shiki. It all makes for a truly incredible visual novel.

There is one problem it’s impossible to overlook. There’s a lot of worldbuilding exposition. Arcueid literally breaks out a whiteboard to explain how vampires work at one point. That said, when the monsters actually appear, there’s a deep, visceral horror to them.

This title is a more grounded urban fantasy/horror than most of the Fate franchise. It’s part family drama, part high-octane urban fantasy horror/romance. It also asks more questions that it answers, as expected for the first half of a two-part game. That said, it is still a good entry point to the Fate franchise.

Disability, Absurdity, Alienation, Trauma

Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is a game about being young and sick, feeling like a burden and a monster, knowing you’re a danger to yourself and others, but still trying to live. It is a messy and sometimes ugly story focusing on a cast of messy and troubled characters. At 40-50 hours, it is also a hefty read despite only having two routes. And while it’s more polished than the original version, for better and for worse, it is a grim and joyous experience in its own right.

Shiki’s fragile health, lingering trauma from his half-remembered childhood, and special ability make him an eccentric and sometimes unreliable narrator. Trying to figure out exactly what happened to make him like this is part of the experience. So is puzzling out how aware he actually is of the wreck his life has become.

Not everything that’s brought up in this game is resolved here. The specific circumstances of the Tohno family and Shiki’s accident will be examined in the upcoming second game. But the affairs of the Church and Arcueid, the titular “lunar princess”, are more than interesting enough to carry this half of the title.

Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is not the original Tsukihime. But it is a fascinating update and expansion of the original game’s first two routes. I’ll definitely be looking forward to the second part of this remake, and so should you.

***Switch code provided by the publisher***

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Every week, the cosplay crew at COGconnected dive deep into the world wide web to uncover the very best in cosplay. This week, our cosplay journey takes us to Sandusky, OH for ColossalCon 2024. So, I’ve never actually heard of Sandusky before, but apparently they have some pretty talented cosplayers! I’ll have to add it to my travel bucket list. Until then, I’ll enjoy their incredible cosplays from afar, and share those amazing finds with all of you.

Putting the Oh in Ohio!

And that concludes are journey to Sandusky, OH and the ColossalCon 2024. If you’re in the mood for more cosplay, be sure to check out some of these recent articles featuring Lady Kayleen, Naib, and Feisty Vee! We also had this spicy collection of cosplay clips from TikTok that you’ll probably really dig.

Images used in this article from DTJAAAAM Instagram.

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Since 2007, the Assassin’s Creed series has been a formidable force in the gaming industry. With unforgettable characters like Ezio Auditore and Edward Kenway, the franchise has captivated audiences by exploring new worlds at different points in time with each iteration. After numerous releases, Ubisoft revamped the series, incorporating RPG elements into the gameplay. While this shift was massively successful, many fans longed for the traditional adventure style, leading to the creation of Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Although the game was fantastic, it didn’t achieve the same popularity as the sprawling epic, Valhalla. The latest entry in the series, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, aims to capture the best of both worlds by incorporating characters that represent the franchise’s rich history. Set to release in November, here are five reasons why you should be hyped for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

Hiding in the Dark

Naoe Fujibayahio is a shinobi assassin who is on a quest for revenge. Fans of the franchise will be instantly drawn to her as stealth is at the forefront of her combat style. Early gameplay sequences showcase a whole host of methods to take out your enemy without being noticed. Notable changes that make this look like a step up from previous titles are the ways that you can manipulate light. You can emit darkness in areas by shooting lanterns making it simple to dart across and silently eliminate foes. Other new elements include sneaking underwater with the help of bamboo to breathe and most impressively, the use of a grapple. While this was a feature in Syndicate, Shadows looks to include a more nuanced approach that gives flexibility with its implementation.

A Brutal Beating

An imposing figure, Yasuke is a loyal samurai for Oda Nobunaga. While his story is full of intrigue as he is the first and only non-white samurai, his method of combat looks to evolve the system established in the RPG titles. Brutality imbues his fighting style with visceral executions concluding battles. Each encounter looks methodical with counters and parries being an important aspect to be victorious. While the idea of two protagonists is not new in the franchise, the way that these differ is. Jacob and Evie Frye played very similarly with only a few differences whereas Yasuke and Naoe are completely different adding a ton of replayability.

It’s Alive!

Although there is hustle and bustle in the cities of Assassin’s Creed, it never feels like a living world. GTA 5 did this particularly well as it felt like the characters did things regardless of whether you were there. Hopefully, this will be added to Shadows as you can switch between characters freely. In the extended gameplay reveal, it was great to see how citizens in the world reacted to Yasuke. As he walked through the world, head and shoulders above the natives, they moved out of his way and respected his standing as a samurai by bowing. It’s a little feature but it could end up being something much bigger.

Your Choice

Historically, you would learn about your targets and gradually take them out in a linear fashion. Shadows looks to alter this, allowing you to investigate each target and assassinate them in the order of your pleasing. With its new approach to synchronization, you will need to actually scope areas to discover the layout of the land rather than having your map populate with a ton of icons instantly. Although the developers have yet to release the finer details, such as the existence and implementation of a leveling system, the concept is great and could lead to a brand-new way to engage with the game.

What Time of Year?

Built on the Anvil game engine, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows employs a new weather system that will alter how you tackle missions. The world alters depending on the season meaning that you can approach your objective in new and exciting ways. For example, in Spring there will be more places to hide due to larger bushes and longer grass whereas in the Winter, you will leave footprints and water will be frozen over. The dynamic weather adds an additional layer to the plethora of options available and could lead to the most varied and rich experience in the history of the franchise.

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows has the potential to be the greatest title in the franchise. After years of crying out for the series to visit feudal Japan, it looks to have done so in style. Will you be picking this up in November? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for more great video game content.

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

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Developer ChaoticBrain Studio and publisher Meridiem have announced that Neon Blood is now available for pre-order and wishlist on all digital platforms. Players, eager to get their hands on the neo-noir action adventure can now wishlist it on Nintendo eShop, Xbox Store, Steam, and PlayStation Store.

Meridiem also announced that a boxed edition of the game will be available in specialist stores in the fourth quarter of 2024. This Limited Edition will be coming out on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. It includes a metallic-textured cover, an art book, a city guide, and a downloadable soundtrack.

Neon Blood is a 2.5D cyberpunk action-adventure game that takes in the year 2053, at Viridis. At this point, the world has come to an end due to a war lost in time. Now inequality is everywhere in Viridis, the great city encompasses the dangerous Blind City and the luxurious Bright City.

You will step inside the shoes of Axel McCoin, a detective from Blind City. Driven by your ideals, you must rebel against the injustices stemming from the social divide between the two cities and societal inequalities, and become a symbol of revolution. Along your journey, you will encounter powerful allies who aid him in his quest. As well as formidable enemies who oppose him, such as Ruby Emerald, determined to thwart his plans at any cost.

Key features:

– Elaborate and deep story with a cyberpunk theme combined with a turn-based combat style like old RPGs with a strong strategy factor
– Two different realities of the two cities with complete 2.5D aesthetic, merging cyberpunk and sci-fi
– A big macropolis full of secrets to be solved with a complete dialogue-based detective system
– A lot of neons

SOURCE

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Developer Lioncore and Singapore-based publisher Soft source Pte has announced a new title, Memory Rewind, coming to PC and Nintendo Switch in 2025. It is a visual novel about a private investigator’s journey to the past. As well as his quest to solve super-powered client problems through a unique deduction gameplay.

Memory Rewind is a thrilling detective visual novel game where you embark on a journey of unraveling mysteries with your assistant, Olivina. You will navigate through a bizarre case that pulls you into unique investigation gameplay. Along the way, you will also meet a cast of colorful characters that will either help you or cause more trouble.

Get an experience of the life of a “self-proclaimed” detective alongside his cute and quirky assistant. Try to solve a case that may sound normal, but is full of complex hidden twists and turns. Seek the “Best Ending” for the case, where the truth may not align with the reality people wish to accept.

Features

– Detective visual novel with a compelling story
– Unique Investigation mechanic that challenges players to be observant
– Beautiful cast of unique characters with gorgeous art
– Smooth live 2D animation that gives life to the characters
– Collections of beautiful and artistically hand-drawn CG for player to unlock

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Get ready for the ultimate horror experience! JanduSoft has officially released the console edition of their latest first-person horror game, Scholar’s Mate today. It is now available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. Take a look at the official launch trailer below to catch a glimpse of the terrifying instances ahead.

Scholar’s Mate is a first-person horror escape room game. It takes place in a terrifying psychiatric hospital. Players will get a harrowing experience where their survival hinges solely on their wits. You will step inside the shoes of Judith, a victim trapped by Eddie, a deranged individual, in a chilling, abandoned psychiatric hospital.

You must solve a series of intricate puzzles to escape the dire situation. This task would be much simpler if the captor weren’t constantly lurking in every corner and corridor of this dismal place. Eddie, your captor can both see and hear you wherever you are. If you run, he’ll know your location. If you shine your torch, he’ll spot you and track you down. He is a relentless enemy with a single objective: to end your life.

Here are some key features:

– A first-person horror escape room.

– Explore and solve the hidden secrets of the hospital to escape.

– Relentless pursuit by Eddie.

– Experience the tension with an original soundtrack and immersive sound effects designed to create an eerie atmosphere.

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The Metal: Hellsinger VR Demo is a collaborative effort from game developers Lab42 and The Outsiders that takes the flat version of the game from 2022 and makes it virtual. Now your journey through hell blasting away demons in rhythm to metal music, you’ll be doing it full scale virtual reality.

You can get a taste of the game right now on Steam as the game devs have released a demo which includes the first two levels. The VR version of the game is more than just a straight port of the game. The devs are committed to using the new gameplay mechanics available in virtual reality.

Every weapon is retooled for maximum effect in VR. Each weapon will feel different to use. The developers have created a new hub dubbed The Unknown’s Lair for players to regroup and strategize before tackling the next level. The hub will also contain options for setting gameplay options as well as exploring lore. In keeping with the lair motif, the options take the form of arcane volumes.

Also available in the hub is weapon and level selection. Additionally, you can review your statistics. All of these functions are designed to work in a VR manner where you can reach and touch or grab items. The game devs are taking great pains to include a host of VR options that in today’s VR game market should be standard.

Hellacious Options

So there will be options for vignettes, snap/continuous turning, turning speed adjustment, head vs hand directional movement and more. For the game in particular because it is a rhythm based game, there will be options for beat indicator, aim assist, automatic/manual weapon pumping and height calibration.

Graphically, the game looks impressive when played on my Quest 2 using a AMD 7800 XT GPU. (Can’t wait to try this when the PC adapter for the PSVR 2 becomes available in August).The level design is such that even though the game is arena based, each stage visually flows into the next one. This approach gives a great feeling of more space than there actually is. The game depicts the hellish environments in an impressive array of colors, with the reds especially popping out.

The reds are notable because some enemies are winged demons that pulse internally with the red in time to the music. This provides a great visual aid when to time your attacks for maximum impact. From the levels available in the demo, there is a decent variety of enemy types that evoke, but do not copy, the Doom enemies.

One option available is a Beat Indicator, which is a reticule that overlays an enemy. It shows you the optimum moment to attack for optimal damage. String together enough maximum hits and you will get a prompt for a finishing attack. This is a combination dash and slash attack where you put down an enemy using your skull handled sword, the Terminus.

Metal: Hellsinger Weapons

Other included weapons in the demo are the Paz, a sentient skull that acts as a pistol. For the shotgun equivalent you have the Persephone, better known as the Queen of Death. For two handed firepower, there are the Hounds, Cerberus and Orthrus. The designers gave each weapon a demonic overall and they look very cool.

Two of the eight ‘hells’ are available in the demo and feature some of the music, which is a vital aspect of the game. For the first level, Voke, there are two songs by Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity. Stanne along with Alissa White-Gluz from Arch Enemy each have a song on the second level, Stygia.

Music is a vital part of the game, and they have collected an impressive array of metal talent. The soundtrack includes work from such artists as the composer duo, Two Feathers plus vocalists like Serj Tankian from System of a Down, Matt Heady from Trivium, and Randy Blythe from Lamb of God.

As you move through a level, the music becomes more layered. It moves from simple rhythmic beats to add more instrumentation and then vocals. This is a great approach, as it heightens the tension as the enemies and action ratchet up.

Coming 2024

A specific release date has not revealed yet beyond sometime in 2024. Metal: Hellsinger will include most of the content from the original game except for the Leviathan mode. The game will officially support the Quest 2, Quest 3, PSVR 2, HTC Vive and Quest Pro. There will be DLC to purchase upon game launch.

Metal: Hellsinger comes across as a cross between Pistol Whip and Hellsweeper, both great VR games in their own right. Considering the positive reaction the flat game has received and what the demo shows, Metal: Hellsinger VR is ready to make a fun entry in the VR Rhythm game genre.

***Metal: Hellsinger key provided by the publisher.***

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2024 has been a tough one for the PSVR 2. Many influencers post a constant stream lamenting that “PSVR 2 is dead” or “Sony has abandoned PSVR 2.” There is no denying things for VR in general have slowed down but that is expected given it is a niche market and overall gaming is in a downward trend.

The other popular misconception is that PSVR 2 has no games. With a robust library of over 200 titles, this simply is not true. Yes, the PSVR 2 library has a fair share of Meta ports but those ports also happen to be the BEST version of those games.  What the PSVR 2 library has is QUALITY over QUANTITY. Make a list of the top VR games and in the top ten, most of them will be PSVR 2 games. With the exception of Half Life Alyx, the most highly regarded games are on the PSVR 2.

To prove this claim, check out the top ten games on the PSVR 2. This list is based on Without Parole‘s recent top 25 list and my own personal preferences.

Top 10 PSVR 2 Games:

10. Walkabout Mini- Golf

Like golf? Social games? A variety of unique courses? Then check this game out. It is constantly getting new courses – some based on popular content such as Jules Verne’s – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The best part is that you can play them with up to 8 players.

9. Synapse

Want to know what it feels like to be a Jedi Knight? This non-Star Wars game comes the closest to letting you realize that dream. With it’s eye tracking based interaction, you can lift, move, throw, or destroy environmental objects. You can also do the same to enemies. Darth Vader, eat your heart out!

8. Red Matter 1 & 2

Few games can capture the awe and wonder of being in deep space better than the Red Matter series. In this alternate future series you must travel to other planets, moons, and space stations to solve the mystery of the elusive and dangerous Red Matter. The games are a mix of exploration, action, and puzzle solving set against some of the most beautiful and awe inspiring backgrounds in real life scale, you will ever encounter.

7.  Madison

Horror and VR go together like chocolate and peanut butter. Take the most scientifically rated scary game, put it in VR, and be prepared to be scared. Bring diapers!

6. Legendary Tales

Looking for a full fledged RPG in VR? Legendary Tales will fill that bill with a mix of melee weapons, magic, castles, dungeons, and hordes of enemies to battle. All of this in a lengthy campaign.

5. No Man’s Sky

One of the most successful turn around stories in gaming, No Man’s Sky has not only been resuscitated, it has been revolutionized with the addition of VR. The PSVR 2 version is the prime VR experience and Hello Gaming keeps on providing constant updates. This is an evergreen game you can keep on playing.

4. Saints & Sinners – 1 & 2

The best VR zombie games ever. Skydance has nailed weapon physics with weapons that have a great sense of weight, heft, and inertia. Setting in the wonderfully atmospheric Cajun vibes of New Orleans, this two zombie games offer a primo experience.

3. Resident Evil Village

Capcom has done an amazing job of converting their Resident Evil games to VR. Resident Evil 7 on the PSVR 1 was awesome and, in my opinion, remains the scariest one to date. On the PSVR 2, the level of detail for RE 8 and 4 rival their flat screen counterparts. One could easily flip positions with RE 8 & 4. RE 8 is the more VR interactive of the two but I prefer the story and the lighting of RE 4 more.

2. Resident Evil 4 Remake

Resident Evil 4 Remake in VR  is amazing. After playing RE7 in VR, I could never go back to playing these games, flatscreen. RE4 looks fantastic in VR with the only knock that some of the game interactions revert to flat screen experiences breaking the immersion factor. However, getting to play this game at a real life scale is a real treat.

1. Gran Turismo 7

VR and simulation games with a cockpit are a perfect marriage. To be seated in a dream car depicted in real life scale is just amazing. Add in a force feedback wheel and pedal set and you can really believe you are in a powerful racing machine. This is another evergreen game that you can play forever.

Top 10 PSVR 2 Games Conclusion

There you have it. An impressive list of PSVR games, indeed. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many other great PSVR 2 games for you to check out.

What are your thoughts on the list? Do you agree with my selection? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for more great video game content.

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Prepare to plunge yourself into the dangerous depths of the sea and confront the most formidable foes. Developer Geekon and publisher Midnight Games have announced that Shark Siege – Together Survival is coming soon on Steam. The exact release date will be unveiled sometime shortly. The game took part in last month’s Steam Next Fest with a demo as well, offering players a first-hand experience of it.

Shark Siege – Together Survival is a first-person co-op survival adventure game. You will become a crew member of a modern cargo ship and embark on an exciting survival adventure in the vast, unpredictable ocean. Remember, the sea is your adversary, and courage is your strongest ally.

You must use your wits, teamwork, and resourcefulness to survive relentless attacks from a giant, menacing shark. The shark is determined to wreck your ship at all costs. Immerse yourself in first-person gameplay as you repair the vessel, craft weapons, and navigate through storms. Strategize with your team to outsmart the apex predator lurking beneath the waves.

Join the voyage that goes beyond the ordinary co-op gameplay. Whether you’re a lonely sailor or a part of the crew, you must rise above this challenge and become a legend of the sea.

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2P Games and Fuse Game have announced that Time Treker is releasing on Steam Early Access on 10 July 2024. This sci-fi bullet heaven auto shooter will be available for $6.99 / €6,99 with a 10% discount during the first two weeks. So, get ready to build the best mecha, select your abilities, and take down enemies to survive in a desolate world.

Time Treker is a 2D sci-fi bullet heaven auto shooter that takes place in a dark, distant future. According to the story, the frontline has crumbled, and your home is lost. It’s time to reclaim what belongs to you. After the Great Catastrophe, humanity fled Earth.

Now, you must return to the world before its downfall and face the creatures that caused its ruin. Succeed, and you’ll save the world. Fail, and you’ll have to try again in another timeline. Select between three warriors and 10+ weapons to become the ultimate mecha pilot.

The game also offers a range of missions, including exploration, annihilation, and defense. These tasks help you gain experience, unlock achievements, and fortify your base in preparation for unknown challenges.

Key features:

– Engage in endless battles all guns blazing while shooting down hundreds of enemies

– Choose between three characters, 10+ weapons, and 15+ items to create a mecha that fits your abilities

– Enjoy a variety of quests, from exploring the unknown to assaulting enemies or defending from hordes of worms. Who knows what awaits you next?

– The Early Access version of Time Treker features three major maps (desert, cave, marshland). Players can expect 2-3 hours per run and around 10 hours of total gameplay.

A demo version of the game is already available on Steam. Go dive right into it and get a first-hand experience.

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PONOS Corporation has released a new title called The Battle Cats Unite! based on the hit mobile game for Nintendo Switch. This exciting new chapter of this epic saga is currently available for just $19.99 on the eShop with many Switch-exclusive features and content. Check out the official trailer below to get a glimpse of the game.

The Battle Cats Unite! is an action strategy game where you embark on a journey of world conquest with your Cat Army. You can enjoy it with either one player or two players with one game copy. There are three main stages Empire of Cats, Into the Future, and Cats of the Cosmos. As well as other special Legend Stages and daily stages.

In the two-player mode, each player has control of five different units. You can combine forces to fire the Boosted Cat Cannon and, turn the tide of battle in your favor. There is even a versus mode where you can battle it out with your friend.

Additionally, you can take a break every once in a while in four different mini-games. Aim for the highest score to get special in-game items and Rare Tickets. So, are you ready for the ultimate feline war?

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It’s finally time for a new hero to claim the powers of The Tower of Legends! The Baite Studios has announced that the team is releasing a demo version of Card Chronicles: Devious Deck on 13 July via Steam. This demo will give players a chance to experience the game’s core mechanics. As well as get a taste of its strategic depth and adventure.

Additionally, to celebrate this announcement, the studio has also commissioned a professional artist to redesign the game’s key art. This will be revealed before the launch of the demo.

Card Chronicles: Devious Deck is a unique blend of classic RPG and roguelike deck-builder, where epic adventures meet strategic card battles. You must ascend the Tower of Legends, build your best deck, take down monsters, and pave your own destiny.

Every card that you play comes at the cost of your health points. As a hero seeking the power of the tower, you will need to carefully manage your health. So, choose your moves wisely to come out victorious.

The game will launch sometime this year so, stay tuned for more updates. A development build is currently available on itch.io for all those eager to try it out. Remember, your feedback is very crucial and it will help shape the final game with enhanced experience for all.

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Kasedo Games and Bulwark Studios have announced that Ixion is coming out on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in Q1 2025. This sci-fi/city builder originally came out on PC in 2022 with a huge success and now it’s finally ready to leave its mark on other platforms. It is also worth mentioning that the game already won the Best Strategy title at the Gamescom awards.

IXION is a city-building game with survival and exploration, that turns into a thrilling space opera among the stars. As Earth teeters on the edge of ecological collapse, DOLOS A.E.C. spearheads the mission to discover a new habitat for humanity. By a twist of fate or fortune, its prototype space station, the Tiqqun, ends up adrift, serving as a fragile sanctuary for the last vestiges of the human race. You, the administrator, are in command of this floating ark.

You must face the dangers of space, uncover its secrets, and extract its resources. Perils will arise both from outside and within. You will need to establish, maintain, and develop the Tiqqun’s infrastructure while managing the station’s population. Balancing their needs and maintaining their trust in you and the mission will be crucial.

There are no easy answers; your actions will have consequences, whether now or in the future. How you handle those consequences will determine whether you thrive or face extinction. So, are you ready for the ultimate challenge of survival?

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Peculiar Pixels has announced that their upcoming title BOTSU: Ridiculous Robots is coming out on Steam Early Access this summer. This hilarious party game elevates the ragdoll physics genre with unprecedented agility, outrageous power-ups, rocket boosters, and a vibrant voxel aesthetic. The standard price of the game will be £15.99 (and regional equivalents), however, it will be available for just £13.59 through a 15% launch discount.

BOTSU: Ridiculous Robots is a hilarious physics-based sandbox party game where you compete with your friends in silly sports. There are three total sports to choose from, namely: Box-Ball, Sumo Survival, and Stockpile. You must wrestle to victory online or split-screen in endless unique games. Win matches, unlock outfits, and show off your skills stylishly.

Nothing is impossible in this chaotic sandbox title. You can pull anything off as long as you are thinking outside the box. So, are you ready to claim your BOTSU Cup and become the ultimate winner?

Furthermore, a free demo version is already available on the platform for everyone. This demo features online and split-screen multiplayer, multiple game modes, arenas, and unlockable outfits, offering a first-hand experience of this madness.

To build up the hype, check out the official Early Access Trailer below.

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The indie game developer Masala Games has announced that their upcoming title, Detective Dotson will launch on Xbox Series consoles. This light-hearted Indian mystery-adventure game is the vision of former EA alumni (Spore) and Oscar-winning Pixar artist (Toy Story 3, Brave), Shalin Shodhan. It will also be coming out on PC via Steam as well, so stay tuned for the release date.

In Detective Dotson, you will step inside the shoes of the titular protagonist who is an aspiring Bollywood star turned reluctantly into a detective. Explore the richly detailed streets of India, collect clues, complete the evidence board, and solve various mysteries. You will encounter a colorful cast of characters, each with their own secrets.

The game draws heavy inspiration from Indian pop culture such as Bollywood and crime dramas like CID. All the while having its own unique narrative and aesthetic style crafted based on real-world Indian cities. It also features a single-player episodic story and 2-player couch co-op levels. Nikhil Rao of Indian Ocean collaborated to make an authentic OST for the game too.

“It’s the dream of every game developer to bring their game to console as it’s perceived to have the highest quality bar to clear,” says Shalin Shodhan, Founder and CEO of Masala Games. “We’re thankful that the Xbox Developer Acceleration Program believes in us. It’s not every day that one of the leading platforms in gaming takes notice. Their trust motivates us to do this opportunity justice.”

“We’re excited and proud to see our desi and Bollywood-inspired Detective Dotson release on Xbox Series consoles,” says Arjun Varma, India Lead—Global Expansion at Xbox. “Xbox wants to bring unique and diverse games from India to a global audience via our ID@Xbox Program. We are grateful to have Masala Games as an awesome partner on this journey.”

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OA Game Studio is thrilled to present its latest upcoming title, Anubis for PC and PlayStation 5. It is a unique title that combines elements of different genres such as simulation, action, adventure, and puzzle. It will be coming out in Q4 of this year, so stay tuned for more updates. In the meantime, check out the official PC trailer below.

In Anubis, play as the titular god of the underworld. You received an order from the god RA to destroy the army of the god Seth to stop his power. However, Seth has already built a mighty army of ancient desert monsters. These huge monsters even have the power to kill Gods. You can get stronger by defeating them and capturing the desert fire.

Here are some key features of the game:

– Starting a New Adventure: Experience adventures as the God Anubis reaches ancient Egypt.

– Exploration: Explore mysterious puzzles, deadly mazes, and caves in the Ancient Desert.

– Gain Mystical Abilities: Gain magical powers and solve puzzles.

– Huge Deadly Creatures: Fight deadly desert monsters from the ancient world.

– Survive: Destroy God Seth’s army and find the desert fire.

For more information regarding the game, make sure to visit the official Steam website right here.

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