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.***

The post Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition Review – Required Gaming for All appeared first on COGconnected.

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

The post Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders Has Arrived on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S appeared first on COGconnected.

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.

• For amazing videos, head over to our YouTube page HERE.
• Follow us on Twitter HERE.
• Our Facebook page HERE.
• Our Instagram page HERE.
• Listen to our podcast on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
• If you are a fan of cosplay, check out more of our cosplay features HERE.

The post 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Hyped For Assassin’s Creed: Shadows appeared first on COGconnected.

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

The post Neon Blood Is Now Available for Pre-order and Wishlist appeared first on COGconnected.

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.

SOURCE

The post Scholar’s Mate Is Out Now on Consoles appeared first on COGconnected.

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?

SOURCE

The post Ixion Will Arrive on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in Q1 2025 appeared first on COGconnected.

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.”

SOURCE

The post Detective Dotson Is Bringing the Adventure on Xbox Series Consoles appeared first on COGconnected.

We’re so happy to once again bring you the weekly COGconnected cosplay feature. In previous iterations, we’ve showcased the brilliant Raisor Cosplay, the beautiful Sailor Virgo, and some incredible holiday-themed recreations. We’ve even posted coverage on the best cosplay couples! This week, we turn our attention to Lady Kayleen.

Without further ado, here’s the work of this wonderful cosplayer!

Continue on to page 2 for more from Lady Kayleen.

The post Come Enjoy Cosplay Courtesy of Lady Kayleen appeared first on COGconnected.

Street Fighter 6 Year 2 has been announced, with a new Ultimate Pass to purchase. It includes 4 new fighters, their additional outfits and colors, 2 new stages, and 7700 drive tickets. With all these additions on the horizon, COGconnected thought it would be a good idea to look back on the triumph that has been Street Fighter 6 Year 1, and discuss the few ways Capcom can improve the game.

Maybe the important aspect of Street Fighter 6 is that it’s made Street Fighter really cool again. The Battle Hub is an online play space that has the feel of a high profile arcade. Player avatars can wader around and walk up to arcade machines to challenge opponents. It creates the feel of the Street Fighter II boom in the early 90s, where players would line up at arcade machines, to watch top players compete, or attempt to take a crack at them. Them whole game is dripping with a Japanese street style that’s very appealing in a post-Persona video game world.

The Pinnacle of 2D Fighting

The gameplay is still phenomenal. A new Modern combat system was introduced. It makes playing more accessible to newcomers, but the system is so effective that series veterans are enjoying using it. I still play with Classic Street Fighter controls in the Fighting Ground, which has the Arcade and Versus modes. But I use the new Modern style when playing in World Tour.

World Tour is my favorite new addition Street Fighter 6 has brought to the franchise. It’s basically like Street Fighter RPG, where players create an avatar, and play through a story that takes place in Metro City, and other smaller locations around the world. Every fighter in the game becomes a mentor in World Tour. The player gets experience points and levels up overall, but every mentor has their own set of levels for players to gain. As a player levels up with a mentor, they unlock that mentor’s move set. Every new character added to Street Fighter 6 is a mentor in World Tour, in addition to a playable fighter one would expect. New mentors also add additional quests and story content to World Tour, so every new fighter is a big deal.

4 DLC Fighters

The 4 fighters added over the course of Year 1 were Rashid, A.K.I., Ed, and Akuma. When Rashid dropped it was really interesting to play through World Tour and find out I had to play through some new quests in order to find him and begin his mentorship. All 4 fighters were thoughtful, quality additions. But story-wise, the only one fans were clamoring for was Akuma. Street Fighter 6’s core 18 fighters struck a great balance between classic fighters and new ones. The DLC fighters seem to be 3 deep cut past characters, mixed with one classic character.

The fighters coming to Street Fighter 6 in Year 2 are M. Bison, Terry Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Elena. These are interesting choices. Bison was an inevitable addition, which would be obvious for anyone who’s played through the story in World Tour. I’m a little surprised he’s arriving so early, but very excited to play as him. He’s an essential franchise villain, and a classic charge fighter. He’s available right now, and his new design screams wanting to know what happened to create the change in appearance. When he was announced I was very curious to see how his presence affected Nayshall and JD. And after only a few days, Bison is already one of my favorite characters to use in the whole game.

Fatal Fury in Street Fighter?

Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui are both from the Fatal Fury franchise. It sounds like Street Fighter 6 will have a Fatal Fury/ King of Fighters crossover storyline, which is fun. But I don’t think it was the right choice this early in the game’s existence. Elena is a deeper cut character. She’s traditionally been very fun to play, with her capoeira fighting style. But she’s not super essential to the ongoing central storyline. All of these new characters could be implemented well, but 3 out of 4 are strange choices when there are so few classic fighters absent.

There are still some changes Capcom could implement to turn Street Fighter 6 from a great game, into a perfect game. The biggest problem is that its DLC is way too overpriced. The Year 2 Ultimate Pass is $50 USD. That’s almost the price of a full game! There are also Character Passes that are slightly cheaper than the Ultimate Pass. They just have the characters, and not the new levels. But right now there’s no way to upgrade from a Character Pass to an Ultimate Pass, without paying the full price of the Ultimate Pass. Hopefully this is a change Capcom makes soon.

Fight Money is Too Expensive

There are also lots of options peppered throughout the game to get players to buy Fight Money with real money, to get cosmetic avatar items. I don’t mind this in theory, but the cost of the items is outrageous. Earlier in the year, there were skins of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which I would have loved to have gotten. When I went to buy them it turned out that these avatar skins were close to $20 each, which is absolutely outrageous. $5 per turtle would have been begrudgingly acceptable, but at the $20 price point a lot of people won’t ever consider cosmetic Fight Money purchases.

Avatar creation could be much more robust. The tattoo options are especially slim. Over the course of World Tour, lots of clothing items are unlocked, but it’s still not enough to make a fighter conjured from your imagination. The WWE 2K games have a phenomenal character creation system that I wish the Street Fighter devs would look at. The game is flawless when it comes to creating move builds, but some obvious work needs to be done in the appearance department.

And finally, I’d like to add that by the end of this year there will still be only 26 fighters. The game launched with 18, and 4 fighters per year seems like Capcom’s releasing the bare minimum amount. 6 fighters a year would make a much bigger difference, and would make the $50 price tag hurt less. They do require more effort to implement than in past games, because of the way they’re incorporated into World Tour, but right now, the price still isn’t right.

In Conclusion

Street Fighter 6 is a phenomenal 2D fighting game. Maybe the best ever. But Capcom is taking an approach that makes it feel like a premium product that puts quality over quantity. Everything they’ve done is great, but if they could make the few changes outlined in this article, they’d maybe have something to top Street Fighter II as the greatest fighting game of all time. Year 2 is offering some great content, even if Capcom keeps things more of the same. Mortal Kombat 1 and Tekken 8 were also phenomenal fighting game releases in the past year, but Street Fighter 6 really is the best of the best. See you in the Battle Hub!

What were your favorite parts of Street Fighter 6 Year 1? What are you most looking forward to in Year 2? Let us know in the comments.

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

• For amazing videos, head over to our YouTube page HERE.
• Follow us on Twitter HERE.
• Our Facebook page HERE.
• Our Instagram page HERE.
• Listen to our podcast on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
• If you are a fan of cosplay, check out more of our cosplay features HERE.

The post Street Fighter 6 – Year 2 is Upon Us appeared first on COGconnected.

DLCs are a bit like a second slice of pie. If the first slice was good, do you really need more? And if the first slice was mid, will the second make it better? Especially with a well-received game, fans have come to expect DLC. But often it disappoints, either by being too short or feeling superfluous. Then there’s the difficult choice of how players will access the new content. Make it available to everyone and veteran players will complain, but make it dependent on finishing some major portion of the base game, and you lock out potential new fans (and income). FromSoftware has always been masters of DLC. With Shadow of the Erdtree, they have released what is likely the best DLC for any game, ever. Hyperbole? Maybe, maybe not.

Shadow of the Erdtree is the first — and certainly only — expansion for 2022’s Elden Ring. Playing a FromSoft game has always been like solving a Rubik’s cube covered in thorns. Beating it becomes an obsession, but at the cost of bloody hands. In many ways, Elden Ring gave the player optional padded gloves to wear, and it opened the door to millions of players. It could be said that Shadow of the Erdtree takes those gloves completely off. While it makes hefty demands, however, it pays equally hefty rewards. The challenge is back, baby.

The Question of Difficulty

When it was revealed that the DLC was gated behind a pair of late-game — though optional — bosses, some casual players were resigned to never playing it (only 62% of Elden Ring players had reached the required boss). Others scrambled to complete the basic requirements. But FromSoft knew its core audience. After over two years, the developer assumed that most dedicated players had beaten the game, often several timers over. The core fans were more than ready for new and heftier challenges. 

And challenge it delivered. To the point where the chorus of “it’s too difficult” became hard for FromSoftware to ignore. So, the developer did something rare in its history. Miyazaki and company tweaked the balance post-launch. They made the DLC-only upgrade system even more helpful to players in the early hours of the game.

FromSoft games have never just been about skill or gear, however. Lack one, and you can rely on the other to see you through. Shadow of the Erdtree’s enemies — especially bosses — are often immensely challenging. As always, players with a mastery of mechanics will have the easiest — though not easy — time. But anyone with high-level gear and a smart combination of weapons, armor, and enhancements can muscle through. Shadow of the Erdtree drops some amazing new weapons, too. They’ll change things up in the base game’s PvP community for sure. 

Smart Quality of Life Improvements

Shadow of the Erdtree gives fans both long-requested improvements to the game as well as QOL changes they didn’t even know they wanted. Most of these transfer to the base game as well. First and foremost is the ability to quickly identify new loot. After two years, a player’s inventory is a bulging treasure chest of stuff that can take a long time to scroll through. Shadow of Erdtree tags new acquisitions, making it easy to find that shiny new weapon or talisman. It’s a small thing but much appreciated.

Difficulty scaling in the DLC is handled in a way that rewards high-level players without punishing those with minimum stats. Rather than change the stats on enemies, the game generously doles out two optional items that increase both offensive and defensive player stats. Use the items and the game gets a little easier. But players can opt to not use them and keep the challenge dialed to max. This system doesn’t carry back into the base game. As noted, since release the developer has made the upgrade system even more useful to struggling players.

Lore and narrative are often ignored, but in FromSoftware games, they are nearly always guides to where to go next and what to do. Players of Elden Ring complained that the story signposting was a bit too obtuse. That’s a shame, because the mythic, multi-layered story in Elden Ring is haunting and tragic. 

The story and progression in Shadow of the Erdtree are more clearly designated by a series of crosses, each with a bit of lore and NPCs with helpful maps. Of course, players who couldn’t care less about why they’re there and the backstory of the bosses can still have plenty of hack-and-slash fun. As always, there is a world of hidden content for players to stumble upon. 

Matter of Size and Scope

A lot of DLCs are small chapters of added content that can be completed in a couple of hours. They offer up a new area, a handful of new enemies or weapons, and call it good.

As befits FromSoftware’s sprawling masterpiece of Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree is longer than the majority of action games, clocking in at a minimum of 30-40 hours. What’s not apparent from the map is that most zones have several vertical layers, underground dungeons, and hidden areas, so that the explorable map is much bigger than it already appears. Of course, just like the main game, Shadow of the Erdtree is filled with a huge amount of visual and artistic variety and environmental contrast.

While the DLC naturally recycles some enemy types from Elden Ring, it also includes well over 100 new bosses, dozens of new weapons, spells, incantations, and armor. It’s a great way to refresh the experience of the main game, as all of the new gear can be brought back into the base game to mix up familiar PvP play and make new game + runs more interesting. Generous is a serious understatement.

Nothing’s perfect, of course. Shadow of the Erdtree has a few performance problems and graphical quirks. The difficulty curve is a bit binary: either pretty easy or very difficult, with less middle ground than the base game. 

But small issues aside, Shadow of the Erdtree is everything FromSoftware fans were hoping for. Huge, complex, and challenging, Shadow of the Erdtree does what few DLCs accomplish. It gives the player a rewarding new experience by itself and enriches and even improves the base game. Yes, the wait was agony, but the reward is sweet. Like every FromSoft game, it raises the bar for other developers daring to release sub-par DLC.

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

• For amazing videos, head over to our YouTube page HERE.
• Follow us on Twitter HERE.
• Our Facebook page HERE.
• Our Instagram page HERE.
• Listen to our podcast on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
• If you are a fan of cosplay, check out more of our cosplay features HERE.

The post Shadow of the Erdtree is the Best DLC Ever Made appeared first on COGconnected.

June 2024 was a unique month for video game reviews. Almost all of the games covered in The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2024 are releases mentioned in the Top 5 Video Games Arriving in June 2024. All three of the games from The Good section of this article were hotly anticipated. And one of the games from The Bad section of this article might be remembered a little too fondly by franchise fans. Without further ado, here are The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2024:

The Good

Destiny 2: The Final Shape DLC

***click here for our review***

Bungie nailed it with Destiny 2: The Final Shape! It’s the narrative conclusion to all the events of all the expansions. The story is much more linear and focused than past expansions. But it’s a conclusion that ties up everything, and packs an epic emotional punch. With some of Destiny 2’s expansions being less than stellar, Destiny 2: The Final Shape greatly exceeded our reviewer’s expectations. They wrote “it’s perhaps the closest Destiny has come to feeling like vintage, Halo-era Bungie”, which is the highest praise an FPS can get.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

***click here for our review***

There wasn’t any doubt in anyone’s mind that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree was going to be excellent, and an obvious entry on The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2024. It continues the quality of Elden Ring, but adds a new endgame area the size of two areas. The only critiques our reviewer had were that a few bosses were repeated, and to access the DLC, you basically have to have beaten the main game. They mentioned “to see everything plan in 60+ hours of playtime”. This is DLC the size of a full game, and a must play for all Souls fans.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

***click here for our review***

Shin Megami Tensei V is an excellent monster collecting JRPG. It brought open world exploration elements to the dark monster collecting franchise. On first glance, it seems almost perfect, but after beating the game, a lot of players found the story felt a little hollow. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance corrects this by adding a new plotline that adds fullness to the narrative that compliments the base game’s gameplay. Our reviewer wrote the new plotline protagonist “Yoko is a very engaging heroine in all her bitter glory”, so people who have beaten the original version for the Switch have a great reason to play this upgraded version. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance easily deserves to be on The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2024.

The post The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2024 appeared first on COGconnected.

July 2024 is such a cool month for video game releases. It seems like there’s something for everyone. There’s a few massive releases, several of which are new IPs. Similar to June 2024, our top spot is a major DLC drop. Our runner up this month is the long-awaited Earth Defense Force 6! For those who haven’t played an EDF game before, they’re dopey Japanese 3^rd person shooters that have more to do with spectacle than polish. Check out the trailer below. And without further ado, the Top 5 Video Games Arriving in July 2024 are:

5. Nintendo World Championships – July 18

The Nintendo World Championships took place in 1990. They were a series of events where players got a combined score in the NES games Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and Rad Racer. Finalists were given NES cartridges that had the games and scoring used in the competition. There are an estimated 350 of those cartridges in existence, and they are usually listed on eBay for around $25,000 USD. In honor of this most expensive and ridiculous NES game, Nintendo is releasing an official Nintendo World Championships game for the Switch! It will feature at least 13 different NES games, as opposed to the original 3. Expect lots of modern features, and an experience similar to the Wii U’s NES Remix games. Nintendo World Championships is kind of a goofy entry to the Top 5 Video Games Arriving in July 2024, but how could we not include it!?

4. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak – July 5

The Trails series is almost caught up in North America! We’re only one game behind Japan now! The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak is the first game in the new Daybreak series. It’s the start of a new story arc that takes place in the Calvard Republic. This JRPG has been out in Japan for 3 years! Trails fans have been waiting for its release in North America for a long time, which makes it an obvious entry in the Top 5 Video Games Arriving in July 2024. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak will be available for everything expect Xbox.

The post Top 5 Video Games Arriving in July 2024 appeared first on COGconnected.

Big Moxi Games has officially announced the demo release date for their upcoming title, Wardens Rising at Gamescom LATAM. It will be available for download starting from 29th July via Steam as a part of Tower Defense Fest. Additionally, the studio has released a brand-new gameplay trailer to celebrate this news.

This unique blend of action RPG, hero shooter, and base defense gameplay coming to PC and consoles in early 2025. So stay tuned for more updates in the future.

Wardens Rising invites players into the heart of a thrilling gameplay experience both in the single-player campaign or co-op with up to four players. You will become a Warden, humanity’s last line of defense against a relentless interdimensional threat.

Your main objective is to protect vital energy cores from massive invasions and to defeat mighty bosses, not only to save humanity but to attain everlasting glory. Build and manage defenses strategically, then unleash your unique abilities to defeat hordes of enemies and enemy hordes and come out victorious.

Key features:

– Unleash your inner Warden: Choose from five unique heroes, each with distinct abilities and playstyles. Master their skills and become the ultimate legend.

– Become a master strategist: Build and optimize your defenses, choosing from towers, traps, walls, and more; before each invasion. Carefully manage resources, tech upgrades, and positioning to create an impenetrable defense.

– Customize to seize victory: Unlock, upgrade, and customize your gear showcasing your unique style. Choose from six SPEC companions and a vast array of tactical items, each offering unique buffs and support, and experiment with different builds and defenses – no one size fits all!

– Infinite Fun: Blast your way through 24 maps and take on four bosses in the story campaign or delve into endlessly replayable co-op missions across 12 maps with random invasions for hours of thrilling and strategic fun.

SOURCE

The post Wardens Rising Demo Release Date Unveiled appeared first on COGconnected.

Xbox is always looking for ways to bring gaming to everyone. Of course, in order to bring a massive list of games to the public, Xbox employs their Game Pass. Now, the famed Game Pass is arriving to a brand new platform. Today, Xbox announced that Game Pass will be coming to the Amazon Firestick. Importantly, this means that hundreds of games will be available to Amazon Firestick users, no console required. A press release from Xbox details the ease with which players can take part in this new platform. 

The Xbox Game Pass will be a new app on the Amazon Firestick. Obviously, participants will need an active Game Pass. Yet, as soon as the subscription is active, it is a simple as downloading the app on the Firestick. The Game Pass itself will be available on both the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) ($59.99) and Fire TV Stick 4K (2023) ($49.99). Additionally, a myriad of controllers are available for use with the Firestick. For instance, gamers can use controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4 controller.

Interestingly, the Xbox Game Pass on the Firestick grants users access to a huge library of games. From Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II to Starfield, and even Forza Horizon 5, the Game Pass crosses genres as easy as it does platforms.

Xbox is happy to bring its games to the Amazon Firestick through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Importantly, gamers can learn more about Cloud Gaming here.

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

The post Xbox Game Pass Coming to Amazon Firestick appeared first on COGconnected.

11 bit studios has announced that the developers have decided to delay the release of Frostpunk 2 till 20th September 2024. This delay will allow the team to focus on delivering the best possible experience when it finally comes out this fall. The game will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, so stay tuned for more updates.

Here’s an excerpt from the Steam post by Design Director Jakub Stokalski and Art Director Lukasz Juszczyk:

“Based on the surveys we received after playing Beta, the average rating you gave us was 8 out of 10. We’re super grateful for that! At the same time, it was only a small slice of a work-in-progress, still-growing game. While our backlog is plentiful, it was an opportunity for us to listen to what you enjoyed, and what didn’t quite land yet”.

Further, it follows: “This allowed us to prioritise things better, and bring upfront the features and modifications we were already working on. But we also realised that to guarantee the best possible experience on launch, we need more time to finish the development of Frostpunk 2. That’s why we made the difficult decision to postpone its release to September 20th, 2024”.

The scope of the new updates includes enhancements to game mechanics, extensive UI and UX improvements, a highly requested city feature called Zoom Stories, and much more. For more information, take a look at the full version of the statement right here.

SOURCE

The post Frostpunk 2 Release Got Postponed to 20th September 2024 appeared first on COGconnected.

JanduSoft has announced that the console edition of Scholar’s Mate is coming out on July 4th, 2024. It will be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. Furthermore, the pre-orders on the Xbox are already open as well. So, make sure to check it if you are eager to get your hands on it.

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

Along the way, 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. Yes, Eddie can both see and hear you. 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 Judith’s life.

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.

Scholar’s Mate is already available on PC for those eager to try it out. Take a look at the official trailer below to get a glimpse of it.

SOURCE

The post Scholar’s Mate Is Arriving on Consoles Next Month appeared first on COGconnected.

There are a lot of ways to make money in Grand Theft Auto Online. Most of these forms of currency acquisition are less than legal. Yet, that’s about to change. That’s right, it’s time to make a hero’s compensation. Today, Rockstar Games and Rockstar North are happy to announce the latest update coming to Grand Theft Auto Online this Summer, Bottom Dollar Bounties. Interestingly, the update allows players to join the law as a bounty hunter, tracking down notorious criminals around Lost Santos. Of course, the update will provide players with a whole new host of content. For instance, players can look forward to a new customizable bounty office, vehicles, missions, and more. A trailer teases what’s to come.

Bottom Dollar Bounties introduce players to the daughter of legendary Los Santos bounty hunter Maude Eccles. Helping her to clean up the streets of this crime ridden town, players will be able to set up their very own customizable bounty hunting office. Of course, to start making some money, there are going to need to be bounties. Have no fear, players can chase down low level crime scum as much as they want and once a day can take on a “most wanted” target. Importantly, to chase down these scumbags, players will have access to a trio of new law enforcement vehicles. In fact, these vehicles are available now if you complete  the Slush Fund mission in The Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid. 

Of course, there is even more for Grand Theft Auto players to look forward to from vehicles, to cosmetics for their character, and more. Interestingly, the trailer shows off a small glimpse of what players can expect. Check it out below. 

Grand Theft Auto Online: Bottom Dollar Bounties is out now. Check out Rockstar Newswire for more information.

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

The post Grand Theft Auto Online Gives Justice With Bottom Dollar Bounties appeared first on COGconnected.

Boris, the solo developer of Flocons Studio and publisher JanduSoft has announced the release date for their upcoming title, Prune & Milo. It will be available on Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on 11 July. Furthermore, Xbox users can pre-order the game a week before the official launch, so keep an eye out as well.

Prune & Milo is a charming 2D turn-based puzzle game. Players will join this awesome brother and sister duo on an enchanting journey during their vacation. Their adventure began when Milo accidentally fell into a mysterious cave. Soon after, Prune joins in and together they must navigate the puzzles in the cave, unravel its secrets, and prevent the end of the world as Christopher the Wise Owl forewarned.

The game offers an unforgettable experience with over 70 levels of turn-based puzzles with unique mechanics. You will travel across three different worlds, and encounter quirky characters while solving complex puzzles on the way.

Key features:

– Turn-based puzzle game: Strategically plan your moves and solve puzzles at your own pace.
– Three unique worlds: Explore diverse environments, each with its own challenges.
– 70+ levels: Engage in various puzzles with different mechanics in every world.
– Two playable characters: Switch between Prune and Milo to utilize their unique abilities.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant pixel-art adventure, brimming with secrets, dangers, and unusual characters?

SOURCE

The post Prune & Milo Will Start the Journey on PC and Consoles in July appeared first on COGconnected.

The Dutch indie game developers Ewoud and Nils have finally announced the release date for their award-winning platformer, SCHiM. This awesome game will be coming out on 18 July on Steam Steam, Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5, and Nintendo Switch. The standard price will be $24.99, but it will vary according to the region.

The game enjoyed huge success in the Steam Next Fest, surpassing 200k Wishlists and with over 50k players trying the demo out. Rock Paper Shotgun praised the demo, calling it “pretty froggin’ delightful!”. Even IGN Benelux highlighted it, stating, “After playing SCHiM for only half an hour, I already realised it’s a very special game.”

SCHiM is a charming indie platformer about helping a lost shadow find its way back to its human by jumping from shadow to shadow. The game takes elements of light, shadow, and animation, and then adds them to the awesome 3D platformer gameplay, offering a unique take on the genre.

Here are some key features:

– Unique 3D platforming through shadows.
– Animated shadow platforms and environments.
– Each level has its scenery with small stories.
– A story of a person losing their shadow.
– A beautiful abstract world.

The free demo version is still available on Steam for everyone to get a first-hand experience. Nintendo Switch users can already pre-order the game on the Nintendo eShop.

SOURCE

The post SCHiM Is Jumping Onto PC and Consoles Next Month appeared first on COGconnected.

The Brazilian indie studio Wired Games has announced that Frogue is coming out on consoles on 27 June 2024. It will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. For those eager to try this stylish turn-based action platformer, the game is already out on PC, so make sure to check it out.

Frogue is a stylish 2D turn-base action platformer with roguelike, bullet hell, and time manipulation elements. It is the fifth game from developer Thiago Oliveira, the independent solo developer behind Wired Dreams Studio. It is the fourth game published for consoles in partnership with QUByte Interactive.

In the game, you will step inside the shoes of a brave frog and dash through your enemies. You can even freeze time and throw your sword to solve every obstacle in your way. Every stage demands agility and precision in every move. The character can stick to walls and use special powers as well, giving the game a three-dimensional feel. It also opens up many possibilities for coming up with a solution to any challenge.

Take a look at the official release date announcement trailer below to get a glimpse of the gameplay.

SOURCE

The post Frogue Is Coming Out on Consoles This Month appeared first on COGconnected.

Get ready for an epic adventure across the universe! Developer ImaginationOverflow has officially released their space rogue-like title, Stellar Interface on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The game is also available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC as well. So, make sure to check it out.

Stellar Interface is a 2D rogue-like space shooter where you ride and spacecraft and take down your enemies. Traverse through a randomly generated galaxy, discover new perks, shop in merchants, unlock more spacecraft, and more. You can also collect StellarNetES Cartridges, and checkmark your kills of the various galactic overlords while dying hundreds of times.

Here are some key features:

– Rogue-like Elements: With a randomly generated universe and randomized perks, no journey will ever be the same.

– Synergistic Perk System: Over 100 perks and consumables! Look out for the synergistic nature of the perks

– Galactic Bounties: ​​Complete over 100 missions to participate in the StellarNET Entertainment System lottery.

– Customize Your Start: Choose your spacecraft: there is one for every playstyle, as they have unique starting perks.

– Unlock Spacecrafts, View Your Progress: Check out your accomplishments in our in-game encyclopedia StellarNET. Unlock the spacecraft, and kill all the bosses to progress in StellarNET’s kill table.

– Explore the Universe: Some levels are more special than others: Merchants, Bosses, Spacecraft Factories.

– Controller Support: Plug-and-play with any controller!

SOURCE

The post Stellar Interface Blast Its Way to PS4 and PS5 appeared first on COGconnected.

We have exciting news for everyone! Ukiyo studio has unveiled a short teaser of their first project titled Transhumance on transhumance.site. So, get ready for an epic adventure as you guide a flock of ewes and discover many magnificent landscapes. The game will be coming out on all the major platforms, so stay tuned for more updates. In the meantime, check out the teaser below to take a sneak peek of the game.

Transhumance is a narrative, poetic, and contemplative game in which you have to lead a herd of ewes during transhumance. It is the periodic migrations between winter pastures on the plains and summer pastures in the mountains. The route is purely fictional, though it draws inspiration from paths taken by shepherds in southern France, between Provence and the Alps.

You will be accompanied by one or more dogs to guide the sheep and direct them. These dogs can evolve and improve as well. The more experience the dogs get, the easier it will become to lead the flock. This is the main gameplay element: Controlling the dogs efficiently to guide the herd to its destination on time and in health.

Here are some key features:

– A poetic and original theme: the transhumance, listed as a world cultural heritage.
– Unique gameplay: lead dogs, with different characters, to move the herd with the constraints of a transhumance.
– Discover the mountain ecosystem with realistic and changing weather.
– Raising awareness of several related ecological issues: global warming, reintroduction of wolves and bears, human impact, etc.
– A strong narrative linked to grief, solitude, freedom, the mountains, their inhabitants, and their mysteries…
– It’s also a game that lets you contemplate nature, stroke your dog, talk to your sheep, and photograph marmots!

SOURCE

The post Transhumance Has Unveiled Its First Teaser appeared first on COGconnected.

School is out! Which makes it a perfect time to go to Hogwart’s Legacy. It is COGconnected’s duty, and and joy, to gather the hottest game deals into this one article to help you out. Here is a potpourri of games to play.  Here’s a mix of games you may be interested in – Hogwart’s Legacy leads the charge for Potterheads. But fear not for the rest of the you. There are some other great franchises to choose from – Miles Morales, God of War and an old standby – The Master Chief himself!  Hopefully, there will be a game or two that will pique your interest. 

Unicorn Overlord – $49.96 (Save 38%)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch) – $70.00 (Save 12%)

Hogwarts Legacy – Nintendo Switch – $49.96 (Save 23%)

Just Dance 2024 Edition – Nintendo Switch – $39.99 (Save 50%)

Hogwarts Legacy: Digital Deluxe Edition – PlayStation 5 – $44.99 (Save 55%)

Dead Space PlayStation 5 – $39.96 (Save 11%)

God of War (PC) – $32.57 (Save 50%)

Cyberpunk 2077 (PC) – $17.49 (Save 65%)

HALO: THE MASTER CHIEF COLLECTION (PC) – $12.49 (Save 75%)

Did you grab some sales this weekend? Let us know in the comments below. If you’re looking for some hardware deals we’ve found some great steals available too right here!

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

The post Jump into Hogwarts Legacy Now That School’s Out & It’s on Sale appeared first on COGconnected.

School is out and with it comes some monitor madness! So it’s time for some weekend hardware deals that will set you up for sizzling summer gaming. COGconnected has scoured the internet looking for any deals. This time, Samsung leads the charge with great monitor deals. You’ll find budget and medium tier deals below but if you want something more high end, they are having deals on those as well. In addition, there are some solid deals on gamepads and headphones too.

SAMSUNG 32″ Odyssey G55A QHD 165Hz 1ms FreeSync Curved Gaming Monitor with HDR 10 – $298.00 (Save 40%)

Samsung 24″ Odyssey G30A FHD 144 Hz Gaming Monitor – $148.00 (Save 41%)

KOORUI Computer Monitor 27 Inch, 100Hz FHD Gaming Monitor – $129.99 (Save 28%)

8Bitdo Pro 2 Bluetooth Gamepad for Switch/Switch OLED, PC, macOS, Android, Steam & Raspberry Pi with Storage Case (Black Edition) – (Save 30%)

8Bitdo Pro 2 Bluetooth Gamepad for Windows PC, Android, Steam Deck & Raspberry Pi –  $25.89 (Save 30%)

Xbox Core Wireless Gaming Controller – $58.88 (Save 21%)

Controller for Nintendo Switch, Switch Controllers Left and Right Support Vibration/6-Axis Gyroscope and Wake-up Function – $30.19 (Save 25%)

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX Wireless Multiplatform Amplified Gaming Headset for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac with 48+ Hour Battery – Pink – 600 SERIES MAX Edition – $119.99 (Save 25%)

Corsair HS55 Surround Gaming Headset (Leatherette Memory Foam Ear Pads, Dolby Audio 7.1 Surround Sound on PC and Mac, Lightweight, Omni-Directional Microphone, Multi-Platform Compatibility) Carbon – $72.24 (Save 24%)

Did you grab some summer sales? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to check in again as we have frequent weekend deals!

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

The post School Is Officially Out and This Weekend Is Monitor Madness appeared first on COGconnected.

A little over a year ago, I reviewed Warhammer 40K: Boltgun. Although built in a recent iteration of the Unreal engine, Boltgun hid its technical chops under a retro, classic Doom-style veneer. That wasn’t the only reference to old-school shooters. Everything from the flow of combat to the weapon effects felt like an homage. You could even adjust the level of pixelation from relatively smooth to super chunky. I had a great time. So I had high expectations for Forges of Corruption.

Forges of Corruption is the first DLC for Warhammer 40K: Boltgun, and if you enjoyed the base game, you’re in luck with the add-on. It bolts on (pun intended) a hefty new chapter and a handful of levels. Although it isn’t exactly standalone, Forges of Corruption is available after players have spent a fairly small amount of time in the main game.

Story Lite

No one comes to a Warhammer 40K shooter for the deep and nuanced narrative. There’s a little more to it, but the basics are: you’re a Space Marine named Malum Caedo, and your job is to stop Chaos from destroying the planet Graia. The DLC adds to the story but the objectives remain the same. Kill everything that moves.

To that straightforward end, most of the weapons from the main game reappear and there are two, beefy additions. The Missile Launcher’s name proves to be reliably accurate, with an impressive explosion when it hits the target. The Multi-Melta hits groups of enemies with a fiery, face-melting area-of-effect blast. Both weapons could be inheritors of Doom’s infamous BFG.

Enemies from the base game return in often overwhelming numbers. There are three new elite foes: the Terminator, the Helbrute, and the Havoc. As before, what Boltgun lacks in nuance it makes up for in crazy, chaotic battles that can — at the higher difficulties — be brutal. One of the base game’s minor flaws was its repetitive reliance on enemy counts to bolster the challenge. Unfortunately, Forges of Corruption hasn’t fixed this problem. The final battle is ridiculously long and borderline unfair.

Buttery

Forges of Corruption retains the same, smooth performance and fluid controls of the original. Once again it feels like classic shooters as we remember them, not as they actually ran. The soundtrack, weapon effects, and voice work are pure metal Warhammer 40K.

By popular demand, the developers have included a new Horde mode. It’s just the player against waves of beloved Warhammer 40K enemies, with each wave highlighting a new weapon. It’s a lot of fun for a while, but keeping the action in a confined space — no matter how well designed — and bound to a gameplay loop works against long-term enjoyment.

Everything that made Warhammer 40K: Boltgun a refreshing return to Doom-era shooter vibes is there in Forces of Corruption as well. The new weapons, enemies, and environments are seamless additions to the base game. A year later, a bit of the novelty has disappeared but like the base game, Forces of Corruption reminds us of simpler times when games had modest ambitions and a focus on fun above all.

***PC code provided by the publisher for review***

The post Warhammer 40K: Boltgun – Forges of Corruption DLC Review-Now with Bigger Guns appeared first on COGconnected.