The post Upcoming PS5 games: All the new PS5 games for 2022 and beyond appeared first on Game News.
]]>Below, you’ll find a roundup of all of the upcoming PS5 games on the horizon, with details on PS5 exclusives like God of War Ragnarok to third-party releases like Gotham Knights and Marvel’s Midnight Suns. We’ve also put everything in release date order so you know what to expect first. Without further ado, here are all of the most exciting upcoming PS5 games on the way.
- Still looking for Sony’s new console? Here’s the latest on PS5 restock updates
2022
Stray
Developer: BlueTwelve Studio
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Release date: July 19, 2022
In this new adventure coming to the PS5 from BlueTwelve Studio, you play as a cat in a world filled with robots. As a cat exploring this strange world, you’ll gain a unique perspective from the eyes of a feline who can sneak under cars, traverse over rooftops and go about unnoticed. Viv, the game and creative director at the studio, said, “we are inspired every day by Murtaugh and Riggs, our two cats. Most of the team are cat owners as well, giving us all a lot of helpful first-hand references. Cats are always so playful, cute, and lovingly annoying that it’s an endless stream of gameplay ideas for us.”
Two Point Campus
Developer: Two Point Studios
Publisher: SEGA
Release date: August 9, 2022
Running your own hospital was so 2020, so now it’s time for an upgrade. Two Point Campus will see you running your own college, with management including everything from building the college, running the classes, and caring for your students on a more intricate, personal level.
Rollerdrome
Developer: Roll7
Publisher: Private Division
Release date: August 16, 2022
Following the successful launch of OlliOlli World earlier this year, Roll7 and Private Division are back on the scene with another skating game. Only, you probably haven’t seen one quite like this before. Rollerdrome is a hybrid shooter-skater, which blends high-octane third-person combat with fluid movement and tricking mechanics. Rollerdrome looks absolutely phenomenal, and it’s out later this year.
Saints Row
Developer: Volition
Publisher: Koch Media
Release date: August 23, 2022
This is a reboot for the tongue-in-cheek Saints Row series, and we’re going all the way back to the beginning. Starting out in the city of Santo Ileso, it’ll be up to you how this crime gang takes shape, from how they build their empire to what they make their money doing. You’ll be leading them once again as the fully customizable Boss, and although it’s new faces and new names there’s plenty of the old Saints Row soul here. Just less of the dildobats.
Soul Hackers 2
Developer: Atlus
Publisher: SEGA
Release date: August 26, 2022
Soul Hackers 2 is looking like it’s going to be one of the key JRPGs of 2022, arriving from developer Atlus and publisher SEGA. This is the long-awaited sequel to Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers – the 1997 RPG for Sega Saturn. Everything has been updated, of course, with Atlus weaving in the Press Turn system from the mainline Shin Megami Tensei games, and the studio striving for a bright and neon visual style. Soul Hackers 2 is set to launch on PS4 and PS5 on August 26, 2022.
Season
Developer: Scavengers Studio
Publisher: Scavengers Studio
Release date: Autumn 2022
Channelling almost Ghibli-esque vibes, Season is a game about riding around on a bicycle and discovering the world for the first time. You play as a young woman who’s lived in a secluded community, but for some reason is now able to explore, take photos, and make new memories. But, there’s not much time to do any of it in, as a mysterious cataclysm is about to engulf the world for good. But heck is a beautiful way to spend your last season.
Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Developer: Daedalic Entertainment
Publisher: Daedalic Entertainment
Release date: September 1, 2022
We are all so intrigued to see what a game where you play as the dual-personalities of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will actually be like. And thankfully, that’s exactly what Daedalic Entertainment is going to give us. The creature starts out as a prisoner in Barad-dûr, a fortress in Mordor, but eventually, you will traverse more of Middle-Earth, with the developer promising “giant, persistent environments, each harbouring several questlines and a range of friendly or unfriendly faces” in an interview with Edge Magazine in early 2020. During that interview the game is also described as a “stealth-action-adventure with an intriguing dual-personality mechanic, gigantic levels, and a densely wrought aesthetic inspired by Tolkien’s own drawings”.
The Last of Us Part 1
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release date: September 2, 2022
The Last of Us Part 1 is described as the definitive version of the original game, with updated visuals, facial animations, expanded accessibility options, improved combat, and more. In fact, Naughty Dog says it’s a true overhaul that will bring the journey that first introduced us to Ellie and Joel to the PS5 without “being encumbered by technology”. With a debut trailer at the Summer Game Fest, we’ve already seen glimpses of changes to the character models and more.
Overwatch 2
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Activision
Release date: October 4, 2022 (Early Access)
Overwatch 2 is now gunning for an October 4 early access release date – a fact confirmed during the Xbox and Bethesda Games showcase at E3 2022. There, we were treated to some new gameplay footage of the multiplayer team-based first-person shooter, and were likewise shown a new hero expected to make their debut at launch. Junker Queen, a character who’s long been rumored to enter the Overwatch fold, is indeed on their way to Overwatch 2 – packing a shotgun as their primary weapon, and a big two-handed axe as backup. As per the game’s initial reveal way back at BlizzCon 2019, Overwatch 2 is expected to lean heavier on its narrative elements by way of its new Story Missions.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Developer: Firaxis Games
Publisher: 2K Games
Release date: October 7, 2022
Firaxis is bringing us a new strategy game but this time it’s not a new XCOM. Instead, we’re getting a Marvel-themed strategy game called Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Teaming up with 12 of Marvel Comics’ iconic heroes in the roster, you play as The Hunter, the very first customizable character in Marvel history. Together you’ll attempt to take down the Mother of Demons, Lillith, in a XCOM / Marvel fusion gameplay scenario.
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Developer: Asobo Studio
Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
Release date: October 18, 2022
The Flight Simulator studio, Asobo, is going back to its original series with a sequel – A Plague Tale: Requiem. The game will follow the original heroes Amicia and Hugo in their quest to survive in the rat-infested city and The Inquisition. With literal seas of rats featured in the game’s reveal trailer, we can only imagine that things have got a lot harder for our brother and sister duo.
Gotham Knights
Developer: WB Games Montreal
Publisher: Warner Bros
Release date: October 25, 2022
The long-awaited WB Games Montreal title is Gotham Knights; an open-world, action RPG set in what the dev is calling the “most dynamic and interactive Gotham City yet”. The big story beat is that Batman is dead, leaving the Gotham Knights (Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Red Hood) to protect the city from its full roster of bad guys. This is a completely original story for the upcoming PS5 games list, rather than any kind of re-enactment of the comics. In terms of villains, we know that the Court of Owls are at least involved, but others including Mr. Freeze will also play a part in the game’s narrative. It features drop-in, drop-out co-op too, with the kind of gameplay you’d expect to see from a Batman: Arkham title.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
Release date: October 28, 2022
Task Force 141 from the 2019 reboot are back for a sequel in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. We’ll be back with Captain Price and co for a story that continues on from where we left them, with the looming threat of Victor Zakhaev and General Shepherd. Details are light right now, beyond those story details and a release date, so stay tuned.
God of War Ragnarok
Developer: Sony Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony
Release date: November 9, 2022
Ragnarok is coming. Yes, a new God of War game is happening and it’s set to land on the PS5 (and PS4) at some point in 2022. During the latest PlayStation September 2021 showcase, we got a proper look at Kratos’ upcoming return in God of War: Ragnarok, and boy was it quite the trailer. Showing a slightly older Atreus, we got to see a host of different creatures, some helpings of combat, and some new characters we’ll meet. In a blog post (opens in new tab), Santa Monica Studio revealed that the realms are harsher, and we’ll be able to test our fighting prowess against new creatures from Norse mythology. It was also revealed that Cory Barlog is not directing this time around, with Eric Williams taking up the helm.
The Callisto Protocol
Developer: Striking Distance
Publisher: Krafton
Release date: December 2, 2022
The spiritual successor to Dead Space in all but name, The Callisto Protocol is a fresh survival horror game coming from new studio Striking Distance, helmed by none other than Glen Schofield. Its aim is to deliver the most-terrifying next-gen horror experience ever, and from what we’ve seen so far of the game, it’s looking likely to deliver. Set on Jupiter’s moon in 2320, there’s a conspiracy to unfold and horrific creatures to face in this third-person story. A great addition to the upcoming PS5 games.
Sonic Frontiers
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: SEGA
Release date: Holiday 2022
Sonic’s going on a brand new adventure, and this time it’s really, really big. You’ll be speeding through Starfall Islands, the location for the game which SEGA is calling ‘open-zoned’, rather than strictly open world. It’s Sonic, but more beautiful than we’ve ever seen it before.
TBC 2022
Star Trek: Resurgence
Developer: Dramatic Labs
Release date: Spring 2022
From Dramatic Labs, a brand new studio made up of former Telltale developers, comes Star Trek: Resurgence. It’s a third-person, choice-driven adventure game set within the Star Trek Universe. You’ll play as two characters, First Officer Jara Rydek and Engineering Crewperson Carter Diaz, on the U.S.S Resolute, as they attempt to solve a sinister mystery that involves two alien races on the brink of war. You’ll meet new and returning characters in this tale too, so if you’re a Star Trek fan, this is worth paying attention to.
Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core Reunion
Developer: In-house
Publisher: Square Enix
Release date: Winter 2022
Square Enix is developing a remaster of Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core, the beloved Final Fantasy 7 prequel which released for PSP back in 2008. Set to launch later this year, Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is set to feature updated 3D models, HD graphics, full voiceovers, and new music arrangements.
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed
Developer: Illfonic
Release date: TBC 2022
Illfonic – the developer behind Friday the 13th game – is delivering another co-op horror adventure, but this time it’s Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. You’ll have to join up with other Ghostbusters to chase and trap ghosts across a variety of locations before they escape. Players will also be the ghosts, capable of hiding, sneaking, scaring, and more – including some slime action.
Goodbye Volcano High
Developer: KO_OP
Release date: TBC 2022
The developers behind Goodbye Volcano High announced that the narrative direction of the story has had a reboot (opens in new tab) since we first saw the initial game reveal. Now pushed back to 2022 with a new team of writers, it’ll be exciting to see how the story shapes up. Described as a cinematic, choice-based experience with a non-binary protagonist called Fang and a lovely art style, Goodbye Volcano High looks like one to watch out for.
Open Roads
Developer: Fullbright
Publisher: Annapurna
Release date: TBC 2022
The latest title from Fullbright (Gone Home, Tacoma) is Open Roads. It follows a mother and daughter who set out on a road trip adventure to discover a series of abandoned family properties to discover a mystery and secrets about their own kin long buried. Like previous Fullbright games, there’s a big emphasis on interactive narrative, but this time we’ll be exploring multiple destinations and chilling in the car en route between them too.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Developer: Massive Entertainment
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release date: TBC 2022
After years of silence, we now have a name, a trailer, and a vague release date for Ubisoft’s Avatar title. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is coming sometime in 2022 and is a standalone story from any of the movies. This first-person, action-adventure sees you play as a Na’vi and journey across the Western Frontier, which is a part of Pandora not seen before. You’ll have to use your surroundings and try to survive against the onslaught of RDA forces.
Hogwarts Legacy
Developer: Avalanche
Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
Release date: TBC 2022
Set before the events of the books in the 1800s at the famous Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry and the world beyond, Hogwarts Legacy is described as an open-world RPG that will take you on an adventure in the Harry Potter universe. Added to the list of upcoming PS5 games for 2022 after a delay, Adrian Ropp, head of Avalance, wrote in a blog post (opens in new tab) on PlayStation’s official website that the next-gen console will let create immersive experiences that will let “a player practically feel the terror of Inferi bearing down upon them” or “sense the ground rumbling beneath them as a heard of angry centaurs surrounds them”.
Little Devil Inside
Developer: Neostream Interactive
Release date: TBC 2022
Little Devil Inside first began life on Kickstarter back in 2015. Fast forward five years later and we see a debut trailer during the PS5 reveal stream with the news that it will be a timed exclusive. As an RPG with survival elements, Little Devil inside is set in the “Victorian-like” era in a semi-open world. The trailer showed off a whole host of monsters and also gave us brief glimpses of some of the combat elements and features. It was easily one of the biggest surprises of the recent showcase.
Forever Skies
Developer: Far From Home
Publisher: Far From Home
Release date: TBC 2022
New studio Far From Home is coming swinging out of the gates with an ambitious project that depicts a world devastated by climate change after humanity’s inaction. Forever Skies sees the player descend into a now environmentally-hostile Earth inside an advanced zeppelin. There will be light combat, but it’s mostly about surviving through resource management, crafting, and puzzle-solving. The aircraft itself will also be key to your survival and could hold the answer to repairing the ecological damage done to Earth. The studio is made up of developers from Techland (Dying Light, Dead Island), The Farm 51 (Chernobylite), Bloober Team (Layers of Fear, Blair Witch), and Larian Studios (Divinity: Original Sin, Baldur’s Gate 3), so plenty of reputable talent is on board, making Forever Skies even more enticing.
2023
Forspoken
Developer: Luminous Productions
Publisher: Square Enix
Release date: January 24, 2023
Where do we start with Forspoken? This game that was “designed for PlayStation 5,” is a console exclusive from Square Enix, and it looks beautiful. The protagonist is seen leaping across cliffs, attacking huge wolves with tree root-esque abilities, and overlooking a gorgeous cloud-filled landscape from the top of a mountain. What’s more is that famed screenwriter and author Gary Whitta (Star Wars: Rogue One, The Walking Dead) is in charge of a team of “A-list writers” working on the game, which means it could be something very special indeed.
Dead Space Remake
Developer: Motive
Publisher: EA
Release date: January 27, 2023
Motive Studios is bringing us a Dead Space Remake, “rebuilt” from the bones of the source material, aka one of the best horror games of all time. That includes, obviously, beautiful graphics, but also the removal of loading screens. The developer has also clarified it will remain microtransaction-free.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Developer: In-house
Publisher: Capcom
Release date: March 24, 2023
Resident Evil 4 is getting a remake and it’s already got a release date. It’s set to be a reimagining of the original game, rather than a like-for-like remake. According to Capcom, the developer is “reimagining the storyline of the game while keeping the essence of its direction, modernizing the graphics and updating the controls to a modern standard”. From the trailer we’ve had so far, it’s going to be stunning – and horrific.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
Developer: A44
Publisher: Kepler
Release date: Early 2023
An open-world action role-player, Flintlock is being made by Ashen developer A44. Blending up close and personal melee axe play and firearms at range, this third person adventure looked stunning during its gameplay showcase at E3 2022, and we can’t wait to see more between now and its tentative “early 2023” release date. Starring protagonist Nor and her companion, Enki, the pair are said to “embark on an epic journey of vengeance, gunpowder, and magic in humanity’s last stand.” Sound good? We think so too.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Developer: Rocksteady
Publisher: Warner Bros
Release date: Spring 2023
Rocksteady is continuing its work on the Batman: Arkham series but taking a detour into Suicide Squad territory. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a brand new sotry, with 1-4 player co-op, an evil Superman, and four playable characters. These take the form of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark, all of which come with their own unique weapons, and the option to switch between them at any time.
Final Fantasy 16
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Release date: Summer 2023
Yes, Final Fantasy 16 has officially been confirmed and it’s set to be a PlayStation console exclusive that will come to the PS5. Produced by Final Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida and directed by Hiroshi Takai, the debut trailer was revealed during the most recent PS5 showcase, giving us our first proper look at the next installment. We don’t know too much about where it will take us just yet, but the trailer does mention how the “Crystals shaped our world.” More information is set to come in 2021.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Developer: In-house
Publisher: Square Enix
Release date: TBC 2023
Looking to continue the adventures of Final Fantasy 7 Remake? Cloud is set to return in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in 2023, which is the official title for the second game in Square Enix’s ambitious remake trilogy of the beloved RPG. Information is light on the ground, but the publisher has confirmed that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be out “Winter 2023” for PS5.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Developer: Gameloft
Publisher: Gameloft
Release date: TBC 2023 (Early Access Beta September 6, 2022)
Disney Dreamlight Valley is set to let us live our best Disney life as we live alongside and help a host of different characters from Disney and Pixar. With some Animal Crossing vibes to it, you’ll be able to do various activities such as fishing, discover stories, explore, take on quests, and unlock new areas as you try to help the residents who have been affected by what’s known as the ‘Forgetting’. The life sim adventure is set to launch in full as a free-to-play experience sometime in 2023, with an early access beta set to go live in September for those who purchase the Founders Pack.
Aliens: Dark Descent
Developer: Tindalos Interactive
Publisher: Focus Interactive
Release date: TBC 2023
Aliens: Dark Descent will see you commanding a group of Colonial Marines who are trying to stop a Xenomorph outbreak on Moon Lethe. You’ll not only have to fight the titular aliens though, as you’ll also face rogue operatives from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation and entirely new terrors never-before-seen in the Alien franchise. You’ll need to be strategic with your squad, manage your resources, and weigh up your risks in this strategy game.
Diablo 4
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Activision
Release date: 2023
As per its gameplay outing during E3 2022, Diablo 4 looks dark, foreboding and terrifying – which is exactly everything we want from Blizzard’s upcoming dungeon crawling action role-playing game. With five classes available at launch in its Necromancers, Barbarians, Sorceresses, Rogues, and Druids, this looks every bit a sequel ten years in the making, and now with a loose 2023 launch date, we’re certain fans of the series are as excited now as ever. First officially revealed at BlizzCon 2019, expect more and more of this in the coming months as Diablo 4 marches towards launch.
Layers of Fears
Developer: Bloober Team
Publisher: Aspyr
Release date: TBC 2023
Settle in for the evening and prepare for another country retreat in the Layers of Fear universe. Layers of Fears (that’s plural) is an updated and enhanced version of Bloober Team’s OG horror venture from 2016, Layers of Fear, that folds in its ‘Inheritance’ DLC and the original’s indirect sequel, Layers of Fear 2. Built in Unreal Engine 5, the old Shining-esque mansion is more terrifying than you remember, but houses a similar number of melting paintings and mind-bending haunted hallways. Said to expand on the original game’s story, expect even more psychedelic, toe-curling horror when Layers of Fears lands at some point in 2023.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release date: TBC 2023
During the September 2021 PlayStation showcase, a surprise trailer dropped for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, coming exclusively to PS5 sometime in 2023. As a sequel that’s set to continue on the journey of both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, who could forget seeing another very familiar face. Yes, Venom is going to feature as the villain of the new web-slinging adventures. In a blog post (opens in new tab), Sony and Insomniac also confirmed that there will be shiny new suits, new abilities, and a very human story at the heart of your superhero antics.
Street Fighter 6
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release date: TBC 2023
Street Fighter 6 has now had a full reveal, following on from the rather steamy teaser. It’s going to feature three different modes. Fighting Ground is your classic Street Fighter experience, but that’s going to be complimented by World Tour, which is an immersive single-player campaign. There’s also a Battle Hub too, which furthers the multiplayer experience.
Pragmata
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release date: TBC 2023
Capcom revealed a mysterious new game called Pragmata that leaves more questions than it answers, but certainly piqued a lot of interest when it was added to the upcoming PS5 games list. Described as a “thought-provoking game”, the trailer shows someone in what looks like a space suit in a futuristic setting, where they encounter a young girl and holo-cat. While it won’t be coming until 2022, we’re certainly eager to learn more about this rather enigmatic adventure.
Tchia
Developer: Awaceb
Publisher: Awaceb
Release date: TBC 2023
Tchia is a charming indie gem set to arrive on PS5 sometime in 2022. From developer Awaceb, the open-world tropical adventure is inspired by New Caledonia, and includes some very interesting abilities – such a soul jumping power that lets protagonist Tchia take control of objects and animals. During the PlayStation showcase, we got to see how you can become a dog and even a coconut as you explore the sandbox world. Along with free-climbing, and playing a tune on your ukulele, Tchia certainly looks like one to watch out for.
Alan Wake 2
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: Epic Games
Release date: TBC 2023
Alan Wake is finally getting a sequel, and this time it’s going to be a survival horror game, but with a very familiar face and voice returning as the titular hero himself. According to Remedy, you should expect a “chilling experience with familiar psychological horror elements”.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Publisher: EA
Release date: TBC 2023
Cal Kestis and BD-1 are back in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the follow-up to the brilliant Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Set five years after the original game, it seems like something rather sinister is going down in Star Wars town. Although details are light beyond the teaser trailer, it seems Cal’s lightsaber has fallen into the wrong hands, and things aren’t great for our Jedi in hiding.
TBC
Marvel’s Wolverine
Developer: Insomniac
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release date: TBC
Undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises of the PlayStation September 2021 showcase came in the shape of those famous adamantium claws belonging to none other than Wolverine. Yes, a new standalone Wolverine game is currently in early development. While we’re light on details for the moment, we do know Brian Horton is Wolverine’s creative director and Cameron Christian is game director. Horton was creative director on Spider-Man Miles Morales and has also worked on games such as Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider. Christian previously worked on Spider-Man and Spider-Man Miles Morales, as well as other titles such as Sunset Overdrive. Insomniac revealed (opens in new tab) its goal is to “respect the DNA of what makes the character so popular, but also try to make it feel fresh” and reflect the studio’s spirit.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake
Developer: Aspyr
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment and Lucasfilms Games
Release date: TBC
After many rumors began to circulate, the latest Sony showcase confirmed that a remaster of BioWare’s beloved Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is on the way and it’s coming to PS5. Aspyr and Sony Interactive Entertainment are working with Lucasfilm Games to rebuild the classic adventure, which promises (opens in new tab) to bring KOTOR to a new generation with “modern tech, features, visuals, and more, while maintaining the integrity of the story and characters” so many have come to love.
Indiana Jones
Developer: MachineGames
Publisher: Lucasfilm Games / Bethesda
Release date: TBC
Bethesda studio MachineGames is working on a brand new Indiana Jones game, in conjunction with the newly established Lucasfilm Games. All we’ve had so far is a tiny teaser trailer, which is more matte painting than gameplay footage. But, from it, we’ve deduced that it’s probably set in Rome in 1937, which would place the game after Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Temple of Doom, and yet before The Last Crusade. It seems to involve ancient stone circles and standing stones, and potentially even a lost race of giant cyclops. Bethesda says we’ll be waiting a while for more info though – including 100% confirmation of whether it is on PS5, seeing as it’s a Bethesda game.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
Developer: Hardsuit Labs
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Release date: TBC
Looking for a game with a bit of extra bite? Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 puts you in the seedy underbelly of Seattle, which should suit you just fine as a vampire ready to test out your new fangs. Turned as an act of vampire terrorism during the ‘Mass Embrace’, you’ll soon get caught up in vampire faction politics, where you’re still just trying to deal with your new way of life. This is an RPG at its core too, filled with player choices, a strong narrative, and branching dialogue options too.
Ubisoft’s open-world Star Wars game
Developer: Massive Entertainment
Publisher: Ubisoft / Lucasfilm Games
Release date: TBC
Another fresh title coming out of the new Lucasfilm Games, this is an open-world Star Wars title from Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment. We don’t know much about the Ubisoft Star Wars game yet, as it’s clearly in very early stages of development, but it will run on Massive’s custom Snowdrop Engine. We’re expecting it to be a photorealistic action-adventure with sprinklings of RPG elements, a la The Division, but obviously set in Star Wars lore. No platforms have officially been confirmed, but expect it to be released on PS5 whenever it does arrive.
Project 007
Developer: IO Interactive
Publisher: IO Interactive
Release date: TBC
IO Interactive is gearing up to tell the origin story for James Bond in a brand new game currently titled Project 007. Although details are scarce, and an official name is yet to be revealed, what we do know is that it’s going to be an entirely original James Bond story – so not tied to the novels or films. Hakan Abrak, CEO of IO says that it is “the most ambitious game in the history of our studio”. Exciting times ahead.
Elder Scrolls 6
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda
Release date: TBC
Ah, the Elder Scrolls 6 (opens in new tab). The 37-second trailer that blew the world’s mind at E3 2018. The game that we know nothing about beyond this same trailer, that is in development somewhere within Bethesda Game Studios along with Starfield. Because it is so far away from release, you can bet your bottom coin that it’s going to appear – at some point – on the PS5 (although hopefully not whatever the PS6 could be).
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA
Release date: TBC
Although technically no platforms have been announced for Dragon Age 4 – or whatever the next Dragon Age is officially called – at this point it would seem odd not to think of it as an upcoming PS5 game. We may not have a release date yet, but at least we know that Solas and co are making a return at some point in the future. What we have seen is some glorious concept art, and the confirmation that it will continue on from where Dragon Age: Inquisition left off.
New Mass Effect
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA
Release date: TBC
It might be quite a way off release, but that isn’t going to stop us being ridiculously overexcited for a brand new Mass Effect game – aka Mass Effect 5. Seemingly picking up after the events of Mass Effect 3, we’ll be seeing some old faces return and some plot lines picked back up. Of course, the big question of whether Shepard will return remains, but we’re ready for everything.
Atomic Heart
Developer: Mundfish
Publisher: Mundfish
Release date: TBC
Horror fans should rejoice to hear that Mundfish is bringing Atomic Heart to next-gen consoles. The wild-looking sci-fi horror game only rears its grotesque head every so often, but when it does, the world collectively gasps with shock and intrigue. Its monsters are unforgettable, we’ve already seen a good range of unique alien weapons, and the story already has us asking more questions than we have answers. Atomic Heart looks incredibly ambitious for a smaller studio, and we can’t wait to see if it lands the jump on PS5.
Quantum Error
Developer: TeamKill Media
Publisher: TeamKill Media
Release date: TBC
A multiple Future Games Show alum, Quantum Error is an upcoming next-gen sci-fi horror shooter coming to PS5 at an undisclosed date. With shades of Half-Life, Doom, and Dead Space, you’ll control a skilled fireman from a first-person perspective as you hack at and blast away deep space mutants. Watching the recent 4K PS5 trailer (opens in new tab) from the Future Games Show, you’d never believe a team of just four developers is working on Quantum Error.
The post Upcoming PS5 games: All the new PS5 games for 2022 and beyond appeared first on Game News.
]]>The post Vampire The Masquerade Swansong Leysha premonition choice appeared first on Game News.
]]>Spoilers for Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong ahead, obviously
Should you stay focused or give in to the premonition?
When you begin playing as Leysha, you’ll immediately be thrown into some espionage work by Prince Iversen, as she asks you to spy on the Primogen council members to see if they’re up to no good behind her back. Using her Mask of Stealth invisibility, Leysha will find Journey and Emem in Jara Drory’s apartment and will try to eavesdrop on their conversation, only to be interrupted by an incoming premonition. This is a timed choice, so you’ll need to decide if you’ll stay focused and suppress the premonition or give in to it quickly!
Stay focused
Take Journey to the Prince or run?
Here are the outcomes of the Vampire The Masquerade Swansong take Journey to the Prince or run choice
If you decide to stay focused, you’ll miss the premonition, but it’ll also mean you get to eavesdrop on Emem and Journey’s conversation. While you don’t see this unfold, the result of the earlier take Journey to the Prince choice you made will have an effect on what’s to come for Leysha and Emem.
After you’ve done your spy work as Leysha, you’ll return to the Prince for the end-of-Scene debrief where you can explain what you’ve learned. Regardless of what you chose, Leysha will always share that she saw Emem and Journey in Jara Drory’s apartment. However, by choosing to stay focused, Leysha will also reveal that Emem told Journey that she must bring Journey to the Prince. You’ll get another less important dialogue choice with options that depend on how you reacted to finding Journey as Emem.
If you previously told Journey to run as Emem and engaged in the Confrontation, you’ll then get the choice as Leysha to expose Emem’s attempt to convince Journey to leave, or keep that hidden from the Prince by saying nothing. These options appear even if Emem loses the Confrontation and Journey decides to see the Prince anyway.
If you decide to share that Emem tried to convince Journey to leave, Emem will be directly confronted by the Prince in her debrief, leaving Emem to either admit to it or lie. We haven’t been able to check exactly what happens if you say nothing as Leysha, but we assume it means Emem’s debrief with the Prince goes one of two ways. It could go well since Emem will bring Journey and the Prince will have no idea that Emem tried to convince Journey to leave – a win-win for Emem and Prince Iversen. The alternative is that Emem has a more hostile meeting with the Prince as she will question why Journey isn’t with Emem, although the Prince will also have no idea that it’s because Emem convinced her to run. Emem will then have to either confess or lie in one of a few ways with mixed results.
Give in to the premonition
Alternatively, if you decide to give in to the Leysha’s premonition, you’ll miss Emem and Journey’s conversation entirely. Instead, you’ll see a cryptic vision of spent shotgun shells outside a large tent, which then shows Leysha inside kneeling on the ground with a bloody crucifix-like symbol on her forehead. Leysha will refocus just after Emem and Journey have left Jara Drory’s apartment. As a reward for seeing the premonition through, you’ll get the Introspective Trait for Leysha which subtracts 20 experience from the cost of your next Auspex Discipline upgrade.
During Leysha’s debrief with the Prince, you’ll be able to reveal all the information you learned from your spying, including that you had a premonition. Although the vague details of it seem to leave the Prince confused, she is at least pleased to hear Leysha is having visions again. Soon after, you’ll get to decide if you want to reveal that you saw Emem and Journey but the premonition stopped you from hearing the conversation, or you can avoid mentioning Emem and Journey entirely.
If you tell the Prince that you saw Emem and Journey but couldn’t hear what they were saying, the Prince will just say that it’s too bad and nothing to worry about. Similar to one of the outcomes for the ‘stay focused’ choice, we assume that saying nothing during this dialogue means Emem’s debrief with the Prince can go well or poorly based on your previous actions as Emem. If you bring Journey in, the Prince be happy that you’ve obeyed her orders and will have no idea that the pair were even spotted by Leysha. If you convince Journey to run away, the Prince will question why Journey isn’t there, leaving Emem to confess or lie.
Vampire The Masquerade Swansong Prince Primogen decision | Feed on the vessel in Vampire The Masquerade Swansong | Find Journey in Vampire The Masquerade Swansong | Jara Drory’s intel in Vampire The Masquerade Swansong | Jara Drory’s laptop code in Vampire The Masquerade Swansong
The post Vampire The Masquerade Swansong Leysha premonition choice appeared first on Game News.
]]>The post The indie game that contributed to Portal 2 is now on Steam appeared first on Game News.
]]>As first reported by PCGamesN (opens in new tab) , Tag: The Power of Paint is now entirely free to play and keep over on Steam. For those unfamiliar with the game, it blends puzzling and platforming together with the power of paint, as you spray various colors around an environment to proceed through a level.
If you don’t know the extensive history behind Valve’s highly influential Portal games, both the original and the sequel have deep ties to indie games. In the case of Portal 2 though, Valve saw what the student team was up to on Tag: The Power of Paint after it was lauded with a bunch of awards, and actually hired the developers.
From there, the team was tasked with implementing mechanics and concepts from Tag: The Power of Paint into what would become Portal 2. This then ended up becoming the gel system for the brilliant sequel, and an idea that originated from a group of students ended up taking form in Valve’s sequel.
Nowadays, you can actually play Portal 2 on the go, as it was the first game to become “Steam Deck Verified” for Valve’s latest gaming device late last year. Elsewhere, you can check out Portal 2: Desolation, the fan-made sequel to Valve’s sequel that you’ve probably been waiting an incredibly long time for.
Check out our list of the best games like Portal and Portal 2 if you’re looking for some amazingly mind-bending levels to puzzle your way through.
The post The indie game that contributed to Portal 2 is now on Steam appeared first on Game News.
]]>The post LEGO Bricktales is Bridge Constructor meets Kerbal Space Simulator for the LEGO generation appeared first on Game News.
]]>“We felt very strongly about sticking to the vision of creating LEGO building puzzles, embedding them in dioramas that are fully built out of LEGO, and then tying it all together with a charming story. Each of those aspects could keep you busy for a game of its own, but the trifecta of it made for an incredibly complex project where we constantly had to juggle and balance those three things,” says game designer Tri Do Dinh. “I don’t think a day passes where we don’t uncover some new challenge to solve.”
Learning to play
There’s a reason why Tri Do Dinh rates the complexity of building LEGO Bricktales an ’11’ on a difficulty scale of 1-10, and that’s because it’s open-ended by design. The game employs a neat trick, wherein all of the puzzles are solved by utilizing a brick-by-brick building mechanic. You’ll have to physically piece together creations and, naturally, the instruction manuals aren’t included – probably tucked away in the same cupboard that has since swallowed the boxes that once housed the vast assortment of pieces available to you.
It’s an ambitious and playful mechanic, one that Do Dinh believes gets to the heart of the franchise itself. “It started with us trying to answer the fundamental question of ‘What makes LEGO… LEGO?’ Drawing from our own experience, it became clear that building, especially the freedom to build your own thing, was a huge part of it. You give 10 people the same set of bricks and tell them to build something, you’ll get 10 wonderfully unique things back. So it became a mission of sorts to capture that essence of LEGO in a digital game.”
LEGO Bricktales has been in development for over three years, and the studio is still working to refine its building mechanic, scrutinize its puzzle design, and strengthen the script to ensure jokes land with aplomb. But the team has been spurred on, not only because the polished product looks wicked cute, but because it has the full backing of the LEGO Group itself. “Back in 2018, LEGO contacted us via email,” says Marcel Aldrup, external producer at Thunderful Games. “They were impressed by our portfolio and followed the great success we had with our release Bridge Constructor Portal.”
Image 1 of 5
Image 1 of 5
Image 1 of 5
Image 1 of 5
Image 1 of 5
Image 1 of 5
Future Games Show
LEGO Bricktales was revealed at the Future Game Show. For more from the showcase, check out our recap of everything announced at the Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2022.
“We felt very honored being contacted by the biggest toy company in the world, manufacturing toys we all played with as kids and even as adults. We met with LEGO in Billund, Denmark, shortly after to discuss potential ways of collaboration. There was no concrete project planned around that time, but all parties involved agreed to have a game with the focus on brick-by-brick building. Based on this we started working on a prototype and after some iterations came up with the concept for LEGO Bricktales.”
When that prototyping began in earnest way back in 2019, Do Dinh says the challenge Clockstone had on its hands quickly dawned on the team. “We realized that going from tactile bricks in 3D and using your hands, to a 2D screen with a mouse, gamepad, or touch controls was an incredible challenge. The trail to what we have now is littered with countless experiments, dead-ends, presentational flourishes, and interesting under-the-hood algorithms that govern how you build with bricks. Some massive changes happened up to the beginning of this year, just to illustrate how it’s been such an ongoing process of trying to get it right.”
What we saw at the Future Games Show underscores how the effort is paying dividends down the line. While some puzzles are solved by building aesthetically-pleasing creations – such as market stands and music boxes, depending on the needs of the biome – some situations can only be resolved by physically piecing together functional physics-based vehicles, like a crane or a gyrocopter. Clockstone and Thunderful have gone above and beyond to bottle the spirit of LEGO and ship it to us in Bricktales.
One brick at a time
You’ll know Clockstone Studio for the eminently popular Bridge Constructor – along with its collaborative spin-offs, Stunts, Medieval, Playground, The Walking Dead, and of course Portal. My first thought after viewing the trailer… okay, second thought, but because the first was ‘oh damn, this is adorable’, was that LEGO Bricktales looked like a smart combination of the ideas behind Bridge Constructor and Kerbal Space Simulator fashioned together by thousands of individual LEGO pieces.
“Oh, that’s an interesting comparison,” says Do Dinh. “Bricktales definitely carries Bridge Constructor DNA, which was essentially the launching point for the game idea. And while I can’t say that Kerbal Space Program was a particular inspiration, it does have parallels, because with our puzzles we had to think about building things out of LEGO that fulfill a certain function, rather than just being built for aesthetics.”
“So you start thinking about: how do you even define ‘function’? What kind of goals can a LEGO construction fulfill? But we also came to understand that LEGO is very much a thing of its own and thrives by covering that space between building something that fulfills a goal and something that is visually pleasing, so that makes it unique.”
Speaking of unique, we have to touch on the biomes that LEGO Bricktales’ puzzles are set within. They are gorgeous, detailed, and all fully built from LEGO bricks. There are five biomes in the game at launch – you’ll see a dense jungle, sun-drenched desert, a bustling city corner, a towering medieval castle, and tropical Caribbean islands – each of which is full of secrets to find, challenges to complete, and fun characters to meet. Well, help is often the case with the LEGO minifigures who inhibit these spaces.
Image 1 of 3
Image 1 of 3
Image 1 of 3
Image 1 of 3
“Each biome consists of a series of dioramas that have this particular cube-like format and are fully built out of LEGO”
Tri Do Dinh, game designer
“We wanted to create worlds that you would really enjoy exploring as a LEGO minifigure. Each biome consists of a series of dioramas that have this particular cube-like format and are fully built out of LEGO, because we felt it would really leverage that unique and intricate visual style that LEGO has. Like every diorama is a detailed art piece that you’d enjoy looking at all by itself,” says Do Dinh.
“As for the selection, we went for a nice variation. On the one hand making sure we cover a wide spectrum of atmospheres, on the other hand also paying homage to classical LEGO themes like medieval, city, or pirates while putting our own spin to it. Making the selection was tough, because there were so many other themes that intrigued us but had to be put on a waiting list.”
Helping the minifigures you help out of precarious situations will reward you with skill unlocks, and each of these spaces will have their own unique construction spots and sets of bricks that you can play with too. “The game encourages players to use their imagination and creativity to unlock new skills that can help them progress to new levels,” says Kate Bryant, head of the LEGO Group’s games portfolio. “This new digital experience is rooted in the creative, playful joy that comes from building and problem-solving using LEGO bricks.”
It’ll be up to you to figure out who everything can click into place, giving you the scope and space to play – working as a makeshift engineer to build bridges to get a digger across a river, or an expert carpenter to build a throne fit for a king. LEGO Bricktales sounds as weird and wonderful as it does imaginative and creative – we can’t wait to see more of it in action.
LEGO Bricktales is expected to launch in 2022 on PC. While you’re waiting, why not check out the best Lego sets or one of the best Lego games.
The post LEGO Bricktales is Bridge Constructor meets Kerbal Space Simulator for the LEGO generation appeared first on Game News.
]]>The post Temple Run returns with a new match-3 game exclusive to Apple Arcade appeared first on Game News.
]]>Developer Imangi says Temple Run: Puzzle Adventure has been in the works for over two years and will arrive this week bearing over 1,000 levels (exact release times may vary depending on your region). Rather than another infinite runner, the spiritual successor leans into the – you guessed it – match-3 puzzle archetype that’s dominated mobile puzzle games for years, which may delight or dismay fans of the original depending on how their gaming habits have changed in the – checks notes – eight years since Temple Run 2 came out.
Early Temple Run: Puzzle Adventure gameplay has begun to pop up online. This intro video from Youtube user Azeemjaffer Gaming shows off the match-3 basics you’d expect as well as some achievements and gadgets thrown into the mix. The official app store listing (opens in new tab) also confirms that temple runner and lead character Scarlett Fox is back, and with a cute, cartoony look.
Apple Arcade seemed pretty promising from the get-go, but it’s become a powerhouse of mobile titles in the past year especially. The subscription service recently snapped up a cancelled Castlevania game and Platinum Games’ new action game World of Demons, and the addition of a new Temple Run, a series which has been known as a staple time killer for years, may put another strong feather in its cap.
Here are the best Apple Arcade games to make the most of your subscription.
The post Temple Run returns with a new match-3 game exclusive to Apple Arcade appeared first on Game News.
]]>The post Among Us saw around 2 million players over the weekend appeared first on Game News.
]]>Among Us has seen around 2 million players jump into the game over the weekend. This impressive figure follows after the game going free for a limited time last week during the Epic Games Store sale. Victoria Tran, Innersloth’s community director shared the results on Twitter (opens in new tab) (via PCgamesN (opens in new tab)) showing a spike in players over the weekend starting May 27, 2021.
Showing a normal weekend specifically for PC players, the player count usually sits around 300k to 350k players. The sale that started last week saw that number shoot up. Tran showed a chart that climbs to around 2 million players.
While these are just statistics for PC players, the game is also available on mobile devices, Xbox for PC, and a surprise release on Nintendo Switch. It will be heading to PS4 and PS5 this year with some in-game Ratchet and Clank-themed costumes as well as Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
and here it is when it went free on Epic, May 27thnotes:- this shows PC players only- not all new players, many people grab Among Us on as many platforms as they can and were probably testing it out – long weekend for Americans, possibly more ppl playing/giving small boost pic.twitter.com/wUag8a4i7AMay 31, 2021
See more
A new Airship map has recently been added to the game which introduces not only a new playing field but also some new tasks to complete. So there has been plenty for players to sink their teeth into.
Among Us hitting 2 million players in a weekend is pretty impressive, especially given how the game saw a player count of almost half a billion in 2020 alone. This popularity saw famous faces such as Resident Evil voice actors playing the game and even US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Its huge success during the global pandemic found the developer canceling plans to make a sequel and instead, pouring their efforts into improving the current game. This has already seen numerous quality of life updates such as a quick-chat wheel and an updated art style, and bigger lobbies on the way.
There have been different versions of the game appearing in other games to spread the game’s Imposter-filled joy, such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Minecraft, and even in VR.
Fancy getting a bit sneaky yourself? Find out the best ways to play as the Imposter with our Among Us Impostor tips guide.
The post Among Us saw around 2 million players over the weekend appeared first on Game News.
]]>The post The Witness Walkthrough & Puzzle Guide appeared first on Game News.
]]>To beat them, you’ll first have to understand their rules, which can often be inferred from the puzzles themselves or by observing the area surrounding the panels. There are also mysterious recorded messages tucked away in various places, which may (or may not) help explain what is going on. For every area in The Witness walkthrough we’ll give you hints for how to get started, which will then lead on to full puzzle solutions for each panel if you’re still struggling to crack the code.
- Read more: Hidden images in The Witness
A quick note on controls, as these aren’t really explained within the game:
L1 or L2 / LB or LT – sprint when walking
L1 or R1 / LB or RB – quickly switch between panels if they’re in a row
R2 / RT – speed up drawing the line on panels
Circle / B – reset the line on panels
Select a location below to get started…
Table of Contents:
Opening Garden
Blue & Green Panels
Pink Trees
Pottery (Symmetry)
Orange Trees (Shady Trees)
Sun Temple (Desert Ruin)
Hedge Maze (Keep)
Pressure Pad Maze
Red Tree Temple (Monastery)
Greenhouse (Bunker)
Marsh
Treehouses
Quarry
Bamboo Forest (Jungle)
Town
Mountain
Mountain Challenge
Secret Rooms
Windmill & Video Player
Secret Ending
Current page:
The Witness: Walkthrough Introduction
Next Page The Witness: Opening Garden
The post The Witness Walkthrough & Puzzle Guide appeared first on Game News.
]]>The post Valves Artifact “reboot” is so large, its internally being called Artifact 2, says Gabe Newell appeared first on Game News.
]]>As part of Edge Magazine (opens in new tab)‘s all-access trip to Valve HQ in Bellevue, Washington, the studio’s founder and CEO looked back on the failures of its 2018 card game, and how it plans to respond to its first major flop.
Get five issues of Edge for $5 / £5
This feature first appeared in Edge Magazine. If you want more great long-form games journalism like this every month, delivered straight to your tablet or phone, you can get five issues for $5 / £5 (opens in new tab) while this amazing offer lasts.
“Artifact was an interesting failure in its first go-round.” Newell tells Edge, “We were surprised. We thought that it was a really strong product.”
“We ran an experiment, we got a negative result, and now we need to see if we’ve learned anything from that, so let’s try again,” he says. “And that’s what [the Artifact team] have been doing and that’s what they’re getting ready to release. Based on the reaction to it, what was wrong with the product? How did we get there? Let’s fix those things and take another run at it.”
Edge reports that, internally, the follow-up to Artifact is being referred to as Artifact 2, though it’s unclear if this will be a full blown sequel, a No Man’s Sky (opens in new tab)-style comeback, or something else entirely, but Newell stresses that Valve has “to do a larger reboot in order to justify its existence to customers and to markets.”
Valve is days away from the release of its virtual reality Half-Life prequel, Half-Life: Alyx (opens in new tab), and you can read all about that – as well as Newell’s thoughts on the Epic Game Store and Steam Machines – in the latest issue of Edge Magazine (opens in new tab), on sale Thursday 26th March in stores, with an early digital release on Monday 23rd March.
You can subscribe to Edge magazine for 5 issues for $5 / £5 (opens in new tab) on tablet / phone, and have the full 34-page Valve special edition as your first issue.
The post Valves Artifact “reboot” is so large, its internally being called Artifact 2, says Gabe Newell appeared first on Game News.
]]>The post The Sinking City is a supernatural open-world for fans of lateral thought appeared first on Game News.
]]>Save up to 51% on Official PlayStation Magazine subscriptions
This feature first appeared in Official PlayStation Magazine. Get the latest PlayStation news on your doorstep early and for a better price! Subscribe to OPM here (opens in new tab).
Official PlayStation Magazine: In 2016’s Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter (opens in new tab) you experimented with more open areas, but making a full city
is something else. How did you accomplish that?
Wael Amr: The first thing that we had to do was to completely reformat the way that the team was working, change the full organisation of the team, change the experiences, and the way we were working – all without growing the team, actually. And that was a base to be able to create an open city game. I think, in Devil’s Daughter, we had around 800 metres of streets altogether. In The Sinking City, in Oakmont, we have something like 27 kilometres. So, in order to do 800 meters versus 27,000, without growing the number of resources, we had to change everything, and that was a necessary step in order to bring investigations to the open city.
OPM: Can you tell us about the city building tool you used to make Oakmont?
WA: We created a city editor, which was rather prominent because we used it, for example, to create Istanbul in eight hours [at a tech showcase in late 2018] – we use it to create very fast, large environments, and we had a lot of requests from architecture companies and other studios to have a look at the tool. But we also made a character editor, we also made a narration editor to help us very quickly prototype and create new cases.
OPM: Oakmont feels like a city with real history. How did you get that level of subtlety, architecturally?
WA: City creation, the lore, the world building is what gives you this part. In parallel with studying architecture and urbanism we created some world-building. We made the story of Oakmont starting from a million years ago, up to today [the 1920s]. And then we invented the history of Oakmont starting, you know, 2,000 years ago – starting in the 18th century with the settlers arriving. In development we even made maps of Oakmont developing through time in order to understand how the city would have grown from the settlers or even from a Viking settlement, admitting that the Vikings arrived in the US before Christopher Columbus – up to today 1920s, railroads, organised urban planning.
OPM: Considering Lovecraft has some sketchy views regarding race relations, it’s nice to see some of the “monstrous” elements in his works humanised a little. Is this something you did consciously?
WA: I’m sure you know Ukraine [where Frogwares is based] has been having a war for five years. We’ve a lot of IDP – internally displaced people, over a million people. So it’s something that we see very closely, and of course there is the Syrian migrants and Mediterranean migrants situation, and what is the reaction of people that are in power and in control in different countries. And yes, we believe that it actually makes sense that even when the planet is threatened [laughs] people still waste their time on trifles like “are we belonging?” or “should we be together?”
OPM: Why did you decide to work on a Lovecraft game after doing so many based on Sherlock Holmes? What can you do in this new fictional world that you couldn’t before?
WA: There’s a major difference between both universes. Sherlock Holmes, he’s after the truth, and the reality of the truth. In Lovecraft there is probably no “truth”, there is only “significance”, and that makes the detective work at the same time necessary and on the other side maybe useless, because the ending doesn’t really depend on you. So you could say it’s an evolutionary path, but an evolution regarding the free investigation, the concept of having no markers, no task – that is an evolution. Our previous games were location-based, linear and location-based. Here we are letting the player find his way inside the city, look at the addresses, go to the streets, find the addresses.
Want to know how it feels to play? Official PlayStation Magazine investigates in our hands-on preview of The Sinking City on PS4 (opens in new tab)
The post The Sinking City is a supernatural open-world for fans of lateral thought appeared first on Game News.
]]>The post Why Braid, the indie poster boy’s magnum opus, doesn’t Blow us away nearly a decade later appeared first on Game News.
]]>I was destined never to like it, of course. There’s something in my brain that flips an irreversible ‘I hate it’ switch whenever people effuse about the Next Big Thing, because I’m a broken, pathetic man. Nevertheless I did play it in situ, and my thoughts at the time could be summarised as follows: Jonathan Blow is cleverer than me, and he’s reminding me of it with each of these dastardly little puzzles. I don’t like this so I’m going to give up.
But time matures the human condition, and almost a decade after it first bewitched the gaming masses, I thought it might be nice to travel back in time, if you will, to Braid. Hungry for humble pie, ready to admit that my contrarian hard-wiring got in the way of my enjoying an obvious classic. My thoughts upon returning to Braid? Balls. Jonathan Blow is still cleverer than me.
Braid is still a fundamentally challenging game, and I can respect both the intention and the experience of that challenge. It’s difficult by its very nature, because its time-moulding mechanics are intended to deconstruct game design and smash preconceptions, like a watercolour-painted punk rock song about the Mario establishment. That’s how Blow characterised it at the time, actually: a challenge to the status quo.
That’s intrinsically interesting. Sometimes you have to see the status quo challenged in order to really see what it was in the first place, so Blow’s endeavour is a worthy one. And on a level, there’s a perverse enjoyment in pushing and pulling the same kind of pattern-led platform game enemies this way and that with the flow of time, subverting their behaviour for your own advantage. It’s a bit like bringing the console commands up, only more enjoyable. And as mechanics and narrative progress, in admirable harmony, Braid reveals further subversions of the norm: the role of the protagonist, the damsel in distress, and player agency.
But I’m meeting Blow more than halfway there. With all the will in the world, it’d be very hard to argue that the side-scrolling foes and ‘The Princess is in another castle’ damsel-saving actually represented the status quo in 2008, whether you’re talking about gameplay systems or narratives. If Braid had been released in 1992 it’d be a different matter, but this was a post-Gravity Gun age in which Half-Life 2’s devs had empowered us to subvert the shooter norm and use enemies, alive or dead, as ammunition against their colleagues. Post-“would you kindly” too, with Bioshock having thoroughly deconstructed player agency in its narrative the previous year. The biggest games in 2008 were Fallout 3, Left 4 Dead, GTA 4 et al – does Braid really have anything to say about those titles?
I digress. What stands out now in 2017 more than any high-mindedness is how well the art direction and the nuts and bolts of movement and interaction have aged. It’s in that way, with the surrounding hype now long quietened, that Braid is really enjoyable. Tim the time-traveller is still visually distinct, iconic even, and nothing in the intervening years has managed to outdo Braid’s own painterly vision of platforming. Above all, what stands out is the clarity of one creator’s vision, and how uncompromisingly they pursued it. Can’t knock that.
This article originally appeared in Xbox: The Official Magazine. For more great Xbox coverage, you can subscribe here (opens in new tab).
The post Why Braid, the indie poster boy’s magnum opus, doesn’t Blow us away nearly a decade later appeared first on Game News.
]]>