Chinese gaming giant NetEase has taken to Gamescom 2024 to announce its latest title, Floatopia. The newly unveiled game promises to expand the selection of Animal Crossing-like life sims on both PC and consoles.
A newly shared Assassin's Creed Shadows clip shows how the game makes a witty change to the iconic "Leap of Faith" when performed by protagonist Yasuke. Although Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't the first in the series to feature dual protagonists, it takes the concept much further with distinctive playstyles for Naoe and Yasuke, with the former being more stealth-focused and the latter offering more combative and action-oriented gameplay.
Atsuko Tanaka, 61, died on August 20th, 2024, after succumbing to an undisclosed illness. Best known for providing the Japanese voices of Bayonetta, Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft, and Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell, Tanaka worked on countless video games, movies, and anime throughout her career- bringing characters to life with honor and passion.… Read More »Atsuko Tanaka, Bayonetta’s Japanese voice actor, has passed away
Today, in support of SEGA’s return to gamescom 2024, Sonic Team released a new Sonic x Shadow Generations trailer focused on Shadow’s all-new Doom Powers. From surfing on water to flying over obstacles, the trailer is filled with high-speed gameplay and highlights the new abilities, stages such as Chaos Island from Sonic Frontiers, and boss challenges fans can… Read More »Sonic x Shadow Generations trailer showcases Shadow’s Doom Powers
Since its initial release in 2017, roguelike Dead Cells has come a long way- partnering with the likes of Castlevania and Hollow Knight, and delivering update after update at every step. But now, Motion Twin and Evil Empire are preparing to send it off with a bang. Update 35: The End is Near will be… Read More »Dead Cells ends off its 7-year run with last major update
Dune Awakening is a survival online MMO that sets players within the Dune world where Spice is power, and we get to see what players can do to fight for that power with the first actual gameplay footage of the game in action during 2024' Gamescom’s Opening Night Live event, as the video is roughly 5-minutes long.
More gameplay footage of Dune: Awakening during Gamescom Week
Fortunately enough, this is just a taste from developer Funcom as they plan to show 30 minutes of additional gameplay throughout Gamescom week. Those at the show floor will be able to witness new gameplay of the game when you visit the developer’s booth, but for those online, the game will be showcased further through various content creators this week.
“Revealing gameplay for the first time is always a big moment, especially in a game where the interplay between all these systems can create completely unexpected moments, but the team has done an incredible job and we can’t wait to see how the community reacts.” says Joel Bylos, Creative Director of the game at Funcom.
Working closely with both the Herbert Estate and Legendary, Funcom’s Dune: Awakening introduces an alternate history in which Paul Atreides was never born, giving players the opportunity to put the future of Arrakis in their own hands.
Third Dune: Awakening Direct Dated
Funcom is set to show more of the game beyond Gamescom 2024 as they announced a third Dune: Awakening Direct, an online show focused solely on showing more of the game with new gameplay footage and more details about specific features.
A beta for the game is coming but no concrete date has been revealed, but if you’re interested in being part of the beta, you can register through the game’s official website for a chance at getting in.
Dune: Awakening is a long way to go as it’s currently set to release in early 2025 on PC, with the PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S versions to be released at a later date.
During the start of Gamescom 2024, Bethesda and MachineGames revealed that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will launch on December 9, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and on Xbox Game Pass. It was also revealed that it will be time-exclusive as it will eventually come to PlayStation 5 in Spring 2025.
This is an interesting revelation considering that Xbox started the year by making four games come to multiple platforms — Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded. With a big ticket item like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, it gives the impression that any title from Bethesda and anything under the Xbox umbrella could be available on PlayStation and other platforms. Doom: The Dark Ages, is also coming to PlayStation 5.
I recently attended a closed-door digital event hosted by Bethesda, where they showcased new gameplay footage of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. I gained some key insights into MachineGames’ take on Indy’s next globetrotting adventure.
The gameplay presentation wasn’t live but featured a lengthy guided playthrough, highlighting various points in the campaign. This was also the first time we got a glimpse of the game’s UI during gameplay. The interface is clean and simple, displaying essential information: Indy’s primary weapon is shown at the bottom right, while an icon at the bottom left indicates the game’s disguise mechanic, which I’ll discuss further later on.
The Tools of Indiana Jones
At the start of the presentation, the developers explained Indy’s tools, each of which plays a crucial role in the overall gameplay. One standout is Indy’s camera, used to capture key moments during exploration. Players are tasked with taking specific shots, which reward Adventure Points. These points can be used to unlock new perks for Indy. With this mechanic in mind, I can already see myself scouring ruined temples, eagerly snapping photos to rack up points.
As you capture key figures or environmental elements, a pop-up appears on the screen, similar to gaining experience after completing a quest. This seems to be the game’s primary progression system, although MachineGames didn’t go into much detail about what exactly can be unlocked with these points, nor did they show the menu where these points are spent.
Next up is Indy’s iconic whip, which plays a significant role in both traversal and combat. In the new playthrough, the whip was primarily used for swinging Indy across gaps in third-person view. In one instance, the player threw a spear into a wall, creating a makeshift anchor that Indy could use to swing across. While the whip is mostly used for traversal, we also saw it in action during combat, similar to what was shown in the first gameplay trailer released months ago.
Speaking of combat, Indy has his trusty revolver ready for when gunfights break out. The new gameplay footage prominently features gunfights, with Indy even picking up a machine gun dropped by a downed enemy. We also got a closer look at the melee system, which allows players to block incoming attacks and counter with a series of humorous head smacks. It was thrilling to see new footage but I hoping to see more of the combat in it’s most raw form as it wasn’t enough to show off how gunfights will feel in the end.
From what I saw so far, combat in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feels more subdued compared to other adventure games, giving the impression that this isn’t a game where Indy will be taking out 20 Nazis in one room. I’m not expecting a one-man army BJ Blazkowics situation, but I was hoping to see how thrilling combat can be in this game considering that this is being worked on by the folks that worked on the latest Wolfenstein games. This preview didn’t give me that, and while I do concede this is more of an adventure than a true action shooter, I was hoping MachineGames would flex their gun combat expertise to showcase that when the bullets start flying, it will be a fun ride.
Lastly, we saw Indy jotting down information in his journal, which will serve as the player’s reference point for solving puzzles and understanding key details. The journal seems to function similarly to those found in other adventure games like Uncharted or the Tomb Raider reboot, and can be brought up at any time.
Disguises – Dressing for the Occasion
One of the biggest reveals during the gameplay was Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s approach to stealth. Players will have the opportunity to disguise Indy in various outfits that help him blend in when navigating hostile territory. In the presentation, Indy meets up with his partner Gina after discovering the entrance to some ancient ruins. They quickly realize they need an ancient key, but was unfortunately in the hands of the nazis and is heavily guarded. The gameplay then skips ahead to show Indy backtracking and disguised as one of the workers at the excavation site. He sneaks into a tent to steal the key but is briefly interrupted by a guard who asks him to pass a bottle of wine—Indy complies to avoid suspicion. This disguise mechanic seems to play a significant role, with the Indy icon at the bottom left of the game’s UI indicating the current disguise in effect.
However, the presentation didn’t show what happens if Indy is spotted by guards or if he acts suspiciously. Will a fight break out, or will the game reset before he’s caught?
At this point, MachineGames also hinted at side activities that players can encounter, which feel similar to side quests. We saw Indy walking through a bustling market and being approached by a vendor with information about a secret that piqued his interest. Although they didn’t show how these side activities play out, it suggests that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle won’t be strictly linear, allowing players time to explore and discover hidden content.
Third-Person Perspective – When the Camera Steps Back
MachineGames opted for a first-person perspective for this game, which initially seemed like a choice driven by the studio’s expertise in this viewpoint. However, Game Director Jerk Gustafsson and Creative Director Axel Torvenius emphasized during the Q&A session that they chose this perspective to bring players closer to Indy’s adventure, especially when solving puzzles and examining discoveries up close.
Despite this, the third-person perspective does make appearances. We’ve seen it in the first gameplay trailer, and in the new footage, it triggers when Indy uses his whip to swing across gaps or during climbing sequences. Once the climbing is done, the game quickly switches back to first-person.
So far, these are the only instances where the perspective changes. As for cutscenes, the crucial ones play out in full cinematic style, letting us see Indy in all his glory, interacting wth all the key characters in the story.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle: MachineGames’ Longest Adventure Yet
During the Q&A session, the developers discussed the game’s length, confirming that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is MachineGames’ longest game to date. While they didn’t provide a specific timeframe, I compared the length of their previous games with similar titles, leading me to believe that the game’s duration would be a reasonable length.
Motion Capture was all done in-house
One of the more interesting revelations during the Q&A session was that all the motion capture and design of Indiana Jones were handled entirely in-house by MachineGames, with LucasFilm providing guidance and their blessing. Despite LucasFilm having existing references for Harrison Ford’s likeness, especially with their de-aging work for the latest film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, MachineGames chose to create their own assets, performing their own scans to recreate a young Ford for the game.
In the presentation shown, we witness more cutscenes and from what I’ve seen, they’ve done a fantastic job of respecting the source material, delivering moments that could rival the movies, with Troy Baker delivering a commendable performance as a young Indy. While there are moments where Troy’s natural voice comes through, he does an impressive job of capturing Harrison Ford’s tone, especially in more intense situations where Indy’s stress levels rise.
Final Thoughts
This presentation focused heavily on mechanics, with no big set pieces that one might expect from an adventure game. It offered a glimpse into the various elements of Indiana Jones and The Great Circle but lacked the kind of thrilling sequences that would make players eager to dive in. The combat footage, while intriguing, didn’t leave me thinking, “I want to play that right now” as everything feels interesting yet safe.
It’s worth noting that while new gameplay elements were shown, the presentation felt somewhat lacking in selling what to expect from this title to make it stand out beyond it being a known iconic franchise. I guess I was expecting a massive showing as MachineGames is still set to release the game this year. With the “Ber” months just weeks away, I’m starting to suspect that a November or December release is more likely if the 2024 release sticks. They’ll need to ramp up their marketing efforts and showcase a bit more of the game to convince players that it’s worth a subscription on Game Pass or a day-one purchase.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is the return of Indy to video games in a long time, and during a closed-doors digital preview event for MachineGames’ upcoming action-adventure title, Game Director Jerk Gustafsson and Creative Director Axel Torvenius confirmed that this is MachineGames’ longest game to date when asked about the average time it will take to complete.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle game length
The question was straightforward, and while Jerk and Axel didn’t provide an exact duration, they did confirm that this would be the most extensive experience they've created. How long Indiana Jones and The Great Circle remains a mystery, but the developers’ emphasis on the game’s length suggests a substantial adventure.
Looking back at MachineGames’ previous titles, particularly the new Wolfenstein series, we see that Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus can be completed in roughly 11 hours, according to How Long to Beat if you focus solely on just the campaign.Similarly, Wolfenstein: The New Order takes about the same time, while Wolfenstein Young Blood, a spin-off title of their series, and the standalone prequel Old Blood, are shorter, at 9 Hours and 6 Hours respectively.
MachineGames’ Indiana Jones game is expected to offer more exploration, side content, and puzzles than their previous titles, aligning with the adventure genre’s typical gameplay. It wouldn’t be surprising if players spent significantly more time in this game, given its broader scope.
The Sweet Spot
It’s tough to pinpoint exactly where their new game will land in terms of game time as it can be longer by just a few hours I feel roughly 15 hours for an adventure like this seems like a nice sweet spot to avoid the feeling that they are dragging game time.
For additional context, looking at similar games like Uncharted vs Indiana Jones game length shows that Uncharted titles range from 9 to 15 hours, while the Tomb Raider reboot series clocks in around 11 to 13 hours. This comparison further supports the idea that MachineGames’ Indiana Jones game could follow a similar timeline.
For added comparison, we looked through the Uncharted series, and as Uncharted can be completed in roughly 9 hours, Uncharted 2 in 10 hours, with Uncharted 4 takes 15 hours. In the latest Tomb Raider series reboot, the 2013 Tomb Raider can take 11 hours while the next two sequels can take around 13 hours to complete.
It’ll be interesting what MachineGames has landed in terms of game length as you should remember that this is the studio stepping out of its comfort zone and doing something entirely different. From a fast-paced first-person graphic shooter like Wolfenstein to a globetrotting adventure in the shoes of the iconic Indiana Jones.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle still doesn’t have a concrete release date but it’s still slated for a 2024 release and will be available on PC, Xbox consoles, and Xbox Game Pass.
HoYoverse announced that their free-to-play open world gacha game Genshin Impact is getting a major update at the end of the month. Version 5.0 will add the sixth nation of Teyvat which will come with various content and new areas to explore.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from the 5.0 update, which is titled ‘Flowers Resplendent on the Sun-Scorched Sojourn’.
New Nation: Natlan, the Nation of War, and Nation of Pyro, reveals the first three of six tribes
Open to early and mid-game players: Map unlock criteria – complete all Mondstadt Archon Quests and reach AR 19; Archon Quest unlock criteria – complete all of Liyue's Archon Quests and reach AR 28.
Transform into Natlan's Saurians: Tepetlisaurus (burrow underground, climb cliffs), Koholasaurus (swim), Yumkasaurus (reach great heights)
Tribes: Children of Echoes, Scions of the Canopy, People of the Springs
The new nation is called Natlan, and HoYoverse provided a good description of the new region.
The road to Natlan will open with an unlocked Teleport Waypoint that is accessible to players, even beginners and intermediates, who have completed the Prologue of the Archon Quest in Mondstadt.
Known as the Nation of Pyro, Natlan is located west of the Sumeru desert. The people of this nation are divided into six main tribes. The dragons of Natlan, more commonly called Saurians, are the result of a long evolution and have evolved to coexist with humans, and they have even become their faithful companions. With Version 5.0, players will be able to explore three of the six tribes, as well as encounter three types of Saurians who live together with the locals.
Mastering the abilities of the different Saurians can prove decisive in exploring the towering cliffs and flowing springs, and players can transform into a Saurian by indwelling them. The Tepetlisaurus are Saurians good at tunneling undergrounds and climbing cliffs, and they are the companions of choice for the Children of Echoes who call the canyons their home. The Yumkasaurus can pull themselves in the chosen direction and reach great heights with ease. They have taken up residence among the Scions of the Canopy, a tribe living suspended from the walls of steep cliffs. As for the Koholasaurus, they can move quickly on water and liquid Phlogiston, which explains why they are commonly seen with the People of the Springs near the sea.
Natlan, also known as the Nation of War, honors her warriors at the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, where the Champion of each tribe is chosen through a tournament. This is where the main story unfolds, as the player, accompanied by local warriors Kachina, Kinich, and Mualani, travel to the Stadium. To begin Natlan's Archon Quest, players need to reach Adventure Rank 28 and above, and have completed all of Liyue's Archon Quests.
New Characters
Those looking forward to the new characters will get to play around with Mualani and Kachina the moment Version 5.0 is in the first phase along with the Kaedehara Kazuha rerun. The new 5-star Kinich will debut during the second half and come with the Raiden Shogun. The stories for Natlan’s new characters will be available through the Tribal Chronicles, the new three-act quest chain.
Genshin Impact 4th Anniversary Celebration
The game’s 4th anniversary is just around the corner and HoYoverse is bringing back the special daily login event as players can earn up to ten Intertwined Fate, 1,600 Primogems waiting in their in-game mail, two exclusive gadgets — the Firstborn Firesprite and the Kabom Box, and more.
Furthermore, players can also invite a 5-star character from the Standard Wish lineup to their team for free. More updates on the Character Event Wish, Weapon Event Wish will be announced at a later date.
Genshin Impact’s Version 5.0 goes live on August 28, 2024.
Sega and Two Point Studio announced Two Point Museum, the third iteration of the studio’s strategy management simulator.
From the announcement trailer alone, you can tell the signature quirky humor and character design remains as Two Point Museum will deliver a similar experience found in Two Point Hospital and Two Point Campus, only this time with a museum flavor.
Sega provided a bit of information about the game as beyond creatively making your museum cater to specific visitors, Two Point Museum will feature exhibitions to retrieve rare artifacts to fuel your museum.
Exploring for Exhibits
Send your team of specialists on daring adventures to locate and retrieve rare artifacts across a range of exhibit types to varied levels of quality. As your team embark on more expeditions, you’ll begin unlocking locations hiding exciting new exhibits in many themes and styles, ranging from prehistoric to… well, let’s keep it a surprise!
Display these finds in your museum, keeping them well protected from the elements, vandals, thieves, and mischievous children. Keeping frozen cavemen on ice, security cameras alert and artifacts well-guarded to ensure your museum runs well.
Creative Curation
Unleash your creativity as you design your museum from top to bottom. With deeper customisation options, there are more ways than ever before to maximise your guest’s happiness, from tweaking the decorations to arranging the perfect gift-shop display.
Once you have set the perfect ambiance, organise guided tours led by engaging experts to give your guests the perfect day out. You can even highlight exhibits with the highest buzz - those that are show-stopping, informative, and aesthetically pleasing are sure to attract the most donations!
Guest-ertainment
Guests know best! Catering to the needs of your guests is key to keeping your museu moving and donations flowing. The different types of visitors who will tour your museum with their own interests, but they do have some things in common... they expect the place to be clean, have plenty of refreshments, ample toilets, and a gift shop filled with goodies.
Two Point Museum has no release date but the game will be available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox X|S.
I had the chance to play a preview build of The Casting of Frank Stone, an interactive horror game developed by Supermassive Games. Set within the Dead by Daylight universe, the demo took around 45 minutes and left me with the impression that Behaviour Interactive has given Supermassive the freedom to do what they do best. The game echoes their previous work, both in gameplay and in how choices and events shape the overall story.
The demo begins with you playing as Sam Green, a police officer investigating a child's disappearance, which leads him to a steel mill in the dead of night.
Nods to Dead by Daylight
This brief introduction effectively sets the stage, featuring a few nods to the Dead by Daylight universe with plenty of Easter eggs for dedicated fans. However, The Casting of Frank Stone is primarily played like any other Supermassive Games title, where you make choices that influence key events and outcomes, with quick-time events adding further nuance, from subtle shifts to severe consequences.
The demo offered a glimpse of the various possible outcomes. Dialogue choices are limited to two options, a similar approach to titles like The Quarry as multiple A or B choices lead to a web of possibilities.
Choices and Outcomes
In terms of gameplay mechanics, Supermassive stays within their comfort zone. You explore areas in a third-person perspective and control multiple characters throughout the story. In the demo, you only play as Sam, exploring the mill, examining key objects, climbing fences, and squeezing through tight spaces to progress. Quick-time events are present, and the first one caught me by surprise. The game has integrated Dead by Daylight’s Skill Check system, where you must press a button to spot the dial to land on the right spot of in the dial. I wasn’t expecting this Dead by Daylight-inspired twist, and I failed to press the button at the right time, resulting in Sam injuring himself and losing his flashlight.
This injury didn’t affect much, as it only slightly altered how one scene played out. On a second playthrough, I discovered that if Sam hadn’t been injured and still had his flashlight, he could have used it to try and blind the threat, a slight change that didn’t completely change the outcome, though it does hint at the potential for varied experiences in the full game, making the player second guess whether their success or failed attempts are either major or minor changes.
The demo also showcased various quick-time events, none too complex, which is expected as the fun in these games lies in shaping the story.
Overall, the demo gives just a glimpse of how the game will play out. It’s another story-driven game with the classic Supermassive touch, which is a win in my book. I’ve always appreciated their approach to horror storytelling, even when it veers into typical clichés or B-movie territory. Some of their games are so bad they’re good, delivering humor and entertainment. As for The Casting of Frank Stone, it’s hard to tell if it will evoke the same feelings with less than an hour of content to sample, but knowing that Supermassive is doing what they do best is a promising sign.
Based on my experience with other Supermassive Games titles, I expect The Casting of Frank Stone will follow a similar pattern — offering a mix of major and minor consequences that shape the narrative, encouraging multiple playthroughs for different outcomes.
At most, this preview suggests that Supermassive isn’t attempting anything new or groundbreaking with this title. The difference here is the game’s setting within another developer’s established world.
The Connection to Dead by Daylight
The real question is whether The Casting of Frank Stone will add meaningful context to the Dead by Daylight universe. Behaviour Interactive has been steadily expanding the lore with each update, giving us more insight into the Entity, the Survivors, and the Killers. Will this game provide new lore for Dead by Daylight enthusiasts, or is it simply a spin-off filled with Easter eggs for dedicated players? It’s hard to tell if this game is more for Dead by Daylight fans or Supermassive Games fans, but hopefully, it strikes a balance between the two.
It’s also worth noting that The Casting of Frank Stone will feature a couch co-op mode for 1-4 players, where each participant controls the actions and decisions of one character. This feature adds an extra layer of unpredictability and replayability to the experience and is how I prefer to play games like it as I’ve done this even way back in 2010’s Heavy Rain, my first introduction to games like these.
The Casting of Frank Stone is set to launch on September 3, 2024 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Publisher Krafton, best known for publishing games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and the survival horror The Callisto Protocol,, has acquired the Japanese studio Tango Gameworks as well as the intellectual property rights to their latest title Hi-Fi Rush from Microsoft Gaming.
You can read the announcement from the publisher here, but simply put, Krafton is investing in the Japanese market by giving the studio a second life further to pursue the famed rhythm action game Hi-Fi Rush.
As part of this strategic agreement, KRAFTON intends to collaborate with Xbox and ZeniMax to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks, allowing the talented team to continue developing the Hi-Fi RUSH IP and explore future projects. KRAFTON intends to support the Tango Gameworks team to continue its commitment to innovation and delivering fresh and exciting experiences for fans. There will be no impact on the existing game catalog of The Evil Within, The Evil Within 2, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and the original Hi-Fi RUSH game.
This move comes months after Microsoft made the decision to shutter four studios multiple studios within the Bethesda company and one of them was Tango Gameworks.
The studio was founded in 2010 and was formed by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and the was responsible for projects such as The Evil Within series, Ghostwire Tokyo, and Hi-Fi Rush, which was shadow-dropped on PC and Xbox consoles when it was revealed in 2023.
Xbox acquired the studio in 2021 as part of the massive $7.5 billion purchase of Bethesda’s parent company Zenimax.
The Krafton acquisition is the company’s attempt at “expanding its global footprint and enhancing its portfolio with innovative and high-quality content.”
What does this mean?
Tango Gameworks will be given the support to keep the studio running and will likely work on more Hi-Fi Rush projects. It will take a while before we hear anything concrete from the Tango, nor do we have a full picture of what this deal entails and how much freedom Krafton will provide the studio.
For those that haven’t played Hi-Fi Rush, I highly recommend the title as it was the biggest surprise in 2023, a charming action game with a unique mix of action and rhythm gameplay that was easily my 2023 game of the year, giving it an easy 5/5 when I reviewed it last year.
Before Microsoft’s announcement to close Tango Gameworks, Xbox released Xbox titles like Hi-Fi Rush on multiple platforms to expand the game’s player reach. Those also no longer Xbox exclusives are Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, and Grounded.
Capcom revealed that their fresh new IP Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess has reached over 500,000 players since it was released on July 19, 2024, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass on day one.
New Mazo Talismans
To celebrate Kunitsu reaching this milestone, Capcom will be updating the game with three new Mazo Talismans: Jubilee, Dancing Crane, and Amaterasu
As a token of our gratitude to all players, we are giving away three Mazo Talismans which can be equipped on the main character Sou: Jubilee, Dancing Crane, and Amaterasu, which is a collaboration with "Okami". This gift is open to all players, including those who have already played Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess as well as those who will purchase the game in the future.
These new Mazo Talismans are more for fun and cosmetics as it doesn’t actually affect gameplay beyond wasting a Talisman slot that are usually used to give player advantage in a stage.
Here’s what these new Mazo Talismans do if a player equips it:
Jubilee – the villagers near the player start dancing in turn.
Dancing Crane – normal attacks are replaced by dancing and fireworks are shot off during the dancing technique.
Amaterasu – flowers bloom at Soh’s feet as he moves.
The update also comes with a few bug fixes to improve the game even further.
Together with the new milestone and game update, Capcom released a developer series with the first video giving insight on the game’s setting.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is one of those unique and satisfying titles released from Capcom in years. The art direction and musical score does this game justice as it elevates a satisfying action tower defense gameplay loop with so much enemy and strategy variety that when I finished the game I easily spent over 20 hours.
For those interested in giving this game whirl, you can do so for free as there’s a playable demo now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC that gives you a great idea of the game.
Capcom is slowly rolling out new details for their upcoming action RPG Monster Hunter Wilds by dropping quick videos describing the game’s new combat mechanics as well as featuring the new features of each weapon type available in the game.
This serves as a countdown of sorts as Capcom will be showing Monster Hunter Wilds in a big way at Gamescom 2024 as this will be the first time the game will be playable to the public, so it only makes sense to release small snippits of how each weapon will work in Wilds as many will get their hands on them from August 21 to August 25 in Colongne, Germany.
Here’s a quick rundown of what was released so far.
Focus Mode
Basic Weapon Mechanics
Greatsword Feature
Heavy Bowgun Feature
Insect Glaive Feature
Gunlance Feature
Hunting Horn Feature
Long Sword Feature
Charge Blade Feature
Hammer Feature
Light Bowgun Feature
Sword & Shield Feature
We’ll update this as more videos are released from Capcom.
Monster Hunter Wilds is the next mainline entry in the famous Monster Hunter franchise and will launch sometime in 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Capcom’s lineup isn’t focused on Monster Hunter Wilds at Gamescom as they will also setup demo stations for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, and Street Fighter 6 to showcase DLC character Terry Bogard for the first time.
A game for animal lovers - If you're looking for a unique game full of animals then let's explore a colourful world and save its inhabitants in Creatures of Ava. Read more: Creatures of Ava Review
A shoot 'em up marvel - Mechanical aliens are threatening humankind's settlement on a mysterious planet so it's time to stop them in CYGNI: All Guns Blazing. Read more: CYGNI: All Guns Blazing Review
Plunderin' bots on the high seas - It's been a long time but we finally have SteamWorld Heist II so pull your anchor up and let's sail on to a new adventure. Read more: SteamWorld Heist II Review
2K and Firaxis have revealed more information about Sid Meier's Civilization VII at gamescom 2024. After first publishing a teaser trailer at Summer Game Fest 2024, the companies revealed the release date and gameplay details for the new game at the European gaming event.
A new trailer for Civilization VII appeared first during the gamescom 2024 Opening Night Live stream. It showed a quick montage of in-engine footage, including buildings from various civilizations and units from different ages. The main highlight of this trailer was the release date announcement.
The new game will be available on February 11, 2025. While prior entries used to appear first on PCs with consoles like Nintendo Switch getting them later on, this trailer's ending segment hints that Civilization VII will be available simultaneously on not only PCs but also the PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox platforms.
Soon after that, Firaxis held an official gameplay showcase stream dedicated to the game on the series' official YouTube channel. The new game will have civilizations tied to each of the three different eras, and the leader character the player chooses is no longer tied to their original civilization.
For example, while Hatshepsut is originally related to Egypt, the player can choose to have her lead the Aksum civilization instead in the Antiquity Age. As the game progresses in age, the player will have to choose a different civilization for Hatshepsut to lead, such as Songhai or Mongolia in the Exploration Age, and Buganda in the Modern Age.
2K has also updated the game's Steam page with additional bonus editions that provide both in-game content at launch and post-launch DLC that 2K will release in the future. People who have pre-purchased any edition of the game—including the standard version before release—can get the native American civilization Shawnee and Tecumseh as a playable leader.
Sid Meier's Civilization VII will be available for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One on February 11, 2025.
Square Enix released a Chrissy Costanza music video for the FFXIV “Give It All” Arcadion Raid song, as well as shared the official English lyrics for the track. The song debuted alongside the 7.01 Dawntrail Raid AAC Light-heavyweight Tier.
In FFXIV, you hear the song “Give It All” during AAC Light-heavyweight M4. The Orchestrion Roll for the track is also a basic rarity reward from a Treasure Coffer from the fight. The idea is that Wicked Thunder is “performing” the track. In reality, it is a The Primals song with Costanza providing the vocals. Previously, the company shared the track following its release. However, now the additional video and lyrics are also available.
Here are the full, official “Give It All” FFXIV Arcadion Raid song lyrics:
Tonight our city bleeds red, blue, and green As I walk in the dark unseen
Yet like the grey the sky is draped in The colors in my heart have faded
Gone They're gone They're gone All gone
A girl looks to the stars and dares to dream On the world she'd make her mark, it seemed
This phantom in my mirror starin' back I realize that girl is
Gone She's gone She's gone I'm gone
Climbed every mountain, made it to the top I had it all, or so I thought Traded tomorrow for a lie And found the price too high
The clock is ticking counting down to naught I'm outta time but it won't stop I'll bet my life before it's lost That final line I'll cross
There ain't no going back No going back No going back No
What light's left here inside I'll suffocate If that's what it takes, oh
And those who look to cast me aside or turn their backs and leave me to die
You can try, can try, come try, But I will survive
No going back No going back Won't ever (no) Never again, no
Ain't no going back No going back No coming back from the edge
Look in my eyes, yeah I know you understand (somebody help, my misery's taking me) I've made up my mind, now there ain't no going back (somebody help, I'm losing what's left of me) I've made up my mind, now my heart's demanding I'm ready to fight til there's one left standing Tonight, lightning'll strike, thunder will fall (and) You're gonna give it all
To me To me To me To me, I gotta believe You'll set Me free
Tonight my circle finally comes complete One last step from the dark, I breathe
The music's swellin', crowd is chantin' And for this moment fear's an after-thought It's gone It's gone All gone
I look out to the crowd and there I see A thousand little girls--all me
I've turned the tables, yeah I'm fightin' back I'll bring the lightnin', now it's
On It's on It's on You're gone
Climbed every mountain, made it to the top I had it all, or so I thought Traded tomorrow for a lie And found the price too high
The clock is ticking counting down to naught I'm outta time but it won't stop I'll bet my life before it's lost That final line I'll cross
There ain't no going back No going back No going back No
What light's left here inside I'll suffocate If that's what it takes, oh
And those who look to cast me aside or turn their backs and leave me to die
You can try, can try, come try, But I will survive
No going back No going back Won't ever (no) Never again, no
Ain't no going back No going back No coming back from the edge, no more
Next, here’s the “Give It All” music video from YouTube, which features gameplay footage from FFXIV, Solution Nine, and the Arcadion Raid. Note there are spoilers for all the AAC Light-heavyweight Tier fights in the video below, and not just the Wicked Thunder one.
Both standard and Savage versions of the AAC Light-heavyweight Tier Arcadion fight are available in the game. The more difficult version of the Raid debuted at the end of July 2024 in patch 7.05.
Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Arcadian Raid series are part of the Dawntrail patches.
A release date for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has been announced. The game will be released for PC and Xbox Series X/S on December 9, 2024, plus a PS5 release in 2025.
The release date for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was announced alongside a new trailer led by Troy Baker. The ubiquitous voice actor will be portraying the famous archaeologist in the game. In the trailer, we got to see snippets of gameplay, including the combat making use of brawling, shooting and Indy's iconic whip. Some puzzle gameplay was also shown off, including the use of photgraphy to help solve these challenges.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was first announced in a teaser by developer MachineGames in 2021. The game initally appeared to be an Xbox exclusive following Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda, and since been shown off in Xbox presentations such as the January 2024 Developer Direct and Xbox Games Showcase in June 2024. It is the latest of a long line of Indiana Jones games, from LucasArts point-and-click adventures in the 1980s to the Lego Indiana Jones games of more recent years.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will release on Xbox Series X/S and PC on December 9, 2024. It will also release on PS5 in Spring 2025.
There’s a fair bit of trepidation for what Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will actually be like as a game, in particular with the first person view switching to third person at times, and the blend of combat, puzzling, exploration and other gameplay ideas. It’s ironic that, with Tomb Raider and Uncharted having been compared countless times back to the classic Indiana Jones films, now an Indiana Jones game cannot escape their shadow.
MachineGames are charting their own course, though, taking inspiration from their own history, going back to the founding group’s history at Starbreeze Studios and the similar perspective shifting of Chronicles of Riddick. When viewed in that light, and seeing more and more slices of gameplay, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle starts to make more sense.
Of course, there’s one area that MachineGames doesn’t really have much say in. At Gamescom 2024, the studio has finally confirmed that yes, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is coming to PlayStation 5 after all, despite Microsoft’s best efforts to dodge the leaks and rumours. It’s still coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC first – it’s out in December there, as opposed to Spring 2025 for PS5 owners – but it’s another capitulation in the console rivalry.
Gamescom is also where we visitors can watch a gameplay theatre presentation, which we were privy to (with some exclusive extras) before hand.
Indy might have a roguish tendency to pull a fast one with a pistol, but he’s always been a brawler more than a shooter, and that’s what he seems to be here, mixing together punches, whip strikes and occasional pistol shots. You’ll be able to make use of the environment, whether that’s using a knockout combo to finish a bruising enemy, shoving them down a level in a dig site, or grabbing a rolling pin from a nearby table to clonk them on the head.
All of this will take place in first person, keeping you rooted within the character, but there’s then shifts to third person when climbing or swinging across gaps on Indy’s whip.
I can’t help but wonder if the game might be better to stay in first person the entire time. We’ve had games like Mirror’s Edge which have integrated fast and fluid parkour with a first-person view, and I’m not entirely sold on the value that switching to the third person for a few seconds offers. Especially when stealth, which might benefit from shifting to the third person to give better spatial awareness, and sliding down a slope don’t make the switch. I hope it comes together for the full game.
Indy’s adventure will challenge him with more than just platforming and fighting. Taking place in 1937, between Raiders and The Last Crusade, we have peak Indiana Jones and a fresh Nazi threat to undermine. The story will see Indy piecing together some kind of fanciful archaeological shenanigans surrounding a great circle of temples and historical sites that rings the globe, landing himself in a race against Emmerich Voss. Along the way, he’ll team up with investigative reporter Gina Lombardi, who has her own reasons for trotting across the globe.
And globe-trotting is what they’ll do, with the journey taking them to the Vatican in Rome, the Sukhothai temples, Egyptian pyramids, the Himalayas and more – all created with reference material from the period, when places like the Sukhothai temples were still completely overgrown. All manner of ancient traps and puzzles await within these, and there’s some fun nods back to iconic moments in the film, such as Indy lifting a big statue from a plinth and initially being pleased that nothing bad happens… until sand starts pouring into the floor, forcing a struggle to get to a hatch high up in the wall. Alternatively, it could be Gina that triggers the bad things to happen.
Some of the puzzling will be immediately familiar from action adventures, such as directing beams of light with mirrors, and whipping at weakened stone in the environment to let loose a stream of water, but other puzzles have more of a point & click adventure feel – pour a bottle of wine into an offering plate before a statue and see a number revealed in red, giving you the answer for levers in another room.
Sometimes the puzzles will rely on using a camera to take photos of points of interest to reveal a clue or the next step, and those photos will fill out a journal, creating a record of your journey so far, collating information and thoughts on the adventure, and more. It’s a neat nod back to The Last Crusade, and can be seen as a naturalistic hints system.
Throughout all of this you’ll earn Adventure Points, which feed into the Adventure Books that you can find and unlock abilities with. These can include things like ‘True Grit’, which gives Indy another chance after losing a fight, just so long as you can crawl across the floor and pick up his hat.
Stealth and subterfuge will also play a significant part. On the one hand, sneaking allows you to choose when and how to start a fight, luring enemies away with distractions and then taking them out quickly and/or quietly to even up the odds. Other areas might need you to blend in, donning various disguises like you’re Agent 47 and then trying not to stand out and get noticed when walking through closed-off areas.
These disguises will generally be determined by the flow of the story – dress up as a clergyman to get behind the scenes at the Vatican, for example – but this isn’t a purely linear adventure. There will also be broader environments and places for you to explore and side quests that can take you off the beaten path a little. You will be able to journey back and forth to revisit previous places, potentially put disguises back on if you need them, and discover more Adventure Books and Points.
While MachineGames aren’t putting a figure on the length of this game, they are confidently stating that it’s longer than any game they’ve done before.
After months and months of only talking about the game in terms of Xbox Series X|S and PC, MachineGames had Geoff Keighley do the dirty work and confirm that the Indy adventure will also come to PlayStation 5, as part of Microsoft’s broadening push for cross-platform gaming.
However, there will still be a period of exclusivity. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle comes to Xbox Series X|S and PC on 9th December 2025 – and on Xbox Game Pass Utlimate of course, while you can play three days early by pre-ordering the Premium Edition, Premium Edition Upgrade, or Collector’s Edition. The PlayStation 5 port will traipse along a few months later in Spring 2025.
Here’s a new trailer with Troy Baker exploring the world in which he will take on the role of Indiana Jones:
This will only further the rumours that Microsoft will bring practically everything to PlayStation 5 in the fullness of time – rumours earlier this year already suggested that Indiana Jones was on the way over, alongside Starfield, and potentially even Halo.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a mixed first and third person action adventure set between Raiders of the Lost Arc and The Last Crusade in 1937, and includes characters from the original film returning including Doctor Marcus Brody, originally played by Denholm Elliott. Doctor Jones is working late at Marshall College but is woken up late to find a rather imposing thief stealing a sacred relic. He then heads to Vatican to figure out why that one particular relic was stolen. From there the story will take players to Sukhothai, the Pyramids, the Himalayas and beyond.
The iconic whip naturally makes an appearance and can be used for attacking enemies to stun them, pull their legs and more, as a distraction in stealth, or for swinging around the environments, and there will be plenty of puzzles for Indy to solve. While it’s mainly a first person game, it will swap to third person when certain actions are performed, such as climbing, and for cutscenes.
Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for upcoming arena fighter Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live. The trailer gives us another glimpse at the upcoming title’s gameplay, while also confirming that Ultimate Gohan and Super Buu will both be part of its expansive roster. Check out the trailer below.
Celebrating the fact that Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero‘s release date is 50 days away, the trailer shows off various characters duking it out, including Goku, Hit, C ell, Bardok, Beerus, Nappa and Trunks, among others. Capping things off, we also get to see a young Gohan train with Goku, before getting another flurry of action from different characters.
Earlier this month, another trailer had been released for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, showcasing characters from the Android Saga in Dragon Ball. Throughout the trailer, Android 16, Android 17, Android 18, Android 19, Dr. Gero, and King Cold, among many others, were shown off as playable characters.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on October 11.
Developer Coffee Stained has announced Goat Simulator Remastered. Announced through a trailer, the remaster is coming ten years after the 2014 release of the original Goat Simulator. Check out the trailer for Goat Simulator Remastered below.
While featuring familiar gameplay, Goat Simulator Remastered will also include upgraded visuals, especially in its lighting, as well as 7 DLCs—GoatVille, Goat City Bay, Goat MMO, Goat Z, PAYDAY, Waste of Space, and Buck to School.
The developer has also revealed in the trailer’s description that many of the fan-favourite bugs from the original game will be returning in Goat Simulator Remastered, this time around as “intentional features”.
Goat Simulator Remastered puts players in control of rambunctious goat Pilgor. Players are then essentially let loose in a physics sandbox where they can destroy things to their heart’s content. Among other things, players are able to jump, kick, and lick various objects throughout the levels. The remastered release of the game will also be bringing back mutators for added replayability.
Goat Simulator Remastered doesn’t yet have a solid release date. It is slated for release in 2024 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Developer Embark Studios has announced that extraction shooter ARC Raiders will be coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2025, and will be priced at $39.99. Announcing the release window is a new trailer, which you can check out below.
The studio has also announced that playtesting for the PC version of ARC Raiders is slated to kick off on October 24, going on until October 27. The studio also notes that, while ARC Raiders was originally announced as a free-to-play game, it will instead be sold as a premium game.
“There are many reasons for this change, and they all boil down to our conviction that a premium business model is a better fit for the type of game we’re building,” said the studio. “A premium model allows us to create a more focused, balanced, and engaging action-survival experience.”
ARC Raiders will have players setting off out of the safety of their underground colony in order to scavenge and hunt for resources. Along the way, players will have to deal with ARC machines, as well as other players, who will also be competing for the loot.
The decision to turn ARC Raiders into a survival extraction shooter from its original vision as a third-person co-op shooter was announced back in May 2023.
Amazing Seasun Games has released a new trailer for its upcoming multiplayer mech game, Mecha BREAK, this time around showing off some gameplay. Check out the trailer below.
The latest trailer for Mecha BREAK gives us a short glimpse at a 6-on-6 match happening in the game. Each player is piloting a different kind of mech, and some of their abilities are shown off quite extensively in the brief trailer.
Alongside releasing the trailer, the studio has also announced that Mecha BREAK will be getting a closed beta test in Xbox, from August 25 to August 27. This follows the previous open beta for PC players.
Mecha BREAK is a competitive multiplayer games where teams of 6 will be pit against each other. There will be a host of different game modes available once Mecha BREAK launches, including a 6v6 Battlefield mode, a 3v3 Arena m ode, and a 60-player PvPvE mode.
Mecha BREAK doesn’t yet have a release date aside from a 2025 window, and will be coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Genshin Impact has been nothing short of a revelation since its initial release roughly four years ago, to the point where it’s legitimately once of the biggest games in the industry right now, and soon it’ll be opening the gates for an even larger audience to dive into its offerings.
At Gamescom Opening Night live, miHoYo announced that Genshin Impact is finally coming to Xbox Series X/S on November 20. The developer made the announcement with a new trailer, which also showcased Natlan, another major nation that the game will be adding with an upcoming update. Check out the trailer below for a glimpse of what it will bring.
Notably, miHoYo hasn’t announced the game for Xbox One, even though on PlayStation it is a cross-gen title. It also remains to be seen whether we can expect Genshin Impact to release for Switch as well- or perhaps its upcoming successor?
Genshin Impact is currently available on PS5, PS4, PC, iOS, and Android.
Towerborne is indeed coming this year as previously planned, but its release plans have still changed quite significantly. As recently announced, the co-op action-adventure title is now set to release in early access first, and in the wake of that announcement, Microsoft and developer Stoic Studio have revealed more details.
For starters, disappointingly enough for those on Xbox, Towerborne’s early access release next month is going to be limited to Steam only. A specific release date is unknown, with Stoic and Microsoft only confirming that the game will release in Xbox Game Preview at a “later” date.
Additionally, it’s also been confirmed that upon its full release next year, Towerborne is going to be a fully free-to-play game, even though a Founder’s Pack will be offered with the early access version.
“The Founder’s pack lets us do two main things: one is that we can slowly see where problems are and get attention onto those areas quickly,” says game director Daniel McLaren. “The second thing, it invites a group of people that are really invested in the game, that believe in Stoic. They want to be a part of shaping the future of Towerborne.”
Towerborne is in development for Xbox Series X/S and PC. It launches in early access for Steam on September 10.
Part God of War, part Soulslike, The First Berserker: Khazanis a game that many have had their eyes on for a while, and after announcing a 2025 release window, Nexon has now further narrowed the timeframe within which to expect the action RPG.
With a new trailer at Gamescom Opening Night Live, the publisher confirmed that The First Berserker: Khazan will launch at some point in early 2025, though a specific release date is currently unknown. Ahead of that, later this year, the game will also get a closed technical closed beta test. The test will be available for players on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and will run from October 11 to October 20.
Check out the game’s newest trailer below, which also offers more glimpses of its action-packed combat, the cel-shaded visuals, and some of the many enemies players will be locking horns with. The game is also has a playable demo available at Gamescom for attendees.
NetEase Games’ 6v6 competitive multiplayer title Marvel Rivals finally has a release date, launching on December 6th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. A new trailer is also available, showcasing Captain America and the Winter Soldier in action.
Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, falls under the villains’ side. While possessing a handgun to fire at mid-range, he can also pull opponents close with his metal arm, dash forward, and uppercut them. His Ultimate turns his arm into a tentacled monstrosity as he leaps and slams opponents.
As for Steve Rogers, the legendary Captain America, he can shield charge into battle, blocking damage and sending it back. Rogers can also toss the shield, ricocheting between enemies and slamming down from above. The most hilarious bit involves reflecting Iron Man’s Ultimate, killing the latter instantly.
Of course, that’s not all, as NetEase confirmed that all heroes would be unlocked and free-to-play at launch and “beyond.” It’s yet to reveal the plan for post-launch seasons, so stay tuned for more updates.
Supermassive Games has today announced an all-new sci-fi survival horror adventure, Directive 8020, a new Dark Pictures game for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Working in collaboration with Legendary Entertainment, 7Levels have today lifted the lid on their upcoming 2.5D action-adventure - Kong: Survivor Instinct.
In the market for a new controller? PowerA have today announced their new OVERPOWERED Series controllers for PC and Cloud Gaming. They look pretty damn neat too.
Konami have now confirmed renewal of their partnership with Manchester United FC, ensuring that they remain one of the principal clubs in eFootball; Konami's free-to-play offering.
All the tunes and cars you’ll need to complete this week's festivities, those found in the Forza Horizon 5 Festival Playlist Weekly Challenges for Series 37 Summer and onwards.