No Man's Sky has changed so much since its launch back in 2016 and the team over at Hello Games is nowhere close to being done making this space adventure even better. A new update is now live bringing with it new sky patterns, more landscapes, UI changes, and so much more!
The new No Man's Sky update has a new trailer celebrating all of the recent changes, which you can watch at the top of the article. From the addition of new planets unlocking "millions of untouched new worlds to explore" and new "dramatic" landscapes for players to become familiar with, there is a lot more to discover with the latest update.
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The User Interface and in-game menus have also seen an update with new colors and styles to make it for customizable and more pleasing to each player.
The studio also has revitalized the already exiting planets with brand-new flora and other mysteries to uncover while seeing what is new. Even the clouds have seen changes, with new weather patterns and ever evolving skies to create a moving atmosphere that feels real and believable.
From a completely revamped photo mode to new historical stories, there is so much that players can look forward to with the latest No Man's Sky update! To see the full patch, check out the complete breakdown right here. Oh, and meteors! Because yikes.
The Demon's Souls remake launches in less than two months. Players will soon be traveling back in time to the first incarnation of the modern "Souls-like," playing the game that would go on to create an entire subgenre of challenging dark fantasy titles. This time, it's Bluepoint Games' take on From Software's classic – an entry many Souls enthusiasts haven't even played since it is only available on PlayStation 3. In many ways, Demon's Souls was the evolution of concepts and ideas that had been present in From Software's King's Field series for many years. Now, the entire experience is back, exclusively on PlayStation 5.
Despite its release being incredibly soon as a PlayStation 5 launch title, there are many questions surrounding the game. Let's take a look at some of the misshaps and mysteries that could be interesting as we inch ever closer to stepping into the Boletarian Palace again.
What is Fractured Mode and why did they hide it?
During the initial remake reveal, Sony included messaging about a "Fractured Mode" in the text description of the trailer. This messaging was swiftly removed. Does that mean Fractured Mode doesn't exist? Are we to believe this was some ethereal thing meant for some other game? If it's real, what is it and why haven't we heard about it yet? Was it a concept that was going to be in the game and pulled so it could make the PlayStation 5 launch window?
If it is in fact a real thing, I'm guessing that Bluepoint has tapped into the Dark Souls PC community hivemind over the last five years and that the mode is similar in fashion to a mod that randomizes encounters, enemy placements, item placements, and more. That would certainly be a fresh way to experience things even for the most seasoned of Demon's Souls veterans, again and again. Maybe it's just a boss rush mode. Maybe it doesn't exist at all anymore. We shall see.
Is Demon's Souls actually coming to PC?
Well, Sony says no. Of course, that misplaced card stuck at the end of the new trailer says fairly explicitly that it's coming to PC, with the Demon's Souls logo clearly in plain sight [Read more about this here]. Perhaps it was absolutely human error that included the card, but why did the card exist? Is this, in fact, some misplaced templating mistake that simply was overlooked? It's possible. Anything's possible. My own current theory states that these trailers are the subject of such unbelievable scrutiny that such an oversight is generally impossible, except for the fact that work-from-home procedures may have resulted in an errant upload.
Perhaps "Demon's Souls Trailer54" instead of "Demon's Souls Trailer55" was uploaded to some FTP server and the wrong one was grabbed and uploaded. Here's the point of this speculation: I believe that this new version of Demon's Souls is, in fact, going to come to PC somewhere down the line — but if Sony reveals that now, it risks losing sales on the PlayStation 5 version as some fans wait for the PC iteration.
Will we finally get to traverse the sixth Archstone?
Probably not. But some fans say that there's a hint of those vast frozen northern lands in the original reveal trailer, stating that there's no snow in the base game. It's more likely (to me) that the vision of those winterscapes were eventually repurposed and revisioned to give us The Painted World of Ariamis, Frozen Eleum Loyce, Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, and even Cainhurst Castle.
Yes this is Bloodborne read the accompanying text :D
From Software does love snow, and they should, because you can almost feel the biting cold beauty in every one of those levels. There's speculation that perhaps Bluepoint could be giving players these "lost levels" from the original game, and as much as I think that would be incredible, I also think it's incredibly unlikely. Let's hope I'm wrong.
All that said, let's get hype! We haven't seen anything from Elden Ring for ages, so anything Souls is ready for a warm welcome. Let's hope the Bluepoint incarnation of the From Software classic is as amazing as the legacy the original created.
Big news today on the Bethesda front with the Microsoft acquisition now revealed, but it looks like that wasn't the only thing the studio had to share with fans this fine Monday. Todd Howard got a little mushy when talking about the move to Microsoft while also teasing a completely overhauled engine.
A change in engine has been teased for years now and many fans have started to lose hope that it would ever happen. While many of the games under Bethesda's umbrella are beyond stellar, the overall look of many of them leaves little to be desired. That's not to say that graphics are the end-all-be-all of an experience, but a more modernized touch couldn't hurt.
In a recent blog post over on the Bethesda website, Howard talked just a little bit about the cyclic console nature, the growth over this gen, and teased the "largest engine overhaul since Oblivion" for the new generation ahead:
With each new console cycle, we evolved together. From bringing mods to consoles with Fallout 4, now over a billion downloads, to the latest technologies fueling Xbox Series X/S. These new systems are optimized for the vast worlds we love to create, with generational leaps not just in graphics, but CPU and data streaming as well. It’s led to our largest engine overhaul since Oblivion, with all new technologies powering our first new IP in 25 years, Starfield, as well as The Elder Scrolls VI.
Industry insider @Shinobi602 also shared an image of "Skyrim Grandma" Shirley Curry alongside the most recent blog post, with a look at skin shading that honestly is making us drool:
Bethesda
In addition to the excited look ahead from Todd Howard's perspective, the Bethesda Director also shared a wholesome story about why this acquisition means so much to him on a personal level.
In the blog post, he mentioned one particular award moment in his career that truly stuck out for a special reason. "When I received the Lifetime Achievement Award at GDC, I joked in my acceptance 'I wonder how many achievement points this one is worth.' At the end of the ceremony, some good friends from Microsoft congratulated me and said they'd find out."
He added, "A few months later I was given a code to a game they had created, named after me and locked to my account. When ran, it unlocks a single achievement - Lifetime - 1000pts. It still sits in my list when I check, and I smile every time."
With all of the news revealed, it's easy to get lost in speculations and the "would've, could'ves" of a move as big as this, but that little added note is a fun reminder that these people aren't just some nameless suit. They care, they're passionate, and apparently want to release Skyrim a billion and one times.
That last part was a playful jest, please don't look too much into it.
To catch up on the news about the Microsoft acquisition of Bethesda, you can learn more with our previous coverage here.
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Now that the alpha is over and done with, it's time for gamers on all platforms to have a chance to dive into Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. For those that are looking to get some hands-on time early, here is what you need to know about Cold War beta dates for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
The Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War beta will be divided between two specific weekends with the first stint being solely for PlayStation players. For your platform of choice, here are the beta dates for Cold War so you don't miss out:
PlayStation exclusive beta
PS4 Early Access (pre-orders): October 8-9
PS4 Open Beta: October 10-12
Crossplay beta
Xbox + PC Early Access + PS4 Open Beta: October 15-16
All Platforms: October 17-19
For those that played the alpha, the beta will offer a few more additional features not yet played. In addition to the VIP Escort Mode, beta players will also be able to check out a new mode called Fireteam Dirty Bomb.
For those that haven't checked out the alpha, the upcoming beta period is a good chance to jump into the highly divisive (Skill-based Match-making) SBMM conversation and thoughts on where the Black Ops franchise is going next.
Following the news that Bethesda is being acquired by Microsoft, VP Pete Hines weighed in on why this move was the right one for them to make. Hines also took the opportunity to assuage any fan concerns over Bethesda changing to fit into its new home.
Hines has been with Bethesda for just over 20 years. Since he joined the studio, Bethesda has undergone many changes, including evolutions of in-house leadership, new IPs, and shifting visions. He has also witnessed mind-numbing growth from Bethesda's humble beginnings.
The news of the acquisition has been wholly seen as a positive within the gaming community, though there have been concerns about Bethesda's future with PlayStation. While a multiplatform release for Bethesda's biggest games are still a real possibility, as seen here with Phil Spencer's recent commentary, some have voiced concern over Bethesda changing too much.
"The world, our industry, and our company has changed a lot in the 34 years since Bethesda Softworks was first founded," said Hines in a recent blog post. "Today, it changed again. And I know that brings up questions.
"But the key point is we’re still Bethesda. We’re still working on the same games we were yesterday, made by the same studios we’ve worked with for years, and those games will be published by us."
According to Hines, the change coming out of this acquisition is something that was the right move for them to make, "because it allows us to make even better games going forward. Microsoft is an incredible partner and offers access to resources that will make us a better publisher and developer. We believe that means better games for you to play. Simply put - we believe that change is an important part of getting better. We believe in pushing ourselves to be better. To innovate. To grow."
Bethesda also has a long working history with Microsoft and the two companies, according to the VP, share many of the same core values. As Bethesda shifted from a PC-only developer to working with consoles through the years, this acquisition will give the studio even more resources, a bigger team, and more support for continuing on our favorite stories while creating new ones at the same time.
More details about this acquisition are coming in the next few months, but with Xbox being primarily focused on services for next gen rather than hardware sales, this could be a really good thing for all. The new deal is set to close in the second fiscal year for 2021.
In a shocking announcement, Microsoft has revealed that they have officially acquired Bethesda and its parent company ZeniMax Media. Bethesda is behind numerous popular franchises including The Elder Scrolls, Doom, Fallout, Wolfenstein, and more.
In a press statement to Game Informer, Microsoft purchased ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion, giving them ownership of some of the biggest series in gaming to-date.
Microsoft also tells us that this move was made with the primary goal in mind for cloud-based services like Xbox Game Pass, which just celebrated another major milestone with over 15 million members.
“Gaming is the most expansive category in the entertainment industry, as people everywhere turn to gaming to connect, socialize and play with their friends,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “Quality differentiated content is the engine behind the growth and value of Xbox Game Pass—from Minecraft to Flight Simulator. As a proven game developer and publisher, Bethesda has seen success across every category of games, and together, we will further our ambition to empower the more than three billion gamers worldwide.”
This is only the latest acquisition for Microsoft to make in the name of Xbox with more on the horizon. This also will ensure that future Bethesda titles will be available, for free, on day one thanks to the ever-growing Game Pass subscription.
“This is an awesome time to be an Xbox fan. In the last 10 days alone, we’ve released details on our two new consoles which go on pre-order tomorrow, launched cloud gaming in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and now we’re making another investment in the most critical part of our strategy: the games,” said Phil Spencer, executive vice president, Gaming at Microsoft. “Generations of gamers have been captivated by the renowned franchises in the Bethesda portfolio and will continue to be so for years to come as part of Xbox.”
The transaction is still in progress with closing conditions still ongoing. According to Microsoft, the acquisition should be finalized in the second half of fiscal year 2021.
Despite what the box and blurbs might tell you, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim isn't really a game about piloting giant robots. I mean, sure, you do fight off massive swarms of building-sized creatures hellbent on total destruction in an alternate-universe 1980s Japan at some points. But these seemingly model-kit-ready metal combat suits are just a plot device, a cog in the story. In actuality, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a character drama: a twisting, turning sci-fi epic jumping through time and dimensions as it follows the lives of its numerous teen protagonists. Missiles, Gatling guns, and armor-crushing metal fistcuffs are merely a side event to the everyday drama of highschoolers who find themselves unwilling pawns in a bigger game with the fate of the world at stake. And you know what? That's great. Once the narrative of 13 Sentinels sinks its hooks into you, you want nothing more than to go along for the ride up until the very climax.
13 Sentinels is a unique, genre-mixing experiment. It takes elements of point-and-click adventure games, visual novels, real-time strategy games, and tower defense games, mixing them together to create an experience that's quite unlike anything else out there. Things get rolling when young Japanese highschooler Juro Kurabe is called upon to fight a horde of alien invaders in 1985, only for the story to flash back to earlier that year, then over to young soldiers in 1945 wartime-era Japan, then to two schoolgirls witnessing a crisis in the year 2025. You immediately meet a huge cast of characters across different eras, learning that there is one constant: the existence of Sentinels, massive human-piloted robot weapons who exist to protect the world from otherworldly monsters.
The game is split into three parts: a Remembrance mode where you uncover the story piece by piece, a Destruction mode where you use giant Sentinel mechs to protect the city from invasion, and an Analysis mode that collects all of the information and story scenes you have discovered through gameplay. Remembrance is presented as an episodic series where you explore and interact with various environments and characters to advance the plot. Destruction, in contrast, is an overhead-view strategy segment where you use the Sentinels to defend a critical underground access point from invading forces.
Release:
(PlayStation 4,
Xbox One,
PC), TBA (PlayStation 5,
Xbox Series X/S)
Rating: Mature
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Everything we've seen so far of Cyberpunk 2077 has been nothing short of stunning but those breathtaking graphics have had many PC players worried that their rigs might not be able to take the heat. Luckily, the entry point for PC gamers is much lower than originally anticipated as CD Projekt RED confirms the Cyberpunk 2077 PC requirements, both minimum and recommended.
During the studio's most recent Night City Wire showcase, they confirmed the specs that PC players can look forward to:
The minimum system requirement set with the NVIDIA GTX 790 or the Radeon RX 470 is a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Obviously players will want to shoot for the recommended settings if possible if they want to experience the highest quality of Cyberpunk, but knowing that the minimum specs are a little more in reach means good things for fans ready to jump in.
With a game this massive, seeing the storage space required is also not surprising. CDPR has mentioned previously that this is a living, breathing city. Night City and its surrounding areas are massive and with completely interactive environments. A game of that scale will always require some hefty storage requirements.
We'll be able to see exactly how this game performs when Cyberpunk 2077 launches on November 19, 2020 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot has new DLC coming out here soon and with it comes Golden Frieza. Golden Frieza is this character's most powerful form and we've got a sneak peek at this OP evolution thanks to the latest issue of V-Jump.
A scan of the most recent of V-Jump magazine not only shows off Golden Frieza, but also the return of Ginyu Force and the Super Saiyan Blue forms for Vegeta and Goku.
Golden Frieza, according to the scans above, comes with the second part of the game's first DLC: New Power Awakens. The first part made its debut back in April of this year and focused heavily on the Dragon Ball film Battle of Gods. The second part of the DLC will touch on Dragon Ball Z: Ressurrection F, which explains Golden Frieza's appearance in Kakarot.
The same account that shared the first screen also showed off another image of the latest issue, this time showing off the previously confirmed Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta and Goku forms.
We don't have a release date for when the second part of the Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot DLC arrives, but we do know that is slated for sometime later this year.
Monster Hunter had an awesome news week with both Monster Hunter: Rise and Monster Hunter Stories 2 being revealed. Nintendo is making that news even sweeter with the reveal of three new Amiibo coming at the beginning of next year, including an adorable little Palico!
Nintendo revealed the three new Amiibo figures that are going to be coming out March 26, 2021. The three latest additions include a Palamute figure, a Magnamalo, and a smiling Palico:
Each figure will unlock a special armor set in Monster Hunter: Rise. No word on if these will also impact Monster Hunter Stories 2 at this time, but even if it's just for Rise, that Palico one is too cute to pass up!
Amiibo first crashed onto the scene back in 2014 and there was a whirlwind period where they were so hard to get, so exclusive, that it was a madhouse just to try to land that coveted figure. Since that period, however, Nintendo has been much more on top of supply and demand, making collecting these little cuties back on hobby level and not frustrated obsession.
The Monster Hunter Amiibo line debuts March 26, 2021. Are you planning on scooping one up? All three? Sound off in the comment section below!
Yes this is Bloodborne read the accompanying text :D
Bethesda
