Review: Atlas Wept

Developer – Kbojisoft Publisher – Kbojisoft , Wings Platforms –  PC (Reviewed) Review copy given by Developer Atlas Wept takes players on a journey to a distant planet, immersing them in the unfolding mysteries of the world through the eyes of two separate groups of children. Desi and Charlie embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind people’s vanishing memories, while How and Lucy delve deep underground to unveil the secrets of Gigi, the robotic dog, and their country’s mysterious force field. As the narrative unfolds across 12 chapters, players alternate between the two groups, piecing together the enigmatic storyline. At first glance, Atlas Wept may draw comparisons to classic SNRPGs like Earthbound, but as the game progresses, disappointment sets in due to its linear nature. The inability to explore houses, shops, or upgrade equipment, coupled with a lack of variety in items, may leave players yearning for a more open-world experience. One of the game’s notable features is the character upgrade system, involving memory chips and stamps. While these systems encourage exploration, the overarching issue lies in the sluggish battle system. Encounters, even standard ones, can stretch up to five minutes, and multiple enemies can turn a simple battle into a tedious 10-minute affair. The battle mechanics, reminiscent of Undertale but significantly slower, leave players waiting for turn prompts, hindering the overall exploration experience. The standout feature of Atlas Wept , as mentioned is its innovative combat system, seamlessly blending traditional turn-based mechanics with the exhilarating dodge mechanics reminiscent of bullet hell games. This fusion creates a dynamic and challenging combat experience, demanding both strategic planning and quick reflexes. The integration of bullet hell elements elevates the depth and complexity of the combat, setting it apart from conventional RPGs. The active turn-based (ATB) system allows control of up to four characters, but the slow pace may discourage players from venturing off the beaten path. The battle system relies on a timer mechanic for attacks and magic, with successful timing enabling combo attacks and additional damage. Stun meters add an extra layer, requiring players to strategize around stunning enemies for optimal damage output. While the game’s aesthetic draws heavily from the retro RPG style, Atlas Wept transcends the boundaries of a typical RPG, becoming a profound exploration of empathy, understanding, and the transformative power of connections. It challenges players to think, feel, and care, and in doing so, it achieves a level of emotional engagement that is rare in the gaming world. The game introduces a unique resource system, replacing traditional MP with inspiration points. While innovative, it doesn’t compensate for the battles’ slow pace. Dodging enemy attacks introduces a mini-game element, contributing to the overall complexity of the system. Atlas Wept offers four difficulty modes, affecting the speed of enemy attacks. Unfortunately, the real challenge lies in the excessive HP of enemies, turning every encounter into a prolonged affair. The game’s potential is overshadowed by the need for a rebalanced combat system and reduced encounter rates. Atlas Wept showcases promise with its intriguing narrative and character upgrade systems. However, the sluggish battle system and unbalanced enemy HP create a frustrating experience, making it challenging for players to fully enjoy the game’s potential. While the developer’s dedication is commendable, improvements are crucial to elevate Atlas Wept to its envisioned heights.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl releases September 5, 2024

It has been a long time coming for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl with many delays since its reveal but today, GSC Game World gave exciting news for fans. After Gamescom 2023 and traveling to many other events across multiple countries allowing thousands of players to test the FPS, they revealed the final release date for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will release on September 5, 2024. The announcement came from a post on X (formerly Twitter) where the developer talked about how they initially planned to release Stalker 2 in Q1 2024. They felt the team needed more time to fix some of the technical issues they saw with the game so late 2024 will be the time it releases. “Throughout the frankly challenging development process, we understood the time was of the team’s main essence. Seeing the scope of polishing and understanding that we can’t push your patience too much, we were absolutely dedicated to releasing the game in Q1 2024, and we worked extra hard to meet the release window. That, however, doesn’t change the fact that at the beginning of this year, we still witnessed the certain amount of technical imperfections that hold S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 below the expected standards for the final experience our fans are waiting for. “ While it has been a long wait the good news is that fans can enjoy S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 on Xbox Series XlS and PC later this year.

Prison Architect 2 comes to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series XlS on March 26, 2024

Paradox Interactive and Double Eleven announced Prison Architect 2, the 3D successor to their prison management simulator. The sequel offers deeper simulation, greater player control, an inhabitant behavior system, and creative options. Here are the Key Features for Prison Architect 2: The World’s Greatest Prison Simulation Game – Now in 3D! Use your resources to build, manage, and control your prison in classic Prison Architect playstyle—now in 3 glorious dimensions! Design every corner of your prison and manage everything from daily schedules to policies, and ensure your prison is safe, self-sustaining, and secure. Build the Ultimate Penitentiary: Establish all of your prison infrastructure over multiple floors, and use tons of snazzy new tools that allow you to build a state-of-the-art correctional facility. The design of your prison will affect every aspect of your inmates’ lives, so make your schemes accordingly! The Smartest Inmates Ever: Unique inmates have schemes of their own – they now form distinct relationships that influence behavior, make decisions based on wants and needs, and plot their paths better than ever. Watch as they interact and attempt to navigate the daily trials of your prison. Remember that every choice you make might either help or hinder your inmates’ correctional journey. What type of relationships will your inmates have with your prison? The Prison Magnate: Establish and run a true institution from the top, building up unique correctional facilities in a freshly upgraded Career Mode that will take you across a brand new world map. Will your prisons end up being monuments to rehabilitation or retribution? Most importantly, will they pay the bills? Every Action has a Reaction: Choices matter and yours will determine the fate of your prison. More control than ever—over inmates, prison policies, architecture and more—means more ways for things to go well… or not! Plan carefully or you may have to cope with escapes, gang wars, and all sorts of expensive and destructive problems. Prison Architect 2 releases on March 26, 2024, for PC via Steam, Xbox Series XlS, and PlayStation 5 for $39.99 USD.

Don’t expect any shadow drops during the Xbox Developer Direct on Thursday

Microsoft is preparing for their second Xbox Developer Direct taking place on Thursday, January 18 and they set some expectations for fans speculating about the event. If you remember last year’s Direct you will remember Xbox shadow-dropped Hi-Fi Rush from Tango Gameworks that turned out to be a big hit for everyone involved. Going into this year’s Developer Direct fans have been anticipating that moment happening again, but Microsoft let everyone know that all games in this year’s Developer Direct will be arriving later. When will the games in the show be released? All the games in this year’s Developer_Direct will be arriving later, with more details to be shared in the program. A lot of the expectation comes from the fact that Microsoft owns countless studios now after the Activision Blizzard acquisition along with the ones they already have with Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda. They’ve also confirmed there will not be any Activision Blizzard King games shown during this showcase. What we can expect is the Indiana Jones video game that could release this year and we will see news on Hellblade II and Avowed.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is rumored to release on May 21, 2024

The Xbox Developer Direct is taking place on January 18, 2024, featuring upcoming games from the Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda. One of the games being showcased is Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 and many are anticipating a release date to be shared at the event. According to sources of Exputer, Senua’s Saga Hellblade 2 will be released on May 21, 2024, and it’s expected that it will be revealed during the Xbox Direct on Thursday. During The Game Awards, Ninja Theory brought a new trailer for Hellblade 2 but didn’t say anything besides the release window being 2024. This will be a great relief for those who worried this game would launch later in the year or be delayed beyond. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was first revealed just over 4 years ago at The Game Awards 2019 when the trailer dropped after the Xbox Series X unveiling. Source: Exputer

Foamstars comes to PS4 & PS5 on February 6

Square Enix announced its Splatoon competitor, Foamstars will come to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on February 6, 2024. The game will be available as part of February’s PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup and will become $29.99 USD after March and will require a PS+ subscription to play it. Foamstars is a brand-new 4v4 shooting game that comes with a party-like atmosphere where mysterious foam builds up around you. This new PlayStation exclusive is very similar to Nintendo’s Splatoon IP where the goal is to basically color the map more than the other team. Foamstars comes with a variety of game modes to play on: Smash The Star – Work together to knock out the Star Player Win by taking down the opposition’s designated Star Player. After defeating 7 players from the opposing team, one of the remaining players will be granted several buffs and appointed the Star Player. Work together to fight to overwhelm their Star Player while protecting your own! Happy Bath Survival – A crazy battle in and out of the arena! Featuring split teams with half inside the arena and half outside of reach for each round, competing to take down the opposing team’s players inside the arena first. Outside players can assist their teammates with defensive foam, while inside players fight up close for victory. Rubber Duck Party – Fight to dance on the duck and reach the goal! Get ready for a foam party like no other! Teams must race to the center of the stage and fight for possession of the rubber duck, as climbing aboard will advance it into the opposition’s goal. Dancing on the duck’s head will make it sprint towards the finish line to win the match. There will also be Mission Modes in Foamstars where you can play solo or up to 3 friends on the challenge. Players will be able to unlock rewards by completing challenges as well and you can expect some rewards to be exclusively earned from challenges as well. Throughout the first year, Square Enix plans to add characters, maps, and modes as part of a yearlong Foamstars Party. Source: PlayStation Blog

Review: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Developer – Ubisoft Montpellier Publisher – Ubisoft Platforms –  PS4/5(Performance Mention),Nintendo Switch , Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PC (Reviewed) Review copy given by Publisher When I was a Teenager, Prince of Persia was one of the most popular Action-Adventure games, with 3D Platformers and hack and slash games flooding the market, Prince of Persia was the one everyone wanted. When I saw Ubisoft released the news of The Lost Crown I was beyond excited, but to learn it was changing things up and becoming a Metroidvania, 2.5D Side-Scrolling Action-Adenture Platformer, I was worried the feel and what made the series great would be lost in the sand. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a captivating game that takes players on an unforgettable journey. In The Lost Crown, You play as Sargon, a young member of a warrior clan named The Immortals, sent by Queen Tomyrus, who is On a quest to save the abducted Prince of Persia (Prince Ghassan), trapped in the mysterious cursed city of Mount Qaf, which is stuck between time and dimensions. The game as mentioned is a Metroidvania, featuring a non-linear interconnected world that draws inspiration from Ori and the Blind Forest in its layout. This design choice allows for exploration and backtracking, adding depth and complexity to the gameplay. Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, known for their work on the iconic Rayman series, the game seamlessly blends exploration and platforming, creating an immersive experience. In the game, the combat sequences, offer a visceral and cinematic experience that stands out in the realm of action-adventure games. The incorporation of a cinematic flair, akin to the impactful finishers of the Mortal Kombat series, brings a heightened sense of intensity to each encounter. Battles are not just about defeating adversaries but are transformed into visually stunning spectacles, where every move and strike feels significant and resonates with the weight of the narrative. The game’s fighting style takes inspiration from the fluidity and dynamism seen in the Devil May Cry series. Players are not bound by rigid animations; instead, they find themselves in control of a character capable of executing a diverse range of moves with both precision and style. This freedom allows for seamless transitions between attacks, parries, and acrobatic maneuvers, creating a combat system that is not only challenging but also visually captivating. The synergy between the cinematic elements and the dynamic fighting style is a testament to the game’s commitment to delivering an immersive and engaging experience. Each battle becomes a choreographed dance of blades and magic, where the player’s skill and finesse are as crucial as their strategic decision-making. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown successfully marries the best aspects of cinematic combat with the fluidity of Devil May Cry-inspired gameplay, resulting in an action-packed adventure that is as visually stunning as it is exhilarating to play. However, when we get to the story and narrative, an unusual aspect arises with the character Kalux, the tree spirit, whose voice is generated by a text-to-speech program. Ubisoft acknowledged this as an “error,” stating that the English version of Kalux’s lines was not properly implemented, as reported by Engadget. Despite this hiccup, the game’s narrative remains engaging, drawing inspiration from Persian mythology to shed light on lesser-known aspects of the culture. Game director Mounir Radi expressed a desire to showcase Persian mythology and its impact on other mythologies, introducing creatures like the manticore as formidable boss characters, The rich lore and mythology add depth to the game’s narrative and make the world feel alive and immersive. One of the exciting things for Fans of The Sands of Time is that they will find a nostalgic yet intriguing twist, with the return of the iconic time powers. However, what sets this installment apart is the deliberate decision to place these temporal abilities in the hands of the game’s antagonist, introducing a captivating narrative twist. In contrast to the traditional role of the protagonist wielding time-altering abilities, players now face the challenge of contending with a formidable foe who can manipulate time itself. This change in dynamics not only adds a layer of complexity to the storyline but also injects a fresh element of challenge into the gameplay. As players navigate through the intricacies of the game, they must adapt to a reversed power dynamic, utilizing their own skills strategically to outmaneuver an adversary armed with time-bending prowess. This innovative approach not only pays homage to the series’ roots but also elevates the gaming experience by introducing a novel and dynamic element that keeps players on their toes, ensuring that The Lost Crown stands out as a unique and engaging addition to the Prince of Persia franchise. The developers have also prioritized accessibility, incorporating features like guided mode to ensure a more inclusive and user-friendly experience. Designed with inclusivity in mind, guided mode provides players with a nuanced and supportive gaming experience. This feature acts as a virtual hand, offering subtle cues and directions to assist players in navigating the intricacies of the game world. Whether it’s highlighting key points of interest, providing gentle nudges during challenging platforming sections, or offering strategic advice in combat scenarios, guided mode ensures that players of all skill levels can enjoy the game without feeling overwhelmed. This thoughtful implementation not only empowers players who may face difficulties with traditional gameplay but also contributes to a more immersive and enjoyable experience for the broader gaming community. By embracing guided mode, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sets a commendable standard for accessibility in gaming, fostering a more inclusive environment for all players to embark on this captivating adventure. Our Staff Member Henry , also played the PlayStation 5 Version and has this to say : On the PlayStation 5, The Lost Crown performs flawlessly, running at a silky smooth 120 frames per second on a VRR television with little to no drops. Load times are lightning fast, taking 4 seconds or less from a fresh launch. Those who sync with Ubisoft Connect can

Persona 3 Reload, Palworld, Turnip Boy Robs A Bank, And More Slated For Xbox Game Pass Second January 2024 Update

Upon exit of 2023, Xbox Game Pass continued to bring new information surrounding the service from Microsoft. One report claimed the subscription would branch to other platforms, but Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said otherwise. Additionally, a report from TrueAchievements penciled in over $8,700 in value was dished out for users for the entirety of 2023. Then starting off 2024, the new year introduced titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Hell Let Loose, and Resident Evil 2 to name a few. Moreover, early 2024 continued to pile up with the highly-anticipated Persona 3 Reload on the way to release too. Not only that, but also the ‘Pokémon with guns’ project Palworld slated for Xbox Game Pass this January. On Tuesday, Microsoft revealed the full list coming for the remainder of January 2024. You can read the full lineup below: Console Turnip Boy Robs a Bank – 1/18 F1 23 [EA Play]  – 1/18 Palworld – 1/19 Go Mecha Ball – 1/25 Brotato – 1/30 Persona 3 Reload – 2/2 Anuchard – 2/6 PC Turnip Boy Robs a Bank – 1/18 F1 23 [EA Play] – 1/18 Palworld – 1/19 Go Mecha Ball – 1/25 Brotato – 1/30 Persona 3 Reload – 2/2 Anuchard – 2/6 Cloud Turnip Boy Robs a Bank – 1/18 Palworld – 1/19 Go Mecha Ball – 1/25 Brotato – 1/30 Persona 3 Reload – 2/2 Anuchard – 2/6 Among the mass lineup of titles on Xbox Game Pass, only one is leaving come January 31st – Hitman: World of Assassination. For those who might recall, the game was rebranded & packaged to integrate all three modern Hitman titles into one experience. At the same time, it was also featured on Xbox Game Pass as well. More on the matter of Xbox Game Pass, the coming Xbox Developer_Direct scheduled for this Thursday will speak on new titles underway – all to hit the service upon release respectively. You can read the full report by heading here. Which Xbox Game Pass addition this time has you most excited? Source: Xbox Wire

Bendy And The Ink Machine Is Receiving A Film Adaptation

In 2023, the definition for video game adaptations shifted once more with the release for Five Nights at Freddy’s. Only following the demands of the fans rather than Hollywood, it has proven to be a success for those that went to the movie theater. Overall, the film became the highest-grossing horror film for that year as well as becoming the highest-grossing Blumhouse picture ever as well. Looking ahead, the firm is already piecing together a sequel to follow-up on the success of the first Emma Tammi movie as she plans to return for the second installment. Similar in the vein to Five Nights at Freddy’s & Poppy’s Playtime, Bendy and the Ink Machine is also on the way. Previously, it was reported that John Wick writer Derek Kolstad was tackling a television adaptation for the new property. According to the official X account in December, Bendy and the Ink Machine is to now face a film adaptation instead with Joey Drew Studios & Radar Pictures. Although not a major production firm, Radar Studios has produced more than a few dozen films. The most prolific projects its involved includes the likes of Vin Diesel’s Reddik series, Zathura: A Space Adventure, Son of the Mask, and the 2003 remake for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Additionally, there are a slew of other dramas & thrillers in its repertoire also. The description for the titular game via Steam reads: “Play as Henry as he revisits the demons of his past by exploring the abandoned animator’s workshop of Joey Drew Studios. With twists and turns around every corner, ‘Bendy and the Ink Machine’ is sure to thrill you… and decimate your childhood. You’ll never look at cartoons the same way again.” What has you most interested for a Bendy and the Ink Machine movie?

Sand Land Receives April 2024 Release Date

With the success of Dragon Ball Z for over the past three decades, the direction that Akira Toriyama was headed would bring success as you might expect. So when Bandai Namco announced a new project involving Toriyama, the excitement went through the roof; especially it being a project that he’s illustrated for in the past. It was revealed that Sand Land would be facing a video game release with Toriyama’s involvement in the development. At the time of the announcement, the game’s description emphasized on the new project being an open-world experience as combat & traversal focused on vehicles built to withstand the dusty terrain of the desert world of Sand Land. Even more, there is also world building as you create your own base which evolves into a large scale city throughout your experience in-game. Recently, Bandai Namco shipped a new trailer revealing Sand Land’s release date coming this April later in the spring. You can watch the new trailer in the video below: Alongside the launch date now scheduled for April, pre-orders are now live as well. In total, there are three pre-order options: Standard, Deluxe, and Collector’s Editions. The first include the base game; Deluxe includes Sand Land – Base Game, Speed Demon Pack, Beelzebub Decal Set, My Room Furniture Set: Army Base, and My Room Furniture Set: Hideout; Collector’s lists Sand Land – Base Game, Game Exclusive Beelzebub Figurine by S.H. Figuearts. There are also a pre-order bonus offered for any version fans decide to pay ahead for. That being the ‘Survivalist Camo Pack’ which will include three different vehicle camo paints to apply to your vehicles. “Customize vehicles with 3 special colors. Colors can be applied to all customizable vehicles,” the description reads. What has you most excited for Sand Land? Sand Land launches on April 6, 2024 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.