New Year, New Age: Age of Empires Livestream to Showcase 2024 Lineup

The Age of Empires team has announced a special livestream event to celebrate the new year and reveal their plans for 2024. The “New Year, New Age” livestream will take place on February 23rd at 10:00 am PT (1:00 pm ET / 18:00 UTC) and will feature news, updates, and gameplay for some of the most anticipated titles in the Age of Empires franchise. Fans can expect to see a sneak peek of Age of Mythology: Retold, a modern remake of the classic RTS game that blends ancient history and mythology. The team will also give a first look at Age of Empires Mobile, a new mobile game developed by TiMi Studios, the award-winning studio behind Call of Duty: Mobile and Honor of Kings. The livestream will also include updates for the existing games in the franchise, such as Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, and Age of Empires IV. Here are some of the highlights of what to expect from the livestream: The livestream will be hosted by Welyn, a popular Twitch streamer and Age of Empires fan, who will give his expert impressions and reactions to all the news, reveals, teases and gameplay. Welyn previously hosted the 25th anniversary show for the franchise in 2020. The “New Year, New Age” livestream will be available to watch on the following channels: Mark your calendars for February 23rd at 10:00 am PT and don’t miss this exciting event that will showcase the future of the Age of Empires franchise. Whether you are a veteran player or a newcomer, there will be something for everyone to enjoy in the “New Year, New Age” livestream.

Review: Tekken 8

Developer – Bandai Namco Entertainment Publisher – Bandai Namco Entertainment Platforms – PC, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5 (reviewed) Review copy given by publisher Tekken 8 is the latest entry in the legendary fighting game series, and it delivers on all levels, providing a fresh and exciting gameplay experience for newcomers and veterans alike. It’s been almost a decade since Tekken 7 released so the arrival of the eighth installment has long been overdue. We recently got Street FIghter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1, and now with the arrival of Tekken 8, fighting games are truly making a comeback in the gaming community. Right from the get-go, you’ll probably notice that Tekken 8 takes on a more aggressive approach than its predecessors. The most notable addition is the Heat system, which allows players to enter a state of enhanced offense by using a meter that fills up during the fight. In Heat mode, players can deal more chip damage, recover more health, access new moves or properties, and unleash powerful attacks that can turn the tide of the battle. The Heat system encourages players to be more aggressive and creative, as they have to balance the risk and reward of using their meter. It runs out pretty quick, so better make good use of it! Another new feature is the recoverable health mechanic, which adds a layer of strategy and tension to the fights. Players can regain some of the health they lost by attacking their opponents, but they can also lose it permanently if they get hit again. This means that players have to be careful about their defense, as they can lose a lot of health quickly if they are not careful. Recoverable health also makes comebacks more possible, as players can regain some of their health while they are on the offensive. Aggressiveness is the key here. Modern controls in Street Fighter 6 undoubtedly changed the game in terms of accessibility for newcomers to the fighting game genre. Tekken 8 offers something similar, known as Special Style. You activate it by pressing L1 on the PlayStation controller, and doing so brings you into a form that allows for simpler inputs and combo stringing. It’s quite limited and not as in-depth as the modern controls from Street Fighter 6 so players still need to eventually learn the classic button inputs. That being said, Special Style can be toggled at any time and doesn’t suffer from damage reduction, which modern controls do in SF6. I would say Tekken is fundamentally harder than Street Fighter, and that shows here as well with Special Style. Aside from multiplayer player versus player battles, Tekken 8 offers a plethora of different game modes. The story campaign, also known as The Dark Awakens, contains 15 chapters and takes around 5 hours to complete. Arcade Quest is the other offline single player mode that has you making your own avatar and battling rivals throughout multiple virtual arcades. The aforementioned modes are the chunkier ones, whereas the rest of the side content include: Super Ghost Battle, which allows you to battle against ghosts that fight like you using AI, Arcade Battle, and Tekken Ball.  It’s a bit of a bummer Bandai Namco didn’t include Tekken Bowl, but we might see that in future DLCs. The Dark Awakens is probably one of the better fighting game story modes that I’ve ever seen. It continues the threads left off from Tekken 7 and continues the feud between father and son Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima. Not only is this a great way for new players to get acclimated to the franchise’s iconic characters, they can also get introduced naturally to some of the game’s new mechanics. The over the top fully voiced cinematic sequences are always a treat and this time the Iron First Tournament is actually incorporated in with the plot, bring different characters together naturally. This is not to mention the robust character customizations, combo practice rooms, and the Character Episodes for each playable character on the roster. The practice mode is comprehensive and helpful, with in depth tutorials, a frame data display, and a combo trainer. If you’re only looking at offline solo play, you can probably get between 10-15 hours of gameplay, but the majority of players are probably playing for the online competitive ranked matches, which technically makes this an endlessly replayable experience.  If you haven’t noticed on social media or Youtube already, the character customization mode is absolutely insane. It’s so robust that you can use it to create any character that you want. Do you want to play as Leon from Resident Evil or Tifa from Final Fantasy 7 in Tekken 8? Well now you can! You can alter areas such as full body, head, glasses, upper body, lower body, shoes, and accessories for any given character. Dynamic colors can be used to further customize your creation so that each character is unique to you. Unlike Street Fighter 6 which has previous generation versions and Mortal Kombat 1 which has a Nintendo Switch Port, Tekken 8 is built exclusively on current generation machines. This means that it boasts a stunning graphical overhaul, taking full advantage of the PS5’s capabilities. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, with crisp and detailed textures, realistic lighting and shadows, and impressive particle effects. The character models are also more expressive and lifelike, with realistic facial animations and body movements. The stages are also more dynamic and interactive, with destructible objects, environmental hazards, and multiple transitions. Tekken 8 features a staggering roster of 32 characters, including 3 brand new faces: Azucena, Victor, and Reina. Azucena is the first Peruvian character in the series while Victor works alongside Raven from Tekken 5. Reina, on the other hand, is the illegitimate daughter of Heihachi, making her the half-sister to Kazuya and Lars! Of course fan favorites such as Jun Kazama, Nina Williams, and Panda make a welcome return. However, what did they do to

Review: Chronique des Silencieux

Developer – Pierre Feuille Studio Publisher – Pierre Feuille Studio Platforms –  PC (Reviewed) Review copy given by Developer Chronique des Silencieux is a game that promises an intriguing story of secrets, lies, and mysteries, but fails to deliver on its potential due to poor translation and lack of guidance. The game puts you in the role of a rookie private eye hired by an old history professor, Victor Dousvalon, to help his daughter Catherine uncover his past. You will have to explore various locations, interview witnesses, and piece together clues to solve the case. However, the game is hampered by its translation from French, which is full of errors and inconsistencies that make the text hard to follow and the story confusing. The game also offers little direction or feedback, leaving you to wander aimlessly and guess what to do next. The game tries to emulate the classic adventure games of the past, but ends up being frustrating and tedious instead. The game’s premise is intriguing, as you are faced with a peculiar case of a man who refuses to tell his own story, and a daughter who suddenly wants to know more about him. The game also boasts a rich historical setting, as you explore the southern France of the 1970s, with its political and social turmoil. The game’s graphics are decent, with a stylized art style that captures the mood and atmosphere of the era. The game’s sound design is also good, with a fitting soundtrack and voice acting that add to the immersion. The game’s gameplay is based on the classic point-and-click adventure genre, where you interact with objects, people, and your inventory. The game’s main mechanic is the interrogation system, where you have to ask questions, detect lies, and confront the silent ones with evidence. The game also features a notebook, where you can review your clues and make connections. The game’s puzzles are mostly logical and challenging, requiring you to pay attention to details and think creatively. However, the game’s translation is a major flaw that ruins the experience. The game’s text is full of grammatical, spelling, and formatting errors that make it hard to read and understand. The game’s dialogue is often unnatural and awkward, with characters using incorrect words, phrases, or punctuation. The game’s story is also affected by the translation, as it becomes unclear and inconsistent. The game’s text often contradicts itself, or leaves out important information. The game’s translation also makes it difficult to follow the clues and solve the puzzles, as you are not sure if something is a mistake or a hint. The game’s translation is a huge disappointment, as it prevents you from enjoying the game’s story and gameplay. The game’s lack of direction and guidance is another flaw that makes the game frustrating and tedious. The game does not offer any explanation of its mechanics, leaving you to figure out everything by yourself. The game also does not give you any indication of your progress or objectives, leaving you to wander around and try everything. The game’s map is large and confusing, with many locations that look similar and have nothing to do with the case. The game’s hint system is also unhelpful, as it either gives you vague or obvious hints, or tells you that you will be penalized for using it. The game’s lack of direction and guidance makes the game feel like a chore, as you waste time and energy on irrelevant or unclear tasks. Chronique des Silencieux is a game that could have been a great detective adventure, but is ruined by its poor translation and lack of guidance. The game’s story is intriguing, but is obscured by the errors and inconsistencies in the text. The game’s gameplay is challenging, but is hindered by the confusion and frustration caused by the translation and the lack of direction. The game’s graphics and sound are decent, but are not enough to save the game from its flaws. Chronique des Silencieux is a game that is not worth your time or money, unless you are fluent in French and have a lot of patience.

Stellar Blade Comes To PlayStation 5 This April

More than two years ago, Shift Up Corp. revealed Project Eve. At the time sharing an very ambition title with effort bringing forward the definition of next-gen. And more recently, the now-titled ‘Stellar Blade’ returns with an update sharing the game’s aimed arrival for 2024. Of course, being published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, it will be only on PlayStation 5. At the recent State of Play presentation, Shift Up Corp. shares Stellar Blade is set to launch in April 2024 later this spring. Pre-orders are to go live February 7th. You can watch the new trailer in the video below: “Stellar Blade follows the journey of Eve, a warrior who descends from an off-world Colony to defeat the Naytibas, humanity’s enemy that suddenly emerged on Earth. The Naytibas appear to be attacking the human race at the will of a higher entity composed of Alpha and an Elder, but no one really knows about their origin,” Shift Up Corp. director Kim Hyung Tae writes. “The protagonist, Eve, finds herself in a devastated world where she meets Adam, a survivor left on Earth, and Lily, a member of a previous airborne squad. Together they join forces in battle against the Naytibas. Along the way, Eve’s party works with the surviving citizens gathered in the last human city, Xion. “Xion is connected to a semi-open world region called the Wasteland and the Great Desert, which harbor many secrets. You get to cross paths with many different people and go on adventures in these vast fields to fulfill Eve’s goals while also helping the citizens of Xion. One of the missions involves gathering Hyper Cells, which are a massive source of energy sustaining Xion. These cells lie dormant throughout the fields, and Eve retrieves these Hyper Cells to turn Xion back to its original glory. This leads her to meet more characters along the way. “Throughout her adventures, you will pick up items like Exospines or Gears as well as acquire SP EXP which unlocks powerful skills. You can also acquire various cosmetics, such as costumes, accessories, and hairstyles. Players will hear a wide of variety of music while exploring in Stellar Blade. From relaxing tunes at the camp to music that captures the poignancy of a ruined city. Almost all the songs have choruses and vocals, which will immerse you into the world of Stellar Blade.” Do you plan to buy Stellar Blade at launch? Stellar Blade arrives on April 26, 2024 for PlayStation 5. Source: PlayStation Blog

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Revealed, Coming To PlayStation 5 In 2025

As of late, Death Stranding has become an ongoing conversation the past week or two. Most recently, the game made headlines for its newest version. Although the game launched exclusively on PlayStation, it has expanded beyond console with PC, PC Game Pass, and now it is available on the App Store. Yes, Death Stranding can now be played on iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max. Additionally, a new report went out sharing the title for the next entry – Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. But going back another month, Death Stranding made headlines once more. In a new collaboration with A24, the firm is to be working alongside Hideo Kojima on the upcoming live-action film for the PlayStation Productions project. At the PlayStation State of Play, Kojima Productions revealed a near 10-minute-long trailer for the sequel, confirming the game to be titled Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. You can watch the trailer in the video below: “Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again,” the description for the game reads. As for Hideo Kojima elsewhere at PlayStation, him & Hermen Hulst confirms a new action espionage project is underway. “I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work,” Kojima says regarding the new game, Physint. You can read the full report by heading here. How excited are you for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach? Death Stranding 2: On The Beach launches on PlayStation 5 in 2025.

Until Dawn Is Coming To PlayStation 5 & PC Later In 2024

After Until Dawn, its virtual reality spin-offs, it was believed the IP was over. That is thanks to the acquisition of Supermassive Games – the team responsible for the PlayStation releases. However, that was not truly the case – at least according to new reports. In that, it is told the game is to make a return for both PlayStation 5 & PC on the horizon. Even more, the series is to be adapted into a film under the PlayStation Productions banner. From The Hollywood Reporter, David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation) is to direct whilst Gary Dauberman (It, The Nun) is responsible for penning the script. Currently, it is undetermined whether actors from the game are to reprise their roles for the live-action adaptation. In a new announcement at the PlayStation State of Play, Ballistic Moon reveals its untitled PlayStation project is in fact the Until Dawn enhanced release. You can watch the full reveal by heading here. “Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, Until Dawn has seen enhancements across the board, all made with passion and care for the original from the team of horror lovers, film fanatics, and veteran game makers at Ballistic Moon; and it’s coming to PS5 and PC this year! Until Dawn has been rebuilt with the latest tools and techniques. New and improved animations build on the success of the original character performances. Characters, environments and VFX have been upgraded – all for a truly enhanced cinematic horror experience. “We use a broader cinematic tonal colour palette and new perspectives to make the story more nuanced and emotional. We’ve been brave enough to shine a light into the dark, unseen corners of Blackwood Mountain and added a third-person camera, which means you can now look behind the curtain of the original game, exploring enhanced and new locations with new interactions and collectables,” Ballistic Moon creative director Neil McEwan writes.   “Incorporating a third-person camera and adding contextual character movement animations, the game now allows the player to really feel the experience of that fateful night. Until Dawn’s sound has undergone a massive overhaul too, featuring a new score from legendary horror composer Mark Korven. We’ve endeavoured to keep the fantastic narrative integratory of the original, but we have seized the opportunity to expand upon unexplored emotional parts of the story.” Are you excited for Until Dawn returning on newer hardware? Until Dawn is coming to PlayStation 5 & PC in 2024; out now for PlayStation 4. Source: PlayStation Blog

Metro Awakening VR Gets Reveal Trailer For 2024 Release On PlayStation VR 2

The Metro series has remained on ice for a few years now. After the release of Metro Exodus, developer 4A Games has quietly been working on the next entry. According to one report, the Ukrainian game studio has been working on multiple projects. The team is said to be occupied with a multiplayer experience for Metro alongside a new IP as well. Additionally, the team is also said to be working on the follow-up to Metro Exodus with plans to release in 2024. But, there is more Metro on the way. According to a recent leak, a virtual reality experience is on the horizon. The game is said to be aimed to release later this year for PlayStation VR 2 with a reveal this week. And at the PlayStation State of Play presentation, Vertigo Games unveils Metro Awakening VR. You can watch the reveal trailer in the video below: “Metro Awakening is an all-new Metro game made exclusively for VR, and powered by the immersive features of PS VR2 and its Sense controllers. It’s an origins story, set before the events of Metro 2033, that both offers a whole new angle for Metro fans, and a fantastic starting point for seasoned VR players ready to put on the gas mask,” Vertigo Games associate game director Samar Louwe says. “Set in 2028, the all-new story is penned by series creator Dmitry Glukhovsky. You play as Serdar, a doctor searching for his wife amongst the claustrophobic, irradiated metro tunnels of post-apocalyptic Moscow. As Serdar ventures deeper into the Metro his courage and sanity will be tested by the supernatural forces he encounters, and will set in motion the events that lead to his spiritual awakening as something else entirely…” Are you excited for Metro Awakening VR? Metro Awakening VR ships in 2024 for PlayStation VR 2. Source: PlayStation Blog

Hideo Kojima Reveals New Espionage Project ‘Physint’ In Partnership With PlayStation

From the mind of Hideo Kojima, no matter the game – fans will be there. Over the past few years since he left Konami – nearly a decade now – he has found a standing at his self-founded Kojima Productions. We witnessed this with the release of Death Stranding. And, it is confirmed that a sequel is already on the way. But, that is not all. Most recently, he confirmed that the IP is also expanding with transmedia. A film adaptation is on the way. Even more, A24 is to be the production firm behind the coming motion picture. However, Kojima is also partnering with other members of Hollywood at Xbox. In December, it was revealed he has collaborated with Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us, Nope) on a new Xbox Cloud Gaming project, OD. Closing out the recent PlayStation State of Play, Kojima alongside PlayStation Studios president Hermen Hulst shares a new project is on the way at PlayStation, Physint. You can watch the segment in the video below: “Yes, it will be a brand new IP, a next-generation ACTION ESPIONAGE game. Preparations are underway, but production will begin in the earnest at KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS after DEATH STRANDING 2,” Kojima expresses during the segment. “We have extensive experience with Sony, having grown the espionage genre together for almost 30 years. Also, SONY not only does games, but also music and movies. It will definitely be a strong collaboration. Two years from now, I will celebrate the 40th anniversary of my game production career. I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work. “We plan to bring together cutting-edge technology and talent from around the world to create it. Of course, it’s an interactive game, but also a movie at the same time, in terms of look, story, theme, cast, acting, fashion, and sound. With this title, we hope to transcend the barriers between film and video games.” Are you excited for Physint?

Silent Hill: The Short Message Is Available Now On PlayStation 5 In Surprise Shadow Drop

For years, players & fans begged Konami to do something with the Silent Hill IP. And in 2022, it revealed plans for a full course of exciting releases. This includes Silent Hill 2 Remake, Silent Hill Townfall, Silent Hill: Ascension, and Silent Hill f. All projects are underway with even a film on the way from the original Silent Hill director, Christophe Gans. However, there was still lingering questions about another Silent Hill project, ‘The Short Message’. Previously, images leaked revealing a new title that did not appear to be the same as the aforementioned games already. Even more, ‘Silent Hill: The Short Message’ was also rated in Korea previously too which signified it is planned to be revealed. And it did – as well as release at the same time. Konami at the PlayStation State of Play shared Silent Hill: The Short Message is out now on PlayStation 5. You can watch the launch trailer in the video below: “This game started as something like an experimental project – an opportunity for us to try out different things, see what worked and what didn’t, and grow and polish our horror game expertise. We also had a lot of people who were relatively new in their career but still loved Silent Hill, and who really wanted to be involved in making a horror game, so we used this as a way for our team to build hands-on experience, too,” says producer Motoi Okamoto. “We wanted to make a new, modern Silent Hill. As part of that we explored how we could incorporate contemporary problems. We ended up looking at how modern youth communicate online and through phones, and the role that could play in a psychological horror story. For instance, a frightening thing about social media is how even insignificant individual comments can, en masse, build and build until they become this overwhelming wave of hate crashing down on you.” Are you interested in Silent Hill: The Short Message? Silent Hill: The Short Message is out now on PlayStation 5. Source: PlayStation Blog

Sonic X Shadow Generations Announced, Launches Autumn 2024

In 2024, there is to be yet another rekindling for Sonic the Hedgehog as the Sega mascot plans to make a return to theaters later this December. Of course, we’re talking about Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The film mentioned is to feature the debut for Shadow the Hedgehog. In one report, it is indicated that Hayden Christensen (Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Jumper) is to take the role of the iconic character. Additionally, reports also suggest portions of the film is to take place within Westopolis – the city that 2005’s Shadow the Hedgehog takes place in. From the same insider, it is also said that Shadow the Hedgehog is already planning to be featured in two films – Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and plans for a standalone movie. What’s more, this goes in line with the recent rumor for Sonic X Shadow Generations that surfaced recently. Well, at the Wednesday PlayStation State of Play, Sega officially announced Sonic X Shadow Generations. You can watch the reveal trailer in the video below: “The original Sonic Generations provided an unforgettable experience to Sonic fans old and new, as it combined nostalgia from the early days of Sonic with the latest modern Sonic gameplay at the time. The story centers around Sonic and friends as their universe is thrown into chaos when an ominous power appears, creating ‘time holes,’ which take Sonic and his friends back in time,” Sega of America associate PR manager Thalia Piedra writes. “While in the past, Sonic runs into some familiar faces including a classic version of himself! Together, they must team up to defeat enemies, save their friends, and find out who is behind this diabolical deed. […] But that’s not all – Sonic X Shadow Generations also introduces an all-new standalone campaign for Shadow the Hedgehog, making this the definitive blend of Classic Sonic, Modern Sonic and Shadow gameplay.” How excited are you for Sonic X Shadow Generations? Sonic X Shadow Generations launches sometime in fall 2024 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Source: PlayStation Blog