Review: Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons Remake
Developer – Avantgarden SRL Publisher – 505 Games Platforms – PS5, Xbox Series S|X,PC (Reviewed) Review copy given by Publisher NOTE: While playing you will navigate through areas that feature blood, dismemberment, humanoid bones, death, and violence. There is an optional area that also shows a depressed man attempting to commit suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of Self-harm or Suicide, In Canada, you can reach out to Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or visit kidshelpphone.ca. For assistance in the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org , aswell as you can Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor from the Crisis Text Line. We’d also like to thank Safe in Our World for being supportive of our work in Gaming and Helping support Mental Health Awareness through Gaming. I’m thrilled and pleasured to be writing a review for the remake of a game that holds a special place in my heart: Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. Back in 2013, I was captivated by this emotional rollercoaster of a game, and it remains one of my most cherished gaming memories. The heart-wrenching story of two brothers on an epic journey left an indelible mark on me, becoming one of the rare instances where I found myself moved to tears by a video game’s ending. When I heard of the remake, I was beyond excited to be able to reply the game with the remake’s updated visuals, performance, and gameplay, and relive the unforgettable experience, and reconnect with the emotions that made the original so unforgettable. Although this might be a long recap for many, Let’s dig into the story behind Brothers. In Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, you embark on an emotional journey with two brothers, the younger(Naiee) and the older(Naia), as they set out to save their ailing father by finding the “Water of Life.” The game takes you through a variety of captivating environments, each with its own unique challenges and encounters. The adventure begins in a quaint village nestled at the foot of a towering mountain. Here, you learn the game’s unique control scheme, where each brother is mapped to a different joystick (Which is one of the game’s unique stand-out features). The village is home to a memorial dedicated to the boys’ late mother, who perished at sea. The brothers then venture to a dense forest, where they encounter various creatures and overcome obstacles like swinging from ropes, climbing cliffs, and navigating treacherous terrain. They eventually reach a mysterious mill, where they discover a grumpy old man who refuses to help them. By solving a series of puzzles, the brothers manage to restart the mill’s water wheel, earning the old man’s respect. In return, he provides them with a raft to continue their journey. The rafting sequence takes the brothers through a serene landscape of waterfalls, caves, and wildlife. They eventually reach a dam, where they must work together to restore the water flow. Upon success, they’re greeted by a group of villagers who invite them to a celebration. Here, the brothers partake in a mini-game, where they must fill a cup with wine from a large barrel without spilling it. Their next destination is a spooky graveyard, where they must navigate through a maze of tombstones and avoid the undead. After solving a series of puzzles, they awaken a giant, friendly troll who helps them cross a chasm. The troll then introduces the brothers to a ferryman, who transports them to a desolate, snow-covered land. Here, they encounter a windmill and a friendly goat that aids them in solving puzzles. Eventually, they reach a frozen lake, where they must work together to create a path across the fragile ice. Their journey continues in a dark and eerie underground cave, where they face numerous challenges and solve puzzles to unlock the door to the “Water of Life.” Without spoiling too much of the ending , the games ends In an emotional climax, the younger brother carries the older brother on his back, desperately trying to return home. They face a series of trials, including a harrowing encounter with a terrifying beast. Eventually, the older brother succumbs to his injuries, leaving the younger brother to face the beast alone. As the credits roll, the game ends with a touching tribute to the bond between the two brothers, and reminds the player of what it means to work together and be with your family. This recap only scratches the surface of the rich narrative and emotional depth of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. The game’s ability to convey a powerful story through its gameplay, visuals, and soundtrack makes it a truly unique and unforgettable experience. In addition to the original hidden treats and rich storyline, the remake has added new secrets to be discovered, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is full of hidden details that reward those who seek them out. Speaking of the improvements made for the remake , the Remake features rebuilt characters and landscapes based on the original , and the updated graphics and performance breathe new life into the game’s captivating environments, from the lush forest to the haunting underground cave. The remake also introduces a re-recorded soundtrack, performed by a live orchestra, which adds even more emotional depth to the story. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake takes an already remarkable game with an incredible and emotional story and elevates it to new heights. With its breathtaking visuals, emotional soundtrack, and engaging gameplay, the remake is a testament to the power of storytelling in video games. Whether you’re experiencing the game for the first time or revisiting this timeless tale, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is a must-play for any fan of narrative-driven games.
Frostpunk 2 launches July 25, 2024 and will be available with PC Game Pass
11 bit studios have announced the release date for their most anticipated game, Frostpunk 2. This came down at the Xbox Partner Preview event that announced new games coming to not only Xbox but to PC and other platforms. “Diving even deeper into the post-apocalyptic abyss, Frostpunk 2 builds upon the foundations that made its predecessor a triumph. It thrusts players into a world of unyielding realities and complex social dilemmas within an ever-expanding city. With a broader scope and expansion in every aspect of the gameplay mechanics, Frostpunk 2 escalates the tension as you steer the City and its inhabitants into an uncertain future.” Frostpunk 2 will launch on Windows PC and Steam on July 25, 2024, and will be available on day one on PC Game Pass. The standard edition is now available for pre-order at $44.99 USD and the Digital Deluxe edition will cost $74.99, also available for pre-order on Steam and the Microsoft Store. Frostpunk 2 Digital Deluxe Edition includes the following: Base game Seven-day beta access to part of the Sandbox mode in April Three paid post-release DLCs Exclusive access to the story mode 72 hours before the official release “Warm Flesh” digital novella, an enticing excerpt from the upcoming Frostpunk book anthology Digital artbook & soundtrack The new Frostpunk will see a launch on consoles at a later date and when it happens, it’ll come to Xbox Game Pass.
Monster Jam Showdown comes to all platforms this year
Milestone and Feld Motor Sports have announced Monster Jam Showdown during the Xbox Partner Preview showcase. The all-new Monster Jam video game is developed in Unreal Engine 5 taking advantage of cutting-edge technology to create lifelike environments as never seen before in a game by Milestone. Monster Jam Showdown will launch sometime in 2024 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The monster truck game will feature a total of 10 different game modes with a robust mix of arcade experiences both online and offline, including split-screen. There will be a total of 66 official Monster Jam trucks with 40 of them included in the base game and 26 others will come free or through premium DLCs and there will be 140 paintouts to unlock.
Limited Run Games reveals VHS Edition for Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland
Limited Run Games continues to impress with its unique collector’s editions for new games and today they revealed their lineup for Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland. The Limited Run VHS Edition for the new Rugrats game will have ’90s kids nostalgic as the game will come in the iconic orange Nick VHS tape. The Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland VHS Edition costs $64.99 USD and comes in a VHS-style box and a Reptar Steelbook. Pre-orders will go live March 8, 2024, all the way through April 21, 2024, and it will be available for all available platforms. Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a retro-inspired puzzle-platforming adventure game based on the ’90s Nickelodeon franchise. It brings a brand-new NES-inspired adventure with modern design sensibilities.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy Launches Today For Xbox One & PlayStation 4
Although fans on PC have been waiting way longer, the Xbox version for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 counts to almost four years now. And although the game is still in active development, it is confirmed for a release date aiming for September 2024. Amid the wait for the launch, developer GSC Game World confirms that the game is utilizing Unreal Engine 5 which has been presented in the trailer issued thus far. Additionally, the game is also on the table for mod support. While yes, it is expected on PC, Xbox might be part of that as well according to the game studio. What isn’t included in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is PlayStation. In a separate interview, GSC Game World addressed that an effort for a PlayStation port is not part of its current plans. But there is room for that potentially after this new release. At the recent Xbox Partner Preview, GSC Game World announced & launched S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy. It is available as a complete trilogy priced at $39.99 or $19.99 a piece on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. An Xbox Series X|S update is promised for later in 2024. You can watch the trailer in the video below: “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. has been a PC franchise for a long time, so the key priorities were concentrated around adapting the experience for consoles as a whole (including, but not limited to, native controller support for console interfaces). We created everything from scratch, ensuring that the game was both easy to control and comfortable to play,” GSC Game World PR specialist Zakhar Bocharov said. “We wanted to bring S.T.A.L.K.E.R. to consoles for quite some time, and we worked closely with our trusted partners at Mataboo to make that happen,” Bocharov shares. “Despite the new release date for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, we decided to keep S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy in early 2024 to give the players some time to complete the originals before hopping into the sequel.” Are you planning to jump into the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy on console? S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy is out now for Xbox One & PlayStation 4. Source: Xbox Wire
Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass Revealed, Details On ‘Episode Aigis -The Answer-‘
This year is already starting strong with the release of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for Sega. Even more can be said with Persona 3 Reload. In our review we wrote: “Despite being a remake, Persona 3 Reload is undoubtedly at the forefront of mainline Persona titles. Fans have been asking for a re-imagining of Persona 3 for the longest time and Atlus has finally answered their calls. The game appeals to both fans and newcomers of the series.” And like its Yakuza counterpart, it also performed fairly well for an early 2024 release. Within its first week, Persona 3 Reload already sold more than one million copies. What’s more is that Atlus is prepared to continue this with other Persona titles as well – specifically the first two installments in the series at some point. At the recent Xbox Partner Preview, Microsoft featured the Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass. That’s right, planned DLC is on the way to the latest Atlus title. You can watch the trailer in the video below: “The Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass includes Episode Aigis -The Answer-, the beloved final chapter of Persona 3, now remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features and all the upgrades that came with Persona 3 Reload. After unravelling the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fighting epic battles through Tartarus, and all the unforgettable events of Persona 3 Reload, the S.E.E.S. members find themselves trapped in a never-ending March 31st. “Your journey will take you through the Abyss of Time as you now play as Aigis, a human-like android with the power of Persona. Undertake new challenges, and uncover the cause of this strange fate and the truth of what happened on that day…” the Xbox Wire post reads for the synopsis. General producer Kazuhisa Wada adds: “Persona 3 Reload would not be complete without Episode Aigis -The Answer-. “The epilogue is sure to satisfy both those who have played the original Persona 3 FES and those who are just starting out.” The Expansion Pass releases on March 12th Persona 5 Royal & Persona 4 Golden EX BGM Sets. In May, the Velvet Costume & BGM Set will be added followed by Episode Aigis -The Answer- in August. Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass will be a free perk for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. How excited are you for the new story DLC coming to Persona 3 Reload? Persona 3 Reload is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. Source: Xbox Wire
Capcom To Host New ‘Capcom Highlights’ Streams In Two Streams The Next Week To Showcase Coming Projects
For 2024, Capcom has already kick off the year strong with two releases. The first being the long-awaited Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy. With the latter trilogy now on modern hardware, players are hoping more games will come. In one interview, producer Kenichi Hashimoto does share a desire to see new games that further flourish with young protagonist Apollo. Additionally, Capcom is prepared to launch a major game by March this year. This comes from a recent investor Q&A in which the firm addresses its intentions. Of course, this is likely the upcoming and highly-anticipated sequel, Dragon’s Dogma II. After more than a decade of waiting, players will soon be able to revisit the universe that was introduced on Xbox 360 & PlayStation 4. In a recent announcement, Capcom reveals its plans for a new ‘Capcom Highlight’ showcase that will be divided across two livestreams. The schedule reveals Thursday March 7th at 3 PM PST / 6 PM EST. The second is slated to take place on Monday March 11th at 3 PM PST / 6 PM EST. The official website makes sure to clarify updates on the new Monster Hunter Wilds will not be present. “This event will not include any updates on Monster Hunter Wilds, a disclaimer says. “We’ll be providing the latest info on titles launching soon and give the world an update on the current state of Capcom,” an overview for the showcase reads. Even more, the featured games presented were also revealed. Day 1 lists Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess & Dragon’s Dogma II. And Day 2 includes Street Fighter 6, Monster Hunter Now, Exoprimal, and Monster Hunter Stories. One forthcoming title underway by Capcom is not present: Pragmata. After its reveal nearly four years ago, there is still no gameplay for this new title. In its most recent update in June 2023, it was delayed yet again with an undated release window. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you most interested about for Capcom Highlights? Source: Capcom
Ghost Of Tsushima: Director’s Cut Gets PC Release Slated For May 2024
This year, it was confirmed that PlayStation’s new releases will not be its established IPs this year. And while new titles are to launch in 2024, it’s original properties. But, legacy franchises are to find new homes, it’s been revealed. Previously, it was announced that Horizon Forbidden West is to launch in March 2024 for PC. And it does not stop there. According to Sony Interactive Entertainment, Ballistic Moon, Nixxes Software, Until Dawn is being remastered for PlayStation 5 as well as PC sometime later this year. Additionally, a new report surfaced recently disclosing the same effort is in the works for Japan Studios’ Gravity Rush 2. And now, another is on this list. After reports indicated news is coming soon, Sony Interactive Entertainment announces Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut is coming to PC in May this spring. You can watch the trailer in the video below: “We’re proud to announce that our friends and partners over at Nixxes are bringing Ghost of Tsushima to PC! This is a first for Sucker Punch – all our previous work is console-exclusive, so we are excited about all this and Nixxes was the right team to do this project,” Sucker Punch Productions co-founder Brian Fleming writes. “With them on board, we knew the results would be nothing short of amazing! Now excuse me as I go order a Super Ultra Wide monitor!” In the mean time, we urge you read our initial review for Ghost of Tsushima. “I absolutely loved Ghost of Tsushima. So many games based on feudal Japan are over the top in one way or another, and to finally have a grounded, beautiful, mature take on this era is something I’ve wanted for a long time. Thankfully Sucker Punch delivers, and in the process have crafted what’s easily their best game.” You can read the full piece by heading here. What has you excited for Ghost of Tsushima on PC? Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut ships on May 16, 2024 for PC; out now for PlayStation 5. Source: PlayStation Blog
Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment Confirms Final Fantasy VII Remake Trilogy Are PlayStation Console Exclusive
UPDATE: Gene Park of The Washington Post shared an update saying the entire Final Fantasy VII trilogy is not yet confirmed to be PlayStation console exclusive. I am clarifying the second point: it was a mistake on my part to write the sentence like that. The entire FFVII trilogy is NOT yet confirmed to be Sony exclusive. The article has been amended to only mention Remake and Rebirth. https://t.co/zPl6MXBX6N — Gene Park (@GenePark) March 6, 2024 ORIGINAL: This past week, Square Enix faces a triumphant release with the launch of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Not only is its most-anticipated release to date, it is literally one of its biggest titles. When announcing the game would be on two discs, it was understood the file size would warrant erasing some games. In total, over 145 GB is necessary to install Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. What’s more is that the series is only two-thirds complete. Players occupied with Rebirth are to look ahead for the final entry in the promised trilogy. Already, game director Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed that development has commenced on Part 3. Additionally, the wait for Rebirth to hit more hardware is much shorter. According to one trailer, it is only exclusive for three months before its likely release on PC. However, Xbox appears to be out of the picture entirely. According to a recent interview with The Washington Post, Square Enix Christian Svensson, Sony Interactive Entertainment vice president of second- and third-party content ventures and strategic initiatives, confirmed all three titles are PlayStation console exclusives. Back in that same console generation for the original PlayStation, Sony Computer Entertainment had few franchises of its own, and in order to find its place in a very competitive video game industry, we sought to win the hearts and minds of key third-party developers like Square. “Final Fantasy has always been one of the primary franchise pillars on PlayStation consoles. [Square Enix is] one of the best in the business at pushing beyond their fans’ lofty expectations and showing off what can be done with PlayStation hardware,” Svensson adds. The Washington Post also speaking to Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy producer Yoshinori Kitase reveals more insight on the decision. “Had it not been on a single platform, the world map would not be seamless, and game design may have had to regress significantly.” Kitase elaborates that much of the focused resources to one single platform fueled a better, seamless experience rather than development working on ports for other platforms. Previously, Square Enix addressed that its plans for its library is to be fully embraced with Xbox moving forward. Howbeit, that is now realized to be more selective now realizing that Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth, and what’s next to come is exempt from that promise. You can read the initial report by heading here. Are you surprised by this new development for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth? Source: The Washington Post
WB Games Plans For Live-Service To Overtake Its Current AAA Model, Executive Says
In a continuing trend more & more studios and publishers are pursuing the shiny red ball that is live-service. While the business model works for select titles that proven to be successful, many are feeling overwhelmed and simply annoyed more titles & teams associated with single player projects now following this path. Moving ahead, Warner Bros. Games is to pursue this head on, says Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Already, we witness this with the recent release for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Other games approaching this model includes the mobile title Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions underway. However, it is clarified that the firm is not approaching this with the Monolith Productions game Wonder Woman, which is a relief. But at the recent Morgan Stanley conference, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO of global streaming and games JB Perrette further reiterates on the firm’s backing on live-service games. We see the world and whether it be VR devices, the Vision Pro, the virtual world, who knows exactly how it evolves, but certainly those types of platforms are only going to increase in scale and adoption. And having 11 owned studios where we’re not just a publisher of games but actually a developer of games, we think is a differentiative asset for us. The challenge we’ve had is our business historically [in games] has been very AAA console based. That’s a great business when you have a hit like Harry Potter, it makes the year look amazing. And when you don’t have a release or unfortunately we also have disappointments – we just released Suicide Squad this quarter which was not as strong – it just makes it very volatile. Perrette adds: “So rather than just launching a one-and-done console game, how do we develop a game around for example, Hogwarts Legacy or Harry Potter, that is a live service where people can come in and live and work and build and play in that world on an ongoing basis.” Perrette does emphasize that the four pillars that WB Games is to focus its resources on are Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, Harry Potter, and DC Comics. This approach has left many online confused why this decision is being pursued. Evidently, Harry Potter spin-off ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ outsold Call of Duty in 2023. But instead it pursues live-service instead. And with the underwhelming performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, it only leaves more confusion. Recently, Warner Bros. Games did hint at one live-service making a return. In that, MultiVersus teased a beta is to be held later this year. You can read the full report by heading here. Do you support WB Games decision or no?
