Review: Capes

Developer – Spitfire Interactive Publisher – Defiant Development, Daedalic Entertainment Platforms –  PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S (Reviewed), Playstation 4/5 Review copy provided by Publisher Capes is a new Tactical Strategy game developed by Spitfire Interactive that discovers its superhero origins in games like Midnight Suns, XCOM, and Reverie Knights Tactics. You find yourself playing as a team of power-wielding heroes that join forces to counter against a supervillain mega-corporate called plainly the “Company.” Your goal is to kidnap, okay “recruit,” new heroes to join your team by completing several different missions in order to fully build your team to its full potential and take down Company before they kill the remaining heroes of the world.  While this is certainly a turn-based strategy, there are also fun puzzle mechanics thrown into the mix. Each mission has bonus objectives that require quite a lot of planning and thought to fully complete each goal. By doing so, you maximize your team’s experience points which allows them to level up, gain new powers, or improve existing ones. While each character only has a level cap of 5, they have a decent number of powers that can be customized with skill points. The upgrade options include increasing the total damage of moves, adding disarming effects, increasing the range of abilities, and other specific stats that are unique to each character.  Each hero has a specific role that they fall into, for instance, you have a support unit, a tank, melee attackers, ranged attackers, and some that can mix and match. The cool thing about the characters is they each have team attacks that are utilized when near each other. One example is the ability to grab a character and teleport them to a new area, dashing across the battlefield leaving a trail of crystals behind you, and controlling the mind of an enemy causing them to turn around so you can backstab them. On top of this, the heroes have their own ultimate attacks such as being able to perform a huge thunderstorm, teleporting between a bunch of enemies and stabbing them, crystalizing all the enemies around your character, and increasing the number of turns you can take in a row.  There are several different mechanics that are taught during your adventure that keep things interesting. There are certain maps where you can push enemies off the edges, having to disarm security robots before they shoot massive lasers, staying out of sight from enemies that patrol the map, and protecting NPCs as they escape the carnage of villains and heroes clashing in the city streets. Learning how your heroes interact with each other and how abilities can be used in different ways to overcome certain objectives can be challenging.  One downside of Capes is the overall visual quality. The visual animations aren’t the greatest, the characters look very wooden, and while major story events are in fully animated videos, a lot of the storytelling is provided with static backgrounds with the characters talking in front of it with comic text bubbles. The voice acting, however, isn’t bad and the sound effects are generally decent.   In terms of the story, it’s a standard tale that has been told several times before and it does little to really stand on its own and doesn’t provide a fresh perspective on the genre, but the story is fun, and the dialogue compliments it well.   I think one missed opportunity here is a hero creator where you could choose your hero’s basic looks, customize your costumes, select a role for them, and buy better gear as you progress. Even if they made only a single character that could have been customized that would have opened the game just a bit more. However, your heroes’ abilities are so rooted in the bonus objectives, that they wanted a more narrative experience with specific characters that there definitely had to be a tradeoff.  At the end of the day, Capes is a very serviceable tactical strategy game. A lot of the elements in terms of the gameplay come together well and provide a deep enough challenge to keep you engaged throughout the story even though it lacks just a bit in that area. Leveling up your heroes and unlocking new skills is always fun and learning how those heroes can then interact with each other in new ways keeps it interesting. I don’t think Capes will fill the boots of a game like XCOM for anyone, but if you give it a try, I think you will be surprised with it! 

Homelander Comes To Mortal Kombat 1 In Early June

Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm Studios have released a new Mortal Kombat 1 trailer that finally reveals the gameplay of DLC fighter, Homelander. The character from The Boys series on Amazon Prime Video will officially join Mortal Kombat 1 on June 4 for those who own the Kombat Pack. Homelander will be widely available on June 11 after early access users enjoy the new fighter. The comic book character is the most powerful being on the planet and the leader of The Seven, the elite superhero team owned and managed by Vought International. The trailer for Homelander in Mortal Kombat 1 is available on YouTube.  In a world where “Supes” are made, he’s the strongest of them all. Homelander presents himself as the ultimate patriot and protector, but don’t let his movie star good looks or high approval rating fool you. He is a murderous, narcissistic sociopath with an insatiable need for validation, love, and power. Homelander’s destruction of enemies and lust for power does not end with his world. Challengers from other realms will also face his wrath. As seen in the new video, Homelander asserts dominance over opponents through his super strength, aerial attacks, and capacity to laser enemies with his eyes.  The trailer provides a first look at Ferra, a new DLC Kameo Fighter who assists in matches with a range of support moves. Ferra will be available as part of the Kombat Pack and for standalone purchase in June. Mortal Kombat 1 is available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. 

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has sold over 11 million units

Sony has released its latest financial results for PlayStation hardware and software sales including one of its latest exclusives, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Sony has revealed Spider-Man 2 sold over 11 million units as of April 20, 2024. In just six months, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 reached the 11 million sales milestone which still trails Nintendo Switch Sports which has hit 13 million units sold based on Nintendo’s recent financial results. It was announced in February that Insomianc Games’ latest hit reached over 10 million units sold and that would mean in the last quarter it sold at least over 1 million copies. More content should be coming to Spider-Man 2 as a leak indicated there were three free DLCs planned for the game, but a timetable was unknown. This news comes a day before the official State of Play which has been rumored for months and will feature announcements on PlayStation titles. Other than the popular Marvel video game, Helldivers 2 from Arrowhead Studios has been a success for PlayStation 5 selling over 12 million units across console and PC. You can read more about Sony’s latest financial results here.

Latest ‘Adrift’ Update For No Man’s Sky Welcomes New Expedition, Abandoned Universe, And More Customization

For No Man’s Sky, its periodic regiment for in-game updates fair to be a little lighter than prior years, but that is not to say what does come to the game is light. In fact, Hello Games continues to breath new life into No Man’s Sky with rich content to bring new meaning to the ongoing game. Of course, this is expected to continue for the years coming as well. In February, No Man’s Sky featured its first title update with ‘Omega’ which offered new definition to its story alongside the ancient artifacts that were now available as well. Additionally, this pattern continued with the ‘Orbital’ update which followed after that featured better improvements to customization & guild options as well. Now this week, Hello Games returns with yet another title update. ‘Adrift’ arrives with a new trailer which you can watch in the video below: “For our next update we wanted to allow players to experience an alternative universe. We are calling it Adrift, and for the first time players can be truly alone in No Man’s Sky. We think it’s a special feeling. Removing other lifeforms means no shops, no trading, no shortcuts and no help, providing a very different survival experience. “This alternative universe is more dangerous too, with sandworms now roaming free and fiend eggs spreading across planets. Buildings are broken and rusted, the few remaining landmarks the graves of lost Travellers. In space, a new ghostly frigate beckons, allowing players to recruit a piece of this lonely universe,” Hello Games reveals. “To help provide safe haven is a new bulky Hauler starship, called the Iron Vulture. Since we added ship customisation in our last update, we’re also seeding the game with lots of new customisation options in Adrift. Adrift was supposed to be our next expedition, which it is, but it’s ballooned out into an update filled with improvements, new unique gameplay content and rewards.” Are you excited for the new No Man’s Sky update? No Man’s Sky is out now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation VR, and PlayStation VR 2. Source: Hello Games

YouTube Playables Go Live For All Users

While gaming remains to grab attention overshadowing prior pinnacle entertainment markets, there are more firms looking to enter the mix. Platforms such as Facebook has done this with Oculus and even its own gaming platform. Additionally, Netflix is also on the list as well. For a few years now, Netflix Gaming has become normalized alongside its streaming venture at the forefront. And now, again, Google continues to push for gaming. Despite its misfire that was Stadia, the tech conglomerate continues to pursue new endeavors. We’ve witnessed this with Google Play Games on PC. One report also indicates a new effort via YouTube dubbed ‘Playables’ for users to jump right into gaming. And it did roll out for a brief time via YouTube Premium already. Now in a new development, YouTube Playables is now available across its platform for all users. Similar to the approach executed by Netflix, it offers a lineup of mobile titles that can be accessed directly through YouTube app. In total, more than 75 titles are live for anyone that jumps into YouTube Playables. “Noticed anything different on YouTube lately? Over the past few months, a limited number of users in select markets have been testing a new feature called Playables — a collection of free games you can play directly on the platform. You’ll soon start to see them on your YouTube app,” the press release reads. “Choose from 75+ games and jump right in! You can even share the game with friends by tapping the three-dot more menu.” It adds: “You can also save your game progress and track your all-time best scores. […] Have ideas for how we can make Playables even better? We want to hear from you! You can give us your thoughts through the ‘send feedback’ option while playing by tapping the three-dotted ‘More’ menu. Together, we can keep making YouTube even better.” Are you interested in YouTube Playables at all? Source: Google

Rainbow Six Siege New Season Introduces ‘R6 Membership’ Service

Discussion of service-based content has been more normalized for the gaming industry for these past few years. But with subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo Switch Online – those all are platform-specific subscriptions. However, there has been a major push from AAA companies & publishers to feature this business model in individual games now. Especially with the drive for live-service, free-to-play experiences, it is a synonym when any of these buzzwords are thrown into a sentence. Already, players have experienced this with GTA+, Fallout 1st, Fortnite Crew, and even Minecraft Marketplace Pass which went live just earlier in the spring. And another is now planned from Ubisoft for its biggest ongoing title. As part of the introduction for Year 9 Season 2, Rainbow Six Siege is to feature its own monthly subscription as well. The R6 Membership will come in monthly or annual purchase options to grant users new items, battle pass levels, and exclusive cosmetics. You can watch the segment of the panel in the video below: “Unlock the ultimate Rainbow Six Siege experience with the R6 Membership! This offer delivers an exclusive drop of content every month, including a time-limited Legendary item (sometimes animated for extra flair), an Epic operator bundle, full access to the premium Battle Pass, 10x Battle levels, and a Bravo pack totaling over 4500 credits of value monthly,” Ubisoft reveals. “For a nominal monthly cost or save more with the 12-month plan, you’ll unlock a continuous stream of premium content that keeps your Ops equipped with the best exclusive gear. Join the R6 Membership starting June 11th and elevate your Siege experience. […] Enroll between June 11th and June 18th to take advantage of the one-time early adopter bonus! Receive an additional Ash epic bundle and 600 credits as a special thank you for joining early.” Are you surprised another subscription is coming to gaming? Source: Ubisoft

PlayStation State Of Play Presentation Scheduled For May 30th

This year, Sony Interactive Entertainment already showcased its plans for 2024 with its periodic State of Play presentation that took place this past February. The livestreamed show featured new titles including Rise of the Ronin alongside Stellar Blade which both have since released on PlayStation 5. Shortly after the showcase aired, it was reported another presentation was prepared to take place later this spring. It was indicated sometime in May that Sony Interactive Entertainment will host another State of Play. As time progressed, new information surrounding the unannounced showcase surfaced. One report suggested Silent Hill 2 Remake would be at the presentation. What’s more, Konami this week just announced its own ‘Silent Hill Transmission’ set for Thursday. Now in a new announcement from Sony Interactive Entertainment, a new State of Play showcase is prepared to air this Thursday, May 30th. “State of Play is back! Tune in live for updates on PS5 and PS VR2 titles, plus a look at PlayStation Studios games arriving later this year,” Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications senior director Sid Shuman writes. The presentation is said to feature more than a dozen games and will offer a runtime just over 30 minutes in total. One of the biggest concerns is the plans for first-party title by PlayStation for 2024. It was previously confirmed that many legacy IPs will be taking the bench this year with plans for AA releases and new live-service endeavors underway. Some games already suggested to be releasing this year are certainly diverse. The lineup includes Gravity Rush 2, Until Dawn, and a new Astro Bot title as well. For the greater scale of 2024, there were also whispers that Condor is expected to be shipped later this year. You can read more on the title by heading here. What are you hoping to see from the PlayStation State of Play? State of Play will air on May 30, 2024 at 3 PM PST / 6 PM EST. Source: PlayStation Blog

New Teaser For Dragon Quest III In HD-2D Confirms Xbox Series X|S/PlayStation 5/Nintendo Switch/PC Versions

This week held the celebratory ‘Dragon Quest Day’ on May 27th and Square Enix used that opportunity to tease one of the long-waited promises for the series. Previously in 2021, Square Enix announced a remake for Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation was underway. However, little on the new game has been shared since the initial reveal. But in the recent YouTube upload on the Dragon Quest YouTube channel, it hints at the project with confirmed platforms. Most notably, the footage shares the ‘Mark of Erdrick’ which was featured in the first three flagship titles. This was then followed up by “The Legacy Begins” text. What indicates the remake is the ‘HD-2D’ logo that’s also brandished in the footage. As for the platforms confirmed, the video lists Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Especially from Square Enix, it is continuing its support for native systems from Nintendo & Sony as well as keeping its promise to Microsoft for more Xbox releases. The initial partnership was formed just close to a year ago in 2023. What’s more, Square Enix still has more planned in this vein for release this year. In that, Visions of Mana is prepared to launch in 2024. Previously, Microsoft got a heavy hand showcasing the new title in its January Developer_Direct at the time. Additionally, it was soon confirmed that the game is likely not coming to Xbox Game Pass. Ultimately, Square Enix’s effort has become more apparent to be multiplatform. This follows a new development where the Japanese publisher confirms a new AAA initiative to ship its titles on more hardware outside of PlayStation & Nintendo. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you most interested about Dragon Quest III in HD-2D?

Marvelous Game Showcase Gets May 31st Airing

Japanese publisher Marvelous announces a new ‘Game Showcase’ presentation is to take place this week. On May 30th, expect new announcements on an arrangement of high profile and small scale projects from the firm and its associated studios. Pertaining to specific properties, details were not shared on which titles will be present at the presentation on Friday. “‘MARVELOUS GAME SHOWCASE 2024’ is a digital event that brings you the latest information on Marvelous. Streaming starts at 7:00 AM on Friday, May 31st!” the announcement post on X reads via auto-transator. “We will deliver the latest information on consumer games currently in development.” One of the more anticipated projects from Marvelous is a follow-up to Daemon X Machina. Previously, producer Kenichiro Tsukuda shared that plans are underway for a second installment. However, the wait for the game has been lengthy with the statement predating to 2021. More recently, Gematsu has uncovered a filed trademark for ‘Daemon X Machina: Titanomachia’. What’s not likely to make an appearance is any projects from Grasshopper Manufacture. In recent months, it has been clear that the team is occupied with new releases of its own under the greater NetEase banner. One being the remaster for Shadows of the Damned. Additionally, LolliPop Chainsaw RePop is also prepared to release in 2024 as well. Another is a collaborative project, Hotel Barcelona, which is planned to ship sometime this year with Hidetaka ‘Swery65’ Suhiro. Marvelous does have its grips on the No More Heroes IP like Goichi Suda did clarify, but expecting the team to be present is very unlikely. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you hoping to see at the Marvelous Game Showcase? Marvelous Game Showcase will air on May 31, 2024 at 3 PM PST / 5 PM EST.

Konami Schedules ‘Silent Hill Transmission’ For This Week

The ongoing development for Silent Hill by Konami has continues to develop since the previous Silent Hill Transmission that took place more than a year ago. One of the biggest developments, and not even included in the prior showcase, was Silent Hill: The Short Message. It received a surprise release on PlayStation 5 and was fast to garner over 1 million installs that same week. Additionally, updates on Silent Hill 2 Remake did surface as well thus far from 2024. In January, a PlayStation promotion revealed both the remake & Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater are prepared to launch this year. What’s more, a new report indicated that the Bloober Team remake is prepared to be showcase at an upcoming PlayStation State of Play for May 2024. Now this week, Konami announced that another Silent Hill Transmission is to take place on May 20th this Thursday. Of course, fans will have to wait for the online presentation to learn on the new updates for the Silent Hill property. “Tune in May 30 at 4 p.m. PDT to our SILENT HILL YouTube channel for the second installment of the #SILENTHILL Transmission where we’ll share game updates, a deeper look at the film, and new merch.: One of the biggest giveaways is engagement from certain individuals on X. In a post from the formerly-known Twitter platform, it was revealed that Al Yang did repost the announcement in excitement for the new showcase. Of course, Yang is crucial to Silent Hill currently as he is a creative director at NeoBard Entertainment – the game studio responsible for Silent Hill f that was revealed previously. Elsewhere, it is expected amid the presentation for a Silent Hill 2 Remake release date. According to another report previously, the game was flagged for a fall 2024 release on PlayStation 5. Anticipating the exact date is very appropriate for the showcase. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited for this Silent Hill Transmission? Silent Hill Transmission will take place on May 20, 2024 at 4 PM PST / 7 PM EST.