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Most Recent: PC
Super Crush KO Review: A Pretty Great Pastel Puncher
Vertex Pop is a developer that first appeared on my radar in 2015 after the release of their debut game, We Are Doomed. The excellent twin-stick shooter used a graphical style reminiscent of paper cutouts to build its unique world, and paired it with the chill soundtrack that helped slow down the often frantic action.
We Are Doomed was followed two years later by Graceful Explosion Machine, a side-scrolling shooter that cemented the papery look and relaxing tunes as something of a house style for the developer, while also breaking out as one of the first big “Nindies” on the Switch.
That house style is once again on full display in Super Crush KO, a classically-styled beat ’em up that’s been drenched in Vertex Pop’s signature pastel palette. (more…)
Posted in PC, Reviews, Switch
Tagged Super Crush KO
Co-founder Dan Houser will leave Rockstar Games in March
Dan Houser co-founded Rockstar Games in 1998 alongside Terry Donovan, Jamie King, and his brother Sam. Currently serving as Vice President of their Creative division, he has lent his writing talents to almost all of the publisher’s most popular and well-received games, including the Grand Theft Auto franchise, Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2, Max Payne 3, and Bully.
But after an illustrious career, Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, has announced that Houser will be leaving the company in March.
This is definitely a huge blow to the creative side of Rockstar Games, which is widely believed to be hard at work on Grand Theft Auto VI. How this news will affect the sequel’s development remains to be seen, but Take-Two said the rest of the development team “remains focused on current and future projects”:
After an extended break beginning in the spring of 2019, Dan Houser, Vice President, Creative at Rockstar Games, will be leaving the company. Dan Houser’s last day will be March 11, 2020. We are extremely grateful for his contributions. Rockstar Games has built some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful game worlds, a global community of passionate fans and an incredibly talented team, which remains focused on current and future projects.
While it’s a few years old now, the most extensive look back at Houser’s career can be found in David Kushner’s excellent behind-the-scenes investigation into Rockstar Games, Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto.
Posted in News, PC, PS2, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2
Daemon X Machina is coming to the PC (via Steam) next week
Originally published by Nintendo as a Switch-exclusive in 2019, XSEED Games and Marvelous Entertainment have announced that Daemon X Machina will be making its way to the PC (via Steam) on February 13. If you missed the mech shooter the first time around, a new trailer has been embedded above, and here’s a brief tease at what you can expect from the game:
Daemon X Machina puts players in the cockpit in a fight for the future of humanity. Taking the role of an Outer, a new breed of human that emerged following a global catastrophe, players will suit up and pilot their fully customizable mechs, called Arsenals, on the front line of a desperate war for survival against corrupted AIs known as “Immortals.” Team up with fellow mercenaries in the Orbital organization to turn the tide, but be careful – mercenaries always have their price, and today’s allies can become tomorrow’s enemies.
Daemon X Machina’s PC debut will contain several new features, including “visual upgrades” and new “customization options.” And if you’d rather not use a PC controller to play, the game will also include support for keyboard and mouse controls. XSEED also said that Daemon X Machina will include all content updates from the Switch version (except for some licensed DLC).
Players who pre-order Daemon X Machina before launch will receive a 20% discount and access to bonus weaponry and outfits in the Prototype Arsenal Set and the Metallic Equipment Set.
Posted in News, PC
Tagged Daemon X Machina
Platinum Games turns to Kickstarter to bring The Wonderful 101 Remastered to Switch, PS4, and PC
Grand Theft Auto V completely upended the video game industry when it was released in September 2013. It even managed to overshadow the first collaboration between Nintendo and Platinum Games, The Wonderful 101, which launched the same week. While GTA5 continues to smash sales records, the love for The Wonderful 101 has been kept alive thanks to a dedicated cult following that seems to grow larger every year.
And now it’s back!
After multiple rumors that a modern port was in the works, Platinum has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to bring the game to the Switch this April as The Wonderful 101 Remastered. The modest $50,000 target has already been reached, as have Stretch Goals to eventually bring the game to the PC and PS4. If the developer receives further funds from fans (which is almost a guarantee at this point), they plan to add a series of downloadable content to the game, which will be free for all players.
With the short turnaround time from campaign to release, it’s safe to say that the Switch version of The Wonderful 101 Remastered is already complete and what backers are actually doing is pre-ordering their copy of the game through Kickstarter. Fans can also pledge to receive a wide range of goodies through the campaign, including t-shirts, custom controllers, several soundtrack options, character figures, a comic, and more.
Platinum will self-publish The Wonderful 101 Remastered, though they’re also partnering with Nighthawk Interactive to distribute a Physical Version of the game to backers and through retail stores.
I expect we’re going to learn a lot more about the game as the campaign continues through the end of the month.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch
Tagged The Wonderful 101
NIS America will bring five playable demos (including one secret game) to PAX East 2020
NIS America has announced that they’re bringing five playable demos to this year’s PAX East convention… including one secret game.
The ones that we know about include a pair of compilations coming in March (Langrisser I & II and La-Mulana 1 & 2), a survival adventure set to launch this April (Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories), and the Switch debut of a popular RPG series (The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III).
But because everyone loves a secret, it’s that fifth game that’s sure to get attendees (and everyone else) excited. NIS America isn’t offering any hints as to what else they’re bringing to Boston, but it will be playable at their booth.
This year’s PAX East convention will take place from February 27th through March 1, and you can learn more about NIS America’s game lineup after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Tagged Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories, PAX East 2020
Chiefs help Madden NFL 20 score with a correct Super Bowl LIV prediction
EA Sports’s Super Bowl Simulation is back to its winning ways, as Madden NFL 20 was able to correctly predict the outcome of Super Bowl LIV.
“The Prediction” pegged the final score at 35–31 in favor of the Kansas City Chiefs, and while Missouri’s favorite team wasn’t able to run up that many points, they did pull off a fourth quarter comeback against the San Francisco 49ers to win 31-20. Much of the credit for the comeback has to go to Patrick Mahomes, who threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns. The quarterback also ran for a touchdown in the first quarter on the way to Super Bowl MVP honors (which Madden NFL 20 also predicted).
In addition to his on-field heroics, Mahomes joins Rob Gronkowski as one of only two players to win the Super Bowl in the same year they were chosen as Madden’s cover athlete. Gronkowski rumbled to victory in Super Bowl LI, after appearing on the cover of Madden NFL 17.
With the win, the overall record for the predictive powers of Madden’s Super Bowl Simulation improved to 11-6.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Madden NFL 20
Madden NFL 20’s Super Bowl LIV simulation picks the Chiefs over the 49ers
EA Sports’s famed Super Bowl Simulation has fallen on hard times lately, botching the predicted winner of both Super Bowl LIII and Super Bowl LII. Will things improve for Super Bowl LIV? Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs sure hope so.
Simulating the “Big Game” in Madden NFL 20, EA Sports is predicting that Mahomes will win the Super Bowl MVP trophy as the Chiefs squeak past the San Francisco 49ers with a 35–31 victory. And as they’ve done several times in the past, the publisher is predicting that this Super Bowl’s outcome will hinge on some last-second heroics:
In the first quarter, the 49ers come out strong, confident and ready to win, scoring the game’s opening touchdown on a 16-yard run from new running back sensation Raheem Mostert and then Robbie Gould hammers a 41-yard field goal. The Chiefs got off to their usual slow start in the first quarter, with no points on the board.
In the second quarter, the Chiefs come alive unleashing their most powerful weapon – the unstoppable Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes throws two touchdown passes to Tyreek Hill and Damien Williams to grab the lead for the Chiefs. However, the 49ers refuse to back down and score a late second quarter touchdown – with a 26-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo, to end the half with a 17-14 lead.
Mahomes and the Chiefs refuse to remain silent in the second half, with Damien Williams and Travis Kelce scoring another pair of touchdowns. George Kittle nabs a touchdown for the 49ers, keeping things close in the third quarter – proving no one is safe in this game. The Chiefs lead entering the final quarter, 28-24, but Garoppolo comes in hot throwing another touchdown pass to Raheem Mostert – bringing the score to 31-28.
Not ready to accept defeat, Mahomes drives the Chiefs down the field late in the quarter, pushing the 49ers defense back. Finding Watkins open in the end-zone, Mahomes throws an 18-yard touchdown pass to take a 35-31 lead, seconds before time is up. The Kansas City Chiefs take home the title of Super Bowl LIV champions.
Tune in to Super Bowl LIV this Sunday, February 2, to find out if Madden NFL 20 is able to put an end to the long-running franchise’s recent prediction problems.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Madden NFL 20
The Behemoth will “eventually” bring Alien Hominid Invasion to PC and consoles
After bringing Castle Crashers to the PS4 and Switch in 2019, The Behemoth is finally ready to announce their next project… and it’s a sequel to their very first game. The developer revealed that “Game 5” is actually Alien Hominid Invasion, and they promised that it’ll “eventually” make its way to PC and consoles. It’s too early to know for sure, but that “eventually” might mean we’re in for a bit of a wait.
In the meantime, The Behemoth will bring a playable demo of Alien Hominid Invasion to this year’s PAX East and EGX Rezzed events. New details will be announced at PAX East, but for now, the developer wants fans to anticipate a “drastically different” Alien Hominid experience:
Alien Hominid Invasion will stand alone as a new title in The Behemoth’s catalogue. Gameplay, progression, and mechanics have all been reworked and are drastically different from those present in the original Alien Hominid HD. Alien Hominid Invasion will also include unique weapons, character customization, non-linear levels, and more.
A short Announcement Trailer for Alien Hominid Invasion has been embedded above.
Posted in News, PC
Tagged Alien Hominid Invasion, PAX East 2020