All Articles: Game Awards 2017

From Software’s “Shadows Die Twice” might be a new Tenchu game

Posted on December 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

From Software revealed their next game during last night’s Game Awards with a mysterious teaser that featured a bloody rope, some bones, and the words “Shadows Die Twice.” It’s definitely bizarre, but this teaser might be more straightforward than you think.

From Software first used “Shadows Die Twice” in Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven, a game they co-developed and published in 2003. The Tenchu franchise debuted on the PlayStation in 1998, but the developer put it on the back burner in 2009… right around the time they launched the Souls series with Demon’s Souls. And with the Souls series now concluded, it would be a great time to reintroduce the gaming public to the Tenchu franchise.

Of course, I’m just speculating, and it might be a while before From Software officially unveils “Shadows Die Twice.”

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Here’s your first look at the “Miramar” map from PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds

Posted on December 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds might still be a work in progress, but that didn’t stop PUBG Corporation’s massively popular game from picking up the “Best Multiplayer” trophy at last night’s Game Awards. The game also got a boost from the introduction of “Miramar,” a desert-based map, during the show.

You can get your first glimpse at “Miramar” in the trailer embedded above, and you can also catch up on some of the finer details of the play area in a brand new update on Steam:

We are excited beyond words that we can finally share the name of our new desert map and tell you a little bit about some of the places you can visit. When we decided to create a new map, we focused on creating an environment that is very different from Erangel. We wanted to go the opposite direction of having lush fields and forests and arrived at the harsh and unforgiving desert of what we can now reveal is Miramar. The unique terrain and dense urban areas of Miramar will create a new Battle Royale experience where the old strategies may no longer work and new tactics are required. We don’t want to tell you too much as you will soon be able to experience it all yourself but we did write a few short descriptions of several of the key landmarks and towns. You can find them below, together with the new screenshots.

Finally, PUBG Corporation announced that “Version 1.0” of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds will be available to download on December 20.

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Soul Calibur VI will be released for PC, PS4, Xbox One in 2018

Posted on December 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

Soul Calibur, Bandai Namco’s other fighting franchise, will prove that the soul still burns with a new entry in 2018. Soul Calibur VI was announced during last night’s Game Awards, and it’ll be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One sometime next year.

In the meantime, we’ll have to make do with an epic Announcement Trailer starring Mitsurugi and Sophitia:

The Soul Calibur franchise has been the premier 3D weapon-based fighting series since the original Soul Blade released in arcades in 1995. Soul Calibur VI retains the series’ signature 8-Way Run movement system, providing super smooth 3D movement, while integrating new gameplay systems such as the exciting Reversal Edge. Reversal Edge enables characters to clash against each other and follow-up with powerful counterattacks based on their opponent’s actions. Challenge the computer AI, compete against friends, or challenge fighters from around the world in high-speed dynamic battles with jaw-dropping visual effects.

Taking place in the 16th century, revisit the events of the original Soul Calibur to uncover hidden truths with a diverse lineup of new and returning characters with their unique fighting styles including series mainstays: Mitsurugi and Sophitia.

A second trailer for Soul Calibur VI was unveiled as part of this year’s PlayStation Experience. You can find it after the break. (more…)

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Link rides a motorcycle in Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s Champions Ballad DLC… which is now available to download

Posted on December 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

The Champions Ballad, the second expansion from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild‘s Expansion Pass, is now available to download from the Nintendo eShop on the Switch and Wii U. Nintendo surprise-launched the DLC during last night’s Game Awards, while also introducing Link’s motorcycle in a new trailer:

In this second of two DLC packs that are part of the game’s Expansion Pass, players are granted access to a large new adventure featuring a never-before-seen dungeon, new insights into the background of the game’s four Champions, as well as a new high-mobility means of transportation. Once players complete the adventure, they will have the opportunity to traverse the enormous world of Hyrule on top of a motorcycle called Master Cycle Zero. The DLC will also grant access to nine new armor items for players to find, as well as the Ancient Saddle and Bridle items.

The Expansion Pass, which includes The Champion Ballad, as well as The Trial of the Sword, is now available to purchase for $19.99.

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Bayonetta 3 officially announced at 2017 Game Awards; Bayonetta 1 and 2 coming to Switch

Posted on December 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

It looks like Nintendo and Platinum Games will be continuing their witchy partnership after the unveiling of Bayonetta 3 during last night’s Game Awards ceremony. Aside from the teaser trailer embedded above, we didn’t learn much else about Bayonetta’s first original adventure on the Switch.

However, Switch owners won’t have to wait long to play a Bayonetta game on the go, as Nintendo and Platinum Games also confirmed that Bayonetta 2 will be released for the console on February 16. The game, which was first released as a Wii U-exclusive back in 2014, will also include a download code for the original Bayonetta. Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2 will also both be available to download through the Nintendo eShop.

You can find the first trailer for Bayonetta 2’s Switch debut after the break. (more…)

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Hideo Kojima delivered another look at Death Stranding at The Game Awards 2017

Posted on December 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

Hideo Kojima has now released three trailers for Death Stranding, and the game’s post-apocalyptic plotline is no clearer today than it was 18 months ago. And that’s especially true after watching the extended bit of video that premiered during last night’s Game Awards.

Norman Reedus is wearing some kind of hazmat suit… and he’s got some kind of sensor on his back… and then an oil monster emerges from the muck (oh no!). There’s a fight… then there’s no gravity… and then a bright light… and we possibly get a look at Norman Reedus’s soul (which is visualized as a baby living in his throat).

I admit it, I have no idea what’s going on. But Death Stranding is in development for the PC and PS4, and presumably we’ll learn more about it soon (but with Kojima in charge, I’m not sure “learning” is the right word).

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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild wins “Game of the Year” at the 2017 Game Awards

Posted on December 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Cuphead, and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice dominated this year’s Game Awards, which were hosted by Geoff Keighley last night in Los Angeles.

Breath of the Wild kickstarted the launch of the Nintendo Switch in a big way this past March, so it’s not surprising that it also won “Game of the Year” at the Game Awards. Link’s latest adventure also claimed victory in two additional categories last night, “Best Game Direction” and “Best Action/Adventure Game.”

Studio MDHR’s Cuphead was released to quite a bit of fanfare earlier this Fall, and the side-scrolling shooter delivered at the Game Awards with wins for “Best Art Direction” (thanks to its beautiful 1930s-inspired animation) “Best Independent Game,” and the fan-voted “Best Debut Indie Game.”

Finally, Ninja Theory has been touting Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice as their “AAA Indie,” and the game lived up to that billing with victories for “Best Audio Design,” “Games For Impact” (for a storyline that dealt with mental illness), and “Best Performance” for Melina Juergens’s voicework as Senua.

Congratulations to the development teams responsible for all this year’s nominees, and you can find a full list of the winners after the break. (more…)

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First gameplay trailer for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds’s “Desert” map will be unveiled during The Game Awards

Posted on November 30, 2017 by John Scalzo

The 2017 Game Awards, hosted by Geoff Keighley, are just a week away. While we already got a glimpse at this year’s nominees, the elusive lineup of “World Premiere” trailers has remained a mystery.

But yesterday, Keighley confirmed that the first gameplay trailer of the “Desert” map from PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds will be unveiled during the Game Awards ceremony on Thursday, December 7.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was nominated for “Game of the Year” at this year’s Game Awards, as well as “Best Ongoing Game” and “Best Multiplayer.” Considering the way it has captured a huge proportion of Steam’s userbase, a win in any of these three categories wouldn’t be a surprise.

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