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All Articles: Gamescom 2014
Rise of the Tomb Raider is an Xbox One exclusive
Today, during Microsoft’s Gamescom media breifing, a new trailer for Square Enix’s Rise of the Tomb Raider ended with the words “Coming Exclusivly to Xbox.” It was also announced that the game will be released at the end of 2015 – right up next to Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
This is huge coup for Microsoft, especially based on how well the 2013 reboot was received by critics and players. Crystal Dynamics needed a partner to push Rise to the next level, and struck a deal with Microsoft to make that happen. With Square Enix not liking the sales of the original so much, a cash injection from Microsoft may have helped insure the game’s development. However, it’s unknown if this deal represents a short-term exclusive window or something more permanent (like with TitanFall). And as an “Xbox Exclusive,” does that mean an Xbox 360 version could be in development? Surely, there must be a PC version in the works, right? Only time will tell for all of these questions.
Darrell Gallagher, Crystal Dynamics Head of Studio, took to the official Tomb Raider Tumblr to discuss the Xbox exclusivity of Rise of the Tomb Raider (which was actually hinted at during its E3 2014 reveal):
This doesn’t mean that we’re walking away from our fans who only play on PlayStation or on PC. Those are great systems, with great partners, and amazing communities. We have Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris coming to those platforms this December, and Tomb Raider: The Definitive Edition is available on PS4.
Once again, Rise of the Tomb Raider will be released as an Xbox One exclusive towards the end of next year.
Posted in News, Xbox One
Tagged Gamescom 2014, Rise of the Tomb Raider
Focus your eye laser on Kano’s Mortal Kombat X debut trailer
Ed Boon’s big Mortal Kombat X reveal for this week’s Gamescom convention got released a tad early, giving us our first look at an older (but still badass) Kano.
Like every character in Mortal Kombat X, Kano will be available in three variations. The “Cutthroat” variation will feature powered-up attacks and knife combos while the “Cybernetic” variation mixes things up with multiple eye laser and grenade attacks. The most unique of Kano’s three variations is clearly the “Commando” variation, which features close-range grappling attacks that bring out the wrestler in the gangster.
Longtime fans are no doubt thrilled that Kano is making a comeback in Mortal Kombat X and his inevitable Story Mode confrontation with Cassie Cage will surely bring the fireworks. Mortal Kombat will be available for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One in 2015.
Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Gamescom 2014, Mortal Kombat X
Square Enix teams up with Dontnod for Life Is Strange
Developer Dontnod has partnered with Square Enix to publish their next project, an episodic game known as Life Is Strange. The downloadable game is Dontnod’s first title for next-generation consoles and will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One, as well as the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
Dontnod has given Life Is Strange a hand-drawn look and will ask players to weigh “choice and consequence” throughout the story, as they employ the main character’s ability to rewind time:
The game takes place in the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon, where senior student Max Caulfield returns after a five year absence. Reunited with her former friend Chloe, the pair will attempt to uncover the uncomfortable truth behind the mysterious disappearance of fellow student Rachel Amber.
In addition to solving Rachel’s disappearance, the developer said that Max’s powers may allow her to “change the course of history.” Say it with me… “This is heavy, Doc!”
Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Gamescom 2014, Life Is Strange
Activision is bringing back the Sierra label at Gamescom 2014
The Sierra Entertainment publishing label has laid dormant for the last six years, when the label’s parent company, Vivendi, merged with Activision. But it looks the name will get another chance in the sun as Activision has relaunched Sierra.com and released a teaser trailer promoting the label’s return at next week’s Gamescom convention.
Sierra was best known for a string of adventure games released throughout the 80s and 90s, but it’s still a mystery how the label will fit in with Activision’s focus on massive franchises like Call of Duty, Skylanders, and Destiny.
I guess we’ll find out next week.
Posted in News
Tagged Gamescom 2014
Second Gamescom 2014 teaser from Sony brings down the ax
Sony has unveiled a second Gamescom 2014 teaser and this time we’re treated to a bloody ax smashing into a stump followed by the same cracking ice from the first teaser. By focusing on one of Jason Voorhees’ favorite implements of destruction, it appears more and more likely that Sony is teasing the reintroduction of Until Dawn, a horror movie-themed adventure game first announced in 2012.
At the time, Until Dawn was expected to be released as a Move-exclusive PS3 title, but if Sony is teasing its return, are they also planning to shift it to the PS4? We won’t know for sure until Sony’s Gamescom presentation on August 11, but all signs point to yes.
Finally, you might also want to check out Sony’s psychedelic Gamescom trailer. It doesn’t tease any new surprises, but it’s fun to watch.
Posted in News, PS3, PS4, Vita
Tagged Gamescom 2014
Latest BioWare teaser asks you to feel the “Impact”
BioWare has released another teaser trailer in their “You’ve Been Chosen” series of adverts ahead of the game’s Gamescom 2014 reveal next week. This one is titled “Impact” and it depicts a terrified girl whispering that something isn’t her fault over and over again. A quick cut later and we realize that she has somehow created a magical-looking sinkhole under her house. The trailer closes with this teaser’s tagline, which asks, “Can You Control Your Power?”
After careful consideration, I think we’re dealing with mutants here. Or possibly modern day folks dealing with mystical powers that they never knew existed. Something like that.
We’ll find out for sure next week during BioWare’s Gamescom presentation, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 13 at 10:00 AM (Eastern Time). If you can’t make it to Cologne, Germany, BioWare will livestream the announcement on Twitch.
Posted in News, PC
Tagged Gamescom 2014, Shadow Realms
Sony is teasing a bloody snowflake for Gamescom 2014
Sony has released a ten-second trailer of a blood-covered snowflake falling toward the ground to promote an upcoming Gamescom 2014 announcment. Right now, this trailer is the entirety of Sony’s Gamescom 2014 tease, so who knows what they’re attempting to promote. But we can take a few guesses.
The consolemaker has several games in development that focus heavily on blood including Bloodborne, The Order: 1886, and the supposedly still-in-development Until Dawn. Is it teasing one of these titles? Or something else entirely? We’ll all find out together when Sony delivers their Gamescom 2014 keynote on Monday, August 11 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time).
Posted in News, PS3, PS4, Vita
Tagged Gamescom 2014
2K pushes Evolve’s release into February 2015
The Fall 2014 game calendar lost another one last night when 2K Games announced that Turtle Rock’s “4v1” shooter, Evolve, will miss its October 21 release date. The game, which was a huge hit at both PAX East and the E3 Expo, will now be released on February 10, 2015.
Posting on Turtle Rock’s official forums, co-founder Chris Ashton revealed that the team is “painfully close” to matching their vision for Evolve and asked for the extra time to polish the game:
As we got closer to the October date, we were able to look at where the game was going to be, and compare that to where we all dreamed it would be. In a meeting with the top brass I described it as “painfully close.”
Fortunately 2K feels the same way and is willing to put extra time into the game so that we can make our dream a reality. That’s huge for us, and for the future of Evolve. We want to be proud of every aspect of the game on release day.
The public will next get a chance to play Evolve during next week’s Gamescom convention in Cologne, Germany.