‘Soul Hackers 2’ Overrides Predecessor’s Past with New Digital Identity

March 8, 2022March 10, 2022 Bray Lawrence

Atlus has released new story and character information about their upcoming RPG, Soul Hackers 2, a sequel to the twenty-five year old game, Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers. Following its cult-celebrated predecessor’s meshing of sci-fi aesthetic with the Shin Megami Tensei, Soul Hackers 2 aims to upgrade the concept by coding a new tale about humanity and its relationship with technology.

Crowdfunding, Gaming

‘Bundle for Ukraine’ is a Stellar Deal to Support a Great Cause

March 8, 2022March 9, 2022 Bray Lawrence

Have you been looking for ways to help people in Ukraine? Do you also like playing interesting and unique games from indie developers? Then Necrosoft Games have the perfect bundle for you. The Bundle for Ukraine is a itch.io bundle hosted by Necrosoft Games with content from 732 creators containing over 1,000 games, tabletop RPGs, books, and soundtracks aimed at helping the people in Ukraine through this tumultuous time of Russian forces invading their country: all at the starting price of $10 with the option to give more for the goal of raising $2 million.

Gaming, Video Games

Rockstar Games Shows Off ‘GTA Trilogy’ Enhancements

October 22, 2021 Jamal Michel

Earlier this month, Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition was dropping on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Rockstar Games Launcher. The long awaited remastered collection of some of Grand Theft Auto‘s most iconic titles is finally within reach, and today Rockstar Games shared more details about the trilogy coming November 11.

Reviews, Video Games

‘Tales of Arise’ Review: Rising to the Occasion Never Felt So Good

October 15, 2021October 20, 2021 Bray Lawrence

I have spent most of my life playing Japanese role playing games. From the Final Fantasy series to the Shin Megami Tensei series, I have enjoyed several different JRPG titles from Japan. But one in particular was always hit or miss for me, and that was the Tales series. I bounced off of Abyss and Beseria, never owned a Gamecube to play Symphonia, finished Vesperia and liked it, but never felt the pull of replaying it. So to say that Tales of Arise is one of the best JRPGs to date is an understatement. Tales of Arise captures what makes JRPGs timeless while evolving and creating a new vocabulary of play through its storytelling and combat that I hope other studios take note of.

Gaming, Video Games

Blaseball Developers Announce ‘Where Cards Fall’ Coming to PC and Nintendo Switch

October 14, 2021October 14, 2021 Jamal Michel

If you were on your computer last year, you might have brushed up against a baseball simulator that took the internet by storm. Blaseball, developed by the award-winning video game studio The Game Band, is an absurdist take on baseball that “encourages participants to bet (no real world money involved!) on the outcome.”

Gaming, Video Games

What the Hell is Going on With ‘Ghost Recon Frontline’

October 13, 2021 Jamal Michel

Last week, Ubisoft dropped the reveal trailer for its upcoming, 100-player battle royale title Ghost Recon Frontline. The trailer features gameplay footage and talking points from members of the Ubisoft Bucharest team, all of whom passionately speak on this project three years in the making. With games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and PUBG having already established substantial footing in the BR genre, fans were vexed at the announcement, so much so that Ubisoft subsequently delayed Frontline’s first closed test indefinitely.

Gaming, Video Games

Rockstar Games Announces ‘Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition’

October 8, 2021October 8, 2021 Jamal Michel

It’s not GTA 6 news but it is significant gaming news nonetheless. Today, Rockstar Games announced that the long awaited (and long rumored) Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is coming later this month to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Rockstar Games Launcher on PC.

Gaming, Interview

DevTalks: Jason Parks of ‘Rhythm of the Universe: Ionia’ on Breathtaking New VR Experience

September 12, 2021September 13, 2021 Jamal Michel

Jason Parks, CEO at ROTU Entertainment, wants his new game Rhythm of the Universe: Ionia to resonate on a level that most VR experiences have not. The game, coming September 23 to PS4, PS5, and PC, is an adventure series about preserving the environment that incorporates music from ROTU Entertainment. Parks is a musician first and a multitalented game designer second, but his passion for this project to reach a new audience is palpable.

Gaming, Interview, Video Games

NOC Interview: Quintin Smith of People Make Games on “Roblox Exploitation”

September 6, 2021 Jamal Michel

Like many games finding a surge in popularity at the height of the pandemic, Roblox has amassed a following that could rival the likes of Fortnite with its appeal to younger audiences. However, after weeks of careful research, Quintin Smith, journalist and presenter at People Make Games, discovered that Roblox frequently, and unflinchingly, exploits young video game developers on its platform.

Marvel, Reviews, Video Games

‘War for Wakanda’ is Proof Black Panther Needs His Own Game Already

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 Jamal Michel

War for Wakanda — Marvel’s Avengers free expansion — dropped last week, and T’Challa’s exploits defending his homeland from the likes of A.I.M. and Ulysses Klaue revitalize the game in considerable ways. When Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics announced their All-Access weekend ahead of the expansion on July 31, their player count spiked to over 10,000 gamers through the weekend, well above the game’s average of around 800 since its release last September.

Marvel, Video Games

Square Enix Reveals New Outfits for Black Panther in ‘War for Wakanda’

August 2, 2021August 2, 2021 Jamal Michel

T’Challa’s influence as Black Panther can be traced back to his inception in 1966 and since then, he’s made countless appearances in film, television, animated series, and more. Some of his most iconic outfits and costumes come from the Silver and Bronze age of comic books, with memorable suits like the classic all black ensemble with gloves and boots to match featured in 1976’s Jungle Action (Vol. 2) #23.

Gaming, Video Games

Summer Got You Down? These Upcoming Feel Good Video Games Will Lift Your Spirits

August 1, 2021August 1, 2021 Jamal Michel

What if Tony Hawk was actually a bird? What kind of game choices would you make playing as a postwoman in the ‘80s? Could you use your emotions to help guide a quartet in a forest? The summer has been overwhelming for the most part for many of us — from mounting pandemic concerns, to even more polarizing political conversations, it’s easy to quickly find yourself doom-scrolling for hours into the night. Thankfully, video games like Skatebird and The Forest Quartet exist to help ease our minds out of the hubbub of the real world and into the vibes of a video game experience that really feels good.

Horror, Reviews, Video Games

‘Mundaun’ is a Haunting First-Person Horror Game with a Dark Story

July 28, 2021July 28, 2021 Jamal Michel

The first-person, single-player horror game Mundaun is out now for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms. It’s a hand-drawn tale of a grandson returning to his hometown for his grandfather’s funeral but upon arriving makes a grisly discovery.

Conventions, Gaming3 Comments

Brazil Games Showing up in Style to This Year’s Game Developers Conference with 22 Studios

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 Jamal Michel

This year’s Game Developers Conference is rounding the corner fairly quickly and with that reality, Brazil Games, the Brazilian Games Export Program, which is carried out by Abragames (Brazilian Games Companies Association) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, Apex-Brasil, recently revealed the 22 studios that will showcase at this year’s GDC. Flux Games, Kokku, Manifesto, Double Dash Studios, and many more will be present at the event and Brazil Games wants you to know that they came to play.

Animation, Video Games

‘Ayo the Clown’ Details Revealed with ‘Where’s the Pup’ Video

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 Jamal Michel

Cloud M1, the indie studio that started as a place for 3D animation projects, has built on a foundation working on commercials and CG projects for advertising and media. While working on these projects, they soon learned how their strengths could be applied to the mobile app space, publishing games and apps for iOS specifically. As huge gamers and fans of classic gaming they created Ayo the Clown, their most ambitious game to date and the first of many games to come.

Gaming, Video Games

‘Hanako: Honor & Blade’ Multiplayer Game Will Launch in September

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 Jamal Michel

The small development team at +Mpact Games is looking to make a splash with their personal, immersive samurai multiplayer game of life and destruction. Matt Canei, Team Lead at +Mpact Games, said about their new game, “As we put the final touches on Hanako: Honor & Blade we’re reflecting on the bittersweet journey we’ve shared to honor those we have lost.”

Interview, Video Games

Noveen Crumbie and Adriana Colón on Arkane Studios’ New Game ‘Redfall’

June 30, 2021June 30, 2021 Jamal Michel

With the reveal of incredible new indie titles, new and upcoming downloadable content, and major blockbuster games dropping on Game Pass the day of their release, this summer’s E3 gave gamers a lot to appreciate following a year and a half of some of the industry’s most challenging times. For me and thousands of other gamer nerds, the standout for the summer was the reveal of Arkane Studios’ new open-world co-op FPS Redfall.

Comics, Video Games

Blizzard Announces Afua Richardson Comic Covers and ‘Overwatch’ Rewards for Their 30th Anniversary

June 24, 2021June 25, 2021 Jamal Michel

With the recent launch of Cross-Play for Overwatch across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, Blizzard Entertainment also announced that Ashe’s Deadlock Challenge is now live across all platforms. Additionally, if gamers play and watch Overwatch from June 22 to July 5, they have the opportunity to earn sweet rewards, including the new Legendary Ashe and B.O.B. Skin.

Conventions, Video Games

The 2021 PC Gaming Show Officially Airs June 13

June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 Jamal Michel

The return of PC gaming’s biggest showcase finally arrives June 13, the weekend of E3, with a bevy of exclusive content, trailers, and more for fans and gamers to enjoy. PC Gamer will be streaming the show from their YouTube and Twitch channels from Los Angeles within E3’s official programming to bring viewers some of PC gaming’s most innovative and exciting new titles.

Reviews, Video Games

Flight School Studio’s ‘Stonefly’ is a Must-Play Indie Game

June 2, 2021June 3, 2021 Jamal Michel

This week, the folks at Flight School Studios and MWM Interactive released their indie mech title, Stonefly. The adventure game is a chill yet wholly beautifully exploration of legacy, resource gathering and mech building, as players follow Annika Stonefly in her search for her father’s stolen rig. After a late-night excursion, Annika mistakenly leaves the garage door storing the mech wide open, leaving it victim to a theft that launches our main character on her journey through dangerous and captivating flora and fauna.