The past week brought about quite a healthy mix of news. Not only did we get some exciting news and reveals about projects that have been very quiet for some time but we also got Sony doubling down the VR strategy. Along with that, we got surprised by an action-packed blast from the past collection and we saw further expansion of the Xbox Game Pass which is quickly becoming the most robust gaming subscription today.
Techland finally delivers Dying Light 2 Update
Hopefully, it doesn’t get postponed to 2022.
Techland has been awfully silent with their in-development sequel – Dying Light 2. Many fans even suspected the game is going to end up in development hell, perpetually being postponed and ultimately canceled somewhere down the line. Well, Techland decided to pleasantly surprise us with a reassurement that the game is still in development. According to the video they posted, they are still fully committed to the project and are aiming to release it sometime during 2021. The video also featured a few seconds of gameplay, certainly not enough to satiate the curiosity of numerous fans eager for new concrete info on the game.
Like many studios, they also had difficulties adjusting to the pandemic and managing proper workflow with members of their team working from home. Although sympathetic, the fans were somewhat baffled at the decision to hype up this pretty lackluster update. Still, assurances that they didn’t give up on the project and that we can still expect the game in the next 9 months is better than nothing. For more information on the game, reports on Techland’s studio culture, and more, check out our original news coverage.
Disco Elysium – The Final Cut is releasing at the tail end of the month
An awesome game gets even better with the Final Cut
ZA/UM’s smash detective hit – Disco Elysium – is finally heading onto the console, launching on PS4 and PS5 on March 30. A Stadia version will also be released, although there are currently no dates for Xbox or Switch ports. The biggest difference between the original and the new upgrade is voice acting. For the first time, each character is fully voiced, enhancing their individual personalities. The news broke at the end of PlayStation’s recent slew of indie announcements. Sony confirmed the game will be available on both PS4 and PS5, the latter of which will support 4K/60 FPS.
Even more, information came through the PlayStation blog which details how to become the superstar detective by explaining the game’s numerous mechanics and features. Oh, and did we mention the PC players will get the upgrade for free? What a perfect excuse to jump right back into this gem of a game. For more information on the Final Cut and the full trailer, check out our original news coverage.
PSVR 2 is coming to the PS5 and Sony revealed its new and improved controllers
Finally something more ergonomic and more intuitive
The PlayStation 5 just got a lot more appealing as Sony is doubling down on the VR strategy that began with the original PSVR back in 2016. Seemingly out of nowhere, they unveiled the controller for the PSVR 2 that’s going to take full advantage of the tech used in the DualSense controller – adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. Alongside those features, the PSVR V2 controller also encompasses new features such as tracking and finger touch recognition which should enable more intuitive, natural gestures whilst in-game.
The design itself is also a massive improvement over the unwieldy PlayStation move controllers and is more in line with the flagship VR controllers coming from Valve, Oculus, and HTC. Overall, awesome news for everyone that’s already all-in on the PlayStation 5 bandwagon and one that’s going to make the purchase even more appealing in the long run. For more information on the PSVR2 and the new controllers, check out our original news coverage.
Forspoken is a new, upcoming action RPG from Square Enix
Shut up and take my money!
The gaming community has become increasingly cautious when games that look awesome in their first-ever gameplay showcase. Well, they’ll want to be extra cautious now because the footage from the upcoming Square Enix action RPG named Forspoken looks absolutely amazing. The official game synopsis states that in Forspoken, players will take on the role of Frey Holland, an ordinary young woman who must harness her magical abilities to survive in a fantastical and dangerous land called Athia.
Most of the trailer gives some insight into the story but the real spectacle begins when the gameplay is shown at its very end. In short, the protagonist is seen traversing the beautiful open-world environment with amazing, magically enhanced parkour, fighting all sorts of high-fantasy creatures. It’s a literal, shut up and take my money moment if there ever was one. Be sure to check it out yourself in our original news coverage.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection will hit 60 FPS at 4K on all platforms
An action-packed blast from the past
Excellent news for Ninja Gaiden fans. The rumors turned out to be true as Team NINJA confirms Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is real and is set to release on June 20, 2021, and it will feature 60 FPS and 4K on all platforms except the Nintendo Switch. The remastered package will bring Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge to modern systems. The games include past modes and DLC costumes, though multiplayer functions have been removed. In addition, the Deluxe Edition will have a 70-page digital artbook and a digital soundtrack with over 180 tracks.
Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition on Xbox One and Switch adds a 10% discount, and pre-ordering either edition on PlayStation 4 brings a bonus theme and 5 Ninja Gaiden-themed avatars. Ryu Hayabusa is making an epic return with this action-packed package that seems well worthy of a buy. For the full, action-packed trailer and more details, check out our original news coverage.
The name of the Resident Evil movie reboot has been revealed
Hopefully bringing back some horror into the horror franchise
Director Johannes Roberts confirmed during an interview at SXSW that the Resident Evil film reboot will be called Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. It will harken back to the games’ roots by adapting the stories from the first two entries of the franchise. For longtime fans, that means moviegoers will follow Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield in a zombie-infested police station. Meanwhile, Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield have their own fair share of issues at a mansion that is crawling with the undead.
So, all in all, time to say goodbye to the Milla Jovovich franchise and enter Raccoon City in what is a hopefully a bit more watchable piece of cinema. You can check the interview in which the director confirmed the name of the film to find out more details in our original news coverage.
EA Play is available through Xbox Game Pass on PC
Soon all you’ll need to play any game will be the Xbox Game Pass
Recently, EA Play became available to Xbox Game Pass PC and Ultimate subscribers on Windows 10 at no extra cost. The service launches the same day Star Wars: Squadrons is added to the library. The space shooter joins other big titles now available for console and PC subscribers, such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, FIFA 20, Titanfall 2 and Need for Speed Heat. These are just a sampling of the 60+ games now available on PC. What’s great is that you get the same perks as with being an EA Play subscriber on other platforms such as 10 hour trials for newer games. Honestly, the Xbox Game Pass is becoming a better deal by the day and it seems Microsoft is only getting started. For more information on what you get with EA Play within the Xbox Game Pass, check out our original news coverage.
