I’d planned on starting with a line about how Loretta is an exception to how psychological horror games are about trudging around an abandoned mental hospital with the worst torch in the world until the girl from Ringu menaces you. It was already interesting and good enough pretty much right away to earn a recommendation, but after one of what will definitely be several playthroughs, leaving my praise that faint would do it a terrible injustice.
Loretta is goddamn excellent by any standard. Where other games use the mentally unwell narrator to explain everything away with “turns out you’re secretly crazy”, it’s instead just one layer of a complex horror mystery with splashes of drama and noir, whose surprises I’m straining not to spoil.
I’m always up for trying new and odd foods. I mean, I barbecued some womb in a restaurant in Japan recently, and I can confirm that it was like calamari but tougher, and, largely, a lot worse. So, that’s why the idea of Pringles releasing a limited-edition Minecraft Suspicious Stew flavour intrigues me! I would like to give it a go and see if it’s actually quite nice or makes me barf.
Destiny 2 developer Bungie has revealed a hardened policy designed to deal with cheaters who use third party peripherals that “manipulate the game” to provide an unfair player versus player advantage.
“Our community has grown increasingly frustrated by a form of cheating that uses third-party peripherals with the intent to manipulate the game client,” read a post on the Bungie website spotted by GI.biz “These devices are plugged into a computer or console, where they can, for example, execute simple scripts or trick the game into giving you extra aim assist.”
Bungie made a point of not naming the creators of the offending hardware, but stressed that it would hand out restrictions, warnings, and bans to individuals who use “external aids” specifically designed to “gain an advantage over other players”.
These aids include “programmable controllers, keyboard and mouse adapters, advanced macros, or automation via artificial intelligence” that improve a players ability to control the game by, for example, reducing weapon recoil or increasing aim assist.
However, the Destiny 2 developer stressed that it’s trying to balance protecting its community from cheaters while making sure that the maximum amount of people can play the game. To this end the policy notes that “simply using an accessibility aide to play Destiny 2 where a player could not play otherwise” would not be a violation of the policy.
Later in 2023 Bungie won another $4,396,322 from cheat makers AimJunkies, who were responsible for creating and selling aimbots for use in Destiny 2. The developer has since filed yet another lawsuit, this time against the company LaviCheats, in which it is pursuing $6.7 million in damages.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
We are living in an unprecedentedly competitive attention economy, one in which time and energy are increasingly finite and precious. Because of this, it can be easy to overlook games which appear simple and unassuming at first glance: retro monochromatic Game Boy-style graphics, cute-but-childish anthropomorphic characters, 8-bit chiptune soundtrack — Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories is an old-school adventure RPG nostalgia trip, sure, but it reconnects us to a simpler gaming time and it’s got all the hallmarks of a future hidden gem.
The original Melon Journey was a small RPG maker game created over a decade ago by indie team Froach Club. It quickly became a cult classic, with a sold-out ‘Pocket’ version being released for Game Boy later this year by Limited Run Games. This new entry with the ‘Bittersweet Memories’ subtitle was created as less of a sequel to the original, and more of an expansion on the previous bite-sized explorative adventure.
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
The open skies await as you take on the role of a wandering dragon rider in search of a lost civilization. Presented in a nostalgic low-poly art style and allowing total freedom of flight from the beginning of your journey, Ayre and the Crystal Comet is a chill experience designed for exploration and discovery, without the pressures of combat or complex stat management. Search a vast open world from atop your dragon, or land and investigate locales on foot.
The mysterious God of Rock has revived the souls of the universe’s greatest musicians to clash for his entertainment. Blending rhythm-based gameplay with fighting game mechanics in tense 1v1 matches, choose from a dozen unique fighters, each with their own design, mechanics, and harmonic attacks. Soften up your opponent by executing normal moves and building meter by hitting notes to the beat of the song, then spend your meter to unleash EX and special moves do damage and add complexity to their tracks.
Disney Speedstorm is the ultimate hero-based combat racing game, set on high-speed circuits inspired by Disney and Pixar worlds. A thrilling arcade racing experience where players will need to master each character’s unique skills on the racetrack and claim victory. Available for pre-order across three Founder’s Packs: Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate.
Available on day one with Game Pass: The piglins are threatening to consume the Overworld. Are you the hero this gentle land needs? Explore lush biomes to make alliances with new friends and familiar mobs, then face the piglins in epic battles. But be warned – they always fight back. Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC.
In the kingdom of Demacia, the Mageseekers hold the power to oppress magic-using citizens in the name of public order — by inducting and indoctrinating them, locking them away, or driving them into hiding. As Sylas, a spell-stealing mage who has just broken free of his unjust captivity, you will wield the chains that once bound you and liberate your homeland from tyranny, one Mageseeker at a time, in this action RPG that takes place in the League of Legends universe.
Get ready for a wild ride, spy-lovers! As a top-secret agent, you’ll embark on thrilling mini missions to stop an evil mastermind’s plan for global domination! With seven pulse-pounding missions to complete, you’ll jet-set to exotic locations all over the globe, from luxurious hotels to swanky casinos, all while hot on the trail of the infamous Royale Diamond.
It’s time to revisit your favorite late-night coffee shop and reconnect with your fantasy friends over a warm drink or two. You are a barista, and your customers aren’t always humans, listen to their stories and influence their hearts with a warm cup of coffee or two.
Tin Hearts – April 20 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Guide a troop of mischievous tin soldiers through a magical toy-filled world using a variety of whimsical and inventive contraptions to bounce, shoot and glide them to their goal. March through 40+ levels of time-bending, soldier-routing riddles, forge new paths for your toys to follow, and solve increasingly elaborate puzzles to unravel the emotional, thought-provoking story, of Albert J. Butterworth, a genius inventor of Victorian times. Try the demo here.
The much-loved zombie saga is back with a unique formula of horror, dark humor, and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure. Dead Island 2 is a thrilling first-person action RPG that’s stylish, vibrant, and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate zombie slayer!
Become an all-powerful witch and wield nature’s magic to heal the world. Tap into the strength of nature to craft spells and ready yourself for the mysterious challenges ahead as you work with your friendly cat familiar, Huckleberry, to beat back the deathly Miasma that’s corrupting the land.
Like its predecessor, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a game packed full of massive, striking environments and memorable creatures. It seems only fitting that the game receives an art book that delves deeper into the design and evolution of such an ambitious Star Wars project.
IGN can exclusively reveal The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the latest in Dark Horse’s ever-growing lineup of video game-themed art books. Check out the cover art below:
The Art of Star Wars: Jedi Survivor is a 192-page hardcover book featuring a mixture of concept art and developer commentary on the game. The art featured within ranges from early concept designs to final renders of the games environments, characters, weapons and ships.
In addition, Dark Horse will be releasing a Deluxe Edition version of The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. The Deluxe Edition includes additional bonuses like metallic printed elements, a protective slipcase and a folio with an exclusive lithograph print.
The standard hardcover is priced at $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition is priced at $99.99. Both versions will be released on December 12, 2023 in bookstores and December 13 in comic shops.
EA recently released the final gameplay trailer for Jedi: Survivor ahead of the game’s releaselater in April. In our preview of the game, IGN said: Our “main takeaway from roughly five hours with the upcoming sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, is that it felt like [we were] systematically crossing off the issues I had with Fallen Order.”
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball during the modern era. A true trailblazer in many areas, including sports, media, and the civil rights movement.
Jackie stood for class, the love of the game, and equality. He was a powerful force of positive change that changed the landscape of sports and the world today.
As has been tradition each season since 2004, MLB will celebrate the anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s historic MLB debut as he broke baseball’s color barrier throughout the league on April 15, 1947.
In partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation, Sony Interactive Entertainment, The Players Association, and Major League Baseball you can purchase the Jackie Robinson Foundation Charity Pack ($4.99 USD, from April 14, 2023 through April 29, only on US digital platform stores where MLB The Show is sold). PlayStation and San Diego Studio will donate 100% of the proceeds* from this pack after store platform fee deductions are applied to the Jackie Robinson Foundation. These donations will continue to support the JRF/PlayStation-MLB The Show Scholars Program to help reduce the achievement gap in higher education.
Your purchase of the Jackie Robinson Foundation Charity Pack grants you: 5,000 Stubs, Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) bat skins, Jackie Robinson Day profile icon and a Jackie Robinson profile banner icon for use in MLB The Show 23
Jackie Robinson played a pivotal role in societal change as a champion of racial equality and social justice. In turn, the Jackie Robinson Foundation continues that legacy as one of the best scholarship and leadership development programs for students from underrepresented groups for the past 50 years.
We’re now in our third year of this groundbreaking partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. We’d like to introduce you to our first cohorts of JRF/PlayStation MLB The Show Scholars:
Kevin Evans
Cedar Hill, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Computer Science
Class of 2026
Select High School Accomplishments:
Graduated in the top 1% of his class
Academic Awards – English Literature and Physics
National Honor Society, President
Student Council, Vice President
UT Austin Computer Science Academy – provided C++ coding for use in projects throughout the UT system
Roblox Studios, Game Programmer – designed and implemented game in LUA language, managed player data
Mayor’s Teen Council of Cedar Hill, Vice President
Asim Arnold
Dacula, Georgia
Georgia Institute of Technology
Computer Engineering
Class of 2026
Select High School Accomplishments:
Graduated with a 4.0 cumulative GPA
Completed coursework for college credit
AP Scholar
National Honor Society
Future Business Leaders of America
Donate: Code – provided volunteer computer coding services and instruction
Amnesty Decoders – assisted Amnesty International researchers by volunteering technology skills for human rights-related research
Dominic Bruce-Moore
Springfield, Massachusetts
Northeastern University
Communications and Media Studies
Class of 2026
Select High School Accomplishments:
Graduated in the top 10% of his class with a 3.96 cumulative GPA
National Honor Society
Academic Honors – Latin, History, and Music
Student Council, Vice President
Student Government Association, Treasurer
Student Anchors, Peer Tutor
Sir Golden Ace – created video game content for Twitch gaming platform as well as Youtube
Collin Jones
North Plainfield, New Jersey
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Game and Interactive Media Design
Class of 2026
Select High School Accomplishments:
Graduated with a 3.85 cumulative GPA
Completed coursework for college credit
National Honor Society
National Society of High School Scholars
Student Council
Union Catholic High School, Student Ambassador
Varsity Track & Field
Lance Rodgers
Oxon Hill, Maryland
University of Maryland – College Park
Computer Engineering
Class of 2026
Select High School Accomplishments:
Graduated in the top of his class with a 4.0 cumulative GPA
Completed coursework for college credit
National Honor Society
Earned honors at school science fair multiple times
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) – Junior Chapter, Lead Intern
Developed and conducted STEM workshops, led team of six counselors, led workshops and presentations on Roller Coaster Tycoon amusement park simulation game; attended NSBE national conference
Varsity Basketball
Varsity Soccer
Daisha Lafford
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
North Carolina A&T University
Computer Graphics
Class of 2026
Select High School Accomplishments:
Graduated first in her class class with a 4.0 cumulative GPA
National Honor Society
Academic Decathlon, Team Member – competed in state-level competitions every year
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, Advisory Board Member & Co-Chair of Marketing Committee
First Stage Theater – Young Company, Actor and Summer Intern – earned first place in national Shakespeare competition
Link Crew, Freshman Mentor
Varsity Volleyball
Exposure and the lack of career readiness programming to the industry is one of the biggest hurdles facing underrepresented talent seeking to join the gaming industry. It’s why our partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation is so important.
We want to realize the power of education and career opportunities and allow for better economic equality and equity. Bringing more diversity into our communities, our products, and our games. We couldn’t be happier to continue our partnership with the JRF and Jackie’s family as we strive to achieve these goals.
In addition, anyone with MLB The Show 23 and an internet connection can play the Jackie Robinson’s Storyline which sheds more light on Jackie’s illustrious career that started with the Kansas City Monarchs. Upon completion of Jackie’s Storyline, you unlock his Sanford Green Card.
We’ll also be supercharging the Sanford Greene Jackie Robinson card to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day.
*PlayStation will donate 100% of the proceeds (minimum of $3.49 USD per pack) sold will be donated. To (See console’s online stores for details) the JRF Foundation after store platform fee deductions are applied. This purchase is not tax deductible.
I spent my morning trying and failing to rise from the depths of a vast Brutalist tower in Beton Brutal, a new first-person platformer. It’s a challenging climb yet a curiously chill vibe, perhaps because any time I fall all the way down, I’m delighted to be back surrounded by overgrown plants and sculptures rising from a pond. The developer says Beton Brutal “tries to replicate and build upon the parkour mechanics seen in Minecraft,” and I think I have a lot to learn. I didn’t even know Minecraft had parkour.
Now that we know of Ganondorf’s appearance in TOTK, we’ve been reminiscing about all of the times that we have faced the Gerudo warlock in the past in an attempt to work out which version is the best. For many of us, our introduction to Ganon’s human form came in Ocarina of Time, though with Big-G appearing on several separate occasions across a variety of mainline games and spin-offs, there are a good number of versions to choose between.
The Logitech G305 Lightspeed, a top-tier wireless gaming mouse that normally retails for £60, has dropped to £30 at Amazon UK this morning. Here’s why we rate it.
In short, the G305 offers a lightweight design, fast and reliable Lightspeed wireless, 300 hours of battery life and a comfortable shape, making it ideal for a wide range of use case for competitive gaming on a desktop PC to a light, comfy mouse for working on a laptop in a cafe.
