Author: Game Infliction

Chronodeck – A New Time-Challenge Mode for Xbox in Deadlink, Available Now

Summary

  • Deadlink launches today on Xbox Series X|S.
  • A new game mode is unveiled for the console launch.
  • Read on to learn how you can win a Pro Controller.

Greetings, Agents.

I’m happy to be able to announce to you that mission command has authorized the use of an experimental training programme, to keep you sharp as ever. As you know, the Combat Shells you use in our missions, while disposable, are nevertheless an asset we would prefer you to utilize to the full extent of their potential. To do so, the R&D department has provided us with a cutting-edge, virtual environment that will really push you to achieve mastery over the craft of disrupting the operations of the corpos we aim to dismantle.

Introducing the Chronodeck Mode:

A series of timed challenges, or obstacle courses if you will, the Chronodeck mode is designed to improve your abilities such as fluid movement, precise aim and utilizing the many skills of the various Combat Shells to dominate the battlefield.

Just making it through the obstacle course can be difficult to initiate Agents, so expect to fail every now and then. However, that’s not where the true challenge lies. At the end of each run, your performance will be judged and graded based on how quickly and precisely you completed the run.

Deadlink screenshot

Understand now, that there will always be a better score to achieve. Shaving seconds off of each run may just be the difference between a great and a truly outstanding Agent, so make sure you do your best. To further motivate you, your score will be compared against other Agents in Global Leaderboards.

Think you’ve got what it takes to achieve the top scores? Prove it!

Head over to the X account of Crunching Koalas to find and enter the competition. Achieve the highest score among other participants before August 14th and win an Xbox Pro Controller!

Deadlink screenshot

Don’t be too intimidated though. Surely, the competition will be fierce, but Deadlink was created with controller players in mind. Rather than relying on aim-down-sights mechanics and long-range precision shooting, the game invites you to get up close and personal with various mobility, short-range and area control skills.

Hone them and you’ll see yourself become the master of the battlefield!

That’s it for now, Agents. I’ll see you on the other side. Make your Agency proud!

Deadlink is launching today on Xbox Series X|S.


Deadlink
Xbox Live

Deadlink

Crunching Koalas

☆☆☆☆☆
1
★★★★★

$24.99
Get it now

Deadlink is a cyberpunk FPS with roguelite elements. You’re the first operative to be recruited to the experimental Deadlink project. Pilot an autonomous combat shell, fighting your way through cramped slums, twisted labs, grimy warehouses, and sleek office buildings on a mission to thwart the schemes of the most powerful corporations in the world. Wield a deadly arsenal, upgrade your skills and tech, devastate destructible environments, and slash corporate profit margins — all at the same time.

You are the Corporate Security Agency’s greatest weapon, and it’s your job to make sure the corporations and their shady deals are anything but secure. With the team at HQ backing you up, you’re tossed headfirst into the fray, where a military operation with plausible deniability can fix things for a fraction of the cost of a hopeless court case.

Every randomized run will be different, but one thing never changes: you will be outnumbered. Get ready to think on your feet as you dash, jump, and use the environment to your advantage. You can’t still, not even for a second.

Equip your shell with powerful weapon loadouts. Try out various combinations as you blaze a path of destruction. Want to snipe your foes from a distance, debilitate them with status effects, or just go in guns blazing? Whatever your playstyle, you can find the right kit for the job.

Your enemies have no shortage of bullets and bodies to throw at you. But you’re no slouch either. Sure, you might lose a combat shell here and there, but your next one will be even tougher. Start each new run with amped-up skills and deadlier firepower!

The post Chronodeck – A New Time-Challenge Mode for Xbox in Deadlink, Available Now appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Games Industry Criticizes Bungie Management, CEO Pete Parsons in Wake of Layoffs: ‘Inexcusable’

Today, Destiny developer Bungie announced another massive round of layoffs following several months of internal turmoil and the launch of Destiny 2: The Final Shape. In a post on Bungie’s blog, CEO Pete Parsons announced that 220 roles, or 17% of Bungie’s workforce, were eliminated due to “financial challenges.”

Now, in the wake of these layoffs, quite a few employees who were laid off (along with other members of the games industry) have taken to social media to share their concerns and criticisms about Bungie’s management, with many even demanding that Parsons step down.

While fears of layoffs were reportedly prevalent within the studio, many employees expressed that their own layoffs were unexpected due to recent actions taken by leaders at Bungie. One music designer shared that they were reassured that they were needed, only to be laid off today. “There’s nothing I could’ve done to not be laid off,” they wrote.

Another employee shared that she was laid off just a month after being promoted.

Meanwhile, employees at Bungie who were unaffected by the layoffs have also made posts in support of their now former coworkers. Bungie’s global community lead, known as dmg04 online, called the layoffs “inexcusable.” “Accountability falling upon the workers who have pushed the needle to deliver for our community time and time again,” he wrote.

A few people also noted that Bungie’s player support team was heavily impacted. One employee noted that her “whole team is gone,” while a former community manager (whose position was eliminated during Bungie’s last round of layoffs) noted that player support employees dealt with harsh conditions and “worked harder than anyone else, through weekends – holidays – and the pay was atrocious, only to [get] tossed out so LY could get their personal buyouts.”

Throughout the games industry, others have criticized Bungie’s management, with many in the Destiny 2 community attributing the layoffs to poor decisions made by leadership. Destiny 2 lore YouTuber My name is Byf said Bungie has been “reckless with the studio, its employees, and its franchises. The problem is clear. Bad leadership. It needs to change.”

Others, including more former employees of Bungie, demanded that Parsons take a pay cut or step down.

Calls for Parsons to step down were only amplified by a few fans’ discoveries of what appears to be his account on a car bidding site called Bring A Trailer. One player compiled a spreadsheet showing his car purchases, showing that he has apparently spent about $500,000 on vintage cars since Bungie’s last round of layoffs in October.

The announcement of layoffs, along with calls for Parsons to resign, come just under two months after Bungie released Destiny 2: The Final Shape, which brings the game’s story to a close and was well-received by players despite facing several launch issues. Shortly after the release of The Final Shape, Bungie also announced Codename Frontiers, a mysterious new update slated for release in 2025. Bungie also has a revival of Marathon in the works, which will be the series’ first installment since 1996.

However, despite its multiple upcoming projects and well-received recent titles, Bungie has been in turmoil for months. In October, Bungie was hit with a smaller, albeit significant, round of layoffs that was reportedly due to Destiny 2 underperforming. This round of layoffs led to delays for The Final Shape as well as Marathon, which had not been given an official release window but was reportedly delayed internally from 2024 to 2025.

Following October’s layoffs, a Bungie developer described the studio’s morale as “soul-crushing,” with other developers describing mounting fears of more cost-cutting measures as well as a total Sony takeover. Months later in March, Bungie replaced its Marathon director amid internal pressure to ship the game.

Following the replacement of Marathon’s director, one source with knowledge of Bungie’s budgeting told IGN that “something will need to happen to curb costs unless The Final Shape does so well to cover the gap and people can move to Marathon,” referring to fears of another round of layoffs following The Final Shape’s release — the layoffs that happened today.

Amelia Zollner is a freelance writer at IGN who loves all things indie and Nintendo. Outside of IGN, they’ve contributed to sites like Polygon and Rock Paper Shotgun, and they recently released a game called Garage Sale. Find them on Twitter: @ameliazollner.

Suda51 and Shinji Mikami Are Interested in Making a Killer7 Complete Edition and Sequel

No More Heroes developer Soichi Suda a.k.a. Suda51 and Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami are interested in returning to the Killer7 series.

The two renowned game makers discussed their potential futures during an installment in one of Grasshopper Manufacture’s Grasshopper Direct presentations. Toward the end of the 40-minute video, which primarily offers a behind-the-scenes look at Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, Mikami and Suda were asked to comment on what they’re working on next. It was the Resident Evil veteran who brought up his desire to see more from Killer7.

“I’ve realized that I want to stay as hands-on as possible when it comes to game creation, and I’d love to see Suda make a sequel to Killer7,” Mikami said.

Suda, surprised, replies, “Seriously?!”

Killer7 launched in 2005 and follows Harman Smith and his seven killer personalities. Fans have grown to appreciate the game in the last 19 years, with many falling in love with its unique gameplay, visuals, and style. We gave it an 8.1/10 in our original review, and at the time, we said, “Players who can look beyond the control mechanics will find a truly bold and intriguing adventure game lurking within Killer7’s beautiful cel-shaded visuals.” Suda directed Killer7 with oversight from Mikami and isn’t opposed to revisiting its world.

“I’d rather make a complete edition first.

“Someday we just may see a Killer7 sequel or a ‘complete edition,’ ” Suda adds. However, it sounds like he’d prefer to start with the latter.

“I’d rather make a complete edition first. First a complete edition and then Killer11,” he says with a smile. Suda continues: “I don’t know – ‘Killer7-something,’ probably. Maybe ‘Killer7: Beyond.’”

Mikami feels a Killer7 complete edition might be “doable,” but Grasshopper would need to first decide whether to pursue it or some sort of sequel first. For now, no sequel has been announced. For more, you can learn about the Killer7 PC port that arrived in 2018.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Highlights PS Plus Monthly Games for August 2024

Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus games for August 2024: LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (PS4 and PS5); Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (PS4 and PS5); and Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (PS4).

In a new PlayStation Blog post, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Director of Content Acquisition & Operations Adam Michel revealed that all three games will be available to active PlayStation Plus subscribers starting Tuesday, August 6, and have until Monday, September 2, to redeem these digital copies. PS Plus subscribers who have yet to claim the free games for July 2024 (Borderlands 3, NHL 24, and Among Us) have until August 6 to redeem those games as part of their PS Plus subscription.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a compilation of video games representing all nine installments in the Skywalker Saga sub-trilogies, starting with A New Hope and concluding with The Rise of Skywalker. It also includes additional characters and DLC characters based on other Star Wars shows and projects, including The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

In our review of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which we awarded an 8 out of 10, my colleague Tristan Ogilvie wrote: “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga provides some rollicking reimaginings of Star Wars’ most iconic moments and seats them inside a series of interplanetary playgrounds that are dense with discovery and entertaining diversions.”

Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach is a horror game released in 2021 and is the eleventh installment in the widely popular Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise.

Security Breach is set in a mall. Players control a boy named Gregory, who finds himself trapped in Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex. He must survive the night by evading hostile animatronic mascots and other enemies.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is an indie ARPG. It was originally released in January 2021 as a Steam Early Access title before a full release in June. Players control Lily, a young priestess who is looking to unravel the mystery regarding a destroyed kingdom of Land’s End.

Its release became quite a hit for Indie games, with Gematsu reporting in March 2022 that the game had sold over 600,000 digital copies across the globe. In February 2024, during a Nintendo Direct showcase, a sequel, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, was announced and released on March 24, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Shinji Mikami Wants Suda51 To Make A Killer7 Sequel

But a ‘Complete Edition’ may come first.

During the recent Grasshopper Direct showcase, in which more information was provided on the upcoming Shadow of the Damned: Hella Remastered, legendary Japanese creator Shinji Mikami stated that he would love to see Goichi Suda (better known as ‘Suda51’) create a sequel to the GameCube title Killer7.

The comments, covered by our pals at VGC, came toward the end of the presentation (37.54, to be precise) when both creators were asked to share information on upcoming projects. Mikami was rather coy and simply said “I’ve realised that I want to stay as hands-on as possible when it comes to game creation”, before stating his desire to see Suda51 create a Killer7 sequel.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Destiny creators Bungie lay off 220 people and form new studio within Sony to stave off financial ruin

Destiny and Marathon developers Bungie are laying off 220 people – around 17% of their total workforce – as studio heads try to offset a financial crisis brought on by “overly ambitious” expansion, individual project “misfires”, and a wider economic downturn in 2023. Bungie are also transferring a further 155 roles to parent company Sony Interactive Entertainment, and are spinning out an untitled incubation project – an “action game set in a brand-new science-fantasy universe” – to form a new PlayStation studio.

Read more

Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Purgatory Unleashes Dark Choices on Xbox

Summary

  • An intense narrative RPG that weaves supernatural horror with events echoing real-world tensions in Poland’s Białowieża forest.
  • Take on the role a young werewolf battling inner demons in a dangerous land.
  • A unique blend of real-world locations, World of Darkness lore, and RPG mechanics.

Immerse yourself in the dark and politically charged world of Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Purgatory, a narrative-driven RPG set in the acclaimed World of Darkness universe. Developed by Different Tales, this game offers a unique blend of visual novel storytelling and tabletop RPG elements, promising an engaging and thought-provoking experience for Xbox players.

Purgatory casts you as Samira, a 23-year-old Afghan Garou whose werewolf heritage thrusts her into a maelstrom of otherworldly danger and all-too-human strife. Your path winds through a tapestry of richly realized locations, each fraught with its own perils. Haunting flashbacks to Afghanistan’s rugged Panjshir Valley give way to the tense reality of the Belarus-Poland borderlands. From there, your quest leads you through Warsaw’s history-steeped streets and into the primordial depths of Białowieża forest. At every turn, Samira must confront nightmarish beings, peel back layers of sinister plots, and wrestle with the beast that lurks within her own heart.

Purgatory character shot

What sets Purgatory apart is its grounding in real-world events and locations. The game explores the ongoing Belarus-Poland border crisis, where refugees have been caught in a political struggle between nations. You’ll visit actual locations such as Warsaw’s Old Town, the Royal Łazienki Park, and the haunting Stare Powązki necropolis. Each of these settings is brought to life through a distinctive art style that combines photography with hand-drawn elements, creating an atmosphere that’s both familiar and eerily otherworldly.

The game’s mechanics build upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, Heart of the Forest, while introducing new elements inspired by the World of Darkness Fifth Edition. Players will balance Samira’s rage, health, and willpower, while also managing a new “harano” system that reflects her inner despair. Your choices will impact not just the story, but Samira’s own development, as you navigate through different werewolf forms and build your inventory of supernatural Gifts and crucial items.

Purgatory offers two distinct investigative paths for players to explore. Will you delve into the corruption behind the refugee crisis, uncovering the machinations of a Bane-afflicted politician? Or will you investigate an anti-refugee faction within your own Garou society? Each path promises unique challenges and revelations, with your choices shaping the narrative and leading to multiple possible endings.

Purgatory screenshot

The game’s accessibility features ensure that both veterans of the World of Darkness and newcomers can fully engage with its rich lore. Pop-up vocabulary explanations help you understand the unique terms of this universe, while adjustable fonts and customizable text speed ensure a comfortable reading experience for all players.

Purgatory screenshot
Purgatory art

As you progress through the story, you’ll uncover layers of mystery and face difficult moral choices. Will you help Samira overcome her harano and reaffirm her identity as a Garou, or will she spiral further into despair? The choice is yours, and every decision counts in this savage tale of horror and humanity.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Purgatory is available now on Xbox. Step into the shadows of Warsaw, confront the harsh realities of the border crisis and shape your own destiny in this thrilling new addition to the World of Darkness.

Ready to unravel the mysteries lurking in the heart of Europe? Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Purgatory is available now on the Xbox Store. Download it today and embark on a journey that blends supernatural horror with all-too-real human struggles!


Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Purgatory
Xbox Live

Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Purgatory

Different Tales

☆☆☆☆☆
2
★★★★★


$14.99

$11.99
Get it now

Dive into Darkness!

Immerse yourself in the gripping world of Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Purgatory, a narrative-driven RPG thriller set in the acclaimed World of Darkness universe. Step into the shoes of Samira, a young werewolf navigating the shadows of Poland and beyond.

Unleash Your Inner Beast

Explore the chilling landscapes of a wintry Białowieża forest, the historic streets of Warsaw, and the memories of Afghanistan. As Samira, you’ll battle monsters, uncover dark conspiracies, and confront your inner turmoil. Each decision you make shapes your destiny, revealing new secrets and leading to multiple endings.

Shape Your Destiny

Choose your path: investigate a supernatural murder or delve into the secrets of a powerful werewolf pack. Your choices impact Samira’s journey, balancing her health, willpower, rage, and skills. Will you guide her towards light or darkness?

Classic RPG Mechanics

Experience a blend of visual novel storytelling and tabletop RPG elements, with mechanics inspired by the legendary World of Darkness Fifth Edition. Manage your inventory, master unique skills, and navigate through harano—a reflection of Samira’s inner despair.

Accessible for All

Whether you’re a veteran of the World of Darkness or a newcomer, Purgatory offers an engaging entry into this rich universe. With pop-up vocabulary explanations, adjustable fonts, and customizable text speed, the game ensures an accessible experience for everyone.

Join Samira in her harrowing quest for truth and survival in Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Purgatory. Will you help her overcome her inner demons and the darkness around her, or will she be consumed by it? The choice is yours!

The post Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Purgatory Unleashes Dark Choices on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for August: LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga, FNAF Security Breach, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights 

Relive all nine Star Wars films in Lego form, survive an overnight in Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex and journey through a destroyed kingdom with August’s PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup. From August 6*, all PlayStation Plus members** can add Lego Star Wars The Skywalker Saga, Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach and Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights to their game libraries. 

Let’s take a closer look at each game. 

LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga | PS4, PS5

Play through all nine Star Wars saga films in a brand-new LEGO video game unlike any other. Experience fun-filled adventures, whimsical humor, and the freedom to fully immerse yourself in the LEGO Star Wars galaxy. Want to play as a Jedi? A Sith? Rebel, bounty hunter, or droid? LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga features hundreds of playable characters from throughout the galaxy. Whether on land or in space, a variety of vehicles are yours to command. Jump to lightspeed in the Millennium Falcon, fly the T-47 Airspeeder and battle TIE fighters in Resistance X-wings… it’s the ultimate LEGO Star Wars experience.

Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach | PS4, PS5

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach is the latest installment of the family-friendly horror games from Steel Wool Games. Play as Gregory, a young boy trapped overnight in Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex. With the help of Freddy Fazbear himself, Gregory must survive the near-unstoppable hunt of reimagined Five Nights at Freddy’s characters – as well as new, horrific threats.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights | PS4

Unravel the mysteries of a destroyed kingdom in this dark fantasy 2D action RPG. Journey through the sprawling and hauntingly beautiful Land’s End, traversing a submerged forest, a sealed-off contaminated underground cavern, and a grand castle. Formidable bosses await that will gladly claim your life given even the slightest chance. Defeat these powerful foes and release them from their unending curse to recruit them as allies. Overcome the challenges before you and search for the truth with powerful knights at your side. 

Last chance to download July’s games

*PlayStation Plus members have until August 6 to add Borderlands 3, NHL 24 and Among Us to their game libraries.

*All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on August 6 until September 2. 

**PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup may differ in certain regions. Please check the PlayStation Store on launch day for your region’s lineup.