Game Infliction, Author at Game Infliction

Sony’s State of Play Showcases Aren’t Must-Watch Events Yet

In recent years, video game companies like Nintendo and PlayStation have set expectations for any pre-recorded shows by announcing beforehand what kind of stream viewers should expect — whether focused on indie games, third-party titles, or about a specific game. This has been a welcome change as it sets appropriate expectations for an upcoming Nintendo Direct or State of Play showcase. After all, nobody will expect to see a new Zelda trailer during a Splatoon 3 Direct.

Sony did this too for its most recent State of Play earlier this week, announcing that the show will primarily focus on PSVR 2, Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad, and some indie and third-party games. But if the recent State of Play showcases have demonstrated anything, it’s that there’s a difference between setting the right expectations, and making it so that viewers should have no expectations at all.

Let’s start with PlayStation VR 2, which was just released to critical acclaim. Having spent a few hours with it myself, I can tell you that the tech underlying Sony’s newest VR headset is definitely something to write home about. Still, much has been made about the launch lineup of games which consists of one new first-party release (Horizon: Call of the Mountain) and several releases that are readily available on rival headsets.

When PlayStation announced that the State of Play would showcase five new PlayStation VR 2 games, the expectation would be that at least one of them would be a showstopper, meant to highlight a high-end product that was just released. Instead, the lineup consisted of titles that could have easily slotted into the rest of PlayStation VR 2’s launch offerings.

The reason for PlayStation State of Plays being what they are is both completely understandable, and self-defeating.

When I spoke with my colleague Brian Altano to discuss the State of Play, he aptly said, “The State of Plays, in general, have largely settled into a groove with their format, but it isn’t a great groove. They’re largely missing the fun surprise element that Nintendo Directs have.”

If the new PlayStation VR 2 reveals were a letdown for you as it was for me, it has to do with what I think is a disconnect between what PlayStation considers a surprise versus what the audience expects is an appropriate surprise.

For example, Nintendo ended its last Direct with Metroid Prime Remaster as a shadow drop, which falls in line with a showcase meant to highlight some first-party offerings. Xbox’s developer showcase featured the surprise release of Hi-Fi Rush for a similar, first-party-oriented stream that also continued to push for the ongoing benefits of Xbox Game Pass (which Hi-Fi Rush released on).

Sony set the audience up for a showcase headlined by five new PlayStation VR 2 games, and it seemed the biggest surprise was a new VR title from Enhance, the developers of one of my favorite games of all time, Tetris Effect. A tantalizing VR game for sure, but not one I would consider as something that could move a $550 VR headset on its own. And with a May release date, it’s not something current PlayStation VR 2 owners can enjoy immediately either.

The second headliner in the State of Play is Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League, a game that has few surprises left ahead of its May release date. The extended gameplay reveal did not share information that wasn’t previously known, and the elements that were confirmed — that it will be a live-service game with battle passes and gear levels — has been more of a concern for players than points of excitement. The reveal wasn’t even Warner Bros.’ biggest of the day after the company’s CEO David Zaslav let slip that Mortal Kombat 12 would be released later this year.

The reason for PlayStation State of Plays being what they are is both completely understandable, and self-defeating. As owners of the most popular gaming platform and with an enviable stable of first-party studios, Sony must work double to ensure fans come into the State of Plays with the right expectations, lest they leave completely disappointed that there’s no surprise God of War or The Last of Us or Ghost of Tsushima announcement. But by being so cautious about inflated expectations, Sony has created a series of showcases bereft of any surprises, making me wonder if the State of Plays are even necessary at this point when I get far more information from a PlayStation Blog.

One suggestion would be to make these shows more focused on a single topic. If PlayStation wants to do a VR State of Play, it should go all-in. Likewise, if PlayStation wants to update fans on third-party games, it should dedicate an entire show to those as well. Even if the entire State of Play was dedicated to one game, like Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League, a State of Play could offer a meaningful update on the anticipated title. By focusing on a single lane, Sony can manage expectations while still deliver meaningful updates on either its games or hardware. Hell, even a new PlayStation Productions show.

I get far more information from a PlayStation Blog.

By having a little of everything, and under-delivering on some of the headline items, State of Plays won’t be able to capture the same “must-watch” designation as shows put on by the other console-makers. But we know that this format works, and if PlayStation can zero in on what’s important to players, it can compete alongside Nintendo and Microsoft.

Matt T.M. Kim is IGN’s Senior Features Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.

Atomic Heart Apologizes for Racist Cartoon, No Comment on Ukraine Statement

Editor’s Note: The war in Ukraine is an ongoing, painful and emotive topic. IGN urges community members to be respectful when engaging in conversation around this subject and does not endorse harassment of any kind.

Atomic Heart’s launch week has been surrounded by controversy, as developer Mundfish is facing backlash for its Russian ties in relation to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and a racist cartoon present within the game.

Earlier this week, PC Gamer published a story about online criticism surrounding the presence of a racist caricature within Atomic Heart. The caricature in question was found in the game’s Resident Evil-style save rooms, where players can take a breather from the action and watch old episodes of Nu, Pogodi!, or, Well, Just You Wait!, a Soviet-era cartoon that started in 1969.

The show can be summarized as a Soviet version of Tom and Jerry, starring a wolf who tries time and time again to get his hands on a hare. The issue is present in episode 12, titled Museum, which first aired in 1978. A statue is shown in the episode that’s a racist depiction of an African tribesman. Folks on Resetera criticized Atomic Heart for including the cartoon at all, let alone without any warning or context.

Atomic Heart devs:
“The Mundfish team thanks the PC Gamer contributor for bringing this lack of sensitivity to our attention. We apologize if using the vintage cartoon or music has caused hurt or insult. We will edit the parts in question.”
The clip: https://t.co/58SUMRXA7F
— Kat Bailey (@The_Katbot) February 24, 2023

Mundfish responded to the PC Gamer report in a statement, saying, “The Mundfish team thanks the PCGamer contributor for bringing this lack of sensitivity to our attention. We apologize if using the vintage cartoon or music has caused hurt or insult. We will edit the parts in question.”

Ukraine government seeks to remove Atomic Heart

That’s not the only issue Mundfish and Atomic Heart are facing this week. While Mundfish’s official website now says the studio is headquartered in Cyprus, the developer’s Russian roots and potential ties to the Russian government has Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation seeking to remove Atomic Heart from digital storefronts in the country.

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has seen many games and entertainment companies pull support in Russia, with many across the games industry calling for support for Ukraine. We’ve previously seen the Ukrainian government call on “all game development companies and esports platforms” to temporarily stop business in Russia.

Now, Atomic Heart has taken center stage regarding the games industry’s role in the war. As reported by PCGamesN, the Ukraine government will write an official letter to Valve, Microsoft, and Sony requesting that Atomic Heart be removed from digital stores in Ukraine, with an additional request that these companies consider “limiting distribution” in other countries.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation said its stance comes from the “toxicity” of Atomic Heart, and allegations that the Russian government could see financial gain from the game’s release.

“We also urge limiting the distribution of this game in other countries due to its toxicity, potential data collection of users, and the potential use of money raised from game purchases to conduct a war against Ukraine,” said Alex Bornyakov, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation.

This statement originally appeared on Ukrainian tech site Dev.au, with PCGamesN obtaining the English version directly from the Ukrainian government.

“According to media reports, the game’s development was funded by Russian enterprises,” the Ukraine government’s statement continued. “Therefore, we call for all users worldwide to avoid this game. We also want to emphasize that the game developers have not publicly condemned the Putin regime and the bloody war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine.”

Both Mundfish and Xbox had “no comment” when contacted about the Ukraine situation. Valve and PlayStation did not respond to IGN’s request. IGN will update this article accordingly if we hear back.

Atomic Heart composer Mick Gordon recently revealed that he donated his fee to the Red Cross’ Ukraine Crisis Appeal. Gordon said he was contacted by Mundfish studio in 2020, nearly two full years before the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Valiant Hearts: Coming Home Explores The Underrepresented Heroes of World War I

The Valiant Hearts series is a novel take on the familiar setting of World War I. Instead of focusing on armed skirmishes and large-scale battles, it hones in on the lives of those on the frontlines, the lingering trauma that war casts upon them, and the unexpected bonds found in dark times. Despite the smaller-scale storytelling, its more emotional take on living through war is a welcome change of pace.

Released in January as a Netflix Games exclusive, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is the long overdue sequel to Ubisoft’s war-time narrative-adventure game from 2014. Along with the return of protagonists Anna and Freddie, the sequel also includes a new character whose story focuses on the African American service members in the famed 369th regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters.

We interviewed Ubisoft manager of inclusive games & content Maya Loreal, and product director Guillaume Cerda, about the making of Valiant Hearts: Coming Home and the potential video games have with bringing stories and underrepresented figures into the spotlight.

“It’s in our game’s DNA to tell the story of these ordinary people becoming unsung heroes,” said Cerda about Valiant Hearts; Coming Home. “And what better example than the Harlem Hellfighters, especially with the feats and efforts they are recognized with, even after a century following the end of World War I. Their stories fit in well with Valiant Hearts. We’re always saying that it’s not a war game, but it’s a game about war, being caught up in the turmoil of it.”

Revisiting The Past

Coming Home picks up after the original game’s events in 1917, with the United States entering the war and further expanding the scale of the conflict. As returning characters Freddie and Anna continue to survive with their fellow French soldiers, Freddie’s brother James enlists in the US army to join the war effort, going against his brother’s wishes. Along with facing the brutality of one of history’s most chaotic wars, James and other Black soldiers in his unit also contend with daily encounters of bigotry from their fellow service members at home and abroad.

The strength of the Valiant Hearts series lies in its focus on the human condition, along with the bonds of family and friendship during times of war. Much like Freddie’s experience from the original game – whose story was inspired by real-life WWI hero Freddie Stowers – James’ story is about the experiences of a Black soldier during the early 1900s, and what unfolds is a tale that’s rich and emotional.

Aside from 2016’s Battlefield 1, the Harlem Hellfighters have had little presence in other games focusing on World War 1. In real life, the Harlem Hellfighters, often known as the 369th regiment, comprised enlisted African American soldiers who wanted to join the war effort for the United States. However, the American military instead sent the 369th regiment to work with France, as American generals and other soldiers refused to work alongside Black servicemen in the racially segregated army.

The all-African American regiment was welcomed into the French military with open arms, and they would become a key segment of the French armed forces, helping to achieve victory in battles across Europe and in Northern Africa. The Harlem Hellfighters were not only exceptional in combat, but they also provided much-needed morale to the French and American military forces. In addition, several regiment members were talented Jazz musicians, and their music would lift the spirits of allied soldiers. It would also lead to the booming popularity of Jazz music in France during the 1900s.

A Fresh Perspective

James’ story in Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is compelling, and it pulls from the real-life experiences of Harlem Hellfighter James Reese Europe. Europe was a Jazz musician before entering the war, and he experienced many hardships during the war as well as in the racially segregated United States. Yet, despite that, he brought humanity and comfort to his fellow servicemen with his Jazz music and upbeat attitude – so much so that he became a celebrity in France after the war ended.

Speaking with Maya Loreal from Ubisoft, she explained the work that went into bringing James to life, and honoring the members of the 369th regiment in Valiant Hearts.

“Right from the start, the team intended to represent the experiences and the struggles [the 369th regiment] towards equality in the context of racial segregation,” said Loreal about incorporating the experiences of Black soldiers into Coming Home. “We did a lot of research to ensure we brought those stories to life. We partnered with Dr. John H. Morrow Jr., who is a scholar specializing in the history of the Harlem Hellfighters, and with the non-profit The 369th Experience, which is continuing their legacy. We see this as a long-term journey to make sure that we were celebrating those who hadn’t had a voice in history, and who had been overlooked.”

Coming Home delves into James’ story from the beginning of deployment to the end of his time in the war, highlighting many Black soldiers’ struggles in America. For instance, during a segment in James’ training for the war, he has to face racist drill sergeants who bark orders at him while demanding he enter the Blacks-only side of the barracks for his orientation. While in gun and performance training, the White soldiers are given rifles to practice with, whereas James and other Black soldiers have to run drills with brooms and other bricks instead. The sequence ends with James watching White soldiers stand in formation and raising the American flag, while he has to clean up the obstacle course.

Valiant Hearts: Coming Home shows its Black characters finding their joy in bleakest of times, and it’s a welcome and much-needed sight for video games.

Even with Valiant Hearts’ emotive and colorful art-style, you can sense the hostility and resentment that James experiences in his story. Thankfully, it’s not just tragedy and humiliation that he faces. In Valiant Hearts: Coming Home’s more hopeful and upbeat moments, we see James and the fellow members of the 369th division have pure and unbridled moments of joy amongst themselves, which is a rare sight for a game set during a war. Taking cues from the real-life James Reese Europe, the protagonist, and other characters come together to bond over a shared love of Jazz, which is an intractable rhythm-based sequence with music composed by musician and historian Jason Moran.

These moments are spaced throughout the game, and they’re always great moments of uplifting for the characters, showing that there is more to them and their stories than just suffering and hardship. Valiant Hearts: Coming Home shows its Black characters finding their joy in bleakest of times, and it’s a welcome and much-needed sight for video games.

Finding That Joy In Dark Times

Even today, we often see stereotypes and other harmful depictions of what it means to be Black in media – whether in a fantasy realm or in contemporary settings. Regardless of the setting, depictions of Black characters in media come from a real-world basis. Valiant Heroes: Coming Heroes shows a level of earnestness and warmth for its Black characters, which carries so much weight when you consider the real history and even in our present times.

“What worked so well with the collaboration with the 369 Experience and the dev team was that it was such an organic back-and-forth,” said Loreal. “It led us to explore other paths and also to acknowledge the full cultural resonance of that moment in time [during World War I], and what it means today. Working with Dr. John H. Morrow Jr. also brought a lot of insight into the specificity of the voice we needed to bring to the African American soldiers during that time, and it provided so much authenticity to the game.”

Much like the original game, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is a moving and effective narrative game that portrays a particularly brutal period of history with a bittersweet sense of hope. This sequel not only lives up to its original story and characters, but it also shows that video games have a growing potential for telling stories about marginalized groups, and getting players to empathize with the perspective of an outsider and how it connects to real life. Simply put, to play as a Black character in a game about one of modern history’s most brutal wars just hits different.

Even with games that have several times the budget of Valiant Hearts: Coming Home, this sequel to a 2014 game manages to give more honesty and emotion than so many other titles in its genre, and it’s admirable to see a game punch above its weight. There’s always that prevailing hope that a medium you enjoy will continue to evolve. Games like Valiant Hearts show that video games can indeed offer something more.

Alessandro Fillari is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @afillari.

Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 450: Squad Up

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RSS, or download here

Happy PS VR2 launch week! This week is bursting with news on PS VR2 launch titles, plus the team’s favorite reveals and updates from the latest State of Play.

Stuff We Talked About

PS VR2
Destiny 2: Lightfall
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Kayak VR
Resident Evil 4
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
Dead Space
The Chant

The Cast

Sid Shuman – – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE

Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE

Brett Elston – Manager, Content Communications, SIE

Thanks to Cory Schmitz for our beautiful logo and Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.

[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Destiny 2: Where Is Xur Today? Location and Exotic Items for February 24-28

The loot lizard, Xûr, is now live in Destiny 2 for the weekend until next week’s reset. If you’re looking to get your some shiny new Exotic armor or weapons for your Guardian, look no further.

Each week, Xûr has a random assortment of Exotic armor, one for each Guardian class, as well as a random Exotic Weapon and an Exotic Engram available for purchase. In addition to his Exotic wares, he’s got a random collection of Legendary weapons and armor to deck out your Guardians.

We’ve rounded up all the info on Xûr for the week including where to find Xûr, which Exotic weapons and armor are available, as well as which Legendary weapons you should pick up, either for PvE or PvP.

Where Is Xûr Today?

Xûr’s location today can be found at Watcher’s Grave on Nessus on February 24 through February 28. To reach him, travel to the landing point at Watcher’s Grave. When you arrive, make for the red moss-covered tree straight ahead. Climb up the roots and you’ll find Xûr waiting at the top to sell you exotic items and legendary weapons.

What Is Xûr Selling This Weekend?

Exotic Engram

Lord of Wolves – Exotic Shotgun

Lucky Pants – Exotic Hunter Boots

3 Mobility
28 Resilience
2 Recovery
7 Discipline
10 Intellect
24 Strength
Total: 64

Antaeus Wards – Exotic Titan Boots

10 Mobility
6 Resilience
19 Recovery
13 Discipline
8 Intellect
9 Strength
Total: 65

Nazarec’s Sin – Exotic Warlock Helmet

2 Mobility
3 Resilience
27 Recovery
2 Discipline
28 Intellect
2 Strength
Total: 64

None of the exotic armor pieces this week are particularly inspired. The highest-stat roll are the Antaeus Wards, which are admittedly the best boots in the game, but the roll isn’t spikey and only goes to 65. The Warlock helmet is much more spikey, but with only 64 points to offer, it’s not an ideal roll. Lord of Wolves is dope if you don’t have it!

Exotic Weapons

Hawkmoon – Exotic Hand Cannon

Paracausal Shot
Hammer-Forged Rifling
Alloy Magazine
Quickdraw
Smooth Grip

Dead Man’s Tale – Exotic Scout Rifle

Cranial Spike
Chambered Compensator
Flared Magwell
Killing Wind
Short-Action Stock

Both of the rolls for these two awesome weapons this week are just alright. Probably a pass unless you need one for some reason!

Legendary Weapons

Seventh Seraph Carbine – Auto Rifle

Full Bore/Hammer-Forged Rifling
Extended Mag/Armor-Piercing Rounds
Threat Detector
Elemental Capacitor
Stability Masterwork

Jian 7 Rifle – Pulse Rifle

SLO-21 Post/SLO-10 Post
Extended Mag/Flared Magwell
Zen Moment
Rampage
Range Masterwork

First In, Last Out – Shotgun

Chambered Compensator/Corkscrew Rifling
Tactical Mag/Steady Rounds
Outlaw
Eye of the Storm
Stability Masterwork

IKELOS_SMG_V1.0.3 – Submachine Gun

Chambered Compensator/Fluted Barrel
Extended Mag/Alloy Magazine
Shot Swap
Tap The Trigger
Rasputin’s Arsenal
Handling Masterwork

Far Future – Sniper Rifle

Chambered Compensator/Smallbore
Alloy Magazine/Flared Magwell
Surplus
Frenzy
Stability Masterwork

Honor’s Edge – Sword

Honed Edge/Jagged Edge
Heavy Guard/Swordmaster’s Guard
Relentless Strikes
Surrounded
Impact Masterwork

Eternity’s Edge – Sword

Hungry Edge/Honed Edge/Tempered Edge
Infinite Guard
Relentless Strikes
Flash Counter
Impact Masterwork

My top pick this week are Infinite Guard, simply because Xur rarely sells it, the Jian 7 pulse rifle, which rarely disappoints, and and interesting Ikelos SMG that seems to be the world’s best handling weapon.

Warlock Legendary Armor

For Warlocks, Xûr is selling the Vigil of Heroes set which include:

Vigil of Heroes Gloves

10 Mobility
11 Resilience
9 Recovery
2 Discipline
20 Intellect
11 Strength
Total: 63

Vigil of Heroes Chest Armor

24 Mobility
2 Resilience
2 Recovery
2 Discipline
18 Intellect
10 Strength
Total: 58

Vigil of Heroes Helmet

7 Mobility
10 Resilience
13 Recovery
2 Discipline
6 Intellect
20 Strength
Total: 58

Vigil of Heroes Leg Armor

2 Mobility
30 Resilience
2 Recovery
15 Discipline
7 Intellect
10 Strength
Total: 66

Vigil of Heroes Bond

Warlocks have some darn good boots with very spikey Resilience that are definitely worth your shards! Buy those suckers!

Titan Legendary Armor

For Titans, Xûr is selling the Vigil of Heroes set which include:

Vigil of Heroes Gauntlets

10 Mobility
16 Resilience
7 Recovery
19 Discipline
2 Intellect
10 Strength
Total: 64

Vigil of Heroes Chest Armor

6 Mobility
24 Resilience
2 Recovery
12 Discipline
6 Intellect
16 Strength
Total: 66

Vigil of Heroes Helmet

8 Mobility
19 Resilience
2 Recovery
13 Discipline
2 Intellect
16 Strength
Total: 60

Vigil of Heroes Leg Armor

8 Mobility
16 Resilience
8 Recovery
7 Discipline
10 Intellect
14 Strength
Total: 63

Vigil of Heroes Mark

Titans got two very good rolls this week! The boots are a fantastic high-stat roll with spikey Resilience and low Mobility. The guantlets are also not bad with 64 points to offer, though notably doesn’t have any spikiness.

Hunter Legendary Armor

For Hunters, Xûr is selling the Vigil of Heroes set which include:

Vigil of Heroes Grips

18 Mobility
2 Resilience
12 Recovery
10 Discipline
15 Intellect
6 Strength
Total: 63

Vigil of Heroes Chest Armor

6 Mobility
24 Resilience
2 Recovery
10 Discipline
12 Intellect
12 Strength
Total: 66

Vigil of Heroes Helmet

9 Mobility
13 Resilience
10 Recovery
2 Discipline
12 Intellect
12 Strength
Total: 58

Vigil of Heroes Leg Armor

14 Mobility
13 Resilience
2 Recovery
10 Discipline
16 Intellect
6 Strength
Total: 61

Vigil of Heroes Cloak

Hunters also got a fantstic high-Resilience rolled item with their chestpiece that’s absolutely to die for! Hurray for everyone!

That’s a wrap on Xûr for this week, Guardians! Lightfall comes out in a few short days and we just got an amazing launch trailer! Where are you hype levels at? Let us know in the comments!

For more on Destiny, check out some of the new weapons and gear you can find in The Witch Queen and read about how Sony’s purchase of Bungie fits into its larger plans. You can also check out details on the upcoming Lightfall release date.

Travis Northup is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @TieGuyTravis and read his games coverage here.

Nintendo Confirms It’s Missing E3 2023

After reports that all three major platform holders were skipping E3, Nintendo has confirmed to IGN that it will indeed be missing the event slated for June.

“We approach our involvement in any event on a case-by-case basis and are always considering various ways to engage with our fans,” Nintendo told IGN in a statement. “Since this year’s E3 show didn’t fit into our plans, we have made the decision to not participate. However, we have been and continue to be a strong supporter of the ESA and E3.”

IGN previously broke the news that Xbox, Sony, and Nintendo would not be formally taking part in E3 2023, with Nintendo pulling out due to a lack of major releases to promote. Xbox will be hosting its own event in Los Angeles, but it will not be at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

With E3 roughly three months away, uncertainty continues to hover around the event as publishers weigh their options. Ubisoft recently announced that it would attend E3 if the event went forward, but otherwise IGN understands that little has changed from a month ago, with few publishers being willing to full commit to attending.

E3 2023 is currently slated for June 13 to June 16 in the Los Angeles Convention Center. It is unclear whether Nintendo will hold a Nintendo Direct to match, as it has in previous years.

Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

Boots Quest DX is the anti-RPG I’ve been waiting for

RPGs set you off on some kind of grand quest, a hero’s journey filled with danger and peril as you track down some legendary sword to defeat a world-ending evil. Boots Quest DX, however, has much humbler aspirations. You are a mere boot enthusiast on an adventure to find the very bestest best boots known to man (or blobs, I genuinely can’t tell what provenance these rotund creatures hail from), and nothing else will deter you from achieving your lifelong goal. Find a honking great sword on the beach? Trash. A pirate’s cutlass? Get in the sea, literally. If it’s not a pair of boots, you’re not interested – and it all makes for a brisk, anti-RPG adventure that’s incredibly refreshing.

Review: Digimon World: Next Order – A Repetitive, Open-World Grind For Die-Hard Fans Only

The only way is Easy Mode.

Just like any franchise that’s been going as long as it has, Digimon video games have had plenty of ups and downs. Digimon World: Next Order was first released in 2016 for the PlayStation Vita, with a PlayStation 4 release making its way to the West the following year. Since then, it has enjoyed enough of a cult following that it has now been ported to PC and Switch years later. Perhaps owing to its origins on Sony’s handheld console, it feels right at home on the Switch but Digimon World: Next Order is still a title that struggles to find its footing.

The opening of the game throws players into a tense battle between two highly evolved Digimon companions and a powerful opponent that serves as a tutorial for the combat system. Fights play out in real-time, with the player’s partners acting on their own initiative, based on which of the three pre-set AI behaviours you’ve chosen for them. Players can choose specific actions for them to take, but only if they have accrued enough Order Points through the course of the fight.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Seven Things to Know Before Playing the Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Demo

Summary

These are some key tips and strategies to know before you jump into the world of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, launching March 3 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC.
From Morale Rank, to counter-attacks, and more, we prepare you for the fight that’s in store.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is available for pre-order on the Xbox Store and will be available day one with Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC.

We know you’re eager to get your hands on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty when launches day one with Game Pass on March 3. But before Team Ninja’s latest action RPG arrives, we’re dropping a new two-chapter demo today on the Xbox Store that showcases the thrilling combat and intense fighting of a demon-plagued, dark fantasy-infused Three Kingdoms.

Here you’ll be tasked to defy the odds using a mix of magic and Chinese martial arts as an anonymous militia soldier, battling your way through waves of monsters and enemy soldiers in this Later Han Dynasty epic. It’s a great opportunity to see what the game has in store, and best of all your saved data from the Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Demo will carry over to the full game starting on March 3. If you manage to complete the first chapter, you’ll even be rewarded with the Crouching Dragon Helmet to equip in-game.

Before you jump into the action, though, I wanted to break down seven things to know before you awaken your inner strength in the full game.

Morale to the Story

The first thing you’ll need to understand about the game is Morale Rank. Morale Rank is a growth element used during missions that is different from your character’s level. The higher your Morale Rank, the less damage you’ll receive from enemies and the more battle elements are made available. Morale Points can be earned by defeating enemies or by landing Martial Arts attacks, Spirit attacks, or a Fatal Strike. Your Morale Rank can increase to a maximum level of 25.

Enemy Morale

Enemy Morale Ranks are displayed in the UI above their heads. The higher your Morale Rank is compared to the enemy’s, the greater the damage they will deal. In addition, the color of the Morale Rank icon indicates their threat level, with green Morale Ranks being lower or equal to your character, yellow being 1-4 points higher, and red being 5+ points higher. Basically, if you see an enemy with a red Morale Rank, you might want to raise your own level a bit before fighting them, or you could be in for a swift death.

Spirit Squad

Beyond Morale, you’ll also need to keep an eye on your Spirit Gauge. Spirit is the strength of an individual’s willpower during battle and can be used to strike down enemies using Martial Arts, Wizardry Spells, and Spirit attacks. Increase your Spirit Gauge by landing normal attacks or deflecting an enemy attack, but beware, getting hit by enemies will decrease your Spirit, leaving you vulnerable against some of the tougher soldiers and monsters in-game.

Deflect! Deflect! Deflect!

While you’re able to block most attacks, the key to making enemies miss or even stagger, while setting them up for even bigger blows, is the ability to Deflect. Wait for your opponent to set up for their strike, and as they move in for their attack, use just the right timing to press B in order to Deflect the assault, setting yourself up for your own maneuver. And remember, Deflects also help increase your Spirit!

Wizards and Warriors

Wizardry Spells are special skills that align with the elements of the Five Phases. You can set up to four different Wizardry Spells for use during combat. By targeting the enemy’s weak elements and status effects, you can gain the upper hand in battle. Successful use of Wizardry Spells can nullify an enemy’s elemental attack. For example, a Flame area (of the Fire Phase) created by an enemy can be extinguished by a Water Phase Spell.

Death From Above

When climbing up cliffs or alongside a building, look down and check for enemies. Press Y while jumping down to perform a Fatal Strike against an unaware soldier or demon! Fatal Strikes can also be performed from behind by sneaking up on an enemy and pressing Y. The lock-on marker will turn red if it’s possible to perform a Fatal Strike on a target.

Part Destruction

Demons have hardened body parts that can be destroyed. You can destroy the hardened part by attacking it or by deflecting an enemy’s Critical Blow. If you successfully perform part destruction, the enemy will no longer be able to perform a Critical Blow or other attacks with that part. Part destruction also reduces the enemy’s maximum Spirit limit, which will then increase your chance to launch a Fatal Strike.

These seven tips are just the start to the depth of Wo Long’s gameplay. From Divine Beasts to the various weapon types and Chinese martial arts, there are layers upon layers upon layers to learn, and this demo will give you a taste of what’s to come when the game launches March 3 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and will be available day one with Game Pass on console and PC.

Until then, jump into the demo and see how many demons you can destroy. And don’t forget to check out the exciting new launch trailer released today, showcasing just some of the famous faces from the Three Kingdoms you’ll encounter along the way.

Question Block: NVC’s Essential Switch Games

It’s time for another Question Block edition of the weekly NVC column. This week, we’re answering what seems like an easy one, but it turns out it’s NOT easy. Shane Dowley wrote us at nvc@ign.com and asked the following question:

“For new Switch buyers, what would be your top 5 essential games that you would tell them to buy?”

First off, we answered this during this week’s episode of NVC, but we’re getting a little more formal with the answers. Much as Wheel of Fortune automatically gives players in the final round a free R,S,T,L,N and E, we answered this question with the most common games as give-ins: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Mario Odyssey. The remaining picks are below.

Reb Valentine

Assuming you have some other device to play multi-platform games that are nonetheless superb on the Switch already (like Hollow Knight or Celeste), then obviously you need a trove of Switch exclusives. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an essential cornerstone of the Switch library for its ability to suck you in for hundreds of hours alone as well as incorporate joyful, social play. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle introduces a genre many Nintendo enthusiasts might be less familiar with by painting it with a familiar and family-friendly veneer (and it is, I argue, better than Sparks of Hope!). Luigi’s Mansion 3, easily one of the best games on the system, deserves a spot on sheer charm. And there’s literally nothing in the world like Ring Fit Adventure, one of the most unique RPGs I’ve ever played and with absolutely no peer on any other system anywhere. For my fifth pick, obviously you’ll need the NSO Expansion Pass for all the games it comes with (yes, even though I regularly quip that no one actually plays them), but more importantly for the Mario Kart and Animal Crossing DLC.

Peer Schneider

I usually start my recommendations with SteamWorld Dig, but I’m gonna mix it up this time! Switch has a strong lineup of wonderful co-op multiplayer games – some ported from other platforms like Diablo III, New Super Mario Bros. or Donkey Country: Tropical Freeze, but many are unique to the system. My number one Switch Essential pick – and a co-op delight – is Luigi’s Mansion 3. Seriously, it’s fantastic. Next up, it’s Splatoon 3. It’s just a ridiculously good competitive shooter. You can lose hundreds of hours to this game in competitive and co-op modes, or just have fun for a weekend with the campaign mode. For my final three picks, I’m going with a trio of top-tier remakes/remasters: the charming handheld classic The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, multi-scenario Square JRPG Live A Live, and most-likely prettiest game on Switch forever Metroid Prime Remastered.

Seth Macy

This is a tough one, and so I’m going to cheat right off the bat by recommending the Nintendo Switch Online expansion pass. It costs as much as a game – granted, a game you have to buy every year – but it has so many great games included with the service it’s totally worth it now. After that, I have the controversial pick of Minecraft for Nintendo Switch. Yes, you can play Minecraft on a TI-89 calculator at this point, but it works so great on Switch and there’s something extra special about playing it handheld. After that, things get trickier for me. I’m going to say Bayonetta 2, even though it’s originally a Wii U game. It’s better than its sequel and just feels so damn good to play. Metroid Prime Remastered is also another absolute must-play, and while you probably can’t get it as a physical cart anymore, it’s on the eShop (and cheaper that route, too). Finally, and this is just me being weird, I’m going to say if you have a Switch, you should also have Axiom Verge 2. You don’t need to have played the first to enjoy the second, and it’s probably my favorite Metroidvania of the last decade. It’s super good!

So what are your picks for the five essential Nintendo Switch games (that aren’t Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Super Mario Odyssey)? Start the arguments in the comments!