The Anacrusis, one year on: “This is the game we wanted to release”

The Anacrusis launched into early access in January 2022, its retrofuturist take on the co-op FPS instantly delivered on funky sci-fi fun. Yet it was also tempered fun: a brutal AI Director could easily tip manageable chaos into a fatiguing onslaught of fishy alien minibosses, and I still remember my will to persevere being sapped by connectivity issues and a general lack of weight to the otherwise enticing pew-pew gunplay.

Happily, following a year of tweaks and additions, The Anacrusis is in a much better place. Even if that place is still turtleneck-deep in extraterrestrial viscera. Ahead of the game’s first anniversary, I poked developers Stray Bombay for a chat on how their early access approach is working out, the impact of long-awaited mod tools, and what’s next for this most stylish of space shooters.

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Random: Fans Create ‘Nuzlocke-Style’ Mode For Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Can’t keep a good fan down.

It has officially been one year, two months, and nine days (and counting) since Nintendo has made any significant content updates to its second-most successful game in history — Animal Crossing: New Horizons. So, on January 4th, YouTuber NintenTalk released a challenge to their viewers to “Make Animal Crossing: New Horizons fun again” by introducing what they have dubbed #ACNHHardMode.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Share of the Week: Unlucky

Last week, we asked you to find moments where characters ran out of luck in the game of your choice, and share using #PSBlog #PSshare. Here are this week’s unlucky highlights:

ForgottenJasmin shares Aloy falling from a snapped rope in Horizon Forbidden West.

OuterRimsPhoto shares a troll about to be whipped by Kratos’ Blades of Chaos in God of War Ragnarök

masaoandm shares an unsuspecting cat lover about to be ambushed by a headless yokai in Ghostwire: Tokyo.

GameTogg shares Sam tumbling down a cliffside in Death Stranding.

MilanesfanTJG shares Nathan Drake caught in a rainstorm in Uncharted 4.

elicitus__ shares Amicia caught up in a fire in A Plague Tale: Requiem

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? 

THEME: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on January 18, 2023

Share of the Week grabs a lightsaber and hops in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, available as a PlayStation Plus Monthly Game for January. Share daring moments with Cal using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Dragon Age: The Missing – See Dark Horse’s Prequel to BioWare’s Dreadwolf Game

BioWare is finally gearing up to release the next entry in the Dragon Age series. But if you want a taste of what’s coming in this acclaimed fantasy saga, Dark Horse Comics is releasing a prequel miniseries dubbed Dragon Age: The Missing.

IGN can exclusively debut a new preview of Dragon Age: The Missing #1, which is written by George Mann and drawn by Kieran McKeown. Check it out in the slideshow gallery below:

Here’s Dark Horse’s official description for the first issue:

A new story leading directly into BioWare’s upcoming game Dragon Age: Dreadwolf! Varric Tethras and Lace Harding descend into the abandoned Deep Roads beneath Marnas Pell in pursuit of a former friend. But the corruption of the blight has infected the walls, and the threat of darkspawn looms heavy in the air . . .

Dragon Age: The Missing #1 will release in comic shops and on digital storefronts on Wednesday, January 25.

While we still have no release date for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, BioWare did confirm the much-anticipated RPG recently completed its Alpha milestone, meaning the game is now playable from start to finish. BioWare also recently released a new cinematic trailer shedding light on Solas, the titular Dread Wolf.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Someone made a custom Katamari controller with roll-on deodorants and a football, and it rules

Katamari Damacy the first things that spring to mind are usually balls, and the rolling thereof. Computer scientist and custom controller kitbashing experimenter Dr Tom Tilley had the same thought and, erm, rolled with it. In a case of life imitating art, Tilley repurposed a trackball he’d made from roll-on deodorant and a soccer ball to play the game with (thanks, Time Extension). You can watch Tilley mucking about with the trackball to control an emulated version of the PS2-era Katamari Damacy in the video below.

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TF2 asset leak reveals 60gbs of unused maps, modes, mechs and witches

already gave us a peek at the Counter-Strike Source map that lead to Left 4 Dead, but there are plenty more old-school Valve assets where those came from. Fans are currently sorting through 60 gbs of unused Team Fortress 2 assets, including 20 maps, 40 man vs machine maps, and assorted intriguing models. I do kind of wish we’d got to play the version of TF2 with mechs that resemble three-footed Star Wars Walkers.

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Explore a Brutalist city with climbing axes and a trumpet in this great free indie game

Babbdi. I feel I’ve done something particularly clever or busted outside the boundaries of its little brutalist city. I haven’t, but I’m delighted to explore with this feeling. Oh sure, my objective in this splendid free indie game is to find a way out of the terrible city, but I’ll enjoy my final hour here. You might too.

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Super Nintendo World Hollywood Now Open For Technical Rehearsals

Clips and photos ahead.

Surprise! Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood is now open! Technically. Like many other theme parks, the new park is going through a “soft opening”, so it’s not officially open as such; rather, it’s available to members of the public but with the discretion that entry may be limited at any time and guest numbers may be capped.

Members of the Universal park-themed website Inside Universal have managed to get inside the park, which “opened” yesterday ahead of the proper launch on 17th February.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 16 to 20

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!


Re:Call - January 17 Box Art

Re:Call – January 17

An enthralling adventure told inside memories. Navigate through the recollections of a quirky cast of characters and mold their destiny.

Wings of Bluestar - January 18 Box Art

Wings of Bluestar – January 18

As mankind faces the remnants of a mysterious artificial intelligence, it’s up to trainee pilot Aya and veteran ace Zarak to investigate the resurgent threat against free space. Along the way, these defenders of peace will need to confront their past and learn more about themselves before they can uncover the truth of their enemies.

Graze Counter GM – January 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Box Art

Graze Counter GM – January 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A refreshing and highly re-playable bullet hell style shooter that pushes you to play dangerously. “Graze” past enemy bullets to charge your Graze Counter, then unleash it upon your enemies as a highly deadly attack! Ride the razor’s edge of life and death in this high-risk high-reward danger-oriented arcade style shooting game.

Persona 3 Portable - January 19
Smart Delivery / Game Pass Box Art

Persona 3 Portable – January 19
Smart Delivery / Game Pass

If I say, there’s an hour “hidden” between one day and the next… would you believe me? Master the power of the heart, Persona, and uncover the tragic truth of the Dark Hour. Experience the iconic, critically acclaimed RPG that reinvented the Persona series! Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC.

Persona 4 Golden - January 19
Smart Delivery / Game Pass Box Art

Persona 4 Golden – January 19
Smart Delivery / Game Pass

Experience a coming-of-age story that sets the protagonist and his friends on a journey kickstarted by a chain of serial murders. The world-renowned Persona 4 Golden promises unforgettable adventures, meaningful bonds, and heartwarming experiences shared together with friends. Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC.

A Space for the Unbound – January 19 - Box Art

A Space for the Unbound – January 19

A slice-of-life adventure game with beautiful pixel art set in the late ‘90s rural Indonesia that tells a story about overcoming anxiety, depression, and the relationship between a boy and a girl with supernatural powers. When a mysterious supernatural power is suddenly unleashed threatening their existence, they must explore and investigate their town to uncover hidden secrets, face the end of the world, and perhaps learn more about each other.

Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale – January 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery - Box Art

Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale January 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Raid and voyage in the Caribbean; engage in tactical naval battles; parley with pirate legends, and more in Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale. Being a pirate is not your fault, but it is your responsibility! Take action to relieve the Spanish, Dutch, French, and English colonies from their burden of drowning in riches. But be wary! Unless you are sure you are the biggest fish in the sea, don’t venture out too early or too far from your trusted hometown port.

Monster Hunter Rise - January 20
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Game Pass - Box Art

Monster Hunter Rise – January 20
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Game Pass

The critically acclaimed action-RPG series returns! Set in the Japanese folklore inspired land of Kamura, players will team up to battle fearsome monsters, craft a wide variety of gear and prevent the world from falling into calamity. Rise to the challenge and join the hunt! Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC.

Omega Bot – January 20 - Box Art

Omega Bot – January 20

As the OmegaBot, dodge metallic dangers, acquire powerful weapons, and blast your way through a ravaged world full of deadly machines. Avoid various traps and deadly obstacles by using your weapons and abilities. Make your way through metallic forests, ruins of futuristic cities, and other environments. Step away from the beaten path to find hidden secrets and maybe even new friends who will help you vanquish the curse that has stricken the land.

Related:
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Monster Hunter Rise, Persona 3 Portable, and Persona 4 Golden
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 9 to 13
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for December 12 to 16