Category: Video Games

With Team Ninja’s upcoming action game Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty as January’s IGN First, 2023 is off to a good start. If you like dying, that is – because you’ll be doing that a lot. Expect tons of exclusive coverage throughout the month of this new Soulsborne based on Chinese martial arts, developed by the team behind Ninja Gaiden and Nioh.

First off, we have 10 minutes of exclusive gameplay from Tianzhushan, a stage early in the game. The beautiful mountainscape and lush bamboo forests are breathtaking, but with bloodthirsty enemies around each corner, it might be best not to spend too long admiring the scenery.

With items hidden on top of rocks that can be reached using the double jump and secret passages that can be discovered by cutting bamboo trees, Tianzhushan is a good example of Wo Long’s diverse exploration.

Our video debuts gameplay of the Staff as well. Iconic to traditional Chinese martial arts, the Staff is one of Wo Long’s 13 melee weapon types and boasts acrobatic body movement.

The eerie mermaids and fearsome tigers from the demo are back, but new enemies including a giant ape and a hedgehog-like creature with a spinning attack reminiscent of Nioh’s Wheelmonk caught us off guard. Inside a creepy cave, we were welcomed by a surprise attack from an enemy that still gives us nightmares. Check out the video to see for yourself!

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is set to release on March 3 for PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC and will be available on Xbox Game Pass day one! Expect to see much more new Wo Long content throughout January on IGN.

Esra Krabbe is an editor at IGN Japan.

It seems that From Software is really onto something with Elden Ring. Not only was it IGN’s Game of the Year 2022, but it’s also been a massive success with fans, selling millions and millions of copies. If you count yourself an Elden Ring fan, you might want to check these out: up for preorder on Amazon right now are volume 1 and volume 2 of the Elden Ring official Art Books. They’re set to publish on July 25, and they’re both on sale for $53.99, which is six dollars off their MSRP.

Preorder Elden Ring Official Art Books

Both volumes are oversized hardcover editions that measure 8.25″ x 11.75″. The’re full-color volumes that feature key art, concept work, and development designs for all parts of the open-world action RPG.

The first volume weighs in at 432 pages and contains art from Elden Ring’s opening movie, plus scenes from the open world of the Lands Between, including the dungeons. You’ll also get to see images and artwork of many of the game’s characters and armor designs.

Volume two is 384 pages long and focuses more on the enemies, of which there are many great and small in the game. You’ll also find art and lists of the weapons and items found in the game in this volume.

If you’re interested in more Elden Ring hardbacks, take a look at where you can find both of the Elden Ring Official Strategy Guide. One volume is available now, and the other is expected to release in the first quarter of 2023.

Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.

Hitman 3 is being rebranded as Hitman: World of Assassination with the entire trilogy’s content being streamlined and packaged into one game.

Announced in a blog post from developer IO Interactive, World of Assassination will become the only modern Hitman game available to purchase as of January 26, as Hitman 1 and 2 are both being removed from storefronts. Those who already own Hitman 3 will get an upgrade to the new game for free.

World of Assassination will otherwise cost around $70 and includes what was previously known as the Hitman 1 Game of the Year Access Pass (which is essentially all content from the original game), the Hitman 2 Standard Access Pass (all main content from the second game), and the Hitman 3 base game.

An additional World of Assassination Deluxe Pack can be purchased for $30 which adds the remaining bits of DLC including the Hitman 3 Deluxe Pack, the Hitman 3 Seven Deadly Sins Collection, and the Hitman 2 Expansion Access Pass.

Those who own this content already won’t have to pay anything extra for the rebranded game, and those who own some but not all of the content will be able to purchase the remaining pieces individually, similarly to how it works currently. Players who’ve purchased Hitman 1 or 2 will also still be able to access and play the games fully despite their removal from storefronts.

“We’re absolutely certain that these changes will have a hugely positive effect on existing players and new players alike,” said the developer.

“For many players, it will mean free content to enjoy. For others, it will mean significantly cheaper DLC prices. For new players, who probably aren’t reading this here, they’ll have a much better experience buying Hitman games.”

In our 9/10 review of the original Hitman 3, IGN said: “Rich, rewarding, and highly replayable, Hitman 3 is one of the barcoded butcher’s best appearances.”

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Rally driver and racing game icon Ken Block has died in a snowmobile accident aged 55.

As reported by ABC News, Block was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident in Utah on January 2 after his snowmobile upended on a steep slope.

Alongside a successful professional racing career, Block also had a significant presence in racing video games, having appeared in several premier franchises including Need for Speed, Dirt, and Forza.

“We are saddened to hear of the loss of Kenneth and our hearts are with his family and friends so deeply affected,” said the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office.

Block’s auto media and apparel company, Hoonigan Industries, also took to social media to pay respects to its co-founder. “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed,” it said on Instagram.

Block played himself in the live action scenes of 2015’s Need for Speed, featuring as the Style Icon that the player character strove to impress. He also appeared as a driver in Colin McRae’s Dirt 2 and Dirt 3, and his Hoonigan cars appeared in Forza Motorsport 7 and Forza Horizon 3, 4, and 5.

Image Credit: Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.