Given the critical and commercial success enjoyed by Life is Strange back in 2015, creating a compelling direct sequel can’t have been easy for developer Dontnod. Yet just three years later, players were surprised with a brand new story that was every bit as emotionally affecting as the first, if not more so. It boasts a plot that was both intimate yet grand in scope, taking two core protagonists on a road trip from hell after a tragedy tears them from their comfortable home life. In 2023, though, as the last main part of the Life is Strange puzzle to come to Switch, does the game still hold up? Well, yes… mostly.
Life is Strange 2 for the Switch contains all five episodes that were originally released over a staggered period of time back in 2019, as you would hope. Each episode will last you a couple of hours or so, so you’re looking at roughly 10-12 hours to complete the whole package, give or take. It uses that time pretty effectively, using the episodic structure to maintain a decent sense of pace throughout.
Starting today, Xbox and Windows PC players will be able to blast away decades of dirt in the new Tomb Raider Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator, available with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass!
Walk in Lara’s footsteps as you traverse the illustrious halls of Croft Manor and its sprawling grounds. Tarnished treasures, muddy motors… even dirty dinosaurs – you’ll find them all here.
The Tomb Raider Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator contains five all-new maps to wash and explore.
Deciding which locations to feature from Tomb Raider was no easy feat, but after whittling down a list of environments that were both iconic and rife with cleaning potential, Croft Manor’s undeniable appeal won our designers’ hearts. Not only is it a nostalgic place for fans of the franchise, but its owner is often too busy elsewhere to take care of the cleaning…
Speaking of which, you are summoned to Croft Manor for this very reason. While Lara is away, it’s time to spray! The revered residence has been somewhat neglected recently, and while Winston has tried his hand at buffing the odd brick, the sheer extent of the mess requires more power.
From the announcement trailer, eagle-eyed Tomb Raider fans will have recognized Croft Manor, the Obstacle Course, the Treasure Room, and vehicles such as Lara’s trusty jeep, motorboat, and quad bike. We decided to keep one level under wraps, Croft Manor’s Maze; we did send a cameraman in there, but he hasn’t found his way out yet. We hope you enjoy navigating the maze and its secrets with fresh eyes.
The Obstacle Course is a great opportunity to test your parkour skills (we’re sure Lara won’t mind) while the various vehicles will have Lady Croft regaling you with tales of close scrapes and narrow escapes.
Collecting treasures is Lara’s prize but cleaning them is yours! The Treasure room was a great opportunity to feature lots of the artifacts Lara encountered and collected in Tomb Raider’s early years – channel your inner architect as you uncover precious artifacts lost to layers of dust and grime. Well, maybe you’re not quite as delicate as an architect should be, but you’ll get the job done!
So, pack up your power washing provisions, fire up the blue van, and head on over to Croft Manor in the Tomb Raider Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator. We can’t wait to see what you do with the place!
Whilst some seek the thrill of adventure, others prefer good clean fun – that’s where you come in! Grapple with grime in the ultimate quest to defeat all dirt covering Croft Manor and its grounds, along with Lara’s trusty vehicles.
Lara’s childhood home is impressive but in need of some serious TLC to restore it to its full potential – rumour has it, the owner much prefers a life of danger to domesticity. You’ve been commissioned to undertake the ultimate cleaning caper.
Your client may be used to less-than-ideal conditions out on the trail, but only the very best will do when it comes to the Croft residence. Unwind and blast away every speck of dirt you can track down, whilst Lara regales you with tales of past adventures.
Wash and explore five new levels, including:
– The illustrious Croft Manor
– The iconic Obstacle Course
– The mysterious Croft Manor Maze
– Lara’s trusty Jeep and Motorboat
– Lara’s majestic Treasure Room
Release the Pressure with PowerWash Simulator! Wash away your worries with the soothing sounds of high-pressure water. Fire up your power washer and blast away every speck of dirt and grime you can find. Build your own power-washing business and unlock new tools, upgrades and more – all with the simple satisfaction of power-washing to a sparkling finish.
TIME TO CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Build up your business in Career Mode and complete a variety of dirty jobs across the dusty town of Muckingham. There’s no right or wrong; no time pressure or final score, just you and the tools you need to soak away your stress. Want a clean start? Chill out and replay your favourite jobs in Free Play.
POWERWASH AND CHILL
Relax, unwind, and play with friends in Online Co-Op! Lend a helping hand to your closest pal in Career Mode, or up to 6 friends can splash around in Free Play, tackling any job the host has already completed.
KEEP IT CLEAN
For those looking for a little more pressure, beat your best scores in Challenge Mode! Fight grime in different scenarios; wash against the clock in Time Challenge or test your accuracy by using as little water as possible in Water Challenge.
GOOD CLEAN FUN
Graffiti, grime, moss, and mould, no dirt is too tough for your range of washers, nozzles, cleaners, and extensions. Different dirt types have different levels of toughness, so make sure you’re getting tactical with your equipment. Feeling fancy? Then customise your look with washer skins and gloves!
RELAXATION, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
From casual, clean freaks to players looking to get into the nitty-gritty, everyone can pick up and play to feel immersed. Absorb the relaxing atmosphere and stress-free pace as you strip dirt from patios, pavements, vehicles, and public parks. Stress gets to us all, so sit back, relax, and wash your worries down the drain.
THE WORLD IS YOUR CANVAS
Create art by cleaning the way you want. Your nozzles are your brushes; the neighbourhood is your canvas. Unleash your creative talents and transform ordinary dirt into exceptional artwork. Share your techniques and showcase your power-washing prowess and mud-caked masterpieces!
Avatar Generations launched today for iOS and Android, with developer Navigator Games and publisher Crystal Dynamics Eidos Entertainment celebrating with a new trailer. It is free-to-play with in-app purchases.
The trailer shows several characters from the series in battle and some brief glimpses of the user interface. It seems like characters will have a star rating to indicate their strength ranging all the way to 6 stars. Additionally, characters will have different skills to utilize during combat. Players can also level up Arts in order to make them more powerful.
The game is a turn-based RPG where players collect different characters from the Avatar: The Last Airbender universe to create a team and play through different iconic moments from the franchise. There will also be new scenarios too.
A variety of characters will be available to collect, including the main cast of Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and Toph, as well as supporting characters like Blue Spirit, Princess Yue, and Kyoshi Warrior Suki. Future updates for Avatar Generations will provide additional characters, companions, cosmetics, and customizable gear.
Avatar Generations is the latest game based on the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise since 2014’s Legend of Korra by developer PlatinumGames. In IGN’s The Legend of Korra: The Game review, we said, “What a disappointment. Even with a reputable developer behind it, The Legend of Korra game left us bent out of shape.”
George Yang is a freelance writer for IGN. He’s been writing about the industry since 2019 and has worked with other publications such as Insider, Kotaku, NPR, and Variety.
When not writing about video games, George is playing video games. What a surprise! You can follow him on Twitter @Yinyangfooey
Dead Space’s remake treatment has produced a piece of gory greatness, some Steam Deck wobbles notwithstanding. Vid bud Liam touched on the visual upgrades in his review, but since it’s been shaking my bones even harder than the original did, I wanted to dive even deeper into the mottled flesh of the modernised Dead Space to examine how all those new polygons and effects aren’t just there to please nerds. They do, in fact, make the remake scarier.
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, the asymmetical multiplayer ghost-hunting game based on the popular films, has unveiled its first free DLC including a new map, ghost type, and other updates. And it’s all out today.
The new DLC includes The Facility, a new map set in an abandoned health center closed in the 1980s, but set to reopen…if its construction crews can get past the ghost problem. We’ll also see a new ghost type, the Glutton, a class that includes the Muncher ghost and two other variants. Developer Illfonic says the Muncher is the most-requested ghost type thus far – we were first introduced to the metal-eating ghost in in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Additionally, the DLC will bring new character customization options, improved matchmaking, and improve AI behavior both for teammates and ghosts.
Illfonic reiterated that it plans to continue releasing free DLC each quarter of this year for Spirits Unleashed, so we should expect more content along these lines at least three more times this year.
We enjoyed Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed at launch, finding it an entertaining asymmetical multiplayer game, but did lament that it was held back by some balance issues and map wonkiness at the time. We noted that it also badly needed more content, which this DLC and future ones hopefully will alleviate.
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.
12 months later, The Settlers: New Allies is all the better for it. An extended delay is never an easy decision to make, yet the team at Ubisoft Düsseldorf (formerly Blue Byte) has seen this additional development time as an opportunity to reach out to those most familiar with the series. “We learned [more] than just what was needed for the game,” creative director Christian Hagerdorn tells me during a recent preview event. “One of our biggest focuses was to be absolutely transparent with the players. Not just on where we were standing, but where we were going. We’ve been collecting the feedback as we were developing”.
job listings have revealed some details about The Molasses Flood’s upcoming Witcher game, codenamed Project Sirius. The studio behind Flame In The Flood were acquired by CD Projekt Red back in 2021, and CDPR first mentioned Sirius in an investor call last October. The project was initially described as “an innovative take on The Witcher universe telling an unforgettable story.” We now know that this “unforgettable story” could potentially be told inside of a multiplayer game, or at least a game with multiplayer and social elements.
Marvelous XSEED has revealed that Loop8: Summer of Gods, the time-travelling RPG from the producer of the Grandia and Lunar series, will be launching in the West on Switch on 6th June 2023.
The game was originally coming to our shores sometime in the Spring, while Japan would be getting it on 16th March. However, Marvelous revealed that Japan will also be getting the game in June — 1st June on consoles, and 6th June on PC.
Welcome to Deceive Inc. – the multiplayer PvP game of social deception and subterfuge. The teams at Sweet Bandits and Tripwire Presents have been hard at work polishing this game for release. We’re all incredibly excited for the coming weeks, and now it’s time to share that excitement with you!
About Deceive Inc.
Deceive Inc. is a multiplayer hero shooter with an emphasis on social stealth and deception where 12 players (either solo or in teams of 3) are tasked with becoming the Agents and successfully extracting with an objective.
Every Agent spawns undercover, cloaked as one of the many NPCs populating the map. Armed with their unique weapons and abilities – plus a couple of hi-tech spy gadgets for good measure – they must use their knowledge of spycraft to suss out other players, avoid detection, gather intel, purchase upgrades, and ultimately locate then extract the precious cargo.
Deceive Inc. launches globally March 21
Deceive Inc. will launch on PlayStation 5 on March 21 of this year. We’ll also be hosting an Open Beta featuring full crossplay support starting March 10 – free for all players who want to try the game out.
Meet the Agents
Deceive Inc. will have 8 playable agents available at launch, each falling under one of four archetypes:
Vanguard: Well-rounded, self-reliant fighters that can get through the thick and thin
Tracker: Focused on finding, singling out, and hunting down targets
Scoundrel: Sly, cunning, and use dirty tricks to get ahead of the competition
Disruptor: Experts at controlling space and disturbing the flow of fights
As Deceive Inc’s youngest agent, Squire constantly feels the weight of his mentor’s legacy on his shoulders. However, don’t let his impostor syndrome fool you. He’s a top of the line operative, capable of the best.
Tamar Zaken aka “Ace”
Relentless Huntress
Starting Weapon: ‘Queen of Diamonds’ Scoped Sniper Rifle Archetype: Tracker
A sharp-eyed mercenary, Ace’s unique skills have made her one of Deceive Inc’s pillars. She tracks her rivals without fail. Believe us, once you figure out you are her target, it’s already too late.
A true legend of the spy world, Chavez uses his strength and his kind heart to fight the good fight. He’s supposed to be retired by now, but he’s back for one last mission… or so he says.
There are a lot of rumors circulating about Madame Xiu, her past, and her abilities. Deceive Inc. can’t confirm any of them without breaching their contract with her, which is a dangerous game to play with such a cutthroat and enigmatic lady.
Once a head honcho of a super criminal empire, Hans used to have it all. Now forced to serve his sentence as a Deceive Inc. agent, he swears he’ll regain back his former power and glory.
Brash detective Cavalière leaves no stone unturned… And if her deduction skills are not enough to keep you in check, her serious combat abilities learned during her globe-trotting days will do the talking.
Gentleman thief and professional borrower, Larcin has made quite a name for himself with his peculiar savoir faire and showmanship. His charms are such that you won’t even be mad when noticing previous items missing from your pockets.
Brilliant and happy-go-lucky, Yu-Mi’s enthusiasm to be a part of Deceive Inc. is only matched with her ability to create and break things around her. Some may say she’s a stubborn brat, but her tactical capabilities and her inventiveness tend to make her rivals eat their words.
Pre-order and Black Tie Edition bonuses
Deceive Inc. will also launch with a ton of great cosmetic items for players to unlock. On top of that, we also have some amazing cosmetics designed specifically for those agents who’d like to show up to the job in impeccable style.
Microsoft has announced that it will raise the recommended retail price (RRP) of the Xbox Series X|S in Japan, starting on Friday February 17.
“After carefully evaluating the market condition in Japan, we have decided to change the suggested retail price of Xbox consoles in the country,” said a Microsoft representative in a statement to Famitsu, which was translated by Gematsu.
“We regularly evaluate the impact of local pricing to maintain reasonable consistency across regions. This price revision affects our customers and was a difficult decision to make, but going forward we will continue to provide the ultimate Xbox experience that our customers expect.”
The price of the Series X is set to rise from ¥54,978 ($423) to ¥59,978 ($462), while the Series S will similarly rise from ¥32,278 ($248) to ¥37,978 ($292) for a price rise of roughly $40 each.
“I do think at some point we’ll have to raise the prices on certain things, but going into this holiday we thought it was important to maintain the prices,” Spencer said. “We’ve held price on our console, we’ve held price on games, and our subscription. I don’t think we’ll be able to do that forever. I do think at some point we’ll have to raise some prices on certain things.”
In December 2022 Microsoft announced that the price of games developed exclusively for the Xbox Series X|S would rise from $60 to $70 in order to account for the “content, scale, and technical complexity” of upcoming titles including Starfield and Forza Motorsport.
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
Dead Space’s remake treatment has produced a piece of gory greatness, some 
The Settlers: New Allies. After an eight-year absence, the next entry in Ubisoft’s beloved city-building series was 
job listings have revealed some details about The Molasses Flood’s upcoming 
