Rise, Tarnished! Actually stay sitting down, because it’s time to watch and think about the first trailer for Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree, which confirms that the Elden Ring DLC expansion will focus on Miquella, a rather tragic demigod character from the main game. Find the full video again below, together with my thoughts on just what the heck it all means.
Will FromSoftware release Elden Ring 2 or more DLC for Elden Ring? In an exclusive interview with IGN, chief developer Hidetaka Miyazaki said both are possible, although he stopped short of making an announcement.
IGN asked Miyazaki: Do you envision [Shadow of the Erdtree] as the end of Elden Ring’s story or is there room for either more DLC or in Elden Ring 2 down the line?
And here’s Miyazaki’s response: “We don’t want to say this is the end of the Elden Ring saga for now. I think we said a similar thing at the end of Dark Souls 3. We didn’t want to flatten those possibilities or put a pin in them just at that time. And it’s a similar story with Elden Ring. We don’t want to discourage the possibilities for that. There might be more ideas in the future.
“We don’t have any current plans to make a second DLC or a sequel, but we definitely don’t want to snuff out that possibility. We think that there could well be something in the future.”
It seems likely that Shadow of the Erdtree isn’t the last we’ve heard of Elden Ring, given its astonishing critical acclaim and commercial success. Elden Ring is easily FromSoftware’s most successful video game ever, with over 20 million sold during its first year on sale. Indeed, earlier this month, a Genshin Impact-inspired Elden Ring mobile game was reported to be in development, but progress was described as “slow”.
The base version of Elden Ring returned a 10/10 in IGN’s review. “Elden Ring is a massive iteration on what FromSoftware began with the Souls series, bringing its relentlessly challenging combat to an incredible open world that gives us the freedom to choose our own path,” we said.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
And one is arriving tomorrow.
If there’s one thing we all expected to see at today’s Partner Showcase, it was the reveal of a couple of Xbox titles coming to Switch. And we didn’t just get one — we got two, with release dates!
Two of Obsidian’s Xbox exclusives are jumping ship in 2024 and coming to Switch — the excellent narrative RPG Pentiment and the multiplayer survival game Grounded.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
It’s been a long old journey, but we’re thrilled to finally be able to say critically acclaimed Online RPG Final Fantasy XIV Online is officially available on Xbox Series X|S!
Today’s launch into Open Beta offers Xbox players the full breadth of content available in the much-hyped Free Trial, with more to come when the full release arrives. Better yet, all progress will carry over, so let’s take a look at what’s on offer as well as give you some tips and tricks about how to start your adventures in Eorzea!
We covered this in detail last time, but Final Fantasy XIV Online is an online massively multiplayer role-playing game boasting a global community over 30 million adventurers strong, and widely regarded as having one of the most welcoming communities on the internet.
Despite the title, a key point is that Final Fantasy XIV Online is a standalone game that doesn’t require any previous experience with the franchise, making it the perfect place to jump in. Expect a world filled with bustling cities, towering forests and deadly deserts, with a constantly updated and ever-engaging world taking you to the far reaches of the land—and beyond—with a captivating and ongoing story.
If multiplayer games feel a bit overwhelming, FFXIV includes a feature called the Duty Support system that enables tackling content with a party of NPC allies as opposed to other players. This now spans all the main story dungeons currently in the game, meaning you can experience the award-winning narrative all on your own.
Today’s launch into Open Beta brings all the content available in the Free Trial to Xbox Series X|S. This means you can enjoy the entirety of A Realm Reborn as well as the award-winning Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70, with no restrictions on playtime!
All progress made will carry over to the full release when it arrives, giving you plenty of time to get up to speed before our newest expansion, Dawntrail arrives in Summer… but more on that another time!
With a world as big as FFXIV’s, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start. Thankfully, our Starter Guide series has your back. The seven-part video series offers early tips and tricks for new players to get the most out of their adventures in Eorzea. The series follows the journey of new player Kaz and his mentor Mayra, who guides him through his first steps in FFXIV.
Each episode is designed to assist with beginning your journey, whether playing solo at your own pace, or joining others to explore the world together. If you’re a more experienced Warrior of Light, feel free to share this series with friends who are just taking the first steps of their adventures!
You can check out the whole series in a playlist here, or click on the first episode below.
That’s all for today – we’re so excited to welcome you to Eorzea, and can’t wait to share more information on Dawntrail very soon indeed! Until then, happy adventuring!
SQUARE ENIX
The FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Free Trial includes three award-winning titles – FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn the base game, and the first and second expansions: FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward and FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood.
Join over 30 million adventurers worldwide and take part in an epic and ever-changing FINAL FANTASY. Experience all the hallmarks of the best-selling franchise – an unforgettable story, exhilarating battles, and a myriad of diverse and captivating environments to explore.
Party up with friends or play solo! Experience all the main story dungeons on your own by calling upon NPC allies to fight by your side.
The FFXIV Open Beta is only available for newly created Square Enix accounts.
• Users will not be able to link existing accounts during the Open Beta period. If you would like to link an existing Square Enix account, please wait until the full launch of FFXIV on Xbox.
• If you create a new Square Enix account in order to play the Xbox Open Beta, please be aware that you will not be able to link it to another Square Enix account in the future.
If you wish to play FFXIV on Xbox with an existing Square Enix account and its associated characters, please wait until the full Xbox launch.
IMPORTANT:
• Requires game purchase and on-going subscription to continue playing after the Free Trial.
• All editions of the game require user registration.
• Age restrictions and other terms and conditions apply. Please refer to the User Agreement (https://sqex.to/ffxiv_agreement) and Square Enix Account Terms of Use (https://sqex.to/ffxiv_terms) for the terms and conditions of registration and service. Please visit the FINAL FANTASY XIV website at https://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/ for additional information.
The post Final Fantasy XIV Online Open Beta Now Available on Xbox Series X|S appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Aspyr is proud to announce, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the beloved Star Wars Battlefront series, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 will soon be able to play the classic Star Wars Battlefront games online and offline in a complete collection.
On March 14, PlayStation players can get back online and fight in iconic battles from across the Star Wars galaxy.
What’s included? Let’s take a look:
Bonus content!? That’s right. Classic bonus content has been restored, included, and is premiering for the first time on PlayStation.
We welcome Jedi General from the Clone Wars and member of the Jedi High Council, Kit Fisto as a playable hero. Kit’s special abilities are Saber Throw and Force Orb, making him a fierce contender in Hero Assault for hybrid ranged/melee players.
Villains fans, don’t feel left out. We’ve also brought the Linksaber wielding Sith assassin, Asajj Ventress. Asajj’s special abilities are Star Blades and Force push, making her a great choice for close-ranged encounters and quick escapes.
With all original maps and the new bonus maps, we are packed with fan-favorite planets from across the Star Wars universe.
Battlefront Classic: 17 total maps
Battlefront II: 22 ground maps, 6 space maps, and 9 more space maps exclusive to the single-player campaign and galactic conquest
We’re excited to announce that cross-gen multiplayer is supported, so whether you’re playing on PlayStation 4 or PlaySation 5, get ready to jump in.
Conquest: Capture control points and deplete the enemy resources
Capture the Flag (CTF): Play with 1 or 2 flags, on the ground or in space
Hunt: Clear the battlefield as soldiers or defend your planet as native species (yes, you can play as an Ewok)
Assault (Space): Pilot legendary starships: TIE fighters, X-wings, and more in space and air dogfights
Hero Assault: Originally only available on Tatooine, hero assault pits heroes against villains in an arena battle for the highest score. We’ve expanded Hero Assault to be playable on all ground maps, which means you can face off on the Death Star, Kamino, Naboo, and many more locations.
Storm the sandy beaches of Kashyyyk, survive the dusty dunes of Geonosis, or relive the iconic Hoth battle, complete with AT-ATs, snipers, mounted guns, snowspeeders, and tow cables.
Craft your own Star Wars story in Galactic Conquest. Devise your strategy, recruit your troops, and execute your tactical vision for conquering the galaxy. Will Luke Skywalker kneel to the might of the Empire? Will Mace Windu defeat Lord Sidius? The galaxy’s fate is in your hands.
Relive iconic battles from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi in Star Wars Battlefront I’s campaign mode, where you’ll be at the center of the galaxy-shaping events.
Join the elite 501st Legion of Stormtroopers and experience the rise of Darth Vader in Star Wars Battlefront II’s campaign mode.
Offline 2-Player splitscreen is included. Cozy up on the couch because 2-player splitscreen is included. And it feels like an offline blast from the past.
Trophies are included! A personal favorite is Execute Order 66: Defeat a Jedi hero by knocking them off the map in Battlefront II
Thank You for 20 Years! We hope you enjoy reliving iconic battles from across the Star Wars galaxy. We’ll see you online March 14.
Nearly two years to the day after Elden Ring’s original launch, FromSoftware’s Elden Ring DLC finally has a release date. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree will release June 21 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and PC, meaning that FromSoftware fans are in for a busy summer.
The news coincided with the release of a brand-new Shadow of the Ertree trailer, which includes glimpses of a host of new bosses, powers, and more. It opens with the familiar image of Miquella’s bloody arm hanging out from the cocoon in the arena where you fought Mohg in the base game, then goes on to show shots of the countryside, numerous battles, and a mysterious new villain named Mesmer.
No doubt fans will have plenty of theories after watching the entire three-minute video. You can find the full trailer below.
Shadow of the Erdtree has been anticipated by Elden Ring fans ever since it was first revealed at this time last year alongside a teaser trailer, which fans quickly picked apart for every detail they could find. FromSoftware has been largely silent ever since, fueling rampant fan speculation as 2023 turned to 2024.
In the meantime, Elden Ring has received several enhancements, including ray tracing for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC versions. An Elden Ring mobile game is also reportedly in development.
First released in 2022, Elden Ring was one of the year’s most popular games, earning numerous Game of the Year awards along the way. It was praised for retaining the atmosphere, depth, and challenge of FromSoftware’s Souls game while expanding the formula into a vast open world. We praised it as “one of the best open-world games we’ve ever played” in our review, where we awarded it a perfect 10.
The Shadow of the Erdtree release is apt to fuel a renewed wave of interest from the Elden Ring community, which has turned streamers like Let Me Solo Her into online heroes. As always, keep an eye on IGN for lots more analysis, which includes our full Elden Ring walkthrough and more. In the meantime, we’ll have lots more reveals as IGN Fan Fest 2024 continues through the rest of the week.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, Microsoft are bringing Maneater back to Game Pass. Yesterday they unveiled the next batches of Game Pass additions and two are returnees, with the delightful fighty platformer Indivisible accompanying brutal shark ’em up Maneater. What’s more important is that it’s adding the game with the cutest little Nurglings, grimdark retro-styled FPS Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. The rhetoric of ‘purging xenos and heretics’ surely doesn’t apply to these darling babies. Read on for all the games coming to (and going from) Game Pass over the next few weeks.
Techland has detailed the Firearms Update for Dying Light 2 as well as the new Reloaded Edition, both due out February 22.
Two years after the zombie kill ‘em-up came out, Techland is releasing a Reloaded Edition designed to refresh the game and encourage new players to get stuck in. It includes all previous updates along with the Firearms Update, as well as the Bloody Ties DLC. Current owners of the Standard Edition get upgraded for free, Techland said.
The Firearms Update includes a number of changes, none as meaningful as the ability to shoot the enemies with guns. While the addition of guns obviously changes things up for the previously melee-focused action game, Techland told fans the essence of Dying Light 2 remains. “It is important to note that firearms are an enhancement rather than a complete change of genre,” Techland said. “They open new possibilities without altering the DNA of the game.”
Meanwhile, other additions include co-op survivor missions, board quests, and “various notable visual enhancements”. Story wise, some characters from the first Dying Light game make an appearance.
As part of the launch, Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition is available to play on PC during a free weekend on Steam, between February 22-26. Progression carries over if you buy the game.
When Dying Light 2 came out in February 2022, Techland promised five years of post-release support. IGN’s Dying Light 2 review returned a 7/10. “Dying Light 2 Stay Human is an ambitious zombie action adventure that’s packed with top-notch parkour, an awesome open world, and every painful bug in the book,” we said. Since launch, the game has received a number of updates, although this week’s Firearms update is its most significant.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Before founding Inflexion in 2021, Aaryn Flynn worked at BioWare. He’s got credits on some of the studio’s best-loved games, from Baldur’s Gate 2 through Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic to Dragon Age: Origins and the Mass Effect trilogy. He was BioWare’s general manager for several years, but left the company in 2017 following the release of the less-regarded Mass Effect: Andromeda. New survival sim Nightingale is his first early access project, and it’s certainly been a learning experience, with Flynn obliged to rethink many of the things he learned about gamedev during his BioWare days. Speaking to me ahead of Nightingale’s launch, Flynn talked about the difficulty of making headway as a new developer in an industry where the most successful competing live service titles have effectively become part of the landscape – indeed, a force of “gravity”.
Fantasy role playing game Tales of Arise has sold three million copies ahead of arriving on the PlayStation Plus Games Catalog and Xbox Game Pass.
Publisher Bandai Namco announced the milestone on X/Twitter, sharing new artwork for the game in celebration. “Over three million of you have shown your support for Tales of Arise,” it said. “Thank you for heling to keep the flame alive.”
Tales of Arise launched in September 2021, meaning it’s sold three million copies in two years and five months.
Over 3 Million of you have shown your support for #TalesOfArise. Thank you for helping to keep the flame alive! pic.twitter.com/rbbsBtGBIB
— Tales of Series (@TalesofSeries) February 21, 2024
The number of players is likely on the verge of another rise, however, as Tales of Arise launched on both PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium and Xbox Game Pass on February 20.
Tales of Arise is the latest entry in the beloved RPG franchise, telling the story of a young man wielding the Blazing Sword and an untouchable girl fighting their oppressors. Players can explore the world of Dahna, where a mix of natural environments change in appearance based on the time of day.
In our 9/10 review, IGN said: “With an excellent story and cast and a reinvigorated combat system, Tales of Arise is the shot in the arm the long-running Tales RPG series needed to recapture its best moments.”
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
