Category: Video Games

Random: Use A Portable Pot To Take Your Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Builds To The Next Level

Cooking on gas.

Just three weeks in, we are starting to get the feeling that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is one of those games that’s going to keep blowing our minds for years to come. For example, we have just today seen that the Portable Pot (a Zonai device that we have stumbled across multiple times in our travels so far) can in fact be used as a handy tool in vehicle customisation.

We had assumed that the device is best used for cooking heart-boosting meals and ability-granting elixirs, but oh how naive we were. It turns out that by flipping the Zonai kit on its side, it perfectly replicates a ball and socket joint, lending your vehicle builds a handy amount of flexibility.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

How Alone in the Dark Brought David Harbour and Jodie Comer Together for the Return of the Survival Horror Classic

October 25 marks the release of Alone in the Dark, a twisted reimagining of the game that gave birth to the survival horror genre. To bring their new, nightmarish vision to life with the ferocity it deserves, Pieces Interactive turned to two modern greats in David Harbour and Jodie Comer to play their dual protagonists. As Detective Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood, David and Jodie brought the same intensity to their first ever video game roles as they have to some of their best known appearances across stage and screen.

No matter which character you choose at the beginning of Alone in the Dark, you’ll experience the whole adventure through an unforgettable performance from one of Hollywood’s most talented actors. While both characters go through the same events, Emily and Edward will react differently to their environment, and each have unique story moments. They both possess strong, individual personalities and histories, and Derceto Manor’s residents will treat them accordingly – playing the game through twice is a must.

David brings his unmistakable presence to his portrayal of Edward, with Xbox’s next-generation hardware capturing every brooding expression and dark glare. In making the role his own, David also injected a distinct humour into the troubled detective’s attempts to ward off the horrors that lurk in Derceto Manor. Alone in the Dark’s classic noir genre trappings and disturbing setting attracted David to the role:

“He’s a gruff detective, and he’s searching for something – he’s hard-boiled, but he’s got some humour to him. He’ s a bit of a trope, or a type, and I liked that – I liked the world, and how he’s exploring this insanity, amidst all this horror.”

Jodie’s ability to become totally absorbed in her roles has rightfully netted her Olivier, BAFTA, and Emmy awards, and she brings that same tour de force power to becoming Emily Hartwood. From her quiet fear of the Hartwood family curse consuming her, to explosive desperation in the pursuit of her missing uncle Jeremy, Jodie’s nuanced characterisation of Emily is at once terrifying and heartbreaking.

“I loved the mystery of the game, I loved the picture of her. There’s a lot of fear within her, and a lot of speculation, and curiosity, dread, intrigue. There’s a lot about her that’s kind of on edge.”

Awakening Alone in the Dark‘s long-dormant terror meant assembling a crack team of horror gaming’s best, and this started with Creative Director and Writer Mikael Hedberg, the mind behind the macabre worlds of Amnesia and SOMA. Joined by long-time Guillermo Del Toro collaborator Guy Davis – contributing creature designs – and doom-jazz legend Jason Köhnen – helping shape the game’s oppressive atmosphere – the team creating Alone in the Dark are dedicated to creating a game that’s at once a faithful recreation for fans and an accessible entry point for players new to the series.

There are still surprises to come between now and October, but you don’t have to wait that long. You can get your first taste of the torment that awaits in Derceto today for free, with the Alone in the Dark Prologue, and pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition for access to the Derceto 1992 Costume Pack, Vintage Horror Filter Pack, and Director’s Commentary with Mikael Hedberg.


Alone in the Dark
Xbox Live

Alone in the Dark

THQ Nordic

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Psychological Horror meets Southern Gothic in this reimagination of the classic survival horror game, Alone in the Dark

This love letter to the ground-breaking original lets you experience a haunting story through the eyes of one of two protagonists. Play as either Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood and explore your environments, fight monsters, solve puzzles and uncover the uneasy truth of Derceto Manor…

Deep in the 1920’s south, Emily Hartwood’s uncle has gone missing. Together with private investigator Edward Carnby, she embarks on a journey to Derceto Manor, a home for the mentally ill where something is lurking. You’ll encounter strange residents, nightmarish realms, dangerous monsters and ultimately uncover a plot of rising evil. At the intersection of reality, mystery, and insanity, an adventure waits that will challenge your core beliefs. Who can you trust, what will you believe, and what will you do next?

See Emily and Edward brought to live by the Hollywood talent of Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, Free Guy) and David Harbour (Stranger Things, Black Widow), who lend their voices, their appearance, and their formidable acting skills to the protagonists


Alone in the Dark Prologue
Xbox Live

Alone in the Dark Prologue

THQ Nordic

☆☆☆☆☆
73
★★★★★

Get it now

Alone in the Dark Prologue is an atmospheric Playable Teaser for the upcoming re-imagination of Alone in the Dark – the game which gave birth to the survival horror genre.

One of Derceto’s residents, Jeremy Hartwood, has been acting strange lately. He asks Grace to do one simple thing – help him deliver a letter to his niece, Emily Hartwood. She seems to be the only one capable of understanding the otherworldly horrors plaguing Jeremy’s mind.

Grace agrees and embarks on a short yet memorable trip through a wing of Derceto Manor, invaded by a presence which appears to have emerged from the dark depths of the Bayou…

Pre-order the full game here.

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Mini Review: Pulling No Punches – A Surprising, Satirical Beat ‘Em Up That Lives Up To Its Name

Violently political.

If you think the title is little more than a healthy pun, think again; Pulling No Punches means what it says. Politically charged, littered with incendiary themes, and crammed with expletives, this Brazilian indie title is quite the surprise, combining combat with combative opinion.

A scrolling beat ’em up in a retro style, its 2D styling is a wonderful combination of Ren & Stimpy and the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers. Its cutscenes are purposely, brilliantly crude, and the handful of painted introduction stills are so beautiful we can’t understand why they opted for such a blasé title screen.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Days of Play 2023 sale kicks off on June 2

Hi everyone! Days of Play is back this week and we wanted to give you a quick look at some of the deals you can find across PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Gear, direct.playstation.com, and PlayStation Store, along with additional offerings available at participating retailers.

Days of Play 2023 will begin on June 2 at 12:01 AM until June 12 at 11:59 PM local time in each region. Our official Days of Play site will be updated with more information later this week, so be sure to check the site for the latest details. Please note that offers may vary by region and are available while supplies last.

Here are some of the upcoming deals to look out for:

Save on PlayStation Plus memberships

Start, renew, or extend your PlayStation Plus membership during Days of Play at a discount. Get access to quality titles, from Monthly Games, to Game Trials, to the compelling Game Catalog and Classics Catalog with hundreds of blockbusters and classics to choose from – depending on the plan you choose.*

For both new and current PlayStation Plus members, all 12-month plans will be offered at 25% off – this includes Essential, Extra, and Premium/Deluxe.

Current PlayStation Plus Essential and Extra members can also receive 25% off a 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month membership when upgrading to a higher tier plan – it’s a great time to try PlayStation Plus Premium or Deluxe.

Deals directly from PlayStation

For players in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, head over to direct.playstation.com when Days of Play begins and you’ll find a wide range of deals for select PS5, PS4, PC games, and accessories.

For players in Austria, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, celebrate the launch of direct.playstation.com with discounts on select PS5 games and accessories using the following promo codes:

Use code DOPSAVE15 for up to 15% on select PS5 Accessories, including DualSense charging station, HD camera, media remote, Pulse 3D wireless headsets, select PS5 console covers.
Use code DOPSAVE40 for up to 40% on select PS5 games.

Offers are available for the duration of the promotion while supplies last and vary by region. Find out more on direct.playstation.com when Days of Play kicks off on June 2.

Store-wide promotions on select PlayStation Gear merchandise

Celebrate Days of Play on PlayStation Gear store, with 20% off select merchandise and free shipping on all orders using promo code DAYSOFPLAY23.

Players can also get additional offers on PlayStation Gear on the following days:
On June 2, spend $50 or more and receive a PlayStation insulated beverage sleeve with your order.
On June 7, enjoy savings on outerwear – buy any sweatshirt or jacket and get another 50% off.
On June 12, shop from PlayStation’s Picks for exciting bundles and merchandise from various games.

Offers on select digital games available on PlayStation Store

This year, save on a variety of digital games and add-ons on PlayStation Store. Offers vary by region, so head to PlayStation Store when Days of Play begins to view the full list of local deals.

There will also be additional deals on PlayStation accessories during this year’s Days of Play from participating local retailers; offers may vary by region.

Be sure to check back on June 2 for details on this year’s promotion on the Days of Play 2023 site.

*Availability of Classics, Game Trials and Game Catalog varies over time, region/country, and plan. See https://www.playstation.com/Plus for details and updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PlayStation Store price) at the frequency you choose at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms.

The First 1,000 Diablo 4 Players to Hit Level 100 on Hardcore Will Be Immortalised on a Giant Demon Statue

Diablo IV’s Hardcore mode now has even higher stakes – immortalizing the first 1,000 players to reach level 100 by adding their names to a statue of Lillith.

“Think you can cheat death?” asked Blizzard in a tweet (below). “Reach level 100 on hardcore mode and tweet #Diablo4Hardcore with proof to have your username immortalized on a statue of Lilith.”

Diablo’s infamous hardcore mode has the highest stakes of all – a single character death will permanently delete that character. But if you can rush through without succumbing to any of Diablo IV’s monstrous bosses, you could have your BattleTag immortalized forever.

As well as reaching Level 100 in hardcore mode, players will also need to submit proof, in the form of a photo or video, to Blizzard.

The terms and conditions also state that you’ll need to tweet at the official Diablo account about your accomplishment using #Diablo4Hardcore while also mentioning your Battle.net BattleTag. Of course, you’ll also have to have the Tempered Champion in-game title, but that’s awarded automatically when you reach level 100 in hardcore mode.

The contest begins when Diablo V early access launches on June 1 and ends when the first 1,000 names are gathered or by September 1 if fewer than 1,000 players reach this point.

IGN’s Diablo IV beta impressions said: “Having focused on the Druid and Necromancer classes during the second beta weekend, this one open to more than just those willing to buy an appropriately unholy chicken sandwich, I’m more convinced than ever that this hellish action RPG is on track to deliver something truly special.”

Want to read more about Diablo IV? Check out how Diablo IV’s gothic style reclaims the franchise identity as well as the accessibility features you can find in the upcoming sequel.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

System Shock remake review: Nightdive rebuilds the immersive sim mothership just as it was

Sometime before SHODAN’s ethical constraints were removed and the rogue AI set about converting the people of Citadel Station into cyborgs, a researcher named Stacy Everson found a smoking gun hidden among the blinking servers of the spaceship’s library. Not an assault rifle or mini-pistol, but a decades-old email chain between her TriOptimum bosses and a psychologist named Jeffrey Hammer. In the early stages of Citadel’s construction, Hammer suggested that each level of the station be designed in such a way as to induce stress and anxiety, so that experts could study their impact on the human psyche during space travel.

“I always knew something was off about this place!”, wrote Stacy to a colleague. “We are just rats in a maze.”

Read more

Sega Announces Summer Showcase From Yakuza Developer RGG Studio

Yakuza fans desperate for more information on Lika a Dragon 8 could hear more at RGG Summit: Summer 2023, which Sega has announced will take place on June 15.

Revealed in a tweet (below), the showcase from Yakuza developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will be available to stream at 8pm Pacific / 11pm Eastern, meaning June 16 at 4am UK / 1pm AEST.

Sega has yet to reveal how fans can watch along but, as was the case last year, it will likely be streamed on its official Twitch channel.

The publisher didn’t share any information on what fans can expect, though RGG Studio primarily focuses on the Yakuza franchise (which has been rebranded as Like a Dragon in the west) and it’s likely we’ll get an update there.

Last year’s event saw the full reveal of Like a Dragon 8, which confirmed the return of Kazuma Kiryu alongside an early 2024 release window. Not shy about sharing major updates at the RGG Summit, the developer also announced Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name as a spin-off coming in 2023.

Details are otherwise sparse on the next mainline entry, with RGG Studio more or less remaining quiet since last year’s event. The RGG Summit taking place in June could therefore be an ideal time to reveal more of the game, perhaps through a first look at gameplay or a solid release date.

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

Random: Zonai ‘Airbike’ Is The Perfect Custom Vehicle In Zelda: TOTK

Sorry, Master Cycle Zero.

Traversing across Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is always a joy, but doing it on foot is not always the most efficient means of doing so.

Sure, you could hop on a horse or craft yourself a nice little cart, but wouldn’t it be great if you could literally just fly wherever you want? Well, you can! And it’s remarkably simple, too, thanks to a YouTube guide from 2uncle2dane.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com