Let’s get this out of the way – if you haven’t played Case of the Golden Idol yet, you really should do that (hint: it’s on Game Pass). Developer Color Gray’s debut game is one of the most smartly conceived, intriguingly told puzzle games of recent years. Spinning the story of a seemingly magical artifact through a series of murder-mystery tableaus, you amass clues in each scene, then literally piece the story together yourself, word-by-word – revealing an incredible fantasy-history tale of national conspiracy, political wrongdoing, and dangerous technology in the process. There was simply nothing quite like it – until now.
The sequel, Rise of the Golden Idol (which arrives on Xbox Series X|S tomorrow) is left in a pretty unique position as a result.
How do you follow up a beloved one-off – retaining what made it special, but expanding its world and ideas meaningfully? Color Gray has managed a truly deft balance here – this is effectively the game you know, but a setting you really, really don’t. Far from continuing where we left off, Rise picks up whole centuries after the events of the first game, in this world’s equivalent of the 1970s. For fans of Case, it means that, even if you have all the backstory, you’re just as lost in the context of this world, giving you the thrill of putting all the pieces back together once again.
This is a world where the very real Idol of the first game has not only become a myth, but been physically broken into pieces – and we discover what happens when people begin putting them back together again. To give away any more would spoil the surprises, but it’s safe to say that while it deals in similar themes to the first game, this is a very different story.
On first glance, you might assume that this is a very similar game, however. The basic formula remains – each level gives you a look at a very specific (almost always violent) moment in time, and offers the option to click on the people and objects in that moment, picking up clues.
These could be names, objects, or associated verbs. In each scene, you’re given distinct puzzles – figuring out who each character is, what their jobs might be in that moment and, almost always, a final conclusion as to what’s happened in the run-up to the scene. Almost every one of the dozens of interactive elements will be relevant to that final conclusion, and you’ll need to use the bulk of the words you’ve amassed to put that together.
Despite an upgraded art style – retaining the Hogarthian caricatures of characters, but placing them in a grubbier urban context – it’s very familiar. Until you reach the end of a chapter.
This is Rise of the Golden Idol’s key new feature – every chapter contains multiple scenes but, once you’ve completed them all, you’re given an overarching meta-puzzle. Using all the information you collected from each scene, you then need to work out the story of what was going on around the full chapter itself – often revealing twists you’d never have expected.
You’ll likely need to revisit each scene to do so, jumping from moment to moment (and perhaps even the cutscenes and clues presented between those moments) to re-establish whether, say, that particular item – which felt like a red herring at the time – was actually a major clue you didn’t know you needed.
It’s a truly smart piece of extra design – nothing that you loved about the first game has been changed, there’s just way more of it all of a sudden. That’s also a summation of the game as a whole, and perhaps the greatest recommendation I can give for Rise of the Golden Idol. It’s a brilliant sequel to a brilliant game – when something was this good already, who wouldn’t want more of it?
In Destiny 2, dungeons are designed to be self-contained experiences often relating to a wider narrative branch of the Destiny universe, but built with their own gameplay mechanics, boss encounters and, most importantly for many, themed loot. The challenges faced within a dungeon require wits and a coordinated fireteam (although the most seasoned players can try to complete it solo), and conquering a piece of high-level content like this is one of the most rewarding Destiny 2 experiences.
With that in mind, they’re also a marvel of game design. When you first enter a dungeon, almost everything is a mystery. There’s no waypoint, no guidance – even finding the right way to go is a test of your intuition, and that’s before you’ve encountered any puzzles, enemies, or high-octane boss encounters.
Destiny 2’s newest dungeon, Vesper’s Host, was introduced at the start of Revenant earlier this month and is an exciting continuation of the dungeon entries. Vesper’s Host takes Guardians into the depths of an abandoned Braytech space station being damaged by a mysterious anomaly, and the setting takes an unnerving horror turn as you uncover its depths.
Inside this atmospheric new environment, you may come across a new set of armor, as well as a fresh pool of weapons that are exclusive to this dungeon. Among them is the returning Exotic Sniper Rifle Ice Breaker, an original Destiny weapon that has finally returned to the game with a set of updated perks that complement the current Destiny 2 experience. With plenty of brand new and returning treats up for grabs, it’s the perfect time to drop in and test your mettle against what lurks in Vesper’s Host, and if you’ve not been following the evolution of Destiny 2’s dungeons, you’re in a for a pleasant surprise.
We spoke to several key designers and developers on the Destiny 2 team to break down some of the core elements of Vesper’s Host, discuss what goes into drafting and crafting the dungeon experience, and ask about some of Vesper’s Host unique additions that make it the most mechanically unique dungeon yet.
Delving In
Before a dungeon can enter its granular planning stages, several high-level decisions need to be made about its setting, and how it slots into the catalogue of existing dungeons, according to Destiny 2 Design Lead Brian Frank. The team intentionally seeks to create contrast from one dungeon’s theme and setting to the next. The last dungeon, Warlord’s Ruin, took place in a brisk, fantasy-style arena, full of snow-capped medieval architecture – a starkly different setting to the hard sci-fi design of Vesper’s Host.
“Guardians have explored Braytech facilities before, and while previously it’s felt very clean and sterile, a big environmental goal was to take something familiar and twist it into a new context that felt fresh and exciting,” explains Ryan Baker, Senior Environment Artist on Destiny 2. “There’s a theme of space madness with the Fallen spinning this web compelled by an alien mind, something has broken containment and swept through the station.
“We really wanted Guardians to step onto the station and feel like finding an old crime scene after something terrible happened.”
Destiny 2 also shines in its ability to show Guardians the way with environmental nods and intuitive level design, a shrouded ledge or a well-placed light that alludes to a correct path. However, this aptitude is not always used for good – players are often tricked by what appears to be the way forward, only to meet a quick end in a trap or down a hole. The peril is short-lived and of no consequence (unless you’re aiming for a flawless run with zero deaths) but laying out believable paths to send players the wrong way also encourages exploration and quick thinking.
“Using Revenant’s horror theme, we can run with a film analogy [in Vesper’s Host],” Baker tells us. “Our approach is like writing a script. Thinking of the environment as the player journey, we need to identify where to create tension or provide a moment of respite to take in the scenery and get your bearings. The same peaks and valleys come with a good horror movie, and too many traps, like jump scares, could become stale or even tedious. Within the context of the entire dungeon experience, including the surrounding encounters and major emotional beats, we can space traps out appropriately to always feel warranted.”
“A good example: The second encounter is frantic and intense. After clutching the win, Guardians will begin a spacewalk for the second traversal. It is a quieter moment to breathe and absorb the new environmental storytelling. Just as they get comfortable, we start raining down lightning bolts, ramping up the tension by introducing a new environmental hazard spewing from the anomaly.”
A New Encounter
Once you’ve made your way through the winding, haunting corridors of the station, chewed through waves of smaller enemies and familiarized yourself with the dungeon’s mechanics, you’ll land at a boss room. Boss encounters are a core component of dungeons – and there are usually three very different encounters throughout each.
As a basic overview, players will typically be presented with a one large enemy that is immune to damage, and engaging with a set of mechanics or goals will unlock a limited-time phase to deal as much pain as possible before the immunity returns. The aim is to repeat these steps until the threat is taken care of, which sounds easy enough, but on a first run, it’s a tough battle.
“We start all encounter designs by defining an experience statement, which describes the player fantasy for the encounter in one sentence,” explains Chris Manprin, Design Lead on Destiny 2. “They are guideposts to help drive a number of key design decisions, including narrative, boss behaviors, puzzle mechanics, and map layouts.”
With that in mind, Vesper’s Host features a particularly interesting encounter – Raneiks, a Servitor that can shift its form between one large sphere and nine smaller ones. It’s the first dungeon boss that places a premium on area of effect damage that can hurt several smaller targets at once, rather than solely hitting big enemy as much as possible, which is a first for Destiny 2’s dungeons.
“In the Raneiks Unified encounter, being swarmed was a core part of the experience statement,” Manprin adds. “This theme resonates throughout many elements of the encounter design. Players are trapped in a confined space, filled with enemies, then when teleported outside they are immediately surrounded by Shanks. Raneiks bombards players with bombs, and even in death, Raneiks multiplies tenfold. Almost every element of this encounter ‘swarms’ the player.”
The unique design of Raneiks also in turn inspires versatility in how Guardians choose to conquer it, which, for a game that features over 1000 unique weapons and countless perk possibilities, is always extremely welcoming. With multiple targets to damage, there’s much more room to get creative with those high-level loadouts.
“We’re always looking for ways to react to the evolving meta and create experiences that feel unlike anything players have encountered before,” explains Julia Condemi, Designer on Destiny 2. “With Raneiks, we wanted to build a boss that would reward players for using their knowledge of the game’s sandbox and their collection of weapons in a way they hadn’t thought about previously.
“You’re welcome to use your old reliable favourites, but this boss says, ‘Hey, that Grenade Launcher you haven’t used since you got it? Those Heavy weapons with the One for All perk you have collecting dust in your vault? Those might be great here!’”
A Worthy Contest
The Destiny team also had another ‘first’ to consider during the launch of Vesper’s Host. This is the first dungeon launch to include Contest Mode – which challenges players to complete the dungeon at a heightened difficulty within the first 48 hours of it being live. This mode has typically been reserved for Destiny’s raids – endgame content that challenges a full fireteam of six to complete. That said, the community is still extremely enthusiastic about dungeon completion at launch – seasoned players will still race to be the first to beat it, and the introduction of Contest Mode to Vesper’s Host is an official acknowledgement of such and adds that necessary extra hurdle for Destiny 2’s most practiced Guardians.
“We wanted to reinforce and amplify what was already happening in the community when a new dungeon launched,” says Frank. “Given historical completion times for dungeons without Contest Mode, we knew the difficulty would need to be increased to make the event worthy of the caliber of teams making day one attempts. “
The pressure of competition and a limited time to earn rewards sees these players rapidly develop and refine strategies for overcoming Vesper’s Host’s unique puzzle mechanics, but it’s worth nothing that unlike Destiny 2’s raids, dungeons are designed to be completable solo. This is an incredibly aspirational achievement, the most difficult thing to do in the game by a significant margin, but possible.
“Every encounter is designed with the intent that a single player with mastery over the encounters, sandbox, and buildcrafting can complete it,” says Manprin. “Mechanics that lean too far into coordination or complexity are modified with consideration for the solo experience.
“The addition of Contest Mode came with systemic changes to support it. We branched the difficulty settings for normal and contest, which allowed for tuning boss health independently between the two versions.”
Breaking the Ice
Dungeons are not built to be completed once – they’re designed to be run multiple times and contain a varied loot pool of armour and weapons, as well as one Exotic weapon with a rare chance to drop when the dungeon is completed. In Vesper’s Host, the Exotic drop is Ice Breaker, a reintroduction of an Exotic Sniper Rifle that dates all the way back to 2014’s Destiny.
Longtime fans of the franchise have been eagerly awaiting the return of the weapon, but the team felt Vesper’s Host’s final encounter made for the perfect place to finally earn it back.
“With us coming into Destiny‘s 10th Anniversary year we’ve been looking at Destiny weapons players remember most fondly, and Ice Breaker is right at the top of that list,” says Chris Proctor, Senior Design Lead. “Given how strong the weapon is in endgame PvE content, it’s fitting it come from a challenging PvE source, and so Vesper’s Host made a ton of sense.”
“We put some time into updating the design of the weapon to match the Destiny 2 sandbox, trying to retain the feel of the original, but making the loop more interesting and giving it the Exotic 2.0 treatment to bring it up to our Destiny 2 Exotic weapon quality bar. At the end of this design process, we had something we were excited to ship, incorporating high ammo uptime and a Solar and Stasis tie-in.”
If you’re itching for a new Destiny 2 challenge or you’re a seasoned Guardian that’s due another run to score the coveted Ice Breaker Exotic, Vesper’s Host is available to play in Destiny 2: Revenant now.
Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian’s look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.
AN IMMERSIVE STORY
You are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.
GUARDIAN CLASSES
Choose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.
• Disciplined and proud, Titans are capable of both aggressive assaults and stalwart defenses. Set your hammer ablaze, crack the sky with lightning, and go toe-to-toe with any opponent. Your team will stand tall behind the strength of your shield.
• Warlocks weaponize the mysteries of the universe to sustain themselves and destroy their foes. Rain devastation on the battlefield and clear hordes of enemies in the blink of an eye. Those who stand with you will know the true power of the Light.
• Agile and daring, Hunters are quick on their feet and quicker on the draw. Fan the hammer of your golden gun, flow through enemies like the wind, or strike from the darkness. Find the enemy, take aim, and end the fight before it starts.
COOPERATIVE AND COMPETITIVE MULTIPLAYER
Play with or against your friends and other Guardians in various PvE and PvP game modes.
• Exciting co-op adventures teeming await with rare and powerful rewards. Dive into the story with missions, quests, and patrols. Put together a small fireteam and secure the chest at the end of a quick Strike. Or test your team’s skill with countless hours of raid progression – the ultimate challenge for any fireteam. You decide where your legend begins.
• Face off against other players in fast-paced free-for-all skirmishes, team arenas, and PvE/PvP hybrid competitions. Mark special competitions like Iron Banner on your calendar and collect limited-time rewards before they’re gone.
EXOTIC WEAPONS AND ARMOR
Thousands of weapons, millions of options. Discover new gear combinations and define your own personal style. The hunt for the perfect arsenal begins.
105 GB hard drive storage space required as of November 10, 2020. Subject to change. Requires broadband internet. After November 10, 2020 see www.destinythegame.com/size-requirements for current requirements prior to purchase.
Destiny 2 may contain flashing patterns and images that may produce adverse effects for a small percentage of people sensitive to them.
Bungie, Inc. makes no guarantee regarding the availability of online play or features and may modify or discontinue online services with reasonable notice at any time. Using the software constitutes acceptance of the Destiny Software License Agreement available at www.bungie.net/sla.
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for November 11 to 15
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!
Farming Simulator 25 invites you to join the rewarding farm life. Whether you build your legacy single-handedly or cooperatively in multiplayer – you decide. New features include maps in North America, East Asia, and Central Europe; crops like rice, spinach, peas, and green beans; and new animals like goats, water buffalo, baby animals, and more.
The Rise of the Golden Idol follows a tenacious relic hunter on a quest to unearth the powerful artefact that – if legend is true – can reshape the world. Uncover the truth behind 15 strange cases of crime, death and depravity in the 1970s.
A turn-based strategy game inspired by ‘90s classics. Lead powerful magicians called Wielders and venture to lands unknown. Wage battles against armies that dare oppose you, hunt for powerful artifacts and expand your territory. The world is ripe for the taking – seize it!
Unrivaled after four decades, Tetris Forever celebrates the original, genre-inspiring puzzle game that escaped from behind the Iron Curtain, onto the world stage, and into our cultural consciousness. Celebrate 40 years of Tetris with 15+ games, a new game, and documentary videos.
Beautiful Sakure: Running Club is a continuation of Kaito’s journey, where he embarks on a new hobby. This visual novel delves into themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Kaito’s new passion for running leads him to join a local running club, where he reunites with familiar faces from his past and meets intriguing new characters.
Inspired by the classic Paperboy, Food Boy gets players to deliver pizzas in urban environments in an exciting arcade format. Make perfect deliveries and knock out furious customers to get the highest scores and unlock new cities and challenges!
Join Mona on her quest and experience the ultimate adventure! Venturing through portals, Mona will encounter werewolves, mermaids, dragons, and other fantastical beings on her way to face off against an unseen malevolent menace! With stunning visuals, captivating storytelling, humorous dialogues, and challenging puzzles, The Harmony Chronicles promises endless hours of immersive gameplay.
Step into the mystical, atmospheric world of Nephise: Ascension, where danger lurks beneath breathtaking beauty. As Nephise embarks on her most perilous journey yet, you’ll find yourself lost in the stunning landscapes of Dragon’s Valley, where ancient secrets await and survival hangs by a thread.
Get ready to dive into the ultimate extraction royale where PvP and PvE collide in an all-out battle for survival! Teardrop Island — once full of promise, now a dystopian warzone — needs a hero. Too bad it’s getting you. This isn’t just another shooter. This is the next evolution of cyberpunk warfare, imagined by visionary director Neill Blomkamp (“District 9,” “Elysium”), and it’s about to turn the genre upside down.
Songs of Silence is a fantasy strategy title which marries deep, tactical gameplay with fast-paced auto battles and an engaging, compelling narrative. Presented in a unique graphical style derived from the Art Nouveau movement, it’s a beautiful example of the evolution of a classic genre. The game features an extensive singleplayer, narrative-driven campaign, plus multiple competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes for endless replay value.
Top-down bullet hell shooter where you stop the clone army from taking over the world by one way: kill. them. all. Fight your way through hordes of powerful enemies, execute combat strategies with quick reflexes to take on the biggest of the baddies.
A relaxing puzzle escape game where you make your way through a variety of hand-crafted 3D dioramas, look for useful objects, find hidden clues and solve fun puzzles! Unravel this mysterious adventure about chaos, order and the surreal.
Forge, run, and fight as a team! In this frantic co-op game, you’ll have to work alongside your friends to craft legendary weapons and prepare the heroes for an epic battle. Coordinate, manage resources, and keep things under control as chaos unfolds!
A stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy. Years ago, the great hero Ortega bid farewell to his wife and child as he set off on a quest to defeat the villainous Archfiend, Baramos – he failed. Now, Ortega’s only child is summoned by the king of Aliahan and entrusted with a mission of the highest import: to take on Ortega’s quest, vanquish Baramos, and save the world.
In Heretic’s Fork, your role will involve not only managing the current population of Hell but also implement innovative strategies to help streamline its operations, tasked with punishing sinners by using a state-of-the-art computer system developed by DeusVult Inc.
Brace yourselves– ININ is coming in guns blazin’ for the 2nd volume of Irem arcade classics! With iconic titles Air Duel, GunForce, and GunForce II, this is one action-packed collection you can’t miss.
Twinsen is back in this remake featuring a new stylish makeover and modernised gameplay. Faithful to the original game, Little Big Adventure – Twinsen’s Quest takes you on an epic journey on a small planet harbouring both magic and technology.
An updated version of Rage of the Dragons, originally released in 2002 for arcades. It was a unique and innovative game, mainly due to its highly praised visuals and technical aspects at the time. With beautiful scenery and animations, incredible moves and an acclaimed soundtrack, it’s a must-have for any fighting game lover.
A cute “clear the screen” modern arcade game that features co-op gameplay for up to four players. Recover the missing golden blender through 100 platform-jumping, puzzle-solving levels in story mode – consisting of handcrafted levels and a ton of fruity critters!
A story-driven cozy puzzle game, which might remind you of the warm times spent with your grandparents or loved ones on getting to know the many, sometimes unexpected stories from their lives.
VED – November 14 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
A story-driven RPG featuring stunning hand-drawn art and animation combined with a unique teleporting system, turn-based combat mechanics and rogue-lite elements. Immerse yourself in a fantastical world with a rich storytelling experience, dozens of irreversible consequences and alternative endings, and gameplay that’s easy to learn but difficult to master!
A 3D device-hacking puzzle game in a cyberpunk setting. In the future, people no longer trust computer networks and prefer to use physical devices to store important information. You are a professional hacker of such Data Vaults. Use your wits and powers of observation to discover the secret hidden within the walls of this laboratory.
An action-packed roguelite where chess meets fast-paced combat. You play as the Black King, wielding a sword to fight your way through waves of White enemies in a single epic level, all while seeking to free your army from the enemy’s grasp.
Once in a generation, the gods come together to postpone the apocalypse. But this time, the god of communication started a bunch of heavenly fights and then went AWOL. With the sky splitting and the gods in disarray, who’s gonna join the Bizzyboys to help save the world?
A 2.5D platformer with logical puzzles that you should to solve. In the game, you control the robot DR12 that must get to the professor to save him from the evil robot who wants to escape from the lab. To get to the professor’s room, you need to solve logical puzzles.
A thrilling action roguelike mixed with a deck-builder set in an alternate-history Paris, where political unrest collides with cosmic terror. Take control of René, a Parisian caught in a deadly struggle among four factions while being manipulated by the mysterious Lady Bliss, an interdimensional being with her dark motives.
Madness is the repetition of the same action repeatedly, in the hope of a change. The challenge that Repit throws at your nerves is not everyone is ready to accept and only a few will be able to reach the end
Earth’s monuments are under attack, conventional human arsenal is ineffective against the extraterrestrial invaders. Fortunately, the sports club, armed with enhanced sports equipment, is ready to defend our planet alongside the ingenious Dr. McLabby!
Dynamic and rich ecosystem with unprecedented player freedom.
Bioframe Outpost is available today for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One.
Hi everybody, I’m Rudolf Kremers, director of Omni Systems Ltd, purveyor of strange games and theories. Some of you might have played my Eufloria games, or played games I consulted on. I am delighted to get the chance to talk about our upcoming game Bioframe Outpost, out now in Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Console Magic Dust
Releasing a game on console will always be special to me. While I love PC and Mobile gaming, and have proudly released games to those platforms in the past, there is something truly magical about seeing your game’s splash screen load onto a nice, big tv, powered by a dedicated gaming console. It’s a feeling that just can’t be beat.
With Bioframe Outpost we kept that console magic firmly in focus.
While Bioframe Outpost is a thoroughly modern game with replayability and polished controls and juice and onboarding experience and all that jazz, some elements are meant to celebrate the qualities of classic games that have oodles that console magic.
Let’s Put it in the Frame
My favourite aspect of console gaming is when games bring something genuinely fresh to the party. There was a period in console gaming, before dev budgets exploded in order to keep up with the 3d rendering arms race, when console games routinely innovated. Risk-taking was not yet stifled, and experienced teams still tried to woo players with things they hadn’t seen before.
The Oddworld series did this in spades, with the talking bug-based ammo in Stranger’s Wrath, or the mind control mechanic in Abe’s Odyssey. This quality was seen in titles big and small – Halo: Combat Evolved, Rez, Metal Gear Solid, GTA, Tetris, Virtua Fighter, all iconic games and big hits, but it is easy to forget how innovative they were at the time.
In Bioframe Outpost we tried to innovate by giving players a bunch of a-typical gameplay tools with which players can generate almost endless gameplay outcomes – often with hilarious unintended results.
Camera
Central to this aim is the player’s mega powerful Camera/PDA combo. The camera can photograph specific creature behaviours, like eating, fleeing, recharging, attacking, and many more. Each time you do so successfully – which can be hard and dangerous – you unlock super useful PDA files regarding that behaviour. (Knowledge is power)
Also, for each photographed state, the camera-induced stun effect increases in duration. With that knowledge and added stun control, you can pit creatures against each other, or find other ways to manipulate the game’s extremely deep and detailed ecosystem.
Lure a giant Rainbow Wasp with its favourite food into a Spider Hunter’s habitat, and watch ‘em duke it out. Rob a Laser Plant of its Sticky Glow Orb (don’t worry, it will regrow) and skillfully throw and stick it to a dark cave dwelling Lizard. Drive it before you and voila: an illuminating scout runs ahead of you to spot any dangers lurking in the dark.
Because the game’s ecosystem is deep and complex, and creatures and things react to each other in many different ways, things get enjoyably emergent.
Since you need to get out there and put yourself in a position where you can photograph these creature behaviours safely, a fundamentally satisfying risk .vs reward element is integrated in the core gameplay loop.
That gameplay loop is a classical positive feedback loop: where new knowledge (and stun power) unlocks more and more tools to discover even more ways to manipulate your environment. Exploration and experimentation are completely integrated into the experience in a meaningful way.
It’s super fun, and often challenging. (Ever tried to photograph an enraged Giant Rainbow Wasp?). Other strange tools throw even more wildcards into the mix. (Seriously, the Fire Extinguisher allows for some crazy antics).
Other Console Magics
Innovation is one thing, but we also love how classic console games always tried to make sure that players could really lose themselves in the experience for long durations. It’s not like modern mobile games that can be finished in very little time, and there was no multiplayer to keep the experience fresh through interaction with other users.
With Bioframe Outpost we made sure the game is “biiiiiig” and replayable, and fun to watch for other people. We wanted to make sure that people can settle on their couch, and really lose themselves in the world.
The world of Bioframe is not just deep in its gameplay systems and ecology, but also, filled with tons of secrets, missions, side missions, Easter Eggs, narrative oddities, in-jokes, hommages, and an almost endless freedom to just play around and experiment with the dynamic elements of the world.
Controls are designed for joypad from the first day of development, and the game takes full advantage of the analog feedback they offer.
Oh, and the game is child and adult friendly, doesn’t include guns or other explicit weapons, and requires a large dose of lateral thinking. Ideal to play with friends and family members of all ages.
The latter point is possibly the most important. Some of our favourite games are those that generate unique stories that we want to share with others. Memories of epic, fun sessions, and a sense of wonder about the strangely beautiful things console games can achieve.
We can’t wait to hear your stories about BioframeOutpost, and hope that it will generate many new ones for years to come.
“The same dream again. How many times must someone die in their sleep?” You wake up. No memory of the dreams. No identity, no idea of where you are or where you come from. You need to find out. Now.
Inspired by classic 70s and 80s sci-fi, Bioframe Outpost is a 2d sci-fi action adventure game, dedicated to exploration, experimentation, emergent gameplay and narrative. Its unique, photography-based approach to non-linear exploration and action gameplay offers a fresh take on Metroidvania gameplay.
Creatures and systems are immobilized by an alien infestation, only you can set them free. But beware; many pose a danger to yourself. Use photography to learn how they behave, and discover a hugely detailed and fascinating ecosystem. Fill your “Compendium” with vital knowledge, use it to manipulate creatures and systems in order to survive. Unlock secrets on how creatures interact, how you can pit them against each other and even how to use them as weapons or pickups.
Explore the immense universe of Nova Aurora and unleash your ingenuity and creativity to solve captivating, challenging puzzles.
Death Stranding Director’s Cut Arrives on Xbox Today: 5 Ways to Connect in 2024
Antonela PounderDirector of Digital Content and Engagement, 505 Games
Today is a huge day for the team at Kojima Productions and 505 Games, as we welcome Porters to the world of Death Stranding Director’s Cut on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, as an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
5 years ago, Death Stranding landed in the hands of players for the very first time. Since then, we’ve seen just how powerful forging bonds can be. The positive impact of connections is a theme that runs deep in the world of Death Stranding and something we look to encourage in all we do with our community. With Porters now joining us from the Xbox community, we want to take this opportunity to highlight 5 ways you can connect with Death Stranding in 2024.
Social Strand System
The world of Death Stranding Director’s Cut can feel like an isolated one on the surface, until you realise that you’re not truly alone, thanks to the game’s Social Strand System.
For those who don’t know, the Social Strand System is a unique online multiplayer feature that allows Porters to connect with others in-game. You will never meet another Porter face to face on your journey, but you may come across something they’ve left behind. Whether it’s a handy bridge to cross, a ladder to climb, or a simple sign to warn you of danger, those items weren’t put there by accident. They were left by other Porters trying to help others, like yourself.
So today, when you boot up Death Stranding Director’s Cut, we encourage you to think of others who are also on this journey with you. Think about ways you can help them.
Oh, and if you’ve found a Porter’s contributions beneficial, don’t forget to leave them a little ‘Like’. They’ll appreciate it.
Virtual Photography Events
Death Stranding Director’s Cut’s photo mode has this incredible ability to bring Porters together. Our mentions are often filled with beautiful shots from players, along with heartwarming words of encouragement for aspiring photographers.
Virtual photographers have utilised the tools in Death Stranding Director’s Cut in ways we never thought possible! We are continuously in awe, which is why it’s important for us to stop and celebrate the wonderful creativity of our community from time to time.
Today, Xbox users can get involved in Kojima Productions’ monthly photo mode event, taking place on X and Instagram. Each month, we invite virtual photographers to head in-game and focus on capturing a series of shots related to a specific theme. November’s theme is “Freedom.”
Xbox players can then submit their entries using the hashtags #DSPhotomodeCP_Oct and #DeathStranding. The chosen winner’s photo will be used as the cover for each month on the 2025 Kojima Productions calendar. This calendar will then be sent to the Photo of the Month winners as a prize in 2025.
Events aside, we’re always on the lookout for content to amplify and celebrate. If you’re new around here, send us your best snaps using #DSPhotoModeXbox on X or Instagram. Let’s connect!
Death Stranding Community Showcases
Are you a cosplayer, illustrator or virtual photographer? If so, we would love to hear from you! Every month, we invite Porters to submit their fan art to us, with our favourite submissions featuring as part of a monthly Death Stranding Community Showcase video, hosted across all our major social channels.
We’ve had some stunning submissions over the last few months, and we plan to keep this going for months to come. Check out some of our previous Death Stranding Community Showcases here.
Want to get involved? Submit your best Death Stranding Director’s Cut photos, illustrations and cosplay shots over on the 505 Games website. Who knows, you may just see yourself in a future showcase!
Connecting in the Real World
The team love connecting with Porters not only online, but also in the real world. We were fortunate enough to meet with some incredible fans at gamescom, Tokyo Game Show and MCM ComicCon in 2024. Nothing beats positive interactions with fans!
To celebrate the 5th anniversary of the release of Death Stranding, the team at Kojima Productions have collaborated with Parco on a special exhibition and popup event in Japan.
The exhibition gives fans the opportunity to get up close with super rare archives from Death Stranding, including never-before-seen production materials. This is a unique opportunity for fans of the game to come together, connect and engage with one another. What’s more, admission is free and there’ll be a dedicated photo area that features Kojima Productions’ mascot, “Ludens”.
The Kojima Productions × Parco “Death Stranding 5th Anniversary Exhibition & Popup” event will take place from November 8 2024 at Shibuya Parco, before moving to Nagoya Parco and then Shinsaibashi Parco in early 2025. For more information, head over to the Kojima Productions website.
Of course, we are always looking for opportunities to meet fans in the real world. Keep your eyes open for other in-person Death Stranding Director’s Cut events taking place in the future.
Connect With Us on the Official Xbox Club
Finally, we encourage you to connect with us on the official Death Stranding Director’s Cut Official Xbox Club, which will go live very soon. There you’ll find the latest news, as well as updates on community events that the team are planning. (Stay tuned!) We’ll also be sharing top tips for newcomers over the coming days, some of our favourite fan art, virtual photography and more.
We’ll wrap up today by saying how excited we are to be welcoming more Porters to Death Stranding Director’s Cut. We can’t wait to connect with you and hear your thoughts.
Death Stranding Director’s Cut launches today on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC – and as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, meaning you can buy it on one platform, and keep playing on the other. Stay tuned to the Kojima Productions X account for the latest news and events from the team. Keep on keeping on!
From legendary game creator Hideo Kojima comes a genre-defying experience, now expanded in this definitive DIRECTOR’S CUT.
In the future, a mysterious event known as the Death Stranding has opened a doorway between the living and the dead, leading to grotesque creatures from the afterlife roaming the fallen world marred by a desolate society.
As Sam Bridges, your mission is to deliver hope to humanity by connecting the last survivors of a decimated America.
Can you reunite the shattered world, one step at a time?
DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC includes HIGH FRAME RATE, PHOTO MODE and ULTRA-WIDE MONITOR SUPPORT. Also includes cross-over content from Valve Corporation’s HALF-LIFE series and CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077. Stay connected with players around the globe with the Social Strand System.
Experience a darker and more grim vision of a cyberpunk worldwith a distinct Slavic twist.
Hey Punk! What are you staring at? Me? Good. Always be vigilant, that’s the key to survival in the world of SlavicPunk: Oldtimer. It may be a top-down, twin-stick shooter, set in a cyberpunk world with a distinctly Slavic twist for you, but it’s real life for me!
I bet you’ve seen the flashy cyberpunk in other pieces of culture, but you won’t find it here. It’s a grim world I tell you – no bling, no glory, no perspectives, only survival in a city governed by force and lies. Don’t trust anyone and you’ll yet see the light of the day.
Now pay attention because I’ll say it just once. Do you see the guy in the picture? That’s Yanus, you’ll control him. He always stays in the middle of the screen, so you’ll never lose sight of where you are, even when the bullets start pouring on your head.
Those guns that you are holding – push the button at the right moment and you will not only reload faster but gain a damage boost. You can also modify them, to bring more strategy to the fray, but first you’ll need to put the cash on the table for mods. You can get them…
Hey, pay attention, I’m talking to you!
Where was I? Ah yes, strategy – use your head, not only your happy trigger fingers. You’ve been taking care of your body, so be sure to dodge and dash away out of harm’s way. Use the environment as cover and you’ll be good. Worst case scenario, use “synthad” to give yourself a boost just don’t overdo it, that stuff is bad news I tell you.
You’ve got your VR mod and not a shabby one either. Use it to hack your enemies and…
Hey!
…you’ve got the attention span of a six-year-old. Just watch the **** video and learn something.
Did anything useful stuck in your tiny brain? You know what, don’t answer, I don’t really care. I wouldn’t say you’re ready, but at least now you’ve got a chance. Your client is just a single step outside of your apartment. She’ll tell you that a data carrier is missing and she’ll want you to get it back for her. Simple? No, nothing is that simple. Something stinks here and this time around it’s not you. Take the job and always look behind your back.
Interested? I thought so.
SlavicPunk: Oldtimer releases on Xbox Series S|X today. Have a peek into my Stream and see what you’re up against.
You got that?
Today. Xbox Series S|X. Wishlist and buy. Make me a happy merc, Punk!
SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is an isometric shooter video game, based upon the works of Michał Gołkowski, a renown Polish science-fiction and fantasy books author. It is him who created the story of Yanus – a private investigator with a troubled past, now trying to solve an unexpected case revolving around a stolen data carrier, all this while fighting his own inner demons, the urban gangs and a nigh-omnipotent corporation responsible for the downfall of the city he used to call his own.
The game offers solid combat and movement systems, as well as a modular weapon upgrade system, thanks to which the players striding through the dark corners of the city may make every encounter feel and look different. Action-packed levels with stealth elements, hacking and environmental puzzle solving are intertwined with more slow-paced sequences of city exploration, side quests and storytelling.
A unique, inherently Slavic take on the cyberpunk world is sure to leave none indifferent thanks to its sharp, caustic sense of humour and a slightly pessimistic outlook at the neon-grey shades of the surrounding reality, at the same time providing a much needed breath of fresh air to the genre itself.
As a team, the question we asked ourselves was: what was the world going to look like in a couple of decades? How would a hypothetical Central and Eastern European city and its inhabitants differ from, say, Blade Runner ‘s L.A. or Akira’s Neo Tokyo?”.
The attempts to answer this puzzle has had a tremendous deal of influence upon the game’s artistic choices, including a mix of futuristic-esque and overly outdated technologies, the grim, brutalist architecture typical of the post-communist countries, the character’s not-so-obvious moral choices and the often crudely makeshift, yank-and-tuck character and atmosphere of an environment overpacked with people forced to cope with the uneven distribution of goods and wealth, often relying on their wits and sheer luck to make it to the next paycheck without losing their minds.
SlavicPunk story goes to show that there is more than meets the eye to this dystopian version of the future is, and it is only up to the players to discover what lies beneath the neon glow and the concrete streets – helping Yanus unravel his last case and find out just how brutal and ugly the truth may actually be.
Planet Coaster 2 Is Out Now: 10 Tips to Take Your Dream Theme Park to the Top
Alex BoltonPR Manager, Frontier Developments
Summary
Planet Coaster 2 is available now on Xbox Series S|X, bringing the ultimate coaster and water park simulation to console!
Learn the basics and refine your skills in Career mode, set your own challenges and build with total freedom in Sandbox mode, and join up with friends to compete against players around the globe in Franchise mode.
Push the boundaries of creativity with piece-by-piece construction and share your designs with the world, or build your park quickly using blueprints and the Frontier Workshop.
Hayo Park Managers! Planet Coaster 2 is available now and is ready to create a splash on Xbox Series X|S. Build epic rollercoasters and dive into breathtaking water parks, bringing your creations to life with boundless creativity and enhanced management as you design and build the ultimate theme park.
Before you go grabbing your towel and rushing off to the flumes, we’re here with some top tips to help you build a park which will wow your guests:
Dive into water parks and remember those changing rooms!
Brand-new in Planet Coaster 2, water parks are making waves… quite literally, if you put down a wave machine! Create entirely free-form pools, relaxing lazy rivers and spectacular flumes, either as a standalone park, or integrated into your theme park. Place scenery pieces to theme your pools, add heated body dryers and even offer your guests a variety of colourful inflatables to use in the pool at a Queen Splash Emporium. Just make sure you don’t forget changing rooms so that your guests can get pool-ready – no one wants to swim in their park clothes!
Expand your creativity with piece-by-piece construction
Bringing your park to life has never been easier – Planet Coaster 2 gives you all the tools you’ll need to create buildings and displays from scratch, or add the finest details to put the shine on the perfect new attraction. With over 3,000 individual scenery items to choose from, you have more freedom at your fingertips than ever before to help shape your park, whether that’s scaling objects or attaching pieces to your rides and shops to create something truly unique. Once you’ve brought your ride to life, why not jump on board with the first-person camera, and experience your creations from a guest’s point of view!
Find your perfect way to play
We’d recommend starting your journey in Career mode, where the prologue’s tutorials will introduce you to the team from Coaster Coast, committed to helping you create the park of your dreams with a handy introduction to theme parks and water parks. Career mode offers increasingly challenging scenarios, set in extraordinary parts of the world. Sandbox mode is where you can set your own challenge level, allowing you to unleash your imagination and customise your own rules, creating your own gaming experience. Finally, Franchise mode lets you pitch your parks against the best in the world, attempting to earn a spot on the global leaderboards by competing in new online challenges.
Build an attraction’s prestige
Whilst everybody loves a day out at a theme park, we all have a ride that we absolutely need to try before we head home for the day. Each ride, flume and pool which you build will have its own Prestige rating – essentially, how appealing it is to guests. Everything from scenery to the ride’s Excitement, Fear and Nausea (EFN) ratings can draw additional guests into the queue, but if they’re turning away in favour of something else – maybe it’s time to look at a change. Remember that a park needs to cater for lots of different types of guests, you can use heatmaps to quickly assess which areas of your park might need some attention.
Control the flow of your park with paths
Every attraction is linked together with one common thread, vital for getting your guests from A to B… of course, we’re talking about paths! In Planet Coaster 2 you can create tight twisting walkways through your scenery, wide open plazas, and everything in between using a pathing tool redesigned with flexibility in mind. You’ll find a variety of tools to create, edit and connect your paths exactly how you wish, and you can use three different types of path to keep things moving; regular paths to connect every aspect of your park, queues for the entrances to rides and flumes, and staff paths to keep guests away from the inner workings of your theme park machine. Mastering paths gives you even greater control over the flow of guests and the aesthetics of your park.
The Blueprints to success
Blueprints allow you to place a pre-themed ride, slide, shop, even a group of different scenery items. They’re a great place to start when you just want to get things moving. The in-game Frontier Workshop also allows you to save your own creations as a blueprint for other players to drop into their park, so you can share your skills with the world, or add someone else’s creation to your own!
Share the park construction with a friend!
Have a friend who’s the most incredible coaster creator? Or maybe you’re looking for inspiration to take you to the top of the leaderboards? In both Sandbox and Franchise modes, you can team up with up to three other players to create a park together, passing your creation between players to work on one at a time. Whether you choose to build in the same space, or take your own section of the sandbox to sculpt, you’ll have to consider consistent theming and look at the guest experience in the same way real-world park design teams do. Collaboration is key!
It’s all connected… to the Power and Water systems!
As you play Planet Coaster 2, you’ll need to consider Power and Water as you expand your park. Rides and Shops will require Power in order to remain operational, and will need to be within range of a distributor to access the power you’re generating. Pools on the other hand, need a water pump and filter to keep them looking sparkling and ready for your guests to jump into! Connecting your pools and slides to a water filtration system will improve their cleanliness, and similar to power, you can use the radius of the water pump to see what’s covered. After all, no one wants to splash around in grimy water!
Come rain or shine
Dynamic weather also arrives for the first time in Planet Coaster 2, bringing with it new considerations for your guests. If it’s a hot sunny day, you’ll need to provide shade and adequate opportunities for guests to buy suncream. If it’s pouring with rain, an umbrella will keep your guests dry and happy. Make sure your vendors are appropriately priced for the demand and ready to offer the solution, whatever the weather!
Staff Management
Keeping your guests happy is one thing, but don’t forget to keep the people happy who are… well, keeping your guests happy! Cleaners will keep your park looking at its best, Mechanics make sure everything’s running smoothly, Lifeguards to keep a watchful eye on the pool, even through to Entertainers who can get your guests running for the hottest new food vendor in the park! Your staff members will need a break room, as well as a good salary to keep their morale high!
Ready to build the theme park of your dreams and splash into brand new water rides? You can purchase Planet Coaster 2 on Xbox Series S| X here! Hungry for more tips? (or maybe the mention of our in-game food vendors just made your stomach rumble…) – head over to the Planet Coaster 2 website, where you can find more guides and advice on how you can create your ultimate day out! You can also follow us on TikTok, X, Instagram and Facebook for more design inspiration.
Create a splash with Planet Coaster 2 – sequel to the world’s best coaster park simulator!
Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests.
Dive in now!
EMBRACE CREATIVITY
Expand your imagination: Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Make your mark on the world as you shape terrain and populate your park with stunning swimming pools and thrilling rides. It’s never been easier to bring your dream park to life.
Next-level customisation: Embark on the coaster park experience of a lifetime as you push the boundaries of creativity like never before! Unleash your imagination as you build the most awe-inspiring themed creations with unparalleled customisation tools! For the first time, intuitively add scalable scenery and objects to every ride to elevate your park and give your guests a day to remember.
Combine epic water and coaster rides: Create the ultimate experience for your thrill-seeking guests using piece-by-piece construction. Build a vibrant array of exhilarating rollercoasters and jaw-dropping thrill rides. Design a seamlessly interconnected park paradise with glistening swimming pools and twisting water flumes.
Create unforgettable experiences: Surprise and amaze as you bring the dramatic flair of real-world theme parks to your guests with the brand-new event sequencer tool, while sophisticated global illumination lighting brings the theme park experience to your home with stunning visuals and striking authenticity.
MASTER MANAGEMENT
Find the secret to success: Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget – populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master.
Take care: Provide for your guests’ health, well-being, and happiness so your park can thrive. With all-new waterparks comes the need for shade, sunscreen, lifeguards, changing rooms, and more to ensure everyone has their best day both in and out of the pool.
Satisfaction guaranteed: Understanding the wants and needs of your guests has never been easier! The new ‘heat maps’ feature lets you understand the wider park’s needs at a glance before diving deeper into the details -simply select any guest to see how they and their immediate group are enjoying your theme park.
SHARE THE RIDE
Create together: Unleash your collective creativity in Sandbox Mode. Take turns to work on building a park with players around the world using a shared cross-platform save!
Play together: For the first time ever, collaborate with friends in Franchise Mode to create the best theme park empire and compete with others to reach the top of worldwide leaderboards!
Visit together: Soak up the fun and get up close and personal, as you experience other players theme park creations first hand – explore their worlds in first person as a park guest!
Share creations: Share anything and everything! Upload coasters, rides, or even full theme parks for other players, and download and delight in other’s creations. All are easily accessible from the cross-platform Frontier Workshop both in-game and online.
.
