The dungeon crawler, or action RPG (ARPG), is a genre that has stood strong across numerous generations. From the days of the original Diablo on PC, to now on the PS5, these co-op games focused on sprawling dungeons filled with loot will never be unwelcome on a console in my home. Bonus points if it offers local co-op! Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition was something I enjoyed on PS4 primarily because of the local co-op and the variety of improvements it made to the core APRG experience on consoles. It didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it didn’t need to for me at that time. Now that it’s on PS5? Well, let’s just say next generation comes with some big expectations. Let’s see how this new version shapes up. More of a Shuffle Than a Leap into Next-Gen Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition offers a deep and rich fantasy setup for its story, one that fans of the extended Warhammer fantasy universe will no doubt enjoy. Even someone who dabbles in tabletop RPGs or Dungeons & Dragons will enjoy the lofty narration and various themes at play. One thing I noticed right off the bat is that the still image-based story scenes seem to exhibit screen tearing on the new console. I’m particularly sensitive to this issue as I tend to notice it very quickly, but the problem seemed to subside from my view when I got into gameplay. The story doesn’t move exceptionally quickly in Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition, instead offering a grand opener and then smaller updates as you take on quests and begin plundering dungeons. With so much lore to draw from, I would have liked to see the story offer more consistent and engaging narrative, or even simply play a larger role during missions. Instead, the general flow tends to be the same from mission-to-mission, with objectives playing it safe for the most part. Some curveballs, like a timed mission, can mix things up, but otherwise the formula is pretty standard.
Observer: System Redux Review – The Next Generation of Horror is Here
While it has been difficult to find PS5 consoles, those of us lucky few who were able to secure one can absolutely assure everyone else that the wait is worth it. One of the games that piqued my interest for the new system was the remastered and expanded Observer: System Redux. I reviewed Observer for PS4 back in 2017 and found it to be one of the best horror games in recent memory. After all, you combine the voice of the late Rutger Hauer with a dystopian cyberpunk setting and horror, and you’ve got a recipe for something truly special. The question is, does this new release surpass the original and wipe out some of those performance and gameplay issues? Let’s find out. A Gorgeous Return to a Fully Realized Cyberpunk World Cyberpunk and horror aren’t something you would immediately associate with one another, but Observer makes the combination feel as natural as peanut butter and chocolate. For those who haven’t played the PS4 release, Observer takes place in 2084 after humans have augmented themselves with cybernetic parts and suffered a plague known as the nanophage which only affects those who have been augmented. You play as Daniel Lazarski, who is a futuristic detective known as an observer. He himself is augmented with the ability to jack into suspect’s mind and interrogate them via their own subconscious. The game chooses to keep its story smaller in scope than you would think with this premise, focusing on the pursuit of Daniel’s son, who mysteriously reaches out to him in the beginning of the game and sets you on a hunt to discover what is happening to him. A lockdown in a giant apartment building forces you to interact with the myriad of different residents, some of whom will offer unique stories that add more to the world. Side quests are also on offer, with some new ones added in this PS5 version that I really enjoyed. Particularly, one quest involving shrines spread through the building was very haunting and intriguing in equal measure.
You Secured a PS5 Launch Day Order: 8 Things to Do While You Wait
The PS5 launch day was always going to be insane, if the preorders were anything to go by. Retailers are promising some stock on November 12th, but we’re already seeing places sell out immediately and websites go down once again. Among all of this, if you did secure a PS5 order for yourself, congratulations! While you wait for it to ship out, let’s get you started on some considerations and steps so you’re ready to go when it arrives. 8 Things to Consider (Or Buy) While You Wait For Your PS5 to Arrive These are the things that went through my head while I anxiously stared out my window waiting for the FedEx truck. Hopefully they can help you figure out your next steps as well: #1 – Space (both digital and physical) The PS5 is massive, way bigger than even the PS4 Pro. You’re going to need space in the real world, while also considering the somewhat limited space on the SSD, but more on that in a moment. The PS5 includes a stand that you can use for both horizontal and vertical placement. I personally have opted for the vertical option, but keep in mind that the stand is needed even if you’re laying it down, in order to keep things stable. Now, on the subject of the SSD. We’re looking at 667.2 GB of usable space after the OS, so more than the PS4 had at launch, but less than what we’re used to. Now, there aren’t any expansion options for PS5 games at launch, but external drives are supported for PS4 games. I will say that, as of this writing, I’ve been hearing about some issues with crashing and using Rest Mode with an external drive plugged in, so it may be beneficial to keep things simple until another firmware update or two comes in. Beyond keeping downloads managed, you can also do things like keep your recordings to a minimum to save space, and disabling trophy videos that capture when you unlock a trophy could help as well. Head to settings > captures and broadcasts and disable trophy videos and screenshots if you want to avoid having these take up space. #2 – Digital or physical for the games you want? The PS5 is coming in two versions, which is something I predicted well before the announcement in this article that also goes a little too crazy with the possibilities. Even so, if you get the digital version of the system for $399, you’re going all-digital and that’s totally cool! Keep in mind that you’ll need to buy games like Watch Dogs: Legion and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla digital as well if you plan to move them from PS4 to PS5, you won’t be able to upgrade a disc with a disc-less system. I personally go back-and-forth on digital and physical games, but keep this in mind as you stock up on your chosen titles. #3 – Grab an extra controller It’s an age-old tradition, but … Read More
Watch Dogs: Legion Preview – No Such Thing as an NPC
Watch Dogs, otherwise known as the hacker version of Assassin’s Creed in my household, has been a series that promised big things, but didn’t always deliver as well as it could. It started, of course, with the first game looking less impressive at launch than promised, but the second title was a solid one overall. Now we have the most ambitious game yet in the form of Watch Dogs: Legion. Recruit anyone, play as anyone, and build your very own DedSec from the ashes of the old one. Too good to be true? These are my impressions of the PS4 version thus far while I wait for my PS5 to arrive. A Promise Fulfilled? The promise that Watch Dogs: Legion issued to players seemed too good to be true. How could they possibly make every single person a playable character? How would they differentiate them? Would they just end up falling into a few categories with no real differentiation? Having played several hours of Watch Dogs: Legion on PS4 while I wait for the PS5 version, I can say that they’ve managed to (mostly) come through on this promise. The ability to recruit anyone you’d like is there, with some challenges for characters who aren’t huge fans or who need a little convincing, but the sheer amount of choice between people leads to some dips in quality as compared to prior games. For example, my starting character was chosen based on his skillset, but the guy looked like a face painted version of Jared Leto and sounded a lot different than you would imagine. He didn’t really “feel” like a main character to me, and between the unconvincing lip sync and the odd look, I had a hard time connecting with him like I did with the character in the opening mission. The story of course is that DedSec has been framed for a terrorist attack by a group called Zero Day, which has led to the London chapter of the group to fade into obscurity. One person is trying to bring them back together, starting with you. Meanwhile, a military group called Albion have taken over the city and implemented a regime that feels a little too close to reality. It wasn’t until a short time into my playthrough that things started to click for me. The second person I recruited was better, but still not interesting enough to really grab my attention. Ironically, the person I didn’t like much at all ended up winning me over to this formula. They were the final opponent in an underground fight club that I did as part of a side mission, and a result I was able to choose them as a potential recruit. They required a little more than just a favor. I needed a deep profiler upgrade to dig up some info on them, at which point I discovered that they were trying to fight back against the powers that be by destroying a weapon shipment. Naturally I infiltrated … Read More
Bugsnax Preview – You are What You Eat
Bugsnax may seem like an odd game to pick for the PS5 launch, but when you realize that it comes from the same developers that did Octodad: Dadliest Catch, it starts to make a little more sense. Beneath the colorful exterior, this game hides a lot of humor, some interesting mechanics, and more than a few mysteries to uncover. Let’s find out what we know so far! More Than Meets The Eye (or Stomach?) In Bugsnax, you play as a journalist who heads to Snaktooth Island in response to a request from an explorer by the name of Elizabert Megafig, who wishes to learn more about the Bugsnax themselves, which as you can imagine, are a combination of bugs and various foods. Early impressions of the game are quite positive, pointing to the sharp writing and excellent voice acting from the expansive cast. In true Pokemon fashion, the Bugsnax also say their names when you catch them, and catch them you will. Beyond this, you’ll also meet with each of the village’s people to learn more about the story behind the island and bring them together in the game’s main hub, Snackburg. During exploration, you can also use a viewfinder to spot key elements in the environment and areas where Bugsnax could be found. All of this information about their hiding places and footprints helps you learn their behaviors so you can capture them more efficiently. Various slings, traps, and even sauces like Ketchup will assist you in your efforts. Much of the remaining mysteries are left up in the air, but it’s clear that Bugsnax has some depth based on initial previews. A wide range of creatures, traps, and mysteries to solve among the eclectic cast of characters are being kept hidden until launch. A Colorful and Fun Style Bugsnax isn’t going to push the PS5 to its limits, but the fun style and colorful palette look like a great evolution of the developer’s work from the Octodad days. It also seems like the game has more depth and scope, especially if the trailers and early previews are to be believed. We’ll find out more when Bugsnax releases alongside the PS5 November 12th, 2020! In the meantime, let us know if you’re going to go hunting in the comments below! Article by – Bradley Ramsey Insert date – 10/27/2020
Demon’s Souls Preview – Prepare to Die in 4K
Before Dark Souls and its sequels spawned an entire sub-genre of RPGs, Demon’s Souls started the entire phenomenon. I actually remember when it released on PS3 way back when, and while I didn’t know it then, I felt like it was on to something. After all, there’s no shortage of games that will bend to your will or offer difficulties, but the punishing difficulty of a Soulsborne is unique to games like this one. With Bluepoint at the helm of the remake, we’re in for a gorgeous and wild ride. Let’s dive in. A Faithful and Detailed Remake Demon’s Souls releases alongside the PS5 on November 12th, and it comes to us from Bluepoint Games, who have been known for their excellent remakes and remasters. Their work on Shadow of the Colossus, for example, was absolutely amazing. When Sony finally unveiled the Demon’s Souls remake for PS5, the gameplay footage blew everyone away, and rightfully so, as it looked like a true generational leap in terms of sheer detail and effects. For those who aren’t familiar with Soulsborne games, the concept involves a dark fantasy setting, a lone fighter, and plenty of monsters and or demons to constantly challenge you to the point of constant death in some cases. The gameplay comes down to a combination of timing and managing your stamina, which is drained by everything from attacking to blocking, and even dodging. The intensity here comes from the mystery of the world you find yourself in, but also from the knowledge that anything, even a common enemy, can easily kill you if you’re not careful. Demon’s Souls is set in Boletaria, where the king has used a forbidden power that brouht back a demon known as the Old One. From here, the kingdom was covered in a thick fog that brought even more monsters into the world, ravaging the people of the land. It’s the game that kicked off the genre as we know it, and while there have been plenty of titles since, it’s entirely possible that this remake will once again take the crown. There is a standard and Digital Deluxe edition available, with the latter offering some helpful gear for the beginning of the game, but regardless of which version you pick up, the main draw here is the punishing difficulty that will never let up from the moment you hit the start button. The Next-Gen Leap We’re Looking For All it takes it a look at the footage to see that this game is truly a next-gen experience. We know the Demon’s Souls remake will offer two modes for resolution and frame-rate, but beyond the confirmation that resolution mode is 4K, it’s hard to say if the frame-rate mode will be something like 1440p with 60 FPS, or a different approach. Personally, I think frame-rate matters a lot in this kind of game where responsiveness is key, but in other games I would opt for the higher resolution, if only to showcase the power … Read More
Spider-Man: Miles Morales Preview – Donning The Suit
Marvel’s Spider-Man for PS4 was a gigantic hit and a massive exclusive for Sony. Insomniac has been known to make great games, but this one truly blew everyone away. A sequel was inevitable, and while we don’t have a Spider-Man 2 just yet, Spider-Man: Miles Morales should scratch the itch we’re all looking for. Launching on PS4 and PS5 on November 12th, this standalone title carries the story forward in a game that can be safely compared to Uncharted: Lost Legacy in terms of scope and length. Let’s see what we know so far! Miles Takes up The Mantle in Time For PS5’s Launch When this new title as announced for PS5, I was excited. What I didn’t expect was it to be a launch title for the PS5. The story takes place after the PS4 title, and while the idea of Miles Morales wearing a spider suit is a little bit of a spoiler, I won’t mention anything else from the first game to be safe. Our first look at gameplay came during Sony’s September showcase, and not only did the graphics look amazing, but the combat seemed to be more varied and bombastic. The set piece on display was also incredibly impressive. An electric ability came into play, along with some newly revealed invisibility in the latest gameplay trailer. I imagine the swinging mechanics will remain largely the same, along with the basic combat, but these new abilities hint at expanded options for combat. It will be interesting to see how this plays into potential suits for Miles. I wouldn’t mind seeing new side mission types either, but I could be getting ahead of myself. In either case, I’ll be playing Spider-Man: Miles Morales at launch for sure. A Gorgeous Display of PS5’s Power Beyond the bump in graphics, I know we’re all wondering about options for performance and resolution. Insomniac has confirmed a 4K/60 performance mode for the game. From the sounds of it, we’ll also get a visual mode that drops to 30 fps, but adds in fancy things like Ray Tracing. Personally, I’ll do the lower frame cap if it means really seeing what the PS5 can do, but what do you think? Are you picking up Spider-Man: Miles Morales at launch? Let us know in the comments! Article by – Bradley Ramsey Insert date – 10/13/2020
PS5 Puzzle Games
For those who enjoy a good head-scratcher or something slow to test their intelligence, not their reflexes. Confirmed Puzzle Games For PS5 Doodle Devil: 3volution The Pedestrian Braid: Anniversary Edition Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead Our Top Pick For Pinball Games on The PS5 1. Portal 3 I know Valve has an allergy to anything with a three in the name, but as the reigning classic of puzzle games, it’s always something I’ll hope for. 2. Indies to The Rescue! Some of the most interesting and unique puzzle games on PS5 were courtesy of independent developers trying something new. Hoping to see this kind of creativity once again on PS5, with clever use of the DualSense features! View all the PS5 Game Categories Action and Adventure Games Board Games Casual and Party Games Driving and Racing Games Fighting Games First-Person Shooter Games Horror Games Role-Playing Games Shooter Games Sports Games VR Games
Microsoft Purchases Bethesda For $7.5 Billion: What it Means For PS5
Microsoft seems to have taken personal offense to the claims that they have no exclusives. With new studio acquisitions happening quite often for the company, something no one expected was them buying Zenimax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Software. The $7.5 billion deal is larger than Disney’s acquisition of Marvel and Star Wars, indicating that there’s probably more going on behind closed doors at Bethesda than we realize. Does this means games like DOOM, Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, Dishonored, and others will become Xbox exclusive? Let’s discuss. Microsoft Shuts Down The Haters by Throwing Their Wallet into The Ring Sony has some of the best studios on tap that you can ask for in gaming, but Bethesda is no slouch. Sure, their games ship with tons of bugs that people jokingly refer to as “features,” but their selection of franchises and developers is unparalleled. We know they are doing Elder Scrolls VI, and we know about Starfield which is a new science fiction RPG, but all of the franchises I listed above could also have next-gen offerings. For those worried about Deathloop, which is to be a PS5 exclusive at launch, Microsoft has said they will make good on promises like that one, but future games will be exclusive on a “game-by-game basis.” On top of this, Microsoft also said all future Bethesda games would be on Game Pass day one when they launch. Listen, I”m the biggest PlayStation fan in the room, but even I can admit when the competition delivers a crushing blow. It’s possible Microsoft will allow new games to be multiplatform, but it would be within their rights to keep everything under Xbox. Sony’s exclusives have been dipping their toes into the open world RPG genre with games like Ghost of Tsushima and Days Gone, but nothing has ever quite matched the scope of a Fallout 3 or a Skyrim. If those franchises became Xbox exclusive, it would give gamers plenty of reason to consider an Xbox under their TV. What do you think? How will this affect the new generation console war? Let us know in the comments! Article by – Bradley Ramsey Insert date – 9/22/2020
Full PS5 Price and Release Date Coming This Week!
PS5 September Event Highlights THE BIG ONE: $499 for physical and $399 for digital, launching November 12th in major regions and November 19th for the rest of the world Opening strong with a new Final Fantasy title, Final Fantasy XVI! Exclusive to PS5! Spider-Man: Miles Morales gameplay up next! Amazing detail and ray tracing seems to be in full effect with the lighting on display. Story begins one year after the last game.Gameplay looks more slick than ever, with new gadgets and more destructable environments. We’re seeing our first look at the long-rumored Harry Potter game. Hogwarts Legacy is coming in 2021! Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War gameplay up next. Some interesting new mechanics around grabbing enemies and using them as shields. Showing off some gadgets as well. Multiplayer alpha begins Friday on PS4! Resident Evil Village gameplay next. The new approach still feels like Resident Evil, but the new and terrifying creatures and setting make it feel incredibly unique. Feels like Resident Evil 4’s shift to a new look and feel. Coming 2021. New Deathloop footage is sleek and beautiful, with plenty of options for gameplay as one would expect from the Dishonored developers. You can make changes to the beginning of the loop that have ripple effects across the rest of the loop. Coming in Q2 2021 and exclusive to PS5. Oddworld Soulstorm gets a new trailer. Looks to be true to the series, with plenty of bigger environments with PS5’s power in the mix. Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach teased! Demon’s Souls remake gameplay looks true to the original, but with stunning graphics and frame rate. Fortnite available at Launch for PS5! New PS+ Benefit coming to PS5 is the PlayStation Plus Collection which allows you to download and play PS4 games at launch if you’re a subscriber! God of War teased with a 2021 release date. Nothing but a teaser, sadly With Microsoft’s details out of the bag, it was only a matter of time before Sony made their move. Now we know when they plan to spill the rest of the beans: Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 at 1PM PT / 4PM ET is the big event! At this point, they have to reveal the final release date and price, so anything else on top of that is just a bonus. Our insider sources agree something big is coming but Sony is keeping things very tight lipped. One of our sources, who may or may not work at Playstation 😉 is betting the pricing will be $399 and $499. Do you agree? One things is for sure we are in store for some big reveals! As it turns out, not even PlayStation’s Senior Manager of Sound Design has seen everything Sony plans to announce. Could be huge! Check out his tweet below, and Bookmark this page for our full coverage! Me too. We don’t get to see everything so I’m sure I’ll be surprised too! — Jeremie Voillot ? (@jeremievoillot) September 12, 2020