So, What I’M Playing is back to Wednesdays? Ok? Has a better ring to it.

So, since I have come back from my two week hiatus, (if you can call it as such since the reviews didn’t stop) I have picked up LEGO Batman 3, and Shiftlings. Batman was on sale during the BIG summer Xbox sale, so it was hard to turn that sale down.

LEGO Batman 3
Lego Batman 3 has been pretty fun thus far. TTGames has perfected the formula, and have just been applying it to new franchises. The game itself is a lot more fun in co-op, obviously, so I’m sure I’ll be playing it often enough with ILLESTRADER. That being said, the game seems to have decreased the difficulty curve, and have become extra bloated with characters.

In prior LEGO Batman games, a lot of the puzzles required different suits. And that is still retained, but what I have noticed this time around, is that when you approach the puzzle, or the interactive area, the character will automatically change into the suit required. That, and for pacing purposes, the rooms and puzzles are extra bloated this time around, extending the duration of the level. Checkpoints aside, you still need to beat the level before you can save and exit. I haven’t noticed any save spots like in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes.

Shiftlings
I also gave Shiftlings a try, in couch co-op, again with ILLESTRADER. The premise is like that of a game show. The goal is for the two joined space dudes to traverse the level to get to the door activation switch, and then on to the exit. The game is a fun platformer and the levels are small enough that you can zoom out the camera to see it in its entirety, to plan the trip.

The mechanic for this game though, is one of the space dudes has farted within the suit making it balloon shape in size, so one of the players at any given time is not able to jump high or fit through small areas, however you can transfer the air to the other players suit whenever, and the pair are attached by a semi-long breathing tube.

Its a fun little physics platformer, and super frustrating at times playing with a co-op couch partner. I’ll have more info about the game on Sunday as I’ll be dedicating my Achievement of the Week to it, and expect a review sometime later.

Xbox’s First Party Strategy
At Gamescom 2015, Xbox head Phil Spencer spoke about first-party exclusives, and his vision going forward.

“My strategy is more around our own first-party franchises, and investing in franchises that we own and probably fewer deals for exclusive third-party content,” said Spencer. “I want to have strong third party relations, but paying for many third-party exclusives isn’t our long term strategy.”

Gears of War Ultimate Edition and Backwards Compatibility
Microsoft and The Coalition have announced that Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Gears of War: Judgment will be backward compatible on Xbox One this fall.

In addition to that, it was revealed that anyone who plays online in Gears of War: Ultimate Edition between launch on August 25 and the end of 2015 will gain access to every backward-compatible Gears game for free.

Doesn’t help me none since I own them all.

Destiny Sans Peter Dinklage
Bungie has revealed it has recast the role of Ghost in Destiny. Citing availability as one of the main reasons. Ghost will be reappearing in the next expansion The Taken King, and will feature Nolan North as the voice talent. All the original lines have been re-recorded as well.

Destiny’s Leveling System
More Destiny news as Bungie has announced that in the next expansion, they will be removing the Light system for leveling up. Players can level from 1-40 by completing missions, killing enemies and completing bounties.

“The conflation of gear and character level led to this place where your identity was determined by things outside of your control,” creative director Luke Smith said. “We don’t want to do that.”

Star Wars Battlefront’s Fighter Squadron and Mode
EA and DICE have announced Fighter Squadron, a new aerial vehicle-only multiplayer mode for Star Wars Battlefront.

The premise of Fighter Squadron sees the Rebel Alliance hunting down an escaping Imperial transport shuttle, which the Empire team must protect. Each ship has its own abilities, giving the A-Wing and its homing-missiles a different role than the X-Wing, for example.

Tomorrow I’ll catch up with more news, and hopefully prepare a review before the week is over, and then Sunday is an Achievement Update.

-iRogan