So it’s no secret that I’ve locked myself away to play Metal Gear Solid V. Today I broke for some fresh air, a much-needed split from the Xbox One. I blindingly block the sun from my blood-shot eyes to view the crisp new world that is Tuesday. Breathing new air, I quickly jump to my phone and check what this week’s new releases are, and deals that the Xbox has in store… Not that I need any more games clogging up my library right now.
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New Releases – Sept 8
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a 2-player co-op micro-platformer set inside a neon spaceship locked in battle with hordes of space baddies. Players work together running back and forth between ship control rooms, manning turrets, lasers, shields and thrusters to rack up points and stave off a vacuumy demise. In mish-mash terms you could describe it as Jumpman meets Asteroids meets Han saying “Don’t get cocky.”
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Xbox’s Deals With Gold and Spotlight Sale – September 8 – 14
Xbox One
Evolve – 50% following the very popular free play weekend
Battlefield Hardline – 50%
Battlefield 4 – 50%
Assassin’s Creed Unity – 50%
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China – 50%
Xbox 360
Assassin’s Creed II – 75%
Assassin’s Creed Revelations – 75%
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood – 75%
Assassin’s Creed – 75%
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Konami Issues a MGS V Save Corruption Warning Konami revealed today that there is a risk that your game save file can be corrupted and unusable if you bring Quiet as a buddy on Mission 29 or Mission 42. The issue affects the game on all platforms and a fix is being worked on. (Luckily I am not there yet in the game’s story… phew)
Destiny: The Taken King’s Official Cinematic Trailer
The game’s release is next week, Sept 15th, 2015. This weekend Destiny will be showcasing its two new multiplayer Crucible modes for free, with 1.0 character and powers, as an exclusive look before the Taken King’s launch.
After a fun jaunt down to Seattle, it’s now back to reality and all things video game. Gears Of War Ultimate Edition arrived in the mail yesterday, as did the Day One edition of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – very excited to try these. I’ll be jumping right into MGS V so expect my impressions throughout the week.
I have lots of news to catch up on, I apologize as some might be older, and new games, deals, etc. Lets go!
The Crew Wild Run
Released in November, The Crew Wild Run expansion seems pretty beefy. They’re re-releasing The Crew with the expansion, but no word yet on the DLC and price.
Notable inclusions:
Engine sounds have been reworked
UI is getting tweaked
Car dynamics and handling have been improved
Dynamic weather will be added
FreeDrive Stunts and the ability to create your own races will be added
Motorcycles
Monster Trucks
Dragsters
Drift cars
Recurring Championship festival: The Summit
Upgraded graphics
Cities: Skylines Expansion
Cities: Skylines has a new expansion coming out, titled After Dark. The new expansion introduces a new day-to-night cycle and with it comes new specialized areas, city services, transportation systems, graphics enhancements, and citizen behaviour. Might have to jump back in. Sept 24th release.
EA Access Backwards Compatibility
EA said that it is investigating adding backwards compatible EA games to the EA Access in the future. November at the earliest when the Backwards Compatibility will launch.
EA has a long list of Xbox 360 games that could potentially be added to the Vault, including the Mass Effect trilogy, Battlefield 3, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Skate 3, and Burnout Paradise.
Star Wars Battlefront, Sans Server Browser
DICE confirmed today that Star Wars Battlefront will not have a server browser, like in previous Battlefield games, but instead will use a new skill-based matchmaking system to match online players.
EA also announced that a Star Wars Battlefront beta for PS4, Xbox One, and PC will be available in early October.
Evolve – Free Weekend
Evolve will be free for all this weekend on the Xbox One and PC. It includes all the hunters and monsters and unique skins. Those who play it will retain all their experience if they choose to buy it, and those who own it will get the chance to maybe try out some new hunters or monsters, and will get to keep the new skins.
Game Deals With Gold – Sept 1 – 7
Xbox One
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 30%
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – 50%
Rayman Legends – 50%
Call of Duty: Ghosts – 67%
Shiftlings – 60%
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – 75%
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – 35%
Amazing Spider-Man 2 – 60%
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved – 50%
Xbox 360
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag – 50%
Assassin’s Creed III – 50%
Assassin’s Creed Rogue – 50%
Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD – 75%
Rayman Origins – 67%
Rayman Legends – 50%
Rayman 3 HD* Arcade 75%
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings- 85%
Call of Duty: Black Ops II – 67%
Call of Duty: Ghosts – 67%
Deadpool – 50%
Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions – 50%
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – 75%
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD – 50%
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – 50%
New Games – Aug 25 – Sept 1
Mad Max (Xbox One, PS4, PC) – I got hand’s on with Mad Max over the weekend, and it felt really cool to play. Driving and melee feel really good, and the game looks gorgeous. I had some reservation during my time with it, but only a proper play through will due for my proper opinion.
IGN posted a cool time lapse of the two-hour day and night cycle:
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Xbox One, PS4, PC) – This is my go to game for the next week. I briefly started it last night, so expect opinions daily into next week. I’m super stoked.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC) – I played this game back on the Xbox 360 and thought it was a lot of fun. A quite somber tale of two brothers and their messed up world. Sad and tragic, but vast and beautiful. This looks to be the next-gen release of it.
Until Dawn (PS4) – Playstation’s big notable horror game. i don’t really know anything about it though as I’m not a PS gamer. Getting very good reviews.
Dishonored: Definitive Edition (PS4, Xbox One) – Unnecessary HD remaster of one of last gen’s great games. My original review: here.
Mega Man Legacy Collection (Xbox One, PS4, PC) – Reproduction of the classic series original six titles.
The Deer God (Xbox One, PC) – Xbox’s Free game of the month for September. I got it last night and will be including my impressions when I get to it. The title looks very cool, as an indie platformer, and not of the typical shooting variety.
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (Xbox One) – Yep. Full remastering of the classic original on the Xbox 360. The game that sold consoles. This edition includes all the multiplayer maps and skins and DLC and the Window’s exclusive story chapters. Excited isn’t sufficient. This game is a game-night staple.
Phew. Well that’s all for tonight. More tomorrow as I continue to go through MGS V and leave my impressions from PAX Prime 2015 and Gears of War this weekend.
So this week I’ll be just rattling off a few things as I prep for my trip down to Seattle for PAX Prime 2015. As I mentioned on Sunday, I’m not sure what my internet connection will be like so I don’t know if I’ll be posting a daily update or not, but expect a full report when I return.
Today I’ll discuss the new games and deal, and the news. I’ll have a review for Far Cry 4 up before I leave, and some discussions on what I’ll be playing next.
Dirt Rally Gets Multiplayer
One of my favourite racing games have been the Dirt series by Codemasters. They’re currently working on the pivotal rally game in Dirt Rally, currently only available on the PC through Steam Early Access. Good and bad I suppose. Good in that they’re funding the game as they go along, working out all the bugs before they release it on the consoles. BAD, in that I can’t play it yet. With Xbox’s Game Preview, maybe they can work something out.
Codemasters has recently added rallycross mode which is their head-to-head multiplayer mode. The free update also includes 3 new cars and a new map set in Hell, Sweden.
Master Chief’s Face 343 Industries has confirmed that that Master Chief’s face will not be revealed in Halo 5: Guardians. Only Bungie knows that little secret anyways ;).
NHL 16’s GM Mode
Recently revealed in the latest NHL 16 video was the game’s bolstered GM mode, and how to help shape the future of your favourite franchise by handling teammate relationships and morale.
September’s Games With Gold Microsoft has revealed its monthly Games With Gold free games for September:
Xbox One The Deer God. Available from Sept 1 – 31 Tomb Raider: The Definitive Edition. Available from Sept 16 – Oct 15. Check out my review from the 360 version and just add visual quality to the pluses ;).
Xbox 360 Battlestations: Pacific. available from Sept 1 – 15 Crysis 3. Available 16 – 31
This Week’s Deals With Gold
Xbox One
EA SPORTS Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR – 33%
Life is Strange – 50%
Life is Strange Complete Season (Episodes 1-5) – 20%
I don’t know what the difference is between Life is Strange and Life is Strange Complete Season? Rory McIlroy’s golf game I am looking forward to, but I will wait till it hits the EA Access vault. And make sure to check out my review of The Swapper and BADLAND.
Xbox 360
All Gears of War 3 DLC and Map Packs – 50%
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – 50%
Life is Strange – 50%
Life is Strange Season Pass (Episodes 2-5) – 20%
GRID 2 – 60%
GRID 2 All-in-Pack – 60%
I’m gonna go listen to Rick and Morty’s DOTA 2 Announcer lines now, having never played or watched the game.
I posted earlier today (and updated), the Xbox Ultimate Summer Game Sale, but there’s also more Xbox Deals With Gold to discuss, Destiny rewarding their most dedicated fans, and some PAX news.
No new games were released, but they made up for it I guess by unloading a ton of sales.
Bungie Rewarding Dedicated Fans
Bungie has announced a special reward for first-year Destiny players who complete a certain set of challenges, called The Moments of Triumph, before September 9th. Some of the hardcore fans out there will have already completed some of these, as the data is being pulled retroactively, but here’s the list for those who want to strive for the exclusive emblem:
The Moments of Triumph are:
Apprentice of Light — Reach level 20
Light of the Garden — Finish the Black Garden mission
Light in the Soul — Finish The Dark Below story
Light of the Reef — Finish the House of Wolves story
Bane of Skolas — Defeat Prison of Elders on hard
Bane of Atheon — Finish the Vault of Glass raid on hard
Bane of Crota — Finish the Crota’s End raid on hard
Public Servant — Complete 50 public events
Crucible Gladiator — Win 100 Crucible matches
Chest Hunter — Find all 20 golden chests
PAX Prime 2015 – Kim Swift Prime’s Keynote speaker will be none other than Kim Swift, one of the creators of a little game called Portal.
Kim Swift is currently a Senior Game Designer at Amazon Game Studio and her resume shows she previously worked on another little game called Left 4 Dead, among others. She’ll be telling stories and sharing insights about her career.
PAX Prime runs from August 28-31. I’ll be at the event itself, and adding a section up top, as we near the event. So stick around for further coverage of the event.
E3 Game Critics Awards The Game Critics Awards results for E3 have been revealed, and I’ve chosen a few of the notable ones, shown below:
Best of Show – Fallout 4 (Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda)
Best Original Game – Horizon Zero Dawn (Guerrilla Games/SCE)
Best Console Game – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (Naughty Dog/SCE)
Best PC Game – Fallout 4 (Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda)
Best Action/Adventure Game – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (Naughty Dog/SCE)
Best Independent Game – No Man’s Sky (Hello Games/SCE)
Deals With Gold
Xbox One Lords of the Fallen – 60% Destiny Expansion Pass – 25% Destiny DLC I – The Dark Below – 25% Destiny DLC II – House of Wolves – 25%
Xbox 360 Monaco – 60% Kane & Lynch: Dead Men – 75% Kane & Lynch 2 – 80% Destiny Expansion Pass – 25% Destiny DLC I – The Dark Below – 25% Destiny DLC II – House of Wolves – 25%
Hopefully some more news tomorrow, but it’s definitely slowing down on the overall news front, and new releases as we hit the summer lulls. It’s all just sales while we wait for September, and then the holiday season.
This would probably be the time for me to start expanding the different features of the site, like articles, shorts, and E3 opinions. Or maybe play some games.
Well, we all know the big game this week, so lets jump right in.
Following the break, we have the new games and deals, and we’ll talk a little about the news and what we have coming later this week on the site.
Batman: Arkham Knight (Xbox One, PS4, PC) – The game is finally here, after only a few delays. Probably worth it. I posted the launch trailer yesterday, and I’ve been excited about this game for a while. It’s on order and will be arriving into my hands shortly, so I’ll be leaving my impressions soon. I don’t anticipate waiting on this game, letting it grow stale on my shelf like some undeserving others. 😥
Tales From the Borderlands: Episode 3 – Catch a Ride (PC, X360, PS3, PS4, Xbox One) – I really enjoyed Episode 1, and now that 3 is out, I should get started on Ep 2.
Dishonored 2’s Path Chosen To Go Dishonored 2 is another game high on my anticipation list, and will be added to the E3 page for ongoing opinions. Recently out of E3 was the announcement of a secondary female character. After about 20-30 minutes into the story playing as the new female, Emily, we’re given a choice of continuing as her, or doing the remainder of the game as Corvo. This change is permanent for the remainder of the story but doesn’t change the missions, just the perspective and commentary.
Deals with Gold and Spotlight Sale Xbox One The Crew and Season Pass each 50% off Evolve and Deluxe Edition each 50% off Wolfenstein Bundle 35-45% off
I’m currently playing through The Crew, and I’m really liking it. It’s everything I wanted for a social racer. The season pass, which includes 4 monthly car packs plus 2 exclusive cars, might now be worth it.
Evolve, unfortunately, I have not had a chance to try, save for PAX 2014 where I played the monster. Might be time to give it a shot now that it’s on sale. Maybe it’s too late though? This sale comes in time for The Hunting Season Pass 2.
Xbox 360 Ghost Recon: Future Soldier 75% off Splinter Cell Double Agent 75% off Grand Theft Auto V 58% off Grand Theft Auto IV 80% off Grand Theft Auto San Andreas 75% off Skyrim 60-66% off Fallout New Vegas 60-66% off Dishonored 60-66% The Evil Within 60-66% off
I’m currently working on adding new material to the E3 page as info continues to surface. I’ll also be working on a PAX Prime 2015 page for the convention in September, and a Extra Life page for the 24 hour video game marathon in November.
I’m continuing to play The Crew and Badland, and streaming those games on Twitch occasionally. I should have a Badland review up this week as the game is a hell of a lot of fun.
I also recently dropped back into Destiny, so I’ll be posting a little summary of the House of Wolves DLC and more info about Year 2 and The Taken King expansion.
Idly Playing the Waiting Game 