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Predator: Hunting Grounds coming to PS5 and Xbox Series consoles in 2024

by: Jason -

Asymmetrical multiplayer game Predator: Hunting Grounds is coming to current-gen hardware later this year, more than four years since its original launch. Developer IllFonic announced that it would be making the jump to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in late 2024, which will also be the game’s Xbox platform debut. Originally published by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2020, IllFonic has acquired the publishing rights for Predator: Hunting Grounds from Sony, paving the way for the 1v4 title to join team green.

In addition to the announcement of current-gen versions, the developer also revealed they are working with 20th Century Games to bring new content to the game in 2024 and 2025, beginning with an update in April that reworks player movement and other improvements. There are at least two additional Predator drops planned in Winter of 2024 and Spring of 2025.

It’s been years since I dabbled in Predator: Hunting Grounds, but I’m a big fan of IllFonic’s shooter Arcadegeddon and how they utilized the PS5’s DualSense controller for that, so I’m excited to see what they can do with Predator on current hardware.

Become Gaia and saved a doomed earth in One Last Breath

by: Elliot -

When you call your game an eco-horror puzzle platformer, at the very least, I’m going to take a look at your trailer. One Last Breath is a game about the earth goddess Gaia’s quest to restore life to a post-apocalyptic earth. It’s her job to get earth back on track to restoration, but decades of pollution and greed have turned the land into a hostile ruin complete with deadly aberrations at every turn. “We’ve created a game that tackles real issues facing humanity, while also reminding players that we can still enact change. Today is a memorable day for us as our first game is out. We can’t wait for players to experience it, and start their journey to heal the planet as Gaia,” says Daniel Valdes, CEO at Maniac Panda Games. I get a lot of similar vibes from other popular 2.5D side-scrolling titles that feature dark, grim, dystopian-like lands.

Gaia’s powers allow her to control the environment. You can create paths using tree trunks or summon vines to hang between gaps to help solve puzzles. Throughout her journey, Gaia will visit abandoned factories and polluted landscapes crawling with mutants. One Last Breath comes with an alternate ending, so exploring everything is a must if you want to truly uncover the truth about humanity’s fate and future. One Last Breath is out digitally on Steam, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Physical versions for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch will be launching later this year.

TopSpin 2K25 serves up first look at gameplay

by: Jason -

We are less than one month from the launch of TopSpin 2K25, a return of the popular tennis sim franchise 13 years in the making. To mark the milestone yesterday, 2K shared a new gameplay trailer highlighting some of the game’s key features. For starters, several of the playable real-life pros will pack their own custom swing and serve animations thanks to motion capture tech, though the facial scans are a bit uncanny valley. Not every pro will have their signature animations at launch, but more will be added with each post-launch season.

Whether hitting your forehand, backhand, or serve, timing is key in TopSpin. A new timing meter will determine the quality of your shots, with perfect shots executed by pressing a swing button in the green timing window. I don’t know of a sports game on earth that doesn’t have a timing mechanic of some sort, but this one appears to be particularly fluid.

Court physics and environments have also received a big glow up in the decade-plus since the last entry in the series. Clay courts have sliding physics and kick up dust as players move across them, while grass courts show visual wear as your progress through a tournament.

Also tucked away in a new 2K blog post are notes that the game will include 48 playable venues, all modeled from the ground up, as well as four confirmed game modes – exhibition, MyCareer, World Tour and 2K Tour. You can read all about it on the game’s website, or check out the new gameplay trailer below. Of what we've seen so far, I would say that TopSpin 2K25 is holding serve.

Two More Characters confirmed for Double Dragon Gaiden FREE DLC

by: joseph -

Maximum Entertainment just announced that two more characters are on their way to Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, via free DLC. In a shocking reveal (to me), the two characters are Chin Sei Mei, and Sonny Lee, who may or may not be the third Dragon Brother. Maybe we'll get more of a story on him in this latest version of Double Dragon. Both made their debuts in Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone. Maybe I should probably play it for my Games N Moorer channel. 

April 5th is the date when owners of the game get 3 new characters, online co-op, a versus mode, a new difficulty mode, and a survival. All for the free. Now go whoop some 199X butt, now with your less toxic online buddies. 

A Twisted Path to Renown takes survival extraction shooters to the Wild West

by: Jason -

Ukrainian developer Game Labs announced today that its hardcore online PvEvP extraction-based survival MMO first-person shooter (what a mouthful) A Twisted Path to Renown is releasing on Steam later this year. It boasts a genre-blending survival shooter experience with a detailed crafting system, FPS mechanics, and player-to-player economy set in the American Wild West. On the surface, it looks like Hunt: Showdown meets Red Dead Online, which could be quite interesting. Have a look at some other key features and a short teaser trailer:

Key Features:

  • A realistic and immersive 1899 United States setting, complete with period-accurate weapons, attire, and environments.

  • An authentic weaponry experience, offering guns replicating the real-world physics and mechanics of historical firearms.

  • Detailed survival elements require players to manage their character's needs, from hunger and hydration to rest and recovery.

  • An expansive crafting system that allows players to create a wide range of items, from food to weapons, using resources gathered through combat, hunting, and trade.

  • Advanced AI that adapts and reacts to player actions, creating a dynamic and challenging gameplay experience.

  • Rich player-driven economics empower players to trade goods and resources with one another to shape the in-game market.

Acolyte of the Altar combines deck building with boss slaying

by: Rob -

The press release for Acolyte of the Altar describes it as a roguelike inspired by a mashup of Magic: The Gathering and Shadow of the Colossus. I gotta admit, that's some excellent company to keep. Acolyte of the Altar is a deckbuilding game, hence the Magic comparison but also incorporates a core mechanic of using that deck to take down epic bosses like Colossus. It looks really neat and the only thing holding me back from a review is the fact my hard drive died on my PC some time ago and I've still not gotten around to fixing it. That's the only drawback I see from this distance - the fact the game is PC only and not yet ported over to other devices or consoles where I'd love to play a hand or two. 

But what you have is a deckbuilding game where you try and match card synergies to maximize your own output. Work quickly though, because all while the bosses are becoming more enraged, and more powerful, over time. Once at max capacity the bosses cna consume your own creatures on the board and counterattack your spells. It seems a really interesting element to add a type of rush timer to the encounter. 

There are over 100 cards to tackle 20 unique bosses that can be de-limbed to limit their abilities. The game does present as a roguelike with randomly generated floors while building your deck and those limbs you stole can be offered the "the Patron" to unlock further rewards. After you run the gauntlet and beat the game, there is also a challenge mode to keep your interest held. You can find the game, and a free demo, over on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2288880/Acolyte_of_the_Altar/ 

F-Zero Maximum Velocity speeds onto Switch Online

by: Jeremy -

Nintendo has announced that one of the all-time great GBA titles is hitting Switch Online later this week: F-Zero Maximum Velocity!

The game launches on the service on March 29, 2024, and puts players back in the driver’s seat for some of the most insane races in the galaxy. The game is set 25-years after the original (story-wise) and introduced players to an entirely new cast of characters.

Between the return of this title and the release of F-Zero 99 previously, I hope that I am not getting my hopes up in seeing Nintendo’s renewed interest in this franchise. Although I can certainly appreciate the re-release of the older title(s) on the Switch Online service, we NEED a new F-Zero title on the Switch. I’d even settle for a high-def port of GX!

Planet Zoo is out today on consoles

by: Jason -

After four years on PC, Frontier Developments zoo simulation Planet Zoo has arrived on consoles, releasing today on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles for $49.99. With all that time having passed, the console version includes years’ worth of updates and new content baked right in. Four modes are included – career, franchise, challenge, and sandbox. The one that has my curiosity is franchise mode, which lets you build a connected network of zoos that operate together.

The standard edition of the game includes over 70 animal species, each with its own animations and behavior patterns to learn and accommodate. As a proper management game, Planet Zoo also lets you unleash your creativity by building animal habitats and structures as your heart sees fit.

This one looks like a time thief, folks. Check out the console launch trailer below, and check back in the coming days for a full review from yours truly.

Hack n’ slash Go Fight Fantastic! Out now on Steam

by: Elliot -

You and up to two of your friends can now jump into Go Fight Fantastic! Led by your space dog Captain Bowie players will traverse the six-chapter story mode to help save the Bird Planet from alien invasion, Beside the story you and friends can test your skills in the horde mode, an endless arena. For me, the hand-drawn art is reason enough to give this one a try. “Go Fight Fantastic! is our love letter to Saturday morning cartoons; full of bright colors, quirky characters, punchy action, and a lovable team,” said Alexander Benitez, CEO at Kinda Brave Entertainment. “With Go Fight Fantastic! we wanted to capture the wonder of a ragtag group of space travelers embarking on an expedition to a strange alien world, while also invoking that feeling you’d get from playing a classic beat-’em-up at the arcade in the 90s - only now with much crisper hand-drawn graphics that look like how we pictured these games in our imagination.”

Each of Go Fight Fantastic's four playable characters has a unique skill set and playstyle, representing the Tank, Healer, Striker, and Archer classes. Every playthrough promises fresh experiences. Dynamic randomization helps to give off diverse landscapes, enemy encounters, and upgrade options. Go Fight Fantastic! on PC via Steam for $14.99. The game is currently 10% off through April 5.

Stellar Blade demo coming soon

by: Nathan -

On the fence about Stellar Blade? Good news as the game is getting a demo and will be releasing later this week. 

The demo will release on March 28th and all of your progress from the demo will carry over into the full release of the game. 

This game gives off major Nier: Automata vibes to me so I am very interested and am happy this is getting a demo. In fact, I am really happy to see demos making a comeback in general, especially ones that carry your progress over to the actual game. 

Stellar Blade launches on April 26th for PS5.