Two decades after the original, Ubisoft has now announced a Splinter Cell remake
- By Ash
- in News
In an announcement that came pretty much out of nowhere, Ubisoft has now revealed that they are working on a remake of the original Splinter Cell. While the details are still few and far between, Splinter Cell will be rebuilt from the ground up using the Snowdrop Engine (The Division games), all the while respecting the original's gameplay style and identity.
"A lot of time has passed since the original Splinter Cell, and even since the last sequel – enough time to miss an entire console generation", explains the developer update. "So now we're going to take the time to explore what this means for us, for light and shadow, for animation tech, for gameplay, AI, even audio."
Diablo 4's December preview offers a closer look at the itemization, progression and visual effects
- By Ash
- in News
[Update #2]: Diablo 4 will be launching on June 6th, 2023 with five classes: Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue and Sorceress.
[Update]: Diablo 4's March 2022 preview offers a detailed look at the environment and dungeon design.
While Diablo 4 has been delayed recently despite not even having a release date, the good news is that at least the quarterly developer updates are continuing as planned! So if you're interested in a peek behind the curtains of game development, this time around the focus is on the itemization, character progression, as well as the visual effects.
When it comes to the itemization, there are two important things to note. First of all, +Skill effects from Diablo 2 are coming back, and they will allow you to either gain a new skill or boost the power of one you already have. And to make Legendary items feel even more character-defining, you will be able to extract their power and slot them into other Rare or Legendary items, thus getting to keep the Legendary effect while still being able to replace outdated gear.
Northgard devs are working on a real-time 4X strategy game set in the Dune universe
- By Ash
- in News
[Update #2]: Shiro Games have finally announced a release date for Dune: Spice Wars - April 26th, 2022!
[Update]: The very first gameplay preview for Dune: Spice Wars has now been unleashed!
After proving themselves as capable RTS developers with the excellent Northgard, Shiro Games have now set their sights on something a bit more ambitious - a real-time 4X game. Set in Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, the recently announced Dune: Spice Wars will be all about using subterfuge, political intrigue, economic supremacy, and as is tradition, all-out warfare in order to expand and solidify your faction's hold on the desert planet.
While there is no gameplay preview available just yet, you can get a bit of an idea of the sort of tone Shiro Games are going for through the brief announcement trailer. Have a look:
After a decade of waiting, Alan Wake 2 is finally heading over to PC and consoles in 2023
- By Ash
- in News
[Update #2]: Alan Wake 2's launch has been pushed back until October 27th due to overcrowding.
[Update]: Despite already working on numerous new games, Remedy has now announced a brand new co-operative PvE shooter - Project Vanguard.
If after a decade of waiting you were starting to lose hope that Remedy would ever announce Alan Wake 2, I'm happy to say that I bring some good news! Not only has Remedy announced that they are working on Alan Wake 2 during the recent The Game Awards, but also that they are pouring absolutely everything they have into it!
While the details are still few and far between, you can expect an even greater focus on atmosphere and physiological horror elements. Here's a brief teaser trailer showing off what they mean:
Telltale Games are working on a story-driven series based on The Expanse TV show
- By Ash
- in News
After going through a bit of a rough period, and that's putting it lightly, it seems that Telltale Games have settled in nicely as they've just announced their second major project. This one will be a bit more futuristic, however, as it'll be a narrative-driven series based on The Expanse TV show.
"In the near future on the outskirts of the asteroid belt, a bloody mutiny breaks loose on the Artemis," reads the brief description. "You take the role of XO Camina Drummer, where your choices determine the fate of the ship. What will you do with the truth, Bosmang?"
Oxygen Not Included's very first expansion Spaced Out! has now arrived
- By Ash
- in News
After two years in development, the colony simulator Oxygen Not Included has just received its very first expansion - Spaced Out! As you would expect from the name alone, Spaced Out! brings with it the ability to explore the universe with improved and modular rockets, simultaneously manage multiple colonies on multiple planetoids, mess around with nuclear power and radiation, as well as hopefully tame a bunch of new space-critters.
If you're wondering what all of this might look like in actual gameplay, wonder no more as Klei have released a brief trailer highlighting just what Spaced Out! is all about. Have a peek:
Two decades later, the PlayStation anti-RPG moon: Remix RPG Adventure has now landed onto PC
- By Ash
- in News
If you're in the mood for a bit of a unique experience, you might want to check out the freshly released PC version of moon: Remix RPG Adventure - the 1997 PlayStation anti-RPG. It's essentially a deconstruction of classic RPG tropes where the focus is not on randomly killing everything before you for experience points, but rather trying to undo the catastrophic damage you've already done.
In order to do so you'll need to capture and save the souls of fallen monsters, befriend the various characters that occupy moon's world, and grow your character through the power of love. With all of that in mind, I'm sure it'll come as a massive surprise to hear that moon served as one of the inspirations for the excellent Undertale.