Resident Evil 6 on Switch features the brilliant Mercenaries mode — it’s available right from the start of the game. Here’s how to unlock Helena Harper, the first bonus character, in that mode:
The rank required to unlock characters in all other versions of Resident Evil 6 is a B, but in the Switch version, it’s a D. I believe this is because the bonus costumes are available as extra rewards at higher ranks.
Curious!
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There are now 30 characters in Mario Tennis Aces on Nintendo Switch, each with their own signature Special Shot.
16 characters were available at launch, and 14 characters were made available later on in the game. Special Shots are activated with the L button once your gauge is fully charged. I particularly enjoyed discovering these new ultra moves.
Here’s every single one of them:
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Running in Switch’s docked mode, this is the official The Dark Crystal game based on the hit Netflix series (and film). Solid performance overall.
Final Fantasy Tactics meets the world of Thra?
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“Urgh, oh tis a friendly face I see.
“I am Jack Boyles, and I am losing my… my humanity, I am Turning Hollow.
“At what point doth stop? Doth stop when there are not enough souls to be had? Doth stop when there is not enough originality? At what point doth stop?
“The endless amounts of sequels, spin off’s and franchises that occupy the gaming landscape is getting absurd. As the years go by we see less new IPs, instead we see the annual franchise, unnecessary sequels, remasters or remakes. Originality has been loss in the well of greed and like I, these publishers are Turning Hollow. Loosing their purpose from devouring too many souls… Tis all our fault.
“The annual franchises play on our subconsciousness. In age of instant gratification and entitlement, we must hath the new thing despite us knowing in our hearts, tis a reskin, and nothing much has changed we’ll still go and purchase it. ‘But why?’ thou may be thinking. Why are we compelled to purchase this game that’s no different from last year’s edition? Why are we drawn to the same game when we complain that we bored of that experience? The fear of Isolation. Ugh. The fear that thy companion will hath that game and ye missing out, the fear of everyone talking about it and thee being left out, that fear, that fear of thee, not belonging, that fear of isolation; that’s what compels thee.
“So, thou buy the game, everyone else has it, and because thou now feel thee belong, ye are happy, are all together and connecting. Tis that fear of isolation that brought thee all to that place and the sense of belonging feeds the dopamine thy brain needs to keep thou playing and keeps thou buying.
“Success drives industry, I understand that, but success doesn’t mean it needs to produce more. Stories are best left as they are, they are complete and tackle their themes with a satisfying conclusion, therefore no need to hath a sequel. Ohh, ugh. This is taking a level of maturity that most publishers or developers hath not yet understood from the barrage of sequels. For example, The Last of Us released to critical and commercial success, a singular story that deals with it’s theme of parenthood and children developing their independence. But that’s not enough, that’s not enough for publisher, tis not enough for the developer and not enough for those people who just want another one, all because the first one was good and instead of holding on to the original they risk that original being perverted; look at the Matrix.
“I am not saying all Franchises are bad, and there should never be a Franchise again. I am a Nintendo fan and they doth nothing but Franchises but what Nintendo typically doth is add a new mechanic or change the game so tis familiar but fresh. Ahh, haha. The issue is more and more franchises are just churning out what is essentially the same game… tis becoming expectable for that to happen.
“Many other practitioners in other creative industries know when one is enough, they… they know there is no need for a sequel, they close the lid and allow that one piece of art to speak for itself and in the process makes the piece timeless. So why can’t the videogame industry do the same? Is it possible for a game to be a blockbuster and just end there?
“Uh oh, what was I saying, oh yes…
“But tis our fault, we allow these hollow forms to protest for more and more. We doth not say why doth thou want another? What purpose will it serve? Thou should ask one’s self these questions next time they enjoy a new IP and if thou doth not hath a substantial answer to this, ask thou self again; does it need a sequel? Then maybe once great games will not erode in quality by the passing of time.
“Chosen Undead, remember when Halo meant something, I do. Haha.”
Jack Boyles takes a look at Retimed —
We are more connected now as a species than ever before. Technology has made it possible to communicate with people all across the world by the mere tapping of keys; we can video call someone like we are in some ’80s sci-fi movie and we can take photos with instant results viewed by millions in the palm of our hand.
Yet have we never been so isolated, using these devices as our primary source of communication, locked away and pretending to be people we are not.
We need to escape the clutches of our self-imprisonment connect with people face to face.
Team Maniax knows the importance of getting together and having fun with their game ‘Retimed’. It’s a local multiplayer arena shooter up to 2-4 players where you can generate a bubble that slows down time. But is this just a simple mechanic used as a gimmick or is there more to this idea?
Maniax have gone for a great art style here – the sole purpose is to capture the childlike play and fun of the game. It’s the character design here that lends it an attitude and personality without the characters showing their traits. Using character anatomy and clothing as an illusion of characteristic; this of course isn’t a bad thing, it’s a very good and smart thing to do.
Level designs are simple with a few platform areas contained in a relatively small space, though it’s enough to manoeuvre around the map for tactical advantage.
However, it’s the mixture of pace that brings excitement while playing. Your character can slide and dash in the air and that makes traversing the map very fluid. When you mix the element of the time bubble, the game can contrast so quickly it looks you’re in a Zen-like state. Retimed implements its time bubble perfectly, allowing you to focus, use it as a dodging mechanic and as an offensive technique too.
The game feel here is a highlight; it just feels good to play. Combined with the level design, you can quickly feel like you’re a pro when, in fact, you are still a novice.
That’s not to say everything about the game is perfect. Personally, I feel like you don’t get enough bullets, or sometimes, even the opposite, the bullets don’t spawn quickly enough, there was just a sense of emptiness at times.
All in all, this game is a great multiplayer experience to play with friends or family. To rekindle time spent together and to shout, laugh and just enjoy your time spent with someone. Releasing on the Switch (later on PC), it’s a perfect game to sit alongside the family.
So put the social media away.
The Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda, yes, that’s the full title, is out now.
Developed by Brace Yourself Games, the indie roguelike combines the rhythm-based movement and fighting mechanics with gameplay elements of earlier titles in the Zelda series.
Members of the Sonic Mania art team developed the pixel art style:
The first Crypt of the NecroDancer was both brutal and addictive. The sequel will be aiming to provide that again with the boosted appeal of Zelda.
It’s available from the eShop for £22.49.
A remake of Panzer Dragoon was one of the more left-field announcements at Nintendo’s E3 Direct.
Originally released in 1995 on the Sega Saturn, the title received critical acclaim, with one critic at the time saying:
‘It orchestrates incredible story animation with brilliant, 3D flight graphics to create what is, basically, the ultimate evolution of Space Harrier.’
Now we have a second gameplay trailer to look at:
The premise: on a far, lone planet, you encounter two dragons awakened from the ancient times. Armed with a deadly gun from the past, and the guidance of your armored blue dragon, you must fulfill your destiny and keep the Prototype Dragon from reaching the Tower or die trying.
Developed by MegaPixel Studio, arcade shooter Panzer Dragoon will be released on Switch this winter.
Weird and wacky news at Nintendo’s E3? How about Samuel L. Jackson calling out the retired Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime?
Twitch streamer Myth and Samuel L. Jackson did just that and called out Reggie for not being available to ‘kick ass and take names’ at E3 this year.
Game journalist Geoff Keighley was reponsible for setting it up. You can see it here:
Since @reggie can’t make it to #e3 I asked @samuelljackson and @TSM_Myth to come kick some ass. See you Sunday for our biggest, craziest @youtube Live at E3 yet! Set reminder: https://t.co/C85k2nwNlE pic.twitter.com/vCckA8neqU
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) June 8, 2019
Reggie said in response: ‘WHAT! This cat is bad mother… shut my mouth! Thanks for the call out @SamuelLJackson and @TSM_Myth I’ll be watching, @geoffkeighley.’
Fils-Aime left Nintendo in April this year and was replaced by Doug Bowser — something Nintendo themselves had fun with during their E3 Direct.
Don’t mess with Nick Fury.
Mech action game DAEMON X MACHINA received a new trailer at Nintendo’s E3 Direct, including some screenshots and artwork.
First up, you can find that trailer here:
Each ‘Arsenal’ in the game can be equipped with different weapons on its arms and shoulders, as well as reserve weaponry on its back that can be swapped out during battle.
The new screenshots and artwork can be found below:
DAEMON X MACHINA is coming from Kenichiro Tsukuda (Armored Core) and mech designer Shoji Kawamori (Super Dimensional Fortress Macross).
You’ll be able to pick it up September 13th on Switch.
Alisa Hail takes a look at some intriguing indies showcased at E3 —
Indie games are becoming a more important part of the gaming industry, certainly, as AAA titles become ever more expensive to make, and as studios have had to trim down staff, and therefore, the number of top tier titles they produce in a given cycle.
E3 has always been a stronghold for the powerhouse players in the industry, with little room for independent developers simply due to the cost of a booth on the show floor.
However, thanks to content creators and presenters such as Kinda Funny Games, indie developers have started breaking into gaming’s biggest and most anticipated show over the past couple of years.
This year Kinda Funny showcased 60 games during their online showcase, with some selected for demonstration on the showroom floor.
You can watch the showcase in its entirety by clicking on the video at the bottom of this article. But here are five we personally anticipate.
Everyone knows the best parts of any action adventure, Zelda-like game is making your way through the dungeons. UnderMine is a roguelike that lets you delve deeper and deeper into the mysteries of the mines all while gathering gold, unlocking secrets, and maybe even meeting a few friends along the way.
You will discover potions, curses, and other relics to assist you in making the perfect run and finally defeating the boss. UnderMine is slated for release this summer on PC and is currently in Steam Early Access.
Stone Shard is a procedurally-generated turn-based RPG with modern RPG elements. You can combine your hero’s skills to create your individual play style. Align yourself with powerful factions to decide the fate of the kingdom, or gain a god’s favour and with it some of their divine power. Of course, as a leader, you aren’t the only person for which you will be responsible.
Protect yourself and your selected caravan from disease and even the onset of insanity. In the medieval landscapes of Iron Shard, death comes easily. But, no matter. You simply build a new hero and carry on. Stone Shard is slated for release this year for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and will arrive soon in Steam Early Access.
As humans spend more and more time in the digital world, one has to question what might happen if the human soul and technology were ever to actually become intertwined. Lucifer Within Us by Kitfox posits this very premise, presenting a tale of A.I. daemons and digital exorcism all housed within an alternative existence wherein the technological is smoothly incorporated into a religious worldview.
As a digital exorcist, it is your job to interview suspects and discover their past or psychological state. Only then can you uncover what form of malicious A.I. is currently sharing their body so it can be cast out. Lucifer Within Us is slated for release this year for PC. You can find out more on the official site.
Nothing is ever as it seems, or so the saying goes. While that certainly applies to many things it life, it is apt advice for playing though developer Pillow Castle’s puzzle game Superliminal. Each challenge will test your perception using optical illusions to create fascinating brainteasers. Check out the video to see exactly what we mean.
Superliminal is slated to launch soon. You can sign up for the mailing list for more info.
Have you ever imaged finding yourself in a forgotten world wherein you have the freedom to wander as you please learning about its past and taking in all the beauty of its sights and sounds?
Lost Ember allows you to take the form of different animals as you embark on a journey guided by a former resident of the culture that inhabited a now fallen civilization. Uncover the mystery behind the downfall and how your guide played into that unhappy piece of history.
Lost Ember will release on July 19, 2019, on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.
Kinda Funny Games shined the limelight on several exciting and unique titles making it difficult to pick only a few.
You can find everything from gravity-defying puzzle platformers like Etherborn to games like After Party wherein you must out drink the devil to escape from Hell. From Metroidvania types to multiplayer battles, you can find something in the showcase for you. This is why we love indie games and why we look forward to seeing more at E3 next year.
A new trailer shown at Nintendo’s E3 Direct has revealed some extra characters coming to Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order on Switch.
We get to see Ghost Rider, Elsa Bloodstone and Elektra who join a massive playable roster, including:
The new E3 trailer, shown during the Direct, can be seen below:
Will it be ropey, reasonable or remarkable? We’ll find out soon — Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is out July 19th, 2019.
Rare’s Banjo and Kazooie will be joining Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as part of the planned DLC this year. The historic pair were shown off along with Dragon Quest’s Hero at Nintendo’s E3 Direct.
Banjo and Kazooie both debuted on the N64 in 1998’s critically acclaimed Banjo and Kazooie. Rare’s partnership with Microsoft would have, at one stage, made the inclusion feel all but impossible:
Dragon Quest’s character called ‘The Hero‘ will also make an appearance — including the protagonists from Dragon Quest 3, 4 and 8:
When are they released? Banjo and Kazooie are out autumn 2019, while The Hero joins at some point this summer.