October 2020

UPDATE: While our initial focus was on the current-gen console versions of Watch Dogs: Legion, we've also spent time looking at the PC version too with Digital Foundry's PC specialist Alex Battaglia taking a good hard look at a hugely demanding game - a title that challenges mid-range rigs even without ray tracing enabled.

In this extended video, you'll get to see how the ray tracing features work, how they scale and how much of an impact they have on overall performance. You'll also get to see how much of an accelerant Nvidia's excellent DLSS implementation is for this title, plus we take a look at the settings available, how the key presets scale, and come up with our optimised settings for the best bang for the buck experience. It'll certainly be interesting to see how the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 versions compare to what's on offer here, and how performant they are by comparison.

Original story: Have we reached that time in the console generation where the machines start to show their limits - when developers are eagerly looking forward to the next generation? Back in 2013, prior to the release of Xbox One and PlayStation 4, titles emerged that clearly pushed too far, often resulting in poor performance. There's a decent argument that this is the case for Watch Dogs - at least on the standard vanilla Xbox One S. It's a technologically ambitious game that clearly has some performance issues, even with the arrival of a new patch. So, to what extent does the PlayStation 4 improve matters and can the enhanced machines clear up the issues? Or is this game so ambitious, we should wait to play it on PS5 and Xbox Series X?

Today Gearbox Publishing and Counterplay Games released a new teaser trailer and a new video of its upcoming game for PS5 and PC Godfall.

The trailer showcases another of the Valor Plate that can be used in the game, named Vertigo.

As usual, it’s quite short, but it’s a decednt look at what this insect-like armor looks like.

You can check it out below alongside a video sampling the soundtrack by Ben MacDougall, which will release digitally on November 13.

In every respect, Silent Hill 2 stands alone: in its crowded genre, in its long-dormant series, even in the medium of video games in general. Widely considered one of the greatest horror games of all time, critics have championed James Sunderland's descent into madness as one of the high-water marks for video games as an artform.

Armchair enthusiasts and YouTube analysts have scrutinized every inch of Silent Hill 2's dismal lakeside town for clues and symbols, and subsequent generations of horror games have imitated (and even parodied) its twists and tiny touches in equal measure. But while the classic series isn't getting much in the way of love from Konami these days, a team of more than a dozen die-hard Silent Hill fans have developed an alternate version of Silent Hill 2 that is one of the most impressive fan restoration projects we've yet seen. This unofficial patch grants the buggy, broken PC port of the game the superior sound, control, and visual effects of the original PS2 version while also allowing the game to be played at modern resolutions.

"Silent Hill 2 is loved by many and considered the example of a horror game done right," says one of the project's key contributors, who goes by the online handle Ratiocinator. "For most who play it for the first time, they quickly realize what makes it so special: The visuals and art direction, the atmosphere, otherworldly audio, character stories, and more. This is what makes the game so special to me and important to revisit to allow others to experience it on modern displays/hardware."

The Xbox Series X and Series S both launch on November 10, and Microsoft is planning a day of programming to celebrate. Depending on whether or not you were able to secure a preorder, it will either help you get more excited or make you angrier.

The event begins on November 10 at 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET, and it will be shown across the official Xbox YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Gaming channels. There will be Xbox Let's Play streams during the day, as well as charity drives and global "launch highlights," but there will not be a bunch of new game announcements. According to head of Xbox Phil Spencer, the company wants the focus to be on players enjoying their favorite games rather than looking ahead to the future.

With the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S right around the corner, people want to know what the launch lineup looks like for each system. As many have already discovered for themselves, the list of launch titles for both next-gen consoles is not exactly strong when it comes to new releases, but there is more to consider for these new consoles.

That is because Microsoft and Sony have taken new approaches to make this console transition much smoother and more seamless than before, thanks to backwards compatibility and free upgrade programs. For Microsoft specifically, it has also instigated a change in business practices to place less emphasis on exclusives and more of a focus on meeting customers wherever they are.

Backwards Compatibility

Starting with backwards compatibility, each next-generation platform will play thousands of games from the back catalog, and in many cases, older titles will perform better on the new machines thanks to their improved horsepower without any extra effort on the developer's part. Simply put, many games will look and perform better by virtue of being on the new machines.

VR support for upcoming PlayStation games is a little more confusing than we imagined. If you're looking forward to playing Hitman 3 in first-person to truly become Agent 47, you'll actually be doing it with the PS4 version of the game. Yes, even if you have a PS5.

Speaking to UploadVR, Sony explained that because the PlayStation VR headset acts as a backwards compatible unit on PS5, you need the PS4 version of Hitman 3 in order for it to work. The PS4 version includes a free next-generation upgrade if you play it on the newer console, so you should still be able to experience the enhanced visuals when outside VR. The entire "World of Assassination" trilogy is playable both in and out of VR.

It appears No Man's Sky will be doing something similar to achieve VR support on PS5, using the PS4 version of the game, though the enhanced power of the new console should at least improve loading times and performance.

From Software announced its dark fantasy role-playing game Elden Ring back at E3 2019, promising more open-ended design and a world created with George RR Martin's input. Since then, we've heard basically nothing about the game, and the developer knows fans are clamoring for more information.

As part of a thread mentioning the new content update for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, From Software acknowledged players' enthusiasm for Elden Ring. It also might be begging for us all to chill for a while as the developers work on the game.

Elden Ring will be a return to role-playing gameplay after the action-adventure focus of Sekiro, but it looks like it will be a bigger game than the Dark Souls series. Sekiro also had more direct storytelling than some of the studio's past games, which could be the case with Elden Ring because of Martin's involvement. However, we don't expect the game to lose From Software's tendency toward environmental and contextual narrative.

League of Legends has been among the most popular games in the world for several years, and it has managed to do it without appearing on consoles. However, that is going to change next year--kind of. Ruined King: A League of Legends Story comes to consoles and PC in 2021, and it offers a single-player role-playing experience to expand the world of Runeterra and introduce it to new players.

Launching early next year on PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch, with Xbox Series X, Series S, and PS5 versions to follow a short time after with cross-buy, Ruined King is being developed by Airship Syndicate. The studio most recently created the underrated Darksiders Genesis, and the game uses a turn-based battle system that should be familiar to RPG fans. Before Darksiders Genesis, Airship Syndicate created Battle Chasers: Nightwar, which paid homage to classic RPG dungeon-exploration and turn-based combat. This is very encouraging for Ruined King's prospects.

You'll form a part with several champions from the main League of Legends game, including Braum, Yasuo, Ahri, Pyke, and Miss Fortune. It features two different regions--Bilgewater and Shadow Isles--and the story focuses on a "corrupt and mysterious enemy."

Last week, Microsoft announced an option to recast Marcus Fenix in Gears 5 as former-wrestler Dave Bautista. Taking a celebrity and dropping them into a video game is sort of OUR thing, so it felt right to ask you all to do just that with Bautista.

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A Demon Slayer Festival fan event is taking place in Japan on February 13-14, 2021, at the Makuhari Messe.

The post Demon Slayer Festival Announced, Set for February 13-14, 2021 appeared first on Siliconera.

Genshin Impact is killing it financially and it looks like there are no signs of it letting up anytime soon. To that end, developer miHoYo has shared more plans for the upcoming November 11 update (1.1), as well as PS5 compatibility (with "improved graphics and faster load times"). So far, it's all good news.

Although it was a shoo-in already, miHoYo shared publicly that the game will be backward compatible on the PS5: functionality that that will be added in patch 1.1. It'll also kick off the first seasonal event (Unreconciled Stars), as well as provide a new main storyline chapter finale (Liyue), four new characters and a city reputation system.

Since the characters are what matters to a lot of people, you can find artwork of them in the gallery below: but let's also go through them together really quick. Childe (five stars) is a "hydro archer," Zhongli (five stars) will utilize a geo polearm. Xinyan (four stars) and Dioana (four stars) have also been teased. As far as what the Unreconciled Stars event entails, it'll allow people to take on new quests during a two-week period and potentially earn the four-star character Fischl.

It's a massive update. The new story bits should sate casual fans, while the city reputation system and the thrill of event rewards will keep hardcore players logged on: especially if they get to play from the comfort of their new PS5.

Today Sega released a new trailer of its popular MMORPG Phantasy Star Online 2 related to the Japanese version of the game.

To be precise, the trailer features content that has been added to the game with an update, including the “Senran Shinobi Dance” AC Scratch.

This focuses on the popular heroine of the Senran Kagura series. At the moment the AC scratch is, of course, not available in the west, but hopefully it’ll come soon enough.

You can check out the trailer below.

Phantasy Star Online 2 is available in the west for Xbox One and PC while the Japanese version is available for PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. A few months ago, we heard that the western version enjoyed a “strong start” and that it passed one million players.

You can also check out content just announced for Japan and likely coming west down the line.

It’s no giant Joe Biden hologram, but Fortnite has gotten a Biden/Harris-themed Creative island days before the US election. “Build Back Better With Biden” features mini-game challenges, easter eggs about the candidates, and voting information. Like everything about 2020, it’s more depressing than inspiring, but it’s…

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The Xbox Series X Funimation App will allow you to continue your viewing activities uninterrupted.

The post Funimation Xbox Series X App Will Be Available at Launch appeared first on Siliconera.

Death end re;Quest 2 stands out as a fine time to spend if you're inside this Halloween weekend.

The post Death end re;Quest 2 Is a Perfect Halloween Surprise If You Go in Blind appeared first on Siliconera.

Publisher Hamster is getting retro in more ways than one this week, as the next entry in the huge Arcade Archives catalog is not only a classic '90s arcade title, but even also a period piece! Now available to download on Nintendo Switch, Jaleco's 64th Street: A Detective Story is back to brawl.

Originally released in arcades in 1991, 64th Street was one of an absolute tidal wave of scrolling brawlers that hit the market following the success of Capcom's Final Fight. Featuring typical street walking, head-cracking mayhem, 64th Street had the unique gimmick of setting its narrative in a bizarrely mish-mashed time period, which features a 1930s aesthetic alongside 1980s fashions, akin to Walter Hill's rock 'n' roll fable Streets of Fire, which itself was an alleged influence on Final Fight.

Check out the action in the video below, courtesy of YouTuber World of Longplays.

Aerosoft released a new trailer of its upcoming Cologne/Bonn airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

As usual, the quality appears really high, as usual for Aerosoft’s products.

As someone who has been to the airport quite a few times, it’s instantly recognizable.

Actually, I got a bit misty eyes, since this year I couldn’t go to Cologne for Gamescom as I have done every year for a long time. I guess the simulator will have to do, at least until next summer’s edition of the event.

During an event a few days ago, the developers shared a lot of details about future plans, talked about the success of the simulator defining it as a “thriving platform,” and detailed the upcoming world update focusing on the United States.

Star Citizen developer Cloud Imperium Games has dropped new videos focusing on some interesting aspects of the growing space simulator.

The first video focuses on showcasing the work being done to improve various aspects of the interface, on top of an early look at the prototype of the resource management system.

The second video, starring among others CIG founder Chris Roberts, focuses on discussing death and consequences in the future of Star Citizen.

On top of that, we learn that this year’s Intergalactic Aerospace Expo will start on November 20 and will end on December 3.

This year it’ll be hosted on Microtech’s capital city of New Babbage. Each day a new set of ships from a different manufacturer will be on show, and anyone will be able to play with them for free regardless of backer status and pledges.

It’s another chance for those who are still on the fence about Star Citizen to try the current build of the game and see if it’s worth their time and money, and for those who have tried it a long time ago to see the progress made by the development team.

You can check out all the videos below.

Square Enix released a brand new video showing off the beautiful collector’s edition coming for NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…

While the video comes from Japan, the “White Snow Edition” will be available in the west as well.

You can check out what it looks like below.

In case you missed it, the White Snow Edition of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… comes with the following.

Happy Halloween everyone! And, if you are reading this after Halloween, then much merriment and good wishes to whatever you are doing. That said, we have a lot to talk about this week! First, Giant Bomb has published an article announcing its plans for Extra Life 2020. You will find a link to the announcement article below. Be aware, the Extra Life team is open for people to join RIGHT NOW! The team captain position is in the process of being switched, and I will keep you posted when the transition happens. Also, in terms of the Spotlight this week, HOLY SHIT, we have a TON of artwork to review and share! So, with that in mind, let's jump into it!

Nothing can stop N7 day, just as surely as nothing can stop November 7th. Oh, wait, I just got it.

The post Mark Meer and Other Voice Actors to Participate in Mass Effect N7 Day Event appeared first on Siliconera.

Kirby is one of those franchises that kind of sneaks up and surprises you when you least expect it.

Every so often Nintendo will be like "hey, there's a new Kirby game coming out soon, buy it!" It seems to sell well enough to warrant them doing that every few years, whether it's a spinoff, a spinoff of a spinoff, or a mainline entry.

Kirby Fighters 2 is another spinoff in a long line of them; but it doesn't really do anything drastic enough to warrant anyone turning their head.

Pokemon’s world can be cute and friendly due to its animal-like creatures that inhabit the world alongside humans. But instead of keeping them as pets as we do, people in the Pokemon universe treat them as equals.

But not everything is all cute and cuddly in the land of Pokemon. There are many instances where the games and anime have gotten incredibly serious and dark.

What’s mostly a family-friendly franchise doesn’t always shy away from things like death, disease, and other real-world issues. Here are some unsettling things in the Pokemon universe to make you think twice about these cute creatures.

Some people say a character in it looks like Ashley Tisdale. They're absolutely right because it absolutely does.

The post The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes Trailer Included in Little Hope appeared first on Siliconera.