Game Informer

On this episode of From Panel to Podcast, we dive into last week's comic books, offering our top picks and what to avoid. As always, we conclude the episode with a look ahead to what you can purchase this week.

If you would like to follow us on Twitter: Andrew Reiner (@Andrew_Reiner) and Philip Hoff (@bnow23).

From Panel to Podcast is a weekly show created by two lifelong comic book readers who offer suggestions on which comic books you should be reading each week. Each episode also dives into the latest developments for comics in video games, movies, and television shows. We'll even discuss comic book collectibles and anything we think you should know about that pertains to this entertainment medium.

Be sure to subscribe to From Panel to Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. The show is available on Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Following the rocky and bug-filled launch of Battlefield 2042 last year, EA announced that Respawn’s Vince Zampella was named as the head of the Battlefield franchise amidst wider franchise changes that include the creation of a Battlefield universe. Then, a few months later, EA announced that its next Battlefield game had entered pre-production using “valuable lessons” learned from Battlefield 2042. 

While exactly what the next Battlefield game is remains confirmed, a new Battlefield-centric blog post from chief experience officer of EA Byron Beede and the Battlefield team sheds new light on a possibility. The next game might be a narrative-focused one set in the Battlefield universe. 

God of War Ragnarök comes with a whopping 60-plus accessibility options, from auto-sprinting down muddy roads to noticeable direction indicators for combat sequences. Above all, a deeper level of customization lets players fine-tune their own wintry apocalypse. PlayStation enthusiasts might recognize the phrase “Play has no limits” from a string of ads. Ragnarök’s lead UX designer, Mila Pavlin, echoed the same sentiments and voiced her dedication to centering players of all walks of life. “This is a fantasy epic,” Pavlin says. “This is about a father and son. This is about fate and the Nine Realms. And the ability to go into that, regardless of your background, and be able to experience all this rich detail and history and story? That drives me every day.”

All of the new heroes coming to Overwatch 2 will not be immediately playable at launch, and that's because you'll need to unlock them on the free track of the game's battle pass. 

Overwatch commercial leader and vice president of Blizzard Jon Spector revealed this on Twitter last night following leaks and rumors that stated the new heroes would need to be unlocked in the battle pass, which is a paid premium pass that rewards players for leveling up through it akin to passes seen in Fortnite and other games. That's partly true in that yes, new heroes will need to be unlocked through the battle pass but Spector clarified on Twitter that those heroes will be on the free track of the battle pass. 

"Addressing some incomplete info posted early about our Overwatch 2 Battle Pass – we'll be sharing all details ahead of launch, but want to confirm that new Overwatch 2 heroes will be available on the free track of the Battle Pass." 

Addressing some incomplete info posted early about our Overwatch 2 Battle Pass – we'll be sharing all details ahead of launch, but want to confirm that new Overwatch 2 heroes will be available on the free track of the Battle Pass.

Amazon Games revealed last year that its in-development MMO set in the world of The Lord of the Rings had been canceled as the team had "been unable to secure terms to proceed with the title at this time." 

This followed reports that stated the cancelation was due to contract negotiations surrounding the franchise following Tencent's acquisition of Leyou Technologies Holdings Ltd., a company Amazon Games was working with on this game. Amazon Games president Christoph Hartmann recently shed light on this series of events in a new interview with GameSpot, citing that things got "very complicated" following the acquisition. 

"We had a deal with a Hong Kong-based company, Leyou; I think it would have been great to work with them," Hartmann told the publication. "But they later got sold to Tencent and it just got very complicated." 

<p><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2022/09/07/babe63b5/cod.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Call of Duty PlayStation 3 years xbox exclusive" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>Microsoft announced in January that <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/01/18/microsoft-and-xbox-acquire-activision-blizzard" target="_blank">it was moving to acquire Activision Blizzard for a colossal $68.7 billion</a>, making it far and away the most expensive acquisition in gaming history. Now, of course, regulators like the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority and the U.S.’&nbsp;FTC must approve of this, and those investigations are ongoing. But suppose all goes according to Microsoft’s plan. In that case, the company will own Activision Blizzard, the publisher and developer behind Call of Duty, Overwatch, World of Warcraft, and more, by the spring or summer of 2023.&nbsp;</p> <p>Shortly after the company announced its plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/01/21/xbox-head-phil-spencer-confirms-intent-to-keep-call-of-duty-on-playstation-after" target="_blank">Xbox head Phil Spencer confirmed his company’s intent</a> “to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation” following the purchase.

<p><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2022/09/07/c357751c/grimgrimoire_oncemore_trailer_1.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>Before Vanillaware made its name with titles like 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Dragon’s Crown, it found early success with a little game called GrimGrimoire. The side-scrolling strategy title garnered a cult following&nbsp;when it hit the PlayStation 2 in&nbsp;2007, but it got another shot in the spotlight this year with the Japanese launch of GrimGrimoire OnceMore in July. Now we know when players in the U.S. and Europe get to experience Lillet’s spellbinding adventure again or for the first time.&nbsp;</p> <p>GrimGrimoire OnceMore comes to the west in Spring 2023 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch. The game stars Lillet Blan, a witch-in-training who attends the famed Tower of Silver Star magic school, where things have gone awry. It’s up to her to uncover its dark secrets in an adventure that unfolds over a repeating five-day cycle.

<p><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2022/09/06/8c48b28c/_thegishow_620.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="God Of War Ragnarök" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>After a two-week break, <em>The Game Informer Show</em> returns full force after host Alex Van Aken traveled&nbsp;throughout Europe for <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/search?keyword=gamescom+2022" target="_blank">Gamescom 2022.</a><i>&nbsp;</i>Special guest Kenneth Shepard, staff writer at <a href="https://www.fanbyte.com/" target="_blank">Fanbyte</a>,&nbsp;joins the crew to discuss our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/gowragnarok" target="_blank">God Of War Ragnarök cover story</a> and The Last Of Us Part 1 review impressions.&nbsp;</p> <p>Sadly, this episode also marks Jay Guisao's&nbsp;last week as a <em>Game Informer</em> editor. We talk about his creative process from writing his first cover story and how his studies in game development are preparing him for his next journey.

<p><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2022/09/06/a3fda699/switch_nd021721_splatoon3_scrn_03.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Splatoon 3" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p>

Reviewed on: Switch
Developer: Microsoft

<p><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2022/09/07/bd944ce8/gotham_knights_story_trailer_1.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>Gotham Knights pits a dysfunctional Bat Family against a litany of their greatest foes, but one of the biggest conflicts the group must confront comes from within.&nbsp;How&nbsp;did Warner Bros. Montreal adapt and reimagine these characters to keep them true to their comic origins while still surprising players? A new video breaks down its storytelling process.&nbsp;</p> <p>The development team explains the narrative's themes of trauma, loss, chosen family, and how it uses the Knights'&nbsp;long, complicated relationships to make each hero feel fully realized as individuals and as a family. WB&nbsp;Montreal also discusses Alfred's pivotal role as a father figure to the team, the social moments that unfold in the Belfrey hideout, and its approach to cinematic design.&nbsp;</p> <iframe width="560" height="315" frameBorder="0" allow="autoplay" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://players.brightcove.net/694940074001/rydylbNsz_default/index.html?videoId=6311983282112"></iframe> <p>Gotham Knights launches on October 21 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. You can see more on the game by checking out the Gamescom trailer <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2022/2022/08/23/gotham-knights-launching-a-few-days-early-villains-invade-new-trailer" target="_blank">spotlighting the villains</a> players will battle.&nbsp;</p>

The Pokémon Company and Nintendo have released a new trailer for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, which hits Switch on Nov. 18. 

After releasing a trailer focused on the competitive play of these upcoming pocket monster games, The Pokémon Company is showing off the wonders of the Paldea region and the treasures that await. The video also features a look at some of the rebellious classmates in the game as well as some of its gym leaders. 

Check it out for yourself below: 

As you can see, the trailer begins by introducing us to Starfall Street, which is where you'll be able to face off against unruly students. Those youths are likely a part of Team Star, the local school troublemakers. This team seems to be categorized by type because as the trailer progresses, we meet Mela, the boss of "Team Star's Fire Crew." Presumably, there's at least a Water Crew and a Grass Crew as well. 

PlayStation told players in 2020 that it could add 1440p support for game resolution output to PlayStation 5 “if requested enough.” It seems that happened because it’s now available in a new update. 

With the launch of today’s new global PS5 system software update, not only is 1440p resolution available for applicable TVs and monitors, but Gamelists and other anticipated social features are too. There’s also a new audio comparison option to listen to the difference between stereo output and 3D audio in headsets and a new YouTube voice command preview. 

“The update includes several highly-requested features like 1440p HDMI video output and gamelists, as well as social features like the ability to request a Share Screen from a fellow party member, easily view new friends’ profiles, and receive a notification to help you join a friend’s game more quickly from a party chat,” platform experience senior vice president Hideaki Nishino writes in a new PlayStation blog post. “Additionally, you can now compare 3D audio and stereo audio on the same screen and more easily access in-progress Activities from game hubs.” 

CD Projekt Red has unveiled the first Cyberpunk 2077 story expansion called Phantom Liberty will be released next year. 

This was revealed during today's Night City Wire livestream, which is also where CDPR, Netflix, and Studio Trigger revealed what the English Dub for Cyberpunk: Edgerunnners sounds like. CDPR revealed Phantom Liberty shortly after, and it looks great. Not only does it add more to V's story, with them seemingly becoming a secret service-like agent for the New United States of America, but it also sees Keanu Reeves' Johnny Silverhand return to the fold. 

Check out the Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty expansion trailer for yourself below: 

As you can see, the expansion trailer is short and sweet, but it packs a punch. There's the narrator, who just might be the president of the New United States of America, as well as Johnny Silverhand. There also appears to be some new locations and weapons at play in the trailer, too, but that remains unconfirmed for now. 

If you’ve been looking to give your PlayStation 5 a more rugged makeover (or want to hide it while playing outdoors, somehow), a new set of camouflage accessories is on the way.

This fall, you can outfit your PS5 with gray camouflage plates, a DualSense controller, or Pulse 3D headset. While it's as camo as camo can be, eagle-eyed fans can spot tiny PlayStation symbols embedded into the lightest shades of the pattern for a nice touch. 

Pre-orders begin on September 15. The cover plates and DualSense launch globally on October 14. The headset becomes available in December. Sony has not listed prices for these items. 

Maybe one day we'll get a camo version of the recently revealed DualSense Edge controller. In related news, Sony recently increased the price of the PlayStation 5 in multiple non-U.S. territories. It also acquired Savage Games Studios as part of its newly formed mobile division. 

CD Projekt Red has released a (kind of) new trailer for its upcoming anime, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which it is making with Netflix and Studio Trigger. 

I say it's a trailer that's kind of new because if you've been keeping up with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, there's a good chance you've already seen it. It's the NSFW one released last week, but it featured Japanese VO with subtitles. Today, CDPR has released the same trailer with the English dub now. 

Check it out for yourself below: 

Q: Will Cyberpunk: Edgerunners have English dubbing?
A: Yes!

Check out the NSFW Trailer in English and let us know what you think! 👇#Edgerunners pic.twitter.com/oBFT3WmAFd

— Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (@edgerunners) September 6, 2022

As you can see, the English dub sounds great. The studio also announced the series will feature 12 total dubs, including English, Japanese, German, Polish, French, and more. There will be subtitles for each of those languages and many more too. 

Are you excited about Cyberpunk: Edgerunners? Let us know in the comments below!

A powerful sense of discovery drove players to chart courses throughout God of War 2018's map. Winding footpaths led to expansive hubs at a scale unlike previous games in the franchise. Ornate chests holding rare equipment and Jötnar Shrines with lore murals were just some of the items awaiting wide-eyed players across six realms. Golden path locales like Midgard and its massive Lake of the Nine, Alfheim, home to light and dark elves, Helheim, the underworld, and Jötunheim, the land of Giants, were sprawling zones in their own right, filled with enough content to keep players engaged. Yet, the optional but equally impressive Niflheim and Muspelheim realms pushed player skills to the limit with vigorous combat trials. Despite the size and myriad navigable backdrops, the Norse universe felt connected. Odin barred access to Asgard, Vanaheim, and Svartalfheim, but Ragnarök director Eric Williams says players will get to explore all nine realms in the sequel and that “The ones you’ve seen before are going to feel new again.”

The Pokémon Company has revealed that it will drop a brand new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trailer tomorrow, Sept. 7. This news comes from a tweet made today on the official Pokémon Twitter account, and while it says the trailer drops tomorrow at 6 a.m. PT/ 9 a.m. ET, it doesn't reveal anything else. Check it out for yourself below:

🚨 A new #PokemonScarletViolet trailer drops tomorrow! 🚨

You read that right, Trainers. Tune in to our YouTube channel at 6:00 a.m. PDT on 9/7 for the latest news!

Make sure you’re subscribed and have notifications turned on:️ https://t.co/8Hw4hsHzDJ pic.twitter.com/1e0WKO8bxh

— Pokémon (@Pokemon) September 6, 2022

So as for what to expect, your guess is as good as anyone else's. I wager we'll be seeing some new Pokémon, perhaps some more information about the legendaries and how they play into the wider narrative of this gen, and maybe a new look at some gym leaders. Only time will tell, but fortunately, we don't have to wait long. 

Microsoft has revealed the September lineup of Xbox Game Pass games coming to the subscription service. 

If you’re looking for something new to play today, Disney Dreamlight Valley, the adventure game that mixes quests, exploration, and more with life simulation gameplay, will be available to download later today. On both PC and Xbox Game Pass, players will have access to the Founder’s Edition of the game, which gives players early access, exclusive cosmetic rewards, and a starting pile of in-game currency. For more about this exciting life-sim from Disney, read Game Informer’s Disney Dreamlight Valley preview. 

That’s not the only game available to download today, though. If life-sims aren’t your thing, perhaps the open-ended puzzle game Opus Magnum is, or maybe Train Sim World 3, which is a day one launch for Game Pass. 

Publisher 2K teased back in April that it was bringing back Telltale’s Tales from the Borderlands series but that this time, it would be developed in-house by Gearbox Software. Then, during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live event, Gearbox officially revealed the sequel, which is less a direct continuation of Telltale’s story and more a spiritual successor to the series, which is evident in its official name: New Tales from the Borderlands. 

That new trailer gave us a look at the new protagonists – altruistic scientist Anu, her street-wise brother Octavio, and local business owner Fran – as well as a look at just how Tales from the Borderlands this new entry is this time around. Sure, it’s a new cast and an all-new story in the world of Borderlands, but it’s clear it will play and feel familiar. In speaking with the team, it’s clear that this is Tales from the Borderlands with some added Gearbox edge. 

Fans of Splitgate, the sci-fi multiplayer shooter with portals, received some bittersweet news today. Developer 1047 Games has announced it’s finally bringing the game out of its lengthy beta and launching it in 1.0 next month. It also revealed plans to create another title within the Splitgate universe. But to facilitate work on this next project, it will cease feature development of Splitgate.

1047 explains in a press release that it’s developing a new shooter in Unreal Engine 5 set in the world of Splitgate, which means it will also feature portals. There aren't any more details beyond this, but it will be the team’s full-time project going forward. 

As such, 1047 is launching Splitgate out of beta on September 15, but it will move away from creating substantial content after that. However, the team assures fans that Splitgate will remain online. The game’s launch will kick off a new season, which includes a new, free battle pass featuring an infinite number of levels along with new characters, skins, and other goodies. Splitgate’s weekly featured playlists, and item drops will continue, and the team will still work on smaller fixes and updates. 

You can read 1047's full statement below (click to enlarge):

We met up with Squanch Games for a candid rooftop interview at Gamescom to discuss the making of High On Life, working with Justin Roiland, how the reception to Rick And Morty ebbs and flows, and how the team has struggled with marketing their upcoming FPS game. 

Watch the interview below: 

 

This week on All Things Nintendo, Brian invites former Game Informer editor and current GameSpot mobile gaming editor, Kyle Hilliard, to talk about the history and importance of the Mario Kart series. Before that, Game Informer associate editor Jason Guisao chats with Brian about the news of the week.

If you'd like to follow the people from this episode on Twitter, hit the following links: Brian Shea (@brianpshea), Jason Guisao (@Jason_Guisao), Kyle Hilliard (@KyleMHilliard)

The All Things Nintendo podcast is a weekly show where we can celebrate, discuss, and break down all the latest games, news, and announcements from the industry's most recognizable name. Each week, Brian is joined by different guests to talk about what's happening in the world of Nintendo. Along the way, they'll share personal stories, uncover hidden gems in the eShop, and even look back on the classics we all grew up with. A new episode hits every Friday!

Be sure to subscribe to All Things Nintendo on your favorite podcast platform. The show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

DC Fandome, the virtual fan convention showcasing DC movies, TV shows, and, of course, video games, will not take place this year, Warner Bros. Discovery confirms. 

The first DC Fandome took place in 2020, serving as a livestream alternative to in-person conventions in the wake of the pandemic. It featured virtual panels with celebrities and filmmakers that provided new announcements, trailers, and early looks at all things DC media. In terms of video games, the 2020 and 2021 editions gave us substantial new looks at Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. 

In a statement to Popverse, Warner Bros. Discovery explains the decision by writing:

CD Projekt Red has revealed that it will air a special episode of Night City Wire next week to discuss what's next for Cyberpunk 2077 and its upcoming anime, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. 

For the uninitiated, Night City Wire is basically like CDPR's version of a Nintendo Direct, except the showcases are specifically focused on Cyberpunk 2077. They were quite prevalent in the leadup to the release of Cyberpunk 2077, but now, with it nearing two years old, Night City Wire has grown to be rarer. The next one airs on Sept. 6 at 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET, though, and will be "about our upcoming anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and what's next for Cyberpunk 2077."

Choooom! There's something new on the horizon – a special episode of Night City Wire!

We will talk about our upcoming anime Cyberpunk: #Edgerunners and what's next for #Cyberpunk2077. 🔥

See you on Tuesday, September 6th at 5 PM CESThttps://t.co/cBU8yS6pfc pic.twitter.com/8yobnx18qz

Developer Avalanche and Warner Bros. Interactive have released a new Hogwarts Legacy featurette that dives deep into the design of the titular school. It also features the first-ever look at the four house common rooms in Hogwarts Legacy, a sneak peek of some of the easter eggs in the game, and more. 

This new featurette runs more than four minutes long and gives players the most in-depth look at the actual school of Hogwarts in this game thus far. As noted in the video, the design of Hogwarts is based on the eight Harry Potter movies and the books written by controversial author J.K. Rowling, who will undoubtedly be making money from the sales of this game. 

Check out the featurette for yourself below: 

As you can see, Hogwarts is looking great, as are the four common rooms. What’s especially interesting is it gives viewers a look at the Hufflepuff common room, which has rarely been seen on screen in the wizarding world, as pointed out in the video. 

After growing to become one of the most-leaked games in franchise history, Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin's Creed Mirage is real and we'll be learning more about it next week.

That's because the publisher is hosting a Ubisoft Forward on Sept. 10 at Noon P.T./3 p.m. ET, which has been previously advertised as the event where we'll learn more about the future of Assassin's Creed and more. It seems Assassin's Creed Mirage will be the big highlight of the show, but it's possible we learn more about Assassin's Creed Infinity, which is Ubisoft's in-development Assassin's Creed live-service platform. We might even learn about non-Assassin's Creed games, too. 

Assassin's Creed Mirage is the next Assassin's Creed game.

We can't wait to tell you more on September 10 at Ubisoft Forward: 9PM CEST | 12PM PT. #AssassinsCreed pic.twitter.com/92LoEcrrWs

Halo Infinite’s long-awaited campaign co-op will finally arrive on November 8 as part of the game’s big Winter Update. 343 Industries released a video today running down what it calls its largest content update yet, breaking down the Forge Beta, new multiplayer maps, and more. 

Online Campaign Co-Op

The biggest addition in the update finally goes live following a beta period in July. Campaign co-op, which supports up to four players, features cross-platform support, shared progression, mission replay, and a batch of new achievements. 

However, campaign co-op will be online only. 343 announced that it has chosen to cease development on local splitscreen co-op to reallocate those resources towards quickly implementing online updates and improvements based on player feedback. 

Forge Beta

Despite launching in beta, 343 says Forge will be a fully featured creation suite. In fact, the two new multiplayer maps coming in the Winter Update were created entirely in Forge: Argyle and Detachment. 343 wouldn't share much more, but promises discuss Forge in greater detail via community updates in September and October.

In a new blog post, Xbox head Phil Spencer discussed Microsoft’s intentions for Activision Blizzard’s IPs following its ongoing acquisition of the company. Among those plans, naturally, is to bolster the value of Xbox Game Pass by adding Activision Blizzard’s library of titles, including Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Diablo.

Spencer discusses expanding player choice through Game Pass by offering library titles for an affordable subscription fee, appealing to players of various budgets. Spencer hopes that including Activision Blizzard games will make the service more appealing to existing and potential subscribers. 

We intend to make Activision Blizzard’s much-loved library of games – including Overwatch, Diablo and Call of Duty – available in Game Pass and to grow those gaming communities. By delivering even more value to players, we hope to continue growing Game Pass, extending its appeal to mobile phones and any connected device.

Spencer also reiterates Microsoft’s promise to keep popular Activision Blizzard franchises multiplatform, citing its handling of Minecraft as an example. Additionally, the company hopes to expand Activision’s portfolio to mobile platforms and make them available to play on other devices via cloud streaming. 

In 2021, Marvel Strike Force developer Scopely announced Kestrel, the first all-original character in the massive roster of its hero-collecting mobile RPG, designed in collaboration with Marvel. Kestrel is the long-lost founder of STRIKE, the in-universe organization for which the game is named. Later in that same year, the studio revealed Deathpool, a second original character that imagined what a child of Deadpool and Death would look and act like. While Deathpool originated as a part of Deadpool's 30th anniversary, the studio's third original character comes as a result of Spider-Man's 60th anniversary.

After growing in early access for two years, Ooblets finally sprouts in its 1.0 form today. The cheerful game blends monster collecting (the Ooblets), farming simulation, and light town management as you restore a wacky village to its former glory. Though an overall laid-back experience, there’s a lot of spinning plates involved, and it can take time to figure out how to maximize each day to keep your farm brimming with valuable crops, your roster full of different Ooblets, and your wallet stretched with Gummies (the game’s currency). That’s where I come in. I’ve spent many hours playing the final version of the game, and I’d like to offer some helpful tips to make your early hours in Badgetown as enjoyable and efficient as possible.

Keep A Variety Of Crops Growing At All Times

In addition to the Ooblets themselves, crops are essential to completing the game’s most important and lucrative tasks. You’ll always need a healthy variety of produce on hand because obtaining wild Ooblets requires players to have specific crops, or dishes made from them, to challenge them to dance battles, the game’s humorous take on combat. Other tasks, such as delivering bundles of certain fruits and vegetables, can earn nice chunks of change. 

Endnight Games' The Forest became one of my favorite co-op experiences almost two years after its launch. And when more Sons of the Forest footage was revealed the following year (2021), my excitement level reached an all-time high. Sadly, the sequel has been delayed again, but the devs seem confident in the horror survival game's early 2023 release period.  

Hey Everyone,

Due to the scope of our new game Sons Of The Forest, it has been hard to pinpoint an exact release date, and today we have to delay one last time.

Giving us time to complete the polish we feel is needed, we will release Feb 23, 2023, priced at $29.99USD. pic.twitter.com/9SmeLelmj6

— Endnight Games (@EndNightGame) August 31, 2022

Endnight Games' post on Twitter (seen above) says, in recent months, an exact drop date has been hard to pinpoint, but the newfound scope led to the team's hard decision:

On this episode of From Panel to Podcast, we dive into last week's comic books, offering our top picks and what to avoid. We also offer our takes on the first two episodes of Disney Plus' Ms. Marvel series. As always, we conclude the episode with a look ahead to what you can purchase this week.

If you would like to follow us on Twitter: Andrew Reiner (@Andrew_Reiner) and Philip Hoff (@bnow23).

From Panel to Podcast is a weekly show created by two lifelong comic book readers who offer suggestions on which comic books you should be reading each week. Each episode also dives into the latest developments for comics in video games, movies, and television shows. We'll even discuss comic book collectibles and anything we think you should know about that pertains to this entertainment medium.

Be sure to subscribe to From Panel to Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. The show is available on Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

In this segment of New Gameplay Today, your host, Game Informer Associate Editor Wesley LeBlanc, walks you through how Saturnalia works as both a survival horror game and a roguelike. In it, you'll see him control Anita, one of the game's many playable characters, as she searches for her partner in the small town of Sardinia, Italy.

Unfortunately for Anita, it's not a great time to be in the town because of some strange ritualistic things happening. That translates to a terrifying creature that stalks Anita and others through the darkness of the night and you must avoid it all while remaining alive as you search for clues to end this night of terror and misery. 

In the New Gameplay Today segment below, we have more than 15 minutes of brand-new Saturnalia footage to showcase. Enjoy!

Saturnalia is being developed and published by Santa Ragione. It's due out on PC exclusively via the Epic Games Store sometime this year. For more, check out the Saturnalia reveal trailer. 

After leaking in advance yet again, Sony confirmed September’s line-up of PlayStation Plus monthly downloadable games. It also revealed the new titles arriving to the Extra and Premium subscription game catalog as well as its Premium Classics.  

PlayStation Plus Monthly Games (September 6) 

Available to every subscription tier, you can download these three titles beginning next week. Clicking the game link will take you to our review of it. 

Granblue Fantasy Versus

Need For Speed Heat

Toem

Remember that you have until September 5 to download August’s monthly games before they make their exit.

PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Game Catalog (September 20)

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX 

Assassin’s Creed Origins 

Depending on how you look at it, The Last of Us Part I is either a from-the-ground-up remake or a very involved remaster. Either way, it packs many enhancements over the base game. While I didn't care much for Part I, if you're interested in checking it out yourself, here are some of the biggest changes you can expect. 

Accessibility Options

The Last of Us Part I comes with Naughty Dog's full suite of accessibility options. And that's something worth commending. This comes in the shape of fully customizable controls, a host of visual aids, options to alleviate motion sickness, help with navigating levels, options for the deaf or hard-of-hearing, and combat accessibility. Within each are dozens of sliders and toggleable options, allowing players to customize the game experience completely, hopefully allowing as many people as possible to enjoy the game in a way that's best for them. 

I remember the release of The Last of Us better than any other video game – which is to say I remember it at all. 

In 2013, I was 19 and still practicing the unfortunate act of pre-ordering video games before I knew if they were good or not. As misfortune had it, it came out while I was out of town, but my Dad went and picked it up from our local GameStop for me. Like an absolute dork, I remember spending weeks looking at the picture of the box he sent me, practically counting the nanoseconds until I could play it myself. 

The year of acquisitions and shareholding antics continues. 

Just today, Chinese developer-publisher NetEase announced it was acquiring Detroit: Become Human dev Quantic Dream, and now, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Tencent have increased their stakes in From Software, the prolific developer behind the Dark Souls series and this year’s mega-hit, Elden Ring. 

This news comes from Gematsu, which posted a press release from Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company behind From Software. It says that through third-party allotment, Sixjoy Hong Kong, a Tencent Holdings subsidiary, has purchased 16.25% of From Software’s shares, while SIE has acquired 14.09%. Despite this, Kadokawa Corporation is still the largest shareholder of From Software, holding 69.66% of the shares. 

Quantic Dream, the developer behind games like Detroit: Become Human and Heavy Rain, has been acquired by NetEase Game, one of China’s largest video game companies whose catalog of games developed and published include Knives Out, Naraka Bladepoint, and more. 

This news comes from a posting released by NetEase today that calls Quantic Dream its first studio in Europe. It’s unclear how much the acquisition cost NetEase, but the developer-publisher says it will allow the studio to continue to operate independently, focusing on creating and publishing games while supporting third-party developed titles too. 

“We are thrilled to embark on an exciting new stage of growth with Quantic Dream, bound by our shared vision, mutual trust, and respect,” CEO and director of NetEase William Ding writes in a press release. “NetEase will continue to fulfill our promise to support Quantic Dream to realize its full potential. By combining the wild creativity and exceptional narrative focus on Quantic Dream with NetEase’s powerful facilities, resources, and execution capabilities, we believe there are infinite possibilities that could redefine the interactive entertainment experience we provide for players worldwide.” 

Lead combat designers Mihir Sheth and Denny Yeh have over 17 years of God of War experience shared between them, and both played prominent roles in the previous game’s success. The series’ current direction is inspired by an old studio motto: Playing with your food.

“That’s an internal philosophy that we’ve had since back in the day,” Sheth says. “Kratos plays with his food. We tried to create systems you want to engage with that are fun, very playful, lots of different routes. And when we looked at the combat in the last game, we were like, ‘We can push this further; we can find new toys and ways of playing with enemies and strategies.’ That’s been the guiding principle more than anything else.”

God of War Ragnarök is set to conclude the Norse era of the series, a saga that’s seen Kratos atone for his troubling past by becoming a more conscientious god and (mildly) affectionate father. In the upcoming sequel, Kratos and Atreus must stave off a preordained catastrophe, calling on old and new friends to succeed against Asgard and, hopefully, prevent all-out war.  

I spoke with God of War veteran and newly appointed director Eric Williams as well as some lead UX, combat, and level designers about their experience crafting the long-awaited sequel and the most significant changes coming to the action and exploration loops. Moreover, you’ll learn about Kratos’ tools/toys, a never-before-seen dwarven realm that feels lived in, the unprecedented number of accessibility features available at launch, and some quality-of-life updates, including new navigation mechanics.

Of course, that’s not all. We’ve got other God of War content for your perusal, including a ranking of our five favorite bosses from the franchise. Additionally, Alex Van Aken attended Evo, favorably comparing the storied event to the Olympics. Marcus Stewart got hands-on time with the next entry in the most prominent fighting franchise of all time, Street Fighter 6. There are even a few fantastic freelance pieces – one, for instance, documents the meticulous creation of a Cuphead boss fight. And if you’re wondering what big games are on the horizon, we’ve got you covered with preview pages dedicated to Square Enix’s role-playing farming sim, Harvestella, Game Freak’s Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and so much more.