Game Informer

We've entered the second half of July, which means Xbox Games Pass gets another batch of games for the month. In terms of new releases, the narrative crime drama As Dusk Falls launches on Xbox consoles. The rest of the line-up includes indie darling Inside and Ubisoft's latest offering to the service in Watch Dogs 2. Be sure to visit our review links for applicable titles and check the list of games leaving Game Pass at the end of the month. 

What's Coming To Xbox Game Pass

As Dusk Falls (Console, PC, Cloud) – July 19 | Our Review

Watch Dogs 2 (Console, PC, Cloud) – July 19 | Our Review

MotoGP 22 (Console, PC, Cloud) – July 21

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion (PC) – July 21 | Our Review

Torment: Tides of Numenera (Console, PC, Cloud) – July 21 | Our Review

TennoCon is Digital Extremes' annual Warframe event that unites fans and usually gives them plenty to cheer about in terms of game announcements. That was certainly the case today; this year's TennoCon livestream delivered a new Warframe expansion called The Duviri Paradox, which was only outdone by Digital Extremes announcing its next flagship game. The studio revealed it has begun development on a fantasy game called Soulframe.

Few details for Soulframe were given, but you can take your first look at the art direction and vibe in the trailer above. You can also go to the studio's official website to solve a puzzle to see additional concept art and screens.

Warframe has long been one of the most successful free-to-play games out there, almost coming on a decade since release. You can take a look at what is coming next to this wild sci-fi expeirence in the trailer below.

 

Editor’s Note: this episode was recorded before the recent Game Informer layoffs where, unfortunately, John Carson was let go from the company. This episode, along with the upcoming DmC episode, was filmed in advance and will serve as his final appearances on Video Gameography. I want to personally thank John for all of his help, and I will miss the knowledge, passion, and personality he brought to every episode. The future of Video Gameography after Season 6 is currently being determined as Game Informer reorganizes with our much-reduced staff. I will keep you updated, but please follow John on Twitter (handle posted below) to wish him well and send any job opportunities or leads his way. – Marcus Stewart

Let’s rock, baby! Season 6 of Video Gameography gets stylish as we examine the Devil May Cry series! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be covering the history and lore of Capcom’s premiere action franchise. After mucking through the gunk of Devil May Cry 2, our reward comes in the form of arguably the series’ magnum opus: Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening. 

Whether it's because of its gorgeous visuals, deeply disturbing sci-fi monstrosities, or the return of Glen Schofield, The Callisto Protocol has become one of the most anticipated games of 2022. But where did this new twisted tale come from? Join us as we sit down with the horror master himself to discuss the origins of developer Striking Distance Studios' first game and show off some brand new gameplay as well!

Marcus Stewart and Alex Stadnik are here to grill Glen on the title's origins. A few years after his departure from Activision, the CEO, and founder of Striking Distance Studios found himself in the desert, painting and trying to figure out what the next step in his career would be. That led him to Callisto and his brand new studio. But how long did it take him to form the story structure? Did he always know how the game would end? You'll just have to watch the video to find out.

On top of the Callisto origin story, we're also showing off some brand new gameplay. Protagonist Jacob Lee traverses the harrowing hallways of Jupiter's dead moon, fending off the terrifying Biophage at every step. We also get a fresh look at the satisfying and devastating shotgun and how it tears through those who would do you harm.

Sonic Frontiers looks to evolve the combat of the long-running franchise in meaningful and unprecedented ways. Part of that process involves introducing a skill tree, the first of its kind within the franchise. Sonic has long had adventures that involve him unlocking new abilities, but by introducing a full skill tree in Frontiers, Sonic Team hopes to further enhance what it claims will be the longest mainline game in franchise history.

"Combat with enemies is an important part of Sonic Frontiers," Sonic Team creative officer Takashi Iizuka says. "Starting out with Sonic at full power would make the combat simple and repetitive, so we made it so the player gradually unlocks Sonic's abilities through the skill tree. The player collects the points necessary to unlock skills by defeating enemies and exploring the island, so they can unlock more powerful skills by playing longer."

On this week's episode of All Things Nintendo, Brian invites Alex Stadnik on to look at 2022 as it looks now for Nintendo. But first, the two address the reason there was no show last week and discuss the biggest news from the last two weeks. Then, sadly, Alex shares some news about closing this chapter of his career.

If you'd like to follow the people from this episode on Twitter, hit the following links: Brian Shea (@brianpshea), Alex Stadnik (@Studnik76)

The All Things Nintendo podcast is a weekly show where we 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.

A new developer diary has revealed that the new Skate title, which has been officially dubbed simply “Skate.” (period included), will be a free-to-play game. A lengthy update video divulged a number of details, including an idea of how monetization will look and why developer Full Circle chose to go the FTP route. 

Full Circle creative director Cuz Parry explains the decision to go FTP stems from the team’s desire for players across all platforms and budgets to easily access its upcoming skateboarding simulator. It also wants to keep the community together, citing how DLC in previous Skate titles splintered the player base. To that end, Skate will support cross-play and cross-progression across consoles, PC, and mobile. 

As a FTP game, Skate will have microtransactions, but the team wants to remain friendly to players. The designers emphasize that Skate is not pay-to-win and will not have paid loot boxes. Furthermore, map areas will not be locked behind paywalls. Cosmetics will be the focus of monetization, though you can still unlock these items traditionally. The teams say it’s examining games like Apex Legends as points of reference for its monetization model.

Full Circle describes Skate as neither a sequel nor a reboot but rather something closer to a live-service title that the team plans to support with new content and improvements for years to come. “There won’t be a Skate 5 through 10,” says Parry. “We won’t be pumping them out all the time.” 

After being announced for Japan last month, Sega’s Genesis Mini 2 has a North American release date, and it’s arriving just in time to shove it into a kid’s trick-or-treat bag. Or you can keep it yourself and play it. Up to you.

On October 27, this more powerful version of the previous Mini holds over 50 titles, including Sega CD games. It also tosses in one “never-released bonus game,” Star Mobile. The console itself has been designed after the Genesis Model 2 and will retail at $102.38 (since it’s being sold through Sega of Japan) and can only be purchased through Amazon. 

The confirmed library of games so far is as follows:

Stray’s launch is just around the corner, and cat-lovers everywhere have another reason to get excited. Publisher Annapurna Interactive has partnered with cat Travel Cat, a brand of cat travel accessories, to unveil an official line of Stray-branded cat harnesses and backpacks for your real-life kitty.

First up is the harness, a replica of the one worn by Stray’s furry protagonist. It features adjustable chest and neck straps secured by buckles and velcro. The six-foot reflective nylon leash helps owners keep track of their cats in dark alleys while allowing room to explore. You can pre-order it today for $39.99. 

Following the unfulfilling story of Sonic Forces in 2017, many were concerned about the direction of future narratives. When Sonic Frontiers was first announced, fans were happy to learn that longtime Sonic the Hedgehog comics writer Ian Flynn joined Sonic Team in writing the game. Flynn has been a prominent writer across both the long-running Archie Comics and IDW Publishing runs of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, with hundreds of credits to his name. However, joining Sonic Team for a mainline entry is new territory.

"Ian has been working as a comic writer for a long time, so I was very familiar with his work, but after reading the IDW comics, I was even more impressed with his talent," Sonic Team creative officer Takashi Iizuka says. "That's why I wanted to ask him to work on the story for the game as well. He knows the characters well, so he brought a great improvement to the characters' emotions and dialogue."

Warner Bros. crossover platform fighter MultiVersus will soon be playable once again, this time to everyone who wants to throw down. The game’s first open beta kicks off on July 26. Additionally, an early access period begins a week earlier on July 19 for anyone who participated in May’s closed alpha or received Twitch drop codes.

The open beta for the free-to-play fighter will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Online play supports cross-play and features rollback netcode. The beta will include eight maps, a variety of gameplay modes, and the same roster of characters playable during the alpha with one big addition: the Iron Giant.

The peace-loving robot from the (criminally underrated) titular animated film joins the fray, and a new trailer provides glimpses of him in action. 

We still don’t know when MultiVersus will launch in full, but we’ve been mostly impressed with it so far. These tests should only help the game become better when it goes prime time.

Three beloved members of Game Informer were laid off last week – as you might've read on social media last week. The affected employees were John Carson, Wesley LeBlanc, and our Creative Director of 14 years, Jeff Akervik. In this episode of The Game Informer Show, we lament the loss of John, Wes, and Jeff and share what we love about them and why they're great hiring candidates. Afterward, host Alex Stadnik shares he's leaving Game Informer for a new adventure in the video game industry and talks with Alex Van Aken about the future of the podcast and his vision for our outlet's video content. 

This episode is a rollercoaster, so if you only want to hear our thoughts on Bayonetta 3's October release date, use the timestamps below to jump to the various segments of the podcast.

Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Switch, PC
Publisher: Bloodius Games
Developer: Bloodius Games
Release: July 8, 2022
Rating: Mature

What do a murderous witch, a grandmother’s mysterious death, and demonic possession have in common? An old Polaroid-style camera. Discovering how means braving Madison, an indie horror title that fits within the post-P.T. first-person haunted house mold. Players explore an impressively rendered home solving puzzles and avoiding apparitions armed with a camera that’s more than meets the eye. Despite having a strong premise, presentation, and core mechanic, the experience gets bogged down by flawed puzzle design and repetitive scares.

A new game based on the film Aliens is in the works by developer Survios in partnership with 20th Century Games.

Survios primarily develops VR titles and is perhaps best known as the team behind Creed: Rise to Glory. The studio describes the untitled project as a single-player “immersive action horror game,” and it’s being made for PC, console, and VR. The game's website states that it's developed using Unreal Engine 5 and has an original story that takes place between Alien and Aliens "where a battle hardened veteran has a vendetta against the Xenomorphs."

There’s no trailer or screenshots, but Survios says we’ll learn more about the game on July 21 during San Diego Comic-Con at the “Alien: Expanding a Dark and Frightening Universe” panel.

This project is unrelated to Aliens: Dark Descent, the Aliens tactical shooter, announced during Summer Game Fest last month. Survios is hiring for positions on the title, suggesting it’s still very early in development. As such, it has no release window, but hopefully, we’ll get a better idea of what it entails during Comic-Con.

Sony is rolling out its first-ever PlayStation-focused loyalty program called PlayStation Stars. In a blog post by Grace Chen, vice president of network advertising, loyalty & licensed merchandise, she explains that PlayStation Stars is a free program that rewards points by completing “campaigns” and challenges while playing games. 

According to Chen, earning points may require you to “win tournaments, earn specific trophies, or even be the first player to platinum a blockbuster title in your local time zone.” PlayStation Stars will also have a “monthly check-in” campaign that players fulfill simply by playing a game. 

You can redeem points on rewards that may include PSN wallet funds or select PS Store products. Users also subscribed to PlayStation Plus gain the added benefit of automatically earning loyalty points for making purchases.

Loyalty points can also be spent on “digital collectibles." Examples described in the post are digital figurines of game characters or old PlayStation devices. These collectibles will evidently come in various rarities, with Chen stating players will always have “ultra rare” collectibles to chase. 

These collectibles may sound like NFTs, but they’re not. As Chen adamantly explains in a Washington Post interview, these digital items can’t be traded or sold and PlayStation Stars does not utilize blockchain technology in any way.  

In a move that feels more overdue than surprising, Nintendo acquired animation studio Dynamo Pictures and renamed it Nintendo Pictures. The purchased studio will focus on developing visual content for Nintendo's various IPs. 

According to Eurogamer, it's unusual for Nintendo to acquire companies despite its recent SRD and Next-Level Games deals. Moreover, Nintendo Pictures' – Dynamo was a production company behind several animated Pikmin shorts – work will be separate from Illumination, the animation studio behind the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie. Official documentation of the purchase states: 

"Nintendo has decided to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares (excluding treasury shares) of Dynamo Pictures and make it a wholly owned subsidiary to strengthen the planning and production structure of visual content in the Nintendo group. The Acquisition is expected to close on October 3, 2022…[and] will have only a minor effect on Nintendo's results for this fiscal year."

What animated Nintendo projects are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below! 

[Source: Eurogamer]

Rumbleverse, Iron Galaxy’s pro-wrestling-tinged spin on battle royale, is finally going live next month. The game was set to arrive in February before being delayed and has been playable through various technical tests. 

First announced during The Game Awards 2021, Rumbleverse is a free-to-play battle royale where players duke it out by brawling instead of shooting. Wrestling moves like suplexes and clotheslines reign supreme, and weapons include steel chairs and other melee items. Players can even climb up structures to face off on rooftops and leap between buildings. Rumbleverse supports cross-play and cross-progression between consoles and PC. 

Rumbleverse launches on August 11 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via The Epic Games Store. Season One begins on August 18

Everyone's favorite butt-kicking turtles are likely throwing a pizza party as TMNT: Shredder's Revenge has surpassed more than one million copies sold. In a  press release, the CEO of Dotemu, Cyrille Imbert, excitedly stated:

"TMNT: Shredder's Revenge is the game I dreamed of working on ever since I began watching the original cartoon and funneling coins into the TMNT arcade cabinets as a kid," said Cyrille Imbert, CEO of Dotemu. "We are immensely grateful to Nickelodeon for the opportunity to honor an era of TMNT that profoundly impacted the lives of everyone at Dotemu, and to our friends at Tribute Games for expertly capturing the classic thrill of the Turtles' battles with the Foot Clan in a new experience that feels completely fresh and exciting to play."

Marcus Stewart reviewed Shredder's Revenge and awarded it an 8.75 out of 10. He concluded his review by saying, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge gives me what I wanted: a polished, raucously fun throwback that plays better than how I remember the original games. Turtles fans new and old will find plenty to love, but those possessing a nostalgia for this era of the franchise are in for the biggest treat. Invite some friends, order a pizza, and prepare to relive your childhood in the best possible way."

Sega's speedy blue hedgehog has been smashing Badniks since his first encounter with a Motobug in Green Hill Zone, but combat has always played second fiddle to the speed and platforming of the franchise. While certain games like Shadow the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), Sonic and the Black Knight, and Sonic Forces have experimented with new combat mechanics for the games' protagonists to use, Sonic Frontiers looks to evolve that gameplay component in unprecedented ways.

When Sonic Team set out to create Sonic Frontiers, it wanted to give players more freedom with which to operate. It did this by introducing a new open-zone concept, where players are able to run through and explore various biomes without a predefined path to guide their gameplay. That shift from largely linear stages to a large open zone represents perhaps the biggest shift in how this new Sonic the Hedgehog game plays out, but as I traversed Kronos Island during my three-plus hours of hands-on time, the combat held a much larger role than I expected.

"Sonic games have a long history as stage-clear action games and because of that, there hasn't been a huge focus on battle and combat in Sonic's history," director Morio Kishimoto says. "But for this title, we are implementing a core battle structure to the game as it was imperative in creating a fun new open-zone game system"

Suda51 and his development studio, Grasshopper Manufacture, are the zany minds behind cult classic hits like The Silver Case, Killer 7, No More Heroes, and Lollipop Chainsaw. The hack-and-slash zombie game, Lollipop Chainsaw, might have received lukewarm reviews, but a remake is still on the way. Dragami Games president Yoshimi Yasuda took to Twitter today to let avid fans know it'll "be as close as possible to a remaster." You can check out his post below.

ロリポップチェーンソーリメイクに対し沢山のファンよりご質問を頂戴しましたのでお答えします…!!!
Many fans have asked questions about Lollipop Chainsaw Remake, so I will answer them.#ロリポップチェーンソー#lollipopchainsaw #ドラガミゲームス#dragamigames pic.twitter.com/V6iQG8mVDx

Earlier this year, we reported on the relaunch of PlayStation Plus, a fusion of the original Plus and PlayStation Now benefits. Three tiers from cheapest to most expensive – Essential, Extra, and Premium – each offered downloadable games, with the latter two options providing game catalogs in the hundreds. According to the official PlayStation Blog, "the inaugural Game Catalog lineup for the all-new PlayStation Plus" drops for Extra and Premium members this month. Some of the titles include Stray and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. 

Your PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup for July includes:

🐈 Stray
☄️ Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
🦸 Marvel’s Avengers

arriving for Extra and Premium members alongside many more on July 19: https://t.co/e1T4udoyup pic.twitter.com/k5HUU8N5MC

During last September's Nintendo Direct, Bayonetta's reemergence shocked fans, with the titular witch dodging, transforming, and shooting her way through huge monstrosities. We knew that the action romp would come exclusively to Switch this year, but today Nintendo announced an October 28 release date with an appropriately over-the-top trailer. 

Platinum Games' enemy and hero designs for the franchise remain stunning. Bayonetta sports butterfly wings and tentacled horns in some action sequences, while enemies take the form of armored animals – homunculi, artificial bioweapons. You'll fire canons from a moving train in a ravaged cityscape, ride grotesque crabs up skyscrapers, and even play as the new katana-wielding witch-in-training, Viola. And let's not forget that you can summon an all-powerful kaiju too. It's all wild and nonsensical as you'd expect but in the best possible way. 

On this episode of From Panel to Podcast we dive into last week's books, giving you a rundown of the best stories that you should add to your pull list. We also highlight the comics that are releasing this week and provide insight into why you may want to pick them up.

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.

Sonic Frontiers is Game Informer's latest cover story, and what's a good cover story without a Rapid-Fire interview? Join us as we sit down with industry legend Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Team creative officer, and ask him 123 burning questions about The Blue Blur's next big adventure, all in beautiful 4K!

Who better to lead today's interview than one of GI's biggest Sonic fans? Join Brian Shea as he sits down with Iikuza to chat about what fans can expect from Sonic Frontiers. They discuss what characters will appear in the upcoming title, the difference between open-world and open-zone, and so much more.

Iizuka isn't just versed in the future of one of gaming's icons, though. He's also here to talk about his favorite titles of all time, comment on the beef between Sonic and Mario, and expound upon the fact that he didn't actually know his hedgehog was going to appear in a recent Disney movie. What other secrets does the Sonic Team creative officer have up his sleeves? You'll just have to watch the latest Rapid-Fire to find out!

Kirby has a delicious-looking new multiplayer title heading to Switch this summer. Kirby’s Dream Buffet pits friends against each other in a platforming, snack-devouring race.

One to four players roll their Kirby through four rounds of food-themed obstacle courses, and whoever collects the most strawberries by the end wins. As seen in the trailer, players can use new cuisine-inspired copy abilities to gain the upper hand. That includes morphing into a cupcake that vacuums multiple food items or turning into sentient chocolate bars to perform Kirby’s signature rock slam. 

Kirby’s Dream Buffet supports local and online multiplayer and will be sold digitally and at retail for an unannounced price.

With temperatures rising in certain parts of the world and summer heat still going strong in North America, Nintendo issued a heatwave warning to Switch players, suggesting the console can only be used in temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius or 95 degrees Fahrenheit. While that heat cap is pretty impressive, we'd recommend not testing it. 

By way of Nintendo Life, Eurogamer referenced Nintendo Japan's Customer Service Twitter account, which advised Switch owners to avoid staggeringly high temperatures and keep the intake and exhaust ports unblocked.  The good news is that if the console gets too hot, it’ll automatically sleep. And for those who like to play using the Switch port, keep the setup in a cool spot. You can see the tweet below with a translation:

気温が高い場所でNintendo Switchを使用すると、本体の温度が高くなる場合があります。5～35℃の場所で使用してください。

また、吸気口や排気口がふさがれていると、本体の温度が高くなる場合があります。吸気口や排気口まわりの風通しを良くしてください。 https://t.co/bgS883YDWX pic.twitter.com/0c86fcgxnV

Supermassive Games is known for its interactive horror narratives, including 2015's Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology, and, more recently, The Quarry. Today, Eurogamer reported that Danish company Nordisk Games acquired the studio.

Nordisk Games, which already owns Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios and MercurySteam, the team behind Metroid Dread, acquired a 30% stake in Supermassive in March 2021. At the time, Supermassive CEO Pete Samuels said:

"We are delighted to have Nordisk Games alongside Supermassive for what we are sure will be very exciting times ahead…Our companies share a passion for delivering beautiful games with stories that emotionally engage, and we are very much looking forward to working closely with them and their colleagues at Nordisk Film and Egmont."

Today, Samuels released another statement about the studios' full acquisition that matched his excitement from a year ago:

If you were to distill the concept of Sonic Frontiers into an elevator pitch, it would likely involve the term "open-world" somewhere. However, while the game features many tenants of the open-world genre, Sonic Team is adamant about calling Frontiers an "open-zone" game instead. While on the surface that sounds like little more than a marketing ploy, after chatting with the developers, it makes more sense as you dig deeper into its meaning.

Coming off 2017's Sonic Forces, a game that didn't fare well with critics or fans, the development team wanted to shake things up. Forces received criticism for its generic 3D level design, unfulfilling story, short length, and poor 2D gameplay compared to the then-newly released Sonic Mania. According to Sonic Frontiers director Morio Kishimoto (who also directed Forces), the team carried a lot of lessons from Sonic Forces and other previous 3D Sonic games into Frontiers.

Ubisoft has removed Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD from Steam as part of a larger online “decommissioning” of several of its titles, most notably on PC. What alarmed owners of the game was a notice by Ubisoft implying that those who purchased it would still lose access in September. Ubisoft has clarified that will not be the case.

For context, Ubisoft recently announced it will cease online services for several of its titles on September 1, of which Liberation HD is among them. In particular, the PC versions of these titles will not only lose their online features but their DLC will be rendered inaccessible, even if you purchased it. 

Yesterday, Twitter user Nors3 shared a screen capture of Liberation HD’s now-defunct Steam page, displaying a notice that states, "At the request of the publisher, Assassin's Creed Liberation HD is no longer available for sale on Steam." A second, more concerning notice reads, "Please note that this title will not be accessible following September 1st, 2022."

Ubisoft is making a precedent on Steam as Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD will not be accessible following September 1st, 2022. Even if you already bought it, a bar new low for consumers. pic.twitter.com/hRmmb2yM3w

Prime Day is just around the corner, meaning Prime Gaming members are in for several free treats. Freeload over 30 games this month, including Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Need for Speed Heat, and more. You can read some snippets from the Prime Day blog post below:

Mass Effect Legendary Edition: "Relive the epic saga and prepare for an unforgettable adventure in the highly acclaimed trilogy."

Need for Speed Heat: "Hustle by day and risk it all at night in Need for Speed Heat, an adrenaline-fueled street racer where the lines of the law fade as the sun starts to set." 

Grid Legends: "Bring instant thrills and iconic racing moments in the world's most incredible cars, with action and drama everywhere you look."

Star Wars Jedi Knight — Jedi Academy: "Forge your weapon and follow the path of the Jedi in the fourth and final installment of the highly acclaimed Jedi Knight series."

Star Wars Jedi Knight II — Jedi Outcast: "A first- and third-person shooter game where the legacy of Star Wars Dark Forces and Star Wars Jedi Knight lives on in the intense action of Jedi Outcast."

According to some recent job postings on Respawn Entertainment's career webpage, a new single-player FPS set in the Apex Legends universe is in early development. Eurogamer asks if this could be the long-awaited Titanfall 3 in disguise, but that remains to be seen since the posts don't mention anything about the wall-running, mech warfare FPS.

Referred to as "Apex Universe FPS Incubation Title," a Senior Environment Artist post states:

"This new single-player title is a developer's dream playground with a freedom to innovate made possible by the unique universe it inhabits. Our critically acclaimed, multi-platform games have traditionally established a "fun comes first" sensibility created with the notion that great ideas can come from anyone, which allows creativity to shine and individuals to shape the game in meaningful ways."

A single-player FPS is not often announced, especially since the genre is synonymous with competitive play. A story-centric Apex Legends experience could focus on any number of the frontiers' eccentric personalities. It could even delve into Blisk's notorious Apex Predator squadron. In any case, the upcoming shooter would be in good company, seeing as its predecessor is still the best battle royale out right now.

Protect the innocent and uphold the law. That's what Robocop is programmed to do, and you'll soon get the chance to see the world through his visor in Robocop: Rogue City, a new game from developer Teyon and publisher Nacon. Peter Weller, the actor who became Robocop in the feature film, is reprising his role, bringing both his likeness and voice to this iconic '80s character.

The trailer above shows off roughly one minute of gameplay. Robocop's precision targeting is on display, as is his brute strength, which he uses to effortlessly push dumpsters and hurl enemies through the air. Rogue City tells a new story set around the same time as Paul Verhoeven's movie and somehow brings the powerful reboot ED-209 back into the mix.

Teyon is the development house that released Terminator: Resistance. which recently was enhanced for new-gen machines. Robocop: Rogue City is slated to release in June 2023 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is getting one of the best, and most underrated, Pokémon games from the Nintendo 64 library in Pokémon Puzzle League next week.

On July 15, the Panel de Pon-style, tile-matching puzzle game joins the (gradually) growing roster of classic N64 games. Pokémon Puzzle League launched in 2000 and tells an original story based on the anime, with Ash and Pikachu competing in a special puzzle tournament. The pair takes on familiar faces, including Team Rocket and Gary, in 2D and 3D puzzle contests, with plenty of Pokémon cheering from the sidelines. 

Pokémon Snap joined Switch Online last month, making today’s news a nice double-whammy for Pokémon fans. You can keep up with every game available across the various Switch Online libraries by checking out our evolving database. 

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum's long journey to release nears its end, and after getting a release date and story trailer in May, curious fans can finally see what gameplay looks like in a new video. 

A short trailer provides a montage of the stealth-oriented gameplay as well as Gollum’s emphasis on climbing and platforming to traverse Middle-earth landmarks. The game looks noticeably rough considering it’s launching in two months which is worrisome, but hopefully, it plays better than it appears at the moment. 

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum launches September 1 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The game is also coming to Switch sometime later this year.

Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia, PC
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Singapore
Release: November 8, 2022
Rating: Mature

Sing your favorite pirate sea shanty at the top of your lungs! If you don't know any pirate sea shanties, make one up. We have reason to celebrate: Ubisoft's Skull and Bones launches on November 8 and looks quite good. News of the game's resurrection (after a long delay) came today in a 20-minute Ubisoft Forward livestream that included a brief look at stunning new gameplay footage.

Platform: Switch
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Monolith Soft
Release: July 29, 2022

The world of Aionios is in a perpetual state of war, endlessly engulfed in flame and littered with corpses. Countries Keves and Agnus love to hate each other, and both factions' armies pay the price. To make matters worse, these seemingly mass-produced soldiers are cursed with short, 10-year lifespans. The goal, then, is to endure front-line service and be forever immortalized in the Homecoming ceremony, an honorable send-off for Aionios' most tenacious survivors. 

The PlayStation Twitter account posted a small batch of announcements highlighting upcoming indie games headed to PlayStation. While Cult of the Lamb's impending August 11 release was already confirmed, a few noteworthy reveals and updates should have indie fans on PlayStation excited for the near future and beyond. Here's a quick rundown of the games making their way to PS5 and PS4. 

Inscryption

One of the best and most surprising games of 2021 makes its way to consoles for the first time. The PS5/PS4 version of the horror deck builder features exclusive features, such as the talking Stoat card's audio coming through the controller speaker, haptic feedback support, and atmospheric lighting that, accordion to creator Daniel Mullens, "spills out from your controller." We're not sure what that means, but Inscryption shouldn't be missed by those who couldn't play it on PC last year. Unfortunately, the PS port has no release window, but here's hoping it arrives later this year. 

<p><img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2022/07/07/5f6b3703/e3.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="E3 2023 Dates June ReedPop" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>E3 will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2023 during the second week of June after a three-year hiatus. </p> <p>The last E3 event happened in 2019, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 event was canceled. It skipped out on 2022 as well, but E3 is set to return next year, this time with the help of ReedPop, a formidable name in the world of organized events such as this. ReedPop is the organizer/event producer behind PAX, Star Wars Celebration, New York Comic-Con, and more. </p> <img src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2022/07/07/8666243c/e3_2023_01.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" alt="" class="image-style-body-default" /> <p>"The show, produced by acclaimed PAX, Star Wars Celebration, and New York Comic-Con organizers ReedPop in partnership with the ESA, will welcome back publishers, developers, journalists, content creators, manufacturers, buyers, and licensers," a press release reads. "The event will also highlight digital showcases and feature in-person consumer components. Expect titanic AAA reveals, earth-shaking world premieres, and exclusive access to the future of video games." </p> <p>ReedPop president Lance Fensterman says it's an honor and privilege for the company to take on the responsibility of bringing E3 back in 2023 and that with the support and endorsement of the ESA, it plans to build a "world class event to serve the global gaming industry" in new and broader ways.

Supermassive Games has released a new story trailer for The Devil In Me, the next game in The Dark Pictures Anthology. 

The Devil In Me was revealed last October, and it will be the finale to Season One of The Dark Pictures Anthology. It stars Jessie Buckley, who you can see in today's new trailer, and seems to feature many horror elements that lean on the Saw franchise. There are fatal booby traps, maze-like halls, shifting walls, and more. Whatever this house in The Devil In Me is, one thing is for sure: it's a house of horrors inspired by the infamous hotel of serial killer H.H. Holmes. 

Check out the new story trailer for The Devil In Me below:

What do you think of this new trailer? Let us know in the comments below!

Lego and Nintendo have collaborated for years, from sets for the famous plumber’s brother Luigi to this excellent Super Mario 64 set. Now, the two have teamed up once more to give Lego fans the largest Super Mario build yet, and it’s the most infamous villain in the entire Mushroom Kingdom: Bowser. 

Revealed today, this is the biggest Lego Bowser to date, according to Lego, clocking in at 2807 pieces. Dubbed Lego Super Mario: The Mighty Bowser, this build is a “highly detailed recreation of the King of the Koopas, complete with controllable movements and the ability to launch a fireball, reflective of Bowser’s huge and powerful features.”