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Rogue Legacy inherits PlayStation systems this month
Cellar Door Games' 2D descendant-dependent game Rogue Legacy will arrive later this month for PS4, PS3 and Vita. The game is scheduled to arrive in North America on July 29 and one day later in Europe. The game reached PC just over one year ago, followed by Mac and Linux in October. The PlayStation versions of the game, most of which is courtesy of Abstraction Games, were revealed during Sony's Gamescom press conference in August. Rogue Legacy is described as a "rogue-lite," as players battle through a constantly-changing magic castle at the risk of losing their progress at the drop of a blade. Upon dying, the child of the fallen hero/heroine rises in succession, each time carrying a genetic trait (and their parent's money) that makes the next attempt unique. The PS4, PS3 and Vita versions will be Cross-Save enabled, so players can carry their progress across each platform. They will also be Cross-Buy-capable, putting one price to all three versions, which has not yet been revealed. [Image: Cellar Door Games]
Ellen Ripley leads Nostromo crew's return in Alien: Isolation's pre-order DLC
Sega revealed Sigourney Weaver and several members of the original Alien cast reunite in two missions from the upcoming Alien: Isolation. Temper your excitement, because Sega is making both missions pre-order bonuses, with one exclusive in the US to GameStop. Sega says all pre-orders come with the "Crew Expendable" mission, in which you can play as either Ellen Ripley, Dallas or Parker in the moments following Brett's protracted death in the film. Meanwhile, the GameStop pre-order mission is "Last Survivor," in which players as Ripley try to escape the Nostromo by boarding the Narcissus shuttle.
Lords of the Fallen challenges you to pick it up in October
Lords of the Fallen brings its dark fantasy action-RPG gameplay to North America on October 28, with Europe penciled in for October 31. No word yet on US prices, but in the UK it'll be priced £50 on PS4 and Xbox One, and £30 on PC. Lords of the Fallen pits you as Harkyn, a convict and a meaty slab of a man who has to step up when the army of a fallen god threatens his world. That unyielding world is matched by combat and gameplay systems designed to keep players on their toes, rather than going in with gung-ho recklessness. According to Executive Producer Tomasz Gop, the third-person action-RPG "has all the layers, all the complexity, all the mechanics, all the elements of very advanced tactical combat." For more on Lords of the Fallen, check out what Anthony thought of it at E3. [Image: Square Enix]
Japanese gamers can play The Evil Within unedited with 'Gore Mode' DLC
While the retail version of Bethesda's The Evil Within will hit Japan in a censored state compared to other regions, Japanese players will have the option of restoring the game to its full gory glory with add-on DLC available after launch, Famitsu reports (via Siliconera). Directed by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, The Evil Within is a survival horror game that puts players at the scene of a recent mass murder, alone and ill-equipped to handle lurking creatures. ZeniMax Asia general manger Tetsu Takahashi notes that an edited Japanese release will earn a lower CERO content rating, allowing it to reach a wider audience. "If we were to make it the same way as the foreign version, it'd be rated CERO Z [18 and up] and we felt that it'd be best to release it the way the creators make it," Takahashi said, via Siliconera's translation. "However, that would limit the sales and advertising, so we'd lose the opportunity to reach out to as many customers possible." Downloadable copies of The Evil Within will be split between CERO D (17 and up) and CERO Z versions at launch, while the Japanese retail release is CERO D-only. Japan's "Gore Mode DLC" will restore The Evil Within's violent content, which will remain uncensored in the North American retail release launching on October 21. [Image: Bethesda]
Battlefield 4 grows Dragon's Teeth on July 15
Following recent rumors, we can now confirm that the Battlefield 4 DLC dubbed "Dragon's Teeth" will arrive on July 15. According to EA's official confirmation notice, Dragon's Teeth will offer players five new weapons, a new gadget dubbed the "Ballistic Shield," and something called the "R.A.W.R." that the publisher describes as a "a remote controlled ground vehicle armed to the teeth." Additionally, Dragon's Teeth adds the new Chain Link gametype, a modification of the series-mainstay Conquest which asks players to link capture points to win. Most crucially, Dragon's Teeth introduces four new maps that invite players to shoot one another amidst the concrete splendor of urban Chinese life. Keep in mind, that July 15 release date is only valid for members of the Battlefield 4 Premium service. Those who haven't spent the cash to purchase all of the game's DLC and a handful of exclusive bonuses will need to wait until July 29 to explore Dragon's Teeth. Like past DLC offerings, Dragon's Teeth will bear a $15 price tag. [Image: EA]
PSN Tuesday: Another World, The Wolf Among Us finale
This week's PSN Tuesday is out of this world, headlined by classic adventure game Another World 20th Anniversary Edition on PS4, PS3 and Vita as a Cross-Buy for $8. In other tri-platform Cross-Buy news, there's cheesy puzzle game Mousecraft for $15. The Wolf Among Us Episode 5 is out today on PS3 for $5 – a screaming deal, if we may say so (our review certainly does). Up for pre-order is the Destiny Digital Guardian Edition for PS3 or PS4 ($90), and Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty for PS4 ($30). With today's update, PS3 also gets Le Tour de France – Season 2014, One Piece Unlimited World Red and Sacra Terra: Kiss of Death. For one week, PS Plus members can get DC Universe Online: The Hand of Fate for $4.90, DC Universe Online: War of the Light Part 1 for $4.90, Another World for $7.20, and the PlayStation Plus pack for Blacklight Retribution for free. Everyone can snag that DC Universe Online content for $7 apiece during the sale this week, along with a lineup of DLC for Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag, Canabalt for $1.50, Kung Fu Rabbit for $2.50, PS2 Classic Stella Deus for $4 and Breakquest: Extra Evolution – Minis for $1.50. [Image: The Digital Lounge]
'From Masher to Master' offers Street Fighter crash course
Hoping to attract a few new faces to the growing fighting game community, author Patrick Miller has debuted "From Masher to Master," a simple, easy to understand guide for anyone hoping to pick up the basics of Street Fighter. The 131-page tome, which can be downloaded at no charge from Shoryuken, features strategic basics, general game theory and a combo primer, alongside screenshots and helpful illustrations. Unlike most Street Fighter guides, Miller does an excellent job avoiding jargon, and where it's necessary, he often includes a sidebar explaining the term's meaning and origins. There's not enough here to earn a completely green player a spot at the next EVO tournament, but Miller presents a solid primer on how to go from bewildered to passably competent. Once you've absorbed his book, Miller also offers advice on where to go from there. The final page of "From Masher To Master" includes a handy list of articles, books and YouTube videos designed to improve high-level Street Fighter play - a handy inclusion for those who burn through Miller's book in an afternoon. [Image: Capcom]
GDC Europe survey finds devs flocking to PC, mobile
The European wing of the Game Developers Conference has unveiled the second annual European State of the Industry Survey, a study that suggests most European game developers see their future on the PC or mobile devices. According to the survey, PC and mobile platforms boast the lion's share of active development projects. 58 percent of developers replying to the survey had PC projects in the works, while 65 percent were developing mobile games. On the console side of things, the PlayStation 4 holds a minor advantage over its Microsoft counterpart. 18 percent of those surveyed claimed to be working on PS4 games, while that number drops to 13 percent for the Xbox One. That gap may be widening though, as 33 percent of respondents believed their next project would appear on PlayStation 4 while only 23 percent said the same of the Xbox One. Before you visit the comments, keep in mind, this survey is not an objective judgement on which hardware is best for gaming. GDC Europe did not just dictate that your iPhone is a better gaming machine than your PlayStation 4, or that your Xbox One has no value. These findings say nothing of technological quality, only where game developers feel they might be able to make money employing their skills. [Image: Rovio]
Mighty No. 9 seeking $100K more to add Japanese voice acting
Comcept revealed additional stretch goals for Mighty No. 9 a few short days ago, giving fans the opportunity to bolster the game's development with funding via PayPal on its official site. The $100,000 stretch goal was introduced to fund English voice acting for the game, which the original game's funding support won't cover. Mighty No. 9's funding page has since changed, however, upping the developer's goal to $200,000 and adding Japanese voice acting to its list of ambitions. Additionally, a Japan-only Makuake crowdfunding project from Comcept popped up with a 10 million yen (roughly $98,296) goal, specifically geared toward providing Japanese voices for Mighty No. 9. We've reached out to Comcept to clarify the two funding avenues and whether the two goals for Japanese voice acting overlap. The game, a project by Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune, earned over $4 million combined from Kickstarter and PayPal in October 2013. It was by far the biggest earner in the crowdfunding space in the past year, which saw a total of $35 million spread across 341 gaming projects. Mighty No. 9 is expected to launch in spring 2015 for many platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Mac, Linux, 3DS, Wii U and Vita. [Image: Comcept]
Joystiq Streams: Guacamelee Summer Slam '14 [UPDATE: Relive the stream!]
Oh yeah, brother! Guacamelee entered the ring in 2013 to become a bonafide cham-PION of platforming. Snapping into the beefy, juicy taste of slamming exploration and macho wrestling moves, not to mention its bonafide, bodacious chicken mazes, was an unparalleled experience in excellence. That was just the beginning! Now Guacamelee Super Turbo Championship Edition is here for a proverbial cage match on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Wii U. Who are we to resist the chance to go mano a mano with Juan now that he's chock full of new levels and moves? Randy Savage-isms aside, Guacamelee was a Joystiq favorite last year and we're excited to dig in to the new revamped version of the game. We'll be playing Guacamelee Super Turbo Championship Edition live on Joystiq Streams starting at 4PM EST at Joystiq.com/Twitch. Swing on by to hang with us, as well as members of the Drinkbox crew. We'll also be doling out free copies of the game for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as we go. Our Guacamelee Super Turbo Championship Edition stream and giveaway starts at 4PM EST on Joystiq.com/Twitch, the very same time Joystiq Streams broadcasts every Tuesday and Thursday.
In a parallel universe, BioShock Vita is a tactics game that's real
Ken Levine stoked laments for what could have been when he took to Twitter last night to discuss the now-fabled BioShock Vita game. When asked what he had in mind for his pet project that never got off the ground, the Irrational Games president said, "I was thinking a Final Fantasy Tactics-style thing set in a pre-fall Rapture." Well, damn.
Driveclub joins the PS4 bundle club in Europe
Driveclub is gearing up for its October launch with a newly unveiled PS4 bundle, as if to cement over the chances of another delay. The package is only confirmed for Europe so far, where it's priced 440 euros and includes the game, console and a DualShock 4 controller. It's the second PS4 bundle of recent that Sony's unveiled for Europe but not North America (yet) the first being for The Last of Us Remastered. It would be more than a little surprising if neither bundle was headed stateside, even if Naughty Dog's polished-up horror is only a few weeks away. Well, at least the shiny white Destiny PS4 is definitely on the way.
Have you been downloading your free PS Plus games?
Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida recently discussed the continued dissonance between the audience's perception and reality of independent games and AAA titles. In particular, he mentioned the download rates of games available for free to PlayStation Plus members. "I hear complaints [about the lack of AAA games]. I do realize that some people are only interested in big-budget AAA games. I don't really understand those people. I don't know if they've tried some of the indie games and decided they're not interested," said Yoshida to GI.biz.
Dragon Age: Inquisition gains a die-hard bard with Leliana
Leliana, the Orlesian bard-turned-assassin who made her debut in Dragon Age: Origins, will return to face down the series' flying, fire-breathing reptiles in Dragon Age: Inquisition. It's not clear whether Leliana will join the player-controlled Inquisitor as a party member, but the game's profile of her seems to suggest that the cheery woman players met in 2009 has undergone a change in personality. Along with pictures showing her clad in hooded garments and a solemn stare, the official description tells the story of a woman not to be crossed: "She has many names. Most know her as 'Sister Nightingale' or 'the Left Hand of the Divine.' To the rare friend, she is Leliana," it reads. "Those who have earned her loyalty know her as a steadfast ally. But enemies of the Divine know to fear her, for she is the shadow behind the Sunburst Throne-the one who watches and waits, who strikes when her mark is most vulnerable and least suspecting." Well, at least you know when to expect her; Dragon Age: Inquisition arrives October 7. [Image: EA]
Turn-based RPG Ar Nosurge will weave songs in its combat
Some people insist there's an element of magic in music, but that's meant literally in developer Gust's Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star, which Koei Tecmo will price at $49.99 when it reaches North American PS3s on September 23. The turn-based RPG's battle system will feature pairs of characters, with a melee-savvy offensive type protecting their teammate as they compose damage-dealing songs. Again, that damage is related to magic, so you hopefully won't be penning painful ballads featuring Yoko Ono. Although that does sound like a good way to limit break ... Ar Nosurge's tale of a civilization looking for a new home features two leading pairs. Delta and Casty, who have the low-priority objectives of protecting humanity and saving the world from a life form known as the Sharl, which has suddenly appeared and begun the wholesome activity of abduction. Ar Nosurge's second party, Ion and Earthes, wants to find a way for Ion to return to Earth, but Ar Nosurge's official site also states that they "fight under the belief" that the Sharl should be able to co-exist with humanity. Sounds like our duos may have some logistical disagreements, should they ever cross paths. Gameplay switches between each pair, with a "unique character development system" boosting strengths depending on how well a pair's friendships are managed. Players will switch between each duo as they work toward solving an overarching mystery, which might have something to do with the Sharl just up and kidnapping people. While it's never expanded on, the press release also describes Ar Nosurge as a "7-dimension" RPG, which sounds ... important. [Image: Koei Tecmo USA]
Sony says there is 'healthy consumer demand' for Vita
Feel an ache in your wallet? Sweating palms that yearn to hold molded plastic? A constant craving to play games like Tearaway, Gravity Rush and Uncharted: Golden Abyss? Fear not friend, for according to doctors Sony representatives, these are but symptoms of a "healthy consumer demand" for a PlayStation Vita. Speaking to Polygon, Sony reps said that the new, slimmed-down model of the PlayStation Vita has spurred "strong interest among gamers," and the company is replenishing stock in order to "ensure continued momentum leading into the holidays." While sales for Sony's newest handheld were initially sluggish - especially compared to its competition, the Nintendo 3DS - its numbers picked up near the PlayStation 4 launch, though Sony hasn't shared exact numbers for some time. [Image: Sony]
Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 expands shooting system on next-gen
Konami revealed details for Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 this week, the publisher's first soccer game for Xbox One and PS4. The game will include expanded passing options when dishing a final pass to strikers as well as a new shooting system with a "variety of unrestricted shooting styles," though goalkeepers are expected to react better and alter their center of gravity to block shots. The publisher also boasted improved one-on-one battles in the game, improving players' abilities to dribble into space and away from their marker. PES 2015 will be the "first full implementation" of the publisher's Fox Engine, which debuted in its "embryonic form" in Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 and gifted the game a much more exciting presentation. Konami says it recreated over 1,000 players for PES 2015, each one expecting to run and play as they would in real life, and provided more varied crowd animations as well as context-sensitive cheers. The soccer sim is due to launch this fall or winter for PS4, Xbox One and "additional formats." [Image: Konami]
Hunt down Far Cry 4's Ultimate Kyrat Edition in EMEA territories
Wildlife antagonists can already reserve Far Cry 4's Kyrat Edition, which includes the Himalayan adventure, bonus missions following Far Cry 3's harpoon gun-equipped Hurk, a physical travel journal, a propaganda poster and an 8-inch figurine of villain Pagan Min perched on an elephant's trunk. As extensive as the offering is, it lacks the season pass, Future Pack metal box and collector's case offered in the EMEA region-exclusive Ultimate Kyrat Edition, which a press release states is exclusively available through the UPlay Shop for PS4, Xbox One and PC at £89.99. GameStop lists Far Cry 4's season pass as a $30 (£18) purchase, which should help you decide whether there's value in upgrading from the less-than-ultimate, season pass-less Kyrat Edition. Of course, we still don't know what the pass' content even involves – if you're not one for trust falls and can't justify the elaborate Kyrat Edition, you can still get Hurk's harpoon gun and his trio of missions by pre-ordering a regular copy of Far Cry 4. [Image: Ubisoft]
Evolve wants you to try its alpha
Today of all days, America needs you to sign up and do your duty. By which we mean sign up to try the Evolve alpha, which this Euro reporter sadly notes is limited to North America. Personal grievances aside, here's what you need to do for a chance of being selected. Head to the sign-up site, and when asked enter the password "happyhunting" and referral code "JoinTheHunt" along with all required details. Also, make sure you have a Steam account as you'll need one. 2K Games aims to have its participant list nailed down by tomorrow, July 5, so don't procrastinate before you celebrate today.
Trials Fusion first DLC pack rides into the Rustlands on July 29
Riders, rev your engines – the first DLC pack for Trials Fusion, Riders of the Rustlands, is due out on July 29 for $5 on Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4 and PC. It's free as part of the game's $20 Season Pass, which will include six pieces of content total, all released by May 2015. Riders of the Rustlands includes five achievements/trophies, 10 tracks, 18 track challenges and dozens of Editor Objects. The new tracks are six classic-style, two Supercross, one Skill Game called Laws of Motion and an FMX track called The Gauntlet. On the Ubisoft blog, Creative Director Antti Ilvessuo describes development on the DLC content, and outlines the next big feature coming to Trials Fusion: Teams. "Teams will be huge," Ilvessuo says. "Imagine playing Trials for your Teams, against other Teams on tracks and in tournaments and, in a little bit later down the road, online. There are many other free features after those too – things we haven't talked about but are on the roadmap. We are dedicated to the model of continuously expanding and improving the game with new features that will make the game even greater. This is the long-term plan." [Image: Ubisoft]
