California governor accused of interfering to support Activision Blizzard in state discrimination lawsuit

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  4 minutes  |  693 words  |  Patria Henriques

The California Department of Fair Employment's ongoing harassment and discrimination lawsuit against Activision Blizzard - which accused the publisher of fostering a "frat boy culture" in which sexual harassment, assault, and inappropriate behaviour were able to thrive - has taken another dramatic turn. A state of California lawyer involved in the lawsuit has resigned, accusing the state's governor of interfering in the case in support of Activision Blizzard. As reported by Bloomberg, the assistant chief counsel for California’s Department of Fair Employment, Melanie Proctor, has quit her role in protest after California Governor Gavin Newsom " [Read More]

Civilization 6 gets cross-platform cloud saves for PC and Switch

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  2 minutes  |  322 words  |  Patria Henriques

In the middle of a tense Civ 6 barbarian battle but really need the loo? Well, now you can take your game with you, as 2K has implemented a cross-platform cloud system allowing players to transfer their saves between Switch and Steam. This essentially means players can instantly close down a game on one device, boot up the other, and continue playing the same game. To do this you'll simply need to link your 2K account and select " [Read More]

Earthworm Jim 2 comes to Nintendo Switch Online

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  2 minutes  |  402 words  |  Arica Deslauriers

Nintendo has announced three new Switch Online games for March, and they include the 90's run and gun platformer Earthworm Jim 2. Not many could slow their fall from a great height by ballooning out huge quantities of snot to make some kind of bogey-chute, but Earthworm Jim could. Now, he is back once more, thanks to this recent update from Nintendo. Earthworm Jim 2 can be played through the Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app. [Read More]

Final Fantasy 15's very last DLC episode gets a release date

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  2 minutes  |  387 words  |  Mittie Cheatwood

Final Fantasy 15's final DLC expansion, Episode Ardyn, will release on Xbox One, PS4, and PC on March 26th. Previous Final Fantasy 15 DLC episodes - that is, Episode Gladiolus, Episode Ignis, and Episode Prompto - have focussed individual character's from the game's core entourage. Episode Ardyn, however, casts its net wider, telling the story of the Niflheim Empire's Chancellor Ardyn Izunia. Those who've yet to finish the main game should consider everything from here on in to be a carefree jaunt through potential spoiler territory. [Read More]

Nex Machina review | Eurogamer.net

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  7 minutes  |  1307 words  |  Fernande Dalal

Housemarque has just made the game of its career. Good arcade designers often work with four words buzzing around in their brains: What Would Jarvis Do? Jarvis - and I hope I don't need to explain this - refers to Eugene Jarvis, and he's amongst the greatest twitch game designers of all time. With Defender, he created a coin-op legend, a game so overwhelming in its flair and complexity and sheer visual impact that people would drop money into its innards just to witness the explosion that erupted when they died. [Read More]

No, BioWare hasn't teased a return for Shepard in the next Mass Effect

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  3 minutes  |  473 words  |  Mittie Cheatwood

BioWare has swiftly shut down internet speculation it had inadvertantly teased a return for franchise hero Commander Shepard in the next Mass Effect. Yesterday, fan gossip was sparked by the description of a poster on the BioWare store. The poster is a print of the teaser image BioWare released last November for its in-development Mass Effect game, and was described thus: "While Shepard and the survivors are left to pick up the pieces, fans are left wondering what's next. [Read More]

Players slam New World's recent changes via Steam reviews

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  3 minutes  |  445 words  |  Trudie Dory

Amazon's MMO, New World, has seen its aggregate user reviews on Steam fall from "mostly positive" to "mixed" in the last 30 days. As spotted by TheGamer, feedback seems mostly to criticise the game's "grind" and its litany of bugs and issues. "It saddens me to have to write a negative review," wrote one player. "The game has a great foundation but is pretty much completely screwed over by bad decisions from higher-ups. [Read More]

Pokémon Let's Go review - an assured balancing act for fans old and new

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  9 minutes  |  1817 words  |  Patria Henriques

Pokémon's Switch debut deftly toes the line between returning fans and all-new ones, with a few small wobbles along the way. Over time, Pokémon games have developed themselves a bit of a conundrum. These are family games, bright and inviting and unquestionably filled with joy. Yet a lot of their audience - and I can say this because it includes me - is pushing on a bit. It means that every game kicks off with two opposing impulses, at once trying to welcome a new generation and ease them in gently to the 20-year-old whirlpool of systems and rituals, while also giving those 20-year-long fans something worthwhile, something challenging, and something new. [Read More]

Shenmue 3 review - a faithful follow-up to an all-time classic

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  9 minutes  |  1710 words  |  Patria Henriques

A bewitching time capsule that transports us to late 80s China, and to turn-of-the-century video games. Against all odds, here it is. 18 years on from the last episode, and well after most had given up hope that Ryo Hazuki would ever find his way out of the Guilin cave where Shenmue 2 so abruptly ended, perhaps the most remarkable thing about Shenmue 3 is that it exists at all. [Read More]

Sony is selling a replica of Ellie's guitar from The Last of Us 2 for $2299

 Posted on September 11, 2022  |  2 minutes  |  350 words  |  Fernande Dalal

Sony is selling a replica of Ellie's guitar in The Last of Us 2 for a whopping $2299. This custom Taylor 314ce, which is on the PlayStation Gear website, comes with "its distinctive rich tobacco sunburst top and a custom moth fretboard inlay in grained ivoroid". There's more: "Built with solid sapele back and sides and a Sitka spruce top, this model produces a balanced voice across the tonal spectrum with a rich midrange and clear treble notes. [Read More]