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Beyond Sunset Demo Impressions: Retro Renaissance?

Mike Phalin
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Beyond Sunset Demo Impressions: Retro Renaissance?

Retro-inspired first-person shooters like Beyond Sunset are nothing new. For many years, indie devs have been tapping into nostalgia. The attempts to recapture the days of Duke Nukem 3D, DOOM, and Shadow Warrior have been met with several successes and countless failures.

How do you rekindle gamers’ memories while also offering up something that isn’t a tired “DOOM-clone” or (as they’re more commonly referred to now) “boomer shooters?” Games like Beyond Sunset may be the answer.

The last fast-paced new retro shooter I played was Turbo Overkill. It combined elements of Quake, DOOM, and Serious Sam into a fun and highly replayable experience. However, it lacked depth beyond the number of ways you could creatively dispatch enemies. I honestly forgot there was a story because the gameplay overshadowed the narrative the developer used.

Beyond Sunset does the opposite. It presents a story as the driving point behind your actions.

After a short tutorial on the basics of navigation and combat, your character awakens from cryostasis to find herself in a vast storage complex surrounded by thousands of people still asleep in their capsules. Who are you? Why are you here? Are you wearing clothes? We don’t know.

OK, a mystery! That has my attention.

Our protagonist has to floaty jump her way through a small maze of cryo-pods before finding herself in a medical wing whose soul inhabitant at first is an unhelpful robot. After some minor exploration, we see a katana inside an office and a computer that allows us to read e-mails, check camera feeds, and unlock the first of many doors.

Upon exiting the office, we’re suddenly rushed by gun-wielding guards and robots that want to get all up in our business with the stabby stabs. The sword allows us to cut through our enemies quickly, but it’s easy to get swarmed by all sides, even in narrow spaces.

Being constantly on the move in combat prevents a quick death, and mastering the art of blocking gunfire with the sword. A well-timed block will send multiple rounds back at the enemy.

Further exploration brings us to our first firearm: a low-power pistol with a charge shot feature and unlimited ammo. It may not be the best, but it becomes useful against certain shielded enemies.

As we run and gun further into the corporate building, we find ourselves in a large room with several branching paths and a ringing telephone. A wall-mounted phone? In the cyberpunk future?

This old-school device shuttles us into the main narrative of the story. The caller tells us our name. It’s Lucy. The person on the phone is called Raven for now. We’re experiencing memory loss thanks to cryo-revival.

We were the prisoner of the Genemp Corporation. This naughty business wanted to cut us up because we’ve got some super cool abilities. This is precisely what happened to me when I joined the Young Conservatives.

Raven informs us that we can escape if we destroy an ice-cooled mainframe. Hopefully, she will help us figure out who we are and if we’re wearing pants.

What follows in Beyond Sunset is a game of finding switches, opening doors, and destroying the coolant system protecting the mainframe. This will allow us to access the security network via a VR headset, where you must recover a hash file.

The complex is relatively large, and navigating can be tedious, especially if you’ve not played an old-school shooter for a bit. It’s easy to overlook a TV screen for a switch you must hit to progress.

All the combat and exploration are standard, but what about the RPG elements the game’s Steam page discussed? It’s there but is very easy to overlook.

If you’re good at exploring the map, you’ll come across skill point pickups that allow you to increase one of three aspects: health, armor, and ammo. Of course, the first thing you’ll want to do is get those hit points up.

OK, that’s not the RPG elements I was hoping for. After getting the mainframe almost destroyed, I explored for a bit and found that some of the robots in the facility have optional quests.

A partially dismantled bot wants its emotions turned off so it doesn’t fear death. Another one wants a friend to stay by its side. These short breaks in the run-and-gunning offer up different rewards. However, they’re pretty easy to miss.

I wouldn’t go into Beyond Sunset expecting an RPG experience like Deus Ex. Consider these detours, at least in the demo, as a change of pace from having to do complex gymnastics to retrieve a skill point or new gun from a far-off platform.

Another way the gameplay is divergent from typical boomer shooters is by including a VR puzzle section. Once the mainframe is offline and you access the security network, you’re transported to a blocky area where you must rotate cubes to guide a beam of golden light to a specific point.

This new area is also infested with enemies in the form of disembodied heads that spit energy blasts at you. It’s a simple enough puzzle stage, but exploration offers some benefits, like additional health that is proprietary to the VR world.

Once you’ve completed this area, you get the hash file (represented by the 3D rotating hash symbol). Return to the phone, call Raven back, and prepare for a horde of enemies to appear.

Raven tells you to get to the elevators, and you two can meet in the parking garage. At this point, the game throws everything at you.

Once you find your way to the elevator, you’re home-free or at least to the end of the demo. But, of course, that isn’t the case.

The parking garage goes into lockdown, and you’re faced with your first boss. DX7 is a large bot sporting a colossal laser and annoying flying minions. Hopefully, you’ve been smart about conserving ammo because you’ll need it.

If you’re playing Beyond Sunset above the normal difficulty, this is a somewhat unforgiving boss fight. DX7’s charging slash attack could be a one-hit kill if you didn’t pour points into health and armor.

Dodging and sliding become the moves that will save you here. The old-school strategy of simply circling the boss won’t work here.

You’ll be treated to an exposition dump cutscene from Raven if you’re a winner. We learn that the story is a cross between The Terminator and The Matrix.

That’s where the demo ends.

There’s a lot of potential here. Although, it will depend on Metacorp fleshing out the RPG elements of the game. The trio of stats to increase is acceptable.

I need to get hooked on feeling involved with the world, aside from running around and shooting it up. There’s a bit of that teased in the demo with the requests from the robots, but will it evolve beyond that? We’ll have to wait and see.

No release date for Beyond Sunset has been announced, but the game currently appears at Next Fest. Be sure to check out the demo, and put it on your wishlist if you’ve been hoping for more boomer shooters like Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun.

Don’t worry; your rig will most likely be able to run the game because Beyond Sunset‘s requirements are very lite:

MINIMUM:

    • OS: Windows Vista or later
    • Processor: 2.4 GHz Dual-Core
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: OpenGL 3.3 Compatible
    • Storage: 400 MB available space

RECOMMENDED:

    • OS: Windows 10
    • Processor: Quad Core 2.4 GHz 64-bit
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: OpenGL 4.0 or Vulkan Compatible
    • Storage: 400 MB available space

If you’re looking for a more mainstream RPG, check out our review of Final Fantasy XVI.

[Source: Stream]

Review: Final Fantasy XVI – A Mature and Epic Fantasy

Jakejames Lugo
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Review: Final Fantasy XVI – A Mature and Epic Fantasy

Whenever we think of role-playing games with a significant impact on the games industry, no conversation goes without mentioning Final Fantasy from Square Enix. The series has constantly released games that iterated its core elements and tried to push boundaries with experimentation in the RPG genre. And while some attempts at being different have fared better than others, Final Fantasy XVI is an example of the series using its legacy to help push forward into new territory. The result is an amazing experience that hits all of the right marks at the right times, despite maybe being a little too different for long-time fans of the series. On top of that, Final Fantasy shows a tasteful maturity in this sixteenth entry by daring to go to places with its story that will surprise and shock you, yet keep you invested in this new world and cast of characters within it.

One of the biggest things that stands out with Final Fantasy XVI is the step away from the series’ tradition of turn-based combat and heavy RPG elements. And while Final Fantasy XVI still has a hefty dose of Japanese role-playing game characteristics, it doesn’t become burdened down by them and instead takes steps towards being something unique. This goes for both its gameplay and plot, which still feel like another evolution of the series as a whole. It’s not the Final Fantasy of years past, but rather a new entry of the Final Fantasy series that continues what its predecessors have done before. Take the series in a new direction that can give players something interesting, beautiful, and memorable.

The story of the game is set in the world of Valisthea, with its two continents populated by cities. Here is where kingdoms are constantly at war with one another over control of the Mother Crystals, which allow people to use magic. In these skirmishes, the kingdoms use individuals called Dominants that are able to use the power of Eikons, which are the traditional Final Fantasy summon monsters we know. It’s an interesting setup that uses legacy elements of previous Final Fantasy games in a creative way, giving a unique narrative explanation for why and how we see these famous creatures in a different setting. The same can be said for many of the monsters and enemy creatures littered throughout the game, finding a place for everything from the Malboros to a Chocobo. There’s even a Moogle in here with an interesting backstory that lets some of the cuter sides of the series join the fray, despite this being a grim tale.

Speaking of grim, this story follows Clive Rosfield, a young man born into the kingdom of Rosaria. Clive is forced into a life of hardship after his brother Joshua is murdered at a young age and he is thrown into military service. Clive’s mother is responsible for this after Clive’s father is killed in a major event, setting into motion much of the conflict seen throughout the game. Due to these tragic events, Clive finds himself as the Dominant for the Eikon of fire, Ifrit. It’s from here the story follows Clive on his long quest for revenge for his brother’s murder and justice for his family and the kingdom of Rosaria.

Final Fantasy XVI is the most mature and boundary-pushing story that the series has seen to date. While other Final Fantasy games have delved into plot points and heavy subject matter from time to time, this is the first game to really commit to the idea of a mature story. Everything from murder, conspiracy, sex, trauma, and slavery is but a portion of how far the story is willing to go to tell Clive’s tale. But the game does this in a tasteful manner, where none of it feels gimmicky or forced into the story. Dialogue between characters, details of the world, and the overall production value are given a weight that isn’t played for laughs or cheap tricks. It’s the same type of tone and approach to writing one would find in fantasy shows like Game of Thrones or The Witcher, but with Final Fantasy aspects that make it feel authentic. How Clive’s story unfolds isn’t always as bright as many other Final Fantasy plotlines have been in the past, but it definitely feels heartfelt and real in many ways.

One of the best things to be included in Final Fantasy XVI is the Active Time Lore menus. These are extra menus you can pull up at any time during any cutscene or gameplay section to help give you details about the story happening. This is such a helpful feature that can be a real asset to anyone that might be lost in the story or forget a detail the game glances over. A lot of the story in Final Fantasy XVI is very heavy-handed with details about the world and relationships between characters, so having this reference available at any time is a big plus for everyone.

Even better is how all of the information included can be accessed later on in a location Clive goes to if you haven’t been using Active Time Lore for a while. There’s a lot of information that Final Fantasy XVI throws at you, but it never lets you lose or miss out on any of it throughout the whole experience. For many players, this will be something they want to see copied and used again in future Final Fantasy games, let alone other role-playing series that can benefit from it.

What about the gameplay itself, both in terms of combat and exploration of this new world? Does Final Fantasy XVI have enough good things happening in its gameplay when compared to previous entries? Much of this experience feels more like an action game in both speed and openness of combat. Clive can gather powers from various Eikons throughout the story, allowing him to use different attacks and abilities that open up a wide range of combos and attack strings. Fighting groups of enemies lets you show some style by linking together attacks and controlling the area, and it’s easy to do so the more you get into battles. Things can look super flashy as you get the hang of using attacks in various ways, switching between Eikon powers and elemental attacks to dish out big damage.

For some, it’s easy to make the comparison to games like Devil May Cry and even Kingdom Hearts. The similarities between them and Final Fantasy XVI are very easy to spot. But Final Fantasy XVI still manages to implement the series’ RPG battle characteristics with things like staggering enemies, elemental weaknesses, and even status effects. They aren’t always as obvious in the heat of battle, but you can definitely spot them if you take the moment to look. The game even displays the name of incoming enemy attacks, from groups and bosses, in the same fashion box and text as classic Final Fantasy games. Often this will give you a heads up of when to dodge and counterattack enemies, which is very key to dealing massive damage and building up stagger against tougher enemies.

Although you have allies with you often in combat, most of the time it’s Clive taking point in nearly every battle with his faithful dog companion Torgal. You can issue commands to Torgal to continue combos and follow-up attacks, as well as heal when things get dire. Other allies that fight with you can still hold their own, allowing you to fight without worrying about them. You can’t order or control party members with you other than Torgal, but that also means they can’t be defeated in battle either. Some people might find this to be a negative, but others won’t have an issue with it. Some Final Fantasy games prior to this have done similar things with party members to varying degrees of success, and in here it’s not a hindrance to the experience.

The fighting can get challenging at times, but it’s never impossibly hard. Clive has access to ring equipment that helps give buffs and extra boosts to make combat easier, but they’re completely optional. You don’t have to use them, but you aren’t penalized for doing so. In addition, Clive can gain new abilities from his Eikons and utilize various equipment and items. Leveling up and winning battles gives ability points to spend on new attacks and upgrades, which opens up new attacks for varying levels of combos to use in combat.

For some, these role-playing elements are much lighter than previous Final Fantasy games and lack much customization for Clive. You also won’t be spending a lot of time upgrading equipment as much as you might think, especially when you find a solid weapon and equipment early on to keep on hand. Though this is where Final Fantasy XVI leans more towards action game than RPG, it more than makes up for it with everything else around it. Combat can be a spectacle to play through and feel very good to control, before and after you open up many upgrades for Clive.

The game also has some incredibly over-the-top boss battles that live up to the big battles from previous Final Fantasy games. Eikon battles are like giant monster battles that let you control an Eikon at various story points, letting you get involved with crazy fights that are almost earth-shattering. These battles do end up having many quick time events with button presses, as do some major battles with Clive in the story, but add to the spectacle playing out on screen. Often quick time events are criticized for taking away control from the player at different times, but they can also add to the excitement and tone of cutscenes playing out. The quick-time events in Final Fantasy XVI never become an annoyance when they appear, even during the big battles. There are still a lot of moments where you’re in full control and fighting bosses, so they aren’t overshadowed by the quick time events when they appear.

Exploring the world of Valisthea is a time-consuming activity. There’s a lot of open space to traverse and visit multiple times throughout the main story and side quests. The main quests you have will take you throughout the entirety of the two continents, while side quests will allow you to spend a little more time in the spots you glance over.

Unfortunately, side quests in this game aren’t as interesting to do in comparison to many other RPG titles. Often you’ll be running around to get items for specific people or clearing out locations from monsters or bosses, and it can get repetitive. Most of them also don’t always have much lore or side story to tell other than someone’s small trouble with something. But luckily, rewards from side quests can be very helpful and great for improving Clive’s abilities.

Traveling around isn’t always done on foot since you can unlock a Chocobo mount and fast travel points to use when jumping between locations. These will become really helpful tools when you’re going from one area to another, especially during side quests with multiple steps. Certain points of the story will prevent you from doing anything else but the main quest line, but eventually you open up the freedom to do and go where you please. And when you’re done with the main quest, there’s more to see and do, including a new game plus feature that changes various elements while carrying over all of your progress. You’ll definitely be busy for a long time if you want to see everything in Final Fantasy XVI, and putting the time into it will definitely yield many great rewards.

Final Fantasy XVI is a fantastic experience that will take you to dark places, but also let you experience incredible heights of emotion in the best way. It’s a fresh take on the series that has many more successes for every nitpick that one can point out. Not only does it have an intriguing story with a mature tone that will keep you engaged, but it also comes with incredible visuals that will leave you in awe at the majesty that the series continues to uphold for all these years. For some, this game will be a big departure from what they’ve come to know, but for everyone else, it’s a good step in the right direction that is in the spirit of the series’ legacy. Final Fantasy XVI is a grand spectacle that you need to experience.

What do you think of Final Fantasy XVI on PlayStation 5? Will you be playing the game anytime soon? Tell us everything down below in the comment section!

Review: Secret Invasion Premiere Episode – Trusting Nobody

Jakejames Lugo
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Review: Secret Invasion Premiere Episode – Trusting Nobody

Disney is tackling more stories within the Marvel Cinematic Universe in various Disney Plus series, including another follow-up to Avengers: End Game. Secret Invasion is every bit a sequel to the events of Avengers End Game than another entry into Phase 5 of the MCU, for better or worse. The show had its premiere on Disney Plus and promises to deliver a great story over the course of six episodes. And if the momentum of its first episode is any indication, the series is going to make some bold moves with its characters. But like the undertone that the series continuously reminds you, you shouldn’t trust everything you see at first glance.

The story of Secret Invasion is set up to be a spy thriller in the same way that Captain America: Winter Soldier told its own story. There’s a strong sense of paranoia that appears to be building up with the first episode that may be strung along the rest of the series. The show is gritty in the same way that Winter Soldier was willing to push toward the edge, with brutal action and harsh violence. Interactions between characters are more subdued compared to other MCU projects, but everything has more gravitas. Some of the dialogue isn’t always delivered in the best way but still has intriguing elements and layers that reveal big things.

The plot of the first episode sees Nick Fury being called back down to Earth following rumblings of a growing threat that involves the Skrulls. While Fury continues to work together with Skrulls like Talos, who we’ve seen before with his wife in previous MCU films, a collection of Skrulls appears to have gone rogue. With reports of a coordinated effort to attack major cities and cause havoc on Earth for humans, everything seems to point toward an invasion of Earth by the group of Skrulls who seem to have turned their backs on humans. It’s up to Nick Fury to uncover the conspiracy and stop Earth from being overtaken, but nearly every person and thing Fury has known may be compromised in this secret invasion of the world he protects.

Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role as Nick Fury and has a heavier weight on his shoulders that feels like more than what it appears at first. The biggest point the first episode tries to make is how the events of the Snap from Thanos in the Avengers movies affected Nick Fury greatly. It gets a little weird at some points where some of the dialogue about it is repeated, but it’s done in ways that appear to be a conscious choice that might be relevant in later episodes.

There are also hints of other things related to both Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn) and Fury that might be the bigger personal reason for Nick Fury to return to Earth. He was in space for a long time, so there may be more than just the growing threat to bring him back down to the planet. If the things set up in this episode are followed through in the ones to follow in Secret Invasion, we might end up seeing things about Nick Fury that weren’t explored in previous Avengers movies.

Other characters in the episode have a few scenes to shine, but it’s still very early on for all of them to have any significant moments. Emilia Clarke plays G’iah, the daughter of Talos, who has grown up in the time following the Thanos Snap and joined a renegade group of skrulls working for their leader Gravik. Although G’iah has a hard-edge personality, we can see how much she is compromised after learning some devastating news that puts her at odds with her given mission. When she gets some time to interact with her father, things get very interesting and possibly set up what could be a major point of conflict for the rest of the series.

Cobie Smulders returns again as SHIELD agent Maria Hill, who appears to have gone underground with Nick Fury as they survey their current situation. A brief scene at the White House with Iron Man 2’s James Rhodes (played by Don Cheadle again) explains how Fury and Maria have cut off contact with their superiors. While the early portions of the episode don’t do much with Maria, the very end of it does some crazy things with the character that end on a shocking note.

For many, this will be a bold choice, but as the show tells you, don’t always trust anybody or anything. As big of a deal as the ending of the episode might be, things could quickly change up or be something entirely unexpected. But that doesn’t take away from how intriguing and bold things are with the ending. It will definitely get you to come back for the next episode and possibly the rest of the series’ six-episode run.

As a first step into this story, the premiere episode of Secret Invasion does exactly what it needs to do. The setup for the story and introduction to the big problem Nick Fury and crew will face is something different and interesting. Not all fans of the MCU will find this story to be as exciting as other Disney Plus shows, especially when the tone of the show is very different. Secret Invasion isn’t as over-the-top as Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but it definitely has a plot that is as interesting as Loki or Wanda Vision to get you to want to see more.

Are you going to watch Secret Invasion as it goes up on Disney Plus? What is your favorite Disney Plus MCU series thus far? Tell us your thoughts about Secret Invasion in the comment section below!

Ciri and Yennefer from The Witcher Join Fortnite

Jakejames Lugo
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Ciri and Yennefer from The Witcher Join Fortnite

Fortnite is a game with some of the craziest collaborations and cameos. Almost every major franchise or series that is popular among geeks has gotten a character to appear in Fortnite in some form, with a few who have yet to join the game thus far. The Witcher has crossed over with Fortnite before by adding Geralt of Rivia into the game with the Chapter 4, Season 1 content; letting players jump into the battle royale as the white wolf himself. But even more Witcher goodness is on the way to Fortnite with the addition of Ciri and Yennefer as playable characters.

Both Ciri and Yennefer are available in the game now. An announcement on the official Fortnite Twitter page shared a quick video showing Ciri and Yennefer in action. Both characters have their own islands in the game, which can be completed for bonus emoticons. If you’re able to finish both of them, you’ll also get a banner themed to both characters. To get to the Ciri and Yennefer islands, you’ll need to either enter the code to drop in on them immediately or find them via the Discover tab in-game. Both will be around in the game until July 4th 2023.

If you already have the skin and rewards for Geralt from the previous Chapter 4, Season 1 content; then you’ll have a full Witcher set in Fortnite with these new additions. But in addition to the islands that come with Ciri and Yennefer, skins for both characters can be purchased within the Fornite in-game store. Ciri can be bought for 2,000 V-bucks in a bundle. Purchasing it gives you a silver sword and pickaxe, as well as a basilisk glider to use. Yennefer can also be purchased for 1,500 V-bucks alone, but can also be bought in a bundle for 1,800 V-bucks that comes with a pickaxe, bird skull item, and new emote.

If you don’t know much about either character from The Witcher games, then don’t fret too much. Ciri is the adopted daughter of Geralt of Rivia and Yennefer who has powerful magical abilities and great importance in The Witcher stories. Yennefer of Vengerberg is a powerful mage who is connected to Geralt in a big way, as well as a mother-like figure to Ciri. Both characters have a ton of history with each other and Geralt in The Witcher games that is deep and complicated, most of which is way too much to cover in a game like Fortnite.

For anyone that is a big Witcher fan who plays Fortnite currently, this will be a fun addition to the game. Now the question is if we’ll see Dandelion in the game somehow later. Fortnite continues to add more characters from various franchises with each new collaboration. The game continues to dominate online with its massive popularity among players, so don’t expect things to slow down any time soon.

What are your thoughts about Ciri and Yennefer coming to Fortnite? What other franchises or characters do you want to see collaborate with Fortnite in some way? Share your thoughts about everything in the comment section below!

Sonic the Hedgehog 32nd Anniversary Brings New Content

Jakejames Lugo
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Sonic the Hedgehog 32nd Anniversary Brings New Content

Sonic has been around for a long time, and recently it was the popular SEGA mascot’s birthday. But you can’t live up to a game character’s birthday without having something new to give fans. SEGA is celebrating the 32nd anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog in a big way with a few surprises during a Sonic Central presentation on their official YouTube channel. The publisher had a number of announcements in both games and other projects related to the blue hedgehog. If you like Sonic, you’re about to get a ton more Sonic sooner than you think.

SEGA has a number of games in the works, as well as extra content for games already out. Not too long ago, Sonic Origins was released for multiple consoles and featured many of the classic SEGA Genesis games. Sonic Origins Plus is an expanded version of the game with a new playable character, Amy. Sonic Origins has 16 games in total, which comes with many classics that Sonic fans are very familiar with and more.

Those who have played Sonic Frontiers will have new content to check out in the game. Sonic’s Birthday Bash is a new birthday-themed update that has new cosmetic items and other big changes in the game. Sonic himself is also getting the Spin Dash, letting him charge up and burst forward with speed. New Game+ is also getting added for those who want to play through the game once again with more stuff. The update is live now for everyone and is free to download.

Anyone that enjoyed watching Sonic Prime on Netflix will want to know that new episodes are on the way. We reviewed Sonic Prime on Netflix a while back, which told a multiverse-like story that had Sonic coming across multiple versions of his friends. The series is getting brand new episodes on July 13th and has a teaser trailer out now for fans to get a quick peek at the story. Sonic will find himself teaming up with Shadow the Hedgehog in more multiverse adventures. There’s even a tease about a robot Sonic that will appear in the show. Where things go from here will finally be answered when the new episodes begin streaming on Netflix soon. SEGA also had a quick tease about the third upcoming Sonic movie that will include Shadow the Hedgehog. Nothing new from the movie was shown, but SEGA encouraged everyone to keep an eye out for more very soon.

The Sonic Symphony also had a collection of dates announced for its tour. The orchestra will be touring from September 2023 to March 2024, arriving in a number of big cities. Tickets for the events go on sale on June 28th at 10 am PT (1 pm EST) online. Some of the big cities on the tour include London, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo, Montreal, Chicago, and Boston.

Other announcements from SEGA included a ton of collectibles and merchandise being released for Sonic’s 32nd anniversary. Sonic fans will be able to purchase a LEGO Sonic with an Eggman mustache, a new Jakks Pacific playset with Sonic and Eggman, and more. A total of five brand new Sonic the Hedgehog LEGO sets are also set to release on August 1st, 2023.

In addition to everything else, mobile games for Sonic will be getting new content and new songs will be added to Samba de Amigo: Party Central. Sonic Dash and Sonic Forces will both be getting Super Silver as a playable characters in July. Classic Sonic will also be added to mobile titles at some point soon, though no specific time was given. Sonic Dash will also see a variant of Shadow the Hedgehog called Dragon Hunter added to the game, a version that was once seen in Sonic and the Black Knight. The songs being added to Samba de Amigo: Party Central will be Fist Bump (from Sonic Forces) and Escape from the City (from Sonic Adventure 2) when the game launches on August 29th, 2023. New costumes for the game and a new stage based on Sonic Adventure 2 are being added too.

SEGA ended things with a quick look at Sonic Superstars. Those who preorder the game will get a LEGO Eggman minifigure upon release. The game is a 3D-styled game with classic 2D Sonic gameplay that has you running through stages with up to four players cooperatively. Sonic Superstars is set to release later in 2023.

What do you think of all the announcements from SEGA to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog? Any games or things you’re very interested in? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!

Mortal Kombat 1 Online Stress Test Impressions – Kombat Preview

Jakejames Lugo
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Mortal Kombat 1 Online Stress Test Impressions – Kombat Preview

The next entry of the Mortal Kombat series is just over the horizon with the upcoming release of Mortal Kombat 1. The new game from Netherrealm Studios will be both a sequel and reboot of the series that tries to mix up what we already know about the franchise, giving a new perspective on iconic characters and brutal combat. But with Mortal Kombat 1 set to be released on consoles in September 2023, players finally had a chance to get some hands-on time with the MK1 Online Stress Test. It’s only a peek at things to come, but the online stress test showed plenty for fans to get excited about.

Mortal Kombat 1 will be changing up the way we see many of the warriors we’ve come to know over the years in various ways, both in design and in combat. Within the online stress test of the game, we can see this firsthand with the small selection of fighters available to play with. Sub-Zero, Kenshi, Kitana, and Fire God Lui Kang are all playable fighters to use online and offline. On the other hand, the game lets you pick one of three Kameo fighters to assist you in matches. Sonya Blade, Kano, and Jax are all Kameo fighters in the stress test, but there will definitely be more in the final version of Mortal Kombat 1. Even with the small selection of fighters, there are a lot of differences in matchups between the pairings of fighters and Kameo fighters.

While there were only two stages to fight on, the visuals of the game look very good. Mortal Kombat 1 has a lot of colors that are vibrant throughout everything you see in and out of combat, making it one of the more colorful entries of the series. But the brutality and viciousness maintain its dominance on the series, with brutal special moves and finishers that are worthy of the series’ legacy. The best part of this is that you don’t have to wait long to get into matches between the menus and actual gameplay. Load screens are nearly nonexistent, with transitions between the fighter select and the beginning of the matchup appearing almost seamless.

Controlling your fighter and Kameo fighter is very similar to the previous Mortal Kombat game, with a few differences. One shoulder button is made for calling your Kameo fighter to help you, which can either execute an attack or help break you out of a combo you’re hit by. They’re great for following up with combos or setting up for a counterattack. Kameo fighters can only be called upon when their meter is filled, so you can’t use them constantly for everything. The meter fills up gradually over time, so you’ll have it available often during a matchup. Kameo fighters can also execute a special Fatality where they finish off an opponent, which adds some flair to what can happen at the end of a match. Each Kameo fighter has their own Fatality they can do, with the ones in the stress test being a massive amount of fan service to classic Mortal Kombat games.

The arcade ladder was the offline mode for the stress test, which lets you fight through four matches. You get to see every character on the roster for the stress test in action, as well as their Kameo fighter choices. Everyone has a great assortment of attacks, combos, and special moves that will look flashy and deal big damage. Depending on your own skill level and preferences, each fighter will have their own pros and cons.

Using Kameo fighters in a match at the right time will be key, especially when you need to shift the momentum of a match that isn’t going your way. No two characters will end up playing exactly the same, especially when they have different choices of Kameo fighter. Their move lists will be similar, but their tactics mid-match will definitely not.

The online quality of matches for the Mortal Kombat 1 Stress Test is hit or miss, depending on your own internet connection and matchups. Finding a match online doesn’t take long, but because the stress test is susceptible to issues, there are times when disconnections happen. Overall, the stability of matches online is pretty solid. You can accept or decline matches before entering combat, which can help if you find yourself paired with someone with a poor connection. There are no online lobbies in the stress test, but the final version of the game will allow many more options for online matchmaking.

Beyond that, there isn’t much else within the Mortal Kombat 1 stress test that hasn’t already been seen in various trailers and presentations of the game. Those looking for more details about the game’s story, other characters on the roster, and any other Mortal Kombat 1 secrets will have to patiently wait for the release. There’s still plenty to uncover and learn more about in this sequel reboot from Netherrealm Studios, but we’ll just have to wait a little while longer to see more. Mortal Kombat 1 releases on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series consoles, and PC on September 19th, 2023.

Are you excited about the upcoming release of Mortal Kombat 1? Did you get to play in the online stress test for the game? Share with everyone your thoughts about the new Mortal Kombat game in the comment section down below!

Volvo Teams With Hasbro For A New Optimus Prime Figure

Mike Phalin
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0
Volvo Teams With Hasbro For A New Optimus Prime Figure

There’s a new Optimus Prime figure on the way! Hasbro has partnered with a real-world vehicle maker to give the famous Autobot a new disguise.

Similar to the Alternators line launched about 20 years ago, this non-Bayformers Transformer disguises itself as an officially licensed vehicle. Although his robot mode is based on the G1 design, the vehicle is modeled after Volvo’s newer line of VNR 300 long-haul trucks.

Prime looks pretty good for the most part, with the exception of the legs. The truck’s cab turns into the Transformer’s calves … even though the windows should also be part of his chest plate.

Hasbro, being Hasbro, cheaped out when it came to Prime’s trailer. Rather than creating something new, the included accessory is reused from previous Generations releases. The last time we saw the trailer was with the War for Cybertron Earthrise Leader Optimus Prime.

Volvo Optimus Prime should roll out around September 1st. The Autobot leader can be pre-ordered from Hasbro Pulse for $54.99.

Photo Credit: Hasbro
Photo Credit: Hasbro
Photo Credit: Hasbro
Photo Credit: Hasbro
Photo Credit: Hasbro

Optimus Prime has the following features and accessories:

  • READY TO ROLL OUT: In partnership with Volvo, Optimus Prime takes on a Volvo VNR 300 truck cab alt mode, ready to roll out for a long haul!
  • TRANSFORMERS-VOLVO MASH-UP: This Optimus Prime action figure features a re-designed alt mode licensed by Volvo, with classic G1 deco and details
  • LICENSED G1-INSPIRED CONVERSION: Figure converts from robot to licensed Volvo truck mode in 37 steps. Comes with a trailer accessory that attaches to the truck cab mode and opens into a battle station
  • CLASSIC ACCESSORIES: Includes Ion blaster and Matrix of Leadership accessories. Open the figure’s chest panels to insert the Matrix of Leadership accessory
  • INTRICATE PACKAGING DESIGN: Packaging art showcases both modes of Optimus Prime in blueprint schematic designs

What do you think of Volvo Prime? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Source: Hasbro Pulse]

Really Love The Flash? Will You Pay Over $1K For His Cowl From PureArts?

Mike Phalin
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0
Really Love The Flash? Will You Pay Over $1K For His Cowl From PureArts?

The Flash (review) is in theatres now. Surprisingly, the high-end collectibles market has been devoid of replicas or statues based on the Speeders, Batman, or Supergirl.

The first expensive replica we’ve seen so far comes from PureArts. The collectibles company has produced a copy of The Flash’s cowl, complete with lighting effects and a “working” version of the hero’s ring.

The 1:1 scale cowl is based on Barry’s costume from the new film. It’s a huge step up from what The Flash wore in Justice League. Why would someone who runs fast enough to travel in time wear something with so many loose-looking parts and exposed wires?

Ezra Miller’s version of The Flash may not be good, but the one exciting thing to come out of this is a supposedly new type of LED feature built into the replica. According to PureArts, the cowl features “an innovative multi-layer structure delivering a never-before-seen LED light system throughout the bright red mask. The vividly lit gold veining provides a truly electrifying accent to this piece.”

Is it wearable? Probably not. The cowl is made from poly resin, so I doubt you’ll be able to squeeze your head into it. Also, it may be permanently affixed to the base.

The 21″ x 12″ x 10″ replica prop is limited to only 150 pieces and is priced at $1,199. Expect The Flash’s cowl to arrive during the second quarter of 2024.

Photo Credit: PureArts
Photo Credit: PureArts
Photo Credit: PureArts

The Flash cowl includes the following features and accessories:

  • LED detailing throughout the cowl
  • Multi-layer structure for movie accurate textures and translucent look
  • Features a white back-lit bolt emblem on chest
  • Includes removeable yellow lenses
  • Exclusive Item: The Flash ring replica

Would you be willing to pay over $1K for this cowl? Let us know in the comments section.

[Source: PureArts]

The Green Power Ranger Joins Mezco’s One:12 Collective

Mike Phalin
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0
The Green Power Ranger Joins Mezco’s One:12 Collective

The Green Ranger has entered the battle! Mezco recently announced that Jason David Frank’s Tommy is the latest Mighty Morphin’ Power Ranger to join the One:12 Collective!

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers Green Ranger quickly went on a waitlist. I’ve had no experience trying to get a sold-out figure via the waitlist, but if you really want this collectible, you may as well roll those dice.

If you’re looking for the original five Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, check out Mezco’s previously announced collection. The set is $400, and you’ll have to, sadly, join another waitlist for the chance to nab the Rangers.

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Green Ranger
Photo Credit: Mezco
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Green Ranger
Photo Credit: Mezco
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Green Ranger
Photo Credit: Mezco
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Green Ranger
Photo Credit: Mezco
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Green Ranger
Photo Credit: Mezco

“Originally an enemy of the Power Rangers, Tommy Oliver joined the group and became the sixth member after Rita Repulsa’s spell was broken. A martial arts expert, Tommy holds the Dragon Dagger, ready to aid his team!”

Tommy, the Green Ranger, will come with the following:

  • Two (2) head portraits
  • Twelve (12) interchangeable hands
    • One (1) pair of fists (L&R)
    • Two (2) pairs of holding hands (L&R
    • Three (3) pairs of posing hands (L&R)
  • Mighty Morphin’ helmet
  • Ranger suit
  • Dragon Shield (removable)
  • Belt with two (2) removable holsters
  • Boots
  • One (1) Blade Blaster (fits in holster)
  • One (1) blade for Blade Blaster
  • One (1) Sword of Power
  • One (1) Sword of Darkness
  • One (1) Dragon Dagger
  • One (1) Mega Heater
  • One (1) Dragon Dagger blast FX
  • Three (3) Blade Blaster firing FX
  • Two (2) Dragon Dagger lightning FX
  • One (1) One:12 Collective display bases with logo
  • One (1) One:12 Collective adjustable display posts

If spending hundreds on Power Rangers figures isn’t your budget, you could always check out Super7’s ReAction toy line. Or there’s also Hasbro’s Lightning Collection.

Jason David Frank joined Saban’s Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers early on, helping to add a “bad boy” to the group. He became a fan favorite, appearing in multiple versions of the Power Rangers franchise. He sadly passed away late last year.

[Source: Mezco]

Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario RPG Coming to Switch

Jakejames Lugo
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0
Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario RPG Coming to Switch

Nintendo had its June 2023 Nintendo Direct presentation online where it revealed a number of new announcements. Many of the games that were featured were titles aiming for a 2023 release on Nintendo Switch. Of the many announcements shown during the presentation, two big standouts were the reveal of new Mario games. Fans of the classic Super Mario RPG can get excited about a newly enhanced version of the game coming to Nintendo Switch, but that’s not all. A brand new 2D-style Mario is also coming to Nintendo Switch in 2023.

Nintendo closed out its Nintendo Direct presentation with the reveal of Super Mario Bros. Wonder coming to Nintendo Switch. The game will be a 2D-style Mario, where the gameplay is just like other classic Mario games. The visuals of the game also emulate a 2D HD style, very similar to the art style that was seen in games like Rayman Legends. If you were a fan of the New Super Mario Bros. games on multiple Nintendo consoles, then you’re going to really enjoy this new Mario game. Super Mario Bros. Wonder will have Mario traversing a world populated with new challenges, color backgrounds, and new powers to discover.

In the trailer for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Nintendo revealed a new power that Mario will have when he gathers a brand new power-up. This causes Mario to turn into an Elephant, where he runs through enemies and sports an elephant body, complete with a mustache and trunk. No other details were given about other power-ups or if the Elephant Mario will have other abilities in the game.

The trailer only seemed to tease about other things we might see Mario do in this new adventure. At the same time, the trailer for Super Mario Bros. Wonder showed co-op with up to three other players, with multiple Mario characters making an appearance. Characters like Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Yoshi, and even Princess Daisy show up in the trailer.

Before showing this new Mario game, earlier in the Nintendo Direct revealed a new version of Super Mario RPG. The game is not a full remake of the original Super Mario RPG that was originally released on the Super Nintendo, just a visually enhanced version of it. Nintendo did not mention anything about tweaking the gameplay or changing anything with the content of the game or story.

However, the visuals of this version of the game look much better than how the original looked. Super Mario RPG is a role-playing game that has Mario teaming up with various characters, including original characters Geno and Mallow, in an adventure that is very different than other Mario titles. Turn-based combat and exploration make this one of the more unique Mario Bros. experiences that is getting enhanced with a new look for Nintendo Switch.

Both Mario games are due out in 2023. The new Super Mario RPG will be released on November 17th, 2023 for Nintendo Switch, with no word on a physical or a digital-only release. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is also coming out within the year. The release day is listed by Nintendo as October 20th, 2023. Preorders for the game are already open on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

What do you think of the announcements from the Nintendo Direct? Are you happy to see new Mario games coming to Nintendo Switch soon? Leave us a comment down below and let your voice be heard!

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