The return draws closer. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE finally arrives on April 10, 2020. Are you ready for a legendary new beginning?
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE is a reimagining of the iconic original with unforgettable characters, a mind-blowing story, and epic battles. The story of this first, standalone game in the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE project covers up to the party’s escape from Midgar, and goes deeper into the events occurring in Midgar than the original FINAL FANTASY VII.
In breaking news, Sony has announced that is has delayed the release of The Last of Us Part 2 and MARVEL’s Iron Man VR with no new release dates:
Update: SIE has made the difficult decision to delay the launch of The Last of Us Part II and Marvel's Iron Man VR until further notice. Logistically, the global crisis is preventing us from providing the launch experience our players deserve.
This does make sense seeing how other titles such as Final Fantasy VII Remake has problems with physical editions of the game for launch, so arranging such a massive release especially for a huge PlayStation title like The Last of Us Part 2 would be immensely difficult to arrange on a global level due to so many issues leading from the current Pandemic in multiple regions.
Official statement from Naughty Dog was released on their official Twitter:
The PS Plus titles for April 2020 were announced….rather late but the leaked names were actually correct as Uncharted 4 and Dirt 2.0 join the PS Plus library of games.
Globe-trotting thrills await as you uncover dangerous, long-lost secrets with famed treasure hunter Nathan Drake and tackle challenging rally courses across the world in your PlayStation Plus games for April 2020.
To qualify you must have an active subscription to PS Plus to acquire these games and to keep playing them.
New research from Vodafone has proved just how much we value time spent with colleagues with over forty percent (40%) of workers claiming they miss spending time with their workmates and office jokes and light-hearted chat (41%) the most, as working from home becomes the new norm.
Under the new restrictions enforced by the government, most Brits have experienced a dramatic change in their working environment and daily routine. Over one third (35%) of those surveyed said they miss having the company that colleagues bring and bouncing ideas off one another (30%). One fifth (19%) miss the grown-up conversation that working in an office brings.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. 51% of Brits say the most valuable thing to come out of working from home is the extra time they are claiming back as a result of not commuting. One third (37%) say they are enjoying a lie- in and being able to spend more time with their pets (20%).
As well as our working routines changing, so too have the demands on the tech we rely on, with almost half (44%) unsurprisingly claiming that home broadband is the most valuable piece of tech used while working from home. One third (33%) find the likes of Slack & Skype the most useful applications to use to help keep them in touch whilst working remotely. Video conference calling (29%), audio conferencing calling (22%) and streaming services (20%) are amongst the other most treasured apps that respondents value as they fight to adapt to a new kind of normal.
Scott Petty, Vodafone UK Chief Technology Officer said: “In these turbulent times we’re proud to offer a range of services that can keep people connected with colleagues and help them adapt to new ways of working with as minimal disruption as possible. As well as ensuring our network stands up so people’s home broadband and mobile phones work efficiently, we will continue to offer insight and advice on how consumers can do their bit. Small things like avoiding scheduling conference calls on the hour or half past the hour will make a huge difference in helping us continue to work smoothly and productively from home. Together we can get through these uncertain times and keep the UK running.”
Despite 61% of UK workers claiming they are just as productive working from home, over one quarter (27%) worry about their boss, clients and colleagues thinking they’re not working, followed by other concerns that they may miss meetings and deadlines (13%). Thankfully, one thing Brits haven’t had to worry about are tech issues, with over four-fifths (88%) of respondents claiming they have not experienced any tech-related problems since the government’s working from home order was enforced.
The findings also revealed that almost one third (29%) of Brit’s bank balances are benefiting from them working from home with money being saved rather than splurged on coffee or buying lunches every day. Instead 17% are using the time to make more interesting lunches.
Vodafone is offering 30-days unlimited free data to half a million other Pay Monthly customers, not already on unlimited data plans. Customers can access the offer through Vodafone’s VeryMe rewards scheme available through the My Vodafone App**.
Top 10 things we miss about the office
Office jokes (41%)
Colleagues (40%)
Having company around me (35%)
Routine (32%)
Bouncing ideas off each other (30%)
The office buzz to motivate me (22%)
Collaborating with others (21%)
Learning from others & grown up conversation (17%)
As millions of families worldwide adjust to staying home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, global play and entertainment company Hasbro, Inc. announced the launch of Bring Home the Fun, a global initiative created to further the Company’s purpose to make the world a better place for children and their families. The initiative will provide parents and caregivers resources to help keep kids occupied and engaged during extended time at home and indoors.
Beginning today, parents and caregivers can visit BringHometheFun.com to explore family-focused resources, including tips for family playtime, activity challenges to keep kids occupied, ideas for using games and toys to stimulate kids’ brains, and suggestions on how to cope with increased emotional stress. Featuring crafts using PLAY-DOH compounds, trick-shot challenges that get kids up and active with NERF blasters, entertaining content including TRANSFORMERS, POWER RANGERS, MY LITTLE PONY, and more, parents and caregivers will find inspiration to bring the power of play into their homes while keeping an emphasis on fun and creativity.
“We’ve been incredibly inspired and heartened to see that so many of our brands, such as Play-Doh, Monopoly, and Nerf, are providing relief and comfort to both parents and children adjusting to the new normal of extended time at home,” said Eric Nyman, Chief Consumer Officer, Hasbro. “Many of us are parents, grandparents, and caregivers ourselves, and we hope Bring Home the Fun will help families and friends around the world, and create moments of joy, laughter, and play in a time when we need connection more than ever.”
In addition to play-based tips and tools, BringHometheFun.com will feature resources to help children and families cope with stress that might be heightened among kids at this time. Featured content will include mindfulness videos, project and activity guides for parents and their children, and parenting articles for those looking to instill gratitude and purpose in their children.
Hasbro has committed additional support through global philanthropic initiatives that aim to bring relief to children and their families worldwide during this difficult time. Hasbro is proud to support Save the Children UK in their efforts to address the most urgent needs of children. Hasbro UK will donate thousands of Hasbro toys and games to Save the Children’s UK programme work, to continue to inspire creativity and fun learning opportunities for the most vulnerable children in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
Consumers are encouraged to join the conversation, connect with other families, and share their own tips for at-home activity using #BringHometheFun on social. Families can also follow Hasbro on Twitter and Instagram for more play tips and inspiration.
Yesterday it was confirmed that Wasteland 3 was also going to be delayed due to current world events with its release date now moved to August 28th. The developer team inExile released this statement via their official Twitter:
Wasteland 3 welcomes new recruits and seasoned Rangers alike to post-apocalyptic Colorado where the end has just begun. Premiering on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC, and available now for pre-order on Xbox One, Windows 10, and Steam.
What was originally slated as an April 2020 release, Minecraft Dungeons has now been confirmed to release a month later on May 26th.
In a statement released yesterday by Mojang as a new Closed Beta test began said:
We love a good announcement here at Mojang – no matter the type. Just this morning, my team announced that I needed to clean out my moldy old lunchboxes from the fridge. Can you imagine the excitement? The anticipation? The thrill? But we’re not here to talk about my trivial duties. We have much bigger things to share.
So sit down, take a deep breath, stand up, roll out the red carpet, pet your dog, and tell him he’s a good boy. Minecraft Dungeons is coming out May 26 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Game Pass.
As you all know, we initially planned to release Minecraft Dungeons by the end of April. However, due to the current state of the world, this was no longer possible, as we wanted to guarantee the health and safety of our teams, and empower them to deliver the best possible experience to you, our players. We hope you’ll find it was worth the wait.
THE GAME WILL BE AVAILABLE IN TWO EDITIONS:
Minecraft Dungeons – Standard Edition – $19.99 USD
Minecraft Dungeons – Hero Edition – $29.99 USD
The Hero Edition contains a Hero Pass that includes a Hero Cape, two player skins, and a chicken pet. Hero Edition also includes two upcoming DLC packs.
Minecraft Dungeons is coming out May 26 on Xbox One and Windows 10 as well as day one into Xbox Game Pass for Console and PC. It will also launch for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.
Xbox Live Gold members can play four great games in April on Xbox One! Get ready to experience authentic racing action with Project CARS 2 starting April 1. Then on April 16, assemble your party in the retro-styled, turn-based RPG Knights of Pen and Paper Bundle.
On Xbox 360, and Xbox One via Backward Compatibility, play the HD remaster of the classic original Xbox game Fable Anniversary followed by some table top racing with the family in Toybox Turbos.
Xbox Live Gold members will have exclusive access to these games for a limited time as part of Games with Gold.
One of the most iconic, blockbuster video game story experiences in gaming entertainment history has returned. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered, a complete enhancement of the critically-acclaimed single player experience, is available for purchase now, first on PlayStation 4 on the PlayStation Network, with other platforms available for pre-purchase. The game includes the full campaign with stunning high-definition visuals – up to 4K resolution and HDR support on console; and uncapped framerate as well as ultrawide monitor support on PC.
Published by Activision, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered features improved texture resolution and detail, revamped animation, remastered audio, and much more.
In this famed experience, originally developed by Infinity Ward and now re-mastered by Beenox, players enlist as members of Task Force 141 and Tier 1 Operatives in a breathtaking series of missions to save the world from destruction. “Cliffhanger,” “Takedown, “No Russian,” and more all return in this intense story experience.
“Modern Warfare 2 campaign was incredible. We all remember the lasting impression the story left upon us. This campaign was very special and we thank Infinity Ward for creating such an amazing experience,” said Thomas Wilson, co-studio head, Beenox. “Restoring and remastering this campaign for a new generation of players was a labor of love for our team. We wanted to make sure that the feelings and power of the story was accurately represented with full high-definition visuals and the latest audio fidelity.”
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered is available now on PlayStation network. Players who purchase will also receive, free with purchase, Underwater Demo Team Classic Ghost Bundle for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare including the UDT Ghost Operator skin inspired by the ‘The Only Easy Day…Was Yesterday’ campaign level that featured an action-packed hostage rescue attempt from an oil rig in in the arctic. Alongside the Ghost Operator skin, players will also receive two weapon blueprints, a weapon charm, new finishing move, voice quip, animated calling card, emblem and two Battle Pass tier skips all for immediate access in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and the recently released Call of Duty: Warzone.
Players can pre-purchase Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered for other platforms and receive the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Underwater Demo Team Classic Ghost Bundle with the UDT Ghost Operator skin instantly for play.
For the most up to date information on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered, check out the Activision Games Blog at https://blog.activision.com/call-of-duty.
2020 has been very generous for fans of anime with some
tremendous titles kick starting the new gaming year with Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
and One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows. It really has felt like Christmas with
big games delivering big experiences for fans and I was eagerly hoping for that
run to continue as I ventured into an anime that for once, I was not well-versed
in and with that I had high expectations heading into My Hero One’s Justice 2
and sadly my expectations were set just a little too high.
One of the reasons why I enjoyed both Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
and One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows was that not only did they embrace my
own fandom which enhanced the gaming experience but they also introduced new
comers to their worlds brilliantly well. My Hero One’s Justice 2 absolutely
does not take newcomers into account at all, giving it credit as a sequel to the
previous game, there really is zero effort to introduce new players to this
game or the world but instead you right back into the story where it left off
in the last game. I felt out of my depth with the story right from the off so
literally had to stop playing and go into home work mode by researching the
characters and the world just to get a grip on the story and characters just
thrown into my face, whilst this is something I recommend anyone to do with any
game in a series or world they have not played before, would it really of hurt
to include a catch up or “here is what you missed” introduction to the game?`
This is a traditional 3D arena fighting game with a story
campaign split up in to different fight encounters along with motion comic style
cutscenes. The story continues from the previous game, at the beginning of the
Provisional Hero License Exam Arc and carries forward to the end of the Shie
Hassaikai Arc. The flow of the story feels very much like it is expecting the
player to already be well versed in these story arcs and as such it definitely skips
the minor beats of the story to instead being the direct 1v1 fights for some missions
with some simply being a story driving motion comic. If you know this universe
well than a lot of this will have a nostalgia as you progress through and the
story is slowly told via every mission. I also really liked how once the missions
are completed, a 2nd story line opens which tells the same story but
from the vantage point of the villains rather than the heroes.
Visually this game absolutely pops of the screen with vibrant
colours and fluid animations that really make the fighting element to this game
fun. Each character is faithfully brought to life in the game, which thanks to YouTube
I was able to compare and I do like how the original voice cast is used to help
bring the characters to life even more which only enhances the immersion for
fans. The combat system is fairly simplistic for a fighting game, a lot of
focus is placed on using light hits to combos before you can add in a special
move or two once the meter builds. The game does have an impressive roster of
40 characters, the control system makes learning them overly simplified and
comes down to either your own personal favourite characters to use or just
picking the ones with the best moves. As someone new to the world of My Hero
Academia, the variety and diversity of the character roster really is
impressive but the combat system is just too basic for me. With Dragon Ball Z
Kakarot and One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows at least you were able to tailor
move sets, to improve them and come up with your own styles but here it is
pretty much a case of button mashing to earn to build the meter in order to
pull of some flashy special moves.
Even then, using special moves can be hit and miss literally
and for me boiled down to the very fundamentals of a fighting game of waiting
for the right moment to pull of a special more whilst trying to avoid the others
and it all lacked flare and personalisation for me as a fighter. The system is
one of the reasons I was never a fan of other 3D arena Anime games which is why
I came to really appreciate the evolution with One Punch Man and Dragon Ball Z as
they managed to elevate to a new level by daring to step away from this
traditional and quite tired style of arena fighting. I feel as though if they
had taking this series to a new level it would have incredible and perhaps is something
it can learn from the other anime games released in 2020. By sticking to what
is familiar they will keep the fanbase happy perhaps but with two glaringly impressive
games of anime making that leap into new territory and succeeding, My Hero One’s
Justice is a series that would clearly benefit from making that same move.
Overall if you are a fan of the previous game and you are
indeed a fan of My Hero Academia than this will offer a good experience with
the collectables to find, the reliving of classic story arcs and the chance to take
your favourite heroes online to fight other fans. Where it falls down is also the
in those very same reasons. This game fails to offer newcomers any safety net
or welcome pack to ease them into the world and makes no apologies for doing
so. The spectacle of the battles whilst looking comic book brilliant is diluted
by a shallow and unsatisfying combat system that is perhaps too simple unless
you are a fan happy to see the moves of your favourite characters on screen.
For it wants to deliver, My Hero One’s Justice 2 does, it
will be the experience you would expect from a 3D Arena fighting game and if
you enjoyed the last game in the series than this sequel will provide more of
the same. Compared to recent releases and it is sadly very much left behind in
its traditional approach and maybe it is time to change the formula and also
give some space to allow new comers to discover the amazing world of My Hero
Academia in video games.
SQUARE ENIX today revealed that the cult classic third-person action-RPG, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…, is to be rebuilt for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X, and PC (STEAM).
For the first time in the West after the original game’s Japanese debut in 2010, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… invites players into a dark, apocalyptic world as they join a brother’s captivating quest to cure his sister of a deadly disease – a quest which will in turn make them question everything. Developed in collaboration with Toylogic, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… brings together an all-star team including acclaimed director YOKO TARO (Drakengard® / NieR:Automata™), composer Keiichi Okabe (TEKKEN / Drakengard / NieR:Automata), and producer Yosuke Saito (DRAGON QUEST® X / NieR:Automata).
The release of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… gives those new to the game the opportunity to experience the origin of the NieR series, following the launch of the critically acclaimed NieR:Automata, which has surpassed over 4.5 million shipments and digital sales worldwide since its initial release in 2017. For Xbox gamers yet to experience the epic war between machine lifeforms and androids, SQUARE ENIX also announced today that NieR:Automata will be available April 2nd, 2020 on consoles with Xbox Game Pass memberships.
Follow the official NieR series social channels for the latest information about the game.
It’s time to forge your weapon and follow the path of the Jedi. Aspyr announced today that the classic Star Wars game, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, is now available for digital download on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 for $19.99.
“Today, we’re thrilled to announce the return of a long-awaited Star Wars classic to new platforms,” said Elizabeth Howard, vice president of publishing at Aspyr. “We know fans have been anxiously awaiting for the game’s arrival, and look forward to seeing the battles ensue online.”
Aspyr also revealed plans to bring Star Wars Episode I: Racer to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. Offering single and multiplayer modes, players can take control of a Podracer, speeding through flaming methane lakes, Tusken Raider assaults, anti-gravity tunnels, and much more in a pulse-pounding, do-or-die fight to the finish line.
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy The Star Wars classic returns with online multiplayer gameplay! Players take on the role of a new student eager to learn the ways of the Force from Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.
Play with up to 16 online players in six online multiplayer modes including: Siege, Capture the Flag, and Free for All.
Customize your character by defining both look and gender before entering the Academy to learn the power and dangers of the Force.
Construct your own lightsaber from handle to blade. As you progress, discover the power of wielding two lightsabers or the ultimate double-bladed lightsaber.
Interact with famous Star Wars characters in many classic Star Wars locations as you face the ultimate choice: fight for good and freedom on the light side or follow the path of power and evil to the dark side.
Fans of Control can celebrate today with the release of its first expansion, The Foundation
Available today for PlayStation 4 and for PC from the Epic Games Store, The Foundation sends players spiraling into the history of the Oldest House. Jesse is alerted by the mysterious Board that a situation has arisen in the bedrock of the establishment. A mysterious structure called the Monolith has been damaged and the Astral Plane is leaking into the Foundation. If Jesse can’t stop it, the Oldest House, along with the Bureau of Control, will be consumed by this invading and infectious dimension.
Players who own the Digital Deluxe version of Control for PlayStation 4 will automatically receive The Foundation Expansion today. Players who own the PlayStation 4 base game or PC version from the Epic Games Store can purchase an expansion season pass for £19.99, providing access to The Foundation and a second expansion, AWE, coming to Control later this summer. Expansions can also be purchased a la carte for PlayStation 4 or PC for £11.99 each. To access The Foundation Expansion chapter for Control, players must have first completed the main storyline of the game.
Available to Control players on all platforms today is a free update including improved map readability, the new Shield Rush ability and revised Ability tree with the option of reallocating spent ability points and other quality of life improvements. PC players can experience Control, selected by the Visual Effects Society for Outstanding Visual Effects for a Real-Time Projectand by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, in higher resolutions than ever before with the introduction of NVIDIA DLSS2.0 technology. DLSS 2.0 is a new and improved deep learning neural network powered by RTX Tensor Cores, that boosts frame rates and generates beautiful, sharp images.
The illustrious music of the Control Original Soundtrack, awarded Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition (Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences D.I.C.E. Awards) released on 24th of March, will delight audiophiles everywhere and is streaming digitally worldwide for the first time on Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, in HiFi audio on Tidal and with digital purchase options available from iTunes and Amazon Music.
Publisher 505 Games and Finnish developer Remedy debuted Control to critical acclaim, quickly garnering more than 20 individual game of the year awards from critics’ circles around the world. The companies have been recognized and honored for their work on Control by a number of prestigious organizations and entertainment awards programs. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences named the game triumphant in four categories at the 2020D.I.C.E. Awards, including Outstanding Achievement in Game Directionand received Game Developers Choice (GDC) awards for Best Visual Art, Best Audio and Best Technology. The SXSW® Gaming Awards selected Control for Best Design with additional accolades from the Geoff Keighley hosted Game Awards® in Art Direction and The Golden Joystick’s selected Critics Choice award. Control achieved a historical milestone when the game was nominated in 11 categories at the 2020 BAFTA® Games Awards, the most nominations for a video game in The British Academy’s history.
The Foundation Expansion for Control on PS4 will be available Friday, March 27 in Korea from publishing partner H2 Interactive and in Japan from publishing partner Marvelous on Thursday, April 23.
The Foundation Expansion will be available for Xbox One worldwide on Tuesday, June 25.
Control is now available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
For more information and regular updates on Control, please visit www.controlgame.com.
During This week’s Nintendo Direct broadcast, 2K announced that BioShock: The Collection, XCOM 2 Collection and the Borderlands Legendary Collection are coming to Nintendo Switch on May 29, 2020!
For more information about BioShock: The Collection, XCOM 2 Collection or Borderlands Legendary Collection features and content, please visit https://2K.com/nintendoswitch
