The classic shooter Ikaruga came to PS4 and Nintendo Switch last year as a digital release. For those who prefer a physical disc or card to hold, though, Nicalis has announced that retail versions are in the works.

The announcement is sparse, simply showing boxart and mentioning that more release details will be shared when they’re ready. Given the timing and that these copies are in active production, it seems likely that they’ll come in the first half of 2020. Pricing was not announced, but the game is regularly priced at $15 on digital storefronts.

Ikaruga is inspired by classic vertically-oriented shooters, but with a puzzle-like twist. Bullets are color-coded between two different tones, and your ship can absorb one or the other. That makes playing a constant exercise in determining when to dodge bullets versus managing which kind your ship absorbs, while also firing back at enemy ships. It’s known as a pioneer of the “bullet hell” subgenre of shooters. The vertical orientation makes it an ideal game to play with a Flip Grip on Nintendo Switch.

“Fans of space shooters owe themselves the opportunity to play Ikaruga, a game that was designed both to impress their sensibilities and to challenge every ounce of their being,” Greg Kasavin wrote in GameSpot’s review. “Yet anyone who appreciates what makes a truly great game should be able to recognize Ikaruga for its elegant design and aesthetic beauty. Make no mistake, it’s not some wistful nostalgia for a bygone era of gaming that makes Ikaruga so appealing. Rather, it’s the knowledge that Ikaruga takes 20 years of great ideas in game design and somehow manages to put an entirely new spin on them, not for novelty’s sake, but only for the sake of making a game that’s both familiar and utterly unique.”

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-nintendo-switch-getting-physical-version-of-cl/1100-6471694/

Trover Saves the Universe, the strange, Justin Roiland-created platformer/adventure game that released for PC and PS4 earlier this year, is coming to Nintendo Switch and Xbox One–and you won’t have to wait long at all. It will come to Switch this week on November 28, before an Xbox One release on December 3. Trover Saves the Universe will bring Roiland’s weird sense of humor (the same one that’s behind Rick & Morty, which he co-created with Dan Harmon) to all modern console owners.

The game will come to both consoles without support for the VR modes possible on PC and PS4; Xbox One does not have VR compatibility, and there’s no mention of Labo VR support on the game’s Switch store page. The Switch version is available to pre-order now, but the Xbox store page is not up yet. This release will come with both free DLC packs that have released for the PS4 version of the game: Jopo Mode, which gives you a new playable character, and “important cosmic jobs,” which are playable jobs that can unlock Justin Roiland comedy sketches.

Trover Saves The Universe is a comedy game first and foremost, with the platforming and combat generally being quite simple. It earned a 7/10 in our original review, and critic Justin Clark summed up the game as “a really messed up alien buddy comedy.” If you pick it up, be sure to look out for every Easter egg hidden away in the game.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rick-and-morty-creators-trover-saves-the-universe-/1100-6471693/

The roster of big game releases for 2020 recently grew when Valve, out of nowhere, announced Half-Life: Alyx for launch in March 2020 as a virtual reality-exclusive title. Given that it’s been so long since the release of a new Half-Life title, there will surely be pent-up demand that could scare other developers launching games close to it.

CD Projekt Red isn’t scared about launching Cyberpunk 2077 in April 2020, however, because the two games are going for different markets. Half-Life: Alyx is designed for virtual reality while Cyberpunk 2077 is going after a bigger audience of players on console and PC.

Management for CD Projekt Red said on an earnings call recently that the company isn’t shaking in its boots over Half-Life: Alyx because VR is an incredibly niche market.

“Of course we’ve seen the Half-Life VR announcement. I think it was a surprise for everybody … VR remains an extremely niche-y niche of the market,” the company said. “It’s very, very small.”

The only reason why Valve would make Half-Life: Alyx exclusive to VR is because they want VR as an industry to grow. The hope is people will be so excited for a new Half-Life that they’ll go buy a headset, according to CD Projekt Red.

“The only reason I can think of why Valve has decided to actually put this title on the market is because they actually have a cooperation on the hardware side of the things and I assume they are planning … this is probably a big effort for them to try to expand that niche,” CD Projekt Red said. “That niche is very, very, very–and I could add a few verys here–small. So, from the market perspective, are we afraid? No. It is a very different niche.”

Whereas Valve is trying to specifically improve VR hardware sales by making Half-Life: Alyx, at least according to CD Projekt Red, the Polish studio is trying to appeal to more people. VR as a business sector remains unproven and not profitable, according to CD Projekt Red.

“[Half-Life: Alyx] is an endeavor to try to push the hardware while we are really targeting the mass market where it is–which is major consoles and PCs without the need to have the VR gear,” the company said. “I know there are a few titles here and there that usually showcase [VR] but I have not heard of anybody building an actual valid business on VR so far.”

One day, VR might become a viable business, and CD Projekt Red acknowledged that Half-Life: Alyx could be the game to help drive interest in VR. Still, the company doesn’t think it will happen soon–if it ever does–so it has no plans to adapt its games for VR right now.

“Perhaps Half-Life will become this first stone that is going to turn into something larger [for VR] as we go, but that’s definitely not going to be the case come first half of the next year; I dare say it’s probably not going to be next year,” CD Projekt Red said. “I don’t dare to venture any further because things may change. At some point VR may be a mass market entertainment that will validate the business model behind it but it is not the case, at least not for us, right now.”

Half-Life: Alyx is a prequel to Half-Life 2 in which players control Alyx Vance. The game is reportedly a big undertaking for Valve, and among the developers contributing to the project are members of the Campo Santo team that Valve acquired in 2018. The voice actress for Alyx is Ozioma Akagha, who replaces Merle Dandridge from the earlier Half-Life games. New Zealand-based actor Rhys Darby (Jumanji, Flight of the Conchords) is joining the game as a new character.

Half-Life: Alyx is free on Valve Index for those who buy a headset before the end of 2019. The game is also playable on other PC VR headsets made by companies other than Valve.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cyberpunk-2077-dev-not-worried-about-half-life-aly/1100-6471691/

CD Projekt Red continues to speak about the unannounced Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer game. As part of an earnings presentation, management confirmed that the game is only in the “relatively early stage” of development and that it will feature some form of microtransactions, though the company isn’t ready just yet to confirm specifics.

“We believe right now it is definitely too early to share any details on that or give guidance [as] the project is in the relatively early stage,” management said about the Cyberpunk multiplayer game’s microtransactions.

The company added that it is continually experimenting with the Cyberpunk multiplayer game, which is in fact the first multiplayer game made by CD Projekt Red. For the business model specifically, the analyst who asked about it suggested it would be a free-to-play title supported by microtransactions. However, management wasn’t ready to say one way or the other.

That being said, CD Projekt Red wants to make sure it continues to be a consumer-friendly company as it relates to delivering content that feels valuable to players. The Polish studio is known for being relatively generous with its post-release content releases. For The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the studio offered up more than a dozen pieces of free DLC.

“We keep experimenting. It’s our first multiplayer game. We check different options and possibilities, and it’s definitely not the time to point you to a specific direction on that. But you can expect that we won’t change our general policy toward deals with gamers. So expect wise monetization and always value for money,” the company said.

Also in the presentation, CD Projekt Red said the Cyberpunk multiplayer game is a “smaller project” with “smaller staffing” compared to the main team working on the Cyberpunk 2077 single-player game.

Cyberpunk 2077, which features Keanu Reeves in a big role, is set to launch in April 2020 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The multiplayer title would presumably follow thereafter, though no official announcements have been made at this stage.

Another hot-button topic touched on in the presentation was next-generation consoles. Management was asked if the company plans to support the upcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett, in the wake of rumours that Cyberpunk 2077 will come to these systems.

“Of course we do have insight into what’s around the corner; what’s happening with PlayStation and Xbox. We’re watching it closely,” CD Projekt Red said. “And one may safely assume that at some point we’re going to do something with the next-gen [consoles]. However, we cannot really be very specific; what that might be, when exactly that might be. I would only safely assume that it’s not going to be around the launch timeframe of those consoles.”

The company went on to say that CD Projekt Red is known for making games that play best on high-end PCs. And in that regard, the company is technically more prepared for the upcoming release of the PS5 and Scarlett, which have improved specs.

In October, a CD Projekt Red developer said the studio might consider releasing Cyberpunk 2077 on PS5 and Xbox Scarlett, but those consoles aren’t a focus currently. Another developer, John Mamais, spoke about how excited he is about the prospect of new consoles.

“It’s going to be awesome. It’s always cool to have new consoles coming out and I can’t wait to work on those things,” Mamais said. “We’ll see what we can do with those. It’s fun watching games evolve; they’re looking more and more realistic, which is–I like working on games like that. The more powerful the technology, or the consoles, the more it is [good] for me as a game developer.”

Read next: Cyberpunk 2077, Avengers, And Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Developers Talk Crunch Culture

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cyberpunk-2077-multiplayer-spin-off-may-have-micro/1100-6471688/

November is wrapping up, but Thanksgiving is still to come in the States. Nintendo Switch owners can be extra grateful this week, as the handheld console is getting ports of the infamous Five Nights at Freddy’s series, Zelda-like adventure Decay of Logos, and survival game Pine. PS4 and Xbox One gamers can get their hands on The Escapists Double Pack, which includes The Escapists 1 and 2. Indie darling Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is also getting console ports this week. Sorry, PC gamers–things will pick up for you in December!

Pine — November 26

Available on: Switch

Pine is a survival game set in a world where humans are not at the top of the food chain. To protect your tribe, you’ll have to craft weapons, trade goods, and befriend or betray other animal races as you journey to safety. Your actions have an effect on the world’s ecology too.

The Escapists Double Pack — November 26

Available on: PS4, Xbox One

Both of The Escapists titles give you the same task: escape from prison. Doing so requires a combination of planning, crafting, sneaking, and working together with your fellow inmates. The second game lets you do all that with friends in co-op, too. It also goes beyond earthly prisons, asking you to escape your cell in crazy locations like a moving desert train, a snowy mountain, and even outer space.

More Coverage:

• The Escapists Review

• The Escapists 2 – Multiplayer Trailer

Decay of Logos — November 26

Available on: Switch

Taking cues from The Legend of Zelda series, Decay of Logos is full of dungeons to explore, puzzles to solve, and a variety of weapons and magic to try out in combat. As you journey to fight the Crimson Knights, you’ll ride atop your elk companion. The more you learn about the world, the stronger the bond with your elk will grow.

Five Nights at Freddy’s 1-4 — November 29

Available on: Switch

The Five Nights at Freddy’s games are pretty ubiquitous at this point, but here’s the elevator pitch: terrifying, malfunctioning animatronic mascots are out to get you. Thing is, they can’t move if you’re watching them. You’ll have to juggle security cameras and lock the doors if you hope to survive the night.

More Coverage:

• Five Nights at Freddy’s Review

• Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 – Official Trailer

Where The Water Tastes Like Wine — November 29

Available on: Xbox One, Switch

Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is set in the United States during the Great Depression. As you travel around the country, you’ll encounter a cast of intriguing characters–though not all of them are even human. Each has a story to tell, and the more you talk to them, the more they’ll open up to you about their history.

More Coverage:

• Where The Water Tastes Like Wine Review: Hard Travelin’

• PS4, Xbox One, And Switch Are Getting Indie Narrative Adventure Where The Water Tastes Like Wine Very Soon

November is coming to a close, but 2019 still has one month left. The next episode of New Releases will be the final one of the year, and we’ll take a look at some anticipated December games like SaGa: Scarlet Grace – Ambitions and Wattam.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-new-game-releases-on-switch-ps4-and-xbox-one-t/1100-6471665/