Following the success of crowdfunded revival projects for Wasteland 2 and Torment: Tides of Numenera, developer InXile Entertainment is prepping another visit to post-apocalyptic America with Wasteland 3. Similar to its predecessor, the upcoming post-apocalyptic tactical-RPG puts you in the role of a leader of a roaming squad of wasteland rangers. You’ll explore the ruined wastes of the former United States of America, expanding your party and fighting bandits along the way. But eventually, you’ll need to make some drastic choices that will–for better or worse–reshape the state of things in the ruins of North America. During Gamescom 2019, we got the chance to dive into a short section of the game centering around a mission that tasked us to raid a bandit camp.

Moving away from the deserts of Nevada and the lush green locales of irradiated California, Wasteland 3 brings the Rangers further east to Colorado. In stark contrast to the previous games, Colorado is a frozen wasteland, making on-foot travel a significant challenge. This time around, the Rangers have a vehicle known as the Kodiak, a heavily armored–and heavily armed–all-terrain tank that can traverse the snow-covered landscape. Wasteland 3 is very much a continuation of what came before. However, the developers spent more time refining the core gameplay and sprucing up the presentation. Gone are the static character portraits and lines of scrolling texts, and in their place are fully voice acted dialog sequences, adding some gravitas to each interaction you have with characters in the post-apocalypse.

The Kodiak will help your team cover a lot of ground in the snow-covered landscape of post-apocalyptic Colorado.

According to the developers, last year’s acquisition from Microsoft created a massive windfall of resources for their project. Speaking with lead level designer Jeremy Kopman, he described what happened when the game’s budget had suddenly increased threefold.

“We spent a lot of time on [the production values], and then having Microsoft acquisition happen gave us more resources for this project,” he said. “It gave us the chance to pause and redirect some aspects of the game. With that said, as far as gameplay and mechanics go, we didn’t want the extra resources to change the game into something that’s not Wasteland. However, this opportunity allowed us to get the game up to a much higher level than before, like having full voice-over and better visuals. It was an opportunity to expand the game that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

In the demo, we traversed the snow-covered landscape in our Kodiak in order to reach a bandit compound. To gain entrance, we had to use brute force to get past the guards. Utilizing using our squad’s various skills and weapons, which included sniper rifles, heavy machine guns, and explosives. While you’ll have plenty of choice in how you choose to engage with foes, such as using stealth or just letting loose with all your weapons, there are some opportunities to skip over fights entirely–either through some smart dialog choices or using your character’s skills to open pathways around dangerous areas.

Much like the previous game, you’ll control a party of unique characters with their skills and loadouts. While you’ll often work together as a group to overcome the challenges, there are several opportunities for squad members to stand out and shine. As we ventured further into the compound, we found an alternate path into the following areas of the base. While we could take a different way, leading to several more combats encounters, this secondary path led us to an obstacle course filled with death-traps. Individual members of the party could use their unique lockpicking and beast-taming skills to overcome the bizarre challenges in the bandit obstacle course. Not only did this allow us the chance to learn more about the bandits and their hideout, but it also offered a pathway to the final encounter in the demo, allowing us to get the jump on the fiercest enemies in the base.

Your squad of Rangers will have to contend with all sorts of oddities in the wasteland.

Compared to its predecessor, Wasteland 3 looks to be a substantial upgrade compared to the previous game. This is especially noticeable during the core combat and dialog scenes. It’s still very much in line with the previous game, yet it has an undeniably more modern look. I couldn’t help but notice the similarities with other tactical RPGs like XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and I think that’s a great thing. While I enjoyed Wasteland 2, I can’t deny that it felt somewhat unrefined in its approach, which sought to reinterpret the classic design of the 1990 game. Action and the flow felt more manageable, thanks in part to the more legible UI that made your planned actions and the reactions from enemies much more apparent.

Set for a full release sometime in 2020 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, Wasteland 3 is shaping up to be a solid follow-up that maintains the level of choice and agency from its predecessor–while also really seeing the stakes with its increased production quality. For more on Wasteland 3, be sure to check back with GameSpot for more info as it comes.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wasteland-3-is-a-massive-upgrade-from-its-predeces/1100-6469334/

The Gears of War franchise popularized what shooter fans commonly call Horde mode, in which players work together to take on waves of enemies, and it’s iterated on the concept ever since. Gears 5 is bringing even more changes to the mode, building on the refinements of Gears of War 4 and drawing from the ideas and features of a lot of other modern-day shooters.

The Coalition showed us a hands-off demo of Gears 5’s Horde mode in action at Gamescom and provided a whole lot of new information about it. Leading the changes in Gears 5 is an idea taken from games like Overwatch, Apex Legends, and other hero-based shooters. You won’t just pick a class specialization in Gears 5 Horde mode; you’ll choose a particular character, and each one has specific strengths and weaknesses based on the role they play on your four-player squad.

The class-based distinctions from Gears of War 4 still exist–some characters are good for building fortifications, some are better at laying down fire, and some are best-suited for leaving the base and scrounging up Horde mode’s big resource, Power. But instead of just focusing on which character class you want, you’ll pick a hero with specific capabilities in Horde, and progress them as you play.

Support For Support

Most of the characters seen in Gears 4 are making their return for Horde mode in Gears 5, with a few notable additions. Chief among them is Jack, the invisible helper robot that’s been tagging along with Marcus Fenix and his crew throughout the franchise, but is now actually playable. In most of the Gears games, Jack decloaks in combat situations to do stuff like open a door or hack a computer.

In Horde mode, he presents the opportunity to have a completely different experience from the beefy crew of human soldiers. Jack is purely a support unit, and given his lack of hands, can’t wield a gun. He can zip about the battlefield healing teammates, stunning enemies, and gathering resources to help the rest of the team. When you want to mix it up, Jack’s Ultimate ability lets you take control of an enemy, allowing you to snag big beasties and use them to tear into their former comrades.

Jack’s inclusion highlights Gears 5’s focus on broadening the possibilities of Horde mode. From the sound of things, The Coalition is building on the accessibility it introduced last time out, using hero characters to support a number of player roles. It’s also heightening the Horde mode skill ceiling for people who really want to get lost in it. Like last time, you’ll specialize your role as you play Horde mode: engineers are best at building fortifications, scouts are made for running around gathering resources and mixing up with enemies, tanks draw fire, and snipers put down tough enemies from a place somewhat removed from danger. Each character has their own loadouts and passive perks that help support their roles and your specific playstyle, plus Ultimate abilities you can access after they’ve charged up that give you major boosts on the battlefield. Those abilities can combo together with your teammates’ to give them bonuses, too.

Horde Mode Characters

The Coalition ran down every character that will be in Horde mode at launch, including three DLC characters: Emile-A239 and Kat-B320 from the Halo: Reach character pack, and Sarah Connor from the Terminator: Dark Fate character pack.

• Kait — Scout
  • Ultimate: Kait goes invisible, but she can still melee and execute enemies even while they can’t see her.
• Del — Engineer
  • Ultimate: Del calls in two robot units to back him up, which fight enemies until they eventually explode.
• Jack — Support
  • Ultimate: Jack’s ability allows him to take control of an enemy and use them in battle.
• Fahz — Offense
  • Ultimate: Fahz can see enemies, and shoot them, through walls and other obstructions.
• JD — Offense
  • Ultimate: JD uses the underslung mortar launcher on his new Lancer GL to do massive area damage.
• Marcus — Tank
  • Ultimate: Marcus uses his status as a living legend to inspire nearby allies to land constant headshots.
• Emile-A239 — Offense
  • Ultimate: Borrowing from Halo: Reach, Emile uses a drop shield to soak up damage and protect himself and teammates.
• Kat-B320 — Engineer
  • Ultimate: Also seen in Halo: Reach, Kat drops a hologram decoy that draws the attention of enemies.
• Sarah Connor — Tank
  • Ultimate: The Coalition drew inspiration from Sarah taking down the T-1000 with a shotgun at the end of Terminator: Judgment Day; she blasts away at enemies with a shotgun, stunning and damaging groups of enemies.

Matching Your Style

You’ll further customize characters to your playstyle as you level them up, with tweaks you can make both on and off the battlefield. The returning Skill Cards give you small boosts you can assign to characters at the start of a Horde match, and you’ll earn more cards as you play. There are 14 cards available for each character at launch, and as you earn duplicates, you’ll be able to rank them up to make them more effective.

Apart from leveling up your characters as you play matches, you’ll also be able to turn on perks as you play to make yourself stronger in the middle of a Horde run. You do that by spending Power resources. The whole team shares Power that you pick up on the battlefield (or you can move or expand your base to take advantage of new Power Taps that dispense a regular flow), so you’ll need to decide between using it to build fortifications or to build up your character. You get four perks on each character and can rank each one up 10 times, making you pretty formidable as you get to the toughest of Horde’s levels.

As for difficulty, Horde mode lets you tweak quite a bit about just how tough its matches become, but The Coalition is also working to make things more accessible so you can get exactly the experience you want. You can add modifiers to each run to make it more challenging, such as giving enemies more health or making them more deadly, and your rewards become better when you take on tougher challenges. But it’s also possible to fire up Horde mode solo thanks to new AI-controlled teammates. They’re not nearly as good as their human counterparts–for example, AI buddies don’t get Ultimates–but they give you a chance to play when you don’t have a full team handy, and they’ll replace human teammates if they drop out of a match in the middle.

All these changes look to make Horde mode something that’s both more accessible and more engaging for players long-term, which makes sense given The Coalition’s focus on making the mode into more of a live-service affair. Expect additional characters, maps, and modes to drop in the future, along with battle pass-like seasonal content. Maps, modes, and other content will be free, as will some new characters; other characters and cosmetic items you’ll buy through microtransactions. But The Coalition noted that, like in other hero shooters, new characters won’t just be new skins–they’ll offer full new experiences that should continue to add more variety to Horde as it goes on.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-5-horde-mode-gets-the-hero-shooter-treatment/1100-6469389/

Astral Chain, the stylish new action game from Bayonetta developer Platinum, arrives on Nintendo Switch this Friday, August 30, and if you’re interested in picking up a copy, you may want to consider stopping by your local Walmart. Just as it did for Fire Emblem: Three Houses last month, the retailer is offering a nice launch day discount on the Switch exclusive.

As spotted by Cheap Ass Gamer, Astral Chain will be available in Walmart stores for $49.94 USD. The game is normally listed for $60 USD, so you’ll be able to save about $10 if you pick it up from the retailer–a very nice chunk of cash on a brand-new title.

See Astral Chain at Walmart

However, as was the case with the aforementioned Fire Emblem discount, it appears this offer will only be available in-store; Walmart’s Astral Chain page still lists the game as $60. It’s possible the in-store deal may eventually be extended to the website as well, but for now, it seems you’ll need to visit a physical location if you’re hoping to take advantage of the discount. It’s also worth keeping an eye on Amazon, in case the online retailer likewise decides to drop the game’s price.

Directed by Takahisa Taura, the lead designer on Nier: Automata, Astral Chain is a frenetic action game featuring a unique combat system and plenty of Platinum’s trademark flair. The game puts players in the role of a rookie officer tasked with defending the city from interdimensional monsters known as Chimeras. To stop the beasts, you’ll battle alongside various living weapons called Legions and unleash stylish tandem attacks together.

“Astral Chain’s shortcomings don’t overshadow what it does best. It’s an incredible execution of a fresh take on Platinum Games’ foundation, standing among the stylish-action greats,” critic Michael Higham wrote in GameSpot’s Astral Chain review. “After 40 hours with Astral Chain, I’m still eager to take on the tougher challenges, and I’ll be grinning from ear to ear as I hit all the right moves, one after the other, while watching it all unfold.”

Astral Chain is also one of the titles eligible for Switch’s voucher program. While you’re no longer able to purchase game vouchers, you can redeem any that you still have on Astral Chain and other select first- and third-party Switch games in the Eshop. You can see the full list of eligible titles on Nintendo’s website.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/switch-exclusive-astral-chain-discounted-at-walmar/1100-6469380/

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne arrives on PS4 and Xbox One next week, but Capcom is giving players another chance to sample the expansion ahead of its launch. The developer has announced it is hosting another Iceborne beta session this weekend, which will include an additional quest to hunt the game’s newest Elder Dragon.

The Iceborne beta kicks off first on PS4 on August 30 and runs through September 1. The beta will then come to Xbox One on September 2 and run through September 4. You can see the times for each session below. If you’re interested in trying it out, you’ll be able to preload the beta client beginning August 28.

PS4 Beta

• Start: August 30 at 12:01 AM PT
• End: September 1 at 11:59 PM PT

Xbox One Beta

• Start: September 2 at 12:01 AM PT
• End: September 4 at 11:59 PM PT

The new beta includes all three monsters that were available to hunt in previous sessions–Great Jagras (beginner), Banbaro (intermediate) and Tigrex (expert)–as well as a new quest to hunt Velkhana, Iceborne’s cover monster, for the first time. Additionally, players will be able to try out all 14 different types of weapons in the game as well as some of Iceborne’s new tools, such as the Clutch Claw.

The first time you complete each quest in the beta, you’ll receive a special commendation pack for the full version of Iceborne. These packs include an assortment of consumables that will help you out while exploring Hoarfrost Reach, the new arctic region that serves as the expansion’s setting.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne launches on PS4 and Xbox One on September 6, with a PC release set to follow early next year. You’ll need to own the base game in order to play the expansion. If you don’t have it, you can pick both up in a Monster Hunter World Master Edition bundle for $60. Iceborne introduces a variety of new and returning monsters to the game, including the fan-favorite Glavenus. PS4 owners will also be able to craft another exclusive set of Horizon Zero Dawn armor.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/free-monster-hunter-world-iceborne-beta-coming-to-/1100-6469375/

Control is Remedy’s latest game, following in the footsteps of supernatural thrillers like Quantum Break. This one puts you in the role of Jesse Faden, in her first day as the director of the Department of Control just as the bureau is invaded by a strange, ethereal threat.

Remedy has gained a reputation for its dark tones and cinematic presentations, and Control is no different. But critics appear to agree that Control is an especially good example of what the studio can do. In GameSpot’s Control review, Peter Brown says the game is so good it actually makes him want to go back and play past Remedy games.

Many other outlets have published their Control reviews as well. We’ve gathered a smattering of them below to give a view from around the industry. For an even broader look, check out GameSpot’s sister site Metacritic.

• Game: Control
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Developer: Remedy Entertainment
• Release date: August 27
• Price: $60 / £45 / $84 AUD

If you’re planning to pick up Control, the game is already on sale at Amazon, where you can get the PS4 version for $50.94 and the Xbox One version for $49.94.

Pre-order Control on Amazon

GameSpot — 8/10

“It’s not often that a game invades my thoughts the way Control has. I’m at the point where I want to consume every last thing it has to offer. And if I’m honest, it also makes me want to go back and replay Remedy’s past games, too. Sure, it’s a faulty metroidvania in some respects, but there are so many exceptional qualities afoot that Control handily deflects any momentary ire. I can’t wait to take part in discussions about the game, to see what others have figured out, and to better understand where it all fits into Jesse’s story.” — Peter Brown [Full review]

ScreenRant — 4.5/5

“Control is both a departure for Remedy Games and a familiar warm blanket for fans of their previous work. It beautifully combines the developer’s trademark pillars – deep storytelling and high-adrenaline gun combat – within a whole new shell of exploration-based gameplay and a whole universe of deeply fascinating lore. There are many stories to be told within the realm of the Federal Bureau of Control; Jesse Faden’s adventure in The Oldest House is just one of them.” — Zak Wojnar [Full review]

GamesRadar — 4.5/5

“But, make up your own mind, because no matter what you think of the ending, a game like this is a glorious rarity. Don’t do yourself a disservice by reading any more into Control. Go in unaware, revel in its madness, and never take a corridor at face value. That’s the best way to serve up – and regaining – Control.” — Sam Loveridge [Full review]

PC Gamer — 88/100

“Control’s thin protagonist and abrupt ending are propped up by an abundance of mystery, wonder, and glorious room-destroying combat.” — James Davenport [Full review]

USGamer — 4/5

“Control continues the basic formula that Remedy Entertainment has been playing with for all these years—third-person action with a hint of unreality—but it feels like the studio has reached its final form. … The dialog is still odd, and the mission structure can be obtuse at times, but Control is great. With the Oldest House and Federal Bureau of Control at its back, Remedy Entertainment has fully realized a place where all its game development quirks finally fit.” — Mike Williams [Full review]

Twinfinite — 3.5/5

“If Remedy just let Control get a little bit weirder, and fully leaned into its Metroidvania inspired gameplay, it could have been something really special. Sadly that never happens, but in spite of itself Control still winds up being an enjoyable unique feeling action game that isn’t like anything else on the market right now, and won’t take up a ton of your time.” — Ed McGlone [Full review]

The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/control-reviews-roundup/1100-6469377/