Author - Jerry Paxton

FOAMSTARS Season Trailer: MYSTERIOUS SWING

Today, SQUARE ENIX® launched MYSTERIOUS SWING, the third season of FOAMSTARS™, the online 4v4 foam party shooter on PlayStation®5 (PS5®) and PlayStation®4 (PS4®). MYSTERIOUS SWING features the new character Chloe Noir, limited time events, and free and premium cosmetic content. MYSTERIOUS SWING runs from April 12 until May 17.

MYSTERIOUS SWING highlights include:

  • A new FOAMSTAR – Chloe Noir: Can be acquired by all players for free as a Tier 31 reward for the Season Pass or can be obtained immediately by purchasing the Premium Pass.
  • Weekly free limited-time items: Slide into the FOAMSTARS shop every Friday to get free content.
  • Ranked Party: Two limited-time seasonal events, the solo player-based Ranked Party Lonestar and team-based Ranked Party Tribe-Vibe.
  • Extreme Party: Challenge players in two special themed events: the All Chloe Party and the Bubbly Penguin Party.

For more information, including local seasonal event timings, please visit the FOAMSTARS blog and social channels.

FOAMSTARS is available to purchase for $29.99 via the PlayStation® Store and requires a PlayStation Plus subscription. A Premium Season Pass is available for purchase at $5.99.

FOAMSTARS is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. 
An internet connection is required to play FOAMSTARS.
PS Plus is an ongoing subscription with a recurring fee. Age restrictions and terms apply.

V Rising – Legacy of Castlevania Gameplay Trailer

Swedish game developer Stunlock Studios with Konami Digital Entertainment (KONAMI) have today released the first gameplay trailer for V Rising — Legacy of Castlevania. This crossover collaboration is set to release on May 8th alongside V Rising’s much-anticipated full release on Steam; with the PS5 version launching later this year. The trailer was also part of the Triple-i Initiative showcase, a digital event founded by Dead Cells developer, Evil Empire.

Prepare for an epic brawl with iconic vampire hunter Simon Belmont, Cosplay as Alucard and build your own Castlevania-style domain
Skövde, Sweden – April 10th 2024 – Swedish game developer Stunlock Studios with Konami Digital Entertainment (KONAMI) have today released the first gameplay trailer for V Rising — Legacy of Castlevania. This crossover collaboration is set to release on May 8th alongside V Rising’s much-anticipated full release on Steam; with the PS5 version launching later this year. The trailer was also part of the Triple-i Initiative showcase, a digital event founded by Dead Cells developer, Evil Empire.

Watch the V Rising – Legacy of Castlevania Gameplay Trailer:
Wielding his legendary whip and an infamous arsenal of holy weaponry, infamous vampire hunter Simon Belmont is infiltrating V Rising to challenge all of Vampire kind. As the trailer shows, facing him won’t be easy, with his righteous crusade through Vardoran posing a threat to all that stalk the night. If you are somehow able to defeat him, the secrets of his iconic weapon will be yours, offering new combat abilities that embody the grace and precision of a deadly Vampire! Watch the trailer and get your first bloody taste of the battle to come!

As well as the free content coming to the game via the Legacy of Castlevania DLC, vampire enthusiasts will be able to purchase the Legacy of Castlevania Premium Pack cosmetic DLC for 19,99 EUR/USD, allowing players to construct their own castles inspired by Castlevania’s classic gothic aesthetic. The pack also contains further additions and customizations, allowing you to traverse the open world with the Soul of the Wolf, don Alucard’s elegant outfit, embody the prodigal Maria Renard to move unnoticed among the realms of man, or spring through the air as the mischievous Flea Man! There are also two classic Castlevania themes to unlock in your castle: “Simon’s Theme” and “Bloody Tears”, reimagined by V Rising composer Aleksandria Migova.

Read into all the juicy details in the “Legacy of Castlevania” blog post:
https://blog.stunlock.com/the-legacy-of-castlevania-premium-pack/

New Clip from RLJE Films ARCADIAN

In a near future, normal life on Earth has been decimated. Paul and his two sons, Thomas and Joseph, have been living a half-life – tranquility by day and torment by night. Every night, after the sun sets, they face the unrelenting attacks of a mysterious and violent evil. One day, when Thomas doesn’t return home before sundown, Paul must leave the safety of their fortified farm to find him. A nightmarish battle ensues that forces the family to execute a desperate plan to survive.

  • Director: Benjamin Brewer
  • Writer: Mike Nilon
  • Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins, Sadie Soverall

Destiny 2: The Final Shape Brings Prismatic Subclass and More

During The Final Shape Developer Gameplay Preview, Bungie revealed the latest information on the development of The Final Shape and hinted at what’s coming next for Destiny 2. On June 4, Guardians will finally enter The Pale Heart of the Traveler to chase after the Witness, wielding new powers to take on the ultimate enemy. The Developer Gameplay Preview also showed off the Prismatic Subclass—which combines the powers of the Light and Darkness—as well as the first-ever Exotic class items in Destiny 2 and the Dread, the Witness’s new enemy faction.

Alongside the three new Light Supers previously announced, Guardians will wield the Light and Darkness together for the first time to unleash the Prismatic subclass. This subclass introduces new options to enhance and customize each playstyle with the combination of multiple element types. Also, each class will get a unique grenade that combines multiple subclass elements: Warlocks will have Stasis/Void, Titans will have Strand/Arc, and Hunters will have Solar/Stasis.

Players will be able to equip an Exotic class item, meaning Hunter’s cloaks, Titan’s marks, and Warlock’s bonds will have Exotic-level perks for the first time. These perks will be randomized, taking two features from existing Exotic class items (even some belonging to other classes) to enhance the Guardian’s ability to customize their gameplay.

The Witness is in full force in The Final Shape, introducing the Dread faction, a fierce group of combatants with new abilities to shake up the fight. In addition to the Tormentor introduced in Lightfall and the previously revealed Subjugators, the Witness will unleash the new Grim, Husk, Attendant, and Weaver units:
  • Grim: A highly mobile flying enemy that slows and suppresses a Guardian’s abilities if they get too close.
  • Husk: An acrobatic melee bruiser that sends a deployable geist enemy toward you unless you hit their weak spot with a final blow.
  • Attendant and Weaver: By wielding Stasis and Strand, respectively, these units can instantly change the flow of the encounter and force Guardians to pay attention to their positioning on the battlefield.

NOPE CHALLENGE Release Date Trailer

Happy Manic LLC is releasing NOPE CHALLENGE, a psychological VR game based on facing phobias with various intensity levels, on April 25, 2024. The game features immersive challenges designed to empower players while they manage their intense fight, flight and freeze responses to 40+ phobias. The game can be wishlisted on the Meta Store.

NOPE CHALLENGE is an exhilarating VR psychological nail-biter that allows you to confront popular phobias, from the menacing presence of clowns and spiders to the thrill of towering heights. The game presents nine challenges sorted into light, moderate, and extreme intensities, allowing for a customizable approach to what you may fear the most. The NOPE Button provides a swift escape to the Breather Space, a serene retreat with activities to help you relax, recharge, collect rewards and even learn more about the 40+ phobias contained in NOPE CHALLENGE from the Phobia Kiosk.

Engage your fight, flight and freeze responses with NOPE CHALLENGE, where each decision shapes your path through intense phobias all while exposing hidden clues that tease a larger, mysterious narrative behind the challenges.

Key Features:

  • Intense NOPE CHALLENGES: Choose from any of the 9 available NOPE CHALLENGES with tailored intensity levels; LIGHT eases you in, MODERATE increases AI interaction, and EXTREME gets your heart racing and pushes you to the limit.
  • Phobias Everywhere: Besides the thrills of Heights, Clowns and Spiders, there are triggers to 40+ additional phobias.
  • The NOPE Button & Breather Space: These unique features ensure a balanced experience, allowing you to rest, relax, recharge or explore before heading back in or choosing a completely different challenge to jump into.
  • Advanced Dynamic AI: Experience never-the-same encounters with AI-driven adversaries in MODERATE and EXTREME levels, enhancing dynamic gameplay and replayability.
  • Empower Yourself: Embrace or escape your phobias and fears in NOPE CHALLENGE, where each choice shapes your path, making every scream uniquely yours.
  • Share Your Scare: NOPE CHALLENGE promotes screen sharing, so friends and family can watch as you delve into the nightmares.

Deceit 2 – Console Launch Trailer

Deceit 2 is a matchmade social deduction horror game where two among you have been Infected. While the Infected do the bidding of the malevolent Game Master, the Innocent must work together to escape the Ritual and deduce who is plotting against them. Suspect someone? Rally your team to initiate the Banishing Ritual. To make things even more chaotic, you can now also play as a third team, the Cursed, who are solely out for themselves. When it’s time to Banish someone, choose wisely; a false accusation can sow seeds of doubt and turn allies into enemies. Your choices shape the game, making every match a unique battle of wits. Can you outplay the Game Master and escape the Ritual, or will you become another piece in his twisted game?

The recently launched Werewolf DLC, as well as all available content of Deceit 2, is also present in the PS5 and Xbox versions of Deceit 2, and players are able to seamlessly team up with anyone regardless of their platform. The Werewolf DLC includes the Wyrtorn Terror, a werewolf, and the first Terror to be added since the game’s initial launch. It also includes The Chemist role, a neutral Curse that must poison all other members of the group to win the Ritual. The new Project Wurgen map, available to everyone for free, is also here for the console release, and Season One, titled “Humble Beginnings”, kicks off today, bringing a myriad of new skins, loading screens, and more unlockables.

BenQ X300G 4K HDR Short Throw Gaming Projector Review

Projector-based gaming has always held a unique appeal. You gain the immersive experience of a massive display that dwarfs even the largest TVs. However, traditional projectors come with their frustrations – complicated setups, bulky size, and the need for significant space to generate that giant image. The BenQ X300G sets out to tackle these issues head-on while keeping the focus squarely on fast-paced, vibrant gaming.

The X300G breaks away from the traditional projector mold. It’s surprisingly compact and lightweight for a projector promising a 100-inch 4K image. The sleek, minimalist design wouldn’t look out of place in a modern living room. This relatively small size is crucial since portability is one of the X300G’s central selling points. Whether you’re moving it between rooms or taking it to a friend’s place, the X300G shouldn’t feel like a chore to transport.

The X300G’s star feature is its short-throw capability. To achieve a massive 100-inch display, you’ll only need to position the projector a little over 7 feet away from the wall or screen. This is a game-changer, especially for smaller rooms and setups where a standard projector simply wouldn’t be practical.

BenQ has clearly aimed for ease of use with the X300G. Features like automatic vertical keystone correction and motorized zoom help you get the perfect image quickly and without needing to delve into complex menus. It won’t replace the flexibility of manual adjustments entirely, but it significantly lowers the barrier to entry for less tech-savvy users.

Let’s address the elephant in the room – at its price point, the X300G won’t match the absolute black levels or pixel-perfect sharpness of a high-end OLED TV. However, it delivers where it counts for gaming. The 4K resolution is crisp, and HDR-PRO support adds an extra layer of visual punch and vibrancy, especially noticeable in games with high-contrast scenes.

The real standout is the X300G’s color reproduction. Wide color gamut coverage ensures games with lush color palettes look their absolute best. The brightness is ample for most rooms, but you’ll still get the best image in a dimly lit environment as with any projector.

Input lag, the delay between a button press and the action on-screen, is a vital concern for gamers. The X300G excels in this area. Its dedicated gaming modes boast an ultra-low input lag of 4.16ms (at 1080p/240Hz), keeping gameplay feeling snappy and responsive. Whether you’re into competitive shooters or timing-sensitive action games, you won’t feel like the projector is holding you back.

The X300G features built-in speakers driven by BenQ’s CinematicSound™ technology. While they won’t replace a dedicated soundbar or surround sound system, they are surprisingly powerful for their size, providing a decent audio experience when a full sound system isn’t available.The inclusion of an Android TV dongle is a welcome bonus. It gives you access to streaming services and other smart functionality right out of the box.

The BenQ X300G isn’t without some compromises, primarily in outright image contrast and black levels. However, if you’re looking for a projector that prioritizes a hassle-free setup, portability, and delivers a fantastic, low-latency gaming experience, it’s a compelling option. The BenQ X300G retails for $1799 and is available now!

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Transformers Themed The Masked Singer Airs Tonight

Hasbro Inc., a leading toy and game company, announced today that the special TRANSFORMERS themed episode of FOX’s The Masked Singer will debut on Wednesday, April 10 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX, next day on Hulu. Celebrating the TRANSFORMERS’ 40th Anniversary, fans can expect a variety of robot-themed content, including beloved characters appearances, highly decorated stages, life-sized props and vehicles, memorable skits and surprises. Get ready for an unforgettable episode that is sure to be… More Than Meets The Eye!

  •  What: TRANSFORMERS Themed Episode of The Masked Singer
  •  When: Wednesday, April 10 at 8:00 PM ET/PT
  •  Where: FOX, next day on Hulu

“We are thrilled to partner with FOX and bring the iconic world of TRANSFORMERS to The Masked Singer,” said Alyse D’Antuono, Vice President, Global Franchise Strategy & Management, Action Brands, Hasbro. “This collaboration is a major milestone for the franchise and is part of our ’40 Years. One Legacy’ celebration for TRANSFORMERS. From best-selling toys to blockbuster entertainment projects throughout the brand’s legendary history, TRANSFORMERS has continued to endure in pop culture, expanding and reaching new audiences since its worldwide debut in 1984. We cannot wait for fans to tune in and experience this once-in-a-lifetime commemorative episode with their friends and family.”

This unique collaboration is part of the TRANSFORMERS 40th Anniversary’s year-long celebration across products, entertainment and more. Over 40 distinct Hasbro TRANSFORMERS anniversary figures will be available, including TRANSFORMERS Legacy United Leader Class G2 Universe Laser Optimus Prime and TRANSFORMERS Legacy United Deluxe Class Bumblebee among many others. Plus, special 40th anniversary and evergreen collaborations are available now, including Robosen state-of-the-art converting robots, Funko collectibles, Dynamite Entertainment trading cards and more. Fans of all ages can add these to their collection and purchase many other products on the TRANSFORMERS Amazon brand store.

The Masked Singer season 11 features superstar singer-songwriter Rita Ora joining panelists Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg and Robin Thicke, alongside host Nick Cannon, for all-new theme nights and performances from a new group of masked celebrity singers. The Masked Singer is produced by FOX Alternative Entertainment. James Breen, Craig Plestis, and Cannon serve as executive producers. Breen serves as showrunner. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.

For the latest information on TRANSFORMERS, including toys and entertainment, follow @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on Instagram, @TransformersOfficial on Threads, @TRANSFORMERS on Facebook and @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on TikTok #40yearsOneLegacy. Join the conversation on April 10 using the hashtag #TheMaskedSinger and tagging @MaskedSingerFox.

Witchfire Ghost Galleon Update Trailer

Today The Astronauts launched the first major feature update for their dark fantasy first-person shooter, Witchfire. The Ghost Galleon Update includes a host of new content, including player classes, fearsome foes, new events, weapons and spells for the preyer’s arsenal, as well as a shop vendor offering novel items. The update’s name refers to a newly minted Calamity event: a spectral ship infested with demonic minions of the Witch. The Witchfire update is available now on the Epic Games Store; curious witch hunters should check out the latest gameplay trailer for a preview of the game’s fresh new content.

Alongside the new features available in today’s patch, The Astronauts team has implemented careful redesigns of Witchfire’s level progression and Calamity systems, based on Early Access feedback. Players will begin the game with souls-style classes, granting boosts to certain stats and unique gear. Classes include Slayer, Berserker, Hunter, Shadow, Saint and Penitent— this final class is for Witchfire veterans seeking an extra challenge. A new feature, called Gnosis, will allow players to “over-level” (slightly) without a corresponding uptick in enemy difficulty. Gnosis is the preyer’s understanding of dark magic. As this occult knowledge expands, players gain power and uncover hidden paths and events in the game. The update also adds a Calamity Meter on the HUD, which calls attention to player actions (and missteps) that make Calamities more likely.

“I like when gameplay matches lore,” said Adrian Chmielarz, Creative Director and Co-Founder of The Astronauts. “The Witch launches Calamities at preyers as they venture further and further into her realm. The threat of a Calamity is immense, but so is the reward. The witch tends to launch these assaults when players are wounded, at their weakest— which hasn’t always been well-received by players— but this design still feels exciting to me. So we’ve kept the soul of it, but redesigned it to feel more fair. It’s a feature that both teaches you how to play by pointing out mistakes, and motivates you to do better. Yet it’s also an element great players can abuse: trick the Witch into thinking you’re losing, then strike back and reap the rewards. This supports two main pillars of our design philosophy: Competence and Autonomy.”

The redesigns in the Ghost Galleon Update aim to ensure players have agency and understanding of gameplay mechanisms, while still maintaining the intense challenge at Witchfire’s core.
Content available in today’s mammoth Witchfire patch includes:
  • 3 New Calamities (including the Ghost Galleon)
  • New Activity: Vault Raiding
  • 6 New Classes
  • 5 New Weapons
  • 4 New Spells (plus 4 redesigned spells)
  • New Shop Vendor
  • 7 New Magical Items (fetishes, rings, relics)
  • 10 New or Variant Enemies
  • 5 New Events
  • 6 New Traps
  • Calamity Redesign
  • Gnostic Knowledge & Level Progression
  • Quality of Life Updates & Bug Fixes
  • And more…

BIOMORPH Launch Trailer

Delve into the alluring planet of Ilios in BIOMORPH, a hand-drawn metroidvania adventure now available on Steam. Recently funded by Ubisoft, BIOMORPH is a unique metroidvania experience with a twist. Enemies aren’t simply just defeated. Their powers are absorbed enabling players to evolve into a formidable force throughout their crusade.

BIOMORPH is a captivating 2D metroidvania adventure hand-drawn to perfection. Explore the enticing world of Ilios as Harlo, one of the only surviving creatures of their species. Harlo possesses a special ability where they can transform into any fallen creature they vanquish. Absorbing an foes’ power triggers a transformation, granting new abilities for combat and exploration. Creatures of various shapes and sizes add to Harlo’s arsenal. Run faster, burst through locked doors, or fire explosive projectiles all by biomorphing. Strategy is key to Harlo’s success and survival on Ilios.

Bash, slide, shoot, and embody Ilios’ unruly creatures. Players will have the freedom to optimize their builds catered to all styles of play utilizing varied skill sets to take on the challenges Harlo will encounter throughout their journey. Strength and traversal abilities of the creatures will be vital in order to solve puzzles, unlock new areas, and defeat new enemies. Players will explore ancient ruins, abandoned villages, and underground complexes as Harlo, journeying deeper to uncover what caused the mysterious cataclysm on Ilios. Master the ability to biomorph to face combat and unearth everything that Illios and its inhabitants have to offer.

BIOMORPH is now available on Steam for $19.99 USD, and will be launching on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S at a later date. Players eager to bring the secrets of Ilios to light can take advantage of a special 10% launch discount for a limited time. Keep up to date by following Lucid Dreams Studio on Twitter, joining the official BIOMORPH Discord Server, and visiting the game’s website.