Author - Jerry Paxton

River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next Announcement Trailer

Arc System Works America, Inc. has announced the upcoming release of River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next, a brand-new game sequel and chapter in Kunio’s “Three Kingdoms” story, coming to Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, and Steam on November 7, 2024. Players on PlayStation 4 and Steam can now add the game to their Wishlist. The Nintendo Switch store page will open on August 8.

Follow the wild antics of over 100 River City characters coming together! The River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next sequel story begins following the Battle of Red Cliffs and continues with a mad dash towards the climax of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel, the Battle of Wuzhang Plains. The beloved River City ruffian Kunio takes on the role of the hero of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu, joining the hot-blooded battle over the nation.

River CIty Saga: Three Kingdoms Next will include the following story and action gameplay:

  • River City Cast in Three Kingdoms Roles – Including Kunio as Guan Yu, Misako as Zhuge Liang, Goda as Liu Bei, Yamada as Cao Cao
  • Romance of the Three Kingdoms Twists – The story of famous generals joining Liu Bei’s army in the battle against rival Cao Cao takes some inventive River City-style twists thanks to the influence of Kunio and his friends.
  • Get on Red Hare and Send Enemies Packing! – Kunio can move through the stages on his motorcycle, Red Hare. Soar down the road while tossing enemies aside and even create your own customized Red Hare ride by collecting parts. Meeting certain conditions can even change Red Hare into something other than a motorcycle…
  • Arsenal of Flashy Tactics and Specials – Similar to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel, game players can experience clever strategies employed by military tacticians.

○      Set the stage aflame with Fire Tactics

○      Wash the enemy base straight away with Water Tactics

○      Summon familiar faces to aid in battle with an all-new Tactic

○      Combine these Tactics with your special moves to conquer the unique stages where enemies await!

River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next is the sequel game to 2022’s River City Saga: Three Kingdoms on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam, which brought players a unique experience set during China’s Three Kingdoms period and was based on the popular Downtown Special: River City Historical Drama! game. The game saw River City characters enter China’s Three Kingdoms period and take on roles set within the historical tale, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

Path of Exile: Settlers of Kalguur Expansion and PoE 2 Beta Test News

During today’s Path of Exile livestream, “GGG Live,” developer Grinding Gear Games unveiled details for Path of Exile’s 3.25 update, Settlers of Kalguur. The July expansion introduces the Settlers of Kalguur Challenge League, balance improvements including two Ascendancy Class changes, Endgame improvements, further additions to the Campaign and a variety of quality of life (QoL) features for both PC and console players. Path of Exile: Settlers of Kalguur will launch on July 26th at 1 PM PDT.

In the Settlers of Kalguur Challenge League, players will help Kalguuran pioneers build the town of Kingsmarch and establish trade between Wraeclast and their homeland. Players will focus on mining exotic resources, hiring and protecting skilled workers to construct and defend the town, and build out a harbor to establish and manage trading. Once the town is constructed and trade is underway, players will be able to buy and sell currency and other stackable items in the Currency Trade Market, and craft and recombine powerful weapons and items on the Runesmithing Table.

Ascendancy classes will be refreshed with the addition of the new Warden class, as well as a rework of the Gladiator. The Warden will replace the Raider class, focusing on elemental attacks, damage mitigation and a specialization in Tinctures, which can now be found throughout the land. The Gladiator class maintains powerful skills for Bleeding and Block, along with receiving newly designed skills including the opportunity to invest in Retaliation Skills, a new type of skill that allows you to unleash devastating damage upon meeting certain conditions in combat.

Settlers of Kalguur will add a long list of balance work including drastic alterations to Melee Skills, Block, Rage, Warcries, Banners, Bleed, Impale, adding new Base Types to Endgame, buffed Modifiers on Endgame Items, buffed Critical Strike Chances on Weapons, and much more. Endgame content has been addressed with changes to many Scarabs, a 6th Map Device Slot, new encounters in Tier 16 and Tier 17 Maps, updates to Blight and Ritual and more. There will also be a set of new Chisel types and a massive increase in the drop rate of Valdo’s Puzzle Boxes.

Path of Exile players on consoles will be delighted to find that the game now takes full advantage of PS5 and Xbox Series hardware, with a huge reduction in load times and texture pop-in. Overall visual fidelity has been improved with the highest available resolution textures and water effects, and a new upscaling algorithm that improves the crispness of dynamic resolution, as well as an additional anti-aliasing pass.

Grinding Gear Games announced that they will soon be running the first Closed Beta Test for their upcoming sequel Path of Exile 2. To be considered for participation in this and future tests, please sign up at www.pathofexile2.com/register.

Path of Exile: Settlers of Kalguur will launch on July 26th PDT for PC, Mac and Consoles. Check out the full changes here: https://www.pathofexile.com/settlers/patchnotes.

More information about specific features of Path of Exile can be found at www.pathofexile.com

Unknown 9: Awakening – Gameplay Walkthrough with Dev Commentary

Reflector Entertainment revealed an insightful look at UNKNOWN 9: AWAKENING, the narrative-driven action-adventure game based on the original IP. The developer walkthrough trailer features Christoper Rossignol, Creative Director at Reflector, who provides a deep look at gameplay and showcases the different combat styles and abilities of Haroona. Portrayed by British actress Anya Chalotra, the game’s protagonist Haroona is a mysterious Quaestor born with the ability to draw power from another dimension, on a quest to avenge the death of her mentor and save humanity. Go deeper into UNKNOWN 9: AWAKENING with eight minutes of gameplay narrated by Christophe Rossignol, Creative Director at Reflector Entertainment here:

In the trailer, the developer provides commentary for exploration and different combat playstyles, from the most discreet stealth approach to the most destructive and explosive, and shows how to best make use of the stepping mechanic, where Haroona takes control of her enemies and places them in tactical positions to gain advantage in battle. The video also showcases locations in Haroona’s harrowing journey,  which will take players to exotic settings such as the Mauritanian desert and the deep jungles of India, and demonstrates a few early game skills unlocked during a player’s playthrough, giving a new taste of this globetrotting adventure.

UNKNOWN 9: AWAKENING is slated for release this Fall for PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam®. For more information, visit www.bandainamcoent.com/games/unknown9/en/products/video-games/awakening/.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Collector’s Edition Steelbook Announced

Fresh off the heels of winning the Xbox Excellence Award, Gun Interactive continues to honor the legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as it nears both the game’s first year anniversary and the original films anniversary. Their millions of players can continue to celebrate this iconic franchise with a special Collector’s Edition SteelBook.

This 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition SteelBook encapsulates the beauty and macabre tone of the game with exclusive art by legendary artist Gary Pullin. With earthy yellows and greens, the silhouettes of The Slaughter Family and their Victims are displayed walking along the edges of Leatherface’s Chainsaw, amidst the growth of wildflowers. A gorgeous display for a game critics claim is, “like nothing else in horror, no matter the medium.”

Players will receive this gorgeous SteelBook alongside other goodies such as a physical copy of the game, an exclusive pack of trading cards for The Slaughter Family, the 50th Anniversary 4K Blu-Ray of the 1974 classic film, and already released DLC including two playable characters (Danny and Nancy), Outfit Packs, Execution Packs, and more!

“I’ve had my eye on Gary Pullin for a long time. I adore his art and approach to horror. Once the two of us got together and started brainstorming on what this steelbook could look like, it was like we’d known each other for years. It was an absolute treat to work with Gary and I hope the fans love what he created. As a horror nerd myself, I only wanted to offer something that I myself would want to collect. Something I would be proud of to have on my shelf, and I think we accomplished that.”
  • Wes Keltner, CEO, Gun Interactive
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has always been on the top of my list of iconic films I’ve wanted to work with. That call came when Wes from Gun reached out to me to create the artwork for the steelbook. Wes sent me some truly stunning early footage of the game and we talked a lot about how our favorite images are often striking, simple concepts. With that direction in mind, I picked up a chainsaw and got to work. I’m very proud to have worked with GUN on this special release and I only hope we’ve come up with something Grandpa will approve of.
  • Gary Pullin, Artist, www.garypulllin.com
Players can pre-order this 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition SteelBook now from their favorite online retailers!

Lionsgate and Stern Pinball Bring John Wick Pinball to San Diego Comic-Con

In collaboration with Lionsgate, Stern Pinball, Inc. is bringing John Wick to San Diego Comic-Con where fans may play the new pinball game, check out exclusive merchandise, and view movie props used in connection with the actual filming of John Wick!

In Stern’s John Wick pinball games, players step into the role of the world’s greatest assassin as he fights to escape his past. As the titular character, players can engage in high-speed car chases and fast-action drifting across the playfield, which incorporates models and artwork inspired by iconic locations from the franchise, including the New York Continental Hotel and the Red Circle Club, all set against a dramatically edge lit New York City skyline. Players need to survive other adversaries, complete jobs for the legendary Factions of the High Table, and eventually take on John Wick’s “Special Assignment!” John Wick is set apart from other pinball games with Stern’s all-new dynamic AI combat system, an innovation that brings the frenetic combat of the legendary films to the game.

John Wick pinball will be featured at Stern’s long-standing Pop-Up Arcade, located outside the convention center at the Marriott Marquis, along with several other beloved Stern Pinball titles. Additionally, fans won’t want to miss the official props from the John Wick universe that will be available for viewing at the Stern Pinball booth, located on the show floor.

After going head-to-head with enemies, fans can get their hands on exclusive John Wick merchandise, including John Wick x Stern Pinball T-shirts and a limited-edition LP album featuring the game’s original score, signed by composer Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Pantera fame. Come quick – there will only be 500 copies of this limited-edition LP album sold onsite!

“Together with Lionsgate, we’ve created a thrilling, action-packed game that truly embodies the John Wick universe,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “We hold San Diego Comic-Con close to our hearts, and we’re having a blast working with Lionsgate to bring the franchise to this community in a new and exhilarating medium.”

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:

*MSRP for sales to USA end-users before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.                        

Pro Edition:                                                               $US 6,999

Premium Edition:                                                   $US 9,699

Limited Edition:                                                     $US 12,999

John Wick pinball games and accessories are available now through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide.

Dungeons 4 the Good, the Bad, and the Evil DLC Announced

Saddle up, adepts of Evil! Publisher Kalypso Media and developer Realmforge Studios have announced the first DLC for their dungeon management simulator – Dungeons 4. Get ready for an adventure with Dungeons 4 – the Good, the Bad, and the Evil, introducing a new Wild West inspired landscape on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, releasing on August 8.

Embark on an Evil pursuit against the formidable Dwarven Queen Brynnhild through the untamed West in five new missions. New dwarven units like the Pistolero, Machine Dwarf and Crack Shot, armed with powerful dwarven weaponry, add a fresh layer of tactical evilness, while Thalya goes full Wicked Wild West, bringing new passive skills into the fight against the Good.

Steam locomotives rumble across the land, brimming with dwarves armed with dynamite and guns, led by Brynnhild and her fearsome steel train, bringing hope to the forces of light and goodness—how revolting! But fear not, for you, with Thalya and your new arsenal, are the key to turning the tide in favour of Evil.

Use the new Steam trap and Hydro-Lava-non to protect your dungeon heart, which frightful new vermin, including Giant Scorpions, Lavalumps and Manavores, now call home. Once your dungeon is secure, destroy the enemy locomotives and build a carriage of carnage of your very own for the good of all that is evil!

Dungeons 4 – the Good, the Bad and the Evil will break free from the forces of Good and storm onto PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 on August 8.

Disclaimer: Any resemblance to real cowboys, gun-slinging dwarves, or evil overlords is purely coincidental. No scorpions were harmed in the making of this game… probably.

BF 2042 Post Season 7 Roadmap Released

As the end of Season 7 approaches, the Battlefield 2042 team have released a brief overview of what players can expect moving forward. Though the seasons are ending, support for Battlefield 2042 will continue with both content and Quality-of-Life updates, Portal highlights, Friday Night Battlefield experiences and more.

Check out the full Battlefield Briefing blog post for further details HERE.

Events – New and Returning

  • Previous past events from Battlefield 2042 will be returning to the game, alongside their rewards for those who missed them – starting with the return of Leviathan Rising later in July!

  • New events will be coming to Battlefield 2042, over 4 weeks, with new ways to play, progression via an event pass, with free and premium tiers, new cosmetics and more. The first new event will be playable this coming Halloween period; stay tuned for more details.

Vault Drops

  • Introducing multi-week moments for players to try and unlock Portal content in All-Out Warfare.  Vault Drops will start later in the year with a vehicle from Portal that players will be excited to get their hands on.

Community Calendar

  • Community Calendar will be updated regularly with weekly playlists and featured experiences that players can expect looking ahead. These include details on upcoming game updates, weekly missions and new cosmetic bundles.

  • Friday Night Battlefield sessions will continue for prime and chaotic Battlefield gameplay every week.

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed Demo and Panel Set for D23 Expo

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is part of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, happening August 9, 10, and 11 in Anaheim, California! Attendees can visit booth 3200 in Halls C and D at the Anaheim Convention Center and be among the first to play Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed. Attendees who play the game demo will receive an exclusive set of Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed pins which are highly limited and only available that weekend. The pins are subject to availability on a first-come first-served basis.

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event attendees can also join Epic Mickey Creative Director Warren Spector, and more special guests, for the Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed panel on Friday, August 9 at 12:15 PST on the Backlot Stage.

If you can’t make it to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, a demo of Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed will also be playable at gamescom!

Pre-order the game here: https://epicmickey.thqnordic.com/

Alien: Romulus Final Trailer Released

Today, 20th Century Studios released the final trailer for “Alien: Romulus.” Advance tickets for the sci-fi/horror-thriller are now available for purchase at Fandango or wherever tickets are sold. A truly terrifying cinematic experience from producer Ridley Scott and director/writer Fede Alvarez, “Alien: Romulus” opens exclusively in theaters nationwide August 16, 2024, and will be available in IMAX®, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, ScreenX, and formats everywhere.

“Alien: Romulus” takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. The film stars Cailee Spaeny (“Civil War”), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), Aileen Wu. Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (“Don’t Breathe 2”) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. “Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott (“Napoleon”), who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” Michael Pruss (“Boston Strangler”), and Walter Hill (“Alien”), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (“Charlie’s Angels”), Brent O’Connor (“Bullet Train”), and Tom Moran (“Unstoppable”) serving as executive producers.

The Mortuary Assistant – Definitive Edition Trailer

To celebrate the 2-year anniversary of the original PC release of The Mortuary Assistant, DarkStone Digital and DreadXP are thrilled to announce that the bone-chilling horror will be coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on August 2nd. In addition to launching on new platforms, the Definitive Edition brings updated gameplay to both the PC and Nintendo Switch versions as well.

In The Mortuary Assistant, you take on the role of Rebecca Owens, a newly graduated apprentice at River Fields Mortuary, but not everything at this job is as it seems. Late one night you are called in to handle some embalmings. When the Mortician, Raymond, calls the mortuary when you arrive, you soon realize this is a night like none other and there’s no escape from the demonic forces plaguing the mortuary.

Examine and prepare bodies with disturbingly realistic techniques including cleaning, embalming, jaw-wiring, and more. Some bodies require the basics before returning them to the morgue, while others will need more of an esoteric approach to dispel the demons possessing them.