Since August of last year, console fans of Creepy Jar’s wildly successful survival title, Green Hell, have watched their PC counterparts with envy as they enjoyed the Animal Husbandry update. The free update which introduced many new features such as the ability to tame and breed a number of the game’s creatures—including Creepy Jar’s personal favorite, the capybara—is now available to all console players on PlayStation and Xbox platforms.
Not content to just add this update for console players, the dev team at Creepy Jar made sure to include new features and quality-of-life improvements, such as those from the Name your Pet Update and the Plant Naming patch. Updating Green Hell for consoles always takes a bit more time than on PC, but the goal for Creepy Jar is always to not only deliver new content as soon as possible but to also ensure they go over and above when the opportunity presents itself.
Announced as part of Green Hell’s 2022 roadmap, the Animal Husbandry update includes several new features that go far beyond the ability to simply breed animals. Staying true to the foundations of Green Hell, it’s not as easy as you might think!
Utilizing the all-new blowpipe weapon, players can hunt capybara, peccary, and tapir safely putting them to sleep in order to keep them within pens, which are able to be built at their bases. Care for them, earn their trust, feed them, clean their living quarters, and maybe—if you have both a male and female in captivity—you’ll be able to breed them, as well. And of course, you can pet your newfound friends! Further to that, you can also use the blowpipe as a defense against other animal and human enemies by immobilizing the threat either immediately or over time based on your target’s size.
In addition to the three creatures already listed, let it be known that the Animal Husbandry update also introduces the ability to capture and breed bees, keeping them in beehives where players can then harvest valuable honey. Please be warned: it is not advisable to pet the bees.
Get ready, pop culture fans! 10:10 Games, in collaboration with Funko, LLC and Universal Games and Digital Platforms, is sharing the first teaser trailer for its upcoming multiplayer mashup Funko Fusion. Iconic characters from Jurassic World, Back to the Future, The Umbrella Academy, The Thing, Child’s Play 2, Masters of the Universe, and other blockbusters come to life in Funko Pop! form in this wild new take on action-adventure games.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be able to show everyone what the team here at 10:10 Games has been up to,” says Arthur Parsons, 10:10 Games’ Design Director and Co-founder. “Harnessing the incredible properties we’ve been entrusted with by our partners at Universal Games and Digital Platforms, bringing them together into a gaming experience that is incredibly fun, surprising, authentic, and celebrates fandom like never before, all experienced through a Funko lens.”
“Funko is a leader in bringing characters to life through POP! and other unique product types, but Funko Fusion takes things to a whole new level and gives our fans the ability to interact with their favorite characters like never before,” says Dolly Ahluwalia, Funko’s SVP of Licensing and Emerging Brands. “Working with Universal Games and Digital Platforms on this project was a dream of ours, as their IP is like none other, with characters that appeal to all ages. This trailer is a taste of what folks can expect, and we couldn’t be more excited to work with our partner 10:10 Games toward an expected initial release in early 2024.”
“Funko Fusion offers a diverse collection of NBCUniversal characters that will immerse players in an experience that stays true to Funko’s DNA,” said Jim Molinets, SVP of Production, Universal Games and Digital Platforms. “Featuring a fresh take on the mash-up genre, the game will connect fans with some of their favorite brands and key story moments in remarkable ways.”
John Carpenter’s The Thing in Funko Form!
Funko Fusion features dozens of playable characters in Funko Pop! form from popular NBCUniversal stories, in addition to other properties, each with their own unique personalities and abilities. Online multiplayer adds even more chaos to the mix, allowing up to four players to team up and battle enemies, explore vast environments, and solve intriguing puzzles.
Funko Fusion is the debut title from 10:10 Games, a studio co-founded by five-time BAFTA award winner and TT Games founder Jon Burton and a team of experienced developers known for their work on brick-based games. Funko Fusion is currently expected to be released in 2024 on PC and console.
Developer Embers has announced immersive action adventure game Strayed Lights is now available for $24.99 across the title’s official website, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GoG. Players take on the role of a tiny, growing light as it embarks on a quest for transcendence and confronts daunting creatures residing inside and out. The game’s official 120-page digital art book and soundtrack composed by the Grammy award-nominated Austin Wintory are also available for purchase. Buy the bundled Deluxe Edition to benefit from a 15% discount.
In Strayed Lights, players shift between colored states of being to parry enemy attacks and, if timed correctly, absorb their opponent’s energy for fierce high-damage strikes. Master the rhythm of the game’s combat flow to quell the unrest of colossal beings gone rogue and purify them of emotional torment.
Strayed Lights’ easy-to-learn yet hard-to-master combat system will lie at the heart of the game’s hauntingly beautiful world of shimmering fauna and mysterious ruins. A gripping non-dialogue based narrative, distinct hand-painted-like art direction, and contemplative soundtrack composed by Grammy award-winning artist Austin Wintory will round out this deeply evocative experience.
“We are delighted for action adventure fans to begin their journeys through Strayed Lights’ enchanting and kinetic realm today,” says Alexandre Arramon, co-founder and creative director at Embers. “We are incredibly grateful for the positive response we’ve received from the community so far and can’t wait to further immerse players with the colorful new ideas we’ve conceived. For now, we invite everyone to explore Strayed Lights’ meticulously crafted universe by supporting our debut title across modern platforms and diving deeper through the game’s premium artbook and mesmerizing soundtrack by Austin Wintory. Thank you once again for the remarkable feedback to our first project.”
War Mongrels, a brutal and authentic isometric real-time tactics game from Destructive Creations, follows its PC version with today’s release on PlayStation®5 (PS5™), PlayStation®4 (PS4™) in Europe and the Americas, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, as well as on iPads and Macs. War Mongrels will run natively on iPad and Mac, and both ports have been realized thanks to the experienced porting company, Virtual Programming Ltd.
https://youtu.be/yCWBXjtZn6E
Since its original PC release, War Mongrels has been praised by many for its historically accurate depiction of the lesser known part of World War II, the Eastern Front, as opposed to the usually portrayed events in the West. Furthermore, players have been complimenting its gameplay, true to the classics of the RTT genre, as well as the visuals and its grim, realistic atmosphere.
War Mongrels had a controversial release last year, which included a strong backlash in the German media, as well as a mixed reaction in Russia due to its historically accurate portrayal of the Eastern front of World War II. Nonetheless, players praised its gameplay, true to the classics of the RTT genre.
Now, the game receives a big update, which includes full controller support, major gameplay and AI improvements, over 500 tweaks and fixes, as well as a slew of technical optimizations.
Today, KOEI TECMO America and developer Kou Shibusawa revealed the latest battle details for their upcoming historical simulation NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening. The 16th entry in Kou Shibusawa’s famed franchise, NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening mixes military might with political diplomacy in a quest to conquer Japan’s Warring States. The title will be available digitally in North America on July 20, 2023 and is currently in development for PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch, and PC Windows via Steam®.
In NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, players will experience the troubled times of the Warring States Period, 16th century Japan through the virtual life of a daimyō, a powerful Japanese leader, land owner, and feudal lord. Leading their troops to battle can be tricky, however, as the daimyō must quickly assess every situation on a rapidly changing battlefield in order to successfully take control of the map. First order of business is the march. Look across the land and choose the marching route carefully, as certain routes may be beset with obstacles, including roads too narrow for large troop movements, or even an enemy fortress! By choosing the wrong route, you could lead your army into a devastating situation.
But that’s not the only danger you’ll face. If there are any small battles happening nearby a daimyō’s unit, then one major battle can be launched to settle the fight. Allies and enemies nearby will assemble at a single battlefield to determine the clan’s future, and the results could have significant impact on surrounding clans, truly testing the daimyō’s ability as a military leader and political negotiator.
In NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, the key to conquering the map is the ability to master the military art of the siege. A siege takes place when you attack an enemy’s main base or defensive position. Each castle will have a totally different battlefield, while the surrounding domains and land holders will also be involved in these large-scale conflicts. The attacking side will need to break through defensive equipment to attack the citadel while fighting across a variety of terrains including mountain castles and flatlands. To achieve victory, the daimyō will need to consider how to attack or defend based on each castle’s terrain.
Historic sites and terrain captured in the game include: Nagashima, a stronghold of the Holy Rebellion at the mouth of the Kiso Three Rivers which had many branches and blocked Oda clan’s army; Kasugayama, the castle of Kenshin Uesugi that overlooks the Sekigawa River and the Sea of Japan; Tsukui, a castle at the entrance to Yamanashi Prefecture on the Kantō Plain; and Kameyama, a castle in Mie Prefecture, located between the Suzuka Mountains and Ise Bay.
The attacking side will win the siege if they destroy all enemy units or conquer the main citadel. However, they will lose when all of their allied units are destroyed or their total morale turns to zero. Total morale decreases over time, so it is important to attack quickly. The defending side will win if they withstand the onslaught until the enemy’s total morale turns to zero, or if they destroy all enemy units. On defense, it’s important to resist enemy’s attack while protecting equipment and troops to prevent the enemy’s total morale from rising. Winning a siege will enforce your “authority” throughout the area and help your daimyo secure their spot in history!
Available since 19 May 2022 on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC (Epic Games Store), Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong, the story-driven RPG from development studio Big Bad Wolf, will release on Steam on 25 May.
Developed by Big Bad Wolf (The Council), the game is adapted from the classic tabletop RPG Vampire: The Masquerade and has a brand-new approach to gameplay in which every choice matters, both when investigating and when interacting with others. Players can now add the game to their Steam Wishlist.
About Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong
In this story-driven RPG adapted from the fifth edition of Vampire: The Masquerade, you play as three vampires, each a member of a different clan in the Camarilla, the secret society that governs most vampires. Through the characters’ intertwined destinies, players must contend with their different viewpoints to separate the truth from the lies. While navigating rumours of conspiracies, murders and power struggles, players must protect their clan, uncover the truth and, above all, ensure that the Masquerade – the vampire law that hides their existence from humans – remains unbreeched.
Features of the game:
3 playable vampires, each with distinct powers, motivations and personal terrors
Each of the three heroes has a character sheet with their own characteristics, as well as Skills and clan-related Disciplines that can be upgraded and used freely – as long as they can satisfy their Hunger for blood
Original gameplay in which every dialogue interaction advances the story
A branching storyline in which every choice matters
A gripping thriller set in a dark and glamourous world, faithful to the tabletop RPG
An original soundtrack composed by Olivier Derivière
With over 15 different endings for the main characters and as many again for the Boston Camarilla, every player will experience a unique adventure.
Become a private detective and solve murder cases, robberies, vandalism reports and more in Shadows of Doubt, an immersive sandbox detective sim, available today on Steam Early Access.
Think like a private investigator in a unique crime-solving experience, using a variety of gadgets to investigate each case and track down a serial killer. Explore fully simulated cities and meet individual citizens each with their own name, job, apartment and daily routine. Track down suspects and approach each case your way: scan fingerprints, check call histories, read private emails, bribe citizens, watch CCTV, or pick locks, break down doors and sabotage security systems – there are multiple ways to solve each case.
For its initial launch into Steam Early Access, Shadows of Doubt includes ‘The Dead of Night’ – a specially crafted case to introduce the game – and a Sandbox Mode, featuring an endless number of cases to investigate and civilians to meet, a variety of equipment and dense procedurally-generated cities to explore.
ColePowered Games today also revealed the first look at a roadmap of free content and features coming to Shadows of Doubt during Early Access, ahead of a full 1.0 release scheduled for later this year. Coming in Q2 2023, the game’s first major update will introduce a brand new side job, along with a new building type and additional NPC interactions, with additional updates planned for Q3 and Q4 2023.
“I’m so excited to finally invite players into the world of Shadows of Doubt and delighted by the early press reaction to the game,” said Cole Jefferies, Founder & Director at ColePowered Games. “Shadows of Doubt has been a dream of mine for a very long time, so to finally see the game in players’ hands is an incredible feeling. I hope players love the game’s immersive crime-solving experience, and look forward to the additional content coming as we work towards a full 1.0 release.”
Awarded Ukie’s UK Game of the Show at gamescom 2022, Shadows of Doubt is available now on Steam Early Access. For more information, follow @detectivesim on Twitter or visit colepowered.com.
Paranormal Hunter, the co-op survival horror game set in haunted locations full of malevolent spirits from EALoGAMES, prepares to plague players’ worst nightmares with a Steam Early Access launch on Monday, May 22, 2023. The dread will spread onto PlayStation 5|4 and Nintendo Switch alongside a PC 1.0 release in late 2023.
Step into a wicked realm of paranormal phenomena in insidious environments brought to life with immersive VR support. Explore terrifying locations alone or with up to four friends in online co-op while carrying out spine-chilling investigations. Scour each stage for key objects and clues before completing a banishing ritual capable of eradicating the evil ghosts that stalk each location, all while a fearsome presence pursues the party with murderous intent.
Equip investigative tools to detect otherworldly disturbances and stay alert for things that go bump in the night. Discern the difference between creaking floors and spectral moans while unlocking doors and progressing deeper into distributing environments. Shine spirit-repelling flashlights to fight back against unwelcome entities, tune ghost sensors, and coordinate with fellow investigators to collect cursed items and earn extra cash between missions.
Race against the clock to perform banishing rituals before malevolent spirits capture the party. A single unfortunate encounter with a ghostly pursuer sends humans into a crippling stupor, damaging their sanity and threatening to send them to an early grave. Revive co-op partners from death by dread quickly and stay cautious during investigations to increase the odds of survival. Enjoy a tense and terrifying specter-hunting experience with crossplay for both VR devices and keyboard/gamepad users, allowing everyone to steel their nerves and become a Paranormal Hunter.
“We wanted to create an authentic, immersive experience inspired by both Japanese and Western horror imagery,” said Takatoshi Tatsusuremi, founder, EALoGames. “We invite players to bring their friends into the terrifying world of Paranormal Hunter when it arrives on Steam Early Access this May.”
Paranormal Hunter launches on Steam Early Access on Monday, May 22, 2023, for $9.99, with VR support for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, and Windows Mixed Reality devices. It will offer English, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Simplified Chinese-language support.
For more information, please visit the official website, follow Paranormal Hunter on Twitter and Facebook, and wishlist Paranormal Hunter on Steam.
Leading gaming accessory maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR) today announced its new flagship wireless multiplatform gaming headset – the Turtle Beach® Stealth™ Pro – is now available globally. The coronation of the new king of gaming headsets has begun, with critical acclaim already mounting for the Stealth Pro’s top-rated audio quality, best-in-class active noise-cancellation, and wealth of ultra-premium features for gaming on Xbox, PlayStation, Windows PCs, Mac, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
GamesRadar gave the Stealth Pro a 5/5 review score and Editor’s Choice Award, calling it, “A masterpiece of an all-in-one, multi-purpose gaming headset,” while IGN scored it 9/10 and said Stealth Pro, “is one of the best gaming headsets you can buy,” and that it produced, “Some of the best sonics Turtle Beach has ever delivered.” Additionally, Windows Central scored Stealth Pro a 5/5 plus the publication’s The Best Award and said, “Simply put, Turtle Beach has confidently usurped the best Xbox headset crown with the Stealth Pro. Bravo,” and GameTryant gave it a full 10/10 score, saying, “This headset truly lives up to the title of King.”
Designed for Xbox and PlayStation versions of Stealth Pro are available at www.turtlebeach.com and participating retailers for $329.99 (€329.99 | £279.99) MSRP.
“Stealth Pro has been crowned the new king of ultra-premium gaming headsets. It delivers the pinnacle gaming audio experience, with sound quality, noise-cancellation, build quality, and comfort that are simply unmatched,” said Juergen Stark, Chairman and CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. “Turtle Beach has been the market leader in gaming audio for the past 13 years based on the high-quality sound and game-winning features we provide at every price point. With Stealth Pro, we’ve brought that expertise and leadership to bear to deliver a superior ultra-premium gaming headset. Our signature 50mm Nanoclear™ drivers are larger and more powerful for better sound; the Stealth Pro’s adjustable active noise-cancellation eliminates more external noise than the competition; and our TruSpeak™ boom mic reduces more background noise, so your voice comes through clearly.”
With 56% more surface area compared to 40mm drivers, not only are the Stealth Pro’s signature 50mm Nanoclear™ drivers larger and more powerful to create more bass and a wider soundstage, but they are also hand-matched to eliminate subtle differences between left and right speakers. The Stealth Pro’s optimized ear cup cavities and audio customization options via the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app combine to produce a truly detailed soundstage and captivating surround sound, whether using Windows Sonic for Xbox and PC, Sony 3D Audio for PS5, Dolby Atmos, or DTS Headphone:X.
Stealth Pro also features versatile active noise-cancellation, adjustable from full noise-transparency where you can still hear ambient background noise, all the way to 25dB noise reduction to block out most distractions and stay focused. The Stealth Pro’s removable TruSpeak™ boom mic also reduces background noise, plus, the boom mic and dual built-in mics both utilize Turtle Beach’s exclusive S.M.A.R.T. (Sonic Measurement Audio Reduction Tuning) technology which is designed to further minimize background noise and only let your voice through.
Premium leatherette and memory foam cushions with Turtle Beach’s patented ProSpecs™ glasses-friendly technology provide added comfort, while a metal-reinforced headband and zinc alloy frame ensure the Stealth Pro is built to last. Additional features like Dual-Wireless connectivity, Variable Mic Monitoring, Superhuman Hearing®, audio presets, and a variety of customization controls are available via the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app which is available for Windows PC and Mac, and compatible iOS and Android mobile devices.
For the full list of Stealth Pro features designed to deliver an exceptional audio experience, and for more information on the latest Turtle Beach products and accessories, visit www.turtlebeach.com and be sure to follow Turtle Beach on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Fulqrum Publishing and Best Way today released an extended single player gameplay video from highly-anticipated real time strategy title Men of War II. The 20-minute video spotlights Battle of Coisson, a mission from the game’s Falaise Pocket story campaign which takes place from the US perspective. It is just one of three single-player missions that will be playable in the upcoming Men of War II open beta, which will be available via Steam on May 11 through to May 15.
The mission takes place near the village of Coisson, Normandy, 1944, and sees The 68th Motorized Infantry Battalion – led by Lieutenant Carl Young – on a rescue operation to make contact with artillery gunners of Company H, who recently ceased communication with command.
The 68th Motorized Infantry Battalion is formed from what remained of two other battalions which took heavy losses during the Normandy landings. One used to be an infantry battalion, but the merged unit was reclassified as mechanised.
In addition to Battle of Coisson, players can also experience two new additional, non-campaign, single-player missions during the open beta.
Battle of Coisson
The first of which, Towards Freedom, sees players command a squad of scouts and NKVD Special Forces on a mission to destroy a German camp and liberate the POWs held captive within. The opposition has superior numbers and ample reserves, meaning the player must utilise superior tactics – or else perish in an unequal battle.
Towards Freedom
The final single-player mission available in the upcoming beta is Ambush, which takes place from the German perspective in Normandy, 1944. The 30th Panzergrenadier Regiment is taking heavy losses, and the decision has been made to ambush fresh US reinforcements while the regiment’s main force is off fighting at the front line. The new enemy units must not reach that front line and must be stopped at all costs.
Ambush
During the beta Battle of Coisson, Towards Freedom, and Ambush can all be played in both single-player and cooperative multiplayer modes. Players looking to get hands-on with these missions and additional multiplayer content, can now enlist for the Men of War II Open Beta which will begin next month on May 11 and run until May 15.
Signing up is simple: players just need to head over to the Men of War II Steam store page where they will have the option to ‘Request Access’ for a Men of War II Playtest – doing so will guarantee access to the playtest. Everyone that signs up ahead of time will receive an email notification once the beta goes live.
The open beta will feature a varied selection of multiplayer maps and modes, but will also introduce never-before-seen single-player content, and implement a number of gameplay changes based on community feedback from March’s multiplayer tech test.
