This Legend Of Zelda Cosplay Beautifully Brings Link And Dark Link Together

The Legend of Zelda week continues here at Game Informer! We’ve talked about some of our favorite memories, we streamed some Skyward Sword HD, and now we want to celebrate the community even more with a really darn impressive Link and Dark Link cosplay. Because why not? 

One cosplay that we found in our hunt for community goodness comes by way of the sisterly duo known as Guzzardi Art & Cosplay. The two sisters hail from Australia, and their cosplay talent is on a whole other level. Through the art of makeup and special effects with clothing alterations, this pair knows how to bring some of our favorite characters to life in the best way possible. Since it’s Legend of Zelda week, however, let’s dive into their Nintendo takes:

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Guzzardi Art & Cosplay (@guzzardiart)

The two sisters are no strangers to pulling off exquisite gender-bent cosplays, and the Dark Link with the Link we know and love proves exactly that. Using makeup to create more recognizable features to the Nintendo icon, the above cosplay is the perfect tribute to our silent protagonist. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Guzzardi Art & Cosplay (@guzzardiart)

If you’re interested in cosplay and learning more about just how much makeup can bring a creative vision to a god-tier level, we highly recommend you check out the rest of their work here. From anime to a plethora of games, this duo knows how to bring the heat when it comes to sharing their creative passions with the world. 

Cosplay is just one of many ways fans can share their love of a favorite gaming series with the rest of the community, and it’s a part of fandom that inspires that creative urge to make wonderful things! If you like Legend of Zelda and cosplay, you should also check out this stunning Urbosa cosplay. Be sure to check out our dedicated Legend of Zelda celebration hub linked in the image below to see even more of our ongoing coverage, including opinion pieces, hopes for the future, and some more effortless gameplay! 

Shrek Invades Hunt: Showdown With His House Found In New Beast Hunter DLC

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Shrek has found a way to invade the world of Hunt: Showdown. While the green man himself is suspiciously missing, his home in the swamps can be seen with new DLC that has dropped for the first-person shooter. For once, the Shrek universe isn’t colliding with a game due to mods, but if this inclusion feels random – it really shouldn’t. Hunt: Showdown has all sorts of mythical entities, and Shrek’s home has witnessed more than a few fairy tales. 

Hunt: Showdown is set in the late 180ss and tasks players with taking out various monsters they will encounter in their journey. With a setting rooted in the Louisana Bayou, the inclusion of Shrek’s swamp and his house isn’t as weird as it sounds, but does this mean Shrek will eventually become a bounty? Doubtful, but the mind reels just thinking of the possibilities. 

With the Beast Hunter DLC adding the new DeSalle map, YouTuber @JackFrags was quick to spot the latest update, saying: “They added Shrek’s house to a video game as a cool Easter Egg!” He added a clip of his find, which you can see below: 

While not an exact replica, it is hard to deny that this is Shrek’s home, especially when you notice his toilet on the left. No Donkey, though, so the game still has a few flaws. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the DeSalle addition, check out the video at the top of the article to see what it brings to the Hunt: Showdown experience. DeSalle is the first map to be added in about three years, but the new DLC also includes 16 new compounds with new environments that players can explore and conquer. 

The real question is simple: When will Shrek appear as a character in Showdown? 


Thoughts on the latest DLC for Hunt: Showdown and the nifty little Shrek Easter egg? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below! 

Bandai Namco Reveals Classic Gundams And Other Famous Mecha For Super Robot Wars 30

Bandai Namco has announced it’s bringing the very first mainline Super Robot Wars game to North America this October, a feat that’s taken 30 years. Super Robot Wars 30 is the celebration of this seminal tactical series known for bringing all of your favorite mecha into one game. That’s right, if you want to team up some classic Gundams with some new kinds of Mazingers and Code Geass’ Knightmare Frames, this is the series for you. 

As you can see in the trailer below, there are awesome animated sequences attached to powerful attacks and maneuvers. Not shown in the video is what the main gameplay looks like. Typically, it’s something along the lines of moving these mobile suits around a grid and attacking enemies as you would in Fire Emblem and watching things explode in very cool ways. Characters from the included franchises are also woven into the Super Robot Wars story, making it more than just smashing your favorite toys together.

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Here’s the current list of mechs in Super Robot Wars 30, for those that may be curious: 

  • Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V
  • Mobile Suit Gundam
  • Mobile Suit Z Gundam 
  • Z-MSV
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Char’s Counterattack
  • M-MSV
  • Mobile Suit V Gundam 
  • Mobile Suit Gundam NT (Narrative)
  • Heavy Metal L-Gaim
  • The Brave Police J-Decker
  • The King of Braves GaoGaiGar FINAL
  • The King of Kings: GaoGaiGar VS Betterman
  • Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III – Glorification
  • Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection
  • Getter Robo Armageddon
  • Mazinger Z: Infinity
  • Mazinkaiser (INFINITISM)
  • Magic Knight Rayearth
  • Gun X Sword
  • Majestic Prince
  • Knight’s & Magic
  • SSSS.GRIDMAN

Licensing can be a nightmare, especially when it comes to gathering multiple popular anime franchises under one roof like the Super Robot Wars series has done for 30 years. Don’t be alarmed if you haven’t heard of it before; it very rarely makes its way to North America or Europe. Though, in recent years you could get your hands on English localized East Asian versions of the games if you’re savvy with digital or physical importing. Luckily, this one is coming to Steam on October 27.


Which Gundams or other giant robots would you like to see included in Super Robot Wars 30? Let us know in the comments. Judging from past entries where Zoids, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Cowboy Bebop have been involved, anything is possible.

Battlefield 2042 Is Online-Only, Plus More Details On How AI Works, New Specialist Details, And More

When Battlefield 2042 was first announced, fans of the longstanding FPS series rejoiced. 2042 is bringing Battlefield back to its roots, bringing back the shooter to what made it stand out: the verticality freedom, the chaos, and the special tactics used. But more than that, DICE is taking 2042 a step further, ramping up that chaos factor by implementing weaponized tornadoes, dynamic weather, and so much more. Because of the blend of new and familiar, the studio has received a lot of questions regarding Battlefield 2042, questions the team is answering today. 

With a new showcase called Answering Your Reveal Questions, senior design director for Battlefield 2042, Daniel Berlin, sat down to do just that. He also offered a closer look at the various Specialists, the different maps, vehicles, and AI soldiers. He also talked a little more about the Technical Playtest going down later this Summer as well as how cross-progression and crossplay will work for 2042. 

Before the reveal, Game Informer got some up close and personal time with Battlefield 2042 and we broke down the different classes and Specialists shown. These Specialists are an all-new type of playable soldier for the Battlefield franchise, inspired heavily by the traditional classes. Each Specialist will have their own unique Speciality trait and Speciality, but will no longer be limited in what they can or cannot have in their loadouts. 

At launch, 2042 will offer 10 Specialists, four of which have already been revealed with Mackay, Falck, Boris, and Casper. While today’s showcase didn’t show off the remaining six, Berlin promises that a closer look at the unrevealed Specialists will be arriving in the coming months. 

Specialists Specialities and Traits can’t be changed, but each are unique in their own way. Falck, for example, uses the Combat Surgeon Trait, this Trait allows this Specialtist to revive allies back to full health. It gives her Squad Revive, which is a returning feature for the series, though this one does not bring back a player’s full health status. 

Regarding loadouts, class restrictions are no longer a thing, something we talked about previously in our own coverage. Players, regardless of Specialist, will be able to pick any of the following that they want, regardless of weapon type: Primary Weapon, Equiptment, Secondary Weapon, and Throwable.

According to the studio, “Specialists now have the ability to fully customize their Loadout, which means you have to make a choice about your focus on the battlefield. For example, you could opt for a Carl Gustaf M5, which is a unguided rocket launcher effective against vehicles at mid range. Or would you instead like an anti-air approach via the FIM-33 AA Missile? Choosing a more explosive approach for your Equipment slot would mean you won’t be able to carry a Medical Crate, or a Supply Crate, and thus leaves you without health or ammo replenishing options. So choose wisely.”

Berlin also confirmed that Ranger is neither a Trait nor a Speciality, which means it won’t be unique to any one Specialist. Insteady, anyone can call them in when additional backup is needed. Again, “choose wisely,” because calling in Rangers means you’re choosing that over other options available, which can make or break the tide for a match. 

The team also confirmed that seven new maps will be available at launch, which you can learn more about here

Berlin also dove into how Clustering and Sectors optimize gameplay in Conquest. Clustering created specific areas of activity and capturable areas for players to utilize, while Sectors changes how a player can control an area. Players must gain and keep control of the flags in a Sector lest it become contested. 

A big part of the Battlefield reveal was the difference in server sizes. On current-gen systems, players will be in a pool of 128, whereas last-gen players will have a pool of 64. Weapons, Vehicles, Specialists and Gadgets will be the same no matter what generation of console people are on. Dynamic Weather events such as tornadoes, or Environmental Hazards like EMP storms will also be available for all. So why change the pool size? Berlin said that the intention behind this was to ensure that the demanding experience of Battlefield 2042 plays the way it is meant to, regardless of the difference in platform. The smaller size for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One players means a more contained experience with all of the same features, just less demanding and therefore less prone to the typical online glitches. 

Berlin also confirmed an very popular question, one we here at GI have received a lot: Yes, you can only play Battlefield 2042 online. While there are AI soldiers so that players can take to the game solo, the game still needs a reliable internet connection. Speaking of technical tie-ins, the ability to play with others regardless of platform is a big reason why the Technical Playtest was pushed back until later this SUmmer, to give the team time to ensure that crossplay will work as intended. 

To learn even more about Battlefield 2042 and what Berlin had to say, check out the full showcase right here

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights Comes To PlayStation Consoles Next Week

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is a very good Metroidvania that, after spending months in Steam Early Access, recently released for Xbox consoles, Switch, and PC. It was originally supposed to arrive on PlayStation consoles on July 6, but that version was delayed due to technical issues. Developer Live Wire seems to have worked out the kinks, announcing the game is coming to Sony platforms next week.

On July 20, PS4 players can finally enjoy one of the year’s sleeper hits which can be played on PS5 via backwards compatibility. Ender Lilies combines Metroid-style exploration and RPG-leveling with a dark fantasy atmosphere. You control Lily, a young priestess who must use her divine cleansing abilities to heal a kingdom twisted into a monstrous version of itself by a cursed rain. Lily is accompanied by the Umbral Knight, her protector who handles the actual monster slaying. Defeating cursed guardians recruits them to your cause, bestowing powerful new abilities used to traverse the massive labyrinthine map. Ender Lilies’ beautiful art direction looks great and camouflages its higher-than-average difficulty. 

Regarding the game itself, Game Informer scored Ender Lilies an 8.5 out of 10. “Ender Lilies doesn’t revolutionize Metroid’s decades-old template, but that’s okay,” reads our review. “It’s a well-made experience, and I had a great time pouring over two dozen hours into this adventure. The presentation rocks, the action is more rewarding than punishing, and its gothic world and lore are alluring. Ender Lilies is a great meat and potatoes experience, demonstrating that simply executing a familiar formula at a high level can be just as welcomed as reinventing the wheel.” You can read the full review here


Have you been holding out for the PlayStation version of Ender Lilies? If you’ve already played the game, what do you think of it? Let us know in the comments!

NBA 2K22 Cover Athletes Revealed With Luka Dončić With Special Edition Covers Announced

It’s that time, basketball fans, NBA 2K22 is on the way, and to celebrate, 2K has revealed a host of all-stars that are gracing the new game’s covers. Special edition covers were also created with world-renowned artist Charly Palmer taking to the challenge in order to celebrate the legacy of NBA as part of its 75th anniversary. 

2K has announced the full roster of cover athletes for the next step of the basketball gaming franchise, including Luka Dončić for the Standard Edition and Cross-Gen Digital Bundle, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant as athletes for the NBA 75th Anniversary Edition. The 75th Anniversary Edition will show how each of the aforementioned athletes has changed the game of basketball and their influence within the sports scene. 

“Making the global cover of NBA 2K22is special for me,” said Dončić. “I’m proud to represent my country in a special cover that honors the colors of the Slovenian flag. Basketball has given me so much, and I’m excited to give back and work together with 2K Foundations this year to help the lives of young kids around the globe.”

The next step for the NBA 2K series is set for a global launch on September 10, 2021, with pre-orders going live today. For a quick breakdown, here’s what you need to know: 

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Different NBA 2K22 Editions

  • Standard Edition
    • $59.99 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC
    • $69.99 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S
  • Cross-Gen Digital Bundle 
    • $79.99 and includes the Standard Edition as well as this-gen game access with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S
  • NBA 2K22 75th Anniversary Edition
    • $99.99 For PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, with a Nintendo Switch version available as a digital-only purchase

What’s In The NBA 2K22 Anniversary Edition? 

The Anniversary Edition will come with cover artwork by Charly Palmer, who is known for his take on social justice with his Civil Rights series. Artwork will include six-time NBA Champion and six-time MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki with his sharpshooting skills, and 11-time All-Star and two-time NBA Champion Kevin Durant (which marks his third time gracing a cover for the games).

“The NBA 2Kcover has always been a vehicle for storytelling and a way to showcase the unique and diverse backgrounds of the athletes,” said Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy at NBA 2K. “The culture around the game of basketball is vibrant and transcends geographical boundaries. This year, we want to showcase that global diversity via Charly’s amazing, one-of-a-kind art.”

For those interested in learning more or in pre-ordering, you can check out the official NBA 2K22 website right here

A Final Fantasy X-3 Story Is Already Written, But Final Fantasy 7 Remake Is The Main Priority

For those that loved the Final Fantasy X experience and its sequel, many have wondered if a third game in this particular iteration of the Final Fantasy universe would ever be a reality. It looks like those X-3 dreams could be coming true because director Tetsuya Nomura has confirmed that a Final Fantasy X-3 concept is already in motion with the story already written. However, the caveat is that it is still a long way off as the team focuses on the Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

In a recent interview with Famitsu, a Japanese gaming magazine translated by the folks at RPGSiteNomura confirmed the existence of X-3’s story, saying: “If we are to make X-3, we somehow have a synopsis written by Final Fantasy X writer Kazushige Nojima.” He added that “it’s sleeping right now, but the plot itself does exist.”

While he did confirm that the probability of returning to Spira is “not zero,” he did add that Square Enix is fully focused on Final Fantasy 7 Remake at this time. With the second part still a large mystery and the total amount of entries is still unknown at this time, it could be many, many years before we ever see anything concrete about Final Fantasy X-3. Still, the knowledge that a story is written and the desire to return to this narrative is good news for those hoping to return to the X series. 

Regarding Final Fantasy X and X-2 and its HD remaster, we here at Game Informer loved this adventure, scoring it a 9 out of 10. “This HD collection features a 30-minute audio drama teasing that the quest to save Spira is hardly over,” said our own Kimberly Wallace in her review of the HD Remaster. “Set three years after defeating Sin, the scenario introduces two new characters named Chuami and Kurgum. Chuami has an interesting connection to one of Final Fantasy X’s main characters, and Yuna, Tidus, and other cast members reveal what they’ve been up to. When a new mystery emerges, it forecasts a great danger is looming again. However, the audio drama leaves it hanging. A hint to Final Fantasy X-3? Time will tell what’s in store.”

It will be interesting to see where the studio takes the X storyline, but for now? For now, we wait for more 7 Remake news


Thoughts on the return to X with a possible Final Fantasy X-3? What would you like to see from the story if this game were to see the light of day? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below! 

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Review – A Diamond Buried In The Rough

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Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Release:

Rating: Everyone 10+
Reviewed on: Switch

Skyward Sword was never my favorite Zelda game. Nintendo’s Wii-era take on its beloved franchise introduced motion controls that left me both flustered and annoyed during combat. At the same time, Skyward Sword’s dungeon and boss design remain some of the best the series has to offer. Skyward Sword HD revives this divisive game and papers over some of the original’s biggest flaws. One of the most notable additions is a new button-only control scheme that allows players to experience the game without flailing their arms. Unfortunately, Skyward Sword’s overall structure remains largely the same, and its abundance of fetch quests means that this is still a game of dramatic peaks and valleys.

I’ll cut right to the chase: Skyward Sword HD’s new controller inputs are a step up from the original motion controls. Player’s looking to relive the Wii’s glory days can stick with the old control scheme and use their Switch Joy-Cons to swing Link’s sword or aim his bow, and these motion controls work about as well as they did on the Wii – meaning they work about 85 percent of the time. I love the authenticity of swinging a remote and watching Link replicate my attack onscreen, but he too often slices instead of stabs, which can spell the difference between gaining the upper hand in combat or missing the enemy and taking a hit. These motion controls always seemed like a novelty anyway, so I’m glad Skyward Sword HD’s button-only controls provide an alternative, using the right analog stick to replicate your sword’s movements. These analog stick attacks are more consistent but still aren’t as precise as the traditional button-based input found in other Zelda games. This system is also unintuitive; even a few dozen hours into the game I felt unnatural jiggling the right stick at every approaching enemy. Fortunately, you don’t have to be precise, and most enemies eventually fall if you persistently spam your attacks.

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In addition to the new control scheme, Skyward Sword HD has several other welcome changes. You can now fast forward through dialogue and skip cutscenes altogether, which makes the story feel a little less plodding and allows you to blast through the chatter during a replay. The original release bombarded you with item descriptions, offering details on everything you picked up each time you started the game. Skyward Sword HD fixes that strange quirk and only makes you read item descriptions once. Finally, Amiibo support means you can fast travel at any time and your companion, Fi, now offers helpful advice at the press of a button to keep you from getting lost or stuck, which is something I wish I had 10 years ago.

All of Skyward Sword HD’s small changes add up, but they don’t fix the original’s larger design issues. Skyward Sword’s overworld is massive but largely empty, and the main quest is incredibly linear, which left me less excited to explore off the beaten path. Still, Skyward Sword’s biggest design flaw is its series of fetch quests you’re forced to complete in each area. For example, before entering the first dungeon, you have to hunt down a group of anxious bird-like creatures who stick their head in the ground, masquerading as bushes. Later on, before entering a mining facility, you have to find a handful of broken generators. These quests feel like unnecessary padding, are full of mindless backtracking, and don’t add anything meaningful to the narrative or your adventure. In fact, the only thing they add meaningfully to is your play clock.

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It’s a shame the journey to Skyward Sword’s dungeons is so much work because the dungeons themselves are a highwater mark for the series. During Link’s journey, you travel through a skeleton-infested cavern, a sand-trapped pirate ship, and an ancient temple buried in the heart of a volcano. The puzzles in each dungeon feel fresh even today, and each labyrinth invites you to use your ever-expanding toolset in inventive ways. Whether I was riding over rivers of lava on a giant boulder, using time stones to shift between eras, or swinging over vine-covered caverns like Indiana Jones, I consistently felt like I was on some wild adventure.

In some ways, Skyward Sword was the end of an era. It follows the pattern Nintendo established back in 1998 with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and it was the last game in the series before Nintendo reconceived the series with Breath of the Wild. In some ways, Skyward Sword perfects Ocarina’s template, but that formula also feels well-worn and stuffed with unnecessary junk. Despite all the ways Nintendo updated this package, Skyward Sword remains far from my favorite entry in the series, but this is clearly the best way to play this blemished gem.

Score: 8

Summary: Skyward Sword’s overall structure remains largely the same, and its abundance of fetch quests means that this is still a game of dramatic peaks and valleys.

Concept: Zelda’s infamous Wii entry returns, but now players can flip between motion controls and button-only inputs

Graphics: These 10-year-old graphics hold up surprisingly well thanks to solid art design and an HD upgrade

Sound: The orchestrated music is beautiful and nuanced, but the limited grunts from NPCs feel goofy and outdated

Playability: A handful of quality-of-life improvements – including the ability to use controller inputs – makes this a much smoother experience

Entertainment: Skyward Sword has some of the best dungeon design in the series, but the sections between each dungeon are a slog

Replay: Moderate

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Loki Season 2 Confirmed For Disney Plus

Loki season 2 has been confirmed for Disney Plus. The Disney streaming service has seemingly had hit after hit and has had no problem bringing the worlds of Star Wars and Marvel to life in ways that fans have been loving. Loki continued on that streak with Tom Hiddleston reprising his iconic Marvel role, and now we know that the journey will continue with the show’s second season. 

The confirmation of the show’s continuation was given by way of the first season’s final episode. Season 2’s green light was part of the end credits scene with a simple panel with a red stamp that reads, “Loki will return in season 2.” Straight to the point, no confusion. Though the end credits scene didn’t provide any more details behind that, we do at least know that Hiddleston is set to return once more. 

The Disney Plus membership has been on a roll with Marvel experiences beginning with WandaVision that starred Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany. The show recently received 23 Emmy accolades this Awards season, showing its impact as a Marvel experience. Following the success of WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier brought Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie back into the spotlight once more, continuing the story post-Endgame to show off a new future with a new Captain America. 

So what’s next? We know that Loki will return for a season 2, but we also know that the current season is setting up for Dr. Strange in the Multiverse Madness from Sam Raimi. That is slated to debut in March of next year. This is alongside an animated spin-off Marvel series on the streaming service called What If. What If drops next month to show alternate scenarios regarding some of our favorite Marvel characters. 

Hawkeye is also on the way, which we know will tie into the Black Widow movie in theaters now. Without spoiling, there is a key moment with Natasha’s sister Yelena Belova that will tie her into the upcoming Hawkeye series. Jeremy Renner is set to reprise his role as the main character alongside Yelena Belova, Vera Farmiga, and Hailee Steinfield. 


Are you excited for Loki season 2? What are your thoughts so far on how Disney is handling the Marvel universe? Shout out those thoughts loud and proud in the comment section below! 

The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD – New Gameplay Today Live

In its 35 year history, The Legend of Zelda series has seen its fair share of revolutionary titles and those that didn’t quite hit the mark. From the game-changers such as Breath of the Wild and Ocarina of Time to less loved entries like Triforce Heroes, there are plenty of hits and misses in the franchise but few as divisive as Skyward Sword. The 2011 Wii title split fans with its amazing dungeons and interesting lore (canonically speaking, it predates the rest of the games), but frustrating hand-holding and emphasis on motion controls have remained a hot source of debate ever since.

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Flash forward 10 years, and Skyward Sword is getting a new lease on life with its move to the Nintendo Switch and a plethora of quality of life upgrades that Nintendo hopes will bring the nay-sayers back around. But did the iconic publisher do enough to modernize the experience? Join Alex Stadnik and Ben Reeves on this edition of New Gameplay Today Live as we answer that question and so much more! We hope you have your coffee ready, as we’ll be going live early this time around, starting the fun on July 14 at 8 a.m. CT exclusively on Twitch!

Instead of wading through Skyward Sword’s longer tutorial, we’re diving into the good stuff right away and starting the stream off at Lanayru Mining Facility, the game’s third dungeon. From there, we’ll be showing off the new quality of life updates, the different control schemes, and whatever else the chat wants to see! 

Excited for more on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD? Be sure to check out the new trailer showcasing all the upgrades Nintendo made to the Switch version of the game ahead of its release date on July 16. Also, we at Game Informer love Zelda and are doing a huge blowout of content all week long, including a look at our favorite moments from the series, some of the best mods out there, and so much more!

Halo Co-Creator Shares Original Halo Weapon Prototypes, Including A Microwave Gun

The Halo franchise has gone through many changes throughout the years, including changing the entire studio behind the game as well. With Halo Infinite on the horizon and the 20th anniversary for Halo: Combat Evolved coming up in November, Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto just shared a few of the weapons that never made it into the game. If you’re like us and enjoy seeing early prototypes and pitches for some of our favorite games, then these will suit your fancy just fine. 

Many devs attached to the Halo name have been sharing more about the franchise recently, especially with the Halo Waypoint website, but Lehto decided to take it way back to the original Master Chief adventures and the concepts that never quite made it off of the cutting room floor. As seen in the Twitter thread below, Lehto shared a few different weapons from an earlier 2000 build of the original Halo. We definitely see where Jotunn from Destiny 2 comes from (I say in a kidding manner) because one of the weapons is literally called the “microwave gun.” Which, if you play Destiny, especially against certain players in Crucible, then you’ll know that that’s pretty much exactly what Jotunn is. 

Also included is a first look at the canned Particle Beam Rifle (really trying hard here not to reference Mass Effect, guys), a concussion gun, and — my particular favorite: the Excavator. Check them out below: 

Let’s be real for a second, that microwave gun would be nerfed so hard within a week. Honestly, I agree with Lehto, that would have been a hilarious addition to the game. But, just like any entertainment and creative medium, not every idea is going to make it into the final product. Whether that be due to creative conflict, a need to cut down for time, or for the need to keep a cohesive vision intact, there are so many secrets that our most beloved games have simply because of time and concepts that never made it off the proverbial page. That’s what makes dev drops like this so interesting, it gives the community a chance to learn even more about the titles that have meant the most to them, making those adventures the gifts that just keep on giving. 


What do you think about Halo weapon prototypes? Would you have liked to see these make it into the original game? Which one is your favorite and why is the Microwave gun? Sound off in the comments below! 

Also, H/T to my Destiny clan for showing this thread to me. Eyes up, Guardians!

Nier: Automata Steam Patch Drops This Week

In more interesting Nier news, the Steam version of Nier: Automata is finally getting the patch that it deserves and that fans have been waiting for since the game launched on PC in 2017.  The update drops this week and looks to remedy a multitude of outdated visual and technical features that, unfortunately, when left unchecked for so long, led to an surge of negative reviews

If you haven’t heard or read about the whole story, fans noticed some major differences between the Xbox Game Pass PC and Steam versions of Nier: Automata. The latter version of Nier: Automata was still missing a borderless video setting, FidelityFX options, HDR, and 4K textures. Kind modders, like GPUnity, have attempted to alleviate the tension with jaw-dropping downloadable packages. The official upcoming patch, however, will add all of the following:

Borderless Video Settings

Fidelity FX

HDR

Anti-aliasing

UI textures (4K)

Cut scenes

  • The bit rate has been improved and all pre-rendered cutscenes adjusted, so they will now play in 60FPS and display in the correct aspect ratio without stretching the picture.

Global illumination

  • A new “Global illumination” that can be set to three different levels; High, Medium or Low.

Ambient occlusion/ bloom

Bug fixes

  • It is now possible to switch between recently selected display modes for screenshots, such as between full screen and windowed mode or between borderless and windowed mode, by pushing the Alt + Enter keys together. The mouse cursor is no longer displayed when using a gamepad controller. The framerate has been stabilized at 60FPS under default settings. Other stability related fixes have also been implemented.

The patch drops on July 15. 


With all of this in mind, are you planning to give Nier: Automata a chance again? Or would you prefer to play it elsewhere or use mods? Let us know in the comments!

Nier Reincarnation Launches This Month With Nier: Automata Crossover

If you’re a devoted Nier fanatic like me, then Nier Reincarnation has been on your radar for quite some time. And, if you’re lucky – unlike me – then you might have even gotten a chance to play the game during its pre-registration period. The rest of us will have to wait for the opportunity to explore the Cage, albeit only for a few weeks more. However, there is a new announcement to be excited about. Nier Reincarnation is launching later this month with a Nier: Automata crossover event. 

With over 500,000 pre-registrations, JRPG players everywhere have voiced their interest in the first mobile title in the Nier franchise. A new promotional video dropped today that revealed the new summons coming alongside the Nier Automata event, as seen in the trailer below. The three leading protagonists from the game will assist you on the frontlines: 2B, 9S, and A2. Additionally, you can enter the sweepstakes to potentially secure an original poster signed by the mastermind Yoko Taro himself (you already know I retweeted for those sweet, sweet Nier prizes!). 

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A synopsis for Nier Reincarnation reads as follows: “A girl awakens on a cold stone floor. She finds herself in an infinitely vast place filled with buildings that touch the very sky. Guided by a mysterious creature who calls herself Mama, she begins to explore her new surroundings. To reclaim what she has lost—and atone for her sins—she sets off on a journey through this place of unknown creation.” Throw in the beloved heroes from Automata, and you’ve practically got a Nier family reunion…minus Yonah, Kaine, and Emil. Hopefully, this means that a Nier Replicant/Gestalt crossover will be coming next!

Nier Reincarnation launches for iOS and Android devices on July 28.


 Which summon(s) are you most looking forward to? Sound off in the comment section below!

Company Of Heroes 3 Releases In 2022

PC players have often lamented the dwindling options in the once-dominant real-time strategy genre. Well, one of the biggest franchises is coming back next year as the Company of Heroes series gets a third entry. Instead of heading into theatres of war that are often explored when games tackle the WWII era, Company of Heroes 3 is tackling the Mediterrnean as the focus of the conflict. This means players will be swept into entanglements and engagements in African deserts, coastal Italy, and more.

Alongside the competitive multiplayer options that players expect from the franchise, players can participate in a dynamic campaign that’s going to give players numerous options every time, seeking to deliver a single-player experience that’s heavily replayable and full of interesting decisions. You’ll have to manage supply lines across air, land, and sea as the Allied forces during this campaign as you seek to retake Italy.

Have you always been stymied by the micromanagement in the moment aspect of the real time strategy game? In all single-player modes in Company of Heroes 3, Relic is adding a full tactical pause option. What does this mean? It means you can stop the action at any time to queue up commands and actions on all your units, holdings, and more. This takes the pressure off completely, so you won’t have to worry about missing a grenade thrown into your infantry pack while you were off trying to spend resources. Obviously, this option won’t be available in multiplayer experiences, but if you’re trying to sink your teeth into the genre this could be a fantastic onboarding tool. 

Company of Heroes 3 is expected to feature many of the same factions that have been in prior games plus some exciting new additions.

Are you excited to see Company of Heroes return? When was the last time you played? I remember playing a ton of the first two titles … At a LAN center. Those were wild times, let me tell you. Let us know in the comments!

EA Play Spotlight Series Continues With The Future Of Independent Studios Under The EA Originals Banner

EA Play’s Spotlight series revealed its second panel today with a focus on the independent studios underneath the EA Originals banner. This includes A Way Out’s studio Hazelight, Silver Rain, and more alongside a panel of members of the EA Originals Label. 

The panel went into the backgrounds of some of the key members of each studio represented during EA Play, including Silver Rain’s co-founder Abubakar Salim and co-founder Melissa Phillips, Hazelight’s Josef Fares, and Velan Studio’s co-founders Karthik and Guha Bala. Each creative mind shared their various backgrounds, including history in working in both film and television. Fares also passionately talked about how different movies and games truly are, more than just comparing linear versus non-linear storytelling. 

The goal of this spotlight is to connect the players of each studio’s games with the minds behind them. It acts as a way to dive deep into the minds of these studio leaders and see where the gaming experiences come from in terms of real-life experience and how each developer sees the world around them. Silver Rain’s Melissa Phillips also went a little further in the discussion that will interest those looking to get into the industry on the developer side, talking about the difference between having a neat idea and giving that idea the resources and life it needs to thrive. 

To watch the entire showcase, check out the video below: 

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As for the EA Play schedule going forward, here’s what’s ahead: 

  • July 19 at 4 p.m. Pacific with Madden NFL 22
  • July 20 at 10 a.m. Pacific with a focus on EA Sports 
  • July 22 at 10 a.m. Pacific for other “surprises”
    • WWE’s Austin Creed will be featured

What are your thoughts on the EA Originals initiative and some of the topics covered in today’s EA Spotlight panel? What other studios would you like to see get more support? Sound off in the comment section below!

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl Is A Smash Bros. Style Cartoon Smackdown

Many of us of a certain age love to reminisce about Nickelodeon’s glory days and which Nicktoons were our favorites. These intellectual discussions sometimes devolve into fierce debates about whether Hey Arnold! was a better show than The Wild Thornberrys, or if ‘00s-era series like Danny Phantom stack up to the ‘90s classics. I’m in the camp of preaching that The Loud House is one of the best cartoons going today. After competing in kart racing last year, you can now settle those arguments in more literal fashion thanks to Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, a new fighter that pits the network’s most beloved animated stars against each other in a star-studded throwdown. 

IGN shared the exclusive reveal of the upcoming game, which is coming later this year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch. The game is a multiplayer brawler modeled after Super Smash Bros. Up to four players step into the shoes of their favorite Nicktoon character to duke it out with the goal of knocking opponents off the stage to their demise. Matches can be played locally or online, and the All-Star Brawl boasts 20 stages, such as the Loud’s actual house, The Flying Dutchman’s titular ghost ship, and TMNT’s Technodrome.  

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Here are the confirmed characters so far, per the trailer:

  • Oblina (Aaahh!!! Real Monsters)
  • Danny Phantom (Danny Phantom)
  • Helga Pataki (Hey Arnold!)
  • Zim (Invader Zim)
  • Lincoln Loud (The Loud House)
  • Lucy Loud (The Loud House)
  • Powdered Toast Man (Ren & Stimpy)
  • Reptar (Rugrats)
  • SpongeBob Squarepants (SpongeBob Squarepants)
  • Patrick Star (SpongeBob Squarepants)
  • Sandy Cheeks (SpongeBob Squarepants)
  • Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
  • Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
  • Nigel Thornberry (The Wild Thornberrys)

We can only assume we’ll get more roster additions in the coming weeks. After all, we’re missing characters from popular shows such as Rocko’s Modern Life, Rocket Power, The Fairly Oddparents, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and so on. I’m personally holding out for Angry Beavers‘ Muscular Beaver and/or Baron Bad Beaver. 

[Source: IGN]


What do you think of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl and what characters do you hope to see make the cut? Let us know in the comments! 

 

Watch Us Stream Red Dead Online’s New Expansion With Leo Vader

red dead online

Saddle up. Rockstar Games released its next big Red Dead Online update today, and we’ve called in an expert to help us explore this brave new frontier. Join the Game Informer team and former GI-video editor, current MinnMax cohort, and YouTube sensation Leo Vader as we play through Red Dead’s new “Blood Money” expansion. 

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For those who might not remember, Leo was both a Game Informer intern in 2016 and our funniest video man between 2017 and 2020. Since leaving Game Informer, he’s launched a blossoming YouTube channel, full of well-thought-out essays about everything from ADD, to cuss words, to ketchup. He’s also one of the many contributors to MinnMax, founded by another former GI video editor, Ben Hanson.  

There’s doubtful another person alive that’s a bigger fan of Red Dead Online than Leo, so make sure to tune in as he guides me, Alex Van Aken, and Marcus Stewart around this open-world cowboy epic. Make sure to ask any Game Queries about Red Dead you may have in the chat, and Leo will be sure to help you out. 

To get yourself in the Red Dead mood, make sure to check out our 10/10 review for Red Dead Redemption 2, our recent trip the Tribeca Festival to see the game’s music live and in-person, and Leo’s past Red Dead Online streams

Ready to come hang out? Our stream is going live today at 2 p.m. CT (3 p.m. ET) over on our Twitch channel. If you’re not able to tune in live, fear not. The stream will be archived later over on our YouTube channelIt should be a fun and goofy time. We hope to see you there! If you’re planning on checking out the expansion for yourself, let us know what you’re most excited about down in the comments. 

Persona 6 Confirmed, “To Create A 6 Which Exceeds 5”

Earlier today, we reported that Atlus revealed an updated Persona website teasing many franchise-related projects in the works. It looks like one of those is a now confirmed Persona 6, an entry that the company wants to see exceed what was accomplished with the previous entry. 

The Persona 6 confirmation is thanks to an official recruitment page that Atlus Japan uses. This site includes interviews held with a variety of Atlus employees to get a feel for what the culture was like at the company and more about upcoming projects. It was during these interviews that the confirmation that Persona 6 is in development was found. 

According to Atlus director Naoto Hiraoka, the vision for Persona 6 is not a small one and one that can’t be realized with the current staff. That is the drive behind the recruitment ad, to garner for talent to make this the game that they want to deliver. “

“Thanks to a large amount of support we received for Persona 5, we have gotten a sense of accomplishment,” said Hiraoka. “But we can’t stop there. When we created Persona 4, there was the pressure that it had to exceed Persona 3. Now, we will have to create a 6 which exceeds 5. However, exceeding 5 will be difficult with the current staff. I would like to surpass this tall hurdle with everyone who joins us in this recruitment. The workplace is perfect for those who want a creative challenge when it comes to bringing games to the world.”

How far along in the development process Persona 6 is, or even if it is currently in active development, remains to be seen. But with the recent teasers made by the company, it looks like we may be learning more about what’s next for the Persona franchise very soon. 


What do you hope to see from Persona 6 going forward? With how Persona 5 ended, anything goes, so what would you like next for your JRPG experience? Shout out those thoughts loud and proud in the comment section below! 

[Source: Persona Central]

Maneater Returns In Late August With A New Island, Evolutions, And Apex Predators To Hunt

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After devouring most of the life in a number of swamps and seas, Maneater‘s hungry bull shark is all grown up and ready to feast again. On August 31, the feeding frenzy continues in Truth Quest, a story-driven add-on that brings our fearless shark to a mysterious island off of the coast of Port Clovis. The waters here are home to a menacing apex predator, and are patrolled by the Naval Wildlife Organization, which can even send helicopters after you.

Your activity in the area has caught the interest of Trip Westhaven, the investigative journalist from the first game. Westhaven is now following your bloody exploits on his ViewTube channel “Truth Quest.” People cling to each video with the hope of Westhaven blowing the lid on another government coverup, this one hiding your origin story and evolution. Westhaven is once again brought to life by the voice of actor Chris Parnell.

In addition to the new story content, the DLC increases the level cap to 40, and adds a new evolution set. Five new organ evolutions can be equipped once your bull shark hits level 35. You’ll need the added might to hunt the new apex predator that developer Tripwire Interactive simply lists as “uber.” The waters are also infested with evolved creatures and five new bounty bosses.

Military forces are equipped to handle your hunger, and can bombard you from the safety of beach fronts and land-based fortifications. Those helicopters will also be a nuisance until you relearn how to launch yourself through the air.

Tripwire will soon be releasing a pilot episode that will give you a 10 to 15-minute hands-on look at Truth Quest. Should you like what you play, the DLC is $14.99, and will release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Maneater was one of last year’s nicest surprises, and I’m hoping this DLC isn’t the last we’ll see of this shark RPG. Given its popularity, I wouldn’t be surprised if a full-on sequel is also in development.

Our Favorite Zelda Moments And Memories

It’s Zelda week over here at Game Informer, and we’re getting that hype train rolling into Skyward Sword station by reminiscing a bit about some of our favorite moments from the iconic Nintendo franchise. I spoke to a number of Game Informer editors about the moments from the series that have had profound impacts on them, whether it was an epic boss battle, discovering a secret with a bomb, or something that resonated outside of the games entirely.

Come join us for a ride through some of our favorite, most meaningful Zelda moments and memories. Oh, and don’t forget to share your own in the comments! 

Brian Shea, Senior Editor

I have a long history with the Zelda series. Not only was the original Legend of Zelda on NES in the first group of video games I ever played, but my two favorite games of all time are Breath of the Wild and Ocarina of Time. While my time playing the franchise is full of memorable moments like the first time you go to the Dark World in A Link to the Past, or the final showdown with Ganondorf in Wind Waker, for me, the Zelda series is defined by something else: an unending sense of wonder.

I first felt it when playing A Link to the Past, but it hit new heights with Ocarina of Time when I initially stepped out into Hyrule Field. In that moment in 1998, my Nintendo 64 felt limitless. That version of Hyrule Field may feel miniscule and barren by today’s standards, but nearly two and a half decades ago, that was a truly impactful moment. While Wind Waker’s open sea delivered a similar feeling with being able to sail to various islands, it didn’t reach the same “wow” factor for me. It wasn’t until 2017’s Breath of the Wild that the sense of wonder that I felt with Ocarina of Time was equaled. Exploring that massive version of Hyrule and discovering every delightful and frightful secret the world has to offer elevated it beyond my wildest expectations. I never thought I would feel that sense of wonder – after all, open worlds have evolved so much since Ocarina of Time – but Nintendo somehow captured that lightning in a bottle for a second time.

Ben Reeves, Online Content Director

I’ve always said that 1998 was a great year for games. Between the releases of Resident Evil 2, Half-Life, Metal Gear Solid, Panzer Dragoon Saga, and StarCraft I wondered how I was ever going to settle on my personal game of the year. But then Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and it seemed like there was no real competition. Link’s first outing in 3D was a revelation. Hyrule felt like a real living place with characters who were off doing their own thing while I saved the world. Link’s epic adventure was full of worthwhile sidequests, clever dungeon design, and item upgrades that made you feel like a true powerhouse. The first time I played the game I completely lost myself in it, and I had trouble breaking away even to eat or sleep. Still, one of its most memorable moments was when I walked across Hyrule Field for the first time and first took in the scope of the world. Back then, few games felt that grand; I’d never see a game with a day-night cycle and a sun that actually moved across the sky. These days, that field looks quaint, but in 1998 it was true video game magic.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Daniel Tack, PC Editor

I’ll never forget getting my NES. It sounds like one of those yarns about trudging uphill in the snow, but I mowed lawns back in the day to eventually get myself one of these coveted neighborhood attractions. The day I got it, I had enough to get one game with the core console. I’ll never forget the golden cartridge that separated the original from the rest of the Nintendo line. It may be very, very dated today but the classic Legend of Zelda put me on a path where games were going to be an important part of my life forever. 

The Legend of Zelda is simple by today’s standards, but the freedom to explore, dungeon crawl, and discover the many secrets of Hyrule (and then share them with friends in the classroom during lunch hour) was truly a magical time to be alive. Later, A Link to the Past would become one of my favorite games of all time, and one I cite often as something close to perfection.

Blake Hester, Senior Associate Editor

I have played very few of The Legend of Zelda games. In fact, I’ve only played two. Breath of the Wild and one of the games on Super Nintendo. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a Zelda moment near and dear to my heart. 

One time, in a moment of vulnerability, my dear friend (and former Game Informer intern!) AJ Moser shared with a few friends and I the time he hand-made a Link costume to wear to his school’s Halloween Day. He was, of course, mercilessly bullied for this. A heart-breaking tale, to be sure. But what makes it a great moment is that we in turn were also given ammunition to bully AJ 15 years later for his costume. His biggest error was sharing pictures with us, which have been saved on my phone now for years. Thanks, AJ!

Liana Ruppert, Senior Associate Editor 

When I played the first Legend of Zelda game when it came out in the late ’80s, I was a kid and I remember feeling very overwhelmed by the fantasy adventure. Back then, “open-world” was a novel concept, one that wasn’t really established yet, so as a kid I didn’t really know what I needed to do to save the princess and become the hero. It wasn’t until years later when I tried to give it another chance when I saw how much love this game received and what it later spawned into as a series. A little older, a little wiser, the mechanics and exploration didn’t stress me out when I was younger, it gave me purpose and made me want to go out and explore. After that, my gaming preferences were changed forever.

While I still love me some Contra and F-Zero from back in the day, The Legend of Zelda opened me up to a new way of gaming and of losing myself in a new adventure. Seeing the different iterations of Link through the years has been a treasure, but I have to say I still think Wind Waker is the best of the series. A hot take, sure, but I liked that Nintendo tried something new with this character and I found that the risk paid off. Link was expressive, in-tuned with what was going on around him, and seeing the story unfold and setting sail in the adorable Ghibli-fied boat felt exhilarating. 

I love the way The Legend of Zelda makes me feel and that’s why I’m really glad we’re celebrating this amazing franchise this week! 

John Carson, Associate Editor

Like in Breath of the Wild, Hyrule’s demise came years before the events of Wind Waker, and diving deep into the ocean to find the remnants of Hyrule’s last great struggle is one of my favorite moments in the entire series. Entering the castle and finding it lifeless and desaturated is an eerie contrast to the bright and colorful surface world. Frozen moblins and knights are scattered about in various poses depicting struggles from their final invasion. In defense of the attack and subsequent flooding of the world, a barrier was put up around the castle, stopping time and everyone in their tracks. 

Few locations feel as sad as this depiction of Hyrule Castle, stuck in its final moments before Ganon’s calamity left it buried and forgotten under the Great Sea. In my time secluded within this somber environment, I reflected on the loss of the kingdom I had helped save numerous times in the past. Though, this dour place still holds a glimmer of hope: the Master Sword, a gift from one hero of time to another, and a needed sign that Hyrule’s ultimate sacrifice was not done in vain.

Marcus Stewart, Associate Editor

My favorite Zelda memory is that when I first tried it as a kid, I absolutely hated it. I’m a big Zelda fan now, but my appreciation for the series didn’t blossom until I was an early adult. You see, despite growing up with an NES and Super Nintendo I missed out on the classic entries. 

My first real taste didn’t come until I borrowed Link’s Awakening from a schoolyard buddy. I’d been used to mostly platformers and sidescrollers, so I didn’t understand Zelda’s structure. Where was I supposed to go and when? How do I solve these hard puzzles? Six-year old Marcus just couldn’t wrap his mind around it. The next day I threw the GameBoy cartridge back in my friend’s face (not literally … I think) after a night of struggling with it. 

As I got older and became more aware of the series’ reputation, that initial bad impression made me wonder if I didn’t give Zelda a fair shake. I gave the series another shot, beginning with Minish Cap of all entries and quickly worked my way through the vast majority of the franchise. That included revisiting Link’s Awakening, which I now adore in both its DX and 2019 incarnations. While I wish my first impression was the religious experience felt by most fans, I always chuckle about how I almost wrote off one of my favorite franchises from the get-go.

Now it’s time for some of our most important entries to this list – your picks! Let us know about your relationship with the Zelda series in the comments!

Final Fantasy 14 Cookbook Releases Later This Year, Over 70 Recipes Included

Cookbooks just come with video game territory. Earlier this year, a Tomb Raider cookbook was announced during March’s Square Enix Presents showcase. It’s safe to assume that Lara Croft’s meal plans are little more than sustenance, seeing as how she’s always scraping by in the harsh wildernesses of the world. However, this Final Fantasy XIV cookbook that was discovered today might be able to satiate your hunger with over 70 luxurious, exotic recipes inspired by Eorzea’s numerous cultures. 

Twitter user Wario64 did some digging through Amazon’s database and found a licensed video game hardcover cookbook available for preorder at $35. After further inspection, the book turned out to be a new Final Fantasy XIV text that fans can add to their already growing collection of trinkets and collectibles. You can parse through Wario64’s Twitter thread above. The About section on the Simon & Schuster digital catalog web page – according to the screenshot included in the Tweets because the paragraph(s) has since been taken down from the site – reads as follows:

“Journey through the rich culinary landscape of Final Fantasy XIV Online. Featuring favorite flavors from across Hydaelyn and Norvrandt and easy-to-follow instructions, this tome provides numerous tips on making the most of your ingredients. Start your day with Farmer’s Breakfast, a very famous and simple-yet-delightful dish; savor the Knight’s Bread of Coerthas; dive into La Noscea’s Rolanberry Cheesecake, and many more.” 

According to the Amazon image that Wario64 uploaded, The Ultimate Final Fantasy XIV Cookbook releases on November 9th. Seeing as there’s been a massive surge in Final Fantasy XIV Online’s player base, now might be the perfect time to create your own avatar and take to the vast biomes of Eorzea. However, you might run into some technical difficulties because this rise in popularity has created a shortage of digital copies of the game

Ghostwire: Tokyo Delayed To 2022

Originally slated to release later this year, Tango Gameworks and Bethesda Softworks have announced that their upcoming action-adventure game meant for PlayStation 5 and PC, Ghostwire: Tokyo, has been delayed to early 2022. 

The studio took to the game’s Twitter account to share a message with fans in the community, saying that the team has made the decision to push back release until sometime early 2022. “We want to get the game in your hands as soon as possible,” begins the statement, “so you can experience the unforgettable version of a haunted Tokyo that we’ve been hard at work building. At the same time, we’re also focused on protecting the health of everyone at Tango. Our new release window will give us time to bring the world of Ghostwire to life as we’ve always envisioned.” 

Tango Gameworks ended their message, saying: “Thank you for being patient as we work to bring you an experience unlike anything else we’ve ever made. We can’t wait to show you more in the coming months.”

With Ghostwire being a PlayStation and PC game, many have been wondering if it will only be a timed exclusive with the acquisition of Bethesda from Xbox. Microsoft has publicly stated that exclusivity will be handled on a “case-by-case” basis and that it will honor prior exclusivity deals. With Deathloop being moved to a timed exclusive, it’s a possibility that Ghostwire could expand beyond those platforms in the future; Tango Gameworks has not revealed any sort of plans along those lines as of yet. 

Regarding the delay, we’ve been seeing more and more news like this over the past year. Though the most contributing factor is COVID-19, it’s refreshing to see this decision being made more openly and without backlash, as it has been met with in the past. By making delays more accepted (the discussion of too early announcements is a whole other conversation), teams can make the adventures they want to make without being buried under stressful working conditions. This also bodes well for the quality of day one launch titles, especially when reflecting on the missteps of Cyberpunk 2077

For now, we know that Ghostwire: Tokyo is coming sometime in early 2022 and that the team will have more to show off about the game in the “coming months.”


What are your thoughts on how the perception of delays is evolving? Excited to learn more about Ghostwire: Tokyo? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below, dear reader; we’d love to hear what you think! 

7 New Persona Reveals Are Being Teased By Atlus

If you’re hurting for some new Persona news, it looks like you’re in luck. Atlus recently launched a website specifically for Persona’s 25th anniversary, and it shows off a plethora of new art showcasing various key characters from the franchise’s history. More than that, the studio behind the beloved series is teasing that more news is “coming soon.”

The images shared house clues as to what’s on the way, including the first image shown that hints that at least one of the reveals is on the way for this September. Another image suggests that a separate project will be revealed all the way in Autumn of next year, which means we’ll have a steady stream of Persona news for the foreseeable future. But the important thing is that there are seven blacked-out images with the words “coming soon,” which means a lot more Persona on the way. 

Additionally, Atlusalso offers pre-orders for Persona merch, which is more than perfect for me because their plushies are to die for. Not literally, but they are really stinkin’ cute. 

The website update is basically Schrodinger’s Atlus: it both teases a lot and teases barely anything at all. But that’s OK because we know more Persona news is coming down the pipeline, and given how much love this franchise has behind it, any news is good news. Whatever surprises Atlus has up its proverbial sleeve, we’ll get a glimpse as the company celebrates Persona’s 25th anniversary on September 20, 2021. 

So what’s getting revealed? Are we getting seven new games? Probably not, but sources say that at least one of the teased projects includes a mobile game from Perfect World that will pull from Persona 5’s universe. More merch, more games, and other surprises are on the way, which begs the question: what do you want to see next out of Atlus regarding Persona? If you could craft your perfect Persona game, what would it look like? Any returning favorites in your vision? Shout out those thoughts loud and proud in the comment section below! 

[Source: Altus]

Don’t Call Death Stranding Director’s Cut A Director’s Cut, According To Hideo Kojima

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is an extended playable experience for those that loved Hideo Kojima’s breakout title from his new video game studio. This edition of the game was revealed with a clever Metal Gear Solid nod and offers additional experiences to explore when building bridges and going through a plethora of existential crises. While the game itself says “director’s cut” in the title, Kojima doesn’t want fans to think of it this way. In true Kojima fashion, he had a slightly different approach to explaining the world around him.

In a recent Twitter thread, Kojima told fans that Death Stranding’s Director’s Cut isn’t what the definition of director’s cut means, instead it’s more sporadic expansions that have been filtered in for a more complete experience. “A director’s cut in a movie is an additional edit to a shortened version that was either released reluctantly because the director did not have the right to edit it, or because the running time had to be shortened,” he said. “In the game, it is not what was cut, but what was additionally produced that was included. Delector’s Plus? So, in my opinion, I don’t like to call this ‘director’s cut’.”

While I didn’t think about it like this at first, seeing his commentary does bring to light that the base game itself was a director’s cut, because Hideo Kojima developed it through his own studio with his own timetable. So, this edition, while under that title, does offer more than just what was left on the cutting room floor. It’s post-launch DLC packaged to be a complete edition of sorts. 

Whatever you want to call it, this version of the game is set to drop on September 24 with 60 fps on console and other enhancements made with the PlayStation 5 in mind. To learn more about what this particular iteration of Death Stranding has to offer, you can learn more by checking out our previous coverage here


What say you, dear reader? Is this a director’s cut and Kojima is just being Kojima, or does this change the way you see this particular label? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below! 

Claire de Lune – New Gameplay Today

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Claire De Lune is a sci-fi narrative adventure game by Tactic Studios that begins with players soaring across the stars. As John, you’re exploring through space alongside your daughter, Claire, and their AI companion/pilot, Arturo. Everything seems largely peachy until an unknown force violently pulls your ship towards a nearby planet. Sensing the worst, you jettison Claire to the mysterious world in an escape pod while you ride their ship down to the surface. 

After surviving the crash-landing, you must now locate Claire’s life pod while also figuring out what caused the disaster in the first place. John is armed with his trusty nanogun, a device that spawns large cubes that can be used for climbing. The “weapon” can also create bounce pads for bounding over obstacles. These mechanics, as well as others, may sound simple but Claire De Lune’s environmental puzzle-solving challenges players to make inventive use of the nanogun to safely bypass hostile wildlife, traverse bodies of acidic goo, and other alien hazards. Along the way you’ll engage in various hacking puzzles, explore abandoned research facilities, and engage in both stealth and combat scenarios.  

Join myself and Tactics Studio founder Jesse Attard as we explore Claire De Lune’s opening moments and show off its unique spin on exploration. If you like what you see, you’ll be happy to know that the game is available beginning today on PC (on both Steam and the Epic Games Store). 

If you enjoy this video, be sure to visit and subscribe to Game Informer’s YouTube channel for more video features. That includes previous installments of New Gameplay Today because who doesn’t want to get a heads up on the coolest-looking games, both big and small? Recent episodes have taken fun looks at upcoming games such as The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, OlliOlli World, and Pokémon Unite.

Black Widow Ending, Taskmaster, And Sisterly Dynamics Explained | GI Spoiled

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Black Widow is now available in theaters and not only does it explore Natasha Romanoff’s origins and offer fans a fresh look at her past, but it also sets the stage for what the future of the MCU looks like. How does Taskmasker stack up against how we know that character in the comics, where does Yelena go from here, when are we getting a Brady Bunch-esque spinoff of Alexis and the rest of the family? These are the real questions and questions we dive into with Game Informer’s latest episode of Spoiled! 

The latest Marvel movie has been long in the making, and though it did see some delays, it is finally here! Black Widow has been a character that fans have been clamoring to see in a standalone film. Now that it has arrived, we are digging deep to see if it delivers. From exploring her past pre-Red Room to seeing exactly how far the corruption of this organization goes, Black Widow deals in heavy themes such as trauma, abuse, and loss of free will. But, it’s not all stern storylines and life or death situations; The Black Widow movie has more than enough moments of levity and also explores a relationship between two sisters that feels organic and natural. It also gave us a chance to see Natasha find her long-awaited redemption and shows off the power of family, whether they are blood or not. 

Join Ben Reeves, Marcus Stewart, and Liana Ruppert as they dive deep into the latest Marvel flick. We discuss what we loved about the movie, what we didn’t like, how it stood the test of expectations, and where we think the MCU will go next. And our undying love for Yelena, Natasha’s younger sister, who truly stole the film in our humble opinion. 

You can also check out our Spoiled on our YouTube channel as well, in addition to a plethora of other video choices there for your amusement. So sit back, crack open a cold water (because it’s hot and Black Widow would want you to be hydrated), and come share with us your thoughts on how the Black Widow movie fits into the bigger picture of the MCU.