The acclaimed deckbuilding board game Dominion continues to shine in its newest expansion, Dominion: Rising Sun, which hits shelves in September. The box includes 25 exciting new kingdom cards and introduces prophecies, omens and shadow cards, all of? which shake up the core mechanics of the game in fun ways.

Fans can also purchase and play Rising Sun right now using Temple Gate Game’s digital version of the game, available on mobile devices and Steam.

Looming prophecies and omens

As a long-time fan of Dominion, I find it a??mazing how well designer Donald X Vaccarino continues to mix up the core experience of the original game?, especially when you consider that 15 other expansions have come out before this one.

Rising Sun’s prophecy cards, in part?icular, have incredibly impactful effects on the game state. However, they take time to activate and won’t trigger until you play enough actions with the “omen�card type. The most dramatic example is Divine Wind, which removes all kingdom cards from the supply and replaces them with ?ten new ones. Now, that’s a literal game-changer.

Cards come forth from the shadows

Many of the new Dominion: Rising Sun cards have the shadow card type, which allows you to play them directly from your deck. These actions have a special backing to make them easily identifiable; they ar??e also placed on the bottom of your deck after shuffling.

Many of these cards, such as Fishmonger and Alley, have simple effects. However, their rate of recurrence makes them more powerful than they appear at first g??lance. The Ninja, which has a simi?lar attack to the core box’s Militia, also makes great thematic use of the new shadow mechanic.

Expanding your kingdom eastward

After some delays related to debt token creation, the Dominion Rising: Sun release date is finally almost here. Even after only a few games with the expansion’s suggested kingdom card sets, I already comfortably say that it’s my favorite Dominion expansion since the release of Renaissance back in 2018. However, this box is definitely tailored towards more experienced players. It reintroduces mechanics such as debt and events without much fanfare. If you’re interested in other exciting additions to your Dominion collection besides Rising Sun, make sure to check out our ranking of the best Dominion expansions.

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The shifting sands of Arrakis are home to the most precious substance in the universe: spice. As the leader of one of the Great Houses in Dune Imperium: The Board Game, you’ll need to conquer the desert planet, win skirmishes, and expand your influence with factions like the Be?ne Gesserit and the Fremen if you hope to claim victory. In this article, we’ll be looking at the different editions and expansions of the game and answering some of the most common questions about this modern tabletop classic. Let’s start by looking at the two core versions of the game. 

Dune Imperium vs. Uprising: What’s the Difference?

The Dune Imperium board game essentially has two different versions of its core game: Dune Imperium and Dune Imperium Uprising. The gameplay in the two editions is largely the same, with each centering around deck building, agent placement, and desert combat. However, there are several key differences between the original Imperium release and Uprising. To start, Uprising features an all-new set of Dune Imperium leaders, with characters like Feyd-Rautha, Lady Margot Fenring, and Princess Irulan all entering the fray. In addition, many of the board spaces have new functions. To top it all off, there is?? also a new six-player mode in which the players will be divided into opposing teams.

Gameplay Changes in Dune Imperium Uprising

In terms of new game mechanics, Dune Imperium: Uprising has a lot to show for itself. It drops the Mentat token from Imperium, which originally allowed you to purchase an additional agent for a turn. It also drops the foldspace cards, which made it much easier to level up your standing on the game’s four influence tracks. In exchange, Uprising adds spy tokens that you can place between boa?rd spaces in order to draw cards or unlock adjacent locations that are already occupied by enemy players. ;

The newer edition of the game also adds sandworms to combat, which doubles the rewards you earn for winning a round’s conflict. This mechanic makes fighting more important than ever and might change up your favorite Dune Imperium strategy, though all of the combat cards have been edited appropriately to make the game less swingy. Uprising also adds contracts, which essentially?? function as single-use board spaces that give substantial rewards when you send an agent to them. The intrig?ue cards are also altered to match the new gameplay mechanics.

Should You Buy Dune Imperium or Dune Imperium Uprising?

If you’re just getting started with Dune Imperium, then Uprising is a great place to start. However, there are no bad options here. If you already own and enjoy Dune Imperium, Uprising can still be a great pickup if you’re a big fan of the game. However, you might want to prioritize expansion content first since it adds even more mechanics than the changes from Uprising.  

Dune Imperium Expansions

Each Dune Imperium?? expansion adds more cards and dramatic new gameplay elements, along with additional board spa?ce actions that open up new pathways towards conquering Arrakis and claiming victory. Below you’ll find details about each addition to the game, listed in our suggested purchasing order.

1. Dune Imperium: Rise of Ix

The Rise of Ix Expansion for Dune Imperium expands the game board with new game-changing board spaces that allow you to purchase technology, boost your shipping and smuggling efforts, and obtain the coveted dreadnought units. The dreadnoughts add three combat power to your side and can temporarily hold territory in your name, which ups the stakes in each conflict. There is also a new selection of powerful yet difficult to master house leaders that are perfect for more experienced players. If you’re going to get one of the expansions, Rise of Ix is definitely the best choice.

2. Dune Imperium: Immortality

The Dune Imperium: Immortality expansion adds an additional board to the play space that represents the players�interactions with the Bene Tleilax and their genetic advancements. The expansion also adds graft cards, which allow you to combine the cards in your hand into a single action for more powerful effects. These cards are definitely fun to use, though not as much of a game-changer as the Bene Tleilax board or the components of the Rise of Ix expansion. Immortality also includes a family atomic token for each player, which is an ?underrated addition that allows you to clear out the cards ?available for purchase from the Imperium deck and draw new ones. 

3. Dune Imperium: Deluxe Upgrade Pack

If you love Dune Imperium and just can’t get enough, you can upgrade your game experience with a beautiful selection of miniatures that replace approximately sixty of the game’s more basic-looking tokens. Unlike the other two expansions, this pack is entirely cosmetic. However, the visual upgrade it provides is substantial, especially if you enjoy painting the miniatures. There’s also a Rise of Ix Dreadnought Upgrade Pack available through the Dire Wolf store that offers similar cosmetic benef??its but for the expansion’s components.

Can You Play the Dune Imperium Expansions With Uprising?

Every Dune Imperium expansion is compatible with both the original release of the game and Dune Imperium: Uprising. However, when adding the expansions to Uprising, there are a few cards you might need to remove, such as the Rise of Ix conflict cards, in order to maintain a balanced game. Further directions on these changes are available at the back of the Uprising rulebook. 

The post The Complete Dune Imperium Board Game Buyer’s Guide (2024) appeared first on Destructoid.

o-player board game is one of the best remedies for a dull day. Whether you've chosen to stay home or found yourself stuck insi?de due to weather or sickness, a head-to-head board game is a great way for siblings, friends, and romantic partners to make their time indoors meaningful. Let's tuck into some of the best two-player board games out there.

Best two-player board games (Quick List)

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Undaunted North Africa

One of my favorite games, Undaunted North Africa employs the staggeringly innovative deck-building mechanics from Undaunted Normandy and adds to it a whole load of new features and asymmetry. Honestly, I'd recommend the entire franchise, but if you could only pick one, I'd choose North Africa.

Undaunted North Africa pits the LRDG (the precursors to the SAS) against the North Afric??an Italian forces. Across numerous scenarios, both sides will battle it out to achieve their own objectives to win. As ??the game progresses, you'll be deck building on the fly as you reinforce your very limited supply of soldiers. Who you will bring into the battle and who you'll leave out will dictate your strategy on the field. So choose carefully.

A head-to-head tense action game where every soldier counts, Undaunted North Africa will have you caring for your soldiers whilst al??so sending them into i??mpossible positions for victory.

Hive

When you think of "fun things to do with someone you like," anything involving bugs isn't one of the first options that comes to mind unless you're both into entomology. That might change after you've played a game of Hive.

Hive is a tile-based strategy game that puts both players in command of a colony of insects, with the end goal for both players being to capture the other players' "Queen Bee." Combining the gameplay of most one-on-one strategy games with the unique ability to position your pieces wherever you want at the start of the game, Hive is an addictive dose of competitive board gaming that wi??ll make you want to say, "Just one more round."

Hive presents a strategic tactile game that you can bring anywhere you w??ant.

War of the Ring

If you were looking for a big game to play with a buddy, then War of the Ring may be too big still. The set up of this game is arduous. The rule book for this game is long. The process of the game is complicated. Yet, damn it, it's so good.

War of the Ring is as asymmetrical a game as you can get. Both sides have dramatically different rules. It's like expl??aining two different games. One player will take charge of the forces of evil, and will be slowly pushing against the bastions and forces of good whilst on an underlying mission to corrupt the Ringbearers. The other player will be trying to ta??ke down the fortresses of evil whilst trying desperately to deliver the ring to Mount Doom.

This game is strategy to the ultimate max. Due to the vast differences in both sides, you'll be having to account for different rules and processes when trying to anticipate and counter your opponent to achieve one of your two victory conditions. War of the Ring is a treat for those who enjoy dra??wn-out and? complicated strategy games.

Splendor Duel

If you're looking for a competitive engine-building game, then Splendor Duel may be the game you need. Although Splendor is a fantastic two-player game in its own r?ight, this version of the game is more streamlined and fitting for a two-player head-to-head.

With three ways to win, your every move in Splendor Duel will work toward your set completion or engine of the game, which will serve to gain you discounts and an easier late-game as you develop it. With wonderfully tactile chips and cards, it's a pleasure to play with, let alone being a pleasure to play.

Games of Splendor Duel ??are only quick, so you'll be able to fit in numerous games with a friend before you?'ve realized it.

Blitzkrieg!

World War Two in 20 minutes is what Blitzkrieg! promises, and that's exactly what you get. I've yet to find someone who doesn't enjoy Blitzkrieg!, especially when it's so easy to tech ??and easy to play. Yet the strategic challenges it presents are not to b?e underestimated.

In Blitzkrieg!, both the Axis and Allied powers are vying control over the globe. The player mat consists of five theatres of war spanning the world, and you'll be stationing your units into the different battles to fight for domination. Different tiles will provide powerful bonuses should you strike, however, making you choos?e to push back your enemy or claim a boon with every single placement.

For a quick yet tight and dramatic game that can be played over and over again, look no further than Blitzkrieg!

Summoner Wars

Look, once in a while, all you can do is look at someone and invoke Bugs Bunny's age-old adage, "Of course, you realize this means war." There are a lot of war games out there that allow you to live the thrill of combat without the accompanying destruction, but few are as built for one-on-one warfare as Summoner Wars.

Summoner Wars takes all the fun of deck-building fantasy combat games like Magic: the Gathering and distills it into a digestible, easy-to-pick-up experience that will delight those who might be scared to dive into the genuine sport. Ther??e’s even an online edition for those who find themselves drawn to the world of Itharia.

If you're after something more fantastic??al yet non-stop action, the Summoner Wars should be your next pick.

Memoir '44

I don't subscribe to the notion that "old is gold," but Memoir '44 has stood the test of time for a reason. You and one other ?will be playing across a set of scenarios that simulate different real-life battles acr??oss the year of 1944 during World War 2.

Interestingly, the map of Memoir '44 is split into three control zones, and you're always at the mercy of whatever your cards allow you to do in specific zones. This allows for an ever changing game where sometimes certain zones will be writhe with action as others get neglected. The cruel whim of the dice will also provide the ?most enjoyable angst I thin?k I've ever felt.

Pushing forth with your infantry, armor, and sometimes artillery units, you'll each be vying for your own objectives in a tight bid to win in Memoir '44??. This game also comes with numerous expansions, so collectionists eat your hearts out.

7 Wonders Duel

7 Wonders Duel provides a thought-provoking game that will have both players slowly building civilizations bit by bit. The winner is the one who makes the greatest civilization, however, there ar??e two other victory conditions present to force players into constant tug of wars.

You will pass three ages in 7 Wonders Duel, where the two of you will be pining over the same finite set of resources, represented through cards. The ?wonders and buildings you wish to construct rely on these resources, so every turn your opponent performs makes you die a little inside.

Whether you win through scientific advancements, military power, building all seven wonders, or simply by being the most accomplished civilization, you'll have a stressful yet grand time picking apart 7 Wonders Duel.

Castles of Burgundy

Castles of Burgundy may not be strictly a two player game, but it is still a great pick for two players. A decently complex yet greatly satisfying game, Castles of Burgundy will see you both racing to get as many points as p?ossible by building up you?r castle in 25 turns.

Interestingly, the core mechanic that dictates what you can and can't do in Castles of Burgundy are dice, but not in the way you may expect. The face of each die corresponds to different actions and placements that you can make that turn, ?meaning you'll have to adapt your strategy every round depending on your dice rolls.

This makes the abundance of actions you can take more manageable by limiting you, but that itself is a curse that you'll grapple with every turn. ??Workers can be used to modify these dice rolls and silver can be used for extra actions, so you'll need to manage your resources wisely to out-play your opponent.

Quacks of Quedlinburg

Quacks of Quedlinburg presents a unique challenge that may not be exclusively for two players, yet delivers a fantastic game all the same. Both players are medieval chemists that are in a bid to brew the best potion day after day, but the art of knowing wh??at's enough will be what saves you from a alchemical accident.

Players will be blindly rummaging through their bags to try and pull out the right ingredients for their potion - something dangerously addictive. With the funds they also secure through potion-making, players will go shopping to input the desired ingredien??ts into their bag. Something that's not guaranteed to come up when you need it the most.

Quacks of Quedlinburg is a? charming yet hilarious game of chemical concoctions where you're constantly gambling with every ingr??edient you reach for.

Now that you've got a fine selection of two-player games,?? why don't you pick one and make t?he next game night something to remember.

The post Ten best two-player board games appeared first on Destructoid.

Among Us fans on Nintendo Switch, rejoice! Three new roles, two for Crewmates and one for Impostors, are being added to?? the game as part of a free update on June 18.

Announced during the jam-packed Nintendo Direct, Crewmates can now end up with the Noisemaker or Tracker roles, while the new Phantom role for Impostors will mak??e it even harder for your opponents to sus you out.

Noisemakers will be able to send out a signal to everyone in t??he game that they've been killed, so there's no way they can be silently eliminated by the bad guys. Elsewhere, the Tracker will be able to plant a tracking device on other players a??nd watch their movements using the in-game map.

For those who end up as Impostor, the Phantom role will allow you to turn invisible, which will be very handy for evading Crewmates after a kill, or sneaking into position fo??r your next assassination.

These three roles were first teased back on Ap?ril Fool's Day, appearing briefly in the lobby during the video. The roles aren't actually live on PC or console just yet, which ??means that if you want to play them, you'll need to break out your Switch to give them a go.

The Phantom definitely seems like the most powerful of the lot, with the ability to turn invisible definitely going to lead to some awesome plays. The Tracker could also be useful if there's a player you don't trust, although giving away information that contradicts the?m could make you a prime target for their knife.

The new Among Us roles are just one of many big announcements at June 18's Nintendo Direct, including the new Mario & Luigi: Brothership and an HD version of Donkey Kong Country Returns.

The post Among Us is getting three n??ew roles on Nintendo Switch today appeared first on Destructoid.

A world with rival houses, big medieval battles, court intrigue, and dragons is undisputedly a fantastic setting for a board game. Many publishers have created tie-ins with both the Game of Thrones TV show and the Song of Ice and Fire book series to bring ?the stories of Westeros to the game night table. Some of these iterations are quite good, and oth?ers are downright fantastic.

To celebrate the start of House of the Dragon season 2 this weekend, we’re counting down the best Game of Thrones card and board games. Each of these games is a fun way to transport yourself back to Westeros, without having to relive the pain of Game of Thrones season 8.

6. A Game of Thrones: B’twixt

A Game of Thrones: B’twixt is a relatively straightforward party game with a healthy dose of strategy, particularly when it comes to outbidding other players for cards. You’ll need to collect a cast of iconic characters from the books for each of the two councils you have in your play space, which are in part ?shared with the players to your immediate right and?? left. The player with the most powerful small council wins the game.

5. Risk: Game of Thrones

The Game of Thrones edition of Risk features both a Westeros and an Essos game board, and allows players to select a ruleset that best matches their desired complexity level. If you’ve played Risk before this isn’t anything new, but the core gameplay remains enjoyable and th?e theme works well.

4. Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne

Building influence, working out truces, and defeating your opponents in one on one conflicts allow you to claim the ultimate prize in this game: the Iron Throne itself. Gameplay is relatively simple compared with the other Game of Thrones board games on this list, but it?’s st?ill a fun party game for three to five players. 

3. Game of Thrones: Oathbreaker

Oathbreaker is somewhat similar to the likes of Avalon, where one player will secretly be a traitor to the throne, another will secretly be t??he king, and the remaining players will be either conspirators or loyalists. The players then ?go on missions which either fail or succeed depending on which cards are played. If the majority of missions succeed, the King and his loyalists win; otherwise, the traitor and his conspirators reign supreme. 

2. A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (2nd Edi?tion)

Fantasy Flight’s board main game tie-in with the Song of Ice and Fire books is at this point an iconic game night staple. You’ll play as one of six major houses in Westeros, marshalling troops and battling spaces controlled by your opponents in a bid to take seven castles at once and thus win the game. With the Mother of Dragons expansion, you can also add an ??Essos board that brings the Targaryens into the mix and raises the maximum number of players to eight.

1. A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (2nd Edition)

A Game of Thrones: The Card Game takes the top spot on this ranking because of its strong strategic gameplay, in-depth thematics, and massive expandable card pool. Unlike the other products on this list, it’s a competitive card game, which means you’ll get the most out of it if you know other players who have the game and own a few of the expansions yourself. However, the game’s meta includes nearly every character and location you can think of from the books, and features plenty of deck build??ing options that ensu??re a unique experience every time you sit down to play.

Note that while the game isn't being a??ctively produced anymore by Fantasy Flight Games, you can still pick up the second edition core set!

The post The 6 Best Game of Thrones Board Games, Ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Dominion is an immensely popular deck building adventure that’s been a hit at the game night table since its r??elease in 2008. The simple yet strategic gameplay and wacky medieval theme, along with the opportunity to curse your friends and family, has won over many. However, I’d argue that what truly makes the game great is its extensive catal??ogue of expansions. 

Dominion: Rising Sun, the 16th expansion for the game, is due to drop in June 2024. In addition, many of the game’s earlier expansions have been updated in recent years with second edition printings. That means you have plenty of options when it comes to picking up a new set of kingdom cards. Here are the 10 best Dominion expansions you can add to your collection today.

10. Dominion: Intrigue (2nd Edition)

Cards in the Intrigue expansion emphasize player choice, which ?means many of the actions and attacks in the set are more versatile. Secret tunnel and masquerade are standout cards here that offer more advanced strategies. A basic expansion, but a good one nonetheless.

9. Dominion: Nocturne 

Nocturne is one of the bigger boxes in the series, adding thirty-three new kingdom cards, boons, hexes, and a few other non-supply cards. It also introduces one of Dominion’s more advanced mechanics-?? the night phase. Unfortunately, the cards in this set don’t mix quite as well with the other boxes. However, its theme makes for a fun experience anyway.

8. Dominion: Adventures

The Adventures expansion for Dominion adds events, the page and peasant upgrade track, and the reserve mat. I wouldn’t recommend it as a first expansion, because it plays best when paired with the platinum and colony cards in the Prosperity box. Beyond that, it’s a good buy.

7. Dominion: Seaside (2nd Edition)

Seaside adds duration cards to the game that produce effects immediately when played and at the start of your next turn. The second edition is also a significant improvement over the first release, which fea??tured a gamebreaking pirate ship card.

6. Dominion: Menagerie 

Animals and the exile mechanic are the highlights of this box. There are quite a few reaction and duration cards here to play with as well, ?wh?ich means you get a little bit of everything when you pick this one up.

5. Dominion: Empires

The best Dominion expansion packs offer completely new gameplay experiences, and Empires certainly repr??esents one of the furthest departures from the core set. Landmarks implement new scoring rules, debt lets you play big turns early, and castles add some extra competition.

4. Dominion: Renaissance

The best new game mechanic in Renaissance is the struggle to keep artifact cards like the flag and the key under your control. Coffers and villagers, which were first introduced in the Guilds expansion, make a welcome return.

3. Dominion: Hinterlands (2nd Edition)

The Hinterlands box adds a range of ‘when gain�effects to the game, plus a wider selection of reaction c??ards compared to the other expansions. Border village and tunnel are personal favorites.&??nbsp;

2. Dominion: Dark Ages

Trashing cards is the name of the game in the Dark Ages expansion. The new ruins and shelters cards require ??you to focus on cleaning up the rubble that is your deck, which is a complex yet rewarding process.

1. Dominion: Prosperity (2nd Edition)

Prosperity is the most essential Dominion expansion because it scales up ??the size of the game with platinum coins and colony victory cards. Villages become cities, mines become mints, and cellars become vaults.? With the cards in this box you’ll be richer than ever. 

The post The 10 Best Dominion Expansions in 2024, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Magic: The Gathering's Outlaws of Thunder Junction has arrived, bringing us th??e best of the West as our favorite villains band together to take on a new, Wild West-inspired plane. A lawless land, Thunder Junction is a plane full of ?crime, debauchery, and untold riches, at least for those brave enough to put their necks on the line.

The set brin??gs a whole host of keywords, from plotting future spells to bringing the outlaws of the outback together to devastating effect. These new cards are powerful, bringing us all new ways to play with tempo and flexibility. But of these cards, which ones are truly the best?

This list will go over the 10 most powerful cards in Outlaws of Thunder Junction. Given that there are several ways to play MTG, this list will grade them for use in a standard or limited setting. For those with more interest in commander cards, check out our list of 10 Best Commande??rs from Outlaws of Thunder Ju?nction.

Stingerback Terror

Hellbent was one of my favorite keywords in MTG's history, so this modern take on it had to find a way onto this list (even though its probably just a bit below the top 10). Plot the card when possible and place it on the field whenever your hand starts to get low. The card isn't perfect; a three-cost do-nothing turn can be bad for tempo decks, and the lack of haste means the enemy will have time to respond. Still, a 4 (or 3) cost 7/7 with flying is a pretty fantastic body for its cost, and emptying your hand shouldn't be hard in Red. It even has trample, so when this bad boy hits the field, there's little a ?player can have that can stand in its way.

Magda, the Hoardmaster

Magda is an insanely powerful card for Red decks, providing both ramp and endgame strength if ne??eded. Committing crimes should be easy in Red, using tons of cheap damage spells to either clear creatures or damage the opponent. The reward is flexible, giving you treasures that can either be used to? keep up the tempo by providing you with more mana for spells or saved to provide solid flying bodies, with haste, later. It lacks effect as soon as it hits the field, which hurts some red decks, but it should have many opportunities to make up for the loss in tempo.

Assimilation Aegis

Exile target creature cards are staples in any format, whether they're a common with a downside or a mythic with an upside. The upside of this mythic target exile is very much on the higher end of things. Use Assimilation Aegis to take away your enemy??'s best creature, then equip it to turn your creature into their better one. The card is simple, direct, and game-changing. Blue-White players should have no trouble getting use out of this card. Let you?r opponent think they've finally gotten around your counterspells with a creature before taking it as your own. Hilarious and soul-crushing.

Goldvein Hydra

It would be hard to find?? cards that are a bigger no-brainer than this card. It may not be the most powerful, but it feels like it should be effective in almost any situation. Throw as much mana as you can into it, and it provides a solid body that can threaten immediately with haste, ignore chumps with trample, and defend against retaliation thanks to vigilance. Your opponent manages to kill it? You just get all the mana you spent, minus 1, to play with again. This set also provides a solid amount of cards that manipulate +1/+1 counters, so it can be both built around and just slotted into any Green deck. You can even play it for a small amount of mana to chump block and just use it as a mana dork. Simple, powerful, effective.

Bristly Bill, Spine Sower

Speaking of cards that manipulate +1/+1 counters for Goldvein Hydra, Bristly Bill is a card that provides constant benefits as soon as he's played, with the ability to pop off late in the game. Landfall decks wi??ll get constant use as Bristly Bill stacks counters on your favorite creature. The game starts to get late and your opponent hasn't removed him? Make your biggest creature even bigger. Bristly Bill is a hard creature for enemies to deal with, as getting him out early means they have to choose between killing Bill to stop the growth or killing whatever creature Bill has been putting his counters on. And if the player can't deal with both in time? The game is as good as over.

Final Showdown

Final Showdown is more expensive than a normal board wipe, but, as seems to be the case for many of these modal cards, the extra cost is well worth it. 6 mana for a field wipe is pretty expensive, probably 1 more than many would like it to be, and 2 mana more expensive than possibly the best board wipe of all time, Supreme Verdict. However, the ability to remove all abilities does what no other board wipe can. Was the crea?ture indestructible? Not anymore. Did the creature have some kind of leaves-the-battlefield effect, or an ability that would allow it to hang around? Now it doesn't. The extra cost provides a finality that no board wipe has known. While its high cost may be prohibitive, it still can't be understated how powerful it can be. And for one more mana, you can even keep your own favorite creature. How nice is that?

Slickshot Show-off

Slickshout Show-off is going to be a staple in almost every deck that runs red, barring full creature decks. Plotting a creature with haste means you can wait for the perfect moment to attack, and flying means chump-blocking it will be much harder. It's fast, aggressive, and evasive. Even better, it's patient when you need it to be. Red-Blue decks can even jus??t use this as their main finisher, playing three spells in a turn to swing for 7 damage out of nowhere.

Three Steps Ahead

Three Steps Ahead is a control player's dream counter. At worst, it's a Cancel, the usual any target counter??. At best, it's a Cancel that also copies your best creature or artifact, while also refillin?g your hand with the better of two cards. Cantrips are already insanely powerful cards, and while this does cost a lot of mana to get the bonus effects, the flexibility and possible upside are too good to pass up. What more can be said? Your opponent gets to do nothing, while you might still get to do something. It's a win-win for you.

Terror of the Peaks

Red decks are getting a ton of new toys in this set, and Terror of the Peaks might be the best. A perfect choice for a top-end card in fast Red decks, the card embodies a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" mentality. The card ?is a 5-cost 5/4 flyer, which isn't a bad body on its own. If your opponent wants to even begin dealing with it, they have to pay 3 life for any spell that targets it. Fans of Red Deck Wins-style decks will know how important that 3 life is, as most players will have well below 10 life by the time this hits the field. However, if they don't deal with it, the game is pretty much over. On your next turn, not only does Terror get to swing for 5, but your enemy also takes damage equal to the power of any creature you play, usually straight to their face, given that the card says any target. Terror of the Peaks demands an answer immediately, and still hurts even if they have one. Enemies have to pick their poison, and it's going to sting either way.

The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride

The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride is one of my favorites from this set, and it shouldn't be too hard to see why. A 5-cost 6/5 with haste and trample is already a solid body, being able to get onto the field, ignore chump blockers, and do damage immediately. Beyond that, it has one of the most useful and efficient draw abilities I've seen in a while. Gitrog is a mount with Saddle 1, which means a creature with at least 1 power can be tapped to mount Gitrog. If Gitrog deals combat damage to a player, which he should, the rider can be sacrificed to draw cards equal to its power. That's already incredibly useful, but all lands you draw this way can also be placed directly on the field. Gitrog is a solid body, that provides insane draw, and places all drawn lands on the field, making it so that your next turn is just, if not much more, dangerous than the turn you played Gitrog. Damage, card draw, free ??plays, this card has everything you could want, especially in Green-Black.

These cards will make a fine addition to any deck, especially in standard and limited. Don't agree with me? Comment with the cards I snubbed below! Magic: The Gathering is always dropping cards full of creativity and possibility, and Outlaws of Thunder Junction is one of the most creative ??sets we've seen yet. There are decks to be build, brews to be made ready. Take a few of these cards and see where the??y can take you in your next match!

The post 10 Best MTG Outlaws of Thunder Junction Cards appeared first on Destructoid.

Outlaws of Thunder Junction is here, Magic: The Gathering's newest offering. Some of MTG's most notable villains are gathering for a Wild West-style heist, traveling to a new plane? called Thunder Junction to break into a vault below the surface. The story features the return of some fan favorites, such as Oko, Rakdos, and Vraska as main characters.

But you aren't here for the story. This set features a good number of Legendary Creatures in many colors, perfect for use in your next commander deck. Whether you're putting together a diabolical deck to destroy your friends, or you're looking for a Commander to just break the rules&nb??sp;and make things weird, this set will have a ch??oice for everyone.

Here are the top 10 possible commanders, judged and listed in order of strength plus fun, in MTG's Outlaws of Thunder Junction.

Tinybones, the Pickpocket

We'll start with something simple for newer deck builders. Tinybones is a fun little card with a tiny cost, self-setup, and a useful ability. Play him as a chump blocker to kill some creatures with deathtouch. Attack with him later to play the card he blocked and killed as your own. He can also target nonland permanents, meaning more cards in your opponent's graveyard are fair play than just creatures. He only gives you access to black mana, but that color should have no problem k?illing things or forcing your opponents to discard to give Tinybones fodder for stealing. Simple, easy, fun.

Rakdos, the Muscle

Rakdos is the much more aggressive, angry version of Tinybones. He requires you to have extra creatures to use as sacrifices, but the pros well outweigh the cons. A 6/5 flyer with trample for 5 mana is a pretty good body, and the ability to make him indestructible in exchange for a sac makes him safe to play in many situations. His other ability is also incredibly potent. The number of cards you can take from enemies is high, and the important wording is 'until your next end step.' If you have creatures to spare, you can sacrifice a creature on your opponent's turns as well as your coming turn, opening a ton of possibilities as you give yourself more of your opponent's cards to play as your turn starts. Stack the deck with reanimating cards like Forsaken Miner, and other cards that seek to sacrifice creatures, like Ashnod's Altar.

Obeka, Splitter of Seconds

Is this card clunky? Yes. Slow? Yes. Weak on entering the field? Yes. Does it have the ability to make the game weird and funny? Hell yes. A 4 cost 2/5 isn't much to write about, and menace isn't the most powerful keyword. Her ability isn't even great in a vacuum, doing nothing if you don't have cards that trigger on the upkeep. But the cards that do? As Foretold. Bitterblossom. Court of Ambition. Court of Ire. Twilight Prophet. Dragonmaster Outcast. (Thanks to TappedOut user SirHipHopHippo for many of these ideas) Some of these cards are incredibly powerful, and having them trigger even an extra two times on a turn is crazy. With Grixis colors you should have no problem clearing the way for Obeka to get hits in with menace, maybe even pumping her up with some red cards, so that your upkeep triggers can go off, and go off hard.

Eriette, the Beguiler

Another card that requires a bit of work and time, but that has a huge upside if played right. Eriette is all about stealing cards, and even more interesting, cards that are more than just creatures. Sure, you can stack the deck with cards like Eldrazi Conscription, Celestial Mantle, and Infinite Reflection to steal most creatures and make them an even bigger threat. However, having the option to run cards like One with the Stars, Teferi's Talent, Elspeth's Talent, or Tezzeret's Touch to target other types of cards can be very helpful. Eriette isn't a powerful card on its own, and will require a lot of protection and setup. Still, Esper colors are perfec?t for that, and the opportunity to do more damage with your opponent's creatures than they do is too good to pass up.

Yuma, Proud Protector

Yuma, Proud Protector is Thunder Junction's take on a landfall commander, but with a desert twist. He has a high cost at 8 mana, but don't worry. It will be rare that you ever cast him at full value. The goal of any good landfall deck is a constant cycle of playing and destroying lands, getting them into your graveyard and back again. Yuma handle the sacrificing part himself, meaning you'll need to worry more about cards that let you play your lands from your graveyard. Conduit of Worlds and Ramunap Excavator work very well for this. Lumra, Bellow of the Woods is the best option, returning all lands from your graveyard to the battlefield at once, but she won't be available until August. Once you have the landfall aspect settled, you'll want to fill the rest of the deck with cards that also benefit from this cycle. Titania, Protector of Argoth is a classic, as well as Omnath, Locus of Rage. ??The only other point to mention is that the deck will require a good number of desert lands to keep his token generation going. Yuma isn't the most interesting commander, filling a landfall archetype we've seen for a while, but he's still a solid choice for a new version of a mainstay deck.

Stella Lee, Wild Card

Who cares if you have good cards? What matters is playing as many cards as possible at any given time. Stella Lee will be about have something, or somethings to play constantly, overwhelming enemies with numerous midrange spells. To start with, decks will want to include cards that reduce the cost of instants and sorceries to make it easier to activate her tap ability, such as Goblin Electromancer and Thunderclap Drake. Then, you'll want to make sure you have a ton of easy, cheap draw, such as Opt and Ponder, or creatures you can set up for it like Archmage Emiritus. Stella Lee isn't a win condition on her own, so you'll need something for these spells to go towards. Niv-Mizzet, Parun is always a solid choice for draw. For those who want a little bit of a creature focus, Bria, Riptide Rogue, who comes out in August, and other prowess creatures can be the way to go. Finally, for those who l??ove spells, storm spells like will be your best bet. Stella Lee can't win on her own, but she's flexib?le. However you want to use your spells, she'll have a way to win with them.

Vihaan, Goldwaker

Vihaan, Goldwaker is an incredibly effective commander for fast, aggressive treasure decks. Many cards from older sets classify as outlaws, as that includes Assassin, Mercenary, Pirate, Rogue, and Warlock creatures. There are a number of treasure generators under those creature types as well, such as Grim Hireling and Mari, the Killing Quill. However, cards that also generate treasure as your creatures die like Pitiless Plunderer will be the highest priority. Since your treasures are creatures at the same time, you can still sacrifice them for mana, then get the benefit of effects of cards that feed off creature death like Pitiless Plunderer. You can use a bomb like Ancient Copper Dragon to end the game, or chip your opponents down with Mayhem Devil. For players that just want to go fast and win or lose quickly, this will be the commander to p?ick.

Ghired, Mirror of the Wilds

Simple, fast, and powerful, Ghired is a fantastic commander for token-based Naya. He's a low-cost commander at 3 mana, and haste means he can make an impact as soon as he enters the field. Even better, his ability says 'non-token creatures' rather than 'other non-token creatures,' meaning you can tap him to trigger his own ability as soon as he hits the field. Naya provides solid tokens all across the spectrum, with elves, angels, and the whole host of Selesnya's history. Scute Swarm, Godsire, Phyrexian Rebirth, Dragon Broodmother. The number of good tokens to produce is endless. It is worth nothing that Ghired's ability requires non-token creatures to work, so using creatures that create tokens rather than instants, sorceries, o?r enchantments is a good call. Ghired is reusable, fast, and easy to build around, making him an easy choice as a commander.

Kellan, the Kid

Kellan might be the most difficult commander to build around, but is far and away the most effective. A low-cost commander that does nothing but apply insane value, allowing for a constant flood of creatures that most decks won't be able to keep up with. Early mana dorks moving into fast midgame cards with foretell like Battle Mammoth, Green Slime, or efficient cards that continue the theme like Rashmi, Eternities Crafter and Kellen, Inquisitive Prodigy. Then finish them off with bombs such as Apex Devastator and Tlincalli Hunter. You'll have to also include cards that provide draw, like Beast Whisperer, so that your hand is full of free cards to play. All in all, decks with him will require some tweaking to get right, but once the balance of card?s is found, Kellan will be the true menace of this set.

Lilah, Undefeated Slickshot

This card seems broken, but in the best way possible. Casting a multicolored instant or sorcery plots it after it resolves, meaning it gets exiled and you can cast it again on another one of your turns as a sorcery. That means all multicolor instants and sorceries basically get cast twice, with the only caveat being that the second cast has to be on a different turn at sorcery speed. Lilah dies? Who cares, the spells were already plotted. Have cards that feast on multiple spells per turn like Slick Sequence, Galvanic Iteration, and Storm-Kiln Artist, or maybe storm cards like Grapeshot and Ignite Memories? Just save all your plotted spells for one big, stupid explosion of damage. The chains of spells you can pull of with this card are ridiculous, and the fact that killing her doesn't stop the chain is bonkers. She's even low cost, so playing her again after she dies isn't very difficult, letting you add to your stack of plotted cards. The pop-off potential of this card is phenomenal, and it real?ly is a kill on sight commander. Let her live for a turn too many, and your opponents are sure to get a whole heap of spells thrown at their f??ace in the near future.

The post 10 Best Commanders from?? MTG? Outlaws of Thunder Junction appeared first on Destructoid.

Io games are increasingly popular, to the point that you've probably heard of at least one, even if you didn't realize it. Beginning back in 201??5, io games made a huge debut and were some of the most popular titles on the market all the way through 2018, with even PewDiePie once declaring an io game to be his "new favorite?? game." Now that’s some popularity.

Nowadays, there are still loads of active io games for playe??rs to enjoy or just try out. There are way too many to list, but there are a few that are worth checking out. Here are the ei?ght best io games you can play right now.

8. Paper.io

Paper.io is an io game that heavily focuses on taking over territory by creating some form of a “paper empire.�While other players try to create large sheets of paper, you’re doing your best to make your paper sheet even larger.? To make your sheet larger, you must create small boxes that return to your original sheet. If another player “cuts�your paper while you’re attempting to make your sheet larger, it’s game over.

First debuting in November 2016, Paper.io is under the category of a puzzle game. The producers of the game are Voodoo. They also published the game alongside producing it. This game is one of the more classic io entries, making it a pretty go??od choice for someone looking to try out these sorts of games.

7. Friday Night Funkin�/h2>

Yeah, it was pretty obvious that this one would get some confusion. At first glance??, Friday Night Funkin�does not seem to be part of the io game family. But, if you look at its URL when playing on a P?C, the address ends in .io �technically making it an io game. Created in 2020, FNF is one of the more recent io games to hit screens. Developed by The Funkin�Crew Inc., FNF has since gained massive popularity within the gaming community.

In comparison to all other io games, FNF is definitely the most unique. It does not follow the original play style of any of the other io entries to this day. Friday Night Funkin�is a rhythm game focusing on our ??main character, Boyfriend. His goal is to beat a number of opponents in rhythmic battles to continue dating his significant other, Girlfriend. The gameplay is engaging, fast-paced and filled with an insanely good soundtrack.

6. Agar.io

Agar.io was the first io game to take the i??nternet by storm back in April 2015. Developer and publisher Valadares created a trend with Agar.io thanks to a simplistic but unforgettable gameplay style. In essence, it's a free-to-play twist on the classic fish-eating game Feeding Frenzy.

In Agar.io, you begin as a? very small cell that absorbs other small cells surrounding it to grow larger as time progresses. Your main goal is to avoid cells much larger than you. If you get too close, you’ll be absorbed, and that’s game over. A tip to get big fast is to eat other players who are around your cell’s size but slightly smaller. Be careful, though; if you think you're bigger but are wrong, you'll just get absorbed immediately.

5. Stabfish.io

If you like Agar.io, Stabfish.io is essentially a cuter and yet somehow darker version of that. Created by developer DragonWhites in 2020, the game offers tons of customisation - from bodies t?o hats - for your Stabfish to earn, which makes it hugely popular to this day. There is also a multiplayer version, Stabfish2.io, which allows you to play with friends rather ?than just matched players.

Using your mouse to move around the screen, you begin your journey as a Narwhal, using your horn to skewer other ??players. The bodies of your victims remain displayed on your horn as you navigate the playing field, trying to gobble up pellets and food which increase your point score, all while avoiding becoming a decoration for another player.

4. Diep.io

Diep.io is an MMO-styled io game by Brazilian developer Matheus Valadares. This game first hit the browser in 2016 and has since gained a reputation for its out-of-the-ordinary gameplay compared to other io games. Currently, Google Play report?s that the game has over 10 million mobile downloads as of 2023.

What makes Diep.io different is the fact that there’s more than just cl?aiming territory. While playing, you’re actively gaining upgrades, shooting other tanks, and destroying shapes that may stand in your way. There’s also an experience point system where players can grind to get to higher skill levels. This upgrade system sets it apa?rt from other io games, which focus mostly on the divide-and-conquer gameplay loop.

3. Brutal.io

Taking inspiration from games like Agar.io, Brutal.io sees you in control of a small car towing a big and very dangerous weapon: the flail. You drive around the field, gobbling up pellets in order to ?grow your flail, using it to take out other players. You can swing your car around to lash out at other players who get too close or fling it into the playing field in order to take out players from a distance.

Created by independent developer Andre?? Almeida in 2017, Brutal.io is a m?ainstay within the io sphere with its neon color palette and availablity of upgrades which can give you a leg up, boosting your ranking.

2. Hole.io

Hole.io, ??created by French studio Voodoo, sees you playing as, well, a hole. At first you're small and fast, but only able to gobble up small pieces of furniture and people, but you're soon given far too much power as you grow in size and are able to consume entire city blocks into the black hole that is your mout?h.

First released back in 2018 on Android and iOS, at around the same time as a game called Donut County which shares the same type of mechanics, the game quickly gained popularity within the io games sphere and it's still available to play today. There are many different levels that keep the game feeling fresh every time and there's a certain amount of panic that occurs when a hole even a little bigger than you comes too close, mainly because t??hey can eat you and earn all of your earned points.

1. Slither.io

S?lither.io first hit screens back in March 2016 and was an immediate success. Slither.io’s developer, Steve Howse, created the game after being inspired by Agar.io. Although the games are almost identical in gameplay, Slither.io combines Agar.io's gameplay loop with t??hat of the classic game Snake.

In Slither.io, you’re a snake (surprising, right?) eating small pellets to grow in length and size. Your goal is to get as? large as possible among about 50 other players within your server. Unlike Snake, you can crossover yourself without causing a game over. But, if another player crosses you, you’re done for�as your snake will turn into a large amount of pellets for that player to devour. A popular tactic players use within Slither.io is to surround a smaller snake and slowly “constrict�it until it accidentally allows you to crash into it. By combining two classics in one, Slither.io definitely deserves its first-place spot.

The post Best io games you can play right now, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Why do you build me up?

The satisfaction that comes from doing well in a deckbuilding game is like nothing else. Whether you're playing a physical game like the excellent (if dryly titled) DC Deck-Building Game or a video game like the infinite time-suck that is Slay the Spire, it just feels good to build and unleash your own slate of moves. But recently, I've found myself bored by straight up-and-down deckbuilders. A lot of them feel very similar, and while there are plenty of good games playing with the same ideas, I've started activel??y seeking out deckbuilders with slightly bigger ideas.

And if it's big ideas you want, Backpack Hero is your new best friend. This earl??y-access roguelike is one of the most inven?tive deckbuilders I've ever played.

What are ya buyin', stranger?

Backpack Hero wears its Resident Evil 4 DNA proudly on its sleeve. The game is entirely built around fitting weapons and consumables into a limited space, and the eponymous backpack bears a suspicious resemblance to RE4's legendary attache case. But Backpack Hero's survival horror cousin treats inventory management as a neat diversion from a larger game. In Backpack Hero, it is the game.

[caption id="attachment_357593" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Every item in Backpack Hero takes up a certain number of squares in your backpack. A certain shield will eat up a 2x2 square, while another will only occupy a 2x1 rectangle, so choosing which one to bring along is of maximum importance. But it's not just about what you take with you - it's also about where it goes. Most of the items in the game will be buffed in some way if they're placed in specific slots relative to other items. A helmet, for example, will only function if it's at the top of your bag, and a breastplate will buff adjacent pieces of armor. You might randomly happen across a really sick sword, but to take it, you'll ne??ed to sacrifice a defensive build that you've carefully fostered.

Tough choices like that are central to Backpack Hero. Getting married to any one build early in the game can spell defeat, and you have to be willing to let go of something that's working now if you want to plan for the future. Actual combat is pretty bland and repetitive, but that's not the draw. Backpack Hero is a game about inventory management, and it may feature the best inventory management system ever. Where new cards are simply added to the deck in more traditional deckbuilders, Backpack Hero makes every pickup feel like a little puzzle.

Incredible depth

Most of what I've described here is true of the game's first playable character, Purse. But Backpack Hero has a few other fellows to choose from as well, and they each play dramatically differently. You could also play as a mystic frog, who pulls items at random and uses the backpack as a strategic playing field; maybe you'll end up preferring the bird bard who can tear discreet specialized pockets into his backpack. These aren't just characters with different specialties, a la Slay the Spire, they're characters that totally reinvent the game (think of something like Dicey Dungeons for a good reference point).

[caption id="attachment_357591" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Backpack Hero also has various different character-specific challenge modes that force you to come up with builds that you might otherwise ignore. In addition to providing a ton of extra content, these challenges also expose exactly how deep customization can get in Backpack Hero. Synergies that might seem totally insignificant become vital when, for example, you can't use any traditional weapons. Brute force can be handy, but what if you played music for the enemy until they joined you like a temporar??y Pokémon? There's a lot to uncover in this game, and it's only getting bigger and more dynamic as time goes on.

[caption id="attachment_357598" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The game is still in early access, and the developer, Jaspel, has promised significant updates in the future. Apparently, there are plans to introduce a city-building mechanic to provide some progression hooks between runs, and I'm very excited to see how that turns out. To be honest, though, Backpack Hero already feels like more than enough for me. Backpack Hero, in its incomplete state, is richer and more engaging than plenty of full games I've played. I'm excited to see how it grows and changes in the future, but I don't think there's any reason to wait and see. What's there now is excellent, and there's a pleasantly hefty demo that you can try out if you're still not sure.

The post Backpack Hero is a deckbuilder?? that makes your i??nventory the game appeared first on Destructoid.

Become a politician; without selling your soul

Ever since Paradox Interactive announced Victoria 3, I've been in a state of semi-disbelief. It was a strate??gy game in-joke for so long that I couldn't believe it was really happening. I was provided a preview build of the upcoming socio-economic grand strategy game thanks to Paradox. To quote Sidra Holland and Jackie Chiles, it's "real, and it's fantastic." And soon, you too can politick to your heart's content when the game releases on October 25, 2022.

For those of you present who aren't cool enough to know what the Victoria series is all about, an introduction is in order. Victoria is a grand strategy game series aptly set during the Victorian era. Whereas other entries in the Paradox family of grand strategy games focus on war or lineage, Victoria's focus lies in economics and the changing political landscape of the dawning Modern age. Starting in 1836, you control a country and all of its economy and laws while trying to improve the lives of your citizenry. You know how you always scream at your screen that you "can do better" whenever some talking head politician messes everything up? Victoria allows you to put your money (or national credit) where your mou??th is.

The problem with the Victoria series is that we've been devoid of a new entry since 2010 and the last entry is a notoriously hard nut to crack for various reasons. From the Version 0.1 build that I played, I can safely say that Victoria 3 is well on its way to addressing many of the barriers to entry that i??ts previous entries ??had.

Bringing the Modern Age into the Digital Age

The first improvement that stood out to me was the UI/UX design, even compared to games as recent as Imperator: Rome. At a closed-door press demo, game director Martin Anward emphasized that while Victoria 3 would be easier for new players to get into, it would not come at the expense of complexity but through streamlining how information is presented. Your basic menus where you tak?e the various temperatures of your nation are all still present, but sorters and filters have been given big button??s to help you get to what you need quickly.

On top of menus, important overlays of the map have also been given big buttons at the bot??tom of the screen to show you the big pict?ure of how your empire (and anyone else on the map) are doing in regards to metrics such as production and consumption, quality of life, what have you.

Additionally, nearly every term, metric, item, and country has been given what is called a nested tooltip. Those who have played Crusader Kings III will recognize the feature as it is used in t??he base release of that game as well. By hovering over a color-coded word in a menu, you will get both a breakdown of what it means, as well as a look at how well you are doing in terms of said metric. After a few seconds of hovering over the term, the tooltip window will soft lock on your screen and you can then navigate to a nested tooltip within your nested tooltip. I think I maxed out at three tooltip windows as I was delving deep into my economy. It did start to get a bit crowded for simple mouse movement, but I had all the information I needed, and it didn't require going to the Official Victoria wiki.

I know what you're thinking, "menu design, what a place to start for a preview" �but all of your decisions and actions will be made through menus, so it's ??nice to see that a concerted effort has been made to streamline the intake of i??nformation for a topic as complex as economics and how that affects your populace. But fine, if you want something juicier than menu improvements, how about an actual developer-made tutorial mode?

Ooooh, teach me, Amadeus.

With nearly every previous Paradox grand strategy game, you were given a very base tutorial that mostly entailed how to navigate menus and complete actions. Past that point, you were left to your own devices to figure out how to succeed which at the time meant digging into double-digit hours of YouTube videos. Victoria 3 has not only a tutorial mode but also an objective mode that g?uides you with completing nations such as a hegemonic ruler or an egalitarian utopia.

In said tutorial mode, you are given a breadcrumb trail that acts as an interactive Econ and Poly Sci 101. Various objectives such as "grow your GDP" or "make a political party that doesn't like you happier" are presented to you and you are given the option of being shown why you should do that, and if you want to be truly handheld, how you can go about it. However, sometimes the objectives were a bit redundant. It got annoying when they were trying to make me placate a social group that stood in staunch opposition to the policies I was trying to enact. But the game never yelled at me for ignoring it. Even with the redundancy of one or two objectives, I was able to get my economy into working order thanks to training mode. Before this in Victoria 2, I had considerable trouble achieving it.

It could be easy to handwave away something as simple as an objective or tutorial mode, but when it comes to the Victoria series, it's incredibly welcoming to players who don't have an established knowledge of something as complex as statesmanship (i.e., most people). This addition is not only huge for the Victoria series, b?ut also for the greater Paradox grand strategy library. Is a tutorial also not doing it for you? How about a map improvement?

The map is alive with the sound of social upheaval

Also new to the?? Parad?ox grand strategy library as a whole is a new "living map."

Previous entries of the map interface were pretty much just colors and lines akin to political maps. In Victoria 3, the map has received a major update to show how your country is evolving through visual cues. You can now see new cities and factories popping up along with infrastructural changes such as trains running in your states. The neat thing about this new feature is that it isn't just arbitrary additions on the map �you can see that new building you built on the map. It's a little touch but it helps in helping drive home the ??connection between you and your populace.

While the addition of the living map is nice, it did adversely affect performance on my Ryzen 7 3700/RTX 2070 Super build. The development team did assure us at the conference that it was a pr??eview build of the game and improvements would be implemented before launch, but it was still noticeable enough to lead to brief slowdowns and even a crash once.

War, (HUH), what is it good for?

One of the main concerns that arose since the announcement of Victoria 3 was the perceived absence of autonomy for war and how it is waged. Whereas every other Paradox game allowed you to wage war as you saw fit, Victoria 3 has ??done away with direct control of your armies and is instead leaving this task up to generals and admirals that you assign to your armed forces and waging war based on their characteristics. While the loss of autonomy in warfare is felt, you have other ways of interacting with foreign nations through the use of hostile diplomacy in what is being r?eferred to as diplomatic plays.

In a diplomatic play, you can attempt to force a foreign government to change one of its policies to something that you deem more fit for your liking. At this point, a battle of the wills pops up between the two nations. Demands and possible concessions are laid out by both sides, with the opportunity for allies and even regional neighbors to get involved in the diplomatic battle. Anyone who gets involved can do anything from simply getting their toes wet with economic support, all the way up to committing troops to a potential conflict (with demands of their own to be met by the main player they are siding with). If something can be worked out, great, all parties walk away (mostly) unscathed. But if? talks fail to reach a compromise, then the two sides will escalate to war. War is then conducted through the use of high-level strategic choices that you dictate such as assigning generals to armies and placing said armies along fronts.

The developers have essenti??ally taken the war goal/casus belli mechanic from every other game in their repertoire and expanded it for the purposes of diplomacy. I will admit that the only action I saw in diplomatic plays was sitting on the bench waiting to be called up by a larger country as repayment for a good deed they did for me earlier. I did come close to forcing a change from an isolationist trade policy to an open market, but peace won.

Fun with finance (and flags)

I've been waiting for Victoria 3 for what seems like forever. By the time I returned to PC gaming in the mid-2010s, Victoria 2 was already falling out of date as Paradox refined its craft and had begun to make its games more easily palatable to the uninitiated. I've always?? been a closet political junkie, and I'm a big enough nerd to love the concept of economics and international trade. So it was all about waiting for my turn in the sun. After a week and a half with the preview build, I can tell that my turn is coming.

The entire time I had with the preview, I was having a blast. The game sucked me in, grabbed hold of my attention, and refused to let go. I couldn't stop thinking about my long-term goals and would frequently boot up the game to implement a policy change I thought of while doing real-world? stuff. One evening, my poor partner came rushing into our computer room thinking something was gravely wrong with me because I was muttering curses at length. America had cut off my supply of small arms, and my economy took a turn for the worst because of it. I wanted America's head, and I was ready to back anyone who felt the same way but was limited by my size. I was promptly called a loser and left to smolder in my rage.

Victoria 3 is, without a doubt, not for everyone. It also has some ways to go before it is street-ready. But for a preview build, it ran pretty well most of the time. Even with the times where it stumbled, Victoria 3 was the most fun I've had with a grand strategy game? ever. There is no greater joy than growing your economy while also increasing your infrastructure. I can??'t wait to get back into the big chair and bring my nation into a prosperous new era of social equality.

Victoria 3 will release for PC on October 25, 2022.

The post Impressi??ons: I got to play Victoria 3 and so can you this October appeared first on Destructoid.

Sweaty men not included

I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of Advance Wars 1+2 Re-boot Camp since its announcement. I’ve loved the series since I first played it on Game Boy Advance back in 2001. At the time, I had no idea that the games date back to the Famicom, and, for some reason, Advance Wars was just the first we got in North America??. When I started collecting for the Fa??micom, it was one of the first games I looked for.

I wound up with Daisenryaku due to a strangely worded listing??. The collector’s market was ki??nd of weird back then.

I did eventually land what I was looking for. I had the privilege of trying it out with a friend of mine who also?? loves the series. As it turned out, there was some to be had. Nothing that hasn’t been antiquated by later games in the series, but fun nonetheless.

I want to talk about the box art to Famicom Wars because it’s one of the strangest I’ve ever seen. Forget about bearded fellows playing the banjo or horrible Sega Master System covers, Famicom Wars decided to promote itself using a row of sweaty boot camp trainees screaming at the camera. I hon??estly cannot fathom the discussions that went on around the use of it. Was Nintendo happy? Was the development team happy? Did the company that put this together ever find work again?

Those sweaty men don’t feature within the game. Instead, it’s the same bizarre light-hearted approach to war that we’re used to from the series. Okay, there’s no ?dialogue, so we don’t get COs patting each other on the back for the great battle that resulted in untold collateral damage and lives lots, but it’s still presented in an off-puttingly goofy fashion. Forget the horrors of war, just focus on the strategy.

Perhaps p?redictably, Famicom Wars is the formula distilled down to its purest elements. You’ve got the Red Star and Blue Moon armies. They’re evenly matched, and the COs are just generic army dudes. However, the main gameplay elements are all here. Grid-based, units with strengths and weaknesses, terrain that offers defensi?ve cover, and capturing cities for a better daily income. If you know how to play Advance Wars, then you’re all set here. If you don’t, then just know it’s a simple take on the tactical war genre.

Many of the units that would be carried through the Game Boy Wars games and into Advance Wars existed here. Tanks and artillery in light and heavy flavors, infantry, bazooka infantry, battleships, and bombers. The big difference is that APCs and supply trucks are separate ??units. The supply trucks deserve special mention because they’re very?? unintuitive. When in a group of units, they always resupply the unit closer to the enemy. They would also sometimes just refuse to resupply for reasons I couldn’t discern. Maybe if I had the instruction manual.

One feature that I wished was carried over to later games in the series is the persistent campaign. There’s no story mode, but there’s a series of islands to be taken over. If you’re playing a 2-player campaign, then you’re essentially fighting to?? see who can capture the most islands. There’s a battery backup in the cartridge, which means that you can keep the campaign going over multiple play sessions. Unfortunately, the battery in my cartridge died. Have you ever tried opening a Nintendo-type Famic??om cartridge? There are no screws, just plastic clips. Taking them apart without breaking those clips is a harrowing experience.

There are some drawbacks. The AI takes all the time to make its moves as a human player would, but without the conversation and smack talk. It’s not bad in early maps where there aren’t many units fielded, but in the bigger maps, I would literally walk away from the game and come back after a few minutes to find that they were still thinking about moving units. This was a problem with a lot of early turn-based strategy games. SD Gundam World, for example, or even Game Boy Wars.

It’s also a rather unbalanced game. I recall a match where I was being trampled by a friend of mine in 1v1. I was on the ropes, but I tu?rned the whole battle around because I was the first one to drop the money on a battleship. Those beasts hit anything; land, sea, air. They’re the ultimate artillery and I can’t think of a single strategy that could defeat a blockade of those things. Of course, I’m no, uh�Captain Picard. I’m drawing a blank here on actual military leaders.

I had to bring up that time I won because he was always better than me at strat??egy games.

It’s somewhat important to note that, while both games are similar, Famicom Wars predated Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light by about two years. Both were designed by Intelligent Systems, or perhaps more accurately programmed by Toru Narihiro. While Fire Emblem is a much more advanced game with its narrative, persistent unit death, and RPG elements, there’s a lot of Famicom Wars DNA in there??, and it’s unlikely it would exist without its predecessor.

It’s easy to say that Famicom Wars was made obsolete by later games in the series, but I think it’s more importan??t to appreciate how fun it still is. Even bac?k in 1988, the foundation of the series was pretty strong. I just wish we got it over here.

Nintendo did recently go to the effort of localizing the original Famicom version of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, though they only offered it for a limited amount of time and then, mystifyingly, pulled it from stores. However, they tend to have more respect for the Fire Emblem series since the western audience latched onto it and turned it into a million-seller. Maybe if Advance Wars 1+2 Re-boot Camp succeeds, we’ll finally see a localization. On the other hand, you could just use the map editor to remake all the Famicom Wars maps, so what do I know?

As for what’s there now, if you’re brave, you can poke around with the Japanese menus and try to figure things out. Otherwise, you need to know the language. There’s no story, but there are a lot of stat??s and unit types. Luckily, there is a fan translation available. Maybe check it out if you’d like to see where this series spawned.

Check out previous Famicom Fridays right here.

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With options ranging from "idyllic" to "brutal"

Grim Dawn ended up hitting spot for a lot of action-RPG fans, and this year, Crate Entertainment is coming for all of the city-builders in the room. The studio's next project is Farthest Frontier, a game about starting a town "at the edge of the known world." We've seen screenshots on Steam before, but today, there's a cozy gameplay trailer.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWnAItzIWtc

As the trailer footage ??shows, your colony will start off very small �and very vulnerable to the elements. One moment, your villagers are chopping trees, growing crops, and fishing; the next,?? there's a bear attack. And a raging house fire. And a brutal winter.

Th?at's just the eye-catching stuff they're showing us now, too. Think about all of the long-term threats to a quiet village life that are lurking beneath the surface, simmering.

Before you panic �admittedly, I'm starting to! �there will be options. As the Steam listing for Farthest Frontier explains, "customizable difficulty options allow players to turn off features like invaders and disease, for a more tranquil experience or max out d??ifficulty to truly test their town-builder prowess." I'll? avoid the latter at all costs, thanks.

Some of these bullet-points really are? worth?? a look, whether it's talk of avoiding "old-timey diseases," planning out "crop rotations to maintain soil fertility," and developing an economy with the right mix of raw materials. There's plenty to consider beyond just which specific road should go where and who's responsible for what duties.

If you're curious why everyone is constantly running around, Crate Entertainment say?s that "villagers actively live their lives and perform their jobs in real-time." The hustle!

When does Steam Early Access start?

[caption id="attachment_310400" align="alignnone" width="1920"] _{Stocking up for a long winter.}[/caption]

Farthest Frontier will be playable on PC sometime in 2022, but it's kicking things off with a Steam Early Access launch. From there, the road to a 1.0 release is expected to last "probably 4-?8 months, depending on how much we feel the need to alter gameplay systems or add to the scope of the game before we're ready to call it finished."

As it stands, the game will have "fo??ur tiers of town-building" and "10+ hours of gameplay," with "all listed features [working] when we release in [Early Access?]."

It may look very familiar, but I don't consider that a knock against Farthest Frontier.

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A surprising little feature for the PlayStation exclusive

Horizon Forbidden West has a lot of features, settings, and accessibility options available right from the start screen. There is also one nice addition, for both PS4 and PS5 owners. Horizon Forbidden West lets you turn on motion aiming, a.??k.a. gyro aiming.

Twitter user "hypedomi" made a video of the gyro controls in action. They use an exaggerated setting to show off the gyro in action, then show some more subtle and realistic applications of it. And as a commenter of ours n??oted, it's not just a DualSense feature either; PS4 owners can flip on motion aiming, ??too.

//twitter.com/hype_domek/sta??tus/1494086689861476352

Those who have spent any amount of time playing Splatoon 2 probably already know how handy gyro aiming can be. While right-stick aim has been the go-to for console shooters for ages, the gyro controls can be used to finesse a shot. I've always thought of it like getting the crosshair in the right ballpark, then using l?ittle flicks or nudges to zero-in.

Horizon Forbidden West makes it pretty easy to find the controls, too. Head over to the settings menu and you'll find them under the Controls tab, called "Motion Aiming." Once enabled, you'll also have a bunch of smaller sliders a?nd toggles to fine-tune the gyro experience.

Gyro aiming has been gaining in popularity, especially on the Nintendo Switch. Monster Hunter Rise, Doom Eternal, and even Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath support the added aim control method.

Horizon Forbidden West hopping on the gyro tr??end is pretty cool, and might be useful for hitting the bullseye more often. Plus, flicking your wrist and loosing an arrow probably just feels pretty cool to do.

Horizon Forbidden West launches today for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. You can check out our review of Guerrilla Games' latest here.

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Even more tactics games are hitting the Switch

The strategy RPG Dark Deity definitely seems to draw inspiration from the Game Boy Advance era of tactics, and soon it will finally be on a Nintendo handheld too. Dark Deity is coming to Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2022.

Developer Sword and Axe debuted Dark Deity last year, first dropping on Steam. The tactical RPG follows milit??ary academy recruits as they're thrust into the middle of a war. There are class trees and a different spin on the usual perma-death. Rather than dying for good, units take injuries, permanently affecting their stats.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRZIK6GUoIo

The Switch version launches alongside graphical and gameplay improvements to the original Dark Deity. Both the look and tactics of Dark Deity are getting a tune-up, with maps getting a makeover and over 320 weapons, spells, and skills getting rebalanced. The map update will also be coming to the Steam version in March.

From looks alone, Dark Deity reminds me of the older SNES and Game Boy Advance age of Fire Emblem games. And while I'm happy that Fire Emblem has gone on to bigger productions, this indie take on the ??genre looks pretty intriguing too. It's got some fresh takes on old mechanics and great character art. The sprite work is already? pretty on-point, too:

With Triangle Strategy kicking off March as well, and the first Front Mission remake arriving in the summer, it's looking like good times ahead for tactics fans on the Switch. Dark Deity hits the Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2022.

The post Tac??tics RPG ??Dark Deity is coming to Switch this March appeared first on Destructoid.

This is My Dune

Publisher Funcom and developer Shiro Games have offered up the first gameplay video for their incoming strategy title Dune: Spice Wars, an adaptation of the legendary sci-fi universe devised by author Frank Herbert. The game is currently in development for PC and consoles.

As we reported in December, when Dune: Spice Wars was first announced, the new title will return the real-time-strategy roots of Westwo?od's classic Amiga and PC releases of the e??arly 1990s. Players will be afforded the opportunity to select from a number of houses set within the Dune universe, before attempting to build a thriving mining ??community within the planet's lucrative spic?e-mine market.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lFx4wfc8Tc

The new trailer, which appears to be narrated by the dulcet tone of a Lady Jessica-type, demonstrates ??how players will be responsible for the building and maintaining of communities, factories, silos, and machinery, carving out a piece of the all-important spice pie while steadying the scales of democracy, subterfuge, and war with rival houses, local communities, and cut-throat bandits.

Bargaining, espionage, resourcefulness, peacekeeping, and brute force will be the tools necessary to ensure that your time on Arrakis is a successful one, lest you and your people find yourselves face down in the sand. These are very early days, but if Shiro Games is able to capture even half the atmosphere and compelling gameplay of the Westwood titles, then Dune: Spice World could prove to be a real gem.

House Ferguson all the way.

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The game that lets families execute each other

I don’t have a great many video game-related stories to tell of my dad. He took the time to join in with the rest of the family back in the day, but he w??as (and basically still is) the primary breadwinner. So, I don’t have any sto??ries of getting deep into co-op or trying to topple a game together, he just didn’t have as much time as my mother did to spend with my sister and me.

I still have some great memories with him, like when mom went out of town and we rented Super Dodge Ball back in the depths of my long-term storage. There was also the time that he was playing Super Pinball: Behind the Mask, and I caught a recording of his losing profanity on my Yak Bak. The swear drop stayed on that little device until time and a finite battery erase?d it.

But my favorite is his brief addiction to 1992's Rampart on the Super Nintendo. My parents had a TV in their room (which wasn’t common in the �0s), and he hooked the SNES up to it so he could play it at night. I’d find myself falling asleep to the sound of him furiously mashing buttons in the next room. H?e could never beat that Kraken. Well, all these years later, I beat the Kraken, so this one’s for you, dad.

Rampart was a 1991 Atari arcade game. In something that feels like a precursor to the tower defense genre, it was your goal to keep your castle walls maintained using blocks while also fending off invading ships. You kept?? going until your base was finally overrun, at which point it was time to feed the machine another quarter.

The multi-player was particularly interesting, however. Up to three players blast at each other’s castles, then try to repair before time runs out each turn. Whoever can’t put a complete wall up around the citadel loses. Only a few ports preserved the three-player mode, and the SNES version of Rampart was?? not one of them. It’s still pretty fun with two players, though.

Like many arcade games of the day, there were a lot of ports, and they’re definitely not all created equal. Konami, for example, did a version for Famicom that featured different time periods. The SNES version of Rampart, however, maybe the best one, even when removed from my obvious nostalgia for it. How? Mo?de-7. Everybody loves Mode-7, the SNES scaling technique that allowed it to create 3D-ish environments. We can’t be friends if you don’t.

It actually changes the main campaign completely. There’s still a “Normalâ€?mode if you want to fight waves of dudes, but “Superâ€?is where itâ€?™s at. It’s an extensive survival challenge that makes bizarre additions such as bosses and bonus rounds. Rather than just fighting waves of dudes, your goal is to wipe all the ships that circle your territory. You have to stay alive, expand your holds, and build up your armaments until you overcome the s??pawn rate and make the seas safe again.

Most essentially, you’re ??trying to make sure that none of the ships land, because that’s how you get ants. Don’t ask me, they might be battering rams, but they look like ants. These insects then swarm the nearest citadel, and if it isn’t wal?led up, will tear it down. They also get everywhere and make building hard, so prevention is the best extermination.

Unique to Super Rampart are bosses, which are unfortunately sparse, but an interesting way to switch things up and get creative with the game’s mechanics. They require you to employ different tactics than you would when just fighting against the ships. For example, the aforementioned Kraken hurls boulders at you, which then scatters roc??ks that you can’t build upon. There are four citadels, and you must constantly build new forts to keep yourself in the game.

There are also additions found in other ports of the game, like a 3x3 cannon and a propaganda balloon. These ??make more sense in multiplayer, where the super cannon spreads fire which can’t be built upon and the propaganda takes control of another player’s cannon.

They also increased the variety of blocks to build wit??h, which is more of a curse than a blessing. Having giant pieces to quickly repair your walls with may sound brillo, but when you’re trying to patc??h small holes that have been plucked through, you’ll be cursing every time a massive block turns up. You’re better off just dropping them onto the map in a random spot until you get the one you need.

The Super mode in Rampart SNES has 15 levels, which feels like the magic number. There’s a password system to get you back to where you left off. The actual challenge of the stages have a rough incline of difficulty, but they sometimes get extremely hard out of nowhere, such as the case ?of the Kraken. It’s really not the most polished product, but I wouldn’t fault it for lack of content.

My mother and I spent a lot of time on the multi-player back in the day. We’d sometimes play somewhat peacefully and just build the biggest forts we could before inevitably betraying each other. There are a lot of techniques you can play with to finally topple your enemy. For example, cannons can only take a certain amount of damage ?before they turn into metal slags that cannot be removed or built over. Using these to create narrow chokepoints that necessitate a specific block type can frustrate another player.

Most versions of Rampart have this dark little aside after a winner is declared. Simply, one player executes the other. While this was commonly using a guillotine, in the SNES ??version, you make them walk the plank. I don’t know why, but my mother and I found this hilarious when I was a kid, but I think it also gradually traumatized me every time I actually considered the implications. The �0s sure were dark times.

Rampart is a fun game to begin with, and while the SNES port is hardly the most faithful, I feel it’s the version that best fits on consoles. Its campaign just presents a mo??re consistent progression than the play-until-you-lose mentality of the arcade. More could have been done with it, but the developer could have also gotten away with a straight port, so the fact that they put in the extra effort is admirable.

It’s somewhat surprising that more wasn’t done with Rampart. While it was created by Atari Games and landed in Midway’s library before they went defunct and it went to Warner Bros. But they’ve really done nothing with Midway’s catalog in a long time, and that’s really unfortunate. Rampart isn’t the only game from them that could use a modern update. The SNES and Famicom versions are really the closest we’ve ?had to someone trying to build on the formula. You could argue that the tower defense genre has superseded it, but�You’d have a point.

For other retro titles you may have missed, c??lick right here!

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Something different for FTL fans to sink into

The Epic Games Store has an interesting one-two punch lined up for sci-fi roguelite fans and anyone who's held off getting Star Wars Battlefront II. T??he holidays are over but the free gam?es must continue.

Starting today, you can claim the strategy title Crying Suns for your bustling PC library, and while it doesn't reach the highs of the arguably best-in-class FTL, it's of a si??milar mood – you might dig it.

Following that freebie, the Epic Store will give out Star Wars Battlefront II: Celebration Edition – that's the one with hundreds of cosmetic? extras like Hero and Trooper "appearances," v??oice lines, and emotes packed-in – for one week beginning Thursday, January 14. Try not to forget (but we'll be here if you do).

I feel like Battlefront II (and the reception to Battlefront II) has come around enough in recent years that I probably don't need to tell you it's in a good place and it's enjoyable – but it?? is. You can be Bossk!

The post Crying Suns is free on the Epic Games Store and St??ar Wars B?attlefront II is on deck appeared first on Destructoid.

...they're dangerous

In today's contest you can win a copy of Wingspan for Nintendo Switch!

Apparently, Wingspan was a pretty?? big hit in the ??realm of board games. Who'da thunk that a game about collecting birds would wind up as such a banger? It's wild.

Anyway, enough stallin' -- we've? got?? some Switch copies of the official video game adaptation to give away!

This is blowing my mind, so read about ?it? while I try to figure out how to get this roadrunner to hang out with my cockatiel.

You are bird enthusiasts -- researchers, bird watchers, ornithologists, and collectors -- seeking to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserve??s. Each bird extends a chain of powerful combinations in one of your habitats. Each habitat focuses? on a key aspect of the growth of your preserves.

In Wingspan up to 5 players compete to build up their nature preserves in a limited number of turns. Each beautiful bird that you add to your preserve makes you better at laying eggs, drawing cards, or ??gathering food. Many of the 170 unique birds have powers that echo real life: your ha?wks will hunt, your pelicans will fish, and your geese will form a flock.

• Relaxing strategy card game where your goal is to discover and attract the best birds.
• Single player and multiplayer modes for up to five players.
• Based on the award winning, competitive, medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building board game.
• Hundreds of unique, animated birds with their real life sound recordings.
• Multiple ways to accumulate points with birds, bonus cards and end-of-round goals.

Yo geese roll deep. Legit they'll get their boys ?on you and roll up to your crib with hate in their hearts. Y'all can keep the geese.

To enter to win your copy, comment below telling us your most feared bird, and why. Clearly, geese ar?e on my shitlist. I had a friend bac?k in VA who would check the street before leaving his house, because those assholes would bully the crap outta him if he wasn't careful. I thought Canadians were supposed to be nice?

We have five Switch NA copies to give away; we'll draw winners next Monday. Be sure to comment using a Dtoid account with your current email address on file. New users can sign up here to hate on geese with the rest of us.

Wingspan is available now via the Switch eShop. Head over to Nintendo Enthusiast for more chances to win!

The post Contest: Win Wingspan for Nintendo Switch appeared first on Destructoid.

Living in a Thermite-free world

Now five years into its lifespan, Rainbow Six Siege is arguably more popular than it's ever been. After an admittedly stumbling debut, Ubisoft's intense multiplayer shooter has gone on to attract over 55 million registered players with its taut, unforgiving, and breathless tactical gameplay. Eschewing the typical run-and-gun nature of most FPS shooters, Siege rewards patie??nce, planning, precise team synergy, and?? efficient use of weaponry to create fast-paced, heart-stopping action.

Rainbow Six Siege is the sixth entry in the Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six series of strategy-based shooters that took the PC scene by storm in the 1990s. In the ensuing decades, the tactical franchise has been reinvented time and again in releases such as Rogue Spear, Rainbow Six: Vegas, and the canceled Rainbow Six: Patriots. For many, Siege represents the natural evolution of the franchise, melding everything that came before into on?e explosive and utterly compelling title. One of the greatest shooters of all-time? No doubt.

But Ubisoft is not the first developer to create a counter-terrorist gaming experience, nor was Red Storm Entertainment - the team behind the original 1998 release Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six. Way back in the late '80s, French developer Infrogames - still some years out from their industry-changing horror title Alone in the Dark - took its own shot at the high-drama, high-stakes world of s?iege warfare.

Infogrames' Hostages released in 1988 on an array of home systems. These included the Amiga, Atari ST, Spectrum, Commodore, and even the NES (under the alternate title Rescue: The Embassy Mission). Hostages was an attempt to create an interactive version of a taut siege scenario, most notably drawing comparisons with the 1980 Iranian embassy incident - a six?-day encounter that played out on live on British television, ultimately concludi?ng with violent and effective intervention by the S.A.S.

Set in and around a suspiciously familiar embassy, seized by a nondescript terrorist group, Hostages is compris?ed of several unique sequences as a GIGN squad storm the building in efforts to bring the volatile situation to a close. The mission begins with the player tasked to guide a team of crack snipers to specific vantage points around the embassy, creeping through the shadows and ducking in?? and out of doorways to avoid roaming spotlights, before securing pivotal marksman positions in the embassy's surrounding streets.

Once the team of sharpshooters is safely situated, the player can switch between them at any time. This offers a full view of up to three sides of the embassy, where the sniper can ping terrorists and hostages, and open fire should the situation be deemed appropriate. In the meantime, a three-man breach squad is dispatched by helicopter to the embassy's roof. Covered by the snipers and out of sight of the roaming Tangos, the breach team must safely abseil into position and, given the order, proceed to breach the building via a healthy dropkick through the window. (Your gal Frost doesn't feature in Hostages, so don't sweat those pesky Welcome Mats).

With the embassy breached and the kill-light now green, the entry team moves with speed and precision to sweep and clear each floor of the building. In this hybrid first/third-person sequence, the player uses synergy between both the entry team and the exterior snipers to engage all terrorists with? deadly intent, whilst taking care not to bring harm to any of the hostages held within. There's no flashbangs, smoke grenades, or recon drones at play here, so move fast, aim sharp, and put yo?ur man down - because he'd do the same to you.

Once the building is cleared and the situation is under control, the mission is evaluated, based on speed, accuracy, hostages rescued, and the overall safety of the team. This is reflected in a novel "newspaper report"-style closing screen, which details the player's actions, while noting any causalities or fatalities sustained in battle. So if your trigger-happy party left both terrorists and hostages peppered with lead, prepare to be called ?out for it, you absolute m??onster.

While Hostages only offers four conceptually simple sequences, back in 1988 the game's design was unparalleled. In a market beset by platformers and shmups, Hostages' innovation was jaw-dropping. This blend of stealth, strategy, and action was a rare experience, whilst the large sprites, adaptive soundtrack, and varied gameplay made Infogrames' release feel genuinely epic - like an interactive action movie. At last, we could all be Lewis Collins, and from the ???????????????????????????comfort of our sofas, no less.

Compared to the relentless rat-a-tat-tat of rail shooters such as Taito's Operation W.O.L.F., Hostages was a genuinely innovative and game-changing release. Infogrames also went above and beyond in regards to Hostages' 8-bit ports, with the ZX Spectrum edition not only featuring some of the best visuals ever seen on the platform, but retaining all of the stages, music, speech, and even the intro and cut-scenes of the Amiga edi?tion - a rarity for Sir Clive's humble home computer.

Hostages was game design on a new level, and stands today as an early example of a genre that rakes in fortunes for modern developers. While the industry often points to franchises such as Metal Gear for popularizing tactical stealth gameplay (as well it should) Infogrames' humble home computer release deserves to included be in the same conversation. While there's no denying that, three decades later, it may come across a little quaint to our spoiled eyes, Hostages is undoubtedly one of the mo?st innovative and groundbreaking shooter titles ever relea??sed...

...And best of all, no-one ever Fuzed the hostage. Ever.

The post Hostages: The original Rainbow Six Siege appeared first on Destructoid.

Dust off that bazooka

Worms is a franchise that certainly holds many memories of my formative years. A bunch of friends squeezed around a 486, blasting each other to kingdom come with pixel-perfect long-distance shots, devastating shrapnel grenades, or a Street Fighter-sty??le Dragon Punch when the conflict got up ?close and personal.

Legendary British developer Team 17 is hoping to capture that same feeling of friendly rivalry with Worms Rumble, the latest release in the long-running strategy franchise, now available to purchase on PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam. While the expansive maps, huge array of weapons, and explosive action are all present and correct, Worms Rumble reinvents the b?attle entirely by going real-time.

That's right, instead of waiting your turn and nervously picking your shot, the entire battle is fought by all players simultaneously, creating apocalyptic mayhem never-before-seen in the Worms franchise. A wide variety of modes are on offer, including solo and squad battles, as well as a mammoth, 32-player, Last Worm Standing battle royale. Worms Rumble supports cross-gen and? cross-platform play, which should hopefully keep the lobbies full, regardless of your platform of choice.

Team 17 plans to add special XP events, new modes, and limited-time challenges over the coming months to help keep the action fresh. Oh, and to help you spot your slimy pal amidst all this chaos, a wide variety of skins, accessor?ies, and other customization items will be available to unlock and purchase in-game. Just because you're raining hell, doesn't mean you can't look fabulous while doing so.

Worms Rumble is available now on PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam. It's worth remembering that Worms Rumble will also be a part of PlayStation Plus' December offerings.

The post The worm (re)turns as Worms Rumble ??explodes onto PS4, PS5, and PC appeared first on Destructoid.

Here on December 4, gone on March 31, 2021

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade Of Light is co??ming out on Switch on December 4. That's good!

It's also goi?ng away forever on March ?31, 2020. That's bad!

I know I've been using that Simpsons bit a lot, but hey, I'm rewatching the entire series (I'm on season 18, and keeping curren?t with season 32!). Plus, it's extra applicable? to this particular situation.

Before we begin: ??a bit of a history lesson. You know I love doing these!

Before Fire Emblem developed a deep fandom for its relationship simulation, it was an old school NES strategy game. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade Of Light is the very first Fire Emblem title; released in 1990 on the Nintendo Entertainment Sys?tem. In Japan. It's always "in Japan" when it comes to '90s retro classics, isn't it?

This is the one that started it all. Marth's iconic status in Nintendo history, the grid-based combat, party management, permadeath, most of the classes the series knows today, the supply mechanic: a lot of it is derived from Blade of Light. It was a trailblazer, even if the series would basically remain unknown to a lot of western audiences for over a decade until Roy and Marth made their appearance in Smash Melee in 2001.

Suddenly, the series was on the map, folks clamored for more localizations, and Awakening changed everything in 2012 by putting Fire Emblem on the worldwide stage. It was gradual, and for ha??rdcore fans: a lengthy process. But Nintendo got there, slowly. Now with the original front and center on Switch, everyone can see?? where it all began.

Just know, it's very rough, mechanically. It's an SRPG from 1990! The genre was barely defined at that point, as this is the pre-Ogre Battle era. So much of that time period was experimental. Yet, it do??es work, due to the nature of the turn-based system and the efficacy and uniformity of the grid combat. It's very easy to pick up and play as the story gets going insanely fast (pirates are attacking the kingdom!) and kind of never lets up from there.

Like many retro re-releases, there's a "bookmark" (save state) option, as well as fast-forwar?d settings (all gameplay at 2x, or just CPU turns), turn rewinding, and a setting for a default or "pixel-perfect" display. For a $5.99 eShop punt, that's not a bad suite of features to walk into.

Sadly, it's all going away on March 31, 2021. It's part of Nintendo's plan to get you to buy a bunch of stuff before it hits the vault, and it feels like they went a bit overboard here. I understand (no??t really, but I'll try to) the gimmick for Mario's 35th anniversary: like, you're trying to make the year special and really push people to play those games in a specific period of time.

But this? This is the first major push to localize the very first Fire Emblem game. To a lot of people, it means something special: to see where the journey started and how some of these characters ended up where they did. Now there is the DS remake, Shadow Dragon, but there's something unique about seeing the original preserved. It, in turn, nee??ds to be preserve??d.

_{[These impressions are based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade Of Light is a piece of history, and shouldn’t be a limited-time eShop release appeared first on Destructoid.

Nothing major

Pikmin 3: it's pretty great!

If you understandably missed it? on Wii U for any number of reasons (if you didn't have a Wii U, I'm sorry), it's worth picking up on Switch. You do have a Switch right? I mean, the Switch is on its way to hit 100 million units sold eventually, so odds are you have one. Or a Switch Lite.?? Or maybe you'll get an eventual hypothetical Switch Pro. So we're probably good here.

Ahem, Pikmin 3! Nintendo just put out a shiny new patch this week, but it's not very excit?ing unless you were impacted by a few bugs. One involved fruit not being recorded "under certain conditions" (vague), and it will not be a retroactive fix. In other words, you do need to go back to that level and earn the fruit again manually, which is annoying, as there's a chance a bug could strike again. Monitor your fruit!

Another bug is basically the same thing, but with badges. It's a little less important than fruit, but it m?ay impact your enjoyment nonetheless. In that case, you'll also need to earn those badges again. Also annoyingly, the glitch involved reverted badges, so you may not have even noticed it. You can find the full patch notes below.

Pikmin 3 [Nintendo]

Overview

• Fixes the bug where collected fruits were not being recorded under certain conditions.
  • If the problem was already happening, the collected fruit record will unfortunately not be adjusted. Once the update is downloaded, the bug will be fixed by going back to the date with no fruits recorded and collecting a fruit.
• Fixes the bug where acquired Badges got reverted to the unacquired status under certain conditions.
  • If the problem was already happening, the badges can be acquired by meeting the acquisition condition again.

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The weight of the world and all that

In today's contest you can win an Early Access key to turn-based roguelite romp Atlas Rogues!

When games hit Early Access, they need gamers like you to give them a shot -- not only to see how they run, but also to get some hype behind it to help make it succ?essful. So, you?? up for the task?

Atlas Rogues is in Early Access, and gamigo Publishing? wants you to try it out. So, some of you ?lucky kids are going to get into the game for free!

Read the info, and then enter below:

Time is ticking in the city of Atlas. It’s?? up to you to prevent the Reactor from meltin??g down. Recruit your team from an ever-growing roster of fierce freelancers to recover the Reactor keys from the evil Trusts.

Experience rogue-lite gameplay like never before as you compl??ete dynamic missions and navigate deadly combat zones to kill the Necrolancers while evading their attacks. Fail to stop the meltdown and watch as time loops back, filling every new run with unique content.

Whether playing solo or with a group of friends in exhilarating co-op, every move matters in turn??-based PvE combat, so strategize wisely how to grow your power and gather the in??????????????????????????tel you need to defeat the Trust bosses. Your squad has to work together to survive together in this thrilling addition to the Atlas universe.

• Rogue-Lite Gameplay: Save the Reactor or die trying. Then watch as the time loop restarts, but your experience and memories remain. Every session offers a unique combination of missions, enemies, layouts and loot. Pick your crew wisely so that you can face any threat, then make every move count.
• Singleplayer and Co-Op Multiplayer Action: If you don’t want to keep all the glory for yourself, you can also gather your friends and create a squad of unstoppable heroes. Combine your wits with your favourite freelancers’ talents and do what it takes to close the loop and save Atlas. 
• Turn-Based PvE Combat: Even the smallest decision can lead to epic moments. Predict enemy moves and fire off the right ability to watch the action play out before your eyes.
• Ever-Growing Roster of Heroes: New freelancers join the ranks as you play through each session. Unlock novel characters the more you play and change the gaming experience with every addition to the team!

Use the widget to leave your name and email address -- be sure to sign in daily to get extra chances. Click around for bonus entries, and be sure to hit up PC Invasion to double your odds.

We have five PC Early Access keys (via th?e Glyph launcher) to give away, with winners to be announced next M?onday.

Atlas Rogues is in Early Access now, and can be checked out at the official website.

Dtoid Contest: Win Atlas Rogues for PC, in Early? Access now

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It's filling in for the missing-in-action Wargame: Red Dragon

It's no Dungeon Keeper, but if you're in the mood for efficient base management and capital e-Evil, you may wanna grab Dungeons 3 for PC while it's free? to?? claim for one week on the Epic Games Store.

Wait, wasn't this supposed to be something else? ??You're right – nice attention to detail.

Before a last-minute switch, this freebie was going to be Wargame: Red Dragon. I remember because the game's name kicked off a recurring "all things Hannibal Lecter" chat with Chris and Brett. Without fail, one of us will say something every few weeks to trigger it and we end up talking about the good doctor for way too long. The chat inevitably ends in us rattling off iconic scenes from Red Dragon.

Before you dwell on othe??r matters, please take a moment to remember Edwar??d Norton's bleached hair.

Next week, the Epic Store will have The Textorcist for free. It's a loosely "educational" typing??-action game about banishing de??mons and a whole lot of other nonsense. I'll circle back on November 12.

The post Fill the Dungeon Keeper void with Dungeons 3 while it’s free on the Epic Games Store appeared first on Destructoid.

Toy Soldiers

After just over a year of operation, developer Mediatonic is calling time on one of video gaming's oddest crossover titles, Gears POP!. The cutesy Gears of War spin-off wi?ll close its servers for good on April 2021, after a little over 18 month?s of operation.

Gears POP! is a mobile strategy title which features gameplay similar to that of Supercell's Clash Royale, but featuring iconic heroes and villains from the Gears of War franchise stylised as those ungodly Funko POP! toys that you see stacked high in your local comics store. An admittedly interesting experiment, clearly Gears POP! has not proved quite as suc?cessful as some of its mobile gaming co?mpetitors, resulting in the title's closure.

"Thank you, Gears!" said Mediatonic in a message to the player base. "Together we have taken on countless waves of Horde and vanquished foes on the Versus battlefield but sadly Gears Pop! is closing on April 26, 2021. Until that time, we’re bringing back some of our most popular events, increasing Bounty rewards, and upping the drop rates for Legendary Pins. Effective immed??iately, in-app purchasing ??has also been disabled. Thank you for your understanding and support."

Given that Mediatonic is also responsible for one of 2020's biggest global gaming phenomenons - Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout - the closure of Gears POP! is unlikely to spell much trouble for the British game studio??.

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Just don't defeet them, because then they can't walk!

In today's contest you can win a PS4 or Steam copy of Ray's the Dead!

You know what's even spookier than ghosts, goblins, and ghouls running amok in the streets? Waiting seven year??s for a game to come out!

We first covered Ray's the Dead all the way back in 2013, and now that it's out, we thought we'd celebrate by giving some copies away! Have yo??u been waiting all this time? If so, you're probably a zombie by now, yourself!

Ray LaMorte woke up as a zombie, as so many of us do after biting the dust. The thing is, he just can't seem to rememb?er how he got there. This surprisingly touching dark comedy follows Ray around as he traces his past to discover how he wound up walking the streets as the undead. Oh, also he can raise the dead to command them as his minions to do his bidding for him. Different classes of zombies accomplish different tasks as you strategically roam the streets of 1980s suburbia trying to find clues about your past.

Also if the title is any indication, you can expect plenty of puns. This is for you??, Gus.

To enter to win your copy, use the widget below to leave your name and e?mail address. You can enter daily. Be sure to click around to find ways to earn bonus entries, and don't forget to specify your platform of choice while you're there.

We have five Steam and five PS4 N??A keys ??to give away; winners will be drawn next Monday.

Ray's the Dead is [finally] available now for Steam and PS4.

Contest: Win Ray's the Dead for PS4 or Steam

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This giveaway, Allsparks joy.

Welcome folks! It's been awhile since I've popped my face up on the ole front page. Wes really needed a night off (he works hard for y'all), so I'm here to bring you some Transformers action (strategy)! We have a copy for Xbox One, Steam, and Nintendo Switch to giveaway (sorry PS4 folk), so let's rollout and see what Transformers: Battlegrounds is all about: 

"With Earth under invasion and MEGATRON, leader of the Decepticons close to capturing The Allspark, BUMBLEBEE and the Autobots need a new commander to help them restore peace to the universe – you!

Assemble your squad and roll out, for a turn-based tactical war that will rage from Central City to Cybertron itself. You’ll need both strength and strategy to outwit the fiendish Decepticons. Choose the TRANSFORMERS characters and their abilities to dominate the battle ahead, with OPTIMUS PRIME, GRIMLOCK and more ready to join the fight. Use each environment to your advantage, taking cover in desert sandstorms, avoiding Cyberton’s Energon storms, and battling your foes in city streets. And fill up your Energon meter to unleash powerful Ultimate Abilities that crush the fiercest enemies. With intuitive controls and three difficulty settings, the size of the challenge ahead is up to you.

Then team up together in local multiplayer and put your strategic skills to the test in games like Capture the Flag, Horde, Last Stand and more. It’s the strategy action game TRANSFORMERS fans have waited an eternity for!

• LEAD THE AUTOBOTS – Command BUMBLEBEE, WINDBLADE, OPTIMUS PRIME and more heroes in thrilling strategic battles

• FROM EARTH TO CYBERTRON – Smash and blast across cities, forests, deserts and beyond in explosive missions

• HONE YOUR SKILLS – Accessible controls and 3 difficulty modes welcome beginners and put tacticians to the test

• LOCAL MULTIPLAYER – Team up with a friend or take them on solo in arcade-style games"

Sounds pretty good to me, but I'm a huge fan of the subject, and the genre (Rise of the Dark Spark on 3DS was awesome!), so I'm definitely grabbing a copy asap. That's not what we are here to talk about though. How do you win a copy? Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy: Leave a comment below telling me your favorite Transformer and why. Be sure to include what system you want to win the game for! After the giveaway ends on 11/7/20 @ 11:59 PST, I'll comb through your comments, and figure out who has good taste or not (Soundwave G1, Omega Supreme, Grimlock, and Skywarp are my favs), a??nd pick the winners! Winners will be notified through the email attached to their Destructoid acc?ounts, so make sure you have your info in order. Good luck and rollout! 

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Evolution AND Revolution

Sega has announced a tentative release window for its evolutionary strategy title, Humankind. Originally scheduled to launch sometime this year?, Amplitude Studios' game of city, people, and culture-building will now lau?nch on PC and Stadia in April 2021.

Interested parties are able to pre-order Humankind right now, and will receive a 15% price discount, as well as a selection of in-game bonuses for doing so. The Humankind Digital Deluxe Edition includes a download of the game, a digital soundtrack, a unit and tech tree PDF poster, the Notre Dame DLC expansion, and an exclusive se??t of decorations ??and avatars.

In addition, Sega will also be launching a physical edition of Humankind which, in keeping with its title, will be made from recyclable packaging. If you fancy checking out the title ahead of its launch, then you can do so via "open dev" demos currently available on both PC and Stadia.

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'For the first time in the US'

Here Nintendo is with yet another surprise, and yet anoth?er "limited time release!" It's been an insane year.

Just this morning, the publisher has announced that the Marth-starring Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light will be available "for t?he first time in the US" on December 4??. Note that this is the 1990 game that started it all for the 30-year-running franchise; which helped bring tactical grid-based combat to the forefront.

When it hits on December 4 it'll cost you $5.99 to pick up, but again, there's a catch. Nintendo says, specifically, that the game will "only be available to purchase until the end of the franchise’s 30th anniversary on March 31, 2021." You can find more info on the game itself here.

Note that they are doing a similar marketing scheme with Mario 3D All-Stars, as well as Super Mario Bros. 35. Jump Rope Challenge initially was marketed with this same "limited-time" angle, but the company relented and made it available for the foreseeable future. Time will tell what happens here, just? know that for now, you're on a timer. It's getting a little out of hand at this point.

A 30th anniversary edition is also coming to "select retailers," which will run you $??49.9??9. It comes with a replica NES game and box, as well as a 222-page art book, an NES style manual, a Nintendo Power collectible and game download code.

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