The internet is a wonderful thing. It allows fo?r connections to be formed between people who are, geographically, thousands of miles apart. These relationships can be hard to maintain, but the world of online gaming can help. 

Whether you’re a parent with a child at college on the other side of the country, have friends who have relocated due to work, or your partner is on the other side of the world, there’s a long list of games you can play together. Even if you see each other regularly, gaming is a p??articularly good way of spending quality tim??e together.

My fiancé and I live 3,000 miles apart most of the time. When we’re not physically together, gaming together? allows us the opportunity to occupy the same virtual space and s??hare experiences. As such, we’ve played a lot of games together. 

I’ve thought back on all of our shared gaming adventures and scoured my Steam library, and here are 10 of the best options if you’re looking to bond through share??d gaming.

It Takes Two

In It Takes Two, you’re playing as Cody and May, parents of Rose, who is resistant to the change. Think Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves but with the added heartbreak of a marriage on the rocks. Through the game, you need to work together to overcome obstacles which can’t be faced alone, learning the value of open communication an??d mutual understanding. 

While It Takes Two is definitely geared more towards those with a romantic connection, it’s just as heartwarming to play with friends or family?, and is sure to get you emotiona?l for a myriad of different reasons. 

Ultimate Chicken Horse

From the full spectrum of emotions to pure rage, Ultimate Chicken Horse is one to play if you’re wanting to get com?petitiv??e and is perfect if you’re wanting an online activity for your friend group. 

In Ultimate Chicken Horse, you can place obstacles to cause havoc for your opponents or help each other reach the goal location. The obstacles and traps placed down by each player lead to all sorts of bizarre and hilarious consequences, and you can truly sabotage everyone aro?und you?. 

On the plus side there’s a whole bunch of new outfits and accessories to unlock for a long l?ist of playable animal characters, but that doesn’t take away from the rage you’re likely to feel while pla?ying. 

Human Fall Flat

Co-operative gaming with the most insane rag doll physics, Human Fall Flat is like trying to navigate the world with no muscle control, after a few too many drinks. It’s incredibly easy to get distracted and regardless who you choose to play with, you’re going to need to keep their head in the game a?s well as your own. 

Human Fall Flat can also be played solo, but?? it only gets so much better when you drag your friends or loved ones along as floppy little playmates. Plus, the character customization only makes everything more hilarious and you need people around to see your bizarre choices in action. And who are you going to throw off the map if you’re alone?

Final Fantasy XIV

I couldn’t write this list without including FFXIV, mainly because I met my fiancé through the game and it’s remained one of our most useful time-together-even-if-we’re-apart tools for the last three years. If you need more convincing that FFXIV is a great way to build or maintain connections or relationships, just take a look at the story of Maidy and the Dad of Light. 

Whether you want to go for a father-son fishing trip, take on Eikons, or race on chocobo back, there’s no end to the activities which can be done together in Eorzea. As an MMO, it’s designed for endless numbers of people to play together and with the help of emotes and shared e??xperiences, communication comes easy. 

Stardew Valley

Nothing bonds two people together more than running a farm with shared resources and money. Stardew Valley is undoubtedly great as a single player experience, but it also excels as a?? multiplayer game as well. 

Whether you’re starting from scratch to build a new farm together, or you just want your friends to come and visit, Stardew is great. All you need to do is build a Cabin to acco??mmodate your guests, and you’re ready to have visitors. Trips into the mines are far better with friends. 

Don’t Starve Together

Don’t Starve, the single player survival challenge with a delightful Tim Burton-esque art style, released way back in 2013. Don’t Starve Together, the multiplayer version, released just a year later and despite its age I th??ink it stands the test of time.

You and up to five friends get dropped into the unforgiving wilderness, and you have to survive against the elements?? and enemies who surround yo??u. While you’re completely alone in the single player version, having friends around you makes gathering resources and building a base much easier. 

Chained Together

I’m usually one to stay a million miles away from rage-baiting games. After my experience with Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, it’s safe to say that rage games are not a friend to me. However, if you throw friends or loved ones into the mix and work through the rage toge??ther, it’s actually a remarkably joyous experience. 

In Chained Together, you’re trying to find your way out of Hell. Unfortunately, Hell is just an insanely tall jumping puzzle which needs to be navigated - truly my idea of Hell made reality. With moving, spinning, flinging, and rolling parts, Chained Together would arguably be easier even if you weren’t physically chained to the other people playin??g with you, but at least having someone with you lets you blame them if you fall back to the very beginning. 

Biped

Biped is specifically designed for two players to work together. With mechanics reminiscent of Human Fall Flat, such as ??feet that are controlled individually to facilitate movement and grabbing onto items within the levels, it can actually be pretty challenging to overcome some obstacles. 

There are puzzles to solve, and the controls do cause some moments of rage here and there, but these moments are far outnumbered by the sheer joy you can experience together and the elation you feel when you manage to successfully complete a level. Biped is inspired by old-school platformers, and is filled with coins to collect and secrets to ???unlock.

Escape Simulator

If you’re wanting to get into a discussion and solve some puzzles with friends or loved ones, may I recommend Escape Simulator? 

Cheaper than a real-life escape room, but no less difficult to solve, Escape Simulator is perfect if you wa?nt to work through a conundrum toge??ther. There are multiple themed levels filled with puzzles to solve, and while you can definitely complete these solo, it always helps to have a friend to bounce ideas around with. 

Blanc

Another game which requires two players to complete, Blanc will see one person playing as a Fawn while the other plays as a Wolf Cub. In this tale of un?likely friendship, both animals are trying to find their way back to their families and must work together to do so. 

Overcoming challenges is just one aspect of this gorgeous work of art. The monochromatic and simplistic art style is beautiful, but the lack of distractions also leaves you free to focus on the story. There’s heartbreak ahead in Blanc, but also moments of joy to share with your ?sec??ond player. 

The post 10 best online multiplayer games for any kind of long-distance relati??onship appeared first on Destructoid.

Xbox Game Pass is like walking into a candy store. There are so many different options to choo?se from when it comes to its game selection, and some of the best?? games on Xbox Game Pass can be hard to spot.

Some need acquired tastes like liquorice (Dordogne), while many others will enjoy a beloved, comfortable chocolate bar (Minecraft). However, there's a good chance you'll find something to sate your palette in Microsoft's rolling digital library. Here are the 13 best games on Xbox Game Pass right n?ow.

[Updated: May 2024]

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

Those seeking adventure should look towards The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This (take a deep breath) 12-year-old game (breathe out) still has a fervent fanbase, and is still played to this day for go??od reason. There are many weapons, armor, spells, and even dragon shouts to find across the open world. There are also branching side quests that in and of themselves have deep, fascinating stories and characters behind them. You should take an arrow in the knee in this game and explore the grand landscapes of Skyrim with Xbox Game Pass. The Special Edition also comes with all of the DLC.

Halo Infinite

In my opinion, Halo Infinite gets way too much flak. This entry was my first step into the series, and I was floored by this sci-fi experience. Each weapon in Master Chief's arsenal feels powerful, but in the frantic first-person shooter levels, you're scrounging for whatever you can find, adding to the tension of battle. Finding improved weapons from the tough bosses you kill in the open world is gratifying, and the world itself truly grabbed me. The storyline with Master Chief saving the UNS?C and the world on the brink is also thrilling to experience. Th??e multiplayer, to me, feels dated with tired map design and modes, but the single-player campaign is the main attraction.

Hi-Fi Rush

Hi-Fi Rush is one of the best Xbox exclusives in years. It combines thrilling action combat with engaging music rhythm gameplay to create a unique melee-focused experience. You play as a unique, clumsy protagonist, trying to save the day from Vandelay Technologies' evil leader. The slapstick is on point, and the script is laugh-out-loud hilarious. The action is also fantastic as you switch between the powers of your allies and string together combos on your foes.  You also can't forget the stand-out music selection in Hi-Fi Rush with rock hits from Nine ?Inch Nails, The Prodigy, and The?? Black Keys.

Minecraft

There's not much else to be said about Minecraft but I'll try my best. It's a worldwide phenomenon for a reason as it allows players to build their own structures, craft their own items, and explore a randomly generated world. Building with your friends is a lot of fun, and many players have created amazing buildings throughout the years like Hogwarts from Harry Potter. Someone even made a working 3D graphing calculator. This game is great for kids, as it lets them show their creative side and figure out how to build materials in the game. Despite existing for over a decade, the game is still getting updates and DLC based on Mega Man X and SpongeBob SquarePants. 

Monster Hunter Rise

After many years of struggling to get into the series, Monster Hunter Rise finally got me on the saddle. Alongside your friends, yo??u're taking down monstrous beasts, collecting their materials, fur, etc, and then crafting incredible gear for your player. It's a rewarding game loop that keeps you playing for hours on end.

There's a strategy to each battle, and you need to keep your wits about you to survive in some of these encounters. Ultimately, it's Monster Hunter's new maneuverability of the wirebugs that lets you zip from place to place like Indiana Jones' whip? that really made it click for me. You can also mount your pet palamute, letting you get to the battle quicker. It's one of the best games on Xbox Game Pass because of how gratifying collecting resources and physically seeing your character getting stronger is.

Need for Speed: Unbound

Exhaust-ed of Forza Horizon and need another enthralling racing game to play? Need for Speed: Unbound could good detour. The rush of driving through its city streets brought me back to the days of Underground 2, and you can dee??ply customize your car, go on tough street races, and try? to be the best in the city.

There’s also a unique anime-like art style, and cast members have a unique shader that makes them stand out. There are also vi??brant visual effects as you drift around corners and boost. Go?? check this one out!

Persona 3 Reload

Atlus' Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic way to get into the series or continue your love for the JRPG franchise. It's a complete remake of the PS2 gem that some fans argue is the best Persona game. Expect engaging turn-based combat revolving around collecting shadows, a provoking, dark story, and plenty of wonderful characters to meet along the way. The visual improvements are a stand-out with stunning UI and a complete uplift on the same level as Persona 5 Royal.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey has been out for almost five years now, and I'm sti?ll surprised when anyone tells me that they've finishe?d it.

This game’s absolutely massive, taking place in a stunning Greek-inspired open world. You can tell Ubisoft did its research with the spectacular architecture and intriguing culture to be found in the game. Kassandra (one of the two possible playable characters) is one of the best protagonists in the series; she has spunk, charming humor, and an overall badassery that few other Assassin’s Creed heroe??s can match. The story also takes twists and turns you’ll find fascinating. Oh, and the combat’s thrilling with a deep customization system alongside it.

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge

A gorgeous throwback retro art style? Check. Exceptional beat-em-up action? Check. Yummy pizza slices? Cowabunga, dude! TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is radical with its high-intensity battling. You can team up with t??hree other players (no matter if they’re local, online, or have a diff??erent system) to battle Shredder and the Foot Clan.

?Each character offers a unique battling style, and every boss is challengin?g to defeat. The levels are also detailed with all sorts of references and have their own gameplay surprises in store.

Dordogne

If you’re fatigued from the intense FPS gameplay of most triple-A games, Dordogne is a fantastic palette cleanser. This game features a beautiful w?atercolor-like art style and a compelling narrative that tells the story of ??a woman’s childhood. It’s charming and adorable, but there’s an element of drama in the background that continues to grow as the game proceeds.

You’ll also interact with the environment in unique ways. Don’t miss?? out on this French indie game!

Celeste

It's not often that a game truly moves me, but by the end of Celeste, I wept like a baby. Celeste was completely out of my comfort zone. It's a punishing platformer that tests your skills, and typically I don't have the patience for something? like this. However, the challenging gameplay comes hand-in-hand with the storyline. As Madeline, you're trying to overcome your anxiety, and as you climb the mountain, she's pushing herself.

With anxiety and depression myself, this game strongly connected with me like no other did. Also, it will help others understand a foundation of what it's like to deal with symptoms like this daily. You also can't forget about Lena Raine's extraordinary soundtrack for Celeste.

Forza Horizon 5

One of the best driving games available on Xbox Game Pass is Forza Horizon 5. Variety is the spice of life and this is what you get with this Forza title. You're exploring volcanoes, the desert, beaches, Mexican towns, and even wintry mountain landscapes within Forza Horizon 5. There are also many cars to unlock as you complete challenges, earn cash, and get the best times around the open world. If you love outstanding graphics to test on your Xbox Series X or PC, Forza Horizon 5 is a grand tou??r-de-force to show off your lovely? 4K TV.

Guilty Gear Strive

From slick cars to hot combos, Guilty Gear Strive is one of the best fighting games on Xbox Game Pass. It checks every box, with stunning combos, flashy special moves, the usual inventive character designs, and some of the best visuals amongst any 2D fighter you can play right now. All that ro??cking music is a bonus, too.

Guilty Gear Strive is the ultimate package, and this Arc System Works game also has a fantastic tutorial system to help let new players enter the chaos. We said as much in our review, noting, "Guilty Gear Strive is [..] what I needed right now: a good, solid, very online-capable fighting game with plenty of big swords, charging dolphins, and doctors with questionable credential?s to go around."

The post Top 13 best games on Xbox Game Pass right now appeared first on Destructoid.

Sifting through the many games on your PlayStation 5 can be a drag. When it comes to playi??ng with a friend, there are going to be some limitations depending on the titles. So, if you want to get a list of some of the best 2-player PS5 games out right ?now, check out our list.

The best 2 player games on the PS5

This list will include games that have appeared on the PlayStation 4. However, ?they can?? still be played on Sony’s current generation console. The games listed here are also multiplayer-friendly for local and online sessions.

Rocket League

Starting off with a free-to-play game, Rocket League can provide hours of fun. Yeah, the better you get, the sweatier this game can be. However, if you’re playing with one other person locally against bots or online against other players, it’s just a good ??time whether you win or lose.

Though, to counter the whole sweaty aspect of? the game, it’s such a good feeling when you finally master aerial and other advanced movement techniques. 

Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection

Despite having a very rough launch with server issues and crashing, there’s still fun to be had in the Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection on the PS5. If you and a friend w?ant to sit down for some couch co-op or online Galactic Conquest or Campaign, you can do just that. 

It’ll be like 2005 all over again, ??just with slightly upscaled graphics.

Tetris Effect: Connected

Tetris Effect: Connected is the definitive Tetris experience on the Play??Station 5. While it has a good selection of single-player modes, it a??lso offers a lot for a multiplayer?? experience. 

It has a three-player? cooperative mode where you can team up with other people or sub in an AI to fight against a ??big boss. If you like a more PvP experience, it also sports the Zone Battle, Score Attack, and Classic modes.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Sackboy games aren’t quite as heavy hitters as Mario games, but if you want a solid platformer to get your friends in on the action, A Big Adventure is it. With easy drop-in multiplayer, you and your buddie?s can get through the game rather quickly. 

The hectic nature of more players on screen just adds to a better time. Yeah, you’ll be getting in?? each othersâ€?way, but it’s all in good fun. 

Serious Sam Collection

If you want the definitive version of a boomer ??shooter wi??th cheesy one-liners to mindlessly gun through with your friends, you’ll have a blast playing through the Serious Sam Collection. It’s a collection ?of games that’s easy enough to get into with some friends locally or online.

This has the three mainline Serious Sam games in one, with the DLC for all of them. There are hours of hilarity and madness to be had as you and your squad mates can blast through hordes of wacky and vicious enemies. There’s even a survival and PvP component in the game if you want to extend the life of this game for your group. Just, skip The Legend of the Beast to save you and your partner(s) a headache.

Castle Crashers: Remastered

Castle Crashers was perhaps one of the best cooperative games to play with friends on the seventh generation of consoles. Two generat?ions later, it holds up well and it’s one to definitely have on your radar if you’re looking for some 2-player games.

It’s a light version of a side-scrolling R??PG that even newcomers to gaming can understand. Plus, the many different classes you can play really open up how much replayability there is. 

Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box

So I’m kind of cheating here as this version of the Borderlands Collection contains the entirety of the series so far. What you want to focus on for a cooperative aspect are the FPS games: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3. Much like the Serious Sam collection, these games have all the DLC expansi?ons packed in with them.

So, if you want a hell of a good story with hum??or that still mostly holds up today, even with the weaker par?ts of the third game, this series is the epitome of cooperative looter shooter games.

Broforce

If you like games like Contra or Metal Slug, Broforce is going to be the perfect game for you and? your co-op partner(s). The 8-bit graphics are such a blast in ??the past, paired with every unlockable character being a “broâ€?parody of a popular movie character from t??he 80s and 90s. 

The cherry on top is how hectic the game ??can get, with several explos??ions, destructible environments, and the over-the-top satirical narrative. Even if you don’t like shoot-em-up games, this game is surely going to bring a smile to you and your group.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Unlike many other cooperative games where you can just drop in and out of games, Baldur’s Gate 3 works differently. Characters are tied to campaign sessions, akin to typical Dungeons and Dragons sessions. It’s actually really cool, as you ?can actually “pick up where you left off�without anyone g?etting ahead or being left behind. 

With how much freedom you have in the game like exploration and dialogue choices, this is easily one of those games where you lose track of time. Plus, cooperative gaming just adds much more fun. It may be a genre that’s hard to get into, but cooperative Baldur’s Gate 3 deserves all the praise it gets. 

It Takes Two

You simply cannot overlook It Takes Two if you’re l??ooking for the best ninth-generation game to play with just two players. It’s also de??serving of all the praise it got not just from the story, but from the way it keeps you on your toes as you progress in this cooperative-only game. 

Just as you start thinking this game can’t get any more innovative, it does. Please, play It Takes Two even if you think its graphics look “chil??dish.�Just let go of any preconceive??d notions of the game before trying this game. 

While we have listed only ten games on this list, there are many others out there you can try that suit you and your friends, family, or significant others. And yes, fighting games were omitted from this list, just because the skill gaps can oftent??imes?? lead to shorter times playing them.

The post The 10 Best 2 player PS5 games appeared first on Destructoid.

A list full of frustrating, chaotic fun

Fall Guys seems to have just caught the end of the battle royale trend, but it's easily one of the silliest and fun games to take on the genre. You and your friends all take on the role of a little bean-shaped creature and run the gauntlet of different obstacle courses akin to the slapstick fun of the classic American gameshow, Wipeout. Don't forget you can also dress y?our bean up in all kinds of goofy costumes to make your run all the more giggle-?inducing.

Of course, as much as we all love Fall Guys, any game is going to get a bit stale after we play it for a certain number of hours. That's why we've compiled this list of awesome games to check out if you want to play Fall Guys, but you also don't want to play Fall Guys. In other words, here are seven games that are just like your favo??rite platformer battle royale game, but different, and also ranked.

7. It Takes Two

It Takes Two's gameplay has a much greater focus on cooperation than Fall Guys, but maybe this Game of the Year-winning co-op adventure game could be a nice way to make up after you sabotage a friend. The game might be a bit different than what you're used to if don't usually reach for on-rails, storytelling-centric titles, but it could be a good change of pace if you're up for it. You'll certainly still have to do plenty of platforming, and It Takes Two has a beautiful, colorful art style that should satisfy even the stuffiest of Fall Guys players �if such a thing even exists.

6. Among Us

The game that took the world by storm! Among Us is another great option if you're looking for some goofy fun with a social deduction twist. It would be the perfect time to jump in, as well, because the developers just announced a new game mode: Hide n Seek. Players have to complete tasks like usual, only the votes? and decision-making have been removed to make for a more fast-paced experience, if that's your kind of thing. All you have to focus on is doing your tasks and staying alive, which kind of sounds similar to a particular platforming battle royale game, does it not?

5. Stick Fight

Do you ever think about those old-school stick figure animations from the golden days of the internet? Because I certainly do. Now you can take on the role of your very own stick figure and beat the crap out of your friends �that's what video games are all about, after all. Maybe you need a way to take on your friends after they threw you off of the Big Shots stage in Fall Guys, and the co-op fighting game Stick Fight absolutely has you covered.

4. Golf With Your Friends

As a lifelong mini-golf fan, I'm willing to admit that I'm partial to the sport �and that includes any silly, albeit unrealistic video game interpretations. Golf With Friends is the perfect title if you're looking for silly ways to sabotage your friends, and lets you do it in style. You can play with up to 12 players in a game, and with a grand total of 234 different holes to play on in 13 differ?ent themed courses, it's not lik?ely you'll run out of games to play anytime soon. Just get eleven of your closest friends together, and try not to wail on each other with your proverbial putters.

3. Overcooked 2

Overcooked 2 is widely considered one of the best co-op party games ever made, and I'm inclined to agree. You and your friends will be thrown into the kitchen, and will make progressively more complicated food in progressively precarious situations. Want to se??e if you can make a delicious pasta dinner in a kitchen suspended by multiple hot air balloons? You've got it! Want to try your hand at making mouth-watering steak over a horrifying lava pit? This one's all you! Just make sure you don't take things too seriously, because this game has threatened some of my friendships in a very real way.

2. Ultimate Chicken Horse

Ultimate Chicken Horse is one of my personal favorite party games of all time. The premise is simple �you and up to three other friends play as a delightfully adorable barnyard animal, and have to reach the goal at the end of a platforming stage to progress. The catch is that you play each map repeatedly until only one player is left standing, and in between each round, players can choose an ob?stacle to add to the course. Things get really chaotic really fast, and its fostering of friend??ly trash talk and occasional self-sabotage makes for an awesome game you won't want to put down.

1. Gang Beasts

If you need something that's going to capture the same slapstick-y, ragdoll ridiculousness of Fall Guys, Gang Beasts is your best bet. This beat-em-up co-op?? title can be played with up to four players?, where you enter arenas full of various hazards and attempt to take out your opponents.

Gang Beasts blew up a bit on YouTube's Let's Play scene in the late 2010s, and it's been a friendship-threatening staple of? parties ever since. As if that wasn't good enough, the game also still has that dress-up mechanic that we all just can't get enough of, so you can don a silly hat or pair of glasses as your friend throws you into an industrial-grade grinder.

The post Best 7 games similar to Fall Guys, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

It Takes Two and Ratchet & Clank also at the winners' table

This weekend saw the International Game Developers Association (IG??DA) host its annual awards ceremony, The IGDA Global Industry Game Awards. The event reco?gnizes some of the best titles in recent memory, with a keen focus on the mechanics, technical prowess, and use of new and upcoming technology to create titles that are as respected by developers as they are by button-mashing players.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBal-P2BT4Y

While many titles were featured in the 2022 edition of the IGDA Game Awards, several titles, in particular, walked away with armfuls of gongs. The biggest winner was Arkane's time-warping shooter Deathloop, which bagged itself a very impressive 13 awards across numerous categories. This was closely followed by Electronic Arts' co-op adventure and frequent GOTY winner It Takes Two, which would go home carrying 10 trophies.

Among the other big winners were Housemarque's excellent PS5 blaster Returnal, and Insomniac Games' cartoonish adventure Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, both of which masterfully used the fledgling PS5 infrastructure to create ambitious titles with dazzling visuals, epic locations, and exciting, cinematic gameplay. On the indie front, newcomer Double Loop Games won the awards for Upcoming Indie Studio and Workplace Diversity and In??clusivity.

You can check out the full list of winners from the 2022 IGDA Global Industry Game Awards below.

Art

• 2D Animation â€?Unpacking by Witch Beam
• 2D Character Design â€?Boyfriend Dungeon by Kitfox
• 2D Environment Art â€?Unpacking by Witch Beam
• 3D Animation â€?em> It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• 3D Character Design â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• 3D Environment Art â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Cinematography â€?Life is Strange: True Colors by Deck Nine
• UI Art â€?em> Deathloop by Arkane
• VFX â€?Returnal by Housemarque

Audio

• Music Composition â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Sound Design â€?Returnal by Housemarque
• Voice Acting â€?Deathloop by Arkane

Design

• Accessibility Innovation â€?Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart by Insomniac Games
• Gameplay Design â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Level Design â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Systems Design â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• UI/UX â€?em> Deathloop by Arkane

Engineering/Technology

• Achievements in New Technology â€?Returnal by Housemarque
• AI â€?Returnal by Housemarque
• Audio Technology â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Engine Technology â€?Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart by Insomniac Games
• Gameplay Technology â€?Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart by Insomniac Games
• Graphics Technology â€?Forza Horizon 5 by Playground Games
• Networking Technology â€?Valheim by Iron Gate AB & It Takes Two by Hazelight
• Systems Technology â€?Deathloop by Arkane

Support

• Community Management â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Customer Support â€?em> It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Marketing â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Production/Management â€?em> Deathloop by Arkane
• Quality Assurance â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Research & Analytics â€?Deathloop by Arkane

Writing/Narrative

• Dialogue â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Narrative Design â€?It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• Story â€?em> It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios
• World Building â€?Returnal by Housemarque

Miscellaneous

• Representation â€?Deathloop by Arkane
• Upcoming Indie â€?Double Loop Games
• Workplace Diversity and Inclusivity â€?Double Loop Games
• Trust/Safety â€?Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker by Square Enix

The post Deathloop, Returnal scor??e big at the 2022 I?GDA Game Awards appeared first on Destructoid.

It Takes Two to make a thing go right

It Takes Two was one of the best surprises of last year. I'm a strong believer that we just don't have enough couch co-op games out there, and gamers' outpouring of love for It Takes Two confirms that. There are plenty of good reasons why it took home Game of the Year at the 2021's Game Awards, and I think it's great to see such creative titles get the recognition it deserves. It Takes Two has continued to be successful after l??ast year's award season, because this morning, deve??loper Hazelight Studios announced that the game had surpassed 7 million copies sold.

//twitter.com/Hazeligh?tGames/status/1545422823899922437

The studio celebrated with a tweet that featured a picture of Cody's voice actor Joseph Balderrama and what appears to be a cardboard cutout of Cutie the elephant. Although Balderrama is lifting Cutie over his head, we're assured in the replies that nothing un?toward is hap??pening... sure, I'll believe that when I see it.

It Takes Two is one of the next games up in the long line of film and television adaptations, and we learned a few months ago that the upcoming movie based on the game will be produced by none other than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Or, more specifically, it's being produced by Seven Bucks Productions, a studio founded by Johnson and Dany Garcia. Still no word on a cast or release date, but it at least gives us something to look forward to. Some fans are hoping for a sequel to the game as well, and I have to admit that "It Takes Two 2" is a pretty funny idea for a title.

Big congrats again to the team behind It Takes Two, because 7 million copies sold is no small feat. Here's hoping that the game continues to have s??uccess in the future, and that Hazelight channels this momentum into another great release in the coming years.

The post It Takes Two surpasses 7 million copies sold appeared first on Destructoid.

Caught between The Rock and a Hard Place

Amazon Studios has announced that it will helm the movie adaptation of Electronic Arts' award-winning co-op adventure It Takes Two. According to the Hollyweirds over at Variety, the film will be produced by Seven Bucks Productions, the studio founded by Dany Garcia and Dwayne "The?? Rock" Johnson.

It Takes Two, which launched on PC and consoles in March 2021, tells the story of an estranged married couple forced to work together after being magically transformed into their child's handmade dolls. Developed by Josef Fares' Hazelight Studios, It Takes Two has a heavy focus on cooperative gameplay, as two players synergize to surmount the many hazards and obstacles that lie in our heroes' path. It Takes Two would go on to bag the prestigious Game of the Year Award at The Game Awards in December 2021.

The movie is in its very early stages and, as such, neither a cast nor a release window has been announced. It is possible that Johnson could star in the film, having been featured in many Seven Bucks productions including Jungle Cruise, Skyscraper, Jumanji, Rampage, and the NBC series Young Rock. While that seems like something of a vanity project, I can't deny that if I had the cash, I'd cast myself in a ton of movies based on video games I liked. So watch out for my stellar turn as Misako in River City Girls: The Movie.

It Takes Two is?? available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

//www.tikto?k.com/@destructoid/video/70921460806068??83078?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7052788164067706373

The post It T??akes Two mov?ie adaptation to be produced by Dwayne Johnson appeared first on Destructoid.

Both indies and big productions took home trophies today

The winners for the 2022 BAFTA Games Awards have been announced, and Housemarque's Returnal took home the to??p prize. Alongside the PlayStation 5 exclusive, several other stars of 2021 ad?ded more trophies to their collection tonight.

Returnal leads the pack with wins in Best Game, Best Music, Audio Achievement, and Performer in a Leading Role for Jane Perry. It Takes Two and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart took home two BAFTAs apiece. Unpacking also took home two, thanks to the pu??blicly voted EE Game of the Year award.

The indies made a strong showing tonight, though. Chicory: A Colorful Tale, Inscryption, Before Your Eyes, TOEM, Unpacking, and The Artful Escape all won awards. And No Man's Sky received recog??nition for its continuous growth, winning the Evolving Game category.

The 2022 BAFTA Games Awards were held in London and streamed out over Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. You can find a Twitch VOD of the awards show here.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOezF7i4mB0

BAFTA Games Awards 2022 Winners

Animation: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Insomniac Games / So??ny Interactive Entertainment

Artistic Achievement: The Artful Escape - Beethoven & Dinosaur / Annapurna Inte?ractive

Audio Achievement: Returnal - Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment

Best Game: Returnal - Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment

British Game: Forza Horizon 5 - Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios

Debut Game: TOEM - Something We Made

Evolving Game: No Man's Sky - Hello Games

Family: Chicory: A Colorful Tale - ??Greg Lobanov, A S?hell in the Pit, Madeline Berger, Alexis Dean-Jones, Lena Raine / Finji

Game Beyond Entertainment: Before Your Eyes - GoodbyeWorld Games / Skybound Games

Game Design: Inscryption - Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital

Multiplayer: It Takes Two - Hazelight Studios / Electronic  Arts

Music: Returnal - Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment

Narrative: Unpacking - Wren Bri??er, Tim Dawson, Annie VanderMeer - Witch Beam / Humble Games

Original Property: It Takes Two

Performer in a Leading Role: Jane Perry as Selene Vassos, Returnal

Performer in a Supporting Role: Kimberly Brock as Hollis Forsythe, Psychonauts 2

Technical Achievement: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - ?Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment

EE Game of the Year (Public Vote): Unpacking - Witch Beam / Humble Games

The post Returnal, It Takes Two, and Ratchet & Clank among winners at 2022 BAFTA Games Awards appeared first on Destructoid.

Eight nominations for Housemarque's epic

We're into the second wave of Game of the Year gongs for 2021. Earlier this week saw gongs handed out at the annual DICE Awards, and yesterday saw the British Academy of Film and Television Arts unveil its nominees for this year's iteration of the BAFTA Gam??es Awards, scheduled for April 7.

Among a litany of excellent releases from gaming's past year, it is Housemarque's bullet-hell roguelike Returnal with the most to gain, having received a lofty eight nominations in categories including Best Game, Original Property, Narrative, Game Design, and Music. Also putting in an appearance is EA's multiple Game of the Year winner It Takes Two, which will be looking to add a third "Best of" to its previous accolades, scored at The Game Awards and The DICE Awards.

Also in the running amongst the 16 BAFTA categories are Arkane's chrono-shooter Deathloop, Playground's gorgeous racer Forza Horizon 5, and Insomniac's fuzzy adventure Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. Showing out for the little guys is Daniel Mullins' creepy Inscryption, Acid Nerve's excellent Death's Door, and Witchbeam's viral hit Unpacking.

The full ????list of nominees for the BAFTA Games Awards is as follows:

Best Game

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios)
• Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games)
• Returnal (Housemarque)

EE Game of the Year (Public Vote)

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios)
• The Forgotten City (Storyteller)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios/EA)
• Metroid Dread (Mercury Steam/Nintendo)
• Unpacking (Witch Beam)
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Greg Lobanov)

British Game

• Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (ustwo Games)
• Death's Door (Acid Nerve)
• Fights In Tight Spaces (Ground Shatter)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games)
• Overboard (Inkle Studios)
• Sable (Shedworks)

Evolving Game

• Among Us (Innersloth)
• Animal Crossing: New Horizon (Nintendo)
• Apex Legends (Respawn Entertainment)
• Disco Elysium (ZA/UM)
• Fortnite (Epic Games)
• No Man's Sky (Hello Games)

Debut Game

• The Artful Escape (Beethoven & Dinosaur)
• Eastward (Pixpil)
• The Forgotten City (Modern Storyteller)
• Genesis Noir (Feral Cat Den)
• Maquette (Graceful Decay)
• TOEM (Something We Made)

Technical Achievement

• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games)
• Hitman 3 (IO Interactive)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine)
• Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games)
• Resident Evil Village (Capcom)
• Returnal (Housemarque)

Original Property

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios)
• Death's Door (Acid Nerve)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios)
• Returnal (Housemarque)
• Unpacking (Witch Beam)

Narrative

• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios)
• Life Is Strange: True Colours (Square Enix)
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (Square Enix)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine)
• Returnal (Housemarque)
• Unpacking (Witch Beam)

Music

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios)
• Far Cry 6 (Ubisoft Toronto)
• Halo Infinite (343 Industries)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine)
• Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games)
• Returnal (Housemarque)

Multiplayer

• Back 4 Blood (Turtle Rock)
• Call of Duty Vanguard (Sledgehammer Games)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games)
• Halo Infinite (343 Industries)
• Hell Let Loose (Black Matter)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios)

Game Design

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios)
• Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (Insomanic Games)
• Returnal (Housemarque)

Family

• Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (ustwo Games)
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Greg Lobanov)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games)
• Mario Party Superstars (Nintendo)
• Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games)
• Unpacking (Witch Beam)

Audio Achievement

• The Artful Escape (Beethoven & Dinosaur)
• Call of Duty: Vanguard (Sledgehammer Games)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios)
• Halo Infinite (343 Industries)
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (Square Enix)
• Returnal (Housemarque)

Artistic Achievement

• The Artful Escape (Beethoven and Dinosaur)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine)
• Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games)
• Resident Evil Village (Capcom)
• Returnal (Housemarque)

Animation

• Call of Duty: Vanguard (Sledgehammer Games)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Ember Lab)
• Life Is Strange: True Colors (Square Enix)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine)

Game Beyond Entertainment

• Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (ustwo Games)
• Before Your Eyes (Goodbye World)
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Greg Lobanov)
• Game Builder Garage (Nintendo)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine)

The post BAFTA Ga?mes Awards nominees include Re?turnal, Deathloop, It Takes Two appeared first on Destructoid.

It Takes Two (trophies)

This past weekend saw The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hold the 2022 iteration of its annual DICE Awards, which recognizes technical, design, and narrativ??e excellence in our wonderful world of video gaming. This year's event saw awards handed out to some of 2021's biggest hitters, helping to bolster the trophy cases of several releases that have already bagged themselves multipl??e industry gongs.

Among the biggest winners of the night were EA's co-op adventure It Takes Two, which took home the coveted Game of the Year award �a trophy that will no doubt sit snugly next to its previous GOTY award, won during December's Game Awards 2021 ceremony. It Takes Two also picked up the Outstanding Achievement in Game Design award, beating out deserved nominees including Deathloop, Inscryption, and Loop Hero.

Insomniac Games' excellent adventure Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was another of the night's big winners, taking home a hefty four trophies in the field of animation, art direction, technical achievement, and family gaming. On the audio front, Housemarque's sci-fi epic Returnal won awards for both its music and evocative and immersive sound design. Also around to make a scene, Resident Evil Village's undeni?able Lady Dimitrescu won the awar?d for Outstanding Achievement in Character.

You can?? check out the full list of Dice Awards 2022 nominees and winners below.

Game of the Year

• Deathloop
• Inscryption
• It Takes Two
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Returnal

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

• Call of Duty: Vanguard
• Deathloop
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction

• Call of Duty: Vanguard
• Deathloop
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village

Outstanding Achievement in Character

• Deathloop â€?Colt Vahn
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits â€?Kena
• Life is Strange: True Colors â€?Alex Chen
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart â€?Rivet
• Resident Evil Village â€?Lady Dimitrescu

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

• Deathloop
• It Takes Two
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Psychonauts 2
• Returnal

Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design

• Forza Horizon 5
• Halo Infinite
• It Takes Two
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Returnal

Outstanding Achievement in Story

• Before Your Eyes
• Inscryption
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Psychonauts 2
• The Forgotten City

Outstanding Technical Achievement

• Battlefield 2042
• Forza Horizon 5
• Moncage
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Returnal

Action Game of the Year

• Deathloop
• Halo Infinite
• Metroid Dread
• Returnal
• The Ascent

Adventure Game of the Year

• Death's Door
• It Takes Two
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Psychonauts 2
• Resident Evil Village

Family Game of the Year

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise
• Cozy Grove
• Mario Party Superstars
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Warioware: Get it Together

Fighting Game of the Year

• Guilty Gear Strive
• Melty Blood: Type Lumina
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl

Racing Game of the Year

• F1 2021
• Forza Horizon 5
• Hot Wheels Unleashed

Role-Playing Game of the Year

• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
• Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
• Shin Megami Tensei V
• Tales of Arise
• Wildermyth

Sports Game of the Year

• FIFA 22
• Mario Golf: Super Rush
• NBA 2k22
• Riders Republic
• The Climb 2

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year

• Age of Empires IV
• Gloomhaven
• Griftlands
• Inscryption
• Loop Hero

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement

• Lone Echo II
• Puzzling Places
• Resident Evil 4 VR
• Song in the Smoke
• Yuki

Immersive Reality Game of the Year

• Demeo
• I Expect You To Die 2
• Lone Echo II
• Resident Evil 4 VR
• Song in the Smoke

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

• Death's Door
• Inscryption
• Loop Hero
• Sable
• Unpacking

Mobile Game of the Year

• Behind the Frame
• Fantasian
• League of Legends: Wild Rift
• Moncage
• Pokémon Unite

Online Game of the Year

• Back 4 Blood
• Call of Duty: Vanguard
• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
• Halo Infinite
• Knockout City

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

• Deathloop
• Inscryption
• It Takes Two
• Loop Hero
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

• Deathloop
• Inscryption
• It Takes Two
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• The Artful Escape

The post It Takes Two and Ratchet & Clank win big at DICE Awards 2022 appeared first on Destructoid.

A cause for celebration

It Takes Two was one of those games that kind of came out of nowhere this year, and I mean that in the best way possible. We really do need more couch co-op games out there �the love this title has seen is clear evidence of that. After winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards, It Takes Two was propelled even further into the limelight, and a film or TV adaptation of the title is even in the works. Today, its developer Hazelight Studios took to Twitter to announce some exciting news that has been a culmination of the game's continued traction: It Takes Two has sold over 5 million copies.

//twitter.com/Hazeligh?tGames/status/1489574089564073985

Of course, the ?replies are full of players wholesomely sharing their support for the game, pictures of their cosplays, and memes galore. Someone even pointed out that 5 million copies sold means the game had at least 10 million players, which is actually a pretty good point.

In what is usually a flood of never-ending bad news, it's nice to log on and see a truly imaginative title getting the recognition it deserves. Personally, I hope the success of It Takes Two shows the? industry that players do still value smaller, more focused games, because not many studios are making projects like this in the AA and AAA spaces.

I'm honestly curious about how this game will translate to film or TV, but I'm hopeful after the success of other video game properties' transitions to the big screen, like The Witcher, Arcane, and the Sonic movie, just to name a few. If games are taking over the rest of the entertainment industry, I'm glad It Takes Two will be among the ranks. Now it's just a waiting game to see ?how it will translate to another medium.

In t??he meantime, I guess I can just play through it a??gain, right?

The post It Takes Two has sold over 5 million copies appeared first on Destructoid.

Games are taking over the silver screen yet again

It seems like just about every game these days is slated to be adapted to film or TV, and Hazelight Studio's Game of the Year winner It Takes Two is next up on that list of adaptations. As exclusively reported by Variety this morning, the studio is teaming up with dj2 Entertainment for the project, who are best known for producing the Sonic movie and its sequel.

Hazelight's founder and It Takes Two's creative director Josef Fares shared his thoughts: "Creating the world and story in It Takes Two was so much fun for me and the team. Since it has a strong narrative with many crazy characters and just as crazy co-op action moments, the potential is huge for a great adaption to film or television.�/p>

As of now, there isn't any particular studio or network attached to the project, but according to Variety's sources, there's a multi-party bidding war going on to see who snags the idea. We do know who the writers are, though �Pat Casey and Josh Miller, who have also written both of the Sonic films.

In addition to the It Takes Two adaptation, dj2 also has some other gaming-to-film/TV projects in the works, like a live-action Life is Strange show, an animated Tomb Raider show for Netflix, and the adaptation I am personally most excited for, a live-action Disco Elysium series.

I have this theory that video game adaptations are going to be the next big thing to take over box offices and streaming services after the big superhero boom, and news like this further confirms that hunch. We're still a few years out from a complete takeover, but after the massive success of shows like The Witcher and Arcane,?? it's really only a matter of time before the rest of the entertainment industry catches up.

The post ?It Takes Two is next in the long line of video game adaptations to film?? and TV appeared first on Destructoid.

Rollin' Sixes

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences has released its list of nominees for the 2022 iteration of the annual DICE Awards. The event, scheduled to take place February 24 at the glamorous Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, will recognize some of the finest releases that rolled out of?? the gaming industry and into our homes over the course of 2021.

Insomniac Games' stellar PS5 adventure Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the most nominated game of the awards, with a mighty nine noms in total, including one for the coveted Game of the Year award. Also riding high is Arkane Studios' shooter Deathloop, which itself has racked up an impressive eight nominations inc?luding Game of the Year, Action Game of the Year, Outstanding Animation Achievement, and Outstanding Audio Achievement.

Elsewhere in the list, Housemarque's fab sci-fi shooter Returnal, Acid Nerve's delightfully grim Death's Door, Arc System Works' Guilty Gear Strive, and Playground Games' Forza Horizon 5 are all putting on their best tux and hoping to claim themselves a DICE award. The Game Awards' own GOTY, Hazelight Studios' It Takes Two, is also hoping to walk away with yet another best-of-year trophy. Also of note is Daniel Mullins Games' creepy Inscryption, which is slowly winning over mor?e and more players with eac??h passing month.

"From all of us at the Academy, we want to thank our peer panelists who continue to dedicate their energy, expertise, and time in evaluating and selecting 2021's best games," writes Meggan Scavio, presi?dent of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. "To all our finalists, congratulations! You continue to amaze us with how you push the boundaries of creativity, technical innovation, and storytelling."

Here is the full list of nominees for The 25th A??nnual DICE Awards. Get settled, it's? a doozy.

Game of the Year

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

• Call of Duty: Vanguard (Sledgehammer Games/ Activision)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Ember Lab)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Resident Evil Village (Capcom)

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction

• Call of Duty: Vanguard (Sledgehammer Games/ Activision)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Ember Lab)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Resident Evil Village (Capcom)

Outstanding Achievement in Character

• Deathloop - Colt Vahn (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits - Kena (Ember Lab)
• Life is Strange: True Colors - Alex Chen (Deck Nine / Square Enix)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Rivet (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Resident Evil Village - Lady Dimitrescu (Capcom)

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Ember Lab)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine / Xbox Game Studios)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design

• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
• Halo Infinite (343 Industries / Xbox Game Studios)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Outstanding Achievement in Story

• Before Your Eyes (GoodbyeWorld Games / Skybound Games)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• Guardians of the Galaxy (Eidos-Montréal / Square Enix)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine / Xbox Game Studios)
• The Forgotten City (Modern Storyteller / Dear Villagers)

Outstanding Technical Achievement

• Battlefield 2042 (EA DICE / Electronic Arts)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
• Moncage (Optillusion / XD)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Action Game of the Year

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Halo Infinite (343 Industries / Xbox Game Studios)
• Metroid Dread (Mercury Steam / Nintendo)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• The Ascent (Neon Giant / Curve Games)

Adventure Game of the Year

• Death's Door (Acid Nerve / Devolver Digital)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Guardians of the Galaxy (Eidos-Montréal / Square Enix)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine / Xbox Game Studios)
• Resident Evil Village (Capcom)

Family Game of the Year

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise (Nintendo)
• Cozy Grove (Spry Fox / The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild)
• Mario Party Superstars (Nintendo)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Warioware: Get it Together (Nintendo)

Fighting Game of the Year

• Guilty Gear -Strive- (Arc System Works)
• Melty Blood: Type Lumina (French-Bread, Type-Moon / Delightworks)
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (Ludosity & Fair Play Labs / Game Mill)

Racing Game of the Year

• F1 2021 (Codemasters / EA Originals)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
• Hot Wheels Unleashed (Milestone)

Role-Playing Game of the Year

• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (Square Enix)
• Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous (Owlcat Games / META Publishing)
• Shin Megami Tensei V (Atlus /Sega)
• Tales of Arise (Bandai Namco)
• Wildermyth (Worldwalker Games / Whisper Games)

Sports Game of the Year

• EA Sports FIFA 22 (EA Originals)
• Mario Golf: Super Rush (Nintendo)
• NBA 2k22 (2K Games)
• Riders Republic (Ubisoft)
• The Climb 2 (Crytek)

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year

• Age of Empires IV (Relic Entertainment, World's Edge / Xbox Game Studios)
• Gloomhaven (Flaming Fowl Studios / Asmodee Digital)
• Griftlands (Klei Entertainment)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• Loop Hero (Four Quarters / Devolver Digital)

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement

• Lone Echo II (Ready at Dawn / Oculus Studios)
• Puzzling Places (Realities.io)
• Resident Evil 4 VR (Capcom)
• Song in the Smoke (17-Bit)
• YUKI (ARVORE Immersive Experiences)

Immersive Reality Game of the Year

• Demeo (Resolution Games)
• I Expect You To Die 2 (Schell Games)
• Lone Echo II (Ready at Dawn / Oculus Studios)
• Resident Evil 4 VR (Capcom)
• Song in the Smoke (17-Bit)

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

• Death's Door (Acid Nerve / Devolver Digital)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• Loop Hero (Four Quarters / Devolver Digital)
• Sable (Shedworks / Raw Fury)
• Unpacking (Witch Beam / Humble Bundle)

Mobile Game of the Year

• Behind the Frame (Silver Lining Studio / Akupara Games, Akatsuki Taiwan Inc.)
• Fantasian (Mistwalker)
• League of Legends: Wild Rift (Riot Games)
• Moncage (Optillusion)
• Pokémon Unite (TiMi Studio Group / The Pokémon Company)

Online Game of the Year

• Back 4 Blood (Turtle Rock Studios / Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment)
• Call of Duty: Vanguard (Sledgehammer Games / Activision)
• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (Square Enix)
• Halo Infinite (343 Industries / Xbox Game Studios)
• Knockout City (Velan Studios / EA Originals)

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Loop Hero (Four Quarters, Devolver Digital)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• The Artful Escape (Beethoven & Dinosaur / Annapurna Interactive)

The post Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart lea??ds th??e charge in 2022 DICE Awards appeared first on Destructoid.

Deathloop tallies up the most nominations, but others are close behind

The 2022 Game Developers Conference is currently set for March, and so too is the 22nd Annual Game Developers Choice Awards. Nominees for the show have been revealed today, with some cl?ose? competition at the front of the pack.

Deathloop leads the nominations with six, including Design, Audio, Narrative, and Innovation. Just behind is Hazelight's It Takes Two with five nominations, and Forza Horizon 5 drifts in with four. All three a??re in the Game of the Year category, and? competing in several others as well.

Other nominees include some interesting games in the Best Debut category, like Kena: Bridge of Spirits and Wildermyth. Best Narrative features Guardians of the Galaxy and Unpacking alongside some of those previou?sly mentioned frontrunners, and the Soc?ial Impact Award has a bunch of excellent games from the last year.

If you're looking for more of the indies, check out the nominees for the IGF 2022 Awards, which features more Unpacking alongside Inscryption and Unsighted.

Here's the full lineup of nominees for the 2022 Game?? Developers Choice Awards:

Best Audio

• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Unpacking (Witch Beam / Humble)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (Eidos-Montréal / Square Enix)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)

Best Debut

• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Ember Lab)
• Valheim (Iron Gate Studio / Coffee Stain Publishing)
• Wildermyth (Worldwalker Games / WhisperGames)
• The Artful Escape (Beethoven & Dinosaur / Annapurna Interactive)
• Sable (Shedworks / Raw Fury)

Innovation Award

• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Wildermyth (Worldwalker Games / WhisperGames)
• Unpacking (Witch Beam / Humble)
• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)

Best Narrative

• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (Eidos-Montréal / Square Enix)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine / Xbox Game Studios)
• Unpacking (Witch Beam / Humble)

Social Impact Award

• Before Your Eyes (GoodbyeWorld Games / Skybound Games)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)
• Life is Strange: True Colors (Deck Nine / Square Enix)
• Boyfriend Dungeon (Kitfox Games)
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale (The Chicory: A Colorful Tale Team / Finji)

Best Technology

• Halo Infinite (343 Industries / Xbox Game Studios)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Returnal (Housemarque / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Hitman 3 (IO Interactive)

Best Visual Art

• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Ember Lab)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine / Xbox Game Studios)

Game of the Year

• Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games / Devolver Digital)
• Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios)
• Resident Evil Village (Capcom)
• Deathloop (Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks)
• It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios / Electronic Arts)

The post Nominees for the 2022 Game Developers Choice Awards have been?? revealed appeared first on Destructoid.

This recent It Takes Two joke is gold

Sakurai is done with Smash for now (so you're saying there's still a chance), but he isn'??t done hanging out.

The joke in the tweet mentions how It Takes Two won the top spot at The Game Awards 2021, then talks about how it's a barrier to entry that it's a two-person game that can possibly be tackled alone. Sakurai provides his classic "playing two characters at once" stance as he dons two PlayStation 5 controllers. For those of you who don't follow Smash, this is a stance Sakurai takes often in hi?s character rundown videos.

And you know what? It's amazing to see It Takes Two get some love around the world, given how much same-screen co-op-enabled games have fallen off the face of the Earth. They don't even ship with some games anymore!

I hope to see more of Sakurai enjoying himself like this. He has a huge following of people who are grateful for his impact on the industry over several decades, and it w??as fantastic to see him just hanging out ?with other contemporaries recently. With any luck, Sakurai can get some rest?, but?? still be around and maybe do some consulting here and there.

O?r maybe he'll go the Hayao Miyazaki route and ?just never retire. Whatever makes him happy!

//twitt?er.com/Sora_Sakurai/status/146950329?8730602498

The post Even though Sakurai is done with Smash for now, it’s nice to see him still around appeared first on Destructoid.

It takes one to create a messy situation

Hazelight, the developer of co-op adventure game It Takes Two, is facing a trademark claim from Take-Two. Eurogamer reports that the game was the target of a trademark claim from Take-Two, a??nd has had to abandon its trademark.

Records show Hazelight's abandonment of the It Takes Two trademark. It was reportedly struck with a claim earlier this year when it launched, and has since had to let the trademark go.

A spokesperson for Hazelight told Eurogamer that the studio cannot comment on ongoing disputes, but the team remains "hopeful it will be resolved." The studio didn't comment on how this has affected its ability to market It Takes Two, or how it affects any plans to rename the game or any potential?? sequels.

W?e reached out to Take-Two, but they declined to comment on the matter.

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

Take-Two has recently been going after a number of disputes. So, at least It Takes Two has company. The co-op marriage repair simulator has otherwise been having a good year, too. It was well-received on release and is even up for the Game of the Year award at next week's Game Awards. Josef Fares and the team at Hazelight previously worked on the co-op prison escape A Way Out, so the team has really cemented its place in the c??o-op pantheon at this point.

Hopefully this trademark dispute with Take-Two is a blip in the pan for Hazelight. Though I'd expect their next game won't contain any words or phrases like Rock, Star, Pain, Max, or anything of that nature. Lawyer Richard Hoeg did a tweet thread on the matter and Take-Two's broader ??copyright claims, saying he suspects that Hazelight will rely on copyright moving forward.

The post Co-op adventure It Takes Two hit by Take-Two t??rademark claim appeared first on Destructoid.

Some big nods for smaller teams and also, Cyberpunk?

The Game Awards 2021 has revealed its list of nominees for this year's event. Par for any awards show, there are certainly?? some pleasant surprises and interesting selection?s.

Host Geoff Keighley announced the lineup of 2021 Game Awards nominees today during a livestreamed special, running down the list of games in each cat??egory. The selections were determined by ballot, with over 100 media and influencer outlets participating.

Some pleasant surprises were in store for indie teams, as some of this year's hidden gems like Chicory: A Colorful Tale, Inscryption, Loop Hero, and more getting nominations. Leading the pack were some expected AAA games, including Deathloop, Returnal, Psychonauts 2, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.?? Xbox/Bethesda was the most nominated publisher, followed by Sony, EA, and Square Enix.

//twitt??er?.com/thegameawards/status/1460657164083679240

Also, Cyberpunk 2077 appears in the Best RPG category. It clears the bar, as a December 2020 launch, but it's an odd choice up against stiff competition in the form of Tales of Arise, Monster Hunter Rise, Scarlet Nexus, and Shin Megami Tensei V.

You can go vote on the nominees at The Game Awards 2021 site here.

Here's the full lineup of The Game Awards 2021 nominees, broken down by category:

Game of the Year

• Deathloop
• It Takes Two
• Metroid Dread
• Psychonauts 2
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village

Best Game Direction

• Deathloop
• It Takes Two
• Returnal
• Psychonauts 2
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Best Mobile Game

• Fantasian
• Genshin Impact
• League of Legends: Wild Rift
• Marvel Future Revolution
• Pokemon Unite

Best Independent Game

• 12 Minutes
• Death's Door
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Inscryption
• Loop Hero

Best Debut Indie Game

• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Sable
• The Artful Escape
• The Forgotten City
• Valheim

Best AR/VR

• Hitman 3
• I Expect You To Die 2
• Lone Echo
• Resident Evil 4
• Sniper Elite VR

Best Narrative

• Deathloop
• It Takes Two
• Life is Strange: True Colors
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
• Psychonauts 2

Best Action Game

• Back 4 Blood
• Chivalry II
• Deathloop
• Far Cry 6
• Returnal

Best Action/Adventure

• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
• Metroid Dread
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village
• Psychonauts 2

Best RPG

• Cyberpunk 2077
• Monster Hunter Rise
• Scarlet Nexus
• Shin Megami Tensei V
• Tales of Arise

Best Fighting Game

• Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles
• Guilty Gear Strive
• Melty Blood Type Lumina
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
• Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown

Best Family Game

• It Takes Two
• Mario Party Superstars
• New Pokemon Snap
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
• Warioware: Get It Together!

Best Sim/Strategy

• Age of Empires IV
• Evil Genius 2: World Domination
• Humankind
• Inscryption
• Microsoft Flight Simulator

Best Sports/Racing

• F1 2021
• FIFA 2022
• Hot Wheels Unleashed
• Forza Horizon 5
• Riders Republic

Games For Impact

• Before Your Eyes
• Boyfriend Dungeon
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale
• Life is Strange: True Colors
• No Longer Home

Innovation in Accessibility

• Far Cry 6
• Forza Horizon 5
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• The Vale: Shadow of the Crown

Best Art Direction

• Deathloop
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Psychonauts 2
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• The Artful Escape

Best Score/Music

• Cyberpunk 2077
• Deathloop
• Nier Replicant
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
• The Artful Escape

Best Audio Design

• Deathloop
• Forza Horizon 5
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil Village
• Returnal

Best Performance

• Erika Mori (Life is Strange: True Colors)
• Giancarlo Esposito (Far Cry 6)
• Jason E. Kelley (Deathloop)
• Maggie Robertson (Resident Evil Village)
• Ozioama Akagha (Deathloop)

Best Multiplayer

• Back 4 Blood
• It Takes Two
• Knockout City
• Monster Hunter Rise
• New World
• Valheim

Best Ongoing Game

• Apex Legends
• Call of Duty: Warzone
• Final Fantasy XIV Online
• Fortnite
• Genshin Impact

Best Community Support

• Apex Legends
• Destiny 2
• Final Fantasy XIV
• Fortnite
• No Man's Sky

Most Anticipated Game

• Elden Ring
• God of War: Ragnarok
• Horizon Forbidden West
• The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Starfield

Best Esports Game

• Call of Duty
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Dota 2
• League of Legends
• Valorant

Best Esports Athlete

• Chris "Simp" Lehr
• Heo "ShowMaker" Su
• Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov
• Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev
• Tyson "TenZ" Ngo

Best Esports Team

• Atlanta Faze (Call of Duty)
• DAMWON Gaming (League of Legends)
• Na'Vi (CS:GO)
• Team Spirit (Dota 2)
• Sentinels (Valorant)

Best Esports Coach

• B1AD3
• Crowder
• Engh
• Kkoma
• Silent

Best Esports Event

• The International 2021
• Worlds 2021
• Valorant Masters 2021
• PGL Major Stockholm 2021
• PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2021

Content Creator of the Year

• Dream
• Fuslie
• Gaules
• Ibai
• The Grefg

The Game Awards 2021 will air on Dec. 9, 2021.

The post The Game Awards 2021 reveals its nominees for this year’s event appeared first on Destructoid.

Circle back to play Unravel Two after you're done

I originally intended to hold off playing It Takes Two until it was included with EA Play, but word-of-mouth snowballed shortly after launch and I was too into co-op gaming to wait any longer. I don't regret it! If you've been patiently waiting all along, now's your chance. You can play It Takes Two with y??our EA Play or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscri??ption.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSJN4hN28kg

The full game is a part of EA Play and specifically Game Pass Ultimate (which includes EA Play) as of November 4, 2021. It's on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

At the low end, you can sub to EA Pl??ay for $4.99 for ?just one month, get in, and get out.

So, is it worth your time? It Takes Two is arguably one of the year's best games, and as an exclusively co-op experience, that makes it one of the year's best co-op games, too. There's local and online multiplayer support, and if you don't have someone nearby to buddy up with, you can team up with a long-distance partner using a free Friend's Pass.

While the story isn't my favorite part, I appreciate that Hazelight Studios tried to do something interesting with its protagonists Cody and May, an on-the-rocks husband-and-wife duo. I also respect the challenge that It Takes Two is willing to throw down �both players?? need to show up and be vigilant during hectic boss fights and tricky puzzle-platformer sequences. There's plenty of care-free downtime while you explore and goof off with your partner. In short, it's kind of got a bit of everything. It's multi-genre.

EA keeps greenlighting these wacky Hazelight co-op titles, and I'm h??ere for it.

I'll also give Unravel Two a nod since it's in the EA Play library as well. You don't need to have gone through the first Unravel. While it's a bit more traditional, the co-op is ?fun.

The post It Ta??kes Two is now playab??le with EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate appeared first on Destructoid.

'Thank you so much for all the love you've shown our game, it means the world to us,' says Hazelight

Since launching on March 26, Hazelight's co-op adventure game It Takes Two has sold a million copies across PC and consoles, and it's "still going strong," according to the developer. You love to see it.

Wow!!! Just found out #ItTakesTwo has sold over 1 million copies and is still going strong!
Thank you so much for all the love you’ve shown our game, it means the world to us â¤ï¸

— Hazelight Studios (@HazelightGames) April 23, 2021

As a bigger, bolder, and more inventive follow-up to A Way Out, it'll be interesting to see where these two games end up, sales-wise, once the dust settles — I feel like It Takes Two is only getting started. Quick throwback for context: in 2018, A Way Out cleared a million sales in "just under two weeks."

It Takes Two looked fun and varied leading up to launch, it got high marks from critics, and the word of mouth from the general public has been overwhelmingly positive so far. I've seen p?eople call it a game-of-the-year contender, and while I'm not quite at that level of enthusiasm, I had a wonderful time tearing my way through oversized household locales as a shrunken-down dad doll. It's a perfect long-weekend, nothing-else-going-on game that you can really sink into. For $40, I have no regrets.

I can't imagine Hazelight or EA are anything but happy with these early figures, so I hope I can get my wish — please keep the "co-op only" games coming, folks. There's a real audience for these meaningful shared experiences that let both players have their own unique-to?-them standout moments.

It's just a matter of time before we play It Takes Two again and swap characters. With the way the puzzles, abilities, and even whole sections of any given level vary for P1 ?and P2, it's go??nna feel weird!

The post It ??Takes Two just hit a well-earned one mil??lion sales appeared first on Destructoid.

Hazelight is two for two with multiplayer-only adventures and I'd love to see other developers take notes from It Takes Two

After revisiting A Way Out a few months ago and just wrapping up It Takes Two over the weekend — it was surprisingly long! ?— it's been tough to muster my usual enthusiasm for other co-op games.

I love teaming up with my girlfriend whenever and wherever our gaming interests intersect, and I know we still have countless hours left on our Year 3 farm in Stardew Valley, which will continue to be our go-to "unwinding" game for the near futur??e. (We still have a few super-expensive purchases left, including two of the four warp obelisks and the Gold Clock, and I gu??ess we're really going for perfection?) Once we've tapped out, I'll be back on my weekend routine of looking for something new for us to play.

A lot of the time, after flipping through stores on multiple platforms and searching in vain for Reddit recommendations, I draw a blank. "This game would be fun... but it's online-only." "That one looks cool, but it's not out for a couple more months." "I don't know when Pikmin 4 or Overcooked 3 are happening."

We either resort to digging out a known favorite (again!) or take a chance on something iffy that one of us probably won't like all that much — or we just do our own thing. It's a sentiment that I think a lot of couples and families can relate to. And while I'll often settle for okay games with reasonably decent co-op modes, I would be thrilled to see more games that follow Hazelight's "co-op only" prime directive.

_{[Image credit: Aηgєℓ∂υÑ•Ñ‚]}

Funny enough, as someone who really liked A Way Out in spits of its unevenness, I wasn't sure when we'd get around to playing It Takes Two even though it looked like a notable step up in quality and scale. I had considered just subscribing to EA Play for ??a month and essentially "renting" the game, but the early word-of-mouth nudged me toward a full purchase. I don't regret it — it's an ??all-around great time.

The gist is that Cody and May are thinking of ending things, but their well-meaning daughter, Rose, has s??omehow turned them into dolls and transplanted them into a magical shrunken-down version of reality — oh, and there's a manic sentient Book of Love to poke and prod them. One player is Cody, the other is May, and they'll need each other's uniqu??e (and ever-changing) abilities to get out of this jam.

Every inch of the game — even random intera??ctive pieces of set decoration — feels like it was made solely with two players in mind. The designers never wanted players to fall asleep at the wheel, so you've both got to show up and stay focused. This isn't a game where one player can take the lead while the other is kind of just along for the ride. That can be difficult, but the eventual payoff is rewarding.

One moment, you're slinging nails into the wall so your partner can vault ahead with a hammer and smash a wall of glass bottles; during another, the two of you are firing sap at wasps and lighting them ablaze with projectile matches. The game is semi-grounded in the real world with locations from around Cody and May's sprawling home, but the journey gets increasingly out-there and it feels like anything is on the table. I hesitate to share many specifics because a lot of the joy is seeing how many distinct gameplay mechanics Hazelight was able to cram into It Takes Two while still keeping it cohesive.

At a certain point, I couldn't resist checking how much of the game was left. I was shocked to see that we were six chapters in and there were still three more to go. While I don't think It Takes Two needed to be as substantial as it is — actually, it could've been tighter with a few more trims — I'm glad it was lengthy. Even during the least interesting moments, we didn't wa??nt our shared experience to end.

I particularly loved the balance between reflex-intensive boss battles and linear chase scenes, meticulous puzzles that had to be planned out, intuitive puzzles that just had to be played well, and open-ended zones where we could chill. Being able to explore in opposite directions in hub areas did wonders for the overall pacing. And the mini-games. I can't believe there are 25 mini-games ?in here.

Not every facet felt inspired — some of the platforming puzzles are pretty familiar, and I was expecting something grander in the final act, for instance. I also found it tough to click with much of the story and dialogue. What makes It Takes Two so special is that it feels like a genuine adventure you're sharing with another person, one you won't soon forget. Admittedly, a lot of my co-op gaming time blurs together, but I could look at any screenshot plucked from It Takes Two and recall how we both felt in the moment.

_{[Image credit: Tamaster]}

I admire what Hazelight is doing on a fundamental level. Not just in terms of creating substantial co-op exclusive games that speak to new and experienced players, but making them attaina??ble with split-screen and online options, and offering a generous you-only-pay-once Friend's Pass system.

I recognize that the studio has a ?pretty sweet funding deal under the EA Originals label and not every team can risk making a game like this that requires two people when it's already hard enough to convince one player to show interest — but I wish this style of co-op game was far more prevalent.

As I already alluded to, I'm going to continue playing and enjoying indie party games, whatever Nintendo cooks up, and the occasional Borderlands, maybe. There will always be stuff to do. At the same time, I can't help but won?der what else is possible in this space. Imagine if more of our favorite games and genres were built exclusivel?y for split-screen and/or online teamwork. That's where my mind goes.

Whatever Hazelight wo??rks on next, I'm there on day one. See you in a few years??

The post It Takes Two is a blast and I hope Hazelight? keeps making co-op gam??es forever appeared first on Destructoid.

Just me and you... to make a dream come true...

Electronic Arts has released a jovial new trailer for its upcoming co-op only adventure title It Takes Two, which will unravel on PS4, ??PS5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X March 28.

Developed by Swedish studio Hazelight - founded by charismatic shouter Josef Fares - It Takes Two is the story of feuding couple Cody and May, who find themselves?? turned into dolls following a magical wish made by their daughter. Now at the mercy of "Love Guru" Dr. Hakim, the pint-sized couple must conquer a series of challenges set in and around their shared home, and maybe even learn a thing or two about themselves, their relationship, and their family along the way.

It Takes Two, as the name and premise suggest, is a co-op only adventure which will offer support for both online and local multiplayer, as players work together to overcome numerous "genre-bending" hazards and puzzles. Much like Hazelight's previous release No Way Out, It Takes Two will reward teamwork and collaboration - though wi??th perhaps a somewhat more heartwarming tone.

Behind the color and the comedy lies a pretty serious subject of broken families and the psychological effect it can have on individuals and their children. One that I'm sure will resonate with many players. As such, (and while I really don't want to be a wet blanket), I'm hoping It Takes Two is able to offer an intelligent and introspective approach?? to that particularly heavy element of t?he game's narrative.

The post Hazelight’s It Takes Two looks like a fun and resonant yarn appeared first on Destructoid.

'Instead of having collectibles and other shiny shit, we made the world interactive and fun,' says game director Josef Fares

The prison-break buddy adventure A Way Out was far more enjoyable than it seemed on the surface, to the point where some of us might've needed to "sell it" to rope in our companion. By comparison, the next game from Hazelight, It Takes Two, doesn't need to work hard to convince me – it just looks fun.

As director Josef Fares says in this narrate?d overview video, "the  ?amount of variation is insane. There are no similar scenarios; every scene is unique." One example: squirrels waging war against wasps.

Playing as a soon-to-be-separated husband and wife, Cody and May – who have, uh, been turned into dolls by their imaginative da?ughter – you'll need to help those squirrels take out the wasp horde. One player can shoot globs of sap at the flying menace while the other sets them ablaze with a match gun.

??"Most of the levels in this game will have May and Cody using a new mechanic, so depending on what character you're playing as, you'll have a different experience," according to Fares.

If you've played A Way Out, those same strong co-op principles are back for It Takes Two, only the game mechanics are heightening by the anything-goes fantasy theme. I'm particularly stoked for the optional mini-games. Baseball, Connect F??our, jail-yard exercise, and that volleyball arca??de game were silly fun.

I'm down for another trip. It Takes Two will be out March 26 for PC (including Steam), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, ?and Xbox Series X/S.?? It's $40 at launch, but only one player needs to buy it if you're playing online – player two can download the trial and play along with a "Friend's Pass." Otherwise, split-screen it is.

I wouldn't mind if other developers took notes from Hazelight's co-op-?only direction.

The post ‘Every scene is unique’ in the co-op adventure It Takes Two appeared first on Destructoid.