Playstack, the publisher of popular roguelike deckbuilder Balatro confirmed on Twitter that the game has been temporarily removed from some digital storefronts due to a sudden rating change. Apparently, the UK rating board PEGI changed the rating from 3+ to 18+ overnight due to "prominent gambling imagery" which prompted the sudden delistings. The problem here is that there is literally no gambling in Balatro.

According to Playstack, they specifically addressed this topic with PEGI back in October after it was originally rated 18+. And, after some communication, PEGI changed the rating to 3+. PEGI even went as far as to assure Playstack that "we have reviewed your product and determined that the disclosure of gambling themes was unwarranted." Playstack says that the content in Balatro has not changed since that discourse took place, so it doesn't make much sens??e.

The solo developer of Balatro, LocalThunk, a?lso responded to the rating boa?rd issue.

"I do not condone gambling (staking something personally valuable on an uncertain event) nor do I believe that Balatro contains gambling. I did add risk/reward mechanics and RNG to Balatro, bu?t these are core mechanics to the genre at large."

- LocalThunk, Solo Developer of Balatro

One platform not affected by this travesty is Stea??m, which does not carry any sort of age rat??ing based on rating boards.

I haven't had a chance to play just yet simply due to lack of free time at the moment, but our own Eric "The Cardmaster" Van Allen can attest that even a cursory five minutes in the world of Balatro makes it clear: this is not a game about gambling, whatsoever. This seems like a classic case of someone just glancing at a screenshot from Balatro and seeing that standard card decks are used, and there is a currency, and automatically associ?atin?g it with gambling. Not a good look, PEGI.

Balatro, which has no gambling mechanics whatsoever, is currently available on PC via Steam, as well as PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Serie?s X|S, and Nintend??o Switch depending on your region.

The post Poker deckbuilder Balatro is dealing with ratings bo??ard frustrations and delistings appeared first on Destructoid.

Last year, a leak showed that a remaster of Beyond Good and Evil is in the works for the 20th anniversary. At the time, the alleged game had been rated by the ESRB, and now the Ubisoft title has shown up on the Korean ?ratings board.

The Game Rating and Administration Committee (or GRAC for short) has listed the project on its website, and has given it a 12+. While the site is in Korean, the actual title is right there in plain English, referring to it as Beyond Good and Evil Remaster. The listing was added on Feb??ruary 16, so?? this is pretty fresh.

Granted, we already knew that this was happening, as Ubisoft itself confirmed it. Still, we've yet to see anything beyond the confirmation. The original came out in November 2003, so it's a little late if this is g??oing to be a special 20th year special.

Still no sequel, though

A remaster is great, of course, but what a lot of people are ideally wanting is a sequel. As I say, the game came out at the start of the new millennium. While a sequel has been in the works for some time, it's pre?tty ?much in development hell at this stage. Who knows whether it will ever see the light of day.

In any case, we may still get a modern take on the first (and only) game. Remastering it will likely mean a tweak to the controls to make them more mod?ern (a lot has changed these past two decades) and, of course, sleeker visuals.

We've been promised a Beyond Good and Evil 2 for years. At the very least, it's nice to know we get some Beyond Good and Evil, sometime hopefully soon.

The post Beyond Good and Evil Remaster ??appears on Kor?ean ratings board appeared first on Destructoid.

QuakeCon announcement incoming?

Everybody's favorite spoiler, The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea, is at it again, this time apparently lifting the lid on an incoming remaster of one of the most genre-defining shooters of all time, id Software's Quake II.

While Activision is yet to officially announce said remaster, we have been here once before, as game ratings board previously leaked the remaster of the original Quake, ahead of its official reveal at the annual gathering of all things id, QuakeCon. Given that QuakeCon 2023 is set to take place in a little over a month from now, it seems pretty snug that Quake II Remastered is scheduled to make its appearance.

Originally released in 1997, at the height of the second major FPS boom, Quake II is a violent, sci-fi shooter that sees top-tier marine Bitterman fend off an entire alien invasion with an arsenal of bombastic weaponry. With its smart, interconnected stages, multiple player characters, and commitment to chaotic destruction, Quake II was highly praised by critics and fans, becoming a mainstay on the early online multiplayer circuit and boosting the Activision coffers long before Call of Duty was even in consideration.

We will be sure to give you a heads-up when an official announcement is forthcoming. QuakeCon 2023 takes pla??ce at the Gaylord Texan Resort &? Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas from August 10-13.

The post Quak??e II Remastered surf?aces on Korean Ratings Board appeared first on Destructoid.

Fortunately, the ball remains round

It looks like the expansive LEGO gaming universe is about to stretch out onto the football pitch, as the ever-faithful spoilers over at The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea has uploaded a new listing for an as-yet-unannounced title, LEGO 2K Goooal!

As this is just a ratings board listing, there is very little info to go on. But we're clearly looking at a soccer title set within the creative building block world of LEGO. This leak ties in with an earlier report by VGC that revealed The LEGO Company was entering a partnership with 2K Games in order to develop a series of titles based around recreational sports. Visual Concepts' LEGO 2K Drive, which was released last month, is the first title in this range, and LEGO 2K Goooal! appears to be next in line.

We can expect an official announcement?? of LEGO 2K Goooal! from 2K Games and developer Sumo Digital at some point in the near-future??, perhaps during a summer event such as Gamescom 2023.

The post LE??GO 2K Goooal! pops up on the Ko??rean Ratings Board appeared first on Destructoid.

New content incoming?

Over on the game sales spoiler website, better known as The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea, there appears to be word of a brand new edition of Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog compilation, Sonic Origins, which first launched on PC and consoles back?? in June 2022.

The Korean ratings board has released a new listing for the as-yet-unannounced Sonic Origins Plus, which applied for registration back in late December 2022, before receiving approval in January of this year. The title, much like previous release Sonic Mania Plus, is expected to feature the original Sonic Origins compendium along with currently unspeci?fied new content. Back in 2018, Sonic Mania Plus added two additional characters �Mighty the Armadillo & Ray the Flying Squirrel �along with expanded multiplayer options and a brand-new mode.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzHXjAJ86Zw&ab_channel=Sonic??theHedgeh?og

Sonic Origins, released in part to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary, is a compendium of the first four titles in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The release includes Sega Mega Drive classics Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic CD, and Sonic 3 & Knuckles. In addition,?? the title features an array of?? new features including Mirror Mode, Anniversary Mode, and a chronological "story" campaign, that sees the player run through all of the titles as a single adventure, smoothly transitioning from title to title.

Sonic Origins is available now on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms. But if you're on the fence about picking?? it up, you may wish to wait for additional news on this supposed re-release.

The post Sonic Origins Plu??s pops up on Korean Ratings Board appeared first on Destructoid.

When will the fog clear..?

Top tier spoilers The Taiwan Digital Game Rating Committee is at it again, this time fanning the flames of rumor on a mysterious and as-yet-unannounced title in the Silent Hill series. Silent Hill: The Short Message has been newly rated for PS5, following on from its previous rating in Korea back in September.

The curious element here is that The Short Message was not one of the titles listed during Konami's Silent Hill Transmission presentation, held by the studio back in October ?of this year. The live stream contained several new titles pertaining to games, films, and even an interactive streaming project, but "The Short Message" was not among them.

Perhaps this mysterious r??elease pertains to a prologue demo �dare I say, a "Playable Teaser" �for one of the newly announced titles. Until Konami is ready to show its hand, we'll just have to wait and see.

Still, with Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 remake on the horizon, not to mention Silent Hill: Ascension, Silent Hill: Townfall, and period piece adventure Silent Hill: F, it seems that fans of fog and monsters have plenty of unholy horrors headed their way in the coming years. You better make sure your flashlight is well stocked up on batteries �and I don't mean?? that "50 for £1" deal from the local mar?ket.

The post ??Still-unannounced Silent ??Hill: The Short Message rated for PS5 appeared first on Destructoid.

And that's no claptrap

Today is a day, and that means its time for a ratings board to reveal the existence of an unannounced game/port �On this occasion, its the turn of 2K Games' Borderlands 3, which is apparently getting a Nintendo Switch port, as leaked by t??he Pan European Game Information (PEGI) committee.

The new port, as spotted by Gematsu, was listed on PEGI's website yesterday, appearing alongside its PC and console brethren and with a suggested release date of *checks notes* today! The listing includes the main game, first released in 2020, as well as a huge litany of DLC expansions, including Bounty of Blood, Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, Guns, Love, and Tentacles, and both the Designer and Director's Cut.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=0paDkX5WQfk

Though publisher 2K Games and developer Gearbox Software are yet to announce a Switch port of the nihilistic open-world shooter, the new PEGI rating all but suggests that the hybrid platform is about to get 3000% more explosive in the very near future. We'll be sure to give y'all a heads up when Mad Moxxi, Claptrap, Psycho Krieg, and the rest of Borderlands' motley crew of gun-toting, bomb-tossing maniacs are heading to ??chez Nintendo.

Borderlands 3 is available now on PlayStation??, PC, and Xbox platforms.

Borderlands 3 rated for Nintendo Switch in Europe [Gematsu]

The post Borderlands 3 for Nintendo Switch pops up on PEGI ??ratings board appeared first on Destructoid.

Border Advance

Everybody's favorite spoilers, The Taiwan Game Rating Committee, has uploaded a new listing pointing to as yet unannounced console ports of Sega's Company of Heroes 3 —The strategy sequel is currently in development for PC, and is schedule??d for?? launch in February 2023.

According to the new rating, (as spotted by Gematsu)  Company of Heroes 3 will be getting ported to ninth-gen platforms PS5 and Xbox Series X, though there is no suggestion these console ports will arrive alongside their PC brethren. Still, it's a snug suggestion th?at console players will be joining the war effort sooner rather than later, and most assuredly i?n 2023.

The newest entry in the acclaimed strategy series, Company of Heroes 3 will task armchair generals with guiding their highly trained platoons through the North African theater of? war. The sequel boasts a new "dynamic" campaign mode, that will adjust itself for multiple playthroughs with a sandbox approach to its tactical action. The "Essence" engine will bring levels of environmental destructibility ??yet to be experienced in the series, while a battalion of new units and vehicles will be sure to keep fans grinding out epic battle into the midnight hour and beyond.

We wil??l be sure to let you know should official word of the console ports be forthcoming.

Company of Heroes 3 launches February 23 on PC via Steam.

The post Company of Heroes 3 rated for PS5 and Xbox Series X in Taiwa???n appeared first on Destructoid.

This level of gore isn't for everyone... literally

With everything we've seen of The Callisto Protocol so far, it looks like it's shaping up to be one of the goriest horror games we've seen in a long time -- and recent developments in graphical fidelity is only going to make the violence more intense. While it's clear that the game won't be for those with a weak stomach, some players won't even be able to try it for themselves, because The Callisto Protocol's release in Japan has been entirely canceled.

According to developer Striking Distance, the cancellation came following a dispute with the Japanese ratings board. Apparently the game in its current bloody, gory state can't pass Computer Entertainment Rating Organization, or CERO, for certification. What it comes down to is that the board refuses to give Callisto Protocol a rating in Japan in its current state, and Striking Distance won't change the game, so they're in a deadlock. The December 2 release date is quickly approaching, and considering it's already gone gold, ther??e's not really anything they could do, anyway.

//?twitter.com/Callis?toGameJP/status/1585390850711904257

Basically, there's no way for Japanese players to get ahold of the game unless t??hey import it from another region, which I get the feeling determined gamers will have no problem doing. At least those who paid for pre-orders are getting a full refund.

The Callisto Protocol's extreme violence isn't much of a surprise considering the head of Striking Distance is Glen Schofield, one of the original creators of Dead Space. The inspiration fr??om Schofield's previous work is easy to see, but we're excited to see how t?his new IP distinguishes itself as a spiritual successor.

I for one think the stealth combat that we saw reminds me a lot of The Last of Us' sneaky horror gameplay, but also gives us something new with the powers integrated with the stealth and gunplay. Then there's the novelty of the hyper-realistic gore itself, which definitely makes the game stand out, but as is evidenced by the situation with Callisto Protocol in Japan, will undeniably be polarizi??ng for a portion of the player base.

The post The Callisto?? Protocol h??as been canceled in Japan because of gore appeared first on Destructoid.

Short and Sweet

A little mystery to kick off your Monday morning: As spotted by Gematsu, that master spoiler, the Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea, has updated its website with a selection of brand new titles �among them is a new listing for something called Silent Hill: The Short Message.

Like many of these early listings, there is no further information pertaining to the title's platforms or release date, though publisher UNIANA, (which handles Konami titles in the Korean territories), is listed as the distributor. This mystery title will no doubt set Silent Hill fans' tongues wagging, given that we have been fed numerous rumors and whispers regarding a new sequel in the le??gendary horror franchise for well over a year now.

While there is most certainly the possibility that The Short Message could refer to a mobile title or some other spin-off, it is definitely high time that these long-running rumors finally paid off. Perhaps we will hear something official from Konami before the year is out �say at the December Game Awards show or sim?ilar. Either way, it's something new to bite into, so make sure you clean your fog lamps and change the batteries in your torch...

Something Wicked this way Comes...

The post Silent Hill: The Short?? Message liste?d by Korean ratings board appeared first on Destructoid.

A Rough Deal

[Update: Daniel Mullins Games has confirmed that a PlayStation port of Inscryption is en route. A release date was not confirmed.]

One of our favorite spoilers, the Australian Classification ratings board, has updated its website with a new PlayStation listing for Daniel Mullins Games' deck-builder Inscryption, suggesting that the spooky roguelike card game is headed t?o PS4 in the very near future.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPBP3kWDcNk

Released on PC in the fall of 2021, Inscryption turned plenty of heads in double-quick time with its incredibly creepy and disturbing aesthetic, compelling strategy gameplay, and fascinating "found footage" framing device. The indie hit would go on to feature in many Best of Year lists, even winning the Ga??me of the Year award at the prestigio??us Game Developers Choice Award and the Seamus McNally Grand Prize at the Independent Games Awards.

While the title is yet to receive an announcement of any such port, this new rating all but confirms that Inscryption is headed to the console market. While this rating is strictly for PlayStation platforms, it is difficult to imagine that publisher Devolver Digital wi?ll not also be looking to release on Xbox and Nintendo Switch. We will be sure to give you a heads up when official confirmation is forthcoming.

Inscryption is?? available now on PC via?? Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store.

The post Inscryption PS4 port pops up on Austra??lian ratings board (Update) appeared first on Destructoid.

It couldn't come any sooner

The 2018 reboot of the God of War series was a huge game for Sony. It was pretty much universally praised, won plenty of Game of the Year awards, and sold a butt load of units. Kratos has become one of the faces of the PlayStation brand, and rightfully so �even before the reboot, God of War was considered one of the best game ?series of all time.

Now fans are thrilled to have that legacy continue, because the next entry in the franchise, God of War Ragnarok, is finally getting ready for its 2022 release, which fans were unsure it was going to be able to meet. After a recent video of studio head Cory Barlog apologizing that Sony Santa Mon?ica didn't have anyth??ing new to show fans, there were concerns that there was another delay on the horizon, after the game was already delayed a year back in 2021.

//twi??tter.com/SonySan??taMonica/status/1516771718710263811

Ragnarok has received a rating from the Korean Ratings Board, however, which is often the country that releases its ratings first. If the game is already at this stage i??n the publishing process, it ?looks like it's primed for its Q4 2022 release after all. Huzzah, boy!

When God of War Ragnarok was first announced back in 2020, fans originally expected it to be a PS5 exclusive. With the series being one of the most high-profile exclusives under the PlayStation umbrella, it makes sense that it would be one of the main selling points of the next-generation console. However, with the chip shortage and PS5s selling out in minutes with every restock, Sony finally announced in June of 2021 that Ragnarok would be coming to PS4 after all.

As someone who is still yet to luck out with a PS5 purchase, I feel like I speak for the fans when I say there would have been a revolt if Sony didn't all for the game to be available on the previous console generation. Here's hoping we get some more info during the upcoming State of Play event, although there's no guarantee that God of War will be making an appearance. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it got its own event considering how what a big deal it is. At least? we know it's coming now though, and it's just a waiti?ng game when it comes to the logistics.

The post God of War Ragnaro??k is still on track for a 2022 release date appeared first on Destructoid.

Now Assembling

Brand new listings on several video game rating websites suggest that Firaxis' delayed Marvel's Midnight Suns is edging closer to release. The comic-book-based strategy adventure was expected to launch in the spring of this year but was pushed back to "later in 2022" to allow the developer to make a more polished?? product.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI-VapFaOPQ

Originally announced during the summer of 2021, Marvel's Midnight Suns is a grim 'n' edgy-looking strategy title that aims to blend the fine RTS development of Firaxis, (as realized in titles such as XCOM and XCOM 2) with the expansive and exciting Marvel universe. Heroes and anti-heroes from the Marvel universe will team up to form "Th?e Midnight Suns," th??e galaxy's last hope for salvation against the Sumerian Mother of Demons: Lillith. The team will be led by a fully customizable player character known as The Hunter.

Both the Australian Classification Ratings Board and The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea (as noted on Reddit) have updated their listings for the new game, so it would seem that Firaxis and publisher 2K Games are in the latter-day stages of development. It should be noted that the ratings do not necessarily mean that Midnight Suns is good to go. Realistically, we?'re probably looking at a late-summer/early-fall release. Also of note,?? the game has received ratings equivalent to "Mature."

Marvel's Midnight Suns w??ill launch in 2022 on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

The post Marvel’s Midnight Suns resubmitted to game ratings boards appeared first on Destructoid.

Buy it again and again and...

Do you think that you've had enough of Warriors Orochi 3? No. According to a new listing on the Australian Classification Ratings Board, publisher Koei Tecmo is preparing to rerelease the rerelease of the original release one more time, in the form of Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate Definitive Edition.

Originally arriving on PS3, PSP, Wii-U, and Xbox 360 back in 2011, Warriors Orochi 3 was the then-latest entry in the legendary hack 'n' slash RPG franchise. While the release received the same typically mixed reviews that meet most entries in the franchise, fans enjoyed its chaotic warfare, period setting, and huge roster of characters, which also included guest stars pulled from Koei's own Dead or Alive series.

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

So popular was the title that it was updated and relaunched several years after release, in the form of Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate for PS3 and PS Vita, before eventually making its way to PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch platforms in 2017. This edition of the game featured new improved visuals and lighting mechanics, stages and side stories, new guest characters (including Sophitia from Bandai Namco's Soulcalibur), and all previously released DLC content.

So, what is Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate Definitive Edition? Well, we'll have to wait until Koei Tecmo is ready to reveal all to find out. One would naturally assume that it is a port of Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate for platforms such as PS5, PC, or Xbox Series, perhaps including 4K visuals, 60 FPS gameplay, and ??other technical upgrades. No doubt we'll be hearing from the publisher this summer, if not sooner. So just keep that poleaxe sharpened and stay tuned.

The post Warriors ?Orochi 3 Ultimate Definitive Edition pops up on Australian ratings board appeared first on Destructoid.

Yo ho mateys �Skull & Bones is on the horizon

When Skull & Bones showed up to E3 2017 with a bombastic cinematic trailer for a new game that featured pirates swashbuckling on the Indian Ocean, gamers were understandably pumped. We've had some pretty awesome pirate games over the years, like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Sea of Thieves, and of course the classic Monkey Island series. Players were ready for Skull & Bones to j??oin those ranks, because it looks like it would be yet another unforgettable adventure on the high? seas. That is, if it ever comes out.

The next year at E3, thankfully, we got another story trailer and a gameplay trailer, so there were no signs of any turbulent waters yet. As time went on, though, the game fell into the whirlpool that is game development �the studio behind Skull & Bones, Ubisoft Singapore, went through some pretty significant changes throughout the course of making the game, which included a few delays and other development problems here and there. In 2020, the studio shifted towards a live-service approach for the title. Finally, a video in April gave us a good look at some of Skull & Bones' gameplay systems, revitalizing our hope one mo??re time.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9YYYVG0YQI

The newest update on the game is that ratings have started coming in �specifically, one from the Game Rating and Administration Committee from South Korea, as was noticed by Twitter user @the_marmolade and reported by the Video Games Chronicle.

So it's not exactly a huge update by any means, but it does mean that the game is one step closer to getting its full release. While the ESRB doesn't have a listing for the game yet, apparently it's common for the Korean committee to release its ratings first, for a reason unbeknownst to us.

This is excellent news for the fans who've stuck around long enough to even remember this game, because Skull & Bones is finally supposed to release sometime next year. As a big fan of pirates myself, this is one I've tentatively kept an eye on ??over the years after I fi?rst saw it at E3 in 2018, and I for one will be looking forward to joining the adventure on the high seas...whenever I can.

The post Skull & Bones gets a rating, might finally come out appeared first on Destructoid.

Comeback time for M.I.A multiplayer title?

Remember Resident Evil ReVerse? Capcom's multiplayer actioner featuring a mish-mash of characters from survival horror's foremost universe? Of course you do, it was only in development, like, a year ago. Anyway, it appears that the online shooter �indefinitely delayed back in the summer of 2021 �is finally preparing to resurface.

Eagle-eyed editors at Gematsu noted that the Pan European Game Information board (PEGI) has recently updated its listing for Resident Evil ReVerse on Stadia, unsurprisingly affording the horror-based title an "18" certificate. While the PlayStation, PC, and Xbox editions of ReVerse were rated over a year ago, this Stadia rating is brand new, which suggests that Capcom is ready to get the spin-off title back on track and into the hands of Resident Evil fans the world over.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtX1pxZ3aqE

Originally designed for the series' 25th anniversary, Resident Evil ReVerse is a revamped and expanded take on faith RE multiplayer mode "Mercenaries." In ReVerse, up to six players will take up the mantles of several heroes and villains from a variety of Resident Evil releases, including Leon Kennedy, Ada Wong, Claire Redfield, and Jack Baker, before battling it out in a variety of PvP modes. While Capcom has experimented with several playable betas, ReVerse has struggled to find its footing and has faced several delays since the??se demos dropped.

With the new listing, it seems clear that Resident Evil ReVerse has not been canned, and that the development team is ready to take a new swing at selling the run 'n' gun release to the massive Resident Evil playerbase. While the Mercenaries mode is undeniably popular among hardened players, it remains to be seen whether the idea of third-person Resident Evil-based deathma??tches will take hold of the survival horror community at large.

//twitter.com/gematsu/status/1522808860414783489?s=20&t=1?RxDjDsY7OQjiE_wwHqRKg

The post Resident Evil ReVers???e rises from its grave with new PEGI rating appeared first on Destructoid.

Logan en route to PlayStation Plus Premium

The Ultimate Spoiler: The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea is at it again, although this time around is choosing to go a little old-school with its update. Freshly listed on the committee's ratings website are new listings for a tetrology of titles pulled from 989 Studios' stealth-action series, Syphon Filter.

The new listings include ratings in Korea for Syphon Filter (1999), Syphon Filter 2 (2000), Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror (2006), and finally Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow (2007). All four games are rated for PS4 and PS5, which would suggest that they are being prepped for re-release on the revamped PlayStation Plus service. The service, as noted by Sony last month, will feature a wide variety of titles pulled from PlayStation history. Conspicuous by their absence are Syphon Filter 3 (2001) and PS2 release Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain (2004).

Of course, if every PlayStation, PS2, and PSP title is getting set to be re-rated for PlayStation Plus inclusion, then it would seem that Game Ratings Committees have a helluva lot of work queued up. While we're unlikely to report on every title that waits in line for re-release, it's worth noting that the Syphon Filter series was pretty darn cool, and sets a precedent for some of the quality franchises that will be making a grand comeback?? on the new service.

The revamped PlayStation Plus is expected to launch in June. Check out the details right here.

The post Clas?sic Syphon Filter titles rerated by Korea Ratings Board appeared first on Destructoid.

Emerging from Green Hill's undergrowth

[Update: Following yesterday's rating news, eager tech-heads went digging around the PlayStation Database and uncovered brand new splash art for Sonic Origins, as noted by fansite Sonic Stadium.]

//twit??ter.com/sonicstadium/status/1516073718207893506?s=20&t=UKwpLkNBLZuWq0pypJPrWQ

Since its initial announcement in the spring of 2021, Sega has been completely silent on the topic of one Sonic Origins �a supposed retro compilation of The Blue Blur's 16-bit hits. While the publisher has invariably referred to Sonic's future across the past 12 months, this one title s??eemed all but forg??otten.

Well, it seems that the project has not been abandoned, as everyone's favorite spoiler, The Korean Game Rating and Administration Committee, has off??icially listed the missing-in-action release. As spotted by Twitter user... erm... "@regularpanties"... Sonic Origins has been afforded a wholesome "A" certificate, so I wouldn't expe?ct any all-new bourbon-d??rinking, eye-gouging content to have been included.

Sonic Origins is expected to be an HD compilation of Sega Mega Drive releases Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994), Sonic & Knuckles (1994), and the Mega CD release Sonic CD (1993??). We are still awaiting the news of any additional features and extras. I'm hoping for a PAL mode option so I can play it at those shitty UK speeds we had to suffer through.

The rating comes just weeks after rumors that Sonic Origins' development has been downsized to just a scant handful of people, which has led to what has been an extended period of silence from the publisher. In addition to Sonic Origins, Sega is also working on the ambitious Sonic Frontiers, which is tentatively scheduled to launch later in 2022. So it would make sense that Origins may have fallen down the priority list.

//twitter.com/regularpanties/status/15158730943?84209925?s=20&t=Uq8ojwaA_LQ6btracPzjRw

The post (Update?) The M.I.A Sonic Origins compilation has recently been rated in Korea appeared first on Destructoid.

Will those licensed titles finally appear?

The greatest spoiler in the gaming industry, The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea, is at it again �The website has dropped a new listing for an as-yet-unannounced "Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium", which sounds like a sequel (or expansion) to the classic retro compendium released by Capcom in the winter of 2021.

Of course, there are no details whatsoever including in the listing, which was registered on the PC platform on March 18. The listing is accompanied by an alternate release, Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium Bundle #1, which suggests that titles will be able to purchase in packs, much like the original release. It would also be assumed that a new collection of titles would be made available to owners of the original Capcom Arcade Stadium as DLC.

While Capcom Arcade Stadium offers up solid, old-school fun, there are many titles from the legendary developer that did not put in an appearance. Of course, this list of M.I.A. titles includes some of Capcom's beloved licensed releases, such as Cadillacs and Dinosaurs and The Punisher. Whether this new edition of CAS will featur??e some of these oft??-requested entities remains to be seen.

We'll be sure to give?? you a heads-up when more officia?l information is forthcoming. Get saving those quarters.

Capcom Arcade Stadium is available now on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo?? Switch.

Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium rated for PC in Korea [Gematsu]

The post Capcom Arcade Stadium sequel pops up ?on Korean ratings board appeared first on Destructoid.

Wascally Wabbit Weturns

Everyone's favorite spoiler �the Taiwan Game Rating Committee �has dropped a new listing for a Nintendo Switch port of TiGames excellent furry adventure F.I.S.T. Forged in Shadow Torch. While not an official confirmation, the board has developed a rep fo??r rev?ealing titles long before their official announcements.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZEiT8QZbmY

Released on PlayStation and PC platforms in the fall of 2021, F.I.S.T. in a steampunk metroidva?nia that follows a weary war hero as they attempt to mount a resistance against a violent and oppressive regime, Legion, which has brought war and ruin to the fuzzy citizens of Torch City. Armed (literally) with the clunky remnants of his old battle armor, Rayton Rabbit begins his journey into the industrial hell of Forge Tower, unaware of the ghosts of the past that await him within.

Despite its small budget and unproven IP, I will personally go to bat for F.I.S.T. as one of 2021's best, most unsung releases. With gorgeous visuals, characterful animation, deep combat mechanics, and a solid, unrelenting challenge, TiGames and BiliBili delivered one of my favorite platform adventures in many years. Hopefully, this supposed Nintendo Switch port of F.I.S.T. will faithfully capture the compelling ??action of its PlayStation and PC brethren �bringing this great game to a wider audience.

F.I.S.T. Forged in Shadow Torch is availab?le now on PlayStation and PC (via Steam and EGS).

The post ?F.I.S.T. Forged in Shadow Torch rated fo??r Switch in Taiwan appeared first on Destructoid.

Construction title pulled from Steam

The latest story from the wild 'n' wacky world of Australian Classification sees strategy management sim RimWorld pulled from Steam after it bagged a "Refused Classification" rating f????rom the official board.

Unfortunately for Ludeon Studios, the notoriously stringent Australian Ratings Board has not only brought the hammer down on the application, but has also retroactively removed RimWorld from the Steam platform in Australia. "Refused Classification" is a status decreed for titles that contain "matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena." Oddly, there have been titles in the past that received an "RC" rating on consoles, but still remained available for purchase on PC, so this incident is very much a raw deal for RimWorld fans.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tDrxOASUog

"I'm sorry this news was so sudden and for anyone who is frustrated by this," an understandabl??y fr?ustrated Ludeon Studios wrote in a blog post. "We are working to resolve this situation and make RimWorld available to everyone again as soon as possible, but ?we don't yet know what that might require or how long it may take."

RimWorld, (previously known as Eclipse Colony), is a sci-fi indie builder from indie outfit Ludeon Studios. Originally launched on PC/Steam back in 2018, the game sees players build and manage a city of colonists across an intergalactic frontier. RimWorld received praise from critics and players for its rich mechanics and interesting stellar setting. While RimWorld is yet to receive a console port, the fact that it was put forward to ratings boards afresh suggests that the developer/publisher is lookin??g to transition the title onto new platforms.

The post Colony sim RimWo?rld refused classification i??n Australia appeared first on Destructoid.

Giddy Up

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has dropped a new console listing for pony-punching slugger Them's Fightin' Herds, suggesting that the great indie fighter might be in line for an official retai?l release on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch in the near future.

A title with an extremely complex history, Them's Fightin' Herds started out as unofficial fan game Fighting is Magic, a one-vs-one fighter based on the excellent My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic TV series by Lauren Faust. After Hasbro's legal team came a-callin', the title was reimagined with original worlds and characters �approved by none other than Faust herself �and would eventually launch on Steam in April of 2020, following a two-year Early Access period.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZd8pQhlxfA&t

Since its launch, developer Mane6 and publisher Modus Games have continued to offer solid support to the niche hoof-smasher, adding new mechanics, modes, stages, and characters. Them's Fightin' Herds �while not the most popular bra??wler on the block �has developed a passionate and dedicated fanbase, and is acclaimed for its cool cartoon visuals, deep anime-style combat, and excellent online connectivity.

A console release would only further open up the title's anthropomorphic action to a wider audience, while offering the developer better finances with which to expand the title or fund a potential sequel. As such, the ESRB rating comes as exciting news for the TFH community. We'll be sure? to give you a heads up if there is any official word from the Mane6 crew.

Them's Fightin' Herds is available now on PC via Steam.

The post ESRB rating points to console release for Them’s Fightin’ Herds appeared first on Destructoid.

If I can be serious for a minute...

It seems that the ridiculous and bombastic action of Serious Sam 4 is getting set to detonate on PlayStation 5, as a new brand PS5 listing for the 2020 (really? it was only last year?) release has been spotted?? ??on Germany's USK ratings board.

The USK rating was registered on November 8, and sees the violent shooter, understandably, bag itself an "18" certificate. Neither developer Croteam nor publisher Devolver Digital has confirmed the presence of a PS5 release, although it was always a plan to eventually release the sequel?? to console platforms �following its original September 2020 launch on PC and Stadia. I'm not gonna lie to you, I'd completely forgotten that console ports were supposed to be en route.

Serious Sam 4 was a return-to-form for the gung-ho superhero, as he takes his incredible arsenal of ground-shaking weaponry on a destructive, globe-trotting war against an unholy army of alien forces. Sam's journey takes him across Russia, Rome, France, and even to the Arctic as he strives to find the gateway that has brought the monsters to Earth, while popping the noggins of anyone standing in his way. Serious Sam 4 receiv??ed mixed reviews, though it was praised for its wanton appetite for de?struction and cathartic approach toward good, old-fashioned FPS action.

We'll be sure to g?ive you a head?s up if an official word is forthcoming from Devolver Digital.

The post Serious Sam 4 for PS5 pops up on German ratin?gs board appeared first on Destructoid.

Will we see it com-ing?

A mysterious new Atlus title has popped up on the Australian Government Classification website �The as-yet-unannounced game is known as "??Project Pen" and is ??currently in development as a "multi-platform" title.

Little has been confirmed about Project Pen, except we do know from its classification page that it received an "MA 15+" rating from the Australian classification board for its "strong violence and sexualised imagery". Additionally, the new title will also feature in-??game purchases and will be published in English-speaking territories by Sega of America. Curious. Stranger still, the USA is also listed as the new title's point of origin, potentially implying that Project Pen will be developed in the west, which is quite uncommon for Atlus releases.

Atlus/Sega is, of course, best known for its collaborative efforts on the beloved JRPG franchise Persona �which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. An announcement pertaining to the slick series is expected in December, but whether that announcement and this new rating are linked remains guesswor?k for now. Either way, Atlus has something up its sleeve, a??nd we'll just have to hold on with bated breath before Project Pen is officially revealed.

Atlus-develop??ed "Project PEn??" game rated in Australia [Persona Central]

The post Mystery Atlus title ‘Project Pen’ rated in Australia appeared first on Destructoid.

All titles must present 'correct set of values'

China continues to tighten restrictions around the video games industry. According to an internal governmental memo, reportedly leaked to the South China Morning Post, all titles submitted for licensing will be required to meet new and stricter guidelines in? regards to their moralistic values and represent??ation of China's history and philosophy.

According to the memo, (as reported by GamesIndustry.biz), developers' wares can no longer be considered "pure entertainment", and will be reviewed by regulators for possible red flag content. Examples noted include law violation, the leaking of state secrets, superstitious beliefs, the glorification of violence, false narratives around history and historical figures, and the encouragement of self-harm. Perhaps the strictest regulati?ons, however, refer to both player choice and sexuality/gender.

"Some games have blurred moral boundaries," reads the memo, reportedly. "Players can choose to be either good or evil […] but we don’t think th??at games should give players this choice […] and this must be altered [...] If regulators can’t tell the character’s gender immediately, the setting of the characters could be considered problematic and red flags will be raised."

These new restrictions come as part of a major crackdown on video games in China, a pastime previously described by the country's ministers as "spiritual opium". The new moral code will join previously implemented mandates and laws including time restrictions on younger players, facial recognition logins for mobile titles, and purposefully extended waiting periods for game cla?ssification. Additionally, the country has ban??ned under-16s from livestreaming.

A whistleblower website is currently being trialed, allowing the public to report developers or players that they believe are circumventing any or all of the above r?ules.

The post China further tightens restrictions on violence,? sexuali??ty, and choice in gaming appeared first on Destructoid.

T: Theft, determination, to steal what you can and run from the nation

The Korean Game Rating and Administration Committee are at it again. Renown for its ability to leak the existence of new games before the publishers are ready to drop the official word, the governing body has uploaded a new listing for a Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition, as registered by publisher Ta?ke-Two Interactive.

While there are zero details pertaining to this new title, the internet has been in full whisper mode for some time, suggesting that developer Rockstar is currently preparing full remasters of the classic PS2/Xbox releases Grand Theft Auto III (2001), Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002), and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004). Rumors have pointed to remasters built in Unreal Engine, with a mix of "new and old graphics," for PC and consoles, including a Nintendo Switch release. According to reporting from Kotaku, thes?e m?odern versions could be coming as soon as "late October or early November."

There is, of course, no clarification that the listed "Definitive Edition" is this GTA?? ?remaster trilogy, but the conclusion is a snug one...

...That said, it could turn out to be a compendium of the PS3, PS4, and PS5 editions of Grand Theft Auto V. Don't laugh.

The post Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition pops up on Korean ratings board appeared first on Destructoid.

For $20, you're getting three Game Boy Advance titles and the Super Nintendo's Dracula X

[Update: Castlevania Advance Collection was shown at today's Nintendo Direct and then not-so-stealthily released on the eShop. It's out now for $19.99, and the compilation includes three GBA games and a bonus title, as rumored: Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow, and Dracula X (a peculiar SNES release). This collection has regional variants (Japanese, American, European), an encyclopedia, a music player, and the ability to quick-save, quick-load, and rewind time "for a few seconds f?or a second chance??."]

[Update 2: This isn't a timed Switch exclusive! Konami also released Castlevania Advance Collection on PS4, PC (Steam), and Xbox One. I see M2 credited, I buy.]

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXnWqCgG6Is

More fuel has been added to the ongoing fire that is the Castlevania Advance Collection �a compendium of c??lassic adventures that raises its head time and?? again despite having yet to be officially confirmed by publisher Konami.

While multiple video game ratings websites have seemingly confirmed the title's existence, a recent update added to the Taiwan Digital Game Rating Committee's own listing has added a fourth game to the previously noted three. As spotted by users over at ResetEra, joining 2001’s Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, 2002’s Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, and 2003’s Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow will be Castlevania: Dracula X, the 1995 SNES rework of 1993 PC Engine classic Rondo of Blood.

Dracula X reworked the majestic PC Engine original to better fit SNES audiences raised on the excellent Super Castlevania IV. Not only are Rondo of Blood's characters, stages, and boss battles rearranged, but multiple elements of Dracula X itself fell foul of twitchy North American censors, ultima?tely making the Japanese Super Famicom edition a sought-after item on the burgeoning '90s import scene.

Despite Konami's ongoing tight-lipped stance on the situation, it is believed that Castlevania Advance Collection will launch on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Some time has p??assed since the collection originally appeared on game rating sites, so hopefully, an official word will ??be forthcoming soon...

...I mean, there is a Nintendo Direct taking place tonight.

The post Castlevan??ia Advance Collection is out now Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox (Up?date) appeared first on Destructoid.

Still unannounced collection pops up once again

A new rating has appeared for the as-yet-unannounced retro compendium Castlevania Advance Collection. Following on from the title's previous appearance on the Australian Classification site, the new listing appeared from the Taiwan Digital Game Rating Committee's offic??ial da?tabase, this time confirming the game's title and its prospective platforms.

While the listing was mysteriously removed, Gematsu was able to grab a quick screenshot of the details, suggesting that Castlevania Advance Collection will launch on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. While there are no official details pertaining to the titles that will be featured in the collection, one can snugly assume that 2001's Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, 2002's Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, and 2003's Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow will all be present and correct.

We will be sure to ?let you all know once the official word is forthcoming fr?om Konami.

The post Castl?evania Advance Collection rated for PC and consoles in Taiwan appeared first on Destructoid.

Console Conquest

[Update: During today's Xbox Gamescom stream, Microsoft confirmed that Crusader Kings III is headed to Xbox Series X/S "soon", fully optimized for console controller and display experiences.?? More details and an official date were not announced. Paradox Interactive later confirmed a PS5 edition is also en route.]

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsKImC3_UGQ

[Original article:]

It's sure been a month for rating board leaks. Following the appearance of Quake Remastered and Disney Classic Games Collection, the Taiwan Digital Game Rating Committee has dropped a listing for a console edition of grand strategy title Crusader Kings III, which is apparen??tly headed to PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

Originally released on PC in the fall of 2020, Paradox Interactive's epic and intricate sequel once again challenges players to thrive �or at least survive �the ??opulent, hazardous, and cut-throat Middle Ages. Utilizing ruthless decision-making, efficient management, and silver-tongued deception, players guide dynasti??es of families across generations of gameplay, gathering land and power while making and breaking deals with your friends and rivals... Keep your friends close and all that jazz.

Crusader Kings III was an absolute smash on PC, scoring highly with both critics and fans. An expansion pass was launched alongside the base game, with first expansion The Royal Court announced back in May. Porting Crusader Kings III to next-gen platforms will only serve to increase both the brand's presence and the size of its community, so it's a smart move worthy of any strategist. We'll be sure to let you know when the Crusader Kings III PS5 and Xbox proclamation is officially declared?.

Crusader Kings III is available now on PC.

The post (Update) Crusader Kings III confirmed for PS5 and X??box Series X appeared first on Destructoid.

Proposed bill to brand loot box games 'Adults Only'

An Australian legislator is drafting a bill amendment that would require every "loot box" video game to be stamped with an "R18+" rating, essentially making it illegal for retailers/publishers to sell any video game fe??aturing the controversial mechanic to anyone under 18 years of age.

As reported by Kotaku, Australian parliamentary member Andrew Wilkie is expected to present the Classification Amendment (Loot Box) Bill to the House of Representatives in August, where it will be voted on and thus approved or rejected. The new legislation would see all Loot Box-based games on all platforms received the R18+ or "Adults Only" rating, alongside further descriptive inform??ation warnings of said title's in-game purchases.

"We as a country accept that people over the age of 18 can gamble but let's make that for adults and giving parents a warning," Wilkie said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph. "To allow very young children to pay? cash for a randomised event that may or may not reward them that would meet any definition of gambling."

Australia maintains an incredibly staunch stance against video gaming and its content. In regards to video game censorship, Australia is among the most scissor-happy countries on the globe. Wilkie's proposed bill, however, goes far beyond the hand-wringing ove??r whether a game is too violent or promotes recreational drug use. Should the Classification Amendment (Loot Box) Bill pass, it could facilitate a re-evaluation of the use of loot boxes in gaming for other countries, potentially changing the industry's trigger-happy application of the mechanic on a global basis.

That's a might?y big "should", howev??er... and an even bigger "could".

The post Australian legislator proposes bill to give ‘Adults Only’ rating to all loot box games appeared first on Destructoid.