It's going to need to be 'perfect' at this rate

The age of reboots and remakes is par for the course nowadays. So when a trailer for a Perfect Dark reboot came out in 2020, it seemed like a good time to revisit the N64 FPS. At least, that was the plan, but the project appears to have suffered from development hell for some time.???? In fact, it could still be years away from completion.

A recent (and insightful) report from IGN gives the skinny on what's been happening with the reboot of Rare's legendary follow-up to GoldenEye. Beginning life in 2018, The Initiative, a studio set up internally at Microsoft, got the ball rolling on bringing Perfect Dark to the modern gaming world.

However, conflicts rose between the studio and Certain Affinity, who came onbo??ard in 2019. This slowed development, even resulting in a flurry of resignations. A lack of direction also meant the project (ironically) saw a number of reboots.

[caption id="attachment_388965" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Image via NEPA Scene[/caption]

Things seem to be moving forward at the moment, with Tomb Raider's Crystal Dynamics now helping out. However, the Perfect Dark reboot still seems to be a long way from reaching us. In fact, sources from IGN's report state th??at it may not surface for another two or three years.

That puts the release window around 2025 at the earli??est. ?Given that it's been in development since 2018, that's at least a seven-year cycle. While some games have been in development for longer, the fact that the project restarted a number of times means it will likely arrive long after its original due date.

Hopefully the final product will live up to the hype, especially for those who remember the original Nintendo 64 release. With GoldenEye getting ported to modern systems this year, the opportunity to relive retro games is very much in vogue. The chance to play a remake of Perfect Dark is probably on a lot of people's radars.

Perfect Dark remains slated to launch on ?Xbox Series X|S and PC.

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They better bring back the headbutt

If you're a horror gaming fan of a certain age, and you're currently eagerly awaiting news of the teased Alone in the Dark reboot, then the wait is almost over, as THQ Nordic has announced that it will be holding?? ??a special showcase to offer up new details on the returning survival horror classic.

The new Alone in the Dark release will be a full-on reboot of Infogrames' 1992 classic, and will see private investigators Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood investigate a weird, desecrated mansion located deep in the Louisiana bayou. Developer Pieces Interactive notes that it wishes to capture the creepy, third-person gameplay and cosmic horror nature of the original release, brought up-to-date with modern technology and mechanics??. The studio considers the reboot a true "love lette??r" to its predecessor.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI7wA60-sQw

Alone in the Dark has sort of stumbled through its own lifetime, with three groundbreaking but clumsy initial releases, an "ok" PlayStation comeback in 2001, and the notorious 2008 disaster that reviewed so poorly, it lead then-publisher Atari to threaten legal action against press outlets. With these strange and middling titles behind it, perhaps this aged franchise, essentially a forerunner to survival ho?rro??r itself, can retake its place at the table. I have a fondness for AitD, and I hope that the new game is a real success, conceptually and financially.

The Alone in the Dark showcase will hit THQ Nordic's YouTube and Twitch channels tomorrow, May 25, at 17:00 PT / 20:00pm ET / 01:00 BST. Alone in the Dark ??is in development for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X.

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Ninja Rap

[Update: In a new statement to VGC, Team Ninja's Tom Lee has suggested that fans shouldn't hold their breath on these previously hinted reboots for both Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive.

"Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden are both long-standing pillar franchises for Team Ninja. These celebrated titles are synonymous with our studio history and reputation," said Lee in VGC's statement. "It ?goes without saying that when speaking about the development of our past and future projects, both of these important titles cannot be left without mention. However, there are no details or information to share on either of these franchises at this present time."

“Like ma??ny of our dedicated fans, we share the enthusiasm for the return of these beloved titles. And we will be sure to provide a proper update (if and) when that day arrives."]

Original Article

Team Ninja is not done with its flagship franchises Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive �What's more, it appears that the Japanese developer is actually making preparations to reboot both franchises for s??omething of a fresh start for both long-running ser??ies.

At the G-Star conference in Busan, South Korea this weekend, Team Ninja President Fumihiko Yasuda held a panel on the future of the studio. As part of Yasuda's presentation, a slide was shown that featured logos and images from action RPG franchise Ninja Gaiden, and 3D scrapper series Dead or Alive, complete with a header of "Reboots of popular series". A translation from Ruliweb suggests that Yasuda said news of these projects would arrive "as so?on as possible".

The last mainline Ninja Gaiden release was 2012's Ninja Gaiden 3, though numerous spin-offs, side-titles, and compilations have hit the market since then. The series is renowned for its violent combat, mythical adventure, and exceptionally challenging gameplay. It is also one of gaming's longest-running franchises �the original entries in?? the series having?? launched on arcade and NES markets in 1988.

Initially launched as a challenger to the burgeoning 3D fighter market, Dead or Alive is typified by its incredibly fast fighting action, smart counter-attack mechanics, and cheesecake-sexualized roster of buxom babes. While Dead or Alive as a fighter is top-tier entertainment, the series has been heavily chastised in recent years as a mere cash register, with the last release, Dead or Alive 6, being particularly egregious in its "DLC first, game second" mentality. Over $400 worth of in-game costumes were released for the title in its first year, with even alternate hair colors being sold as separate DLC purchases. In addition, the game itself felt as if little advancement had been made over the-then seven-year-old DoA 5.

Dead or Alive 6, inarguably, was a shameful end to a plucky, well-designed, underdog fighting franchise. A reboot is the only way to go for Team Ninja. As for whether any lessons will have been learned from DoA 6's embarrassment. That will be on the part of its publis??her. Time will tell.

Team Ninja is planning to reboot Dead or Alive and ??Ninja G??aiden [Free Step Dodge]

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Resharpen your blade...

SNK's 2019 release Samurai Shodown is a sharp-ass game �in both literal and metaphorical ways. The cult fighter successfully managed to reinvent itself for modern platforms, while retaining the very deliberate, intense, and high-damage combat style of the Neo Geo classics. Packed with interesting characters and powered by an easy-to-learn, difficult-to-master play style, Samurai Shodown is a unique fighter that d??eserves to sit within the current zeitgeist.

And it looks like the cult title is getting the opportunity to take a second swing for the gold, as developer SNK has announced that it has teamed with studio Code Mystics for a new update that will implement brand new rollback netcode for the PlayStation, Xbox and PC editions of the period piece scrapper. While SamSho is a fine title from an aesthetic and gameplay standpoint, un??fortunately, the online element leaves a lot to be desired. While, in 2022, you can still find people fighting the good fight, lag-free action is harder to come by �which is a no go in such a precise, high-damage fighter.

And so, for the dedicated Samurai Shodown community �and fighting game fans in general �the rollback netcode update will be a very welcome addition, along with a sign that SNK has not abandoned the title in favor of some of its more modern releases. In fact, it is believed that the new update should bring online fluidity in alignment with The King of Fighters XV?, which has very solid online stability once its fights are underway.

No specific release date was announced for the new update outside of the general window of spring 2023. Samurai Shodown is available now on PS4, Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Stadia. Once again, the netcode update is only coming to PlayStation, PC, and Xbox edit?ions of the game.

Evo 2023 is currently underway. You can check out the full schedule right here.

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Dressed for Excess

Once you get past the dildo bats, space rockets, and tiger Cadillacs, one thing that the Saints Row franchise is renown for is its wild wardrobe of ker-azy customization. While Volition's 2022 Saints Row reboot will be tethering its action a little closer to reality, ??it is no less in love with funky fashion.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVhu1iz4AvM

Publisher Deep Silver hosted a full 23-minute showcase of the new title's dress-up mod??e, which will allow the player to style out "The Boss" in whatever clothing they see fit. While the hip young cast of the next entry look, frankly, obnoxious as all fuck, we will at least be ?able to break the smothering Hot Topic aesthetic by kitting out our own hero with the worst, most clownish fashions this side of 1992.

The Boss can be fine-tuned from the ground up, with full customization opportunities for body type, skin tone, hair, facial details, muscular cuttage, and even their voice. Make The Boss as perfectly toned as Bruce Lee, or as chubby as yer boy Moyse. You can give them a nose as cute as Emma Stone's, or as bulbous as... yer boy Moyse... Fucking 'ell. Anyway, once you have created your perfect person, then you can go all out on clothing, footwear, hats, masks, makeup, jewelry?, accessories, and much, much more.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tzVN-p9bQw

But it's not only about the shoes you wear. Saints Row will also feature deep customization of the player's vehicles and weapons, offering a ??massive range of decals, colors, patterns, and special effects. From baseball bats to rocket launchers, mopeds to muscle cars, each and every item can be meticulously designed with near-endless precision to not only feature your gang's particular "brand," but even to perform to your liking, from turning circles and horsepower, to explosive effects and ammo types.

And, as your crew continues to conquer the American Midwest, even your cathedral-based hideout will receive a full makeover, with renovations, decorations, sta??tues, slick lighting, and all manner of exterior bling designed to make it known to your rivals, your city, and the entire world that The Saints are, most definitely, back in business.

Saints Row la?unches August 23 on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

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Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah Nahhh.

For many moons now, Sega has been laying hints at its upcoming "Super Game" project, a closely-held in-house concept that, while expected to be one of the company's most ambitious ideas to date, has raised eyebrows with its possible connections to the blockchain/NFT market �controversial technology that Sega has made no bones about eyeing up.

The latest news on Super Game comes via a new 'insider' report from Bloomberg, which states that Sega has already begun development on big-budget reboots of two of its most popular and beloved franchises from the early '00s: Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio. Bloomberg cites that both of the punk rock Dreamcast classics have been officially greenlit for the reboot treatment. Production on Crazy Taxi is allegedly alrea??dy underway, with Sega aiming to launch the new game around 2025.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fpQ1ouNUpQ

While the return of these two lines would generally be greeted with dizzying excitement, fans are instead acting toward the news with trepidation. And with good cause. According to Bloomberg's sources, Sega is eyeing a "Fortnite-style" service model for both titles, offering the two high-speed arcade titles as free-to-play g?ames, and ??littering them with crossover content, microtransactions, multiplayer emphasis, limited-time events, and, presumably, the possible inclusion of blockchain/NFT elements.

Sega's Super Game initiative hopes to see the legendary developer release a line of new, big-budget, multi-platform, AAA titles worldwide �which in and of itself is a fantastic idea, especially given the brilliant catalog of IP on which Sega can draw upon. But, as with so many wonderful-sounding opportunities, the devil's in the details. It must be clearly iterated that none of the above news has been officially clarified by Sega, but if Super Game simply translates to "Multiple Games as a Serv?ice titles with added NFT implementation," then you can keep it, brother.

Sega reboots Crazy Taxi/Jet Set Radio to?? chase Fortnite riches [Bloomberg]

//??www.tiktok.com/@destructoid/video/7091385498643565829?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=70527881640?67706373

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Needs to be 250% more Hot Topic

Well, it appears that at least one title will not be joining us for February 2022's nightmarish review week. Publisher Deep Silver and developer Volition have announced that the upcoming reboot of crime sim series Saints Row will no longer meet its originally scheduled February release date, and will instead be running amok come Aug??ust 2022.

"Our priority is to create the best Saints Row game yet and, if we released on the original date, it wouldn’t be up to the standards we’ve set ourselves, and that you’re expecting and deserve," said Volition CCO ?Jim Boone in an official statement. "The team ??just need more time to do our vision justice; we’re doing some fine tuning and? there won’t be much change in the game outside of overall quality and polish.

"In all honesty, we underestimated the impact COVID would have on our schedule, although everyone adapted very quickly to the working from home arrangement and continued to be incredibly productive. However, due to the size and scope of our new Saints Row, it’s become a??pparent that to create the b?est game possible, we need to give our team longer to perfect their craft [...] Rest assured, there will not be any changes to the story or the characters or anything that we’ve lovingly imagined over the last few years and already shared with you."

Frankly, the delay can only help the developer, as well as the title itself. February 2022 is already chock-a-block with major, highly anticipated releases, including Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and Dying Light 2. No disrespect intended, but I can easily see Saints Row's open-world crime sim dynamic drowning among those hefty releases. These extra six months will give the reboot some breathing room, lighten the load for the team, and offer an opportunity for polish, allowing the painfully trendy?? kids of the Saints to slide ??in with style under the hot summer sun. As it should be.

Saints Row will now launch August 23 o?n PlayStation, Xbox, and PC (via Epic ??Games Store)

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Sony adaptation pushed back by two months

Sony Pictures has announced that its upcoming big-screen adaptation of Capcom's Resident Evil will no longer meet its September 3 release date. The clunkily titled Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is now expected to launch in theaters on N??ovember 24.

While no reason was given for the movie's delay, the original release date would see the survival horror flick collide with Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It would stand to reason that Sony is uncomfortable going up against any major comic-book movie, particularly after such an extended drought of MCU films. The new date does, however, mean that Resident Evil will miss the thematic Halloween season.

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is a reboot of sorts, and is expected to follow the narrative, characters, and locations featured in the classic video game series a little closer than previous Resident Evil movies. Fans will see iconic heroes ?such as Chris & Clai?re Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Leon S. Kennedy in action, along with appearances from femme fatale Ada Wong, doomsday scientist William Birkin, Raccoon City police chief Brian Irons, and the series' long-time antagonist Albert Wesker.

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City premieres in theaters November 24.

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Project rebooted by Highwire Games

Over a decade ago, Konami announced that it was working with developer Atomic Games on new tactical shooter Six Days in Fallujah, which would recount the real-life story of the Second Battle of Fallujah - a horrifying urban conflict that took place in the winter of 2004 as part of the Iraq War and remains mired in controversy to this day. In the face of negative publicity, and despite Konami's insistence its title would present a respectful and non-sensationalized "documentary" of the brutal encounter, the plug was pulled on the project in 20??09.

Today, 11 years since the unfinished release was consigned to the vault, publisher Victura and developer Highwire Games have announced their intentions to reboot the project, re-opening development on Six Days in Fallujah with an eye?? to releasing the cancelled title on PC and consoles later in 2021.

"Sometimes the only way to understand what's true is to experience reality for yourself," says former Marine Sergeant Eddie Garcia, who initially proposed the idea for Six Days in Fallujah, having fought in the bat?tle themselves. "War is filled with uncertainty and tough choices that can't be understood by watching someone on a TV or movie screen make these choices for you. Video games can help all of us understand real-world events in ways other media can't."

"It's hard to understand what combat is actually like through fake people doing fake things in fake places," says Victura CEO Peter Tamte on the official website. "This generation showed sacrifice and courage in Iraq as remarkable as any in history. And now they're offering the rest of us a new?? way to un??derstand one of the most important events of our century. It's time to challenge outdated stereotypes about what video games can be."

Perhaps pre-empting the return of negative press, Victura stresses that Highwire is working closely with "over 100" former and current soldiers who were involved in the Battle of Fallujah, with the aim of ensuring that Six Days in Fallujah is "the most authentic military shooter to date" with the game's narrative and characters "[telling] these military and civilian stories with the integrity they deserve." Victura will release further information about Six Days in Fallujah in the coming weeks and months.

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Franchise reboot already has a release date

Sony's cinematic reboot of Resident Evil will be with us as soon as this fall, according to a new report from Tinsletown magazine Deadline. Prod??uced by Constantin Films, the as-yet-untitled movie has been given a tentative release date of September 3, 2021, a mere seven mon?ths from now.

Details surrounding the project remain relatively scarce, although it was previously revealed that the new big-screen adaptation of Capcom's survival horror franchise will be an origin story, returning the timeline to 1998, the infamous locale of Raccoon City, and the haunting Spencer Mansion - site zero for the Resident Evil universe's series of unfortunate events.

Almost all of the franchise's classic characters are accounted for, with Upload's Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield, Maze Runner's Kaya Scodelario as Claire Redfield, Avan Jogia as Leon Kennedy, Umbrella Academy's Tom Hopper as Albert Wesker, and Ant-Man and The Wasp's Hannah John-Kamen donning the beret of Jill Valentine. While the new film is not explicitly linked to the previous Resident Evil mov??ies, Robert Kulzer will remain on board as pro?ducer.

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Elvis would be so proud

When I was a kid, I found every piece of cheese in Perfect Dark. Every level was hiding one wedge of cheese in it somewhere, usually very cleverly disguised. You didn't get anything for finding them. The?? game didn't even acknowledge that you found them. 

That's my way of saying I'm extremely fucking pumped that Perfect Dark is alive again. Xbox's new game development studio, The Initiative (which has poached talent from places like Sony Santa Monica and Rockstar), is working on a Perfect Dark reboot.

All we have thus far is the name (simply "Perfect Dark"), confirmation that it stars Joanna?? Dark, the reveal trailer, and the dataDyne logo. No gameplay details, release window, etc. It's very vague and, for me, very exciting. 2020 wasn't a bust after all.

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Barry, where's Barry?

Constantin Film has announced its intention to create a brand new Resident Evil movie, one that will seemin??gly ignore all ??of the events of previous films past to adapt an all-new cinematic story based on the legendary survival horror series.

Written and directed by 47 Meters Down's Johannes Roberts, the new movie will see the action return to the iconic locale of Raccoon City, retelling the events of one grim night in the Spencer Mansion. Constantin Film has unveiled a cast of characters, including Upload's Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield, Maze Runner's Kaya Scodelario as Claire Redfield, Avan Jogia as Leon Kennedy, and Hannah John-Kamen - who you will remember as Ghost in Ant-Man and the Wasp - in the heralded role of Jill Valentine. A real all-star set of Resi heroes right there.

Speaking to Deadline, Roberts said of the project "I really w??anted to go back to the original first two games and re-create the terrifying visceral experience I had when I first played them whilst at the same time tellin??g a grounded human story about a small dying American town that feels both relatable and relevant to today’s audiences."

The new film will be produced by Robert Kulzer, who was also the producer for the 2002 Resident Evil movie, as well as sequels Resident Evil: Extinction, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, thus the new film may not entirely eschew the style of its previous cinematic universe -?? for better or worse.

Resident Evil is currently in pre-production at Constantin?? Film.

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Drawing The Iron Curtain

According to various reports online, this year's entry into Activision's billion-dollar Call of Duty franchise will be "Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War," a soft reboot of the time-traveling Black Ops sub-series.

The first appearance of the actual title itself came from regular Call of Duty leak machine Okami, who posted obvious mock-up box art on their Twitter account yesterday. Since this tweet other websites, including Eurogamer, have stated that t??heir own sources have further confirmed the title.

In related news, Call of Duty's sister release Warzone is preparing to open up its map's hitherto sealed-off bunkers. Sneaky glitchers have already taken a peek inside said shel??ters, however, claiming that a nuclear missile control center, as well as vintage spyplanes, can be found within - all of which adds further fuel to the Cold War fire.

Treyarch's Black Ops sub-series began in 2010, and followed troubled CIA operative Alex Mason as he picked his way through a 1960s storyline of betrayal and violence. 2012's Black Ops II continued with the subterfuge, featuring a clever "sliding doors" campaign, bouncing the player back and forth between the late-1980s and the near-future. 2015's Black Ops III and 2018's Black Ops IV went full fut??ure, introducing bombastic sci-fi weaponry, spectacular ?gadgets, and gravity-defying physics.

Given that the main Modern Warfare timeline recently reset itself, it seems snug that Treyarch will tread a similar path with the Black Ops sub-series. With summer practically upon us, we will no doubt be hearing something offi?cial from Activision very soon.

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Encore!

Times are tough for the Tokyo Imperial Theater. In the decade following The Great War, the International Combat Revue's Flower Division has fallen on hard time??s. If it wasn't enough that the theater troupe's? best performers never returned from the battlefield all those years ago, its replacement thespians are struggling to find their own identity in the looming shadow of those that came before.

Under-furnis??hed, under-funded, and under-attended, the once-great theater has become a laughing stock to its audience, with its new ca??st desperate for direction, support, and guidance. It will be up to a stranger to bring passion and performance back to the rickety wooden stage, to help its promising-but-doubting young actors reach the peak of their dramatic potential. To reach, maybe surpass, the theater's storied legacy...

...Also, to guide them in mech-r??iding warf?are against armies of inter-dimensional demons aiming to bring about the global apocalypse.

Having been 15 years since the last release, many fans were sure Sakura Wars had taken its final bow. But with this, the sixth mainline entry and only the second to launch in the west, Sega is giving the franchise a fresh start. Powered by a new engine, starring a brand new cast of characters, and with only rudimentary connections to previous titles, Sakura Wars is intended as a "jumping-off" point for new f?ans and hopes to enchant them with its trademark mash-up of JRPG, visual novel, dating sim, and explosive mech-based combat. Curtain up.

Sakura Wars (PS4)
Developer: Sega CS2
Publisher: Sega
Released: April 28, 2020
MSRP: $59.99

Sakura Wars is a game of two distinct halves. "Adventure Mode" consists of a dialogue-heavy, character-driven RPG/social sim, while "Battle Mode" sees the cast take to their personalised mechs for demon-mashing combat. It's important to note upfront, however, that Sakura Wars leans heavily on the former??. At an estimate, the ratio of social sim to mech warfare stands about 70:30. This will come as no surprise to series fans, but should be clarified for newcomers.

Set in an alternate 1940s Tokyo, Sakura Wars puts players in the role of Seijro Kamiyama, a handsome youn??g man who, in true anime fashion, has risen to the rank of naval captain despite looking 16 years old. He also carries two swords at all times. Yeah, why not? In the aftermath of the last demonic conflict, Sejiro is stationed at the Imperial Theater, where he is tasked with turning around the venue's ailing reputation while cultivating its troupe of actors-cum-demon fighters: The Flower Division.

As Seijiro, the player is introduced to a cast of new characters, lovingly designed by Bleach creator Tite Kubo. Front and center are the Flower Division themselves: boisterous Hatsuho; studious Claris; deadpan child ninja Azami; stage diva Anastasia; and poster girl Sakura Amamiya. In time, Seijiro will also meet the theater's staff and patrons, the local townsfolk, and other Combat Revue representatives. Adventure Mode amounts to wandering the theater and its surrounding locations, engaging in lengthy conversations with the cast, and getting embroiled in silly shenanigans. From minute one, Sakura Wars is wholly personality-driven. The emphasis on building close relationships through dialogue choices and running er??rands is the spine of its gameplay.

While at first glance Sakura Wars might seem reminiscent of a Persona 5 or a Yakuza, it doesn't have quite the same level of activity to offer. There is no buying-and-selling in stores, for example. The town exists merely as a stage for character interaction, scene-setting, or – for smooth-tongued Lotharios – starlit dates. Sakura Wars does have its share of fun side-activities, however, including combat simulator Battle-Bot, traditional card game Koi-Koi, and a habitual obsession with collecting hidden "bromides" (or photographs). Overall it does lack the variety of similar ??"stroll around town" RPGs, instead choosing ??to focus squarely on conversations and relationships.

It's fortunate, then, that Sakura Wars successfully hits it out of the park with its delightful new cast. These characters, while admittedly as tropey as any other JRPG, are simply a joy to engage with. Dialogue-centric games necessitate good scripting, and while some eyes may roll at the inevitable cheese and creep factor that occasionally rears i??ts head, the conversations had in and around the city are almost always a pleasure, rarely a chore.

The striking charisma of each character is a testament to Sakura Wars' excellent vocal performances. Despite only featuring the original Japanese voice track, every spoken nuance – from sorrow to shame, happiness to sarcasm, comedic timing, and everything in-between – all hits with vigor and clarity. Each character brings a unique dynamic to the dialogue, whilst Seijiro himself is a solid protagonist, if scattered in his moral center. The flawed, down-to-earth nature of the cast helps endear them to the player, ?even if their individual character arcs are somewhat plain.

Perhaps most surprisingly of all, the writing is often very funny. Not "OMG! Girls' Pants!" funny (although plenty of that?? material exists herein), but legitimately witty. Many scenes are loaded with smart comebacks, dubious misunderstandings, expressive reactions, and even some classic physical comedy. It can be difficult to resist "breaking" the narrative by intentionally choosing the worst dialogue options simply because you want to see the unfolding social disaster.

Eventually, inevitably, all the gals get gooey-eyed for our boy Seijiro, enabling clumsy dates and "communication" scenes. The latter are weird first-person sequences where you literally click on your favorite gal's hair, lips, and cheeks while she blushes and stammers "W-what is this thing that you call 'k-kissing?'" Ok, maybe not exactly that, but you know the score. An integral part of the franchise, Sakura Wars' romance scenes bounce between coy and, frankly, creepy-a??s-fuck. S??uccessful trysts will unlock battle bonuses, special bromides, and custom endings.

Out of interest, I somehow ended up dating an entirely different girl to the one I was actually trying to court, which shou??ld give you some idea as to why I'm such a total catch in r??eal life... Stop laughing.

At the climax of each chapter, plot necessity calls The Flower Division into Battle Mode. What follows is, for want of better description, stripped-down Dynasty Warriors gameplay as Seijiro and Co. take to the Dark Realm for demon-smashing showdowns. At this poin?t, it becomes apparent that the action sequences are unequivocally the? "side mode" to the game's social elements.

Now, that isn't to say that action is Sakura Wars is terrible. The character models are slickly designed, the visual effects are stunning, and the fights are technically proficient – with nary a single frame-drop in sight. But the combat is super-simplistic, both by design and in nature, boiling down to mashing out the same optimised combo repeatedly until everyone's dead. Throughout my playthrough, I never once lost a fight, wiping out armies of demons with absolute ease. The Flower Division was virtually unstoppable come the final act, defeating major boss characters in seconds. What did you expect? I wasn't made a naval captain for nothing...wait, I wasn't made a naval captain at all.

The action has its plus-points. Incessant chatter keeps the fight "alive" with personality, the player can switch out their character for variety, and there are some stylish, cinematic special maneuvers. But it should be clarified that Sakura Wars' priorities lie definitively with its socia?l elements. I guess you can't fight mechs when there's still head pats to be dished out and bakeries to v??isit.

Where Sakura Wars shines – truly shines – is in its magnificent presentation. From its wonderful opening sequence, which I watched every time, to its emotional climax, Sakura Wars buzzes with energy. It boasts a majestic score by Kohei Tanaka, with the One Piece composer's soundtrack packed full of infectious themes and well-fit compositions. Accentuating scenes of hope, tragedy, joy, goof?iness, and celebration, the score is as much a leading character as anyone in The Flower Division.

For all of its peaks and pitfalls, it's crystal clear that Sakura Wars really, really wants you to fall in love with the franchise. It goes above and beyond to bewitch the player with its upbeat tone, colourful settings, and friendly characters. The whole adventure is dripping with an infectious "feel-good" positivity that gets under your skin. What it lacks in deep, engaging combat, and interesting side-attractions, Sakura Wars makes up for in heart, a game enthusiastically ??hoping to welc??ome you into the Imperial Combat Revue family.

Personally, I had a great time with Sakura Wars. I was in love with its characters, I dug its witty script, I enjoyed its triumphant tone, and I've been humming its indelible score for weeks. If you are up for an exciting anime tale packed with dialogue, drama, and dating, then grab a front-row seat. But those expecting an action-heavy title that prioritises deep combat, knife-edge boss battles, intricate plotting, and not a lot of "looking wistfully out of windows" might best be served elsewhere, or left waiting on a discount. Sega has been mostly successful here, but there are definite less??ons to be learned for future entries.

Sakura Wars represents an ambitious new start fo?r the franchise, one that might not be to everyone's tastes. While its mediocre combat and dialogue-heavy design may leave some players disengaged, its fabulous presentation, pleasing visuals, delightful characters, and histrionic melodrama will delight others. Perhaps most importantly, it offers the franchise a bright future bursting with potential. Encore!

_{[This review is based on a retail build? of? the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Sakura Wars appeared first on Destructoid.

Three days 'till curtain

We are less than a week away from the western launch of Sega's Sakura Wars, the newest entry in a long-running strategy-RPG franchise that is yet to find much more than a niche audience outside of its native Japan. This is obviously not helped by the fact that only one of the series' five mainline titles has seen official localisation, in 2005's PS2 (and later Nintendo Wii) release Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love.

Sega seems very aware of this fact, and as such is positioning the new Sakura Wars as a "fresh start" for the franchise, one that hopes to proudly acknowledge the series' storied legacy, while opening up its genre-blending adventure to new generations of fans worldwide.

Over the past week or so, I've been treading the boards with the Imperial Combat Revue's Flower Division. To the uninitiated, they are an under-funded group of thespians, who have made the natural career progression from Am-dram performers to mech-riding monster hunters. Existing within an alternate, steampunk-infused 1940, the Imperial Combat Revue are a global network defending the planet from ever-increasin??g demon attacks, while operating a modest business in their downt?ime. In our heroes' case, it's the dilapidated Tokyo Imperial Theater.

From minute one, Sakura Wars attempts to succinctly define its universe and lore to the player, done via some simple exposition that revisions events within the Sakura Wars timeline. While this entry features an entirely new combat style, cast, and storyline, the narrative does not completely abandon its legacy, referenced through casual dialogue or imagery, and anchored in returning character Sumire Kanzaki. While Sakura Wars is pitched as ?a? reboot, it still feels snug to class it as a latter-day sequel.

It's crystal clear that Sega intends Sakura Wars to be the "jumping-off point" for new fans. It debuts new mechanics, a brand-new engine, and a huge cast of new stars. While it isn't disrespectful enough to completely ignore what has come before, it does re-draw the line, firmly marking this entry as a new beginning for the series, no doubt with hopes of pulling in fans old and new for another decade of demon-battling, Koi-Koi playing, awkward dating action.

As to whether it succeeds in t??hese efforts, we'll le?t you know how we feel very soon.

Sakura Wars launches April 28 on PS4.

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Someone consult the Elder Gods

All is not well in the world of Mortal Kombat (2011), as this weekend saw a series of strange maneuvers pulled aroun??d the best-selling release, one that successfully rebooted NetherRealm's fighting franchise for a ?whole new generation of players.

It began when ResetEra spotted that Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition had quietly vanished from the Steam Store without explanation - despite still being available to purchase digitally on PS3 and Xbox One. This was then followed by the removal of the base game from the PSN store, (but curiously not the Komplete Edition, which is still available to purchase), and - according to the in-game "Message of the Day" - the shutting down of t??he PS3 edition's multiplayer servers.

None of it bodes well, as it appears as if Warner Bros./NetherRealm are calling time on the release, one of the most beloved entries in the gory franchise. Even if some elements of the reboot have dated a little poorly (it is almost 10 years old), MK 2011 launched with a wealth of features, varied stages, a roster of fan favourites, a tag mode, 3D support, and the best story campaign to date. It was an amazing release. A celebration of the MK franchise and a true love letter to long-time fans.

If either NetherRealm or Warner Bros. offer an explanation for the status of MK (2011), we will keep you updated. It should be noted that there is a lot of talk going around pertaining to Nightmare on Elm Street DLC character Freddy Krueger being at the root of these actions but - at least at the time of writing - this is entirely fan forum speculation.

The post Mortal Kombat 9 vanishes from Steam Store??, PS3 multi?player server shut down appeared first on Destructoid.

Not Grid 4

In a surprise announcement, Codemasters revealed it will be rebooting the Grid series later this year. Coming on September 13, 2019, for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, the fourth entry in the series will harken back to what made the original entry so beloved by fans. Players will be able to race on four different continents on some of the world's most recognized city and race circuits. Available vehicles will include selections from classes such as GT, Touring, Muscle, and Super-Modified wh??ile participating in events like Street Races, Hot Laps, Point-to-Point, and Time Attacks.

As the trailer teases, realistic damage will be a huge factor in Grid. Smashing your car up too much will result in degraded performance and handling, which will obviously require you to drive your ass off to have any chance of winning. Too much contact with any specific AI racer will see them become a nemesis that will start to target you in future races, which sounds ??really hardcore.

Former F1 racer Fernando Alonso has signed on as an in-game race consultant. Players will be able to enter a series of events against Alonso's "FA Racing" team to win a chance at facing the former champion in a race against his Renault R26 F1 car. This will likely be in the form of a campaign mode, something that Grid 2 introduced to the series.

In a blog post over on the official website, Grid game director Chris Smith said, "GRID as a racing franchise is revered by our community and we are delighted to bring it to the current generation of consoles. The game offers so much variety and depth, from the number of modern and classic cars through to ?the locations and race options...We are also delighted to work alongside Fernando Alonso who is arguably one of the w?orld's greatest ever drivers. His experience and knowledge has enabled us to make improvements to both the performance and handling of our cars."

Alonso added, "Having competed across F1, Endurance and Stock Racing, GRID is the perfect game for me and I’m delighted the st?udio has ad??ded both myself and my racing team into the game. GRID offers so much variety and I welcome the challenge when players get to line-up against me."

While no price was given for Grid, both a standard and ultim??ate edition will be avai??????????????????????????lable at launch. The ultimate edition will contain season 1-3 of additional content, which could be anything from extra cars to more liveries. I suppose it wouldn't be a modern racing game without DLC.

Grid - Reveal Trailer [IGN via YouTube]

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IT HAS (almost) BEGUN!

It appears that after many, many years in limbo, a new movie based on NetherRealm Studios' Mortal Kombat franchise is about ready to enter pre-produ??ction stages. The film, which will be a joint production between Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, will start shooting in Australia later this year.

First murmurs of a new MK movie surfaced as far back as 2011 and the release of Mortal Kombat for the PS3 and Xbox 360 (which was also accompanied by a live-action web series, remember that?) Since then the project has floated around with little direction, but now, with producers James Wan (Aquaman) and E. Bennet Walsh (Men in Black: International) attached, amo??ng others, it seems like the project is starting to take form.

Of course, this isn't the franchise' first foray into live action. 1995's Mortal Kombat is still a great-looking, entertaining movie, although 1997's follow up Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is batshit awful (I do love Musetta Vander's Sindel). MK has also received a TV show, in the form of 1998's Mortal Kombat: Conquest and the aforementioned web series, where Mileena once said "fucking" and it? was really weird.

As for whether this new venture will be a hit or a miss, we'll just have to wait and see. But if Christopher Lambert's Raiden doesn't return with his "I don't think so" catchphrase, then I'm out. Mortal Kombat 11 is ??available now on PS4, PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

Mortal Kombat movie will be filmed in Australia [Gamespot]

The largest film production in South Australia's history!@warnerbros will bring their epic action film, Mortal Kombat, to life here in SA. SA locations??. SA crews. SA VFX companies.

It will enhance our production capabilities and create new jobs for the local film industry. pic.twitter.com/jkPeRuq1Wz

— Steven Marshall, MP (@marshall_steven) May 14, 2019

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I might be going in...

Does anyone remember the stealth action title Project I.G.I.? Released in 2000 on the coattails of Metal Gear Solid, it was another attempt by Eidos Interactive at launching a stealth game before it struck gold with Hitman: Codename 47. It wasn't well received in its time, but I distinctly remember holding the box in CompUSA in my youth. I thought it looked cool but opted to go with Deus Ex instead.

So maybe I don't have any actual attachment to this series, but my eyes perked up when I saw today's announcement. Coming from Toadman Interactive, I.G.I. Origins will be a new reboot prequel to? the original games that is set for a 2021 releas?e date. In a press release, Toadman CEO Robin Flodin said:

I'm so psyched to announce that the prototyping is going well and we already have a fun base game to play in the studio. Today, we are releasing a teaser showing a glimpse of our prototyping and many things will improve as we continue the development. T??he reason we are sending out this update is so that we can allow enthusiasts to provide ideas and feedback when we are in the early stages of development. We want to hear from you fans to make?? sure you get to see the most out of this game.

I don't know that the I.G.I. name will inspire confidence in anyone, but every game deserves a shot at redemption. We've seen crappier fr??anchises make glorious co??mebacks, so why not this?

Third I.G.I. game in development [Gematsu]

The post I.G.I. Origins brings back a series I thought I had forgotten abo??ut appeared first on Destructoid.

'Your Mission: DON'T DIE'

I have to be reminded that a Doom movie happened, but indeed it did. Starring The Rock - back in his formative thespian days of 2005 - Doom was almost universally panned by critics, but still maintained an air of entertaining charm, thanks to the charisma-magnet that is Dway??ne Johnson.

Undaunted, Universal Pictures are going to have another go at translating id Software's legendary shooter franchise to the big little screen. Doom: Annihilation is headed Direct-to-Video later this year, though from this trailer it looks like the budget has had one o??f th??e franchise' chainsaws taken to it.

Directed by Tony Giglio (SWAT: Under Siege, Soccer Dog: The Movie), Doom: Annihilation features a hilarious distress call that consists of "ARRGGGGHHH!" and dialogue such as "Die Die Die." The Favourite it ain't. Still, the set has a "Laser Tag" quality to it, and I used to enjoy laser tag, so I should be able to enjoy this cathartic cornball. A fan asked the official Doom Twitter for their opinion on the trailer, but the team ??simply responded "We're not involved with the movie."

You can check out the new trailer below. Doom: Annihilation releases this Fall. The tag-line "It's not a game anymore" was also used for Clue: The Movie. There's my film fact for the day.

The post Check out this trailer for direct-to-video sequ?el DOOM: Annih??ilation appeared first on Destructoid.

Blaze bringing the fire!

We haven't heard much about Streets of Rage 4 since its surprise reveal back in August. While this new screenshot dump doesn't give us many more details, I really can't get enough of the visual style. I'm a sucker for hand-drawn HD sprites and Streets of Rage 4 is lookin super fine. It just ??looks so fantastic.

Developer Lizardcube has even shared a six-second clip of the game in motion. Yeah, that is hardly anything, but I'll take what I can get. I have a huge soft spot for beat-em-ups as I played a crapton of them as a kid. It's the main reason why I'm so in love with the Yakuza series since it is basically a 3D adaptation of Streets of Rage.

There still isn't any release date or mention of platforms??, but I'm almost certain we'll ??be seeing the game sometime next year. That day can't come soon enough!

Lizardcube [Twitter]

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Never got up the nerve to say it in a mirror

Remember Candyman? He's back! In Pog form! No, actually, movie form, though some sweet Candyman Pogs would totally round out m??y collection ??of super dated things. 

As previous rumors stated MGM has partnered with Monkeypaw Production's Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld to bring the 90s horror icon back to life. The deal will see up-and-coming director Nia DaCosta take the director's chair for the film, as she jumps straight into horror from her drama film debut of Little Woods.

With Peele and Rosenfeld writing the screenplay this "spiritual sequel" (I threw up a little in my mouth writing that) will return to the Cabrini-Green housing project where the first film took place. The difference being is that the neighborhood has now been gentrified. Considering that fact, Peele's horror movie history, and the racial underpinnings of the original film it's pretty clear the studi??o is going for something a bit more challenging than your average slasher. 

I mean this is pretty exciting. Horror movies are having quite the moment to shine the past couple of years, with films challenging expectations and tackling actual fear. DaCosta just won some major props at Tribeca with her first film and Peele is Peele. Even with all that dramatic power behind it, though, I'm kind of hoping that the new Candyman takes it a little old school wi?th more blood and guts.

No release date has been set.

The post Candyman franchise reboot with Jordan Peele confir??med appeared first on Destructoid.

My world's on fire, how 'bout yours?

Somebody once told me (specifically Variety) the world is gonna roll me (because Universal Studios is rebooting Dreamworks franchises Shrek and Puss in Boots after parent company Comcast's 2016 purchase of Dreamworks Animation) / I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed (we are all stupid and deserve this) / She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb / In the shape of an "L" on her forehead (corporations are fully aware of how stupid we are and don't care that we're losers that only care about Shrek because he's a meme).

Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming (mostly from 2001 to 2010, when the first four Shrek movies released with a Puss in Boots spin-off in 2011) / Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running (like Chris Meledandri, the CEO of Despicable Me and Minions studio Illumination, who has been tasked by Universal to come up with new stories for the characters and is very eager to start work while hoping to retain the original voice cast members) / Didn't make sense not to live for fun (it can be argued that Minions has completely ruined fun) / Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb (because of Minions).

So much to do, so much to see (there is too much content right now to put up with this Shrek meme shit) / So what's wrong with taking the back streets? (just binge it all, I guess) / You'll never know if you don't go / You??'ll never shine if you don't glow (enjoy the embedded video below, where Smash Mouth lead singer curses out and threatens spectators at a food festival for throwing bread at him, all while the rest of the band casually plays "All Star" in the background).

&??lsquo;Shrek,’ ‘Puss in Boots’ Ge?tting Rebooted [Variety]

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Could be sans multiplayer

After years of being dead in the west, Hellgate: London has risen from the underworld return to Steam. Originally released back in 2007, the online-focused post-apocalyptic fantasy action RP??G botched the landing with a plethora of bugs and confusing mix of questionable business models.

The full release of the game was disappointing as the beta had a great Diablo-style feel to it, with procedural dungeon crawling and a really interesting setting and art style. Hellgate went on to langui?sh arou?nd in obscurity for a little over a year before the western servers were ultimately shut down.

The game had tentacles legs in Korea after the publishing company Hanbitsoft bough?t the title and had it remodeled as a free-to-play game in 2011. The relaunch brought the success that the game deserved and even facilitated an expansion, bringing new Korean-based maps to the dark fantasy nightmarish world. Unfortunately this relaunched edition never made it to the west, until now.

Coming in just a little over three weeks, Hellgate: London will be available for purchase on Steam once again. No concrete details are known yet but the Steam listing only mentions a single-player mode which, judging from the original release and relaunch, seems weird as the online component was a big part. No price has been announced either, and if it is released without an online component I can't? imagine this will be free-to-play. It does look as though this release will contain the newer Korean-centric maps as well as the original London ones.

While we wait for more detail, you can head over to the Steam page and check out Hellgate: London ahead of its November 15 release.

Hellgate: London re-relaunches n??ext month with i?ts Tokyo expansion [RockPaperShotgun]

The post Hellgate? London returning to Steam under new publisher appeared first on Destructoid.

Consider the following...

There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless a?s infinity. It is the middle ground between cable and streaming, between old and new, and it lies between the pit of man's wallets and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of premium network services. It is an area which we call the Why? Zone.

📺🌀 pic.twitter.com/CygbVi4JFC

— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) September 20, 2018

My feelings lie somewhere between joy and sorrow at the news that The Twilight Zone will indeed be coming to CBS All Access in 2019. I feel joy that in a post-Black Mirror world, a Twilight Zone reboot actually has a chance at? doing well, unlike the quickly forgotten 2002 reboot. The sorrow I feel is that I don't want another damn streaming service.

With so many interesting shows coming to different streaming services, it's beginning to feel like I'll need to hope for some endless amount of time (and money) to co??nsume all the media that is becoming available. If only. If only...

The post Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone coming to CBS premium streaming service next year appeared first on Destructoid.

The series was never that good

It's very possible that you hadn't heard -- considering that Chucky isn't on very many people's daily radar and it's been delayed years -- that MGM is planning to reboot the Chucky franchise without creator Don Mancini and producer David Kirschner. That reboot seems to be underway as the franchise's new director, Lars Klevberg, took to the socials to say that the film has entered '"week 1." It's not really clear what that means since if it was production we would have heard some casting already, but it seems like the film is getting made. The screenplay, by Kung-Fury 2 wr??iter Tyler Burton Smith, is definitely completed at least.

I've had a long and sordid history with the Child's Play franchise that is usually based around me thinking the idea of Chucky is awesome for crazy, campy horror and then rewatching the films and discovering the actual execution of the movies doesn't pay off like it should. That's not always the case, but his latest adventure was definitely not that p?romising at all. Mancini and Kirschner don't seem to ?have much of an idea on how to consistently make Chucky enjoyable, so I'm going against the general Internet opinion here and saying that this reboot is a good thing. We need some new eyes on Chucky.

The remake, which reportedly sees Chucky as a technologically advanced doll gone awry, won't even rob us of another Mancini Chucky film anyway. Due to the wide variety of people who evidently own rights to the character, he is plugging away at the sequel that Cult of Chucky set up, and working on a TV series to boot. In the end, we're getting more people trying to ma?ke Chucky work in more ways. Why is that a bad thing?  

They’re Still Moving Forward on That &lsqu??o;Child’s Play’ Remake No One Wants [/Film]

The post Thankfully, the MGM Child’s Play reboot is happening appeared first on Destructoid.

Milhouse weeps a single tear

TV is starting to freak me out a little with the sheer number of shows being made these days. This year alone 520 original shows will be broadcast on all sorts of channels, services, and apps, making it hard to watch even 1% of what's on offer. Thankfully, you and I don't have to watch any of that new stuff because an ALF reboot is in the works. Yes, the '80s comedy featuring the sarcastic, camel-nosed Alien Life Form (ALF for short) is gearing to come back to television next year, hopefully coming as welcome news for original fans who were burned by the depressing series finale and even more confusing TV movie.

While the show is still searching for a network, a few factoids have been learned. First, Warner Bros. TV is producing the reboot just like they did the original. Second, and more importantly, the series would have ALF interacting with an entirely new family seeing as how no one in the Tanner family would be under 40 this year. Guess the producers weren't keen on an ALF/Golden Girls crossover. ??O??ther than that, details are scarce as production only started up in May.

As the pre-meltdown Roseanne season this year proved, reboots can be successful, providing a safe haven of nostalgia and comforting characters to help balance out the next hour-long episode of Westworld. However, ALF is no Roseanne. ALF certainly had its 15 minutes? of fame, but a three-camera sitcom featuring a loud-mouthed puppet seems too dated even for its own good.

'ALF' TV Reboot in the Works at Warner Bros. [The Hollywood Reporter]

The post ALF is (kinda) back! In TV form appeared first on Destructoid.

Can't say I saw this coming

Well, this is most certainly pleasant news!

20th Century Fox Television has officially greenlit a reboot of the cult classic TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Originally running for seven seasons, Buffy was one of those shows that I think could never truly be replicated. It had a sense of charm and style to it that felt entirely its own. I mean, I'm pretty sure that Buffy created the trend of TV shows having a random musi?cal episode during its run. And?? if it didn't, it most certainly made one of the best TV musical episodes ever. 

Now I know the prospect of a reboot may make some fans worry. 20th Century Fox has been pretty eager to reboot some of its classic TV series like 24 and Prison Break to mixed results. However, Joss Whedon is attached as an executive producer of the show and wants to expand the mythology of the franchise, so make of that what you will. The attached showrunner is Monica Owusu-Breen, who has been a part of shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and LOST in one ?capacity or another. No casting or network has been announced, though Fox is looking to try and use the sh??ow as a way to expand their impact on streaming. 

Personally,? I'm all for this reboot. The original is still fantastic, and at least having Whedon on board in some capacity puts my mind at ease. It's going to be a bit hard to see another Buffy th??at isn't Sarah Michelle Geller, but honestly, I'm just happy to see more of Buffy.

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Inclusive Reb?oot in the Works With Joss Whedon [The Hollywood Reporter]

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Reptar rejoice! Rugrats return!

Drum roll, and cue the gloriously satisfying theme song, because Tommy, Dil, Angelica, Chuckie, Phil and Lil are back! More than ten years since Rugrats went off air, Nickelodeon and Paramount Players have just announced that the lovable 90s babies will be making? a return in both a 26-episode animated series and a live-action film, and in four words: I am losing it.

Whether it’s just another attempt to relive childhood and indulge in popular nostalgia, I’m not complaining. In fact, if I could get tickets now, I would. I wouldn’t care if I had to queue for days. Rugrats was ?for many 90s babies the pinnacle of childhood viewing, and now with a series and a movie in the works, I just know it’s going to be a hit. Take all my money!

Nickelodeon will take on the small-screen series: although the release date is yet to be confirmed, the show has already begun production in Burbank, California. Original Rugrats creators Paul Germain, Arlene Klasky and Gábor Csupó (those?? of the unpronounceable names to many a small child enthralled by the colorful end credits) will return as executive producers so that they?? can supervise the project. As for the movie release, Paramount Players (a new film division launched to take on projects owned by Viacom cable channels) will be in charge.

Rugrats already have a back-catalog of th?eir very own feature fi?lms, including The Rugrats Movie (1998) and Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000), which opened with an unforgettable (and in my opinion, unparall?e??led) homage to The Godfather at t?he start. (If you haven’t seen it, it’s on Netflix right now - what are you waiting for?) This will be th??e first time they’ve made a big-screen appearance since Rugrats Go Wild (2003), arguably one of the most ambitious cros??sovers in movie history (sorry Infinity War) betwee??n the Rugrats and another equally well-loved children’s series, The Wild Thornberrys.

While the new movie has just been given the green-light and won’t be released until November 13, 2020, it’s been confirm??ed that David G??oodman (Family Guy, Futurama) will be writing the script, so we can expect a solid dose of the humor he already brings to animation. This movie is going to be slightly different - it’s going to be live-action but with CGI characters - but put aside any reservations you might have because a?nything Rugrats is going to be awesome.

Needless to say, pretty much everyone behind the new ??TV series and upcoming film is just as excited as fans. Sarah Le?vy COO of Viacom Media Networks, has said:

“Rugrats is hands-down one of the most celebrated cartoons in TV history, and we are thrilled for a who?le new audience to meet these iconic characters in brand-new adventures. What was true in 1991 when the original show premiered is still true today: kids are fascinated with the world of babies. We can’t wait for today’s kids to meet Tommy, Chuckie and pals.”

Further details of casting, airtimes and release dates will follow in coming? months, but in the meantime, it’s possible that Nickelodeon could let slip a few vital details at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, so lucky attendees might have a shot at finding out more. What can be expected is more of the wacky antics of our fave char?acters, the return of Reptar, and oblivious Pickles parents.

A baby’s gotta do what ?a baby’s gotta ??do!

The post ‘Hyped’ doesn’t even cover it for the new Rugrats reboot appeared first on Destructoid.

A lovely show full of lovely people

I'm a few days removed from Reboot Develop 2018 and despite a long trip back home ripe for reflection and a more-or-less normalized sleep schedule, I'm still processing the event. Set along the Adriatic Sea in the otherworldly beautiful Dubrovnik, Croatia -- a city quite literally fit for Game of Thrones ??-- Reboot just closed out its fifth year. It was my first time attending. Hopefully, it won't be my last.

Over the past week, you might have seen some of my coverage from the developer-focused conference. Croteam shared a tease for Serious Sam 4: Planet Badass, as did Housemarque for its mysterious new multiplayer game Stormdivers. Hideki Kamiya verbalized his desire to bring the Wii U darling The Wonderful 101 over to Switch. Tim Schafer spoke about his long and winding career, including his creative process. And Yoot Saito revealed an unreleased and never-before-seen Nintendo DS game he was involved with called Mario Motors. Yoot Saito is the best and y?ou can't not love him.

Reboot had some big names in attendanc??e, but that's not a selling point unique to this conference. Its relaxed vibe, however, made it feel unlike any show I've ever been to. There was an air of positivity throughout, and while part of that can be attributed to Dubrovnik's picturesque coastline and spirit-lifting sunlight, the show was run in a way that instilled an easygoing feel and sense of toget??herness.

There were regular coffee breaks and chances to step outside, enjoy the breeze, and just casually chat. The ?talks were professional, but relaxed. The games being shown off were open and inviting. The mornings didn't start too early, and the days didn't stretch on too long. Put another way, the show organizers took all of the normal and entirely expected stresses out of the equation.

I can't overstate how welcome I found that calm atmosphere. I was supposed to get in the night before Reboot started, maybe around 9:00pm o?r so. As fate would have it, my flight -- which was almost entirely full of folks headed to Croatia for the same reason -- couldn't land. We circled Dubrovnik a worrying amount of times and were finally told it was too windy. So, we ended up in Montenegro.

A fever dream of a bus ride ensued.

Here’s your stranded #RebootDevelop friends in Montenegro!! pic.twitter.com/hd8xLNHB3p

— Anya 👋 A MAZE (@AnyaynA) April 18, 2018

It was a slow, hours-long trek up, around, and down mountainous roads that would've been amazing to look out upon were it not for the fact that it was pitch black outside. Straight away, we had to fill up on gas -- and everyone made a dash to stock up on booze at a convenience store. The driver didn't want to use the AC or let anyone other than himself take a bathroom break so, needless to say, he was not into the idea of people drinking. ("Especially not red wine!") At one point, we took a ferry. I didn't know ferries operated that late at night or that you could cram so many big vehicles onto them that haphazardly, but the cool air sure was reinvigorating. Also, this probably goes without saying, but cranky border-control officers do not p??articularly like dealing with two busloads full of people in the? middle of the night.

Were it not for the ph??oto above and the insane but still-mostly-true stories that later made the rounds during Reboot, I almost wouldn't believe the bus ride ever happened. We didn't reach our hotels until 5:00am, but we made it in one piece. (Bless Croatia for having Uber.) And, as exhausting as my journey was, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I'm forever bonded with the bus crew.

Despite showing up sleep-deprived to an unfamiliar conference in a country I had never visited before, I never once felt anxious. Reboot was re?ally good to me, and in talking to other first-timers and veterans alike, that's a widely-shared sentiment. Next year, the conference is expanding -- Reboot Develop Blue will be held in Dubrovnik, while the all-new Reboot Develop Red will happen in Canada.

Some of the talks I saw (and others I didn't have time for) should surface online in the coming weeks. (Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets had a particularly fun one.) I??f you'r??e in the industry or one day hope to be and can attend  conferences like Reboot, you should. It's a wonderful, uplifting time.

_{[Disclosure: Tr?avel and accommodations were provided by Reboot.]}

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