Developer Archetype Entertainment just revealed a major addition to the narrative of its upcoming sci-fi RPG EXODUS. The developer has been slowly revealing major narrative elements of EXODUS, which many consider the spiritual successor to the Mass Effect seri?es. The new story reveal focuses on a mysterious alien known as the Silicates, which appears it will not only play a major role in EXODUS' ?story but also influence its gameplay.

A Weapon against the Celestials

While a lot of the story and even gameplay features of EXODUS is still a mystery, the reveal of the Silicates helps paint a picture of what may be a major factor both narratively and in terms of gameplay elements whenever EXODUS releases.

The mysterious Silicates first were first discovered as eggs that look like simple crystals or gems. However, when touched by a Human, a symbi??otic bond causes the Silicate to hatch and merge with human flesh, resulting in death for most, but transcending those that survive into a new powerful being known as a Daemon, undergoing musculature evolutions granting them incredible speed, strength, and other abilities. In essence, the??y become a weapon that the threat against humanity, The Celestials, fear.

Silicates are humanity’s leverage. Daemons don’t need weapons �they are weapons. They give humanity a fighting chance against the Celestials; they even the playing field. Since Silicates will only bond with humans, there are some who see them in a r??eligious light. They believe human-Silicate coexistence was preordained; it was meant to be and brought to fruition by some higher power. Others just see it as a fortunate break for humanity �a piece of good luck ??to offset all the hardships that we have endured.

'Release your Inner Daemon' - Archetype Entertainment, May 21, 2024

Despite th?e immense strength Silicates provide to humans, it's not without major drawbacks. Those that become Daemons are prone to intrusive violent thoughts and urges, which some believe is due to the Silicates "speaking" to their hosts, trying to influence their behavior to serve their own purpose.

Even though there is a lot we still don't know about EXODUS', these detailed narrative features are helping to paint the picture of what to expect from the upcoming sci-fi RPG. It sounds like Silicates will not only play a major role in the story but give humans their not-so-human abilities akin to Powers in Mass Effect. I'm excited to hear more.

EXODUS does not currently have an ??estimated release timeframe.

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Grab your space suits, because Factorio is heading to space. Developer Wube Software revealed in a blog post today that the first expansion for the popular factory-building game would be Space Age.

According to Factorio found kovarex, Factorio: Space Age wi?ll continue the player's journey a??fter launching rockets into space at the end of the base game. Players will discover new worlds with their own unique challenges and exploit their resources. In doing so, new technological advances will be found. Furthermore, players will be able to manage their own fleet of interplanetary space platforms.

It's been three years since Factorio officially released, and over seven years since its Early Access release.

The popular factory building simulation title has over 133,849 to??tal Steam Reviews with ?a 96% Positive rating.

[caption id="attachment_359125" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Wube Software[/caption]

A familiar direction for Factorio: Space Age

Hardcore Factorio fans will find the Space Age expansion pretty familiar. One of the most popular Factorio mods is the Space Exploration mod. As you might expect, this mod also takes you to space. In fact, the original creator of that mod, Earendel, is now part of the Wube Software team an?d is working on the Space Age expansion.

According to Earendel, despite the comparisons, the expansion will have plenty of reason for those who have and haven't played the mod to give it a try. Earendel believes Space Exploration is more targeted at challenge-seekers, while Space Age targets all Factorio players. While all the challenges of the Space Exploration mod can take 150-100 hours or even more to figure out, Space Age is a more ?streamlined and fast-paced experience between 60-100 hours.

As a big Factorio fan, I'm happy to see any content being released. I have just over 650 hours played so far—which are casual numbers to some—and would love to put in more. I've played the Space Exploration mod so obviously the overlap is concerning. But as an actual expansion, Factorio: Space Age can do more feature-wise than a mod can. Don't get me wrong, the Space Exploration mod is fantastic at what it does. But, some of the more clunky things such as piloting ships can be more streamlined in Factorio: Space Age.

While there is no solid release date for Factorio: Space Age, kovarex exp?lains that their current release window is about one year from now. However, players inte?rested in the expansion can look forward to weekly posts detailing its development progress.

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It's officially Call of Duty hype time, as Activision has officially revealed the next chapter in the Modern Warfare series: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The FPS will serve as a direct sequel to last year's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

This newest entry is being co-developed by Sledgehammer Games and Infinity Ward, which is the same as the 2011 release. The reveal includes some details on the new content coming to Call of Duty including the first-ever Modern Warfare zombies mode. We a??lso got a reveal trailer that shows ?off some of the campaign:

//youtu.be/mHDEDDrGYvo

New Campaign and multiplayer as expected

The new campaign will pick up right where Modern Warfare 2 left off. According to the release, players can expect action-packed cinematic experiences like before as well as new free-form Open Combat missions. Player choice has never really been a component of the Call of Duty campaigns, so it will be exciting to see how far they actually go with these free-form missions. Even though full details aren't available ju??st yet, the release does me?ntion being able to make use of any operable vehicles on the map.

For multiplayer fans, all 16 maps from the 2009 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be available. The maps have been modernized and new modes and features have been added. Furthermore, 12 all-new core 6v6 maps will als?o release with post-launch live seasons. Ground War and War Modes are also making a return.

Activision also revealed three new "gameplay innovations" that will be debuting with Modern Warfare 3. Tac-Stance introduces a middle ground between hip-fire and aiming down sights. The new stance improves weapon performance when entering tight hallways?? and cramped rooms. Evolving Loadouts adds new levels of customization to Create-a-Class. The new feature allows you to fine-tune cutting-edge military equipment including gloves, tactical vests, boots, and more. Finally, After-Market-Parts is a special set of customization options that allows you to construct a unique weapon configuration to fit your playstyle.

Overall all three new features sound like nice additions. Obviously we'll have to se?e them in action to know for sure.

Finally, as promised, Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer will "Carry Forward" from Modern Warfare 2. This means all content and weapon progression will move into Modern Warfare 3, including all ?unlocks. This will make everything you've unlocked accessible on day o?ne.

[caption id="attachment_397208" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

First-ever Modern Warfare zombies mode

Fans of Call of Duty zombies mode can rejoice, as the feature will finally make its way to Modern Warfare. This will also include the largest Call of Duty zombies map ever. Furthermore, the mode will get an actual story that tells us more about the Dark Aether Zombies in the Modern Warfare universe. There will be several missions across different regions with varying degrees of difficulty, as well as some of the biggest enemies we've seen yet in Call of Duty.

More details are to come as we get closer to release. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 releases on ?November 10 on?? PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

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A teaser at the end of the 2022 THQ Nordic Digital Showcase hinted a new South Park game was coming. Naturally, it was assumed that it would be the next installment in the popular South Park RPG series. However, it ??appears that won't be the case.

During the 2023 THQ Nordic Digital Showcase, South Park: Snow Day was officially revealed. Players will battle through the snow-piled streets of South Park with up to three friends. Apparently, the highlight feature is that South Park wi??ll be in 3D, though I'm not sure that's a good thing.

We also got a reveal trailer:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEv35KH-DXQ

I think I'd rather have another 2D RPG

Even though South Park: The Stick of Truth and South Park: Fractured but Whole weren't for everyone, I could definitely appreciate what they were going for. A comical adventure in the world of South Park intended for fans of the show. Also, there's something to the 2D charm and honestly, it looks kind????a goofy in 3D.

In fact, the trailer reminded me a lot of the South Park game on N64. Obviously with more modern visuals, but the ??sam?e sort of goofy 3D graphics and gameplay.

No details on the actual game were provided other than it will be 3D and feature co-op multiplayer. It kind of looks similar to Fat Princess to me, but it's hard to really? t??ell until we know more.

South Park: Snow Day will release in 2024 on PC, PlayStat?ion 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo? Switch.

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Reports had surfaced earlier this year from Nickelodeon that the popular TMNT comic book, The Last Ronin, would not be hitting the big screen but instead would be getting a 'God of War-style' AAA video game. As it turns out, those reports appear to be true. During the 2023 THQ Nordic Digital Showcase, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin was officially revealed. TMNT: The Last Ronin follows a lone surviving?? turtle in a dark alternate future battle-ravaged New York City.

THQ Nordic also dropped a very simple reveal?? trailer, though it doesn't really tell us much.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx2ixJFWXcg

I have to be honest, I completely forgot this was a possibility, even though Nickelodeon subtly revealed it earlier this year. When I saw the Nick logo I thought we were getting another Spongebob title. I have nothing against Spongebob, but this is definitely way better.

Unfortunately, we didn't get any sort of details other than it will be based on the best-selling comic book. Also, it's worth noting that this is an official adaptation of TMNT: The Last Ronin, s??o it will pr?obably follow the story of the comic.

TMNT: The Last Ronin ??will be coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. No?? sort of release timeframe just yet.

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Medieval is out, mechs are back in

The studio behind the Souls series is returning to another part of its roots. FromSoftware has confirmed it's working on Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon.

Revealed tonight at The Game Awards 2022, Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon sees the studio return to the mech series with some serious production value. Check out the trailer below to get an idea for yourself:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKO1s-CUZvY

The new Armored Core entry is currently set for a 2023 launch. The trailer splash shows both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One alongside PS5, Xbox Serie??s X|S, and Steam.

A return to a classic series

It's been a while since FromSoftware went back to the Armored Core series. The mech action lineage started in 997 on the PlayStation, and carried on through Armored Core: Verdict Day in 2013.

The early entries of Armored Core are certainly well-remembered. But as sentiment waned on newer releases, the series took a backseat. With the Souls games taking off, FromSoftware followed their trajectory, leading up to games like this year's Game Awards heavyweight Elden Ring.

FromSoftware has certainly earned enough goodwill from fans to revisit the series. I'm looking forward to seeing how those who jumped on with the Souls series take to the giant mechs and action of Armored Core. As someone who played a good few of them on his PlayStation 2 back in t??he era, I'm certainly keen t??o see what FromSoft does with this series years later.

Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon is currently slated for 2023.

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BB has come to

Another strand game is finally on the way. Kojima Productions officially unveiled Death Stranding 2 at The Game Awards 2022 tonight.

Studio head Hideo Kojima took to the stage tonight to introduce the project, a sequel to 2019's Death Stranding. The trailer featured several familiar faces, including Nor?m??an Reedus as Sam Bridges and Léa Seydoux as Fragile.

As for what's happening in the trailer? I couldn't tell you if I tried. But really, that's the appeal of Death Stranding to begin with, and Death Stranding 2 is carrying on the bizarre, vague trailer t?radition.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp6fSjMb0MQ

Not many more details have been revealed just yet. As is the case with a Kojima trailer, I'm sure eagle-eyed viewers will pick the video apart for hints and clues about what's going on, and what's transpired in the dystopian American future of Death Stranding leading into Death Stranding 2.

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It's time to deal with some more gods

Supergiant Games is working on its first-ever sequel. The studio announced today that Hades 2 is in development.

The sequel to 2020's Hades debuted at The Game Awards 2022 tonight, spotlighting the new lead. It looks like the titular god of the underworld is in chains, and his daughter is embar?king on a quest to take on Cronus.

See more of it in the trailer below:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-iHDj3EwdI

We can spy some familiar mythological faces like Nemesis that seem set to appear in Hades 2. During the show, it was confirmed that Hades 2 will be using? an Early Access model. M??ore details are coming in 2023.

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Sin brings a flag and some meat to the party

A familiar face is returning to Guilty Gear with a fresh look. Sin Kiske is the next fighter to join the Guilty Gear Strive roster as ??part of its Season 2 pass, arriving on November 24??.

Sin, the son of Guilty Gear mainstay Ky Kiske and Dizzy, shows up here as the "ever-gro??wing wild boy." He's still wielding his flag weapon. And yes, he can still pull out a hunk of meat to chow down on, mid-match.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQoNLBJ0xSc

The younger Kiske also makes mention of his mom, lending more fuel to the fire that we might see Dizzy alongside Sin Kiske in Guilty Gear Strive. As for gameplay, IGN had a special presentation revealing the new trailer, as well as some gameplay demonstration of Sin Kiske and how he's changed for Strive.

He's got a special bar, a stamina bar, rather than his hun?ger meter. He seems to have some interesting potential in his follow-ups using this gauge, as well as a buff he can pick up from chowing down on some g??rub mid-fight.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMfsw4BwiNI

The fight continues

At the end of the Sin trailer, we also get confirmation that two more fighters are due out in 2023 as part of Season 2. It looks like the content roadmap shown off earlier this year is holding up.

Crossplay is also hopefully getting officially integrated soon, as its held some beta tests already. Considering an Xbox release is set for next spring, that will be of int?erest to t??he new platform's players.

As for the last remaining fighters? Well, Slayer seems to be a much-requested addition, and Dizzy getting mentioned in the trailer plants some speculation. I've really liked the original characters so far too, though, so I hope there's at least one more newcomer in the pipeline for Strive.

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Head back to the ninth century with Basim

The next Assassin's Creed heads way, way back in time. Assassin's Creed Mirage will spotlight the a??ssassi??n Basim, and arrive sometime in 2023.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is set 20 years before the events of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, w?here we first met Basim. It will explore ninth century CE Baghdad, as the young orphan dives into the world of the Hidden Ones.?? And yes, that includes cutting a finger off.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=x55lAlFtXmw

The reveal comes after several reports and rumors about the game. Ubisoft confirmed its existence prior to today's showcase, teasing more to come in the reveal trailer.

Guiding Basim in his training is Roshan, voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo. Here's the story rundown?? from the trailer:

In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, you are Basim, a cunning street thief with nightmarish visions, seeking answers and justice. After an act of deadly retribution, Basim flees Baghdad and joins an ancient organization �The Hidden Ones. As he learns their myster??ious rituals and powerful tenets, he will hone his unique abilities, discover his true nature, and come to understand a new Creed �one that will change his fate in ways he nev??er could have imagined.

No firm date has been set yet, outside of 2023. But with some excellent voice talent already on-hand and a focus on narrative adventure, this seems pretty interesting for longtime Assassin's Creed fans. Meanwhile, Ubisoft did reveal a collector's edition for Assassin's Creed Mirage.

If you want more to check out, Ubisoft also posted a developer breakdown of its reveal trailer on YouTube.

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After several rumors and leaks, the Mirage appears

The next Assassin's Creed game has been officially revealed. Ubisoft confirms that Assassin's Creed Mirage is the next entry in the series.

No more official info was shown, outside of the art reveal. Ubisoft says it plans to share about the game at its Ubisoft Forward event. The stream will air on September 10 at 3 p.m. ET, 12 p.m. PT. You'll be able to follow it on Ubisoft's Twitch channel here.

//twitter.com/assassinsc??reed/status/1565369047461642240

This news follows several leaks and rumors about Mirage. This morning, artwork started to leak out around social media, reportedly leaked from Ubisoft's own store.

Details of Assassin's Creed Mirage had already been leaking out prior, including the name and other details. It seems likely to be the project reported on by Bloomberg earlier this year.

A new creed

If the reports are true, then the game will purportedly follow Basim from Assassin' Creed Valhalla and target sometime next year.

Either way, the Assassin's Creed 1 vibes from this artwork do seem pretty interesting. The last Assassin's Creed was Valhalla itself, which was released in 2020 and received a number of post-launch content updates.

We do seem just about due for another Assassin's Creed. Meanwhile, several other Ubisoft projects are o??n the horizon.

Skull and Bones, namely, is finally looking to set sail in November. The pirate ship combat sim has been in development for a while, and it's nice to see it finally get out ther??e.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i2eHxj5NMU

The publisher also recently shuttered several projects, including Splinter Cell VR and Ghost Recon Frontline. The Avatar game from the company has also been delayed out of 202?2, and is currently targe?ting fiscal year 2023.

Ubisoft Forward seems?? like an ideal time for the publisher to lay out its new schedule, after so many shifts. We'll see what they have in store next week when the?? Forward airs.

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Arc System Works takes us on a subterranean journey

Some games getting shown off this June are still a ways off, but a few do arrive with a surprisingly soon release date. Today, Arc System Works unveiled one of those with Ground Divers, an intriguing puzzle action game that'??s hitting Switch on June 30.

This new game was shown during today's IGN Expo, highlighting a bunch of different upcoming projects. Ground Divers i??s a bit more in the classic arcade vein, but with some cool modern updates.

The game sees you piloting a little ?mining robot named Tsuruhashi, as you plunge the depths for valuable rare minerals. As you plunge deeper, both rocks and enemies will stand in your way.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=J19CpadX-Zk

What appeals to me about Ground Divers is how it's adding some new ideas to the standard dig-acti?on game. The Pit Relay system looks like you can set up little bases as you dive deeper, and even get little robot pals to help you out.

Dive to the mantle

It's kind of a weird genre to describe, but digging-based puzzle action games are usually a good time. From classics like Dig Dug and Mr. Driller to the excellent SteamWorld Dig series, it's ??consistently engaging to dive deeper and deeper in search of surprises.

It seems like Ground Divers is taking its own approach to the concept by adding some cool ideas like the relays and cheering on Tsuruhashi. Plus, the whole tra?iler has a charm to it. I dig (ha) ??the Saturday morning anime vibes here.

Ground Divers lands on Nintendo Switch on June 30, 2022.

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Over 30 major companies in attendance

And with the arrival of June, comes the road to E3 �or, as we call it these days, "Geoff Keighley and his mates advertizin' stuff." With yet another absence form filled in by the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the spotlight falls on the Summer Game Fest, a seemingly endless showcase of publisher wares that will roll out over those hot sum?mer nights.

Yesterday, Mr. Keighley got the hype machine in gear with a brand new post on Twitter, spotlighting 30 of the larger partner companies that will be taking part in this year's event. The whole gang is present and accounted for, with a who's who list that includes 2K Games, Bandai Namco, Capcom, Bloober Team, Activision Blizzard, Sega, Square Enix, Skybound, Devolver Digital, Dotemu, Epic Games, and many, many more. In fact, there are very few major publishers not featured in the splash image... save, of course, for Nintendo �no?toriously standoffish when it comes to playing with others.

The core of the Summer Game Fest showcase is set to take place between June 9-12, via a selection of live streams, online presentations, social media reveals, an??d exceedingly long days for your friends at Destructoid and other gaming outlets. This will not suffice, however, as players can expect news, reveals, trailer??s, and other surprises throughout the summer months.

The action kicks off tomorrow, June 2, as Sony hosts its first State of Play stream of the new season. Be sure to tune in at 15:00 PT / 18:00 ET / 23:00 BST for 30 minutes of news and headlines pertaining to all things PlayStation. Of course, over the course of this summer, we will be working tirelessly to bring you all of the pertinent details regarding all of the hottest scoops right here?? on Destructoid.

Who will survive and what will be left of them?

//twitter.co??m/geoffkeighley/status/1531666856989237253?s=20&a?mp;t=yHz5BzozfwFlvv6Sm52jjw

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Because calling it Haunting Grounds would have been too obvious

There are a lot of IPs out there originating in comics, television, and films that have a surprisingly difficult time translating over to video games. I think we’ve all played a game or two based on a movie or TV show that we love only to be disappointed by the end result, left wondering how it all went wrong. And there is perhaps no better example of this than Ghostbusters. Despite being a pretty good candidate for the interactive medium, the franchise has struggled to really cem?ent itself as a gaming experience. In recent years?, it’s only managed to hit middling highs with Ghostbusters: The Video Game while sinking to new lows in 2016’s Ghostbusters. Nobody has managed to crack the code just yet, but that may change soon enough with Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed.

From developer IllFonic, the team behind Friday the 13th: The Game and Predator: Hunting Grounds, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is a new 4v1 asymmetrical online experience that, unlike the two aforementioned titles, is designed to be fun for th?e whole family.

The game is a continuation of the original Ghostbusters universe, taking place after the events of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. With the original firehouse restored, y?ou create your own buster–complete with a variety of character races, genders, and body types to choose from–and join up with Winston Zeddemore’s new crew, going on missions to bust some ghosts. Ernie Hudson ?is reprising his role as Winston and he is not alone. Dan Aykroyd is back as Ray Stantz, running Ray’s Occult Books. His bookstore is how one player will take up the role of a ghost for each mission.

Last week, I was given a glimpse of the game in action with its museum stage, showing off how Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed works from the point of view of the Ghostbusters and the target ghost. As a Ghostbuster, your job is simply to bust that ghost. Using your PKE Meter, you can track down? and stun the ghost before trying to rope it with your Proton Pack into the Ghost Trap. All of your core gear can be upgraded and customized as you unlock new ranks. And don’t worry about avoiding crossing streams. Doing so will o??nly make your beam more powerful.

When playing as the ghost, your main goal is to totally haunt the stage, which is to say, scare all the NPCs into fleeing the building. For the demonstration, I got a look at a gnarly little purple ghost, which will be one of th?e ghosts available when the game ships. As a ghost, you’re able to possess various items in each stage, using them both as a means of hiding from the Ghostbusters and as a way to terrify the people populating each s??tage. Unlike the Ghostbusters, which is played in the first-person, playing as the ghost is done in the third-person, giving you a greater look at your surroundings. 

Ghosts have an ectoplasm meter they need to keep track of and the different objects you po??ssess will act in different ways. For example, possessing a large item may be very loud, possibly giving the Ghostbusters a clue to your location. While the ghost can see through walls with Ectovision, its greatest tool is its Ghost Rift.

Because catching a ghost just one time would be too easy and quick for an asymmetrical game, IllFonic has devised Ghost Rifts as a way to extend each round to its target seven-to-?ten-minute duration. Ghost Rifts act as a get-out-of-jail-free card for the ghost. When it’s captured, it will automatically spawn at one?? of these rifts. Ghost Rifts can be moved and hidden by the ghost, but just know they can also be destroyed by the Ghostbusters. There are three rifts available in the museum stage, but the developers said the total number of rifts will depend on the stage.

Seeing it in action, I can’t help but think how perfect the Ghostbusters formula is for an? asymmetrical experience. It just fits, and without the death and blood found in some of IllF??onic’s other games, it’s one that has the potential to reach a lot more players, especially those younger ones.

It’s also a game that has the potential to reach players who don’t really care about going online to play with strangers and friends. The developer said its AI programming has improved since Predator: Hunting Grounds and it’s working to m??ake sure people? who want to play this game by themselves will be able to do so offline with the AI/CPU.

Of course, the fun of a game like this is playing with your friends. Voice Over IP is coming back to Spirits Unleashed and players will rotate into the ghost position so everyone gets a chance to be on both sides of the battle. While there will be some canon ghosts in the game, the developers stated that most of the playable ghosts will be original characters and you shouldn’t expect humanoid ghosts, like the Grey Lady, to show up in the game. I have no idea what the purple ghost was supposed to be before it died,?? much like Slimer, but I’ve been told IllFonic is working with Ghost Corps in the creation of this game and storyline.

I’m pretty excited to see more of what this game will have to offer when it releases later this year. I’m not a big Ghostbusters fan. I’m also no?t a big asymmetrical multiplayer fan. But somehow, putting those two things together has got me very interested in seeing where this thing goes.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is scheduled for Q4 2022 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, an?d PC as an Epic Games Store exclusive.

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Unseen studio wants to 'transcend into various mediums' beyond games

Former Ghostwire: Tokyo creative director Ikumi Nakamura has revea??led her new studio. Nakamura's new independent gam?e development house is Unseen.

After making a big impression during E3 2019, Nakamura left Tango Gameworks in 2021. After bouncing around the globe and contributing to some other games, Nakamura is establish??ing a new game development house, Unseen.

"We want to transcend into various mediums beyond the realm of video games," Nakamura says in the video reveal. "We are a group of?? artists who transcend national borders, working without being seen."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQm-uIAkseY

Nakamura's had an interesting career in games, working on The Evil Within, Okami, and Bayonetta. A Cutscenes documentary details the journey she took in leaving Tango and forming her own studio, and th??e toll of big game development that led her away from the space.

Speaking to IGN??, Nakamura says she's building an international team, made up of different cultures. She doesn't confirm what kind of game will be first out of Unseen, though she does hint that she wants to focus on her own pop culture interests like horror films, mystery, zombies, the supernatural, and science fiction.

While it's just an announcement for now, Unseen will now be one studio to keep an eye out for, as it ??gets underway on its first project. Nakamura's become a notable personality in games development, and I'm sure horror fans in particular are eager to see what her next game looks like.

Ghostwire: Tokyo, meanwhile, debuts near the end of the month.

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Outerloop Games' next adventure dives into the complexities of returning home

Outerloop Games and Annapurna Interactive have revealed Thirsty Suitors, the next game from the Falcon Age studio. Shown at tonight's Game Awards, it looks like a stylish and heartfelt adventure about family and ??relationships.

The story features Jala, who's going home for her sister's wedding. As part of that, she dives back into?? a wor??ld of small-town drama, broken hearts, and expectations. A legion of past exes arrive to team up against Jala, and you'll have to deal with them in order to move ahead. Through RPG combat, skateboarding, cooking, and more, Jala will overcome the past and reconcile her differences.

//youtu.be/PH2WP4G-WhY

"Annapurna Interactive is the perfect partner to deliver the Thirsty Suitors narrative—a story of complex family dynamics, navigating personal relationships and, ultimately, reconciliation," said Outerloop co-founder and Thirsty Suitors Game Director Chandana Ekanayake in a press release. "Our mission at Outerloop Games is to create accessible games about underrepresented cultures, and Thirsty Suitors will give players a glimpse into our teams�personal experiences growing up, which might be vastly different from what ?players have experi?enced themselves."

No date's been set yet, but it looks like a pretty interestin?g story with a cool mix of influences and ?gameplay mechanics melding together.

Tonight's Game Awards are currently airing, but you can catch up on the nominees here and keep an eye on the Destructoid home page for updates, winners, and a recap.

The post Thirsty Suitors is a gam??e about family, relationships, and self coming soon appeared first on Destructoid.

Moving beyond the age of coal and into oil

Survival city-builder Frostpunk is getting a sequel. 11 bit Studios announced today that Frostpunk 2 will head 30 years into the future of their frozen Earth, and they showcased it with a new trailer.

The video doesn't explain too much, though it look?s like the survivors are still looking for new sources of power. The oil extraction industry is hu??manity's next hope, though it sounds like that direction might be causing some rifts.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kfHUN4gFiw

Once again, it looks like tough choices and limited resources will be your obstacles. In a press release, co-director Jakub Stokalski described his vision for Frostpunk 2, and that players should expect a "wide universe" of choices, freedom to shape society and their c?ity, albeit with consequences.

"Frostpunk 2 builds on the conflicts of its predecessor—survival vs human values, life vs the arctic frost," said Stokalski. "But most importantly, it adds a new layer ?that is present in many aspects of the game—be it politics, be it societ?y, be it technological progress—the conflict between humans and their nature."

The first Frostpunk was a neat city-builder that mixed management and government with?? the terrors of a frozen waste, ever-encroaching on your meager city. I remember playing it on a whim once at a PAX and quickly becoming hooked; its mix of building and surviving was really intr??iguing, though I've yet to go back.

There's good news for me and others who haven't spent more time with it yet though, as 11 bit Studios is making the first Frostpunk availa??ble for free on Steam from today, Aug. 12 through Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. ET. You'll have to buy the game to keep playing after that point, but if you've yet to check it out, that seems like a pretty good way of doing so.

Frostpunk 2 has no release date set yet, th?ough it's confirmed as ??coming to Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store.

The post Frostpunk 2 announced with icy new trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

There's a map update coming to World's Edge, too

A new season is on the way for Apex Legends, and that means both a new Legend and some other big changes. Today, Respaw?n Entertainment showed off its new Legend, Seer, and just what kind of style and tactics he'll be bringing to the Games.

In a stylish new Stories from the Outlands segment, we get the backstory of Seer. With a "bad omen" casting a shadow over his birth, Seer has a striking gaze. According to the Apex Legends page for the upcoming "Emergence" update, it sounds like the new Legend Seer can make use of both microd??rones and his eye in combat.

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

The page also teases an update coming to the World's Edge map, as well as the addition of the Rampage LMG and Ranked Arenas, for Apex Legends' round-based Arenas mode. Basical??ly, a way to become the top of both the battle royale and the Aren??as.

It won't be long until we see more of Emergence, either. The upd??ate will get a launch trailer shown off at this week's EA Play Live, which will stream on July 22.

That chalks up more of what we know will be at EA Play Live, as so far, we've also heard a few things about what won't be there. Specifically, EA has confirmed that there won't be a new Star Wars game at the show, BioWare has said there won't be any news about Mass Effect or Dragon Age, and the new Skate is also a no-show.

With a new Apex Legends trailer alongside Battlefield 2042, it looks like FPS fans will definitely have some stuff to look forward to. And I'm a little interested to see how the map is changing, and if they can sneak any more Titanfall stuff in.

It'll be interesting to see how Seer fits into the lineup of Apex Legends once he joins the Games. The Emergence update for Apex Legends is aiming to go live on Aug. 3, 2021.

The post Apex Legends spotlights its next character, Seer appeared first on Destructoid.

Relic's WWII strategy series is back

Relic Entertainment is headed back to World War II, as today it announced Company of Heroes 3, a new entry in its Company of Heroes franchise. And while it won't be out until next?? year, there is a way to check it out a little bit earl??y today.

Company of Heroes 3 was revealed today, showing off its Mediterranean setting in both a cinematic reveal trailer and a gameplay reveal. You can check out the former below:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0nWPG_cFqY

The next entry in the Company of Heroes series heads to the Mediterranean, which includes areas like the Italian mountain passes and the deserts and coasts of North Africa. There's al?so a Dynamic Campaign Map, allowing players to order ground, naval, and air forces as well as supply lines, with long-term choices affecting both battles and the story of the wa?r.

There's also a Full Tactical Pau??se option, allowing players to freeze the usual real-time strategy. That way, if you're a little overwhelmed or just want to survey the field a bit, you can hit the pause button and take i??t all in.

If you'd like to see how these additions will change up the game, well, you're in luck. Relic is hosting a Pre-Alpha Preview from now until Aug. 2, at 7 p.m. PT. You just have to head over to the Company of Heroes site and link your Steam account.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwBOk-2vWZs

It's exciting to see this series get a new installment, especially since it's been years since Company of Heroes 2 launched back in 2013. Relic's World War II strategy series was a ??neat spin on the action compared to both the real-time strategy games and World War II games of the time, and there haven't been many lik??e it since. I'm definitely marking this demo down to play sometime soon.

Company of Heroes 3 is currently aiming for a PC launch in 2022.

The post Company of Heroes 3 revealed for 2022, and a demo’s out today appeared first on Destructoid.

How many will you see coming?

This fall, the incredible JRPG series Persona will celebrate its 25th anniversary. That's 25 straight years of demon-fighting, school dating, hard dancin' action. Publisher Atlus has launched a brand new website ahead of the exciting celebration, teasing a number of incoming projects that will highlight the stylish and super-cool Persona universe.

"As of 2021, the Persona series has sold over 15 million copies worldwide," reads an on-site statement, as translated by Gematsu. "To all our fans that have supported us for so long, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And this coming September, the Persona series will finally celebrate it??s 25th anniversary. To show our gratitude, we are preparing a number of celebrations over the one-year period from September 2021 to fall 2022."

While none of these upcoming projects are detailed, a total of seven reveals are planned to take place across Persona's 25th anniversary year. Atlus suggests that the reveals will include new merchandise, live events, and game news. I'm not sure what you'd like to see, but hoo boy it's about time Persona 3 FES and Persona 5 Royal hit the PC platform. How about a remaster of the first two titles in the series? A dream reveal would be the announcement of a new Persona Arena, but I definitely think t??hat's a little pie-in-the-sky... Perhaps all of these suggestions are.

At this stage, I'd settle for an Ichiko Ohya pillowcase and call it quits �But here's hopin??g Atlus has bigger plans.

The post Persona 25th anniversary w?ebsite teases seven incoming announcements appeared first on Destructoid.

Keeping the light alive?

It's time to (hopefully) get some more details about the parkour zombie action game Dying Light 2.

Following a mysterious tease earlier this week that had me pointing a small UV flashlight all over my apartment, we're getting a new stream today at 3 p.m. ET that will hopefully give us a few more details about what's to come for Techland's zombie series. You can watch along here.

It's been quite a while since Dying Light 2 was first unveiled at E3 2018. Its E3 2019 gameplay demo was fairly impressive, but the studio went quiet for a while following an indefinite delay.

No doubt there are hopes for something concrete here, but I'm personally eager to see more gameplay, and if the lofty ambitions of that 2019 preview are still holding strong in 2021. We'll find out together during today's ?stream, I suppose?

The post Let’s watch this mysterious Dying Light 2 stream appeared first on Destructoid.