The 35th annual Golden Joystick awards took place this past weekend, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild took the top honor of “Ultimate Game of the Year.”

Zelda also took home Best Audio, Nintendo Game of the Year, and the Critic’s Choice awards. It has been a phenomenal year for Nintendo, and it just keeps getting better. The perennial gaming company was also awarded Studio of the Year. The Golden Joystick Award winners are voted on by the public, with the exception of Critic’s Choice, Hall of Fame, Outstanding Contribution to the UK Games Industry, and Lifetime Achievement. These last four categories are decided upon by industry insiders. The London-based award show has celebrated individuals such as Eiji Aonuma, Satoru Iwata (who was awarded posthumously), and Hideo Kojima in past ceremonies.

Additionally, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is also up for GOTY at The Game Awards, which were previously known as the Spike Video Game Awards.

You can view the entire show via the Golden Joystick Twitch Channel. The link is available below.

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Press X to Not Die Review

I should add that I have no idea just how long this game is supposed to be. Judging on the speed of my QTA reaction-time, I’d say I beat the game at an average speed. I could have beaten this game in a much shorter time frame, if I’d have been faster. If my long, slender fingers were to adjust to a different game – say Smash Bros – my timing would be much better. And by admitting this hurdle I had to cross, I don’t mean to complement Press X to Not Die.

For a game that is riddled with quick-time action sequences every ten seconds, Press X to Not Die is a grueling experience to sit through. As I mentioned already, I beat the game at around 35 minutes, but I’m sure a speed demon could zip past it within 15 or ten minutes tops.

No matter how skilled you are, I don’t think it possible to blast through this game in less than ten minutes. This is simply because Press X to Not Die is plastered with QTA sequences every 15 seconds. I have not played a game where the quick-time actions felt like a lazy way to extend the game’s duration time – at least not since From Software’s Ninja Blade. Having QTAs as a primary gameplay mechanic that essentially becomes the game’s raison d’etre does not constitute amusing, and much less, edgy design.

To rub more salt on your wounded fingers – already swollen enough from the constant keyboard mashing – you don’t have the option to skip the cutscene prior to the QTA. Every time you fail to perform one of these sequences correctly, the game will send you back to your latest reload point. Unfortunately, this includes watching an aggravating cutscene involving the pestering male lead.

What makes Press X to Not Die even more insulting is how unfunny it is. Here’s another title that throws a bunch of random pop culture references at you in the form of Twilight, M. Night Shyamalan, Street Fighter, and a bunch of other nonsense. It is 2017, and apparently the only way to build a funny, obscure indie comedy is to mash together a bunch of pop culture icons and lunge them at the audience. The game does a very poor job of cracking a joke and oftentimes comes across as creepy instead… What was up with the John Wayne Gacy (the clown serial killer) reference?

I will give the development team a nod for at least trying to make a game – even if it’s an almost-completely broken one. Perhaps next time they should find a more suitable male lead. A guy who isn’t nearly as incompetent, unfunny, awkward, and annoying. Let’s be honest here: who is not fed up of the same old lardy, klutzy, unskilled 30-something loser-who-dwells-in-his-mom’s-basement male archetype? Considering that this was supposed to be a game with a comedic edge to it, there should have been more effort placed into the writing and characterization. This is supposed to be that crowd-pleasing hipster indie title shot in first-person, live-action found footage-perspective. It’s supposed to be The Blair Witch Project of indie gaming (or at least it should have been).

Even at the meager price point of $2.99, it’s quite difficult to recommend Press X to Not Die. Once you beat the game, you can unlock a behind-the-scenes option. I wonder if that’s where the comedy went. And this is supposed to be the “Full Release” version of this game. Either way, I didn’t feel like being in auto-flagellation mode any longer, so I let it die.

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Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 2 Review

Actually, that’s not entirely true. There is one thing that Before the Storm didn’t completely ruin, but I will get to that momentarily. But what does the delinquent pothead turned-drug-money collector (or whatever the hell these people are called) have in store to redeem herself as a character? Is she the game’s sole saving grace that I mentioned earlier? Two words: hell no!

Life is Strange is too concerned in destroying any semblance of sympathy and rationality left in its feverish narrative. I mentioned in my review of the previous episode that there was something in the writing that seemed to carry leading girl Chloe in a better direction. How wrong I was about this. In fact, I was so wrong, that I’ve realized that no matter what my choices are, the narrative will automatically readjust to what Chloe wants. What I mean by this is that no matter what you choose your “answers” to be in certain pivotal moments of the game, Life is Strange will conveniently pull a deus-ex-machina plot device to shift the narrative in a certain direction. As a result, whatever you choose is essentially null. If such is the case, then why does developer Deck Nine even bother in giving the player the illusion of choice? Why pretend to give the player a sense of freedom when this is ultimately left in the hands of the insufferable leading characters?

Now, I say “characters” because not only Chloe gets to decide the direction the story will go, but her love interest Rachel does as well. And some direction it is…Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 2 is not in the least concerned in what the player wants, but in fulfilling the selfish, immature irresponsibility of Chloe and Rachel. And there are three moments that defined this for me:

Chloe and Rachel are confronted by the school principal for skipping school. What do you choose: to save yourself or save Rachel?

Chloe and Rachel start becoming closer with each other? What do you choose: to accept Rachel’s advances or to reject them altogether?

Chloe and Rachel confront Rachel’s parents in a key moment at the end of the game. What do you choose: to support Rachel or to play it safe?

I actually went out of my way to pick the most negative outcomes for all three scenarios in order to verify my suspicions. And, guess what? I was right. My choices didn’t make a lousy difference. In the end, either Chloe pulled the narrative in her direction, or Rachel intervened in one way or another to make their will happen. I want to know why is Life is Strange: Before the Storm so concerned in having the player think he has a choice in these actions when it’s all left up to the developers (and the fans)? After all, Deck Nine and the fans are dying to see Chloe and Rachel sail away on the best “ship” since the Titanic.

Furthermore, the sleazy writing that watered down any sense of urgency and gravity in the first episode is back. However, this time it’s even more jam-packed of visual motifs that will cause a high school tween’s hair to turn blue from all the glee. The callbacks to other (more popular) icons are endless, but here are some of the ones I spotted: Breaking Bad, Birdman, Megan Fox, Mila Kunis, Illuminati pyramid (or Illuminati confirmed), Google Chrome, Twin Peaks, and arguably Wes Anderson’s filmography (to some degree). I could be missing more, but then again who knows. I might go back and revisit this aspect of the game once the entire series is complete. Does borrowing from all these cultural aspects make the game more relevant? Not in the slightest when it’s shoehorning these tips as plot devices: “how to delete browser history, how to use incognito tab.”

As for the only “thing” surviving the Chloe-&-Rachel hurricane is a character named Drew. This character in question comes out unscathed and is arguably the best one in the game. This is simply because he is the only character driven by an empathetic motivation. While the game showed him in a different light in Episode 1, his character blossoms into something much more believable, albeit melodramatic. The entire endeavor surrounding Drew makes me realize an even more tragic twist of fate: this series is a complete misfire because of the toxic femininity materialized in Chloe and Rachel.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 2 continues the string of bad decisions from developer Deck Nine. Instead of constructing a cohesive narrative with genuine pathos, the developer is deeply concerned on whether Chloe and Rachel will be shipped together once and for all. Never mind all the other decisions you have made up to this point. Love conquers all in the end– even if you disagree. Oh, and it makes no difference that Chloe and Rachel’s “forbidden” ship is capsizing other key vessels in the vicinity, like their parents, their education, or their future careers.

The only thing Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 2 confirms is that in the advent of the new generations, the only things that (should) matter are me, myself, and I. Do whatever feels right and screw everyone else. Such a lovely, all-inclusive and accepting message to impart to the youth. This message is most certainly not for an “old fart” like moi.

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Ah, Nintendo. One of the oldest videogame companies in the world. Most are unaware that their roots originate in the card game business. Nintendo’s history spans over a millennia of cards games and “love hotels.” So how does a multi-billion dollar company go from “producing” (or aiding thereof) babies to producing some of the most successful videogame franchises of all time?

I’m afraid I can’t answer that question with a straight answer, but I do know that Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, Kirby, Metroid, as well as the fact that Nintendo was quite influential for rebounding popularity after the industry crash of ’85. Fast-forward to 2017, and they’re still going strong. In spite of a rocky start to the eighth videogame generation, the company released their (tiny) juggernaut, the Nintendo Switch, earlier this year to overwhelming commercial success. Most pundits place them at the number one spot in hardware and software sales, and Nintendo has corroborated their claims already.

Last week, I covered how Nintendo led sales in September, and how they have been leading since the Switch was released back in March. How could they not lead when their new console-handheld hybrid was released with extremely high expectations? Moreover, Nintendo had an ace up their sleeve that they excellently played alongside its new product. That “wild” card literally was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – one of the highest rated games of all time, and arguably the best Zelda game ever – we awarded it a perfect score, and truthfully, it deserves no less.

But Breath of the Wild is not the subject of this piece. Neither are Nintendo’s achievements (as much as I would like to focus on them). The subject of scrutiny is what’s in store for the company in the coming months or years, and the uncertainty following certain decisions that have or haven’t been made by Nintendo. One of the latter is the Switch’s poor – or for a better phrase, “lack of” – online functionality. Nintendo has announced the company’s commitment for a better online service following the terrible reception on their previous consoles’ online functionality. There is no argument to be had if we were to closely inspect the piteous effort on Nintendo’s part for the Wii and Wii U’s lack of essential online amenities (i.e. no “party” support), no chat (or terrible use of it on the Wii U), no online matchmaking for most games (or poor support of it on Super Smash Bros Brawl and Wii U), no friend invites (and the nagging persistence of the “friend-code” system)…the list goes on and on.

In light of all this, the videogame giant had already set a fortuitous date for their [now] highly anticipated – and subscription based – online service that was scheduled for launch later this year. Switch owners will now have to wait until further notice, as Nintendo has delayed the online service until sometime in 2018. The service has been verified to cost around $19.99 per year, and will offer goods and services available from their competitors: game downloads, online gaming and matchmaking, and more. There is currently a trial for this service being offered now. This online service is meant to turn things around for Nintendo and its audience. Will fans finally get to pit Link and Cloud in a smooth online match with no lag in the forthcoming Smash Bros port? Will these same fans finally get the chance to hurl expletives at the top of their lungs to one another over chat service? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions are a gigantic question mark as of this date.

Nintendo seems to be reliving history with the Switch. The new console-handheld supports some of these features, but in such a retroactive manner that you wish you could summon Unella from Game of Thrones with her trusty bell to do some shaming. The veteran company should bow its head at their consumer base, but they’re too busy counting their yens to care. Why am I so salty? Simple: the online service offers no proper two-way communication between players online, no proper headset chat, and no proper matchmaking services (yes, you literally can invite your friends to play Splatoon 2 through the Switch’s online app, but there are other steps required). Although, as of the latest update, people have “discovered” that the Switch supports even GameCube controllers. You can view a video for this down below.

WHOA! GameCube Adapter Works on Nintendo Switch! – We Show it Off!

The fact that Nintendo omitted this last (of two) features from the patch notes spells uncertainty for the company and alienates their consumer base. Why hide the fact that you can use your old GameCube controller on your Switch? This solidifies the Smash Bros rumors that have been swirling in the web. Moreover, Nintendo hasn’t released a functional update for gaming and chatting online… at least not for anything other than Splatoon 2. Let me try to reiterate the mental gymnastics involved: you can use a headset, but it serves no purpose since no proper function outside of the online app has been announced. What’s even more confusing is that you can actually use a third-party headset for first-party games like Splatoon 2; yet, you need the app, a three-way splitter, a cellphone, oh, and only Splatoon 2 works (as of this editorial) and– again, Nintendo didn’t even bother to let everyone else know about the third-party headset function. What a mouthful. If you’re utterly confused at this point, I don’t blame you.

The lack of clarity in these decisions are definitely spelling something not so positive – at least for me. Nintendo’s lackadaisical support for the Wii and Wii U has alienated everybody. Even the core fanbase can agree that they have dropped the ball twice in a row and are in desperate need of a comeback. The Nintendo Switch – with its preposterous commercial and critical success thus far – is the company’s way of turning things around in the right direction. Some will argue that the Switch’s lack of online and Nintendo’s reticence on revealing more details is a brilliant marketing strategy that will keep the console in the minds (and pockets) of many. I daresay, I can see it in that light… However, two wrongs don’t make a right, and Nintendo has missed the bulls-eye twice. As one not-so-wise man said once, “Fool me once… shame on you– you fooled me, I can’t get fooled again!” – George W. Bush.

The way I see it, the Switch will appeal to three buyers: the curious uninitiated, the Nintendo fanboys, and the hardcore gamers. What will Nintendo do to keep all of them happy? We can look towards the Switch library and make some conclusions from that. Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a huge success on all fronts, and that was out in March. Even the Mario Kart 8 port, which was out in April was quite successful. The new Nintendo IP Arms was released in June. Splatoon 2 has been out since July. August marked the Ubisoft/Nintendo collaboration Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. A Switch-port of the Pokémon fighting game Pokken Tournament was released in September. Super Mario Odyssey is coming tomorrow. November will introduce the third-party support from Bethesda in the form of Doom and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (I know, again). And finally, Nintendo will finish off strong with Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the highly anticipated sequel to 2010’s hit. The only month missing is May; and while there may not have been a huge first or third party [re]release, there was support in the form of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance (in North America – it was out in Japan during launch) and Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers. Not to mention the slew of independent titles available via the Nintendo eShop. I won’t get too much into this, but I will say that some titles have worked for the console-handheld and others haven’t.

That is all 2017 material. What’s coming in 2018 and beyond? At this past E3, Nintendo revealed a new Kirby, Yoshi, and Metroid. A new Fire Emblem and a new Pokémon game have also been announced. The latter is supposed to be a new title in the flagship series.

That all sounds fantastic and wonderful. And with the phenomenal sales numbers, is the Nintendo Switch going to be the machine to revive the company’s mojo? Or is the Switch the Final-Fantasy Odyssey to put an end to their long-lasting legacy? Whatever the case may be, Nintendo needs to figure out a way to keep the momentum going. But should they keep up their sorry management (or lack thereof) of the Switch’s online functions, everyone will eventually be disinterested. Some developers are already furious enough with Nintendo, and more will follow should they choose not act accordingly. As a result, the third-party support might start to wobble, as it did with the Wii and Wii U. Alas, let’s hope that’s not the case.

With the PlayStation 4 (and Pro) still leading (but currently in second place in monthly sales), and Xbox fans impatiently waiting for the Xbox One X, all eyes are focused on Nintendo. What will they do to respond to all this attention? As I asked before, will the Switch be their Final Fantasy swan song? The love story that will always be and the system that never was? We just have to wait and see…

PS. I am aware that only the first six Final Fantasy games were on Nintendo systems.

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Via a press release, Bandai Namco has announced that Sword Art Online Hollow Realization is coming to the PC on October 27.

This PC port will have all the previously released DLC, including the Abyss of the Shrine Maiden chapter. Sword Art Online Hollow Realization is adapted from the popular, yet polarizing anime Sword Art Online. The anime itself is adapted from a light novel series by Reki Kawahara and abec. The 2012 anime adaptation paved the way to a series of videogames; the first one being Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment released on the PlayStation Portable. A total of ten games have been released under this franchise, if we were to count the ports.

There is a trailer below for Hollow Realization.

Sword Art Online Hollow Realization – PS4/Vita/PC – Link start on PC (PC announcement trailer)

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The good news for Nintendo just keep pouring in. According to an official press release, Nintendo is leading the hardware sales, and their software sales are not far behind. The Nintendo Switch was the best-selling “current” generation console for the month of September.

That’s right. Nintendo is back to the #1 spot with the Switch. Nintendo states that the NPD Group has spilled the beans on the console/handheld’s latest sales numbers. The Switch has been the leader in sales for the third consecutive month, and the for the fifth time since its launch back in March. The Switch has managed to captivate the minds (and wallets) of its American audience with over 2 million units sold thus far. The press release clearly indicates that the Switch has “yet to go through its first holiday shopping season.”

In light of all that information, when the 3DS and the SNES Classic Edition’s sales figures are added to the overall bottom line, all of these products make up approximately 60% of all videogame hardware sales.

And that’s not all either. Several of their household name franchises made the list of best-selling games as well. Titles like The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Metroid: Samus Returns; and even the collaborative effort Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, have all been selling consistently well. And Nintendo’s year is not over yet. They have ports of Doom and Elders Scrolls V: Skyrim due out on Nov. 10 and 17, respectively. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will be out on Dec. 1. The 3DS, on the other hand, has Mario Party: The Top 100 on Nov. 10; Fire Emblem Warriors due out tomorrow; and Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon on Nov. 17.

This all seems to indicate that Nintendo will finish the year off strong.

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Through a vivacious press release, Nintendo has informed us that Fire Emblem Warriors and Just Dance 2018 will be out on Oct. 20 and 24, respectively, on the Nintendo eShop.

Moreover, Nintendo has already a season pass for Fire Emblem Warriors that will be available for purchase on release day for $19.99. The Fire Emblem Warriors season pass will net you three new playable characters, three new stories, new weapons, new conversations, and new costumes – if you ever want to see Lucina in a bridal dress, then you will have to fork over for the season pass (bummer). The season pass can be purchased for either the Switch and Nintendo 3DS. You may also purchase the packs separately for $8.99 a piece.

Additionally, the following games are – or will be – available for the Nintendo eShop:

Jydge – out now for Switch

The Mummy Demastered – October 24 for Switch

The Jackbox Party Pack 4 – out now for Switch

Spelunker Party – out for Switch

ACA NEOGEO ROBO ARMY – out now for Switch

Revenant Saga – out now for Switch

Party Golf – out now for Switch

Syberia – October 24 for Switch

Knight Terrors – October 24 for Switch

This Is the Police – October 24 for Switch

Elliot Quest – out now for Switch

Super Ping Pong Trick Shot – out now for Switch

The Count Lucanor – out now for Switch

GALAXY BLASTER CODE RED – out now for Switch

Just Dance 2018 – October 24 for Wii U

Finally, Super Mario Gala– err, Odyssey will be out next week as well on October 27th. That being said, 2017 is not over yet.

The post Here’s A Recap What Will Be Out On The Nintendo eShop Within The Next Few Days appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Approximately a week before launch, Bethesda has premiered a launch trailer for Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. You can view the trailer after the jump.

While I may have found its characters and premise to being a bit pandering, I must admit that this trailer does indeed look promising. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus finds America being invaded by Nazis. In the sequel to MachineGames’ 2014 hit,  you take on the role of BJ Blaskowicz in an effort to take back your country from the Third (or Fourth?) Reich.

Launch Trailer – Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will be out on October 27 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. A Nintendo Switch port has been green-lit and is coming sometime in 2018.

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The second DLC pack for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is out today and Ubisoft is shedding light on its content.

Dubbed as the “Ultra Challenge Pack,” this addition features 8 new “Ultra Challenges” found within each world’s Secret chapter. However, the meat and bones lies in the new co-op campaign made up of 5 co-op maps that are exclusive to this DLC. The Ultra Challenge Pack is out today on the Nintendo eShop. The third and final DLC add-on is expect to arrive in January 2018. Moreover, all of this content make up part of the season pass. If you already purchased the pass, you will receive this as an update. You can purchase the season pass on the eShop for a retail price tag of $19.99.

Ubisoft describes Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle as:

“Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is the story of an unexpected encounter between the most famous video game character, Mario, and the irreverent and chaotic Rabbids, as they join forces to restore the Mushroom Kingdom which has been torn apart by a mysterious vortex.”

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle has been out exclusively for the Nintendo Switch since August 29th this year. You can a view a trailer for it down below.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: Ultra Challenge Pack DLC | Gameplay Trailer | Ubisoft [US]

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Sonic Forces comes from the minds that brought you Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations.

This new Sonic game will have you playing as three versions of the blue hedgehog: “Modern Sonic,” who will perform “fast-paced action” stunts; “Classic Sonic,” who will speed through “perilous platforms; and “Custom Hero Character,” who will be the players own little Frankenstein creation, as its name implies. Sega released two gameplay videos that you can check out below. The first short clip features the game’s “Rental Avatar” feature that involves using custom characters that other players have built and uploaded to the game’s servers. Dubbed here as the “Bird Hero Character,” he can be seen attacking with a “Drill Wispon.” According to Sega, you can switch between your character and the “Rental Avatar” any time during a stage.

Sonic Forces – Space Port Gameplay

Sega continues: “Besides seeing some gorgeous and/or hilarious characters as a result, this feature will let players utilize two different Wispons in a single level to find secret paths and overcome any obstacles in their way.”

The next clip features the Infinite boss battle being engaged by a “Rental Hero.”

Sonic Forces – Rental Hero Gameplay

Sonic Forces will be out on November 7 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch.

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