Games

OK, folks, this is it. Sony’s next State of Play showcase event is set for today with new PlayStation games and deep dives into some titles we already know about. Today’s presentation marks the first State of Play for 2021 and is expected to feature 30 straight minutes of games. After seeing an impressive Nintendo Direct last week, it’s now Sony’s turn to give us an idea about what to expect on PlayStation over the next year or so. New PlayStation games, updates on third-party titles, and more will be included and the whole thing kicks off at 5 p.m ET. Head below for more details. 

Star Wars Republic Commando was originally released back in 2005, some 16 years ago at this point. While Microsoft made it backward compatible with Xbox One, and in turn Series S|X back in 2018, PlayStation and Nintendo gamers haven’t been able to play this iconic piece of gaming history in over a decade…until now. Aspyr Media is officially bringing back Star Wars Republic Commando with a launch on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on April 6. It’s been quite a while since we took a look at this game, so let’s dive into what all Star Wars Republic Commando entails.

When precious daily photos or important documents go missing, it’s nice to have a safety net. Disk Drill PRO 4 lets you recover hundreds of different file types with a couple of clicks. You can get this highly-rated Mac and Windows utility with guaranteed lifetime upgrades for just $49.99 (Reg. $118) at 9to5Toys Specials. 

Stardew Valley is a popular game across multiple platforms, be it PC, Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, or even mobile. Well, it just landed on a brand-new platform that nobody really expected: your table. That’s right, Stardew Valley is now available as a board game, which is something that nobody really thought (or expected) to happen. What does the board game entail? Keep reading to find out more about Stardew Valley: The Board Game.

Sony has announced that its Play At Home program will once again kick off next month with free PlayStation games and more. The Play At Home initiative launched last April in support of folks stuck at home due to COVID-19, and as most of us continue to social distance, it is once again planning a slew of free content to help out. According to today’s PlayStation Blog update, the festivities will start at the beginning of next month with free PlayStation games (Ratchet & Clank will be first). Head below for more details. 

It was only a matter of time before we got the first details on PS5 VR and Sony’s next-generation PS VR gear, and that time is now. Sony has now take to its official PlayStation Blog to offer up the first details on its PS5 VR plans, saying players “will feel an even greater sense of presence and become even more immersed in their game worlds once they put on the new headset.” Head below the fold for more details. 

Now that Fortnite’s next-generation update is among us, focus can fully return to the latest and greatest characters that have joined the game. A new Street Fighter Fortnite update has added “two of Capcom’s greatest fighters.” This paves the way for gamers to switch up a dated skin and play using Ryu or Chun-Li. Would you rather be the “Master of the Dragon Punch” or the “strongest woman in the world?” Each character comes with trademark emotes to help them stay true to the Street Fighter series. Continue reading to learn more.

Watch Dogs Legion multiplayer, along with the upcoming PvP mode, now has what appears to be a confirmed release date. After initially expected on December 3 at the tail end of last year, followed by a series of delays, it now looks like Watch Dogs Legion Online and its co-op gameplay will drop in early March. Head below for more details. 

Last year, EA launched over 25 games on Steam, and Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville was one of them. Well, the game is now coming to Nintendo Switch on March 19. What all will the port include? Quite a bit, honestly. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville on Nintendo Switch.

Backwards compatibility is something that felt ultimately necessary in both of Sony and Microsoft’s latest batch of consoles. But unlike PCs, console game settings typically cannot be configured to take advantage of better hardware once it comes out. Developers must get their hands dirty and hope that an update to the game will encourage enough sales to cover their investment of time, resources, etc. Some know that this effort is simply not worth their time, but Microsoft has their back with a new Xbox FPS Boost feature. Continue reading to learn more.

No Man’s Sky can be a pretty lonely game. I mean, when it first launched, you couldn’t even play with other Travelers unless you happened to stumble upon someone randomly…which wasn’t likely. While we now have a fully-fledged multiplayer experience, it’s not always possible to play with friends. Well, the team at Hello Games decided to do something about that and finally delivered on something the community has asked for almost since the game starter: companions. In the latest No Man’s Sky update, you’ll be able to tame and adopt creatures that you find roaming the universe and bond them to your Traveler, allowing them to be summoned anywhere you are.

Well, this is it, the latest Nintendo Direct presentation is here. After well over a year since the last full-length Nintendo Direct showcase, outside of those focused on indie games, single titles, and other Nintendo projects, the wait is finally over. Today’s lengthy 50-minute showcase was officially announced yesterday, seemingly out of nowhere, and it starts right now. Watch for yourself below or head back here shortly for up-to-the-minute updates. 

Originally announced in 2018, Amazon’s New World is a unique title from the game that was supposed to launch in August of last year. Well, in July, the company announced that it would be delayed until spring 2021. Well, with spring around the corner, Amazon announced today that New World would be delayed again…until August 31, 2021. It’s not all bad news though, this time we have a set date for when the closed beta will begin, and some developmental updates as well.

The next Nintendo Direct presentation has been announced, and it’s going to be a big one. It has been quite a long time since we have seen a full-on Nintendo Direct — it has been mostly Direct Minis, indie titles, and other Nintendo projects for over a year — but Nintendo has now scheduled a lengthy 50-minute presentation for tomorrow. Seemingly out of nowhere, the official Nintendo Twitter page, and subsequently the official Nintendo Direct site, now feature updates for what could be the most exciting Switch presentation in quite a long time. Head below for more details on what to expect and when to tune in. 

The Room is a title almost as old as mobile gaming itself. Well, the latest installment is finally available on PC after being on mobile since 2018. While the gameplay might be similar to your smartphone or tablet, the graphics won’t be as Fireproof Games completely overhauled all of the in-game textures and lighting objects for a “considerable visual upgrade” from what its mobile version could offer. What else does The Room 4: Old Sins bring to the series? And is it worth picking up on desktop? Let’s find out.

If you’re like me, you love when video games feature a built-in co-op mode. It allows players to work together instead of competing against each other, something that can cause non-gamers to dip their toe into the world of video games. Overcooked! All You Can Eat aims to ace this with flying colors. The latest Overcooked update will merge both the original and second game into one while managing to add a plethora of new features. Standout examples include new kitchens, chefs, online multiplayer for all kitchens, and the promise of cross-play. Continue reading to learn more.

Free Metro Exodus upgrades are on the way for next-generation consoles, but we now have details on the complete upgrade the 4A Engine is getting to support them. Metro Exodus — a somewhat under-appreciated first person shooter with elements of survivalism, stealth, and post-apocalyptic crafting — is getting some serious visual upgrades on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X consoles along with the freshly-announced Metro Exodus PC Enhanced Edition. A game that was already oozing with atmosphere and even visual story-telling to some degree, 4A games is completely overhauling its game engine to realize “a fully Ray Traced experience on next-gen. consoles and high-end PC.” Head below for more details.

The Division 2 released back in 2019 and was supposed to receive updates through 2020, and then after that, be done. Well, the community asked for post-launch content so much, it seems, that Ubisoft has decided to not only release new content in 2021 for the game but also going into 2022, according to the company’s earnings call.

As we head into the President’s Day and Valentine’s Day weekend, we have a giant list of top-tier holiday iOS app deals to roundup. This week has seen plenty of big-time price drops on some of the App Store’s best titles including Stardew Valley (that just received a massive update on console), Samorost 3, Bloons TD 6, Pascal’s Wager, NBA 2K20, the brilliant Affinity imagine manipulation apps, and it just keeps going from there. Head below the fold for handy list of all of this weekend’s best holiday iOS app deals. 

Split-screen Stardew Valley co-op has arrived on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles as a part of a massive version 1.5 update. Until now, each player would need to have their own console in order to enjoy the game together. While this is already a big update in and of itself, ConcernedApe hasn’t stopped there. In addition to split-screen Stardew Valley co-op, players will also gain access to an entirely new region called Ginger Island. You’ll also find new NPCs, dialogue, events, minigames, and much more in this update. Continue reading to learn more.

DBrand’s new PlayStation 5 face plates are now up for sale. Designed to offer gamers an alternative to Sony’s techno-looking white exterior PS5 wings, the new Darkplates are basically precisely cut slabs of plastic created to replace the stark white stock shell. For how long Sony allows this to be the case is unknown — it previously took legal action against a company known as PlateStation that was selling a very similar product. Head below for more details. 

Kingdom Hearts has long been a fan-favorite of console players and is one of the few large titles that has never had a PC release…until now. The Kingdom Hearts series will become available on PC for the first time ever in 2021, being released on the epic Epic Games Store on March 30. What all is included with this release? Well, keep reading to find out more.

It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I finally began to try out the PlayStation ecosystem. I grew up on NES and SNES consoles, and arguably Super Mario All-Stars was one of my favorite cartridges. Naturally, I was roped in by Ratchet & Clank on PlayStation 2, as it was a lighthearted game much like Mario. Fast-forward to today, and Sony has now released three updated consoles since PlayStation 2. Several new Ratchet & Clank games have also debuted since then, and Rift Apart will be the next. Today, Sony has opened pre-orders for the game and has also unveiled a release date. Continue reading to learn more.

While the folks at CD Projekt Red might be busy with ransom demands for its stolen source code right now, a new Witcher game is on the way. Well, a board game to be exact. Made in conjunction with publisher Go on Board, CDPR is ready to bring its Witcher world of magic and monster slaying to board game night, once again. Head below for more details and The Witcher: Old World game announcement trailer.

Every major console out there has an online subscription of some kind. Microsoft has Xbox Live Gold, for Sony it is PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo’s take is called Switch Online. Each puts their own spin on it, but a selection of bundled games is one of the perks found on every platform. Unlike Microsoft or Sony, Nintendo doesn’t offer recently released titles, but instead leans into the magic of nostalgia with an ever-growing list of NES and SNES games to pick from. February’s Nintendo Switch Online expansion will include one NES title alongside three SNES games. Continue reading to learn more.

After launching last year on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is finally coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, as well as Nintendo Switch on March 12. That’s right, the latest Crash Bandicoot 4 is going to be optimized for next-generation consoles, as well as your favorite handheld gaming system in a month. What all does this mean, and what will it cost? Well, keep reading to find out.

Owners of the PlayStation 4 version will be able to upgrade to Final Fantasy 14 on PS5 for FREE alongside an upcoming open beta. As announced during the recent showcase, Square Enix’s ongoing Final Fantasy 14 title is about to see some major new updates as well as a current-generation console upgrade just ahead of the next mainline expansion known as Endwalker. Head below for more details. 

Amazon is now offering Nintendo’s Ring Fit Adventure for $69.88 shipped. Also matched at Walmart and Best Buy. Regularly $80, this is nice $10 discount and one of the lowest prices we have tracked since release. Initially unveiled back in 2019, Nintendo’s fitness gaming bundle for Switch was difficult to get your hands-on at first, especially at a discount. But you can now bring the fun workout game home at one of its best prices to make staying in shape over the winter even more enjoyable. Rated 4+ stars from over 15,000 Amazon customers and you can get even more details on the experience in our hands-on review. More details below. 

MLB The Show 21 Xbox and PlayStation release dates have now been made official alongside the special editions and more. While we already knew the premier baseball simulator would be making its way to “additional consoles,” Sony has now made the release date official with both the PlayStation and Xbox One versions set for release later this spring. Head below for today’s new trailer and more details on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X upgrades. 

Sony has now confirmed it has tracked over 4.5 million PlayStation 5 sales. After early indications suggested Sony was already ahead in the now current-generation console war, the latest PlayStation 5 sales numbers have led Sony’s gaming business to one of its best fiscal quarters in history. While that might not make a whole lot of sense for the gamers out there still trying to get their hands on one of Sony’s latest home consoles, PS5 is clearly off to a running start here. More details below. 

The Mass Effect Legendary Edition has been officially unveiled. The new collection brings the entire Mass Effect trilogy (not that Andromeda one) into one epic and very much enhanced package. While the franchise might have had some missteps over the last few years, there’s no denying that the legions of Commander Shepard fans out there will be stoked for this one. The lauded science-fiction trilogy remaster from BioWare is now set for release this spring in glorious 4K. Head below to feast your eyes on today’s Mass Effect Legendary Edition reveal trailer and for more details. 

Today is the day you can score the free God of War update for PlayStation 5. While the 2018 God of War reboot was already backwards compatible with the new PS5 hardware, not to mention available inside of the new PlayStation Plus Collection package, the development team at Sony Santa Monica is ready to take it up a notch. The team has apparently been hard at work since the launch of PS5 to squeeze every last ounce of power out of Sony’s latest hardware and is now ready to dish out a free God of War update with new graphical modes. Head below for more details. 

Update 2/2 @ 3:54 PM: Apex Legends is officially coming to Nintendo Switch on March 9. The port will be handled by Panic Button, the developers that took charge of the Rocket League port on Switch.

First reported about back in June of last year, then delayed in October, we might finally see Apex Legends get its Nintendo Switch port in just a few weeks. A few days ago, we reported on Apex Legends Season 8 launching on February 2, and during this announcement, it seems the good folks at Respawn Japan might have leaked the release of the Nintendo Switch port. What makes us think the Switch version launches at the same time as Season 8? Keep reading to find out.

King’s Canyon is one of the most-loved maps in all of Apex Legends history. It is iconic, fun, and unique in ways that the other maps just can’t match up with. Apex Legends is enters Season 8 on February 2, and we already reported the initial changes coming to the game last week. Well, we now have more details as to what’s coming to King’s Canyon in Apex Legends Season 8, so keep reading to find out what all is changing on this iconic landscape.

Developer Psyonix has now announced a series of upcoming Rocket League Super Bowl events. Not only is Champions Field being transformed, the upcoming NFL Super Bowl LV Celebration introduces a new game mode known as Gridiron, complete with its own set of rules and game tweaks, as well as a series of themed in-game goodies ranging from bonus XP to the return of the NFL Fan Pack. It all kicks off on February 2, 2021, some five days before Super Bowl LV. Head below for more details. 

Roughly two years ago Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft finalized and released The Division 2. It remains popular to this day, and next-generation console owners will soon have more of a reason to dive in. According to one of the game’s Community Developers, this title is slated to garner support for 4K resolution with 60fps performance next week. Considering that the number of compelling next-generation games remains small at the moment, this sort of update is arguably what will help drive enthusiasm and sales of both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Continue reading to learn more.

Nintendo has unveiled a special edition Monster Hunter Rise Switch console. Now roughly two months away from the release of the next mainline Monster Hunter title, Nintendo is revealing the custom painted console bundle to go along with it. Head below for more details, information on the bonus in-game content, and a closer look at the special edition Monster Hunter Rise Switch console design. 

We now have details on the next free Animal Crossing update, courtesy of Nintendo. A trailer to highlight some of the upcoming events hit this morning alongside fresh new details on the upcoming Festivale and Valentine’s Day events, as well as all of the in-game goodies that come along with them. Head below for more information, launch dates, and to take a look at today’s trailer for yourself. 

After announcing the first price hike to Xbox Live Gold in years last week, Microsoft has since reversed course and stated that no price increase will be coming to its online gaming service. Plus, Microsoft also decided to make free-to-play games truly free-to-play, removing the requirement for Live in order to enjoy games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and others.

Sophos, a company that provides advanced cybersecurity protection for over 400,000 organizations of all sizes in more than 150 countries, also makes a system known as Sophos Home to protect the rest of us. It leverages the company’s Fortune 500-grade protection into an easy-to-use program to guard Macs and PCs, as well as iOS and Android devices against a wide-range of both common and lesser known cyber threats. Whether it’s just for some personal peace of mind, protection for the grandparents, or a safety blanket for up to 10 devices in your family’s arsenal, today’s 30% price drop on Sophos Home is worth a closer look. Head below for more details. 

Sophos Home is now available at 30% off for a limited time with the 10 device license now sitting at $41.99.

Nintendo just finished up their latest Nintendo Download yesterday, and we finally got the news that many have been waiting for: Hitman 3 – Cloud Version is now available for FREE on Nintendo Switch. That’s right, the conclusion to the Hitman trilogy is finally available, and it won’t cost you a dime to download. This and much more is available as part of the latest Nintendo Direct, so keep reading to find out everything we know.

Microsoft is announcing an Xbox Live Gold price increase for the first time in years. Taking to the official Xbox Wire, the Live Gold team is announcing the first major price jump in as many as 10 years today and they are quite significant in some cases. While they won’t immediately effect existing subscribers, it appears as though Microsoft is looking to push folks to convert Live Gold accounts over to the newer, all-encompassing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier. Head below for more details. 

Hironobu Sakaguchi —  the guy who conceived the first design documents for Final Fantasy — has a new RPG on the way known as Fantasian. The game was initially announced years ago alongside Apple Arcade and was featured as part of Apple’s “Meet the Creators” campaign for the service. Now, after 3-years or so in development, it sounds like Fantasian is finally nearing development completion and has its sights set on 2021. Head below for a closer look at the game and the physical dioramas it is being made of. 

Moog — one of the premier synth brands since the mid 1960s — just announced the Model 15 Modular synth for Mac. The brand has now updated its “award-winning” Model 15 Modular Synthesizer App with a number of new features and compatibility with macOS Big Sur. Originally developed as an emulation of the iconic 1973 hardware and an educational tool for modular synthesis, the Model 15 is also a wonderful creation tool for music producers/sound designers, and is now available on the big screen, inside your favorite DAW, and is free to existing owners of the iOS version. More details below.