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<div class="font-bold text-xs my-4"><i class="fad fa-megaphone text-primary mx-2"></i> CH Game News </div>
<div class="font-semibold p-2">Sony-Owned Dev Firesprite Reportedly Suffered From a ‘Toxic Culture’, Fresh Report Claims</div>
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<p>In the wake of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-announces-significant-playstation-layoffs-affecting-900-staff-london-studio-to-close">Sony’s devastating round of layoffs</a> that will result in around 900 staff let
go from the PlayStation business, a new report has made serious allegations about Sony-owned studio Firesprite.</p>
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<p>According to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurogamer.net/sony-studio-firesprite-has-been-shedding-talent-amidst-accusations-of-toxic-culture-staff-say">Eurogamer</a>, the Liverpool-based studio suffered from crunch, high-profile
exits, and a toxic workplace culture. One source told the website Firesprite had suffered "death by a thousand cuts.” Sony has yet to comment. CheatsHouse " has asked the company for a response.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/playstation-firesprite-acquired-sony-playroom-persistence">Sony bought Firesprite in 2021</a> after it had made a number of PlayStation games, including The Playroom, Run Sackboy! Run!,
and PSVR game The Persistence. It went on to develop <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/tech/playstation-vr2/">PSVR2</a> launch title
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/horizon-call-of-the-mountain">Horizon Call of the Mountain</a>, under supervision from Horizon custodian Guerrilla Games.</p>
<p>Firesprite was one of the studios affected by the latest round of Sony layoffs, suffering an undisclosed number of cuts and, reportedly,
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-reportedly-cancels-twisted-metal-live-service-game-as-part-of-mass-layoffs">the cancellation of a Twisted Metal live-service game</a>. Firesprite is now continuing work on a
PlayStation game codenamed Project Heartbreak.</p>
<p>Sony’s London studio is to close entirely, suggesting its in-development PlayStation 5 game is cancelled. The layoffs have also hit The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog, the aforementioned Guerrilla, and Spider-Man developer Insomniac.
According to <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jasonschreier/status/1762503758636851372">Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier</a>, Guerrilla’s Horizon Online game survived the cull.</p>
<p>The Sony cuts come during one of the most difficult periods the game industry has ever faced, with mass layoffs throughout 2023 and continuing into 2024. Last month,
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-lays-off-1900-staff-from-its-video-game-workforce"><u>Microsoft axed an eye-watering 1,900 staff from its video game workforce</u></a> following the $69 billion acquisition of
Call of Duty owner Activision Blizzard.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/ive-never-seen-it-this-bad-game-developers-explain-the-huge-layoffs-hitting-riot-epic-and-more"><u>IGN recently spoke to developers about these layoffs</u></a> to try to explain what was
causing them.</p>
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<p><em>Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.</em></p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">Pokémon Skipping 2024 Is a Good Thing</div>
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<p>It says something about the state of a video game series when lots of fans are <em>happy </em>the next game is coming later than expected. That’s what happened this week in the Pokémon community, after Game Freak and The Pokémon Company
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/new-pokemon-game-pokemon-presents-2024"><u>revealed Pokémon Legends: Z-A is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2025</u></a>. Many trainers — myself included — let out a huge sigh of relief after
learning that Pokémon is taking a much-needed break in 2024, ending a streak that lasted eight consecutive years of new mainline content.</p>
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<p>Since 2016, Pokémon’s release schedule has looked like this:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>2016:</strong> Sun & Moon</li>
<li><strong>2017: </strong>Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon</li>
<li><strong>2018:</strong> Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Let’s Go, Eevee! </li>
<li><strong>2019: </strong>Sword & Shield</li>
<li><strong>2020:</strong> Sword & Shield DLC</li>
<li><strong>2021:</strong> Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl</li>
<li><strong>2022:</strong> Legends: Arceus <em><strong>and</strong></em> Scarlet & Violet</li>
<li><strong>2023:</strong> Scarlet & Violet DLC</li>
</ul>
<p>It’s been a crazy cadence of video game launches with absolutely no time to breathe, and the signs of unsustainability have been showing for multiple years at this point. 2022 alone saw two hugely ambitious Pokémon games come out of Game
Freak. And while I absolutely adore Legends: Arceus’ spin on the Pokémon formula, and I respect Scarlet & Violet for shaking things up in a big way, all of the aspirations and innovations were significantly overshadowed by low-quality
graphics and — in Scarlet & Violet’s case — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/pokemon-scarlet-violet-patch-nintendo-tech-problems"><u>unacceptable technical performance</u></a>. Scarlet & Violet’s issues brought it
to the point where Nintendo shared an apology, which you almost never see from the company. I’ve seen a lot of black-text-on-yellow-background apologies in the last several years but I never expect to see it from Nintendo.</p>
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<p>I don’t mean to sound like a Pokémon hater – I love Pokémon, or at least I <em>want </em>to love Pokémon again. But it’s been hard watching Game Freak struggle to transition to home console development during the Switch generation and the
way I see it, it’s left with basically two choices: scale the ambition back or take more development time to release fewer games. And given that Pokémon is already
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/1762485535560368544"><u>describing Legends: Z-A</u></a> as “an ambitious new entry”, it seems it’s opting for the latter.</p>
<p>Granted, all we know is that Legends: Z-A is coming sometime in 2025. That could very well end up being early in the year (Remember, Legends: Arceus launched in January 2022), and then all the praise I’m giving The Pokémon Company and Game
Freak will be moot. An early 2025 release would equal a three-year turnaround since Arceus, which is pretty standard for Game Freak. Gen 5 (2010), Gen 6 (2013), Gen 7 (2016), Gen 8 (2019) and Gen 9 (2022) all had three-year gaps in between.
So I’m sincerely hoping the generic 2025 release window and the fact the announcement trailer didn’t actually show any gameplay means the developers and publisher are taking the Scarlet & Violet criticism seriously, and we won’t see
Legends: Z-A until later in 2025.</p>
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<p>So I’m thrilled Pokémon is taking a break in 2024, and I’m excited that Game Freak is returning to the Legends subseries. But we really know very little about Legends: Z-A, so let’s tackle some other big questions brought on by this
announcement.</p>
<h3><strong>What Does the “Legends” Branding Actually Mean?</strong></h3>
<p>Depending on the day, I sometimes call Pokémon Legends: Arceus my favorite Pokémon game of all time. I fell in love with the revamped focus on catching and collecting Pokémon, and it solidified for me that a Pokémon game revolving around
“Gotta catch ‘em all” is more compelling than “I wanna be the very best.” I know that’s an unpopular take, and I understand that the main series isn’t going anywhere, but I was thrilled when Legends: Z-A’s announcement confirmed that Arceus
wasn’t just a one-off experiment.</p>
<p>But from the little we know about Z-A, it’s hard to determine if this is really a sequel to Legends: Arceus at all. We know Z-A will take place entirely within the Kalos region’s Lumiose City, and “urban redevelopment” has been teased as
Z-A’s theme. Both of those elements are significantly at odds with Legends: Arceus, which was about exploring nature in wide, open areas.</p>
<section data-transform="quoteBox">A Pokémon game revolving around 'Gotta catch ‘em all' is more compelling than 'I wanna be the very best.'</section>
<p>So it’s possible that each entry in the Pokémon Legends series will be its own distinct thing, and the new mechanics I loved in Arceus might not necessarily translate to Z-A. Maybe the Pokémon Legends branding just means a mainline game
developed by Game Freak that takes a look at a region years before the modern day Pokémon games, while avoiding the traditional Pokémon formula of gym badges and the Elite Four. Or, maybe Z-A still could incorporate Arceus’ catching mechanics
while taking place in the big city. Time will tell but either way, I’m incredibly happy Game Freak is taking yet another crack at approaching Pokémon from a new angle.</p>
<h3><strong>What About Unova?</strong></h3>
<p>I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/switch-2-mario-what-to-expect-from-nintendo-2024"><u>placed my bet</u></a> that the next mainline Pokémon game would return to Unova, the setting of Gen 5’s Black & White. Instead,
Legends: Z-A is skipping Gen 5 and jumping straight to the region from Gen 6’s X & Y, and in a weird roundabout way giving us the Pokémon Z version we never got. Game Freak is breaking the pattern of its Pokémon remakes and I can’t help
but wonder if there is a plan for Gen 5 remakes.</p>
<p>The Pokémon Company outsourced Gen 4 remakes Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl to developer ILCA and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s planning to assign a Black & White remake to a separate studio at some point, ILCA or otherwise.
It’s impossible to say if something like that is already in development or not, but I have a good feeling that we will still end up seeing a return to Unova sometime in the next few years.</p>
<h3><strong>No, Not Everything Is a Nintendo Switch 2 Hint</strong></h3>
<p>We’re only in March and I’m already exhausted from all the Nintendo Switch 2 speculation we’ve endured this year. The internet will seemingly take any little thing and use it to fuel the Switch 2 fire, even in cases where there’s absolutely
no reason to.</p>
<p>When it came to the Legends: Z-A trailer, the internet latched onto wording that said Legends: Z-A will launch “simultaneously” worldwide in 2025 for Nintendo Switch “systems”. Some people took this as a hint that Legends: Z-A will release
as a cross-gen title on both Switch and Switch 2, and I’d really like to pump the brakes on that. </p>
<p>There’s just no way Nintendo or The Pokémon Company would let any wording confirming Switch 2 slip into its marketing before it has officially announced its next hardware. Nintendo is incredibly careful about its messaging and I assure you
this isn’t some slip-up or cryptic hint. And Nintendo <em>always </em>refers to the Switch, OLED, and Lite as the “Nintendo Switch family of systems” or “Nintendo Switch systems”, so that word choice is in no way hinting at unannounced
hardware. The Pokémon Twitter account used the exact same wording when talking about Detective Pikachu Returns, which already launched on Nintendo Switch systems last year.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The great detective is back on the case! 🔎 <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DetectivePikachuReturns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DetectivePikachuReturns</a> is coming to Nintendo Switch
systems on October 6, 2023.<a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/OQrBueF6Ap">https://t.co/OQrBueF6Ap</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/i4aQLAl0ns">pic.twitter.com/i4aQLAl0ns</a></p>— Pokémon (@Pokemon)
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/1671538508748447744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<p>The 2025 release timing really tells us nothing about Nintendo’s next generation plans either way. Pokémon notoriously waits a year or two before transitioning to Nintendo’s new hardware. The 3DS launched in March 2011 and we didn’t see the
first mainline 3DS Pokémon games until Fall 2013. For a more recent example, the Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017 and Pokémon didn’t make an appearance until Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! in Fall 2018. </p>
<p>I think the more interesting discussion surrounds what Legends: Z-A’s 2025 release window means for Nintendo’s Fall 2024 release calendar. If
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-reportedly-delayed-to-march-2025-in-part-to-combat-scalping"><u>recent reports are accurate</u></a> and Switch 2 isn’t coming until next year, the remainder of Nintendo’s
2024 is looking pretty light. Pokémon is basically always a staple of Nintendo’s holiday lineup and I was expecting nothing different in 2024. But it’s now looking like Pokémon will miss this holiday, leaving me to wonder what Nintendo will
fill that gap with. Is it finally time for Metroid Prime 4 or Wind Waker and Twilight Princess? Or will Nintendo pull out something completely new and unexpected? We’ll have to wait and see, but I can tell you for certain Nintendo has at
least one unannounced game in its back pocket for this holiday season, and I can’t wait to learn what it is.</p>
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<p>What do you think of Pokémon Legends: Z-A? Let us know in the comments.</p>
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<p><em>Logan Plant is IGN's Database Manager, Playlist Editor, and frequent Super Ninfriendo on Nintendo Voice Chat. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.</em></p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">Why Every Gold Saucer Date in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Matters More This Time</div>
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<p><em><strong>This article contains spoilers for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Specifically, it details the events from several dates Cloud can have at the Gold Saucer. If you’re yet to experience one of these scenes, we suggest returning to the
article once you have. Alternatively, if you’d like to see every Gold Saucer date in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, you can watch every variation in this video:</strong></em></p>
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<p>Fans of the original Final Fantasy 7 will fondly remember the Gold Saucer gondola date. This romantic liaison paired you up with Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, or even Barret, depending on your dialogue choices throughout the game.</p>
<p>The intimate moment makes its expected return in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but unlike the original – and perhaps indicative of the entire remake’s philosophy – this time each date has a renewed focus. Every variation has a strong and defined
angle, tying into the grander narrative while also fleshing out relationships with the hindsight of nearly 30 years of character evolution. Each one packs an emotional punch, helping Cloud and his partner of choice grow. This stronger
emphasis on storytelling replaces what was previously surface-level romance and amusing, but ultimately cheap laughs. I’m looking at you, the ‘Barret unloads his minigun at the fireworks’ moment from the original. </p>
<p>That’s not to say there’s not laughs to be had, with some funny moments riffing on the source material. Build your relationship to a strong enough level with Yuffie and you’ll unlock her extended “intimate” date which leans heavily on jokes
from the original. Yuffie demanding that Cloud “say something!” only to get a deadpan response of “... something” is a particular highlight. But Yuffie’s date is also a perfect illustration of how Rebirth has expertly matured the original
conversations, with Yuffie now talking this moment to share a personal story about her misguided love for another SOLDIER, who, upon letting her down gently, led Yuffie down a focused training path to prove herself a warrior - a path not too
dissimilar to Cloud’s.</p>
<section data-transform="quoteBox">I felt a connection to Yuffie I’d never had in the almost 30 years of her existence.</section>
<p>It’s this moment of vulnerability that helps not only Cloud, but also us as players to scratch beneath the surface of Yuffie's seemingly one-dimensional characterisation (that being her relentless quest for materia) and demonstrate her deep
insecurities. It’s a scene that allows her to open up, revealing that she shares Cloud’s inability to discuss her innermost feelings. In this moment, I felt a connection to Yuffie I’d never had in the almost 30 years of her existence, and
it’s a testament to the care and attention Rebirth’s character writing has received. It’s clear that Cloud also feels this connection, and it helps strengthen their bond. It now feels significantly more understandable why they’d fight for
each other. And so it’s a shame that a majority of players will likely miss this moment in their playthrough, because this date is just one of many, and something that requires significant investment in Yuffie to unlock. </p>
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<p>That’s the less likely result for most players, I would imagine, since Aerith and Tifa form the original love triangle and are the characters that garner the most attention. That’s not to say that their Gold Saucer date experiences are not
equally worthwhile, but they are the more expected character moments. As a result, it’s the left field choices like Yuffie that result in unexpected bonds that really resonated with me, and what happens during Barret’s date is another prime
example.</p>
<p>In the 1997 original, there was no doubting that the Barret choice was the joke option. He and Cloud spend the entire date in a comical huff, Barret accuses Cloud of having a crush on his four year old daughter (seriously…) and then, as
mentioned before, he ends the date by unloading his gun arm on the fireworks because they’re irritating him. It’s wacky. </p>
<p>But in Rebirth, what was once a silly sequence now is an opportunity for character development. This time around, Barret is evolved into a mentor-like figure for Cloud. He tells a sentimental story about when he first met his partner, Myrna,
which serves as a jumping off point to teach Cloud a valuable life lesson that can only come from someone with significantly more life experience. </p>
<p>“Once you find your soulmate, you never let ‘em go.” shares Barret, explaining that he was also once a selfish young man who had some growing up to do. He goes on to tell Cloud that he’s “overthinking it. You just gotta go for it sometimes.”
Cloud rightly points out that Barret “always goes for it”, which leads to the pair coming to the conclusion that they balance each other out.</p>
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<p>Unlike the original date, not only does Barret now offer advice, but his bond with Cloud is strengthened. It’s a reminder that – despite all their differences – in the language of love they actually share a lot in common. Couple this with
the interesting story of how a young, brash Barret met the love of his life and what’s cemented is a scene of valuable relationship growth. Again, it’s a real shame that you could easily miss this. In fact, it almost feels essential to Cloud
and Barret’s friendship. </p>
<p>It’s not just character development you’ll likely miss at the Gold Saucer, either. An unlikely Red XIII date – one you might automatically assume would be the “joke” option – offers not only the strengthening of a bond, but some vital
clarity of the events of the previous game, Final Fantasy 7 Remake. </p>
<section data-transform="quoteBox">It’s not only a scene about relationship growth, but one that confirms vital story information that at best we could only previously infer.</section>
<p>“It might sound crazy, but back in Midgar Aerith and I could both see the future,” reveals Red XIII, confirming a popular theory about the messy concluding events of the first game. “That would explain a lot,” Cloud replies, demonstrating
his understanding of the events and also acting as a proxy for the audience. Red XII goes on to theorise that “the Whispers took it from us when we left,” helping explain the clean slate the character’s appear to have in Rebirth. He does
still have a faint, outstanding memory, though; that Cloud has to keep Aerith safe. It’s ominous foreshadowing of the original game’s tragedy, and a hint that things could be different this time around. </p>
<p>In this moment Cloud and Red XIII build a bond of trust. They learn to talk honestly with each other and the value their togetherness has, concluding with the pair shaking hand/paw on their agreement to protect Aerith. It’s not only a scene
that matters in regards to relationship growth, but one that confirms vital story information that at best we could only previously infer.</p>
<p>Importantly, none of these dates feel like the ‘canon’ choice. Or rather; <em>all </em>of the dates feel like the canon choice,<em> </em>with story beats that live concurrently. Each one progresses Cloud’s relationship with his friends
and/or romantic interests, and unlike the original none of them feel like they don’t belong (with the exception of a new, awkward hang out with Cait Sith, Cid and Vincent – a joke date and consolation prize for stalling your other
relationships). Each date in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth matters, it’s just a shame that the majority of players will never experience each and every one of these important pieces of storytelling.</p>
<section data-transform="divider"></section>
<p><em>Dale Driver is IGN's Executive Producer of Video Programming and he ended up going on a date with the three boys on his first playthough, even though he tried his hardest to get Red XIII.</em></p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">Preorder the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Soundtrack, Available April 19</div>
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<p>Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is officially out in the world, with fans settling in to experience the second installment in the
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-7-three-part-trilogy">Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy</a>. And if you've been hoping to get your hands on Rebirth's incredible soundtrack to add to your collection as well, we
have exciting news: <a target="_blank" href="https://zdcs.link/R2rDk">it's officially up for preorder</a>. This seven-disc set will officially release on April 19, but you can preorder it now at the link below for $96.99. </p>
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<p>Alongside those seven discs, it also comes with a bonus disc that features music from Rebirth's mini games and is all kept in a package that features the buster sword on the front. You can preorder yours now at the link below.</p>
<h2>Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's Soundtrack is Officially Up for Preorder</h2>
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<p>In our <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-review">Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review</a>, we gave the game a 9/10. In it, we explained that it "impressively builds off of what Remake set in motion as
both a best-in-class action-RPG full of exciting challenge and depth, and as an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that has meant so much to so many for so long." And if you're a fan of the original Final Fantasy 7, the music is sure to tug
on your heartstrings once you get going in Rebirth. </p>
<p>If you're looking for even more games to preorder that are coming out in the months ahead, we have a couple of preorder guides that are worth checking out. Coming out on March 22 is Dragon's Dogma 2, which you can learn more about
preordering in our <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/dragons-dogma-2-release-date-deluxe-edition-preorder-bonus">Dragon's Dogma 2 preorder guide</a>. We've also got you covered on the highly-anticipated
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/elden-ring-shadow-erdtree-collectors-edition-preorder">Elden Ring expansion Shadow of the Erdtree</a>, which is set to release on June 21.</p>
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<p><em>Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.</em></p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">Balatro Devs Argue Poker Roguelike Does Not Encourage Gambling as It Vanishes From Some Stores</div>
<div class="divider my-20"></div><img src="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2024/01/24/balatroreleasedatetrailer-ign-blogroll-1706114330757.jpg" alt="media" class="max-w-xs mx-auto">
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<p>Balatro publisher Playstack Games has taken to social media to defend its poker roguelike after fans noticed it had been removed from certain stores.</p>
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<p>Players started to point out Balatro’s disappearance over the last few days, with some taking to social media to express their concerns. Reddit user
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/balatro/comments/1b3tikq/not_showing_on_switch_store_uk/"><u>JustASmith27</u></a>, for example, was unable to find the Nintendo Switch eShop store page in the U.K. Players from other
countries, such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/balatro/comments/1b3tikq/comment/ksv9me3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button"><u>Australia</u></a>, have
reported that they are running into the same roadblock as well.</p>
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<p>Mainly, the problem seems isolated to Nintendo Switch stores outside of the U.S. Playstack shared
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/PlaystackGames/status/1763614758043795909?s=20"><u>an explanation behind Balatro’s disappearance</u></a> on X/Twitter, saying that the team is working “as hard as we can to get the game back on
sale as soon as possible.” With some territories still able to purchase Balatro without issue, the publisher confirms its removal is tied to a sudden change in its age rating.</p>
<p>“This is not an issue with the stores themselves, however a reaction to an overnight change to Balatro’s age rating from 3+ to 18+ by a ratings board without any advance warning,” Playstack said, “due to a mistaken belief that the game
‘contains prominent gambling imagery and material that instructs about gambling.’”</p>
<p>Playstack adds that it addressed gambling concerns with the ratings board in October. At the time, Balatro was labeled 3+ after receiving an initial rating of 18+.</p>
<p>“During that specific appeal, the ratings board assured us 'we have reviewed your product and determined that the disclosure of gambling themes was unwarranted,’” Playstack added. “The game content has not changed since the age rating was
amended to a 3+.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/MroeavYY9U">pic.twitter.com/MroeavYY9U</a></p>— Playstack (@PlaystackGames)
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/PlaystackGames/status/1763614758043795909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<p>The Playstack team says they “fundamentally believe the ratings decision is unfounded,” mentioning that LocalThunk, Balatro’s sole developer, is “staunchly anti-gambling.” LocalThunk took to X/Twitter to share their own thoughts on the
matter, doubling down on their stance against the accusation that Balatro contains any form of gambling.</p>
<p>“I do not condone gambling (staking something personally valuable on an uncertain event) nor do I believe that Balatro contains gambling,” the post says. “I did add risk/reward mechanics and RNG to Balatro, but these are core mechanics to
the genre at large.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Re: the Balatro news today<br><br>I do not condone gambling (staking something personally valuable on an uncertain event) nor do I believe that Balatro contains gambling<br><br>I did add risk/reward mechanics and RNG to
Balatro, but these are core mechanics to the genre at large</p>— localthunk (@LocalThunk) <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/LocalThunk/status/1763648752693502188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<p>While Playstack is confident Balatro will remain on PC storefronts like Steam, it’s not sure how other platforms will be impacted. It adds, "Please rest assured the game will be back up on sale, possibly with a temporary 18+ rating while we
resolve the issue."</p>
<p>Balatro launched for PC, Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X | S on February 20, 2024. Although its Steam page boasts that it is “the definitive poker roguelike experience,” it also features a variety of
gameplay twists, such as cards with unique abilities, a campaign, difficulty modes, and more.</p>
<p>“Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds,” its description says. “Earn enough chips to beat devious blinds, all while uncovering hidden bonus hands and decks as you progress. You’re
going to need every edge you can get in order to reach the boss blind, beat the final ante and secure victory.”</p>
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<p><em>Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.</em></p>
<p><em>Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.</em></p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">Starfield Patch Fixing Its Sabotage Quest, Which Many Players Couldn't Finish Due to a Missing Journalist</div>
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<p>Bethesda Game Studios has teased what players can expect in Starfield's next update, with the upcoming patch emphasizing quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes. </p>
<section data-transform="mobile-ad-break"></section>
<p>In a thread on X/Twitter, Bethesda Game Studios made <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BethesdaStudios/status/1763595746614427987">a thread</a> highlighting some of the changes coming to Starfield. The update will be available on
March 6 via the Steam Beta before a full release at a later date.</p>
<p>The most notable fix <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/BethesdaStudios/status/1763595993474314422?s=20">will address a bug</a> in the "Sabotage" quest for the Ryujin Industries. The bug in question caused an NPC required to complete the
quest to not spawn in the location. Bethesda previously tried to address this bug in
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/starfields-1886-update-officially-adds-dlss-support-and-finally-allows-you-to-eat-food-on-sight">update 1.8.86, released last November,</a> but some
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Starfield/comments/180lpgg/update_1886_did_not_fix_ryujin_sabotage_bug/">quickly pointed out</a> that the NPC failed to spawn after installing the patch.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We also tracked down the elusive David Barron, who had mysteriously been unavailable at the SSNN for many players in "Sabotage."<br><br>Other fixes include an issue causing the player's head to turn left while sprinting
and some issues preventing Starborn Temples from appearing… <a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/3vBsL3RCAv">pic.twitter.com/3vBsL3RCAv</a></p>— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios)
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BethesdaStudios/status/1763595993474314422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Other patch highlights include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Adding facial expressions in photo mode;</li>
<li>Improvements to the scanner that will allow you to use it to monitor the in-game world when harvesting resources; and</li>
<li>A quality-of-life improvement that makes missions active when you set course on an inactive mission.</li>
</ul>
<p>The latest update comes<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/starfield-update-fsr-3-xess-support"> <u>over a week after the February patch was released</u></a>, where it introduced a number of changes to Bethesda's sci-fi
action RPG, most notably AMD's FSR 3 and Intel's XeSS supersampling tech support.</p>
<p>The support for Starfield is part of Bethesda's plan to have "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/starfield-january-2024-update-patch-notes"><u>a steady stream of updates about every six weeks</u></a>" to address various
issues in Starfield. Bethesda previously teased additional fixes and improvements, including adding city maps and "new ways" of traversing.</p>
<p>In our review of Starfield, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/starfield-review">which we awarded a 7 out of 10</a>, we said: "Starfield has a lot of forces working against it, but eventually, the allure of its expansive
roleplaying quests and respectable combat make its gravitational pull difficult to resist."</p>
<section data-transform="divider"></section>
<p><em>Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter </em><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/TayNixster"><em>@TayNixster.</em></a></p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">Every Star Wars Game on the Nintendo Switch in 2024</div>
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<p>When it comes to licensed movie franchises entering the world of video games, very few have as storied a history as Star Wars. From hopping into an X-Wing cockpit in Rogue Squadron to making decisions that affect the fate of the galaxy in
Knights of the Old Republic, George Lucas’ expansive sci-fi universe has become a creative playground for a range of talented developers over the years, and with it paved the way for some truly iconic
<a target="_blank" href="https://za.ign.com/lego-star-wars-the-skywalker-saga/175644/lists/the-10-best-star-wars-video-games-of-all-time">Star Wars games</a>.</p>
<section data-transform="mobile-ad-break"></section>
<p>For those looking to dive into some of these games on their Nintendo Switch, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve compiled every single Star Wars game available on Nintendo’s flagship console, ranging from immersive RPGs to classic
first-person shooters.</p>
<h2>How Many Star Wars Games are on Nintendo Switch?</h2>
<p>In total, there are <strong>ten Star Wars games available on Nintendo Switch</strong>. The list below won't include game bundles like the Heritage Collection or the Knights of the Old Republic bundle, although it's worth noting that you can
find most of the games below packaged together on the Nintendo eShop.</p>
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<h2>Every Star Wars Game on Nintendo Switch</h2>
<p><em>These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.</em></p>
<h3>Star Wars: Dark Forces (Original Release: 1995 / Remaster Release: 2024)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2023/08/22/darkforcesremastered-blogroll-1692741259418.jpg"><img src="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2023/08/22/darkforcesremastered-blogroll-1692741259418.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>The latest Star Wars game to be remastered for Switch, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-dark-forces">Dark Forces</a> is the first official entry in what would eventually become known as the Jedi Knight series.
Assuming the role of a reformed Imperial Officer named Kyle Katarn, players embark on a covert mission for the Rebel Alliance. They'll get the chance to explore the galaxy across several missions, taking part in frantic first-person shootouts
and uncovering a story set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.</p>
<p><em> Read our </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/12/14/dark-forces-playstation-review"><em>Dark Forces review</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h3>Star Wars Episode 1 Racer (Original Release: 1999 / Remaster Release: 2020)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2023/04/27/xbox-games-with-gold-may-2023-1682606225093.jpg"><img src="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2023/04/27/xbox-games-with-gold-may-2023-1682606225093.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>An arcade racer based around The Phantom Menace's podracing sequence, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-episode-i-racer">Star Wars Episode 1 Racer</a> straps players into their very own podracer and enters them
into various tournaments across the galaxy. There, they'll battle against the likes of Anakin Skywalker and Sebulba, souping up their craft with additional upgrades in an attempt to stomp out the competition and become a legend on the streets
of Tatooine.</p>
<p><em>Read our </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/20/star-wars-episode-i-racer-4"><em>Star Wars Episode 1 Racer review</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h3>Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast (Original Release: 2002 / Remaster Release: 2019)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets1.ignimgs.com/2019/09/05/jedi-outcast-nintendo-switch-duel-1567714577559.jpg"><img src="https://assets1.ignimgs.com/2019/09/05/jedi-outcast-nintendo-switch-duel-1567714577559.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>A continuation of the Star Wars Jedi Knight series, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-jedi-knight-ii-jedi-outcast">Jedi Outcast</a> follows series’ protagonist Kyle Katarn as he re-embraces the Force and heads out
on a quest for revenge. Alongside the first-person shootouts that acted as the centerpiece of earlier entries in the series, Jedi Outcast hones in on technical lightsaber dueling, with players facing off against Sith lords and their friends
online in physics-based lightsaber battles.</p>
<p><em>Read our </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/04/01/star-wars-jedi-knight-ii-jedi-outcast-review-2"><em>Jedi Outcast review</em></a><em>.</em></p>
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<h3>Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Original Release: 2003 / Remaster Release: 2021)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2021/11/17/kotor-1637184313941-1637189503704.jpg"><img src="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2021/11/17/kotor-1637184313941-1637189503704.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>Often heralded as one of the most iconic RPGs ever made, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic">Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic</a> tells a new Star Wars story set 4,000 years before
the events of The Phantom Menace. Players take on the role of a Galactic Republic soldier who crash lands on the planet of Taris after their ship is attacked.</p>
<p>Left stranded, they undertake a daring adventure and learn the ways of the Force, rallying against the armies of the Sith and their fearsome leader, Darth Malak. Knights of the Old Republic envisions the Star Wars universe during the height
of the Jedi Civil War, allowing players to choose whether to follow the path of the light or be tempted by the corrupt allure of the dark side.</p>
<p><em>Read our </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/22/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-review"><em>Knights of the Old Republic review</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h3>Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (Original Release: 2003 / Remaster Release: 2020)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets1.ignimgs.com/2020/03/26/nintendoswitch-jediknight-screenshot-4-1585243978802.jpg"><img src="https://assets1.ignimgs.com/2020/03/26/nintendoswitch-jediknight-screenshot-4-1585243978802.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>Switching out long-running Star Wars Jedi Knight protagonist Kyle Katarn for a new, fully customisable lead, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-jedi-knight-jedi-academy">Jedi Academy</a> casts you as Jayden Korr: a
Padawan studying under Katarn at the Jedi Temple. Taught in the ways of the force and provided with your very own lightsaber, you explore the galaxy, undertaking new missions and battling back against Sith forces. Jedi Academy introduced
several features to the Jedi Knight series, including new fighting styles and the ability to customize lightsabers.</p>
<p><em>Read our </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/16/star-wars-jedi-knight-jedi-academy-review"><em>Jedi Academy review</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<section data-transform="commerce-deal" data-slug="star-wars-jedi-knight-collection" data-type="grid"></section>
<h3>Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 - The Sith Lords (Original Release 2005 / Remaster Release: 2022)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2023/11/17/kotor-ii-1700238094896.png"><img src="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2023/11/17/kotor-ii-1700238094896.png" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>An official follow-up to Bioware’s landmark RPG, Obsidian took the reins for
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-ii-the-sith-lords">Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 - The Sith Lords</a>. Set five years after the events of the original game, the player takes
on the role of an exiled Jedi tasked with finding the remnants of the order and uniting them against the growing Sith army.</p>
<p>The ensuing journey takes players across a series of iconic Star Wars planets, where they recruit a party of allies and make choices that shape their relationship with the Jedi Order, the Sith and the Force.</p>
<p><em>Read our </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/08/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-ii-the-sith-lords-2"><em>Knights of the Old Republic 2 review</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h3>Star Wars: Republic Commando (Original Release: 2005 / Remaster Release: 2021)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2022/05/02/nintendoswitch-starwars-screen2-1651476104499.jpg"><img src="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2022/05/02/nintendoswitch-starwars-screen2-1651476104499.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>Moving away from lightsaber duels and tales of Jedi venturing across the galaxy, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-republic-commando">Star Wars: Republic Commando</a> enlists players as a clone trooper, sending
them to join Delta Squad as its leader: Boss. Set during the Clone Wars, players guide their unit through three first-person shooter campaigns, gunning down battle droids and other Separatist forces across iconic prequel era Star Wars
locales, including Geonosis and Kashyyyk.</p>
<p><em>Read our </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/19/star-wars-republic-commando-review"><em>Republic Commando review</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h3>Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Original Release: 2008 / Remaster Release: 2022)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets2.ignimgs.com/2008/07/01/pre-e3-2008-star-wars-the-force-unleashed-images-20080701023104291-2454768.jpg"><img src="https://assets2.ignimgs.com/2008/07/01/pre-e3-2008-star-wars-the-force-unleashed-images-20080701023104291-2454768.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>Set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and a New Hope, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-the-force-unleashed">Star Wars: The Force Unleashed</a> tells the tale of Starkiller: an apprentice under the tutelage
of Darth Vader. Initially sent to hunt and kill the Jedi that survived Order 66, Star Killer's story quickly spins out into a galaxy-wide adventure, as players build their Force abilities, engage in action-packed lightsaber combat and
experience the power fantasy of being a Jedi Knight at the height of their powers.</p>
<p><em>Read our </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/15/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-review-2"><em>Star Wars: The Force Unleashed review</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h3>Star Wars Pinball (2019)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets1.ignimgs.com/2014/05/17/starwarspinball-pack3hansolotablescreenshot001jpg-9584d3.jpg"><img src="https://assets1.ignimgs.com/2014/05/17/starwarspinball-pack3hansolotablescreenshot001jpg-9584d3.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>A pinball game themed around the Star Wars saga, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-pinball">Star Wars Pinball</a> is exactly what it says on the tin. It offers nineteen pinball tables with designs inspired by a
spectrum of Star Wars media, ranging from The Empire Strikes Back and The Force Awakens to Rogue One and Rebels.</p>
<h3>LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (2022)</h3>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2022/04/03/darth-maul-vs-obi-wan-copy-1649028763268.jpg"><img src="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2022/04/03/darth-maul-vs-obi-wan-copy-1649028763268.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>Traveller's Tales latest <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/best-lego-games">LEGO video game</a>, The Skywalker Saga transports all nine of the mainline Star Wars movies to the world of LEGO. From Obi-Wan and Anakin’s
tragic battle above the fires of Mustafar to Luke and Vader’s legendary showdown in Bespin, The Skywalker Saga aims to be an all-encompassing recreation of the series, just with a lot more plastic bricks and minifigures.</p>
<p>Alongside being the biggest LEGO game to date, it also builds significantly on its predecessors, with several open-world areas to explore, more involved boss battles and new third-person shooting mechanics. It also features a stacked roster
of playable Star Wars characters, with the cast including everyone from Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader to Babu Frik and Jabba the Hutt.</p>
<p><em>Read our </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/legostarwarstheskywalkersagareview"><em>Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga review</em></a><em>.</em></p>
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<h2>Upcoming Star Wars Games Coming to Switch</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2021/11/11/star-wars-hunters-gameplay-screenshot-zaina-402dfba2-1636634342796.jpg"><img src="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2021/11/11/star-wars-hunters-gameplay-screenshot-zaina-402dfba2-1636634342796.jpg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>As for the future of Star Wars on Nintendo Switch, you can expect at least two more adventures in a galaxy far, far away in the near future.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/overwatch-style-shooter-star-wars-hunters-delayed-again">Star Wars: Hunters</a> is expected to make its way to Switch later this year, offering multiplayer arena combat where players form
a team of heroes and go up against opponents online.</p>
<a target="_blank" href="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2023/04/17/battlefront-3-promo-1681764242015.jpeg"><img src="https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2023/04/17/battlefront-3-promo-1681764242015.jpeg" class="article-image-full-size"></a>
<p>Meanwhile, on March 14, Switch players will be able get their hands on the
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-coming-to-nintendo-switch">Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection</a>, which compiles remasters of both the original Star Wars Battlefront games
into one package. On top of getting both classic third-person Star Wars shooters, the bundle will feature a few new bonuses, including additional maps, Asajj Ventress and Kit Fisto as playable heroes, and the option to play Battlefront 2’s
Hero Assault mode on all Ground Maps.</p>
<section data-transform="divider"></section>
<p><em>Callum Williams is a freelance media writer with years of experience as a game critic, news reporter, guides writer and features writer.</em></p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Had Different Versions Across Steam and Epic Games Store</div>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/tomb-raider-i-iii-remastered">Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered</a> developer Aspyr has confirmed it accidentally released two different versions of the game across Steam and the Epic Games Store,
and changed what some deemed the better version back to the regular.</p>
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<p>As reported by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurogamer.net/tomb-raider-1-3-remastered-more-polished-on-epic-game-store-fans-say">Eurogamer</a>, players of the remastered trilogy noticed differences between versions and
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/small_medipack/status/1762242732301427179">X/Twitter user @small_medpack</a> posted a list of them online. The Epic Games Store version of the game included more poses in photo mode, higher quality
textures and animations on the Nevada level, more realistic snowflakes, and more, though also had some broken achievements.</p>
<p>Surprising fans, Aspyr deemed this version the unfinished one and has updated it to match the intended version that was released on Steam. The enhancements mentioned above are therefore no longer available in the Epic Games Store version of
the game.</p>
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<p>"A development build with incomplete assets has been available for download on the Epic Games Store," Aspyr said in a post on
<a target="_blank" href="https://store.steampowered.com/news/collection/featured/?emclan=103582791474141449&emgid=4150700931638146384">Steam</a>. "Content in that Epic Games Store build contained some work-in-progress materials that do
not represent our final quality expectations. We have corrected the build to match the live Steam version."</p>
<p>Some fans are understandably confused by the mishap, and had expected the Steam version would receive the additional features rather than the Epic Games Store version losing them, but it also seemingly included other issues and incomplete
assets beyond the broken achievements</p>
<p>"A development build that is superior to what we've got on Steam, not sure what to make of this mess," said KeeperAdahn on
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/TombRaider/comments/1b34a74/official_patch_announcement_on_steam_finally/">Reddit</a>. "They make it sound as if the Epic Games Store version is worse than the version we got? But from what I
have seen on YouTube it looked much better," added BenSlashes.</p>
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<p>A bigger update is also coming though, presumably set to improve Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered across the board. "We currently are working on the first update, which we anticipate will launch in the next few weeks," Aspyr said in the same post.
"We appreciate your patience as we want to ensure that the quality is meeting the needs and expectations of our community."</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/tomb-raider-fan-remaking-original-games-was-hired-for-official-remastered-collection">Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered</a> arrived February 13 as an upgraded version of the original trilogy:
Tomb Raider and The Unfinished Business expansion, Tomb Rader 2 and The Gold Mask expansion, and Tomb Raider 3 and The Lost Artifact Expansion.</p>
<p>Tomb Raider custodian
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/tomb-raider-1-3-remastered-includes-racial-and-ethnic-stereotypes-warning-from-crystal-dynamics">Crystal Dynamics included a sensitivity warning in the collection</a> for what it called
"deeply harmful" racial and ethnic prejudices included, but said it didn't remove them "in the hopes that we may acknowledge its harmful impact and learn from it".</p>
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<p>Its release was followed by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/tomb-raider-dev-reveals-lara-crofts-official-redesign">the official reveal of protagonist Lara Croft's redesign</a>, which will presumably debut officially in
Tomb Raider Next. The next mainline game in the franchise is currently <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/new-tomb-raider-unreal-engine-5-crystal-dynamics">being developed in Unreal Engine 5</a>, with
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/amazon-to-support-and-publish-new-tomb-raider-with-crystal-dynamics">Amazon Games supporting Crystal Dynamics</a>.</p>
<p>It will be the first new entry since 2018's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/09/10/shadow-of-the-tomb-raider-review">Shadow of the Tomb Raider</a>, which wrapped up a trilogy of games during the PlayStation 4 and
Xbox One generation. That series reset Lara Croft's origins in a grittier setting, but it's unclear how Tomb Raider Next will fit into the equation.</p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">GTA Online Gets Story Expansion in Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid</div>
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<p>Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games is releasing a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/grand-theft-auto-online">GTA Online</a> story expansion called The Cluckin' Bell Farm Raid on March 7.</p>
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<p>Revealed with a trailer, below, the expansion lets players carry out an elaborate scheme to expose a ring of unprecedented corruption in the Los Santos Police Department.</p>
<p>"You’ve already received a call from former Diamond Casino head of security turned LSPD officer Vincent Effenburger," the synopsis reads. "Now you’ll have the opportunity to work together in an unorthodox, but profitable, collaboration to
take down a new cartel running a large-scale operation out of the Cluckin' Bell factory in Paleto Bay.</p>
<p>"Help Vincent bust the case wide open in this action-packed new story update as you take on corrupt LSPD cops as well as a dangerous new cartel that’s set up shop and is using the Cluckin’ Bell corporation’s factory farm complex as a front."
</p>
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<p>Beyond the stream of story content, Rockstar is also adding new vehicles to GTA Online, though didn't specify how many. It did offer a tease at one, however: the ferocious Bravado Gauntlet Interceptor Law Enforcement Vehicle.</p>
<p>Fans of the more-than-a-decade-old online mode will be relieved to see commitment from Rockstar despite it having announced <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/grand-theft-auto-vi">GTA 6</a>. The GTA 6 trailer — which
reintroduces fans to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/rockstars-gta-6-trailer-release-date-announcement-was-so-huge-other-developers-are-parodying-it">Rockstar's take on Miami, Vice City</a> — arrived in December 2023
featured a ton of intricate details (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/99-details-from-the-gta-6-trailer">here are 99 things CheatsHouse " spotted</a>) and
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/gta-6-map-leonida-is-packed-with-references-to-real-life-events-from-florida">plenty of references to wild and wacky real life events too</a>.</p>
<p>While the game was revealed alongside <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/gta-6s-announced-platforms-for-2025-release-date-dont-include-pc">the 2025 release date for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S</a>, PC players
were left frustrated, though not necessarily surprised, that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/pc-gamers-brace-themselves-for-the-inevitable-gta-6-double-dip-in-2026">their platform was left off the list</a>.</p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">Dragon's Dogma 2 ESRB Rating Details Sexual Content</div>
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<p>The United States' Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has released its verdict on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/games/dragons-dogma-ii">Dragon's Dogma 2</a>, detailing its sexual content among other things.</p>
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<p>As reported by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/03/dragons-dogma-2-gets-mature-rating-mentions-blood-gore-surprisingly-sexual-content">Push Square</a>, the Dragon's Dogma 2
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.esrb.org/ratings/39695/dragons-dogma-2/">listing</a> details a handful of different instances of sexual content in the game but makes clear it doesn't get particularly explicit. Unlike 2012's Dragon's
Dogma, however, the sequel has received the Sexual Themes tag, likely because players are able to interact with sex workers.</p>
<p>"Players' character can interact with sex workers, exchanging currency for services," the explanation for the Mature rating reads. "A brief sequence depicts the player sitting on a bed with a prostitute (both wearing underwear) before the
camera fades to black. One cutscene briefly depicts characters kissing and rolling around in bed (no nudity). Two monsters are shown with bare breasts, though with no discernible details (i.e., no nipples)."</p>
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<p>Dragon's Dogma 2 also received the less surprising Blood and Gore, Language, and Violence tags. One cutscene in the game, <em><strong>and spoiler warning for those looking to go in completely fresh</strong></em>, depicts "a dragon pulling
out a human character's heart", while another shows "a monster decapitated in slow-motion".</p>
<p>The presence of romance in Dragon's Dogma 2 was already revealed by publisher Capcom, of course, and
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/dragons-dogma-2-npcs-might-fight-each-other-over-the-players-affections">as CheatsHouse " revealed in January</a>, NPCs may even fight each other for the player's affection. This comes as
a larger upgrade to the relationships between NPCs, as explained by creator Hideaki Itsuno.</p>
<p>"For example, if you find a pair of friends, hitting one will cause the other to get mad at you too," he said. "Or if you do something nice for a child, the parent might thank you and like you more as well. That's what I mean by
relationships between NPCs.</p>
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<p>"A character who grows close to you might come over to your house to play, but if they meet another character there who's done the same thing, a fight might break out. Personally, we just made the system because we wanted to be able to say,
'Stop, don't fight over me!' It might be best if your readers play through the game while trying to avoid that kind of outcome."</p>
<p>Available on March 22, 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam,
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/how-dragons-dogma-2-realizes-its-directors-vision-from-the-first-game">Dragon's Dogma 2 takes place in a parallel universe</a> which "mirrors the world setting of the original game".
Players can explore the human kingdom of Vermund and the beastren kingdom of Battahl as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/dragons-dogma-2-in-depth-look-at-the-character-creator-ign-first">a fully customisable character</a>
and ultimately take on a big evil dragon.</p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">Star Wars Outlaws – Everything We Know About the Open-world Game</div>
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<p>Star Wars Outlaws is billed as the franchise’s first-ever open-world game. From the makers of The Division and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Outlaws tells a scoundrel story that explores the depths of Star Wars’ underworld between The Empire
Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.</p>
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<p>In anticipation of Ubisoft’s big <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/best-star-wars-games">Star Wars game</a>, we’ve put together this breakdown of everything you need to know about Star Wars Outlaws.</p>
<p><strong>Jump to</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li><a target="_blank" href="#release-date">Release Window</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="#story">Story Details</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="#gameplay">Gameplay</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="#development">Development</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Star Wars Outlaws Trailer</h2>
<p>Ubisoft has released two official trailers for Star Wars Outlaws. The most substantial of which is a 10-minute gameplay trailer revealed last June. Check it out below:</p>
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<h2 id="release-date">Star Wars Outlaws Release Window</h2>
<p><strong>Star Wars Outlaws has an official release window of 2024. </strong>It will be released sometime between April and December 2024, according to
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-commits-to-star-wars-outlaws-in-2024-assassins-creed-codename-red-by-march-2025"><u>Ubisoft’s most recent earnings report</u></a>.</p>
<h3>Star Wars Outlaws Platforms and Price</h3>
<p>Star Wars Outlaws will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Ubisoft Connect). Ubisoft has not announced a price for Outlaws, though $70 is a safe assumption considering its scope and Ubisoft’s pricing for recent AAA games like
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/avatar-frontiers-of-pandora-review"><u>Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora</u></a>.</p>
<h2 id="story">Star Wars Outlaws Story</h2>
<h3>Plot and Characters</h3>
<p>Star Wars Outlaws tells the story of Kay Vess and her <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/fans-have-fallen-hard-for-star-wars-outlaws-axolotl-like-companion-nix"><u>axolotl-like companion Nix</u></a> attempting “one of the
greatest heists the Outer Rim has ever seen." It’s a scoundrel story that aims to emulate the adventures of Han Solo or Jack Sparrow while being “a little bit more relatable,” according to creative director Julian Gerighty. “More of a rookie,
a petty thief, who ends up in a situation that’s much bigger than they ever expected,” he said.</p>
<p>Here’s the official synopsis from Disney and Ubisoft:</p>
<p><em>“Experience the first-ever open-world Star Wars game, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging
scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life, along with her companion Nix. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. </em></p>
<p><em>“If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.”</em></p>
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<p>The decision was made to set Outlaws <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-outlaws-dev-explains-why-its-set-between-empire-and-jedi"><u>between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi</u></a> (the second and
third films in the original trilogy) because it’s a time when “the underworld is thriving.” Gerighty explained: "When we were starting off the discussions with Lucasfilm, it was very clear that the one-year period between Empire Strikes Back
and Return of the Jedi, that's where the Rebels aren't part of the picture. The Empire's taking more and more control, but the syndicates, they're taking more power, they're exploiting all of these weaknesses. So it really is a moment where
the underworld is thriving and there's no better situation for an established or a rookie scoundrel to cut their teeth than this particular moment."</p>
<p>Kay Vess is voiced by Humberly González (Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Ginny & Georgia). Her alien companion Nix is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker (Star Wars: The Bad Batch, American Dad). The full cast has not been revealed, though we know
Outlaws will include characters both new and old. Among the old is Jabba the Hutt, who Massive confirmed will assign Kay missions from his palace on Tatooine. Among the new is the battle droid ND-5 (voiced by Jay Rincon), who fought in the
Clone Wars before taking up a life in the underworld.</p>
<h3>Locations and Map Size</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-outlaws-isnt-going-down-the-procedurally-generated-worlds-route"><u>Star Wars Outlaws’ open world</u></a> is spread across multiple "handcrafted" planets of “manageable” sizes.
The planets (final number TBA) “could be [equivalent to] two to three zones” in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, according to Gerighty. As the director noted, this is a “crude analogy” as the
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/maps/assassins-creed-odyssey/greece">regions of Odyssey’s Greece</a> range in size, though it should be taken to mean the planets will not be near-endless areas filled with procedurally generated
content.</p>
<p>The planets in Outlaws will adhere to Lucasfilm’s “80/20” rule of location design: 80% familiar, 20% alien or fantastical. Gerighty explained how Massive designed its
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/you-can-work-for-and-even-betray-jabba-the-hutt-in-star-wars-outlaws"><u>version of Tatooine</u></a> around this philosophy: "We start off with a biome, in this case, southeast African
biomes as an inspiration, and then you put a twist on it to make it feel a little bit alien. If you think of the first shots, maybe not the first shots, but the first the shots of Tatooine. Beautiful, recognizable architecture, but two suns.
For us, it's having this huge mountain, and carved into it into the amberine of the mountain, the crystalline substance is a city, and these outcroppings of orange, very reflective material. That's what brings the really alien nature to it.
Familiar but fresh."</p>
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<p>Despite Massive’s dose of originality, Tatooine in Outlaws will be informed by the rich history of Star Wars films. “If you close your eyes and give people a choice to go anywhere in Tatooine?" Gerighty said. "Mos Eisley. And specifically
one watering hole in Mos Eisley. The opportunity is that you can see all the nooks and crannies. This concept of virtual tourism is important to us. If you’ve ever wondered the distances from the moisture farms to the cantina? We have an
experience for you."</p>
<p>Another location Massive has detailed is the previously unexplored moon Toshara. Inspired by East African savannas, Toshara is home to “lots of wide, open plains” — a perfect playground for Kay’s speeder. It’s described as a “hive of scum
and villainy” where players can explore the scoundrel lifestyle.</p>
<p>Other locations glimpsed in trailers include Kijimi, home to a hive-mind syndicate based on the Medlitto species called the Ashiga Clan; the humid jungle planet of Akiva; and Cantonica, home to the infamous casino city Canto Bight.</p>
<h3>Game Length</h3>
<p>While Ubisoft has not revealed how long it’ll take to complete Star Wars Outlaws, two key developers have commented on their desire to
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-outlaws-devs-promise-it-wont-be-a-300-hour-epic-unfinishable-rpg"><u>avoid making it “too big”</u></a> — a common criticism for recent Ubisoft open-world games like Assassin’s
Creed Valhalla. “Too big,” according to Gerighty and narrative director Navid Khavari, “is a game that people don't manage to play, enjoy, and finish."</p>
<p>Gerighty added: "Our objective is to really get people into a very dense, rich adventure, open world adventure that they can explore at their own rhythm. So it is absolutely not a 200- or 300-hour epic unfinishable RPG. This is a very
focused action-adventure RPG that will take people on a ride and is very manageable."</p>
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<h2 id="gameplay">Star Wars Outlaws Gameplay</h2>
<h3>Combat</h3>
<p>Star Wars Outlaws is played from a third-person perspective. On the ground, players can expect hand-to-hand combat, gunplay, and stealth sequences. While aboard your ship, The Trailblazer, Outlaws provides opportunities for intimate
dogfights with TIE fighters and larger-scale battles against massive vessels. More on space combat below.</p>
<p>As for your companion, Nix appears able to distract enemies, retrieve weapons, press buttons/pull switches, and attack guards by pressing RB/R1 and highlighting the desired action.</p>
<h3>Exploration and Traversal</h3>
<p>The open world of Star Wars Outlaws will be traversed on foot, atop your speeder, and aboard your ship. One of the most impressive things we’ve seen from Outlaws is the seamless nature in which you’ll be able to move across these three modes
of traversal; Kay can go from foot to speeder to space without any cuts to black or obvious loading screens.</p>
<p>The planets of Outlaws can be navigated most efficiently using Kay’s speeder, which the dev team describes as “motocross in the sense of making the travel really fun, thrilling, full of tricks, speed chases, that type of thing.” As evidenced
in the gameplay trailer, you’ll be able to shoot while riding using a slow-motion targeting system reminiscent of Red Dead’s Dead Eye.</p>
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<p>There also appears to be some on-foot platforming, as we’ve seen Kay climb atop boxes and rappel down ropes using her grappling hook.</p>
<p>As for how Ubisoft has designed the open world to be explored, Khavari said the goal is to “make sure that the player organizes their experience according to their desires.” The team wants to avoid the Ubisoft open-world critique of maps
crowded with icons that lead to repetitive activities. The goal here is to create worlds “so dense and so rich with different distractions that we won't have to rely on so many UI indications for them," he said.</p>
<h3>Spaceship Combat</h3>
<p>While aboard the Trailblazer, Kay will get into dogfights with hostile spacecraft. Dogfighting is made “as accessible as possible because movement in a whole full-on 360-degree environment is quite challenging,” said Gerighty. Massive hopes
to accomplish this by slowing down the pace of dogfights and providing players with a chase cam control that allows enemy ships to be chased automatically so you can focus solely on aiming your shots.</p>
<p>In addition to being a vessel for space exploration and deep-space combat, the Trailblazer serves as a sort of home base for Kay. While roaming the ship on foot, you’ll be able to speak with other characters and explore the mysteries of the
ship’s history.</p>
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<h3>Reputation Systems</h3>
<p>There are two important systems around player behavior in Star Wars Outlaws: Reputation and Wanted. Massive says these two systems will be at play within every location, as they designed each with consideration for the presence of the Empire
and the various crime Syndicates.</p>
<p>The Reputation system applies to Kay’s relationships with Syndicates. If Kay fosters trust with Syndicates, she can expect better contracts, cheaper store prices, and access to new territories. Should she fall out of favor with one, she can
expect to be hunted. “It's all about playing the Syndicates off one another, making choices, dilemmas in terms of how you hand in a quest, that type of thing,” said Gerighty.</p>
<p>The Wanted system, meanwhile, pertains to Kay’s relationship with the Empire. The Empire will put the Wanted tag on Kay when she acts against their wishes. In one example, we see Kay refuse to pay a bribe to an Imperial officer, resulting in
a high-speed chase that follows the fugitive from land to space.</p>
<h3>RPG Elements</h3>
<p>Outlaws features some light RPG elements, such as an upgrade system that allows you to bolster Kay’s gear, from improvements to her speeder bike to new modules for her blaster. There will also be customization options for Kay’s speeder and
spaceship.</p>
<p>There will be dialogue choices to make as Kay. This system was implemented to enhance the experience of role-playing as a scoundrel in the world of Star Wars,
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/videos/star-wars-outlaws-is-the-open-world-star-wars-game-weve-always-wanted-summer-of-gaming-2023"><u>Gerighty told IGN</u></a>.</p>
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<h2 id="development">Star Wars Outlaws Development</h2>
<p>Development of Star Wars Outlaws is led by Massive Entertainment, the Ubisoft-owned studio responsible for The Division and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Massive is supported by Ubisoft Annecy, Bucharest, Chengdu, Milan, Montpellier, Paris,
Shanghai, Toronto, Redlynx, and Stockholm. It’s being developed using Massive’s in-house Snowdrop game engine. </p>
<p>Outlaws was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-game-ubisoft-open-world-story-the-division-massive"><u>announced in early 2021</u></a>, signaling the end of EA’s exclusive hold on the Star Wars video game license,
before being <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-outlaws-officially-revealed-at-xbox-games-showcase"><u>properly revealed</u></a> at the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase. According to Disney’s Sean Shoptaw, the inception
of Massive’s Star Wars game came during a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/disney-let-ubisoft-massive-make-a-star-wars-game-after-a-meeting-about-its-avatar-game"><u>meeting between the two companies</u></a> to discuss
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. </p>
<p>Key developers include game director Mathias Karlson (The Division 2), creative director Julian Gerighty (The Division 2), narrative director Navid Khavari (Far Cry 6), art and world director Benedikt Podlesniggand (The Division 2), and lead
writer Nikki Foy (Far Cry 6).</p>
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<p><em>Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.</em></p>
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<div class="font-semibold p-2">No Rest for the Wicked: The First Hands-On Preview</div>
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<p>I’ve played both Ori games. I survived the Water Tower in Blind Forest. So I knew that, even though developer Moon Studios was
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/with-no-rest-for-the-wicked-moon-studios-is-moving-from-its-mario-to-its-zelda-ign-first">changing genres for its next game</a>, No Rest for the Wicked, I shouldn’t expect to breeze
through it. And sure enough, after playing the first 90 minutes of an early build, culminating in a punishing boss fight, I had to earn every new piece of gear, every bit of loot, and every inch of progress. No Rest for the Wicked is
beautiful, it is challenging, and it is rewarding. You are not a walking death machine here, like in Diablo. Instead, your enemies are the walking death machines, and you’ll need to learn how to survive them. It’s more like Dark Souls in an
isometric-view action-RPG form. </p>
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<p>As we’d <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/no-rest-for-the-wickeds-crunchy-combat-is-more-dark-souls-than-diablo-ign-first">already been told</a> by Moon Studios in our recent CheatsHouse " First exclusive coverage, No
Rest for the Wicked isn’t a high-speed slaughterfest like Diablo 4. Instead, it’s much closer to Dark Souls. You’ll need to time your attacks, parries, dodge rolls, and enemy engagements just right in order to survive each fight. But I’m
getting ahead of myself. After enjoying the opening cutscene and rolling your character, you’ll wash ashore and immediately notice Wicked’s
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/how-no-rest-for-the-wickeds-gorgeous-art-direction-was-found-ign-first">beautiful painterly art style</a>. It has a family resemblance to Ori, visually speaking, but it’s much bleaker.
Where Ori was vibrant, Wicked is sullen. This isn’t a complaint, though. Its beachside starting location and constant rain and windswept foliage make it feel like a pirate story that’s gone terribly wrong. This is a good thing, visually, as
it gives Wicked’s world character and makes it constantly feel alive. It’s a lived-in place, though what lives there doesn’t seem too happy about it.</p>
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<p>Wicked’s gameplay starts like most action-RPGs do: by smashing every barrel and killing every inconsequential crab in an effort to improve from the nothing you start with to something, anything. And while those initial vermin pose no threat,
you’ll soon be introduced to the enemies called The Risen that very much do. It’s here where your lessons begin. The main lesson? Apply your soulslike skills. Be very, very deliberate in your attacks and movements, because one wrong move can
get you killed. Picking up ingredients and cooking health-restoring meals at various campfires ahead of time is crucial to surviving battles with multiple foes. Stamina management in battle is vital, as too much dodge-rolling will result in
you being unable to move or attack. In short, you’ll be a momentary sitting duck. </p>
<section data-transform="quoteBox">When you crush enemies into a bloody pulp, it’s incredibly satisfying and rewarding.</section>
<p>The neat thing about the danger present in every bad guy, though, is that when you crush them into a bloody pulp, it’s incredibly satisfying and rewarding. But if you do die – check that, when you die, you’ll respawn at the nearest Cerim
Whisper point, with your health restored (though not your weapon durability) and with the dead enemies still dead and the wounded enemies still injured. Those same Cerim Whisper points also refill your health when you activate them. Whew!</p>
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<p>There are NPCs to talk to, of course, and shopkeepers to do business with. I really like how you can move around in the world. You can clamber up and down vine-covered walls, scurry up ladders, hop up short walls, and tiptoe across narrow
planks that lead to secrets. All of it couples with the living-painting art style to make it feel like it existed long before you started playing. Meanwhile, a handy map helps guide you to the next objective while conveniently also showing
you how thoroughly you’ve explored each region, item-wise. And when you level up, you’ll have skill points to distribute, while the classic action-RPG paper doll-style inventory should make most players feel right at home. I appreciate that
every item clearly displays whether or not it’d be an upgrade over what you currently have equipped. </p>
<section data-transform="quoteBox">You can clamber up and down vine-covered walls, scurry up ladders, hop up short walls, and tiptoe across narrow planks that lead to secrets.</section>
<p>In a sadistic tease, my preview version ended just as I had gained a few le vels and was starting to feel a little bit powerful. Or I would’ve, if I weren’t immediately beat down by the same boss monstrosity we exclusively showed for you at
the start of our CheatsHouse " First coverage a couple weeks ago (see video above).</p>
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<p>All in all, the first hour and a half of No Rest for the Wicked gave me a good sense of what to expect, and it left me wanting more. I suspect it’s going to win over a lot of you when it launches into Early Access in the coming weeks. It’s
been almost exactly four years since Moon Studios’ last game, and what this first taste of Wicked makes quite clear is that those four years have been well-spent. If it’s not on your radar already, it’s about to be.</p>
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<p><em>Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/watch/unlocked">Podcast Unlocked</a><em>, as well as our occasional interview show,
</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/04/ign-unfiltered-every-episode-ever">IGN Unfiltered</a><em>. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at
</em><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DMC_Ryan"><em>@DMC_Ryan</em></a><em>.</em></p>
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Our Community Discord Server Telegram Channel Reddit Community Random Games GTA V: Online GTA V: FiveM Battlefield 4 CounterStrike 2 Forza Horizon 5 Blood Hunt Call of Duty: Warzone 2 CoD: Modern Warfare The Elder Scrolls Online CoD: Black Ops 4 Minecraft Destiny 2 Search other games Top Picks JosMods Jupiter Mod Menu ASSOS Mod Menu TGModz RevUnity Oak & Rocks Ascendent 420 Service Velum. RoyaltyStarsInc Recovery Kings Krispymods Find more.. CheatsHouse CheatsHouse Login Sign up The place to find cheats for any game: GTA Online, CS:GO, Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty & a lot more.. Game of the month Our community has been loving the cheats for this game! Live GTA V: Online GTA Online is the multiplayer component of Grand Theft Auto V, offering an open-world experience set in the sprawling city of Los Santos. Players can team up with friends or compete against others in various criminal activities, races, heists, and more. With its expansive world and constant updates, GTA Online provides a dynamic and immersive multiplayer experience within the Grand Theft Auto universe. Check out Search games.. LOOKING FOR CHEATS? Take your gaming to new heights! Our platform gives you the ability to search for trusted & verified cheat sellers and developers by game! SELLERS & DEVELOPERS WANTED! Sign up today and show off your project, whether it's a store or a project, it's free. Check our starting guide here! Game News Stay up to date with the latest news around games! Sony-Owned Dev Firesprite Reportedly Suffered From a ‘Toxic Culture’, Fresh Report Claims CH Game News Close CH Game News Sony-Owned Dev Firesprite Reportedly Suffered From a ‘Toxic Culture’, Fresh Report Claims In the wake of Sony’s devastating round of layoffs that will result in around 900 staff let go from the PlayStation business, a new report has made serious allegations about Sony-owned studio Firesprite. According to Eurogamer, the Liverpool-based studio suffered from crunch, high-profile exits, and a toxic workplace culture. One source told the website Firesprite had suffered "death by a thousand cuts.” Sony has yet to comment. CheatsHouse " has asked the company for a response. Sony bought Firesprite in 2021 after it had made a number of PlayStation games, including The Playroom, Run Sackboy! Run!, and PSVR game The Persistence. It went on to develop PSVR2 launch title Horizon Call of the Mountain, under supervision from Horizon custodian Guerrilla Games. Firesprite was one of the studios affected by the latest round of Sony layoffs, suffering an undisclosed number of cuts and, reportedly, the cancellation of a Twisted Metal live-service game. Firesprite is now continuing work on a PlayStation game codenamed Project Heartbreak. Sony’s London studio is to close entirely, suggesting its in-development PlayStation 5 game is cancelled. The layoffs have also hit The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog, the aforementioned Guerrilla, and Spider-Man developer Insomniac. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, Guerrilla’s Horizon Online game survived the cull. The Sony cuts come during one of the most difficult periods the game industry has ever faced, with mass layoffs throughout 2023 and continuing into 2024. Last month, Microsoft axed an eye-watering 1,900 staff from its video game workforce following the $69 billion acquisition of Call of Duty owner Activision Blizzard. IGN recently spoke to developers about these layoffs to try to explain what was causing them. Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me. close Pokémon Skipping 2024 Is a Good Thing CH Game News Close CH Game News Pokémon Skipping 2024 Is a Good Thing It says something about the state of a video game series when lots of fans are happy the next game is coming later than expected. That’s what happened this week in the Pokémon community, after Game Freak and The Pokémon Company revealed Pokémon Legends: Z-A is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2025. Many trainers — myself included — let out a huge sigh of relief after learning that Pokémon is taking a much-needed break in 2024, ending a streak that lasted eight consecutive years of new mainline content. Since 2016, Pokémon’s release schedule has looked like this: * 2016: Sun & Moon * 2017: Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon * 2018: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Let’s Go, Eevee! * 2019: Sword & Shield * 2020: Sword & Shield DLC * 2021: Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl * 2022: Legends: Arceus and Scarlet & Violet * 2023: Scarlet & Violet DLC It’s been a crazy cadence of video game launches with absolutely no time to breathe, and the signs of unsustainability have been showing for multiple years at this point. 2022 alone saw two hugely ambitious Pokémon games come out of Game Freak. And while I absolutely adore Legends: Arceus’ spin on the Pokémon formula, and I respect Scarlet & Violet for shaking things up in a big way, all of the aspirations and innovations were significantly overshadowed by low-quality graphics and — in Scarlet & Violet’s case — unacceptable technical performance. Scarlet & Violet’s issues brought it to the point where Nintendo shared an apology, which you almost never see from the company. I’ve seen a lot of black-text-on-yellow-background apologies in the last several years but I never expect to see it from Nintendo. I don’t mean to sound like a Pokémon hater – I love Pokémon, or at least I want to love Pokémon again. But it’s been hard watching Game Freak struggle to transition to home console development during the Switch generation and the way I see it, it’s left with basically two choices: scale the ambition back or take more development time to release fewer games. And given that Pokémon is already describing Legends: Z-A as “an ambitious new entry”, it seems it’s opting for the latter. Granted, all we know is that Legends: Z-A is coming sometime in 2025. That could very well end up being early in the year (Remember, Legends: Arceus launched in January 2022), and then all the praise I’m giving The Pokémon Company and Game Freak will be moot. An early 2025 release would equal a three-year turnaround since Arceus, which is pretty standard for Game Freak. Gen 5 (2010), Gen 6 (2013), Gen 7 (2016), Gen 8 (2019) and Gen 9 (2022) all had three-year gaps in between. So I’m sincerely hoping the generic 2025 release window and the fact the announcement trailer didn’t actually show any gameplay means the developers and publisher are taking the Scarlet & Violet criticism seriously, and we won’t see Legends: Z-A until later in 2025. So I’m thrilled Pokémon is taking a break in 2024, and I’m excited that Game Freak is returning to the Legends subseries. But we really know very little about Legends: Z-A, so let’s tackle some other big questions brought on by this announcement. WHAT DOES THE “LEGENDS” BRANDING ACTUALLY MEAN? Depending on the day, I sometimes call Pokémon Legends: Arceus my favorite Pokémon game of all time. I fell in love with the revamped focus on catching and collecting Pokémon, and it solidified for me that a Pokémon game revolving around “Gotta catch ‘em all” is more compelling than “I wanna be the very best.” I know that’s an unpopular take, and I understand that the main series isn’t going anywhere, but I was thrilled when Legends: Z-A’s announcement confirmed that Arceus wasn’t just a one-off experiment. But from the little we know about Z-A, it’s hard to determine if this is really a sequel to Legends: Arceus at all. We know Z-A will take place entirely within the Kalos region’s Lumiose City, and “urban redevelopment” has been teased as Z-A’s theme. Both of those elements are significantly at odds with Legends: Arceus, which was about exploring nature in wide, open areas. A Pokémon game revolving around 'Gotta catch ‘em all' is more compelling than 'I wanna be the very best.' So it’s possible that each entry in the Pokémon Legends series will be its own distinct thing, and the new mechanics I loved in Arceus might not necessarily translate to Z-A. Maybe the Pokémon Legends branding just means a mainline game developed by Game Freak that takes a look at a region years before the modern day Pokémon games, while avoiding the traditional Pokémon formula of gym badges and the Elite Four. Or, maybe Z-A still could incorporate Arceus’ catching mechanics while taking place in the big city. Time will tell but either way, I’m incredibly happy Game Freak is taking yet another crack at approaching Pokémon from a new angle. WHAT ABOUT UNOVA? I placed my bet that the next mainline Pokémon game would return to Unova, the setting of Gen 5’s Black & White. Instead, Legends: Z-A is skipping Gen 5 and jumping straight to the region from Gen 6’s X & Y, and in a weird roundabout way giving us the Pokémon Z version we never got. Game Freak is breaking the pattern of its Pokémon remakes and I can’t help but wonder if there is a plan for Gen 5 remakes. The Pokémon Company outsourced Gen 4 remakes Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl to developer ILCA and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s planning to assign a Black & White remake to a separate studio at some point, ILCA or otherwise. It’s impossible to say if something like that is already in development or not, but I have a good feeling that we will still end up seeing a return to Unova sometime in the next few years. NO, NOT EVERYTHING IS A NINTENDO SWITCH 2 HINT We’re only in March and I’m already exhausted from all the Nintendo Switch 2 speculation we’ve endured this year. The internet will seemingly take any little thing and use it to fuel the Switch 2 fire, even in cases where there’s absolutely no reason to. When it came to the Legends: Z-A trailer, the internet latched onto wording that said Legends: Z-A will launch “simultaneously” worldwide in 2025 for Nintendo Switch “systems”. Some people took this as a hint that Legends: Z-A will release as a cross-gen title on both Switch and Switch 2, and I’d really like to pump the brakes on that. There’s just no way Nintendo or The Pokémon Company would let any wording confirming Switch 2 slip into its marketing before it has officially announced its next hardware. Nintendo is incredibly careful about its messaging and I assure you this isn’t some slip-up or cryptic hint. And Nintendo always refers to the Switch, OLED, and Lite as the “Nintendo Switch family of systems” or “Nintendo Switch systems”, so that word choice is in no way hinting at unannounced hardware. The Pokémon Twitter account used the exact same wording when talking about Detective Pikachu Returns, which already launched on Nintendo Switch systems last year. > The great detective is back on the case! 🔎 #DetectivePikachuReturns is coming > to Nintendo Switch systems on October 6, 2023.https://t.co/OQrBueF6Ap > pic.twitter.com/i4aQLAl0ns > > — Pokémon (@Pokemon) June 21, 2023 The 2025 release timing really tells us nothing about Nintendo’s next generation plans either way. Pokémon notoriously waits a year or two before transitioning to Nintendo’s new hardware. The 3DS launched in March 2011 and we didn’t see the first mainline 3DS Pokémon games until Fall 2013. For a more recent example, the Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017 and Pokémon didn’t make an appearance until Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! in Fall 2018. I think the more interesting discussion surrounds what Legends: Z-A’s 2025 release window means for Nintendo’s Fall 2024 release calendar. If recent reports are accurate and Switch 2 isn’t coming until next year, the remainder of Nintendo’s 2024 is looking pretty light. Pokémon is basically always a staple of Nintendo’s holiday lineup and I was expecting nothing different in 2024. But it’s now looking like Pokémon will miss this holiday, leaving me to wonder what Nintendo will fill that gap with. Is it finally time for Metroid Prime 4 or Wind Waker and Twilight Princess? Or will Nintendo pull out something completely new and unexpected? We’ll have to wait and see, but I can tell you for certain Nintendo has at least one unannounced game in its back pocket for this holiday season, and I can’t wait to learn what it is. What do you think of Pokémon Legends: Z-A? Let us know in the comments. Logan Plant is IGN's Database Manager, Playlist Editor, and frequent Super Ninfriendo on Nintendo Voice Chat. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant. close Why Every Gold Saucer Date in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Matters More This Time CH Game News Close CH Game News Why Every Gold Saucer Date in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Matters More This Time This article contains spoilers for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Specifically, it details the events from several dates Cloud can have at the Gold Saucer. If you’re yet to experience one of these scenes, we suggest returning to the article once you have. Alternatively, if you’d like to see every Gold Saucer date in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, you can watch every variation in this video: Fans of the original Final Fantasy 7 will fondly remember the Gold Saucer gondola date. This romantic liaison paired you up with Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, or even Barret, depending on your dialogue choices throughout the game. The intimate moment makes its expected return in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but unlike the original – and perhaps indicative of the entire remake’s philosophy – this time each date has a renewed focus. Every variation has a strong and defined angle, tying into the grander narrative while also fleshing out relationships with the hindsight of nearly 30 years of character evolution. Each one packs an emotional punch, helping Cloud and his partner of choice grow. This stronger emphasis on storytelling replaces what was previously surface-level romance and amusing, but ultimately cheap laughs. I’m looking at you, the ‘Barret unloads his minigun at the fireworks’ moment from the original. That’s not to say there’s not laughs to be had, with some funny moments riffing on the source material. Build your relationship to a strong enough level with Yuffie and you’ll unlock her extended “intimate” date which leans heavily on jokes from the original. Yuffie demanding that Cloud “say something!” only to get a deadpan response of “... something” is a particular highlight. But Yuffie’s date is also a perfect illustration of how Rebirth has expertly matured the original conversations, with Yuffie now talking this moment to share a personal story about her misguided love for another SOLDIER, who, upon letting her down gently, led Yuffie down a focused training path to prove herself a warrior - a path not too dissimilar to Cloud’s. I felt a connection to Yuffie I’d never had in the almost 30 years of her existence. It’s this moment of vulnerability that helps not only Cloud, but also us as players to scratch beneath the surface of Yuffie's seemingly one-dimensional characterisation (that being her relentless quest for materia) and demonstrate her deep insecurities. It’s a scene that allows her to open up, revealing that she shares Cloud’s inability to discuss her innermost feelings. In this moment, I felt a connection to Yuffie I’d never had in the almost 30 years of her existence, and it’s a testament to the care and attention Rebirth’s character writing has received. It’s clear that Cloud also feels this connection, and it helps strengthen their bond. It now feels significantly more understandable why they’d fight for each other. And so it’s a shame that a majority of players will likely miss this moment in their playthrough, because this date is just one of many, and something that requires significant investment in Yuffie to unlock. That’s the less likely result for most players, I would imagine, since Aerith and Tifa form the original love triangle and are the characters that garner the most attention. That’s not to say that their Gold Saucer date experiences are not equally worthwhile, but they are the more expected character moments. As a result, it’s the left field choices like Yuffie that result in unexpected bonds that really resonated with me, and what happens during Barret’s date is another prime example. In the 1997 original, there was no doubting that the Barret choice was the joke option. He and Cloud spend the entire date in a comical huff, Barret accuses Cloud of having a crush on his four year old daughter (seriously…) and then, as mentioned before, he ends the date by unloading his gun arm on the fireworks because they’re irritating him. It’s wacky. But in Rebirth, what was once a silly sequence now is an opportunity for character development. This time around, Barret is evolved into a mentor-like figure for Cloud. He tells a sentimental story about when he first met his partner, Myrna, which serves as a jumping off point to teach Cloud a valuable life lesson that can only come from someone with significantly more life experience. “Once you find your soulmate, you never let ‘em go.” shares Barret, explaining that he was also once a selfish young man who had some growing up to do. He goes on to tell Cloud that he’s “overthinking it. You just gotta go for it sometimes.” Cloud rightly points out that Barret “always goes for it”, which leads to the pair coming to the conclusion that they balance each other out. Unlike the original date, not only does Barret now offer advice, but his bond with Cloud is strengthened. It’s a reminder that – despite all their differences – in the language of love they actually share a lot in common. Couple this with the interesting story of how a young, brash Barret met the love of his life and what’s cemented is a scene of valuable relationship growth. Again, it’s a real shame that you could easily miss this. In fact, it almost feels essential to Cloud and Barret’s friendship. It’s not just character development you’ll likely miss at the Gold Saucer, either. An unlikely Red XIII date – one you might automatically assume would be the “joke” option – offers not only the strengthening of a bond, but some vital clarity of the events of the previous game, Final Fantasy 7 Remake. It’s not only a scene about relationship growth, but one that confirms vital story information that at best we could only previously infer. “It might sound crazy, but back in Midgar Aerith and I could both see the future,” reveals Red XIII, confirming a popular theory about the messy concluding events of the first game. “That would explain a lot,” Cloud replies, demonstrating his understanding of the events and also acting as a proxy for the audience. Red XII goes on to theorise that “the Whispers took it from us when we left,” helping explain the clean slate the character’s appear to have in Rebirth. He does still have a faint, outstanding memory, though; that Cloud has to keep Aerith safe. It’s ominous foreshadowing of the original game’s tragedy, and a hint that things could be different this time around. In this moment Cloud and Red XIII build a bond of trust. They learn to talk honestly with each other and the value their togetherness has, concluding with the pair shaking hand/paw on their agreement to protect Aerith. It’s not only a scene that matters in regards to relationship growth, but one that confirms vital story information that at best we could only previously infer. Importantly, none of these dates feel like the ‘canon’ choice. Or rather; all of the dates feel like the canon choice, with story beats that live concurrently. Each one progresses Cloud’s relationship with his friends and/or romantic interests, and unlike the original none of them feel like they don’t belong (with the exception of a new, awkward hang out with Cait Sith, Cid and Vincent – a joke date and consolation prize for stalling your other relationships). Each date in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth matters, it’s just a shame that the majority of players will never experience each and every one of these important pieces of storytelling. Dale Driver is IGN's Executive Producer of Video Programming and he ended up going on a date with the three boys on his first playthough, even though he tried his hardest to get Red XIII. close Preorder the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Soundtrack, Available April 19 CH Game News Close CH Game News Preorder the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Soundtrack, Available April 19 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is officially out in the world, with fans settling in to experience the second installment in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. And if you've been hoping to get your hands on Rebirth's incredible soundtrack to add to your collection as well, we have exciting news: it's officially up for preorder. This seven-disc set will officially release on April 19, but you can preorder it now at the link below for $96.99. Alongside those seven discs, it also comes with a bonus disc that features music from Rebirth's mini games and is all kept in a package that features the buster sword on the front. You can preorder yours now at the link below. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH'S SOUNDTRACK IS OFFICIALLY UP FOR PREORDER In our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review, we gave the game a 9/10. In it, we explained that it "impressively builds off of what Remake set in motion as both a best-in-class action-RPG full of exciting challenge and depth, and as an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that has meant so much to so many for so long." And if you're a fan of the original Final Fantasy 7, the music is sure to tug on your heartstrings once you get going in Rebirth. If you're looking for even more games to preorder that are coming out in the months ahead, we have a couple of preorder guides that are worth checking out. Coming out on March 22 is Dragon's Dogma 2, which you can learn more about preordering in our Dragon's Dogma 2 preorder guide. We've also got you covered on the highly-anticipated Elden Ring expansion Shadow of the Erdtree, which is set to release on June 21. Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN. close Balatro Devs Argue Poker Roguelike Does Not Encourage Gambling as It Vanishes From Some Stores CH Game News Close CH Game News Balatro Devs Argue Poker Roguelike Does Not Encourage Gambling as It Vanishes From Some Stores Balatro publisher Playstack Games has taken to social media to defend its poker roguelike after fans noticed it had been removed from certain stores. Players started to point out Balatro’s disappearance over the last few days, with some taking to social media to express their concerns. Reddit user JustASmith27, for example, was unable to find the Nintendo Switch eShop store page in the U.K. Players from other countries, such as Australia, have reported that they are running into the same roadblock as well. Mainly, the problem seems isolated to Nintendo Switch stores outside of the U.S. Playstack shared an explanation behind Balatro’s disappearance on X/Twitter, saying that the team is working “as hard as we can to get the game back on sale as soon as possible.” With some territories still able to purchase Balatro without issue, the publisher confirms its removal is tied to a sudden change in its age rating. “This is not an issue with the stores themselves, however a reaction to an overnight change to Balatro’s age rating from 3+ to 18+ by a ratings board without any advance warning,” Playstack said, “due to a mistaken belief that the game ‘contains prominent gambling imagery and material that instructs about gambling.’” Playstack adds that it addressed gambling concerns with the ratings board in October. At the time, Balatro was labeled 3+ after receiving an initial rating of 18+. “During that specific appeal, the ratings board assured us 'we have reviewed your product and determined that the disclosure of gambling themes was unwarranted,’” Playstack added. “The game content has not changed since the age rating was amended to a 3+.” > pic.twitter.com/MroeavYY9U > > — Playstack (@PlaystackGames) March 1, 2024 The Playstack team says they “fundamentally believe the ratings decision is unfounded,” mentioning that LocalThunk, Balatro’s sole developer, is “staunchly anti-gambling.” LocalThunk took to X/Twitter to share their own thoughts on the matter, doubling down on their stance against the accusation that Balatro contains any form of gambling. “I do not condone gambling (staking something personally valuable on an uncertain event) nor do I believe that Balatro contains gambling,” the post says. “I did add risk/reward mechanics and RNG to Balatro, but these are core mechanics to the genre at large.” > Re: the Balatro news today > > I do not condone gambling (staking something personally valuable on an > uncertain event) nor do I believe that Balatro contains gambling > > I did add risk/reward mechanics and RNG to Balatro, but these are core > mechanics to the genre at large > > — localthunk (@LocalThunk) March 1, 2024 While Playstack is confident Balatro will remain on PC storefronts like Steam, it’s not sure how other platforms will be impacted. It adds, "Please rest assured the game will be back up on sale, possibly with a temporary 18+ rating while we resolve the issue." Balatro launched for PC, Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X | S on February 20, 2024. Although its Steam page boasts that it is “the definitive poker roguelike experience,” it also features a variety of gameplay twists, such as cards with unique abilities, a campaign, difficulty modes, and more. “Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds,” its description says. “Earn enough chips to beat devious blinds, all while uncovering hidden bonus hands and decks as you progress. You’re going to need every edge you can get in order to reach the boss blind, beat the final ante and secure victory.” Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx. Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe. close Starfield Patch Fixing Its Sabotage Quest, Which Many Players Couldn't Finish Due to a Missing Journalist CH Game News Close CH Game News Starfield Patch Fixing Its Sabotage Quest, Which Many Players Couldn't Finish Due to a Missing Journalist Bethesda Game Studios has teased what players can expect in Starfield's next update, with the upcoming patch emphasizing quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes. In a thread on X/Twitter, Bethesda Game Studios made a thread highlighting some of the changes coming to Starfield. The update will be available on March 6 via the Steam Beta before a full release at a later date. The most notable fix will address a bug in the "Sabotage" quest for the Ryujin Industries. The bug in question caused an NPC required to complete the quest to not spawn in the location. Bethesda previously tried to address this bug in update 1.8.86, released last November, but some quickly pointed out that the NPC failed to spawn after installing the patch. > We also tracked down the elusive David Barron, who had mysteriously been > unavailable at the SSNN for many players in "Sabotage." > > Other fixes include an issue causing the player's head to turn left while > sprinting and some issues preventing Starborn Temples from appearing… > pic.twitter.com/3vBsL3RCAv > > — Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) March 1, 2024 Other patch highlights include: * Adding facial expressions in photo mode; * Improvements to the scanner that will allow you to use it to monitor the in-game world when harvesting resources; and * A quality-of-life improvement that makes missions active when you set course on an inactive mission. The latest update comes over a week after the February patch was released, where it introduced a number of changes to Bethesda's sci-fi action RPG, most notably AMD's FSR 3 and Intel's XeSS supersampling tech support. The support for Starfield is part of Bethesda's plan to have "a steady stream of updates about every six weeks" to address various issues in Starfield. Bethesda previously teased additional fixes and improvements, including adding city maps and "new ways" of traversing. In our review of Starfield, which we awarded a 7 out of 10, we said: "Starfield has a lot of forces working against it, but eventually, the allure of its expansive roleplaying quests and respectable combat make its gravitational pull difficult to resist." Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster. close Every Star Wars Game on the Nintendo Switch in 2024 CH Game News Close CH Game News Every Star Wars Game on the Nintendo Switch in 2024 When it comes to licensed movie franchises entering the world of video games, very few have as storied a history as Star Wars. From hopping into an X-Wing cockpit in Rogue Squadron to making decisions that affect the fate of the galaxy in Knights of the Old Republic, George Lucas’ expansive sci-fi universe has become a creative playground for a range of talented developers over the years, and with it paved the way for some truly iconic Star Wars games. For those looking to dive into some of these games on their Nintendo Switch, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve compiled every single Star Wars game available on Nintendo’s flagship console, ranging from immersive RPGs to classic first-person shooters. HOW MANY STAR WARS GAMES ARE ON NINTENDO SWITCH? In total, there are ten Star Wars games available on Nintendo Switch. The list below won't include game bundles like the Heritage Collection or the Knights of the Old Republic bundle, although it's worth noting that you can find most of the games below packaged together on the Nintendo eShop. EVERY STAR WARS GAME ON NINTENDO SWITCH These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats. STAR WARS: DARK FORCES (ORIGINAL RELEASE: 1995 / REMASTER RELEASE: 2024) The latest Star Wars game to be remastered for Switch, Dark Forces is the first official entry in what would eventually become known as the Jedi Knight series. Assuming the role of a reformed Imperial Officer named Kyle Katarn, players embark on a covert mission for the Rebel Alliance. They'll get the chance to explore the galaxy across several missions, taking part in frantic first-person shootouts and uncovering a story set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Read our Dark Forces review. STAR WARS EPISODE 1 RACER (ORIGINAL RELEASE: 1999 / REMASTER RELEASE: 2020) An arcade racer based around The Phantom Menace's podracing sequence, Star Wars Episode 1 Racer straps players into their very own podracer and enters them into various tournaments across the galaxy. There, they'll battle against the likes of Anakin Skywalker and Sebulba, souping up their craft with additional upgrades in an attempt to stomp out the competition and become a legend on the streets of Tatooine. Read our Star Wars Episode 1 Racer review. STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHT 2: JEDI OUTCAST (ORIGINAL RELEASE: 2002 / REMASTER RELEASE: 2019) A continuation of the Star Wars Jedi Knight series, Jedi Outcast follows series’ protagonist Kyle Katarn as he re-embraces the Force and heads out on a quest for revenge. Alongside the first-person shootouts that acted as the centerpiece of earlier entries in the series, Jedi Outcast hones in on technical lightsaber dueling, with players facing off against Sith lords and their friends online in physics-based lightsaber battles. Read our Jedi Outcast review. STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC (ORIGINAL RELEASE: 2003 / REMASTER RELEASE: 2021) Often heralded as one of the most iconic RPGs ever made, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic tells a new Star Wars story set 4,000 years before the events of The Phantom Menace. Players take on the role of a Galactic Republic soldier who crash lands on the planet of Taris after their ship is attacked. Left stranded, they undertake a daring adventure and learn the ways of the Force, rallying against the armies of the Sith and their fearsome leader, Darth Malak. Knights of the Old Republic envisions the Star Wars universe during the height of the Jedi Civil War, allowing players to choose whether to follow the path of the light or be tempted by the corrupt allure of the dark side. Read our Knights of the Old Republic review. STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHT: JEDI ACADEMY (ORIGINAL RELEASE: 2003 / REMASTER RELEASE: 2020) Switching out long-running Star Wars Jedi Knight protagonist Kyle Katarn for a new, fully customisable lead, Jedi Academy casts you as Jayden Korr: a Padawan studying under Katarn at the Jedi Temple. Taught in the ways of the force and provided with your very own lightsaber, you explore the galaxy, undertaking new missions and battling back against Sith forces. Jedi Academy introduced several features to the Jedi Knight series, including new fighting styles and the ability to customize lightsabers. Read our Jedi Academy review. STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC 2 - THE SITH LORDS (ORIGINAL RELEASE 2005 / REMASTER RELEASE: 2022) An official follow-up to Bioware’s landmark RPG, Obsidian took the reins for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 - The Sith Lords. Set five years after the events of the original game, the player takes on the role of an exiled Jedi tasked with finding the remnants of the order and uniting them against the growing Sith army. The ensuing journey takes players across a series of iconic Star Wars planets, where they recruit a party of allies and make choices that shape their relationship with the Jedi Order, the Sith and the Force. Read our Knights of the Old Republic 2 review. STAR WARS: REPUBLIC COMMANDO (ORIGINAL RELEASE: 2005 / REMASTER RELEASE: 2021) Moving away from lightsaber duels and tales of Jedi venturing across the galaxy, Star Wars: Republic Commando enlists players as a clone trooper, sending them to join Delta Squad as its leader: Boss. Set during the Clone Wars, players guide their unit through three first-person shooter campaigns, gunning down battle droids and other Separatist forces across iconic prequel era Star Wars locales, including Geonosis and Kashyyyk. Read our Republic Commando review. STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED (ORIGINAL RELEASE: 2008 / REMASTER RELEASE: 2022) Set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and a New Hope, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed tells the tale of Starkiller: an apprentice under the tutelage of Darth Vader. Initially sent to hunt and kill the Jedi that survived Order 66, Star Killer's story quickly spins out into a galaxy-wide adventure, as players build their Force abilities, engage in action-packed lightsaber combat and experience the power fantasy of being a Jedi Knight at the height of their powers. Read our Star Wars: The Force Unleashed review. STAR WARS PINBALL (2019) A pinball game themed around the Star Wars saga, Star Wars Pinball is exactly what it says on the tin. It offers nineteen pinball tables with designs inspired by a spectrum of Star Wars media, ranging from The Empire Strikes Back and The Force Awakens to Rogue One and Rebels. LEGO STAR WARS: THE SKYWALKER SAGA (2022) Traveller's Tales latest LEGO video game, The Skywalker Saga transports all nine of the mainline Star Wars movies to the world of LEGO. From Obi-Wan and Anakin’s tragic battle above the fires of Mustafar to Luke and Vader’s legendary showdown in Bespin, The Skywalker Saga aims to be an all-encompassing recreation of the series, just with a lot more plastic bricks and minifigures. Alongside being the biggest LEGO game to date, it also builds significantly on its predecessors, with several open-world areas to explore, more involved boss battles and new third-person shooting mechanics. It also features a stacked roster of playable Star Wars characters, with the cast including everyone from Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader to Babu Frik and Jabba the Hutt. Read our Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga review. UPCOMING STAR WARS GAMES COMING TO SWITCH As for the future of Star Wars on Nintendo Switch, you can expect at least two more adventures in a galaxy far, far away in the near future. Star Wars: Hunters is expected to make its way to Switch later this year, offering multiplayer arena combat where players form a team of heroes and go up against opponents online. Meanwhile, on March 14, Switch players will be able get their hands on the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection, which compiles remasters of both the original Star Wars Battlefront games into one package. On top of getting both classic third-person Star Wars shooters, the bundle will feature a few new bonuses, including additional maps, Asajj Ventress and Kit Fisto as playable heroes, and the option to play Battlefront 2’s Hero Assault mode on all Ground Maps. Callum Williams is a freelance media writer with years of experience as a game critic, news reporter, guides writer and features writer. close Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Had Different Versions Across Steam and Epic Games Store CH Game News Close CH Game News Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Had Different Versions Across Steam and Epic Games Store Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered developer Aspyr has confirmed it accidentally released two different versions of the game across Steam and the Epic Games Store, and changed what some deemed the better version back to the regular. As reported by Eurogamer, players of the remastered trilogy noticed differences between versions and X/Twitter user @small_medpack posted a list of them online. The Epic Games Store version of the game included more poses in photo mode, higher quality textures and animations on the Nevada level, more realistic snowflakes, and more, though also had some broken achievements. Surprising fans, Aspyr deemed this version the unfinished one and has updated it to match the intended version that was released on Steam. The enhancements mentioned above are therefore no longer available in the Epic Games Store version of the game. "A development build with incomplete assets has been available for download on the Epic Games Store," Aspyr said in a post on Steam. "Content in that Epic Games Store build contained some work-in-progress materials that do not represent our final quality expectations. We have corrected the build to match the live Steam version." Some fans are understandably confused by the mishap, and had expected the Steam version would receive the additional features rather than the Epic Games Store version losing them, but it also seemingly included other issues and incomplete assets beyond the broken achievements "A development build that is superior to what we've got on Steam, not sure what to make of this mess," said KeeperAdahn on Reddit. "They make it sound as if the Epic Games Store version is worse than the version we got? But from what I have seen on YouTube it looked much better," added BenSlashes. A bigger update is also coming though, presumably set to improve Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered across the board. "We currently are working on the first update, which we anticipate will launch in the next few weeks," Aspyr said in the same post. "We appreciate your patience as we want to ensure that the quality is meeting the needs and expectations of our community." Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered arrived February 13 as an upgraded version of the original trilogy: Tomb Raider and The Unfinished Business expansion, Tomb Rader 2 and The Gold Mask expansion, and Tomb Raider 3 and The Lost Artifact Expansion. Tomb Raider custodian Crystal Dynamics included a sensitivity warning in the collection for what it called "deeply harmful" racial and ethnic prejudices included, but said it didn't remove them "in the hopes that we may acknowledge its harmful impact and learn from it". Its release was followed by the official reveal of protagonist Lara Croft's redesign, which will presumably debut officially in Tomb Raider Next. The next mainline game in the franchise is currently being developed in Unreal Engine 5, with Amazon Games supporting Crystal Dynamics. It will be the first new entry since 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which wrapped up a trilogy of games during the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One generation. That series reset Lara Croft's origins in a grittier setting, but it's unclear how Tomb Raider Next will fit into the equation. Ryan Dinsdale is an CheatsHouse " freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day. close GTA Online Gets Story Expansion in Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid CH Game News Close CH Game News GTA Online Gets Story Expansion in Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games is releasing a GTA Online story expansion called The Cluckin' Bell Farm Raid on March 7. Revealed with a trailer, below, the expansion lets players carry out an elaborate scheme to expose a ring of unprecedented corruption in the Los Santos Police Department. "You’ve already received a call from former Diamond Casino head of security turned LSPD officer Vincent Effenburger," the synopsis reads. "Now you’ll have the opportunity to work together in an unorthodox, but profitable, collaboration to take down a new cartel running a large-scale operation out of the Cluckin' Bell factory in Paleto Bay. "Help Vincent bust the case wide open in this action-packed new story update as you take on corrupt LSPD cops as well as a dangerous new cartel that’s set up shop and is using the Cluckin’ Bell corporation’s factory farm complex as a front." Beyond the stream of story content, Rockstar is also adding new vehicles to GTA Online, though didn't specify how many. It did offer a tease at one, however: the ferocious Bravado Gauntlet Interceptor Law Enforcement Vehicle. Fans of the more-than-a-decade-old online mode will be relieved to see commitment from Rockstar despite it having announced GTA 6. The GTA 6 trailer — which reintroduces fans to Rockstar's take on Miami, Vice City — arrived in December 2023 featured a ton of intricate details (here are 99 things CheatsHouse " spotted) and plenty of references to wild and wacky real life events too. While the game was revealed alongside the 2025 release date for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, PC players were left frustrated, though not necessarily surprised, that their platform was left off the list. Ryan Dinsdale is an CheatsHouse " freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day. close Dragon's Dogma 2 ESRB Rating Details Sexual Content CH Game News Close CH Game News Dragon's Dogma 2 ESRB Rating Details Sexual Content The United States' Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has released its verdict on Dragon's Dogma 2, detailing its sexual content among other things. As reported by Push Square, the Dragon's Dogma 2 listing details a handful of different instances of sexual content in the game but makes clear it doesn't get particularly explicit. Unlike 2012's Dragon's Dogma, however, the sequel has received the Sexual Themes tag, likely because players are able to interact with sex workers. "Players' character can interact with sex workers, exchanging currency for services," the explanation for the Mature rating reads. "A brief sequence depicts the player sitting on a bed with a prostitute (both wearing underwear) before the camera fades to black. One cutscene briefly depicts characters kissing and rolling around in bed (no nudity). Two monsters are shown with bare breasts, though with no discernible details (i.e., no nipples)." Dragon's Dogma 2 also received the less surprising Blood and Gore, Language, and Violence tags. One cutscene in the game, and spoiler warning for those looking to go in completely fresh, depicts "a dragon pulling out a human character's heart", while another shows "a monster decapitated in slow-motion". The presence of romance in Dragon's Dogma 2 was already revealed by publisher Capcom, of course, and as CheatsHouse " revealed in January, NPCs may even fight each other for the player's affection. This comes as a larger upgrade to the relationships between NPCs, as explained by creator Hideaki Itsuno. "For example, if you find a pair of friends, hitting one will cause the other to get mad at you too," he said. "Or if you do something nice for a child, the parent might thank you and like you more as well. That's what I mean by relationships between NPCs. "A character who grows close to you might come over to your house to play, but if they meet another character there who's done the same thing, a fight might break out. Personally, we just made the system because we wanted to be able to say, 'Stop, don't fight over me!' It might be best if your readers play through the game while trying to avoid that kind of outcome." Available on March 22, 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam, Dragon's Dogma 2 takes place in a parallel universe which "mirrors the world setting of the original game". Players can explore the human kingdom of Vermund and the beastren kingdom of Battahl as a fully customisable character and ultimately take on a big evil dragon. Ryan Dinsdale is an CheatsHouse " freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day. close Star Wars Outlaws – Everything We Know About the Open-world Game CH Game News Close CH Game News Star Wars Outlaws – Everything We Know About the Open-world Game Star Wars Outlaws is billed as the franchise’s first-ever open-world game. From the makers of The Division and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Outlaws tells a scoundrel story that explores the depths of Star Wars’ underworld between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. In anticipation of Ubisoft’s big Star Wars game, we’ve put together this breakdown of everything you need to know about Star Wars Outlaws. Jump to: * Release Window * Story Details * Gameplay * Development STAR WARS OUTLAWS TRAILER Ubisoft has released two official trailers for Star Wars Outlaws. The most substantial of which is a 10-minute gameplay trailer revealed last June. Check it out below: STAR WARS OUTLAWS RELEASE WINDOW Star Wars Outlaws has an official release window of 2024. It will be released sometime between April and December 2024, according to Ubisoft’s most recent earnings report. STAR WARS OUTLAWS PLATFORMS AND PRICE Star Wars Outlaws will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Ubisoft Connect). Ubisoft has not announced a price for Outlaws, though $70 is a safe assumption considering its scope and Ubisoft’s pricing for recent AAA games like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. STAR WARS OUTLAWS STORY PLOT AND CHARACTERS Star Wars Outlaws tells the story of Kay Vess and her axolotl-like companion Nix attempting “one of the greatest heists the Outer Rim has ever seen." It’s a scoundrel story that aims to emulate the adventures of Han Solo or Jack Sparrow while being “a little bit more relatable,” according to creative director Julian Gerighty. “More of a rookie, a petty thief, who ends up in a situation that’s much bigger than they ever expected,” he said. Here’s the official synopsis from Disney and Ubisoft: “Experience the first-ever open-world Star Wars game, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life, along with her companion Nix. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. “If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.” The decision was made to set Outlaws between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi (the second and third films in the original trilogy) because it’s a time when “the underworld is thriving.” Gerighty explained: "When we were starting off the discussions with Lucasfilm, it was very clear that the one-year period between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, that's where the Rebels aren't part of the picture. The Empire's taking more and more control, but the syndicates, they're taking more power, they're exploiting all of these weaknesses. So it really is a moment where the underworld is thriving and there's no better situation for an established or a rookie scoundrel to cut their teeth than this particular moment." Kay Vess is voiced by Humberly González (Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Ginny & Georgia). Her alien companion Nix is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker (Star Wars: The Bad Batch, American Dad). The full cast has not been revealed, though we know Outlaws will include characters both new and old. Among the old is Jabba the Hutt, who Massive confirmed will assign Kay missions from his palace on Tatooine. Among the new is the battle droid ND-5 (voiced by Jay Rincon), who fought in the Clone Wars before taking up a life in the underworld. LOCATIONS AND MAP SIZE Star Wars Outlaws’ open world is spread across multiple "handcrafted" planets of “manageable” sizes. The planets (final number TBA) “could be [equivalent to] two to three zones” in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, according to Gerighty. As the director noted, this is a “crude analogy” as the regions of Odyssey’s Greece range in size, though it should be taken to mean the planets will not be near-endless areas filled with procedurally generated content. The planets in Outlaws will adhere to Lucasfilm’s “80/20” rule of location design: 80% familiar, 20% alien or fantastical. Gerighty explained how Massive designed its version of Tatooine around this philosophy: "We start off with a biome, in this case, southeast African biomes as an inspiration, and then you put a twist on it to make it feel a little bit alien. If you think of the first shots, maybe not the first shots, but the first the shots of Tatooine. Beautiful, recognizable architecture, but two suns. For us, it's having this huge mountain, and carved into it into the amberine of the mountain, the crystalline substance is a city, and these outcroppings of orange, very reflective material. That's what brings the really alien nature to it. Familiar but fresh." Despite Massive’s dose of originality, Tatooine in Outlaws will be informed by the rich history of Star Wars films. “If you close your eyes and give people a choice to go anywhere in Tatooine?" Gerighty said. "Mos Eisley. And specifically one watering hole in Mos Eisley. The opportunity is that you can see all the nooks and crannies. This concept of virtual tourism is important to us. If you’ve ever wondered the distances from the moisture farms to the cantina? We have an experience for you." Another location Massive has detailed is the previously unexplored moon Toshara. Inspired by East African savannas, Toshara is home to “lots of wide, open plains” — a perfect playground for Kay’s speeder. It’s described as a “hive of scum and villainy” where players can explore the scoundrel lifestyle. Other locations glimpsed in trailers include Kijimi, home to a hive-mind syndicate based on the Medlitto species called the Ashiga Clan; the humid jungle planet of Akiva; and Cantonica, home to the infamous casino city Canto Bight. GAME LENGTH While Ubisoft has not revealed how long it’ll take to complete Star Wars Outlaws, two key developers have commented on their desire to avoid making it “too big” — a common criticism for recent Ubisoft open-world games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. “Too big,” according to Gerighty and narrative director Navid Khavari, “is a game that people don't manage to play, enjoy, and finish." Gerighty added: "Our objective is to really get people into a very dense, rich adventure, open world adventure that they can explore at their own rhythm. So it is absolutely not a 200- or 300-hour epic unfinishable RPG. This is a very focused action-adventure RPG that will take people on a ride and is very manageable." STAR WARS OUTLAWS GAMEPLAY COMBAT Star Wars Outlaws is played from a third-person perspective. On the ground, players can expect hand-to-hand combat, gunplay, and stealth sequences. While aboard your ship, The Trailblazer, Outlaws provides opportunities for intimate dogfights with TIE fighters and larger-scale battles against massive vessels. More on space combat below. As for your companion, Nix appears able to distract enemies, retrieve weapons, press buttons/pull switches, and attack guards by pressing RB/R1 and highlighting the desired action. EXPLORATION AND TRAVERSAL The open world of Star Wars Outlaws will be traversed on foot, atop your speeder, and aboard your ship. One of the most impressive things we’ve seen from Outlaws is the seamless nature in which you’ll be able to move across these three modes of traversal; Kay can go from foot to speeder to space without any cuts to black or obvious loading screens. The planets of Outlaws can be navigated most efficiently using Kay’s speeder, which the dev team describes as “motocross in the sense of making the travel really fun, thrilling, full of tricks, speed chases, that type of thing.” As evidenced in the gameplay trailer, you’ll be able to shoot while riding using a slow-motion targeting system reminiscent of Red Dead’s Dead Eye. There also appears to be some on-foot platforming, as we’ve seen Kay climb atop boxes and rappel down ropes using her grappling hook. As for how Ubisoft has designed the open world to be explored, Khavari said the goal is to “make sure that the player organizes their experience according to their desires.” The team wants to avoid the Ubisoft open-world critique of maps crowded with icons that lead to repetitive activities. The goal here is to create worlds “so dense and so rich with different distractions that we won't have to rely on so many UI indications for them," he said. SPACESHIP COMBAT While aboard the Trailblazer, Kay will get into dogfights with hostile spacecraft. Dogfighting is made “as accessible as possible because movement in a whole full-on 360-degree environment is quite challenging,” said Gerighty. Massive hopes to accomplish this by slowing down the pace of dogfights and providing players with a chase cam control that allows enemy ships to be chased automatically so you can focus solely on aiming your shots. In addition to being a vessel for space exploration and deep-space combat, the Trailblazer serves as a sort of home base for Kay. While roaming the ship on foot, you’ll be able to speak with other characters and explore the mysteries of the ship’s history. REPUTATION SYSTEMS There are two important systems around player behavior in Star Wars Outlaws: Reputation and Wanted. Massive says these two systems will be at play within every location, as they designed each with consideration for the presence of the Empire and the various crime Syndicates. The Reputation system applies to Kay’s relationships with Syndicates. If Kay fosters trust with Syndicates, she can expect better contracts, cheaper store prices, and access to new territories. Should she fall out of favor with one, she can expect to be hunted. “It's all about playing the Syndicates off one another, making choices, dilemmas in terms of how you hand in a quest, that type of thing,” said Gerighty. The Wanted system, meanwhile, pertains to Kay’s relationship with the Empire. The Empire will put the Wanted tag on Kay when she acts against their wishes. In one example, we see Kay refuse to pay a bribe to an Imperial officer, resulting in a high-speed chase that follows the fugitive from land to space. RPG ELEMENTS Outlaws features some light RPG elements, such as an upgrade system that allows you to bolster Kay’s gear, from improvements to her speeder bike to new modules for her blaster. There will also be customization options for Kay’s speeder and spaceship. There will be dialogue choices to make as Kay. This system was implemented to enhance the experience of role-playing as a scoundrel in the world of Star Wars, Gerighty told IGN. STAR WARS OUTLAWS DEVELOPMENT Development of Star Wars Outlaws is led by Massive Entertainment, the Ubisoft-owned studio responsible for The Division and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Massive is supported by Ubisoft Annecy, Bucharest, Chengdu, Milan, Montpellier, Paris, Shanghai, Toronto, Redlynx, and Stockholm. It’s being developed using Massive’s in-house Snowdrop game engine. Outlaws was announced in early 2021, signaling the end of EA’s exclusive hold on the Star Wars video game license, before being properly revealed at the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase. According to Disney’s Sean Shoptaw, the inception of Massive’s Star Wars game came during a meeting between the two companies to discuss Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Key developers include game director Mathias Karlson (The Division 2), creative director Julian Gerighty (The Division 2), narrative director Navid Khavari (Far Cry 6), art and world director Benedikt Podlesniggand (The Division 2), and lead writer Nikki Foy (Far Cry 6). Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN. close No Rest for the Wicked: The First Hands-On Preview CH Game News Close CH Game News No Rest for the Wicked: The First Hands-On Preview I’ve played both Ori games. I survived the Water Tower in Blind Forest. So I knew that, even though developer Moon Studios was changing genres for its next game, No Rest for the Wicked, I shouldn’t expect to breeze through it. And sure enough, after playing the first 90 minutes of an early build, culminating in a punishing boss fight, I had to earn every new piece of gear, every bit of loot, and every inch of progress. No Rest for the Wicked is beautiful, it is challenging, and it is rewarding. You are not a walking death machine here, like in Diablo. Instead, your enemies are the walking death machines, and you’ll need to learn how to survive them. It’s more like Dark Souls in an isometric-view action-RPG form. As we’d already been told by Moon Studios in our recent CheatsHouse " First exclusive coverage, No Rest for the Wicked isn’t a high-speed slaughterfest like Diablo 4. Instead, it’s much closer to Dark Souls. You’ll need to time your attacks, parries, dodge rolls, and enemy engagements just right in order to survive each fight. But I’m getting ahead of myself. After enjoying the opening cutscene and rolling your character, you’ll wash ashore and immediately notice Wicked’s beautiful painterly art style. It has a family resemblance to Ori, visually speaking, but it’s much bleaker. Where Ori was vibrant, Wicked is sullen. This isn’t a complaint, though. Its beachside starting location and constant rain and windswept foliage make it feel like a pirate story that’s gone terribly wrong. This is a good thing, visually, as it gives Wicked’s world character and makes it constantly feel alive. It’s a lived-in place, though what lives there doesn’t seem too happy about it. Wicked’s gameplay starts like most action-RPGs do: by smashing every barrel and killing every inconsequential crab in an effort to improve from the nothing you start with to something, anything. And while those initial vermin pose no threat, you’ll soon be introduced to the enemies called The Risen that very much do. It’s here where your lessons begin. The main lesson? Apply your soulslike skills. Be very, very deliberate in your attacks and movements, because one wrong move can get you killed. Picking up ingredients and cooking health-restoring meals at various campfires ahead of time is crucial to surviving battles with multiple foes. Stamina management in battle is vital, as too much dodge-rolling will result in you being unable to move or attack. In short, you’ll be a momentary sitting duck. When you crush enemies into a bloody pulp, it’s incredibly satisfying and rewarding. The neat thing about the danger present in every bad guy, though, is that when you crush them into a bloody pulp, it’s incredibly satisfying and rewarding. But if you do die – check that, when you die, you’ll respawn at the nearest Cerim Whisper point, with your health restored (though not your weapon durability) and with the dead enemies still dead and the wounded enemies still injured. Those same Cerim Whisper points also refill your health when you activate them. Whew! There are NPCs to talk to, of course, and shopkeepers to do business with. I really like how you can move around in the world. You can clamber up and down vine-covered walls, scurry up ladders, hop up short walls, and tiptoe across narrow planks that lead to secrets. All of it couples with the living-painting art style to make it feel like it existed long before you started playing. Meanwhile, a handy map helps guide you to the next objective while conveniently also showing you how thoroughly you’ve explored each region, item-wise. And when you level up, you’ll have skill points to distribute, while the classic action-RPG paper doll-style inventory should make most players feel right at home. I appreciate that every item clearly displays whether or not it’d be an upgrade over what you currently have equipped. You can clamber up and down vine-covered walls, scurry up ladders, hop up short walls, and tiptoe across narrow planks that lead to secrets. In a sadistic tease, my preview version ended just as I had gained a few le vels and was starting to feel a little bit powerful. Or I would’ve, if I weren’t immediately beat down by the same boss monstrosity we exclusively showed for you at the start of our CheatsHouse " First coverage a couple weeks ago (see video above). All in all, the first hour and a half of No Rest for the Wicked gave me a good sense of what to expect, and it left me wanting more. I suspect it’s going to win over a lot of you when it launches into Early Access in the coming weeks. It’s been almost exactly four years since Moon Studios’ last game, and what this first taste of Wicked makes quite clear is that those four years have been well-spent. If it’s not on your radar already, it’s about to be. Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our occasional interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan. close Trendy Selection These are the currently most sought after games. Can't find what you're looking for? Try our search function! 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