Our weekly news liveblog, with this week’s most appetising videogame releases
Here are the ones that seem most promising, at the time of writing: Warsaw-set magician RPGThe Thaumaturge(4th March); spacey cube-obsessed factory simSixty Four(4th March); all-terrain open-worlderExpeditions: A MudRunner Game(5th March); co-op-skewed laboratory gorefestThe Outlast Trials(5th March); circus horrorReveil(6th March); Sonic-maniac platformerBerserk Boy(6th March); Shadow of the Octopus ‘em upChasing The Unseen(7th March); storybook puzzlerSnufkin: Melody of Moominvalley(7th March); XCOM-meets-Baldur’s-Gate-alikeZoria: Age of Shattering(7th March).
As ever, this list is sponsored by the Maw, that convoluted and churning force of cosmic greed, which we strive ever to keep stuffed full of videogame news, lest it guzzle down what we are pleased to call our reality. It’s an incomplete, working list of recommendations - if we’ve missed something you’re looking forward to, it’s absolutely because we despise it, and are secretly out to punish you for ever liking it. I mean, it’s because I ran out of time. Feel free to suggest games for coverage in the comments along with any breaking news we should pounce on. Have a good week!
Our live coverage of this event has finished.
IT IS MAWNDAY
FEED THE MO!
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Starfield’sSteamDB listinghas been updated with an “unknown app” - folk speculate that it’s a sign that the game’s first major DLC Shattered Space is imminent.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
EA’s Star Wars strategy game is still in development, despite last week’s layoff announcements and cancellations - thanksVGC.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Ready your hoverboots and hip-firing sniper rifles - Tribes 3 hits early access on 12th March.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Strange Loop Games haveoutlined plansfor Eco’s 1.0 release - Eco being a rather giant simulation in which people “work together to advance society and stop a meteor, all without destroying the ecosystem in the process.”
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Deep Rock Galactic’s Season 5 updates will include a new mission, new enemies, new overclocks, new dance emotes, DLSS3 integration and the possibility of playing through stuff from old seasons, as detailed onSteam.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
N64-ass 3D metroidvania Pseudoregalia has receiveda big updatewith a visual map, time trials, outfits and various other tweaks.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Me and Ed Thorn were away on Friday and Alice B was off sick, so we didn’t quite have the personpower to put that feature together this weekend. Apologies!
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Seems that last week’s Epic games hackmay have been a fraud, as suggested by Epic, but the waters remain murky.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Might And Delightare about to implement a new combat system for their lush-looking “tiny MMO” Book Of Travels, which I’ve long been a fan of.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
BOT is one of those games I love to just go for a stroll in. The knot-language stuff and teahouses are wonderful too.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Microsoft are screening an Xbox Developer Direct on Wednesday, 6th March at 10am Pacific time, 1pm Eastern time and 6pm UK time. Highlights include new footage of Tales of Kenzera: Zau, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess and The First Berserker: Khazan -here’s the official blog post with more.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
As Edwin mentioned earlier, theformer XCOM devs over at Bit Reactor have confirmed their Star Wars strategy game is “unaffected"after EA cancelled Respawn’s first-person shooter amid mass layoffs. Respawn are collaborating on the mysterious strategy project.
–Matt Jarvis
UpcomingDune MMO Awakening will let you lure other players using The Voice, sell your most impressive base creations and drink blood-water to survive- but you won’t be able to kill or ride sandworms (yet), say devs Funcom.
–Matt Jarvis
Synduality is like Armored Core as an extraction shooter, with a promising look, closed beta later this month and gameplay trailer than left me utterly exhausted.
–Matt Jarvis
Suika Shapes adds co-op multiplayer and a polygonal twist to the viral Watermelon Game, plus a whole lot of other modes and modifiers to play with.
–Matt Jarvis
IT IS TUESDAW
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Crema have writtena long postabout the past and future of monster-catcher Temtem, in which they announce that they’re doing away with all of the game’s microtransaction systems. There’s a lot to consider through the jump.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Giant Bomb reporter Jeff Grubbclaims(viaVGC) that Respawn are working on a new game in the Titanfall universe, but not Titanfall 3. The project is said to be in a prototyping phase at present.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone has said there’s no end in sight for Stardew Valley development after update 1.6. “I feel like I’m the boy who cried wolf, because I’ve said [this is the last update] many times myself and I always end up making another Stardew Valley update,” he toldPolygon. “So it’s like, I’ll just say, who knows? I don’t think I’ll ever officially close the book. The book is always open.”
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Epic are teasing the next season of Fortnite by means of a massive hand with a box chained to it. Shoot the box enough times and it opens, creating a pillar of flames. Curiosity vibes.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Interactive writer Adam Burt has made a free text game you can play in browser, calledApplying For Game Dev Jobs Simulator. It’s in the same sort of spirit asThe Writer Will Do Something(which is nearly ten years old, God), but less complex and more depressing.
–Alice Bell
ViaKotaku, it’s rumoured that Gravity Rush 2 is coming to PC. The peddler of this rumour is Team Alua discord server member Orangee, who has a decent track record for Gravity Rush gossip, having previously leaked news of the movie adaptation. Orangee says the PC version will be announced in May. I loved Gravity Rush 2 on PS4, and would love an excuse to warble about it on here.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Steam’s new privacy settings areout of beta, allowing you to render invisible any games you buy or play that you might not want your followers to see in your library, for whatever reason. No judgements here.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Diablo 4’s new weekly non-linear dungeonthe Gauntletgoes live today.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Helldivers 2’s long-teased mechslook to be ready soon, according to an official tweet.
–Graham Smith
Oculus accounts are going to be deleted on March 29th, and so you’ve got until thento migrate them over to Meta accounts. If you don’t do it, you’ll lose all attached games, credits, and friends lists.
–Graham Smith
Chivalry 2’s latest update adds a feature every online multiplayer game should have:unofficial server support.
–Graham Smith
–Graham Smith
–Graham Smith
IT IS MAWEDNESDAY
Synergise the core competencies! Think outside the box! Think inside the box, but with more passion and a holistic approach to moving the needle! FEED THE MAW.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Defying gods and men, Warner Bros CEO of global streaming and games JB Perrette hasreiteratedthe publisher’s focus on live service games and free-to-play with regard to four big licenses: Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, DC and Harry Potter.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
El Paso, Elsewhere and Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator developers Strange Scaffold have unveiled Life Eater, a “horror fantasy kidnapping simulator” set in suburban America.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
No Rest for the Wicked designer Thomas Mahler is in a feisty mood today.
We’re launching into Early Access on April 18th.We invite everyone to become part of our journey so that we get data that allows us to bit by bit perfect Wicked.No Microtransactions and Battle Passes for sale. No 65$ Horse Skins. No Stash Tabs for sale either. If you wanna…
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Oh boy, amajor update for Hunt: Showdown, with new equipment and balancing adjustments.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
The Outlast Trials is out of early access - here’s the1.0 changelog. Highlights include full controller support, crossplay and checks notes crushing or burning the sex toys.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Arrowhead’s boss has shot down a rumour that the Helldivers 2 developers are to be acquired by PlayStation.
This is the first I hear of this… And that’s a good indication that it’s fake.Also, very old logo.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
PlayStation are showcasing five games from Indian developers as part of theirIndia Hero Project. These includeMeteora, in which you are a meteor racing through the cosmos,Mukti, a first-person adventure about human trafficking that is set in a museum, andSuri: The Seventh Note, a rhythm-driven 2D action-platformer.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
The just-announcedMerchants of Rosewallis about being a shopkeeper in an RPG world. You’ll try to build a commercial empire while forming relationships with your clientele and investigating a mystery.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
–Jeremy Blum
A Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut PC portappears! It’s out in May.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
I wrote aboutHelldivers 2’s latest balancing patchand Arrowhead’s overall approach to weapons balancing earlier. The developers have now publisheda full blog postabout the latest changes, penned by head of product testing Patrik Lasota.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Tails Noir developers Eggnut are cancelling their current project and closing doors due to funding difficulties. Best of luck all.
pic.twitter.com/25oJTc33nO
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Revealed during tonight’s Xbox Partner Preview stream,stealth-action deckbuilder Sleight of Hand looks like a noir spiritual successor to Metal Gear Acidfrom the developer behind puzzle gem Framed. Moody!
–Matt Jarvis
Almost three years to the day after it was revealed,Frostpunk 2’s release datebrings a frosty survivalist chill to this summer, hitting Steam and PC Game Pass from day one in July.
–Matt Jarvis
Persona 3 Reload adds FES expansion The Answer as its ‘final chapter’ DLC in September, as the last wave of a three-part expansion pass throughout the year.
–Matt Jarvis
Reappearing almost four years after it was announced,Unknown 9: Awakening has given us a first look at its mix of Psi-Ops powers and Assassin’s Creed action-adventure, ahead of its release this summer.
–Matt Jarvis
Also seen at tonight’s Xbox Partner Preview, we got a look at the blend of real-time strategy and action combat in intriguing - and wonderfully colourful - yoaki-battling Capcom game Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess.
–Matt Jarvis
There was also a gameplay trailer for The First Berserker: Khazan, which I can only describe as “Dark Souls but for edgy teens”.
–Matt Jarvis
I don’t know if the racing and arena trick-scoring of Monster Jam Showdown is my, uh, jam, but I did enjoy seeing a SHARK MONSTER TRUCK.
–Matt Jarvis
In an inspire bit of art-inspires-life, Chucky of Child’s Play fame is headed to Roblox to presumably terrorise a bunch of unsuspecting kids.
–Matt Jarvis
Promising Metroidvania Tales of Kenzera: Zau continues to look fabulous, too.
–Matt Jarvis
Here’s some new gameplay from the This War of Mine devs’ sci-fi base-management The Alters to round things out.
–Matt Jarvis
IT IS THAWSDAY
The hills are alive with the sound of videogames journalism! FEED THE MAW.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
As passed on byPCG, Owen Deery is making his gameSmall Radios, Big Televisionsfree to downloadfrom his websiteafter Warner Discovery announced plans to “retire” it from Steam and PS4.
WarnerBros Discovery have informed me they will be ‘retiring’ my game Small Radios Big Televisions from both Steam and PS4 stores.I’ve made it free to download here:https://t.co/Fn82RfKBcfThanks for all your support.pic.twitter.com/DCWsVtFYlR
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Not a new release, but seems worthy of sharing:Liquidumis an aquarium-themed spin on puzzle game Picross.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Does look quite tasty! I’ll have to try thedemo.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
The Last Epoch hasreceived another patch, encompassing “a bunch of fixes for controller, UI, skills, and more.”
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Warner Bros. Discovery are closing down Rooster Teeth - the entertainment brand who came to fame as the creators of the Red vs Blue Halo machinima - and laying off 150 people, as reported byGI.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Gamesradarhas a cool feature on the design of Cyberpunk 2077’s metro system.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Helldivers 2 is gettinga new Warbond, aka more guns and gear. Highlights include experimental armour, a new stun grenade, and a lightning launcher.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Automatonhas a good Dragon’s Dogma 2 interview from which I haveplucked some thoughts about the affinity system.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Deus Ex: Makind Divided will soonbe free to keep from the Epic Games Store.
–Graham Smith
The Fallout TV series willlaunch on Amazon Prime on April 11th. Its latest trailer looks… good? It looks pretty good.
–Graham Smith
Overwatch 2 is getting a bunch ofCowboy Bebop skinsand the trailer, which recreate’s the anime’s intro, is great.
–Graham Smith
A bunch of older EA games have surfaced on Steam, including overlooked mostly black-and-white open world World War 2 action gameThe Saboteur.
–Graham Smith
IT IS FRAWDAW
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Funcom have issued a little public comment on Dune: Awakening’s handling of religion and thus, inadvertently painted the picture of an MMO in whicheveryplayer is the Messiah.
We agree that religion is an integral part of the Dune universe. This is why in Dune: Awakening you will meet and interact with people of different religions along your journey. However, as opposed to the story presented in the books, the player is not a messiah and will not play…pic.twitter.com/6QHxnuh2sV
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Arrowhead say that if you want mechs in Helldivers 2 you’ll need to liberate the planet that produces them. I am having On-Going Thoughts about how this game blends the experience of a Forever-War with the mechanics of updating a live service game.
THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Our factories are under attack, halting all output. Helldivers have been deployed to liberate Tien Kwan!pic.twitter.com/NM4A26jZlh
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
You can nowdownload the Dragon’s Dogma 2 character creatorahead of release for free.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
There’s abeta underwayfor Tactical Breach Wizards, the new game from Heat Signature dev Suspicious Developments (whose founder, Tom Francis, used to be a writer round these parts).
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Sticking with the magic theme, GBA-style spellcard strategy gameDream Tacticshas a release date - 17th April. I’ve not played the demo but it looks fairly swish.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Vermintide 2’s long-awaited versus mode islive in public alpha.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
New Soulslike klaxon! Say hello toThe Night Wandererfrom Polish developer Mighty Koi. It’s based on a novel by Jarosław Grzędowicz and is a gloomy sci-fantasy affair set on a planet that resembles Scandanavia.
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Akira Toriyama, the hugely influential mangaka behind Dragon Ball mangaka who went on to design characters for Chrono Trigger and create Dragon Quest’s iconic Slime monster,has died at age 68.
–Matt Jarvis
Fortnite’s Myths & Mortals season lets you wield godlike powers and bullet-bend as avatar Korra later today, though you’ll need to wait a few extra hours after Chapter 5 Season 2 was delayed due to an “unexpected issue”.
–Matt Jarvis
Valiant Hearts: Coming Home, sequel to the decade-old World War I adventure game,has escaped mobile and Netflix exclusivity onto PC.
–Matt Jarvis
Remember when they announced a Watch Dogs film? I sure didn’t! Anyway, a decade on, they’re still trying to make a Watch Dogs movie - butnow it has a director, writer and star attached.
–Matt Jarvis
A Container articlefrom Matteo Lupetti about the Italian travelling videogame festival Zona Warpa. “We looked for zones of freedom in cities designed for those production and consumption cycles that are jeopardising the future of human and non-human life. And there, game developers, musicians, and visual artists were able to create, play, travel, eat, sleep, dance and imagine and practise new ways of living together.”
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
!
This is a bit surreal, but Demise: Rise of the Ku’tan, a game from 1999, just got a demo for its 2nd expansion: Revenge of the Tavern Keeper.It’s a rather unique RPG - a dungeon-crawler with GIGANTIC levels that removes direct combat control to focus on optimizing party builds.pic.twitter.com/51KvtNdgXq
–Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Well, I guess I spent several hours writing more aboutWarner Bros. Discovery delisting Adult Swim Games. Soundodger+ and Fist Puncher are added to the list of games to be removed, alongside the previously confirmed Small Radios Big Televisions, but several other developers are now in a panic as they wait to be contacted.
–Graham Smith
If I hadn’t spent all my time writing that, I might have also covered that WWE 2K24 came out yesterday and has had a rough launch, asreflected by its ‘Mixed’ reviews on Steam. It’s a 2K joint, so the complaints are the same as every other 2K sports game: the servers don’t work, DLC is expensive and can’t be accessed, progress got wiped, and so on.
–Graham Smith
Good news! Classic car smash ‘em up FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage is now FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage Collector’s Edition, and theupdate on Steamincludes the removal of Games For Windows Live DRM, bug fixes, new translations, and Steam Deck verification.
–Graham Smith
There’s new Beat Saber DLC and it’s aDaft Punk music pack. We rarely write about DLC packs, but DLC packs rarely let you swing your arms around to Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger. I might dig the VR headset out for this.
–Graham Smith
I feel bad that I only wrote one full story tonight, but the Maw is fed, and hopefully a thousand words on why Warner Bros. Discovery suck keeps the peace until Monday. Night all.
–Graham Smith
