Sunday, February 28, 2021

Valheim: Improve Your Performance by Enabling the Vulkan API

Learn how to enable to Valkan API in Valheim in order to increase your FPS and fix other game-related GPU crashes.

Complete the Sapporo Requests Easily With This Persona 5 Strikers Guide

Looking to complete a certain request in Sapporo in August? This guide can help you find what you're looking for.

Google Stadia Reports Detail Internal Troubles, 'Millions' Spent on AAA Ports

Multiple reports have come out detailing Google Stadia's troubles that include everything from internal struggles on the development team to "tens of millions" of dollars spent on AAA games like Red Dead Redemption 2 to  development roadblocks created by Google itself. Bloomberg reported that, despite all the hype built up by Google for Stadia's reveal, gamers around the world were disappointed. This led to a lackluster launch and Stadia is said to have "missed its targets for sales of controllers and monthly active users by hundreds of thousands." Not even games from some of the best publishers like Ubisoft and Take-Two Interactive Software could help turn the tide for Stadia. Those games didn't come cheap either, as sources from Bloomberg say it cost "tens of millions" of dollars to bring games like Red Dead Redemption 2 to the platform. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/22/google-stadia-review"] Wired also share some of the struggles at Stadia that ultimately led to the closure of Google Stadia's internal studios. Many of these issues stemmed from Google creating roadblocks for these employees who were trying to staff up to build AAA games. Google is known for its long and involved hiring process that can take anywhere from six to nine months. On top of that, Google had to change its hiring standards as it was looking to bring in game developers and hadn't traditionally hired for those positions. While there were around 150 employees impacted by the closure of Stadia's internal studios, two sources had said the goal was to bring in over 2,000 over five years. Above and beyond hiring concerns, sources discuss that "Stadia's game development process felt stapled on." Many of the developers felt that "Google wasn't funding games to sell games; it was funding games to sell Stadia." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/17/google-stadia-gm-says-microsofts-bethesda-acquisition-partly-responsible-for-stadia-studio-closures-ign-news"] Instead of giving the devs the freedom to truly create what they wished, they were told to "design prototypes that showcased Stadia technology like Google’s cloud computing capacity or State Share." These issues were undoubtedly frustrating, but many felt secure in their positions at Google, with high paychecks and what felt like little fear of being laid off, which can be a rampant problem at other studios. Then the COVID-19 pandemic began. Following the start of the pandemic, Google implemented a hiring freeze for all departments except a "small number of strategic areas where users and businesses rely on Google for ongoing support, and where our growth is critical to their success.” Gaming was not one of these areas. “If the company was OK putting us on a hiring freeze, they were also OK with damaging our ability to build content,” says one source. “The studio was not yet fully formed and ready to produce games. That put on the brakes, and was a statement. We interpreted it as a lack of commitment from Google to make content.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/08/the-unexpected-reason-terraria-on-stadia-is-canceled-ign-now"] In late January, Google's vice president of Stadia and GM Phil Harrison e-mailed employees and praised the platform's technology, and said that "Stadia Games and Entertainment had made 'great progress building a diverse and talented team and establishing a strong line up of Stadia exclusive games.'" Five days later, Harrison gathered the employees and let them know the internal studios were shutting down. VGC reported on a few of Stadia's possible cancelled projects and proposals, and one of them was allegedly an episodic horror game from Kojima Productions. That particular proposal was said to have been "blocked by Stadia GM Phil Harrison last year." Another was said to be from Shenmue's Yu Suzuki. A sequel to Journey to the Savage Planet was also said to be in the works by the team formerly known as Typhoon, and a multiplayer action game codenamed Frontier was being developed and was led by former Splinter Cell and Assassin's Creed: Syndicate producer Francois Pelland. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=all-2021-games-with-confirmed-release-dates&captions=true"] A Google Stadia spokesperson responded to VGC's story, saying that it does not "have anything, nor have announced anything, with Kojima or Yu Suzuki." "We talk to partners all the time in situations that don’t result in a project or even a proposal," The spokesperson said of the alleged Kojima project." This is very common. Speculating that two parties that speak regularly in this industry leads to proposals or otherwise, is inaccurate.” Even though Stadia's internal studios have been closed, Google has reassured those that own Stadia that the platform will get "more than 100 games" in 2021. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Call of Duty Zombies: How to Complete All Dark Ops Challenges in Outbreak

Whether it's completing world events, opening a set number of chests, eliminating Zombies, or even Exfiling, we have you covered in our complete Dark Ops challenge guide for Outbreak in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Animal Crossing: It's Your Last Day to Catch These Bugs, Fish, and Sea Creatures

These critters depart for a bit after today. See when they'll return with IGN's ACNH guide.

Valheim: How to Find Flax

The Sinking City Developer Frogwares Says to Not Buy the Game on Steam

The Sinking City has returned to Steam following its removal across multiple digital platforms, but developer Frogwares has said it did not create this version and that it does not recommend that anyone purchase it. Frogwares took to Twitter to share this update, promising that more news was on the way soon regarding their warning. "Frogwares has not created the version of @TheSinkingCity that is today on sale on @Steam. We do not recommend the purchase of this version. More news soon." The developer wrote. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/25/the-sinking-city-review"] The Sinking City was removed from Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the digital storefronts of Xbox One and PS4 on August 25, 2020, following Frogwares' legal disputes with publisher BigBen Interactive and Nacon. Frogwares accused these companies of repeatedly breaching contract, withholding at least €1 million in royalties, falsely implying ownership of the IP, and more. During development of The Sinking City, Frogware alleged that BigBen and Nacon would pay for production milestones around 40 days later that agreed upon. Furthermore, these companies demanded that they be given the source code for The Sinking City despite their agreement saying that they could only sell the game and that they did not own the IP. When Frogwares declined, they said BigBen and Nacon stopped providing payments for four months. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/22/the-sinking-city-playstation-5-release-trailer"] Frogwares began a legal battle with BigBen and Nacon in August 2019 over these issues and many more, including concerns over Frogwares' Sherlock Holmes games. The Sinking City, which is inspired by the works of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, was released in 2019. In our review, we said, "The Sinking City’s creation of a new Lovecraftian vision paired with compelling stories, exciting environments, and memorable characters make for one of the better Cthulhu lore games I’ve played. Its commitment to tastefully updating the storytelling methods, while preserving the setting and tone of Lovecraft shines through the tedium and frustration." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Valheim: How to Get Honey and Craft Your Own Beehives

Typically used as the primary ingredient to craft Mead-based recipes such as Frost Resistance, Poison Resistance, and Stamina-based potions, Honey plays an integral part in your survival during the later stages of Valheim.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Pokemon 25: The Album Set to Feature Katy Perry, J Balvin, and Post Malone

The Pokemon Company has announced that Pokemon 25: The Album will be released in Fall 2021 and will feature Katy Perry, J Balvin, Post Malone, and more. This new album is part of the celebration of Pokemon's 25th anniversary, and J Balvin was confirmed to be joining the project following the global virtual Pokemon music concert starring Post Malone. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/11/pokemon-pokemon-day-virtual-concert-with-post-malone-announce-trailer"] During the concert, Post Malone performed a cover of Only Wanna Be With You by Hootie & the Blowfish that was remixed with the Ecruteak City theme from Pokemon Gold and Silver. Katy Perry, J Balvin, Post Malone, and one more surprise guest will each release a song that is inspired by the Pokemon franchise, and each song's release will be joined by a music video and "an exclusive merchandise collection celebrating each artist and Pokemon." There will also be other songs from some of the "buzziest new artists from around the world," and these songs will be released in "very 'Pokemon' ways." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/25-years-of-pokemon-celebration"] Pokemon 25: The Album will be released by Universal Music Group's Capitol Records later this year and will features a total of 14 songs. This new album is one of the many ways The Pokemon Company is celebrating this 25th anniversary, and follows the reveals of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Brilliant Pearl, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and much more. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-official-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

CoD Zombies: How to Complete the Dragon Relic Easter Egg in Outbreak

Learn how to complete the Dragon Relic Easter Egg in Call of Duty's newest Zombies mode, Outbreak.

Call of Duty Zombies: How to Unlock Wonder Weapons in Outbreak Mode

Learn how to unlock the Ray Gun, D.I.E. Shockwave, and even more Wonder Weapons in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's newest Zombies mode, Outbreak.

The Day Before Devs Break Down the New Gameplay Reveal

As part of IGN Fan Fest 2021, the developers behind upcoming survival action game The Day Before, Fntastic, debuted a brand-new look at the brutal, immersive world that awaits players. The new gameplay, which you can watch below, offers a quick slice of life and action in the world of The Day Before, including the fact that not every character you meet has to be a foe. "We at Fntastic believe that during a real post-apocalypse there’ll be lots of wonderful people who help others no matter what, but inevitably there’ll be those who won’t hesitate to use force. We tried to show this human nature in the game trailer," Eduard and Aiden Gotovtsev told IGN via email. Check out an exclusive new trailer: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/the-day-before-exclusive-combat-gameplay-4k-ign-fan-fest-2021"] And while the looks at The Day Before so far have included plenty of tense action, there will be places of safety, namely the Woodberry Survivor Colony, where players "can interact with other players, join groups, talk to some residents, take quests and have fun. We have an idea to make various events inside the colony during the holidays, so that the players get closer to each other and spend time celebrating holidays together." As the new trailer shows, you'll also be able to find brief bits of respite in more hostile territory to camp, sleep, cook, and generally relax before heading back out into a brutal world. As for actual base building itself, the developers explained that classic, resource-based "building a hut out of stones and sticks" is not so much what inspires them as something more akin to Nintendo's Animal Crossing. "In The Day Before, we have the concept of a base different from other MMO survival games. As a hint - we really like the concept in that cute game where there is a greedy raccoon boss," the Gotovtsev's said. The new slice of gameplay is not all a breather for the player, though, as after a quick jaunt outside, they quickly engage in a firefight. But rather than any HUD indicators leading the player to combat, they quite clearly have to naturally take in the world around them, paying careful attention to sound and other environmental clues. "We pay great attention to the sounds in the game to make the game world appear realistic. Based on this, we have abandoned casual HUD indicators, and we are focusing on high-quality surround sound, which is an important part of the credibility and atmosphere of the world," the developers explained. As the combat goes on, the showdown ends in a brutal takedown, a close-range shot to the face after the player has knocked down their opponent. While the developers note finishing moves aren't necessarily new to gaming, they hope they'll add a unique twist to the survival MMO genre.

"The game has multiple choices after the takedown: using different types of finishing moves depending on the weapon, healing and tying up another player. And especially creative players will be able to come up with various other methods: they can down and tie up another player, and then attract the attention of a horde of zombies, who will happily dine [on the character], and so on," they explained.

As for the gameplay's final shot of a mysterious, darkened hall and a doorway, the developers teased that locations like this will "be like a cold show after a boiling hot day." And really, much of what Fntastic is aiming to do is hoping to bring something fresh and unique to the genre.

"It's no secret that [moost survival MMO's] are all built on the sandbox model, when you set goals for yourself and wander around the desert world. In The Day Before, we reinvented everything from the in-game goals to the ways we approach the quality of the game mechanics," the developers noted.

The Day Before currently has no release date, but be sure to check out the original announcement trailer.

Sci-Fi Survival Game Breathedge Gets April Console Release Date

Breathedge, the comedic sci-fi survival game, is coming to Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch on April 6. Announced exclusively during IGN Fan Fest, a new trailer showed off the game in action, and revealed the new platforms and release date. Check it out below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/breathedge-exclusive-console-version-reveal-trailer-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Breathedge sees you take on the role of The Man, who was trying to take his grandfather's ashes to a space funeral, and gets caught up in the middle of a conspiracy. It's a familiar mixture of survival, crafting, and lots of death screens – mixed up with some satirical comedy and a seemingly immortal chicken companion. Breathedge saw its 1.0 release on PC this week, after an Early Access period on Steam that saw it receive 91% positive reviews. If your interest's been piqued, we're also able to bring you an exclusive gameplay overview, below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/breathedge-exclusive-gameplay-overview-ign-fan-fest-2021"] There's much more to come from IGN Fan Fest - make sure to check out our full Fan Fest schedule for everything we've got for you, from Zack Snyder's Justice League to Deathloop. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Valheim: All Cheat Codes and Spawn Commands

Whether you're looking to respawn some of your hard-earned items or are simply after something a little more relaxing like creative mode, let IGN guide you through everything you need to know about enabling cheats and using the different console commands that are available to use in Valheim.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Valheim: How to Summon and Defeat Moder

Whether it's finding the three Dragon Eggs or simply preparing for your toughest battle yet, IGN has you covered in our complete walkthrough for defeating Moder, the fourth boss in Valheim.

CoD Zombies: 10 Essential Tips and Tricks for Getting Started in Outbreak Mode

Whether you're just starting out or simply looking for some helpful tips and tricks, let IGN guide you through everything you need to know about Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's latest Zombies mode, Outbreak.

Bravely Default 2 Beginner's Tips and Guide

Whether you need help with controls, battles, or dungeons, find the tips you need in our Bravely Default 2 guide.

Outriders Review in Progress: Demo Impressions

Since seeing our first hands-on preview of Outriders last summer, I’ve been cautiously optimistic about People Can Fly’s new co-op shooter/RPG. I was disappointed by the latest delay, but as a consolation prize, Square Enix has released the first act on schedule as a demo for us to start forming impressions off of. After spending the last day or so wreaking superpowered havoc on PS5, I’m still not sure whether the final game will end up being the Mass Effect/Destiny/Gears of War mashup I’ve been hoping for, but it’s definitely sold me on the fun of its sci-fi setup.

What I find most engaging about the Outriders demo  – which covers its prologue and first chapter and has kept me going for about six hours so far – is its insistence on more closely resembling a single-player RPG than a “shared-world” shooter in the vein of Destiny and The Division. I may not be able to make huge, story-altering decisions like in a classic BioWare RPG, and they’re still yet to crack the code of making every player the story’s Chosen One simultaneously, but being able to have optional conversations with almost every NPC I interact with and seeing tangible in-world consequences to my actions – like unlocking a new merchant with a permanent discount by completing a side quest – goes a long way toward getting me invested in Outriders’ post-double-apocalypse world.

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Though maybe “post-post-apocalytic-apocalypse” is a more appropriate way to phrase it, because while the planet our crew of survivors from “Earth that was” land on was originally full of verdant forests and bizarre fauna, by the time the story kicks off in earnest it’s become anything but. The world dubbed “humanity’s last hope” quickly goes awry for our titular customizable character and their friends, and an unexpected lengthy time jump (which is a trope I’ll admit I’m a sucker for) sends things into territory that would make even the maddest of Maxes wince.

Its writing may not win any awards this year, and cutscenes suffer from some unfortunately out-of-sync audio, but it does a serviceable job of moving the story along and endearing its NPCs to you, whether they’re novel takes on established archetypes or making good use of People Can Fly’s affinity for self-aware banter. The latter can create some clashing tones, though. This is clearly a story that wants to address serious themes like humanity’s penchant for conflict and overconsumption, but it also kicks off with a somewhat bombastic attitude that doesn’t really let up, especially in the first chapter showcased in the demo. It sort of feels like hearing someone yell “YEE-HAW” during the somber acoustic part of a country set; it’s not entirely out of place, but it doesn’t quite fit in, either.

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Similarly, the prologue (and several trailers, too) hinted at a lush and colorful world to explore, but most of what we see in the demo is the drab browns and greys of war-torn lands and refugee camps. Hopefully we’ll see more varied environments and characters in the full release, but for now the majority of the color in the world comes from the flashes of red, blue, and green as you carve your way through each early-game zone with a variety of weapons and special abilities.

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Combat is, for the most part, some solid fun – as one would hope since it’s where 90% of Outriders’ gameplay lies. It follows the satisfying (if familiar) formula from other co-op heavy looter-shooters and adds a gory dash of time-bending elemental superpowers for good measure. Gunfights – whether playing solo or with friends – are frenzied affairs that leave battlefields literally coated in blood, and there’s something morbidly hilarious about seeing a whole-ass ribcage rolling through a skirmish like a bony tumbleweed.

In more or less standard fashion, the four classes all boast strengths, weaknesses, and skill sets that will be familiar to anyone with some experience in classed-based action games – though where other squad shooters typically have a variety of roles for players to fill (healer, support, etc), Outriders is very clearly focused on the DPS side of things, at least based on the abilities available in the demo. Yes, the four classes each “fill a role” on the team, but aside from the Devastator’s Golem ability (which effectively just turns on “tank mode”) they’re all in service of how quickly you can reduce your opposition to a sticky red paste. That uniformity may be a turn-off for anybody who really loves to play The Healer or Buffy McBufferson, but it also allows those who opt not to team up with others to feel safe playing as any of the four classes. And there’s a very real possibility that they’ll become much more different as they level up in the full game – there was an entire skill tree that the demo barely scratches the surface of.

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I spent a decent amount of time exploring on my own as both the tank-ey Devastator and the far squishier Trickster, and found that the combat was balanced as well for one person as it is for a group – the only notable difference being that while I was playing with friends there were a lot more enemies to deal with in each encounter to scale up the challenge. The roster of enemies present in the demo is fairly limited, featuring run-of-the-mill riflemen to melee-focused berserkers and the occasional superpowered miniboss – but they provided enough tactical variety to demand some quick thinking and strategy, especially in larger groups. Aside from some floaty movement and a frustrating lack of clearly climbable (or, perhaps more importantly, non-climbable) objects, I’ve had a grand time-bending earth or using teleportation and stasis powers to chunkify hordes of nameless baddies, and there was something sadistically gratifying in seeing just how ruthlessly one set of powers could crush, incinerate, or straight-up disintegrate enemies when paired with a teammate’s if I was playing with a group.

Thus far, what I’ve played of Outriders might not revolutionize the looter-shooter formula, but it’s a solid take on it and has a good variety of upgrades and perks that mesh well with the chaotic pace of combat and promise some really interesting builds for late-game characters. While the weapons are a fairly standard array of assault rifles, shotguns, and sniper rifles – with some notable inclusions like the “double gun” or more powerful Legendary-tier weapons – the inventory metagame gets more interesting as you collect rarer gear. While “Unusual” (I don’t know why they can’t just call them “uncommon” like everybody else) items have simple passive buffs like additional crit damage or armor piercing, Rare (or better) items often have special perks that can either enhance your class-based abilities or even provide new ones, like generating a protective shield with every hit.

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Similar to other loot grinds, it appears you can either sell or disassemble items to purchase or craft better gear, though the crafting system was offline in the demo. I’m glad that progress from the demo will transfer to the final game when it launches on April 1, though, because I’ve found a winning set: a rifle with the aforementioned shield ability and a preposterously powerful auto-shotgun that restores health with each kill. I hope I can upgrade these bad boys as I reach higher levels and world tiers (which increase both enemy difficulty and loot quality as you level up) in the full game.

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Outriders’ demo highlights a lot of what it has going for it – fun combat, both for fire teams or solo players (though it’s definitely more fun with friends so far), intriguing sci-fi plot hooks with a lot of potential, and a unique take on how co-op shooters can adopt elements of more traditional RPGs. That said, it also shows some spots where the apocalyptic space shooter is starting to stumble. Replayability is a big part of whether a not a co-op RPG shooter remains enjoyable, and while combat in Outriders is a bloody good time, I found myself yawning through my third and fourth runs of its several sample missions. Similarly, while I really enjoy some of the concepts introduced in the story, what I’ve seen so far is on a tightrope between being the first game to crack the “shared-world shooter with a good story” puzzle or another instance of mashing “skip cutscene” as fast as possible – and nothing takes you out of a story faster than buggy cutscenes.

What I don’t think the Outriders demo has done yet is really sell me on it in the long-term, and while that’s very hard to do in a few hours it’s also crucial in determining whether a game like this is worth becoming invested in. I’m definitely interested to see more of its world and unlock more nifty pseudo-magic, but I’d venture a guess that 70% of my playclock in similarly structured games takes place well after the credits have rolled, and this demo provides little to no insight on what to expect from Outriders’ endgame. Its developers have detailed a fairly robust endgame plan, but whether or not it has the staying power of other service-adjacent co-op shooters – or if that’s even the team’s goal – remains to be seen. Hopefully, it’ll keep up the fast pace of its action and decently fun, pulpy story – because I really want to level up that auto-shotgun.

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This demo hasn’t been quite substantial enough that I’m willing to put a temporary score on Outriders yet, but I am having a good time with it and am looking forward to playing more for the full review. Look for that sometime on or around the release date of April 1.

State of Decay 2 Devs Apologize and Explain Confusing 'Nazi Punching' Trait

Tensions over a confusing in-game character trait’s effects have left at least one State of Decay 2 fan feeling burned by developer Undead Labs, who has now issued an apology and clarification, PC Gamer reports.

Steam Marines developer James Seow had been innocuously tweeting about their experience playing State of Decay 2 for the past month, until they discovered one of their characters possessed the “punched nazis” trait. The gist of the trait is that the character is quick to resolve conflicts with physical violence, particularly when arguments arise from strongly held convictions.

Materially, the trait just adds a damage bonus and makes your character more irritable to others and was flagged as a negative trait.

As Undead Labs refined State of Decay 2 post-release, that trait became less and less nuanced. All arguments between characters had ended up being categorized under one umbrella, making any strongly held belief, no matter how ideologically different, penalized the same.

Noticing this, Seow tweeted at both the Undead Labs and State of Decay 2 Twitter accounts asking why the game had “Nazi shit” in it. Seow was soon blocked by both Undead Labs' and the State of Decay 2 Twitter accounts.

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Undead Labs tweeted Thursday that the blocking of Seow was the result of auto-blocking software that was inflamed by negative comments regarding Black History Month.

Undead Labs continued by saying the “punched nazis” trait was created long before State of Decay 2’s 2018 release date and was never intended to be a negative trait.

“One designer actually told us firsthand stories about punching Nazis in the underground music scene,” Undead Labs tweeted. “We loved it and boom, the trait was born. It was designed as an overall positive trait with a skill bonus — it grants four stars of Fighting experience, and also made the character more likely to argue passionately for their beliefs. We figured someone punching Nazis in a mosh pit is going to have some strong feelings.”

State of Decay 2’s morale system, which came later in development, altered the readout of the trait’s text to highlight the damage bonus as a positive and the propensity for arguments as an exclusively negative.

“So today, this trait has a positive skill bonus (white text) and red text in the UI due to the likelihood of arguing,” Undead Labs tweeted. “It’s been that way for years and we never realized how confusing that looks until tonight. It’s not common, we have over 1300 traits.”

Undead Labs concluded by saying their next hotfix will address the issue by making the trait only have the positive damage bonus and remove the “irritable towards other people” sub-trait.

“We think it's better overall for no one to think of it as a negative trait ever again,” Undead Labs replied to one Twitter user.

IGN has reached out to Seow for comment, but Seow says on Twitter that Undead Labs reached out to them via a private message.

“[I] woulda accepted the design explanation and ‘we'll fix this’ eight days ago, sounds very corporate damage control to me now,” Seow tweeted. “Glad it only took a week of me and other people yelling.”

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/shambler for IGN.

Mortal Kombat Trailer Breaks Record Previously Held by Deadpool 2 and Logan

Last week's red band trailer for the upcoming Mortal Kombat reboot has set a new record. The viewership of Mortal Kombat's gore-filled trailer has grown to 116 million, as reported by Deadline. This total surpasses the four-day mark of previous red band trailer viewership record holder Deadpool 2, which broke the record of fellow X-Men series entry Logan. Both of those movies had very successful theatrical runs, ending their domestic grosses at $324 million and $226 million respectively, and helped establish the idea that an R-rated superhero movie could be an out-and-out blockbuster. Although box office totals are currently less telling of a film's success with many theaters closed, the immense popularity of Mortal Kombat's trailer bodes well for the film's release in April. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/18/mortal-kombat-movie-official-red-band-trailer"] The film's official Twitter account celebrated the new record by posting a video compilation featuring Mortal Kombat fans reacting to the trailer. The trailer gave viewers a first look at how various characters from the series would look in the film, climaxing with a showdown between Sub-Zero and Scorpion. It also showcased some decidedly R-rated violence, giving fans a taste at how the movie will honor the series' long tradition of brutal fatalities. Mortal Kombat was created by Midway in 1992. The series quickly spawned two film adaptations with Mortal Kombat in 1995 and its sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation in 1997. Mortal Kombat 11, the latest entry in the video game series, was released in 2019 and was named IGN's best fighting game of the year. For more about the upcoming movie, take a look at a who's who of the cast to get familiar with the actors taking on these iconic characters. Mortal Kombat will debut in theaters and on HBO Max (for 31 days) on April 16. [poilib element="accentDivider"] J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.

Reacting to the Pokemon Presentation and Bravely Default II - NVC 549

Welcome to Nintendo Voice Chat! Just a week after the Nintendo Direct, The Pokemon Company announced Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Diamond and Pearl remakes in a presentation of their own. Join Casey DeFreitas, Rebekah Valentine, Miranda Sanchez, Seth Macy, and Mitchell Saltzman as they react to these and the other games shown off in Friday's presentation. Plus, the panel discusses Bravely Default II and Curse of the Dead Gods, which are now available on Nintendo Switch. Finally, hear your listener questions answered on another round of Question Block.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 An Announcement! 00:00:30 Pokemon with Miranda Sanchez! 00:25:10 Bravely Default 2 Review Discussion 00:41:00 More News! Monster Hunter Rise, Pyra/Mythra presentation 00:47:00 What we’re playing: Curse of the Dead Gods 00:53:00 What we’re playing: Ghosts ‘n Goblins: Resurrection + more 01:01:00 Question Block!

NVC is available on your preferred platform!

You can also Download NVC 549 Directly Here

You can listen to NVC on your preferred platform every Thursday at 3pm PT/6pm ET. Have a question for Question Block? Write to us at nvc@ign.com and we may pick your question! Also, make sure to join the Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast Forums on Facebook. We're all pretty active there and often pull Question Block questions and comments straight from the community.

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Hood: Outlaws and Legends Shows Off Its Take on Robin Hood

Hood: Legends and Outlaws has shown off its Ranger class – its take on Robin Hood – exclusively with IGN. In a gameplay overview during IGN Fan Fest, game director Andrew Willans introduced the Ranger, who specialises in fighting at distance, and in stealth. Aside from offering huge-damage headshots, the Ranger's bow can dislodge climbing ropes for party members, they come with a flash bomb item, and the class is the only one who can tag enemies for the rest of the team. The Ranger's Ultimate is Farsight, a sticky, explosive incendiary arrow – but they can only evade melee attacks, rather than block them. Check out the video below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/hood-outlaws-and-legends-ranger-exclusive-trailer-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Hood: Outlaws and Legends is set to be released for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC on May 10. We recently spoke to Willans about exactly how the game will work across a full round, and came away thinking it sounded like a co-op Ocean's Eleven Merry Men simulator. There's much more to come from IGN Fan Fest - make sure to check out our full Fan Fest schedule for everything we've got for you, from Zack Snyder's Justice League to Deathloop. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Deathloop Brings Back Powers From Dishonored

During the IGN Fan Fest Deathloop panel, developer Arkane revealed multiple interesting new details about the mechanics that drive its upcoming time loop assassination game. Among those fresh facts is the news that it will feature returning powers from the Dishonored series, as well as bone charm-style modifications for both weapons and your character. Deathloop's Game Director, Dinga Bakaba, explained that some powers players will have used in Dishonored will appear in Deathloop. “As much as we wanted to do something very original with this game, we also wanted some familiarity,” he explained. “We decided to bring back quite a few of the powers that we have in the Dishonored series,” he continued. “I think it’s something that will make players feel right at home. And then there are a few twists and modifications. I think that’s a good view of the main player tools.” Watch the exclusive new trailer below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/deathloop-explained-exclusive-game-trailer-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Bakaba stopped short of revealing exactly what those powers are, but we can already see in the gameplay trailer that protagonist Colt is able to use a teleport ability similar to Dishonored’s Blink. Hopefully there will be some fun twists on other Dishonored skills; something like Emily’s Domino ability would certainly come in handy. Also akin to Dishonored, you’ll find items around the world that can modify both your weapons and your own physical self. “Trinkets are small pieces of metal imbued with the power of the anomaly that is causing the time loop,” Bakaba explained. “By equipping those trinkets, you can change the properties of your weapons. On top of that, you can also use some Trinkets to actually mod yourself, so being able to jump higher, run faster, regenerate some health when you assassinate someone, things like that.” Trinkets provide passive upgrades, then, much like Dishonored’s bone charms. But if you need a more significant upgrade, then you’ll need to hunt down a Slab. “Slabs allow the user to do various things,” Bakaba said. “So for instance, Alexis, one of the targets, has a Slab called Kinesis that allows him to throw people around, forward, backward, upward, sideways, et cetera. So he will actually use that to throw his own allies at you. I’ve even seen him throw Juliana at me once. And of course, you can get that power out of him and use it.” Since Slabs provide very powerful abilities, they are among the world’s rarest items. “There’s not even one Slab per Visionary,” said Bakaba, referring to the eight main targets of Deathloop. “Most of the Visionaries have their own Slabs, and the only way to get those Slabs is to defeat one of those Visionaries and take it with you.” Check out the full IGN Fan Fest panel below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/an-inside-look-at-bethesdas-deathloop-ign-fan-fest-2021"] These powers will help you solve Deathloop’s overarching puzzle: how to kill all eight of the Visionaries in one day. Doing so will break the time loop. However, your targets are located around different parts of the island, with two in each of its four districts. You can approach each target individually, but you will run out of time and the loop will reset. The secret is finding out how to bring targets together, at different times of the day, so that multiple Visionaries can be taken out in one assault. Importantly, there is only one way to kill all the targets in time. “In order to line them up there is only one solution, so really the game is a gigantic puzzle that you have to solve and in order to complete that puzzle,” said Bakaba. “There is one way to break the time loop.” While there is a golden solution to ensuring all the targets are in place, the way you kill those targets is entirely up to you. “There are some ways that we open for you, like opportunities in the sense of maybe using the environment, or learning about some dangerous things that are in their levels, or making [the target] weaker in different ways,” Bakaba said. “So there are some things that we kind of prepare for you, but overall, yes, you can get at the target in the way you want.” This is, of course, similar to Dishonored, which offers some suggested methods of execution, but ultimately leaves the approach in your hands. The time it takes to solve that puzzle varies on how long it takes you to discover the individual parts of its solution, as well as how much exploration and experimentation you want to do, but Bakaba suggested a “focussed” playthrough, sticking to the main path of the game, will be “comparable to our former games” in length. For more Deathloop, check out our interview with Arkane about its PS5 features and time loop gameplay, and what comes in each edition of the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

New Pokemon Snap Gameplay Reveals New Features

Gameplay of New Pokemon Snap has revealed new features, including tools, photo editing, and more. Shown during today's Pokemon Presents broadcast, the gameplay showed off the game's photo editing mode, which will allow you to alter, decorate and share your snaps. Photos can  rated by other players online, and even featured by the developers. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/new-pokemon-snap-official-gameplay-trailer"] AI scoring for shots was shown to be rated on Pose, Size, Direction, Placement, Other Pokemon, and Background, awarding both a points score and a star rating. Photos will seemingly also be used to fill a Pokemon Photodex. There are also new tools in the shape of Illumina Orbs, items that can make Pokemon glow, and change their elemental effects – presumably for higher photo scores. We also see fruits being thrown, and melodies being played to elicit new gestures from Pokemon. The story of the game isn't totally clear, but we see the mythical Pokemon Celebi swoop by at the end of the new trailer. New Pokemon Snap will be released on April 30. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

IGN Fan Fest: Everything Announced and Revealed So Far

IGN Fan Fest is a two-day long celebration featuring panels with exclusive interviews with cast from upcoming TV shows, exclusive new looks at gameplay from unreleased games, and sneak peeks at some of the biggest movies coming this year. To keep you looped in on all the latest, here's a round-up of all of the biggest announcements and reveals from the show.

New Shadow and Bone Trailer Revealed

IGN debuted a new trailer for the upcoming fantasy series from Netflix, Shadow and Bone, during an exclusive cast Q&A. Based on the Grisha book trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone will follow a young soldier who uncovers a mystical power that may bring some peace to a war-torn world. If you’re looking forward to the upcoming Netflix series, make sure to also check out the cast’s breakdown of the new Shadow and Bone trailer. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/netflixs-shadow-and-bone-official-teaser-trailer-ign-fan-fest-2021"]

Open-World Pokemon Spin-Off, Pokemon Legends: Arceus Announced for 2022

Game Freak has announced Pokemon Legends: Arceus, an open-world action-RPG Pokemon game set in the feudal past of the Sinnoh region (the location of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl). It will arrive in Early 2022 for Pokemon Switch. Announced during today's Pokemon Presents broadcast, gameplay showed a game world reminiscent of Breath of the Wild, covered in wild Pokemon to catch, and seemingly using some action mechanics for play. The aim is to create Sinnoh's first Pokedex, and includes exploration, Pokemon capture, and a version of the series' traditional turn-based battles. Check out a gameplay trailer below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/pokmon-legends-arceus-official-trailer"] The game aims to "break new ground" for the Pokemon series, and features Rowlet, Cyndaquil, or Oshawott as partner Pokemon. The game will centre around the mythical Pokemon Arceus, but no further story details were given. The player will travel out from the central Sinnoh Village to different areas of the region, using traditional Pokeballs to capture monsters. Ratehr than traditional capturing, however, the official website says you'll need to "observe them to learn their behavior, then carefully sneak up, aim your Poké Ball, and let fly!" It's not the only new Pokemon game set in Sinnoh - remakes of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl will be released in late 2021. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Remakes Revealed

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have been revealed. The games are 3D remakes of Pokemon's 2006 Nintendo DS entries, and are coming for Nintendo Switch. Announced during today's Pokemon Presents broadcast, these chibi-style remakes of Pokemon's generation 4 are planned for release in late 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-official-trailer"] Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are intended as "faithful remakes" of the original Diamond and Pearl. But instead of being made by the usual studio, Game Freak, they're being made by ILCA inc, which has also worked on games like Pokemon Home, and was a support studio for Nier Automata and Yakuza 0. The games will be directed by original Diamond and Pearl director Junichi Masuda, as well as ILCA's Yuichi Ueda. The remakes have been rumoured for some time. We awarded Pokemon Diamond and Pearl an 8.5/10 review back in 2006, saying that, "as long as you're comfortable with playing 'more of the same,' which -- let's be honest here -- is more of a really excellent and strategically deep handheld experience, then it's thumbs up for the DS version [of Pokemon]." Meanwhile, Game Freak is working on Pokemon Legends Arceus, a game also taking place in the Sinnoh region of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, but many years in the past in a period stylized like feudal Japan.

Where to Preorder New Pokemon Snap

Fans have been asking for it for over 20 years, and it's finally happening: New Pokemon Snap is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch April 30, 2021 (see it at Amazon). A fresh take on the 1999 Nintendo 64 original, New Pokemon Snap promises to take players to areas like deserts, beaches, and jungles that are filled with Pokemon. Your job is to observe and snap photos of these creatures in their natural habitats, filling out your Pokemon Photodex in the process. You can preorder the game now from a variety of retailers. Read on for the details.

Preorder New Pokemon Snap

new-pokemon-snap-2 Since there are no special editions or preorder bonuses for New Pokemon Snap (at least that they've announced so far) these links are all you need to secure a copy of the game.

Other Preorder Guides

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Pokemon Presents 2021: Everything Announced

In celebration of Pokemon's 25th anniversary, The Pokemon Company has announced some incredible news, including New Pokemon Snap. Here is each and every announcement!

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Remakes Announced

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-official-trailer"] Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will be released for Nintendo Switch in late 2021. These are remakes of Ninendo DS' Pokemon Diamond and Pearl from 2006.

Open-World Pokemon Legends: Arceus Announced for Early 2022

Taking place in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl's Sinnoh Region from long ago, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is an open world take on Pokemon.

New Pokemon Snap Gets a New Gameplay Trailer

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/new-pokemon-snap-official-gameplay-trailer"] New Pokemon Snap, which will be released on Nintendo Switch on April 30, 2021, got a new gameplay trailer. Developing...

IGN UK Podcast #581: BlizzCon and State of Play Post-Mortems

Cardy, Matt and Joe are here to break down all things Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 from last weekend's BlizzCon event. Matt's also had a chance to go hands-on with the upcoming Watch Dogs: Legion online mode so lets us know whether we should be excited or not for that. Plus, at the very end Dale is substituted in for Joe as we briefly discuss what we enjoyed from last night's PlayStation State of Play stream. We also have a fantastic, nail-biting Endless Search game this week alongside some non-food related feedback for a change. Remember, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, please do: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.

IGN UK Podcast #581: BlizzCon and State of Play Post-Mortems

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Batman and Harley Quinn Are Returning to Fortnite

Batman is returning to the world of Fortnite, and he's bringing Catwoman and Harley Quinn along for the ride. This latest collaboration between DC and Epic Games is dubbed Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point. But while this isn't the Dark Knight's first dalliance with Fortnite, this crossover is unique in that it's primarily driven by a comic book tie-in. Naturally, there will also be new Batman-themed costumes and items coming to the game. [caption id="attachment_2479303" align="aligncenter" width="3818"]Harley Quinn's DC Rebirth costume is the first of several new items and skins being added to Fortnite. (Image Credit: Epic Games) Harley Quinn's DC Rebirth costume is the first of several new items and skins being added to Fortnite. (Image Credit: Epic Games)[/caption] Zero Point is a six-issue limited series scripted by Christos Gage (Spider-Geddon), based on a concept and story consultation from Epic's Chief Creative Officer Donald Mustard. The series features art from Reilly Brown, Christian Duce, Nelson DeCastro and John Kalisz. Zero Point brings the Dark Knight and other DC icons like Catwoman and Harley Quinn crashing into the Fortnite universe, with Batman struggling to remember who he is and where he came from and solve the mystery of the Zero Point. The series will be in-canon with the Fortnite universe and add new layers to the game's mythology. DC's press release teases, "As [Batman] fights to recall his past and escape an endless loop of chaos and struggle, he’ll come face-to-face with the likes of Renegade Raider, Fishstick, Bandolier, and more. While the world's greatest detective strives to make sense of this strange new world, he’ll uncover the shocking truth about the Island, what lies beyond the Loop, and how everything is connected to the mysterious Zero Point." Each issue of Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point will be released day-and-date in print and digital formats, but Fortnite fans will have special incentive to buy the print versions. Each print issue will include a DLC code for a Batman-themed item or costume to use in Fortnite, with the first being a DC Rebirth Harley Quinn costume. Collecting all six codes will allow players to unlock an exclusive "Armored Batman Zero" skin. So yes, you can finally be Batman again in Fortnite, but that privilege requires a certain level of commitment. Alternatively, Zero Point will also be free to read for subscribers of the DC Universe Infinite service, along with the DLC codes. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=batmanfortnite-zero-point-1-preview&captions=true"] “When DC first approached me about doing a Batman/Fortnite series I thought it would be a lot of fun,” said Gage in DC's press release. ”After speaking with Donald [Mustard] and discovering just how deeply we'd be diving into the secrets behind the world of Fortnite, I was amazed! This series will reveal things about Fortnite that have never been seen or heard before yet are very much part of the canon of the game.” “I’m also looking forward to integrating other DC Super Heroes into the series, characters that Batman has existing relations with,” Gage continued. “It’ll be exciting to share with fans how these relationships will be reshaped in this new world. The art by Reilly, Christian, Nelson, and John is stunning, and my prediction is that this series will blow everybody’s mind, whether you’re a fan of DC, Batman or Fortnite.” Each issue of Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point is priced at $4.99 for the standard cover and $5.99 for the cardstock variant cover. The series will debut on Tuesday, April 20, with new issues shipping twice-monthly until the finale on July 6. Batman isn't the only DC hero putting in an appearance in Fortnite this year. Epic recently added a Flash skin modeled after the Arrowverse TV series. The game is also bringing in Ellen Ripley and the Alien Xenomorph. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/fortnite-ripley-and-alien-xenomorph-trailer"] Previously in 2020, Epic collaborated with Marvel Comics to bring Thor, Wolverine and other playable Marvel heroes into Fortnite: Season 2, Chapter 4. That crossover also had a comic book tie-in in Fortnite X Marvel: Nexus War - Thor #1, though that issue was framed a standalone prelude to the in-game content. Funnily enough, this shared Fortnite connection is the closest thing to a Marvel/DC crossover we've seen in almost 20 years. The two publishers haven't collaborated on a crossover together since 2003's JLA/Avengers, though the final issue of DC's Watchmen sequel Doomsday Clock offers some hope that'll change one day. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

PlayStation Plus Games for March 2021 Announced

Sony has revealed that the PS4 version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Maquette, Farpoint VR, and Remnant: From the Ashes are the PlayStation Plus games for March 2021. Announced on the PlayStation Blog, all four games will be available free to PS Plus subscribers from March 2. The blog confirms that the PS Plus version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake will not offer a free upgrade to Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on PS5. We awarded Final Fantasy 7 Remake an 8/10 review, saying that it "delivered on letting me relive (part of) a classic in stupendous fashion, while also standing as a great RPG all its own." While this PS4 version won't upgrade to the shiny new version later this year, it is of course compatible with PS5. Maquette is a PS5 recursive puzzler from Graceful Decay and Annapurna Interactive, and will make its debut on PS Plus. The game stars Bryce Dallas Howard and Seth Gabel playing romantic couple Kenzie and Michael, who are characters that will guide players through the game but won't be "explicitly seen on screen." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/06/final-fantasy-7-remake-review"] Remnant: From the Ashes is a Dark Souls-inspired shooter that we awarded an 8/10 review, calling it "a co-op action-RPG that's punishing and grotesque, but exciting and beautiful all at the same time." Farpoint VR earned itself a 7.5/10 review, as we said, "fantastic gunplay and freedom of movement sets PSVR's Farpoint apart from most VR shooting galleries." You have until March 1 to claim February's free PS Plus games, Destruction AllStars, Control: Ultimate Edition, and Concrete Genie. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade: Square Enix Clarifies Yuffie Episode Is PS5 Exclusive

Square Enix has clarified that Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade's Yuffie Episode can't be played as a standalone and will be exclusive to the PS5. An FAQ page was uploaded after Intergrade's reveal during the most recent Sony State of Play broadcast. The Yuffie Episode was announced alongside Intergrade, but is a separate piece of DLC – but Square Enix has made clear that it won't be coming to PS4. The FAQ says that, "the new Yuffie Episode is optimized for PlayStation 5, so it is not available on PlayStation 4." This means that the only way to access the Yuffie Episode is to buy Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on PS5 or, if you own a PlayStation 4 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake and a PlayStation 5, upgrade your version of the game – but you will still need to purchase the Yuffie Episode separately if you upgrade. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/25/final-fantasy-7-remake-intergrade-reveal-trailer"] Square Enix also explains that, even though you can purchase it separately as part of the upgrade process on PS5, Yuffie Episode can't be played as a standalone game without the rest of the package. "The new episode featuring Yuffie can only be played by either purchasing Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on PlayStation 5, or by purchasing it separately after completing the free PlayStation 5 enhancement upgrade," the FAQ reads. Alongside Intergrade, Square Enix also announced a Final Fantasy VII Battle Royale game called Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier. as well as a mobile remake of Final Fantasy 7 and its spin-offs, called Ever Crisis. It's also looking likely that Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be coming to PS Plus – but it will be the PS4 version, and seemingly won;t be upgradeable to Intergrade. Intergrade comes to PS5 with improved textures, fog effects, lighting, and faster load times, as well as a new photo mode and support for the DualSense controller's haptic feedback. It will be playable in either Performance Mode, which runs at 60 FPS, or Graphics Mode, which prioritizes 4K resolution. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Could Be Coming to PS Plus in March, But Won't Be Upgradeable to PS5 Version

The PS4 version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake seems to be coming to PS Plus next March, at least in Japan – but it won't upgrade freely to the new PS5 version. As pointed out by Twitter user aibo, the Japanese PS Store listing for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade includes small print that indicates the original PS4 game will be added to PS Plus on March 1. However, roughly translated, that listing adds that, "The PlayStation®4 version "FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE" obtained as a free play by subscribing to PlayStation®Plus cannot be upgraded to the PlayStation®5 version." It's worth pointing out that Japanese PS Plus games can differ from those in other territories. We've contacted Sony for comment. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/25/final-fantasy-7-remake-intergrade-reveal-trailer"] Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade was announced at yesterday's PlayStation State of Play event, and does offer free upgrades (with save game transfer) to those who bought Final Fantasy 7 Remake on PS4. It seems that privilege won't extend to those who claim a PS Plus version. Intergrade is an expanded edition of FF7 Remake, featuring performance and graphics modes, improved textures, fog effects, lighting, and faster load times, as well as a new photo mode and support for the DualSense controller's haptic feedback. It also offers a bonus episode featuring Yuffie, which is available only in the PS5 version of the game. Developing...

PlayStation 5 Internal Storage Upgrades Will Reportedly Be Enabled This Summer

Players will be able to upgrade their PlayStation 5 internal storage following an update in the summer, according to a Bloomberg report. Sources close to the planning process told Bloomberg that a firmware patch will arrive later this year, and will let players upgrade the internal storage on the console with compatible M.2 SSD drives. The console launched with the upgradable expansion slot, but it's been unusable – the patch will finally activate it, allowing owners to improve upon the 667 GB of storage available from the PS5's internal SSD, crucially letting them store more than a few PS5 games on the system at one time. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/25/state-of-play-live-stream-playstation"] The console's storage can already be expanded via an external drive connected by USB, but it will only be able to play and store PS4 games. At present, native PS5 games have to be played on the console's internal storage, but this reported patch will at least let players have more internal space for PS5 games. Bloomberg's report says that the update will also unlock "higher cooling-fan speeds" to support custom drives and mitigate overheating. This reported patch will be important given the ballooning storage real-estate taken up by modern games. Earlier this week, Activision said that 500 GB PS4 owners may "need to make room" if they wish to have the fully updated versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone installed. In other PlayStation 5 news, Sony hosted a State of Play this week that revealed new games such as Sufi and Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Monster Hunter Rise Is Coming to PC in 2022

Nintendo Switch title Monster Hunter Rise will eventually come to PC, according to producer Ryozo Tsujimoto. While the latest title in the Monster Hunter series will launch on Switch on March 26, Tsujimoto told IGN Japan in an interview that PC players can expect to get their hands on the game sometime in early 2022.

“We received a lot of requests for a PC version of Monster Hunter Rise, particularly from overseas players, and so we have decided to develop a version for PC, which we aim to release in early 2022,” said Tsujimoto. “This is still under development, so I’d like to share more detailed information when the time is right.”

No other details of the PC version were available.

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While Monster Hunter has long been a killer franchise in Japan, 2018’s Monster Hunter: World and its Iceborne expansion brought the series to global success, with World selling over 16.8 million units worldwide, and a further 7.2 million sales for Iceborne. It’s encouraging to hear that Capcom is listening to series fans around the world when it considers platforms for new entries such as Rise.

Monster Hunter Rise has been specifically designed with the Switch’s capabilities in mind – for example, Tsujimoto said in the interview that during development “we considered the characteristics of the Nintendo Switch, which can be used as a handheld, and with that in mind we focused on hunting at a higher tempo than before.”

It is not clear how such aspects will translate to a PC version. But Rise’s emphasis on action results in tightened core mechanics that should be fun to play regardless of platform, and the game has been made even more welcoming to new players than the already accessible Monster Hunter World.

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For example, in addition to the feline Palico buddies from previous games, Rise introduces Palamutes, canine creatures that assist the player in battle and that can even be ridden like a horse, making exploration much faster and more dynamic. “We especially wanted to have the fun of traveling around on the Palamute available in multiplayer,” said Tsujimoto. “Getting the necessary performance out of the [Switch] hardware required some adjustments, but we were able to achieve it eventually through continued development.”

While the Switch hardware does come with technical limitations, Rise is a beautiful game with stunning art direction and a complex ecosystem that allows monsters to interact organically with one another. It is notably the first Monster Hunter on a handheld system to feature seamless maps with no loading between areas, a challenge that the development team worked hard to pull off. So there should be no reason to worry that a PC version would be held back by the game’s Switch origins.

Capcom has had success with previous ports to more powerful hardware, such as when 2011’s Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate received a gorgeous HD update for Wii U in 2012. So perhaps a PC version of Rise could receive a similar makeover.

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For more on Monster Hunter Rise, take a tour of Kamura Village in the video above, with brand new surprising details about its facilities, like the Gathering Hub, Canteen, and Training Area!  Also, check out our Monster Hunter Rise preview of the game overall.

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Ryuichi Kataoka is a freelance writer for IGN Japan. Daniel Robson is Chief Editor at IGN Japan.

 

Valheim: How to Use the Ymir Flesh

Just found Haldor the Merchant but have no clue what to do with the somewhat mysterious Ymir Flesh? Let IGN guide you through everything you need to know about using the Ymir Flesh in Valheim.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Outriders: Demo Tips and Guide

See what's in the Outriders demo, what to expect, and tips for surviving your new life on Enoch.

7 New Halo Infinite Shows Off Zeta Halo, Day and Night Cycle

343 Industries has shared seven new Halo Infinite screenshots showcasing the new Halo ring and a day and night cycle.

Ripley and the Alien Xenomorph Join Fortnite

The Alien franchise has invaded Fortnite, as both Ripley and the Xenomorph are now available for purchase. Announced by The Fortnite Team, Ripley arrives with her Nostromo Crew Outfit variant and the Weyland-Yutani Cat Carrier, which comes complete with Jonesy the Cat. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/fortnite-ripley-and-alien-xenomorph-trailer"] The Xenomorph comes equipped with not only the Xenomorph Tail Back Bling, but also the Xeno Menace built-in Emote. The Space Gear Bundle is another purchasable addition from the Alien universe, and includes the P-500 Power Loader Arm Pickaxe, the Cheyenne Dropship Glider, and a new emote that's "bursting on the scene." fortnite-ellen-ripley-and-xenomorph-1920x1080-7d7533e147be Ripley and the Xenomorph follow both Fortnite's addition of Street Fighter's Chun-Li and Ryu and the crossover with Tron. This news also arrives a few days after Epic Games announced that any player who purchased its loot boxes called Loot Llamas in the Fortnite: Save the World mode will receive 1,000 V-Bucks for free following a class-action settlement. For more on Fortnite, check out where you can find every Surface Hub so you can scan every server, and other crossovers including the Flash, The Terminator, and Sarah Connor. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Xbox Live Is Down and Users Can't Sign In

Xbox has announced that its Xbox Live services are currently down after players began reporting issues with signing in. The official Xbox Support Twitter account confirmed the outage. According to the Xbox Status page, several services are currently down, with no cause or estimated time of repair announced. Things like Account and profiles, the Xbox Live Store and subscriptions, multiplayer and cloud gaming are all currently offline according to Xbox. The official Xbox Support team says it's working to fix these issues but until that services like Xbox Live, multiplayer, and xCloud are all down for the moment. It's unclear what the cause of the outage is, but it's severe enough to knock out all of Xbox's major services. IGN will update this story as it develops, but for the time being, anyone looking to play multiplayer or cloud games on Xbox will have to wait. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is News Editor at IGN.

Fortnite: Where to Scan a Server at a Surface Hub

The end of Fortnite Chapter 2, Season 5 is rapidly approaching. Once March 15 hits, fans will no longer be able to finish the current battle pass. Because of this, players are scrambling to complete as many quests as possible. Some of the quests are trickier to complete than others. The Sleuth’s “Scan a Server at a Surface Hub” quest doesn’t require a ton of skill, but it can be a little confusing if you don’t know where to go or what you’re looking for. That’s where we come in!

Where to Scan a Server at a Surface Hub in Fortnite

The tricky part of this quest is present in the name. “Surface Hubs”. One would assume that these hubs were located somewhere on the surface of the map. In actuality, they all can be found in secret bunkers underground. There are three surface hub locations:
  • Hunter’s Haven
  • Colossal Coliseum
  • Stealthy Stronghold
All you have to do is head to one of these places and make your way underground. Even better news? You only need to scan one server to complete the quest. Fortnite Surface Hub locations map

Hunter’s Haven Surface Hub Location

Head to the South West side of Hunter’s Haven; you’ll be looking for the building with only one door. Enter and descend the stairs. Once you hit the bottom, head towards the stairs going up. The hub can be seen in a little area right above your location. Run up and scan away. Fortnite hunters Haven surface hub server

Colossal Coliseum’s Surface Hub Location

As soon as you land, make your way to the bottom, Southside of the Coliseum. There will be stairs heading underground – you may have to break a few gates first. Once you hit the bottom, head towards the stairs leading up to a small room. Two servers will be waiting inside but you can only scan one of them. Fortnite Coliseum server surface hub

Stealthy Stronghold’s Surface Hub Location

Stealthy Stronghold’s surface hub is located on the South East side of the map. You’ll want to find the ruins seen below. As soon as you enter, turn to the left and drop down the hole leading to the steps. Once you hit the bottom, look around for a small room. Head inside to scan the server. Fornite Stealthy Stronghold surface hub server

Fortnite Week 13 Challenges

Fortnite Chapter 2, Season 5 is almost over so you'll want to make sure to get on this week's quests if you want to hit level 100 and unlock that sweet “Baby Yoda” back bling. Here are this week’s quests:
  • Scan a server at a Surface Hub
  • Throw three fruit at Hunter’s Haven
  • Deal 300 damage opponents at Hunter’s Haven, The Orchard, and Retail Row
  • Deal 300 pistol damage
  • Bathe in the purple pool at Steamy Stacks
  • Enter the Zero Point
  • Destroy five Crystal Trees
[poilib element="accentDivider"]  Kenneth Seward Jr. is a freelance writer, editor, and illustrator who covers games, movies, and more. Follow him @kennyufg and on Twitch.

How Returnal Takes Advantage of PS5’s New Features

Returnal is debuting in April as a PS5 exclusive, the first game Resogun developer has made for the new system. And while it’s still early days for the console’s life, the developers are hoping to take full advantage of the Sony system’s newest features. Speaking to IGN ahead of today’s State of Play, members of Housemarque spoke to how Returnal will employ the Dualsense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/24/returnal-atropos-trailer"] For the latter, players will be able to press with different amounts of force to use both the standard firing options and alt-fires for some of Returnal’s weapons, and if the alt-fire isn’t ready to be deployed, the haptics in the controller will offer additional feedback to let players know. The haptics will also be used to help accentuate Returnal’s storytelling, which includes certain scenes that shift the player’s perspective from third-person to first-person, as they explore a mysteriously normal house that pops up on this alien world. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=returnal-game-awards-trailer-screenshots&captions=true"] “It really provides this added immersion to the experience, where you can feel it as [Selene] picks up the photo, and then she reaches for the door handle,” Narrative Director Gregory Louden said as an example of what to expect. Housemarque has of course previously noted that Returnal will offer fast load times, and haptic feedback that will let players "feel the natural ambience of this alien planet as the controller mimics its environmental effects." For more on the upcoming PS5 exclusive, be sure to check out our Returnal hands-off preview. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Returnal Is a PS5 Exclusive Roguelike with Plenty of Promise

PlayStation console launch windows and new Housemarque games have been synonymous for a couple of generations now, and will continue to be so with the developer’s Returnal, exclusively coming to PS5 on April 30. But moreso than past launch games like Super Stardust HD and Resogun, as well as other modern arcade classics like Nex Machina, Returnal looks to be the studio’s most ambitious entry yet. And while we’re still waiting to get our hands on Returnal, an extended look at a gameplay demo – along with time spent speaking to some of the Housemarque team – makes it clear that this roguelike third-person shooter is an evolution for the studio. Returnal is imbued with the arcadey spirit that has made so many Housemarque games great, but also pushes the studio forward with ambitious production values, a deeper investment in story than ever before, and next-gen features to bring Returnal’s alien planet to life.

Arcade Is Dead… But Not Entirely

As a longtime fan of Housemarque’s games, I was quite disheartened when the studio announced in 2017 that it would be moving on from its arcade bonafides because, despite critical acclaim, the studio’s games just weren’t selling as well as they’d hoped. One free-to-play shooter experiment aside, Housemarque returns with what feels like very much a blend of the studio’s arcade roots, married with the grander shooter work done on the unreleased Stormdivers. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/returnal-atropos-trailer"] That marriage of the new and old is immediately clear in Returnal’s behind-the-back, third-person shooter gameplay, which, as evidenced by past trailers and my most recent look, has all the promise of past Housemarque hits like Resogun and Nex Machina. Playing as astronaut Selen crash landing on an alien planet, Returnal quickly throws players into the gauntlet of this dangerous new world. Action looks fast, frenetic, and engrossing, as the more cinematic third-person camera puts the player’s perspective more directly into the midst of battles. Enemies can take on all matters of shape and form, from tentacled nightmares to overtly Alien-inspired designs, and they can swarm the player on land and by air quite easily if you’re not smartly controlling the crowd. But I don’t want to speculate on how its gunplay will feel too much just yet, since I haven’t gotten a chance to go hands-on with Returnal,. Everything I’ve played from the studio before gives me confidence in what’s to come, though, and the gameplay certainly looks like it’s capturing that intense, thrilling flair that has been a hallmark of Housemarque’s past work, including some epic boss battles like the first one I saw that will certainly test how well a handle you have on the gameplay so far. Instead, what interests me most is Returnal’s focus on roguelike elements, a core gameplay design that’s more in depth than any randomization we’ve seen from the studio before, while also simultaneously being the most story-focused game they’ve made yet. And while the design of a rougelike may be new for Housemarque, their design has always been about imbuing experiences with replayability. “Returnal, just like many of our other games, is designed fundamentally for replayability,” Game Director Harry Krueger said. “So anything that is only fun once should only be experienced once. In practice, that means that we've adopted a somewhat hybrid approach to our procedural generation. So we have a series of different areas, such as treasure rooms, combat spaces, narrative spaces. And these of course, are handcrafted, to allow those flourishes of quality to really be dialed in, to let the narrative beats appear consistently, to let the mood and the audio and all of those elements just consistently appear, no matter what the configuration of the world is. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=returnal-game-awards-trailer-screenshots&captions=true"] “However, the configuration of those rooms, the order they appear in, the numbers they appear in, and whether some will appear at all, is dictated by the random generation. Even after you do familiarize yourself with some of these spaces, you will find yourself in very unfamiliar situations in them.” He pointed to the example of a treasure room, which I saw in my hands-off demo, that could have a different configuration of rewards, or traps, with different types and numbers of enemies or victorious spoils appearing in each go. Given that Returnal is a roguelike, though, and its DNA is wrapped up in the live-die-repeat ethos of the genre, it can often be just as important to make sure the new aspects of each run are as engrossing as what carries over throughout the entire experience. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/returnal-combat-trailer"]

The Connective Thread

While Housemarque is definitely keeping some of those specifics secret to let players discover them, Krueger did speak to some of the mechanical elements that remain permanent throughout Returnal. “In the beginning, you will have a fairly limited move set. You will be teased by a lot of seemingly inaccessible areas and obstacles that you cannot overcome. But then as you reach these milestones of progress, for example, when you defeat a boss or you reach a new discovery through exploration, you will gain permanent unlocks, either as abilities or items, that will allow you to reach previously inaccessible areas, and also give you strategic advantages, both in traversal and in combat,” he explained. Krueger also noted that this will translate to the world of Atropos as well, so opening a key bridge in one run will ensure that it is open in future runs, too. He emphasized that because Returnal is meant to encourage exploration quite heavily, players should find permanent progress in this capacity. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-game-delay-announced-in-2021&captions=true"] “You're opening more shortcuts and more traversal possibilities for our exploration-heavy world. And that allows each player to define their own pace and their own style. So you want to just go straight to the boss again, be my guest. But you can also feel free to have that pressure valve, where you can just explore, power-up your character and give yourself more of a fighting chance as well,” he said. One of those areas that will see progress, as Krueger alluded to, is Returnal’s story. As glimpsed in some previous trailers and shown at length in my demo, Returnal makes time for its story by shifting the player’s perspective to Selene’s in first-person. Those quick flashes of a more terrestrial home in previous looks are no accident - as Selene’s journey continues, players will intermittently stumble upon an earthly home, her home, amidst the ominous expanse of Atropos. “[The shift to first person] was about providing that intimacy,” Narrative Director Gregory Louden said. “The best way to see things is to be in someone's shoes. It's to be in the space suit, within there, and looking at these objects. It also obviously allows a closer camera You should look around the house for clues and remnants of the story for you to uncover. On first look, they may seem inconspicuous, but they have much larger ramifications once you know the full story.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/returnal-gameplay-reveal-trailer"] While I of course only saw glimpses of that story play out in the demo, as a fan of the work Hades did in the roguelike genre of really bringing story to the forefront, it seems like Selene’s journey is a key component of Returnal’s adventure. And that extends beyond just these house sequences - as the game progresses, Selene will begin to discover her own corpse with audio logs that help to fill in more gaps in the story. And players can progressively learn more of the alien language present on Atropos to discover more about the world. “Our main goal has been for it to be mysterious and haunting, not in a sense of horror, but haunting in a sense that it's a story you can replay in your mind and you can rethink,” Louden said. “And when you see an image the second time, you re-contextualize, and you understand. “It's a roguelike, it's a game about repetition, and it's a game about discovery...Great stories are about loops, and it's about a character coming back to the start and re-contextualizing, learning from, growing from information they didn't have at the start and evolving.” While I’ve only seen a bit of Returnal’s loop, it’s clear Housemarque is ready to learn and grow from its own loops, pushing its ethos for action-packed gameplay with replayable hooks to evolve with new ideas and a deeper interest in story than ever before. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Nexon's Medieval Fantasy Brawler Warhaven Shutting Down 6 Months After Launching in Early Access

Nexon's medieval fantasy brawler Warhaven is shutting down on April 5, 2024, just six months after it launched on Steam in Early Access...