Thursday, January 27, 2022

Pokemon Legends: Arceus Is Out Soon, and $5 Off

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set to release exclusively for Nintendo Switch on January 28. It's been getting high praise from critics (our review will be up very soon). It's an open-world take on the franchise that's set long ago in the Sinnoh region. You can preorder the game now (it's even $5 off at Amazon. Also available at Amazon UK).

Developed by Game Freak, Pokemon Legends: Arceus brings players back in time before the Sinnoh region was built out into what it is in the Diamond and Pearl games. Your job is to explore a vast open world while researching wild Pokemon in order to complete the first Pokedex of the area.

Preorder Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Unlike oh so many games these days, there's only one edition of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and this is it. It's worth noting that you can get a li'l preorder bonus for buying it from Amazon. See below for the details.

Preorder Bonus

While there are no universal preorder bonuses, if you preorder from Amazon, you'll get an exclusive in-game Garchomp Kimono Set.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus Trailers

What is Pokemon Legends: Arceus?

It's an open-world Pokemon. As you explore, you can try to sneak up on Pokemon and throw a Poke Ball to try to catch them. If you need to weaken them before they'll be catchable, you can toss a Poke Ball containing one of your Pokemon at them and a standard turn-based battle will begin. And because this game takes place in the past, the Poke Balls you use are made of wood, and steam shoots out when you successfully ensnare a creature.

The starter Pokemon for the game are Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott, whom you receive from a professor who's picked them up while traveling through various regions. On your adventure, you'll uncover the truth behind a storied Pokemon called Arceus, who supposedly "shaped all there is in this world." Sounds heavy.

Other Preorder Guides

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert at IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.

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Here's What Horizon Forbidden West Looks Like on PS4 Pro

As Horizon Forbidden West goes gold, developer Guerrilla Games has revealed short clips of the game running on PS4 Pro. While it's hard to judge performance from such a small sample size, the signs are encouraging.

On the PS Blog, Guerrilla's Angie Smets acknowledged that all previous footage had been from the PS5 version of the game, and revealed 3 clips of the game running on last-gen hardware. You can one of those clips in the tweet below:

The clips show three separate parts of the game: Aloy walking through the Utaru tribe's Plainsong settlement, a fight against Clamberjaws in a woodland, and a separate fight against Bristlebacks featuring Aloy using multiple pieces of equipment.

Even amid Twitter and gif compression, the game appears to scale down impressively for PS4 Pro. However, Sony hasn't gone into detail on what the missing or downgraded graphical elements will be, and hasn't shown the game on a base model PS, so it remains to be seen exactly how impressive the cross-generation efforts have been.

Having gone gold, we'll be seeing the game arrive on February 18. We recently played four hours, saying that it's "shaping up to be a fulfillment of all the promises made by its predecessor."

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.

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Uncharted Devs Seem to Want to Make Another Sequel: 'It's a World We Want to See More Of'

Uncharted creative director Shaun Escayg has hinted that developers at Naughty Dog would like to make another sequel in the blockbuster series, saying that it's a "world we want to see more of."

As part of an interview with GamesRadar, Escayg offered fans a slight hope that perhaps there could be more to come from the Uncharted franchise when speaking about his thoughts on the topic.

"I think we can say for certain that we can never say never. Yeah. Uncharted is a franchise we love – that the studio loves. I love, and [Uncharted: The Lost Legacy director Kurt Margenau] loves. It's a world we want to see more of. So I can certainly say that," explained Escayg.

While the creative director didn't share any studio secrets, and certainly didn't confirm that a new Uncharted game is on its way, his comments will have left Uncharted fans hoping that there's a chance the series could make a return beyond remasters.

Recent reports indicated that Days Gone studio Sony Bend had at one point been working on a new Uncharted project, and rumours had circulated for some time before that about a new entry in the series. Whether those rumoured projects have continued remains unknown.

Past Uncharted games continue to arrive in new forms, however – Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, which includes remasters of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, is due out for release on PS5 tomorrow, January 2, with a PC version to follow.

The game includes a variety of graphical updates including a Fidelity mode, which allows fans to play the game on a 4k display at a 30 FPS target, a heightened framerate patch that allows PS4 versions of the game to target 60FPS, and a Performance+ mode, which targets 120 FPS at a 108p resolution. To see how the game performs against those targets, make sure to check out our recently released performance review for the game.

While Legacy of Thieves may be the next Uncharted remaster to release it isn't the only Nathan Drake-themed content in the pipeline. Next month will see the theatrical release of Sony's Uncharted: The Movie, starring Tom Holland (Nathan Drake) and Mark Wahlberg (Victor Sullivan).

For more from Uncharted, make sure to check out this article revealing the secrets behind the series' best chase sequence.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

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Xbox Changing How It Handles Renewals for Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in the UK

Xbox is changing how it handles automatic renewals for both Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold subscriptions in the UK, after the government got involved. It's not clear if those changes will be made in other regions.

The changes by Microsoft were revealed as part of a report (spotted by Eurogamer) following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the video game sector that highlighted a number of concerns about Microsoft's online gaming services.

According to the CMA, the concerns related to Microsoft were particularly focused on the company's auto-renewal processes and revolved around several key factors - whether or not the company was clear upfront that its subscription contracts would renew, how easy it was to cancel or turn off automatic renewal, and whether people may not have realised that they were still paying for the service long after they'd stopped using it.

As per the report, the CMA has stated that Microsoft has undertaken a number of voluntary arrangements to improve its Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold auto-renewal services, which include the following changes:

  • Better upfront information: Microsoft will provide more transparent, upfront information to help customers understand their Xbox membership – making clear, for example, that the subscription will auto-renew unless the customer turns off auto-renewal; when the subscription will auto-renew; how much it will cost; and how the customer can receive a refund after an accidental renewal
  • Refunds: Microsoft will contact existing customers on recurring 12-month contracts and give them the option to end their contract and claim a pro-rata refund
  • Inactive memberships: Microsoft will also contact existing customers who haven’t used their memberships for a long time but are still paying. These customers will be reminded how to stop payments, and if they continue not to use their memberships, Microsoft will ultimately stop taking further payments
  • Better information about price increases: Microsoft will give clearer notifications of any future price rises, and will ensure people know how to turn off auto-renewal if they don’t want to pay the higher price

Following the action from Microsoft, Executive Director of Enforcement at the CMA Michael Grenfell issued a statement detailing the need for companies to act in a similar fashion. "Gamers need to be given clear and timely information to make informed choices when signing up for auto-renewing memberships and subscriptions," explained Grenfell.

"We are therefore pleased that Microsoft has given the CMA these formal undertakings to improve the fairness of their practices and protect consumers, and will be offering refunds to certain customers. Other companies offering memberships and subscriptions that auto-renew should take note, and review their practices to ensure they comply with consumer protection law."

It's not clear if Microsoft will bring those changes to other markets, or if this will remain an approach specifically for the UK. We've contacted the company for comment.

For more recent news surrounding Xbox Game Pass, make sure to check out this piece detailing everything that's being made available on the service across this month.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

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Star Wars 1313: New Footage of the Canceled Game Shows Boba Fett in Action

New footage has been released from the canceled Star Wars: 1313 project that shows off Boba Fett in action. It's another tantalising glimpse at a much-anticipated game that never came to be.

The gameplay, which was uploaded to YouTube by Battlefront 3 archive channel The Vault in celebration of the game history project's sixth anniversary, shows off two clips depicting Boba Fett in action.

The first, and shorter of the two segments, shows off Fett walking through the crowded alleyways and bars of Coruscant before the action quickly cuts away to the second sequence, which instead depicts the bounty hunter as he attempts to track down a target across an array of rooftops.

The gameplay detailed in the second clip shows off a far more action-packed sequence than the first and gives fans a further glimpse at what could have been for the promising 1313. While the clip contains a number of missing textures and a lack of polish, the action sequence depicted in the clip delivers similar vibes to the likes of Uncharted, as Boba can be seen swinging, sliding, and climbing across various obstacles in a bid to catch his target.

Star Wars 1313 was originally revealed at E3 2012 as a third-person action-adventure game starring an unnamed bounty hunter that players would control to stalk targets throughout the capital of the Republic. However, it later transpired that the hunter would be killed off by Fett early in the game and that fans would instead play through 1313's narrative controlling Boba as he completed missions throughout Level 1313 - a corrupt metropolis controlled by crime families in the underworld of Coruscant.

As per a report from IGN at the time, the game was meant to take place between the prequel trilogy of films and the original trilogy, with Fett's character and armour developing throughout the narrative as he slowly became the iconic bounty hunter that fans know and love today. However, in 2013, development on the game was ceased after Disney purchased the Star Wars franchise and shut down LucasArts.

Despite the promise of 1313, it seems unlikely that fans will ever get to see the game come to light. In 2015, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy suggested that there might have been a ray of hope for the project, though since then it appears that the game has been well and truly left behind.

While 1313 may never truly see the light of day, there is some good news for Star Wars fans as EA recently announced that it is currently working on making three new Star Wars games, all of which are being overseen in one form or another by developer Respawn Entertainment. Across the three projects, fans can expect to see a sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, as well as a brand new Star Wars FPS, and a strategy game.

For more from Star Wars 1313, make sure to check out this piece showing off a range of concept art and story details for the since scrapped game.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

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Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Elden Ring: Here's What Comes in Each Edition

Elden Ring is set to release for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on February 25, 2022 (see it at Amazon). Anyone who buys the PS4 or Xbox One version will get a free next-gen upgrade as well, which is always nice to see. Elden Ring is the next game from the makers of tough-but-satisfying action RPGs like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. You can check out our Elden Ring hands-on preview for full details about the gameplay.

The game comes in a standard edition as well as a cool-looking collector's edition, and it's available for preorder now. Read on to see what comes in each edition and where you can lock in your Elden Ring preorder.

Preorder Elden Ring

PS5

PS4 (includes free PS5 upgrade)

Xbox One / Series X

Here's where you can preorder the standard edition of Elden Ring.

Preorder Elden Ring in the UK

Elden Ring Digital Deluxe Edition

The digital deluxe edition of Elden Ring comes with a digital artbook and digital soundtrack.

Elden Ring Collector's Edition - SOLD OUT

PS5

PS4

Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One

Preorder the collector's edition of Elden Ring, and you'll receive the game itself along with the following items:

  • Statue of Malenia - Blade of Miquella (9 inches)
  • Exclusive steelbook
  • 40-page hardcover artbook
  • Digital soundtrack

Elden Ring Preorder Bonus

Preorder Elden Ring, and you'll receive a digital adventure guide, as well as a "bonus gesture." Additionally, Best Buy offers the following preorder bonus.

  • Best Buy preorder bonus - Free steelbook case
  • GameStop preorder bonus - Free steed whistle replica

Elden Ring Has a Free Next-Gen Upgrade

Anyone who buys Elden Ring for PS4 will be able to upgrade to the PS5 version for free. The same goes for Xbox: buy it for Xbox One, and you'll get a free upgrade to the Xbox Series X or Series S version. That's something of a relief, as many games don't offer a free upgrade path, and many PS5/Series X|S games cost $69.99 instead of $59.99.

What is Elden Ring?

Elden Ring is an action-RPG that represents a confluence of fandoms. On one hand, you have From Software's Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of the exceptional, brooding games mentioned above. On the other, you have George R.R. Martin, the mind that brought you Game of Thrones, helping build out the story.

As for the game itself, it's an action RPG that doesn't look like it will stray far from the gameplay popularized in the Dark Souls franchise. You can expect super-precise combat controls and towering bosses to take down. These games are certainly challenging, but if you keep trying, you'll likely learn the enemies' moves and improve your skills enough to succeed.

As for the story? From Software's games have never been very forthcoming with their stories, even within the games themselves. Bandai Namco released an Elden Ring plot summary, but it doesn't help all that much, either. As far as I can tell, a bunch of demigods each have a piece of the powerful Elden Ring. Your job is to relieve them of these pieces in order to put the ring back together.

Other Preorder Guides

Chris Reed is IGN's shopping and commerce editor. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.

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Kao the Kangaroo (2022) Announced

Kao the Kangaroo, the mascot platformer first seen two decades ago on the Sega Dreamcast and Game Boy Advance, is returning for a reboot on all major platforms (PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X) this summer. Watch the announcement trailer above and click through a half-dozen new screenshots in the gallery below.

Punchy kangaroo Kao will again navigate colorful worlds clad in boxing gloves that can be imbued with various abilities. Coin-collecting is a must, of course, and the developers at Tate Multimedia also promise challenging combat along with "unique boss battles." Naturally, it's a family-friendly game that Tate says will have an engaging story.

Check out IGN's review of the Sega Dreamcast version of Kao the Kangaroo from 2001, and our review of the GBA version from 2002.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

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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...