5 best and 5 worst announcements from SDCC 2019

San Diego Comic Con, or SDCC, runs every year in July and it’s a burning festival of nerdery. Every year we wait for announcements, and every year there’s a cornucopian cavalcade of news.

This year was no exception, we had some extreme highs and amazing new things to gawk at, as well as the usual amount of ‘eh…really?’.

Here’s the five best announcements from SDCC 2019, as well as the five worst. 

Worst: Edward Furlong Returns

Edward Furlong has long disappeared from our screens, but it appears he will be back in this years’ Terminator: Dark Fate. Surprising probably everyone, the trailer for Dark Fate’s pretty good, but do we really need an aged Furlong back?

Best: So many Marvel films

Black Widow! Eternals! Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings! Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness! WandaVision! What If…?! Loki! Hawkeye! The Falcon and Winter Soldier!

Worst: So many Marvel films

In the year 5,000,000,000 the Sun has expanded to a million times its original size. The Earth’s atmosphere has boiled away and not a single speck of life exists on this one bounteous planet. The last act of a dying race before we fade into the fires of eternity is to hold a press conference where we announce: ‘Ant-Man 52,832 coming to cinemas soon as part of Phase 882’.

Best: Blade’s Back, Baby

Blade’s one of the best super, or anti, heroes. Long forgotten in the current MCU not only is it an amazing announcement, the peerless Mahershala Ali will be starring as the daywalker.

Worst: The Walking Dead Shambles On

Another year, another season of The Walking Dead. Is this series 14? 78? 929? Who knows anymore. Will this series ever die? All signs point to, unfortunately, no.

Best: Young Justice Season 4

One of the best animated series of all times was rudely cancelled before being rescued last year for a third season. Not only has it been a great series, we’re getting another one. Here’s to Young Justice S4, long may it reign.

Worst: Snowpiercer TV Series looks the Same as the Film

We’re not saying the Snowpiercer TV series looks bad per se. It just looks extraneous. Appearing to cover the same plot beats as the film, and with a strange impression of Tilda Swinton, we’re just not sure why this even exists.

Best: Thor: Love and Thunder

Taika Waititi made the best Thor film, which also might be the best MCU film. Now he’s back and he’s doing Thor again, this time adapting the critically acclaimed comic arc that saw Jane Foster take on the mantle of Thor. We can’t wait.

Worst: There’s even more Walking Dead

We’re sorry that the Walking Dead gets a double entry here but that’s because there’s simply so much Walking Dead. Fear the Walking Dead has received another season, and AMC’s un-named spinoff is also coming. Who wants this. Who’s clamouring for more Walking Dead. Show yourselves, cowards.

Best: Star Trek: Picard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhBBXHwEsIo

Ah Picard. You bald wonder. The Star Trek: Picard trailer was an absolute joy from beginning to end, and has ignited fires across the world of excitement about more Star Trek. Nodding to loads of Star Trek that’s gone before whilst actually pushing the story forward, we can’t wait.

Those are our picks of the best – and worst – of this year’s SDCC. What did you love, and what did you not-so-love? Let us know in the comments below, or over on our Community forum.

Top ten most ridiculous moments in Wolfenstein

Wolfenstein: Youngblood is on the cusp of release, meaning for the first time a fully co-op adventure in the Wolfenstein series will be unleashed on the world. A direct sequel to 2017’s The New Colossus, Youngblood will see you take on the roles of B.J. Blazkowicz’ daughters as they try to rescue him from the evil Nazis.

No doubt it’ll be an absolute romp, filled with the trademark actioni, stealth, and craziness that the Wolfenstein series has become known for. We thought it was the perfect time to look back over the series at some of the most ridiculous moments in Wolfenstein history.

Spoilers: Below here you’ll find spoilers for, well, all the Wolfenstein games..

Castle Smurfenstein

The original Wolfenstein game was a pretty straitlaced top-down action stealth game. But that wasn’t enough for the budding series’ fans. Castle Smurfenstein is one of the very first art replacement mods, which saw all the Nazis replaced with smurfs. 

The Time Skip

The first Wolfenstein game in years kicked off with a time skip of 14 years. This let The New Order show the world that it wasn’t afraid to mix things up in a major way.

Wolfenstein RPG Existing at all

A Wolfenstein RPG? On mobile? Yep, it’s real, and it’s fairly good. Playing like a Nazi-filled dungeon crawler, its very existence is a testament to the nuttiness of the late 2000s/

Eating Dog Food

We know escaping from Castle Wolfenstein must make you desperate, but in Wolfenstein 3D it made B.J. Blazkowicz so desperate he stooped to eating dog food. Poor Bill.

Incontinent Hitler

In 2017’s The New Colossus, Hitler turns up in a state of advanced age and extreme incontinence. Seeing an aged person be confused and urinating freely would normally be a moment for sympathy but it’s Hitler. Good.

Undead Everywhere

Return to Castle Wolfenstein saw zombies and spirits take to the battlefield, all to be mown down by the guns of our friend B.J., of course.

Magic Powers Medallion

Remember when B.J. had magic powers thanks to a medallion? MachineGames do, as 2009’s underwhelming Wolfenstein reboot is still canon. Facing off against the Nazis, of course, B.J. finds a medallion that imbues him with all kinds of magical powers. Just wish he’d kept hold of it. But it’s ok, because before long he got the…

Da’at Yichud Power Suit

In The New Order B.J. teams up with a scholar who knows of the ancient Jewish sect, the Da’at Yichud. Impossibly ancient and impossibly advanced, they created wonders at the beginning of time. B.J. eventually gets his hands on their Power Suit, a suit that gives him, well, powers. And a snazzy hat.

B.J.’s Head

Speaking of hats, B.J. wouldn’t need one anymore after The New Colossus, as he loses his head quite literally after an execution. But it’s ok because his friends grabbed it before it hit the floor and stuck it on a new body. Isn’t that nice for him.

Mecha-Hitler

Wolfenstein 3D ends with one of the most famous boss fights of all time, Mecha-Hitler. It’s Hitler in a mech suit. He has twin chainguns and a racist brain, and it’s up to you to put him down for good. Needless to say, you do, and the world is better for it.

Those are our picks for the most ridiculous moments in the Wolfenstein games, remember you can pick up Wolfenstein: Youngblood on the Green Man Gaming store, and join in the conversation over on the Green Man Gaming community.

Ancestors: The Human Kind Odyssey – Everything You Need to Know

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey tells the tale of our beginnings as a species. Set in the distant past, before any recorded history, you’ll take on the mantle of our forebears as you struggle to survive on this harsh planet.

Will you be ready to take on the challenge of survival, or will your fledgling species fall to the inexorable march of time? The first step towards survival is knowledge, and we’ve got all the info you need to make sure you’re ready.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey Release Date

Developed by Panache Digital Games and published by Private Division, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey will be the first game from Assassin’s Creed creator Patrice Désilets since Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.

Initially announced at Develop Reboot in Dubrovnik in 2015, the game has seen several changes. Originally an episodic title, the game will now be a single release after support from the newly founded publishing team at Private Division. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is set for an August 27th 2019 release on PC, with Xbox One and PlayStation 4 releases coming later in the year.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey Gameplay

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a third person survival game set in a tumultuous period of time over ten million years ago. Taking control of a proto-ape, it’s up to the player to Explore the world, Expand the ape clan’s influence, and Evolve over time into the homo-sapiens we know and love today. It is these three Es that set out the players’ path through Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey.

Set in prehistoric Africa, the player will explore the land for opportunities, threats, and to fuel survival itself. A beautiful world awaits, but one that’s beset by dangers. You don’t have to go alone though, your clan is key to survival. Expand their influence and their territory by controlling different apes and forming bonds. Make your own little empire of the past, right there at the dawn of time.

The game itself is set over a period of eight million years, seeing your apes evolve from proto-hominids to something more recognisable as human. Decisions you make whilst playing will determine the path of that evolution, and the traits your descendants will carry with them. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is shaping up to be an expansive adventure across time and prehistory. Will you take the first steps on the road to civilisation, or will you falter before humanity has even ventured out of the trees? The only way to know is to grab a copy of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey from Green Man Gaming.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey Trailers

Trailers showing off the game’s approach to exploring and expanding have been released over the last year, with game footage and the developers talking about the key facets of the game. Here’s the Explore trailer:

With the Expanded trailer being released shortly after:

In addition, a more recent announcement trailer has been released, giving a more holistic view of the game:

To find out more you can visit the games official website or head over to the Green Man Gaming Store page.

10 Obscure Spider-Man Villains we want to see on the Big Screen

Spider-Man: Far From Home is the second surprisingly successful collaboration between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures. Out in cinemas now, it’s set in a post-Endgame world where Peter Parker has to take on new threats in a world forever changed.

So far in this new series we’ve seen Spider-Man fight enemies such as the Vulture and Mysterio, and of course previous entries in Spider-Man films saw villains like the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Venom, and more take their moments on the silver stage.

But there’s a huge amount of villains out there for good ol’ Spidey to thwack, so here’s 10 obscure Spider-Man villains we want to see on the big screen.

Typeface

Bringing together the two most fearsome things in the universe, crime and fonts, Typeface is a mastermind who tests Spider-Man to his limits. Armed mainly with a large R on his head for ‘Retribution’, Typeface would be great to see on screen, how on earth would they make him threatening?

Hammerhead

Starting out his crime career as a hitman, Joseph went on to suffer a pretty series head injury. Thankfully in the Marvel universe, crazy doctors are two a penny. Inserting an unbending steel alloy into his skull Hammerhead gained his name, due to his newly distended bonce. Since then he’s taken to smashing it into people, for fun and profit.

The Spot

The Spot’s powers are hole related. He makes holes. He manipulates holes. If you want a hole, The Spot is your guy. If Spider-Man needs punching from a variety of portals or you need to get into a vault, The Spot is the first person to call. The MCU has a history of portal related chicanery, maybe it’s time to add a master of holes to the mix.

Big Man

Big Man, out of costume, was anything but. Diminutive of stature and weak of body, he disguised his appearance with a mask, a big coat and…platform shoes. Yep, the reason he’s the Big Man? Big Shoes. Move over Superman, it’s not glasses that hide your identity, it’s some giant clogs. Honestly we just want to see this ridiculous villain on the silver screen, please.

Shathra

An interdimensional insectoid associated with the spider wasp, her goal was to feed Spider-Man to her children. Masquerading as a lady named ‘Sharon’, she went undercover with…Fox News. Eventually meeting her end due to a swarm of spiders, she’d make a perfect villain for current film-Spidey.

Stilt-Man

Stilt-Man has stilts. They make him big and strong. But the most important thing is that he goes by ‘Stilt-Man’. I don’t care how tough you are, how devious, how fiendish. When your name is Stilt-Man I am not going to be scared of you. Which is why he should definitely be put in the films, as a first-act easily destroyed enemy for Spidey.

Spider-Mugger

A mugger who wears a Spider-Man mask, making this the most meta of villains. Has Spider-Man gone rogue, or is this just a problem you have when your mask is a ubiquitous purchase for children to play with? The latter, obviously.

Big Wheel

Similar to many villains, Big Wheel is named because he drives a big wheel. Equipped with an array of guns and robot arms, this rolling menace is perfect for a cinematic universe already beset by circular vehicular foes.

Black Fox

Not all villains are bent on destruction, some like the Black Fox are just after a few dollars in their pockets. A master thief, the Black Fox is also somewhat violence-averse, probably why he’s managed to reach such an advanced age. With Spider-Man having a soft spot for older men, due to the whole Uncle Ben incident, he’d be a great foil for the film.

Crime-Master

Crime-Master fits the MCU perfectly, because he’s just a man. A man who knows about crime. A master of crime, if you will. Maybe even a Crime-Master. He just wants to take over, to subsume organised crime elements under his crimey wing. With the MCU often being a bit more realistic and Spider-Man stories often being a little more down to earth, Crime-Master could be a perfect bad guy for him to tackle.

What obscure Spider-Man villain do you want to see on the big screen? Hit us up in the comments below or join us in the community forums, that is if you’re not too busy watching Spider-Man: Far From Home, of course.

Doom Eternal – Everything You Need To Know

Doom Eternal follows up on 2016’s explosive and brutal Doom with more everything. More action, more weapons, more abilities, and more destruction. Launching later this year, you’ll need to have your wits and a huge amount of weapons around you in order to survive.

Thankfully we’re here to share with you the latest information about Doom Eternal, so check below to make sure you’re ready for hell on Earth.

Doom Eternal Release Date and Development

Initially announced during E3 2018 to a raucous reception, Doom Eternal is being developed by id Software and will be published by Bethesda Softworks. Doom Eternal is the first game to be developed using the id Tech 7 engine, which promises to offer ten times the graphical fidelity of id Tech 6.

Doom Eternal has been announced for a November 22, 2019 release date, for Windows PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

Doom Eternal Gameplay

Players familiar with 2016’s Doom will be right at home with Doom Eternal, the same extreme mobility run-and-gun action is back, but this time there’s a few twists on the formula. The focus on Doom’s unique ‘push-forward’ approach to combat is back with the player rewarded for aggression and mobility with powerups, health, or ammo. You’ll also be seeing some familiar faces on Earth, with some classic enemies from the Doom series making their return, in particular the Arch-vile, Pain Elemental, and Arachnotron. Extra lives will be making their first appearance in the Doom series, found around levels they can allow you to continue the carnage without reloading.

Mobility is seeing a revamp in Doom Eternal. The Super Shotgun has now been upgraded with a grappling hook, for use on enemies or the scenery. In addition, poles and lifts are scattered throughout the game’s levels, allowing access to more areas.

Multiplayer, though not the focus of the original game, has also received an upgrade. An asymmetric multiplayer mode called ‘Invasion’ will be present, allowing players to invade other players games, similar to the PvP mode from the Dark Souls series. Traditional multiplayer modes will be making a return, more of which can be seen in the multiplayer trailer from E3 2019.

Doom Eternal Trailers

The initial teaser released during E3 2018 showed off a little of the carnage awaiting the Doom Slayer on Earth.

The first gameplay trailer was released later in 2018 at QuakeCon, where we finally got to see the Doom Slayer in action.

During E3 2019 two further trailers were released. The first showing off the new multiplayer mode added to the game.

With the second E3 2019 trailer giving a little more insight into the story of Doom Eternal.

Now you should have all the information you need to be ready for Hell to be unleashed upon Earth. Grab your shotgun, grab your green armour, and grab Doom Eternal at a great pre-purchase price right here at Green Man Gaming. Are you excited for this next chapter in the Doom series? Let us know in the comments.

Top 10 Retro 80’s Inspired Games

Stranger Things has unleashed its third season on Netflix, weaving together a cornucopia of 1980s influences, it’s a slice of nostalgia served in episodic form.

But it’s not just television that looks to the 1980s for inspiration. Games also look back to that decade, hitting you up with 80s themes, a deluge of scanlines, and monochrome inputs.

Here’s 10 great games that take the decade of the 1980s for inspiration.

Double Dragon: Neon

What’s more 1980s than two burly men with insanely cropped hair, punching the crap out of a cavalcade of enemies? Well,  two burly men with insanely cropped hair, punching the crap out of a cavalcade of enemies with added neon, of course.

Transformers: Devastation

Based on Generation 1 of Transformers, Transformers: Devastation looks exactly like those Saturday morning cartoons you used to sit cross legged on the floor to watch. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a Platinum game too, so you know it has the absolute tightest of controls.

198X

Arcades were everything in the 1980s, so an arcade inspired coming-of-age story is exactly what any 1980s fan needs. Set across 5 chapters, 198X is a look back at a time when going to the arcade meant discovering new worlds, new games, and learning more about yourself.

Beat Cop

Inspired by 1980s cop shows, Beat Cop takes you back to the grimy streets of New York. With a non-linear story packed full of dirty cops, dirty streets, and dirty language, Beat Cop lets you live your best mustachioed mullet wearing cop life.

Retro City Rampage

Taking inspiration from, well, almost everything, Retro City Rampage is an 8-bit open world reference-a-thon with guns, violence, and heaps of style. Part of the joy of Retro City Rampage isn’t just the game itself, though it is a great game, it’s seeing just how much you remember of that hallowed decade.

Hotline Miami

Hotline Miami is the pinnacle of 1980s inspired gaming. Taking the decade for setting and inspiration, but putting a modern twist on everything, it’s a gory violence filled exquisite romp of revenge and murder. Even after completing the game you’ll be listening to the thumping soundtrack for months afterwards.

Stories Untold

An anthology horror game set over four episodes, Stories Untold never better and never more 1980s than in its first chapter. The House Abandon sees you playing a text adventure game on an ancient computer in an empty house. Something stalks the character in the text adventure, and soon you begin to wonder…is something stalking you as well?

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

The 1980s were a silly time, of muscles and secret Russian bases and Arnie doing one-liners everywhere. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon takes all that ridiculousness, ramps it up, and then layers it over the Far Cry formula. If that doesn’t sound like your jam, then I don’t know what to say to you.

Shovel Knight

Precision platforming is back in a big way, and one of the biggest names is Shovel Knight. Taking inspiration of the bastard-hard games released for the NES in the 80s, Shovel Knight is an homage and an evolution of those themes and ideas. All the 8-bit beauty wouldn’t do it any good if it weren’t a wonderful game though, and thankfully, it is.

Generation Zero

You’re a teenager, you’re returning home after a camping trip, but something’s gone wrong. Killer machines have descended on your home of Sweden in the 1980s and everyone you knew is missing. That’s the setup to Generation Zero, a first person survival adventure set during the Cold War, and if there’s a more tantalising setup out there, we’ve yet to find it.

Those are our picks for 10 great games with 1980s retro vibes, what’s your favourite game that pays homage to the 80s? Let us know in the comments, after you’re finished binging Stranger Things, of course.

The Outer Worlds – Everything You Need To Know

The Outer Worlds is the next sprawling single-player RPG from masters-of-their-craft Obsidian. Renowned for densely layered worlds filled with quests and adventure, we’re sure that The Outer Worlds will satisfy roleplayers looking for their next meaty roleplaying game.

The edge of colony space is a wild place, and you’ll need every scrap of initiative and knowledge to survive and thrive in the distant reaches of space. Here’s everything you need to know.

The Outer Worlds Release Date and Development

Originally announced during 2017 with hints about its development dropped in May of 2016, The Outer Worlds is being developed by veteran game developers Obsidian, in association with Take-Two Interactive. Published by Take-Two Interactive’s publishing wing, the Private Division, the game’s development and publishing deals were finalised prior to Obsidian’s acquisition by Microsoft. The Outer Worlds is set for an October 25th, 2019 release on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

The Outer Worlds Trailers

The initial announcement trailer showed off the game and the universe that players will be exploring, along with referencing the bona-fides of the development team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGLTgt0EEqc

That isn’t all the Outer Worlds has for you in the way of trailers though, a further trailer dropped during E3 2019, with a deeper look at the irreverent adventure through space.

The Outer Worlds Gameplay

The Outer Worlds is a single-player story driven roleplaying game set in the outer reaches of known space, on the frontier between the unknown and the nascent Halcyon Colony. In true Obsidian tradition, the way the game’s story and plot unfolds will be largely up to the player. Your decisions and choices, for your character, for your interactions, for the world, all alter the outcome of the game. Companion stories and the world itself are malleable, all relying on the specific choices you make throughout playing The Outer Worlds.

A brand new feature in The Outer Worlds is the concept of flaws. The player character has a selection of flaws to choose from, each enhancing the roleplaying and approach you’ll take when playing. Flaws open up interesting new choices and character development options, and make your character truly yours.

You don’t have to go it alone out there, companions allow you to select and recruit your very own crew. Each with unique abilities, missions, and plot points, you’ll find your story becoming more expansive and full of interesting decisions when you have a full roster of adventurers to call on. Will you help them reach their goals, or twist them to serve your own? Even your companions tie into your choices. Now you’ve checked out the details, you should be ready to jet into space and take on the threats affecting Halcyon, and the deep conspiracy at the heart of this troubled area.

The Outer Worlds is starting its adventure on the 25th of October, 2019. For more details you can visit the official website, or check it out on the Green Man Gaming store.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood – Everything You Need To Know

Wolfenstein: Youngblood is the next chapter in the long-running Wolfenstein series. Taking us to the 1980s for the first time, and introducing co-op to the series, Wolfenstein: Youngblood will explode into action in just a few short weeks.

Maybe you’re not sure you’re ready to take the fight to Nazi-occupied Paris in the 1980s, but fear not, we have all the info you need.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood Release Date and Development

Announced during E3 2018, Wolfenstein: Youngblood is the first co-op game to be introduced into the Wolfenstein series. Developed by MachineGames, developers of the recent Wolfenstein games, and Arkane Lyon, whose previous work included the Dishonored series, Wolfenstein: Youngblood is set for a July 25, 2019 release on PC, with PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch the next day on July 26th, 2019.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood Trailers

Wolfenstein: Youngblood was announced at the E3 2019 Bethesda conference, with a trailer showing off the twin protagonists and setup for the game:

A more in-depth look at the game’s narrative recently emerged from Bethesda, showing you where you’ll be fighting, the disappearance of B.J. Blazkowicz, and more.

Finally, during E3 2019 we received a further trailer, this time with more gameplay and more information to get your teeth around.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood Gameplay and Setting

Set nineteen years after The New Colossus, Youngblood picks up the action after B,J. Blazkowicz disappears during a mission to Nazi-occupied France. His twin daughters, Jessica and Sophia, are forced into action and the race is on to find their missing father.

Similar to previous games in the Wolfenstein series, Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a first person shooter. The game can be played either in co-op with each player taking on the role of either Jessica or Sophia Blazkowicz, or in single player with an AI companion taking over the other sister.

In a departure from previous entries in the series, the majority of Wolfenstein: Youngblood can be completed in a non-linear order. Missions can be taken sending the twins out into the world on the hunt for their missing father, unlocking new abilities and upgrades as they go.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood Editions

Pre-purchasers of Wolfenstein: Youngblood will receive the Legacy Pack, a collection of outfits and weapons used by B.J. Blazkowicz over previous games. These include:

  • New Colossus Jacket power suit skin
  • BJ’s U.S. Army power suit skin
  • Old Blood Pipe
  • Old Blood Knife
  • WW2 Weapon Skin Set, for all ranged weapons

In addition, the Deluxe Edition includes two bonuses exclusive to this edition::

  • Buddy Pass – Allows you to play the full game in co-op with a friend, even if they don’t own the game-
  • Cyborg Skin Pack

That’s the lowdown on Wolfenstein: Youngblood, you should be ready to lock, load, and kick some serious Nazi butt. Head on over to the Green Man Gaming store and pre-purchase Wolfenstein: Youngblood to make sure you’re first to the front lines on July the 26th. For more information, you can also head to the official website.

Steel Division 2 – Everything You Need To Know

Steel Division 2 is a brand new historically accurate World War II real-time battle simulator developed by Eugen Systems. Taking place on the Eastern front of the conflict, it features 1:1 scale turn-based army management interspersed with real time strategy as you take control of the battlefield itself.

Here’s everything you need to know to get up to speed.

Steel Division 2 Release Date and Development

The sequel to Steel Division: Normandy 44, Steel Division 2 was initially announced on July the 25th, 2018 and saw a full release on June the 20th, 2019. Taking on board community feedback from Steel Division: Normandy 44, the game features redeveloped combat mechanics, a new art style, and a brand-new game engine, entitled the IrisZoom engine. Steel Division 2 also marks the first game to be independently published by creators Eugen Systems.

Steel Division 2 Trailers

The first trailer for Steel Division 2 was released alongside the announcement in July of 2018:

Following on from its announcement, several trailers have been released by Eugen Systems. Amongst them a full in-engine trailer:

With the most recent being the Launch Trailer, showing off the final game:

Steel Division 2 Gameplay

Steel Division 2 is set on the Eastern Front of World War II, during Operation Bagration, which was the Soviet offensive against Nazie armies in Bielorussia. Steel Division 2 introduces several new game modes alongside refinements and improvements made to the real time strategy formula seen in prior Steel Division games.

Included within Steel Division 2 are 1:1 scale real time battles in turn based Dynamic Strategic Campaigns, individual Real Time Tactical Battles, and a brand new Deck Building System. Featuring over 600 units, 25 maps, and multiple game modes, the game includes several hundred hours of gameplay over solo, competitive multiplayer, and co-op modes.

Steel Division 2 System Requirements

Is your system up to the challenge of the Eastern Front? Check out the system requirements for Steel Division 2.

Minimum:
OS: 64-bit Windows 10 / 8.1 / 7 with Service Pack 1
Processor: Intel Celeron G4920 (Legacy: i3-2100) , AMD Athlon 200GE
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 (Legacy: Nvidia GeForce GTS 450), AMD Radeon RX 460 (Legacy: ATI Radeon HD 5570)
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 50 GB available space
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card

Recommended:
OS: 64-bit Windows 10 / 8.1 / 7 with Service Pack 1
Processor: 4 cores Intel | AMD CPU (Intel i3-8100, AMD Ryzen 3 1200)
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060 3 GB (Legacy: Nvidia Geforce GTX 780), AMD Radeon RX 580 (Legacy: AMD Radeon R9 290X)
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 50 GB available space
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card

Now you’re armed and ready with all the information you need, soldier. Head to the battlefield, take control, and re-live the most in-depth simulation of World War II. Steel Division 2 is out now, and you can always pick it up at a great price at Green Man Gaming.

Top 10 Games You Can’t Buy Anymore (PC)

You can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been. Unfortunately for gamers and the gaming industry, curation of the past is something that still needs a lot of work. Whilst some companies do a great job bringing the hits of yesteryear back to life, often legal or other issues prevent games getting a second chance at life.

Well I’m the Extremely Old Gamer and I’m here to talk about ten games that you just can’t buy anymore on PC, at least not digitally or brand new. If someone reading this wants to get them re-released, now would be good.

Prey (no, not that one)

The name of Prey has had a long and tortuous history. Even discounting the attempts at a sequel and the eventual re-imagining-but-not-really that was 2017’s Prey, the original game took eleven years to make it to market. Not a great commercial or critical success, it finally disappeared from Steam a couple of years ago and now Domasi “Tommy” Tawodi’s adventure is rare to find.

City of Heroes

MMOs were all the rage for a brief period in the 2000s, and City of Heroes released in 2004 was one of the most imaginative. It lasted through the period where World of Warcraft took the lives of so many MMOs, the final update not coming until 2012 .Mourned by many, unofficial fan-run versions have since cropped up.

Alpha Protocol

The most recent addition to this list, Obsidian’s spy-action-RPG disappeared from stores recently due to music licensing issues. Obsidian are working hard to get it back available, but for now the game no-one talks about but everyone recommends, is impossible to buy.

Driver: San Francisco

The Driver series has a chequered past, and no-on expected Driver: San Francisco to be any good. But it was, and with a trippy body (or car) swapping mechanic behind it, it was a joy to play. Sadly departed, it’s not even available on Amazon (despite the Ubisoft website prodding you to it).

Telltale Games, like, all of them.

Telltale Games emerged over the last few years as a heavy hitter creator of narrative adventure games. Unfortunately, according to reports, there were several problems infesting Telltale. Upon its closure in 2018 its games began to slowly disappear from the sale, meaning the wonderful Tales from the Borderlands has gone, along with the peerless The Walking Dead.

Blade Runner

Westwood were mainly known for their Command & Conquer series, but they also dabbled in RPOGs like Lands of Lore, and adventure games like the movie tie-in Blade Runner. Set alongside the original 1982 cyberpunk film, it was an ambitious attempt to portray the world of the movie. Every time you played, the replicants you hunted were chosen randomly from a cast of NPCs, a list which also included the player, the Blade Runner Ray McCoy. Closer in plot to the book, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, it’s recently gained a new lease on life due to the work of the ScummVM team. But only if you own the original files, otherwise, you’re out of luck.

Star Wars: Galaxies

The MMO wars saw many casualties inflicted, but none so keenly felt as the closure of Star Wars: Galaxies. With a list of features so long that many MMOs haven’t caught up with it, it really set the scene for later success by some more fantasy-based games. Lasting until 2011, albeit in a much altered and controversial form, we salute this venerable titan of the internet.

The Lost Vikings

One of the games that propelled Blizzard into superstardom, The Lost Vikings was a platformer/puzzle game starring, well, three lost vikings. Briefly available again on Blizzard’s Battle.net platform in 2014, it has since disappeared from the internet again. Those dastardly aliens must have abducted it.

No One Lives Forever and NOLF 2

These days Monolith are known more for F.E.A.R., Shadow of Mordor, and its sequel, but back in the day they produced two immersive sim masterpieces. No One Lives Forever and NOLF 2 featured British superspy Cate Archer in campy 1960s Bond-inspired adventures, and were ribald joys from start to finish. Packed not only with comedy that actually worked (a rarity in games) and system-based gameplay, their disappearance from sale is a true sadness.

Silent Hill 2, 3, and 4

The Silent Hill series took the Resident Evil formula and leaned hard into the atmosphere, horror, and bizarre creatures that look like unfolded humans from your nightmares. The original never saw a release on PC, but 2, 3, and 4 all made their way to our beloved platform. Unfortunately, they are no longer available, so getting your hands on these amazing and terrifying games is a chore. Or requires a console. But hey, you can still buy Homecoming, right?

Time rolls on, and just like many of these games we’re outta time for this article. What are your favorite games you can no longer get on PC? Let us know in the comments, but first check on Green Man Gaming because you never know, your choice may have been re-released.

Top 10 weapons of Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy VII’s remake is actually happening. At E3 2019 this year we got to see a lot more of the game than we thought we would during the Square Enix conference, and by Sephiroth’s Beard it’s looking good.

One thing that’s supremely important to making a good Final Fantasy game is the calibre of weaponry in it. Each game has their own weapons, some good, some absolutely awful. Here’s our choices for the ten best Final Fantasy weapons – ever.

Masamune

Sephiroth with his Masamune Sword

Long, thin, and utterly unwieldy. But enough about Sephiroth; his sword, Masamune, is also pretty impossible to use. That’s why it’s so impressive that he whips it about doing all sorts of killing maneuvers with the five-hundred-metre-long blade.

Caladbolg

Tidus with the Caladbolg

A rule of thumb in Final Fantasy is often the more awesome a thing looks the more awesome it is. The Caladbolg from Final Fantasy X is an exemplar of this axiom, Looking like a cross between lightning and crystal, it hits as hard as it looks.

Zodiac Spear

Zodiac Spear from FFXII

If you’ve ever wielded the Zodiac Spear then you’ve gone through hell to get it. If you’re not sitting with a guide for Final Fantasy XII or you’ve not played it before, chances are you’ll mess up getting this weapon just by playing the game normally. But get it, give it to leading man Balthier, and watch as your enemies fall like flies.

Ultima Weapon

Ultima Weapon from FFVII

In Final Fantasy VII you get the Ultima Weapon by defeating the Ultima Weapon. It’s a tough battle but it’s absolutely worth it, because the Ultima Weapon is the ultimate weapon. It’s in the name. Right there.

Paintbrush

Paintbrush weapon from FFVI

Just a paintbrush? How can that be a weapon? In the hands of young Relm Arrowny in Final Fantasy VI  it’s deadly. She uses it to paint, as you would expect, but what she paints comes to life. Facing off against her foes, she’ll stop to sketch them quickly, mimicking their abilities and using them against them. Powerful stuff.

Gunblade

Squalls Gunblade from FFVIII

What’s cooler than a sword? A sword with a gun built in, of course. Does it work or would it just blow Squall’s hand clean off? Who cares, it looks rad as heck.

Gastro Fork

Gastro fork weapon from Final Fantasy IX

When they’re not just eating frogs, Quina Quen is busy tasting their foes with gusto. A refined gourmand, they travel the world in Final Fantasy IX not to save the world but simply to taste the best out there. And what a weapon the fork is, because it’s capable of scooping up even the toughest of enemies and converts them into digestible form.

Tifa’s Fists

Tifa from Final Fantasy VII

Some characters in Final Fantasy VII bring weapons to table. Tifa Lockheart *is* the weapon. Armed with the meat and gristle bricks she calls hands, she’s capable of taking down enemies with equal power to someone who turns into demons. Don’t mess with Tifa.

Buster Sword

Clouds Buster Sword from Final Fantasy VII

Sephiroth may have the longest sword, but Cloud (and Zack) have the widest. Almost the same width as his own torso, Cloud wacks upon foes to great effect with his airplane-wing sized weapon. Like many in this list, would it work? Probably not, but who cares when it’s as iconic as this.

Sant’ Angelo di Roma

noa and Angelo from Final Fantasy VIII

The secret best weapon ever devised is humanity’s best friend. Angelo is a dog who accompanies owner Rinoa through the adventures in Final Fantasy VIII, a dog who can be fired at enemies like a cannon. Think about it, not only is Angelo a cracking weapon, but after the battle’s done you can have a nice pat and give Angelo a treat. Who needs anything more in life? Those are our picks for the greatest Final Fantasy weapons of all time, do you have a favourite we’ve missed off the list? Let us know in the comments below.

Top 10 Indies you haven’t played yet #Loveindies

If you’ve been paying attention to our social channels you would have seen the wonderful #loveindies campaign put together by Fail Better Games bringing you some great reviews of the ten best indie games you haven’t played. We thought they were so good we wanted to collect them all in a single post for you. So here are the Top ten indies you haven’t played.

80 Days

A rip-roaring take on the Jules Verne’s fiction, 80 Days takes the well known Victorian setting and puts a steampunk twist on the whole thing as players compete against one another to travel the globe in the titular 80 Days. Generously drenched in the superlative writing that developer Inkle has long been known for, 80 Days is a non-linear adventure that casts players as Passepartout, the assistant to the famous Phileas Fogg himself who must not only ensure that his master has everything he needs, but also that an efficient and quick path be devised to navigate through some 170 cities, too.

A Hat In Time

Harking back to the twee and bouncy 3D platformers of the late 1990s, A Hat In Time is a genre effort that entertains and charms in equal measure. Boasting enough cuteness to outright murder a small country, A Hat In Time casts players as a lost little lass who must assemble time crystals in order to power her ship and return home. Before that however, she must stitch together a range of uniquely powerful hats, travel to a variety of worlds such as a movie studio, a pirate ship and solve a fistful of mysteries. Look, if you’ve even a small twitch at the mere mention of the words ‘three dee platformer’ then A Hat In Time is pretty much essential alright?

Heaven’s Vault

Tasked with tracking down a missing colleague in the Nebula, a mysterious area of space strewn with age old wrecks and ruins, Heaven’s Vault casts players as Aliya Elasra, an intergalactic archaeologist who must translate ancient languages to discover the fate of her friend.  Accompanied by Six, a robot that spouts acerbic sarcasm with biting wit and high regularity, Heaven’s Vault is a non-linear, branching adventure that places paramount importance on the written word. If you’re a big fan of well-written, intelligent adventures that are stuffed with equally compelling characters, Heaven’s Vault is absolutely your jam.

Kingdom: Two Crowns

Putting players in the finely shined shoes of possibly the hardest working royal ever, Kingdom Two Crowns is a unique strategy effort that has you roaming mysterious lands in a bid to fashion a regal domain, as you gather resources, train soldiers and discover ancient artifacts. The goal quite simply is to keep your crown fix onto your noggin for as long as you can while bands of roving evil creatures, known appropriately as the Greed, attempt to snatch it. Boasting two different campaign settings that take in medieval Europe and feudal Japan, Kingdom Two Crowns is a wholly involving micro strategy title that is quite unlike anything else out there.

Owlboy

In development for some ten(!) years, it seems like a minor miracle that Owlboy was even released at all. Thank the stars then for developer D-Pad Studio, because the years of toil have allowed Norweigan developer to create one of the finest platforming epics ever made. As Otis, a mute who strives to fulfill his potential put upon him by his Owl brethren, events take a sinister turn when a band of nefarious sky pirates show up in pursuit of an extremely powerful artefact. Boasting pixel-perfect, flight-aided platforming action set across multiple worlds with oodles of secrets to discover and showcasing some of the most charming pixel art visuals to date, Owlboy is simply sublime.

Pix the Cat

The premise of Pix the Cat is beautifully simple. A grandly engaging and bite-sized score chaser, Pix the Cat is all about rushing a fiendish feline around a variety of increasingly labyrinthe psychedelic mazes, with a view to nab the longest, score giving conga line of eggs and ducks that one can possibly imagine against a fixed time limit. TL;DR? Well, Pix the Cat is basically mid-life crisis Pac Man off its face on a stein-sized kaleidoscopic acid cocktail. What’s not to like?

The Last Door

Don’t let the ultra retro-aesthetic fool you – The Last Door’s Atari 2600 styled supersized pixels can convey spine-shivering amounts of horror that allow the game to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the most prominent members of the point and click adventure genre. Embracing its Victorian England setting to the utmost, The Last Door has players trying to discover what happened to a childhood friend who, in the midst of some mad scribblings, has hung himself with little explanation. Toweringly well written, thickly atmospheric and frequently horrifying, The Last Door stands as an evocative reminder that the genre is sometimes at its best when it has us confronting our worst fears.

The Sexy Brutale

Easily one of the most sharply written games ever made, The Sexy Brutale melds a traditional narrative adventure with Groundhog Dog puzzles to fashion something extremely unique. As a guest trapped at a party in the titular Sexy Brutale mansion, you are tasked with not only trying to escape but also to discover why the guests are being murdered one by one. Chuck in a bunch of powerful magical masks that allow you to do and access things you couldn’t do before, some tremendously witty writing and enough time travel to make Marty McFly blush, and it’s clear that The Sexy Brutale should really be at the top of your list. If it isn’t, I don’t know – you must hate fun or something.

Where The Water Tastes Like Wine

A hauntingly melancholic effort, Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is a third-person narrative adventure that has you stalking the plains, towns and rural expanses of a folklore steeped Depression era United States. Tasked with paying off a mysterious debt by meeting strangers and hearing out their stories, players will run into displaced Navajo, desperate migrant workers and more besides as the game embarks on a metamorphosis into a considered meditation on the American Dream. If you like your adventures smart, emotionally resonant and stuffed with stories that linger long in the mind, then Where The Water Tastes Like Wine should be your next stop.

Whispers Of A Machine

From the same hugely talented folk that brought us Kathy Rain, Whispers of a Machine is a Sci-Fi Nordic Noir (try saying that quickly) that puts players in control of Vera, a cybernetically altered investigator who is looking into a string of grisly murders. Very much a point and click affair, Whispers of a Machine is an ornately hand-drawn effort that packs in well over 4,000 lines of fully voiced dialogue, multiple branching story paths and puzzles that hit the logic sweet spot, rather than being either too easy or teeth-grindingly obscure. Oh, and our heroine can also ingest a substance called Blue that provides her with a range of superhuman powers and augmentations. So there’s that, too.

If you want to know more about any of the games above you can visit the Green Man Gaming website.

The Green Man Gaming Fathers day gift guide

Ah, Father’s Day, the day where we celebrate dads the world over. If you have a good relationship with your dad it’s a reminder to just take a moment to appreciate ol’ pops.

Of course, you can also get them a gift. A card, a bunch of flowers, a mug with a hilarious ‘best dad’ slogan on it. Or you could get them a game.

If your dad games or wants to game, here’s our guide to some PC games that we’re sure they will love. We guarantee it*

*we do not guarantee it.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

‘I never get any rest’ your dad might be heard to grumble. ‘Been ages since I had a holiday’ he’ll mutter under his breath. Surprise him with a trip to Greece. See the beautiful islands, make friends with the locals, experience life in the Classical period of Greece. Also, do a heck load of assassinations for good measure. His friends all holiday in Tenerife, but your dad? Your dad goes to Athens, 431 BCE.

Fallout 4

Has your father just finished watching Chernobyl? Get the ultimate tie-in game with Fallout 4. Let him live his nuclear dreams amidst the crumbling ruins of post-apocalyptic Boston. All the graphite outside the reactor that he can point a pointy stick at, just for the low price of a video game. He’ll be soon telling his mates all about the time he liberated the Commonwealth or visited Nuka-World. The perfect accompaniment to a high-brow radioactive drama.

Mount & Blade: Warband

Mount & Blade: Warband

Dads often think that they’re the lords of their domains, but in Mount & Blade: Warband they can make that a reality. Carving out a slice of medieval life for themselves, it’s a perfect place to escape to when reality gets a bit much. Combat, horse riding, army building, massive battles, castle sieges, politics, and more. It’s just like real life, except with fewer ‘putting the bins out’ moments.

Civilization VI

Civilisation VI

If there’s one thing dads like to do, it’s to tell you that they know better. Civilization VI gives them the chance to prove it once and for all. Oh you think I bought the wrong lightbulbs? Why don’t you prove your chops by covering the world in a glorious Hungarian empire. Then we’ll talk lightbulbs.

F1 2019 Anniversary Edition

F1 2019 Anniversary Edition

Dads also love, for some reason, racing. Many a Sunday is spent with their feet up, a glass of wine at hand, and the susurration of car engines whispering from the television. Why not take it a step further and actually get into the driving seat? Finally, get them to show that Jensen Button who’s the better driver. Spoiler, it’s your dad.

Cricket Captain 2017

Cricket Captain 2017

Cricket is the perfect dad game because what’s more dad than a game where you mostly don’t do anything? Perfect for a snooze through the afternoon, or most of the day if they’re honest with themselves. Cricket Captain 2017 lets them enjoy cricket whenever they like, by taking control of their own cricketing champions.

World of Tanks

World of Tanks

There’s a strange thing that happens when one becomes a father. You develop, out of nowhere, an innate fascination with World War II. In addition, you also become averse to spending money. Combine these two urges with World of Tanks, a game about World War II tank combat, that costs nothing to start playing. Win-win for papa dear.

Kerbal Space Program

Kerbal Space Program

Too much work, too many demands, got to see the in-laws at the weekend, garden needs tending. We say heck to it all, dads. Head to space instead. Fulfilling not only the desire to get away from this hell-planet and all its never-ending tasks and the meticulous model-building impulse that many dads harbour, Kerbal Space Program is perfect for a late night wander round the solar system.

So there you go, all the games you should shake your dad at this Father’s Day. If they don’t love at least one of these, we’ll eat our hat. Well, if we had a hat we would.

What games does your dad like playing, or if you’re a dad yourself, what do you love playing? Let us know in the comments below.

Octopath Traveler on PC: Five reasons to play

Square Enix’s retro smash hit Octopath Traveler is on its way to PC, after originating on the Nintendo Switch and delighting fans of old school RPGs in 2018. Critics praised the game upon its original release for its variety, score, and unique aesthetic, but if you’re still on the fence,  here are five reasons why you should pick it up, now that it’s made its way to PC.

Variety of protagonists

If you haven’t cottoned on via the name yet – in Octopath Traveler you play as eight different protagonists, each on a separate adventure where they can encounter the other protagonists and add them into their party. This offers great variety, a far cry from your typical JRPG which usually focuses on one singular protagonist with a varying amount of character development. The variety in jobs is impressive – from Cleric to Dancer, Hunter to Scholar – options are available depending on who you pick – with the ability to specialize with a secondary job to help make your party unique.

Path action system

Another defining feature of Octopath Traveler is the Path Action system, which affords each of the eight protagonists with a special skill that has applications in the overworld. For example, Therion the Apple-toting thief can steal powerful items from townsfolk, but his skill can also be applied in battle to see enemy HP. On the flipside, Alfyn the Apocathery can use Inquire to chat with townsfolk and reap important information, resulting in-store discounts and treasure locations. There are both noble and rogue path actions depending on your chosen protagonist, with the negative ones harming player reputation.

HD-2D Art Style

Where most modern Japanese RPGs have given up on the nostalgic aesthetic in chase of photorealism, shiny boots, and belt buckles, Octopath Traveller bucks this trend with its so-called ‘HD-2D’ art style (which has now been trademarked by Square Enix, don’t you know!) It creates this mysterious aesthetic which is just caked in depth of field and other post-processing effects alongside gorgeous pixellated character art who wander alongside 3D trees and fortifications. It’s unlike any other modern JRPG and if you like what you see from the screenshots, it’s definitely worth a look.

Classic turn-based action

Where other modern JRPG’s like Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts 3 have opted for real-time action, turning the classic system into a nuanced hack n slash, Octopath Traveler opts for a distinctly old school turn-based battle system with the usual suspects – critical hits, debuffs, you know the drill. However, that’s not to say its without innovation – exposing enemy weaknesses, getting rid of shield points and generally working out the combat puzzle is part of the fun in Octopath Traveler, and key to why even in its most grindy moments, it still shines – especially when there’s a gigantic imposing pixel beast to slay.

A gorgeous open world

The world of Octopath Traveler is incredibly varied. The game takes place on the continent of Orsterra and depending on your character playthrough the game will take you all over the place, through a number of exciting biomes. From the frost-tipped city of Flamesgrace to the misty melancholy of The Murkwood – Octopath covers a lot of ground, ensuring you aren’t bored by the same aesthetics when you’re pushing through its 60-hour story – which can easily turn into 100 if you’re the completionist type!

Octopath Traveller is now available on PC from Green Man Gaming, check out the store to get your copy.

5 reasons to play Rainbow Six: Siege during its free weekend

Rainbow Six: Siege has gone from strength to strength, and now as it enters its fourth year, it’s time for another free weekend.

>>PLAY HERE FOR FREE NOW<<<

That’s right, between the 6th and 9th of June you can play Rainbow Six: Siege for the grand price of nothing. If you want to keep it, you can grab it on our promotion, but these three days are entirely free.

When does it start?

Preload: 05 June @1800 BST (@1200 CDT @0300 +1 BST)
Server Open: 06 June @1800 BST (@1200 CDT @0300 +1 BST)
Server Close: 06 June @1800 BST (@1200 CDT @0300 +1 BST)

But you might be thinking ‘why, even though it’s free, why bother playing?’. That’s why we’re here, to give you five reasons to check out Rainbow Six: Siege.

It’s gone from strength to strength

Even if you’ve already tried Rainbow Six: Siege when it came out and decided it’s not for you, there’s been three years of updates since then. New maps, new operators, new everything. There’s even solo modes now, so if you don’t want to play with people, you can have some fun.

The game’s been fine-tuned from what was already a damn good team shooter into something truly special. Every element has been looked at and in some cases, radically redesigned, to make this one of the best multiplayer games there is.

There’s an operator for you

No matter how you like to play, there’ll be an operator you like. Want to make alternate entrances or smash things down? Sledge. Want to leave some cluster bombs? Fuze. Want to set up a turret for your teammates? Tachanka.

Each operator brings unique benefits for the team, meaning no matter what you take you’ll be useful. And no matter your playstyle, there’ll be something for you.

Smash stuff up

The levels in Rainbow Six: Siege are absolutely destructible. If you don’t want to go around something, often you can go through something. Walls, floors, they’re all there for you to smash holes in.

Even if you don’t climb through you’ll be able to see through. Meaning you can make line of sight holes for you to get the drop on enemies. Marvellous stuff.

The difficulty curve is absolutely rewarding

It’s no secret that Rainbow Six: Siege can be unforgiving, but what’s less well known is that time put into Rainbow Six: Siege is utterly rewarding.

The way that each match ebbs and flows with the action is something that’s unlike anything else, and getting good enough to make a true difference in a match gives you an absolute adrenaline rush. If you bounced off it before, maybe now’s the time to try again.

It’s unlike anything else

The simple fact about Rainbow Six: Siege is that it’s utterly unlike any other multiplayer game out there. On the face of it, you might think you’ve seen it before, but the way the game is handled in a thousand ways puts it apart from the competition.

For example, death. If you die in a round of Rainbow Six: Siege, you stay dead. That’s it for that round. Meaning you have to pay attention, it’s tense, you have to be aware of the situation before you go in. It brings a sense that what you do matters, something sorely missing in many multiplayer games.

Rainbow Six: Siege is free to play between the 6th and 9th of February, and you can play it for free here.

Warhammer: Chaosbane – It just makes sense

Warhammer: Chaosbane has ripped out into the world in a shower of gibs, if you own the Deluxe or Magnus editions.

Set in the old world of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, pre-Age of Sigmar, it combines that gritty, delicious Warhammer world with hack and slash action.

The question is, why has it taken so long for a game like this to appear?

The eternal wait

Since the glory days of Diablo, fans have been crying out for a Warhammer aRPG. Warhammer is almost too perfect a setting for an action RPG like Diablo. With enemies in their thousands and a strong line of heroes standing firm against the oncoming dark, it just makes sense.

Sometimes there’s a perfect storm of idea and execution. Dawn of War made a perfect RTS, Space Marine is a perfect expression of being a giant walking tank of a demi-god, and Vermintide is the perfect way of experiencing the terror and dread of dealing with a plague of rat-men.

A Warhammer-based action RPG is the perfect mix of power fantasy and grim darkness. Instead, however, we have sadly been looking for a Warhammer aRPG with eager eyes for years. We even received a 40k one first, something which is still surprising.

Thankfully the wait is over. Enter Warhammer: Chaosbane.

Skulls for the skull god

There’s a lot to be said for knowing exactly what it is you want to do. A lot of games fall prey to ideas that don’t work, are unrealistic, or are just half baked.

Warhammer: Chaosbane knows exactly what it wants to be. It’s very much in the mould of Diablo, Path of Exile, or Titan Quest. You plays as a hero, you defeat scores of enemies, and loot showers out like a veritable cornucopia of goodies.

In Warhammer: Chaosbane you play as an Empire Soldier, High-Elf Mage, Slayer, or a Wood Elf Scout. Each brings its own unique flavour to the world, with radically differing ways to play.

The key innovation in Chaosbane is through skills. Despite showers of loot being very much a thing, the focus is more on skills. Some skills even play out differently to in any other aRPG, for example, the Mage can control fireballs directly. No more will your fireball be flung past a group of grunting nurglings, instead you can tap space and suddenly steer right into them.

With each class offering a different way to play, as well as hordes of enemies both weak and powerful to plough through, Warhammer: Chaosbane feels like the power fantasy aRPG and Warhammer fans have been looking for. And that’s before we talk about theme.

Chaos Rising

Chaosbane

It’s hard to overstate how perfect the setting is for an action RPG. Set in grim sewers and Chaos-infested regions, Warhammer: Chaosbane is a delight both visually and thematically.

Each section of the game is themed after one of the Ruinous Powers. Seeing you face off against furious Khornate daemons, disgusting diseased creatures infested with Nurgle’s rot, sensual and sublime Slaanesh foes, and cryptic Tzeentch creations. It’s a true joy for anyone who’s got even a passing interest in the universe, and it shows off the work and care that the developers have put into making this a full Warhammer game.

Warhammer: Chaosbane is out now, and if you’ve been looking for a meaty mouthful of mutilation and murder to sink your time into, this might just be what you’ve been looking for.

#Loveindies Indie Games – June Roundup

June is upon us with #Loveindies fever and with it comes E3. While this might not matter to everyone, it does mean that a lot of games should be announced in the coming weeks. In fact, there will probably be a few games released during E3 as people love a good stealth release. While many triple-A games will be announced, we are here for those good indie games.

This week also is the #loveindies celebration, so stay tuned to our social media as we talk about some of our favorite indies to date.

Journey

If you’ve never played Journey, then now is definitely the time to do so. This is a truly incredibly experience that is as close to a must-play game as anything can be. It is a simple, short, and highly emotive game that has you battling the elements and interacting with the peculiar world you find yourself in. It is quite simply one of the best games in recent memory and it is finally coming to PC on June 6th.

Journey loveindies

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

After what feels like decades, we are finally approaching the release of this Castlevania successor. Bloodstained: Ritual of the night has undergone a magnificent visual redesign and should bring unknown hours of monster slaying. It will be full of unholy things, an obscene amount of abilities, and probably a lot of traps. You play as Miriam, an orphaned Alchemist who has had a very troubled past. As a result, you have awoken from a ten-year coma and are one of the few who can fight back against the horde of demons that now infest the world.  You can start the hunt on PC, PS4, And Xbox One on June 18th, plus Switch on the 25th.

Cadence of Hyrule

It is time to drop everything you are doing and dance, this time to the Cadence of Hyrule. A first for Zelda and Link, the game comes from an indie developer instead of a big name. You get to move in time to the beat to some incredible sounding remixes of the classic songs in the hope that you can save the world once more. It is coming to Switch at some point in June (expect a stealth release via E3).

Cadence of Hyrule

198X

If you long for the good old days, then this may well be the game for you. 198X is a coming-of-age story that has you jumping through different genres, characters, and games as you make your way through the story. It looks incredibly interesting thanks to the strange mixing of genres and styles and could well be one of this year’s dark horses. You can experience this nostalgia trip on PC and PS4 on June 20th.

198x Loveindies

The Sinking City

If you like mysteries and tentacles, then this is probably the game of your dreams/nightmares. Playing as Charles W. Reed, an investigator who is plagued by visions, you have been drawn to Oakmont by unseen powers. Your only aim is to try and figure out what is going on, but the horrors that await you could well be more than you can take. It features an interesting investigation system as well as a dark Lovecraftian setting. You’ll have your chance to explore madness on PC, Xbox One, and PS4 on June 27th.

The Sinking City

If you wanna share the love with your own indie passion you can check out the blog post on fail better games’ website and don’t forget to #Loveindies