A Nintendo Switch version of Yakuza Kiwami, the first Like a Dragon game, is on the way, as announced at the Nintendo Indie World and Partner Showcase on August 27, 2024. The new version will launch for the Nintendo Switch on October 24, 2024, joining versions already available on the PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Kiwami is a remake of the first Yakuza game, also known as the Ryu Ga Gotoku or Like a Dragon series, and it originally released in Japan back in 2016. The new Switch version looks to preserve all the features new and old, like the four different fighting styles, improvised weaponry, and Majima Everywhere system. The trailer also emphasized the game's well-known side stories and minigames, including baseball and Mahjong, or bonding with Kiryu's adoptive daughter Haruka.

You can watch the trailer from the Nintendo Direct via YouTube below:

Back in June, 2024, the entire Yakuza series for PC arrived on GOG's store, without any DRM packaged with it. Meanwhile, earlier this month the iconic song Baka Mitai received a vinyl release, sung by Kiryu's voice actor Takaya Kuroda.

Yakuza Kiwami will be the first Like a Dragon game on the Nintendo Switch on October 24, 2024. The game is already available on PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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A new DLC for Sea of Stars titled Throes of the Watchmaker was announced at today's Nintendo Direct. This free DLC will launch sometime in Spring 2025, and feature a new story, companion, and classes for Valere and Zale.

The DLC will take place in a world menaced by an evil carnival, with the protagonists Zale and Valere getting new skills and abilities as Juggler and Acrobat respectively. A new playable companion will also join the group, who appears to be some kind of robot or perhaps a mech-suit. The presentation only announced the DLC for Nintendo Switch, since it was a Nintendo presentation after all, however a tweet from the developers confirms it will be available for all platforms.

You can watch the trailer from the Indie World Showcase via Youtube below:

Sea of Stars originally released back in August, 2023, with a Switch demo appearing earlier that February. Earlier this year, Sabotage Studio announced it was developing a potential co-op feature to add to the game, called Single Player+.

The Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker DLC will launch for free on Nintendo Switch in Spring 2025. The game itself is readily available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

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Those looking to try out the upcoming Ace Attorney Investigations Collection are in luck, as Capcom has released a demo ahead of the game's launch on September 6, 2024. The demo is available on the PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.

The demo will allow players to try the opening chapters of both Ace Attorney Investigations games, with save data able to be transferred over to the full release. You'll be able to get a taste of the new graphical updates and the autoplay and story mode features to help decide if you want to commit to the full package. The full game will also contain a gallery mode full of music, concept art, and character animations, on top of a chapter select option.

You can watch the game's reveal trailer via YouTube below:

Back in July 2024, Capcom began releasing side-by-side comparisons of the old and new character sprites, including for Missile the Dog. The company also ran a Cap Kuji online lottery back in June 2024, with merchandise featuring Miles Edgeworth as prizes.

The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection Demo is now available for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. The full game is scheduled to launch on September 6, 2024.

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During a gameplay livestream at Gamescom 2024, Monster Hunter Wilds developers confirmed that armor sets in the game will no longer be locked to gender as they were in previous games. The livestream featured Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto, Director Yuya Tokuda, Executive and Art Director Kaname Fujioka from Capcom's development team.

The removal of gender-locking from armor has been long desired by the community. Previously in Monster Hunter games before Wilds, players would get different looking armor sets based on their character's gender that they could not be changed. The team also reiterated that the game would have crossplay.

The confirmation came during a livestream from Gamescom hosted by community manager Jonno Stanton. The initial plan was to have all the developers play a multiplayer session together. During it, Stanton asked each of them which weapons they favor and will be bringing to the hunt. However, due to technical difficulties, the stream instead only showed single player gameplay from the perspective of Tokuda. The team did stress that they are planning to stream again on August 22-23, 2024, during which they intend to attempt multiplayer again. These streams will likely be available to watch on the Monster Hunter Youtube channel.

You can watch the Monster Hunter Wilds livestream yourself below, with the comment on gender locked armor coming at 29:50.

Previously, Capcom confirmed that a playable demo would be available to try at both Gamescom and PAX West, along with releasing more Weapon showcase videos. A new trailer also appeared at the opening night of Gamescom, showing off two new monsters and NPC companions.

Monster Hunter Wilds is scheduled to launch in 2025 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

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The official Kingdom Hearts soundtracks for HD 2.5 ReMIX, Birth by Sleep, 358/2 Days, Dream Drop Distance, and HD 1.5 ReMIX are now available via the Square Enix Store. Each comes as a three CD set except for HD 2.5 ReMIX, which contains four CD's.

There are four soundtracks in total, including music from across seven games in the franchise. The music is created by composers such as Tsuyoshi Sekito, Yoko Shimomura, and Takeharu Ishimoto. Each is a re-release of products that originally debuted between 2011 and 2014, while the Birth by Sleep & 358/2 Days CD set also includes some extra music from the Japanese exclusive Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX release. The soundtracks for Birth by Sleep & 358/2 Days, Dream Drop Distance, and HD 1.5 ReMIX are available for $30.99 each, while the one for HD 2.5 ReMIX costs $42.99. Each is expected to ship sometime in September 2024.

Back in July 2024, Square Enix showed off some new hair clips themed around Halloween Town from Kingdom Hearts II. More recently, the company also announced the return of 4 metallic keychains shaped like the series' signature Keyblades.

The original soundtracks for Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX, Birth by Sleep, 358/2 Days, Dream Drop Distance, and HD 1.5 ReMIX are now available via the Square Enix online store. Each product is expected to release sometime in September, 2024.

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Grinding Gear Games has announced that early access for the upcoming Path of Exile 2 will begin on November 15, 2024. The announcement came during the opening ceremony for Gamescom 2024, alongside a new trailer.

Other than the early access date itself, the other main features of the trailer are the new gameplay footage and boss designs. We see a floating lich, a bloated creature with a mask and four arms, a plant monster, a figure covered in hands, and a Egyptian or Mesoamerican-looking golem creature channeling lightning. After these enemies are introduced, we get to see some gameplay. This segment showed off the mobility of not just the player characters, but the bosses too. One opponent called Ignaduk the Bog Witch performed what looks like a power-slide on a broom, and others seem to be able to target vast swathes of the arena. Then comes the early access date announcement. While there is currently no direction on how to sign up, there will likely be more information added to the official website nearer to the launch.

You can watch the trailer via YouTube below:

Path of Exile is a Diablo-style action RPG that first released back in 2013, setting itself apart from 2012's Diablo 3 with a a graphical style more remeniscent of the older games in the series and a incredibly complex and flexible skill tree.

The Early Access period for Path of Exile 2 begins on November 15, 2024, for the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. There is currently no release date for the full game.

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The previously announced new trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds appeared during gamescom 2024 Opening Night Live. The trailer gave us a look at two new monsters, a new zone, and NPC Hunters.

The trailer begins with a gang of hunters investigating a new locale called the Scarlet Forest. Inhabiting this forest is the spider-like Lala Barina that appears to have a paralysis-like ability and a red flower-theme. Also shown is an NPC hunter joining an expedition, though how they will work is not yet apparent. Then we see some more of a village in the Windward Plains area before another monster called the Rey Dau appears, which is described as the region's Apex Predator. Finally and most importantly, the trailer ends with a new cooking animation and the traditional cry of "So Tasty!".

You can get a look at the Monster Hunter Wilds gamescom 2024 trailer via Youtube below:

Earlier this month, Capcom released a slew of Youtube videos showcasing how the various weapon types will play in Monster Hunter Wilds, including the Gunlance and Insect Glaive. The company also confirmed that a playable demo would be available at both PAX West and Gamescom.

Monster Hunter Wilds will launch in 2025 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

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Capcom has announced that Terry Bogard release date for Street Fighter 6 will be September 24, 2024. The announcement came during the Gamescom 2024 opening ceremony pre-show, along with a new gameplay trailer.

First announced at Summer Game Fest 2024 and later teased with his own trailer, Terry is a crossover character from SNK's Fatal Fury series. Capcom chose to show off the new character with a gameplay trailer during the Gamescom 2024 opening ceremony pre-show, before releasing an extended version of the trailer along with the release date. He will become available on September 24, 2024, for purchase with Fighter Coins or as part of the Year 2 Character Pass. Terry also comes with a 2nd outfit inspired by his look in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, as well as the new Pao Pao Cafe 6 stage.

You can watch the extended gameplay trailer via Youtube below:

Kaiyodo recently unveiled a new figure based on Chun li, as part of the company's Revoltech Amazing Yamaguchi figure line. Meanwhile, earlier this month Capcom showed off some of the items contained in the Street Fighter 6 collaboration with manga series Baki the Grappler.

Terry Bogard has a September 24, 2024 release date for Street Fighter 6, while the game itself is readily available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

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Superficially, World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV have a lot in common, gameplay-wise. Both are, after all, hotkey MMO's in (broadly) medieval fantasy settings. But despite running on similar archetypes and party roles, the Classes of WoW and Jobs of FFXIV can feel distinctly different to play, sometimes to an overwhelming degree for an unfamiliar player.

The most immediate difference is simply the amount of options you have to choose from. FFXIV has about 21 Jobs (22 if you include the Blue Mage), but each class generally has only a single way to play them. Each Paladin you meet will have the exact same capabilities as any other.

In contrast, WoW only has 13 base classes but each of those has around 3 specializations that can drastically alter the playstyle or even its role within a party, for a total of 38 different options. Depending on their specialization, a given Paladin could fill the role of damage dealer, healer, or tank, though not every class is quite as flexible. Warlocks and Mages, for example, will always be fulfilling the role of a ranged DPS, but the spells they use and their priorities or cooldowns can be wildly different.

And it goes further because each specialization has a talent tree, which gives players to option to tailor their class further. They obviously aren't quite as impactful as an entirely different specialization but they do mean you will have to choose between picking up certain abilities and bonuses over others, which can lead to builds more focused around single target damage, dealing with various larger groups, or perhaps simply providing more utility options to a raid. It's a lot to get your head around if you're used to a more streamlined system, and it will only get more complex as The War Within expansion adds new Hero Talents on top of everything.

Then there's the Global Cooldown difference, which may be less obvious until you get to higher levels of play but nonetheless underpins a lot of the immediate game-feel differences. The Global Cooldown or GCD is essentially the short delay between activating an ability and being able to activate another, though there are abilities that are aren't affected by it. In FFXIV the GCD is around 2.5 seconds long before any reductions from stats, which at lower levels can feel sluggish and unreactive. However, at later levels this develops into a deliberate, rythmic dance as you weave in abilities from off the GCD in between your main rotation.

WoW, on the other hand, has a base GCD of 1.5 seconds going down to 1 second for certain classes. It's much faster, and will only decrease as you amass certain stats, though the difference is less than you would imagine once you factor in the more consistent usage of off-GCD abilities in certain FFXIV Jobs. The Summoner, for example, will often be using off-GCD skills regularly to command their minions, sometimes two within the same GCD period. No, the real difference is felt when you combine this with the way rotations work.

A rotation is basically just what order you need to press your buttons in to put out the most damage (or healing, or damage mitigation...) possible for your class. Performing well at higher levels in MMO's like FFXIV is all about executing your rotation optimally while also dodging hazards and performing whatever mechanical tasks the encounter asks of you. In WoW, it's much the same, except its classes tend not to use fixed rotations.

While both games use basic builder-spender frameworks for most of their classes (you build up a resource, then spend it for damage/healing, etc.), WoW's class design has slowly moved over the years to focus more on Procs. Short for Special Procedures (Or Programmed Random Ocurrence, there is a little bit of disagreement on the origin), a Proc in this context refers to an effect that has a certain chance to activate, usually on using an ability but sometimes things like taking damage too. A critical hit is technically a kind of Proc, but the effect could also be applying a buff, refreshing a cooldown, or enabling or upgrading a certain ability. Certain Jobs in FFXIV also use them, such as with the Archer's Straight Shot skill, but they aren't nearly as common as in WoW.

Because this random element throws a wrench into fixed rotation sequences, WoW Classes tend to use a system of button prioritization. A basic priority may include a fixed opening rotation that sets up your buffs and DOT effects, but once you get into the meat of the fight you'll need to maintain a degree of flexibility. Your biggest damage ability might suddenly come off cooldown, or you may find a string of lucky procs inundates you with your class resource and you'll need to spend it before doing anything that might generate more. It's a more reactive system to be sure, and getting to smash the big glow-y button that just activated sates the lizard-like part of the brain like nothing else. But it can also be trickier to learn a priority than a simple rotation sequence, and if you're accustomed to FFXIV's steady dance then WoW's combat can feel frantic or button-mashy.

This is the part where I have to disclaim that it's not about one game being flatly "better" than the other, but I'm going to skip past it because this should be common sense to most good faith actors. WoW is a more *complex* game to be sure, at least in terms of density of mechanics, but complexity does not always equate to depth, nor does relative simplicity imply a lack of it.

Instead I want to encourage a look at the effects these small differences in design have on two games that occupy very similar spaces. How something as small as the wait time between casts can change the tempo of combat so much, and how a different mechanical focus can change the way players think about their inputs so drastically. And most of all, I'd like to encourage players of both WoW and FFXIV to give the other game a try, if only because a look at another system may refresh your perspective on the one you're more used to. They both have free trials, after all, you have nothing to lose but time.

World of Warcraft is immediately available for PC and Mac, with The War Within expansion launching on August 26, 2024. Final Fantasy XIV and its latest expansion Dawntrail are available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

The post WoW Classes Can Be Overwhelming Compared to FFXIV Jobs appeared first on Siliconera.

To celebrate Cult of the Lamb being out for two years, developer Massive Monster made the pre-order bonus Cthulhu follower skin available to all players. As well as the skin that was previously only available to those who committed to the game ahead of launch, all players will also receive three new decorations for their camp.

The new decorations include a red, wooden prayer box, a stone monument holding some candles in a hollow, and a cart of flowers. The birthday gift pack should be available to all players once their system time hits August 16, 2024. Players can then go to their home base to find a gift box containing the items, providing their game is fully updated.

You can get a look at the new Cult of the Lamb decorations and the Cthulhu pre-order bonus via the gallery below:

Earlier in August 2024, Devolver and Massive Monster announced the follower-focused Pilgrim Pack DLC for Cult of the Lamb, which adds new follower forms and quests. Plushies based on the Lamb and the Goat, the 2 player co-op character introduced in the Unholy Alliance update, are also expected to ship in December, 2024.

Cult of the Lamb is readily available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

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The World of Warships x Blue Archive collaboration arrived in the PC version of the game, and to celebrate Wargaming released a new trailer showcasing the available characters and items. The characters will be available via containers, a progress track, or through bundles that will cycle weekly up until the event eventually ends on September 4, 2024.

As previously revealed, the crossover event will feature five Blue Archive characters, including Izayoi Nonomi, Okusora Ayane, and Takanashi Hoshino. These three characters will be available as special voiced commanders via containers or bundles, alongside three Blue Archive themed ships. Meanwhile, Sunaookami Shiroko and Kuromi Serika will be available from filling out a progression bar, tokens for which can be earned by purchasing bundles or containers for the event.

You can watch the crossover trailer below, which highlights the Blue Archive characters appearing during the event:

The crossover was first announced earlier in August 2024, alongside the start dates for the event. Meanwhile back in May 2024, World of Warships added another wave of content as part of its collaboration with the Azur Lane series.

The World of Warships x Blue Archive crossover event is now available for the PC version of the game, as well as the Legends version on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and mobile devices. Blue Archive is available for mobile devices.

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The long awaited Dragon Age: The Veilguard finally has an exact release date of October 31, 2024. The release was planned to be announced alongside a trailer, but it appears to have leaked early (thanks, @Wario64!).

The trailer appears to show more of the city of Minrathous, which previously appeared in June's gameplay reveal trailer. There's another peek at the combat shown there, as well as a look at how Pride demons and antagonist Solas will look in the game. Also visible right at the end are two figures standing by Solas, but possibly on the other side of the veil. Both appear mostly humanoid. However, one has a mass of tentacles and extra hands, while the other has some kind of horn-like structure protruding from their back.

You can find the leaked trailer via @Wario64's tweet. When the trailer officially goes live on August 15, 2024, you can watch via Youtube below:

Back in June, 2024, Bioware confirmed a Fall release window for the game alongside a trailer focused on the companions. The company has also confirmed that it will be playable via Steam Deck on launch.

The Dragon Age: The Veilguard release date is October 31, 2024. It will appear on the PC and Xbox Series X.

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A trailer for the Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics has appeared, showing off the included title X-Men: Children of the Atom. The game will include several characters such as Storm, Wolverine, Iceman, and Psylocke as well as a training mode and concept art viewer.

Originally released in 1994, X-Men: Children of the Atom is an X-Men themed fighting game with 11 playable characters, including lesser known characters like Spiral and Omega Red. The version included in the MvC Fighting Collection will also have a training mode with viewable hit-boxes as well as a museum mode where players can view concept art and listen to soundtracks. Other games included in the collection include Marvel Super Heroes, X-Men vs Street Fighter, and Marvel vs Capcom 1 and 2.

You can watch the X-Men trailer for Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection via Youtube below:

The Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection was first announced back in June, 2024, though an exact release date is still unknown. The X-Men also recently featured in the animated series X-Men '97, based on the original animated series from 1992.

The Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics will release on the PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch sometime in 2024.

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To celebrate the release of Fate/stay night Remastered, a new Fate/Grand Order Craft Essence is available for those who complete a special FGO quest. The trailer for the newly remastered game will also be available to view in the mobile game.

The new craft essence is a four-star rarity one, and it increases the Master EXP earned when clearing a quest by 50 while equipped. You can earn the commemorative essence by completing a new quest available via the Chaldea Gate, as long as you have cleared Node 1 of Section 3 in the first singularity of the game. The quest will be available until August 14, 2024.

This isn't the only reference to Fate/stay Night Remastered in FGO. Additionally, a new three-star command code appeared in the Mana Prism exchange shop. Also, using certain Fate/stay night characters as your support will double the amount of Friend Points earned from battles.

You can get a better look at the Craft Essence via the tweet below:

Fate/stay night Remastered experienced a rocky launch, but a recently released patch has fixed several persistent start-up issues. Meanwhile, earlier in August 2024, Good Smile Company showed off an unpainted prototype Nendoroid of Vtuber Usada Pekora dressed as FGO character Mash Kyrielight at a Japanese Smile Fest event.

Fate/Grand Order is immediately available on mobile devices, while the Fate/stay night Remastered Craft Essence will be available to earn until August 14, 2024. Fate/stay night Remastered is also available on PC and Nintendo Switch.

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Boomdakka Snazzwagon. Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy. Deffkilla Wartrike. These are all real names for Ork vehicles, and Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks lets you drive all of them. The game does a commendable job of capturing that rough whimsy of 40K's resident comic relief faction, and the game is a blast in short bursts. My only worry is how much longevity it will have, especially considering its free-to-play model.

While more of a vehicle deathmatch than a racing game, Speed Freeks nontheless puts you behind the wheel of one of several cobbled-together warmachines each with its own setup of boosts and weaponry. And there's a decent spread of roles too, from short range armor-shredders to slow-but-powerful tanks (looted from some other species, naturally) that can fire missiles guided by a little goblin riding on top. My favorite was the Grot Mega Tank, a huge bruiser of a vehicle built like a battleship and with a front-mounted scoop for flipping anyone foolish enough to get close.

Each vehicle has a short spread of abilities, usually a primary fire, a secondary, a dash and then something else. The two tank classes trade their dash for a heal-over-time, but generally they all stick to this formula. Additionally, some trukks in Speed Freeks have a fixed weapon mounting or turret angle limitation that can affect your firepower. For example, the ship-like Mega Tank mentioned earlier has it's turrets mounted lengthways so you'll need to align yourself broadside-style to get them all firing at once. It's a nice little extra consideration to learn in order to get the most out of your vehicle.

Matches of Speed Freeks are played in either Deff Rally or Kill Konvoy modes. Rather than a straight race, Deff Rally is a rush to get to a capture point and get kills while holding it, repeating with different locations before a final race to the finish. Meanwhile, Kill Konvoy has your team escorting an enormous Stompa, the ork interpretation of a super-heavy mech, which will be racing against its enemy counterpart. Kills speed it up, but you can also grab bombs from the field and drive them in to the opposing Stompa to stun it briefly.

A special shout-out has to be made for the maps themselves, which are surprisingly pretty for being mostly empty wasteland. I was especially fond of the Ice level that had a titanic imperial city looming in the background, the imposing gothic construction making for a lovely contrast to the Ork shanties. Fighter jets cruise overhead as stray salvoes litter the sky, with the hilarious implication that all these junkyard derbies are occuring as the rest of the planet is embroiled in a fight for survival.

There are a few missed opportunities, however. Despite the ramshackle nature of Ork construction lending itself perfectly to 'kustomizin', the options are pretty lacking outside of a nice array of colors. Similarly, if any game warranted a Burnout-style crash and destruction system, it's Speed Freeks, but other than the Mega Tank's scoop I never felt like crashing into someone was ever much of an advantage unless you were knocking them into a rock or something.

There's also the battle pass system and shop, or in fact the progression system as a whole. While it's nice that the offerings are so vestigial as to be unobtrustive, I also can't really see why anyone would spend money unless it's for one of the two slightly annoying-to-unlock vehicles. And once you have unlocked each vehicle there wasn't really anything compelling me to go complete challenges. You can unlock a few skulls or spikes to put on your trukk of choice, but nothing that gave me any motivation to grind for.

Still, if you're looking for something as simple as it is loud, Speed Freeks offers fun in spades. And if you're someone tired of the endless progression grind of live service games, some of these negatives might actually be bonuses for you. I do worry how long it can sustain itself, but as a free-to-play game it's definetly worth giving a go if your craving some vehicular carnage.

Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks is available now for PC via Steam Early Access.

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