Category: Games

If you’ve been looking for something new to play, and you happen to enjoy horror games, today’s a good day: The Amnesia Collection is available for free on Steam, and you can keep it forever.

The Amnesia Collection comes with both Amnesia games, The Dark Descent and A Machine For Pigs. Usually $35, you can download the collection for no cost right now. In addition, unlike Steam free weekends, you’ll be able to keep the two games forever.

The Amnesia games are both psychological survival-horror games, so they’re definitely not for you if you don’t like horror. However, they’re both generally well-received, if very different from each other. The Dark Descent was developed by Frictional Games and is known for being extremely scary. A Machine For Pigs, meanwhile, was made by Dear Esther studio The Chinese Room and is more narrative-focused.

Valve didn’t specify when the free period will end, but it definitely is temporary, so you should take advantage soon. You can download the Amnesia Collection here. It’s worth noting, though, that this isn’t the first time the games were free. If you want to read more about Amnesia, you can check out our review of The Dark Descent here and A Machine For Pigs here.

It’s now been six months since Destiny 2 was originally released, and although we haven’t heard anything recently about new DLC, Bungie continues to tweak and improve the game in a number of ways. Today, the company laid out how it’s planning on modifying the game’s competitive multiplayer mode.

Destiny 2’s multiplayer mode, the Crucible, has been a source of consistent player feedback (and sometimes complaints) over the past few months, but Bungie has some significant changes in store. Specifically, the studio aims to make the mode “a faster, more dynamic, and more action-packed experience.”

“There is a lot to get excited about in Update 1.1.4, but something the team really wanted to do was go back and refine the core experience,” Bungie said in a blog post. “Looking at the feedback, it was clear that the community felt there were two key areas for improvement with the Crucible: ‘Time to Kill’ and ‘Team Shotting.’ So we set our sights on re-working systems, mechanics, and values to tackle those two areas.”

To address these issues, Bungie plans on, among other things, reducing the respawn timers for all game modes. All Quickplay modes’ respawn timers have been lowered to two seconds; Survival and Countdown timers are now seven seconds.

In addition, power ammo will also respawn more quickly, meaning that there’ll be substantially more rockets, sniper rounds, and fusion rifle blasts flying around maps. And, perhaps most notably, players will drop unused power ammo upon death.

To address the team shotting issue–essentially, an issue with teams being able to gang up on players too easily–Bungie is tweaking competitive modes to make it harder to clump with your team members. When Update 1.1.4 launches, the teammate tracker will be removed from Trials of the Nine and Competitive matches.

There’s a whole lot more coming in Update 1.1.4, including tweaks to all the player classes. You can see the full list of changes over at Bungie’s website. The update launches on March 27 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. In other news, Iron Banner is live once again in Destiny 2 along with a bunch of new rewards. Many other changes are coming to Destiny 2, as well, such as an overhaul to how Exotic weapons work.

During the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, the publisher confirmed when players will finally be able to get their hands on the upcoming Switch edition of Hyrule Warriors. The game’s Definitive Edition is due out on May 18.

The news wasn’t accompanied by a look at any new gameplay from the hack-and-slash title. Hyrule Warriors is a Dynasty Warriors-style action game where you play as a variety of Zelda characters and take the fight to large group of enemies. The Direct event only briefly covered the game amid a flurry of other announcements, such as South Park: The Fractured But Whole and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker coming to Switch.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition consists of all existing content released for the game, including DLC maps, characters, and missions. Two-player local multiplayer is supported, and you can play with a friend by each using a single Joy-Con.

This version of the game was originally announced back in January, during the surprise Nintendo Direct presentation. March’s Nintendo Direct brought even more news for Switch and 3DS owners.

The big surprise to close out January’s Nintendo Direct Mini presentation was a Switch version of Dark Souls Remastered. The latest Nintendo Direct event has now brought further Dark Souls news for Nintendo fans, albeit of a much different sort.

Alongside the game itself, an Amiibo figure based on Dark Souls is on the way. As pictured below, it’s called the Solaire of Astora Amiibo, and scanning it into the game allows you to perform the famous “praise the sun” emote.

Additionally, the Nintendo Direct brought word that a network test beta will be coming sometime before launch. Further specifics were not shared, but it will afford players an opportunity to try out the game ahead of its release.

A remastered edition of Dark Souls is coming to PS4, Xbox One, and PC in addition to Switch. Each of these versions includes both the Artorias of the Abyss DLC and various technical improvements to the game’s resolution and framerate. It’s due out on May 25, as is the Amiibo figure. For much more, check out our roundup of all the news from the March Nintendo Direct.

The classic GameCube title Luigi’s Mansion is being released on 3DS this year. It was one of the few surprise 3DS games that Nintendo revealed during today’s Direct presentation.

Luigi’s Mansion was originally released alongside the GameCube in 2001. Unlike a traditional Mario title, players take control of Luigi, who must investigate a haunted mansion to rescue Mario from the ghosts that inhabit it. Rather than jump on foes, Luigi is armed with a vacuum-like device called the Poltergust 3000, which he must use to suck up ghosts.

The 3DS version of Luigi’s Mansion features the same storyline and levels as the original GameCube title, but now players can view a map of the mansion on the handheld’s bottom screen. The game also features a new Boss Rush mode and touched up visuals.

A sequel to Luigi’s Mansion, Dark Moon, released for 3DS in 2013. Nintendo hasn’t announced a release date for the Luigi’s Mansion remake, but it’s slated to arrive later this year. You can find more news from today’s presentation in our roundup of all the new Switch and 3DS games from the Nintendo Direct March 2018.

Today’s Nintendo Direct presentation revealed a multitude of new details on its upcoming Mario-themed sports game, Mario Tennis Aces. In addition, we got to hear about the fair number of new 3DS games, which includes a Luigi’s Mansion remake, a port of Captain Toad, and a WarioWare “Best Of” collection. If you’re eager to watch the presentation yourself, you can watch it in its entirety below. But if you want a quick rundown of all the news and the big reveals, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything Nintendo revealed during today’s presentation.

This latest Direct is the second of the year, after the Mini presentation that aired in January. That provided more information regarding Mario + Rabbids DLC and Payday 2’s Switch port; it was also where Nintendo revealed Dark Souls Remastered for Switch and an updated edition of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. For more from that event, check out all the new Switch games shown during the January 2018 Nintendo Direct. Otherwise, check out the announcements below.

3DS NEWS

Warioware Gold | August 3

Similar to Mario Party: The Top 100, WarioWare is getting a similar collection that bundles up 300 microgames in a single package. Titled WarioWare Gold, there are both new and classic mini-games included, that each make use of the 3DS’ touchscreen, mic, more.

Dillon’s Dead Heat Breakers | May 24

The latest entry in the Dillon’s Rolling Western series allows its titular character to team up with your Mii, who can join your team as gunners. A demo for the game will be available on May 10.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey | TBA 2019

A remake of the critically-acclaimed Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is coming in 2019. New features include allowing you to switch between the brothers to platform inside Bowser and then control Bowser outside to explore the overworld.

Luigi’s Mansion 3DS Remake | TBA 2018

A remake of GameCube classic is set to release on 3DS. New features include a mansion map displayed on bottom screen and a new Boss Rush mode.

SWITCH NEWS

Okami HD Switch | Summer 2018

The Okami HD remaster is heading to Switch. It allows you to use touch screen controls in handheld mode to control the Celestial Brush. Likewise, Joy-Con motion controls can be used in TV/tabletop modes. It launches digital only this summer.

Dark Souls Amiibo And Network Test Beta | May 25

The big surprise to close out January’s Nintendo Direct Mini presentation was a Switch version of Dark Souls Remastered. The latest Nintendo Direct event has now brought further Dark Souls news for Nintendo fans. Alongside the game itself, an Amiibo figure based on Dark Souls is on the way. A network test beta is also scheduled to occur sometime before launch.

Sushi Striker: The Way of the Sushido | June 8

Sushi Striker: The Way of the Sushido is a fast-paced action game where you match colored plates and types of sushi to hurl tall stacks of plates at your opponent. It features an online multiplayer mode. In addition, it is set to launch on Switch and 3DS.

Ocotopath Traveler | July 13

The Nintendo Direct introduced two more characters in the upcoming RPG, Octopath Traveler: a merchant named Tressa, and an apothecary named Alfyn. A special edition was also revealed, which includes a map, pop-up book, CD, and a replica coin based on in-game currency.

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes | TBA 2018

The much-awaited No More Heroes sequel was showcased during the Nintendo Direct presentation. It sports seven different game type and a co-op multiplayer mode where you share Joy-Con controllers.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | July 13

The incredibly adorable puzzler, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is finally coming to Switch. It included an added Super Mario Odyssey-themed level modeled after that game’s New Donk City location. You can also play with a friend–each using one joy-con–where one controls Toad and the other can shoot turnips to attack enemies. A 3DS version that features duel-screen and touch screen support is also set to release.

Undertale | TBA

A port of indie darling Undertale is headed to Switch at an unconfirmed date.

Crash Bandicoot: N-Sane Trilogy | July 10

Following its release on PlayStation 4 last year, Activision’s Crash Bandicoot remaster is coming to Nintendo Switch.

Little Nightmares: Complete Edition | May 18

The well-received horror puzzler is coming to Switch this Mary. It includes all past DLC, as well as a special mask you can unlock by scanning in the Pac-Man Amiibo.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole | April 24

South Park: The Fractured But Whole is headed to Nintendo Switch. You’ll be able to buy all of the game’s DLC as well, either as individual downloads or through a DLC pack.

ARMS US & Canada Online Open Tournament

Arms players can compete in an online open tournament starting now going through March 18. The top eight players from these preliminary rounds will move onto an online finals on March 31.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition | May 18

Fans of Wii U-exclusive Hyrule Warriors will finally be able to get their hands on the upcoming Switch edition of the game this May. The game consists of all existing content released for the game, including DLC maps, characters, and missions. Two-player local multiplayer is supported, and you can play with a friend by each using a single Joy-Con.

Mario Tennis Aces | June 22

Nintendo shared more information on Mario Tennis Aces during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. We learned a ton of new details about the upcoming Switch sports game, including when it’ll release around: June 22.

Splatoon 2 Ver. 3.0 | April 2018

A new update for Splatoon 2 is coming in late April. There will be new gear, stages, playable Octolings, and more. An paid DLC expansion is also set to release this summer, and it includes new single-player levels.

Super Smash Bros. (Switch) | TBA 2018

Super Smash Bros. is coming to Nintendo Switch, which Nintendo announced by way of a cool teaser trailer. And you won’t have to wait all that long for it: it’s coming later this year.