As February comes to a close, Amazon and Twitch have revealed the free games and loot that Amazon Prime subscribers will be able to grab in March. For those unfamiliar with the program, each month Amazon Prime subscribers get five free games–usually smaller indie titles–and in-game loot for popular online multiplayer games. Twitch Prime freebies are perhaps one of the lesser-known perks of Amazon Prime, but if you’re a member, you shouldn’t miss out.
Starting March 2, subscribers will be able to snag Furi, a stellar action shoot-em-up featuring a series of increasingly challenging boss fights. The science fiction aesthetic coupled with the stylish color palette makes for a captivating atmosphere, and the gameplay is fast and fun. You can also grab Epistory – Typing Chronicles, a gorgeous action-adventure set in a world made of origami; Whispers of a Machine, a 2019 point-and-click adventure starring an augmented special agent; Bomber Crew, a World War II strategy game; and Mugsters, a physics-based puzzler filled with aliens.
Along with the free games, you can claim new in-game loot for Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and FIFA 20. Apex Legends’ Revenant has a new Gilded Rose skin that’s up for grabs until March 19. Fans of FIFA 20’s Ultimate Team mode can grab the Twitch Prime Player Pack, which includes an 81+ overall item and four rare gold player items. Destiny 2’s latest batch of in-game loot goes live February 26 and includes new Exotics, including the Praxic Finery Sparrow, Sails of Osiris ship, and Poultry Petting emote.
You can start claiming free games and loot from Twitch Prime by linking your Twitch account to your Amazon Prime account. If you’re not a current Amazon Prime subscriber, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial before taking the plunge on the $119 per year membership. We’ve listed the full Twitch Prime freebies schedule below, and you can learn more at Twitch Prime.
March is just around the corner, which means a new slate of Games with Gold will soon be available. Microsoft has revealed the next batch of free games for Xbox Live Gold members, and as usual, it includes two titles for Xbox One and two for Xbox 360.
Kicking off the month are Telltale’s Batman: The Enemy Within for Xbox One and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 for Xbox 360. The former will be available throughout the entire month, while the latter will be free to download from March 1-15.
Two more free games will be available starting March 16. First is Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, which will be up for grabs until April 15. Joining it is the well-liked Xbox 360 Sonic game, Sonic Generations; you’ll be able to download that until March 31. As usual, both of March’s free Xbox 360 titles are backwards compatible with Xbox One.
An Xbox Live Gold membership costs $10 a month, while an Game Pass Ultimate subscription–which includes all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold along with access to the Xbox Game Pass library–runs for $15 a month. Microsoft recently confirmed that Halo Infinite will be available on Game Pass for Xbox One and the company’s upcoming Xbox Series X console. If you’re interested in trying the service, you can get three months of Game Pass Ultimate for $25.
March Xbox Games With Gold Lineup
Xbox One
Batman: The Enemy Within (March 1-31)
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (March 16-April 15)
Xbox 360
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 (March 1-15)
Sonic Generations (March 16-31)
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The Nintendo Switch continues to win over people’s hearts with every passing year since its launch. After the middling reception of the Wii U, many were concerned about how the company could possibly manage against industry giants like Sony and Microsoft in the increasingly competitive games market. However, Nintendo succeeded against all odds with the Switch’s intuitive and innovative design. Capable of transitioning from a portable to a living room console at will, the promise of the Switch is one that has captured the imaginations of the game playing public.
Alongside the Switch’s release was the universally praised The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, giving it the killer app it needed to quickly rise to the top of console sales charts and dramatically increase Nintendo’s revenue. But in the years since its launch, there has been no shortage of amazing games. We’ve got big first-party games like Mario and Fire Emblem. On the other hand, there are indie darlings like Dead Cells, Celeste, and Stardew Valley.
Another strong aspect of the Switch is its third-party support. You’ve got games like Mortal Kombat 11 and Octopath Traveler. Of course, there’s plenty of ports too, such as Assassin’s Creed III and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Regardless of where you look, the library only seems to be expanding and improving with every consecutive year.
In this feature, we’re taking a look back at the best Switch games so far. This is a hand-picked list pulling from games that have received a score of 8 or higher on GameSpot since the Switch’s release. With the console’s library continuing to expand, make sure to check back often as we update this feature over the coming weeks and months.
The Switch already has hundreds of games, so many that some are bound to fly under our radar. The games covered here are only a small handful of the experiences out there. Scroll down to see some of the finest on the hybrid console handheld.
Which games do you think are some of the Switch’s finest? Let us know in the comments below.
Super Mario Odyssey — 10/10
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Super Mario Odyssey Video Review
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“Odyssey is sustained beyond its major milestones not only through colorful worlds and hidden challenges, but through the sheer joy of controlling Mario, who’s never felt more responsive or dynamic in action. Even with everything new that’s been introduced, Nintendo’s forward-thinking platformer retains the series’ classic handcrafted appeal, which is even more impressive when you realize how densely packed each kingdom is. Mario’s latest outing is big, bold, and bursting with new ideas, and like Breath of the Wild, is another instance of Nintendo going above and beyond to redefine our expectations. It’s a shining example of refined creativity, and another crown jewel for Switch that is without equal.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Splatoon 2 — 8/10
“At first glance, Splatoon 2 seems very similar to the first game. But all the small changes, and even the bigger ones in single player and League Battles, make for a fresh take on the already unique shooter. If you played a lot of the original, the sequel has enough to keep you coming back, and if you’re new to the game, it’s a fantastic place to jump in.” — Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
Stardew Valley — 9/10
“The sheer number of things to accomplish in Stardew Valley can keep you interested beyond the original three in-game years you need to reach the end of your story–you may just want to start over rather than continue on. You’ll work quite hard to gather enough money for your first horse, so that you can quickly move to the mines to get a mineral to complete a bundle at the community center. It’s all centered around whatever it is you want to accomplish that day. And that’s truly what makes Stardew Valley such a lovely experience, it encourages you to go out and be the best you can be, in whichever task that brings you the most joy. Stardew Valley motivates naturally, with blissful optimism.” — Mary Kish
Rocket League — 9/10
“For people new to the game, they have a lot to look forward to regardless, as it’s one of the most fascinating sports games in memory. Nevermind if you don’t like soccer or couldn’t care less about the growing esports community. Rocket League is a unique game that redefines the concept of what a sports game can be, and Psyonix continues to support it with new content on a regular basis. It’s been around for a while, but now that it’s on Switch, there’s no better time to give it a shot.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Owlboy — 8/10
“Owlboy is consistently charming and surprising, and when its final act doubles down on every front, it’s bittersweet to see it end. As you relish the outcome of the final battle and watch the closing cutscene, you can’t help but reflect on the beginning of your adventure and how far the world and its inhabitants have come. You’ll never be able to play Owlboy for the first time again, but the memories of its magic moments stick with you. This is more than a treat for fans of old-school games; Owlboy is a heartfelt experience that will touch anyone with an affinity for great art and storytelling.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — 8/10
“For Mario Kart fans, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe might look like more of the same with small Double Dash-inspired tweaks. But thanks to a series of updates both big and almost unseen, it’s the version of Mario Kart to get. If you don’t own a Wii U or skipped out on Mario Kart 8 the first time around–or even if you’ve played it before–Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is worth your time. It plays beautifully on Switch in both handheld and docked mode, and its core racing is as exciting as ever. And, most notably, it completely revamps the original’s lackluster Battle Mode, rounding out an already great racing game.” — Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle — 9/10
“Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle exudes off-beat optimism that never dissolves. It’s a consistent delight, no matter how challenging the road becomes, because Kingdom Battle’s unique turn-based tactics system is in every way a pleasure to engage with. Coupled with the annoyingly infectious allure of Rabbids, and the always delightful, colorful world of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is an implausibly engrossing formula that is positively challenging and endlessly charming.” — Edmond Tran, Senior Editor & Producer
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — 10/10
“No matter how gorgeous its environments are, how clever its enemies are, and how tricky its puzzles get, the fact that Breath of the Wild continues to surprise you with newfound rules and possibilities after dozens of hours is by far its most valuable quality. It’s a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery–which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience. Breath of the Wild is a defining moment for The Legend of Zelda series, and the most impressive game Nintendo has ever created.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Golf Story — 8/10
“It can take a little while for the narrative to ramp up in Golf Story and for you to feel like you’ve really cultivated the skills of a champion, but based on the sheer scope of what the game delivers, there’s likely something for everyone to enjoy whether their shtick is mini-golfing or terrorising delinquents with frisbees. It has successfully captured the trappings of yesteryear’s RPGs, and the witticisms and idiosyncrasies of the characters you encounter are a great palate cleanser between rounds. Switch has had a swathe of indies hit its eShop recently, but if you’re looking for something that’ll give you satisfaction in terms of an interesting story and a rewarding mechanic, then Golf Story is certainly par for the course.” — Ginny Woo
Celeste — 9/10
“It’s a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I’d been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain.” — Oscar Dayus
Dead Cells — 9/10
“Dead Cells is a fascinating amalgam of several of today’s most popular indie genres. It juggles elements of tough-as-nails action games and Metroid-inspired exploration platformers, with the procedurally generated levels and random item allotments found in roguelikes. It’s impressive how it all comes together without a hitch, especially given that the persistent character growth found in games like Dark Souls or Metroid squarely conflicts with the randomized resets emblematic of Rogue-inspired games.” — Daniel Starkey
Into the Breach — 9/10
“There is so much strategic joy in seeing the potential destruction a swarm of giant monsters is about to unleash on a city, then quickly staging and executing elaborate counter maneuvers to ruin the party. Into The Breach’s focus on foresight makes its turn-based encounters an action-packed, risk-free puzzle, and the remarkable diversity of playstyles afforded by unique units keeps each new run interesting. It’s a pleasure to see what kind of life-threatening predicaments await for you to creatively resolve in every new turn, every new battle, and every new campaign. Into The Breach is a pristine and pragmatic tactical gem with dynamic conflicts that will inspire you to jump back in again, and again, and again.” — Edmond Tran, Senior Editor and Producer
Undertale — 9/10
“Three years after its initial release on PC, Undertale has found its way to the Nintendo Switch–and of course, the game is every bit as charming, challenging, and harrowing as it was the first time around. Undertale may seem like a straightforward retro-style RPG, but it subverts player expectations every chance it gets, which never gets stale because of clever writing and an evocative chiptune soundtrack. Thankfully, it plays just as well as it does on other platforms without any performance hitches or bugs after putting about four hours into this version. Like its console counterparts, you can fill the screen with an adaptive border that thematically fits with the location you’re in (Undertale plays in a 4:3 aspect ratio). Dodging enemy attacks in the bullet hell-style defensive phase in combat works just as well with the Joy-Con analog sticks. Undertale isn’t afraid to break convention, and because it does so in a way that’s thoughtful and humorous throughout, the result is an emotional rollercoaster that fills us with determination.” — Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — 9/10
“An inconsistent online mode and situational downers don’t stop Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from shining as a flexible multiplayer game that can be as freewheeling or as firm as you want it to be. Its entertaining single-player content helps keep the game rich with interesting things to do, as well as bolstering its spirit of loving homage to the games that have graced Nintendo consoles. Ultimate’s diverse content is compelling, its strong mechanics are refined, and the encompassing collection is simply superb.” — Edmond Tran, Senior Editor and Producer
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu / Eevee — 8/10
“Despite these concessions, Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee are delightful reimaginings of the series’ origins and a deep RPG in their own right. It makes a lot of smart improvements on the original Red, Blue and Yellow while holding on to what made them so special in the first place. Fans of the series might be let down by the lack of features they’ve come to expect, but Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee take the Pokemon formula in some exciting new directions.” — Jake Dekker, Video Producer
Tetris 99 — 8/10
“Tetris 99 may not be a proper battle royale game, but it taps into the same emotional well, where a large number of players vying for supremacy creates an ever-present intensity that’s difficult to shake. Add that layer to a game that’s plenty capable of instilling tension on its own, and you’ve got a riveting experience that even at its worst is still a game very much worth playing. There’s obvious room for improvement, but that’s the last thing on your mind when the pieces start falling and the players start dropping.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Cuphead — 8/10
“Cuphead has been a longtime coming, and it’s great to see that it lives up to its initial promises across all platforms. It’s beautiful to look at, and with a pitch-perfect soundtrack, it flawlessly captures the era its developers so clearly revere. It’s also an intense action game that pulls no punches. It could benefit from a few tweaks, and two-player co-op doesn’t feel like the valuable addition you might imagine, but Cuphead remains a rare, unique game that truly stands out.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Fire Emblem: Three Houses — 9/10
“When all was said and done, all I could think about was starting another playthrough. I was curious about the mysteries left unsolved, of course, but I also hoped to undo my mistakes. There were characters I didn’t talk to enough, students I didn’t recruit, and far more effective ways to train my units. A second playthrough treads familiar ground in the beginning, but after learning and growing so much in the first, it feels fresh, too. That speaks to Three Houses’ mechanical complexity and depth as well as the connections it fosters with its characters–and whether you’re managing inventories or battlefields, it’s the kind of game that’s hard to put down, even when it’s over.” — Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening — 8/10
“Though the remake has a couple of blemishes, it’s still an easy game to recommend. People speak of Link’s Awakening as the secret best Zelda game. That’s a tough call to make, but it’s definitely one of the best. If you haven’t touched a classic Zelda game in a while, Link’s Awakening will almost instantly transport you back to the ’90s. It’s simple, in many ways, but the orchestrated journey still conveys a sense of adventure, and this new version is without question the best way to experience it. And more than anything else, it will put a smile on your face. Remakes are a dime a dozen nowadays and often easy to overlook. Don’t make that mistake with Link’s Awakening.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Untitled Goose Game — 8/10
“The important thing is that Untitled Goose Game is a hoot. It’s a comedy game that focuses on making the act of playing it funny, rather than simply being a game that features jokes. Wishing that it was longer speaks to how much fun I had with it. There’s nothing else quite like Untitled Goose Game; it’s charming and cute despite being mean, and both very silly and very clever. It’s also probably the best non-racing game ever to feature a dedicated “honk” button.” — James O’Connor
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition — 9/10
“Despite some small graphical compromises in 3D mode–rare frame rate stuttering and some occasional pop-in–almost everything in Dragon Quest XI on Switch is an improvement on its original release. If you have been putting off playing this RPG masterpiece, this portable edition is absolutely the way to go–and if you want to revisit it, this version is the perfect excuse to do so.” — Heidi Kemps
Luigi’s Mansion 3 — 8/10
“But while the multiplayer modes may not hold your attention for long, the strength of the Luigi’s Mansion series has always stemmed from the satisfaction of exploring its carefully constructed settings, and in that regard Luigi’s Mansion 3 certainly succeeds. The game may not radically diverge from the series’ formula, but it offers up another meticulously crafted set of challenges to overcome while smoothing out some of the issues that held Dark Moon back, and the sense of accomplishment you feel when you clear a particularly head-scratching obstacle is just as potent now as the first time Luigi unwillingly strapped a vacuum to his back and stepped into a haunted mansion.” — Kevin Knezevic, Associate Editor
Pokemon Sword & Shield — 9/10
“In collecting, battling, and exploring, Sword and Shield cut out the bloat and focus on what makes these pillars of the Pokemon games so captivating in the first place. You’re not held back by overly complicated back-end systems or hoops to jump through; from the outset, you can start wandering the Galar region, seeing its new Pokemon, and trying out its new battle strategies with very little in your way. This leaves you free to enjoy what Pokemon is all about, and that makes for an incredibly strong showing for the series’ proper debut on Switch.” — Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
Divinity: Original Sin II — 9/10
“The Nintendo Switch version of Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition seems as if it shouldn’t work on the hybrid console, and yet it does wonderfully. Larian’s acclaimed RPG makes the transition to Switch intact (except for couch co-op, though online and local wireless play are available) with very little in the way of compromises. The control scheme, as with that of the PS4 and Xbox One versions, works well here despite the lack of a traditional mouse-and-keyboard setup. The turn-based nature of combat lends itself to short bursts of gameplay in handheld mode, though it’s a difficult game to put down once you get started.” — Chris Pereira, Engagement Editor
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition — 9/10
“Although the Nintendo Switch might not be the best platform to play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it’s still a fantastic experience that shouldn’t be missed. If you are looking to replay The Witcher 3 and bask in its detail and beauty, the Switch port may not quite scratch that itch. However, what makes this game excellent isn’t its graphics, but the powerful stories it tells, and those are as vivid as ever on Switch.” — Jake Dekker, Video Producer
Bayonetta 2 — 10/10
“Bayonetta 2 arrives on Switch with everything intact from the Wii U version, but with the added convenience of portability and a more consistent frame rate, making it the definitive version of the game. Thanks to the confident execution of seemingly unbridled creativity, Bayonetta 2 remains a game that shouldn’t be missed, just as it was when we first reviewed the game on Wii U.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze — 9/10
“Tropical Freeze isn’t a heavy-hitter from Nintendo in the same way Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey are, but it’s a fantastic platformer that’s bursting with creativity and expertly designed challenges. It’s tuned just right–always tough but rarely frustrating–to ensure that even the most common moments feel great. If you missed out when the game first debuted back in 2014, give it a shot today. It easily stands the test of time.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus — 8/10
“As long as you’re able to play the entire game in docked mode, The New Colossus is the same fantastic game it is on other platforms. It runs well and, despite some minor visual compromises, it still looks pretty good. Handheld mode is unfortunately far less optimized, and the Joy-Cons simply don’t feel as good to use as the Pro Controller. If Switch is your only way to play it, The New Colossus is absolutely worth your time–just not on the go.” — Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
SNK Anniversary Collection — 8/10
“Digital Eclipse proves once again that it’s the right team for the job of both preserving and resurrecting classic video games. For SNK and its fans, the team has elevated some of the company’s most important milestones. It’s responsible for more than just Neo Geo games, and though not every game that came before is worth replaying on its own today, the addition of supplemental materials and revitalizing modern gaming conveniences make them feel more interesting than they have in years, and in some cases, decades.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled — 8/10
“Simply put: This is a remaster done right. Nitro-Fueled maintains the spirit and rock-solid foundations of a childhood favorite while building on it and modernizing it where necessary–even if the handling might take a bit of getting used to. Adventure mode’s classic variant feels a little tough, but your first race on Roo’s Tubes or Sewer Speedway will bring a nostalgic grin to your face regardless. When the nostalgia fades, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled remains fun and engaging enough to keep you racing on with a smile on your face for much longer yet. It’s good to have Crash back.” — Oscar Dayus
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice — 8/10
“Hellblade has now made its way to Nintendo Switch. While this port manages to reach the same emotional and spiritually resonant highs as other releases, it unfortunately features some inconsistent frame rate and subdued texture detail throughout, lessening the impact of some key moments. With that said, Hellblade is still largely intact on the more modest platform. In the Switch’s tablet form, it gives the impression you’re diving into an engrossing novel, making for a more intimate experience that can’t found in other versions of the game.” — Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Thumper — 9/10
“Thumper has now made its way to Nintendo Switch, where it remains every bit as enjoyable to play on a monitor (at 1080p 60fps) as it is on PS4 and PC. Surprisingly little has been sacrificed in the transition to the portable console, and in some ways the fact that you can now hold it close by undocking the Switch makes it a slightly more immersive experience than sitting feet away from your TV. If VR isn’t something you have access to or want to invest in, the Switch version of Thumper is arguably the second best route to experience everything this impressive and brutal rhythm game has to offer.” — Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Dragon Ball FighterZ continues to grow its character roster, and new fighter Kefla will be available on February 28. If you have the FighterZ Pass 3, however, you can start playing as her a little earlier.
Kefla was introduced in Dragon Ball Super, and she’s a fusion of characters Caulifla and Kale because creator Akira Toriyama never tires of vegetable puns. A viciously fast fighter, Kefla makes use of multiple energy attacks and redirection, and her most powerful Super attacks leave very little room for escape.
The FighterZ Pass 3 adds several new characters to Dragon Ball FighterZ. Alongside Kefla, we know Goku’s Ultra Instinct form will be available. This means there are now six different versions of Goku available across the game, along with the fusion character Vegito.
Even if you aren’t interested in getting the FighterZ pass, Dragon Ball FighterZ is also getting a free update that changes game mechanics significantly. Characters now have selectable Z Assist moves, and Limit-Breaking Power now changes the health gauge’s appearance when one character is left while increasing damage and the Ki gauge, as well as reducing the opponent’s recoverable health.
Instant Overhead attacks have been nerfed in the update, and won’t hit a crouched enemy while they’re rising into the air. The Ki charge period has had its recovery reduced and it can deflect Ki blasts, and you’ll perform a Super Dash if you do a heavy attack while charging.
Other changes include:
Fighter can cancel Vanish with Special Move or Super Dash during camera shift
Dragon Rush can be performed after landing standing light attack
Powered-up Special Moves now consume only half of Ki gauge
Attacks hitting sub-characters like Saibamen and Ginyu Force can be canceled
Can’t instantly use Z-Assist after opponent stops blocking
Removed landing recovery during camera shift for jumping heavy attack
Having been out for more than half a decade already, it isn’t outlandish to wonder when Rainbow Six Siege might be making the move to free-to-play. According to game director Leroy Athanassoff, it’s a move he and his team have been wanting too.
Speaking to PC Gamer, Athanassoff explained that the decision to move towards free-to-play isn’t up to the development team, with numerous business decisions standing in the way. Athanassoff wants the game to be accessible to as many players as possible, but also points out how that brings with it new challenges.
It’s not as simple as changing the price, says Athanassoff, with many features required to combat abusive player behavior when a game is freely open to everyone. Smurf accounts (a practice where high-skill players will create new accounts to play with lower level ones) are a huge concern, and it’s the biggest hurdle Athanassoff says his team needs to overcome before considering free-to-play.
“What’s important for us is that we find out as soon as possible that a player is highly skilled in the things that matter,” he said. “The problem right now is that you can play a certain amount of matches with Copper players while you’re a Diamond.”
Athanassoff notes that right now Siege isn’t doing enough to detect instances of smurfing already, with the MMR scoring system only focusing on a player’s win rate. In the future it will need to take more data into account (such as kill/death ratios and accuracy metrics) to better identify when a player is trying to cheat the system.
These aren’t unique problems to Rainbow Six Siege, with most large multiplayer games having to implement their own solutions to the same problem. Dota 2, for example, requires a phone number to unlock ranked play (a feature Siege already has too), while both Overwatch and Fortnite regularly ban players using smurf accounts.
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Adult Swim Games and Japanese developer Soleil Games have announced a brand new video game based on the hit animated series, Samurai Jack. IGN has the exclusive first trailer for Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time which is coming to PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch this summer. You can watch the trailer below.
Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is set before Jack’s final fight with Aku, an evil entity that trapped Jack in alternate timelines throughout human history. Jack will have to fight through several different timelines in order to reach Aku and defeat him.
The script for the Samurai Jack game is written by series head writer Darrick Bachman. The gameplay will combine hack-and-slash gameplay and allow players to wield a variety of different melee and ranged weapons.
The 3D art style still retains the stylized look of Genndy Tartakovsky’s Emmy Award-winning animated series, which is a huge plus. The developers, Soleil Games, are a small studio from Japan comprised of ex-Ninja Gaiden/Dead or Alive developers so they have some background in 3D hack-and-slash games.
Samurai Jack series creator Genndy Tartakovsky and head writer Darrick Bachman will be at PAX East for Adult Swim Games’ panel on Friday, February 28 where they will reveal more details about the project.
Samurai Jack originally aired for four seasons on Cartoon Network from 2001 to 2004 where it received critical acclaim. The series was brought back for a final season in 2017 by Adult Swim. You can read IGN’s Samurai Jack review when we awarded the fifth season our editor’s choice.
There’s no hard release date for Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time other than a summer 2020 release window.
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Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.
Resident Evil 3 Remake comes so hot on the heels of the massively successful Resident Evil 2, that it was hard not to be a little skeptical of its quality before sitting down to play it. I’m happy to report however that not only does Resident Evil 3 feel as fresh and clever as its predecessor, it adds enough to potentially exceed it.
Resident Evil 3 takes place both just before and after the events of Resident Evil 2, and from what I played appears to very closely follow in the footsteps laid out by the 1999 original, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Much like the RE 2 Remake, RE 3 retraces these moments faithfully, but adds enough modern flair and -with the aid of hindsight and modern technology- re-organises events and adapts characters to draw the most out of the narrative. Carlos for example, now feels more like an actual human being and not a Jill leering, machine gun toting caricature. In the few cutscenes I did experience, the story was well produced and far more engaging than the original. Although Nikolai’s Russian accent was definitely still leaning on the cartoon-y side.
I was dropped in just after meeting Carlos for the first time and played for around 2 hours from there. Despite Racoon City being in a state of chaos, something that immediately stood out to me was how vibrant and alive it felt. I was constantly stopping to take in the details and it almost felt like every building was explorable and every item interactable – the returning explosive red barrels and electric boxes definitely were! Stopping to take in the scenery was often impossible though, and almost entirely misguided. Not only did I have to deal with what felt like nimbler and greater quantities of zombies than in RE 2, but I also had to make my way through tighter, winding paths and a maze-like collection of vehicles and barricades. Somehow, the city felt huge and alive, but at the same time claustrophobic and (I don’t mean this in a negative way) a nightmare to navigate. But the biggest threat, by far, was the arrival of the main event himself, the mechanic that Resident Evil 3 hangs its hat on: Nemesis.
Fans of the original will remember the rocket launcher loving, S.T.A.R.S hunting pursuer, and his return in the Resident Evil 3 remake doesn’t disappoint. I won’t ruin what I imagine is one of his many surprise appearances, but it’s safe to say it’s both equal parts terrifying and entertaining. If you thought the constant threat of Mr. X was a stressful experience, then Nemesis could be borderline panic-attack inducing. Nemesis not only pursues and hunts you down (while spouting his ‘Stttaaaaaaarrrs’ catchphrase), but has the ability wield weapons, air drop out of nowhere, and – perhaps most terrifyingly – sprint towards you at full pace like a rhino with a deathwish. Nemesis is as stressful as you remember it being, but graphically and mechanically so much more intense, often feeling like there’s no escape. I spent a good 20 minutes just being chased by the giant freak and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the beast off until I triggered the next story beat. I’m not allowed to talk about the specifics, but he also has a couple of new tricks up his sleeve that make avoidance even more of a nightmare than it was in 1999.
So how do you stop an unstoppable monster? Simply put, you don’t. Much like the original, Resident Evil 3 puts a greater emphasis on manoeuvrability and this comes in the form of the quick step, a dodge button that lets you side-step almost all incoming attacks. The original featured something similar, but simplified to a counter that only worked when timed just right. In the remake, the quick step allows you at any point to make a sharp movement in any direction. Frankly, this move is your new best friend. It also has a timing element: by hitting R1 at the right time, the action slightly slows down and increases the distance of your dodge. Once mastered, it’s the ultimate avoidance tool. It’s invaluable for not only side-stepping Nemesis, but weaving your way through the aforementioned labyrinth of the undead.
The quick step isn’t the only tool available to assist in Jill’s navigation. A slight, but much welcome change from Resident Evil 2 is the ability to quickly pick up items that you already have one of. No longer interrupting your escape with menu screens, the game allows you to grab that precious herb while still maintaining your velocity. It’s a small change, but one that’s incredibly important to maintaining your momentum and not taking you out of a life-threatening moment to stop and inspect some handgun bullets.
Not quite as well implemented is the return of Drain Deimos, which now appear at the electrical substation and serve only to annoy you in the extremely game-y task of transformer activation. It was a section that felt a little archaic and the only part that felt out of step with the rest of my highly promising playthrough. The Drain Deimos lacked any kind of intimidating presence or threat, but were very much the animation-breaking attack they were (unsatisfyingly) designed to be.
Having replayed the original Resident Evil 3 recently, it was a pleasant surprise to see that this isn’t just a beat-for-beat remake, and that care and attention has been made to not only modernise, but spice things up with unexpected moments and enemies. Nothing exemplified this feeling more than in the Racoon City sewer when I was greeted by the Hunter Gamma. Fans will remember that Hunter Gamma was an enemy that featured previously in Resident Evil 3, but instead of it’s anthropomorphic, frog-like appearance, the creature now takes the shape of a 7-foot, hideous blob fish with legs. Watching one lurking round the corner and ready to swallow me whole reminded me that the remake loves to honour its roots, but isn’t afraid to sprout something new and disgusting from them.
In many ways, Resident Evil 3 feels like more of the same, but when that “same” is the incredible Resident Evil 2 Remake, it’s hard to see this as a negative. With the inclusion of Nemesis and a greater emphasis on scale and maneuverability, Resident Evil 3 feels fresh enough to stand on its own and take an important (quick) step for the series.
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Dale Driver is a Senior Video Producer for IGN and rumours suggest he may have shat his pants when Nemesis first arrived. Be thoroughly bored by following him Twitter at @_daledriver.
Capcom revealed a whole bunch of new details about Resident Evil 3 remake this morning. IGN was able to get a full hands-on preview from the event, as well as an interview with Capcom producer Peter Fabiano where we talked about the inspirations for Jill Valentine’s redesign, the changes in the remake from the original, and how to make Nemesis scary after Mr. X.
Resident Evil 3 remake reimagines and remixes the characters and events of the 1999 PlayStation survival-horror game. Jill Valentine, a protagonist from the first Resident Evil game, once again takes center stage as she tries to escape Raccoon City during a T-Virus outbreak. Like the Resident Evil 2 remake, Capcom has gone back to the drawing board to redesign Jill Valentine for 2020 and we asked Fabiano what that process was like.
“So when you look at the original, right? [Jill Valentine] needed to kind of pop in the graphics of the day. So when we were looking at [the remake] and rebuilding Raccoon City and the world, overall, in Resident Evil 3, you’ll notice that we use photogrammetry and photo-real [graphics],” Fabiano said. “We wanted to make sure that Jill fit in that environment. So that’s why you’ll see that come to fruition in the design that we have with Jill and in the reimagining we have here. As well as the fact that you still see the Jill you know and love. That comes out a lot more in the performances and mocap.”
It wasn’t just Jill’s look that got a redesign either. Resident Evil 3 expands on the storytelling and dialogue, which means Jill’s character has been expanded upon through story and writing as well. Throughout the demo Carlos calls Jill ‘Supercop’ and she feels like an 80s action hero at times.
“The director really wanted to show that Jill is a character that has the wherewithal to get through all situations,” Fabiano explained. One of those situations, for example, is the Drain Deimos which makes an updated return in Resident Evil 3. When attacked by one of these, Jill risks getting infected with parasites which she must proceed to remove from herself by inducing vomiting. “At its core, it is survival horror, right? And we want to keep those elements in there and…[show] that Jill can get through these really hard situations.”
Resident Evil 3 has been in development for three years, and there was some concurrent development with Resident Evil 2. This allowed the developers to see what was being done in one remake and adapt and learn for Resident Evil 3. “So we were able to take a lot of what we built out for RE 2 with the RE engine and use that and then kind of adapt and actually bring that even more forward and develop in that sense… We saw what was being built out in RE2, and there were things that we took from that or things that we actually wanted to kind of bring even more forward,” Fabiano said.
As for specifics, Fabiano told IGN that there were “certain things that [Capcom] did with AI and certain things to kind of spruce up the way that the graphics look,” but declined to get too much further in-depth.
While elements like the city and characters were expanded for the Resident Evil 3 remake, other functions like the multiple endings and live choices were removed. Fabiano says these features were sacrificed in favor of a more focused story. “The live selections were something that was included in the original RE 3. You know, they didn’t have much development time and there were challenges that they had to face. So one of the solutions they came up with to give the game some replayability was to add the live selections,” Fabiano says. “In this case, the director really just wanted to tell a consistent story. And so that’s why we decided to go with the one story with Resident Evil 3.”
While you can read IGN’s hands-on preview of Resident Evil 3 for more details and impressions about the upcoming survival horror game, we did ask Fabiano two final questions. Will there be more Resident Evil remakes in the future, and will Resident Evil go first-person again?
Sadly, our answers to both of those questions was a very vague, “Who knows?”
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Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.
The Game Developers Conference (GDC) will run in San Francisco from March 16 through to March 20, but some major game publishers are dropping out. EA has become the latest company to pull out from the conference, following PlayStation and Kojima Productions.
EA has sent through a statement to GameSpot, confirming that they will not be officially participating in GDC, and are restricting non-essential travel due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Their statement follows.
“Having closely followed the global situation with Coronavirus and with the recent escalation of cases in new regions, we have decided to take additional steps to protect the wellbeing of our employees including the restriction of all non-essential travel. As a result we are also cancelling our official participation at GDC and limiting attendance to other events. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will adjust guidelines to our employees as we feel is appropriate.”
EA’s decision was first revealed by a LinkedIn post from Alex Sherer, an ad product development specialist at EA. “Just received word from corporate, and EA will be limiting our presence at GDC, cancelling our participation in official GDC events, and all EA employees have been advised to not travel to San Francisco for the conference,” the post reads.
This will likely lead to the cancellation of multiple panels that EA staff were poised to appear on, including one entitled EA’s Studio Organization: Lessons Learned, which was to feature five speakers from the company.
Despite these setbacks, GDC 2020 is still planned to go ahead for now. To date, there have been 53 reported cases of the coronavirus in the US, with zero deaths.
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Star Wars is expanding with a series of books and comics exploring a different period from the one we’re used to. The High Republic publishing campaign has been announced, and it will consist of several books set 200 years before The Phantom Menace, at the height of Jedi rule, power, and influence.
This story will be told across novels, children’s books, and comics. Five projects have been announced, including pieces from writers who have previous experience in the Star Wars universe, such as Charles Soule (numerous comics, including Lando, Poe Dameron, and Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith) and Claudia Gray (Star Wars: Leia, Princess of Alderaan and three other books). They are:
Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark (Claudia Gray, young adult novel)
Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage (Justina Ireland, middle grade novel)
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures (Daniel José Older, comic, IDW Publishing)
Star Wars: The High Republic (Cavan Scott, comic, Marvel)
Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi (Charles Soule, adult novel)
The purpose of picking this time is that the writers can have a lot of creative freedom–it does not overlap with any established canon period or character, so the attached writers are able to do whatever they want without worrying about the other Star Wars works out there.
Lucasarts president Kathleen Kennedy promises that these works will cover “a more hopeful, optimistic time,” but also that there will be more traditional Star Wars conflict as well: “But of course, into this glorious new era something wicked this way comes.”
The next new Star Wars movie will arrive in 2022, although it’s not clear what that will be yet. Director JD Dillard was recently brought in to develop a new Star Wars film project. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of Star Wars coming to the small screen: the last season of The Clone Wars is now airing on Disney Plus, a new season of The Mandalorian will release this year, and an Obi-Wan series is in development.
