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'Deus Ex: Mankind Divided' Set for the PS4 Pro Come November 10th[teaser]overall resolution increased, aliasing reduced and more.[/teaser] One of the PS4 Pro's most attractive features is increased performance for specific already released titles. This isn't limited to Sony-published titles either. As confirmed by Square Enix, 'Deus Ex: Mankind Divided' is one such title, and hte game will have a PS4 Pro mode. While not perfect, I would love an excuse to return to the game, (see the PS4 review here) and having a PS4 Pro mode available at the new system's launch is a great reason. According to the publisher, 'Deus Ex: Mankind Divided' will, via PS4 Pro, have "a whole new layer of detail added to it: overall resolution increased, aliasing reduced, reflective surfaces improved, and more detailed lighting effects implemented, all without compromising the frame rate or the gaming experience." Certainly, there are areas of the game (in Prague) that regularly exhibit slowdown. Checking out those areas in PS4 Pro mode is attractive, but really, this is a new game that is fresh in my mind, that I've already played on 4K HDR display. (I've got screenshots piled as well.) Dipping back in and trying out certain techniques in a late save, going into New Mode+ and playing more Breach via PS4 Pro mode is a very attractive proposition. Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Source: Square EnixPosted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 12:52 PM PDT by: -
Neo The Professional: A First Hand Take On The PS4 Pro[teaser]A post-mortem on Sony's big reveal.[/teaser] So, the system formerly known as the Neo is officially announced, after months of leaks and teases. And the verdict? Well....mixed. The fundamental problem with Sony's presentation yesterday was the same one that plagues most of the incremental changes to how we view new media nowadays: It's impossible to demonstrate to its fullest unless you have the technology to do so already. The only people outside of the journalists I shared a room with yesterday with the means to truly appreciate what the PS4 Pro is capable of are people who own a 4K monitor or TV. Also known as, the choir. Now, for what it's worth, if you are able to view any of the demo footage in 4K, what Sony showed was genuinely breathtaking stuff that does represent a tangible jump over what we're seeing now out of the system. In addition, the Pro's biggest advantage over the Xbox One S is that instead of relying on the system to simply upscale, developers will issue patches that will bump older games up to true 4K. After the presentation, journalists were invited to look at many of the old and new games running on 4K, and the results varied from improved draw distance, detail, and colors ('Uncharted 4' and 'The Last of Us') to just plain smoother performance. The 'Infamous: First Light' demo was particularly impressive, since that was a game that, while great, definitely pushed the system. The demo they had running yesterday toned down the blooming effect of Fetch's powers, allowing for much deeper intricacy in the effect, without the slowdown that often plagued that game. For games that struggle on the system--that messy 'Saints Row IV' port comes immediately to mind--this is much needed relief. All of these are net-positives...if you already own a 4K TV. There's the catch 22 of it all. Someone who owns a 4K TV will definitely appreciate the benefits of the Pro, but only as a gaming system. As an entertainment system, the Pro currently will support 4K Netflix and YouTube, and aside from upscaling Blu-Rays, that's the extent of any further 4K options. As incremental as the Xbox One S is as a 4K system, it supports 4K Amazon, and included the Ultra HD Blu-ray drive. In some ways, it's understandable. It's obvious Sony learned all the right lessons from when the PS3 lost crucial ground early in last gen's console arms race. The combination of the then-brand-new Blu-Ray tech and a PS2 literally built into every system jacked the price of the system up to the unwieldy $600 mark. The PS4 Pro effectively keeps Sony able to sell their system at the $400 sweetspot, and not a penny more. The cost of that may have been a firm focus on gaming ahead above all other priorities. Even still, Sony's had skin in the game of every major home media format change in the last 30 years, and to see them effectively bow out of their best chance to bring the fledgling format to their widest audience is a huge whiff on their part. This isn't like 3D Blu Ray, where only a select few films would ever support it. EVERY film benefits from an uptick in resolution. And Sony is giving it a hard pass, a pass that that benefits Microsoft most of all. Of course, this is all secondary to the real problem. To see any real benefit from the Pro, you need a 4K HDR TV. That's the long and short of it. Bless Sony for making so the folks still on 1080p TVs/who don't have another $400 to blow this holiday can benefit with the HDR update. And in fairness, 4K sets are getting cheaper, with some recent sales seeing some of them drop under the $500 mark, but the adoption come November 10th is still going to be a fraction of the PS4 userbase. So, their target audience is, effectively: -People who don't own a PS4-People who own a 4K TV more interested in games than movies/TV. That's an awful tiny niche, but it's one Sony is placing their bets on regardless. They could, of course, be right. 4K getting in front of /more eyeballs will create a need for 4K gaming that doesn't involve building a PC rig. And they certainly have hardware that is more than capable of delivering on the promise of 4K console gaming than their competition, at least till we find out whatever Scorpio turns out to be. And, hey, they were right hitching their wagon to Blu Ray instead of HD-DVD. But yesterday was a sermon to the converted, and there's a hefty price tag involved in being able to hear the good word with the clarity it genuinely deserves. Sources: Sony, Crystal Dynamics, Bioware/EAPosted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 08:07 AM PDT by: -
Check Out How 'The Elder Scrolls Online' Will Look on PS4 Pro[teaser]Watch the new 4K Trailer.[/teaser] One of the first titles to support the PlayStation 4 Pro and run at a native 4K will be Bethesda's 'The Elder Scrolls Online.' The publisher's MMO will be receiving a free update once the PS4 Pro launches November 10th. Developer ZeniMax Online Studios says that they were able to support the PS4 Pro's enhanced power due to 'The Elder Scrolls Online' being "originally designed for a wide range of PC specifications." While only those with a 4K TV will be able to view the game running at its highest resolution, 1080p TV owners aren't totally left out. Bethesda says that players will "experience increased graphical fidelity" when playing on a PS4 Pro. It's a win-win for all owners. Check out the 4K trailer below (although, you'll need a 4K monitor to experience it in its native resolution): 'The Elder Scrolls Online' is available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. It'll receive an update on November 10th to support the PS4 Pro. Source: BethesdaPosted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 07:32 AM PDT by: -
'Mafia III' Writers Talk About The Marcanos in New Trailer[teaser]More details emerge on the crime family.[/teaser] 2K released a 'Mafia III' trailer on the Marcanos last month, but now the Italian mafia group is getting a more in-depth look. The latest video for Hangar 13's debut title has the game's writers discussing several members of the Marcano family. The group practically runs the city of New Bordeaux, where the open-world crime game takes place, and are central to the story. The patriarch of the family is Sal Marcano, who worked his way up through the mafia despite humble beginnings. He has a close relationship with his son Giorgi, who is being groomed to take over Sal's position. While Sal and Giorgi don't always see eye-to-eye, the family knows they have to stick together in order to succeed. Find out more about the Marcano family by watching the latest trailer: 'Mafia III' is set to release for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on October 7th, 2016. You can find the latest info on 'Mafia III' linked from our Video Game Release Schedule. Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Source: 2KPosted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 07:18 AM PDT by: -
Today's Nintendo eShop Releases Include 'Jotun' and 'Ace Attorney'[teaser]A solid week for both Wii U and 3DS owners.[/teaser] Every Thursday brings new content to the Nintendo eShop, and this week is no exception. The September 8th update to the shop is highlighted by two big releases: 'Jotun: Valhalla Edition' for Wii U and 'Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice' for 3DS. 2D action game 'Jotun' is part of Nintendo's Nindies Summer Jam promotion and costs $13.49. Meanwhile 'Spirit of Justice' is the latest entry in the 'Ace Attorney' series, and will set players back $29.99. Two high profile retro titles have also been added to the Wii U and 3DS Virtual Console services. Wii U owners will be able to play soccer with Mario in Next Level Games' 'Mario Strikers Charged' for $19.99. The sports game was originally released on Wii in 2007. On the other hand, Nintendo 3DS gamers can pick up SNES classic 'Super Castlevania IV' for $7.99. Other new games this week include 'Futuridium EP Deluxe' on 3DS, and 'Letter Quest: Remastered' on Wii U. Source: NintendoPosted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 07:03 AM PDT by: -
'LEGO Harry Potter Collection' Coming to PS4 in October[teaser]Remastered games will span the entire journey.[/teaser] Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced that both 'LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4' and 'LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7' will be remastered. The two titles, both developed by TT Games, will be releasing exclusively on PlayStation 4 on a single disc. The collection arrives next month, as the 'LEGO Harry Potter Collection' releases October 18th in North America. The games will retell Harry Potter's tenure at Hogwarts, and will span all seven books. The collection will also include the 'Character Pack DLC' and 'Spell Pack DLC' for the games, which will let players play as Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, and other characters from the series. It's set to retail for $49.99. 'LEGO Harry Potter Collection' releases October 18th exclusively for PlayStation 4, and will retail for $49.99. Source:Posted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 06:42 AM PDT by: -
'Rocket League's Rumble Mode Releases Today For Free[teaser]New mode adds 11 power-ups.[/teaser] 'Rocket League' is getting yet another free update, this time adding power-ups to matches. A new mode called Rumble launches today (September 8th), and will let players battle it out while also dealing with 11 randomized power-ups. These power-ups include a grappling hook that pulls the player toward the ball, a tornado that wrecks havoc on the playfield, and the ability to freeze the ball in place. Full details can be found on Psyonix's blog. The other major addition from the update today will be microtransactions. The game will now drop random crates during competitive matches, and players can purchase keys to access what's in the crates. Individual keys cost $1.49, but they can be bought at a slightly reduced rate by purchasing them in bulk (up to 20 for $20). Developer Psyonix says funds from these microtransactions will "fund upcoming esports events and prize pools." Check out the mode coming to 'Rocket League' later today by watching the trailer below: 'Rocket League' is out now on PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One. Source: PsyonixPosted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 06:21 AM PDT by: -
Koei Tecmo Announces Localizations of 'Toukiden 2', 'Nights of Azure 2', and More[teaser]A host of new titles set for 2017.[/teaser] First up is 'Toukiden 2' the sequel to Omega Force's Vita and PS4 hunting game 'Toukiden Kiwami'. It will be the world's first open-world hunting game, introducing new demons, weapons, and more. It will be released in early 2017. Koei Tecmo is pleased to announce the return of the popular demon hunting RPG title 'Toukiden', with the western release of its second instalment in early 2017. Taking Oni-hunting to a brand new level, Toukiden 2 introduces an open-world environment filled with strange life forms, empty ruins, unexplored caves, and fearsome Oni. Players will be called to take the mantle of a Slayer, charged with the task of defending humanitys last remaining villages from the supernatural threat of Oni. Taking all types of shapes and sizes, these demons creep out of dark rifts in space and time and prey on mankind. Warriors from the ancient secret cast of the Slayers are the only ones equipped to stop them! Platforms, release date and further information on the western release of this title will be available in the following weeks. Second is 'Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey', the sequel to this year's 'Atelier Sophie' and the second part of the 'Mysterious' trilogy, and has the largest focus on exploration in the series to date. Gust continues its trademark 'Atelier' series with the follow-up to Atelier Sophie: the Alchemist and the Mysterious Book. The second part of the Mysterious trilogy, Atelier Firis, follows the journey of a young alchemist through an exciting and colourful world. While Firis travels, she learns more about synthesis and alchemy, meets interesting people, and amplifies the feeling of exploration with the immense expansion of the world map! Atelier Firis: the Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey will be playable during Tokyo Games Show on PlayStation 4. Third, we have 'Nights of Azure 2' (working title), the sequel to Gust's dark action RPG that was released earlier this year on PS4, casting players as a descendant of the main character from the previous game. Following the success of the of 'Nights of Azure', which marked a darker direction for GUST, producer Keisuke Kikuchi returns to the demon-plagued world where players will follow the story of a young girl knight born from the blood of Arnice, the main character of 'Nights of Azure'. Nights of Azure 2 (working title) maintains the same JRPG gameplay elements adored by dedicated fans of the studio and expands this new franchises horizons with a riveting new storyline! This title will be on display in the Koei Tecmo booth at TGS. Finally, we have 'Samurai Warriors: Sanada Maru' (working title), a character-focused edition of the popular 'Samurai Warriors' franchise that follows the life of Yukimura Sanada from childhood well into adulthood. Omega Force is proud to announce the upcoming western release of a one-versus-thousand tactical action title focused on one of Samurai Warriors' favourite characters: Yukimura Sanada. In this character driven epic, players will get a unique look into the Sanada clans inner workings before and during the 16th century conflict that drove two brothers to join opposite sides of a grand scale civil war. This yet-to-be-named title will be released in the west in 2017 and is available for hands-on testing during Tokyo Games Show on PlayStation 4. All four of these are due out sometime within 2017, and I'm pretty interested in every single one (though I admit I wasn't fond of 'Atelier Sophie', so I may hold off on its sequel), particularly 'Toukiden 2', as its predecessor was a terrific action game with absolutely fantastic combat. Source: Koei TecmoPosted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 06:11 AM PDT by: -
Top Down Arena Shooter 'Super Treasure Arena' Goes Early Access Next Week[teaser]PC-only for Early Access.[/teaser] Indie publisher Headup Games has announced that they will be publishing 'Super Treasure Arena' next week on Steam Early Access. The multiplayer title draws inspiration from arena shooters such as 'Quake,' but turns the genre on its head by presenting the action from a top-down 2D perspective. While the Early Access version of 'Super Treasure Arena' will only be available on PC come September 15th, console versions of the twin-stick shooter is planned. 'Super Treasure Arena' will allow players to face off against their friends online or locally. Like the titles its based upon, players will have to find different weapons on the map itself as there are no pre-game loadouts. A single-player mode is also available where players will get to steal loot from bots in order to win. Check out the multiplayer action by watching the trailer below: 'Super Treasure Arena' releases in Early Access on September 15th for PC. PlayStation 4, Wii U, and Xbox One versions are also planned. Source: Headup GamesPosted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 06:05 AM PDT by: -
'World of Final Fantasy' PS4 and Vita Version Differences Detailed[teaser]Surprisingly similar performance across both platforms.[/teaser] Today, Square Enix has released a video showing off gameplay for both the PS4 and Vita versions of their upcoming JRPG 'World of Final Fantasy'. While the PS4 version is clearly the prettier game, with nicer lighting and a little more detail on character models, the load times are identical across both systems and there only seems to be a slight edge in performance on the PS4 version. You can see both versions in action side-by-side right here beginning at around 13:35 in the following video: A few more tidbits have been revealed about both versions. On PS4, the game will receive a day one patch that adds in multiplayer support, allowing players to battle and trade with each other. There will be no restrictions on livestreaming or share play, and cross-save will be supported. Cross-buy, however, is not an option here. The Vita version looks far better than I expected, and it definitely seems to be that if the multiplayer doesn't interest you, either version of the game is a pretty safe bet. It's due out for release on both platforms on October 25th. You can find the latest info on 'World of Final Fantasy' linked from our Video Game Release Schedule. Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Source: Square EnixPosted Thu Sep 8, 2016 at 05:43 AM PDT by:
