-
'Batman - The Telltale Series' Has Problems on PC, But It's Still Pretty Fun[teaser]Takeaways from a PC playthrough.[/teaser] It's been almost three years since the release of the first 'The Wolf Among Us' episode. After finishing the first episode on the Xbox 360, I resolved that I would only continue the series by making the jump to the PC version. Of course, that was the 360. At the end of 2014, I checked in on Telltale's PS4 work with 'Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series - Iron From Ice.' While I enjoyed meeting House Forrestor on the PS4, I decided that I would continue seeking out Telltale Games on the PC, as they been good to me. So it's disappointing that the first episode of 'Batman – The Telltale Series,' 'Realm of Shadows,' has been in trouble on the PC. The episode itself is a promising start to the series. (Check out the Xbox One version review here). The PC version has made a lot of noise on account of performance, enough so that Telltale has already issued a patch. (Details here.) Among other things, the patch adds a graphics setting that asks the user to pick between Higher Performance Textures and Higher Quality Textures. Firing up the PC version post-patch, and I was greeted by a somewhat messy launch. Before the game starts, a prompt made me choose between Windows 7 and Windows 8+. Being on Windows 10, I went for Windows 8+, and was rewarded with a 1024 x 768 windowed experience. After going through the intro/start screen and dealing with Telltale's online account stuff, I was prompted about making sure I had the latest drivers. Eventually, I was able to go into the settings and bump up the resolution. The game then ran at about 55-60fps with the high performance textures setting at 2560 x 1440 and on a Nvidia GTX 970. Unfortunately, I couldn't even get through the beginning combat tutorial. I was using a Xbox One controller (wireless) and the RT input wasn't recognized and could not be remapped. Try as I might, I didn't have much luck using Xbox One controllers (Lunar White, Elite, and the new Bluetooth model) either wired, wireless, or in one case, using Bluetooth. For wired and wireless, the RT isn't mapped correctly. The Bluetooth connected controller wasn't detected at all. Ultimately, I used a wired 360 controller, and played through the whole episode just fine. I did try running the game on another computer using an Intel HD 530 (in Win 7), and it seemed like the menu could barely run at any resolution. Again, this was post-patch. Hopefully, as I look forward to episodes 2-5, the PC version will stabilize a bit. But until something changes, it appears that 'Batman – The Telltale Series' needs a dedicated video card with at least 1GB of VRAM. And that's just for starters.Posted Wed Aug 3, 2016 at 04:19 PM PDT by: -
Get Meta With 'Hitman' And The Class[teaser]Take me to the Gun show.[/teaser] The new 'Hitman' is due to get its most ambitious episode yet. Of course, what will happen in 'Thailand' with Agent 47 is still a mystery, but its reasonable enough to figure that it will involve an assassination or two. In a real tease for the new game, a new band has appeared online called 'The Class.' Below The Class video for 'Are We Stars,' and it close with a quick shot of Agent 47. But that's not all that is involved in this tease. Earlier this week, this appeared in my mail: Indeed, it's a three track EP from The Class, a group fronted by none other than Jordan Cross. The group bio that came with the EP indicates that Jordan Cross has already experiences a 'Hitman' like accident. Perhaps it'll be time for another such accident in Thailand. (As an aside, the 'The Gun Show' track is particularly meta.) Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Source: Square EnixPosted Wed Aug 3, 2016 at 01:46 PM PDT by: -
'Final Fantasy XV' Season Pass Announced[teaser]Includes six pieces of DLC.[/teaser] Square Enix has revealed that 'Final Fantasy XV' will be getting a season pass with six different pieces of downloadable content, with at least one of them containing a new mode. The DLC included is as follows: “Booster Pack” “Episode Gladiolus” “Holiday Pack” “Episode Ignis" “Episode Prompto” “Expansion Pack” pre-ordering the Digital Premium edition for $84.99 will net you the game and the season pass, but for those who have already pre-ordered the game, there's a Season Pass Upgrade available here. Director Hajime Tabata has stated in the past that DLC for the game was pretty much finalized, and would consist of things such as additional story content and costumes. As long as the game feels complete on its own, I'm OK with this DLC being a thing. You can find the latest info on 'Final Fantasy XV' linked from our Video Game Release Schedule. Order the Deluxe Version for the PS4 here and for the Xbox One here. Order at Amazon Order at Amazon Source: Square EnixPosted Wed Aug 3, 2016 at 06:22 AM PDT by: -
.jpg)
'Inside' Heading to PS4 This Month[teaser]One of the best games of the year heads to PS4.[/teaser] Today, Sony and Playdead have confirmed that their latest hit indie game 'Inside' will be heading to PS4 on August 23rd, having previously been touted as a PC and Xbox One exclusive. A PS4 release was rumored previously due to a trophy list for the game appearing online, but this is the first official confirmation we've had of this version. This is very cool, as the game has been widely touted as one of the best games on Xbox One. You can read our review of the game here, where our reviewer stated that "It's a fantastic game that proves what the medium can do when used correctly, and provides an experience that can't be replicated by film or literature." Source: SonyPosted Wed Aug 3, 2016 at 06:04 AM PDT by: -
Launch Day Verdict: The Xbox One S is a Respectable Ultra HD Blu-ray Player but the 4K Video Streaming Needs Help[teaser]Beware of HDCP 2.2, Atmos, and DTS:X pitfalls.[/teaser] October 26th 2016 Update: Audio bitstreaming has been promised as "coming soon" in an official announcement. That means Dolby Atmos support. (See here.) Editor's Notes: 2TB Xbox One S loaner console tested for Ultra HD Blu-ray playback. System was tested using the latest updates available on July 29th, which did include 4K support, Ultra HD disc playback and more. Console was tested using a LG 65UH7700 and a Denon S910W. A loaner 'Star Trek' Ultra HD Blu-ray was used as well as seven other Ultra HD Blu-rays. Netflix, Amazon Video, and Vudu were tested for streaming support. It's August 2nd, and as promised at E3 2016, Microsoft has released the very first game console to support Ultra HD Blu-ray playback, the 2TB Xbox One S. Along with the addition of that major feature, as compared with the original Xbox One (or any announced game console), comes several related firsts such as HDR10 support and 4K streaming video. (Check out the full review here.) I've written before about several important details for the Xbox One S Ultra HD Blu-ray playback, including that the system would use an updated version of the familiar Blu-ray player app, that there would only be one HDMI out, that there would be HDR10 support (and not Dolby Vision), and that, like the original Xbox One, there is no support for direct bitstreaming of audio, which means no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. On this last point, Microsoft is "exploring" such support, but there's no change in stance beyond that. I once had an AVR with HDMI 2.0 but without HDCP 2.2, but it is long gone. Ditto for two AVRs I had that each only had one HDCP 2.2 HDMI port. Now, the combination of the Xbox One S, Denon S910W, and LG 65UH7700 has made for one happy HDCP 2.2 chain. There was just one very important exception to harmonious state, the setup of the Xbox One S. Right out of the box I hooked the Xbox One S to the S910W, which was hooked to the LG 65UH7700 (as well as a Samsung UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray player) with the LG's HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color setting engaged. That didn't really work out. Instead, I hooked the Xbox One S directly to the TV and allowed the system to update. It went through two updates (a 3.4GB followed by a 1GB update), during which the onscreen images of the Xbox One hardware changed from the old, black Xbox One to the new white Xbox One S. The controller images also changed. Having gotten the system up to date, I was then able to use it with the AVR, TV, and the HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color setting without issue. The conclusion I draw from this little setup drama is that, for the time being, it's best to get these launch systems updated before trying to use 4K specific features or any features that might call for HDCP 2.2. Post updates, and the system was smart enough to report that I should set it to 4K output, with the 10-bit setting (for 60Hz and 24Hz, but not for 50Hz), and to allow HDR and 24Hz. This is with the TV's HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color setting engaged. Without it, the Xbox One S would only suggest 4K output. Channeling the launch era of the original Xbox One, the Xbox One S did not come with the Blu-ray app installed. After a quick download from the store, and the Xbox One S was happy to play the 'Star Trek' Ultra HD Blu-ray. The visual interface, icon, and controls are unchanged from the Blu-ray app found on my Day One Xbox One. This includes the information toggle which shows bitrates. Over the course of a few days, I ran through 'The Martian Extended Edition,' 'Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut,' 'Sicario, 'The Revenant, Creed, 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition', and 'Chappie' Ultra HD Blu-rays, and being frank, I was impressed by the Xbox One S. It appears to be a lot better at playing Ultra HD Blu-rays than the Xbox One was at playing Blu-rays. Not once did the Blu-ray app crash to the dashboard. Admittedly, I have rarely used the Xbox One to play Blu-rays, but on those rare occasions, it never impressed me. Compared with the Samsung UBD-8500, the Xbox One S does not support Atmos (or DTS:X) which, with the discs and hardware mentioned here, is a sad omission. As I was jumping around to different scenes on different discs, I noticed that the Xbox One S had a tendency to sometimes hiccup right at the beginning of a selected scene. This never happened during normal play and was not something that I could easily reproduce. Using the Xbox One Media Remote (which is from 2014 and uses IR), I found that navigating Ultra HD Blu-rays was easier than on the Samsung UBD-8500 thanks to dedicated fast forward and rewind buttons. Of course, this remote is not included with the Xbox One S and must be bought separately. Using the Xbox One though several day-long testing sessions (but in an air-conditioned environment), it never seemed to get hot, or really, to become audible in a hardware sense. I've enjoyed owning a Samsung UBD-8500 and being able to wire it directly to the TV and directly to any HDMI 1.4 AVR. But with all HDCP 2.2 equipment in place, the Xbox One S is a welcome option. If Microsoft would add Atmos support to the Xbox One S, it might easily usurp the UBD-8500's place as my go-to Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Streaming video support is another matter altogether. For 4K HDR streaming, I usually use either the UBD-8500 or the LG's internal apps. The recent switch to Dolby Vision for Amazon on the LG makes the app fun to try against using the HDR10 version on the Samsung. On the Xbox One S side, the streaming apps aren't really up to snuff. During testing, the Netflix app could play 4K content but the entire app tended to engage HDR mode on the TV, much to the determinate of whatever content I picked out in Netflix. I suspect that this is a bug that will be sorted out soon and that the Netflix app will be as adroit as its LG and Samsung counterparts. As for Amazon and Vudu, on My Xbox One loaner unit, neither has yet been updated for 4K support. My understanding is that the Amazon update will roll out soon with other unspecified partners to follow. Of course, the mere existence of the Xbox One S as an Ultra HD Blu-ray player appears to have had the positive effect of lowering prices on players already in the marketplace. For early-adopters of the format, this is pretty much win-win. Focusing back on the Xbox One S, it has some glaring flaws (like the lack of Atmos), but its Ultra HD Blu-ray playback is better than basic. I expect it will easily outsell all other Ultra HD Blu-ray player in no-time flat. Order 2TB from Amazon Order 2TB from Amazon Order 500GB from Amazon Order 1TB from AmazonPosted Tue Aug 2, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
QuakeCon 2016 Is This Thursday, That Means A New Look at 'Prey' and 'Dishonored 2' Plus a Big Bethesda Sale for PS4 & Xbox One[teaser]'The Old Blood' is only $5.[/teaser] This is great week for fans of id Software, 'DOOM,' Bethesda, and of course 'Quake.' From Thursday, August 4th through Sunday, August 7th QuakeCon 2016 will be held at the Hilton Anatole, in Dallas, TX. (See more info here.) As part of the event, Bethesda host a presentation for both the new 'Prey' and 'Dishonored 2.' Here's the featured schedule of events: FEATURED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES Thursday, August 4th Annual QuakeCon Welcome 3:00pm | Streaming Live from the Ventrilo Main Stage Friday, August 5th Panel: Uncapped: DOOM and the Power of idTech 6 Moderated by Marty Stratton, Game Director 2:30pm -3:30pm | Sapphire Room -Sit down with members of id Software’s technology team (Robert Duffy, Chief Technology Officer; Billy Khan, Lead Programmer; Tiago Sousa, Lead Rendering Programmer; Shale Williams, Technical Specialist) to get an inside look on how they drive technology decisions and push the limits on graphics, framerates, and performance. Panel: Creating Worlds: A Discussion About Bringing Life to Games, Movies, and Books Moderated by Andrea Rene and Geoff Keighley 3:30pm – 4:30pm | Streaming Live from Topaz Room -Join Hugo Martin (id), Harvey Smith (Arkane), Ricardo Bare (Arkane), Andrew Reiner (Game Informer), Scott Porter (Actor), and Rick Malambri (Actor/Streamer) as they discuss the creative process and differences behind entertainment. Fast as Hell: Live Speedrun Moderated by Bethesda’s Global Community Lead, Matt Grandstaff and id’s Peter Sokal (Gameplay Systems Designer) and Kurt Loudy (AI Gameplay Designer) 4:30pm | Streaming Live from Sapphire Room -Watch as record-holder DraQu puts his world class speed-running abilities on display while playing DOOM running on Vulkan. Master Pancake Theater 9:00pm – 12:00am | Ventrilo Main Stage Saturday, August 6th PC Perspective Hardware Workshop 10:00am – 12:00pm | Streaming Live from the Ventrilo Main Stage -Get ready for two hours of prizes, games, and raffles during the annual PC Perspective Hardware Workshop Panel: Creating Hell: The Art and Design of DOOM Moderated by Adam Sessler 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Sapphire Room -Join key members of id Software’s development team (Marty Stratton, Game Director; Hugo Martin, Creative Director; Shinichiro Hara, Animation Director; Jerry Keehan, Level Design Director; Chris Hite, Audio Director) to get a unique look at creating and designing DOOM’s epic single-player. QuakeCon Attendee Exclusive Presentation of Prey and Dishonored 2 2:00pm | Ventrilo Main Stage Panel: Bringers of DOOM Moderated by David Houghton (GamesRadar+) 3:00pm – 4:00pm | Streaming Live from Topaz Room -Join DOOM’s senior leadership team (Marty Stratton, Game Director; Hugo Martin, Creative Director; Robert Duffy, Chief Technology Officer) as they share stories about their journey to bring DOOM to a modern audience. Learn about their reactions to the post-launch acclaim as well as get an exclusive look at never-before-seen production assets and art. Official QuakeCon Tournament Finals Party! 6:00pm | Streaming Live from the Ventrilo Main Stage Now, for the sales. On PS4 and PS3, the QuakeCon Sale can be found here, while on Xbox One and 360, there is the Bethesda publisher sale. Highlights include: 'DOOM' for $29.99 (check out the review here) 'Wolfenstein: The Old Blood' for $9.99 (review here) 'Fallout 4' for $29.99 (review here) Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Order from Amazon Source: BethesdaPosted Tue Aug 2, 2016 at 05:55 AM PDT by: -
Latest 'Yomawari: Night Alone' Trailer Shows Off Its Horrors[teaser]The night is watching you.[/teaser] 'Yomawari: Night Alone' is shaping up to be a really creepy horror game thanks to its use a style that's fairly rare within the genre these days. Telling the story of a girl looking for her sister alone at night, it blends a fairly cutesy aesthetic with some genuinely terrifying monsters, and this latest trailer gives a great look at that dichotomy. I really, really love how this is turning out. What I've seen of the Japanese version is genuinely terrifying, and as a huge fan of the genre, I mean it in the best way possible when I say that I'm dreading playing this. It'll be interesting to finally see how I feel about it when it hits PC and PS Vita later this year. Source: NIS AmericaPosted Tue Aug 2, 2016 at 05:54 AM PDT by: -
'Outlast II' Delayed to 2017[teaser]Taking extra time to ensure that it's as good as it can be.[/teaser] Red Barrels, the developers behind 'Outlast II', the cult-focused sequel to the highly acclaimed 2013 horror title, will not be making its intended Fall 2016 release window, having now been pushed back to Q1 2017. The reasons behind the delay were detailed as follows: We want you to know that we listen to your feedback, we see your excitement and we know you care about our work. Our mission as an indie studio is to deliver to you the best, most terrifying, most fulfilling experiences possible. That’s why we’re taking just a little bit more time to make sure our vision for Outlast 2 is in no way compromised and is the experience you deserve. This is not the type of news we ever want to deliver, but we are so fully committed to the world we’ve built and to our awesome community that we could not, in good conscience, release a game who’s limits haven’t been tested to the extreme. Thank you for understanding. We promise Outlast 2 will scare the crap out of you. While I ultimately wasn't as fond of the original game as I'd have liked to be, Red Barrels did a good job creating a tense atmosphere, and I feel like the shift away from the asylum of the first game is a smart decision. Here's hoping this delay works out in their favor, especially now that they're releasing in the same window as games like 'Resident Evil 7' Source: Red BarrelsPosted Tue Aug 2, 2016 at 05:45 AM PDT by: -
Sega Considering More PS4 'Yakuza' Remakes[teaser]If we're extra lucky, we might even see some of them in English.[/teaser] With 'Yakuza Kiwami', a PS4 remake of the original 'Yakuza' game doing well for itself in Japan and Asia, selling over half a million copies, it makes sense that Sega would want to continue remaking their older work and bringing it up to modern series standards. Series producer Toshihiro Nagoshi has stated during a recent livestream that they're currently considering giving the 'Kiwami' treatment to every mainline title in the franchise, leading up to the fairly recently released 'Yakuza 5'. Sadly, there's still no news on whether or not 'Kiwami' will be releasing in English, but giving the franchise new life on PS4 (or even PC, Sega willing) could be a great way to finally get this series to reach the wide audience that it absolutely deserves. Still, in the meanwhile, at least we've got the phenomenal looking 'Yakuza 0' heading West in January, and 'Yakuza 5' is free on PS+ in August, so there's no excuse to not give this series a shot at this point. Additionally, Nagoshi has confirmed that 'Yakuza 6' will be the last game starring Kazuma Kiryu, and as a result, he will be the only playable character in this entry. I dearly love this franchise, and while remakes are often a dicey prospect, I'd snap up every single one of these on PS4 if I had the chance. Source: SegaPosted Mon Aug 1, 2016 at 07:17 AM PDT by: -
'Steins;Gate' Heading to iOS in September[teaser]Check out the acclaimed visual novel before the sequel releases.[/teaser] Chiyomaru Shikura, creator of the 'Science Adventure' series of visual novels made by 5pb. and Nitroplus, has recently confirmed that 'Steins;Gate'. the most highly regarded entry in the franchise, will be heading to iOS in September in English, presumably using the localization of the game recently used for its release on PS Vita and PS3. He tweeted out the following screenshots of this version of the game. 'Steins;Gate' is a really terrific visual that I'd heartily recommend to any sci-fi fan in spite of the slow pace it takes at first. It's a really fantastic story that I adore a great deal, and with the upcoming 'Steins;Gate 0' releasing later this year, now's the time to check this out if you haven't already. Source: 5pbPosted Mon Aug 1, 2016 at 06:59 AM PDT by:
