Did You Miss Gamescom 2024? Rerun It!

Hey, fellow gamers! Did you miss out on the excitement of Gamescom 2024? No worries! Grab your favorite drinks, some popcorn, and get ready to catch up on all the thrilling announcements and reveals from this year’s event.

The Biggest Highlights from Gamescom 2024

Gamescom 2024 was packed with jaw-dropping announcements, epic game reveals, and unforgettable moments. Here are some of the highlights you don’t want to miss:

1. Starfield: Shattered Space - Bethesda wowed us with a new expansion for Starfield, promising even more interstellar adventures.
2. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - Get ready to don your fedora and whip as Indiana Jones returns in an all-new adventure, exclusively on Xbox.
3. Batman: Arkham Shadow - The beloved Arkham series is back, this time in virtual reality! Dive into Gotham like never before.
4. Dune: Awakening - Funcom’s latest survival game set in the Dune universe promises a blend of political intrigue and survival mechanics.
5. Little Nightmares III - Bandai Namco’s eerie and atmospheric platformer returns with more spine-chilling adventures.
   
   

Cosplay and Community Fun

Gamescom isn’t just about the games; it’s also about the community. This year, the cosplay contest was a major highlight, with incredible costumes and creativity on display. The winners were announced on August 24, 2024, and the competition was fierce.

Upcoming Releases to Watch

Keep an eye out for these upcoming releases that were showcased at Gamescom 2024:

• Ara: History Untold - A grand strategy game that lets you rewrite history.
• Lost Ember: Remastered - Explore a beautiful world through the eyes of various animals in this remastered edition.
• Mouse: P.I. For Hire - Imagine Cuphead as a black-and-white FPS, and you’re close to this unique game.

Sophima

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Shadow of the Ninja Reborn... Reviewed: A Fresh Take on Retro 2D Gaming

Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a must-play for fans of 2D retro games. This 2024 release offers clean 2D pixel graphics, smooth animations, and engaging gameplay that pays homage to the original 1990 “Shadow of the Ninja.” Younger gamers, who often find retro games too stiff, will appreciate the fluidity of this title, reminiscent of classics gems like Metal Slug.

Storyline:

In Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn, you follow the Dark Assassins, Hayate and Kaede, from the Ryuha Shippu clan. Hayate, the future leader, and his senior, Kaede, embark on a mission not only for substantial rewards but also to liberate people from the antagonist’s tyranny. Hayate’s journey is as much about mastering his ninja skills as it is about controlling his temper, with Kaede ensuring he stays level-headed.

Gameplay:

The game features multiple modes, including the standard Arcade Mode and Time Attack Mode, where players can compete for the best times on online leaderboards (serving replay value for those craving competition).

Players can jump, attack, shadow step, and use various weapons and health items. The kusarigama allows for 360 degree long ranged attacks, you're able to wall run, suspend from scaffolding, stand on the handle of your blade for downward attacks mechanics add depth to the gameplay. Don’t forget to use your Ninjutsu attack when things get tough!

  Family Fun  

This game is perfect for family gaming sessions. While it supports two players, you can take turns, just like in the old days. Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn, is available for $19.99 on Switch, Playstation, PC Steam, and Xbox. Physical copies available... here.

Audio:

The music and audio effects in Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn evoke a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of Streets of Rage, Final Fight, and even stages from games like King of Fighters '93 (or possibly from '95, it's been awhile). The retro vibe is strong... in a good way + it feels fresh and exciting.

Price:

While more stages or a stage creation feature would be a welcome addition, Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a solid experience at $19.99. A price point of $14.99 might be a sweet spot in my opinion, but the game offers plenty of enjoyment for its cost.

Story 4 - You know the story (as mentioned above), but... if there were an actual (skippable) cutscene in place after the initial splash screens, that would be great. There is a cutscene, but... you have to wait at the title screen before it begins. How many people are going to actually wait around to see it, if they even know its there? Let the cutscene get it's shine.

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

4.75 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Sophi 

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FTS: FragPunk Announces Closed Beta With First Official Gameplay Trailer at Gamescom 2024

GUANGZHOU, China – August 23, 2024 – NetEase Games, the online games division of NetEase, Inc. and Bad Guitar Studio announced during the Gamescom Xbox Broadcast that registrations are open for FragPunk’s upcoming closed beta test on Steam and Xbox, set to go live in early October. Interested players can head over to the game’s steam page or to the Xbox insider program to register.

FragPunk’s Closed Beta Test Pre-Registrations Are Open!

FragPunk’s closed beta test will begin in early October, with the specific dates to be shared next month. Players can sign up for the test starting August 23 by visiting the game’s Steam Page or by joining the Xbox insider program. Compared with the previous Alpha Test, this Beta Test will be opened to a wider range of players in Europe, North America, Latin America, Japan, and South Korea.

The test will feature an array of new and improved features, including heroes, cards and modes, with more details on the new content coming later in September. It will also be the first time the game is available on Xbox, with cross-play allowing players of both platforms to compete with each other.

The first official gameplay trailer for FragPunk was also released at the event, highlighting the game’s Shard Card mechanics and their numerous effects and interactions with one another. Moreover, the trailer showed the unique tiebreaker mechanic, Duel Mode. 

From Nail-biting tiebreakers to an encouraging alpha and beyond!

Aside from its appearance in the official gameplay trailer, the tie-breaker mechanic occurs in a match when both teams are tied at three round victories each. To decide the winner, a series of 1v1 duel gunfights play out, with each player facing an opponent with a single life. The player who wins moves on to fight the next competitor, making it possible for one team member to carry the entire squad to victory. 

FragPunk’s popularity kept progressing between its reveal and following Closed Alpha test in June. The amount of test applications has exceeded the team’s expectations, and in turn provided them with valuable feedback. Players and streamers who were invited to the Closed Alpha praised its unique aesthetics and its engaging gameplay loop which kept the pressure on thanks to the ever-changing nature of shard cards. 

In addition, FragPunk's recent video features stunning visuals made in collaboration with NVIDIA to showcase the game’s graphical quality, allowing for raytracing and NVIDIA DLSS 3 with Frame Generation. Even in the closed beta, our cast of heroic Punks are going into battle looking as good as possible.

The upcoming closed beta test is the ideal way to experience the game early and learn the ropes. So make sure to visit the game’s steam page or Xbox insider program to register your interest in the game and prepare for the test in October!

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Get the Most out of Your 2024 Gaming Budget

Gamescom Excitement Meets Reality

With a plethora of games slated for release in 2024 and beyond, it’s essential to make smart decisions to stretch your gaming budget in the most beneficial way. If you’re working with a tight budget, here are some tips to get the most bang for your buck.

Budget-Friendly Gaming Recommendations

To keep your spending under $100, we recommend selecting:

• One AAA game
• One mid-priced game
• One indie game

This approach provides variety and value, ensuring you enjoy a range of genres without breaking the bank. Let's not forget, you also have access to some solid free-to-play games that can fill in those genre's you may want to tap into beyond your main three purchases. If anything is left over, put some coin into your favorite free-to-play game for support.

Plan Your Purchases

Check out the latest announcements from Gamescom 2024, make a list of your must-have titles, and compare prices. Planning ahead will help you manage your budget effectively. Some of these games may be titles you place on your Wishmas list as well.

Stay Tuned for Gameplay Previews

Curious about gameplay? Keep an eye out for our First 30 installments (powered by  Epic Games), where we showcase the first 30 minutes of gameplay for upcoming titles. This sneak peek can help you decide which games are worth your investment.

Press play on the video below, grab some popcorn, and get ready for Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024. With careful planning and smart choices, you can make the most of your gaming budget in 2024. Game on!

 + Sophi 

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FTS: DON'T NOD Unveils "Koira" Release Date, Demo & Trailer (PC, PS5)

 

DON’T NOD Reveals New Gameplay Trailer, Release Date & Demo for Upcoming Adventure Game Koira

Koira is also coming to PlayStation 5 upon release

COLOGNE, Germany – Aug. 21, 2024 – DON'T NOD and Studio Tolima are pleased to reveal today, from gamescom, a new gameplay trailer for the upcoming adventure game Koira, which officially releases on April 17, 2025. The game will be released on PC, and we are happy to confirm that it will come to PlayStation 5 at the same time. A free demo of the game has also been launched on Steam in conjunction with the trailer.

Koira is a wholesome adventure game that follows a forest spirit and her new puppy friend as they journey together to reach safety in the heart of an enchanted forest. Solve ancient puzzles, befriend woodland creatures, and try to find your way home while avoiding danger along the way, as hunters lurk in the shadows... 

Koira's new trailer shows off the title's gameplay: the interactions between spirit and puppy and other woodland creatures, puzzle solving, and using stealth to avoid the relentless hunters.

The demo for Koira is available on Steam and takes players through different sections of the game to give a taste of what lies in store. Both publisher and developer eagerly await the feedback of demo players.

Koira is the second third-party game to be published by DON’T NOD and the first game coming out of Studio Tolima, a passionate team of developers in Belgium.

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Dovetail Games Unveils Train Sim World 5, New VR & Roblox Experiences, and a Trainload of Upcoming Add-Ons

Dovetail Games has announced a series of exciting updates during their annual Dovetail Direct online event. The highlights include the upcoming release of Train Sim World 5, a new VR title, and an immersive experience on Roblox. (Choo-Choo)

Train Sim World 5 Release Date and Features

Train Sim World 5 is set to launch on September 17, 2024, and is now available for pre-order on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. This latest edition introduces three brand new routes across the UK, Germany, and the USA. Notably, the highly requested West Coast Main Line brings a new London terminus to the series with London Euston, and the sleek Avanti West Coast Pendolino for Deluxe Edition players. Frankfurt debuts with the ICE-T, and California’s Metrolink San Bernardino Line adds more American action.

New Gameplay Features

Train Sim World 5 introduces several new gameplay features:

• Route Hopping
• Fast Travel
• Conductor Mode: Players can check tickets and manage doors for the first time in Service Mode.

Upcoming Add-Ons

Dovetail Games also announced six future add-ons for Train Sim World, covering new areas in Wales, the Netherlands, the UK, the USA, and Germany.

Executive Insights

Matt Peddlesden, Executive Producer of Train Sim World 5, stated: “We’re answering the call of players with some of their most requested content, including iconic UK, European, and American routes and trains. With exciting new features like Conductor Mode, Route Hopping, Fast Travel, and a much-requested overhaul to the 2D Live Map, this is a substantial new edition of Train Sim World!”

Train Sim World VR: New York

Dovetail Games is expanding into virtual reality with Train Sim World VR: New York, exclusive to Meta Quest players. This standalone title features New York’s Harlem Line, intuitive controls, new game mechanics, and a stylish New York apartment space to explore. Wishlisting is now available.

Jon Rissik, CEO of Dovetail Games, commented: “Train Sim World VR: New York is a totally new experience for players who want to jump in and enjoy an authentic train driving simulation, with maximum levels of immersion. We can’t wait to see the reaction of VR players to the unique gameplay that it offers.”

Train Sim World Tycoon on Roblox

In partnership with Talewind, Dovetail Games is developing Train Sim World Tycoon on Roblox. This project aims to introduce the franchise to a younger audience within Roblox’s popular virtual universe. Players can build stations, manage their economy, meet new AI characters, play with friends, explore a vast world, and drive trains. The interactive elements of Roblox will allow for customization and strategic economic management.

Gemma Johnson-Brown, COO of Dovetail Games, said: “We’re incredibly proud and excited to expand our trains franchise to new, wider, and younger audiences through Train Sim World 5 as well as our upcoming VR and Roblox titles. We look forward to sharing more with players in the coming months.”

Personal Thoughts

Personally, I never got into Roblox, but I know many people, including some of my cousins, who are crazy about it. This news should be embraced with open arms.

Release Details

Developed and published by Dovetail Games, Train Sim World 5 will be released on Windows PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles on September 17, 2024. The Standard Edition will be priced at $49.99, the Deluxe Edition at $74.99, and the Special Edition at $119.99. See you on the railways!

 + Sophima 

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