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: Seafaring Story Adventure “WILL: Follow The Light” Revealed at Future Games Show (PC, PS5, XSX)

 

 

WILL: Follow The Light – New Unreal Engine 5 Narrative Adventure Sets Sail at Gamescom 2024

Set sail on stormy seas and explore the rugged Nordic coast in an original narrative adventure from TomorrowHead Studio, coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2025

SPOKANE, Wash. – Aug. 21, 2024 – International independent game developer TomorrowHead Studio has revealed the first trailer for its debut game, WILL: Follow The Light, during the Future Games Show. This realistic, single-player, first-person journey through the harsh northern latitudes is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2025.

About TomorrowHead Studio

Headquartered in Spokane, Washington, TomorrowHead Studio is a new international game development company inspired by the wanderlust of travel and exploration. Their mission is to send players on journeys of discovery, exploring places and worlds they’ve never been to before.

Game Overview

WILL: Follow The Light is a narrative adventure that takes players on a journey across stormy seas and rugged Nordic shores. Players will helm a sailing yacht, piloted with realistic controls developed in collaboration with arctic voyagers, navigating the cold and hostile environments of far-northern seas.

Story and Gameplay

Players assume the role of Will, a fearless man who grew up on the sea, as he ventures north in search of his missing son. The story explores the relationship between father and son, taking players on an emotional rollercoaster through wild thunderstorms, the ringing silence of loneliness, and a tale about the importance of caring for loved ones.

Challenges and Features

Players will face challenges both at sea and on land. As they progress, they will solve puzzles rooted in real life, chart their path using an authentic weather station and lifelike navigation system, and traverse snowy trails by dog sled in search of answers.

Developer Insights

“We have been working together on WILL for more than two years, so today’s announcement is an exciting moment for our team,” said Roman Novikov, Founder and Game Director at TomorrowHead Studio. “At TomorrowHead, we are inspired by some of the best games in the genre and what they do so well – Firewatch’s feeling of escape and loneliness… Alan Wake’s visuals and atmosphere – and we have invested deeply in art and technology to bring players a narrative adventure that will see players exploring the world in a whole new way. We’re looking forward to revealing more later this year.”

Initial Impressions

My initial thoughts on this game are that it’s a visually stunning headscratcher. It feels like it could be horror-based, but it’s not. I was expecting something to jump out at the protagonist, but it never happened. Instead, the goal is to reunite with your family, taking on the elements rather than arming yourself. This approach opens the door to players who enjoy great-looking games without combat, similar to fans of Myst.

While I would have loved to see some beasts to beware of, I understand the direction. As long as you know you’re preparing for a story-rich adventure puzzle game, your expectations will be realistic. Overall, it looks like an interesting game and I think it will be a cool experience. Game on!

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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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FTS at Gamescom 2024: “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2” Opening Night Live Trailer (PC, PS5, XSX)

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Debuts New Trailer at Gamescom Opening Night Live!

COLOGNE, Germany – Aug. 20, 2024 – Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive have unveiled a thrilling new trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 at Gamescom Opening Night Live. As a long-time fan of the series, I couldn’t wait to check it out.

Personal Experience with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

I played the original Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine extensively, enjoying the main campaign’s rewarding journey of mowing down aliens with both ranged and melee weaponry... from beginning to end. The PvP multiplayer was okay, but the main campaign was my favorite. It’s been over a decade since the first installment, and I’m excited to dive into this long-awaited sequel. (Time has flown by.)

New Trailer Highlights

The new trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 features stunning panning shots and quotes from press and influencers, highlighting the game’s strengths. This immersive glimpse into the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40,000 sets the stage for the game’s launch on September 9, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Pre-orders are now available, with early access up to four days for those who pre-order the Gold or Ultra Edition.

Game Features and Modes

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 invites players to embody the titular supersoldiers in all their brutality and glory across single-player, co-op, and competitive multiplayer modes. Players will face horrors from beyond the stars as the full weight of Warhammer 40,000’s galactic warfare descends on a single star system. The combat is a grand spectacle, combining fluid movement and lightning reflexes with massive weaponry and overwhelming power.

Co-op and PvP Gameplay

Players can take on swarms of alien creatures, otherworldly daemons, and corrupted traitors to the Imperium in a co-op-enabled campaign as Titus and his battle-brothers Chairon and Gadriel. Additionally, specific PvE missions and PvP battles allow players to customize and upgrade six unique classes of Space Marines.

Pre-Order Details

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is available for pre-order now. The Standard and Gold Editions are available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation stores. The digital-only Ultra Edition offers another option for fans and includes the exclusive “Ultramarines Champion Pack” DLC.

Release Date

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 releases on September 9, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Pre-order the Gold or Ultra Editions to play up to four days early!

 + Sophi 

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FTS: Supermassive Games Announces "Directive 8020" (PC, PS5, XSX)

 

Supermassive Games Announces All-New Sci-Fi Survival Horror Adventure Directive 8020

In space, death takes many forms

GUILDFORD, England – Aug. 20, 2024 – Supermassive Games has today announced an all-new sci-fi survival horror adventure, Directive 8020, a new Dark Pictures game for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. 

It's about to get spooky up in here! I was asked if I would be able to survive a real life situation like this. In short, hell no! I wouldn't make it past getting the space suit on. -  Luis 

From the studio behind Until Dawn and The Quarry comes an immersive cinematic horror experience. Directive 8020 blends intense survival gameplay with a branching narrative storyline featuring Hollywood actor Lashana Lynch (Bob Marley: One Love, The Woman King) as the groundbreaking astronaut ‘Young.'

In a dramatic step forward for the series, the game features persistent real-time threats, all-new stealth gameplay mechanics, and enhanced interactive cinematics powered by Unreal Engine 5.

Directive 8020

Earth is dying and humanity is running out of time. 12 light years from home, Tau Ceti f offers a small sliver of hope. When the colony ship Cassiopeia crash lands on the planet, its crew soon realize they are far from being alone.

Hunted by an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey, the crew of the Cassiopeia must outwit their pursuers to make it home alive. As they battle to survive, they are confronted with the hardest choice of all: to save themselves, they must risk the lives of everyone on Earth.

In space, death takes many forms.

Features

• Next-Gen Cinematic Survival Horror: Experience immersive cinematic storytelling and edge-of-your-seat horror on a deep space mission to save humanity.
• Real-Time Alien Threats: Evade a deadly alien threat that roams the dark corridors of the ship, intent on eradicating human life. Overcome your enemies using improvised weapons, lightning reflexes, and stealth. 
• Trust No One: Encounter an alien lifeform that perfectly imitates its prey. Years of training and trust are lost among the crew when their enemy hides in plain sight. Who is human and who is not? Your choices are now more important than ever!

About Lashana Lynch

Directive 8020 will feature actress Lashana Lynch as the groundbreaking astronaut ‘Young’ in an intense cinematic sci-fi horror narrative. She will next be seen starring and the co-EP of the series The Day of the Jackal with Eddie Redmayne. Previous projects include The Woman King, Bob Marley: One Love, Matilda the Musical and appearances in the MCU's The Marvels, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Captain Marvel. Most notably, Lashana played the first black and female 007 agent 'Nomi' in the latest instalment of the James Bond franchise, No Time to Die, alongside Daniel Craig and Rami Malek.

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The Cushion Designed for Gaming!

For The Walking Dead Game Fans