Monthly Archives: August 2022
Hogwarts Legacy: Character Customization and New Cutscene Footage Revealed
New footage from the Hogwarts Legacy, the prequel game set in the wizarding world of Harry Potter has been unveiled.
Revealed during a tech talk at the Autodesk Vision Series, the footage shows off a new section of cutscene work, as well as a glimpse at the game’s character customization. The new cutscene footage sees two Hogwarts students secretly watching while a trio of dark wizards attack and restrain a hippogriff:
New cinematic from #HogwartsLegacy pic.twitter.com/gKGaIYkXEm
— Hogwarts Legacy News (@HogLegNews) August 3, 2022
The scene ends with the students splitting up, presumably to tackle the dark wizards while they’re occupied, with the player character tasked with reaching higher ground. An aerial attack, perhaps? It’s an extended version of a scene we saw during the recent State of Play back in March, which sees the player-character and friend, Natsai running through a huge gate.
Alongside this impressive cutscene, the Autodesk talk also included a look at the game’s character customization options. While we haven't seen full footage from the menus, images show off dozens of clothing, face shape, and hairstyle options, suggesting there will be a lot of space for you to make your witch or wizard as you'd like them.
Although details of the upcoming Harry Potter game are scarce, we do know who the villains of Hogwarts Legacy will be – a dark wizard by the name of Victor Rookwood as well as a Goblin called Ranrok who is leading some kind of goblin rebellion.
Hogwarts Legacy is set in the late 1800s – long before the events of Harry Potter. Exploring a time before the popular book series, or even the Fantastic Beasts movies, this new timeline gives game developers Avalanche Software a lot more leeway to experiment. After all, the 1800s wizarding world has been largely unexplored in the books or films.
Hogwarts Legacy still doesn’t have a release date, but it’s expected to debut by the end of the year. Want to read more about Hogwarts Legacy? Check out all the story details we know so far, as well as where to preorder the upcoming game.
The game has stirred up discussion over its connection to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who has become notable in recent years for her transphobic comments. Warner Bros. has said the author is not directly involved with the game, but leadership has said "she's entitled to express her personal opinion". Reports have since suggested that the game will allow for transgender characters to be created.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
Tactics Ogre: Reborn Is a Remake of the RPG Classic
Tactics Ogre: Reborn is real, and it’s coming to PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch on November 11.
A recent leak unexpectedly revealed the existence of the Tactics Ogre remake – a reimagining of the classic RPG, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together.
Originally released for the Super Famicom in 1996, the tactical RPG is getting a full rework with HD visuals, recreated sound effects, and re-recorded soundtrack from the game’s original composer, Hitoshi Sakimoto. There’s even a new trailer to give you a glimpse of the upcoming remake:
Tactics Ogre: Reborn is set in The Valerian Isles following the death of Dorgalua Oberyth – the “Dynast-King” who brought years of peace to the region. But when a civil war erupts in his absence, a bloody power struggle emerges between three warring factions. Players will follow the story of Denam Pavel – a young man caught in the middle of the civil war as he seeks a path to freedom and justice.
A tactical turn-based RPG, Tactics Ogre: Reborn puts players in command of a team of units, taking control of the battlefield in glorious, pixelated combat.
Per Square Enix, the games improvements include:
- Beautifully remastered graphics
- Fully voiced cutscenes in English & Japanese
- Full orchestral re-recording of the game’s soundtrack
- Redesigned battle system
- Adjusted level management system
- Reworked AI
- Simplified and improved UI
If you’ve ever fancied jumping into the Tactics Ogre series, it seems that now would be a good time, with pre-orders for the upcoming remake already available.
Here’s what the game’s official synopsis has to say: “Based on the 2010 release, the game features improved graphics and sound, as well as updated game design, bringing to life a new Tactics Ogre that remains true to its roots. Tactics Ogre veterans will experience a game that surpasses their fondest memories, while players new to Tactics Ogre will discover a game unlike any they've ever played.”
IGN’s review of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together on PSP said: “It's definitely a testament to the quality of the original game design that it remains so playable and engaging more than 15 years on.”
“It's not perfect, however. There are definitely times when the menus and sheer complexity will get to you. Even so, the numerous improvements and refinements are much appreciated, and for gamers with the patience, few other games come close to the sum-total quality of strategy RPGing that Tactics Ogre provides.”
A new reimagining of the classic RPG gives us a lot to be excited about, with Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together recently coming in third in our top 10 tactical RPGs.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
Avengers Endgame: Kevin Feige Suggested Killing Off 3 Huge MCU Characters
Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo have revealed that Kevin Feige originally suggested killing off three huge MCU characters to take all of "the OGs off the board."
During an appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Russo brothers reflected on Endgame's climactic showdown with Thanos and those who lost their lives in the battle. They revealed that the ending could have resulted in even more character deaths because MCU architect Kevin Feige originally toyed with the idea of wiping out three main superheroes from the original Avengers team.
In this clip from A SECOND LOOK, we dive into the climactic showdown with Thanos from ENDGAME and the @Russo_Brothers reveal at one point Kevin Feige contemplated killing off the big 3, Iron Man, Thor, AND Cap!Full episode at https://t.co/e84WokCDhq pic.twitter.com/MsNCgVMObi
— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) August 3, 2022
"Kevin did actually pitch at one point taking all the OGs off the board," Joe explained. "We thought it was way too aggressive and that the audience wouldn't be able to process it, and that in fact picking one or two characters to make sacrifices throughout the movie might give you moments throughout the film where the action could stop and you could have emotional catharsis and then continue with the narrative and then have more emotional catharsis."
Anthony said they discussed the fates of the main characters in the "early days" and that Feige's pitch never actually made it into any scripts, even though they were "acutely aware" that after Avengers: Infinity War, the audience "felt like nobody was safe." They had to make careful decisions about which characters they should sacrifice for the sake of the storytelling.
"Kevin early on had pitched this idea that it was like 'Toy Story 3' where they should all actually jump into the fire in order to save the universe," Joe said of the idea, which was discussed on a conceptual level. "We thought you have to step out storytelling on something of this scale, so we weren't quite sure how the math would add up to get to that."
The next Avengers film, The Kang Dynasty, is slated for release in 2025, six years after Endgame hit theaters. Feige recently explained that the larger gap between Avengers films is partly due to the fact that big superhero team-up movies are now scattered throughout each MCU phase, changing the way that Avengers films are positioned in release schedules.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and will close out Phase 6 alongside Avengers: Secret Wars. The Kang Dynasty will hit the big screen on May 2, 2025, and Secret Wars will be released six months later on November 7, 2025. Phase 6 will also officially conclude the MCU's second saga, which is now known as The Multiverse Saga.
Secret Wars may well be Marvel's biggest superhero movie yet, one that can dwarf even Avengers: Endgame in scope and the sheer number of characters involved. If you're not familiar with this huge cosmic epic, then you might want to check out IGN's breakdown of everything you need to know about Secret Wars and why Phase 6 will be the biggest ever.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
Eternals 2 With Director Chloe Zhao Teased By Marvel Voice Actor
This story contains spoilers for Marvel's Eternals.
Despite not being a part of Marvel's Comic-Con announcements, Eternals 2 may be on the cards, after actor Patton Oswalt teased the upcoming sequel.
During an interview with The Today Show, the 53-year-old actor and comedian suggested that an Eternals sequel is already on the cards, with the first movie's director.
“They have announced there is going to be an Eternals sequel and Chloe Zhao is going to direct it,” he revealed. “So, hopefully, there will be more adventures of Starfox and Pip.”
While the first movie ended with a card that said "Eternals will return," it hasn't been clear whether this would be a full sequel or as part of a team-up movie.
In fact, Marvel producer Nate Moore even claimed that Eternals 2 was not a “must-have” for the studio.
“It's not something that is a must-have,” he said. “Obviously, we have ideas of where we could go, but there isn't a hard and fast rule where we have to have three of these things and this is the first. If you just watch Eternals, you can enjoy Eternals, you can understand Eternals and you're good to go.”
Marvel’s Eternals featured an ensemble cast including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, and Barry Keoghan who bring the comic book superheroes to the big screen for the first time. Additionally, Patton Oswalt voiced Pip the Troll in a post-credits scene alongside Harry Styles.
That post-credits scene seemingly sets up further adventures with Pip and Starfox, and Eternals did leave some loose ends, plot-wise.
For one thing, the Eternals were left fractured by the end of the movie, with Sprite becoming human, while Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo are seemingly taken by the Celestial Arishem to face judgment. The inclusion of another post-credits scene also hints at an appearance of the Black Knight as Dane faces his family history. There’s certainly enough to pick up in a sequel if Marvel wants to.
Whether or not Patton Oswalt is right, remains to be seen. While there’s been no official announcement just yet, it could be that Oswalt has let the cat out of the bag.
Want to read more about Marvel’s Eternals? Check out our explanation of the Eternals ending and check out the deleted scene that explains how The Eternals influenced human development.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
After Batgirl’s Cancellation, Supergirl Could Be In Trouble Too
After the surprise cancelation of Batgirl, all eyes are on Supergirl… and it’s apparently not looking good.
According to Rolling Stone, the shake-up at Warner Bros. Discovery goes further than just DC’s upcoming Batgirl film – it’s likely to affect other superpowered projects, too.
“Supergirl, which is in development, is not likely to move forward,” said insiders familiar with the project.
A Supergirl movie has been in the works at Warner Bros. since it was announced in 2018. Since then, 26-year-old Sasha Calle was cast in the title role as Kara Danvers, aka Supergirl. While fans went wild recently after seeing her in the Supergirl suit, it looks as though the upcoming movie is also in danger of being canned.
The new Supergirl was set to make her big screen debut in the upcoming Flash solo film starring Ezra Miller, with her own solo movie to follow later. But now it’s unlikely that this movie is going to happen, it seemingly casts serious doubt over her appearance in The Flash, too.
It seems that the cancelation of Batgirl has far-reaching implications for the troubled studio, which has also begun ditching HBO Max Originals from its online streaming service.
Of course, Supergirl isn’t the only superhero that’s nervously eyeing the chopping block – DC also made earlier commitments for a Blue Beetle movie starring Cobra Kai’s Xolo Maridueña, and the planned Black Canary movie starring Jurnee Smollett.
You have to wonder whether these projects will go ahead, and which other DC projects are in the firing line. Either way, it looks as though Warner Bros. Discovery is undergoing a big shake-up, with beloved DC properties unclear where they stand.
Despite the cancelations and uncertainty, Joker 2 is still going ahead with Joaquin Phoenix returning to the role of Arthur Fleck. But that’s to be expected – after all, with 11 Academy Award nominations and a box office haul of over $1 billion, a sequel was inevitable.
What will happen to the rest of the DCEU remains to be seen. Want to find out more about the Warner Bros. Discovery shake-up? We break down exactly what happened to Batgirl and take a look at which other DC heroes are facing the axe.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
Leslie Grace Reacts To Batgirl Cancellation: ‘Thank You for the Love and Belief’
Following yesterday’s cancellation of Batgirl, the film’s star, Leslie Grace, took to Instagram to speak publicly about the film being shelved.
In the post, Grace expresses how proud she is of the “incredible cast and tireless crew” who worked on the film for seven months in Scotland. Despite the film’s abrupt and disappointing cancellation, her post radiates positivity.
“I feel blessed to have worked among absolute greats and forged relationships for a lifetime in the process! To every Batgirl fan - THANK YOU for the love and belief, allowing me to take on the cape and become, as Babs said best, ‘my own damn hero!’”
She ends the post with “#Batgirl for life!” The Instagram post also gives some behind the scenes glimpses of personal footage and photos from the actress.
The film, which won’t be released in any way, shape, or form, was meant to showcase Michael Keaton’s return as Batman alongside Grace’s debut as Batgirl. Previously, the film had seen some trouble after Joss Whedon left the project in 2018 after not being able to come up with a story.
In May of last year, it was announced the film was headed to HBO Max with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah attached as directors. In just the last few days following the cancellation, HBO Max has seen several of its “Originals” films removed from its streaming service.
There’s a lot more to the story, so be sure to check out our write up on the film’s cancellation, why it happened, and how everyone reacted on social media to it. Not everyone was as positive as Grace.
Casey is a freelance writer for IGN. You can usually find him talking about JRPGs on Twitter at @caseydavidmt.
MultiVersus Season 1 And Morty Release Date Delayed
The first season of Multiversus, the platform fighter from Warner Bros, is getting pushed back to a later date. The news comes in a Tweet from the official MultiVersus account alongside the news that the addition of the character Morty of Rick and Morty has also been delayed.
We’ll let you know the timing as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience & enthusiasm and look forward to unveiling Season 1 very soon! (3/3)
— MultiVersus (@multiversus) August 4, 2022
The first Tweet in the thread thanks players for enjoying and playing the game before breaking the bad news about the delays. The thread ends with more appreciation for the fans and that the timing for the release will be revealed “as soon as [they] can.”
Earlier today MultiVersus director Tony Huynh outlined a few details on his own Twitter account about the now delayed Season 1 Battle Pass. The news follows last week’s confirmation that the game would not see progress reset for players now that the game is in open beta.
Despite being fairly new, MultiVersus has reached some huge numbers for concurrent players on Steam. Last week, it surpassed games like Warframe and Destiny 2 in that arena. It’s also seen a boom of players on consoles as well.
The game, which is free-to-play, has received a lot of great feedback from fans. We gave it an 8/10 in our review saying it is a “raucous and fun competitive platform fighter that rewards players for learning the strengths and weaknesses of its eclectic cast of characters.”
Casey is a freelance writer for IGN. You can usually find him talking about JRPGs on Twitter at @caseydavidmt.
Chris Pratt Garfield Movie Has a Release Date
Get the lasagna ready, Garfield fans. Garfield: The Movie starring everyone’s favorite orange fat cat is hitting theaters February 16, 2024 in a new animated adventure.
The film stars Chris Pratt as the voice of the lethargic feline. Garfield will also star Samuel L. Jackson as a brand new character, Vic, who is Garfield’s father. Plot details for the film are currently under wraps, but hopefully it fares better than the 2004 live action Garfield film.
Garfield began as a comic strip by Jim Davis in 1978. He’s known for his love of lasagna and how much he hates Mondays. The comics also feature his owner, Jon, and his dog, Odie. In the past, Bill Murray lent his voice acting chops to the iconic cat
The film was originally announced all the way back in 2016, but several years went by before more news came to light. Last November, it was announced that Pratt would be voicing the fan favorite feline. The news came along not long after it was announced Pratt would also be voicing Mario in an animated film.
Earlier this year, Jackson joined the cast as Garfield’s father. This will be the first piece of Garfield media to feature his dad. Throughout the lifetime of the comics, many of his family members, from uncles to grandparents, have been mentioned, but never his father. Garfield has recently been seen in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl. He was revealed as the game’s first DLC character late last year.
The film is being directed by Mark Dindal who previously directed The Emperor's New Groove and Chicken Little. The script for Garfield comes from David Reynolds who worked as writer with Dindal on The Emperor's New Groove and also wrote Finding Nemo.
Casey is a freelance writer for IGN. You can usually find him talking about JRPGs on Twitter at @caseydavidmt.
Star Wars Andor: Here’s Why K-2SO Won’t Be In the Upcoming Prequel
One of the galaxy's sassiest droids won't be making an appearance in the upcoming Disney+ series Star Wars: Andor. At least not right away.
During a panel at the Television Critics Association's virtual Summer Press Tour, producer Tony Gilroy revealed why K-2SO didn't make it into season one. "From a storytelling point of view there are multiple reasons he's not in the show," Gilroy said.
For one, the Cassian Andor the audience will meet in the first season isn't someone who would know how to reprogram an Imperial droid.
But the KX-series security droid behind several sarcastic quips in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will have his story told eventually.
"I would say wait and see and it's a story we ultimately have to and are eager to tell and we think we have an interesting way to do it," Gilroy said. "When we do it we'll do it in a spectacular fashion and we'll do it the way it's supposed to be done."
Alan Tudyk, who brings K-2SO to life by performing in an elaborate mo-cap suit, has said that the droid will return.
"I'm going to be in the show. It's just that the story that Tony [Gilroy] is telling doesn't involve K-2SO until later on... I can't be too specific, but I can definitely say that I'm not going to be in the first season,” Tudyk said back in January.
Andor is the first Disney+ Star Wars show to film fully on set and on location. The series doesn't use a digital set called the Volume at all, which was employed in other shows like The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The highly anticipated prequel series take place five years before Rogue One, with the first season spanning one year and the second covering the following four. Andor will premiere with three episodes on September 21. Several other Star Wars movies and TV shows are set to come out soon, including The Bad Batch Season 2 and Ahsoka.
Michelle Jalbert is a social coordinator and contributing freelancer for IGN.
Star Wars Andor: Here’s Why K-2SO Won’t Be In the Upcoming Prequel
One of the galaxy's sassiest droids won't be making an appearance in the upcoming Disney+ series Star Wars: Andor. At least not right away.
During a panel at the Television Critics Association's virtual Summer Press Tour, producer Tony Gilroy revealed why K-2SO didn't make it into season one. "From a storytelling point of view there are multiple reasons he's not in the show," Gilroy said.
For one, the Cassian Andor the audience will meet in the first season isn't someone who would know how to reprogram an Imperial droid.
But the KX-series security droid behind several sarcastic quips in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will have his story told eventually.
"I would say wait and see and it's a story we ultimately have to and are eager to tell and we think we have an interesting way to do it," Gilroy said. "When we do it we'll do it in a spectacular fashion and we'll do it the way it's supposed to be done."
Alan Tudyk, who brings K-2SO to life by performing in an elaborate mo-cap suit, has said that the droid will return.
"I'm going to be in the show. It's just that the story that Tony [Gilroy] is telling doesn't involve K-2SO until later on... I can't be too specific, but I can definitely say that I'm not going to be in the first season,” Tudyk said back in January.
Andor is the first Disney+ Star Wars show to film fully on set and on location. The series doesn't use a digital set called the Volume at all, which was employed in other shows like The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The highly anticipated prequel series take place five years before Rogue One, with the first season spanning one year and the second covering the following four. Andor will premiere with three episodes on September 21. Several other Star Wars movies and TV shows are set to come out soon, including The Bad Batch Season 2 and Ahsoka.
Michelle Jalbert is a social coordinator and contributing freelancer for IGN.