Monthly Archives: June 2015
Ratchet and Clank PS4: More than Just a Simple Remake
I’ll be the first to admit that I had my expectations tempered when I was going into my Ratchet and Clank demo for PlayStation 4. As someone who enjoyed the original games on PS2, and absolutely adored the Future trilogy on PS3, I was sort of just expecting this PS4 remake of the original to just be a familiar take on the 2002 classic with a shiny coat of paint.
Rarely have I been so happy to be wrong.
Simply titled Ratchet and Clank, this reboot ushers in a new era for Insomniac’s destruction-fueled platformer with a deep origin story, an expanded suite of absolutely insane weapons, and some of the most beautiful and colorful visuals I’ve spotted so far this generation.
PES 2016 Announced With Neymar Jr. as Cover Star
Konami has announced Neymar Jr. is set to be the cover star of Pro Evolution Soccer 2016, and promised a full game reveal on Friday, June 12.
Players who choose to pre-order the game will be able to use Neymar Jr. in myClub, more details on which will be coming in a couple of days.
“This is a real honour for me to be cover star for PES 2016" said the 23-year-old Brazilian. "The series has long been praised for its sheer level of control and utter realism and I am delighted to be working with such a talented team as Konami. I am fascinated by the huge amount of work involved in putting together the game and ensuring the world’s top players look and play just like the real things, and cannot wait to see myself in action as soon as possible.”
Adr1ft: Defying Gravity With Oculus Rift
The first-person, Gravity-esque space adventure Adr1ft has impressed us before. But recently I had a chance to play a 10-minute section while wearing the DK2 version of the Oculus Rift VR headset, and hoo-boy, was it an experience...
And by that I mean, I 100% intend to play the final version of Adr1ft with the Oculus. The experience is that good. While the "2D" versions on PC and consoles will likely do a fine job of conveying the loneliness and desperation of the astronaut you play as, the VR layer adds a physically visceral layer to the game's underlying emotional tension.
Homer and Marge to Split in The Simpsons Season 27
Homer and Marge are set to split after 26 years of marriage, according to The Simpsons' executive producer.
Speaking to Variety, Al Jean confirmed the duo would "legally separate", with Homer going on to fall in love with his pharmacist, voiced by Girls star Lena Dunham. Whether the couple get back together is yet to be confirmed.
As for what it is that finally causes the demise of the marriage we all thought would go the distance no matter what, Jean revealed Homer is finally diagnosed with narcolepsy, which places incredible strain on the marriage.
"In another episode, Spider Pig makes his return," he continued. "Sideshow Bob appears in a segment, and we finally see him do something he’s wanted to do for 25 years. And we have an episode based on the film 'Boyhood.' It’s a flashback/flashforward about Bart. We go to various points in his life and his life to come which I think came out really well."
Volume Gets a Release Date on PS4, Vita and PC
Mike Bithell has confirmed his upcoming stealth title, Volume, will be available on PS4, PS Vita, PS TV, PC and Mac on August 18.
The developer, best known for his hit indie title Thomas Was Alone, has also released a new trailer for the game, which features the talents of actor Andy Serkis. Check it out below.
Back in October of 2014, Bithell announced that Lord of the Rings star Andy Serkis is set to play the main antagonist in Volume, who, according to Bithell, runs the whole of England in the near-future take on the tale of Robin Hood.
IGN recently caught up Mike Bithell to chat about video game framerate, its importance, and what the hell it actually is. For the full interview, just follow the link.
8-bit Racer Spectra Coming Next Month
Gateway Interactive and Mastertronic have announced that 8-bit music racing game Spectra is coming to Xbox One and PC on July 10.
Spectra involves you racing your ship down ribbons of light in time to the music. The soundtrack has been written by Chipzel, who is known for her work on Super Hexagon.
There are ten unique tracks which are used to procedurally generate levels, which the player has to navigate using quick reflexes.
Spectra was one of the first 25 games announced for Microsoft's ID@Xbox program last year. The latest ID@Xbox list includes Shovel Knight and Wasteland 2.
Looks Like The Kelp Dome is Splatoon’s Next Map
It looks like the next map coming to Splatoon will be the Kelp Dome.
The news comes via the official Splatoon Twitter account, where an image was posted along with a release date of June 11.
Those who’ve played the single-player campaign may recognise the Kelp Dome from Mission 8. For those that haven’t, the Kelp Dome is a close-quarters map made up of maze-like greenhouses. Although there are open areas for long-range paintgun fights, it’s easy to find yourself caught in a closed off area with nowhere to run.
New Gwent Cards and Quest Coming to The Witcher 3
CD Projekt Red has revealed what we have to look forward to as part of this week's free DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
So far we received a Temerian Armor Set and an array of additional beards and hairstyles for Geralt in the week following launch. This was then followed by a new Witcher Contract quest and skin for Yennefer. Last week saw a new armour set and crossbow weapons.
This week, the seventh and eighth bits of free DLC are the neutral Ballad Heroes Gwent deck, which apparently provides "alternative cards capturing characters from Dandelion's ballads in all their glory," and a Fool's Gold quest, which sees Geralt team up with the village idiot to uncover the secret of a village inhabited entirely by pigs.
Former Powerpuff Girls Voice Actress Calls Being Replaced ‘a Stab in the Heart’
The original voice actresses for the Powerpuff Girls have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment that they were never contacted regarding Cartoon Network’s upcoming reboot of the series.
Cartoon Network revealed a first look at its Powerpuff Girls reboot yesterday, showcasing the updated character designs. It also announced the voice cast, retaining prolific voice actor Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) who will return as the Mayor and narrator but replacing the voices of the Powerpuff Girls themselves with a trio of new actresses.
Tara Strong, who played Bubbles in the series’ original run, bears no ill will towards the actresses that have taken their place but explains she has been hit hard by the decision and is devasted she was never asked about the role.
Researchers Unveil World’s First ‘Feeling’ Artificial Leg
Researchers in Vienna recently showed off what is said to be the first artificial leg that can simulate the feelings of a real limb and reduce phantom pain.
Remaining foot nerve endings from a patient’s stump were “rewired” to healthy tissue in the thigh. Six sensors fitted on the foot sole of a prosthesis were then linked to artificial stimulators connected to the stump, allowing the sensors to Researchers Unveil World's First 'Feeling' Artificial Legsend the appropriate signals to the brain whenever the user applies pressure.
“In a healthy foot, skin receptors carry out this function but they are obviously missing here,” Professor Hubert Egger at the University of Linz in northern Austria told AFP. “However, the information conductors — the nerves — are still present, they’re just not being stimulated.”