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Thursday, August 31, 2023

Mobile games

Starfield

Starfield has (almost) arrived, and we're playing the game from the very beginning today on Twitch! Join us at 2:00 p.m. PT/5:00 pm ET as we begin a new journey in Bethesda's massive sci-fi RPG and see what kind of sheningans we get into! Be sure to also check out our Starfield review as well as our list of spoiler-free beginner's tips

Watch on Twitch!

If you enjoy our livestreams but haven’t subscribed to our Twitch channel, know that doing so not only gives you notifications and access to special emotes. You’ll also be granted entry to the official Game Informer Discord channel, where our welcoming community members, moderators, and staff gather to talk games, entertainment, food, and organize hangouts! Be sure to also follow our second YouTube channel, Game Informer Shows, for to watch other Replay episodes as well as Twitch archives such as Replay, GI Live, and more. 



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Android Games

Volition Games shuts down

Volition Games, the studio behind franchises such as Saints Row and Red Faction, has been shut down effectively immediately. 

The news first broke on X.com, with several employees posting that they had been let go and that the studio was no more. In an official statement on the studio’s website, Volition states that Swedish holdings company Embracer Group, which acquired the studio in 2018, has forced it to cease operations as part of Embracer's company-wide restructuring. Volition’s full farewell post reads as follows:

“The Volition team has proudly created world-class entertainment for fans around the globe for 30 years. We’ve been driven by a passion for our community and always worked to deliver joy, surprise, and delight. This past June, Embracer Group announced a restructuring program to strengthen Embracer and maintain its position as a leader in the video game industry. As part of that program, they evaluated strategic and operational goals and made the difficult decision to close Volition effective immediately.  To help our team, we are working to provide job assistance and help smooth the transition for our Volition family members. We thank our customers and fans around the world for all the love and support over the years. You will always be in our hearts.”  - Volition Games

Embracer’s restructuring is the result of a disastrous collapse of a proposed $2 billion partnership with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi Arabian-funded organization, who backed out of the deal in May. This caused Embracer’s share value to plummet, forcing the mega-corporation into cost-cutting mode after it spent years acquiring a multitude of game studios and entertainment IPs, such as The Lord of the Rings.

Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors announced in an open letter plans to make the company a “leaner, stronger and a more focused, self-sufficient company,” which included plans to close or sell off some of its game studios, along with halting projects in development and other cost-saving measures. Unfortunately, Volition has become one of the first casualties of this restructuring.

Saints Row: The Third Remastered

Volition's demise comes after the company celebrated its 30th anniversary as a studio in June. Beginning with the Descent series (released under Voliton's original name, Parallax Software) and releasing cult favorites such as Summoner, it found major success with the Red Faction franchise during the 2000s, peaking with the well-received Red Faction: Guerilla in 2009. Volition would kick off the Xbox 360 generation with the release of Saints Row, a GTA-inspired series that would steadily gain popularity and a unique identity before reaching its zenith with the critically acclaimed Saints Row: The Third in 2011. 

However, following the release of Saints Row IV in 2013, the studio entered a rough patch. It took a swing with a new IP in the tepidly received Agents of Mayhem in 2017, which garnered disappointing sales. Its final game, 2022’s Saints Row reboot, also received a mixed reaction from fans and underperformed in sales to the point that Embracer transferred the studio to Gearbox. With the studio’s closure, it’s unclear what will become of Saints Row, Red Faction, and the other franchises under its umbrella.

While the last few years weren’t kind of Volition, there’s no denying the positive impact its games and series had on the industry. What’s your favorite Volition game? Share your memories in the comments below.



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Mobile games

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is right around the corner, but outside of the initial reveal trailer, we didn't know much about Nintendo's latest 2D platformer. However, today's showcase was packed to the brim with gameplay reveals and new details, and now we've got a much clearer picture of what this game will look like. Wonder no longer: here's everything we learned from the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct.

The game starts when Prince Florian, ruler of the Flower Kingdom, has his castle stolen by Bowser. After fusing with a Wonder Flower, the king of the Koopas is able to fly over this new land, populating it with his chaotic cronies. As always, it's up to Mario and friends to save the day, but this time around, he's got more buddies than usual. In addition to Luigi, Peach, and a pair of Toads, Toadette and Daisy are also along for the ride. Unlike some past games, each character here plays the same, meaning Peach has no built-in floating ability and Luigi jumps just as high as Mario.

For younger or less-skilled players, you can also play as Yoshi or Nabbit, the latter of which is returning from his debut in New Super Luigi U. Neither of these characters takes damage from enemies, so they're useful for people who want to play the game with less of a challenge. The Yoshis also retain their signature flutter jump and swallowing abilities, and they can even be ridden by other players.

The Flower Kingdom is made up of seven worlds: Pipe Rock Plateau, Fluff Puff Peaks, Shining Falls, The Petal Isles, and three more that have yet to be named. The map is traversed like a standard Mario overworld, locking you to certain paths on your way to a set order of courses, but there are also sections where you can move around freely and tackle courses in any order. There will also be a course menu you can use to easily access courses, in case you don't feel like walking there every time. 

Once you enter one of the courses, there are a few new power-ups to make use of. The Elephant power allows you to use your trunk as a weapon, smash bricks more easily, run across large gaps, and store water for later use. We also saw a Bubble power that allows you to summon bubbles for offense or platforming, along with a drill powerup that can damage enemies above you and allow you to burrow into the ground or ceiling.

Other than traditional power-ups, there are other ways to give your characters new abilities. The flashiest examples of this are Wonder Flowers, which trigger dramatic visual and artistic stage transformations. As examples, we saw warp pipes jump to life, hordes of enemies spawning, and characters transforming into balloons or spike balls. Once you collect a Wonder Seed, the stage will return to normal. These seeds can later be used to unlock new courses.

The other new abilities come from badges, which are equipable items that alter your gameplay style. Examples here include a parachute cap, a dolphin kick that gives you a burst of speed underwater, and a grappling vine. You can only equip one at a time, and you'll have to unlock them over the course of the game, but this seems like a subtle way to massively change your gameplay experience.

Finally, the Direct gave us a look at Super Mario Bros. Wonder's multiplayer options. You can play with four players locally, but instead of turning into bubbles when they die like in previous games, they become ghosts. If another player can reach them before their timer runs out, they'll respawn with no life lost. If you enable online play, you'll be able to see other players as shadows, playing courses at the same time as you. They can also bring your ghost back to life, either by manually touching you or by placing a standee in a course. Standees are basically signposts modeled after characters and can be purchased from a Poplin shop.

If you want to play online with friends, some courses will also allow you to race through them. By hitting a race block with shadows in the same course, you can trigger a timer to see who can reach the end first – though this will sometimes require you to defeat a boss or collect a Wonder Seed as well.

That's everything we learned about Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but the Direct didn't end there. We also learned about a Mario-themed OLED Switch, out just a few weeks before the game. Even though this game won't feature Charles Martinet as the voice of Nintendo's iconic plumber anymore, we can't help but be excited to leap into the Flower Kingdom.

What did you think of today's presentation? Let us know in the comments!



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Android Games

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is right around the corner, but outside of the initial reveal trailer, we didn't know much about Nintendo's latest 2D platformer. However, today's showcase was packed to the brim with gameplay reveals and new details, and now we've got a much clearer picture of what this game will look like. Wonder no longer: here's everything we learned from the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct.

The game starts when Prince Florian, ruler of the Flower Kingdom, has his castle stolen by Bowser. After fusing with a Wonder Flower, the king of the Koopas is able to fly over this new land, populating it with his chaotic cronies. As always, it's up to Mario and friends to save the day, but this time around, he's got more buddies than usual. In addition to Luigi, Peach, and a pair of Toads, Toadette and Daisy are also along for the ride. Unlike some past games, each character here plays the same, meaning Peach has no built-in floating ability and Luigi jumps just as high as Mario.

For younger or less-skilled players, you can also play as Yoshi or Nabbit, the latter of which is returning from his debut in New Super Luigi U. Neither of these characters takes damage from enemies, so they're useful for people who want to play the game with less of a challenge. The Yoshis also retain their signature flutter jump and swallowing abilities, and they can even be ridden by other players.

The Flower Kingdom is made up of seven worlds: Pipe Rock Plateau, Fluff Puff Peaks, Shining Falls, The Petal Isles, and three more that have yet to be named. The map is traversed like a standard Mario overworld, locking you to certain paths on your way to a set order of courses, but there are also sections where you can move around freely and tackle courses in any order. There will also be a course menu you can use to easily access courses, in case you don't feel like walking there every time. 

Once you enter one of the courses, there are a few new power-ups to make use of. The Elephant power allows you to use your trunk as a weapon, smash bricks more easily, run across large gaps, and store water for later use. We also saw a Bubble power that allows you to summon bubbles for offense or platforming, along with a drill powerup that can damage enemies above you and allow you to burrow into the ground or ceiling.

Other than traditional power-ups, there are other ways to give your characters new abilities. The flashiest examples of this are Wonder Flowers, which trigger dramatic visual and artistic stage transformations. As examples, we saw warp pipes jump to life, hordes of enemies spawning, and characters transforming into balloons or spike balls. Once you collect a Wonder Seed, the stage will return to normal. These seeds can later be used to unlock new courses.

The other new abilities come from badges, which are equipable items that alter your gameplay style. Examples here include a parachute cap, a dolphin kick that gives you a burst of speed underwater, and a grappling vine. You can only equip one at a time, and you'll have to unlock them over the course of the game, but this seems like a subtle way to massively change your gameplay experience.

Finally, the Direct gave us a look at Super Mario Bros. Wonder's multiplayer options. You can play with four players locally, but instead of turning into bubbles when they die like in previous games, they become ghosts. If another player can reach them before their timer runs out, they'll respawn with no life lost. If you enable online play, you'll be able to see other players as shadows, playing courses at the same time as you. They can also bring your ghost back to life, either by manually touching you or by placing a standee in a course. Standees are basically signposts modeled after characters and can be purchased from a Poplin shop.

If you want to play online with friends, some courses will also allow you to race through them. By hitting a race block with shadows in the same course, you can trigger a timer to see who can reach the end first – though this will sometimes require you to defeat a boss or collect a Wonder Seed as well.

That's everything we learned about Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but the Direct didn't end there. We also learned about a Mario-themed OLED Switch, out just a few weeks before the game. Even though this game won't feature Charles Martinet as the voice of Nintendo's iconic plumber anymore, we can't help but be excited to leap into the Flower Kingdom.

What did you think of today's presentation? Let us know in the comments!



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Mobile games

Mario Red Nintendo Switch OLED

Today’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Direct spilled a lot of tea on the upcoming game and concluded with the reveal of a new Switch OLED model. If you love the color red, then Nintendo has a console for you. 

The Mario Red Edition Switch OLED is coated in the plumber’s classic shade of red and the dock even includes a couple of Mario silhouettes and hidden coins on the backside, as you can see in the photo below. 

The console does not include a copy of Wonder, mainly because it hits store shelves a couple of weeks beforehand on October 6. Super Mario Bros. Wonder, meanwhile, launches on October 20. Still, if you're a passionate Mario fan looking for an excuse to upgrade to an OLED model, this version will set you back $349.99.



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Android Games

Mario Red Nintendo Switch OLED

Today’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Direct spilled a lot of tea on the upcoming game and concluded with the reveal of a new Switch OLED model. If you love the color red, then Nintendo has a console for you. 

The Mario Red Edition Switch OLED is coated in the plumber’s classic shade of red and the dock even includes a couple of Mario silhouettes and hidden coins on the backside, as you can see in the photo below. 

The console does not include a copy of Wonder, mainly because it hits store shelves a couple of weeks beforehand on October 6. Super Mario Bros. Wonder, meanwhile, launches on October 20. Still, if you're a passionate Mario fan looking for an excuse to upgrade to an OLED model, this version will set you back $349.99.



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Android Games

Street Fighter 6 A.K.I. Year 1 Character Pass Release Date Gameplay Trailer

Earlier this month, Capcom teased an all-new character named A.K.I. coming to Street Fighter 6 as a DLC fighter. Now, the company has revealed that A.K.I will hit the game later next month on September 27 alongside a twisted gameplay reveal trailer. 

When A.K.I. joins the fight next month, she’ll be the 20th playable character in Street Fighter 6, following the first DLC fighter, Rashid, who hit the game in July. Like Rashid and all future DLC fighters, players will encounter A.K.I. across all three modes of Street Fighter 6: World Tour, Fighting Ground, and the Battle Hub. 

Check out the A.K.I. gameplay trailer for yourself below for a taste of what to expect: 

As you can see, A.K.I. has quite the poisonous moveset. Capcom says she draws much of this toxic personality and moveset from her master, F.A.N.G., first introduced in Street Fighter V. "In the single player World Tour mode, players can learn more about A.K.I.’s interest in the evil Shadaloo organization and help her find her herbal medicine in Tian Hong Yuan, a new location for players to meet their newest Master and apply her deadly moves to their custom avatar," a press release reads. 

Here’s a quick rundown of her moves: 

  • Serpent Lash: A.K.I. sends her nails flying forward like a chain from a distance, poisoning enemies on hit. If she strikes a poisoned opponent, a Toxic Blossom will trigger an explosion and open enemies up to follow-up attacks. 
  • Nightshade Pulse: A.K.I sends a bubble forward that poisons enemies on hits. She can then strike the bubble with her Nightshade Chaser move to pop the bubble in advance, increasing its area of effect. 
  • Orchid Spring: A.K.I. puts a puddle of poison before her, affecting enemies who step into it. 
  • Sinister Slide: A.K.I. slithers across the screen to avoid hits, giving her an easy method to follow up with moves like Venomous Fang, Heel Strike, and Entrapment. 
  • Claws of Ya Zi: A.K.I.’s Level 3 Super Art pierces pressure points on an enemy’s body and injects poison into them that detonates from inside. 

A.K.I.’s Outfit 2 will be available to all owners of the Year 1 Character Pass, Street Fighter 6 Deluxe Edition, or Ultimate Edition on September 27. You can try her out for an hour with a Rental Fighter ticket obtained through the Fighting Pass. The "A.K.I. Arrives!" Fighting Pass goes live on September 1 at midnight PT for a limited time, allowing players to earn and unlock A.K.I.-themed items and cosmetics. 

While waiting for A.K.I. to hit the game on September 27, read Game Informer’s Street Fighter 6 review

Are you excited to fight with and against A.K.I. next month? Let us know in the comments below!



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Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Mobile games

Assassin's Creed Mirage Valhalla DLC first full game informer exclusive coverage

When Ubisoft revealed Assassin’s Creed Mirage last September during a special stream celebrating the series’ 15th anniversary, the game was up to bat as the next in the long-running series. Set to hit PlayStation, Xbox, and PC for $49.99 with a scaled-back approach and a much shorter runtime, Ubisoft indicated it was using Mirage to return to the series’ roots, serving as a spiritual successor to Altair’s adventure that started it all. 

However, Mirage wasn’t always its own game; it started as DLC to 2020’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

“At first, we were working on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and the DLC, and the idea came up to create a specific expansion for Valhalla and go back to the Middle East,” Mirage creative director Stephane Boudon tells me in the Ubisoft Bordeaux office. “We wanted, as a longtime fan of the series, to go back to this environment [and those] vibes. And it was also near the 15th anniversary of the brand. So it was for us, something we wanted to bring back for the player.”

The Mirage DLC pitch went so well for the newcomer studio, which opened in 2017 and has mainly worked as a support studio for others within Ubisoft, it was greenlit to become a standalone game. 

Assassin's Creed Mirage Ubisoft Bordeaux France Office Ubisoft Bordeaux's France-based office Ubisoft Bordeaux's France-based office

“At first [...], yes, it was a pitch on paper,” Boudon says. “And it was even Eivor going to the Middle East, and as soon as we switched, we decided to go with Mirage.”  

Boudon says Mirage as DLC only lasted a few weeks because, even when creating the pitch for Basim’s adventure, the team was crossing its fingers for the green light to become a standalone experience. “It’s funny because we did the full work for the pitch for a DLC, but at the end, we already saw on working on the pitch that it could be something so at the end, we end the presentation with, “But it can be more.” So we pushed a little bit and it worked and was wonderful for everybody.” 

Assassin's Creed Mirage Game Informer Cover Reveal Issue 359 Basim Ubisoft Bordeaux October 5 Release Date Gameplay

At just $49.99, Ubisoft highlights that Mirage isn’t a massive, hundred-hour, open-world RPG like Valhalla or the two Assassin’s Creed games before it. But it’s still a full release, a new entry in this long-running franchise. And after playing it for a couple of hours for Game Informer’s cover story, it feels like a breath of fresh air. If those hours of hands-on play are any indication, Ubisoft made the right call turning what was once a DLC into a full Assassin’s Creed game.

For more, be sure to check out Game Informer's exclusive Assassin's Creed Mirage coverage hub by clicking the banner below. 



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<p><img src="https://ift.tt/fUDPpMJ" width="800" height="450" alt="Assassin&#039;s Creed Mirage Valhalla DLC first full game informer exclusive coverage" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>When <a href="https://ift.tt/QlnbP70" target="_blank">Ubisoft revealed Assassin’s Creed Mirage last September</a> during a special stream celebrating the series’ 15th anniversary, the game was up to bat as the next in the long-running series. Set to hit PlayStation, Xbox, and PC for $49.99 with a scaled-back approach and a much shorter runtime, Ubisoft indicated it was using Mirage to return to the series’ roots, serving as a spiritual successor to Altair’s adventure that started it all. </p> <p>However, Mirage wasn’t always its own game; it started as DLC to <a href="https://ift.tt/HDRQNFS" target="_blank">2020’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla</a>. </p> <iframe width="560" height="315" frameBorder="0" allow="autoplay" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k2Z37iR5DJU" width=""></iframe> <p>“At first, we were working on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and the DLC, and the idea came up to create a specific expansion for Valhalla and go back to the Middle East,” Mirage creative director Stephane Boudon tells me in the Ubisoft Bordeaux office. “We wanted, as a longtime fan of the series, to go back to this environment [and those] vibes. And it was also near the 15th anniversary of the brand. So it was for us, something we wanted to bring back for the player.”</p> <p>The Mirage DLC pitch went so well for the newcomer studio, which opened in 2017 and has mainly worked as a support studio for others within Ubisoft, it was greenlit to become a standalone game. </p> <img src="https://ift.tt/b7xG9vB" alt="Assassin's Creed Mirage Ubisoft Bordeaux France Office" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /> Ubisoft Bordeaux's France-based office Ubisoft Bordeaux's France-based office <p>“At first [...], yes, it was a pitch on paper,” Boudon says. “And it was even Eivor going to the Middle East, and as soon as we switched, we decided to go with Mirage.”  </p> <p>Boudon says Mirage as DLC only lasted a few weeks because, even when creating the pitch for Basim’s adventure, the team was crossing its fingers for the green light to become a standalone experience. “It’s funny because we did the full work for the pitch for a DLC, but at the end, we already saw on working on the pitch that it could be something so at the end, we end the presentation with, “But it can be more.” So we pushed a little bit and it worked and was wonderful for everybody.” </p> <img src="https://ift.tt/Ayev6Sr" alt="Assassin's Creed Mirage Game Informer Cover Reveal Issue 359 Basim Ubisoft Bordeaux October 5 Release Date Gameplay" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /> <p>At just $49.99, Ubisoft highlights that Mirage isn’t a massive, hundred-hour, open-world RPG like <a href="https://ift.tt/JVOAXcG" target="_blank">Valhalla or the two Assassin’s Creed games before it</a>. But it’s still a full release, a new entry in this long-running franchise. And after playing it for a couple of hours for <a href="https://ift.tt/Wmn5vDM Informer’s</em> cover story</a>, it feels like a breath of fresh air. If those hours of hands-on play are any indication, Ubisoft made the right call turning what was once a DLC into a full Assassin’s Creed game.</p> <p><strong><em>For more, be sure to check out Game Informer's exclusive Assassin's Creed Mirage coverage hub by clicking the banner below. </em></strong></p>

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Mobile games

PlayStation Plus price raise

Today, Sony announced the next slate of monthly games for the month of September. It also revealed that each subscription tier of PlayStation Plus is getting a significant price bump.

The PlayStation Blog reveals that September’s free games will be 2022’s Saints Row, Black Desert - Traveler Edition, and Generation Zero. They’ll become available on September 5 and can be downloaded until October 2.

On September 6, 12-month subscriptions for PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium will be raised to the following prices:

Essential - $79.99 (from $59.99)

Extra - $134.99 (from $99.99)

Premium - $159.99 (from $119.99)

You can read this article for a refresher on the benefits of each subscription tier, which will not be changing. Current 12-month subscribers will not see these prices take effect until their next renewal date occurring on or after November 6. Changing your membership (such as buying more time or upgrading/downgrading tiers) on or after September 6 means paying the new prices, though. Sony also states that the new prices remain at a discounted rate compared to the single or three-month options. Sony has not revealed the new monthly/quarterly rates.

In the blog post, Sony explains the changes by stating, “This price adjustment will enable us to continue bringing high-quality games and value-added benefits to your PlayStation Plus subscription service.” It’s worth noting that, for now, Sony has not announced any new, additional benefits following the pricing updates.

The move comes at a time when several streaming and subscription services have raised their fees, so it’s not entirely surprising. But if you’re looking to sign up for PS Plus or extend/change a subscription, now would be the time in order to save some money.



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Android Games

PlayStation Plus price raise

Today, Sony announced the next slate of monthly games for the month of September. It also revealed that each subscription tier of PlayStation Plus is getting a significant price bump.

The PlayStation Blog reveals that September’s free games will be 2022’s Saints Row, Black Desert - Traveler Edition, and Generation Zero. They’ll become available on September 5 and can be downloaded until October 2.

On September 6, 12-month subscriptions for PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium will be raised to the following prices:

Essential - $79.99 (from $59.99)

Extra - $134.99 (from $99.99)

Premium - $159.99 (from $119.99)

You can read this article for a refresher on the benefits of each subscription tier, which will not be changing. Current 12-month subscribers will not see these prices take effect until their next renewal date occurring on or after November 6. Changing your membership (such as buying more time or upgrading/downgrading tiers) on or after September 6 means paying the new prices, though. Sony also states that the new prices remain at a discounted rate compared to the single or three-month options. Sony has not revealed the new monthly/quarterly rates.

In the blog post, Sony explains the changes by stating, “This price adjustment will enable us to continue bringing high-quality games and value-added benefits to your PlayStation Plus subscription service.” It’s worth noting that, for now, Sony has not announced any new, additional benefits following the pricing updates.

The move comes at a time when several streaming and subscription services have raised their fees, so it’s not entirely surprising. But if you’re looking to sign up for PS Plus or extend/change a subscription, now would be the time in order to save some money.



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Mobile games

Front Mission 2: Remake release date

In a February 2022 Nintendo Direct, it was announced that the first three mainline Front Mission games would get modern remakes exclusively for Switch. Front Mission 1st: Remake hit last November, and now, nearly a year later, we finally know when Front Mission 2 will arrive.

That date is October 5, following a delay from it's previously announced June 12 launch. Front Mission 2’s revival is significant because it has never been released outside of Japan, originally hitting shelves in 1997. Set 12 years after Front Mission 1st, it stars Ash, an O.C.U. soldier who tries to escape the nation of Alordesh after its overrun by a revolutionary group, only to discover a broader conspiracy. Check out its story trailer below. 

The remake’s features include improved loading times (addressing a big criticism of the original version), free camera movement, a revamped soundtrack, new coloring/camouflage options, and additional language support. 

Front Mission 2 Remake: will be available for $34.99. To keep up with every major upcoming remake, be sure to visit our complete list of them here.



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Android Games

Front Mission 2: Remake release date

In a February 2022 Nintendo Direct, it was announced that the first three mainline Front Mission games would get modern remakes exclusively for Switch. Front Mission 1st: Remake hit last November, and now, nearly a year later, we finally know when Front Mission 2 will arrive.

That date is October 5, following a delay from it's previously announced June 12 launch. Front Mission 2’s revival is significant because it has never been released outside of Japan, originally hitting shelves in 1997. Set 12 years after Front Mission 1st, it stars Ash, an O.C.U. soldier who tries to escape the nation of Alordesh after its overrun by a revolutionary group, only to discover a broader conspiracy. Check out its story trailer below. 

The remake’s features include improved loading times (addressing a big criticism of the original version), free camera movement, a revamped soundtrack, new coloring/camouflage options, and additional language support. 

Front Mission 2 Remake: will be available for $34.99. To keep up with every major upcoming remake, be sure to visit our complete list of them here.



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Android Games

Suikoden I & II Gate Rune And Dunan Unification Wars Remaster Delayed Out Of 2023 2024 Release Date

Konami has revealed that Suikoden I and II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars have been delayed out of 2023. The company did not indicate when it will now be releasing these games. 

These remasters were revealed last September, packaged into the same collection and given a release window of 2023 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam. However, that was the last time we heard of these games. Yesterday evening, Konami gave us an update, stating they had been delayed out of 2023. 

“Regarding the planned release of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, we have reached the conclusion that despite the very best efforts and our dedicated development staff to release the remasters in 2023, additional time is needed to ensure the quality performance and gameplay experience our users deserve,” the update reads. “The entire Suikoden team is renewing our efforts to bring Suikoden I & II HD Remaster to release as soon as is possible.” 

Konami says it will share further release information as soon as it becomes available on official channels. 

While waiting to learn more, read about the announcement of these remasters for additional details about what to expect. 

Are you going to play these remasters when they are released? Let us know in the comments below!



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Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Android Games

If you subscribe to the digital edition of Game Informer, you can now learn all about Assassin's Creed Mirage. Following the cover reveal, our digital issue is now live on web browsers, iPad/iPhone, and Android devices. Alongside the cover story, you will also find big features on Alan Wake II, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, a big retrospective developing the original Splinter Cell, and plenty more.

Individual issues are also now available for purchase at this link or in any GameStop store.

You can download the apps to view the issue by following this link.



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Assassin's Creed Mirage Game Informer Cover Reveal Issue 359 Basim Ubisoft Bordeaux October 5 Release Date Gameplay

Ubisoft revealed Assassin’s Creed Mirage last September as part of a special stream celebrating the series’ 15th anniversary. Now, one year later, and a little over one month before the game hits PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, it’s getting the Game Informer spotlight on our latest cover! We traveled to France to speak with Ubisoft Bordeaux, a relatively new studio in the worldwide company’s massive stable of studios. After opening its doors in 2017, Ubisoft Bordeaux has worked mainly as a support studio to others in the Ubisoft umbrella. But after leading development on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Wrath of the Druids DLC, the team was given a chance to create a full game. 

This cover story and our exclusive coverage on the site will bring you new details about how Assassin’s Creed Mirage began as a DLC for Valhalla before transforming into a full release, how Ubisoft Bordeaux is bringing 9th Century Golden Age Baghdad to life, why Basim Ibn Is’haq is back, and more. We played the game for two hours, completing three contracts nobody outside of Ubisoft has played, and spoke with three of the game’s leads to learn how Ubisoft Bordeaux is returning to the roots of Assassin’s Creed, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. 

Welcoming you into our deep dive into Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s Baghdad, contracts, and development story is the beautiful art spread across the cover of this Game Informer issue. Our standard cover highlights protagonist Basim, who will grow from street thief to the master assassin we see with Eivor in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, presumably in the event of Assassin’s Creed Mirage. 

Assassin's Creed Mirage Game Informer Cover Reveal Issue 359 Basim Ubisoft Bordeaux October 5 Release Date Gameplay

The Game Informer Gold cover features the same cover image with “Game Informer” in flashy, metallic gold. Each Gold issue is numbered, too, making it even more special for collectors. 

Assassin's Creed Mirage Game Informer Cover Reveal Issue 359 Basim Ubisoft Bordeaux October 5 Release Date Gameplay

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is just the start of Issue 359, though. Within its pages, you’ll find an in-depth retrospective on the first Splinter Cell, complete with exclusive interviews and never-before-seen development images, and another retrospective taking players into the Game Informer animus to look at every mainline Assassin’s Creed game. You’ll find other features about balancing online multiplayer games, our most extensive look yet at Cyberpunk 2077’s upcoming Phantom Liberty expansion, an in-depth preview of Alan Wake II, and more. Elsewhere, we have previews of games like Lords of the Fallen, The Crew Motorfest, Enshrouded, Star Wars Outlaws, Persona 5 Tactica and the upcoming Persona 3 Reload remake, and even Mortal Kombat 1. 

As usual, you’ll find our latest reviews, including Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, Sea of Stars, Disney Illusion Island, Baldur’s Gate 3, Immortals of Aveum, Blasphemous 2, Stray Gods, and more. 

Here’s a closer look at the standard cover and Gold cover for this issue: 

 

You can also try to nab a Game Informer Gold version of the issue. Limited to a numbered print run per issue, this premium version of Game Informer isn't available for sale. To learn about places where you might be able to get a copy, check out our official Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads accounts and stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. Click here to read more about Game Informer Gold.

Print subscribers can expect their issues to arrive in the coming weeks. The digital edition launches later today for PC/Mac, iOS, and Google Play. Print copies will be available for purchase in the coming weeks at GameStop.



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Mobile games

Assassin's Creed Mirage Game Informer Cover Reveal Issue 359 Basim Ubisoft Bordeaux October 5 Release Date Gameplay

Ubisoft revealed Assassin’s Creed Mirage last September as part of a special stream celebrating the series’ 15th anniversary. Now, one year later, and a little over one month before the game hits PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, it’s getting the Game Informer spotlight on our latest cover! We traveled to France to speak with Ubisoft Bordeaux, a relatively new studio in the worldwide company’s massive stable of studios. After opening its doors in 2017, Ubisoft Bordeaux has worked mainly as a support studio to others in the Ubisoft umbrella. But after leading development on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Wrath of the Druids DLC, the team was given a chance to create a full game. 

This cover story and our exclusive coverage on the site will bring you new details about how Assassin’s Creed Mirage began as a DLC for Valhalla before transforming into a full release, how Ubisoft Bordeaux is bringing 9th Century Golden Age Baghdad to life, why Basim Ibn Is’haq is back, and more. We played the game for two hours, completing three contracts nobody outside of Ubisoft has played, and spoke with three of the game’s leads to learn how Ubisoft Bordeaux is returning to the roots of Assassin’s Creed, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. 

Welcoming you into our deep dive into Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s Baghdad, contracts, and development story is the beautiful art spread across the cover of this Game Informer issue. Our standard cover highlights protagonist Basim, who will grow from street thief to the master assassin we see with Eivor in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, presumably in the event of Assassin’s Creed Mirage. 

Assassin's Creed Mirage Game Informer Cover Reveal Issue 359 Basim Ubisoft Bordeaux October 5 Release Date Gameplay

The Game Informer Gold cover features the same cover image with “Game Informer” in flashy, metallic gold. Each Gold issue is numbered, too, making it even more special for collectors. 

Assassin's Creed Mirage Game Informer Cover Reveal Issue 359 Basim Ubisoft Bordeaux October 5 Release Date Gameplay

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is just the start of Issue 359, though. Within its pages, you’ll find an in-depth retrospective on the first Splinter Cell, complete with exclusive interviews and never-before-seen development images, and another retrospective taking players into the Game Informer animus to look at every mainline Assassin’s Creed game. You’ll find other features about balancing online multiplayer games, our most extensive look yet at Cyberpunk 2077’s upcoming Phantom Liberty expansion, an in-depth preview of Alan Wake II, and more. Elsewhere, we have previews of games like Lords of the Fallen, The Crew Motorfest, Enshrouded, Star Wars Outlaws, Persona 5 Tactica and the upcoming Persona 3 Reload remake, and even Mortal Kombat 1. 

As usual, you’ll find our latest reviews, including Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, Sea of Stars, Disney Illusion Island, Baldur’s Gate 3, Immortals of Aveum, Blasphemous 2, Stray Gods, and more. 

Here’s a closer look at the standard cover and Gold cover for this issue: 

 

You can also try to nab a Game Informer Gold version of the issue. Limited to a numbered print run per issue, this premium version of Game Informer isn't available for sale. To learn about places where you might be able to get a copy, check out our official Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads accounts and stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. Click here to read more about Game Informer Gold.

Print subscribers can expect their issues to arrive in the coming weeks. The digital edition launches later today for PC/Mac, iOS, and Google Play. Print copies will be available for purchase in the coming weeks at GameStop.



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Mobile games

Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Direct

An in-depth look at Super Mario Bros. Wonder will take place in a dedicated Nintendo Direct this week. The presentation is set to air on August 31.

Beginning at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET the Direct will run for about 15 minutes and, hopefully, peel the curtain back on Wonder’s new features and power-ups. The game's biggest change centers on the Wonder Flower, which transforms stages into trippy versions of themselves laden with mind-bending effects. More than anything, however, we’re excited to see more of Mario's new elephant transformation as well as the elephant versions of his friends.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the next 2D sidescroller in the legendary franchise. Mario is joined by Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, and Daisy in an adventure that can be enjoyed with up to four players. The game is slated to launch on Switch on October 20. Most recently, we learned that Mario's long-time voice actor, Charles Martinet, has retired from the role and does not voice Mario in Wonder



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Android Games

Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Direct

An in-depth look at Super Mario Bros. Wonder will take place in a dedicated Nintendo Direct this week. The presentation is set to air on August 31.

Beginning at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET the Direct will run for about 15 minutes and, hopefully, peel the curtain back on Wonder’s new features and power-ups. The game's biggest change centers on the Wonder Flower, which transforms stages into trippy versions of themselves laden with mind-bending effects. More than anything, however, we’re excited to see more of Mario's new elephant transformation as well as the elephant versions of his friends.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the next 2D sidescroller in the legendary franchise. Mario is joined by Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, and Daisy in an adventure that can be enjoyed with up to four players. The game is slated to launch on Switch on October 20. Most recently, we learned that Mario's long-time voice actor, Charles Martinet, has retired from the role and does not voice Mario in Wonder



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Monday, August 28, 2023

Mobile games

Every year, companies use April Fool's Day as an excuse to pull pranks on their social media, usually in the form of a fake product or announcement. This year, Sega took it a step further than most, releasing a real, playable game based on the idea that Sonic, their beloved mascot, had been murdered. While we were at Sega learning about Sonic Superstars, we had the opportunity to sit down with social media manager Katie Chrzanowski to hear the story of how this visual novel murder mystery came to be.

For more Sonic, check out the teaser for Sonic Frontiers' last update, or visit our Sonic Superstars hub below to see all the content from this issue's cover story.



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Android Games

Starfield Bethesda Sci-Fi RPG PC Specs Specifications Requirements

Starfield is almost here. Bethesda announced the new IP way back in 2018 and after more than five years of waiting, it’s set to launch on Xbox Series X/S and PC next week, on September 6. Based on what Bethesda’s revealed about the sci-fi RPG, it looks set to be the developer Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest game yet. Hitting up its hundreds of planets while fighting space pirates, marines, and more will also require a decent PC build. 

Here are the PC specifications for Starfield: 

Minimum: 

  • OS: Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5700, NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 125 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD Required

Recommended: 

  • OS: Windows 10/11 with updates
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 125 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD Required

As you can see, not only is Starfield a large game, needing 125 GB of free space, but it will also require that much space on an SSD. And you’ll want a pretty powerful graphics card and processor to run it at its best, too. 

Starfield hits Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass on September 6. However, if you preorder the Digital Premium Edition, the Premium Edition Upgrade (which you can purchase if you plan on playing the game through Game Pass), or the Constellation Edition, you can hop into the game up to five days early, starting August 31. 

While waiting for the game to launch, check out the Starfield Direct from earlier this summer for more than 40 minutes of footage and check out this special edition Starfield Xbox Series X console wrap afterward. 

Are you picking up Starfield early or jumping in on September 6? Let us know in the comments below!



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Mobile games

Starfield Bethesda Sci-Fi RPG PC Specs Specifications Requirements

Starfield is almost here. Bethesda announced the new IP way back in 2018 and after more than five years of waiting, it’s set to launch on Xbox Series X/S and PC next week, on September 6. Based on what Bethesda’s revealed about the sci-fi RPG, it looks set to be the developer Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest game yet. Hitting up its hundreds of planets while fighting space pirates, marines, and more will also require a decent PC build. 

Here are the PC specifications for Starfield: 

Minimum: 

  • OS: Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5700, NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 125 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD Required

Recommended: 

  • OS: Windows 10/11 with updates
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 125 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD Required

As you can see, not only is Starfield a large game, needing 125 GB of free space, but it will also require that much space on an SSD. And you’ll want a pretty powerful graphics card and processor to run it at its best, too. 

Starfield hits Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass on September 6. However, if you preorder the Digital Premium Edition, the Premium Edition Upgrade (which you can purchase if you plan on playing the game through Game Pass), or the Constellation Edition, you can hop into the game up to five days early, starting August 31. 

While waiting for the game to launch, check out the Starfield Direct from earlier this summer for more than 40 minutes of footage and check out this special edition Starfield Xbox Series X console wrap afterward. 

Are you picking up Starfield early or jumping in on September 6? Let us know in the comments below!



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Android Games

Arleen Sorkin passes away

Arleen Sorkin, veteran actress and the original voice and inspiration behind the popular DC character Harley Quinn, has passed away. She was 67.

The news was announced last night. Sorkin’s credits span numerous sitcoms and other TV series throughout the ‘80s, but her biggest break came in the launch of 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series. Creator Paul Dini wanted to introduce a new character to serve as the Joker’s one-off sidekick. After watching an episode of Days of Our Lives featuring a dream sequence of Sorkin playing a medieval court jester, Dini found his inspiration and contacted Sorkin with the intention of having her play this new villain for a single appearance. Her now-iconic portrayal of Harley Quinn resonated with fans, and she became the breakout character of the show. Harley Quinn became so popular that DC added her to official comic book canon just a year later in 1993.

Sorkin would continue to voice Harley Quinn over the next 20 years in various Batman series and other shows in the DC Animated Universe, including Static Shock and Justice League. In video games, Sorkin would reprise the role of Harley in Batman: Vengeance and, perhaps most famously, in the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum (Tara Strong would take over the role in the sequels). Sorkin's final video game appearance as Harley was 2012’s DC Universe Online. 

Game Informer extends its condolences to Sorkin's family and loved ones.



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Mobile games

Arleen Sorkin passes away

Arleen Sorkin, veteran actress and the original voice and inspiration behind the popular DC character Harley Quinn, has passed away. She was 67.

The news was announced last night. Sorkin’s credits span numerous sitcoms and other TV series throughout the ‘80s, but her biggest break came in the launch of 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series. Creator Paul Dini wanted to introduce a new character to serve as the Joker’s one-off sidekick. After watching an episode of Days of Our Lives featuring a dream sequence of Sorkin playing a medieval court jester, Dini found his inspiration and contacted Sorkin with the intention of having her play this new villain for a single appearance. Her now-iconic portrayal of Harley Quinn resonated with fans, and she became the breakout character of the show. Harley Quinn became so popular that DC added her to official comic book canon just a year later in 1993.

Sorkin would continue to voice Harley Quinn over the next 20 years in various Batman series and other shows in the DC Animated Universe, including Static Shock and Justice League. In video games, Sorkin would reprise the role of Harley in Batman: Vengeance and, perhaps most famously, in the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum (Tara Strong would take over the role in the sequels). Sorkin's final video game appearance as Harley was 2012’s DC Universe Online. 

Game Informer extends its condolences to Sorkin's family and loved ones.



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Reviewed on: PC
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Publisher: Sabotage
Developer: Sabotage
Release:
Rating: Everyone 10+

Sea of Stars is like a great genre film by a skilled director. It looks and feels familiar; you basically know what to expect and can probably even predict the major beats, but it doesn’t hinder the experience. The intention is so well-executed that I was eager to soak it all in and, in this case, swim in the stars. I dreaded Sea of Stars’ conclusion not because I feared the worst but because I didn’t want to leave the world and stop playing.

Overtly inspired by 16-bit RPG greats like Super Mario RPG and primarily Chrono Trigger, Sea of Stars is a journey about a group of friends that grows in size and experience throughout an approximately 25-hour adventure. The story centers on two Solstice Warriors, children delivered by a magical eagle instead of traditional childbirth, who can control the power of the moon and the sun. What begins as an adventure about defeating a monster doesn’t take long to turn into something bigger than everyone involved in ways that impressively feel both small and personal and epic when necessary.

Ultimately, Sea of Stars is a story about the burden of responsibility (and gods, and magic, and friendship), and it does a good job of showing all sides of the story. The villains are villains, and the heroes are heroes, but I understand where every- one is coming from. I appreciate this approach to its story and characters and admire it for feeling familiar within the genre but also playing with larger ideas about the ideology of immortals or toying with fun concepts like shared consciousness. I eagerly pursued all the optional threads and listened to every extracurricular story from Teaks, our traveling historian, which is a compliment to the game’s world-building.

 

Beyond the story, which is engaging, exists a fantastic turn-based RPG. Every encounter in Sea of Stars, from the random enemies you run into while solving puzzles to the final confrontation, feels fully considered and designed. The combat encourages you to lean on special abilities and combos so you’re not just doing the same basic attack on every enemy. The combat also has timed button-press bonuses, which is the key to my RPG heart. Getting an extra few hits or taking less damage from an attack with a timed press is always a joy, and it feels particularly rewarding in Sea of Stars.

With the emphasis on special character-specific abilities, scenarios feel like puzzles but do so without leaning too much on the same solutions. It also goes out of its way not to punish you for experimenting and using everyone in your party. Sea of Stars is a game where new members join your party late in the journey, but I used and understood the fashionably tardy as much as, if not more, than the core party. It makes everyone feel essential, which is not how I typically feel about RPG party members.

 

The audio and visuals also deserve highlighting. The music expertly recalls the 16-bit era; plenty of its tracks and musical cues are still looping in my head. The soundtrack does a great job of establishing specific themes early on and then playing with them in new ways later in the story. The pixel art is fantastic, with every environment brimming with detail and color. Huge-scale characters and bosses are awe-inspiring, and lighting effects (that would have been impossible on a 16-bit console) make everything feel alive. Changing the time of day, a frequent effect leveraged for solving puzzles, looks particularly impressive, and I never tired of seeing it.

Sea of Stars is a stellar throwback that appeals to fans like me who love 16-bit RPGs, but it also functions as an excellent entry point. Annoyances that hindered early games that inspired Sea of Stars are nowhere to be seen. Simple actions like moving around the world feel great, the story picks up quickly, and farming experience is effectively unnecessary. It all leads to a smooth, consistently thrilling adventure with fun combat, all in a gorgeous and inviting world.

GI Must Play

Score: 9

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