FromSoftware
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Dark Souls 2 dataminer shows off massive prototype coliseum level from early development
A dataminer named Doneda has uncovered a massive prototype coliseum level from the early development of Dark Souls 2. The unused content, which also includes mines and a crypt, suggests significant story rewrites and a rushed development cycle for the game. The discovery highlights the ambitious scope FromSoftware aimed for, even amidst development challenges.
'There were a lot of disagreements across the place': Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler on leading Bungie's extraction shooter, playing Path of Exile for 3,437 hours, and why he'll never uninstall Kingdom Hearts
Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler discusses his extensive gaming habits, including thousands of hours in Path of Exile and Destiny 2, and his enduring love for Kingdom Hearts. He also touches on his experiences at Bungie, the challenges of leading the Marathon project, and his appreciation for the social aspects of games like World of Warcraft.
Penguin Colony review - the least expected Soulslike you'll play, and a cracking parody of Lovecraftian empires
Penguin Colony is a unique Soulslike parody that uses penguins to offer a critical distance from Lovecraftian themes and imperialistic narratives. Developed by Indigenous team Origame Digital, the game playfully subverts genre expectations, including Soulslike elements like boss battles and lore delivery, while featuring janky but charming penguin movement.
Games Inbox: Was the GTA 6 launch trailer the last one?
Readers discuss the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch trailer, with some feeling it revealed little new information and expressing concern over Rockstar's marketing strategy. Other topics include the generic nature of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's advertising, the challenges of adapting video games into movies, and frustration with Sony's refund policy compared to Steam's.
Castlevania Belmont's Curse once had a Dark Souls "vibe," but it was "too slow, too intense, and…
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse initially experimented with a slower, more intense 'Dark Souls' combat style, but developer Evil Empire found it didn't fit the Castlevania identity. The game was then sped up, leading to comparisons with Dead Cells, before settling on its current fast-paced action. The article praises Evil Empire's commitment to a distinct Castlevania feel, noting the game has received critical acclaim.
Super Metroid är pixlar i perfektion
Super Metroid is hailed as a masterpiece of the Metroidvania genre, achieving pixel-perfect graphics and a timeless design on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game masterfully blends atmospheric horror, exploration, and a nuanced narrative, setting a benchmark that few titles, including Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, have matched. Its detailed world-building and subtle storytelling, reminiscent of FromSoftware's approach, continue to impress even decades later.
Hidden content made Baldur's Gate 3 special, but Fallout co-creator worries RPGs are ditching secrets because "nobody thinks people will find things on their own"
Fallout co-creator Timothy Cain expresses concern that modern RPGs are becoming too linear and are ditching hidden content because developers and publishers are prioritizing unseen content and common player experiences. He argues that this trend, exemplified by the move away from unguided exploration and optional dialogue, diminishes the sense of discovery that made older RPGs special, though he acknowledges that beloved studios like Larian and FromSoftware may continue to include such features.
The Treasure Chest Trick Behind Vampire Survivors
Vampire Survivors' success, including its BAFTA win over Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok, is partly attributed to its engaging chest drop mechanic, inspired by slot machine design. Creator Luca Galante, who previously worked on gambling software, meticulously crafted the sound and visual feedback for these moments, demonstrating how detailed polish in small interactions can significantly enhance player experience and drive genre innovation.
Games Inbox: What video game console is best to get for Christmas?
Readers debate which console to purchase for Christmas, weighing the merits of the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. Discussions touch on upcoming games like Grand Theft Auto 6 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, alongside opinions on Gears of War: E-Day and concerns about AI in game development.
ShackStream: Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link on The Stevetendo Show! Episode 758
The Stevetendo Show is featuring The Legend of Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link on its 758th episode, paying homage to the series before an upcoming remake. The stream will also include updates on Elden Ring playthroughs and previews of Castlevania: Belmont's Curse and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. Viewers can tune in on the Shacknews Twitch channel.
Recension – Valor Mortis
Valor Mortis is an ambitious Soulslike attempt from One More Level that ultimately falls short due to its own aspirations. While the historical setting and beautiful, painterly graphics are highlights, the first-person perspective hinders the genre's core mechanics, leading to unbalanced difficulty and unengaging combat. The game suffers from a lack of memorable bosses and some frustrating bugs, making it a "Waterloo" for the developer despite its promising elements.
Epic Games to make first big budget AI-only game with new Disney shooter
Epic Games is shifting to an 'AI first' development model, impacting an unannounced Marvel and Star Wars shooter. CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed the pivot aims to accelerate development using AI tools like Anthropic's Claude, with human input primarily for guidance. This move has reportedly caused concern among developers, with some expressing dismay at the prospect of AI generating game assets and code.
Games Inbox: What is the next FromSoftware game?
Readers discuss upcoming game releases like The Duskbloods and Phantom Blade Zero, express concerns about Activision's Call of Duty franchise, and praise the unique experience of Big Walk. There are also requests for PlayStation 3 repair services and commentary on EA's acquisition history and the impact of AI on game emulation.
Valor Mortis Review – They’re Called Catalysts Now
Valor Mortis, developed by One More Level, attempts to distinguish itself in the crowded Soulslike genre by incorporating a first-person perspective and a Napoleonic Wars setting. While the game features fluid melee combat, a unique magic system, and engaging boss fights, it struggles with inconsistent difficulty spikes and a less impactful progression system compared to its contemporaries. Despite these issues, its innovative approach and solid gameplay mechanics make it a potentially good entry point for newcomers to the genre.
Valor Mortis review - this Napoleonic first-person swordfighter is one of the freshest Soulslikes in years
Valor Mortis offers a fresh take on the Soulslike genre with its first-person perspective and Napoleonic setting, featuring a unique necro-blight mechanic. Developed by Lyrical Games and One More Level, the game successfully blends intense swordplay, parrying, and parkour elements, creating a challenging yet intimate combat experience.
Valor Mortis review: "First-person Souslike parrying feels clutch, but I need more for this to truly stand out"
Valor Mortis is a functional Soulslike with a first-person perspective and parry-focused combat, but it struggles to stand out in a crowded genre. While it features some charming writing and a fresh parkour element, its gameplay ideas have been done better elsewhere, and scripted parkour sequences are frustratingly bad. Technical issues like crashes and framerate drops were also present at launch.
This week in PC games: play a human-eating Katamari from outer space, take over a nature reserve in Planet Zoo 2, and battle Napoleonic body horror in Valor Mortis
This week in PC games features a variety of new and upcoming titles, including Planet Zoo 2, Valor Mortis with Napoleonic body horror, and a Katamari-like tentacle rolling game. Other notable mentions include a stealth game, a strategy game, a sheep herding simulator, and a space whale city builder.
Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree Finally Gets A Discount, And Your NG+ Save Isn’t Ready
Elden Ring's expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, is now available at a discounted price of $35.19/£30.79 on Fanatical, marking a 12% reduction. The DLC, praised for its challenging gameplay and expansive new content, has received a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam and a 10/10 from the publication's own review.
The master of the cozy puzzle game is back, and he's destroying my free time once more in Order of the Sinking Star
Jonathan Blow's latest puzzle game, Order of the Sinking Star, is a masterfully crafted experience that blends concepts from four freeware puzzlers. The game offers a deep and engaging challenge, reminiscent of Blow's previous acclaimed title, The Witness, but with a distinct narrative focus and a unique "game design supercollider" approach.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – A Timeless Masterpiece?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remains a timeless masterpiece, lauded for its revolutionary Z-targeting and immersive 3D world that influenced countless action-adventure games. Despite some aged movement mechanics, its superb dungeon design, engaging gameplay loop, and universally relatable themes of growing up continue to resonate. Koji Kondo's exceptional soundtrack further solidifies its legendary status.
