In the news, Activision’s got another Blizzard of news with just, so much happening that they had to show off a new Overwatch character to distract people. Bugsnax is getting more content and coming to all the consoles, No Man’s Sky is getting even more free updates, and Cook Serve Forever is coming. Kingdom Hearts 4 is also on the way, along with fun furry Half-Life 2 mods. Hasbro also bought back D&D Beyond.

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The post VGCC Episode 391: What’s That Land Called Again? appeared first on Gamesline.

It’s one of the biggest weeks of news in a while as WB announced a Smash Brothers clone called Multiversus, Sony had a Star Ocean full of news drop during their State of Play, Among Us is adding new roles in the next content update, and in sadder news, PAX South is coming to an end and apparently Pokimane owns EVO. Oh, you thought I was done? Amazon’s New World is a complete mess, Blizzard officially changed McCree’s name, Blizzcon was cancelled, and Bobby Kotick took a pay cut in a failed attempt at good PR. Far Cry 6 has horrible marketing, Resident Evil had a big week, the Wu-Tang clan are making an RPG and Shoji Meguro is leaving ATLUS to make his own game. Speaking of new games, A Quiet Place is getting a game tie-in from iLLOGIKA, Digimon Survive is now coming in 20222 and ConcernedApe has the Haunted Chocolatier in the works. We’re also getting a new third party DLC character in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Melty Blood: Type Lumina‘s DLC Rollout is starting this winter.

As always, you can support us on our Patreon, and follow us on Twitter @VGChooChoo, @scottblah, and @elviemaeparian.

Also, don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes, and tell a friend about the show! If you want to send in questions send them to our ask box at videogamechoochoo.tumblr.com/ask.

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From personal experience, Death’s Door is a thoughtful, interesting, and stylish little action-adventure with really, really good music and fun combat. It’s coming to PS4 and PS5 next month, and I’m excited to see it brought to a larger audience! 

First Class Trouble – what looks like a pretty dynamic and highly customizable social deduction game – is also coming to the PS4 and PS5 in November. What’s more, it’ll be included in next month’s PS Plus lineup. 

The Isle of Bigsnax is a free DLC coming to Bugsnax in early 2022, which includes a big new area with big new creatures, a little hut you can personalize with a lot of collectables, new quests and challenges, and some hats! 

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach is the new installment of the way-more-popular-than-I-ever-expected FNAF franchise, and while this series hasn’t been in my cultural library since the first one came out, you can use Freddy as a mech suit and the new animatronics are appropriately creepy. 

KartRider: Drift is coming to PS4, and what can you really say about kart racing games at this point? It’s cute, looks customizable, and it’ll be cross-platform with PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S and X. The closed beta begins in early December, with a variety of modes and playable characters. 

The King of Fighters XV open beta was announced as well, featuring 8 playable characters and different match modes, with the full game to be released in February 2022. 

It seems like Little Devil Inside is still alive, having blown past its summer 2021 release date, with an extended look into a few minutes of gameplay. It looks like a top-down action RPG with little guys all over the place, stylized overworld traveling with curious interactions, whimsical presentation and tone — the overall vibe of this game is about taking your time to enjoy the soft, colorful, pastoral world. As for now, its release is set for an ambiguous 2022 date, so stay tuned. 

Another look at We Are OFK — a fully-voiced music biopic game about the band, you guessed it, OFK. It’s a making-of-the-band journey with a lot of narrative in different forms like texts and dialogue, and interactive music videos. It’ll be a 5-episode journey starting sometime in 2022, and it looks like a personal, lovingly-crafted project, so I’m excited!

Deathverse: Let it Die was announced for Spring of 2022, a sequel to Lie it Die set hundreds of years in the future. Opulent dystopian vibes, aesthetically chaotic with weapons forging and combat that looks dynamic, it’ll be interesting to see how it stacks up with its predecessor. 

Star Ocean: The Divine Force is coming to PS4 and PS5 sometime in 2022, and it looks completely true to form in that I watched the whole trailer and I still have no idea what’s going on in it. It still has the same sci-fi/fantasy aesthetic scattershot and creatively unhinged character designs, dramatic out-of-context bits of dialogue giving us only the barest hint of story, and shots of both space battles and dragon slaying. I could not be more excited. The debut trailer itself also featured bits and pieces of actual gameplay and it feels like Tri-Ace might be going back to the style and feel of the original few Star Ocean titles  rather than continuing from their last console release back in 2016, which is very promising.  

For a brief 20-minute presentation, there was a little something in there for everyone (except for the people who only watched it in hopes of seeing a new Grand Theft Auto) and while most of it wasn’t exactly new, Star Ocean is BACK, baby, and that’s all that matters to me right now. 

The post The Absolute State of Play 2021 appeared first on Gamesline.

(Thanks to Benjamin for the commission that I’m using as my header!)

10. Sakura Wars

Look, this was basically gonna be a nine game list. I was thinking about slapping something on here that I didn’t care much for, but then I remembered I actually beat Sakura Wars. I played it to completion, and that deserves something, right?

There’s a lot to like in Sakura Wars. The overall plot is just goofy enough to get your 90’s anime fan blood pumping, the character designs are great, and there’s a ninja girl who basically becomes your little sister. All of that rules. Once you get past that, however, it gets a bit frustrating. Combat can be monotonous, and the harem romance aspects of the franchise get in the way of proper character building. Asami, the previously mentioned ninja girl, gets the best development in the game purely because she isn’t a love interest.

At the end of the day, though, I still liked it? There’s a charm to Sakura Wars that never left me after I finished it. I was so inclined to start watching the anime sequel (which in of itself is hilarious, as it premiered in the US at the same time as the JP airing, which means we got it before the game released here) just because I liked the characters and setting that much. Sakura Wars the game was maybe not what I was looking for, but introducing me to its world and characters was, and I’ll finish the anime soon and talk about it on the other podcast.

9. Among Us

This became a phenomenon for a reason. Sure, yeah, it’s just Mafia/Werewolf/whatever other game that is this, but that’s not the point. The point is that it has character. And that character being discovered is why Among Us was finally a hit in 2020. It’s a perfect little party game that has ingrained itself into our collective consciousness because of how adorable the crewmates are. Compared to the manufactured cuteness of things like Baby Yoda and the Fall Guys, Among Us was exactly what it said on the tin and pulled it off well, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

8. Doom Eternal

RIP AND FRIGGIN TEAR!!!!! Doom Eternal was a very different beast from Doom 2016, but it was still fun, and that’s all that matters. This was “Doom May Cry,” and while that means you sometimes were railroaded into specific weapons and abilities, the variety of said weapons and abilities as well as enemy and environment design led to a fulfilling game.

Yeah the story’s dumb as hell, even dumber than usual, but I liked that. Go ahead, canonize the comic. Have in-game characters call him Doomguy. Fuck it, man, let’s just get really dumb with it. Doom Eternal has an attitude I can completely get behind. I do just wish the levels were a little shorter, but that’s all.

7. Spider-Man: Miles Morales

I bought a PS5 in 2020, which I would not recommend to anyone unless they also pull a $600 Yu-Gi-Oh! card and sell it like I did. I needed a game to go with it, and what do you know, they did another one of those Spider’s Man games. For real, though, Miles Morales doesn’t feel as much of a feat as the PS4 original, but what is there has a style and presence all its own. Sure, a good chunk of that style is also Into the Spider-verse’s, but they do enough with it to feel unique, at least in my opinion.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales does the work to make Miles feel like his own person. The plot is about growing out of the shadow of your mentors, whether it’s your Spider-Mantor or your family. There’s some great character work here, especially with Miles and his uncle, who you may know better as The Prowler. They do their story differently than other stories have, and it’s to great effect.

6. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

13 Sentinels is, without a doubt, an achievement. I only put it at #6 because I need to play more, but the visual novel aspects of the game are second to none. It’s easily Vanillaware’s prettiest game, with a dark, despondent air to its painterly backgrounds. It tells an extremely dense, non-linear story in a very understandable way, which in of itself is a feat.

The “combat” portions of the game aren’t really anything demanding, but they’re fun enough if you enjoy tower defense. What you’re really here for is the story, and what a story it has. Intertwining relationships, aliens, future and past versions of the same character interacting, and big friggin robots! It’s all there, and all done masterfully. 13 Sentinels is a once in a lifetime game, and I hope more people give it a go.

5. Resident Evil 3 (Remake)

RE2 Remake felt like a godsend, invigorating the franchise in a secondary way that complimented RE7’s first person view well. Resident Evil 3’s remake, like Spider-Man: Miles Morales before, is sort of more of the same, but I think RE3 tried a bit harder to be unique from its remake predecessor. Jill has a dodge mechanic, which adds to the general combat flow of the game, and while Nemesis has been downgraded to a set-piece instead of a constant threat, when he does show up it’s the tightest shit. This is just an impeccably controlling and exciting action-horror game and I had a blast with it.

4. Final Fantasy VII Remake

It can be argued that a lot of these remakes, even the aforementioned RE3 one, aren’t exactly “necessary”. Sure, the updates are welcome, but if a game is already good, can’t it just get re-released in a way that new players can access the game in perpetuity? Final Fantasy VII’s remake answers that question by saying “the original is just as valid, here’s a new take that will go somewhere else.” FFVIIR is its own game, its own experience, and builds on top of the original’s legacy in ways I never expected. It also helps that it’s an absolutely phenomenal game top to bottom.

This is a new experience for a new generation, an update to a game that creates a new story arc in its legacy, and a killer action RPG! They made the Cloud dress scene not complete garbage! Looking up at that god damn pizza in the sky, in full 3D, recontextualizes so much about what the game is saying and it fits like a glove in 2020. FFVII is just as important as it was when it originally released, but now it fits snugly into 2020’s landscape.

3. Bugsnax

It’s fun to help puppets solve problems. It’s fun to catch little critters. It’s fun to listen to synthy music. That’s all in Bugsnax, and more. It’s the second PS5 game I played and it made the console worth it just because it didn’t have loads. Thanks folks.

Seriously though, Bugsnax is a lovely experience about the process of getting to know people and the power in helping others. It’s a bit more personal than a game further down the list, but it resonates just as well. Forging relationships is difficult in these times, but Bugsnax is a reminder of what we can do once things are better, and how we’ll be able to do it. Mostly by swapping food and cracking jokes.

2. Paper Mario: The Origami King

Origami King is constrained by the continued spectre of Shigeru Miyamoto (allegedly). The restrictions on characters, environments, and storytelling is evident in almost every aspect of the game, and how it relates to previous Paper Mario games. Somehow, some way, Origami King still kicks ass, even if it does make me wish the team could do what they want.

Origami King has a lot of wonderful dialogue and music throughout, and its combat mechanics stay cute and fun throughout the entire game. Every new area was a delight to experience, and Olivia is a lovely sidekick to run through them with. Origami King was an adorable little adventure that lapsed Paper Mario fans should absolutely check out. I played Thousand Year Door right around the same time I played OK, and I’d say it stands up, at least on the writing side of things. Maybe I’m full of shit, but that doesn’t change my stance!

1. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

We as a society will not progress unless we are more willing to help people. A willingness to assist our fellow person, with our labor, our money, or our time, must be instilled into all of us, lest we fall prey to a future that cannot support us. Ichiban Kasuga is the mascot to the better future. He played Dragon Quest as a kid, thought about how good it felt when he completed quests in the game, then applied that to real life. What do you know, it feels good to help others in the living world! Not only that, but if someone isn’t troubled by something, they can help someone else, and so on.

2020’s worldwide problems and the struggles of Ichiban’s party are absolutely not one to one, but I couldn’t help but think about current events while playing Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Specifically, I thought about the rays of hope that occurred during such gloomy times, and how all of them came from collaboration between average people; collective effort instead of relying on those at the top. Ichiban’s crew is the same, a bunch of Chicken McNobodies that, while still involved with the plot due to connections to certain characters, could have easily sat out and let things ride their course. It’s people like those who came together to speak out against oppression, bring aid to those that need it, and mutually aid one another that inspired me this year, and Ichiban’s character echoed a lot of those sorts of heroism. If we are to truly live in 2021 and beyond, we must help each other, and if you need to tell yourself you’re leveling up while doing it, go for it.

The post John’s Top Ten Games of 2020 appeared first on Gamesline.

Best Music: Bugsnax

Runners-up: Final Fantasy VII Remake, Mad Rat Dead

When Bugsnax was revealed during a PS5 showcase during the summer, the primary take away was that man, that Kero Kero Bonito theme song is a banger. While KKB’s “It’s Bugsnax!” is arguably the greatest song of all time, it doesn’t stand alone, with Seth Parker’s original soundtrack complimenting the actual game spectacularly. The dreamy synthpop slowly gives way to something more harsh, as Bugsnax itself takes a darker, more sinister turn, incorporating industrial elements into its sonic soundscape to add emphasis to the late game. Everything about Bugsnax’s score enhances an already great game and makes it something truly memorable. – Niall

Best Audio: Hades

Runners-up: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2, Assemble With Care

When people think about Hades, they think about the characters and the writing, the punishing difficulty of the roguelike and its systems that reward you for dying, the Adamant Rail, but I’d argue that none of those on their own are what makes Hades so memorable for people. Games live and die exclusively on their audio, and the secret to what makes Hades so special is the intense focus on sound design that Supergiant Games, and especially Darren Korb, is known for. Korb sang and produced all of Orpheus’ music in the game, voiced many characters, including Zagreus, produced all of the ‘thwacks’, ‘cracks’, and that sickening chug that gives the Adamant Rail so much life, and even ran voice directing for every fully voice acted line of dialogue.  The amount of labor put into this game’s audio is staggering, and even more for it to all come together so seamlessly explains why this game has grown to such a feverish pitch over the course of 2020. I’ve been playing this for over a year now and I’m still finding new lines of dialogue and sounds that heat up each playthrough! Please make sure to give Cerberus a little pet before your next run. – Solon

Best Visuals: Paper Mario: The Origami King

Runners-up: Spiritfarer, Umurangi Generation

Paper Mario’s recent visuals have been rightfully divisive for the past handful of games. Leaning far too hard on generic concepts like “stickers” and “color” doesn’t lend well to interesting design. Origami King, however, steps up to the plate and knocks it out of the park. Nintendo’s usual ability to craft pretty environments is pushed even further in this title, with origami playing a central role in its success. Many environments, characters, and items are made of folded paper, with each individual fold making sense as one you’d see on a real, physical version of the item. They look like a person actually took the time to fold up some of these creatures.

Beyond that, further interesting texture work, such as realistic dirt and water made of flowing paper, makes for a visual treat unlike any other this year. You can feel a sense of care worked into every single piece of art in this game, and it makes a person want to reach out and touch everything on screen. Origami King is steering Paper Mario back on track, and its visuals are a sign of good things to come for the franchise. – John

Best Presentation: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Runners-up: Hades, Final Fantasy VII Remake

Vanillaware has always had a penchant for both non-linear storytelling and gorgeous visuals, and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim feels like the ultimate culmination of everything they’ve learned over the studio’s existence. Alternating between a gorgeous Tokyo at sunset and more grey and dystopian settings, everywhere you look is handcrafted in such meticulous detail it’s like wandering through an art museum. Each character is drawn with their own subtle yet inseparable quirks that set them apart from each other, and their voice work, across multiple languages, is engaging and effective. The game even separates its more action oriented gameplay from the main story’s adventure game style, letting you slowly chip away at the story without having to dedicate too much brain power into RTS combat at any given moment.

Perhaps the most fascinating and well-executed part of 13 Sentinels is how it presents its core narrative. From the outside, a time travel game about thirteen different protagonists across hundreds of years seems set for disaster, opening the door for all sorts of writing pitfalls. Somehow, 13 Sentinels not only manages to deliver a cohesive and compelling story, but manages to do it in a completely non-linear way, letting the player pick and choose which character to learn about when, and somehow making it all flow together no matter the order. I’ve never seen a game quite like this, and if more developers can take the right lessons from 13 Sentinels’ presentation, the future of storytelling in games is gonna be a hell of a wild time. – Rose

The post Game of the Year Awards 2020: Day One appeared first on Gamesline.

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As always you can support us on our patreon, and follow us on twitter @VGChooChoo, @john_michonski, @LVmaeparian, and @judgementscythe

Also, don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes, and tell a friend about the show! If you want to send in questions send them to our ask box at videogamechoochoo.tumblr.com/ask.

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Our theme song is “Crush” by Melt Channel, from the album Magic is Real.

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As always you can support us on our patreon, and follow us on twitter @VGChooChoo, @john_michonski, @JudgementScythe, and @PunkParfait.

Also, don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes, and tell a friend about the show! If you want to send in questions send them to our ask box at videogamechoochoo.tumblr.com/ask.

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Our theme song is “Crush” by Melt Channel, from the album Magic is Real.

Subscribe via iTunes, Hipcast, Direct Download, or listen below!

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