Gravel's arcade approach reminds me of off-road racing's heyday

January 19, 2018, 8:00 am

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I want, for a moment, to tell you about the absolute worst time I’ve had while gaming. Well, I actually wasn’t gaming. I was chilling out max and relaxing all cool with a buddy of mine for what I thought was going to be some kickass Cuphead time on his Xbox One. While we eventually would get to that near-masterpiece, the first 45 minutes of my visit was spent looking on as he tweaked every goddamn tweakable part of his 1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee in Forza 7.

I’ve played Forza, Gran Turismo, and Project Cars, and while they’re all just stunning to look at, I just don’t care for racing games where I have to pay attention to that many minute details and make minuscule adjustments all in hopes of improving my lap time by as much as three seconds. Hell, I barely tolerate the customization options in the last Mario Kart. Call me a filthy casual, but I believe racing games are at their best when I can just pick a car and get my ass on the track. That’s what I like and that’s what Gravel is looking to deliver when it launches next month.

It’s been a while since we last talked about Gravel and I was surprised when the Square Enix representatives on hand for my hands-on informed me its launch was just over a month out. Given it was supposed to launch last summer, maybe I shouldn’t have been too surprised.

Gravel's arcade approach reminds me of off-road racing's heyday screenshot

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We Happy Few hit with a minor delay so the developer can rearrange part of the story

January 19, 2018, 8:15 am

≫ Next: Review: Den of Thieves

≪ Previous: Gravel's arcade approach reminds me of off-road racing's heyday

Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward. We Happy Few, a game that's almost finally finished, needs just a little more time for developer Compulsion Games to get everything just right.

In a video update today (embedded above), Compulsion announced that We Happy Few is content complete, meaning that all of the narrative and gameplay stuff is done. But, it's delaying from April 2018 to summer 2018 because the developer isn't happy with the first few hours of the game.

We Happy Few's story takes place over the course of three different characters' arcs. As Compulsion explains, the studio isn't happy with how Arthur's arc plays out (sounds like someone hasn't been taking their Joy pills). As such, Compulsion is taking a few extra months to rearrange those story moments so that everything moves in a more engaging way.

Simultaneous to this update, Compulsion and publisher Gearbox have made an interesting business decision. Back in August, the Early Access price of We Happy Few was raised from $30 to $51. Compulsion reasoned that this was the expected price of the final game. Fans responded that $51 is too much for an unfinished title.

Now, Compulsion is offering a refund to anyone who bought the game on Steam regardless of how long they've played it. Additionally, starting on February 1, there won't be an option to pre-purchase We Happy Few on Steam until much closer to launch. Compulsion says this decision was made because "We won't be offering any additional Early Access updates beyond August's 'Life in Technicolour,' [and] we think having this labeled Early Access and charging the price of a larger game caused more confusion than we had hoped."

Big day for We Happy Few -- a delay and a new refund policy. Both in-game and out, Compulsion's whole routine is trying to keep people happy.

Production Update and Story Teaser [Steam]

We Happy Few hit with a minor delay so the developer can rearrange part of the story screenshot

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Review: Den of Thieves

January 19, 2018, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Darwin Project's open beta is worth a look for battle royale fans

≪ Previous: We Happy Few hit with a minor delay so the developer can rearrange part of the story

We all know January sucks for the most part in terms of movie releases. Studios are either pushing their Oscar hopefuls out wide or dumping the things they couldn't release the rest of the year. It's a rare case when a January movies are rarely something to get excited about, but January movies are something different from just bad movies. A January movie isn't just awful, it's lost. Often aimless and pointless, it finds its way into the only month that will accept it. Maybe it isn't even a "bad" movie, but just kind of has no point.

In that way Den of Thieves couldn't be a more January movie: a film that seems completely devoid of any point or true effort. It's a movie with famous people in it, but it's unclear why it exists at all. It makes no point and does nothing special. If a movie was ever to define January movies this would probably be it.

Review: Den of Thieves screenshot

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Darwin Project's open beta is worth a look for battle royale fans

January 19, 2018, 8:45 am

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≪ Previous: Review: Den of Thieves

Darwin Project didn't leave much of an impression on me back at E3, but now that the multiplayer survival game is running an open beta for the weekend, I figured it was due another look.

Set around the post-apocalyptic Canadian Rockies, it's a deadly reality show in which 10 players compete against each other and their harsh environment, laying traps and trying to stay warm.

"In other games, the most fun part of the experience is when you're fighting other players, but this represents less than 10 percent of the match," says writer Vance Musgrave.

To keep the action flowing throughout the match, Scavengers Studio gives players a few tools to see what everyone else is up to. A few examples: player-made fires are highly visible, footprints can be tracked, and harvested resources leave clues that temporarily reveal the player's position on the map.

There's also Mixer (and planned Twitch) functionality built right into the game's core design. Stream viewers can place live bets on individual Darwin Project players, and the eye-in-the-sky Show Director can actively help or hurt participants. "He/She is the host and master who controls the arena with nuclear bombs, zone closures, gravity storms, and the power of their voice."

Some interesting ideas for the increasingly-crowded battle royale genre, to be sure.

The open beta is live on Steam and will continue until Sunday, January 21 at 9:00pm Pacific. Scavengers Studio plans to go through Steam Early Access and bring Darwin Project to Xbox One.

Play Darwin Project - Open Beta [Steam]

Darwin Project's open beta is worth a look for battle royale fans screenshot

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Lindsey Graham on shutdown: I have confidence Trump can l...

January 19, 2018, 10:36 am

≫ Next: Schumer says he and Trump still have a number of disagree...

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Sen. Lindsey Graham tweets about Sen. Chuck Schumer at the White House to discuss a government spending bill with President Trump.

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Schumer says he and Trump still have a number of disagree...

January 19, 2018, 11:37 am

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CNBC’s Kayla Tausche reports on Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer’s return to Capitol Hill after returning from a 90-minute meeting with President Donald Trump over the looming government shutdown.

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The Latest: Democrat saw 'some progress' in Trump meeting

January 19, 2018, 11:50 am

≫ Next: CCC – EGGIE MOSS (EGG)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the budget battle in Congress (all times local):

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CCC – EGGIE MOSS (EGG)

January 19, 2018, 1:30 pm

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Charles' Creature Cabinet has announced the release details around their newest Woodling Trollie. EGGIE MOSS (EGG) is a limited edition of only 35 pieces worldwide. The Ugly Woodling Troll BJD EGG stands around 2.75 inches in height. There are two resin colors to choose from - Sand Tan and Tan - and there are special paint color faceup/blushing options. The […] Read more

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DC Multiverse 6" Jessica Cruz Figure Video Review & Image Gallery

January 19, 2018, 2:40 pm

≫ Next: Super Troopers 2 gets a new red band trailer

≪ Previous: CCC – EGGIE MOSS (EGG)

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Super Troopers 2 gets a new red band trailer

January 19, 2018, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the latest game to get a special PS4 console

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The original Super Troopers remains one of my favorite comedies of all time. It strikes a perfect chord of raunchy, slapstick, and joke-driven comedy that still makes me laugh until I hurt even after watching it multiple times over the years. With that in mind, I obviously cannot wait for the sequel, despite comedy sequels rarely living up to more than just callbacks and rehashes.

Thankfully the new trailer that was released for Super Troopers 2 today isn't completely made up of rehashes, which gives me hope. I could continue going on about the movie and the general concept of comedy but you aren't here to read my words so watch the trailer and enjoy!

Super Troopers 2 releases on April 20, 2018 because of course it does.

Super Troopers 2 gets a new red band trailer screenshot

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Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the latest game to get a special PS4 console

January 19, 2018, 9:30 am

≫ Next: How to massively improve Nintendo's games

≪ Previous: Super Troopers 2 gets a new red band trailer

It seems with any new game coming out in Japan, there is a themed PS4 console to go along with it. If you're a fan of Valkyria Chronicles and are eagerly awaiting the upcoming 4, why not import this garish looking beast? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose.

This model is a PS4 Slim and it comes in 500 GB (33,480 yen) and 1 TB (38,480 yen) variants. You'll also (obviously) get a copy of the game with this bundle alongside a PS4 theme to show off to your friends. This console will be available the same day as the game, which comes out March 21 in Japan.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 Gets A Limited Edition PlayStation 4 In Japan [Siliconera]

Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the latest game to get a special PS4 console screenshot

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How to massively improve Nintendo's games

January 19, 2018, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Here's the first trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition on Switch

≪ Previous: Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the latest game to get a special PS4 console

_{[Ummm, excuse me, Nintendo is a publicly traded company first and foremost, we must make as much money as possible. ~Marcel]}

How to Make Nintendo Games Better:

Nintendo have undoubtedly had a great year with the roll-out of the Switch and several great games. Not only did they over-perform on their sale expectations, but also made several great games to launch their newest hybrid console.

How to massively improve Nintendo's games screenshot

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Here's the first trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition on Switch

January 19, 2018, 10:30 am

≫ Next: Transformers: Lost Light #13 Full Preview - CABIN FEVER!

≪ Previous: How to massively improve Nintendo's games

As we learned last week, we're getting a "No, really this is actually the final version, we promise" re-release of Hyrule Warriors on the Switch. Nintendo even went so far as to call it "The Ultimate Version of Hyrule Warriors." Can't get much more definitive than ultimate.

Now we have the first trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition courtesy of Koei Tecmo. It's in Japanese, but it gets the point across. It cuts to a bunch of characters and features all the frantic sword-swinging we'd expect.

As for actual details, the Nintendo mini-Direct was the best place for that (here's a time-stamped link). That's where we found out that Definitive Edition has every map, character, and mission for both the Wii U and 3DS versions including all DLC; that it's 1080p in TV mode; that it has two-player split-screen support; and that there are exclusive Link and Zelda Breath of the Wild outfits.

However, maybe the most important thing about this trailer is that it seemingly corroborates the supposed release date. Although Nintendo has only pinned this down to a Spring launch, a press release went out in Hong Kong that had a March 22 date attached to it. The end of this Japanese trailer also indicates March 22. So yeah, it's probably coming out on March 22, at least in Asian territories.

If the trailer and all that info isn't enough for you, check out this Definitive Edition game page on Game City's site. It has that Hyrule Warriors aesthetic that you crave. If you're curious how certain Dtoid editors feel about this, Jordan just told me "I feel like they own my soul and I'll have to play this for 200 hours." I know for a fact that he put about that much time into the Wii U version. I might have to break his Switch. It's the only way to set him free.

Here's the first trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition on Switch screenshot

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Transformers: Lost Light #13 Full Preview - CABIN FEVER!

January 19, 2018, 12:11 pm

≫ Next: New DC PVC Statues, BTAS Harley Quinn Expression Pack & More Coming From DC Collectibles

≪ Previous: Here's the first trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition on Switch

Thanks to Nick for letting us know Newsarama has posted the Transformers: Lost Light #13 Full Preview! CABIN FEVER! Crammed into a dead Decepticon astropod that's ten sizes too small, the displaced crew of the Lost Light face their most serious threat yet: each other. As tensions rise and tempers fray, only one Autobot is arrogant enough to think he can save the day. Enter Rodimus, expert mediator.

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New DC PVC Statues, BTAS Harley Quinn Expression Pack & More Coming From DC Collectibles

January 19, 2018, 3:02 pm

≫ Next: Lindsey Graham Sends Trump a Message: We Need ‘a Reliable Partner in the White House’

≪ Previous: Transformers: Lost Light #13 Full Preview - CABIN FEVER!

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Lindsey Graham Sends Trump a Message: We Need ‘a Reliable Partner in the White House’

January 19, 2018, 3:20 pm

≫ Next: Republicans May Skip a Budget This Year, Suggesting Entitlement Cuts Are Off the Table

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), one of the senators behind the bipartisan immigration deal that the president rejected last week, said Tuesday that someone on the White House staff “gave him really bad advice” ahead of that heated meeting on Thursday. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and senior adviser Stephen Miller reportedly brought in other members of Congress to push back against the proposed deal. “I don’t think the president was well-served by his staff,” Graham told reporters Tuesday.

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Republicans May Skip a Budget This Year, Suggesting Entitlement Cuts Are Off the Table

January 19, 2018, 3:26 pm

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Congressional Republicans may skip trying to pass a budget this year — a decision that represents “a blow to the party’s weakened fiscal hawks” and effectively eliminates the possibility of a party-line push to repeal Obamacare or revamp social programs, Politico reports. Republican leaders discussed the possibility at Camp David last weekend, Politico says, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell arguing that, with a slim 51-vote majority, he might not be able to round up the votes to pass a fiscal 2019 budget let alone more controversial deficit-reducing cuts to welfare, Medicare or other safety net programs. It’s become common in recent years for Congress to not pass a budget, but foregoing a budget this year would sharply curtail what GOP legislators can accomplish since it would preclude them from using the same reconciliation tool that allowed them to bypass the threat of a Democratic filibuster last year and push through a tax bill on party lines.