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UncategorizedChinese Splatoon Rip-Off Sure Looks Like Splatoon
Something about this Chinese mobile game looks… similar… to another game I like. I can’t quite place it, though. It might be its cast of spritely kids with neon hair that resembles tentacles. But, on second thought, maybe that’s just a really popular and unoriginal thing in video games. It could be the game mechanic…
By Cecilia D'Anastasio Published June 29, 2016 -
UncategorizedMafia III Promises An Open World That You Can Actually Change, Ever So Slightly
Mafia III, due out later this year on consoles and PC, has a few interesting things going for it. It’s a crime story set in a fictionalized version of 1960s New Orleans. It has a black protagonist. Here’s a less obvious distinctive trait: its open world can be changed. You don’t see a lot of…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 29, 2016 - Uncategorized
How Overwatch‘s Competitive Mode Works
If you’re too dang skilled for the mortal riffraff in Overwatch’s regular modes, you’ll be excited to hear that the PC version just got a competitive alternative (it’s coming to console next week). It’s got rankings, golden guns, golden balls—all that good stuff. So, how does it work? Let me explain. Placement You can’t just…
By Nathan Grayson Published June 29, 2016 - Uncategorized
Gal*Gun‘s Special Edition Comes With A, Um, Screen Cleaner
No comment.
By Patrick Klepek Published June 29, 2016 -
UncategorizedZarya From Overwatch Has Become A Gay Icon, Ironically
Lots of Overwatch fans read the game’s proud, pink-haired Russian lady soldier Zarya as gay. While perhaps not a huge deal on its own, that interpretation conflicts with homophobic views widely held in Russia and backed by the state, forcing Russian Overwatch players to reconcile two clashing interpretations of a widely admired character. Overwatch’s intricate…
By Cecilia D'Anastasio Published June 29, 2016 - Culture
The Steam Mobile App Is Finally On Windows Phones
Increasingly, the Steam mobile app is vital if you want to make optimal use of Steam’s features. Using the Steam marketplace to buy and sell items is a horrible chore without it, among other things. And yet, for years it’s been restricted to iOS and Android. Thankfully, Valve’s finally changed that. There’s now an official…
By Nathan Grayson Published June 29, 2016 - Uncategorized
How Final Fantasy XIV Stays Weird
Somehow, Final Fantasy XIV has become one of the best Final Fantasy games in recent memory, thanks to a bunch of winning factors that elevate it from the ranks of MMO dreck to a game that’s worth playing even if you’re by yourself. One of those factors: It doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sure, there…
By Jason Schreier Published June 29, 2016 -
UncategorizedJ.J. Abrams Is a Playable Character In Lego The Force Awakens
Sharing screen time with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy in Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Lego J.J. Abrams adds troop command and blaster marksmanship to his already impressive resume. It used to be Lego games’ behind-the-scenes cameos were limited to cutscenes. Now we get to take the famed director, producer, screenwriter and composer on a…
By Mike Fahey Published June 29, 2016 -
UncategorizedThe Case For And Against Albert Wesker Coming Back In Resident Evil 7
Longtime Resident Evil villain Albert Wesker seemingly died in Resident Evil 5, but voice clips in the new Umbrella Corps game suggest he’s still around. Whether this has any impact on Resident Evil 7, though, remains to be seen. Rely On Horror’s interest was piqued when they seemed to hear Wesker’s voice over the radio…
By Patrick Klepek Published June 29, 2016 - Uncategorized
Manufacturing Issues Lead To Zero Time Dilemma Pre-Order Debacle [UPDATE]
People who pre-ordered the bonus edition of Zero Time Dilemma, which comes with a game and a watch, are finding themselves with neither game nor watch thanks to a snafu that has some fans fuming. After all, what’s the point of pre-ordering if you don’t get the game on time? Publisher Aksys opened up pre-orders…
By Jason Schreier Published June 29, 2016 - Uncategorized
Thumper, an intense music game that lovingly describes itself as rhythm violence, is coming to PlayStation 4 and PC on October 13. It’s part of the PS VR lineup, but it’s not confirmed if the PC version will also support VR. “We hope to have good news soon,” the developer told me over email.
By Patrick Klepek Published June 29, 2016 -
UncategorizedSaints Row: Gat Out of Hell, Furi Headline PS Plus Lineup For July
It’s looking like a solid month for Games With Gold and PlayStation Plus. Remember, though Sony advertises these games as “free,” you need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to access them. That’s not free. Here’s the lineup for next month: PlayStation 4 Furi Saints Row: Gat out of Hell Paragon (PS Plus subscribers get into…
By Patrick Klepek Published June 29, 2016 -
UncategorizedIn Their Next Game, Life Is Strange Developers Are Tempting You To Make Evil Choices
People who play video games prefer to play as good guys. That’s what game designer Stéphane Beauverger’s research has shown, with some three quarters of players who are faced with in-game moral choices choosing to walk the path of angels. He wants to play with that. He wants to tempt players to play evil. He’ll…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 29, 2016 - CultureTotal Recall
Original Xbox Controller Prototypes Look Like Dreamcast Tears
Seamus Blackley, one of the key people involved in the creation of the original Xbox, has shared some concept images for Microsoft’s debut control pad, which date all the way back in November 1999 (the Xbox wouldn’t launch until 2001). Obviously the final design looked remarkably different; the “Duke” controller (below, left) was a massive,…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2016 -
CultureSnacktaku Eats Burger King’s Mac N’ Cheetos
Last week Burger King announced it would be subjecting innocent Americans to deep-fried, Cheetos-crusted macaroni and cheese sticks. Snacktaku is pleased to report that Mac N’ Cheetos taste much better than they look. Before we begin I must apologize for the quality of the video atop this post. While keeping the windows rolled up and…
By Mike Fahey Published June 29, 2016 - Uncategorized
Final Fantasy VII Gets An Official Monopoly Board [UPDATE]
You probably won’t want to play as Aeris in Final Fantasy VII Monopoly, announced today for release in April 2017. “Delve into the evolving city of Midgar in search of the latest business opportunities,” reads the description at online retailer Merchoid, where you can pre-order the game. “Perhaps you’ll buy up a string of plots…
By Jason Schreier Published June 29, 2016 - Culture
Sailor Moon Is All Out Of Bubblegum
Chanon Suasungnern is a concept artist from Thailand. You can see more of Chanon’s work at his ArtStationand DeviantArtpages. To see the larger pics in all their glory (or, if they’re big enough, so you can save them as wallpaper), click on the “expand” button in the top-left corner. Fine Art is a celebration of…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2016 - Uncategorized
Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: This Is A Job For Torbjorn
Just because Overwatch’s resident turret-banger is getting toned down on consoles doesn’t mean Torbjorn can’t still be a productive member of society. There are plenty of employment opportunities for dwarf with a robotic arm, like whatever you guys come up with this week. Originally published 6/26/2016—just three days left to get Torbjorn’s job applications in!…
By Mike Fahey Published June 29, 2016
