Category: Games

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to introduce an innovative mechanic that allows players to skip boss fights without losing essential story elements. Players who choose to bypass these encounters will be treated to a “visual novel” that summarizes the battle and its narrative implications, ensuring they remain engaged with the storyline.

This new feature has garnered mixed reactions. Many appreciate it as an accessibility tool for those who find intense combat challenging, while others argue that it could make the game less demanding.

Hideo Kojima, the director behind the game, recognizes the importance of boss fights in conveying high-stakes gameplay intertwined with significant narratives. Iconic boss battles from his past works, such as Metal Gear Solid, stand testament to his ability to merge gameplay with storytelling.

In a recent Koji Pro radio broadcast, Kojima detailed this unique feature, explaining that if players fail a boss fight, they will have an option to either retry or skip the encounter altogether. If they choose to skip, they’ll receive a narrative recap that provides key information about the events and consequences of the fight.

This approach ensures that players do not miss vital lore or dialogue, catering to those who prefer narrative over high-pressure combat. While some critics see this trend as indicative of a growing tendency towards making games more accessible at the expense of challenge, others view it as an inclusive measure for gamers with varying skill levels.

Furthermore, Kojima announced that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is 95 percent complete, generating excitement among fans in anticipation of its June 26 launch. As players await the game, there is intrigue surrounding other innovative features that may be included.

Bungie’s upcoming game, Marathon, aims to provide a distinct experience rather than directly competing with established extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov. Marathon plans to be more accessible than typical games in this genre, which often feature steep learning curves. It will also differentiate itself with a captivating cyberpunk world, diverging from the military-focused settings that dominate the extraction shooter space.

Marathon’s director, Joe Ziegler, emphasizes that the game will not endeavor to rival existing titles directly. He believes that simply mimicking successful live-service games is a futile strategy since players will naturally gravitate towards the original if they enjoy that experience. Instead, Bungie is focused on creating a compelling game that stands on its own merits.

The official announcement of Marathon came in May 2023, but it wasn’t until a gameplay reveal during an April 12 livestream that fans got a closer look, along with confirmation of its release date: September 23. During this event, Bungie introduced four character classes and hinted at the potential for more in future updates. This livestream also marked the beginning of a broader marketing campaign, featuring interviews with Ziegler by various outlets, including YouTuber Jake Lucky.

Ziegler highlighted some key aspects that would set Marathon apart from its peers, such as the absence of proximity chat to help minimize toxicity and the focus on high accessibility. While its launch is still several months away, fans will have a chance to get involved sooner through a closed alpha from April 23 to May 4, initially limiting participation to North America. Upon launch, Marathon will feature three maps and six playable classes, and it is expected to retail around $40, neither free-to-play nor a full-priced game.

Hollow Knight was originally conceived as a modest project, targeting roughly two hours of gameplay. However, the success of its Kickstarter campaign allowed Team Cherry to significantly expand the game, enhancing the overall experience. The anticipated sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, has been in development for over six years and is projected for release sometime in 2025. Team Cherry has shared that the acclaimed Hollow Knight could have remained a “very small” game without support from its community.

Instead, it evolved into a rich Metroidvania experience filled with diverse content. Players explored the underground kingdom of Hallownest, encountering a variety of unique and often dangerous creatures. Featuring precise controls, an expansive world, and a compelling narrative, Hollow Knight achieved remarkable success, establishing itself as one of the top-selling titles in the Metroidvania genre. Since its launch, Team Cherry has also released several DLCs, further enriching the game for fans.

Recent insights into the game’s development reveal intriguing details about its initial scope. In a 2018 interview, team members Ari Gibson and William Pellen discussed their original funding goals. They initially set a target of AU$35,000, reflecting their vision of a smaller project. Gibson mentioned that they actually considered lowering this goal, as the game was expected to have limited content.

Fortunately, as funding accumulated, Team Cherry was liberated to broaden the scale of Hollow Knight. This influx of resources enabled the developers to dedicate two years to the project, resulting in a game that ultimately takes over 20 hours to complete. The enhancements made possible by this funding included unique areas and exciting boss battles that may not have existed otherwise. As for Hollow Knight: Silksong, anticipation continues to build.

Recent glimpses of the sequel have been well-received, but a specific release date is yet to be announced. Following a recent Nintendo Direct, fans are hopeful for a 2025 launch that will bring the next chapter in Team Cherry’s incredible journey.