Games

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Riot Games announced during 2024 Summer Game Fest that its popular free-to-play 5v5 FPS Valorantwill finally be coming to consoles. According to Riot, the console versions of Valorant features custom-built gameplay in order to uphold the competitive gameplay it is known for. A beta will be available to global players on both platforms soon, with a more limited beta kicking off for certain regions on June 14, 2024.

World’s most popular shooter is about to get bigger

Despite already being the most-played FPS in the world, Valorant is about to get a lot bigger by coming to consoles. Even though the PC player base is massive, there are still a ton of potential players who simply don’t like playing with mouse and keyboard or don’t have a PC to play on.

Before you worry about console players with aim assist taking over your lobbies—a problem other cross-platform FPS titles usually suffers from—PC and console will not have cross-play available. However, Valorant accounts will share a connected inventory and gameplay progression across all platforms, meaning you can access your cosmetics and other unlockables regardless of the platform you’re playing on.

“When exploring whether to bring Valorant to additional platforms, we knew we had to be able to offer the same uncompromising, competitive experience that we’ve provided to PC players for years: a precise, team-based, tactical shooter. We were adamant that Valorant’s core, competitive gameplay must feel natural on a controller; and – if we couldn’t deliver on that gameplay promise – we had to be prepared to walk away from it. We hope we nailed it, but ultimately, our players will have the final say.”

– Arnar Gylfason, Production Director of Valorant at Riot Games

The console versions of Valorant won’t be lagging behind, either. According to Riot, both PC and console versions of the games will receive simultaneous releases including live patch balances, new agents, maps, premium content, and more.

A limited beta will kick off on June 14, 2024, on both Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 for players in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Japan. Those interested in participating can register for the beta here.

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Pocketpair’s Palworld took the world by storm when it was initially released in early access last year. Now, the game is getting its first expansion in the form of the Sakurajima Update. This update will finally add a new location for players to explore, as well as a host of other highly-anticipated new features.

The Sakurajima Update will hit Palworld on June 27, 2024. In addition to the new island, presumably called Sakurajima, the update brings new Pals into the fray, a new raid, a higher level cap and new structures for Pals, and even an oil rig Stronghold for players to test their combat skills in. It takes everything that was already great in the game and improves upon it, giving us just a little bit more of what we need to see us through the next 100 hours of playtime.

Palworld’s Sakurajima Update finally adds dedicated Xbox servers and so much more

One of the biggest issues I’ve had with Palworld since its release is that Xbox servers just aren’t as stable as those for PC players. Well, the Sakurajima Update finally adds dedicated Xbox servers for players like me, so it doesn’t matter how many players are hammering the PC ones. I’ll still probably be able to enjoy the game and get my Pals crafting everything I need whenever I want them to.

It’s impossible to say what the new Pals are called or what their abilities might be. I’ve got a soft spot for the mimic-like chest puppy, the disappearing ghoul, and the mushroom-headed Pals myself. None of them look massively threatening, which is great, but possibly bad news for me if I want to tackle the colossal new raid boss or the additional faction boss who will also be added with the update.

With this update, Palworld manages to retain its identity and actually dig a little deeper into it. The juxtaposition of such a beautiful island and new Pals is reminiscent of Pokemon Gold and Silver, but the darkness of this world is still very much present through those hiding away in the oil rig and the factions who definitely don’t want what’s best for our Pals.

When it releases in a few weeks, the Sakurajima Update will almost certainly cause its fair share of error and server outages. So it’s probably worth diving into the game now unless you’re playing Shadow of the Erdtree, so you can sort your base out, remember how the game works, and be ready for the update on the day it launches.

The post Palworld adds a new island, Pals, and more in just a few weeks appeared first on Destructoid.

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The Summer Game Fest 2024 unveiled the next phase of the Harry Potter universe with a confirmed release date for Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. It will arrive on Sept. 3, 2024, on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

You’ll take on various roles in the beloved sport stemming from the famous book and movie franchise. If you were missing out on Quidditch in Hogwarts Legacy, tune in to this next adventure to get your fill. The trailer showcases the iconic trio with Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and, of course, Harry Potter. It also features other beloved characters, including the mischievous twins Fred and George.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions will be available on Day 1 on PlayStation Plus. Additionally, the trailer revealed a Bonus Legacy Pack for Hogwarts Legacy players, offering the exclusive Moontrimmer Broom skin. It also comes with a Sebastian Sallow skin and wand, as well as an Ancient Magic Emblem. I’m not too surprised to see Sebastian get his own cosmetic in this game, given how much attention he got from HL.

As a longtime HP fan, I’m certainly looking forward to this one. It takes me back to Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup, which launched in the good ‘ole PS2 days. Now, it will undoubtedly be different in the modern age of gaming, so make sure to mark your calendars for September!

The post Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions flies in a September release date appeared first on Destructoid.

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Developer Uncapped Games announced its upcoming new action RTS PC game, Battle Aces, during the Summer Game Fest 2024. The game takes place during the 26th century where humanity struggles and battles over land and resources. A closed beta for Battle Aces begins later this month and has sign-ups open now.

Battle Aces is the debut title for Uncapped Games, a team comprised of developers with RTS-specific experience. In Battle Aces, players will create a preset loadout of units and bases of over 50 units before dropping into quick fast-paced battles.

Due to its quicker games, Battle Aces streamlines the systems behind typical RTS features like resource gathering, unit spawning, and base expansion. Featuring both 1v1 and 2v2 matches, both options aim to have the match over in ten minutes or less due to more streamlined systems such as being able to switch between creating and controlling armies by pushing a single key.

Battle Aces does not yet have a release window but will be holding a closed beta test later this year on PC.

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Summer Game Fest 2024 came to an end with the first gameplay reveal of Phantom Blade Zero. This is the first we’ve seen from Phantom Blade Zero since it was revealed at the PlayStation Showcase last year. The action RPG focuses on deep fast-paced combat in a fictious world that meshes Chinese martial arts and Steampunk together.

With how ambitious Phantom Blade Zero looked in 2023 followed by a year of nothing new, I was starting to get a little worried. However, this gameplay trailer alleviated all my concerns. It looks as though Phantom Blade Zero is pulling in elements of a ton of successful titles including Elden Ring, Sekiro, and Ghost of Tsushima.

I know that any trailer can be intentionally designed to look a certain way, but the fluidity of the combat in this gameplay trailer looks absolutely insane. The player quickly weaves in attacks while jumping over attacks and parrying or dodging others. I can’t wait to hear more about how some of the more RPG-centric elements work.

Developer S-Game confirmed that there will be hands-on experiences to play Phantom Blade Zero throughout the year, including at Summer Game Fest 2024, Tokyo Game Show, and Gamescom.

Phantom Blade Zero does not yet have a release timeframe but will be released on both PlayStation 5 and PC.

The post Phantom Blade Zero gameplay looks incredibly fast-paced and exciting appeared first on Destructoid.