Elden Ring’s Comin' Back, Baby - GameLinked Jan 16, 2023

JakobRush · January 17

NEWS SOURCES:

UN-TREE-LIEVABLE

Elden Ring backend update suggests Shadow of the Erdtree DLC incoming

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/new-elden-ring-dlc-hits-steam-backend-shadow-of-the-erdtree-release-may-be-imminent

spotted on SteamDB https://steamdb.info/app/1245620/dlc/

Twitter user Ziostorm points out this is the first time a DLC package has been added to the game since launch https://twitter.com/Ziostorm1/status/1746895361942131036

Same user spotted found leaked controller collab claiming to release in February to “sync with Shadow of the Erdtree expansion release – Elden Ring anniversary”, suggests Feb 25 release https://twitter.com/Ziostorm1/status/1735593395857355001

Collectible maker Pure Arts recently tweeted they’d be launching an Elden Ring collectible that same month https://twitter.com/PureArtsLimited/status/1745461105135350156

Bandai Namco Europe’s Elden Ring YouTube playlist was also updated this month https://www.vg247.com/elden-ring-dlc-trailer-drop-youtube-playlist-update

YT page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2tV1eq7EZhDgndwAdgJgCzGE9BMFsWSw

COULD mean a trailer is dropping soon.

WHAT’S THE POINT OF NO RETURN?

The Last of Us Part II Remastered reviews, mixed reactions

Variety loved the additions of the Lost Levels, commentary, No Return

https://variety.com/2024/gaming/reviews/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-1235867182/

So did the Verge https://www.theverge.com/24035730/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-ps5

The Washington Post had glowing things to say about No Return, I think? https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2024/01/16/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remaster/

“interesting, complicated characters are chiseled down to become post-apocalyptic action figures of sad dads and angry lesbians” https://lmg.gg/8XOF1 (Washington Post)

Giovanni Colantonio of Digital Trends didn’t like it https://digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-impressions/

“I adored the sequel’s first two acts and its multifaceted discussion of cyclical violence,” https://lmg.gg/U3S8x (Digital Trends)

“I’m encouraged to blow through the story as fast as I can in a Speedrun mode and rack up kills in the rerelease’s bloody roguelike add-on, No Return.” https://lmg.gg/CoeBf (Digital Trends)

According to Polygon, the game—or rather, Naughty Dog—has an identity crisis https://www.polygon.com/24036476/the-last-of-us-part-2s-roguelike-mode

“the version of the studio that excels at top-flight action-adventure games, and the Naughty Dog that strives to tell uncompromising, mature interactive stories.” https://lmg.gg/o0xkV (Polygon)

FOAMING AT THE MOUTH

Foamstars launches as PS Plus Monthly game Feb 6

https://blog.playstation.com/2024/01/16/foamstars-launches-as-a-playstation-plus-monthly-game-on-feb-6/

Then release in March for $29.99 https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/01/foamstars-releases-6th-february-as-a-ps-plus-essential-game

Surprisingly different from Splatoon, more of a hero shooter https://www.ign.com/articles/foamstars-the-final-preview

“Yes, painting the floor with your team’s foam colour aids movement, enabling you to surf along the perpetually changing floor with ease, but points are not awarded for how much territory you occupy.” https://lmg.gg/KSCQZ (IGN)

Best mode is OW2-like push the objective where you can speed up payload by dancing on top of the giant rubber duck DJ https://youtu.be/0Y67WwkK6yE?t=127

It’s also different because it used AI for some art https://www.eurogamer.net/square-enix-dabbled-with-ai-technology-for-foamstars

They used Midjourney to create “a small number of art for in-game icons” https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/square-enix-confirms-foamstars-contains-some-ai-generated-art/

“AI was used in the creation of the in-game album covers for the music featured in the FOAMSTARS’ soundtrack.” https://lmg.gg/AKhTJ (VGC)

QUICK BITS

FALLING STALKS

STALKER 2 has new release date

https://www.neowin.net/news/stalker-2-has-a-new-release-date-now-arriving-on-september-5-to-xbox-and-pc/

https://twitter.com/stalker_thegame/status/1747289671321702804

https://www.techradar.com/gaming/consoles-pc/stalker-2-gets-september-release-date-after-being-delayed-due-to-technical-imperfections

SAVE THE STORMDATE

RTS from former WarCraft and StarCraft devs does gangbusters on KickStarter

https://www.gamesradar.com/warcraft-and-starcraft-devs-upcoming-rts-game-stormgate-manages-to-raise-1875-of-its-kickstarter-goal-with-over-dollar18-million-in-the-bank/