Warner Bros. Games, TT Games, the LEGO Group and Lucasfilm Games today revealed a new game overview trailer for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which is set to release on April 5th, 2022 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC. In what will be the biggest and most visually striking LEGO Star Wars game yet, the trailer gives an in-depth look into the gameplay and the freedom offered to players by showcasing the new combat mechanics, a wide range of characters and character classes, a vast galaxy to explore, and much more! In true LEGO form, players will relive the epic story of all nine films in the Skywalker Saga, and it all starts with picking the trilogy of their choice to begin the journey.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga lets players experience battles like never before in a LEGO game as players can string different attacks together to form combo chains and fend off oncoming attacks. New blaster controls and mechanics allow players to aim with precision and take cover to plot their next move or utilize the skills of a Jedi by wielding a lightsaber and using the power of The Force.
Players can traverse space using the galaxy map on their holoprojector to chart their course through the saga, progressively unlocking planets to explore along the way. During space travel, players may engage in heroic dog fights against enemy ships, piloting legendary vehicles like the Millennium Falcon, Imperial TIE fighters, Rebel X-wings, and many more. Once reaching their destination, players can choose to either continue onwards through the main story or explore and discover exciting quests and puzzles within the galaxy.
Exploration rewards players as they uncover Kyber Bricks which unlock new features and upgraded abilities across a range of character classes, including Jedi, Hero, Dark Side, Villain, Scavenger, Scoundrel, Bounty Hunter, Astromech Droid, and Protocol Droid. Play as iconic characters like Leia, Yoda, Boba Fett, Darth Maul, Poe and over three hundred more unlockable characters from across all nine films in free play mode to create fun, new adventures. From the idyllic grassy hills of Naboo to the desert dunes of Jakku, the LEGO Star Wars galaxy is available to discover and play in.
The trailer also reveals LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will feature Mumble Mode, an option that fans of the classic LEGO Star Wars games can toggle to replace all voices with mumbles!
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is available now for digital pre-order. Consumers that digitally pre-order the game will receive early access to the Trooper Character Pack on launch day. The pack will be available a month after launch for those that purchase the Character Collection (season pass with all seven character packs) or à la carte. Digital buyers can also unlock the Classic Obi-Wan Kenobi playable character that is not available for purchase à la carte. The physical version of the Deluxe Edition will include an exclusive LEGO Star Wars minifigure, Luke Skywalker with Blue Milk.
Warner Bros. Games and DC today revealed a new story trailer for Gotham Knights, the upcoming open-world, third-person action RPG in development by Warner Bros. Games Montréal. Debuted at DC FanDome, the video features the game’s main antagonist, the fabled Court of Owls, a secret society made up of Gotham City’s wealthiest families. The trailer also introduces Oswald Cobblepot (also known as The Penguin), the infamous DC Super-Villain who seemingly knows important details about this omnipresent silent predator and the threat it poses to Gotham and its new guard of DC Super Heroes – Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin.
As part of DC FanDome, fans were also treated to a behind-the-scenes featurette for Gotham Knights, with commentary from Jim Lee (Comic Book Artist, Publisher & Chief Creative Officer at DC), Scott Snyder (Writer & Co-Creator of “The Court of Owls”), Greg Capullo (Comic Book Artist & Co-Creator of “The Court of Owls”), Patrick Redding (Gotham Knights Creative Director, Warner Bros. Games Montréal) and Ann Lemay (Gotham Knights Narrative Director, Warner Bros. Games Montréal), who all expand on the Courts of Owls origins, lore and inspiration in bringing this elusive enemy to the interactive world of Gotham Knights.
Gotham Knights allows players to step into the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin, a new guard of trained DC Super Heroes who must rise up as the protectors of Gotham City in the wake of Batman’s death. The game will be playable either solo or as a two-player, online cooperative experience.
SQUARE ENIX has today announced that a special Square Enix Presents Tokyo Game Show edition will air on October 1 at 3:00AM PDT. The official stream with English subtitles can be found at https://youtu.be/d-pJiL_wm1M. The program will focus on both new and previously released information on upcoming Square Enix titles.
In addition to the Square Enix Presents Tokyo Game Show edition, several game-specific stream programs will air throughout the weekend, including the following that will offer English subtitles or dubbing:
Forspoken – Friday October 1 at 6:00AM PDT
STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN™ – Saturday, October 2 at 5:00AM PDT
FINAL FANTASY VII THE FIRST SOLDIER – Sunday, October 3 at 1:30AM PDT
Also during Tokyo Game Show, new merchandise and event limited music products will be revealed for pre-order on the North American and European SQUARE ENIX STORE.
Here we go folks, the September ‘Games with Gold’ line up, the free titles you get for being a subscriber to Xbox LIVE GOLD (Included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate) has been announced and it is a mixed bag to say the least:
Warhammer: Chaosbane In a world ravaged by war and dominated by magic, you are the last hope for the Empire of Man. Choose your hero among four different character classes and prepare for legendary battles with up to four friends against the all-powerful Chaos hordes in this action role-playing game.
Mulaka In this action-adventure title based on the rich indigenous culture of the Tarahumara people, fight back against a strange foulness that is corrupting their land. As the local shaman, Sukurúame, draw upon the power of the demigods, solve puzzles, and fight hand-to-hand in environments inspired by real Sierra locations.
Zone of the Enders HD Collection From Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear series, comes a space epic like no other. Pilot the Orbital Frame, Jehuty, and help the Space Force defeat the Bahram forces once and for all. This title contains both Zone of the Enders and Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, all in one collection.
Samurai Shodown II Step onto the grand stage to test your skills in intense sword fights using the Rage System and Weapon Breaking Attack features. Play 15 of your favorite characters in this renowned weapon-wielding fighting game, against competition that is as sharp as ever.
My Thoughts…
Personal highlight for me has to be the Zone of Enders HD Collection and Mulaka. All these titles are Free for those with Xbox LIVE GOLD and once claimed are yours, even if your Xbox LIVE GOLD Sub runs out. Titles will start to be available from September 1st.
Watch the Far Cry 6 Official Story Trailer. Discover the story of Yaran Dictator Antón Castillo (Giancarlo Esposito) and the modern guerrillas rising up against him. A revolution is not won by the fearless – it is won by the feared.
Welcome to Libertad. Far Cry 6 will be available 7th October 2021 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Ubisoft Connect, Ubisoft+, Epic Games and Stadia.
Pre-order now at: https://farcry.com/buy Pre-order now and get access to the Libertad Pack which includes the “Libertad Outfit” for your loyal Chorizo and the state-of-the-art “Discos Locos”, a weaponised disc launcher that will make your enemies dance on their own graves.
The wait for this LEGO title is almost as long as the Saga itself with a good few delays being reported before no news at all. But tonight at the ONL Gamescom Stream we finally got an update on its release as well as a new trailer, which is the good news.
The bad news is that we still do not have a fixed release date but a new release window of early 2022 to experience a galaxy far, far away like never before.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga features the biggest roster of playable characters in the LEGO Star Wars series and players will engage in new ways of combat as they wield lightsabers, fire blasters, and chain different attacks with the greatest legends from every era of the Skywalker saga. Players can fight against the forces of evil as favourite characters such as Luke Skywalker, Rey, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Finn, BB-8 and a legion of other heroes. The greatest space and land vehicles are also available to command. Players can jump to lightspeed in the Millennium Falcon to outrun Imperial starships, battle First Order TIE fighters in Resistance X-wings, or podrace on Tatooine. Players will be able to travel through hyperspace and explore planets that can be unlocked during their adventures. From the jungle moon of Ajan Kloss to the vibrant, city-covered planet Coruscant, the LEGO Star Wars galaxy is yours to discover and play in.
The moment HALO fans have been waiting for has finally arrived as tonight during the ONL Gamescom Stream it was announced that HALO Infinite will launch on December 8th 2021:
Commander Agryna knows firsthand the difference a Spartan can make—a difference never more important than now. Humanity’s forces are scattered. Desperate resistance efforts have continued to fall short on multiple fronts, from Cortana’s relentless martial law to the expanding power and ambition of Atriox and the Banished. But there is hope: a new generation of Spartans, training in secret to become unstoppable. In this cinematic introduction to Season 1 of Halo Infinite Multiplayer, get a glimpse into the Academy Commander’s own heroic journey and what it truly means to be a Spartan.
Not only that but the very first HALO Infinite Custom Design Xbox Series X console bundle was also announced as well as a very beautiful HALO Infinite: Master Chief inspired Custom Elite Series 2 controller:
Celebrate Halo’s 20th anniversary and confront the most ruthless foe the Master Chief has ever faced with Xbox Series X – Halo Infinite Limited Edition Bundle.
Step inside the armour of humanity’s greatest hero with the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Halo Infinite Limited Edition.
Both are available to pre-order from today and I will say that demand is going to be extremely high for both. Finally having a release date for HALO Infinite does take away some of the sting about it launching without campaign Co-Op at launch as well as Forge, both 3 months and 6 months post launch respectively.
But now the run to HALO Infinite has begun and I love the look of the custom Series X but as a HALO Fanboy, dear god I really, really love the Master Chief Elite Series 2 Controller!
For more information check out Xbox Wire, the official news site for all things Xbox!
Boy the time is just flying past in 2021 as I swear the last time I looked we were in E3 mode and now here we are at the end of August 2021 ready for another Gamescom 2021 which again is digital due to the ongoing Pandemic and COVID. Now the E3 Xbox Showcase was just incredible but we have been told by top Xbox peeps like Aaron Greenberg not to expect any big reveals or new information from tonight’s 90minute show but you never know, I do feel if any surprises are to come then they will be Xbox Game Pass Ultimate news and additions.
But here we are, below you will find all the news and trailers as it happened during the stream and my final thoughts afterwards:
Dying Light 2: Stay Human – New Gameplay Trailer
Villedor was one of the first few places where the infection started. Walls surrounding the city were supposed to lock the danger inside, now, they protect from what’s out there. Check out the brand new gameplay trailer for Dying Light 2: Stay Human
MS Flight Simulator: Spotlight with Jorg Neumann, Head of MS Flight Simulator, mentioning the Top Gun content but no details as the film itself has not released, but did talk about the monthly updates schedule that will still continue for the game on PC and Xbox Series X and S consoles and we also got some new trailers for content to come including Air Races which brings competitive MP to Flight Simulator:
COMING SOON! Microsoft Flight Simulator is partnering with the Reno Air Racing Association to bring the famous STIHL National Championship Air Races, the world’s fastest motorsport, to the sim! The Reno Air Races represent the first major expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Humble Games coming to Xbox Game Pass Trailer
Humble Games is excited to announce that these indie games are available to play day one on PC, console, and cloud with Xbox Game Pass: Archvale, Bushiden, Chinatown Detective Agency, Dodgeball Academia, Flynn: Son of Crimson, Midnight Fight Express, Next Space Rebels, Signalis, Unpacking, and Unsighted. Learn more at humblegames.com
In to the Pit – Gamescom Trailer (Day One Game Pass)
A fast-paced retro-FPS roguelite! As a member of a family of lore-hunting mystics you are summoned to a cursed village, drawn by rumors of a demonic portal. Dark magics have overwhelmed the village, It’s up to you to rescue the survivors, grow your powers, and journey forth INTO THE PIT.
Age of Empires IV – Sit Down chat with Adam Isgreen, Creative Director and a new gameplay trailer
Play Age of Empires IV day one with Xbox Game Pass for PC on October 28, 2021. The pages of history are filled with defining moments. What will yours be? One of the most beloved real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV on Xbox Game Pass for PC, Windows Store, and Steam, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the world. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation.
Xbox Cloud Gaming for Xbox Console – Coming Holiday 2021
Play right from the cloud on your console with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Join friends faster, easily discover new games without waiting for downloads, and experience next gen games on Xbox One.* Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One holiday 2021. *Supported games only. Game features and availability will vary by console. Occasional wait times may occur.
Wasteland 3: The Cult of the Holy Detonation Trailer
Wasteland 3: Cult of the Holy Detonation Cult of the Holy Detonation expands the Wasteland 3 experience with entry into the Cheyenne Mountain complex, crammed with new characters, enemies, challenging combat encounters, and powerful new weapons and armor. Your squad of Rangers will be tested like never before in objective-based encounters that put a creative spin on the already deeply tactical turn-based combat. As they face overwhelming odds, the Rangers will need to shut down reactors, clear ventilation systems, and engage defensive countermeasures to stem an unending tide of dangerous mutants and machines within the dilapidated military bunker.
Sea of Thieves: Borderlands Crossover
Explosion noise here! Fans of death, explosions, quality workmanship and explosions can sail the seas with some Pandorian panache thanks to the Mayhem Ship Set, available to earn now in Sea of Thieves. Pirates and bandits alike can earn this sunny symbol of chaos by accruing enough Favour in the Making Mayhem Event before 10am BST Sept 7th 2021.
State of Decay 2: Homecoming Trailer
The original Trumbull Valley map is coming to State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition. Available September 1st in the Homecoming update.
Stray Blade: Gamescom Trailer
Prove yourself in this action RPG and master intense combat while exploring the ancient ruins of a mysterious civilization. Legends tell of Acrea the Lost Valley, a wild and overgrown place but unmistakably powerful. You found this forgotten land yet died. Time passes, and miraculously you are brought back to life. The price you pay: You are bound to this land.
Crusader Kings III: Gamescom Trailer
Paradox Interactive’s hit grand strategy role playing game Crusader Kings III is coming to Xbox for the first time in franchise history. Paradox will bring the majesty and intrigue of medieval court politics to an entirely new audience on Xbox Series X|S. Coming Soon!
Psychonauts 2: Launch Trailer
Play Psychonauts 2 from August 25th With Xbox Game Pass! https://www.xbox.com/games/psychonauts-2 Combining quirky missions and mysterious conspiracies, Psychonauts 2 is a platform-adventure game with cinematic style and tons of customizable psychic powers. Psychonauts 2 serves up danger, excitement, and laughs in equal measure as players guide Raz on a journey through the minds of friends and foes on a quest to defeat a murderous psychic villain. Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
The Gunk: Gameplay Gamescom Trailer
Get a first look at The Gunk gameplay – A new Xbox exclusive from the makers of SteamWorld. Hits day one on Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC December 2021.
Forza Horizon 5: Custom Xbox Wireless Controller
Grab the Xbox Wireless Controller – Forza Horizon 5 Limited Edition for the ultimate Horizon adventure, featuring racing inspired custom grips and a first-ever transparent yellow finish.
Forza Horizon 5: Cover Art Reveal
Introducing the cover cars of Forza Horizon 5, the Mercedes-AMG ONE and the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands. Whether in the Mercedes-AMG One with its Formula 1 hybrid technology or the rugged, off-roading experience of the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands, we wanted to bring diverse vehicles to the game to take advantage of what the beautiful land of Mexico has to offer.
Forza Horizon 5: 8 Minutes of New Gameplay
Presenting the first eight minutes of Forza Horizon 5, exploring our expansive version of Mexico. Featuring Forza Horizon 5’s cover cars, the Mercedes-AMG ONE and the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands, and landscapes such as the active, snow-capped Gran Caldera volcano, a dust storm in the Mexican farmland, and dense jungle tree canopy. Forza Horizon 5 is available November 9 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC on Windows and Steam, and Xbox Game Pass including console, PC and Cloud Gaming (Beta).
and that is a wrap…..
…. My Thoughts
Just as Aaron Greenberg said in his tweets and in the preshow intro, there was nothing massive or huge revealed in this show. Other than updating on the titles coming to Game Pass and Xbox for the rest of the year, the only real big focus was on Forza Horizon 5 with the ending dedicated to it before handing over to their very own showcase stream right as this show ended and boy does it look amazing, also really like the Custom Controller which can be pre-ordered now.
Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series Consoles for December this year will please many who have been unable to secure Xbox’s New Generation of consoles which will please many. This was a fairly low-key, slow paced showcase which was expected but the biggest surprise to me was still no release date for HALO Infinite, which considering the backlash from the news of no Co-Op campaign until 3 months after launch and no Forge until 6 months post launch, maybe they chose to just let HALO news rest before revealing anything else but it was disappointing none the less.
So yeah, rather lacklustre but a solid show that did exactly what Xbox said it would do just without any bells and whistles yet Xbox is still in a very healthy place right now for fans with Xbox Game Pass fuelling gaming on Xbox brand for months and maybe years to come!
August’s ‘Games with Gold’ for 2021 have been announced, all active Xbox LIVE Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will be able to claim these titles:
August’s 2021 Games with Gold lineup includes the Xbox One titles Darksiders III and Yooka-Laylee, and through backwards compatibility, the Xbox 360 titles Lost Planet 3 and Garou: Mark of the Wolves
Gaming and Nerd News 