Gaming
Why Bomber Crew is much more than just a FTL clone
I tell my pilot to climb as the flak begins to explode around us. We’re getting closer to our target, an airfield that I need to photograph for reconnaissance. I can’t stay at this height for too long as the temperature begins to drop but it’s safety from the AA-guns I’m looking for.
My navigator announces a new heading and as I tag it for the pilot, our rear gunner spots three enemies. He begins to shoot, tracers arcing into the distance. He’s shortly joined by the top gunner who I order to fire defensively. The fighters surround us and a vicious dogfight begins to take place.
I quickly open up the camera port and wait. The airfield is approaching rapidly and clouds are obscuring the lens. I tell the pilot to drop in altitude and the flak begins again, ripping holes in our wings. My navigator goes down and I realise the oxygen supply is dangerously low after taking a hit. As soon as I take the photo, we’re away. Climbing back to safety and heading to the sanctuary of our airfield, albeit without instruction from the navigator who is being patched up by my bomb bay operator.
As we limp back, I consider calling in a squad of Spitfires for an escort but thankfully the journey goes uneventfully.
Life in Bomber Crew is hectic to say the least. When I sat down to play at EGX 2017, I’d already written it off as a FTL: Faster Than Light clone. I couldn’t be more wrong.
The upcoming WWII-themed strategy game from UK developers Runner Duck is so much more. It’s a love letter to games like Cannon Fodder or B-17 Flying Fortress. It’s action-packed and strategic, cutesy yet meticulous in it’s depiction of a Lancaster bomber.
This level of detail is partly due to Dave Miller. Dave is one half of Runner Duck and the main point of contact at EGX. Dave has a connection with this particular period of history, he had family that flew Lancaster’s in the war. This fascination, along with an early passion for gaming in general, is what led to Bomber Crew being made.
At first glance, yes, it plays similarly to FTL. You recruit soldiers, you gear them out and watch them progress, you get far too attached as you order them around the inside of your bomber and you’re devastated when one of them takes a hit.
What it does better is the manic moments. You’re no longer in a sterile spaceship drifting through space. You’re flying through anti-aircraft fire with no hydraulics and a German fighter ace chasing you. There’s no pause button either so everything is playing out in real-time.
“It’s a love letter to games like Cannon Fodder or B-17 Flying Fortress“
It’s also got much more depth than a cursory glance would suggest. Dave tells me how he poured over original manuals for the Lancaster bomber to ensure that while it might not look hyper-realistic, it effectively performs at a simulation level with minor allowances for game-play purposes.
Hydraulics, oxygen levels, fuel and ammunition all have to be maintained. Location-based damage means you can lose wings or entire sections of the hull. There’s permadeath for both your crew and your planes. Emergency landings behind enemy lines can occur, with your characters chance of survival based on what gear you gave them at the start of the mission. Did you opt for heavy flak jackets and no rations? That might be the last time you see them.
Even the ‘mini-boss’ named enemies have links to real-life historical figures, utilising the same tactics they became famous for during the war.
As I talk through Bomber Crew with Dave, it becomes apparent where his inspiration comes from. Cannon Fodder is mentioned a lot and as a fellow fan, there’s streaks of the same genius in Bomber Crew. Anyone who played Cannon Fodder remembers the pain of losing Jools and Jops, you’re two starting soldiers. Runner Duck want to capture that same feeling for Bomber Crew, making you care for the young airmen who run and maintain your Lancaster.
Even the art style is similar, highly stylised with bold colours and excellent visual effects. Runner Duck are hoping that this makes Bomber Crew more accessible. Not only because they want the game to do well, but because they want to raise awareness of a tragic, heroic and very important part of history. In the same way that Cannon Fodder had a fairly strong anti-war message, Bomber Crew is looking to highlight something that goes beyond clicking on a cartoon aeroplane.
It seems to be doing the trick. Every time I walk past the booth it’s absolutely jam packed.
Bomber Crew is set to launch on PC on October 19, before making the jump to current consoles in 2018.
Helldivers 2 proved to be a surprising success, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the gaming industry. As per Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, it currently ranks as Sony’s seventh highest grossing game in the United States to date, trailing behind a trio of Spider-Man titles, a couple of God of War games, and Ghost of Tsushima. It’s only been on the market for less than three months and is not even being sold at full price.
According to Piscatella, a significant factor contributing to the game’s success is its release on PC. He mentioned that, based on Circana’s Player Engagement Tracker, the game has consistently ranked first in terms of active users on Steam in the US since its launch, including April. The release of Helldivers 2 on both PlayStation and PC has been an extraordinary triumph.
He stated that Helldivers 2 has already become the seventh highest-grossing Sony-published game in history. Without a PC, it would not currently be considered one of the top 20 games. While I’m emphasizing the success of the PC SKU, it’s important to note that I’m not disregarding the success of the PlayStation SKU. I just wanted to clarify that. This launch has proven to be incredibly successful.
Prior to the release of Helldivers 2, Sony made it clear that they would be launching their live service-style titles simultaneously on both the PS5 and PC. The success of this approach will undoubtedly strengthen their strategic vision. It will be intriguing to witness if the company reveals official sales figures in the near future, as the title appears to be one of the platform holder’s most successful sellers to date.
Gaming
The developer of Stellar Blade for the PS5 Expressing gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support amidst a recent controversy surrounding censorship
Shift Up, the Korean developer, seems to be reconsidering its contentious alterations to the Stellar Blade outfit. In a message to fans, they have urged everyone to stay tuned for updates and expressed gratitude for the passionate feedback from players. For those who may not be aware, a petition gained significant attention over the weekend when gamers discovered changes made to a few of the game’s costumes through a day-one patch.
The launch day update includes a fantastic New Game + mode, but some players were disappointed by the changes made to protagonist Eve’s outfit. These alterations sparked debates about censorship. Director Hyung-Tae Kim later clarified that this was the studio’s original vision, but he acknowledged that it may require further persuasion to win over users. Internal discussions were also underway to address any concerns.
Thanks to all our Stellar Blade fans for your passion & feedback. Stay tuned for updates🤍 pic.twitter.com/jCRzM4OQBS
— StellarBlade (@StellarBlade) May 1, 2024
There is no definitive confirmation regarding the reversal of the outfits, but considering the language used in the statement and the widespread controversy surrounding the alterations, it is highly likely that a future patch will restore the original costumes. If you want to get a sneak peek at all of Eve’s different outfits and learn how to unlock them, be sure to take a look at our comprehensive guide, All Outfits and How to Get Them.
It’s quite possible. Fans all over the world are interested in Shift Up’s highly anticipated action-adventure game, Stellar Blade. With its captivating post-apocalyptic setting reminiscent of Nier and a compelling protagonist named Eve, it’s no wonder the game has generated such widespread attention.
The game consistently impresses with its stunning visuals and high-octane action, leaving players in awe with each new trailer.
Yet, just like other noteworthy second-party and third-party game releases, fans are pondering: Will Stellar Blade be available on PC?
In this article, we delve into the details to determine the platform availability of the highly anticipated title.
Will Stellar Blade be available on PC? Allow me to provide you with the answer.
Unfortunately, Stellar Blade will not be available on PC, at least not initially. Currently, the game is only available on PlayStation 5 starting on April 26, 2024.
Regrettably, it appears that there is no indication of a potential PC release for Stellar Blade in the future. In most cases, trailers for PlayStation timed-exclusive titles conclude with a disclaimer that specifies the duration of their exclusivity.
In the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launch trailer, it is explicitly stated that the game will only be accessible on other platforms starting on May 29, 2024.
Regrettably, when it comes to the stellar blade, there is no indication of such.
It’s important to note that Sony Entertainment Interactive published Stellar Blade, unlike Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This means that the chances of it being released on PC or other platforms in the near future are even slimmer.
However, it is worth noting that there is a chance the game might be released on PC in the future, given PlayStation’s track record of bringing their exclusive titles to the platform. However, it could be a while before this comes to fruition.
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