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Mass Effect 4: Ask and ye shall receive

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You know about Mass Effect 4, right? Sure you do, it’s only one of the most highly anticipated games…well…ever. Right, so what do you think fans are asking to see in a game with a hype level of over 9000? Well, all sorts of things, but that’s nothing new. What is new though, is that developer Bioware might even listen to the fans and their suggestions this time around. Not all of them of course, but even if only a few of them will be taken into consideration I think it will definitely be a right step towards turning Mass Effect 4 into the greatest game ever. But what am I even talking about here? Fan suggestions that may or may not be put into practice by Bioware, for the most part.

A very long time ago (yesterday), Mass Effect 4 Creative Director Mac Walters asked fans of the series by the means of Twitter to suggest some features that they would like to see added to the game. The whole thing is certain to break a few hearts and dreams when most of the requested features will inevitably not make it to the game, so shame on you for making people suffer. On the other hand, as you probably already know, a lot of gamers have a better understanding than most developers about what makes a video game truly good and I believe that the folks over at Bioware are smart enough to recognize this fact and implement some of the requested features in Mass Effect 4.

As for the suggestions themselves, they come in a myriad of shapes and sizes and they range from good to awesome. Fine, so there might be a couple of uninteresting ones as well, but let’s just focus on some of the better ones for now, shall we? For example, one user suggested the following: “The abillity to modify your character’s appearance post the initial creation would be cool.” I know that some people are more interested in the gameplay and story rather than your hero’s appearance but this is an RPG at the end of the day and you will see your character’s mug very often, so having the option to change his or her looks would be very nice to see. Were you so excited about playing Mass Effect 4 that you just randomized your character and then later regretted that decision? Yeah, we’ve all been there with other RPGs and it’s definitely a bummer. I, for one, welcome this idea and think that it’s worth taking into consideration. Unfortunately, the Creative Director of Mass Effect 4 didn’t give a very promising reply to this suggestion as you can see below, but I do hope that the idea will be at least discussed nevertheless.

Moving on, another user suggests that the upcoming title should feature something akin to the acclaimed Nemesis system offered by Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor. This is a highly complex system that randomly generates new and unique enemies that have a bone to pick with you each and every time you feel like jumping in for a new playthrough. I realize that it doesn’t sound all that incredible when I describe it like that, so it might be best to check out the Nemesis system wiki if you want to learn more about it. So, could this system work in Mass Effect 4? It seems a bit doubtful since you’ll likely have conversations with certain enemies (and punch them in the face if you’re a Renegade) and it won’t work very well if said enemies will be randomly generated. However, Bioware could definitely make use of something like this if implemented in such a way that it doesn’t come into conflict with the plot, which is probably close to being finished by now. In any case, Walters seems to dig the system and it’s definitely worth taking into consideration no doubt about it.

Next off, another user writes: “choice repercussions, that influence personality/dialogue further in playthrough. Or a walking bear alien.” I think that’s an absolutely incredible idea! I mean, come on, a walking bear alien, are you kidding me?! Bioware please get on it asap. Also, choice repercussions would be nice to see as well and would undoubtedly make all your choices in Mass Effect 4 that much more meaningful. I don’t know about you, but I went Renegade all in the way in the trilogy and it bothered me a little when people were nice to me in spite of the fact that I was a total jerk most of the time. It just seemed like I was trying my best to cause senseless havoc around the galaxy and no one even cared, you know? I would very much like to see the NPCs of Mass Effect 4 changing their attitude and dialogue options depending on your actions and choices. But yeah, the bear alien idea is definitely not to be sneezed at either.

The next suggestion that caught my attention was related to hair styles and how we should have more of them in the fourth installment, which is definitely something to think about. However, Walters’ reply is even more interesting because he managed to confirm that Mass Effect 4 will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One. Oops? Admittedly this is not exactly a surprising fact and there have been hints about next-gen availability in the past, but an official announcement regarding the matter has not been made, until now I guess. Walters indicates that next-gen = better hair, so by default that shouldn’t be a problem in Mass Effect 4. Also, prepare you PS4 or Xbox One because now you know for certain that the game will be released for these platforms.

Some other good suggestions made by the fans include bring the sense of wonder back for Mass Effect 4, more lovable characters, interesting side-quests, realistic universe, galactic mysteries, nightmare mode, and of course, sideburns. Having said that, I’m voting the following suggestion as the absolute best: “All I want from the next Mass Effect is to laugh, and cry, and wonder if I’m really doing the right thing.” There’s definitely nothing better than a video game filled with humor, tragedy and questionable moral choices, so let’s all hope that Mass Effect 4 can evoke all of that and make us feel like children sitting under the Christmas tree all over again.

MASS_EFFECT_4_MORDIN_FEELS

Right in the feels

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5 Reasons You NEED To Play The Final Fantasy VIII Remaster

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Final Fantasy VIII Remastered

After many years of fans begging Square Enix to remaster Final Fantasy VII, they finally listened and did just that. There were numerous excuses as to why the game’s re-release had lagged behind the re-releases of both VII and IX, with the most common excuse being that the game’s original code was lost years ago. However, the company made it happen and the game is finally available for modern audiences to play on modern hardware today. We’re going to give you 5 reasons why you should do just that.

First time available on modern hardware

As we’ve already said, this is the first time that the game is available on modern hardware. While the game originally launched for PS1 back in 1999, it later got a PC port in 2000. That means that is has been a whopping 19 years since a new version of the game has been available for purchase, and that wait was a brutal one. However, it is finally over and you can now play this classic game on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch along with PC. If the lack of modern hardware support was stopping you from checking out, that excuse just got thrown out the window.

The visuals look better than ever

Thankfully, Square Enix did not just slap this port together quickly and throw it out there to shut everyone up. They did a terrific job of putting on a shiny new coat of paint for the game, with the character models in particular looking much better. While things like environment textures didn’t get quite the same amount of attention, this is nevertheless the best that the game has ever looked. It also helps that the game is simply beautiful from a design standpoint, with the game’s world being gorgeous to behold even though we’re dealing with the hardware limitations of 1999.

Quality of life improvements

While those who played the game 20 years ago will still be getting what is essentially the same experience, Square Enix did add some quality of life improvements to put it more in line with current JRPGs. These changes include the likes of increasing battle speed by 3 times, shutting off random encounters completely and even a cheat to give you max HP and limit breaks. While these may seem minor, these will go a long way to ease some of the tedium that many feel after some particularly long gaming sessions. Max HP and Limit Breaks will also make the incredibly tough Ultima and Omega Weapon boss fights a lot easier to deal with.

Triple Triad

The Final Fantasy series is known for having its fair share of enticing side quests and mini games, but there isn’t a single one that is as addicting as Triple Triad. The game is essentially a card game that is played on a 3×3 grid, and each card has a certain number on the top, bottom, left and right sides. You need to place your cards in a manner that the numbers on your cards are higher than your opponents, and seeing as your card can be attacked from four different sides this can be tricky. You’re able to challenge many different characters to a match throughout the course of the entire game, and doing so comes with plenty of nice rewards that will make your quest easier.

The game is awesome

While our previous points focused on specific elements of the game, this one is a simple fact that has been true since 1999: the game is awesome. Unfortunately, releasing immediately after Final Fantasy VII (a watershed moment for gaming) put it under a very cruel microscope, with many knee jerk reactions simply saying it “isn’t as good as VII.” However, in the years that have passed people have revisited the game, and the consensus has definitely changed. This adventure that Square created is unlike any other in the series, being host to an ambitious and bizarre plot filled with some of the best characters the series has ever seen. If you’ve played the game before then this is the perfect time to experience this masterpiece all over again, and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?

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10 Huge Games Still Coming In 2019

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10 Huge Games Still Coming 2019

2019 has been yet another good year for gaming so far, with several games releasing that will be big contenders for game of the year once the curtain closes. However, despite the year already being more than halfway over, there are still some huge titles on the horizon that are sure to make their own dents on the coming best-of lists. This article will list the 10 biggest games that are still coming in 2019.

Control

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A new game from Remedy Entertainment is always highly-anticipated, and Control is no different. The game is an action-adventure game in the same style as Alan Wake or Quantum Break, but with a supernatural twist. Players will control Jesse Faden, who possesses a variety of supernatural abilities like telekinesis, levitation and more. She will be using her abilities in order to defeat an enemy known only as the Hiss, which has corrupted reality. Control launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 27th.

Borderlands 3

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It has been many years since the last game in the Borderlands series released, but the hiatus is finally coming to an end very soon. Those who have played previous games in the series will feel right at home with this game, as it’s once again a loot-driven FPS. The game will offer more zany characters and a charming and insane world to explore, all while dealing with new antagonists Troy and Tyreen Calypso along with their Children of the Vault cult. Borderlands 3 launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 13th, with a Google Stadia port release date being TBA.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint

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Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series is returning soon with Breakpoint, which will serve as a continuation of previous game Wildlands. The game is set in an open world environment called Aurora, which is a fictional island in the Pacific Ocean. Players will control Lieutenant Colonel Anthony “Nomad” Perryman, who is a special forces operative that was sent to the island to investigate a series of disturbances in the area. Breakpoint launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 4th, with a Google Stadia port coming in November.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

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Each new installment in the Call of Duty series is always huge, but Modern Warfare’s release marks a first for the long-running franchise. It will be the first game in the series that is reimagining of a previous game in the series, taking 2004’s original game and updating its mechanics and themes to match today’s world. The game will still have some of the beats that the first game had, but will also incorporate lots of surprises to make it a fresh experience. Modern Warfare launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th.

The Outer Worlds

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Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds is one that will be very highly-anticipated for fans of Fallout: New Vegas, as this game serves as a sort of spiritual successor to that game. It will be an open world RPG that allows you to explore many unique areas crawling with plenty of deadly foes. Players will also be able to encounter and recruit NPCs as companions that have their own personal missions and stories to take part in. The Outer Worlds launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th, with a Switch port also being in the works.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

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It seemed very unlikely that Luigi’s Mansion would become a recurring franchise for Nintendo following the original GameCube game, but here we are. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is coming to Switch, which also means it will be the first home console release since the original game back in 2003. This time the game is set in a haunted hotel rather than a mansion, and Luigi has some new tricks up his sleeves to take down all those ghosts. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 31st.

Death Stranding

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If you’re looking for the most ambitious (and weirdest) game still coming in 2019, then look no further. Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding has perplexed gamers ever since its announcement, and each new trailer that releases just brings more and more questions to the table. It is Kojima’s first game since breaking up with Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phanton Pain (and the cancellation of Silent Hills), and it looks like Kojima has taken the newfound complete creative control to deliver something truly original. Death Stranding launches exclusively for PS4 on November 8th.

Pokemon Sword & Shield

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At this point we all know what to expect from a new Pokemon game, and Sword and Shield seems poised to deliver even more cute creatures for players to capture and battle very soon. What sets Sword and Shield apart from its predecessors is that it will be the first home console release for the series, which is saying something considering the series has been around for over 20 years. Pokemon Sword & Shield launches exclusively for Switch on November 15th.

Shenmue III

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If you’re a fan of Shenmue then nothing needs to be said for the inclusion of the upcoming third game on this list. Fans of the series have been waiting nearly two decades for a follow-up to the second game, and in just a couple of months that will finally be delivered to them. Brought to life thanks to an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign, the game continues the adventure of protagonist Ryo Hazuki as he hunts down his father’s killer. Shenmue III will launch for PS4 and PC on November 19th.

DOOM Eternal

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id Software’s DOOM 2016 was one of the best FPS games to come along in years, so it’s a no-brainer that the follow-up would be on this list. Eternal is set to offer yet another intense FPS campaign for players to plunge into, while also offering a multiplayer component that greatly improves upon the last game’s underwhelming multiplayer mode. There will also be twice as many demon types than there was in the last game, meaning that the chaos level just got that much higher. DOOM Eternal launches for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and PC on November 22nd.

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5 Most Exciting Announcements From The Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference

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Microsoft E3 2019

Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference has officially come to an end, and with it came plenty of big announcements to get excited about. Some new games were announced, whereas previously-announced games got new footage and/or release dates. In this article we’ve narrowed it all down to the 5 most exciting announcements.

New Xbox “Project Scarlett” Coming Holiday 2020

We’ve known for a while now that a new Xbox was in the works, but now we know when to expect it. Microsoft’s fourth console (which hopefully has a better official name than Xbox One did) will be a big step up from the previous console. Things like much faster load times, an AMD Processor that is four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, 8K Resolution and 120 FPS were all mentioned. A price and exact release date weren’t mentioned. It will also be launching with…

Halo Infinite Coming Holiday 2020, Launching On Both Xbox One and Project Scarlett

The wait for the next Halo game has been longer than ever before for series fans, and the announcement at E3 revealed that the wait will continue. Halo Infinite will not be launching until Holiday 2020, meaning it will have been 5 years since the previous game released with Halo 5. It will also be launching on Xbox One and Project Scarlett, meaning the new console will have a big launch title for fans to get pumped about.

Cyberpunk 2077 Coming April 2020, Stars Keanu Reeves

It’s hard to pick a game that people have been more excited about than Cyberpunk 2077, and after Microsoft’s press conference we’re even more excited. Not only is it coming in April of next year, but Keanu Reeves himself will be playing a “key” role in the game. Everything shown from the game has looked great so far, so hopefully it all pans out and we have another classic from CD Projekt RED come April 2020.

FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin Collaboration Elden Ring Announced

This one was actually leaked prior to the presentation, but Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin are collaborating on a new game. The game is called Elden Ring, and it will be a departure from the developer’s most recent games as it will be open world. Very little information on the game is known at this point, as it is still in the early stages of development.

Phantasy Star Online 2 Is Coming West

It took a very long time, but the popular MMORPG is finally coming west. The game is coming to Xbox One in a free-to-play form in Spring 2020, so the wait won’t be that much longer. “There will be no limitations on game experiences,”says Sega, because they want to “provide all players with a fair and exciting experience.”

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