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Fire Emblem if: all you need to know

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Fire Emblem: Awakening is lauded for saving a series from cancellation, and the upcoming Fire Emblem If aims to breathe more life into the franchise. Fire Emblem: Awakening sold nearly 2 million copies internationally, so it’s a no-brainer Nintendo wants another installment out in the west.

I’m a fan of the linear gameplay of Fire Emblem GBA (the first title to reach the U.S.), love the customizability of Fire Emblem: Awakening, and can’t wait to pop Fire Emblem If into my Nintendo 3DS. Why? Because its revolutionizing the franchise.

Two (wait, four?!) versions. Taking a hint from Pokémon, the newest Fire Emblem will be released as two separate versions called Fire Emblem if: Black Kingdom and Fire Emblem if: White Kingdom.

Don’t like either version? Nintendo announced a third downloadable rendition, with a unique plot, is on its way. The DLC will be released after the first two games are out for an undisclosed period. Additionally, Fire Emblem if: Special Edition (a cartridge with all three storylines) is available for pre-order in Japan, and hopefully will reach the U.S. market.

Three paths. With different versions, and different sides to choose, comes different endings. Fire Emblem normally starts out with the player commanding the army of a peaceful nation against an aggressor bent on conquest. But in the new game, the player will have the choice, depending on the version you buy, to be the goody Hoshido (White Kingdom) or the big bad Nohr (Black Kingdom).

If you go with the bad guys, the game is supposedly more difficult. For instance, you won’t have as many opportunities to level up your characters outside the chapters. And don’t forget, there’ll be the eventual release of a neutral storyline that represents neither side. Multiple endings have grown into a popular fad in gaming, and it’s smart for Fire Emblem If to follow suit.

But no matter your choice, you’ll still have to face off against the mysterious evil that’s really behind everything. Be warned though: The characters you get will be affected by the storyline.

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New weapons and classes. What’s a new Fire Emblem without introducing never-before-seen character classes and weapons? Here’re the new classes: Songstress, revenant knight, rod knight, bowman, pegasus warrior, oni (means demon in Japanese), ninja, priestess, maid, and butler. The new weapons are:  katanas (a curved sword), naginatas (a sword on a pole), kanabōs (elongated Japanese mace), ofuda (Shinto amulet), and shuriken (throwing stars). Also, weapons will now modify character stats, like defense or luck. Fire Emblem if appears to be bringing in more Japanese culture, considering the series has been known for predominantly European weaponry.

The infamous weapon triangle, which decides who has the combat advantage, has also been changed. It now goes like this: Sword and magic > axe and bow > lance and hidden weapons > sword and magic.

Release date, please. We bet you’re wondering when Fire Emblem If will be available for us English speakers. If you can read Japanese (and have a Japanese 3DS) you’ll want to order it June 25. If you’re an English speaker — like most of us — you’ll have to wait for the (hopefully) soon-to-be-revealed 2016 release date.

Watch the U.S. teaser trailer below.

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Sony is reportedly engaged in discussions to form a partnership for a potential bid on Paramount

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There hasn’t been much buzz lately about any new acquisitions in the world of video game intellectual property. According to a recent report, Sony is currently engaged in discussions with a well-funded partner to potentially acquire the renowned film studio Paramount, along with all the exciting possibilities that come with such a merger.

As reported in the New York Times (thanks, ResetEra), Sony Picture Entertainment is reportedly in discussions with Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, as per two sources familiar with the matter. In the past, Apollo had made an offer to acquire Paramount for a minimum of $26 billion, but their bid was ultimately turned down.

The terms of the joint bid are currently under discussion, and there is a chance that the two parties may decide against making a formal offer. Unnamed sources have revealed that Paramount is currently in exclusive discussions with Skydance, preventing any official offer from being made at this time. Investor opposition to the recent deal that Skydance brought seems to have been significant.

The potential impact of such an acquisition is immense. First and foremost, it would introduce adaptations of Sonic and Halo into the expanding media empire of the PlayStation platform holder. Following the announcement, Paramount’s stock experienced a significant 11% surge in after-hours trading.

What are your thoughts on the news? Is there a possibility of Sony acquiring Paramount? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Helldivers 2 Players Face Overwhelming Hordes of Factory Striders

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In the ongoing conflict against the Automaton invasion fleet, the Helldivers 2 players have successfully halted their advance. However, the situation has now reached a tiresome stalemate. Yet again, the machines refuse to take a break from their relentless pursuit of progress, with reports emerging of the Factory Striders being deployed in record-breaking quantities.

There have been reports of alleged machines that were supposedly encountered during Operation Swift Disassembly, which was just the beginning of a larger campaign. However, these accounts should be taken with a grain of salt, as they are unverified and seem to be more on the imaginative side. Factory Striders have gained a reputation as formidable weapons platforms that can produce more Automatons while enduring significant damage. If the machines are able to withstand such a relentless assault, it will be necessary to develop innovative strategies.

Have you come across groups of Factory Striders in Helldivers 2? Which strategies are proving to be the most effective in taking down these armored brutes? The Orbital Railcannon Strike will prove to be a valuable asset in the comments section below.

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Todd Howard affirms that the timeline of the Fallout series is coherent and well-constructed

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The recent release of Amazon’s adaptation of Fallout has ignited a renewed interest in the series and brought attention to the captivating alternate history that forms its foundation. Fans have expressed concern that the TV show’s events might be at odds with the plot of the Obsidian Entertainment video game New Vegas. Warning: Spoilers ahead for New Vegas and Amazon’s show!

Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard and Fallout TV executive producer Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with IGN to discuss the timeline. Howard was taken aback when showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet presented him with the surprising concept of obliterating Shady Sands, the bustling capital of the New California Republic, in the aftermath of the events in New Vegas. Howard eventually warmed up to the idea: “After discussing it, we realized that this could be a significant story moment that many things hinge upon.”

It seems that they had to make some tough decisions to ensure everything fell into place, but Howard emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the Fallout timeline: “We take great care with the timeline. There seems to be some confusion in certain areas. However, all the events from the previous games, including New Vegas, did occur. We take great caution in that matter. We’re really pushing the limits here, but the explosions occur right after the events of New Vegas.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it up to par? Even though it may not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the games or show, it is comforting to know that those in charge are paying attention. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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