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Why Bomber Crew is much more than just a FTL clone

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7 years ago

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Bomber Crew Lancaster

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.

Bomber Crew Bombing Run

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.

Bomber Crew Recruit

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.

 

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UK based gaming writer, raised on a diet of Street Fighter and Isometric RPG's. I enjoy playing every game I can get my grubby little hands on.

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Exciting news for gamers! The highly anticipated PS5 game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will be joining EA Play on Thursday

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5 hours ago

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April 23, 2024

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Update: It seems that the PS Store may have acted prematurely, as it has now been officially confirmed that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will be added to EA Play on Thursday, April 25th, 2024. Once the active members are in, they’ll have the opportunity to download and play the complete game.

Original Story: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, released in 2023, has been added to the EA Play subscription service. This exciting action-adventure game is now available for download and play at no additional cost for active members. While EA has yet to provide any official updates, you can head over to the PS Store and find it listed as “included with EA Play.”

Adding to the mix is the recent announcement of a forthcoming price hike for the subscription, affecting both monthly and yearly payment plans. Starting on May 10th, 2024, the monthly subscription fee will be increased from £3.99 / $4.99 to £5.99 / $5.99. For those who choose the 12-month commitment, the price will be £34.99 / $39.99, which is a £15 / $10 increase.

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In April 2023, the highly anticipated Star Wars Jedi: Survivor made its debut on the PS5. After thoroughly evaluating the game, we are pleased to announce that it has earned an impressive 9/10 rating in our review. We praised the game for its ability to build upon the first installment’s foundations and improve upon every aspect. “The combat is highly enjoyable and provides a plethora of options, while the exploration reaches new heights. The incorporation of Metroidvania elements adds an extra layer of depth, resulting in captivating puzzles and rewarding experiences.”

Click the link to access a comprehensive list of all EA Play games available on PS5 and PS4. Are you planning to give Star Wars Jedi: Survivor a try on the service? We would greatly appreciate your feedback in the comments section.

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Rest assured, the highly anticipated PS5 exclusive, Stellar Blade, will be available in its original, uncensored form across all regions

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1 day ago

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April 22, 2024

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Fear not; for those worried about potential censorship issues with the PS5-exclusive Stellar Blade, set to release on April 26th, Sony has got you covered. ShiftUp, the developer, proudly assures players that the game will maintain its uncensored content across all regions, including Japan.

We have to admit, we didn’t anticipate this as a potential issue or a potential selling point. The main character, Eve, and her revealing costumes have been heavily showcased in the game’s pre-release marketing. Nevertheless, it is pleasing to witness ShiftUp’s evident enthusiasm as their vision prepares to reach the hands of a vast number of players.

Regarding Stellar Blade, Yoko Taro believes it surpasses NieR: Automata, and we were pleased to learn that the game will be considerate of your PS5 storage capacity. The demo is now available for you to try, and it has nearly doubled the daily active users of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This is quite impressive, especially considering it is the game’s first console showing.

Will you be there to experience Stellar Blade on its release day? It’s certainly a relief to witness the game remaining uncensored until the last moment. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section 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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4 days ago

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April 19, 2024

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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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