Game News

Axiom Verge 2 has been delayed for a second time. Although it never had a firm release date, the sequel to the 2015 Metroid-inspired hit was originally scheduled to arrive last fall before being pushed to a vague launch window sometime before June 2021. Creator Thomas Happ has confirmed that won’t be the case, and Axiom Verge 2 is now slated to arrive sometime during Q3 2021.

That would place the game’s release between July 1 and September 30. IGN first broke the news with Happ posting a message on the Axiom Verge 2 website confirming the delay. While he doesn’t provide specifics, Happ states he simply requires more time to work on the game without killing himself to get it done since he’s the sole developer on the project.

“I could go into a long spiel about why it’s taking longer than I originally forecast, but I don’t want to get too bogged down into technical details. Suffice it to say that the game will be better for the additional time, and I won’t have to burn myself out crunching to hit a date that I set for myself," says Happ.

As an apology of sorts for the second delay, Happ has made the documentary about the making of the first Axiom Verge permanently free to watch online. The 26-minute film comes from 2 Player Productions, the company best known for its acclaimed Double Fine Adventure documentary series. It chronicles Happ’s five-year journey creating Axiom Verge and was originally included in Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition as a physical blu-ray and purchasable on Steam as a standalone film. Now you can check it out on Steam at no cost here and, eventually, the Epic Games Store, presumably for free as well.

Axiom Verge 2 was first announced during a Nintendo Indie World showcase in December 2019. While the game retains the sci-fi retro vibe of the original, it serves as both a prequel and a sequel featuring a new protagonist, alien world, and bizarre weapons. Like he did with the first game, Happ is handling all aspects of the sequel’s development. Earlier this year, former GI Editor Joe Juba published an extensive hands-on preview of the game that provides first-hand impressions of everything Axiom Verge 2 has to offer. You can give it a read here.

Axiom Verge 2 is coming to Switch and PC as an Epic Games Store exclusive.

What do you think about Axiom Verge 2’s latest delay? Let us know in the comments!

[Source: Thomas Happ via IGN]

Published in News

Tuesday, 25 May 2021 15:22

Xbox Games With Gold June 2021 Free Games Revealed

Written by Liana Ruppert

We have LEGO: Batman to enjoy this month, but next month is also continuing on with that DC comics love. The Xbox Games With Gold June 2021 lineup has been revealed, and while some of the freebies are a little niche, there is one particular title that fighting game fans might want to scoop up if they haven't already.

Just like every month, Team Green offers a select few games to give away for free, both for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. Whether you want to beat the crap out of Superman or battle it out Coliseum style, here's what you have to look forward to on Xbox next month.

Xbox Games With Gold June 2021 Free Games

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If you have Xbox Live or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the below four titles are free-to-own starting next month:

The King's Bird - June 1 through June 30
Shadows Awakening - June 16 through July 15
NeoGeo Battle Coliseum - June 1 through June 15
Injustice: Gods Among Us - June 16 through June 30

Everyone, by now, likely already knows about Injustice: Gods Among Us. This fighting game from the studio that gave us Mortal Kombat pits iconic DC characters against one another in an original new storyline.

NeoGeo Battle Coliseum is something I've never played personally. Still, with it being free, I'm interested in learning more about the original heroes that players can tag-team within this particular fighting title. The King's Bird is an artistic tale that is a far pivot from the previously mentioned fighting games, an adventure rooted in physics as players must escape into a secret world to learn what it means to have freedom.

And last but not least: Shadows Awakening. This is a game where players can assume control of a demon from the Shadow Realm, craving the souls of heroes that have perished. It's a challenging experience, one that you can try out for yourself for free if you have Xbox Live or Game Pass Ultimate.

Just like how Sony does it with PS Plus, the games for the Xbox Games With Gold membership are yours to keep as long as the membership remains active.

Thoughts on Xbox Games With Gold June 2021's free games lineup? What would you have preferred to see instead? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below!

Published in Xbox

Tuesday, 25 May 2021 15:54

Free PS Plus June 2021 Free Games Revealed, Includes Star Wars: Squadrons

Written by Liana Ruppert

Microsoft just revealed its Xbox Games With Gold lineup for June, and now it's time for PlayStation to show off what it's got. Where Xbox is leaning into that DC love, PlayStation is also getting into the fighting spirit with Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown.

The next month includes Star Wars racing action, hacking danger, and a return to the Virtua franchise as the future of the series continues to be a hot topic regarding what's next.

Free PS Plus June 2021 Free Games

Operation: Tango
Star Wars: Squadrons
Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown

The June lineup includes the PS5 version of Operation: Tango, an adventure where players must team up for a co-op experience where players will need to take on harrowing missions. The caveat? Communication is key, so both players will need to have a working mic.

Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown is a Sega staple, and this version is the remaster for fans to enjoy. New online modes, ranked matches, and overhauled visuals all make this a new experience of an old favorite.

And, of course, there is Star Wars: Squadrons. This game is all about space dogfights, and we couldn't get enough of it. Our own Andrew Reiner gave it an 8.25 out of 10, saying:

"Squadrons’ single-player may fizzle out frequently like a malfunctioning hyperdrive motivator, but the multiplayer continually impresses and is worth the price of entry alone. Flying in formation with a group of friends put a smile on my face, and that was just the calm before the storm. When the lasers start flying, Squadrons’ multiplayer can be nothing short of exhilarating and a great test of skill, pushing players to be clever in the cockpit to outthink and outmaneuver opponents. Given just how enjoyable it is to pilot an X-Wing or TIE Fighter, this is a multiplayer experience I will continually go back to, even if EA doesn’t support it with new content. It’s just fun to play, providing something different compared to most of today’s competitive games."

For those looking to jump in on this month's action, it's definitely not too late to go nab May's free games, which you can find here. That being said, it is important to remember that an active PS Plus membership is required for all of the aforementioned titles. Sony's online services membership includes free games each month, exclusive sales on select titles, and more. The free games downloaded due to the PS Plus service remain yours to keep unless you cancel your membership.

Thoughts on the free PS Plus June 2021 games lineup? What do you hope gets added into the freebie lineup next? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below!

Published in News