Xbox Game Pass Adding Dragon Quest Builders 2 Next Week
Written by Liana Ruppert 
Yet another title is coming to Xbox Game Pass, the first of several announcements on the way for the month of May. Microsoft has confirmed that the first game to make its way into the rotating library at the start of a new month is none other than Dragon Quest Builders 2.
In the latest Xbox Wire blog post, Square Enix's Duncan Heaney has confirmed that Dragon Quest Builders 2 is coming to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Windows 10 PC on May 4. It's then that it will also be arriving on Xbox Game Pass. Dragon Quest Builders is a charming spinoff adventure set within the beloved Dragon Quest universe. It's an enjoyable block-building RPG experience that is easy to get lost in, and it even has a charming story to enjoy as well.
Our own Jeff Cork loved his time with the latest Dragon Quest Builders, which first came out in 2018 on PlayStation, Nintendo, and PC platforms. Giving it a whopping 9 out of 10, he had this to say about the most recent building adventure:
Dragon Quest Builders 2 has remarkable improvements, both large and small. Boss battles are now actually kind of fun. NPCs help you build some of the more ambitious projects, which lets you focus on doing your own thing. Malroth helps fight and gather resources, so you aren’t on your own. Other players’ creations are highlighted in loading screens and in-game bulletin boards, and you can easily visit (but not destroy) their worlds. This is one of those rare sequels that delivers on just about every front, so long as you’re able to put in the time it asks of you. This definitely isn’t a weekend project, but it’s one that’s absolutely worth the effort.
The latest addition comes on the heels of six other titles joining the subscription service recently, including more ways to enjoy Fable and MLB The Show 21.
Click here to watch embedded mediaInterested in what Xbox Game Pass has to offer but haven't made the leap yet? There are two different membership options to choose from, both offering an enticing deal when looking to game on a budget. There is the vanilla Xbox Game Pass for $9.99 and Game Pass Ultimate for $14.99. Ultimate includes everything the base membership has to offer with the addition of Xbox Live thrown in for exclusive sales and even more free games every month through Games With Gold. It allows players to enjoy free games at no additional cost, including day one launch titles under the Microsoft umbrella, and some surprising day one access as well as seen with MLB The Show. It's a great deal for those that don't want to shell out $60+ for a game they're not sure they'd like. You can learn more about that here.
Thoughts on Dragon Quest Builders 2 arriving on Xbox Game Pass and making the jump to Team Green finally? What other titles would you like to see added to this subscription surface? Sound off with your thoughts in the comments below!
New PlayStation State Of Play Happening This Week With Closer Look At Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Written by Liana Ruppert 
A new PlayStation State of Play event is happening soon and promises to showcase more indies and a closer look at Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart gameplay. Rift Apart will be the main focus on the latest Sony showcase, but that doesn't mean it's the only thing that players can look forward to.
This week's PlayStation State of Play is set to go live this Thursday on April 29 at 2pm Pacific / 5pm Eastern. It will feature over 15 minutes of new Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart gameplay to enjoy. As for what else will be shown, we don't know specifics, we only know that a few indie titles are a part of the latest showcase.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart has a lot of longtime fans excited, especially with the inclusion of a brand new character: a female Lombax. The newest character has been a mystery since her reveal, but Insomniac Games has recently revealed her name to be Rivet. Knowing more about her is key, especially since the studio has previously confirmed that Rivet will be a secondary playable character. It's likely that the gameplay will focus entirely on her given the recent spotlight but on the newest character recently, though either way we're excited to learn more about what's next.
Click here to watch embedded mediaRift Apart will challenge players to go dimension-hopping as these iconic characters take to yet another evil: an emperor from another reality. With PlayStation 5 visuals and an impressive arsenal at the ready, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is poised to be another hit for Insomniac Games' mainstay franchise.
What has you the most excited about the upcoming PlayStation State of Play? Are you ready to see more about Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, or are you more stoked to see more indies showcased? Sound off with those Team Blue hopes and dreams in the comment section below!
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Trailer Reveals New Character's Name Is Rivet And Confirms Photo Mode
Written by Liana Ruppert 
A new Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart trailer has arrived and it brings a few new revelations for fans eagerly awaiting the latest title in the iconic Insomniac Games franchise. The first reveal? We finally know the name of the new female Lombax character: Rivet. Even better, we've got a new video that dives a little deeper into what this secondary playable character brings to the table, as well as a confirmation that Rift Apart will have a shiny new Photo Mode to enjoy.
But first, let's talk about Rivet.
Rivet is a resistance fighter from another dimension that will team up to help stop the evil Emperor Nefarious from taking over the world. She's another playable character that players can kick butt with, which will be needed because Nefarious City - if going by the name alone - sounds like it's going to be anything but an easy ride.
Also confirmed is that a few franchise favorites will be making a comeback, including Sargasso and Torren IV, but it wouldn't be a new game if there weren't some shiny new weapons to master, as well. Take a look at the latest trailer below to see what else Rivet and crew bring to the world of Ratchet & Clank:
Click here to watch embedded mediaAlso included in the latest info drop is that Ratchet & Clank will offer a Photo Mode. This addition is an optional tool that players can use or ignore, but with everything shown off thus far about Rift Apart? I can't imagine letting this feature go to waste. The PlayStation 5 arrival boasts stunning ray tracing and beautiful gameplay mechanics. With new areas to explore, that Photo Mode will help document every new discovery and every enemy takedown that takes place.
Sony also confirmed that a new State of Play is happening later this week, a showcase with over 15 new minutes of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart gameplay to show off. To learn more about that, including what else to expect from the latest digital event, you can check out our previous coverage here.
Are you excited to take on a new Ratchet & Clank adventure with Rift Apart? What are your thoughts on Rivet so far? Sound off with those Insomniac Games hot takes in the comment section below!
[Source: PlayStation]
Respawn Entertainment Wins An Oscar, A First For Gaming Companies
Written by Liana Ruppert 
Respawn Entertainment is out here making history during the annual Academy Awards ceremony. The Electronic Arts studio just took home an Oscar during the 93rd edition of the show, making it the first gaming company to boast a win.
Respawn Entertainment and Oculus Studios have won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short during this year's Academy Awards ceremony for a documentary called Collette from Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond. Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond is a VR experience rooted in real-life World War II history. Immersive and highly interactive, the game on its own is an enjoyable experience, but what many might not know is how positive of an impact it has for veterans and shining a truthful light on American history. Unlike other games that say they're showing of an honest reflection on US history, Above and Beyond truly captured something raw with its VR experience. That realness was brought to the forefront through a series of mini-documentaries that helped make up the game.
The win for Colette celebrations a tumultuous tale of a 90-year old French Resistance fighter whose journey led him to Germany during World War II. “We could not be more proud of Anthony Giacchino and the team's work in bringing Colette’s story to life as part of Medal of Honor, a video game franchise rooted in history and the retelling of veterans’ stories to generations for years to come,” said Peter Hirschmann, Creative Director at Respawn Entertainment, in a recent press statement. “As we continue to take steps towards further legitimizing the creativity and passion of those in the games industry, we hope this is the first of many Oscars for video game companies who have shown time and time again how powerful and impactful storytelling through this interactive medium can be.”
Click here to watch embedded media"The youngest combat vet from World War II is in their nineties," director Peter Hirschmann told Game Informer previously, driving home the idea that first-hand accounts of what actually happened are becoming more and more distant. "The youngest is in their nineties. That means they were teenagers. Gil, who is one of our future guys, was 19. He was a 19-year-old kid on a tank."
The accompanying documentary reveals so many incredibly powerful stories. Tales that show the friendship that endures war (and forms because of it), the losses that come with it, and the side not often seen in mainstream media: the human side. The quieter danger, the moments of reflection, and the parts of history that are a very close reality to many still with us. For those interested in learning more, you can check out our previous interview with Hirschmann right here.
For now, a huge congrats to Respawn on making gaming history! First the Oscars, now the world!
Thoughts on Respawn Entertainment taking home the first Oscar win for a gaming company? Have you had a chance to see the documentaries that were a part of Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below!
Respawn Entertainment Becomes First Video Game Company to Win Oscar Award
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Written by Dan ConlinThe Witcher AR Game, Monster Slayer, Is Releasing Soon With Early Access Registration Now Live
Written by Liana Ruppert 
There have been many Augmented Reality (AR) games out there, but none quite set the state like Pokemon Go. That on-the-go adventure has set the stage for more titles of the like to come forward and test out this exploratory gaming niche. CD Projekt Red is trying its own hand at this genre with an AR mobile adventure based on its hit The Witcher franchise. Called The Witcher: Monster Slayer, the location-based caching game is set to release soon. For those interested in getting first dibs, CDPR is looking for Early Access players to register now.
The latest AR experience to hit mobile devices soon challenges players to become a witcher in their own right, long before the time of Geralt of Rivia. The Witcher: Monster Slayer is designed for players to get out there and explore in order to show the world that they are the best of the best when it comes to being a monster hunter. The world can be a boring place sometimes, but Monster Slayer aims to transform everyday mundanity into a dark fantasy journey that would make Yennefer proud.
Click here to watch embedded mediaPlayers will take on life-sized monsters in this first-person RPG-inspired mobile game, but CDPR promises that it won't be easy. Players are going to want to make sure they stock up on potions, oils, character training - even bombs.
To get in on the action, the studio is looking for players to register for an Early Access period. To stay in the know and to be among the first to try it out, you can register right here to make sure you're added to the list.
Thoughts on the Witcher: Monster Slayer AR game? What other gaming adventures would you like to see get this same kind of treatment? Bloodborne? Devil May Cry? Mass Effect? Sound off with those Augmented Reality dreams in the comment section below!