Gaming
All new titles announced at The Game Awards 2020
2021 already looking good with these latest announcements
2021, believe it or not, is just right around the corner. As with every new year, there comes new challenges to face and new opportunities to grow. During this year’s The Game Awards show, several publishers stepped up and provided previews of what’s to come for gaming. Here’s a roundup of all the new titles announced during the show:
Loop Hero (PC through Steam)
First on the list of premieres is Devolver Digital’s Loop Hero, an 8-bit deckbuilding adventure game. As you were sent into a chaotic loop of events, you must engage in battles and expeditions to break the cycle. To aid you in your quests, players will choose from an expanding deck of cards to summon enemies, buildings, and terrain.
Tchia (PC: Steam, Google Stadia)
Next is awaceb’s tropical open world game, Tchia. Inspired by the island of New Caledonia, Tchia focuses more on the island’s incredible culture, sounds, and landscape. As the titular character, you can possess any animal or object, traverse freely in the open world, and even play some instruments.
Shady Part of Me (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)
Focus Home Interactive also took time to give a preview of their new game, Shady Part of Me. The game features an odd duo of a young girl and her shadow, as they go on a journey of the mind. Players will face surreal dreamscapes with its own twists and surprises, as you overcome emotional struggles in the process.
Century: Age of Ashes (PC through Steam Early Access)
Ever wanted to fight with a dragon in some games? Well, Playwing thought about that, and wanted to provide that experience in Century: Age of Ashes. The free-to-play team-based game features all the dragon battles you could think of. To begin engaging in fire-breathing battles, players will choose between three different classes across three game modes: Carnage, Survival, and Raid. Century: Age of Ashes will be available for early access in February 2021.
New Perfect Dark (Xbox Family, PC)
Microsoft’s own small studio, The Initiative showed a tiny preview of their new project, Perfect Dark. Set in a near-future world, Perfect Dark takes players through what the developers say as a “secret agent thriller.” The game, however, is still in early development and more details will be revealed soon.
Back 4 Blood (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
Warner Bros. Games also revealed official gameplay from Turtle Rock Studios’ upcoming first-person shooter, Back 4 Blood. Taking a nod to the popular Left 4 Dead franchise, this cooperative zombie shooter takes players back into a world of infected humans due to a catastrophic outbreak. As part of the Cleaners, players will take on the infected beings known as the Ridden and reclaim the world.
The Callisto Protocol
Striking Distance Studios, made up of developers behind Dead Space and some Call of Duty games, announced the arrival of The Callisto Protocol. This next-generation survival horror game is set on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto, as players escape a maximum security prison while uncovering its secrets. Unlike most of the games announced, this game is set to come out in 2022.
Open Roads (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5)
Annapurna Interactive and Fullbright also slated the world premiere for Open Roads during the year-end gaming awards show. In this game, players will experience a mother-daughter road trip through long-forgotten places. Along the way, the mother-daughter tandem will discover secrets and mysteries of darkness within the abandoned properties — all while coming to terms with their relationship.
Endless Dungeon (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch)
SEGA and Amplitude takes us through another adventure through space with Endless Dungeon. Players are stuck shipwrecked in the vast void of space, with a wave of monsters coming your way. To keep everything in check, you will recruit a team of heroes and protect the crystal from being taken from the team.
Crimson Desert (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch)
Pearl Abyss also showed initial gameplay for their upcoming open-world adventure, Crimson Desert. Set in the fictional lands of Pywel, the medieval-themed title showcases the way of the mercenaries as they go through a war-torn world. Players will go through whatever it takes to survive a world with beasts, enemy mercenaries, and maniacal rulers.
Season (PlayStation 5)
Scavengers Studios proudly brings its latest masterpiece to the PlayStation 5 in Season. In this beautifully animated title, you will go on an adventure through the vast world, collecting artifacts and memories in the process. Taken from a third-person perspective, players will go on a virtual bicycle ride through a secluded community with mysteries to unwrap.
Evil Dead: The Game (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch)
Based on the hit horror movie franchise, Evil Dead: The Game features both cooperative and PvP gameplay modes for all players. As you tread through the deep, dark woods, players will join a team of four to, as the developers put it, “seal the breach between worlds.” All while the other players hunt your team down by possessing anything in the overworld — including your teammates.
It Takes Two (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
Finally, Electronic Arts takes us through the world of It Takes Two, a cartoon adventure through a magical land. Focusing a lot on the cooperative aspect, the game takes you through magical lands as a married couple trying to fix their relationship. With unique character abilities and a light-hearted story, It Takes Two sets out to be a heartwarming yet wild adventure for couples to enjoy.
Extra: Ruined King: A League of Legends Story (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch)
Along with the announcements, Riot Forge and Airship Syndicate provided a look into the gameplay for Ruined King: A League of Legends Story. Set within the realm of the League of Legends lore, the game takes you through Bilgewater and the Shadow Isles. Along the way, you will be accompanied by some well-known League of Legends champions.
Gaming
CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION physical edition now available for Switch 2
Zack Fair’s story comes to Switch 2.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and SQUARE ENIX have released the physical edition of CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION for Nintendo Switch 2 in Southeast Asia.
Players can also purchase the game digitally on the platform. Availability may vary by region and retailer.
Zack Fair’s story returns
Set in the mako-powered metropolis of Midgar, CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION follows Zack Fair, a young operative in Shinra’s elite SOLDIER unit.
Zack investigates the mysterious disappearance of SOLDIER operatives alongside his mentor, Angeal, and the legendary Sephiroth. His journey reveals the events that shaped the world of FINAL FANTASY VII and his connection to Cloud Strife.
The game revisits Zack’s story with an HD graphical overhaul of its character models, user interface, and environments. It also features fully voiced dialogue in English and Japanese, alongside an updated action-combat system.
Players can trigger Limit Breaks and Summons as they battle their way through the story. The game also supports handheld and docked play on Nintendo Switch 2.
A look back at Zack’s legacy
Originally released as a remaster of the PSP classic, CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION offers a refreshed take on one of the franchise’s most significant prequel stories.
In our GadgetMatch review, we explored how the remaster brings Zack Fair’s journey to modern platforms while preserving the emotional core of his story.
The release also gives players another way to experience the events leading into FINAL FANTASY VII, ahead of the upcoming FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION, the third and final entry in the FINAL FANTASY VII Remake series.
For more information about CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION and other Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia titles, visit the official website.
Gaming
Dune: Awakening makes it way to the PS5 and Xbox Series X
Surviving the harsh land of Arrakis one sandstorm and bloodlust at a time
Back in June of 2025, Funcom released its multi-nominated open world survival game, Dune: Awakening. Inspired by the renowned movie franchise, the game takes place within the deserts of Arrakis as players survive and thrive through intense combat and strategic decision making. Now, in the big 2026, Funcom is finally bringing that experience to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players as Dune: Awakening officially launches on console!
For the newbies finally getting it on console, here’s all you need to know:
Take the lead or do it together
Dune: Awakening takes you into the desolate land of Arrakis, and gives you the option to do it on Single Player or Multiplayer upfront. Through your own bidding in strategy, combat, and resource management, your goals are simple: survive the terrain, make more allies than enemies, and conquer the land through your affiliation to the powers that be.
This version of the game is as exact and as one-to-one as it possibly could with the PC version released last year, down to the story arcs, quests, and PvE/PvP areas you take on. Since launch, Funcom has introduced new weapons, areas, and cosmetics through DLCs that will be available to console players, as well. Also, several key features in story and mission progression that have changed on the PC version will take into effect.
If you want to engage with multiplayer, it is still a viable option when you want to gather more resources and reinforce your bases against other players and the natural elements. However, you still won’t be able to host your own server on a console just yet, as it is more stable to do so on the PC version.
Become whoever and whatever to survive
Character customization became the game’s bread and butter through its extensively library of features and unique take on story progression. As you begin your journey, Lady Jessica welcomes you in and asks you on your origin story, mentorship, and initial skill set — all of which are to your choosing based on your play style. Honestly, none of these completely influence the difficulty in progressing the story too much but it will give you full control of the experience.
As you progress further into the game, you will unlock more skills and abilities to aid you in your quest for power and survival. These will help you earn XP, along with accomplishing tasks, gathering resources and researching newer technologies, plus engaging in combat both within the PvE and PvP areas. Ultimately, you and, potentially, other players must build enough rapport and influence to shape the world of Arrakis to your liking.
Consistent visual expectations
For most players on the PC version, graphical fidelity relied heavily on the hardware of choice. When transitioning the game into a console-friendly environment, Funcom worked out the details seamlessly by adding a Performance and Quality mode. In this fashion, you can opt for crystal-clear graphics at a decent 30 FPS or go for a constant 60 FPS to keep up with the action.
No matter which mode you choose, the overall visual identity of the game doesn’t change drastically. Environments look rich and vibrant, while the tiniest of details within character models are preserved. Although, given frame rate differences, rendering of background elements also reflects that but it won’t ruin the gaming experience.
Dune: Awakening will be available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on September 22. For Xbox Game Pass owners, this will also be a Day One release with Play Anywhere support and cross-play within Xbox and PC players upon launch.
Funcom has also planned an exciting map update later this year plus potential DLC tie-ins to the upcoming Dune: Part Three theatrical release in December.
The trifecta is complete. Almost a year after announcing their new hardware, Valve has finally unveiled the price tag of the Steam Frame, complementing the Steam Machine and Steam Controller revealed a few months ago.
Whereas the Steam Machine is a console of its own, the Steam Frame is a traditional VR headset with a pair of controllers for both hands. Unfortunately, despite being in a different segment, the headset is not immune to the rising prices of technology. The Steam Frame will start at US$ 1,059 for a 256GB model and can go up to US$ 1,299 for the 1TB model. On the plus side, each box will come Half-Life: Alyx packaged along with the headset.
Here’s a more detailed rundown of what you’re getting. The Steam Frame will ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM. Each eye comes with a 2160 x 2160 LCD screen, putting out images at up t0 a 144Hz experimental refresh rate. As mentioned above, the headset will start with 256GB of storage but can go up to 2TB. It will come packaged with SteamOS 3 and a rechargeable 21.6Wh battery.
This might be a hard buy for some. The industry currently has more affordable options, for one. Also, virtual reality isn’t the most thriving segment of gaming today.
If you’re still decided on buying one, however, Valve is using its lottery system. Interested customers can sign up from now until September 17. The company will then randomize the purchasing order. Those who draw the first ones in the lottery can get a purchase email as soon as September 18. Meanwhile, anyone who registers after September 17 will automatically be put at the back of the queue.
SEE ALSO: Valve announces its own console called the Steam Machine
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