The Force… Reawakens?
We’re now two weeks into spring quarter, and hopefully everyone is able to maintain high spirits as we troop closer and closer to the end of another academic year. This week was pretty eventful in terms of video game news, especially if you are a star wars fan. Not only was the news star wars movie teased, a new game has been revealed to the world. Respawn entertainment, of “Titanfall” and “Apex Legends” fame have shown “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” to the world with a reveal trailer. “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” has also established a foothold in video game legacy, receiving universal acclaim and garnering massive sales worldwide as it hacked and slashed its way to over two million units in ten days. In less positive news, the mobile title “Elder Scrolls Blades” has been bashed online on various internet sources for its predatory practices. Without further delay, clock in and load up for your gaming news for the week.
The Good
Star Wars has been a staple of entertainment culture for decades now. Since the original Star Wars released was released in 1977, kids, adults, and everyone in between have seen lightsabers and space-magic clash on the big screen. With a franchise as large as Star Wars, having video games based in the universe was a guarantee. There were some brilliant titles like “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,” and some titles that have received controversy like “Star Wars: Battlefront 2” (the loot box debacle). Regardless of the reception of the games, they have always sold relatively well. Star Wars fans won’t have to wait very long for the next game, as on April 13, a trailer was revealed for “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.” Behind the game is Respawn Entertainment, responsible for the gaming juggernaut “Apex Legends.” Information about “Fallen Order” was relatively scarce until now, and it’s been announced to be single-player game without microtransactions. Headed by “God of War III” director Stig Asmussen, the anticipation for a good Star Wars game is palpable. Here’s hoping that it lives up to the hype.
In the vein of fighting with blades, “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” has been out for a while now, and reactions from critics and audiences alike have been great. Coming from the developers of the notoriously hard but notoriously fun “Dark Souls” and “Bloodborne,” “Sekiro” has received critical acclaim for it’s graphics, combat, and it’s difficulty. FromSoftware’s games have now become famous for their lack of hand-holding, and “Sekiro” was no different. Impressively, players have already uploaded multiple videos on YouTube of themselves finishing the game flawlessly, just like the “Dark Souls” games. Taking place in a fictionalized history of Japan, players control a ninja (or a shinobi) as he fights to save his lord from rival Samurai. Throughout the game, you find yourself fighting more fantastical bosses amongst a beautiful rendition of feudal-era Japan. It’s an excellent game, and deserves recognition as an excellent entry for the year of 2019.
The Bad
Bethesda has been dealing with quite a bit of blowback from the fiasco of “Fallout 76.” The game itself was not well received, and a variety of issues greatly impacted its sales, to the point where “Fallout 76” sales did not beat “Fallout 4.” Regardless, Bethesda was surely hoping for some good press. They have not received it. While their latest title “Elder Scrolls: Blades” was only a mobile title, prominent YouTubers have already taken to bashing the game for it’s predatory microtransactions. Jim Sterling, a YouTube journalist has just recently posted a video criticizing “Elder Scrolls: Blades” for its attempt at squeezing money from consumers. That video has already received nearly 300 thousand views in a day. Forbes has also written an article that outlined “Blades” as a look at the predatory practices of mobile games that has appeared on prominent social media sites. It’s pretty shameful to see that a once highly acclaimed studio has been hit with so much flak recently, and hopefully they can see the bad press as a wake up call.
Who’s Next?
“The Sinking City,” developed by Frogwares is a love letter to famous author H.P. Lovecraft. A mystery-detective game, players take control of a private investigator in a very strange depiction of New England, where its citizens are slowly going insane, and so is the player. Previews of the game look promising, with video game sites showing noticeable interest in a new detective game with a mysterious twist. The game doesn’t shy away from more sensitive topics like racism, in a risky move for the Ukraine-based developers. Topics like racism have been notable hit-or-miss, and they’re a topic that requires a lot of dialogue and care to handle appropriately and correctly. The game has also already been delayed, but audiences and critics alike remain excited as “The Sinking City” looks to launch on June 27 for PS4, XBOX One, and PC.
And that is about it for gaming news for the week. We’re certainly ramping up in terms of gaming news with “Jedi: Fallen Order,” as well as “Borderlands 3.” As we move further and further to the summer, I’m sure that even more news will come out soon. Till then, stay safe, and enjoy the start of the quarter.
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