GAMERS DECIDE - 2023

Is Atomic Heart Good?

euhedral — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:44:03 +0000

Atomic Heart is a pretty new game. So it’s not surprising if you’re still on the fence about trying it out. After all, you need to know if a game is worth playing before you spend your hard-earned money on it.

You might have heard some mixed things about this game. I’ve seen some people absolutely loving the game’s weird fun. Others have criticized shortcomings that could have been done better. And the controversy definitely doesn’t help at all.

But that’s why I’m here. In this article, I’ll give you 10 unbiased reasons and try to convince you that Atomic Heart is good. But I’ll keep my arguments as objective as I can, so you can decide for yourself.

Before we jump in, I’ll tell you one thing. The game isn’t perfect and the criticisms about its flaws are valid. But for all its shortcomings, it gets a bunch of other things right. With that said, let’s see what those things are!

10. A Story That Subverts Your Expectations

Like everything in the game, Atomic Heart’s story is weird. The setting itself is very foreign from the world we’re living in. So it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that the story is written to surprise you.

Now, twists and surprises aren’t inherently good or bad. Anyone can write a plot-twist by shoving something random into the story. What makes them enjoyable is the execution. If a subversion makes you think “Oh! I should have seen it coming,” that’s probably good.

Even though the story gets a little convoluted, it pulls off the twists effectively. All the information the main character gets is from people with their own goals and motivations. People who want to manipulate him. And you don’t realize it until the very end.

9. Incredible Graphics And Performance

No matter how you look at it, Atomic Heart is a looker! The intro scene is enough to show you how beautiful this game is. Whether you’re flying over Facility 3826 or crawling through a Testing Ground, the visuals are stunning.

If you play a lot of games like me, then you already know this. Games that look the best are the ones that fully commit to their visual styles. Atomic Heart goes for the realistic look and you can see it in the textures, lightning and shadows. Everything in the game was made with great care.

And on top of that, the game performs great! My computer is far from a potato, but I’ve played other AAA titles that made me struggle a bit. Not Atomic Heart. The team really optimized the performance and it’s impressive how well it runs.

8. The Game Puts Realism First

Before I jump into this one, I have to explain what I mean by the word ‘realism.’ It’s not the graphics, even though that’s incredible. What I’m talking about is consistency.

Let me give you some examples so get a better idea. The game has a lot of weird things going on, but you always get in-world explanations for why they are that way. And the best part is that the lore feeds the gameplay.

You’re exploring a facility full of cameras and drones, so of course you’ll be seen by them easily. And since there are robots that carry objects, it only makes sense that they will bring in reinforcements. It’s easy to see that this is how things would be if this world was actually real.

7. Less Hand Holding That Invites Exploration

Atomic Heart isn’t one of those games that just shows you everything it has to offer. It teaches you the basics through tutorials. But there are a lot of other features and game mechanisms that it never mentions. You have to explore and experiment to find them.

You’ll have a map marker telling you where the Main Quest is. But you’ll need to figure out where all the side content is by looking at the map and exploring. The game will give you a weapon and teach you how to use the crafting system, but it’s up to you to find the other blueprints and play around with them.

Similarly, Atomic Heart will teach you how to use 1 power and how to upgrade it. But you’re the one who will have to experiment with the other powers and see what works best. Or you could just ignore them all and play with the basics. It’s all viable.

6. Intense, Challenging Combat

Anyone can make a game with robots to shoot and kill. But for it to be fun, you need a challenge. And Atomic Heart delivers heaps of it.

This point kinda bounces off one of the last reasons, but only a little. You see, the robots you fight are very tough. And that’s because they’re built to be durable. There’s also a reason for why they have such a powerful arsenal. But I’d be spoiling things if I said more.

The encounters become even more challenging because of enemy reinforcements. Sometimes you might actually have to just run away. Especially during the early game. This sense of difficulty makes you feel more accomplished when you actually beat the enemy.

5. Enemy Robots with Believable Designs

If you’ve seen trailers and images of Atomic Heart, you might have noticed the funky design of the enemy robots. This isn’t because they were designed to look weird. You see, the robots in the game all have different roles.

You can see this design principle in two parts. First is their obvious appearance. Like the Lab Techs just look like dudes. And they have lasers, because science. Laborers have saws and Ballerinas have feminine figures.

The second part is the gameplay, which is why we’re all here. Their jobs basically affect how they fight you. It’s very believable when a lumberjack robot tries to hack you down with a chainsaw.

4. Resource Management That Ups The Stakes

Atomic Heart isn’t the kind of FPS where you go around lugging 20 different weapons. The game starts you off with a small inventory. Whatever you carry has to fit into it. More Resident Evil than Wolfenstein.

Resource management never fails to up the ante. Since you can’t carry all your weapons, you have to be strategic. Ask yourself which weapons work best for you. And I haven’t even mentioned all the other stuff you need to carry around. Like medkits.

But it’s not all about restricting you. You can actually take whatever you want, the excess just goes automatically to your storage. The wonders of technology, am I right?

3. Different Types of Weapons To Experiment With

The game gives you many guns to play around with. But not all of them are clear winners. Sure, your regular pistol and the first ax you get are weaker than most of the late-game weapons. But even those starter weapons can be upgraded to be useful.

Among the powerful weapons, the decision isn’t easy. How you play will affect what works best for you. Like, I prefer the Pashtet (a machete) and the Shotgun but there’s many different ways to go. The only way to find out is by trying them all out.

And remember the weapon upgrades I mentioned earlier? Well, there are different ways to upgrade your weapons as well. The gun upgrades kinda look the same. But the power attacks for melee weapons are wildly different from one another.

2. Many Fun, Optional Testing Grounds With Great Loot

The story of the game will take you through the major confrontations and facilities. But we all know that the real fun is in the side quests. Come on, I know you put off the Main Quest for the last when you’re playing an RPG!

While Atomic Heart doesn’t have side quests, it has plenty of content. These come in the form Testing Ground. The game basically takes place inside an experimental facility, and these Testing Grounds are labs for funky science stuff.

While there are no active quests telling you to beat these, there’s a lot of incentive to do so. They are dotted around the map and not so much out of your way. But most importantly, finishing these is how you get blueprints for new weapons and weapon upgrades. The loot is where it’s truly at.

1. Skills Have A Synergistic Effect When Used Together

This is another one of those things the game doesn’t explicitly tell you. But you can see it in action in the wild. And this is mainly true for the Polymer Jet skill.

This power basically shoots out clumps of polymer. And this thing takes on the property of whatever it touches. Fire, frost, electricity? You got it. You can set these elements on them by yourself, or it can even happen accidentally. Watch the first minute of the video to see a demo.

And you’re not the only one who will be using it, by the way. One of the bosses has the ability to do the same. On the other hand, you can use the synergistic effects against some of the other enemy’s default elements.

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Atomic Heart gives you all the things you need to have a good time

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The 15 Most Anticipated Steam Games of 2023

The Magnificent Em — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:22:33 +0000

The 15 Most Anticipated Steam Games of 2023

It’s no secret that Steam is the place to find all of the best in cutting-edge gaming. With several high-profile releases already hitting the platform this year, it’s a given that there’s still a lot of good things to come. Here are fifteen of the most eagerly anticipated Steam releases still to come this year. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, this list is sure to give you a ton of reasons to pad your Wishlist out in Q2.

15. WrestleQuest - Coming May 2023 - Steam/PS4&5/XBox X|S|One/Switch

Get ready to rock with the great legends of wrestling's past in this new JRPG from MegaCat!

WrestleQuest is a game by Mega Cat Studios, known for insane indie gems with quirky premises. WrestleQuest is a JRPG. About pro wrestling. And it’s just as bonkers as you’d expect, right down to pixellated cameos from legends out of wrestling’s history, such as Andre the Giant, the Macho Man Randy Savage, and Jake the Snake. Oh, and monsters. It’s a JRPG, what did you expect?

With a charming blend of retro pixel-art and modern shader effects, the game has a zany art style. It goes really well with the rocking audio and surprisingly strategic gameplay, creating a unique aesthetic for you to enjoy on your way to becoming the one true king of the ring.

This game’s main draw is the way it balances the simulation aspect with the JRPG, all while honoring (and lampooning!) its source material in new and creative ways. It has a small but devoted following already, all of them eagerly awaiting the official release, scheduled as of now for May of 2023.

This game feels like a spiritual nod to Punch Club, and while it’s clearly its own creation, drawing parallels between the two is inevitable. Those who enjoy one are very likely to enjoy the other, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a fair number of wishlisters of WrestleQuest had played and enjoyed Punch Club in the past.

Pixels, pyrotechnics and bare-chested beatdowns make this JRPG slap harder than its headliners!

14. Glyde the Dragon - 2023 - Steam

Eerily familar, and yet awesomely innovative, this shameless love-letter to Spyro kicks it up a LOT.

Ever since the original Spyro games took a nose-dive off of the Cliffs of Insanity into the Bog of Eternal Stench, there’s been a very special dragon-shaped hole in the hearts of gamers the world over. Enter Valefor Games, an independent dev team from the UK with one simple vision: recreate the magic and wonder of Spyro, but make it MOAR AWESOMER! With better aesthetics, an open-world design, and combat more reminiscent of a souls-like than the original games, Glyde promises to be nothing less than epic.

Corruption is spreading throughout the world, and it’s the job of Glyde, a young, vibrant, powerful dragon, and Wing, his glowing bug sidekick, to stop it (I told you it was heavily inspired by Spyro). While the fun and exploration-based game-play of its original source material still shine through (moreso than ever, in fact), one thing that stands out is the action-packed combat system.

Glyde can utilize eight different elemental forms with a wide variety of unique moves, and he’ll need all of that power to stop the monsters that he will face along his journey. The combat in this game is very challenging, something that may throw off someone who was expecting more of a light-hearted romp. Pulling fans from a wide variety of pools and promising a little something for everyone, this is a shadow hit waiting to happen.

Despite a couple of hiccups along the way, the devs are still anticipating a release this year, and there’s already a pretty impressive demo available on Steam for those who want to get a feel for what the game has to offer. This is Valefor’s first project, but it is to be sincerely hoped that it won’t be their last; the passion and talent that went into making this masterpiece shine through at every turn.

The game that Insomniac could only dream of making.

13. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk - Q3 2023 - Steam/Switch

Cel-shaded sweetness, kick-ass gameplay, and sick beats to tie it all together? Hell yeah!

This game, a purposeful nod to Jet Set Radio of Dreamcast fame, is one hell of a romp. Combining a cool cel-shaded look and a soundtrack worthy of the game’s name, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk feels like both a wave of nostalgia and the freshest scent on the indie scene right now. Skating, biking, and blading across the five borroughs of New Amsterdam, tagging your turf, and running from the MPs is a blast, and those who loved its predecessor are sure to get lost in the hot new take.

You’re playing as a young up-and-comer on the streets of New Amsterdam, looking to make your mark on the city, literally and figuratively. Not only do you have rival gangs to contend with, but you’ve got to contend with the law… and they aren’t necessarily interested in peaceful detainment (missiles are, in fact, on the table as a potential use of “necessary force” to subdue you). Along the path to glory, you’re trying to pick up as many sweet tricks and smooth rides as possible.

It’s all great fun, and since the original game had such a passionate cult following, the turnout to see this new vision come to life was fantastic. A lot of people participated in a contest recently to get their own graffiti designs included in the game, and the Rocksteady website has a collage of entries available for you to marvel at, as well as announcements of the winners. Despite all the hype, though, this is a title likely to actually exceed it.

The game was originally planned to be released in 2022, but there were unexpected delays. However, the dev team seems to be on-track for a release in summer of 2023. With all of the content already finished, plus all of that anticipated between now and then, the release promises to be everything the game’s backers hoped for. Honestly, the soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission; just watch the gameplay trailer above and you’ll see what I mean.

Super-fly, or super high? Doesn’t matter; mastering your board in this game is crazy fun.

The Alters - TBD - Steam

Surreal and thought-provoking, or the ultimate expression of narcissism? Who knows, who cares!

While there is not an official release date yet scheduled for The Alters by 11 Bit Studios, it’s rumored that it will be released sometime in 2023, and a lot of people are very eager to see that come to pass. Adventure games have been enjoying something of a renaissance lately, and 11 Bit Studios is well-known for thought-provoking, mind-bending games, so when the announcement trailer and dev interview hit last year, it generated a fair bit of buzz in certain circles.

The Alters promises to be not just a compelling adventure game with rich graphics and a deep story, but an opportunity for self-exploration as well. You play as Jan Dolski, a man who is ship-wrecked on a lonely and desolate planet. In order to repair his ship and go back to reclaim his shattered life, he’s going to need help. But since nobody else is around, enter… the alters.

Alternate versions of Jan, engineered to reflect who he would have been in different what-if scenarios. Each with their own life story, their own skills and goals shaped by their own unique experiences, and all with their own personalities and needs that the player must factor into their attempt to wrangle them into finding a way back… and maybe even a way forward. This one is shaping up to be a deep one, that’s for sure.

It’s rare that a game comes along that allows us to not only have an entertaining experience, but also to learn something about ourselves. The Alters is brimming with the promise of doing just exactly that, and I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I can’t wait to see what kinds of twists and turns the finished game takes me down. Here’s hoping that the rumors are true, and that we all get to enjoy this gem before 2023 is done.

Hi, Jan. I’m Jan. This is Jan, Jan, Jan, Jan, Jan, and Jan. Oh, him? He’s Jan.

Lichenvale - April 24th, 2023 - Steam

Like Quake and the Legend of Zelda had a beautiful baby.

Lichenvale, developed and published by Filip Zemljak, is a fantasy-themed FPS for the new century. Fans of games like Herectic, Hexen, and Doom will immediately recognize the aesthetic and gameplay. Just because something fits an already well-worn mold doesn’t make it any less epic, and the former Ubisoft developer clearly has a great love for these classics that shines through in every facet of his creation.

However, this isn’t just a retread of what came before. It’s clearly meant to be an improvement on the formula. Facing a horde of mobs, several bosses, and some light puzzles along the way just to highlight the action sequences, the player has plenty of melee weapons and spells at their disposal. But will it be enough?

Sometimes innovation is as simple as doing something that’s already been done, but doing it better, and this is the core of the appeal of Lichenvale. Many gamers fondly remember the glory days of the Serpent Rider trilogy (Heretic, Hexen, and Hexen II), and just as modern takes on Doom brought that franchise’s charm to a new generation of gamers, so Lichenvale is sure to do with these three gems of old.

Aside from the release trailers, there hasn’t been a whole lot of chatter from the dev about the game; they appear to be too busy working on their baby to comment. But it’s scheduled for release at the end of April, and so far, there’s been no contradicting news, so it should be possible to get a taste of this fresh take on a classic formula in all its newfound glory soon.

Because the best way to solve any problem is rabid pyromania.

Afterimage - April 25th, 2023 - Steam/PS4/PS5/XBox X|One/Switch

Breathtaking visuals and tight gameplay? All about it!

Afterimage is a new action-adventure game that has a non-linear, deep, richly developed world. Created by Aurogon Shanghai and published by Modus Games, this stunningly beautiful entry to our list features all hand-drawn graphics, immersive gameplay, and a riveting mystery to solve as you dash and slash your way across the world of Engardin. As the amnesiac girl Renee, you will explore the secrets of this place, uncover truths that history tried to hide, and find a way forward through the ruins of a world shaken to its core by The Razing.

The worldbuilding and character development are top notch, too, and the platforming looks smooth and tight, but its no use pretending that the aesthetic is the real selling point of this game. This is the kind of world that you just want to get lost in, and thankfully, it’s expansive enough to keep players thoroughly captivated for hours and hours of exploration.

There’s more to this game than just the eye-candy, though. Afterimage is full of simple but suitably challenging moments that provide a very pleasingly natural difficulty curve as you progress, and features solid and engaging combat. Renee may very well be the Link of the future. If, you know, Link were a pretty girl who had memory issues.

All in all, this one promises to be both a grand adventure and a stunning audio-visual journey, with tight gameplay and a deep story to round out the experience. Everyone who likes the genre (and even those who are holdouts!) should take the time to give it a try; if nothing else, the sheer beauty of the world of Engardia should keep you coming back for more.

What, you think that just because you’re big, and scary, and can fly, that’ll slow me down? Amateur.

Endless Dungeon - May 18th, 2023 - Steam/PS4&5/XBox X|S|One/Switch

It doesn't matter what the setting is, escort missions are a bitch. Good news is, you can be one too!

Endless Dungeon, made by AMPLITUDE Studios and produced by SEGA, is set in the already well-known universe of the existing Endless Games. Combining tactical real-time combat, tower defense, and one hell of an escort mission, this sci-fi title is poised to make a big splash when it lands in May. Whether you’re a veteran of the Endlessverse, or a newbie just poking their feet in the water for the first time, there’s plenty of solid gameplay and lore to keep you riveted for some time to come.

When your ship dies, and you find yourself stranded on an isolated space station, you have only one hope: reaching the Core alive. To do that, you are going to need the help of your crystalbot, but it’s about as resilient as an over-ripe grape, and to make matters worse, the hordes of monsters between you and the core are all too eager to turn it into scrap. Using a combination of turrets and run-n’-gun tactics, you will need to mow a path to escape.

The core gameplay loop is something that we have seen before (anyone else remember Dungeon Defenders, by Trendy Games?), but that’s not a bad thing. The model is reappearing because it works, and AMPLITUDE has a very unique take on the style, and the differences in emphasis, lore, and other features make this title stand out on its own as a separate animal.

There’s a lot of different styles of play mashed up together in this title, and fans of real-time tactical games of any sort are likely to enjoy this title. Not only does it give existing fans of the franchise a new way to experience a familiar world, but it may just be enough to pull fans of other, tangentially related games into the fold as well, exposing them to the rich story and environment that make the Endless games so great.

Nobody puts crystalbot in a corner!

Street Fighter 6 - June 2nd, 2023 - Steam/PS4&5/XBox X|S|One

Capcom, putting the verve in violence for three decades!

Fans of fighting games need no introduction to the Street Fighter franchise. Capcom’s smash hit series of fighting games hit on a winning formula early, and the newest addition to the lineup does what every Street Fighter title has done best: build on what came before without altering the core experience at all. This game is the most visually polished entry in the series, with the best sound, and the smoothest animation, but at its core it’s all about button-mashing beatdowns of the highest order.

Many classic characters return for this most recent entry, including fan favorites like the berserk beast, Blanka, and the slam-dancing Dee Jay. Cammy and Chun-Li, the poster-girls of the franchise, make reappearances here too, as do many others. But there are also a few new faces this time around. (So new, in fact, that despite being confirmed releases when the game launches, they don’t even have pages over on Fandom yet).

Street Fighter 6 is, in the end, a choicer cut of the same side of meat that Capcom has been serving us forever, and I’m okay with that. Sometimes it’s nice to play something familiar with a shiny new coat of paint, and if you are the sort of gamer who enjoys both exploring new things and taking a walk down memory lane, Street Fighter 6 is sure to satisfy.

The one thing that I can’t figure is how Capcom got away with some of the characters, both old and new, that appear in this line-up in the current socio-political climate. But I don’t care; part of the beauty and the charm of the series is that a lot of the roster are comprised of familiar faces with familiar styles of play, even when they are not always in line with more current sensibilities.

Call me a one-trick pony all you like; it’s a damned good trick.

Silent Hill 2 Remake - TBD - Steam/PS5

Some games need no introduction. This is one of those.

The Silent Hill franchise is legendary for its atmospheric horror vibe, and is loved by fans of the genre the world over. The earlier games, in particular, are held up as examples of the finest examples of the formula. Some people think that Silent Hill 2 can never be bettered; Bloober Team and Konami have paired up in an attempt to prove them wrong. With a deep respect for the source material and the technical chops to make use of the latest tech, the devs are poised to do something we see all too seldom: give a game a remake worthy of, even surpassing, the original.

This one is going to be a drain on even well-heeled, modern systems, though… while the original games in the franchise used the fog effects as a way to cover for the rendering shortcomings of early 3D consoles, it’s now purely kept for the surreal, creepy atmosphere that it creates. Rolling fogbanks, ambient sound (when not dealing with Silent Hill’s trademark creepy silence), and subtle plays of light and shadow all eat up valuable graphical power.

One of the cornerstones of development has been the principle of respect for the original game; fans have been promised that only “very safe” changes will be made, i.e., ones that don’t detract from the original game’s plot and feel. Fans all over are excited for this remake, and who could blame them? This is a venerated classic, from a genre that has stagnated since this game’s original version came out back in 2001, being given the loving polish it deserves after all of this time.

As long as the developers and producers are being honest with us, this is going to be a truly epic experience for old fans and new bloods alike. While no firm release date has even been hinted at thus far, there are a lot of internet rumors indicating that Silent Hill 2 Remake will be released on PS5 and Steam sometime in 2023. For the sake of all the eager gamers waiting to see if this game lives up to its hype as a modern upgrade to a cherished masterpiece, I hope that’s true.

Silent Hill is about to get a lot less silent, you creepy !@#$%

Age of Wonders 4 - May 2nd, 2023 - Steam/PS5/XBox X|S

*Mel Brooks voice* "It's good to be the king!

Paradox Interactive took the world by storm with Stellaris, but they aren’t ready to rest on their pile of cash just yet… now they’ve decided to take on publishing Triumph’s latest 4X game, Age of Wonders 4. The winning combination of strategic empire management and turn-based combat made the first three games successes, and the fourth installment is ready to blow its predecessors out of the sky.

Wizard Kings once more wander the realms of magic, garnering ever-increasing amounts of arcane power and ruling over the races of the world as deities. Vying constantly for supremacy, these nigh-omnipotent beings will stop at nothing to secure a place for themselves and those who serve them as the ultimate power across reality. By acquiring the Tomes of Magic, you can shape your followers to be the perfect soldiers in this cosmic war and lead them to a glorious future.

The degree of customizability gives this game replay value seldom seen in a 4X game, and the gameplay is deep without being overly complex. The game has beautiful visuals and sound as well, making it the total package, and fans of the genre, as well as this particular franchise, are already chomping at the bit to try their skills against their fellows as soon as it drops. The production values embodied by Paradox and the creative vision of Triumph are sure to birth a banger here.

Not only is each playthrough an epic experience on its own, but you can meet your creations again in later playthroughs, as potential friends or foes, giving every match a feeling of being part of a larger history. If you’re planning to get the game, it’s worth it to try to get a pre-order in, as Paradox Interactive likes to award early adopters and this title is no different; those who pre-order the game can expect a couple of extra goodies; whether these will be available by other means later has yet to be seen, so if you care about such things, make sure to claim them now.

Should we try diplomacy, or… ah, who am I kidding?! FIRE IN THE HOLE!

Baldur’s Gate 3 - August 31st, 2023 - Steam/PS5/XBox X|S

True legends never die... they get sequels!

Baldur’s Gate 2 was hailed as one of the best single player and coop RPGs of its era, and with good reason. Now, Larian Studios steps up to carry that torch forward with a new entry into the franchise after almost a quarter century. There’s a lot of fans who are absolutely rabid about the last game in the series even to this day, so they have their work cut out for them. But this new imagining is in Early Access now, ready to launch fully this summer, and it takes no time at all to see that Larian was definitely up to the task.

Returning to the Forgotten Realms will feel like coming home to many of the old-school gamers who, like me, cut their teeth on Pool of Radiance. The Baldur’s Gate games were a massive leap forward, combing the rule set of D&D with ARPG goodness, but this newest comer is another giant step forward. Play as an adventurer corrupted by a mind flayer, and choose your fate: to embrace the seeds of darkness planted within you, or to struggle valiantly and prove yourself a hero worthy of the name.

Baldur’s Gate 3 takes advantage of the leaps in technology since the release of its predecesso, as well. The stunning 3D visuals and multi-layered soundtrack are deeply immersive, and while it’s not at the top of the heap in either department, it’s still very, very good, and well beyond anything possible back when the second game in the series came out.

Whether you are someone who still plays Baldur’s Gate 2 avidly, or just someone who loves a good sit around the gaming table, or a fan of good ARPGs irrespective of anything else, you owe it to yourself to give this game a try. It doesn’t disappoint, and with the full launch just a few months away, it’s the perfect time to start getting yourself poised to come out of the gate hard and fast on opening day.

Honey badger don’t give a !@#$.

System Shock Remaster - Coming May 2023 - Steam/PS4&5/XBox X|S|One

The trailer is more than 4x the resolution of the original game?! The future is NOW!

The original System Shock was not a commercial success for Looking Glass, but it was one of the most critically acclaimed and fan-loved games of its time. This sci-fi action-adventure game has long since earned its place on multiple hall-of-fame lists, but in this age of nostalgia when people the world over look back rather than forward for comfort and inspiration, it’s no surprise that a new team would take on the challenge of bringing this incredible work of art into the new millennium.

Nightdive Studios and Prime Matter have joined forces to revive this classic and give it a high-powered makeover. Bringing in experts from the genre who worked on other big titles such as Fallout: New Vegas and Bioshock, they also had the forethought to contact the original dev team and ask them one simple question: how would they remake System Shock, given the chance and resources? They took notes, and while this game will feel somewhat different from the original, it will actually be more faithful to the original creative vision, rather than less.

Once again, a nameless hacker caught in Citadel Station must attempt to stop SHODAN, the AI that they unwittingly freed from its fetters, before it can launch a devastating attack on the Earth. Along the way, the player will discover the fate of the crew, and bits and pieces of SHODAN’s vision of a world ruled over by a mechanized god. The story still holds up, even all these years later, and will be just as riveting for a new generation of gamers as it was for those who discovered it first.

More than just an audio-visual facelift, the gameplay and UI have been given a lot of tweaks as well, leading to an even better experience than the original delivered, and other changes await veterans as well, guided by those interviews with Looking Glass. Despite being a remake, this game promises to top the original, and has a very polished veneer that will help gamers from the next generation embrace it.

What?! Is there something on my face?!

Minecraft Legends - April 18th 2023 - Steam/PS4&5/XBox X|S|One/Switch

Build-a-block setting, RTS gameplay... throw it in a blender and make dat magic happen, baby!

Even if you aren’t a fan (for some insane reason), you know what Minecraft is. Hell, people who have never played video games in their life know what Minecraft is. By far the biggest indie success story our medium has ever seen, it brought the genre of open-world block builders to the public consciousness in a tremendous way. Now, Mojang Studios and Blackbird Interactive are about to release a strategic battle game set in the same world.

This game has you rallying the mobs of the Minecraft world to face off against the Piglins, in an attempt to drive them from your home and back to the Nether where they belong. While it bears little or no relationship to the original game in terms of gameplay loop, the familiar environment will mean that those who enjoy this sort of game and like Minecraft are sure to get an extra kick out of it.

Featuring the same cute blocky graphics as the original, this game’s story is presented as a legend that has been handed down to the modern Minecraft world since time immemorial, making it somewhat uncertain as to whether or not the events of this game are technically canon. But in a way, that’s part of the charm: the real world has legends shrouded in mystery by the weight of passing centuries, and now, so does the world of Minecraft.

This one is coming out sooner than most of the others on this list, so if you’re raring to go, you’ll have a shorter wait than with some of the other titles covered here. This game is honestly a bit of a dark horse; it’s either going to be the biggest thing since its predecessor, or the biggest flop in modern times. We’re only a short time away from finding out. Can the Minecraft universe can support a game of this type, or were the devs only dreaming> Either way, it’s gonna be one hell of a show.

Time to put all of those building skills to practical use.

Darkest Dungeon 2 - Coming May 2023 - Steam

This game didn't need a sequel, but screw it; this is epic. Let's do this!

Red Hook Studios made a huge splash with Darkest Dungeon. Look at any gaming website, or any game vlogger’s YouTube channel, and you’ll find something somewhere praising the dark tone, challenging gameplay, and mindscrew potential of the first game. Now, in the next release in the series, everything has been taken up to eleven, and fans of the original are already enjoying the game in Early Access.

Imagine your typical build-a-party, dungeon-diving, roguelike RPG. Now set it in a universe that makes the New England of the Cthulhu Mythos look like Disney Land in comparison, and set things up so that the real challenge isn’t keeping your party alive… it’s keeping them from surrendering their sanity to the soul-crushing depression, terror, and psychotic torment inflicted by their journeys into the darkness that dwells within their own hearts as they explore the dungeon depths.

It’s an amazing ride, and impossible to describe to someone who hasn’t played it, but as good as the original was, the new kid on the block kicks its ass hard with even better graphics, mechanics, and story to give even seasoned veterans a challenge and thrill like even the first installment couldn’t deliver. Favorite classes from the first return, and new content is in the works all the time, making this one a great game to follow if you want to be part of an ever-expanding creation.

As incredible as the mechanics and gameplay and story of this title are, the real selling point is the synergy between them. Relationships between characters grow and wane as they suffer through the trials of the dungeon together, and as stress mounts and minds fracture, those relationships can even be broken, sometimes in truly horrible ways. This, in turn, has very definite gameplay implications both on individual runs, and in future runs.

I’m not even mad at you, bro. This is just how I say “hello”.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League - May 26th, 2023 - Steam/PS5/XBox X|S

Despite the name, it's OTHERS you'll be harming in this blockbuster from Rocksteady.

Rocksteady are back at it again. The creators of the Arkham games have crafted another gem set in the DC universe, and this time, there’s a twist. Rather than playing as Batman, you get a peek at the history of the Suicide Squad. Alien invasions? Check. Heroes of DC turning on the citizens of Metropolis, becoming the biggest threat to the city that once hailed them as saviors? Check. Villain protagonists struggling with the awkward realization that they may, in fact, be the good guys this time around (and trying to avoid getting nuked by explosives inside their noggins if they dare to go off-script)? Check, check, check.

There’s been a ton of hype around this title, naturally, especially in the wake of the recent DC films, but it’s unlikely that the hype can really capture the prospective awesomeness of this game. Each of the Arkham games got better than the last, in defiance of all inherited video game wisdom (everyone knows sequels suck, right?), and this game promises to capitalize on all of the hardest-won lessons from their prior blockbusters to deliver an action-packed, pulse-pounding, narrative-driven adrenaline-fest.

This title has a whole ton of press surrounding it, but not as many actual details as many of the other titles on this list, which, when you combine it with the popularity of the characters involved, makes this the most anticipated Steam game of 2023. There are some titles due out this year that may be even more pivotal, but none on Steam’s platform, that’s for sure. The official website claims the release date is projected to be May 26th, but the Steam page still says “Coming Soon”, so we can’t be sure.

Whatever, it doesn’t matter. A game that’s as sure to be a crowd pleaser as this one is can be forgiven for taking a little extra time to bake. One thing is for sure, though… once it finally hits our screens, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is going to become the next big hit from Rocksteady, and set the bar for all future comic/movie adaptations moving forward.

Unfortunately for you, lightning CAN strike twice…

And that's all, folks! Let us know what releases you're looking forward to this year in the comments.

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Once used for heating vegetables, Steam is now the prime means of getting games and software on PC.

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[Guide] Star Wars: KOTOR Best Classes To Play (Ranked Fun To Most Fun)

DarthRevan501st — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 15:58:31 +0000

Star Wars : KOTOR is still by far one of the best Star Wars games of all time. Showing up on the scene in 2005 many people still play. Players can try six different classes which all have a variety of skills.

Players start with three non-Jedi classes first. Scout, Scoundrel, and Soldier, then after your Jedi training three more classes will be available on top of that, those being Guardian, sentinel, and consular.

Today I'm here to give you a guide on the best classes from fun to most fun! ( worst to best ) In my personal opinion though I think each class is good in their respective rights.

Ranked Worst to Best :

# 6 Scoundrel Class

A skillful rogue that gets on by stealth and guile. The Scoundrel never follows the rules and has a knack for “Collecting” certain items with stealth. This is Ranked # 6 on the list because it has the least amount of vitality starting out, having 6 per level. The scoundrel also starts with the demolition and security skill making players able to open doors and disarm mines early on.

What The Scoundrel Class Excels in

Class Skills :

The scoundrel has the second most skills at the start of the game available. With skills like security and stealth early; players can choose a less combat heavy playing style till they're strong enough. ( since you start with low vitality )
The defense bonus has a ceiling of 6 at level 12 when scoundrel's luck is granted; Meaning players can use this in combination with high charisma to have good defense. ( 14 points or above.)
The Scoundrel also excels in skills and feats such as light armor proficiency and has a weapon proficiency with blaster pistols and rifles. This allows players to equip light armor and have reduced penalties at level 1.

Choose the Scoundrel Class If :

If you want access to most of the skills early on. Like already mentioned above this class has the second highest skills available at start and players can take advantage of it.
If you're a player who loves stealth and looting. Having the stealth skill instead of having to use a stealth field generator is underrated,
With fast reflex saves you can get out of trouble if you get spotted. Dodging most attacks.

Scoundrel Class Fun Factor : 79/100

# 5 Scout Class

An explorer most at home on the fringes of space. The scout is always seeking that next adventure, or story to tell. This is ranked # 5 because it's the balance between soldier and scoundrel. Having fast reflexes all around and 8 vitality per level this class is always fun to play and a go to for most custom builds.

What The Scout Class Excels in

High reflexes and dodging :

The Scout class comes equipped with the uncanny dodge skill at level 4. This gives players + 2 defense until upgraded then + 6 at max ( level 12 ).
This class excels in fast reflexes for all 3 groups, will, fortitude and reflex. This is the only class with all 3 areas having fast reflexes.
Because players have high will and reflex they will have an easier time dodging attacks and receiving misses instead of hits for the turns.

Chose This Build if :

If you're the player who wants to bring out their inner explorer dodging most attacks. This class isn't just good at dodging so that shouldn't be overlooked. If you use the uncanny dodge skill and put most points into dexterity however, you can get the most from this class.
If you don't mind using feats such as flurry and rapid shot. These are the scouts main focus and are very fun to use once upgraded.
Stealth and guile is not the way for you. Unlike the scoundrel the scout doesn't come with stealth at the start of the game forcing you to find or buy a stealth field generator.

Scout Class Fun Factor : 85/100

# 4 Soldier Class

A battle-ready fighter with no equal in combat. The soldier never backs down from a fight and is more likely to cause one than avoid one. Ranked at #4 because this class could be considered overpowered in some cases ( and because Jedi classes exist. ) Getting 10 vitality per level ( the highest for all 3 classes ) and every armor proficiency at level 1 ; This is by far one of the funnest classes if the Jedi classes were not available.

What The Soldier Class Excels In

Armor & Weapon Proficiency :

The Soldier class excels in every armor proficiency from the start of the game. This allows players to be able to wear any type of armor early on without having to stick to one thing.
The Soldier class also excels in every weapon feat as well! Having skills like weapon proficiency with melee weapons and blasters this makes the soldier an overall pick when it comes to playthroughs.
Players having access to Both weapon and armor proficiency is underrated. Most skills for the other classes have to be unlocked or you don't get them at all. The soldier also excels in power shot and power attack gaining those from the start of the game.

Chose This Build If :

If you don't mind having less class skills. The only downside with the soldier is that there are not alot of class skills available, only having 3 out of the 8 skills.
If you want to have the most fun with either side you decide. Having the highest vitality above the rest, this makes sure players have enough health to handle most of the battles that come up.
If you're a player who likes strength and accessibility. Putting points into strength and using gear that boosts it can help for sure when playing with this class.

Soldier Class Fun Factor : 93/100

# 3 Jedi Consular

Jedi consulars seek to bring balance to the universe and the living force. They focus less on physical combat and more on their mastery of the force and its abilities. Consulars get 6 vitality per level and 8 force per level making this the strongest Jedi class in force powers but the weakest in health and combat. Overall the Consular is loads of fun if you are the player who wants to run around wielding the force at every turn.

What the Jedi Consular Excels in

Force Abilities :

The Jedi Consular gets more skill points for force abilities then any other Jedi class. This allows players to have more force powers and make sure they can upgrade them to max as early as possible.
On top of that the consular has more force points than any class also. Since this is the case players can use the force more often during battles ( especially during times you need to heal ).
The Consular gets Master sense which grants a + 2 defense bonus then + 6 at level 12 Jedi. This gives the player added defense for the lack of armor capabilities this class has.

Chose The Jedi Consular If :

Again you're a player who loves the force! This class relies heavily on force powers and robes for bonuses being weak in combat, health and weapons. ( Still very fun to use )
If you're a player who wants to bring out their inner Jedi. This class is perfect for anyone wanting to experience most of the force powers in the game and wants to know what it feels like to be a Jedi master like Luke.
If you're the player who is ok with avoiding combat and starting out weak. As not fun as it sounds, it's actually not the worst thing with this class. The game gives a good balance between having low health and strong force powers with this class. Late game you can fix the health problem.

Jedi consular Fun Factor : 95/100

# 2 Jedi Guardian

Jedi guardians battle against the forces of evil and the dark side. They are the protectors of the light and focus more on combat training and masterful use of the lightsaber. This class is fun for any player who loves combat! Getting a whopping 10 vitality per level this is the strongest class in terms of health, in addition this class provides Actions like force jump.

What The Jedi Guardian Excels in

Lightsaber Combat and attacks :

The Jedi Guardian is the most versatile when it comes to lightsaber combat. Being able to use skills like saber throw and force jump makes this class not only fun but deadly if you build the right character.
The Guardian has a prime focus with lightsaber proficiency giving the player an attack bonus during turns. Having that will make any lightsaber fight easier and make you deal more damage with every swing.
The Guardian lastly excels in force powers also. Skills like force push, force valor, and force speed can be used in combination with lightsaber abilities, making this class decent with force powers but not the best. ( still definitely fun to use )

Choose The Jedi Guardian if :

You're a player who likes lightsaber combat more than force powers. Let's not underestimate the force powers of the guardian. As it's true this class does not have all the force powers like the consular, you still get a decent amount of powers to use.
If you're looking to last longer in a fight. Like already stated the Guardian starts with 10 vitality per turn having the most out of all the classes. If used with the soldier class players can gain the most health possible becoming a tank if you will.
If you're ok with having the least amount of skills. Being one of the most fun classes this is also the one class that doesn't have many skills starting out. On the bright side you have skills like treating injury, awareness, and persuasion to help early on.

Jedi Guardian Fun Factor : 97/100

# 1 Jedi Sentinel

Jedi Sentinels ferret out deceit and injustice, bringing them to light. They are the peacemakers or Watchmen of the light having a balance between physical and mental disciplines of the Jedi order. Having 8 vitality per level and 6 force per level this class has the best balance between lightsaber combat and force powers.

What the Jedi Sentinel Excels in

Skills like Force Sense and lightsaber Proficiency :

The Jedi develops a connection to the Force that allows them to better sense incoming attacks. Force sense grants players a + 2 defense boost at level 4 and see attacks before they happen.
Lightsaber combat is something the sentinel excels at. Having the lightsaber proficiency skill players can get an increase in damage output per turn.
Having skills like Jedi defense in combination to the lightsaber proficiency will ensure that you have a + 6 defense rating and then + 32 at max level.

Chose The Jedi Sentinel if :

You can't make up your mind on whether to use the force more or lightsaber combat more. This class uses both the force and combat very well and has a combination of skills you can use in tangent with each other.
If you're looking for the most fun possible while still being able to survive battles. This class has a decent amount of force points put into it and is great for surviving battles for a while and still deal damage that ends it!
Lastly choose this class if you want to embrace your inner sentinel and fight side by side with Bastila wielding a yellow blade like herself. Players can choose this class and make builds base that are similar to her, or the other famous sentinels of that time.

Jedi Sentinel Fun Factor : 99/100

GAMERS DECIDE - 2023

Is Atomic Heart Good?

10. A Story That Subverts Your Expectations

9. Incredible Graphics And Performance

8. The Game Puts Realism First

7. Less Hand Holding That Invites Exploration

6. Intense, Challenging Combat

5. Enemy Robots with Believable Designs

4. Resource Management That Ups The Stakes

3. Different Types of Weapons To Experiment With

2. Many Fun, Optional Testing Grounds With Great Loot

1. Skills Have A Synergistic Effect When Used Together

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[Guide] Star Wars: KOTOR Best Classes To Play (Ranked Fun To Most Fun)

# 6 Scoundrel Class

# 5 Scout Class

# 4 Soldier Class

# 3 Jedi Consular

# 2 Jedi Guardian

# 1 Jedi Sentinel

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