Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Gaming

  • PlayStation 5 ‘Spider-Man: Remaster’ Remasters Peter Parker Design

    PlayStation 5 ‘Spider-Man: Remaster’ Remasters Peter Parker Design

    Now, this is an odd move by Insomniac. We knew for some time that a Remaster would be released for PlayStation 5 of the original Spider-Man. It would be included in the deluxe edition of Spider-Man: Miles Morales. That story takes place a year later so it is great to offer players that didn’t have the chance to try it out. We expected better graphics and faster loading times. Somehow, Insomniac at one point decided to completely change Peter Parker’s model. They’ve changed the face model to be based on Ben Jordan rather than John Bubniak. Insomniac gave the following statement on the change:

    In order to bring the best performances to players with our next-generation Marvel’s Spider-Man games, we have recast the face of Peter Parker. We loved working with John Bubniak on the original game; however, to get a better match to Peter Parker/Spider-Man actor Yuri Lowenthal’s facial capture, we have cast Ben Jordan to be the face model for Peter Parker on the PS5 console. He looks incredible in-game, and Yuri’s moving performances take on a new life.

    The model looks fantastic but it is such a strange decision. Most players have already made a mental connection with the previous model. Plus, this version looks much younger than before. Spider-Man’s selling point was that it was an experienced Peter. He has gone through this for who knows how many years, so this is a strange change. Still, the game will generally be a full next-gen remaster with overhauled environments and models. It will feature 3D Audio, instant-loading, and a brand new photo mode. As a bonus, it will also give players a skin for the original Amazing Spider-Man suit so there is also that little bonus.

    Source: PlayStation

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Journal: Long-Term Endgame Potential

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Journal: Long-Term Endgame Potential

    The last few days have been crazy for Marvel’s Avengers. A lot of details have leaked for the game. We just recently got our first look at War Machine and Black Panther. Shortly after, visuals teased the Inhuman Royal Family and even a gear customization menu. We are only a month into the game’s lifespan. The potential of new heroes, villains, and missions every month is an exciting prospect. It is hard to deny that it has been a bumpy start. Some bugs were even game-breaking. Still, Crystal Dynamics has been very active. They have been releasing patches just within the first few weeks. It gives some hope that the game will start to develop from here on.

    I wrote up an article about what I was hoping would be added to the game, which you can find by clicking here. I am slowly getting into developing my builds within the game. While I did play Destiny briefly, I never got too into it, so this is the first time I am heading in with a deep dive. So, after finishing most of the endgame, I do have some more thoughts on how they can fix their current lack of engagement. Many hardcore players may already have invested 100+ hours into the game, so now it becomes a fight to bridge between content updates. I already made a wishlist a while back, so this is more focused on long-term ideas to expand the Endgame concept. They won’t solve current issues but would make the game stand out more among the growing Gaming-as-a-Service market.

    From Mjolnir to Stormbreaker

    So, in my wishlist article, I discussed the overall loot issue. Exotics are currently available either through the single-player Mega Hive or multiplayer Elite Hives. They aren’t that much different, so the chances of finding an exotic aren’t high. Crystal Dynamics also nerved the gear tier Legendary to only having two instead of three perks. Now, this isn’t uncommon as they are rebalancing the game. Understandably, this way will not get the best reactions. At first glance, the gear system is very by-the-numbers. We have different levels with a variety of perks. There isn’t much making it stand out, as visual flourishes aren’t applied here like with Destiny. I don’t mind it as I’d rather hate finding a gear I enjoy but have to switch it out for better perks. It probably also isn’t easy to balance with the skins. I started to think about how they could make both sides work and give the gear a better upgrade.

    So, I had the idea of adding a unique weapon menu. Most every Avenger has a weapon or unique charm. So, why not create a special gear system around different weapon types. Users can then switch between weapons that have unique functions. You can collect gear to upgrade and develop them. It can also add visual flourishes like Mjolnir’s handle. This would work in conjunction with the regular gear system. Let’s say Thor has the choice between his hammer Mjolnir, or the Stormbreaker ax. You can now outfit each with special runes you grind. They each add different perks. As you upgrade your weapon, more slots become available. Not only does it give them unique attributes but also gives you an incentive to grind.

    Plus, with different weapons, you can adjust your playstyle. Crystal Dynamics can also expand the gear system with new weapons per character that add some new ability or perk. Of course, this is just a simplified idea that could potentially add some more depth. It would at least offer a unique aspect to the Avengers gear system to make it stand out. Even Iron Man or Kamala, who don’t have weapons to have special items that could be used as the basis. It’s probably going to take time to program something like this so who knows if we would see this implemented soon.

    Not your Usual Raid

    So, we are still waiting for our first official Raid within this game. The A.I.M. Secret Lab will be the first time we have a brand new mission and story element post-launch. It will consist of multiple floors and, hopefully, unique environments. We hope to see more of these kinds of events shortly but so far, this is the only one we are aware of. So, I was wondering what kind of Raid events can we expect. Especially if they would include unique villain encounters beyond the existing Villain Sector missions. At one point, Crystal Dynamics will have to face the challenge of implementing larger enemies like Galactus, Fin Fang Foom, or even the Kree army. So, how do they add something new to make these events stand out while pushing multiplayer.

    It could connect to my earlier idea surrounding the Chimera. Right now, it is just a hangout spot for your Strike team. Outside of your shops, there isn’t much to do at them. So, it would be great if you get a chance to develop and individualize your Chimera. You can upgrade it throughout your journey. You can even adapt it to how you want your Helicarrier to function. I would love it if you can also develop a team that is available through your actions with factions. This function can even be used at the various Outposts that you support in the game.

    So, why go through all this? Well, what if a Raid sees an attack on the Anthill or the upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. base? If you spent time helping them build it, they will give you more time to complete the mission. Also, the mission is unique if you join another person’s strike team. It creates an incentive to revisit raids that could offer different challenges. Raids could also involve multiple teams taking on massive enemies onboard of your Helicarrier. Each one would create a unique focus and support your team throughout the battle. You upgraded your Chimera to be cryo-focused, so it can temporarily slow down Galactus as he attacks. It would add diversity in the gameplay and also incentivize your work to upgrade your Outposts.

    Long-Term Ideas

    Right now, these ideas are more about the long-term potential this game has. Right now, Crystal Dynamics needs to focus on adding content to keep people playing. These are major additions that could expand the base game later down the road. We still do not know what the plan is for this game and how it will change in the coming months. Right now, its biggest issue is a lack of content once you finish the last major mission chain. It’s an issue for those that want to stick with the game long-time. I enjoy jumping in for a few rounds now as I enjoy the base gameplay. There are rumors of additional skill trees, which is an exciting prospect. It just shows that we are only at the beginning of what is to come in this game’s future. Hopefully, the wait is not that long as we enter the game’s second month.

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Teases Dum Dum Dugan for Future Update

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Teases Dum Dum Dugan for Future Update

    There truly is no rest for the wicked. In the last few days, we have been getting a lot of unofficial leaks for upcoming characters. Don’t worry, this time it actually is an official tease by the developers. Now, it seems that Marvel’s Avengers’ official Twitter account is starting to be subtle about future updates. In an official tweet, they asked players what their favorite quote was and included a GIF from the game. Nothing too big about it. Yet, the moment it starts repeating you realize that two areas are being shown off. The first is the underwater base that is the focus of Black Widow’s mission chain. It’s the last few seconds that really grab our attention.

    Yeah, that is Dum Dum Dugan in the green sweater and bowler hat. We haven’t seen this character in the Avengers game outside of a short tease. The first joint mission in the Snowy Tundra reveals that Nick Fury has vanished. He left messages for the remaining members of S.H.I.E.L.D. So far, we’ve only met Hill through mission briefings and she will be the main focus of the upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. Substation Zero that was featured in the last major War Table video. If we compare the teases from that video, this area in this GIF are definitely the Substation. The overgrowth in the background is the dead giveaway.

    So, why does this matter? Well, this confirms that the character will be around in the Substation rather than as his own faction. He was a prominent face during Fury’s speech so many of us thought he would be splintered off into his own section. Even the recent leaks of UI visuals teased a War Council faction that seemed fitting for the Howling Commando. There is still a chance he splinters off into his own storyline so this might be a set-up. It is just interesting that the character only showed up now after being teased early on in the Reassemble campaign. Also, it is strange to include him in a random GIF. There is a good chance they are teasing an upcoming update to officially build some hype for the Outpost and A.I.M. Secret Lab update.

    Source: Twitter, YouTube

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Artwork Teases the Coming of the Inhumans

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Artwork Teases the Coming of the Inhumans

    You’d think the tease of Black Panther’s design would be the highlight of the day for Marvel’s Avengers news. We’ve been anxiously waiting for the reveal of the game’s roadmap. It would finally confirm when we can expect various heroes and new mission types. The last War Table video was released during the launch at the beginning of September. Now, as most have gotten to the Endgame we are wondering what the future may hold. It’s not just about characters but mission types, customization options, and many more. Luckily, it seems that Senior UI artist Rick Stalder released some images of his work on the game. They offer a variety of looks at the early stages of the game’s User Interface development. There is, however, one aspect that truly stands out. We might get an expansion to let us create our own gear at some point.

     

     

    There isn’t much to go by with different visuals. It seems that there are four layers that might be connected to the four gear slots of each character. We know this must’ve been early on as J.A.R.V.I.S. design is quite different in the main game. The dead giveaway is the different menus of Create, Customize, Quantize, and Key Forge. The resource designs are a bit unique in this version but there is a good chance this is still part of the development. Most players, including myself, are hoping to create their own builds. For example, I am trying to create a Thor that uses cryo, or freeze-based technology. This would make this a much easier process and incentivize using old gear.

    That’s not the only thing this showcase includes. The UI designer also uploaded character and faction symbols. What stands out are the two symbols for Black Panther and War Machine. These were leaked early on by @mmmmmmmmiller, who provided us with the War Machine design leak. So this also confirms that the Royal Inhuman family would become an additional faction within the game.

     

     

    The symbols are mixed and if it was a specific member of the Family it would most likely be Black Bolt. The story focuses on the new era of Inhumans after the A-Day incident. Now that A.I.M. has been shaken up, it makes sense to introduce the Royal family. Hank Pym is currently leading the Inhuman faction but he can only help them so much. I really hope they get included sooner rather than later, as they would be an amazing addition. Black Bolt or Crystal would also be great additions with their unique attributes. I must point out that both the current Inhuman faction and the S.H.I.E.L.D. faction isn’t included. It is uncertain if the New Coalition Alliance, War Council Military, or Dual Helix Science might be future additions down the road.

    It also looks like there was a plan to introduce missions at the Gold Coast. In an image of an older War Table, we see some familiar set pieces with different names. The Gold Coast is only revisited in the final story mission at the ruins of the A-Day incident. There might have been plans for you to revisit that location at some point. The Golden Gate bridge is shown to be unharmed so who knows how much the story has changed throughout the development.

     

     

    There are many more images in this collection. We see some of the UI during action sequences. They don’t look much different from our final results. The one thing that really stands out is that the main menu seems to have only been adapted slightly. The marketplace and news were adjusted but there always was the plan to split up the single- and multiplayer elements. The only thing is that at some point the Avengers Initiative was to be titled “Sky Watch” which could be a temporary name. Also, the visual includes a comic-accurate Maestro skin for Hulk that I haven’t seen in-game yet. So, we might expect a lot more comic-accurate skins coming our way in the future.

     

     

    If you’re interested in checking out more be sure to click here to Rick Stalder‘s ArtStation entry on the game. There is a surprising amount to take away from here and I cannot wait to see what is coming our way. Crystal Dynamics released the game buggy but has been very active in getting it where it needs to be. Sadly, we are still waiting for that official road map. We do not know how detailed it is but it will be an indicator of what the coming months or even year have in store for us. These leaks have been great to hype up what may be coming our way and I hope these elements like the gear customization and the Inhuman Royal Family will be early additions.

    EDIT: Here’s a shoutout to @spyder4lyfe1994 for finding the info before me!

    Source: Art Station

  • First Glimpse at ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther Leaked

    First Glimpse at ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther Leaked

    Crystal Dynamics can’t really get a break. Their potential Marvel’s Avengers DLC line-up gets leaked during the Beta with around 16 characters revealed. Just yesterday, their War Machine design leaked online. We thought that might be it until the next major update by the developers. Well, looks like we were wrong as one more character has been leaked. Sadly, it isn’t as detailed as War Machine was but it does offer a glimpse of what a major upcoming character will look like. The Twitter user @Jleffel22 was so kind to share with us two images that tease what Black Panther will look like in the game. They’ve started circulating recently without a specific source being named.

    There is not much to go by with these images. They are very small but it is easy to make out that it is Black Panther. The ears and eye design are a dead-giveaway. Still, it was hard to say if this was actually official from the game. Well, that changed pretty quickly as this leak has been confirmed by @mmmmmmmmiller. This user is the one who originally released the image that featured War Machine and many other smaller leaks.

    https://twitter.com/mmmmmmmmiller/status/1310009260961656832

    Black Panther was originally going to be revealed in the last War Table. Crystal Dynamics chose to postpone this reveal in honor of Chadwick Boseman‘s tragic passing. So, we were expecting our first look with the release of the next one that will include a roadmap for the game. Interestingly to note, a while back Miller also released an image of what Wakanda might look like in-game. He pointed to it being the first big addition that will feature a variety of new missions and a raid. That raid would lead your Avengers team into the Vibranium mines to fight Klaue. We cannot wait for the official reveal of what is to come.

    Source: Twitter (Leak), Twitter (Confirmation)

  • First Look at ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ War Machine Leaked

    First Look at ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ War Machine Leaked

    Marvel’s Avengers had a rough start but finally was able to clean out most of the major bugs. Sadly, this is a standard release for games of this kind. Still, we are not here to rest on the past but look at what the future may bring for this new gaming franchise. During the last War Table, Crystal Dynamics promised the reveal of a roadmap for their content. Sadly, we are still waiting for the official reveal as the developer focused on bugs and Quality-of-Life improvements. There was one glimmer of hope in the form of data miner @mmmmmmmmiller who shared a first look at the upcoming Wakanda expansion. Now, he went all out to give one more major reveal in the form of the War Machine design.

    https://twitter.com/mmmmmmmmiller/status/1309659441789374464

    That is a beautiful design for Rhodey’s armor. War Machine is a heavier tank than Iron Man so they hopefully will lean into that fact. His ultimate might most likely be a barrage that we have seen in the films. It will be interesting to see how much he differs from the existing character. The inclusion of these echo characters is most likely so they can keep the meta alive in the game while two players can play a variant of the same character. He will also come with his own set of missions and a continuation of the existing storyline. We will see if they reveal him as part of the road map, as theories are he won’t be added until 2021. Still, it is great to have a hint at what is to come in this ever-expanding game.

    Miller did also share some smaller tidbits in the form of audio files. He seemed to share files that confirmed that they already recorded reactions of Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Winter Soldier. There is one that he hasn’t revealed that seems to sound like what could be Vision. Yet, it also uses the word “win” which could potentially hint at some kind of PVP mode coming to the game. In my last journal entry, I stated that the game is a bit barebones. So, all we really need is more content with new mission types, environments, and loot to offer some more variety to the game. These service games can become an exciting prospect once it gets starting and we hopefully will get the reveal soon.

    Source: Twitter

  • Sega Developing Live-Action ‘Yakuza’ Film

    Sega Developing Live-Action ‘Yakuza’ Film

    Sega has become synonymous with their Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. It has become their tentpole franchise even as the game’s quality has not been consistent. The character is so popular he got his own film back in February. While it didn’t have much competition, the film was a big hit and Sega is looking into future ventures on the silver screen. There is one franchise that is perfect for a live-action adaptation and that is Yakuza. In Japan, the series is better known as Ryū ga Gotoku, which means Like a Dragon.

    The 2005 franchise consists of seven main titles with various spin-offs. It follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu, a small-time member of the Dojima family. He takes the fall for the murder of the family’s patriarch and lands in prison for 10 years. 1212 Entertainment and Wild Sheep will be developing the live-action adaptation. They gave the following statement on the film’s production.

    Yakuza offers us a new playground in which to set compelling stories with complex characters in a unique environment that audiences have rarely seen before. The saga of Kazuma Kiryu has a built-in cinematic appeal – a mix of kinetic action with bursts of comedy, multiple converging storylines, and a gripping journey towards redemption.

    It makes sense with the franchise becoming a bestselling hit worldwide. Erik Barmack, Roberto Grande, and Joshua Long are attached as producers. Barmack pointed out that they will make use of their background in global storytelling. You can’t make a film about Yakuza without filming it in Japan to bring Kamurocho to life. The location is a fictionalized version of the real-world’s Kabukichō in Tokyo. It will be interesting to see who they attach as director. The franchise has its roots in Yakuza gang. dramas. The Outrage series could be a big influence on the film. It would be a dream if they get Takeshi Kitano involved with the project, who just finished the Outrage trilogy a few years ago.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Nier Reincarnation’ Mobile Game Confirmed for Western Release

    ‘Nier Reincarnation’ Mobile Game Confirmed for Western Release

    2020’s Tokyo Gameshow kicked off with some showcases. We finally got a first look at the upcoming Nier Replicant remake. That isn’t all the Nier content we got. They also showcased the mobile game Nier Reincarnation. They finished out the closed Beta that showcased the game’s stunning 3D graphics and soundtrack. If there is anything this franchise will always be remembered for it is the memorable music by Keiichi Okabe. Now, we were just wondering if a Western release date would finally be revealed alongside Replicant. Sadly, no official release date for now but they did finally confirm that a Western release is coming. The event also included a short teaser.

    The game does look stunning. I do wish this was released on consoles but it does seem like a lot of work was put into the mobile version. The short video teased quite a few unknown characters. There was a quick banter between the creators with a joke on them skipping on Okabe‘s amazing music. The mobile game will feature different gaming styles. There are 3D sections where you explore an unknown world. They have also included 2D storybook sections that flesh out the story alongside turn-based battles. I mean, who could say no to more Nier?

    Source: YouTube

  • ‘Nier Replicant’ Remake Release Date Revealed

    ‘Nier Replicant’ Remake Release Date Revealed

    The time has finally come, Toyko GAmeshow 2020 has finally started. As the pandemic has made things a bit complicated, the event is now digital-only. The best part, they kickstarted the event with one of my personal favorite franchises Nier. Yoko Taro created an entire franchise based on a joke ending from Drakengard. The series truly took off after the release of Nier Automata. Most were introduced to the series through the loosely-connected sequel. The original Nier Replicant was split up into two distinct games based on their localization. While Japan had a young brother protecting his sister as the protagonist, the Western release switched it by making him her father. A remake of the Replicant variant was revealed and we were waiting for an official release date.

    In a small teaser with the wonderful music of the franchise, we finally got the release date. The remake is set to release on 23rd April next year. In the reveal, they confirmed this is the European and North American release with Japan getting it a day early. Players will finally get the chance to try out. They also revealed that the cover artwork will be different between localizations. Kauma Koda did the artwork for the Western release of the game. Yoshida‘s Japanese cover will also be included as a flip cover. Of course, they’ll also release a special collectors edition that even includes the voice over script. This was currently only confirmed for Japan so it is uncertain if this will be translated. As a huge fan of the franchise, I sadly also missed out on actually playing the game so I cannot wait for April.

    Source: YouTube, Twitter

  • First Look at ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Wakanda Location Leaked

    First Look at ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Wakanda Location Leaked

    Marvel’s Avengers had a rough start. Yet, I still believe the foundation is promising. Bugs have been an issue that the team has been actively working on. They were transparent about the issues they fixed with their last patch. Sadly, 1,000 bugs isn’t a great thing to hear but they could’ve just hidden it as well. Crystal Dynamics is working on the game’s current core issues. Yet, they are also developing the next DLC update.

    We know that we will be getting Kate Bishop in October followed by Hawkeye. The last War Table did reveal that originally Black Panther was going to be included but due to the tragic circumstances they decided to skip. So, we are waiting to get an idea of what else is heading our way. They promised a roadmap later down the line. It’s been a few weeks since launch and we’re still waiting. Well, that was until now. A Twitter user that goes by @mmmmmmmmmiller started sharing information from the game. The user started sharing an image that he proclaimed is part of the upcoming Wakanda update.

    https://twitter.com/mmmmmmmmiller/status/1307517400246616069

    The image doesn’t scream Wakanda at first sight which had me skeptical. It includes that the mining facility for Vibranium is in the background. It’s just a bit more industrial rather than the futuristic look we get in the MCU’s Black Panther. The theory is that there are two distinct areas known as Borderland and Jungle. A raid will take place in the mining facility. Players will get to fight Klaue. Sadly, no information if Wakanda would include its own Outpost.

    I tried to research if there was any other image that would match but couldn’t find anything. It’s not an in-game model so I wondered if the game used artwork assets in the game. The Chimera Outpost seems to use artwork from the Helicarrier which could give this some credibility. The game uses a mix of artwork and in-game stills which makes it a bit confusing.

     

     

    So, I wanted to see what else would be shared to see if anything else would match what we know so far. We got a good look at a Black Panther emblem. This seems to be similar to the 3D model we saw during the last War Table’s tease. The person shared the names of the various suits that leaked shortly after the Beta ended for Kate Bishop. They also point out the character will have two distinctive challenge cards. One will be free and another premium. It would make sense to give people access to some content and then adding a paid layer instead of locking all costumes behind a paywall. If this is true, it is great to see some new locations added to the game. I do hope that the city of Wakanda is also included in a future update and not just the forest. There is a chance that assets are changed later on but it’s a glimmer of what’s to come.

    Source: Twitter