STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions is just that! Massively co-operative and not an MMO! When you first run the game you are instantly into the tutorial...
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What a meow-gnificent evening it is to send your paw-rcels out to those family and friends! Are mew looking to pick up an item or send something out? Well at Cat Mail Co. we can send and receive all your deliveries!
Have you ever grown up feeling like you don't belong? For our Heroine, that's the feeling she lives with everyday in her small farming village. But it's not her only secret...
Today we’re looking at what has rapidly become an absolute favorite in the open-world RPG genre for me. An interesting story, memorable NPCs, stunning visuals, and a setting absolutely dripping with flavor, Dread Delusion sets its tone immediately and sticks with it.
I enjoy simulation-type games, and I enjoyed the original release of House Flipper, but I never got around to getting the DLC. When the remastered version of the game was released, I figured it would be the best way to experience the DLC while checking out how the base game was upgraded.
GranBlue Fantasy: ReLink released in 2024 bringing the GranBlue universe to an action adventure JRPG format. With a party of up to four members, this band of skyfarers set out for new skies, adventures, and dangers. Two years later, Endless Ragnarok...
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Net.Attack() is dangerously fun. From thinking that I could dip my toe into the tutorial during a lunch break to having put more hours into the game on my first day with it than I did my full-time job, Net.Attack() smoothly pulled me into a ‘just one more level’ mindset.
Erenshor, the breakout single-player “simulated MMORPG” from solo developer Burgee Media, is preparing its biggest content update yet. Launching this summer, the new Raids Update introduces large-scale endgame raid content, bringing players face-to-face with deadly bosses, new progression systems, and the chaotic social energy of old-school MMORPG raiding - all without needing a real online party.
The update was recently spotlighted by PC Gamer, which highlighted the game’s uniquely nostalgic approach to MMO culture through its hand-coded AI-driven “SimPlayers” - persistent NPC adventurers who level, loot, socialize, and now raid alongside the player.
The upcoming Raids Update will add four full raids with more than 20 raid bosses at launch, pushing players and their SimPlayer allies into Erenshor’s most dangerous encounters yet. Players will need to build groups, manage mechanics, and survive large-scale battles inspired by the golden era of MMORPG raiding. According to community discussion surrounding the reveal, the update aims to recreate not only the triumphs of classic raid progression, but also the unpredictable personalities and drama that made early online RPG communities memorable.
Originally released into Early Access in 2025, Erenshor quickly gained attention for its unusual concept: a fully single-player RPG designed to simulate the feeling of playing an MMORPG server populated with other “players.” These SimPlayers independently level up, obtain gear, join guilds, chat with each other, and form relationships with the player over time.
Inspired heavily by classics like EverQuest, Erenshor focuses on slow progression, dangerous exploration, meaningful loot, and cooperative-style gameplay without the scheduling pressures of traditional MMOs. The game currently holds a “Very Positive” user rating on Steam, with players praising its nostalgic design philosophy and relaxing solo-friendly structure.
The new raid content marks a major milestone in Erenshor’s Early Access roadmap as the game continues expanding toward its eventual 1.0 launch. Additional details about raid systems, rewards, and future endgame features are expected closer to release.
Players can wishlist or purchase Erenshor now on Steam.
Released on April 14th, 2025, Erenshor reimagines the MMO experience as a fully offline adventure. The world is populated with hand-coded “simplayers” who level up, from parties, trade, and explore - just like real players would. Forge your own path in a persistent, ever-evolving world that captures the magic of classic MMORPGs without requiring an internet connection.
Persistent, simulated MMO world
Hand-coded simulated players with evolving behaviors
A milestone for the acclaimed “simulated MMORPG” that lets players explore classic MMO gameplay - on their own schedule.
❓WHAT’S THE NEWS?
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Erenshor’s Early Access launch on Steam. Brian, the solo developer behind Erenshor, shares some history on the development of the game and his personal reasons for deciding to steer the “MMO experience” exclusively towards the single-player direction.
Since launch, Erenshor has developed into a distinctive single-player “simulated MMORPG,” shaped heavily by its community. The developer credits players’ ongoing support, feedback, and enthusiasm as key factors in the game’s evolution and continued development over the past year.
In a Steam anniversary write-up, Burgee Media reflects on the journey, thanking players for helping make Erenshor what it is today and emphasizing appreciation for the community’s role in its success.
🚧WHAT’S NEXT
Looking ahead, the dev confirms that raid content is in development, with additional reveals planned soon as the next major step in Erenshor’s roadmap.
🔑KEY HIGHLIGHTS
One-year anniversary of Early Access launch
Developer Steam Newshub post reflects on development and thanks the community
Community credited for shaping the game’s development direction
Raid content confirmed as next major feature, already far along in development
Additional reveals teased for upcoming announcements
🗨️DEVELOPER QUOTE
“Today is the one year anniversary of Erenshor's launch into early access! It's truly been a crazy year, and I can't wait to show you guys what's coming next. (Hint, it's raids, and there's gonna be some reveals soon!) You guys are awesome, the things you do to support the game have helped make Erenshor into what it is today and I appreciate you all. Thank you all for the past year, and here’s to the next one!”
New York, January, 2025 | Erenshor, the single-player simulated MMORPG from indie developer Burgee Media, will receive a substantial v0.3 update February 2nd, titled “Rising Shadows,” expanding core social systems, introducing a brand-new player hub feature called the Reliquary, adds an entirely new playable class, and delivers a wide range of quality of life improvements driven by community feedback.
The goal of v0.3 is to continue to set the stage for raid content, as well as implement widely requested features from the Erenshor playerbase.
The “Rising Shadows” update is detailed in a brand new trailer and represents one of Erenshor’s most meaningful system expansions to date.
Players will be able to create and join guilds, adding a new layer of identity and progression to the world. Guild functionality reinforces Erenshor’s simulated MMO design, allowing players to participate in familiar MMORPG structures without requiring online multiplayer.
The Reaver, a New Playable Class
The Reaver is a diverse melee-based class that introduces a “stance system” to the game, allowing it to fill multiple group roles including tank, DPS, and utility. The Reaver is a void-based knight that gets its power by taking damage, and by using spells that damage itself. It introduces new spell mechanics including a line of ‘fear’ spells, mutual damage spells, and spells to trade its own HP for Mana.
Introducing the Reliquary
A major highlight of the update is the debut of the Reliquary, a customizable personal space that functions as a player-controlled base. The Reliquary can be decorated and enhanced using found, crafted, and quest-earned statues, shrines, buffs, and other objects, giving players long-term progression and personalization goals.
The Reliquary also serves as a powerful travel and utility hub:
Players can store and interact with portal runes within the Reliquary
Players can teleport to the Reliquary and return directly to their original location, enabling seamless exploration and reduced downtime
Players can find and host auction houses, shops, banks, and more within their own reliquaries.
Players can summon their entire guild, or select friends to their reliquary to allow for easy group setup
Reliquaries are “account wide” so earning it once benefits all of your alt characters.
Improved SimPlayer Interaction
SimPlayers - Erenshor’s AI-driven stand-ins for traditional MMO players - now feature expanded dialogue options. Players can ask SimPlayers for:
Item locations
NPC locations
General tutorial guidance
These improvements make the world feel more responsive while helping new and returning players navigate the game more naturally.
For the first time, Game Masters (GMs) will exist within Erenshor. GMs will actively communicate with players and ask them to follow in-game rules, further reinforcing the illusion of a living MMORPG environment. If you disregard the GMs and continue to break the rules, well… you might find yourself behind bars.
Extensive Quality-of-Life Improvements
Alongside these major features, the “Rising Shadows” update includes numerous QoL enhancements, refining usability, clarity, and overall flow across systems as part of Erenshor’s ongoing Early Access development.
ABOUT Erenshor
Erenshor is a single-player RPG designed to replicate the feel of a classic MMORPG without requiring online multiplayer. The game features a persistent world populated by SimPlayers, AI driven characters that adventure, level, and interact alongside the player, allowing fans of traditional MMOs to enjoy the experience entirely at their own pace.
October 29th, 2025 | Today's presser is going to be a little bit different as I, like many others, are upset about a massive announcement that dropped yesterday (October 28th, 2025). This piece is going to be an update to a game and the previously mentioned announcement that has a ton of the gaming world reeling.
You may be familiar with Amazon Game Studios releasing New World back in 2021 with some decent success, especially after their first foray into game development flopped with Crucible in 2020. New World had some big shoes to fill because if Amazon Games released a second game in such a terrible state that it shut down just as quickly as the first, they might not ever continue in the gaming space (for which, you can have whatever opinion you will about whether that is considered a good thing or not.)
I personally have over 200 hours in New World because I liked the different take on the MMO genre. Unlike most games where you simply press a button to attack and dodge, New World requires you to parry and block. It also had some cool solo challenges and leveling your mount through timed tests. You could even customize your individual game style by using pretty much any weapon you wished and for your mount, you could equip different charms to boost its speed on the road or off road or regenerate your stamina faster. The game certainly didn't change MMO as a genre but it did have some different aspects that were unique.
Anyways, Amazon underwent a massive number of layoffs which not only hit Twitch staff, but also support for New World. This prompted the following announcement:
Hamza: Music is a constant in my life. My interest in other mediums come and go,
but my deep interest in music remains. I don’t often finish a video game
100%, but I make it a point to go through its soundtrack at-least once.
About half the songs on my Spotify playlist are tunes from video games; the
numerous articles I’ve written for our Memorable Music in Gaming
series is testament to that.
To me memorable music is just that: memorable, within or without context.
It makes you smile when you hear it elsewhere, i.e., the Fallout 3 theme in
that ONE
scene from the 2024 Fallout TV series. I know I’m talking about the same
property in two different mediums… but wow, that moment was a kick in the
head. The second Lucy unfurled the NCR flag and the theme kicked in, I got
crazy goosebumps.
For this entry you’ll find a lot of love for RPG and RTS soundtracks from
my colleagues, which is completely justifiable. They are, after all, crucial
in maintaining the precise mood for the next 100+ hours you’ll be spending
traveling in those fantastical, sprawling worlds. For my entry I’ll go a
rather different route and talk about a genre I’m most familiar with: the
humble point and click genre.
Most of the games that fall under this genre have an otherworldly,
dreamlike quality to them. They stand out like intellectual conversations
and good dreams. Who can forget the hypnotic soundtrack of the original 1993
Myst, especially the Main Theme
and Selenitic Mystgate Theme? They’re at-once an open palm invitation to an unforgettable experience.
The sleepy and ethereal Valadilene Theme
from 2002’s Syberia is as pretty as the cursive, handwritten logo of the
game. The very underrated 1996 Gene Machine also has a commendable soundtrack, including this catchy England Theme.
Discworld Noir. Gabriel Knight. Oxenfree. Monkey Island. Beneath a Steel
Sky. They all carry with them excellent music, but if I had to cut this
admittedly long preamble short and cut to the chase, I’d go with Broken
Sword: Shadow of the Templars.
The original Broken Sword is my all-time favorite video game. This is about as flawless a video game can be, every aspect a fabulous diamond facet. Two pieces of dialogue - “I was being indifferent” and “What I say and what I know are two different things” - are part of my daily conversation.
Talking about the soundtrack, it is the ne plus ultra of the point and click genre. Calling an album 100% perfect is dubious, but there exist a few contenders: X-Ray Spec’s Germfree Adolescents, The Velvet Underground & Nico, and Barrington Pheloung’s Broken Sword soundtrack.
The main theme is a wonderful work of art. I swear I automatically start doing a mental flyby of all the major locations in the game, from Paris to Ireland to Spain to Syria to the UK. It is a wonderful start to a brilliant adventure. The diegetic Hotel Ubu theme makes this one-off location arguably the most memorable from the game. This is something Hitchcock would be proud of.
It would be most remiss of me if I didn’t mention all the tracks associated with Nico. Whenever you visit Rue Jarry - a major location where Nico lives - a short scherzo plays upon your arrival every time. When I played the game for the first time back in 2013, these 30 seconds had me convinced that this game and this soundtrack are the finest in the industry. When you enter Nico’s apartment, her theme is a literal breeze of fresh, autumn air. The sophisticated, dulcet tone captures Nico perfectly. Another major theme that plays is when you open the manuscript on her table, aptly named Conspiracy of the Neo-Templars. The hollow, foreboding sounding notes only add to the conspiratorial nature of the discovery.
I think you get the picture by now of how much I love this soundtrack. Every track is a winner, within or without context. Do yourself a favor and play this game NOW!
Nick:
I could easily spend an hour or more just writing about several of my
favorite gaming soundtracks. The old school Bioware Dungeons & Dragons
games (especially Neverwinter Nights), the techno feel of the Mass Effect
series, almost anything from The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy titles - but
I have to narrow it down to just one. As such? I’m going to pull from that
last series I mentioned, Final Fantasy X.
More than two decades later, that’s my favorite Final Fantasy title for a
variety of reasons. I think it has the best combination of story,
characters, side content, combat, progression and of course, music. This is
one of the only video games I have on vinyl record (and it looks and sounds
amazing in this format):
As hard as it was trying to pick a favorite soundtrack? It’s just as hard
for me to settle on a favorite song from this one. Whether it is
Otherworld’s hard rocking introduction to the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWYwmM23Sqs
(which is to this day in my rock music feeds) or the more soulful To
Zanarkand piano piece, there’s dozens of songs that have an emotional impact
on me as soon as I hear them.
Susan: This could really be its own article because I tend to be long winded but
also because I love music. Music defines everything for me. So picking just
one favorite gaming soundtrack isn’t the easiest decision to make, and yet
there can really only be one. While one could argue that I love the Life is
Strange soundtrack the most because I’ve often talked about the music used
in the games, only one song truly gets to me. The one soundtrack that will
always live rent free in my head is Final Fantasy VIII.
Firstly, it should be noted that everything that Nobou Uematesu touches
turns to gold. And looking at this brilliant soundtrack, there are multiple
songs that I absolutely adore. Starting from the top is the famous Liberi Fatali
which was used as a backdrop song to many TTRPG sessions. It’s perfect for
combat music as it builds nicely and keeps a good enough tempo to feel like
you’re in an epic showdown. Another song that I love is Balamb Garden
which soothes your ears while you wander through the streets of Balamb.
Later down the list is Find Your Way
which keeps you on your guard while you adventure in areas that can spawn
random encounters. It’s both a haunting and beautiful piece that can be used
as a backdrop to several gaming situations.
One of the songs that always gets to me is The Landing. There is something about the song that begins with a simple heartbeat. It
adds a subtle baseline to the track while the brass instruments quietly
crescendo. Finally, it builds to a quick paced song that lights a fire under
your butt. Along those same lines, The Man with the Machine Gun
can’t be missed. It’s a track that forces you to keep your eyes on the
prize. Besides, who could resist the charm of this song? Also, in keeping
with the urgency, I love Only a Plank Between One and Perdition.
Sorceress Edea’s Parade stands out in my mind because of Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec. This is partly because it took a while to get the name of the song down.
It also lives rent free in my head because of a particularly brutal step
chart in In the Groove. (I think I’ve only passed it once or twice. PAIN.)
Needless to say, this track is incredibly memorable.
Many of the Chocobo songs are some of the most amusing tracks in history.
Although, there is one absolutely GARBAGE version of the Chocobo song found
in FF7 Remake that needs to be yeeted into the sun, but otherwise, most of
the Chocobo songs can do no wrong. In specific, the playful sound of Odeka Ke Chocobo
is great (albeit dated), and I love it.
Finally, I can’t end my section without talking about Eyes on Me sung by Faye Wong. Combined with the beautiful dancing between Rinoa and Squall, this song
really hits me hard. The memories associated with it are both endearing and
painful. That said, Faye’s soft voice as she sings the perfectly apt lyrics
are nothing short of breathtaking. It honestly makes me tear up when I hear
it. But this song doesn’t hit me just because of Rinoa and Squall, it makes
the entire soundtrack memorable because Final Fantasy 8 was the first game
in the series that actually grabbed my attention. I’m not sure if it was
because of the in-game events or the characters in particular, but Final
Fantasy 8’s soundtrack is my favorite.
Richard: Picking a favorite or most memorable soundtrack? Man, sometimes that’s
harder than a super hard bonus boss. When asked about some memorable pieces,
I usually end up with a list of at least twenty different tracks. To me,
music is a very important part of both my life, and my gaming experience. To
someone who plays multiple instruments, a game’s soundtrack can absolutely
ruin an experience if done poorly. On the other hand, if done well I find it
can turn a mediocre game into a good game for me.
So what would be the most memorable? Is it something from my early years of
gaming, such as Promised Pain
from Xenosaga III? Maybe the Man-eating Music Box
tune from Trapt? Do we also have any of the BossThemesfrom
Legend of Dragoon? Maybe some of the radio tracks from Cruisin’ USA, or the
character themes from Vigilante 8? These are all good tracks, but are they
the most memorable? Maybe, but there are others that are more memorable for
me at least.
It isn’t always the best songs that are the most memorable, but they do
certainly make an impact. Tracks like Edge of Green
from Radiant Historia certainly made a hell of an impact on me with just how
much I felt the impact of the song. Other tracks will hit you in the feels,
such as Moonlight
from Iconoclasts. That was a track that when played gave me one hell of a
gut punch. Or who could forget other classics such as the DK Rap
or Gangplank Galleon? Both are classics that most people won’t forget very easily. Say what you
want, I think these are more memorable to me in the Donkey Kong series than
the Stickerbush Symphony is.
Rather than that though, the songs that made the biggest impact on me
probably boil down to three, if we exclude the Final Fantasy series that my
colleagues have already sifted through. So, what is the most memorable for
me? What had the biggest impact? Well, let’s start with the third place: Star Wolf’s theme
from Starfox 64. This song was the boss theme of the first boss that ever
gave me serious trouble in a game. No, I don’t mean the first encounter, the
second “hidden” encounter where you have the revenge match? As a kid, that
fight was nearly impossible for me, so this song has stuck around a lot
because of that. Second up we have Atrocious Raid
from Trails of Cold Steel. This was one of the hardest cold opens I’ve seen
in a game in quite a while, and it opened with this track. It certainly pops
into my head every so often.
So what’s the most memorable track for me? Well, that would belong to the
first game I ever did 100% in. Or, maybe it would be 120%? Some of you
probably instantly guessed the game, but the track I’d have to choose is the credit’s theme from Spyro the Dragon. Perhaps you may think this is a weird pick for me, given my penchant for
boss and battle themes, but this is the track that’s most ingrained in my
childhood memories. A track that plays after completing one of my favorite
games, the one that kickstarted my 100% completion OCD, and the track that I
felt really wrapped up the game at the end. Listening to this as you get a
flyby through all the world’s you’ve visited while seeing the credits go by,
a sense that you’ve finally finished your journey and are headed home, but
still retaining that sense of adventure. The original Spyro trilogy had some
great music, but this right here is my most memorable track, and remember:
“No sheep were harmed during the making of this game. A few gnorcs, but no
sheep.”
Pierre-Yves:
Where to start? Nick, Susan and Richard all have solid pieces listed that
easily fit the top 10 to top 20. I find as I get older, and the more I play,
the more I like which makes lists like this that much harder.
Where I really wanted to go is in two directions, or stops along a track if
you will. The first is Xenoblade Chronicles X. Having originally released on
the Wii U where it was almost doomed from the start because of the lack of
console sales due to bad marketing, this was one JRPG that should not have
been missed. The opening of Uncontrollable (YouTube)
held so much emotion as we, the people of Earth, abandoned the planet in an
attempt to not be wiped out by an alien race.
Making it to another inhabitable planet, it wasn't all sunshine and
rainbows. If humanity wanted to survive? It had to fight both the alien
forces that followed and the often hostile wildlife. This is where Black Tar (YouTube)
comes in. Two parts. Heavy guitar. Solid drums. Rap like lyrics and rhythm,
it works. It works so well. And then it doubles down on a tone shift halfway
through. And this is just the normal battle music!!
The last stop for me on this musical train is Trails of Cold Steel 4.
Whether it be from the Trails series or the Ys series, the Falcom Sound Team
are incredible and this was very apparent in the Cold Steel subseries and
finale.
Merging various styles, there are three tracks in Cold Steel IV that I have
yet to stop listening to. Starting off with Synchronicity (YouTube), you have a Techno or EDM beat that opens up the last entry as you explore
the Geofront under the independent city state of Crossbell. It's light, it's
fun, it helps drop you back into the mix after the very heavy and
tear-inducing conclusion of Cold Steel III.
To the Future (YouTube)
continues this trend but adds in a bit more orchestra keeping with the
upwards trend that not everything is lost, there's still hope in continuing
the fight. I won't lie that because these two tracks were designed for
continuous play, they have often been on repeat one after the
other.
But the title to take it all is the Cold Steel IV rendition of The Atrocious Raid (YouTube). Richard mentioned this above, yes, and while the cold open of Cold Steel
and its more arranged version are often in my shuffle and my playlists, this
last version’s rework just hit all of the notes and the feels. Like its
original, once this track starts up, all of the emotions and dramatic
tensions rise up making this not only the best part of Cold Steel IV, but of
the series and my playlists.
There is rarely a time where I'll think to myself, not now. There is always
time for this track.
Hayden: I see a lot of RPG love here, so I’m going to go with a different
direction. While the genre has arguably fallen away from the limelight a
bit, RTS games are what I cut my teeth on and there’s a few gems in there
that I think will be instantly recognizable to many people. First and
foremost, I give you Hell March (YouTube)
by Frank Klepacki, from Command & Conquer Red Alert. The opening to this
one with the hugely distinct sound of military drill makes it hard to
confuse with anything else, and Red Alert really made a big impact at the
time of its release.
Marching on from there, there is the music that
launched a behemoth of a franchise - the first Human track from Warcraft 2 (YouTube). While not a technical tour de force like some of the epic tracks
underpinning the JRPGs, this is music that you’ll hear the themes from
reflected in later Warcraft titles and expansions, culminating in the
behemoth of World of Warcraft that reshaped the MMORPG world and still
echoes through almost 30 years after release.
Out of the RTS genre, I suppose it's time to build upwards with SimCity
3000! The energetic sound of Sim Broadway (YouTube)
by Jerry Martin is iconic for builders, but really the whole soundtrack (YouTube)
here is full of gems and little audio licks that will make players smile and
reminisce. Finally, I would be remiss to skip over Baba Yetu (YouTube)
by Christopher Tin. This one at least really stands up to the best of what
the JRPGs and really anything else in gaming has in terms of scope and
impact, and rightfully drives Civilization IV players forward through the
ages.
While RPG’s have already gotten a lot of love in here, there’s two that I
have to put forward as iconic. First, Dragonborn (YouTube)
by Jeremy Soule is the sound that defines Skyrim for me. The sweeping,
uplifting feel of this one really gives you a sense of scale and power to
the setting that captures the feel of the Elder Scrolls series, and keeps
being replicated on platform after platform. (Has it been ported to a smart
fridge yet? If not, expect it soon!) Also from Bethesda, the main theme from Fallout 4 (YouTube)
will apparently always live rent-free in my head. Something about the way
the first heavy chords hit always brings me back to the setting, the sun
rising above scorched cities and twisted, barren forests. For all the shade
that Bethesda gets for bugs and glitches in their games, I’ve frequently
found their soundtracks to be rock solid, and that’s a huge boost for me as
a player when I'm trying to get immersed into a game world.
Valerie:
Atmosphere. That's what music in gaming, theatre, movies and even your own
little worlds like home bring to my game playing and my life. Memorable music that leads
me along like the carrot in front of the rabbit. It pulls at your heart
strings, your tear ducts, heck even your muscles! That's what these tracks
do for me on all counts. Like everyone else who's contributed to this
article, I too, cannot, I just CAN'T choose just one! I can't even narrow it
down to one series either as I have played quite the range!
To start off my contribution I'm currently listening to a mix of Halo game
music tracks. There are quite a few good playlists around, but my two all
time fave tracks are: Spirit of Fire and The Scorpion Theme. The track
labeled Peril comes in third. The use of the full orchestra brings back
memories of me during the years that I was learning to play a few
instruments and my love of classical music. Those full orchestral sequences
can garner a laugh if I am watching reruns of M.A.S.H where Charles Emmerson
Winchester the third is nodding his head in time with the music and that
ferocious face at the percussion sequence! Man, what game was I playing that
that scene just bust giggles out of me that I lost the boss fight? I can't
remember, but man oh man, *funny!*.
Another of the many game series in my list is The Legend of Zelda. I had
come across a particular piece called Ballad of the Goddess where I could
feel the power of that mighty goddess. There is also a track called Molgera
Battle with its use of percussion and pipes that are really really catchy. A
good seat bouncer I shall call it like Towards the Pantheon battle track (Youtube). I actually get up and dance to that tune.
Music composed by Chris Perkins in Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen can elicit
awe and wonder as I start a new quest. It’s the feel of the ambience around
me as I walk the forest trail. The track that I am referring to is called 'Terminus' (Soundcloud). Even right down to the beginning of the game where the menu pops up I
have felt that sense of wonder. When I played Sands of Aura, the Main Menu Theme (Youtube)
literally drew me in and ignited my imagination as I chose my character
features and started the game.
With nods to my colleagues here, I am definitely an RPG player with
playtime bursts into FPS (think Unreal Tournament), sandbox builder games like Satisfactory, Space Engineers, and the MMOs
Guild Wars 1 & 2. Add in RTS of Starcraft II and I think I’m a pretty
rounded gamer. I’m not fantastic at the games, but I really do enjoy playing
them. As I play, the immersion with the music in each game coaxes me into
finding that next treasure, that forgotten cave, or the village where one
can rest until the next quest makes itself known.
I just want to say, with nods to Susan N. above, that a couple of tracks
that I play when I am gaming are from two games she also plays: Unreal &
Age of Wonders: Planetfall. Back when I was investigating how much it would
cost me to get electronic music equipment I was hooked because of my love of
the Unreal tracks. When Susan N. did the review for Age of Wonders:
Planetfall, bells rang again in the discovery that the same composer from
Unreal did the soundtrack for AOWP!! You can hear the soundtrack teaser trailer here
in her review. Thank you Michiel van den Bos!
So, when I say I can't choose just one favorite, you can see why above with
all that variety and tracks to feast upon! I will say though, that Nobuo
Uematsu is a favorite composer and I'll leave you in battle with the One Winged Angel (Youtube).
Two-month content update Destiny 2: Into the Light also launches today
Yesterday, during The Final Shape Developer Gameplay Preview, Bungie revealed the latest information on the development of
The Final Shape and hinted at what's coming next for Destiny 2.
On June 4, Guardians will finally enter The Pale Heart of the Traveler
to chase after the Witness, wielding new powers to take on the ultimate
enemy. The Developer Gameplay
Preview also showed off the Prismatic Subclass—which combines the
powers of the Light and Darkness—as well as the first-ever Exotic class
items in
Destiny 2 and the Dread, the Witness’s new enemy faction.
Alongside the three new Light Supers previously announced, Guardians
will wield the Light and Darkness together for the first time to unleash
the Prismatic subclass. This subclass introduces new options to enhance
and customize each playstyle with the combination
of multiple element types. Also, each class will get a unique grenade
that combines multiple subclass elements: Warlocks will have
Stasis/Void, Titans will have Strand/Arc, and Hunters will have
Solar/Stasis.
Players will be able to equip an Exotic class item, meaning Hunter’s
cloaks, Titan’s marks, and Warlock’s bonds will have Exotic-level perks
for the first time. These perks will be randomized, taking two features
from existing Exotic class items (even some
belonging to other classes) to enhance the Guardian’s ability to
customize their gameplay.
The Witness is in full force in The Final Shape, introducing
the Dread faction, a fierce group of combatants with new abilities to
shake up the fight. In addition to the Tormentor introduced in
Lightfall and the previously revealed Subjugators, the Witness will unleash the new Grim, Husk, Attendant, and Weaver units:
Grim: A highly mobile flying enemy that slows and suppresses a Guardian’s abilities if they get too close.
Husk: An acrobatic melee bruiser that sends a deployable geist enemy toward you unless you hit their weak spot with a final blow.
Attendant and Weaver:
By wielding Stasis and Strand, respectively, these units can instantly
change the flow of the encounter and force Guardians to pay attention to
their positioning on the battlefield.
Destiny 2: Into the Light
is now available to all players at no additional cost. This new
two-month content update issues in a rollout of exciting content,
including the new wave-defense Onslaught activity; iconic fan-favorite
weapons with standard and limited-edition variants; the
new Hall of Champions social space; reprised The Whisper and Zero Hour
Exotic missions; a new raid boss gauntlet called Pantheon; fresh
rewards; and more.
AboutDestiny 2
Destiny 2 is one of the world’s most popular first-person
shooter video games and action MMOs. Developed and published by Bungie —
the iconic studio behind the
Halo franchise and classic titles Myth, Oni, and Marathon
— Destiny 2 tasks players with defending humanity and
exploring the mysteries of the solar system. Players embody Guardians,
who wield powerful elemental abilities. Players can select from multiple
classes, upgrade and swap elemental subclasses,
as well as outfit themselves with a variety of customizable weapons and
gear to suit their aesthetic and playstyle.
Destiny 2
features responsive first-person shooter combat, an engrossing
cinematic story, challenging co-op quests, and a variety of PvP and PvE
modes playable solo or with friends — with cross-platform play also
supported.
Since its launch in 2017, Destiny 2 has received yearly
expansions that progress the story forward, add a wealth of additional
content, and further refine the gameplay experience for its passionate
community of players. Quarterly Seasons introduce
additional objectives and challenges for players to best, including
dungeons and raids that offer powerful rewards.
The Final Shape, the conclusion of Destiny 2's Light and Darkness saga, releases on June 4, 2024.
Destiny 2 is available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S,
PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and Windows PC via Steam, the Epic
Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. For more information, please visit
destinythegame.com.
Mick Graham Ex Crewman with 4th Royal Tank Regiment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mick Graham, a former crew member of the 4th Royal Tank Regiment and a skilled military artist, brings his artistic talents to Steel Aces.
With a deep-rooted background in tanks and military art, Mick offers a
distinctive and genuine perspective to the game's development.
Mick's journey began in 1979 when he joined the regiment, young and
inexperienced. His service continued until 1993, during which he vividly
recalls his first experiences driving a tank and pulling the trigger on
his B3 gunner's course. It's an amusing anecdote that he had a tank
license before he could even drive a car. Through his artwork, Mick aims
to evoke nostalgia, rekindling memories of the distinct scents of
diesel and cordite, the resonating sound of the 120mm firing, and the
striking sight of rounds hitting their targets.
A self-taught artist, Mick has honed his craft over the years, employing
various techniques. One of his original pieces from 1980, proudly
displayed near his art desk, holds immense sentimental value and is not
available for sale. Most of Mick's original works come to life through
acrylic paints on gessoed MDF boards, although he occasionally employs
Gouache or Oil paints for specific pieces.
Mick has also participated in numerous interviews discussing his
experiences during the Cold War, amusing tales of using bog rolls, and
childhood adventures playing on tanks, both as a kid and as an adult.
You can find these interviews on our website.
Prepare to take command of your own tank and dive deep into the annals
of history with Steel Aces, the highly anticipated MMO tactical tank
shooter that's set to redefine the gaming landscape. Developed by
seasoned veterans of the genre, Steel Aces seamlessly combines strategy,
simulation, and historical authenticity to offer gamers an
unprecedented and immersive experience. Initially available on PC
Windows via a standalone launcher in early Q3, the game also holds the
potential for future expansion onto Mac, Linux, and various gaming
consoles.
Unleash Your Inner Tank Commander with Free-To-Play Access:
Steel Aces introduces a Free-To-Play model, granting global players
access to the heart-pounding world of tank warfare. The game features a
balanced monetization approach, offering a diverse range of cosmetic
options, including skins, decals (including NFTs), progression boosters,
and exclusive collector's vehicles. With a multitude of customization
choices, players can tailor their gaming experience while supporting the
continuous development of the game.
Embark on a Historical MMO Tank Adventure:
Setting itself apart from the competition, Steel Aces delivers massive
multiplayer tank battles that traverse various historical eras. From the
trenches of WWI to contemporary war machines, players can engage in
gripping campaigns inspired by real locations and historical events.
Witness history come to life through unforgettable battles such as The
Battle of Cambrai (1917), The Battle of Khalkhin Gol (1939), The Battle
of Arras (1940), and The Battle of Chawinda (1965).
Dynamic Environments Rooted in Historical Context:
Steel Aces meticulously crafts key environments inspired by actual
locations and historical occurrences. While some areas may be fictional,
they remain plausible and engaging, ensuring players are not bogged
down by excessive travel times or unnecessary engine failures during
gameplay.
A Unique Selling Proposition that Exceeds Expectations:
Steel Aces is the culmination of extensive player feedback and insights,
gathered by the experienced developers behind the game. Leveraging
their collective expertise, the team has addressed common genre
challenges, promising a more fulfilling and satisfying gaming
experience. The game retains the core strengths that made tactical
shooters popular in 2013 while introducing changes, additions, and
adjustments that elevate it to new heights.
Key Features That Will Leave Players in Awe:
Steel Aces offers a plethora of features that will captivate players, with these three mechanics taking centre stage:
Advanced Volumetric Armor and Ballistics System:
Immerse yourself in the intensity of tank warfare with a meticulously
designed armor and ballistics system, where different shell types have
distinct effects on diverse armour configurations.
In-Depth Vehicle Knowledge: Master the intricacies
of tanks by understanding armour layouts and interior components,
providing players with a tactical edge on the battlefield.
Immersive Realism: Dive into the world of Steel
Aces with animated small moving parts, lifelike texturing, authentic
engine sounds, explosive visual effects, and genuine crew
communications, creating an unparalleled tank warfare experience.
Steel Aces goes beyond these elements, ensuring players embark on an unparalleled adventure.
Prepare to make history with Steel Aces, the ultimate MMO tactical
battle tank shooter. Engage in epic tank battles, traverse dynamic
environments, and strategize your way to victory.
For more information, please visit https://steelaces.com/.
About Steel Aces: Steel Aces is a groundbreaking MMO
tactical battle tank shooter developed by [Developer Name]. Combining
historical accuracy with simulation and strategy, the game offers
players an unparalleled gaming experience. With gripping campaigns,
diverse environments, and a player-centric design, Steel Aces promises
to redefine the genre.
Explore the neon city of Neomuna and meet the Cloud Striders in this new trailer
January 17th, 2023 | Today, Bungie released an environment trailer providing players with a glimpse of Neptune before Destiny 2: Lightfall launches next month. The trailer shows off the newly discovered metropolis of Neomuna, which is filled with futuristic skyscrapers and neon lights.
The trailer also showcases the scope of Calus’s invasion into Neomuna and depicts Guardians grappling their way through the city using the new Darkness subclass, Strand. Players also get to meet Neomuna’s defenders, the Cloud Striders, as they ask for the Guardian’s help in protecting their people from the attack.
To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, a new Exotic Ghost, Ship, Sparrow, and a festive ornament for the Riskrunner are available in the Eververse store today. Players can also find a red envelope filled with free bright dust waiting for them in the Eververse store, available until the end of January. A new emblem inspired by the Year of the Rabbit is also available to all Guardians by claiming emblem code TNN-DKM-6LG.
Currently in Destiny 2, Season of the Seraph has players working to restore the Warmind, Rasputin, to prepare for what the Witness has in store. Players can still participate in Moments of Triumph until the end of the Season, to honor their achievements over the past year of Destiny 2. Players will soon be able to explore the futuristic metropolis that has been taken over by Calus’s Shadow Legion, when Lightfall launches on February 28, 2023.
About Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is one of the world’s most popular first-person shooter video games and action MMOs. Developed and published by Bungie — the iconic studio behind the Halo franchise and classic titles Myth, Oni, and Marathon — Destiny 2 tasks players with defending humanity and exploring the mysteries of the solar system. Players embody Guardians, who wield powerful elemental abilities. Players can select from multiple classes, upgrade and swap elemental subclasses, as well as outfit themselves with a variety of customizable weapons and gear to suit their aesthetic and playstyle.
Destiny 2 features responsive first-person shooter combat, an engrossing cinematic story, challenging co-op quests, and a variety of PvP and PvE modes playable solo or with friends — with cross-platform play also supported.
Since its launch in 2017, Destiny 2 has received yearly expansions that progress the story forward, add a wealth of additional content, and further refine the gameplay experience for its passionate community of players. Quarterly Seasons introduce additional objectives and challenges for players to best, including dungeons and raids that offer powerful rewards. Lightfall, the upcoming expansion and penultimate chapter of Destiny 2's Light and Darkness saga, releases on February 28, 2023
Destiny 2 is available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Windows PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. For more information, please visit destinythegame.com.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands — November 18, 2022
| Kakao Games and XLGAMES are excited to share the first look at their eagerly
anticipated MMO sequel, ArcheAge 2.
Making its debut at
this year’s G-Star Global Game Exhibition in Busan, South Korea, attendees were
treated to a beautiful cinematic trailer, introducing the next chapter in the
ArcheAge saga, coming soon to PC and consoles.
Capturing what fans
love about the popular MMO, this thrilling first look at its sequel introduces
a bold new adventure as players rediscover Auroria. This vast continent has
been reimagined for a new generation of ArcheAge players; whether by land, air,
or sea, you’ll fight foes - both new and old - as you look to settle within
these untamed lands. Giving fans a tantalizing taste of what’s to come,
ArcheAge veterans will notice plenty of reminiscent nods to the original game.
Following its success,
and relaunching in 2019 as ArcheAge: Unchained, the team at XLGAMES has
promised an ambitious follow-up that is currently expected to launch in 2024.
ArcheAge 2 will evolve and expand the immersive, player-driven sandbox
experience fans have continued to enjoy for almost a decade, with an exciting
new story to tell.
Powered by Unreal
Engine 5, the sequel promises fierce action-packed combat brought to life with
AAA-tier visuals. Beyond battles, XLGAMES is also expanding fan-favorite
features as CEO, Jake Song, explains:
“In ArcheAge 2, we
intend to enhance the trading system so that the players are able to do trade
runs either alone, in teams, or in raids.”
“Another popular
feature of ArcheAge 1 was the housing feature. We plan on improving it by
adding more customizations, allowing players to live in towns with their
friends, and even creating their own towns with their guild members.”
ArcheAge 2 furthers
the legacy of XLGAMES’ original ground-breaking MMORPG, defined by its seamless
sandbox worlds where players can claim their own territory, wage wars, and
directly influence the in-game economy. Since its launch, ArcheAge has amassed
more than 20 million registered users across 64 countries including North
America, Europe, Japan, and China.
ArcheAge is a
highly-lauded MMORPG developed by XLGAMES, featuring deep customization of
skills and experiences across the mystical land of Erenor. Launched in 2013,
ArcheAge has gone on to become a mainstay in the world of MMOs. ArcheAge:
Unchained was released in 2019 for North America/Europe.
About Kakao Games
Founded in 2016, KakaoGames is a leading publisher of online and mobile games, responsible for
releasing titles including Pearl Abyss' Black Desert Online (serviced in North
America and Europe until early 2021), KRAFTON’s PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
(serviced in Korea), MMORPG Elyon, ArcheAge, Survival MOBA Eternal Return
(service in North America, Europe, and Oceania), Kong Studios' Guardian Tales
(serviced in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania), and Moonlight
Sculptor (serviced in North America and Europe).
About XLGAMES
XLGAMES was established in 2003 by Jake Song, the
developer behind the classic MMORPG, Lineage. In 2006, it developed XL1, an
online racing game, and in 2013, the online MMORPG ArcheAge, currently in
service worldwide. In 2019, Moonlight Sculptor was released in Korea, based on
the light novel The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor, successfully reiterated into
a mobile game. Moonlight Sculptor was released globally in 2021. XLGAMES has a
vision of linking the beginning and the end of RPG games, and hopes to achieve
its mission of enriching lives through its games.
Starbase by developer and publisher Frozenbyte—PC preview written by Robert
with a copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Starbase is an incredibly deep and
complex MMO that’s still in the very early stages of development. First
premiered in mid-2019, Starbase generated quite the buzz in various
communities; from traditional MMOs like Eve: Online to voxel-based builders
like Space Engineers to exploratory giants like Elite: Dangerous and No Man’s
Sky, communities were awash in excitement.
With little more than an announcement
trailer to a hair over 2 years later, Starbase released into a technical alpha
/ early beta state on July 29, 2021 to great fanfare. Rooted deep in its
voxel/vertex-based building mechanics and sixdegrees of freedom, Starbase is an exceptionally complex game that runs
the risk of alienating more casual gamers, but incredibly satisfying to those
that muscle through the usual trappings found in very Early Access titles.
In my just-shy of 100 hours of play time,
I’ve run into a bit of duality here- I definitely feel like I still know
precious little about the true depths of customization within Starbase, but on
the other hand … feel like I have a solid grasp of what Frozenbyte is working
to accomplish with Starbase. What I do know with certainty, though, is that
more than many of the other Early Access/technical alphas that I’m a part of, I
am most looking forward to the potential of Starbase. The customizability of
panels to allow for individual thruster control may sound tedious to some, but
to others, can bring about moments of absolute hilarity (too much power or
thrust in one direction and whoosh
there you go, spinning off into space) to frustration in the lack of
maneuverability.
The ground work for something truly
special is certainly there, and the open world, sandbox-style approach
encourages experimentation amidst the honeymoon phase with Starbase- the down
side is that not all features or functions have been fleshed out, or even
created in some cases. Patience is required with Starbase, though I do have to
hand it to Frozenbyte- they are absolutely gobbling up player feedback and are
regularly updating with new features and fixes and are staying relatively true
to their published Starbase roadmap.
While the level of control within
Starbase is deep, interesting, and an entire gameplay loop in its own right,
it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Desync is a regular issue, pop-in is pretty
drastic at times, and boy, Starbase makes my computer hit thermal temps I’ve
not seen sustained on it before- where I normally run between 56-63 degrees on
my CPU under load (Ryzen 9 3900x w/ Kraken X63), and maybe an occasional GPU
spike up to 72-73 degrees, I run fairly constant in Starbase at 70-72 degrees
for the CPU and a worrying 79-81 degrees on my RTX 2080 Super. I imagine that
lesser machines (not that my machine is exceptional by today’s standards) or
those with poor thermals, will see significant chug. As briefly mentioned, the
desync can get bad at times, and is likely a major factor in some of the
performance issues I’ve run into while running Starbase at 1440p; I’ve learned
to spend more time in game during non-peak hours (though that can be tough
these days, given its popularity- always seems to be busy) as the game just
runs smoother. I’m confident though, that in time, Frozenbyte will iron out
those issues by the time it launches out of Early Access.
I have to admit that while gunplay is
still relatively early, the FPS foundations are there, even leading to small
platform-like ships floating around with players on mounted light machine guns
as a sort of … small-scale, space-based technical. It’s actually fairly
ingenious, if a wee-bit dangerous. What shocked me most about combat, though …
was just how raw combat can be. Rounds slamming into ships have a surprisingly
robust sound (one that I love) but when components are hit (like thrusters or
powerplants) there are these absolutely beautiful explosions and chip-damage.
It’s actually mesmorizing, and when you’re freaking out and trying to run about
a ship that’s taking fire, it’s incredibly suspenseful- I am absolutely looking
forward to the continued development in these areas- “atmosphere” in space is
incredibly important and Starbase simply oozes it at times.
On the flipside, though, there are
definitely things I’m looking forward to that really put a damper on things.
Ship-building, for one, is relatively simplistic and often yields ships that
are generally quite “same-y.” Frozenbyte’s definitely acknowledged this in
their various
foums posts and on their roadmap
and are working towards simplifying the process, along with adding new features
and capabilities to make ship and station-building a more enjoyable experience.
Given the number of regular updates that Starbase has received, and the
hyper-active development team mixed with a community that is just brimming with
excitement, I’m eagerly awaiting the next great build- after all, I can’t be
the only one thinking that they could build a to-scale Death Star … right?
Starbase will inevitably be compared to
genre giants like Space Engineers, No Man’s Sky, Elite: Dangerous, Dual Universe, and Star
Citizen, but I found it often felt like a far more mature,
far-reaching, massively-multiplayer version of the criminally-underappreciated
and seemingly unknown Avorion (an indie single-player space-based
voxel-builder) with a healthy dose of Space Engineers thrown in for good
measures. This is not a bad thing- far from it; if anything, I hope we continue
to see titles with the reasonable scope and intensity that we’ve seen out of
the team behind Starbase.
However, where I think Starbase will
differ is in its inherent difficulty- there are an absolute metric ton of
things that you’ll want to learn up on, from best resources to mine for, to
control schemes, to just understanding the universe of Starbase and there’s no
better place to learn than on its Wiki. Trust me when I say this … It’s okay to
feel a bit overwhelmed- Starbase is incredible, if massive in scale, and it can
be a bit much and if you run into the proverbial wall that leaves you
wondering, “okay, what now?” simply ask in game- the community will help you
along the way.
Summary
Even in its early stages, there are
some fantastic bits here and there that constantly bring me back for more- I
was out mining an asteroid, minding my own business in my tiny little starter
ship, in the zone with a good audiobook running in the background and I was
just taking things in when I saw one ship come ripping up, followed by gunfire
and a couple of small ships giving chase. Completely ignored me, for which I’m
thankful- Starbase’s open pvp model has seen the rise in roving bands of
ne’er-do-wells that could lead to destruction of your ship and the loss of your
resources- it’s all a part of the excitement and energy surrounding Starbase.
In fact, there’s something I see daily in Starbase that has long died out in
other massive Early Access/Technical Alphas that I near-religiously follow.
