Another SteamWorld game is on the horizon, as Thunderful has announced SteamWorld Heist 2 is coming very soon. The sequel to the turn-based tactical game will release on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch on August 8.

Like the first installment, SteamWorld Heist 2 stars a ragtag group of Steambots who do battle in narrow, multi-level 2D corridors with a unique ricochet trick-shot mechanic to take out enemies. This time you're led by Captain Leeway and his crewmates. The heroes are looking into a crisis that corrupts the water and corrodes their mechanical limbs. They'll fight against factions like the high-powered (and blinged out) Navy or the cultist Rattlers who have started replacing their mechanical parts with organic bones that won't rust.

SteamWorld Heist 2 will feature an interactive world map that has you exploring the tropical high seas in a submarine-like vessel and coming into encounters with enemy ships, including naval battles with its own equipment to customize. Thunderful told GameSpot that an interactive map was one of the ideas it had originally planned for the first SteamWorld Heist, but it ultimately had to be cut. As in the first, the ship is also your home and upgrade hub.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

TMNT Splintered Fate was released as an exclusive on the Apple Arcade in May 2023. Now, the recent Nintendo Indie World stream has revealed that TMNT Splintered Fate will be receiving a timed console-exclusive Nintendo Switch launch later this year.

TMNT Splintered Fate is an isometric multiplayer game and is also the series' first step into roguelikes. You play as the iconic turtles--Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michaelangelo--on their quest to save Master Splinter, who has been taken by Shredder. Each run is different and will allow you to upgrade the specific abilities of the turtles with each playthrough. Each of the turtles will have different movesets that will aid you on your rift-hopping journey. For example, Donatello has a greater reach of his attacks, while Raphael is savvy in dealing critical damage to enemies.

Turtle Powers allow customization options, such as increased maximum health by choosing the Pizza Box for a run, but Turtle Powers are reset after a run is over. Artifacts, on the other hand, will give you permanent upgrades for stronger impact.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Baldur's Gate 3 was a huge success for developer Larian Studios and Hasbro, the latter of which owns Wizards of the Coast and the Dungeons & Dragons series. Despite that success, Larian is moving on to a new project and is not making Baldur's Gate 4. But Hasbro is keen to continue the Baldur's Gate series with a different team at the helm.

Eugene Evans, the senior vice president for digital strategy and licensing as Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast, told PC Gamer that it's going to take its time to map out the future of Baldur's Gate.

"We're now talking to lots of partners and being approached by a lot of partners who are embracing the challenge of, what does the future of the Baldur's Gate franchise look like?" Evans said. "So we certainly hope that it's not another 25 years, as it was from Baldur's Gate 2 to 3, before we answer that. But we're going to take our time and find the right partner, the right approach, and the right product that could represent the future of Baldur's Gate. We take that very, very seriously, as we do with all of our decisions around our portfolio. We don't rush into decisions as to who to partner with on products or what products we should be considering."

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Disney Illusion Island is a charming, family-friendly metroidvania with fantastic art direction, a wonderful soundtrack, and writing that's on par with modern Mickey Mouse cartoons. The Nintendo Switch-exclusive platformer launched last year at a budget price of $40. If you haven't played it yet, though, Walmart's current offer is a steal. You can snag a physical copy of Disney Illusion Island for only $20.

Disney Illusion Island

$20 (was $40)

See at Walmart

A big draw to this game--besides the vibrant art--is that it works brilliantly as either a solo or cooperative experience. Teaming up with up to three others is where the experience is at its best, as the squad of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy get to flex their animated muscles in stages where their unique talents shine.

There is no attack button or combat abilities in this game, as the action comes down to jumping, evasion, and gathering up tools to help you stay one step ahead of dastardly foes, but the challenge is just right for all ages. Plus, it's effortlessly charming with its visual and audio design.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Last year, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania dramatically collapsed at the box office after a strong opening weekend, leaving the future of the franchise in doubt. But there's at least one Quantumania cast member who wanted out of the MCU before the movie debuted: Michael Douglas.

Via Entertainment Weekly, Douglas was a guest on The View earlier this week, and he wasn't shy about his desire to see his character, Hank Pym, get killed off in Quantuamania.

"This actually was my request for the third one," said Douglas "I said I'd like to have a serious [death], with all these great special effects. There's got to be some fantastic way where I can shrink to an ant size and explode, whatever it is. I want to use all those effects. But, that was on the last one. Now, I don't think I'm going to show up."

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Somewhere, over the rainbow, actor Jack Black has all but confirmed that he's portraying Steve in the upcoming Minecraft movie. He begins a recent social media post by singing about a double rainbow--a callback to this internet classic--before bringing viewers inside his trailer.

On Instagram, Black shows the sign "Steve" posted on his door, while the interior is filled with pictures of Steve from the sandbox video game. The actor ends the video (seen below) with a smirk, which heavily implies he's portraying the iconic character in the Minecraft movie.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jack Black (@jackblack)

This wouldn't be the first notable video game character Black has portrayed. Last year, he provided the voice for Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Black even landed in the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time as a solo artist for singing Peaches in the animated film. Later this year, he will lend his voice again to a video game movie, this time as Claptrap in the Borderlands adaptation.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The animated series Family Guy debuted in 1999, meaning it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. But would creator Seth MacFarlane ever consider wrapping it up and moving on? Speaking to The Los Angeles Times, MacFarlane--who is no longer working directly on the show--said he has no plans to call it quits.

"At this point, I don't see a good reason to stop. People still love it. It makes people happy and it funds some good causes," he said. "It's a lot of extraneous cash that you can donate to Rainforest Trust and you can still go out to dinner that night."

In 2019, MacFarlane donated $1 million to the Rainforest Trust to help protect tropical habitats.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Ghost of Tsushima is making its PC debut on May 16, and ahead of its release, Nixxes Software has revealed more details on the system and cross-play requirements for this port.

For the hardware requirements, there aren't any big surprises here. An SSD with 75GB of storage capacity is recommended, and for a decent 1080p 60fps experience, you'll be just fine with an Nvidia 20-series GPU and 16GB of RAM. If you're looking to play the game with all the visual details cranked up to the max and at 4K 60fps, you'll naturally need to have some top-tier hardware like an Nvidia 4080 or Radeon RX 7900 XT GPU.

Ghost of Tsushima PC requirementsPresetVery LowMediumHighVery HighAverage performance720p at 30fps1080p at 60fps1440p at 60fps or 4K at 30fps4K at 60fpsProcessorIntel Core i3 or7100AMD Ryzen 3 1200Intel Core i5 or 8600AMD Ryzen 5 3600Intel Core i5 or 11400AMD Ryzen 5 5600Intel Core i5 or11400AMD Ryzen 5 5600GraphicsNvidia GeForce GTX 960 4GB or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XTNvidia GeForce GTX 2060 AMD or Radeon RX 5600 XTNvidia GeForce RTX 3070 AMD or Radeon RX 6800Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 AMD or Radeon RX 7900 XTMemory8GB16GB16GB16GBStorage75GB HDD space (SSD recommended)75GB SSD space75GB SSD space75GB SSD space

As a reminder, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut on PC is fully optimized for ultra-wide monitors and also supports upscaling technologies like Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR to help you get the most out of your GPU. Like the PS5 version, DualSense features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are also included, but only if you use a wired connection to your PC.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Mario Kart DS speedrunning community have discovered a new shortcut in the almost 20-year-old game, unlocking a new way for speedrunning die-hards to shave some more time off a lap, as picked up by GoNintendo.

While most Mario Kart fans have probably moved on to more recent titles in the kart racing series, speedrunners are still putting the older games through their paces, and discovering new tricks in the process. The latest development sees a new shortcut in 2005's Mario Kart DS, which was discovered in the Waluigi Pinball level.

The potential shortcut was initially unearthed by players doing tool-assisted runs, but for the first time speedrunner iMathll has managed to hit the tricky shortcut during an actual race. "It's been a very long time coming for this game," iMathll says in the video description, celebrating their first world record in Mario Kart DS. You can see how it plays out in the video above.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Mortal Kombat 1's latest patch is live now, bringing telepathic ninja Ermac to early access players, as well as a huge list of bug fixes and balance tweaks. Here's what's new in Mortal Kombat 1's latest patch.

The patch comes as last year's Mortal Kombat 1 moves into its fifth season, the Season of Storms. DLC fighter Ermac is the patch's biggest addition in terms of new content, with the mysterious ninja available now in early access for Kombat Pack players, while his broader release will follow next week on April 23. Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon recently revealed how Ermac originated from an error message, only becoming a playable character after years of player-driven speculation.

Multiple characters are getting upgrades and fixes as part of the new patch, for the sake of balancing MK1's growing roster. While some fighters are getting new tricks and attacks for their arsenals, others including Raiden and Peacemaker have had some of their abilities nerfed. Kameo fighters have also seen some bug fixes and tweaks.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

CD Projekt Red is starting to talk in high level terms about its planned Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, after wrapping up the original game with the ambitious and well-received Phantom Liberty expansion. Pawel Sasko, the associate director of the next Cyberpunk game, has spoken with Aftermath on how the team is approaching the sequel.

Known internally as Project Orion, the Cyberpunk sequel is still in very early stages of development, with a relatively small team spread across studios in Boston, Poland, and Vancouver. Sasko explained that many of the managers and directors who worked on Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty are also on the new game, as well as some of the leads. "We want to make sure that whole DNA is preserved and still in the game," he explained.

With the game in early development, it's still unclear what the sequel will look like, but Sasko says he's interested in expanding on the concept of reactivity that was more of a focus in Phantom Liberty, which he worked on as quest director.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

After saying earlier this year that its impending cost reduction program wouldn't include layoffs, GTA parent company Take-Two has revealed that it will be cutting its workforce by approximately 5% throughout this year. The company also said it would be cancelling some unspecified projects as part of the cost reductions.

According to a filing with the United States SEC, the Take-Two board of directors has just approved its cost reduction plan. The plan will focus on "eliminating several projects in development and streamlining its organizational structure, which will eliminate headcount and reduce future hiring needs."

Take-Two estimates that enacting the plan will cost it around $160 to $200 million, with costs relating to title cancellations, employee severance, and reductions in the company's office space. The plan is expected to affect around 5% of Take-Two's workforce, approximately 600 employees.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Star Wars has been all over the map since Disney acquired Lucasfilm more than a decade ago. Besides new films and TV shows, we've also seen a bunch of Star Wars manga hit the market--and now, on May 7, you'll get to dive into two new adventures. Star Wars Visions: The Manga Anthology and Star Wars: The Mandalorian Volume 2 arrive next month, but preorders are now open at Amazon.

Preorder Star Wars: Visions Preorder The Mandalorian Volume 2

If you're a newcomer to Star Wars manga, then the Visions: Manga Anthology is the better choice of the two. This anthology sees the Disney+ series brought to life in a new way, and there's no need to have read any previous manga to pick up all the story threads. If you've watched Star Wars: Visions, you'll find adaptations of The Elder, Lop & Ocho, The Ninth Jedi, and The Twins in this manga anthology. Clocking in at 232 pages, the paperback volume costs $15.

Meanwhile, Star Wars: The Mandalorian Volume 2 picks up after Star Wars: The Mandalorian Volume 1--which is currently on sale for just $10. You'll get to follow The Mandalorian as he ventures out to secure the Child, a being who holds mysterious powers and could have serious implications in the fate of the galaxy. Consider both picking up Volume 1 and preordering Volume 2, as you'll have plenty of time to read through the first manga ahead of the second's arrival on May 7. Like Visions, this one is also listed for $15.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Killer Klowns From Outer Space is exactly what its title suggests, and in case you haven't seen this ridiculous horror B-movie yet, now is the best time to do so thanks to an upcoming Blu-ray release. As part of its 35th anniversary celebrations, a new 4K Blu-ray release of the cult-classic film is dropping on May 14 with very cool steelbook case to contain all the clown carnage within.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space

• Killer Klowns From Outer Space (Limited-edition steelbook) -- $33 ($45)
• Killer Klowns From Outer Space (Regular 4K UHD Blu-ray) -- $33 ($40)
• Killer Klowns From Outer Space special editions

Already discounted, a regular edition of the film will also be available on the same day, and it has a cover of the original poster art for the film. Over on Shout Factory, you can also pick limited-edition versions of the movie, and these include extras like lobby cards, enamel pins, and stickers.

Like all great horror movies, Killer Klowns From Outer Space is set in a small town that is visited by the homicidal harlequins one fateful night. The movie goes all in on its idea, and includes a circus tent spaceship, clown-themed weapons, and at least one police officer being pelted to death with pies. The creature effects are also particularly impressive, with each Killer Klown having a disturbingly unique design. It's a horror-comedy at its core--starring alien clowns who wrap people in acidic cotton candy so that they can drink them later--making for a memorable movie.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

While we still don't have a true co-op mode in Horizon Zero Dawn or Horizon Forbidden West, players looking to hunt down machines with a few buddies by their side can instead opt for the Horizon Zero Dawn Board Game. Typically sold for $100, the massive tabletop collection is now just $72, which is one of the better prices we've seen throughout 2024.

Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game $72 (was $100)

Created by Steamforged Games, Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game is billed as a semi-cooperative tactical game. It supports between one and four players and tasks them with tracking down and defeating a Machine. If anyone in the party dies, the game ends--so you'll need to keep a close eye on your teammates while also building your own deck of cards to help win the battle.

See deal at Amazon

Several playable hunters are available, each with their own set of skills, which should add a bit of replayability to the action. Depending on how much time you have available for your game night, you can run through an extensive campaign or break things into smaller play sessions with shorter quests.

Inside the box, you'll find four hunters (Nora Marksman, Carja Warrior, Banuk Survivor, Oseram Forgesmith), four Watchers, four Striders, four Grazers, four Scrappers, two Shell-Walkers, two Sawtooths, and all the extra cards, dice, and tokens you'll need for a game session.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Elden Ring is the gift that keeps on giving. Players are continuing to find new ways to claim the throne as Elden Lord--even relying on Morse code.

On April 13, Twitch steamer Silithur managed to slay the Elden Beast only using Morse code and pressing a single button. Shortly after becoming an Elden Lord, Silithur posted their victory on X/Twitter. In the tweet that was translated by Google, it reads:

"I announce that yesterday we finished Elden Ring with a button, arriving and killing all the Bosses that provide memories. It has been quite an adventure and I had not dared to do another challenge of this caliber for years. Thanks to those who have accompanied me on the trip.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Fanatical's latest build-your-own bundle deal is live, with a smattering of science fiction worlds for you to explore and, for at least a few of them, shoot your way through. The more PC games you grab from the April 2024 edition of the Diamond Collection Build Your Own Bundle, the bigger the discount--three games will run you $15, four games go for $18, and five games cost $23, or $4.60 each. Rage 2 leads off this batch, and there are a few other standouts worth grabbing through this deal.

Fanatical Diamond Collection Build Your Own Bundle April 2024 See bundle at Fanatical

• Heaven Dust 2
• My Little Universe
• Ozymandias
• Rage 2 - Deluxe Edition
• No Straight Roads - Encore Edition
• Symphony of War
• Metro Exodus - Gold Edition
• KeyWe
• Airship: Kingdoms Adriift
• Three Minutes to Eight
• Roguebook
• Call of the Sea
• Airborne Kingdom
• Tin Hearts
• Devilated
• The Legend of Tianding
• Kraken Academy!!

As mentioned, the bundle includes two notable sci-fi first-person shooters. The first is Rage 2, which puts you in a post-apocalyptic open world where 80% of the world's population was annihilated by an asteroid. As for the other 20%--a lot of them are raiders and mutants, and you need to shoot them.

For another take on the aftermath of the end of the world, you could pick up Metro Exodus, the third game in the trilogy that started with Metro 2033 back in 2010. Exodus also adds an open-world flavor to the mutant-filled world of the Metro franchise, and you'll need a gas mask and a gun to survive.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Now that April is almost halfway over, Hulu has released its schedule of all the new movies and shows that will be coming to its streaming platform in May.

On May 1, subscribers can watch the critically acclaimed animated film Jujutsu Kaisen 0. As the name suggests, the film takes place in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe before the events of Season 1. However, unlike the show, the movie follows a young boy named Yuta Okkotsu, who is determined to become a stronger sorcerer.

If anime isn't your cup of tea, don't worry--all of Shardlake will also be available on May 1. For those unaware, Shardlake is based on a whodunit novel by C.J. Sansom, which takes place in 16th-century England. The show follows a man named Shardlake who's sent to investigate a murder that quickly spirals into much more.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Clerks I-III Premium Box Set was one of the most interesting Blu-ray collections to release last year due to its novel (and nostalgic!) packaging. If your Clerks fan but didn't want to spend $130 on the set, now's your chance to snag it for less. The Clerks I-III Premium Box Set is on sale for $79 at Amazon (a $51 discount).

See at Amazon

Clerks I-III Premium Box Set

The Clerks box set includes 3D miniature of the iconic Quick Stop and RST Video storefronts, a working VHS return slot that you can store the discs so that you don't have to worry about any late fees, and a wall that can be vandalized with a set of stickers and inside-jokes. It's worth noting that these are 1080p versions of the Clerks films and digital keys to each film are included.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Seagate 1TB NVMe SSD for Xbox Series X|S

$105 (was $150)

See at Woot See at Amazon See at Best Buy

Xbox Series X|S owners who are running out of storage space only have two options for expansion without limiting functionality: Seagate or Western Digital's proprietary Xbox Expansion Cards. As such, it's typically more expensive to increase your storage space on Xbox than it is on PS5 (and certainly Nintendo Switch). But today is a good day for those in the market for an expansion card. Amazon-owned retailer Woot is selling the Seagate 1TB Expansion Card for only $105, down from $150. Woot has marked this deal as "clearance," and it's set to expire in about two weeks--but it almost certainly won't remain in stock for that long. This is a tremendous deal, so you should grab it quickly if interested.

See at Woot

Continue Reading at GameSpot