Monthly Archives: June 2019

Battleborn

Battleborn is a next-gen hero-shooter by the creators of the Borderlands franchise, Gearbox Software. In Battleborn’s distant future setting, the only hope for the last star in a dying universe is a new breed of warriors, who must put aside their differences to drive back an unstoppable menace. Players choose from a myriad of powerful heroes and fight together in an intense co-operative campaign, or battle against each other in fast-paced competitive multiplayer matches.

Business Model: Free Trial – Excludes Story Mode, but no time limit.

Microtransactions: Yes – “Full Game” DLC must be purchased separately for the story mode. Heroes may be purchased in game via RMT or gameplay.

Key Features:

Co-op Multiplayer: Battleborn is designed to be a co-operative multiplayer experience. The story campaign is made to be enjoyed with friends, crushing hordes of computer-controlled enemies.

Unique Art Design: Battleborn features a colorful roster of characters, all rendered in a style unique to the game itself. Animations and combat are made to be smooth, responsive, and a pleasure to watch.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order puts you in the role of a jedi padawan who survived Order 66, and who now seeks to rebuild the jedi order, and save the universe from the Empire.

Business Model: Retail $59.99

Microtransactions: Yes/No, Types of Microtransactions (Cosmetic, Experience, DLC, etc)

Key Features:

Lightsaber Combat: You must master your lightsaber if you wish to resist the Empire. Dodge, parry, and thrust your way through vicious foes and terrifying bosses.

Use the Force: Interact with your environment in a myriad of ways, from pulling a vine to you so that you can swing across a chasm, to freezing a fan blade in place so you can move past it to a passage beyond.

Overwatch

Overwatch is a first-person shooter battle royale game featuring a heavy emphasis on team play and cooperation. The world needs heroes, will you answer the call?

Business Model: Retail

Microtransactions: Yes, you can purchase loot boxes containing in-game cosmetics.

Key Features:

 

Everyone’s Here: Play with and against 29 unique characters each coming equipped with MOBA-inspired roles and abilities.

Global Conflict: Engage in hectic battle across four distinct game modes and a slew of varied environments.

Snooping Around: Explore every nook and cranny of each detailed map so that when the time comes you won’t need to think to move around.

Mayhem Unleashed: Keep it cool even when ultimates and other skills are whizzing all around, death comes a great cost and every second counts.

 

Borderlands 3

Borderlands 3 is the fourth installment of the acclaimed Gearbox Software’s franchise of looter-shooters, Borderlands.

Business Model: Retail $59.99

Microtransactions: You can pretty much count on DLCs, eventually.

Key Features:

Vault Hunters: Join a new quartet of vault hunters: Moze, the gunner; Zane, the operative; Amara, the siren; and Fl4k, the beastmaster, each with their own unique skill trees and active abilities.

Co-op Hijinks: Play with friends, regardless of their level, as the new level syncing system ensures everyone will do meaningful damage. You can even play with loot instancing, so every player gets their own shiny goodness.

So Many Guns: With over one billion guns in Borderlands 3, you’re sure to find the shooter that shifts your shank, including weapons from the enemy faction, Children of the Vault.

Beyond Pandora: While your adventure might begin on the familiar planet of Pandora, you’ll board the Sanctuary III, your very own spaceship, to take you to all new worlds with all new terrains.

PlanetSide 2

Planetside 2 is a persistent world first-person shooter where players choose one of three empires to represent in a war for control of a planet. It is available for PC and PS4.

Business Model: Free to Play

Microtransactions: Yes – Players may purchase cosmetics, as well as unlock weapons and weapon modifications. Weapons and weapon modifications may also be purchased with in game currency, though players with Daybreak’s premium access subscription earn them faster.

Key Features:

Empires: Choose between Terran Republic, New Conglomerate, or Vanu Soverignty

Classes: Light Assault, Heavy Assault, Combat Medic, Engineer, Infiltrator and MAX (Mechanized Assault Exosuit)

Land, Land and Air: Go on foot as infantry, pilot ground based vehicles, or take to the skies to bring the pain.

Persistent World: This is war for an entire planet. Take and hold various regions through targeted missions.

 

Summoners War

Summoners War is a turn-based fantasy MMORPG tasking you with collecting, training, and fusing all manner of mythical beasts and fantastical pets. Raise your companions to a legendary status and claim ownership of the prized Mana Crystals!

Business Model: Free-to-Play

Microtransactions: Yes, you can purchase a premium currency used to summon additional characters.

Key Features:

 

Call Forth: Mix and match a team of creatures from a 400+ roster adopting types like demon, warbear, dragon, and more.

Breeder: Take advantage of your monster’s elemental affinity and awakened status.

Tactics Overload: Plan your moves strategically in the heat of combat.

All Together Now: Join a thriving community of like-minded players.

Dedicated: Check-in daily for events and rewards.

Battle in the Clouds: Go head to head against rival summoners in the Sky Arena.

Self Sufficient: Train your crafting skill to create high-level runes for your summons.

To the Depths: Create or join a guild and explore the dangerous Tartarus’ Labyrinth with your friends.

 

War Thunder

War Thunder is a free-to-play vehicular combat simulation game developed by Gaijin Entertainment for PC, Mac, Linux, and PlayStation 4 that allows you to pilot a warplane, tank, and even battleships in World War II. Experience a wide array of vehicles from America, to European, to even Japanese, complete with fully furnished interior views of the cockpit! The emphasis on the game is teamwork, so coordinated strikes will be much more valuable than going it alone. The massive battles don’t just take place in the air, though, as land and sea battles will also be available for a variety of gameplay options.

Business Model: Free to Play

Microtransactions: Yes – Purchase Vehicles, Vehicle Packs, in game currency, and Premium access. Premium access grants increased rate of earning Research Points, and Silver Lions, as well as additional decal slots.

Key Features:

Variety of PvP modes: Take part in several historical battles during World War II. Fight your opponents by air, land, and sea, and seek domination for your team.

Various peripheral support: Beginners and veterans alike will find the game easy to play. The game supports mouse/keyboard, gamepad, and even advanced flight simulation controllers.

PvE content: Various campaigns, solo missions, and cooperative modes also exist for people who want to play without competing against others. There is even a mission editor to enjoy creating your own content.

High attention to detail: The wide variety of planes are beautifully rendered, and even the cockpit possesses the realistic feel. The tanks and ships are spared no loss of detail either.

Quality sound effects: The sounds in game come from their real world counterparts, ensuring an even more in-depth experience. The musical score is also top notch, lending itself perfectly to the battles raging about.

Expansions:

Gaijin makes frequent updates to War Thunder. So many we can’t keep up! Check out the changelog here.

Goliath

Goliath is a 3D action-adventure game featuring sandbox-like survival elements. Explore your ruined surroundings and learn to thrive in the wild after accidentally stumbling through a dimensional-warping rift.

Business Model: Buy-to-Play

Microtransactions: No

Key Features:

Conquer Nature: Stay safe in an unforgiving environment by collecting resources and crafting basic tools and shelter.

Brought to Life: Construct a massive, controllable, mechanical suit and outfit it with a variety of deadly weapons.

Ulterior Motives: Align with one of the many warring factions for a chance to nab some rare schematics.

Scanning the Skies: Take heed not to get stuck in a bad cycle of the procedurally generated weather and lighting system.

CSR Racing

CSR Racing is a free-to-play racing game featuring gorgeous 1080p graphics and a garage filled with beautiful new cars. Take the driver’s seat of your very own customized dream auto and take on local cities or go up against players from all around the world, available for iOS and Android.

Business Model: Free to Play

Microtransactions: Yes

Key Features:

Ka-Ching: Sport a variety of modern cars like the Audi R8, BMW M3, Chevy Corvette, and much more.

In the Shop: Strategically swap out performance boosting parts like turbos, nitrous injection, and aerodynamics.

Global Competitor: Conquer a series of single-player challenges or test your skill against other players for a chance at unique super cars and a wealth of respect points.

Phantasy Star Online 2

Phantasy Star Online 2 is a sci-fi massive multiplayer online role-playing game featuring dynamic 3rd-person action-combat. Take a journey into an immersive fantasy narrative while fighting legions of darkness for the fate of the universe.

After 7 years of waiting, the US is finally receiving an official release of Phantasy Star Online 2.

Business Model: Buy-to-Play

Microtransactions: Yes, there are optional in-game purchases available.

Key Features:

Races: Choose from one of four species – Human, Newman, Dewman, or CAST – and customize how they look with the companion app!

Classes: Master the prerequisite Hunter, Ranger, Braver, and Force professions to progress to the advanced Fighter, Gunner, and Techtor classes.

Armed and Dangerous: Experiment with a variety of weapons ranging from melee and ranged to magical typings alike.

Survival Training: Overcome difficult encounters by aggressively countering and comboing high-priority enemies.

Final Frontier: Take on challenging randomized dungeons capped with a raid-boss level foe.

World of Wonder: Explore lush worlds filled with strange alien lifeforms, hidden secrets, and beautiful scenery.

Stardust Crusader: Join fellow adventurers on expansive quests across the galaxy.