Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise Review
Warning: This review contains spoilers for the first Deadly Premonition.
The first Deadly Premonition was an anomaly, a seemingly unintentional oddity that enjoyed cult success by happenstance. It was an oxymoron of character development and unpredictable storytelling accompanied by a clunky, unintuitive gameplay experience. Its sequel, Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise, follows suit; however, though the return of the original's off-kilter writing, outlandish characters, and disturbing twists is an exciting prospect, it all feels diluted this time around, missing many of the flavor notes that defined its predecessor. There are incredible moments worth experiencing, all of which are held together by the game's protagonist, Francis York Morgan. But inexcusably poor performance issues (even by Deadly Premonition standards) make it hard to recommend to anyone outside the existing fandom. And even then, Deadly Premonition 2 stumbles in some of the places that made the first truly special.
The game flips between the past and the present, first beginning in 2019, which is 10 years after the Greenvale case from the first game. FBI agent Francis York Morgan, now Francis Zach Morgan, has neither fully recovered from the tragic loss of his love, nor the revelation of his dual identity, and is now a retired recluse in his Boston, Massachusetts apartment. Seeing Morgan for the first time is jarring; he looks frail, sick, and alarmingly grey. He doesn't come off as slick and charming as he once did, but rather deranged and unstable, murmuring and talking to himself in the midst of a hoarder's dirty apartment--it's a stark contrast from the agent we know and love. The once illustrious agent, regaled for his inexplicable, and rather supernatural, investigation techniques, is now under scrutiny by the very bureau he once worked for.
Continue Reading at GameSpotWWE 2K Battlegrounds: Story Mode Explained
WWE 2K Battlegrounds isn't just bringing a different look and feel to the mainline WWE 2K wrestling sims, it's also bringing a story-based campaign.
Speaking to IGN, executive producer Sean O'Connor explained that the spin-off game's Campaign mode will see legendary WWE agent Paul Heyman on the search for the next WWE Superstar, with help from 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin. Players will pick from 7 new hopefuls - specially designed for the game - and compete to earn a contract across multiple maps and arenas.
"It's told through these really cool comics, "says O'Connor, "and you take them through trying to earn a contract, and eventually get to Wrestlemania."
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/08/wwe-2k-battlegrounds-first-gameplay-details"]
O'Connor adds that the mode isn't just a linear set of matches: "I can't even remember exactly how many matches and nodes there are - it's kind of a branching thing. There's some things you can do off on the side and earn different rewards, or you can just do the golden path straight through the middle to finish it sooner if you want."
Playing the campaign will earn you new elements to use throughout the rest of the game, too. Per O'Connor: "We unlock a lot of arenas, vanity items for your created characters, different power-ups, things like that as you go along through the campaign."
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=wwe-2k-battlegrounds&captions=true"]
As for what the game will actually play like along the way, Battlegrounds will mix familiar wrestling moves with slightly wilder moves and even power-ups like Flaming Fist, Ice Breath, and an Earthquake that can destroy the ring itself. The game takes inspiration from WWE All-Stars, among other WWE games over the years.
"We're trying to be over-the-top, arcadey, easy to pick up and play," explains O'Connor. "A lot of stuff to master, though, so you can really take your game to the next level. It goes very much with the art style [...] where it's kind of a wider appeal - it's clearly not realistic, right? And our moves are not realistic, as you've seen. Think about throwing somebody into a crocodile! That's not very realistic, but it's super fun and it's super over the top, and the power ups play really well into that as well."
WWE 2K Battlegrounds will come to PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and Stadia on September 18. We learned that release date, and a lot more new details today.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/08/wwe-2k-battlegrounds-official-trailer"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds: Story Mode Explained
WWE 2K Battlegrounds isn't just bringing a different look and feel to the mainline WWE 2K wrestling sims, it's also bringing a story-based campaign.
Speaking to IGN, executive producer Sean O'Connor explained that the spin-off game's Campaign mode will see legendary WWE agent Paul Heyman on the search for the next WWE Superstar, with help from 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin. Players will pick from 7 new hopefuls - specially designed for the game - and compete to earn a contract across multiple maps and arenas.
"It's told through these really cool comics, "says O'Connor, "and you take them through trying to earn a contract, and eventually get to Wrestlemania."
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/08/wwe-2k-battlegrounds-first-gameplay-details"]
O'Connor adds that the mode isn't just a linear set of matches: "I can't even remember exactly how many matches and nodes there are - it's kind of a branching thing. There's some things you can do off on the side and earn different rewards, or you can just do the golden path straight through the middle to finish it sooner if you want."
Playing the campaign will earn you new elements to use throughout the rest of the game, too. Per O'Connor: "We unlock a lot of arenas, vanity items for your created characters, different power-ups, things like that as you go along through the campaign."
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=wwe-2k-battlegrounds&captions=true"]
As for what the game will actually play like along the way, Battlegrounds will mix familiar wrestling moves with slightly wilder moves and even power-ups like Flaming Fist, Ice Breath, and an Earthquake that can destroy the ring itself. The game takes inspiration from WWE All-Stars, among other WWE games over the years.
"We're trying to be over-the-top, arcadey, easy to pick up and play," explains O'Connor. "A lot of stuff to master, though, so you can really take your game to the next level. It goes very much with the art style [...] where it's kind of a wider appeal - it's clearly not realistic, right? And our moves are not realistic, as you've seen. Think about throwing somebody into a crocodile! That's not very realistic, but it's super fun and it's super over the top, and the power ups play really well into that as well."
WWE 2K Battlegrounds will come to PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and Stadia on September 18. We learned that release date, and a lot more new details today.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/08/wwe-2k-battlegrounds-official-trailer"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds Gets September Release Date
WWE 2K Battlegrounds will launch for PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and Stadia on September 18.
The over-the-top throwback wrestling game will feature over 70 playable wrestlers at launch, both Superstars and Legends. Executive producer Steve O'Connor told IGN that more wrestlers will be added as free updates after launch. There's also a Superstar Creator function to build your own character. Mauro Ranallo and Jerry Lawler provide commentary.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/08/wwe-2k-battlegrounds-official-trailer"]
The game includes 4 modes:
- Campaign: 7 new wrestlers (created specially from the game) are competing for a WWE contract - you'll pick one and fight across multiple maps (unlocking them as you go), with guidance from 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Paul Heyman along the way. You can learn more about the Campaign mode in our explainer article.
- Exhibition: Local and online multiplayer matches featuring up to four players.
- King of the Battleground: An online last-man-standing mode sees four players begin in the ring, with four more waiting outside it to enter. You'll need to take them all down to win.
- Online: Aside from King of the Battleground and Exhibitions, online tournaments are also promised.
- The Rock
- 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin
- Ronda Rousey
- Roman Reigns
- Drew McIntyre
- Charlotte Flair
- Becky Lynch
- Asuka
- Daniel Bryan
- Kofi Kingston
- Randy Orton
- Andre the Giant
- Undertaker
- Mankind
- Shawn Michaels
- Yokozuna
- Sgt. Slaughter
- John Cena
- Nikki Bella
- Sasha Banks
- Braun Strowman
- The Fiend Bray Wyatt
- Big Show
- Samoa Joe
- Kalisto
- Edge (Pre-order/Digital Deluxe edition bonus)
WWE 2K Battlegrounds Gets September Release Date
WWE 2K Battlegrounds will launch for PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and Stadia on September 18.
The over-the-top throwback wrestling game will feature over 70 playable wrestlers at launch, both Superstars and Legends. Executive producer Steve O'Connor told IGN that more wrestlers will be added as free updates after launch. There's also a Superstar Creator function to build your own character. Mauro Ranallo and Jerry Lawler provide commentary.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/08/wwe-2k-battlegrounds-official-trailer"]
The game includes 4 modes:
- Campaign: 7 new wrestlers (created specially from the game) are competing for a WWE contract - you'll pick one and fight across multiple maps (unlocking them as you go), with guidance from 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Paul Heyman along the way. You can learn more about the Campaign mode in our explainer article.
- Exhibition: Local and online multiplayer matches featuring up to four players.
- King of the Battleground: An online last-man-standing mode sees four players begin in the ring, with four more waiting outside it to enter. You'll need to take them all down to win.
- Online: Aside from King of the Battleground and Exhibitions, online tournaments are also promised.
- The Rock
- 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin
- Ronda Rousey
- Roman Reigns
- Drew McIntyre
- Charlotte Flair
- Becky Lynch
- Asuka
- Daniel Bryan
- Kofi Kingston
- Randy Orton
- Andre the Giant
- Undertaker
- Mankind
- Shawn Michaels
- Yokozuna
- Sgt. Slaughter
- John Cena
- Nikki Bella
- Sasha Banks
- Braun Strowman
- The Fiend Bray Wyatt
- Big Show
- Samoa Joe
- Kalisto
- Edge (Pre-order/Digital Deluxe edition bonus)
Xbox Reportedly Tells Developers That Next-Gen Upgrades Should Be Free
A report has surfaced that suggests Xbox is telling third-party developers that Xbox Series X upgrades of their current-gen games should be free.
VGC, which cites "publishing sources with knowledge of Microsoft's next-gen policies," says that Microsoft has been encouraging "companies working on cross-gen games" to offer upgrades at no additional cost. This could make use of Xbox's Smart Delivery program, where you only need to purchase one version of a game to enjoy it across the entire Xbox hardware range.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/15/xbox-smart-delivery-in-depth-with-microsofts-jason-ronald"]
So far we've seen that third-party games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Cyberpunk 2077 will offer next-gen upgrades at no extra cost, but this push from Microsoft will attempt to stop other publishers and developers from charging full-price for next-gen versions of cross-gen games, or for an upgrade to be provided as a paid DLC option.
EA is offering games under a different Dual Entitlement scheme, which is making sure players who buy FIFA 21 or Madden NFL 21 on current-gen consoles will also be able to play upgraded versions on Xbox Series X and PS5 at no extra cost, should they make the jump in hardware.
Microsoft has not made free next-gen upgrades mandatory yet, so if developers don't adopt the Smart Delivery policy, they have other options, such as selling "cross-gen bundles" of Xbox One and Xbox Series X games at a higher price point. We've already seen that NBA 2K21 will a cross-gen bundle option, although its standalone Xbox Series X and PS5 editions will come in at a $69.99 price point.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.
Xbox Reportedly Tells Developers That Next-Gen Upgrades Should Be Free
A report has surfaced that suggests Xbox is telling third-party developers that Xbox Series X upgrades of their current-gen games should be free.
VGC, which cites "publishing sources with knowledge of Microsoft's next-gen policies," says that Microsoft has been encouraging "companies working on cross-gen games" to offer upgrades at no additional cost. This could make use of Xbox's Smart Delivery program, where you only need to purchase one version of a game to enjoy it across the entire Xbox hardware range.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/15/xbox-smart-delivery-in-depth-with-microsofts-jason-ronald"]
So far we've seen that third-party games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Cyberpunk 2077 will offer next-gen upgrades at no extra cost, but this push from Microsoft will attempt to stop other publishers and developers from charging full-price for next-gen versions of cross-gen games, or for an upgrade to be provided as a paid DLC option.
EA is offering games under a different Dual Entitlement scheme, which is making sure players who buy FIFA 21 or Madden NFL 21 on current-gen consoles will also be able to play upgraded versions on Xbox Series X and PS5 at no extra cost, should they make the jump in hardware.
Microsoft has not made free next-gen upgrades mandatory yet, so if developers don't adopt the Smart Delivery policy, they have other options, such as selling "cross-gen bundles" of Xbox One and Xbox Series X games at a higher price point. We've already seen that NBA 2K21 will a cross-gen bundle option, although its standalone Xbox Series X and PS5 editions will come in at a $69.99 price point.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.
Peter Pan: Jude Law in Talks to Play Captain Hook in Disney’s Live-Action Film
Jude Law is reportedly in talks to join Disney's live-action film Peter Pan & Wendy as the classic villain Captain Hook.
According to Variety, director David Lowery has tapped Law to board the Jolly Roger and set sail for Neverland in the studio's upcoming live-action Peter Pan adaptation, Peter Pan & Wendy.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/05/29/peter-pan-exclusive-clip-from-65th-anniversary-edition"]
If Law signs the parchment for the role, he will follow in the buccaneering footsteps of Dustin Hoffman in 1991's Hook, Jason Issacs in 2003's Peter Pan, and Garrett Hedlund in 2015's Pan, to play the dastardly antagonist on the big screen since Disney has reportedly set its sights on a theatrical release for the Peter Pan film, rather than a Disney+ debut like 2019's Lady and the Tramp remake.
As Captain Hook, Law would be creating terror on the high seas for Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson who have been tapped to star as Peter and Wendy in the live-action film. Molony is set to add a feather to his cap, both literally and figuratively, starring as the eternally youthful Lost Boys leader while Anderson is expected to embark on the fantastical adventure as the eldest Darling child.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-upcoming-disney-live-action-remake&captions=true"]
Peter Pan & Wendy will be directed by David Lowery and produced by Jim Whitaker, with a script co-written by Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. Lowery and Halbrooks previously worked together on Disney's remake of Pete's Dragon.
The 2016 version of Pete's Dragon fared well with critics and audiences alike. IGN awarded the film a high score, calling it a "beautiful new take on a beloved film" with a "great cast, a believable dragon and beautiful cinematography."
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.
Peter Pan: Jude Law in Talks to Play Captain Hook in Disney’s Live-Action Film
Jude Law is reportedly in talks to join Disney's live-action film Peter Pan & Wendy as the classic villain Captain Hook.
According to Variety, director David Lowery has tapped Law to board the Jolly Roger and set sail for Neverland in the studio's upcoming live-action Peter Pan adaptation, Peter Pan & Wendy.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/05/29/peter-pan-exclusive-clip-from-65th-anniversary-edition"]
If Law signs the parchment for the role, he will follow in the buccaneering footsteps of Dustin Hoffman in 1991's Hook, Jason Issacs in 2003's Peter Pan, and Garrett Hedlund in 2015's Pan, to play the dastardly antagonist on the big screen since Disney has reportedly set its sights on a theatrical release for the Peter Pan film, rather than a Disney+ debut like 2019's Lady and the Tramp remake.
As Captain Hook, Law would be creating terror on the high seas for Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson who have been tapped to star as Peter and Wendy in the live-action film. Molony is set to add a feather to his cap, both literally and figuratively, starring as the eternally youthful Lost Boys leader while Anderson is expected to embark on the fantastical adventure as the eldest Darling child.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-upcoming-disney-live-action-remake&captions=true"]
Peter Pan & Wendy will be directed by David Lowery and produced by Jim Whitaker, with a script co-written by Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. Lowery and Halbrooks previously worked together on Disney's remake of Pete's Dragon.
The 2016 version of Pete's Dragon fared well with critics and audiences alike. IGN awarded the film a high score, calling it a "beautiful new take on a beloved film" with a "great cast, a believable dragon and beautiful cinematography."
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers Coming West in 2021
The voxel-based Earth Defense Force spin-off is officially coming west to PS4 and Switch in early 2021.