Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Releases In May

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Releases In May

Developer Ninja Theory appeared on Microsoft’s Xbox Developer Direct stream to discuss its sequel, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. The big news from the footage is the game finally has a release date: May 21. Microsoft also confirmed that the game will be a digital-only release.

The developer revealed it is in the final months of development and outlined some elements to expect from Hellblade II. Senua is not in as much fear of her voices as she was in the original game, but she is still a Celtic warrior who struggles with psychosis. Like the first game, Ninja Theory is working with professionals like Cambridge’s Paul Fletcher to ensure Senua represents an accurate version of someone struggling with complex mental issues.

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There are a number of new characters she will interact with. Some will appreciate her perspective and consider her an ally, but others will reject her and consider her an enemy. Like the original game, Hellblade II takes 10th century Iceland (which the developer visited for research), and she is fighting against Vikings who are enslaving her people. Ninja Theory is focused on making the game historically accurate but with an obvious layer of fantasy on top.

Combat has been overhauled for the sequel, with the game focusing on the fact that Senua is not a superhero. The goal of the combat is to make players feel like they barely survived each encounter, and the gameplay footage of the combat looks brutal.

Ninja Theory ended the stream saying it hopes to “craft life-changing art with game-changing tech.” We will determine if the game lives up to that lofty goal on May 21.

Visions Of Mana Gets Summer 2024 Release Window Alongside New Gameplay

Visions Of Mana Gets Summer 2024 Release Window Alongside New Gameplay

During today’s Xbox Developer Direct, Square Enix made a surprise appearance to pull back the curtains on Visions of Mana, the first new mainline game in the franchise in 15 years. Square Enix also revealed Visions of Mana will hit PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC this summer.

Executive producer Masaru Oyamada discussed the franchise’s history, noting there have been 17 entries across its 30 years of existence. He also points out that what is now the Mana series today actually began as Final Fantasy Adventure in 1991. 

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Mana series creator Koichi Ishii also joined this segment of the show to discuss how he has supervised the team on its work and implementation of taking what were originally pixelated monsters and converting them into the 3D monsters players will fight in the game. 

Notably, Visions of Mana is the first Mana game coming to Xbox. Oyamada expressed Square Enix’s excitement about this first for the series while diving deeper into its real-time action combat. This real-time action combat is what originally separated Final Fantasy Adventure from the Final Fantasy series, which was strictly turn-based at the time. 

Visions of Mana’s combat continues to look great, as does its beautifully vibrant world. Unfortunately, there’s still a few months to go until PlayStation, Xbox, and PC players can play it because it’s due out sometime this summer. 

While waiting for its release, check out the Visions of Mana announcement trailer from The Game Awards 2023 last month. 

Are you excited for Visions of Mana? Let us know in the comments below!

Researchers Make Breakthrough in Artificial Muscle Technology

In a world increasingly influenced by technology, soft robots, medical devices, and wearable technology have become integral parts of our daily lives. These innovations promise enhanced functionality and greater adaptability, making our interactions with technology more seamless and natural. In a significant leap forward in this…

Here’s A Deep Dive Of Ara: History Untold, A New Strategy Game From Former Firaxis Developers

Here’s A Deep Dive Of Ara: History Untold, A New Strategy Game From Former Firaxis Developers

Today, during the most recent Xbox Developer Direct, Ara: History Untold, a new strategy game from Oxide Games, got a deep dive revealing gameplay and more. The game was first announced in 2022. 

Oxide talked up its “living world,” a procedurally generated map for players to create the society they want in Ara. As the developers say, it will change over time based on players’ decisions. You can watch the presentation starting at the 25:00 minute mark. 

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Ara’s Prestige System pits players to build a nation better than opponents’. The game’s score system awards points based on what kind of leader a specific player wants to be. An example, as detailed during today’s live stream, is building “Triumphs,” or famous buildings throughout history that give large Prestige bonuses.

Oxide is a Maryland-based studio founded in 2013 by former Firaxis developers. Its previous games include 2016’s Ashes of the Singularity and Star Swarm. 

Ara: History Untold is expected to be released on PC and PC Game Pass in the fall of this year. However, Oxide plans to keep its “Insider Program” after release, implementing player feedback.

Ed Punches A Hole Into Street Fighter 6 Next Month

Ed Punches A Hole Into Street Fighter 6 Next Month

Street Fighter 6 is getting its third DLC fighter in February, and the psycho-powered boxer Ed is next in line. 

Although Ed was first introduced in Street Fighter IV, he didn’t become a playable fighter until Street Fighter V (included in the Season 2 roster of characters). The protege of Balrog sports the same psycho powers that M. Bison wielded, but he thankfully isn’t an evil mastermind. That doesn’t make him any less brutal, though, and you can watch him clear a subway car full of Mad Gear gang members in the cinematic trailer below. 

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Ed joins Street Fighter 6 as the third fighter in the Year 1 character pass alongside the previously released Rashid and A.K.I. (leaving Akuma as the final Year 1 fighter) and will appear in the story-driven World Tour mode too. For more, check out Game Informer’s Street Fighter 6 review and see where it ranked in our Top 10 Games of 2023.

Trying To Catch Them All In Palworld | Game Informer Live

Trying To Catch Them All In Palworld | Game Informer Live

After years of excitement and skeptism, the Pokémon-like survival game Palworld is now available in early access. The game drops player into a collection of tropical islands inhabited by monsters called Pals that you can catch as your own. Pals can be used in battle or put to work, building structures and mining resources. You can also mow them down with guns. Yes, this game features realistic guns. It’s a very strange but, thus far, entertaining experience.

Watch Marcus Stewart and Alex Van Aken dive into the Xbox version of Palworld from the beginning to see how the game performs in its first incarnation. For more on Palworld, check out our recent feature in which we spoke to developer Pocketpair about the studios’ origins and Palworld’s creation and features.

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Head over to Game Informer’s YouTube channel for more previews, reviews, and discussions of new and upcoming games. You can also visit our second channel Game Informer Shows for more archived livestreams and series such as Super Replay and Game Informer Live. 

The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask Part 3 | Super Replay

The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask Part 3 | Super Replay

After The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time reinvented the series in 3D and became its new gold standard, Nintendo followed up with a surreal sequel in Majora’s Mask. Set two months after the events of Ocarina, Link finds himself transported to an alternate version of Hyrule called Termina and must prevent a very angry moon from crashing into the Earth over the course of three constantly repeating days. Majora’s Mask’s unique structure and bizarre tone have earned it legions of passionate defenders and detractors, and one long-time Zelda fan is going to experience it for the first time to see where he lands on that spectrum.

Join Marcus Stewart and Kyle Hilliard today and each Friday on Twitch at 2 p.m. CT as they gradually work their way through the entire game until Termina is saved. Archived episodes will be uploaded each Saturday on our second YouTube channel Game Informer Shows, which you can watch both above and by clicking the links below. 

Part 1 – Plenty of Time
Part 2 – The Bear

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If you enjoy our livestreams but haven’t subscribed to our Twitch channel, know that doing so not only gives you notifications and access to special emotes. You’ll also be granted entry to the official Game Informer Discord channel, where our welcoming community members, moderators, and staff gather to talk games, entertainment, food, and organize hangouts! Be sure to also follow our second YouTube channel, Game Informer Shows, to watch other Replay episodes as well as Twitch archives of GI Live and more. 

129 Rapid-Fire Questions Answered About Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

129 Rapid-Fire Questions Answered About Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Game Informer asked Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s game director, Naoki Hamaguchi, 129 rapid-fire questions about the party’s next adventure while visiting Creative Business Unit I during our recent cover story trip in Tokyo. During our chat, we inquired about the original Final Fantasy 7’s rumored N64 version, Zack’s importance in the remake, whether mainline entries will ever return to Nintendo consoles, and 126 other burning questions. Oh, and we also try to guess the next game’s subtitle. My money is on “Reloaded.”

Watch Our Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Rapid Fire Interview:

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