Once upon a time, Konami was one of the vital dominant third-party online game publishers on the market. The firm had a protracted period of dominance, with franchises like Castlevania and Metal Gear Solid making it a family title. That would change a bit within the mid-2010s, because the writer went by a serious restructure that noticed the corporate parting methods with considered one of its highest-profile studios, Kojima Productions. Despite that, Konami has remained loads busy — particularly as of late.
Last week, Digital Trends obtained to see that first-hand once we attended a Konami press occasion highlighting 4 of its upcoming video games. That checklist included high-profile video games like Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 and Super Bomberman R 2, in addition to smaller publishing tasks like Super Crazy Rhythm Castle and CYGNI: All Guns Blazing. We went hands-on with every sport within the diversified line-up, giving us a greater sense of how Konami’s online game efforts are evolving.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
Konami
On October 24, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 will convey the stealth collection to trendy consoles, together with Nintendo Switch. You in all probability already know whether or not or not you’re going to purchase that, however I obtained to see the complete scale of the package deal in a hands-on session. In addition to together with HD remasters of classics like Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which performs and appears about the identical as you keep in mind right here, the package deal comes with some engaging extras that make it extra engaging. Each sport within the assortment comes with a slew of extras, together with a full script, digital books, never-before-seen animatics, and extra.
The screenplays alone appear worthwhile even should you personal the originals, because it’s uncommon that we ever get to see the precise writing course of for video video games. It’s a bit of additional depth that makes the package deal really feel like extra of a museum capturing the inventive course of behind the collection moderately than unexpectedly slapping previous video games onto a disc. It seems that every sport has been faithfully preserved right here too; a observe on the high of the gathering acknowledges that the video games include some outdated content material, however notes that they’ve been saved as is for the needs of preservation. Hideo Kojima’s title remains to be closely featured within the assortment too, as the unique credit look like within the sport untouched (the mission options a further credit reel in its bonus menu that credit the Master Collection employees individually).
There’s one notable quirk to find out about should you’re debating which platform to purchase it on: It seems that the Nintendo Switch model separates every sport within the package deal out into its personal launcher on the house display screen. That seems to be the one platform with that habits. If you don’t need a cluttered house display screen, you may as well choose it up on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 24.
Super Bomberman R 2
Konami
The long-running Bomberman franchise continues this September with Super Bomberman R 2, a launch that’ll convey some brand-new modes to the collection. In addition to straightforward battle modes and a 64-player battle royale choice, the most recent launch introduces a novel battle referred to as Castle. Here, one group goes on protection, defending three treasure chests. The different should seek out keys, get previous the defenders, and steal their loot. Basic Bomberman guidelines nonetheless apply, however every map is crammed with little obstacles, in addition to creatures referred to as Ellons that assist the defending group.
I performed a couple of rounds with three different gamers and it’s definitely a busy expertise. There’s loads occurring on display screen as a number of gamers bomb rocks directly, in addition to work round lethal traps. It lacks the timeless class of a traditional spherical of Bomberman, including a much bigger studying curve into the combination. However, it’s a intelligent twist of an previous components, discovering a method so as to add team-based targets into the normal deathmatch components. As a enjoyable added contact, the package deal accommodates over 29 characters, together with some hilariously off-tone Konami cameos from Pyramid Head, Solid Snake, and extra.
Super Bomberman R 2 definitely isn’t altering up the Bomberman components an excessive amount of, but it surely looks as if a reasonably definitive model of the collection for individuals who need a number of of its sport modes in a single spot. It launches on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch on September 12.
Super Crazy Rhythm Castle
Konami
2023 has been a surprisingly nice 12 months for the rhythm sport style, and that momentum doesn’t appear to be slowing down. During the occasion, I went hands-on with Super Crazy Rhythm Castle, a charmingly goofy music sport from developer Second Impact Games. Rather than merely tapping alongside to music, gamers set out on a full journey that weaves musical interludes in between third-person exploration. And it does that with some chaotic comedy and genuinely stable tunes.
I’d play get to check out four-player co-op throughout my demo, as my group accomplished a variety of musical challenges. Some have been easy sufficient: faucet L1, R1, and sq. on the proper time throughout a tune, Guitar Hero-style. Things shortly obtained uncontrolled from there. During one phase, I’d need to let my teammates deal with the music as I turned off some alarms across the room. Just once I thought I used to be completed, a bunch of colourful blocks fell from the ceiling and blocked the music chart. I’d have to wash them up as quick as doable so my teammates might really see the notes they have been hitting. In a climactic battle in opposition to an evil eggplant, we’d break up up into two separate groups: one taking part in the bass half and the opposite dealing with the treble. The boss would battle again by dropping thick roots over the music chart, forcing us to cease the music and battle it off with weed killer. Each tune was an unpredictable problem that just about jogs my memory of sofa co-op greats like Overcooked.
Super Crazy Rhythm Castle doesn’t have a launch date, but it surely’s set to launch on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
CYGNI: All Guns Blazing
Konami
If you’re a fan of traditional shoot ’em ups, CYGNI: All Guns Blazing ought to be in your radar. The debut sport from KeelWorks, a studio with roots in animation, the house shooter is directly a throwback to considered one of gaming’s most timeless genres and a forward-thinking evolution. It’s a fast-paced, top-down shoot ’em-up the place gamers wipe out waves of aliens and large bosses — all whereas piloting over detailed backdrops that showcase the studio’s animation chops.
I attempted my fingers at a couple of completely different missions and located an intense house shooter that was wildly quick. It breaks aside from the traditional style in a couple of key methods, although. For one, it includes a high-stakes risk-reward system the place gamers have to energy up their ship’s weapon by eradicating power from their protect. CYGNI additionally performs with depth, as gamers have each land and air weapons that they should alternate between. In one boss battle in opposition to an infinite monster, I wanted to shoot air missiles at its tentacles to take out its assault energy whereas dropping floor photographs to wreck its head. Also notable is that enemies don’t simply cowl the display screen in predictable paths. Rather, they’ve some intelligence and swarm the display screen in unpredictable methods, making it virtually really feel like extra of a technique sport.
While CYGNI: All Guns Blazing doesn’t have a agency launch date, KeelWorks appears to be nearing the tip of its improvement cycle as it really works on some last balancing. When it does come out, you may count on it on PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
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