In this weeks bulletin, we discuss the things we have learned about AC: Valhalla so far, the unveiling of 2K’s rework of the Mafia Trilogy, a full motion video game called Deathtrap Dungeon, a revisit to LucasArts’ ’90s cult classic The Dig, the addition of a Aztec god to Overwatch, the International Day of the Museum in Animal Crossing, the game Herald coming to Switch, PS4 and Xbox One and finally the release of new DLC for Civ VI and where to get the game for free!
What have we learned about AC: Valhalla?
In the few weeks since the announcement of Valhalla, many questions have risen about the new game, how it differs from its predecessors and how it will handle several (historical) issues. For example: how will Valhalla build on Origins’ AI? What will the difference be between the male and female protagonist (spoiler: none)? Why haven’t we seen much of the female lead? And more in-depth: how will Valhalla handle more political issues such as colonization? Luckily for us, Stephen Totilo of Kotaku had written a feature on these questions. He had a talk with Ashraf Ismail, the game’s creative director. Read Totilo’s feature here and get to know more on Valhalla!
2K unveils Mafia remake
By this time, the reworks (Definitive Editions) of the 2K’s Mafia 2 & 3 have been released into the wider world. The definitive editions will be part of a rework and remaster of the whole series, with some big differences between iterations. 2K is still working on Mafia, which is going to be a true rework, with a new engine, new scripts and so on. The other two games are more remasters than reworks. However, if you already own Mafia 2 or 3, you will get the remasters for free! Matt Wales of Eurogamer has fleshed the news around Mafia out for you. Read his article here!
Deathtrap Dungeon
What do you get when you combine a full motion video game with the legendary Fighting Fantasy RPG-gamebooks? You get Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Video Adventure. Instead of jotting down you own stats on paper and disobeying the rules left right and center, the game takes over the administrative burden and makes sure you play by the book. And this all whilst actor Eddie Marsan puts down some impressive narration. Nate Crowley of Rock Paper Shotgun wrote a feature on the game, and how it is the museum of 80s trad fantasy. Read it here!
Revisiting 90s LucasArts cult-game The Dig
I was unaware of the existence of a game thought up by Steven Spielberg. The Dig is a game about an archaeological dig on an alien planet, made up by Spielberg, and created in collaboration with LucasArts. It came out 25 years ago, and despite mixed reception, it became quite the cult classic. That’s why Andy Kelly of PC Gamer revisited the game to show if it still is the cult classic it once was, and how the game holds up in the current day and age. Read his revisitation here!
Overwatch Anniversary: Huitzilopochtli Zenyatta
For this years Overwatch Anniversary, the support Zenyatta is given a new skin: that of Aztec god of sun and war Huitzilopochtli. Zenyetta has a history of god-like skins, but this one is pretty awesome (coming from someone who doesn’t play Overwatch)!
Animal Crossing International Museum Day
From the 18th until the 31st of May, the International Museum Day event will run on Animal Crossing. By visting the musem and collecting stamps, you will unlock some nice rewards! Read this feature on the event, and where to find all the stamps. While you at it, don’t forget to support you local museums!
Herald coming to Switch, PS4 & Xbox One
Wispfire, the company behind the interactive adventure game Herald: An Interactive Period Drama, announced that the game will come to the Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One! In contrast to the PC version, the console versions will release with Book I to IV, meaning that book III and IV will also come to PC in the forseable future! Want to brush up on Herald? Read our Games we Dig on the game here, watch Wispfire’s talk at the first TIPC or watch the playthough we had with Wispfire back in 2015 below!
Civ VI New Frontier Pass Release & free on Epic Games!
You’ve probably already seen it, but Civ VI’s New Frontier Pass was released yesterday. By buying the pass, you will gain access to all DLC’s released over the coming year (which you can also buy seperatly but that will cost you more in the long run). Together with the pass, the first DLC adding the Maya and Gran Colombia to the game was also released (I’ve played them, they’re okay). Also, some quality of life updates have been given to all players. Don’t you own Civ VI yet, but want to have a go? Well, you can now claim the base game for free on the Epic Games Store! What are you waiting for? Get the game!