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The Maw - 20th-25th May 2024This week’s heartiest videogames, plus our weekly newsblogLive
This week’s heartiest videogames, plus our weekly newsblog
Image credit:Internet Archive Book Images
Image credit:Internet Archive Book Images
This week on RPS: secret plans and clever tricks. Also, a bunch of new videogames, none of them particularly Enormous or Crocodilian. We open on Monday 20th May with the extremely Alice B-friendly combo ofLittle-Known Galaxy, akaStardew Valley meets Star Trek, andA Tower Full Of Cats, a hidden object puzzler featuring a tower full of dogs, I mean cats. All very upbeat. Well, hold that thought, because on the 21st, it’s time forSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, another slice of Celtic sort-of-psychosis from Ninja Theory, which is as grim as the accompanyingPaper Trailis checks Nic’sreview incredibly annoying?
On 22nd May there’sVenture To The Vile, a 2.5D metroidvania which is already doing a nice line in background animations and scenery,RKGK/Rakugaki, a 3D platformer in which you are a graffiti artist tagging up a neo-brutalist city, andIsles Of Sea & Sky, which is Zelda but also sokoban. 23rd May introduces the long-anticipatedHauntii, a ghostly twin-stick puzzle-shooter rendered in two-tone line art, andCrown Wars: The Black Prince, which is sort of XCOM but French and from the 14th century. On the 24th, there’sa reboot of Devil Blade, a 1996 shmup with a pretty glorious mix of sprites and 3D environments.
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Key points07:59 amMay 24 2024IT’S FRIDAY I’M IN FRIDAY11:02 amMay 23 2024THURSDAY DOESN’T EVEN START08:03 amMay 22 2024WEDNESDAY, ALTHOUGH I’D QUITE LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE FIRST HALF OF TUESDAY AND JUST STAY THERE07:51 amMay 21 2024TUESDAY, I PRESUME?07:16 amMay 20 2024DEFCON MONDAY
Key points
07:59 amMay 24 2024IT’S FRIDAY I’M IN FRIDAY
11:02 amMay 23 2024THURSDAY DOESN’T EVEN START
08:03 amMay 22 2024WEDNESDAY, ALTHOUGH I’D QUITE LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE FIRST HALF OF TUESDAY AND JUST STAY THERE
07:51 amMay 21 2024TUESDAY, I PRESUME?
07:16 amMay 20 2024DEFCON MONDAY
16:52 pmUTCGacha game of the moment Wuthering Waves plans to let you skip more scenes and improve combat in the future,as devs Kuro Games offer some in-game goodies as apology for the open-world RPG’s rocky launch earlier this week.
Gacha game of the moment Wuthering Waves plans to let you skip more scenes and improve combat in the future,as devs Kuro Games offer some in-game goodies as apology for the open-world RPG’s rocky launch earlier this week.
Gacha game of the moment Wuthering Waves plans to let you skip more scenes and improve combat in the future,as devs Kuro Games offer some in-game goodies as apology for the open-world RPG’s rocky launch earlier this week.
16:44 pmUTCThe Sims 4’s developers have assembled a new team to focus on fixing bugs and upping performance, with updates now due to land every two months. That’ll kick off with a patch later this month that includes fixes for summoning a cheese toastie, among others.
The Sims 4’s developers have assembled a new team to focus on fixing bugs and upping performance, with updates now due to land every two months. That’ll kick off with a patch later this month that includes fixes for summoning a cheese toastie, among others.
The Sims 4’s developers have assembled a new team to focus on fixing bugs and upping performance, with updates now due to land every two months. That’ll kick off with a patch later this month that includes fixes for summoning a cheese toastie, among others.
16:33 pmUTCAnimal Well creator plans to follow the superb Metroidvania witha game that shares its world but “may not be a direct sequel”.
Animal Well creator plans to follow the superb Metroidvania witha game that shares its world but “may not be a direct sequel”.
Animal Well creator plans to follow the superb Metroidvania witha game that shares its world but “may not be a direct sequel”.
15:22 pmUTCRing Them BellsWatch on YouTube
Ring Them BellsWatch on YouTube
Ring Them BellsWatch on YouTube
Ring Them Bells
12:35 pmUTCSabine Devieilhe records Lakmé (Delibes): Air des clochettes / Bell SongWatch on YouTube
Sabine Devieilhe records Lakmé (Delibes): Air des clochettes / Bell SongWatch on YouTube
Sabine Devieilhe records Lakmé (Delibes): Air des clochettes / Bell SongWatch on YouTube
Sabine Devieilhe records Lakmé (Delibes): Air des clochettes / Bell Song
11:27 amUTCBELLA CIAO - La Casa de Papel (ORIGINAL SONG & DANCE SCENE)Watch on YouTube
BELLA CIAO - La Casa de Papel (ORIGINAL SONG & DANCE SCENE)Watch on YouTube
BELLA CIAO - La Casa de Papel (ORIGINAL SONG & DANCE SCENE)Watch on YouTube
BELLA CIAO - La Casa de Papel (ORIGINAL SONG & DANCE SCENE)
11:06 amUTCFor Whom The Bell Tolls (Remastered)Watch on YouTube
For Whom The Bell Tolls (Remastered)Watch on YouTube
For Whom The Bell Tolls (Remastered)Watch on YouTube
For Whom The Bell Tolls (Remastered)
10:50 amUTCBelle of Belfast CityWatch on YouTube
Belle of Belfast CityWatch on YouTube
Belle of Belfast CityWatch on YouTube
Belle of Belfast City
10:17 amUTCUnion of Gnomes: Prologueis a free taster to the upcoming squirrel-riding, cart-rampaging roguelike deckbuilder.
Union of Gnomes: Prologueis a free taster to the upcoming squirrel-riding, cart-rampaging roguelike deckbuilder.
08:14 amUTCWarhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 is happening! No release date as of yet, but you can find the Steam pagehere. Space popes vs bots: the sequeling!
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 is happening! No release date as of yet, but you can find the Steam pagehere. Space popes vs bots: the sequeling!
08:05 amUTCRing My BellWatch on YouTube
Ring My BellWatch on YouTube
Ring My BellWatch on YouTube
Ring My Bell
07:59 amUTCIT’S FRIDAY I’M IN FRIDAYFifth day already this week, sheer madness.
IT’S FRIDAY I’M IN FRIDAYFifth day already this week, sheer madness.
IT’S FRIDAY I’M IN FRIDAY
11:02 amUTCTHURSDAY DOESN’T EVEN START…
THURSDAY DOESN’T EVEN START…
THURSDAY DOESN’T EVEN START
08:10 amUTCCyber Clutch: Hot Import Nightsis a cyberpunky battle racer out at some point in the future. Anything that gives even the slightest whiff of Rock N Roll Racing 2 makes me salivate like some sort of spreadsheet fiddler gleefully purging irreplaceable talent. Similes are fun!
Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nightsis a cyberpunky battle racer out at some point in the future. Anything that gives even the slightest whiff of Rock N Roll Racing 2 makes me salivate like some sort of spreadsheet fiddler gleefully purging irreplaceable talent. Similes are fun!
08:03 amUTCWEDNESDAY, ALTHOUGH I’D QUITE LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE FIRST HALF OF TUESDAY AND JUST STAY THEREUGH
WEDNESDAY, ALTHOUGH I’D QUITE LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE FIRST HALF OF TUESDAY AND JUST STAY THEREUGH
WEDNESDAY, ALTHOUGH I’D QUITE LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE FIRST HALF OF TUESDAY AND JUST STAY THERE
14:02 pmUTCShadow Of The Erdtree’s story trailer premieres 3pm UTC/11am EST/4pm BST. Here’s it:ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree | Story TrailerWatch on YouTube
Shadow Of The Erdtree’s story trailer premieres 3pm UTC/11am EST/4pm BST. Here’s it:ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree | Story TrailerWatch on YouTube
Shadow Of The Erdtree’s story trailer premieres 3pm UTC/11am EST/4pm BST. Here’s it:
ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree | Story TrailerWatch on YouTube
ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree | Story Trailer
11:19 amUTCNifty stompy boy management gameMech Engineerhas left early access. Looks like a corker for those who appreciate a good menu. I’m not being snarky. These are some good menus.
Nifty stompy boy management gameMech Engineerhas left early access. Looks like a corker for those who appreciate a good menu. I’m not being snarky. These are some good menus.
08:12 amUTCThe Kingdom Hearts series is coming to Steam next month, June 13th. Remember: any key can be a blade if you believe in yourself.
The Kingdom Hearts series is coming to Steam next month, June 13th. Remember: any key can be a blade if you believe in yourself.
08:10 amUTCSenua’s Saga Hellblade 2 reviews are out! Here’sours!
Senua’s Saga Hellblade 2 reviews are out! Here’sours!
08:05 amUTC’Necromancy' is one of the most ambitious and rad looking Total War: Warhammer III mods I’ve yet seen. As the Vampire Counts, you can recruit those wheel skellies from Dark Souls/Berserk, and also raise several units from every faction in the game as bony minions. Cheers YouTuberColonel Damnedersfor the spot!
‘Necromancy’ is one of the most ambitious and rad looking Total War: Warhammer III mods I’ve yet seen. As the Vampire Counts, you can recruit those wheel skellies from Dark Souls/Berserk, and also raise several units from every faction in the game as bony minions. Cheers YouTuberColonel Damnedersfor the spot!
08:01 amUTCPlaying Kafkais out today. It’s a “narrative adventure full of impenetrable schemes, insidious plot twists and conversations that slip out of hand. Based on Kafka’s life and his work, developed with Kafka experts.” Sounds…Kafka-like.
Playing Kafkais out today. It’s a “narrative adventure full of impenetrable schemes, insidious plot twists and conversations that slip out of hand. Based on Kafka’s life and his work, developed with Kafka experts.” Sounds…Kafka-like.
07:58 amUTCI missed this when it released:Little Buddy Moveis an interactive animation from Chuchel and Samorost team Amanita. You click on cute wooden gremlins to remix a funky track. You’ll be done with it in about 45 seconds, but it is 45 seconds of pure joy:Little Buddy Move - Immerse yourself in an innovative musical experience!Watch on YouTube
I missed this when it released:Little Buddy Moveis an interactive animation from Chuchel and Samorost team Amanita. You click on cute wooden gremlins to remix a funky track. You’ll be done with it in about 45 seconds, but it is 45 seconds of pure joy:Little Buddy Move - Immerse yourself in an innovative musical experience!Watch on YouTube
I missed this when it released:Little Buddy Moveis an interactive animation from Chuchel and Samorost team Amanita. You click on cute wooden gremlins to remix a funky track. You’ll be done with it in about 45 seconds, but it is 45 seconds of pure joy:
Little Buddy Move - Immerse yourself in an innovative musical experience!Watch on YouTube
Little Buddy Move - Immerse yourself in an innovative musical experience!
07:54 amUTCThere’s afree Steam demofor Silenus, the next game from Geography Of Robots - them behind stunningly good hauntological adventure Norco. The demo is named ‘Umbilical Pre-Release’.
There’s afree Steam demofor Silenus, the next game from Geography Of Robots - them behind stunningly good hauntological adventure Norco. The demo is named ‘Umbilical Pre-Release’.
07:51 amUTCTUESDAY, I PRESUME?You can’t fool me. This isn’t my first Tuesday.
TUESDAY, I PRESUME?You can’t fool me. This isn’t my first Tuesday.
TUESDAY, I PRESUME?
18:16 pmUTC’Warner Smash Bros' fighter MultiVersus has added Friday the 13th’s Jason and The Matrix’s Agent Smith to its already preposterous roster, as the fighter prepares to return next week having vanished after its open beta almost a year ago.
‘Warner Smash Bros’ fighter MultiVersus has added Friday the 13th’s Jason and The Matrix’s Agent Smith to its already preposterous roster, as the fighter prepares to return next week having vanished after its open beta almost a year ago.
‘Warner Smash Bros’ fighter MultiVersus has added Friday the 13th’s Jason and The Matrix’s Agent Smith to its already preposterous roster, as the fighter prepares to return next week having vanished after its open beta almost a year ago.
17:41 pmUTCPrince of Persia: The Lost Crown has added a boss rush mode, extra fast-travel and an outfit from the 2008 reboot (if you can unlock it) inthe second of its three free updates.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has added a boss rush mode, extra fast-travel and an outfit from the 2008 reboot (if you can unlock it) inthe second of its three free updates.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has added a boss rush mode, extra fast-travel and an outfit from the 2008 reboot (if you can unlock it) inthe second of its three free updates.
16:33 pmUTCStellar Blade devs Shift Up are ‘considering’ a PC release and sequel for the flashy action-RPG, as their next game Project Witches also takes aim at PC (it sounds like that’ll be a gacha game though, sorry).
Stellar Blade devs Shift Up are ‘considering’ a PC release and sequel for the flashy action-RPG, as their next game Project Witches also takes aim at PC (it sounds like that’ll be a gacha game though, sorry).
Stellar Blade devs Shift Up are ‘considering’ a PC release and sequel for the flashy action-RPG, as their next game Project Witches also takes aim at PC (it sounds like that’ll be a gacha game though, sorry).
10:52 amUTCCourier ‘em up Death Stranding 2 has wrapped up filming and is now entering its “adjustment phase,” viaGames Radar.
Courier ‘em up Death Stranding 2 has wrapped up filming and is now entering its “adjustment phase,” viaGames Radar.
09:58 amUTCBaldur’s Gate 3 developers Larian are opening a new studio in Warsaw, Poland. “As the team ramps up development on our next games, Larian’s excited to boost its existing 24-hour development cycle with the addition of this seventh studio.”
Baldur’s Gate 3 developers Larian are opening a new studio in Warsaw, Poland. “As the team ramps up development on our next games, Larian’s excited to boost its existing 24-hour development cycle with the addition of this seventh studio.”
08:59 amUTCIn a stunning coincidence primarily of interest to me only, Steam has 3 Legacy Of Kain Games for under a quid each, and GOG has the other (Blood Omen), also for under a quid - or around 85% off all round. With all the money you save, you could buy a beanbag to sit in and sulk about the lack of Soul Reaver 1.
In a stunning coincidence primarily of interest to me only, Steam has 3 Legacy Of Kain Games for under a quid each, and GOG has the other (Blood Omen), also for under a quid - or around 85% off all round. With all the money you save, you could buy a beanbag to sit in and sulk about the lack of Soul Reaver 1.
08:44 amUTCTiny Terry’s Turbo Tripis a quirky adventure game that requires no further alliteration, which is good, because it’s Monday, and I simply don’t have it in me. Looks fun though! It’s out next Thursday, May 30th.
Tiny Terry’s Turbo Tripis a quirky adventure game that requires no further alliteration, which is good, because it’s Monday, and I simply don’t have it in me. Looks fun though! It’s out next Thursday, May 30th.
08:28 amUTCDave The Diver - the game that launched a thousand ‘is it indie though?’ debates, each less interesting than the last - is getting afree Godzilla DLCthis Wednesday, May 23rd.
Dave The Diver - the game that launched a thousand ‘is it indie though?’ debates, each less interesting than the last - is getting afree Godzilla DLCthis Wednesday, May 23rd.
08:22 amUTCExtremely exciting Sekir-ouls-like Black Myth: Wukong has a new trailer. Watch to the end for a good monkey.Black Myth: Wukong - WeGame Tonight 2024 TrailerWatch on YouTube
Extremely exciting Sekir-ouls-like Black Myth: Wukong has a new trailer. Watch to the end for a good monkey.Black Myth: Wukong - WeGame Tonight 2024 TrailerWatch on YouTube
Black Myth: Wukong - WeGame Tonight 2024 TrailerWatch on YouTube
Black Myth: Wukong - WeGame Tonight 2024 Trailer
08:05 amUTCThose Total War: Star Wars (Total Star Wars?)rumoursmight have a bit more meat on their bones than initially appeared. VGC’s Andy Robinsonhas hintedat having known about Creative Assembly’s rumoured project for a while now. I still think they should stay within publisher SEGA’s franchises: Total War: Like A Dragon, anyone? All the maps would be car parks and red light districts, mind.
Those Total War: Star Wars (Total Star Wars?)rumoursmight have a bit more meat on their bones than initially appeared. VGC’s Andy Robinsonhas hintedat having known about Creative Assembly’s rumoured project for a while now. I still think they should stay within publisher SEGA’s franchises: Total War: Like A Dragon, anyone? All the maps would be car parks and red light districts, mind.
07:59 amUTCLayers Deepis an upcoming 2D metroidvania with music from the composers of the excellent animated series Over The Garden Wall. The general vibe of the game isn’t a million miles away from the show, either.
Layers Deepis an upcoming 2D metroidvania with music from the composers of the excellent animated series Over The Garden Wall. The general vibe of the game isn’t a million miles away from the show, either.
07:57 amUTCElden Ring studio FromSoftware teased acoupleofnewShadow Of The Erdtree images before the weekend. One is a Omen-masked creature, the other is an omnious, Bloodborne-lookin’ town square. We’re exactly a month and a day out from release now.
Elden Ring studio FromSoftware teased acoupleofnewShadow Of The Erdtree images before the weekend. One is a Omen-masked creature, the other is an omnious, Bloodborne-lookin’ town square. We’re exactly a month and a day out from release now.
07:51 amUTCGalactic mystery puzzler Machinika: Museum isfree on Steamuntil 27th May - ta,PCG.
Galactic mystery puzzler Machinika: Museum isfree on Steamuntil 27th May - ta,PCG.
Galactic mystery puzzler Machinika: Museum isfree on Steamuntil 27th May - ta,PCG.
07:49 amUTCYou will soon beunable to play Steam games on your Telsa. Speaking as a pedestrian, I’m kind of happy about that.
You will soon beunable to play Steam games on your Telsa. Speaking as a pedestrian, I’m kind of happy about that.
You will soon beunable to play Steam games on your Telsa. Speaking as a pedestrian, I’m kind of happy about that.
07:16 amUTCDEFCON MONDAYThis morning the Maw has manifested as a million mini-Maws, who look like violently coloured preying mantids. They squat on my shoulders as I type these words, squealing and hissing. Shoo! Shoo! FEED THEM.
DEFCON MONDAYThis morning the Maw has manifested as a million mini-Maws, who look like violently coloured preying mantids. They squat on my shoulders as I type these words, squealing and hissing. Shoo! Shoo! FEED THEM.
DEFCON MONDAY
