News by Lindsay M., News Editor
Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s regular catch-up news feature. With each issue we will bring you the best news that you may have missed. Grab the biggest mug you’ve got, fill it with your favourite brew, and catch up with us (and our favourite news anchor, Dee Dee)!
Expanded trial, new patch available now for Final Fantasy XIV Online
I adore when there’s an update to Final Fantasy XIV, because it’s been a treat to watch the game evolve and how people respond to it. This week, Square Enix released Patch 5.3, Reflections in Crystal. There’s loads of new content (I hate that word, but it accurately describes the update so I’ll go with it), and also an option for an expanded trial. But first, the trailer:
So, what does Reflection in Crystal contain? Right off the bat, the main scenario from A Realm Reborn has been streamlined, adjusting point game and gear rewards. The patch also adds the ability to returns to the class quests from A Realm Reborn without losing the player’s character and level. There are new main scenario quests, as the Scions try to shed light on the Ascian Elidibus’ dark plot; this is the final act of the Shadowbringers story. There is a new YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse Raid, the next chapter in the NieR-inspired raid. There is a new Chronicles of a New Era quest, a new dungeon (the Heroes’ Gauntlet), a new trial, new tribe-quests featuring the dwarves, and an addition to Unreal Trials (one of my favourites, Shiva). And yes, there is more: crafter and gatherer updates, a Yo-Kai Watch collaboration event beginning on August 19, job adjustments, system updates, and yes, a bit more than that but I can’t keep going or I’d be here all day.
The free trial now includes everything from A Realm Reborn and Heavensward, as well as updates through to patch 3.56. An additional race (Au Ra) is now playable, and there are also three additional jobs. There’s no on playtime, just on your level: you can get up to level 60 before needing to pay the subscription fee. This equals hundreds of hours of playtime, so it may just be one of the most robust free trial of any subscription-based title. Sign up for the free trial here.
There’s news about Corpse Party’s upcoming news
I know, I know, reporting on news about news isn’t something we normally do. But this is totally worth it. First, here’s the video Mages. released to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Corpse Party: Blood Covered… Repeated Fear, the enhanced remake of 1996’s Corpse Party including some updates that was sold as simply Corpse Party outside of Japan:
The video goes through Corpse Party’s history by year, but most importantly, it teases more to come! It could be awhile (202X isn’t too helpful) but the trailer promises this will be the conclusion of the Heavenly Host Elementary series. Heavenly Host is the setting for the majority of Corpse Party games, so there are definite expectations to be blown away. The video concludes with what looks like a logo (Darkness Distortion) and then another screen that simply states, “more corpse…”
There’s a lot to the Corpse Party lore, but I’m going to try and condense it. The first game a room of high school students telling ghost stories after a cultural festival. An earthquake hits after someone says a charm, transporting everyone to the same school but in an alternate dimension, filled with the ghosts of the people trapped there. It turns out, another school used to stand on that very spot, until it was torn down thanks to murders and disappearing staff and students. Book of Shadows continues the story, set at the same time but continuing the wrong endings from the first game. This leads to Blood Drive, which continues from the prologue in Book of Shadows. Naomi takes her friend to a hospital, where she is helped by a woman claiming to be a spiritual associate, belonging to the Wiccan Institute. There are lies, sorrowful moments, new characters, and even a “new” antagonist.
A new edition of Control is on the way
Remedy Entertainment is well known for games that come with critical success, namely Alan Wake and Quantum Break. Its latest title, Control, was released about a year ago. And now, Control is back with a new edition: the Ultimate Edition. It contains the base game, the first two expansions, and all content updates since the original launch. The DDnet staff loved it so much, Control was awarded Silver for Best Blockbuster of 2019. Here’s the trailer for Control Ultimate Edition:
Control Ultimate Edition will be released on multiple platforms on multiple dates, so take note! The game will launch for PC via Steam on August 27. On September 10, it will launch digitally for PC via Epic Games Story, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The end of 2020 will bring physical editions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. At roughly the same time, it will launch digitally for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Finally, early next year comes the physical editions for the two next-gen consoles. Players who purchase Control Ultimate Edition on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One will get a free upgrade to the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X version; this deal is only for people who buy the Ultimate Edition, though, and won’t apply if you bought the original version of Control.
That’s a lot of information for anyone, let alone someone who hasn’t played the game yet (I’d point to myself if I wasn’t typing). The third-person action-adventure title is about a corrupt presence that has invaded the Federal Bureau of Control, and only Jesse can stop them. There’s elements of the supernatural as Jesse searches for her missing brother, but also ultimately learns the truth behind what’s happening. Again, Remedy found critical success; our Harvard L. gave the game 4.5/5 stars, stating, “For the most part, Control is a resounding success. It carves out a unique identity in its gameplay, and its interconnected story receives the torch passed from previous titles by its studio. It wears its influences on its sleeve, and is all the better for it.”
VR broom racing has almost arrived!
Who hasn’t looked at a VR headset and thought, I bet this would be great for broom racing? Okay, it’s quite likely very few people think of that, but enough did for developer UNIVRS to make it happen. Enter Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing. The game is based off the popular Little Witch Academia anime film, which has spawned another movie, a series, and a handful of video games. VR Broom Racing is the latest addition to the list. Take a look at the launch date trailer:
Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing will be released for Oculus Quest on October 13. PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and Steam VR versions should launch early next year. In a press release, UNIVRS COO Naoya Koji states, “We strived to make this as accessible an experience as possible for the fans, even if it’s their first virtual reality experience, and know we will live up to their expectations.” That’s a big promise, so we’ll see if there’s follow-through.
The game has the player enrolled as a guest student at Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy. It features a new story set in the known universe. There are ten tracks to fly through, and familiar characters to partner with (voices in both Japanese and English). Apparently there’s some sort of patent-pending motion sickness reduction at play to prevent… well, that’s obvious: motion sickness. The game is the result of two successful crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter and Campfire.
