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)!
Little Nightmares II is upon us!
February 11 is upon us, which means it is finally time to experience Little Nightmares 2. The first was quite good; you play as the girl in the yellow raincoat, a tiny person in a world of normal-sized items and people. It’s horror in a way that isn’t overdone, and even since its launch in 2017, nothing has really compared. In fact, Little Nightmares has now sold over three million units. The sequel appears poised to repeat the successful elements of the original, and perhaps sales to match. DDnet’s review will be up soon, but for now, here’s the launch trailer for Little Nightmares 2:
In Little Nightmares 2, the players takes over as Mono. he’s trapped in a world distorted by a distant tower. Luckily, Six (the girl in the yellow raincoat) is there to help him. They set out to discover the secrets of The Signal Tower. I would describe the game as a puzzle-platformer (or platformer-puzzle?) where you basically have to travel from point A to point B with a bunch of obstacles/puzzles in the way.
Little Nightmares 2 is available for PC via Steam/GOG, PlayStation 4, Stadia (free for Pro members), Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. Updated versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series will launch later this year.
EA continues its growth
It was only two months ago that EA acquired Codemasters, after it was rumoured that Take Two Interactive was on the verge of that deal. Now EA has signed an agreement to acquire Glu Mobile, a mobile games superpower. The agreement is for $2.1 billion (yes, I wrote billion) in enterprise value; the transaction will close at the end of June. EA believes the acquisition will add a lot to its mobile games business, aiming to create a leading mobile product portfolio.
Glu Mobile has definitely made at least one title you’d be familiar with – its resume is more than impressive and it should actually fit in with EA’s mass-market appear quite nicely. Remember the buzz when Kim Kardashian had an official game about her? That was Glu. The copycat titles featuring Britney Spears and Katy Perry? Glu. All the Diner Dash titles are developed by Glu. Centipede? You guessed it, Glu. You get the picture. It has partnerships with so many brands, its boggling to think what EA’s lineup will look like going forward.
Pumpkin Jack is finally launching for PS4
Originally launched last October for PC via Steam/GOG/Epic, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, 3D platformer Pumpkin Jack is ready for a PlayStation 4 release. Developed by Nicolas Meyssonnier and published by one of the greats, Headup Games, the PlayStation 4 launch is set for February 24. Headup Games believes the title will please fans of MediEvil and Jak & Dexter. It’s odd timing for a game about a guy with a Jack-‘o-latern head, but better late than never, right? Here’s the PlayStation 4 trailer:
Pumpkin Jack is a creepy 3D platformer (apparently that’s a theme today) about the Mythical Pumpkin Lord himself – Jack. It’s not so much as good-vs-evil as it is evil-vs-good, as the player takes over as the evil side trying to defeat anything good in the world. Jack will travel through the Arc En Ciel Kingdom (Rainbow Kingdom), with each level having its own atmosphere. Of course, Jack will need companions, and he’ll meet companions including an owl and a crow.
Skill will definitely be required to play, as precise timing is needed alongside dodging and moving around. Jack has a choice of weapons and the goal is use to them at critical moments. There are also lots of puzzles to solve, focusing on things like physics, gravity, and even reflection. Some exclusive gameplay may have snuck into this version as well. The best part may be the rail-riding, though, so keep an eye out for it.
Sanity of Morris gets a release date
That’s right, here’s another spooky title incoming! This one, Sanity of Morris, is described as a psychological horror adventure. Developed by Alterego Games and published by StickyLock Studios, it will be released for PC/Mac/Linus via Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on March 23. Here’s a new trailer:
I’ve been a bit obsessed with games featuring aliens lately, and Sanity of Morris fits nicely into that niche. Johnathan Morris hasn’t heard from his father in years , so he travels to his father’s town. The thing is, he isn’t exactly wanted there. Someone, or something, doesn’t want him snooping.
Johnathan’s tools aren’t exactly copious: he has a notebook and a flashlight. That’s it. The flashlight will reveal clues, but he risks being seen with each use. The gameplay is partially stealth and partially detective-work. Will Johnathan find is father? And does everything at hand have to do with aliens?
