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)!
Cozy Grove gets a massive update
It’s just occurred to me that I’ve never even mentioned Cozy Grove here. That’s kind of weird, considering I’ve been obsessed with it for (and yes, I did check) 172 days. That’s months and months of checking in on a daily basis. Cozy Grove is often compared to Animal Crossing, and it does have some of the same features (character options, decorating, fruit trees, chill feeling) but it’s actually quite different. Every day, there are ghost bears that need your help. Complete tasks for them to advance the story and make them understand why they’re dead. You can also plants fruit trees and bushes, put out flowers and flowering bushes, collect ore, craft items, fish, catch bugs, and complete collections for all of the above to earn rewards. Anyway, to the point: Crozy Grove was updated last week with the Autumn Update, which brings a lot of new content to the game.
The autumn update is filled with things I love: bunnies, kitties, and photography! Adding to spirit deer and birds, there are now spirit bunnies to feed. Players can lure a cat to their home using various foods (what shows up depends on the combination of three items). A camera and film has been added to the game for a new type of bear-requested quest for photographs containing specific things, like imps or items. The best thing about the update is that there is now an accordion available; play it, and the fruit and flowers nearby will basically leap to the ground for easy collection. There’s also a Halloween event coming up; it’s rumoured to start on October 20.
Developed by Spry Fox and published by Spry Fox and The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild, Cozy Grove was originally released on March 19, 2021. It is available for Apple Arcade, PC via Steam/Epic, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.
Corpse Party (2021) launching in the west before Halloween
I literally cannot keep up with all the re-releases of Corpse Party, so here’s another one to add to the confusion! Corpse Party (2021), an updated and expanded version of the original title, is set for a western release this month. Yes, prior to Halloween, the best time to pick it up for the first time. I first played the 3DS version on a Halloween that I was stuck in bed due to surgery, and honestly I think I would have lost my mind alone on such a fun night without it. Here’s the launch date trailer for the 2021 launch:
The original version of Corpse Party featured five chapters, each with multiple (and gruesome) endings available. The 2021 version also includes 16 extra chapters, including two brand-new episodes with new characters. The 16-bit graphics have been updated (well, as much as can be). Corpse Party’s gameplay is part point-and-click and part RPG, though with no battles. The game is fully voiced in Japanese and uses binaural 3D recording techniques to create one heck of a simulated sound experience for those listening on headphones (do it, trust me).
Developed by MAGES. and published by XSEED/Marvelous, Corpse Party (2021) will be released in globally for PC via Steam/GOG/Humble and in the west for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One. The PC version is also available bundled with the original game. The updated version originally launched in Japan for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on February 28, 2021.
Meet the characters in House of Ashes
The release date for the third game in The Dark Pictures Anthology, House of Ashes, is approaching quickly. The game follows a team as they try to escape a buried temple filled with deadly monsters. We’ve seen some trailers before, of course, but nothing that really dives into the characters themselves. Released last week, the below trailer does just that: introduce us to the main people we will be spending time with. Here it is:
The team is basically split into two, with each side rarely seeing the other’s point of view. There are five characters. Rachel King (voiced by Ashley Tisdale) is a CIA Field Officer; she is commanding and abrasive. Eric King (Alex Gravensteins) is a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAF; he is rational and insecure. Nick Kat (Moe Judy-Lamour) is a Sergeant for USMC Force Recon; he is defensive and romantic. Jason Kolchek (Paul Zinno) is a 1st Lieutenant, also with USMC Force Recon; he is confident and intolerant. Finally, we have Salim Othman (Nick E. Tarabay), a Lieutenant for Iraqi Ground Forces; he is stubborn and courageous.
Developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco, The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes will be released on October 22 for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One. It follows two other titles in The Dark Pictures Anthology, Man of Medan and Little Hope. There are eight planned instalments.
Charming narrative adventure game Roki coming to more consoles
The scenery alone very well could be enough to bring players to Roki: it’s perfectly wintery and perfectly cartoony all at once. The narrative adventure game features non-violent gameplay, accessible controls, and universal themes. Here’s the latest console announcement trailer:
Roki follows Tove as she embarks on a journey into a dangerous, long-forgotten work filled with mythical creatures. Her quest’s purpose? To save her family. The game is heavily inspired by Scandinavian folklore and has an interactive environment. It is a game of brains, not brawn. This is the first time it is available with a 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, allows players to be more immersed than ever before.
Developed by Polygon Treehouse and published by United Label Games, Roki will be released on October 28 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series. It first launched for PC via Steam/GOG in July 2020, with a Nintendo Switch release in October 2020.
