Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s weekly catch-up news feature, the catch-up coffee. With each issue I 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)!
The next FFXIV expansion has been announced
I can’t say I ever expected Final Fantasy XIV to last this long, yet here we are. Square Enix has announced that its next big expansion, Dawntrail, will be released in about a year. The patch 7.0 expansion includes new story, a new world, a new hub city, new areas, new allied tribes, a level cap increase, two new jobs, new dungeons, new gear and recipes, and expansive new lifestyle content.
Here’s the story description:
As hope’s light dawns once more, a hero looks to new horizons…
Winds of opportunity bring a visitor from the New World, seeking the Warrior of Light’s aid in a rite of succession to determine Tural’s next ruler.
Alongside Alphinaud, Alisaie, and Erenville, the Warrior of Light embarks upon a journey across the Indigo Deep. Should rumor be true, the contest may lead them to the fabled gates of a city of gold.
Developed and published by Square Enix, Final Fantasy XIV is available on PC/Mac, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and – beginning in Q2 2024 – on Xbox Series. The PlayStation 3 version is no longer supported.
Two classic Zelda games have been added to Nintendo Switch Online
With the recent launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, now is a great time to get new fans into the classic games. I almost thought July was going to pass without any new games added to Nintendo Switch Online, but the Nintendo dropped a nice surprise. Under its Game Boy category, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons are now available. They can be played in any order, but both need to be played to complete the full saga. They can be linked via a password system, changing some characters and enemies, and items can be upgraded or transported.
The Land of Labrynna has fallen into darkness in The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages. But there’s still hope that a hero can prevent the Sorceress of Shadows from plunging the world into an endless night. Link is ready to help out, of course, but his abilities present unique challenges. If a river blocks his path in the present, he can travel to the past and move a stone to redirect the flow of water in the present.
Link has to stop the power-hungry General Onox is The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons. In the land of Holodrum, the harmonious cycle of nature has been disrupted. Instead of letting the land slowly wither, Link can change the seasons to overcome puzzling obstacles. For example, if he finds a plant at the bottom of the cliff, he can transform the season to spring and use the newly-bloomed flower to get a boost. Link will have to rescue the Season Spirits before the world is thrown into chaos.
Life By You won’t be released in Early Access this year
Life sim Life By You has gotten a lot of attention, and it was set to launch in early access on September 12. That decision may have been a bit too hasty, however, and the date has been pushed back a decent amount into 2024. Life by You is like an enhanced version of the sims, where players are in control of the humans they create, the towns they build, and the stories that get told. Mods are a pretty big deal for the game. There’s no loading screens, real-life language conversations, and quests to unlock new experiences.
The developer released a list of what it will be working on during the delay. It includes visual improvements, gameplay tuning, a UI overhaul, mod tools, lots of bug fixing, and the addition of extra languages. Anyone that pre-ordered or wish listed the game will get a free Nightclub Vibe Pack, which includes “nightclubby” furniture.
Developed and published by Paradox, Life by You will be released in early access for PC via Steam/Epic on March 5, 2024.
Fashion Dreamer launches in November
I don’t care if I’m in my mid-30s, I’m happy to say I’m excited for what is basically a game of paper dolls. Fashion Dreamer is a creative-focuses game where players express their style using their avatar, called a Muse. Create iconic looks ranging from cozy to chic by choosing from hundreds of available options that can be customized to create one-of-a-kind looks. Show off the latest creations across different areas, called Cocooons. There, players can also explore other new fashions from other Muses (whether playing on or offline), or display theirs in a showroom to gather more attention and likes for the brand. Increase influence by completing design challenges, which unlocks new customization options.
The end goal seems to be growing as a fashion influencer. In addition to getting Likes, players can give out Likes to other Muses with impeccable taste. This lets the player use their fashion items for themselves. There are over 1400 customizable items with a ton of different styles and colours. Playing online and allows players to visit connected worlds, seeking inspiration or snagging new outfits.
Developed by syn Sophia and published by XSEED Games/Marvelous Europe, Fashion Dreamer will be released for Nintendo Switch in the west on November 3. It launches in Japan on November 2.
