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)!
Bahnsen Knights is delayed for consoles
The third game in the Pixel Pulp series, Bahnsen Knights was already delayed once. Originally set to launch on October 26, the game’s launch was pushed back by two months due a death in the family of one of the developers. Now, the console versions of the game have been delayed to next month. It’s not so much intentional as it is bad timing: on Twitter, the developer states that it didn’t take into account submission deadlines for this time of year. It’s super unfortunate all-around, but at least PC players can still play in a few days.
Bahnsen Knights follows Boulder, an undercover agent in a world of religious fanaticism, F5 tornadoes, and Ford Sierras. The leader of the Bahnsen Knights, a deadly cult, is the enigmatic Toni. Toni was being investigated by Agent Cupra, who has disappeared. Boulder is sent to uncover what happened to Cupra and what exactly is going on with the Bahnsen Knights. Paranormal investigator Lou Hill, from the previous two Pixel Pulp games, makes an appearance when he’s found being held captive in a trunk.
Developed by LCB Game Studio and published by Chorus Worldwide, Bahnsen Knights will be released for PC via Steam on December 14. It will be released for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on January 18, 2024.
Two DLC (DLCs?) announced for Final Fantasy XVI, one available now
During The Game Awards (boo), Square Enix announced two paid DLC for Final Fantasy XVI (one of DDNet’s games of Christmas this year). The first, Echoes of the Fallen, is available now. The second, The Rising Tide, is set to launch in Q2 2024. They can be purchased separately or combined as an Expansion Pass.
In Echoes of the Fallen, the sun is setting over the land of Valisthea. Strange, dark crystals are circulating on the black market. There’s a chance these crystals are the sinister fruit of a long-slumbering Mothercrystal that the world never even knew existed. Clive heads out to find answers, and encounters a group of suspicious traders. Tailing them leads him to a long-abandoned Fallen tower where terrible secrets are contained. This storyline is able to be played after unlocking Origin as a destination on the map and completing two quests, Where There’s a Will and Priceless. Echoes of the Fallen includes two bonuses: Cloud’s (FFVII) Buster Sword, and a new background music track for the hideaway.
Developed and published by Square Enix, Final Fantasy XVI is available now for PlayStation 5.
No Man’s Sky developer announces sandbox survival adventure game
Hello Games got a lot of flack with the launch of No Man’s Sky. It tried to make up for it with later updates, but in my opinion those updates actually kind of ruined the magic of the title when it first launched. Because of that game’s progression, I’m extremely interested to see what happens with Light No Fire. Hello Games announced the adventure, building, survival, exploration, open-world game last week.
Light No Fire is set on a fantasy planet that is about the size of Earth. It promises to combine the depth of RPGs with the freedom of a survival sandbox game. Players will meet others from across the world, then build a life, explore, and survive together. Construct more permanent communities, or set out on your own to discover what’s out there. The game is procedurally-generated, creating varied and dense planets filled with immersive biomes, unique enemies, and valuable resources. Climb mountains, sail across oceans, ride beasts through fantasy landscapes, and fly a dragon over somewhere completely new. The world is thick with lore and mystery, as well as the constant fight for survival.
Developed and published by Hello Games, Light No Fire has been announced for PC via Steam.
Don’t Nod wins for best game announced at The Game Awards
I watched some of The Game Awards pre-show last week, but I noped out before the “real” thing began because in my mind, Jersey Shore > The Game Awards. I still kept up with what was going on, though, and I got very excited when Don’t Nod (the original developer of Life is Strange, which is now in the hands of Deck Nine and Square Enix) announced its next game – which is set in a brand new universe. After seeing the trailer, I was immediately sold. As a bonus, it is the first game developed by Don’t Nod’s new Montreal studio; I’m sending my love to the team down the 417.
Very little is actually known about Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. It is a story-driven journey through time. In 1995, the summer was one of self-discovery and creating unbreakable bonds for four high school friends. Cut to 27 years of no contact later, when fate reunites them to confront the buried secret that led to them never speaking again.
Developed and published by Don’t Nod, Lost Records: Bloom & Gloom will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series in late 2024.
Xbox and Kojima Productions announces OD
This is another new game that very little information was released for. Developer Kojima Productions and publisher Xbox Game Studios have announced OD, a game that explores the concept of testing your fear threshold and what it means to “OD” on fear. It promises to blur the lines between gaming and film. The lead roles are played by Sophia Lillis (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves), Hunter Schaffer (Euphoria) and Udo Kier (Flesh for Frankenstein).
Platforms and a release date were not announced, but it’s probably safe to say it will be launched for PC and Xbox Series.
There were a few other noteworthy reveals at the Game Awards. I vaguely remember a mech game, something that looked like Bayonetta and Death Stranding had a baby, and Sega had a bunch of games and then… it’s getting fuzzy now. How one can remember anything after the onslaught of advertising and noise called “The Game Awards” is a feat in itself. But that’s another discussion 😉
The best way to watch the Game Awards is to wait for a day or two after, find the wraps of all the reveals, and just watch them. None of the infuriating awards show cosplay in-between the trailers then. 😀