Category: Previews

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Deathmaster takes one of the franchise’s more distinctive factions and puts it firmly in the spotlight. Rather than controlling a heroic warrior charging into battle, players step into the fur-covered paws of Vihneek, a Skaven assassin who survives by being faster, sneakier and considerably less interested in fighting fair. The result is a 2D stealth-action platformer that combines assassination, environmental puzzles and unusual movement options, and after spending some hands-on time with the game during Gamescom, it already feels like a particularly fitting way to explore the grimy underworld of the Skaven. Continue reading “Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Deathmaster preview (Gamescom)”

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 has a difficult balancing act ahead of it. The previous game has had an unusually long lifespan, receiving years of additional content, so a sequel arriving a decade later needs to feel like more than simply another collection of missions and familiar characters. After getting hands-on time with the PlayStation 5 version during Gamescom, however, there are already some interesting changes beneath the familiar Dragon Ball combat formula. The biggest question is whether its new setting and combat systems can give the series enough of a fresh identity to justify the long wait. Continue reading “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 preview (Gamescom”

Persona 4 has long occupied a special place in the Persona series, combining a supernatural murder mystery with the everyday rhythms of school life, friendships and small-town living. Persona 4 Revival looks to bring that experience to a modern audience without discarding the qualities that made the original so enduring. Based on the PC demo, ATLUS appears to be taking a largely familiar foundation and rebuilding its presentation and mechanics around modern expectations. Continue reading “Persona 4 Revival preview (Gamescom)”

Gundam has never been short on video games, but Gundam Rogue Orbit is taking the franchise in a notably different direction. Rather than building on one of the series’ established timelines or focusing primarily on ranged Mobile Suit combat, Bandai Namco is creating an entirely new universe built around high-speed action. After getting hands-on with the PC version during Gamescom, there is already a solid foundation here, although the biggest question is whether its new take on the Gundam formula can be matched by a story with enough substance to justify stepping away from the franchise’s traditional themes. Continue reading “Gundam Rogue Orbit preview (Gamescom)”

Creative Assembly has already proven that the Total War formula can work surprisingly well outside its historical roots, first with the fantasy setting of Warhammer. Now the studio is taking an even bigger leap into the future with Total War: Warhammer 40,000, bringing the massive armies, turn-based campaigns and real-time battles of the series into the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. Based on an early PC demo played during Gamescom, the first impression is certainly promising: this feels like the sort of game that could deliver a long-awaited meeting between Dawn of War and Total War, while still leaving plenty of questions about how the two sides of the formula will ultimately fit together. Continue reading “Total War – WARHAMMER 40,000 preview (Gamescom)”