Here are the most action-packed gameplay moments from our time with Knockout City’s closed beta, an all-new dodgeball inspired multiplayer game.Showcased during the recent Nintendo Direct, Velan Studios’ Knockout City is a team-based action dodgeball game with a similar vibe and energy to games like Splatoon and Ninjala. As another title in the slate of EA Originals, this online-focused “dodge-brawler”–as the developers call it–is the next online game coming from EA that aims to be a fun and accessible take on classic multiplayer battles. Ahead of its launch on May 21, which will have a free trial for a set amount of time, select players will even be able to get some hands-on time with the upcoming closed beta on February 20.
Before the game’s public reveal, I had a chance to get some early hands-on time with the upcoming Closed Beta while also speaking with Velan Studios CEO Karthik Bala about the game’s making. The core concept of Knockout City is that it’s a fast-paced and tactical take on the familiar game of dodgeball. Set in a future metropolis that’s run by different gangs, you’ll take your new “dodge-brawler” up the ranks, customizing their look and style, honing your skills with a variety of different attack balls, and even coming up with tactical ways to use your own teammates as cannonballs to strike against the opposing team.
From my hands-on with Knockout City, I found it to be a surprisingly accessible approach to the conceit of an arena-style action game. Without worrying about choosing the right set of perks, gear options, or even character classes, the game keeps all players on a level playing field and gives all the tools they need to win. When you manage to grab a ball on the field, you can charge it up and fire it at your opponent. However, your opponent can still evade the projectile or even catch it in mid-air. The latter is risky, and it will require careful timing, and if you’re up against a crafty opponent, they can use fake-out moves and gestures to catch you off-guard.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is coming to Switch, as announced during Nintendo’s February Direct. This HD remaster improves upon the original 2011 game for Wii and 2016 Wii U port.
Though the title for this port is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, the visuals for the game don’t seem to have gotten a significant upgrade. Instead, this remaster implements some welcome quality-of-life improvements.
For instance, the Switch version makes use of the Joy-Con controllers for smoother motion controllers. And for those who don’t want or can’t use motion controls, Skyward Sword HD implements an option to play with a button-only control scheme.
The motion control classic, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, is getting an HD remaster for the Nintendo Switch. The original motion controls are still in the game using the individual Joy Cons. The HD remaster also includes a new motion control-free button-based configuration as well.
Three of the classic 3D Ninja Gaiden games are getting a re-release for the Nintendo Switch, and includes all previous downlodable content, coming summer 2021.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild producer Eiji Aonuma made an appearance during the Nintendo Direct to confirm that Nintendo has nothing new to share about the game’s sequel.
Aonuma clarified that development on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is “proceeding smoothy” and that Nintendo will have more information on the game this year.
“For now, we’ll have to ask you to wait just a bit longer,” Aonuma said as he bowed before revealing that an HD remaster of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and branded Joy-Cons are coming to Nintendo Switch on July 16. Preorders for the game are now live on the eshop.
There’s a new Star Wars game coming to Nintendo Switch in 2021. Star Wars Hunters will bring some competitive online play to the console from a galaxy far, far away, Nintendo revealed during today’s Nintendo Direct broadcast.
The trailer for Star Wars Hunters didn’t provide too much in the way of details, though. We know the competitive third-person shooter will be free-to-play and online, and that it takes place between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, but that’s about it. If you’ll recall, that’s a span that covers about 35 years, so it could entail just about anything.
The short trailer swept through the familiar locale of Jabba’s palace and showed holograms of what look like different potential fighter characters with different weapons. The suggestion is that you’ll mix melee weapons with gunplay, with the opportunity to wield heavy blasters, dual pistols, clubs, and lightsabers. The characters in the holograms included a Wookiee, a stormtrooper, and a guy who looked to be sporting something like Mandalorian armor.
Are your Miis in need of a globetrotting adventure of their own? Well move over, Mario! Miitopia is an RPG for your Miis! Watch the reveal trailer from the Nintendo Direct!During the latest Nintendo Direct livestream, the release date for Saga Frontier Remastered was revealed. It’ll be launching for Switch on April 15 (and for PlayStation 4, PC, and mobile). Along with updated visuals, the classic RPG from Square Enix will feature a new scenario for Asellus, one of the game’s several protagonists, and a new playable character named Fuse.
Saga Frontier was the first in the Saga franchise to release outside of Japan, and stood out for its science-fantasy setting, turn-based combat, and free-form story with multiple protagonists. Soon it’ll be playable on modern platforms.