Red Dead Redemption 2

Is Red Dead Redemption 2, one of the greatest games of all time, really the best Xbox One and PS4 title? Yes, it is, because even with the hardware limitations, Rockstar Games delivered an excellent open-world action-adventure. The story is fantastic; the characters, especially protagonist Arthur Morgan, are fantastic; and the gameplay, while not for everyone, is realistic and incredibly detailed with a wide range of activities.

Mizuguchi said that his team is looking forward to the future of VR, and while he stopped short of sharing any specific details, he said that the team is looking out for ways to push the capabilities of the medium. He also added that he is very interested in new hardware- which obviously includes PSVR2.

“I can’t say anything very specific… but we are very interested, and we’re thinking about how we can push VR, so we’re very interested in new hardware and how we’re looking to make VR games better. We’re very interested in the PSVR 2,” Mizuguchi said.

Game producer Mark MacDonald also said that they are not yet done with Tetris Effect, and that the game could be coming to platforms that are yet to come out- which definitely fuels speculation for a PSVR2 port of the game.

“There are still platforms that we’re not out on that we’d like to be. There might be future platforms that are coming out that we’d like to be on,” he said.

Mizuguchi has previously stated that he was working on a new project- read more on that through here.

A Short Hike

Having arrived in Hawk Peak Provincial Park and unable to get cell reception, Claire must venture to its peak in A Short Hike. Yes, it’s a very simple premise but the world built around this simple goal, with all of its side activities and colorful characters, is incredibly wholesome. Players help locate lost items, go fishing, partake in races, and even fly. Even with its cute looks, there’s a fleeting feeling of Summer, of gallivanting about and learning new things while just having fun (and remembering what’s really important).

Cross-platform play also goes live on the same day and those on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One along with PC players with the Microsoft Store version will receive an update along with PS4, Oculus Quest, Steam and Epic Games Store. Along with a skill rating reset for multiplayer, a new Spectator Mode, PAL and Slow speed modes, and new performance options for Oculus Quest 2 headsets.

For more details on Tetris Effect: Connected, check out our review here. This update may mark the end of support for the title especially since creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi confirmed in November 2020 that he was moving on to his next project. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Other new features include Spectator Mode for matches with friends which allows 4-6 players to spectate a match and use emotes to cheer for players. PAL Speed is also being added to local and friendly matches along with Classic Score Attack which looks to replicate the European PAL feel of the original Tetris on the NES. That means a lower frame rate, faster dropping speed in the later levels and faster horizontal movement. Finally, Slow Speed is coming to Zone Battle along with friendly and local matches.

A closed beta will be held for cross-platform play along with all of the new features starting today. It will be available as a separate download from today to June 23rd on PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and Microsoft Store PC. All Tetris Effect owners can try it out from June 23rd to July 5th while Steam users gain access from today till July 5th (but only through closed invite). For more details on the update, check out the video below.

Enhance’s Tetris Effect: Connected released last November for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC via the Windows Store but its colorful journey is far from over. It’s slated to release on Steam this Summer with the publisher announcing the store page to be live. Fans can wishlist the title in the meantime.

As for additional details, Enhance stated that it would have “some more exciting news” on the update soon. Tetris Effect: Connected is essentially an update to the base game that added co-op multiplayer and a new competitive mode. Though currently exclusive to Xbox platforms and Windows Store, it will also be coming to PS4, PlayStation VR, Epic Games and Oculus Quest versions as a free update this Summer.

For more details on Tetris Effect: Connected, check out our official review here. Creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi confirmed last year that he was working on a new project with Enhance being the publisher once more. Stay tuned for more details on that as well in the coming days.

https://twitter.com/enhance_exp/status/1389323340435705861

https://twitter.com/enhance_exp/status/1389323342658686976

It was last year when we were kind of taken off guard by the release of Tetris Effect. The game fused classic Tetris play with sensational sound and visuals for an unforgettable experience. The game recently found its way to the Xbox console family with a new multiplayer mode in tow, which we were pretty big fans of. Now it seems the man behind it is already working on his next project.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi took to his official Twitter to confirm he had moved to his next adventure. Besides Tetris Effect, Mizuguchi was also behind Rez and Child of Eden, two original IPs with a similar feel to them. This next game will also play with the concept of synesthesia, which is all about mixing together different sensations like sight and sound for unique experiences. Enhance studio is working on another game called Humanity that was announced last year, but it doesn’t seem as if that project is related to Mizuguchi’s next.

Tetris Effect: Connected is available now on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. The base game without the Connected multiplayer content is also available on PS4 with that material planned to come there at some point in the future.

https://twitter.com/Mizuguchitter/status/1330509371302875144?s=20

Enhance Games’ Tetris Effect: Connected is now available for Xbox Series X/S, coinciding with the consoles’ launch today. It’s also out for Xbox One and PC for $39.99 on the Microsoft Store. However, Xbox Game Pass subscribers on both platforms can also play it. Check out the launch trailer below.

Along with the base game – which you can read our review here for more details – Tetris Effect: Connected features new modes. There’s the Zone Battle multiplayer mode which changes up the Zone mechanic and Connected co-op mode that sees three players working together. Over 30 stages are available to play along with ranked and unranked play.

Tetris Effect: Connected will also be coming to owners of the original on PS4, PC via the Epic Games Store and Oculus Quest as a free update. However, they’ll need to wait until Summer 2021. For more details on the new features and changes, check out the gameplay overview trailer below.

As with Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Codemasters’ DiRT 5, Enhance Games’ Tetris Effect: Connected will be a launch title for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. However, it will also be coming to Xbox One, PC and Xbox Game Pass on November 10th. This will mark the surreal puzzler’s debut on the Xbox family of consoles.

Of course, Tetris Effect: Connected isn’t a simple port. Along with native 4K/60 FPS support on Xbox Series X and PC, it also adds new multiplayer modes. There’s “Zone Battle” which makes for one-on-one games featuring the Zone mechanic and “Connected” mode for three players to work together against AI bosses. All of this is in addition to the base game’s single-player modes and 30 stages.

Those looking forward to playing the new content on PS4, PC via Epic Games Store and Oculus Quest will need to wait. It’s coming as a free update in Summer 2021, which could mean a release as late as September 2021. As always, stay tuned for more details and check out our review for the PS4 version here.

Sony has announced a spotlight on PlayStation VR titles for this week, starting today from 7 AM PST and lasting till Friday. There will be announcements and news for a number of different PlayStation VR titles, though the focus is on previously revealed games. This spotlight coincides with a PS VR promotion on the PlayStation Store stating on September 9th.

Some of the titles that will see discounts in the sale include Arizona Sunshine, Blood and Truth, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Borderlands 2 VR, Farpoint, Superhot VR, Tetris Effect and more. The promotional sale will be available until September 23rd, 11:59 PM PST. Of course, the obvious question is: What about updates on the PlayStation 5?

Sony noted that there would be no PS5-related news for the week, which is a bummer. Nevertheless, with rumors stating an event happening sometime in mid-September, we may see something announced for next week. This would be in line with UK retailer SimplyGames’ emailing customers about pre-orders going live “any day now.” As always, stay tuned for more information in the coming days.