Gaming News – Monster Hunter Stories, Thorgal Game Adaptation, ESO DLC, Monster Hunter Stories Announced, Granblue Fantasy: Relink Update

Gaming News for Week 3 of March 2024. This week there were quite a few announcements and other news in the gaming industry, Outward 2 being announced for Consoles and PC, Mighty Koi Studio Unveiling a Trailer of Thorgal, The Elder Scrolls Online Launching a New DLC and Update 41, Capcom Announcing Monster Hunter Stories and more. Find out all the latest Gaming News for Week 3 of March 2024 in our article!

Gaming News for Week 2 of March 2024

Outward 2 Announced for Consoles and PC

The developer Nine Dots Studio has announced the sequel to their open-world Action RPG Outward, Outward 2.

After selling 1.3 million copies from the first Outward game, Nine Dots plans to improve the original “in every aspect”. They’ve promised an enhanced combat system with the option to wield two-handed weapons, character improvements in both creation and progression, a “more lively” world with day/night cycles, seasonal weather conditions affecting NPC behavior, and significant encounters for a more emotional and deeper story.

Character Creation and progression have been improved with a major overhaul in character appearance customization, a new skill tree, tasks to unlock improvements, and more.

The combat system has also been refined through improved responsiveness and the addition of the much-requested dual-wielding system.

Outward 2 does not have a release date yet, but the game has a Steam page, revealing that it will support single-player mode as well as online and couch-coop mode. It will be available for consoles and PC.

Mighty Koi Studio Unveils Trailer of Thorgal

Developer Mighty Koi Studio announces the adaptation of Thorgal into a video game and presents its vision of the world in the first trailer.

You may not be familiar with Mighty Koi Studio yet, but it’s worth noting, as among its more than 100 employees are industry veterans who have worked at renowned studios such as FromSoftware, Konami, Wargaming, CD Projekt Red, and Ubisoft.

In addition to Thorgal, they are also developing a new Sci-Fi Soulslike Game called The Night Wanderer, which you can check out in our article.

In Thorgal, players will assume the role of the main character and experience many adventures known from the comics, encountering dangerous bandits, formidable monsters, and invincible gods, as well as powerful allies.

It will be an adventure game with RPG elements, and from the studio, they assure that it could be a strong competitor to The Witcher 4. All of this is possible thanks to the use of Unreal Engine 5 with their own extensions and the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies such as photogrammetry and AI.

For those unfamiliar with the comics, we are talking about a saga that has been published since 1977 and translated into 18 languages. It has sold over 20 million copies, and its story revolves around Thorgal, a mysterious star child who protects his loved ones from both humans and the wrath of vengeful gods, becoming a permanent part of fantasy canon.

Although we don’t have a release date or window, we know that the game will be launched on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.

The Elder Scrolls Online Launches New DLC and Update 41

Bethesda released the Ithelia dungeon pack and Update 41 for the base game on PC/Mac. Players can explore two new dungeons in the Scions of Ithelia DLC, which is available for PC/Mac and will release on consoles on March 26. The DLC features two PvE dungeons, Oathsworn Pit and Bedlam Veil, offering unique rewards, collectibles, achievements, and item sets. These dungeons tie into the upcoming Gold Road chapter, releasing on June 3 for PC/Mac and June 18 for consoles.

The DLC is available through ESO Plus or for 1500 crowns in the Crown Store. The Scions of Ithelia Collector’s Bundle, costing 4000 crowns, includes the DLC, a mount, a pet, and five Crown Experience Scrolls. ESO Plus members can claim this bundle for free for two weeks post-release on each platform.

Update 41, accompanying the DLC, offers free fixes, additions, and improvements, introducing stackable siege weapons and updates to minimum specifications on PC and Mac for better performance. This update and the DLC are now available for PC/Mac and will be released for consoles on March 26

Capcom Announces Monster Hunter Stories Arrive on New Platforms

Capcom announced Monster Hunter Stories and its sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, set to release this summer. Originally launched on the Nintendo 3DS, both titles offer a unique RPG experience where players become Riders, embarking on missions to solve world mysteries. The games will launch on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam on June 14, 2024.

The re-releases will feature enhancements such as Japanese and English voiceovers, seven new subtitle languages, and a new Museum Mode showcasing over 200 pieces of conceptual art, background music, and developer sketches. Additional title updates previously exclusive to Japan will also be included.

The announcement was made during the Capcom Highlights Day 2 event, promising fans enhanced gameplay experiences with improved graphics and high-definition lighting on larger screens.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin will continue the adventure, allowing players to explore vast environments and uncover ancient legends alongside new characters. The game emphasizes the bond between players and their Monsties as they attempt to thwart the potential destruction foreseen due to the power of a legendary Rathalos.

These releases are part of Capcom’s celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the Monster Hunter franchise, highlighted at their recent event and covered in subsequent articles.

Keen Games Reveals Enshrouded Roadmap for 2024

Developer Keen Games unveils future plans for their smash hit Enshrouded in 2024, the survival Action RPG game that is currently in Early Access.

Following its launch on Steam in February 2024, Enshrouded quickly became a hit with over a million players in 4 days. Although the survival genre is quite saturated, the fantasy RPG version of the genre has a lot of interest, with enshroudeds player base growing every patch.

Enshrouded was launched in Early Access, which means it will be constantly updated and expanded with new features and content. Keen Games has now revealed the roadmap for 2024, showing fans of the game what they can expect this year.

Many of the points they mention in the roadmap are based on the game’s feedback board, where players can suggest new features and changes.

The list of promised additions includes some of the most popular suggestions from the board, such as a dynamic weather system, vanity armors, water, pets and farm animals.

Keen Games has not yet revealed exactly when these features will arrive in the game. However, they have promised that the game will receive its first content update this month, which is planned to introduce new and larger dungeons to the game.

Sea of Stars Reaches Over 5 Million Players and Announces a Co-Op Mode

Sabotage Studio announced a new cooperative mode for their JRPG, Sea of Stars, which has reached over 5 million players globally. This count includes players from PlayStation Plus Extra and Game Pass. The game, having won the Best Indie Title and surpassing 4 million players in December, continues its success.

The upcoming cooperative mode, termed Single Player+, enables up to three players to explore the game’s world together, enhancing the experience by finding secrets and treasures. A trailer revealed characters Zale, Valere, and Garl exploring together, featuring a Super Mario Bros.-like bubble for grouping distant players.

Additionally, the mode will introduce “cooperative timed attacks” to enrich combat, although still in development. More details are expected soon.

Sea of Stars has been well-received, winning Best Independent Game at The Game Awards 2023 and earning nominations for game of the year, best design, and best visual art at the Game Developers Choice Awards.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink Gets an Update and Adds a Combat Against Lucilius

Video game publisher and developer Cygames has announced a free major update coming to Granblue Fantasy: Relink for PlayStation and Steam on March 14, 2024. which includes a new challenging boss battle against Lucilius, various gameplay adjustments, and more additional content.

To be more specific, they’ve added a new mission, The Final Vision, as well as aiming sensitivity, some additional camera settings, and new Steam trophies.

This is in addition to specific character balance adjustments for multiplayer mode, a couple of bug fixes, and a variety of quality-of-life improvements, including visual and audio indicators to signal when you’ve lost your benefits.

This update is just one of a series of planned content updates for Granblue Fantasy: Relink. It was originally announced in February during the special live stream for Granblue Fantasy’s 10th anniversary. The game will receive more content in the future, including the addition of Seofon and Tweyen as playable characters in April.

As for the microtransactions, you can now buy upgrade packs that’ll help you boost your characters and weapons. They are priced as follows:

Let’s Chat Emote Expansion set — £1.69 / $1.99

Self-Improvement Pack — £2.49 / $2.99

Weapon Uncap Items Pack — £2.49 / $2.99

Weapon Upgrade Items Pack — £2.49 / $2.99

Sigil Upgrade Items Pack — £2.49 / $2.99

Granblue Fantasy: Relink has been quite successful since its release in February. In its first 11 days alone, the game sold more than a million copies. It is available on PC, PS4, and PS5.

Runescape Creators Announce Brighter Shores an Old School MMORPG

Andrew , the creator of RuneScape and founder of Jagex, is developing a new MMO titled “Brighter Shores” through his new studio, Fen Research. The game, which has been in development for a decade, will utilize the new Fenforge graphics engine and is set to release on PC via Steam later this year, potentially compatible with Steam Deck.

Influenced by RuneScape, Gower aims for a less tedious MMO experience, focusing on reducing grinding. Brighter Shores will be free-to-play but offers an optional premium pass, avoiding the frequent microtransactions typical in modern MMOs.

The game introduces three new classes: Cryoknight, Hammermage, or Guardian, moving away from traditional MMO roles like mages, rogues, and warriors. It features a diorama art style and promises innovative twists on the genre.

Gower is committed to revamping MMORPGs by addressing common pitfalls and enhancing gameplay. Brighter Shores will offer extensive free content, with a premium pass available for additional quests and updates, aiming to provide a fulfilling and grind-free experience. Gower expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting it as a labor of love and anticipation for player engagement.

Pre-alpha of Vindictus: Defying Fate is Out Now on Steam

Nexon has launched the pre-alpha test for Vindictus: Defying Fate, aligning with the Steam Spring Sale, as previously indicated. This fantasy RPG, inspired by Celtic mythology, offers players intense, action-packed battles against mythical monsters.

In Vindictus: Defying Fate, players engage in a dark, thrilling odyssey, facing fearsome opponents and exploring a mysterious 3D world. The game emphasizes skill, strategy, and reflexes in combat against larger-than-life enemies. Players can select characters that fit their playstyle, each with unique weapons and combat techniques.

Lann and Fiona, popular characters from the original 2010 MMO Vindictus, return with revamped gameplay. Fiona offers a defensive style with her sword and shield, while Lann excels in agility and counterattacks with dual swords. Players can explore new worlds, use different emotes, and try out various outfits.

For access to the pre-alpha:

Log into Steam and navigate to Vindictus: Defying Fate’s store page.

Click “Request Access” for the pre-alpha test.

After approval, click “Play” to download from your library and start the game.

Ninja Theory Confirms Photo Mode in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Ninja Theory has confirmed that Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II will feature a photo mode from its launch day, as announced on the social network X/Twitter. The studio released four screenshots showcasing the mode, highlighting the game’s highly detailed worlds.

The game, utilizing Unreal Engine 5, showcases next-gen graphics with realistic details achieved through extensive research, motion capture, and material scanning, particularly from trips to Iceland. Despite its linear narrative focus, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II promises an immersive and intense story lasting between 8-12 hours, similar to its predecessor.

The sequel will continue Senua’s journey, facing internal and external battles, emphasizing cinematic immersion, stunning visuals, and surround sound. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, exclusive to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and available on Xbox Game Pass. The game is set to launch on May 21, ensuring availability for Game Pass subscribers from day one.

So thats about it for this weeks news, seems like a lot of new games got announced this week. If you’re interested in supporting a channel, be sure to leave a like, let us know what you think about all the news in the comments below, and check out our VIP supscription on the website for some exclusive supporter benefits. We will be seeing you next week!