Gait Games

Since the persistent rumours of a cheeky extra DLC for The Witcher 3 turned into confirmation from CD Projekt Red that such a thing is on the way prior to The Witcher 4, there’s been a nagging voice in the back of my mind. On one hand, Songs of the Past is more of an RPG I love, the kind of unexpected gift it seems foolish to have reservations about getting a decade and change on from release. On the other, The Witcher 3 in its current form has long felt like as close to the ideal complete package as you can get.

Going into last night’s opening salvo of Gamescom, I was expecting that the DLC’s full reveal might dispel my concerns, getting me fully on board with the idea that, yes, Geralt does need one last ride before Ciri takes over going forwards. Instead, I’m still in two minds.

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For a series about light and dark, it’s appropriate that Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is a spinoff that’s trying to escape the main entries’ shadow. Developer Asobo Studio have dropped much that is familiar to explore exactly what a Plague Tale story can be.

Resonance doesn’t feature series protagonists Amicia and Hugo. It is set 16 years before the events of the last game, long before the siblings flee across wartorn medieval France, hunted by the soldiers of the Inquisition. In Resonance, you play Sophia and see how she became the woman who saves Amicia in A Plague Tale: Requiem. You learn how, as a child, she was kidnapped by the Inquisition and injected with a poison that gave her visions of a strange island. How her father, the leader of a group of smugglers, found the island and died there searching for treasure and a cure to Sophia’s dreams. And how Faro, her father’s successor, continues visiting the island, seeking to unearth its secrets.

Resonance’s early chapters see a now teenage Sophia growing frustrated with Faro. The smuggler leader never takes her with him to the island, despite – and because of – the mounting casualties in the expeditions. Guiltridden, Sophia stops sharing her visions. Those chapters also teach you Resonance’s focus: combat.

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This week we got our first proper look at Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, Wizard of the Coast’s new RPG-tinted action game. In theory, it’s the story of a grizzled weapon master who is searching a lawless pocket dimension for somebody precious to her, but I disapprove massively of this objective, because it sounds like it’s going to get in the way of unearthing weird spells and making a glorious mess.

Created by a team of former Far Cry, Watch Dogs and Splinter Cell devs, Warlock gives you an open world full of charms, cantrips and conjurations to gather and fool around with. I’m really hoping it’s as open-ended as they’re making it sound. Here’s a video, followed by some commentary from creators Invoke.

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If you think the protagonists of Grand Theft Auto 6 look dull as piping hot ditchwater then rejoice, friend, for the game will let you transform these gung-ho sex magnets into weary and despairing zombies, tottering along the shore of Leonida with eyes like sandy latrines and skin like forgotten cheese.

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As revealed earlier this week alongside a look at next year’s Songs of the Past expansion, The Witcher 3 is getting a free remastered update next month. As with 2022’s next-gen update, some of its tweaks and additions are the work of modders, with the creator of The Witcher 3’s HD Reworked Project having revealed that they got the call to collaborate with CD Projekt Red again.

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I’ve been hungry for an action adventure game recently. In this modern era of live service and infinite roguelikes and deckbuilders (seriously, I know they’re popular genres, maybe try a different highly replayable genre), the humble action adventure game has fallen by the wayside a tad. So I’ve been quite curious about Usual June, a quite classic one of those that might end up being a Halloween regular (quick disclaimer: Cara Ellison, who many moons ago did some writing for RPS, is a writer on this one).

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Things are shifting around a bit over at The Long Dark developer Hinterland Studio. Earlier this year, The Long Dark’s story mode wrapped up with the release of Wintermute’s fifth and final episode. After that, you may have fairly assumed that focus would have been mostly placed on the sequel that was announced in 2024, Blackfrost. But according to Hinterland, while Blackfrost is still in the works, the main focus will actually be put on The Long Dark’s survival mode for a while.

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### Grand Theft Auto VI: An In-Depth Exploration of Sound and Music

Earlier this week, Rockstar Games and Netflix joined forces to present an extensive glimpse into the eagerly awaited *Grand Theft Auto VI* (GTA VI). After some pre-trailer anxiety, this reveal not only highlighted various new features and life simulation aspects but also showcased an impressive array of in-game music, reflecting the game’s essence and atmosphere.

#### A Musical Odyssey Through Vice City

One of the standout elements of the latest trailer was the enhanced soundtrack, which aims to enrich the game’s immersive feel. A significant nod to the past comes from the iconic Phil Collins, who is poised to once again illuminate the virtual stage of Vice City. Collins, who made a prior virtual appearance in *Vice City Stories*, will reintroduce his distinct sound, notably with songs like “Against All Odds.” This notion not only stirs nostalgia for dedicated fans of the franchise but may also allude to narrative threads intertwining with the haunting melodies that accompany the game’s plotline.

The inclusion of Collins holds considerable significance, particularly due to his ties to the neo-noir period referenced by the game. This raises fascinating inquiries regarding the potential narrative dynamics between the game’s protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos.

#### A Multifaceted Soundtrack

The expanding soundtrack for *GTA VI* includes a variety of genres, catering to diverse musical preferences. In addition to Collins’ contributions, players can anticipate a blend of yacht rock, stadium anthems, and modern R&B. Confirmed songs include Captain & Tennille’s “But I Think It’s a Dream,” Cliff Richard’s “Devil Woman,” and Def Leppard’s “Love Bites.” Notably, the soundtrack also highlights contemporary artists such as Sexyy Red with “Pound Town,” Birdman and Lil Wayne’s “Pop Bottles,” and Kodak Black’s “Skrilla.”

Perhaps the most intriguing additions come from indie and alternative rock, featuring tracks like !!!’s “Off The Grid” and Prefab Sprout’s “Cars and Girls.” Jesse Hawken, a podcaster and Prefab Sprout aficionado, even indicated that their music would resonate beautifully with the Vice City ambiance, hinting at the desire for a dedicated Sprout radio station within the game.

#### Advancement of In-Game Music

Since the debut of *Vice City*, the treatment of licensed music and in-game radio stations in the *Grand Theft Auto* series has progressed considerably. The introduction of various artists and celebrities as in-game DJs has enriched the game’s atmosphere. As fans dive into the world of GTA, the carefully curated playlists accompanying gameplay will inevitably attract new listeners, sparking interest in the varied musical catalog represented. This approach was similarly noted in previous trailers that exhibited a fondness for legendary artists like Tom Petty and the Pointer Sisters.

The emphasis on a dynamic soundtrack in *GTA VI* aligns with Rockstar’s dedication to crafting vibrant, immersive worlds where music functions not merely as background noise but as a crucial part of the storytelling experience. As the game’s launch draws near, players can anticipate the intricate blend of narrative and sound that defines the *Grand Theft Auto* series, promising an exhilarating journey filled with crime, adventure, and an enthralling soundtrack.

We’re a little over one week on from the launch of Mortal Shell 2, a game that Jeremy liked quite a lot. But the work of a developer is never done these days, what with the advent of the internet and patches ‘n’ all. A balance patch arrived on launch day, but the Soulslike has now received its first full update, bringing a whole lot with it.

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When I sat down to play Road Kings in April, the event organisers were very clear: when you’re done driving around in the sandbox, let us know and we will load up the disaster movie scene. After fifty minutes of my hour with Saber’s spin on American Truck Simulator, I’d completely forgotten about the second mission. I was merrily absorbed in hauling truckloads of exercise bikes between the cities of South Georgia and Northern Florida.

Saber are definitely playing catch up with SCS Software. The latter’s American Truck Simulator released over a decade ago and it now features nearly half of North America. Naturally, Road Kings will ship with a much smaller map and roster of vehicles. Though Saber hope to pull ahead by injecting a little drama.

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