September 17, 2017

So I was caught caught off guard with the announcement of a title that wasn’t on my radar but has quickly caught my attention. That game is a brand new RPG offering from the fine folks at Square Enix called Project Octopath Traveler (working title).

The game is being developed by the producers of Bravely Default at Square Enix and is a new RPG brought to life through a mixture of CG, pixel art and visual wizardry. Project Octopath Traveler launches worldwide in 2018. But there is already a free demo for the game in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.

Man I need to get my hands on a Nintendo Switch, pronto!

In the game you’ll embark on a vast new role-playing adventure as one of eight travelers, all with their own origins, paths, and goals.

The producers of the Bravely series at Square Enix have brought a new world to life through a mix of CG, pixel art, and “HD-2D” visuals. Embark on a vast new role-playing adventure as one of eight travelers, all with their own origins, paths, and goals. Where to begin? Who to team up with? Where to go next? Only you can decide.

Each traveler can use a distinct Path Action, a specialized way of achieving objectives and interacting with people you encounter. The warrior can “challenge” people to a duel, whereas the dancer can “allure” others to follow her, even into battle! Enjoy the freedom to choose your own path while experiencing the story through the role you play. Combat revolves around the Boost system, a fusion of traditional turn-based battling and modern enhancements. Each turn, build up BP that can be spent to dramatically increase your strength or provide aid. Identifying when to Boost may just be the key to victory.

In the already released demo you choose the path of the dancer, Primrose, or of the warrior, Olberic, and set off on an adventure all your own in this free demo from Square Enix. After you’re done playing, take a survey to let the development team know your thoughts.

The roles you play, the places you go, and the people you join are up to you.

Project Octopath Traveler launches worldwide on the Nintendo Switch in 2018.

Gearbox Software’s FPS / MOBA mash-up Battleborn will see its final update released later this fall and while the servers will remain online “for the foreseeable future” the game will not receive any new content or patches. Pretty sad for a game that went Free to Play less than three months ago – but remember in Gearbox’s own words, Battleborn was never F2P but simply an “unlimited demo”.

You might remember the short-lived Overwatch Vs. Battleborn “rivalry” that sprung up in May 2016 after both games were slotted for release that same month. Both games had a few similarities – a roster of hero characters with unique abilities, FPS gameplay with different objective types and while both games focused on co-operative teamplay, Battleborn took a lot more from the MOBA playbook when compared with Overwatch – with A.I minions and defensive structures that could be bolstered by players.

Battleborn got absolutely trounced by Blizzard’s behemoth of a game – eventually ceding so much market share to other titles that the game had only a couple of hundred players online at any given time before the “unlimited” trial was released this past June. Gearbox’s changes would bring in a strong population boost with an all-time peak of 12,000 players – sadly today this is down to less than 120 players according to Steam Chars.

For the few that hung around for the long haul Gearbox will release a final patch with brand new skins before closing this chapter of their history to work on an “unannounced title”.

Here is, in part, a statement from the game’s Creative Director:

“As of this week, there will be no more Battleplans and there is currently no planned content after the Fall Update. Details of any future changes or news will be made on our forums or through social media, so keep your radars on.

Never fear! Battleborn is here to stay. Nothing is changing with Battleborn, and the servers will be up and active for the foreseeable future. We announced the Fall Update for the game at PAX including some new skins, themed around some of your favorite Borderlands characters! That update will also include some updated title art (more full bar titles!) for the more significant challenges in the game, as well as some additional Finisher Boosts and Taunts. Also, there are minor balance changes in that patch.

If you’ve been paying attention to recent news from the Gearbox Panel at PAX West, you’ll have heard that many folks at Gearbox are working on a highly anticipated project. Although I’m sad my time on Battlebornis coming to a close, I’m happy to announce that I will play a significant role on this highly anticipated but unannounced game, and I’m sure you’ll be hearing some from me again in the future regarding Gearbox games.”

[Source]

Square surprises with Octopath Traveller for Nintendo Switch

Battleborn Reaches The End of Its Life