Free Games

• Epic Games

  • World War Z

    • 2019
    • Four-player cooperative third-person shooter set in the universe of the World War Z movie that follows groups of survivors all around the world fighting massive hordes of zombies
    • Though purists would note that these aren’t your classic zombie, as they’ll run, rush, and climb eachother in their attempts to attack

  • Figment

    • 2017
    • Action-adventure game that brings to mind a more whimsical Bastion, and has you exploring a unique, surreal universe filled with music, humour, and multi-layered narrative

  • Tormentor x Punisher

    • 2017
    • A hyper-violent, gratuitous twin-stick shooter that has you landing on planet Fuck You to kill demons. The catch is that everything dies in one hit- including you. Avoid boss’s traps, kill demons that adjust to your play style, perform combos, get upgrades, and reload your machine gun by firing your shotgun.

COVID-19

• GameStop has closed its stores to customers now that Doom Eternal and Animal Crossing have been released, giving a pretty clear indicator that staying open this long was just a cash grab for those preorders
  • Stores in some states are still operating on a “delivery at the door” basis, allowing people to pick up games bought online without actually entering, but some states like California have forced them to close entirely
  • GameStop will be giving two extra weeks of pay to employees, but considering we’re likely in this for the long haul it’s going to be rough on everyone that’s been laid off
• Apple has apparently told employees that they’ll start re-opening stores on a staggered basis in the first half of April, but honestly that timeline seems pretty aggressive
  • There’s been a lot of rumbling along the supply chain that this year’s iPhones could be delayed at least a few months
• The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, originally slated to start on July 24th, have officially been postponed until next year
  • This is the first time they’ve ever been postponed, and they’ve only ever been cancelled during World Wars I and II
• YouTube will start start reducing the default quality of its videos this week, setting everyone to start at standard definition to save bandwidth. You’ll still be able to manually select high definition, but this should help a lot with internet overhead
  • Other services like Netflix and Disney+ have taken similar steps in Europe, but as far as I know YouTube is the first to plan the rollout globally
• Some cellular companies have started updating their networks to display a #StayHome message where the network name is usually shown when you’re on cellular instead of WiFi
• Apple Music has debuted a couple of new algorithmic playlists for users to keep spirits higher- Get Up! Mix is aiming for “happy-making, smile-finding, sing-alonging” music, and Home Office DJ is an uptempo, easygoing playlist for home productivity
  • They’re both pretty solid, and help set a lighter mood when you’re stuck indoors
• Plague Inc, a mobile game that normally has you spreading an infectious virus across the world, will be releasing a free update that has you instead working to stop one
  • It has you managing disease progression, boosting healthcare systems, and working with things like triage, quarantining, and physical distancing
• Bus and LRT fares in Edmonton have been temporarily suspended, and riders able to use the rear door to board, if they don’t need the ramp or kneeling bus features, are asked to do so
• Many stores like Walmart, Canadian Tire, and Costco are limiting or altogether eliminating returns on things like toilet paper, sanitizing wipes, water, and rice in order to clamp down on the hoarders and attempted resellers, after Kijiji and Amazon have taken measures to prevent profiteers during these difficult times

Hackers have already cracked Doom Eternal’s Denuvo DRM on Steam and the Bethesda launcher, and by cracked I mean they ran the files provided by Bethesda

• A poster on Reddit discovered another copy of the executable in the game files in a folder titled “original” that was about 1/5th the size of the main one used by the launchers
• They then found that you could copy the smaller .exe overtop of the larger, protected one and completely remove the digital rights management software from the game
• Bethesda has since updated the Bethesda.net version of the game to remove the DRM-free file, but the unprotected version has already made the rounds on pirate and torrent websites
  • One thing to note here though is it’s not just pirates interested- some players worry that the anti-piracy code actually slows down the performance of games they’ve legitimately paid for

Nintendo Direct came out of nowhere this morning

Now available!

• Good Job!: In this madcap action-puzzle game from Nintendo, perform hilarious and challenging tasks around a sprawling office building to get the job done by any means necessary, alone or in two-player mode*! Good Job! launches in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch … today!
• MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 3: The Black Order Expansion Pass – Pack 3: It’s Doctor Doom vs. Marvel’s first family when the MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 3: The Black Order Expansion Pass – Pack 3: Fantastic Four: Shadow of Doom launches for the Nintendo Switch game today. The new pack adds the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom as playable characters as they fight through a new story campaign. The Expansion Pass**, which also includes Pack 1 and Pack 2, can be purchased for $19.99.
• Ring Fit Adventure Update: A free update is coming to Ring Fit Adventure later today! The update adds a new Rhythm Game mode, an option to switch to a female voice and to change the language of the in-game voice, and more. In the Rhythm Game mode, move to the beat of a dozen music tracks from Ring Fit Adventure and a few tracks from popular Nintendo games, including Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
• Shinsekai: Into the Depths: In this deep-sea exploration game, players collect resources to upgrade their gear, craft items and dive deeper into the abyss. As they explore increasingly mysterious environments, players have to monitor their oxygen and pressure levels to survive. Shinsekai: Into the Depths launches for Nintendo Switch … today!
• Panzer Dragoon: Remake: In this remake of the dragon-riding classic, players pilot the Blue Dragon through incredible landscapes, battling giant creatures and lethal battleships using 360-degree controls and lock-on targeting. Panzer Dragoon: Remake launches first on Nintendo Switch as a timed console exclusive … today!
• Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy: Enter Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Academy to learn the ways of the Force! Players can customize their Jedi looks and battle online with up to 16 players when Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy launches on Nintendo Switch … today!

Launching in 2020

• Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition: The original Xenoblade Chronicles game, which marked the debut of fan-favorite character Shulk, comes to Nintendo Switch with a new epilogue story, Xenoblade Chronicles: Future Connected.
  • This definitive edition of the RPG also looks better and plays smoother than ever before. The battle HUD and menu screens are easy to read and easy to use.
  • Some of the music tracks have been remastered or remixed! Experience the majesty of the Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition game when it launches for Nintendo Switch on May 29.
  • On the same day, the Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Works Set will also launch, featuring a 250-page artbook full of beautiful landscapes, imposing monsters and more.
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Now that Animal Crossing: New Horizons has launched for Nintendo Switch, the first seasonal event is on its way!
  • Between April 1 and April 12, residents of the island can participate in Bunny Day to find eggs hidden by bunny visitor Zipper and craft special items with them.
  • The next free update to the game hits in late April, which adds the Earth Day event. Follow the Animal Crossing Twitter account for the latest news and updates about the game.
• Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass: With the new Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, the sprawling island in the sea, the Isle of Armor, and the frozen snowscape known as the Crown Tundra will be available in the Galar region.
  • On the Isle of Armor, Trainers can gather at a new dojo for Pokémon Battles to master their skills. By training at this dojo, players will receive the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu from the master, Mustard.
  • Through training with Kubfu, Trainers will receive permission to challenge the Towers of Two Fists on the Isle of Armor. Once one of the two towers has been conquered, Kubfu will evolve into Urshifu. In addition to new outfit items and hair styles, the Expansion Passes will also add new league card backgrounds, effects and frames.
  • The Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass Part 1 – The Isle of Armor launches by the end of June. Additional information about the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass Part 2 – The Crown Tundra will be revealed in the future. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Expansion Passes, which include The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra as they release, can be purchased for a suggested retail price of $29.99 each.**
• BRAVELY DEFAULT II: In this follow-up to the original BRAVELY DEFAULT, four new Heroes of Light embark on a grand and glorious mission guided by the elemental crystals.
  • Like the first game, BRAVELY DEFAULT II features a battle system that emphasizes strategy, with players deciding when to attack (Brave) or hold back and wait for the right moment to strike (Default).
  • With beautiful places to explore and new jobs to acquire, some of which can even be combined, BRAVELY DEFAULT II is another epic RPG in the Nintendo Switch library. A free demo is available today!
• A Bunch of 2K Games: Many games from publisher 2K are coming to Nintendo Switch on May 29, including sci-fi classic XCOM 2 Collection – which contains XCOM 2, 4 DLC packs, and the War of the Chosen expansion – as well as Borderlands Legendary Collection, which contains the original Borderlands, its sequel, Borderlands 2, and its “pre-sequel,” Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. 2K is also bringing its acclaimed BioShock series to Nintendo Switch, with BioShock Remastered, BioShock 2 Remastered and BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition, as well as BioShock: The Collection, which includes all three BioShock games in one package.
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: The first fighter in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters Pass Vol. 2 will be joining the battle from the Nintendo Switch game ARMS! The fighter will be announced and released this June.
• Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics: Four-in-a-row, Mancala, Slot Cars, Sliding Puzzle and Texas Hold’em are only a handful of the 51 games from around the world included in Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics. Some of the games are multiplayer, including options for up to four people to play locally*** or online****. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics launches for Nintendo Switch on June 5. Anyone who wants to pre-purchase the game can do so starting today.
• Burnout Paradise Remastered: 10 years later, the classic high-octane racer is back with this remastered version. Featuring breakneck racing, high-flying stunts and, most importantly, shameless amounts of automotive destruction, Burnout Paradise Remastered crashes onto Nintendo Switch in 2020.
• Fuser: Take on the role of a DJ in this upcoming rhythm game from Harmonix, the creators of Rock Band. Fuser launches for Nintendo Switch this fall.
• King’s Bounty II: Since 1990, the King’s Bounty series has been influencing the evolution of western RPGs. In this new sequel, the series is back with a fresh look and a new approach. In King’s Bounty II, the graphics are more realistic, in-game choices matter more than ever, and a new character development system informs the ethics and affinities of new characters. King’s Bounty II launches on Nintendo Switch in 2020.
• Ninjala: In this free-to-play game, up to eight players* must battle it out to earn points and claim victory. As ninjas, players can sprint across stages, disguise themselves and wield an arsenal of skills, like heavy-hitting hammers, fast and flashy katanas, and tricked-out yo-yos. Cement supremacy in free-for-all battles or work together in 4-on-4 team matches. Ninjala sneaks up to Nintendo Switch this May.
• Catherine: Full Body: The unique puzzle-adventure game is coming to Nintendo Switch as Catherine: Full Body, a remake of the original game. Climb a tower of puzzle blocks and dive into a mature, intense and intoxicating story when Catherine: Full Body launches for Nintendo Switch on July 7.
• Star Wars Episode I: Racer: Strap into a pod racer and go for first place in Star Wars Episode I: Racer, launching soon for Nintendo Switch.

Recommendations: Dealing with loss and hardship edition

• Rime
  • A fun puzzle platformer with a great aesthetic that just kind of drops you onto an island and you figure the rest out from there. The story is slowly revealed as the game goes on, and it all comes together really nicely.
  • Finished it in about a day, and it’s currently on Xbox GamePass
• Garden State
  • Surprisingly solid movie written by, directed by, and starring Zach Braff
  • It’s not perfect, but if you’re in the mood for something a little strange and bittersweet it definitely scratches that itch

Tidbits

• iOS and iPadOS 13.4 are out, bringing that sweet sweet new cursor support to iPad that we discussed last episode
  • It also updates the toolbar in the Mail app to help prevent accidental deletion, brings in iCloud folder sharing, some new Memojis and Animojis, and a bunch of other tweaks and security patches
• watchOS 6.2 is also out, bringing support for in-app purchases to standalone watch apps as well as ECG support for Chile, New Zealand, and Turkey
• Star Wars fans rejoice- Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy hit the Nintendo Switch this week on eShop, and Episode i: Racer will be coming to the console soon
  • Jedi Academy will include a multiplayer mode that lets you customize your character and take on up to 16 players online, as well as the original story mode