Free Games

• Twitch

  • Blasphemous

    • 2019
    • A dark medieval Souls-like Metroidvania, Hollow Knight by way of Castlevania, that has you exploring the nightmare world of Cvstodia to break out of eternal damnation

  • Bomber Crew Deluxe

    • 2017
    • Strategic simulation game that has you picking the right crew to keep your Avro Lancaster bomber in tip top shape and complete your World War II era missions

  • Sine Mora EX

    • 2012
    • 2.5D bullet hell shoot ’em up in a diesel punk inspired world, now with improved visuals and new game modes

  • Tengami

    • 2015
    • Adventure puzzle game that takes place in ancient Japan, with an artstyle similar to traditional Japanese painting with a 3D pop-up book look

  • SkyDrift

    • 2011
    • Airplane combat racing game similar to the flight mode on Diddy Kong Racing with the addition of dogfights, where you get speed boosts for acrobatic maneuvers or for taking down opponents

  • Boomerang Fu

    • 2020
    • Billed as a frantic physics party game, you play as different foods trying to chop eachother up with boomerangs from a top-down Bomberman-style view in a variety of crazy levels

• Xbox

  • Warface: Breakout

    • 2020
    • Tactical online first person objective shooter along the same lines as Counterstrike, launched as a spin-off from the popular free-to-play Warface

  • Vicious Attack Llama Apocalypse

    • 2018
    • Tagline: “The world’s best mass llama-slaughter roguelike-lite-ish couch co-op top-down twin-stick shooter.”
    • You remotely pilot an endless supply of mechs from your ocean carrier offshore of the apocalypse, fighting through the llama hordes to take down The Llamanati

  • Metal Slug 3

    • 2000
    • Run and gun sidescrolling shooter that added more weapons and vehicles to the Metal Slug series, as well as introducing branching paths

• Playstation

  • Final Fantasy VII Remake

    • 2020
    • Action RPG remake of the 1997 Final Fantasy VII, where you play as a mercenary who joins an eco-terrorist group trying to stop the Shinra corporation from using the planet’s essence as a power source
    • This is just the first part of a planned series, where they’ve taken the original game and reworked so much that each part is a full length title on its own
    • One thing to note is that people who get the game for free aren’t eligible for the free PS5 upgrade that we’ll be talking about a little later

  • Remnant: From the Ashes

    • 2019
    • Third person action RPG shooter that borrows mechanics from the Soulsborne games with the addition of more gunplay on top of melee combat, where the earth has been decimated and overrun by an interdimensional evil called the Root

  • Maquette

    • 2021
    • A first-person recursive puzzle game that takes you into a world where every building, plant, and object are simultaneously tiny and staggeringly huge. It plays a lot like Superliminal but with less challenge, more to serve a narrative experience

  • Farpoint

    • 2017
    • VR space adventure set on a hostile alien planet, where you’ve crash-landed after being sent to pick up scientists studying an anomaly near Jupiter
  • And don’t forget to grab Ratchet & Clank, free this month for everyone from the Play At Home program

• Epic Games

  • Wargame: Red Dragon

    • 2014
    • Real-time strategy game that has you engage in a large-scale conflict between Western forces and the Communist bloc

Apple had to deal with some undeserved bad press this week as a story broke accusing them of locking a user’s AppleID due to missed Apple Card payments

• In the original story you may have heard, Dustin Curtis started losing access to different areas of his AppleID, first the App Store, then Apple Music, and progressively more and more services, after purchasing a new Mac through the trade-in program and forgetting to send in his old one in exchange. This caused an additional charge to his Apple Card
  • Apparently Apple did send a reminder, but when he replied saying he’d never received the trade-in kit he did not get a response
  • Then through some detective work and miscommunications he determined that, because his bank account number had changed, the extra charge couldn’t be covered by his normal automatic payments leading to his account being locked
  • If this was actually the case it would be a pretty big story, with Apple holding your digital life hostage after one missed credit card payment and treating their charges differently from others on their credit card
• The actual story is less sinister, but still one to be aware of
  • Apple released a statement first clarifying that the Apple Card and AppleID systems aren’t linked in that way- if you miss payments your AppleID will not be disabled
  • What actually happened was, because the trade-in process was left unresolved after the time period expired (around 14 days), and they had provided an instant credit on his purchase for the trade-in, they attempted to charge his account for the balance. Because the bank account number had changed this charge failed and his account was left in bad standing
    • This would have happened with any credit card used, not just Apple’s
  • So it’s much more straightforward- if your Apple account is left in bad standing with a balance owing, Apple starts disabling paid services until you cover the charge. Similar to any other bill payment. They don’t block your iCloud though, so messaging and whatnot will still work
• In the end the original story has a couple of holes
  • Banks generally don’t just change your account number without telling you
  • If you do a trade-in, how do you forget you still have the old computer

There’s a fancy new version of Final Fantasy VII Remake coming to the PS5, with bonus DLC featuring Yuffie

• June 10th will see a free PS5 upgrade for everyone who paid for the remake, titled Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, though for some reason anyone getting the game for free from PS+ this month will be stuck with the PS4 version instead
  • It’s still playable on the PS5 through backwards compatibility, but you won’t see the improved visuals or extra DLC content
  • The new features include a graphics mode with 4k resolutions, a performance mode running 60fps, a customizable photo mode (because that’s becoming standard nowadays), faster load times, and extra features using the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback of the Dualsense controller

This Week In Gaming History

February 27 – 2002 – Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure – GameBoy Advance

• Crash Bandicoot makes his first appearance on the Game Boy Advance, in this, his 5th adventure against arch nemesis, Dr. Neo Cortex.
  • This time Cortex has shrunk the world down to a tiny size and it is up to Crash to explore the 20 levels full of dangerous creatures and terrain to collect crystals that will (hopefully) change the world back to its normal size.
• Crash explores 4 worlds, each with 5 levels.
  • Levels range from side-scrolling action to underwater swimming and 3D chase sequences (similar to those in the original Playstation series) designed using the GBA’s unique FX features to create a 3D illusion.
  • You will also play flying shoot ’em up levels, a boss levels at the end of each world, and the usual extra bonus levels and secret items.

February 28 – 1997 – Turok: Dinosaur Hunter – Nintendo 64

• The Earth is separated by an invisible barrier from the Lost Land, a realm in which time has no meaning, and which is inhabited by ferocious dinosaurs and aliens.
  • For many generations, the mantle of Turok has been bestowed upon those who saw the protection of the barrier as their sacred duty.
  • But an evil lord named Campaigner is seeking for an artifact that is capable of destroying the barrier, striving to dominate the entire universe.
  • This artifact, known as the Chronoscepter, was broken into pieces which were then hidden away.
  • Tal’Set, a Native American and the last Turok, must find the scattered pieces of the Chronoscepter, and stop the Campaigner from obtaining them.
• Turok: Dinosaur Hunter is a first-person shooter with platforming and light puzzle-solving elements.
  • Much of the game is set in outdoor environments, and requires the player to explore them by finding various paths, jumping, swimming, and climbing.
  • The game’s most notable enemies are dinosaurs of various sizes, though the levels also include human and demonic enemies, as well as wildlife.
  • The player gradually gains access to thirteen weapons (plus the Chronoscepter, assembling which is the game’s main objective); these include a knife, a bow, as well as high-tech firearms such as a rocket launcher and an atomic fusion cannon.
• A first for the N64!
  • Was the first 1st-person shooter on the console.
  • It was also the first third-party release for the Nintendo 64.
• German Censorship
  • The German version of the game was censored.
  • All human opponents were replaced by robots – some of them were exclusively modeled for this release, others were just taken from the last level of the game and used throughout all the other levels as well.
• Japanese Title
  • The Japanese title translates to Space-time Soldier Turok in English.
• Memory Card Goof
  • In the United Kingdom, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter was the first N64 game released there to require an expansion memory-card in order to save your in-game progress.
  • The only problem was, Nintendo had not yet made their official memory-cards available for retail sale in the UK.
  • Scrambling to meet market immediate market demand, third-party accessory manufacturers were able to swoop in and fill the gap.
  • A notable misstep by Nintendo which could have tanked the release of Turok for the UK.

March 1 – 2001 – Looney Tunes: Sheep Raider – PlayStation, Windows

• Sheep Raider is a 3D puzzle game, with gameplay mimicking the wacky contraptions and situations from the original cartoons.
  • Players need to catapult themselves across a canyon, camouflage themselves as a bush to sneak past Ralph, lure sheep with sheep perfume etc.
• The player takes on the role as starving Ralph Wolf and must help him steal one sheep from Sam Sheep Dog and get it to a certain goal location.
  • With a wide arsenal of Acme gadgets at his disposal, Ralph is sure to concoct the perfect plan for keeping his stomach filled, or not!
  • The game takes place across 15 various stages as well as 2 hidden stages, each with their own requirements and challenges, so the longevity of the game is notable.
• The puzzles consist of finding items and using them at certain location or on certain characters.
  • Items include lettuce to lure sheep and mines which can be defused.
  • There also are mailboxes with which the player can order a wide arsenal of helpful Acme gadgets.
  • Directly after ordering the product is air shipped instantaneously, with a crate falling from the sky.
  • Gadgets include a rocket, dynamite, elastic band, a fan, a metal detector and many more.
  • Some gadgets are level specific, like for example a time travel gadget with which Ralph can traveling back and forth in time to manipulate placement of rocks and trees.
• There are checkpoints throughout each of the levels, although there are no visual clues as to where they are.
  • For example, if the player reaches a certain area carrying the sheep and then falls off a cliff, the player plus sheep will be respawned near that area.
  • Each level also has a punch clocks, usually in a hidden area, they acts just as an extra collectible.

March 2 – 2004 – Ninja Gaiden – Xbox

• When the Vigoor Empire attacks Ryu Hayabusa’s village and steals the Dark Dragon Blade, the ninja vows to seek revenge with his Dragon Sword.
  • Gifted with an impressive sets of moves, combining both melee and projectile weapons, you will need to defeat hordes of ninjas and monsters.
  • During your journey, you acquire new moves and abilities such as the Art of the Inferno (fire), Ice Storm and Inazuma (thunder-like).
  • Other moves include running over water, wall-based combos and ultimate techniques.
  • You have to search or shop for special items, armlets, weapons and scrolls that enhance your abilities.
• This fast-paced game is known for its hard difficulty (true to the series) and smart enemy AI that hardly relies on patterns.
  • The Live! features allow for participating in the Master Ninja Tournament, a nationwide competition with prizes.

March 3 – 2017 -The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch, Wii U

• Ad Blurb:
  • Step into a world of adventure
• • Forget everything you know about The Legend of Zelda games.
    • Step into a world of discovery, exploration, and adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a boundary-breaking new game in the acclaimed series.
    • Travel across vast fields, through forests, and to mountain peaks as you discover what has become of the kingdom of Hyrule In this stunning Open-Air Adventure.
    • Now on Nintendo Switch, your journey is freer and more open than ever.
    • Take your system anywhere, and adventure as Link any way you like.
  • Features:
    • Explore the wilds of Hyrule any way you like—anytime, anywhere!
      • Climb up towers and mountain peaks in search of new destinations, then set your own path to get there and plunge into the wilderness.
      • Along the way, you’ll battle towering enemies, hunt wild beasts and gather ingredients for the food and elixirs you’ll make to sustain you on your journey.
      • With Nintendo Switch, you can literally take your journey anywhere.
    • More than 100 Shrines of Trials to discover and explore
      • Shrines dot the landscape, waiting to be discovered in any order you want.
      • Search for them in various ways, and solve a variety of puzzles inside.
      • The tasks you must perform in each Shrine varies, and you’ll never expect the challenges you’ll face until you enter.
      • Some will involve realistic physics, and some will require you to harness the power of nature, including electricity, wind, fire, and more.
      • Work your way through the traps and devices inside, utilizing your runes and think outside the box to earn special items and other rewards that will help you on your adventure.
    • Be prepared and properly equipped
      • With an entire world waiting to be explored, you’ll need a variety of outfits and gear to reach every corner.
      • You may need to bundle up with warmer clothes or change into something better suited to the desert heat.
      • Some clothing even has special effects that, for example, can make you faster or stealthier.
    • Battling enemies requires strategy
      • The world is inhabited with enemies of all shapes and sizes.
      • Each one has its own attack method and weaponry, so you must think quickly and develop the right strategies to defeat them.
    • amiibo compatibility
      • The Wolf Link amiibo from Twilight Princess HD, the Zelda 30th Anniversary series amiibo, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild series amiibo are all compatible with this game.
      • Tap the Wolf Link amiibo (sold separately) to make Wolf Link appear in the game.
      • Wolf Link will attack enemies on his own and help you find items you’re searching for.
      • Tap a Zelda 30th Anniversary series amiibo to receive helpful in-game items or even a treasure chest!
• Tribute to Iwata
  • The game pays tribute to late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata through the character Botrick, who bears a striking resemblance to Iwata. Botrick tells Link about the Satori Mountain, with “Satori” being derived from Iwata’s first name Satoru. At top of the mountain is a mystical horse called the Lord of the Mountain, whose Hyrule Compendium entry reads:
  • “This noble creature watches over all animals that make their homes in the forest. Legends say this holy creature is a reincarnation of a sage that died on the land it now protects. It has an acute awareness of its surroundings, so it seldom appears before people. It’s also known by its other name, Satori.”

March 4 – 2014 – South Park: The Stick of Truth – PS3, Windows, Xbox 360

• South Park: The Stick of Truth is an RPG based off the South Park franchise.
  • You play as a new kid (Douchebag as known to by Cartman) who just arrived in the town of South Park, Colorado.
  • You immediately become thrust into a battle of epic proportions as you join together with many characters such as Kenny and Butters in order to procure the magical Stick of Truth from the evil Elves.
• Starting off the adventure you get to choose between four different classes: Warrior, Mage, Thief, and Jew.
  • Your appearance is completely customizable at all times with new outfits and accessories able to be found around the town.
  • Social networking is an important feature in the game.
  • When you meet new characters they become friends with you on the Facebook social network.
  • Things like quests, your inventory, the town map, and more are also all displayed on your profile page.
  • Your friends will post messages from time to time on your wall and give tips on how to beat quests and on where to find certain characters.
• The game is visually made to look just like an episode from the television show.
  • Written by South Park writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the story takes place after the season 17 Black Friday episode trilogy. Combat is turn-based and relies on the HP/PP system found in many other games.
  • Taking damage reduces your HP and using your abilities/magic to dish out damage consumes your PP.
  • HP/PP is completely restores after every battle.
  • The character is able to become stronger by changing their equipment and gaining experience in battle.
  • After obtaining a certain amount of XP the character levels up and is given upgrade points.
  • These points are then used to strengthen your abilities.
  • Meeting set amount of characters unlocks different perks to help in battle.

March 5 – 2020 – Walking Simulator – Windows

• The year is 2020, world war III and the coronavirus destroyed the civilized world.
  • You are the last post carrier, tasked to get parcels from point A to B in the most barren and desolate places on earth.
  • Get ready to combat the weather, terrain and gravity itself.
  • Can you help humanity rebuild or will this task be too much.
• Beta of ACT 1 – Antarctica is now available

Tidbits

• Following the success of Jedi Fallen Order and the abject failure of Anthem, EA has allowed BioWare to make the next Dragon Age a single-player RPG
  • Knowing the history of the franchise it was a bit of a shock to hear that it had previously been planned as an online multiplayer service game, a la Destiny
• SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE has been updated on Xbox to support 4k at 120fps on the Series X, and 2k/120fps on the S
  • If you haven’t played it already, it’s absolutely worth your time and I’m envious of all those extra frames you’ll see
• According to the BBC, parts of Brazil’s Amazon rainforest are being illegally sold through Facebook’s classified ads service, with some plots as large as 1,000 soccer fields and located in national forests and indigenous peoples reserves
  • Facebook said it was ready to work with local authorities, but would not take any action on its own
• Netflix has launched a new Fast Laughs feature on their app, showcasing scrollable little clips from different shows and comedy specials all formatted vertically to remind you what they have to offer in the age of TikTok
• Anyone using the Mail app on macOS should check out MailTrackerBlocker, a plugin that strips out a good majority of spy pixels in marketing emails that feed information about your email interaction back to marketers like if/when you open an email, as well as your location and what device you’re using
  • https://apparition47.github.io/MailTrackerBlocker/

Mini Review- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

• Just getting in to it and it’s fantastic
• Feels very challenging, but once the combat starts to click it’s so satisfying
• Feels much more directly skill-based than other Souls games where you might just come back later with better equipment
• Had a moment where I was stalking the rooftops jumpkilling people when someone actually noticed my shadow and alerted everyone

Would you like to know more?

• The full story behind the Justice League Snyder Cut, warts and all
  • https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/02/the-true-story-of-justice-league-snyder-cut

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