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0 I love these events, they’re like a mini Christmas time for gamers… well, at least for me they are. Square Enix Presents 2021 has brought a lot of news for us, continue reading to find out what’s in store for us all from SE.
So what’s in store?
We have lots of news below as aforementioned, starting with Life is Strange all the way through Hitman, Just Cause, Tomb Raider and more!
Life is Strange
Square Enix has announced the latest entry in the LiS universe is called Life is Strange: True Colors. Paul has done a good write up for this here. However, here is the announcement trailer below.
Alongside this, there was also the announcement of the Life is Strange remastered collection. The Life is Strange remastered collection will be available in September as part of Life is Strange: True Colors Ultimate Edition. The collection will also be available standalone later this year.
The remastered collection will feature both Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm. Each will have enhanced visuals and animation.
Marvel’s Avengers
A lot may already know this, but the next generation versions are now available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. These will feature all content released for the game so far as well as improved visuals with 4K and 60fps support, faster load times and more. You can watch the next-gen launch trailer below.
As well as this, Operation: Hawkeye – Future Imperfect is now live and available in-game. This brings Clint Barton aka Hawkeye into the game as an all-new playable hero. When using Hawkeye you can be a force to be reckoned with, using grapple arrows and iconic boomerang arrows.
The new operation will also introduce a new deadly villain, Maestro. Maestro is unlike anything the Avengers have faced thus far. The update also brings in a new biome to explore and some awesome new features, including the ability to customise HARM rooms and replay campaign missions.
Future Imperfect is free to download for anyone who has purchased the game.
Next in the Avengers, we have a reveal for another Marvel hero… Black Panther! Watch the reveal below.
Tomb Raider
This year is a big year for Lara Croft. We’re celebrating Lara’s 25th anniversary since she first appeared on our consoles. Square Enix is celebrating this by bringing us a Tomb Raider anime series, which SE is working on with Netflix and Legendary Television.
Not only that, but they’ve also announced crossovers with Ghost Recon: Breakpoint and War of the Visions Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. And, a cookbook! That’s right, you can finally cook some recipes from locations that Lara has travelled to in her adventures.
Finally, there’s also been the announcement of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy. This will be a digital-only release bringing Tomb Raider Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider 20 Year Celebration and Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition all in one pack, along with all of their DLCs. No word on pricing as of yet though. You can watch the reveal trailer below.
And finally, if you’re a Fortnite player, you may have seen Lara’s short appearance at the start of the latest season. This isn’t it for Lara in Fortnite. Croft Manor will also be appearing in Fortnite creative mode as a playable adventure on March 23rd.
Just Cause: Mobile
That is not a typo. Just Cause. Mobile. Just Cause: Mobile will put a new entry in the familiar series that we all know and (some) love. You will create your own agent and join the ranks of Firebrand – a special division within the Agency. Your mission (should you choose to accept it) will be to stop a new mercenary group known as Darkwater.
During your investigation into this threat, you can track down new allies to assist you in your mission. Including a certain name that you may recognise, Mr Rico Rodriguez.
And of course, you’ll blow up lots of stuff. Naturally.
Just Cause: Mobile will be playable in singleplayer as well as multiplayer and will feature fast-paced top-down gameplay. Of course, there will be grappling, gliding and shooting, it wouldn’t be a Just Cause game without these. Check out the cinematic trailer below.
Space Invaders
As SE say, Space Invaders is more than likely one of the most iconic series in the history of gaming. Square Enix Montreal and TAITO are “collaborating on an exciting new vision” for the Space Invader series on mobile.
The new mobile game will take Space Invaders in an innovative direction, through modern art style and proprietary AR.
SE say they will have more news to share in the future, so watch this space. In the meantime, see the teaser below.
Forspoken
During Square Enix Presents 2021, there was a surprise for us all. Forspoken is a brand new game from the team at Luminous Productions, who are known for their spectacular work on Final Fantasy XV. Originally dubbed Project Athia, Forspoken is their latest in the works.
In Forspoken you play as an ordinary woman, Frey. Frey is thrust into the fantastical and dangerous land of Athia where she is forced to harness new magical abilities to survive.
Check out the official title announcement trailer below.
Outriders
We recently put out some news that this is coming to Game Pass on day one. There is also an Outriders demo for players to check out, if not done so already. Square Enix tell players the below:
You’ll have blasted beasties, pulverized platoons and taken your first steps to becoming an Altered demi-god of the battlefield… but trust us, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Sounds good to me! You can have another look at the game ahead of its April Fools Day launch, and that’s no joke, it will release on April 1st 2021. Check out the video below.
BALAN WONDERWORLD
Square Enix has given us another look at the all-singing and all-dancing BALAN WONDERWORLD, which launches on the 26th March. This colourful platformer sends two young heroes, Leo and Emma, into a wacky and whimsical world. They are on a quest to help denizens overcome the negativity plaguing them all.
The new trailer (watch below) offered a look into the costumes and abilities that Leo and Emma can use on their quest, as well as some of the bosses that stand in their way.
BALAN WONDERWORLD will release next week on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and Steam.
Hitman Sniper Assassins
Another mobile game announcement here, this time we’re seeing another Hitman Sniper game due to release in 2021 for iOS and Android.
Hitman Sniper Assassins is from the makers of Hitman Sniper as well as the studio behind Lara Croft GO, Deus Ex GO and Hitman GO, all of which were enjoyable games in my opinion. This new game will feature an original story, with some new playable assassins and exciting new gameplay features. Watch the teaser below.
Bubble Bobble 4 Friends
Bub and Bob are back in their latest adventure, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends. This game has already released on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 consoles and will soon be coming to Steam along with the recent “The Baron is Back” update.
Bubble Bobble 4 Friends will extend on the classic series gameplay with 200 stages, up to 4 player local co-op, new power-ups and more. There will also be an included version of the original arcade classic, Bubble Bobble. You can wishlist the game on Steam now on this page, you can also watch the Steam announcement trailer below.
Darius Cozmic Revelation
The Darius Cozmic Revelation will feature two classic shoot ’em ups – G-Darius HD and Dariusburst: Another Chronicle EX+, this will be released late in 2021 for Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation 4.
G-Darius HD brings the classic game with high def visuals, a beginners mode and the addition of a rebalanced, previously an exclusive to the arcades, G-Darius Ver.2. This collection contains four versions of the game:
- G-Darius
- G-Darius HD
- G-Darius Ver.2
- G-Darius Ver.2 HD
You can watch the reveal trailer below.
TOUHOU Spell Bubble
Square Enix announced that there will be new content incoming for the Nintendo Switch spell-binding rhythm puzzler, TOUHOU Spell Bubble.
Sanae is organising a Spell Bubble Tournament, but demanding sponsors are driving everyone up the wall. Can they pull the tournament together? Find out when the Sanae Arc side story pack arrives on March 25th on the Nintendo Switch. Check out the trailer below.
Conclusion
So, that is a hell of a lot of information to take in. A couple of mobile games inbound, a lot of Lara, Max will be back in Life is Strange remastered and more!
What do you think of all of the announcements above? Let us know in the comments!
Thanks for reading.
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