Crystal Project is a non-linear JRPG developed by Andrew Willman that combines storytelling from the Final Fantasy universe with gameplay in Minecraft. Players explore a vibrant world, encountering Crystals that unlock various classes and abilities. The game emphasizes player agency, allowing choices to shape the experience, and caters to different playstyles, including combat and crafting. It is currently available for free on PlayStation 5 for a limited time.
Apex Legends has removed Storm Point from the map rotation due to crashes occurring on certain devices. This decision was made just two weeks after Storm Point's reintroduction. In its place, E-District (daytime) has been added to the rotation. EA stated that they are working on a permanent fix for the crashes and will provide updates as they become available. E-District has been well-received by players for its competitive environments and design.
Crimson Desert has sold over 4 million copies in two weeks and has a Very Positive rating on Steam, despite mixed player reactions. Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2, launched on Steam in 2023, is a free-to-play mecha shooter that has received negative reviews due to monetization and networking issues, yet the author enjoys it for its mechanical satisfaction and representation of Gundam's universe. The author has rekindled interest in Gundam and finds GBO 2's combat mechanics compelling, despite its shortcomings. Engaging with a game considered subpar has helped the author clarify personal gaming preferences and appreciate design elements that resonate with their interests.
Developer Madfinger Games reported a resurgence in player numbers for Gray Zone Warfare, with an increase of over 1000% since the release of the 'Spearhead' update at the end of March. The monthly peak player count surged by 1076%, reaching 126,600 peak daily active players and 30,954 concurrent users. As of the latest figures from SteamDB, concurrent players have climbed to 35,275, with a 24-hour peak of 43,770. The Spearhead update introduced 100 new tasks and contracts, refreshed 50 existing tasks, revamped the tasks system, and replaced item-specific incentives with monetary rewards. Improvements were made to the game's AI, character movement mechanics, and new content was added, including 25 new world locations, 8 new weapons, new factions, bosses, and 150 new gear pieces. Gray Zone Warfare is currently available at a discounted price of .79 (£23.44) until April 9.
The recent update to Gray Zone Warfare, named Spearhead, has generated significant enthusiasm for the tactical first-person shooter developed by Madfinger Games. The update includes a dedicated onboarding zone for newcomers, a comprehensive 110-page Field Manual, and an expansion of the island of Lamang with over 25 new locations and diverse biomes. The game features a restructured terrain and vegetation for enhanced player strategy, reorganized computer-controlled adversaries into seven factions, and a revamped progression system with over 250 replayable tasks.
Spearhead introduces eight new weapons, over 380 weapon parts, and more than 150 gear pieces, along with a revamped vendor system and extensive changes to the loot system, doubling the number of distinct loot items. An animation overhaul has improved movement fluidity, and new sprinting options have been added. Audio quality has been enhanced with natural sounds and new enemy voiceovers. The health system has been refined for better combat clarity, and updates to the HUD and tactical map have improved user experience.
Player engagement has surged, with active user counts increasing to over 40,000 and a total player count of 160,000. The game is currently available on Steam at a promotional price of £23.44 / .79. Future updates and an updated roadmap will be provided by Madfinger Games.
The Witcher Online 2.0 mod for The Witcher 3 introduces a multiplayer experience that allows players to engage in shared adventures within the game's world. Developed by modder rejuvenate, it features enhancements such as populated game environments, customizable player characters, and improved player interactions. Players can ride horses and boats together, utilize a player interactions menu for trading items, and transform into various animals. The update includes 23 new emotes and allows for greater control over animations. The mod is available for download via Nexus Mods and aims to improve performance and connectivity issues.
The OpenGoal team has released a beta version of its native PC port for Jak 3, making all three games in the Jak & Daxter series "feature complete and fully completable" on PC platforms. Players can access the games on Windows, Linux, or Mac by following instructions on the OpenGoal website, provided they have a copy of the original games. The ports offer enhanced accuracy and various quality of life improvements. Jak 3's release was announced via a YouTube trailer on April 1st and has been confirmed as genuine. Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is not yet in beta, while Jak II and Jak 3 have minor audio and graphical issues being addressed. The team is not currently considering porting PSP games but may explore the possibility of decompiling Jak X: Combat Racing, which uses the GOAL programming language. Further details are available on the OpenGoal website.
The latest update for Crimson Desert, version 1.02.00, introduces significant enhancements based on community feedback. Key features include:
- Inventory expansion, allowing private storage to grow from 240 slots to 1,000 with five possible expansions.
- Improved movement controls with the option to toggle between new 'basic' controls and classic settings, along with enhanced fast travel capabilities.
- A headgear visibility toggle for character customization, with future updates promising additional options for hiding weapons.
- Balancing adjustments, including a nerf to a popular flight trick, while maintaining the ability to activate flight mid-air.
- New features such as a fresh armor set for cats, clearer visibility for explosive barrels, and a reorganized save/load menu for better user experience.
- Graphical improvements addressing foliage display and screen flickering, alongside fixes for crashes and localization errors.
The update is available on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Mac App Store.
Crimson Desert has introduced an update that allows players to hide their helmets, offering customization options in the settings menu. Players can choose to make their headgear visible during cutscenes, throughout the game, only in combat, or not at all. The update also includes a new whimsical armor set and helmet for cats, improved movement controls with a "classic" option, and has been positively received, with PC Gamer awarding it a score of 80.
