Gait Games

Considering how old Persona 4 actually is, including its revamped rerelease Golden, there’s a non-zero chance that it’s been a good long while that any of you have played it (and for the younger readers, a plenty good chance you’ve not played it at all). So you might have some rose tinted goggles on when reflecting upon it, particularly concerning certain characters like Yosuke, who was written quite insensitively back in the day. But it does seem like the remake will be modernising the character, at the very least.

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**Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Key Strategies for Your Buccaneer Experience**

*Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced* has arrived on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC, reviving a cherished pirate journey with updated visuals and improvements. Celebrated as one of the standout titles in the *Assassin’s Creed* franchise, this remake enables both newcomers and longtime fans to dive into the world of a daring pirate. Here are some essential strategies and insights to maximize your piratical pursuits.

### Avoid Getting Too Engaged with Side Missions

As you traverse the expansive oceans and islands, you will stumble upon a variety of side quests. It’s wise to concentrate on the primary storyline in the early stages of the game to unlock vital weapons, equipment, and tools. Once you obtain the blowdart gun, your readiness for exploration and additional side missions will improve significantly.

### Take Advantage of the New Crouch Feature

The introduction of a crouch option enables players to move stealthily without relying on hidden spots. Crouching can help you conceal yourself behind walls or on rooftops, thereby enhancing your chances of expertly completing stealth missions.

### Fulfill Assassination Contracts for Easy Currency

Finances can be limited, but assassination contracts denoted by a skull icon present a quick and direct way to secure gold. These targets are generally close by and have minimal protection, making them ideal for swift eliminations.

### Prioritize Upgrading Your Holster and Health Early

Make it a point to improve your holster capacity for pistols early in the game. Possessing several firearms greatly boosts your combat capabilities. Furthermore, enhancing your health is vital as it allows you to endure more damage during enemy encounters.

### Exchange Collected Bones for Resources

Hunting wildlife awards you with valuable resources, including generic bones. These bones can be exchanged at general stores for specific animal parts required for upgrades, streamlining the process of locating rare creatures.

### Perform Double Assassinations

If foes are positioned closely together, target the center to activate a double assassination prompt. This not only removes two enemies simultaneously but also enhances the cinematic flair of your gameplay.

### Leave Disabled Ships for Repairing Later

In naval skirmishes, incapacitating enemy vessels can be advantageous. Allow these ships to remain intact while addressing other threats, as they can later serve as venues for repairing your own ship when needed.

### Clear Enemy Decks with Swivel Guns Before Boarding

Prior to boarding an enemy vessel, utilize your ship’s swivel guns to diminish their defenses by defeating enemies and obliterating explosive barrels. A pre-boarding onslaught improves your odds of a successful boarding operation.

### Execute Air-Assassinations During Boarding

When approaching an enemy ship, swing across on ropes for a dramatic entrance and perform an air assassination. Targeting tougher adversaries like captains can significantly shift the battle in your favor.

### Upgrade the Mortar and Employ it Often

Your Jackdaw’s mortar is among the most powerful weapons at your disposal. Upgrade it promptly and use it strategically during confrontations and against heavily fortified forts to effectively weaken enemy positions.

### Use Fast-Travel for Forts

Once you conquer forts, players can fast-travel to them. This feature expedites access and provides a quick route to interact with NPCs who can assist in removing your wanted status.

### Complete Officer Missions for Ship Improvements

Interact with the three officer characters throughout the game. Finishing their missions will yield valuable upgrades and new technologies for your ship, enhancing your overall gameplay.

### Utilize Smoke Bombs for Tactical Advantage

When feeling overwhelmed in combat, deploying a smoke bomb can provide a strategic edge, enabling you to stealthily take out enemies concealed in the smoke.

### Look for Blue Boxes for Health Supplies

Stay vigilant for blue wooden boxes containing health-restoring supplies. They prove advantageous during intense conflicts, particularly when your health is depleting.

### Replenish Your Air Meter with the Diving Bell

While searching for treasures underwater, remember that your diving bell can refill your oxygen meter. This approach allows for extended exploration beneath the surface without running out of air.

### Roll to Survive Major Falls

Kenway can endure considerable drops by rolling upon impact. This mechanic, combined with a charm acquired later that negates fall damage, adds a thrilling element to your traversal.

### Focus on Schooners and Brigs in Your Fleet

To optimize trading opportunities and mission success, concentrate on accumulating schooners and brigs rather than larger vessels like Man O’ Wars. These ships offer significant advantages for trading missions and pirate activities.

By remembering these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the perilous waters and exhilarating adventures that *Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced* has in store. Enjoy your journey, and may your escapades lead to glory and riches!

Reports about the specific affects Microsoft’s mass layoffs are having on studios like Obsidian and id Software keep rolling out. Elder Scrolls 6 makers Bethesda are no different, with staff saying that the cuts there have not just tanked morale, but let to worry about the fantasy RPG’s development endinbg up a longer and more painful process as a result.

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**Lenovo’s G02 Handheld: A Dispute Surrounding Copyrighted Games and Brand Image**

In late May 2023, the emulation website Retro Dodo spotlighted a pressing issue involving a handheld gaming device associated with Lenovo, known as the G02. Retailing for $60, this Game Boy-like emulation gadget was discovered to be marketed worldwide, pre-installed with numerous copyrighted titles from Nintendo and Sega. Following several months of contention characterized by denials and brand distortion, Lenovo ultimately opted to retract the G02 from the marketplace.

While affordable Chinese emulation gadgets frequently come equipped with an SD card containing hundreds of copyrighted ROMs—usually sourced from platforms such as AliExpress, Temu, or Amazon—the Lenovo G02’s connection to a prominent brand attracted increased scrutiny. Many consumers, including those who had bought various GBA-like handheld emulators previously, observed the presence of popular franchises like Mario and Sonic in these devices. Nonetheless, the backlash against a recognized entity like Lenovo producing such a product was considerable.

Initially, Lenovo addressed the controversy by asserting that the G02 was never meant for distribution outside of China and that it was not directly manufactured by them, designating the gadget as a “white-label” item. Despite the Lenovo branding on both the packaging and the device, the company contended that any pre-installed games originated from third-party vendors on sites like AliExpress. Nevertheless, they took decisive action by withdrawing the G02 from the platform, seemingly resolving the matter.

However, the scenario took a different turn on June 15, when the G02 surfaced for sale under a new moniker: the Sunyao G02 Handheld. Despite the name alteration, reports suggested that Sunyao was, in fact, linked to Lenovo, prompting further inquiries and scrutiny.

As international attention and negative press intensified, Lenovo ultimately resolved to discontinue the G02 product line entirely. The device was eliminated from sale across all platforms, including AliExpress, although searches for the Sunyao G02 still produce results for comparable, low-quality emulators. Lenovo has not yet issued a public statement regarding the series of events.

For consumers still on the lookout for portable emulation devices pre-loaded with countless copyrighted games, options continue to be plentiful. Platforms like Amazon showcase numerous alternatives, often inflating the count of included titles. However, the involvement of major tech corporations in this contentious market raises urgent concerns regarding copyright violations and brand authenticity.

As the gaming community persists in advocating for improved respect and safeguarding of intellectual property, the Lenovo G02 controversy serves as a formidable reminder of the hurdles faced by established brands when traversing the intricate terrain of gaming emulation.

Make a band, read a book, or play basketball.

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Starting… uh, last week, we’re making a bunch of improvements to the RPS Supporter Program, the super-special subscription service through which impossibly cool RPS readers can support our writing and reporting directly. The catch? Ha ha! There isn’t one.

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### The Realm of *Sword Art Online*: Looking Forward to *Echoes of Aincrad*

It’s well-known among *Sword Art Online* enthusiasts that the inaugural arc, Aincrad, is regarded as the finest. Generally, when you inquire with fans of any series or game about their preferred season or installment, it tends to be the first one. Thirteen years since the debut of the first *Sword Art Online* video game, *Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment*, the developers at Bandai Namco are crafting an action RPG centered on the Aincrad arc, aptly named *Echoes of Aincrad*.

Producer Yosuke Futami mentioned, “Throughout the various *Sword Art Online* games, we’ve never truly had one where you could genuinely begin by playing from the initial level of Aincrad, and that’s essentially our starting point.”

In the opening episode of *Sword Art Online*, the main character Kirito, along with countless other players, finds themselves trapped in a virtual reality MMORPG. During this pivotal moment, game master Kayaba Akihiko declares that anyone who perishes in the game will die in real life, inducing chaos among the players. Additionally, the “log out” button has vanished, compelling players to engage in this life-and-death predicament.

Futami elaborated on their vision: “We really aimed for players to relive that significant scene in episode one of *Sword Art Online*, where they all become ensnared in that lethal game. We also aimed to design a game so that those who may not be as acquainted with *Sword Art Online* could appreciate the most compelling elements of *SAO*.”

### Nostalgia and Custom Avatars

*Echoes of Aincrad* showcases an opening theme, “Live to Survive,” performed by the Japanese pop artist Aimer. This title alludes to the survival motif at the core of those ensnared in the MMO while evoking nostalgia, capturing a spirit akin to the anime’s original opening theme, “Crossing Field” by LiSA.

Futami expressed the purpose behind the song: “We undoubtedly wanted [Aimer] to delve into that, exploring what it genuinely signifies to live and progress, much like the journey that Kirito and all these characters traversed.”

In contrast to earlier *SAO* titles where players embodied Kirito in alternative narratives, *Echoes of Aincrad* permits players to craft a custom avatar who becomes entangled in the death game alongside Kirito. This shift in perspective prompted the game’s title to be modified from *Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad* to simply *Echoes of Aincrad*, emphasizing the unique experience of the player rather than merely recounting Kirito’s tale.

Futami stated, “The previous *Sword Art Online* titles focus more on Kirito’s narratives, and as we’re transitioning away from that framework, we wanted this title to truly represent the idea that this game is about the player experiencing the world of *Sword Art Online*.”

### A Fresh Heroine and Voice Acting

Asuna, who is Kirito’s love interest, serves as the primary heroine of *SAO*. In *Echoes of Aincrad*, a character named Iori, designed to be a compassionate companion and a supportive ally inspired by Asuna, accompanies the protagonist on their adventure.

Futami quipped, “We aimed for a heroine who could outshine Asuna. Regrettably, we realized we couldn’t surpass her… we believe we crafted a very likable character in Iori.”

*Echoes of Aincrad* also breaks ground as the initial *SAO* game to incorporate a complete English voice cast, with Kirito’s voice actor Bryce Papenbrook reprising his celebrated role. Papenbrook, who has voiced Kirito since the anime started in 2012, uses his personal relationship with his spouse to connect with Kirito’s emotional nuances.

Papenbrook shared, “Every one of my lines from Kirito to Asuna feels like I’m conversing with my wife… the affection that [Kirito] harbors for [Asuna]… I can relate to Kirito and his feelings for her.”

Reflecting on his growth as both an actor and a parent since the series commenced, Papenbrook offered insights into his portrayal, stating, “Thus, I have a wealth of life experience to draw from as we perceive Kirito and *Echoes of Aincrad* through these various lenses.”

### Launch Information

*Echoes of Aincrad* is scheduled for release on July 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, welcoming both novice players and devoted fans to dive into the cherished realm of *Sword Art Online*.

EEP!

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There are two cultural artifacts that buzz about my brain without ever truly settling: 2001’s action game RTS hybrid Hostile Waters and Wes Anderson’s film The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. It may be an unfair lens to apply to newly announced roguelite colony builder Rogue Carrier, but it has enough of both of them to have me ready to dive into its ocean.

In Rogue Carrier, you are the captain of a science ship that is stranded on a strange world. More than a schooner, this vessel is a mega carrier – the largest vessel humanity’s ever built. The Bohemoth is able to support whole buildings and production lines on its back. It falls to you to pilot the ship across an ocean that is bubbling with alien sea life – some of it friendly, much of it not – surviving attacks, learning more about the world, and finding your way off the planet.

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**EA Sports College Football 27: A Contentious Release**

EA Sports College Football 27, the newest chapter in EA’s College Football series, signifies a remarkable comeback for the franchise, especially as it is the first to debut on PC. Yet, less than a day after its release, the game has already garnered a “Mostly Negative” rating on Steam, with only 33 percent of user reviews being favorable. Regardless of its critique, numerous fans and reviewers consider the game a significant upgrade from its predecessor, EA Sports College Football 26.

**The Current Concern**

Why is EA Sports College Football 27 experiencing backlash? The main issues arise from the removal of features that were included in earlier versions, particularly in offline modes such as Dynasty mode and Road To Glory mode. Players have observed that the new edition removes the ability to modify XP earning rates—a feature that allowed personalization in earlier games. Instead, players must now buy “College Football Points” microtransactions to achieve similar advantages.

To exacerbate the situation, while the XP requirements have reportedly grown, the rate at which players can accumulate XP has also been limited unless they invest extra money into these microtransactions. This has resulted in a sentiment among gamers that they are compelled to pay for progress that was once achievable purely through gameplay.

**Community Feedback and Allegations**

The response on Steam has been rapid, with many users expressing their displeasure regarding the suspected monetization tactics employed by EA. Some reviewers have noted that even though the XP quantity has increased, the benchmarks for leveling up have also become more challenging, creating a sense of imbalance. There are accusations that EA has imposed a cap on XP that can be earned without a financial outlay, further intensifying player frustration.

An additional layer of controversy involves the management of microtransactions. Content creators who had early access to the game have stated that these monetization components were missing from the preview versions they received. This has led to allegations that EA may have deliberately concealed these features ahead of launch, aiming to obtain more positive reviews during the initial rollout.

In solidarity with frustrated fans, content creators and players have been championing the hashtag “#cfbplaydontpay” across various social media channels. This grassroots initiative seeks to inform potential buyers about the game’s monetization methods.

**Final Thoughts**

As EA Sports College Football 27 continues to deal with its reception, the wider discussion surrounding microtransactions in contemporary gaming remains in the spotlight. While the game’s fundamental mechanics and general upgrades have earned commendation, the pivot toward monetization has ignited substantial conversation within the community. With no official communication from EA addressing these issues yet, players find themselves navigating their expectations regarding gameplay in relation to paywalls in this latest iteration of the enduring franchise.