News | Monolith's Wonder Woman game may include live-service elements

The Wonder Woman game from Warner Bros. announced in 2021. and Monolith Productions could well include live-service elements.

This is evident from a vacancy on Monolith’s website for a head software engineer. The job posting states that the person being hired will help deliver “a superhero experience as epic as Wonder Woman herself.” It is noted that candidates who have experience with “maintaining a live software product or game” have an advantage.

It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that the Wonder Woman game may contain live-service elements. Another upcoming game from Warner Bros., Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, also has that – which has already earned the game some criticism from fans. New information about the game shows that there is a free and paid battle pass in the game.

In addition, David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, announced last week that it wants to turn the company’s biggest franchises into live-service games. According to him, the company eventually wants to transform franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, DC (particularly Batman) and Mortal Kombat into live-service games. “Ultimately, we want to drive engagement and revenue at higher levels for longer periods of time.”

Monolith Productions is the developer of the Wonder Woman game announced in 2021. The only clear thing is that it is a single-player action game that takes place in an open game world. The game contains the Nemesis system, just like the Middle-earth games. It is not yet known on which platforms or when the game will be released. The announcement trailer can be seen again below.


News | The Hogwarts Legacy launch trailer has been released

Warner Bros. Interactive has released the so-called 'launch trailer' of Harry Potter game Hogwarts Legacy.

The trailer can be viewed in a resolution of 4K if the viewer has a supporting screen. The video contains about two and a half minutes of footage from the upcoming game.

In Hogwarts Legacy, players control a fifth-year Hogwarts student. They explore the school and the world around it, learn spells, brew potions and fly on a broomstick. The game is set around 1890, so there are hardly any characters from the books and movies, except for some cameos.

Hogwarts Legacy will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S on February 10. The PS4 and Xbox One versions will release on April 4, and the Nintendo Switch version on July 25.


News | Orchestra and choir perform song from Hogwarts Legacy

In a video, an orchestra and choir perform the song "Overture to the Unwritten" from Hogwarts Legacy.

The song is played by The Seven Springs Symphony Orchestra & Choir. In addition to portraying the musicians, some soothing images from the game are also shown.

The game will be released on February 10, 2023 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One and PC. The game will also be coming to the Nintendo Switch at a later date. No release date has yet been revealed for that version.


News | Hogwarts Legacy video shows a beautiful fall morning

A new video from Harry Potter game Hogwarts Legacy shows the surroundings of Hogwarts on a calm autumn morning.

The twenty-minute video revolves entirely around the environments and therefore has no gameplay. All kinds of ambient sounds, such as birdsong, can be heard. The video can be viewed below.

The game will be released on February 10, 2023 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One and PC. The game will also be coming to the Nintendo Switch at a later date. No release date has yet been revealed for that version.


News | Extended Video Shows Hogwarts Legacy Gameplay

Developer Avalanche Software takes a look at the gameplay and world of Hogwarts Legacy in a 30-minute video.

The video first shows the character creator of the game. This is followed by a tour of Hogwarts in which the User Interface can also be seen for the first time. It also shows how players can use spells to find secrets and fight. Attention is also paid to the role that lessons play in the game. Those are part of the story and various side missions. Players do not have to follow a fixed schedule.

The game will be released on February 10, 2023 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and PC. Later on, the game will also come to the Nintendo Switch. No release date has yet been revealed for that version.


News | Hogwarts Legacy Gameplay Presentation Is Tonight

Avalanche Studios and Warner Bros. are broadcasting a gameplay presentation of Hogwarts Legacy tonight.

The presentation starts at 19:00 Dutch time and can be followed via Twitch and YouTube. The showcase includes a short tour of Hogwarts Castle, an explanation of the character creator, and a first look at the game’s interface. Finally, the combat is introduced.

The game will be released on February 10, 2023 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and PC. Later on, the game will also come to the Nintendo Switch. No release date has yet been revealed for that version.


Review | Gotham Knights

If you've been in someone else's shadow for years, it can be quite difficult when the spotlight is suddenly on you. At Gotham Knights, it's not just the four new Guardians of Gotham struggling with their new status.

It’s almost impossible not to compare Gotham Knights to the Arkham games. While the Arkham trilogy was primarily developed by sister studio Rocksteady Studios, WB Games Montréal developed the prequel Arkham Origins. This studio is also inextricably linked to these legendary superhero games. However, Gotham Knights is not a continuation of the ‘Arkhamverse’, but offers its own, unique story. Without Batman.

At least: the Caped Crusader does of course play a role in Gotham Knights. At the beginning of the game, Bats is killed and now it is up to his four protégés to continue his work. Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin and Red Hood team up on a case involving the world’s greatest detective at the time. They set up headquarters in the Belfry, an old clock tower, and fight crime in Gotham from here every night. They track down the Court of Owls, a secret society that has been pulling the strings behind the scenes of Gotham for centuries.

That sounds like the breeding ground for an interesting plot with some other enemies than the standard Joker or Two-Face, but Gotham Knights never really knows how to surprise. The game obediently follows the standard pattern of a superhero story, so that despite a handful of memorable moments you see the most important revelations coming from afar. That in itself is not a disaster, because the story mainly offers a reason to hit a lot of enemies on the nose.

After all, that’s what you do most: smash enemies into each other. The combat system in Gotham Knights is very simple and has no block or counter mechanisms. It’s all about attacking and dodging and that feels a bit rudimentary. The much-discussed frame rate of 30 fps is not the reason for this; after all, the Arkham games played as smooth as an eel in a bucket of WD-40 even on the PlayStation 3. Without counters, everything just flows a little less smoothly.

As a result, a certain grind quickly creeps into the fights. Many enemies look alike and you can defeat them with the same tactics. For variety, you can select a different superhero for each mission, but don’t expect to suddenly play a completely different game after changing the night watch. The different fighting styles are mainly cosmetic; in the end they all have about the same attacks. For example, where Red Hood shoots with his (non-lethal) pistols, Batgirl throws a Batarang.

The biggest challenge is created by the level system. Enemies later in the game still look exactly the same, but because of their higher level, it simply takes longer before they go down.

It’s especially frustrating that the level system puts so much pressure on the game’s progress. Certain side missions play out nicely in their own story arc with their own villain, but you have to play them in an almost completely fixed order in between. Otherwise, you’ll either be too weak for the main story or way too strong for the side mission if you pick it up later.

Along with this level system hangs an  loot and craft system. You unlock new packs and weapons all the time, and the level system practically forces you to blindly choose your strongest gear. You can craft  something yourself with the countless raw materials you collect.

Fortunately, your four heroes level at the same time, so you don’t have to train them one by one. The main and side missions together also give you enough XP to continue, so you don’t have to grind in the city.

Crimes take place in various places in the city, such as robberies, hostage-taking, or organ trafficking. The four vigilantes can solve those crimes by taking out everyone. Every now and then you can also chase the bat moped through the streets of Gotham.

The city is very atmospheric, especially if you take the time to take it in. When the clouds break open and the silver moonlight in the wet streets merges with the red and purple neon of nightclubs and billboards, ray tracing, volumetric lighting and the 4K resolution come together in harmony.

Even when the game comes out positively, there always seems to be a poorly thought-out development choice. In a number of missions, the game surprises by tailoring dialogues or even pieces of gameplay to the hero (in) you control at that moment. Then you want to be able to replay such a mission as a different hero, but that is not an option. The game encourages you to switch, but then gives each hero his or her own story.

Gotham Knights certainly also has highlights, but much more often plays it safe and unfortunately monotonous. The co-op mode cannot change that either. There are no special attacks for two players; it remains the same monotonous fighting game, but with two superheroes on screen.

Gotham Knights is nu verkrijgbaar voor PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X en S, en pc. For this review the game has been played on a PlayStation 5.

Score:

7,0

+ Beautiful and atmospheric  city.
+ Satisfying combat system.
+
+ ,

– Level system is way too decisive


Game Guide | Gotham Knights

Achievement / Trophy guide

Overview:
– Estimated achievement difficulty:  3/10
– Offline: 49 (1trophy, 2trophy, 7trophy, 39trophy)
– Online: 0
– Approximate amount of time to 1000 / Platinum: 18-20 Hours
– Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1, but must play some New Game+ to reach Max Level (Level 40 not available in 1st playthrough).
– Missable achievements  : No
– Does difficulty affect achievements: No, can do everything on easiest difficulty 
– Unobtainable/glitched achievements : No
– PS4/PS5 Autopop & Save Transfer: No, game is on PS5 only.
– PS4/PS5 Crossbuy: No, game is on PS5 only.
– Free-Roam / Level Select after Story?: Yes, there is still Free-Roam after the story, but there is no Mission Replay
– Extra equipment needed: No
– Release Date: October 21, 2022

Welcome to the Gotham Knights Trophy Guide! The game is set in the Batman universe but you play 4 different heroes: Batgirl, Red Hood, Nightwing, Robin. The trophy list doesn’t lock you into playing a specific character or playstyle. You can pick whoever you like best, there’s nothing missable and nothing to look out for. Your character level is shared between all 4 heroes so feel free to switch between them, you don’t have to stick to the same one. It’s best to play through the story first because it gradually unlocks side activities tied to trophies. Then do the side content and collectibles, then mop up what you have left, then start New Game+ to increase the level cap for reaching max level. It’s a pretty fun and easy platinum. Everything can be done on the lowest difficulty and completely offline solo. The Batcycle time trials are also very easy and quick. Enjoy the game any way you desire.

Step 1: Finish Main Story (6 Hours)

For the first step, simply finish the Main Story. This will make available various Side Activities, Side Quests (“Villain Cases”), Collectible Types, and Enemy Factions – all of which are tied to trophies. After the story you will have access to everything. Nothing is missable, you can do everything after the story in Free-Roam. The difficulty you pick doesn’t matter, can do everything on “Very Easy”. You don’t need to look out for anything. If you already want to work on side activities as they become available, refer to Step 2 for a list of all side content.

There are only 8 Main Missions, a story-focused playthrough takes about 6 hours including all cutscenes:

  1. Case 01: Batman’s Last Case
  2. Case 02: The Rabbit Hole
  3. Case 03: In the Shadows
  4. Case 04: The Masquerade
  5. Case 05: The Court of Owls
  6. Case 06: Jacob Kane
  7. Case 07: The League of Shadows
  8. Case 08: Head of the Demon

Step 2: Villain Cases (2 Hours), Side Activities (1-2 Hours), Collectibles (3 Hours)

After the story you will have access to all side content. Do all of the following:

Villain Cases (3 Total):

  • HQ01: Harley Quinn – trophy Get ReQ’d, trophy Working Hard or Harley Working?, trophy Universal Health Scare
  • FR01: Mr. Freeze – trophy To the Victor Go the Spoils, trophy Quartzer Life Crisis, trophy Snow Problem, trophy Cooldown
  • CF01: Clayface – trophy Something in the Clay, trophy The Show Mud Go On, trophy Rock and a Hard Place

Side Activities (40 Total):

  • 12 Secret Caches (Bruce Wayne’s Hidden Audio Recordings) – trophy Gotham City Confidential
  • 5 Secret Identity Compromised – trophy Solid Alibi
  • 7 Batcycle Time Trials – trophy Bat Out of Hell
  • 16 Training Arena Exercises – trophy Practice Makes Perfect

Collectibles (154 Total):

  • 60 Batarangs – trophy Batarang Collector
  • 42 Historia Strigidae Pages – trophy Read Owl About It
  • 12 Street Art (Murals) –  trophy Claiming the Mural High Ground
  • 40 Landmarks – trophy History Major

Step 3: Farm 250 Crimes, get Enemy-Specific Trophies, Craft Full Legendary Set (5 Hours)

At this point you will likely still need the 250 Crimes, crafting a full Legendary Set, some of the “kill specific enemy type a number of times”, and getting 50 modchips from mod fusions.

You can combine all of this nicely. Keep grinding out random crimes until you have the trophy for doing 250 total. Doing the white crimes (small crimes) counts for the 250 total. In the end-of-night results screen it will only show the number of red crimes you did, but don’t be fooled by it, the white crimes are much quicker to do and are confirmed to count for the trophy. From doing all the crimes you should also get your remaining enemy-specific trophies. They also drop lots of mods to use for mod fusions.
For the legendary crafting materials, the best way is to do “High Difficulty” Premeditated Crimes to find “Gotham’s Most Wanted” enemies, they are rare spawns that drop around 250+ legendary crafting materials. Then use the legendary materials to craft a suit, melee weapon, ranged weapon.

If you like, you can actually combine some of this step with the 4th step in New Game+, but be careful to get the trophies tied to endgame enemies out of the way first (10 Man-Bats, killing enemies from late-game enemy factions). Otherwise, you’d have to replay all of the story in NG+ to respawn those enemies. Once you start New Game+ there’s no way to go back to your 1st playthrough save, so be very sure you got everything you want before continuing with Step 4.

Step 4: New Game+ to reach Max Level (2-4 Hours)

In the first playthrough the level cap was 30. To reach Max Level (40) you have to start New Game+ from the Title Screen, available after finishing the main story for the first time on any difficulty. All your progress carries over. However, once you start, it overwrites your story progress from the 1st playthrough and there’s no way back. To get from Level 30 to Level 40 you can either farm crimes in the open world or replay half the story. It should only take about 2-4 hours if you skip cutscenes.

Heir to the Cowl

Earn every Trophy in Gotham Knights

Read more


News | Take another look at the upcoming Gotham Knights

Warner Bros. Games released a new trailer for Gotham Knights, which mainly focuses on gameplay from the game.

The publisher is calling it a “gameplay launch trailer” as the game will be released in two weeks. Check out the trailer below.

In Gotham Knights, players take on the role of Robin, Nightwing, Red Hood and Batgirl, shortly after the death of an important figure in Gotham. The game should have a “dynamic and interactive” open world that will house famous villains such as the Court of Owls.

Gotham Knights is out October 21 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC. Initially, the game was also going to come to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but that version was canceled.


News | Hogwarts Legacy Exclusive PlayStation Mission Shown

A new Hogwarts Legacy trailer that aired during the State of Play showcases a PlayStation exclusive mission from the game.

It was already known that the game was getting an exclusive mission on PlayStation. The mission is called ‘The Haunted Hogsmeade Shop’ and revolves around a mysterious shop owned by Madan Mason in Hogsmeade. According to the description, the exclusive mission also includes an extra dungeon, a cosmetic set and a shop.

In Hogwarts Legacy, players control a fifth-year Hogwarts student. They explore the school and the world around it, learn spells, brew magic potions and fly on a broomstick. The game is set around 1800, so characters from the books and movies are few and far between, except for some cameos.

Hogwarts Legacy will be released on February 10, 2023 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and PC. The Switch version will be released at a later date.