• Overwatch League Will Not Take a Year-Long Hiatus, Blizzard Confirms

    Posted on August 11, 2021 by Matt T.M. Kim

    Reports claiming the Overwatch League esports tournament will go on a "year-long hiatus" are untrue according to OWL vice president Jon Spector.

    Esports site GGRecon published a story citing sources who claimed that the Overwatch League, Activision Blizzard's Overwatch esports league, will take a full year off for its 2022 season.

    The reasoning for the delay was claimed to have had something to do with Overwatch 2. But Spector's tweet, which was sent to IGN when asked for comment, debunks this. So while the dates for the 2022 season haven't been announced a year-long delay is not in the cards.

    Overwatch League was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Right before the pandemic, OWL was getting ready to finally pilot its home-and-away format but these plans were scuttled due to restrictions on travel and indoor gatherings. Instead, OWL resorted to a remote virtual setup with matches between teams taking place entirely online.

    There's also the matter of the ongoing Activision Blizzard lawsuit which casts a shadow over the entire company. IGN continues to follow the story closely.

    For now, Overwatch League plans to resume in-person events starting in September. Overwatch teams in regions like China also resumed limited in-person events.

    Vaccination efforts are ongoing and a new Delta variant is on the rise, so the Overwatch League will likely monitor these changes in real-time before the planned return to live events later this year.

    Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.

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    Life is Strange: Remastered Collection Delayed to 2022

    Posted on August 11, 2021 by Taylor Lyles

    Deck Nine announced today on Twitter that the official release date for Life is Strange: Remastered Collection has been delayed and will now release sometime next year.

    In the tweet, Deck Nine explains that due to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, they have decided to "alleviate any additional pressure" on the team and have decided to push back Life is Strange: Remastered Collection into 2022.

    Originally, Life is Strange: Remastered Collection was supposed to launch on September 30 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Stadia with a Nintendo Switch port coming at a later date.

    Deck Nine still confirmed that the next installment in the series, Life is Strange: True Colors, will still release on September 10 on all the platforms previously announced, and that a new trailer will release tomorrow.

    Additionally, the game's post-launch content titled Wavelengths will release on September 30 as both a standalone release and as part of the Ultimate Edition for Life is Strange: True Colors. Life is Strange: Wavelengths DLC is set one year before the events of Life is Strange: True Colors and focuses on Steph Gingrich, a supporting character in the base game.

    Life is Strange: Remastered Collection is a compilation of the original Life is Strange and its prequel, Life is Strange: Before the Storm. The game will feature improved animations with facial mo-cap performances, in addition to other graphical and visual enhancements.

    Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

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    Best New Anime to Watch (Summer Season 2021)

    Posted on August 11, 2021 by Mike Mamon

    Samurai pirates, fighting spirits, and vampire mysteries are just some of what's going on this summer in anime. We have a good amount of new anime for the summer such as the swashbuckling series Fena: Pirate Princess, the video game based Scarlet Nexus, and some space action with EDENS ZERO. We're also seeing the return of a highly anticipated anime series in SHAMAN KING. Across Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Netflix, as well as others, there are a lot of places to enjoy anime at the moment.

    Check out some of our favorite picks in the video above or the slideshow gallery below, followed by the full list of new summer season 2021 anime in the U.S. and their respective streaming platforms. Anime listed are available now unless otherwise stated.

    Fena: Pirate Princess (Crunchyroll, VRV)

    Find One Piece… I mean get to Eden. That’s what Fena was tasked with before being left behind as a young girl during an attack. Living as an orphan, circumstances forced her out of her current lifestyle, giving Fena the opportunity to learn about her father’s work and the mysterious Eden. There’s also a crew of samurai pirates! Fena: Pirate Princess is created and directed by Kazuto Nakazawa, who has worked on Samurai Champloo and B: The Beginning. Production I.G is producing this anime and the animation is already looking amazing from the trailers we’ve seen so far. Fena: Pirate Princess premieres on Crunchyroll, Adult Swim’s Toonami, and VRV on August 14.

    The Case Study of Vanitas (Funimation, Hulu)

    The Case Study of Vanitas follows Noé, a vampire who is looking for the mythical Book of Vanitas that could bring death to the entire vampire race. Noé soon meets a human named Vanitas who appears to have the book but instead uses it to cure an enraged vampire. The two end up teaming up to learn more about the book and the mysterious sickness that affects vampires. Bones, the animation studio behind The Case Study of Vanitas, is well known for titles like Mob Psycho 100 and My Hero Academia. The Case Study of Vanitas is available now on Funimation and Hulu.

    EDENS ZERO (Netflix)

    From the creator of Fairy Tail comes Fairy Tail… in space? The story of EDENS ZERO follows Shiki, a human who has lived his whole life among robots. He befriends Rebecca and her companion Happy and sets off on an adventure to explore the universe. If you like Fairy Tail and Hiro Mashima’s other works, you should definitely check out EDENS ZERO. The series premieres on Netflix August 26.

    RE-MAIN (Funimation)

    We got a sports anime this season with a dramatic twist! RE-MAIN follows water polo player Minato Kiyomizu who was very successful in middle school until he got in a car accident which put him in a coma. When Minato finally wakes up, he's lost the last three years of his memories, including his water polo experience. Now in high school, he attempts to get back into the sport. RE-MAIN has a unique angle for the typical trope of a nobody team that's building up, but the effects of his car accident have larger effects on his personal relationships, including his family. As a result, the climb back from this devastating event has made this sports anime hit a bit different than what we’re used to. MAPPA, which is known for Jujutsu Kaisen and Yuri!!! on Ice, is behind this anime. RE-MAIN is available now on Funimation.

    Life Lessons With Uramichi Oniisan (Funimation)

    Looking for a comedy anime that can just be a little too real? Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan is just the anime for you! The series follows Uramichi Omota, a childrens show host who needs to keep bright and cheerful for the kids even though the other side of his life is a little depressing. Every now and then, that gloomy side of him comes out on air and he shares that with some of his castmates on the show. If you’re interested in seeing Uramichi awkwardly navigate adulthood, you can watch the series now on Funimation.

    Scarlet Nexus (Funimation)

    That’s right — the Scarlet Nexus game from earlier this year also has an anime. In this series we follow Yuito, a new recruit to the Other Suppression Force that fights monsters or Others who invade the planet. Sunrise animation studio, which is known for the Gundam series, is behind the Scarlet Nexus anime. From what we’ve heard, the anime closely follows the game’s storyline. If you plan on playing the game, it might be best to hold on watching this anime for now. Otherwise, the Scarlet Nexus anime is now available on Funimation.

    SHAMAN KING (Netflix)

    The Shaman King reboot, remake, or whatever you want to call it is finally here! For those that don’t know, Shaman King follows Yoh, a shaman who can communicate with the dead. With his ability, Yoh wants to become the Shaman King and earn the power to reshape the world. To do so, he must first win a tournament between shamans that happens every 500 years. Fans of the 2000s series should be excited for this, but either way you should definitely check it out if you’re a shonen fan. The new Shaman King is now available on Netflix.

    Those are some of the most notable new anime available to watch this summer 2021 season. Also, quick shoutout to That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime and Miss Koboyashi’s Dragon Maid for their new seasons (both are also worth checking out). If you want to hear more about Beastars Season 2 or Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, check out our July New to Netflix video. And also our list of Spring 2021 anime is also worth a look in case you missed the last batch of new series.

    All the New Anime Arriving in Summer 2021

    Here’s the full list of anime coming out in Summer 2021 that will be available to watch in the US:

    Crunchyroll

    Funimation

    Netflix

    Hulu

    VRV

    HIDIVE

    What anime are you watching this summer? Let's discuss in the comments!

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    Tetris Effect: Connected Announced for Nintendo Switch

    Posted on August 11, 2021 by Adam Bankhurst

    Tetris Effect: Connected has been announced for the Nintendo Switch, and it will be released on October 8, 2021, the same day as the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) and Metroid Dread.

    This exciting bit of news was revealed at today's Indie World Showcase, and new players and fans of the game that was first released in 2018 will soon be able to take this special take on Tetris wherever they go.

    The version that is coming to switch is Tetris Effect: Connected, which first released in 2020 on Xbox platforms and PC, and adds new 1-3 player co-op and 1-2 player competitive multiplayer modes that are playable online and locally.

    The Switch version also supports cross-platform multiplayer, meaning Switch players can play with or against others on Xbox, PC, and PlayStations players.

    In our Tetris Effect review, we said that "the merging of time-tested gameplay with the synesthesia-inducing sound and visual design of Tetsuya Mizuguchi creates something you’ve likely never experienced."

    Tetris Effect: Connected will join a system that has had a unique Tetris experience of its own in Tetris 99. For those who need a bit of Tetris until Tetris Effect: Connected is released, they can check out the most recent theme that is inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

    Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

    Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

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    Nintendo Switch Indie World Showcase August 2021: Everything Announced

    Posted on August 11, 2021 by Adam Bankhurst

    Nintendo held its latest Indie World Showcase today, and it highlighted a wide selection of indie games coming to the Nintendo Switch, and seven that were launching today, including the much-anticipated Axiom Verge 2.

    Other exciting games featured in the show include the innovative card-based RPG Loop Hero, Tetris Effect: Connected, Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon, and many more. To help ensure you don’t miss a single announcement, we’ve gathered each and every game in the roundup below.

    Axiom Verge 2 Is Available Later Today

    The much-anticipated follow-up to 2015’s Axiom Verge will be available on Nintendo Switch later today and tells a prequel story of a new hero who is not only fighting for her life, but is also empowered by the same microscopic machines that gradually consume her humanity.

    Tetris Effect: Connected Arrives on Switch This October

    Tetris Effect: Connected will be released on Nintendo Switch on October 8, 2021, and brings with it the single-player Journey mode, the competitive Zone Battle mode, and the cooperative Connected mode. Furthermore, it supports cross-platform play to make playing with friends even easier. Oh, and it will be released on the same day as the Switch (OLED Model) and Metroid Dread.

    Bomb Rush Cyberfunk Is a ‘Graffiti-Action-Adventure’ That Tasks You With Becoming the All City King

    Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a “graffiti-action-adventure” game that will have players grinding, painting, and comboing their way to becoming an All City King, one of the best graffiti artists in a sprawling metropolis. This new game will be released as a timed console exclusive in 2022.

    Loop Hero Jumps From PC to Nintendo Switch This Winter

    Loop Hero, the innovative card-based RPG from Four Quarters and Devolver Digital, will arrive on Nintendo Switch this Winter after being exclusive to PC. Using an expanding decks of cards, you have to craft the world that the hero travels through, and it’s up to you to ensure they survive each loop as long as they can before returning to safety or succumbing to a horrible fate.

    Eastward Is a Post-Apocalyptic Action-Adventure RPG That Arrives Next Month

    Eastward is an action-adventure RPG that is set in a post-apocalyptic world and features both puzzle-solving and dungeon elements. You play a hardworking miner named John who discovered a young girl named Sam in a secret underground facility. Explore bustling towns, curious campsites, and shady forests when Eastward arrives on Nintendo Switch as a timed console exclusive on September 16.

    Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon Is a Puzzle-Adventure Starring Our Favorite Shoveled Knight

    Launching this winter, Shovel Knight: Pocket Adventure is an action-packed puzzle-adventure mashup that will see Puzzle Knight guiding you on a new adventure to fight foes, recover relics, and battle bosses both old and new. Over 10 heroes will be available with their own special power and play style, and this puzzle game will let you take on a friend head-to-head in local multiplayer. The Nintendo Switch version will also feature amiibo support to let you “call on a familiar fairy friend.”

    Metal Slug Tactics Is a Tactical Take on a Classic Franchise

    Metal Slug Tactics is a fresh take on the classic Metal Slug franchise that adds tactical combat mechanics and roguelike elements to the mix. Players will control familiar characters like Marco, Tarma, Fio, and Eri, but this game is all about positioning and striking at the right moment. Metal Slug Tacts launched for Nintendo Switch in 2022.

    Use Your Photographic Eye In TOEM Later This Fall

    TOEM is a laid-back, hand-drawn adventure game from Something We Made where you set off on a expedition and use your photographic eye to uncover the mysteries of the eponymous TOEM. Talk to quirky characters, solve their problems by taking photos, and explore the Scandinavian countryside when TOEM launches later this fall.

    Take a Post-Apocalyptic Journey in FAR: Changing Tides in Early 2022

    While FAR: Changing Tides is a new atmospheric vehicle adventure set in the same post-apocalyptic universe that was first introduced in FAR: Lone Sails, players will not need to know anything that came before to enjoy this new story. Captain your own seafaring vessel and explore a vast flooded landscape when FAR: Changing Tides launches on Switch in early 2022.

    Necrobarista: Final Pour Is an Anime-Style Visual Novel About Coffee and Death

    Necrobarista: Final Pour is another game that is available today and brings and anime-style visual novel to Switch that is all about coffee and death. Navigate a “fantasy Melbourne’s coffee culture, the questionable ethics or necromancy, and the process of letting go.” This is also the Director’s Cut version of the game and includes new story content and remastered visuals.

    Boyfriend Dungeon Lets You Take Your Weapons On Dates And It’s Available Today

    Boyfriend Dungeon is a heartfelt dungeon-crawling dating sim that lets your date your weapons. From dancing swords to heart-piercing daggers, this unique mash-up will be available to try soon as it’s available on Switch later today.

    Garden Story Is Available Today and Lets You Become the Guardian of the Grove

    Become the Guardian of the Grove in Garden Story when it launches on Switch later today. Explore a vibrant island, fend off the invasive Rot, and rebuild your home in this timed console exclusive that tasks you with restoring a community.

    ISLANDERS: Console Edition Lets You Create The City of Your Dreams Over and Over Again

    ISLANDERS is a relaxing, procedurally generated strategy game that has you developing an island by placing buildings from your inventory. When you can’t build anymore, you can just start from scratch and do it all over on another island. ISLANDERS: Console Edition launches later today on Nintendo Switch.

    Alongside these games, there was also an indie montage for two games launching on Nintendo Switch today – Slime Rancher: Plortable Edition and Curious Expedition – and other upcoming games like Hundred Days – Winemaking Simulator (Winter 2021), Gang Beasts (Winter 2021), ASTRONEER (January 2022), and LumbearJack (2022).

    Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

    Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

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