Summary
- Batman: Arkham Shadow is announced as a VR exclusive.
- Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree will not have follow-up DLC.
- Helldivers 2 now requires a PSN account for PC players, causing controversy and community division.
Today, The Best War Games’s weekly recap takes a look at some of the most notable headlines from the past week: Helldivers 2 followed an announcement of a new Premium Warbond by stirring a ton of controversy in its community, Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree may not have a follow-up DLC the way Dark Souls 3 did, and Batman: Arkham Shadow is announced as a VR-exclusive title. All that and more in this week’s roundup of games industry news.
The Best War Games Recap for 04/22/24 – 04/28/24
Metaphor: ReFantazio reveals its special edition bonuses, Marvel Rivals' closed alpha date is confirmed, and more in this week's The Best War Games recap.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Announced for Meta Quest 3
A new Batman: Arkham game was suddenly announced with a full reveal slated for Summer Game Fest next month. To the dismay of some, however, Batman: Arkham Shadow is a VR-exclusive and therefore expectations should be checked for anyone hoping for a standard action-adventure installment.
Elden Ring Not Slated for More Expansions After Shadow of the Erdtree
Shadow of the Erdtree is quickly approaching its release date of June 21 and while it’s exciting as an expansion for Elden Ring, it comes along with bittersweet news. Not every FromSoftware Soulslike needs multiple expansions, but knowing Elden Ring won’t have future DLC after Shadow of the Erdtree insinuates that the studio will be moving onto other games, if not a sequel to Elden Ring—which is apparently on the table.
Helldivers 2 Enforcing PSN Account for PC Players
Helldivers 2 was enjoying a hot streak of positivity and adoration since its launch, but that all seems to have changed overnight. Helldivers 2 now requires a PSN account linked for PC players, meaning players in over 100 countries are suddenly unable to play on PC anymore, and has drawn a line in the community. It seems that this is a Sony decision, and meanwhile many distressed players have been pointing their anger at Arrowhead.
Star Wars: Hunters Scheduled for Summer 2024
Star Wars: Hunters’ new release date has been announced following multiple delays. Unless further delays occur, the free-to-play, squad-based arena shooter is now scheduled to launch in a month on June 4 on Switch.
New Balatro Update Releases
Balatro is currently undergoing a ton of bug fixes and performance improvements while gaining new features as part of its latest update.
Features
Marvel Rivals’ closed alpha test begins this upcoming week and, while it’ll probably be a bit until news is shared about actual in-game events after its official launch, it’s exciting to imagine what comics-inspired seasonal content could look like in the 6v6 hero shooter.
Movies & TV
X-Men ’97 is a treasure trove of nostalgia and classic references, but what it’s introduced and how authentically it tells an original story should be commended. Part of that authenticity is also bringing in characters or antagonists who’ve yet to make a major impression outside of comic books.
Guides
Like any Soulslike-inspired action game worth its salt, Stellar Blade has multiple endings and all are meaningful to the narrative.
The Best War Games Exclusives
Certainly one of the more out-there games released lately, Indika is a great exploration of psychological storytelling when it isn’t pushing players through walking-sim sequences.
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
Freedom. Peace. Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization. Of our very existence. But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat.
Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.
BECOME A LEGEND
You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions. Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.
LOADOUTS
Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat. How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armor and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.
REQUISITION
Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.
THREATS
Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with. Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behavior – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.
THE GALACTIC WAR
Capturing enemy planets, defending against invasions, and completing missions will contribute to our overall effort. This war will be won or lost depending on the actions of everyone involved.
We stand together, or we fall apart.
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
- Metascore
- 83
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC & PS5
