Wild Bastards Is More Than Just A Void Bastards Western
Blue Manchu’s Wild Bastards is a neon-soaked mishmash of the strategy, FPS, and roguelike genres, albeit one with cowboy hats and six shooters. Much like its predecessor, Void Bastards, it layers dozens of systems and mechanics on top of each other to create a deep and varied experience that sees you exploring a galaxy, managing a crew of outlaws, and gunning down countless enemies. Based on what I played, it seems like Blue Manchu has once again figured out how to cleverly merge all these systems and mechanics into a cohesive whole.
During a preview, I got 30 minutes of hands-on time with Wild Bastards, and from what I’ve played, it’s structurally very similar to Void Bastards. You plot a path across a board game-like map filled with combat encounters, points of interest, and loot. Each run is different and a lot of those differences are determined by the planet and its traits. Some planets have low gravity, for example, while others could have hazardous weather. Throw in different enemy types and locales, and there’s plenty of variety from run to run.
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Wild Bastards Is More Than Just A Void Bastards Western
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However, Wild Bastards isn’t just a rootin’-tootin’ duster wearin’ reskin of Void Bastards. Developer Blue Manchu made some fundamental changes to accommodate the western, sci-fi setting. It ditches Void Bastards’ stealth gameplay and tight corridors in favor of fast-paced action and arena-style maps. Perhaps the biggest shake up is the introduction of “outlaws.” While Void Bastards adopted a roguelite progression system similar to Rogue Legacy where each run introduces a new character with different traits, Wild Bastards gives you a crew of up to 13 outlaws each with different weapons, playstyles, strengths, weaknesses, and skill trees. Once you’ve selected a planet, you put together a crew and loot-and-shoot your way across the map.
Even though Wild Bastards is a single-player experience, the outlaws give the game a hero shooter-like feel. Each character plays radically differently. Preach–a somber looking preacher adorned in black–carries an enormous minigun that shreds through rank and file, but takes some time to reload. Meanwhile, a mind flayer looking creature named Billy is packing two six shooters that function like, well, two six shooters. Outlaw’s aren’t limited to firearms, though. One outlaw–appropriately named Kaboom–let me hurl dynamite, while another was equipped with a laser lasso that could trap and damage enemies over time.
What makes Wild Bastards combat stand out is how you can mix and match different outlaws and swap between them on the fly as if you’re switching weapons. I found myself gravitating toward Preach and Kaboom. I could cut down my weaker foes with Preach’s rip roarin’ minigun, then switch to my dynamite outlaw to clean up the tougher enemies.
Even though swapping between outlaws is as easy as switching weapons, each outlaw has their own health bar. If an outlaw’s health drops to zero they are out of action for the rest of the expedition. Success in Wild Bastards is keeping your crew alive long enough to chart a path across the entire planet and looting as much as your wild bunch can carry. Like Void Bastards, there’s a constant push and pull of its risk-reward style gameplay and progression. Do you forge ahead while your outlaws are weak and injured or do you retreat to your ship and lick your wounds?
One of Wild Bastard’s more interesting mechanics is how your outlaws’ relationship to one another changes over time. It turns out, outlaws with big personalities don’t always get along, and in between missions you’ll need to manage those relationships. If two outlaws don’t like each other, then you can’t bring both of them on the same mission. If they really like each other, they might support each other at crucial moments in battle. During my preview, one of my outlaws gave the other a health boost at a critical moment saving my posse from an early grave. These relationships are forged and broken during the narrative and on the battlefield. If two outlaws are paired together during a mission, a feud might develop. Damaged relationships can be mended and strengthened with a tasty can of beans, but beans can only be acquired on planets.
It was hard to see how far-reaching this system was based on my short demo, but it seems like it could be an interesting wrinkle for a game that subtly draws from the hero shooter well. Two outlaws might synergize well, but if they don’t get along, you might be forced to work outside of your comfort zone until you can repair their relationship.
Like Blue Manchu’s previous work, Wild Bastards seems to be an interesting genre bending and blending mashup that pulls together some of the most popular genres in a smart and succinct way. It’s hard to say if this hero shooter approach fits Wild Bastards as well as the stealth and immersive sim mechanics of Void Bastards, but I’m eager to play more of it, nonetheless. Wild Bastards is scheduled to arrive on PC and consoles later this year.
The Popular 8BitDo Pro 2 Switch Controller Hits Lowest Price Ever
If you’re searching for a frugal alternative to the expensive Switch Pro Controller, you’ll want to take a look at the 8BitDo Pro 2. The controller is an easy recommendation at full price, but right now Amazon is discounting the popular gamepad to $40 (down from $50). That’s the lowest-ever price for the pro-style controller, and since the deal applies to both the G Classic and Gray editions, it’s easy to find a model that catches your eye.
$40 (was $50)
The 8BitDo Pro 2 is packed with features for a gamepad in this price range. Along with support for Switch, it also works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Android, Steam Deck, and Analogue Pocket. You’ll find two remappable back buttons, custom profile switching (three profiles total), rumble vibration, motion controls, and a battery that lasts up to 20 hours before needing a recharge.
There are a couple of other nice perks, including access to the Ultimate Software to further tweak performance and adjustable hair triggers to shorten the actuation time for your actions. The Ultimate Software works on mobile and desktop.
While the 8BitDo Pro 2 is no stranger to discounts, it’s never been this cheap before. Most deals only lower its price by a few bucks–but now that it’s listed for $40, there’s little reason to avoid it if you need a new gamepad.
Another great 8BitDo product, the Retro Mechanical Keyboard (Fami Edition), is also on sale right now for $80 (down from $100). The quirky keyboard supports both Bluetooth and 2.4Hz connections and comes with the unique Dual Super Buttons for setting macros. You’ll also find the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox Series X listed for $75 (down from $120). We’re not sure how long any of these limited-time deals will remain in stock, so be sure to cash in on the savings while you can.
Company Of Heroes Developer Relic Entertainment Is An Independent Studio Again
Relic Entertainment is officially an indie studio, as the developer behind Company of Heroes 3 has parted ways with Sega. The studio says that it will become an independently run studio in partnership with an external investor and it plans to continue supporting the games it developed at Sega.
Founded in 1997, Relic was acquired by THQ for $10 million in 2004. Following the collapse of THQ, Relic was auctioned off and was almost purchased by Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax. Sega acquired the studio with a winning bid of $26.6 million in 2013, and Relic continued work on sequels to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, Age of Empires, and Company of Heroes. Relic joins a handful of studios that managed to regain their independence throughout the industry, like Toys for Bob and IO Interactive.
Meanwhile, Sega has joined the list of video game publishers who have instituted mass layoffs across the industry. It has cut 240 roles across Sega Europe, Creative Assembly, and Sega Hardlight, while Sega UK studios like Two Point Studios and Sports Interactive appear to be unaffected for now. Following the cancellation of the multiplayer extraction-shooter Hyenas last year, Creative Assembly was hit with layoffs, and now even more employees are being let go this year.
Last year saw several cuts at Sega as well, as the company laid off 121 staff from Relic and 61 employees were let go from Sega of America. Members of the Sega of America union AEGIS-CWA have recently ratified their first contract with Sega. several months after they were formerly recognized as a legal union.
“Sega is working closely with Relic on this shift, and we wish them the best for the future,” Jurgen Post, the new head of Sega Europe, explained in an internal email (via GamesIndustry.Biz). “I want to sincerely apologize for the worry and understandable distress this news will cause, particularly for those directly affected. These decisions have been incredibly tough to make, and they follow meticulous consideration and deliberation with leadership teams across the business. Change is necessary to secure the future of our games business, and to ensure that we are well placed to deliver the best possible experiences to our players going forward.”
Post added that Sega will be streamlining its operations and that the cuts were necessary “to secure the future of our games business” as the company focuses on developing new games based on well-known IPs. Sega has committed to providing support for affected employees with severance pay, career support, and access to independent and internal guidance where possible. Post also apologized to staff who heard the news via social media or the trade press, as Sega was obligated to notify the Tokyo Stock Exchange first.
CoD: Modern Warfare 3 Free Trial Coming Soon, Letting You Check Out Season 3 Content
Activision hopes to capture your attention by letting you play Capture the Flag for free with an upcoming multiplayer trial for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The offering–which will run from April 4-8–will also include access to the Zombies and Hordepoint modes. The latter is a twist on Hardpoint, as the undead spawn on reskinned sci-fi maps like Tetanus.
The Modern Warfare 3 free trial starts right after Season 3 launches April 3 for the game. That means you can check out some of the new additions to the FPS, such as Capture the Flag. Three other game modes will arrive throughout the season: One in the Chamber, Minefield, and Escort. A 6-vs.-6 map called Emergency will also be introduced next week and playable for the free trial. The five other battlegrounds on offer will include fan-favorite Rust.
Now Playing: Modern Warfare III – Official Season 3 Multiplayer Launch Trailer
There is more than just a free trial scheduled for Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone next month. Activision actually has a 4/20 event planned, highlighted by Cheech and Chong operators coming to the game. Warzone will see a High Trip mode, where you collect gummies, and a Stoney Sloth operator is also in the works. GameSpot has compiled everything coming to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone in Season 3.
Modern Warfare 3 is one of 2024’s best-selling games in the US so far after arriving in November. For more, check out GameSpot’s Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer and zombies review.
