Batman: Arkham Origins has been out for a bit over a week and has received generally positive reviews. Individual players, however, have seen a litany of problems that prevent them from continuing their game. Warner Bros. Montreal has addressed the issue, advising that they aren’t testing the software update to fix several of these problems and get consumers back on the Dark Knight’s path. In addition to fixing the infinite falling loop and the missing “Continue Story” option, the update will also address the issue with FreeFlow Focus mode not unlocking at the appropriate time. Expect the update soon.
Peggle 2 has a new release window of December 2013. Rather than calling it a delay, EA says the original announcement of the game as an XBox One launch title was “mischaracterized.” I like their berbiage, though it’s really unnecessary. Even if tha’ts the case, there’s very little shame in seeing your game “delayed” in the modern video game market. No specific date was announced, but we know it won’t November 22, 2013.
Back in March there was an initial “leak” of an image for something called Assassin’s Creed: Rising Phoenix which was denied by Ubisoft and decried as a hoax or fake. Which leads to a few questions about another image appearing in the Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag game. Without spoiling much, after Sequence 6 you’ll have access to new areas of Abstergo, where the Rising Phoenix image is on a window sticker. Some players have reported additional references, as well as other possible titles, that can be found through the in-game hacking. Ubisoft has yet to address the image publicly, but speculation abounds. Is this a new game, mobile app, movie reference, etc.? Or were they being honest about the original image being a hoax and they’re now just trolling everyone?
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes has been issued a release window of Spring 2014. Keep in mind, this is not Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Ground Zeroes is a prologue to the main MGS V title. There is a little bit of confusion regarding the price for the prologue. The digital PS3/360 version will run $20. The retail disc version, and the downloadable PS4/XB1 editions, will be $30. So still a “discounted” title, but I’m not sure why the disparity between current and next-gen digital prices.
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen has been confirmed as this week’s entry to the PS Plus Instant Game Collection, coming with today’s update. This is the original full game with the expansion. Oddworld: Munch’s Oddyssee HD is leaving next week. There is also a “knockout” sale for fans of fighting games. PS+ subscribers can get heavy discounts on SOULCALIBUR: Broken Destiny ($13.49), Mortal Kombat PS Vita ($10.79), Dead Or Alive 5 Plus ($21.59), Real Boxing ($6.29), and Guacamelee! ($8.39 cross-buy). More fighters will be on sale next week.
PS Vita Firmware 3.00 is set to go live “soon” (as in it’s live now in some areas). This update brings the much touted PS4 link, providing remote play for most titles on the next-gen hardware. The link will also enable “second screen” functionality for supported titles. Other additions to this firmware will include parental controls; a panoramic camera setting; improved Friends layout; name change, layout improvement, and increased functionality for messaging; icon change and functionality expansion for Party chat (includes chatting between PS4 and Vita); syncing of contact lists in the Email app; wi-fi Content Transfer for PS Vita<->PS3; automatic software update settings; and PS4 trophy display. This is a pretty expansive update that brings your Vita into the next console generation while maintaining its link to PS3 as well.
Speaking of updates, Grand Theft Auto V‘s 1.05 is out now. It’s the normal run of fixes that should eliminate all risk of character loss. The promised “stimulus” package will now be incoming “in the next couple of days.” Assuming the software update correctly handles the issues, of course.