419: Assassin's Creed Shadows, Fragpunk and Nintendo Switch 2

Assassin's Creed Shadows is here! We really enjoyed Valhalla but it was an incredibly long game that had way too much content. The team behind Shadows recognized this and toned it down and brought us a feudal Japan story that is much more focused with an open world that's vast, but managable. The comparisons to Ghost of Tsushima can't be ignored, but this game does manage to find it's own identity. It's not Tsushima by any means but it is a game that brings through a story and a world that feels surprisingly mature for Ubisoft. Is this a new direction for the franchise? We hope so!

We also look at a not-so-good experience with Fragpunk. This is a 5v5 hero shooter akin to Valorant which was inspired by Counter-Strike. The main mode is a plant the bomb style of mode and it's fun, but the game is plagued by predatory microtransactions and gambling style mechanics that it takes away from what is otherwise a good game. 

We also talk extensively about the Nintendo Switch 2 direct. We first discuss the hardware and what all comes with it as well as our feelings toward the price point and the reveals of how much games may cost on the device. We also talk about the games themselves which honestly look amazing. There's a lot of good stuff happening here and if we can stomach the price point of investment, it could be a worthy console to own.

Lastly, Dreamhaven is a studio you may not have heard of, but it's made up of some veteran talent including the former Blizzard CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime. They had a direct showcasing some new games, one being Wildgate that looks really good and we're wondering...will this bring some of the Blizzard magic back? Only time will tell.

Show Notes:
1:07 - Housekeeping
2:44 - Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review
53:59 - Fragpunk Review
1:21:14 - Nintendo Switch 2: A Mix of Hype and Concern
1:55:43 - Nintendo Switch 2 Games: Off to a Great Start
2:31:48 - Can Dreamhaven Bring Back the Blizzard Magic?
2:49:55 - Upcoming Video Game Releases

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Credits:
"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.net
Woman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress
"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64