Video Games
[Gamescom 2019] Fresh ‘Death Stranding’ Footage Explains That Baby in a Jar (Sort Of)
Geoff Keighley and Hideo Kojima can’t be in the same building together and not show off a video game. That’s just fact. So it’s little surprise that big Koj let the great unwashed bask in the majesty of his latest triumph at Keighley’s Gamescom Opening Night Live event.
Well, in reality, he just showed us some more Death Stranding, a game we still know bugger all about except Mads Mikkelsen and Norman Reedus get naked and a baby is in a jar. This is definitely exciting though, and this new footage does introduce some new characters with somewhat tragic backgrounds.
First, there was Margaret Qualley’s Mama, who has a maternal bond with a creepy invisible baby who was born on ‘the other side’, but is still connected by the umbilical cord. She can’t move from her location because she doesn’t want to lose her link to her child.
Next, the infamous Bridge Baby (the baby in a jar) gets an explanation of sorts, thanks to the avatar version of Guillermo Del Toro (Deadman) who tells us the baby needs to be synced to its ‘stillmother’, but tells Norman Reedus’ Sam not to get too attached to the sprog. Uh-oh.
Oh but that’s not all. Kojima then gave us a bit of fresh gameplay footage. Norman Reedus takes a piss that grows a mushroom… Yeah. Kojima explained that no matter how quick you turn the camera you can’t catch sight of the unsightly act, and urination is actually a weapon of some kind if other players choose to do the same thing in the same spot. Connecting the world through urine? Beautiful.
He then heads to a delivery point and interacts with another new character (who turns out to be Geoff Keighley in a cameo, voiced by Matt Mercer) then after falling, Sam placates his jar baby by rocking it. So delightfully odd as expected. Kojima promised there’s a lot more cameos throughout the game too.
Death Stranding is coming to PS4 on November 8, when maybe this will all make a bit more sense…or probably less of it. Excited either way!
Video Games
Bloober Returns to ‘Star Trek’ With Psychological Thriller ‘Star Trek: Shadow Frontier’ [Trailer]
Bloober Team weren’t done dropping news this week. After surprising everyone with SAW: Genesis at Summer Game Fest yesterday, they’ve now announced a new horror-slanted Star Trek title with Paramount Games Studio in Star Trek: Shadow Frontier. This is the second Star Trek title Bloober has developed, having released the VR body horror title Star Trek: Infection earlier this year.
“We’ve long admired the way Bloober Team crafts deeply immersive, atmospheric experiences that keep players on the edge of their seats,” said Paramount Games Studio senior vice president and head of creative and production Shawn Kittelsen. “For Star Trek: Shadow Frontier, it was essential to partner with a studio that could both honor that legacy and push it forward. We have full confidence in Bloober’s ability to deliver a game that does justice to the ‘Star Trek’ name while bringing something bold and new to the beloved franchise.”
Launching for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, the Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam in 2027, Star Trek: Shadow Frontier is a story-driven action-adventure that sees players step into the role of former Lieutenant Ro Laren (voiced by Michelle Forbes). After crashing onto a distant planet overtaken by a strange consciousness, Ro Laren must survive in an environment that is as breathtaking as it is lethal. Ro’s mission is driven by duty and purpose. But here, discovery comes at a terrible cost. The more she uncovers, the deeper she is pulled into a corrupted labyrinth where her memories twist and the planet threatens to sever her connection to reality.
The hostile ecosystem of the planet poses a constant threat to Ro’s existence. It seeks to absorb Ro’s consciousness, burrowing deep into her mind and plaguing her with haunting visions. Environmental hazards and obstacles lurk around every corner. Exploration is both your only path to salvation and your potential undoing. Players will be able to use their Tricorder to scan and analyze items, and of course rely on their Phaser to solve puzzles and fend off enemies.