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Lego Brawls pushes the boundaries of what a Smash Bros. clone can be

Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. series single-handedly created the platform fighter subgenre of fighting games. As such, a lot of games try to replicate its formula almost completely, especially mechanics like the wavedash from Super Smash Bros. Melee. While the makers of many Smash clones seem to feel like they need to be exactly like Nintendo’s classic series in order to entice players, Lego Brawls showed me that doesn’t have to be the case at Summer Game Fest Play Days.

Just as MultiVersus did last month, Lego Brawls demonstrates that games inspired by Super Smash Bros. can still have a unique gameplay identity. From being able to customize your characters and attacks to having unique modes not found in any other game in the genre, Lego Brawls looks like it’s a fun Smash-like time for the whole family, even if it probably won’t be the top game at EVO anytime soon.

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LEGO Brawls - Announcement Trailer

Building blocks 

One way that Lego Brawls is very much like Smash Bros. is that it’s a crossover fighting game where players can duke it out with characters they create using classic Lego sets. Castle, Pirate, Western, and Space, as well as more modern ones like Monkie Kid, Vidiyo, Ninjago, and Jurassic World, are all represented in character customization. The developers claim that every character and weapon piece in Lego Brawls is based on a real Lego, even if some of them aren’t available to purchase anymore.

Any kid who likes Legos will probably enjoy spending hours unlocking and customizing the pieces of their Lego character. Some of these changes have gameplay implications too, as players can customize their weapons. In addition to choosing a basic weapon, players can go into battle with a jetpack that lets them fly or a saxophone that can calm other players. Those special abilities are obtained through item boxes that appear in matches, Mario Kart-style.

Speaking of Mario Kart, some stages even have vehicles to drive, and these often provide a nice way to shake up a battle. 

A player customizes a punk pirate in Lego Brawls.

Lego Brawls’ also has modes that players can’t find in other Smash clones. A more traditional free-for-all mode lets players fight to be the last one standing on a small stage. But Lego Brawl’s primary focus is actually on bigger maps that support modes like one where two teams of four try to hold capture points and another where eight players compete to defeat as many other players as possible within a time limit. These modes show just how much potential there is within the platform fighter genre outside of just competitively trying to ring out opponents. 

A new era of Smash clones

Last month, MultiVersus impressed me because of its primary 2v2 setup and abilities that made it feel really different to play from Smash. With deep customization and those varied modes, Lego Brawls does the same. It doesn’t seem like that deep of a fighting game, but that also means it will be easy for players of any skill level to pick up and play. 

Players fight on the space stage in Lego Brawls.

Like MultiVersus, Lego Brawls shows that platform fighters can switch up the formula and still be a whole lot of fun. In fact, the games that find their own unique ideas become even more memorable because they aren’t living in Super Smash Bros Ultimate’s shadow. Most Smash clones seem so preoccupied with adapting Melee‘s wavedashing that they forget to add their own ideas. Lego Brawls also succeeds in feeling more approachable, something that can’t be said for many hardcore Smash Bros. clones.

Because Lego Brawls is much more casual, it’ll probably be much more fondly remembered by children, even more so than Brawlout or Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl are. Will Lego Brawls have as big of a high-level competitive scene as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or Melee? Almost certainly not. But for families and other players looking for a casual but very distinct alternative to Smash, Lego Brawls should be a multiplayer blast.

Lego Brawls is available now on Apple Arcade, but an enhanced version will launch on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch with full cross-play on September 2.

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Everything announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022
Sonic looks surprised in a Sonic Frontiers trailer.

Gamescom, the biggest gaming event in Europe, is here once again. Alongside it, we got another reveal-filled livestream organized by Geoff Keighley, the man behind Summer Game Fest Kickoff and The Game Awards. As the final big gaming showcase of the summer, Gamescom Opening Night Live gave developers another opportunity to highlight games they will release throughout the rest of 2022 and into early 2023.
Thanks to leaks and teases from Geoff Keighley, we knew a lot of what will show up at Gamescom Opening Night Live. We saw new footage of The Callisto Protocol, Hogwarts Legacy, High On Life, Gotham Knights, and more, and got official announcements for the new version of Dead Island 2 and the release date for Sonic Frontiers. There were still some fun surprises, though. As such, you should check out this list of every game announced during the Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022 showcase. 
2022 gamescom Opening Night LIVE (ONL): Official Livestream: Sonic, Hogwarts Legacy, Outlast Trials
Dune Awakening announced by Funcom
Dune: Awakening Announcement Trailer
The second announcement of the show was Dune Awakening. It's an ambitious open-world survival MMO set in the universe of that popular sci-fi franchise. Players must try to survive on Arrakis by building bases, finding resources, and fending off enemy factions. While Funcom has teased for a while, it's nice to have confirmation and a cinematic trailer for the game, finally. There's no release date, but Funcom will hold a beta for Dune Awakening before launch. 
Lords of the Fallen 2 reemerges as The Lords of the Fallen
The Lords of the Fallen - Announcement Trailer | Wishlist on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S #DareToHope
This year's Gamescom Opening Night Live was good for a game stuck in development hell. The Lords of the Fallen is a follow-up to a 2014 Soulslike that was announced then but stuck in development hell ever since. The new trailer narrated by Stranger Things' Joseph Quinn reintroduces us to the series' universe and confirms that The Lords of the Fallen is in active development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
New Tales from the Borderlands is coming much sooner than you think
New Tales from the Borderlands - Official Announce Trailer
2K and Gearbox unveiled New Tales from the Borderlands, and it's out in less than two months! The narrative adventure game set in the Borderlands universe is a successor to one of Telltale's best titles and features a new cast of characters for players to get acquainted with and make choices for. It clearly has Borderlands' trademark style and humor, and we won't have to wait long to see it all in action. New Tales from the Borderlands launches for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on October 21.
Sonic Frontiers will actually come out this year
Sonic Frontiers - Story Trailer
While divisive early looks at gameplay made some fans doubt whether or not Sonic Frontiers would release this year, we learned at Gamescom Opening Night Live that it will. A brand new trailer for the game was shown off that confirmed the leaked November 8 release date, which puts the game up against Skull & Bones and God of War: Ragnarok. At launch, Sonic Frontiers will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space is getting a multiplayer game
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game — Official Reveal Trailer
The Director of Friday the 13th: The Game revealed that he is turning the cult classic horror film Killer Klowns from Outer Space into a multiplayer horror game. It launches for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in early 2023 and is simply titled Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game. Players can currently sign up for a bet on the game's website.
Former Bethesda and Obsidian devs announce a new studio and game
WYRDSONG | Announcement Trailer | Something Wicked Games
Former Bethesda Game Studios developer Jeff Gardiner showed up to Gamescom Opening Night Live to unveil Something Wicked Games. This is a brand new studio made up of former Bethesda and Obsidian Entertainment RPGs, and they are making a brand new game called Wyrdsong. Wyrdsong is an occult RPG set in medieval Portugal. While it seems like the game won't be released for a while, Wyrdsong certainly has an intriguing and spooky reveal trailer. If you want to learn more about the game, Jeff Gardiner revealed a lot of new details about Wyrdsong in an interview with Digital Trends.
Dead Island 2 rises from the dead next February
While a leak stole this announcement's thunder, Dead Island 2 was shown off officially for the first time in years at the final announcement at Gamescom Opening Night Live. We were introduced to a brand new version of the game, which follows a group of six Slayers as they fight off the zombie threat in Los Angeles with customizable abilities and brutal combat. After over eight years of waiting, players won't have to wait much longer as Dead Island 2 will be released for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 3, 2023.
Everything else

A developer diary and reveal trailer shared the first details of Everywhere. 
PlayStation unveiled the DualSense Edge, a customizable PS5 controller. 
The Callisto Protocol got new gory gameplay and affirmed its December 2 release.
Moving Out 2 was announced with a 2023 release window.
Hogwarts Legacy's new trailer shows off the dangers (and the power) of dark magic.
We got a first look at the Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties expansion and its deadly arena combat. It launches on October 13.
Tortuga: A Pirate's Tale announced. 
Marauders' early access release was confirmed for October 2022.
Destiny 2: Lightfall's cinematic trailer was shown off. 
Parallel Studio and Quantic Dream unveiled the narrative game Under the Waves.
Goat Simulator 3 received a gameplay trailer highlighting co-op, customization, and the chaos players can create. It launches on November 17. 
Return to Monkey Island got a September 19 release date.
Unknown Worlds and Brandon Sanderson unveiled Moonbreaker, a new sci-fi video game inspired by turn-based tabletop games. It enters early access on September 29.
Friends vs. Friends, a card-based shooter, was revealed with a colorfully animated trailer. 
Soulslike Lies of P got a new trailer and was confirmed to be a day one Xbox Game Pass title when it launches in 2023. 
Haemimont Games revealed Stranded: Alien Dawn, which launches into early access in October 2022. 
Focus Entertainment and Deck13 unveiled a new sci-fi IP called Atlas Fallen, coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S in 2023.
Homeworld 3 got a new gameplay trailer.
We got a look at what is coming to Genshin Impact as part of the 3.0 update. 
Honkai Star Rail got a new trailer that teased more of the game's story.
High on Life's latest trailer showed off the kooky weapons in action during a boss fight.
Oculus Quest 2 and Level Infinite's game lineup got ads.
Hardspace: Shipbreaker's PS5 and Xbox Series X ports got a September 20 release date.
Xbox Game Pass for PC released a sizzle reel highlighting available games.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series got a dev diary showcasing some traversal gameplay. It launches in Summer 2023. 
Scars Above got a new trailer.
Age of Empires IV gets the Ottomans and Malians on October 25.
Gotham Knights' new trailer showed some new villains and confirmed that the game will now release on October 21.
Where Winds Meet was revealed. 
Hideo Kojima will release a podcast on Spotify this September. It'll be in both English and Japanese, and the first episode drops on September 8. 
Park Beyond got a new trailer, and a 2023 release for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S release was confirmed. 
Keighley showed off a concept car inspired by Pokemon. 
Warhammer 40K: Darktide got a gameplay overview trailer.
Focus Entertainment released a new trailer for the Baba Yaga game Blacktail, which will launch for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S this Winter. 
All In! Games revealed Phantom Hellcat, a Nier-inspired action game coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
CrossfireX got a new update that addresses many issues that players have with the game and adds new content.
Dorfromantik comes to Nintendo Switch on September 29.
The Outlast Trials will have a closed beta from October 28 until November 1. 
Embark Studios released a teaser trailer for its multiplayer shooter The Finals, which will get a full reveal in September. 

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MultiVersus was July’s bestselling game despite being free-to-play
Batman and other characters fighting in MultiVersus.

Free-to-play fighting game MultiVersus was July 2022's bestselling game in the United States, as revealed by market research company The NPD Group.

Although the game is free, its optional, paid Founder's Packs "fit into the full game sale bucket," according to NPD's Mat Piscatella. This is noteworthy since NPD tracks dollar sales, not the number of copies sold.

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Everything announced at THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2022
Spongebob Squarepants riding a seahorse.

In a year when its parent company Embracer Group is making some major moves, THQ Nordic also clearly has some big plans for the future. The European publisher owns the rights to a lot of classic series like Alone in the Dark, Darksiders, and Gothic, and it has a reputation for reviving or rereleasing these classic franchises. As a result, it's always surprising to learn what the eclectic publisher has in the works.
Last year, THQ Nordic held its first digital showcase and announced follow-ups to Destroy All Humans, Outcast, and SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom. Its second annual showcase aired earlier today featured updates on titles we already knew about, like Outcast 2, confirmed a new Alone in the Dark reboot, and revealed some impressive new games such as Wreckreation. If you're curious about what THQ Nordic has in store, we've rounded up everything announced during THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2022.
THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2022
Alone in the Dark is back
Alone in the Dark | Announcement Trailer
Alone in the Dark was one of the first 3D survival horror games, trailblazing the formula that Resident Evil would popularize. While Resident Evil continues to be popular, Alone in the Dark faded into obscurity. During this stream, Pisces Interactive and THQ Nordic revealed a reboot of the franchise that looks and plays like the reboot of Resident Evil 2. Alone in the Dark is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Wreckreation gives players a giant racing game playground
Wreckreation | Announcement Trailer
Developer Three Fields Entertainment, which was founded by developers known for their work on Burnout and Need for Speed, announced Wreckreation. It will feature a gigantic 400-square-kilometer open world for players to explore. Players can also create wild-looking tracks that they can race on alone or with friends. It is in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. 
AEW: Fight Forever gives WWE 2K some competition
AEW: Fight Forever | Showcase Trailer 2022
After a split between 2K and former WWE 2K developer Yuke's, AEW decided to partner with Yuke's to create the first AEW console game. We got a more in-depth look at it during the show from commentator Tony Schiavone and former AEW Women's Champ Britt Baker that showed the game in action. It will feature tag team matches, a career mode, create-a-wrestler, online co-op play, and more, giving 2K a run for its money. We'll see whether or not AEW: Fight Forever is better than the WWE 2K series when it releases for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. It will also be playable at Gamescom. 
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake looks great
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake | Showcase Trailer 2022
Purple Lamp and THQ Nordic shared more details about SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake at the end of the showcase. We saw some gameplay from various worlds showcasing different costumes and gameplay mechanics that players will encounter within them. The game will feature more than 30 different outfits for SpongeBob to wear and shares a voice cast with the show, unlike SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake will be released for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Everything else

A HandyGames sizzle reel showcased the sister company's Gamescom 2022 lineup.
Destroy All Humans 2: Reprobed got a trailer ahead of its release later this month.
Space for Sale, a new base-building and resource-gathering simulation game, is coming to PC.
Gothic 1 Remake got a new trailer showcasing the mining colony.
Jagged Alliance 3 got a new trailer showing its turn-based strategy gameplay. 
The Valiant got a new trailer featuring its tactical RTS campaign and multiplayer modes.
3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks announced RTS Tempest Rising, which launches in 2023.
Grand strategy game Knights of Honor 2: Sovereign got a new trailer.
Outcast 2 got a new trailer showing how players can fly through the air and explore.
Way of the Hunter got a launch trailer ahead of its release next week.
Stuntfest -- World Tour got a new trailer.
THQ Nordic is working with South Park Digital Studios on an unannounced game. 

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