Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Nicola Ardron
Is Hunt: Showdown Worth Playing In 2021?
It has been three years since Crytek launched Hunt Showdown in Early Access on PC. The player base has steadily grown over the years, thanks in part to a Game Preview release on Xbox consoles in 2019 and a 1.0 release on PlayStation the year after. Despite this, it is still a title that flies under a lot of shooter fans' radar. It is a shame because Hunt Showdown is my favourite FPS game on the market currently.
GOTY 2020: Nicola Ardron
by Nicola Ardron on December 26, 2020 2020 has been a weird year. On a personal level, it has been awful. Covid 19 has taken its toll on my family, not only through personal loss but also stress over loss of work and some personal health anxieties. I have been incredibly grateful for games.
Is Sea of Thieves Worth Playing In 2020?
Sea of Thieves recently passed 1000 days since its launch back in March 2018, and if the regular posts from the Sea of Thieves account is anything to go by, it has only gone from strength to strength since then. Over 15 million players have set sail on the seas with a full Steam release launched earlier this year and Series X/S optimisation on the new consoles that deliver 4k 60 visuals along with vastly improved load times.
Latest DIRT 5 update adds wheel support across all platforms.
by Nicola Ardron on December 15, 2020 Codemasters has today confirmed that the first major update for DIRT 5 will add wheel support across all platforms. Also included in the update will be improved online matchmaking and other bug fixes and optimisations. Update 2.00 launches today for PC, with the PlayStation and Xbox updates following later in the week.
Nintendo Indie World Showcase to air December 15
by Nicola Ardron on December 14, 2020 Nintendo has announced the date and time for the Indie World Showcase. The showcase which will features roughly fifteen minutes of updates and new announcements on the indie titles players can expect to arrive on the Nintendo Switch will start at 18:00 CET on December 15. Ring in the holidays with a new #IndieWorld Showcase on Tuesday, Dec.
Team Meat announces launch date for Super Meat Boy sequel
by Nicola Ardron on December 11, 2020 Team Meat has announced the launch date for the long awaited sequel to platforming Super Meat Boy. Super Meat Boy Forever will launch on the Epic Games Store this month. It will cost $19.99, however there is currently a 10% pre-order discount running bringing the cost down to $17.99. The sequel will move the Meat Boy saga forward, as Meat Boy and his partner Bandage Girl have had a baby called Nugget.
Brand new trailer released for upcoming Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online
by Nicola Ardron on December 10, 2020 Rockstar Games has announced the brand new Cayo Perico heist coming to GTA Online, the details of which are outlined in a brand new trailer. In the heist anything goes on the private paradise of Cayo Perico belonging to the infamous El Rubio. Rubio is the world’s pre-eminent narco trafficker and main supplier to the Madrazo family.
IO Interactive has released new gameplay trailer for HITMAN 3
by Nicola Ardron on December 8, 2020 IO Interactive has released a brand new gameplay trailer called Introducing HITMAN 3.
GOG version of Cyberpunk 2077 to be supported via GeForce NOW
by Nicola Ardron on December 8, 2020 Cyberpunk 2077 reviews are out and it looks like the game is meeting a lot of people’s expectations. To celebrate GOG.COM’s version of Cyperpunk 2077 will be supported by NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW cloud gaming service upon release. To say thank you for all the support GOG and CD PROJEKT RED teamed up together to produce a video thanking the community.
2nd Call of Duty charity event raising money for veterans to take place in December
by Nicola Ardron on December 4, 2020 The Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) has announced that the second C.O.D.E Bowl will occur on December 11 and be presented by USAA. The C.O.D.E. Bowl is the Endowment’s cornerstone charity event set up to raise awareness and funds for veteran employment. For the first time ever, all five of the U.S. Department of Defence military branches and UK military are taking part with members from their own eSports teams.
Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts Complete Edition launches today
by Nicola Ardron on December 4, 2020 CI Games has announced that Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts Complete Edition launches today The Complete Edition includes various items and weapons as well as the main game. The full details of what is included is as follows: The full Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts game Weapons including Kell T, SV – Amur, Sturm Bodyguard 9, Sturm Military 45, Sniper Rifle HJ 7.62 Weapon skins – Summer’s Nostalgia, Positive Vibes Weapon, Fun with Flags.
Multiplayer game Spellbreak to get story-driven content update in December
by Nicola Ardron on December 2, 2020 Award-winning independent studio Proletariat has announced that Chapter 1: The Spellstorm update will deliver story-driven content for Spellbreak and will release on December 15. Spellbreak is a multiplayer action-spellcasting game, and in addition to the new story-driven update, December 15 will also see the game officially launch on Steam.
Football Manager 2021 makes long awaited return to Xbox consoles
previous Red Dead Online now available to buy as standalone version 0 comments by Nicola Ardron on December 1, 2020 SEGA has announced that Football Manager has made its long awaited return to Xbox consoles with Football Manager 2021 Xbox Edition available now for purchase on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Windows 10 PC.
Re:Legend to launch on consoles & PC in Spring 2021
by Nicola Ardron on November 30, 2020 Magnus Games and publisher 505 Games have announced that Re: Legend will launch on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and PC (1.0v) in Spring 2021. Re:Legend is a co-operative multiplayer and single-player JRPG. Developer Magnus Games has been working on a Steam Early Access version and has released a major update that has seen some quality of life changes as well as improving combat, status effects, equipment stats and items selling prices.
Hwang to be the final DLC character for SOULCALIBUR VI
by Nicola Ardron on November 30, 2020 Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced the final DLC character for SOULCALIBUR VI. Starting from December 2, Hwang the Korean Swordsman will make his return to fight in the SOULCALIBUR VI roster. He last appeared in 2005’s SOULCALIBUR III, and is a firm fan favourite. His move set is characterised by a fast, agile and precise fighting style. He has a stylish array of combo kicks and swirling sword attacks. Hwang will be the last DLC character for the game.
Capcom teases Monster Hunter World: Iceborne and Monster Hunter film crossover
by Nicola Ardron on November 25, 2020 Capcom has announced that to celebrate the upcoming premiere of the Monster Hunter film, players can take part in time-limited, film-inspired Event Quests in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. The highly-anticipated film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson stars Milla Jovovich, and will bring to life the best-selling video game Monster Hunter World – a game that has shipped over 16 million units worldwide.
DARQ: Complete Edition launching early December
by Nicola Ardron on November 24, 2020 Feardemic and award-winning independent developer, Unfold Games have announced that DARQ: Complete Edition will be launching early December. The complete edition is the fully complete version of Unfold Games’ award-winning spooky puzzle game. The visuals are strongly reminiscent of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas movie.
Square Enix announces The World Ends with You sequel for Switch
by Nicola Ardron on November 23, 2020 Square Enix has today announced that NEO: The World Ends with You is coming to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in summer 2021. NEO: The World Ends with You is the follow-up to the hit action role-playing game, The World Ends with You that released on the Nintendo DS system back in 2007. NEO: The World Ends with You transports players to the streets of the Shibuya, where they will take part in the “Reaper’s Game”, a life-or-death battle for survival.
IO Interactive working on James Bond origin story game
by Nicola Ardron on November 19, 2020 Hitman Creators IO Interactive has partnered with MGM, EON Productions and Delphi to develop and publish the very first James Bond origin story with the working title of Project 007. British novelist Ian Fleming created the James Bond character in his 1950s book series of the same name. Since then the James Bond franchise has gone on to be one of Hollywood’s longest running and most successful film franchises.
Immortals Fenyx Rising demo returns to Stadia
by Nicola Ardron on November 18, 2020 Immortals Fenyx Rising is giving players another chance for Stadia subscribers to sample the gameplay via a free demo. The Immortal Fenyx Rising demo is now live for Stadia subscibers, and will have players take Fenyx on a quest to discover the mysterious Secret of the Cyclops.
Chicken Police - Paint it Red! review
by Nicola Ardron on November 18, 2020 PlatformPCPlayStation 4SwitchXbox One Release Date November 5, 2020 You’d be hard-pressed to find another game released this year that is quite as visually uncomfortable as Chicken Police – Paint if Red! is. Actually, that isn’t fair, it is actually dripping in style, with a strong 30s noire feel to it, complete with film grain giving everything a gritty tone. It’s more the characters that induce discomfort.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons to get new free seasonal update
by Nicola Ardron on November 17, 2020 The colder weather is definitely moving in now, and to help cheer us up in the long winter months, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is bringing some warm seasonal cheer with a free seasonal update coming on November 19. For those players in the Northern Hemisphere they can look forward to not only the autumn coloured leaves falling from the trees, but also their islands being covered in a soft blanket of snow.
Mafia Trilogy on PC is available digitally at selected retailers
by Nicola Ardron on November 16, 2020 2K and Hangar 13 have today announced that Mafia: Trilogy on PC via Steam will be available for purchase at select physical retailers in Europe later this month. It will be price at £29.99. Upon purchase, players will be able to acquire Mafia: Trilogy via a digital download code for the game, which sits inside a physical box. For this interested, it is now available for pre-order from select retailers, including GAME and Amazon in the UK.
Activision announces worldwide launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
by Nicola Ardron on November 13, 2020 Activision has announced the worldwide launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Cold War is a direct sequel to fan favourite Call of Duty: Black Ops, and infuses the 1980s pop cultures into a gripping conspiracy set at the height of the Cold War. The fictional story campaign will see players having to stop a plot decades in the making that threatens to destabilise the global balance of power and change the course of history.
Tropico 6 Switch review
by Nicola Ardron on November 13, 2020 Switch reviews cover the Nintendo Switch version of a game. Tropico 6 was released on PC on March 29, 2019, and scored 8/10. It has since been released on PS4 and Xbox One. There is a lot to Tropico 6. You will have to manage a large number of competing priorities as well as focus on your overarching goal to overthrow your oppressors and become an independent state.
Episode 2 of satirical FMV game Not for Broadcast expected January 2021
by Nicola Ardron on November 12, 2020 Developer NotGames along with publisher tinyBuild have announced that the anticipated Episode 2 of their satirical propaganda sim, Not for Broadcast, will release at the end of January 2021. Not For Broadcast is driven by player choices and combines a striking contrast between slapstick humour and political commentary.
Fall Guys Season 2.5 update brings brand new Big Fans round
previous WRC 9 now available on Xbox Series X|S 0 comments by Nicola Ardron on November 11, 2020 Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout Season 2.5 launches today and brings with it an increased range of round variations along with numerous improvements and a brand new round called ‘Big Fans’. Inspired by the chaos of the ‘See Saw’ the Big Fans round challenges players with navigating rotating blades in a sky-high festival of mayhem.
Charity War Child UK announces Armistice 2020 Campaign
by Nicola Ardron on November 10, 2020 War Child UK, the charity that protects, educates and stands up for the rights of children caught up in war has announced today that it is launching its annual Armistice fundraiser campaign. The Armistice 2020 fundraiser campaign encourages peaceful gameplay during the month of November to coincide with Armistice Day.
Details for Season 4 of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege has been announced
by Nicola Ardron on November 9, 2020 Ubisoft has released details of Season 4 for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege Year 5: Operation Neon Dawn. This brand new season introduces the first Thai Operator to the Rainbow Six Team. Aruni is a Defender and comes equipped with a new gadget called Surya Gate which can be deploy laser gates on walls, hatches, doors and windows. If an Attacker passes through the gates, they will take damage and have their utility disabled. The gates will turn off for Defenders.
Brand new DIRT 5 gameplay shows off next generation enhancements
by Nicola Ardron on November 5, 2020 Codemasters has released brand new DIRT 5 next generation gameplay footage captured on PS5. In the video, DIRT 5’s Technical Director, David Springate, provides an overview of the next generation features players can expect, as well as detailing how the new new DualSense controller for PS5 has been implemented into the game. David had this to say: “We’re delighted to finally reveal more details on the PlayStation 5 version of DIRT 5.
The Red Lantern Review
by Nicola Ardron on November 4, 2020 Release Date October 9, 2020 Let’s get the important stuff out of the way. Yes, you can pet the dog in The Red Lantern, and no you cannot pet the Caribou. Actually, I think I need to clarify, you can pet up to five dogs, and petting the Caribou will likely leave you with a life-threatening injury. In Timberline Studio‘s debut game you play The Musher, a young woman venturing out into the Alaskan wilderness to find herself, or something.
Supraland review
by Nicola Ardron on November 3, 2020 PlatformPCPlayStation 4SwitchXbox One Release Date October 22, 2020 I think it was about forty minutes into my play through of Supraland that I sat up and started to properly pay attention to what was happening. It was a weird feeling to be made suddenly aware that what I was playing was really actually very good, and not what I expected at all when I first loaded in.
Jurassic World Evolution: Complete Edition Switch review
by Nicola Ardron on November 3, 2020 PlatformPCPlayStation 4SwitchXbox One Release Date November 3, 2020 Switch reviews cover the Nintendo Switch version of a game. Jurassic World Evolution was released on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on June 12, 2018, and scored 8/10. I am going to be frank with you here. I really don’t think synthesising the genome of long-dead creatures the size of two double-decker buses is really a good idea. I have seen the movies and they always seem to end in disaster.
Square Enix releases teaser website for brand new FINAL FANTASY XVI
by Nicola Ardron on October 29, 2020 Square Enix Ltd, has today launched an official teaser website for the latest standalone mainline titles in the Final Fantasy series, FINAL FANTASY XVI. The brand new website features newly revealed key artwork for the brand new action RPG, including the cast of characters, and the world that the game will take place in. The brand new protagonist is Clive Rosfield, the first-born son of the Archduke of Rosaria.
Röki Nintendo Switch Review
by Nicola Ardron on October 28, 2020 Release Date October 15, 2020 I missed out on Röki when it was first released on PC back in the summer. However, this lovely, warm game filled with adventure and danger is perhaps best suited for the autumnal release of the Switch version. Curled up in a blanket playing through this delicate story of loss while it rains outside conjures strong feelings of nostalgia.
Season 7 of WWE SuperCard is coming soon in November.
by Nicola Ardron on October 28, 2020 2K has announced today that Season 7 of WWE SuperCard is scheduled to launch in November as a free, downloadable update to the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore and Facebook Gaming. WWE SuperCard is the new addition to the action-packed collectible card-battling game.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is being developed for mobile
by Nicola Ardron on October 26, 2020 NetEase Games and ArtPlay have announced today that the critically acclaimed action roleplaying adventure Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is being developed for mobile. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a side-scrolling metroidvania with ARPG elements. It is produced by Koji Igarashi. The core gameplay allows players to improve their character in a number of different and unique ways by utilising different shards in game.
The Survivalists review
by Nicola Ardron on October 25, 2020 PlatformPCPlayStation 4SwitchXbox One Release Date October 9, 2020 Imagine being cast away and lost on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere. How would you survive? Would you quickly adapt to the surroundings, successfully crafting a structure and some basic tools? Perhaps you would stave off a growing sense of isolation and fear by talking to a volleyball you’ve painted a face on? Me?
Heavyweight legend Brock Lesnar to join roster in UFC 4
by Nicola Ardron on October 23, 2020 Heavyweight Legend Brock Lesnar is to join the roster in EA SPORTS UFC 4. Lesnar is the latest addition to the virtual-Octagon and is included in the latest update for EA SPORTS UFC 4. He will be joining fellow fighters Jennifer Maia and Askar Askarov, along with some brand new vanity items included in time for Halloween. The new Halloween items will arrive on October 22 and last until the 29th.
Details revealed of long-awaited Super Meat Boy Forever
by Nicola Ardron on October 22, 2020 Team Meat has revealed brand new footage of the long-awaited sequel Super Meat Boy Forever. The footage was revealed during a developer livestream commemorating the ten year anniversary of Super Meat Boy. The stream showed footage that revealed a spoiler-free look at the light world and dark world in the first four chapters of the game. The stream also went into detail about how New Game Plus works, as well as some other new features.
Fallout 76 is free-to-play for the next week
by Nicola Ardron on October 21, 2020 To celebrate “Bombs Drop Day” in the Fallout universe, Bethesda has announced that Fallout 76 is free-to-play across all platforms this week. For those that log in to the post-apocalyptic survival game they can look forward to limited-time in-game events including a Legendary Vendor Sale, a limited preview to the premium membership Fallout 1st as well as discounts on Atom packs and more. The free-to-play event will run from October 20 through to October 26.
Rebellion announces that Zombie Army 4 Season 2 begins today
by Nicola Ardron on October 20, 2020 Developer Rebellion has announced that Zombie Army 4: Season 2 begins today across all platforms. The brand new season starts with a new campaign mission called Damnation Valley. In Damnation Valley you and your fellow survivors will have to fight through hordes of zombies in the frozen climate of the North towards a Hell Storm that has been newly sighted above the Alps.
Little Big Workshop Nintendo Switch review
by Nicola Ardron on October 18, 2020 PlatformPCPlayStation 4SwitchXbox One PublisherHandyGamesTHQNordic Release Date September 20, 2020 for PS4 and Xbox One October 1, 2020 for Switch There is something about management sim games that helps me when I am feeling a little overwhelmed with things. Fundamentally I think it is because I have total control over everything that happens in them, right down to controlling exactly when the task I’ve set up occurs.
Next gen versions of Marvel's Avengers pushed back to 2021
by Nicola Ardron on October 16, 2020 It has been a little over a month since Marvel’s Avengers released. Today, Crystal Dynamic has posted a State of the Game blog that details what players can expect from the game over the course of the next weeks and months, as well as the announcement that next-gen versions of the game have been pushed back to 2021.
Rogue platformer Scourgebringer gets a free demo
by Nicola Ardron on October 14, 2020 Flying Oak Games have announced that it’s fast-paced rogue platformer ScourgeBringer has a free demo available on Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. In addition to the demo, the developer has also announced a brand new “Fast-Paced Action” trailer is due to release as well.
Mafia: Definitive Edition gets new Noir Mode in free update
by Nicola Ardron on October 8, 2020 2K and Hangar 13 have released a post-launch update for Mafia: Definitive Edition. The update adds new features that are free to all players. Features of the update include a brand new Noir Mode which turns the gameplay and cinematics of Mafia: Definitive Edition into a vintage black and white look, complete with film grain effects to enhance the Prohibition era aesthetic.
The Survivalists is launching on Apple Arcade soon
by Nicola Ardron on October 6, 2020 The Survivalists from Team17 is launching on Apple Arcade this Friday. Players will be putting their survival skills to the test against harsh environments and savage beasts in The Survivalists, which is part of the critically acclaimed The Escapists universe. Players can choose to play in solo or co-operative and they will be tasked with exploring, building, crafting, cooking and fighting.
Brand new developer blogs and videos for Mario Kart Live have been released
by Nicola Ardron on October 2, 2020 Nintendo and Velen Studios have released a brand new set of Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit developer blogs and videos that go into detail on the Behind the Scenes and a Gameplay Deep Dive. We got a first look at Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit at the recent Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Nintendo Direct.
Physical editions of both Ori games to release for Switch in December
by Nicola Ardron on October 1, 2020 iam8bit, Moon Studios and Xbox Game Studios have announced that physical editions of Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps will release for Nintendo Switch early December 2020. Both physical editions for Switch of the Ori games will retail for $39.99 / 39.99 Euro and are available for pre-order right now. The editions will be distributed by Skybound Games.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne gets its fifth free update
by Nicola Ardron on October 1, 2020 Monster Hunters standby as Capcom has announced that the fifth free update for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne arrives today on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC via Steam. The latest update will bring players back to the Old World to face off against legendary Black Dragon Fatalis. The development team have provided a developer update video that goes into more detail about the content that arrives with the latest free Monster Hunter World: Iceborne update.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Nicola
Contact Nicola, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack