Skip to main content

Cliffy B: Watching Gears of War 4 is like seeing an ex

blezinski law breakers review gears of war 4 gears444
Epic Games alumni Cliff “Cliffy B” Blezinski moved on from that company several years ago to found his new venture, Boss Key Productions, which has been working on a new, visceral shooter called Law Breakers. In the build-up to the new game’s release, he naturally fielded some questions about previous games he’s worked on, including Unreal Tournament and the Gears of War series.

While Blezinski has fond memories of both series, the new Gears of War game that’s in the works at Microsoft, which acquired the license in 2014, strikes him a little differently. In an interview, Blezinski said it was kind of like seeing an ex: you want them to go on and be happy, but if they could do it with someone worse looking than you, that’d be perfect.

Recommended Videos

“I hope they don’t screw it up,” Blezinski laughed during the interview with VideoGamer.

Related: Gears of War 4 pre-orders open, Season Pass detailed

You can understand why. Although he was a major component in the development of the Unreal Tournament franchise, Cliffy B’s first project as lead designer was the Gears of War series, which he saw through from its inception to the release of the final game in the original trilogy, Gears of War 3.

Cliff Bleszinski: Gears Of War 4, LawBreakers, Head Rubbing

Fortunately then so far he seems reasonably confident about the way it will be received. GameSpot has it that when Blezinski saw the trailer for Gears of War 4 — which hearkened back to the original Gears of War Mad World trailer — that he grew “misty,” which is quite a solid endorsement.

Of course, the Gameplay itself will be where Blezinski will be hoping Gears of War 4 shines the most. With a mixture of a gritty single player/cooperative campaign and a gory and over-the-top multiplayer mode, it looks set to capture much of the ethos of the original series.

However, we do have to wonder how happy Cliffy B will be with the relatively colorful backdrops and characters. Although not quite like the cartoonish nature of many contemporary shooter releases, this Gears of War still does away with the de-saturated look, or “brownification,” as Blezinski calls it, of the original trilogy, for something more true to life.

How do you feel about how the near Gears of War is shaping up?

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…
How to revive dead companions in Baldur’s Gate 3
Withers offering services to the player in Baldur's Gate 3.

You're given a good bit of leeway during battles in Baldur's Gate 3 before you or a companion actually bites the dust for good. While in battle, if a teammate does take enough damage to drop, they aren't dead then and there. Instead, they will be downed with a chance to roll every turn to get back up. If they roll successfully three times, the battle ends, or you use another character to pick them up, they're good. If they fail that roll three times, however, they will be completely dead. That can be harsh when you've become attached to certain characters and want to further their stories, so you'll be looking for any way you can to bring them back. Thankfully you do have a few options for reviving companions in Baldur's Gate 3, but just like respeccing, they aren't so obvious.
Pay Withers to bring them back

Withers is a friendly undead you can find in a secret room in the Dank Crypt found inside the Overgrown Ruins. After finding and speaking to him in his sarcophagus, he will offer you various services, one of which is bringing back any dead companions. He won't do this out of the kindness of his heart (probably because it isn't beating) and will charge you a heavy fine of 200 gold to do so. Still, that's a small price to pay to bring back a beloved character. Once paid, that character will appear in your camp where they would normally be, so there's no need to go back to their corpse and find them.
Use a scroll of Revivfy or learn it

Read more
Every video game delay that has happened in 2023 so far
The player skates toward the moon in Skate Story.

Few things feel as inevitable in the video game industry as delays. Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, game delays have only become more and more common as developers find previously set timelines unrealistic and adjust their release plans accordingly. More than halfway through 2023, we've already seen some notable AAA games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Skull & Bones, and Pragmata delayed pretty heavily. Because video game release date delays are so common, it can be tough to keep track of every game that has had its launch date shifted in some way.
That's why, just as we did in 2021 and 2022, Digital Trends is rounding up every game delay that's announced throughout 2023. Here are the high-profile ones that have happened so far, listed chronologically by their new intended release dates.
The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR (March 16)

As Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is one of the best games for PlayStation VR, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, Supermassive Games' PlayStation VR2 successor, is a highly anticipated launch title for the upcoming VR headset. Unfortunately, it will no longer make PlayStation VR2's February 22 launch and will instead be released on March 16. On Twitter, a message from Supermassive Games says this delay will ensure that players "receive the most polished, terrifying experience possible" at release. The game was released on that date to mixed reviews.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (March 24)

Read more
Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?
Three characters shoot at a boss in Remnant 2.

Aside from the focus on firearms and integrating some randomly generated environments, the Remnant series sets itself apart from other souls-like games mainly with its focus on co-op. Both titles encourage you to team up with two friends to fight your way through the mutated monsters that await. After so many years of progress in terms of multiplatform games incorporating full cross-platform support, you might assume Remnant 2 will follow suit and let you make a group with anyone regardless of what platform they're on. However, the truth may be a bit more disappointing. Before you make plans with your squad, here's what you need to know about Remnant 2's cross-platform support.
Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Unfortunately, Remnant 2 does not have cross-platform play between PS5, Xbox Series X or PC -- and there's no word about it being added in the future.

Read more