Sunday, 16 August 2020

14 new (and 1 WTF) Android games from the week of August 10, 2020

Civilization VI, EVE Echoes, Radio Commander, and more

Welcome to the roundup of the new Android games that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so. Today I have a top-heavy list that contains some long-awaited releases. First and foremost, the arrival of the 4X strategy game Civilization VI came as a surprise, and you can jump in for free to play your first 60 turns. If you prefer MMOs, then the long-awaited release of EVE Echoes is an easy pick up since it's free-to-play, and if you prefer strait-laced strategy games, then the mobile port for Radio Commander should definitely be on your radar.

Read More

14 new (and 1 WTF) Android games from the week of August 10, 2020 was written by the awesome team at Android Police.



from Android Police – Android news, reviews, apps, games, phones, tablets https://ift.tt/3h1YuK7

Five changes we'd make to the Pixel 4a

It's already great, but it could be greater

The Pixel 4a is an incredible phone for the money. It takes what what was great about last year's 3a and runs with it, offering a more modern design, better performance, and an improved camera, all for $50 less than the previous generation. Still, we wouldn't be proper phone nerds if we didn't nitpick. Here are five additional features we'd have loved to see in the Pixel 4a.

Another year of updates

The Pixel 4a has the longest guaranteed software support of any Android phone you can currently buy — it'll stay up to date until at least August 2023.

Read More

Five changes we'd make to the Pixel 4a was written by the awesome team at Android Police.



from Android Police – Android news, reviews, apps, games, phones, tablets https://ift.tt/3g2wuES

Here’s why you need to start worrying about the world’s frozen peatlands


Peatlands cover just a few percent of the global land area but they store almost one-quarter of all soil carbon and so play a crucial role in regulating the climate. My colleagues and I have just produced the most accurate map yet of the world’s peatlands – their depth, and how much greenhouse gas they have stored. We found that global warming will soon mean that these peatlands start emitting more carbon than they store. Peatlands form in areas where waterlogged conditions slow down the decomposition of plant material and peat accumulates. This accumulation of carbon-rich plant remains has been…

This story continues at The Next Web


from The Next Web https://ift.tt/30YtfKq

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus international giveaway!

It’s time for the Sunday giveaway! Like every week, we’re giving away a brand new Android phone to one lucky Android Authority reader.

A big congratulations to the winner of last week’s Google Pixel 4a giveaway, Shriganesh J. from India.

This week we’re giving away a brand new Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, courtesy of the AA Deals Store!

One of the hottest offers available in the Deals Store is a lifetime subscription to VPN unlimited.

Whether you’re using a private internet connection or public Wi-Fi, your online privacy and security are far from guaranteed. With top-rated-solution VPN Unlimited, you can regain control over your digital life with full security and anonymity online.

A lifetime subscription to VPN Unlimited is worth at least $200, but right now you can sign up for just $39

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is our favorite of the S20 range, and that’s saying something. The crisp, bright display, top-notch performance, and all-day battery life are just a few of the features that make this one of the most well-rounded smartphones we’ve used in years.

The Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Plus, and Galaxy S20 Ultra all showcase powerful cameras. The S20 and the S20 Plus have almost the same camera configurations, including a 12MP main camera, a 64MP telephoto camera, a 12MP wide-angle camera, and a 10MP selfie camera.

The other specs of the Galaxy S20 Plus are equally impressive. It features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen, the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, 12GB of RAM, and a large 4,500mAh battery. The ample 128GB storage is also expandable to up to 1TB. What more could you ask for?

To learn more about the Galaxy S20 Plus, check out our related coverage below.

Enter the giveaway here

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus international giveaway!

Don’t miss: Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX international giveaway

Winners gallery

Terms & conditions
  • This is an international giveaway (except when we can not ship to your country).
  • We can ship prizes to all regions in North America, Europe, and Australia. If you live in another region, depending on where you live, we may contact you to offer an alternative prize of equal or similar value to the smartphone offered in the giveaway.
  • We are not responsible for lost shipments.
  • We are not responsible if your giveaway prize malfunctions.
  • You must be age of majority in your country of residence.
  • We are not responsible for any duties or import fees that you may incur.
  • Only one set of entries per person; please do not enter multiple email addresses. We will verify all winners and if we detect multiple email addresses by the same person you will not be eligible to win.
  • We reserve all rights to make any changes to this giveaway.
  • This giveaway is operated by Android Authority.
  • The prize will ship when it is available to purchase.

More: Android Authority international giveaway FAQs



from Android Authority https://ift.tt/321ccGG

The best upcoming Nintendo Switch games: Zelda, Pokemon Snap, and more

Nintendo Switch front shot

Although the Nintendo Switch has been out for three years, it already has an impressive library of games. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that the console’s best days are behind it. In fact, many classic first-party Nintendo franchises are yet to make an appearance. Additionally, many highly-anticipated sequels and intriguing indies are also headed to the platform very soon.

Below is our selection of the best new Nintendo Switch games you need to on the lookout for in the near future.

New Nintendo Switch games


1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel

Release date: TBD

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild took the world by storm when it launched alongside the Nintendo Switch in 2017. An atmospheric open-world adventure, this entry in the Legend of Zelda series reimagined and expanded the kingdom of Hyrule. It is now the best-selling Zelda game ever released. Many fans were hoping for a sequel, but few expected one to be announced so soon. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 was unveiled at last year’s E3 with a short teaser.

See also: The best exclusive games for the Nintendo Switch

Little is known about the game yet, save for the fact that it will be a direct continuation of the Breath of the Wild. Nevertheless, the sequel promises to be darker not only than its predecessor but than most other Zelda games. Fans are already likening the Breath of the Wild 2 to Majora’s Mask based on just the short teaser trailer. There is also speculation that Zelda herself might be a playable character this time around. The teaser also seems to hint at the return of the series’ classic villain, Ganondorf.

But when can we expect The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2? This is another unknown and although some speculate that the game will be out for the 2020 holiday season, at this point it’s more likely it will make its debut sometime in 2021.


2. New Pokémon Snap

Release date: TBD

The original Pokémon Snap was a simple game with a simple premise: take photos of Pokémon in their natural habitat.

Released on the Nintendo N64, Snap was a surprise hit, selling more than 1 million copies. Pokémon Snap was relaxing and imaginative, but it also forced players to think outside of the box to score maximum style points with each… snap.

Related: 10 best Pokémon games for Android

Now, after more than 20 years, the game is getting its long-awaited sequel. In development by Bandai Namco, New Pokémon Snap promises to keep the spirit of the original game. Players can hop right back in Zero-One and begin their adventure through dense jungles and clear tropical waters.

There are some new things we can glean from the short teaser, however. New Pokémon Snap will have a wider variety of habitats and Pokémon. Every generation seems to be represented, but we don’t think all 809 creatures will be making an appearance.


3. Metroid Prime 4

Release date: TBD

Metroid is one of Nintendo’s oldest and most storied franchises, first appearing on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Metroid has since earned a legendary status, even inspiring its own co-genre in Metroidvania. The franchise made the jump from 2D to 3D with Metroid Prime on the Gamecube. Two sequels followed, but now fans are eagerly awaiting the fourth installment.

See also: The best free Nintendo Switch games

Unfortunately, we know little to nothing about Metroid Prime 4 yet. Its first teaser, if you can call it that, was shown at E3 2017, but little else has materialized since. What we do know is that the game was being developed by an unknown studio but has since then been scrapped and passed back to Retro Studios — the original developers behind the Prime trilogy.

Due to all the development changes, Metroid Prime 4 isn’t expected to release until 2021 or beyond, but as far as new Nintendo Switch games go, it’s still one of ones we are most excited about.


4. Bayonetta 3

Release date: TBD

If there is a game series that epitomizes the spectacle fighter genre, it would be Bayonetta. The titular shapeshifting witch made her first appearance more than a decade ago, stunning audiences with her demon-summoning hair and unique combat abilities.

Check out: Best Nintendo Switch controllers for all budgets

Now, she is set to return exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, guns blazing. The game is being developed by PlatinumGames, the studio responsible for the first two installments. Unfortunately, this is pretty much all that we know so far. The first Bayonetta 3 teaser trailer was released three years ago and the studio has stayed silent since.


5. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Release date: TBD

One of the most popular indies of recent years, Hollow Knight, is getting a sequel. Originally planned as a DLC, Hollow Knight: Silksong transformed into a full-fledged game in the development process. The sequel to the smash hit indie will see players take control of a new character called Hornet. She might resemble the nameless knight in appearance, but she has a different skillset and weapon-crafting abilities.

Related: The best Nintendo Switch accessories

The setting is new too. Team Cherry shared that Silksong will be an “inversion on the Hollow Knight theme”: ascending to the top of a new kingdom instead of exploring forgotten depths. On her way up, Hornet will meet plenty of enemies, but also many friendly NPCs. Better yet, they will be able to ask for her help and send her on quests.

Hollow Knight: Silksong does not have an official release date yet, but it will debut on the Nintendo Switch as a console exclusive alongside PC/Mac platforms.


6. Sports Story

Release date: 2020

The name Sports Story is pretty unassuming, so you would be forgiven if it wasn’t on your radar, but it should be! It follows in the footsteps of Golf Story; a charming pixelated RPG littered with fun characters, witty writing, and some bizarre golfing challenges.

Related: The best Nintendo Switch RPG titles available now

The same seems to be true about Sports Story. “A game about sports, but not always,” it promises to take you on adventures through tennis courts, golf courses, but also magical dungeons and goat-infested abandoned buildings.

If you’ve enjoyed bizarre and funny RPGs like Earthbound or Undertale in the past, you’ll want to keep an eye on Sports Story. The game was initially set to be released in mid-2020, but we expect it to come out before the end of the year.


New Nintendo Switch games: Honorable mentions

With so many new Nintendo Switch games on the horizon, we’ve put together a list of honorable mentions that were just edged out.

  • Doom Eternal — Everyone’s favorite demon extermination sim is already out on multiple platforms, but it’s expected to arrive on the Nintendo Switch soon.
  • Bravely Default II ­­ — From the developers of Octopath Traveler and the first Bravely Default comes another retro-inspired turn-based JRPG with four new quirky characters.
  • Spiritfarer — A management sim in which you play a ferrymaster to the dead. As you traverse the open waters, you will find and befriend spirits before giving them one last ride into the afterlife.
  • Eastward — Post-apocalyptic worlds don’t always have to dark and gritty. Eastward is a charming RPG which invites you into a colorful wasteland, full of puzzles, mystery, and strange characters.
  • Super Meat Boy Forever — Team Meat’s incredibly challenging platformer is about to get even more difficult in Super Meat Boy Forever. One to watch if you want to test out your platforming chops.
  • Axiom Verge 2 — A sequel to the gold standard for Metroidvania indie games. Axiom Verge 2 is set in a new world, but it promises to be just as engaging and challenging as its predecessor.
  • Overwatch 2 — Blizzard’s hero shooter was an instant hit and we don’t doubt the same will apply to Overwatch 2 when it arrives on the Nintendo Switch.
  • Gods & Monsters — From the creators of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Gods and Monster is a fantastical tale filled with mythological creatures and Greek gods.
  • No More Heroes 3 — Travis Touchdown returns in style for another hack and slash adventure in Santa Destroy.
  • Shin Megami Tensei V — The latest entry in this classic JRPG franchise will take you for a wild ride in its fifth installment, leaving the fate of the world in your hands.

These are our picks for the best new Nintendo Switch games coming soon. We’ll update this list as games are released and new titles are announced.



from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2PYhFbS