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Microsoft has just revealed a new family of Windows 8 PCs called Surface. This is Microsoft’s return to the hardware game, engineered and designed by Microsoft employees entirely. It sports a full-sized USB 2 port, HDMI outs, and has a 10.6-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio screen. Configurations from 32GB to 128GB will be available at launch. The 3 mm tablet cover is actually touch sensitive, and features a full pressure-sensitive keyboard. A 5 mm-thick keyed case will also be available....

The thrill of playingSkyrimis getting to roleplay as a mighty hero, battling across a frosted nation to save the world from annihilation. Sure, the sight of a Frost Troll, Giant Spider, or that first Dragon encounter can be pretty intense, especially early on. I wouldn’t say they were wholly fear-inducing, though, but that’s where one modder would disagree. Back with another immersive way to playSkyrim, Nexus Mods userJaySerpabrings us “Stress and Fear,” a “dynamic sanity system” that actually gives your character a feeling of dread....

Also, Picross S6 You know it’s going to be a slow week when Nintendo toutsImmortal: Fenyx RisingDLCas not only the marquee Nintendo Download option of the week, but theonlyheadliner. We’ve all been through those days on the 3DS and Wii U, but the Switch typically has something flashy to offer every week. I mean,see for yourself and read the near-decade eShop weekly posts I have logged here. Sadly,Shantae, despite being re-released several times, didn’t even get the respect of a top spot....

But we have no idea when it’s coming The last time we heard from THQ Nordic regarding the Wii U version ofDarksiders: Warmasteredwas back in December. With canceling Wii U versions being all the rage back then it made sense that they would just move to Switch, but they remain stalwart in their attempt to bring the port to the current generation of Nintendo. According to them “optimizing for Wii U is a tough task,” and they didn’t want to release a broken port, so they’re still working on it....

The Beauty Thief returns Atlus continues to fire through its gauntlet of character trailers for the upcomingPersona 5 Royal, getting us reintroduced with its band of likable heroes, The Phantom Thieves. Today sees the return of the group’s softest and sweetest member, despite her penchant for giant axes and grenade launches. It’s Haru Okumura, of course. Haru appears very late into thePersona 5narrative, having apparently been attending the same school as Joker, but never bumping into him once over the course of half a year....

It hits Steam on August 5 The time has finally come forPhantasy Star Online 2to be free of the Windows launcher and arrive on Steam. When that day arrives (August 5, by the way!), it’ll bear some gifts for Steam users. According to the officialPSO2blog, Sega is rolling out rewards for folks who log in on Steam. All you have to do is log into the game near the release date to grab the Headcrab Emote fromHalf-Life, as well as a number of booster items....

So, yesterday I went to Play.com Live at Wembley Stadium with a whole group of Destructoid community members, who were innocently expecting to have fun. As someone who’s been around the block a few times, I kind of knew better. Not even I, however, was prepared for the absolute flop that this so-called “entertainment extravaganza” turned out to be. Did it help that the event was actually promoted with lies? Did it help that they had emo bands playing that made me want to kill myself and the screaming girls who bounced in front of the stage?...

Thargoids? As compiled above, clips of run-ins with a mysterious alien vessel inElite Dangerousarestarting to come in. For a player base that has long hoped to make contact, this is a big, energizing surprise. It’s unclear what conditions are needed to experience the unsettling moment in-game (those sound effects are stellar!), when this even became a part ofDangerous, and what lies ahead, but fans have begun speculating in full force. Interestingly, every clip I’ve seen so far has ended peacefully....

Oh, the places you’ll go Game of the year candidateOuter Wildslands on a new platform next week. After successfully touching down on PC and Xbox One in June, it sets out to explore PS4 on October 15. It’ll cost $25. It’s tough to nail down exactly whatOuter Wildsis. It melds galactic spacecraft travel ofInterstellarwith a timeloop adventure akin toMajora’s Mask. Every 20 minutes, you’re pulled back to your home planet, free to head back out to far away space rocks in hopes of unraveling this giant mystery just a little bit further....

The Dynamic Duo aren’t coming alone It’s been an undeniably long time since I firstbrought y’all newsofPocky & Rocky Reshrined, the delightful-looking anime shmup currently in the works at veteran developer Natsume. Well, following a lengthy wait and an unwelcome delay, the ghost-bashing buddies are almost set to make their return. As a quick refresher,Pocky and Rocky Reshrined—despite the connotations of its title— is a fully-fledged sequel to 1992 SNES releaseKiKi KaiKai: Nazo no Kuro Mantle, localized in the west simply asPocky & Rocky....

PS4 digital plans glimpsed Sony has announced that, as well as focusing more on background downloading, the PlayStation 4 will actually let you play PlayStation Network games AS they download. Start the download and, as your PS4 gets more data, you’ll be able to play it. The plan with PS4 is to, “Reduce download times of digital titles to zero.” Apparently, the games will be ready for you to play before you even click the buy button, the system learning your likes and dislikes in order to predict what it is you want....

Both requirements are optional for finishing the original game A Hat in Timeis getting ready to release a major DLC:Seal the Deal, this week. The first major half, Death Wish (challenge room-esque stuff), is accessible basically with an end game file with 27 time pieces. Anyone who’s finished the main campaign should have it unlocked. The core bit, Arctic Cruise (the new story hub) is a different story. Not only will you need to grab 35 time pieces (more than needed to clear the final boss) you’ll also need the Time Stop Cap: an optional hat that requires 32 yarn to craft....

Pay your respects LKA, the indie studio behindThe Town of Light, has revealed its next project,Martha is Dead,a period-piece survival horror set against the backdrop of World War II. A genuinely unsettling teaser trailer accompanied the studio’s announcement. Martha is Deadis set in 1944 Tuscany, and is the story of a twin looking into the events surrounding her sister’s horrifying murder. Against the backdrop of the increasingly violent conflict between German and Allied forces, our protagonist will delve into a world beyond her own, punctuated with myth, folklore and mental anguish....