On the same day that Ubisoft delayed Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and a “smaller” premium game, the publisher also confirmed that it has canceled four games.

These include the Splinter Cell VR title and Ghost Recon: Frontline, as well as two unannounced titles that Ubisoft did not disclose.

While the Splinter Cell VR game has been canned, fans of the series are getting a remake of the original game. As for Ghost Recon: Frontline, this was a free-to-play battle royale game. As for the other two unannounced games that have now been canceled, it’s anyone’s guess as to what they might be.

Ubisoft did not give a reason for the cancellation of these four titles. Game development is a highly iterative process and games get canceled all the time, even if we never hear about them. For example, Blizzard cancels about 50% of the games that it begins development on.

While Ubisoft has canceled four games and delayed two others, the company has a number of big projects coming up, including Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope and Skull and Bones, both of which are releasing this year. In September, Ubisoft will reveal “the future of Assassin’s Creed,” and many believe this pertains to the rumored new Assassin’s Creed game featuring Valhalla’s Basim.

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If you’ve been looking to refresh your Switch library lately, the good news is that this week has plenty of games to choose from. There’s a big number of new titles up for sale on the eShop, ranging from the rebirth of a classic RPG to the next installment in the high-speed Gunvolt series.

Live A Live is one of the big highlights this week, a remake of the 1994 classic that has been updated with sharper 2D visuals and high-definition assets. The key hook of the game is that each chapter of its lengthy story stars a different character, each with their own set of abilities and mechanics that’ll change how you approach the various storylines. The game was also noteworthy for being a launchpad for several of the people who worked on it, including Chrono Trigger co-director Takashi Tokata.

“Live A Live not only holds up well, but manages to feel unique, compelling, and excitingly original even when compared to its modern contemporaries,” Heidi Kemps wrote in GameSpot’s Live A Live review.

For fans of 2D action, Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 arrives to deliver some lightning-quick and stylish action. You’ll be able to switch between new star Kirin and series protagonist Gunvolt on the fly, and one of the new gameplay mechanics includes Image Pulses, collectable summons and equipment called forth from Gunvolt’s own memories.

In the MOBA department, this week marks the one-year anniversary of Pokemon Unite. There’ll be plenty to celebrate as the game adds new Unite licenses, Holowear and gifts for logging in, the start of Battle Pass Season 9, and an Anniversary Cake Challenge to sink your teeth into. If you’re into retro games, Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium is also worth checking out as it includes some of the best fighting games of the 1990s, including several Darkstalkers and Street Fighter Alpha titles.

There are a few other odd games debuting on the Switch as well this week. Bricky to Me is a cute puzzle-platformer with randomly-generated rooms to work through, Arsonist Heaven is an action platformer presented in a retro pixel art style, and there’s a new Deadliest Catch game where you get to take part in dangerous sea races and catch as many crabs as you dare. No, really.

You can find the full list of this week’s releases below.

Available now

Aery: VikingsBricky to MeBright Memory: Infinite Gold EditionCapcom Arcade 2nd StadiumCapcom Arcade 2nd Stadium BundleClutter Evolution: Beyond XtremeCoromonDarker SkiesDeadliest Catch – Ocean Boat Driving & Fishing 2022 SimulatorDriving QuestArcade Archives: Dragon SaberEgg Over It: Fall Flat from the TopFaith & Shield: Tower Defense Space Wars Game 2022Farm Manager 2022First Time In ParisHouse BuilderJapanese Escape Games The Hotel of TricksMaster Sleuth BundleMini Subway: Logic on the Metro LineMojito the CatMotorcycle Driving Simulator-Dirt & Parking 2022 Racing Games Ultimate 4×4 City Offroad KartPet RockRaging BlastersRiver City Saga: Three KingdomsSevered SteelSolitaire CollectionSupaplex GO!The Legacy: The Tree of MightWally and the Fantastic PredatorsWayward Strand

July 22

Live A LiveAnimal Rivals: Up In The AirDungeon Slime CollectionHover RacerInertia: ReduxSakura FantasyUnder the Jolly Roger: Complete Edition

July 23

Secrets of Light and Shadow

July 27

Arsonist HeavenGemaBoy Zero OriginsTrain Valley: Console Edition

July 28

Azure Striker Gunvolt 3

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Memories are collected in Stray as you move through the world. They are represented by glowing blue energy that B-12 can gather to recover some of its lost memories. There are 27 in total, five of which are automatically obtained as you proceed through the story.

Chapter Select is available, so no Memories are missable, although you will have to replay the entire chapter to obtain any you missed.

Story Memories (Automatically Obtained)

Memory 01

This memory is automatically obtained as part of the story. Right after you meet up with B-12 in The Flat, you’ll go outside and hop in the bucket to cross the long rope. On the other side, you’ll find a mural of a sandy beach and B-12 will pick up the postcard, completing the first memory.

Memory 02

This memory is automatically obtained as part of the story. After connecting the repaired transceiver, B-12 will remember the original purpose of the city, unlocking this memory.

Memory 03

This memory is automatically obtained as part of the story. After you escape the Zurks chasing you away from the eye and reach Antvillage, you’ll find the Memory across the bridge.

Memory 04

This memory is automatically obtained as part of the story. After you climb Antvillage and take the pipe to the subway, B-12 will tell you about transportation, unlocking Memory 04.

Memory 05

This memory is automatically obtained as part of the story. In the Control Room chapter, you’ll proceed from the Subway to the upper area outside the Sealed City gate. After helping B-12 bypass security, you’ll enter the Control Room, where you’ll obtain the Memory.

Slums Memories

Memory 06

After meeting Guardian, the citizens in the Safe Zone will emerge from their hiding spots. Down the stairs from Guardian, there is a vending machine.

Climb the crates next to it and continue up to the roof, then hop across the gap to the building with the Chroma Green sign, then continue up until you reach the slanted rooftop to find a dead robot and the Memory.

Memory 07

Memory 07 can be purchased from The Market, just down the stairs to the right of Guardian, the first robot you meet in Stray.

To obtain it, you’ll have to trade three Energy Drink Cans, which can be found by fiddling with the vending machines scattered around The Slums.

Once you have three, come back and inspect the covered object at The Market and show the merchant the Energy Drink Cans, then you’ll be able to inspect the picture to gain the Memory.

Memory 08

This Memory can be found upstairs in Dufer Bar on the main street of The Slums. Dufer Bar is located between Guardian and Elliot Programming.

Head inside Dufer Bar, then go up the stairs on your left. At the top of the stairs, turn right and you’ll find a plant. Inspect it to obtain the memory.

Memory 09

Memory 09 can be found in Momo’s flat, which is at the top of the tower in The Slums, near the orange sign.

Once you gain entry to Momo’s flat, head past Momo and through the hanging beads into their bedroom, then turn left.

Memory 10

This Memory is located in the alley where you find Kosmo’s shop. Facing Guardian, turn around and run down the stairs, then take a right before you reach Dufer Bar.

Follow the alley as it bends left, then run all the way to the end and climb the stairs.

Inspect the wall to obtain the Memory.

Memory 11

This Memory is located on a ledge in the alley just to the left of Morusque, the guitar-playing Sheet Music turn-in person.

Jump up the dumpster cans and ledges to reach it, or you can snag it on your way down from Notebook 02.

Memory 12

This Memory can be found in Elliot Programming. Read the note on the door to unlock the ability to knock on the door.

Scratch at it and Nestor will open the door. Head through the door while it’s open and move to the other side of the room to find the stairs. Go upstairs and turn left to find a tree, then inspect it to obtain the Memory.

Rooftops Memories

Memory 13

Memory 13 is on the main path during the first section of The Rooftops. After passing the second group of Zurks, where you can cross a hanging I-beam, you’ll be able to hop up to an upper level where this neon sign is leaning up against a wall, amidst some wreckage. Inspect it to obtain the Memory.

Memory 14

Memory 14 is on the main path during the second section of The Rooftops. After climbing up the Zurk-infested tower and reaching the third level, you’ll find a hack gate with a rolling barrel and a swarm of Zurks inside.

Before releasing them, run past the fenced-in area, beyond the hanging I-beam, and hop up on the ledge at the end of the area to find a Neco Corporation sign, then inspect it to obtain the Memory.

Dead End Memories

Memory 15

Memory 15 is located just after you get the Outsider badge and enter the Dead End. Once you go through the gate alone, cross the small bridge and turn left.

Run to the end of the road and inspect the large sliding door to obtain the Memory.

Memory 16

Memory 16 is found after the hectic chase sequence. After you are launched from the cart and injured, hop up the pipes to reach the next level, then walk straight to the end of the road.

Duck through the peeled-back section of chain-link fence and turn right to find a robot. Inspect it to obtain the Memory.

Memory 17

Memory 17 can be found in Doc’s home in the Dead End. Once you jump through the window and talk to him, hop down off the desk and approach the mannequin. Inspect it to obtain the Memory.

Sewers Memories

Memory 18

Memory 18 can be found in The Sewers. After Momo opens the gate and you have to go on without him, you’ll jump up onto a walkway and turn left. Follow the hallway as it bends to the right, then take the first left.

Here you’ll find a small bunch of Zurk pods. Destroy the pods and the Zurks with your UV light, then jump up into the pipe on the left. Follow it through to the other side, then hop across to the railing and inspect the glowing light to obtain the Memory.

Memory 19

Memory 19 is found in The Sewers. After running through the areas with hatching pods, you’ll drop down to a pipe to continue.

Turn left and hop up the boxes on the side to reach a pipe, then head through it to find the Memory, near a Zurk nest with many eyes.

Antvillage Memories

Memory 20

Memory 20 is located in Antvillage on the lowest level. Find Isaac, who is sitting on the couch on the lowest level of the tree city, then turn right and you’ll find the Memory on the wall.

Midtown Memories

Memory 21

Memory 21 is located in Midtown. After running up the stairs next to the train, duck through the chain-link fence and turn right to find a small library and a robot.

Inspect the library to obtain the Memory.

Memory 22

Memory 22 can be found in Midtown, in the alley behind the club with the Bouncer standing out front. Circle around the back, where a robot is sweeping, then climb up the air conditioning units on the side of the building near the blue neon sign.

Climb up towards the left, where an orange sign is lit up, and you’ll find a small nook. Inspect the seating area in the back to obtain the memory.

Memory 23

Memory 23 can be found in Midtown, in a small barbershop near the large hologram and the wig shop.

Either hop through the teller window of the shop, or squeeze through the chain-link on the front door, then hop up on the shelves on the left. Jump to the small gap near the ceiling, then crawl around to the right to find the Memory.

Memory 24

Memory 24 can be found in Midtown in a small burger joint near the hologram, and across the street from the barbershop where you find Memory 23.

Head inside the shop and go to the back. Hop up onto the counters, then jump up to the ledge where potted plants are sitting. Knock them off gleefully, then aim the camera up and hop up into the broken section of the ceiling to find the Memory.

Memory 25

Memory 25 can be found in Midtown after you obtain the battery from the restricted area, but it cannot be obtained after you finish the Nightclub sequence.

Instead of returning to the Residence to meet Clementine, head back into town. Near the hologram, there is an office where police officers are talking.

Previously, the door was closed, but now it is open, so head inside and you’ll find a picture of a Sentinel. Inspect it to obtain the Memory.

Memory 26

Memory 26 is located in the Nightclub in Midtown. After obtaining the battery and deciphering Clementine’s notes, it will be revealed that she has gone to the Nightclub with Blazer.

Head back to the Nightclub, then circle to the back alley to the right. Climb up the air conditioning units on the wall opposite the club, then circle around to the right. Pass the cowboy robot in the purple coat, then cross the railing to reach the outer wall of the Nightclub building.

Turn right and talk to the robot in the window and he’ll let you in. Hop down and go to the bar, then stand on the dumbwaiter to reach the lower level, where you’ll find a table with drinks on it in the middle of a storage room. Inspect it to obtain the Memory.

Jail Memories

Memory 27

Memory 27 is located in the Jail. After reuniting with B-12, unlocking the gate for Clementine, and trapping a Sentinel in a cell, head through the gate Clementine unlocks and turn right to find a robot.

Inspect it to obtain the final non-automatic Memory.

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First announced just back in February, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the long-awaited next entry in Monolith Soft’s Xenoblade series. Based on the footage we’ve seen so far, the open-world RPG seemingly follows the massive footsteps of its predecessors, offering players a fascinating world to explore that’s filled with quests, a touching story, and memorable characters. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming title ahead of its release.

Release date

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is set to release exclusively for Nintendo Switch on July 29, 2022. Interestingly enough, this release date is actually two months earlier than Nintendo originally announced, a pretty rare feat in the games industry.

The story

Set in a futuristic society torn apart by war, it feels safe to call Xenoblade Chronicles 3 the most dystopian entry in the Xenoblade series. The game primarily examines two factions–Keves and Agnus–who are in constant battle with one another. These battles are fought by young soldiers who are artificially created and given 10 years–referred to as “terms” in-game–to live. However, such a violent lifestyle means hardly any of them even live that long.

On both Keves and Agnus exist special units called Off-Seers who are in charge of sending the spirits of fallen soldiers off to the great beyond through playing a special song. The trailers first introduce us to Noah, a flute-wielding Off-Seer serving the nation of Keves, before also showcasing Mio, an Agnian Off-Seer currently in her tenth year.

Shortly after the game begins, Noah and his two allies, Eunie and Lanz, find themselves caught in an even bigger battle than the one between Keves and Agnus. Ultimately, the trio is forced to team up with their former enemies to take on a bigger threat, though just what that threat might be is still unclear.

The characters

While the game’s story might focus primarily on Off-Seers Noah and Mio, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 features six playable characters: Noah, Mio, Eunie, Lanz, Sena, and Taion.

Noah, Eunie, and Lanz are childhood friends who hail from Keves, the black-clad, warring society driven by technology. Mio, Sena, and Taion, on the other hand, call the mystical nation of Agnus home. While these two factions might be caught in a never-ending cycle of war and ruin, it would seem some inciting incident–and the reveal of a true and common enemy–ultimately unites the former enemies.

As of yet, not much is known about these characters, though it would appear Eunie and Lanz boast more confident and fiery demeanors compared to Sena and the scholarly Taion.

The gameplay

In our hands-on preview with the game, we wrote that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 could be Nintendo’s biggest open-world game thus far. While the game begins fairly linearly, it quickly opens up to reveal a massive world filled with quests, crafting, optional bosses, and more.

Like its predecessors, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 features an MMO-style combat system where party members are divided into three main classes: attackers, defenders, and healers. To translate these roles into ones traditionally found in MMOs, attackers are your DPS, defenders are tanks, and healers are support. However, your ability to customize your party doesn’t stop there. In addition to these main classes, your party members can also choose from various subclasses, each with their own unique weapons and outfits.

Best of all, once you have your roles assigned and choose which character you want to control, you no longer are confined to solely battling with that character like you were in previous Xenoblade Chronicles games. In Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you are permitted to rotate between your six party members mid-battle, allowing you to execute powerful combos using your skills–referred to in-game as Arts–and battle more strategically than ever before.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 also contains the Ouroboros ability, which allows two compatible party members to fuse together into a giant mech-like creature. Based on the trailers, it seems safe to assume Noah and Mio share this intense connection–and it’s likely the other four party members do as well.

Trailers

Revealed during February 2022’s Nintendo Direct, the first trailer for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 gave us a brief look at the game’s war-torn world, its characters, and what exploration will look like. This trailer also included a September 2022 release date, which was later moved forward.

Following the more narrative-heavy first trailer, Xenoblade Chronicle 3’s second trailer focused a lot more on combat. In addition to showing off the game’s MMO-style battle system, it also gave us our first look at Ouroboros abilities, a strange power that allows two linked party members to merge together into a mech-like being that looks straight out of Neon Genesis Evangelion. This trailer also revealed the game’s release date: July 29, 2022.

During June 2022’s Nintendo Direct, Monolith Soft released the most comprehensive look at Xenoblade Chronicles 3 yet. The trailer opens with a closer look at a mysterious and assuredly evil organization before diving into some of the game’s heavier lore. In this trailer, it was revealed that our party members only live for ten years–or terms–before ultimately dying. During this decade, they are bound to serve their country’s military, meaning many die long before their time is officially up. Based on this trailer, it seems like Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s primary theme is life, and how we inject meaning into it.

Another trailer was just released and provides an overview of the game’s combat, structure, and plot.

So, do I need to play Xenoblade Chronicles 1 and 2 before I start 3?

Nope! Like oh-so-many JRPGs, while the games are a part of the same series–and are ripe for dedicated fans to theorize how they could be connected–the Xenoblade Chronicle games are not explicitly tied to one another.

Oddly enough, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 isn’t even the third game in the series, as Xenoblade Chronicles X exists as well. To quote Monolith Soft director Tetsuya Takahashi, “The ‘Xeno’ name […] really just exists to make it clear that these are Tetsuya Takahashi productions.” While there might be fun references to other titles in the series throughout each game, series newcomers should have no issues diving in.

How to preorder

Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s physical edition is currently available to preorder at retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and GameStop. If you’d prefer to pick up a digital copy, you can also preorder the game via the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Special Edition

As of now, Nintendo has not announced any preorder bonuses for Xenoblade Chronicles 3. However, there is a Special Edition of the game, priced at $90 and solely available through the My Nintendo Store, that comes with a steelbook case, hardcover art book, and a special box featuring limited-edition cover art. Unfortunately, this version of the game is currently sold out, and it’s still unclear if additional stock will be available at a later date.

The expansion pass

Keeping with Nintendo’s current trend of coupling expansion passes with their games, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers a $30 expansion pass featuring additional story content and other exciting drops. The pass gives players access to four pieces of additional content over the course of the next year and a half.

The first of the expansion pack’s perks launches simultaneously with the game. This drop allows subscribers to claim “useful items” as well as new outfits and accessories for the party.

The second drop, which is scheduled to release by December 31, 2022, features new challenge battles, new outfits, and a brand-new hero character with accompanying quests. This will then be repeated in the third part of the expansion, which is slated to release next spring, followed by a brand-new story scenario by December 31, 2023. The Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass is currently available to preorder via the Nintendo Switch eShop.

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