Mount Hood

Games coming 2024

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer

2024 has officially sprung, and many games have already been released, such as “Tekken 8”, “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth” and “Alone in The Dark” — but do not fear, as there are eight more months of anticipation to endure as these releases arrive. Headphones on and feet up, let’s start gaming. 

Coming April 2024, “Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes” will be released on PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. “Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes” is intended to give gamers a new spin on the classic. 

In May, the world will be given a remake of “Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door”, which was originally released in 2004 on the GameCube — with a polished version also being released on the Nintendo Switch. “The Thousand-Year Door” takes place in the town of Rogueport, and the plot is separated into eight chapters and a prologue, with each taking place largely in one of the various locations. Mario travels to Rogueport to visit Princess Peach after learning that she has discovered a map that leads to an old treasure. He quickly discovers that Peach has been kidnapped and a journey is in order. 

In June, a new “Elden Ring” will drop: “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” is being released to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” transports players beyond the Lands Between to the Land of Shadow, a brand-new realm.  

Come July 25, “Frostpunk 2” will be released on PC. Thirty years have gone by since the devastating storm that ended the first chapter of humanity’s survival saga in “Frostpunk”. The city, built around the generator and its life-giving warmth, expanded and progressed over the years. The player takes on the position as Steward, who, as leader of a resource-hungry metropolis, must cope with an ever-changing political atmosphere as the goal shifts from survival to reconstructing civilization.

“Dustborn” is coming August 2024 to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. This single-player action-adventure game explores themes such as hope, love, friendship, robotics and the power of discourse. 

Hitting September, it is expected that players will get “STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl” on PC and Xbox Series X. “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl”, the next installment in the iconic franchise is a first-person shooter survival horror game with a large-scale, branching plot set in the terrifying Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. 

Now, it is not certain what comes of Fall 2024 and if more releases will come sooner as many games are still awaiting release dates. These games include “Little Nightmares 3”, “Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater”, “Star Wars Outlaws” and more. Overall, the selection of games on every platform will keep gamers coming back for more. Happy gaming!

Contact the author at tduff23@mail.wou.edu

‌Bringing back the classics, one game at a time

Be on the lookout for these retro and affordable gaming systems

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌

Gaming systems have come a long way from their original clunky shapes, and have increasingly become more advanced in their programming and sophisticated designs. New games and systems are constantly being released, but the prices aren’t always the most accessible. To still have fun gaming the rainy days away, folks can look to some of the more affordable options. Older models, like the Game Boy and Nintendo DS, can usually be found at a cheaper price at electronic stores or online sellers. Not only that, revisiting these old school systems can provide a distinctly nostalgic feeling of easier days. 

  • Nintendo Game Boy 

The model I have is from 1989, and using this one comes with pros and cons. One con is that it requires four AA batteries, and the games that fit inside have to be specific to this model to work properly. Thankfully, batteries aren’t super expensive, and the system itself isn’t in high demand anymore, so the device and its games can be found fairly easily. One pro tip for finding these older models is to ask around to friends or family, as sometimes items like these end up forgotten about in the attic or donation pile. 

  • Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP

This is personally my favorite system, just because the satisfying startup noise and colorful screen bring me right back to my childhood. Not only that, but the games and accessories for these can be commonly found in thrift stores or for cheap at electronic stores. This makes it easy to build a large collection of games with a smaller budget, but it also means it’s easier to splurge.

  • Nintendo DS Lite

Finally, the DS brings in the best of both worlds with the ability to take both Game Boy games and smaller, updated DS games with clearer graphics. Don’t forget about the chat option, which is way more entertaining than Zoom meetings. One con for this is the stylus; it can be easy to lose through the years, but they’re cheap and easy to hunt down at a store. It’s convenient to have a device that has two slots for different games, but some DS games can be upward of $15 or so at certain stores. 

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

20 classic games to play with family and friends

Board and card games to revisit this season

Natalie Dean | Entertainment Editor 

Between the stress of buying gifts for the holidays and the building excitement of the incoming new year, a classic board game can be all anyone needs to destress. Tabletop games are about coming together with family and friends to have a lively, fun and lightly competitive time together. Some games are straightforward and lighthearted, like Candy Land or Connect Four, while other games seem like they are designed to cause an all-out debate about the rules and technicalities at the table, like with Scrabble or Clue. 

In any case, here’s a list of classic board games that everyone loves to play and hates to lose. Nearly all of these can be purchased online or in stores; thrift stores are also a good place to check for more unique games or neat card decks to try out. These games are ranked from the least to most likely to start a debate about the rules and who won. 

  1. Uno
  2. Marbles
  3. Mancala
  4. Connect Four
  5. Dominoes
  6. Hungry Hungry Hippos 
  7. Candy Land
  8. Chutes and Ladders
  9. Operation
  10. Don’t Break the Ice
  11. Sorry!
  12. Jenga
  13. Battleship
  14. Checkers
  15. Chess
  16. Twister
  17. The Game of Life 
  18. Scrabble 
  19. Clue
  20. Monopoly

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

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