Welcome to Save State, your daily GAMINGbible news round-up covering the headlines, hype, and hidden gems you might’ve missed from the last 24 hours.
Today, we’re diving into the heavy-hitting casting for the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 movie, the financial turbulence surrounding the launch of Crimson Desert, and some jaw-dropping community builds in the latest Pokémon sensation, Pokopia.
Who is Nick Offerman Playing in Sonic the Hedgehog 4?
The blue blur is officially back - the full cast list for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 dropped earlier today, along with a first look at the trailer. While we knew a few recent castings, such as Kristen Bell for Amy Rose, it’s the casting of Nick Offerman that has set the internet off.
Nick Offerman, beloved for his stoic Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation and his heart-wrenching episode in HBO’s The Last of Us, is joining a stacked ensemble. With Kristen Bell confirmed as Amy Rose and Keanu Reeves returning as Shadow, the Sonic cinematic universe is starting to look more like an Avengers-level treat for the box office.
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But since Paramount hasn't officially confirmed Nick Offerman's role, fans on Reddit are putting in their opinions - they say he would be 'perfect' for the sweet, slow-witted gravitas of Big the Cat.
One user joked, "Nick Offerman as Cream the Rabbit" - a mental image that is as terrifying as it is hilarious.
Another popular theory suggests he could be voicing E-102 Gamma or ED-101. As one Redditor noted, "It gives Robotnik his own R2D2/C3P0 to mess around with, and would also build into a cute character arc as he discovers humanity." With Metal Sonic confirmed to be in Sonic 4, as seen in the post-credit scene of Sonic 3, a robots and time travel theme seems likely.
Well, who else could it be, if not Big the Cat, or a robot friend?
The most popular (and likely) casting choice, given Offerman’s famous deadpan deliveries, is Vector the Crocodile. This would align with the casting of Ben Kingsley, who many suspect could be playing Espio the Chameleon or even the menacing Neo Metal Sonic.
Crimson Desert Countdown is Finally Over
Crimson Desert is officially launching today. We’ve been tracking this one for seven years, and the wait has been... well, long. We've broken down the exact time Crimson Desert is available to play in your region.
In our Crimson Desert review, we gave it an 8/10, describing it as an overwhelming must-play experience that pushes the boundaries of open-world design.
However, the day before launch has been a bit of a rollercoaster for developers Pearl Abyss. Despite the game reaching the top of the Steam charts via pre-orders, the critical reception has been a respectable but mixed bag, sitting at a Metacritic score of 78.
While the breathtaking graphics and the sheer scale of the world is impressive, the clunky controls and performance issues (likely exacerbated by the inclusion of Denuvo DRM) has sent the Pearl Abyss share prices plummeting by nearly 30%.
Still, with over 3 million wishlists, a trophy list this stacked and a world this beautiful, it might not be for everyone, but it might be for you?
Only time will tell if we’re still discussing Crimson Desert by the time The Game Awards come around this December.
Building the Perfect Poké-Paradise
Finally, we turn to the cozy side of gaming.
Pokémon Pokopia continues to dominate social feeds as players discover the depth of its building mechanics. While the game presents a gentle exterior, the community is proving that its creative ceiling is incredibly high.
If you’re struggling to move on from your leaf huts, you need to check out summonthezozo_x on Twitter/X. Their latest Withered Wasteland creation is a masterclass in atmosphere, a cosy village blended seamlessly with a spooky mansion that’s giving "The Nightmare Before Christmas" vibe.
If you’re tired of seeing these amazing builds online, we’ve figured out how people are doing it.
A Japanese player has made a Cloud Island with a lot of rare items, so you can use the photo feature and the 3D Printer to generate the items you need for your island. The code is 6DXLPD6F - happy building!
Want some more Pokemon Pokopia building tips? We've got you covered.