PlayStation 4 has sold through over 70.6 million units worldwide to consumers as of December 3, 2017, Sony has announced. The figure brings total sales numbers for the PS4 closer to the 80 million benchmark it achieved with the PlayStation 3.
Sony did not, however, provide information on how the sales break down between the original PS4, PS4 Slim, and PS4 Pro, which launched in November 2016. In a press release, the company added that the strong sales of PS4 has had a positive impact on [PlayStation VR] which has cumulatively sold through more than 2 million units as of December 3, 2017.
In terms of software, more than 617.8 million copies of PS4 titles have been sold globally in retail stores and through digital downloads on the PlayStation Store."
In October, Sony reported its earnings for the financial quarter ended September 30, noting that it had shipped 67.5 million consoles to retailers worldwide. During this period specifically, 4.2 million consoles where shipped, which was an improvement over the same period in 2016. This was also the highest quarterly shipment figure since the holiday period in 2016.
Demand for the PS4, it seems, continues to be strong, and Sony could carry this momentum forward with the numerous exclusive games it has on the way. Currently, its slate of 2018 titles includes God of War, The Last of Us Part 2, and Spider-Man from its first-party developers. These are supported by a strong selection of third-party games such as Red Dead Redemption 2, Anthem, and Far Cry 5, among others.
As the year winds down, GameSpot is looking back at the performance of each of the three platform holders in 2017. You can read our assessment of how Sony performed in our PS4 2017 report card.
Blizzard has announced the return of the Winter Wonderland event for Overwatch on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. It begins next week and introduces a variety of new content for free, in addition to bringing back some of what we saw last year. And, yes, there are new skins on the way.
As detailed in the new developer update video above, Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan revealed that Winter Wonderland 2017 includes a "long-awaited Hanzo skin" that was previously seen in one of the comics. Roadhog and Junkrat are confirmed to receive new Legendary skins, though they won't be the only ones included; fans were upset with the number of Legendaries last year. Unfortunately, none of these were actually shown off, and the brief teaser below only shows one of Mei's existing skins.
Last year's event saw two maps, King's Row and Hanamura, get what Blizzard calls a "seasonal pass," where they're decorated for the event. Those two will make a return, while the Arena map Black Forest will also receive one of these seasonal passes. Kaplan described this as "one of the most gorgeous jobs [Blizzard's] environmental artists have ever done." A limited-time mode, Mei's Snowball Offensive, will also return and now be playable on both Ecopoint: Antarctica and this winterized version of Black Forest.
Blizzard will also introduce another new Mei-centric Brawl, which Kaplan compared to a boss fight. Mei's Yeti Hunt pits a team of five Mei players against one Winston player in what sounds a lot like the basic concept of Evolve. The five Meis try to hunt down Winston as he seeks out power-ups. Once he's collected enough, he'll enter Primal Rage mode, at which point the Meis have to flee to avoid being killed. Once enough Meis--or Winston--are killed, the game is over.
Kaplan said that, with this mode, Blizzard wanted to try something "fun and different," admitting it is meant to be silly. He said the point is "just to be fun and light and refreshing for a short period of time," rather than a serious, truly competitive mode that will be used in esports.
Winter Wonderland launches on all platforms on December 12 as a free update. Presumably this will work like past events, with players receiving a free loot box for logging in and the standard box being replaced by a seasonal version that includes the new, limited-time skins and cosmetics. An end date for the event hasn't been announced.
With her MMA career likely complete, UFC star Ronda Rousey is looking to make her next career move. The first-ever UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion is reportedly close to signing a deal to wrestle for WWE.
The news comes from USA Today, which cites two sources claiming Rousey is working out the details on her move from MMA to professional wrestling. Given her connection to WWE over the past several months--and even years--it's clear she has a major interest in becoming a wrestler.
After making her first WWE appearance in 2015 at WrestleMania 31, in which she joined Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon for an in-ring segment, Rousey teased the idea that she had a future in wrestling. She then appeared in the audience during the 2017 Mae Young Classic women's tournament, supporting fellow MMA fighter Shayna Baszler.
Now, with Baszler making a name for herself in WWE as part of the NXT roster, it's a good time for Rousey to join the fold. At just 30 years old, the former MMA champion could have a long professional wrestling career ahead of her. While she would surely need some training to acclimate to working as a wrestler, rather than a fighter, Rousey can become a marquee player in WWE.
Then again, there's always the possibility that Rousey decides not to make the jump in the end. After spending years on the octagon, perhaps she'd rather sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of her labor.
Of course, it'd be much more exciting for her to not only join WWE but help raise the profile of the women's division even higher. Who wouldn't want to see Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair for a Women's Championship at WrestleMania?
This month, EA kicks off the first "season" of updates for Star Wars Battlefront II, which are based on the upcoming new film, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi. The bulk of the new content arrives just prior to the film's release, on December 13, but before then, EA has shared a new trailer that showcases some of the Last Jedi-themed content that is coming to the game.
Perhaps the most notable additions that The Last Jedi Season brings to Star Wars Battlefront II are two new heroes, Finn and Captain Phasma. We've known for some time that both would be added to the game as free DLC characters, but the new trailer marks the first time either have been shown off in the game. Additionally, developer DICE will add a new Galactic Assault map (Crait), a Starfighter Assault map (D'Qar), and a new vehicle (Tallie's A-Wing). You can take a look at them in the video above.
Some new single-player content will also arrive as part of The Last Jedi Season, specifically a new mission called Resurrection. This puts players again in the role of Inferno Squad commander Iden Versio, this time "during the days of the First Order's rise to power." You can catch a peek at the new mission--and an older Iden--in the new trailer.
While most of the Last Jedi-themed content won't arrive until next week, EA kicked off the season modestly this week by letting players align themselves with either the First Order or New Republic. Once you choose a side, the game will present you with special, weekly faction quests over the next few weeks; completing these will "help edge your faction closer to victory" and earn your side additional rewards. The first challenge is available now and tasks players with racking up 50 kills with each trooper class.
Other new challenges and special events are also scheduled to arrive throughout the month, including a holiday playlist on December 27. The content will roll out at the same time across PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The Last Jedi, meanwhile, premieres on December 15.
By Anonymous on Dec 07, 2017 11:45 pm We open some packs for the new Hearthstone expansion Kobolds and Catacombs, as well as checking out Dungeons and more.
Destiny 2's first expansion, Curse of Osiris, is now available and brings with it all sorts of new playable content on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. There's a new planet with story missions, Strikes, and a Public Event, Crucible maps, and more. But in addition to acquiring new Curse of Osiris weapons, Faction gear, and Exotics, there's also a variety of cosmetics to get your hands on.
The release of Curse of Osiris and update 1.1.0 marks the start of Season 2 for Destiny 2. Among other things, this has brought a refresh to the Eververse store and Bright Engrams, meaning there are tons of new cosmetics to acquire. Ghost Shells, Sparrows, ships, emotes, weapon ornaments, and more have provided ways to deck out your Guardian with a stylish new look. In the gallery above, we've compiled a selection of Exotic gear you can now find in-game. There's plenty more than what you'll see here, including numerous Legendary items and other things that we just haven't seen yet.
There are still more changes on the way to Destiny 2 in the near future. The aforementioned update 1.1.0 made some major balance changes to the game, but further revamps are coming soon as part of a second big December update. The next patch will add Masterworks weapons and new ways to acquire Faction armor and weapons.
Remastered versions of the first three Devil May Cry games are headed to new platforms early next year, Capcom has announced. The Devil May Cry HD Collection is officially coming to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in March.
In terms of any new changes to the games, Capcom didn't share details. It did say all three games will run at 60 frames per second but did not detail any specific visual improvements. You can see how the new versions look in the screenshots above. The package will be priced at $30 when it's released on March 13, 2018. It'll be available both physically and digitally. We'll report back as more details are shared.
We liked the original version's release; in our Devil May Cry HD Collection review, we awarded the compilation a 7.5. The lack of extras--something that may not be addressed for this new release--were lamented, but it still presented the best way to experience the three games on what were at the time modern platforms.
With huge game releases like Horizon: Zero Dawn, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, 2017 was a remarkable year for games. As we approach the end of December, we're rolling out a number of features that focus on both the best of the best and GameSpot's editors' personal favorites, but not every game garnered quite the same level of acclaim.
In this feature, we take a look back at the many games released this year that weren't as favorably reviewed. While these games may still have some noteworthy positives--such as unique art-styles or interesting stories--they also suffered from something that brought the score down for the reviewer. When compared to previous years, the games of 2017 were largely more well received--resulting in a lack of releases that scored a 3 or below. This is the complete list of every game released in 2017 that scored a 5 or lower on GameSpot.
Double Dragon 4 (PC, PS4, Switch) - 5/10
"Double Dragon IV isn't a good game in a modern sense, but it certainly is an honest trip back in time that will, if nothing else, offer a heavy dose of nostalgia for anyone with a fondness for the Lee Brothers' 8-bit adventures. Frankly, it mimics its source material perfectly. It's a worthwhile historical artifact if nothing else, but absolutely cannot match the vast improvements in gaming since those early days." [Read the full review]
-- Jason D'Aprile
Divide (PS4) - 5/10
"Divide stretches on for a bit longer than it probably should, but the strengths of the story are heightened by decent writing and voice performances throughout. Conversations feel organic and real, line deliveries have a satisfying amount of emotion, and each character comes across as genuine. But the strength of the story is undermined by a game that poorly communicates necessary information and is built on repetition to the point that it loses the personality contained within the characters. If there's a second meaning to the title, it describes the division between a strong narrative and mediocre gameplay that would've been better served with more variety and direction throughout." [Read the full review]
-- Cassidee Moser
Diluvion (PC) - 5/10
"Diluvion is in that most tragic class of disappointing game: the kind with great ideas. There's so much to love and appreciate on the surface that the game's profound awkwardness and convoluted mechanics just hurt to experience." [Read the full review]
-- Justin Clark
Berserk And The Band Of The Hawk (PC and PS4) - 5/10
"Given how well Guts' bloodlust and battle experience are well-suited to the crowd fighting and mass slaughter of Warriors games, it's disappointing that this tie-in lacks the engagement and nuance of Omega Force's more imaginative efforts with other franchises. Its saving feature is the expansiveness of the campaign narratives, which serve as a hearty sampling of the Berserk franchise's multiple story arcs. If not for these insightful cutscenes, the developer's penchant for adequate but unengaging hack and slash combat would perpetuate the image of Guts as a one-note protagonist. And even if you're a Warriors fan who knows not to expect a Dark Souls level of gratifying melee combat, Band of the Hawk still deprives you of the juicy sights and sounds that one associates with Guts' savagery; the splashes of red that result from every kill hardly counts as "gore"." [Read the full review]
-- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Ride 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) - 4/10
"On paper, then, Ride 2 is an exciting proposition that bundles the promises of aspirational game design with the raw power and fun associated with motorbikes. Unfortunately, those promises are broken and the resulting game falls flat. Unless you're so enamoured with two-wheeled machines that you simply can't help but pick yourself up a copy, you should wait for a new contender to try its hand at delivering a biking game of this scope." [Read the full review]
-- John Robertson
Malicious Fallen (PS4) - 5/10
"The fact remains that you have to perform a lot of legwork to understand how each boss works in respect to your abilities. There's a fine line to be crossed in a boss rush game, where hard fought battles lead to either sighs of relief or aggravated groans. Too often, Malicious Fallen earns the latter. Malicious Fallen isn't a game that feels triumphant so much as tiring." [Read the full review]
-- Justin Clark
Flatout 4: Total Insanity (PS4) - 5/10
"Flatout 4 doesn't bring anything noteworthy to the series, and while the Flatout and party modes are good for some low stakes enjoyment, the grind of single-player progression is too much to bare. The challenge is borderline unfair at times, and that wrecks the partytime nature that the series used to do so well." [Read the full review]
-- James Swimbanks
Rain World (PC and PS4) - 5/10
"In Rain World, the spectre of failure, often caused by events you can't control, lingers heavily. It quickly drives home the point that you're a foreigner in a ruined land where anyone larger than you wants to eat you. Its stunningly detailed backgrounds and few rewarding gameplay opportunities are vastly outweighed by its platforming imperfections and hibernation mechanic, which makes little sense in its connection to accessing new areas. Oftentimes, the frustrations resulting from failure devolve into apathy, which is a wholly unfortunate outcome for a game that gives off a deceptively promising first impression." [Read the full review]
-- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
Has Been Heroes (Switch) - 5/10
"Has Been Heroes is, at least, a great fit for the Switch. It's the sort of game you can play while half-watching a sitcom in the background, rather than one to which you'll want to give your full attention. By the same token, playing the game with intense focus starts to feel like a waste of time after the first few hours. It's a demanding game that gives very little back for the time and effort it eats up. The game's name does not lie--it's best to let these has-beens be." [Read the full review]
-- James O'Connor
Drawn To Death (PS4) - 4/10
"The best thing Drawn to Death has going for it is the aesthetic, which thoroughly lives up to its promise of vast, wild worlds crafted from the classroom notebook scribblings of a teenage delinquent. It's a world of kittens controlling giant robots, unicorn/teddy bear/cyclops abominations, and hideous caricatures of classmates and bullies. The stars, of course, are the playable characters, ranging from comparatively milquetoast designs like a murderous punk rocker named Johnny, to less conventional fare like a curvy female ninja with a shark's head. It's a strong foundation and a perfect fit for the kind of Quake-alike third-person shooter revival the game seems to be aiming for, but it's a combo that only seems to work--pun thoroughly intended--on paper." [Read the full review]
-- Justin Clark
Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 (PS4) - 5/10
"Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 feels like a B-tier, budget-priced game. Even the predictable, profanity-laden story is reminiscent of the type of gritty B-movies Steven Seagal is known for. There's certainly merit to its accomplished sniping mechanics, especially when missions hone in on the planning and precise execution that makes playing as a sharpshooter so thrilling. Yet it falters whenever it veers away from its strengths, and the plethora of nagging glitches and technical problems are a persistent nuisance that make Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 difficult to recommend." [Read the full review]
-- Richard Wakeling
Syberia 3 (PC) - 4/10
"The great music coincides with a cold and grim, yet captivating atmosphere, creating a world that should be lived in. And that's the overall feeling with Syberia 3. Slivers of enjoyment and potential are found within a disconnected and underwhelming journey. The characters, their interactions, the way they speak, and the reason they even exist all mash into a puzzle-adventure game devoid of significance or impact. The Syberia series deserved a better return, otherwise, it should've been left in the past." [Read the full review]
-- Michael Higham, Tech Editor
Pinstipe (PC) - 5/10
"Regrettably, Pinstripe's rich atmosphere is overpowered by these types of issues. Enemies need only a few shots to defeat, puzzles need only a couple of tries to solve, and the final boss can be exploited to oblivion. And because the story lacks emotional weight or resonance, once the credits roll, you'll quickly forget Ted and Bo's struggle, the puzzles you solved, the conclusion to what could have been a memorably haunting trip through Hell." [Read the full review]
-- Jeremy Winslow
Birthdays The Beginning - 5/10
"It feels like there's a fantastic game somewhere in the heart of Birthdays the Beginning, ready to claw its way out of the primordial ooze of ideas to evolve into a wonderful god-game experience. But the conditions for it to thrive just aren't right: The interface is ill-conceived and cumbersome, the campaign's frustrations bring progress to screeching halts, and the frequent lack of information turns what should be a fun micromanagement experience into an exhausting guessing game." [Read the full review]
-- Heidi Kemps
Friday The 13th: The Game (PC, PS4, Xbox One) - 4/10
"These shortcomings and ongoing server issues aren't easily overlooked, and work against what promise Friday the 13th shows. As of now, a week after launch, it's short on content and performs poorly all around, especially on consoles. The story goes that the developers weren't prepared for amount of people who wanted to jump on day one, but that does little to assuage players who were convinced that they were paying for a finished product. Despite showing potential that may one day be realized, Friday the 13th comes across as an unfinished game that shouldn't have been released in its current state." [Read the full review]
-- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
The Town of Light (Xbox One) - 4/10
"It's disappointing to see The Town of Light struggle so often, because the story it presents is both harrowing and captivating at times. While there's an interesting narrative to be found in its world, the moment-to-moment gameplay and repetitive environments impose an unavoidable malaise. Given the fact that the game is based on actual accounts of psychiatric treatment in the early 1900s, you might be better off looking up the real stories that inspired The Town of Light rather than forcing your way through a version of them here." [Read the full review]
-- Blade Hester
Reservoir Dogs: Bloody Days (PC) - 4/10
"Aside from the Reservoir Dogs name in the title and the colorfully named characters, Bloody Days shares almost nothing in common with its namesake. With its rewind mechanic, you can see the potential for an exhilarating top-down, twin-stick shooter, but this never comes to pass. The game is easily exploitable and produces frustration far too often to become even the slightest bit interesting. Reservoir Dogs: Bloody Days devolves to a banal experience that's all bark and no bite." [Read the full review]
-- Jeremy Winslow
The Mage's Tale (PC) - 4/10
"Neither a groundbreaking VR experience nor a strong dungeon crawler, The Mage's Tale ultimately squanders its potential. It offers a couple of high points--some jokes do hit their marks from time to time--but there are so many problems, and there's so little of substance to drive the experience forward, that The Mage's Tale feels more like a shallow experiment than a reason to get excited about VR." [Read the full review]
-- Daniel Starkey
Miitopia (3DS) - 5/10
"Ultimately, lack of player input and randomness makes Miitopia feel like a slow slog you mostly watch rather than play. It's certainly cute, and it boasts the typically high production values you expect from Nintendo in terms of visuals, music, and dialogue. However, the fun of seeing Miis you put in various roles do goofy things wears thin after just a few hours, and while the game can reignite a bit of that initial joy when you add new Miis to the game at certain milestones, you still have to trudge through a lot of repetition to get there. If you're looking for a deep, engrossing game filled with Miis of your making, I'm sorry to say that adventure is in another castle." [Read the full review]
-- Heidi Kemps
Agents of Mayhem (PC, PS4, Xbox One) -- 4/10
"Personality can only take a broken and repetitive game so far. The attitude behind Agents of Mayhem has potential, at least if it's executed properly. But there's little to Agents of Mayhem beyond its foul-mouthed and bombastic attitude, which push the game into grating and obnoxious territory. Throw in the poor mission design and bugs, and you've got a game with loads of mayhem, but not much else." [Read the full review]
-- Brett Todd
Don't Knock Twice (PS4) -- 5/10
"Don't Knock Twice doesn't share company with the likes of Layers of Fear so much as it does with the large number of "VR Experiences" flooding digital storefronts: quick and dirty cash-ins that feel more like tech demos than full-fledged games. Don't Knock Twice is more solidly constructed than some, but it's largely unambitious and forgettable. It seems content to be a ground-level thriller at a time and on a platform with plenty of hungry competition." [Read the full review]
-- Justin Clark
Star Fox 2 (SNES Classic) - 5/10
"Star Fox 2 can be praised for the ambitious structure that seemed to be ahead of its time, but the enjoyable moments are hamstrung by modern standards and expectations. Framerate issues and tech that wasn't suited for this style of game prevent Star Fox 2's vision from being fully realized, but it's an important piece of gaming history kept alive with an official release. This game alone isn't the driving force to seek out an SNES Classic, and you'll want to consider the more time-tested games in the package." [Read the full review]
-- Michael Higham, Tech Editor
FIFA 18 Nintendo Switch - 5/10
"FIFA 18 on Switch delivers some enjoyable soccer when on the pitch, but without Pro Clubs and The Journey, and in restricting all access to FUT when you're not online, it shoots itself in the foot. Being able to play FIFA on the go or with a friend is gratifying, and if you're happy to just play through Career Mode for the next year, then this port will satisfy your needs and is the best mobile FIFA you can buy, but compared to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions, this port is inferior in every other way." [Read the full review]
-- Oscar Dayus, Associate Editor
WWE 2K18 (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch) - 5/10
"WWE 2K18's in-ring combat is fundamentally flawed, and will be as divisive as it often is. Yet there's no denying the inherent joy derived from performing your favorite Superstar's signature moves. Whether it's cracking your opponent over the head with AJ Styles' Phenomenal Forearm, or pounding the life out of Asuka's latest victim, there are moments of pure pro wrestling enjoyment to be found here. It's just compounded by too many frustrating issues, disruptive glitches, and a dearth of engaging single-player modes. This series has remained stagnant for far too long, and WWE 2K18 doesn't change things." [Read the full review]
-- Richard Wakeling
Elex (PS4) - 4/10
"Elex's world is no doubt enticing, but the good moments are heavily dispersed among some rough technical problems and odd designs that only serve to frustrate. The game offers an incredibly designed world and the basis of a compelling RPG that disappointingly fails to live up to its potential in almost every way. For a game that relies heavily on its combat for progression, it feels overwhelmingly geared against you, and with the added technical issues and lack of a compelling story to tell, Elex takes the wind out of its own sails at nearly every turn." [Read the full review]
-- James Swimbanks
Oure (PS4) - 5/10
"There just isn't very much to Oure beyond aimless exploring, since the battles are unsatisfying and brief and the collectables feel arbitrary. Lazily soaring through the clouds collecting orbs and finding secrets can be momentarily relaxing, but there's no compelling reason to keep exploring the clouds once you've wrapped up the Titan fights. The plot doesn't go anywhere, and the main action sequences feel like a small batch of concept proofs. Oure is the gaming equivalent of a daydream--it's pleasant and light, but it feels like a distraction rather than something worth latching on to." [Read the full review]
-- James O'Connor
Sonic Forces (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch) - 5/10
"For years the Sonic series has come up short in its 3D games. It wasn't until Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations that the series was able to grasp a semblance of quality that could change the perception of the series as a whole for the better. Sonic Forces ultimately fails to advance the mechanics of previously successful 3D Sonic games, or present them in their best light. A mediocre platformer at best, Sonic Forces manages to do nothing more than reinforce long held stereotypes against Sega's beloved blue blur." [Read the full review]
-- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Need For Speed: Payback (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch) - 5/10
"Need for Speed Payback's banal racing is only magnified by this focus on grinding. The simple, almost retro, handling model provides occasional bouts of fun, but it's never enough to escape Payback's flaws, with an unwillingness to let you partake in its most hair-raising moments, and a general drabness that seeps into every layer of the game. Fast and Furious, this is not; and that's a disappointing outcome." [Read the full review]
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle's new update adds a second multiplayer mode for free. The Nintendo Switch exclusive already had a co-op mode of course, but this local PvP mode--in which each player can use a single Joy-Con--marks the first time the game has allowed you to fight against your friends. We've played it and we think that fans of the base game will likely find a great new way to enjoy the strategy title.
It'll take some getting used to, however: the movement and attack system in the base game allows each character to utilize one movement, one attack, and one ability in each turn, but the PvP mode overhauls this in favor of a ticket-based structure. Each team receives three tickets per turn, and one ticket is used up each time any of your three characters moves, attacks, or uses an ability. Initially, this can feel restrictive, as it affords you fewer options than in the base game. However, a number of item boxes scattered around the map can grant you extra attacks, ability uses, or movements, as well as new power-ups such as damage bonuses and increased chances of your attacks having super effects. These item boxes add another layer of strategy, as you have to decide when to attempt to retrieve them, when to use them, and which character to use them with.
Interestingly, the mode disables the characters and builds you've unlocked and created in the main game, instead forcing you to pick from a number of pre-set builds for each fighter. Every character is unlocked from the start, but initially you can only pick their all-purpose build, before later unlocking more specific builds such as Rabbid Peach's healer set-up, which has more Power Orbs invested in its healing abilities. Unlike the game other modes, this Versus mode allows you to pick an all-Rabbids team or pick a trio exclusively from the Mushroom Kingdom.
Finally, the new mode can be played on four bespoke maps, each of which are unlocked from the start and are based off the main game's four worlds. Take a look at one of those maps in our Let's Play at the top of this article, or if you'd rather just watch some straight gameplay, you can do that above. Mario + Rabbids' new PvP mode launches as a free update for Nintendo Switch on Friday, December 8.
Square Enix has officially announced that a new Tomb Raider game is on the way. The company confirmed the news in a brief statement, though it stopped short of fully revealing the new game, whose title, platforms, and release date remain unknown.
"Driven by our goal of putting our fans first, we want you to know that it won't be long between the official reveal and when you can play," read the statement. "Our journey will begin with a major event in 2018. We simply can't wait to take you on Lara Croft's defining adventure."
Finally, a new Tomb Raider movie is coming to cinemas on March 16, 2018, starring Alicia Vikander and Dominic West. It's possible that this is the "major event" Square Enix refers to in today's statement.
For those that are excited for the upcoming new Black Mirror season, you can also check out our spoiler-free review of season 4 in the meantime. You can also watch a video version of this ranking list here.
Men Against Fire (Season 3, Episode 5)
Laurie Sparham/Netflix
Image: Laurie Sparham/Netflix
We kick off our list with the military dystopia of 'Men Against Fire.' In a post-apocalyptic Denmark, an unnamed military organisation is hunting and killing a mutated human population unaffectionately nicknamed 'roaches.' This being Black Mirror though, things aren't quite as simple as that, and the episode dives head first into the arena of hi-tech warfare and its philosophical consequences on the world.
While it's not a bad episode by any stretch of the imagination, it's place on this list is largely down to the heavy-handed way in which it treats its central theme and the fact that it reveals its hand way too early.
The Waldo Moment (Season 2, Episode 3)
Image: Channel 4
The murky world of British politics is sent up in 'The Waldo Moment,' our number 12 entry. This slice of election madness tells the tale of Jamie, a failed comedian who is also the voice and digital puppeteer of a cartoon bear named, you guessed it, Waldo. Coerced by his producer into running for parliament as Waldo, Jamie finds himself way in over his head as his election campaign takes an unexpected turn.
The episode is totally fine, but doesn't stand up to the high quality of the rest of Black Mirror as it descends into hammy parody towards the end. But its defining virtue is that series creator, Charlie Brooker, compared it to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign with the Black Mirror twitter account tweeting out: 'This isn't an episode. This isn't marketing. This is reality.'
Hated In The Nation (Season 3, Episode 6)
Image: Laurie Sparham/Netflix
People tend to forget that when they write mean things about others on the internet, they're often talking about a real person. Brooker and co. took this idea one step further in 'Hated In The Nation,' where mean tweets and social media hashtags could be weaponised to kill those who fall foul to the public's ire. If you watch this episode and read Jon Ronson's So You've Been Publicly Shamed, you may never want to use social media ever again…
Be Right Back (Season 2, Episode 1)
Image: Channel 4
In 'Be Right Back', Martha's boyfriend Ash dies in an accident. Unable to move past her grief, and discovering that she's pregnant, Martha uploads Ash's information, including photos, videos, and his social media profiles to create a virtual Ash. She goes one step further and downloads him onto a blank robot body, just like that episode of Futurama, but discovers that the new, fake Ash isn't the same as the old, real one. I guess technology just isn't a patch on the real deal.
Playtest (Season 3, Episode 2)
Image: Laurie Sparham/Netflix
You might not know that series creator Charlie Brooker and Dan Trachtenberg, who directed this episode, were former game journalists. But that explains why 'Playtest' is all about video games, specifically horror games that really get under your skin.
If you thought Resident Evil 7 was bad in VR, how's about a game that scans your brain to find out what terrifies you most? 'Playtest' is one of Black Mirror's freakiest episodes, but it is peppered with some hot video game Easter Eggs.
Shut Up And Dance (Season 3, Episode 3)
Image: Laurie Sparham/Netflix
'Shut Up And Dance' is one of the tensest episodes in Black Mirror, with the character of Kenny being blackmailed into doing a string of unusual and illegal things to prevent a video of him being released onto the internet. If you didn't cover your webcam before seeing this episode, then you definitely will after.
Fifteen Million Merits (Season 1, Episode 2)
Image: Giles Keyte/Channel 4
In 'Fifteen Million Merits,' the vast majority of the population are stuck in the rat race, endlessly cycling in order to earn "merits" to buy goods and services. The only way to escape is to enter a reality TV show called 'Hot Shot,' where winners are able to escape the grind and live in a nicer place. But the path to fame isn't straightforward, and not everyone can make it.
'Fifteen Million Merits' really cuts quite close to home, a is a biting commentary on our obsession with using reality shows as a measure of a person's success in life.
Nosedive (Season 3, Episode 1)
Images: David Dettmann/Netflix
We live our lives online, posting our thoughts and photos so they can be rated by other people. But imagine if those ratings and opinions affected your real life. What if you had a rating that everyone could see, and immediately judge you on? What if that rating affected things like jobs, things you could buy, or even medical treatment? That's the reality in 'Nosedive,' one of Black Mirror's more thought-provoking episodes.
White Bear (Season 2, Episode 2)
Image: Channel 4
A woman wakes up in a house with amnesia. People hunt her down and try to kill her, but the bystanders do nothing to help, instead just filming her on their phones. It turns out that the woman was complicit in the murder of a small girl, filming her death on her mobile phone, so her punishment is to live this day over and over again, forgetting her crime while running away, in fear of her life.
'White Bear' features one of the biggest twists in Black Mirror, and its shock ending was allegedly inspired by a fence Charlie Brooker saw at the filming location, making him frantically rewrite the episode in just two days.
White Christmas (Special)
Image: Channel 4
Two men are stuck in a snowy outpost and tell each other stories of their past lives to pass the time. How did they end up at that outpost? What secrets will be uncovered? 'White Christmas' is perhaps one of the most ambitious episodes of Black Mirror, with three separate threads coming together to make one devastating storyline.
The National Anthem (Season 1, Episode 1)
Image: Channel 4
In its first episode, 'The National Anthem,' a beloved Princess is kidnapped, and the only way to secure her release is for the Prime Minister to, ahem, copulate with a pig live on TV. Part political satire, part a devastating commentary on how social media and technology have changed the news cycle has to work, Black Mirror came out with a bang.
Or should that be a squeal?
The Entire History Of You (Season 1, Episode 3)
Image: Giles Keyte/Channel 4
If you ever feel like you tend to over-analyse situations or replay conversations in your head, then just be glad you don't have a Grain, because it will probably drive you mad. In 'The Entire History Of You,' this piece of tech allows its users to record everything they see and hear and replay these memories at will. Unfortunately for Liam, he kind of gets a bit obsessed with his Grain when he suspects that his wife is having an affair.
San Junipero (Season 3, Episode 4)
Image: Laurie Sparham/Netflix
This episode is so different to the usual Black Mirror fare in that it's got a happy ending. The town of San Junipero is a simulated reality in which you can upload your consciousness to live in, and even if you die in real life, you can live there forever. It's an uplifting tale, complete with an 80s backdrop, in which technology manages to bring two people together who otherwise wouldn't have met.
Come on, you knew Yorkie and Kelly's love story would be number one in this list.
The first image from the upcoming X-Men: Dark Phoenix has been released. The next movie in the long-running superhero franchise hits theaters in November next year, and will focus on the classic Dark Phoenix saga from Marvel's comic books.
The image comes via Entertainment Weekly and shows Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner as Jean Grey. Jean becomes corrupted by Phoenix Force that provides her with her powers, forcing her to turn them against the X-Men. Check it out below:
EW also features an interview with Turner, who talks about taking on this challenging role. "It's about the butterfly effect of this thing happening," she said. "What happens when the person you love the most falls into darkness? I have to go from broken-down Jean to this confident, arrogant, know-it-all character within milliseconds."
In addition to this week's selection of Deals With Gold, a new sale is going on right now on the Xbox Store. Microsoft has kicked off a Game Awards Sale ahead of tonight's big awards show, giving Xbox One owners another chance to score some nice discounts on many of this year's biggest releases.
You can find the full list of discounted titles on the Xbox website. The Game Awards Sale will be available until December 10, while this week's Deals with Gold expire on December 12. The Game Awards 2017 airs tonight, December 7, at 5:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET. You can see the full list of nominees here.
As in past years, Sony has launched a Flash sale to coincide with the annual Game Awards. Dozens of PS4 games are on sale right now as a result, including many of the year's biggest releases on the platform.
The Flash sale is open to all PSN members--you won't need a PS Plus membership to take advantage of these sale prices. You can see everything on sale here. Unlike this week's standard PS4 deals, these are not available for long, as the Flash sale ends ends on Saturday, December 9, at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET.
Ubisoft has announced Far Cry 5's release date has been delayed. The open-world first-person shooter will now launch on March 27, 2018, instead of the previously announced February 27, 2018 date, which constitutes a delay of one month.
In addition to this, The Crew 2's release has been moved from March 16, 2018 to the first half of Ubisoft's 2018-19 fiscal year, which means it will launch between April 2018 and September 2018. One other Ubisoft franchise game, which has not yet been revealed, has been moved to its fiscal year 2019-20.
According to Ubisoft, this is because the publisher is "investing more time in the development" of these games. "This decision is in line with our strategic vision of developing even more engaging and higher quality experiences for gamers," said Christine Burgess-Quémard, Ubisoft's worldwide studios executive director. "Taking more time with Assassin's Creed Origins enabled our talented development team to fully express their creative vision. As expected, this had a very positive impact on the game's quality and largely participated to its commercial success. Taking a similar approach, we have decided to invest additional development time in three upcoming games."
Far Cry 5 is set in Hope County, Montana. It lets allows players to create their own characters, who is a junior deputy. The main antagonists in the game are a religious cult called Eden's Gate, which has impacted the lives of some of the characters that join the player on their mission. The cast of supporting characters include Pastor Jerome, an African-American priest who has lost his flock to the cult; Mary May, a bartender with a penchant for flammable cocktails; and Nick Rye, a pilot who wants to create a better future for his child.
One of the big new additions is the ability to use dogs to distract enemies and pick up weapons for you. Other classic open-world gameplay opportunities such as flying planes are also available to the player. Far Cry 5 is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
The Crew 2, meanwhile, features an "open-world USA" that has been "completely reshaped for motorsports." In addition to cars, players will be able to take control of boats and planes for the sequel. There are four main motorsport categories in the game: street racing, off-road, pro, and freestyle, each of which has its own set of "deep" options and "wide selection of vehicle types." A beta is coming for The Crew 2, and you can register for it on the game's website here.
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