By Array on Jul 27, 2018 09:32 pm
San Diego Comic-Con is officially behind us for 2018. The yearly event that brings together all things movies, TV shows, comics, and video games for one big show has wrapped up, but not without first delivering a ton of news and trailers, as well as some tremendous cosplay. We've been rounding up the best cosplay we've seen each day of the show, as well as the best stuff centered around companies like Marvel and DC. Now, we're highlighting the very best cosplay from the entirety of SDCC. That includes Power Rangers' Lord Zedd, Skyrim's Dragonborn, Guardians of the Galaxy's Nebula, Ace Ventura, and even a Funko Pop version of Star Wars' Rey. Being an event that is primarily attended by the public, the huge number of fans gathering in one place means there is no shortage of varied cosplay. Whether you're looking for your favorite characters from Overwatch, Avengers: Infinity War, or far more obscure properties, you're likely to bump into someone dressed up as such while exploring Comic-Con. With your cosplay needs satisfied, there's plenty else from Comic-Con to get caught up on. There were countless trailers, including the debuts for big-name movies like Aquaman, Shazam, Glass, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and Godzilla: King of Monsters. On the TV show side, there was Titans (with a controversial comment on Batman) and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (making a surprise return), along with plenty from both Walking Dead shows. In terms of news, The Walking Dead was in the headlines as we got confirmation that Andrew Lincoln will leave the show after Season 9. But the biggest thing to come during SDCC wasn't specifically tied to the event. Marvel parent company Disney fired James Gunn as director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after controversial old tweets of his resurfaced online. He has since received support from a number of people, including Guardians star Dave Bautista and Michael Rooker, as well as Hellboy's Selma Blair. For a roundup of all the biggest happenings from the event, check out our SDCC coverage at the bottom of this post, and let us know about your biggest takeaways and favorite cosplay in the comments. Cosplayers above: Mcvengers JolliWasp Dr. Strange Box- Agent Starbucks- Hela In-N-Out - McThor- Captain KFC- Burger King Loki- Iron Taco- Black Widow Wendy's- Incredible Panda Express- @doccanecosplay @Mcvengers @kittiecosplay @jack_cosplay_929 @dynamic_dyad @crylo.gwen @mcthor_cosplay @mobileknobel @yaudiel @nerd_alert_cosplay @thestarflower San Diego Comic-Con 2018 Coverage
The Grady Daughters
Casey Jones
Cosplay by @metalslimer
McThor
Cosplay by @mcthor_cosplay
Last Dragonborn
Cosplay by @alexdrastal
Hellboy
Cosplay by @princesshelicopter
Lord Zedd
Cosplay by @nerd_alert_cosplay
Mugman & Cuphead
Gwenpool
Cosplay by @opalescentteacup
Thor
Cosplay by @captcash
Juggernaut
Cosplay by @Comicconroan
Ash Ketchum & Jessie
Cosplay by @verabambilive & @jennalynnmeowri
Nebula
Cosplay by @emjaeadamson
Silver Surfer & Sue Storm
Cosplay by @livelongandcosplay and @kristienell
Angel of Death
Cosplay by @kimchi_cosplay
Wasp
Cosplay by @princesshelicopter
Fortnite
Sylens & Aloy
Cosplay by @dynamic_dyad
Nightcrawler
Cosplay by @android_cosplay
Battle Belchers
Cosplay by @acupcosplay
Optimus Prime (Samurai)
Cosplay by @project_alien
JolliWasp
Cosplay by @kittiecosplay
Iron Taco
Cosplay by @nerd_alert_cosplay
Thanos
Cosplay by @Waltimusprime
Ace Ventura
Cosplay by @devoo_the_nerd
Rey Funko Pop
Rainbow Dash
Cosplay by @show_pwny
Doctor Doom
Belle
Cosplay by @cosplamy
Leonardo
Tokoyami & Yaoyorozu
Eredin
Cosplay by @costumebiz
Red Death Flash
Cosplay by @zoomcwcosplay
Superman
Harley Quinn
Cosplay by @jessicat517
Hawkgirl
Cosplay by @spilledink
Wonder Woman
Cosplay by @wonderwomanisreal
Wonder Woman, Hippolyta and Batman
Cosplay by @wonderwomanisreal, @sylviaslays
Samurai Batman & Joker
Cosplay by @gotham_knight619 and @project_alien
Robin & Batman
Wonder Woman
Cosplay by @sadie_513
Raven & Starfire
Cosplay by @heilimei and @gelinavii
Hawkgirl
Cosplay by @spilledink
Killer Croc
Cosplay by emg555
Green Lantern
Cosplay by @cristinamilizia
Tracer
Cosplay by D.va.peaches
Soldier-76 & Mercy
Cosplay by @mgr_cosplay
McCree
Cosplay by game_over_gurl
Waitress Mei
Cosplay by mamacrabcosplay
Soldier-76
Soldier-76
Cosplay by @henchmenstudios
Hammond (Wrecking Ball)
Cosplay by midnightmoon91
McCree & Roadhog
Hanzo
Cosplay by @kingkupocosplay
Sombra
Cosplay by @itselioyanez
Barriss Offee
Cosplay by @opalescentteacup
Cu-Bot
Cosplay by @kyasarin.cosplay
Stargate
Cosplay by @kristienell & @livelongandcosplay
Velajuel
Cosplay by @birdboy_cosplay ; Outfit by @howl.fx
Team Fortress 2
Stain
Cosplay by @Mootyvision
Valkyrie
Cosplay @miss_laneous
Night King
Cosplay by @annhampshire
Vanellope
Cosplay by @onthegocosplay
Darth Maul
Cosplay by @collinreddog
Link w/ Majora's Mask
Trooper & Ahsoka Tano
Cosplay by @nonbinate
Nightsister
Cosplay by @Arwen62
Doctor Doom
Cosplay by @cabinsintheair
Captain Marvel
Cosplay by @cassidy_kahler
Black Panther
Cosplay by @alexisvictorious
Deadpool
Cosplay by @leftcoastavenger
The Addams Family
The McVengers
Cosplay by @mcvengers Individual Cosplayers: @dynamic_dyad, @bananasteve.cosplay, @mobileknobel, @dynamic_dyad, @jack_cosplay_929, @yaudiel, @mcthor_cosplay, @thestarflower, @nerd_alert_cosplay, @crylo.gwen, @doccanecosplay
Dr. Strange Box
Cosplay by @jack_cosplay_929
Black Widow Wendy's & Captain KFC
Cosplay by @thestarflower & @mobileknobel
Agent Starbucks
Cosplay by @dynamic_dyad
Incredible Panda Express
Cosplay by @doccanecosplay
Grimos
Cosplay by @bananasteve.cosplay
Iron Taco
Cosplay by @nerd_alert_cosplay
Hulk & Captain Marvel
Cosplay by @Mootyvision and @cosplaygrl
Scooby-Doo
Cosplay by @thefanged4
Hulk & She-Hulk
Cosplay by @Mootyvision
Magneto
Cosplay by @magnetomystique
Raphael
Sentinel
Lara Croft
Dodgeball
By Dan Auty on Jul 27, 2018 08:56 pm
As the Mission Impossible movies have gotten bigger, so too has star Tom Cruise's desire for danger. While many action stars slow down a little as they hit middle age, 56-year-old Cruise has gone the other way, pushing his body for the sake of our entertainment in ways that would terrify many actors half his age. The sixth movie in the series, Mission Impossible: Fallout, has arrived in theaters and reviews have suggested that it's the most spectacular entry to date. Some of Cruise's Fallout stuntwork was notorious long before the film had even finished shooting, with an on-set accident causing the star to break his ankle and production to shut down for several months with a costly delay. Behind-the-scenes promotional videos have teased some of the movie's other amazing action sequences, such as the terrifying-sounding HALO jump, showing that the movie's marketers know that Cruise's willingness to risk his life is now a big selling point for the series. The previous five movies all feature some incredible moments--from climbing onto planes and being thrown around by explosions to getting way too close to knives and cliff edges. So as we get ready to marvel at Cruise's latest batch of movie-set madness, here's a look back at the wildest stunts from the series so far. Despite Cruise's age, Fallout is unlikely to be the last entry in the series. It reportedly opened with a strong Thursday night in the US, racking up $6 million (up from the $4 million earned by Rogue Nation), and expectations for the full opening weekend are high. Forecasts suggest it will top $50 million in the US, potentially even cracking the $57.8 million record set by Mission Impossible 2.
10. Mission Impossible – Train Chase
Back in 1996, Cruise--or perhaps his agent--wasn't prepared to go to quite the same lengths to endanger his life, and there's a good chance in 2018 that Tom would've spent the climax of the first movie actually strapped to the top of the Eurostar train. But although the stunt was mostly achieved through greenscreen, a powerful wind machine was set up to blast 140mph winds at Tom as he clings to the speeding train.
9. Mission Impossible 2 – Knife Fight
It's not the biggest stunt in the second Mission Impossible movie, but in some ways it's the hardest to watch. In the final confrontation with bad guy Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott), Cruise, of course, insisted that real knives were used. There's a moment where Ambrose gets his blade scarily close to Hunt's eye, in extreme close-up. To get the dramatic effect, the blade was attached to a retractable cord that was measured precisely to stop just before it hit Cruise's eye. An inch further and it would've plunged straight into Tom's eyeball.
8. Mission Impossible – Hanging Around
Sometimes a great stunt doesn't involve running, jumping, and swimming. Sometimes it just involves staying very still under very difficult conditions. For the iconic scene in which Ethan Hunt hangs upside down in the vault while attempting to break into Langley in the first movie, Cruise was suspended 40 feet from the ceiling, maintaining incredible control over his body to remain absolutely still while he taps away at the computer.
7. Mission Impossible III – Bridge Blast
During the bridge confrontation towards the end end of MI3, a missile smashes into the ground, causing an explosion that sends Cruise flying several feet into the side of a car. In any "normal" film this shot would've been performed by a stuntman in long shot, before cutting to a final close-up of Tom. But of course we get to see the whole thing in one spectacular take. The car was padded, but man, it looks painful.
6. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation – Bike Chase
Rogue Nation is packed with so many great stunts that this bike chase is sometimes forgotten, but it still a stunningly dangerous sequence. Ethan races after Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson) in order to get some stolen files back, skidding around the alarming bends of the Marrakech Highway in Morocco, while also trying to evade the henchmen on his trail. And of course, Cruise ensures that we know it's him performing these alarming high-speed stunts by refraining from wearing a helmet for the entire sequence.
5. Mission Impossible – Exploding tank
The first Mission Impossible fully established Cruise as an action movie star. Although the set pieces are a little more modest than in later movies, there are still some great moments that show that the star was very willing to put himself in danger. During a tense standoff, Ethan Hunt uses some detonating gum to blow up a huge fish tank that surrounds the actors, causing 16 tons of water to explode, right next to the star. A huge wave of water crashes through the room, as Cruise sprints just ahead. Director Brian De Palma was reportedly reluctant to let Cruise perform the stunt, on account of the risk from both the glass and sheer volume of water. But an earlier take with a stuntman didn't look any good, so Cruise went ahead and did it himself.
4. Mission Impossible 2 – Rock Climbing
It was MI2 that truly established the franchise's--and its star's--dedication to the dangerous. The movie opens with a sequence in which Cruise scales the cliffs of Dead Horse Point in Utah. While the actor was wearing a safety harness that was later removed digitally, it's still 100% Tom up there, jumping between rocks with no safety net below him. From that stunt on, there was no going back.
3. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation – Taking Off
Like the Bond movies, the Mission Impossible franchise is known for its spectacular opening sequences. At the start of Rogue Nation, Ethan Hunt clings to the side of a plane as it takes off. Cruise performed the stunt four times over the space of two days, and subsequently provided some alarming details about it. "While we were going down the runway, we were worried about bird strikes," he said. "Any kind of particle that the propellers could pick up, any kind of stone. I remember I got hit by a stone that was so tiny, you cannot believe it. I thought it broke my rib. Luckily it went to my vest, and not my hands or my face, or it would have penetrated and gone right through." Ow.
2. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol – Dubai So High
It's not all running, jumping, and nearly drowning. Cruise also seemingly lacks a fear of heights, even when scaling the world's tallest building. In Ghost Protocol, Ethan Hunt is seen on the side of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, 2,722 feet above the ground. And as the behind-the-scenes footage reveals, it's 100% Tom--swinging, climbing, and clambering around the outside of the building, as the camera crew circle him in a helicopter.
1. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation – Water Lunatic
Given that Rogue Nation starts with the Cruiser hanging off the side of an airplane as it takes off, you'd be forgiven thinking that the movie had peaked early in terms of life-endangering stunt work. But you're be wrong. An hour later, Ethan Hunt attempts to crack open an underwater safe, a sequence that took two weeks to film and required Cruise to not only act underwater but also reportedly hold his breath for up to six minutes at a time. Tom's physical training took months, as he trained alongside a freediving expert and taught his mind to believe "that you don't have to take a breath."
By Array on Jul 27, 2018 08:37 pm
It's hard to believe how big Marvel has become in recent years. This comes thanks in part to Marvel Studios films, which has made its world of comic book superheroes a pop-culture phenomenon by fostering a massive audience, but also because fans of comics are now given more outlets to show their passion than ever before. With so many Marvel fans out there, you can be sure that many of them gathered at San Diego Comic-Con 2018 dressed as their favorite characters. Within the first couple days of SDCC 2018, we saw a ton of amazing Marvel cosplay. Attendees from all walks of life come to the public event dressed as some of the company's most iconic characters. There was a wide variety of cosplay this year with people coming dressed as versions of characters from both the films and comics. You'll find cosplay of Marvel's most popular heroes, like Wolverine and Deadpool, as well as the more obscure characters, like Kaecillius. There's a lot to see, so be sure to check out all of the photos ahead and tells us which you like the best. You can also check out all the best cosplay from day one, day two, and day three of SDCC 2018. While Marvel was expected to not have a big presence at SDCC 2018, the show has technically yielded some news. One of the biggest Marvel stories is Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn being fired by Disney after a series of controversial tweets from his past were resurfaced. In a statement concerning the termination, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said, "The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James' Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio's values, and we have severed our business relationship with him." Gunn was expected to appear at a Sony panel this year, but he ultimate was not present. In other Marvel-related news, Stan Lee recently made an unexpected cameo in a non-Marvel property; it should come as a surprise for long-time fans. And on the SDCC 2018 show floor, we spotted a massive statue of Thanos made entirely of Lego blocks. SDCC 2018 has yielded a plethora of exciting announcements around the latest seasons of big TV shows, like The Walking Dead, Star Trek Discovery, and Better Call Saul, as well as debut trailers for new shows, like DC's Titans and the TV adaptation of George RR Martin's sci-fi story, Nightflyers. For more on our SDCC 2018 coverage, check the links below. San Diego Comic-Con 2018 Coverage
Deadpool
Magneto
Gwenpool
Cosplay by @opalescentteacup
Luke Cage
Wasp
Cosplay by @rendingroz
Daredevil
Cosplay by @atom_murray
Thor
Cosplay by @captcash
Valkyrie
Cosplay @miss_laneous
Marvel Group
Grandmaster
Black Queen
Cosplay by @desert_rose_cosplay
Black Panther
Cosplay by @alexisvictorious
Captain Marvel
Cosplay by @cassidy_kahler
Jean Grey & Wolverine
Cosplay by @meshellwaffleo & @jt_otero
X-Force
Quicksilver & Magneto
Doctor Doom
Cosplay by @cabinsintheair
Mystique
Iron Man
Vulture
Cosplay by @bamsbocce
Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Iron Spider
Wolverine
Spider-Man
Weapon X
Juggernaut
Cosplay by Roan
Gamora
Loki
Cosplay by @Peachycake
Doctor Strange
Black Panther Group
Cosplay by @rex_armstrong_props & @usualrangers5
By Kallie Plagge on Jul 27, 2018 05:43 am
Best of the Best
Xbox One launched over four years ago, which means over four years of games! As such, it can be hard to decide what to play. From exclusives to the top multi-platform games to indies, there's a lot to choose from--and even though people joke that the Xbox One has no games, that's just not true! We've picked out the best Xbox One games so far. This includes many of the games that received an 8 or higher on GameSpot, and we've prioritized games that were nominated for our Best Xbox One Game list in the years those games released. It also includes Assassin's Creed: Origins, which was one of GameSpot's top Xbox One games of 2017 due to its performance on the Xbox One X. While there are plenty of new games, we haven't included the hundreds of backwards compatible games on Xbox One, which includes many original Xbox and Xbox 360 favorites. Xbox also has a subscription service called which lets you download and play a selection of over 100 games that varies slightly from month to month. For more Xbox One games, see our roundups of the best cheap games on Xbox One, and make sure to check out our gallery of the Xbox One exclusive games confirmed for 2018 as well as the biggest Xbox One games of 2018 for everything coming to the console.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice -- 8/10
"Hellblade's most notable achievement is the handling of an incredibly sensitive subject matter within an engaging and well-crafted action/adventure game. At its heart, the story is about Senua's struggle to come to terms with her illness. In the process, she learns to find the strength within herself to endure, and to make peace with her past. And in a profound and physical way, we go through those same struggles with her, and come away with a better understanding of a piece of something that many people in the world struggle with." [read the full review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Far Cry 5 -- 9/10
"Despite some brief irritations and missed opportunities with its narrative, spending time in the world of Hope County remains absolutely delightful. Far Cry 5 boasts a wonderfully harmonious flow to its adventure, with its smart changes to exploration, discovery, and progression distinctly bolstering the enjoyment of creatively engaging and experimenting with its spectacular open world." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Monster Hunter: World -- 8/10
"Ever since the title was first announced last year, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large." [read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Celeste -- 9/10
"It's a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I'd been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain." [read the full review] -- Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer
What Remains of Edith Finch -- 9/10
"Developer Giant Sparrow managed to strike the delicate balance between joy and sorrow in 2012's The Unfinished Swan, but What Remains of Edith Finch transcends even the latent sadness of that game, finding the beauty--even sometimes the fun--in what's always fundamentally a tragedy. It's not often that a game's plot slips past the bitterness of grief to finally get to the acceptance, but that's the triumph in What Remains of Edith Finch. Ultimately, if the game has any resemblance of a moral, it's that the bravest, most beautiful thing every one of us does is choose to keep going, despite knowing what's coming." [read the full review] -- Justin Clark
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus -- 9/10
"The New Colossus never lets you forget who and why you're fighting. Nazi brutality is on full display, from the blown-out, irradiated remains of Manhattan to each of the resistance members, who all carry mental scars if not physical ones. You're never given a chance between cutscenes, missions, and even downtime on the U-boat to lose sight of the Reich's cruelty. Wolfenstein's tense gameplay elevates this further by giving you the power to truly resist--and come out of each battle ready for another fight." [read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Sonic Mania -- 9/10
"Sonic Mania methodically uses its sentimental appeal to great effect, but in the process, it heals the wounds inflicted by its most disappointing predecessors and surpasses the series' best with its smart and interpretive design. An excellent 2D platformer, Sonic Mania goes beyond expectations, managing to be not only a proper evolution of the series' iconic formula, but the best Sonic game ever made." [read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Cuphead -- 8/10
"Everything you've heard about Cuphead is true. It is a difficult side-scrolling shooter with relentless boss battles that demand rapid-fire actions and reactions. Think for too long, and you won't stand a chance against the game's toughest enemies. Battles may only last three minutes at most, but they feel far longer when you know that you can only absorb three hits before you have to start from scratch. When you are navigating your way around bullets, smaller enemies, and pitfalls, while simultaneously trying to damage your primary target, toppling Cuphead's imposing bosses is both a monumental and rewarding task." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Assassin's Creed Origins -- 7/10
"Assassin's Creed has undergone many changes in its long and storied history, and Origins feels like the first step in the start of a new journey. It has its fair share of problems, but the vision for its future is one worth pursuing." [read the full review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Stardew Valley -- 9/10
"On the surface, Stardew Valley is a game about farming, but there are more adventures awaiting curious players beyond cultivating a rich and bountiful garden. From mining and fishing to making friends and falling in love, Stardew Valley's Pelican Town is stuffed with rewarding opportunities. As modern day woes give way to pressing matters on the farm and within your newfound community, Stardew Valley's meditative activities often lead to personal reflection in the real world. It's a game that tugs at your curiosity as often as it does your heart." [read the full review] -- Mary Kish
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard -- 8/10
"By the end of the campaign, I was ready for the game to be over, but that's okay. RE7 ends just as it starts to outstay its welcome, and after the fact, I felt like I'd survived a truly harrowing journey. The boss fights may be slightly inconsistent and certain sections might drag after a while, but RE7 is still a remarkable success. It has a clear vision and executes it with impressive patience and precision. By returning to horror, Resident Evil has once again become something special." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth
Night in the Woods -- 9/10
"Both intensely personal and widely relatable, Night in the Woods doesn't just tell a story--it gracefully captures complex, often unpleasant feelings and experiences. From the quiet melancholy of doing nothing on a rainy day to the emotional vacuum of severe depression, I felt deeply, sometimes too deeply, while wandering through the cartoon-animal version of a small Midwestern town. Its witty writing and character development keep its crushing existential themes grounded, making Night in the Woods one of the most evocative games I've played in a long time." [read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Overwatch -- 9/10
"Overwatch is an exercise in refined chaos. There are multitudes of layers hiding beneath the hectic surface, and they emerge, one after another, the more you play. This is a shooter that knows how to surprise, one that unfolds at a frantic pace, one that takes a handful of great ideas, and combines them into something spectacular." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Battlefield 1 -- 9/10
"EA DICE splendidly interprets the early 20th century as a world in technological transition while humanizing the war's participants through well crafted, albeit fictional, narrative vignettes. Combined with an enthralling multiplayer component, the overall result is the studio's best work since Battlefield: Bad Company 2." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion
Titanfall 2 -- 9/10
"Titanfall 2 demonstrates a vitality that its predecessor couldn't. Whereas the first Titanfall kept up its breakneck pace throughout the entirety of every match, Titanfall 2 understands that sometimes, dialing things back for a few moments can make the long run much more enjoyable. In many ways, Titanfall 2 feels like the game Respawn should have made in 2013. It's a fantastic sequel. It's a fluid shooter. It's a spectacular game." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Dishonored 2 -- 8/10
"Any time I'm given a choice between stealth and action, I go stealth. I love the hold-your-breath tension of hoping a guard didn't spot you and the hard-earned triumph of executing a perfectly timed plan. Dishonored 2 delivers that sneaky satisfaction, arming you with stealth essentials like hiding bodies, peering through keyholes, and silent takedowns. But it's also an incredible engine for gleeful chaos, one so engrossing and amusing that I kind of accidentally beat the entire campaign raining hilarious, elaborate death on my enemies." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth
Forza Horizon 3 -- 9/10
"With Forza Horizon 3, Turn 10 and Playground Games affirm the series' status as the driving game for everyone. The new emphasis on off-road options isn't at the expense of traditional races, thanks to the sheer volume of activities. All the while, Playground Games' calculated kitchen-sink design philosophy and rich reward system persistently tempt you to explore beyond your comfort zone, whether it's gifting your first Ariel Nomad buggy or reminding you that stunt races can impress thousands of fans. Enhancing your own brand might feel like a strange motivation to hit the road, but pulling off sick e-drifts on a mile-long series of curves makes the PR work worthwhile." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion
Inside -- 8/10
"This is a beautiful, haunting, and memorable game, a worthy follow-up to Limbo. Its puzzles, although rarely difficult, are engaging complements to the story. The real achievement of this game, though, is the way that it crafts its narrative: detailed environments convey the bizarre world that you travel through; introspective moments are filled with minimalist sound design and just the barest touches of music; and the things you must do to complete your journey force you to confront the realities of humanity, freedom, and existence." [read the full review] -- Alex Newhouse
Dark Souls III -- 8/10
"Dark Souls III is a game of valleys and peaks, down through dungeons and up over castle walls. It's a plummet into places we shouldn't be--an escape from places we don't belong. But of course, we fight our way through the darkness, and find our way out. There are a few stumbles along the way, but in the end, Dark Souls III is well worth the riveting climb." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt -- 10/10
"Where the Witcher 2 sputtered to a halt, The Witcher 3 is always in a crescendo, crafting battle scenarios that constantly one-up the last, until you reach the explosive finale and recover in the glow of the game's quiet denouement. But while the grand clashes are captivating, it is the moments between conflicts, when you drink with the local clans and bask in a trobairitz's song, that are truly inspiring." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Halo 5: Guardians -- 8/10
"Halo 5: Guardians is fueled by new ideas and propelled by some of the boldest changes to this storied franchise yet. Some of these changes fail, but others succeed, and although Halo 5 falters at times, it whisks us through black holes and across war torn tropical islands at a rapid pace. We can only surrender to its velocity." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Rise of the Tomb Raider -- 9/10
"Rise of the Tomb Raider's first shot pans over the vast, foreboding landscape we'll soon come to know. In many ways, it functions as a promise on the part of Crystal Dynamics: there are big things ahead of us. And at the end of Lara's journey, after we've seen her through this adventure, and experienced everything the world has to offer, it's clear that promise was kept." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Ori and the Blind Forest -- 9/10
"It consistently surprises you with new tricks: gravitational divergences, new ways to move through its spaces, and carefully designed levels that require you to think quickly and respond. It is not as snappy as, say, a typical Mario platformer, seeking instead a broader gameplay arc stretching across a single, interconnected world. It's a superb and thematically consistent approach that allows Ori and the Blind Forest to build joy on a bed of heartache, adding a new layer of mechanical complexity with each ray of hope." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain -- 10/10
"There has never been a game in the series with such depth to its gameplay, or so much volume in content. The best elements from the past games are here, and the new open-world gameplay adds more to love on top. When it comes to storytelling, there has never been a Metal Gear game that's so consistent in tone, daring in subject matter, and so captivating in presentation. The Phantom Pain may be a contender for one of the best action games ever made, but is undoubtedly the best Metal Gear game there is." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Fallout 4 -- 9/10
"Fallout 4 is an engrossing game that lures you in with mystery and the promise of adventure. Its wretched wasteland can be captivating, and you never know what odd person or settlement lies around the next bend. Fallout 4 uses its dark world as a canvas for exciting combat and gripping stories, and when you dig deeper into its post-nuclear-apocalypse version of Boston--defending yourself from violent scavengers and using your wits to climb social ladders--you become attached to the new you, and ultimately invested in the fate of your new world." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- 8/10
"This is a great game in its own right, narratively disjointed but mechanically sound, made up of excellent parts pieced together in excellent ways. I already knew what future lay in store for Middle-earth as I played Shadow of Mordor; I'm hoping that my own future might one day bring another Lord of the Rings adventure as stirring as this one." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Dragon Age: Inquisition -- 9/10
"Inquisition's characters and world recall the grand gestures of the original Dragon Age, even though the game as a whole is so structurally different to its predecessors. It offers the thrill of discovery and the passion of camaraderie. It features a glee club called The Sing-Quisition, and a dwarf with writer's block. It establishes connections with its world in big ways and small, with the sight of a titanous temple and the smirk of an Orlesian commander in love. Dragon Age: Inquisition is a wonderful game and a lengthy pilgrimage to a magical world with vital thematic ties to one we already know." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition -- 8/10
"Lara herself is so well crafted that I grew attached to her exploits and was sad to say goodbye when the credits rolled. And the exquisite visual design is so breathtaking that I continually found myself staring at the scenery instead of pushing onward. Tomb Raider is a great reinvention of this enduring franchise that made me eager to see where Lara goes in her future." [read the full review] -- Tom McShea
Forza Motorsport 5 -- 9/10
"All of this combined makes Forza Motorsport 5 an outstanding improvement to an already excellent racing franchise. It's far more than just a great racing sim, or a gorgeous showcase for the types of feats the Xbox One hardware is capable of. This is a game built on the romantic thrill of motorsport in all its forms, and that love for its subject matter is all but impossible to resist." [read the full review] -- Shaun McInnis
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag -- 9/10
"There's an incredible scope to what you can do in Black Flag, with a level of harmony between its component parts that encourages you to try it all, and a story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some." [read the full review] -- Shaun McInnis
By Kallie Plagge on Jul 27, 2018 05:42 am
Looking To The Dark Future
After a long wait, we learned a lot more about Cyberpunk 2077 at E3 2018. Developer CD Projekt Red showed off a trailer during Microsoft's press conference as well as a behind-closed-doors demo that has not been released publicly. We now have a better idea of what 2077's setting, Night City, is like and how combat will work, plus a little bit about cybernetic enhancements and romantic relationships. But there's still a lot we don't know, and that means our imaginations have been running wild. We've put together a wishlist of things we'd love to see in Cyberpunk 2077, from character classes to cool clothes. This includes elements from Cyberpunk 2020, the pen-and-paper RPG 2077 is based on--creator Mike Pondsmith is working closely with CDPR on 2077--as well as our more general RPG hopes and dreams. If you aren't familiar with Cyberpunk 2077, it's a first-person game with some shooting mechanics, but it's not a shooter--it's an RPG through and through with a focus on dynamic decision-making and robust questlines. You create your own character, a mercenary named V. You can select their gender and ethnic background as well as their backstory, including what brought them to Night City or if they're a local. According to associate design director Kyle Rowley, "The things you define in your life path, in your backstory, can modify or unlock things as you're playing through the game." For more on Cyberpunk 2077, be sure to check out our roundup of everything we know so far. You can also read up on the districts of Night City and why 2077 is an even more ambitious game than you might realize. This is just a start, so be sure to let us know in the comments what else you want to see!
A Variety Of Ways To Tackle Each Mission
CD Projekt Red has said that there will be multiple ways to approach each mission, but we have to emphasize how much we want that flexibility. We want to be able to talk ourselves out of a situation, provided we have the skill, or find a way to handle things non-violently. And those decisions need to carry weight. From what we know so far, it sounds like that's the case.
Adapt Cyberpunk 2020's Character Classes
Pen-and-paper RPG Cyberpunk 2020 has nine basic character classes. According to CD Projekt Red, you won't be selecting a class during character creation, since that doesn't allow for flexibility as you play. We're hoping that whatever customization options there are (like a skill tree) will really capture the spirit of Cyberpunk 2020's classes, like the rebellious Rockerboys and the Mad Max-esque Nomads, and give you the freedom to craft the exact class you want to play.
A Romance System With Depth And Variety
We know that there's romance and sex in Cyberpunk 2077, and while that's not new for an RPG, we're hoping that it's more nuanced. Rather than just picking the "right" dialogue options to seduce someone, we want something more emergent, complete with the possibility of being rejected. Not everyone needs to be into you, and the ones who are should feel that way for a reason beyond you saying all the right things.
Tons Of Cosmetic Options
As the Cyberpunk 2020 manual says, "It doesn't matter how well you do something, as long as you look good doing it." Style is a huge deal in the world of Cyberpunk, and we want to see a near-overwhelming number of options when it comes to looking cool as hell. Yes, it's a first-person game, but it's really the principle of the thing. You don't have to always be looking at your character to appreciate a sweet leather jacket.
Customize Your Apartment (Or Even Get A New Place)
In the behind-closed-doors demo at E3 2018, we got a look at the protagonist's apartment. We want to be able to decorate it however we see fit (and set it up with some cool tech) or even buy a new property, like in GTA Online. Maybe you want to live large, or maybe you just want to live above a ramen shop and lay low.
A Game-Within-A-Game (Netrunner, Perhaps?)
The Witcher 3 had Gwent. The Cyberpunk universe has Netrunner, a now out-of-print collectible card game designed by the creator of Magic: The Gathering. Cyberpunk 2077 could give Netrunner a second life in-game, and just like Gwent in The Witcher 3, it could be more than just a brief distraction in between quests. We'd also be open to something besides a CCG--the "streetslang" in Cyberpunk lore is a mix of major languages, so an amalgamation of classic games from different countries isn't a big stretch.
And A Variety Of Side Activities
Cyberpunk 2077 will have romance (and casual flings), so it's not unreasonable to hope for a substantial nightlife. We want dive bars, clubs, and perhaps some shadier or more dangerous places to really fit the "dark future" setting. Maybe you can go to an NPC Rockerboy's concert. Maybe you can smoke a cigarette to increase your Cool stat...and probably drain your health. The possibilities are endless.
Take Us To The Moon
In the E3 2018 trailer, we saw a scene with passengers aboard a shuttle of some sort, apparently above Earth's atmosphere. There are two lunar colonies in Cyberpunk 2020, and considering there are two open world areas in The Witcher 3, it would make sense (and be really, really cool) if you could go to the moon in addition to Night City in Cyberpunk 2077.
Subvert Cyberpunk Genre Tropes
Although Cyberpunk 2077 is based on a tabletop RPG that is, in turn, based on the pillars of the cyberpunk genre--like Blade Runner--we hope that it will subvert some of the genre's more tired tropes. Many cyberpunk stories have examined the humanity of AI, for example, while glossing over topics like consent and sex work. CD Projekt Red has certainly proven its ability to tell a variety of meaningful stories across RPG quest lines, and it has the opportunity to move the genre forward with 2077.
By Chris Pereira on Jul 27, 2018 04:58 am
Great Computer Games At Low Prices
Because it's not divided up into generations the way that consoles or handheld game systems are, PC has the broadest array of games you'll find anywhere. With the majority of those games playable on modern hardware, save for occasional instances where current operating systems don't support certain games, that means you have a Herculean task in front of you when deciding what to buy and play. Similarly, whereas console and handheld games see discounts on a more irregular basis, there are constantly sales on places like Steam, GOG, Humble, Itch.io, and so on. But sale or not, there are plenty of years-old games that are now low-priced but nevertheless worth playing. As such, it can be downright overwhelming when you decide to pick up something you haven't played before. You have decades of games to choose from. Even if you set yourself a price limit--say, $20 in the US--that does very little to actually reduce the number of games you have to consider. And that's where we come in. Above, we're rounding up some of the best games you can find on PC for no more than $20. Because of the reality described above, this is far from comprehensive--it's simply impossible to highlight every noteworthy PC game that you can pick up for relatively cheap. But we've assembled a list of games that we think you'll be quite pleased to play, and we'll continue to expand the selection over time. All of these games are regularly priced at no more than $20--whether or not there's a Steam sale going on. There's usually such a promotion not far off, which means you can get these already budget-priced games for even cheaper. But in the meantime, you can still get any of these at what's still a pretty reasonable price.
Into the Breach ($15 / £11.39)
From the creators of FTL comes hands down, one of 2018's best games. Into the Breach is tactical strategy boiled down to its purest elements, with completely transparent mechanics that let you know exactly what the enemy is going to do next, and what effect your hypothetical actions will have before you make them. This alone makes every single turn a satisfying brain-churn that has you poring over all the game's exciting and multi-faceted cause-and-effect systems. With dozens of unique mechs, it's a sincere joy to experiment and replay Into the Breach again and again and again. -- Edmond Tran Read our Into the Breach review
Gunpoint ($10 / £6)
Gunpoint is a brilliant blend of comedy, stealth, and puzzle games. It puts you in the role of a spy who breaks into various secure buildings using two key tools. The first of these is the Crosslink, which lets you rewire gadgets throughout the building to suit your needs--letting you set up elaborate traps that can result in a guard being knocked off his feet by a door swinging open into his face. Your other standout ability allows you to fling your character around, which presents you with an opportunity to go flying through windows to stylishly and hilariously take out guards. Both the guards and your your character can be taken out in one shot, which requires you to plan out your moves in advance. And thankfully, actually pulling them off is every bit as satisfying as you'd hope. -- Chris Pereira Read our Gunpoint review
Papers, Please ($10 / £7)
I sincerely hope you're skipping this entry because you've already played and finished this game, because Papers, Please is one of my favourite games of all time. It's a modern classic where premise and mechanics marry together beautifully with difficult moral choices, strict consequences, and an unavoidable imperative for self-gain. You play an immigration inspector on a politically tumultuous Eastern European border, charged with inspecting and cross-referencing documents, controlling the flow of people, and correcting following protocol above all else. Hidden amongst civilians are spies and terrorists, but also sympathetic stories of innocent people caught by the riptides of war, trying to hang on to a semblance of life. Where does your loyalty lie: To the job that's keeping your family fed, to the greater good, yourself, or potentially, something else? How far are you willing to push your moral compass? Paper, Please is a masterpiece through and through, and it makes stamping passports feel like the most satisfying feeling in the whole world. -- Edmond Tran Read our Papers, Please review
Devil Daggers ($5 / £4)
Devil Daggers offers a level of simplicity you don't often find in shooters. It's a fast-paced game in the mold of classic FPSes like Quake, but it takes on elements of roguelikes as you're stuck in an arena and tasked with surviving for as long as possible. You have only a single weapon with two modes of fire--one in the style of a rapid-fire machine gun, and the other like a shotgun--and an endless wave of monstrous enemies to defeat. There's not much more to it than that, and it's common for runs to last no more than 30 seconds to a minute. The visuals are modest and there is not a tremendous amount of complexity going on, but Devil Daggers offers a satisfying, super-intense loop as you strive to last longer and longer. With your replay being uploaded for others to watch, it's an ideal high-score-chasing game that you'll come back to time and again. -- Chris Pereira Read our Devil Daggers review
Valkyria Chronicles ($20 / £15)
I hope no PC devotees out there will get upset when I say that one of the most innovative tactical strategy games of the past decade was born as a console game, and is anime as hell. Valkyria Chronicles puts some strange twists on its alternate version of World War II, but that doesn't deny the fact that its battle system is unique and fun. You plan and order troops in a turn-based fashion with a top-down strategy phase, but then need to personally move an ordered troop or vehicle in a real-time third-person mode and line up their shots. It may sound arduous, but it's incredibly satisfying and exciting to actually do. Its beautiful watercolour art direction has aged very well, and with Valkyria Chronicles 4 coming out on PC and consoles later this year, you might as well see what the fuss is all about. -- Edmond Tran Read our Valkyria Chronicles review
The Typing of the Dead: Overkill ($20 / £15)
There have been plenty of light gun-style arcade shooters over the years, but only one has let you deal with foes by typing on a keyboard. The Typing of the Dead: Overkill is the latest and greatest evolution of the Typing of the Dead series, and it remains as enjoyable as ever. Rather than taking aim with a cursor or a light gun, here you type away various words and phrases to dispatch the undead. Aside from the game's B-movie-inspired comedy, the actual words you type can be a consistent source of humor. And with the PS3 version of House of the Dead included, as well as co-op support for two players, there's more than enough variety to keep things feeling fresh. -- Chris Pereira
Nex Machina ($20 / £4.49)
Nex Machina developer Housemarque has been focused almost exclusively on twin-stick shooters for the last decade. Starting with Super Stardust HD and running through games like Resogun and Dead Nation, it's experimented with different spins on the genre. Nex Machina feels like the culmination of those efforts, offering intense, high-octane action that constantly has you analyzing your surroundings and your options for disposing of enemies. It's an incredibly fun and satisfying experience to pick up and play, but it also features a variety of wrinkles and secrets for high-score chasers. Add in the gorgeous, neon-infused visuals, and you've got the finest output of Housemarque to date--which makes it all the more upsetting that the studio has decided to shift gears and go in a different direction. Still, you won't find a better example of its work than Nex Machina. | Chris Pereira Read our Nex Machina review
Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 ($13 / £10)
"Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 creates an exciting dynamic where ghosts are still dangerous, but the overall game is more forgiving than the original--and it's more entertaining as a result. Arcade ports tend to be games we play in short bursts--mostly for the nostalgia factor. Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 certainly relies on that nostalgia to a point, but it handles the classic game in a way that plays with expectations to surprise you. It's the same game enhanced in the right directions to be make an old concept fun, innovative, and challenging all over again." -- Jason D'Aprile Read our Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 review
Minit ($10 / £8)
"Minit's lives might only last 60 seconds, but its extremely well-thought-out world design and engrossing loop of progress make it a curse-filled adventure that is worth dying the world over for. Its throwback to classic visuals aren't done for aesthetic alone, as none of its gameplay systems scream antiquity. It's a slickly presented adventure that continually manages to surprise you with every new area you uncover or item you procure, pushing you to pick away at its seams to uncover every drop of what it has to offer. With a delightful ending and more promised after its first run of credits, Minit is far more than just a collection of seconds." -- Alessandro Barbosa Read our Minit review
N++ ($15 / £13.49)
"[T]he purity of N++ is still its greatest appeal, a stripped-down representation of the skills that many gamers have come to know as innate, given free reign in some of the best level design ideas in the industry. N++ may represent an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' sort of expansion, but the exhilaration that it continues to offer speaks to the idea that it may have been perfect to begin with." -- Justin Clark Read our N++ review N++ represents the latest and greatest version of the stellar platforming series, packing together a positively massive number of levels--there are more than 4,000 in all, none of them procedurally generated. With local co-op support, online leaderboards, and a stellar soundtrack, N++ has a case as one of the best platformers you're find on PC, and it comes in at a budget price.
Lumines Remastered ($15 / £13.49)
"You wouldn't think a game about arranging colored blocks into rectangles could be this interesting and this engrossing. At the heart of Lumines is an ingenious design, which someone theoretically could have dreamed up years ago, but no one did until now. And at the soul of Lumines is something that you might call completely pure. You wouldn't expect a game like this to incorporate most all of what's good about gaming--the sights, the sounds, the trancelike experience, the option of competition--but Lumines does all that." -- Greg Kasavin (2005 review) Read our Lumines (2005) review Lumines Remastered, as the name suggests, is an HD remaster of the classic puzzle game for modern platforms. It also features some small adjustments, including a Trance Vibration option that lets you sync controllers to the music to "feel the bass across your body," as developer Enhance puts it. Those who buy it within two weeks of its June 26 launch will get some deluxe DLC for free, including wallpapers, a soundtrack, and avatars.
SteamWorld Dig 2 ($20 / £15)
The first SteamWorld Dig was most notable for its distinct blend of mining mechanics and Metroid-style exploration, but it ended right as it began to come into its own. Its sequel is twice as long and puts that added runtime to good use, as both the story and mechanics are given time to flourish. The game put you in control of a steambot named Dorothy searching for her missing friend, Rusty--the protagonist of the first game. There's a surprising sense of momentum that runs through the adventure; it's as if developer Image & Form sifted the original in a pan, removing its redundancies while expanding upon what made mining treasure and exploring so fun in the first place. The result is a brilliant and varied evolution of the first game that not only expands upon its hybrid formula but presents it in its best light. Where the first game was a diamond in the rough, SteamWorld Dig 2 is a polished jewel. | Matt Espineli Read our SteamWorld Dig 2 review
Crypt of the NecroDancer ($15 / £10.99)
Roguelikes (or at least roguelike elements) have been one of the most popular trends in gaming over the past handful of years, but few have taken as interesting of an approach to the genre as Crypt of the NecroDancer. It tasks players with navigating a dungeon to the beat of the music. Rather than simply move in the direction you wish or attack the enemy that's in your path, you and your enemies' actions are tied directly to the (always excellent) soundtrack. It's essential that you always be doing something--not taking an action at the next beat resets your combo, meaning you'll earn less gold or deal less damage, depending on the items you've acquired. Particularly as the music becomes more fast-paced, this lends a real sense of tension and excitement to every moment: you need to constantly be considering your next action while accounting for how nearby enemies will react to your movements. It's an experience with few points of comparison, but it's nonetheless one that you'll certainly want to try. | Chris Pereira Read our Crypt of the NecroDancer review
Inside ($20 / £15)
Playdead games won the admiration of its now-large audience when it released Limbo, a slow-paced puzzle-platformer that relied heavily on the use of light and negative space. For the studio's follow-up, Inside, it delivered yet another somber world to explore. It presents a tale that unfolds effortlessly before your eyes as you advance from one scene to the next, with nary a word from any of its characters. Through the power of inference and suggestion, you realize the infiltration of a malicious organization and bear witness to its sinister deeds. Inside will test your ability to think creatively, but it's the narrative--and the way it's delivered--that makes it a game worth playing. Inside reinforces the notion that, sometimes, less is more. | Peter Brown Read our Inside review
Thumper ($20 / £16)
Although it's a game arguably best-suited for VR, Thumper is an incredible experience however you play it. It provides a unique blend of rhythm-based gameplay and action--what the developer calls "rhythm violence"--that provides a far more intense version of the basic mechanics you see in other rhythm games. With an incredible soundtrack and levels well-suited to chasing high scores, Thumper is a game with the potential to stick around in your recently played section for a long time. | Chris Pereira Read our Thumper review
Thimbleweed Park ($20 / £15)
Point-and-click adventure games have experienced something of a renaissance in recent years, and Thimbleweed Park--from adventure game legends Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick--is a prime example. The X-Files-inspired journey puts you in the role of two FBI agents that bear more than a passing resemblance to the classic TV show as you relive the glory days of adventure games. While it's also available on console (including Switch, where it's portable), playing on PC means getting the ideal control scheme of a mouse and keyboard. | Chris Pereira Read our Thimbleweed Park
Jamestown+ ($10 / £7)
Vertical arcade shoot-em-ups typically deal with far-flung futures where an ace pilot is defending Earth from a swarm of technologically advanced aliens. By taking place in an alternate timeline where Mars was colonized by England in the 17th Century, Jamestown immediately sets itself apart from its peers. The unique, tongue-in-cheek setting goes a long way to make the game enjoyable, but it's the excellent gameplay that makes Jamestown easy to recommend. You have multiple attack ships to choose from, each with their own weapon loadouts and special abilities. They are easy to control and feel distinct enough that you won't mind replaying levels to extend your time with the game, all the while combating cleverly constructed swarms of enemy ships that gradually escalate from level to level. It's not as punishing as most games in its genre, but the progress you make as you inch your way towards the conclusion feels rewarding nonetheless. | Peter Brown Read our Jamestown review
Pyre ($20 / £15)
Pyre, the latest from Supergiant Games, diverges from the action RPG gameplay the studio is known for. The fantastical, hand-painted art by Jen Zee returns. A western, electronic, trip-hop fusion soundtrack from Darren Korb also makes a comeback. But instead of controlling a single protagonist who destroys the enemies in their path in search of answers, Pyre revolves around a mystical sport that's played in an underworld populated by those who've been exiled from the normal world. You are The Reader, found in Purgatory (where reading is forbidden) by a band of exiles who befriend you. The Rites are rituals of sport that determine your worth, and this is where the meat of the gameplay happens. In a Rite, you assemble a team of three from a pool of allies you meet along the way. You face another team of three and fight for the single orb placed in the contained arena with the objective of dunking or shooting the orb into the other team's goal (or Pyre). Only one player from each team can move at any given moment. Each type of player has a varied skillset that can make the sport easier, depending on your playstyle. It sounds like a bit much at first, but once you get a hang of the flow, there's just nothing quite like it. Many have described it as Rocket League meets Dota meets Transistor. Outside of sick orb dunks is the intriguing visual novel-style story about sacrifice and the ties that bind. | Michael Higham Read our Pyre review
Transistor ($20 / £15)
Transistor, the follow-up to Bastion, would take many of the striking features of that game (like the hand-painted art style, for one) but twist them for a sci-fi, cyberpunk tale. Red was a singer who had her voice physically stolen in an attack on the city of Cloudbank, and she's the one you control in this unique isometric action RPG. The Transistor, a sword-like weapon that killed a man in the attack, becomes Red's tool for fighting back against an army of robots known as The Process, controlled by an evil collective known as The Camerata. Yes, it has a lot going on, but that's how it is with Supergiant's games. The Transistor glows and speaks; it trapped the consciousness and voice of the man it was used to kill, which means this dead man becomes Red's companion throughout the game, similar to the narrator in Bastion (also voiced by Logan Cunningham). What sets Transistor apart is that it incorporates a layer of strategy on top of the action RPG gameplay. There are countless permutations to Red's movesets since each individual move, or functions, can be mixed with another to create an attack which can be used to make short work of enemies that took over your neon-lit city. You also get to pause the action for a limited timeframe to craft a plan of attack and come up with clever ways to string together functions. Not only does Transistor's soundtrack stand out for its folk-tinged electronica, but it's the focal point for characterization and acts as a driving force from start to finish. Music is at the forefront and Darren Korb's vision for complementing the futuristic world is fully realized, which makes Transistor an absolute joy to play. | Michael Higham Read our Transistor review
Bastion ($15 / £10.99)
Supergiant Games' debut, Bastion, set the stage for everything else the developer created. This isometric action RPG tells a gripping story of a world destroyed by a catastrophic event referred to as The Calamity in the city of Caelondia. You control Bastion's protagonist, The Kid, who is led by the charismatic narrator named Rucks in a journey to piece the city back together. Very few survivors are left, and hostile monsters litter Caelondia, which is the impetus to put a varied arsenal of melee and projectile weapons to use. The Bastion acts as a sort of home base that slowly comes together as you progress and collect cores at the end of each level. Rucks' deep, instantly recognizable voice (that of Logan Cunningham) adds a level of grandeur to the story that's superbly supported by a truly remarkable soundtrack (by Darren Korb) that's vaguely Celtic, Western, and trip-hop all at the same time. Bastion's fantastical hand-painted art style (by Jen Zee) breathes life into a world nearly devoid of it, torn apart by a conflict of different cultures. These elements came to be staples of Supergiant's work, and Bastion is still a sterling example of the team's ability to craft a game that's both fun and heartfelt. | Michael Higham Read our Bastion review
Shovel Knight ($9.99-$24.99 / £6.69-£19)
This is admittedly a bit of a cheat, as you're best off buying Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, which includes all three of the campaigns released so far (and more content to come) for $25. But just $10 will get you a single campaign which is more than worth the price of entry. Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment puts you in the shoes of one of the main game's antagonists, Specter Knight, as he takes his own unique journey through the same levels featured in the original game. As with Plague Knight's campaign, the unique mechanics at play here (like the dash attack) make for a much different experience. You would be best-served by starting with the base Shovel Knight campaign, but whichever version you play, you'll be treated to a modern take on retro platformers that bests many of the classics it draws inspiration from. | Chris Pereira Read our Shovel Knight review Read our Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment review
Celeste ($20/£15)
Celeste may look like another pixelated platformer with a youthful protagonist, but it quickly transforms into a brutal, tightly orchestrated gauntlet of death that only the best players can master. It challenges you to traverse spike-lined caverns with a modest selection of skills, with alternate pathways that push your mettle even further as you strive to acquire every last hidden item. You will die hundreds of times, but with quick restarts and a catchy soundtrack, there's never any downtime to wallow in defeat, only a new opportunity to show the game what you're made of. The action and difficulty curve are accompanied by a surprisingly engaging story that adds just the right amount of context to make your arduous journey feel justified, and to solidify Celeste as one of the biggest surprises so far of 2018. | Peter Brown Read our Celeste review
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain ($20 / £25)
You may have heard that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the final Metal Gear game to feature the involvement of series creator Hideo Kojima, has flaws. The last chunk of the game involves replaying earlier missions with small tweaks, and certain late-game story content was consigned to a special edition bonus feature. Despite all of that, The Phantom Pain stands as a seminal example of what an open-world action game can be. While still retaining much of what makes a Metal Gear game so distinct, it presents players with a vast open world and the ability to tackle its challenges in many, many ways. The mechanics of Ground Zeroes have been fine-tuned, and you can leverage them in a multitude of ways as you take part in the game's consistently excellent, thrilling missions. Just as enjoyable are the emergent hijinks you'll encounter along the way, and all of this is made better by the consistent progression of building up your own personal army. Although it's undoubtedly an experience best played after playing making your way through the prior games, The Phantom Pain is a game that everyone should ultimately try. It holds up now, even after a few years; all that's changed is the price tag. | Chris Pereira Read our Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain review
Iconoclasts ($20 / £17.49)
There's no shortage of Metroidvania titles out there, but Iconoclasts stands tall as much more than a simple game about exploring the world while solving puzzles and fighting bosses. Sure, you swing a wrench that can interact with objects and whack enemies over the head, but the magic of this game goes far deeper than the tools at your disposal. Iconoclasts is a story about conflict: science vs. religion, nature vs. technology, old vs. young. And that serves as an incredible backdrop for dynamic characters that extend far beyond their 16-bit look. It's worth playing just to see where they--and you, as the mechanic Robin--end up. | Tony Wilson Read our Iconoclasts review
Overcooked ($17 / £13)
Overcooked is like a Mario Party mini-game blown up into its own standalone experience in the best way possible. It's a game that becomes exponentially better when played with at least one other person. What starts out as a relatively tame game where you help each other chop some vegetables and get them served on a plate becomes a frantic rush to put out fires, get ingredients distributed between two moving vehicles, and other ridiculous scenarios. | Chris Pereira Read our Overcooked review
Undertale ($10 / £7)
Undertale watches you. It knows you through your actions. You don't have to hurt anyone, but you can hurt everyone. The consequences are hardly laid bare, but they are always alluded to in this retro-style RPG by independent developer Toby Fox. Undertale is both a culmination of the most chilling creepypasta and the most adorable, lovable characters you could imagine. It's all wrapped into a throwback turn-based RPG that incorporates dialogue trees in combat with elements of the bullet hell style for its combat. One of Undertale's greatest achievements is its ability to portray emotion and frame scenes through writing and an old-school art style. However, the most impactful piece of the puzzle is music: Its soundtrack evokes such a strong emotional response that very few games capture. The cozy, heartwarming jingle that plays in Snowdin town makes you wish you could chill at the local bar Grillby's with its diverse community of monsters. Papyrus' theme is equal parts silly and catchy, perfectly encapsulating the character himself. Hotland's tense, foreboding rhythm gets an electronic remix in a later stage that empowers you to push forward. The list goes on, but the point is that Undertale's masterful use of music becomes inseparable from the story it tells. It's a sort of love letter to Earthbound, but Toby Fox crafted a game that should be respected in its own right. Very few games evoke heartbreak, terror, and joy as powerfully as Undertale in such a short period of time; and in that regard, it's one of the best independent games ever made. | Michael Higham Read our Undertale review
Axiom Verge ($20 / £15)
Axiom Verge is another take on the Metroidvania style, but it distinguishes itself through its wide variety of weapons and tools--most notably, the Address Disruptor, which affects the environment and each enemy type in different ways. It's also a game with an impressive sense of scale and no shortage of secrets to uncover, encouraging multiple playthroughs. Add in an excellent soundtrack and tantalizing story, and there's a lot to like here. | Chris Pereira Read our Axiom Verge review
Fez ($10 / £7)
Despite being over six years old, Fez is still worth playing today. While it initially presents itself as a 2D game, it quickly reveals a third dimension and unfolds into something truly special as a result. You can rotate the game's seemingly 2D environments in 90-degree increments, which allows you to bring elements from the background into the foreground, often to reveal a hidden path. It's a tricky system to wrap your head around at first, but with a simple selection of puzzles to get you going, you can pick it up in no time. From this point on, Fez pushes you to contort your problem-solving techniques as it escalates to truly complex brain teasers that introduce cryptic symbols to match the ever-more-mysterious atmosphere. It's one of the few truly unique games around, and with the sequel cancelled long ago, it seems that will be the case for the foreseeable future. | Peter Brown Read our Fez review
Sonic Mania ($20 / £15)
Created by members of the Sonic fan-hack community under Sega's watch, Sonic Mania exudes passion and reverence in its recreation of nostalgic visuals, sounds, and level designs. But the game isn't content with senselessly regurgitating the past; rather, it expands upon the familiar with new ideas of its own and delivers plenty of inventive concepts that diversify and build upon the series' fast-paced level design. Sonic Mania is smart and interpretive in its approach, leveraging the strengths of its design and visuals to craft not only the best Sonic game ever made, but an amazing platforming experience overall. If you've enjoyed Sonic at any point in your life, you owe it to yourself to play Sonic Mania. And even if you're not a longtime fan, the fast-paced platforming on display is a fantastic introduction to Sega's beloved blue blur. | Matt Espineli Read our Sonic Mania review
The Sexy Brutale ($20 / £15)
The Sexy Brutale is a quirky little puzzle game co-developed by Tequila Works, the studio behind beautiful adventure game Rime. Its essentially Groundhog Day: The Game--you play through the same day over and over, but with each runthrough you learn more about the creepy mansion you find yourself in. After seeing one character shoot another, you might go and find the gun and prevent the bloody murder by replacing real bullets with blanks. A number of these murders are interconnected--solving one puzzle might prevent one murder, but that could change another branch of time elsewhere in the house. There's no way of preventing every murder in one go, but discovering and tinkering with the different timelines is where the fun lies. Suffice it to say, we've played it over and over again--groundhog day indeed. | Matt Espineli Read our The Sexy Brutale review
Enter the Gungeon -- $15 / £11
Being a roguelike-style shooter, Enter the Gungeon naturally draws comparisons to games like The Binding of Isaac and Nuclear Throne. And while that does offer a decent starting point for understanding what to expect, Enter the Gungeon manages to rise above being a pale imitator. It feels fantastic, with a dodge-roll ability that allows you to satisfyingly evade damage with a well-timed use. There are ridiculous weapons, such as those that fire bees or a gun that shoots guns which themselves fire bullets. The well-crafted procedurally generated environments help to keep each run feeling fresh, as do the wide variety of items and secrets to uncover along the way. And co-op support makes for an especially fun, chaotic experience (although it's unfortunate that the second player isn't able to play as the different characters that the main player has access to). The entire game is also overflowing with personality and color, making for an experience that is as fun to look at as is to play. | Chris Pereira Read our Enter the Gungeon review
Stardew Valley -- $15 / £11
Hit farming sim Stardew Valley has made its way to consoles with very few compromises, outside of the PC version's access to mods. Regardless of platform, it's an excellent take on the Harvest Moon formula, with a laid-back small-town atmosphere, tons of work to do, and bachelors and bachelorettes to date. But the valley also has its mysteries, and the added intrigue makes it easy to pick up, hard to put down, and rewarding day after day. Even though it has nothing to do with the Harvest Moon franchise, it's easily the best "Harvest Moon" game in years. | Kallie Plagge Read our Stardew Valley review
Battle Chef Brigade ($20 / £15.49)
Battle Chef Brigade puts you in control of an aspiring young chef named Mina as she fights to become the best cook in the land. But this isn't your typical cooking game; rather than choose from pre-set ingredients in front of you to make a simple dish, you actually have to hunt and gather them yourself, making use of Devil May Cry-like battle system to eliminate them in the wild. You then have to take what you gather back to your kitchen, throw it in a pot, and cook it in a match three mini-game. Frame this within an Iron Chef-like cook off where the clock is ticking against you and you'll have an idea of what you're getting into. The juxtaposition between the two core mechanics of hunting and cooking make for a tense, fast-paced experience that's both memorable and fulfilling. | Matt Espineli
Furi ($20 / £15)
Fans of Japanese action games will instantly love Furi, as it utilizes a twitch-based combat similar to fan-favorite games in the genre, like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta. Its premise is simple: you play as a nameless silver-haired swordsman who must fight his way out of imprisonment, facing off against a gauntlet of deadly bosses. Aside from its striking presentation, Furi's most memorable quality is its fast and frenetic combat, which is punchy, nuanced, and elegantly simple. It combines mechanics from both hack-and-slash games and shoot 'em ups, challenging you to handle switching between gameplay styles at a moment's notice in the midst of a fight. If you're a sucker for challenging action games, Furi should be at the top of your list for $20 games to buy. | Matt Espineli Read our Furi review
Retro City Rampage DX ($15 / £11)
A throwback GTA Online mode aside, Grand Theft Auto has long since moved on from the classic top-down perspective of its earliest games. Retro City Rampage carries on that legacy, offering an open-world crime game in 8-bit style. What could have easily been a mere GTA clone, however, is distinguished with copious pop culture references and a distinctly arcade-style feel to its gameplay. This DX edition offers additional content not seen in the original version of the game. -- Chris Pereira Read our Retro City Rampage review
West of Loathing ($11 / £8)
"West of Loathing's focus on maintaining a flexible, open-ended nature and lighthearted, humorous feel keeps you engaged in what feels like an imaginative pen-and-paper Dungeons and Dragons campaign, led by a game master whose only goal is to make sure you're laughing and having a fun time. West of Loathing's visuals are monochromatic, but there's enjoyable comedy painted between every line, a pitch-perfect Spaghetti Western soundtrack, and a full spectrum of role-playing possibilities to choose from that make it a consistently enjoyable madcap cowboy jaunt." -- Edmond Tran Read our West of Loathing review
By Chris E. Hayner on Jul 27, 2018 04:24 am
The 2018 San Diego Comic-Con was a massive event for fans of Doctor Who. For the first time ever, fans were introduced to Jodie Whittaker as the newest Doctor--and the first woman to take on the role. Whittaker's arrival comes hand-in-hand with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall taking over as showrunner on the long-running BBC series. Both were on-hand, along with the rest of the cast and executive producer Matt Stevens, to speak with the press and meet fans at Comic-Con. Beyond that, they also introduced the first full trailer for Season 11, which showed fans the Doctor, her new "best friends," and some of the trouble they'll all be getting into. Of course, they were also there to give a few hints as to what Season 11 of Doctor Who will entail. However, Chibnall made sure not too many spoilers were shared. However, it sounds like there are some major changes ahead for Doctor Who, which will attempt to refresh the series with a new creative team and cast driving it forward. As the Doctor, herself, says in the trailer, "All of this is new to me. New faces. New worlds. New times." What can you expect from the new season of Doctor Who? GameSpot attended the show's press conference at San Diego Comic-Con to see what, exactly, the cast and producers had to say. Doctor Who Season 11 will premiere later this year on BBC America.
Every version of the Doctor is quite different from the one that came before it and the 13th incarnation will be no different. "Being the first woman to play the Doctor is incredibly liberating," Whittaker said. "Ask any of the previous Doctors, the rules are out of the window, because the most wonderful thing is you regenerate. So you can bring everything new, everything from previous, you can make it your own and stay loyal to it, and casting a woman doesn't change that." One major difference will obviously be the Doctor's accent. While Capaldi used his Scottish accent in the role, Whittaker speaks with a Yorkshire accent that will carry over to the Doctor. Image: BBC America/Getty Images
2. The show will not avoid historic gender issues.
In many of the Doctor's adventures, the Time Lord ends up visiting a period where women aren't exactly treated equally. Should such a situation arise, the show's creative team won't ignore it. "The Doctor's still the Doctor and in some situations, I would agree there's gender issues, and I think particularly when we go into history that might come up," Chibnall teased. "But I think generally, in contemporary worlds, alien worlds, stuff like that, the Doctor's still the Doctor and the Doctor's very capable of walking into a room."
3. A companion by any other name...
You might have noticed that promotional materials reference the companions as the Doctor's "friends." For Chibnall, that choice is a very conscious one that speaks to who the new Doctor is. "It just feels a bit more natural to me and to us," the showrunner said. "I'm sure you wouldn't walk into a room and go, 'Hello. I'm so-and-so and these are my companions!'' You'd walk in and say, 'This is me and me mates.'' And it probably speaks a little bit to the 13th Doctor's kind of egalitarian[ism]. She's got a gang of mates with her. But it just feels a bit more emotionally connecting contemporary language. But it's in no way rule for Whovians from now on."
4. The 11th season won't be relying on old villains.
While there is still plenty of time for Whittaker's Doctor to encounter Daleks, the Ood, and any number of other classic Doctor Who villains, Season 11 is striving for originality. "It's pretty much all new stories, all new monsters, all new villains," Chibnall said. "I think we're working on two weeks from the end of filming? I haven't come across any old villains yet."
5. Season 11 is mostly standalone episodes.
If you're hoping for massive cliffhangers and story arcs taking place over multiple episodes, this might not be the season for you. "This is gonna be for the fans, for the Whovians, Season 11 is for them," Chibnall promised. "But it's also for anyone who hasn't seen it. You don't need encyclopedic knowledge and a history of Doctor Who to be included in this journey, and we've got ten standalone episodes that have huge character arcs for all of those guys. But if you came in at Episode 4, this is an adventure in Episode 4. You don't need the fifty-odd year history to go with it, which I think is exciting for us, and often less daunting for us, because we know what's going on." Image: BBC America/Getty Images
6. What if there isn't a TARDIS?
As you might remember from the Season 10 finale, the TARDIS blew up. What does that mean for the new Doctor's adventures? While the blue phone box can be seen in promotional materials for the show, Chibnall remains steadfast that it's been destroyed and can't be part of the show. "The TARDIS exploded," he exclaimed when asked how its design would change for the new Doctor. Let's be honest, though. The Doctor without a TARDIS? It'll never happen.
7. The diversity isn't just in front of the camera.
While the Doctor is being portrayed by a woman for the first time ever, and actors of color are filling the roles of the Time Lord's companions, the diversity isn't just on-screen. "We have the [series'] first writers of color," executive producer Matt Stevens says of the writing team. "We've two female writers and three male writers in the guest writers' slots. And we have a split as well. We have two female directors and two male directors across the series." Image: BBC America/Getty Images
8. Of course, there's a Christmas special in the works.
While it hasn't been announced, what's Doctor Who without an annual Christmas special? Thankfully, Chibnall heavily hinted at a holiday installment of the show. "Well, we seem to be filming 11 episodes, man. But we're talking a series of ten," he joked. "I would definitely think there's another episode after the end of the series."
By Kevin Wong on Jul 27, 2018 02:30 am
WWE's stated mission is as follows: "Put smiles on people's faces." The WWE Universe is, by and large, a just universe. The bad guys lose (eventually). The good guys triumph (eventually). And if WWE books it properly, the biggest heel and the biggest babyface will clash on a grand stage. Nothing puts smiles on fans' faces more than the spectacle of a dream match. Wish fulfillment is a huge part of professional wrestling. Fans will wait for months, even years, to see an anticipated match, especially if it's a cross-generational "passing of the torch." But sometimes, even with all the time and all the compromise, there are matches that have never taken place. And many of them, owing to retirement, circumstance, or tragic death, never will. Here are the 7 Greatest WWE Matches That Almost Happened. And if enjoyed this gallery, check out 27 WWE Movie Cameos and our up-to-date roster coverage of WWE 2K19.
7. "Dr. Death" Steve Williams vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
When "Dr. Death" Steve Williams arrived in WWE, he signed up for the Brawl-For-All Tournament, an unscripted, televised toughman contest that anyone on the roster could enter. Williams was a collegiate athlete and had a reputation as a legitimate tough guy; he was expected to breeze through the tournament, establishing him as a legitimate threat to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (link contains explicit language). Unfortunately, Bart Gunn knocked Williams out in the semifinals of the Brawl-For-All; Williams had torn his hamstring, and he couldn't move to defend himself. His WWE career never recovered (link contains explicit language), and he never got his match against Austin.
6. Umaga vs. Jackass
In 2007, Steve-O and Chris Pontius appeared on WWE television, and Umaga beat them into next week. It was supposed to be the start of something bigger; WWE wanted the entire Jackass Crew to participate in an 9-on-1 match versus Umaga at Summerslam. But then, the Chris Benoit tragedy happened. And Johnny Knoxville, the de facto leader of the Jackass crew, pulled out of the match. The match was then cancelled entirely. It would have been a silly match, no doubt, but silly in a good way.
5. Shawn Michaels vs. Eddie Guerrero
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels had a fast, hedonistic lifestyle during his first tenure with WWE. But when he returned to the company in 2002, he was a born-again Christian: squeaky clean, humble, and devout. So devout, in fact, that his faith affected his booking. At some point, WWE asked Michaels to move to from Raw to Smackdown--Eddie Guerrero's brand--and Michaels declined, explaining that the schedule would affect his and his wife's bible study group. There were preliminary plans to have Guerrero and Michaels fight at WrestleMania 22. But then, Guerrero died in 2005, leaving Michaels to fight Vince McMahon instead. Michaels would later retire from in-ring competition at WrestleMania XXVI, after a Career vs. Streak match against the Undertaker.
4. Dean Ambrose vs. Mick Foley
Back when Dean Ambrose was still in developmental, he pitched the idea of feuding with Mick Foley. It would be two hardcore wrestlers, matching each other blow-for-blow. The two of them tweeted insults at each other, confronted each other in public places, and even posted the footage on social media. But ultimately, WWE cancelled the match. Foley could not pass the impact tests that doctors gave him, due to previously sustained concussions. Fortunately for Ambrose, he went on to debut with The Shield, and the rest is history.
3. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Brock Lesnar
When Brock Lesnar debuted in 2002, WWE strapped a rocket to his back. He pulverized everyone on the card, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was booked to be one one of his victims in a King of the Ring qualification match on Raw. Instead of losing to Lesnar, Austin opted to quit WWE. The situation forced Vince McMahon to give a speech on Raw, explaining to fans that Austin left the company. Austin, for his part, claims he had no problem losing to Lesnar. He just wanted to do it at a pay-per-view instead of at Monday Night Raw, which was the plan. Austin has since called the decision his biggest career regret.
2. Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair
Ric Flair won the Royal Rumble for the vacant WWE Championship in 1992. The potential storyline nearly wrote itself; Flair could now compete against challenger Hulk Hogan in the main event at Wrestlemania VIII. After years of working for opposing promotions, the two most popular wrestlers were finally under the same roof. And not a moment too soon; both men were at the ends of their respective primes. But Hogan's relationship with Vince McMahon was at a low point. Hogan wanted to shoot his new TV show Thunder in Paradise, and Vince worried that Hogan might leave the company for Hollywood. So, at Wrestlemania VIII, Hogan fought Sid Justice. Flair fought Randy Savage, and dropped the belt to him instead of to Hogan. And the match every WWE fan wanted never materialized until the two met up years later in WCW. They finally fought on WWE television in 2002, but by then, neither man was in his prime, and the moment had passed.
1. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan
The Rock battled Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania X8, and it was an instant classic. But why was Rock the chosen opponent and not Austin? It was a matter of both timing and booking. The common sentiment in WWE Creative was that Austin vs. Hogan was a bigger match than Rock vs. Hogan. So, WWE decided to book Rock first and save Austin for further down the road, perhaps even at Wrestlemania XIX. But the night after Wrestlemania X8, Austin no-showed Raw. And two months later, Austin quit WWE entirely, on account of the aforementioned Lesnar drama. By the time Austin mended bridges and returned in early 2003, the storyline had moved on. And the long-awaited dream match never came to pass.
By GameSpot Staff on Jul 27, 2018 02:07 am
What was the best trailer at Comic-Con?
It was a heck of a year at San Diego Comic-Con 2018. It may have felt smaller than usual, thanks to the absence of usual heavy hitters like Marvel, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and Westworld, but there was still plenty to get excited about at SDCC this year. Whether you were hunting for rare Funko Pops, trying to find the best cosplay at Comic-Con, or wanted to watch the latest exclusive footage from upcoming shows and movies like Titans, Doctor Who, Iron Fist 2, The Walking Dead, Netflix's Disenchantment, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Shazam, Wonder Woman 1984, Aquaman, or any other of the massive future hits that showed up to engage directly with fans, there was something for everyone at Comic-Con this year. You could even visit the Taco Bell from Demolition Man, and if you did, it was probably your favorite meal of the entire week. Some of the trailers that debuted over the weekend were truly incredible. If you want to see them all in one place, we have a breakdown of every Comic-Con trailer all on one page for you. But if you want to know which ones were the best, click through the following slides. We ranked all our favorite Comic-Con 2018 trailers from good to better to best, ending on the best trailer of the whole show--a surprise contender that we never would have expected to be so awesome. What was your favorite trailer from Comic-Con 2018? Let us know in the comments, and check out the rest of our SDCC coverage below. San Diego Comic-Con 2018 Coverage - Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018
- Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 1
- Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 2
- Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 3
- Best Marvel Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018
- All The Miserable, Discarded Electric Scooters We Saw At Comic-Con 2018
- The Rarest And Most Shockingly Expensive Funko Pops On Sale At Comic-Con 2018
- DC Universe Titans Trailer: F*** Batman
- Everything We Learned About DC Universe
- Taco Bell Built Its Demolition Man Restaurant At Comic-Con, And It Was Amazing
- All The Exclusive Funko Pop Figures You Can Buy At SDCC
- Doctor Who's New Sonic Screwdriver Revealed Alongside New Trailer
- Star Wars The Clone Wars Animated Series Is Back In New Trailer
- Cool-Looking Spider-Man PS4 Pro Bundle Announced
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie Trailer Reveals Some Big Fights
- DC Collectibles Reveals Toys From Batman, Justice League, And More
- This Huge Lego Thanos Demands You Bow Before Him
- Netflix's Iron Fist 2 Gets Release Date, Teases Daughters Of The Dragon
- DC Holds Weird, Cult-Like Event To Promote Heroes In Crisis
- James Gunn Fired From Guardians Of The Galaxy 3
- What's Up With The "F*** Batman" Line In The New Titans Trailer?
- Andrew Lincoln Confirms The Walking Dead Season 9 Will Be His Last
- Netflix's Disenchantment: Everything We Learned About Matt Groening's New Show
- Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Footage Debuts
- Venom Debuts New Footage, Teases Spider-Man Crossover
- Guardians of the Galaxy Star Dave Bautista Is "Not OK" With James Gunn Firing
- Fantastic Beasts 2 Footage Introduces Nicolas Flamel At Comic-Con 2018
- The Lego Movie 2 Comic-Con Footage Shows The Two Sides Of Chris Pratt
- The New Godzilla: King Of The Monsters Trailer Is Dope
- Shazam Trailer Makes Exclusive Debut
- Wonder Woman 1984 Panel Addresses The Chris Pine Question, Shows Footage
- Aquaman Trailer Finally Arrives, Exclusive Footage Shows Classic Costume
- Star Wars Figures From Sideshow Look Incredible
- Why Alita: Battle Angel's Eyes Are So Big, Trailer Coming Soon
- The Purge TV Show Trailer Teases A Night Of Mayhem
- DC's The Flash Season 5 Trailer Reveals New VillainSupergirl Season 4 Trailer Reveals New Suit
- DC's Legends Of Tomorrow Season 4 Airs This Fall
- Sideshow's Avengers: Infinity War And Black Panther Figures Are Amazing
17. Supergirl
Watch it here. Supergirl is making some serious moves in terms of powerful, positive statements about on screen diversity with the announcement of the world's first live action trans superhero, Dreamer, played by Nicole Maines--but the trailer itself was seriously lacking any upbeat flare. Between the ominous voice over of Agent Liberty and the brief glimpses of a National City under siege, we're hoping that season 4 of Supergirl manages to keep up the show's powerful optimistic vibe as things continue.
16. Legends of Tomorrow
Watch it here Legends of Tomorrow closed out its third season earlier this year with the promise of magical shenanigans to come and that's exactly what the season four trailer delivered. Kind of. With only a few new scenes cut in among clips from last year's story, it's difficult to tell exactly what's going to be happening for the Legends' and their new series regular, John Constantine. But apparently there's going to be unicorns, so, hey. That's a win in our book.
15. Preacher Season 3 teaser
Watch it here The new Preacher trailer shown during the Hall H panel at Comic-Con was pretty awesome, although we can't rank it too high, considering it was just a mid-season teaser (Preacher Season 3 is currently airing). Despite that, it was awesome to get looks at the Children of the Blood, Grandma's meeting with Satan, and, of course, the Allfather himself.
14. Young Justice: Outsiders
Watch it here Fans of Young Justice have been waiting a long time for new content so it's probably fair that half of this five minute trailer was set up to recap the events of last season, but it's hard to feel like the extensive cliff notes weren't spinning their wheels at least a little. That said, the new stuff we did get looked pretty dang cool from Apokolips and Darkseid to Vandal Savage, Young Justice is definitely poised to start season three off with a bang.
13. The Walking Dead
Watch it here As The Walking Dead prepares to say goodbye to star Andrew Lincoln, the trailer for Season 9 hints at a very different zombie apocalypse. With Negan locked up in prison, Rick is trying to keep the peace between the surviving groups. It's not easy though, as the clip teases tension between himself, Daryl (Norman Reedus), and Maggie (Lauren Cohan). Most importantly, though, the trailer gives the first look at Alha, the next big bad to be pulled from the comics. Get ready for the Whisperers.
12. The Flash
Watch it here Let's be honest. The past couple of seasons of The Flash haven't been great, and a lot of that is due to weak villains. However, the first look at Season 5 shows the series will be adapting the villainous cult leader Cicada this year, as played by American Pie's Chris Klein, and it looks great. Cross your fingers that as The Flash reaches its 100th episode, it'll turn a corner and return to its former glory.
11. Doctor Who Series 11 trailer
Watch it here For existing Doctor Who fans, the Series 11 trailer shown at Comic-Con was exciting because it gives us a glimpse not just at Jodie Whitaker as the new Doctor, but at her three new "friends," played by actors Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, and Tosin Cole. Even if you're not a fan, though, simply seeing more of the first ever female Doctor in action should be enough to pique anyone's interest.
10. Arrow
Watch it here If you like the Green Arrow on your Arrow, you might not be a fan of this trailer. Oliver Queen has gone from city hall to prison and now he's surrounded by a bunch of villains he locked up with no team at his back. If this first look at Season 7 teases anything, it's that Oliver is going to spend a lot of time bruised and bloody with no escape.
9. Alita: Battle Angel
Watch it here Whether you think Alita: Battle Angel looks like the greatest manga adaptation ever or even worse than the live action Ghost in the Shell movie, chances are you still can't tear your eyes away from hers. Based on the movie's Comic-Con trailer (well, technically it's a post-Comic-Con trailer, since it debuted the Monday after), Alita is going to be cheesy, grandiose, and filled with manga-inspired action.
8. Riverdale
Watch it Here Riverdale continues to hold its unofficial title as the most buckwild CW TV show close to its heart as it barrels into season three with the promise of a cult storyline to follow up on season two's serial killer. Who could have guessed that the candy coated Archie Comics of old were the go-to place for totally off the wall teenage melodrama? This trailer was mostly recap--understandable since the cast has only just started filming--but we can forgive that since it did a pretty good job of distilling all of Riverdale's patent absurdity into a two-minute roller coaster ride of bloody murder and wholesome swimming hole dates.
7. Glass
Watch it here When Split hit theaters, nobody expected it to be a pseudo sequel to Unbreakable. Now, Glass is bridging the two movies into one of the most bizarre-looking superhero tales yet--which says something, given the deluge of comic book movies that come through theaters. Set largely in a psychiatric hospital, the trailer for Glass teases the idea of a showdown between Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson) and the Beast (James McAvoy), which should be an incredible sight.
6. Fantastic Beasts 2
Watch it here The original Fantastic Beasts was a massive disappointment. Its world had all the charm that Harry Potter fans expect from the series, but the characters were seriously lacking. With its focus on young Dumbledore and Grindelwald--not to mention the alchemist Nicholas Flamel--the sequel is looking a whole lot better.
5. Star Wars Clone Wars
Watch it here It's been five years since Star Wars: The Clone Wars ended. While fans were excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the premiere at Comic-Con, chances are they weren't expecting a new trailer announcing the series' return. It became one of the highlights of the entire weekend, though. Now fans have to eagerly await its return. In the meantime, check out the audience reaction to the trailer--it's everything you'll need to feel good about Star Wars fandom for a moment.
4. Titans
Watch it Here It's an impressive feat to get a brand new meme off the ground on Comic-Con weekend when the whole internet is flooded with so much new content from so many angles but by god, the Titans trailer managed to do it. Featuring a brutal and bone crunching look at the DC Universe streaming service's new live action take on the classic comics team, Titans gave us the instantly iconic "fuck Batman" line from the Boy Wonder himself, cementing it as one of the con's most memorable moments--for better or for worse.
3. Aquaman
Watch it Here We've all been waiting in the wings for the Aquaman trailer for what feels like years and, finally, at long last, they have something to call their own--and, thankfully, it turned out to be well worth the wait. With a suitably larger-than-life look at everything in Arthur Curry's world from the saddled sharks of Atlantis to Jason Mamoa's now trademarked (mah man!) witty quips (yeah-uh!) and interjections, Aquaman seems like it has the potential to be the start of a brand new era in the DCEU.
2. Shazam
Watch it here This was one of the biggest surprises of the weekend, as nobody was sure what to make of Shazam. After all, the DCEU isn't exactly the brightingest or happiest place in the cinematic universe. How could a little kid that says a magic word to become a superhero fit in? Thankfully, along with Aquaman, Shazam seems to be ditching the dark and gritty first phase of the DCEU for something new and fun. The trailer is funny and imaginative, the cast looks like they're having a god time, and so much of it happens during the day. If the movie manages to match the tone of this first trailer, perhaps DC's film universe isn't doomed after all.
1. Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Watch it here It takes some serious star power to one-up actual cape-and-cowl superhero movies at SDCC, but Godzilla: King of the Monsters proves it can be done. With a truly bone-rattling presentation in Hall H, we were presented with our very first look at the next generation of Toho Kaiju on the big screen from Mothra to King Ghidorah and their human costars like fan favorites Millie Bobby Brown and Sarah Paulson. To really sweeten the pot, it was all set to the beautiful (and suitably majestic) classical stylings of Debussy's Claire de Lune making King of the Monsters easily the most awe-inspiring trailer of the con. Long live the king.
By Chris Reed on Jul 27, 2018 12:39 am
One of the great things about being into video games is that you have so many options when it comes to buying games. With so many retailers selling games--both online and in brick-and-mortar stores--there's a lot of competition. And one of the best ways for a retailer to get a leg up is by putting on a sale. That's great for consumers, because you almost never have to pay full price for the titles you want, as long as you're willing to hold out for a deal. The only hard part is making sure you're getting the best price possible. That's where we come in. We keep tabs on discounts on all the games at all the retailers so you don't have to. Already this week, we've covered gaming sales at GameStop, Best Buy, Steam, the Microsoft Store, the PlayStation Store, and more. In fact, the Xbox One Ultimate Game Sale is still going strong this week, and we've even highlighted some of the best games in it for under $10. And since we first published this week's highlights above, Best Buy kicked off its Black Friday in July sale. That's a lot of deals. So we've combed through the sales to find the best games at the best prices, including Grand Theft Auto V, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands, and more. So whether you play games on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, or even mobile, you can find a game worth playing at a fantastic price. And that doesn't even factor in the wealth of free games that are available for members of the various video game services. If you really want to get the best bang for your buck, you can't beat subscribing to programs that give out free games each month. PlayStation Plus members, for instance, get six games for free in July. Xbox Live Gold subscribers can download four games this month, and Amazon Prime members can grab a number of PC games from Twitch. The only problem with the freebies is that you can't pick which games you want. So let's take a look at the best deals on the best video games we could find this week. We highlight bargains on all major systems, so you're bound to find something you want to play.
Grand Theft Auto V (PC)
Green Man Gaming has a ridiculously good deal on Grand Theft Auto V, a game that has been appearing on bestselling games lists for five years now. If you still don't own it on PC, this is the best deal you're likely to find.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War + Season Pass (PS4)
This is an excellent deal, but you'll have to leave your house to get it because it's only available at GameStop's brick-and-mortar locations. Buy the game on sale for $20, and your receipt will have a code for the game's season pass printed on it.
Batman: Return to Arkham (Xbox One)
Two of the best superhero games ever made on sale for $12 or less? Yes please. This game contains remasters of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City.
Nintendo Switch Joy-Con
It's not a great week for Nintendo Switch deals, but Best Buy is selling a pair of Joy-Con for $70 instead of the usual $80. Regularly priced, these things seem overpriced compared to other controllers, so saving $10 is always nice if you need a new pair. Note that not all colors are on sale.
No Man's Sky (PS4)
No Man's Sky just got a huge update that includes multiplayer and the ability to control fleets of ships. It also came to Xbox One, but PS4 is the platform with the best No Man's Sky deal. You can get the game this week for $20 at Best Buy. If you'd prefer it on PS4 or PC, you can find the best deals here.
Destiny 2 + Expansion Pass (Xbox One)
People love to complain about Destiny 2 on forums, but recent updates have given players plenty of reasons to keep coming back once they reach the endgame. You can get everything released for this game so far for just $24, or $20 if you have Xbox Live Gold.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands (PS4)
Band up with friends and go hunting drug cartel members in this frequently-updated shooter.
Hitman: Game of the Year Edition (Xbox One)
Sneak around fabulous locations all across the world, dress up in silly costumes, and kill your targets with ruthless efficiency. That's the idea, anyway.
Final Fantasy IX (iOS)
Can you call a mobile game that costs $15 a deal? When it's this excellent port of Final Fantasy IX and it's down from $21 you can.
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