By Alessandro Fillari on Nov 21, 2018 12:20 am
Welcome To West Virginia
Fallout 76 is an incredibly different type of experience compared to previous games. It's the first online game in the series' history, with a far more in-depth focus on survival and crafting. This new approach on the familiar post-apocalyptic RPG's mechanics will take some time getting used to--and players will be doing that together in a shared world. You won't be alone out in the wasteland, which should bring some comfort in the path ahead, though, rogue players are more than likely to give you a hard time if you aren't careful. In this guide feature, we've come up with a handful of tips and a short list of things to do during your first few hours exploring the ruins of West Virginia. As the earliest game in the Fallout timeline, set only 25 years after the bombs fell, the inhabitants of Vault 76 will explore a world that's still in disarray after the nuclear apocalypse. Though the setting of West Virginia was largely spared from the bombs, radiation and chaos have seeped into the valley, irreparably altering wildlife, and unearthing creatures that many thought to be legend. While the main hook is the focus on surviving a violent, irradiated world full of other players online, the familiar aspects of the Fallout experience are alive and well in 76--there are even some surprises for the eagle-eyed fans to uncover. If you've been playing the beta, you'll be happy to know that all of your progress is transferring over to the full game. But if you're new to the game, here's a quick survival guide to help you overcome the odds. Be on the lookout for more Fallout 76 guides, as well as our full review of the game in the days ahead. For more info on Fallout 76, be sure to check out footage from the first 50 minutes of the game, and along with our chat with Pete Hines about the current state of the game, and what lies ahead.
Explore The Vault
Instead of being rushed out the Vault door like in other Fallout games, with hostile Vault-tec security or irradiated radroaches nipping at your heels, you're afforded the chance to calmly prepare yourself for the expedition on the surface. After creating your character and taking a quick photo of yourself for you nametag, you'll grab your new pip-boy and get to explore the vault at your leisure--and even interact with other players starting out as well.
Once you leave your room, be sure to examine every point of interest on your way up to the entrance. These stops will get you stocked up with new items and supplies, which includes a starting set of Perk Cards, purified water, and the all important C.A.M.P device--allowing you to build structures in the outside world. Around the Vault, you'll find various holotapes that tell you more about the residents of the bunker, which includes the vault Overseer who's gone missing. Once you're ready, make your way towards the exit of the Vault. Though rest assured, if at any time you want to return, the Vault's door will always be open to you--even allowing for fast travel at no cost.
Take In The Sights
Starting out in the Western portion of the map, set in the Appalachian region, you're in a prime spot to branch out into the other parts of the West Virginian wilderness. Your map is one of the most valuable resources you have, which highlights many of the major attractions in the area--akin to an amusement park guide. But in between those major points of interests, there are many different areas that house valuable loot, interesting story details, and some usual monsters to fight. Moreover, you'll often find events and side-missions while exploring, which can open up some interesting diversions. While the entire map is free to explore at the beginning, it would be best not to branch out too far into other regions. Here are some interesting locations that you can explore in the early hours of Fallout 76, all located in reasonable distance from the Vault - Top of the World Ski Lodge: Located in the center of the map on top of a mountain, making it one of the highest spots in game. Resembling an old-school, gimmicky resort, this ski-lodge now houses bloatflies and Super Mutants. When exploring this site, you'll also be able to find one of the game's more unusual melee weapons known as the Ski Sword. - The Greenbrier Resort: Found just south of the ski lodge, this resort is an extremely ritzy location that feels more like a time capsule than a ruin. With an army of Protectrons maintaining the grounds and keeping nasty foes out, the resort is in surprisingly good condition having survived more than twenty years of no activity. While exploring the inside, you will find mobs feral ghouls, all of whom have kept their attachment to the posh lifestyle of their past lives. - Horizon's Rest: Located just west of the Top of the World ski lodge, this ruined plane has been converted into a multi-level living quarters for survivors. However, the owners have since abandoned it, leaving behind an armory filled with weapons, ammo, and armor for anyone who's able to find the clues to unlock it.
Stick With The Beginning Story Missions
Once outside, you'll start the early missions of the main story. In an interesting approach that's different from past Fallout games, many of the tutorial segments take place in the open world. In a more trial-by-fire approach, you'll gradually learn more about the many systems at work while collecting a set of new weapons and supplies. Despite being given some basic survival items from the bunker, you're still an unprepared Vault Dweller in a new world, and you'll need to get new supplies fast in order to survive. Though you may have the urge to get started on your adventure and explore on your own, it's really in your best interest to take on the early missions in the main quest. Right outside the Vault door is a Mr. Gusty robot, who will let you know where to go next in your quest to find the Overseer. Within the first 10 minutes of stepping outside, you'll acquire new weapons, armor, and get used to the more nuanced mechanics in Fallout 76. This will go a long way in helping you get your feet wet in the open world, and you'll still come across many side events and opportunities to take on.
Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Building your character up from scratch is one of the hallmarks of the Fallout series, and 76 is no different. However, the early hours of Fallout 76 are not as generous as other games in the series, and it'll take time to gradually build up to the more familiar archetypes of previous games. But before you reach that point, you'll need to understand that you'll often have to work with what you have at your disposal--even if it's mostly scraps of items and word-down weapons that have seen better days. It's important for you to get out of your comfort zone and try out new methods and solutions for survival that you wouldn't normally take on in other games.
Rethink What Makes You SPECIAL
Given the more survivalist nature of Fallout 76, you'll have to be constantly on your toes and adapt to any situation that comes you way. The systems at work in-game allows for more flexibility, letting you refocus your character's strengths at anytime. Once you start leveling up, you'll be able to allocate SPECIAL points and gain new Perk Cards for your character. While all the SPECIAL points you invest are set in stone, the new perks you can set on your deck can be swapped out at any time. As you increase in power from leveling up and acquiring new gear, you'll be able to flesh out your character in more interesting ways. Players that often favor firearms and explosives may find themselves in a position where they'll have to double down on melee weapons and hacking, and many of the perks you find will offer up some interesting buffs to make builds that were made on the fly seem worthwhile.
Group Up
Just outside of Vault 76, you'll encounter other players who have also started their journey. While you're totally free to explore on your own and take on whatever challenges that come from being a lone wanderer in West Virginia, there are many benefits to exploring in a group. When in a group, you and your squad can communicate with each other through voice-chat--though only in short-range--which will allow you to coordinate quests and how you'll clear our some of the more challenging locations housing Scorched, Ghouls, and Super Mutants. Though this is totally doable on your own, getting a group can lessen the hassle and spare some precious resources that you would end up spending on your own.
Grouping up in a Fallout game is still a new concept, so it's better to get a feel for it sooner rather than later. To team up with others, walk over to another player and invite them into a party. If they accept the invite, you'll partner up instantly. Up to four people can work together, with each member getting their own share of the loot. However, if you want to splinter off from the group and do your own thing, you're free to do so. If you've put a lot of distance between you and your group and want to return to them, you can open up the map and fast travel to a party member, allowing you to great distances without much hassle.
Always Be Collecting
Scavenging for junk items and gear is a normal part of your journey in the post-apocalyptic wasteland. While the cheap desk fans, baseballs, and plastic cups may not seem so valuable, breaking them down to basic materials can lead to crafting new weapons, armor, and support items. The screws from a desk fan for instance can be used to craft higher-end weapon and armor upgrades your paltry starting weapons, which will help even the odds when things get tough. Moreover, items can be gathered from the game world itself, including downed tree logs, which offer wood. However, it's important not to get too greedy when exploring and junking all these items. With the deeper survival mechanics in place, every item you have in your inventory has a set weight. And with all those items added up, you'll likely find yourself overencumbered at the worst possible time. If you can't find a workbench to scrap items, you can always stay on the lookout for stash boxes, which are often located in residential areas, red rocket stations, or can be built with the C.A.M.P.. Despite this being an online game, you're not racing against others to scavenge the nearby ruins for junk. Every player will get their own haul of items, and you're never left empty handed after seeing another squad of vault dwellers rummage through a place.
Get Crafting and Stay Healthy
While there are plenty of supplies and new weapons to find in the field, these tools won't be in that great of a condition and you're much better off not leaving things to chance. The gear you create and modify with your own hands with the resources are what make the difference between surviving a shootout with Mole Miners or finding yourself face-first in the dirt.
Once you have those materials, it's best to start investing them into better items and supplies. Along with the weapon and armor workbenches, you'll need to utilize the cooking and chem stations to craft food, clean water, and healing items in order to stay healthy. While you certainly able to eat whatever stale food or use worn down weapons and armor, it all has to be done with caution. Poor weapons will breakdown fast, and dirty water and rotten food can lead to diseases and sickness for your characters--including the particularly nasty case of Radworms.
Challenge Another Player
Once you reach level 5, Fallout 76's player vs player gameplay will open up. Despite every character coming from the same Vault, where they shared safety and comfort from the outside elements, all previous friendships formed in the bunker are tossed by the wayside. While you're not committed to taking part in PVP, you may come across a relentless player who's got their eye on you. When another person attacks you, they will only deal chip damage to your character--a small fraction of their actual attack power. However, it does add up over time, and they can kill you if you've lost enough health--or if they just happen to catch you after a nasty scrape with some monsters. If this happens, you have several options at your disposal; you can fast-travel away from them, block them, or even try to engage them in a fight. The later option can go a number of different ways, especially if you're up against a stronger player, but it lead to interesting results--the winner takes any junk items that their opponent had upon their defeat. Since this is a first for the series, you may want to try out player combat as early as you can to get a feel for it. While you can usually avoid PVP, there may come a situation where dueling could work out for you, especially if they're an underleveled annoyance. However, it's usually in your best interest to keep fights clean. If you ambush others and take them out with chip damage--with the other player not fighting back--you'll be marked as a murderer and left with a large target on your back for others to see.
Take Your Time
To put it bluntly, Fallout 76 features the largest map of the series--there is no way you'll experience many of the game's more defining events during the early hours. With so much ground to cover, it's a good thing to take your time and soak up all the details during the beginning of your journey. While many players will be eager to dive into the questline dealing with the nukes, which Bethesda have been teasing since the game's reveal, this is an event that will take several hours to work up to. Moreover, many of these quests will require high-end gear, such as power armor and high end, as it puts you face to face with some of the game's most dangerous monsters, including 76's new elite foe known as the Scorchbeast. Once you've amassed an arsenal of weapons, supplies, and strengthened your character to a point where you can handle many of the tougher challenges, you'll be able to venture out into West Virginia's more notorious areas, which includes the Savage Divide and The Mire. But you're better off taking things slow, and enjoying yourself until that time comes.
By Array on Nov 21, 2018 12:10 am
Surviving West Virginia
The time has finally come for a new Fallout game. Like previous entries, Fallout 76 is a massive game filled to the brim with RPG systems and mechanical details many of which aren't explained in detail. Add that on top of the new multiplayer functionality and it's more than likely you've got some questions that need answers to. Fortunately, we're here to help with our collective knowledge having each played the game for a couple dozen hours. Many of the series' classic idiosyncrasies remain in Fallout 76. You'll wander the land, gather resources, craft items, kill a super mutant or two, and get involved in all sorts of questlines. In this feature, we go over tips you should know about the game's survival and progression systems, as well as call out important details to keep at the forefront of your mind as you play--whether it's taking time to build up your C.A.M.P. or pilfering whatever Power Armor you see. If you're keen for a more basic rundown of what to expect when you first jump into the game, be sure to check out our Fallout 76 survival guide. In that feature, we offer recommendations of cool places to check out, as well as a few beginner's tips. Fallout 76 is out now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Since its servers have only just gone live, we've only begun the review process, but be on the lookout for our full thoughts in the days ahead! We've also got a bevy of other guides coming too. Expect details on where to find all the Power Armor, as well as specific on where you can find Vaults. If you've still got questions about how Fallout 76 plays, be sure to check out our feature highlighting everything you need to know about the game. In the meantime, what are some of the craziest discoveries you've made in Fallout 76? Got any useful tips to offer, too? Let us know in the comments below.
Tackle the Main Story Early On
Once you leave Vault 76, you are free to go anywhere you want. But don't let that freedom go to your head, as you most definitely lack the resources needed to survive. If you're not careful, you're likely to end up somewhere high leveled and dangerous. We strongly recommend at least doing the first couple quests in the main story, which act as an extended tutorial and also provide you with a ton of important supplies and blueprints. The story missions in the Overseer's Camp, the town of Flatwoods, and the Morgantown Airport teach you about workbenches, diseases, and how your C.A.M.P. works. You also gain a ton of basic weapons, ammo, aid supplies, recipes, and plans for building. After Morgantown, you'll be in much better shape to start exploring freely. Keep in mind that the main story is in general a great way to get new stuff and learn the game, so it's a good idea to hop back in and do it every once in a while.
Use the C.A.M.P
The C.A.M.P. is a new feature in Fallout 76 that acts as your own personal base that you can use to rest, repair equipment, and eventually build your own home. Because it's technically a camp, that means you can move it to anywhere you want on the map--for a small fee, of course. But don't fret, as stuff you've already crafted is stored and can be replaced at no cost, so you only have to worry about building something like a workbench once. Traveling to your C.A.M.P. is always free, so try to place it strategically. That means putting it near resources, existing crafting benches, and water until you have unlocked crafting stations and water purifiers to do the work for you. Even if you aren't interested in building up your C.A.M.P., it's worth creating a basic one that has all the stuff you need, like a cooking station, workbenches, and a stash. It's also worth noting that you can't just set up your C.A.M.P. anywhere you please. It needs to be in a location that isn't named. In addition, if you want to preserve your stuff from the elements, make sure to store your stuff in your Stash (more on that in the slide ahead) before leaving. There's a lot to the C.A.M.P., so be sure to check out our separate video that goes over all the nitty-gritty details.
Build a Stash
Like previous Fallout games, your character's inventory limit is going to be a consistent obstacle, because when you're carrying too much stuff, your Action Points are sapped just from moving around--compared to past games where you just became incredibly slow. Because of this, your Stash at homebase is one of your most valuable assets. Always have a Stash in your camp and use it store stuff to make space for yourself. Only you can access your Stash, so anything you place in there is safe from the hands of unfriendly players. You'll notice other Stash boxes throughout the world and in other people's camps, but using them will only access your Stash and not anybody else's. If you're far away from your camp and need to know where to look for a Stash, there will usually be one at a Train Station or Red Rocket. Always throw whatever junk you've picked up into your Stash; there's actually a command that instantly offloads all your junk in the Stash menu. Once all your junk is in your Stash, you have access to all of it at any workbench for crafting, so you don't need to worry about carrying it around everywhere you go. Do keep in mind that the Stash does have an item limit. It's not possible to build a second one, so eventually you're gonna have to start getting rid of stuff. You can't put off Spring cleaning--not even in Fallout 76!
Repairing Weapons and Armor is Different!
Weapon and armor conditions return for Fallout 76 after having been absent from Fallout 4. However, unlike Fallout 3 and New Vegas, where you could use another weapon or armor of the same type to improve the first's condition, you need specific junk to repair your gear in Fallout 76--much like how you upgrade mods. If you're missing materials, you can tag them for search just like in Fallout 4 to help you find what you need when scavenging. While armor takes a little time to bust, weapons can degrade rather quickly, so make sure to keep an eye on them--lest they break in the middle of combat.
Beware of Diseases
One of the newest additions to Fallout 76 are diseases, and they can really harm you if you're not careful. You can get them from pretty much anything. The obvious comes from enemies labeled as "diseased," such as a Diseased Radroach, which can easily infect you by simply touching you. When you see an enemy marked as "diseased," it's always best shoot them from a distance. You wouldn't think it, but beds have a high chance of giving you disease, specifically any bedding that's not raised off the ground. You also also catch diseases from eating rotten or raw food, swimming in water, or even just walking in certain areas that contain airborne diseases. That last one can be avoided by wearing certain equipment, like Hazmat or Space Suits, or Gas Masks like the Fire Breather Helmet. If you're unfortunate enough to catch a disease, your options are to either to wait it out, or cure it with medicine. Waiting for a disease to go away on its own can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the disease. Curing a disease is obviously the prefered method, but Cure Disease (actually what the item is called) can be tough to find. Alternatively, if you're in a real pinch, you can set up your camp and wait to die and then respawn, which will cure your disease.
Pilfer Power Armor
Power Armor is high-level equipment that comes in handy later on. But in your early runnings, you'll come across plenty of Power Armor chassis out in the world, but they'll only have a few pieces of armor on them. These pieces are usually around level 40, so you can't even use them most of the time. But don't ignore these just because you're at a low level, as you can still take advantage of them. Remove all the armor pieces attached to the Power Armor, and if you have the space, bring them with you to store in your Stash. After that, hop into the Power Armor chassis, as even without any armor plates attached, it'll give a defense bonus and a boost to your carrying capacity. It's worth noting that once you hop into a Power Armor chassis, it's yours, which means you can store it in your inventory or place it in your Stash. Taking the time to scavenge Power Armor pieces early on will put you in a better place when you reach the appropriate level to actually use fully decked-out Power Armor.
Pay Attention To The Verdant Season
Regions will gain what the game calls a "verdant season" where resources like plants will be more abundant. It cycles through different regions, so pay attention to the tip messages on the right of the screen so you know where to visit if you want to collect extra resources. Pay special attention for ingredients needed to cure diseases such as blood leaf, which is found near streams.
You Can Change Your Look At Any Time
If you're you're the type to spend an hour or two in the game's character creator, know that you're not locked into your choices after you confirm your appearance. Unlike previous games, Fallout 76 lets you change your appearance at any time. Simply bring up the map, tap R1 or RB to access the menu, and choose the "Change Appearance" option. Resort to this if you're in a rush to play the game and want to think about your looks later.
Don't Forget To Unlock Plans And Recipes In Your Inventory
Crafting is an important part of the Fallout experience. After all, if you're going to survive out in the Wasteland, you'll need to leverage all that useless junk you grab into functional items. As you explore, you will find new plans and recipes that'll expand your repertoire of craftable items. You might think these will get added to the workbench recipe list upon picking them up, but you'd be mistaken. To unlock them in your crafting list, simply pull up your Pipboy and confirm them in the Notes section of your inventory.
Make It A Point To Scavenge Bobby Pins And Radaway
Classic necessities from previous games, like Bobby Pins and Radaway, are much harder to come by in Fallout 76. Make it a point to investigate every nook and cranny of an environment, as these items are often tucked away in the most unexpected places. And if you've got enough money or resources, make sure to stock up by buying, trading, or crafting them. Work at it enough and before long these won't be so hard to keep in constant supply.
Interact With Others!
Fallout 76 is a multiplayer game so interacting with other players is major component. But you must be wondering: "What's possible?" First off, there is in-game voice chat that's area-based, letting you hear people close by. Direct communication is a useful tool for asking players if they want to trade or help you out. If you don't want to to hear other players you can always turn this off in the audio settings, and it's still possible to communicate with visual emotes. Trading with other players is as simple as walking up to them and pressing a button. You can get a full look at someone's inventory and request specific items you're interested in. Of course, there's also PVP. You can't attack or be attacked by other players until you're level 5, which is meant to prevent spawn camping outside Vault 76 and killing all the newcomers. Once you can attack others, you'll notice that when you first start shooting players, you will actually be inflicting a reduced amount of damage. Again, this is meant to prevent random people from just killing you, or you from killing them. If the other player attacks back, the two of you have officially engaged in combat with the damage safety turned off. While it's difficult, it's possible to kill a player who isn't fighting back, but doing so is considered murder. That puts a bounty on your head and replaces your icon on the map with a bright shiny red star, letting everyone know where you are. Any player can then murder you and be rewarded with a bounty of caps, which comes out of your personal supply. You'll get some rewards from the bodies of dead players, but looting them isn't gonna score you their armor or weapons. Instead, you only get their junk and crafting supplies. While this may not seem like much, scoring a large supply of junk can be a nice boost for you, while losing a lot of junk you just spent the last hour collecting can be pretty devastating. Luckily, your dead body will be marked on the map, so you can recover your stuff regardless of what killed you. When an encounter stops being fun and games, you can block a player by finding them on the social menu and then flagging them.
How Parties Work And Some Useful Tips
Teaming up as party comes with its own benefits. Party members can share Perks with each other (more on Perks later), as long as your Charisma stat is three times the rank of the Perk. It's best to work together with your party and figure out which perks to share to maximize the benefits of the group. When you're in a group, the questline the party leader has active is shared with the whole party, and completing the quest gives everyone the reward--even if party members have already beaten that specific quest. Party members can also fast travel to each other without needing to pay caps. You aren't tethered to each other, so you're free to split up and travel separately and then rejoin as a group whenever you want. In fact, if you're friends with someone and in the same server, you can fast travel to them for free even if you aren't in a party together. If you have a large group that needs to be broken up into multiple teams, this is a great way to stick together and form a supergroup.
Good Perk Cards To Get
Fallout 76's new leveling system is quite a bit different from previous games. This time it's based around Perk cards. Every time you level up, you can put a point into one of the seven S.P.E.C.I.A.L. skills that make up your character's stats, and then pick a card to equip for the skill. The number of points you have in that skill determines how many cards you can have. For example, if you have four points in a particular skill, you can unlock four Rank 1 cards, or two Rank 2 cards, or one Rank 3 card and one Rank 1 card. A Perk card always starts at Rank 1. If you want to upgrade its rank, you need to combine it with duplicates of the same card. There are dozens of Perk cards, many of which we've yet to find. You generally earn them by leveling up, opening up Perk card packs, or by completing challenges. Below is a rundown of which cards you should look out for. As you probably know, the Charisma skill is based around working with other players. If you're in a team, you want to use Charisma Perk cards that provides team bonuses. A useful one is Inspirational, which nets you bonus XP when in a team. But make sure to share the card if you want your whole team to get the XP boost rather than just you. Even if you aren't in a team, Charisma still has Perks, like Lone Wanderer, which reduces damage and boosts AP regen for solo players. As you play, an important factor to consider is your weight limit. Running out of space is a problem you'll face often. The Strength Perk card, Pack Rat, can reduce the weight of your junk items up to 75% at max rank. However, in our experience two of the most unexpected sources of weight are food and first aid supplies. The Agility Perk card Thru-hiker can reduce food and drink weight to a max of 90% and can easily clear up to 60 lbs from your inventory. Another good Agility Perk card is Action Girl/Boy, which lets you regenerate your AP faster. This is incready useful as it ties into your sprint, which tends to run out quickly early on. Endurance cards are useful in managing the game's survival requirements, such as reducing radiation, not needing to eat or drink as much, or preventing diseases. Make sure you and your party always have lockpick and hacking perks handy so you can unlock safes or hack terminals. Gunsmith is an incredibly useful Intelligence Perk card that makes slows gun degradation and lets you crafter higher tiers of guns as you rank it up. There's also First Aid, which increases the amount of health gained from stimpacks. These are only few examples of cards we found useful during the early parts of the game. Remember you can swap your perks at anytime, so always take the time to set them up to fit your current playstyle.
Complete Challenges to Earn Atoms
Fallout 76 has an in-game microtransaction store called the Atomic Shop you can access from the main menu. Everything it offers is purely cosmetic, like new outfits, paint jobs for you Pipboy or Power Armor, photo mode poses, and player emotes. It all costs Atoms, a currency that you can buy with real-world money. But chances are you'd rather earn those Atoms by completing in-game challenges. There's a series of set challenges you can complete along with a rotating set of daily and weekly challenges. You'll naturally complete a lot of these just from playing, but if you're itching to get more Atoms, check out the challenges page in the menu to find some of the easy ones to complete.
Rapid-Fire Tips (Other General Tips)
There's a lot of small stuff packed into the game that's worth being mindful of. Below are some tips we didn't think would suffice as their own slides, but are important to mention nonetheless: - Holotapes still play when you enter a loading screen but you no longer hear them. So if you have a tape playing wait until you leave or enter a building or fast travel until you're done listening to it.
- Always carry a Hazmat suit with you. There are tons of areas with heavy radiation that can quickly kill you the more you spend time there, so a Hazmat suit is essential. That, and they can prevent airborne and waterborne diseases.
- If you find an instrument, take 30 seconds to play it and receive the Well-tuned status, which grants you a bonus +25% AP regeneration for 1 hour.
- Be warned, if you murder someone while in a party, your teammates can start attacking you right away. You won't be able to attack them, however, because you're on the same team.
- Use a Tinker's Workbench to bulk your materials, which will condense them and reduce the weight, freeing up more space in your inventory or Stash.
- If your meat, veggies, or fruit spoil, don't eat them but also don't throw them away. You can convert them into fertilizer.
- Sleep at the start of every play session until you get the well rested icon. It means you get more XP on your adventures.
- You can swap your Pip-Bboy between two viewing modes: the standard one takes up your entire view, but the alternate version lets you see what's around you while you navigate menus.
- When building the CAMP, many objects in the world block larger saved bases from being placed. Fortunately you only really need one point of contact and can float your entire base on a single set of stairs. Minimizing your base's footprint will reduce your chances of not being able to deploy it.
- Even if you don't like VATS, it's still very good for quick shots with bolt action weapons.
- Remap the grenade button if you play on PC and plan on using ShadowPlay. Its currently set to Left ALT, and trying to start and stop ShadowPlay will have you accidentally throw a grenade. Also it's just an awkward key to put melee/grenade on anyways.
By Steve Watts on Nov 20, 2018 11:20 pm
Walmart's Best Black Friday 2018 Game Sales
Black Friday 2018 is just a few short days away, and those eager for Nintendo Switch deals--be it on the system itself or its games--the retail holiday should have you covered. Some sales have started early, and you can expect most everything else to be live by Thanksgiving Day. If you're in the market for Nintendo Switch discounts, it can be difficult to know where to start. Should you set your alarm to hit retailers early in the morning? Camp out after finishing Thanksgiving dinner? Or just sit in your pajamas with a laptop waiting for a deal to go live online? We've picked through the best deals to highlight some that need your attention. Since retailers are competing for your dollars, the range of stores and sites to visit to get the most bang for your buck varies greatly. As usual for this time of year, though, Nintendo is offering its own special deal on a Nintendo Switch console. A new holiday bundle offers the Switch system with a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe download for $300, so you're essentially getting the game for free. White Joy-Con wheel accessories are also on sale for $15, in case you want to use motion controls. Those prices are valid at Target, Best Buy, Walmart, GameStop, and Amazon starting on Black Friday. For many more Nintendo Switch deals and discounts, check out our selection of some of the best games and accessories on sale this year. And for a wider range of Black Friday sales across various consoles and PC hardware, take a gander at our Black Friday deals roundup. Best Black Friday DealsAll The Game Deals
Kohl's Nintendo Switch Console Deal
If you don't necessarily want Mario Kart 8 with your Nintendo Switch purchase, you may want to consider the Kohl's Black Friday sale. For $330--or $30 above the standard price--you get a standard console, Turtle Beach headset, carrying case, and $90 in Kohl's Cash. You could apply that store credit towards the store's (somewhat limited) selection of games, making it a good deal for bargain hunters who may want to pick up other items at Kohl's anyway.
Arms ($35) -- Walmart
Nintendo's first-party games are notoriously resistant to price drops, so picking up a steep discount on even an older game can be a steal. Arms was a cute and quirky take on the fighting genre and received a positive reception in GameSpot's Arms review. At $35 it's almost half-price from its still-hanging-in-there MSRP of $59.99. Buy at Walmart
Bayonetta 2 ($40) -- Best Buy
Bayonetta 2 is one of the finest character action games of the last few years, and its transition onto Nintendo Switch didn't miss a beat. As with many ports from the Wii U, though, you may have felt uneasy paying full price again. At $40, this is a more inviting price point to jump in, and it even includes the original Bayonetta as a bonus. Buy at Best Buy
Kirby Star Allies ($35) -- Walmart
One of the more recent first-party games going on sale, Kirby Star Allies brings back the pink puffball for another adventure. This time he brings his friends along, with a mechanic all about forging alliances with the other denizens of Dreamworld. Our review called it "an artistic showcase, and a great opportunity for co-op platforming." If you miss out on Walmart's price, you can get almost as good a deal at Best Buy for $40 instead. Buy at Walmart Buy at Best Buy
Lego DC Supervillains ($30) -- Best Buy, Target
Some games just get marked down incredibly quickly for Black Friday, and Lego DC Supervillains is one. It just came out in mid-October, and it's already going for half-price. That may be that the reception was middling, with our own review calling it a "cookie-cutter Lego game." If you haven't tired of the tried-and-tried-and-tried-and-true Lego gameplay yet, though, the price is right. Buy at Best Buy Buy at Target
Mario+Rabbids: Kingdom Battle ($20) -- Best Buy
One of the biggest surprises on the Nintendo Switch last year, this crossover between familiar Nintendo characters and Ubisoft's Minion-like bumbling bunnies was shocking both as an announcement, and then that it was actually really good. If you missed out on Mario+Rabbids: Kingdom Battle the first time around, this is a can't-miss price. Buy at Best Buy
South Park: The Fractured But Whole ($17) -- Walmart
This particular Switch port sheds the console's family-friendly image for the very mature (and immature) humor of South Park's youngsters. South Park: The Fractured But Whole is a direct sequel to The Stick of Truth, but you don't really need to have played the first, and the combination of stellar writing and solid RPG mechanics made it an inviting combination again. At less than twenty bucks, it's easy to recommend. Buy at Walmart
Starlink: Battle for Atlas Starter Pack ($35) -- Best Buy
Ubisoft's own take on the toys-to-life genre is another very recent game going on sale for Black Friday. Starlink: Battle for Atlas takes arcade ship combat and lets you customize your own ship with swappable weapons and pilots. The result was a solid and engaging take on the genre, but like most toys-to-life games the starter pack may have caused some potential players sticker shock--especially since many players will want to keep buying more ships and weapons to augment their fleet. Marked down to $35 makes it a much easier pill to swallow, and on top of that, the Switch version includes exclusive Starfox missions and an Arwing ship. Buy at Best Buy
Valkyria Chronicles 4 ($40) -- Best Buy
After an initial debut that became a cult favorite, Valkyria Chronicles fumbled for some identity. The second and third games didn't hit as big, and the less said about Valkyria Revolution the better. Valkyria Chronicles 4 takes the series back to its roots with a lengthy story campaign, a wide cast of JRPG characters, and the same tactical gameplay that made the first game stand out. The Switch version compares well with the PC, PS4, and Xbox One versions, but also lets you take it with you wherever you go. Buy at Best Buy
By Jordan Ramée on Nov 20, 2018 11:15 pm
Save Big On Your Favorite Series
Black Friday is this week, and a few retailers have posted deals ahead of the holiday. Both Sentai Filmworks and Rightstuf have released the their respective Black Friday deals for anime and manga, and you can take advantage of them right now. Sentai Filmworks is lowering the prices of its online store's 600+ titles by up to 85% and offering free shipping on all orders that are $75 or more. Rightstuf has close to 1,000 anime and manga on sale this week, as well as figures, art books, and soundtracks. Funimation is offering huge discounts on massive Blu-ray bundles. We've outlined the more noteworthy deals in the following gallery. We will continue to update this gallery as more retailers announce their Black Friday anime and manga deals. As such, the specific advised discount for each series may change over time, as each store tends to offer different prices on similar items. Also keep in mind that some stores that sell anime--like Best Buy and Target--will open and close at different times on Black Friday, so it's best to plan ahead if you know you're going to be shopping from a specific outlet. More Anime Guides
Box Sets
Box sets are specialized collections of different anime that typically include the full season or the entire series of a show, as well as exclusive physical items like art books, CD soundtracks, collector's pins, and more. As such, box sets typically run anywhere between $100 and $200 on average. Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Premium Box set is one of the better deals this Black Friday. Normally priced around $140, you can buy the box set for $38 during Sentai Filmworks' pre-Black Friday and Black Friday sales. The set includes the popular series about a young adventurer who delves into a dangerous dungeon in order to become stronger and impress the woman who saved his life, and the comedic hijinks that occur between him and almost every other female he meets. Armed Girl's Machiavellism Premium Box Set Flip Flappers Premium Box Set Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Premium Box Set Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Collector's Ultra Edition Box Set Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun Premium Box Set My Love Story!! Premium Box Set Tokyo Ghoul Season 1 Collection's Edition
Action Series
There's never a dull moment in an action anime, as anything from magic to the living undead transform the lives of ordinary people into a never-ending series of explosive battles. Action anime are typically also fairly funny, using humor to lighten the mood between fights. One such series is Trinity Seven, an anime about a high school boy, named Arata, who joins a magical school in order to learn how to control his powerful abilities. Arata is flippantly open about his opinions and feelings, which leads to him getting into a few problems with the Trinty Seven, the seven girls at his school who each embody one of the seven deadly sins. If you're looking for something a little more serious, take advantage of Sentai Filmworks' Black Friday deal for Princess Principal. The anime follows five girls who live in a steampunk Great Britain and work as spies trying to topple the royal family. During the day, they attend a prestigious school for young ladies, and by night they hunt down and torture, kill, and spy on the corrupt nobility. Armed Girl's Machiavellism Complete Collection Black Bullet Complete Collection Chaika - The Coffin Princess Complete Series Coppelion Complete Series Cowboy Bebop Complete Series Digimon Adventure Tri Coexistance Digimon Adventure Tri Confession Digimon Adventure Tri Determination Digimon Adventure Tri Loss Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker Dragon Ball Complete Series Bundle Dragon Ball Z Complete Series Bundle Dragon Ball Super Complete Series Bundle Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works Fairy Tail Season 1-5 Bundle Flip Flappers Complete Collection Gachaman Crowds Insight Complete Collection High School DxD Season 1-3 + Tissues Bundle High School of the Dead Complete Collection My Hero Academia Season 1 Complete Collection My Hero Academia Season 2 Part 1 My Hero Academia Season 2 Part 2 Princess Principal Complete Collection Seven Deadly Sins: Knights Of Britannia Complete Collection Trinity Seven Complete Collection
Comedy Series
This Black Friday, Engaged to the Unidentified Complete Collection, the Blu-ray for one of the funniest romantic comedies out there, is going on sale. The series focuses on Kobeni, a girl who finds out on her 16th birthday that her grandfather has engaged her to a young boy who lives in a village in the mountains. As she begins to live with her fiance and his energetic younger sister, Kobeni begins to realize that the family she's marrying into aren't exactly human. If you prefer your comedy to be fast-paced, then take advantage of the Black Friday deal for Student Council's Discretion or Tonari No Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time. Both shows focus on contained tongue-in-cheek skits as opposed to an overarching story. Discretion follows a student council that's filled with weirdos that engage in numerous hijinks, while Killing Time is about a young girl who watches the boy next to her in class come up with numerous ways to not pay attention to the teacher. Engaged to the Unidentified Complete Collection Food Wars! Complete Collection I Couldn't Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job Complete Collection Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Complete Collection Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Complete Collection Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun Complete Collection Pop Team Epic Complete Collection Prison School Complete Collection (Anime Essentials Version) Sabegebu! Survival Game Club Complete Collection Space Patrol Luluco (Anime Essentials Version) Student Council's Discretion Complete Collection Student Council's Discretion Level 2 Complete Collection Tonari No Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time Complete Collection
Horror Series
Another is usually sold for around $70. This Black Friday, you can buy the whole series of anime's version of the Final Destination movies for just $19. If you want to be scared, but you need something cute to cleanse your mind between moments of horror, then go for School Live. You definitely want to go into that anime with as little knowledge beforehand as possible. Another Complete Collection Corpse Party OVA Collection Elfen Lied Complete Collection School Live Complete Collection
Fantasy Series
This Black Friday, several fantasy anime are going on sale as well. Although it's not as popular as Sword Art Online, Log Horizon is a great fantasy anime to watch if you love video games. The anime follows Shiro, a young man who's become locked in a virtual reality video game with hundreds of other people and no way to log out. However, instead of acquiring followers through his explosive power like SAO's Kirito, Shiro decides to use his mind to find ways of controlling the game's governments and economy. If you like Log Horizon, chances are you'll like Maoyu too. The anime follows several characters, but mostly focuses on a hero who is chosen to defeat the demon king and their army. However, when he meets the king, she turns out to be not very demonic and she convinces the hero to work with her behind the scenes of their fellow kingdoms in order to ensure both sets of people survive the war. In Another World With My Smartphone Log Horizon Complete Collection Made in Abyss Complete Collection Maria The Virgin Witch Complete Series Maoyu Complete Collection No Game No Life Zero The Dragon Dentist The Familiar Of Zero Complete Series
Romance Series
Momokuri might be one of the funniest romance anime out there, and that's largely because it subverts viewers' expectations. In Momokuri, it's the girl who's a perverted stalker and the boy who's shy and blushing all the time. The anime is full of the adorable misunderstandings associated to the romantic comedy genre, much to the chagrin of the characters. If you take advantage of any romance anime Black Friday deal this year, though, you'll want to buy the complete collection of Maid-Sama! from Sentai Filmworks. Normally priced at $100 or higher, the Blu-ray can be bought from Sentai for $14. Maid-Sama! is one of the most popular shojo manga ever, and the anime based on it perfectly captures the hilarious romance between the smooth Usui and loud-mouthed Ayuzawa. Beyond the Boundary Complete Collection Clannad / Clannad After Story Complete Collection Dusk Maiden of Amnesia Complete Collection Fruit of Grisaia Complete Collection Labyrinth of Grisaia + Eden of Grisaia Complete Collection Golden Time Complete Collection Maid-Sama! Complete Collection Momokuri Complete Collection My Love Story!! Complete Collection Sakura Trick Complete Collection Say "I Love You" Complete Collection
Slice Of Life Series
The genre of slice of life isn't seen in many mediums outside of anime--think along the same lines as Seinfeld for the closest western comparison. As the name implies, they usually showcase a sliver in the life of a particular person or group of people. In most cases, this is done to create a relaxing show that's easy to binge through and pretty much almost anyone can enjoy, like One Week Friends, Love Lab, and Outbreak Company--all of which have excellent Black Friday sales this year. However, slice of life anime can also be used to teach the viewer a lesson. The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, for example, is an emotional rollercoaster about a couple of ordinary students living in a dorm that's designed for those who are born geniuses, and the anime is one long message about how life is just unfair but that doesn't mean it's not worth living to the fullest. Bunny Drop Complete Series Dagashi Kashi Complete Collection Dagashi Kashi Season 2 Complete Collection HaNaYaMaTa Complete Collection Love Lab Complete Collection My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Complete Series One Week Friends Complete Collection Outbreak Company Complete Collection Place to Place Complete Collection Rail Wars! Complete Collection The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors & Hostel Behavior Complete Collection The Pet Girl of Sakurasou Complete Collection
Tragedy Series
Grab plenty of tissues if you decide to take advantage of any Black Friday deals for tragic anime. As of right now, the only major Black Friday deal for tragedy anime we've found is for Tokyo Magnitude 8.0. The show is really good, and absolutely worth experiencing if you haven't already. Just forewarning, this anime is devastatingly sad. It's about three people--two siblings and the woman they run into--working together to find their way home to their loved ones after an earthquake wrecks Tokyo. Normally priced at $70, Sentai Filmworks is selling the Blu-ray for $19. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 Complete Collection
Mystery
Hyouka is a one of anime's many modern retellings of Sherlock Holmes. Series protagonist Oreki is a pragmatic high school student with a natural talent for deduction. Much to his annoyance, the energetic Eru is fascinated by his ability and ropes him into helping her solve mysteries across the city. The two are joined by Oreki's best friend Satoshi, who has an amazing memory, and childhood acquaintance Mayaka, who harbors animosity for Oreki and feelings for Satoshi. Hyouka Complete Series
Drama
Sharing several themes with tragic anime, the most notable difference with dramatic anime is typically the happier ending. That doesn't mean these shows are any less emotional to get through, and quite a few are just as sad as a tragedy for touching on triggering content and events, such as bullying, self-harm, suicide, and gender discrimination. Orange is a perfect example. The series follows high school girl Naho, who receives a letter one day that claims to be from her future self. The letter lists all of Naho's future regrets, as well as how to avoid them. Most notable is the regret that she didn't do more to befriend Kakeru, a new transfer student that will supposedly commit suicide in the near future. The anime follows Naho's efforts to save Kakeru's life, as well as improve her own by overcoming her own shortcomings outlined in the letter. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day The Movie In This Corner Of The World Orange Complete Series (Limited Edition)
Manga And Light Novels
Although some anime are created as an original series, most are adapted from manga, light novels, or video games. Manga, Japan's versions of comics, and light novels, which are just bite-sized versions of full-fledged novels, are the two usual inspirations. Below are some of the better Black Friday deals for manga and light novels, many of which have already been turned into anime. Both Land of the Lustrous and That Time I Go Reincarnated As A Slime are now anime, for example, with 2017's Lustrous regarded as one of the best anime ever that use CGI and 2018's Slime one of the better anime of the year. 5 Centimeters Per Second Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Volume 1-4 Bundle City Volume 1-3 Bundle Land of the Lustrous Volume 1-3 Bundle Land of the Lustrous Volume 4-6 Bundle One-Punch Man Volume 1-6 Bundle One-Punch Man Volume 7-12 Bundle That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Volume 1-4 Bundle That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Volume 5-8 Bundle
By Tony Wilson on Nov 20, 2018 11:15 pm
Between 2016's Assassin's Creed movie and the currently running Rabbids TV show, Ubisoft has been expanding its portfolio beyond video games for the past few years--and its next step is an amusement park ride. GameSpot was on the scene at the IAAPA Attractions Expo (picture E3, but for amusement parks) to try out Rabbids Team Battle. The ride pits two teams of players against each other, with the goal of scoring the most points. Two Rabbid-driven robots, one red and one blue, face off in a series of battles, during which you can blast the enemy robot to score points. The demo build we played had just two teams of eight people, but the final version will house about 40 people on each side. Rabbids Team Battle is a collaboration between Ubisoft and Triotech, the park attraction design studio responsible for Lego Land's 4D Ninjago coaster. Like that ride, Rabbids Team Battle incorporates the Unreal Engine, the foundation of big-name games like Fortnite. Throughout the experience, you fly through the city (with appropriate tilt and rumble in your seat) as the robots fight; taxis, helicopters, and more are thrown right at your face, giving you another chance to fire your laser gun for more points. Score more than the other team, and you'll win when the ride wraps up. You can also check the smaller, secondary screen on your individual gun to see your overall rank (though not your total score, at this time). What's more, Rabbids Team Battle can be modified thanks to its digital nature. Triotech CEO Ernest Yale told GameSpot that seasonal updates for Halloween, Christmas, and Easter Rabbids are totally possible. Hopefully you'll see some of those at your theme park of choice in the near future. For now, you can click through the gallery to see the ride in action! Note: Gallery contains 2D photos of a ride meant to be experienced in 3D.
By Chris E. Hayner on Nov 20, 2018 11:11 pm
The TV shows of the Arrow-verse are preparing to crossover once again. This time, though, Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl aren't content playing in their own worlds. For the next event, Elseworlds, the heroes will be bringing Batwoman and Gotham City into the fold, marking the first time that corner of the DC Universe has been worked into this particular franchise. And from what we can see in the photos that have been released by The CW, it's unlike anything these shows have tried before. In any other episode, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) taking on the mantle of The Flash and Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) stepping in as the Green Arrow would be the most important thing to talk about. However, Elseworlds also has the aforementioned Batwoman (Ruby Rose), Superman (Tyler Hoechlin), Lois Lane (Elizabeth Bulloch), Nora Fries (Cassandra Jean Amell), The Monitor (LaMonica Garrett), and who knows what else? The only thing going against Elseworlds is that Legends of Tomorrow is not included in the crossover. Of course, given that show's penchant for jumping around in time and space, pinning them down is no easy feat. Still, even without the Legends, Elseworlds looks to be potentially the biggest game changer for the Arrow-verse yet. After all, adding Batwoman--and a potential spinoff series--to the mix is no small feat. Now it's just a matter of finding out how she will arrive and what role she'll play with The Flash, Green Arrow, and Supergirl. To find how it will all come together, you'll have to tune into the three-night Elseworlds event, which will air on The CW from Sunday. December 9 through Tuesday, December 11. In the meantime, make sure to check out our looks at Flash and Green Arrow swapping costumes and Superman in a black suit.
By Jordan Ramée on Nov 20, 2018 10:57 pm
Over 15 Games That Are Each $15 Or Less
Black Friday 2018 week is here, and you can expect to see tons of games for Xbox One, PS4, and Switch get major price cuts from retailers like Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and Target. This year, some triple-A titles can be purchased for $15 or less. This gallery compiles the best deals for games being sold for $15 or lower on Black Friday. Despite the low price tag, many of these games--such as Horizon Zero Dawn, Doom, and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End--are really good. So whether you're looking for a good gift to give someone this holiday season or just trying to catch up on your own backlog, consider these Black Friday deals if you aren't looking to break the bank. Every retailer and online store is offering different discounts for each title, so we've outlined all of the current deals that are $15 or lower in case you need a back up plan. Be sure to keep in mind when stores open and close for Black Friday this year as well. We will also continue to update this gallery as additional Black Friday sales for games become available. In some cases, you can already take advantage of these prices--Best Buy's sale is live for some, while PSN and Xbox Live sales are now available for everyone. If you're willing to spend a little more than $15, check out our gallery of the best overall game deals for Xbox One, PS4, and Switch on Black Friday. Best Black Friday DealsAll The Game Deals
Batman: Arkham Knight -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Batman: Arkham Knight review, Kevin VanOrd gave the game a 7/10, writing, "Gotham is a dazzling playground where neon lights pierce through the rain and mist; all it takes is a single glimpse to tell you that this is a city in need. Moreover, many individual elements are so carefully constructed, and presented with such flair, that appreciation is the only reasonable reaction." Xbox One PlayStation 4
Doom (2016) -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Doom review, Peter Brown gave the game an 8/10, writing, "But without a doubt, the loud and chaotic campaign is Doom's strongest component. It's straightforward and simple, but it serves its purpose: to thrust you into increasingly dire scenarios fueled by rage and the spirit of heavy metal. Many shooters chase the thrill Doom delivers, but few are as potent in their execution." Xbox One PlayStation 4
The Evil Within 2 -- Xbox One, PS4
In our The Evil Within 2 review, Alessandro Fillari gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Coming in at a lengthy and surprisingly packed 15-hour campaign, the sequel does an admirable job of ratcheting up the tension and scares when it needs to, while also giving you the freedom to explore and proceed how you want. It's a tough thing to balance, but The Evil Within 2 does it remarkably well, and in a way that leaves a strong and lasting impression after its touching conclusion." Xbox One PlayStation 4
Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition -- PS4
Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition includes both the main game and The Frozen Wilds DLC in one package. In our Horizon Zero Dawn review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "For every minor imperfection, there's an element of greatness that recharges your desire to keep fighting and exploring Zero Dawn's beautiful and perilous world. Guerrilla Games has delivered one of the best open-world games of this generation, and redefined its team's reputation in the process." In our Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds review, Peter Brown gave the expansion an 8/10, writing, "[The Frozen Wild's] story feels better suited as an interlude than the revelatory companion to the conclusion it tries to be. Yet these are feelings that come up after more than a dozen hours of riveting battles and serene hikes flew by, so it's hard to get too upset at such a captivating experience when it's all said and done." PlayStation 4
Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition -- Xbox One, PS4
Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition includes the main game and every piece of DLC. That's six new playable fighters, 60 additional S.T.A.R. Labs missions, and 30 character skins--including Stephen Amell's Arrow and Grant Gustin's Flash from the Arrow-verse. In our Injustice: Gods Among Us review, Maxwell McGee gave the game a 7/10, writing, "Injustice: Gods Among Us is a hard-hitting fighter that plays to the hardcore crowd. Its creative use of background objects coupled with satisfying fighting mechanics make it both fun and distinct from it contemporaries." Xbox One PlayStation 4
The Last Of Us Remastered -- PS4
In our The Last Of Us Remastered review, Carolyn Petit gave the game an 8/10, writing, "The Last of Us is a great action game that you should play if you haven't already. And if you have played it before, the improvements here aren't so dramatic as to make the game feel like a new experience, but it is definitely one worth revisiting." PlayStation 4
Mortal Kombat XL -- Xbox One, PS4
Mortal Kombat XL includes the main game, every DLC fighter and skin pack, and an additional stage. In our Mortal Kombat X review, Peter Brown gave the game a 8/10, writing, "A great roster with a wide range of diverse fighting styles and variations gives you plenty to play around with, and the new fighting mechanics add the right amount of depth to nudge Mortal Kombat X ever higher on the list of respectable fighting games. There's also the gruesome creativity, which is entertaining for its absurdity but shocking for its emphasis on acute torture." Xbox One PlayStation 4
Overwatch -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Overwatch review, Mike Mahardy gave the game a 9/10, writing, "It's that intoxicating path of discovery that makes Overwatch so varied, so rewarding, and ultimately another seminal release from developer Blizzard. Overwatch is an intelligent cascade of disparate ideas, supporting one another, pouring into one another, and coiling around themselves as they flow into the brilliant shooter underneath." Xbox One PlayStation 4
Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 review, Scott Butterworth gave the game a 7/10, writing, "With more generous pacing and worthwhile single-player content, Garden Warfare 2 would have been a truly outstanding game, but even without those things, it's a robust shooter with an astounding level of mechanical diversity that all but guarantees you'll encounter something new every round you play." Xbox One PlayStation 4
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds -- Xbox One
In our PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds review, Michael Higham gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Each phase of a match presents a different type of tension that is equal parts thrilling and terrifying, driven by the insatiable desire to be the last person (or squad) standing. Whether you play solo or in a group, successfully executing adaptive tactics to win intense, high-stakes firefights makes for an incredibly rewarding experience." Xbox One
Red Dead Redemption: Game Of The Year Edition -- Xbox One
In our Red Dead Redemption review, Justin Calvert gave the game a 9.5/10, writing, "This is an outstanding game that tells a great story with memorable and occasionally laugh-out-loud-funny characters. Think about great moments that you remember from spaghetti Western movies, put them all into one 20- to 40-hour epic feature, and picture yourself in the starring role." Xbox One
Resident Evil VII: Biohazard -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Resident Evil 7: Biohazard review, Scott Buttersworth gave the game an 8/10, writing, "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." Xbox One PlayStation 4
Star Wars Battlefront II -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Star Wars Battlefront II review, Alessandro Fillari gave the game a 6/10, writing, "While its main narrative feels unresolved, and the general loop of the multiplayer carries a number of issues, Battlefront II still manages to evoke that same sense of joy and excitement found in the core of what the series is all about." Xbox One PlayStation 4
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End -- PS4
In our Uncharted 4: A Thief's End review, Mike Mahardy gave the game a perfect 10/10, writing, "Uncharted 4 is a challenge to the medium. In its writing, in its design, in its understanding of what makes games unique, Uncharted 4 is something to aspire to. It's a shining example. And we'll be talking about it for years to come." If you're interested in playing the rest of the franchise, every other chapter of Uncharted falls under $15 on Black Friday as well. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Watch Dogs 2
In our Watch Dogs 2 review, Peter Brown gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Even when playing solo, Watch Dogs 2 remains a fun, energetic game filled with possibilities. It's easy see-through enemy AI during missions that are supposed to be challenging, which holds back the game at large, but it's a chance to let loose, logic be damned." Xbox One PlayStation 4
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
In our Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus review, Kallie Plagge gave the game a 9/10, writing, "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." Xbox One PlayStation 4
By Jordan Ramée on Nov 20, 2018 10:55 pm
Best Black Friday 2018 Game Deals
Even though the holiday is still a few days out, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and several other stores have already announced Black Friday 2018 deals. To help you sort through it, we've compiled the best discounts for Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch games--and you can take advantage of some of them already, with Best Buy kicking off limited access to its full slate of deals. Exclusive titles for all three consoles--such as Forza Horizon 4, God of War, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2--are included in this gallery, as are third-party titles like Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. The game deals are listed in alphabetical order and do not reflect any sort of ranking in the quality of each game or the amount of money you save. The specific price for each game is not always the same across retailers. We've listed all the discounted prices for each product at each store, so you can see all of your options and plan accordingly. Also keep in mind that each store will open and close at different times on Black Friday. We will continue to update this gallery as additional Black Friday 2018 deals are announced. If you're looking for a sale for a particular family of consoles or gaming accessory, you can check out our other Black Friday gaming guides. Black Friday 2018 Video Game Shopping Guides Best Black Friday Gaming Deals By Console
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review, Alessandro Fillari gave the game an 8/10, writing, "While its large-scale campaign--clocking in at over 50 hours--can occasionally be tiresome, and some features don't quite make the impact they should, Odyssey makes great strides in its massive and dynamic world, and it's a joy to venture out and leave your mark on its ever-changing setting." Assassin's Creed Odyssey is available for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Xbox One PlayStation 4
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review, Kallie Plagge gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Blackout pushes Call of Duty in an entirely new direction, making use of aspects from both multiplayer and Zombies for a take on the battle royale genre that stands on its own. Sure, there isn't a traditional single-player campaign, but with the depth and breadth of what is there, Black Ops 4 doesn't need it." Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is available for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Xbox One PlayStation 4
Dragon Ball FighterZ -- Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
In our Dragon Ball FighterZ review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance." Dragon Ball FighterZ is available for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Xbox One PlayStation 4 Nintendo Switch
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age -- PS4
In our Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age review, Heidi Kemps gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Innovation in games is talked about a lot, but it's also great to see traditional gameplay formulas that have been around for decades presented exceptionally well. Dragon Quest XI is one of the best modern examples of this; its beautiful presentation, both visual- and story-wise, combines with a tried-and-true gameplay formula for a journey that's full of heart and soul." Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is currently a PS4 console exclusive, with plans to port the game to Nintendo Switch. PlayStation 4
Forza Horizon 4 -- Xbox One
In our Forza Horizon 4 review, Edmond Tran gave the game a 9/10, writing, "There's such a diverse range of activities stuffed into every corner of Horizon 4, and meaningful changes contribute to smart driving dynamics and a more consistent sense of achievement. Everything you do in Horizon feels valuable, no matter how big or small...." Forza Horizon 4 is an Xbox One console exclusive. Xbox One
God Of War -- PS4
In our God of War review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "In many ways God of War is what the series has always been. It's a spectacular action game with epic set pieces, big-budget production values, and hard-hitting combat that grows more feverish and impressive as you progress. What may surprise you is how mature its storytelling has become." God of War is a PS4 exclusive. PlayStation 4
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle -- Nintendo Switch
In our Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle review, Edmond Tran gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle exudes off-beat optimism that never dissolves. It's a consistent delight, no matter how challenging the road becomes, because Kingdom Battle's unique turn-based tactics system is in every way a pleasure to engage with." Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Nintendo Switch
Middle-earth: Shadow Of War Definitive Edition -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Middle-earth: Shadow of War review, Justin Haywald gave the game a 7/10, writing, "[Shadow of War] tries to be larger than its predecessor, there are more abilities, more weapons, more Orcs, yet it leaves you wanting less. But at its core, it's a fun experience with brilliant moments that provide fascinating insight into some of the untold stories of Middle-earth." Middle-earth: Shadow of War Definitive Edition fixes the largest issues--loot boxes and story pacing--of the original game. It is available for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Xbox One PlayStation 4
Nier: Automata -- PS4
In our Nier: Automata review, Miguel Concepcion gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Thanks to Platinum Games' knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro's most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression." Nier: Automata is available for PS4 and PC, and as a digital-only title for Xbox One. PlayStation 4
Sushi Striker: The Way Of Sushido -- Nintendo Switch
In our Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido review, Kevin Knezevic gave the game a 7/10, writing, "Despite its imperfect transition to Switch, Sushi Striker is one of the more enjoyable puzzle games in the console's library. With a substantial campaign that's propped up by clever mechanics and a charmingly ludicrous story, the game offers a wealth of single- and multiplayer content to dive into." Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido is available for Nintendo 3DS and Switch. Nintendo Switch
Valkyria Chronicles 4 -- Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
In our Valkyria Chronicles 4 review, Ginny Woo gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Valkyria Chronicles 4 doesn't necessarily tell a new tale, but it doesn't have to; for all of its clichés and expected twists, there's a charm to the game's unwillingness to let up as it drives you and your friends forward at a rapid clip towards its bittersweet end." Valkyria Chronicles 4 is available for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 -- Nintendo Switch
In our Xenoblade Chronicles 2 review, Peter Brown gave the game a 7/10, writing, "Adventurous types that enjoy complex combat systems can easily spend more than 100 hours uncovering Alrest's secrets and developing their team of Blades, provided they can come to terms with a handful of unavoidable shortcomings. It's equal parts pleasing and frustrating, but the struggle to keep up with everything thrown your way is more of a hurdle than a roadblock." Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Nintendo Switch
Xbox Game Pass -- Xbox One
Subscribing to Xbox Game Pass unlocks a library of over 100 free titles--that includes backwards compatible Xbox 360 games--for your Xbox One, Xbox One S, or Xbox One X. The list is updated with new titles each month. This Black Friday, you can buy a 12-month subscription from Best Buy for $70, which is only $10 more than the normal price for a six-month subscription. The Microsoft store also has a pretty good deal for a one-month subscription if you don't want to make a year-long commitment to the service. Best Buy 12-Month Subscription -- $70 Microsoft Store 1-Month Subscription -- $1
By Jordan Ramée on Nov 20, 2018 10:53 pm
Xbox One's Best Black Friday 2018 Deals
There are plenty of opportunities to save money on a new Xbox One console or game during Black Friday 2018. The deals extend from online stores to major retailers, such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. In this gallery, we highlight the best deals for anything in regards to Xbox One. This includes the family of consoles, consisting of the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, as well games, both third-party and exclusives titles. For the most part, games are where you're going to find the most discounts, but the Xbox One S is also getting a price cut this Black Friday at plenty of locations too. If you don't see what you're looking for, read our list of every Xbox One deal being offered this Black Friday. And if you're an Xbox Live Gold member, Xbox Live's digital games sale is already live. Specific pricing on some of these consoles and games fluctuate depending on where you choose to buy them from. We've listed all the discounted prices for each product, so you can plan ahead and have a back-up plan if your chosen retailer runs out of stock. We will update this gallery if additional deals become available.
Xbox One Console Deals
Both the Xbox One S and Xbox One X are on sale this Black Friday. On either console, you'll be able to play all Xbox One games, as well as select Xbox 360 titles. Unlike the original Xbox One, both the One S and One X can be stored horizontally or vertically if you have the right accessory. The major difference between the One S and One X is how much smoother games run on the latter. The One X is the first and only Xbox console to render games natively in 4K. It also offers faster load times and enhanced framerates despite being smaller than the One S. To take full advantage of a One X, you'll want to invest in a 4K TV, which are also on sale this Black Friday. Best Buy Target Walmart - Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft Creators Bundle -- $199
- Xbox One X -- $399
Kohl's - Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft Creators Bundle + $60 Kohl's Cash -- $200
- Xbox One X 1TB PlayUnknown's Battlegrounds Bundle + $120 Kohl's Cash -- $400
Microsoft Store
Xbox Game Pass Subscription
Xbox Game Pass has proven to be an excellent subscription service for anyone looking to play a majority of new games on Xbox One. Subscribing to Xbox Game Pass opens up a vast library of over 100 free Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles that's updated every month. During Black Friday 2018, Best Buy is offering a fairly large discount on a 12-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass. At $70, that's a year's access to dozens of new games--such as Forza Horizon 4--as well as older classics like Mass Effect and Sunset Overdrive. For context, the 6-month Xbox Game Pass subscription is normally offered at $60, so if you take advantage of this Black Friday deal, you get twice as much time for only $10 more. Best Buy 12-Month Subscription -- $70 Microsoft Store 1-Month Subscription -- $1
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
In our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review, Alessandro Fillari gave the game an 8/10, writing, "While its large-scale campaign--clocking in at over 50 hours--can occasionally be tiresome, and some features don't quite make the impact they should, Odyssey makes great strides in its massive and dynamic world, and it's a joy to venture out and leave your mark on its ever-changing setting." Best Buy has the best deal on Ubisoft's new action role-playing game, but both Target and Walmart offer fairly substantial discounts as well.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
In our Borderlands: The Handsome Collection review, Cameron Woolsey gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Let's be clear: You don't have to be Handsome Jack's number-one fan to appreciate Borderlands: The Handsome Collection. But even if you're not, you will still find an impressive archive, chock full of dozens upon dozens of hours of laughter and exciting combat." The Handsome Collection combines both Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel into one bundle, and you can get it for just $12 at Walmart.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4
In our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review, Kallie Plagge gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Blackout pushes Call of Duty in an entirely new direction, making use of aspects from both multiplayer and Zombies for a take on the battle royale genre that stands on its own. Sure, there isn't a traditional single-player campaign, but with the depth and breadth of what is there, Black Ops 4 doesn't need it." Black Ops 4 hasn't been out for very long, but it's already making waves with its phenomenal Blackout battle royale mode. There's a $20 discount on Black Ops 4 at Walmart this Black Friday, and the game is on sale at Best Buy and Target too.
Destiny 2: Forsaken Legendary Collection
In our Destiny 2: Forsaken review, Kallie Plagge gave the expansion an 8/10, writing, "There is a lot to do in Forsaken, so much so that it can be difficult to see it all. That also means that, for the average player, this expansion has a much longer tail than previous iterations of Destiny 2." Forsaken Legendary Collection includes Destiny 2, Expansion I: Curse of Osiris, Expansion II: Warmind, Forsaken, and a level 30 character boost. It's pretty much everything you need to catch up with other players, and Target is offering the entire collection for half the cost of a normal triple-A title.
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection
In our Diablo 3: Eternal Collection review, Mike Mahardy gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Diablo 3 is a game about long term goals accomplished in short, thrilling bursts. It's rewarding and subtle. It's flashy and boisterous." Eternal Collection includes Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition and the Rise of the Necromancer expansion. That's dozens of hours of looting, and both Walmart and Best Buy are offering the collection at a third of its normal cost.
Doom (2016)
In our Doom review, Peter Brown gave the game an 8/10, writing, "But without a doubt, the loud and chaotic campaign is Doom's strongest component. It's straightforward and simple, but it serves its purpose: to thrust you into increasingly dire scenarios fueled by rage and the spirit of heavy metal. Many shooters chase the thrill Doom delivers, but few are as potent in their execution." Doom may have been overshadowed by Overwatch in 2016, but it's still one of the best first-person shooters seen in recent years. With Doom's sequel scheduled for 2019, it's the perfect time to catch up with the first game. This Black Friday, Walmart is selling it for $12 and Target also has a discount that's nearly as good.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
In our Dragon Ball FighterZ review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance." One of the best fighting games of 2018 is being sold at a fraction of its original cost at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target.
For Honor: Marching Fire Edition
In our For Honor review, Matt Espineli gave the game an 8/10, writing, "After slaying countless foes, it's clear the impact For Honor's combat has had; its fundamental tenets of discipline and restraint are bestowed upon you permanently, forever changing the way you perceive a melee-combat encounter in a game." The Marching Fire expansion adds a Chinese faction to For Honor, a brand-new army to confront the vikings, knights, and samurai of the original game.
Forza Horizon 4
In our Forza Horizon 4 review, Edmond Tran gave the game a 9/10, writing, "There's such a diverse range of activities stuffed into every corner of Horizon 4, and meaningful changes contribute to smart driving dynamics and a more consistent sense of achievement. Everything you do in Horizon feels valuable, no matter how big or small...." Possibly the best racing game of 2018, Forza Horizon 4 is being offered half off this Black Friday at Best Buy.
Injustice 2: Legendary Edition
In our Injustice 2 review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "With AI battles, online and local versus matches, the diverse and ever-changing Multiverse, and an impressive story mode, Injustice 2 offers numerous ways of engaging with its characters and testing your abilities without feeling repetitive." The Legendary Edition of Injustice 2 includes every DLC fighter, which adds Power Girl, The Atom, Sub-Zero, John Stewart, Reverse Flash, Raiden, Black Lightning, Black Manta, Starfire, Hellboy, Red Hood, Darkseid, Enchantress, and all four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the game. It's normally offered for $60.
Middle-earth: Shadow Of War Definitive Edition
In our Middle-earth: Shadow of War review, Justin Haywald gave the game a 7/10, writing, "[Shadow of War] tries to be larger than its predecessor, there are more abilities, more weapons, more Orcs, yet it leaves you wanting less. But at its core, it's a fun experience with brilliant moments that provide fascinating insight into some of the untold stories of Middle-earth." The Definitive Edition of Shadow of War fixes almost every major problem with the original game, removing a huge chunk of the game that promoted buying loot boxes and also streamlining parts of the story.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Gold Edition
In our Resident Evil 7: Biohazard review, Scott Buttersworth gave the game an 8/10, writing, "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." At Walmart, you can buy the Gold Edition of Resident Evil 7--which includes all three of the game's DLC packs--for $17, which is only $5 more than the store's Black Friday deal of the standard edition of the game.
Rocket League: Ultimate Edition
In our Rocket League review, Miguel Concepcion gave the game a 9/10, writing, "The joy of Rocket League rests on the countless plans that are conceived and discarded every other second in any given match. Trying to predict where and how the ball will bounce next is a game within the game." The Ultimate Edition of Rocket League includes four DLC packs, the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice bundle, and seven DLC battle-cars.
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
In our Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus review, Kallie Plagge gave the game a 9/10, writing, "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." Chances are, you missed out on The New Colossus, which released the same day as Assassin's Creed Origins and Super Mario Odyssey. This Black Friday, Target is selling this hidden gem for a fourth of its original cost.
By Peter Brown on Nov 20, 2018 10:47 pm
Best Buy's Best Early Black Friday 2018 Game Deals
Black Friday week has begun, and that means there are plenty of deals on video games to take advantage soon--or possibly even right now. Alongside PSN and Xbox Live sales that have begun, Best Buy has kicked off its sales for My Best Buy members; you can sign up to become one for free to get early access. Other deals are already freely available seemingly everywhere, such as the PS4 Spider-Man bundle for $200 and PS Plus for $40. This gallery will focus on Best Buy's best Black Friday game deals: that includes discounts on PS4 and Xbox One bundles, PS Plus, and games like Assassin's Creed Odyssey. If you're interested in other retailers too, be sure to check out our coverage of Target's offerings and what Walmart has in store, and stay tuned to GameSpot in the week to come for more great sales. What's that? You're ready to take the leap into 4K HDR but you don't have a compatible TV yet? If you've earmarked Black Friday as the time to buy, consult our collection of the best cheap TV deals on Black Friday, where you can find everything from $200 4K TV's being sold on location Meijer stores, to a massive 75-inch 4K TV for the relatively low price of $1,200 directly from Samsung online. To make sure you don't miss anything, check out our complete lineup of Black Friday deals, and our article covering the dates and times every deal goes into effect. And now, onto Best Buy's best game deals of Black Friday 2018.
1-Year PlayStation Plus Subscription -- $40
While you'd typically have to pay $60 for a year of PlayStation Plus--the online service for PlayStation 4 that gives you access to free games everything month, cloud storage, and exclusive multiplayer access for specific games--Best Buy will hook you up for only $40 during its Black Friday sale. Even if you have a subscription going, the year you purchase will simply be tallied on top of your current plan. Buy at Best Buy: PlayStation Plus
Xbox One X w/ Battlefield V & Extra Controller -- $430
An Xbox One X will usually run you $500, whether for a standalone console or with a free game--who wouldn't take the latter? $500 is a lot of money, of course, but for $70 off, with an extra controller (a $50 value) and a copy of Battlefield V, Black Friday might be the best time to splurge on an X with Best Buy selling the bundle for only $430. Even with Microsoft discounting its consoles by $100 from Nov. 18 to Nov. 26, this bundle is still a great deal. Buy at Best Buy: Xbox One X Consoles
1-Year Xbox Game Pass Subscription -- $70
Like PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass is an online subscription service that adds everyday value to your console by way of giving you a rotating selection of games to play. Unlike PS Plus, the number of games is vastly higher, at over 100 different titles, and games will be slowly cycled in and out over time, rather than monthly, as is the norm for PS Plus. The cherry on top: if you like a game enough that you'd rather own it than play it on a temporary basis, Game Pass owners enjoy a 20% discount on games that are also available on the service. Buy at Best Buy: Xbox One Game Pass
PSVR with Astro Bot and Moss -- $200
With Tetris Effect making waves recently, there are a lot of people wondering if now is the time to pickup a PSVR headset. Though not as widely talked about, both Astro Bot and Moss are two other well-received VR games in recent memory, and they might be the icing on the cake if you pickup the headset bundle with those two games for the cost of the headset alone, at $200, on Black Friday. To put the savings in context: this bundle is normally $300. Buy at Best Buy: PSVR Moss and Astro Bot Bundle
Fallout 76 with Blackout Yeti mic -- $100
Fallout 76 will have launched only days before Black Friday arrives, yet it's part of a very good deal on a bundled Yeti mic, in the Blackout color scheme (normally $140 alone). That bundle is available today, but at an increased cost of 50% over the Black Friday price, at $150; save $50 during Black Friday if this bundle helps you check off two "needs" at once. Buy at Best Buy: Fallout 76 and Blackout Yeti
God of War for PlayStation 4 -- $25
God of War is one the most beloved games of the year, and if you haven't played it, Best Buy selling it for a mere $25 is as good a sign as any that your time has come. As far as we can tell this is the cheapest it's ever been, so don't hesitate to pick it up if you've been waiting. Buy at Best Buy: God of War
SoulCalibur 6 -- $35
SoulCalibur VI has only been out for a few weeks, and by all accounts it's an excellent fighting game that has rekindled interest in the series at large. The fact that Best Buy will be selling it for a paltry $35 is hard to believe, but believe it, and jump on the deal when it goes live later this month. Buy at Best Buy: PS4 Xbox One
Bayonetta 2 -- $40
Nintendo is known to keep the price of its games at the original MSRP for years after release. So when you see a deal for a game like Bayonetta 2 on the horizon, it's worth paying attention if you've got Nintendo on the mind. Not only is Bayonetta 2 an incredible action game, but it's just half the story here--every copy also includes a download code for the original Bayonetta on the Switch eShop. In other words: you can get two excellent games for less than the price of one. Buy at Best Buy: Bayonetta 2
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $30
Speaking of heavy discounts on new and popular games, Assassin's Creed Odyssey for half price at $30 is a heck of a deal. Odyssey veers sharply into RPG territory, more so than last year's Origins, and is a massive game dense with missions and interesting people to meet. This is the cheapest it's ever been, so what're you waiting for? Buy at Best Buy: PS4 Xbox One
Forza Horizon 4 -- $30
Whether you are into more serious simulation racing games, or prefer a bit of arcade action behind the wheel, the Forza series has a game for you. The Horizon games take the more hardcore racing model of the Motorsport series and soften the difficulty a bit to let you explore a vast open world at your leisure. It's one of the best-looking racing games on consoles, and it offers an incredibly detailed and varied world with seasons that change week-to-week. Buy at Best Buy: Forza Horizon 4
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age -- $30
Dragon Quest is a classic series, and one of the most popular in Japan. The latest game, Dragon Quest XI, is very comfortable upholding tradition, and focusing on the basics isn't a bad thing--it works in the series' favor. In Dragon Quest XI, players can enjoy a highly refined iteration of the seminal Japanese RPG formula that kicked off an entire genre. Dragon Quest XI is a massive, great looking, and infinitely charming game that may fly under a lot of people's radars, but it's a steal at $30. If you have any interest in seeing why Dragon Quest is such a big deal in Japan, now is the perfect time to test the waters. Buy at Best Buy: Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
By Tamoor Hussain on Nov 20, 2018 08:45 pm
Walmart's Best Black Friday 2018 Game Sales
The Black Friday 2018 deals are coming in thick and fast now, with the event now just a few days away. This year, the annual shopping holiday will officially begin on November 23, but retailers have provided prospective spenders a heads-up through their ads. First off the starting line was Target, but others such as Best Buy and Sam's Club have now followed. If you're anything like us, you'll find it all a bit overwhelming. The ridiculous amount of deals whizzing about the internet right now makes it hard to focus on the best, so we've decided to pick through them and pull out the ones we think are worth consideration. Online shoppers will get access to Walmart's discounts through Walmart.com on Wednesday, November 21 at 10 PM ET (7 PM PT). Since supplies can be limited, it's worth scoping out what you want ahead of time to give yourself the best chance of scooping it up. Walmart has a nice selection of hardware and games on offer. For example, if you're in the market for Sony's latest system, the PS4 Slim 1TB with Spider-Man will be available for $199--it's not the more powerful PS4 Pro, but this is still a great price for current hardware. Similarly, the Xbox One S Minecraft Creators Bundle is going to be knocked down to $199. Alternatively, you can opt for the Xbox One X and save $100 on it, meaning you'll pay $399. Nintendo Switch, meanwhile, will be available for $299 with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In terms of games, Walmart has recent releases such as Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Destiny 2: Forsaken Legendary Collection, among others. Take a look through this gallery to see the best deals we've seen at Walmart. If you want more options, take a look at all of our coverage in our Black Friday deals roundup.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $35 (PS4/Xbox One)
The latest entry in Ubisoft's series, Assassin's Creed Odyssey follows in Assassin's Creed Origins' footsteps by leaning further into role-playing, taking inspiration from CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3. It offers a massive open world to explore, both on land and at seas, and numerous quests to undertake. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One See all the Assassin's Creed Odyssey Black Friday deals Read our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- $40
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 makes some big changes to Activision's blockbuster first-person shooter series. This year, it launches without a story campaign, but instead doubles down on multiplayer with a variety of modes. In addition to the standard multiplayer suite, there's also the Zombies mode. However, perhaps the biggest surprise is Blackout, Call of Duty's take on the battle royale genre. It manages to provide an exciting new flavour to proceedings by adding perks and Call of Duty's satisfying gunplay into the mix. Well worth checking out, especially for $40. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One See all the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Black Friday deals Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review
Forza Horizon 4 -- $35
With Forza Horizon 4, developer Playground Games cements itself as the premier racing game studio of today. Bringing its brand of highly customizable racing to the shores of Great Britain, Horizon is an incredibly fun and satisfying game that can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone. If you're into racing games as a genre, it's a must-play. If you haven't played one in a while, we'd consider picking this up, as it's very approachable and immediately fun. It must be noted that, like all first-party Xbox One games, Forza Horizon 4 is also available through Xbox Game Pass. This means you get access to the game if you sign up to the service. Buy at Walmart See all Forza Horizon 4 deals Read our Forza Horizon 4 review
Destiny 2: Forsaken Legendary Collection -- $35
Destiny 2: Forsaken is a huge helping of new content for fans of Bungie's online shooter. Perhaps the most exciting contribution to the broader Destiny 2 experience is a story that adopts a darker, more personal tone, making for what is arguably one of the most memorable narrative moments in the series' history. But for those looking for exciting new gameplay ideas, Bungie has Gambit, which we described as a "clever combination of seemingly disparate elements." If you fell off Destiny 2, this may be the excuse you need to jump back in. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One Read our Destiny 2 review
Monster Hunter World -- $17
If you've ever met a Monster Hunter fan you'll know just how dedicated and passionate they are to Capcom's franchise. Until now, however, it's been quite difficult for the average person to jump in and see what all the fuss was about. For Monster Hunter World, the first console entry in the series for quite some time, Capcom has made a number of smart tweaks that make it welcoming for newcomers. However, it has done this without sacrificing what makes Monster Hunter a unique, compelling experience. If you're going to be converted, this is the game that'll do it. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One Read our Monster Hunter World review
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds -- $17
While Fortnite might be the talk of the town right now, PlayerUknown's Battlegrounds still presents a compelling battle royale experience, especially for those who want realistic shooting and tactical strategy above everything else. PUBG is still the tense, skill-based shooter it was when it took the world by storm last year, and if you haven't played it yet this is a fantastic price. Buy at Walmart See all the PUBG deals Read our PUBG review
SoulCalibur 6 -- $35
SoulCalibur VI brings Bandai Namco's weapons-based fighting game series to the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. This entry is a surprisingly feature-rich package, with a lengthy single-player story that asks players to create a unique character and take it across the world to fight against enemies and complete quests. There's also a second single-player mode that focuses on the story of the main cast, and this is all held together by satisfying and easy to learn fighting mechanics. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One See all the SoulCalibur VI deals Read our SoulCalibur VI review
Resident Evil VII Gold Edition -- $17
Resident Evil VII may have been released in January 2017, but it remains one of the best survival horror games in recent memory. Switching to the first-person perspective was a risky move for Capcom, but it managed to deliver an exceptional experience that marries the tension of older entries in the series--achieved through both cinematic presentation and constrained gunplay--with the trimmings of a modern, big budget game. It's got a great story, and some very memorable scares--perfect for the Christmas period. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One Read our Resident Evil 7 review.
PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB with Spider-Man -- $199
Marvel's Spider-Man, which was developed by Insomniac Games, is easily one of the best games of the year and undoubtedly Spidey's greatest video game adaptation. If you're a fan of the character, you have to play it, and this bundle just so happens to be one of the cheapest ways to do so. Walmart is offering the game, along with a 1TB version of the PS4 Slim in one bundle for just $199, which is a nice price. See the best places to buy a PS4
Xbox One X 1TB Console -- $399
The Xbox One X is currently the most powerful video game console on the market, giving those with a 4K TV the option to output in native 4K resolution and have their games looking their best. If you've heard all the buzz about Red Dead Redemption 2 and have been thinking about picking up a console to play it, we'd recommend the Xbox One X. Microsoft also has a variety of services that can be beneficial for new Xbox One owners, most notably Xbox Game Pass. Subscribe to this and you'll be able to download and play games from a library of digital titles spanning numerous genres. See the best places to buy an Xbox One
By Chris Pereira on Nov 20, 2018 08:31 pm
The Best Target Black Friday 2018 Video Game Deals
Black Friday 2018 begins this week; while the day itself might be November 23, Black Friday starts sooner than that at some retailers, which are giving shoppers the chance to grab some discounts ahead of time. Full preview ads have been released for many stores, including Target, but what are the best deals on games and consoles that it's offering? Most of Target's gaming deals involve PS4 and Xbox One, with individual games (rather than accessories or consoles) representing the bulk of the offers. Still, there is a nice mixture of things, including a great doorbuster deal on a PS4 bundle with Spider-Man (albeit one you'll find at a number of stores), as well as a free game for buying a Nintendo Switch (again, mirrored by other retailers). And while not every big fall release is on sale--you'll be paying full price for Red Dead Redemption 2, at least at Target--many others are discounted. Among others, those include NBA 2K19, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, and Forza Horizon 4. One thing to be aware of is that specific pricing can vary somewhat significantly from store to store. We've now gotten Walmart and Best Buy's respective ads, and they beat Target pricing in some cases. Luckily, all of this is coming out well in advance of Black Friday, so you should have time to make a plan. Black Friday this year takes place on November 23, although Target's deals will be available from November 22-24. Specific store hours on Thanksgiving Day will vary by location, as some states have previously banned stores from opening on Thursday. You can see the store's full ad on its website. Read on for all the best gaming deals at Target (in no particular order), and see all of our coverage in our Black Friday deals roundup.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $35 (PS4/Xbox One)
The newest game in the Assassin's Creed Odyssey series is a good one, embracing the foray into Witcher-style RPG gameplay that 2017's Origins experimented with. It boasts a huge map, some fun naval gameplay, and a ton to do. It only just released in October, so $35 is a nice price to see so soon. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One See all the Assassin's Creed Odyssey Black Friday deals Read our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- $45 (PS4/Xbox One)
Call of Duty games tend to hold their value for a long time, and significant discounts are uncommon. $15 off for a game that launched just last month represents a solid deal, and perhaps makes the asking price a bit more palatable if you're upset over the lack of single-player or only care about a single one of its modes (such as the new Blackout battle royale). Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One See all the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Black Friday deals Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review
God of War -- $25 (PS4)
One of the standout games from the first half of the year is God of War. The series formerly known best for its violence returned with a surprisingly touching father-son story--paired with some excellent combat featuring Kratos's new axe weapon, which works a lot like Thor's hammer. Familiarity with the franchise helps, but this is certainly a game you can jump into without having played the previous ones. Buy at Target Read our God of War review
NBA 2K19 -- $30 (PS4/Xbox One)
NBA 2K is routinely considered the best NBA sim series around, and this year is no different. While its microtransactions remain a sore spot for some players, $30 gets you a lot of game here, as you can focus on running a team, managing your own created character, or any number of other modes. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One Read our NBA 2K19 review
SoulCalibur VI -- $35 (PS4/Xbox One)
Another recent release, SoulCalibur VI released in late October and represented a welcome return for the weapons-based fighting game series. Alongside a robust character creator, it continues the series' proclivity for including fighters from other franchises--in this case, The Witcher's Geralt. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One Read our SoulCalibur VI review
PS4 with Marvel's Spider-Man -- $200
Although Target isn't selling Spider-Man itself at a discount, those who don't yet have a PS4 are in for a nice bundle. $200 for a PS4 on its own represents a decent deal, but Target is throwing in a free copy of Insomniac's fun open-world take on the webslinger to sweeten things. Read our Spider-Man review
Forza Horizon 4 -- $35 (Xbox One)
Forza's alternating release schedule continued this fall, with its Horizon sub-series of open-world games seeing the launch of Forza Horizon 4. It's an incredibly fun game that offers a surprising amount of variety for a racing game. One thing to be aware of before buying it is that, like all first-party Xbox One games, it's available through Xbox Game Pass, meaning you get complete access to the game for as long as you're a subscriber. If you want to own a copy, $35 is easily the cheapest price offered so far. Buy at Target Read our Forza Horizon 4 review
Xbox One S Minecraft bundle with $20 Target gift card -- $200
Those in the market for an Xbox One have a variety of options at Target this Black Friday. While this specific bundle includes Minecraft and a Target gift card, the store's ad says all Xbox One consoles will be $70 off, potentially letting you get any pack-in game you want.
Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- $300
While this doesn't represent a discount over Switch's standard price, we don't tend to see the system go on sale often (and certainly not outside of places like Ebay). As such, getting a $60 game (which itself, like most Nintendo games, is rarely discounted by much) for free by picking up the system isn't half bad, especially considering that Deluxe is a great package of Mario Kart content. Read our Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle -- $25 (Nintendo Switch)
When Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle first leaked, it looked like a joke of an idea. In fact, it turned out to be a truly pleasant surprise, offering a take on XCOM-esque tactics gameplay that filled a void which otherwise still hasn't been well addressed on Switch. Kingdom Battle hasn't been discounted steeply often, so getting it for $25 is a bargain worth considering. Buy at Target Read our Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle review
Doom -- $15 (PS4/Xbox One)
If you're looking for a new game on the cheaper end of the spectrum, you could do far worse than Doom. The reboot offered a stellar blend of intense shooter gameplay and extreme violence, complemented by a great soundtrack. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One Read our Doom review
PS4/Xbox One controllers -- $40
Whether you already own a PS4 or Xbox One, or you're getting one for the first time this Black Friday, you may want to pick up extra controllers for some local multiplayer action. Regular prices on controllers are steep, but $40 is close to as cheap as we ever see official controllers go, so this represents a good opportunity to stock up on what you need.
By Oscar Dayus on Nov 20, 2018 08:00 am
Every PS4 Game Coming In 2019 And Beyond
We're right in the thick of 2018's busy season of games. Already there are so many fantastic PS4 games, but there are still plenty releasing next year that are worth getting excited about. Heck, there's more than enough heavily anticiapted games coming out well beyond that too. While the current year has its share of great games that you should play, there's always something further off that has us even more excited. Based on how 2019 and beyond's roster is stacking up, there's already starting to be a lot. In this feature, we're going to take a look at all the biggest games that we know are coming to Sony's flagship console in 2019 and beyond. That list includes big games like BioWare's new multiplayer RPG, Anthem; Ubisoft's pirate game Skull & Bones; and Sucker Punch's Infamous: Second Son follow-up, Ghost of Tsushima. Other big-name games we're expecting to be released in 2019 or beyond include The Witcher developer CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, the much-anticipated The Last of Us: Part II, and Life is Strange developer Dontnod's Twin Mirror. For more details on those games, click through this feature to see brief descriptions of all the big games coming next year or later. There's a plethora of exciting new games releasing in 2019 and beyond. We'll be updating this feature in the coming months as we find out more release dates and whop off any games that might be coming out sooner than we thought. While we're excited about several games on this list, we're curious which ones you're looking forward to the most. Voice your opinions in the comments below!
Anthem
Anthem is possibly BioWare's most ambitious title. Focusing on the exploits of heavily armored freelancers in on a hostile alien planet, you'll work together with other players online to take on dangerous missions while exploring the furthest reaches of the world. While this sounds a lot like Destiny, BioWare's approach to the concept of the shared-world shooter looks like an interesting change of pace from other games in the genre, and we can't wait to see more. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: February 22, 2019
Babylon's Fall
Babylon's Fall is the latest game by famed studio, Platinum Games. Based on the reveal trailer, the upcoming project appears to be fantasy-themed action game. You appear to play as a knight with unique magical abilities. Platforms: PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Beyond Good And Evil 2
We saw a teaser of Ubisoft's spunky new space adventure, Beyond Good & Evil 2, at E3 last year. What we know now is that it will be a prequel to the 2003 game and that players can choose a male or female character and explore different planets. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Control
Control is the latest game by Remedy Entertainment, the studio behind Alan Wake and Quantum Break. The debut trailer showcased a strangely shifting world, with a protagonist who can fly and control objects using telekinesis. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Final Fantasy VII Remake is the long-awaited remake of the fan-favorite RPG. Announced at E3 2015, there has been few details about the game since. Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: TBA 2019
Cyberpunk 2077
The next game from the creators of The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077, is set in a dystopian, sci-fi future world. The game now appears more bright and vibrant than how it did during its initial tease a few years back. It appears to take place in a dazzling city of dreams, a metropolis of giant buildings adorned with dazzling screens, where organic skin is meshed with futuristic tech. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Days Gone
Days Gone takes players to a post-apocalyptic open world, set in the Pacific Northwest. The action-adventure/survival-horror game puts you in the shoes of Deacon St. John, once an outlaw and now trying to survive in a devastated world. While on the road, Deacon must battle Freakers, zombie-like humans and animals that have become mindless and violent and travel in fast-moving hordes, much like the zombies in World War Z. Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: April 26, 2019
Devil May Cry 5
After years of waiting, we're finally getting a brand new Devil May Cry game. And in a rather surprising twist, it's a direct continuation to the first four Devil May Cry games. The debut trailer mainly focused on returning protagonist, Nero, who appears to be accompanied by an unnamed woman. However, the last few seconds indicated that Dante will return too. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: March 8, 2019
Death Stranding
Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima no longer works for Konami, but his new studio's game looks significantly weirder than that often-bizarre series. We don't know much about Death Stranding's gameplay other than it's an open-world action game. But it'll feature The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus and what appears to be a very important baby. Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: TBA
Dead or Alive 6
Kasumi, Hayate, Helena, and plenty of other familiar faces return to the arena in Dead or Alive 6. This fighting game will continue to utilize the franchise's staple complexity when it comes to combos and counters, while upping the realism of its visuals. Two new mechanics, Fatal Rush and Break Gauge, shake up the combat by introducing an easier way for beginners to compete. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: February 15, 2019
Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal is the upcoming sequel to the critically-acclaimed Doom reboot from 2016. The game takes everything that the previous game did and pushes it forward: the Doomslayer is more powerful than before, the number of enemies have doubled, and it takes place on Earth. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA 2019
Dying Light 2
In the sequel to the first-person apocalyptic survival shooter, players will have plenty more chances to practice their sweet parkour while killing zombies. However, this time around, player's choices will have real effects on the world and push the story down different paths. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA
The Elder Scrolls VI
Bethesda finally announced the next game in the Elder Scrolls series: The Elder Scrolls VI. No other details about the game were provided outside of a short teaser. It shows a mountainous region and some fog accompanied by a version of the iconic Dovahkiin music. A setting wasn't specified, although fans are sure to do some sleuthing to narrow down the list of possibilities. Hopefully, we'll get more details sooner than later. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Ghost Of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima is the latest game by developer Sucker Punch Productions, the studio responsible for Infamous and Sly Cooper. The game is set on the island of Tsushima during the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1294. You play as a lone samurai turned vengeful assassin--likely fighting to drive out the Mongol army from Japan. Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: TBA
Kingdom Hearts III
We've gotten sneak peeks at some of the worlds and characters that Kingdom Hearts III will contain, including Hercules, Monsters Inc., and Toy Story. We're not sure exactly where the story will specifically take Sora and friends, but we do know it is the direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 2 and an end to the saga. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4 | Release Date: January 29, 2019
The Last Of Us: Part II
There is a huge amount of hype for Naughty Dog's next big game, The Last of Us: Part II, and hopefully we'll be learning a potential release date for the game soon. You play as Ellie this time around, not Joel. It appears she has some sort of vendetta this time around. Based on its most recent gameplay, it's likely from the death of a loved one. Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: TBA
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus puts players back in control of Artyom. Even though Artyom will be venturing above ground this time, there will still be plenty of mutated creatures to gun down and unsettling environments to explore. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: February 22, 2019
Nioh 2
In a rather surprising announcement, Sony announced the sequel to the critically-acclaimed samurai-action game, Nioh. Not much is known about the game's story or if you'll be playing as the original's protagonist, WIlliam Adams. Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: TBA
Rage 2
Rage 2 is perhaps the most unlikely sequel to be announced, but with id Software bringing Avalanche Studios along for the ride there's plenty of reason to be excited about its potential. Avalanche has years of experience crafting large and chaotic worlds in games like Mad Max and Just Cause, with vehicle combat and special effects chief among their notable talents. Id, of course, is the studio that pioneered first-person shooting and continues to deliver hard-hitting games like 2016's Doom. It could be a match made in heaven, but we won't know until it ships sometime in 2019. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: June 2019
Resident Evil 2 Remake
Resident Evil 2 Remake takes the 1998 survival-horror game of the same name and remakes it from the ground up. While it faithfully recreates the game's environment and story beats, it takes liberties with the appearance and gameplay of the original. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: January 29, 2019
Skull & Bones
Ubisoft's Skull & Bones sets sail in the Indian Ocean, setting you on a quest to become a pirate of the ages. The game will feature single- and multiplayer options and is centered around naval warfare. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Sea of Solitude
Sea of Solitude is an upcoming EA Originals game about a lonely girl whose emotions manage to turn her into a monster and the world into a flooded post-apocalyptic world. She must explore this world in order to find a way to turn back into a human. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA 2019
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the long-awaited new game from acclaimed studio, From Software. It appears to be expanding upon the classic Dark Souls formula by introducing stealth-action elements and more acrobatic maneuvers. Platforms: Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: March 22, 2019
Starfield
For the first time in 25 years, Bethesda is creating a new IP. We don't know much about Starfield. However, based on the game's title and brief teaser trailer, it's probably safe to say that this RPG will take place in space. Platforms: The next generation of consoles, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order is the upcoming Star Wars game created by Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind the well-received Titanfall series. It takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope during the Jedi hunts. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: Holiday 2019
Tom Clancy's The Division 2
Ubisoft Massive is at work on The Division 2, a follow-up to its open-world shooter, as it looks to build upon the foundation established in the previous game. This time around it's set in Washington D.C. and deals with the exploits of the Division attempting to reclaim the capital. Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One | Release Date: March 18, 2019
Twin Mirror
Dontnod Entertainment is partnering with Bandai Namco to bring Twin Mirror, a new psychological thriller, to PC, PS4, and Xbox One in 2019. Based on the E3 2018 trailer, the story focuses on a character named Sam who wakes up one day to discover a shocking amount of blood on his clothing with no memory of the cause. As Sam attempts to piece together the events from the night before, he will explore both the real world and surreal manifestations of his own psyche. Twin Mirror looks intriguing so far, but being one big mystery, we'll have to wait until we see more of the game to get a grasp of how we ultimately fit into Sam's harrowing investigation. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Wolfenstein: Youngblood
Wolfenstein: Youngblood is set in an alternate 1980s Paris and follows the events of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. It stars series protagonist BJ Blazkowicz's twin daughters, who are working together to continue the fight against the Nazis. The game can be played solo or co-op. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch (Expected) | Release Date: TBA 2019
By Kallie Plagge on Nov 20, 2018 07:59 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.
Red Dead Redemption 2 -- 9/10
"While Red Dead Redemption was mostly focused on John Marston's story, Red Dead 2 is about the entire Van der Linde gang--as a community, as an idea, and as the death rattle of the Wild West. It is about Arthur, too, but as the lens through which you view the gang, his very personal, very messy story supports a larger tale. Some frustrating systems and a predictable mission structure end up serving that story well, though it does take patience to get through them and understand why. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an excellent prequel, but it's also an emotional, thought-provoking story in its own right, and it's a world that is hard to leave when it's done." [Read the review] -- Kallie Plagge
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
Valkyria Chronicles 4 -- 8/10
"Ultimately, this is a return to form for the Valkyria Chronicles series as a whole. It stays so true to the franchise's first iteration that it'll feel as if almost no time has passed in the decade or so since the original game first came out. In revisiting the concerns and the environments of the first, it makes the most of those parallels and invites comparison in a way that highlights its strengths. Valkyria Chronicles 4 doesn't necessarily tell a new tale, but it doesn't have to; for all of its clichés and expected twists, there's a charm to the game's unwillingness to let up as it drives you and your friends forward at a rapid clip towards its bittersweet end." [Read the review] -- Edmond Tran
Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition -- 10/10
"From lonely farmhouses through pitched battles with gods in far-flung dimensions, Divinity: Original Sin II is one of the most captivating role-playing games ever made in both its original and Definitive incarnations, with the latter proving that even the most complicated role-players can be ported successfully to gamepad-limited consoles. This immaculately conceived and emotion-wrought fantasy world, topped by brilliant tactical combat, make it one of the finest games of recent years, and it remains an instant classic in the pantheon of RPG greats." [Read the review] -- Brett Todd
PES 2019 -- 9/10
"For as long as EA continues to develop FIFA and hold a monopoly over official licences, PES will be the scrappy underdog just hoping for a surprise upset, even when it's fielding the likes of London Blue and PV White Red. The lack of licences for top-tier leagues remains a disheartening sticking point, but PES continues to make brilliant strides on the pitch, building on what was already an incredibly satisfying game of football to produce one of the greatest playing football games of all time. It might be lacking off the pitch, but put it on the field against the competition and a famous giant killing wouldn't be all that surprising." [Read the review] -- Richard Wakeling
Dead Cells -- 9/10
"Dead Cells is a fascinating amalgam of several of today's most popular indie genres. It juggles elements of tough-as-nails action games and Metroid-inspired exploration platformers, with the procedurally generated levels and random item allotments found in roguelikes. It's impressive how it all comes together without a hitch, especially given that the persistent character growth found in games like Dark Souls or Metroid squarely conflicts with the randomized resets emblematic of Rogue-inspired games." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
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
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- 8/10
"Despite this, Assassin's Creed Odyssey's ambition is admirable, which is reflected in its rich attention to detail for the era and its approach to handling the multi-faceted narrative with strong protagonists at the lead. While its large-scale campaign--clocking in at over 50 hours--can occasionally be tiresome, and some features don't quite make the impact they should, Odyssey makes great strides in its massive and dynamic world, and it's a joy to venture out and leave your mark on its ever-changing setting." [Read the review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Forza Horizon 4 -- 8/10
"There's such a diverse range of activities stuffed into every corner of Horizon 4, and meaningful changes contribute to smart driving dynamics and a more consistent sense of achievement. Everything you do in Horizon feels valuable, no matter how big or small--from the basic thrills of speeding a fast car down a gorgeous mountain highway to spending time tinkering with your favorite ride to manage seasonal road conditions to just hanging out with friends and strangers online and goofing off in friendly games. The charm of the Horizon series is as palpable as ever, a winning, all-inclusive recipe that celebrates the joy of driving above all else." [Read the review] -- Edmond Tran
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- 8/10
"Black Ops 4 isn't short on content, and its three main modes are substantial. Multiplayer introduces more tactical mechanics without forcing you into them, and it largely strikes a good balance. Zombies has multiple deep, secret-filled maps to explore, though its returning characters don't hold up and prove distracting. Finally, Blackout pushes Call of Duty in an entirely new direction, making use of aspects from both multiplayer and Zombies for a take on the battle royale genre that stands on its own. Sure, there isn't a traditional single-player campaign, but with the depth and breadth of what is there, Black Ops 4 doesn't need it." [Read the review] -- Kallie Plagge
By Matt Espineli on Nov 20, 2018 07:58 am
Switch Games That You Need To Play
The release of the Nintendo Switch marked the beginning of a new generation for Nintendo. After the lukewarm reception of the Wii U, many were beginning to wonder if the company would be able to survive in today's console market. However, it defied all expectations with its hybrid console/handheld console. Alongside the Switch's release was the universally praised The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, giving it the killer app it needed to quickly rise to the top of console sales charts and dramatically increase Nintendo's revenue. In the year since its launch, there has been no shortage of amazing games coming, from huge first-party games like Mario and Splatoon to indie darlings like Owlboy and Celeste. There's even great third-party games, like Octopath Traveler and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. The library only seems to be expanding and improving with every consecutive release. In this feature, we're taking a look back at the best Switch games so far. This includes games that have received a score of 8 or higher on GameSpot since the console's release, as well as reviews for new games and updates to reviews of older games that were ported to Switch. Check out our choices for the best games released on the Switch. And with the console's library continuing to expand, make sure to check back often as we update this feature over the coming weeks and months. For an analysis of Nintendo Switch's first year, be sure to read our retrospective feature discussing the console's various successes and failures. In addition, you can also check out our features detailing all the Wii U games we ported to Switch, 13 things we want to see from the console. The Switch already has hundreds of games, so many that some are bound to fly under our radar. The games covered here are only a small handful of the experiences out there. Which games do you think are some of the Switch's finest? Let us know in the comments below.
Dragon Ball FighterZ -- 9/10
"FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance. Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series' characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Undertale -- 9/10
"Three years after its initial release on PC, Undertale has found its way to the Nintendo Switch--and of course, the game is every bit as charming, challenging, and harrowing as it was the first time around. Undertale may seem like a straightforward retro-style RPG, but it subverts player expectations every chance it gets, which never gets stale because of clever writing and an evocative chiptune soundtrack. Thankfully, it plays just as well as it does on other platforms without any performance hitches or bugs after putting about four hours into this version. Like its console counterparts, you can fill the screen with an adaptive border that thematically fits with the location you're in (Undertale plays in a 4:3 aspect ratio). Dodging enemy attacks in the bullet hell-style defensive phase in combat works just as well with the Joy-Con analog sticks. Undertale isn't afraid to break convention, and because it does so in a way that's thoughtful and humorous throughout, the result is an emotional rollercoaster that fills us with determination." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham
Into the Breach -- 9/10
"There is so much strategic joy in seeing the potential destruction a swarm of giant monsters is about to unleash on a city, then quickly staging and executing elaborate counter maneuvers to ruin the party. Into The Breach's focus on foresight makes its turn-based encounters an action-packed, risk-free puzzle, and the remarkable diversity of playstyles afforded by unique units keeps each new run interesting. It's a pleasure to see what kind of life-threatening predicaments await for you to creatively resolve in every new turn, every new battle, and every new campaign. Into The Breach is a pristine and pragmatic tactical gem with dynamic conflicts that will inspire you to jump back in again, and again, and again." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran
The Messenger -- 8/10
"The Messenger takes the best parts of the action-platformers it takes influence from and reinterprets them well. With clever writing, well-designed levels, and balanced difficulty curve, the game continuously hooks you with enticing skill-based challenges and satisfying payoffs. Your character might have an immediate imperative to delivering a world-saving scroll, but the journey there is definitely one to savor." [Read the full review] -- Alexander Pan
Dead Cells -- 9/10
"Dead Cells is a fascinating amalgam of several of today's most popular indie genres. It juggles elements of tough-as-nails action games and Metroid-inspired exploration platformers, with the procedurally generated levels and random item allotments found in roguelikes. It's impressive how it all comes together without a hitch, especially given that the persistent character growth found in games like Dark Souls or Metroid squarely conflicts with the randomized resets emblematic of Rogue-inspired games." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2
"In a way, the entire collection itself is the museum--an entire series, with all its beauty and its blemishes, on display for its audience to judge and assess years later. Parts of this legacy have aged horribly, but they're still undeniably a piece of Mega Man X history. We've been told that the upcoming Mega Man 11 was greenlit thanks in part to fan interest in the original Mega Man Legacy Collection. If Capcom follows with a proper sequel to Mega Man X, this compilation provides valuable lessons on what the series is, what it isn't, and what it can be when given the chance." [Read the full review] -- Steve Watts
Octopath Traveler -- 8/10
"Despite the lackluster stories that pull you through the world, Octopath thrives on its character progression and the temptations of high-level challenges and rewards. The promise of new jobs, exciting boss fights, and powerful gear will inspire you to poke around every corner, and there are no shortage of discoveries to strive for. And all the while, you're treated to one of the most interesting and effective re-imaginings of a retro aesthetic around. Octopath will likely be a divisive game due to its fractured storytelling, but it's one worth playing despite its lesser qualities. Its high points are simply too good to ignore." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Captain Toad
"Despite a smattering of minor complaints, Captain Toad stands as a pint-sized version of Nintendo's stellar first party pedigree. It's among the best Mario spin-offs around and a delightful iteration on old ideas." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus -- 8/10
"As long as you're able to play the entire game in docked mode, The New Colossus is the same fantastic game it is on other platforms. It runs well and, despite some minor visual compromises, it still looks pretty good. Handheld mode is unfortunately far less optimized, and the Joy-Cons simply don't feel as good to use as the Pro Controller. If Switch is your only way to play it, The New Colossus is absolutely worth your time--just not on the go." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
West of Loathing -- 8/10
"There are a few minor issues--inventory management on Switch becomes cumbersome as you collect an increasing amount of things, fights with a lot of enemies can obscure some pertinent information, and the stakes sometimes feel a little too low to be completely motivating. But 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." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Video Producer
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle -- 9/10
"Whether playing through the story mode alone or against hardened opponents online, Cross Tag Battle is an absolute joy with a surplus of possibilities within its wide roster and versatile fighting system. Even with all the ridiculousness of the overarching plot, I reveled in the charm of my favorite characters and embraced the many moments of fan service. It's a masterful unification of styles and mechanics from four different universes that compels you to dig deeper and dedicate the time to getting the most out of the beloved members of this cast." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection -- 8/10
"That's more or less the story of the 30th Anniversary Collection. It won't satisfy every specific demand, but it's still a big collection of awesome games and behind-the-scenes content that no Street Fighter fan should miss. Street Fighter is a series worth celebrating and Digital Eclipse has managed to do so in a manner that feels respectful to the series and to the people who keep the spirit of arcade battles alive." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition -- 8/10
"Those returning to the fray will likely be a little disappointed as there just isn't enough new content to rouse fresh excitement. For newcomers, though, Hyrule warriors is a delightful, bizarre outing that opens up the Zelda series, taking us places we've been before, just with thousands of monsters and awesome, screen-clearing magical attacks." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Battle Chasers: Nightwar -- 8/10
"Beyond the challenge of combat, Battle Chasers is sustained through the strength of its story, a rollicking tale that takes our heroes literally to hell and back. It's bolstered by some sharp dialogue, gorgeous artwork, and an ensemble that plays extremely well off of each other. Lots of work has gone into Nightwar since its first release, and the balancing improvements make it an easy game to recommend on all platforms." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark
Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze -- 9/10
"Tropical Freeze isn't a heavy-hitter from Nintendo in the same way Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey are, but it's a fantastic platformer that's bursting with creativity and expertly designed challenges. It's tuned just right--always tough but rarely frustrating--to ensure that even the most common moments feel great. If you missed out when the game first debuted back in 2014, give it a shot today. It easily stands the test of time." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Bayonetta 2 -- 10/10
"But it's a challenge you'll want to experience again as soon as you put down the controller. Bayonetta 2's combat is so expertly constructed, and its presentation so joyously insane, that you'd have to try so very hard to get bored of it all. In a year filled with the promise of ever more elaborate experiences on all the shiny new hardware, that Bayonetta 2--a homage to classic game design and escapism--should be the most fun I've had playing a game all year is unexpected. But maybe it shouldn't have been. After all, its predecessor still stands as one of the finest games of its genre. To have surpassed that with Bayonetta 2, and to have created a game that will be remembered as an absolute classic, is nothing short of astonishing." [Read the review] -- Mark Walton
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
Dragon Quest Builders -- 8/10
"The excellence of Dragon Quest Builders illustrates the versatility of this 30-year-old franchise as much as it speaks to the engrossing appeal of Minecraft-inspired creation. The story-advancing draw of quests goes hand-in-hand with the depth of a crafting system that cleverly uses monster drops as some of the game's building tools. Whether you want to focus on completing assignments or build with no specific purpose, the game is feature-rich enough to suck up untold hours, even if this happens to be your first Dragon Quest experience." [Read the review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim -- 8/10
"The original version of Skyrim is still an immense, engrossing RPG, and the quality, number, and variety of its quests makes it as easy to become lost in its world as ever. With the addition of Zelda-themed gear that's actually useful--and the fact that you can play anywhere--the Switch version of Skyrim is a great excuse to revisit a much-loved RPG." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Golf Story -- 8/10
"It can take a little while for the narrative to ramp up in Golf Story and for you to feel like you've really cultivated the skills of a champion, but based on the sheer scope of what the game delivers, there's likely something for everyone to enjoy whether their shtick is mini-golfing or terrorising delinquents with frisbees. It has successfully captured the trappings of yesteryear's RPGs, and the witticisms and idiosyncrasies of the characters you encounter are a great palate cleanser between rounds. Switch has had a swathe of indies hit its eShop recently, but if you're looking for something that'll give you satisfaction in terms of an interesting story and a rewarding mechanic, then Golf Story is certainly par for the course." [Read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Gorogoa -- 8/10
"Few games take the concept of altering reality to as artistic a level as Gorogoa. This labor of love made chiefly by one developer is a gorgeous and intriguing puzzle game that works because of its stunning art and intelligent puzzle design. Far from a traditional game, Gorogoa is a slow and methodical trip into the surreal." [Read the full review] -- Jason D'Aprile
Kirby Star Allies -- 8/10
"Star Allies is yet another Kirby game, but it's up there with some of the best. It's an artistic showcase, and a great opportunity for co-op platforming. The one real complaint you can levy at it is that it gates off its more challenging aspects, but the fact that they are present to begin with will please anyone who's grown weary of the series' painless platforming." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -- 10/10
"No matter how gorgeous its environments are, how clever its enemies are, and how tricky its puzzles get, the fact that Breath of the Wild continues to surprise you with newfound rules and possibilities after dozens of hours is by far its most valuable quality. It's a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery--which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience. Breath of the Wild is a defining moment for The Legend of Zelda series, and the most impressive game Nintendo has ever created." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle -- 9/10
"Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle exudes off-beat optimism that never dissolves. It's a consistent delight, no matter how challenging the road becomes, because Kingdom Battle's unique turn-based tactics system is in every way a pleasure to engage with. Coupled with the annoyingly infectious allure of Rabbids, and the always delightful, colorful world of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is an implausibly engrossing formula that is positively challenging and endlessly charming." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- 9/10
"For Mario Kart fans, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe might look like more of the same with small Double Dash-inspired tweaks. But thanks to a series of updates both big and almost unseen, it's the version of Mario Kart to get. If you don't own a Wii U or skipped out on Mario Kart 8 the first time around--or even if you've played it before--Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is worth your time. It plays beautifully on Switch in both handheld and docked mode, and its core racing is as exciting as ever. And, most notably, it completely revamps the original's lackluster Battle Mode, rounding out an already great racing game." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Mr. Shifty -- 8/10
"Mr. Shifty isn't a huge game in terms of length, but the three- to four-hour campaign is ample. It's like a shot of adrenalin, offering an exciting, intense experience, and it's easy to forgive the game's performance flaws when it so consistently makes you feel like a badass." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor
NBA 2K18 -- 8/10
"NBA 2K18 is a hardcore sports simulation. If you want to get good, you have to put in the work. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve your skills no matter how you want to play. And the fact that there's so much to do is a bonus, because on the court, NBA 2K18 is also an amazingly well-crafted experience." [Read the full review] -- Seth Macy
Night in the Woods -- 9/10
"From beginning to end to epilogue, Night in the Woods is ultimately open to individual interpretation. How you relate to it depends on your own experiences and choices, including Mae's dialogue and who you decide to spend time with. Though its charming and angsty story works well on its own merits, it's special because of how it prioritizes conveying emotion over telling a straight narrative." [Read the review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Owlboy -- 9/10
"Owlboy is consistently charming and surprising, and when its final act doubles down on every front, it's bittersweet to see it end. As you relish the outcome of the final battle and watch the closing cutscene, you can't help but reflect on the beginning of your adventure and how far the world and its inhabitants have come. You'll never be able to play Owlboy for the first time again, but the memories of its magic moments stick with you. This is more than a treat for fans of old-school games; Owlboy is a heartfelt experience that will touch anyone with an affinity for great art and storytelling." [Read the review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 Plus -- 8/10
"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." [Read the review] -- Jason D'Aprile
Puyo Puyo Tetris -- 8/10
"Overflowing with colorful personality, Puyo Puyo Tetris revels in its weirdness. It provides solid versions of both puzzle games and merges the two in bizarre, frantic ways that adds a fresh dash of style to these long-running series. With an array of game variations spanning single-player, along with on- and offline multiplayer, it's an incredibly meaty package that should satisfy gamers for a long time to come." [Read the full review] -- Jason D'Aprile
Rive -- 8/10
"Rive is demanding, but it pushes the kind of near-thoughtless play that shoot-em-ups strive to achieve. When faced with an onslaught of enemies and environmental hazards, you'll have to think fast or die. Rive also doesn't run all that long, but what's here is excellent, top-notch action, and the game delivers some of the most memorable moments in a shoot-em-up in years." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Rocket League -- 9/10
"For people new to the game, they have a lot to look forward to regardless, as it's one of the most fascinating sports games in memory. Nevermind if you don't like soccer or couldn't care less about the growing esports community. Rocket League is a unique game that redefines the concept of what a sports game can be, and Psyonix continues to support it with new content on a regular basis. It's been around for a while, but now that it's on Switch, there's no better time to give it a shot." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment -- 8/10
"Specter of Torment is a finely-crafted 2D platformer that is satisfying in all respects. Simply controlling Specter Knight--flying through the air and slicing through enemies--is a joy in itself, and being able to push your ability to control these skills in overcoming the game's cleverly-designed and challenging levels is always an exhilarating feeling. Specter of Torment is a focussed, polished, and satisfyingly challenging game that's well worth experiencing whether or not you've had the pleasure of playing Shovel Knight." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, 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
Splatoon 2 -- 8/10
"At first glance, Splatoon 2 seems very similar to the first game. But all the small changes, and even the bigger ones in single player and League Battles, make for a fresh take on the already unique shooter. If you played a lot of the original, the sequel has enough to keep you coming back, and if you're new to the game, it's a fantastic place to jump in." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Stardew Valley -- 9/10
"The sheer number of things to accomplish in Stardew Valley can keep you interested beyond the original three in-game years you need to reach the end of your story--you may just want to start over rather than continue on. You'll work quite hard to gather enough money for your first horse, so that you can quickly move to the mines to get a mineral to complete a bundle at the community center. It's all centered around whatever it is you want to accomplish that day. And that's truly what makes Stardew Valley such a lovely experience, it encourages you to go out and be the best you can be, in whichever task that brings you the most joy. Stardew Valley motivates naturally, with blissful optimism." [Read the full review] -- Mary Kish
SteamWorld Dig 2 -- 9/10
"Every advancement Dig 2 makes to its story and mechanics strengthens your initiative to progress. There's an overwhelming sense of momentum that runs through the adventure; as if developer Image & Form sifted the original in a pan, removing its redundancies while expanding upon what made it so fun to persistently play. In your quest to acquire every upgrade and explore every nook and cranny, there's no shortage of hidden collectables to discover. And with post-game content that unlocks after you unearth every secret, the desire to keep digging intensifies. Dig 2 manages to not only be an exceptional successor, but a great adventure in its own right. Where the first game was a diamond in the rough, Dig 2 is a polished jewel." [Read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Super Mario Odyssey -- 10/10
"Odyssey is sustained beyond its major milestones not only through colorful worlds and hidden challenges, but through the sheer joy of controlling Mario, who's never felt more responsive or dynamic in action. Even with everything new that's been introduced, Nintendo's forward-thinking platformer retains the series' classic handcrafted appeal, which is even more impressive when you realize how densely packed each kingdom is. Mario's latest outing is big, bold, and bursting with new ideas, and like Breath of the Wild, is another instance of Nintendo going above and beyond to redefine our expectations. It's a shining example of refined creativity, and another crown jewel for Switch that is without equal." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Lumines Remastered -- 8/10
"Lumines is the kind of game that temporarily rewires your brain, splicing together its ability to recognize visual patterns and audible rhythms simultaneously and forcing you to do the hard but delightful work of putting that ability to use. Having that experience so lovingly presented--and on the Switch, having Lumines handheld again for the first time in six years--is an occasion worth celebrating." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark
The Missing: JJ Macfield and the Island of Memories -- 8/10
"The faltering plot twist doesn't detract from the overall experience. The Missing is smaller and more mechanically conventional than Deadly Premonition or D4, but its components remain focused on distinctly a Swery game: a dark, idiosyncratic experience that tells a deeply personal story that's as confronting as it is sincere. It is absolutely not for everyone, but as the game reminds us, there is nothing wrong with that." [Read the review] -- David Wildgoose
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection -- 9/10
"Diablo 3 is a game about long term goals accomplished in short, thrilling bursts. It's rewarding and subtle. It's flashy and boisterous. I have spent six years enjoying it, and will likely spend six years more. As far as video games go, that's a long time--I came into the Eternal Collection expecting a eulogy for one of my favorite games. Instead, I stumbled upon a celebration." [Read the review] -- Mike Mahardy
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