In the case the increasingly busy fall release period isn't providing you with enough new things to play, Microsoft has once again expanded the Xbox One's backwards compatibility library. Two more Xbox 360 games are now playable on the current-generation console.
The two games in question are quite different. The first is Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, the near-future shooter starring Kevin Spacey and developed by Sledgehammer Games, which is also responsible for the upcoming Call of Duty: WWII. Joining it is Sonic Adventure, the port of the Dreamcast launch game.
Both of these are playable now on Xbox One. If you own Advanced Warfare on disc, you can simply pop it into the system to get started. Alternatively, digital copies can be found in the Ready to Download section of the My Games and Apps area. The two games are also available for sale digitally through Xbox Store.
We've seen a number of new backwards compatible games released this month, but none were as notable as the four Halo games that were introduced recently. Those come with all of their DLC for free, ensuring that players won't be separated by what extra content they may have purchased. For a look at all the 360 games you can play, check our full list of Xbox One backwards compatible games.
The Xbox One's backwards compatibility feature, introduced in November 2015, lets you play Xbox 360 games on the new console. But what games are available? We've now rounded them all up--and we'll continue to update this post as new games are made available.
Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Lineup (As of September 28, 2017):
New titles are bolded
3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures
A Kingdom for Keflings
A World of Keflings
Aegis Wing
Age of Booty
Alan Wake
Alan Wake's American Nightmare
Alice: Madness Returns
Alien Hominid HD
Altered Beast
Anomaly Warzone Earth
Arkanoid Live
Army of Two
Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed II
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Assassin's Creed III
Assassin's Creed Revelations
Assassin's Creed Rogue
Assault Heroes 2
Asteroids & Deluxe
AstroPop
Aqua
Babel Rising
Band of Bugs
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts n Bolts
Banjo Tooie
Banjo Kazooie
Batman: Arkham Origins (disc only -- added August 8)
Battlefield: Bad Company (added August 17)
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Battlefield 3
BattleBlock Theater
Battlestations: Midway
Bayonetta
Beat'n Groovy
Bejeweled 2
Bejeweled 3
Bellator: MMA Onslaught
Beyond Good & Evil HD
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2
BioShock
BioShock 2
BioShock Infinite
Bloodforge
Blood Knights
Blood of the Werewolf
BloodRayne: Betrayal
Blue Dragon
Bomberman Live: Battlefest
Boom Boom Rocket
Borderlands
Borderlands 2
Bound by Flame
Braid
Brain Challenge
Bullet Soul
Bullet Soul: Infinite Burst
Bully: Scholarship Edition
Burnout Paradise
Cabela's Alaskan Adventures
Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013
Cabela's Hunting Expeditions
Cabela's Survival: Shadows of Katmai
Call of Duty 2
Call of Duty 3
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (added September 28)
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Call of Duty: World at War
Call of Juarez Gunslinger
Capcom Arcade Cabinet
Carcassonne
Cars 2
Castle Crashers
Castlestorm
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Catherine
The Cave
Centipede & Millipede
Civilization: Revolution
Clannad
Commanders: Attack of the Genos
Comic Jumper
Comix Zone
Condemned
Contra
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Crazy Taxi
Crystal Quest
Crystal Defenders
Cyber Troopers Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (Japan only -- added September 14)
Dark Souls
Dark Void
Darksiders
Darksiders II
Daytona USA
de Blob 2
Dead Rising 2: Case West
Dead Rising 2: Case Zero
Dead Space
Dead Space 2
Dead Space 3
Dead Space Ignition
Deadliest Warrior: Legends
Deadliest Warrior: The Game (added August 8)
Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue
Defense Grid
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut
Dig Dug
Dirt 3
Dirt Showdown
Discs of Tron
Disney Bolt (added August 8)
Disney Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (added August 3)
Domino Master
Doom
Doom II
Doom 3: BFG Edition
Doritos Crash Course
Double Dragon: Neon
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon's Lair
DuckTales Remastered
Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara
Dungeon Siege III
E4: Every Extend Extra Extreme
Earthworm Jim HD
Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon
Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Encleverment Experiment
Escape Dead Island
F1 2014
Fable II
Fable III
Faery: Legends of Avalon
Fallout 3
Fallout: New Vegas
Far Cry 3
Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon
Feeding Frenzy
Feeding Frenzy 2
Fighting Vipers (added August 8)
Final Fight: Double Impact
Flashback
Flock
Forza Horizon
Fret Nice
Frogger
Frogger 2
FunTown Mahjong
Galaga
Galaga Legions
Galaga Legions DX
Garou: Mark of the Wolves
Gatling Gears
Gears of War
Gears of War 2
Gears of War 3
Gears of War: Judgment
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime
Gin Rummy
Golden Axe
Go! Go! Break Steady
Golf: Tee It Up
Grand Theft Auto IV
Grid 2
Gripshift
Guardian Heroes
Gunstar Heroes
Guwange
Gyromancer
Gyruss
Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax
Halo: Combat Evolved (added September 21)
Halo 3 (added September 21)
Halo 3: ODST Campaign Edition (added September 21)
Halo 4 (added September 21)
Halo: Reach
Halo: Spartan Assault
Halo Wars
Hard Corps: Uprising
Hardwood Backgammon
Hardwood Hearts
Hardwood Spades
Harms Way
Haunted House
Heavy Weapon
Hexic 2
Hexic HD
Hitman: Absolution
Hydro Thunder
I Am Alive
Ikaruga
Ilomilo
Injustice: Gods Among Us + disc-only Ultimate Edition
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet
Interpol: The Trail of Dr. Chaos
Iron Brigade
Jeremy McGrath's Offroad
Jet Set Radio
Jetpac Refuelled
Joe Danger Special Edition
Joe Danger 2: The Movie
Joust
Joy Ride Turbo
Juju
Jurassic Park: The Game
Just Cause 2
Kameo
Kane & Lynch 2
Killer Is Dead
The King of Fighters '98
The King of Fighters 2002
Lazy Raiders
Left 4 Dead
Left 4 Dead 2
Lego Batman
Lego Indiana Jones
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Limbo
Lode Runner
Lost Odyssey
Lumines Live!
Luxor 2
Mad Tracks
Magic: The Gathering 2012
Mars: War Logs
Mass Effect
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 3
Matt Hazard: Blood, Bath, and Beyond
The Maw
Medal of Honor: Airborne
Meet the Robinsons
Mega Man 9
Mega Man 10
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (added August 15)
Metal Slug 3
Metal Slug XX
Midway Arcade Origins
Might & Magic Clash of Heroes
Military Madness
Mirror's Edge
Missile Command
Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine
Monday Night Combat
Monkey Island: SE
Monkey Island 2: SE
Monopoly Deal (added September 14)
Moon Diver
Motocross Madness
Ms. Splosion Man
Ms Pac-Man
Mutant Blobs Attack
Mutant Storm Empire
MX vs. ATV Reflex
N+
NBA Jam: On Fire Edition
Neogeo Battle Coliseum
Nights Into Dreams
Of Orcs and Men
Omega Five
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
Operation Flashpoint: Red River
The Orange Box
Outland
Pac-Man
Pac-Man C.E
Pac-Man CE DX+
Pac-Man Museum
Peggle
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark Zero
Phantasy Star II
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds
Pinball FX
Planets Under Attack
Plants vs. Zombies
Poker Smash
Portal: Still Alive
Portal 2
Prince of Persia
Pure
Putty Squad
Puzzle Quest
Puzzle Quest 2
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
QIX++ Puzzlegeddon
Rage
Raiden IV
Raskulls
Rayman 3 HD
Rayman Legends
Rayman Origins
Red Dead Redemption
Red Faction: Armageddon
Red Faction: Battlegrounds
RoboBlitz
Rocket Knight
R-Type Dimensions
Runner 2
Sacred 3
Sacred Citadel
Saints Row: The Third (added September 14)
Saints Row IV
Sam & Max: Beyond Time & Space
Sam & Max Save the World
Samurai Shodown II
Scarygirl
Scrap Metal
ScreamRide (added August 15)
Sega Vintage Collection: Alex Kidd & Co.
Sega Vintage Collection: Monster World
Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage
Sega Vintage Collection: ToeJam & Earl (added August 3)
Shadow Assault/Tenchu
Shadow Complex
Shadowrun
Shadows of the Damned
Shank 2
Shinobi
Shred Nebula
Shotest Shogi
Silent Hill: Downpour
Skate 3
Skullgirls
Skydive
Slender: The Arrival (added September 14)
Small Arms
Soltrio Solitaire
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic Adventure (added September 28)
Sonic CD
Sonic The Fighters
Sonic The Hedgehog
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode II
Soulcalibur
Soulcalibur II
South Park: The Stick of Truth
Space Ark
Space Giraffe
Space Invaders Infinity Gene
Spelunky
The Splatters
Splosion Man
SSX
Stacking
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
Steins; Gate 比翼恋理のだーりん (Japan only)
Steins; Gate (オリジナル版) (Japan only)
Steins; Gate 線形拘束のフェノグラム (Japan-only, requires game disc)
Strania
Street Fighter IV
Stuntman: Ignition
Super Contra (added September 14)
Super Meat Boy
Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition (added July 13)
Supreme Commander 2
Syberia
Tekken 6
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
Texas Hold 'Em
Ticket to Ride
TimeShift
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2
Tomb Raider: Underworld
Torchlight
Tour de France 2009
Tour de France 2011
Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers Cold War
Toy Story 3
Tower Bloxx Deluxe
Trials HD
Trine 2
Tron: Evolution
Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon
Unbound Saga
Undertow (added September 14)
Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown
Viva Piñata
Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise
The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series (added August 29)
The Walking Dead: Season 2 - A Telltale Games Series (added August 29)
The Walking Dead: Michonne - A Telltale Miniseries (added August 29)
Those planning to pick up Pokemon Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon have another option to choose from when the games launch this November. In addition to the steelbook and Veteran Trainer's dual packs, Nintendo has announced that each game will be available as a special Starter Trainer's Pack.
As its name implies, the Starter Trainer's Pack includes items to help newer players through the early portion of the adventure. It comes with a copy of either Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon, a download code for 12 Revives to restore any downed Pokemon, and an exclusive keychain featuring the games' cover Pokemon: Dusk Mane Necrozma for Ultra Sun, and Dawn Wings Necrozma for Ultra Moon.
Nintendo hasn't announced pricing details for the Starter Trainer's Pack, but the company says it will be available at "participating" retailers. The Veteran Trainer's dual pack, meanwhile, retails for $80 and includes a copy of both titles, 16 art cards, and a download code for 200 Poke Balls.
It's a particularly busy week for the Nintendo Switch Eshop. Following yesterday's release of the first Nintendo Arcade Archives game, Mario Bros., 14 more titles have been added to the service today, with another pair of games, including FIFA 18, arriving on September 29.
One of the standouts among this week's releases is Golf Story, a Switch-exclusive golfing RPG. The game puts players in the role of a golfer "forced to give up all that he holds dear for one final shot at accomplishing his dream" and features puzzles, two-player support, and eight different environments, each with its own towns, characters, and golf courses. Golf Story runs for $15/£13.49.
Also available today is Inversus Deluxe, an expanded port of the unique and deceptively simple "negative-space" shooter. Players play as either a black or white block. Your movement is restricted to tiles of the opposite color, but shooting a tile flips its color. The Switch version costs $15/£11 and features new content, including maps, unlockables, AI bots, powers, and enemies.
Other notable releases today include the latest ACA Neo Geo game, Burning Fight ($8/£6.29); Picross S ($8/£7.19); the fantasy rhythm game Deemo ($30/£27); and the bloody 2D shooter Butcher ($10/£9). Switch owners can also pick up Sine Mora EX, the 2.5D shoot-'em-up from Grasshopper Manufacture, at retail and in the Eshop, while One Piece: Unlimited World Red Deluxe Edition launches alongside FIFA 18 tomorrow. You can find the full list of this week's new Switch titles below.
Stranger Things fans will be delighted, and so will anyone who loves a good scary movie at Halloween. Netflix has released all its new arrivals for October, as well as all the shows and movies that are going away next month.
Stranger Things 2 premieres October 27, giving you just enough time to binge your way through it before Halloween, when it's time to watch some scary movies like Cult of Chucky. For something a little lighter, there are comedies like Tommy Boy,Miss Congeniality, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, and Talladega Nights.
A heads up, all seasons of 30 Rock are leaving Netflix on October 1, giving you just a little bit longer to get your Tina Fey fix. Check out the full list below.
Arriving on Netflix, October 2017
October 1
88 Minutes
A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song
Before Midnight
Blood Diamond
Boogie Nights
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Cleverman: Season 2
Death Sentence
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
Eagle vs. Shark
Eyes Wide Shut
Generation Iron 2
Ghost Patrol
I Love You, Man
Ice Guardians
Lockup: Disturbing the Peace: Collection 1
Made of Honor
Miss Congeniality
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Must Love Dogs
Never Let Me Go
No Reservations
Penelope
PJ Masks: Season 1
Set Up
The Reaping
Tokyo Idols
Tommy Boy
Vanished
Veronica
October 2
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown
Sleeping with Other People
October 3
13 Demons
Rodney Carrington: Here Comes The Truth (Netflix Original)
Cult of Chucky
The Survivalist
October 4
Raw
October 5
Bonus Family (Bonusfamiljen): Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Schitt's Creek: Season 3
The Fosters: Season 5
October 6
ID-0: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Skylanders Academy: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Suburra: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix Original)
Word Party: Season 3 (Netflix Original)
October 7
Chris Brown: Welcome To My Life
Middle Man
October 10
Christina P: Mother Inferior (Netflix Original)
The Skyjacker's Tale
October 11
Donnie Darko
October 12
Fe de etarras (Netflix Original Film)
October 13
El Especial de Alex Fernández, el Especial (Netflix Original)
Kingdom of Us (Netflix Original)
Mindhunter: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Super Monsters: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
The Babysitter (Netflix Original Film)
The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (Netflix Original Film)
Voltron: Legendary Defender: Season 4 (Netflix Original)
October 15
Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses
LEGO: City: Season 1
Money
OtherLife
She Makes Comics
West Coast Customs: Season 6
October 17
Patton Oswalt: Annihilation (Netflix Original)
Slasher: Guilty Party (Netflix Original)
October 19
Wedding Unplanned
October 20
1922 (Netflix Original)
Haters Back Off: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
One of Us (Netflix Original)
Smurfs: The Lost Village
The Day I Met El Chapo: The Kate del Castillo Story (Netflix Original)
Wheelman (Netflix Original Film)
October 23
Meet the Robinsons
While We're Young
October 24
Wanted: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Wanted: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
The Mist: Season 1
October 25
The Hateful Eight
The Final Master
La Querida del Centauro: Season 2
October 26
Strange Weather
October 27
Stranger Things 2 (Netflix Original)
Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold (Netflix Original)
October 28
Pup Star: Better 2Gether
October 30
Judah Friedlander: America Is The Greatest Country In The United States (Netflix Original)
October 31
Zumbo's Just Desserts: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Leaving Netflix, September 2017
October 1
30 Rock: Seasons 1 - 7
A Love in Times of Selfies
Across the Universe
Barton Fink
Bella
Big Daddy
Carousel
Cradle 2 the Grave
Crafting a Nation
Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
Daddy's Little Girls
Dark Was the Night
David Attenborough's Rise of the Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates: Season 1
With its second season, titled "No-End House," Syfy's Channel Zero has become one of the best horror shows on TV. There's a lot to thank for that: a really solid cast, an intriguing story that goes beyond the creepypasta on which it's based, really smart music and set design, and more. But Channel Zero took its creepy horror to another level at the end of its second episode, "Nice Neighborhood."
In Episode 1, as Margot and her friends entered the No-End House, they witnessed a warning scrawled across the first door: "Beware the cannibals." It seemed like standard haunted house set dressing, but in Episode 2 we found out what it was about, as Margot's dad, John, tore apart some uncanny simulacrum of his wife and slurped bloody boba balls from inside her flesh.
There are plenty of clues to what was really going on there. We've met some residents of the No-End House, including JD 2's girlfriend and Lacey (the woman from the first episode's opening scene), who appear to have lost all their real memories. If you watched closely while John was rubbing Margot's head as she slept, it appeared her mother's face was becoming increasingly fuzzy and obscured. Then her mother appeared down in the garage, and John ate her. It seems the No-End House creates entities like Margot's dad, then uses them to feed off living people's memories.
When we spoke with the show's creator, horror writer Nick Antosca, about the scene, we had some specific questions: Where did that imagery come from, and what was actor John Carroll Lynch really eating while filming the scene?
"There's a very specific answer to that," he said. "It comes from conversations between me and [Director] Steven Piet and Sarah Sitkin, who's a horror sculptor who we brought onto the show principally to create the sculptures inside the No-End House, like the busts and stuff. But we also had her create the 'flesh memories,' these kind of hard shell memories that you crack open and eat the goop inside."
The thing that really makes your skin crawl in that scene is the way that "goop" oozes slowly out of her arm, and how Lynch greedily scoops it up and lets it smear down his chin as he consumes it. The "memory filling" went through many different iterations, from "this kind of runny, gluey white paste thing" to "all different kinds of gross tapioca slimy things," Antosca said.
"We tested a bunch of digusting stuff for the memory filling, and we settled on something that kind of explicitly looks like fish roe," he explained. "It's actually tapioca with some chocolatey pudding and dye in it, and John said that it tasted very bad. At the end of that take, he would just stand up, like, smeared with that stuff, and go, 'You're welcome,' and then walk off."
"And John is great, by the way," he added, chuckling. "He's a dream to work with."
In the original creepypasta story on which this season is based--Brian Russell's "The NoEnd House"--a man named David enters the house in the hopes of winning $500 for making it all the way through. By the end, it's implied that he'll be trapped inside it forever, but the story didn't explore how, why, or what happens next. That's where Channel Zero: No-End House gets to have some fun.
"I don't purport to say these are canonical versions of the Creepypastas," Antosca said. "Obviously we take the original, we adapt elements of it, we use the original premise, and then we invent and put our own stamp on it. The way I look at it is each season of Channel Zero is like a nightmare that you have after reading the story it's based on. It's our fan fiction of the original creepypasta."
"I read a bunch of creepypasta, I zero in on one that particularly speaks to me or has a lot of possibility, and then I just think about it for a while," he continued. "I think about what it means, what it suggests, what kind of larger possibilities there are in the world and the mythology."
Channel Zero Season 2: No-End House airs Wednesdays on SyFy. You can also watch the first episode on YouTube for free.
Rockstar teased some kind of Red Dead Redemption 2 news for today, and now it's delivered. A new trailer for the upcoming open-world game has been released, which begins teasing the game's story, combat, characters, and some notable moments from throughout.
You can watch the trailer above, but be aware that there's no new release date shared. We get a look at protagonist Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, as well as a bow weapon and crocodile, both of which are new. The official description for the video says Red Dead Redemption 2 is the "story of outlaw Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang as they rob, fight and steal their way across the vast and rugged heart of America in order to survive."
Rockstar has not yet announced a release date for Red Dead Redemption 2, but we do know it's due out during Spring 2018 (but no sooner than April 1). It's coming to both PS4 and Xbox One; there's no word on a PC version, a possibility that Rockstar parent company Take-Two has declined to address when asked. The previous game was never been released on PC.
October is almost here, and that means we'll soon have a new selection of free PlayStation Plus games to download. Sony has announced the lineup for next month, and it's an impressive one thanks to the headliner, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Thanks to Cross-Buy, those on PS4 will get a total of four games: Both Vita titles, Hue and Sky Force Anniversary, can be played on the handheld or PS4. And even PS3 owners get a bonus, as Sky Force supports Cross-Buy with the older console as well. That joins Hustle Kings and Monster Jam Battlegrounds as the standard PS3 games for the month.
All six of these games will be available beginning on Tuesday, October 3. You'll have until November 7 to claim them, but time is running out to grab September's free PS Plus games, which return to their regular prices on October 3. Additionally, if you haven't already grabbed the bonus game That's You, it leaves PS Plus on October 24. PSVR game RIGS also remains free until November 7.
Another bonus offer will be introduced in October for Plus members, as they'll get closed beta access to Hand of the Gods, the spin-off of Smite. Until November 14, they're also entitled to a free Plus Pack that consists of a special Galactic Invader Leader skin for Ah Puch, a card back, a player icon, and five Core Packs.
If you're starved for new information about Red Dead Redemption 2, it seems we have something to look forward to quite soon. Rockstar last week teased that some kind of announcement or reveal is on the way, and we're now about to find out what it has in store. [Update: Rockstar has released a new Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer.]
Unfortunately, we have almost no idea of what to expect--Rockstar merely tweeted the image below. It contains nothing but a date and time--today, September 28, at 11 AM ET (8 AM PT/4 PM BST, or 1 AM AEST the next day)--on a background that resembles the look of Red Dead Redemption 2's marketing materials. The company might plan to share new details or release another trailer, but for the time being, there's no way to know exactly what's coming.
It's been months since Rockstar had anything to share from the game. It was originally slated for release this fall, only to be delayed until next year. New screenshots were shared in May, and prior to that, we got the first trailer. Beyond that it's been an excruciatingly quiet period for the game.
Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn't have an exact release date yet, but it's due out during Spring 2018 (no sooner than April 1). It's slated for release on PS4 and Xbox One. Like the first game, there's no word on a PC version, a possibility that Rockstar parent company Take-Two has declined to address.
Pokemon Go players only have a few more days to catch Entei, Raikou, or Suicune. The three Legendary dogs from Pokemon Gold and Silver will only be available in their current region through September 29, after which they'll move on to a different part of the world.
Unlike the previous Legendary Pokemon that have appeared in Pokemon Go, only one of the three Legendary dogs is available in a specific region at a time. Currently, the Electric-type Raikou can be found in the Americas; the Fire-type Entei is available in Europe and Africa; and players in the Asia-Pacific region can encounter the Water-type Suicune. On September 30, the Pokemon will rotate to a different region, where they'll be available until October 31.
As in the past, you can encounter the Legendary dogs in special Raid battles at Gyms. You'll need to defeat the powerful Pokemon first to get an opportunity to capture them. You can check out our guide on how to catch Legendary Pokemon for more details on how to take part in Raids.
Players also still have a few more days to take advantage of Pokemon Go's in-game Equinox event. Until October 2, you can earn double Stardust for catching Pokemon and hatching eggs. You'll also net triple the normal amount of XP by registering a new Pokemon in your Pokedex, and PokeStops and Gyms will dole out special 2 km eggs that may hatch into Chansey, Mareep, Larvitar, and other rare Pokemon. However, some players have reported issues with Pokemon Go's servers today, which developer Niantic says it is currently investigating.
In a new interview with Variety, Neeson was asked about his decision to quit action movies. "It's not true, look at me! You're talking in the past tense," he said. "I'm going to be doing action movies until they bury me in the ground. I'm unretired."
These comments follow the ones made by Neeson during the Toronto International Film festival at the start of September. "They're still throwing serious money at me to do that stuff," he said. "[But] I'm like: 'Guys, I'm sixty-f******-five.' Audiences are eventually going to go: 'Come on.' I've shot one that's going to come out in January sometime. There might be another. That's it. But not Taken, none of that franchise stuff."
It was 2008's Taken that kickstarted Neeson's action career. The movie was produced and written by Fifth Element director Luc Besson, and it grossed $226 million worldwide from a modest $26 million budget. It was followed by two sequels.
The movie that is releasing in January that Neeson refers to is The Commuter. The thriller marks the fourth collaboration between Neeson and director Jaume Collet-Serra, following Unknown, Non-Stop, and Run All Night. Check out The Commuter trailer for an idea of what to expect.
The next installment in the Star Trek franchise arrived on television on Sunday, September 24. However, watching the entire first season won't be as simple as flipping on your television to CBS, as the new series will be part of its new streaming service, CBS All Access. Here is everything you need to know in order to watch the new show. If you're looking for more details about the show's story and timeline, check out Star Trek Discovery: Everything You Need To Know.
The First Episode Will Air On CBS
Everyone with a television--as long as you have a service to get channels, like cable or an antenna--will be able to watch the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery. The first episode of the series will air on CBS on Sunday, September 24 at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT. However, it could be delayed as it's following 60 Minutes as well as an NFL game. In addition, you will be able to stream the show live and on-demand through CBS All Access.
The Rest Will Air On CBS All Access (And Netflix Internationally)
However, if you enjoy the first episode, you will not be able to watch the rest of the series on network television. You'll need to subscribe to its streaming service, CBS All Access, which will provide access to all of Star Trek: Discovery. Luckily, the second episode of Discovery will be available on the service after the broadcast premiere. And every following Sunday, new episodes will premiere on-demand after 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT for All Access subscribers in the United States. In Canada, it's available through the network Space. For those outside the US and Canada, Star Trek: Discovery will air on Netflix, with episodes coming within 24 hours of their CBS All Access debuts.
According to IMDb, Season 1 of Discovery will consist of 15 episodes. It will run from September 24 until February 18, 2018. There will be a mid-season break from November 7 until January 7, 2018.
How To Watch CBS All Access
Because CBS All Access is not available through cable or satellite packages, like how Comcast incorporates Netflix, you will need to take extra steps in order to watch the series, but it's nothing out of the ordinary. Aside from being able to watch it on your PC, CBS All Access is available for the Roku Player, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Fire TV.
The Price Of CBS All Access
The price point for the service is $6 a month, which includes a one week free trial. Like Hulu, limited commercials will run while you watch the content. However, you can upgrade to a package that has no commercials for $10 a month, which has a free two day trial. All Access also offers a discount of 15% off of an annual plan. This comes out to $60 a year or $100 a year for the commercial-free option.
Your Total Cost To Watch
What it comes down to is the total cost to watch Discovery. If that's your only reason for getting All Access, which also gives subscribers access to previous Star Trek television series, then you're paying for six months of service (counting September as a full month). That's going to run you $36 to watch, unless you get the one week free deal, which should be $30, total. If you choose to watch without commercials, you'll be paying $60 in total.
It's a bit of a double-edged sword for those on the fence with Star Trek: Discovery. Considering All Access doesn't have a ton of original streaming content, this may not be a great deal for someone who already has a cable or satellite service. All Access seems like a better option for cord cutters more than anything else.
Disclosure: GameSpot's parent company is CBS Interactive.
The much-anticipated follow-up to last year's NES Classic Edition, the SNES Classic Edition (or Mini for those in Europe and Australia), is nearly here. With its release almost upon us, the first reviews have gone live for the retro console.
Below, we've compiled a selection of SNES Classic reviews from around the internet. We already knew the game lineup was strong, and it appears the hardware itself is not a letdown, even if it is missing something like a Home button on the controller.
System: SNES Classic Edition
Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: September 29
Price: $80/£70/AU$120
GameSpot
"We're aware that there are so many ways to play these games and we've had several versions of them through the years. But to have this lineup of iconic games in one place, in an easy, accessible, and convenient fashion makes the SNES Classic worth seeking out. If Nintendo's looking to capitalize on 16-bit nostalgia, I'd say it did a damn fine job." -- Michael Higham [Full review]
CNET
"With such an impressive lineup of SNES titles, the Classic is a no-brainer recommendation for anyone who had an SNES growing up or missed out on it altogether. It's also a really convenient way to introduce a younger generation to an era of gaming that existed before their time." -- Jeff Bakalar [Full review]
Engadget
"If Nintendo were to offer even 10 of these games in an $80 bundle for the Switch, I'd recommend you pick them up. Sure, the micro-console format here is less convenient than that, but you're still getting great games and a cute piece of memorabilia as well. If you're familiar with the console and the games on offer here, then this review is kind of pointless. Nostalgia sells, and if you want the SNES Classic, you're going to buy one, regardless of what anyone says." -- Aaron Souppouris [Full review]
Kotaku
"The SNES Classic does everything it promises to do. It runs some great games and helpfully makes them a little easier to play with those save states and rewind function. The lack of a home button on the controller is frustrating, and you'll probably want to snag a longer HDMI cable if you don't want to have to get up to swap games, but this is a great piece of hardware. As both a collector's item and a regular addition to anyone's gaming rotation, it is superb." -- Jason Schreier [Full review]
IGN
"It remains an absolute joy to play the vast majority of this selection of the SNES Classic's excellent library, whether for the first or fiftieth time. I've had a blast with it and intend to continue revisiting beloved hallmarks like Super Mario World while also diving into classics I missed, like Earthbound. I wish Nintendo had taken more lessons from the faults of last year's NES Classic and added more modern conveniences to the hardware. Aside from the slightly increased but still limiting controller cord length, few of the NES Classic's issues were addressed. But the tiny, delightfully detailed console makes it quick and easy to have an authentic '90s Nintendo experience with some of the greatest games of that era." -- Jonathon Dornbush [Full review]
Game Informer
"Baffling and frustrating issues still persist, especially with regards to how poorly the device aligns with modern entertainment setups. Short cords and the lack of a menu-screen shortcut are disappointing, and you shouldn't have to purchase additional accessories to work around them (though you can). But do these problems make the SNES Classic Edition a waste of time or money? Not at all. In fact, I'm looking forward to spending even more time with this fantastic library of games. The framework surrounding these classics leaves a lot to be desired, but you shouldn't pass on the opportunity to have so many amazing games at your fingertips." -- Joe Juba [Full review]
Nintendo Life
"The fact that this machine is also the first place you'll officially be able to play Star Fox 2 is the icing on the cake. While the famously canned 3D epic would arguably made more of an impact back in the mid-'90s, its open-ended structure and slew of interesting gameplay ideas--some of which have been appropriated by subsequent sequels--makes it fascinating from both a historical and gameplay perspective; we dare say that for many Nintendo fans, it's worth the price of admission alone just to play it. Even if you have no interest in Star Fox 2's place in Nintendo's history, the SNES Classic is a wonderful little console which deserves to find its way beneath your TV, alongside the equally likable NES Classic--assuming Nintendo keeps its word and creates enough units to satisfy demand, of course." -- Damien McFerran [Full review]
Much like the NES Classic console from last year, the SNES Classic is a bit of a hot commodity. With an assortment of retro games from the SNES library, there are many games getting a second chance in the spotlight, along with others that have stood the test of time and still hold up as some of Nintendo's finest games.
We at GameSpot are here to give you everything you need to know about Nintendo's throwback console; such as good places to keep an eye out for ordering your console, what games are available on the system, and what sort additions have been added to make the experience of replaying these games feel a bit more unique. Be sure to check back with us for more info about our hands-on time with the console, along with our official review coming soon.
When Is The Release Date For The SNES Classic?
Set for release on September 29 for $80 USD/60 GBP/7,980 Yen, the SNES Classic will be available in most markets. Much like the NES Classic, Japan will have a Famicom version known as the Super Famicom Classic the following week on Oct 5, along with some games unique to their market such as Ganbare Goemon: Yukihime Kyūshutsu Emaki (Legend of the Mystical Ninja). Though the Western release of the Classic console will be missing some titles from its Eastern counterpart, there's still plenty of great games to enjoy.
Where Are The Reviews Of The SNES Classic?
The first reviews of the SNES Classic are now in, and they've largely been positive, praising both the system's game selection and overall performance. For specifics, you can check out our SNES Classic Edition review and SNES Classic Edition review roundup.
How Can I Find An SNES Classic?
Learning from the extreme shortages of the NES Classic, Nintendo has increased the amount of units in distribution, and will also be producing them in larger quantities. Moreover, Nintendo has urged fans not to purchase SNES Classic consoles sold at significantly higher rate, as there will be more available for buyers compared to the NES Classic. Much like the pre-ordering phase, it would be best to keep watch of established stores such as Amazon, Target, GameStop, Walmart, and Best Buy for available units as they come. Be sure to check back with GameSpot for updates on availability of units.
Aside from Earthbound, Super Mario RPG, and Super Metroid, there's one game that's been getting a lot of attention, and that's Star Fox 2. Unlocked after completing the first stage in the original Star Fox, Star Fox 2 introduced a number of interesting gameplay innovations, new characters, and brand new vehicles to control. However, for a variety of reasons, it was shelved around the time of its completion. Though unofficial copies have made the rounds over the years, this marks the first time that Nintendo will be releasing the game in an official capacity. To mark this occasion, GameSpot will be publishing a review for the newly released Star Fox 2, which will be our first SNES review in two decades.
What Is The Set-Up And User-Interface Like?
While the original Super Nintendo was designed for standard definition TVs, the SNES Classic features an updated setup including HDMI cables, and a home menu where you can access all the games. Much like the NES Classic, the Super Nintendo mini-console will give players access to all the games from the menu, where they can jump around between each game. Each game allows for four different save slots, allowing you to save your game on the internal system. Though unlike the NES Classic, the SNES will be a bit more comfortable to play this time around, featuring longer control cables at around 5 feet. Moreover, the UI will also feature a number of tweaks and customization options for players, such as a set of custom borders you can apply to the 4:3 games, CRT filters, and also a rewind option--allowing you to as rollback a bad move in a game and try again.
Keep checking back with GameSpot during the lead up and after the release of the SNES Classic for more information as it comes. Check out some of coverage with our hands-on time below, along with updates from Nintendo, and along with our full-review.
Funko is rolling out a brand new series of Kingdom Hearts Pops this winter, along with tons of Kingdom Hearts Mystery Minis, with certain figures only available at select retailers.
Season 2 of the Funko Pops includes Keyblade Sora, along with his best friends Kairi and Riku. There are also two Shadow Heartless Pops coming, a regular and Glow Chase edition (with a 1 in 6 chance of getting them). If you want to get your hands on the final form of Sora, it's available exclusively at Best Buy, while Sora in Brave form is only available at Toys "R" Us.
Meanwhile, Funko is also rolling out Kingdom Hearts Mystery Minis. The series will feature Mickey, Roxas, Axel, and Riku in Organization XIII cloaks. There's also Chip and Dale, Goofy, Donald, and more to collect.
Like the Pops, you can only find certain Mystery Minis at certain retailers. Pete, Large Body Heartless, and Soldier Heartless are available exclusively at GameStop. Tron Goofy, Donald, and Sora, are only available at Toys "R" Us. Finally, Halloween Goofy, Donald, and Sora are exclusive to Hot Topic.
The new Kingdom Hearts Funko Pops and Mystery Minis are due out this December.
Last year's highly acclaimed anime movie Your Name is both the most successful anime film of all time around the world, and the biggest domestic movie ever released in Japan. It's no surprise that Hollywood has been looking to remake the film, and it has now been reported that Star Wars and Star Trek director JJ Abrams is to produce a live-action American version.
According to Screen Daily, Abrams' production company Bad Robot has won the rights to adapt Your Name, alongside Paramount Pictures. The screenplay for the new movie will be written by Oscar-winning Arrival screenwriter Eric Heisserer.
Your Name is a teenage body-swap romantic comedy drama, directed by Makoto Shinkai and produced by Toho pictures. To date, it has made $355.3 million at the worldwide box office. This far exceeds the previous anime record holder, 2005's Spirited Away, which made $289 million.
In a statement, the original movie's producer, Genki Kawamura, said: "Just like in the film it feels like a dream. Mr. Abrams and his team have captivated audiences in their masterful reinvention of known properties. And [main characters] Mitsuha and Taki have found a perfect narrator, Mr. Heisserer, to tell their sci-fi infused love story, which gave the film such drive.
"The meetings so far have been creatively stimulating with fantastic ideas that no doubt will make for a great movie. I am greatly honoured to work with these incredible creators in bringing to audiences the Hollywood live action version of Your Name."
After a long summer still playing last year's football games, you'll be pleased to hear FIFA 18 is almost here. With that in mind, we thought we'd round up everything you need to know about EA's soccer game here, including its release date, some gameplay, our review, and more.
FIFA 18 Release Date And How To Play Right Now
FIFA 18's release date for the UK, US, Europe, and Australia is set for Friday, September 29, 2017. However, some people already have their hands on this year's title, as it was released on EA Access last week and for some pre-order customers earlier this week. If you want to play early, you can buy the Ronaldo or Icon Edition from the PlayStation Store or Xbox Live. The Ronaldo Edition costs US $80 / £80 / AU $120, while the Icon Edition will set you back US $100 / £90 / AU $130. For reference, that's a little more expensive than the standard version, which is currently US $60 / £60 / AU $100.
FIFA 18 Review
In our FIFA 18 review, we awarded the game a 7/10. "It's off the pitch that EA excels," we said. "From the variety of game modes on offer and how everything's presented, to the constant updates in FUT's Team of the Week, Daily Objectives, and discussion of real-world happenings in commentary, FIFA 18 captures the world of football and confidently translates it into a video game. On the pitch, however, EA's soccer series is still lagging far behind PES 2018's more fluid, satisfying football. This year's improvements are welcome, but more needs to be done in the coming years if FIFA is to be a world-beater once again." For more critical opinion, check out our FIFA 18 review roundup.
FIFA 18 Gameplay
Check out some FIFA 18 gameplay at the links below.
FIFA 18's playable demo is out now on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Live. It includes 12 teams--including top clubs Manchester United and Bayern Munich--and two modes: Kick Off and The Journey.
FIFA 18 Player Ratings
With the game out in the wild, all of FIFA 18's player ratings have been revealed. Top of the pile is Cristiano Ronaldo, who is 94 rated. Rounding out the top five highest-rated FIFA 18 players are Lionel Messi (93), Neymar (92), Luis Suarez (92), and Manuel Neuer (92).
FIFA 18 Web App
The FUT 18 Web App is EA's online portal for accessing FIFA 18 Ultimate Team. Check it out here--for a limited time you can even get free rewards just for logging in each day.
FIFA 18 Career Mode's New Features
Career Mode hasn't changed a huge amount since FIFA 17, though there are a few welcome new features in FIFA 18, including interactive transfer negotiations. Rather than submitting an offer for a player and then waiting for an email response, FIFA 18 allows you to conduct transfer negotiations in real-time as part of an interactive cutscene. This involves first meeting with a representative of the selling club and agreeing to a fee for the player in question, before then negotiating personal terms with the star's agent.
The only other new features are "dynamic news clips," imitating those seen in real-world sports coverage when a player or manager gives a press conference. These clips are shown when a player wins a Player of the Month award or when you win a competition, among other events.
FIFA 18 Ultimate Team New Features
FUT 18 also has a number of new features. Squad Battles are new, weekly weekly single-player competitions where you compete against AI-controlled teams built by other human players, before being ranked against other real-world players for the amount of games you win. EA says these offer the best rewards for those who choose not to play online.
Elsewhere, Ultimate Team Legends are no longer exclusive to Xbox and have been renamed Icons. In addition, some Icons will receive Stories cards, in which the player in question actually has three versions available, each corresponding to a different stage in the player's career. As an example, Ronaldinho has one card for his time at PSG in 2002, one for when he played for AC Milan in 2010, and one "prime" card, which highlights his peak in 2004, when he won World Player of the Year while playing for Barcelona. Two of these three cards will be available to obtain in packs and Squad-Building Challenges, though prime Icons will only available on select Thursdays that EA is calling Throwback Thursdays. You'll only be able to get these in limited time packs and Squad-Building Challenges.
FIFA 18 Soundtrack
The full FIFA 18 soundtrack has been revealed, featuring acts like alt-J, The Amazons, and Weezer. Check it out in the Spotify embed below.
To mark the start of production, Entertainment Weekly has revealed some of Avatar 2's new cast members, who will join returning actors Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Stephen Lang. However, it's worth bearing in mind that all but one of these young stars will be rendered digitally as the movie's blue-skinned aliens, known as the Na'vi. Check the image out below:
From left-to-right, the actors are Britain Dalton, Filip Geljo, Jamie Flatters, Bailey Bass, Trinity Bliss, Jack Champion, and Duane Evans Jr. According to EW, Champion is the only one playing a human character.
Not surprisingly, specific plot details about Avatar 2 are scarce. However, producer Jon Landau did explain that the young cast would help shift the tone of the movie. "We never had this youthful element before, and that brings a different kind of energy to the film," he said. "They represent the future generation of Pandora and play a very significant role--not just in this movie but throughout all the movies."
In related news, it has been confirmed that Cameron is also returning to the Terminator franchise. He will produce and work on the story for the sixth movie in the sci-fi action series he created, which is to be directed by Deadpool's Tim Miller and will hit theaters in July 2019.
Jackie Chan's next movie, The Foreigner, is coming to theaters in October. Today, we can bring you an exclusive new clip from the action film that also stars Pierce Brosnan. The clip, titled "Ambush," sees Chan's character fighting off bad dudes who are chasing him through a home. It's more of classic Jackie Chan hand-to-hand combat--and it's great.
Based on the novel Stephen Leather novel The Chinaman, The Foreigner follows a London businessman Quan (Chan) who is out for revenge after his daughter is killed in an act of terrorism. Brosnan, of James Bond fame, plays a British government agent at the center of the bombing.
If you want a wider view of what to expect from The Foreigner, you can check out the most recent full-length trailer here. You guessed it--Chan kicks ass in that trailer too, beating down bad guys with his fists and machine guns alike.
The Foreigner was directed by GoldenEye and Casino Royale director Martin Campbell. The action connections don't end there, as the screenplay was written by Live Free Or Die Hard's David Marconi. It opens in theaters on October 13.
As always, there is a time limit, and this time around it can't be extended due to the Timewarp: Zero Hour modifier. The other modifier is Torrent, which greatly increase the cooldown timers on your non-Super abilities--so be sure to let the grenades fly early and often.
As for the Pyramdion Nightfall Challenges, the first is called Speed of Dark, and you'll get it by completing the event with at least 5 minutes to spare. Unbroken, meanwhile, is unlocked when you beat the Nightfall with fewer than three deaths. Good luck with that. Finally, the Siege Engine challenge can be yours if you prevent Brakion from staying shielded for more than 40 seconds before bringing it down.
Nightfall Strikes change every week with the weekly reset, so if you don't have time or the desire to try this one, something new will pop up next week. The Pyramidion Nightfall runs through October 3.
Beat the Pyramidion Nightfall and you stand to get Powerful Gear rewards, which are among the best items you can acquire in Destiny 2. If you have not yet unlocked the Nightfall, you'll need to complete two Strikes and approach the suggested Power level of 240 before Zavala will allow you to take part in them. Matchmaking is not available, but with Guided Games now available, players have the opportunity to be matched up with members of a clan for the mission (which requires a Nightfall Ticket). Alternatively, clan members can sign up to serve as guides through the Nightfall (which does not require a Ticket).
Ubisoft has announced a new game mode for Assassins' Creed: Origins, and it might not be what you expect. "Discovery Tour," as it's called, is a casual mode coming in 2018 for free that removes all combat so players can freely explore the ancient Egypt setting.
While in Discovery Tour mode, you're apparently able to walk or ride through the entirety of the game, including locations such as Alexandria, Memphis, the Nile delta, the Giza plateau, the Faiyum Oasis, and the Great Sand Seas. There is no combat, no story, and no time limits.
The whole point, it seems, is to help players understand the history of ancient Egypt. Discovery Tour will include "dozens" of "guided tours" that were organised by actual historians and experts. They will focus on things like the Great Pyramids, the mummification process, and Cleopatra's life, among other things.
Ubisoft shared one image from Discovery Mode. As you can see above, it shows part of the mummification process--specifically evisceration--with information sourced to London's National Museum of Antiquities.
Discovery Tour comes to Origins in early 2018 through a free update. The game launches on October 27 for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Playerunknown's Battlegrounds--or PUBG--has taken PC gaming by storm; it's even pushed some to upgrade or build their own PC strong enough to run the game competently. But what specs should you have and what kind of graphics settings and framerates should you expect to get? Here's a quick graphics settings guide with some performance tips.
PUBG System Requirements
While it uses Unreal Engine 4, the game sets a pretty low bar to clear by today's standards in terms of minimum specs. The following list is PUBG's system requirements:
CPU: Intel Core i3-4340 or AMD FX-6300
GPU: Nvidia GTX 660 (2GB) or AMD Radeon HD 7850 (2GB)
Memory: 6GB RAM
Disk Space: 30GB
Of course, you would more power than that to get an ideal experience with this game. So, as we did with our feature and video on the Destiny 2 PC beta's graphics and performance, we tested out what we could get out of a modest mid-range system. This is what we used:
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K
GPU: MSI GTX 970 (4GB)
Memory: 8GB RAM
You should keep in mind that PUBG is still an early access title. Future updates, patches, and drivers will continually change performance across different systems, and even add new graphical effects.
What About Graphics Settings?
We're given some straight-forward options, but the game doesn't explain what they do outright. PUBG has garnered plenty of PC newcomers and some may be new to these terms as well. And there are some important distinctions to be made as of these settings can significantly affect how the game is played. We'll walk you through some of the things we noticed with each graphics settings.
First off, we're using 1920x1080 (1080p) for our resolution. PUBG does offer native 4K (3840x2160) support, but it's very demanding for our machine, and even some higher-end systems can have trouble with this game.
Anti-aliasing smooths out jagged edges around objects. Turning this up will clean up the overall image, but you will take a sizable hit in framerate. We recommend having some form of anti-aliasing, and we afforded to use the "High" setting. There isn't much of a difference between "High" and "Ultra" visually.
Anti-aliasing smooths out edges, but it'll cost a few frames per second.
Shadows determines the fidelity of shadows, of course. But it is important that you use the "Medium" at least. "Low" and "Very Low" will not render a player model's shadow. Being able to see a player's shadow is key to tracking opponents indoors and anticipating enemy movement. It can make the difference between death and survival, especially if you see their shadow move before the actual player model. You should note that "High" and "Very High" will tax your system heavily, however.
Player shadows will not render at "Very Low" and "Low" settings.
Foliage changes the detail of brush and grass, but it does not affect the amount that shows up in game. It also doesn't affect the distance at which grass pops up. You won't gain an advantage by turning it down.
View Distance should be maxed out to help make sure you can see as many objects as possible off in the distance. It's key if you're using high-powered scopes or trying to watch activity from a high vantage point. It does not affect the distance at which player models appear.
Post-processing encompasses effects like ambient occlusion and dynamic lighting. "Low" will give you ambient occlusion, which is a notable visual improvement. "High" will add a sort of depth of field, and Very High will add dynamic lighting effects like bloom and god rays.
Effects determines the number of particles used to render visual effects like gunfire or explosions. The more, the better, but your system will take a performance hit when fire and explosions fill up the screen.
Texture improves the detail of surfaces. It's simple enough, but we'd suggest at least "Medium" since "Low" is a very noticeable downgrade.
Screen scale is supersampling. If it's set above 100, the game will render a higher resolution image and downscale it to fit your display. While it makes the game look better, I'd avoid it in this case since we prefer to keep our framerates higher.
Motion Blur creates a blur effect when moving the camera which adds a sense of speed, but this is mostly up to your preference. And you'll want to keep V-Sync off, unless you're getting unbearable screen tearing.
After some careful thought and experimentation, these were our preferred graphics settings:
Anti-aliasing: High
Post-processing: Low
Shadows: Medium
Texture: High
Effects: Medium
Foliage: High
View Distance: Ultra
With these settings, you're probably wondering what kind of framerates our modest system was able to produce. Through an entire solo match during normal in-game weather conditions, the framerate stayed between a high 50 FPS and a high 70 FPS. It seems that with our system and settings, we hit a sweet spot between graphics quality and performance.
The 60-second warm up phase before the match starts is a good indication of a worse-case scenario when it comes to performance. So, if your system can handle that sequence with a playable framerate (around 40 FPS), you should be able to enjoy this game smoothly.
If you watched our video on the cheap gaming PC we built, you'd recall that we tested it in Playerunknown's Battlegrounds. With a quad core AMD Ryzen 3 CPU and a GTX 1050 at 1080p and medium settings, we roughly got high 30 FPS to low 50 FPS. Higher-end systems, equipped with either AMD's RX Vega cards or Nvidia's GTX 1070 and up, you'd still want to take into consideration how shadows and anti-aliasing impact your framerate, especially if you have a high-refresh rate monitor or want to do 4K.
Again, PUBG is still in early access and will go through changes and optimizations. There's still occasional random hitches and stutters, and quirks to how textures load and how effects are rendered. PUBG isn't the best looking game, but it's still a bit graphically demanding; the game will have some hiccups with optimization.
Hopefully you found this helpful and learned something about the graphics quality settings in Playerunknown's Battleground, or at least got some context as to how the game runs. If you want more in-depth explanations, check out our series on PC graphics settings. Newcomers to PUBG might also want to read through our beginner's guide on how to survive and get that coveted chicken dinner.
Creative Assembly's next entry in the Total War series is nearly here. Total War: Warhammer II is a follow-up to last year's real-time strategy game Total War: Warhammer, and it boasts a wide range of improvements, new races, and more.
Below, you'll find a roundup of all the basics concerning the new game. For impressions, you can also check out our Total War: Warhammer II review, which states, "Stepping back into the world of Warhammer is always a fantastical journey, and with Total War: Warhammer II, never before has an adaptation of the source material felt quite so natural."
Total War: Warhammer II Review
"With Warhammer II, Total War doesn't reinvent anything so much as it iterates on the ideas that made the first so special. At its heart there's still the marriage of Total War's big-scale strategy and Warhammer's precise tactical play. But, through a thousand tiny tweaks, they've refined the experience into one of the most intriguing and exciting strategy games ever." -- Daniel Starkey [Total War: Warhammer II review]
When Does It Come Out?
Total War: Warhammer II has a release date set for September 28. As noted below, there's a special Norsca Race Pack available by pre-ordering or purchasing the game during its release week. It's the second part in a trilogy.
What Systems Is It Available On?
As is typical of most strategy games, Warhammer II is computer-only. For now, it's also limited to Windows PCs, although we do know there are plans for Mac and Linux versions. Those are expected to be announced later this year.
What Are The System Requirements?
As noted above, you'll need a Windows PC (for now). In terms of specific hardware, Creative Assembly has outlined minimum requirements and two different sets of recommended specs for Warhammer II.
PC Recommended Specifications
Expected around 45-55 FPS on campaign map and in a 1v1, 20 units vs. 20 units battle, default graphics preset set to High, running at 1920×1080:
Operating System: Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-4570 3.20 Ghz
RAM: 8 GB
Install Size: 60 GB
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 760 2 GB/AMD Radeon R9 270X 2 GB at 1080P
PC Minimum Specifications
Expected around 25-35 FPS on campaign map and in a 1v1, 20 units vs. 20 units battle, default graphics preset set to Low, running at 1280×720:
Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 Ghz
RAM: 4 GB/5 GB
Install Size: 60 GB
Video Card: Nvidia GTX 460 1GB/AMD Radeon HD 5770 1 GB/Intel HD4000 at 720p
PC 60 FPS+ Specifications
Expected 60 FPS+ on campaign map and in a 1v1, 20 units vs. 20 units battle, default graphics preset set to Ultra, running at 1920×1080:
Operating System: Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0 Ghz
RAM: 8 GB
Install Size: 60 GB
Video Card: Nvidia GTX 1070 8 GB
What Versions Are Available?
In addition to the standard game, a premium, $150 version of Warhammer II is available known as the Serpent God Collector's Edition. There's also the Limited Edition that comes with a metal case, sticker set, and mini strategy guide. As a bonus, those who pre-order the game or purchase it during its week of availability will receive the Norsca Race Pack. Rather than adding a new race to Warhammer II, however, this is DLC for the original Total War: Warhammer.
The Nintendo Switch launched in March and it's been a big hit, setting sales records for Nintendo hardware. One of the selling points is that it's a hybrid system, allowing you to play at home on a TV or on the go with the tablet-like screen and controllers. Don't expect Sony to imitate that setup for any new gaming hardware it might be working on, however.
PlayStation gaming boss Andrew House told Bloomberg that, from Sony's perspective, a hybrid-style gaming system does not represent a "huge market opportunity" outside of Japan and Asia.
"The folks at Nintendo have their strategy and that's great," House said. "We remain focused around a highly connected gaming experience and also coupled with having a great range of other entertainment experiences so you can reach multiple people on the big screen in the household."
The interview also covered dedicated handheld gaming devices like the PlayStation Vita. House said the system didn't do all that great outside of Japan and Asia, due in part to the rise in smartphones. This is to say, it sounds like a PlayStation Vita successor is unlikely to happen, though nothing has been ruled out.
"The Vita experience was that outside of Japan and Asia, there was not a huge demand," House explained. "The lifestyle shift toward the dominance of smartphones as the single key device that is always with you, was the determining factor."
The SNES Classic is launching this Friday, September 29. If you're looking to get your hands on a unit, here's some good news if you live in the US: GameStop and ThinkGeek stores will have units available for walk-in shoppers.
In a statement, a GameStop representative said the stores will have a "limited and varied amount of consoles," so it sounds like there is no guarantee you'll get one. Arriving early at your local store is probably a good idea, as is calling ahead to confirm availability.
Xbox corporate VP Mike Ybarra has set expectations for Xbox One dashboard updates. Responding to a fan on Twitter, Ybarra said you should expect "small adjustments" to the UI in the near future instead of "big changes."
It's no big surprise that major dashboard updates would slow down, given that the holiday season is ramping up. Microsoft doesn't historically release major UI updates in those months because so many new players are coming online and significant changes could lead to confusion.
Thanks :) I like where we are now. I expect small adjustments going forward vs. big changes.
The new new Xbox One dashboard layout is out now for testers, and it focuses on "speed, customization, and expression." It streamlines a number of aspects, letting you more quickly get to what you want, at least in theory. You can also customize what's displayed on the main Home screen, allowing you to create "content blocks" devoted to specific games or other aspects of Xbox Live. The update also adds a "light mode."
Regarding the current state of the Xbox One dashboard, Ybarra said in his tweet, "I like where we are now." How do you feel about the update, if you have it? Let us know in the comments below!
Studio MDHR's awesome-looking running-and-gun/platformer Cuphead is finally launching this week on Xbox One and PC. It arrives on September 29, and now the studio has announced precisely when it will be available on that day globally.
In a tweet, Studio MDHR confirmed the game will launch at 6 AM PT on September 29 around the world. That's 9 AM ET / 1 PM GMT / 11 PM AEST.
Hey #Cuphead fans! In case you didn't know, Cuphead will be launching at a single time around the world at 6:00 a.m. PT on Sept. 29! pic.twitter.com/1NxzFzQnBb
Cuphead was first shown during Microsoft's E3 press conference back in 2014; it immediately gathered attention thanks to its visual style, which resembles that of 1930s-era cartoons. The project has since expanded in scope, and at this year's E3, we finally got a release date: It's due out on September 29. It supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing you to buy a digital copy on PC or Xbox One and access it on both platforms.
After spending seven hours with the retail version of Forza Motorsport 7, Turn 10 Studios' latest appears to offer something for every kind of driving enthusiast. Yes, you could say the same thing about the last couple installments, but at least Forza 7 effectively pitches the power of choice without being preachy about it, particularly in its single player mode, the Forza Driver's Cup. While this campaign kicks off with a mandatory trio of races in various vehicle types and environments, you're subsequently offered many routes to victory thereafter. By the time I cleared the first three of the six chapters, I stuck to my favorite types of cars, namely Japanese and European sports cars. I was also reintroduced to riveting passing challenges and the novelty of bowling with cars. All the while, open-wheel and muscle car competitions tempted me to veer outside my comfort zone. This swath of variety made playing for seven hours straight feel like a breeze.
Forza 7 maintains the series' silky smooth framerate and the granular depth in which you can customize the controls to suit your driving style. My current handling preferences favor tire traction and I was pleased how closely many of my cars in Forza 7 felt like equivalents from Driveclub--another favorite racer of mine. And it was comforting to get back on familiar tracks like Brands Hatch and Laguna Seca. Yet, it wasn't until I returned to Prague--about three hours into my playthrough--that I felt wholly reunited with Forza. I've driven across the track's two bridges countless times in the last two Motorsports games, and the scenic blend of gothic and baroque architecture never gets old. The improved lighting effects--in conjunction with the weather and time-of-day diversity--made the latest version of this Czech city particularly striking. I especially loved how the sun reflected the leather steering wheel and dashboard of my Alfa Romeo Montreal on the windshield, not to mention seeing light bounce off of my fancy driving gloves as I was making my turns.
Even if you aren't a racing sim purist, Forza 7 accommodates your desire to drive thanks to numerous accessibility settings. It goes well beyond enabling ABS and turning on the guiding line. Undoing any on-course mistake with Rewind helps in ensure wins, though I prefer the Codemasters approach of limiting the amount of times you can do this in a race. There's also no penalty for dangerous driving and cutting corners. Clearly, Turn 10 is leaving it to you to set your own definition of fair play. An aside, it was amusing that the game credited me for my excellent cornering skills while not recognizing that I sideswiped one or two other cars.
I also spent considerable time trying out the Mod cards, consumables that you can apply to any cup race for an added challenge. Depending on the card, you gain bonus XP for skillful driving, placing well, and turning off select assists. Some of these Mods added a modicum of increased stakes and competitive tension while also offering incentives for novices to experiment with deactivated assists and possibly take off select training wheels for good.
These cards are unlocked as part of this game's loot crates. Based on the first dozen crates I've earned and opened, Forza 7's form of blind box collectable items offer a balanced mix of cosmetic and practical items. The seemingly countless driver outfits you can amass didn't appeal to me as something worth collecting. The cars obtained through crates, on the other hand, are more valuable, even those I ultimately sell, because I don't need more than three muscle cars or Formula E racers.
As I continue my playthrough into this weekend, I'm looking forward to dividing my attention between completing the Forza Driver's Cup and finally participating in online races, when those who bought the Ultimate Edition version can start playing on September 29. While the once innovative friends-as-AI Drivatar competition remains engaging, it doesn't compare to the unpredictability of real players. I'm also hoping that the car model loading times in the garage improves at launch for the Xbox One, as currently, there are two-second wait times when I quickly scroll through cars. Yet this is a mild annoyance compared to the sad reminder that Turn 10 was not able to secure production model Toyotas for Forza 7. While this manufacturer isn't linked to the series to the degree it's associated with Gran Turismo, it was disappointing to be limited to a modest selection of Toyotas not named Celica or MR2.
Taking the bad with the good, Turn 10 took full advantage of its recently renewed licensing deal with Porsche by making at least two dozen of the German manufacturer's cars available for purchase in-game. Before I finish Forza 7, I intend to buy the much publicized 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and put it through its paces.
Check back next week when I'll have posted both my review and a video review of Forza Motorsport 7. Along with my final verdict of Forza Driver's Cup and online multiplayer, I'm hoping four currently locked sections--Forzathon timed events, Leagues, Auction House, and Marketplace--will be accessible soon.
The latest weekly sales charts for Australia and New Zealand have come in. For the week ended September 24, NBA 2K8 was again the top-selling game in both regions on the all-platforms physical chart, with Destiny 2 holding its position at No. 2 in the countries.
Another notable game is Project Cars 2, which launched on September 22 and enters the charts in the No. 3 position in Australia and New Zealand. The Nintendo Switch game Pokken Tournament DX also launched that day and made it into the Top 10. Another takeaway is that Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V is still a powerhouse, cracking the Top 10 for the all-platforms and platform-specific charts in the countries.
You can see the full all-platforms charts and console-specific charts below for Australia and New Zealand. As usual, they cover physical game sales only, this time for the week ended September 24. Another thing to note is that the group that puts together these lists, the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association, does not release specific sales numbers.
Blizzard has released a new Overwatch digital comic short, this one focusing on Aleksandra Zaryanova, better known as Zarya. In the comic, "Searching," she's on a mission to hunt down the hacker Sombra.
"The pursuit takes Zarya around the globe, but she encounters nothing but the same unreliable intel and dead ends," reads a line from its description. "With her trail cold and her leads exhausted, she reluctantly agrees to the only option she has left--a partnership with an omnic hacker."
SEARCHING: Your true friends are not always who you expect. . .
"Agreeing to a dangerous alliance, the two reluctant allies hone in on their target, unaware of the secret they will soon uncover..."
You can read the full, 12-page digital comic right here on the Overwatch website. It was written by Andrew Robinson and Joelle Sellner with art by Kate Niemczyk.
"Searching" is the 15th Overwatch digital comic. The others have been focused on characters like McCree, Reinhardt, Junkrat, Roadhog, Symmetra, Pharah, Torbjorn, Ana, Tracer, and Doomfist. You can pretty safely bet there will be more coming in the future.
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