Much of the discussion about Star Wars Battlefront II, particularly since its beta, has centered around the game's microtransactions. While EA has made a welcome change in giving away all gameplay content--like the upcoming Last Jedi characters and maps--for free, it's compensated by introducing a loot crate system. But whereas this can be relatively innocuous in other games, such as Overwatch, where you're only obtaining skins and cosmetics, Battlefront II's crates have a meaningful impact on gameplay.
While the system wasn't active during the beta, it did lead to an uproar from fans, causing some concessions from developer DICE. The studio announced that it was making changes to Battlefront II crates, such as preventing players from earning high-tier Star Cards from loot crates or being able to equip them without first reaching a certain level. But that solution left open the door for players to purchase loot crates and craft Epic-level Star Cards that can be used once they've put in enough time with the game. Essentially, that means players can pay for an in-game performance boost, just with a temporary roadblock. And it also does nothing to prevent players from buying loot crates to use lesser (but still beneficial) Star Cards right out of the gate. These cards can be obtained by playing, but those who pay will have an edge until you can put in a substantial amount of time.
In the video above, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of the different currencies, what kind of items and Star Cards are available, and what $90 (or $100, if you don't have the EA/Origin Access discount) puts in your hands. It's a complex system, but one you'll likely want to understand before diving into the game--or deciding whether it's worth a purchase.
Disney has announced that Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson is returning to the franchise to develop a new trilogy of films after the release of Star Wars: Episode IX. Additionally, Johnson will also write and direct the first installment of the new trilogy.
The announcement shows exactly what Disney has planned for the series after the ninth film in the Skywalker saga (Episodes I through IX). According to StarWars.com, this new trilogy will be separate from that saga, introducing new characters from a part of the Star Wars galaxy the previous films have never explored. Johnson is developing the new movies with his longtime producer Ram Bergman.
In a statement, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says, "We all loved working with Rian on The Last Jedi. He's a creative force, and watching him craft The Last Jedi from start to finish was one of the great joys of my career. Rian will do amazing things with the blank canvas of this new trilogy."
Johnson and Bergman shared their excitement about the possibilities that come with creating their own corner of the Star Wars universe. In a joint statement, the director and producer say, "We had the time of our lives collaborating with Lucasfilm and Disney on The Last Jedi. Star Wars is the greatest modern mythology and we feel very lucky to have contributed to it. We can't wait to continue with this new series of films." Johnson also tweeted about the news, joking, "Obviously I hope you like The Last Jedi. But man now I REALLY hope you like The Last Jedi."
Obviously I hope you like The Last Jedi. But man now I REALLY hope you like The Last Jedi.
In the aftermath of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, there were many questions on the minds of fans. Revisiting the Star Wars universe after so many years--and even longer if you pretend the prequels never happened--may have given hints at life in the galaxy after Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, but there are still many more questions to address?
Meanwhile, in an interview on The Star Wars Show, producer and Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy praised The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson's take on the iconic saga, saying, "I think he's done an exceptional job of taking these new characters and some of the legacy characters and moving us to this next place."
However, Kennedy cautions, "He doesn't answer all the questions, I will say that up front. But there are certain questions he does answer in a really wonderfully provocative way, and I think there'll be some surprises that people aren't expecting."
Given that this is only the second part of a new trilogy, it makes sense that everything wouldn't be resolved by the end. Still, it's enough to make you wonder exactly what Johnson's movie will address. The mystery surrounding Rey's parents, in particular, has been a major topic of discussion since the character was first announced long before the premiere of The Force Awakens.
If The Last Jedi doesn't tackle that question, chances are the theorizing is only going to continue as fans try to figure out her connection to the Force. Considering how her character is being built up in marketing for the new movie, she might become one of the most powerful Jedi of all time.
As many of the posters--and the climax of The Force Awakens--show, so much of this new trilogy centers around her and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) as foes on different sides of the Force. That's easy to see in two new motion posters released for the upcoming movie.
One, featuring Rey, reads "Fulfill your destiny." That certainly points to a lot more being revealed about the character as she goes toe-to-toe with Ren, whose poster demands, "Let the past die." Star Wars: The Last Jedi is in theaters on December 15.
Running into some bumps with Destiny 2's Guided Games? Bungie's noticed too. This week's update post delves a little deeper into the Guided Games experience and what the team has planned for it.
Guided Games is a Destiny 2 feature that pairs solo players with high-level players for endgame activities like Nightfalls and the Raids. Even with its good intentions, Bungie has noticed that the new feature isn't quite what it's meant to be just yet, and updates to the mode are coming.
"Well, one thing we're really happy to see is that Guided Games has enabled a bunch of new players to play the Nightfall and/or Raid for the first time (since Destiny 1)," social designer M.E. Chung said in the update post. "Our goal with Guided Games for end-game content is about helping players find tight-knit communities to join, but we see and are very aware of the current issues. For example, we know that the lack of reconnections causes all kinds of problems with unintentional oathbreakers, that the lack of audio feedback when a clan is found is causing players to miss the queue, that guides lack proper incentives, that we need a guided games option for Trials of the Nine, etc."
Both social designers M.E. Chung and Steve Dolan acknowledged that Guided Games isn't quite up to par because of these issues. Small changes to alleviate the issues are coming with the release of Curse of Osiris on December 5. These changes include audio cues when you find a guide, full clan guides, reminders that when you reject a clan you're still at the front of the queue, and new Nightfall and Raid content with the expansion.
The two also mention the need for updates to chat in-game and checkpoints. Clan chat in-game is one of the team's highest priorities, as well as Tower and zone chats. As for checkpoints, those were excluded from the game to prevent farming, but the team has seen that not having them has been detrimental too. The possibility is being looked into, but bringing the feature could potentially make queues longer.
Disney's plans for a new streaming service were first revealed back in August, but it was the news this week that the studio is planning new Star Wars and Marvel TV shows that gave fans a better idea of what to expect from it. Disney CEO Bob Iger has now spoken about the service and revealed that it will cost less than Netflix to subscribe to.
As reported by The Wrap, Iger explained that the price of the service will be connected to the amount of content that it will carry. "Our plan on the Disney side is to price this substantially below where Netflix is," he said "That is in part reflective of the fact it'll have less volume."
The service will launch with "a lot of high quality" content and will increase its price as the platform adds titles over time. For reference, the cost of a Netflix subscription currently ranges from $8 to $14 a month.
The service is set to launch in 2019. It is expected that all Disney content, including releases from Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar, will eventually disappear from Netflix and be solely available to stream on the new platform. In addition, fans can expect a live-action Star Wars show, an unnamed Marvel series, and shows based on Monsters Inc. and High School Musical.
Demand for Nintendo Switch remains high, but supply shortages have proven to be a problem since launch. Nintendo continues to work toward alleviating that as we head into the holiday season, where it expects to sell a ton of systems, but it reportedly has its sights set much higher in 2018 and beyond.
During the current fiscal year, which runs from April 2017 through March 2018, Nintendo expects to sell 14 million Switch units. Combined with sales from its launch month in March, that will bring it to a total of nearly 17 million units in its 13 months of availability. According to sources with "direct knowledge" speaking with the Wall Street Journal, Nintendo plans to potentially produce a whopping 25 to 30 million units during its next fiscal year (April 2018 through March 2019).
Nintendo has reportedly begun informing business partners about these plans. Depending on how well it sells during the holiday season, Nintendo could increase that figure further, according to the WSJ.
As part of its recent earnings report, CEO Tatsumi Kimishima said that Switch production would increase for the holidays, and that manufacturers have upped the number of production lines assembling Switches. The WSJ notes this typically will only happen when a company agrees to the deal for an extended period of time because of the costs involved. That suggests the extra work lines may not be a short-term move.
If Switch sells as well over the next few months as Nintendo expects, the system will top lifetime sales of the Wii U, which sold 13.56 million units. It would also bring it close to lifetime sales of GameCube (21.74 million). Should Nintendo indeed make 25-30 million units next year, eventual sales of those systems would push it past N64 (32.93 million), although the company's best-selling home console, Wii (101.63 million), is still much further off.
Nintendo's handheld unit sales may actually be the better point of comparison. A survey released as part of the recent earnings report shows that the bulk of Switch owners use it in both handheld and docked modes. However, there are more who use it exclusively as a handheld than those who only use it when connected to a TV. Nintendo's handhelds have traditionally sold better than their console counterparts--DS lifetime sales are 154 million--in part because of the potential for a single household to buy more than one.
Nintendo isn't making additional units just so they can sit on store shelves. It's unclear what exactly is driving its optimism, but one possible explanation is the launch of a major game or games. Nintendo's 2018 and 2019 lineup has not yet been detailed, but we do know Metroid Prime 4 is on the way, as is a Pokemon "core RPG." Metroid does not yet have any kind of release date, while Nintendo lists Pokemon for a "2018 or later" launch.
Despite its adorable appearance, Mimikyu is one of the more unsettling Pokemon introduced in Sun and Moon, and the upcoming Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon versions make the Ghost/Fairy-type even creepier by giving it a brand-new Z-Move.
The attack is called Let's Snuggle Forever, and it's a lot more insidious than its name may make it sound. When Mimikyu is equipped with its exclusive Z-Crystal, Mimikium Z, the Pokemon's Play Rough attack turns into Let's Snuggle Forever, a devastating Fairy-type move. You can watch Mimikyu use it on an unsuspecting Tyranitar in the trailer below.
Here's how the official Pokemon website describes the new attack: "When Mimikyu's wishes are in sync with its Trainer's, it comes up behind its target, enveloping it in the cloth that it wears. Then it uses its full power to show its opponent a little 'tough love.'"
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon release for 3DS next week, on November 17. In addition to new Z-Moves, the games introduce several new features and Pokemon, as well as bring back past Legendaries and antagonists. Players who pick up a copy of either title by January 10 will receive a free Rockruff that evolves into Dusk Form Lycanroc. We've put together a guide that breaks down the major differences between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
The first image of the new star of Doctor Who has been released. The picture was tweeted by the show's official twitter account and gives us a first look at the latest Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker.
Whittaker was announced in the role of the 13th Doctor in July. She is the first female star of the long-running sci-fi series, and is pictured on a grassy plain with the TARDIS behind her. Check it out below:
Whittaker replaces Peter Capaldi, who has played the Doctor since 2013. Capaldi will make his final appearance on this year's Christmas Special, and it's likely we'll see Whittaker make her debut in it too. The Christmas episode is titled "Twice Upon a Time," and a trailer was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con in July.
Whittaker's first full season as the Doctor will air in 2018. The show also has a new showrunner, with Broadchurch's Chris Chibnall taking over from Steven Moffat. In a recent interview with the Radio Times, Chibnall suggested the show might take a different approach from previous seasons.
"What the BBC was after was risk and boldness," he said: "I had ideas about what I wanted to do with it. When I went to them and said, 'This is what I would do,' I actually expected them to say, 'Ooh, let's talk about that.' But they said: 'Great!'
"I finally said yes because I love the show to my bones. I resisted it for a very long time, and [the BBC] really had to woo me."
GameStop has announced its pre-Black Friday lineup of deals, and there are some good ones to be had, though you need to be a PowerUp Rewards Pro or Elite member in order to take advantage. During the Pro Days event, which runs from now until November 12, you can save on both hardware and games.
On the hardware front, GameStop is throwing in a free game of your choice and a $50 store gift card when you buy any Xbox One S bundle. That's a pretty slick deal, given that many of the Xbox One S bundles already come with a pack-in game. GameStop is also offering the 1 TB Xbox One S bundle with a Samsung 40" 4K TV for $300 off.
GameStop is also discounting headphones, controllers, apparel, and collectibles. Additionally, you'll get up to 30 percent more trade-in credit on games, accessories, and electronics, while pre-owned games and accessories are discounted by up to 30 percent.
Go to the GameStop Pro Days page to see a complete rundown of the deals. A PowerUp Rewards Pro membership costs $15/year, while the Elite Pro membership is $30/year. More details on how this all works can be seen here. In other GameStop news, the company said today that it nearly sold through its entire Xbox One X stock on the first day of availability this week.
It's nearly time for the weekend, which means you might be checking out all the new movie streaming services to see what's new to buy and rent in the US. This week offered a few new movie releases, one of which won't be on Google Play, at least for a little while.
The biggest releases this week comes from Luc Besson's Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, which only banked $40 million domestically but pulled $185 million outside of the United States. It is available on Amazon, Vudu, and iTunes but not on Google Play--at times, other services have exclusive windows on new movies. In addition--available on all services today--Charlize Theron's action-spy-thriller Atomic Blonde was also released as well as the comedy Hitman's Bodyguard, which stars Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds.
On the rental side of things, it's a pretty quiet week. Cars 3 is available as well as the indie comedy Ingrid Goes West, which stars Aubrey Plaza, and it received an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Finally, there are a few worthwhile deals this week, including both Baby Driver and Drive coupled together on Vudu for $22 in the US as well as the fantastic sci-fi action film Demolition Man, which stars Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes for $7 on Google Play.
Movie arrivals on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, and Vudu for November 7, 2017:
New to buy:
Atomic Blonde
Birth of the Dragon
Hitman's Bodyguard
Leap!
The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (Not available on Google Play yet)
Wind River
New to rent:
Cars 3
The Glass Castle
Ingrid Goes West
Deals:
Cars - 3 Movie Collection (Cheapest on Google Play: $46 in HD)
Baby Driver/Drive (Vudu: $22 in HD)
Home Alone 1 & 2 (iTunes: $20)
Demolition Man (Google Play: $7 in HD)
Snatched (Amazon: $8, Prime members only for limited time)
Of the many changes from Star Wars Battlefront to Star Wars Battlefront II, one of the most significant is the inclusion of all eras of Star Wars films. That will only continue next month, as free post-release updates will introduce content from the upcoming Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. We already knew some of the details, but EA and DICE have now revealed more about what it's calling "The Last Jedi season."
The bulk of the new content comes on the multiplayer side. This starts on December 5, when you'll be able to choose your side--First Order or New Republic--and complete special faction quests over the next few weeks. Your choice will make a difference, as the rewards you receive for completing these quests will be specific to your faction.
On December 13, new heroes and maps will arrive. As previously announced, the new hero units are Finn and Captain Phasma. The new maps include the planet Crait (for Galactic Assault) and D'Qar (Starfighter Assault). Throughout December, you'll also encounter new quests and challenges. The exact schedule is laid out in the gallery images above, or you can see it here.
Perhaps most notably, The Last Jedi season introduces a new single-player mission. There aren't many details, but you'll take control of protagonist Iden Versio "during the days of the First Order's rise to power." The mission is called Resurrection and also launches on December 13.
The Last Jedi itself officially releases in theaters on December 15, although the first showings will actually be on December 14. All of this Last Jedi-themed content will be available for free, as is the case with all Battlefront II DLC. EA will compensate for that by offering microtransactions, which have been controversial.
Like that one song that Spotify keeps playing even though you're in shuffle mode, Xur is back. This time Destiny 2's best Resident Evil 4 Merchant cosplayer has landed on Nessus, and to get to him all you've got to do is fast travel to Watcher's Grave.
Once you've landed, bring up the map and pop a waypoint on him. If you've been playing Destiny 2 since launch, you'll no doubt be familiar with this spot, as it's a frequent haunt for our boy Xur. If you haven't, it's as easy as hopping on your Sparrow when you land, boosting straight forward, and then doing some light platforming up the tree to find him hanging out on a branch.
If you're wondering whether it's worth the effort, we've got a breakdown of everything he has to offer. Take a look below.
Click image to view in full screen
The Prospector (Grenade Launcher) -- 29 Legendary Shards
Foetracer (Hunter Class Helmet) -- 23 Legendary Shards
An Insurmountable Skullfort (Helmet) -- 23 Legendary Shards
Eye of Another World (Warlock Class Helmet) -- 23 Legendary Shards
The big Destiny 2 news this week is that Faction Rallies are up and running again. As with the last one, you'll need to pledge yourself to one of three groups, and then hunt down items to exchange for gear and weapons. Before you make your decision, check out our Destiny 2 faction rally guide to see all the new weapons, gear, and other rewards.
If you're planning to participate in the event, it may be worth checking out this article on a new Destiny 2 Faction Rallies exploit that lets you earn tokens really quickly. That'll save you some time and get you the gear you want much quicker.
Netflix has announced what's coming and going in the month of November. As usual with the streaming service, many titles--both original and not--will be added to the service leading throughout the month. One particularly interesting addition is the upcoming documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, which is made up of behind-the-scenes footage of Jim Carrey during production of Man on the Moon--the Andy Kaufman biopic.
Of course, the most anticipated release of the month for Netflix is none other than Marvel's The Punisher. The streamer's first Marvel series after Defenders launches November 17, with Jon Bernthal playing the gun-toting vigilante. November will also see the arrival of new seasons of Lady Dynamite and Broadchurch, along with movies like Chappie, Men in Black, and Piranha.
Leaving Netflix isthe Matrix Trilogy, V for Vendetta, and The Human Centipede: First Sequence, to name a few. On the TV front, the streaming service will also remove all nine seasons of How I Met Your Mother, along with four seasons of Jessie.
The next pair of Pokemon games, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, are quickly approaching their November 17 release date, and ahead of their launch, Nintendo has been giving away a ton of free items and Pokemon for the previous Sun and Moon versions. Many of the giveaways have already ended, but there are still plenty of rare freebies for Sun and Moon players to get their hands on.
We've rounded up all of the distributions that are currently running for Pokemon Sun and Moon, as well as a few that will be available for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon when those versions launch. We'll be updating this list as more giveaways are announced, so check back often to see what free items and Pokemon you can get.
Pokemon Sun/Moon Free Gifts
Pokemon
Shiny Silvally -- Ends Nov. 13
Beginning October 23, players in the US and Canada can pick up a free download code for a shiny Silvally from GameStop and EB Games stores. The distribution will run until November 13. Players in the UK will also have a chance to get the rare Pokemon at participating GAME stores from November 3-16.
Magearna
Unlike other Mythical Pokemon, the Steel/Fairy-type Magearna is available not through Mystery Gift, but via a QR code. After defeating the Elite Four and completing the main story, you can use the QR Scanner feature to scan the below code. After doing so, visit the Antiques shop in Hau'oli City and pick your Magearna up from the deliveryman waiting there. The Mythical Pokemon comes at level 50 and knows the moves Fleur Cannon, Flash Cannon, Lucky Chant, and Helping Hand.
Celebi -- Ends Sep. 21, 2018
Players who purchase either Pokemon Gold or Silver from the 3DS Eshop by September 21, 2018 will receive a bonus download code for the Mythical Pokemon Celebi. The code can be redeemed in Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, or Ultra Moon. We've outlined the steps you need to take to find and redeem the code here.
Charizard -- DONE
Players in the US can pick up a free download code for Charizard from the electronics department in Target stores. The popular Fire-type Pokemon comes at level 50, is equipped with the Red Card item, and knows the moves Dragon Dance, Flare Blitz, Fly, and Earthquake. As with other download codes, you need to input your code via Mystery Gift to receive Charizard. The distribution runs until October 14, and you have until February 4, 2018 to redeem your code.
Marshadow -- DONE
For a very limited time, players can pick up a free download code for the Mythical Pokemon Marshadow. Those in the US can get the code from GameStop, while players in the UK will have to visit "participating retailers." This is the first legitimate way Sun and Moon players can obtain the rare Fighting/Ghost-type, which comes at level 50 and is equipped with Marshadium Z. It also knows the attacks Spectral Thief, Close Combat, Force Palm, and Shadow Ball.
Pikachu -- DONE
To celebrate the release of the Pokemon series' 20th anniversary film, Pokemon The Movie: I Choose You, The Pokemon Company is giving away six different versions of Ash's Pikachu for Sun and Moon. To receive a Pikachu, enter the code PIKACHU20 in Mystery Gift. However, you can only receive one of the six Pikachu, and the version you get depends on when you enter the code. The full Pikachu distribution schedule is below.
Mega Stones are exceptionally rare and valuable in Pokemon Sun and Moon. When equipped to their corresponding Pokemon, Mega Stones allow it to Mega Evolve during battle, often changing its type and giving it a considerable stat boost. Nintendo is giving away several batches of Mega Stones that aren't normally available in Sun and Moon, all of which are redeemable via a universal download code. Input the following codes in Mystery Gift by October 31 and you'll receive these Mega Stones:
Purchase either Pokemon Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon by January 10 and you'll receive a special Rockruff as a free bonus. This Rockruff will only evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc, a new variant of the popular wolf Pokemon that is exclusive to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
We're now well into November, and Hulu has shared a full list of new titles coming to its streaming service this month. In addition to new episodes of your favorite TV shows, November will see the debut of some notable Hulu original series and a slew of new movies to watch.
The most notable addition for the month is sure to be the series premiere of Marvel's Runaways, the streamer's first comic book adaptation. From Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, the creative duo behind The O.C. and Gossip Girl, Runaways tells the stories of six teenagers who learn their parents are supervillains.
Future Man, from executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, will bring time traveling comedy to Hulu. Josh Hutcherson stars as a janitor that might also be the savior of the universe.
As for movies, popular titles like 13 Going on 30, Ocean's Eleven, and Terminator 2: Judgement Day will become available to stream. Additionally, 21 James Bond films have debuted on Hulu, giving subscribers access to almost every single film starring the famed secret agent, prior to Daniel Craig taking on the role. The only early film that's missing is 1967's Casino Royale.
November is here, and it's going to be a big month for subscribers to Amazon Prime. The service's streaming video component is beefing up its library heading into the end of the year with original TV shows and movies--including the critically acclaimed The Big Sick.
The big news for Amazon in November comes in the form of a secret agent, though. As with Hulu, a large piece of the James Bond film library is now available--practically every film from 1962's Dr. No through 2002's Die Another Day. The one omission is the original Casino Royale, which starred David Nivens as 007.
Another major arrival to Prime is three Thursday Night Football games, taking place throughout the month. Matchups featuring the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Pittsburgh Steelers will be available live exclusively through Amazon Prime Video.
Looking for a new Xbox One or PlayStation 4? Retailer Kohl's is offering the consoles for a very nice discount on Black Friday. Ad scans from the store's Black Friday sale have been posted online by Bfads.net, and some of the featured "Doorbuster" deals include a new 500 GB Xbox One S with a $45 Kohl's gift card for only $190. If you're looking for a PS4, Kohl's has the 1 TB PS4 with a $60 gift card for just $200.
Another option is the 1 TB Halo Wars 2 Xbox One bundle that comes with a copy of the game and two controllers for $330. It normally sells for $350.
Additionally, Kohl's will sell PS4 and Xbox One controllers for $40 on Black Friday. That's not an amazing deal; while the gamepads officially go for $60, you can regularly find them discounted to around $45-50. Still, a deal is a deal. Additionally, Kohl's has the $100 Sony wireless Gold headset for only $70.
Go to Bfads to see the full 64-page Kohl's Black Friday ad scan. Black Friday ad scans from all the other big stores should be coming soon, so keep checking back with GameSpot to see more about what you can get on the cheap this shopping season.
Black Friday 2017 is officially Friday, November 24, though some stores start their deals early. We'll report back with more details as they become available, but don't expect the newest Microsoft console to see many deals. You can read more about whether that's worth paying full price in our Xbox One X review.
One of the biggest shopping days of the year, Black Friday, is coming up in just a few short weeks. Advertisements from various retailers are now being leaked for the shopping bonanza, and now Costco's ad scan has come online courtesy of Bestblackfriday.
The store is selling the 1 TB PlayStation 4 bundle with Destiny 2 and Call of Duty: WWII for $290, which is $100 off its normal price. If you're looking for just a new PS4 and no games, the 1 TB system is down to $190. On the Xbox front, the 500 GB Xbox One S Sports Bundle--which comes NBA 2K18, Madden NFL 18, two controllers, and a three-month Game Pass membership--is available for only $300. Additionally, you can get the 500 GB Xbox One S system with an extra controller and three months of Game Pass for only $220.
Go to Bestblackfriday to see Costco's full Black Friday ad. There are also deals on TVs, computers, and pork loin because you can get basically anything at Costco.
Black Friday 2017 is officially Friday, November 24, though some stores start their deals early. Costco joins Kohl's in offering PS4 and Xbox One deals on Black Friday, and we expect to hear from many more retailers in the coming days. Keep checking back with GameSpot for lots more on Black Friday 2017 and all the best gaming deals.
Call of Duty: WWII is finally out, and along with a new story-driven campaign, the game brings back the series' Zombies experience in the form of Nazi Zombies. This time, however, developer Sledgehammer has made some changes to the popular game mode.
Not only does Call of Duty: WWII's Zombies mode feature a more in-depth class system and abilities, it also gives you more apparent objectives to complete. The mode doesn't feature any objective markers, but you can pull up a small to-do list by pressing touchpad, which will highlight nearby points of interest for you.
While you're free to ignore the objectives in Zombies mode and just mow down undead Nazis to your heart's content, you'll need to clear some if you want to obtain the Tesla gun. In the video above, we show you all the steps you'll need to complete to unlock the powerful weapon and become a more efficient zombie-killing machine.
Call of Duty: WWII is available now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. In GameSpot's Call of Duty: WWII review-in-progress, critic Miguel Concepcion said the game "successfully capitalizes on the series' strengths" and called it "one of the most comprehensive and filler-free Call of Dutys in recent memory." You can see what other critics are saying about the WWII shooter in our review roundup.
EA's long-running arcade racing series returns this week with the release of Need for Speed Payback. The title launches for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on November 10, and this time around, developer Ghost Games has amped up the series' Fast and Furious influence with a new storyline that focuses on heists and over-the-top action.
Despite some moments of fun, however, Payback is hampered by its seriousness and heavy emphasis on grinding. GameSpot awarded the title 5/10 in our Need for Speed Payback review. Critic Richard Wakeling said of the game's story, "The dialogue is hammy, but not in a fun B-movie way, and it frequently goes out of its way to reference everything from The Matrix to Dragon Ball Z, with some cringe-inducing millennial slang shoehorned in for good measure."
Other reviews for Need for Speed Payback have also begun appearing online, and as usual, we've roundup up a sample of them below to give you an idea of what critics think about EA's new racer. For a wider look at Need for Speed Payback's critical reception, be sure to visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic.
Game: Need for Speed Payback
Developer: Ghost Games
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One
Release date: November 10
Price: US $60 / £60 / AU $100
GameSpot -- 5/10
"Need for Speed Payback's banal racing is only magnified by this focus on grinding. The simple, almost retro, handling model provides occasional bouts of fun, but it's never enough to escape Payback's flaws, with an unwillingness to let you partake in its most hair-raising moments, and a general drabness that seeps into every layer of the game. Fast and Furious, this is not; and that's a disappointing outcome." -- Richard Wakeling [Full review]
IGN -- 5.9/10
"Need for Speed Payback is a big, competent, and confident arcade racer but it's really let down by its linear cop chases, its overwrought and insidious upgrade system, its dreadful dialogue, and its superficial action sequences. It feels fine and it looks flashy, but Payback really went all-in on its direct-to-DVD revenge tale and it was a bust for me." -- Luke Reilly [Full review]
Eurogamer -- No Score
"It's hard getting angry at Need for Speed Payback when instead a more fitting reaction seems to be one of complete apathy. I feel for developer Ghost Games, and after its promising debut with 2012's Rivals this clearly talented studio's spirit seems to have been crushed by the sheer weight of Need for Speed and the corporate burden it carries. In its hands the series has gone from accomplished to flawed to this, a joyless obligation of a game." -- Martin Robinson [Full review]
US Gamer -- 3/5
"Need for Speed returns with another flawed entry. There's the core of a great racing game here and when you're just driving around the open world, it's wonderful. The progression system encourages grinding and the basic story is delivered with B-movie seriousness, taking away from the racing pleasure. There's a better game inside of Payback, but you have to go through everything else to get to it." -- Mike Williams [Full review]
GamesRadar+ -- 3.5/5
"Need for Speed Payback is a game with a brilliant story at its core. Silly, over the top and a little bit self-indulgent, but in a fantastic action movie way. It works and you'll enjoy every car chase, nitrous boost and quippy millennial line. It just misses the mark by adding RPG elements into an arcade racer and making the best cars always just out of reach." -- Same Loveridge [Full review]
Trusted Reviews -- 3/5
"When you're racing, drifting, off-roading or being chased, Payback feels like a fine arcade racer in the classic Need for Speed mould. It doesn't have the glamour or the handling of Forza: Horizon, but it's scores big on variety, speed and thrills.
"Unfortunately, those simple pleasures keep getting spoilt by the amount of grinding and driving around that goes on in-between. Need for Speed was never the most-respected racing series, but it used to be one of the most fun. Payback has too much getting in the way." -- Stuart Andrews [Full review]
Forbes -- 6.5/10
"One one hand, NFSP feels a lot like a film from a major movie studio with b-level actors, a bad script and talented cinematographers who were perhaps uninspired. On the other side, there is some fun, but simplistic quality to the gameplay. However, it is predominantly a game that is trying to do too many things at once. Unfortunately, it fails to stand out in any one area. Had it ditched the open-world concept for a more challenge and stage-based experience, the story would have been easier to follow and perhaps more engaging. Also, the game might have been able to focus more on its best attribute, which is pure, dumb racing." -- Brian Mazique [Full review]
The next pair of Pokemon games, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, launch on 3DS this month, marking the series' final installments for Nintendo's dual-screen handheld. The titles are based on last year's Sun and Moon versions but tell an "alternate" story that revolves around the mysterious Legendary Pokemon Necrozma.
While the core adventure remains the same across both versions, each game has some some distinct elements, so you may be unsure of which to pick up. We break down the biggest differences between the two versions below to help you decide which one to play.
Which Version Should You Get?
We recently had the opportunity to interview the developers of Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and one of the topics they weighed in on is which version players should pick up.
"In essence there's no real problem with whichever one you buy, you're going to get a really good experience of Pokemon,"said Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon director Kazumasa Iwao. "But one point users might want to consider is that the Pokedex in Pokemon Ultra Sun is based on the Pokedex in Pokemon Sun and the same for Ultra Moon and Moon. So if something the players are really looking for is Pokedex completion, they might find it better to go for the opposite version this time round in order to help complete their Pokedex. So if they bought Pokemon Sun, they might want to choose Pokemon Ultra Moon this time."
However, those who care more about the games' narrative may want to consider sticking with the same version this time. As producer Shigeru Ohmori explained, "[I]f you're looking for a story-based experience then those who played Pokemon Sun may want to go for Ultra Sun as there are some small details that remain consistent throughout the two that might appeal to people looking for a story-based game."
General Differences
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon tell the same story and feature the same cast of major characters, but there are some slight differences between the two titles that will make the experience unique depending on the version you choose to play. As in the original Sun and Moon, the two games are set 12 hours apart. Ultra Sun will reflect the time that is set in your 3DS clock, while Ultra Moon will be 12 hours ahead--meaning if you play during the day, it will be night in the game.
Additionally, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce a mysterious new group called the Ultra Recon Squad. This team arrives in Alola through an Ultra Wormhole and has some sort of connection to the Ultra Beasts; in one trailer, the group can be seen commanding the new Ultra Beast, UB-Adhesive. You'll encounter different members of the Ultra Recon Squad depending on which version you play. In Ultra Sun, players will cross paths with Dulse and Zossie; in Ultra Moon, players will meet Phyco and Soliera.
Ultra Recon Squad, from left to right: Dulse, Zossie, Soliera, and Phyco
Version-Exclusive Pokemon
As with every pair of Pokemon titles, the primary difference between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is the kinds of Pokemon you can encounter in each version. While both games feature most of the same monsters, each one is also home to a handful of exclusive Pokemon that cannot be captured in the other version. Below you'll find a list of all the version-exclusive Pokemon that have been confirmed so far:
Ultra Sun-Exclusive Pokemon
Alolan Vulpix
Alolan Ninetales
Houndour
Houndoom
Cranidos
Rampardos
Cottonee
Whimsicott
Tirtouga
Carracosta
Rufflet
Braviary
Lurantis (Totem-sized)
Passimian
Turtonator
Ultra Moon-Exclusive Pokemon
Alolan Sandshrew
Alolan Sandslash
Electrike
Manectric
Shieldon
Bastiodon
Petilil
Lilligant
Archen
Archeops
Vullaby
Mandibuzz
Salazzle (Totem-sized)
Oranguru
Drampa
Legendary Pokemon
The Alola region is also home to a diverse array of Legendary Pokemon, and thanks to the appearance of Ultra Wormholes in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, players will be able to encounter Legendaries from past regions, as well. Every single Legendary Pokemon from previous gens returns in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, though as is the case with regular Pokemon, some can only be encountered in a specific version. Here's the list of all the version-exclusive Legendaries that appear in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
Ultra Sun-Exclusive Legendaries
Ho-oh
Raikou
Groudon
Latios
Dialga
Heatran
Reshiram
Tornadus
Xerneas
Buzzwole
Kartana
Dusk Mane Necrozma
UB-Burst
Ultra Moon-Exclusive Legendaries
Lugia
Entei
Kyogre
Latias
Palkia
Regigigas
Zekrom
Thundurus
Yveltal
Lunala
Pheromosa
Celesteela
Dawn Wings Necrozma
UB-Assembly
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon release for 3DS on November 17. Along with an expanded storyline, the games introduce many new features and characters, including a new surfing game and Team Rainbow Rocket, a villainous supergroup comprised of the leaders from past teams. Players who purchase either title by January 10, 2018 will receive a free gift: a special Rockruff that evolves into the new Dusk Form Lycanroc.
Aside from general "connectivity improvements and optimizations," the patch brings with it "stability improvements and bug fixes" for in-game leaderboards, after they had to be temporarily suspended following "extremely high demand." There was no mention, however, of returning Headquarters to a social experience after it was made a solo one for the same reason.
The update also nerfs and buffs a handful of weapons. The Walther toggle action shotgun, Bren LMG, and LMG bipod have all been boosted, while the BAR, STG44, FG42, and machine pistol are all weaker now than before.
The patch weighs in at around 1.1 GB and is out now on PS4 and Xbox One; Sledgehammer says another update for consoles will follow within a day, and that a PC patch is coming soon. See more details about today's update--and all its tweaks--in the patch notes at the bottom of this article, via Sledgehammer.
Black Friday is just around the corner, and many retailers have already begun announcing the deals they'll offer this year on the popular shopping day. Now Best Buy has given consumers a taste of some of the sales it has in store this Black Friday on PS4, Xbox One, and Switch games.
The electronics retailer shared its Black Friday ad today, and it features many enticing deals, particularly on games. You can pick up a 500 GB Xbox One S for $190, or you can get the console bundled with a copy of Madden NFL 18 for $230. Meanwhile, a 1 TB PS4 will be on sale for $200.
Some of this year's major releases will also be on sale for $30, including Destiny 2, Madden NFL 18, NBA 2K18, and Middle-earth Shadow of War. Other notable game sales include:
You don't necessarily need to wait until Black Friday to take advantage of some sales. Best Buy is offering discounts on many items and electronics right now. That includes a handful of titles like Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and MLB The Show 17, both of which are $20 online.
Best Buy's Black Friday deals will begin on Thanksgiving Day. Stores will open at 5 PM local time in states where they're allowed and close at 1 AM, then reopen at 8 AM on Black Friday proper. You can find more Black Friday 2017 deals below.
Ahead of Black Friday, a new batch of deals are now available in the US PlayStation Store. This week's selection is fairly slim compared to previous weeks, but PS4 owners can find discounts on a slate of titles from Warner Bros. Interactive.
While there aren't any other special sales going on this week, players can still find a handful of other games on sale in the PlayStation Store. Among them is LawBreakers: Deadzo Deluxe Edition, which is available for $20. Also on sale is Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue; PS Plus subscribers can download it for $36, while everyone else can pick it up for $48.
Most of these deals are available for a limited time and will expire on November 14 at 8 AM PT/11 AM ET. You can find the full list of discounts on the PlayStation Store. This month's free PS Plus games are also now available to download for Plus subscribers and include Worms Battlegrounds, Bound, and other titles.
Destiny 2's latest weekly reset has introduced the second-ever Faction Rally event. The first instance saw an exploit that could be utilized to rapidly acquire Faction Tokens, which are redeemed for engram packages that include Faction Rally armor, weapons, and rewards. A new exploit has now been discovered that even more rapidly allows you to acquire Tokens.
The recent Destiny 2 1.0.6 update made changes to how Faction Tokens are obtained. One major adjustment was the removal of Tokens that were handed out for destroying "enemy resources" located in Lost Sectors. In their place, Fireteams now earn three Tokens by opening up the chest at the end of a Lost Sector. This was meant to prevent farming and to address complaints about how enemy resources only provided Tokens to one player. But it appears this isn't working quite as intended.
As we demonstrate in the video above, following a specific process allows you to rapidly farm Tokens. You first head to the EDZ's Winding Cove area, and then go to the Lost Sector located just north of where you spawn in. Killing the boss inside unlocks the chest and allows you claim your reward. Open that and you can use a nearby exit to head back outside, but once you've gone far enough to trigger the "Winding Cove" pop-up text, just turn back around and you can re-open the chest without having to kill the boss again. This can be repeated endlessly for an essentially unlimited supply of Tokens.
It's unclear if Bungie plans to patch this exploit, but it's still active as of this writing. One thing to bear in mind is that only the first 30 engrams you receive from a faction (per character) has a chance to offer item rewards. Beyond that point, you'll only receive shaders. Still, considering that the three factions are competing to earn the most rewards--which results in that faction's unique weapon being sold during Victory Week--players may be frustrated if the results are swung by players making use of the exploit.
It's a busy week at Netflix. The streaming service has some interesting additions coming to its library, including the return of the critically acclaimed comedy Lady Dynamite during the week of November 5.
Lady Dynamite, which was co-created by Arrested Development mastermind Mitch Hurwitz and stars comedian Maria Bamford, is back for a second season on Netflix. Based on a trailer for the new episodes, the series will continue its look at mental illness, as told by main character Maria--loosely based on Bamford, herself. Joining the comedian in the new season will be most of the cast from Season 1, along with guest appearances by Judd Apatow, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Jenny Slate, Judy Greer, and more. The new season of Lady Dynamite will debut on November 10.
That day will also see the release of a new season of Glitter Force Doki Doki. The anime, titled Doki!Doki! PreCure in Japan, originally debuted in the country in 2013. The first season of this English-dubbed version premiered on Netflix in August, comprised of 15 episodes. A description of the series reads, "Four girls summon their inner superheroes to defend Earth and the magical kingdom of Splendorius from King Mercenare and his minions."
You can take a look at all of Netflix's new offerings for the week below. You can also see everything the streamer is gaining and losing in November.
November 5
The Homesman
The Veil
November 6
The Dinner
November 7
Dizzy & Bop's Big Adventure: The Great Music Caper
Fate/Apocrypha: Part 1 (Netflix Original)
Killing Ground
P. King Duckling: Season 1
Project Mc2: Part 6 (Netflix Original)
The Journey Is the Destination
November 10
Blazing Transfer Students: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Dinotrux Supercharged: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Glitter Force Doki Doki: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Cuphead's visual style is the most distinctive part of the game, as it's evocative of old, light-hearted cartoons like Steamboat Willie. But its gameplay is something different: challenging and sometimes punishing, but rewarding nonetheless.
One particular boss in the game has become especially well-known for its brutality. Grim Matchstick, the dragon boss who throws fireballs and rings, is a struggle in spite of his cheery aesthetic. If you've already fought Grim, chances are you hate him--but the story of how he came to be is still intriguing.
GameSpot sat down with Cuphead creators Chad and Jared Moldenhauer and learned about the origins of the dragon. Among other things, they touch on the model castle in the background of the level, how it draws on Mega-Man, and how Disney cartoons inspired its final phase. Check out the video above.
Cuphead launched last month to critical acclaim, and it's already sold over a million copies. If you haven't played Cuphead already, it's worth a shot. In GameSpot's 8/10 review, critic Peter Brown lauds the game for its visual flair and "delightfully punishing" gameplay. If you're struggling to stay alive in the game, you can take a look at our guide to not dying.
Black Friday 2017 is coming up, and now retailer Target has released its ad for the annual shopping bonanza. If you're in the market for new hardware, Target has a number of options to choose from.
One of the store's doorbuster deals is the 500 GB Xbox One S with a $25 store gift card for just $180. On the PlayStation front, the 1 TB PS4 will be available for only $200. It does not look like the Nintendo Switch is discounted, but Target will sell the Legend of Zelda green 2DS for only $80.
Some of the other deals include $40 Xbox One and PS4 controllers, $10 off subscriptions to Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus, and quite a few solid game deals.
You can see Target's complete, 40-page Black Friday 2017 ad here on Bfads.net. Target will open its doors at 6 PM local time on Thanksgiving Day, closing at midnight and then opening again at 6 AM local time on Black Friday itself.
For more on Black Friday 2017, check out the stories below:
The update, which is available on both Nintendo Switch and Wii U, introduces a new side-quest that, upon completion, rewards you with armor based on Xenoblade Chronicles 2's Rex. Like previous DLC armor sets, you'll need to acquire each piece individually by completing different portions of the side-quest.
Additionally, the patch adds support for the four new Champion Amiibo figures. The figures, which are available now, each unlock a helmet based on their respective Divine Beast. They also grant a specific buff--take a look at the bonuses below.
Bungie is changing up the timing of Destiny 2's weekly reset. Currently, the reset happens at 1 AM PT on the Tuesday of each week, but starting with the release of the Curse of Osiris expansion on December 5, the weekly resets will take place at 9 AM PT.
Here's how that works out to where you might live:
9 AM PST
12 PM EST
5 PM GMT
9 PM MSK
2 AM JST
4 AM AEDT
6 AM NZDT
In a blog post, Bungie said it is making this change because it wants the resets to happen in conjunction with new content releases. Under the previous setup, players could not always earn new rewards tied to a specific piece of content because the game hadn't reset yet to reflect the new release. Bungie did take steps to address this, but the developer acknowledged that "we were unable to prevent every scenario."
"Additionally, we're seeking to align the Milestone resets with event availability, such as Trials of the Nine or Iron Banner, to provide a uniform experience for players to follow each week," Bungie said.
Destiny 2's resets affect things like various types of milestones, as raid checkpoints, meditations, clan engrams, clan XP caps, and more. Some things are reset daily, including activities and destination challenges. There are also seasonal resets, though Destiny 2 is still on Season One, so that hasn't happened yet.
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