Justice League is easily the funniest DC movie to date. Central to that humor is the Flash--A.K.A. Barry Allen--played by Ezra Miller. He's not all comic relief, but he's most of the comic relief. And what relief it is.
We sat down with Miller and asked him why the Flash is so funny in Justice League.
"I was really trying to follow the thread of this character as I unraveled it from the comics history. That's what I referred to," Miller said. "I'm very proud to fall into this legacy of actors who are playing the Flash, but my interest in research was looking at the comics and trying to think about, in my mind, how I can understand it? What does this person look like in real life?"
"I think, often, 'funny' is Barry's reaction," Miller continued. "It's something that naturally occurs because of how deeply human and flawed and nervous he is, and how much of a dork he is, how his mind's constantly in science, how he's always talking to himself. I mean, if you read the comic books, who is this guy always talking to himself like this? He's a weird guy--a little neurotic, maybe.
"My approach was trying to follow in line with the history from the comics and trying to bring that to life in a way that I could understand as a real person, and I'm glad that 'funny' is one of the results of that."
The Flash isn't the only member of the Justice League who understands the value of a good joke. Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and even Cyborg get their quips in. Humor doesn't dominate Justice League, but it's an important component that helps make the film work, occasionally lightening the mood of an otherwise serious film.
"You've got so many different personalities," Ray Fisher, who plays Cyborg, told GameSpot. "Bruce Wayne has his particular style of comedy. You know, each character, just like each of the actors, has their own specific sense of how to have fun."
Miller said he's glad everyone gets their comedic moments, rather than the Flash being the only comic relief.
"I was also glad that every else in the League has moments of humor that are really wonderful," he said. "Everyone has these moments, which draws it out of this space of a serious movie where there's one annoying joker who's like always saying a punch line."
Some of Justice League's jokes were improvised, while others were written into the script. A scene involving Aquaman and Wonder Woman's lasso was one of the latter, while a funny moment involving a fist bump between the Flash and Cyborg was partially improvised.
"The fist bump was kind of developed on the fly; it actually worked in reverse order, where the first time Ray and I did the fist bump is actually the last time you see it in the movie, and that really was improvised," Miller said. "And so then, tracking back, we wrote in the reality of attempting it a couple of times and not quite getting there, which Ray and I talked about as something we felt much more comfortable with--to have a trajectory, and have them not just be 'because they're the millennials and they fist bump.'"
The first time the Flash tries to fist bump Cyborg, it doesn't go very well, which leads Barry to mutter humorously about the act being "racially charged." Miller said he improvised that specific line, and that it's one of his favorite parts.
"I feel like we managed to, in a short period of time, explore some of the things that surround that for them. [It's] an improvised line which I feel extremely proud of," he said. "Because I do feel like that was pressing and pertinent in that situation, and that's often what's funny...When we talk about race, especially in America, in a huge part of our political spectrum, that's what's completely missing--is just any type of acknowledgment.
"It's this so-called 'age of colorblindness,' where racial inequality is still so blatant and clear and in everyone's face, but you have this massive part of the population that says, 'No, it's not. What are you talking about? You're playing the race card!'" he continued. "You know what I mean? And it's like, yeah, acknowledgement! That's what I'm into."
"It's nice to have those little, quiet moments to see the nuances of who we are specifically," Fisher explained. "It's just about seeing bits of yourself in these other characters--in these other people."
The first teaser for The Incredibles 2 is here. The sequel to Pixar's 2004 superhero adventure is set to be released next summer, and this early promo gives a first look at the movie.
The teaser doesn't give much away and mostly features Jack-Jack, the baby son of Bob and Helen Parr, testing out his powers. It ends with Bob holding his baby, and nearly getting frazzled in the process. Check it out above.
The Incredibles 2 is directed by Brad Bird, who helmed the first movie. All the main cast members are back, including Craig T. Nelson (Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter (Helen Parr/Elastigirl), Sarah Vowell (Violet Parr), and Samuel L. Jackson (Lucius Best/Frozone).
While an official synopsis is yet to be released for The Incredibles 2, we do know a few plot details. At Disney's D23 convention this summer, Bird revealed that the movie would focus more on Helen's superhero adventures, while Bob is a stay-at-home dad, trying to deal with the increasingly powerful Jack-Jack.
Black Friday 2017 is still a few days away, yet UK retailers are already announcing their cheap game deals and setting them live. If you're in the US, check out all the PS4 Black Friday deals or a bunch of Xbox One Black Friday deals; otherwise, scroll down to see Game's early Black Friday UK deals--including games and accessories for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Wii U, and more going cheap--all in one place.
At this stage, deals for PS4 and Xbox One consoles are looking pretty slim. Your only options from Game are a pre-owned original 500 GB PS4 for £150 or a pre-owned original 500 GB Xbox One for £130.
Finally, Nintendo Switch deals are limited to a single game: The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ is available for £30. Otherwise, only accessories are on offer, with no bundles going cheap right now. You can grab the Joy-Con steering wheel twin-pack accessory for £8 or a case that holds cartridges for £5; check out the rest of Game's Switch offers here.
Below, you'll find our comprehensive list of everything Game will have on sale; we'll update this post as necessary as Black Friday itself approaches. For much more, check out all of our Black Friday coverage through these links:
With Black Friday 2017 a week away, GameStop has still yet to join the ranks of retailers releasing their ads early. Fortunately, the ad has now leaked online, giving us an early look at the many games, consoles, and accessories that will be on sale. And although GameStop sales often are not especially great, this year's Black Friday offerings are, in many cases, the best that have been announced so far.
According to a leaked ad posted on BFAds, in terms of consoles, GameStop is the lone retailer we've seen with a PS4 Pro 1 TB deal--you'll be able to pick up the 4K-capable console for $350. Similar to other stores, it will have the standard PS4 1 TB on sale for $200, but it's also throwing in a $50 gift card. On the Xbox One side, you can get the 500 GB Xbox One S for $190, just like at many other stores. GameStop will also take $50 off all Xbox One S 1 TB systems; for instance, that brings the Middle-earth: Shadow of War bundle down to $300. Nintendo Switchis shown in the flyer and will presumably be in stock on Black Friday, but it'll available for the standard $300 price. GameStop will be among the retailers to sell the special green Zelda-themed 2DS bundle. Provided you're okay with a mail-in rebate, you'll be able to effectively get a used Xbox 360 for free.
A variety of accessories are also set to be discounted, including the PlayStation VR Gran Turismo Sport bundle for $300; a standalone PSVR headset will go for $200. PS4 DualShock 4 controllers will sell for $38, and the PS4 Gold wireless headset will be $65. The GameStop-exclusive red Xbox One controller will be among those on sale for that system; it'll cost $55. Three- and six-month Xbox Live Gold memberships will be $10 off. Several Razer PC accessories, including the BlackWidow Chroma V2 keyboard ($130) and DeathAdder Elite mouse ($50) will be discounted alongside various Switch accessories.
Below, you'll find our comprehensive list everything GameStop will have on sale; we'll update this post as necessary with any changes when GameStop officially releases its ad, or if anything changes with the delayed PowerPass program. For much more, including console-specific roundups, check out all of our Black Friday coverage through these links:
It took a bit longer than some other retailers, but Toys R Us has finally given us a look at its Black Friday 2017 deals. The retailer's ad has been released, and while its focus is on toys, as you'd expect, there are also quite a few deals to be had across PS4 and Xbox One, as well as some for Nintendo Switch and 3DS.
In terms of hardware, we're seeing similar offers to elsewhere. The Switch console itself is not listed, nor is Xbox One X or PS4 Pro. However, the older models of those two consoles are on sale. You can pick up a 1 TB PS4 for $200, or a 500 GB Xbox One S for $190. In both cases, you won't get any bundled games. The LucidSound LS20 wired headset, which works with both consoles, will be on sale for 50% off, dropping its price to $40. Select controllers for Microsoft and Sony boxes are $20 off, bringing the cheapest options to $40.
A number of games are on sale as well, although frustratingly, the ad only lists the amount you'll save--not the actual price. In our comprehensive list of deals below, we've calculated the sale price using the currently listed MSRP on the Toys R Us website. In some cases, this results in prices that are markedly higher than what the competition is offering, while other prices are roughly in line with what you'll find at places like Best Buy and Walmart. In other words, some of the actual prices may end up being lower than what we've listed, but you can at least get a sense of what the possible costs will be. None are likely to end up higher than what we've laid out.
You can find the full list of games, consoles, and accessories in Toys R Us's flyer below or on its website. The ad doesn't make it clear if it will have more games on sale than those included. Also of note is the special green Zelda 2DS, which is launching on Black Friday at select retailers, is not shown, so you may need to head elsewhere if you're interested. For a complete rundown on Black Friday deals, hit the links below to check out our other sale roundups.
Black Friday is right around the corner, and like many other retailers, Target has released its ad well in advance to let people plan ahead. There are quite a few game deals to be had in its sales circular, although the heavy focus is on PS4 and Xbox One; there's nothing for PC gaming fans to take advantage of, and seemingly little for those on Nintendo platforms.
Nintendo Switch is only featured on the back page, where it's listed at its regular price of $300. There's no sign of PS4 Pro or Xbox One X, although the older iterations of those consoles will be on sale. You can pick up a 1 TB PS4 for $200, while a 500 GB Xbox One S drops to $190 with a bonus $25 Target gift card. Target's ad lists both of these console deals as doorbusters, a term it liberally uses throughout--it even applies to the special green Zelda 2DS. We've designated doorbuster deals as such in the lists below; it's unclear how limited stock will be, but some of these offers may run out shortly after Target stores open their doors.
On the accessory side, the most notable deal is PlayStation VR for $200. This is just the headset itself, meaning you would still need to purchase the PS4's camera in order to use it. Still, that's an attractive option for those uninterested in the camera and bundled game you can get on sale for $300 or $350 elsewhere. Additionally, all PS4 DualShock 4 controllers drop to $40, while a selection of Xbox One controllers will also be $40. The ad states that "all" Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus memberships will be $10 off, but only the $60, 12-month cards are pictured. It's unlikely you'll get $10 off the cheaper, short-term subscription cards.
As for games, there are quite a few on sale. However, it's unclear if certain deals apply to all platforms--for instance, Just Dance 2018 is $30 on Switch, which may or may not also be true of Xbox One and PS4 versions. The ad also states there will be more games available at the various price tiers, so at this point we don't know everything that's discounted.
Below, you'll find the comprehensive list of everything we know will be on sale on Black Friday at Target. Store time openings vary by state, so check with your local store to be sure. You can also check out our in-depth lists of other retailers' Black Friday deals through these links:
With Black Friday around the corner, Walmart has also released its full flyer for the big shopping day. There are a ton of game deals to take advantage of, particularly for those with a PS4 or Xbox One, with these offers becoming available on Thanksgiving evening (November 23) or Black Friday itself, depending on when your state allows stores to begin opening. Nintendo Switch and 3DS offers are also available, although PC gaming fans unfortunately won't find anything.
In terms of hardware, the offers are similar to what we've seen elsewhere. Switch is in stock, but at a regular price ($299), while there's no sign of Xbox One X or PS4 Pro. However, you can pick up a 1 TB PS4 for $199, or a 500 GB Xbox One S for $189. Neither of these systems comes with any bundled games, although Walmart will also take $50 off "any" Xbox One S, so you'll be able to pick from other bundles that have what you want. Walmart will also be among the retailers to offer the special green Zelda: Ocarina of Time 2DS bundle.
In terms of accessories, DualShock 4 PS4 controllers drop to $39 each, including the Walmart-exclusive Crystal Blue color. Xbox One controllers are also available for $39, including some special edition versions. Third-party, wired Switch controllers will be available for $17, while the Gran Turismo Sport PSVR bundle will be $299. You can also get a wired PS4 or Xbox One headset, the Turtle Beach Recon 50P, for $25.
You'll find a complete rundown of everything on sale--or as much as we can glean from the flyer--below. You can check out the full flyer, and find out when your local store is opening, on Walmart's website. For more, check out our roundup of deals at other retailers:
We'reabout a week out from Black Friday 2017, and numerous stores have revealed the deals they'll have on offer this year. That includes Best Buy, which actually had a pre-Black Friday sale where it offered BF prices in advance of the proper day. But it's Thanksgiving evening and the day after where the full selection of deals will be available, and we've rounded up everything you can expect to see discounted across PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, and 3DS--and even a single, solitary deal for those looking for something new to play on Wii U and Wii.
In a trend we're seeing at a number of retailers, there isn't a wide array of hardware deals. Switch will be in stock but at its regular price of $300. Neither the PS4 Pro nor Xbox One X will be on sale, with the sale prices instead coming on the older hardware. A 1 TB PS4 can be had for $200, but that doesn't include any free games. On the Microsoft side, you can get the Madden 18 Xbox One S 500 GB bundle for $230, and as a bonus, you'll receive a free Xbox One controller. A free controller is also available with another bundle, which swaps in Forza Horizon 3 in place of Madden.
Controllers and accessories will also be discounted. The PlayStation VR Gran Turismo Sport bundle drops to $300. All PS4 DualShock 4 controllers will be $40, including the Red Crystal color version that is only available at Best Buy. Xbox One controllers will also be available for $40, although some will cost more--presumably the special edition colors and designs. Those looking for a headset will have several options, including the Turtle Beach XO Three wired headset (which works with Xbox One, PS4, and PC) and Turtle Beach Recon 150 (which also works with those devices) for $40 each. Astro headsets will be up to 25% off, while a handful of Switch accessories (including a Joy-Con charging station) will be $20 each.
Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of everything we could find on sale at Best Buy. Some specific pricing was not shared and the exact time your local store opens will vary. You can check out the full details on Best Buy's website. For more, check out our roundup of the details at other retailers:
Black Friday 2017 is almost upon us, and it's time to start planning your shopping. Many retailers have released their ads well in advance of the big shopping day, giving us an early look at the deals we'll soon be able to take advantage of. Xbox One has no shortage of deals, both on hardware and games. Below, we've rounded up a comprehensive list of all the deals announced so far. We'll continue to update this post as Black Friday gets closer and we hear about more sales.
Whereas things are fairly simple for those in the market for a cheap PS4, you'll have many more options to consider when purchasing an Xbox One. At the cheap end, you'll be able to pick up a basic Xbox One S 500 GB with no bundled games for about $190 at a number of retailers, ranging from Walmart to Toys R Us. However, there are some key differences--a Target doorbuster deal will throw in a $25 gift card for $190, while buying one at Kohl's will get you $45 in Kohl's Cash. Alternatively, there are a wide variety of bundles with different games and freebies, as laid out below. What you won't find are deals on Xbox One X.
If you're looking for controllers, again, many retailers will offer a standard discount of $20, bringing the cheapest options to $40. Different Xbox Live Gold subscriptions will be discounted, with perhaps the best option being a three-month membership for $10 at Best Buy. Microsoft will offer a one-month membership to its Xbox Game Pass service for $1, and a variety of headsets will be discounted.
Meanwhile, the Xbox Store Black Friday sale has just begun for Xbox Live Gold members; everyone else will get access to it on November 21. It includes hundreds of games, bundles, and DLC packs at nice prices (if, generally speaking, not as cheap as their physical counterparts). There are far too many to list below, but you can see them all here. Both Xbox One and Xbox 360 games are included, including a number of backwards compatible titles on the latter.
You can check out our comprehensive list of physical Xbox One deals below. As noted above, this is an evolving list--we'll update it as we find out about more deals. Amazon has not revealed its offerings yet In the meantime, check our what we know about below, or see what's available on other platforms and at specific retailers through these links:
Destiny 2's latest weekly reset has taken place on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, marking the end of the latest Faction Rally event and kicking off Victory Week, which means there's a new Legendary weapon available for purchase. Bungie has also shifted the Flashpoint to Titan and rotated the selection of items available at Eververse. Most significantly, the weekly reset has introduced the next Nightfall Strike: Savathun's Song. Here's what to expect in terms of Modifiers, Challenges, and rewards.
The first of the two Modifiers is Momentum. This causes health and shields to only regenerate while you're sprinting; standing still is essentially a death sentence; crouching behind an object for cover won't be a viable strategy this week. Luckily, if you do need some extra time, you can get it through the other Modifier, Timewarp: Anomalies. This presents you with objects scattered through the mission that you can destroy to extend the Strike's time limit.
In terms of Challenges, the always-present Speed of Dark is in effect, which requires you to finish the Strike with at least five minutes left on the timer. Unbroken tasks you with dying fewer than three times. And The Best Defense asks you to shoot down 15 projectiles during the final boss fight before finishing off Savathun's Song.
The reward for completing the Nightfall is Powerful gear. This is one of the only ways to obtain such gear, and they're among the best items you can get your hands on. It's also an easy way to increase your Power level past 265, which presents a difficult point to surpass for many players. If you haven't hit 265 yet, you may want to wait until after you've raised your Power level to grab the Nightfall reward. This Nightfall will be available until the next weekly reset, which occurs at 1 AM PT / 4 AM ET / 9 AM GMT / 8 PM AEDT on Tuesday, November 21. Keep in mind, Destiny 2's weekly reset time will change with Curse of Osiris's release.
If you still need to unlock the Nightfall, you'll have to complete two Strikes and approach the suggested Power level of 240 before Zavala lets you take part. Traditional matchmaking is not available, but in its place we have Guided Games, providing players with 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. Doing so does not require a Ticket. Although they're imperfect for now, changes are on the way for Guided Games.
Have an Xbox Live Gold membership? More free games are now waiting for you to claim, but only for a limited time. The second wave of November's Games With Gold titles are out now, presenting you with two new titles (for a total of three) to grab.
You can use the links below to queue up your download of November's remaining free Games With Gold games. They are free through the end of the month, with the exception of Tales From the Borderlands, which will stick around until December 15. December 2017's free Games With Gold titles have not been announced yet, but we'll report back with all the details once Microsoft shares them.
In other news, Microsoft has launched the latest set of regular weekly deals, with titles like Deadpool and Verdun marked down this week. You can see a roundup of all of this week's deals here on Major Nelson's blog. Looking ahead, you can expect plenty of Black Friday deals, including some Xbox sales. You'll also be able to pick up an Xbox One (and games) for cheap at places like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target.
Black Friday deals may still be a few days away, but retailers are giving some early sneak peeks at their upcoming sales, and Microsoft is offering its lowest price yet on a Xbox One system. Starting November 23, you can buy a Xbox One S bundle for $189, $60 off the existing price.
The Xbox One S bundle includes an Xbox One S 500GB, a free select game of choice, a one-month Xbox Game Pass trial, and a 14-day Xbox Live Gold trial. Microsoft hasn't said what those select games are, but a photo on the deal's website suggests it includes Watch Dogs 2, Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection, and Just Dance 2018.
Microsoft is also offering deals of up to 65% off on many games, and an additional 10% off for Xbox Live Gold members. Those gold members can access the deals on November 17, with non-subscribers able to get the discounts starting November 21. Also starting November 21 is a deal on Xbox Design Lab Wireless Controllers. For $65 (plus free shipping), you can personalize your own for $15 off the normal retail price.
There are many other stores currently giving you a glimpse of their Black Friday offerings, including similar deals on the Xbox One S. GameSpot is working to find the best deals, and you can follow our coverage to make sure you don't miss any of them. You can check out our comprehensive breakdown of all the Xbox One Black Friday deals and hit the links below for further coverage.
The Sims 4 launches for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on November 17, joined by a new pets expansion for the PC version. Ahead of its launch, we thought it would be a good chance to take a trip down memory lane and explore the origins of Will Wright's popular life simulation series.
Very few games can say they presented something truly original to medium like The Sims did, and even fewer can boast the kind of cultural significance it has. Released in 2000, The Sims allowed players to puppeteer the lives of virtual people, micromanaging every aspect of their existence with no real goal other than whatever they set for themselves.
For some, The Sims provided unparalleled escapism, letting them live out a fantasy life through in-game characters. For others it was an invitation to indulge their creative whims by crafting ideal homes and, of course, there's also those that indulged their sadistic side by toying with the lives of Sims in cruel but often amusing ways.
The sheer amount of gameplay opportunities The Sims provided--and continues to provide--makes it a series with broad appeal. But the game it is now was formed of numerous building blocks creator Will Wright experimented with in other titles. Wright, one of gaming's most celebrated luminaries, looked to the works of an MIT scientist, used 3D home design software as a jumping-off point, and even used his daughter for inspiration on the series that would define his career.
The story of The Sims is one of ingenuity, real outside-the-box thinking, and a fair bit of risk-taking. It's a story that we explore in-depth in the video above. As a self-confessed super fan, Lucy digs deep into the origins of the The Sims, going as far back as Wright's first game, Raid on Bungeling Bay, and then charts the evolution of his thinking and the resulting game design ideas that came along the way. Alongside this, she also discusses the cultural impact of The Sims as well as some of the stumbling blocks the series, its developer Maxis, and publisher EA faced. Check it out and give us your favourite Sims memories in the comments below.
Seven whole days have passed since Xur last appeared in Destiny 2 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, which means he's had an opportunity run off, steal a few more Exotics off the back of a lorry (we presume this is how he keeps getting them), and now he's back trying to sell them to Guardians again.
This week Xur is hanging out on Titan. This is one of the spots he frequents, so if you been playing Destiny 2 for a while you'll probably have been here before. For all you new players, all you need to do is fly on down to The Rig, head straight on the left, and you'll find him hiding in a room on ground level. If you're having trouble, open the map and put a waypoint on him and you can follow that. We've got details on what he's offering below.
Click image to view in full screen
Hard Light (Auto Rifle) - 29 Legendary Shards
Lucky Raspberry (Hunter Class Chest Armor) - 23 Legendary Shards
Synthoceps (Gauntlets) - 23 Legendary Shards
Karnstein Armlets (Warlock Class Gauntlets) - 23 Legendary Shards
In related news, a Destiny 2 double XP event called The Clarion Call begins today. To earn double XP you have to be in a clan, though if you're not already you can create or join one during the event and still get the reward. Once you're in a clan, going into battle with your teammates and doing activities will yield double XP toward bright engrams. The double XP event ends on November 20.
As part of the most recent Destiny 2 server maintenance, Bungie released an update dubbed "The one before Curse of Osiris." It's primarily concerned with resolving some lingering issues with the game, rather than introducing any new content or features. You can read more about Destiny 2's update 1.0.7 for PC, PS4, Xbox One here.
[UPDATE 4] With Battlefront II now available without microtransactions, EA's stock price has taken a hit, dropping 2.49% to $108.82 on launch day. A report from the Wall Street Journal states that Disney CEO Robert Iger did not, in fact, speak with EA, though he is described as being "alarmed" by the anger online. However, Disney head of consumer products and interactive media Jimmy Pitaro did contact EA to let the publisher know about Disney's concerns.
[UPDATE 3] Battlefront II is officially out now. Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners weighed in on the news on Twitter, pointing out that microtransactions and loot boxes are not going away. "They're already accepted," he said. "All that's happening is EA tweaking the system to make it 'fun and addictive" instead of 'intrusive and predatory."
[UPDATE 2] VentureBeat is reporting that EA CEO Andrew Wilson spoke with Disney CEO Bob Iger over the phone today before the Battlefront II changes were announced. The report doesn't mention what they might have talked about, though a chat about Battlefront II's loot crate system seems more likely than discussing plans for the weekend.
[UPDATE] EA released a statement on Battlefront II's microtransactions, confirming they have been removed, but only temporarily. "We've heard the concerns about potentially giving players unfair advantages," DICE boss Oskar Gabrielson said. "And we've heard that this is overshadowing an otherwise great game. This was never our intention. Sorry we didn't get this right."
All in-game purchases for Battlefront II are now removed, with all progression now exclusively tied to gameplay. EA is bringing back microtransactions "at a later date," but not until the studio has time to make unspecified "changes to the game." More details on this changes will come later as DICE considers more feedback and date. One possibility is that Battlefront II's microtransactions will return as cosmetic only, as is the case in Overwatch and other games, though this is just speculation.
"We have created a game that is built on your input, and it will continue to evolve and grow," Gabrielson explained.
As it stands, all of Battlefront II's DLC maps will be free, though there is no word as of yet about if today's announcement changes anything. The removal of the game's microtransactions comes just hours before Battlefront II is due to launch everywhere on November 17, though as mentioned, it's been available for some already.
Microtransaction systems are commonplace in AAA games today. In fact, it is rare for a big game to not have a microtransaction system. What's different about Battlefront II's system is that players could spend real money for the chance to unlock items and weapons that actually affect gameplay, and that's part of the reason why players got so stirred up. Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto Online also offers microtransactions, and they make parent publisher Take-Two lots and lots of money.
The original story is below.
It looks like big changes may be in the works for Star Wars: Battlefront II's microtransaction system. It was discovered today that you can no longer purchase the game's virtual currency, Crystals, with real money.
Accessing the Crystals purchase page on Xbox One today yields the screen below. As you can see, it does not give you the option to buy Crystals. However, you can still purchase them through the Xbox.com store, at least for the time being (though that may have something to do with Microsoft, not EA, controlling that page). We're working to confirm the situation on PlayStation 4 and PC. Keep checking back for more.
Star Wars: Battlefront II's microtransaction/loot crate system has been highly contentious and controversial running back to when players discovered how the system worked in October's open beta. Loot boxes come with random items, but instead of things that are cosmetic only, they can also contain game-affecting things like deadlier grenades or cloaking abilities that give players a theoretical advantage.
Earlier this week, DICE held a Reddit AMA in which it responded to, among other things, concerns about Battlefront II's microtransactions. The developer said microtransactions are available as an optional way to potentially speed up your progression. Everything that you can get in a loot crate can also be obtained via gameplay.
"Regarding microtransactions, we want players to enjoy their progression through the game and want gameplay to be fair along the way," the developer said. "Microtransactions are there for player choice, but won't be a requirement to play or succeed at the game. And like everything else, we'll continue tweaking and tuning until we achieve these goals."
Some fans have already gotten a taste of Star Wars Battlefront II thanks to its early trial on EA/Origin Access, but today marks the game's official release. While much of the conversation around it has centered on its controversial handling of microtransactions and fan backlash (which ultimately forced EA to temporarily drop them just prior to release), developer DICE has built on the previous Star Wars Battlefront in some notable ways with Battlefront II, one of which is its new campaign.
Unlike its predecessor, Battlefront II features a full-fledged single-player storyline that's set between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. The campaign puts players in the role of Iden Versio, the commander of an Imperial special forces unit known as the Inferno Squad and the primary character you play as throughout the campaign's 5-8-hour runtime.
Battlefront II's campaign is a canonical part of the franchise, filling in important details that lead up to the rise of the First Order in The Force Awakens and dropping clues as to what could be in store the next Star Wars film, The Last Jedi. If you're eager to see what happens in Battlefront II's story without the need to play through the campaign, we've compiled all of its cutscenes and some gameplay clips together in the video above so you can watch the entire tale unfold as if it were its own Star Wars movie.
Star Wars Battlefront II is available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. In our Battlefront II review-in-progress, critic Alessandro Fillari said the game's campaign "does a decent job of showing the internal strife within the Empire's ranks," though it ultimately "falls a bit short of making it a remarkable journey for its characters."
Our 72-hour Extra Life livestream for charity begins now and we're giving away a LOT of awesome games, consoles, figures, and more throughout the stream.
TO ENTER: You're automatically entered for a chance to win awesome prizes when you donate to our Extra Life fund here http://tinyurl.com/gsextralife2017 *
*Winners will be selected at random on Monday, November 20th! Any donation amount is welcome. Funds go directly to the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital.
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The latest entry in Netflix's Marvel universe has been released. The Punisher follows Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) as he seeks out vigilante justice, after being introduced in the second season of Daredevil.
What to critics think of the new series, though? GameSpot has rounded up a variety of reviews from critics, some who loved it and some who definitely didn't. The show currently sits with a score of 54 on GameSpot's sister site Metacritic, where you can see even more reviews.
Show: Marvel's The Punisher
Release Date: November 14 on Netflix
Starring: Jon Bernthal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ben Barnes, Amber Rose Revah, and Deborah Ann Woll
Length: 13 episodes
GameSpot
"The Punisher is grounded in the way that Jessica Jones and Daredevil's first season were; these aren't superhumans or gods, and there's no magic or alternate dimensions. There's not even a shadowy organization pulling the strings behind the scenes, waiting to be unmasked and defeated in an epic team-up (at least, not in the first six episodes). There's only Frank, and the military, CIA, and other government operatives who screwed him over and murdered his family." -- Mike Rougeau [Full review]
Variety
"Thanks to Jon Berthal's seamless performance as the non-superpowered vigilante Frank Castle and showrunner Steve Lightfoot's sharp, conscious storytelling, The Punisher approaches the high points of Marvel's Jessica Jones by introducing a damaged, deadly character and telling his story as one piece of an unjust whole." -- Sonia Saraiya [Full Review]
New York Times
"The action picks up as the season progresses, but The Punisher never quite gets in touch with the visceral roots of its material, something that all of the other Netflix-Marvel series do, no matter how much they distance themselves from their comic-book sources." -- Mike Hale [Full review]
LA Times
"The show's greatest hurdle may be the worn nerves of TV audiences who have learned how and when to shield themselves from the on-screen violence--fictional or real. Preserving one's sanity requires strategic bouts of dulling the senses. For The Punisher to make any sort of lasting impact after its association with one of the worst mass shootings in American history, it would have to be a masterpiece. And it's not." -- Lorraine Ali [Full review]
AV Club
"Although The Punisher could be the most ambitious of the Marvel Cinematic Universe shows, with its unflinching exploration of grief, anger, and trauma, the series still feels awfully up in the air at the midseason mark." -- Danette Chavez [Full review]
Salon
"A love for skull-pounding action flicks should be a prerequisite for enjoying The Punisher, but even those who count ourselves in that group may find it tests our limits in the same way any hero who solves problems strictly by punching through them eventually does." -- Melanie McFarland [Full review]
The Hollywood Reporter
"With the exception of The Defenders, which was always announced as a miniseries, each and every one of the Marvel/Netflix shows has been 13 episodes and they've all had comparable lags in pacing and stumbles in storytelling to reach that number. But Marvel's The Punisher is the first one that feels at least twice the length it should be." -- Daniel Fienberg [Full review]
Uproxx
"At times it almost seems as if the creative team's heart isn't in the grim-n-gritty of it all, and we'll get stretches of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang-style buddy comedy where Micro's chatty, neurotic ways get on Frank's nerves, while Micro is stunned by how casually Frank kills people." -- Alan Sepinwall [Full review]
Happy Friday! Join Jess McDonell and Dan Crowd on GameSpot News where we can hopefully wrap up all remaining microtransaction news for the week and year (probably not going to happen)! Here's what we discuss in today's episode:
Star Wars Battlefront 2 Microtransaction Mania!
Oh boy, it's been a huge week of drama for EA, as the internet became completely outraged over the way microtransactions were implemented in Star Wars Battlefront 2. There were responses from developers, major changes to the game, but none of these actions seemed to quell the fire. We chat about the whole debacle in today's episode.
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds Is A Game Of The Year Nominee, But Creator Doesn't Want It
Brendan Greene, aka PlayerUnknown, seems like a genuinely nice guy! Even though he's the main brain behind 2017's massive multiplayer battle royale sensation, he recently responded to some Game of the Year nominations in a very courteous and humble way. We discuss the responses and some of the games he's going up against.
Russia Uses Game Screenshot To Try And Prove USA Is Cooperating With ISIS
Well this is a weird one to close it out. This week, the Russian Ministry of Defence's official Twitter account posted an image which claimed it had "irrefutable" evidence of US collusion with Islamic State. You'll never guess what happened next (you will)!
Thanks for joining us this week on GameSpot News. Keep the conversation going by letting us know what you thought about today's news, and have a great weekend! For more on today's stories, you can also visit the links below:
Newegg, one of the most popular PC hardware vendors for all things tech, is having a pre-Black Friday sale going on right now. They're well-known for deals on all things tech and they're rolling out plenty of them in advance of the consumerist holiday. Everything on Newegg ships out since there is no brick-and-mortar store, so shopping is made easy. Here, we've rounded up some standout deals for hard drives, solid-state drives, motherboards, monitors, memory, and peripherals.
To kick things off, we looked at memory prices. A stick of 8GB Patriot Viper Elite DDR4-2133 RAM is $73, 8GB G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-2666 RAM is currently $80, while 16GB (2x8GB) Team Elite Plus DDR4-2400 RAM is going for $130. If you're on an older platform and still use DDR3 memory, you can snag 16GB (2x8GB) Team Dark DDR3-1600 RAM for $100 or 16GB (2x8GB) G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR-1333 for $120. For you fancy folk out there, the 16GB G.Skill TridentZ RGB DDR4-3200 RAM kit is on sale for $175. Corsair RAM is 18% off with the promo code CORSAIR8 as well.
When it comes to monitors, Acer has taken over the Newegg sales. The Predator XB241H 24-inch 1080p 144Hz G-Sync monitor is $350. If you're looking for more affordable displays, the G247HYL 23.8-inch 1080p IPS monitor is on sale for $110; the K272HUL 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor is going for $270 while the TN panel version is $250. A few bucks are shaved off 21:9 curved monitors, like the XZ350CU 35-inch 2560x1080 144Hz with FreeSync for $550 and the Z35P 35-inch 3440x1440 100Hz with G-Sync for $1000.
If you're looking for fast storage drives, the 480GB Kingston A400 SSD is $150 with the promo code 71114PBFS100. ADATA's XPG SX850 256GB SSD is going for $90 while the 128GB version is at $54. Another option is the 240GB Sandisk Plus SSD, which is $82 right now.
Deals for mass storage are wild since you can get an 8TB Seagate Enterprise 7200 RPM 6Gb/s hard drive for just $260 while the faster 12Gb/s version is $280. Toshiba's X300 8TB 6Gb/s 7200 RPM drive is $250 and the smaller 5TB version is the best value at $120 with the promo code EMCBBBG22. If you don't need that much space, the 3TB Western Digital Blue 5400 RPM hard drive is $85 and the 2TB version is available for $63 with the promo code 71114PBFS034.
As for gaming keyboards and mice, G.Skill's Ripjaws KM780R with Cherry MX Blue mechanical switches goes for $80 and Azio's MGK1-K with Kailh Brown switches is only $50. The Victake 2.4GHz wireless mouse is only $16.50. Gaming headsets are going for cheap as well: Cooler Master's MasterPulse is $30, the Sades virtual 7.1 SA903S is $33, and a refurbished Logitech G933 Wireless is $75.
Lastly, there are some good offers on motherboards, which anyone wanting to build a system should look out for. The Asus ROG Maximus VIII Hero (Z170 chipset) is up for $150 and the Maximus VIII Ranger (Z170) is $140. Those looking at AMD's Ryzen platform (or building a compact PC) should consider the Gigabyte GA-AB350M Micro ATX for $70 or the Biostar X370GTN Mini ITX for $85, since they'll support overclocking for all Ryzen CPUs.
There are so many more items available at a discount on Newegg right now, so be sure to check out what they're offering. Most sales expire on November 20, which is when Newegg's full Black Friday sale starts (you can get a sneak peak a few of the deals already). We summarized the highlighted sales below, and have you covered for all things Black Friday, so check out all of our extensive coverage:
As the world gets closer to Peter Capaldi's final bow as the star of Doctor Who, BBC America has released the first clip from the 2017 Christmas special. The episode will see the actor exit the series. In the special, titled Twice Upon a Time, the 12th Doctor brings the first Doctor (David Bradley) aboard the TARDIS. Naturally, the original Doctor absolutely hates what Capaldi's character has done with the place.
If this scene is any indication, Doctor Who is going to have a wild and very sarcastic adventure for Christmas. With Bradley stepping into the shoes of the first Doctor, originally played by William Hartnell in the 1960s, it allows for the two incarnations of the same Time Lord to work together. Of course, it also helps for making a very special moment of the regeneration of Capaldi's Doctor, after he was fatally wounded in the Season 10 finale.
Bradley's appearing on the show is, surprisingly, not the first time he's dipped his toe in the Doctor Who universe. He previously portrayed Hartnell in the 2013 TV movie An Adventure in Space and Time, which explored the creation of Doctor Who and its early seasons.
The clip for the Christmas special was released in conjunction with the BBC's annual Children in Need telethon. Doctor Who's 2017 Christmas special will air on December 25 on BBC America. The series will then return in 2018 with a new Doctor at the helm. Jodie Whittaker will play the 13th Doctor, making the first time ever a woman has led the show.
Since its release, Overwatch's Hero roster continues to grow. While each character is easy to pick up and play, there are several important tactics you need to understand. To help you better master the game, we've created in-depth guide videos for all of its characters. With so many videos to watch and learn from, we've compiled them all in one place. Below you'll find our detailed series of videos offering tips and strategies on how to best play each hero.
We recently updated this feature with a guide on Moira--Overwatch's fifth post-launch DLC character. Be sure to check back often as we update this page with guides on future DLC characters.
Moira
Moira is mainly a healer. Her principal attack is called Biotic Grasp; it sprays a "cone of energy" that heals teammates in range. Her alternate fire is a beam that attaches to the nearest enemy, taking their health and dealing damage. For more on how to use her, watch the in-depth video above.
Reinhardt
Reinhardt is an easy-to-use tank who primarily acts as a team's frontman. With his handy shield and giant hammer, he can be used for a variety of effective offensive strategies. For a detailed breakdown on how to utilize his abilities, watch the in-depth video above.
Widowmaker
Widowmaker is a formidable sniper with a plethora of abilities that support her long-range capabilities. With the ability to see through walls, plant mines, or grapple-hook her way on to a roof, she's not a character that opposing players should take lightly. For a detailed breakdown on how to best use her, watch the in-depth video above.
Ana
Ana is a fascinating new character that uses a special sniper rifle capable of shooting bullets that heals her allies but damages her opponents. Unlike Widowmaker--whose primary role is to slay opponents--Ana is out there to provide support to her allies either by buffing them or putting members from the opposing team to sleep with her handy sleep dart. For more on how to use her, watch our Ana Hero Guide video.
Bastion
Bastion is a formidable tank with an arsenal of heavy weapons. Its firepower easily makes it a priority target for the opposing team; that's why it's important to know how to utilize Bastion's weapons and abilities. For more on this lethal robot, watch our Bastion Hero Guide video.
D.Va
D.Va is a powerful tank that can easily lay down the pressure against opponents. Her mech suit comes equipped with twin short-range cannons capable of continuous, high-damage fire without the need to reload. She also has a variety of useful offensive abilities that further her impact on the battlefield. For a closer look at how to use her, watch our D.Va Hero Guide video.
Doomfist
Doomfist is one of the most diverse damage dealers in the game. His assortment of melee abilities allows you to get creative with how to deal with enemy Heroes. His Rocket Punch does a fair amount of damage, as well as stun enemies who happen to survive the might of its devastating power. Combine that alongside his uppercut and ground smash abilities for a variety of different offensive and defensive maneuvers. For more on how to use him, watch our Doomfist Guide video.
Genji
Genji is a powerful offensive character whose hit-and-run tactics demand patience and precision. While he's difficult to master, he should please any player willing to understand the subtle nuances of his attacks and abilities. For more on this cyborg ninja, watch our Genji Hero Guide video.
Junkrat
If you like being a pest to your opponents, then Junkrat is the character for you. His wide-range of explosive weapons and abilities make him a great damage dealer for any team. For a closer look at how to use him, watch our Junkrat Hero Guide video.
Hanzo
Hanzo is a sniper that requires precision and quick thinking. Players often underrate his abilities, but when they're used properly, Hanzo can be incredibly versatile. For more on how to use this wandering archer, watch our Hanzo Hero Guide video.
Lucio
Lucio is one of the most effective support characters in the game, providing first-aid and ability buff support to teammates. He's highly adaptable and is a great fit for any team. For the specifics on how to use him, watch our Lucio Hero Guide video.
McCree
McCree is a powerful offense hero who's best used against opponents at close-range. With his trusty magnum and its multitude of accompanying abilities that can instantly kill enemies, McCree is a force to be reckoned with. For a detailed look at how to use this gun slinging hero, watch our McCree Hero Guide video.
Mei
Mei is a well-rounded and self-sufficient defense character capable of being a great nuisance to the opposing team. Her Endothermic Blaster can freeze enemies in their tracks, denying them their mobility while damaging slowly them. For more on her various ice-based abilities, check out our Mei Hero Guide video.
Mercy
Mercy is a valuable support character who's capable of using her first-aid and ability buffs to maximize the effectiveness of both tank and offensive characters. In addition, her ultimate--the ability to revive downed teammates--can quickly turn the tide of any battle. For more on Mercy's abilities and how to play her, watch our Mercy Hero Guide video.
Orisa
Orisa is an anchor tank capable of effectively fending off enemies and detouring their attacks. Aside from her long-range rapid-fire machine gun, she has a variety of other useful tools, such as a projectile that sets up a barrier and an energy weapon that creates an effect similar to Zarya's Graviton Surge. Orisa is a useful tank class with offensive and defensive abilities that can compliment any team. For more on how to use her, watch our Orisa Hero Guide video.
Pharah
Pharah is a great offensive character to play if you want to hassle the opponent while dealing considerable damage. When used properly, her rockets and jetpack make her highly effective at hit-and-run tactics. For a full breakdown, watch our Pharah Hero Guide video.
Reaper
Reaper is a deadly offensive character that specializes in close-ranged damage. With this wraith abilities, he can easily flank opponents and assault them with his dual shotguns. For more on how to use him effectively, watch our Reaper Hero Guide video.
Roadhog
Roadhog is a hefty tank that can quickly lay down the offensive against the opposing team. As a tank, he's great for hassling enemies, bringing them towards him with his chain hook and bombarding them with his scrap gun. For more on how to play him, watch our Roadhog Hero Guide video.
Soldier: 76
If you're new to Overwatch or shooters in general, Soldier: 76 is one of the best offensive characters to start with. He sports a well-rounded set of abilities and can handle a variety of situations. For more on how to use this masked commando, watch our Soldier: 76 Hero Guide video.
Sombra
Sombra is a distinctive offensive character capable of rendering foes helpless and dealing a decent amount of damage along the way. With her hacking abilities, she's capable of variety of tricks, such as disabling an enemy's abilities, making a health pack regenerate fast, or seeing enemies through walls. In addition, her Translocator ability offers her the ability to freely enter and exit the frontline with ease. Sombra is well suited for those looking to sneak around and deliver grief to the opposing team. For more on how to use her, watch our Sombra Hero Guide video.
Symmetra
Symmetra can be an incredibly useful support character if played properly. With her handy teleporter and arsenal of turrets, she's capable of easily tipping the odds in your team's their favor. For more on how to use her abilities, watch our Symmetra Hero Guide video.
Torbjorn
Torbjorn is an engineer class hero capable of all sorts of useful strategies with his stationary turret. Whether you want to play him defensively or offensively, Torbjorn can be an effective addition to any team. For a detailed look on how to best utilize his skills, watch our Torbjorn Hero Guide video.
Tracer
Tracer's strength as an offensive character lies not in her damage output, but in her ability to distract and annoy enemies. For more on how to use her, watch our Tracer Hero Guide video.
Winston
Compared to other tank class characters, Winston is less of a brute and more focused on disruption tactics. His mobility allows him the ability to get the jump on his opponents when they least expect it. For more details on how to use this guerrilla scientist's abilities and tactics, watch our Winston Hero Guide video.
Zarya
Zarya is one of the most difficult tanks to play, utilizing an assortment of complex offensive and defensive abilities. While she may not be the robust tank to use at first, her abilities carry a wealth of nuance that's fulfilling to master. For more on how to use her, watch our Zarya Hero Guide video.
Zenyatta
Zenyatta sports a wide range of support abilities that can aid in his team's efforts to turn the tide of battle. But unlike most other support characters, he's a great damage dealer, capable of throwing out high amounts of DPS at a time. For more on this Omnic monk, watch our Zenyatta Hero Guide video.
For more on Overwatch, check out our news and features below:
Black Friday 2017 is almost here. Lots and lots of games are on sale this year, including new releases. Ubisoft's South Park: The Fractured But Whole is among them, with a handful of big retailers offering the game's PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions on the cheap.
It looks like Walmart has the best deal this year, offering the game for only $29 on Black Friday. Target has it for $30, while Best Buy will sell the turn-based game for $35 and Toys R Us and GameStop for $40. Given that the game only just came out in October, those are some pretty sweet deals.
Like its predecessor, The Stick of Truth, Fractured but Whole puts players in the role of the New Kid, who moves into South Park and joins a superhero team with Cartman and other South Park mainstays. GameSpot's Fractured But Whole review scored the game an 8/10. Reviewer Miguel Concepcion said, "It's an accomplishment that this game will wholly entertain devoted fans while delivering a heap of jokes that won't fly over the heads of casual viewers."
You can check out a complete list of South Park: The Fractured But Whole deals for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One below. We'll continue to update this as more Black Friday ads are revealed. You can also check out all of our other Black Friday coverage through the links at the bottom of this post.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole Black Friday Deals
It's easy to forget, given some of Marvel and Netflix's recent joint output, what the two studios are capable of when they're at their best. All the Marvel/Netflix shows exist on a subjective spectrum, but it's generally accepted that The Defenders, Iron Fist, and Daredevil Season 2 weren't the greatest, while Daredevil Season 1, Jessica Jones, and (depending who you ask) Luke Cage were much better. Luckily for Marvel fans--and fans of good TV everywhere--The Punisher is with the latter group.
That's based on the first six episodes of The Punisher's 13-episode Season 1, which Netflix made available to press ahead of the show's Nov. 17 premiere. But even in just its first half, The Punisher Season 1 is confident, well-made television. The show could still blow it in the season's second half, but that remains to be seen.
The Punisher, of course, follows Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), the titular anti-hero, who perpetually mourns his family by murdering the people responsible for their deaths. Despite doing this for a while now--during Daredevil Season 2, presumably through the events that took place in The Defenders, and now on his standalone show--he never seems to run out of "the people responsible" to murder. The web always expands, the rabbit hole goes deeper, and the conspiracy reaches its blood-soaked tendrils higher and higher into government organizations like the CIA. And the Punisher punishes them all--by murdering them good--while enjoying endless flashbacks of his once-happy family.
That basic framework might seem a little tired, and it is--a little. But if John Wick taught us anything, it's that revenge flicks done well will never get old. And make no mistake, if you're looking for another superhero jam: The Punisher has more in common with John Wick than with most of Marvel's other movies and shows.
That's a good thing. The Punisher is grounded in the way that Jessica Jones and Daredevil's first season were; these aren't superhumans or gods, and there's no magic or alternate dimensions. There's not even a shadowy organization pulling the strings behind the scenes, waiting to be unmasked and defeated in an epic team-up (at least, not in the first six episodes). There's only Frank, and the military, CIA, and other government operatives who screwed him over and murdered his family. (It only helps these connected shows that The Hand is--hopefully--gone for good.)
In this season's initial half, Frank isn't even really Punishing, in the capital "P" sense of the word. He burns his skull-adorned get-up after an opening montage in which--he believes--he puts down all "the people responsible" for good. Of course, there are more layers to uncover, as Frank learns when an NSA analyst-turned-hacker, Micro (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), gets in touch with some new intel. The two make a fun odd couple, first butting heads, then grudgingly cooperating. It's nothing revolutionary, but there's plenty of humor and drama to be mined from their pairing, which the season's second half will likely explore further.
In supporting roles are homeland security agents Dinah Madani (Amber Rose Revah) and Sam Stein (Michael Nathanson), as well as two of Castle's former squadmates in a Clandestine military outfit known as Cerberus--Curtis Hoyle (Jason R. Moore) and Billy Russo (Westworld's Ben Barnes).
Through these characters The Punisher manages to explore some pretty topical subject matter. Take Curtis's PTSD support group, which Billy, who now runs a private military company, provides funding for. The veterans who attend feel let down by their country, and they channel their anger in various ways, including some seemingly meant to stir debate among viewers (although never in an unrealistic way).
There's been some worry that The Punisher would feel tone deaf, given the character's inclination for shooting lots of people with very big guns, and the many tragic shootings that have taken place in the real world recently. Netflix and Marvel even acknowledged as much when they pulled out of New York Comic Con in October.
But besides an indulgent title credits sequence where a massive arsenal swirls and coalesces to form the iconic skull logo, The Punisher doesn't feel overly worshipful of the many guns that grace its scenes. Frank uses guns simply as a tool, just as he uses knives, grenades, and anything else in arm's reach. He doesn't obsess over them, besides occasional cleanings.
And he spends much of The Punisher Season 1's first half trying to put it all behind him anyway. Bernthal once again proves himself a fantastic actor, with a simply ridiculous range between emotional drama and rage-fueled action, and he more than carries the show. Just as in Daredevil Season 2, Frank Castle is one of the best-cast characters in all the Marvel universe.
There are seven more episodes of The Punisher to watch, and even Marvel and Netflix's best shows have begun to drag in their second halves. Some might even complain that the first six are a little slow. They probably could have squeezed this story down to fewer episodes if they didn't show us the exact same flashbacks of Frank's doomed family so many times. But each episode picks up by the end, ensuring many will suffer from "just one more" syndrome, until we've binged way past our bedtimes, and, maybe, finished them all. At least, I know what I'm doing this Friday.
The next pair of Pokemon games, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, have released on 3DS, 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. For more, you can also check out our Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon review and breakdown of the new Pokemon (and everything else) in Ultra Sun and Moon.
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.
The latest weekly lineup of deals on Xbox Live has been revealed. The list of deals for Xbox One and Xbox 360 is not all that extensive, though there are some solid deals to be had ahead of the rush of sales coming as part of Black Friday. [Update: Microsoft has launched the Xbox Live Black Friday sale, although only Xbox Live Gold members will have access to it until November 21. It will then open for everyone--and there's quite a lot to be had.]
Some of the discounted Xbox One games include the World War 1 shooter Verdun $10/£8/$13.50 AU), the superhero action game Deadpool ($12.50/£11.25/$15 AU), and one-month subscriptions to DC Universe Online ($11/£9/$15 AU). Additionally, Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter is discounted to $18.50/£15/$33 AU).
Go to to Major Nelson's blog to see a full rundown of this week's Xbox One and Xbox 360 deals, some of which require an Xbox Live Gold membership. The deals are good through November 20. Xbox Live Gold members can also pick up free games as part of the Games With Gold program, so be sure to do that before they return to their normal price points.
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon has been released for 3DS, and while the two games are largely based on the previous Sun and Moon versions, they set themselves apart from last year's titles with a host of new content. Along with an expanded story that sheds more light on the mysterious Legendary Pokemon, Necrozma, the pair introduce a handful of new features and even Pokemon to the series.
If you've already played Sun or Moon and are unsure if the upcoming titles differ enough to warrant a return trip to Alola, we've rounded up all of the new Pokemon, moves, and features Nintendo has announced thus far to give you a better idea of what's new in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. You can read more about the games in our Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon review. And if you're unsure which version is right for you, we broke down the major differences between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
New Pokemon
Ultra Beasts
In the original Sun and Moon versions, Ultra Beasts are powerful, unidentified Pokemon that traveled to the Alola region from other worlds through wormholes. Naturally, they once again play a major role in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and this time the games introduce a couple of new ones to the series.
At least three new Ultra Beasts appear in the titles: UB Burst, UB Assembly, and UB Adhesive. The former two are exclusive to a specific version. The jester-like UB Burst only appears in Ultra Sun and is a Fire/Ghost-type Pokemon that learns an exclusive move called Mind Blown. UB Assembly, meanwhile, is a defense-oriented Rock/Steel-type Pokemon that's exclusive to Ultra Moon.
The third new Ultra Beast, UB Adhesive, is a Poison-type that is said to be able to understand humans if it spends enough time among them. It first appears with the Ultra Recon Squad, a mysterious new group of trainers that travels to Alola through a wormhole. Which members of the Ultra Recon Squad you encounter depends on the version you're playing.
Dusk Mane / Dawn Wings Necrozma
While the mysterious Legendary Pokemon Necrozma appeared in the original Sun and Moon versions, it plays a much larger story role in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Depending on which version you pick up, it merges with the games' mascot Pokemon, Solgaleo or Lunala, to turn into its new Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings forms, respectively.
Along with taking on a new appearance and typing, Necrozma is able to use Solgaleo and Lunala's signature attacks when it merges with the two Legendaries. Dusk Mane Necrozma is a Psychic/Steel-type and can unleash Sunsteel Strike, while Dawn Wings Necrozma is a Psychic/Ghost-type and can use Moongeist Beam. Both forms also have the ability Prism Armor, which reduces the damage Necrozma takes from super-effective attacks.
Dusk Form Lycanroc
Depending on which version you played, the Rock-type puppy Pokemon Rockruff would evolve into one of two possible forms in Sun and Moon; in the former game, Rockruff would become Midday Form Lycanroc, while in the latter it would evolve into Midnight Form Lycanroc. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce a third possible variant, this one called Dusk Form Lycanroc.
Like its name implies, Dusk Form Lycanroc is a cross between its Midday and Midnight forms. It has an orange and white coat and can learn both forms' signature attacks, Accelerock and Counter. It also comes with a different ability, Tough Claws, which increases the power of attacks that make direct contact with an opponent. Dusk Form Lycanroc is exclusive to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and so far, the only way to obtain one is to purchase either game by January 10; do that and you'll receive a special Rockruff that evolves into Dusk Form Lycanroc as a free gift.
New Features
Team Rainbow Rocket
In addition to the Ultra Recon Squad, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce another new villainous group called Team Rainbow Rocket. Nintendo hasn't revealed many details about the team, but we know it is led by Team Rocket boss Giovanni and is made up of the leaders from every previous enemy team, including Archie and Maxie (Team Aqua/Magma from Ruby/Sapphire), Cyrus (Team Galactic from Diamond/Pearl), Ghetsis (Team Plasma from Black/White), and Lysandre (Team Flare from X/Y).
Ultra Wormholes
Ultra Wormholes were an important story element in Sun and Moon, allowing the Ultra Beasts to arrive to Alola from other worlds. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you'll actually be able to travel through these wormholes atop either Solgaleo or Lunala and visit the worlds the Ultra Beasts come from. You'll also be able to encounter other powerful Pokemon by traveling through Ultra Wormholes, including previous Legendaries such as Mewtwo and Ho-Oh, neither of which appeared in the original Sun and Moon versions.
Beyond encountering Legendary Pokemon, you'll also use Ultra Wormholes to travel to a new area known as Ultra Megalopolis. Nintendo hasn't revealed many details about the mysterious city, but it has been described as "a world that has had its light stolen by Necrozma" and will undoubtedly play an important role in the games' story.
Battle Agency
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce several new areas to the Alola region, as well, one of which is a new battle facility called the Battle Agency. As in the Battle Tree, players can take part in a series of three-on-three Pokemon battles against a gauntlet of AI opponents; however, you can only take rental Pokemon into battle. The variety of Pokemon you can rent at the Battle Agency increases the more you use the games' communications features with other players.
Move Tutors
The reward for winning battles in the Battle Tree and at other facilities across Alola is Battle Points, or BP, which can be spent on a range of rare, competitive battling items like Mega Stones. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you'll also be able to spend your BP on new moves for your Pokemon, including some that they cannot normally learn through leveling up or with TMs.
Rotom Dex
The Rotom Dex plays an expanded role in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. In the new games, you'll be able to form a bond with your Rotom Dex the more you interact with it, which in turn will affect its personality. If you develop a strong enough bond with your Rotom Dex, you'll unlock its own unique Z-Power, which allows you to use a second Z-Move during battle.
Your Rotom Dex also has a new feature called Roto Loto, a slot machine-style mini-game that you can play at any time to get new items. The items can have a variety of different effects; some increase the amount of experience or money you earn for a period of time, while another temporarily decreases the amount of time it takes for Pokemon eggs.
New Z-Moves
Mega Evolution was one of the most notable features introduced in Pokemon X and Y, but in Sun and Moon, it was largely replaced with Z-Moves. At the start of your journey, you're given a Z-Ring, a special bracelet that allows your Pokemon to perform these ultra-powerful moves once per battle when it is equipped with a particular Z-Crystal.
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon expand on this by introducing a handful of new Z-Moves to the mix, many of which are exclusive to a particular Pokemon. In the new games, the Pikachu lookalike Mimikyu can use a new Z-Move called Let's Snuggle Forever when it's equipped with Mimikium Z. All three forms of Lycanroc can also use an exclusive Z-Move, Splintered Stormshards, while the Fighting/Dragon-type Kommo-o gets its own signature Z-Move called Clangorous Soulblaze.
The Legendary cover Pokemon Solgaleo and Lunala get their own exclusive Z-Moves in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, as well, which can also be used by Necrozma when it takes on its two new forms. Solgaleo and Dusk Mane Necrozma can use the Steel-type attack Searing Sunraze Smash when equipped with Solganium Z; Lunala and Dawn Wings Necrozma can unleash the Ghost-type Z-Move Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom when they hold Lunalium Z.
Mantine Surf
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce a new mini-game called Mantine Surf. When you summon Mantine, you can use it to manually surf between the different islands of the Alola region. You can also perform a variety of tricks while surfing, which will increase your high score and reward you with BP.
Totem Stickers
Like last year's games, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon eschew traditional gym battles for island trials--different challenges that culminate in a battle against a Totem Pokemon. What sets these monsters apart from regular Pokemon is their size; Totem Pokemon are much larger than normal ones and are surrounded by an aura that boosts their stats.
This time around, you'll be able to add your own Totem-sized Pokemon to your team thanks to new Totem Stickers. These collectibles are hidden throughout the entire Alola region, and you'll be able to get your own giant Pokemon depending on how many Stickers you collect. Some of the Totem-sized Pokemon are exclusive to a specific version; Ultra Sun players, for instance, can get a giant Lurantis, while those with Ultra Moon can get a Totem-sized Salazzle.
A new selection of deals is now available in the PlayStation Store in the US. This week doesn't see any publisher-specific sales, though PS4, PS3, and Vita owners can still get some interesting games at a discount. [Update: PS Plus members now have early access to PS4's Black Friday PSN sale. This will expand to include non-Plus members on November 21, when even more games will be added.]
On PS4, players can pick up two of Two Tribes' fun titles, Toki Tori 2+ and Rive, for very cheap. The former runs for $3.74, while the latter is $5.09. You can also purchase a bundle of the two game together for $8.09. In addition to that, the retro-inspired RPG Citizens of Earth is available for $3, while River City Melee: Battle Royale Special drops to $8. Some other PS4 games on sale include Blade & Bones ($9.74), Tokyo 42 ($16), and Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition Duke Nukem Bundle ($40.49).
Most of these deals are only available for a limited time and run until 11 AM ET on November 21. You can find the full list of discounts available this week on the PlayStation Store. There are also some great retail and digital PlayStation deals for Black Friday next week. You can find full breakdowns of all the other Black Friday offers at retailers through the links below:
Black Friday 2017 is still a week out, but Microsoft has kicked off the Xbox Store's big annual sale. There is a huge number of games discounted as part of it, although for now, only Xbox Live Gold members will have access before the sale expands to include everyone next week. Provided you're interested in digital games, you'll probably be able to find something you're interested in.
As you'd expect, the bulk of the offers are available on Xbox One, where you'll find hundreds of games discounted. There's also a ton of DLC on sale, but for our comprehensive list, we've focused on games, special editions, bundles, and season passes, rather than individual DLC packs. In many cases, these prices aren't the best ones available this Black Friday; physical copies are often cheaper, as you can see in our roundup of all the Xbox One Black Friday 2017 game deals. But if you're looking for the convenience of digital games, the premium may be worth it.
Below, you'll find our comprehensive list of all the Xbox One games, bundles, and season passes on sale. We've also included a limited selection of Xbox 360 games that support backwards compatibility on Xbox One. The full list is available on the Xbox website. For deals on hardware and accessories, as well as physical games, check out our full Xbox One Black Friday 2017 deals roundup. You can also see all of our Black Friday coverage through the links below.
Batman V. Superman was absolutely chock full of references, Easter eggs, and nods to the rest of the DC universe. There's one Justice League Easter egg in BvS, though, that's so subtle few people have noticed it.
It has to do with Cyborg's backstory. Cyborg--A.K.A. Victor Stone--was a star quarterback who suffered a terrible accident. His father, a scientist named Silas Stone, rebuilt him at S.T.A.R. Labs, turning him into Cyborg.
We caught a glimpse of that happening during Batman's investigation into Lex Luthor's meta human files in BvS. But it turns out there's an even more subtle nod to Cyborg's creation in one of the movie's deleted scenes, according to Ray Fisher, the actor who plays him.
He let the hint slip while comparing the experience of piecing together the clues and references from each DCEU movie to watching a TV series. "They don't give you everything at once," Fisher told GameSpot. "You watch the characters evolve, and you say, 'Oh wait, they did that because that! OK, and that happened because of this! Wait, remember from that other movie?'"
He continued: "Remember in Batman v. Superman, when Gotham City was losing 50 to nothing, and that was around the same time that Cyborg would have had his accident? He's the star quarterback, and that's when the team started losing?"
That's right: In the above deleted scene, during which two police officers watch a football game in their cruiser, Gotham City is apparently losing because their star quarterback--Victor Stone--is out of commission. It's something the movie never acknowledges openly, but the timing appears to work out, and it makes sense if you think about it.
"Those are the kinds of things people will be able to put together [in Justice League], which I think is pretty awesome," Fisher explained. "And Zack [Snyder] in particular, his vision for it--he has stories mapped out for days."
The scene in question has several other Easter eggs--the duo's designation, for example, is Delta-Charlie-27, i.e. DC and Detective Comics issue #27, which was Batman's debut. A player on the bench in the football game has the number "52" on his back, a reference to DC's 52 parallel worlds. And Officers Mazzucchelli and Rucka are named for comics creators David Mazzucchelli and Greg Rucka.
We'll get to learn a whole lot more about Cyborg when Justice League hits theaters this Friday, November 17. In the meantime, check out our Justice League review.
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