1/22/18: This article has been updated to include the embedded video above.
4K TVs have dramatically come down in price recently, and with the holidays approaching, you may be thinking about picking one up. But before you buy, here's an important PSA for you: Don't buy a 4K TV without HDR.
There's no doubt that watching 4K content can look really crisp. With it being four times as sharp as 1080p, 2160p (4K) is the emerging resolution standard for good reason. But having access to a panel that can produce more realistic and vivid colors is arguably more important. That's where HDR comes into play.
HDR stands for high-dynamic range, which is a term you might have heard in the camera realm, but it's somewhat different as it pertains to TVs. When cameras shoot in HDR, they typically take multiple exposures to highlight the contrast between light and dark information in a shot. From there, they process the exposures together to deliver a balanced image that's more representative of how we, as humans, perceive light and color.
In this image, you see a representation of Dolby Vision HDR on the left contrasted with standard RGB.
HDR TVs also aim to represent hues in a more realistic way, but instead of using multiple exposures and processing to combine images together, HDR TVs simply use displays that offer a much wider color gamut compared to standard RGB panels.
The black triangle represents HDR, and encompasses roughly 75 percent of colors that the human eye can see. The Yellow triangle represents the color gamut of more traditional sRGB screens.
According to Nvidia, compared to sRGB, HDR can expand the color gamut by a factor of two, which makes up roughly 75 percent of the visible color spectrum. It allows colors to provide more granularity, so you can get tones that are more subtle or vibrant. Watching content like Planet Earth II, for instance, exemplifies how video can look much more colorful and lifelike with HDR enabled.
Many new high-end TVs are now bundling 4K and HDR together, but there are several that don't, so it's important to check to see if the respective TV you want to buy supports the feature. Also, any TVs that brandish the Ultra HD Premium label will support both 4K and HDR.
Not all HDR is created equally, however. There are three major standards: Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. Our sister site CNET suggests that Dolby Vision tends to look the best on average, but Dolby does charge TV manufacturers a licensing fee to use the tech, which could be passed down to consumers. At any rate, any HDR TV will look better than an SRGB equivalent. One good affordable option we recommend is TCL's 55P605 or 55P607 4K HDR TV. You can typically find it online for around $650, and it comes with Dolby Vision HDR.
If you want to go the extra mile, you could opt to get a 4K HDR OLED TV, which will offer true black levels since they don't use traditional LEDs and instead opt to use individually backlit pixels. However, while OLED panels are certainly nice, they generally cost much more, and are thus relegated in the "nice to have" category.
But when it comes to HDR, the slight premium you might pay is worth it considering it will be another prominent display standard moving forward.
In the end, if you're going to spend hundreds of dollars to purchase a nice 4K TV, you might as well make sure it's more future-proof by ensuring it supports HDR.
Call of Duty: WWII's latest limited-time event has been announced for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and it looks like a big one. Called The Resistance, it's free and adds a bunch of new game modes and gear, as well as a new Division.
The highlight of the event is the new Division, also called the Resistance. As with the other Divisions, it functions as a playable class, with class-specific abilities and perks. This Division's strengths are close-quarters combat, and its perks include a Pistol Tactical Knife, the ability to scramble nearby enemy mini-maps, and a mini-map symbol showing the direction of nearby foes.
The event also marks the return of the Prop Hunt game mode to Call of Duty. It's similar to hide-and-seek, where one team takes control of inanimate objects and attempts to blend in and avoid the hunting team. You can also try out Demolition, a game mode similar to Search and Destroy, except with respawning turned on.
Finally, The Resistance also includes new weapons and gear. The Volkssturmgewehr assault rifle, the Orso SMG, and the Combat Knife can all be acquired by completing Orders. In addition, players can snag a free Resistance supply drop every week until the end of the event.
The event begins on January 23 and runs through February 27, and it coincides with the launch of the game's first DLC pack (also called The Resistance) on January 30 on PS4. The DLC will come to other platforms later on. The pack includes three new multiplayer maps, a new War Mode map, and a new Zombies map. In other news, Call of Duty: WWII recently received a new update that buffs the sawed-off shotgun.
Nintendo has enjoyed a great deal of success with its Amiibo toy figure line. Those hoping for something similar for PlayStation's franchises are in luck, as a variety of well-known characters are set to be turned into figurines--albeit ones without any Amiibo-style in-game functionality.
As revealed on GameStop's website and the video below from the Spanish branch of retailer Game, at least seven different figures are coming in March as part of a new Totaku Collection line. These measure in at 10 cm (about 4 inches) and are described as "a unique series of highly detailed figurines from video game franchises past and present."
And indeed, they feature more modern titles along with some older PlayStation 1 classics. This first wave of figures includes Bloodborne's hunter, God of War's Kratos, LittleBigPlanet's Sackboy, Crash Bandicoot, and PaRappa the Rapper. We also get one that isn't technically a character--Wipeout's FX350 ship--and another that isn't explicitly from PlayStation-exclusive games in Tekken's Heihachi. You can see all of these in the gallery below.
In both the US and Spain, the figures will be available on March 23. In the US, they're priced at $10 a pop and will be available exclusively through GameStop and Think Geek. That makes them slightly cheaper than the MSRP of an Amiibo figure, although again, these can't be scanned or used to unlock things in games.
There's no word yet on when or if additional figures will also be released.
This is an especially exciting week for game releases, as two of the year's most anticipated titles, Monster Hunter World and Dragon Ball FighterZ, are both set to launch on January 26. The latter is the new 2.5D Dragon Ball fighting game from Arc System Works, the studio behind Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, and it looks to be one of the best titles based on Akira Toriyama's popular anime and manga series.
In GameSpot's Dragon Ball FighterZ review in progress, critic Peter Brown called the game "an exciting revitalization of Dragon Ball Z's glory days." He added, "Even if you think Dragon Ball is old hat, and even if you're intimidated by fighting games, there's a good chance you'll be drawn into the explosive action and personalities that expertly evoke the anime's infectious spirit."
Other reviews for Dragon Ball FighterZ have also begun appearing online ahead of the game's release this Friday, and they've been similarly positive. We've collected a sample of Dragon Ball FighterZ reviews in our roundup below, which we'll continue to update as more reviews are published closer to the game's release. In the meantime, you can take a wider look at what critics think of Dragon Ball FighterZ on GameSpot sister site Metacritic.
"FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance. Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series' characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre." -- Peter Brown [Full review in progress]
IGN -- 8.5/10
"Between the accessible auto combos, homing attacks, and simplified command inputs, Dragon Ball FighterZ is an inviting gateway into the world of fighting games for newcomers--whether you're a Dragon Ball fan or not. Those easy controls can open the door to some spammy behavior, but just as often it's satisfying in a way that does right by the Dragon Ball name. Dragon Ball FighterZ has enough depth and complexity to glow as brilliantly as a Super Saiyan." -- Mitchell Saltzman [Full review]
EGM -- 9/10
"While there have been many fighting games based on the Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball FighterZ marks a modern approach through the means of fast-paced action. From its breathtaking visuals to ease of gameplay mastery, the new fighter is a good stepping stone to expand the fan base of the genre. However, it may not satisfy players who are looking for complexity." -- Evan Slead [Full review]
Game Informer -- Review in Progress
"The more I delve into training mode, the more I learn about FighterZ, which is great; before playing the full game, I was a little afraid Arc System Works was going to go a bit too simple to appeal to casual Dragon Ball fans, and I'm happy to be proven wrong. Despite the simple control scheme, there are plenty of ways you can approach your opponent, and I never felt completely helpless, or that any one option was overwhelmingly powerful. Complete novices will still have to do some genre learning, but the fundamentals are simple enough that it won't be too much of a chore." -- Suriel Vazquez [Full review in progress]
Eurogamer -- Review in Progress
"Dragon Ball FighterZ, then, is the fighting game for everyone. Sure, it's a fast-paced game, and with three-versus-three action the screen can get pretty busy at times, but Arc System Works' effort to make the combat accessible means pretty much anyone can pick up their favourite few characters from Dragon Ball and get them to do cool and exciting stuff straight away. A few minutes spent in training mode and you'll find yourself doing combos that approach the 100-hit mark--just from a few basic input commands." -- Wesley Yin-Poole [Full review in progress]
New Releases continues into the end of January with a sampling of some of the hottest games dropping this week. Dragon Ball FighterZ is here to delight both anime and fighting game fans alike, while Monster Hunter World will let them team up to take down giant beasts together. RPG players can sink into the world of Lost Sphear, and horror addicts can settle into the terror of The Inpatient. The long-anticipated indie Iconoclasts is also finally launching after a storied development history.
Lost Sphear -- January 23
Available on: PS4, PC, Switch
Lost Sphear is the spiritual successor to 2016 indie darling I Am Setsuna, and it shares a similar art style and active-time battle system. New to the game are mech suits the party can wear while exploring the map and in battle, plus a memory system that changes how you rebuild the world.
If you want a horror game in January, you're in luck. This prequel to Until Dawn is made by the same studio, specifically for PlayStation VR. You'll step into the shoes of a Blackwood Sanatorium patient, making choices that affect your escape from or ultimate fate within the asylum.
Iconoclasts is an action-platformer seven years in the making, but you'll finally get to take control of protagonist Robin this week. Her handy wrench is good for solving puzzles, navigating the world, and even dismantling giant robot bosses.
Dragon Ball FighterZ -- January 26
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
It's not a stretch to call FighterZ the heaviest hitter this week, pun totally intended. It's a fighting game based on a beloved franchise, developed by the team behind the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series. With a roster spanning all eras of Dragon Ball, there's a champion here for everyone.
The latest in the monster-slaying series is the grandest adventure yet. All 14 weapon types from the previous games are back, plus new tools for exploring the world and toppling your foes. The zones are seamless too, letting you hunt monsters and bring home loot easier than ever before.
Once a year, WWE puts on a PPV with one of the most exciting matches in wrestling: the Royal Rumble. Every 90 seconds, a superstar enters the ring, and the only way to be eliminated is to be thrown over the top rope. In total, 30 wrestlers compete in this event, and the prize is a championship match at Wrestlemania in April. On Sunday, January 28, the 31st Royal Rumble will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Considering this is such a huge event, we're going through the history of the PPV to take a look at all the winners, from Royal Rumble I to Royal Rumble XXX. In addition, we'll also be mentioning some noteworthy moments from the event.
Royal Rumble (1988)
Winner: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
Eliminations: 3
Entering in at #13, crowd-favorite Jim Duggan ended up being the very first winner of the Royal Rumble. Unlike the vast majority of other Rumble matches, the 1988 event only had 20 participants.
Royal Rumble (1989)
Winner: Big John Studd
Eliminations: 2
Big John Studd entered the Rumble at #27, which is considered the luckiest number to enter the match, as four wrestlers--in total--have won at this placement.
Royal Rumble (1990)
Winner: Hulk Hogan
Eliminations: 6
Hulk Hogan won his first Rumble in 1990, entering the match at #25. Both he and Ultimate Warrior had six eliminations, the most for that year.
Royal Rumble (1991)
Winner: Hulk Hogan
Eliminations: 7
Hulkamania continued to run wild in 1991, with Hogan's second consecutive win. He entered the match at #24, and once again, Hogan claimed the top spot that year for most eliminations.
Royal Rumble (1992)
Winner: Ric Flair
Eliminations: 5
Woo! Ric Flair won his only Rumble win in 1992, entering the match at #3. He ended up staying in the ring for over 52 minutes during the battle.
Royal Rumble (1993)
Winner: Yokozuna
Eliminations: 7
The winner of the 1993 Royal Rumble, Yokozuna, entered the contest at lucky #27. Yokozuna had the most eliminations that year as well.
Royal Rumble (1994)
Winner(s): Lex Luger & Bret Hart
Luger Eliminations: 6
Hart Eliminations: 4
1994's Rumble was the only time two contestants won the match. Both Lex Luger, who entered in at #23, and Bret "The Hitman" Hart, who entered at #27, landed on the outside of the ring at the exact same time, making them both winners.
Royal Rumble (1995)
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Eliminations: 8
In a Royal Rumble first, Shawn Michaels entered the match at the #1 spot and made it all the way to the end. Even though he was the first man in the ring, the match lasted 38 minutes because this was the only Rumble where wrestlers came out in 60-second intervals, instead of the traditional 90.
Royal Rumble (1996)
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Eliminations: 8
Once again, the Heartbreak Kid got another Rumble win, but this time, he entered at #18. This Rumble was noteworthy for being the first appearance of wrestler Glenn Jacobs (as Isaac Yankem). He appeared in 1997's match as the Fake Diesel, and from 1999 on, he appeared as Kane. In total, Jacobs has been a part of 19 Royal Rumbles.
Royal Rumble (1997)
Winner: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Eliminations: 10
While the 1996 King of the Ring tournament introduced the world to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, his win at the 1997 Royal Rumble cemented his main event status for years to come. Austin entered the match at #5 and had a then record-setting 10 eliminations.
Royal Rumble (1998)
Winner: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Eliminations: 7
Steve Austin won the Rumble again in 1998. This time, he entered during the latter half of the event at #24. The most interesting fact about the 1998 event was that Mick Foley participated in the Rumble three different times, as Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love.
Royal Rumble (1999)
Winner: Vince McMahon
Eliminations: 1
In one of the weirdest moments in Royal Rumble history, Vince McMahon, the owner of WWE, won the 1999 Royal Rumble, entering at #2. He and Steve Austin spent the majority of the match fighting backstage, off camera. That year's match also marks the first time a woman participated in the event. Chyna entered as #30.
Royal Rumble (2000)
Winner: The Rock
Eliminations: 4
The Rock won the Royal Rumble, entering at #24. The match has a cringe-worthy moment when the members of Too Cool (Grand Master Sexay, Scotty 2 Hotty, and Rikishi) spent time during the match dancing in the ring. Luckily, it didn't last long as Rikishi tossed them both out of the ring. 2000's Royal Rumble is considered to be the best Rumble PPV to date.
Royal Rumble (2001)
Winner: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Eliminations: 3
2001 marked the year Steve Austin returned to the top, kicking off the year with a Royal Rumble win. Austin entered the match at #27, and this PPV is considered by many to be the second best Royal Rumble in WWE's history. Kane had a then record-setting 11 eliminations.
Royal Rumble (2002)
Winner: Triple H
Eliminations: 4
Triple H got himself his first Royal Rumble win in 2002, entering at #22. Interestingly enough, this Rumble marked the return of Mr. Perfect, who made it to the final four.
Royal Rumble (2003)
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Eliminations: 4
"The Beast," Brock Lesnar, picked up a Royal Rumble win in 2003, entering at #29. In order to get that spot in the Rumble, Lesnar had to beat the Big Show at the beginning of the PPV.
Royal Rumble (2004)
Winner: Chris Benoit
Eliminations: 6
For only the second time in history, a #1 entrant won the Royal Rumble: Chris Benoit. He lasted a then record-setting 1 hour and 1 minute in the ring.
Royal Rumble (2005)
Winner: Batista
Eliminations: 5
In 2005, Smackdown and Raw were split into different shows with brand-exclusive wrestlers. Much like the '94 Rumble, the two last contestants, Batista and John Cena, went out of the ring at the exact same time, in what some call a botched finish. The Raw referee said Batista won, and the Smackdown ref said Cena won. Vince McMahon came out to rectify the situation, tore his quadriceps muscle, and sat in the ring, while they restarted the match, in the weirdest moment in Rumble history. Batista ended up winning after the restart. He originally entered the match at #28.
Royal Rumble (2006)
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Eliminations: 6
In 2006, Rey Mysterio ended up winning the Rumble after entering the match at #2. Currently, he holds the record for longest time spent in the match with 1 hour and 2 minutes.
Royal Rumble (2007)
Winner: The Undertaker
Eliminations: 3
For as long as the Undertaker has been around, it's puzzling that he didn't win his first Rumble until 2007. Believe it or not, this is also the first time where a #30 entrant won the match.
Royal Rumble (2008)
Winner: John Cena
Eliminations: 4
For the second year in a row, the 30th entrant won the Royal Rumble. That man was John Cena. Many fans consider this single Rumble match to be one of the best.
Royal Rumble (2009)
Winner: Randy Orton
Eliminations: 3
In 2009, Randy Orton, who entered at #8, won the Rumble. In addition, Santino Marella set a record by spending the shortest amount of time in the match before being eliminated: 1 second.
Royal Rumble (2010)
Winner: Edge
Eliminations: 2
Edge ended up taking the victory at the 2010 Royal Rumble. He entered the match at #29 and only spent 7 minutes in the ring.
Royal Rumble (2011)
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Eliminations: 2
The 2011 Royal Rumble was the first and only Rumble to have 40 participants. Alberto Del Rio ended up winning after entering at #38.
Royal Rumble (2012)
Winner: Sheamus
Eliminations: 3
In 2012, Sheamus took home the win after entering at #22. It was rumored that he won because "insiders" were predicting that Chris Jericho was going to win, and WWE wanted to shake things up.
Royal Rumble (2013)
Winner: John Cena
Eliminations: 4
John Cena won his second Royal Rumble in 2013, after entering the match at #19. While both Ryback and Sheamus had five eliminations, the most for that year, it was Cody Rhodes who put on an unforgettable performance, which included eliminating his own brother, Goldust.
Royal Rumble (2014)
Winner: Batista
Eliminations: 4
In an unforgettable moment, Batista won the 2014 Royal Rumble, surprising everyone by entering in at #28. He had been absent from WWE since 2010. In addition, Roman Reigns eliminated 12 people during the match, which is the current record for most eliminations in a single Rumble.
Royal Rumble (2015)
Winner: Roman Reigns
Eliminations: 6
Roman Reigns took the spotlight in 2015, after entering in at #19 and winning the Rumble. In addition, Curtis Axel was supposed to enter at #6, but he was attacked before making it to the ring. After the Rumble, Axel claimed to be the real winner because he was never eliminated.
Royal Rumble (2016)
Winner: Triple H
Eliminations: 4
The 2016 Royal Rumble had extremely high stakes. The winner of the event would end up taking home the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H stunned the crowd by entering at #30 and winning the match.
Royal Rumble (2017)
Winner: Randy Orton
Eliminations: 1
Orton entered the main event as #23 and stands with Vince McMahon as having the fewest eliminations while winning: 1. This was the second time Orton won the Rumble, with his first win coming in 2009.
A lot of the science fiction that's appeared on TV over the years isn't exactly what sci-fi fans would call "hardcore," from goofy procedurals with light futuristic elements to animated comedies like Rick and Morty. Altered Carbon doesn't have that problem.
Netflix's latest original show throws so many far out sci-fi concepts at you in its first 30 minutes, let alone across the whole 10-episode season, that it's often hard to keep track of what's going on from one scene to the next. But for those who stick with it, Altered Carbon is an engrossing show with fascinating ideas that it sees through all the way to the end.
The core premise isn't too hard to grasp: Thanks to an invention called the "cortical stack," humans are effectively immortal. Your personality and memories--everything that makes you "you"--exists in your stack, which nests embedded in your spine. If your body (or "sleeve," as the show says) dies, you can be "re-sleeved," as long as your stack remains intact.
The show follows Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman), the last of a group of futuristic freedom fighters who gets woken up and re-sleeved 250 years after his arrest (no more jail--they just put your stack on a shelf for the duration of your sentence). Kovacs is tasked with solving the murder of one of society's elite, Laurens Bancroft (James Purefoy), a "Meth" (after Methusalah, a Biblical figure who allegedly lived to almost 1,000 years old). Bancroft's stack was destroyed in the killing, but thanks to his vast wealth and frequent backups he gets to keep on truckin', which (un)naturally adds yet more wrinkles to his murder case.
Altered Carbon is based on a book of the same name, written by Richard K. Morgan and published in 2002. It's equal parts Blade Runner and William Gibson--fully cyberpunk in every sense of the genre. It's a noir sci-fi/gumshoe thriller bursting with the trappings of both genres, from murdered prostitutes and holographic billboard ads to AIs who flit between the real world and some convoluted cyberspace (where they hold a regular poker game). Class differences (between the Meths and everyone else) are stark. We're far in the future here; space travel is routine, although besides flashbacks, the season is mostly contained to a single city.
This digital rabbit hole goes deep, and Altered Carbon's central mysteries are complex and enigmatic enough to keep the pace up through all 10 episodes. But what's most fantastic about this show is how fully it explores its central concept, the cortical stack. Imagine a society in which the richest people on the planet control a means of literal immortality, while the poor continue to scrape by, and the societal gap that would create. Now fill that gap with every conceivable depraved indulgence the 1% of the 1% might get up to if everyone's body was disposable and replaceable. That's exactly what Altered Carbon does.
Is murder still immoral if it's consensual, and the victim can be re-sleeved and back on the street corner within minutes? The police issue permits for spectacular deathmatches held in rich people's flying mansions, and husband-and-wife teams fight to the death as a party trick (the winner gets an upgraded sleeve).
Meanwhile, the poor make do; a little girl who gets hit by a car is re-sleeved into an old woman's body, because that's all that was available. Neo-Catholics treat re-sleeving facilities like abortion clinics, protesting in droves. Their stacks are specially coded so they can never be revived, frustrating detectives who've gotten used to "spinning up" most murder victims to simply ask who killed them. Criminals spin up your stack in virtual reality and torture you to death over and over until you give them what they want, while the most notorious create illegal copies of their own stacks so they can be in two (or more!) places at once.
This universe is as dense as they come. Altered Carbon isn't hardcore sci-fi because it's set on a spaceship or there are weird-looking aliens running around; it's because the show recognizes that revolutionary new technologies don't exist in a bubble. They alter the fabric of the world, like cars, air travel, the internet, and cell phones have.
Altered Carbon never shies from examining exactly how an invention like the cortical stack would change our reality, and this future society appears far different from our own. Yet in many ways, it's really exactly the same--which is more or less the prime directive of great science fiction.
When watching an average game of Dragon Ball FighterZ you might feel a bit overwhelmed trying to keep up with all the action. Though it features some of the most intense and over the top battles you'll find in a fighting game, the systems are surprisingly easy for newcomers to pick up. However, using the tools at your disposal effectively is another matter entirely. If you don't take the time to learn the fundamentals and understand the more nuanced mechanics, you'll quickly find yourself outmatched by some of the universe's most powerful fighters. Take it from Yamcha, you don't want to find yourself laying face-first in the ground, that embarrassment tends to follow you around.
GameSpot is here to offer up some beginner's tips on how to stay one step ahead of your foes, while also making sure you can be at the top of your game. It'll take a bit more than just sticking with the training and arcade modes to stay on the level of your opponents, but employing these tips will get you on the right path to becoming the Dragon Ball universe's greatest fighter.
For more of our thoughts on the game, which is set for its January 26 release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, be sure to check out our Dragon Ball FighterZ review. And if you're curious about what sort of easter-eggs and gags found their way into the game, check out our full write-ups and videos about all the things that await you in DBFZ.
The Fundamentals of FighterZ
Dragon Ball FighterZ features mechanics that are commonplace in most other fighters, but there's still much to learn about this fast-paced game. In similar style to Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, DBFZ is a 3 vs 3 fighting game where you can tag in teammates and call in assist attacks. The team that defeats all three of the opposing team's members wins. FighterZ keeps its action at an incredibly fast and fluid pace, resulting in some dramatic and exciting moments for its fighters.
Here's a quick rundown of all the key mechanics as controlled by PS4 and Xbox One controllers, as well as arcade sticks, respectively. These are skills you'll need to know and understand in order to get on the level of the game's toughest opponents.
Basic:
- Light attack (Square / X / 1): Quick attacks that deal small damage.
- Medium attack (Triangle / Y / 2): Harder hits that deal moderate damage.
- Heavy attack (Circle / B / 3): Slow attacks that deal heavy damage and can launch opponents into the air.
- Special attack (Cross / A / 4): Character-unique ranged or close-ranged attacks that deal swift damage.
- Assist 1 (L1 / LB / 5): Call in second teammate. Tap for assist move, hold to tag in.
- Assist 2 (L2 / LT / 6): Call in third teammate. Tap for assist move, hold to tag in.
Advanced
- Vanish (Triangle + Circle / Y + B / 2 + 3): Quick teleport maneuver that will bring your character behind the opponent for an unexpected attack from behind. Useful during mid-combo and for evading enemy super moves.
- Power Up (Cross + Square / A + X / 1 + 4): When you need to build up Ki, power up to charge up your meters.
- Super Rush (Cross + Circle or R2 / A + B or RT / 1 + 3): A homing rush down move that will propel your character over to the opponent. Can be activated in air on the ground.
- Dragon Rush (Square + Triangle or R1 / X + Y or RB / 1 + 2): A short-ranged pummel attack that will send the opponent flying.
- Reflect (Back + Cross / Back + A / Back + 4): Deflective maneuver that pushes back an enemy attack. Can parry common strikes, Ki blasts, and some super moves--but is useless against Dragon Rush and grab attacks.
Get Into The Training Mood
For newcomers and veterans alike, each fighter in the roster possesses a number of moves and skills that are easy to understand and simple to use; including a set of auto-combo moves. By consecutively pressing the light, medium, or heavy buttons, your fighter will chain together fast and hard-hitting combination attacks--some of which end with a super move. While these are useful in certain instances, sticking with them too closely can turn them into a crutch--thereby making you into predictable fighter.
Dragon Ball FighterZ offers many tools to allow you to dive deep into your favorite character's skill set to get an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses compared to other fighters. Mixing up your combo and super attacks will allow you to retain momentum and keep your enemy guessing. The Teleport technique, where you can instantly move behind enemies at the cost of one bar of your Ki meter, is very useful for setting up attacks and for otherwise avoiding enemy strikes. One quick and easy combo to work with is proceeding with an auto light series of attack, engage a teleport, continue with the attacks, and then call in a teammate's offensive assist to finish off the sequence.
Pull Out A Super Limit Break
Each character on the roster possesses unique moves and attacks that can deal quick damage in short bursts, or in long, dramatic attacks that deal catastrophic damage to the opponent(and even to the stage itself). For the most part, you can activate these supers and unique attacks by inputting the quarter-circle forward motion with your special attack button or both light and medium attack buttons. With that said, a number of moves in the average character's arsenal are situational, so it's best to take the time to learn what your fighter is capable of and how their supers can best be used.
Given the breakneck pace of the game, you may feel the need to bust out your big skills once you've got the Ki for it but it's best to to use them when appropriate. For instance, Android 16 possesses a grappler's moveset, requiring him to be in close-range. While he can be devastating up close, his moves won't be too effective when against a faster moving opponent with a ranged focus, so it's worth spending the time to get him in the ideal conditions before sacrificing resources for big moves. Be mindful of your character's moveset and feel out your moments to best use your moves.
Managing Your Ki
Ki is the lifeforce behind the fighters' most powerful skills. During battle, the Ki energy you build up can activate special moves and techniques that can change the flow of a fight. Once you've made gains, you can activate several super moves and techniques in a character's repertoire--most taking taking up to one bar of Ki, with others taking more. Building up Ki can be done in a number of different ways, which includes attacking your foes, dashing, blocking or receiving damage, and general movement in the air or on the ground.
Of course, if you want to gain bars of energy in a pinch, you can enter the famous DBZ power up phase by holding down the light and energy attack buttons. But as you probably expect, manually powering up will leave you vulnerable to attacks, which can be deadly when up against a challenging foe. While building up Ki is simple--and using up meter for skills is even moreso--in the heat of battle it's easy to lose track of your fighter's energy, possibly leading to some missteps when trying to activate moves without the required Ki. So always be mindful of your Ki usage and keep an eye on the meter.
The World's Strongest Team
With a solid roster of fighters spanning the history of the series, many fans will likely rush to their favorite characters to fill out their team of 3. While you can certainly get far with your chosen team, it's important to remember that certain character's skills and styles may compliment others more effectively. In order to succeed on higher difficulties or against skilled players online, team composition before a match is just as important as pulling off the right moves in a fight.
For instance, each character has a unique assist move when called upon, such as Adult Gohan's rising uppercut attack or Trunks' angled energy blast, which launches foes into the air. This can be especially useful for characters who have special attacks that can take advantage of airborne enemies. While certain characters have moves that work universally for all characters, such as Krillin's healing Senzu Bean assist, it's always best to think about how one character can compliment another in order to make a well-rounded and versatile team.
"We Gotta Power"
While you may have found a particular fighter that suits your style, it's best not to get too attached them. Given the fast-paced nature of the game, you may find yourself down a member before you know it when up against a skilled player. If you're getting the feeling that you've become outmatched or your character has sustained too much damage, swap them out for one of your reserve members instead of letting them get knocked out completely. Giving a character a break allows them to recover health from recent damage while on the sidelines.
It's also important to remember that your side-lined characters can still offer support via quick assist moves. By tapping either of the assist buttons, you can call in your respective members to throw in a quick attack or offer a support buff for your main fighter. This is especially useful when in mid-combo, or when you have an enemy pinned. But if you're feeling especially bold, you can call in an assist during a super attack, stacking damage from twin super attack. However, timing for the assists is always important. If you call them in at a time when you're vulnerable your opponent can land attacks on both your main fighter and assist character, causing damage to both of your fighters.
Rock The Dragon
In order to keep up with your opponent, sometimes you'll need to get up-close and personal. By pressing light and medium attack buttons together, your character will execute a short ranged dash attack known as the Dragon Rush. If you connect, your character will pull off a flurry of hits that will deal decent damage before launching them into the air.
While the Dragon Rush is a bit situational, requiring you to suss out a vulnerability in an opponent, it can be very useful when pulled off. Not only does it allow for an easy opening into airtime combat, but it also allows you to break through an opponent's guard. If you find yourself against a foe that's dug in deep, it's worth giving the Dragon Rush a shot to break them out of it. But be warned, if you and your opponent execute a Dragon Rush at the same time, both fighters will match their strikes--canceling out the move.
Sparking!
When things get tough, remember that you have a trump card at your disposal. By pressing light, medium, and heavy buttons together when the S icon under character's health is glowing you'll activate the Sparking Blast. In this special, powered up phase you'll receive an attack increase, recover health faster, get increased speed, and the ability to cancel out of most of your special moves by jumping or dodging--which can create fake-out opportunities against your enemies.
Interestingly enough, the Sparking Blast can be activated at the beginning of a fight. However, this would be a waste as it can only be activated once per fight. As your team loses members, the Sparking Blast becomes more potent. It's at its most effective when you're down to your team's last member, allowing the lone fighter the chance to turn the tide of battle.
Find The Dragon Balls, Look Out For Them All
As it goes with Dragon Ball, collecting the fabled treasure will grant a single wish to its user. This is absolutely the case in FighterZ, where both players compete to collect Dragon Balls by performing combos long enough to unlock a particular ball. Placed in a shared pool at the bottom of the screen, this creates a sort of meta-competition in the fight. The player with maximum Ki who collects the seventh and final dragon ball will summon Shenron upon finishing the last combo sequence.
When you summon the legendary dragon, you'll have five seconds to choose from four different wishes for your character. These options include reviving a downed character, granting maximum ki energy, restoring full health to your current character, or giving your character auto health-regeneration. While these choices may seem a bit simple, they can mean the difference between victory and death during an intense battle against a challenging opponent. Much of the focus will still be on the core combat--and seeing an actual summoning seldom happens in the common game--but the dragon balls are a game-changer, and can result in an amazing comeback for players skilled enough to collect them all the Dragon Balls.
Despite the countless Dragon Ball games that have appeared since the manga debuted in the mid-'80s, the series has never needed them to sustain its popularity. Most are forgettable, some are good, and even fewer are truly great. Thanks to developer Arc System Works' particular talents, Dragon Ball FighterZ is one of the great ones, if not the best yet. Even if you think Dragon Ball is old hat, and even if you're intimidated by fighting games, there's a good chance you'll be drawn into the explosive action and personalities that expertly evoke the anime's infectious spirit.
Arc's prowess for making 3D assets look like 2D cel animation is as strong as ever, and its artists display a clear understanding of Dragon Ball's characteristic details. The screen is constantly filled with saturated colors and special effects, and super attacks are framed in a way that pull you out of the fight and into a momentary state of awe. Whether still or in motion, FighterZ's art looks like Dragon Ball at its very best, adhering closely to the standards set by the series creator, Akira Toriyama. And no matter how you may have watched the show, the option to choose between Japanese and English voice acting makes it easy to feel connected to the events on-screen.
Within the convincing Dragon Ball shell lives a fast-paced 3v3 tag-team fighting game that will feel familiar to Marvel vs. Capcom 3 veterans. But despite a few familiar parallels, FighterZ is distinctly Dragon Ball. Characters can jet through the air in a flash at any time, toss energy blasts like it's nothing, and unleash a flurry of smaller punches and kicks to stagger a hesitant opponent. Every fighter emphatically shouts at the top of their lungs (in a good way) every few seconds while attacking, and you understand why: these super beings are incredibly powerful, and FighterZ translates that energy to the screen perfectly. It also makes it easy for anyone to tap into that power, with relatively short special attack lists and one-button or two-button activations for universal mechanics. Not that it's recommended, but you can theoretically play with one hand and capably close the distance to your opponent to kick their ass in style regardless of the character you choose--all without any directional inputs.
Like any great fighting game, FighterZ doesn't lose depth just because it's accessible. Super attacks and teleports are easy to pull off, but they come with timing and combo conditions that allow for expert-level analysis and strategic play. It's also important to properly manage the lone meter that fuels most of your special abilities, a setup that makes a fighter's next move more unpredictable than usual, compared to some games with multiple, ability-specific meters. With seven levels of charge that feed into both offensive and defensive moves, it's never exactly clear what someone will do next, but you know a full meter means trouble, and a potentially chaotic back and forth between two crack fighters.
It also means fun is just seconds away. Being that it's so simple to cover ground, participate in mechanical mind games, and look impressive while doing it, there's practically no barrier to enjoyment provided you are fighting with opponents of a similar skill level. When the balance of skill in your opponent's favor, with no means of escaping a combo once you're trapped, there are times when you have to accept fate and wait for them to finish their onslaught--or until your current character dies--again, not unlike MvC3. Thankfully, online matchmaking is set up to auto-match you with players of similar experience, and lopsided fights are (so far, based on the open beta) few and far between.
You also don't need to be an aspiring online competitor to enjoy FighterZ, as it includes a significant story mode that can last a dozen hours or more if you seek out every possible cutscene. While a bit drawn out in places and relatively easy until the conclusion, it's still a treat for Dragon Ball fans with plenty of new vignettes staring classic characters. Though the plot is split into three arcs, you are technically seeing one arc from different perspectives, with a few alternate events to keep things interesting.
The gist is that a bunch of clones of the planet's strongest fighters are running amok, Dragon Ball heroes and villains (some who have been resurrected from death) must work together to stop them, and a new character, Android 21, is somehow at the center of it all. Because there's practically zero time spent introducing you to characters or their world, it's difficult to imagine how a newcomer to Dragon Ball would understand things like the Ginyu Force's proclivity to pose dramatically or the reason why Krillin doesn't have a nose, let alone the broad concepts of Super Saiyans and Dragon Balls. Then again, the mix of oddball antics and hyper-serious face-offs is inherently appealing for the confident cartoon expression on display.
As in combat, Arc's capable design skills make the 3D models and environments in cutscenes look stunningly close to actual 2D animation. There are moments when it feels like you're watching a new episode of Dragon Ball Z. But there's a catch: you're forced to press a button to advance dialogue, rather than allowed to kick back and watch the show. When FighterZ gets achingly close to recreating the look of the anime, the forced interaction feels like a step in the wrong direction, albeit a minor one in the grand scheme of things. Generally speaking, story sequences often elicit a smile or a laugh, only occasionally feeling like filler made to advance the story. One of the most strange yet likable qualities is the way the game contextualizes you, the player: a spirit that has randomly inhabited Goku (or another character depending on the arc in question) and can be passed to other fighters. It's unexpected and weird, but you have to give Arc System Works credit for pulling you into the room as opposed to simply breaking the fourth wall.
FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans...
Story mode's only real downfall is how repetitive it becomes--you fight clones of only a portion of the game's overall roster ad nauseam. Each chapter is presented like a map with locations connected by a branching path. In order to get to the chapter boss, you have to navigate the board and pick and choose your fights along the way. Given that there are optional pathways in each chapter and that you can concoct your own team, it's not surprising to learn that there are optional cutscenes to unlock depending on these conditions. Despite the rewards being largely enjoyable, after a handful of hours fighting lackluster opponents, the idea of replaying story chapters to see a quirky character interaction is unfortunately one that's easy to sideline.
Similarly, the game's basic, small overworld feels unnecessary even though it attempts to add value. Modes are divided among spokes around a circular hub, and you can run around as small versions of the game's characters, sometimes in alternate outfits. While cute at first, you soon learn to just hit the quick menu button and avoid running around at all as there's no benefit other than visualizing visiting a different venue for each mode.
The game tries to incentivize you through unlockable avatars for the overworld, but even if this sounds good, you can only earn them through randomized loot boxes. You earn money as you fight and complete story mode milestones and these can be cashed in for a capsule which turns into a random cosmetic item, be it graphics for your fighter profile, the aforementioned avatars, or alternate color palettes for in-combat outfits. The premium currency in the game can be earned when you open a capsule to find a duplicate item. Spending premium currency will simply net you an item that you don't already own--not one of your choosing. Rather than harm the game, the system feels a bit unnecessary as none of the rewards are critical to enjoying what matters most: participating in explosive battles and enjoying interactions between Dragon Ball's lovably bizarre characters.
Though merely a small piece of the overall puzzle, the rare Dramatic Finishes are perhaps the most respectable and impressive nod to fans in FighterZ. Anyone who's spent years watching Dragon Ball Z unfold over nearly 300 episodes will gasp the first time they trigger one, which will only happen with certain matchups under particular conditions. They have nothing to do with FighterZ's story, but they have everything to do with the revered history of the series at large.
FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance. Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series' characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre.
Editor's note: This will remain a review in progress until we've had ample opportunity to test multiplayer on retail servers after launch.
PS4 had tons of triumphs in 2017, with platform exclusives like Persona 5 and Horizon Zero Dawn gaining critical acclaim and legions of fans. It looks like it's full steam ahead for Sony in 2018, with many more PlayStation 4 exclusives on the books. To get a look at some of the gameplay that's in store for the coming year, check out the video above.
As far as blockbuster releases, Spider-Man is set to be one of the biggest for the console in 2018. The game will be packed with lots of physics-defying action that promises to be a delight for fans of the series. God of War will be back, with this entry into the series taking Kratos to a land dominated by Nordic gods and monsters. Another epic title, PS2's Shadow of the Colossus, will get a remake on PlayStation 4.
Detroit: Become Human is coming this year, too. The new project from Heavy Rain developer Quantic Dream and director David Cage allows you to shape the outcome of the story based on your choices during calm and intense scenes. The game will explore the relationships between people and artificial intelligence in a world where robots look and sound exactly like humans. If you're in the mood for something straight up scary, instead, survival horror game Days Gone, about a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic world, is coming this year.
Call of Duty: WWII is top of the physical sales charts again in the UK, meaning it is now just one week away from equaling a series record. The World War II game has now reached 10 total weeks at the top of the charts, meaning one more top spot will bring it level with 2015's Black Ops III for most number of total weeks a Call of Duty title has spent at No.1 in the UK.
You can read the full top 10 sales chart below, courtesy of UKIE and GfK Chart-Track. Note this table does not include digital sales data, and so should not be considered representative of all UK game sales.
There's a line in Episode 4 of Telltale's Batman: The Enemy Within that serves as an evocative metaphor for the dynamic between Batman and Joker--or more aptly for the Telltale series, Bruce Wayne and John Doe: "We're two threads in the same stitch, bound together...even under strain." Across the previous three episodes, events have transpired to pull at the fabric of their relationship, and in Episode 4, the two threads begin to fray.
What Ails You is a standout episode with strong writing, compelling performances, and decision-making moments that feel like they have significant consequences. The star is John, the would be Joker, who finally unravels, going from the well-meaning if a bit unhinged friend to something much closer to the Clown Prince of Crime we're used to seeing terrorize Gotham City and Batman. However, since developer Telltale has been building towards this from the very start, the shift is the culmination of a slow descent into madness instead of a leap, and it's fascinating to watch.
It's not as simple as something within him snapping. Instead, this Joker has been forged by a maelstrom of emotions wearing him down. John has suffered internal conflicts between what he's destined to become and his desire to find true friendship; a destructive love for Harley Quinn and his reverence of Batman. And all of that comes through in the way he's written and performed in the episode. We get to see a vulnerable, misguided, lonely figure desperately trying to find something to anchor himself to--and whether Bruce and Batman are positive influences in that process is called into question.
As Harley, Bane, and Freeze make a play for a deadly virus that could have devastating implications, Bruce realizes that the key to stopping them is John. In fact, many of the series' most high-stakes events have involved Bruce relying on John for help, and the realities of this give-and-take relationship are laid bare. While many Batman stories have tried, very few have succeeded in making the audience feel sympathy for Joker, but Telltale actually pulls it off, and it's a testament to how well it has humanized this larger-than-life supervillain that he feels relateable. There are moments that make you think about the way you've used John in the past, and whether you've been genuinely treating him as a friend or as just a tool to achieve objectives.
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In the midst of the self-reflection the episode inspires, the game asks you to choose whether to put your faith in John once more. However, it does this after presenting the most damning evidence that he may have finally flipped, with just John's word luring you into thinking that things may not be as clear cut as they seem. It's a powerful moment that offers fans of Batman something few other mediums can: the opportunity to give Joker a chance. Given that the series' decision-making moments ultimately always reconnect to a predetermined narrative, the overall outcome is set. However, the type of person John emerges as is one that your actions--past and present--have helped define.
Episode 4 also muddies the relationship between Batman and Amanda Waller, whose unclear motives start to come into focus. As is typical of Waller, her actions become more dubious, and the consequences of them have fallout on those around her. While her cards aren't completely laid out on the table, her tells and bluffs start to become more transparent. By presenting her as someone who is both somewhat sketchy and under pressure to handle a situation spiraling out of control Telltale maintains an enigmatic air about her.
What Ails You also lays the groundwork for future drama, revealing how recent happenings have impacted Alfred, and the responsibility Bruce now has to face for his decision to take Tiffany Fox, the daughter of his close ally Lucius Fox, under his wing. And it breaks up all these with sequences where Bruce investigates clues to push the narrative forward, or the odd set-piece in which Batman trades blows with villains. Like previous episodes, there's a dearth of moments that challenge the mind or offer engaging gameplay, but in a narrative and characterisation-heavy episode, these sequences provide some respite from the high-pressure interactions with other characters.
Episode 4 of Telltale's Batman: The Enemy Within has top-notch writing, thoughtful depictions, and impactful decision-making moments. It leaves Bruce, Batman, and you to grapple with questions and uncertainty. Between the future of Joker, the nature of Amanda Waller, and the potential fallout of Bruce's mission on his allies, Telltale has set the stage for what could (better) be an explosive finale.
Two more days remain in the countdown to Overwatch's big cosmetics update. Today's reveal was all about epic skins, not for just one character, but five.
McCree, Reaper, Junk Rat, Symmetra, and Zenyatta are all in line for new loot box grabs. These skins aren't part of a larger set, but are individualized; skin names were not revealed. You can take a peek at all of them in the tweet below.
Only 2 more days until our cosmetics update arrives in Overwatch! Join us as we count down to their release with new item reveals every day.
McCree's forthcoming skin features a blue and gold overhaul with a prominent gold skull on his cape. Reaper's skin is taking a rather demonic turn with a bright red and orange themed hellion look. Junkrat's is just as explosive and flamboyant as you could expect it to be, featuring hazard lines on his peg leg and bombs. Symmetra's new look isn't too far off of her original design, but instead of white and light blue, she's sporting deeper jewel tones and black. Zenyatta's zen appeal is making a 360 with a black and lime green high-tech inspired skin.
Earlier this week, the Overwatch team revealed new illustrative emotes for every character, and legendary skins for Pharah, Lucio, and Hanzo. The countdown will continue with more reveals until the cosmetics update on January 23.
Join us as we check out the new remade Shadow of the Colossus coming to the Playstation 4 on February 6th, 2018.
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