By Jimmy Thang on Jan 27, 2018 12:00 am
Heighten your skill level with cutting edge gaming hardware and peripherals.
When it comes to online play, nothing gives you the competitive edge more than a combination of raw skill and practice. As the adage goes, "get good." But when you're faced with opponents equally skilled as you, having the right equipment can eliminate variables that may hold you back from performing your best. From high refresh rate monitors to pinpoint accurate mice, we've outlined all the gaming hardware and peripherals that will help give you that slight competitive advantage.
High/Variable Refresh Rate Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
When it comes into investing in a gaming monitor that will give you an edge, there are a lot of features to look out for. You'll want a panel that can produce a high, variable refresh rate. Most monitors features a 60Hz refresh rate, but for competitive play, you'll want something higher. For instance, having a monitor that scales up to 120Hz means that the screen can produce up to 120 frames per second; though you'll need a system powerful enough to render at that frame rate (more on that later). This will provide you with more frame granularity to pick your shots. The gaming monitor with the highest refresh rate we've seen is Alienware's 25-inch 240Hz AW2518H. You'll also want a monitor that offers a variable refresh rate. On AMD's side, there's FreeSync; on Nvidia's side, there's G-Sync. These display technologies allow your GPU to control your monitor's refresh rate, which allows you to get the quick response time of disabling V-Sync without the annoying screen tearing. Your gaming monitor should also feature a quick response time. We're talking four milliseconds or fewer. This ensures that there will be minimal delay between your inputs and on-screen actions. The last, and arguably most important, aspect that your competitive gaming monitor should have is an ultrawide aspect ratio. While most monitors feature a 16:9 aspect ratio, an ultrawide 21:9 screen could potentially provide you a wider field of view to display more of your surroundings at any given moment. For instance, in PUBG, it could allow you to spot enemies that might otherwise be outside your peripheral vision. Do keep in mind that not all games support 21:9, however. One good monitor option with many of these technologies is the 35-inch Asus ROG Strix XG35VQ. Not only does this 3440x1440p curved monitor feature a 21:9 aspect ratio, but it has a 100Hz panel and supports FreeSync. It also features a quick four millisecond response time.
To properly fuel a high refresh rate gaming monitor, you're going to need a powerful graphics card. On AMD's side, the best GPU is the RX Vega 64, which is fast enough to produce high framerates in most games at 1440p. AMD's GPUs also support a wide variety of features that help ensure smooth performance. Radeon Chill, for instance, is designed to save on GPU power consumption, but it can also reduce VRAM buffering, which can result in a more responsive gaming experience. In addition to supporting the FreeSync variable refresh rate standard, AMD graphics cards also support what the company calls Enhanced Sync, which skirts around V-Sync issues that cause random frame rate dips on non-FreeSync monitors. It does this by sampling frame rate at the GPU level. This means that even if you're using a 60Hz display without FreeSync, your keyboard and mouse are able to sample the latest frame rate data that your GPU provides. This can make the game feel more responsive. On Nvidia's side, the company employs Turbo Sync and uses Nvidia G-Sync as its variable refresh rate standard. G-Sync is the company's proprietary technology that's actually built into the monitor. G-Sync monitors typically cost more than their FreeSync counterparts as a result. Nvidia's fastest gaming GPU at the moment is the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, but the company's high-end GTX 1080 and GTX 1070 Ti are also great cards at pushing high frame rates. It's important to highlight that all modern gaming GPUs are really expensive right now due to the recent boom in cryptocurrency mining.
Fast, Multi-core CPU
The most important component of a gaming PC should be the GPU, but if your CPU isn't fast enough, it can bottleneck performance. We recommend at least a quad-core CPU, since many games are beginning to be optimized to utilize quad-core processors. For gaming, CPU speed also plays an important role in maintaining a high framerate. Going off PUBG's recommended system specifications, which is one of the more competitive games with steep system requirements, it suggests that you have at least an AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or Intel Core i5-7600K. These processors carry boost clock speeds of 3.6GHz and 4.2GHz, respectively.
Fast, Plentiful RAM
For gaming, we recommend having at least 8GB of RAM. For most people, 16GB is really the sweet spot as it provides some overhead in case you have multiple programs or tabs running in the background while you're gaming. When it comes to RAM for gaming, more isn't necessarily better; having a ton of RAM won't boost your gaming performance, but if you don't have enough of it, performance will suffer. In terms of RAM speed, you won't generally need more than 2666MHz, though some games like For Honor are optimized to take advantage of RAM speeds that hit 3200MHz. Beyond that for gaming, you won't notice much gains, however.
Gaming Mouse With Fast, Accurate Sensor And Necessary Buttons
While you can game with any freebie or cheap mouse, getting an ergonomically comfortable one with a fast, accurate sensor coupled with the necessary buttons that suit your particular playstyle can provide you superior control. If you're big into MMOs or MOBAs, a mouse like Razer's Naga Hex V2 with its 14 programmable buttons can be of great assistance when you want to quickly fire off abilities. If you're big into shooters, having a mouse like Logitech's G502 with its fast and accurate PMW3366 optical sensor can help you land the best shot possible. Any decent gaming mouse will have a DPI button to change sensitivity on the fly; the G502 allows you to scale from 200 to 12,000 DPI, for example. Features like these could allow you to more easily fine tune your shots when you're sniping.
Mousepad
Even though most modern mice will track on the surface of your table, high-end gaming mice are often tuned specifically to work with mousepads. There are a wide variety of mousepads that encompass hardtops vs cloth pads, but getting one that allows you to glide or provides more grip are the two main factors you'll want to consider when purchasing one. A mousepad that offers more grip will provide more control and allow you to be more precise, but a mousepad that prioritizes gliding will feel smoother and faster. Hard mousepads like SteelSeries' 4HD Professional Gaming Mouse Pad are tuned for sliding, whereas mousepads like the Ripper Gamer Mouse Pad offer more grip. What you choose should depend on your playstyle and what type of games you play.
Gaming Keyboard With Fast Switches And Macro Keys
If you're going to get a gaming keyboard, make sure it's mechanical. The tactile feedback mechanical switches provide ensures consistent keystrokes and mitigates second guessing whether or not you pressed a key. Innovations are also happening when it comes to mechanical switches. For instance, you can get Corsair's K95 RGB Platinum keyboard with Cherry MX Speed switches, which have a 1.2mm actuation distance, shorter than the more common 2mm in many other switches. While Speed switches feel a bit too sensitive to type on as a result, they offer quicker keystrokes. The K95 Platinum also features six programmable macro keys and an optional wrist rest, which could come in handy (pardon the pun) for long gaming sessions. An emerging tech to look out for involves the advent of optical switches, which use light to record input rather than a traditional mechanical solutions. While these switches largely still use the same mechanical parts as something you would see in a Cherry MX equivalent, namely components like the stem and spring, the send-and-receive signals to and from the keyboard theoretically feature a much faster response time. For gaming, you'll also want to consider a keyboard that features macro keys, which will allow you to program a string of button commands to a single key.
An Elite Controller
As great as the keyboard and mouse are, some competitive games are just better suited for a controller. A top notch one is Microsoft's Xbox Elite controller. It's made of high-end rubber material coupled with aluminum alloy components, but it also has a bevy of other useful features that help separate it from the competition. Overall, it provides a lot of customization options. The controller comes with a mixture of concave and convex sticks, which also include a pair of taller convex sticks. You can mix and match these as you please. The Elite controller also comes with an option to swap out the traditional D-pad with the included eight-way disc-like one that's tailor-made for pulling off sophisticated moves in fighting games. Whereas the bumpers on the original Xbox One controller required a lot of actuation force, the bumpers on the Xbox One Elite controller are much easier on the index fingers and feel much more tactile than its predecessor. The Elite controller also allows you to adjust the travel distance on the triggers, so they can actuate more quickly. You can also use Microsoft's software to tweak the dead zones on the control sticks so that they are tailored to your needs. Finally, there are four optional paddles on the back, which can be programmed to be whatever button you want them to be. This can come in handy when you're playing a game and don't want to lift your thumbs off the sticks to press a face button.
Quality Gaming Headphones
Different games incorporate varying implementations of positional audio, but a good gaming headset helps ensure that you won't miss important audio cues. While there are many gaming headsets that offer virtual 7.1 surround sound, games like Overwatch implement Dolby Atmos software for more accurate positional audio and suggests that you turn virtual surround off. As a result, an important thing to look for when purchasing gaming headphones is good stereo imaging, so that left and right audio drivers blend accurately with each other. HyperX's Cloud Revolver does this well and it also offers good sound isolation with its large over-the-ear design that lets you focus on the game. When you're purchasing headphones, it's also important to get one with a good mic so that you can communicate clearly and effectively with your teammates. Last, but certainly not least, you can't overlook ergonomics. Poorly-made headphones can be painful to wear after an hour or so. Again, the HyperX Cloud Revolver does a good job here with its flexible, self adjusting headband coupled with comfortable ear cups that let you play for long periods without much discomfort.
Computer Eyewear
Gaming glasses won't make you a better gamer, but computer eyewear like Gunnar glasses with their yellow tint can mitigate eye strain from the blue light that monitors give off. Considering practice makes perfect, computer eyewear can potentially come in handy if you're constantly cramming multi-hour long gaming sessions. If you don't feel like wearing glasses, you can get a similar effect by downloading a program like F.lux, which can limit your monitor's blue light by pushing more yellowish hues.
Fast, Wired Internet Connection
The last piece of the puzzle to ensure that you're playing with optimal performance is a speedy Internet connection to mitigate lag spikes. For serious competitive online play, you'll want a low ping rate so you can get a quick response time. We're talking 20 milliseconds of ping or less. Considering it's difficult to pay for service that offers a specific ping rate range, however, one guideline we recommend is to use a wired Ethernet connection on an internet subscription that offers at least 6Mbps down.
By Mat Elfring on Jan 26, 2018 11:30 pm
The Royal Rumble is just days away, coming to the WWE Network and PPV on Sunday, January 28. For the first time in the event's history, there will be a women's Royal Rumble match in addition to the men's one. Because of this, the card for this show looks a little light. However, both Rumble matches will likely take up a majority of the night. This year's event will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA with a start time of 7 PM ET/4 PM PT. A Kickoff show will presumably take place one to two hours prior--at the time of this writing, a Kickoff Show had not been announced. The evening will consist of six matches, including both the Universal and WWE Championship matches. So what matches are on the card and who do we think is going to win? Make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday for live coverage of the event. Note: The Enzo Amore/Cedric Alexander match for the Cruiserweight Championship was removed from the card because Amore was released from WWE after a sexual assault accusation.
Kalisto, Lince Dorado, & Gran Metalik vs. TJP, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, & Drew Gulak (KICKOFF SHOW)
Considering the Cruiserweight Championship match was removed from the card after Enzo Amore was released from WWE, there has been a hole in the PPV that needs to be filled with some 205 Live stars. This six-man tag match should be fast-paced and high-flying and a solid way to kick off the show. I'm giving the win to Team Drew Gulak simply because he's one of my favorites on 205 Live right now, and because this match has no stakes. Our prediction: Drew Gulak and company wins Secondary prediction: The WWE Universe is treated to an awesome Powerpoint presentation
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. The Revival (KICKOFF SHOW)
Raw 25 had a really weird moment where the Good Brothers teamed up with DX to squash The Revival. This completely lowered the stock of Revival and made them look weak. As much as I hated that moment, the Royal Rumble will be a great time to give Dash and Dawson a big push and put them back on the right track. Our prediction: The Revival wins
Bobby Roode's United States Open Challenge (KICKOFF SHOW)
After Dolph Ziggler vacated the US title, Bobby Roode came out on top after a tournament on Smackdown, and now, he'll be having an open challenge to anyone on Smackdown's roster. Since former champion Ziggler has been absent from television, I'm thinking he's going to reappear at the Rumble and beat Roode again. Whether or not he vacates the title again or not is the real question. Our prediction: Dolph Ziggler wins
The Usos (c) vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin (2-out-of-3-falls match)
(For the Smackdown Tag Team Championships) Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin really want to #FreeTheTagTitles after a controversial call by a referee last month during their match against the Usos. They'll get their chance at a rematch during the Rumble in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, which will undoubtedly end with a 2-1 score. I'm throwing the win to The Usos. They've done well as the tag team champs, and I don't think their reign is over yet. Our prediction: The Usos win after some "Twin Magic"
Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan (c) vs. The Bar
(For the Raw Tag Team Championships) The pairing of Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan--Kurt Angle's whiny, entitled son--is bizarre and kind of wonderful. The fact that they are tag champs is a tad dumbfounding, but it works. The Bar will get a shot to get reclaim the Raw Tag titles, but I think their title reign is over for now. Rollins and Jordan have been fun, and they're not going anywhere. I may be getting ahead of myself, but Rollins and Jordan may be placeholders for a while until some NXT call-ups like Authors of Pain or Sanity make their way to the roster and destroy the Monday night show's tag division. Our prediction: Rollins and Jordan win
Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane
(For the Universal Championship) Raw's big title match is a bummer, as it seems more than likely it's all just a setup for Lesnar to continue his dominance over the locker room. As much as I love everything that's going on with Braun Strowman, a match with him against the Royal Rumble match winner doesn't seem like the best draw for Wrestlemania. Lesnar is that draw, and hopefully, he'll finally drop the title at the big show in April. Our prediction: Lesnar wins
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (2-on-1 Handicap Match)
(For the WWE Championship) The storyline involving AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Shane McMahon, and Daniel Bryan has been nothing short of phenomenal--pun intended. As fantastic as the booking is for this match--where if Owens or Zayn win they become co-champions--I don't think WWE will pull the trigger on having two champions leading into Wrestlemania. As much as I want that duo to win, I'm giving the win to Styles. Our prediction: Styles wins
Women's Royal Rumble
2018 is a landmark year for WWE, as it is the first time there will be a women's Royal Rumble match. We asked the wrestling fans at GameSpot who they think will win the match, and here are their answers. Check out all the confirmed entrants for the Royal Rumble here.
Ronda Rousey
Prediction by Greg Thomas Rousey will likely make an appearance at the Rumble this Sunday. As every minute passes, betting odds are running towards a surprise Rousey upset. The WWE seems to want Rousey as the Brock Lensar in the woman ranks, and this would be an interesting scenario with Asuka as the clear favorite for the women's Rumble. Hell, you can argue that Asuka is the best wrestler in the company today, period. Hear me out, I predict everyone will team up to throw Asuka out of the Rumble early, then Rousey comes in as the final entrant and win. Look into your hearts friends, Rousey is going to be thrown into main events sooner than we think.
Asuka
Prediction by Chris Hayner Nobody is ready for Asuka, not even the 29 other women that will participate in the Royal Rumble. WWE should add a Rumble win to her undefeated streak and keep the most exciting female wrestler going full-steam ahead to winning her first Women's Championship at WrestleMania.
Nikki Cross
Prediction by Mat Elfring While my pick for the men's Rumble--which you'll see a little later--is incredibly safe and ultimately, regrettable, I'm going out on a limb for the women's Rumble and picking Sanity member and NXT star Nikki Cross. Yes, Asuka is favored to win, as well as insanely tough and undefeated in singles competition, but we all know from past Rumble matches that the bigger and tougher you are, the bigger the target you'll have on your back. Cross will come in under the radar and ultimately win as she won't hold back because she teeters on insanity.
Men's Royal Rumble
Don't expect too many big surprises in the men's Royal Rumble match this year (even though we have a few we'd like to see). The men's roster is pretty deep, since this match combines both Raw and Smackdown talent. Here are who GameSpot's wrestling fans think is going to win the Rumble. Check out all the confirmed entrants for the Royal Rumble here.
Brock Lesnar
Prediction by Greg Thomas This is a stretch, and to be very clear, I hope this doesn't happen. Yet, I can't help but wonder what crazy ideas are running through Vince McMahon's mind as we approach the massive PPV. I believe Lesnar will be in the main event at WrestleMania 34 regardless of the outcome on Sunday night, but there's a slight chance he could drop the title to Braun Strowman without getting pinned. Strowman could pin Kane, and a pissed-off Lesnar could run into the Rumble at the last minute to win it.
Shinsuke Nakamura
Prediction by Chris Hayner Roman Reigns going to WrestleMania to fight for the Universal Championship seems practically guaranteed at this point, whether fans want it or not. He doesn't need the Rumble win, but Shinsuke Nakamura sure does. A win would legitimize him as a main event player in WWE, and sending him to WrestleMania to challenge AJ Styles for the WWE Championship would be perfection.
Roman Reigns
Prediction by Mat Elfring It pains me to write this, as I'd much rather see pretty much anyone else win the Rumble over Roman Reigns. However, it's hard not to think Reigns will get the win, especially after losing the Intercontinental Championship to The Miz on Raw 25. Furthermore, there are a ton of rumors flying around that the main event will be Reigns/Lesnar at this year's Wrestlemania. As much as I'd love to see newer talent get a push, everything is pointing to Reigns for me. I'm sorry. I don't like it either. Let us know who you think is going to win at the Rumble in the comment section below!
By Justin Haywald on Jan 26, 2018 11:26 pm
Monster Hunter World may be the most approachable entry in Capcom's long-running franchise yet, but it can still be a difficult game to get used to for the uninitiated. Whether you're a returning adventurer who wants a quick recap of how to jump in, or a beginner who wants to know how to get started, this guide will help you prepare for Monster Hunter World's opening hours. And if you want learn even about what the game has in store, we're currently exploring everything you can do in the endgame, collecting all of the Monster Hunter armor sets we can find, and testing out strategies with each of the game's 14 weapons. Check out this link for all of our most important Monster Hunter content, including our Monster Hunter World review. Monster Hunter World will have a day one patch at launch as a requirement for accessing online content, but Capcom plans on delivering several other updates throughout the year. So far, the PS4-exclusive Horizon: Zero Dawn crossover armor has been confirmed, as well as a Mega Man outfit for your Palico. And coming this spring will be a free content update that introduces a new fearsome monster to hunt, so once you master the basics, there'll be a lot more game to explore.
Find the right weapon
Unlike other games, you're not stuck in a specific class that dictates your playstyle in Monster Hunt World. Instead there's an assortment of 14 weapons that let you choose how to approach your hunt. Every weapon is a viable option, although some are much easier for beginners than others. Whether or not this is your first game, it's a good idea to spend time in the game's training room to gain familiarity with the full range of weapons and see which one you like most. For your first adventure, the best choices are either the sword and shield or the dual blades. Both weapons provide the best trade-off between attack speed and recovery. They may not deal crazy damage, but they're the most forgiving when getting used to the controls and monsters you'll be fighting. The next level up includes the great sword, long sword, and hammer. Slower, but more powerful weapons, the combos for those weapons are still easy to learn, but if you miss an attack, you're left vulnerable for much longer than the starting blades. But the only way to really understand the different weapons is to try them. And keep in mind that if you go into a zone with the wrong equipment, you can always head to your tent at the campsite to swap it out for something more appropriate.
Find some friends to adventure with
Monster Hunter World is tuned for both single- and multiplayer action, but if you're new to the series, playing with friends is the best way to experience everything offered. Even if you don't have a pre-arranged group of buddies who are already in the game, be sure to take advantage of the online matchmaking system: the options let you specify what type and rank of hunters you want to group up with so you can be sure to find the right dynamic for your particular skill level. And if you do decide to go it alone, don't be afraid to take advantage of the SOS flares. In this version of Monster Hunter, you're able to call for help at a moment's notice when the situation gets dire.
Get ready before the hunt
While you have access to your inventory--and even the canteen--after accepting a mission, you shouldn't waste time preparing after you've already set out. Instead, take care of these three mission prep steps before you start a hunt: Eat: Make sure to get a good meal with a focus on whatever stat you think will help you get through the next fight. If it's a strong monster and your armor's so-so, get a defense boost. If they use a lot of elemental attacks, get an elemental boost. And if you're confident and you want to try to knock out your enemy as quickly as possible, opt for the attack boost. Empty your personal storage: Do you have leftover items from your last quest? Get them out of your pockets and into your inventory box! Stock up: Get the items you'll need for your next quest. Early on, you should be good with some potions, herbs (to make more potions), antidotes, nulberries, and honey. That list will expand as your hunter rank goes up, but it's important to establish a beginning setup that covers the major contingencies.
But where do you get all those preparatory items...?
Grab everything
When you're out in the field, if you see something shiny, just grab it. Bugs, plants, mushrooms--eventually you'll learn what each item is, and maybe you'll ignore the stuff you use less of, but it's good to get in the habit of stocking up and staying at capacity. If you're on a quest that you know will be easy, feel free to leave things like Nulberries and Herbs back in your camp inventory so you can collect more out in the field. And if ever run low on supplies, you can scope out specific items by looking at the gathering locations on your map. Eventually, you'll unlock the ability to farm multiple items from one of researchers in Astera. You'll have to complete quests to stock that mini-supply, but that leads to the next point...
Regularly check-in with Astera's NPCs
The game doesn't always make this explicit, but after every hunt you'll want to run a social circuit around Astera. Visit the old man in the Ecological Research Center to update your Monster Field Guide--you'll get prompted to do this on the results screen after a successful hunt if you've found enough new information. Check in with the Resource Center to turn in any completed bounties and to register new ones. These are the main way you obtain Armor Spheres, which are necessary for keeping raising the effectiveness of your older armor. Collect your harvest from the Botanical Research Center before it gets full. And if you don't have anything specific you want to cultivate, go with Honey. You'll always need mega potions. And check in every so often with the Tailraider Safari, once you unlock it (you can access this from your room back in Astera).
Collect wildlife
A Monster Hunter's life may mostly be about felling impossibly large beasts, but that net in your inventory lets you capture the smaller denizens of the world. If you're not sure if you can catch it, just try! The smaller creatures you catch with your net will be made available as pets back in your room.
The wishlist is a great way to keep track of what you need to collect
Hunting down monsters so you can make some sweet pants is the primary driver in Monster Hunter, so be sure to take advantage of the wishlist feature. The wishlist will break down exactly what materials you need and even help you find what you're looking for. You'll get handy notifications when you've found the material for a piece of gear you're tracking, which saves you the trouble of checking in at the smith every time you return from a hunt.
Search for more campsites
With each area in the game, you start with one camp, and through the story you'll get access to a second. However, there are a total of four in each area and it's up to you to find the rest. You can search yourself or you can just join a quest with another player who already found one to save a little time. After that, you'll get a special delivery you need to complete, and then the camp is yours.
Make sure to do the Optional Quests and Investigations
While you might be inclined to get through the main story quests as quickly as possible (and that's the fastest path to getting the best armor and weapons), you don't want to ignore the other items on your quest list. Optional Quests have the potential to unlock powerful upgrades, and they're also the way that you'll expand your cantina. If you want to make sure to get the most benefit from your pre-hunt meals, you'll need to complete the chef's gathering quests. And unlike Bounties, the Resource Center's investigations aren't completed automatically when you meet those requirements on a hunt. Investigation quests are a separate category, and completing them nets you bonus rewards on the hunt. When you need "just one more" monster part, investigations are the best way to try and farm rarer crafting components.
Don't forget to upgrade your Palico
Your Palico is your constant companion on the hunt, but don't forget that they have their own armor to upgrade as well! The system is a bit simpler, but whenever you're crafting new armor for yourself, check and see if there's anything better for the little guy as well.
Use the environment
If you keep facing a monster head-on and failing, take a step back and look for some environmental help. When looking at your map, scroll over to the "Traps/Environmental" section to find things like Vine Traps, which can incapacitate your prey, as well as plants that can inflict poison and stun. Taking advantage of what's already available on the map can make taking down even seemingly unbeatable foes a little more manageable.
Don't give up!
Monster Hunter can be a challenging game, but it's an experience that rewards you the more you put into it. If a hunt fails, don't look at it as wasted time, but think about what you learned about that monster's patterns. And if all else fails, upgrade your armor. Going back to finish lower tier sets (or pouring a few armor upgrade orbs into your current equipment), can give you just the defensive boost you need to take on your next quest. If it feels like you're doing everything right, but you're still taking a beating, boosting your defense might be all you need! And if you really need a break, search for the Poogie in your camp and give him a pet. There's no better stress relief than petting your new best piggie friend.
By Michael Rougeau on Jan 26, 2018 09:30 pm
Love and violence.
Netflix has another hit on its hands with The End of the F***ing World. Originally released on the UK's Channel 4 and based on a graphic novel series by Charles S. Forsman, End of the F***ing World debuted internationally exclusively on Netflix this month. The show follows James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), a pair of troubled teenagers who run away together to escape their miserable home lives. But there's one thing Alyssa doesn't know: James, who's apparently a psychopath at 17, is planning to murder her. If that sounds dark, well, yeah. Here are seven other things you should know before you dive in.
7. It's violent
This show isn't for the faint of heart. James has violent fantasies of which the audience gets frequent glimpses. It goes beyond hallucinations of blood pooling on the floor and a hand gripping a bloody knife, too. S*** definitely gets real in this show.
6. There's animal torture
Many people these days have become desensitized to violence in movies and TV, but that doesn't always extend to violence against animals. One of the reasons James knows he's a psychopath is he has a nasty habit of torturing small animals, including cats, in the woods. The show doesn't get too graphic with that, but it's enough to make some animal lovers uncomfortable.
5. There are some very dark scenes
Even beyond the violence against people and animals, The End of the F***ing World goes to some dark places. Specifically, there's one scene of sexual violence that many viewers are likely to find disturbing.
4. These characters are deeply troubled
This may go without saying, but James and Alyssa are not healthy, well-adjusted teenagers. We're used to seeing troubled teens in movies and on TV, but usually not to this degree. Watching two young people systematically ruin their lives over eight twisted and darkly hilarious episodes is like to make you squirm.
3. A dog dies
There's a subset of viewers who will have the most trouble with a late-season scene in which a dog dies. It doesn't happen in the way you'd think, if you've been clicking through this list, but it's one of the saddest things we've seen on TV so far this year.
2. It will make you want to blame your parents for everything wrong in your life
One thing that becomes clearer and clearer as The End of the F***ing World builds toward its finale is how deeply these characters were affected by their parents. James's mom isn't around (for reasons that would be a spoiler to explain) and his dad is kind of a buffoon, while Alyssa's stepdad is a borderline abusive dickhead. No matter how you feel about these two, the show will have you wondering how many of your own problems you can actually blame on your parents.
1. It doesn't turn out the way you think
Whether you're expecting James and Alyssa to go out in a blaze of glory, or for the two to somehow find happiness, The End of the F***ing World won't end the way you expect. Charles Forsman, the author of the original comics, told Vulture that "the people at the top are still talking" about the possibility of a second season, so suffice to say the sordid story of runaways James and Alyssa might not end here.
By Chris Pereira on Jan 26, 2018 04:47 pm
Thanks to a variety of factors, Monster Hunter World is likely to be many people's first experience with the franchise. New gear is desirable in any RPG, but it's especially important in Monster Hunter, where your progression is tied not to experience points, but the new armor and weapons you're able to acquire and craft. Much of that gear is unattainable until you've sunk a significant number of hours into the game, honing your skills, taking down challenging enemies, and amassing the necessary resources for crafting. To give you an idea of what kind of armor sets you'll be able to use once you've progressed far enough in the game, we've compiled the gallery above. You'll find images of high-end armor for both your own character (if you're playing a male, as we were), as well as gear for your Palico companion. Monster Hunter World releases on January 26 for Xbox One and PS4, with a PC release to come later in the year. That's notable, as recent entries were limited to 3DS. The additional horsepower has allowed for a game with much larger, more beautiful environments to play in. It also does a better job of introducing newcomers to the flow of playing a Monster Hunter game. You can read more about what to expect in our Monster Hunter World review. Those playing on PS4 will be able to get their hands on some exclusive gear based on Horizon: Zero Dawn. We also know that new Mega Man-themed items are on the way, and if past games are any indications, that won't be the last crossover content that Capcom releases.
By Chris Pereira on Jan 26, 2018 04:32 pm
Overwatch's big new cosmetic update has launched on all platforms. That means there's a ton of new skins and items to get your hands on--and no time limit rushing you to get them all right away. These new cosmetics work differently than those we typically see added as part of an event with a limited-time loot box. This update adds more than 100 new items to the base loot box. In other words, these can all be unlocked at any time by playing, or you can purchase them directly through the Hero Gallery with Credits. Among the new items are 17 new skins: 12 Legendaries, and five Epics. Some of these were revealed in the lead up to the update's release, but now we've gotten a look at them all--you can check them out in the gallery above, along with all the new sprays. The update also introduces new player icons, emotes, highlight intros, and more, spanning all 26 characters in the game. Just be aware that these may be harder to get from a loot box than the typical event-specific items. Aside from the cosmetic side of things, the new update introduces a new map called Blizzard World. This is an amusement park based on Blizzard's other, non-Overwatch franchises, such as Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft. It's a hybrid map where teams fight to push or defend a payload through the park. On a related note, some of the new skins are actually based on characters from other franchises, such as Zarya's Barbarian outfit based on Diablo III and Widowmaker's Nova from StarCraft II. The free cosmetic update is out now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. A new Overwatch hero is currently in testing, though we don't know how soon it will be released. Blizzard also has plans for a Lunar New Year event and will bring back the Uprising and Anniversary events in the coming months.
Blackhand Doomfist
Black Cat D.Va
Kabuki Hanzo
Caution Junkrat
Capoeira Lúcio
Royal McCree
Ecopoint: Antarctica Mei
Immortal Orisa
Asp Pharah
Hellfire Reaper
Crusader Reinhardt
Butcher Roadhog
Peacock Symmetra
Carbon Fiber Zenyatta
Magni Torbjörn
Nova Widowmaker
Barbarian Zarya
By Peter Brown on Jan 26, 2018 06:12 am
Come To Switch!
Nearly a year after the Switch's release, we've received a handful of ports for some of Nintendo's best Wii U games, like Mario Kart 8, Pokken Tournament, and Lego City Undercover. And with the recent confirmation of Bayonetta 1 + 2, Hyrule Warriors, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on the console, the ports keep coming. But all of this has got us thinking about what other Wii U games we want to see make a comeback----especially those of us who never owned a Wii U. After all, it would be a shame for past big-name exclusives like Xenoblade Chronicles X and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker to remain landlocked on a system Nintendo is quickly phasing out. Not to mention that Switch also makes for a wonderful multiplayer console, even on the go. The thought of playing Super Mario 3D World or Super Smash Bros. at the drop of a hat is a reality we would love to be a part of; one we hope Nintendo is planning to make possible. Considering Nintendo only has control over its own properties, we narrowed down the list of Wii U games we want to see on Switch to first-party published games only. But you never know: Nintendo has a lot of sway at the moment with the success of Switch, and a publisher or studio need only look at Switch sales numbers . If you had the chance to pitch any Wii U game to Nintendo for a Switch revival, what would you choose? Take a look at our picks, and let us know your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.
The Wonderful 101
"With The Wonderful 101, game director Hideki Kamiya has made a game featuring a stumpy posse of cartoon heroes, with the stylish combo strings of Bayonetta, and the bouncy, vibrant style of Viewtiful Joe. This is an ambitious, funny, and inventive game that's keen to impress but slightly scrappy in its presentation, packed with ideas but is slightly confused about how to express all its abundant creativity. This might not be the Wii U's killer app, but it's a much-needed shot in the arm." - Martin Gaston, 8/10 Read: GameSpot's review of The Wonderful 101 for Wii U
Star Fox Zero
"By the end of my first playthrough, I was eager to go back and retry old levels, in part because I wanted to put my newfound skills to the test, but also because Zero's campaign features branching paths that lead to new locations. Identifying how to open these alternate paths requires keen awareness of your surroundings during certain levels, which becomes easier to manage after you come to grips with Zero's controls. My second run was more enjoyable than the first, and solidified my appreciation for the game. While I don't like the new control scheme, it's a small price to pay to hop into the seat of an Arwing. Though I feel like I've seen most of this adventure before, Zero is a good-looking homage with some new locations to find and challenges to overcome. It doesn't supplant Star Fox 64, but it does its legacy justice." - Peter Brown, 7/10 Read: GameSpot's review of Star Fox Zero for Wii U
Super Mario Maker
"The first time I discovered that not only could I make a giant, flame-spewing piranha plant, but I could also make it fly, I cackled with horrible glee at the possibilities. And for the first time in a creation-focused experience, I look forward to returning again and again for more than just the amazing levels I know other people will create. I want to keep making my own levels better. The game won't necessarily turn you into the next Shigeru Miyamoto, but you can almost feel a little bit of that magic rubbing off every time you upload a new creation." - Justin Haywald, 9/10 Read: GameSpot's review of Super Mario Maker for Wii U
Super Mario 3D World
"Sure, co-op play is hardly a game changer, but when so much of 3D World is so successfully built upon a bevy of brilliant ideas, this can be forgiven. Everything that you can see and do within its enchanting levels is so bright, colourful, and full of wonder that it's impossible not to be taken in by its charms. Mario has always had that uncanny ability to cross the boundaries of age and gender, to bring a smile to the face of every player who crosses his path. Super Mario 3D World is no different. This is a dazzlingly inventive game that brings the fun in spades, and will leave you grinning like a loon from start to finish." - Mark Walton, 9/10 Read: GameSpot's review of Super Mario 3D World for Wii U
Super Smash Bros.
"Between the Masterpiece Collections, which are short demos of the classic games that inspired Smash Bros., the many fighters and stages, the deep character customization for fine-tuning your fighters to suit your play style, and the extensive screenshot editing tools, there's just so much to do. With the Wii U release, Smash Bros. has fully realized its goals. There's something here for nearly everyone--from young to old, from novice to expert--presented almost without compromise. Super Smash Bros. Wii U invites everyone to join in its undiluted, joyous celebration of the broad community that Nintendo has built over the past forty years." - Daniel Starkey, 9/10 Read: GameSpot's review of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Pikmin 3
"Pikmin 3 doesn't offer much growth from previous games in the series, and actually takes a step backward in some areas. But there's no shame in falling just short of the classic offerings that came before it. Scouring the environment for all of the hidden goodies is eminently enjoyable because of the clever problem solving you have to employ, and the competitive mode should test the strength of any friendship. There's nothing quite like Pikmin out there, and its delightful combination of survival strategy and unflinching cuteness should entertain you throughout this lengthy adventure." - Tom Mc Shea, 8/10 Read: GameSpot's review of Pikmin 3 for Wii U
Xenoblade Chronicles X
"Mira and its inhabitants are awe-inspiring, and experiencing everything X has to offer is a monumental and rewarding task. It makes the journey consistently interesting by giving you intricate control over your characters' abilities and gear, and by offering a wealth of new toys to play with as time goes on. You will roll your eyes at characters, and bemoan the unnecessary story padding, but these frustrations are quickly forgotten when you head into the wilderness in search of unexplored territory and unforeseen challenges. X is a grand adventure that satiates your appetite for exploration and combat in ways that few games ever do, but because getting started is half the battle, it's an experience reserved for dedicated players who have the patience and energy to unearth its greatest treasures." - Peter Brown, 8/10 Read: GameSpot's review of Xenoblade Chronicles X for Wii U
The Legend of Zelda HD Collection (Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD)
Wind Waker: "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is a loving restoration of a bold and beautiful adventure, with Nintendo shifting some elements of the original game's aesthetic, and streamlining the pace where it had occasionally sagged. The Wind Waker is a game about a young hero saving the world from the past actions of old men, but its HD update reaffirms that Nintendo's most colorful Zelda game remains timeless." - Martin Gaston, 8/10 Read: GameSpot's review of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD for Wii U Twilight Princess: "Twilight Princess HD is unmistakably a product of its time; one that was cursed from birth with a warped identity. Crafted during anxious times for Nintendo, developed for two consoles simultaneously, this was the GameCube's last hurrah, a Wii launch title, and a defining test for motion controls (which have been stripped out). Perhaps now, ten years later, it can finally be remembered how it ought to be; the dark and violent showpiece of a treasured series." - Rob Crossley, 9/10 Read: GameSpot's review of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD for Wii U
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #Fe is gorgeous, fun, and a smart collaboration all around. Backtracking through dungeons and running up against tedious bosses can bring the momentum down, but overall the game is something worth exploring. After a few dozen hours the semi-ludicrous story and systems set in front of you feel so comfortable together that this mashup of developer Atlus' most popular franchise and Intelligent Systems' beloved strategy RPG seems like it was destined to be." - Alexa Ray Corriea, 8/10 Read: GameSpot review of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE for Wii U
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
"From goombas in swim rings that flap their little feet underwater, to the tiny birds that land on Toad's head when he's idly wasting time, Treasure Tracker has a lighthearted and lovable presentation. It has the right mix of atmosphere and challenging puzzles to keep you engaged, and it's a great experiment within the larger Mario universe. It may have started out as a minigame, but with its original take on the Toad character and a large number of enjoyably tricky puzzles, it's great to see it in the spotlight it so truly deserves." - Peter Brown, 8/10 Read: GameSpot's review of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker for Wii U
By Kallie Plagge on Jan 26, 2018 03:45 am
Next Time On Dragon Ball Z
For Dragon Ball fans, there's a lot to get excited about in Dragon Ball FighterZ. Arc System Works' 2.5D fighter both captures the spirit of the series as well as actual scenes from Dragon Ball Z and more--provided you get the matchups and settings just right. If you're hoping to relive the first time Gohan goes Super Saiyan 2 or when Goku kills Kid Buu for good, we've got you covered. Dragon Ball FighterZ includes "Dramatic Scenes" taken from the anime if certain conditions are met. Dramatic Intros play when you and your opponent lead with the correct characters on the appropriate stage, while triggering Dramatic Finishes is a bit more complicated and requires you to end the match with a neutral heavy attack. Click ahead to see what iconic battles you can recreate in-game, how to unlock them, and more references. (Spoilers for Dragon Ball Z, Battle of the Gods, and Dragon Ball Super follow.) Dragon Ball FighterZ releases for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on January 26. You can watch the Dramatic cutscenes in action in our game vs. anime comparison. For more on what to expect, see our Dragon Ball FighterZ review in progress, and be sure to check out our roundup of important details, guides, and gameplay for everything else you need to know.
Teen Gohan vs. Cell
With Teen Gohan against Cell, you can get both a Dramatic Intro and Finish. Android 16 can't be on either team. Lead with Teen Gohan and Cell on the Cell Games Arena; before the match Android 16's head will speak to Gohan, just like the scene in Dragon Ball Z (when Gohan goes SSJ2 for the first time). For the Finish, Goku can't be on either team. Land the KO on Cell as Gohan to watch Gohan make his dad proud.
Goku vs. Frieza
This is another matchup that will get you both a Dramatic Intro and Finish. Krillin can't be on either team. Lead with Goku and Frieza on Planet Namek to see Frieza kill Krillin before the fight. While fighting, make sure Frieza is the last character on the opponent's team, then KO him with a neutral heavy attack as Goku. (Note that the stage must be destroyed.) Just like in Dragon Ball Z, Goku will take Frieza out with his one-handed Kamehameha.
Nappa vs. Yamcha
Land the KO (using a neutral heavy attack) on Yamcha as Nappa on the Rocky Field stage to trigger this Dramatic Finish, in which a Saibaman kills Yamcha. RIP.
Yamcha vs. Nappa
If you instead KO Nappa as Yamcha on the Rocky Field stage, you'll get to see Yamcha get his (definitely not canon) revenge.
Krillin vs. Nappa
To watch Krillin kill the Saibamen in this Dramatic Intro, lead with Krillin against Nappa on the Rocky Field stage--preferably after the Nappa vs. Yamcha fight, for realism's sake.
Trunks vs. Frieza
As Trunks on the Rocky Field stage, finish the match with a heavy attack KO on Frieza. You'll be treated to the scene where Trunks goes Super Saiyan against Frieza for the first time and slices him up.
Goku vs. Kid Buu
Finish the match as Goku against Kid Buu to watch Goku kill him for good! Goku even expresses that he hopes Buu will come back as a better person. (Buu is later reincarnated as Uub, Goku's martial arts student, who would certainly make a good DLC fighter.)
Beerus vs. Goku
As Beerus, defeat Goku on the Space stage to see the final battle from the film Battle of the Gods, where Goku loses. (This scene also occurs in Dragon Ball Super, but the Dramatic Finish is based on the Battle of the Gods version.)
Beerus vs. Goku Black
On any stage, defeat Goku Black as Beerus for a Dragon Ball Super reference. Goku Black must be below 10% health, and you have to use Beerus' level three super. Goku Black vanishes, and Beerus refers to him as Zamasu--Goku Black's true identity.
Gotenks With Piccolo
As Gotenks, do your level three super. If Piccolo is your party, he will "set" the opponent so Gotenks can spike them. (Without Piccolo, Gotenks spikes the opponent on his own.)
Android 18 With Krillin
When Android 18 does her super, Android 17 usually shows up. But when you have Krillin on your team, he'll show up instead! That's a good husband.
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