Adult Swim is known for their distinctive, offbeat humor and alternative programming, making their latest bizarre animated series, Hot Streets, a seemingly good fit among the likes of Rick and Morty and Robot Chicken. Creator Brian Wysol worked on both shows, and Hot Streets is also produced by Seth Green, Matt Senreich (Robot Chicken), and Justin Roiland (Rick and Morty), who also voices a dog in the new series.
Hot Streets focuses on the supernatural investigations of FBI Agent Mark Branski, who solves cases with help from his partner, his niece, and her cowardly talking dog. They've encountered the likes of brain monsters, mummies, and a snake cult, with each new episode becoming stranger than the one before it. The latest episode had Branksi stuck in a loop where he keeps waking up inside of an egg.
Hot Streets is Branski's show, but the supporting characters are the series' strongest assets. Chubbie Webbers, the worrisome dog, is a stand out, thanks to Justin Roiland's hilarious voice work. He gets mixed up in solving Branski's Hot Streets cases along with his owner, Jen, played by actress Chelsea Kane (Baby Daddy, Rick and Morty). Like Penny and Brain in Inspector Gadget before them, Jen and Chubbie Webbers are the unsung heroes who often solve the cases without getting the credit.
Notably, Hot Streets features two strong female characters. In addition to Jen, there's Soo Park, Assistant Director of the FBI, played by Agents of SHIELD star Ming-Na Wen. We talked with the voices behind both characters about what attracted them to their strangest project yet.
GameSpot: How did you get involved with Hot Streets?
Ming-Na Wen (Soo Park): It's one of those things where you're friends with Seth (Green) and Matt (Senreich), they say come on in, we've got this cool project, and I read it--I really didn't understand it, and I was like "Perfect! Let me do it." I love a good challenge.
Chelsea Kane (Jen Sanders): It kind of fell into my lap in such an interesting way. I had worked with Justin Roiland years ago on our Disney Channel show, Fish Hooks, and throughout that whole time he was working on Rick and Morty.
I ended up getting an audition to do a voice on Rick and Morty...for Arthricia. And I really wanted to do it, and it was the first time I ever got to drop an F bomb in my acting career. And I got the part.
And then through that, Brian Wysol had actually seen an animatic of the Purge episode and Brian was in the process of putting together his cast for Hot Streets, and said, "Oh my god, that's the voice I would want for Jen."
What attracted you to the project?
Ming-Na Wen: It's working with friends and meeting new people, the same kind of folks that share your madness or strange creativity and I knew I was going to have a great time.
Chelsea Kane: What really attracted me to Hot Streets is that Jen is kind of the only recurring female role that's really grounded. And I love that she's intelligent and smart and ends up solving most of these Hot Street cases even though she may not get the credit all the time. But at the same time, she's still very much flawed like me. Her dating life isn't really her strong point at this point in her life, which I can totally relate to. So, I love that she's kind of a real girl and a real strong leading female voice on the show. That makes me feel excited to be a part of it and kind of lending that tone to the show.
Tell us more about your characters.
Ming-Na Wen: [Soo Park] is no nonsense, and very to the point. As smart as she is, she's also a bit oblivious of, I think, certain realities. And she has this vulnerable side I think the guys kind of bring out in her every so often. She just kind of calls the shots.
At first I was a little concerned, like, is this going to be stereotypical? Are they going to want me to do an accent? And they were like "No, no!" and I'm like "Oh, perfect, good. Thank you."
Chelsea Kane: You've seen the first episode that [Jen] lost her mother, and that's why she's living with her uncle. She's at this kind of crossroads in her young adult life, which I think where we've all been, where she's just kind of trying to figure out who she is, and who she loves, and who loves her. She already takes off and kind of elopes with a mummy in the first episode, so you know she's still kind of figuring things out.
I love that she's super smart and I love that she's able to kind of hold her own with the boys whether it's going on missions, or solving the crime. She really knows what she's doing, and she's a tough cookie, and I love playing those type of girls. That's the type of girl I hope to be like.
How much input did you have on crafting the character?
Ming-Na Wen: The writers, Brian and them, they already have a clear idea about what they're going for. And so they're really crucial in the initial phase of creating an animated character and understanding her level of emotions, where she's at, and where the humor would be based on it. And not working with other actors, you're flying solo. It's great to have their input in the beginning.
Chelsea Kane: I think it kind of slowly develops, but I love Brian's work and Brian's brain, and I don't tend to really go into the booth and ad-lib a bunch of stuff. I love what's on the page and most of the time I'm also confused by what's on the page just story wise. I'm like, "I feel like I have to say these words because I'm not quite sure what a flesh potato is, so I'm just going with it." But I think as the show went on we all kind of realized that Jen can oftentimes be like a throughline in the story to kind of pull you into the next scene, or ground some of the scenes.
Ming-Na, how does your experience working on Hot Streets compare to doing past voice over work?
Ming-Na Wen: It's very similar to my process with all the other animations, except a lot of times I'll be like "Why is she saying this, I don't understand what this means." And they're like "Just go with it! Don't worry about it, it's good, it's good. You're doing great." I'm like, "OK! Is it funny? Is it funny?" And they're like "Yes. Very funny." I'm like "OK." I trust.
Chelsea, what makes Hot Streets stand out among other Adult Swim shows?
Chelsea Kane: I think the animation itself is ...it's a different style. You kind of have to get used to it in a way, I mean, even the opening credits. I just feel like it has a very specific look to it. And on top of that, I love the music. It's that cool kind of like '80s electro vibe. I love the opening sequence music, and Brian Wysol, our creator, does all of the music as well. So whenever he's finished recording with us in the booth he's off to the studio to record all the music for the show. So, I think it just adds that extra element to it that makes it really cool.
What would you like to see happen in future episodes of Hot Streets?
Chelsea Kane: So Brian does all the music. I think we should totally do a musical episode. I think it would be hilarious, and I just want to see Justin (Roiland) sing a whole show in the dog voice.
Hot Streets airs Sundays at midnight on Adult Swim.
Much like what we saw with MOBAs years ago, battle royale-style games are all the rage thanks to PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' domination of Steam. Fortnite beat PUBG to consoles and is available as a free-to-play title, and it introduces building mechanics to the mix that you don't get with PUBG. Like PUBG developer Bluehole, Epic has enjoyed an incredible level of success, with more than 40 million players spread across Fortnite: Battle Royale and the PvE Survive the World component.
Even more standalone battle royale games are undoubtedly on the way, but Fortnite won't be the only existing title to integrate the mode in some fashion. Grand Theft Auto V has already done so in modest fashion with Motor Wars mode, but there are a variety of other games--both those already playable and some that are still in development--that we think could also make interesting use of the concept. In the video above, we run down five games that should consider putting their own spin on battle royale in 2018.
There was some controversy surrounding Fortnite last year, as PUBG's developer made it known that it was less than pleased with "the similarities between the battle royale mode in Epic Games' newly revealed Fortnite and PUBG." The complaint is more complicated than it appears on the surface, as PUBG uses Unreal Engine 4, which is built by Fortnite maker Epic Games. PUBG's developer seemingly threatened legal action, though nothing has come of that yet--at least publicly.
Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, who is credited with having established the genre as a modder, said last year, "I just feel that Fortnite: Battle Royale is a bit lazy to me. They could have had a great game because Fortnite is amazing and they could have put some unique, interesting building [systems] in there, almost like a tower defense Battle Royale, but they just didn't. But what can you do? It's going to happen. It's the nature of business I guess."
Whether upcoming battle royale modes and games put enough of a spin on the formula to satisfy Greene remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: They are coming.
Monster Hunter World is now available worldwide on PS4 and Xbox One, and alongside it, Capcom has released an important day-one patch for the game. Not only will you need to install the update if you'd like to play online with other players, it's required in order to receive any of Monster Hunter World's downloadable content, including the bonus items Capcom offered with pre-orders.
After installing the day-one patch, which weighs in at approximately 815 MB, you'll be able to claim rewards from the Housekeeper in your room in Astera. If you pre-ordered the title digitally, you'll have to download your bonus items (the Origin set and Fair Wind Charm) from the PlayStation or Xbox Stores. Once the items have been downloaded, launch Monster Hunter World and talk to your Housekeeper. Select the "Claim Bonuses" option and the items will appear in your Equipment Box.
Those who purchased the Monster Hunter World Digital Deluxe edition will receive their items automatically, while the Collector's edition includes a download code for its bonus content. If you missed out on either but would still like to get your hands on their bonuses, you can purchase the Deluxe Kit, which contains the same items as the Deluxe edition (excluding its Weapon avatars), from your console's respective digital store and follow the above process to claim them.
Those who participated in the PS4-exclusive Monster Hunter World beta tests and completed each mission can also claim a special Camouflage Face Paint and Commendations Packs as a reward. To receive the items, launch Monster Hunter World with the same PSN ID you used during the beta, then speak to the Housekeeper and claim your bonuses. The Commendations Packs will be added to your Item Box, while the Camouflage Face Paint will appear as a new option in the Change Appearance menu in your Equipment Box. Additionally, PS4 players will need to install the day-one update to take on the exclusive quest to get Horizon Zero Dawn DLC armor.
Monster Hunter has always been an intimidating series to jump into for a variety of reasons. It's challenging for anyone, and traditionally it hasn't done a great job of explaining its various mechanics, leaving players to seek outside help. Monster Hunter World, which is now available on PS4 and Xbox One, at least partially tries to address those problems, and in many ways, it succeeds.
In addition to providing more explanation to players in the early stages, players have what's called a Handler, who dispenses tips until you've made enough progress. There are also quality-of-life improvements like scoutflies that reduce the hassle of tracking a monster--something that's particularly helpful given World's larger environments.
In the video above, we chat about what it's been like to play World from both the standpoint of a series veteran and someone with less Monster Hunter experience. It should give you a sense of what to expect from World regardless of your experience level. Whatever your personal history with the series, this is a very solid RPG to jump into.
But how enjoyable is it? You might already have an idea if you've joined in one of the game's multiple PS4 betas. Now, however, reviews of the full game have begun to go live around the world. In our verdict, we said World is "likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been." Check out our in-depth thoughts in our Monster Hunter World review. Alternatively, read on for a selection of other critics' reviews, or head over to GameSpot sister site Metacritic for a wider view of critical reception.
Game: Monster Hunter World
Developer / Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: Out now (PS4, Xbox One) / 2018 (PC)
Price: US $60 / £50 / AU $110
GameSpot -- 8/10
"Ever since the title was first announced last year, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large." -- Ginny Woo [Full review]
Polygon -- 9/10
"Monster Hunter: World is still complex. It still won't hold your hand through parts and may require a few friends for optimal enjoyment. It isn't for everybody, but if you give it a little time and work, it's a world worth visiting." -- Chelsea Stark [Full review]
IGN -- 9.5/10
"Whether or not it's the best, this is certainly the most audacious Monster Hunter game. World takes a dramatic leap into a look, feel, and size that feels truly new, simultaneously staying true to the series' ideals by maintaining the addictive loop of combat, intimidating monsters and meaningful upgrades that fans love. The sheer depth and commitment required is still intense, but it clearly isn't Capcom's aim to court a casual crowd. This is as all-consuming and incredible a ride as ever." -- Joe Skrebels [Full review]
Eurogamer -- Essential
"Invest a little, though, and you'll get an awful lot back. The truth of Monster Hunter--and arguably its greatest strength--is that you're never truly its master, and that every player, be they novice or veteran, is always learning something new. Monster Hunter World sees 13 years of evolution come crashing together with some new influences to create a very exciting breed of beast. This has always been a superlative series; with the release of World, it's only become easier to see that's an undoubtable truth." -- Martin Robinson [Full review]
GamesBeat -- 90/100
"Monster Hunter World is one of the more rewarding action role-playing games I've played in recent years. The game is enjoyable either solo or with other players, and it manages to take advantage of modern hardware to envelop you in a beautiful world. I never got into Monster Hunter before, but now I can't wait for this game to officially be out so I have more people to play with." -- Mike Minotti [Full review]
Destructoid -- 9/10
"If you've been skipping out on Monster Hunter games for a while because they seem to blend together, jumping into World is your chance to get in. Just know that Capcom hasn't really shaken up the formula enough to piss off veterans or appeal to people who don't welcome grinding with open arms." -- Chris Carter [Full review]
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]
Shacknews -- 9/10
"This is truly the best Dragon Ball fighter I've played since the Super Famicom imports. It's pure fighting bliss that makes you feel as OP as the characters on the show by adding so much style and flare. Longtime fans and newer fans who may just be familiar with Dragon Ball Super will find something to enjoy here if they're fans of fighters." -- Blake Morse [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]
VideoGamer -- Review in Progress
"We've still got to do some online testing when the servers are up, but the offline lobby for Dragon Ball FighterZ suggests this is going to be a good 'un. Whether or not you like fighting games or Dragon Ball, extremely dramatic villains and hench dudes with giant hair hurling fireballs at each other (all set to unceasing guitar solos) is kind of inherently enjoyable." -- Alice Bell [Full review in progress]
TrustedReviews -- 4.5/5
"For Arc System Works, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a chance at real mainstream success. The Guilty Gear games are universally excellent, and have a dedicated fanbase, but their hardcore nature meant they always lost to the Street Fighters and Tekkens of the world when it came to sales. The Dragon Ball license could be what gets the masses interested in the studio's particular brand of air-dashing, spectacular combat." -- Andi Hamilton [Full review]
Monster Hunter World is a game with a simple premise: explore the world, fight huge monsters, then turn them into your own weapons and armor. And as the first Monster Hunter in many, many years on a home console that isn't the Wii U, Monster Hunter World has the potential to draw in even more players than any game in the series before. Whether this will be your first game in the series or you're a returning veteran, we'll cover Monster Hunter with in-depth guides and reviews throughout the coming weeks to help you take down the game's biggest beasts and craft the best-looking gear.
In this roundup feature, you'll find links out to all our most-relevant Monster Hunter content as it goes live, so check back for updates and Monster Hunter tips!
The final public beta has ended for Monster Hunter World, but its full release on Xbox One and PS4 is imminent. Set to launch on January 26, Monster Hunter World marks the end of the franchise's long hiatus from home consoles. The latest entry in the series is also coming to PC, but Capcom hasn't set a firm date for that launch yet. According to the game's producer, Ryozo Tsujimoto, the delay is because "rather than have it taking up resources during the console development and not being able to have our full attention on it. We want to get console out the door, and then we're going to take some extra time and try and get the PC version as good as possible." The PC date is currently set for sometime this fall.
For PS4 and Xbox One users, Monster Hunter World will have an important day one patch that adds online multiplayer, event quests, chat, and other online features. In addition, the patch will fix some bugs and add series-favorite Poogies to the game. Additional space required for the patch will be approximately 815 MB.
Our full Monster Hunter World review is now online, in which we awarded the game an 8/10. "Ever since the title was first announced last year, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large."
Digital Deluxe Edition ($70/￡57.99/$115 AUD) -- includes a Samurai Set skin, three gestures, two sticker sets, and an additional face paint and hair style option. The PS4 version of the Digital Deluxe Edition also comes with 14 weapon-themed PSN avatars. All of these items will be available to purchase separately once the game launches.
Collector's Edition ($150/$300 AUD) -- includes a physical copy of the game, a voucher for the customization items included in the Digital Deluxe Edition, a hardcover art book, a monster statue, and a code for a digital soundtrack, all housed in a collector's box.
Monster Hunter World PS4 Pro ($450/£380/$660 AUD) -- The special "Rathalos" edition of the console will also come with a red controller, pre-order bonuses, a physical copy of the game, and a special PS4 dynamic theme.
With the release of Dragon Ball FighterZ drawing closer, Bandai Namco Games took to Twitter to release info about the required specs needed for the game's PC version. The game will release for PC, PS4, and Xbox One on January 25. Developed by Arc System Works, the same team behind the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series, Dragon Ball FighterZ possesses a visual style that mimics the popular anime.
In addition to the specs listed below, the publisher offered more details about pre-order bonuses for the game, which include early access to Goku and Vegeta's Super Saiyan Blue forms, along with exclusive avatars to use in the in-game lobby. Moreover, pre-ordering the game gave you access to the pre-launch beta, which has now passed. The game is currently available to pre-order on Steam.
The PC specs are surprisingly modest, potentially allowing older machines to run the game well. And the game's Unreal 4 graphics engine is also used by other notable fighting games, including Tekken 7 and Street Fighter V, which are all well-optimized on PC.
For more info on Dragon Ball FighterZ, stay up to date with us on GameSpot, where we'll have our full review later this month. And be sure to check out the opening cinematic and all the Dramatic Finishes so far.
Arc System Works' highly-anticipated fighting game, Dragon Ball FighterZ, is officially here. The cel-shaded 2.5D fighter follows a 3v3 format similar to Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and it's packed with Easter eggs and references for Dragon Ball fans to find. Here, we're collecting all the details you need to know about Dragon Ball FighterZ, from the release date to gameplay, tips, and more.
We'll continue to update this feature with the final review, guides, and more as they're published, so stay tuned both before and after the game's launch!
Dragon Ball FighterZ releases on January 26 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. A pre-release beta has already wrapped up.
Review
GameSpot's Dragon Ball Fighter Z review-in-progress is now online. In it, critic Peter Brown states, "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." You can read the full review here, or check out our FighterZ review roundup.
The roster primarily includes Dragon Ball Z characters, though there are a few introduced in the recent films and Dragon Ball Super--including Goku Black, Beerus, and Hit--and an entirely new character, the mysterious Android 21, who is locked behind completion of the story mode.
What About The Story Mode?
Dragon Ball FighterZ includes a new story mode that takes place after the end of Dragon Ball Z and sometime during the events of Dragon Ball Super. The new character, Android 21, seems to play a major part in the story.
Note that in any mode, you can opt to use either the Japanese or English voice acting.
We've assembled a Dragon Ball FighterZ beginner's guide to help you grasp the game's fundamentals. We touch on a variety of subjects, including managing your Ki energy, assembling a strong team of fighters, and much more. You can also check out the video version with the best tips to know before starting.
We've covered a lot Dragon Ball FighterZ's Easter eggs--which you can see below--but if you want to see them for yourself, we detail how to trigger all the game's anime references in our Easter eggs gallery.
Gameplay and More
Watch Dragon Ball FighterZ gameplay, see all the Easter eggs, learn how to execute Dramatic Finishes, and more.
We're giving away 5 PS4 codes and 5 Xbox One codes for Railway Empire! (List Price: $59.99, scroll down below to enter)
In Railway Empire, you will create an elaborate and wide-ranging rail network, purchase over 40 different trains modeled in extraordinary detail, and buy or build railway stations, maintenance buildings, factories, and tourist attractions to keep your travel network ahead of the competition.
Competition ends Sunday, February 4 at 9:00PM PT. Ten (10) winners will be emailed. Entry is open to USA residents only on PS4 and worldwide on Xbox One, void where prohibited. No purchase necessary.
Enter below (the additional entries are OPTIONAL to increase your chances of winning):
We're giving away Dragon Ball FighterZ CollectorZ Edition on Xbox One! (List Price: $139.99, scroll down below to enter.)
Dragon Ball FighterZ CollectorZ Edition includes:
A copy of Dragon Ball FighterZ
7" Goku statue with exclusive "Manga Dimension" coloring
Exclusive STEELBOOK
Three Art Boards
A CollectorZ box to house all the items listed above
Competition ends Friday, February 2nd at 11:00AM PT. One (1) winner will be chosen. Entry is open to USA residents only, void where prohibited. No purchase necessary.
Enter below (the additional entries are OPTIONAL to increase your chances of winning):
Monster Hunter has always been an intimidating series to dive into. Although the community surrounding it is quite friendly and helpful, the games themselves often lack the kind of assistance that a newcomer requires to fully grasp what's going on. Monster Hunter World makes strides in that direction, but going in with an idea of what to expect will make the entire experience much easier to deal with.
In the video above, we run through some beginner's tips that will help you to get started, whether you're a newcomer to the series or a lapsed played who's forgotten some of the essentials. Although every weapon is viable, some are friendlier to those just getting acquainted with the series. And something like pre-hunt preparation, while not the sexiest-sounding activity in the world, is essential to excelling at the game. We also have a text-based Monster Hunter World beginner's guide that will walk you through all the key information you should have before playing.
As noted above, World does a better job of welcoming in new players than past titles, but that's not its only improvement. It also features much larger and more beautiful environments, thanks to being built for current-gen consoles and PC (the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X experience is particularly nice). There are also smaller quality-of-life improvements that are extremely welcome, such as the addition of scoutflies, which make the process of locating and tracking your target much easier.
The newest entry in Capcom's monster-slaying action-RPG franchise, Monster Hunter World, is out now on PS4 and Xbox One, marking the series' return to home consoles after appearing exclusively on 3DS for the past several years. The move to PS4 and Xbox One has allowed Capcom to create the largest and most richly detailed world in a Monster Hunter title yet, and the publisher commemorated the series' biggest release with an equally extravagant Collector's Edition, which we got our hands on.
In the video above, you can watch us unbox Monster Hunter World's hefty Collector's Edition. The package was only available in limited quantities, running for $150, and it comes with a variety of bonus items, including an art book and special collector's box. The centerpiece of the Collector's Edition, however, is an impressively detailed statue of Monster Hunter World's new flagship monster, the Nergigante, which was featured in the most recent PS4 beta.
Along with those physical collectibles, the Monster Hunter World Collector's Edition also includes download codes for the game's soundtrack and the Deluxe Kit, which nets you an assortment of in-game items, such as a special set of samurai armor. The Deluxe Kit is also included in the Digital Deluxe Edition of Monster Hunter World, but all other players who'd also like to get their hands on the items can purchase the kit separately from the PlayStation and Xbox Stores for $15.
Update: Epic has commented again on the problems. Although it seems as though log-in issues have been at least partially resolved, there are still problems with seeing your friends who are online and joining up with them. Epic says it's working to resolve this and will report back when it has more information. There's still no word on fixes for the bugs outlined below. The original story follows.
Following a long stretch of downtime related to maintenance yesterday, Fortnite's servers are again experiencing issues today, January 26. Epic Games has confirmed log-in issues on PC, PS4, and Xbox One--if you're unable to get online to play, you're not the only one.
Epic confirmed log-in issues on PS4 earlier today, which presumably were related to the issues that PSN was suffering from. However, Xbox Live's status page calls out Fortnite: Battle Royale as "experiencing an issue," and Fortnite's Twitter account has confirmed the problem is not limited to a single system.
"We're getting reports of players having issues logging in across all platforms," it states. "We hear you and are aware of this problem. Work is being done now to find a solution for this. Updates will be available once we have more information. Thanks for sticking with us!"
These issues come a day after Epic was forced to extend server downtime due to an issue that cropped up during maintenance. That maintenance was tied to the release of a new update that introduced the Chug Jug item, among other changes and fixes. However, the patch's release resulted in a series of bugs. One of these, related to key-binding issues on certain keyboards, has already been resolved, but Epic is continuing to work on others, according to its forums. These include getting stuck in the aim-down-sights view, reloading not working correctly, and problems with the building selector's UI (which causes the incorrect structure to be built).
There's no timeframe for when servers will be fully working again or those bugs will be resolved. We'll report back as we receive more details.
For as long as there have been two Bill & Ted movies, it seems like people have been talking about a potential third in the series. Even stars Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves--who also wants to keep making John Wick films--have been optimistic in recent years that the long-awaited sequel would actually happen. However, thus far nothing has actually been filmed.
Now, speaking with Digital Spy, writer Ed Solomon--who co-wrote the first two films with Chris Matheson--is shedding some light on the long-gestating project. "We have been working for almost 10 years to get this thing made; Alex Winter, Keanu Reeves, Chris Matheson, me," he says. "We have a director--Dean Parisot, who did Galaxy Quest--Steven Soderbergh is one of our producers. We have a wonderful assembly of people."
There's even a completed script that Solomon says the team is proud of, which was written on spec--meaning it was written unsolicited and nobody was paid for it. "We spent years working on it because we wanted to get it right, creatively," he explains.
The movie they want to make is called Bill & Ted Face the Music and finds the titular metalheads now middle-aged family men. In the story, they will go back in time to visit themselves and Rufus (George Carlin), their mentor from the future. According to Solomon, this will be done using footage from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Of course, given Carlin's death in 2008, it would be impossible to film new Rufus scenes without recasting. Instead, Solomon says the movie is "not just an homage to him, it's more than that. His absence is a part of the whole movie."
So what's keeping the movie from getting made? It simply can't find the necessary funding. "We are having issues raising money for it, getting it financed, because what we get all the time--all the time---is people wanting to reboot it," he explains. "It's 'Let's do Bill & Ted with new teenagers,' but what we wanna do is the story of Bill and Ted as middle-aged men, and tell what we think could be a really funny, and actually really moving, story about their lives and where they are now."
Still, Solomon and the rest of the Bill & Ted team aren't giving up yet. While there's still no telling if it'll happen one day, keep your fingers crossed in hopes that eventually Bill and Ted will indeed face the music.
Update: This article has been updated to include the video above.
If you haven't followed the price of graphics cards lately, or are oblivious to the price of GPUs and are thinking about buying one, then we've got an important PSA for you: Now is a really bad time to buy a GPU.
Graphics card prices have skyrocketed because GPUs are so effective at mining cryptocurrency, which has gained a lot of traction in recent months. To get a gauge for the price discrepancy, let's look at the GTX 1080 Ti; the lowest you can find Nvidia's flagship gaming card online right now is $1,350, which is roughly twice the card's MSRP. The situation is arguably worse on the AMD side. The 4GB version of the RX 580, which carries an MSRP of $200, is going for roughly 2.5x as much online currently. The following chart encapsulates modern GPU MSRP against their current, lowest street prices.
GPU
MSRP
Street Price
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
$700
$1,350
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080
$550
$1,100
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
$450
$800
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
$380
$900
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
$250
$400
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
$150
$185
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050
$110
$140
AMD Radeon RX Vega 64
$500
$1,500
AMD Radeon RX Vega 56
$400
NA
AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB
$229
$540
AMD Radeon RX 580 4GB
$200
$495
AMD Radeon RX 570
$170
$476
Lowest prices reflect time of publish.
As you can see from the comparative chart above, the pricing surge has affected all GPU sectors. Even lower-end cards like the GTX 1050 Ti and GTX 1050 are well above MSRP, albeit less so than the higher-end cards. Not only are GPU prices sky high right now, but cards like the RX Vega 56 are currently completely sold out everywhere.
While it's possible to find some high-end gaming GPUs near MSRP if you're vigilant, the windows of opportunity are small. One way to skirt around this issue if you are thinking about building a gaming PC with a new GPU is to buy a prebuilt system.
When we met with system vendor CyberPower PC at CES, the company revealed to us that it, along with many other system vendors, have strict GPU pricing guidelines. This effectively means they can't over-inflate the price of its systems based on the street prices of graphics cards.
Historically, it's generally been cheaper to build a PC than to buy a pre-built system, but that has changed in today's climate. While we think you should learn how to build a PC as it can be very rewarding and educational, there's no shame in purchasing a pre-built system, especially right now when they're largely unaffected by the current cost-prohibitive price of GPUs.
To exemplify this, we tried recreating CyberPower PC's Z370 i5 configuration. CyberPower PC's rig costs $1,169 and comes with AMD's 4GB Radeon RX 580 GPU. When we spec'd out the build ourselves using the cheapest prices found on Newegg and Amazon, our total came out to $1,322. That's $144 more than CyberPower PC's price. On top of that, it doesn't come with the company's warranty and customer support.
If you still really want to build a new gaming rig yourself, we suggest you use browser extensions like Honey to provide you with alerts on GPU price drops. As for when graphics cards will come down to normal MSRP levels, only time will tell.
As it is wont to do from time to time, the Humble Store has made a game available for free for a limited time. In this case, however, the game in question is actually a compilation that consists of two full-fledged games--and good ones, at that.
Right now, Humble is giving away Amnesia Collection. This is the two-game collection from The Chinese Room and Frictional Games that consists of 2010's Amnesia: The Dark Descent and 2013's Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs. These are both horror games that are well worth playing, as you can read about in our Dark Descent review and Machine for Pigs review. Amnesia Collection usually goes for $35, or $40 if you were to buy the two separately.
You can claim your freebie here between now and 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET on Saturday, January 27; you'll need a free Humble account to do so. Once you've added it to your library, you'll be entitled to a Steam key that allows you to add it to your Steam account. Both games are playable on Windows, OS X, and Linux (or SteamOS), and the system requirements are quite modest.
Unrelated to this offer, Humble also has another fantastic deal going on right now, though it will require you to open your wallet. The upcoming Humble Monthly bundle consists of the acclaimed Civilization VI and Owlboy, along with a batch of mystery games, for $12. This will be available until early February, but you can purchase it now to get your hands on the two confirmed titles early.
Following confirmation that Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah will also serve in the same role on Anthem, a new report has emerged that paints a picture of mounting pressure at BioWare. The next Dragon Age project was reportedly rebooted in the last year, and Anthem may not be released before the end of 2018, as previously announced.
According to sources speaking with Kotaku, Anthem will now launch in early 2019. The site notes the complexity of its launch, as BioWare needs to account for not just the release of the game itself, but an earlier release through EA Access, a beta test, and post-launch updates. If EA is still intent on getting the game out during the 2019 fiscal year, its launch could come no later than March 2019.
As noted above, Darrah has announced on Twitter he is now serving as the executive producer of both the new Dragon Age and Anthem, with Jonathan Warner as game director on Anthem. That's a change from last June, when Darrah stated that he was not involved with Anthem. Change at the studio has been afoot since the troubled launch of Mass Effect: Andromeda early last year, as BioWare Edmonton GM Aaryn Flynn announced his departure last summer, with Casey Hudson returning to the company to take up his position.
Kotaku says that the majority of BioWare is now working on Anthem in the lead up to its launch, with smaller teams continuing on Dragon Age and MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic. There is apparently some sense that a poor performance by Anthem could result in significant changes at BioWare. A major move was made last year in the wake of Andromeda's release, with developer BioWare Montreal being absorbed into EA Motive.
As for Dragon Age, the game has not been formally announced, though it has been briefly teased previously. The project was apparently rebooted in the last year in an effort to "implement more 'live' elements," as Kotaku put it, though there were no specifics shared about what form those will take. The report also makes note of concerns about anger directed toward EA by big-name YouTubers, as well as the outcry over Star Wars Battlefront II's contentious microtransactions. You can read the full report here.
We've contacted EA for comment but have not yet received a response. The company is set to share its latest quarterly earnings report on January 30, at which point it may share further details about BioWare's projects.
A new Rainbow Six Siege event has been confirmed, and it sounds like it's going to be much different from what players are used to. Outbreak involves teams of three players teaming up to take on a "mysterious threat" in a town that has been quarantined, and there will be new gear up for grabs.
Outbreak takes the form of a four-week event that is available to all players. Here's how Ubisoft sets up the backstory of what's going on: "An infestation of unknown origin is attacking the small town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The danger is so high that the authorities quarantined the entire town, trapping civilians and soldiers inside. Very little information is filtering out, but the only certainty is that the situation is dire."
This is the culmination of an ARG that has been going on recently, which hinted at new content and what sounded like a mode that would involve zombies. Unfortunately, there's still little information about what you'll actually be doing, but Ubisoft says players "will be able to team up with two of their friends to take on a mysterious threat."
As you'd expect, new cosmetic items will be available in conjunction with the event. A total of 50 unique items will be available through new Outbreak packs, none of which will impact gameplay. Outbreak packs will be sold for 300 R6 Credits, though "a few other Outbreak rewards will be available through gameplay." You'll get your hands on these through "other criteria to be disclosed at a later date." Just by logging in during the event, you'll get four free Outbreak packs.
There won't be any duplicates when opening packs; Ubisoft says that if you get 50 packs, you'll get all 50 items. These include a new Elite uniform (a non-Outbreak version of which will be available for sale separately), universal weapon skins, headgear, charms, and more. New cosmetic gear will be available for these Operators, which include the first two being released as part of Siege's Year 3 of content:
Two Chimera Operators
Smoke
Ying
Buck
Kapkan
Hibana
Zofia
Fuze
Ash
Doc
Thermite
Tachanka
Glaz
Outbreak will launch alongside the first big update of Year 3's first season, which may be arriving on March 6. Ubisoft has also announced newly revised editions of Siege that will soon be available for sale, including one--the Advanced edition--that includes 10 additional Outbreak packs as a bonus.
Once Stephen King released the novel Doctor Sleep, a 2013 follow-up to The Shining that centers on Danny Torrance as an adult, it was only a matter of time until it was turned into a movie. Now, Warner Bros. has found the person it wants to direct the film.
According to Deadline, Mike Flanagan has been hired to helm the project, which is currently in development. His horror credits include movies like Oculus and Ouija: Origin of Evil. However, he also had some experience in bringing the words of Stephen King to life thanks to Gerald's Game.
Flanagan co-wrote and directed the 2017 Netflix movie, which stars Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood. He'll be joined on Doctor Sleep by Trevor Macy, the producing partner who worked with him on Gerald's Game.
In the Doctor Sleep novel, Danny grows up tormented by the events at the Overlook Hotel and has followed in his father's alcoholic footsteps. Once he finally gets sober, his Shining powers come back to him. That sets him on a journey as he works with a younger girl, with Shining powers stronger than his, to stop a group of psychically gifted people that consume the life-force of children with powers like Danny's.
Given King's very vocal dislike of Stanley Kubrick's movie adaptation of The Shining, it's unclear if the two films will be connected, though they are being released by the same studio. There is no tentative release date or cast announced for Doctor Sleep yet. However, there will be another Stephen King movie in 2019. That's when It: Chapter 2 will arrive in theaters to let Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Bill Skarsgard) terrify audiences once again.
Paragon, the third-person MOBA from Epic Games, will cease operations this spring. The studio has announced it will cease development on the game on all platforms--PS4 and PC--and shut down its servers. Additionally, refunds will be offered for every purchase ever made on the game.
Epic said recently that it was evaluating Paragon's future, due in part to the overwhelming success of Fortnite, which has consumed resources from the Paragon development team. The studio also indicated that Paragon was struggling to retain players. In a statement on its official website, the Paragon development team has now shared its decision to shutter Paragon altogether on April 26 and explained why it felt the move was necessary.
"It's with heavy hearts we've decided to close down Paragon," the message says. "We truly appreciate everything you've put into Paragon. We received many passionate ideas for where to take the game; the outpouring of thoughtful suggestions is another testament to this incredible community. After careful consideration, and many difficult internal debates, we feel there isn't a clear path for us to grow Paragon into a MOBA that retains enough players to be sustainable. We didn't execute well enough to deliver on the promise of Paragon. We have failed you--despite the team's incredibly hard work--and we're sorry."
Paragon is a MOBA similar to Smite, in that it's played from the perspective of a third-person action game, rather than an isometric, strategy game-style view. It debuted in paid early access in 2016 and has been available on both PC and PS4. It's a free-to-play game that players could spend money on, but any and all money spent on the game will be refunded, according to Epic.
"To try to make this right, Epic is offering a full refund to every Paragon player for every purchase on any platform," it says. "This refund will come directly from Epic rather than your platform provider."
The platform for requesting a refund is outlined here. It involves creating and linking an Epic account (if you don't already have one linked to the game) and then going to this page.
In the meantime, Paragon will remain playable until servers shut down on April 26. However, as an online-based game, Epic warns, "As the player population continues to decrease, matchmaking times and quality will further degrade."
Microsoft has announced it is expanding Xbox Game Pass and will start releasing first-party Xbox One exclusives through the subscription service. Xbox Game Pass was launched last year and offers players unlimited download access to more than 100 Xbox One games for a monthly cost. Now it seems the service will be a cornerstone of Xbox's distribution plans going forward.
The first major game to be released on Xbox Game Pass the same day as its regular release will be Sea of Thieves, the much-anticipated open-world pirate game exclusive for Xbox One and PC. When it becomes available for purchase in a traditional fashion on March 20, Game Pass subscribers will get access on Xbox One. While they don't have set release dates yet, both State of Decay 2 and Crackdown 3 were mentioned as other Xbox One exclusives that will be coming to Xbox Game Pass at release. All games will still be available for purchase normally.
In the announcement, Xbox boss Phil Spencer also dropped some hints that the console's biggest franchises will be popping up on the subscription service too. "Future unannounced games from Microsoft Studios including new iterations of our biggest Xbox One exclusive franchises such as Halo, Forza, and Gears of War, [will be available] on the same day they launch," he said. While details about a possible Halo 6 are slim and no new Forza or Gears of War games have been officially announced, it gives fans hope that something big is coming for each in the future.
Microsoft has also announced a new subscription offer for Xbox Game Pass. GameStop and other retailers will start offering six-month Xbox Game Pass subscription cards, starting March 20. The cards will cost $60 (matching Game Pass's existing fee of $10/month), but will mean you don't need a credit card to subscribe.
"We've only scratched the surface of the opportunity this new model brings to the industry and what we can deliver to our fans. We firmly believe Xbox Game Pass will be a catalyst to create new opportunities for game developers and publishers to innovate in the way games are developed and delivered, leading to entirely new ways to play," said Spencer.
Lego Indiana Jones 2 follows the familiar format of other Lego action-adventure games, in an open-world environment that allows you to explore and solve puzzles in your way. The game encompasses all four movies in the Indiana Jones series, with focus placed on The Crystal Skull.
Split/Second, on the other hand, transports you to a very different world. The arcade-style racing game features multiplayer and a single-player campaign, where you're pitted against your fellow cutthroat racers on a reality TV show. The game features a unique Power Play mechanic, which allows you to trigger destructive events in the environment around you to take out your opponents, once your power bar fills up. Split/Second is also available soon as one of February's Games with Gold.
If you own a physical disc for either game, you can simply pop them into your system to begin playing. Digital copies can be found in the Ready to Download area of the My Games and Apps section on the console, or you can buy the games directly through the Xbox Store. For more, check out Gamespot's full list of the nearly 400 backwards compatible games that have been released on Xbox One. Meanwhile, check out these other upcoming Xbox One and Xbox 360 free Games with Gold, arriving this February.
Call of Duty: WWII's first major DLC pack, The Resistance, is almost here for some players. The expansion launches on PS4 next week and introduces new maps and more content to the popular WWII shooter. Ahead of its release, Activision has shared another trailer for The Resistance that showcases everything players will find in the upcoming DLC.
The trailer, which you can watch above, provides another look at the new maps developer Sledgehammer Games is adding to Call of Duty: WWII. The DLC pack consists of three new multiplayer maps: Valkyrie, Anthropoid, and Occupation, all of which Sledgehammer says are themed around the idea of resistance. Valkyrie, for instance, takes place at the site of Operation Valkyrie, the failed real-world mission to kill Hitler, while Anthropoid is set in occupied Prague. The final map, Occupation, is a remake of the Resistance map from Modern Warfare 3.
Additionally, The Resistance DLC adds a new War Mode mission called Operation Intercept. This mission tasks players with rescuing French resistance fighters and escaping the war zone safely. The expansion also introduces the next chapter in the Nazi Zombies mode, The Darkest Shore. This one is set on a secluded island and features more cunning zombies, as well as a fog environmental effect, which makes it much more difficult to spot approaching enemies.
The Resistance DLC pack launches for PS4 on January 30; it'll arrive a month later for Xbox One and PC. The DLC is included in Call of Duty: WWII's $50 season pass, but players will also have the option to purchase it separately. Three more DLC expansions are planned for Call of Duty: WWII this year, but Activision hasn't announced any further details on those.
Before The Resistance launches, Activision has kicked off a new limited-time Call of Duty: WWII event for all players. Likewise called The Resistance, the event is free for everyone and will be available for free until February 27. It adds new weapons, gear, and a new Division (called--you guessed it--Resistance). It also brings back the Prop Hunt game mode.
Following an outage earlier this week, the PlayStation Network is again experiencing issues for users on PS4 and PS3. This affects a wide variety of areas of the service, including the ability to log in. That will impede your ability to play games online--including the newly released Monster Hunter World and Dragon Ball FighterZ--and any number of other things.
Sony's PlayStation support account confirmed the sign-in issues on Twitter, saying only that it is investigating them. The PSN status page paints a grim picture, with all areas (except for PlayStation Vue) experiencing issues. Some aspects of the service are reportedly working--the ability to create an account is apparently unaffected, though you likely won't be able to sign in or launch certain games and apps.
There's not yet any word on how soon the problem will be fixed and PSN will be back online. Earlier this week, the problems extended for several hours, though that has no bearing on how long the latest batch of errors will take to resolve.
One day, Tom Cruise might need to let someone handle his stunts. However, today is not that day. The actor is hard at work filming the next Mission Impossible movie after recovering from a broken ankle that halted shooting last August and he's even back to doing his own stunts.
While there are no plot details yet about the sixth Mission Impossible film, the action seems to only be getting bigger and bigger as the franchise goes on. However, director Christopher McQuarrie also says this installment will be an emotional one. "I've seen five of these movies and I don't know who Ethan Hunt is," he previously explained. "One movie sort of dealt with his personal life; the other movies are about people speculating what's really going on in Ethan's head. I want to know who Ethan is in this movie."
Mission Impossible: Fallout will pair Cruise once again with co-stars Rebecca Ferguson--the breakout star of the last movie--Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Alec Baldwin. Interestingly, Michelle Monaghan will also appear. The actress has previously played Julia, Ethan's wife. After being a major figure in Mission Impossible III, she made an uncredited cameo in 2011's Ghost Protocol but was nowhere to be seen in Rogue Nation.
The movie will also see Superman himself, Henry Cavill, starring as the villain. His character has a mustache in the movie, which led to the infamous CGI manipulation of Superman's face in Justice League. Mission Impossible: Fallout is in theaters on July 27.
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