When the first clip of Black Panther was released, it gave fans some idea of the powers King T'Challa's (Chadwick Boseman) suit was capable of. In a new TV spot, though, it looks like it's far more powerful than anyone could have expected.
As previously explained by T'Challa's sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), not only is the suit bulletproof, but it absorbs kinetic energy. The Black Panther can then use that energy to deliver a devastating blow to an enemy. However, as seen in this new video, it's able to handle more than a single baddie. Instead, the superhero can punch the ground, creating a pulse that can take out a number of foes at once.
Powers and technology like this are one of the exciting things about the upcoming Black Panther movie. It was well-established in Captain America: Civil War that T'Challa's home country of Wakanda is very isolated from the rest of the world. That gives this movie the room to explore incredibly advanced technology that might seem crazy, even for a Marvel Cinematic Universe that includes aliens, green rage monsters, and a rich guy in a flying metal suit.
It's enough to make you wonder what else Black Panther and his adversaries can do in the movie. If these are the powers being given away in teasers and trailers, there's bound to be some very interesting tricks up this movie's sleeve.
Luckily, you won't have to wait long to find out all of Black Panther's secrets. The movie opens in theaters on February 16.
The 2018 Royal Rumble was an incredible, emotional night for WWE. It included the first women's Royal Rumble, which had a plethora of surprises, and more importantly, it put the PPV back on the right track, after years of missteps. Warning: Spoilers for the 2018 Royal Rumble below.
The winner of the 31st men's Royal Rumble match was none other than Shinsuke Nakamura. Asuka won the first women's Royal Rumble. Two Japanese "strong style" fan favorites will be fighting for the world titles at WrestleMania 34. But just as important as who win is exactly how they won. Both Rumble matches took pains to celebrate the past, while also emphasizing the importance of the future. And both matches gave fans what they wanted, instead of presuming to tell them what they wanted.
It's a lesson WWE has learned the hard way over the past several years, starting with the 2014 Royal Rumble. That match was won by part-time wrestler Batista, and it didn't include fan-favorite Daniel Bryan. The fans hated the result so much that WWE turned Batista heel and included Daniel Bryan in WrestleMania XXX's main event.
For the 2015 Royal Rumble, WWE put Daniel Bryan in the main event, but he was eliminated unceremoniously shortly after entering. When Roman Reigns--widely seen as WWE's new Cena-type champion--won the match, the majority of fans booed and heckled the result. Even The Rock, who came to the ring to raise his cousin's arm, couldn't stem the negative reaction.
By 2016, Daniel Bryan was injured and all but retired. And WWE had finally figured out how to best utilize Roman Reigns as a Rumble participant. By teasing a possible Reigns win, WWE could unite the majority of fans against him. And thus, whoever eliminated Reigns or won the Rumble instead of him would get a massive response and be treated like a conquering hero.
"Well, it's not what I wanted. But at least it's not Roman!" fans would say.
WWE had a figurative rubber stamp; the die-hard fans would cheer and embrace any decent WWE Superstar who wasn't Roman Reigns. But rather than take this moment to build a promising up-and-comer, WWE played it safe. Triple H won the Rumble in 2016. Randy Orton won the Rumble in 2017.
It was understandable on a business level: give the honor to the superstar with the highest name recognition, to promote the biggest event of the year. But this went against historical precedence. The Rumble once had a proud history of elevating new main eventers, like it did for Yokozuna in 1993, Shawn Michaels in 1995, Steve Austin in 1997, or Chris Benoit in 2004.
But in 2018, WWE went back to this original narrative premise. The final three participants in the men's Rumble were John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Shinsuke Nakamura. Both Cena and Reigns are widely perceived as the company's chosen 'top guys,' and it's no coincidence that Nakamura eliminated both of them to win his first Rumble.
The decision challenges the status quo: What should a top WWE champion look like and act like? Nakamura fights a strike-heavy, fast style. He's non-American. He's luridly sexual. His promos are limited by his English fluency. But in less than three months, he'll be fighting AJ Styles (who is a fairly unconventional superstar himself) for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. WWE is testing the waters of its global, expanded audience.
WWE ran the exact same playbook for the women's Rumble as well. The final three came down to the Bella Twins and Asuka--a figurative fight between the prior "Divas" era of sports entertainment and the current, modern era of "women's wrestling." Asuka's win is meaningful for all the same reasons as Nakamura's.
A decade ago, Asuka would have been booked as the "evil foreigner" and the monster heel. Her heavy accent would be a talking point to garner heat. Her moveset would be "unconventional" rather than a model for other wrestlers to aspire to. WWE is diversifying its roster, and part of that is accepting the different in-ring styles those cultures bring.
Ronda Rousey's post-Rumble appearance, along with the announcement that she is a full-time superstar, only solidifies the division's legitimacy. Can you imagine the women from ten years ago taking on a former MMA champion? Women's wrestling has come such a long way.
Several weeks ago, I expressed a fear that WWE would turn the first women's Royal Rumble into a joke. But last night, in both Rumbles, there were no ill-timed comedy spots. There were no match-altering interferences. And full-time, next-generation superstars were the respective victors of each. The Royal Rumble has paved a pristine road to WrestleMania. Let's hope they don't hit any potholes in the next three months.
Final Fantasy XV has certainly received its share of bizarre DLC, from Power Rangers-like combat suits to a Cup Noodle hat, but one of the most unexpected additions to the game is the Assassin's Festival, a limited-time event themed after Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series. The event has been running on PS4 and Xbox One since last August, but those who've yet to participate in it only have a few more days to do so.
The Assassin's Festival is scheduled to conclude on January 31, making this your last opportunity to take part in the event and earn Assassin's Creed-themed items. Like the Moogle Chocobo Carnvial, the Assassin's Festival is free for all players to participate in and is a self-contained mode that's accessed from the main menu. Along with quests and mini-games, the Assassin's Festival adds gameplay elements from the Assassin's Creed series to Final Fantasy XV, such as stealth segments and the ability to perform a Leap of Faith.
In addition to the Assassin's Creed-themed mini-games and quests, players can earn Medjay's Assassin's Robes for all four of their party members from the event. Those who received a Dream Egg will also be able to unlock Master Assassin's Robes for main character Noctis. However, the Dream Egg could only be obtained from the aforementioned Moogle Chocobo Carnival, which ended back in September.
Final Fantasy XV is available now for PS4 and Xbox One and will release for PC via Steam this year; however, PC players will miss out on the Assassin's Festival event, as the Windows Edition is scheduled to arrive March 6. In addition to the base adventure, the PC version will come with all of the DLC included in the game's season pass, as well as a new dungeon, vehicle, and boss fights. Square Enix is also bundling that content together for PS4 and Xbox One in the Final Fantasy XV: Royal Edition, which likewise releases on March 6.
Following some server issues that cropped up last week, Epic Games has once again brought something new for players to do in Fortnite. The Battle Royale portion of the game has announced a new limited-time mode for all players on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and it's available now.
Sniper Shootout is now live, and as you can probably guess, it's a sniper rifle-centric experience. All weapons on the map have been replaced by sniper rifles, though you'll also find some revolvers to make short-range encounters less of the nightmare they'd be with snipers only. Consumables can also be found like normal, but grenades have been removed to ensure it's the aforementioned weapons (or melee attacks) that are involved in any kills.
This is the first instance of Sniper Shootout, so it remains to be seen if it'll become a regular part of the rotation. It should make the new city area introduced in the recent Fortnite map revamp an especially popular drop zone, what with all the tall buildings.
You'll have only a few days to check out the mode, as it will rotate out on Friday, February 2. There's no word on what will be next, but other limited-time modes we've seen include those that focus on suppressed weapons or explosives. Another turned the game into a 50v50 affair, which I was particularly fond of.
Although there weren't many deals on the Xbox One X in the immediate wake of its release, January has brought a flurry of offers involving Microsoft's new, 4K-capable console. Perhaps the best one yet is now available, getting you both a discount on the system itself and an additional freebie.
Over on Ebay, highly rated seller Antonline has the offer (via Wario64). It's selling the Xbox One X for $460, which is $40 off its usual price, and is throwing in a free $50 Xbox gift card. The latter is usable for anything on the Xbox Store--you can buy games or DLC, rent movies, and so on, making this a more flexible freebie than what's often included in system bundles.
This is a new, unused system, and a free shipping option is available. It will ship to many places around the world, though this is a North American version of the system and its power cable. One important thing to note is that the gift card will be sent to you by email within a week of the system itself being shipped. As a result, it's possible you may not have it at the same time the console arrives. There's no exact date for how long this will be available, but it's possible it could sell out, so you should act fast if you're interested.
Assassins Creed Origins will get a New Game Plus mode soon, Ubisoft has announced. Community Manager Dominik Voigt responded to a fan question on Reddit by saying, "New Game Plus is coming. We'll have more information to share soon."
Little else is known about the mode as yet, though New Game Plus modes in other games typically offer a chance to replay the campaign with a number of modifiers active, including increased difficulty for example. There's also no indication of a timeframe as to when we can expect the mode to launch.
The news comes just days after Assassin's Creed Origins' latest DLC pack, The Hidden Ones, launched for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The Hidden Ones is a story-driven expansion that sheds more light on the rise of the Assassin Brotherhood. It is set four years after the events of the main game and takes players to the new Sinai Peninsula region, where they'll have to "investigate a clash between a rebel faction and occupying Roman forces."
Another added content pack, the Discovery Tour, is coming to the game on February 20. The mode turns off combat and story quests, allowing you to simply explore and learn about the game's version of ancient Egypt at your leisure.
The new content adds to what was an already enjoyable experience. Our critic, Alessandro Fillari, said Origins' world feels "fresh and exciting to explore" and that the game "feels like the first step in the start of a new journey." He awarded the game a 7/10; for more, check out our full Assassin's Creed Origins review.
Sales monitor Chart-Track notes that World gained "far higher week one sales" in the UK than any other Monster Hunter game. Dragon Ball FighterZ's second-placed finish is also a series record in terms of chart position; the previous record holder for any Dragon Ball game was Dragon Ball Xenoverse, which debuted at No.3 in 2015. Two other new games launched this week, with Sony's PSVR exclusive The Inpatient debuting at No.10 and Nintendo's boxed re-release of Pokemon Crystal coming in at No.12.
We enjoyed the two games topping the chart this week. In our Dragon Ball FighterZ review-in-progress, critic Peter Brown wrote: "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." He awarded the game a 9/10.
Meanwhile our Monster Hunter World review scored the game as 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," wrote our critic, Ginny Woo. "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."
You can read the full top 10 sales chart below, courtesy of UKIE and GfK Chart-Track. Note this table does not include digital sales data, and so should not be considered representative of all UK game sales.
Following last week's first look at Captain Marvel star Brie Larson on the set of the upcoming Marvel movie, we now have some behind-the-scenes footage. As those initial images revealed, Larson is not wearing the character's distinctive traditional red, blue, and gold costume, but is instead clad in a green ensemble.
This new video shows Larson sharing the scene with Warcraft star Robert Kazinsky. His character appears to be pestering her, until she takes charge of the situation. Check it out below:
Captain Marvel hits screens in March 2019. The movie is directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who collaborated on Ryan Gosling's breakthrough Half Nelson and have directed episodes of hit TV shows The Affair and Billions. The cast also includes Ben Mendelsohn (Star Wars: Rogue One), Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes), and DeWanda Wise (She's Gotta Have It). Samuel L Jackson will also make a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the role of SHIELD boss Nick Fury.
A few details about the movie were revealed at San Diego Comic-Con last summer. It will be set in the 1990s, making it something of a prequel to the current MCU. We also know Captain Marvel will be facing off against a classic Marvel villain: Skrulls. In addition, Jackson hinted last year that he will look a little different in this movie. "You'll see Nick Fury with another guy's face, somebody that's got two eyes, so that's a whole big deal," he told the AV Club. "You'll see. It's prior to the eye injury, [so] no eye patch."
Ahead of her standalone movie, Larson will make her debut as Captain Marvel in this year's Avengers: Infinity War, which hits theaters in May. Check the latest Avengers: Infinity War trailer out here.
Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition, as the mobile adaptation is called, launches for iOS and Android next week, on February 9. Unlike the original game, Pocket Edition sports a much cartoonier art style, with chibi-like characters and monsters. The gameplay has also been tweaked to better suit mobile devices; the adventure plays out from an isometric viewpoint, and players guide their party around the world and battle enemies using the touch screen.
Pocket Edition features the same cast of characters and storyline as the original Final Fantasy XV, but the adventure is divided up into 10 episodic chapters, all of which will be available on launch day. Players will be able to download and play the first of these chapters for free, but each subsequent one will need to be purchased with real money. Players can pre-register for the game now from both the App Store and Google Play.
2018 marks the 30th anniversary of Final Fantasy, and Square Enix has said this will be a big year for the series. Final Fantasy XV releases for PC on March 6 and comes with all of the DLC included in the game's season pass, as well as an additional dungeon, vehicle, and boss fights. On the same day, Final Fantasy XV: Royal Edition launches for PS4 and Xbox One and likewise bundles the DLC and new content together in one package.
Monster Hunter World released at the end of last week, but it's already off to a fast start. It's set a new record for the series in its first three days, according to Capcom, though we don't yet have a firm idea of how many copies it's actually sold.
World has shipped 5 million units through its first free three days, Capcom has announced. That figure includes digital sales and all physical copies that have been shipped to retailers (but not necessarily sold through to consumers). Publishers often talk in terms of copies shipped, but it leaves us without any idea of how many copies are actually in players' hands.
Regardless, it's seemingly positive news for Capcom, though we don't know what its exact expectations were. Unlike recent entries in the series, World is available on PS4 and Xbox One (with a PC release to come), rather than being confined to 3DS. The combined install base of the two consoles is greater than that of 3DS, meaning Capcom has a bigger potential audience to sell the game to. It's also allowed for a much bigger, better-looking game than previous entries; the last new mainline Monster Hunter released on a console was 2010's Monster Hunter Tri for Wii.
A new batch of games are now discounted on the US PlayStation Store. While last week's selection of deals was rather slim, players have considerably more options to choose from this week thanks to the big PlayStation Essentials sale, which offers discounts on a ton of great PS4, PS3, and Vita games.
The PS Essentials sale will be available this week and ends at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET on January 30. You can see the full list of discounted titles on the PlayStation Store.
Xbox players can now find a new selection of game discounts on the Xbox Store. This week's Xbox One and Xbox 360 Deals with Gold aren't quite as extensive as last week's, but they include a handful of noteworthy titles, particularly for the newer console.
As always, the majority of this week's discounts are for Xbox One games, and unlike last week's selection of deals, all of these are exclusive to Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Battlefield 1 Revolution, which includes the base game and all of its available and forthcoming DLC, is $13.20 / £22; those who already own Battlefield 1 can purchase its Premium Pass for $15 / £12. Additionally, Battlefield 4 is $5 / £3.75, and the Battlefield Anniversary Bundle--which includes both Battlefield 1 and 4, along with their DLC expansions--is $50 / £45. Xbox One owners can also pick up the Battlefield 1 & Titanfall 2 Ultimate Bundle for $26.40 / £26.40.
Xbox 360 has a much slimmer lineup of discounts, and they are likewise all reserved for Gold subscribers. Two versions of Street Fighter IV are on sale this week: the standard game is $14 / £10.49, while Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition is $12 / £8. The Ultra Street Fighter IV update is also available for $7.49 / £6. The remaining deals include Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition ($3.74 / £2.49) and the Dark Elves add-on for Blood Bowl ($2.67 / £1.80).
All of the aforementioned discounts are only available this week and will expire at 3 AM PT / 6 AM ET on January 30. You can find the full list of this week's Deals with Gold on Major Nelson's blog.
We're nearing the end of January, but a selection of free Xbox games for January 2018 are still live on the Microsoft Store. Xbox One owners with an active Xbox Live Gold subscription can pick up both titles, while one of them is also playable on Xbox 360.
On Xbox One, it's the zombie-slaying action game Zombi that's free, which is the updated version of Wii U launch game ZombiU. Those on Xbox 360 can pick up co-op action game Army of Two, which is also playable on Xbox One through backwards compatibility.
We're nearing the end of January, but it's not too late to grab the free games that are now available for PlayStation Plus subscribers. January's allotment of free PS Plus games are still out on the PlayStation Store, meaning that titles like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Batman: The Telltale Series have temporarily dropped to the low, low price of free for paying subscribers.
Mankind Divided is the headlining PS4 freebie this month. The dystopian cyberpunk role-playing game casts you as Adam Jensen and tasks you with catching a terrorist group, which you can do by being a stealthy detective or a tech-enhanced killing machine, or some mixture of both. As for Telltale's Batman game, this is the first season of the story and puts players in tricky situations as both Bruce Wayne and his crime-fighting alter-ego. The decisions you make will have some consequence on the relationships around you, and the overall story.
Other PS4 freebies in January include the wacky and fun party game That's You! (if you're outside of North America) and StarBlood Arena (which requires PlayStation VR). Additionally, PS Vita's free games, Uncanny Valley and Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness, are both free on PS4, too. You may have to "purchase" Psycho-Pass on PS4 and PS Vita separately, however, since it is not normally part of Sony's Cross-Buy scheme. Note that in Europe and Australia, Psycho-Pass is only free on PS Vita, not PS4. Finally, PS3 owners get Sacred 3 and The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 for free.
You can see January 2018's full PS Plus lineup--covering PS4, PS3, and Vita--below, or you can claim them on the PlayStation Store. February's games have not yet been announced, but that news will likely be coming on January 31, with a release following on February 6.
While many look to February as a time for love, thanks to Valentine's Day, the true meaning of the second month of the year is to celebrate a long list of new things to stream on Netflix. The service is adding movie franchises, fan-favorite TV shows, and some highly anticipated originals in February.
Among the originals is likely the biggest arrival of the month in Altered Carbon. The sci-fi series is based on the 2002 Richard K. Morgan novel of the same name and stars Joel Kinnaman, Renee Elise Goldsberry, and James Purefoy. The series follows a man who has been awoken after 250 and placed into a new body, as he solves a murder.
Other originals being added include the documentary Seeing Allred, the new talk show The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale, and the latest episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, which will feature George Clooney. Additionally, the American Pie, Ocean's Eleven, and Kill Bill franchises will be available to stream on February 1.
Sadly, a new month also means several titles are departing Netflix, Among them are Tim Burton's Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas, Project X, all three seasons of An Idiot Abroad, and several series of Top Gear.
You can take a look at everything Netflix is gaining and losing below. You can also look back on everything the service added in January if you aren't caught up.
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.
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."
The new entry in the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter World, has arrived on Xbox One and PS4, with a PC release still to come. Being made for more powerful hardware--as opposed to 3DS, like recent entries in the series--has allowed it to be bigger and better-looking than previous Monster Hunters. That's especially true when playing on the upgraded versions of the two consoles, and right now, you can pick one up in a nicely discounted bundle. [Update: Another Xbox One X deal has popped up, this one not tied to any specific game.]
Aside from the separate PS4 Pro bundle that gets you Monster Hunter World and Titanfall 2 for free, Newegg has a deal on the Xbox One X. On its website (via Wario64), the retailer is selling the system for its regular price of $500 but with a free copy of Monster Hunter World tossed in. Given the game launched just a few days ago and is priced at $60 on its own, that's a nice incentive to pick one up.
The system and game are new and unused, although shipping is not free. This offer is available from now through Thursday, February 1 (unless it sells out before then). If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, there is also the aforementioned PS4 Pro deal that sells for $100 less. On either that system or Xbox One X, you'll be able to leverage the additional horsepower to improve the experience. A setting allows you to prioritize framerate, resolution, or other visual effects, which you can't do on a standard PS4 or Xbox One.
Monster Hunter World represents a significant step forward for the series in a variety of ways. It does away with its partitioned zones in favor of a larger, seamless open area to explore and provides a more welcoming introduction to the basics of Monster Hunter's unique style. But it also, by virtue of being designed for PS4 and Xbox One, looks a whole lot nicer than what we're accustomed to.
After years of being confined to the much less capable hardware found in the 3DS, Capcom has been able to really go wild with World from a technical standpoint. Areas are far larger than those of previous games, and they look much nicer. Those with a PS4 Pro or Xbox One X are in for a particular treat, as World ships with enhancements that take advantage of those systems' additional horsepower. You're specifically able to opt between settings that prioritize resolution or framerate.
The 4K video above showcases the PS4 Pro version specifically with resolution prioritized, which should give you an idea of what to expect from the high-end hardware. In it, we use the Switch Axe weapon type to hunt down an Anjanath, one of the new monsters introduced in World.
With Rainbow Six Siege's third year of content approaching, Ubisoft has once again updated the ways in which you can buy the game. Although there will still be a budget-priced option for those simply looking to get into the door, the company is doing away with the Standard edition of the game, which may result in an increase in price of the PS4 and Xbox One versions. [Update: In response to concerns from players, Ubisoft has announced further changes to how Rainbow Six Siege is sold.]
The existing Starter edition, which is only available on PC, will remain unchanged. It costs $15 and gets you access to the full game (including all modes and maps, which are never locked to anyone), as well as 600 R6 Credits, but unlocking characters is a more time-consuming process. Operators can still be unlocked with currency earned by playing the game, but they're far more expensive than they otherwise would be and thus require a substantial amount of time to obtain.
The key change involves the $40 Standard edition. This, too, included full access to the game but also got you the original 20 Operators. Ubisoft has phased this out in favor of the $60 Advanced edition. In addition to what was in the Standard edition, you also get 600 R6 Credits and 10 Outbreak Packs, which are coming to the game part of Siege's new Outbreak event. In other words, you'll receive 10 new cosmetic items, as well as in-game currency to spend on other cosmetics. It's unclear if this will now be the cheapest way to buy Siege on consoles. We've contacted Ubisoft for clarification.
Two other buying options will also be available. The existing $90 Gold Edition will be replaced by a new one that includes the Advanced edition and the Year 3 content pass, the primary component of which is free access to all of the Operators being released in the next year. There's also the $130 Complete edition, which includes the Advanced edition, access to all Year 1 and Year 2 Operators, and the Year 3 pass.
Siege's Starter edition is already available for sale. If you're looking to pick up any of the other versions, you'll be able to do so beginning on February 13. For an idea of what's next for the game, you can read more about the Outbreak event launching alongside Year 3.
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. Since that announcement, however, Ubisoft has since reversed or adjusted some its decisions.
The latest update for PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is now live on PC. Following a longer-than-expected maintenance period, developer PUBG Corp. has rolled the recent test server patch over to the live game, improving its stability and performance.
This latest update marks the third big one PUBG has received since leaving Early Access on PC back in December, though it appears to be fairly minor on the surface. It doesn't introduce any new features or content to the game; instead, it focuses primarily on optimizing PUBG's performance without tweaking its gameplay.
Most notably, PUBG Corp. has added more starting locations to both of the available maps and removed weapons from the starting island before the match begins in order to reduce stress on the game's servers. "Previously, all the players would spawn together at the same location awaiting the start of the match. Lots of interaction among multiple players in such a small area had a high impact on the servers," the developer explained in a post on the Steam forums. "To solve this, we have introduced multiple areas where players gather before the match start. As a result, the performance, both server and client-side, has improved."
PUBG Corp. also says that it will make additional adjustments "related to the airplane performance improvement." Further details on what those will entail will be announced "soon." Additionally, the studio is testing a new anti-cheating measure, though that is still currently in development. PUBG Corp. has been implementing new systems to help curb cheating, which has been a persistent issue for the game. In the previous PC update, the developer introduced a system that allows players to report a suspected cheater from the replay feature.
You can read the full patch notes for PUBG's new update--as taken from the Steam forums--below. The Xbox One version of PUBG also received a new update recently. That patch introduced an auto-run option and made various crash fixes.
PUBG Update #3 Patch Notes
Gameplay
Introduced multiple pre-match starting areas on both maps in order to optimize the server and game client performance
Removed weapons on starting island before the match start
Language
Applied new Russian, Japanese and Chinese (simplified/traditional) fonts
Bug fixes
Fixed the issue where players were able to slide-jump from prone
The Extended Ops update is available to download now on all platforms, though its size will vary depending on which version you're playing. The expansion weighs in at 8 GB on Steam and 14 GB on Uplay, while it can be as large as 13.5 GB on consoles. The centerpiece of the update is a new Ghost War PvP mode called Extraction. In it, one team is tasked with escorting two "high-value targets" safely out of a conflict zone, while the other team tries to prevent the hostages from being rescued.
Two maps will be available at the start for Extraction: Institute and Garage, both of which are playable in Quickplay and Ranked modes. Ubisoft has also tweaked a number of classes in Ghost War. The Predator's Assault-specific HP bonus has been removed, and Ubisoft has reduced the amount of HP you gain when activating Adrenaline Rush. Additionally, the Medic's drone will now be marked one second after being launched, rather than six.
In addition to the new mode and maps, the Extended Ops update introduces loot boxes, known as Battle Crates, to Wildlands. These crates are available in both Wildlands' Campaign and Ghost War modes. Those that can be obtained in the Campaign are called Spec Ops Crates and contain Epic weapons, Exotic weapons, vehicles, and "tons" of cosmetic items; Ghost War Crates, meanwhile, are found in Ghost War mode and are purely cosmetic. They contain Exotic weapons, other customization items, and a new line of player skins called Icons. Ubisoft says that each Battle Crate will contain three items you don't already own, ensuring you never pick up duplicates. The crates can be purchased from the in-game store for 400 Store Credits.
You can read the full patch notes for the Ghost Recon: Wildlands Extended Ops update on the game's official website. This marks the third big update Ubisoft has rolled out for Ghost War mode so far; the previous expansion, Jungle Storm, arrived back in December and was themed around Predator.
Venom is the first in a series of movies set within a cinematic universe populated by characters from Spider-Man comic books. It stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, a man who is taken over by the titular alien symbiote, and is set to hit theaters in October. Hardy has now revealed that the movie has finished shooting.
The actor marked the end of production by posting a behind-the-scenes image on Instagram. It's captioned "Wrapped life back Bye." Check it out below:
We are yet to see any footage from Venom, but last month the first official--and somewhat boring--image was released. This followed some on-set videos and an early promotional banner. The movie hits theaters on October 5, 2018, and also stars Riz Ahmed, Michelle Williams, and Woody Harrelson. Zombieland's Ruben Fleischer is directing.
Although Sony made a deal with Disney in 2015 to allow Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the former studio still retains the overall movie rights to characters from the comics. In terms of other Spidey spin-offs, Venom will be followed by Silver & Black. That movie will focus on Silver Sable and the Black Cat, and is currently set to arrive on February 8, 2019.
In related news, Sony recently released a trailer for a new animated new Spider-Man movie titled Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse. This one focuses on Miles Morales, who started life in the Ultimate Universe but has since crossed over into various other Marvel comic realities. Check it out here.
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]
GamesRadar+ -- 5/5
"Monster Hunter World is an incredible achievement. It manages the nearly impossible feat of taking a franchise known (and in many corners beloved) for it's incredible complexity and depth and making it significantly more approachable, without in any way stripping it down or diminishing it." --Alan Bradley [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]
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment