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.
Dragon Ball FighterZ released on January 26 and is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It also had a pre-release open beta, during which only 11 of its characters were playable. The game is out, but we'll continue to update this feature with the final review, guides, and more as they're published. We'll also update with information about the DLC as it arrives, so stay tuned!
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.
Guides
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 Features
Watch Dragon Ball FighterZ gameplay, see all the Easter eggs, test your Dragon Ball knowledge, and more.
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.
The PlayStation Essentials sale may be over, but a new selection of game discounts are now available on the US PlayStation Store. This week, Sony is holding a PS Plus Specials sale that's available exclusively to PS Plus subscribers, and it offers discounts on a variety of PS4, PS3, and Vita titles.
PS3 owners have a much slimmer selection to choose from, as only two titles are included in the PS Plus Specials sale: BlazBlue: Central Fiction ($25) and R-Type Dimensions ($3). While those discounts are only available to PS Plus subscribers, all PS3 owners can also pick up Demon's Souls for $10, Space Hulk for $14, and FIFA 18 Legacy Edition for $30 ($27 for Plus members).
Most of these deals will only be available until 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET on February 6, so you should take advantage of any that may interest you soon, before they're replaced by next week's discounts. You can find the full list of this week's deals on the PlayStation Store.
Electronic Arts today announced the results of its annual Super Bowl simulation. The results for Super Bowl 52 may not surprise many but will surely irritate many football fans outside New England and plenty within the region as well. The simulation predicted that the New England Patriots will beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20 in a wild, come-from-behind victory.
In the simulation, conducted using Madden NFL 18, the Eagles struck first with a touchdown run from Jay Ajayi. They held the Patriots scoreless until the second quarter, when Brady completed touchdown passes to Rob Gronkowski and Brandin Cooks. The Eagles added a field goal before the half to keep it close.
The Eagles came alive in the second half, blitzing on defense and getting two sacks on Brady. Also, Brady threw an interception that led to a touchdown by Alshon Jeffery. The Eagles led going into the fourth quarter.
Brady connected with Danny Amendola to put the Patriots back ahead. The Patriots then tried to drain the clock with run plays but Eagles safety Malcolm Jennings stripped the ball away from Patriots back Dion Lewis leading to a fumble recovery by the Eagles. The Eagles could not get it done, however, as a last-minute throw from Eagles QB Nick Foles to wide receiver Jeffery was knocked away by Patriots defensive back Stefon Gilmore to seal the win for the Patriots.
Brady took home Super Bowl MVP honors on the back of 342 passing yards and three touchdowns. Gronkowski was the top receiver in the game with 107 yards on four catches with one touchdown. The Patriots run game struggled, with Lewis the leader, despite only having 41 yards and the aforementioned fumble.
Production on the new Halloween movie has officially started. The film sees Jamie Lee Curtis returning to the role of Laurie Strode for the first time since 2002's Halloween: Resurrection. The new Halloween film, which is a direct sequel to the 1978 original and ignores other entries in the franchise, also finds original writer and director John Carpenter returning as an executive producer.
Curtis shared the first image from the new movie on Twitter, which not only includes her in a costume similar to Laurie's from the original movie--because denim never goes out of style--but director David Gordon Green has an important piece of movie history in his hands. "First shot! First day. Same slate. Same Laurie," Curtis writes. "David Gordon Green directing from his script. Happy Halloween 2018 everyone." That's right, the slate he's holding is the same one Carpenter used in the original film. You can even see the original director's name still attached to it with tape.
The new film is written by Green and Danny McBride (Eastbound and Down), along with help from Carpenter. The original film's director will also once again provide a score for the movie.
A plot for the new Halloween has yet to be revealed. However, a synopsis from Universal Studios and Blumhouse--which are producing the movie--reads, "Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago."
The new Halloween film, which could end up being the final one in the franchise, hits theaters on October 19.
Bungie has concluded its server maintenance routine, and Destiny 2 servers are back online. The first Iron Banner event of Season 2, which began in early December with Curse of Osiris's release, is now live for a limited time, and a major new update has been released on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Here's exactly what it does.
As Bungie detailed previously, update 1.1.2 introduces Masterwork armor. This is a rare quality that all Legendary armor can take on, and it operates similarly to the Masterwork weapons system added in December. Essentially, Legendary armor can drop as (or be upgraded to) a Masterwork version, which provides you with an additional stat bonus that can be re-rolled. Each piece of Masterwork armor also offers a 3% damage resistance bonus while your Super is active; this effect stacks, offering a maximum of 15% if all five of your armor pieces are Masterworks. These items can be obtained through all of the normal means, though Trials of the Nine and Raid activities are more likely to drop them. Dismantling them provides you with materials that can then be used to upgrade a Legendary item into a Masterwork.
Drops related to the Raid have also changed in a number of ways. By completing a corresponding activity in a given week, you'll be able to purchase a rotating selection of armor or weapons from Benedict 99-40. Raid encounters are now guaranteed to drop a piece of armor or a weapon, and completing a Prestige Raid encounter before doing the normal version will get you rewards from both the Prestige and normal versions. A new Exotic Ghost exclusive to Leviathan can now be found during Raid activities' final encounter. Finally, Raid armor all now have unique mods with new perks that only work when on the Leviathan. These can be rotated in and out by spending a Raid Token, and even existing Raid armor will have a spot to equip these mods.
This patch kicks off the Iron Banner event, which features new gear to earn, some of which you can see above. Other notable changes include a reduction in the amount of XP needed to receive an Illuminated Engram; it now takes 120,000, rather than 160,000. Both the Gleaming Boon of the Crucible and Vanguard have seen their Bright Dust prices slashed. And several individual items have seen balance fixes or changes; Prometheus Lens, for instance, which was a major problem in Crucible after its release and was later nerfed, has seen its damage increased. Additionally, its Flame Refraction perk no longer pulls ammo from your reserves; instead, it generates fresh ammo to use.
There are a ton of other tweaks made in this update too, and the patch notes are quite long. You can see them in full on Bungie's website.
Call of Duty: WWII expands today with the addition of a new map pack. The add-on is called The Resistance, and it's out now on PS4. Xbox One and PC players, however, will have to wait.
The pack comes with three normal multiplayer maps, called Valkyrie, Anthropoid, and Occupation. It also features a new War mode map, titled Operation Intercept, which requires one side to rescue Resistance fighters and escape. Finally, the pack comes with a new Nazi Zombies mode, The Darkest Shore.
We don't yet know when The Resistance will launch on Xbox One or PC, but those platforms typically have to wait approximately one month for Call of Duty DLC thanks to Sony's timed exclusivity deal with Activision. We do know the pack will set you back $15 / £11.59 / AU $20.45; it's also included with Call of Duty: WWII's season pass, which costs $50 / £40 / AU $65.
Ahead of the expansion's launch, a new limited-time Call of Duty: WWII event has begun for everyone. Also called The Resistance, the event is free and runs through February 27. It adds new weapons, gear, and a new Division, and it marks the return of the ridiculous Prop Hunt game mode.
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. No purchase necessary.
Enter below (the additional entries are OPTIONAL to increase your chances of winning):
In a crossover that might have seemed incredibly unlikely in the past, Xbox's most well-known character, Master Chief, can now appear on your Nintendo system's screen. Thanks to the arrival of a new DLC pack for the Switch and Wii U versions of Minecraft, skins from Xbox-exclusive game series like Halo, Gears of War, and Fable are now available.
Minecraft developer Mojang, which is owned by Microsoft, announced last year that it was "still working on" bringing custom skins to the console versions of Minecraft. It's now made good on that promise, announcing that Skin Pack 1 and a new DLC skin pack themed around Moana release today for both the Switch and Wii U versions, as well as those available on Xbox One, Windows 10, and mobile. Notably, the PlayStation versions are absent from that list.
Skin Pack 1, which is priced at $2 / £1.59 / AU $ 2.65 on Xbox 360, consists of skins based on Halo (including Master Chief and the grunt), various Fable characters (such as Jack of Blades), Banjo, 'Splosion Man, and Gears of War's Cole Train. You can see these and the Moana skins in the gallery below.
This is obviously most notable for the presence of Xbox-exclusive IP on Nintendo's systems, but it could also pave the way for the Better Together update to make its way to Switch. As it stands, the new cross-platform multiplayer support introduced to Minecraft last year is not yet available on Switch. The same is also true of PS4, PS3, and Vita, though Microsoft is still interested in making Xbox One/PS4 cross-play happen.
Destiny 2 servers have been taken offline for previously scheduled maintenance. They'll remain down for the next few hours as Bungie prepares to roll out the game's next update on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and it's shaping up to be one of the biggest so far, with Masterwork armor, Iron Banner, and Raid armor perks all being introduced. [Update: Maintenance is complete and servers are back online. Destiny 2's big new update is now available.]
Maintenance is now underway, preventing anyone from logging in. Players who were already online when it began can continue playing until 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM GMT, at which time everyone will be booted offline. Bungie expects the process to wrap up by 12 PM PT, although that's merely an estimate; servers may come back sooner or later depending on how things go.
Whenever they are back online, update 1.1.2 will be available. This will kick off the first Iron Banner event of Season 2, which introduces a variety of new items to earn. There will also be an option to directly purchase items, rather than having to rely on Engrams to grant you what you're looking for. But there's also a lot more in this update.
Much as we got Masterwork weapons in a December patch, this update introduces Masterwork armor. Legendary armor can drop as a rarer Masterwork version, which grants damage resistance while using a Super (stacking up to a total of 15% if all five armor pieces are Masterworks). They can also be reworked to roll for a chance at a different stat bonus, just like Masterwork weapons.
Raid drops also become more interesting, as Bungie will add perks to Raid armor that work when worn on Leviathan. Both new and existing Raid armor pieces will have reusable mods that make players more powerful during the Raid. In order to ensure these would be useful in all encounters, the perks take the form of things like dealing extra damage after a melee kill or recharging your grenade after using a Super.
We'll report back once maintenance has concluded and the update is available. Bungie should also be releasing the patch notes for the update at some point today, which will provide us with a complete look at what's changed.
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.
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.
The first images from the set of the Detective Pikachu movie have arrived and, at first glance, this might not be the live-action Pokemon movie you were expecting. Instead of a colorful universe filled with massive battles against strange-looking creatures, this film looks to be set in a world similar to our own.
The photos come from a Twitter user who stumbled upon the Ryme City police department set in London. According to the images, Ryme City is a place in which humans and Pokemon coexist. While the plot of the movie is unclear at this point, what's known is that Ryan Reynolds will voice the titular Pikachu, who is a police detective.
There is no information on who the movie's villain will be. However, several missing posters are seen at the Ryme City Police Plaza set, including those looking for Pokemon such as Machoke, Graveler, and Pancham. Outside of the creatures adorning the posters, though, the world looks very realistic.
Granted, this is a very small look at what Detective Pikachu is building. Still, it's a far cry from what previous Pokemon games and animated movies have looked like. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. After all, there might be nothing more entertaining and absurd than seeing Pikachu solve crimes in a realistic world.
Detective Pikachu is based on a Japanese video game of the same name, in which the popular Pokemon is a master detective in the vein of Sherlock Holmes. Joining Reynolds in the film are Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, and Ken Watanabe, with Rob Letterman (Goosebumps) directing. The movie will arrive on May 10, 2019. Meanwhile, the video game will arrive in the United States on March 23 when it releases on Nintendo 3DS.
There may not be a title for the third Cloverfield movie just yet, but the fourth film in the anthology series is already in the can. That's right, though it has no release date or official announcement, Cloverfield 4 has already been filmed.
That bit of news comes from Slashfilm, which reports that the working title for the film is Overlord and it's set during World War II--far different from the space station setting of the third Cloverfield movie that's coming later in 2018. A synopsis for Overlord reads, "On the eve of D-Day, American paratroopers are dropped behind enemy lines to carry out a mission crucial to the invasion's success. But as they approach their target, they begin to realize there is more going on in this Nazi-occupied village than a simple military operation. They find themselves fighting against supernatural forces, part of a Nazi experiment."
Like Cloverfield 3, which was originally titled God Particle, Overlord started out as a film not set in this franchise's universe. It's possible that aspects of the movie were changed to line up with the Cloverfield universe.
Overlord is directed by Julius Avery and stars Wyatt Russell and Jovan Adepo. According to Box Office Mojo, the film is currently set for a theatrical release on October 26, but there's no telling if that is official.
As for the next Cloverfield movie, Netflix is in talks to acquire the film previously known as God Particle, according to The Hollywood Reporter. All that's been announced thus far is an April release--following several delays. Whether it ends up in theaters or on Netflix remains to be seen.
Mute is the latest movie from Duncan Jones, the director of acclaimed sci-fi films Moon and Source Code, as well as 2016's big-budget video game adaptation Warcraft. It's a futuristic thriller that arrives on Netflix next month, and the first trailer has been released. Check it out above.
The movie stars Alexander Skarsgård (The Legend of Tarzan, True Blood), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), and Justin Theroux (The Girl on a Train). It's set to premiere on Netflix on February 23.
A synopsis has also been released, which reads: "Berlin, the future, but close enough to feel familiar: In this loud, often brutal city, Leo (Alexander Skarsgård)--unable to speak from a childhood accident--searches for his missing girlfriend, the love of his life, his salvation, through dark streets, frenzied plazas, and the full spectrum of the cities shadow-dwellers.
"As he seeks answers, Leo finds himself mixed up with Cactus Bill (Paul Rudd) and Duck (Justin Theroux), a pair of irreverent US army surgeons on a mission all their own. This soulful sci-fi journey from filmmaker Duncan Jones imagines a world of strange currencies in which echoes of love and humanity are still worth listening to."
Jones previously revealed that Mute is part of a trilogy, alongside Moon, his highly acclaimed 2009 debut, and an as-yet-unmade third movie. It has been in development for many years; back in 2010, Jones revealed that Sam Rockwell, the star of Moon, would reprise his role in Mute. While it is unknown whether Rockwell does cameo in Mute, we do know that the film references the events of Moon.
The battle royale game mode isn't exactly new, but its current mainstream spotlight can be attributed to the virality of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. After it sold tens of millions of copies on Steam during its early access period alone, there was bound to be a wave of games trying to capitalize on the genre's exploding popularity. As of now, though, Fortnite: Battle Royale is the frontrunner in challenging PUBG's dominance. And while many have dubbed Fortnite's rendition a PUBG clone, there are just as many stark differences as there are similarities between the two.
A drastic contrast in presentation will hit you first. PUBG has a realistic, military-inspired look that's layered on top of the already nerve-racking concept. Fortnite looks like a cartoon; it's bright, colorful, and animated in a way that takes the edge off the imposing battle royale mode. Oddly enough, both games use Epic's Unreal Engine 4 despite the divergent graphical styles. These games were also born out of disparate foundations.
At its core, PUBG shares much of the same DNA as its predecessors. Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene himself helped create the original battle royale mods for Arma, and through several iterations these mods eventually led to H1Z1: King of the Kill, which became the premiere battle royale game just before PUBG came onto the scene. However, PUBG offers a more accessible and streamlined experience than its forebears while retaining the military sim framework that taps into your tactical instincts.
This begs the question: How did Fortnite, of all games, become the one to go toe-to-toe with PUBG? Fortnite has its own tumultuous development history, but its initial vision was a mashup of Gears of War's Horde mode and Minecraft's construction mechanics, driven by a loot grind to hook players. At first, a game that controls fast and loose, almost like an arena shooter, doesn't seem ripe for battle royale. However, Epic was able to adapt Fortnite into its own battle royal mode early on and capitalize on the trend, carving out its own piece of the pie.
There are number of things that make each game unique, but the ultimate goal is to be the last one standing.
Fortnite also had two key advantages over PUBG when its battle royale mode launched: it was both free to play and available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. PUBG recently hit the Xbox One in an early access phase, but it has a long way to go to match how smooth and stable Fortnite runs. Even on PC, you're likely to run higher framerates and have a lower chance of experiencing game-breaking bugs.
When it comes to the overall concept, PUBG's influence on Fortnite is clear. In both games, a 60-second warm-up takes place on an isolated island off the shore of the main island. 100 players are crammed into an air vessel and parachute down to the main island where a single-life deathmatch takes place. You're continuously forced into smaller zones at random via a lethal circle as the match progresses; you'll never know exactly where the final firefight will take place, either. Everyone scrambles for weapons, ammo, and health items across the map's numerous towns and structures. You can either do this alone, as a duo, or with a squad of four, but it ends the same: the last person or squad standing is declared the winner. Conceptually, these games are the same, but in practice, they play very differently.
Regardless of your weapon of choice, you have to be precise. PUBG is all about precision.
Most noticeably, PUBG's rules of engagement are in sharp contrast with Fortnite's. When it comes to PUBG, player movement and the act of firing a gun are very deliberate and calculated. Tactical situations rely on positioning and working the given environment to your advantage; lying prone in brush to stay concealed in a open field, peeking around rocks or trees to take shots, and checking corners when entering houses are just a few of the basic (and best) practices. Guns fire with impact and have distinct recoil patterns and damage models in relation to the armor your target has equipped. Regardless of your weapon of choice, you have to be precise. PUBG is all about precision. You can't say the same about Fortnite, at least to the same degree.
Fortnite's building mechanics are remarkably easy to use and crucial to master.
Of course, aiming is key to winning in Fortnite, but the way assault rifles and shotguns work is closer to Unreal Tournament than it is to Arma. Rocket and grenade launchers are also part of Fortnite's arsenal, and traps give players a chance to exercise a different type of cleverness. Because of the nature of its style, Fortnite feels much more chaotic and kinetic, and you can't overlook the importance of building structures to stay competitive.
Players can build structures and change a game of Fortnite: Battle Royale.
Fortnite retains crafting from its original Save the World mode, and getting a grasp of it is essential for victory. A pickaxe that functions as your only melee weapon is also used to destroy structures and vegetation which turn into wood, brick, or steel. With these elements, you build walls, stairs, or a roof, and can then be altered with windows and doors. It's almost a guarantee that firing upon an enemy in an open field will lead to them throwing up a wall out of instinct to protect themselves and heighten their chance of survival. Scaling mountains and seemingly hard-to-reach places is made possible with an ad-libbed staircase. Fortnite's building mechanics are remarkably easy to use and crucial to master.
On the other hand, part of PUBG's appeal is that the clumsy crafting elements of its predecessors are gone, allowing players to focus on gearing up and executing tactics to survive each firefight. Ditching granular mechanics helps keep a relatively fast pace and lower barrier to entry while maintaining the realistic tactical shooter vibe. You need to strap on an armored vest and helmet to protect yourself, and weapon attachments help get the most out of the deep roster of firearms. Inventory management is relatively streamlined in PUBG, but Fortnite simplifies it to such a degree that you only have to worry about five inventory slots instead of a managing a weight limit.
Both games have large, sprawling maps, but PUBG incorporates vehicles that are of utmost importance to reach advantageous positions without getting swallowed up by the circle of death or gunned down by a preying squad. However, close-quarters encounters are a microcosm of how much PUBG and Fortnite diverge. If you fight in and around the buildings and towns of PUBG as if it were Rainbow Six--scouting enemy movement, peeking for sightlines--you'll improve your odds of survival. In Fortnite, destruction is around every corner; if you know an enemy is on the second floor of a building, you can blow apart the floor beneath them for a surprise. You rack up kills by getting the jump on opponents in either game, but you can't play PUBG like Fortnite, and approaching Fortnite like PUBG will only get you so far.
In Fortnite's late-game, when it comes down to a single-digit player count, you'll often see enemies creating their own fort-like structures in the safe zones, essentially building makeshift houses to leverage their resources and wit. It's not much of a mystery where the last players are when you see them exercising their architectural prowess. Often times, PUBG's final moments boil down to a waiting game, who gets spotted first, or a risky push with smoke grenades as your last bit of cover; it's about seizing a short window of opportunity where things go from 0 to 100 real quick. It's intense and frightening.
The more you dig into both games, the more you'll see how their takes on battle royale offer unique experiences and tap into different skills, even though one is closely modeled after the other. The thirst can be quenched with either PUBG or Fortnite (or both), because the thrill of besting 90-plus other players is rewarding in a way unlike other multiplayer shooters. If you have to choose one over the other, keep in mind that Fortnite is best for those who want to engage in a form of base-building within a chaotic shooter that doesn't rely so much on precision and realism, whereas PUBG has the look and feel of a tactical shooter to drive home the uneasy tension of battle royale.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus has new DLC out now, as The Diaries of Agent Silent Death launches on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The add-on has you exploring a Nazi's version of Hollywood, and it's available for $10 / £8 / AU $15.
You play as former OSS agent Jessica Valiant, and you'll get to visit film studio-turned-Nazi propaganda machine Paragon Pictures. It sounds as if this expansion will be stealth-focused, as publisher Bethesda says you'll "stalk, shoot, and stab from the shadows in pursuit of your prey."
As well as being available by itself, The Diaries of Agent Silent Death is included as part of Wolfenstein II's Freedom Chronicles season pass, which costs $25 / £18 / AU $35. This also includes a previously released bonus chapter called Episode Zero and the first proper expansion, The Adventures of Gunslinger Joe. A third and final DLC pack is still to come: it's titled The Amazing Deeds of Captain Wilkins, and it will task you with dismantling a Nazi operation in Alaska.
We enjoyed the game's main campaign here at GameSpot. "The New Colossus never lets you forget who and why you're fighting," wrote critic Kallie Plagge. "Nazi brutality is on full display, from the blown-out, irradiated remains of Manhattan to each of the resistance members, who all carry mental scars if not physical ones. You're never given a chance between cutscenes, missions, and even downtime on the U-boat to lose sight of the Reich's cruelty. Wolfenstein's tense gameplay elevates this further by giving you the power to truly resist--and come out of each battle ready for another fight." Read more in our full Wolfenstein II review, or check out why we named it one of the five best Xbox One games of 2017.
Many of this generation's biggest video game franchises are receiving the comic book treatment courtesy of Titan Comics. The publisher has already adapted Wolfenstein II and Tekken into graphic novels, with a Bloodborne comic on the way in February. That won't be the only one gaming fans have to look forward to next month, however.
Titan has announced it is releasing a new graphic novel series based on the latest installment in Ubisoft's stealth-action franchise, Assassin's Creed Origins. The first issue of the Assassin's Creed Origins comic debuts in February and ties directly into the game. Titan hasn't shared many plot details from the graphic novel, but the series is set after the events of Assassin's Creed Origins and features historical figures such as Cleopatra.
Ahead of the comic's release, Titan has shared several variant covers for Assassin's Creed Origins #1, along with a handful of pages of interior art from the debut issue--you can take a look at all of the artwork in the gallery above. The primary cover for the issue is designed by Stephanie Hans, whose previous credits include The Wicked + The Divine, Angela: Queen of Hel, and Jean Grey.
Both Assassin's Creed Origins and Bloodborne graphic novels will be available in physical stores and online in February. Additionally, Titan is releasing a new comic based on the Xbox One pirate game Sea of Thieves. That series is set to launch around the time of the game's release in March.
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 hours 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.
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 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 well as a guide on how to capture monsters.
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 trailer suggests the movie will continue the more comedic caper feel of its predecessor, with plenty of action centered around brilliant scientist Hank Pym's shrinking and enlarging tech. Paul Rudd plays Scott Lang once more, with Evangeline Lilly getting joint-billing as Hope Pym, aka the Wasp. Check the trailer out above.
In addition to Rudd and Lilly, Michael Douglas returns as Hank Pym, while Michael Peña (The Martian, Fury) is back as Lang's criminal pal Luis. New cast members include Michelle Pfeiffer, Laurence Fishburne, and Randall Park (The Interview, Trainwreck) as SHIELD agent Jimmy Woo.
Ant-Man and The Wasp is directed by Peyton Reed, who previously helmed the first film. Reed took over from Edgar Wright, who had worked on the movie for many years but left shortly before production began. Wright recently revealed that he has never seen the final film.
In an interview with Modern Myth Media last year, Reed spoke about his plans for the sequel. "For me, as a comic nerd, I have always thought of Ant-Man and Wasp as a team," he said. "That's a lot of what the second movie is really about--how they work together, and what their personal and professional relationships are like.
"To show her finally fully formed in this movie is really exciting. We really get to introduce this character into that universe. To me she's not a supporting character in this movie. It's every bit as much her movie as it is Scott Lang's."
The name of the game in Monster Hunter is, obviously, hunting monsters. But whether you're assigned to hunt down a particular creature or you happen upon one during an Expedition, you don't necessarily have to kill it. Capturing monsters is often the best way to go, and in some cases it's a mandatory aspect of a given quest. Monster Hunter World makes strides in welcoming in new players, but the process still might be unclear. Here's exactly how to do it.
First, it's important to note that not all monsters can be captured. Smaller monsters can't be, though minor wildlife--ants, birds and rabbit-like creatures, and so on--can be easily snagged with the Capture Net (and some can then be freed in your living quarters). It's the creatures known as Large Monsters that you'll be able to properly capture, and doing so requires a few items.
In the video above, we run through the exact process. Essentially it boils down to a few steps: wear the monster's health way down without killing it, deploy a trap (such as the Shock Trap or Pitfall Trap), and then tranquilize the monster after it gets stuck in the trap. The process of tranquilizing can be done with Tranq Bombs or Tranq ammo from ranged weapons; the effects from these last a short time, so it's possible to capture a monster by trapping it after it's been tranquilized.
If you enroll in a quest where you goal is to explicitly capture a monster, the item box will provide the necessary items for free, though you may want to come equipped with extras. However you do it, capturing a monster can net you more monster parts than killing it. It's a more involved process, but the rewards can be worth the effort.
The future of DC cinematic universe continues to be a little uncertain, with only three set release dates for future movies, and various personnel changes behind-the-scenes. Nevertheless, one of those confirmed films--Shazam--has now started shooting.
Director David F Sandberg revealed the start of production on Instagram. While the clapperboard in the image displays a working title of Franklin, we know that Shazam is set to start production in early 2018. Plus Sandberg uses Shazam's distinctive lightning bolt symbol as an emoji. Check it out below:
Shazam hits theaters on April 5, 2019. The movie stars Zachary Levi as Billy Batson, the kid who becomes a superpowered hero when he utters the word "Shazam!" Levi is no stranger to the superhero genre--he is already part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having played Fandral in Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok.
Sandberg has previously stated that Shazam will be a lot lighter in tone than other films in the DC movie universe. "The big attraction for me with that character is the fact that every kid dreams of being Superman, right? I mean I certainly did, and [Billy Batson] is a kid that gets that chance," he said. "He gets to become the superhero. So it'll be big with superpowers in a way. In terms of what people can expect, I think this will be one of the more fun or lighthearted movies so far in the DC universe. It certainly will be a departure."
Shazam first appeared in 1939, when he was known by the name Captain Marvel. The character was bought by DC in 1971, when he was renamed, due to Marvel's ownership of the name Captain Marvel. A live action Shazam TV show was broadcast in the mid-70s, while an animated show followed in 1981.
The other DC movies confirmed for release are Aquaman and Wonder Woman 2. Aquaman arrives in November this year, while the Wonder Woman sequel will be released in November 2019.
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.
Back in 2016, it was announced that star Harrison Ford and director Steven Spielberg will return for a fifth Indiana Jones movie. Last year the film was officially given a 2020 release date slot, but there has been little news about its progress since then. However, it has now been reported that Spielberg is looking to start shooting the movie next year.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Indiana Jones 5 is currently set to be director's next project. The site notes that casting is actually underway for his movie after that, a remake of the classic musical West Wide Story. However, Spielberg's desire to assemble an "ethnically authentic" Hispanic cast for the latter means that work on it has started ahead of Indy 5. THR's sources also state there remains the possibility of the prolific filmmaker slotting in a smaller film prior to both.
In September last year, screenwriter David Koepp provided an update on the progress of the Indy 5 script. He revealed that he and Spielberg were "mostly happy" with the current draft, and that the film will follow "some precious artefact that they're all looking for." He also confirmed that Indy's son Mutt, played by Shia LaBeouf in 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, will not return for this latest film.
Back in March 2016, Ford spoke about why he was returning to the role of the iconic archeologist for the fifth time. "The opportunity to work with Steven again on this character which has brought pleasure to so many," he said. "Not to mention me. It's great fun to play this character. It's great fun to work with Steven, I'm looking forward to it."
Although Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was considered a disappointment by many fans, it still grossed more than $786 million worldwide. Altogether, the series has brought in nearly $2 billion at the global box office across all four releases.
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.
Shadow of the Colossus first launched on PS2 in 2005, quickly becoming a critical darling and fan favorite. An HD remaster arrived for PS3 six years later and was similarly loved. So surely the PS4 remake would follow in the game's own footsteps?
We enjoyed it in its pre-launch state and thought it felt better than ever on PS4. But with the remake's release date now just days away, final verdicts have started to appear. Read on to see a selection of reviews, or check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic for a wider view on critical opinion.
Developer / Publisher: Sony Japan Studio, Team Ico, Bluepoint / Sony
Platforms: PS4
Release Date: February 6
Price: $40 / £30 / AU $55
GameSpot -- 9/10
"Shadow of the Colossus is a tremendous journey, and one well worth taking and retaking. The visual overhaul is stunning, thoroughly enhancing every facet of Wander and Agro's excellent adventure. Galloping through the tranquil world is always breathtaking; felling a monumental colossus is always humbling. Shadow of the Colossus is a beautiful reconstruction of an already exceptional title. It continues to be a modern classic and is an extraordinary game that everyone must experience." -- Edmond Tran [Full review]
IGN -- 9.7/10
"The true definition of a classic, the gameplay and story of Shadow of the Colossus are every bit as great and emotional today as they were in 2005. This outstanding remaster skilfully enhances those qualities with improved controls, performance, and sheer graphical beauty. It remains one of the best PlayStation games ever made, and it's wonderful that Sony has brought it back to the fore so a new generation of gamers can experience it without having to look past its aged facade." -- Marty Sliva [Full review]
GamesRadar+ -- 4/5
"Despite a couple of minor quibbles, Shadow of the Colossus works on both its intended levels--as a returning nostalgia blast for those who remember it, and an enjoyable game for newcomers. The apparently disparate parts, those long journeys filled with solitude and massive boss battles, are tied together by a strong personality that develops and draws you in. It's like poking around a house where someone died, looking at things you know are important but with no one left to ask why. It's still a mysterious thing to play, that feels as thought provoking and artful as it did all those years ago on PS2." -- Leon Hurley [Full review]
Polygon -- 9.5/10
"Sony's big PlayStation exclusive of the season is this recreation of a PS2 classic. As wonderful a game as this is, the lesson mustn't be that we need more games that look like this Colossus--rather, that we need games that feel like it: a decade later, pushing against what we expect from games, warts and all." -- Chris Plante [Full review]
The Telegraph -- 5/5
"In 2005 Shadow of the Colossus was a masterpiece and that remains so in 2018. This is one of the greatest games ever made and is an accolade that shows no sign of being detached from its monumental presence." -- John Robertson [Full review]
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.
Another new PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds update is available now for Xbox One's early access version of the game. The new patch is primarily focused on vehicles and how much damage they give and take, though it also includes some bug fixes and small enhancements.
Developer PUBG Corp. says it has "increased damage [dealt] to the vehicle body." Moreover, it says gunfire to vehicles' wheels will now deal "significant damage." Grenades will also do more damage to vehicles from now on. The tweaks don't stop at the vehicle itself: drivers and passengers will now lose more health from crashing into objects or other vehicles, though pedestrians hit by cars will now receive slightly less damage.
Away from vehicles, PUBG Corp. says it has further optimized the input time for controllers and improved the "visual quality" of reticules such as the red dot, 2x, and holographic sights. A bunch of bug fixes are also included in this seventh update--check out the full patch notes at the bottom of this article, via PUBG Corp.
The new patch comes just days after a sixth PUBG Xbox One update was released. That update added a new auto-run ability and refined the game's controls a little. The battle royale game has also received a new PC update containing bug fixes and other optimizations--check out the full PUBG PC patch notes for more.
Finally, PUBG Corp. recently announced their hit game has reached 4 million players on Xbox One alone. To celebrate, the company is is giving away a whole bunch of in-game currency to Xbox players for use on loot crates. Xbox One players will receive 30,000 Battle Points to use on in-game cosmetic items. However, you must have purchased the game and created a character by 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET / 8 AM GMT / 6 PM AEST on January 31 in order to get the bonus. The points will appear on February 1.
PUBG Xbox One Update 7 Patch Notes
Gameplay
Increased damage to the vehicle body, and significant damage to the wheels when targeted with gunfire
Increased vehicle damage when successfully targeted with a grenade
Both driver and passenger will suffer increased injuries from crashing into objects or other vehicles (Dacia, UAZ, and Buggy)
Slight reduction to player damage when being struck by a vehicle
Optimization
Continued optimization to controller input lag
Visual quality of reticle is improved for Xbox One (Red Dot, Holographic, and 2x Sight)
Bug Fixes
Resolved issue where inventory may highlight the wrong column when looting
The sensitivity setting for 4x Scope is now also applied to the permanent scope on the VSS
Auto-run (double-clicking the left stick) is disabled when aiming down sights
Players can now use the D-Pad while in the map view without switching melee, pistol, or throwing weapons
Removing the marker from the map when pressing (Y) will no longer switch primary/secondary weapons
Fixed issue where the crosshair is not correctly displayed after players reconnect to a game session
Video game movies have a track record of mediocrity or worse. While there are some good ones, video game movies, most would probably agree, are generally not very good. One of the next big video game movies coming out is Rampage, which is based on the '80s game of the same name. In an interview with IGN, director Brad Peyton (San Andreas) talked about how his new film might break the so-called "video game curse" for movie adaptations.
He started off by claiming he was not even aware of the reputation video game movies had until shooting wrapped up on Rampage. Rampage could succeed where others have struggled because many viewers don't have much of a connection with the game because it was relatively obscure. As such, people don't know all that much about its characters or story, which can be a good thing, Peyton said.
"A lot of times, [studios] attempt to adapt games that have massive followings. ... When you attempt to adapt something that has an incredibly deep plotline or character or something along those lines, you're beholden to delivering something," he explained. "And it's really a difficult challenge because as a gamer, I know, I play as the hero. That's an immersive medium, and so, it's really hard to go up against something that pre-exists."
Also in the interview, Peyton said another goal for Rampage is for it to be fun in nature while also making sure the monsters are scary. He also hopes it comes across as constantly unpredictable and entertaining. "I think the most entertaining stuff is the stuff that, you just cannot see what's going to come next," he said.
Rampage follows primatologist Davis Okoye, played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, as he attempts to save his best friend, a silverback gorilla named George, who has mutated into a gigantic creature capable of tearing down buildings. George isn't the only mutant, though. There's also a massive wolf and a giant lizard.
Rampage also stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who is essentially just playing his The Walking Dead role of Negan here, Malin Ackerman (Watchmen), and Naomie Harris (Moonlight). It hits theaters on April 20, 2018. You can watch the newest trailer through the embed above.
Before Rampage will be the newest Tomb Raider movie starring Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft; that film hits theatres in March.
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