By Chris Pereira on Feb 14, 2018 12:05 am
Destiny 2's Crimson Days event is now live, bringing a new activity--a special 2v2 Crucible playlist--to occupy your time. But no matter what you do, you'll be working toward unlocking the real highlight of the new update: new gear. Destiny 2 players on PC, PS4, and Xbox One now have a variety of items to acquire, but only for a limited time. In the gallery above, you can take a look at everything that's currently available. The Valentine's Day-themed event includes new Ghosts, Sparrows, shaders, emotes, weapon ornaments, and more to acquire. These are primarily included in new Crimson Engrams, which are obtained by playing the aforementioned Crucible mode. Alternatively, if you've reached the level cap (level 20 if you don't own Curse of Osiris, 25 if you do), each level up will reward you a Crimson Engram in addition to the standard Illuminated Engram. No matter how you obtain it, the Crimson Engram is guaranteed to decrypt into an item you don't already own until you've unlocked everything. While the bulk of the new items are obtained through the Engram, there are five others that are obtained through different means. You'll need to fulfill a specific objective in order to unlock the corresponding reward (or to have a chance at earning it, in one case). Here's how to unlock them: - Tirastrella Ghost Shell + Fire of the Crimson Days Emblem: Complete the "Welcome to Crimson Days" milestone (finish five Crimson Days matches, talk to Shaxx)
- Undeterred Exotic Sparrow: Complete Crimson Days Crucible playlist matches for a "chance" to unlock this
- Dieselpunk Exotic Ornament for Wardcliff Coil: Complete the Leviathan Raid or Eater of Worlds Raid Lair to find this in the final chest
- Flaunting Dance Emote: Complete the Nightfall Strike during the event
Crimson Days is now live on all platforms, and it runs until the weekly reset on February 20. Check out the gallery above for a look at everything you can get your hands on until then. Even if you don't plan on playing much, you can get a free Crimson Engram just by logging in and speaking with Tess at The Tower.
Tirastrella Ghost Shell
Undeterred Exotic Sparrow
Dieselpunk Exotic Ornament for Wardcliff Coil
Flaunting Dance Emote
By Paul Lilly on Feb 13, 2018 11:43 pm
We hate to admit it, but now is not the ideal time to build a gaming PC. The biggest reason why is because cryptocurrency mining has driven up the price of graphics cards, and that's assuming you can even find the card you want in stock. Most mid-range and high-end graphics cards are selling for much higher than MSRP, some of them going for twice or even triple what they should be. Memory prices are trending higher these days as well. Take for example this 16GB kit of Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3000 RAM. It sells for $205 today, versus around half that much a year ago. And for a period of time in 2016, this exact same kit sold for $70. It sounds like a bunch of sour grapes, but if you want to turn those grapes into wine, take a look at the prebuilt market. System builders have the advantage of being able to buy parts in bulk, and they also seem immune to the outrageous markups on GPUs. As such, there are some tremendous deals out there, on both desktops and gaming laptops. We took it upon ourselves to round up some of the best bargains in each category. Rather than select a bunch of deals at random, we focused on finding compelling options at different performance tiers. So, whether you are looking for a serviceable gaming setup that costs less than $700 or have twice as much cash to throw at a more powerful configuration, you'll find it here. Let's get started!
HP Pavilion Power
For less than $700, you can pick up this HP Pavilion Power gaming tower and run games competently at 1080p. It's built around an Intel Core i5-7400 processor, a quad-core chip clocked at 3GHz (3.5GHz boost clock), and a GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card with 3GB of GDDR5 memory. That is a potent combination for the price. You also get 8GB of DDR4-2400 memory and a 1TB hard drive. Ideally we'd like to see a solid state drive for the OS and a bulky hard drive for storage duties, but at this price, it's hard to complain. Besides, you could always add an SSD yourself. Amazon, $679
Dell Alienware Aurora
This Alienware Aurora desktop is built for high-end gaming and costs around a grand, depending what upgrade options you decide on. The baseline configuration that we link to has a GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card inside and is a good value at just $931 for the entire setup. However, if you select the GeForce GTX 1070 upgrade option, as we recommended, it only bumps the price up to $1,029.That gets you a burlier GPU to throw at games, especially if you plan on playing at 1440p or higher. If you want even more GPU horsepower, selecting the GeForce GTX 1080 upgrade option pushes the price to a still-reasonable $1,127. Flanking the graphics card is an Intel Core i5-8400 processor based on Intel's newest Coffee Lake architecture. This is a six-core chip with a 2.8GHz base clock and 4GHz boost clock, so it has plenty of processing grunt to throw at tasks. This configuration also comes with 16GB of DDR4-2666 RAM and a 1TB (7,200 RPM) hard drive. Dell, $1,029
MSI Nightblade MI3
Like the Alienware Aurora, MSI's Nightblade MI3 is another system that can be customized. We took aim at the high end by selecting a GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card with 8GB of GDDR5X memory, which should be able to handle most games at 1440p and even some games at 4K. To keep the price from ballooning out of control, we stuck with the default CPU and storage selections, consisting of an Intel Core i5-7500 processor (4-core/4-thread clocked at 3.4GHz and 3.8GHz with boost), 16GB of DDR4-2400 RAM, a 128GB solid state drive, and a 1TB hard drive. The SSD is an M.2 drive, meaning it's one of those gumstick-sized SSDs that plug directly into the motherboard. It also has an NVMe interface to allow for faster data transfers over the PCIe bus, versus slower SATA-based SSDs. You can score a 3% discount on this system if you pay with cash. With or without it, however, this is a good deal for the money. Xotic PC, $1,548 ($1,501.56 cash)
CyberPowerPC VR Ready Deal
Companies like CyberPower PC and iBuyPower use off-the-shelf parts to build PCs that are close facsimiles to what you could assemble yourself. Cable management isn't always great and is certainly not on par with what you would get with a premium boutique builder, but these systems are cost-effective, sometimes even cheaper than building your own. One system that caught our eye is a "VR Ready Deal" that CyberPower PC put together. Like MSI's Nightblade MI3, it has a GeForce GTX 1080 with 8GB of GDDR5X memory to muscle through demanding games, only it's paired with an Intel Core i7-8700K processor. This is Intel's flagship Coffee Lake processor with 6-cores/12-threads clocked at 3.7GHz to 4.7GHz. It also has an unlocked multiplier, making it easier to overclock, if that's something you feel comfortable doing. And to keep temps in check, the CPU sits underneath an Asetek 550LC 120mm all-in-one liquid cooling solution. There is 16GB of fast DDR4-3000 memory in this system, along with a 240GB solid state drive and a 2TB hard drive. These are all name-brand parts, too, all of which are plugged into an MSI Z370 A Pro motherboard, and shoved inside a Thermaltake Core G21 mid-tower case with tempered glass panels on both sides. CyberPower PC, $1,859
Origin PC Millennium ($3,000)
We've covered some good values up to this point, but what if you want to go all out on a high-dollar system from a premium boutique? Well, more power to you, for one thing. And secondly, have a look at Origin PC's Millennium. Origin PC recently refreshed its Millennium line, both with updated parts and by making some tweaks to its custom chassis. We've spent some hands-on time with the new Millennium and really like what Origin PC has done. To start with, the case allows for four different motherboard orientations—standard, inverted, 90 degrees, and 90 degrees inverted. You can customize the Millennium to fit your budget, with prices starting at around $1,700. We spec'd out a $3,000 configuration consisting of an Intel Core i7-8700K processor, 16GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, a burly GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics card, and a 256GB M.2 PCIe solid state drive paired with a 2TB hard drive. We also sprang for a 360mm all-in-one liquid cooling solution, as the unlocked CPU is just begging to be overclocked. Obviously this is a pricey system that costs more than the sum of parts. But if you're looking for a boutique build with excellent cable management and a unique case that isn't available anywhere else, this is it.
Lenovo Legion Y520 ($780)
We've covered several gaming desktops, but if you want a laptop instead, there are plenty of options out there. One that we like in the sub-$1,000 range is Lenovo's Legion Y520. It has a 15.6-inch display with a 1920x1080 resolution, powered by an Intel Core i5-7300HQ processor, 8GB of RAM, and a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU with 4GB of GDDR5 memory. It also comes with a 1TB hard drive. Since most laptops can't be upgraded, at least when it comes to the CPU and GPU, it's important to start with as strong of a foundation as you can afford from the outset. That's why we opted for a laptop in this price range with a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti instead of a regular GeForce GTX 1050. The Ti variant doubles the amount of video RAM and has more CUDA cores, resulting in better gaming performance. Lenovo, $780
Dell Inspiron
Circling back to Dell, this 15.6-inch Inspiron 15 7000 normally runs $1,000, but can currently be had for $882 if you use coupon code 50OFF699. What you get in return is an Intel Core i5-7300HQ processor paired with a 6GB GeForce GTX 1060 GPU. The foundation outperforms its price tag and is easily capable of playing games on the laptop's native 1920x1080 IPS display. This configuration also sports 8GB of DDR4-2400 RAM and a 256GB solid state drive. Connectivity options are rather robust as well, consisting of three USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports, a USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support, a gigabit Ethernet port, a headphone jack, HDMI 2.0 output, and a media card reader. Not too shabby for a roughly $880 gaming laptop. Dell, $882
HP Omen
If it's a bigger, more powerful gaming laptop you're after, this HP Omen brings the goods at a reasonable price. It's a 17.3-inch laptop with a 1920x1080 resolution, and supports G-Sync for buttery smooth gameplay. The Omen is built on a solid foundation consisting of an Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor (4-cores/8-threads clocked at 2.8GHz to 3.8GHz) paired with 12GB of DDR4-2133 RAM and a GeForce GTX 1060 GPU with 6GB of GDDR5 memory. It doesn't have a solid state drive, but it does provide a capacious 1TB hard drive for games and other programs. External ports consist of three USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A, Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), gigabit Ethernet, headphone/microphone combo jack, and mini DisplayPort and HDMI outputs. Best Buy, $1,280
Acer Predator (G9-593-71EH)
This Acer Predator laptop is a fully loaded machine with high-end parts from top to bottom. It starts with the display, a 15.6-inch IPS panel with a 1920x1080 resolution and G-Sync support. Sure, there are higher resolution displays out there, but those will also make your GPU feel long in the tooth sooner than 1080p will. Inside this machine is an Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a beefy GeForce GTX 1070 GPU with 8GB of GDDR5 memory. For storage, Acer slapped a pair of 128GB solid state drives in RAID 0 for added speed, giving you 256GB of total space. The downside is that if one of the drives fails, your entire RAID array goes down with it. You'll want to make sure you're backing up your important data, and there's a 1TB hard drive crammed inside to help do that. There's also a DVD burner included. There is a generous selection of ports here as well, including four USB 3.0 ports, a USB-C port, a gigabit Ethernet port, and both DisplayPort and HDMI outputs (one each). Newegg, $1,549
Razer Blade 14"
Just as we included a boutique desktop in this roundup, we're also including a premium laptop that isn't a bang-for-buck selection, but a luxury option for those who can afford it. In this case, it's Razer's Blade laptop. The Blade is a sharp looking machine with a 14-inch display that checks in at 1920x1080. It also flexes an Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor, 16GB of RAM, a GeForce GTX 1060 GPU with 6GB of GDDR5 memory, and a sizable 512GB solid state drive. It's offers a nice selection of parts, though for $2,100, there are definitely faster laptops out there for the price. Part of what sets this apart, however, is its thin and light unibody aluminum chassis—it has a trim 0.7-inch waistline and weighs barely over 4 pounds. It's basically an ultrabook for gaming. Razer, $2,100
By Chris Pereira on Feb 13, 2018 05:33 pm
A new update has arrived for Overwatch. Blizzard has kicked off this year's edition of the Lunar New Year event, which this time around is dubbed Year of the Dog. It revamps the game's Capture the Flag mode and introduces other new features. But as is to be expected from any new update, there are a variety of new Overwatch skins and cosmetics now available in a limited-time loot box. In terms of skins, there are six Legendary ones in total: those for Hanzo, Genji, Mercy, Pharah, McCree, and Widowmaker. Additionally, there are more than 50 new items in all to get your hands on; there are new sprays, victory poses, and other cosmetics now available. The event also sees the return of the skins from last year's Lunar New Year. You can check out all of the new skins, as well as many of the new cosmetics, in the gallery above. We've also got galleries of all the recently added Blizzard World update skins, as well as the huge number of Overwatch League skins introduced earlier this year. With new skins now available, this update marks the addition of a welcome feature for those with a growing collection to show off. From the Assemble Your Team screen before a match, you can now easily change your skin. This is only accessible during the pre-match phase, no doubt to avoid having players spending time contemplating their choice when they could be helping the team, but it should still make it easier to rotate through your collection. Also new in this patch is the aforementioned CTF revamp. This sees the introduction of a new Sudden Death mode--meaning no more ties--where flags are located closer to one another. Also, throughout the match, flags are now picked up instantly, though it will be dropped when using certain abilities, like Winston's leap. Blizzard says this should all result in a more "action-packed" experience overall.
By Chris Pereira on Feb 13, 2018 05:26 pm
Thanks to a variety of factors, Monster Hunter World is likely to be many people's first experience with the franchise. New gear is desirable in any RPG, but it's especially important in Monster Hunter, where your progression is tied not to experience points, but the new armor and weapons you're able to acquire and craft. Much of that gear is unattainable until you've sunk a significant number of hours into the game, honing your skills, taking down challenging enemies, and amassing the necessary resources for crafting. To give you an idea of what kind of armor sets you'll be able to use once you've progressed far enough in the game, we've compiled the gallery above. You'll find images of high-end armor for both your own character (if you're playing a male, as we were), as well as gear for your Palico companion. If you're curious about female character gear, check out our high-end female player gear gallery. Monster Hunter World releases on January 26 for Xbox One and PS4, with a PC release to come later in the year. That's notable, as recent entries were limited to 3DS. The additional horsepower has allowed for a game with much larger, more beautiful environments to play in. It also does a better job of introducing newcomers to the flow of playing a Monster Hunter game. You can read more about what to expect in our Monster Hunter World review. Those playing on PS4 will be able to get their hands on some exclusive gear based on Horizon: Zero Dawn. We also know that new Mega Man-themed items are on the way, and if past games are any indications, that won't be the last crossover content that Capcom releases.
By Dan Auty on Feb 13, 2018 02:53 pm
Star Trek: Discovery: All The Easter Eggs So Far
While Star Trek found a new lease of life on the big screen in 2009, it had been more than a decade since the last TV show in the long-running sci-fi franchise when Star Trek: Discovery premiered last September. The show's producers faced the difficult task of making a show that appealed to modern audiences and new fans, as well as satisfying die-hard, long-term Trek devotees. But while Discovery has taken the story and characters in some surprising directions, it's also very aware of its past. Every episode to date has contained at least one reference or call-back to something from the grand 52-year history of Star Trek. Sometimes these are sly jokes that only the most dedicated fan will spot, and sometimes they are crucial plot-points. So here's a look at all the Discovery Easter Eggs so far…
1. Klingon Houses (Episode 1)
A number of Klingon Houses from previous Star Trek shows are mentioned in Episode 1, including House D'Ghor (from the Deep Space Nine episode 'The House of Quark') and House Mo'Kai (Voyager's 'The Killing Game').
2. Vulcan Learning Center (Episode 1)
There are a number of flashbacks across the first two episodes to Burnham's time at the Vulcan Learning Center, which also featured in the 2009 movie Star Trek.
3. Bat'leth (Episode 1)
When Burnham encounters the Klingon warrior in deep space, he is holding a bladed weapon known as a Bat'leth, which Worf often wielded in The Next Generation.
4. Starfleet General Order 1 (Episode 2)
There is a reference to "Starfleet General Order 1", more commonly known as the Prime Directive, which prohibits interference with the internal development of alien civilizations.
5. Federation Ships (Episode 2)
A host of Federation ships arrive to help in the standoff with the Klingons. Many of them are named after elements of Star Trek canon, such as USS Nebula (from the video game Star Trek: Armada II), USS T'Plana-Hath (a Vulcan ship in Star Trek: First Contact), USS Yeager (ships in both Deep Space Nine and First Contact), and USS Clarke, which featured in the Star Trek novel The Wounded Sky.
6. Georgiou's office (Episode 2)
Captain Georgiou's office on the Shenzou contains a couple of Easter Eggs. There's a bottle of wine from Chateau Picard, which is presumably owned by the family of Next Generation's Jean-Luc Picard. And the titles of the books on the shelf are all taken from episodes of the original series, including "Mirror, Mirror," "The Deadly Years," "The City on the Edge of Forever," "The Omega Glory," and "Whom Gods Destroy."
7. Tellun (Episode 3)
Burnham and the other criminals are being transferred to the Tellun system, which appeared in original series episode 'Elaan of Troyius.'
8. Suus Mahna (Episode 3)
Burnham is forced to defend herself against the criminals using Suus Mahna, the Vulcan martial art also practised by T'Pol in Enterprise.
9. Tribble! (Episode 3)
There's a tribble sitting on Captain Lorca's desk. This furry creature appeared in the classic original series episode 'The Trouble with Tribbles.'
10. Zee-Magnees Prize (Episode 3)
Straal speculates that he and Stamets will win a Zee-Magnees Prize for their research into the mycelial network. This prize was also awarded to Dr. Daystrom for his development of Duotronics in the original series episode 'The Ultimate Computer.'
11. Lorca's secret chamber (Episode 3)
Lorca keeps a variety of alien species in his secret laboratory, including the skeleton of a Gorn, which featured in the original series, as well as a mirror universe episode of Enterprise. There's also the bodies of Cardassian voles, which once caused an infestation on an episode of Deep Space Nine.
12. Spore Visions (Episode 3)
When Lorca exposes Burnham to spores to demonstrate their power to move around the galaxy, she experiences a series of visions. Among the familiar locations are Romulus, the moons of Andoria, Starbase 11, Janus VI, and a Preserver Obilisk, all of which featured in the original series.
13. Corvan II (Episode 4)
Much of Episode 4's plot revolves around the planet Corvan II, which was first mentioned in the Next Generation episode 'New Ground.'
14. Zefram Cochrane (Episode 4)
To inspire Stamets to work harder on developing the spore drive, Lorca mentions three pioneers. Two are real (Wright Brothers and Elon Musk) , but one-- Zefram Cochrane--was the man who first encountered Vulcans in the movie Star Trek: First Contact.
15. Harry Mudd (Episode 5)
Episode 5's big Easter Egg is the return of a fan favourite--Harry Mudd. This intergalactic scoundrel and conman first appeared in the original series, played by Roger C. Carmel. In Discovery, Office star Rainn Wilson takes on the role.
16. Benzar (Episode 5)
Lorca lists the Discovery's accomplishments during a briefing, including breaking Klingon supply lines at Benzar. This planet was mentioned in both Deep Space Nine and Next Generation, the latter of which also featured a Benzite character called Mordock.
17. Rura Penthe (Episode 5)
While trying to locate the captured Lorca, the Discovery crew narrow his possible location to three planets. One of these is Rura Penthe, a penal colony on which Kirk and McCoy found themselves in Star Trek V: The Undiscovered Country.
18. Captains (Episode 5)
Saru requests a list of Starfleet's most decorated captains, all of whom have appeared or been referenced in previous shows. There's Robert April (The Animated Series), Jonathan Archer (Enterprise), Matthew Decker (the original series), Philippa Georgiou (Discovery), and Christopher Pike (the original series).
19. Daystrom Institute (Episode 5)
Tilly mentions the Daystrom Institute, a Starfleet science institute mentioned in an original series episode titled 'The Ultimate Computer.'
20. Zaldan (Episode 5)
Stamets compares the DNA of the Tardigrade to that of a Zaldan. These web-handed humanoid aliens appeared in the Next Generation episode 'Coming of Age.'
21. Enterprise! (Episode 6)
Star Trek's most famous ship is mentioned by Burnham as she tells Tilly about the steps to becoming an officer.
22. Grazer (Episode 6)
Tyler tells Lorca that his mother died while travelling to the moons of Grazer. Although Grazer has never been mentioned in a Star Trek movie or show, it does feature in the Deep Space Nine novel 'Articles of Confederation.'
23. Star Map (Episode 7)
The star map in Episode 7 is packed with interplanetary locations mentioned elsewhere in the franchise. There's Rura Penthe (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and Voyager), Beta Thoridor, Mempa, H'atoria, the Hromi Cluster, Ramatis III, Starbase 24, Khitomer (The Next Generation), and Narendra III, Paulson Nebula, Starbase 343, and Xaratine (Enterprise).
24. "Adieu mon capitaine!" (Episode 7)
At one point Harry Mudd yells the line made famous by Picard's omnipotent nemesis Q in The Next Generation.
25. Stella Mudd (Episode 7)
Harry Mudd's wife Stella appears at the end of Episode 7. By the original series, Stella has left Mudd, leading him to construct an older android version to keep him company. But in Discovery, she's a much younger woman, who stills has affection for her troublesome husband.
26. "The needs of the many" (Episode 8)
In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Spock delivers one of the most famous lines in the whole franchise: "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." This quote forms the basis of a discussion between Tyler and Burnham about what their lives hold for them once the war is over.
27. Legion of Honor (Episode 9)
Lorca is offered the Legion of Honor by Starfleet for destroying the Klingon Sarcophagus ship and saving Pahvo. This was previously awarded to Dr. McCoy in the original series and Data in Next Generation.
28. The Mirror Universe (Episode 10)
The second half of Season 1 kicks off with a classic Star Trek concept--the mirror universe. This alternative reality first appeared in the original series, and subsequently featured in five episodes of Deep Space Nine and a two-part episode of Enterprise.
29.
"Isik for your thoughts?" (Episode 10)
Burnham asks Tyler how he is, using this Vulcan proverb. An Isik is part of Vlugtan currency, first mentioned in Deep Space Nine episode "Rivals."
30. USS Defiant (Episode 10)
This classic Star Trek ship featured in both Deep Space Nine and First Contact. In Discovery it is revealed that it has also passed through to the mirror universe and holds the key to the Discovery's return to prime.
31. Lorca the Scot (Episode 10)
In order to disguise his voice, Lorca adopts an amusing Scottish accent, very similar to that of a certain Mr Scott, chief engineer from the original series.
32. Agonizer Booth (Episode 10)
The Terran torture booth has previously appeared in two mirror universe episodes--the original series' 'Mirror, Mirror' and Enterprise's 'In a Mirror, Darkly.'
33. Vulcan Beard (Episode 11)
When Burnham and Tyler encounter the mirror universe Sarek, he is sporting a little goatee beard--much as mirror Spock did in the original series.
34. Andorians and Tellarites (Episode 11)
There are a couple of classic Star Trek aliens sitting with mirror universe Voq around the table of rebellion leaders. Both Andorians and Tellarites have featured in episodes of the original series and of Enterprise.
35. Defiant Data (Episode 12)
Burnham and Lorca look over Saru's decryption of the data taken from the Defiant in an attempt to learn how that ship crossed into the mirror universe. While much of the text is redacted (and tiny!), close examination reveals that it is essentially a synopsis of the plot of the two-part Enterprise episode 'In a Mirror Darkly' from 2005.
36. No-Win Scenario (Episode 13)
When Saru gives his speech to the crew of the Discovery about the chances of survival in the upcoming fight against the Terrans, he uses the phrase "no-win scenario." This is the central concept behind the Kobayashi Maru, the famous training exercise featured in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and the 2009 reboot movie.
37. Ion Storm Malfunction (Episode 13)
Lorca reveals that he first entered the prime universe via a transporter malfunction in an ion storm. These magnetic space storms have occurred throughout Star Trek, but more specifically it was an identical transporter problem that first sent the crew of the Enterprise into the mirror universe in the classic original series episode 'Mirror Mirror.'
38. USS Saratoga (Episode 14)
We learn that the USS Saratoga has been destroyed by Klingons. The Saratoga is a name that has been used for a number of ships in Star Trek, including in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and Deep Space 9.
39. Qo'noS Map (Episode 14)
A large holographic map of Qo'noS reveals a number of locations that have been mentioned elsewhere in the franchise. There's Kang's Summit (Deep Space 9's 'In Purgatory's Shadow'), Caves of Kahless (Voyager's 'Day of Honor'), Lake of Lusor (The Next Generation's 'Rightful Heir'), River Skral (Deep Space 9's 'The Way of the Warrior,' Voyager's 'Barge of the Dead'), and The Caves of No'Mat (The Next Generation's 'Birthright, Part I.')
40. Archer On Qo'noS (Episode 14)
There is a direct reference to Captain Archer's visit to Qo'noS, which was the storyline of Enterprise's very first episode in 2005, titled 'Broken Bow.' Admiral Cornwell explains that the Discovery's upcoming mission to the Klingon world will be the first since the Enterprise NX-01 went there nearly 100 years earlier.
By Kallie Plagge on Feb 13, 2018 06:52 am
Plus Ultra!
For anime fans, there's a lot to look forward to in 2018. The year started out strong with Dragon Ball FighterZ, which is full of references to classic moments from Dragon Ball Z and a new story for fans to enjoy. But it's not the only anime game coming out this year; Sword Art Online, One Piece, Naruto, and more are all getting new games. Click forward to see all the games based on existing anime confirmed for 2018. If you're curious about 2018 in general, you can check out our features on Switch exclusives, PS4 exclusives, Xbox One exclusives, and PC exclusives. There's also a wealth of exciting games coming out in 2018 that aren't necessarily exclusive to one platform or another, so be sure to check out our individual features highlighting the most anticipated PS4 games, Xbox One games, PC games, and Switch games for a broader look at the year ahead. For more on anime, be sure to check out our gallery of the biggest anime to watch in 2018. If you're looking for recommendations of shows to watch, see the best anime available on Netflix and our top 10 anime of 2017.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth - Hacker's Memory
The latest game in the long-running Digimon series presents the mysterious backstory to the events that transpired in the first Cyber Sleuth RPG and features 320 Digimon from the animated series. Developer: Media.Vision | Release Date: January 19 | PS4, Vita
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Based on the Dragon Ball series, this 2D fighter follows a 3v3 format and includes a new story and character. Dragon Ball FighterZ is developed by Arc System Works, best known for BlazBlue and Guilty Gear. Developer: Arc System Works | Release Date: January 26 | PS4, Xbox One, PC
The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia
The first game based on the popular anime series, The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia tasks you with saving the Kingdom of Liones. It includes memorable fights from the series and popular characters, including Hawk, Elizabeth, and Meliodas. Developer: Natsume Atari | Release Date: February 9 | PS4
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet
The latest game based on hit anime Sword Art Online features an original story by series creator Reki Kawahara. The action-RPG has a greater emphasis on third-person shooting mechanics than previous games. Developer: Dimps | Release Date: February 23 | PS4, Xbox One, PC
Attack on Titan 2
The next Attack on Titan game mainly covers the second season of the anime and includes over 30 playable characters from both seasons. Expect lots of Titan-slaying action, 3D maneuver gear, and more. Developer: Koei Tecmo | Release Date: March 20 | Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time
Side-scrolling action game Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time lets you control series protagonist Akko as she explores her magical academy with her friends. The game will also include animated cutscenes by Studio Trigger. Developer: A+ Games | Release Date: Spring 2018 | PS4, PC
Black Clover: Quartet Knights
A game based on 2017's Black Clover is coming in 2018, featuring four-player "magical combat" based around different characters' specializations. Developer: Ilinix | Release Date: 2018 | PS4
My Hero Academia: One's Justice
The smash-hit superhero show My Hero Academia is getting a third season this year along with a video game. One's Justice is a fighting game with a manga flair. Developer: Byking | Release Date: 2018 | Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker
In the next Naruto game, team up as a group of four and challenge other teams online to become the best ninja around. Developer: Soleil Ltd. | Release Date: 2018 | PS4, Xbox One, PC
New Gundam Breaker
Like the previous Gundam Breaker games, New Gundam Breaker will let you build and customize Gunpla kits and then use them in battle. Developer: Crafts and Meister | Release Date: 2018 | PS4
One Piece: Grand Cruise
Explore the Thousand Sunny and interact with the Straw Hat Pirates in VR in One Piece: Grand Cruise. Release Date: 2018 | PSVR
One Piece: World Seeker
Like many One Piece games, World Seeker puts you in the role of Luffy and let you battle and more in an open-world environment. Developer: Ganbarion | Release Date: 2018 | PS4, Xbox One, PC
By Matt Espineli on Feb 13, 2018 05:44 am
There's a multitude armor sets to craft and equip in Monster Hunter World. Much of the gear you get is unattainable until you've sunk a significant number of hours into the game honing your skills, taking down challenging enemies, and amassing the necessary resources for crafting. The armor you collect comes in a variety of different styles, shapes, types, and sizes. In addition, each set has an entirely different look depending on the gender you choose. We've already taken a look at how high-end armor looks like on male characters. Click ahead to check out how each high-end armor set looks like on female characters. Monster Hunter: World is out now for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, with a PC release to come later in the year. That's notable, as recent entries were limited to 3DS. The additional horsepower has allowed for a game with much larger, more beautiful environments to play in. It also does a better job of introducing newcomers to the flow of playing a Monster Hunter game. You can read more about what to expect in our Monster Hunter World review. And for more impressions of the game, check out our feature detailing 11 ways to make the game even better than it already is. Those playing on PS4 will be able to get their hands on some exclusive gear based on Horizon Zero Dawn. We also know that new Mega Man-themed items are on the way, as well as character skins themed around Street Fighter V--and if past games are any indication, this won't be the last crossover content that Capcom releases.
By Christopher Gates on Feb 13, 2018 02:30 am
That's no dragon.
Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are all set to helm a brand new series of Star Wars films. They should feel right at home. After all, Game of Thrones is essentially just Star Wars already, give or take a Death Star and a dragon or two. Don't take our word for it. The following characters match-ups prove that there's not much difference between the citizens of Westeros and those who live in a galaxy far, far away. Spoilers ahead!
17. Luke Skywalker / Jaime Lannister
Let's get the easy one out of the way first. Jaime and Luke are both noble, blond-haired heroes, and they've both got supervillain fathers. They both lost a hand in battle, and they both spend the rest of their lives sporting spiffy prosthetics. That's not what you're thinking, though, so fine, we'll go there: yes, in addition to everything else, Luke and Jaime both went mouth-to-mouth with their sisters.
16. Padmé Amidala / Lyanna Stark
Whether you're hanging around the Tower of Joy or visiting Naboo, it's the same old story: A young woman with noble blood falls in love with the wrong guy, gets hitched during a secret wedding, becomes pregnant, and then dies in childbirth. Then her child grows up, and their secret parentage becomes the mystery that fuels an entire franchise--or, at the very least, a never-ending source of internet fan theories.
15. Kylo Ren / Tyrion Lannister
Can you say daddy issues? Both Tyrion and Ben "Kylo Ren" Solo lived for years in their fathers' shadows and killed 'em at pivotal points in their stories. Patricide isn't the only thing that ties these two characters together, however. In their misguided efforts to win Dad's approval, both Tyrion and Kylo ended up with some truly gnarly facial scars, too.
14. Leia Organa / Daenerys Targaryen
While Dany and Leia start their stories as bargaining chips for more powerful men (Viserys and Tarkin, respectively), they quickly prove that there's more to them than meets the eye. Both women end up as the figureheads for their own revolutions, and become two of the coolest characters in their respective franchises in the process. In other words: Don't underestimate princesses.
13. Darth Vader / The Mountain
Anakin Skywalker fell into a volcano. He should be dead. So should Gregor Clegane, who was stabbed through the chest with a poisoned spear. Both villains were revived using science, however, and now hide behind masks while serving as lackeys to despotic rulers.
12. Obi-Wan Kenobi / Beric Dondarrion
Strike either of these men down and they'll become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. After his first death, Beric returned to lead the Brotherhood Without Banners, while Obi-Wan reappeared as a spirit that… spouts aphorisms? Whatever. Throw in Beric's flaming sword, which is basically a low-tech lightsaber, and it's close enough for us.
11. Yoda / Bran Stark
Two little dudes with special powers and mystic knowledge who also spend a lot of time riding around in backpacks? You know, forget we said anything. Yoda and Bran have nothing in common.
10. C-3PO / Samwell Tarly
They're both cowards, so they're not much use on the battlefield. They're not tacticians, so they're not particularly helpful in the war room, either. If you want someone to spout obscure facts and trivia, however, Sam and C-3PO have got you covered. And if you don't? No worries. They'll both do it anyway.
9. Han Solo / Davos Seaworth
The Black Betha isn't half as cool as the Millenium Falcon, but Davos and Han are both smugglers with hearts of gold who find themselves caught up in not one but two different rebellions--and between Leia and Stannis' daughter, Shireen, they share a common weakness for princesses, too.
8. Lando Calrissian / Walder Frey
Sure, Lando ended up as general in the Rebel Alliance while Walder Frey ate his kids, but they belong together on this list for one reason: They both throw lousy dinner parties.
7. Rey / Arya Stark
Rey and Arya should start a support group for self-sufficient young women who travel halfway across the world (or galaxy) to join an ancient order, discover that their mysterious and charismatic mentors are grade-A jerks, and then bolt when their friends and family are in trouble. It'd be a small gathering, but at least these ladies have other common interests to discuss: In addition to everything else, they're both preternaturally good with swords.
6. Palpatine / Littlefinger
If it worked for the Emperor, it should've worked for Littlefinger, too. After all, starting a civil war, playing both sides against one another, and assuming power for yourself when the dust settles seems like a pretty solid plan. Unfortunately, Force lightning doesn't strike twice, and the scheme didn't work out quite as well for one of these characters. Sorry, Lord Baelish.
5. Supreme Leader Snoke / Tywin Lannister
Imagine that you've got it all. You're the biggest and baddest of all of the big bads. You've got immeasurable wealth. You command armies. Now, imagine that your son (or surrogate son) decides to rob you of all that by stabbing you halfway through the story, ending your reign prematurely and throwing everything into chaos. Well, Snoke and Tywin don't have to imagine. That's exactly what happened to both of them, proving once and for all that kids are the worst.
4. Jek Porkins / Hot Pie
It's not just that these characters are both chubby and named after food. We also get the feeling that, like Hot Pie, Porkins would rather be hanging out in a bakery than shooting down TIE fighters (OK, OK, fine. It's the food thing).
3. Grand Moff Tarkin / Cersei Lannister
Evil comes in many forms. In Tarkin and Cersei's case, it's conniving, cold, and dignified. Don't mistake self-control for weakness, however. Whether it's a sept full of enemies or a rebel-friendly planet like Alderaan, both Tarkin and Cersei like to solve their problems by blowing them into lots of tiny little pieces.
2. Poe Dameron / Jon Snow
We're not saying that these two handsome, charismatic soldiers with a habit of rushing head first into battle are exactly the same. After all, one's got a custom-made Valyrian steel sword and a direwolf, and the other has a custom-made X-wing and a roly-poly droid. We're just saying that, if Vice Admiral Holdo had been around for the Battle of the Bastards, the King in the North would've gotten a stern talking-to afterwards, and it would've sounded very familiar.
1. Jar Jar Binks / Joffrey Baratheon
One's a spoiled and sadistic brat. The other is a floppy-eared doofus. So, what do Jar Jar and Joffrey have in common? Everybody hates them. Audiences around the globe prayed for both characters to meet sudden and grisly deaths, and while only Joffrey's gotten his comeuppance thus far, there's still time for Jar Jar, too. Benioff and Weiss, if you're listening: You've got the opportunity. Give the people what they want.
By Meg Downey on Feb 13, 2018 02:04 am
Where to start on Black Panther
As February 16th creeps closer and closer, the time to do some serious preparation for the release of Black Panther is upon us. But if you're new to the world of Wakanda, that might be a little easier said than done. Introduced all the way back in 1966, the continuity of the Black Panther can be dense and daunting. Unlike Marvel's roster of New York based heroes, T'Challa comes with the history of an entire fictional nation at his back, informing just about every aspect of his character, from the legacy of the Black Panther mantle to the politics of his kingdom. Put bluntly, there's a lot more to T'Challa than a cool costume and fancy vibranium claws. But never fear--we've got a list of some great places to start your Wakandan deep dive right here.
6. Black Panther by Christopher Priest
Officially known as Black Panther volume 3, writer Christopher Priest's late '90s stint on the book featured a revolving cast of artists and colorists as part of the more "adult" focused Marvel Knights imprint. With his trademark fast-paced, nonlinear style, Priest revolutionized the way modern audiences saw and understood T'Challa, introducing concepts like the Dora Milaje--T'Challa's highly trained group of female bodyguards--to the mythos. Featuring a roster of characters you may already recognize from the MCU, like Everett Ross (though a very different Everett Ross than the one you've seen on the big screen played by Martin Freeman), the influence of Black Panther volume 3 on the upcoming film is undeniable. It's a long read--pushing into sixty issues in total--but well worth it if you're ready to take the plunge. If you're looking for the cliffnotes, the "Killmonger's Rage" story in issues #16 through #20 might prove particularly relevant.
5. Who Is The Black Panther?
The first arc of Black Panther volume 4, written by Reginald Hudlin and drawn by comics legend John Romita Jr, "Who Is The Black Panther" is a six issue story (issues #1 through #6, exactly) that serves as both an origin of T'Challa and as a historical text for Wakanda as a whole. "Who Is The Black Panther?" a fantastic primer for the legacy of the Black Panther mantle, as well as a close look at Ulysses Klaw, who is set to be one of the film's big bads (played by Andy Serkis in a rare non-motion captured role). It's a quick, self-contained read that will give you exactly what you need to know about Wakanda, as well as prep you for some potential easter egg spotting come February.
4. Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The most recent (and currently ongoing) Black Panther series has proven to be not only a critical darling, but a far-reaching look at Wakandan continuity both old and new. This volume of Black Panther is your one stop shop for all the most current T'Challa stories, ongoing each month. Praised for its attention to character detail as well as its seamless integration of real world social issues, this is a version of T'Challa that is being informed by the world around him in real time, and unequivocally the place you'll want to go if you're looking for sleek, modern, fast-paced storytelling that doesn't skimp on complexity or nuance.
3. Rise of the Black Panther
A new entry into the Black Panther canon, Rise of the Black Panther #1 just dropped earlier this month, so this is one you'll actually have to subscribe to and wait for as it progresses. That's the bad news. The good news is that this is a book designed specifically to ease new readers into even the most dense parts of Wakandan society and history, bit by bit. It's a dense read, but one that's thorough without bringing too many walls of text or impenetrably complicated references. You'll even catch references in issue #1 to other stories on this list if you're a fan of figuring out how different works relate to one another. If you're looking to become a Black Panther expert but not to commit to a full sixty-plus issue back catalogue, this is a great place to start--and a great way to support a comic currently in production.
2. New Avengers by Jonathan Hickman
Otherwise known as New Avengers volume 3, this is where you can look for potential Infinity War tie-ins with Black Panther. Not only does it center around T'Challa and his team of Avengers, it dives directly into one of the most recent Infinity Stone conflicts in Marvel Comics continuity. This is as much a high-flying superhero book as it is a cloak-and-dagger spy epic, revolving around the sudden and urgent need for the Avengers to stop Thanos and his Black Order before they can bring an end to all reality. Sound a little familiar? It's still too early to tell just how much of Infinity War will borrow from New Avengers, or the Infinity crossover event it builds into, but if you're someone who likes to connect dots between MCU movies, this will be a great place to focus leading up to February and beyond.
1. Black Panther and The Crew
If you're looking for more team book flavor but are feeling a little wary of jumping directly into something as lengthy as New Avengers, look no further than Black Panther and The Crew, an offshoot of the current Black Panther ongoing, by creators Ta-Nehisi Coates and Yona Harvey. Focusing on T'Challa, Storm, Luke Cage, and Misty Knight, Black Panther and The Crew brings street level super heroics and real world activism together in a potent blend of action and drama, digging deep into the history of the Marvel Universe in a new and powerful way. Lasting six issues, this is the book you'll want to read if you're a fan of the Netflix MCU looking to make the jump to comics as you gear up for T'challa on the big screen.
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