By Chris Pereira on Apr 25, 2018 12:12 am
New Exotic weapons and armor are coming in Destiny 2's second expansion
Along with a suite of other new content, Destiny 2's second DLC expansion, Warmind, will also introduce new gear to get your hands on. That includes Exotic weapons and armor, a selection of which we've now gotten a look at. Following the Warmind DLC reveal stream, Bungie released a bunch of images showcasing the new expansion. That includes 14 new Exotic items that will be available in Warmind. As with other Destiny 2 Exotics, some of these are returning items from the first game, such as the Apotheosis Veil helmet, Claws of Ahamkara gloves, Suros Regime auto rifle, and Armamentarium chest armor. Others are brand-new; these include the Wormgod gauntlets, Wormhusk Crown helmet, Sanguine Alchemy chest, Oculus Xol helmet, and Huckleberry submachine gun. We don't yet know exactly how you'll obtain any of these. The latter, in particular, resembles the Leviathan--it could possibly be a reward added as part of Warmind's new Raid Lair, Spire of Stars, which is set on the Leviathan. That wasn't shown during the stream, but Bungie says it's the Leviathan's final Raid Lair. It's unclear just how many Exotics will be added in total, but other new gear is also being added. Additionally, those playing on PS4 will have a timed exclusive once again; in addition to The Insight Terminus Strike, there will be an armor set for each class available exclusively on the console until at least Fall 2018. Warmind launches on May 8 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. It also introduces the Escalation Protocol event as an endgame activity, new Crucible maps, and much more. The free Season 3 update, 1.2.0, also launches on that day and brings Exotic weapon changes, private matches, Crucible rankings, and much more.
By Matt Espineli on Apr 25, 2018 12:02 am
The Best Switch Games So Far
The release of the Nintendo Switch a little over a year ago marked the beginning of an new era for Nintendo. With The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as its major launch title, the Switch quickly rose to the top of console sales charts and dramatically increased Nintendo's revenue. And in the year since its launch, there has been no shortage of fantastic games coming to the hybrid console, from huge first-party games like Mario and Kirby to indie darlings like Owlboy and Celeste. The library only seems to be expanding and improving with every consecutive release. In this feature, we're taking a look back at the best Switch games so far. This includes games that have received a score of 8 or higher on GameSpot since the console's release, as well as reviews for new games and updates to reviews of older games that were ported to Switch. Check out our choices for the best games released on the Switch. And with the console's library continuing to expand, make sure to check back often as we update this feature over the coming weeks and months. For an analysis of Nintendo Switch's first year, be sure to read our retrospective feature discussing the console's various successes and failures. In addition, you can also check out our features detailingall the Wii U games we ported to Switch, 13 things we want to see from the console, and the best Switch games under $20.
Bayonetta 2 -- 10/10
"But it's a challenge you'll want to experience again as soon as you put down the controller. Bayonetta 2's combat is so expertly constructed, and its presentation so joyously insane, that you'd have to try so very hard to get bored of it all. In a year filled with the promise of ever more elaborate experiences on all the shiny new hardware, that Bayonetta 2--a homage to classic game design and escapism--should be the most fun I've had playing a game all year is unexpected. But maybe it shouldn't have been. After all, its predecessor still stands as one of the finest games of its genre. To have surpassed that with Bayonetta 2, and to have created a game that will be remembered as an absolute classic, is nothing short of astonishing." [Read the review] -- Mark Walton
Celeste -- 9/10
"It's a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I'd been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain." [Read the full review] -- Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer
Dragon Quest Builders -- 8/10
"The excellence of Dragon Quest Builders illustrates the versatility of this 30-year-old franchise as much as it speaks to the engrossing appeal of Minecraft-inspired creation. The story-advancing draw of quests goes hand-in-hand with the depth of a crafting system that cleverly uses monster drops as some of the game's building tools. Whether you want to focus on completing assignments or build with no specific purpose, the game is feature-rich enough to suck up untold hours, even if this happens to be your first Dragon Quest experience." [Read the review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim -- 8/10
"The original version of Skyrim is still an immense, engrossing RPG, and the quality, number, and variety of its quests makes it as easy to become lost in its world as ever. With the addition of Zelda-themed gear that's actually useful--and the fact that you can play anywhere--the Switch version of Skyrim is a great excuse to revisit a much-loved RPG." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Golf Story -- 8/10
"It can take a little while for the narrative to ramp up in Golf Story and for you to feel like you've really cultivated the skills of a champion, but based on the sheer scope of what the game delivers, there's likely something for everyone to enjoy whether their shtick is mini-golfing or terrorising delinquents with frisbees. It has successfully captured the trappings of yesteryear's RPGs, and the witticisms and idiosyncrasies of the characters you encounter are a great palate cleanser between rounds. Switch has had a swathe of indies hit its eShop recently, but if you're looking for something that'll give you satisfaction in terms of an interesting story and a rewarding mechanic, then Golf Story is certainly par for the course." [Read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Gorogoa -- 8/10
"Few games take the concept of altering reality to as artistic a level as Gorogoa. This labor of love made chiefly by one developer is a gorgeous and intriguing puzzle game that works because of its stunning art and intelligent puzzle design. Far from a traditional game, Gorogoa is a slow and methodical trip into the surreal." [Read the full review] -- Jason D'Aprile
Kirby Star Allies -- 8/10
"Star Allies is yet another Kirby game, but it's up there with some of the best. It's an artistic showcase, and a great opportunity for co-op platforming. The one real complaint you can levy at it is that it gates off its more challenging aspects, but the fact that they are present to begin with will please anyone who's grown weary of the series' painless platforming." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -- 10/10
"No matter how gorgeous its environments are, how clever its enemies are, and how tricky its puzzles get, the fact that Breath of the Wild continues to surprise you with newfound rules and possibilities after dozens of hours is by far its most valuable quality. It's a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery--which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience. Breath of the Wild is a defining moment for The Legend of Zelda series, and the most impressive game Nintendo has ever created." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle -- 9/10
"Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle exudes off-beat optimism that never dissolves. It's a consistent delight, no matter how challenging the road becomes, because Kingdom Battle's unique turn-based tactics system is in every way a pleasure to engage with. Coupled with the annoyingly infectious allure of Rabbids, and the always delightful, colorful world of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is an implausibly engrossing formula that is positively challenging and endlessly charming." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- 9/10
"For Mario Kart fans, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe might look like more of the same with small Double Dash-inspired tweaks. But thanks to a series of updates both big and almost unseen, it's the version of Mario Kart to get. If you don't own a Wii U or skipped out on Mario Kart 8 the first time around--or even if you've played it before--Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is worth your time. It plays beautifully on Switch in both handheld and docked mode, and its core racing is as exciting as ever. And, most notably, it completely revamps the original's lackluster Battle Mode, rounding out an already great racing game." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Mr. Shifty -- 8/10
"Mr. Shifty isn't a huge game in terms of length, but the three- to four-hour campaign is ample. It's like a shot of adrenalin, offering an exciting, intense experience, and it's easy to forgive the game's performance flaws when it so consistently makes you feel like a badass." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor
NBA 2K18 -- 8/10
"NBA 2K18 is a hardcore sports simulation. If you want to get good, you have to put in the work. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve your skills no matter how you want to play. And the fact that there's so much to do is a bonus, because on the court, NBA 2K18 is also an amazingly well-crafted experience." [Read the full review] -- Seth Macy
Night in the Woods -- 9/10
"From beginning to end to epilogue, Night in the Woods is ultimately open to individual interpretation. How you relate to it depends on your own experiences and choices, including Mae's dialogue and who you decide to spend time with. Though its charming and angsty story works well on its own merits, it's special because of how it prioritizes conveying emotion over telling a straight narrative." [Read the review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Owlboy -- 9/10
"Owlboy is consistently charming and surprising, and when its final act doubles down on every front, it's bittersweet to see it end. As you relish the outcome of the final battle and watch the closing cutscene, you can't help but reflect on the beginning of your adventure and how far the world and its inhabitants have come. You'll never be able to play Owlboy for the first time again, but the memories of its magic moments stick with you. This is more than a treat for fans of old-school games; Owlboy is a heartfelt experience that will touch anyone with an affinity for great art and storytelling." [Read the review] -- Peter Brown, Senior Reviews Editor
Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 Plus -- 8/10
"Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 creates an exciting dynamic where ghosts are still dangerous, but the overall game is more forgiving than the original--and it's more entertaining as a result. Arcade ports tend to be games we play in short bursts--mostly for the nostalgia factor. Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 certainly relies on that nostalgia to a point, but it handles the classic game in a way that plays with expectations to surprise you. It's the same game enhanced in the right directions to be make an old concept fun, innovative, and challenging all over again." [Read the review] -- Jason D'Aprile
Puyo Puyo Tetris -- 8/10
"Overflowing with colorful personality, Puyo Puyo Tetris revels in its weirdness. It provides solid versions of both puzzle games and merges the two in bizarre, frantic ways that adds a fresh dash of style to these long-running series. With an array of game variations spanning single-player, along with on- and offline multiplayer, it's an incredibly meaty package that should satisfy gamers for a long time to come." [Read the full review] -- Jason D'Aprile
Rive -- 8/10
"Rive is demanding, but it pushes the kind of near-thoughtless play that shoot-em-ups strive to achieve. When faced with an onslaught of enemies and environmental hazards, you'll have to think fast or die. Rive also doesn't run all that long, but what's here is excellent, top-notch action, and the game delivers some of the most memorable moments in a shoot-em-up in years." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Rocket League -- 9/10
"For people new to the game, they have a lot to look forward to regardless, as it's one of the most fascinating sports games in memory. Nevermind if you don't like soccer or couldn't care less about the growing esports community. Rocket League is a unique game that redefines the concept of what a sports game can be, and Psyonix continues to support it with new content on a regular basis. It's been around for a while, but now that it's on Switch, there's no better time to give it a shot." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment -- 8/10
"Specter of Torment is a finely-crafted 2D platformer that is satisfying in all respects. Simply controlling Specter Knight--flying through the air and slicing through enemies--is a joy in itself, and being able to push your ability to control these skills in overcoming the game's cleverly-designed and challenging levels is always an exhilarating feeling. Specter of Torment is a focussed, polished, and satisfyingly challenging game that's well worth experiencing whether or not you've had the pleasure of playing Shovel Knight." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor
Sonic Mania -- 9/10
"Sonic Mania methodically uses its sentimental appeal to great effect, but in the process, it heals the wounds inflicted by its most disappointing predecessors and surpasses the series' best with its smart and interpretive design. An excellent 2D platformer, Sonic Mania goes beyond expectations, managing to be not only a proper evolution of the series' iconic formula, but the best Sonic game ever made." [Read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Splatoon 2 -- 8/10
"At first glance, Splatoon 2 seems very similar to the first game. But all the small changes, and even the bigger ones in single player and League Battles, make for a fresh take on the already unique shooter. If you played a lot of the original, the sequel has enough to keep you coming back, and if you're new to the game, it's a fantastic place to jump in." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Stardew Valley -- 9/10
"The sheer number of things to accomplish in Stardew Valley can keep you interested beyond the original three in-game years you need to reach the end of your story--you may just want to start over rather than continue on. You'll work quite hard to gather enough money for your first horse, so that you can quickly move to the mines to get a mineral to complete a bundle at the community center. It's all centered around whatever it is you want to accomplish that day. And that's truly what makes Stardew Valley such a lovely experience, it encourages you to go out and be the best you can be, in whichever task that brings you the most joy. Stardew Valley motivates naturally, with blissful optimism." [Read the full review] -- Mary Kish
SteamWorld Dig 2 -- 9/10
"Every advancement Dig 2 makes to its story and mechanics strengthens your initiative to progress. There's an overwhelming sense of momentum that runs through the adventure; as if developer Image & Form sifted the original in a pan, removing its redundancies while expanding upon what made it so fun to persistently play. In your quest to acquire every upgrade and explore every nook and cranny, there's no shortage of hidden collectables to discover. And with post-game content that unlocks after you unearth every secret, the desire to keep digging intensifies. Dig 2 manages to not only be an exceptional successor, but a great adventure in its own right. Where the first game was a diamond in the rough, Dig 2 is a polished jewel." [Read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Super Mario Odyssey -- 10/10
"Odyssey is sustained beyond its major milestones not only through colorful worlds and hidden challenges, but through the sheer joy of controlling Mario, who's never felt more responsive or dynamic in action. Even with everything new that's been introduced, Nintendo's forward-thinking platformer retains the series' classic handcrafted appeal, which is even more impressive when you realize how densely packed each kingdom is. Mario's latest outing is big, bold, and bursting with new ideas, and like Breath of the Wild, is another instance of Nintendo going above and beyond to redefine our expectations. It's a shining example of refined creativity, and another crown jewel for Switch that is without equal." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
By Mat Elfring on Apr 24, 2018 10:23 pm
We're still half a year away from the release of Venom, but Sony released another trailer for the upcoming October film, which does a much better of a job giving insight into the story than the first trailer did. Released online late Monday evening, the newest trailer does reveal quite a bit more about Eddie Brock's (Tom Hardy) story as well as the supporting cast's roles. While fans were hoping that the new movie takes place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe--as Marvel and Sony worked together to release Spider-Man: Homecoming last year--Venom takes place in a separate universe. In addition, chances are extremely slim for Spider-Man or Peter Parker to appear in the film, even though Tom Holland is rumored to show up--he won't. What people are most excited about in this new trailer is that we finally get to see Eddie Brock in the Venom costume, and it surprisingly looks a lot like the comic book version. Here is a breakdown of all the major moments from the trailer as well as its connection to the comic books. Venom comes to theaters on October 5.
There's a mysterious wreckage and a crew is sifting through it. We see a first shot of a symbiote being lifted from it in a canister. It's put into a secure case and the crew leaves in the rain. We're assuming this is the Life Foundation, the antagonist of the movie.
It's revealed that there are multiple symbiotes in the movie, as a panning shot shows two of them in canisters inside the Life Foundation truck. We learn a little more about how they're being used as the trailer moves on.
While there's nothing new revealed here, it's important to mention that Riz Ahmed plays Dr. Carlton Drake, the head of the Life Foundation. In the comics, Drake started The Arachnis Project, which was an attempt to create a serum to cure his cancer. It turned Drake into Homo Arachnis, a giant human/spider hybrid.
Eddie Brock talks to Anne Weying (Michelle Williams), whose firm represents the Life Foundation. In the comics, Weying is Brock's ex-wife and a successful lawyer who briefly merged with the Venom symbiote. Chances are we won't be seeing that in this film.
The trailer establishes that Brock is a journalist--although it's unknown if he works for the Daily Bugle at this time. He interviews Drake and asks him about the Life Foundation's testing, which recruits people as subjects that often lead to their deaths.
Brock is very quickly escorted out of the building after asking Drake that question, to which Drake says, "You're finished, Mr. Brock."
Jenny Slate--whose character has yet to be revealed--has been following Brock around. She tells Brock she works at the Life Foundation and needs Brock's help. At this time, there's no clear indication as to who Slate is playing. One report from CinemaBlend says Slate is playing a new character--a scientist--named Dora Skirth. If the movie is pulling from comics lore, Slate could be playing Leslie Gesneria. She worked at the Life Foundation and ended up becoming merged with symbiotes during the Venom: Lethal Protector story. We don't see Sony fully adapting that one though, as you need Spider-Man to fully make it work. The only other major player who worked at the Life Foundation from the comics is Donna Diego, and Michelle Lee was cast for that role.
There is an establishing shot of Life Foundation, which is built into a mountain outside of San Francisco. In the comics, the Life Foundation was a giant bomb shelter, as the organization thought a post-Cold War nuclear holocaust would kill everyone. They were truly the first Doomsday Preppers.
Inside the Life Foundation, a scientist is being killed by a symbiote as Drake looks on. Slate's character over pronounces the word "symbiote." She says "sim-by-oats." Comic fans around the world are probably pretty annoyed by this.
Slate's character says that Drake thinks that the merging of human and symbiote is the key to a new human evolution. As she says this, a man strapped onto an upright table is screaming in pain.
The shot of the man screaming cuts very briefly to an image that is out of order, chronologically, for the film, but you wouldn't notice unless you go frame-by-frame. It's a live X-ray of Brock/Venom being affected by sound at various decibels. It says "Subject Brock" on the computer screen.
Brock stumbles upon a woman in a cell. There is ice covering the floor and parts of the glass. While in the comics there aren't any symbiotes from the Life Foundation that have cold powers, more than likely temperature is a way to control it. That woman breaks out of her cell--probably because Brock was trying to help her--and attacks Brock, who ends up fleeing the Life Foundation.
He ends up escaping and heads back home. However, he starts to feel sick and starts hearing a voice in his head. Brock thinks he's going crazy and the voice isn't real.
Life Foundation thugs come to Brock's apartment and ask him for Drake's property back: the Venom symbiote. This won't go well.
We finally get to see some of the first Venom powers for the movie, and it's a whole lot of black slime pushing and pulling things. There is a lot of this in the trailer, and sometimes, it looks a bit lame, like when the symbiote pulls Brock to the motorcycle.
"Why would WE do that?" Brock says after beating up Life Foundation thugs. Character-wise, he seems broken--when compared to earlier on in the trailer--and almost like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. This seems like a huge personality change, as he's weaker.
Brock walks down the street in Chinatown talking to himself. "If you're going to stay, you will only hurt BAD people." He seems a bit crazy. Brock is at the beginning of the battle for his own mind and body.
When it comes to the battle over Brock's body, Venom has a bit more control than Brock, when it wants to. Venom says to Brock, "The way I see it, we can do whatever we want." Brock's arms are pinned against a wall. He can't move. "Do we have a deal?" Venom asks.
Now, Brock is in the forest, running from a vehicle, and he runs through a fallen tree, destroying it. He has super-strength and durability now.
The word "Anti-Hero" flashes on the screen during the trailer. Hey Sony, we don't need to be told the protagonist of the film is an "anti-hero." Please don't talk to your audience like they are idiots.
Here's the motorcycle shot we mentioned earlier.
There it is. Venom's face for the first time in the trailer, as we never got to see Venom in the first one. Surprisingly enough, this looks a lot like the comic book version of the character. Venom comes to theaters on October 5.
By GameSpot Staff on Apr 24, 2018 09:22 pm
13 PlayStation Remasters We Want To See
Nostalgia is rife in 2018. People go crazy about Nintendo's Virtual Console games and about "new" games being added to Xbox One's compatibility program. Recently, Sony has been focusing in on taking its most iconic PS1 properties and finding ways to remake or remaster them. Whether it's the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, or MediEvil, or the recently announced Spyro Reignited Trilogy, old games are being given proverbial new licks of paint at every turn. And this got us thinking: which old PS1 games would we want ported to current-gen with all the online bells and anti-aliasing whistles that new technology brings? Many of our choices include some of the most iconic franchises from the era, while the others are more obscure or long-forgotten. When we compiled this list, it surprised us remembering just how many fantastic games came out on PlayStation's inaugural console; it was tough to narrow it all down. Read on for our personal choices of favorite games from our respective childhoods that we want. What we highlight here is but a handful of the many fantastic games available on the console, so be sure to leave your suggestions and wishes of games you don't see here in the comments below!
Crash Team Racing & Crash Bash | Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer
Crash Bandicoot's N. Sane Trilogy gave the original three games in the series a much-deserved makeover and modernized them for the current generation. In doing so, developer Vicarious Visions proved it could be trusted with one of gaming's most beloved mascots. It would make perfect sense, then, to let the company have free reign with the remaining Crash Bandicoot PlayStation games, Crash Team Racing and Crash Bash. Crash Team Racing was what made me fall in love with kart racers. The PlayStation was my first console, and so CTR was my first exposure to the genre--Mario Kart would have to wait. But what a first racer to pick. It had my favorite characters from the first three Crash Bandicoot games--complete with an engaging story and fun hub worlds--and combined them with satisfying racing and a selection of inventive power-ups. Crash Bash, meanwhile, was a party game that featured a number of different mini-game types: Crate Crush, Polar Push, Tank Wars, Ballisrix, Pogo Pandemonium, Crash Dash, and Medieval Mayhem. You could play each level of these types in isolation, but the game's Adventure mode set them up in the Crash canon as a four-way battle between Aku Aku and Uka Uka to decide whether good or evil would prevail. One of Crash Bash's best features, however, were the tweaked versions of each level you'd have to complete in order to earn Crystals, in addition to the more standard Trophies and Gems. Together, Crash Team Racing and Crash Bash were my first exposures to multiplayer gaming, and in addition to making them look nicer, current-gen remasters have extra potential. I'd love to be able to play the games with friends online, because where did anyone ever get a multitap?
Twisted Metal | Chris Reed, Commerce Editor
You know what's missing from the AAA gaming landscape of 2018? Vehicular combat. Some games let you fight in cars, but it's almost never the core gameplay mechanic anymore. Certainly no game focuses on hunting down opponents and blowing them to smithereens like Twisted Metal did back in 1995. This was a grungy game filled with demented characters who drove vehicles with guns and rocket launchers bolted onto them. You cruised around, collecting power-ups and pumping lead and heavy firepower into your opponents until they exploded. That's about all there was to it. The single-player mode was enjoyable, but the real fun began when you could convince a friend or sibling to hop in for some head-to-head mayhem. Then it got personal. The whole thing was cheap-looking and trashy and drenched in delightful nihilism. What other game would make its mascot an insane clown who drives an ice cream truck? There's nothing else like Twisted Metal.
Bushido Blade And / Or Bushido Blade 2 | Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Bushido Blade, the 3D, one-on-one sword-fighting game for PlayStation, was a uniquely unforgiving game that hasn't really been replicated since--its nearest neighbour today would probably be Nidhogg. It had no health bars, and landing a clean hit on your opponent meant a crippled limb, if not instant bloody death. Tension was the name of the game; every standoff was a strenuous task of reading your opponent, playing mind games and exercising quick reflexes. It was also a game concerned with maintaining honorable disposition and respecting your opponent. Bowing formally before a match, fighting fair, and never stabbing your opponent in the back was encouraged, and enhanced the game's zen-like appeal. But, you could also do the exact opposite: throw dirt in someone's face, kick them when they're down, and run frantically through the game's large, open arenas to search for an environment that could put your opponent and their choice of weapon at a disadvantage--a bamboo thicket could restrict naginata slashing maneuvers, while a deep river could mask the movements of your katana, for example. Bushido Blade and its sequel in 1998 were fantastic, accessible fighting games that you could play with a friend. It was one of my earliest memories of yelling at the TV and a buddy who had managed to win the game despite his character's inability to walk. In an era where players celebrate pure, unforgiving game experiences, Bushido Blade is the kind of game that deserves a revitalized and more readily accessible version, if not a sequel.
Silent Hill | Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Silent Hill was my very first PlayStation game (I was a late adopter), and its take on survival horror had such an impressive impact on me that other horror titles like Resident Evil just couldn't cut it for me for the longest time. It was the first encounter with the fog that made it so memorable--the fact that you couldn't see more than a few feet in front of you as you explored the mysteriously abandoned town (a technical limitation that was twisted into a series narrative device). It instilled such strong sense of anxiety and dread that made moving from one place to another a mentally taxing hurdle, even if there was likely no danger at all. Silent Hill 2 is more commonly perceived as the best in the series. But the original's more straightforward, Steven King- and David Lynch-inspired tones, the "search for your missing daughter" plot, and the demonic turns it takes (which were then unexpected) personally had a more lasting impression on me. Silent Hill did get a reimagining in 2009 in the form of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, and I really enjoyed it the liberties it took with the narrative, mechanics, and the inventive use of the Wii remote. But it sure would be fantastic if the original Silent Hill got a Spyro-style remake or remaster so I can remember one of the formative games in in my life in a not-so-dated light. We got HD remasters of Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3 in 2012, but they were technically terrible overhauls, and the re-recorded voice acting copped a lot of flak from fans. Even though both games remained classics and shone through regardless, it's time for Konami to make it up to us.
Driver | Chris Pereira, News Editor
The moment I heard what Driver is--a game where you play as an undercover wheelman where you can drive anywhere in the game's world--I was instantly won over. At the time of its release in 1999, we had games like Grand Theft Auto, where you could freely explore a world, but at the time the series still had the classic top-down perspective. Driver offered the twist on Need for Speed I always wanted, letting me drive down the side streets and feel like I was actually exploring a world (comprised of loosely modeled recreations of real-world cities) freely. That concept obviously isn't as novel today as it once was, but there remains a simplicity and single-mindedness of Driver that I think would be appealing. It doesn't task you with getting out of your car, shooting, or any of the other elements of, say, GTA V. Instead, your goal is entirely about navigating the world, evading police, and pulling off sweet 180s. A remaster would afford us the opportunity to return to those simple pleasures of Driver without having to deal with the game's technical problems and shortcomings. It suffered from severe pop-in, and it wasn't until Driver 2 that cities introduced curved roads. An updated version could present a better-looking version of the game and revamp road layouts where they make sense. Do that with a budget-priced release, and I think a Driver remaster could be a real hit.
Syphon Filter | Chris Pereira, News Editor
It was no Metal Gear Solid, but Syphon Filter offered its own blend of stealth and third-person action that was extremely enjoyable. I loved how many different places around the world the game takes you, and it boasted a wide array of weapons and gadgets to use. Anyone who played the original likely has fond memories of rolling their way through glass and making use of its ranged taser, which let you literally set enemies on fire if deployed for long enough. As I found, being 12 years old at the time, few games offered a mechanic more hilarious. I won't sit here and tell you that replaying Syphon Filter in the modern day would be a life-changing experience, though I do think an improved version of its stealth-action would fill the hole left by Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell. Regardless, the opportunity to employ that taser again would make a remaster worth every penny.
Vagrant Story | Peter Brown, Lord Of The Flies
Most people would consider Metal Gear Solid to be the most "cinematic" PlayStation game. It definitely fits the mold, with striking camera angles that enhance the spirit of pivotal scenes. Though as much as I respect Metal Gear Solid, the game that I feel most deserves special mention for its use of composition and lighting has to be Vagrant Story. It's an unusual Squaresoft RPG from Yasumi Matsuno, the principle creative behind Ogre Battle, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy XII, to name a few. It was both visually striking and ahead of its time--excellent reasons for it to be redressed with modern techniques. Though Vagrant Story's visuals can be evocative, they are hindered by low-resolution PlayStation textures, and the worst examples can be very off-putting. They weren't so bad when viewed on scanline-based CRT TVs, but a modern progressive display can't mask those old digital skidmarks. New HD textures, a higher native resolution, and some light antialiasing would go a long way to make Vagrant Story palatable in 2018, and give it a second lease on life for those who missed out on it years ago.
Ape Escape | Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
One of the most distinct exclusives to ever release on PS1 was Ape Escape. Its premise was bizarre: you played as Spike, a boy tasked with capturing an ape named Specter who gains enhanced intelligence through the use of an experimental helmet, allowing him to produce an ape army that he sends through time in an attempt to rewrite history. Not only was Ape Escape's monkey-capturing premise unusual, the game also sported a control scheme quite unlike anything at the time. Utilizing the analog sticks of the recently released Dualshock controller, you could use weapons and gadgets by moving the right stick in the direction you wanted to swing. On paper, Ape Escape sounds bananas (no pun intended), but it somehow managed to be one of the most captivating and memorable adventures on PS1. There's a lot to love about Ape Escape, which is why it's a perfect candidate for the HD remaster treatment. Sure, you can say it was technically remastered on PSP, but I don't think that counts since it completely removed the original's distinct analog control scheme. Revamped visuals could breathe new life into its varied stage roster; imagine exploring HD versions of the snow-covered landscapes of the Ice Age or the Great Wall of China during the Middle Ages. Heck, what about the innards of Dexter the sick dinosaur? It would be stunning. If Sony continues down this road of remastering more classic PS1 games, then it should look no further. Ape Escape is well past due for some love and recognition.
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver | Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is a long-forgotten gem from the PS1-era. An early example of a 3D metroidvania done right, the game won my young heart with its haunting gothic style, clever combat mechanics, and distinct premise. I'll always remember the impact the game's intro cinematic and opening areas had on me. Its grim narrative and intriguing characters are some of the most memorable I've experienced in gaming. The game puts you in control of Raziel, a vampire lieutenant turned soul-sucking wraith after being betrayed by the tyrannical vampire lord Kain. Brought back to life by a mysterious benefactor known as The Elder God, Raziel must embark on a journey to exact vengeance against his former king. Soul Reaver is well-deserving of an HD remaster. If anything, it's long overdue. The world of Nosgoth, a desolate and broken kingdom populated by all manner of mutated vampires, remains haunting and atmospheric. The vampire weakness-focused combat is still a creative and entertaining system to dispatch foes. In addition, the game is rich with fascinating locations to explore and secrets to unearth. There's so much to enjoy about the original Soul Reaver; it would be amazing to experience it all over again with revamped textures, lighting effects, and updated mechanics. There's still nothing else quite like Soul Reaver. While it has been 15 years since we've seen a new Legacy of Kain game, an HD remaster of its most iconic entry would be a brilliant way to revitalize interest. After all, its 20th anniversary is fast approaching, so what better time than now?
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment | Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Thanks to 2017's Persona 5, the Persona games have become more popular than ever. With that, there's a distinct opportunity to revisit the earlier years of the amazing series. A few elements that make the modern Personas weren't present in the PS1 era games, like social links and leisurely activities outside of fighting, but character development and a dark supernatural story in a high school setting were still at the heart of Persona 2. The complete arc of Persona 2 was split between two games (Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment) that act as separate chapters. Eternal Punishment puts you in the shoes of Maya Amano, a major character and party member from Innocent Sin. She's a magazine writer who's investigating the evil New World Order that aims to cleanse the world of sin. You band together with fellow persona users to prevent them from achieving their sinister goal; the tone and setup are closer to mainline Shin Megami Tensei than modern Persona. Innocent Sin already has a remaster of sorts, which was made for the PSP back in 2011. Eternal Punishment received the same treatment of refined mechanics and a visual upgrade for Japan, but it was never localized for any other region. Currently, the original PS1 version of Eternal Punishment is playable in the west on PS3, PSP, and Vita, but an 18-year-old game left untouched might be hard to go back to. As someone who has absolutely fallen in love with this franchise and made it a mission to go back and play every single one of these games, I would drop everything I'm currently playing to revisit a few of the early stories in a more palatable form.
Parasite Eve | Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Parasite Eve acts as a sequel to the novel of the same name by author Hideaki Sena, but this first entry for the game series felt truly unique in its time. Squaresoft (now Square Enix) hadn't gone down the M-rated route before, but it didn't waste time showing you what this game was about; the opening scene depicts an opera crowd bursting into flames, which was absolutely horrifying considering I was a kid at the time. Everyone burns to death except Aya Brea (you, a green NYPD cop) and the performer, who transforms into a supernatural monster, kicking off this paranormal thriller. This is also where you jump into the unique blend of action and turn-based RPG. Aya resorts to traditional firearms to take down terrifying creatures, and you control her from an isometric angle as you inspect environments. Combat is turn-based with magical Parasite Energy capabilities thrown into the mix, and world exploration taps into a traditional RPG structure. Think of it as Resident Evil meets Final Fantasy. As an early fan of both franchises, it was an incredible feeling to see those two styles collide. Parasite Eve's dark, dingy version of New York City always gave me chills, but the game's phenomenal presentation and hybrid RPG gameplay pushed me to overcome the intimidation. I loved Parasite Eve so much that I actually battled through the 77 floors of the Chrysler Building in the new game plus mode and fought the secret boss, so I'd definitely love to do it all over again on current-gen.
Xenogears | Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Within the incredibly strong roster of JRPGs within the PS1's lineup, Xenogears stands near the top of the bunch. Originally planned as a sequel to Chrono Trigger, director Tetsuya Takahashi took his project in a different direction with a mecha-science fiction story that made for a more active and intricate battle system. Xenogears featured Active Time Battle, which was an up-tempo turn-based combat system, but also integrated button combos for the different abilities of its characters. Throw in Gears (giant robots) into the mix and you had one of the more dynamic RPGs of its time. In addition to its unique take on the RPG genre, Xenogears hit some heavy notes in its story by using religious and philosophical themes. Ultimately, as the amnesiac Fei Fong Wong, you collaborate with other party members and set out to destroy the all-powerful gear called Deus, revived by evildoers in an attempt to wipe the existence of humanity. Because of its religious references and takes on human existence, there was trouble localizing for the west without seeming blasphemous. Thankfully, a localized version did happen eventually, but overall the game felt incomplete. The game's second disc opted for more narrative exposition and rushed through an otherwise great story. That's why Xenogears deserves a remaster; there's so much more that the game could have been, yet it's still one of the best RPGs of the era. Other than being able to play it on a modern platform with upgraded visuals, it could theoretically be an opportunity to rework the second half of the game. Who knows if revisiting and adding content for a remaster of a 20 year old game is even viable, but here's to wishful thinking!
Metal Gear Solid | Tamoor Hussain, UK Editor
The future of Metal Gear Solid is uncertain. With creator Hideo Kojima and publisher Konami going their separate ways, developing a new entry in the series without the involvement of the superstar auteur would be like throwing everyone involved into a lion's den--especially after the reaction to Metal Gear Survive. Konami needs to build some goodwill with fans, and perhaps the way to do that is to remaster Metal Gear Solid. For fans, this will still be a difficult pill to swallow, but at the very least it gives Konami an established framework and blueprint to follow. The dream is that Metal Gear Solid is given the same treatment as the recent Shadow of the Colossus remake. This means sticking very closely to the original and making some small, smart tweaks to improve the gameplay experience. Despite the negative sentiment around Konami, specifically towards its treatment of Metal Gear, fans will find it difficult to pass up an opportunity to relive iconic moments from the franchise with all the trimmings of a modern game. Of course, some may argue that Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes has already covered this ground but, for me--as a lifelong Metal Gear obsessive--that game took a few too many liberties with some of the cinematic moments, which in turn changed the tone of the game quite drastically. Give me classic Metal Gear Solid in the Fox Engine and we'll be happy. Do it right and maybe we'll soften to the idea of a non-Kojima Metal Gear.
By Kevin Wong on Apr 24, 2018 04:24 am
Westworld Season 2, Episode 1 spoilers ahead!
Westworld's Season 2 premiere was confusing. The writers laid out a number of puzzles, though they didn't give us enough pieces (yet) to solve any of them. Not that that will stop us from trying. The online Westworld community is a massive hive mind that exhausts every narrative possibility. The collective effort of so many people will inevitably happen upon the solution. It's a compliment to the show that most of the first season's major twists were sussed out by the halfway mark; like all good science fiction, Westworld takes great pains to adhere to its own logic and rules. Had the fans not been able to figure everything out, it would mean the writers deliberately withheld key information until the last minute. And that's a cheap way to trick the audience; better that the twists make sense than be arbitrary. Keep that in mind when you read Westworld analysis during Season 2. Together, we'll probably figure this out again, and that's part of the fun. Here are the biggest theories coming out of Westworld's Season 2 premiere.
6. Stubbs is alive. OR IS HE?
Stubbs is doing cleanup with the rest of the Delos crew when they find Bernard lying on the beach, nearly two weeks after Ford's death. Evidently, Stubbs survived his encounter with the Ghost Nation at the end of Season 1, and he's back as a security officer. This seems a little too pat, and it's led fans to speculate that Stubbs is actually a host--perhaps the same one Ford was printing out in the lab beneath the church. It would certainly be advantageous for the hosts to have one of their own on the inside, feeding information to Dolores. And if he is a host, Stubbs might be the only one who knows Bernard is a host. Also, Elsie is still missing.
5. Barriers between the "worlds" are breaking apart.
The Delos team finds a host tiger washed up on the shores of Westworld, which tells us that somehow, between all the power outages and the overall chaos, the barriers between the theme park worlds (of which there are at least six) are either eroding or already broken. The episode also told us that Westworld is on an island; whether each park has its own island separated by water, or they're all on the same island and the barriers are something else, remains to be seen. We've seen little glimpses of Shogun World; in a trailer for Season 2, we even see Maeve dressed in a kimono, wielding a samurai sword. Will Westworld form an alliance with Shogunworld? Or will this simply lead to host-on-host fighting? Perhaps a little of both; there might be a skirmish between six-shooters and shuriken before an eventual truce. Plus, the Shoguns might not be aware they are hosts, yet. If they do become aware, the situation could get a lot uglier for the humans still alive.
4. Ford is dead. OR IS HE?
Near the end of the episode, Strand turns over Ford's body. We see him in a state of discolored decomposition. Bugs are crawling in and out of him. He seems definitively dead, and the fans can move on from the theory that Dolores shot a host Ford, and the real Ford is hiding somewhere off the map. But some fans are still holding out hope. They noted that the host tiger, which washed up on shore, was also rotting and had bugs crawling in and out of it. The hosts are flesh and blood on the surface; they should be able to rot as a human does. Still, the "Ford's still alive!" camp was dealt a major blow this week.
3. DNA Collection and Clones
Bernard finds out from Charlotte that Delos is logging users' DNA. And one common fan theory posits that Delos wants to clone and replace powerful people--ones that might be supportive of Delos's political stances. Or, this could allow humans to live forever in a manufactured body, one that shares their DNA. This theory gives the word "host" a whole new, creepy meeting. The artificial body is an accommodating "host" of the theme park and its guests, but it's also being developed as a "host" to other people. Could Bernard already be the first host of this type? When he pushed his hand on the door of the secret lab to get in, it scanned and approved his DNA; perhaps it's legitimately Arnold's DNA? Bernard's relationship to Arnold might be more significant than mere physical appearance.
2. More timeline shenanigans
It seems there are currently two distinct timelines, both of which Bernard is involved in. The first takes place immediately after Dolores shoots Ford; Bernard makes his escape with Charlotte to a secret lab, where they are currently attempting to contact the outside world. The other timeline takes place roughly a week and a half later, when Team Delos lands on the shores of Westworld (it's an island in the South Pacific, evidently) to clean up the mess, and they find Bernard washed up on shore. Presumably, these two storylines will meet in the middle by the end of the season. However, knowing this show, it's probably not going to be that easy. Something in this timeline is probably spliced out of order, even if we can't tell what yet. There's also the Man in Black storyline, where William is trying to solve another puzzle--this time, designed for him. Where this takes place in the timeline, and over what length of time, will also be pivotal. We might know how his journey ends; young Ford hints at it when he says that William's journey will end where it begins and begin where it ends. That sounds, once again, like Dolores, doesn't it? If all goes according to Ford's plan, Dolores will probably figure into Teddy's ending too. We watched a teaser of the "new narrative" in the final episode of Season 1; Dolores dies in Teddy's arms "where the mountains meet the sea." In the new episode, Dolores says to Teddy, "I see it all now so clearly: the past, the present, the future. I know how this story ends. With us, Teddy." That supports this theory further. The problem with all this is that Teddy is face down, dead in in the water, at the end of the second timeline. How the show gets to that point is anyone's guess.
1. How did Bernard kill all the hosts?
The episode ends with scores of hosts dead, floating in an unplotted body of water. As Bernard takes in the horrific scene with the Delos team, he claims credit for having killed them all. How, exactly? Fans speculate it may have something to do with the mesh network; we find out that every host is connected, deep in their subconscious, to a network that, among other practical functions, prevents them from tripping over each other's storylines. Could Bernard have created some sort of program that made them all walk into the sea? Or, assuming that Bernard isn't on the humans' side, is this some kind of fake-out that we haven't seen quite yet? It seems a bit too corny if all the hosts are just pretending to be dead. But what we see is almost certainly not the whole story. And lastly, is Bernard thinking for himself? Is everything he's doing, including killing hosts, planned by Ford, or is he acting of his own volition? We'll probably be able to figure out the answers to these questions before Westworld Season 2 ends, especially if last season was any indication. But for now, it's nice to be mystified.
By GameSpot Staff on Apr 24, 2018 04:13 am
Dream Fighters
After much anticipation, Nintendo finally confirmed that Super Smash Bros. is officially coming to Nintendo Switch. And what's even better news is that the game is actually releasing this year. Naturally, this has us pretty ecstatic, and we're already speculating which characters we want to return or debut to the game's roster. While characters who have been in past entries, like Ice Climbers and Falco, are obvious choices for our staff's most hardcore fans, we're also eager to see characters from other Nintendo franchises and third-party games make appearances. Can you imagine how awesome it would be if the latest Super Smash Bros. features characters, like Crash Bandicoot, Captain Toad, Shovel Knight, or King K. Rool? With so many possibilities, here are the 20 characters we want to see the most in Super Smash Bros. on Switch. Currently, we don't know if the upcoming game will be an updated version of Super Smash Bros. Wii U or an entirely brand-new game. If it is a port, it could follow the model of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which offered a slew of new features on top of including all existing DLC. There are plenty of other Wii U titles that deserve a second chance on Switch as well but Smash Bros. is undoubtedly the most obvious candidate. Nintendo has remained ambiguous about what form this game will take. Which characters do you want to appear in Smash Bros. for Switch? Let us know in the comments below. In recent news, a Super Smash Bros. Switch tournament is going to be held at this year's E3. For more on the recent Nintendo news, check out GameSpot's roundup of all the recent Nindies Nintendo Direct news and our roundup of all the mid-March Nintendo Direct news, which includes release dates for some of the most exciting upcoming Switch and 3DS games.
Captain Toad
Super Smash Bros. rosters are generally dominated by the expected heroes and villains. What I want to see is another character like Animal Crossing's Villager who is a little more unconventional. Captain Toad may seem harmless, but the idea of him transforming into a fighter who can go toe-to-toe with Bowser, Ganon, or precious Mario (you know Captain Toad hates him and his proclivity for jumping and hogging the spotlight) would get me more interested in the Switch edition of Smash than anything else. While sure to be just one part of an expansive roster, making Captain Toad playable in Smash would help to provide Switch's Treasure Tracker re-release with some additional attention. He may not have the makings of a prototypical fighter, but to me that's what would make him more interesting. I'd be curious to see how Nintendo finds a workaround for his inability to jump--maybe he could throw his backpack into the air before leaping. He has a variety of tools and abilities at his disposal in Treasure Tracker (a pickaxe, an off-screen turnip gun, the ability to pull things out of the ground) that could be leveraged as weapons in Smash. And imagining a matching Treasure Tracker stage--one that messes with camera perspectives--is even more exciting. Captain Toad may not have the glitz and glamor of other names, but his unique nature would make him a worthwhile member of the roster. | Chris Pereira
Crash Bandicoot
Crash never made it into PlayStation All Stars, but he deserves a chance to throw down. With the N. Sane trilogy making its way to Switch, I think it's time for everyone's favorite marsupial to do the same. Crash's moveset is so easy to envision: spinning attacks, throwing wumpa fruit, and a Final Smash that slaps a golden Aku Aku mask on his face, charging him up like some kind of Australian Super Saiyan. If Crash were added to the roster, elements of his games could also be incorporated into the Smash universe. Maybe a standard mask could be picked up by anyone. Maybe the game's signature crates could be added to Smash's group of containers like barrels and party balls. One thing's for sure: making Crash a playable character should also mean Coco joining as an assist trophy. Let's talk stages. The Crash Bandicoot series has been all over the world, from the Great Wall of China to Ancient Egypt to a crazy techno-centric future. Why not take the "warped" mentality of Crash 3 and have fighters bounce between those crazy locations? I can already picture Neo Cortex floating around in the background of the outer space phase of the map. | Tony Wilson
Toon Zelda/Tetra
The Smash Bros. series has seen many Links: Young Link, Toon Link, regular Link, and now, what looks like Breath of the Wild Link. But there's only one Zelda. Zelda/Sheik is one of the standout characters, of course, but it's time for something new. Tetra is a badass pirate queen with a sword, and her Princess Zelda transformation has a bow with light arrows--among other possible weapons. (Her Hyrule Warriors incarnation has a pistol, for example.) She's scrappy, she's sassy, her pirate ship is already a Smash stage, and she already has an Amiibo. Even if she didn't transform like her standard counterpart, Tetra or Toon Zelda would both make sense among the ranks of the top Smash fighters. And it's about time. Plus, I just really want Wind Waker HD to come to Switch. | Kallie Plagge
Ice Climbers
The Ice Climbers were introduced in Super Smash Bros. Melee as representatives of the NES era of Nintendo's history. As a single entity, Popo and Nana were different from the other fighters; if the NPC-controlled Ice Climber was knocked out, you could still fight, just without team moves. Fighting as them was just really...well, cool. Popo and Nana got shafted in Smash 4. Supposedly cut due to the 3DS' limited processing power (and the fact that there probably won't be another game in their series soon, if ever, so they weren't a high priority), the Ice Climbers only appeared as a trophy. But the Switch solves one of those problems, at least! And if what Masahiro Sakurai says is true, and the Ice Climbers were fully functional in the Wii U version, it's not too much to ask to bring them back in the next Super Smash Bros. | Kallie Plagge
Geno
Since his debut in Super Mario RPG, fans have been clamoring for ♡♪!? (also known as Geno for those who struggle to pronounce his true name). While a true Super Mario RPG sequel will likely never happen, there is hope for the badass Star Road warrior to appear in Smash. When Nintendo started to release character announcement trailers for the Wii U and 3DS versions, I'd sit on the edge of my seat hoping he'd be revealed every time. When it came to the final DLC character reveal, Nintendo found a way to get my hopes up, only to crush them instantly. They showed off Geno, but not the way anyone wanted. We were told Geno was available...but as a Mii Gunner costume. While I was happy to see they acknowledged his existence, it was still disappointing to see he was still not a playable fighter. If he were to be added, he'd make an excellent ranged fighter and a welcome roster addition compared to the influx of sword-based fighters in recent games. Geno Beam (or even Geno Flash) would be perfect as a charge attack and Geno Whirl could be used similar to Samus's missile with the side-B attack. For a Final Smash, Geno Blast would look gorgeous as rays of light come flashing down to devastate his opponents.While I know deep down that it's a long shot, I'm still hoping that somehow he'll find his way onto the roster. With the inclusion of Square Enix's Cloud in the most recent version, the door is now open for Geno. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting his arrival. | Gajan Kulasingham
Isaac
One of the most exciting aspects of every Super Smash Bros. release is seeing which forgotten Nintendo characters the developers have plucked from obscurity and added to the roster. Not only is it fun to see old mascots completely reimagined on a modern console, but in many cases, an appearance in Smash Bros. heralds a revival for their series--as was the case with Kid Icarus after Pit appeared in Brawl. While Golden Sun may not be as well-known as some of Nintendo's other franchises, I'd still love to see its main protagonist, Isaac, join the fray. Despite his brief tenure in the spotlight (only three Golden Sun games have been released thus far, the latest of which starred not Isaac but his son, Matthew), Isaac is perfectly suited for Smash Bros. thanks to his special abilities. As an Adept, he's capable of wielding Psynergy, magic-like abilities that would form the basis of his moveset. To further set him apart from other fighters, he could equip different Djinn during a match, which would alter the Psynergy spells at his disposal. And for his Final Smash, Isaac could call upon one of Golden Sun's many other over-the-top summons, such as Judgment, to deliver a devastating, screen-consuming attack. Moreover, Isaac isn't a complete stranger to Smash Bros.; he appeared as an Assist Trophy in Brawl, so it would hardly be a stretch for him to make the leap to playable character. The Smash series may already have a glut of swordsmen on its roster, but I think Isaac has enough unique skills in his repertoire to make a great addition--and if it would help pave the way for a new Golden Sun game on Switch, so much the better. | Kevin Knezevic
King K. Rool
For every great hero, there is a villain that helps define them. For Batman, there is the Joker. For Mario, there is Bowser. And for Donkey Kong, there is King K. Rool. The Kremlings leader has been around since Donkey Kong Country and has frequently opposed the Kongs. Being such an iconic foe to a popular Nintendo character makes his absence in Smash Bros quite perplexing. If King K. Rool were to be added, he'd easily be classified as a heavyweight character--of which there is a significant need in the Smash Bros. games. With so many smaller, faster characters in the game, adding more powerhouse fighters would definitely be a welcome addition. He'd even have a vast array of costume options based off his various appearances in the DK Country games, such as Kaptain K. Rool, Baron K. Roolenstein, and King Krusha K. Rool. As for attacks, he has a wide amount of gadgets at his disposal, which could be attached to his basic attacks. This could make him a fun powerhouse character capable of dealing significant melee damage up close but also have the option of utilizing ranged attacks. I'd be excited to see him added, but I'm honestly surprised he hasn't been in a Smash game already. | Gajan Kulasingham
Crono
The Chrono series, outside of the thoroughly excellent DS re-release and the not-so-good PC port, has been silent for a long time. But aside from the business and development reasons that the seminal RPG only received one semi-sequel in Chrono Cross, a character crossover with the next Smash Bros. actually makes some weird sense. The biggest argument for Crono is that Cloud was playable in Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. The protagonist from Final Fantasy VII is a staunchly third-party character from a Final Fantasy game that never came to a Nintendo console, so there's at least a precedent for that level of crossover. The Final Fantasy VII Remake gives a reason to elevate Cloud's profile (so maybe Aeris or Tifa would be a more-likely candidate). But Crono is such an outstanding character from developer Square's past and its long-running relationship with Nintendo. The other reason that Cloud makes a good fit is that, despite being yet another character with a sword, his reliance on multi-character attacks mean that he'd have his own unique identity, moveset, and visual flair. Crono is a long shot character, especially since unlike Final Fantasy, there isn't an official high-definition 3D model of the character available. But who would've guessed that Cloud, Ryu, and Bayonetta would ever be in a Smash game? | Justin Haywald
Professor Layton
The austere professor with his oversized hat may sound like an odd fit for Smash, but as an iconic representative of puzzle gaming on the DS, Professor Layton is long overdue for a spot on the SSB roster. The best examples for how Layton would work in a fighter is Phoenix Wright, who made an appearance in various Vs. Capcom fighting games, or a character like the peaceful Animal Crossing Villager. Not having a ready-made assortment of combat abilities doesn't rule out their effectiveness in a wacky game like Smash. And as we've seen from several of Layton's adventures, he's an accomplished fencer, so he's ready to throw down with a weapon when the situation calls for it. And Layton could also introduce fun, interactive stages that play off his previous adventures. Hand-drawn village backgrounds that open up to unlock puzzles, and maybe the characters on the screen would have to try to solve some of the simpler ones in order to avoid hazards from hitting everyone one the screen. Layton has been a dream addition to Smash for me for a long time, and figuring out how he'd fit into the game doesn't feel like a terribly difficult puzzle. | Justin Haywald
Ridley
As Samus Aran's arch-nemesis, the Space Pirate leader Ridley seems like a perfect candidate to go head-to-head with the Metroid hunter in the Smash Bros. arena as a playable fighter. Aside from the intergalactic bounty hunter and the Metroids that she hunts, the fire-breathing boss is one of the most recognizable characters in the series--who seems to always survive the last battle by the skin of its razor-sharp teeth. Despite never having been playable, Ridley has already made several appearances in past Smash games, most notably as a boss in Brawl's Subspace Emissary story mode. It's about time that Samus' nemesis became a playable character, and Ridley's fighting style, which is focused on fast, hard-hitting moves, along with a large set of wings that give it great speed and agility, can make Ridley a welcome change from the other heavy-set characters like King Dedede, Bowser, and DK. Moreover, Ridley's many appearances throughout the Metroid series also opens up the opportunity to let players choose from different incarnations of the character. I mean, who wouldn't want the chance to play as the cybernetically enhanced Meta-Ridley to battle Samus in one of the Metroid-inspired levels? | Alessandro Fillari
Tharja
Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS has no shortage of Fire Emblem characters. To be honest, by the time Corrin and Roy rolled around as DLC I was starting to get sick of them, however, Tharja could add something unique to the roster. Unlike Roy, Marth, Lucina, and Ike, Tharja is a Dark Mage and she could specialize in ranged-attack spells. Sure, Corrin and Robin had a fair amount of medium-range attacks, but in most cases, you'd still want to keep your foes close. Tharja could utilize a flashy set of dark spells to deliver powerful blows from afar, and quick on her feet to escape close range fighters. The likelihood of Tharja coming to Smash is slim, but I think she would add much more character and personality to the roster than Robin and Corrin did. | Jake Dekker
Kass
While Breath of the Wild was very much Link's show, there was one character who always knew how to make his presence known throughout the young(ish) champion's quest throughout Hyrule--and it always started off with the faint sound of an accordion in the distance. Kass, the traveling storyteller, could spin a memorable yarn about Hyrule's past, but I'd like to think he can also hold his own in a fight against other Nintendo characters. While we don't ever see Kass fight, that certainly hasn't stopped Nintendo from turning normally passive characters--like Wii Fit Trainer or R.O.B.--into powerhouses on the battlefield. As a member of the bird-like Rito tribe, Kass has the natural gift of flight, potentially making him an agile character in a fight. However, his true gifts lie with his accordion and oratory talents. Much like in Breath of the Wild, Kass can use the power of song to grab the attention of anyone nearby as they listen to him tell the tale of the surrounding environment. While this may seem a bit gimmicky, Super Smash Bros. tends to shine most when it comes to characters that has a specific purpose. And often times, those characters prove their worth and find an audience among fans. And I for one think that Kass has the potential to prove himself on the battlefield. | Alessandro Fillari
Waluigi
If Waluigi can't get his own game, he should at least be added to the Super Smash Bros. roster. Wario has been playable in two previous Smash games, but Luigi's rival, Waluigi, has never been included. Now is the time. Waluigi has already made appearances in Smash as a collectible trophy and assist trophy, and in Brawl, Luigi has a black and purple color swap to make him look similar to his arch-rival. If he's already a part of the Smash universe, then making him playable is an easy transition. Smash Bros. on the 3DS and Wii U had plenty of Nintendo heroes on their rosters and not enough villains. The Switch version's roster could only benefit from adding another fun, fan-favorite antagonist like Waluigi to liven things up with his personal brand of mischief. Throughout the years, his popularity has only been growing. He's sassy, cunning, relatably self-hating, skilled, and ridiculous. Just think about how campy and glorious his taunt would be. It's Waluigi time. | Chastity Vicencio
Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight hits things with a shovel. I want to hit Kirby with a shovel. Honestly, it's as simple as that. Shovel Knight has been one of the best 2D throwback platformers in recent years, a game that perfectly captures the spirit of the NES era while making smart tweaks to make it more palatable for modern sensibilities. That's an excellent fit for a fighting game that oozes Nintendo spirit if you ask me. The game features a wide variety of upgrades that Shovel Knight (who can be male or female) can utilize to take down foes, so there's more than enough options to make Shovel Knight a distinctly interesting Smash character if brute shovel force isn't enough. And look--he's already got an Amiibo, so that's basically his ticket to ride. It's Shovelling Time! | Edmond Tran
Rex
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was one of Nintendo's biggest games of 2017, so it would only be fitting to see it represented in the newly revealed Super Smash Bros. for Switch. Naturally, the most logical choice for a Smash fighter from the game would be its protagonist, Rex, but just as in his own adventure, he should come with a few Blades in tow to make him a truly unique addition to the roster. Whereas Shulk (Smash Bros.' other resident Xenoblade character) is able to use the Monado to grant himself different buffs, Rex could derive his abilities from the Blade he currently has equipped. Like Pokemon Trainer from Brawl, he could swap between the Blades during a match, with each granting him a different set of special attacks. Of course, Pyra would be his primary Blade, but he could also have two others--such as Roc and Nia--at his disposal, just as in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. And for his Final Smash, Pyra could transform into Mythra to rain down a powerful Sacred Arrow attack over the entire field. Not only would Rex be a fun addition to the roster, but Xenoblade Chronicles 2 would make a fitting basis for a new stage. The game is filled with beautiful vistas and fantastical fauna, which could make for some rather interesting stage hazards--imagine having a match interrupted by a powerful Named Monster that forces all players to temporarily team up with each other to take down. As the face of one of Nintendo's most ambitious Switch games to date, Rex certainly deserves a spot on the Smash roster. | Kevin Knezevic
Falco
This might seem like an odd pick considering Falco will most likely be in the game, but as a diehard Melee fan, I want the Falco of old. Super Smash Bros. Melee is my most played game of all time, and Falco was my main man...err...bird. I liked him because of his side-A attack, which acted as a super strong KO kick that would send players flying off stages at moderate percentages. Newer revisions of Falco changed his kick to a much less effective arm-swinging swipe move, which isn't nearly as potent. Falco's shine was also very useful in Melee. Players could use it to perform combos, but later revisions had the shine shoot out of him, which removed these abilities. He's just not the same. As a die-hard old-school Falco fan, I just want Nintendo to return Falco to his glory days. | Jimmy Thang
Star Wolf
Even though Melee is my most-played game of all time, I didn't particularly care for Brawl when it came out. I didn't like the slower pace of the game, and the inclusion of tripping didn't help either. One character that I did love, however, was Star Wolf. His skillset matched with my playstyle perfectly. He has a strong side-A that could finish people, decent recovery moves, an effective arial game, and is equipped with a stunning projectile laser. I was dismayed to hear that he wouldn't be in the Wii U version, considering Nintendo doesn't often remove characters from Smash. I'm hoping Star Wolf makes a comeback and retains his moves. | Jimmy Thang
Snake
Super Smash Bros. has always a been cool way to have a bunch of your favorite Nintendo characters fight it out, and the idea easily invites other game characters to join the fight. But back in 2008 my wildest dream came true. Often said as a joke amongst my friends I always wanted a character from Metal Gear, my all time favorite series, to show up and that is exactly what I got with Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It was show time. Snake is an interesting character mostly due to the fact that he is one of few realistic-looking individuals in a roster of cartoon-y ones. He pulls a lot of his attacks from Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2, but a lot of his mannerisms come from Metal Gear Solid 3. He is a very range-heavy character, but if someone gets in close, he still has a lot of great tools at his disposal to even the playing field. He is a fun character to play with lots of tricks, and I really enjoy all of the small details they put in for fans of the MGS series. They could even incorporate some new stuff from MGSV; maybe just change him to be Punished Snake! From his silly codec taunt conversations about all of the characters to his vast arsenal of weapons rivaling any of the metal Gear games, Snake deserves to come back to Smash. | Ben Janca
Porky Minch
Technically, Porky has already made an appearance in Super Smash Bros.; in Brawl, he was one of the boss characters that Ness and Lucas face while fighting in the Subspace Emissary. But that only proves that he make an excellent addition to the fighting game roster. Although Giygas is the Big Bad in Earthbound, Porky is the malevolent being's willing accomplice. And as the Earthbound sequel, Mother 3, shows, Porky is a resourceful villain who's able to rise above his previous failures to become even more powerful and dangerous. And his appearance in Smash could also bridge the gap between his sniveling uselessness in Earthbound and his powerful but decaying form in Mother 3--a Porky that's just coming into his own powers but also relies on sophisticated gadgetry to pummel his foes. Most of all, I just want Porky in the game so that there's another direct Nintendo connection to the Earthbound/Mother series. I still haven't given up hope of a Western release of Mother 3...and the Switch would be the perfect console to get that long-awaited port. | Justin Haywald
The Champions Of Hyrule
The reveal trailer for Super Smash Bros. on Switch all but confirmed that Link from Breath of the Wild will be in the game. But I hope Nintendo will include more Breath of the Wild characters, like the Champions: Revali, Daruk, Urbosa, and Mipha. It would be awesome to see them all added into the game as four separate characters, but realistically, I could see Nintendo making them a single character slot--similar to Pokemon Trainer from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Having the ability to play and freely switch between Revali, Daruk, Urbosa, and Mipha sounds complicated to implement. After all, having access to four separate movesets seems like it would be both a mechanical and balancing nightmare, but I'm holding out for the possibility of the Champions being playable. Imagine launching an opponent upwards into the air with Revali's Gale, and then switching to Daruk to smash them down with his Boulder Breaker. You could even have Mipha revive you if you happen to accidentally get launched out of a stage. There are a ton of cool possibilities available for the Champions, and given Breath of the Wild's financial and critical success, they ought to be put in the game in some form. At the very least, I hope Nintendo incorporates their moves into Breath of the Wild Link's moveset, or creates an entire stage devoted to them and their Divine Beasts. | Matt Espineli
By Matt Espineli on Apr 24, 2018 04:10 am
Going Battle Royale
Battle royale games are quickly evolving, moving past the genre's humble beginnings as mods for large-scale survival games, like ARMA 2 and Minecraft, and into new territory. You can already see it rapidly growing thanks to the massive successes of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite. This year alone is packed with a slew of new battle royale games that aim to push the genre even further. To keep you informed of all the latest games in the genre, we've compiled 11 of the biggest ones releasing in 2018. As you'll see in this feature, many of the latest battle royale games are expanding upon its most long held tenets and adding new mechanics into the mix. Some games add in spectator elements and dynamic environmental effects, while others are taking the experience to VR. Others battle royale games this year are opting for a more traditional approach. Games like Europa and Mavericks: Proving Grounds are sticking to the last person standing approach but across different scales and with additional mechanics, like dynamic environmental effects and higher player counts. Regardless of what you prefer, it's safe to say that there is likely a new battle royale game for you. But which one are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to check back often as we update this feature with even more new battle royale games as they get announced.
Radical Heights
Radical Heights is an '80s extreme sports-themed battle royale game developed by Boss Key Productions, the studio founded by Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski and developer of LawBreakers. Like most battle royale games, Radical Heights tasks contestants with surviving against other players, but adds its own twist on the formula by inviting players to use vehicles to give themselves the advantage. On top of that, you can collect cash and deposit it in the bank, to use later on regardless of whether you win or lose the match. The game is set to be in Early Access for about a year before releasing fully sometime next year. Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 10 via Steam Early Access
H1Z1 | PC (PS4 and Xbox One Versions Coming Soon)
Formerly known as H1Z1: King of the Kill, H1Z1 is the battle royale version of the zombie-survival sandbox game, Just Survive. It pits 150 players against each other in a last-man-standing deathmatch; players can choose to play solo, with a partner, or in groups of five. In addition to the game's standard battle royale mode, H1Z1 features a mode called Auto Royale, where four players drive a car into battle, collecting power-ups in order to emerge the last team driving. Platforms: PC | Release Date: Available Now
SOS | PC
SOS offers something unique: it requires a microphone, and your social skills and sense of showmanship will be put to the test. Each player has to present themselves in an interesting way to stand out and earn the favor of a live audience. Each game is broadcast live online via the social gaming platform Hero, with spectators voting on possible in-game events like supply drops or bombing runs. The main goal is to find one of four relics spread across the map, and then signal for extraction and make it onto a helicopter. This sounds simple on paper, but 15 other players are also striving to accomplish the same goal, and with only a few seats on the helicopter, you're going to need to be clever and ruthless if you want to survive. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access
Paladins: Battlegrounds | PC, PS4, Xbox One
Paladins: Battlegrounds is a 100-player battle royale standalone expansion of Paladins: Champions of the Realm. It takes on qualities similar to other battle royale games, but attempts to redefine them by introducing mechanics from hero shooters, with myriad playable characters, each with their own unique skills and abilities. Release Date: TBA 2018
The Darwin Project | PC, Xbox One
The Darwin Project is a third-person competitive multiplayer battle royale game with more of an emphasis on survival than its competitors. In order to win, you must endure extreme weather conditions, while tracking opponents and setting up traps in order to be the last one left alive. It's most noteworthy quality is that it incorporates reality TV show elements into its gameplay, like spectator interaction and a show director who controls varying aspects of the arena. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access and Xbox One Game Preview program
Mavericks: Proving Grounds | PC
Mavericks: Proving Grounds is an first-person battle royale game where up to 400 players do battle in a highly dynamic environment. For example, you can set fire to a map, tactically spreading it to others parts of the map to either damage other players or cut them off. In addition, the game promises more intelligent mission systems, social hubs, and a player-driven narrative that informs your experiences playing the game. Release Date: TBA 2018 (Beta opens Summer 2018)
Islands of Nyne | PC
Islands of Nyne is a sci-fi-themed first-person battle royale game that's more skill-driven than its competitors. Based on how well you play, you'll earn special armor sets and weapon skins for your character. There's also a player betting system, which allows you to use in-game credits to place bets on individual players or teams during a match to win more equipment or skins. Release Date: TBA 2018 (Currently in Closed Alpha, which you can get into by pre-ordering the game)
Dying Light: Bad Blood | PC, PS4, Xbox One
Dying Light: Bad Blood is a standalone battle royale-esque expansion of the critically acclaimed Dying Light. It seems an almost unexpected release, but apparently it was made by developer Techland due to numerous fan requests. In Bad Blood, six players are dropped into random locations around the map in a race to acquire enough samples from several powerful infected zombies. As you take down these special zombies, you'll collect samples and potentially level up your character--boosting their health, agility, and attack power. The first one to acquire all the samples and escape in the evac chopper wins. Release Date: TBA 2018 (a Global Playtest is schedule for sometime this year, which you can sign up for via the Dying Light website)
Europa | PC
Europa is Chinese publisher Tencent's contribution to the battle royale genre. Unlike its competitors, the game will feature real-time weather, underwater exploration, environmental kills, and destructible cover. Whether Europa releases anywhere besides China remains to be seen. Release Date: TBA 2018 in China only
Survival Games: Battle Royale | PC
Survival Games: Battle Royale retains the genre's tried and true premise, but provides some twists of its own. Maps are procedurally generated and you must keep track of your stats and hunger as you fight to be the last one standing. In addition, the game sports a map editor that allows you design your own custom battle royale arenas. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access
Stand Out: VR Battle Royale | PC (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive)
Playing a battle royale game in VR sounds like a huge challenge, but developer raptor lab is looking to make it happen with Standout: Battle Royale VR. In order to survive a match, you'll literally have to crouch down to avoid enemy and lean in and out of cover to get a clear line of sight on opponents; you can even reach out and snatch a magazine from a player's hands. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access
By Matt Espineli on Apr 24, 2018 04:07 am
The Best Around
It feels just like yesterday, but PS4 launched over four years ago, and a ton of games have come out in that time. As such, it can be tough to sort through all of them and decide what to play. Luckily, we at GameSpot have played tons of PS4 over the years and have more than a few recommendations to start you off with--whether you're a new PS4 owner or have had the console and are just looking for something you might've missed. In this feature, we've collected the best PS4 games so far. This includes many of the games that have received an 8 or higher on GameSpot, and we've prioritized games that were nominated for our end-of-year Best PS4 Game lists. Check out our choices for the best games released on the PS4. And with the console's library continuing to expand, make sure to check back often as we update this feature over the coming weeks and months. For more PS4 games on a budget, see our roundups of the best cheap games on PS4, and make sure to check out our gallery of the PS4 exclusive games confirmed for 2018 as well as the biggest PS4 games of 2018 for everything coming to the console.
God Of War -- 9/10
"In many ways God of War is what the series has always been. It's a spectacular action game with epic set pieces, big-budget production values, and hard-hitting combat that grows more feverish and impressive as you progress. What may surprise you is how mature its storytelling has become. Like Kratos, God of War recalls the past while acknowledging the need to improve. Everything new it does is for the better, and everything it holds onto benefits as a result. Kratos is no longer a predictable brute. God of War is no longer an old-fashioned action series. With this reboot, it confidently walks a new path that will hopefully lead to more exciting adventures to come." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Bloodborne -- 9/10
"The finest treasures are found within the city of Yharnam and the forests, lakes, and purgatories beyond it. Only Bloodborne would be so bold as to bury an entire factional player-versus-player mechanic within an optional region, which is in turn buried within a series of oblique steps you might miss if you aren't exploring every nook and cranny, or ignore the game's enigmatic hints. I finished Bloodborne in less time than I did Dark Souls II, yet I treasure it more in spite of its few missteps. In death there is life, and in blood, there is redemption. More hyperbole, yes, but for a game this theatrical, only hyperbole will do." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Monster Hunter: World -- 8/10
"Ever since the title was first announced last year, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large." [read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Celeste -- 9/10
"It's a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I'd been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain." [read the full review] -- Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer
What Remains of Edith Finch -- 9/10
"Developer Giant Sparrow managed to strike the delicate balance between joy and sorrow in 2012's The Unfinished Swan, but What Remains of Edith Finch transcends even the latent sadness of that game, finding the beauty--even sometimes the fun--in what's always fundamentally a tragedy. It's not often that a game's plot slips past the bitterness of grief to finally get to the acceptance, but that's the triumph in What Remains of Edith Finch. Ultimately, if the game has any resemblance of a moral, it's that the bravest, most beautiful thing every one of us does is choose to keep going, despite knowing what's coming." [read the full review] -- Justin Clark
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus -- 9/10
"The New Colossus never lets you forget who and why you're fighting. 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 the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Sonic Mania -- 9/10
"Sonic Mania methodically uses its sentimental appeal to great effect, but in the process, it heals the wounds inflicted by its most disappointing predecessors and surpasses the series' best with its smart and interpretive design. An excellent 2D platformer, Sonic Mania goes beyond expectations, managing to be not only a proper evolution of the series' iconic formula, but the best Sonic game ever made." [read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Stardew Valley -- 9/10
"On the surface, Stardew Valley is a game about farming, but there are more adventures awaiting curious players beyond cultivating a rich and bountiful garden. From mining and fishing to making friends and falling in love, Stardew Valley's Pelican Town is stuffed with rewarding opportunities. As modern day woes give way to pressing matters on the farm and within your newfound community, Stardew Valley's meditative activities often lead to personal reflection in the real world. It's a game that tugs at your curiosity as often as it does your heart." [read the full review] -- Mary Kish
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard -- 8/10
"By the end of the campaign, I was ready for the game to be over, but that's okay. RE7 ends just as it starts to outstay its welcome, and after the fact, I felt like I'd survived a truly harrowing journey. The boss fights may be slightly inconsistent and certain sections might drag after a while, but RE7 is still a remarkable success. It has a clear vision and executes it with impressive patience and precision. By returning to horror, Resident Evil has once again become something special." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth
Night in the Woods -- 9/10
"Both intensely personal and widely relatable, Night in the Woods doesn't just tell a story--it gracefully captures complex, often unpleasant feelings and experiences. From the quiet melancholy of doing nothing on a rainy day to the emotional vacuum of severe depression, I felt deeply, sometimes too deeply, while wandering through the cartoon-animal version of a small Midwestern town. Its witty writing and character development keep its crushing existential themes grounded, making Night in the Woods one of the most evocative games I've played in a long time." [read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Overwatch -- 9/10
"Overwatch is an exercise in refined chaos. There are multitudes of layers hiding beneath the hectic surface, and they emerge, one after another, the more you play. This is a shooter that knows how to surprise, one that unfolds at a frantic pace, one that takes a handful of great ideas, and combines them into something spectacular." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Titanfall 2 -- 9/10
"Titanfall 2 demonstrates a vitality that its predecessor couldn't. Whereas the first Titanfall kept up its breakneck pace throughout the entirety of every match, Titanfall 2 understands that sometimes, dialing things back for a few moments can make the long run much more enjoyable. In many ways, Titanfall 2 feels like the game Respawn should have made in 2013. It's a fantastic sequel. It's a fluid shooter. It's a spectacular game." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Dishonored 2 -- 8/10
"Any time I'm given a choice between stealth and action, I go stealth. I love the hold-your-breath tension of hoping a guard didn't spot you and the hard-earned triumph of executing a perfectly timed plan. Dishonored 2 delivers that sneaky satisfaction, arming you with stealth essentials like hiding bodies, peering through keyholes, and silent takedowns. But it's also an incredible engine for gleeful chaos, one so engrossing and amusing that I kind of accidentally beat the entire campaign raining hilarious, elaborate death on my enemies." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth
Dark Souls III -- 8/10
"Dark Souls III is a game of valleys and peaks, down through dungeons and up over castle walls. It's a plummet into places we shouldn't be--an escape from places we don't belong. But of course, we fight our way through the darkness, and find our way out. There are a few stumbles along the way, but in the end, Dark Souls III is well worth the riveting climb." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt -- 10/10
"Where the Witcher 2 sputtered to a halt, The Witcher 3 is always in a crescendo, crafting battle scenarios that constantly one-up the last, until you reach the explosive finale and recover in the glow of the game's quiet denouement. But while the grand clashes are captivating, it is the moments between conflicts, when you drink with the local clans and bask in a trobairitz's song, that are truly inspiring." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Rise of the Tomb Raider -- 9/10
"Rise of the Tomb Raider's first shot pans over the vast, foreboding landscape we'll soon come to know. In many ways, it functions as a promise on the part of Crystal Dynamics: there are big things ahead of us. And at the end of Lara's journey, after we've seen her through this adventure, and experienced everything the world has to offer, it's clear that promise was kept." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain -- 10/10
"There has never been a game in the series with such depth to its gameplay, or so much volume in content. The best elements from the past games are here, and the new open-world gameplay adds more to love on top. When it comes to storytelling, there has never been a Metal Gear game that's so consistent in tone, daring in subject matter, and so captivating in presentation. The Phantom Pain may be a contender for one of the best action games ever made, but is undoubtedly the best Metal Gear game there is." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Fallout 4 -- 9/10
"Fallout 4 is an engrossing game that lures you in with mystery and the promise of adventure. Its wretched wasteland can be captivating, and you never know what odd person or settlement lies around the next bend. Fallout 4 uses its dark world as a canvas for exciting combat and gripping stories, and when you dig deeper into its post-nuclear-apocalypse version of Boston--defending yourself from violent scavengers and using your wits to climb social ladders--you become attached to the new you, and ultimately invested in the fate of your new world." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- 8/10
"This is a great game in its own right, narratively disjointed but mechanically sound, made up of excellent parts pieced together in excellent ways. I already knew what future lay in store for Middle-earth as I played Shadow of Mordor; I'm hoping that my own future might one day bring another Lord of the Rings adventure as stirring as this one." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Dragon Age: Inquisition -- 9/10
"Inquisition's characters and world recall the grand gestures of the original Dragon Age, even though the game as a whole is so structurally different to its predecessors. It offers the thrill of discovery and the passion of camaraderie. It features a glee club called The Sing-Quisition, and a dwarf with writer's block. It establishes connections with its world in big ways and small, with the sight of a titanous temple and the smirk of an Orlesian commander in love. Dragon Age: Inquisition is a wonderful game and a lengthy pilgrimage to a magical world with vital thematic ties to one we already know." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
NBA 2K17 -- 9/10
"Despite its few drawbacks, NBA 2K17's excitement for basketball is contagious, and it's hard not to get wrapped up in it. Apart from the lacking 2KU mode and stiff recreations of commentators, the rest of the game looks great and plays even better. After finally devoting a significant amount of time to one of these games, I now see why it's such a well-regarded series, and it makes me wish that every sport got the same treatment that basketball does in NBA 2K17." -- Mat Paget
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag -- 9/10
"There's an incredible scope to what you can do in Black Flag, with a level of harmony between its component parts that encourages you to try it all, and a story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some." [read the full review] -- Shaun McInnis
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End -- 10/10
"Uncharted 4's gameplay pushes the narrative forward, the narrative feeds off its gameplay, and every detail coalesces to create something bigger. Uncharted 4 bounces between set pieces and personal moments with such grace, with such skill and poise and affection for its characters, that you don't mind when the guns stop firing, and the smoke clears, and Nathan gets a moment to breathe." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Until Dawn -- 8/10
"I didn't expect to have so much fun with Until Dawn, and the depth with which my choices mattered and affected the final outcome encouraged repeat playthroughs. The visuals can be wonky at times, but in the end Until Dawn succeeds in being a thoughtful use of familiar mechanics, a great achievement in player-driven narrative, and a horror game you shouldn't miss." [read the full review] -- Alexa Ray Corriea
The Last Guardian -- 9/10
"It isn't clear whether or not The Last Guardian means to be frustrating at times--if it's a concerted effort to test your patience for a lovable-yet-stubborn creature. Your affection for Trico and sympathy for both characters blossom nonetheless, culminating in an enrapturing series of revelations that cements your attachment to their personalities. Trico is the undeniable star of the show, exhibiting believable physicality and emotional range, but the boy is a valuable lesson in how to be patient and resilient when faced with unforeseen challenges. When the book closes on their story, it's hard not to open it up again and begin anew. The trials you overcome endear you to both characters, but the emotions Trico elicits make you want to give it another chance--to be the patient, effective partner it truly deserves." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Rocket League -- 9/10
"The joy of Rocket League rests on the countless plans that are conceived and discarded every other second in any given match. Trying to predict where and how the ball will bounce next is a game within the game. Despite the use of cars, Rocket League emulates the emotional surges typical of The Beautiful Game, such as the rush of an unexpected fast break or a well-timed header into a goal. With Rocket League, the promising concept of combining two wonderful things--cars and soccer--is equally magnificent in execution. You can't say the same thing about, say, combining cake and fruit to make fruitcake, as the comedian Jim Gaffigan observed." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice -- 8/10
"Hellblade's most notable achievement is the handling of an incredibly sensitive subject matter within an engaging and well-crafted action/adventure game. At its heart, the story is about Senua's struggle to come to terms with her illness. In the process, she learns to find the strength within herself to endure, and to make peace with her past. And in a profound and physical way, we go through those same struggles with her, and come away with a better understanding of a piece of something that many people in the world struggle with." [read the full review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
MLB The Show 18 -- 9/10
"Sony's flagship baseball franchise has never been better. With its best-in-class controls and visuals, and impeccable attention to detail for the small stuff, MLB The Show 18 is worth catching for any baseball fan." [read the full review]
Horizon: Zero Dawn -- 9/10
"This is the first departure from the Killzone series for developer Guerrilla Games, and though you might think the team took a risk by stepping out of its FPS comfort zone to create a third-person open-world action game, you'd never know it was their first rodeo. For every minor imperfection, there's an element of greatness that recharges your desire to keep fighting and exploring Zero Dawn's beautiful and perilous world. Guerrilla Games has delivered one of the best open-world games of this generation, and redefined its team's reputation in the process." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Nier: Automata -- 9/10
"Thanks to Platinum Games' knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro's most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression. Moreover, this multi-ending trip is generously peppered with surprises and revelations, as well as easter eggs that call back to the first game and the Drakengard series from which Nier spun off. It's a meaty, often exhilarating trek that showcases Platinum Games' and Yoko Taro's unique blend of genius." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion
Persona 5 -- 9/10
"Within Persona 5 is a complex set of interconnected gameplay mechanics, and in almost every aspect Atlus has executed on its vision exceptionally, barring the pacing issues towards the end. At every turn, it presents something to marvel at, whether it's the fluid combat, vibrant world, or the many memorable characters. It's a game I could talk about for hours; I haven't mentioned the ability to connect to the Thieves Guild, which lets you see how other players spent their day or ask them for help answering questions at school. Or the thumping acid-jazz-infused soundtrack that I've not been able to get out of my head. Or even just the joy of seeing how it stylishly transitions between menus. But that encapsulates why Persona 5 is a game that shouldn't be missed. It's stuffed to bursting point with gameplay ideas and presentation flourishes--there's an overwhelming level of artistry in every part of Persona 5, making it a truly standout entry in the series. It's a refined, effortlessly stylish RPG that will be talked about for years to come." [read the full review] -- Lucy James, Video Producer
Madden NFL 18 -- 9/10
"Overall, Madden 18 marks an unusually large shakeup in a series that, due to its annualized releases, rarely features much more than small, iterative changes. The Frostbite engine allows the game to reach new levels of realism in its visuals, and EA has put a lot of effort into constantly evolving the game to keep it in line with real-world events. But it is the Longshot story mode that defines Madden 18. Some of Longshot is unnecessary spectacle, but its lasting value comes from the humanity that it brings to the game. The moments of vulnerability and sincerity between Devin Wade and Colt Cruise during the story are worthy of celebration and give the overall game a weight that Madden hasn't had before. And if that's not enough to entice you, it's also simply a terrific football game." [read the full review] -- Alex Newhouse
Far Cry 5 -- 9/10
"Despite some brief irritations and missed opportunities with its narrative, spending time in the world of Hope County remains absolutely delightful. Far Cry 5 boasts a wonderfully harmonious flow to its adventure, with its smart changes to exploration, discovery, and progression distinctly bolstering the enjoyment of creatively engaging and experimenting with its spectacular open world." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Senior Producer/Editor
Transistor -- 8/10
"Transistor is always a good-looking game, but in these instances, it demonstrates a rare knack for combining its visuals and music to powerfully convey both narrative information and tone, driving the story forward with Red's own unwavering resolve. So in the end, yes, Transistor is a fun action role-playing game with a neat combat system, but beautiful moments like these make it more than that. They make it a game with a soul." [read the full review] -- Carolyn Petit
Yakuza 0 -- 8/10
"Unless you have a strong aversion to violence, sex, or middling graphics, you owe it to yourself to give Zero a chance. Its story will surprise you, its inhabitants will make you laugh at every turn, and its ambitious scope will redefine how you think about open-world games. It's a fascinating adventure no matter how you approach it, and it's proof positive that a game can be wildly inconsistent yet remain a great experience." [read the full review]
Inside -- 8/10
"This is a beautiful, haunting, and memorable game, a worthy follow-up to Limbo. Its puzzles, although rarely difficult, are engaging complements to the story. The real achievement of this game, though, is the way that it crafts its narrative: detailed environments convey the bizarre world that you travel through; introspective moments are filled with minimalist sound design and just the barest touches of music; and the things you must do to complete your journey force you to confront the realities of humanity, freedom, and existence." [read the full review] -- Alex Newhouse
By Kevin Wong on Apr 24, 2018 03:29 am
These days, WWE Superstars send tweets out of character. Babyfaces and heels vacation together on Instagram. WWE even encourages this in-character/out-of-character dynamic. On WWE-produced shows like Total Divas, wrestlers use their real, civilian names (Naomi, for example, calls herself Trinity) and discuss their on-screen characters, separately from themselves. But 30 years ago--before the Internet and before everyone and his cousin knew professional wrestling was scripted--wrestlers lived their gimmicks to convince the general public that what they were doing was "real." These public displays could be minor, such as responding exclusively to one's stage name or wearing a neck brace in public to sell an injury. Or, they could be extreme, like refusing to speak in any language but Russian. Which brings us to this list. Here are seven times that WWE Superstars went to extreme lengths to legitimize their characters. And if you like this article, you can also read about the times that wrestlers were punished backstage and the times that wrestlers were beat up for real.
Randy Orton Bleeds From A Hard Way Elbow
This is commitment. Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton was the main event of SummerSlam (2016) And to get Brock Lesnar over as a legitimate threat--more dangerous and unpredictable than any other Superstar--Orton allowed Lesnar to elbow him in the head, for real. Lesnar hit Orton so hard that he concussed him. Orton would later need ten stitches to close his wound. The elbows looked so unscripted was so legit looking that Chris Jericho almost got into a physical confrontation with Lesnar after the show. Triple H had to separate the two men, but the fight resumed shortly afterwards. At that point, Vince McMahon himself had to step in and tell Jericho the elbows were scripted so that he would back down.
Jerry Lawler Keeps Andy Kaufman's Secret
One of the greatest, most famous hoaxes in professional wrestling history was the "feud" between Andy Kaufman and Jerry "The King" Lawler. As an entertainer who specialized in cringe comedy and testing people's boundaries, Kaufman took to wrestling like a duck to water, and performed as a heel by beating up women in the ring. In storyline, Lawler took offense and performed a piledriver on Kaufman, severely "injuring" his neck. The peak of their feud came on the David Letterman show in 1982, when both men appeared on air, and Lawler slapped the soul out Kaufman. Of course, the entire feud was scripted; Kaufman and Lawler were actually friends in real life. But Lawler kept the secret. Even when Kaufman passed away in 1984, Lawler kept up appearances; he even cut a promo that reiterated his dislike for Kaufman. It wasn't until 1995, on an Andy Kaufman tribute special for NBC, that the entire feud was finally revealed to be scripted.
The Big Boss Man Feels No Pain
Before Ray Traylor performed as the Big Boss Man in WWE, he was a menacing bodyguard for manager Jim Cornette at Jim Crockett Promotions in the mid-80's. Cornette actually needed a bodyguard--angry fans would jump the rail and attack the heels in those days--and at 6-7 and 330 lbs, Traylor looked appropriately intimidating. He was re-christened Big Bubba Rogers and followed Cornette around like a shadow. Part of his "Bubba" gimmick was to be silent and stoic at all times, and Traylor took that directive to heart. On Steve Austin's podcast, Cornette recalled a time when he and Traylor were getting out of a cab in Atlanta, and the cab driver slammed the trunk on Traylor's hand. The trunk latched, with Traylor's fingers trapped inside. Because he was in front of fans, Traylor said calmly, "Hey brother, hey brother, the door," until the driver realized what happened and unlatched the trunk. It wasn't until Traylor was inside the arena and out of earshot from fans that he started screaming at the top of his lungs.
Dusty Rhodes Fools His Own Children
"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes is best known to younger WWE fans as the spiritual father figure of NXT-- a mentor to everyone from Seth Rollins to Paige to Bayley to Kevin Owens. But before that, he was a multi-time champion and wrestling legend in NWA, Jim Crockett Promotions. He even had a memorable, polka-dot clad run in WWE. Like many wrestlers from the old days, Rhodes never clued his sons, Cody Rhodes and Dustin "Goldust" Rhodes, into wrestling's scripted nature. And even when the cameras were off and no one was watching except for his sons, Dusty pretended his injuries were real. He wore his casts and used crutches around the house, sometimes for months. As a result, both Dustin and Cody worried about their dad's health; it wasn't until they were teenagers that they finally figured out what was going on.
The Wild Samoans Stay Silent
Afa and Sika, also known as The Wild Samoans, are the patriarchs of the Anoa'i wrestling family, a collective of wrestlers related through blood or marriage that includes Rikishi, Yokozuna, Roman Reigns, Umaga, and The Usos. The Wild Samoans' gimmick was that they were semi-feral wild men. And thus, they never spoke in English in front of fans; instead, they grunted a lot while chowing down on raw fish and chicken. Hulk Hogan discovered their absolute dedication when he and the Wild Samoans were pulled over by New Jersey police in 1979. The cop found an unregistered gun in the glove box; Hogan bought it for protection but didn't know that it would carry an automatic year-long sentence in New Jersey. When he appealed to Afa and Sika to help him explain, they stayed in character and refused to say a single word as their friend was hauled off to jail.
David Schulz Slaps John Stossel
When investigative reporter John Stossel did a story on professional wrestling in 1984, he went backstage to a WWE house show at Madison Square Garden to conduct interviews. There, he told wrestler David Schulz, to his face, that he thought professional wrestling was "fake." Schulz responded by slapping Stossel twice, for real, across the face, knocking him to the ground both times. It's hilarious and well-deserved, but Stossel filed a lawsuit against WWE, later settling out of court for $425K. Since then, Schulz has claimed that Vince McMahon put him up to the stunt. He would be dismissed shortly afterwards for an unrelated backstage incident with Mr. T. In an interview with the Two Man Power Trip podcast (via Wrestling Inc.), Schultz claimed that McMahon would later sue him for the $425K paid to Stossel.
The Million Dollar Man Lives The High Life
The most dastardly WWE heel of the 80's was the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, a greedy, smarmy, self-serving rich guy who tried to buy the WWE Championship. In one on-air segment, he closed down a public pool for his personal use. In another on-air segment, he cut the line at an expensive restaurant by bribing the maitre'd. In an interview with Rob Feinstein (via Kayfabe Memories) DiBiase recalls being told about the gimmick for the first time. Vince McMahon was so proud and protective of his idea that he insisted DiBiase sign with WWE before being told about it. The Million Dollar Man was, according to McMahon's right-hand man Pat Patterson, the gimmick that McMahon would have chosen for himself. And McMahon took it extremely seriously; he gave DiBiase first class accomodations, put him up in luxury hotels, drove him around in limousines, and booked him in fancy restaurants to convince fans that DiBiase was, in fact, wealthy beyond measure. And DiBiase meanwhile, could hardly believe his good fortune. Not only was he getting a massive push to the top of the card, but he was doing so in the most decadent manner possible.
Honorable Mention: The Undertaker Rarely Breaks Character
This is more a matter of consistency than a single, defining moment. But Mark Calaway, who has performed The Undertaker for three decades, does a better job of maintaining his character than any other active performer. Aside from the brief time that he took on a biker gimmick, Undertaker stays in character during all of his public appearances for the company. And every year at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony--the one night where nearly everyone is out of character--the Undertaker never appears in the audience or onstage to maintain his aura of mystery. He broke this rule only once to pay tribute to his manager Paul Bearer in 2014. And even then, he remained completely in character and didn't speak a word.
Honorable Mention: Goldust Considers Getting Breast Implants
This doesn't make the list because he never went through with it. But believe it or not, this happened at a particularly low point in Goldust's WWE career. Dustin Rhodes, the man behind the character, wanted to get breast implants because WWE Creative didn't have any decent storylines for his character. On the Something To Wrestle with Bruce Prichard podcast (via Wrestling Inc.), Prichard recalls that Runnels pitched the idea to everyone backstage except for WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. And after McMahon heard about it, he talked Runnels out of it; he considered augmentation surgery to be one step too far.
By Matt Espineli on Apr 24, 2018 02:31 am
God of Skills
God of War's combat is fairly limited at first, but once you start acquiring more Skills, battles become more complex. Enemies only get tougher as the game goes on, so it helps that there are ways to defend yourself. During the first five to six hours of your adventure, you don't earn a lot of XP. With so little to go around, you'll have to prioritize which combat skills to unlock. There's not a lot of wiggle room early on, so it's important to start thinking about which skills best suit your playstyle. But don't fret, you're not forced to unlock certain skills over others the whole way through; you'll eventually nab enough XP to unlock every ability on the skill tree. Until then, choose your skills wisely. To help you get an idea over what skills are worth unlocking, we've gathered what we believe to be some of the best early on. But what skills do you like the most? Let us know in the comments below. For more guides, check out our progression system explainer and our feature detailing 11 tips you should know before starting. And be sure to read our God of War review.
Pride of the Frost
Pride of the Frost should be one of the first Skills you unlock on account of it allowing you to perform an area-of-effect finisher after the third attack from a standard Leviathan Axe combo. If you're ever attacking a single enemy, and then a couple of its friends suddenly enter the fray, try transitioning your combo into the Pride of the Frost for a powerful dose of crowd-control.
Block Break
Block Break should be the next Skill you unlock. It's the go-to attack against shielded enemies, as it instantly renders them open to attack. You can also use it to stagger enemies; though, it won't damage them.
Executioner's Cleave
Executioner's Cleave is a bit slow on the windup, but it's a devastating heavy attack well worth unlocking early on. It inflicts high damage and is a good way to punctuate a combo--as long as you have an open window of opportunity to land it. But what makes the attack so satisfying to use is just how brutal it is; Kratos literally drives his axe into the unfortunate soul and rips straight through them. If an enemy is on the floor, stunned, or choked by Atreus, be sure to perform an Executioner's Cleave. You'll be glad you did.
Guardian Sweep
Guardian Shield attacks are generally some of the most expensive at first--but they're well worth saving up for. A good first move to unlock is the Guardian Sweep, an attack that allows you to trip an enemy onto the floor. It can be a fantastic way to set up devastating combo finishers. For example, try linking a basic melee combo into a Guardian Sweep, and then call your Leviathan Axe to perform an Executioner's Cleave. Make sure to unlock Guardian Sweep sooner rather than later, as it's a great way to expand your options when using the Guardian Shield.
Countering Strike
If you're a Dark Souls fan, chances are that Countering Strike will instantly appeal to you. A well-placed parry and punish against an enemy is always the most fulfilling feeling you can get in an action game. It takes time to master, but it's well worth the effort. And even if you're not that great at parry timing, you'll at least have access to the punishing shield bash you can inflict upon an enemy on the off-chance that you accidentally pull it off.
Whirling Storm
When enemies are keeping their distance from you, Whirling Storm is a handy attack that'll help you close the distance. Performed from a forward dodge, Whirling Storm is in no way a high-damage dealer, but it's a great way to start a combo due to its quick start-up time.
Guardian Justice
Guardian Justice is a great way to deal a ton of stun damage. Its wind-up speed isn't the quickest, but when you unlock its next-tier level skill, Guardian's Judgement, this move becomes the go-to finisher for any Guardian Shield combo. And if you're lucky, the attack can even launch enemies flying into nearby pits. Splendid.
Raging Ultimatum
Spartan Rage is an incredibly powerful tool that allows you wallop on enemies. However, it doesn't offer much in the way of crowd-control (at first, anyway). Raging Ultimatum is a great way to change that by offering you the ability to slam down a wave of energy with Kratos' strong attack.
Freezing Burst
Freezing Burst enhances the power Leviathan Axe, allowing you to charge up before throwing your trusty weapon. This skill comes highly recommended, as it not only increases the damage dealt but also inflicts frost damage.
Haymaker Crush
Haymaker Crush is a fantastic melee skill that allows you to instantly close the distance on an enemy. It also inflicts a guaranteed knockback on small-to-medium sized enemies, providing you a window of opportunity for a follow-up combo.
Talon Bow Expert Combat: Teamwork, Acrobatics, and Ferocity
Teamwork, Acrobatics, and Ferocity are essential Skills to acquire for Atreus. They each allow him to assist you in different ways. For example, Ferocity gives Atreus the ability to inflict high stun damage attacks against incoming enemies, while Acrobatics allows him to combo off your launcher attack. Prioritize unlocking these skills, as they're not only useful, but cost relatively little XP.
By Matt Espineli on Apr 24, 2018 02:23 am
Becoming a God
God of War on PS4 is a quite a different game from past entries in the series. It completely revamps combat, progression, and exploration with a bevy of new features and mechanics. As a result, when you first start the game's campaign, some of these new elements may seem disorienting and unfamiliar. It might surprise you to know that the game actually lets you spend time exploring a relatively open area packed with optional activities. There's even a multi-branch skill tree containing an array of different attacks you can unlock with XP. Speaking of XP, God of War embraces RPG-like progression, allowing you the option to craft and upgrade armor. With so many new systems at work, we've gathered 11 tips to better help you play the game. Have any useful tips that you don't see listed here? Let us know in the comments below. Be sure to read out God of War review. And for more guides, check out our progression explainer. You can also check out our gallery showcasing the game's coolest Legendary armor sets.
Take Time To Explore Optional Areas
As stated, this latest God of War is far more open in structure. It starts out linear, but once you reach the Lake of Nine, the game allows you to explore optional areas and search for more resources. While you're free to continue the story at any time, try to take time to explore, as doing so will net you extra Hacksilver, crafting resources, and equipment. You can even find sidequests that yield their own unique stories and in-game rewards. All the while, the optional battles you engage in along the way will earn you more XP, giving you access to more abilities on the skill tree. God of War's main story may be fantastic, but don't ignore its side content. Hidden along the sidelines of every realm is a treasure trove of items and secrets well worth discovering.
Go Explore, But Explore Thoroughly
When you're out exploring, make sure to investigate every nook and cranny of the environment. There's always a ton of treasure chests around that are chock-full of items and resources. In addition, if you ever find any Runic Chests, take the time to open them up, as they usually contain valuable performance enhancing items, like Idunn Apples and Horns of Blood Mead, which increase your maximum health and Spartan Rage meters. You'll rarely ever have to worry about runic chests or hidden treasure being ability locked, so be sure to search the environment closely for the solution.
Don't Forget About Quick Turn
Due to God of War's over the shoulder camera, you'll often need to back off when surrounded by a group of enemies in combat. While you can roll out of most sticky situations, there are times when you'll be fighting in areas that don't afford a lot of wiggle room. Thankfully, there's a quick turn ability, which is performed by pressing down on the directional pad. It's a quick maneuver that might be a tad disorienting, but it can be a lifesaver when an enemy is about to hit you from the rear. Just try not to mash it, as you'll likely quick-turn twice on accident, putting you back right where you started and completely open to a direct attack. If the default quick turn button isn't to your liking, it's possible to switch to other configurations. Simply access the options menu and choose the configuration that best suits you in the gameplay section under settings.
Use And Customize Your Runic Abilities
While you might be inclined to utilize the default attacks and combos available to you to dispatch foes, don't forget to use your Runic Attacks. These powerful special moves can be equipped to your weapons and are triggered by holding L1 and pressing R1 or R2. There are two types of Runic Attacks: Light and Heavy. The game features a variety of different Runic Attacks to equip, each sporting their own unique effects, attributes, and cooldowns. You can even upgrade them with XP to enhance their power. They're effective all their own, but a well-placed Runic Attack can make a powerful combo even more devastating and quickly turn the tide of any tough encounter, giving you an upper hand when your chances of survival seem low. You accumulate a wealth of Runic Attacks throughout your journey. Diversify your runic attack roster and experiment with them to see which ones best suit your playstyle.
Choose Your Skills Wisely
During the first five to six hours of your adventure, you don't earn a lot of XP. With so little to go around, you'll have to prioritize which combat skills you want to unlock. Combat skills, like Grinding Storm and Guardian Sweep, are great choices if you often find yourself feeling overwhelmed by enemy groups. On the other hand, if you'd rather focus on high damage output over time, then prioritize unlocking skills under the Rage Combat tab. There's not a lot of wiggle room early on, so it's important to start thinking about which skills best suit your playstyle. But don't fret, you're not forced to unlock certain skills over others the whole way through; you'll eventually nab enough XP to unlock every ability on the skill tree. Until then, choose your skills wisely.
Get Creative With Combat
As you'll see from the Skill tree, there's an abundance of maneuvers you can utilize in combat--almost too much at first. But don't let that overwhelm you; these attacks can be used in a wide range of situations and strung together into a variety of powerful combos. To be more effective in a fight, it helps to study what's available to you. After acquiring a new skill, take time to understand its properties, like how long it takes to perform, how it affects enemies upon hitting them, and if it can be combined with other attacks in your repertoire. And once you've gained an understanding of how an attack works, consider which Runic Attacks would best compliment the combos you're looking to create. God of War leaves you a ton of room to be creative, so don't feel like you need to fight enemies a single way. If you like being flashy in a fight, be flashy. If you prefer being more calculated with your attacks, you're welcome to do that too. There's rarely a wrong approach. As long as you understand the basics of guarding and dodging, you're free to be as inventive as you like.
Make Atreus a Main Part Of Your Combat Repertoire
Atreus may not seem the most formidable ally at first: his arrows don't do much damage and he doesn't do much to assist you. However, as you progress, Atreus begins to pick up on new melee techniques and weapons, which make him invaluable in combat. For instance, he eventually starts jumping on enemies to choke them, providing you a window to punish them with a deadly combo. While maneuvers like this are helpful, the most effective weapon in Atreus' arsenal are his Light and Shock arrows, which inflict powerful status ailments. We recommend using Shock Arrows during most combat situations, as they can immobilize enemies for a brief duration. If you find yourself low on health and cornered by a group of tough enemies, Atreus can also be incredibly useful in drawing aggro away from you, giving you ample time to recalculate your attack strategy or search for nearby health items. He can even interrupt enemies out of powerful attack animations, sparing you from having to dodge or block them. And if that wasn't enough, he eventually gets access to Runic Summons, which are incredibly useful for crowd control.
Pick a Playstyle And Stick With It
God of War allows you a surprising amount of flexibility to customize and tailor Kratos's stats to your playstyle. With an array of armor and enchantments available, you can shape Kratos to fit into a variety of different class archetypes. For example, it's possible to stat into the traditional tank class route by min-maxing strength and defense; you can even become a battle mage by enhancing Runic attack strength and cooldown timers. Take time to think about what statistics you value the most in combat, and stick with it, as the sooner you can funnel your crafting resources into a specific playstyle, the better.
Make Sure Re-equip Your Enchantments
In your journey, you'll eventually purchase or discover a new armor set to replace your old one. It can be easy getting caught up in the excitement of equipping a new set--so much so that you might forget to re-equip all of the Enchantments from your old armor onto your new one. Unless you're a fan of playing at a disadvantage, don't make this mistake.
Grab Yggdrasil Dew
As you explore realms on your boat, you'll notice half-arched trees scattered throughout the environment that yield a glowing item known as Yggdrasil Dew. This special collectable grants an instant bonus to one of Kratos' stats, like strength, defense, or vitality. If you see these distinct looking trees anywhere in your travels, make it a priority to collect the Yggdrasil Dew attached to them. They're well worth your time.
Complete Muspelheim And Niflheim Challenges To Nab Legendary Gear
Later on, you'll discover the realms known as Muspelheim And Niflheim, which are completely optional. Without spoiling what you do in each realm, we highly encourage you to visit them and complete the challenges within. Completing them can net you special crafting resources used to make some of the best armor in the game.
By Matt Espineli on Apr 24, 2018 12:37 am
Let The BattleZ Begin
Dragon Ball FighterZ's roster is packed with familiar faces from all across the massively popular anime series. Fan favorites like Vegeta, Goku and Trunks are all accounted for, but there's also a wealth of other well known characters present. With so many characters to keep track of, we've compiled all the base game and DLC characters for your reference. There are a ton of characters to play as, which can be demanding for both beginners and veterans of fighting games. Many of the series' most beloved characters inherit a wealth of fighting game archetypes. If you need help grasping game's fundamentals and how to best play each character in the roster, read our Dragon Ball FighterZ beginner's guide. Though, if you'd rather see all the cool references the game makes to the series with its characters and stages, you can view our gallery highlighting all of the game's Easter eggs and references. Suffice to say it, there's a ton of fantastic references present in the game's large roster. And it only continues to grow thanks to the addition of DLC characters, like Fused Zamasu, Bardock, and Broly. Which characters do you play the most? Let us know in the comments below. And for more on the game, check out our Dragon Ball FighterZ review, as well as our feature containinggameplay videos, essential news, and everything else you need to know.
Fused Zamasu
Fused Zamasu is a major antagonist from the Dragon Ball Super series. As his name suggests, he's the resulting fusion of Zamasu and his counterpart, Goku Black. Retaining the arrogance and self-entitlement of Goku Black and Future Zamasu, he believes himself to be the embodiment of justice and a figure of divine brilliance and absolute authority.
Bardock
Bardock is the father of Goku and Raditz, and led a squad of mercenaries that travel to various planets and bring down their defences so that Frieza could take them over and sell them off. Bardock revolts when he learns Frieza intends to wipe out the Saiyans on Planet Vegeta, however is killed by Frieza's Supernova energy ball, along with the rest of his planet. His sons, however, survive.
Broly
Broly is a legendary Super Saiyan who appears once every 1000 years. In his normal state, he wears a special crown which is used to restrain his power and prevent him from transforming into a Super Saiyan. Broly has an unquenchable thirst for battle and, in combat, is consumed by his rage. He is one of the most powerful and deadly Super Saiyans in existence.
Android 16
Android 16 is the sixteenth iteration of Dr. Gero's powerful series of advanced artificial humans. Unlike his more hostile siblings, he demonstrates deep compassion towards all living things. Despite his gentle demeanor, Android 16 is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his siblings from danger.
Android 18
Android 18 is the eighteenth iteration of Dr. Gero's powerful series of advanced artificial humans. When she's first introduced, she follows Gero's orders to kill Goku. However, her rebellious attitude causes her to deviate from this plan, inevitably leading to her and her brother, Android 17, murdering Gero in cold blood. Regardless, Android 18 eventually joins the Z Fighters due to the kindness and compassion they exhibit towards her at the end of the Cell saga.
Android 21
Android 21, a new character designed by Akira Toriyama, is a central figure in Dragon Ball FighterZ's story mode. She's a scientist with an intellect similar to Dr. Gero. While she wears a white lab coat and has a human-like appearance in the game's cutscenes, her playable form sees her with long white hair and pink skin similar to iconic villain Majin Buu.
Beerus
Beerus is the God of Destruction of Universe 7. As a God, he sleeps several years to several decades straight, and once he awakens, he destroys planets in his administrative zone.
Captain Ginyu
Captain Ginyu is the leader of the eponymous Ginyu Force, a squadron of elite mercenaries working for Frieza to conquer planets. He's a strict, yet compassionate leader who legitimately cares about the wellbeing of his teammates. As one of the few men who reveres Frieza, he is very loyal and follows any order he gives him.
Cell
Cell is one of the primary antagonists of the Androids arc, the third major saga in Dragon Ball Z. A mad scientist named Dr. Gero designed him to be the ultimate fighter by giving him numerous advantageous genetic traits and abilities.
Future Trunks
Future Trunks is Vegeta's and Bulma's son from an alternate timeline. While the couple eventually gave birth to him in the main timeline, this version of the character comes from an alternate era where the world was devastated by the Androids. Future Trunks first appeared in the aftermath of the Frieza Saga, having travelled back in time to warn the Z Fighters about the oncoming threat of the Androids, as well as to deliver medicine to Goku that would cure him of the heart disease he died from in the alternate timeline.
Frieza (Final Form)
Frieza is the emperor of the universe who's responsible for obliterating nearly the entire Saiyan race, which in turn caused the myriad conflicts present in Dragon Ball's earlier arcs. Frieza has a massive ego, believing that he is the most powerful life form in the universe.
Gohan
Gohan is the elder son of series protagonist Goku and his wife Chichi. While he shares his father's strength and courageous spirit, he tends to pull away from fighting and only resorts to it as a means of defending his family and friends.
Gohan (Adult)
Like his younger self, adult Gohan is a courageous warrior with a strong sense of justice. Years after he defeated Perfect Cell, he would protect the citizens of Satan City under the identity of Great Saiyaman and would go on to become an even more powerful warrior when his potential was unlocked by the Old Kai.
Goku
Goku is the main protagonist of the entire Dragon Ball series. He's a Saiyan that was originally sent to Earth as an infant with a mission to destroy it. However, he ended up losing his memory not long after landing, which caused him to grow pure-hearted. Goku constantly trains hard to become a powerful fighter, which often results in him saving the universe in the process.
Goku (Super Saiyan Blue)
Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan (SSGSS) form, also known as Super Saiyan Blue, is an incredibly powerful form introduced in Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F. Goku describes it as occurring when a "Saiyan with the power of a Super Saiyan God further transforms himself into a Super Saiyan."
Goku Black
Goku Black is secretly a Supreme Kai apprentice Zamasu, who used the Super Dragon Balls to steal the body of Goku. He uses the power that he inherited from Goku's body to rid the universe of all mortals.
Gotenks
Gotenks is the brash and headstrong fusion of Goten and Trunks. Despite his youth, he's an immensely powerful fighter, though his impulsiveness tends to cause him to blindly rush into a battle.
Hit
Hit aka "Hit the Infallible" is a legendary assassin from Universe 6. He's considered the strongest member of Team Universe 6, a group of the most formidable warriors in Universe 6 assembled to participate in the Tournament of Destroyers.
Innocent Buu
Innocent Buu is the first and the least evil of Majin Buu's forms. He's the result of Kid Buu (the original and pure form of Majin Buu) absorbing the Grand Supreme Kai.
Kid Buu
Kid Buu is the original and pure form of Majin Buu, reverting back to this state after Goku and Vegeta removed Innocent Buu and all of the other fighters he absorbed. Kid Buu's erratic nature and unpredictability makes him the monster's most dangerous form.
Krillin
Krillin is the best friend and ally of Goku. He is known as one of the most talented human martial artists on Earth. While he is often overpowered by many of the series' antagonists, he remains a courageous and loyal fighter that rarely backs down from a fierce battle.
Nappa
Nappa is an elite Saiyan warrior and comrade of Vegeta. He was once a general of the Saiyan Army, but after his race's demise, he began working for Frieza. This would eventually lead him on a mission to defeat Goku. Despite putting his all into assisting Vegeta to accomplish that task, he was inevitably killed by the young prince for his incompetence and failure.
Piccolo
Piccolo, otherwise known as Piccolo Jr., is a Namekian and also the final child and reincarnation of the Demon King Piccolo. He was once an enemy of Goku, but after forming a close bond with Gohan in Goku's absence during the Saiyan Saga, he changes his ways and becomes a permanent member of the Z-fighters.
Vegeta
Vegeta is the crown prince of the fallen Saiyan race. He first appeared as a villain, who worked alongside Frieza and his minions. However, he turned against the villainous emperor in favor of fighting alongside the Z fighters, all while striving to become the most powerful fighter in the universe.
Vegeta (Super Saiyan Blue)
Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan (SSGSS) form, also known as Super Saiyan Blue, is an incredibly powerful form introduced in Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F. Vegeta achieves Super Saiyan Blue form through ki control in Dragon Ball Super.
Tien
Tien is a disciplined and reclusive martial artist, and one of the strongest fighters on Earth next to Krillin and Yamcha. He's a descendent of an ancient race known as the Three-Eyed People. When he's not supporting his allies in their efforts to defeat powerful foes threatening Earth, he's usually spending time training with his lifelong best friend, Chiaotzu.
Yamcha
A former desert bandit, Yamcha was once an enemy of Goku, but quickly reformed and became his ally. He's a brave and talented martial artist who often assists the Z-fighters whenever trouble arrives; though, this begins to vary as the series goes on and more powerful foes are introduced.
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