By Jordan Ramée on Jun 30, 2018 10:30 pm
At Last, The Jedi Are No More...
We don't have much information on Respawn's Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, but here's what we do know. The game will star a young Jedi Padawan who escaped Order 66 after the events of Revenge of the Sith when, as Respawn CEO Vince Zampella puts it, the galaxy was at its darkest. As a Jedi apprentice, you will have access to a lightsaber. It's not much to go on, but it's enough to make an educated guess as to who and what we might see in Jedi Fallen Order. By the events of Star Wars Rebels (5-1 years prior to A New Hope), the Rebellion is already on the rise and large populations of the galaxy are already turning away from the Empire. Hope is beginning to spread; not exactly the galaxy's darkest moment. Even in Solo, which takes place approximately eight years before Rebels, the first seeds of rebellion are beginning to sprout. That leaves the six years between Revenge of the Sith and Solo. The Empire may still be young, but it's quickly sweeping across the galaxy, along with the Emperor's "humans above all" propaganda. Remnants of old Clone Wars' feuds still rage, and some worlds, like Geonosis, face planet-wide genocide. The Jedi Order has been hunted to near-extinction, and Force-sensitive children are either killed or raised as psychopathic agents of the Emperor. We think it's within this six-year period that Respawn's Jedi Fallen Order takes place. So now that we have a more exact period of time to work with, here's who and what we want to see in Respawn's Star Wars game.
Ahsoka Tano's Early Years As A Rebel Informant
Ahsoka "Snips" Tano, the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, first appeared in 2008's Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated film. She went on to become a main character in the The Clone Wars animated series, before reappearing in Star Wars Rebels and starring in her own novel. Ahsoka is one of Star Wars' most well written characters, debuting as a naive 14-year-old teen, slowly growing to understand the galaxy at large through her adventures with Anakin and Obi-Wan, and choosing to leave the Jedi Order at 17 without becoming a Jedi Knight. She's nearly 20 in the Ahsoka Tano novel and closer to 30 by Rebels. She's one of the few Star Wars characters we've seen grow up. Jedi Fallen Order could earn some major points with fans by including Ahsoka, and it would really make us happy if Ashley Eckstein returned to voice her. About 18 years prior to A New Hope, Ahsoka endures an Imperial occupation that inspires her to become an intelligence agent that redistributes the balance of power back to the people. We see Ahsoka again in Star Wars Rebels as the covert operative known as Fulcrum, but it's still unclear how she went from deciding to spy on the Empire to becoming one of the galaxy's best informants. Jedi Fallen Order could be the perfect way to catch us up to speed. Ahsoka's early career as Fulcrum could be the creation of a Jedi "underground railroad" that shepherds Jedi who escaped Order 66 into seclusion. It would be a clever way for her to meet the protagonist. If Ahsoka/Fulcrum is a major part of Jedi Fallen Order, she could be the one talking into the protagonist's ear throughout the game and offering hints, tutorials, and mission objectives. Ahsoka/Fulcrum could easily be the protagonist for Jedi Fallen Order too.
Imperial Inquisitors
Star Wars fans got their first good look at the Empire's Inquisitors in Star Wars Rebels. These Jedi hunters are the result of Vader turning ten Jedi to the dark side. Most beings with a talent for the Force were killed under the Empire's watch, but those who showed an aptitude for channeling their hate were allowed to live to hunt anyone who escaped the Order 66 purge. A large part of being a Jedi after the events of Order 66 is being consumed by fear. If Respawn wants you to constantly worry about looking over your shoulder or keeping a low profile, introducing an Inquisitor who's hunting the protagonist could be an effective way to do it. The jaunty tune that summons Songbird in BioShock Infinite and echoing footsteps that signals the arrival of the SA-X in Metroid Fusion are still terrifying to this day. Both of those enemies hunted players relentlessly throughout their respected games. Even if the encounters were scripted, you still had no way of knowing when you'd be plunged into another life-or-death chase. Imagine that same unsettling unease permeating every fiber of Jedi Fallen Order. Because Jedi Fallen Order most likely takes place so close to the end of Revenge of the Sith, it's unlikely we'd see all ten of the monstrous hunters that Vader groomed. However, the Jedi Temple guard who became the first Inquisitor would still prove a terrifying menace, especially if Respawn can get Jason Isaacs to voice him again. And even if we don't fight them all, it would still be absolutely horrifying to be sneaking through an Imperial facility only to stumble upon Vader cutting body parts off and out of the young Inquisitors during their lesson on the meaning of loss.
A True Display Of The Destructive Power Of The Force
The Force has been used by Jedi and Sith alike to perform spectacular feats throughout the Star Wars films. But these moments are nothing more than mere party tricks when compared to the destructive power Galen "Starkiller" Marek has at his disposal in The Force Unleashed. One of the most notable examples is when he uses the Force to rip an Imperial Star Destroyer out of the sky. Despite their differing ideologies, both the Jedi and Sith preach control over the Force. The Jedi suppress emotion to temper themselves, while the Sith focus their powerful emotions as a conduit. The Force Unleashed showed players what the Force can do when its wielder abandons control. Instead of simply being pushed away, enemies are flung like ragdolls. Force lightning isn't just blocked by lightsabers, it can be infused into the blade. Massive shockwaves, called Force Repulse, destroy almost everything. The Force connects everything, but that means it can be used to destroy everything too. Marek happened to be particularly adept at doing so, but we've seen Darth Vader and Kylo Ren perform similar feats. We have no idea how powerful the protagonist of Jedi Fallen Order is, but it could be pretty cool to play as a powerful Force user who hasn't mastered how to control the Force yet and brandishes it as a heavy club instead of wielding it like a scalpel.
Coruscant 1313
We only got a glimpse of one of Coruscant's deepest levels in the gameplay trailers for Star Wars: 1313 before the game was canceled. But what we saw offered a side of the city planet that's absent from the movies. Gone are the towering skyscrapers and brilliant lights. In the belly of Coruscant, it's dirty and violent and the only inhabitants are survivors and criminals. There's no law, and firefights are a common occurrence. Not even a Jedi would dare call attention to themselves by using a lightsaber within such a hotspot of scum and villainy. Despite the risk of fighting without one, a lightsaber creates too much unwanted attention. Considering Coruscant is the center of the Galactic Empire, it's not a place Jedi Fallen Order's protagonist would want to stand out. Level 1313 is a great location to hide out from the authorities, but Palpatine and Vader are close enough to easily respond to rumors of a lightsaber user. Visiting Coruscant 1313 would be a great mission for Jedi Fallen Order to test the player's ingenuity and creativity. Without the use of a lightsaber, players would need to rely on a blaster and fancy tech to get past enemies, circumnavigate obstacles, or survive deadly traps. Plus, the level would be a nice nod to the Star Wars bounty hunter game we never got to play.
A Nightmarish Darth Vader
The ending to Rogue One is one of the most terrifying scenes in any Star Wars movie. Watching Darth Vader effortlessly swat aside rebel fighters like they're nothing was a clear reminder that the Sith Lord is one of the most feared beings in the galaxy. He might have been evil in the original trilogy, but in Rogue One he was the rebellion's fear given physical form. In Star Wars, Darth Vader is supposed to be the boogeyman. You never want him to be the one who's sent after you. Unfortunately, we have few examples of how scary Vader can be. He chokes people all the time, but we rarely see him inspire genuine fear in everyone around him. We want to see what it's like for Vader to be hunting his prey. Vader has had more chances to prove how monstrous he is in Rebels, when his mere presence made Kanan and Ezra feel cold, and again when he fought his former apprentice Ahsoka Tano in one of the most heart-wrenching lightsaber duels in the franchise. It's the sort of face-off we'd like to see more of, especially given that Vader is a bone-chilling monster at this point. If Jedi Fallen Order would rather go hot than cold, then the game could cover the immediate aftermath of Revenge of the Sith when Vader is wallowing in his sorrow over killing Padme. We imagine Vader would have been especially viscous during this part of his life, as he buries his pain for his dead wife under the bodies of his victims. Imagine facing a Vader like that in Jedi Fallen Order. He'd probably fight like a demented animal with nothing to lose.
A Broken Jedi Order
One of the best aspects of Star Wars The Force Unleashed was witnessing how the surviving Jedi coped with the destruction of their order. Rahm Kota resists the Empire through guerrilla tactics in a desperate bid to draw Darth Vader to him for a final showdown. Kazdan Paratus goes insane and builds a mock Jedi Temple with a council composed of discarded pieces of junk. Shaak Ti, much like her fellow council members Obi-Wan and Yoda, retreats into hiding on an unimportant planet. The Force Unleashed is no longer canon, but these examples of the Jedi's decay is no less memorable. With a few exceptions, like Qui-Gon and Anakin, the Jedi Order seems mostly uniform in mind and spirit during the prequel trilogy. The Force Unleashed let you see the members of the Jedi Order as individuals who needed to survive on their own. It highlighted just how much the Jedi need to rely on others to survive, as opposed to the Sith who can endure on their own for centuries. There are no true examples in Disney's recent Star Wars films of Jedi living on their own without friends, family, or any sort of support. Luke Skywalker, who's both broken and ashamed of his failure as a teacher in The Last Jedi, comes close. But he can return to a sister and friends if he wanted to. His exile is his choice, not one brought about by necessity.
To See The Weirder Aspects Of The Force
The Force has been able to pull off some pretty weird stuff in the Star Wars films, like creating ghosts, but that only scratches the surface of what it can do. A vast majority of the stranger parts of the Force come from holocrons, Sith sorcery, and locations where the Force pools together. With the exception of that last one, we haven't seen many of those examples in the films, as most have passed into noncanon. We have seen a few of these examples reintroduced in The Clone Wars and Rebels though, and it could be cool to see Jedi Fallen Order expand on any one of them. The Clone Wars reintroduced us to The Ones: The Father, a god-like being with unprecedented control over the Force; The Son, the living embodiment of the dark side; and The Daughter, the living embodiment of the light. Perhaps Jedi Fallen Order could touch upon The Servant/The Mother, the mortal woman who became the monstrous Abeloth prior to the events of the prequel trilogy. An immortal shapeshifter with a mastery over both the light and dark sides of the Force, Abeloth's incessant need for companionship has put her into direct conflict with both the Jedi and Sith for centuries. Exploring her lore would make for an excellent collection of side quests. Rebels reintroduced time travel into the Star Wars canon with the world between worlds, a mystical plane where every moment exists in tandem and Force users can both travel to and change any event from the past or future. The world between worlds has already been used to explain how Ahsoka Tano survived until the events of Return of the Jedi, and could be used as a scapegoat for Respawn to tell an original story. The world between worlds dismisses any inconsistencies in Star Wars lore by separating certain events and characters into different timelines. Even if Respawn chooses not to create a story separate from Disney's Star Wars Universe, we'd love to see the world between worlds used to pull off a time traveling mission similar to Titanfall 2's stellar "Effects and Cause" level.
To See How The Rebellion Came Together
The original creation of the Rebellion was a part of The Force Unleashed. Galen Marek's sacrifice made him a martyr to several freedom fighters, who united under Marek's old family crest. This origin was lost when The Force Unleashed became noncanon. Even if Jedi Fallen Order primarily takes place during one of the galaxy's darkest moments, there's nothing to suggest the entire game stays in that specific sphere of time. Time skips could place later chapters closer to the events of A New Hope and the start of the Rebel Alliance. Both Rebels and Solo touch on how the Rebellion started as a system of rebel cells that eventually came together, but leaves out what exactly transpired to unite them. Jedi Fallen Order would be a great way for Respawn to tell that story.
No Skywalkers
Most of the canonical Star Wars stories revolve around a Skywalker or someone related to a Skywalker. But the Star Wars universe is vast, and there are plenty of other characters Jedi Fallen Order could focus on. At the time of Jedi Fallen Order, Luke and Leia are the only Skywalkers. Anakin has been "killed" by Darth Vader. Although it could be a cute Easter egg to toss in a mission or two that puts the protagonist into contact with a young Luke or Leia, the game shouldn't. Leia's story begins in Star Wars Rebels and Luke's arc starts in A New Hope. Jedi Fallen Order shouldn't bend over backwards to show us a toddler Leia running around her palace, or a teenager Luke learning to pilot a speeder. We've got enough Skywalker stories and don't need another.
To Play As A Woman
When Disney erased most of the Star Wars Expanded Universe from the canon, the company wiped out pretty much every notable women who's been a Jedi. Across all three Star Wars trilogies, Rey is the only woman who's earned the title of Jedi and been a main character. Other women, like Shaak Ti and Aayla Secura, were present in the prequel trilogy but pushed to the background and given zero scenes to actually speak. It's not like women can't be Jedi. Before the Expanded Universe was made noncanon, Han and Leia had twins, one of which was Jaina Solo. She would go on to be one of Luke's greatest students. Jaina's brother would fall in love with Tenel Ka Djo, a princess who rejected her royal title to focus on body building and training as a Jedi. Even losing one of her arms didn't stop her from becoming a formidable warrior, as she rejected a prosthetic arm and developed her own style of combat that incorporated kicks instead of Force pushes. Jedi Knight Etain Tur-Murkan fought for clone trooper rights during the later years of the Clone Wars, even giving her life to protect troopers during the Jedi Purge. Many women could be reintroduced into Star Wars canon if Jedi Fallen Order were to tweak their backstories. Mara Jade would be perfect. Mara is a fiercely sarcastic and cunning Force-sensitive assassin who vows to avenge the Emperor by killing Luke Skywalker. Eventually she comes around to the light, becomes a Jedi Master, and marries Luke. Though it would make her about 10 years older than how she was originally written, Mara could be the protagonist of Jedi Fallen Order. She was introduced in the same book as Admiral Thrawn, who was recently given a slightly different backstory so he could be a regular antagonist in Rebels. No reason Mara can't undergo the same treatment. Imagine playing as the young padawan Mara Jade who's slowly corrupted throughout the events of Jedi Fallen Order before becoming an agent to Palpatine in the final moments of the game. Reintroducing her back into the canon would add another level of tragedy to Kylo killing off most of Luke's new Jedi Order as well. Disney wouldn't need to confirm or deny it, but there would always be the lingering question of whether one of the Jedi that Kylo killed was Mara, someone Luke would have been particularly close to.
Explain What The Emperor Wanted With Maul
"Do not worry. I'm not going to kill you. I have other uses for you." These are the last words Palpatine says before maliciously electrocuting Maul in the final season of The Clone Wars animated series. We don't see Maul again until a brief cameo in Solo. He's seen again in Rebels, now free of the Emperor and filled with hatred for the man who was once his master. According to the Ahsoka Tano novel, Maul fled from the public eye during the confusion of the Jedi purge. Where he went and what he did after that is still a mystery. Palpatine had plans for his former apprentice but it seems like Maul was able to escape before those plans bore fruit. It would be nice to learn what Palpatine had in mind and whether or not he enacted his machinations through someone else. Viewers were pleasantly surprised when The Clone Wars revealed Maul survived his injuries in A Phantom Menace, and were ecstatic to see the former Sith warrior return in Rebels to engage an elderly Obi-Wan in a old western-style duel on Tatooine. Seeing Maul again, and possibly even facing him, in Jedi Fallen Order would be some stellar fan-service. Those are the 11 characters, places, and themes we want to see in Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order. Let us know if you've figured out how Jedi Fallen Order could allude to Knights of the Old Republic's Darth Revan, deduced how Respawn can give Jar Jar Binks the heroic death he rightly deserves, or thought of any other Star Wars characters or places that need to be in this game. Comment down below with what you want (or definitely don't want) to see.
By Michael Higham on Jun 30, 2018 10:00 pm
What Would Make Fortnite Better?
Fortnite: Battle Royale is a household name at this point; whether you keep up with the world of games or pay no mind to the industry, you've likely heard the name Fortnite (or Fork Knife). Rarely do we see a game explode to this level of popularity, but developer Epic Games struck at the right time with its version of the last-person-standing game mode. Players scavenge a huge map for not only weapons and health items, but also raw materials to build structures. Fortnite finds inspiration from the likes of Minecraft and throws construction into the mix, so even if you get caught in the middle of a field, you're not a sitting duck as long as you have the necessary resources and wit to put a protective fort together. Tens of millions of people have played Fortnite, and for good reason: it's a great game. It's a ton of fun to outlast and eliminate enemy squads with a group of friends or by yourself. In our Fortnite: Battle Royale review, we stated, "Although a few shortcomings in the map design eventually surface and fatigue in looting can set in, Fortnite rarely fails at challenging you in unexpected ways, resulting in something more than just another typical last-person-standing shooter." Epic has been committed to adding new features to keep the game fresh and players interested. Seasons also include thematic shifts that lead into sweet-looking skins and changes to the actual map layout. Weekly challenges provide different objectives to complete aside from winning matches. We've even had The Avengers villain Thanos make a guest appearance as a playable character with a slew of unique abilities. However, there are still some aspects of the game that can be improved. With Epic so responsive to feedback, we compiled a list of changes we'd like to see come to Fortnite: Battle Royale. What would you like to change about Fortnite? Are there additions, modes, or tweaks you'd want to see done to the game? Let us know in comments below.
Introduce A New Map
Ten months since its launch, Fornite: Battle Royale still only has one map. PUBG comparatively got its second map after only nine months. Epic has done an amazing job filling the current map with entertaining activities on a consistent basis, as well as imbuing it with narrative significance thanks to big community events. While I'd love to see more of this, I can't help but wish there was a new map to play on. I'm hoping Epic takes a different approach from the biome-focused maps that PUBG has been introducing to the battle royale formula, and do something wacky. Maybe the next map will have us fighting on a giant island floating in the sky, or in some over-the-top The Running Man-esque arena. Whatever approach the studio ends up taking, it ought to introduce it sooner than later. | Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Make Some Timed Modes Permanent
Teams of 20, 50v50, snipers only, and explosives only have been incredibly fun modes to play, especially because of how they change up the traditional battle royale formula. These have been nice changes of pace after getting your fill of Victory Royales, and perhaps Epic should considering keeping one or two of these modes around permanently. Part of the allure could definitely be tied to the fact that they're available for a limited time, but popping into a Blitz mode match works extremely well if you can't dedicate time for a full match or if you're itching for faster action. The rotation of modes is understandable, but keeping the best ones around makes sense. | Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Find A Way To Stop Challenges From Interfering With Regular Matches
Fortnite is far from the first game to introduce supplementary objectives to spice up gameplay, but it's likely the most popular to do so. But, as with those previous games to do it--Team Fortress 2 comes to mind--they continue to have an artificial impact on the way matches play out. And for as much as I enjoy having those challenges available to me to guide what I do in any match, I'm not crazy about the way they impact a given round. Challenges in Fortnite task you with any number of things to do. Some of these are no different from what you'd do in a given match, like open chests in a certain area. Others require you to collect specific objects in certain locations, while others still ask you to deal damage or obtain kills with certain weapons. With any of these, it's basically tasking you with doing something you wouldn't necessarily choose to do. These challenges are done in public games where other players are simply trying to play and win. Jump into a team-based match, as is my preference, and there's no guarantee that your teammates will actually care about winning--they might be more concerned with kicking a soccer ball into a goal. Even something as innocuous as racking up damage with a pistol can hurt your chances at a Victory Royale if someone opts to use a crappy handgun instead of the high-powered rifle they grabbed when they rushed to open a chest they needed. One solution for all of this is to play solo or with friends, but that's simply not ideal. Instead, I'd like Epic to find some way to prevent players with a way to opt out of challenges. Whether that's a specific playlist for those looking for a more competitive experience or something else entirely, I'd like to play the game and have the satisfaction of doing well without having to wonder if it's only because my opponent was more concerned with finding a vending machine than attacking me. | Chris Pereira, News Editor
Changing Up The Weekly Challenges To Be More Varied
While challenges can interfere with the true goal of a victory royale, there's no doubt they've helped keep gameplay fresh. Weekly challenges have been a wonderful way to encourage players to use items and weapons they wouldn't use otherwise or approach matches in different ways. Over time however, challenges have started to be a little too same-y which has taken some of the magic away from these activities. It might be a tough ask, but perhaps situational challenges like getting a kill with less than 20 health, sniper kills from a five-story structure you built yourself, or getting multiple kills within a minute of landing are just some interesting ways to change things up. Admittedly, we'd want Fortnite to have new challenges that wouldn't encroach on how the game should be played, but we do want to see a bit more variety. | Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Have Bigger Challenges To Work Toward
Going off of the previous point about have varied weekly challenges, an intriguing idea could be to have larger, more time-consuming challenges to work toward. These could be timed to a month, or achievements that exist indefinitely. Maybe bigger challenges can simply consist of 20 victory royales within the span of a month, or racking up an accumulative kill count when there's only last 10 players left in a match. Of course, there would be incentives like battle stars and additional XP, or perhaps exclusive cosmetics for achieving the bigger tasks. These would also be conducive to team victory to get ahead of players that might ignore the overall match to complete the challenges. Season 4's Blockbuster and Carbide challenges were sort of a step in the right direction for establishing long-term objectives, and it'd be nice to see Epic take that a step further. | Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Take The Best From Save The World
Fortnite's Save The World mode has a lot of great ideas that could add tons of personality and new tactics to Battle Royale. I'd start by bringing in abilities as pickups such as Mantis Leap, War Cry, Teddy, Base, and Shockwave. These abilities would let lucky players leap higher, buff team damage, deploy a machine gun-wielding teddy turret, reinforce structures, and demolish structures. It's a system that would give more meaning to fortifications and counter shotgun rush tactics. They would also give more power to people who just want to build and support the team. The base game also has some hilarious ideas like monster chests that will chase players across the map if they don't pay attention to the warning signs. | Aaron Sampson, Senior Video Producer
Quality-Of-Life Adjustments
There are a couple of very important quality-of-life improvements I'd love to have. For starting players, a sandbox test range where they can practice is already inbound. I'd love the option to have a squad leader be able to eject the entire squad from the battle bus rather than individual deployments where teams can end up spread apart. Most importantly I really, really, really want macros and preset shapes that I can customize from the main menu. I'd like to be able to drop common structures such as a ramp plus wall with a single button press or chose to have my stairs always be double stairs. One of the reasons the skill gap can be so high at the end of matches is due to the number of buttons people have to press to build. By lowering the difficulty of building, players can have more fun. | Aaron Sampson, Senior Video Producer
Expand The Mobility That The Shopping Cart And Jet Pack Introduced
The shopping cart and jetpack introduced a new element to Fortnite that made the game more mobile and more entertaining. Those who have mastered these features have taken creativity in the game to a whole new level with fresh and dynamic ways to build and eliminate other players. I've seen players hop on carts, build a ramp, ride down, and eliminate players mid-flight. I've used the jetpack in various ways to creatively eliminate an opponent. These are situations and features that made the game even more fun than it already could be. Expanding these new features to potentially include using the row boats on the lakes or hiding keys to cars and trucks in chests randomly across the map can expand the already creative world that is Fortnite. Imagine filling your squad up in a truck and driving down Dusty Divot, eliminating players left and right. Allowing players to utilize the row boats on Loot Lake could create mini Pirates of the Caribbean-esque battles with players fighting for the Victory Royale glory instead of the treasures of the Isle of Tortuga. Although the idea of using the rowboats or the vehicles on the map might be far-fetched, the possibilities of expanding mobility are endless and the potential clips I'll see on my news feeds have me drooling with enthusiasm. | Nasser Al-Rayess, Intern
More Customization For Outfits
Fortnite does cosmetics extremely well. So many bright, colorful, and silly outfits make the game even more fun to play, and they neatly fit into the lighthearted nature of Fortnite. And because of the third-person perspective, you can always see your sweet fits. One thing that could make outfits more fun is customization options for individual outfits. The country-themed gear during the Winter Olympics was a neat addition, and Fortnite took the next step by offering customizable jerseys for the World Cup. More instances of tinkering with the smaller details of cosmetics seems like a minor thing, but it'd let players get creative with their avatars even further for an added touch of personalization. Adjusting color accents to clothes or choosing from text presets for outfits might be a sensible change. | Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Add Weapon Skins
Fortnite's weapons are varied and fun to use, but I do find myself wishing they looked flashier. Custom skins could be what the game's weapons need to get that extra dose of style. After all, games like PUBG and Destiny 2 have experienced massive success with their weapon skins. And for good reason; you can never have too much player-driven customization in a competitive multiplayer game, where giving players the freedom to visually express themselves is paramount. Fortnite is well-suited for weapon skins and a sensible next step for additional cosmetics that would help support the long-term interest of its player base. | Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
First-Person Mode, Maybe?
It would be great if Fortnite had a first-person-mode--much like PUBG's first-person update back in August last year. While more of a gimmick than anything else, the perspective's introduction to PUBG made for a fascinating addition to what was already a pretty tense game. Of course, Fortnite is more fast-paced in nature and it has building mechanics, but the limitation of sight that a first-person mode introduces could easily add a whole new layer of complexity to the game--if implemented correctly. The mode would admittedly divide the player base, and there would need to a separate playlist for it, but I'd love to have the option at least. | Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
By Edmond Tran on Jun 30, 2018 09:30 pm
Best Mobile Games of 2018 (So Far) For Android, iPhone, And iOS
Sometimes, the best kinds of games are the ones you can play away from your television or monitor, the kinds of games you can play on the couch horizontally while bingeing a television show, or while you're waiting for a friend. But we're not talking about your Nintendo 3DS or Switch here--sometimes you need something smaller, a game for when you're standing shoulder to shoulder on the bus to work, something portable enough you can play with one hand to help you kill your long commute time. That's right: mobile games. Hey wait! Come back, it'll be good I promise! Despite the kinds of games you might be thinking of featuring birds, clans, candy, farms, or some monstrous hybrid of them all, there are actually a lot of great new games coming out to the App Store and the Google Play that are definitely worth checking out on your phone or tablet. Mobile platforms have always been home to super interesting games that take risks, whether it be due to the unique form factor, control methods, or just because. But if you like blockbuster games, 2018 has been a good year, one where the most popular video games on consoles and PCs, Fortnite and PUBG, have mobile ports that are actually really playable and feature cross-play between platforms. This article collects some of the best new mobile games the GameSpot staff have been enjoying this year. It's by no means a definitive list--there are a lot of games out there, and we're only halfway through the year. We'll be updating it as we discover more games we love. If there's a game you've been spending tons of time playing on your phone this year, recommend it to us in the comments! We'll check it out and throw it in the list if we love it too.
PUBG Mobile (Free) iOS, Android
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds put battle royale-style games on the map when it exploded in popularity on PC, and surprisingly it's made the transition to mobile platforms quite nicely. Sure, you don't have anywhere near the same precision when it comes to aiming or positioning yourself during intense firefights, but the spirit of the game is still alive on phones. It's also impressive how few compromises were made for this version; map size, map features, player count, and all the weapons of the original game are all here. If you're out of the loop, PUBG plays closer to a tactical shooter than Fortnite, so if you still want to scratch that last-player-standing itch but want to focus on shooting rather than building towers and walls to protect yourself, this will be more of your jam. Of course, your mileage will vary with touch controls for shooters, but PUBG mobile is as good as it gets. | Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Cinco Paus ($4.99), iOS
If you have any interest in roguelike games and haven't heard of Michael Brough, then you need to pay attention to this slide. Brough's games, 868-HACK, Imbroglio, and now Cinco Paus are single-screen grid-based roguelike that don't look like much at first glance. But scrape through the surface and you'll find really interesting and engaging experiments with the genre's signature mechanics. Cinco Paus plays with the idea of the random item pickups you often find when playing a roguelike--the first time you get something, you typically have no idea what effects, good or bad, they might have on your run. In these games, you'll eventually get a grasp of what kinds of items you want to hang on to and which to avoid. Not so in Cinco Paus. It's a dungeon crawler where you play a wizard with access to five magical wands that can be used once per level. Each has myriad effects, which are randomized in every new run and obscured until the activation conditions are met. But even once revealed, they're marked with unclear hieroglyphics, and did I mention this game is entirely in Portuguese with no way to change it? It's a continuously tense game of "what the hell is this going to do?" Cinco Paus is deep, engaging, smart, and can played with one hand while you're standing on the train. | Edmond Tran, AU Editor/Senior Video Producer
Florence | ($3.99) iOS, Android
Florence is a story about love told with the utmost care. A masterclass in the act of "show, don't tell'," Florence abandons conventional dialogue and uses unique albeit simple puzzle mechanics and interactive narrative elements to convey the highs and lows of an intimate relationship. The mundanities of brushing teeth or packing belongings may not seem exciting in the context of a video game, but there's something wonderful about stepping into someone else's shoes at a pivotal moment in their life and watching events unfold for better or worse. Florence boasts beautiful artwork and a heart-wrenching story that strives to honestly retell the experiences of first love, family struggles, and the things you learn about yourself in your 20s. While this is Florence's story, the themes are highly relatable, and metaphorical mechanics such as pulling large speech bubbles into place to replicate the ease of having a conversation with a kindred spirit are cleverly executed to elicit empathy. By the same token, the repetition of this mechanic later in the relationship in a rougher period when words don't come easily and pieces are more difficult to fit together is as painful as it is if you've ever found yourself in a similar situation. Florence's expert expression of its themes and characters well and truly tore my heart out and gave me plenty to think about as another 20-something plodding my way through life and love. It's an experience that should not be missed. | Jess McDonell, Host/Producer
Fortnite | (Free) iOS, Android
Fortnite: Battle Royale's mobile edition is a surprisingly adept adaptation of the hugely popular PC and console game. It's the same map and the same 100-player battles, so the strategies you've learned translate nicely, though not perfectly. The game, of course, doesn't look as good, and it's not as easy to see movement in the distance on a smaller screen. You will also notice some performance issues at times. A nice addition, however, is an indicator that shows you the direction of gunfire, which helps when you have to play silently. That could be handy if you're playing on the bus or in a car with no headphones. The controls take some getting used to, especially if you're coming from the high-precision PC version, but it won't take you long to get the hang of things. Also nice is that any purchases you've made on console or PC come with you on mobile. Additionally, Epic updates all versions of the game at the same time (mostly) so when a new item like the Port-a-Fort comes to console/PC, it's also released on mobile. It's not the best version of Fortnite, but for those who want to play whenever and wherever, the mobile edition is worth checking out. You can get Fortnite for free now on iOS; an Android version is coming later. The game requires iOS 11 and works on iPhone SE, 6S, 7, 8, and X, as well as iPad Mini 4, Air 2, and Pro. It won't work on anything older than those devices. | Eddie Makuch, Associate Editor
Killing Time At Lightspeed ($2.99) iOS
What do you do when you're killing time on public transport? Scroll through your social media feeds, message your friends, or read a few news articles here and there? Well, what do you think you might do in the future when you're killing time on an intergalactic flight? Probably the same thing, right? But what happens when the delay between messages gets longer and longer, and the passage of time between Earth and wherever the hell you are becomes more disparate? Minutes might pass for you, but years might pass back home. Killing Time At Lightspeed explores these ideas in a narrative told through fictional social media platforms and messaging programs. How will the relationship with your friends change over time, as the time that passes between each message becomes greater and greater? How can one message thread rapidly change the course of a person's life, and how will you be remembered by those you've left behind? It's a fascinating concept and story made all the more resonant by using the mundane methods of communication we now take for granted. | Edmond Tran, AU Editor/Senior Video Producer
Pocket Run Pool (Free) iOS
Zach Gage is one of my favorite game designers, and I'll play anything he has a hand in. With his iOS games, he has a trend of taking a much-loved "traditional" game and then changing or adding one new mechanic that turns it completely on its head, making you think about it in a whole new light and making it that much more fun to play. I've spent way too much time playing Flipflop Solitare (solitaire where you can stack cards up and down) and Really Bad Chess (chess with completely randomized pieces). This year, he released Pocket Run Pool, an arcade pool game that has all the satisfaction of using perfect geometry to line up shots, swiping to use your cue, and the amazing clack of pool balls. But the twist is that pool is now a game of score chasing, where each hole contains a different multiplier that rotates every time you sink a ball. And you HAVE to sink a ball each turn, or else you'll lose one of three lives. It sounds pedestrian on paper, but it's brilliant in practice, and Pocket Run embodies that dangerous one-more-turn kind of loop that has sucked up a ton of my time trying to score a perfect game, making risky trick shots in order to try and get every ball in the "x10" pocket. There are perpetual PvP tournaments to participate in as well as weekly challenges and high-stakes modifier games. Whether you only play it for a minute or an hour at a time, Pocket Run is one of the best things I've downloaded to my phone this year. | Edmond Tran, AU Editor, Senior Video Producer
Shin Megami Tensei Liberation Dx2 (Free) iOS, Android
Okay, so this one is a bit of a cheat entry since it's not officially out yet, but I had a chance to play in the closed beta, had a damn good time with it, and am looking forward to playing more. Most people are likely to have heard of the Persona series. But Shin Megami Tensei, the challenging, 30-year-old demon-fighting RPG that it's based on now has a mobile spinoff. But don't be skeptical! Liberation Dx2 is a free-to-play game but impressively features all the elements you would expect from a console version of Shin Megami Tensei: You've got the full roster of demons, a turn-based RPG battle system that relies on exploiting elemental weaknesses, the ability to Talk to demons to recruit them, a robust fusion system, and distinctly SMT narrative. And there's more! There's a first-person dungeon-crawling mode, a variety of challenge dungeons, a PVP mode, and a mobile-friendly auto-quest feature for easy grinding--everyone's favorite part of SMT games. In my experience, you'll start to feel the limits of the free-to-play model once you start to fuse really high-level demons, but you don't necessarily need them to tackle one of the many activities available to you. There's currently no official release date for the English version. You can get the Japanese version from the links below, and we'll update this article when we know more. | Edmond Tran, AU Editor/Senior Video Producer
Pokemon Quest (Free) iOS, Android
Do you like Pokemon, but don't like wandering around outside or turn-based battles? Well then Pokemon Quest might be the game for you! Featuring charming voxel art, Quest is a breezy dungeon-crawler RPG where you befriend and build a team of three Pokemon in order to go on adventures, beat the living crap out of wild Pokemon in real time (with or without your orders to execute special moves), and collect loot. That loot can be used to buff your Pokemon as they level up and earn more equipment slots. Collecting new Pokemon works slightly differently in this game too--you use ingredients you pick up during expeditions to cook meals at your home base, and certain combinations will attract certain kinds of Pokemon. It's a pleasant little game to distract you when you're on the go, or something you can even play as an idle clicker if that's your jam. It's not as deep as an actual Pokemon RPG, but there's something nice about seeing your cute little cub team completely mow down a horde of Oddish. | Edmond Tran, AU Editor/Senior Video Producer
Pokemon Go | (Free) iOS, Android
Pokemon Go will likely never again reach the height of popularity it experienced during those first few weeks back in 2016, but if you haven't opened the app since then, you'll be surprised how much the game has improved. With a revamped gym system, challenging multiplayer raids, legendary, rare, and shiny Pokemon everywhere, daily and weekly quests, regular special events and rewarding community days, and the just-added friends list and Pokemon trading features, Pokemon Go is more fun now than it's ever been. Most of these features aren't perfect, but if even so, it's hard not to enjoy walking around outside and getting a little sun now and then. | Michael Rougeau, Senior Entertainment Editor
By Alessandro Fillari on Jun 30, 2018 09:11 pm
The underdogs of E3 2018
E3 2018 was packed with some fantastic games that immediately captured the attention of many. Whether it was CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, EA's blowout of Anthem and Battlefield V content, Sony's impressive demos for Ghost of Tsushima and Spider-Man, or the reveal of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's massive roster--there was definitely a lot to take in, leaving little room to properly digest some of the more lesser-known games. We at GameSpot explored the E3 show floor and its surrounding events, playing a number of different games coming to PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. In this gallery, we've compiled a list of some of the most interesting games from E3 2018 that didn't get enough attention, many of which are releasing sooner than you think. In addition to experiencing the likes of Annapurna Interactive's Ashen and Donut County, Avalanche Studios' Generation Zero, and the recently announced Killer Queen Black for Switch at E3 convention center, we also saw many games from the Indie Mix event. At these smaller events, many indie developers, like Double Fine Entertainment and Team17, show off their upcoming games. In many cases, all you need to stand out is a creative idea and the skillset to see it through, and these games made their presence known alongside the most talked-about games of E3 2018. While many of these games possess that familiar indie charm, they each have their own particular hook to them. Some focus on quirky adventures that have retro-inspired aesthetics and gameplay, while others go for a more somber or action-oriented experience. Here are 21 games you may have missed out on during the gaming industry's big show. For more info on some of the most noteworthy games of E3 2018, be sure to visit GameSpot's E3 hub page for all of our content on this year's show and to see what's coming up next in gaming.
Ashen (PC, Xbox One)
After playing through From Software's Soulsborne titles, I developed an incessant itch for more video games that promise challenging combat and use a stamina system to weigh the risks of attacking or defending. Ashen is just the scratch I needed. In Ashen, players take on the role of a faceless warrior who's looking for a home but finds death instead. Dying isn't the end, though, as this hero is resurrected each time they're killed. Good thing too, because you'll face off against some fierce enemies and challenging bosses on your journey. The second-to-last boss crushed me almost immediately on my first attempt. I got him to half health in a follow-up fight that lasted nearly 10 minutes before he killed me again. Ashen's story is focused on forging connections, both with NPCs and other players. Plenty of NPC humans dot the snaking map, each offering opportunities to pursue either professional or personal relationships. Several of these characters come with their own fascinating questlines, too. Players can also enter others' games, but it's always to assist, not to invade. Certain areas of Ashen's world can only be reached with a companion, so jolly cooperation is vital to discovering every hidden secret. | Jordan Ramee
Arca's Path (PC, and PS4)
There is a definite gap in the market for relaxing video games. There are some, of course--Rymdkapsel, Journey, and Monument Valley are three that come to mind for me--but they're still few and far between. Arca's Path aims to change that; it's a VR-only pseudo-platformer, and the main emotion it evoked inside me was pure relaxation. No controller is used in Arca's Path outside of your own head; you simply stare at where you want your ball to roll to, and it moves in that direction. Simple obstacles such as ramps and narrow gaps stand in your way, but they're there more for visual variety than for any meaningful challenge. A zen soundtrack and beautiful shapes and colors make this slow-paced game as soothing as it is attractive, and I look forward to playing more. No release date has yet been announced, but we know it's coming to PSVR, Oculus Rift, and Steam VR. | Oscar Dayus
Donut County (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Donut County is a solo project from developer Ben Esposito, who worked on What Remains of Edith Finch and The Unfinished Swan. It has a different tone from some of his previous work--Donut County is full of smartly used internet humor and stars a cheeky, morally gray raccoon whose favorite app wreaks havoc on a town. Thanks to this app, you're able to control a hole in the ground that grows as you get more to fall inside of it. You start small with grass and pebbles and work your way up to cars, buildings, and even mountains, all while solving puzzles so you can get everything in the area into the hole. Each level shows how different objects or characters ended up underground, and they're broken up by funny scenes of those characters arguing about the events in the present. Playing as a hole sounds really silly, but in practice it's meditative and relaxing. It's essentially a game about cleaning up a bunch of garbage, at least from a gameplay standpoint, but thematically it's about consequence and becoming aware of how your actions affect other people. I played an hour of the Donut County at E3, and I can't wait to play it all the way through and see how everything comes together. | Kallie Plagge
The Endless Mission (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Developer E-Line Media entered the public eye with Never Alone, a contemplative puzzle-platformer inspired by Alaska Native culture. The studio's latest project, however, is something radically different. The Endless Mission is a sandbox creation game that bears more similarities to Media Molecule's enigmatic Dreams than to E-Line's previous effort, and its ambitious premise makes it one of the most intriguing games we got to see at E3. Broadly speaking, The Endless Mission allows players to mash together elements of different genres to create new experiences. For instance, players can take the avatar from a 3D platformer and insert it into a racing game, then use that avatar to race on foot against the other vehicles. What's especially neat is that combining these disparate elements will cause other aspects of the game to change accordingly, so that regardless of which elements and genres you mash up, the game will still be playable. In the aforementioned example, adding an avatar to a racing game causes boxcars to appear around the course, which players can hop between to reach the finish line. That's only one of the possible combinations afforded by The Endless Mission. The game puts a suite of different genres, elements, and other tools at players' disposal, with even more planned for the title as development progresses. Those who are so inclined will even be able to tinker with the code, although no coding experience is necessary to make use of its tools. The Endless Mission enters Early Access on Steam this fall, with a full release planned for next year. | Kevin Knezevic
Generation Zero (PC, Xbox One)
Avalanche Studios' Generation Zero wants you to feel outmatched and equally unnerved in its large open world. Set in an isolated region in rural Sweden during the late 1980s, you find many of the residents dead or missing, and the only things left are swarms of killer robots that lurk in the dense forests and fog. In this open-world survival game set during the early period of the robopocalypse, you and your group of survivors will have to scrape together resources from buildings and fallen enemies in order to stand a chance against the machines in the area. The many items you'll find include weapons, clothing options, support items, and even scavenged robot parts that can boost your weapons' effectiveness. You'll initially encounter small runner bots, but over time, your group will come across bigger threats lurking throughout the world--which includes giant robot walkers that stand several stories tall. While you can play solo, the developers recommended playing through the game with friends, as many of the high-end challenges look to be quite overwhelming. Coming to PC, PS4, and Xbox One in 2019, Generation Zero seems to be an open-world survival game of a different flavor, focusing more on mystery and the errieness of its setting, which is definitely a welcome change of pace. With an atmosphere that recalls moments from Black Mirror's Metal Head episode, exploring what's left of the land will be just as challenging as trying to survive in it. | Alessandro Fillari
GTFO (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
GTFO handles a lot like Rainbow Six Siege, albeit with a horrifying twist. Each member of the squad outfits themselves with both a primary and secondary firearm, as well as a custom tool and melee weapon. Then, the elevator drops your team off at the mission location, where you can practically feel the tension in the air. It's really dark and eerily quiet, except for the occasional gurgle reminding your squad that they're not alone. GTFO never holds your hand as you and your team desperately try to escape its monster-infested corridors. The creatures hunt by sound, so running and gunning is a terrible idea. To keep the horde off your back, you'll have to be stealthy. You'll still die a lot, though. Both health and ammo are incredibly scarce, and mistakes are swiftly punished. The custom tools, ranging from explosive trip wires to a glue gun that can slow down enemies or plug breached doors, offer plenty of creative ways of handling the threats in front of you, but solid teamwork is ultimately the best weapon in your arsenal. Be sure to grab three friends you can trust. | Jordan Ramee
Indivisible (PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One)
The next project from the studio behind Skullgirls is shaping up to be a lovely new take on the classic Metroidvania genre. Titled Indivisible, the game follows the story of Ajna. She and her father live just outside a quiet little town, but when mysterious powers awaken within her, she must embark on a journey to discover the truth behind them. Indivisible combines Metroid-style exploration with the combat system of cult classic RPG Valkyrie Profile. The combination sounds simple on paper, but Lab Zero Games tackles the formula with skill and finesse. Battles sport the nuance and complexity of a fighting game; each character in your party features their own unique attack and abilities, which you need to control quickly and efficiently. During my brief hands-on time with the game, it was a lot to take in. But when I got a knack for how to input and link together combos, I was instantly enamored by the possibilities. Before I played Indivisible, I had my eyes on it mostly because of its beautiful art style. But now that I've played it, I'm very excited to jump back in to explore its world and unlock the full potential of the devastating attack chains packed into its combat system. | Matt Espineli
KIDS (Mobile, PC)
Discussion of "games as art" has become trite to the point of comedy, but clearly some games are more overtly reminiscent of other art forms than others. KIDS, from Swiss developer Playables, wears its arthouse minimalism on its sleeve. The monochromatic palette is striking, consisting of white silhouettes with black outlines on a white background. Interactivity is relatively subtle and minimalist as well. In one vignette, touching one of the figures may make them move. In another, it could make them point their finger at another anonymous figure. It feels like KIDS would be at home in as an interactive piece in a gallery space. The simple mechanics are used to illustrate different group dynamics: following a leader, shifting blame, being part of a mob. Every vignette shown so far ends the same way: the group plunges itself, lemming-like, into a pit. A mobile release promises a tactile feeling to manipulating the mannequins, but the point comes across well enough on PC as well. This is bound to be the sort of game that inspires debate over "games versus experiences," given its linear interactivity and lack of a fail-state. Whatever it is, KIDS invites exploration and curiosity. | Steve Watts
Killer Queen Black (Switch)
Beneath its retro-style visuals and deceptively simple premise, Killer Queen Black is an intense and fast-paced game of strategy and coordination. A remake of the Killer Queen arcade game, Black has undergone a few notable changes in its move to Switch and PC, particularly in the number of players it supports (4v4 rather than 5v5 as in the arcade), but the competitive essence of the original remains very much intact. Each contest in Killer Queen Black pits the two teams against each other with three ways to win. You can either collect enough orbs to fill up your team's hive, eliminate the opposing team's queen three times, or ride the snail that's slowly crawling along the bottom of the arena from one end of the screen to the other to secure a victory. On paper, each of the victory conditions sounds simple enough to complete, but it's much more difficult in practice with both teams vying to achieve the same goals. As such, success in Killer Queen Black hinges upon planning and coordination between the entire team. For example, two players can act as decoys, collecting orbs while another tries to stealthily ride the snail to victory. Alternatively, players can take a more offensive approach and focus on eliminating the opposing queen, although that leaves open the possibility the other team could fill up their hive. With both local and online multiplayer support, Killer Queen Black looks like it'll make for a hectic party game when it releases early next year. | Kevin Knezevic
Knights And Bikes (PC)
Whether played solo or co-op, Knights and Bikes puts players in the role of two pre-teen girls, Nessa and Demelza, who are adventuring across a British isle during the 1980s. The only town on the island has seen better days, but the girls don't notice until the economic downturn begins to affect Nessa's family. They'll need to be brave to save the town. They'll need bikes too. Every aspect of this Secret of Mana-like RPG, from the gameplay to the story, is seen through the eyes of two adorable kids. Nessa splashes muddy puddles with a malicious glee, reimagining her rain boots as powerful weapons that send troublesome enemies scurrying away. Demelza attaches real value to the pieces of trash, squirming bugs, and random knick knacks she and Nessa collect, so she's very confused as to why the shopkeeper would prefer actual money when the girls try to buy a new bike. I love how Knights and Bikes does such a phenomenal job at capturing what it's like to be a kid who's dealing with the injustices encountered while growing up. Although both Nessa and Demelza initially face their ever-more adult situation with ingenuity and wide-eyed-wonder, I immediately recognized the slow creep of reality beginning to warp their childlike innocence. It's a bittersweet part of life that all adults can remember to some extent. | Jordan Ramee
Ninjala (Switch)
Coming to Nintendo Switch, this game is going to find an audience with the same crowd that was enraptured by the colorful aesthetic of Splatoon 2. Ninjala is a goofy multiplayer-focused arena brawler where bubble gum-chewing ninjas fight it out in the streets of Tokyo with baseball bats. It's bizarre, hectic, absolutely absurd, and insanely fun. Players choose one of eight different teenage ninjas, grab their weapon of choice, and head into the arena. Only the baseball bat was available when I played, but GungHo Online Entertainment promises a few of the other greyed-out options will be added by launch. In the eight-person Battle Royale mode, players blow up the bubble gum they're chewing to various sizes before utilizing it to run up walls or float to the ground. Players need to reach inside the bubbles they blow to acquire their weapon. Doing so pops the bubble. The weapon's size depends on how large the bubble was before it popped. Players score points by attacking others and can earn extra points by charging up and delivering a massive knockout strike. Regardless of whether the attack connects or not, once you swing, your weapon is lost and you'll need to blow another bubble to get a replacement. To keep enemy ninjas from escaping while charging your attack, you can spit out your bubble gum to temporarily trap other players where they stand. Matches end in just a few minutes so it's easy to just jump into one more round. | Jordan Ramee
Ooblets (PC, Xbox One)
While Harvest Moon has continued ever-onward and Story of Seasons was a valiant attempt to rekindle the magic, it was Stardew Valley that really showcased the modern viability of the candy-coated farming life sim. Enter Ooblets, an adorable entry in the newly revitalized genre that blends in elements of Pokemon for good measure. It's an altogether sweet and endearing combination that will be hard to pass up. While the loop of a farming sim is mercantile--buying seeds to sell crops to buy more seeds--Ooblets brings your plants to life as tiny companions with their own strengths and weaknesses. Other plant types make nourishment or special items for your fledgling creatures, and you can take them into battle. But this game is cute as a button in every aspect, so combat is handled through a dance competition. All of this is wrapped up in a charming art style and with cheeky writing. Ooblets is due on PC and Xbox One this year, and it's going to be a real life-eater--especially if it ever comes to Nintendo Switch. | Steve Watts
Pode (Switch)
Pode is a beautiful, soothing, adorable puzzle game about a rock helping an alien star find its way home. You can control both characters at once in single-player or play the whole game in co-op, helping the two characters interact in order to make your way through the gorgeous world. "Pode" in Norwegian refers to the act of two plants joining together to become one; it's also a cute word used by Norwegian families when talking to or about their children. The two meanings tell you everything you need to know about this game's wholesome nature. It also contains an exquisite soundtrack from Journey and Assassin's Creed Syndicate composer Austin Wintory. From what I played, Pode is shaping up to be a gorgeous and heartfelt experience, and I can't wait to play the full game on Nintendo Switch. | Oscar Dayus
Satisfactory (PC)
The next game from the creators of Goat Simulator is nothing like that wacky, over-the-top game. You play as an engineer who goes out into the world to find resources to create "Project Assembly," which is a machine with a "mysterious purpose." Satisfactory is a factory-building simulator presented from a first-person perspective, which is different in the building sim genre. The game bears visual similarities to No Man's Sky, but there is no procedural generation. There is just one big, big planet that is 30 square kilometers, and there is also multiplayer support and combat as well, which is new and unexpected for the building sim space. It's cool and exciting to see developers known for one thing do something completely unexpected. The game will launch with an alpha period, though no dates or details have been announced yet. | Eddie Makuch
Shadows: Awakening (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
At first glance, Shadows: Awakening can look like a traditional isometric single-player RPG, but it has some incredibly interesting gameplay dynamics that take it to the next level. You play as a demon who takes control of the souls of long-dead heroes. While you command those heroes to explore and battle in the land of the living, your demon who possesses them lives in the shadow world--you can instantly switch between the two parallel universes, something that's necessary to win certain battles, solve puzzles, and get the best loot. Shadows: Awakening takes a lot of the fun and appeal of multiplayer online battle arena games and brings it to a single-player, story-driven RPG with real-time party combat. There are tons of characters to play, more than 120 skills with which to customize your party's abilities, and 70 locations to explore. The developers say they want to inspire adventure, encouraging players to explore both the land of the living and the shadow realm (and using the two together) to find the best loot and discover the secrets of the world they've created. It's an exciting prospect to see a party-based RPG of this scale with real-time combat, all in a single-player experience. | Patrick Faller
Strange Brigade (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Strange Brigade is a co-op third-person shooter from Sniper Elite developer Rebellion. Set in 1930s Egypt, it has you raiding tombs and mowing down supernatural creatures--ghouls, zombies, and more gruesome monsters--using both standard-issue guns and an array of more inventive abilities. Slain enemies drop blue soul-like orbs that you collect to power your magical amulet, which can be equipped with deadly flamethrower and electricity powers. There's also numerous traps to trigger, such as spinning blades and spike pits, to aid you in your fight. Strange Brigade lacks the polish of a AAA title, but there's something satisfying about being able to fry a dozen enemies in one go, and the game's bright, vaguely steampunky aesthetic and irreverent script help it stand out. It's coming to PS4, Xbox One, and PC on August 28, and I can't wait to see more. | Oscar Dayus
Transference (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Transference is a new game from Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood's film company SpectreVision and Assassin's Creed publisher Ubisoft. A deeply unsettling game made for VR (but also playable on standard platforms), Transference tells the story of a father who uploads his consciousness and that of his wife and son to the cloud. Something goes wrong and the data gets corrupted. Things get weird from there. The game lets you play from each family member's perspective. What's most interesting is that you might start the game questioning one of the character's motivations and mindset, but when you play as the others, you begin to feel empathy for their situation. And this messes with your head in some surprising ways. Transference launches this fall for VR platforms, as well as Xbox One, PS4, and PC. | Eddie Makuch
Tunic (PC, Xbox One)
Tunic's appearance during Microsoft's Xbox press conference at E3 2018 tells you everything you need to know about this adorable adventure game. In a beautiful isometric world that evokes the best of The Legend of Zelda, you control a courageous fox on a grand adventure. I was immediately drawn in by Tunic's astoundingly cute art style and graphics, not to mention its nostalgia-inducing soundtrack. But after playing it, I feel confident that it's going to deliver on the gameplay front as well. Tunic feels like classic Zelda, with a touch of things more modern, like the maneuverability of Hyper Light Drifter and the playfulness of Fez. Just look at the cryptic, unreadable text in the E3 trailer--whatever language that is, it's present within the game as well, and it makes actions as simple as picking up a sword feel fun and mysterious. In development by Andrew Shouldice and presented by Finji, Tunic is set for an exclusive release on Xbox One and Windows PC. And it's one I can't wait to check out again. | Mike Rougeau
What The Golf? (PC)
Right from the beginning, you discover that What The Golf? isn't really about playing golf. In the opening level, where you line up a putt on the green, the character--not the ball--is immediately flung from their shooting position towards the goal. You move onto the next stage right after. Referred to as an "anti-golf game for people who hate golf" by its developers, What The Golf? is a bizarre yet oddly endearing take on the idea of golf, but heavily recontextualized throughout stages that take a very loose and sometimes very literal approach to what golfing is. What The Golf? is, as strange as this sounds, a puzzle-golf game designed through the whimsical and stylized lense of Katamari Damacy. Whether driving a golf club down the fairway, guiding a soccer ball past a group of rowdy kids, or even relocating an entire house to another space, your goal is to simply get the object to the goal post. In stranger cases, you're controlling a mound of dirt and transporting it into a large hole in the shape of the number one--a literal hole in one--or controlling a character in a platforming game. And just when you think it couldn't get any weirder, it tosses in stages parodying other games like Super Mario Bros., Portal, and even Superhot--complete with time-bending gunplay. Playing What The Golf? had me repeatedly scratching my head, but always in a good way. The stranger it got, the more I respected how far it went with its weirdness. Expected to release later this year on PC, this quirky and always bizarre puzzle-golfing game never ceased to surprise me with just how far off the deep end it went. | Alessandro Fillari
Where Cards Fall (Mobile, PC)
Where Cards Fall is an isometric puzzler that takes its title both figuratively and literally. The game ostensibly revolves around manipulating and resizing stacks of cards to create platforms that can be traversed, but beneath the surface, it tells the coming-of-age story of a high schooler coping with the pressures and uncertainty of adolescence. While the aforementioned cards are primarily used to navigate through the game's levels, they aren't simply a means of solving puzzles; they also form the buildings that in-game characters live in. Splay a stack out long enough and it'll pop up into a house that you can enter. We only got a glimpse of this in our brief hands-on time with the game, but it's a novel concept that is expanded upon as players create different types of buildings and interact with their occupants. The underlying gameplay in Where Cards Fall is also clever and satisfying. It begins simply enough, tasking you with moving a stack and expanding it until it's large enough to allow you to cross a gap, but it quickly introduces additional stacks that you must expand, jump on, and rearrange as you work your way through a level. Where Cards Fall doesn't yet have a release date, but the game is coming to iOS devices, PC via Steam, and Apple TV. | Kevin Knezevic
World War Z (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Licensed video games might not be as popular or as prevalent as they once were, but Saber Interactive's zombie game based on the Brad Pitt movie World War Z looks promising. The four-player co-op game is set in the universe of the film but does not follow the film's story. Instead, it tells an entirely new narrative featuring four survivors who must band together to survive waves of zombies in a variety of environments, including the New York City train line and lush jungles. I played a 20-minute demo of one of the chapters and found the shooting tight and responsive. Additionally, the brutal melee attacks--I had a firefighter's axe--are a good way to clear out zombies when you get surrounded. And it feels satisfying. World War Z is due out in early 2019 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. | Eddie Makuch
By Jordan Ramée on Jun 30, 2018 05:57 am
Nintendo's Newest
In 2017, Nintendo soared back into the limelight with the Switch--the fastest selling console in US history. Incredible exclusives like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey proved Nintendo still remembered the strengths of its franchises and the importance of taking risks. For an overview of all the Switch games we reviewed last year, head over to our Switch review page. Already, Nintendo is using 2018 to build upon the company's successes and produce more fantastic-looking follow-ups to fan-favorite franchises, like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Kirby Star Allies. A number of new IPs, like Octopath Traveler, round out Switch's library of exclusives for 2018 library. You won't find these titles anywhere else. There are tons of exciting exclusives for Switch this year. Below is a full list of the biggest ones, and for more information on each game, click through to the slides ahead to find out what each game is and its release date. Nintendo Switch Console Exclusive Games In 2018We've compiled every one we know of so far here, and will continue to update this gallery with new games as they get announced. Be sure to check back often as we update this gallery with more exclusives. And if you're curious about other platforms, you can check out our features on PS4 exclusives, Xbox One exclusives, and PC exclusives. In the meantime, which exclusives are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.
Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2
When Nintendo revealed Bayonetta 3 at The Game Awards, the company also confirmed a popular rumor: Bayonetta 2 and the original Bayonetta were on their way to Switch. The sequel headlines the physical packaging of the game, but every copy of Bayonetta 2 includes a download code for the original. We gave the original Bayonetta an 8/10. Check out our Bayonetta review. We loved the follow-up even more, giving it a perfect 10/10. Check out our Bayonetta 2 review. Developer: PlatinumGames | Release Date: February 16
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby made his debut on Switch in Kirby Star Allies. This title provides a multiplayer twist on traditional Kirby action, allowing four players to party up and tackle platforming stages and boss battles together. Like Kirby, his allies use powers absorbed from lesser enemies. We gave the game an 8/10. Check out our Kirby Star Allies review. Developer: HAL Laboratory | Release Date: March 16
Nintendo Labo
Nintendo Labo is a series of kits that include cardboard cut-outs and other materials that are assembled in combination with the Switch and its Joy-Cons to be played with special game software and vice versa. The series' first two kits--the Variety Kit and the Robot Kit--released in April. We gave the Nintendo Labo and its first two kits a 7/10. Check out our Nintendo Labo review. Developer: Nintendo | Release Date: April 20
Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze
Continuing the tradition of updated Wii U games that get Switch ports like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Pokken Tournament DX, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze launched on Switch in May. The game adds a new playable character, Funky Kong, who introduces his own unique twist on the original's platforming gameplay. We gave the game a 9/10. Read our Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze review. Developer: Retro Studios, Monster Games | Release Date: May 4
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
The revamped version of Hyrule Warriors comes to Switch with all of the maps, missions, characters, and DLC from both the original Wii U release and the expanded 3DS version. Even Yuga and Ravio from A Link Between Worlds joined this Dynasty Warriors-style game. Both Link and Zelda get new Breath of the Wild-themed costumes as well. We gave the game an 8/10. Check out our Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition review. Developer: Omega Force | Release Date: May 18
Runner3
The Bit.Trip games from developer Choice Provisions rank among some of the best throwback experiences of the past decade. Nintendo Switch owners have exclusive access to the series' newest game, Runner3, which continues the tradition of linking rhythmic timing and platforming, while also promising plenty of new tricks to stump returning players. We gave the game a 7/10. Read our Runner3 review. Developer: Choice Provisions | Release Date: May 22
Pokemon Quest
The original 151 Pokedex returns in Pokemon Quest, a free-to-play spin-off to Nintendo's popular pocket monster franchise. The game differentiates itself with its blocky art-style. Gameplay for Quest is separated into four parts: catching Pokemon, training your team, managing your base camp, and adventuring into the unknown in story missions. Watch some gameplay. Developer: Game Freak | Release Date: May 30
Mario Tennis Aces
Mario Tennis Aces from developer Camelot--the team behind the GBA game Golden Sun as well as numerous other Mario sports titles--launched on Switch this past spring. Mario's newest run at tennis includes a challenging story, three tournaments, and new special abilities. Our review of the game is still in progress, but we're currently giving it an 8/10. Check out our Mario Tennis Aces review. Developer: Camelot | Release Date: June 22
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
The incredibly adorable puzzler, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is finally coming to Switch. It includes an added Super Mario Odyssey-themed level modeled after that game's New Donk City location. You can also play with a friend--each using one joy-con--where one controls Toad and the other can shoot turnips to attack enemies. We gave the Wii U version of the game an 8/10. Check out our Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker review. Developer: Nintendo | Release Date: July 13
Octopath Traveler
Square Enix and developer Acquire are in the home stretch of development on Octopath Traveler, a retro RPG that mixes 2D and 3D graphics in an effort to bridge the gap between 16-bit and HD. A second demo for the game is currently available if you can't quite wait until July to play. We got an extended look at Octopath Traveller's gameplay during a live E3 2018 demo. Developer: Square Enix, Acquire | Release Date: July 13
Code Of Princess EX
Originally for 3DS, Code of Princess is coming to Nintendo Switch in July. This hack and slash game features a few RPG elements you can explore with its cast of over 50 playable characters. There are two multiplayer modes as well: co-op missions and a Versus mode. Back in 2012, we gave the 3DS version of the game a 7/10. Read our Code of Princess review. Developer: Studio Saizensen | Release Date: July 31
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
Monster Hunter Generations new HD port is already available on Switch in Japan, and it comes to the rest of the world later this year. With no sign of Monster Hunter: World coming to Switch, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate will have to satisfy your need for a new hunting experience on the go. We gave the original game a 7/10. Read our Monster Hunter Generations review. Developer: Capcom | Release Date: August 28
Super Mario Party
Super Mario Party marks the 11th time Mario and his friends have gotten together to beat each other up, steal from one another, and willingly participate in a diverse assortment of tiny death traps. Or as they like to call it: a party. Like the Mario Party titles that released for Wii and Wii U, Super Mario Party will feature mini games and challenges that utilize both traditional button controls and motion controls. Developer: Nd Cube | Release Date: October 5
Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Eevee!
Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee! are the first Pokemon RPGs to come to Switch. The two titles take gameplay inspiration from Pokemon Yellow and Pokemon GO. Choose whether you want to be followed by an adorable Pikachu or lovable Eevee and then start your quest to catch 'em all! Developer: Game Freak | Release Date: November 16
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. is finally coming to Nintendo Switch, and you won't have to wait all that long for it: it's coming this holiday season. Every fighter from every previous Smash Bros. game is coming to duke it out in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and a few newcomers like Daisy, Ridley, and Inkling are joining them. Watch Ridley's creepy reveal trailer. Developer: Nintendo | Release Date: December 7
Light Fingers
Light Fingers is a turn-based multiplayer board game where your goal is to gather loot and progress across the board, all while your opponents play cards and manipulate mechanical obstacles in an effort to trip you up. The game is coming to Switch sometime this year. Developer: Numizmatic | Release Date: TBA 2018
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
The third game in the No More Heroes series from infamous developer, Goichi "SUDA 51" Suda, is scheduled to land on Switch later this year. Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is a revenge tale against frontman Travis, who finds himself confronted by Badman, father of Travis' first assassination target, Bad Girl. Before they get into a scuffle, both characters are drawn into a video game system. From within, they will have to confront a handful of fictional video games, supposedly inspired by real-world hits like Hotline Miami. Check out some gameplay. Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture | Release Date: TBA 2018
Dragon Marked For Death
The latest game from the team behind Mega Man Zero, Mega Man 9, Mega Man 10, and Azure Striker Gunvolt is coming exclusively to Switch this year. Dragon Marked for Death looks like another action-packed 2D side-scroller with intricate sprites, but Inti Creates is experimenting by adding in four-player local co-op and progression systems that give the game an action-RPG feel. Developer: Inti Creates | Release Date: TBA 2018
The World Ends With You - Final Remix
The hi-res version of Square Enix's The World Ends with You is coming to Switch, along with a "sizable" new story scenario. This anime-inspired game is set in modern day Tokyo and created by the same team behind Kingdom Hearts III. The Final Remix version was announced during January's Nintendo Direct Mini, and is due sometime this year. When we reviewed the original game on DS, we gave it a 9/10. Read our The World Ends with You review. Developer: Square Enix | Release Date: TBA 2018
By Matt Espineli on Jun 30, 2018 05:52 am
The First Half's Finest
The first half of 2018 has been packed with tons of fantastic games. Much like last year, there are several well worth your time to play. Big-budget games, like God of War, Far Cry 5, and Dragon Ball FighterZ, floored us with their attention to detail and quality mechanics. On the other hand, smaller indie experiences continued to turn our heads; Iconoclasts and Celeste were some of the early standouts of this year, but a wealth of other unique experiences have released since then, like Yoku's Island Express and Minit. Around this time of year in 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nier: Automata, Persona 5, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard were some of the most fantastic experiences. However, this year seems to be meeting the high standard set by those games, and in a wide variety of genres. With so many games coming out every month, it can be tough keeping track of the best ones. To ensure you're aware of this year's finest, we've gathered them all here for your convenience. Ahead are games exemplary enough to be considered some of the best of this year so far. By the end of the year, a number of these could become candidates for 2018's Game of the Year awards. Which games do you think will be good enough to be included in our Game of the Year awards? Let us know in the comments below.
The Red Strings Club -- 9/10 (Platforms: PC)
"From the game's opening piano chords, The Red String Club's futuristic exploration of themes regarding human emotion, strong writing, and exciting situations create an experience that is deeply gratifying. The cast of relatable, three-dimensional characters elevate the stakes of every bullet fired, secret divulged and cocktail poured. They are flawed and dangerous, but also convey admirable human characteristics that feel inspirational. The Red Strings Club is a tense adventure about a cast of characters that endanger themselves for goals that aren't necessarily guaranteed, a rewarding journey into the human soul, and a game that pushes the limits of what a point-and-click adventure can do." [Read the full review] -- David Rayfield
Iconoclasts -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Vita, PC)
"When Iconoclasts' end credits begin to roll, it's bittersweet to see the journey come to a close. After solving every puzzle and witnessing the finale of its poignant narrative, you can't help but reflect on the growth of its characters and your impact onto the world. The game will shock and surprise you with how gripping its story is, and it's likely to do so again in subsequent playthroughs of New Game+ with your expanded knowledge of character histories and events. Iconoclasts may be a callback to the style and mechanics of old-school games, but it's also a sincere and compelling adventure that anyone with respect for fantastic storytelling and 2D-action can enjoy." [Read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
The Inpatient -- 8/10 (Platforms: PSVR)
"The Inpatient doesn't just do right by Until Dawn, but stands right alongside it as one of the strongest horror experiences on PlayStation 4. It's a game far less concerned with pushing you towards what's lurking down every corridor than feeding you the worst ideas of what could be." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark
Celeste -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
"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
Monster Hunter World -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One)
"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
Subnautica -- 9/10 (Platforms: PC)
"Subnautica's story, scares, and beautifully rendered underwater setting make it one of the most fascinating survival games around. You will always have to grind away to a certain extent to gather necessary resources, but the overall experience is both accessible and refined. Subnautica may not make you eager to get back to the beach this summer, but right now there is no better virtual way to experience the beauty, and the terror, of the deep blue sea." [Read the full review] -- Brett Todd
Shadow of the Colossus -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4)
"Shadow of the Colossus is a tremendous journey, and one well worth taking and retaking. The visual overhaul is stunning, thoroughly enhancing every facet of Wander and Agro's excellent adventure. Galloping through the tranquil world is always breathtaking; felling a monumental colossus is always humbling. Shadow of the Colossus is a beautiful reconstruction of an already exceptional title. It continues to be a modern classic and is an extraordinary game that everyone must experience." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer
Dragon Ball FighterZ (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC)
"FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance. Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series' characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
EA Sports UFC 3 -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One)
"EA Sports UFC 3 is a tense, exciting, and dynamic recreation of the stand and bang aspect of mixed martial arts. There's a fluidity to the way it moves, and a satisfying feel and unpredictability to the way fights can unfold that demands your engagement. The grappling still needs plenty of work, and one would hope this is something EA Canada addresses in the next iteration; yet these shortcomings become easier to overlook because of the accomplishment of its redefined striking. When it comes to the art of combat, few sports titles do it better." [Read the full review] -- Richard Wakeling
Radiant Historia Perfect Chronology -- 8/10 (Platforms: 3DS)
"With all the time juggling, the brain-teasing mechanic of the White Chronicle doesn't overshadow Radiant Historia Perfect Chronology's story. Its politically charged tale complements Stocke's personal journey as he follows his orders and makes sense of his powers. The White Chronicles' close connection to the plot only makes temporal manipulation all the more engrossing, regardless if you're working your way to the game's best conclusion or hitting every node in the timeline. This feature maintains its grip for much of the game's 60-hour journey in spite of its combat shortcomings. Had this been a straight port of the DS version, it would still warrant the attention of RPG enthusiasts who missed Radiant Historia the first time around. With its upgrades and considerable bonuses--particularly the Sub-History--even those who think they got their fill by beating the original game should check out this definitive edition." [Read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion
Kingdom Come: Deliverance -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC)
"Even with these issues in mind, anyone who can appreciate the down-and-dirty nature of history should play Kingdom Come: Deliverance. It's an impressive and unflinching look at the medieval era that transports you inside the compelling story of a real person caught in the middle of a civil war. As such, this is one of those rare, memorable games that stays with you long after you stop playing. While quirks and bugs can certainly be frustrating, none of these issues interfere much with the unique and captivating nature of the overall experience." [Read the full review] -- Brett Todd
Moss -- 8/10 (Platforms: PSVR)
"It's a testament to just how well Moss understands PlayStation VR and works with the device instead of trying to bend it to a will it was never designed for. Moss wouldn't feel right without it at all, and its many strengths are married to the interactions that only full immersion can manufacture. Unsurprisingly, then, Moss is easily one of PlayStation VR's best titles to date, even if it's a little too eager to get you in and out of its world." [Read the full review] -- Alessandro Barbosa
Into The Breach -- 9/10 (Platforms: PC)
"There is so much strategic joy in seeing the potential destruction a swarm of giant monsters is about to unleash on a city, then quickly staging and executing elaborate counter maneuvers to ruin the party. Into The Breach's focus on foresight makes its turn-based encounters an action-packed, risk-free puzzle, and the remarkable diversity of playstyles afforded by unique units keeps each new run interesting. It's a pleasure to see what kind of life-threatening predicaments await for you to creatively resolve in every new turn, every new battle, and every new campaign. Into The Breach is a pristine and pragmatic tactical gem with dynamic conflicts that will inspire you to jump back in again, and again, and again." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer
Kirby: Star Allies -- 8/10 (Platforms: Switch)
"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
Surviving Mars -- 8/10 (Platforms: Xbox One, PC)
"Surviving Mars, above else, is about hope. So many strategy games hold to their gameplay, eschewing any overarching themes or messages. But, as corny as it sounds, for those who believe in the majesty of spaceflight, for those who are keen to marvel at how pernicious our plucky little species can be, Surviving Mars is SimCity with soul. It shows the challenges that come along with planetary migration, but it also shows that they are solvable. With the right planning, drive, and ingenuity, we can do great things together." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Attack On Titan 2 -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch)
"Despite its slow start, Attack on Titan 2 offers exciting gameplay along with a deep and intriguing plot that, melodrama aside, tugs on the heart strings. It's well-paced and offers some impressive spaces to move through. The unique combination of the movement and combat mechanics combines with a gripping story to make Attack on Titan 2 one of the more surprising releases of the year." [Read the full review] -- James Swinbanks
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kindgom -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, PC)
"Ni No Kuni 2 is a robust game that offers ample ways to spend your time, and even if they aren't all up to the same level of quality, it's easy to appreciate how they collectively contribute to the bigger picture. It's chock full of excellent battles and surprising moments that make for a far more memorable experience than you initially expect and leaves you impressed by your own accomplishments. If you didn't play the first game, don't let this one pass you by too." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
MLB The Show 18 -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4)
"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] -- Eddie Makuch, Editor
Minit -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC)
"Minit's lives might only last 60 seconds, but its extremely well-thought-out world design and engrossing loop of progress make it a curse-filled adventure that is worth dying the world over for. Its throwback to classic visuals aren't done for aesthetic alone, as none of its gameplay systems scream antiquity. It's a slickly presented adventure that continually manages to surprise you with every new area you uncover or item you procure, pushing you to pick away at its seams to uncover every drop of what it has to offer. With a delightful ending and more promised after its first run of credits, Minit is far more than just a collection of seconds." [Read the full review] -- Alessandro Barbosa
Far Cry 5 -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC)
"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, Editor and Senior Producer
God of War -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4)
"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
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4)
"Yakuza 6 reins in its scope, but doubles down on what has made the series great. It's a unique and fascinating representation of the modern Japanese experience, worth playing even if you're a newcomer. The narrative is dramatic and sincere, and the game's endearing characters--coming from all walks of life--are interesting studies. The world is dense and rewarding to exist in, the dynamic combat system stays exciting even after you've kicked the crap out of five thousand enemies, and perhaps most importantly, Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life serves as a fulfilling conclusion to the turbulent, decade-long saga of its beloved icon, Kazuma Kiryu." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer
The Alliance Alive -- 8/10 (Platforms: 3DS)
"There's a lot to love about The Alliance Alive: a well-paced story in an interesting world, a meaty mashup of unique combat elements, and a fantastic soundtrack that keeps you pumped and eager to explore. If you can put up with a bit of a learning curve, you'll find a great portable adventure well worth dusting off your 3DS for." [Read the full review] -- Heidi Kemps
Frostpunk -- 9/10 (Platforms: PC)
"Frostpunk is among the best overall takes on the survival city builder to date. Its theming and consistency create a powerful narrative through line that binds your actions around the struggle to hold onto humanity in uncertain times. Hope is a qualified good, but you may not always be strong enough (or clever enough) to shelter that flame from the cold." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Total War: Thrones of Britannia -- 8/10 (Platforms: PC)
"Thrones of Britannia is an exciting experience despite the cuts to integral components of the Total War series, such as city planning hinging on military needs, specific building customization, and expanded intrigue options. But this has given Creative Assembly room to focus on enhancing parts of the strategy experience that aren't quite as impenetrable to newcomers, and to allow the series to return to some of the beloved parts of previous historical games to balance out its newer, slimmer form. While there are minor issues with AI, and pacing suffers when you've comfortably gotten the upper hand, this is still a worthy and engaging contribution to the Total War stable that has successfully taken its cues from history's winners and losers alike." [Read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Battletech -- 8/10 (Platforms: PC)
"Battletech is a game that selfishly takes its time to be meticulous in every respect, and pushing through the density and idiosyncrasies of its many, slow-moving parts can be tough. But if you have the will to decipher it, albeit, at a deliberate and punishingly plodding pace, you can find yourself completely engrossed in its kinetic clashes. Battletech's intricate components ultimately foster a fascinating wealth of nuanced systems that build a uniquely strenuous, detailed, and thoroughly rewarding tactical strategy game." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire -- 8/10 (Platforms: PC)
"Deadfire is dense, and it isn't a small game, easily dwarfing its predecessor in terms of scale. There's a lot to do, and it's easier than ever to get lost in the little stories you find, without following the arcs that the game has specially set out for you. Still, it's worth taking your time. The richness of Deadfire takes a while to appreciate, and like the brined sailors that call it home, you'll be left with an indelible attachment to these islands when you do finally step away." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Far: Lone Sails -- 8/10 (Platforms: PC)
"Lone Sails is a transfixing, lovely experience, one that takes recurring indie game tropes and does something unique and fun with them. It's short enough that you could play through it in a single two or three-hour session, but it will likely stick with you for a long time. I can see myself going back in a few months just to revisit the ship, like checking in on an old friend." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor
Yoku's Island Express -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch)
"Yoku's Island Express takes two unlikely genres and combines them into one playful, natural experience. The game's audio and visual design is simply joyous and the large game world seamlessly combines its pinball puzzles with some brilliant level designs. While traversing the large map does get frustrating at times, Yoku's Island Express' main quest never drags, and with its slate of fun abilities, quirky supporting characters and a generous amount of optional content, Yoku's Island Express is a unique journey that's refreshing and just straight up fun." [Read the full review] -- Alexander Pan
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
"Whether playing through the story mode alone or against hardened opponents online, Cross Tag Battle is an absolute joy with a surplus of possibilities within its wide roster and versatile fighting system. Even with all the ridiculousness of the overarching plot, I reveled in the charm of my favorite characters and embraced the many moments of fan service. It's a masterful unification of styles and mechanics from four different universes that compels you to dig deeper and dedicate the time to getting the most out of the beloved members of this cast." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Onrush -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC)
"When it comes to crumpling metal and high speed thrills, not all of Onrush's game modes are on equal footing in terms of consistent excitement. Yet its foundations are so strong, and so unique, that it's easy to lose hours upon hours barreling around these disparate tracks. The question of longevity will, of course, depend on post-release support, with new classes, game modes, and tracks potentially on the horizon. Considering you need 12 players to fill a full room, it would be a shame if Onrush doesn't find the kind of audience that will give it the lifespan it deserves. Part of this will depend on how Codemasters iterates on the game from here on out, but they've shown a proficiency in knowing how arcade racing games click, and Onrush is such a bold, refreshing twist on the genre that there should be little hesitation in putting your faith in them to succeed." [Read the full review] -- Richard Wakeling
Unravel Two -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC)
"With its charming yarnlings and a newfound style of platforming, Unravel Two remains welcoming even at its most foreboding. Sure, a forest fire breaks out in one of the latter stages, but even then, the race to keep ahead of the blaze is fun and frantic instead of stressful. In almost every moment you're given ample time and space to breathe and take in the stunning photorealistic world from the viewpoint of the tiniest creatures. It's a game with boisterous birds, chases through meadows, and most importantly a cheerful partnership with a companion who's always got your back. With only six chapters that run roughly 30 minutes apiece, Unravel Two doesn't last long, but it's a game where the time you have is meaningful, memorable, and downright pleasant from beginning to end." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark
The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC)
"Life is Strange gained a huge cult following, and whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, Captain Spirit captures a lot of the original game's appeal. Regardless of how you classify The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit--whether it's a standalone adventure, a demo, or a prologue--it's a beautiful game, and one that leaves you all the more excited about Life is Strange 2." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor
By Matt Espineli on Jun 30, 2018 05:50 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. Which PS4 games do you love the most? Let us know in the comments below.
The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit -- 8/10
"Life is Strange gained a huge cult following, and whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, Captain Spirit captures a lot of the original game's appeal. Regardless of how you classify The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit--whether it's a standalone adventure, a demo, or a prologue--it's a beautiful game, and one that leaves you all the more excited about Life is Strange 2." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor
Onrush -- 9/10
"When it comes to crumpling metal and high speed thrills, not all of Onrush's game modes are on equal footing in terms of consistent excitement. Yet its foundations are so strong, and so unique, that it's easy to lose hours upon hours barreling around these disparate tracks. The question of longevity will, of course, depend on post-release support, with new classes, game modes, and tracks potentially on the horizon. Considering you need 12 players to fill a full room, it would be a shame if Onrush doesn't find the kind of audience that will give it the lifespan it deserves. Part of this will depend on how Codemasters iterates on the game from here on out, but they've shown a proficiency in knowing how arcade racing games click, and Onrush is such a bold, refreshing twist on the genre that there should be little hesitation in putting your faith in them to succeed." -- Richard Wakeling
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life -- 8/10
"Yakuza 6 reins in its scope, but doubles down on what has made the series great. It's a unique and fascinating representation of the modern Japanese experience, worth playing even if you're a newcomer. The narrative is dramatic and sincere, and the game's endearing characters--coming from all walks of life--are interesting studies. The world is dense and rewarding to exist in, the dynamic combat system stays exciting even after you've kicked the crap out of five thousand enemies, and perhaps most importantly, Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life serves as a fulfilling conclusion to the turbulent, decade-long saga of its beloved icon, Kazuma Kiryu." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Senior Editor and Video Producer
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
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
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
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
Unravel Two -- 8/10
"With its charming yarnlings and a newfound style of platforming, Unravel Two remains welcoming even at its most foreboding. Sure, a forest fire breaks out in one of the latter stages, but even then, the race to keep ahead of the blaze is fun and frantic instead of stressful. In almost every moment you're given ample time and space to breathe and take in the stunning photorealistic world from the viewpoint of the tiniest creatures. It's a game with boisterous birds, chases through meadows, and most importantly a cheerful partnership with a companion who's always got your back. With only six chapters that run roughly 30 minutes apiece, Unravel Two doesn't last long, but it's a game where the time you have is meaningful, memorable, and downright pleasant from beginning to end." -- Justin Clark
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
Blazblue: Cross Tag Battle -- 9/10
"Whether playing through the story mode alone or against hardened opponents online, Cross Tag Battle is an absolute joy with a surplus of possibilities within its wide roster and versatile fighting system. Even with all the ridiculousness of the overarching plot, I reveled in the charm of my favorite characters and embraced the many moments of fan service. It's a masterful unification of styles and mechanics from four different universes that compels you to dig deeper and dedicate the time to getting the most out of the beloved members of this cast." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham, Associate Editor
By Oscar Dayus on Jun 30, 2018 05:46 am
Some games are like the ugly duckling--they float when placed on water. No wait, that's not what I meant. Some games are like the ugly duckling because they start off as the underdog, the one that everyone mocks, the one that nobody likes. And then they emerge into a beautiful winged bird, capable of flight faster than the speed of sound and able to dazzle anyone who walks by. Okay, maybe this metaphor got a little stretched… Point is, many games might not get off on the strongest footing, but some of them eventually recover from their shaky starts to become decent or even excellent experiences. In this gallery we're going to run down some of those games that started poorly, as well as some solid games that have only gotten better with time. To the duckmobile!
Final Fantasy 14
Upon its original launch seven years ago, Final Fantasy XIV was ... not great. Players complained of incomplete quests, UI issues, repeated assets, poor performance, and plenty more problems. Our Final Fantasy XIV Online review said the game lacked character, cohesion, and joy, and we gave it a 4/10. Square Enix's CEO even said the game "greatly damaged" the Final Fantasy brand. Not a great start, I'm sure you'll agree. After the game's servers were shut down in 2012 and a PS3 version was canceled, Square Enix eventually decided to replace the MMO with a completely reworked version of the game called Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, which launched for PC in 2013. Thankfully, A Realm Reborn improved on pretty much every area of the original Final Fantasy XIV, from crafting to traversal, from its combat to its open world. That PS3 version finally made it out and was joined by a PS4 edition, which we thought was even better than the PC version. In addition, a bunch of free content updates and more extensive DLC packs have continually improved the game: Heavensward added 40 hours of excellent new story content, while Stormblood--released in June--introduced a whole new undersea world along with another 50 hours of campaign content. In short, Final Fantasy XIV is a completely different beast to the one that disappointed fans the world over in 2010--it's never been so good, and it's definitely worth another look if you were put off all the way back in 2010.
No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky was possibly a victim of its own hype machine--it was a cool concept executed fairly well, but it left some disappointed. Its world may have been vast, but much of it was empty or repetitive, and few solid threads to follow meant that players often felt lost or dismayed to carry on exploring. Since launch, developer Hello Games has responded to the criticism in the best way possible: by making loads of cool, free stuff. In November, it added a Creative Mode and a Survival Mode--allowing you to explore or die to your heart's content--along with a base-building feature. A few months later, another update let you share that base across the internet and also introduced a permadeath option and land vehicles. And just recently, another big new update added multiplayer support, another 30 hours of story content, and much more. In addition, there's a whole storyline that many players might have missed. A mysterious force known as Atlas offers a purpose, a sprinkling of story that helps direct you in an otherwise directionless world. If you didn't pursue Atlas first time round, it might be worth going back just to see how it pans out. No Man's Sky is coming to Xbox One this year alongside a new update that, according to Hello, will be "an important next step in a journey for No Man's Sky," so it may be worth revisiting.
Rainbow Six Siege
Rainbow Six Siege actually launched with a positive critical reception in December 2015--it was soon after launch that the criticism began to rain down. Players complained of broken matchmaking, connectivity issues and lag, and multiple imbalances in the meta, to name just a few problems. For months many of these issues remained, and despite player numbers staying consistently high (a testament to the excellent game underneath), matchmaking times and other issues did not improve. Now, however, Siege is almost a different game. Following months of patches, hotfixes, balance changes, and more, Siege is finally in the state it should have been when it launched, and it's passed 20 million players with more than 2.3 million playing every day. Matchmaking is seamless, balance is much improved, and bugs are much, much rarer. The shooter has also received an extensive program of free DLC, helping the operator dynamics stay fresh and keeping players on their toes. Free maps and skins, plus new, unlockable characters, have continually offered reasons to return to Siege. Siege has now started holding huge, free, limited-time events in addition to its standard quarterly DLC drops, and Ubisoft says it wants to continue supporting the game until it reaches 100 Operators, a feat that at the current rate would take some seven years. Rainbow Six Siege is here to stay, and the gaming landscape is better for it.
Friday The 13th
Let's not beat around the bush: Friday the 13th was a hot mess when it launched in May. Even excusing the multitude of bugs and an all-around less-than-beautiful appearance, the horror game was pretty much unplayable. Assuming you could even find a match, doing so would take upwards of 10 minutes, leading our critic to award the game a 4/10 in our Friday the 13th review. While many of its problems remain, it is now just about possible to find a match. And when you do, Friday the 13th is a lot of fun: playing a match with a bunch of friends, when you're invested in you and your buddies escaping from the hell you find themselves in, the game can be a simultaneously terrifying and hilarious experience. There's nothing funnier than your friends screaming, after all. What's more, developer Illfonic continues to improve the game in patches and content updates, and the highly-anticipated single-player portion is finally available.
Rocket League
Rocket League launched with… no problems at all. Or at least, no one really had any problems with it. It was a solid, fun multiplayer game with a great hook (football with cars is one hell of an elevator pitch). These days, however, it's a completely different beast. Like many, I played Rocket League a decent amount after it launched as a PS Plus freebie in July 2015. After deciding it was indeed a solid, fun multiplayer game, I put it down and probably went back to my backwards one-dimensional games like FIFA or Cars 3: Driven to Win. (One of these is a joke; I bet you can't guess which.) Two years on and Rocket League has evolved. A multitude of new modes have freshened the game up hugely: Rocket League is now basketball with cars, superheroes with cars, and hexagonal volleyball with cars, and more than 33 million have played the game since launch. And with another new free map launching just last month and a Switch version (featuring cross-play with Xbox One and PC) coming soon, Rocket League continues to provide new reasons to come back.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
After the hugely successful original Mass Effect trilogy, expectations were high for the fourth game in the series. Andromeda took Mass Effect's story to a new galaxy, with new characters, new locations to explore... and a whole new bunch of bugs. Despite many positive reviews, Andromeda was met with huge criticism for the janky state it launched in. Animations and character models looked strange to say the least, and some accused the sci-fi game of launching unfinished. The fallout from Andromeda's troubled launch caused publisher EA to reportedly put the franchise on hiatus, and now developer BioWare Montreal has been absorbed into EA Motive. However, the developer continued to support and fix Mass Effect: Andromeda since launch, meaning it is now--finally--in an acceptable state. Underneath the aesthetic issues, of course, was a decent game, and with many of those problems now sorted, the experience is much improved. I's by no means perfect, of course, but it also has some of the best worlds and combat seen in the entire Mass Effect series, and it's certainly worthy of another look.
Grand Theft Auto Online
When Grand Theft Auto V first launched in 2013, it wasn't exactly lacking in stuff to do. Its huge, dense open-world and ensemble cast of characters meant it was packed with places to go, people to see, and activities to engage in. Because of that and some unfortunate server problems at launch, not everyone properly dug into GTA Online. You may, like me, have booted it up once, failed to connect, and then got distracted by the single-player mode's diverse offering and never bothered to go back. But GTA Online today is a very different entity to the one GTA V launched with five years ago. The Heists update, released in 2015, gave the multiplayer mode more structure and set piece missions for players to work towards. Like their single-player equivalents, they are complex, multi-part missions that involve intense planning and teamwork to pull off, and they contain some of the most satisfying co-op gameplay you can have online. In addition, the GTA community continues to give fellow players more and more things to do in the form of races, deathmatches, and more via the Content Creator--and that's on top of the new stuff Rockstar itself is continually adding in. To this day, the developer continues to support GTA Online with new missions, discounts, items to buy, and more. The company has even released a new version of GTA V specifically designed around encouraging people to play the ever-evolving Online mode.
Warframe
Warframe came out in 2013 and was largely dismissed by players and critics alike. They deemed it a competent but ultimately bland experience. However, developer Digital Extremes has continued to work on the free-to-play game in order to address the issues it had five years ago. Now, the shooter-RPG has changed significantly. Digital Extremes updates the game frequently, adding new content and expansions and reworking what was already there. An open-world DLC pack was added for free in 2017, bringing a day-night cycle, new mini-games, additional enemies, and more. Before that, the company redesigned Warframe's movement system and even small details like UI elements. In April, the game received a new game mode and plenty of new items to equip your character with. Warframe is a game that's progressed beyond what was there at launch into a deep and varied experience, and it's worth trying again.
Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Ghost Recon: Wildlands' initial reception might have been modest, but that hasn't stopped Ubisoft from supporting its game heavily in the months since its launch. Like with Rainbow Six Siege, Ubisoft committed to continuing to work on its game once it was out the door with both paid and free DLC. To start with, that added content included minor updates and improvements as well as new story missions and characters, such as the ones seen in the Narco Road and Fallen Ghosts expansions. Since then, however, Wildlands has added an entirely new PvP portion, named Ghost War. That included eight maps and 12 classes at launch, but more of each have been added since the free mode was introduced in 2017. There have also been free add-ons centered around the Predator and Splinter Cell. Ubisoft has already also announced it will continue to support Wildlands for at least another year. The coming months will bring "major" content drops, including modes, weapons, and more. Wildlands, like Siege, is always changing and improving, and there's never been a better time to dive in.
Hearthstone: Heroes Of Warcraft
Like many of Blizzard's games, Hearthstone has incredible staying power. Of course that's partly because it--like many of Blizzard's games--is excellent. It blends accessible card game mechanics with the developer's trademark ability to cram personality into every sinew of its titles. Crucially, Hearthstone contains enough depth to keep players interested to this day, around five years since it first launched in beta and over four years since its public release. Oh, and it's free-to-play. Not only all that, but Blizzard is still releasing new content for the TCG. The company recently released a new expansion, named The Witchwood, which introduced another 135 cards to the game. A new mode launched shortly after that, and another two expansions are coming this year, which combined with some rotations of active cards will shake up the game's meta in a big way. Single-player modes such as Dungeon Run have helped keep the attention of some players who aren't huge fans of PvP, and it's that breadth of appeal that has helped Blizzard's card game remain relevant for so long. Hearthstone, like many of Blizzard's games, will be around for a while, and we can't wait to see what's next.
Final Fantasy 15
Final Fantasy XV was another game that launched to a positive reception, but a lot has changed since it came out in 2016. To start with, the game is now available on PC, and it even has a Pocket Edition on mobile. To coincide with the PC launch, Square Enix released a new, up-to-date version of the game called the Royal Edition. Why did it do this, you ask? Because like with Final Fantasy XIV, the company poured resources into support for XV long after its launch. A total of four expansions came out in the months following launch, each adding content in their own way. Episode Gladiolus added a spin-off portion in which you control the character's quest to become a stronger guardian for Noctis, and Episode Ignis follows a similar thread for that character. Episode Prompto, meanwhile, turns the game into a third-person shooter, while Comrades introduced an entirely new multiplayer portion (which also allowed you to play with AI if you prefer). Square Enix recently said four more Episodes will arrive in 2019, but there will likely be more to enjoy before then. Like the Assassin's Creed crossover, or the upcoming Shadow of the Tomb Raider event. To be honest, all I want is more cup noodle DLC...
Dota 2
Dota 2 was arguably one of the first titles to get the games-as-a-service model right, while simultaneously acting as a prime example of a great free-to-play game. It's also one of the best MOBAs ever made. It's pretty good, then. With this sequel Valve went far beyond what was achieved with the original Defense of the Ancients--a mod for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos--and that's partly down to how well the developer has supported Dota 2 since its launch in 2013. Frequent patches have brought new maps, an updated UI, a new engine, and even Rick and Morty crossover content. Of course, additional characters have continued to arrive, suitably shaking up the meta each time, as have additional modes. A co-op campaign was added in May 2017, for example, while the game's Battle Pass subscription service has even introduced a Battle Royale mode just recently. In short, this is a game that is still growing and improving after five years. It's showing no signs of slowing down, and if you have the spare time required to learn its ins and outs, Dota 2 is definitely worth trying.
By Matt Espineli on Jun 30, 2018 05:35 am
A Growing Library Of Exclusives
In 2017, Microsoft managed to enhance its latest and a few pre-existing games with upgraded visuals thanks to the release of Xbox One X. However, the publisher's roster of exclusives last year was small. There were a few noticeable standouts, like Everspace and Cuphead, but Microsoft just couldn't compete against Sony and Nintendo's larger libraries. Fortunately, Microsoft kicked off this year with a solid array of exclusive triple-A and independent games. We expected to see titles like Sea of Thieves and State of Decay 2, but Microsoft managed to surprise us with sequels to fan favorite franchises, like Forza Horizon 4, and phenomenal new experiences, like Full Metal Furies. And that's only the beginning. Microsoft's E3 2018 press conference revealed the company has plenty of exclusives on the way. With so many great-looking games coming to the console that you won't find anywhere else, we've compiled a list of all the exclusive games coming to Xbox One in the coming months. Xbox One Console Exclusive Games In 2018Make sure to check back often, as we'll continue to update our entries with specific dates and info when new announcements are made. If you're curious about other platforms, you can check out our features on PS4 exclusives, PC exclusives, and Switch exclusives. It's worth noting that there are a few games in this feature that are also on PC. Given Microsoft's Play Anywhere program and the company's hand in both console and PC gaming, these games have been included. Which Xbox One games are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below.
Full Metal Furies
This action adventure places an emphasis on teamwork. You and three friends each take control of one of four different heroes and adventure into a world filled with deadly enemies, vicious traps, and mind-boggling puzzles. You might want to grab a fifth person to keep track of all the clues and puzzles with pen and paper. For Full Metal Furies, you'll need it. Trust us. Developer: Cellar Door Games | Release Date: January 17
Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic is a first-person cooperative sci-fi shooter where up to four players explore procedurally generated, destructible environments to complete in a variety of missions. As a team of Dwarven space miners, you work together to blow up cave walls and mow down enemies. Watch the trailer. Developer: Ghost Ship Games | Release Date: February 28 (Early Access)
Pit People
Pit People is an action-RPG developed by indie game developer The Behemoth. It released in Early Access last year, and officially launched this past March. The game continues the wacky humor of The Behemoth's previous titles and unites Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers, and BattleBlock Theater into one shared universe. We gave the game a 7/10. Read our Pit People review. Developer: The Behemoth | Release Date: March 2
Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is the first original, non-Kinect game by iconic developer Rare in years. It's a first-person multiplayer action-adventure game that allows you to live out the life of a pirate with your friends. You work together to navigate the sea by ship while hunting down treasure and fending off competing players. We gave the game a 6/10. Check out our Sea of Thieves review. Developer: Rare | Release Date: March 20
State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 is a multiplayer zombie survival game featuring an open-world environment and co-op gameplay with up to three other players. Unlike the original, the game allows you to control anyone in your crew of survivors, who each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. We gave the game a 5/10. Check out our State of Decay 2 review. Developer: Undead Labs | Release Date: May 22
Forza Horizon 4
Forza's popular spin-off returns for another installment in Forza Horizon 4. The open world racing game is doubling down on the weather effects this time around and implementing drastic changes to each track depending on whether the race occurs in the spring, summer, fall, or winter. The game will feature 450 licensed cars. Watch the trailer. Developer: Playground Games | Release Date: September 28 (Ultimate Edition), October 2 (Deluxe and Standard Editions)
Black Desert Online
The incredibly popular PC MMORPG Black Desert Online is making its way onto Xbox One this year as a timed-exclusive. Thanks to the power of the Xbox One X, the upcoming console port can be played in 4K. We gave the original PC version of the game a 7/10. Reach our Black Desert Online review. Developer: Pearl Abyss | Release Date: TBA 2018
Ashen
Ashen is an action-RPG where you play a wanderer in search of a place to settle. However, the game's hostile world is filled with malicious scavengers and deadly creatures who ensure you won't stay in one place for long. Ashen challenges you to explore, create settlements, and seek out other adventurers to improve your chances of survival. Watch the trailer. Developer: Aurora44 | Release Date: TBA 2018
Darwin Project
Darwin Project is a free-to-play third-person competitive battle royale with an emphasis on survival. In order to win, you must endure extreme weather conditions, while tracking opponents and setting up traps. Developer: Scavenger Studio | Release Date: TBA 2018
The Last Night
The Last Night is a 2.5D cinematic platformer where you play as Charlie, a lower-class citizen in a society where computers and machinery have taken over menial work. You explore the city, talk with its various inhabitants, and discover its secrets. Watch the trailer. Developer: Odd Tales | Release Date: TBA 2018
By Mat Elfring on Jun 30, 2018 04:21 am
Start up the grills, open a refreshing can of your favorite beverage, and watch a bunch of explosions happen in the sky. That's right, the United States holiday the Fourth of July is right around the corner, and you know what that means? It's time to stay inside, beat the heat, and watch a bunch of movies! But what kind of movies should you watch in order to properly celebrate the U.S.'s independence from Great Britain? Obviously, you should watch some super-rad patriotic movies that'll make you chant "USA!" over and over again. There are plenty of movies out there that celebrate the American experience in fantastic ways, but we can't include them all, so we picked 15 of the most fun, awe-inspiring, and awesome movies about being an American to get you ready for your grillin' and chillin'. If you're interested in more hot takes on movies, check out all of Pixar's shorts ranked, horror movies based on true stories, and horror films that are way too sick and twisted. Additionally, Top Gun--which is on this list--is being remade and Val Kilmer is joining the cast reprising his role of Tom "Iceman" Kazansky.
Top Gun (1986)
The classic Tom Cruise movie Top Gun follows students at an elite US Navy school, where the classmates are fighting to become the best. This was a fun movie for its time featuring memorable moments like Val Kilmer's "Iceman" clenching his teeth and everyone having a shirtless volleyball match. Overall, the movie embodies the spirit of competition, which will be a repeating trend on this list.
Forrest Gump (1994)
The United States' greatest export isn't a physical thing. It's the country's culture. From our movies to television shows to music, the pop culture of the U.S. has had a tremendous amount of influence on the world. Tom Hanks' starred in Forrest Gump as the titular character, which is two and a half hours of pop culture references as the backdrop of the story of the Gump living his life and finding himself involved in landmark moments in American history. He does all of this while retelling his tale to random strangers on a bus stop bench.
National Treasure (2004)
What do you get when you cross Indiana Jones with American history? Well, you get Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates in National Treasure. Gates is a mildly crazed treasure hunter in search of a war chest which he believes the founding fathers hid centuries prior. Of course, his adventures allow him to get into situations like stealing the Declaration of Independence and wearing magic glasses Ben Franklin made.
Stripes (1981)
In this classic Bill Murray movie, which has an insane plot, two friends find themselves in a rut. Life isn't going their way, and they're bored, so they join the Army. What follows are hijinks and tomfoolery, which Murray does best. Eventually, the characters have to become leaders in order to help out their friends. While silly, it's a movie that celebrates the American spirit and rising to the occasion.
Jaws (1975)
While Steven Spielberg's classic horror film might not scream "America" to most people, the film does take place over the Fourth of July weekend. If you're unfamiliar with the film, Jaws is about a great white shark that is terrorizing vacationers on Amity Island. A sea captain, marine biologist, and sheriff team up to take down this fish, so the vacationers can enjoy their holiday.
Rocky IV (1985)
There's only one movie on this list that delivers the cinematic beauty of a robot presenting a birthday cake and a live James Brown performance, and that's Rocky IV. In this movie, Rocky Balboa's friend, Apollo Creed, dies in the ring while fighting Soviet boxer Ivan Drago. The Italian Stallion heads to the USSR and has an epic battle with Drago. Keep in mind, this released during the tail end of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, so this was more than just a boxing movie for us in the U.S. It was the morale boost America needed. Also, it had a robot in it.
Miracle (2004)
Miracle recounts the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, as they took on what was thought to be the unstoppable team from the USSR. With the help of player-turned-coach Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell, the team overcomes the odds as viewers around the world find a reason to believe in miracles. This against-the-odds tale is full of hope and based on an unbelievably true story.
Red Dawn (1984)
Since we've already been talking about the Cold War, why not mention the 1984 classic Red Dawn? In this tale, Soviet, Cuban, and Nicaraguan troops invade a small town in Colorado after parachuting in. A group of high school students band together to fight off the invaders for the good of the country. The movie stars Patrick Swayze, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen, and Jennifer Grey, and it still holds up.
Independence Day (1996)
The world comes together to fight a bunch of aliens during an American holiday. ID4, as some refer to it, is a movie about invading alien forces coming to Earth and blowing up all of our favorite landmarks. Military forces around the world have to come together to find a way to defeat them. They find a way to destroy the invaders, on Independence Day, as Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith's characters use an old Mac to hack the alien mothership.
Team America: World Police (2004)
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the guys behind South Park, presented this ridiculous Thunderbirds-esque story about a Broadway actor who becomes part of a counter-terrorism organization. Most importantly, it stars puppets. That's right, the whole movie is about super-patriotic puppets trying to kill Kim Jong Il.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America's origin story is truly the adventure of the American spirit, standing up for what's right, and taking down fascism and crazy, red-faced dudes with super-powerful weapons. Chris Evans plays a scrawny, puny man who does whatever he can to fight for justice in World War II. However, the only way he can get in is through a secret super-soldier experiment, thus becoming Captain America.
The Sandlot (1993)
While The Sandlot isn't about American troops fighting a great war or historical figures embarking on landmark moments in history, it does capture the American spirit and culture exceptionally well. The movie is set in 1962 and follows Scotty Smalls, a new kid in town who makes friends with other kids who love baseball. He doesn't know much about the sport but learns a lot after misplacing his stepfather's signed Babe Ruth baseball.
A League of Their Own (1992)
During World War II, millions of American men were drafted to fight the good fight. Back on American soil, women across the nation rose to the occasion to work in the factories across the country to keep America running. Additionally, this change in the cultural landscape applied to sports and entertainment. A League of Their Own follows the first all-women's baseball team and the rivalry between two sisters who were incredible stars of the sport. It also features Tom Hanks in one excruciatingly long urination scene.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Undoubtedly one of the best movies about World War II--this is a quick reminder Band of Brothers was an HBO series--Saving Private Ryan follows a group of U.S. soldiers who are on a mission to take a paratrooper out of battle and return him home after his brothers are killed in battle. One of Steven Spielberg's best films, the beaches of Normandy scene is horrifying and brilliantly shot and gives the rest of us an understanding of how terrifying war can truly be.
Hidden Figures (2016)
America is a whole lot more than baseball, war, and punching Russians for killing your best friend. Hidden Figures takes place during the great space race when both Russian and the United States were trying their best to be the first to put a man into space. NASA enlists the help of a group of African-American women mathematicians who were pivotal in the mission to get astronaut John Glenn into orbit. It is truly an inspiring story that highlights the unsung heroes of the American space program.
By Michael Higham on Jun 30, 2018 04:05 am
The Best Xbox One Backwards Compatible Games
One of Microsoft's strengths when it comes to the Xbox One is its commitment to backwards compatibility, which continues to expand time after time. Not only are there 400+ Xbox 360 games capable of running on Xbox One, original Xbox titles are also being added to the roster with 30+ games already working. The libraries of both past Microsoft consoles are littered with classics ranging from expansive RPGs and thrilling adventures to XBLA gems and classics refined for the big screen. This includes all-time greats like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the Mass Effect Trilogy, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion to name a few. But if you want a challenge that's faster to jump into, the likes of Ikaruga or Super Meat Boy will do the trick. Here at GameSpot, we compiled a list of our personal favorites to highlight which backwards compatible games are worth your time, if you haven't sunk hours into them already. If you want to pick something out yourself, you can peruse the entire list of Xbox One backwards compatible games. The most recent additions to the ever-growing list includes two Xbox 360 titles and an Amiga/MS-DOS classic. Those who own the powerful Xbox One X will get much sharper visuals on these old games as well, and some may even have specific enhancements on top of a resolution increase. Which Xbox One backwards compatible games do you love the most? Are there any games would you like to be added in the future? Let us know in the comments below.
Alan Wake
Unfortunately, Alan Wake has been removed from all digital platforms, which includes the Xbox Store. However, if you can snag yourself a physical copy of it (or already own it digitally), then Alan Wake will take you on an adventure that you won't soon forget. Set in the Pacific Northwest town of Bright Falls (and taking significant inspiration from the television series Twin Peaks), Alan Wake features the titular character taking a vacation with his wife, who hopes the break will help her husband with his writing block. Things quickly take a turn for the worse, as Alan's wife disappears, and he's forced to confront the darkness that shrouds Bright Falls and ultimately question his own sanity. It's a compelling narrative that'll have you aching for a proper sequel. Thankfully, the two DLC story expansions are now free, so you'll at least have something to tide you over. | Mat Paget
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Desmond Miles' trip through time ended with Assassin's Creed III, and Ubisoft's follow-up title put players into the role of a nameless Abstergo employee. It was a clean slate for the franchise, offering a great point for new players to jump in without having to start from Altair's story. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag steps back from the grand ideologies of the Assassins and Templars, as well as the convoluted Those Who Came Before storyline, to deliver a relatable tale of one man's quest for redemption. Edward Kenway isn't all that different from a young Ezio; he has a good heart but he's brash and selfish. Over the course of Black Flag, Edward grows from a greedy pirate into a humbled hero. The inclusion of both traditional assassination missions and new naval combat along with the lush islands and open seas of the Caribbean made for one of the best games in the franchise. | Jordan Ramee
Bully: Scholarship Edition
Rockstar constantly refines its open-world action games, which we've seen through the Grand Theft Auto series and Red Dead Redemption. But the one that always stands out to me is Bully, because it traded gratuitous violence and adult stories for the rough-and-tumble fisticuffs and hijinx of a rambunctious high school. I vividly remember the theme song that plays while walking Bullworth Academy, rushing to make it to class on time, and scrapping with the bullies in missions to become the most respected student on campus. Bully expands beyond that with loads of fun mini-games, silly characters based on high school stereotypes, and an expansive open world. While it may be a bit wonky in terms of controls and technical performance compared to modern games, everything it does right comes together for a game worth playing today. | Michael Higham
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Countless so-called Metroidvania games have drawn inspiration from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, but more than two decades later, few can approach its greatness. It evolved the well-established Castlevania series in numerous ways, offering a non-linear castle to explore and RPG-style progression while maintaining the satisfying side-scrolling action of earlier titles. I came to it years after its original release and still thoroughly enjoyed it, and it's something that I still routinely find myself booting up. Exploring Castle Dracula is one of the great pleasures in gaming, and it's a testament to its design that fans of the game still have its layout memorized so many years later. I'll spare you a reference to the twist in case you've managed to avoid it all these years, but whether you're a fan of more recent Metroidvania-style games who missed out on this progenitor of the genre or someone who's never dabbled in these types of games, you owe it to yourself to see why Symphony of the Night is regarded as an all-time classic. | Chris Pereira
Crackdown
Despite initially being written off by many as "that game with the Halo 3 beta," I was immediately taken with the concept of Crackdown--an open-world game where you play as a superhero special agent who can pick up and throw cars or leap over buildings. A decade later, the fairly basic set of goals you're given leave something to be desired, but the core gameplay remains extremely fun. Hunting down agility orbs and dealing with villainous gangs is still tremendously satisfying, particularly with a friend online. Its cel-shaded art style still looks good, and with backwards compatibility introducing some impressive Xbox One X enhancements to the visuals, Crackdown is a game that's well worth picking up. | Chris Pereira
Dead Space
Let's face facts: there's practically no chance that EA will bring back Dead Space, at least not as we know it. While it's sad to think that one of the most intriguing sci-fi horror series out there has been pushed to the sidelines, the fact that Dead Space is backwards compatible on Xbox One is at least worth celebrating. I know, it's also on PC, but if you're in a console-only household, Xbox One is the only current-gen console you can look to. And why should you play Dead Space? In short: it's a spooky-as-hell third-person action game with fantastic art direction, and features one of the coolest "guns" in gaming. The enemies you face are drastically distorted humans with malformed and elongated limbs that make great targets for your Plasma Cutter--a maintenance tool that fires energy beams, making it an equally effective sidearm. Dead Space manages to juggle cool tech and a scary setting unlike any other game out there, and if you haven't tried it in the past, you really should if you have an Xbox One at home. | Peter Brown
Fallout 3
Fallout 3 kicked off the series' modern era and helped cement Bethesda Game Studios' reputation as a leader in the field of open-world RPGs. The open-ended structure allows you to freely roam a post-apocalyptic wasteland (so long as you can survive) and seek out stories in the most unlikely and dangerous places. The dialogue choices are numerous, allowing you to shape the story and your character with a great amount of freedom, staying true to the series' RPG roots. Likewise, despite the shift to a first-person perspective, Bethesda implemented the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, better known as VATS, to allow for strategic menu-based combat. It was an unusual mechanic but one that quickly gained favor for how it effectively bridged the gap between Fallout old and new. Fallout 3 was hugely ambitious at the time of its release, and persists as one of the all-time great open-world RPGs 10 years later. | Peter Brown
Fallout: New Vegas
Obsidian has the magic touch when it comes to RPGs, and Fallout: New Vegas is a prime example. The vast brown deserts of Nevada might not sound very appealing, but New Vegas shines through incredibly clever writing and masterful quest design. Vaguely aligned factions and active societies fill the world with distinct charisma. I'll never forget the high-class casino that acts as a front to a secret bourgeois cannibalistic society and the reveal of Mr. House's true identity while overlooking the entirety of New Vegas. Quests like these are plentiful, and they're surrounded by such intricate lead-up and dialogue sequences that plant genuine curiosity in your head to see them to the end. Fallout can easily drop in swing tunes and old-time jazz for a great soundtrack, and it's all the more fitting with the Vegas theme. But since this is a post-apocalyptic wild west, classic country-western songs diversify the tracklist and are burnt into my memories of trekking the dangerous deserts with a big iron on my hip. | Michael Higham
Far Cry: Blood Dragon
While I've personally grown tired of the franchise formula that was established with Far Cry 3, the one post-Far Cry 2 game in the series that I'm still quite taken with is Blood Dragon. The spin-off infuses Far Cry 3's gameplay with a dystopian '80s flavor. Despite being set in 2007, the game boasts a unique look, as it's essentially made to imitate the way '80s movies tended to imagine the future; there's fog everywhere, with neon colors and lasers paired with a matching synth soundtrack. You play as a stereotypical action hero named Rex "Power" Colt, who's voiced by Terminator and Aliens star Michael Biehn. It's all very over-the-top, satirical in nature, and it pairs quite nicely with Far Cry's gameplay. Blood Dragon's distinct enough to make it worth a try even if you find the Far Cry games somewhat rote. | Chris Pereira
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
If I had to pick a favorite Grand Theft Auto game in the series, I will always point to San Andreas. As a sort of ode to '90s hip-hop culture and satire of Southern California street gangs, San Andreas was an odd reflection of home. Sure, it's a GTA game, violent and absurd overall, but the way characters talked, the music that played, and just the way the city streets looked were all too familiar. In addition, Rockstar layered some light RPG elements that made the streets of Los Santos feel more lived-in. Sometimes I wouldn't even do missions, and instead hit the gym or shop for clothes. Of course, San Andreas includes an expansive open world beyond Los Santos with Las Venturas, the Vegas stand-in, and San Fierro to imitate San Francisco. Some of the mission designs are dated and the shooting mechanics aren't refined like modern entries, but San Andreas is still a ton of fun and has a unique personality that few games can match. Carl Johnson (CJ) still stands as one of the best GTA characters, ever. | Michael Higham
Halo: Reach
After Halo 3: ODST took a detour from John-117's story to focus on the mission of one squad of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, Halo: Reach took that same format of working within a squad and reapplied it to a group of Spartans. Taking place prior to the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, the story of how the planet Reach fell is a rollercoaster of empowering firefights and emotional sacrifices. It was Bungie's last Halo title before handing the reins over to 343 Industries, and it shows. Halo: Reach takes the best online multiplayer and single-player campaign elements that Bungie spent perfecting over Master Chief's original trilogy and combines it into one incredible game. I'll still boot up Halo: Reach from time to time, and the servers for SWAT are still loaded with thousands of players waiting to vote to play on Sword Base. | Jordan Ramee
Hitman: Blood Money
Before the 2016 franchise revival, Hitman: Blood Money was the peak of Agent 47 hijinx. At its core, Blood Money succeeds because of expertly designed missions; everything from creating a specific atmosphere for each level to weaving all the variables that can play out were on point. So many clever assassinations stand out to me, like loading a prop gun with real ammo that's supposed to be fired during an opera play or strangling a target with the handy fiberwire during mardi gras wearing a big yellow bird costume. This is where Hitman got its dark sense of humor, and it breathes life into an otherwise stoic assassin. Because it nails down the Hitman formula that's been refined with the recent entry, Blood Money has aged well and very much feels like a modern game. It's a little less forgiving and doesn't have the slew of interesting challenges from 2016's game, but Blood Money has some of the series' most memorable missions--and they remain just as fun today. | Michael Higham
Ikaruga
Japanese developer Treasure has another game on this list that's also a vertical-scrolling arcade shooter, but Ikaruga's reputation is unlike any of its peers'. Where so many games of this type bank on nuanced mechanics and subtle differences to standout in the eyes of enthusiasts, Ikaruga's big mechanic is so well known that it's gone on to inspire other developers who make games in entirely different genres. I'm talking about the black-and-white color switching mechanic, which both gives you the ability to absorb incoming enemy shots of the same color and alter your affinity to impart greater damage to enemies of the opposite color. Getting to the end of a stage in a game with one-hit deaths is challenging enough, but if you are after the top spot on a leaderboard you also have to know how to maximize your score by chaining together attacks as the appropriate color. It's tough, but Ikaruga is also a beautiful game that showcases an amount of maturity that feels unique compared to the rest of Treasure's output. While it's not everyone's cup of tea, Ikaruga is still an easy game to appreciate. | Peter Brown
Jet Set Radio
Jet Set Radio is a series that Sega may never bring back, but at least the HD port of the original Dreamcast hit is playable on Xbox One. It combines rollerblading and graffiti in a goofy cel-shaded metropolis, and apart from its sequel (which sadly isn't backwards compatible), there's no game like it. Jet Set Radio's expressive characters are only matched by the eclectic soundtrack that ranges from hip hop to Japanese rock, and it's so beloved that the lead composer, Hideki Naganuma, is regularly berated on Twitter to bring the series back, despite simply being in charge of music. Its reputation hasn't faded in 18 years, and if you don't know why, you owe it to play it and find out for yourself. | Peter Brown
Mass Effect Trilogy
BioWare's famed trilogy is defined by choice, and you'll make hundreds across all three games. Some of these decisions will be incredibly difficult, even heart-wrenching; I've spent many an evening thinking through the possible moral ramifications of my decisions. The trilogy really begins to show your impact when choices you made in the first game snowball into increasingly dire situations across the next two entries. I've only played the original Mass Effect once, but poured close to a thousand hours into the second and several hundred in the third. Each title is a masterpiece in its own right, and the latter two are mechanically sound third-person RPG-shooter hybrids that still hold up years after release. Mass Effect 2 is my favorite video game of all time, mostly because it's the best interstellar dating sim on the market. Over the course of three games, you'll fall in love with these characters and the rich sci-fi universe of Mass Effect. | Jordan Ramee
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Most people love Metal Gear for the series' stealth-centric games, but that doesn't mean the action-packed Rising should be ignored; far from it! Not only does it manage to fit right into the timeline and (in a roundabout way) the series' overall attitude, it is an excellent action game that, like Bayonetta and Vanquish, perfectly showcases why Platinum Games is so beloved. The standout feature of the blade-based combat system is Raiden's ability to literally slice through enemies--a process you can control, lopping off limbs or bisecting torsos with laser accuracy. It's an impressive feat of programming, and a unique mechanic that (as far as I know) has never been truly replicated. Worry not if you've always been turned off by Metal Gear's confusing storyline. Rising is all about over-the-top katana mayhem, and when it does make an effort to tell a story, it delivers goofy melodrama that anyone can appreciate. | Peter Brown
Mirror's Edge
When Mirror's Edge released, the gaming world had never seen anything like it. First-person platforming was practically a no-no, but EA DICE proved it's possible under the right set of circumstances. The trick, at least the one that made Mirror's Edge such a revelation, was to simplify pathfinding by using clever visual cues and implement contextual animations to create a sense of flow. In one stage you will leap across rooftops, wall run, smash through windows, and slide under enemy fire before taking the aggressor out. It's basically Parkour: The Game. While its sequel, Mirror's Edge Catalyst, tried to go for a more open-world design, the original game is focused enough to be tackled in small sessions, which also encourages you to attempt run after run through a single level, chasing your best times and most stylish performances. It's an endlessly cool game that may never get old. | Peter Brown
Ninja Gaiden Black
The original Ninja Gaiden reboot was something to behold back in 2004. As one of the fastest and most challenging action games of its era, Ryu Hayabusa's revenge mission where he fights ninjas, demons--and pretty much everything in between--was a knockout when it came to delivering thrills and moments of white-knuckle challenge. I'll even admit that I earned the lowly title of Ninja Dog on occasions, which was Ninja Gaiden's not-so-subtle way of saying 'git gud' back in the day. The game consistently delivered fast-paced action, and in the months after its release, it managed to get even better. As one of the early games on the original Xbox to use downloadable content, new weapons, monsters, and challenges were eventually added in, making the game even more of a stellar title. This culminated in the release of Ninja Gaiden Black, essentially the definitive edition of the core game. While Ninja Gaiden (2004) was remade again in the form of Sigma on PS3, I still think of Black as the best way to play Ryu Hayabusa's gory and over-the-top descent through the demonic underworld. Even after the releases of Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising, and several installments Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden Black hasn't lost its touch, and it still stands still one of the greatest action games ever made. | Alessandro Fillari
Panzer Dragoon Orta
I've always had a deep respect for Sega's strange shooter series Panzer Dragoon, and the last entry, Panzer Dragoon Orta, remains a stellar tribute to its bizarre world. The series' otherworldly presentation--along with its own fictional language--gave it a sense of depth and wonder that felt all its own. While much of the series had its home on the short-lived Sega Saturn, 2003's Panzer Dragoon Orta was released on the original Xbox, showing a noticeable visual and technical upgrade over its predecessors. Diving back into the game after all these years made me appreciate how much thought and craft went into the game, which has held up spectacularly. Along with a wealth of hidden lore and concept art to find, it also comes with an unlockable version of the original game--which stands as one of the greatest game rewards of all time. If you're at all curious about the Panzer Dragoon series, Orta is the most accessible point of entry, and it still brims with that sense of otherworldly wonder that the series is all about. | Alessandro Fillari
Peggle
Peggle has received a sequel you can and should play on Xbox One, but more Peggle action is still a good thing. Fortunately, the original game is playable through backwards compatibility, and it holds up nicely. The basic Peggle formula--a sort of take on pachinko and pinball, but with tremendous sound design--is still as delightful as ever. You launch balls into a board filled with pegs and various obstacles in the hopes of hitting them and removing them from play. Finishing a round hilariously causes "Ode to Joy" to play as your ball sails across the screen one last time in slow motion, but the euphoric build-up of sound effects when you pull off an exceptional shot is one of the most satisfying experiences I've ever had in a game. | Chris Pereira
Radiant Silvergun
Remember Sega Saturn? While not a powerhouse in the US or Europe, it found great success in Japan where arcade ports were plentiful. One of the most well-known Japanese-exclusive Saturn games is Radiant Silvergun, and thanks to Microsoft's effort years ago to pump up the Xbox Marketplace with Japanese games, westerners finally got an official release on Xbox 360 and can still enjoy the game on Xbox One today. The most notable feature of this vertical-scrolling shooter is the large number of weapons you can pick from, which differ more in behavior than you might expect. Like many games by developer Treasure, Radiant Silvergun is a technical showcase (for its time) that also manages to be a great game with timeless appeal. | Peter Brown
Rainbow Six Vegas 1 and 2
In between its old-school tactical shooter phase and the current competitive multiplayer focus, Rainbow Six took a trip to Vegas and balanced its military sim roots with some more approachable shooter gameplay. Both Rainbow Six Vegas 1 and 2 captured the gaudy spectacle of the city's nightlife with bright lights and rows of slot machines, which often served as cover from enemy fire. I've had so many memorable multiplayer matches; taking cover and having the camera switch to third-person, rappelling down skyscrapers to crash through windows, or turning upside down on a rappel line to pop shots are a few of the amazing moments in competition. Servers are still online, so if you can get a group of dedicated players to play a few matches or terrorist hunt missions, you're guaranteed a great time. | Michael Higham
Red Dead Redemption
Of all the games that are backwards compatible on Xbox One, Red Dead Redemption tops the list as the most exciting. When it was added to the program earlier this year, not only did people finally have a way to replay one of the best games of the last generation on a current-gen console, they also got the option to play it in 4K on Xbox One X. This open-world western proved that Rockstar Games is capable of more than just Grand Theft Auto, and with the sequel on the way, now is the perfect time to see why Red Dead Redemption is such a big deal. | Peter Brown
Saint's Row: The Third
Saints Row was always a little silly, but The Third is clearly the point where Volition realized the franchise could no longer compete with Grand Theft Auto and chose instead to double down on the ridiculous. Saints Row: The Third is non-stop parody of open-world action games and pop culture references, and I love every second of it. There's something positively magical about playing as a loud-mouthed crime boss who's weaving between traffic on her motorcycle to save her friends from a ticking time bomb as government soldiers try to stop her while Bonnie Tyler's "I Need a Hero" plays over the radio. All of which occurs in what might be the most normal level in the game. Saints Row: The Third also does a good job recapping the events of the previous two games and introduces franchise favorite Kinzie Kensington, so it's a nice jumping on point if you're looking to play Saints Row IV or Agents of Mayhem. | Jordan Ramee
Shadows of the Damned
Shadows of the Damned was a match made in heaven for me. The quirky Suda 51 brought his comedic writing chops and teamed up with Resident Evil 4 director Shinji Mikami and Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka to make a shooter that, at the time, felt more like a Resident Evil 4 sequel than any game before it, including Resident Evil 5. The buddy-demon hunter adventure saw Garcia Hotspur and Johnson, the trusty skull sidekick that also turns into a number of different guns, venture into Hell to rescue Hotspur's love. There is quite the variety of enemies, levels, and crude jokes. While a sequel is what I truly want, I'll gladly play through it again for the umpteenth time to revisit it all. | Mat Paget
Skate 3
The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series may go down as having the "best" skateboarding games of all time, but none of them capture the sport quite like the Skate series does. And while the first two Skate games had a more structured campaign the open-world skateboarding sandbox of Skate 3 is still as fun to flip, grind, and bail in as it was the day it came out. Tackling a specific spot over and over again in Skate 3 mirrors what real-life skateboarding is like, though I can actually pull off a darkslide or a benihana in Skate 3. And with its surprisingly breathtaking 4K enhancements on the Xbox One X, I can't recommend it enough. | Mat Paget
Spec Ops: The Line
Six years after release, I'm still reeling from the emotional fallout of Spec Ops: The Line. This unsettling game tackles the mental and emotional cost of war, and its moral quandaries stick with you long after you've put the game down and had a good cry. Despite having third-person shooter mechanics that are okay at best, Spec Ops: The Line kept me playing. Long after it forced me to kill innocent civilians, I was frantically shooting enemy combatants in a desperate attempt to justify my own in-game atrocities. But war doesn't work that way. I don't think I'll ever forget what white phosphorus does to a person, and if you play this game, you won't either. | Jordan Ramee
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a gaming classic, and it was one of the best-written stories in the Star Wars canon prior to Disney neutering its relevance. The game utilizes similar combat, squadmate recruitment, and morality mechanics that BioWare would eventually use for both Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Origins. The game lets you fulfill your fantasy of living as a Jedi or a Sith, as you explore a galaxy far, far away, four millennia before the events of A Phantom Menace. I loved exploring ancient Tatooine and Kashyyyk on the Jedi path, but not nearly as much as seeing brand-new planets, like the ancient Sith homeworld Korriban, or flirting with Bastila. | Jordan Ramee
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords is one of the best Star Wars video games of all time. Although its gameplay is largely untouched from its predecessor, KOTOR II implements elements of grey to the previously black or white morality system. New lightsaber styles also add a level of strategy, and there's twice as many people you can try to smooch. My favorite Star Wars droid, HK-47, also returns from the original KOTOR, and he continues to deliver unparalleled levels of sarcastic murder puns and sass. Despite its removal from the Star Wars canon, if you love Bioware's RPGs and the adventures of a galaxy far, far away, you need to play this game. Its incredible narrative will hook you in 15 minutes. | Jordan Ramee
Star Wars: Republic Commando
Prior to The Clone Wars animated series, the only hint that the clone army was more than a faceless batch of characters was Star Wars: Republic Commando. This video game moved past the uniform helmets to reveal each clone had their own personality, likes and dislikes, and skill set. I fell in love with the troopers through Republic Commando, and the clones have remained my favorite Star Wars characters ever since. Taking the lead of Delta Squad as the dependable Boss and directing the demolitions expert Scorch, computer-savvy Fixer, and weapons specialist Sev offered a more tactical experience than 2004's Star Wars: Battlefront. New enemy types and weapons keep the game fresh across its three different locations, and the story is one of the best in the Star Wars Legends universe. | Jordan Ramee
Super Meat Boy
Super Meat Boy has become something of a reference point for games that have come after it--and with good reason, as it's an exceptionally well designed game. It's a tough platformer where death can come at any instant--and you will die many, many times. And as heartbreaking as those deaths can sometimes be, it's invariably your own fault; SMB offers extremely tight controls and a deeply satisfying wall-jumping mechanic (made all the better by the way Meat Boy leaves behind a trail of meat wherever he moves). With hundreds of levels and numerous secrets to uncover, there's a lot to enjoy here. But most importantly, playing this original Xbox 360 version means you get to enjoy the brilliant original soundtrack by Danny Baranowsky that's missing from SMB's most recent re-releases. | Chris Pereira
Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition
Capcom managed to do a lot of awesome things for Street Fighter V, but Street Fighter IV is still relevant for a lot of fighting game fans due to its massive roster and years' worth of competitive refinement. Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition marks the penultimate upgrade for the game, but you can also download the Ultra Street Fighter IV DLC to convert it into the ultimate version of the game on Xbox One. Whether you are a serious competitor or a casual fighting game fan who just likes to mash out a few combos with friends on the weekends, SFIV has loads of great characters to experiment with, and tons of personality to keep you entertained along the way. | Peter Brown
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind takes me back--to six-years-old Aiden. Even though I was far too young to be playing such an intense RPG, and 90 percent of the story went right over my head, I couldn't help but get utterly consumed in how fantastical and insurmountable Vvardenfell seemed. Maybe it was my child-like wonder, or maybe it was just Bethesda's magic. At the time, I hadn't really played anything like it, and boy were the giant mushroom houses and terrifying Cliff Racers just as cool as kicking tail during Lara's Tomb Raider adventures. Morrowind was the first RPG that really made me fall in love with the more serious and immersive side of gaming, and even though its graphics haven't aged particularly well, it still holds that obnoxiously special place in my heart that I can't let go of, a place where I forge my own story, and escape into some far-off land. And, you know, knock the daylights out of some cultists. That too. | Aiden Strawhun
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
"Stop right there, Criminal Scum! You've violated the law!" Once you get past the potato faces, Oblivion's hyper-saturated graphics really are something special. Oblivion also took a lot of the annoying mechanics in Morrowind and made them just a little bit better. Any race could wear any armor, birthsigns could be changed, vampirism was part of the main game, the list goes on. One minute you have the incredibly lush, almost ethereal expanses of Cyrodiil, the next, there's an actual demon invasion. It's a wonderful contrast that I don't think the other Elder Scrolls games quite capture, as they're dark and morose, and somewhat brooding--but Oblivion is brimming with energy and color. | Aiden Strawhun
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
The beautiful thing about The Witcher series is that if you're looking to hop into the latest entry, you don't need to play the previous titles. However, they do add a considerable amount of context to the expansive cast of characters, and particularly to every one of Geralt's relationships. The Witcher 2 is a mostly on-rails, linear RPG. That doesn't stop it from being an incredible, dramatic, and enticing adventure, however. The world is detailed and lush, as you'd expect from the series, and the choices you make throughout the story determine some pretty major outcomes. Just make sure to spend some time between story missions to smell the roses--er, the monsters, rather. | Aiden Strawhun
Viva Pinata
Rare's output under Microsoft has been uneven, but one bright spot shines above the rest. Viva Pinata is a sweet refuge from the norm--a sim that defies easy categorization. It bears a lot in common with farming sims like Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley. Instead of standard livestock, though, you're raising up beautifully designed candy-animals with punny names like "fudgehog" and "chewnicorn." The look is distinctly family-friendly, but under the surface the gameplay is surprisingly deep. I lost many nights to converting "sour" pinatas, facilitating my animals' feeding and mating habits, and even managing the food chain. (Some pinatas eat others, you see.) I'm partial to the first, but the semi-sequel Trouble in Paradise is mostly a revision for the better. Either way you can't go wrong, and they're both available on Xbox One. | Steve Watts
By Mat Elfring on Jun 30, 2018 03:43 am
Netflix's hit series GLOW has returned for a second season. The show came back to the streaming service on June 29 with 10 new episodes. GLOW follows a group of women and a horror movie director coming together to create the very first all-women's wrestling federation. Season 2 continues the story showing the wrestling promotion trying to stay afloat and on television, all while adding new concepts to each episode of its program. While the show is the fictionalized story of a very real GLOW wrestling league that existed in the '80s, it features many cameos from very real wrestlers. One of the stars of GLOW is a longtime professional wrestler who has appeared on both WWE and TNA programming. Additionally, some familiar faces pop up during both seasons that many wrestling fans will instantly recognize. Here are all the cameos from each season of GLOW. Sadly, Season 2 of the Netflix series doesn't have as many wrestler cameos as the first, there are still a few surprises throughout the 10 episodes. Click here to jump ahead to Season 2 cameos. If you want to know more about GLOW, check out our review of Season 1, and our take on Season 2, which is even better than the first.
Awesome Kong
Awesome Kong doesn't have a cameo on GLOW. She's a part of the cast. Her real name is Kia Stevens, and she plays Tamme Dawson, whose in-ring name is Welfare Queen. Stevens has been a part of TNA (as Kong) and WWE (as Kharma).
Chavo Guerrero
You won't physically see Chavo Guererro Jr. on the first season of GLOW, but he is a part of the show. He was the fight coordinator on the show and trained the cast in the art of wrestling. His name does appear on the show, as the facility where the women trained is called "Chavo's." In addition, one of the episodes was dedicated to his father, Chavo Guererro Sr., who passed away early this year.
Tyrus
There are a couple of reoccurring roles for known wrestlers on the series. The first is George Murdoch who many will know as Brodus Clay from WWE or Tyrus from TNA. He plays Mighty Tom Jackson on GLOW, the sister of Carmen Wade, also known as Machu Picchu. Murdoch appears in two episodes during the first season.
Carly Colon
Carly Colon, better known as Carlito in WWE, also appears in two episodes during the first season. He plays Machu Picchu's other brother, Big Kurt Jackson. There was a really cool moment during his second appearance when he was holding an apple, a throwback to his character in WWE.
Johnny Mundo
One of the biggest surprises came from John Hennigan's appearance on the pilot of the show as trainer Salty "The Sack" Johnson. Many people know Hennigan as Johnny Mundo on Lucha Underground. In addition, he had a great run in WWE as John Morrison.
Frankie Kazarian, Marty Elias, and Christopher Daniels
When Debbie heads to her first wrestling event, she is treated to a match featuring the Best Moonsault Ever, performed by none other than Christopher Daniels. He's in the ring with Frankie Kazarian, both having worked in TNA and Ring Of Honor together. The in-ring action also features Lucha Underground referee Marty Elias, calling the Kazarian/Daniels match.
Alex Riley
Kevin Kiley Jr. appeared as the wrestler Steel Horse during an episode of GLOW. Many will know Kiley as Alex Riley from WWE and NXT.
Joey Ryan
One of the most entertaining cameos came from Joseph Meehan as Mr. Monopoly, Steel Horse's arch-nemesis. Many know Meehan as Joey Ryan, who has appeared on WWE, TNA, Ring of Honor, and currently, Lucha Underground.
Laura James
The woman in between the Steel Horse/Mr. Monopoly rivalry is Crystal, played by Laura James. The real-life wife of Joey Ryan has appeared on Global Force Wrestling.
Brooke Hogan
Finally, Brooke Hogan plays venue booker Amber Fredrickson in one episode of GLOW. Hogan is the daughter of legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan, and she has appeared in both WWE and TNA.
Awesome Kong (Season 2)
While she appeared throughout Season 1, Kia Stevens reprises her role as Welfare Queen AKA Tammé Dawson for Season 2. Aside from wrestling in the ring, she struggles keeping her job a secret from her son who is headed to college.
Carly Colon (Season 2)
Colon, who was once known as Carlito in WWE, reprises his role of Machu Picchu's brother Big Kurt Jackson. We get to see him in the ring in Episode 10.
Chavo Guerrero (Season 2)
Chavo Guerrero Jr. may have worked behind the scenes on Season 1, but he's in the ring taking on Liberty Belle in Episode 10. He plays the character Chico Guapo.
By Kallie Plagge on Jun 30, 2018 02:53 am
Best of the Best
Xbox One launched over four years ago, which means over four years of games! As such, it can be hard to decide what to play. From exclusives to the top multi-platform games to indies, there's a lot to choose from--and even though people joke that the Xbox One has no games, that's just not true! We've picked out the best Xbox One games so far. This includes many of the games that received an 8 or higher on GameSpot, and we've prioritized games that were nominated for our Best Xbox One Game list in the years those games released. It also includes Assassin's Creed: Origins, which was one of GameSpot's top Xbox One games of 2017 due to its performance on the Xbox One X. While there are plenty of new games, we haven't included the hundreds of backwards compatible games on Xbox One, which includes many original Xbox and Xbox 360 favorites. Xbox also has a subscription service called which lets you download and play a selection of over 100 games that varies slightly from month to month. For more Xbox One games, see our roundups of the best cheap games on Xbox One, and make sure to check out our gallery of the Xbox One exclusive games confirmed for 2018 as well as the biggest Xbox One games of 2018 for everything coming to the console.
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
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, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
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
Cuphead -- 8/10
"Everything you've heard about Cuphead is true. It is a difficult side-scrolling shooter with relentless boss battles that demand rapid-fire actions and reactions. Think for too long, and you won't stand a chance against the game's toughest enemies. Battles may only last three minutes at most, but they feel far longer when you know that you can only absorb three hits before you have to start from scratch. When you are navigating your way around bullets, smaller enemies, and pitfalls, while simultaneously trying to damage your primary target, toppling Cuphead's imposing bosses is both a monumental and rewarding task." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Assassin's Creed Origins -- 7/10
"Assassin's Creed has undergone many changes in its long and storied history, and Origins feels like the first step in the start of a new journey. It has its fair share of problems, but the vision for its future is one worth pursuing." [read the full review] -- Alessandro Fillari, 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
Battlefield 1 -- 9/10
"EA DICE splendidly interprets the early 20th century as a world in technological transition while humanizing the war's participants through well crafted, albeit fictional, narrative vignettes. Combined with an enthralling multiplayer component, the overall result is the studio's best work since Battlefield: Bad Company 2." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion
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
Forza Horizon 3 -- 9/10
"With Forza Horizon 3, Turn 10 and Playground Games affirm the series' status as the driving game for everyone. The new emphasis on off-road options isn't at the expense of traditional races, thanks to the sheer volume of activities. All the while, Playground Games' calculated kitchen-sink design philosophy and rich reward system persistently tempt you to explore beyond your comfort zone, whether it's gifting your first Ariel Nomad buggy or reminding you that stunt races can impress thousands of fans. Enhancing your own brand might feel like a strange motivation to hit the road, but pulling off sick e-drifts on a mile-long series of curves makes the PR work worthwhile." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion
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
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
Halo 5: Guardians -- 8/10
"Halo 5: Guardians is fueled by new ideas and propelled by some of the boldest changes to this storied franchise yet. Some of these changes fail, but others succeed, and although Halo 5 falters at times, it whisks us through black holes and across war torn tropical islands at a rapid pace. We can only surrender to its velocity." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
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
Ori and the Blind Forest -- 9/10
"It consistently surprises you with new tricks: gravitational divergences, new ways to move through its spaces, and carefully designed levels that require you to think quickly and respond. It is not as snappy as, say, a typical Mario platformer, seeking instead a broader gameplay arc stretching across a single, interconnected world. It's a superb and thematically consistent approach that allows Ori and the Blind Forest to build joy on a bed of heartache, adding a new layer of mechanical complexity with each ray of hope." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
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
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition -- 8/10
"Lara herself is so well crafted that I grew attached to her exploits and was sad to say goodbye when the credits rolled. And the exquisite visual design is so breathtaking that I continually found myself staring at the scenery instead of pushing onward. Tomb Raider is a great reinvention of this enduring franchise that made me eager to see where Lara goes in her future." [read the full review] -- Tom McShea
Forza Motorsport 5 -- 9/10
"All of this combined makes Forza Motorsport 5 an outstanding improvement to an already excellent racing franchise. It's far more than just a great racing sim, or a gorgeous showcase for the types of feats the Xbox One hardware is capable of. This is a game built on the romantic thrill of motorsport in all its forms, and that love for its subject matter is all but impossible to resist." [read the full review] -- Shaun McInnis
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
By Kallie Plagge on Jun 30, 2018 02:52 am
Top Tier
PC gaming has been around for decades, but it only continues to improve as technology gets more advanced and as more and more great games come out. Many, many games come out on PC--especially Steam--at a pretty fast pace, so it can be hard to know what to play. To help you out, we went back a few years and rounded up the best PC-exclusive games. For this feature, we included some (but not all) of the PC games that received a score of 8 or higher on GameSpot, with priority going to games that were nominated for awards at the end of their release years. To narrow the scope further, we only picked games that released in 2013 or later--sorry, CS:GO. Many of the games that released during this period are some the best release on the platform. You can spend tons of hours in classic CRPG-style games or immerse yourself in more narrative-driven indie adventure games. Suffice to say it, there's plenty of high-quality options available to you. What PC games from 2013 onward do you love the most? Let us know in the comments below. And for more PC recommendations, be sure to check out our new show, Steam Punks, where we pick out a few hidden gems on Steam for you to try each week. You can also see our list of the biggest PC games to play in 2018 for more of what's to come.
Battletech -- 8/10
"Battletech is a game that selfishly takes its time to be meticulous in every respect, and pushing through the density and idiosyncrasies of its many, slow-moving parts can be tough. But if you have the will to decipher it, albeit, at a deliberate and punishingly plodding pace, you can find yourself completely engrossed in its kinetic clashes. Battletech's intricate components ultimately foster a fascinating wealth of nuanced systems that build a uniquely strenuous, detailed, and thoroughly rewarding tactical strategy game." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Total War: Thrones of Britannia -- 8/10
"Thrones of Britannia is an exciting experience despite the cuts to integral components of the Total War series, such as city planning hinging on military needs, specific building customization, and expanded intrigue options. But this has given Creative Assembly room to focus on enhancing parts of the strategy experience that aren't quite as impenetrable to newcomers, and to allow the series to return to some of the beloved parts of previous historical games to balance out its newer, slimmer form. While there are minor issues with AI, and pacing suffers when you've comfortably gotten the upper hand, this is still a worthy and engaging contribution to the Total War stable that has successfully taken its cues from history's winners and losers alike." [read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Far: Lone Sails -- 8/10
"Lone Sails is a transfixing, lovely experience, one that takes recurring indie game tropes and does something unique and fun with them. It's short enough that you could play through it in a single two or three-hour session, but it will likely stick with you for a long time. I can see myself going back in a few months just to revisit the ship, like checking in on an old friend." [read the full review] -- James O'Connor
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire -- 8/10
"Deadfire is dense, and it isn't a small game, easily dwarfing its predecessor in terms of scale. There's a lot to do, and it's easier than ever to get lost in the little stories you find, without following the arcs that the game has specially set out for you. Still, it's worth taking your time. The richness of Deadfire takes a while to appreciate, and like the brined sailors that call it home, you'll be left with an indelible attachment to these islands when you do finally step away." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Frostpunk -- 9/10
"Frostpunk is among the best overall takes on the survival city builder to date. Its theming and consistency create a powerful narrative through line that binds your actions around the struggle to hold onto humanity in uncertain times. Hope is a qualified good, but you may not always be strong enough (or clever enough) to shelter that flame from the cold." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Into the Breach -- 9/10
"There is so much strategic joy in seeing the potential destruction a swarm of giant monsters is about to unleash on a city, then quickly staging and executing elaborate counter maneuvers to ruin the party. Into The Breach's focus on foresight makes its turn-based encounters an action-packed, risk-free puzzle, and the remarkable diversity of playstyles afforded by unique units keeps each new run interesting. It's a pleasure to see what kind of life-threatening predicaments await for you to creatively resolve in every new turn, every new battle, and every new campaign. Into The Breach is a pristine and pragmatic tactical gem with dynamic conflicts that will inspire you to jump back in again, and again, and again." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Divinity: Original Sin II -- 10/10
"From lonely farmhouses through pitched battles with gods in far-flung dimensions, Divinity: Original Sin II is one of the most captivating role-playing games ever made. Its immaculately conceived and emotion-wrought fantasy world, topped by brilliant tactical combat, make it one of the finest games of the year thus far, and it has to be regarded as an instant classic in the pantheon of RPG greats." [read the full review] -- Brett Todd Note: Divinity: Original Sin II is coming to PS4 and Xbox One in August.
Total War: Warhammer II -- 9/10
"With Warhammer II, Total War doesn't reinvent anything so much as it iterates on the ideas that made the first so special. At its heart there's still the marriage of Total War's big-scale strategy and Warhammer's precise tactical play. But, through a thousand tiny tweaks, they've refined the experience into one of the most intriguing and exciting strategy games ever." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
The Red Strings Club -- 9/10
"From the game's opening piano chords, The Red String Club's futuristic exploration of themes regarding human emotion, strong writing, and exciting situations create an experience that is deeply gratifying. The cast of relatable, three-dimensional characters elevate the stakes of every bullet fired, secret divulged and cocktail poured. They are flawed and dangerous, but also convey admirable human characteristics that feel inspirational. The Red Strings Club is a tense adventure about a cast of characters that endanger themselves for goals that aren't necessarily guaranteed, a rewarding journey into the human soul, and a game that pushes the limits of what a point-and-click adventure can do." [read the full review] -- David Rayfield
Civilization VI -- 9/10
"Civ 6 has a few rough edges, but they're pushed far into the periphery by spectacular strategic depth and intricate interlocking nuances. Any frustrations I experienced were immediately eclipsed by my desire to continue playing. Just one more turn, every turn, forever." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth Note: Civilization VI's latest expansion, Rise and Fall, received an 8/10 on GameSpot and adds "several key features that both complement and change up the base game." You can read our full review for more.
Endless Space 2 -- 8/10
"4X space sims have long been known as the territory of the serious strategy gamer, but Amplitude has broken away from the pack here. Outstanding depth and tactical challenge have been preserved, although not at the expense of the strong storytelling needed to emphasize the sense of awe and wonder in galactic exploration that's always been a huge part of the genre's appeal. Amplitude has done a masterful job combining these two elements into a single game, where the quests and strategy and politics and economy are all tied into a whole much greater than the sum of its parts." [read the full review] -- Brett Todd
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III -- 8/10
"An odd chimera of its forebears, there's a lot in this fast-paced RTS that's a little bit off. Parts of the interface don't work sometimes, inter-match army management is half-baked, and the micromanagement needed to use the game's signature hero units effectively doesn't jibe with the extensive base-building you'll need to support them. But those problems fall away when you're in the heat of battle. Dawn of War III builds and maintains an organic tension that yields huge pay-offs, and there's nothing else quite like it." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Hacknet - Labyrinths -- 8/10
"The feeling of playing Hacknet in a dark room with headphones on and being absorbed by its engrossing puzzles and soundtrack--full of heavy beats and filthy synth sounds--feels as close as you can get to the Hollywood hacker experience. The puzzles are uniquely challenging without feeling inaccessible, and the Labyrinths expansion takes the formula further by integrating deeper investigations and adding more puzzle variety. Despite the stumbling climax and steady learning curve, Hacknet - Labyrinths is one hell of a ride that leads you down the rabbit hole and back again." [read the full review] -- James Swinbanks
Orwell -- 8/10
"Orwell is a hard experience to pull back from, even as the dirtiness of your job sinks in. It uses simple mechanics to tell a complex and engaging story, one that feels particularly relevant right now. This is a game where your choices matter and resonate, and which will leave you with plenty to think about once it's over." [read the full review] -- James O'Connor
World of Warcraft: Legion -- 9/10
"With Legion, it's hard to remember when WoW's narrative and questing were ever this strong before. Time will tell if Blizzard will serve up a healthy dose of new content to keep the expansion and game alive (a la Mists or Lich King) or if it will suffer the fate of Warlords of Draenor, but right now (about a month after the expansion's release) Blizzard has proven it can still craft an MMO experience as well as--if not better--than anyone else." [read the full review] -- Don Saas
Quadrilateral Cowboy -- 9/10
"Quadrilateral Cowboy succeeds in astonishing ways: It makes you feel like an incredibly accomplished computer hacker and agent of espionage. It creates an eccentric, thorough world that feels good to exist in and creates characters you can empathise with, despite the lack of a clear plot thread. Quadrilateral Cowboy presents you with a spectrum of moments, and each moment makes you feel great." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Total War: Warhammer -- 9/10
"When you're in the middle of a siege and you're coordinating an assault with a friend, Total War: Warhammer approaches perfection. You'll be tested on all fronts and asked to manage complex battles with broad, nuanced outcomes. Every system and piece feeds into others, and your choices make all the difference. It's a triumph of real-time strategy design, and the best the Total War series has ever been." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Offworld Trading Company -- 9/10
"It's a bit chilling to think that in Offworld you're playing out the same obsessive pursuit of capitalism that led to the fall of its finctional Earth--an event hinted at in tutorial dialogue--yet it's so recklessly entertaining and biting with its satire that I couldn't help but get lost. When combined with truly deep and intricate strategic options, Offworld is a revelation. It's almost unparalleled in the genre. Each and every game is thrilling. Every moment is a challenge. And the brutality of the free market ensures that you can never rest on your laurels, less you be quashed by the invisible hand." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Devil Daggers -- 8/10
"Most of the time, Devil Daggers finds elegance in its simplicity. By stripping the pomp of many modern shooters, it reveals the complexity beneath, molding the fundamentals into something exhilarating, something always worth one more try." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak -- 9/10
"Homeworld was always about loneliness. It was always about clarity and focus. Kharak isn't new in that regard, but it is special. It shows us that when you get things right--and excel--that formula isn't easy to exhaust. Kharak does its part to add to that, though. Its use of voice acting and efficient visuals is a brilliant addition that's far from superficial. It helps narrow the scope of what you need to manage, so that it can load you up with as much as your brain can handle. It's a fast, daunting experience that's tough to shake, making Kharak as intoxicating as Homeworld has ever been." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
That Dragon, Cancer -- 9/10
"It's virtually impossible to not bring one's own biases into That Dragon, Cancer, because death and disease are universal. Just as it's impossible to quantify whether the exploration of those two heavy topics is worth the time and considerable emotional energy, it's impossible to truly quantify the immeasurable value of being able to not just forever present the best version of a person to the world, but being able to earn his presence in every way his parents did." [read the full review] -- Justin Clark
The Beginner's Guide -- 8/10
"The Beginner's Guide is an absorbing journey into the thoughts and processes involved during the creation of a video game. It succeeds in helping you understand and sympathize with game developers as artists and people. It equips you with important tools to perceive and think about both video games and other mediums in intelligent ways. It's a game that lives up to its namesake--it's the beginner's guide to the meaning of video games." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Her Story -- 8/10
"We have an intimate level of knowledge about this woman in the wake of her own personal tragedy, and the strength of Her Story as a narrative experience is that even as the right clips put the truth in sharp relief, your ability to uncover it is both satisfying and horrifying. This feat of intelligence and insight sticks with you long after the credits roll." [read the full review] -- Justin Clark
Interloper -- 8/10
"Interloper distills the core elements of every good RTS and adds a little extra to put it over the top. No matter if you love or loathe traditional real-time strategy, the deep tactics and puzzle solving crammed into a nicely condensed package here come highly recommended." [read the full review] -- Brett Todd
The Stanley Parable -- 9/10
"The Stanley Parable is both a richly stimulating commentary on the nature of choice in games (and in other systems, too, like our workplaces and our families) and a game that offers some of the most enjoyable, surprising, and rewarding choices I've ever been confronted with in a game. Going the wrong way has never felt so right." [read the full review] -- Carolyn Petit
Arma 3 -- 8/10
"ARMA III is a game with few modern counterparts. The influence of Operation Flashpoint isn't felt in many current games, even the modern OF, leaving the ARMA series to lead a charge accompanied by Red Orchestra, Iron Front, and too few others. With that uniqueness comes a dedicated community willing to overlook the flaws because they crave a kind of tension and large-scale teamwork unavailable anywhere else. You should consider joining that crowd. ARMA III is a beast. It occasionally flails and moans, but once you learn how to balance yourself upon it, it gives you a marvelous, turbulent, and memorable ride." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Dota 2 -- 9/10
"The original Dota was an unexpectedly powerful blend of clashing genres and disparate elements that ended up taking over the world, and Valve's successor retains the original rules and characters while adding in a cheery free-to-play model and slick production values. The experience of playing Dota changes day by day--some evenings will be exhilarating, while others will kick your morale to the curb--but there are few games as worthy of your time investment as this. Those who choose to commit to Dota 2 will find many happy hours within this immaculate update." [read the full review] -- Martin Gaston
Antichamber -- 8.5/10
"There are moments in Antichamber that remain with you long after you've uncovered your last clue and solved your last puzzle. What has been created within its barren walls is supremely intelligent and wildly inventive, and Antichamber doesn't give up its ideals for the sake of accessibility. The few spells of frustration are fleeting and never compromise Antichamber's powerful achievements in design and style. 'Every journey is a series of choices,' you're told at the beginning of your adventure. You should choose to begin yours in Antichamber: it really is quite unlike anything else." [read the full review] -- Mark Walton
By Chris Pereira on Jun 30, 2018 02:51 am
There are a lot of PC games still to come before 2019. But next year is sure to bring a steady supply of games for the platform. Some of these games are sequels in some of the biggest gaming franchises, such as Rage 2 and Doom Eternal. Others are releases of games that are completely new IPs from the biggest developers, like Bioware's Anthem and From Software's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Other games still are coming in 2019 due to delays, as is the case with Crackdown 3. The open-world action game has been delayed numerous times but was expected out on both PC and Xbox One in 2018. Rest assured, these games are confirmed to launch next year. For a full breakdown of everything you can expect, check out the list below. PC Games Releasing in 2019 And BeyondThere are plenty of exciting new PC games set to release next year. Let us know in the comments below which of these games you're looking forward to most, as well as what you're still hoping is announced.
Anthem
Anthem is easily BioWare's most ambitious title. Focusing on the exploits of heavily armored freelancers on a hostile alien planet, you'll work together with other players online to take on dangerous missions while exploring the furthest reaches of the world. While this sounds a lot like Destiny, BioWare's approach to the concept of the shared-world shooter looks like an interesting change of pace from other games of the genre. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: February 22, 2019
Babylon's Fall
Babylon's Fall is the latest game by famed studio, Platinum Games. Based on the reveal trailer, the upcoming project appears to be fantasy-themed action game. You appear to play as a knight with unique magical abilities. Platforms: PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Battletoads
A brand-new Battletoads game has been announced. No gameplay was shown, but we did learn, however, that it will have three-player couch co-op and 2.5D graphics. In addition, the art in the game appeared hand-drawn--at least according to the announcement trailer. Platforms: Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA 2019
Beyond Good & Evil 2
We saw a teaser of Ubisoft's spunky new space adventure, Beyond Good & Evil 2, at E3 last year. What we know now is that it will be a prequel to the 2003 game and that players can choose a male or female character and explore different planets. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Control
Control is the latest game by Remedy Entertainment, the studio behind Alan Wake and Quantum Break. The debut trailer showcased a strangely shifting world, with a protagonist who can fly and control objects using telekinesis. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA
Crackdown 3
Crackdown 3 is one of Microsoft's biggest upcoming Xbox One exclusives. The game utilizes cloud-based server technology for its multiplayer mode, which allows for environmental destruction on a large scale. It retains the gameplay of its predecessors, featuring a number of different organizations controlling the city of New Providence that you'll need to take down by killing their kingpins, destroying their bases, and destabilizing their infrastructures. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Cyberpunk 2077
The next game from the creators of The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077, is set in a dystopian, sci-fi future world. It appeared more bright and vibrant than the initial tease a few years back. It appears to take place in a dazzling city of dreams, a metropolis of giant buildings adorned with dazzling screens, where organic skin is meshed with futuristic tech. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Dead or Alive 6
Kasumi, Hayate, Helena, and plenty of other familiar faces return to the arena in Dead or Alive 6. This fighting game will continue to utilize the franchise's staple complexity when it comes to combos and counters, while upping the realism of its visuals. Two new mechanics, Fatal Rush and Break Gauge, shake up the combat by introducing an easier way for beginners to compete. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: Early 2019
Devil May Cry 5
After years of waiting, we're finally getting a brand new Devil May Cry game. And in a rather surprising twist, it's a direct continuation to the first four Devil May Cry games. The debut trailer mainly focused on returning protagonist, Nero, who appears to be accompanied by an unnamed woman. However, the last few seconds indicated that Dante will return too. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: Spring 2019
Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal is the upcoming sequel to the critically-acclaimed Doom reboot from 2016. The game takes everything that the previous game did and pushes it forward: the Doomslayer is more powerful than before, the number of enemies have doubled, and it takes place on Earth. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Dying Light 2
In the sequel to the first-person apocalyptic survival shooter, players will have plenty more chances to practice their sweet parkour while killing zombies. However, this time around, player's choices will have real effects on the world and push the story down different paths. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA
The Elder Scrolls VI
Bethesda finally announced the next game in the Elder Scrolls series: The Elder Scrolls VI. No other details about the game were provided outside of a short teaser. It shows a mountainous region and some fog accompanied by a version of the iconic Dovahkiin music. A setting wasn't specified, although fans are sure to do some sleuthing to narrow down the list of possibilities. Hopefully, we'll get more details sooner than later. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Gears 5
Gears of War returns with its fifth entry. This time around you play as Kait, who originally appeared in Gears of War 4. This latest entry sees Kait embark on a journey to discover the truth behind the visions plaguing her mind--most likely an effect of the Locust necklace she inherited from her grandmother. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Gears Tactics
Gears Tactics is a turn-based strategy spin-off of the Gears of War franchise. The game takes place 12 years before the first Gears of War. You can customize your own squad to take on threats in what was described as a more aggressive version of the classical tactics formula. And of course, as a Gears game, it will feature larger-than-life boss battles. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus puts players back in control of Artyom. Even though Artyom will be venturing above ground this time, there will still be plenty of mutated creatures to gun down and unsettling environments to explore. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: February 22, 2019
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Xbox One console exclusive Ori and the Blind Forest was a critical hit when it launched in 2015, and now developer Moon Studios is back with a sequel. Ori and the Will of the Wisps will hopefully build on the first game's ingenious platforming and compelling story, and we can't wait to see more. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA
The Quiet Man
The Quiet Man is a brand-new game where you play as silent protagonist who appears to be deaf. The brief trailers showed him getting into a fight and quickly dispatching two hooligans in an alleyway. As the title implies, the game's mechanics will likely involve silence and sound in some manner. According to Square Enix, more information concerning The Quiet Man will be revealed in August. Platforms: PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA
Rage 2
Rage 2 is perhaps the most unlikely sequel to come out of E3 this year, but with id Software bringing Avalanche Studios along for the ride there's plenty of reason to be excited about its potential. Avalanche has years of experience crafting large and chaotic worlds in games like Mad Max and Just Cause, with vehicle combat and special effects chief among their notable talents. Id, of course, is the studio that pioneered first-person shooting and continues to deliver hard-hitting games like 2016's Doom. It could be a match made in heaven, but we won't know until it ships sometime in 2019. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Resident Evil 2 Remake
Resident Evil 2 Remake takes the 1998 survival-horror game of the same name and remakes it from the ground up. While it faithfully recreates the game's environment and story beats, it takes liberties with the appearance and gameplay of the original. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: January 29, 2019
Sea of Solitude
Sea of Solitude is an upcoming EA Originals game about a lonely girl whose emotions manage to turn her into a monster and the world into a flooded post-apocalyptic world. She must explore this world in order to find a way to turn back into a human. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the long-awaited new game from acclaimed studio, From Software. It appears to be expanding upon the classic Dark Souls formula by introducing stealth-action elements and more acrobatic maneuvers. Platforms: Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: Early 2019
Session
Session is a brand-new skateboarding simulation game, which was kickstarted early last year. Not much else was shown about the game, but it's at least great to hear that the skateboarding game genre isn't dead. Platforms: Xbox One | Release Date: Early Access TBA 2019
Skull & Bones
Ubisoft's Skull & Bones sets sail in the Indian Ocean, setting you on a quest to become a pirate of the ages. The game will feature single- and multiplayer options and is centered around naval warfare. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Starfield
For the first time in 25 years, Bethesda is creating a new IP. We don't know much about Starfield. However, based on the game's title and brief teaser trailer, it's probably safe to say that this RPG will take place in space. Platforms: The next generation of consoles, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order is the upcoming Star Wars game created by Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind the well-received Titanfall series. It takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope during the Jedi hunts. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: Holiday 2019
Tom Clancy's The Division 2
Ubisoft Massive is at work on The Division 2, a follow-up to its open-world shooter, as it looks to build upon the foundation established in the previous game. This time around it's set in Washington D.C. and deals with the exploits of the Division attempting to reclaim the capital. Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One | Release Date: March 18
Twin Mirror
Dontnod Entertainment is partnering with Bandai Namco to bring Twin Mirror, a new psychological thriller, to PC, PS4, and Xbox One in 2019. Based on the E3 2018 trailer, the story focuses on a character named Sam who wakes up one day to discover a shocking amount of blood on his clothing with no memory of the cause. As Sam attempts to piece together the events from the night before, he will explore both the real world and surreal manifestations of his own psyche. Twin Mirror looks intriguing so far, but being one big mystery, we'll have to wait until we see more of the game to get a grasp of how we ultimately fit into Sam's harrowing investigation. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Wolfenstein: Youngblood
Wolfenstein: Youngblood is set in an alternate 1980s Paris and follows the events of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. It stars series protagonist BJ Blazkowicz's twin daughters, who are working together to continue the fight against the Nazis. The game can be played solo or co-op. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch (Expected) | Release Date: TBA 2019
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