Pokemon trainers, this is your week for news. After a massive amount of Pokemon reveals in the last couple of day, this week's Nintendo Switch news is all about what's coming for the beloved franchise.
Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee was revealed this week, alongside a new Poke Ball Switch Joy-Con, to release in November. While this is not a remake, heavily inspired by Yellow, we will see another core Pokemon title on Switch in 2019. In the meantime, while you're waiting for November's release, check out the new free-to-start title Pokemon Quest in the Eshop. Outside of the horde of Pokemon headlines, Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion is more challenging than we thought, LEGO DC Super-Villains releases in October, and Team Sonic Racing is coming to Switch. For all things Switch at E3, keep on reading. For the rest of our E3 coverage, head on over to our E3 2018 hub.
This week's PlayStation news is all about the reveals. While one of them was a leak, we do know both will be seen at this year's E3 press conferences.
Bethesda revealed Fallout 76 and a leaked keychain spoiled Ubisoft's reveal of Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The Wolf Among Us Season 2 and Ubisoft's Avatar game won't be coming quite as soon as we thought. Anthem is also expected to be shown more at this year's E3 showcase. Pride Month has officially begun, and those who wish to show off their colors can do so with a free Pride theme on PS4. All of the rumors, confirmations, and our predictions of PS4 at E3 are up now, and you can see everything E3 2018 in our hub.
Xbox at E3 is coming in hot, and our predictions, the rumors, and confirmations are all up now. We saw two giant AAA reveals this week, and there are a ton of games on sale that you won't want to miss.
Bethesda released a teaser for its new title Fallout 76, and after a keychain spoiled the surprise, Ubisoft revealed Assassin's Creed Odyssey is on its way. We know Halo will see a new arcade title, but it seems Xbox One won't see that iteration of the franchise. Don't pay more than you have to for your favorite games: Best Buy, GameStop, and the Xbox Store all have awesome summer deals on games you love. For everything Xbox at E3, keep on reading, but for even more about this year's expo, head on over to our E3 2018 hub.
In many ways, the first season of Marvel's Luke Cage was about the rift between cousins Cottonmouth Stokes and Mariah Dillard. Now, in Season 2 of the Netflix series, Mariah stands in that spotlight alone and, in doing so, has become the show's most exciting character.
Played masterfully by Alfre Woodard, Mariah is walking the line between good and evil--Dillard and Stokes--throughout Season 2. In many ways, she's a hero to Harlem just like the titular Luke Cage. They both believe they are fighting to save their neighborhood. Of course, their methods are very different. While Luke is constantly trying to live within a moral code, Mariah doesn't mind playing dirty to achieve her goals. For Woodard, getting to further explore this side of Mariah is what excites her so much about Season 2.
"One of the fun things about being an actor is you get to behave in a lot of different ways," she says during a group interview. "And, especially as a woman, especially as a southern woman, from the time you're three years old, everybody says to you, 'Be nice. Be nice.' They never say that to the guys, they can be whatever they want to... I think women actors like to be, you know, not compliant. They like to do what they feel like doing. Sometimes [it's] not legal, sometimes it is. But I really liked finding a woman that answered to her conscience the way a man has always had liberty to do."
And that's certainly how she answers it. Without giving anything away, Season 2 is as violent and brutal as the first year of Luke Cage, and some of that blood falls right at the feet of Dillard.
"Alfre, in some ways, when you get deeper into the season, will prove to be the biggest bad," creator Cheo Hodari Coker explains during a group interview. "You can't really say that Bushmaster or Mariah Dillard is a bigger bad because they both do some pretty heinous things."
In Mariah's own mind, though, what she's doing doesn't make her the villain of the story. "She's a hero," Woodard says. "She doesn't have superpowers, but she has super tenacity. And she is a hero."
Adds Coker, "What I will say is that all of our villains have dimension. The one thing that [head of Marvel Television] Jeph Loeb always says is that the villain's story should be a hero's story from the villain's perspective." Together, he and Woodard have crafted that journey for Mariah in Season 2, even getting to a point where she may outshine Luke Cage himself.
"Alfre's portrayal of Mariah Dillard is as a woman that's conflicted on a moral level, but not paralyzed," Coker teases. "She evolves, she reacts to things. There are very good reasons why she feels the way that she feels."
That doesn't mean she won't pay the price for her actions, though. "When she makes a decision, when she turns a corner, that corner's turned," he explains. "She turns corners here, in the season, that are gonna be very hard for her to turn back from."
What it will all come down to is how the character sees her true identity--which is one of the core stories of Season 2. "The thing is, in terms of Mariah, is that she can be strong for Harlem, but still be at war with herself as to, is she a Dillard or is she a Stokes?" Coker says. "It's that split and her trying to figure that out that becomes the crux of the season. When she finally embraces one or the other."
While he won't reveal what side of the line she'll fall on, Coker warns, "When you see her make her decision as to whether or not she's a Stokes or a Dillard, it sticks. It's a culminating moment; honestly, one of my favorite in all 26 episodes that we've filmed thus far."
You'll be able to see for yourself exactly what Coker is talking about when Season 2 of Luke Cage premieres June 29 on Netflix.
Lara Croft returns in the upcoming Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the last entry in the Tomb Raider origin trilogy, which began with the titular series reboot in 2013. As one of Square Enix's biggest upcoming games, we're more than likely to hear about it at E3 2018. To prepare for what's ahead, let's breakdown what we already know about Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and what we're hoping to see at this year's E3.
What We Know So Far
Square Enix officially confirmed that Shadow of the Tomb Raider was in development with a trailer in March 2018, though it was technically leaked last year when an employee was spotted in a subway train working on a presentation with the game's name. The game is scheduled to release on September 14 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. While it'll be developed primarily by Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Thief), it's worth noting that original reboot developer Crystal Dynamics will provide additional development on the project.
You once again play as Lara Croft, who is on an expedition to Latin America in search of a Mayan relic. However, Trinity, a paramilitary organization that tried to hunt down Lara in the previous game, is also seeking the relic for its own gain. During this expedition, Lara accidentally sets off a Mayan apocalypse, which thrusts her on a journey to save the world. The game is being touted as the darkest adventure Lara has been on yet, with developers mentioning that there will be far more drama and internal conflict than past games.
In terms of mechanics, Shadow of the Tomb Raider sports a few key additions to the series, including revamped swimming controls for underwater exploration as well as more sophisticated stealth and AI systems.
What's Confirmed For E3?
With Shadow of the Tomb Raider's release in September, it's likely we'll see much more of the game at Square Enix's E3 2018 press conference on June 11. In a recent interview with GamesBeat, Eidos Montreal studio head David Anfossi teased that they'll be divulging more details on what differentiates Shadow of the Tomb Raider from past games. He described the future reveal as new, interesting, and very surprising for Tomb Raider fans.
What We Hope To See At E3
Aside from its initial reveal trailer and several screenshots, no actual gameplay has been shown of Shadow of the Tomb Raider. We're hoping Square Enix remedies this by offering a full demonstration at this year's press conference, showcasing the enhancements that Eidos Montreal has made to combat, stealth, and exploration. A closer look at any of the game's larger hub worlds would also be nice.
There has been discussion of Lara experiencing more internal conflict this time around. We'd love to get a better idea of what's going on with Lara, and how it has impacted her relationship to the game's supporting cast. Currently, we know that Lara's closest ally Jonah is returning, and it has been stated that he's evolved since his appearance in Rise of the Tomb Raider. An example of how his views clash with Lara's would be great to witness during gameplay. In addition, we hope to get a brief glimpse of the game's antagonist, who we know to be a part of Trinity, the villainous organization from the second game.
This might seem a bit cheesy, but if we can get a confirmation that Lara can use her signature dual-pistols, that would be amazing. Since the reboot series began in 2013, we've been slowly seeing Lara grow into the Tomb Raider we all know her to be. From sheltered archaeology graduate student to strong-willed survivalist, it's only a matter of time before she dawns the dual-pistols and performs acrobatic flips while simultaneously killing and skinning a grizzly bear. Okay, maybe that's a bit too much, but we're really hoping for another reference to Lara's classic pistols--at the very least!
Square Enix dumbfounded naysayers and hopeful fans alike when it announced Final Fantasy VII Remake at E3 2015. Given the resulting hype, you'd think that we would've seen more about the game over the past three years, but apart from a second trailer at PlayStation Experience 2015 a few months later, only rumors and scraps of info have surfaced. We've got our fingers crossed that this will be the year--that E3 2018 will be the event--when the curtain is raised and Final Fantasy VII Remake is properly unveiled. Square Enix will have a dedicated presentation at the show, and while we can reasonably expect to see Shadow Of The Tomb Raider, Kingdom Hearts 3, and a few indies from the Square Enix Collective label, the publisher would do very well to feature Final Fantasy VII as much as possible.
What We Know So Far
All things considered, the 2015 trailers gave us a generous look at what's to come, including a few tantalizing moments of combat. We got to see lead characters Cloud and Barret, some of the supporting cast, and a look at familiar locations like Midgar and the North Mako Reactor, the stage for the game's opening infiltration mission.
The combat sections of the two-minute PSX trailer stood out because they took place in real time with characters running around a 3D environment; the traditional turn-based combat from the original game has been abandoned in favor of something closer to Final Fantasy XV. Given the 20-plus-year gap between the original and the remake, it makes sense that Square Enix would change up the game in drastic ways. Only time will tell how deep the changes go.
Additional info has been scarce since 2015. A common story that keeps popping up pertains to difficulties stemming from the collaboration with developer CyberConnect2. Reports from last year suggest that Square Enix had to scrap most of what it was given after taking back control of the game. It was at least confirmed that it's now being made internally to ensure all quality and scheduling standards are met. If it's true that a bunch of CyberConnect2's content had to be remade from the bottom up, this purported restructuring could be a reason for the game's absence at E3 if it winds up missing after all.
Otherwise, longtime Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase has confirmed that Final Fantasy VII Remake will be a multi-game project due to the herculean task of rebuilding such a massive game to modern standards. Kitase also confirmed that renowned Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu will be involved with the remake, although the extent of his contributions isn't entirely clear.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Square Enix hasn't confirmed whether Final Fantasy VII Remake will appear at this year's E3 or not. If we were optimistic, we might assume the lack of confirmation either way means there's a surprise in store.
Realistically speaking, however, it wouldn't be shocking if the game didn't show up as there's been no word of a release date and no reason to expect that development has progressed far enough to be worthy of an extended showcase. (We hope we're wrong.)
What We Hope To See At E3
There are countless aspects of Final Fantasy VII that Square Enix could reveal at the show: iconic characters, specific battle mechanics (including the new Materia system), and maybe even locations from advanced chapters in the game. We'd love to see it all.
The big question at the moment is the release date. Lots of folks forsee a post-2020 launch on the horizon, but until Square Enix says anything officially it's difficult to pinpoint a window of time, especially in light of the reportedly tumultuous dev cycle.
Love it or hate it, Final Fantasy VII is an incredibly well-known game, and no matter what we see next, the new version will be rigorously examined and compared to the past. There are high expectations afloat, lots of skepticism, and no doubt tons of pressure on the game's developers to deliver something that lives up to Final Fantasy VII's notoriety. It will be amazing if they pull it off, and E3 is a great opportunity for them to turn the tide of opinion for the better. Let's hope that comes to pass.
One of Microsoft's biggest Xbox One console exclusives is Crackdown 3, a game that's been in a weird place for years now. Following repeated delays, the latest we've heard is that it's due out in 2018, which would surely mean an update at E3 2018 is about to happen. Alongside whatever surprises Microsoft may have in store for its press conference, here's what we're hoping to see from Crackdown 3 as well as what we already know about the game.
What We Know So Far
Crackdown 3 was first announced back at E3 2014, a full four years ago. Little was revealed at the time except to say it would have a co-op campaign, online multiplayer, and stylized visuals like its predecessors. The only other feature that was touted was destructible environments. Soon after, we found out that an impressive tech demo for cloud-based destruction we had seen earlier in the year was related to the project.
Microsoft claimed the new game wouldn't be called Crackdown 3, though plans have since changed on that front. In terms of co-op, it was described as a "mash-up" with single-player where friends can jump in and out of sessions. Beyond that, little was heard from the game for the next year; Microsoft said it would stay hidden until 2015, although it then missed E3 2015, too.
Later that summer, we heard the game's environments would be 100% destructible--but that destruction would be restricted to multiplayer, due to the need to connect to the internet for the cloud-based tech to work. That news coincided with some other reveals: Crackdown 3 would feature an all-new city, the ability to play as a female character, and the multiplayer component would be playable by Summer 2016.
Early 2016 brought more looks at the game's destruction, but E3 2016 didn't feature the game at all, as we learned it had been delayed until 2017. Microsoft initially claimed that's because it had enough games releasing in 2016, though we also later heard the single-player campaign needed work. It then vowed the game was due out by Holiday 2017, only for it to be delayed yet again--this time to Spring 2018--prompting Microsoft to admit it had been announced too early. Last year did bring some new looks at the game, including the character played by Terry Crews, Commander Jaxon.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Microsoft has been quite secretive about its plans for E3, so we don't know what to expect from Crackdown 3. The game is still tentatively slated for release this year, though that was called into question recently when some pre-orders began being canceled. This turned out to only be a retailer error, with Microsoft saying the development team "continues to work hard."
What We Hope To See At E3
After so many delays, just seeing Crackdown 3 in a playable state, with some reassurance about its release date, is the most important thing. Announced too early or not, it's hard to blame those who are worried about the state of the game.
Getting a look at the destruction, and seeing that it will live up the expectations built up over the past few years, would also be welcome. The same could be said for some explanation of how destruction will actually impact the game--does it play any meaningful role in gameplay, or is it just something cool that happens?
On a similar note, Microsoft needs to show how Crackdown 3 meaningfully improves upon its predecessors in other ways. Crackdown 2 did little to expand on the delightful formula established in the original game. Particularly in terms of objectives, we're hoping Crackdown 3 brings more variety to the table. Saints Row IV is one of the few games in recent years to make an attempt at offering a game like Crackdown, and while it has its faults, it did feel like a far more varied experience than the Crackdown games thanks to its story missions and variety of powers.
This is not to say the core of Crackdown should change. Taking down enemies by throwing cars at them, leaping over buildings, and hunting down orbs (the sound effect--one of gaming's best--needs to remain unchanged) is still a pleasant experience even a decade on. But having a larger, more dense world that offers more than just "go here and kill enemy or collect object" will be necessary for Crackdown 3 to be a real hit in 2018 (or whenever it ends up releasing).
E3 2018 is fast approaching and our excitement for the biggest upcoming games continues to build. The show is bound to yield plenty of announcements and surprising reveals from companies, like Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Bethesda, Square Enix, and more. To prepare you for the upcoming event, we've created multiple features on the biggest games we're likely to hear more about at E3, detailing everything we know so far about them and everything we'd love to hear. Below you can find a list of all the features we've made thus far. Be sure to check back often as we update this roundup with even more features.
There's a lot of excitement around Anthem leading into E3 2018 since it's BioWare's next big project and new IP. Expectations are high given this is a franchise debut from the same studio that brought us a slew of iconic RPGs: Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Baldur's Gate to name a few. To give you a look at what's ahead, here's what we know about Anthem, as well as what we're hoping to see from it at this year's E3. [BioWare's Anthem: What We Want At E3 2018]
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
A new Assassin's Creed game is inevitable; it's only a matter of time before it comes along. May's big Walmart Canada leak suggested an announcement could be coming soon, and it increasingly looks as if E3 might be when we get to hear about the game. A new leak has revealed a possible name--Odyssey--and setting for the next Assassin's Creed, which may be coming out by the end of March 2019. [Assassin's Creed Odyssey: What We Want At E3 2018]
Battlefield V
EA's Battlefield V is definitely a game we're excited to learn more about at E3 2018. Following the game's announcement earlier this month, EA and developer DICE plan to talk a lot more about it next month at E3. In this feature we're rounding up important details about the game including what we know about it so far, what's confirmed for E3, and what we hope to see from the game at the show. [Battlefield 5: What We Want At E3 2018]
Borderlands 3
A new Borderlands game has been expected for some time now. The series is among 2K's most successful franchises, and Borderlands 3 has been teased time and again. We know 2K has a new (but as-of-yet unannounced) game for one of its big franchises in the works, although it was recently delayed--rather than releasing by the end of March 2019, it's not due until sometime between April 2019 and March 2020. That suddenly makes it less likely that E3 2018 is where we get a look at Borderlands 3--or whatever the game ends up being called. Nevertheless, here's what we know about the potential project, as well as what we'd hope to see from an E3 reveal. [Borderlands 3: What We Want At E3 2018]
Call of Duty Black Ops 4
Treyarch is planning some interesting changes to the familiar Call of Duty formula with Black Ops 4. While every game in the long-running FPS series has had its own spin on things over the years, this year's game is looking to buck some trends that has already made the community stand up and take notice. There was a lot to take in from the May 17 reveal event, so here's a more detailed breakdown of what's coming up for Blacks Ops 4, and we want to see at E3 2018. [Call Of Duty Black Ops 4: What We Want At E3 2018]
Cyberpunk 2077
E3 promises to bring news on lots of big games, and CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 is definitely one we're excited to learn more about. While it is not confirmed to be at the event, signs are pointing to some kind of reveal in June. In this feature we're rounding up important details about the game like what we know about it so far, what's confirmed for E3, and what we hope to see from the game at the show. [Cyberpunk 2077: What We Want At E3 2018]
Days Gone
The setting is the Pacific Northwest. Freakers are on the loose. A biker gang rides on at the end of the world. This is Days Gone, the latest game from Sony's Bend Studio, the team behind the Syphon Filter series and the handheld Resistance and Uncharted games. But Days Gone is bigger than anything Bend has done before. It's an ambitious, open-world game in which you can travel vast distances while being stalked by hordes of zombie-like enemies. [Days Gone: What We Want At E3 2018]
Death Stranding
Death Stranding is one of the most exciting upcoming games appearing at E3 2018. The next project from famed developer Hideo Kojima has had us intrigued ever since its provocative E3 2016 reveal trailer. With the game confirmed as one of the four major games Sony intends to primarily focus on during its press conference, our hype and anticipation only continues to build. To prepare you for what's ahead, here's what we know about Death Stranding. [Death Stranding: What We Want At E3 2018]
The Division 2
Tom Clancy's The Division came out in 2016 and it seemed like an ideal cross between shooter and MMORPG. The game immediately set itself apart with its contemporary setting, a realistic depiction of a snow-covered New York City enveloped in a pandemic crisis. Two years later, Ubisoft has announced that a sequel is in the works and that it's set to appear at E3 2018. [The Division 2: What We Want At E3 2018]
Fallout 76
After nearly 24 hours of teasing on their official livestream, Bethesda has revealed the next installment in its post-apocalyptic series with Fallout 76. Set for release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, the next game looks to focus a lot more on life within the insular inner-worlds of Vaults, and what comes after. Though the trailer was a satisfying teaser for what's the come, there's still a lot we want to know--so here's a more detailed breakdown of what Fallout 76 is all about, and we want to see at E3 2018. [Fallout 76: What We Want At E3 2018]
Ghost of Tsushima
Revealed at Paris Games Week 2017, Ghost of Tsushima is one of Sony's newest exclusives. There's much excitement around the upcoming open-world game, as its premise as a historically authentic samurai action game is one its most unique aspects. Here's what we know about Ghost of Tsushima, as well as what we're hoping to see from it at this year's E3. [Ghost of Tsushima PS4: What We Want At E3 2018]
Kingdom Hearts 3
Kingdom Hearts III has been a long time coming. While the series has had several spin-offs and side-stories since Kingdom Hearts II released 13 years ago, this is the game fans have been waiting for. To ready you for what's ahead, here's what we know about Kingdom Hearts III today, and what we're hoping to see from it at E3 2018. [Kingdom Hearts 3: What We Want At E3 2018]
The Last Of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II is one of the most highly anticipated games appearing at E3 2018. As one of the games Sony intends to focus on during its press conference, we're expecting to gain a lot of new insights and hopefully see a bunch of fresh gameplay. To prepare for what's ahead, let's breakdown what we already know about The Last of Us Part II, and what we're hoping to see at this year's E3. [The Last Of Us 2: What We Want At E3 2018]
Metroid Prime 4
Knowing full well that it would leave fans wondering what's to come, Nintendo's E3 2017 reveal that Metroid Prime 4 is in development was short but sweet. All we got was a logo, and Bill Trinen's word that it is due to ship sometime "beyond 2017." We are well into 2018 now and there's still nary a word about what the game will look like, let alone what studio is currently piecing it together. Assuming that Nintendo makes a big show at this year's E3, here's what we hope to find out about the secretive sequel. [Metroid Prime 4: What We Want At E3 2018]
Pokemon Switch
Though not confirmed to appear during Nintendo's E3 2018 presentation, the upcoming Nintendo Switch Pokemon game is high on our wishlist this year. Here's everything we know about the game and everything we really want to see come June. [Pokemon On Nintendo Switch: What We Want At E3 2018]
Rage 2
After a retailer leak and a series of teaser images, we finally got confirmation that Rage 2 is real. Bethesda released a live-action reveal trailer that set the tone for the game and a follow-up gameplay trailer that gave us a glimpse at some in-engine action. Senior vice president of Bethesda Pete Hines has confirmed that we'll find out even more about the game at E3, so in preparation for that, here's a wrap-up of everything we know so far and what we want to see more of when June rolls around. [Rage 2: What We Want At E3 2018]
Splinter Cell
The Splinter Cell series has been dormant for quite some time now. Ubisoft has done little with its signature stealth-action game franchise for half a decade, but there have been enough shreds of potential information to think a new Splinter Cell game might finally be happening. With Metal Gear Solid in a weird place after Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami, the time is certainly right. Here's what we know about the status of Splinter Cell, as well as what we'd hope to see at E3 2018 if Ubisoft does decide to surprise us. [Splinter Cell: What We Know And Want At E3 2018]
Super Smash Bros. Switch
E3 promises to bring news on lots of big games, and Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. for Switch is unquestionably one of the show's most anticipated titles. Nintendo has already said the fighting game will be the focus of its overall showing this year, so you can expect a lot of news and reveals during the event. In this feature we're rounding up important details about the game like what we know about it so far, what's confirmed for E3, and what we hope to see from the game at the show. [Super Smash Bros. Switch: What We Want At E3 2018]
The developers at Avalanche Studios have been busy as of late. With the recent reveal of Rage 2, the opening of a new studio in Malmö, and a recent buyout from Nordisk Studios--the developers behind Mad Max and the Just Cause series--have evidently evidently been building up for more work. But with the possible leak of Just Cause 4, courtesy of Walmart's online store, we've got a few ideas for what we'd want to see from the next open-world game, and what they should show at E3 2018.
What We Know So Far
So far, all we know about Just Cause 4 is that it was mentioned in recent leak courtesy of Walmart's online store--showing placeholder spots for several unannounced games. Along with Just Cause, there was the appearance of Splinter Cell, Dragon Quest 2, the new Destiny expansion, Borderlands 3, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Lego DC Super Villains, and Rage 2. And so far, the latter three of those games have been officially announced just prior to E3.
In a theoretical Just Cause 4, it'd likely continue with the open-world acrobatic hijinks of Rico Rodriguez as he topples yet another dictatorship in exotic locales. While destabilizing said power structures, players would drive stylize sports vehicles, use explosive weapons to destroy structures, and of course, use Rico's trusty grappling hooks and backpack filled with an infinite supply of parachutes to maneuver through the space with ease. If Just Cause 4 is in fact a real thing, then it will likely continue on with the series' bread and butter, which is all out destruction and chaos in the open world.
What's Confirmed For E3
As of now, nothing has been confirmed regarding Just Cause 4. While Avalanche Studios will have a presence at E3 2018 for Rage 2, they've been quiet about everything related to the Just Cause series. With that said, there are still plenty of opportunities for Avalanche to reveal another game. While the Microsoft and Sony press conferences have shown the studios' games in the past, the one press conference to watch out for is for Square-Enix, which is the current publisher of the Just Cause series. If the next game will be revealed at E3, then it will be done so during Square-Enix's event.
What We Hope To See At E3
The Just Cause series has seen a lot of growth during its years, and if Just Cause 4 turns out to be real, then we'd want to see the developers take what they've learned in that time and expand things even further. While Just Cause 3 had a number of cool ideas and innovations, such as the grappling tether and wingsuit, it often struggled to make it all coalesce in a consistent way--which were often made worse by the game's technical hiccups. Still, the third game offered a great template for the next game to build off of, and the series can only go up from here.
Ever since Just Cause 2, fans online have introduced player mods into the game that offers some interesting gameplay tweaks--such as a grappling hook with infinite range and a flight mod. These mods ended up catching the developers' attention, which they later introduced into Just Cause 3, particularly the wingsuit and other features that improved the black market experience. However, the one mod that players have been dying to see make it into the game is for online multiplayer. Starting with Just Cause 2, the multiplayer mod essentially allowed a server of players to explore the same space and take part in open world destruction together. While this feature never made it to Just Cause 3, now seems like the perfect time as any for the series to get an official online multiplayer mode for the next game.
Of course, this game--along with the others on that Walmart leak list--may be the exception, and there's a solid chance they won't appear at E3 at all. Still, a potential Just Cause 4 does sound exciting, and we're totally down for another wild adventure with Rico Rodriguez and his arsenal of weird spy gadgets.
A new Assassin's Creed game was inevitable; it was only a matter of time before it came along. May's big Walmart Canada leak suggested an announcement could be coming soon, and following another, more specific leak, Ubisoft has confirmed the game and said it will show up at E3. Here's what little we (possibly) know about the game--titled Assassin's Creed Odyssey--and what we want to see at E3 2018.
What We Know So Far
Ubisoft has done little more than confirm the new Assassin's Creed, so little is certain. The publisher did recently say it has an unannounced triple-A game launching during the current fiscal year, which runs through March 2019. It's unclear whether this game is a new IP or part of an existing one, but the fact that it didn't tout it as a new one suggests it's a sequel--meaning Assassin's Creed fit the bill perfectly. (Of course, it could have also been a new Splinter Cell.)
The aforementioned Walmart Canada leak has already been proven correct about a pair of games, Rage 2 and Lego DC Super-Villains. That doesn't mean the other games that were listed are real, but it did make the one for something simply called "Assassin's Creed" a bit more believable.
Further bolstering the case for a new game is a report by JeuxVideo, which obtained an image of a collectible keychain. The packaging features what could be the name of the game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The keychain itself is what looks like an Ancient Greek helmet; combined with the name, Ancient Greece could very well be the game's setting. The teaser video above also features a rather 300-ish clip of someone being kicked off a cliff, further reinforcing this assumption.
What's Confirmed For E3?
The new game is officially called Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The Walmart Canada leak and possible release timing would make E3 the perfect time for an announcement, but we've gotten that a bit early, presumably thanks to the leaks. Ubisoft had previously teased it would have something to reveal during its press conference.
It might feel a little soon for a new game, as Assassin's Creed Origins only released this past fall. But with the exception of the gap that preceded it, AC has traditionally seen annual installments. Odyssey could be a return to that release schedule.
What We Hope To See At E3
One welcome change we'd love to see is more variety in mission design. Origins frequently boiled down to clearing an enemy camp or rescuing a prisoner from one. Those are fine, but having more things to do--and more options in how to tackle a given situation--would help to keep things fresh, particularly during side quests.
Assassin's Creed Origins
Origins also improved upon the series' combat, but it remained relatively loose and unrefined. With Ancient Greece having such a rich history when it comes to fighting and warfare, we'd love to see this area of the game further overhauled.
Likewise, we want to see the world itself bolstered. Origins' cities were fascinating to explore, but outside of them, there were huge swaths of empty land that did little but pad out the world's size. One way of doing this could be to provide meaningful reasons to go places and collect things, rather than the numerous "go here and collect an object that serves no purpose" objectives in Origins. Our fingers are crossed that Discovery Tour also makes a return.
After so many rapid-fire sequels, Origins was lauded for introducing a number of new mechanics and RPG elements, even if it wasn't a complete reimagining for the series. The number of changes can perhaps be attributed in part to the additional development time that was spent on the game. If Ubisoft does plan to bring out a new entry this year, what we'd love more than anything is for it to demonstrate that this is another meaningful step forward for the franchise.
E3 2018 promises to bring news on lots of big games, and EA's Battlefield V is definitely one we're excited to learn more about. Following the game's announcement earlier this month, EA and developer DICE plan to talk a lot more about it next month at E3. In this feature we're rounding up important details about the game including what we know about it so far, what's confirmed for E3, and what we hope to see from the game at the show. Here we go!
What We Know So Far
After weeks of rumors, EA officially announced Battlefield V during a livestream event in May. As suspected, the game is set during World War II, and it sounds like it builds on what made Battlefield 1 so great with its own set of exciting new features. Starting with what's on everyone's mind--the game has no loot boxes and all the maps will be free. EA is ditching the Premium Pass model of past games in favour of giving players access to maps and modes for free as part of an ongoing service model called Turning Tides. This is great news because it means no longer will players get separated based on DLC ownership. It's a smart move on EA's part because it will theoretically keep people in the game more--and spending more. EA is no charity, and you can still spend real money on cosmetics to create a unique-looking character. There are loads of new features in Battlefield V, including the ability to shoot grenades out of mid-air or drag a downed soldier out of the line of fire to heal them in a safer environment.
Battlefield is known for its destruction, and this is a big deal in Battlefield V, but also new for the franchise is the ability to fortify your encampments with things like a sandbag wall or by building a stationary weapon. One of the more intriguing new additions for Battlefield V is the Grand Operations mode. Building on Operations from Battlefield 1, Grand Operations are bigger and more involved multiplayer skirmishes that play out across multiple stages and modes--and there are rewards up for grabs. In addition to all the multiplayer updates and changes, DICE remains focused on single-player modes, too. Little is known about the campaign, but we know it'll be playable in co-op (the first time since Battlefield 3), and it will tell stories that "may be unfamiliar to players" instead of the well-known ones from Battlefield 1942. At least one of the War Stories will take place in Norway, with a narrative following a young Norwegian soldier fighting to stay alive during the German occupation. In what sounds like a refreshing, more unique take on war games, Battlefield V will offer War Stories from the perspective of saving your family members as opposed to saving the world.
What's Confirmed For E3
Being one of EA's biggest upcoming games, Battlefield V is expected to have a major presence during the publisher's E3 2018 briefing, EA Play. The game will be playable at EA's showcase, which is good news for fans who don't want to wait until October or the open beta. EA Play takes place at the Hollywood Palladium from June 9-11. You can find details about how to register for the event and buy a ticket here on EA's website. If you can't make it to the show, you can rest easy knowing GameSpot will have lots of news stories, previews, and gameplay videos for Battlefield V, so keep checking back for those.
What We Hope To See At E3
While EA and DICE have already shown off Battlefield V and offered the first details during the reveal event, we are hoping to see lots more of the WWII shooter at E3. EA would be smart to show off actual gameplay to help players understand what it looks like to shoot a grenade out of mid-air or pull a downed soldier to safety.
There are no loot boxes in Battlefield V, and we hope to see EA address this decision and stress to players that the game will not go down a pay-to-win path with the items it does allow you to buy with real money. Given what happened with Star Wars: Battlefront II, this will be front of mind for many, and EA would be smart to address this right away.
We also hope EA and DICE shine a light on Battlefield V's campaign, which could be one of its more intriguing elements. The story mode in Battlefield 1 did a fantastic job of showcasing lesser-known elements and locations from the Great War. World War II as a historical event has already been covered extensively in film and games, so it's refreshing to hear DICE plans to show off more intimate stories of how the war affected everyday people. At E3, we hope to see and learn more about the stories DICE plans to tell and the places the game will take players.
The Battlefield franchise is known for its impressive sense of scale--and it sounds like Battlefield V is going bigger than ever with its Grand Operations multiplayer mode. We hope to see EA discuss this mode at greater length and in more detail to help players get an idea for what this all about and why they should be excited.
After nearly 24 hours of teasing on their official livestream, Bethesda has revealed the next installment in its post-apocalyptic series with Fallout 76. Set for release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, the next game looks to focus a lot more on life within the insular inner-worlds of Vaults, and what comes after. Though the trailer was a satisfying teaser for what's the come, there's still a lot we want to know--so here's a more detailed breakdown of what Fallout 76 is all about, and we want to see at E3 2018.
What We Know So Far
In Fallout 76, players will take on the role of a Vault Dweller in the underground bunker known as Vault 76. Set before even the original Fallout--as shown from a clock and calendar in the trailer--Fallout 76 will focus on the efforts of the citizens as they try to survive in an increasingly hostile world 20 years after the nuclear-apocalypse. Focusing on a retro-futuristic style--the aesthetic and tone of a far-future from the perspective of the past--Fallout 76 shows off a more cheerful approach to it, which will likely shatter once the Vault Dweller opens the door to the outside world.
According to Fallout lore, Vault 76--referenced in Fallout 3 and 4--was one of Vault-Tech's few control vaults. While all Vaults functioned as advertised for all its inhabitants, the control vaults were designed to open its doors for the purpose of repopulation after a set period of time. By and large, the Vaults were poorly designed or were set up to fail, and the few control vaults in existence were successful in their mission--bringing humanity back out into the irradiated landscape. While we're not quite sure what sort of game 76 will be, it is fair to say that it will focus on the efforts of the Vault Dwellers as they try to survive in an unfamiliar and hostile world.
What's Confirmed For E3
Though all we got from the reveal was the quick trailer, Bethesda was quick to state that we'll see much more of the game at its E3 2018 Showcase on June 10th--which looks to be the publisher's longest show. In recent years, the publisher has revealed a great number of titles, which includes Fallout 4, Prey, and Wolfenstein II--and they plan to keep that up for this year's show. With Rage 2, Fallout 76, and the long-teased Prey DLC, this year's show will likely give us a very substantial look at what's to come with the next Fallout game.
What We Want To See
"When the fighting has stopped, and the fallout has settled, you must rebuild."
While Fallout 76 looks similar to Fallout 4 graphically, the trailer seems to indicate that this will not be a traditional single-player experience. With rumors of the game having an online element to it, Bethesda looks to be trying a different approach with this one. Because of this, we'd want to see Bethesda devote as much time as possible revealing what's to come with Fallout 76. During the E3 2015 showing for Fallout 4, Todd Howard spent over half an hour explaining the ins and outs of the game, while showcasing the highlights of what set Fallout 4 apart from the others.
A similar approach to this for Fallout 76 would not only set expectations, but also show that this game will standout from the other titles. To put it simply, we want to see exactly the type of game Fallout 76 will be. While it's fair to say that some familiar Fallout moments of action and interactions will be present, it's important for us to see footage of the game in-action, along with showcasing just how different this game will be. But above all, a release date for Fallout 76 is also a must. And given Bethesda's track record, there's a strong chance that we'll be playing this game much sooner than we think.
E3 2018 is fast approaching, which means excitement for big announcements is building. Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Bethesda, Ubisoft, and more will be bringing trailers and (hopefully) some surprises to the show, so now it's time for some speculation! Though not confirmed to appear during Nintendo's E3 2018 presentation, the upcoming Nintendo Switch Pokemon game is high on our wishlist this year. Here's everything we know about the game and everything we really want to see come June.
What We Know So Far
A new Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch was announced at E3 2017. Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and CEO of The Pokemon Company, appeared during Nintendo's presentation to tease the game. He called it "a core RPG Pokemon title" developed by Game Freak for Nintendo Switch, saying it might not release for over a year. Game Freak has developed all the main Pokemon RPGs; the spinoff games are made by other studios.
What's Confirmed For E3
Currently, it's not known whether the Pokemon Switch game will appear during Nintendo's E3 2018 presentation. Nintendo has previously stated that its briefing will focus more on games releasing soon, rather than those launching after 2018; however, this is the same structure as the 2017 presentation in which Pokemon Switch was announced, so there's room for some future-focused reveals.
What We Hope To See At E3
Because we know so little about this game, the least we can ask for is some basic details: what it's called, where it's set, and whether it introduces new Pokemon would be a good starting point. But one of the biggest questions is how this next generation of Pokemon will look on Switch, which means getting a proper trailer. 3D Pokemon games are relatively new--at least for the main RPGs--and because Switch is far more powerful than 3DS, there's more potential for some big changes to the look of the game.
If we're really going all-out with our wishlist, then we'd love it if the game were playable on the show floor--and in that case, why not get a release date or window for good measure? Maybe it's not exactly likely, but we can hope.
Death Stranding is one of the most exciting upcoming games appearing at E3 2018. The next project from famed developer Hideo Kojima has had us intrigued ever since its provocative E3 2016 reveal trailer. With the game confirmed as one of the four major games Sony intends to primarily focus on during its press conference, our hype and anticipation only continues to build. To prepare you for what's ahead, here's what we know about Death Stranding, as well as what we're hoping to see from it at this year's E3.
What We Know So Far
After a long-standing corporate conflict, Kojima parted ways from publisher Konami in July 2015 and reformed his longtime studio Kojima Productions as an independent developer. During the same month, Kojima announced he was collaborating with Sony to create a new PlayStation game. This ultimately turned out to be Death Stranding, which was first shown at Sony's E3 2016 press conference. Two subsequent teasers were shown at The Game Awards 2016 and 2017.
There aren't many concrete details about Death Stranding's narrative aside from the provocative imagery of its trailers and Kojima's musings on Twitter. It stars actor Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead, The Boondock Saints) as protagonist Sam, and Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Hannibal) as a bizarre unnamed antagonist. Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro will contribute his likeness to another unnamed character. In addition, voice actors Troy Baker and Emily O'Brien are confirmed to appear.
Death Stranding is being made with the DECIMA engine, the same game engine used to make Horizon Zero Dawn. Kojima has stated that it will be an action game set in an open world with multiplayer functionality. According to Kojima, the game aims to eschew some of gaming's most time-honored traditions--in this case the mechanics that dictate life and death. When Sam dies, you're sent to an upside-down world submerged in water that you can explore in first-person. But once you return to the world of the living, anything you've done or any damage you've caused in the world persists.
Another major mechanic in Death Stranding involves a type of rain known as "Timefall." This substance has the ability to age or deteriorate whatever it hits. It's likely the reason why the characters in the third teaser trailer are wearing hoods, and why the one who isn't ages rapidly--and quite painfully--in a matter of seconds.
Of course, the most bizarre aspect of every Death Stranding trailer is the baby that Sam and others can be seen holding. Kojima has confirmed that this mysterious infant is more than just a plot device, and that it actually relates to the game's narrative and gameplay mechanics.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Sony has confirmed that it'll discuss Death Stranding in detail at its E3 2018 press conference. It's one of the four games the company had stated it'll be showcasing in-depth at this year's show. According to a recent post on Kojima's Twitter account, it also appears that he's creating another big trailer for the game. In addition, he shared an cryptic image of the game--likely a shot from the trailer.
What We Hope To See At E3
Three trailers in and we're pretty desperate to hear more about what Death Stranding is actually about. So far we've only gotten vague details about the story and how it'll play. While the surreal imagery from the previous footage has piqued our curiosity, we can't imagine that another teaser like that will do Death Stranding any favors--lest it wants to turn out like No Man's Sky, in the sense that intrigue can only take a game so far; we want something more substantial.
We're hoping that Kojima will take to the stage at this year's Sony press conference to go into explicit detail about what you'll be doing in Death Stranding, as well as show off actual gameplay footage. We'd love to see an in-depth demonstration of the life and death mechanic that Kojima discussed late-last year. At the very least, we want to get a sense of how it'll feel to play the game, as well as what its combat and UI looks like.
Aside from gameplay, it would be great to see more story and characters. It's doubtful that Death Stranding's star-studded cast stops at Reedus and Mikkelsen. We'd love to see the presence of other high-profile actors. Rumors and theories have circulated suggesting that Emma Stone, Diane Kruger, Kevin Durand, and even Idris Elba could potentially join the cast. However, none of this has been confirmed and is mostly based on hearsay. Regardless, the possibility of more big-name actors and actresses potentially being in Death Stranding has us excited.
Death Stranding has garnered massive interest due to the sense of mystery that veils its story and gameplay. We're hoping that Kojima and Sony will at least provide some answers to the questions its initial trailers gave us.
A new Borderlands game has been expected for some time now. The series is among 2K's most successful franchises, and Borderlands 3 has been teased time and again. We know 2K has a new (but as-of-yet unannounced) game for one of its big franchises in the works, although it was recently delayed--rather than releasing by the end of March 2019, it's not due until sometime between April 2019 and March 2020. That suddenly makes it less likely that E3 2018 is where we get a look at Borderlands 3--or whatever the game ends up being called. Nevertheless, here's what we know about the potential project, as well as what we'd hope to see from an E3 reveal.
What We Know So Far
Borderlands 3 has not yet been announced, but series creator Gearbox has not been shy about suggesting it's in the works. Gearbox's last entry was 2012's Borderlands 2; that was followed by 2K Australia's Pre-Sequel and Telltale's Tales From Borderlands. Back in 2015, Gearbox began openly recruiting for a new Borderlands, with studio head Randy Pitchford calling it "the big one." Publisher 2K soon after clarified that this was being designed "specifically for next-gen consoles," which is what PS4 and Xbox One were still referred to as at the time.
There was little word for the next year, but in 2016, Pitchford reaffirmed, "Obviously, there is going to be another Borderlands." He also added that it wouldn't necessarily be called Borderlands 3. Subsequently, he said whatever it's called, it's unlikely to be released on Nintendo Switch--although it's not impossible the platform sees some kind of Borderlands title one day.
In 2017, the studio showed off some new technology it was working on to demonstrate "what a future game from Gearbox might look like." The tech demo strongly resembled the art style of Borderlands, and a character's face was deliberately obscured, presumably to avoid spoiling something. Pitchford again said, "If you're a customer that's looking forward to a future Borderlands game, we're working on it. We'll get you soon."
2K itself has been generally tight-lipped about the new game, although it has repeatedly said "a highly anticipated new title from one of 2K's biggest franchises" is due out during the current financial year, meaning by the end of March 2019. Pitchford later said something even more on the nose, stating that 90% of Gearbox is "working on the thing I think most of you guys want us to be working on."
What's Confirmed For E3?
At this point, there's no word that the new Borderlands will be unveiled at E3. 2K doesn't traditionally have its own press conference to announce such a project, but it could easily show up during Microsoft or Sony's respective showcases. An E3 reveal for 2K's "highly anticipated new title" made E3 seem like a decent bet for a reveal until it was delayed. Recently, Pitchford and Gearbox have tried to deny the game will be at E3, but that could all be in an attempt to set us up for some surprise--the specific use of the name Borderlands 3 may have been meant to throw us off.
What We Hope To See At E3
It's been a long wait since Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel, so any reveal would hopefully show what's taken Gearbox this many years to come up with. Assuming that classes are still in place, we'd like to see some new ones along with returning favorites, like the Gunzerker and Siren. But most importantly, we're hoping for a large number and wide variety--four just doesn't seem like enough. For a series that offers up so many weapon choices, expanded character customization options would also be welcome.
That's not to say the weapons themselves should stay as-is. Borderlands is known for offering a huge arsenal of weapons, but a more diverse array of weapon types, including the melee weapons Gearbox dabbled with in Battleborn, would be great.
That diversity could also extend to the locations you visit. As noted above, Pitchford talked about technology that "allows the scene to simulate in real time as time of day changes or conceivably we have different physics, if we, for example, were to explore different planets. There might be different physics, and the sun and the moons might be in different positions than we're used to on Pandora." That wasn't a promise of what Borderlands 3 will offer, but that's precisely what we'd hope to see. Don't just settle for different-looking areas of the same planet.
Whatever planet we're on, vehicles could be of much greater use. Those allowing your entire party (not just two people) to ride inside would be a start, but we'd also like for vehicles to serve a real role in combat, rather than just a means of transportation.
And while an E3 reveal might not show us everything, there's one thing we don't want to see: a heavy reliance on meme-centric humor. You can be funny without leaning on that quite so much.
There's a lot of excitement around Anthem leading into E3 2018 since it's BioWare's next big project and new IP. Expectations are high given this is a franchise debut from the same studio that brought us a slew of iconic RPGs: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Baldur's Gate to name a few. To prepare you for what's ahead, here's what we know about Anthem, as well as what we're hoping to see from it at this year's E3.
What We Know So Far
Currently, we know that Anthem isn't going to be structured like the developer's previous story-based RPGs and instead will take on qualities of loot-based online shooters, like Destiny and The Division. However, BioWare boss Casey Hudson said the game "will feel very distinctly BioWare" and is more accurately described as "science-fantasy." While the initial reveal at E3 2017 kicked off with a few minutes of narrative and world-building, it quickly delved into a two-player co-operative PvE gameplay sequence where you fight robotic enemies and wildlife both big and small. Towards the end of the reveal trailer, a shaper storm (where weather turned hostile) formed and two additional players jumped in making a party of four. It has also been confirmed that the game will still be playable on your own.
When it comes to the world of Anthem, we understand that players belong to a faction of operatives known as freelancers who don mechanized suits called javelins--think the Fallout power armor, but much more flexible and with jetpacks. The first descent into a lush, tropical environment showed off the versatility of movement with the player weaving through the terrain. In combat, we saw the javelin suit capable of a lock-on rocket barrage--one of the abilities on cooldown at the bottom of the HUD. And we witnessed a co-op partner execute a sort of ground pound ability for area-of-effect damage.
Given the style Anthem is going for, loot will be the centerpiece for equipment, which we had a glimpse of in last year's reveal; a level 35 legendary volt rifle called Jarra's Wrath was a reward at the end of big firefight. Based on information shown on-screen during the reveal, weapons will have specific statistics like range, damage, accuracy, rate of fire, and ammo count.
BioWare stated that it's solely focused on development for Anthem after making it clear that Mass Effect: Andromeda will not have new content or story-based DLC. Despite the all-hands-on-deck approach, Anthem was delayed from its initial Fall 2018 release window to sometime in Early 2019. As with many EA-published games, there will be a period in which subscribers to EA/Origin Access can play the game ahead of its full launch date. EA CEO Andrew Wilson also stated, "Anthem is a fundamentally social experience, and we will open new ways for fans to join the community and play early, enabling us to shape and refine the game with their input and feedback." This could imply a beta period, which is common for multiplayer-centric games. If anything, EA is anticipating continually tweaking the game with post-release updates and content.
Even though it was specifically showcased during Microsoft's E3 press conference last year, Anthem will release for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Oh yeah, and there was a sweet trailer where game director Jon Warner takes us to a corn maze.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Anthem will be heavily featured at EA Play, which is EA's own off-site E3 event that runs from June 9 to June 11. Alongside the upcoming Battlefield V, Anthem is one of the focal points according to publisher. It hasn't been confirmed if the game will be playable to those who attend, but EA said it'll offer a closer look at the game. And even though Anthem was revealed during Microsoft's stage show in 2017, it's unclear if it'll be part of the Xbox showcase again this year.
What We Hope To See At E3
With this being a new BioWare IP, we hope to see how the developer's knack for storytelling is woven into a multiplayer experience. This could come in many forms; perhaps some backstory to accompany playable sections or a more in-depth showcase of the world that the freelancers inhabit. What exactly is it they're fighting for? What is the prevailing force behind its hostile world? BioWare isn't a stranger to this given its work on the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic, but it's a whole other challenge when building a franchise from scratch.
Another important aspect we hope to be addressed is the depth and breadth of content that makes up Anthem. That's to say, we hope the game is taking note of where Destiny 2 falls short. It's fair to say that many players are concerned about having meaningful goals to work towards. Almost anyone going into E3 with Anthem excitement wants to know about quest structure, mission types, how progression works, and how it can be more than just compilation of combat sequences. It'd also be nice to know about the loot system and what types of weapons or javelin modifications we can mess with. It appears that javelin suits come with their own set of powers and could be a factor in making combat more complex. The teaser trailer focused a great deal on these suits, which has us thinking that Anthem's progression system is centered around building these suits and customizing their capabilities. We'd love for BioWare to unpack what javelin suits can do seeing as their abilities affect both combat and traversal.
We had a taste of Anthem's world in E3 2017, and its scale, verticality, and varied terrain certainly caught our eye. The ability to fly through the sky and take huge leaps across the environment has piqued our interest, but we want BioWare to tell us more about what there is to see on the other end.
The setting is the Pacific Northwest. Freakers are on the loose. A biker gang rides on at the end of the world. This is Days Gone, the latest game from Sony's Bend Studio, the team behind the Syphon Filter series and the handheld Resistance and Uncharted games. But Days Gone is bigger than anything Bend has done before. It's an ambitious, open-world game in which you can travel vast distances while being stalked by hordes of zombie-like enemies. Here's what we know about Days Gone, along with what want to see at E3 2018.
What We Know So Far
Our first glimpse of Days Gone came during Sony's press conference at E3 2016. Sony showed an announce trailer and a gameplay demo that set viewers' expectations for a somber game about a bounty-hunting biker named Deacon St. John, who travels through a broken world after civilization has come to an end.
What caused the apocalypse is a mystery, though it probably has to do with some kind of pandemic or contagion. Though the enemies sure look and act like zombies, the developers swear up and down they aren't--they're Freakers, humans and animals that have become mindless and violent. They lust for blood and have a tendency to group together in fast-moving hordes, like the zombies in World War Z.
Though it was originally set to release in 2018, Sony announced in March that Days Gone has been be delayed until 2019. That's where we stand now.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Nothing at the moment. We know Sony's presentation is set for June 11 at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET / 2 AM (June 12) BST. While speaking on the PlayStation Blogcast, chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios Shawn Layden said the presentation will offer "exclusive looks and deep dives on four" upcoming titles: Death Stranding, Ghost of Tsushima, Spider-Man, and The Last of Us Part II.
Notice there's no mention of Days Gone. It will probably still appear in some form or other at E3, but we currently have no promises from Sony.
What We Hope To See At E3
Specific release dates are always nice, so it would be great if Sony could provide us with one for Days Gone.
Also, Sony is pitching Days Gone as a story-driven game, with a heavy emphasis on the "golden path" rather than on dozens of side quests like some other open-world games throw at you. With that in mind, it would be great if we could get a better idea of what the plot of this game is. What is Deacon trying to do in this ruined world?
There's been a lot of talk about "zombie fatigue" in the run-up to Days Gone. While the developers have sworn up and down that Freakers are distinct from zombies, it's on them to convince us of why we want to play yet another game with zombie-like enemies.
On the subject of wondering why we should care, it's important to note Bend Studio hasn't released a game since 2012's Vita card game Uncharted: Fight for Fortune. Prior to that, the developer worked on four games for PSP and PS Vita. They were fine games, but they were significantly smaller in scale than a massive open-world game like Days Gone. Can Bend Studio pull off a game like this? It looks good in trailers and demos, but let's hope Bend does more at E3 2018 to convince us we want to play this game.
Knowing full well that it would leave fans wondering what's to come, Nintendo's E3 2017 reveal that Metroid Prime 4 is in development was short but sweet. All we got was a logo, and Bill Trinen's word that it is due to ship sometime "beyond 2017." We are well into 2018 now and there's still nary a word about what the game will look like, let alone what studio is currently piecing it together. Assuming that Nintendo makes a big show at this year's E3, here's what we hope to find out about the secretive sequel.
What We Know So Far
Nintendo has been pretty quiet about Metroid Prime 4 since the announcement. It was confirmed that Retro Studios, the team behind every other mainline Metroid Prime game to date, will not be developing the fourth entry. Trinen has said that longtime Nintendo producer Kensuke Tanabe will lead development with a team of talented individuals, but their identity thus far remains a mystery.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007)
Inquisitive fans have discovered hints online, however, and the current theory is that a Bandai Namco team may be involved with development. Nintendo has of course remained silent in the face of these rumors. At the least, Tanabe has said that Prime 4 "returns to the first-person adventure roots of the original Metroid Prime game and introduces a new storyline that ties together the events of the Metroid Prime universe and takes the storyline in new directions."
Nintendo found great success collaborating with a third-party team for Metroid: Samus Returns on 3DS last year, so despite Retro Studios' absence, we're willing to keep our hopes up for the time being.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Nintendo hasn't announced anything regarding Metroid Prime 4 appearing at E3 this year, but there's a strong chance it will be a part of the publisher's annual showcase.
What We Hope To See At E3
Given that Metroid Prime 4 is such a highly anticipated game and that very little is known about it, we'd honestly love it if Nintendo would open the floodgates and answer the basic questions we all have. Gameplay footage is probably at the top of everyone's list. With Retro Studios out of the picture, it's anyone's guess as to what the game will look and feel like. Most fans would agree that the series' previous path worked well and that they'd like to see it return in similar shape, but it's been almost 10 years since Metroid Prime 3: Corruption came out, so I don't think anyone would complain if Nintendo evolved the game in some ways to defy our expectations.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
We'd also like to learn more about the story and whether or not the rumored involvement of the little-known character Sylux will come to fruition. He appeared at the end of the last two Prime games (Metroid Prime 3 and Metroid Prime: Federation Force) so it would stand to reason that all of those teases were leading to something new and exciting, but only time will tell.
Finally, we want to know who exactly is developing Metroid Prime 4, and when we can expect to play it. It's nice to know that the game is coming, but a solid release date would be most appreciated at this stage. Metroid is a beloved, though somewhat niche series, but its fans are incredibly dedicated and passionate about seeing it continue. The least Nintendo could do is tell us all when we can expect to step into Samus' space boots for her next adventure.
Revealed at Paris Games Week 2017, Ghost of Tsushima is one of Sony's newest exclusives. There's much excitement around the upcoming open world game, as its premise as a historically authentic samurai action game is one its most unique aspects. To prepare you for what's ahead, here's what we know about Ghost of Tsushima, as well as what we're hoping to see from it at this year's E3.
What We Know So Far
Since Infamous: First Light released in 2014, the general public has been kept in the dark on what developer Sucker Punch Productions has been working on. Sony had confirmed in 2015 that the studio was working on a new game and that it was playable. While details were scarce, this all changed at Paris Games Week 2017 when Sucker Punch Productions finally unveiled Ghost of Tsushima, an open-world samurai-themed action game.
Ghost of Tsushima is set on the island of Tsushima during the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1294. You play as a lone samurai turned vengeful assassin--likely fighting to drive out the Mongol army from Japan. The game appears to take you to numerous locales across Tsushima, which includes rural villages, bamboo forests, and wide-open fields. A brief instance at the end of the teaser showcased the ability to throw bombs and surprise enemies with a jumping attack from above.
Sony has said little about Ghost of Tsushima since its initial reveal trailer half a year ago. Similar to its approach to God of War, it seems the company is keeping the reveal of new details to a minimum.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Sony has confirmed that it'll talk more about Ghost of Tsushima at its E3 2018 press conference. It's one of the four games that the company will be showcasing in-depth at this year's show, alongside Death Stranding, Spider-Man, and The Last of Us Part II.
What We Hope To See At E3
The initial teaser only offered a brief glimpse of the areas you'll be exploring, as well as a couple of examples of the combat maneuvers you can execute. We're hoping Sony plans to debut gameplay at its upcoming press conference. An example of how a mission plays out would be preferable, as it could offer a showcase of both navigation and combat.
Speaking of combat, as a samurai action game, it's safe to assume that Ghost of Tsushima will have an in-depth melee combat system. After all, samurai are known for their skill and mastery as swordsman. However, it appears the main protagonist isn't simply a lone swordsman, but a ninja-like assassin as well. Based on his appearance and his use of explosives, the game will likely also feature elements of stealth. If this is true, we'd love to see how these two styles intermingle in gameplay and how freely you're able to switch between them during a given situation.
Aside from Ghost of Tsushima's general premise, explicit details of its narrative have been left ambiguous. It would be great to hear more background about the game's protagonist and supporting cast. In addition, we'd love to know more about the antagonist, who you can hear giving the monologue during the reveal trailer.
Lastly, we're hoping Sony is able to provide a potential release date window for Ghost of Tsushima. With big-name first party exclusives like God of War and Detroit: Become Human already out, it would be in Sony's best interest to start giving rough launch estimates for its next wave of exclusives.
Treyarch is planning some interesting changes to the familiar Call of Duty formula with Black Ops 4. While every game in the long-running FPS series has had their own spin on things over the years, this year's game is looking to buck some trends that has already made the community stand up and take notice. There was a lot to take in from the May 17 reveal event, so here's a more detailed breakdown of what's coming up for Blacks Ops 4, and we want to see at E3 2018.
What We Know So Far
For starters, the long-rumored removal of the traditional single-player campaign turned out to be true. In its place are a series of solo missions set between Black Ops 2 and 3 centering around the game's Specialist characters. These Specialists also make an appearance in the multiplayer mode, where they have a more tactical purpose than in Black Ops 3. While Treyarch's previous game featured a number of acrobatic moments of finesse and speed, the next game in the sub-series is much more grounded, opting for a more tactical approach focusing more on maintaining flow of combat. Moreover, Black Ops 4 also introduces some hero-shooter elements by placing a greater emphasis on the Specialist characters and their gear sets, requiring players to be more mindful who they pick and how they can fit into the makeup of the current team.
Moving on to the Zombies mode, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, Treyarch is expanding on the horde-based shooter with even more weirdness. Set on three distinct maps; an Ancient Roman gladiator arena of The IX, the sinking Titanic in Voyage of Despair, and a remake of past Zombies maps in Blood of the Dead--featuring the original Zombies mode cast--there are plans to offer more variety in the off-the-wall game mode. Added to this are several customizable options and gametypes which can add buffs to zombies and player-characters, timed challenges on the global leaderboards, and for the first time in series history, bot support.
However, the biggest addition to Black Ops 4 is the brand new battle royale mode known as Blackout. It's described as something of a celebration of the Black Ops series where you can play as characters from the previous games and use any weapon throughout the Black Ops series--including the exploding RC car. In familiar battle royale style, you'll have to fight against others online to be the last person standing. Treyarch has not revealed the number of players in each Blackout match.
What's Confirmed For E3
Activision is confirmed to make an appearance at E3 2018, showcasing both Destiny 2 and Black Ops 4. While they've been tight-lipped about what exactly they'll be showing at E3, we can expect to see more footage of the multiplayer mode based on their presence in previous years. it's fair to say that the game's multiplayer mode will be the focus, which should have stations set up for fans to play on the show floor.
What We Want To See At E3
While Treyarch revealed a great deal about the game during the May 17 event, we're in the dark about certain key details about the game. One big concern is the lack of a traditional COD campaign, which has been a hallmark of the series since its debut. If Treyarch is able to showcase the best of what solo missions can offer, it would go a long way to assuage community concerns. Call of Duty by tradition has always had a solid story campaign for players to dive into, which often offers the context for the setting of the core game and its multiplayer mode. While solo missions would be different from how the previous campaigns did things, potentially they can offer fans a quick way to experience a COD-style campaign with their favorite characters.
We'll likely see plenty of the multiplayer at E3 for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, but one thing that would be great to see is what the game will look like in the hands of skilled players. League play will make a return in the Black Ops 4, and seeing the game in action with some of the world's best players would be a solid way to reintroduce high-level play for the general audience. Since combat is tactical and emphasizes more teamwork this time around, having fans experience what top-tier Black Ops 4 gameplay looks like can go a long way in showcasing the new systems at work. It would also be a good opportunity to show how to utilize Specialist abilities effectively, while also being quite entertaining to watch.
During the reveal event, Treyarch also announced the upcoming beta later this year. E3 is a great place to reveal the date of the beta as well as what will be available for players to dive into. While the contents of the beta will most likely be focused on traditional multiplayer, it would be an exciting announcement at E3 to have the Blackout mode also playable in the beta. When you announce a new battle royale game, you're already going up against some of the biggest games in the industry. So Black Ops 4 will need to showcase something very special for Blackout if it wants to stand up against the likes of Fortnite and PUBG.
Kingdom Hearts III has been a long time coming. While the series has had several spin-offs and side-stories since Kingdom Hearts II released 13 years ago, this is the game fans have been waiting for. To prepare you for what's ahead, here's what we know about Kingdom Hearts III today, and what we're hoping to see from it at E3 2018.
What We Know So Far
Kingdom Hearts III was confirmed to be in development at E3 2013. The game is set after the events of KH: Dream Drop Distance, and puts you in control of returning protagonist Sora, who is joined once again by Donald Duck and Goofy in their search for the Guardians of Light and the "Key to Return Hearts" as they attempt to thwart Master Xehanort's plan to bring about another Keyblade War. At the same time, King Mickey and Riku embark on a search for previous Keyblade wielders.
Kingdom Hearts III will feature a variety of worlds based on popular Disney franchises that are new to the series, which includes Tangled, Big Hero 6, Toy Story, and Monsters, Inc. However, nostalgic fans need not worry, as the game will also sport locations from previous games, like Twilight Town and Olympus.
In terms of new features, Kingdom Hearts III introduces five-person parties, more intricate enemy AI, theme-park ride summon attacks, and a host of new keyblade transformations. Returning to the game are character summons and the Gummi Ship mini-game. In addition, an updated version of the Flowmotion mechanic from KH: Dream Drop Distance--called "Athletic Flow"--makes a return.
Unlike Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II, which were developed by Square Enix's Product Development Division 1 team, Kingdom Hearts III is being developed by Square Enix's 1st Production Department, which has previously worked on side-stories KH: Birth by Sleep and KH: Dream Drop Distance. However, veteran Kingdom Hearts director Tetsuya Nomura is returning to helm the project.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Though Kingdom Hearts III is not technically confirmed to appear at E3 2018, the game is still scheduled to release sometime this year. And what with Square Enix holding an E3 press conference on June 11, it's likely that we'll be hearing more about the game in a few week's time.
What We Hope To See At E3
In recent months, Square Enix has ramped up its announcements for the game, often showcasing gameplay footage and clarifying details about its story and mechanics. With so much out there now, we're hoping that the company will finally reveal a firm release date. At a recent event, Nomura had alluded to the fact a release date could come next month.
While some of the initial world reveals have been nice, we'd like for Square Enix to offer a glimpse at something even bigger. If the company was able to secure rights to use Marvel or Lucasfilm properties, its press conference would be an amazing time to confirm such tantalizing deals. Hardcore fans are already excited about the game, but if Square Enix is able to floor them with a larger-than-life reveal that's even grander than their current expectations, then all the better. After all, the thought of Sora, Donald, and Goofy rubbing shoulders with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Wolverine, and Iron Man still gives us goosebumps. It may be a pipe dream, but the possibilities are too exciting to ignore.
Lastly, it would be amazing to see Square Enix confirm that Final Fantasy 15 protagonist Noctis is in the game. Famitsu did a poll in 2017 for Kingdom Hearts' 15th anniversary, asking fans which Final Fantasy character they'd most like to see make an appearance in the franchise. Noctis Lucis Caelum won by a large margin. Plenty of Final Fantasy characters have already appeared alongside Sora and the gang, so it makes sense to include the newest member of the Final Fantasy family. The series is just as much a Final Fantasy crossover than anything else, so what better than to have Noctis enter the fray. Throw him in and maybe Balthier from Final Fantasy XII, and we're golden.
Ubisoft will be holding its E3 2018 press conference on Monday, June 11. It will be held at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, and the publisher will be holding both a pre-show and post-show stream to couch the event, where we'll be learning about the recently revealed Assassin's Creed Odyssey.
Ubisoft is one of the industry's major publishers, and we expect to see its E3 2018 games lineup shown off. So far, we know that this year's show will serve as the coming out party for The Division 2. Ubisoft announced the sequel with very few details and promised more to come at E3. We also expect to get another look at Beyond Good and Evil 2 and Transference, and we'll have another glimpse at the toys-to-life game Starlink: Battle for Atlas. Skull & Bones will make an appearance too, even though the pirate sim game has been pushed to the far seas of the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
GameSpot will be streaming and liveblogging this event along with each of the other press conferences, so you can keep it locked here to see it all along with our own commentary. Here's exactly when the Ubisoft conference is scheduled to begin:
1 PM PT
4 PM ET
9 PM BST
6 AM AET (June 12)
Ubisoft's conference takes place the Monday before the show floor opens, but it's far from the only event planned. The week is jam-packed with presentations from the likes of EA, Microsoft, Sony, Bethesda, Square Enix, Nintendo, and more. Be sure to check out our full E3 2018 schedule to keep track and plan your watching.
The weeks and months leading up to E3 are rife with rumors and speculation, and this year has certainly been no different. We're still several days away from E3 2018, and a number of surprise announcements have been inadvertently revealed ahead of the show thanks to various leaks, with more seemingly trickling out by the day.
Even Nintendo's notoriously tight-lipped nature hasn't prevented rumors and leaks from spreading. Before Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee were formally unveiled, rumors had swirled that Switch's Pokemon RPG would be inspired by Pokemon Yellow and launch this November--both of which turned out to be true. Similarly, speculation has been rampant that the massively popular Fortnite would be revealed for Switch at E3. That would make for a truly surprising announcement, although its impact may have been diminished now, as a Switch version of Fortnite was listed by the Korean ratings board.
There are many other unsubstantiated reports still lingering around Switch. One of the most prominent says that Metroid Prime developer Retro Studios is working on a Star Fox game, although it won't be a rail shooter like traditional entries in the series; rather, rumor has it that the game is a racer in the vein of F-Zero and Diddy Kong Racing. A recent trademark filing has also led to rumors that Nintendo will announce an N64 Classic mini console.
It won't be much longer until we find out if there's any truth to these rumors. Nintendo's E3 presentation is scheduled to air at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET on June 12, just before the expo formally begins. We still don't have much clue as to what Nintendo will show off during its E3 briefing, but you can catch up on all of the games it has confirmed for Switch and 3DS. You can also read up on when and how to watch Nintendo's E3 conference.
Fortnite Coming To Nintendo Switch
A Korean ratings board listing has revealed what could be an E3 surprise: A Nintendo Switch port of Fortnite. The listing doesn't specify which of the game's modes--Save the World or the phenomenally popular Battle Royale--will be included, but it's hard to imagine the latter would not make the cut.
While 4chan leaks are not especially reliable, a photo has surfaced that may in fact be real. It shows names for a variety of Nintendo Switch games that will apparently be advertised around the E3 show floor. This includes already-confirmed games like Mario Tennis Aces, but it also shows Fortnite (which, as noted above, looks to be real), Paladins, and Overcooked 2. Whereas Fortnite and Paladins would be ports of existing games, Overcooked 2 has not yet been announced--and it's possible that it could also come to PC, PS4, and Xbox One in addition to Switch, if it is indeed real.
Star Fox Is Getting A Racing Game Called Grand Prix
The Star Fox franchise hasn't seen much activity in recent years save for the Wii U game Star Fox Zero, but that may change in the near future. According to leaks published around the internet and a report from Eurogamer, Retro Studios--of Metroid Prime and Donkey Kong Country Returns fame--is at work on a racing game called Star Fox: Grand Prix. Reddit user DasVergeben claims it will feature elements of F-Zero and Diddy Kong Racing, with an adventure mode and hub world.
N64 Classic Edition Will Be Announced
While not E3-specific, there have been rumors about an N64 Classic Edition since the release of the NES Classic. With both that system and the subsequent SNES Classic proving to be huge successes, it would be no surprise to see Nintendo continue the trend by bringing a mini version of the Nintendo 64 to the market. Trademark filings have also suggested it's something Nintendo is at least considering, and Nintendo would be the ideal place to reveal its existence.
As you might have noticed, many brands have been replacing their logos with new rainbow-colored versions of late. That's because June is LGBT Pride month, a time when we celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history. In honor of Pride month this year, Sony has released a free PS4 theme called "For All the Players." You can download it right here.
After downloading it, you can set it as your PS4's background by going to Settings > Theme Settings and finding the "For All the Players" theme. Press X to select it and again to apply it, and boom--you're all decked out in Pride.
Appropriately enough, the theme paints your home screen's background in all the hues of the rainbow, giving a colorful splash to the pre-installed icons as well. The sounds, however, remain the same as the default theme.
This isn't the first time Sony has released a PS4 theme in support of progressive issues. To celebrate International Women's Day earlier this year, PlayStation Europe released a free PS4 theme that was only available in the UK.
As one month ends and another begins, there's plenty of new material for your viewing pleasure on Netflix. The end of May sees the return of a beloved Netflix original series, as well as the arrival of a Pixar gem. Meanwhile, the first couple days of June are a treasure trove of great movies.
The fourth season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt arrived on May 30, making it easily the biggest arrival of the week. Among the guest stars appearing in the new season are Jon Hamm, Busy Philipps, Greg Kinnear, Bobby Moynihan, and Aidy Bryant.
On the film side of things, Coco debuted on the streamer on May 29, while June 1 sees the arrival of Disney's 101 Dalmatians, Rumor Has It, Righteous Kill, National Treasure, and Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Other titles include Miracle, Just Friends, The Departed, and The Covenant--for all of your boy witch movie needs.
Solo: A Star Wars Story's many, many Star Wars Easter eggs and references aren't limited to simple in-universe callbacks. There's even one moment late in the film that directly calls out, in a very meta way, the most infamous change George Lucas made in his widely despised remasters of the original Star Wars trilogy. We're talking, of course, about "Han shot first."
In Solo, Woody Harrelson's grizzled scoundrel Tobias Beckett repeatedly tells young Han not to trust anyone. After a predictable series of double crosses, the two face one another on the sand, in glorious old West showdown style. And this time, unlike in Lucas's "updated" version of A New Hope, Han absolutely, unequivocally shoots first.
It's a great payoff from an in-fiction story perspective. Han has been bright-eyed and bushy-tailed throughout Solo, and his naive optimism gets him into trouble more than once. Fans know that Han is significantly more jaded by the time we catch up with him ten years later in Episode IV. Taking Beckett's advice to heart and betraying his sort-of-mentor before Beckett can double cross him again is a big step on Han's path toward becoming the character we know.
But even more than that, the moment felt satisfying on a meta level--reassuring, even. George Lucas's history-altering change to the cantina scene, in which he added an extra blaster shot so that Han technically shoots Greedo in self defense, was an attempt to sand the rough edge off the character. Sure, he's a scoundrel and a villain. But he's not a killer--at least, not anymore.
That doctored scene, blasphemy though it might be, may well be the canonical version of events (depending who you ask). But even if it is, Solo's "Han shoots first" scene is a direct rebuttal: This is who Han Solo is. It's the executives and creatives at Disney acknowledging that the Han Solo fans have always preferred--the one who shoots first--is the real Han Solo, no matter what actor is playing him.
Solo's writers, Lawrence and Jonathan Kasdan, certainly see it that way.
"That was part of the reason I wanted to do it," Lawrence Kasdan, who also co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, told GameSpot during a recent interview. "George [Lucas] really wrote that idea, and then he backed off that idea, and it bothered me enormously, since A New Hope is so important to me. And part of what I love about that scene in the cantina, which is one of the greatest scenes ever, was that it was realistic and hardboiled in the way I wanted it to be. So it's really bothered me."
The writer mentioned the "movement" among fans who consider Lucas's re-working of the scene to be "revisionist history," and he's definitely in agreement with them. He added that when his son, Jonathan Kasdan, came onboard to co-write Solo: A Star Wars Story with him, they knew it was one of the few things they would have to address.
"We didn't have a long checklist of things we were going to do," Lawrence Kasdan explained. "But that's one we wanted to do."
Jonathan Kasdan added that the character Tobias Beckett evolved into a perfect fit for that moment in the film.
"That's when we arrived on the idea of Beckett," he said. "It was one of those cathartic moments that you occasionally have when you're writing, where it gelled that [Han] would have this Long John Silver type relationship, this Neil McCauley [Robert De Niro's character in the 1995 crime movie Heat] mentor, and that that would be the person who would finally teach him this invaluable lesson that he'd carry with him his whole life. It seemed organic to the story we wanted to tell."
Say whatever else you want about Solo, but love it or hate it otherwise, this, at least, is awesome.
Fortnite: Battle Royale challenges for Week 5 of Season 4 are live. Anyone who owns the Battle Pass on PS4, Xbox One, PC, or mobile can now take on another set of seven objectives. There are the usual, more routine ones to do, but there are others--such as the Greasy Grove treasure map--that points to a location you may need some help finding. You'll also need the cooperation of other players to do some dancing. Here's where to find all of the Week 5 challenges and how to compete them.
First up is the Hard-difficulty challenge to follow the treasure map found in Greasy Grove. You can head to Greasy Grove and track down the map to start this; alternatively, as with past instances of this type of challenge, you can actually head right to where the treasure itself awaits. This one is a bit trickier to find than most--it's on the outside wall of a structure just northeast of Snobby Shores. Simply land on the slanted roof or build your way up and you'll be able to collect the Battle Pass icon.
What isn't labeled as Hard but could be quite difficult is the challenge asking you to dance with others to raise the Disco Ball near Loot Lake. The ball itself is found in the northernmost of the three buildings that line the western shoreline of the lake. Enter the ground floor and you'll see the disco ball in the middle, surrounded by a dance floor in all four corners of the room. You'll need to coordinate with other players to all dance on these simultaneously; the process takes a few seconds as the disco ball rises up toward the ceiling. It's possible to do this with other random players, but your easiest bet will be to squad up with three friends and head there together.
Week 5 also tasks you to use a vending machine three times. This is relatively straightforward, but if you haven't used a vending machine before, you might be at a loss. Vending machines allow you to exchange crafting materials for items; they're located in fixed spots, but they don't always appear in every match. You can consult our vending machine location guide to find likely spots for these to pop up, but make sure to come with wood, stone, or metal--the cost of using the machine may be high depending on the rarity.
Racking up two eliminations with the minigun or light machine gun sounds straightforward enough, though it of course requires you to happen upon one of the two weapons. This is labeled as a Hard-difficulty challenge. (This launched with a bug that Epic Games says it has fixed.) You'll likely want to try doing this in a Solo playlist so that you don't have to worry about a downed enemy being revived.
The same advice holds true for the challenge asking you to eliminate three opponents in Lucky Landing--not having respawns should make this easier. The remaining objectives simply ask you to deal 500 damage with SMGs to opponents (anything in the SMG family will do) and to search seven chests in Dusty Divot, the meteor impact site added as part of the big Season 4 update.
Completing these challenges will reward you with Battle Stars, which rank up your Battle Pass and allow you to earn Season 4 skins and cosmetic rewards. Completing all of the challenges in a given week also completes a Blockbuster challenge, which entitles you to a new loading screen that directs you to spots where you can obtain a free Battle Pass tier. You can see how to complete every Season 4 objective released so far in our Fortnite challenges guide.
Fortnite Week 5 Challenges
Deal damage with SMGs to opponents (500) -- 5 Battle Stars
Search Chests in Dusty Divot (7) -- 5 Battle Stars
Use a Vending Machine (3) -- 5 Battle Stars
Dance with others to raise the Disco Ball near Loot Lake -- 5 Battle Stars
Hard: Follow the treasure map found in Greasy Grove -- 10 Battle Stars
Microsoft has launched another set of games to be added to its all-you-can-eat Game Pass service on Xbox One, this time for June 2018. Those include a brand-new co-op dungeon crawler along with several other games joining the service.
The headliner of the bunch is Next Up Hero, a co-op dungeon crawler that has you gather loot and upgrade your skills. Every time you die you'll leave behind an echo, which can be raised by the next hero to fight as an AI companion. It will come sometime in June, alongside its debut on the store for non-subscribers to purchase.
Microsoft has been adding a handful of new games to the service every month, often with a single headliner new release that's added the same day as it becomes available to purchase for non-subscribers. Microsoft's first-party Sea of Thieves and State of Decay 2 were both the big-ticket items of their respective months.
The Pokemon invasion of your Nintendo Switch has begun. The "free to start" RPG Pokemon Quest is already available, and a new core Pokemon game is heading our way in late 2019. But the lovable critters aren't done with Switch yet. Coming November 16, 2018 are Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Pokemon Let's Go Eevee, a pair of games designed for newcomers to the franchise and for players who got their start with the mobile game Pokemon Go.
Developed by Game Freak, the makers of the core Pokemon titles, these Let's Go games share some DNA with Pokemon Go. Instead of battling the monsters to catch them, you'll collect them by tossing Poke Balls at them. You can even transfer Pokemon from Go to Let's Go via Bluetooth. We also know that the first 150 Pokemon as well as their Alolan forms from Sun and Moon would appear in the Let's Go titles.
We have a lot more information about these games in our article Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu And Eevee: Everything We Know So Far, so check that out to satisfy your curiosity. But if you're ready to lock in your pre-order for one (or both) of these games, you'll probably want to know where to find them, how much they'll cost, and what--if any--extra goodies you can expect to come with them. We have you covered below.
Pre-Order Bonus
Currently, there's only one pre-order bonus available for Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee, and it's retailer-specific. If you buy the game from Pokemon Center (while supplies last), you'll get a plush keychain featuring the corresponding Pokemon.
Last month saw the release of two major franchise blockbusters for two very distinct cinematic universes: Deadpool 2 over in the Fox/Marvel X-Men corner of the world, and Solo, the latest entry in the Star Wars juggernaut. On paper, they couldn't seem like more distinct films--a gritty, ultra violent superhero comedy versus a family friendly sci-fi action adventure. But beneath the tough outer shells of their genre conventions, they share one troubling similarity: They both rely on one of the most boring tropes in Hollywood.
Here's the problem: All the hilarious, heroic antics in the worlds of both Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) and Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) in their respective films are spurred on by a laundry list of dead or in-peril girlfriends and wives. In Deadpool 2, we have Vanessa's (Morena Baccarin) murder and the death of Cable's (Josh Brolin) wife and daughter. In Solo, it was the death of Val (Thandie Newton) to motivate the "one last job" mindset of Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and the left-to-the-wolves status of Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke) to give Han his forward momentum. In both movies, female characters are killed or shoved off-screen for the sake of male characters' stories. All other problems aside, it makes for some of the most boring and overused narrative beats in pop culture.
It's not just that Solo and Deadpool 2 utilized the trope almost back-to-back--that's just unfortunate timing for them. Murdering or otherwise shelving female characters to catalyze a male character into action has become so common in fiction that there's actually a shorthand for it. As far back as the '90s, the term "fridging" has been used to describe the trope in a movement started by comic book writer Gail Simone. She was inspired by a specific incident in DC Comics' Green Lantern #54 where new hero Kyle Rayner is shocked into committing to being a superhero in earnest when he finds his then girlfriend, Alex DeWitt, has been brutally murdered and literally stuffed into a refrigerator.
The story prompted Simone and others to begin compiling a list of similar instances they called "women in refrigerators"--female characters being brutalized, murdered, or otherwise removed from the story to motivate male heroism. They found a troubling (and incredibly easy to spot) pattern.
Now, as anyone will tell you, tropes become tropes for a reason. Loved ones in danger is a powerful motivator, and it's one that has proven to work time and time again. The problem is that it's so common, we can have two major blockbusters in the same month recycle it without missing a beat. It's become a crutch for big name action heroes on any side of the spectrum, from lovable rogues like Han Solo to wisecracking anti-heroes like Wade Wilson, and even side characters like Cable and Tobias Beckett. And it keeps happening over, and over, and over again.
To borrow a line from Deadpool himself: It's just lazy writing.
The issue gets even more stark when you consider the sheer volume of major franchise films cranked out these days, and the level of self awareness they have to maintain to keep from instantaneously fading into the background. With shared universe extravaganzas pouring out of Hollywood, the pressure for each story to be unique, memorable, and ample set-up for sequels has never been higher. But that sustainability won't come if each new film just copies the same tired tropes.
Worse yet, it seems impossible for either film to not have some surface level knowledge that they were taking a nosedive into the cliche. As Deadpool 2's opening credits roll immediately after Vanessa's murder, the fourth-wall breaking text displays rejoiners like "Can you believe they just did that?" and "Did that just happen?"
It did, and we absolutely can--namely because we've seen it happen a million times before. Throw a dart at any male superhero's history and you'd be hard pressed not to find this exact story repeated--maybe multiple times over. In fact, it happens in X-Men: Origins: Wolverine, Deadpool's own favorite punchline, with the murder of Logan's girlfriend Kayla.
It's a two-for-the-price-of-one deal as Cable, too, is allowed to name drop his daughter, but his wife remains simply an ambiguous concept without so much as a name, a grisly reminder of just why he must press forward, join up with the X-Force, and generally look like an extremely cool cyborg superhero for the duration of the movie. It's more of the same in a franchise that advertises itself as the antidote for all those tired, conventional superhero stories.
Solo seems to care even less about its overt trope. It literally maneuvers Beckett's entire arc to center around the fact that he lost his woman, who, prior to her death, was given only enough space on screen to establish herself as Beckett's soulmate. In her generous ten minutes of screen time, Val is allowed to explain that she and Beckett both get by in the world by not trusting or caring about anyone besides one another. They even have plans to retire together, when Beckett will finally learn to pick up a hobby other than lying and thieving. It would be sweet, touching even, had she lived long enough to do anything other than make room for Han to join the crew.
At the end of the day, there are some questions that must be asked. Was there no other way to tell these stories? Is there no other possible motivator for heroism? Here's hoping the answer is "no" or we might be in for an extremely boring cinematic future--and, in the golden age of the franchise blockbuster, it's really time to start doing better.
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