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Updates from GameSpot Image Galleries GameSpot Image Galleries In the 08/02/2018 edition: The Best PS4 Games (August 2018 Update) Best Cosplay Of SDCC 2018 -- Funko Star Wars, Marvel's Avengers, Overwatch, More 25 Things We Learned From Avengers: Infinity War's Blu-Ray Special Features Venom Movie Trailer 2 Explained: Riot, Lots Of Symbiotes, And More The Best Xbox One Games (Updated August 2018) Cyberpunk 2077: 9 Things We Really Want Every Assassin's Creed Game, Reviewed The Biggest TV Shows To Watch In 2018 The Best Games To Play Of 2018 (So Far): Switch, PS4, Xbox One, And PC Best Nintendo Switch Games Available Now (July 2018 Update) The Flash Season 5 Spoilers: Cicada, Nora West-Allen, A New Wells, And More We Learned At SDCC 2018 SDCC's Rarest And Most Shockingly Expensive Funko Pops On Sale At Comic-Con 2018 Mission Impossible: Tom Cruise's Wildest Stunts, Ranked The Best PS4 Games (August 2018 Update) By Matt Espineli on Aug 02, 2018 12:25 am The Best Around It feels just like yesterday, but PS4 launched over four years ago, and a ton of games have come out in that time. As such, it can be tough to sort through all of them and decide what to play. Luckily, we at GameSpot have played tons of PS4 over the years and have more than a few recommendations to start you off with--whether you're a new PS4 owner or have had the console and are just looking for something you might've missed. In this feature, we've collected the best PS4 games so far. This includes many of the games that have received an 8 or higher on GameSpot, and we've prioritized games that were nominated for our end-of-year Best PS4 Game lists. Check out our choices for the best games released on the PS4. And with the console's library continuing to expand, make sure to check back often as we update this feature over the coming weeks and months. For more PS4 games on a budget, see our roundups of the best cheap games on PS4, and make sure to check out our gallery of the best PS4 exclusive games confirmed for 2018 as well as the biggest PS4 games of 2018 for everything coming to the console. There are heaps of amazing PS4 games out there. Which PS4 games do you love the most? Doesn't matter if it's popular or incredibly underrated. Let us know in the comments below. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit -- 8/10 "Life is Strange gained a huge cult following, and whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, Captain Spirit captures a lot of the original game's appeal. Regardless of how you classify The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit--whether it's a standalone adventure, a demo, or a prologue--it's a beautiful game, and one that leaves you all the more excited about Life is Strange 2." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor Onrush -- 9/10 "When it comes to crumpling metal and high speed thrills, not all of Onrush's game modes are on equal footing in terms of consistent excitement. Yet its foundations are so strong, and so unique, that it's easy to lose hours upon hours barreling around these disparate tracks. The question of longevity will, of course, depend on post-release support, with new classes, game modes, and tracks potentially on the horizon. Considering you need 12 players to fill a full room, it would be a shame if Onrush doesn't find the kind of audience that will give it the lifespan it deserves. Part of this will depend on how Codemasters iterates on the game from here on out, but they've shown a proficiency in knowing how arcade racing games click, and Onrush is such a bold, refreshing twist on the genre that there should be little hesitation in putting your faith in them to succeed." -- Richard Wakeling Yakuza 6: The Song of Life -- 8/10 "Yakuza 6 reins in its scope, but doubles down on what has made the series great. It's a unique and fascinating representation of the modern Japanese experience, worth playing even if you're a newcomer. The narrative is dramatic and sincere, and the game's endearing characters--coming from all walks of life--are interesting studies. The world is dense and rewarding to exist in, the dynamic combat system stays exciting even after you've kicked the crap out of five thousand enemies, and perhaps most importantly, Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life serves as a fulfilling conclusion to the turbulent, decade-long saga of its beloved icon, Kazuma Kiryu." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Senior Editor and Video Producer God Of War -- 9/10 "In many ways God of War is what the series has always been. It's a spectacular action game with epic set pieces, big-budget production values, and hard-hitting combat that grows more feverish and impressive as you progress. What may surprise you is how mature its storytelling has become. Like Kratos, God of War recalls the past while acknowledging the need to improve. Everything new it does is for the better, and everything it holds onto benefits as a result. Kratos is no longer a predictable brute. God of War is no longer an old-fashioned action series. With this reboot, it confidently walks a new path that will hopefully lead to more exciting adventures to come." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Bloodborne -- 9/10 "The finest treasures are found within the city of Yharnam and the forests, lakes, and purgatories beyond it. Only Bloodborne would be so bold as to bury an entire factional player-versus-player mechanic within an optional region, which is in turn buried within a series of oblique steps you might miss if you aren't exploring every nook and cranny, or ignore the game's enigmatic hints. I finished Bloodborne in less time than I did Dark Souls II, yet I treasure it more in spite of its few missteps. In death there is life, and in blood, there is redemption. More hyperbole, yes, but for a game this theatrical, only hyperbole will do." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd Monster Hunter: World -- 8/10 "Ever since the title was first announced last year, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large." [read the full review] -- Ginny Woo Celeste -- 9/10 "It's a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I'd been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain." [read the full review] -- Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer What Remains of Edith Finch -- 9/10 "Developer Giant Sparrow managed to strike the delicate balance between joy and sorrow in 2012's The Unfinished Swan, but What Remains of Edith Finch transcends even the latent sadness of that game, finding the beauty--even sometimes the fun--in what's always fundamentally a tragedy. It's not often that a game's plot slips past the bitterness of grief to finally get to the acceptance, but that's the triumph in What Remains of Edith Finch. Ultimately, if the game has any resemblance of a moral, it's that the bravest, most beautiful thing every one of us does is choose to keep going, despite knowing what's coming." [read the full review] -- Justin Clark Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus -- 9/10 "The New Colossus never lets you forget who and why you're fighting. Nazi brutality is on full display, from the blown-out, irradiated remains of Manhattan to each of the resistance members, who all carry mental scars if not physical ones. You're never given a chance between cutscenes, missions, and even downtime on the U-boat to lose sight of the Reich's cruelty. Wolfenstein's tense gameplay elevates this further by giving you the power to truly resist--and come out of each battle ready for another fight." [read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor Sonic Mania -- 9/10 "Sonic Mania methodically uses its sentimental appeal to great effect, but in the process, it heals the wounds inflicted by its most disappointing predecessors and surpasses the series' best with its smart and interpretive design. An excellent 2D platformer, Sonic Mania goes beyond expectations, managing to be not only a proper evolution of the series' iconic formula, but the best Sonic game ever made." [read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor Stardew Valley -- 9/10 "On the surface, Stardew Valley is a game about farming, but there are more adventures awaiting curious players beyond cultivating a rich and bountiful garden. From mining and fishing to making friends and falling in love, Stardew Valley's Pelican Town is stuffed with rewarding opportunities. As modern day woes give way to pressing matters on the farm and within your newfound community, Stardew Valley's meditative activities often lead to personal reflection in the real world. It's a game that tugs at your curiosity as often as it does your heart." [read the full review] -- Mary Kish Resident Evil 7: Biohazard -- 8/10 "By the end of the campaign, I was ready for the game to be over, but that's okay. RE7 ends just as it starts to outstay its welcome, and after the fact, I felt like I'd survived a truly harrowing journey. The boss fights may be slightly inconsistent and certain sections might drag after a while, but RE7 is still a remarkable success. It has a clear vision and executes it with impressive patience and precision. By returning to horror, Resident Evil has once again become something special." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth Night in the Woods -- 9/10 "Both intensely personal and widely relatable, Night in the Woods doesn't just tell a story--it gracefully captures complex, often unpleasant feelings and experiences. From the quiet melancholy of doing nothing on a rainy day to the emotional vacuum of severe depression, I felt deeply, sometimes too deeply, while wandering through the cartoon-animal version of a small Midwestern town. Its witty writing and character development keep its crushing existential themes grounded, making Night in the Woods one of the most evocative games I've played in a long time." [read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor Overwatch -- 9/10 "Overwatch is an exercise in refined chaos. There are multitudes of layers hiding beneath the hectic surface, and they emerge, one after another, the more you play. This is a shooter that knows how to surprise, one that unfolds at a frantic pace, one that takes a handful of great ideas, and combines them into something spectacular." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer Uncharted 4: A Thief's End -- 10/10 "Uncharted 4's gameplay pushes the narrative forward, the narrative feeds off its gameplay, and every detail coalesces to create something bigger. Uncharted 4 bounces between set pieces and personal moments with such grace, with such skill and poise and affection for its characters, that you don't mind when the guns stop firing, and the smoke clears, and Nathan gets a moment to breathe." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer Titanfall 2 -- 9/10 "Titanfall 2 demonstrates a vitality that its predecessor couldn't. Whereas the first Titanfall kept up its breakneck pace throughout the entirety of every match, Titanfall 2 understands that sometimes, dialing things back for a few moments can make the long run much more enjoyable. In many ways, Titanfall 2 feels like the game Respawn should have made in 2013. It's a fantastic sequel. It's a fluid shooter. It's a spectacular game." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer Dishonored 2 -- 8/10 "Any time I'm given a choice between stealth and action, I go stealth. I love the hold-your-breath tension of hoping a guard didn't spot you and the hard-earned triumph of executing a perfectly timed plan. Dishonored 2 delivers that sneaky satisfaction, arming you with stealth essentials like hiding bodies, peering through keyholes, and silent takedowns. But it's also an incredible engine for gleeful chaos, one so engrossing and amusing that I kind of accidentally beat the entire campaign raining hilarious, elaborate death on my enemies." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth Dark Souls III -- 8/10 "Dark Souls III is a game of valleys and peaks, down through dungeons and up over castle walls. It's a plummet into places we shouldn't be--an escape from places we don't belong. But of course, we fight our way through the darkness, and find our way out. There are a few stumbles along the way, but in the end, Dark Souls III is well worth the riveting climb." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt -- 10/10 "Where the Witcher 2 sputtered to a halt, The Witcher 3 is always in a crescendo, crafting battle scenarios that constantly one-up the last, until you reach the explosive finale and recover in the glow of the game's quiet denouement. But while the grand clashes are captivating, it is the moments between conflicts, when you drink with the local clans and bask in a trobairitz's song, that are truly inspiring." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd Rise of the Tomb Raider -- 9/10 "Rise of the Tomb Raider's first shot pans over the vast, foreboding landscape we'll soon come to know. In many ways, it functions as a promise on the part of Crystal Dynamics: there are big things ahead of us. And at the end of Lara's journey, after we've seen her through this adventure, and experienced everything the world has to offer, it's clear that promise was kept." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain -- 10/10 "There has never been a game in the series with such depth to its gameplay, or so much volume in content. The best elements from the past games are here, and the new open-world gameplay adds more to love on top. When it comes to storytelling, there has never been a Metal Gear game that's so consistent in tone, daring in subject matter, and so captivating in presentation. The Phantom Pain may be a contender for one of the best action games ever made, but is undoubtedly the best Metal Gear game there is." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Fallout 4 -- 9/10 "Fallout 4 is an engrossing game that lures you in with mystery and the promise of adventure. Its wretched wasteland can be captivating, and you never know what odd person or settlement lies around the next bend. Fallout 4 uses its dark world as a canvas for exciting combat and gripping stories, and when you dig deeper into its post-nuclear-apocalypse version of Boston--defending yourself from violent scavengers and using your wits to climb social ladders--you become attached to the new you, and ultimately invested in the fate of your new world." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- 8/10 "This is a great game in its own right, narratively disjointed but mechanically sound, made up of excellent parts pieced together in excellent ways. I already knew what future lay in store for Middle-earth as I played Shadow of Mordor; I'm hoping that my own future might one day bring another Lord of the Rings adventure as stirring as this one." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd Dragon Age: Inquisition -- 9/10 "Inquisition's characters and world recall the grand gestures of the original Dragon Age, even though the game as a whole is so structurally different to its predecessors. It offers the thrill of discovery and the passion of camaraderie. It features a glee club called The Sing-Quisition, and a dwarf with writer's block. It establishes connections with its world in big ways and small, with the sight of a titanous temple and the smirk of an Orlesian commander in love. Dragon Age: Inquisition is a wonderful game and a lengthy pilgrimage to a magical world with vital thematic ties to one we already know." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd NBA 2K17 -- 9/10 "Despite its few drawbacks, NBA 2K17's excitement for basketball is contagious, and it's hard not to get wrapped up in it. Apart from the lacking 2KU mode and stiff recreations of commentators, the rest of the game looks great and plays even better. After finally devoting a significant amount of time to one of these games, I now see why it's such a well-regarded series, and it makes me wish that every sport got the same treatment that basketball does in NBA 2K17." -- Mat Paget Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag -- 9/10 "There's an incredible scope to what you can do in Black Flag, with a level of harmony between its component parts that encourages you to try it all, and a story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some." [read the full review] -- Shaun McInnis Until Dawn -- 8/10 "I didn't expect to have so much fun with Until Dawn, and the depth with which my choices mattered and affected the final outcome encouraged repeat playthroughs. The visuals can be wonky at times, but in the end Until Dawn succeeds in being a thoughtful use of familiar mechanics, a great achievement in player-driven narrative, and a horror game you shouldn't miss." [read the full review] -- Alexa Ray Corriea The Last Guardian -- 9/10 "It isn't clear whether or not The Last Guardian means to be frustrating at times--if it's a concerted effort to test your patience for a lovable-yet-stubborn creature. Your affection for Trico and sympathy for both characters blossom nonetheless, culminating in an enrapturing series of revelations that cements your attachment to their personalities. Trico is the undeniable star of the show, exhibiting believable physicality and emotional range, but the boy is a valuable lesson in how to be patient and resilient when faced with unforeseen challenges. When the book closes on their story, it's hard not to open it up again and begin anew. The trials you overcome endear you to both characters, but the emotions Trico elicits make you want to give it another chance--to be the patient, effective partner it truly deserves." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Rocket League -- 9/10 "The joy of Rocket League rests on the countless plans that are conceived and discarded every other second in any given match. Trying to predict where and how the ball will bounce next is a game within the game. Despite the use of cars, Rocket League emulates the emotional surges typical of The Beautiful Game, such as the rush of an unexpected fast break or a well-timed header into a goal. With Rocket League, the promising concept of combining two wonderful things--cars and soccer--is equally magnificent in execution. You can't say the same thing about, say, combining cake and fruit to make fruitcake, as the comedian Jim Gaffigan observed." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice -- 8/10 "Hellblade's most notable achievement is the handling of an incredibly sensitive subject matter within an engaging and well-crafted action/adventure game. At its heart, the story is about Senua's struggle to come to terms with her illness. In the process, she learns to find the strength within herself to endure, and to make peace with her past. And in a profound and physical way, we go through those same struggles with her, and come away with a better understanding of a piece of something that many people in the world struggle with." [read the full review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor MLB The Show 18 -- 9/10 "Sony's flagship baseball franchise has never been better. With its best-in-class controls and visuals, and impeccable attention to detail for the small stuff, MLB The Show 18 is worth catching for any baseball fan." [read the full review] Horizon: Zero Dawn -- 9/10 "This is the first departure from the Killzone series for developer Guerrilla Games, and though you might think the team took a risk by stepping out of its FPS comfort zone to create a third-person open-world action game, you'd never know it was their first rodeo. For every minor imperfection, there's an element of greatness that recharges your desire to keep fighting and exploring Zero Dawn's beautiful and perilous world. Guerrilla Games has delivered one of the best open-world games of this generation, and redefined its team's reputation in the process." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Nier: Automata -- 9/10 "Thanks to Platinum Games' knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro's most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression. Moreover, this multi-ending trip is generously peppered with surprises and revelations, as well as easter eggs that call back to the first game and the Drakengard series from which Nier spun off. It's a meaty, often exhilarating trek that showcases Platinum Games' and Yoko Taro's unique blend of genius." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion Persona 5 -- 9/10 "Within Persona 5 is a complex set of interconnected gameplay mechanics, and in almost every aspect Atlus has executed on its vision exceptionally, barring the pacing issues towards the end. At every turn, it presents something to marvel at, whether it's the fluid combat, vibrant world, or the many memorable characters. It's a game I could talk about for hours; I haven't mentioned the ability to connect to the Thieves Guild, which lets you see how other players spent their day or ask them for help answering questions at school. Or the thumping acid-jazz-infused soundtrack that I've not been able to get out of my head. Or even just the joy of seeing how it stylishly transitions between menus. But that encapsulates why Persona 5 is a game that shouldn't be missed. It's stuffed to bursting point with gameplay ideas and presentation flourishes--there's an overwhelming level of artistry in every part of Persona 5, making it a truly standout entry in the series. It's a refined, effortlessly stylish RPG that will be talked about for years to come." [read the full review] -- Lucy James, Video Producer Unravel Two -- 8/10 "With its charming yarnlings and a newfound style of platforming, Unravel Two remains welcoming even at its most foreboding. Sure, a forest fire breaks out in one of the latter stages, but even then, the race to keep ahead of the blaze is fun and frantic instead of stressful. In almost every moment you're given ample time and space to breathe and take in the stunning photorealistic world from the viewpoint of the tiniest creatures. It's a game with boisterous birds, chases through meadows, and most importantly a cheerful partnership with a companion who's always got your back. With only six chapters that run roughly 30 minutes apiece, Unravel Two doesn't last long, but it's a game where the time you have is meaningful, memorable, and downright pleasant from beginning to end." -- Justin Clark Madden NFL 18 -- 9/10 "Overall, Madden 18 marks an unusually large shakeup in a series that, due to its annualized releases, rarely features much more than small, iterative changes. The Frostbite engine allows the game to reach new levels of realism in its visuals, and EA has put a lot of effort into constantly evolving the game to keep it in line with real-world events. But it is the Longshot story mode that defines Madden 18. Some of Longshot is unnecessary spectacle, but its lasting value comes from the humanity that it brings to the game. The moments of vulnerability and sincerity between Devin Wade and Colt Cruise during the story are worthy of celebration and give the overall game a weight that Madden hasn't had before. And if that's not enough to entice you, it's also simply a terrific football game." [read the full review] -- Alex Newhouse Far Cry 5 -- 9/10 "Despite some brief irritations and missed opportunities with its narrative, spending time in the world of Hope County remains absolutely delightful. Far Cry 5 boasts a wonderfully harmonious flow to its adventure, with its smart changes to exploration, discovery, and progression distinctly bolstering the enjoyment of creatively engaging and experimenting with its spectacular open world." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Senior Producer/Editor Transistor -- 8/10 "Transistor is always a good-looking game, but in these instances, it demonstrates a rare knack for combining its visuals and music to powerfully convey both narrative information and tone, driving the story forward with Red's own unwavering resolve. So in the end, yes, Transistor is a fun action role-playing game with a neat combat system, but beautiful moments like these make it more than that. They make it a game with a soul." [read the full review] -- Carolyn Petit Yakuza 0 -- 8/10 "Unless you have a strong aversion to violence, sex, or middling graphics, you owe it to yourself to give Zero a chance. Its story will surprise you, its inhabitants will make you laugh at every turn, and its ambitious scope will redefine how you think about open-world games. It's a fascinating adventure no matter how you approach it, and it's proof positive that a game can be wildly inconsistent yet remain a great experience." [read the full review] Inside -- 8/10 "This is a beautiful, haunting, and memorable game, a worthy follow-up to Limbo. Its puzzles, although rarely difficult, are engaging complements to the story. The real achievement of this game, though, is the way that it crafts its narrative: detailed environments convey the bizarre world that you travel through; introspective moments are filled with minimalist sound design and just the barest touches of music; and the things you must do to complete your journey force you to confront the realities of humanity, freedom, and existence." [read the full review] -- Alex Newhouse Blazblue: Cross Tag Battle -- 9/10 "Whether playing through the story mode alone or against hardened opponents online, Cross Tag Battle is an absolute joy with a surplus of possibilities within its wide roster and versatile fighting system. Even with all the ridiculousness of the overarching plot, I reveled in the charm of my favorite characters and embraced the many moments of fan service. It's a masterful unification of styles and mechanics from four different universes that compels you to dig deeper and dedicate the time to getting the most out of the beloved members of this cast." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham, Associate Editor The Crew 2 -- 8/10 "I'm annoyed by the game's lack of public interaction and meaningless gear system, but I'll fondly recall both the tension of flinging sprint boats back and forth through the narrow, artificial canals of The Venetian in Las Vegas, and the easygoing satisfaction of an hour-long hypercar race from New York to San Francisco, where I listened to a podcast and enjoyed the rolling scenery. Despite its shortcomings, The Crew 2 still displays admirable strengths, which lie in its player-friendly features, freedom of movement, and its willingness to bend the rules in order to make things exciting and varied for an accessible, American-themed thrillride." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Senior Editor and Video Producer Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2 "In a way, the entire collection itself is the museum--an entire series, with all its beauty and its blemishes, on display for its audience to judge and assess years later. Parts of this legacy have aged horribly, but they're still undeniably a piece of Mega Man X history. We've been told that the upcoming Mega Man 11 was greenlit thanks in part to fan interest in the original Mega Man Legacy Collection. If Capcom follows with a proper sequel to Mega Man X, this compilation provides valuable lessons on what the series is, what it isn't, and what it can be when given the chance." [Read the full review] -- Steve Watts Best Cosplay Of SDCC 2018 -- Funko Star Wars, Marvel's Avengers, Overwatch, More By Array on Aug 02, 2018 12:06 am San Diego Comic-Con is officially behind us for 2018. The yearly event that brings together all things movies, TV shows, comics, and video games for one big show has wrapped up, but not without first delivering a ton of news and trailers, as well as some tremendous cosplay. We've been rounding up the best cosplay we've seen each day of the show, as well as the best stuff centered around companies like Marvel and DC. Now, we're highlighting the very best cosplay from the entirety of SDCC. That includes Power Rangers' Lord Zedd, Skyrim's Dragonborn, Guardians of the Galaxy's Nebula, Ace Ventura, and even a Funko Pop version of Star Wars' Rey. Being an event that is primarily attended by the public, the huge number of fans gathering in one place means there is no shortage of varied cosplay. Whether you're looking for your favorite characters from Overwatch, Avengers: Infinity War, or far more obscure properties, you're likely to bump into someone dressed up as such while exploring Comic-Con. With your cosplay needs satisfied, there's plenty else from Comic-Con to get caught up on. There were countless trailers, including the debuts for big-name movies like Aquaman, Shazam, Glass, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and Godzilla: King of Monsters. On the TV show side, there was Titans (with a controversial comment on Batman) and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (making a surprise return), along with plenty from both Walking Dead shows. In terms of news, The Walking Dead was in the headlines as we got confirmation that Andrew Lincoln will leave the show after Season 9. But the biggest thing to come during SDCC wasn't specifically tied to the event. Marvel parent company Disney fired James Gunn as director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after controversial old tweets of his resurfaced online. He has since received support from a number of people, including Guardians star Dave Bautista and Michael Rooker, as well as Hellboy's Selma Blair. For a roundup of all the biggest happenings from the event, check out our SDCC coverage at the bottom of this post, and let us know about your biggest takeaways and favorite cosplay in the comments. Cosplayers above: Mcvengers JolliWasp Dr. Strange Box- Agent Starbucks- Hela In-N-Out - McThor- Captain KFC- Burger King Loki- Iron Taco- Black Widow Wendy's- Incredible Panda Express- @doccanecosplay @Mcvengers @kittiecosplay @jack_cosplay_929 @dynamic_dyad @crylo.gwen @mcthor_cosplay @mobileknobel @yaudiel @nerd_alert_cosplay @thestarflower San Diego Comic-Con 2018 Coverage Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 1 Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 2 Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 3 Best Marvel Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 DC Universe Titans Trailer: F*** Batman Everything We Learned About DC Universe All The Exclusive Funko Pop Figures You Can Buy At SDCC Doctor Who's New Sonic Screwdriver Revealed Alongside New Trailer Star Wars The Clone Wars Animated Series Is Back In New Trailer Cool-Looking Spider-Man PS4 Pro Bundle Announced Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie Trailer Reveals Some Big Fights DC Collectibles Reveals Toys From Batman, Justice League, And More This Huge Lego Thanos Demands You Bow Before Him Netflix's Iron Fist 2 Gets Release Date, Teases Daughters Of The Dragon DC Holds Weird, Cult-Like Event To Promote Heroes In Crisis James Gunn Fired From Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 What's Up With The "F*** Batman" Line In The New Titans Trailer? Andrew Lincoln Confirms The Walking Dead Season 9 Will Be His Last Netflix's Disenchantment: Everything We Learned About Matt Groening's New Show Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Footage Debuts Venom Debuts New Footage, Teases Spider-Man Crossover Guardians of the Galaxy Star Dave Bautista Is "Not OK" With James Gunn Firing Fantastic Beasts 2 Footage Introduces Nicolas Flamel At Comic-Con 2018 The Lego Movie 2 Comic-Con Footage Shows The Two Sides Of Chris Pratt The New Godzilla: King Of The Monsters Trailer Is Dope Shazam Trailer Makes Exclusive Debut Wonder Woman 1984 Panel Addresses The Chris Pine Question, Shows Footage Aquaman Trailer Finally Arrives, Exclusive Footage Shows Classic Costume Star Wars Figures From Sideshow Look Incredible Comic-Con 2018: Sideshow's Avengers: Infinity War And Black Panther Figures Are Amazing All The Miserable, Discarded Electric Scooters We Saw At Comic-Con 2018 The Rarest And Most Shockingly Expensive Funko Pops On Sale At Comic-Con 2018 The Grady Daughters Casey Jones Cosplay by @metalslimer McThor Cosplay by @mcthor_cosplay Last Dragonborn Cosplay by @alexdrastal Hellboy Cosplay by @princesshelicopter Lord Zedd Cosplay by @nerd_alert_cosplay Mugman & Cuphead Gwenpool Cosplay by @opalescentteacup Thor Cosplay by @captcash Juggernaut Cosplay by @Comicconroan Ash Ketchum & Jessie Cosplay by @verabambilive & @jennalynnmeowri Nebula Cosplay by @emjaeadamson Silver Surfer & Sue Storm Cosplay by @livelongandcosplay and @kristienell Angel of Death Cosplay by @kimchi_cosplay Wasp Cosplay by @princesshelicopter Fortnite Sylens & Aloy Cosplay by @dynamic_dyad Nightcrawler Cosplay by @android_cosplay Battle Belchers Cosplay by @acupcosplay Optimus Prime (Samurai) Cosplay by @project_alien JolliWasp Cosplay by @kittiecosplay Iron Taco Cosplay by @nerd_alert_cosplay Thanos Cosplay by @Waltimusprime Ace Ventura Cosplay by @devoo_the_nerd Rey Funko Pop Rainbow Dash Cosplay by @show_pwny Doctor Doom Belle Cosplay by @cosplamy Leonardo Tokoyami & Yaoyorozu Eredin Cosplay by @costumebiz Red Death Flash Cosplay by @zoomcwcosplay Superman Harley Quinn Cosplay by @jessicat517 Hawkgirl Cosplay by @axcelerationdesigns Wonder Woman Cosplay by @wonderwomanisreal Wonder Woman, Hippolyta and Batman Cosplay by @wonderwomanisreal, @sylviaslays Samurai Batman & Joker Cosplay by @gotham_knight619 and @project_alien Robin & Batman Wonder Woman Cosplay by @sadie_513 Raven & Starfire Cosplay by @heilimei and @gelinavii Hawkgirl Cosplay by @axcelerationdesigns Killer Croc Cosplay by emg555 Green Lantern Cosplay by @cristinamilizia Tracer Cosplay by D.va.peaches Soldier-76 & Mercy Cosplay by @mgr_cosplay McCree Cosplay by game_over_gurl Waitress Mei Cosplay by mamacrabcosplay Soldier-76 Soldier-76 Cosplay by @henchmenstudios Hammond (Wrecking Ball) Cosplay by midnightmoon91, @shinka134 and @freakprince00 McCree & Roadhog Hanzo Cosplay by @kingkupocosplay Sombra Cosplay by @itselioyanez Barriss Offee Cosplay by @opalescentteacup Cu-Bot Cosplay by @kyasarin.cosplay Stargate Cosplay by @kristienell & @livelongandcosplay Velajuel Cosplay by @birdboy_cosplay ; Outfit by @howl.fx Team Fortress 2 Stain Cosplay by @Mootyvision Valkyrie Cosplay @miss_laneous Night King Cosplay by @annhampshire Vanellope Cosplay by @onthegocosplay Darth Maul Cosplay by @collinreddog Link w/ Majora's Mask Trooper & Ahsoka Tano Cosplay by @nonbinate Nightsister Cosplay by @Arwen62 Doctor Doom Cosplay by @cabinsintheair Captain Marvel Cosplay by @cassidy_kahler Black Panther Cosplay by @alexisvictorious Deadpool Cosplay by @leftcoastavenger The Addams Family The McVengers Cosplay by @mcvengers Individual Cosplayers: @dynamic_dyad, @bananasteve.cosplay, @mobileknobel, @dynamic_dyad, @jack_cosplay_929, @yaudiel, @mcthor_cosplay, @thestarflower, @nerd_alert_cosplay, @crylo.gwen, @doccanecosplay Dr. Strange Box Cosplay by @jack_cosplay_929 Black Widow Wendy's & Captain KFC Cosplay by @thestarflower & @mobileknobel Agent Starbucks Cosplay by @dynamic_dyad Incredible Panda Express Cosplay by @doccanecosplay Grimos Cosplay by @bananasteve.cosplay Iron Taco Cosplay by @nerd_alert_cosplay Hulk & Captain Marvel Cosplay by @Mootyvision and @cosplaygrl Scooby-Doo Cosplay by @minnesotamysteryinc Hulk & She-Hulk Cosplay by @Mootyvision Magneto Cosplay by @magnetomystique Raphael Sentinel Cosplay by @thebrothersyeecosplay Lara Croft Dodgeball 25 Things We Learned From Avengers: Infinity War's Blu-Ray Special Features By Michael Rougeau on Aug 01, 2018 11:12 pm The Infinity War Blu-ray has arrived. The Avengers: Infinity War home release date is upon us. That means we can finally relive the pain and horror of Infinity War's bleak, tragic ending on repeat in the comfort of our own living rooms if we want. More importantly, it also means we get to dig into the movie's special features and learn new details about the movie. The Avengers: Infinity War Blu-ray, which is out August 14, comes with four featurettes: one focusing on the chemistry among all the characters, one focused on Thanos himself, and one each for both of the major battles in the movie (Titan and Wakanda). They come with a handful of deleted scenes, which include both a surprising MCU cameo that was cut from the movie and the second half of a scene that explains how the Guardians knew to head to Titan. On Infinity War's digital release, which is out now, you can also find a special exclusive featurette called the director's roundtable. In it, MCU movie directors Jon Favreau, Joe and Anthony Russo, Ryan Coogler, James Gunn, Peyton Reed, Joss Whedon, and Taika Waititi sit down for an extended chat about how their separate visions and talents have come together to form the Marvel Cinematic Universe. All these Infinity War special features form a fun and informative watch, so we put together this highlights list of our favorite things we learned. When you're done, don't forget to refresh yourself on what Infinity War's after credits scene means for the MCU's future, including the upcoming Captain Marvel. 1. There are around 2900 visual effects shots in Avengers: Infinity War. According to executive producer Victoria Alonso. That's out of 3,000 total shots--so only 100 shots in the whole movie didn't rely on CGI. 2. Making Civil War the lead-up to Infinity War was extremely deliberate. "Part of the reason why we were drawn to tell the story of Civil War and one of the reasons why we thought it was such a great place to leave the Avengers, divided, was because we knew that the greatest threat they would ever face would be coming in Thanos," says co-director Anthony Russo. "For storytellers, you want your heroes to be at their lowest point when they meet their worst threat." 3. The Titan battle was shot entirely on a soundstage. 4. Executive producer Victoria Alonso calls Infinity War "one big CG scene." "The environment is CG, the weapons are CG, every shot is dense in layers." 5. Josh Brolin performed all the motion and performance capture for Thanos himself. 6. The showdown between Dr. Strange and Thanos was rendered and animated before Benedict Cumberbatch gave his performanc This allowed the other departments to work on the scene's effects long before Cumberbatch shot his lines on a green screen. 7. The Wakanda battle was one of the most challenging thing the Russos have ever shot. "Probably the most physically challenging thing that we've ever done was execute that Wakanda sequence," Anthony Russo says. 8. The Wakanda battle was shot on a physical location. "It was a big ranch in Georgia that we turned into the fields of Wakanda," Anthony Russo says. The river running through the field was artificially dug for the movie and used a pump capable of churning through 30,000 gallons of water per minute. 9. The Russos coordinated with Black Panther director Ryan Coogler about Wakanda's geography. "We actually had to work in tandem with Ryan Coogler. He and his team had maps of Wakanda and that was very helpful to us so that we could look at where we wanted to place the battle, understand strategy, so it's literally like doing a Jenga puzzle," Joe Russo says. 10. The Wakandan army included 70 extras on set, plus stunt people. Their numbers were digitally expanded, and 10,000 "Outriders," Thanos's creatures, were added as well. 11. Rain was a big problem during filming in Georgia. They would try to shoot actors' close-ups on rainy days, and hope the sun would come out the next. 12. The Russos thought hard about who would go in the snap. "In terms of our choices about who Thanos would end up eradicating with his snap, you know, it was very story-focused. How do we pay off each individual character's storyline most profoundly?" Anthony Russo says. "The first person to go is Bucky Barnes, and it's shot from Captain America's perspective. We're watching Cap go through the experience of watching him go away. We're watching Okoye, whose number one mission it is in life to protect the king, she watches the king go in front of her. And to see those characters react in those situations is very powerful and resonant." 13. The filmmakers refer to the snap as "the bloodbath sequence." Executive producer Trinh Tran throws the phrase in casually during the Wakanda battle featurette. 14. Many of the actors involved didn't know it was happening. "The bloodbath sequence, we had gathered the whole entire talent there circled around our directors, and basically revealed to them that morning of when they came on set, that that scene was happening, that some of them were gonna be, you know, disappearing," says Tran. 15. Infinity War's production included 6,000 crew members spread around the world. "It's about as massive a production as you can mount," says Joe Russo. 16. There's a deleted scene in which the Guardians receive several encoded messages from Nebula. She warns them that Thanos is taking Gamora to Titan, which is how the Guardians know to go there, and why they're on Titan when Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man show up. 17. There's another deleted scene where Happy Hogan shows up in New York. It's an extended version of the early scene between Tony Stark and Pepper, where Happy shows up and berates them about their upcoming nuptials. It honestly doesn't fit the tone of the movie. 18. Jon Favreau says he was hired to direct Iron Man because of Elf. "What really hit was Elf, because Elf made money, and I was sort of like on a list of directors that were hirable," Favreau says in the director's roundtable feature. 19. The Russo brothers were "most impressed" by the first 10 minutes of the original Iron Man. "That's a ballsy interpretation of a narcissist, who's presented as a drunk and a jerk. And this is the guy that I'm supposed to get on board with, who goes on this amazing journey throughout the course of the movie, and I do get on board with him. And I think that that was unique," Joe Russo says. 20. Taika Waititi couldn't join for the directors roundtable so they propped an iPad over a Hawaiian shirt with a hat on This is amazing. 21. The Avengers' post-credits shawarma scene was born from a joke. "I made a joke about, 'We should see them all eating shawarma for 30 seconds,' and then two months later [Kevin Feige] is like, 'I think we can do it,'" says Avengers director Joss Whedon. 22. They shot the shawarma scene after the movie had already premiered. To Jon Favreau's amazement, Whedon admits they shot that scene after the movie had premiered already. "It did not go out in Europe because we didn't have time. It was during, while we were doing press, after the premiere, at the hotel. There was a shawarma place like three blocks away. We got everybody in there," Whedon says. They had to cover Chris Evans' beard (likely for filming Snowpiercer) with a prosthetic, which he blocked with his hand during the scene. 23. James Gunn wrote one of Guardians' favorite scenes in response to a note from Joss Whedon. "Joss, you were the hugest influence on me, because I turned in my first draft of the screenplay [for Guardians of the Galaxy], and I was really afraid, because I felt good about it, but I actually thought it was too funny," Gunn says. "And the thing you said to me...was, 'Just make it more James Gunn.'" He went home after receiving that note and wrote the scene where the Guardians sit around laughing at Quill's "12 percent of a plan." 24. James Gunn thinks of Rocket as a furry, cute version of Frankenstein's monster. "For me, Rocket is Frankenstein's monster. He is this little creature that was this innocent animal, who was turned into something that isn't what he was supposed to be, and is completely alone and completely lost, and has no connection, has no tenderness from anyone," Gunn says. "To me that was the seed from which the entire story grew." 25. The Russos wanted viewers to really believe that Thor was going to kill Thanos. "We needed to create a situation where you really believed that Thor was going to kill Thanos. That was the story of the film--his journey to that," Anthony Russo says. "This guy has lost everything. And it's this level of sadness that imbues him with that underdog quality that then becomes the heart of the movie, and you start to root for, and you believe that's sort of the energy that's gonna carry you into the climax." Venom Movie Trailer 2 Explained: Riot, Lots Of Symbiotes, And More By Mat Elfring on Aug 01, 2018 11:10 pm After hearing about the exclusive Venom footage Sony showed off at Comic-Con this year, symbiote fans were pumped for the studio to release something more to the general public. With its release date coming up later this year, Sony has now unveiled a new trailer for the movie. It features not only numerous looks at actor Tom Hardy as Venom, but also our first peek at Riot, one of the symbiotes that Eddie Brock will have to contend with. Back in April, the trailer the studio released gave us a good idea what the movie is about. Eddie Brock is a journalist investigating Dr. Carlton Drake, who is doing experiments on people involving the symbiotes, which were collected from the debris of a spaceship. Somehow, Brock and a symbiote--named Venom--become united, and Brock deals with trying to keep his sanity and control of his body. His mental instability, which comes from the comics, may explain why it's so hard to understand him. Venom stars Hardy as Eddie Brock, Michelle Williams as Anne Weying, and Riz Ahmed as Dr. Carlton Drake. At the Comic-Con panel, Ahmed described his character as a genius who asks, "What does the future of humanity look like?" Apparently, it's an evolution of the human species by way of symbiotic bonding. With the release of the latest trailer, we know a bit more about what's going on in this movie, including who is playing the symbiotic villain towards the end of the video. There is also another person with a symbiote attached to them as well, and a few more shots of Venom we haven't seen before. Riot is a prominent part of the trailer, and he comes to the big-screen following his comic debut in 1993. He has a history with Drake in the comics that the upcoming movie appears to be drawing on. You can read more about that in our explainer, Who is Riot? Here's everything new and notable from the fresh Venom trailer. Venom comes to theaters on October 5. Different color symbiotes In previous trailers, we saw multiple containers with symbiotes in them. The one above is yellow, which quickly reminded me of the miniseries Lethal Protector, where the Life Foundation unleashed five new symbiotes. Both Phage and Scream were orange and yellow, respectively. Could this be one of those two? Drake is running experiments We've seen this before in previous trailers, but Drake seems very hands-on with his work. We see yet another symbiote, and it looks different from the one in the previous slide. If so, that means Sony could be fully adapting Lethal Protector, sans Spider-Man. The battle for Brock Brock is having an internal struggle for his mind and body, and much like the last trailer, we see that Brock is having visual hallucinations, seeing Venom in the window of a card. Additionally, he's going though physical changes as we his body change as he fights off Venom. Things are getting weird There's a brief scene featuring Venom's face coming off of Brock's body and talking to him. Venom is huge Up to this point, we haven't seen how large Venom is. In the comics, he's a lot bigger than Spider-Man and other heroes in the Marvel Universe. In a wide-shot, we see Venom holding someone up. Venom towers over this guy. Yes, he's licking that guy Is it weird to say that an iconic part of Venom is his ridiculously long tongue? Yeah? Well, it's in the trailer, and he licks a guy. This probably won't be the only time we see something like this. More symbiotes Aside from Venom and the one we think may be Scream, there's also actress Michelle Williams who uses a symbiote to create a blade-like weapon coming out of her arm. Williams is playing Donna Diego in the film, and in the comics, Diego is better known as Scream. Riot is here Without a doubt, this is Riot, the symbiote Venom will be fighting in the movie. Riot is a lot like Venom. He's large, powerful, and overall, just a gigantic brute. Who is Riot? Spoilers! At the very end of the trailer, we see both Venom and Riot being torn apart, and the person inside the Riot symbiote is none other than Carlton Drake. That's a bit of a divergence from the comic, as Drake didn't bond with a symbiote. However, he did become a spider-monster in Spider-Man: The Arachnis Project. The Best Xbox One Games (Updated August 2018) By Kallie Plagge on Aug 01, 2018 09:38 pm Best of the Best Xbox One launched over four years ago, which means over four years of games! As such, it can be hard to decide what to play. From exclusives to the top multi-platform games to indies, there's a lot to choose from--and even though people joke that the Xbox One has no games, that's just not true! We've picked out the best Xbox One games so far. This includes many of the games that received an 8 or higher on GameSpot, and we've prioritized games that were nominated for our Best Xbox One Game list in the years those games released. It also includes Assassin's Creed: Origins, which was one of GameSpot's top Xbox One games of 2017 due to its performance on the Xbox One X. While there are plenty of new games, we haven't included the hundreds of backwards compatible games on Xbox One, which includes many original Xbox and Xbox 360 favorites. Xbox also has a subscription service called which lets you download and play a selection of over 100 games that varies slightly from month to month. For more Xbox One games, see our roundups of the best cheap games on Xbox One, and make sure to check out our gallery of the Xbox One exclusive games confirmed for 2018 as well as the biggest Xbox One games of 2018 for everything coming to the console. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice -- 8/10 "Hellblade's most notable achievement is the handling of an incredibly sensitive subject matter within an engaging and well-crafted action/adventure game. At its heart, the story is about Senua's struggle to come to terms with her illness. In the process, she learns to find the strength within herself to endure, and to make peace with her past. And in a profound and physical way, we go through those same struggles with her, and come away with a better understanding of a piece of something that many people in the world struggle with." [read the full review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor Far Cry 5 -- 9/10 "Despite some brief irritations and missed opportunities with its narrative, spending time in the world of Hope County remains absolutely delightful. Far Cry 5 boasts a wonderfully harmonious flow to its adventure, with its smart changes to exploration, discovery, and progression distinctly bolstering the enjoyment of creatively engaging and experimenting with its spectacular open world." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer Monster Hunter: World -- 8/10 "Ever since the title was first announced last year, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large." [read the full review] -- Ginny Woo Celeste -- 9/10 "It's a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I'd been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain." [read the full review] -- Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer What Remains of Edith Finch -- 9/10 "Developer Giant Sparrow managed to strike the delicate balance between joy and sorrow in 2012's The Unfinished Swan, but What Remains of Edith Finch transcends even the latent sadness of that game, finding the beauty--even sometimes the fun--in what's always fundamentally a tragedy. It's not often that a game's plot slips past the bitterness of grief to finally get to the acceptance, but that's the triumph in What Remains of Edith Finch. Ultimately, if the game has any resemblance of a moral, it's that the bravest, most beautiful thing every one of us does is choose to keep going, despite knowing what's coming." [read the full review] -- Justin Clark Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus -- 9/10 "The New Colossus never lets you forget who and why you're fighting. Nazi brutality is on full display, from the blown-out, irradiated remains of Manhattan to each of the resistance members, who all carry mental scars if not physical ones. You're never given a chance between cutscenes, missions, and even downtime on the U-boat to lose sight of the Reich's cruelty. Wolfenstein's tense gameplay elevates this further by giving you the power to truly resist--and come out of each battle ready for another fight." [read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor Sonic Mania -- 9/10 "Sonic Mania methodically uses its sentimental appeal to great effect, but in the process, it heals the wounds inflicted by its most disappointing predecessors and surpasses the series' best with its smart and interpretive design. An excellent 2D platformer, Sonic Mania goes beyond expectations, managing to be not only a proper evolution of the series' iconic formula, but the best Sonic game ever made." [read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor Cuphead -- 8/10 "Everything you've heard about Cuphead is true. It is a difficult side-scrolling shooter with relentless boss battles that demand rapid-fire actions and reactions. Think for too long, and you won't stand a chance against the game's toughest enemies. Battles may only last three minutes at most, but they feel far longer when you know that you can only absorb three hits before you have to start from scratch. When you are navigating your way around bullets, smaller enemies, and pitfalls, while simultaneously trying to damage your primary target, toppling Cuphead's imposing bosses is both a monumental and rewarding task." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Assassin's Creed Origins -- 7/10 "Assassin's Creed has undergone many changes in its long and storied history, and Origins feels like the first step in the start of a new journey. It has its fair share of problems, but the vision for its future is one worth pursuing." [read the full review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor Stardew Valley -- 9/10 "On the surface, Stardew Valley is a game about farming, but there are more adventures awaiting curious players beyond cultivating a rich and bountiful garden. From mining and fishing to making friends and falling in love, Stardew Valley's Pelican Town is stuffed with rewarding opportunities. As modern day woes give way to pressing matters on the farm and within your newfound community, Stardew Valley's meditative activities often lead to personal reflection in the real world. It's a game that tugs at your curiosity as often as it does your heart." [read the full review] -- Mary Kish Resident Evil 7: Biohazard -- 8/10 "By the end of the campaign, I was ready for the game to be over, but that's okay. RE7 ends just as it starts to outstay its welcome, and after the fact, I felt like I'd survived a truly harrowing journey. The boss fights may be slightly inconsistent and certain sections might drag after a while, but RE7 is still a remarkable success. It has a clear vision and executes it with impressive patience and precision. By returning to horror, Resident Evil has once again become something special." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth Night in the Woods -- 9/10 "Both intensely personal and widely relatable, Night in the Woods doesn't just tell a story--it gracefully captures complex, often unpleasant feelings and experiences. From the quiet melancholy of doing nothing on a rainy day to the emotional vacuum of severe depression, I felt deeply, sometimes too deeply, while wandering through the cartoon-animal version of a small Midwestern town. Its witty writing and character development keep its crushing existential themes grounded, making Night in the Woods one of the most evocative games I've played in a long time." [read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor Overwatch -- 9/10 "Overwatch is an exercise in refined chaos. There are multitudes of layers hiding beneath the hectic surface, and they emerge, one after another, the more you play. This is a shooter that knows how to surprise, one that unfolds at a frantic pace, one that takes a handful of great ideas, and combines them into something spectacular." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer Battlefield 1 -- 9/10 "EA DICE splendidly interprets the early 20th century as a world in technological transition while humanizing the war's participants through well crafted, albeit fictional, narrative vignettes. Combined with an enthralling multiplayer component, the overall result is the studio's best work since Battlefield: Bad Company 2." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion Titanfall 2 -- 9/10 "Titanfall 2 demonstrates a vitality that its predecessor couldn't. Whereas the first Titanfall kept up its breakneck pace throughout the entirety of every match, Titanfall 2 understands that sometimes, dialing things back for a few moments can make the long run much more enjoyable. In many ways, Titanfall 2 feels like the game Respawn should have made in 2013. It's a fantastic sequel. It's a fluid shooter. It's a spectacular game." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer Dishonored 2 -- 8/10 "Any time I'm given a choice between stealth and action, I go stealth. I love the hold-your-breath tension of hoping a guard didn't spot you and the hard-earned triumph of executing a perfectly timed plan. Dishonored 2 delivers that sneaky satisfaction, arming you with stealth essentials like hiding bodies, peering through keyholes, and silent takedowns. But it's also an incredible engine for gleeful chaos, one so engrossing and amusing that I kind of accidentally beat the entire campaign raining hilarious, elaborate death on my enemies." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth Forza Horizon 3 -- 9/10 "With Forza Horizon 3, Turn 10 and Playground Games affirm the series' status as the driving game for everyone. The new emphasis on off-road options isn't at the expense of traditional races, thanks to the sheer volume of activities. All the while, Playground Games' calculated kitchen-sink design philosophy and rich reward system persistently tempt you to explore beyond your comfort zone, whether it's gifting your first Ariel Nomad buggy or reminding you that stunt races can impress thousands of fans. Enhancing your own brand might feel like a strange motivation to hit the road, but pulling off sick e-drifts on a mile-long series of curves makes the PR work worthwhile." [read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion Inside -- 8/10 "This is a beautiful, haunting, and memorable game, a worthy follow-up to Limbo. Its puzzles, although rarely difficult, are engaging complements to the story. The real achievement of this game, though, is the way that it crafts its narrative: detailed environments convey the bizarre world that you travel through; introspective moments are filled with minimalist sound design and just the barest touches of music; and the things you must do to complete your journey force you to confront the realities of humanity, freedom, and existence." [read the full review] -- Alex Newhouse Dark Souls III -- 8/10 "Dark Souls III is a game of valleys and peaks, down through dungeons and up over castle walls. It's a plummet into places we shouldn't be--an escape from places we don't belong. But of course, we fight our way through the darkness, and find our way out. There are a few stumbles along the way, but in the end, Dark Souls III is well worth the riveting climb." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt -- 10/10 "Where the Witcher 2 sputtered to a halt, The Witcher 3 is always in a crescendo, crafting battle scenarios that constantly one-up the last, until you reach the explosive finale and recover in the glow of the game's quiet denouement. But while the grand clashes are captivating, it is the moments between conflicts, when you drink with the local clans and bask in a trobairitz's song, that are truly inspiring." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd Halo 5: Guardians -- 8/10 "Halo 5: Guardians is fueled by new ideas and propelled by some of the boldest changes to this storied franchise yet. Some of these changes fail, but others succeed, and although Halo 5 falters at times, it whisks us through black holes and across war torn tropical islands at a rapid pace. We can only surrender to its velocity." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer Rise of the Tomb Raider -- 9/10 "Rise of the Tomb Raider's first shot pans over the vast, foreboding landscape we'll soon come to know. In many ways, it functions as a promise on the part of Crystal Dynamics: there are big things ahead of us. And at the end of Lara's journey, after we've seen her through this adventure, and experienced everything the world has to offer, it's clear that promise was kept." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer Ori and the Blind Forest -- 9/10 "It consistently surprises you with new tricks: gravitational divergences, new ways to move through its spaces, and carefully designed levels that require you to think quickly and respond. It is not as snappy as, say, a typical Mario platformer, seeking instead a broader gameplay arc stretching across a single, interconnected world. It's a superb and thematically consistent approach that allows Ori and the Blind Forest to build joy on a bed of heartache, adding a new layer of mechanical complexity with each ray of hope." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain -- 10/10 "There has never been a game in the series with such depth to its gameplay, or so much volume in content. The best elements from the past games are here, and the new open-world gameplay adds more to love on top. When it comes to storytelling, there has never been a Metal Gear game that's so consistent in tone, daring in subject matter, and so captivating in presentation. The Phantom Pain may be a contender for one of the best action games ever made, but is undoubtedly the best Metal Gear game there is." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Fallout 4 -- 9/10 "Fallout 4 is an engrossing game that lures you in with mystery and the promise of adventure. Its wretched wasteland can be captivating, and you never know what odd person or settlement lies around the next bend. Fallout 4 uses its dark world as a canvas for exciting combat and gripping stories, and when you dig deeper into its post-nuclear-apocalypse version of Boston--defending yourself from violent scavengers and using your wits to climb social ladders--you become attached to the new you, and ultimately invested in the fate of your new world." [read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- 8/10 "This is a great game in its own right, narratively disjointed but mechanically sound, made up of excellent parts pieced together in excellent ways. I already knew what future lay in store for Middle-earth as I played Shadow of Mordor; I'm hoping that my own future might one day bring another Lord of the Rings adventure as stirring as this one." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd Dragon Age: Inquisition -- 9/10 "Inquisition's characters and world recall the grand gestures of the original Dragon Age, even though the game as a whole is so structurally different to its predecessors. It offers the thrill of discovery and the passion of camaraderie. It features a glee club called The Sing-Quisition, and a dwarf with writer's block. It establishes connections with its world in big ways and small, with the sight of a titanous temple and the smirk of an Orlesian commander in love. Dragon Age: Inquisition is a wonderful game and a lengthy pilgrimage to a magical world with vital thematic ties to one we already know." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition -- 8/10 "Lara herself is so well crafted that I grew attached to her exploits and was sad to say goodbye when the credits rolled. And the exquisite visual design is so breathtaking that I continually found myself staring at the scenery instead of pushing onward. Tomb Raider is a great reinvention of this enduring franchise that made me eager to see where Lara goes in her future." [read the full review] -- Tom McShea Forza Motorsport 5 -- 9/10 "All of this combined makes Forza Motorsport 5 an outstanding improvement to an already excellent racing franchise. It's far more than just a great racing sim, or a gorgeous showcase for the types of feats the Xbox One hardware is capable of. This is a game built on the romantic thrill of motorsport in all its forms, and that love for its subject matter is all but impossible to resist." [read the full review] -- Shaun McInnis Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag -- 9/10 "There's an incredible scope to what you can do in Black Flag, with a level of harmony between its component parts that encourages you to try it all, and a story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some." [read the full review] -- Shaun McInnis Cyberpunk 2077: 9 Things We Really Want By Kallie Plagge on Aug 01, 2018 09:37 pm Looking To The Dark Future After a long wait, we learned a lot more about Cyberpunk 2077 at E3 2018. Developer CD Projekt Red showed off a trailer during Microsoft's press conference as well as a behind-closed-doors demo that has not been released publicly. We now have a better idea of what 2077's setting, Night City, is like and how combat will work, plus a little bit about cybernetic enhancements and romantic relationships. But there's still a lot we don't know, and that means our imaginations have been running wild. We've put together a wishlist of things we'd love to see in Cyberpunk 2077, from character classes to cool clothes. This includes elements from Cyberpunk 2020, the pen-and-paper RPG 2077 is based on--creator Mike Pondsmith is working closely with CDPR on 2077--as well as our more general RPG hopes and dreams. If you aren't familiar with Cyberpunk 2077, it's a first-person game with some shooting mechanics, but it's not a shooter--it's an RPG through and through with a focus on dynamic decision-making and robust questlines. You create your own character, a mercenary named V. You can select their gender and ethnic background as well as their backstory, including what brought them to Night City or if they're a local. According to associate design director Kyle Rowley, "The things you define in your life path, in your backstory, can modify or unlock things as you're playing through the game." For more on Cyberpunk 2077, be sure to check out our roundup of everything we know so far. You can also read up on the districts of Night City and why 2077 is an even more ambitious game than you might realize. This is just a start, so be sure to let us know in the comments what else you want to see! A Variety Of Ways To Tackle Each Mission CD Projekt Red has said that there will be multiple ways to approach each mission, but we have to emphasize how much we want that flexibility. We want to be able to talk ourselves out of a situation, provided we have the skill, or find a way to handle things non-violently. And those decisions need to carry weight. From what we know so far, it sounds like that's the case. Adapt Cyberpunk 2020's Character Classes Pen-and-paper RPG Cyberpunk 2020 has nine basic character classes. According to CD Projekt Red, you won't be selecting a class during character creation, since that doesn't allow for flexibility as you play. We're hoping that whatever customization options there are (like a skill tree) will really capture the spirit of Cyberpunk 2020's classes, like the rebellious Rockerboys and the Mad Max-esque Nomads, and give you the freedom to craft the exact class you want to play. A Romance System With Depth And Variety We know that there's romance and sex in Cyberpunk 2077, and while that's not new for an RPG, we're hoping that it's more nuanced. Rather than just picking the "right" dialogue options to seduce someone, we want something more emergent, complete with the possibility of being rejected. Not everyone needs to be into you, and the ones who are should feel that way for a reason beyond you saying all the right things. Tons Of Cosmetic Options As the Cyberpunk 2020 manual says, "It doesn't matter how well you do something, as long as you look good doing it." Style is a huge deal in the world of Cyberpunk, and we want to see a near-overwhelming number of options when it comes to looking cool as hell. Yes, it's a first-person game, but it's really the principle of the thing. You don't have to always be looking at your character to appreciate a sweet leather jacket. Customize Your Apartment (Or Even Get A New Place) In the behind-closed-doors demo at E3 2018, we got a look at the protagonist's apartment. We want to be able to decorate it however we see fit (and set it up with some cool tech) or even buy a new property, like in GTA Online. Maybe you want to live large, or maybe you just want to live above a ramen shop and lay low. A Game-Within-A-Game (Netrunner, Perhaps?) The Witcher 3 had Gwent. The Cyberpunk universe has Netrunner, a now out-of-print collectible card game designed by the creator of Magic: The Gathering. Cyberpunk 2077 could give Netrunner a second life in-game, and just like Gwent in The Witcher 3, it could be more than just a brief distraction in between quests. We'd also be open to something besides a CCG--the "streetslang" in Cyberpunk lore is a mix of major languages, so an amalgamation of classic games from different countries isn't a big stretch. And A Variety Of Side Activities Cyberpunk 2077 will have romance (and casual flings), so it's not unreasonable to hope for a substantial nightlife. We want dive bars, clubs, and perhaps some shadier or more dangerous places to really fit the "dark future" setting. Maybe you can go to an NPC Rockerboy's concert. Maybe you can smoke a cigarette to increase your Cool stat...and probably drain your health. The possibilities are endless. Take Us To The Moon In the E3 2018 trailer, we saw a scene with passengers aboard a shuttle of some sort, apparently above Earth's atmosphere. There are two lunar colonies in Cyberpunk 2020, and considering there are two open world areas in The Witcher 3, it would make sense (and be really, really cool) if you could go to the moon in addition to Night City in Cyberpunk 2077. Subvert Cyberpunk Genre Tropes Although Cyberpunk 2077 is based on a tabletop RPG that is, in turn, based on the pillars of the cyberpunk genre--like Blade Runner--we hope that it will subvert some of the genre's more tired tropes. Many cyberpunk stories have examined the humanity of AI, for example, while glossing over topics like consent and sex work. CD Projekt Red has certainly proven its ability to tell a variety of meaningful stories across RPG quest lines, and it has the opportunity to move the genre forward with 2077. Every Assassin's Creed Game, Reviewed By Matt Espineli on Aug 01, 2018 08:30 pm Assassin's Creed Through The Ages It's hard to believe, but Ubisoft has released 20 Assassin's Creed games in the span of a decade, and we're already primed for a new one this year with Assassin's Creed Odyssey. In the years since the franchise's 2007 debut, we've received a wealth of fantastic games that have each managed to refine the series' classic open-world formula, while at times pushing it in exciting new directions. Of course, not every Assassin's Creed game has met fan expectations, but the franchise is still packed with a ton of thrilling adventures that are well-worth experiencing and even revisiting today. It all began with the first Assassin's Creed, a flawed game that showed great promise with its innovative climbing mechanics and sci-fi/historical drama narrative. This potential was eventually realized with Assassin's Creed II, which proved a remarkable improvement thanks to more varied design and a historical setting that stood out from other open-world games of the time. Its follow-up, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, remains a satisfying sequel that refined much of what we loved about ACII while giving us new combat and exploration mechanics to engage with. The next major highlight in the franchise came from Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, a pirate-themed adventure telling the redemption tale of Edward Kenway, an errant thief soon to be made an Assassin. The game's naval combat and exploration brought new life to the series' increasingly stale urban environments. Rounding out the series' most noteworthy entries are Assassin's Creed Syndicate and Assassin's Creed Origins. Syndicate brought hope back to the series after one of its most debilitating lows, but Origins completely revitalized the franchise while transforming it into an action-RPG series. You can experience the highs and lows of Assassin's Creed by checking out our reviews of nearly every single game in the franchise in the slides ahead. It's worth noting that we do not have reviews of lesser-known games in the series: Assassin's Creed: Pirates and Assassin's Creed identity. Though, if you're interested in the deeper cuts of the franchise and want an in-depth look at Assassin's Creed in all of its ups and downs, be sure to watch the video above discussing the franchise's history and its impact on the gaming industry. In the meantime, which Assassin's Creed games do you love the most? Which games disappointed you the most? Feel free to discuss all your thoughts in the comments below. Assassin's Creed -- 9/10 "Assassin's Creed will stay with you long after you finish it. Here is one of the most unique gameworlds ever created: beautiful, memorable, and alive. Every crack and crevasse is filled with gorgeous, subtle details, from astounding visual flourishes to overheard cries for help. But it's more than just a world--it's a fun and exciting action game with a ton of stuff to do and places to explore, rounded out with silky-smooth controls and a complex story that will slowly grab you the more you play. Make no mistake: Assassin's Creed is one of the best efforts of the year and a must-own game." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles -- 6/10 "You could finish Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles in around four hours, but even the promise of a harder difficulty level won't likely lure you back for a second play-through. It's hardly a bad game; in fact, the final hour mixes the various elements together nicely and hits a smooth stride as a result. Nevertheless, the game offers few surprises, and some sloppy execution problems get in the way far too often to make it outright recommendable." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines -- 5/10 "Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines doesn't get it. On the surface, it offers many of the features you'd want from an Assassin's Creed game on the PSP. It puts you in control of Altair, the first game's nimble protagonist, and sends you on a mission to assassinate your Templar enemies, who are equally eager to plunge their swords into you. If you delve a little deeper, however, you'll find that Bloodlines skimps on what makes the console games so special. The joy of rooftop running has been diminished by flawed platforming and smaller environments, bustling cities have been replaced by barren districts on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, and AI problems render the stealthy approach all but irrelevant. Bloodlines still delivers the brief bloody thrills you get from a well-timed counterattack, but on the whole, it is a neutered and unsatisfying adventure." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd Assassin's Creed II -- 9/10 "At first, Assassin's Creed II might seem as if it has added more than its foundation was meant to handle, but once all the new features are completely introduced, it develops that magic that so few games can cast. This is the rare sequel that offers fans of the original the basics they would expect, while adding and changing so many other aspects that even those who didn't appreciate the first should take the plunge, without hesitation. A few more contrivances notwithstanding, Assassin's Creed II is a better game than its forebear and is a beautiful and memorable experience on its own terms. But it's more than just a game--it's an escape to a place and a time that feel so welcoming, you'll be making return trips even after your initial adventure is over." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd Assassin's Creed II: Discovery -- 7/10 "In spite of its flaws, Assassin's Creed II: Discovery does a good job of bringing the Assassin's Creed vibe to a handheld platform. The scope is condensed but the spirit remains, thanks to fluid combat animations, familiar sound effects, and little touches, like cowering citizens, that pay homage to the vibrant cities of the console games. It's got its share of quirks, but Discovery is the first right step toward fitting a world of secret assassins and crazy conspiracies in your pocket." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood -- 8.5/10 "Almost every aspect of the series has seen enhancements in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, from travel (you can whistle for a horse and ride it almost anywhere) to value (you can now replay any completed memory). There is joy in leaping across the Roman rooftops, taking in the grand sights in front of you and realizing that it is all your own playground. Stealing a combatant's spear from him and impaling him on it is a brutal pleasure. And the little touches--the way Claudia meets Ezio's stare with one of her own, or the fluid animations that characterize your agile maneuvers--are constant reminders of what makes these games so enchanting. This may not be Assassin's Creed III, but like Ezio's smirk, Brotherhood is too irresistible to ignore." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd Assassin's Creed: Revelations -- 8/10 "Even the greatest heroes can't live forever. And so it goes for Ezio Auditore di Firenze, who finally steps aside to make room for new champions in Assassin's Creed: Revelations. This is another quality entry in a quality series, and it unleashes you in a visually stunning re-creation of 16th-century Constantinople. Additions to the movement mechanics make exploring the city a joyous exercise in high-flying parkour, with you as Ezio leaping across rooftops and flinging yourself up exterior walls like a Renaissance superhero. Like many sequels, Revelations giveth, and Revelations taketh away, so you lose certain elements (horses) in favor of a slew of new ones (bomb crafting). Lots and lots of new ones. Assassin's Creed: Revelations is sometimes a lumpy Frankenstein's monster of a game, half-formed appendages stitched into place regardless of whether they belong there or not. Thankfully, when Revelations remembers to be an Assassin's Creed game, it soars into the Turkish skies, reminding fans why they fell in love with this freewheeling series." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd Assassin's Creed III -- 8.5/10 "Assassin's Creed III is a big game that gives you a lot to do, some of which is fleshed out relatively well, and some of which isn't. It is not, however, content to rest on the series' laurels. It takes chances with its opening, with its story, and with its characters. It expands the series' gameplay in enjoyable and sensible ways. As with many ambitious games, not every arrow fired hits the bull's-eye, yet this big, narratively rich sequel is easy to get invested in. Other games stimulate emotion with manipulative music and teary monologues; Assassin's Creed III rouses your mind and your heart by giving you a glimpse into its characters' souls and letting you judge them on their own merits." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd Assassin's Creed III: Liberation -- 6.5/10 "Though Assassin's Creed III: Liberation toys around with intriguing concepts and centers its story around a character you desperately want to know more about, none of it comes together especially well. Liberation often excels, but it stumbles just as much. The result is a game that fails to bear the standard of quality that has defined this series for years." [Read the review] -- Shaun McInnis Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag -- 9/10 "Black Flag presents a world full of adventure and opportunity, where treasures scavenged in a remote jungle can be used to turn the tide in a massive naval battle against mighty Spanish warships. It's a game where you can sail the seas for hours at a time, either hunting great white sharks or simply listening to your crew sing one infectious sea shanty after the next. There's an incredible scope to what you can do in Black Flag, with a level of harmony between its component parts that encourages you to try it all, and a story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some." [Read the review] -- Shaun McInnis Assassin's Creed: Freedom Cry -- 6/10 "With the strongest ensemble cast in the franchise, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag wasn't short of assassins and pirates worthy of their own playable tales, DLC or otherwise. Freedom Cry is more than just another Assassin's Creed IV chapter with a reskinned protagonist, but its troubled handling of dark themes makes this a turbulent voyage." [Read the review] -- Miguel Concepcion Assassin's Creed Unity -- 7/10 "Not all of Unity's more progressive touches are for the best then, but you might spend more time noticing what's old than what's new. The terrific city atmosphere of Paris, the focus on parkour, and the incentives for performing stealthy assassinations, all these things hint at a game that's trying to return to its roots after branching out so wildly in its past two iterations. Yes, Unity is the most ACII-like of the series since, well, ACII, and while it never really hits the dizzying heights of Ezio's jaunt through 15th century Italy, Unity's similarities are comforting enough to take the edge off its less-than-successful changes. But is it the next-gen Assassin's Creed game we've all been waiting for? Not quite. It's very good, maybe even great in places, but the story's smaller focus has come at the expense of its exquisitely rendered backdrop. The grandness and spectacle that so often graces the finest Assassin's Creeds is sadly sorely lacking here." [Read the review] -- Mark Walton Assassin's Creed Rogue -- 6/10 "Outside of a few additions like an air rifle and grenade launcher (which is used exactly one for mission), there's next to nothing in Rogue that moves the franchise forward. And even if you simply wanted more of Black Flag, that the missions are so sparse makes it difficult to want to drag yourself across the vast expanse of Rogue's oceans. Instead of a rich, fleshed-out game, Rogue is a short, mildly entertaining adventure that's thin on core content, but thick with information. It's intriguing information though, particularly if you're a series fan, just don't expect the best of adventures while you're taking it all in." [Read the review] -- Mark Walton Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China -- 6/10 "Assassin Shao Jun really wants a box. Apparently, the box holds a precious artifact left from the time of the First Civilization, but it is simply the ultimate in MacGuffins; it's the Maltese Falcon, the briefcase from Pulp Fiction, and the Ark of the Covenant. What it does is irrelevant and never elaborated upon, at least not in this story, for its purpose is to kick an adventure into action--in this case, a beautiful and ultimately boring trek that cribs from Mark of the Ninja but can't capture the earlier game's cleverness or excitement. It's tempting to praise Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China for squeezing the series' signature elements into two-and-a-half dimensions, and for making stealth gameplay more vital than it has been in an Assassin's Creed game for years. But Chronicles rests on being pretty, adding new mechanics over time but flattening the pace and allowing exploits and glitches to suck out the rising tension." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd Assassin's Creed Syndicate -- 9/10 "[Assassin's Creed Syndicate] is a triumphant return to form for the franchise, and presents a beautifully structured tale with heart and soul to spare. Ziplining through London is thrilling, and the game allows you to organically discover missions and leaves you open-ended solutions lets you to create a meaningful, personal experience within its world. Coupled with strong, loveable leads and a seemingly endless procession of ways to leave your (fictional) mark on London's history, Assassin's Creed Syndicate is a shining example of gameplay and storytelling." [Read the review] -- Alexa Ray Corriea Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India -- 7/10 "For the mainline Assassin's Creed games, the history and characters are the bones holding the gameplay upright. For the Chronicles series, the curiosities presented by the setting act as a thin veneer that only momentarily distracts from the flaws beneath. Like Arbaaz himself, these great moments have a bad habit of vanishing into thin air when you least want them to, bit there is still a lot of fun to be had in this Indian adventure." [Read the review] -- Justin Clark Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia -- 5/10 "[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia's] art style is ultimately indicative of the problems with the series, in that, even at its most colorful or active, it falls flat. We're given few reasons to care about the story or characters, and gameplay doesn't escalate in a way that make sticking around for the complete three-game journey worthwhile. Newcomers may still find fleeting joy in one of the games for being a bite sized portion of Prince of Persia-style journeys through an exotic land. But the idea of sticking around for seconds or thirds has been proven to be a fool's errand, and that single portion turning out to be Russia would give a lackluster impression of the rest. Chronicles ends not with a bang or a whimper, but a shrug." [Read the review] -- Justin Clark Assassin's Creed Origins -- 7/10 "While Assassin's Creed Origins reaches great heights in this new setting, it routinely runs into issues that bog down the overall experience. Technical issues make for an inconsistent experience and its new gameplay pillars wobble under the weight of its systems. But despite this, the world of Origins remains fresh and exciting to explore, which is a testament to the remarkable setting and compelling story. Assassin's Creed has undergone many changes in its long and storied history, and Origins feels like the first step in the start of a new journey. It has its fair share of problems, but the vision for its future is one worth pursuing." [Read the review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor The Biggest TV Shows To Watch In 2018 By Array on Aug 01, 2018 03:59 pm We're now more than halfway through 2018, and the year has already seen some great TV shows, including Westworld, Altered Carbon, The End of the F***ing World, Black Lightning, Everything Sucks, and the return of Jessica Jones and Iron Fist. But there's loads more to come. While fans will have to wait until 2019 before we get more Stranger Things and Game of Thrones, there are still a ton of small screen goodies worth getting excited about. There's the return of some of 2017's best shows, more offerings from Marvel and DC, some lavish reworkings of classic sci-fi and horror properties, and a handful of intriguing new titles. So here's the biggest TV shows to watch over the rest of the year... Better Call Saul, Season 4 AMC, August 6 Better Call Saul started life as a spin-off from the much-loved Breaking Bad, but over three seasons, it has become a truly great show in its own right. Season 4 premieres on AMC next month, and it sees the show get closer to Breaking Bad territory. This time, shady lawyer Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) will encounter Giancarlo Esposito's drug dealer Gus Fring, who was one of the most iconic characters of the parent show. Creator Vince Gilligan has also stressed that Season 4 will have more in common with Breaking Bad than the previous seasons of Better Call Saul. "In Season 4, it's very much like Breaking Bad," he told The Independent. "There's some great stuff coming up. As with [Breaking Bad], there's humour wherever we can find it provided it's legitimate and well-earned. But those moments of earning it are now fewer and far between." Disenchantment Netflix, August 17 Simpsons and Futurama creator Matt Groening is back with another animated show, the first season of which hits Netflix in its entirety in August. Disenchantment is a fantasy series that focuses a princess played by Broad City's Abbi Jacobson. The official synopsis reveals that it is set in the "crumbling medieval kingdom of Dreamland" and that it will "follow the misadventures of hard-drinking young princess Bean, her feisty elf companion Elfo, and her personal demon Luci." The footage revealed at July's San Diego Comic-Con suggests that it's going to be a irreverent treat. The classic comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail is apparently a big influence, and Groening has promised "a lot of severed limbs and decapitations." We can't wait. Jack Ryan Amazon, August 31 Tom Clancy's CIA analyst Jack Ryan has been portrayed by almost as many actors as James Bond, in a much shorter space of time; John Krasinski will be the fifth star to play the character since 1990. According to director Daniel Sackheim, this new 10-part TV adaptation of Clancy's best-selling spy novels will take Harrison Ford's more down-to-earth interpretation as the basis for the character, rather than the more heroic version played by Ben Affleck and Chris Pine. And of course, Krasinski is now the director and star of one of the year's biggest movies--A Quiet Place--ensuring that Jack Ryan will get plenty of attention when it premieres in August. Ozark, Season 2 Netflix, August 31 When Ozark premiered last year, many compared it to Breaking Bad, both in terms of its plot (an ordinary family man who chooses a life of crime) and its mix of violent thrills and dark humor. But the show quickly grew into its own thing and emerged as one of 2017's most enjoyable original series. Season 2 arrives in August. Jason Bateman returns as money-laundering dad Marty Byrde, with Laura Linney as his estranged but equally duplicitous wife Wendy. As Bateman says: "It's a good escalation of everything as far: danger, the business challenges, and--domestically--our relationship." The Purge Syfy, September 4 The Purge is one of the most successful horror franchises of recent years--the three movies to date have made more than $319 million worldwide on modest budgets, and the fourth movie is set to hit theatres in July. But if that weren't enough, there's also a 10-episode TV show on the way. It's being produced for Syfy and will be overseen by franchise creator James DeMonaco, who also wrote and directed the first three films. It's set once more in a dystopian future where the annual Purge allows citizens to get all their violent, criminal impulses out, and according to early reports, will focus on a Marine who returns home to protect his sister on Purge Night. There's no premiere date yet, but it was recently announced The People v. O. J. Simpson director Anthony Hemingway will helm the first episode, so there's a good chance we might see it before the year is out. Iron Fist Netflix, September 7 After impressive early seasons for Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage, Netflix's roster of Marvel shows came a bit unstuck last year with the critically-panned first season of Iron Fist. Hopes are high that the upcoming Season 2 can deliver on the promise of a kung fu-themed superhero show by actually giving us some decent action and a compelling plot. To be fair to Marvel, they seem to recognize that Season 1 didn't work, with Marvel TV boss Jeph Loeb telling fans at the recent San Diego Comic-Con that the makers planned to "up their game" when it comes to fight choreography in Season 2. The show sees Finn Jones and Jessica Henwick back as Danny Rand and Colleen Wing, and they will be joined this time by Luke Cage's Simone Messick as Misty Knight and Alice Eve as the villainous Typhoid Mary. We'll find out in September if they've got it right this time. Maniac Netflix, September 21 Maniac will probably be one of the weirder series of the year. Given the names attached, though, the show comes with huge buzz. Cary Fukunaga helms the dark comedy, which stars Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, and Justin Theroux. The story centers on a patient living in a psychiatric hospital who escapes reality by living his life inside a fantasy world maintained solely inside his own mind. It sounds bonkers, but if Fukunaga brings the same sensibilities he brought to True Detective, the network may have a winner on its hands. Star Wars Resistance Disney XD, October The hugely popular Star Wars Rebels ended back in March, but fans of Disney's animated Star Wars output won't have long to wait for the next series. Star Wars Resistance has been created by Dave Filoni, the man behind both Rebels and The Clone Wars, so we know it's in good hands. This show is set before the events of the 2015 movie, The Force Awakens, and will focus on a young pilot named Kazuda Xiono, who is recruited by the Resistance and tasked with a top-secret mission to spy on the growing threat of the First Order. As well as a host of new characters, fans can expect appearances from some of the recent Star Wars movie cast members, such as Oscar Isaac (as Poe Dameron) and Gwendoline Christie (as Captain Phasma), plus droid favorite BB-8. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Netflix, October 26 Channeling the success of Riverdale, another Archie Comics story was in the works at The CW. But due to their concern of having too many witch shows--the network's Charmed reboot is still on the horizon--the untitled Sabrina the Teenage Witch series was handed over to Netflix. The series will explore the origins of the half-witch, half-mortal as she battles the evil forces that threaten her friends and family. Tonally, Deadline describes the series as being "in the vein of Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist." Castlevania, Season 2 Netflix, October 26 Season 1 of Netflix's animated gothic fantasy Castlevania premiered in 2017 and has became one of the streaming service's most acclaimed new shows. Season 2 of the video game adaptation was initially rumored for this summer, but it has now been confirmed that it will debut in October and will run for eight episodes. Not only that, but actor Richard Armitage has also revealed that a third season is in the works. The Walking Dead Season 9 AMC, October 31 While much has been written about The Walking Dead's falling ratings, it remains a hugely popular show, so don't expect it to go anywhere any time soon. The zombie drama returns later this year for its ninth season under new showrunner Angela Kang. Her predecessor Scott Gimple remains involved as AMC's chief content officer, and last month, he told Variety that Season 9 would see the show "evolve in a huge way." Could this mean the two-year time jump that occurred at the same point in the comic books? We'll find out in the fall. Doctor Who Season 11 BBC, October It's always exciting when a new actor takes on the role as the iconic Timelord, but the debut of the thirteenth doctor this October is a really big deal. Jodie Whittaker replaces Peter Capaldi and is the first woman to play the Doctor. Whittaker had a brief appearance at the end of the recent Christmas Special, but fans will have to wait until October to see how her portrayal differs from previous incarnations. There's a new showrunner too, as Broadchurch's Chris Chibnall succeeds Steven Moffat. Finally, the Doctor's assistant is to be played by comedian Bradley Walsh. The Conners ABC, Fall The massive success of ABC's Roseanne revival was quickly overshadowed by the actions of its famous star, when a racist tweet by Roseanne Barr's led the network to cancel plans for Season 2. But last week, it was confirmed that the cast (minus Barr) will return for a spin-off show The Conners. Season 1 will premiere in the fall, taking Roseanne's 8 PM Thursday slot, and will run to 10 episodes. It's currently unknown how the show will address Barr's absence, but fans of this much-loved working classic sitcom family will have much to look forward to when Sara Gilbert, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalfe, and company return to screens. Legends Of Tomorrow, Season 4 The CW, Fall The CW's roster of DC shows continues to go from strength to strength. Its most addition was the hugely entertaining Black Lightning, while Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl all remain extremely popular. Season 4 of Legends Of Tomorrow arrives in the Fall, and with Netflix's Defenders proving to be a boring disappointment, it remains the one TV superhero team-up to watch. Focusing on heroes such as White Canary, Atom, Heat Wave, Vixen, and Steel, this year the team will be join by John Constantine, who is played once more by Matt Ryan. Ryan previously played the character in the now-cancelled show Constantine, as well as in episodes of Arrow and last year's animated movie Justice League Dark. In short, he's really good at playing one of DC's coolest, edgiest heroes, and is a welcome addition to Legends of Tomorrow. Nightflyers Syfy Long before he created the world of Game of Thrones, author George RR Martin wrote the short novel Nightflyers, a sci-fi horror story about a group of scientists who embark on a mission into deepest space to make contact with alien life. The story was adapted into a movie in 1987 and has now been turned into a new TV show by SyFy. This is one of the network's biggest productions to date, and the first trailer suggests that it will be as much a horror story as a space adventure. Boardwalk Empire's Gretchen Mol stars. Titans DC Universe While the quality of DC's movie output has been variable (to say the least), its roster of TV shows remains remarkably consistent. Titans is the latest addition. A live-action version of the Teen Titans, it's been in development since 2014, but shifting channels and cancelled pilots has meant very slow progress to the screen. But it is finally set to premiere in 2018, on DC's new digital service. Australian actor Brenton Thwaites (Gods of Egypt, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) plays Dick Grayson/Robin, leading a team of young superheroes that includes Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy. The Umbrella Academy Netflix A comic book property outside of Marvel's purview is on its way to Netflix. The Umbrella Academy comes from the mind of My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way. The series tells the story of some not-pregnant women who suddenly give birth to a bunch of superpowered babies. Taking place in an alternate timeline--one where JFK is still very much alive--the story follows seven kids as they undergo training to save the world. Ellen Page has been tapped to star in the program, and Way will serve as producer. New Warriors TBC While the Marvel Cinematic Universe is highly focused and tightly controlled, the same can't be said for its TV counterparts. Shows like Daredevil, Luke Cage, Runaways, Agents of SHIELD, and Cloak and Dagger are all technically part of the MCU too, but you'd hardly know it from the wildly different tones, styles, and general lack of references to each other. But many of these shows are great (let's forgot Inhumans ever happened), and they will soon be joined New Warriors. The offbeat superhero team includes Squirrel Girl, Mister Immortal, Speedball, and Microbe, and it's been described as much more of a comedy than other Marvel shows. New Warriors was originally set to premiere this year on Freeform, but despite the fact that the pilot reportedly test very well the network dropped in due to "programming issues." It's currently being shopped around other networks by ABC, so hopefully, we'll see it soon. The Haunting of Hill House Netflix Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Gerald's Game) is one of the best horror directors working today, and 2018 will see him turn his talents to TV. Produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin TV, this is an adaptation of Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel, which was also turned into the classic 1963 movie The Haunting (the less said about the 1999 remake the better). Annabeth Gish (Sons of Anarchy, The West Wing) stars as Mrs. Dudley, the caretaker of a haunted estate, with roles for Timothy Hutton (All the Money in the World) and Gerald's Game's Carla Gugino. Flanagan has written and directed the whole 10-part series, and this could be one of the year's great horror shows. Luther, Series 5 BBC Fans of Luther were both excited and dismayed when the series returned for a two-episode fourth season in 2015. With a busy actor like Idris Elba playing the title role, sometimes schedules can be tight. That said, it looks like Elba has donned his signature tweed coat for another go-round as brilliant detective John Luther. We don't know what sort of gruesome crimes he will be investigating, but one thing is for certain: Idris Elba is at his best when the world is at its worst. Right now, John Luther is the hero we need and deserve. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Netflix It's been more than a year since this prequel to Jim Henson's classic '80s fantasy movie The Dark Crystal was first announced via this teaser, and while Netflix rarely announces release dates very far in advance, there's a good chance we might see it in 2018. We know that the show will consist of 10 episodes and will be overseen by Louis Leterrier, who is best known for directing Now You See Me and Marvel's The Incredible Hulk. While the original 1982 movie was only moderately successful at the time, it has gained a considerable cult following over the years, and with Netflix's deep pockets we can expect something lavish and highly imaginative. Mindhunter Season 2 Netflix This is another Netflix show without a confirmed release date, but star Jonathan Groff has said that the second season of the period crime thriller is to start shooting early this year, so a late 2018 premiere is possible. The first season of Mindhunter showed that producer David Fincher was just at home with small-screen serial killer thrills as he is in movies such as Zodiac and Seven. The balance between a seriously dark crime procedural and a beautifully performed, character-driven drama was exceptional, so hopes are extremely high for Season 2. Black Mirror, Season 5 Netflix Netflix has confirmed that Charlie Brooker's hugely acclaimed sci-fi anthology series will return for a fifth season. While the streaming giant is yet to announce a release date, the previous two seasons arrived a year apart, so there's good chance we might see Black Mirror Season 5 before the end of the year. Season 4 was the strongest season to date, so expect the next one to deliver more disturbing but darkly funny predictions about the way technology continues to shape our lives. Can't wait. The Best Games To Play Of 2018 (So Far): Switch, PS4, Xbox One, And PC By Matt Espineli on Aug 01, 2018 06:29 am The First Half's Finest The first half of 2018 has delivered a wealth of amazing games well worth your time. Heck, the year is already shaping up to be similar to last in terms of quality--if not better. Big-budget games, like Dragon Ball FighterZ, God of War, and Far Cry 5 floored us with their attention to detail and complex mechanics. On the other hand, smaller indie experiences continued to turn our heads; Celeste and Iconoclasts proved to be standout games early standouts this year, but a multitude of other unique experiences have released since then, like Yoku's Island Express and Minit. Around this time of year in 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nier: Automata, Persona 5, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard were some of the most fantastic experiences. However, this year seems to be meeting the high standard set by those games, and in a wide variety of genres. With so many games coming out every month, it can be tough keeping track of the best ones. To ensure you're aware of this year's finest, we've gathered them all here for your convenience. Ahead are games exemplary enough to be considered some of the best of this year so far. By the end of the year, a number of these could become candidates for 2018's Game of the Year awards. Which games do you think will be good enough to be included in our Game of the Year awards? Let us know in the comments below. There's always games that fly under our radar, so we're eager to know what you think is the finest of this year so far. The Crew 2 -- 8/10 "I'm annoyed by the game's lack of public interaction and meaningless gear system, but I'll fondly recall both the tension of flinging sprint boats back and forth through the narrow, artificial canals of The Venetian in Las Vegas, and the easygoing satisfaction of an hour-long hypercar race from New York to San Francisco, where I listened to a podcast and enjoyed the rolling scenery. Despite its shortcomings, The Crew 2 still displays admirable strengths, which lie in its player-friendly features, freedom of movement, and its willingness to bend the rules in order to make things exciting and varied for an accessible, American-themed thrillride." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Senior Editor and Video Producer The Red Strings Club -- 9/10 (Platforms: PC) "From the game's opening piano chords, The Red String Club's futuristic exploration of themes regarding human emotion, strong writing, and exciting situations create an experience that is deeply gratifying. The cast of relatable, three-dimensional characters elevate the stakes of every bullet fired, secret divulged and cocktail poured. They are flawed and dangerous, but also convey admirable human characteristics that feel inspirational. The Red Strings Club is a tense adventure about a cast of characters that endanger themselves for goals that aren't necessarily guaranteed, a rewarding journey into the human soul, and a game that pushes the limits of what a point-and-click adventure can do." [Read the full review] -- David Rayfield Iconoclasts -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Vita, PC) "When Iconoclasts' end credits begin to roll, it's bittersweet to see the journey come to a close. After solving every puzzle and witnessing the finale of its poignant narrative, you can't help but reflect on the growth of its characters and your impact onto the world. The game will shock and surprise you with how gripping its story is, and it's likely to do so again in subsequent playthroughs of New Game+ with your expanded knowledge of character histories and events. Iconoclasts may be a callback to the style and mechanics of old-school games, but it's also a sincere and compelling adventure that anyone with respect for fantastic storytelling and 2D-action can enjoy." [Read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor The Inpatient -- 8/10 (Platforms: PSVR) "The Inpatient doesn't just do right by Until Dawn, but stands right alongside it as one of the strongest horror experiences on PlayStation 4. It's a game far less concerned with pushing you towards what's lurking down every corridor than feeding you the worst ideas of what could be." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark Celeste -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) "It's a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I'd been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain." [Read the full review] -- Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer Monster Hunter World -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One) "Ever since the title was first announced last year, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large." [Read the full review] -- Ginny Woo Subnautica -- 9/10 (Platforms: PC) "Subnautica's story, scares, and beautifully rendered underwater setting make it one of the most fascinating survival games around. You will always have to grind away to a certain extent to gather necessary resources, but the overall experience is both accessible and refined. Subnautica may not make you eager to get back to the beach this summer, but right now there is no better virtual way to experience the beauty, and the terror, of the deep blue sea." [Read the full review] -- Brett Todd Shadow of the Colossus -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4) "Shadow of the Colossus is a tremendous journey, and one well worth taking and retaking. The visual overhaul is stunning, thoroughly enhancing every facet of Wander and Agro's excellent adventure. Galloping through the tranquil world is always breathtaking; felling a monumental colossus is always humbling. Shadow of the Colossus is a beautiful reconstruction of an already exceptional title. It continues to be a modern classic and is an extraordinary game that everyone must experience." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer Dragon Ball FighterZ (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC) "FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance. Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series' characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor EA Sports UFC 3 -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One) "EA Sports UFC 3 is a tense, exciting, and dynamic recreation of the stand and bang aspect of mixed martial arts. There's a fluidity to the way it moves, and a satisfying feel and unpredictability to the way fights can unfold that demands your engagement. The grappling still needs plenty of work, and one would hope this is something EA Canada addresses in the next iteration; yet these shortcomings become easier to overlook because of the accomplishment of its redefined striking. When it comes to the art of combat, few sports titles do it better." [Read the full review] -- Richard Wakeling Radiant Historia Perfect Chronology -- 8/10 (Platforms: 3DS) "With all the time juggling, the brain-teasing mechanic of the White Chronicle doesn't overshadow Radiant Historia Perfect Chronology's story. Its politically charged tale complements Stocke's personal journey as he follows his orders and makes sense of his powers. The White Chronicles' close connection to the plot only makes temporal manipulation all the more engrossing, regardless if you're working your way to the game's best conclusion or hitting every node in the timeline. This feature maintains its grip for much of the game's 60-hour journey in spite of its combat shortcomings. Had this been a straight port of the DS version, it would still warrant the attention of RPG enthusiasts who missed Radiant Historia the first time around. With its upgrades and considerable bonuses--particularly the Sub-History--even those who think they got their fill by beating the original game should check out this definitive edition." [Read the full review] -- Miguel Concepcion Kingdom Come: Deliverance -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC) "Even with these issues in mind, anyone who can appreciate the down-and-dirty nature of history should play Kingdom Come: Deliverance. It's an impressive and unflinching look at the medieval era that transports you inside the compelling story of a real person caught in the middle of a civil war. As such, this is one of those rare, memorable games that stays with you long after you stop playing. While quirks and bugs can certainly be frustrating, none of these issues interfere much with the unique and captivating nature of the overall experience." [Read the full review] -- Brett Todd Moss -- 8/10 (Platforms: PSVR) "It's a testament to just how well Moss understands PlayStation VR and works with the device instead of trying to bend it to a will it was never designed for. Moss wouldn't feel right without it at all, and its many strengths are married to the interactions that only full immersion can manufacture. Unsurprisingly, then, Moss is easily one of PlayStation VR's best titles to date, even if it's a little too eager to get you in and out of its world." [Read the full review] -- Alessandro Barbosa Into The Breach -- 9/10 (Platforms: PC) "There is so much strategic joy in seeing the potential destruction a swarm of giant monsters is about to unleash on a city, then quickly staging and executing elaborate counter maneuvers to ruin the party. Into The Breach's focus on foresight makes its turn-based encounters an action-packed, risk-free puzzle, and the remarkable diversity of playstyles afforded by unique units keeps each new run interesting. It's a pleasure to see what kind of life-threatening predicaments await for you to creatively resolve in every new turn, every new battle, and every new campaign. Into The Breach is a pristine and pragmatic tactical gem with dynamic conflicts that will inspire you to jump back in again, and again, and again." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer Kirby: Star Allies -- 8/10 (Platforms: Switch) "Star Allies is yet another Kirby game, but it's up there with some of the best. It's an artistic showcase, and a great opportunity for co-op platforming. The one real complaint you can levy at it is that it gates off its more challenging aspects, but the fact that they are present to begin with will please anyone who's grown weary of the series' painless platforming." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Surviving Mars -- 8/10 (Platforms: Xbox One, PC) "Surviving Mars, above else, is about hope. So many strategy games hold to their gameplay, eschewing any overarching themes or messages. But, as corny as it sounds, for those who believe in the majesty of spaceflight, for those who are keen to marvel at how pernicious our plucky little species can be, Surviving Mars is SimCity with soul. It shows the challenges that come along with planetary migration, but it also shows that they are solvable. With the right planning, drive, and ingenuity, we can do great things together." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey Attack On Titan 2 -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch) "Despite its slow start, Attack on Titan 2 offers exciting gameplay along with a deep and intriguing plot that, melodrama aside, tugs on the heart strings. It's well-paced and offers some impressive spaces to move through. The unique combination of the movement and combat mechanics combines with a gripping story to make Attack on Titan 2 one of the more surprising releases of the year." [Read the full review] -- James Swinbanks Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kindgom -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, PC) "Ni No Kuni 2 is a robust game that offers ample ways to spend your time, and even if they aren't all up to the same level of quality, it's easy to appreciate how they collectively contribute to the bigger picture. It's chock full of excellent battles and surprising moments that make for a far more memorable experience than you initially expect and leaves you impressed by your own accomplishments. If you didn't play the first game, don't let this one pass you by too." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor MLB The Show 18 -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4) "Sony's flagship baseball franchise has never been better. With its best-in-class controls and visuals, and impeccable attention to detail for the small stuff, MLB The Show 18 is worth catching for any baseball fan." [Read the full review] -- Eddie Makuch, Editor Minit -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC) "Minit's lives might only last 60 seconds, but its extremely well-thought-out world design and engrossing loop of progress make it a curse-filled adventure that is worth dying the world over for. Its throwback to classic visuals aren't done for aesthetic alone, as none of its gameplay systems scream antiquity. It's a slickly presented adventure that continually manages to surprise you with every new area you uncover or item you procure, pushing you to pick away at its seams to uncover every drop of what it has to offer. With a delightful ending and more promised after its first run of credits, Minit is far more than just a collection of seconds." [Read the full review] -- Alessandro Barbosa Far Cry 5 -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC) "Despite some brief irritations and missed opportunities with its narrative, spending time in the world of Hope County remains absolutely delightful. Far Cry 5 boasts a wonderfully harmonious flow to its adventure, with its smart changes to exploration, discovery, and progression distinctly bolstering the enjoyment of creatively engaging and experimenting with its spectacular open world." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer God of War -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4) "In many ways God of War is what the series has always been. It's a spectacular action game with epic set pieces, big-budget production values, and hard-hitting combat that grows more feverish and impressive as you progress. What may surprise you is how mature its storytelling has become. Like Kratos, God of War recalls the past while acknowledging the need to improve. Everything new it does is for the better, and everything it holds onto benefits as a result. Kratos is no longer a predictable brute. God of War is no longer an old-fashioned action series. With this reboot, it confidently walks a new path that will hopefully lead to more exciting adventures to come." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Yakuza 6: The Song of Life -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4) "Yakuza 6 reins in its scope, but doubles down on what has made the series great. It's a unique and fascinating representation of the modern Japanese experience, worth playing even if you're a newcomer. The narrative is dramatic and sincere, and the game's endearing characters--coming from all walks of life--are interesting studies. The world is dense and rewarding to exist in, the dynamic combat system stays exciting even after you've kicked the crap out of five thousand enemies, and perhaps most importantly, Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life serves as a fulfilling conclusion to the turbulent, decade-long saga of its beloved icon, Kazuma Kiryu." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer The Alliance Alive -- 8/10 (Platforms: 3DS) "There's a lot to love about The Alliance Alive: a well-paced story in an interesting world, a meaty mashup of unique combat elements, and a fantastic soundtrack that keeps you pumped and eager to explore. If you can put up with a bit of a learning curve, you'll find a great portable adventure well worth dusting off your 3DS for." [Read the full review] -- Heidi Kemps Frostpunk -- 9/10 (Platforms: PC) "Frostpunk is among the best overall takes on the survival city builder to date. Its theming and consistency create a powerful narrative through line that binds your actions around the struggle to hold onto humanity in uncertain times. Hope is a qualified good, but you may not always be strong enough (or clever enough) to shelter that flame from the cold." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey Total War: Thrones of Britannia -- 8/10 (Platforms: PC) "Thrones of Britannia is an exciting experience despite the cuts to integral components of the Total War series, such as city planning hinging on military needs, specific building customization, and expanded intrigue options. But this has given Creative Assembly room to focus on enhancing parts of the strategy experience that aren't quite as impenetrable to newcomers, and to allow the series to return to some of the beloved parts of previous historical games to balance out its newer, slimmer form. While there are minor issues with AI, and pacing suffers when you've comfortably gotten the upper hand, this is still a worthy and engaging contribution to the Total War stable that has successfully taken its cues from history's winners and losers alike." [Read the full review] -- Ginny Woo Battletech -- 8/10 (Platforms: PC) "Battletech is a game that selfishly takes its time to be meticulous in every respect, and pushing through the density and idiosyncrasies of its many, slow-moving parts can be tough. But if you have the will to decipher it, albeit, at a deliberate and punishingly plodding pace, you can find yourself completely engrossed in its kinetic clashes. Battletech's intricate components ultimately foster a fascinating wealth of nuanced systems that build a uniquely strenuous, detailed, and thoroughly rewarding tactical strategy game." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire -- 8/10 (Platforms: PC) "Deadfire is dense, and it isn't a small game, easily dwarfing its predecessor in terms of scale. There's a lot to do, and it's easier than ever to get lost in the little stories you find, without following the arcs that the game has specially set out for you. Still, it's worth taking your time. The richness of Deadfire takes a while to appreciate, and like the brined sailors that call it home, you'll be left with an indelible attachment to these islands when you do finally step away." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey Far: Lone Sails -- 8/10 (Platforms: PC) "Lone Sails is a transfixing, lovely experience, one that takes recurring indie game tropes and does something unique and fun with them. It's short enough that you could play through it in a single two or three-hour session, but it will likely stick with you for a long time. I can see myself going back in a few months just to revisit the ship, like checking in on an old friend." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor Yoku's Island Express -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch) "Yoku's Island Express takes two unlikely genres and combines them into one playful, natural experience. The game's audio and visual design is simply joyous and the large game world seamlessly combines its pinball puzzles with some brilliant level designs. While traversing the large map does get frustrating at times, Yoku's Island Express' main quest never drags, and with its slate of fun abilities, quirky supporting characters and a generous amount of optional content, Yoku's Island Express is a unique journey that's refreshing and just straight up fun." [Read the full review] -- Alexander Pan BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch) "Whether playing through the story mode alone or against hardened opponents online, Cross Tag Battle is an absolute joy with a surplus of possibilities within its wide roster and versatile fighting system. Even with all the ridiculousness of the overarching plot, I reveled in the charm of my favorite characters and embraced the many moments of fan service. It's a masterful unification of styles and mechanics from four different universes that compels you to dig deeper and dedicate the time to getting the most out of the beloved members of this cast." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham, Associate Editor Onrush -- 9/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC) "When it comes to crumpling metal and high speed thrills, not all of Onrush's game modes are on equal footing in terms of consistent excitement. Yet its foundations are so strong, and so unique, that it's easy to lose hours upon hours barreling around these disparate tracks. The question of longevity will, of course, depend on post-release support, with new classes, game modes, and tracks potentially on the horizon. Considering you need 12 players to fill a full room, it would be a shame if Onrush doesn't find the kind of audience that will give it the lifespan it deserves. Part of this will depend on how Codemasters iterates on the game from here on out, but they've shown a proficiency in knowing how arcade racing games click, and Onrush is such a bold, refreshing twist on the genre that there should be little hesitation in putting your faith in them to succeed." [Read the full review] -- Richard Wakeling Unravel Two -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC) "With its charming yarnlings and a newfound style of platforming, Unravel Two remains welcoming even at its most foreboding. Sure, a forest fire breaks out in one of the latter stages, but even then, the race to keep ahead of the blaze is fun and frantic instead of stressful. In almost every moment you're given ample time and space to breathe and take in the stunning photorealistic world from the viewpoint of the tiniest creatures. It's a game with boisterous birds, chases through meadows, and most importantly a cheerful partnership with a companion who's always got your back. With only six chapters that run roughly 30 minutes apiece, Unravel Two doesn't last long, but it's a game where the time you have is meaningful, memorable, and downright pleasant from beginning to end." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit -- 8/10 (Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC) "Life is Strange gained a huge cult following, and whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, Captain Spirit captures a lot of the original game's appeal. Regardless of how you classify The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit--whether it's a standalone adventure, a demo, or a prologue--it's a beautiful game, and one that leaves you all the more excited about Life is Strange 2." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor Wreckfest -- 9/10 "It's rare when a racing game manages to modernize and reinvigorate an old formula with spectacular confidence, but Wreckfest does just that. Minor issues with menus and its soundtrack aside, it wows with a gorgeous look and wonderful driving feel, along with a damage system that satisfies in the most brutal of fashions. With its array of different cars, tracks, and event types, Wreckfest is a brilliantly fun and frenetic racing game that can be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone, not just racing game fans." [Read the full review] -- James Swinbanks Octopath Traveler -- 8/10 "Despite the lackluster stories that pull you through the world, Octopath thrives on its character progression and the temptations of high-level challenges and rewards. The promise of new jobs, exciting boss fights, and powerful gear will inspire you to poke around every corner, and there are no shortage of discoveries to strive for. And all the while, you're treated to one of the most interesting and effective re-imaginings of a retro aesthetic around. Octopath will likely be a divisive game due to its fractured storytelling, but it's one worth playing despite its lesser qualities. Its high points are simply too good to ignore." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor Best Nintendo Switch Games Available Now (July 2018 Update) By Matt Espineli on Aug 01, 2018 06:24 am Switch Games That You Need To Play The release of the Nintendo Switch marked the beginning of a new generation for Nintendo. After the lukewarm reception of the Wii U, many were beginning to wonder if the company would be able to survive in today's console market. However, it defied all expectations with its hybrid console/handheld console. Alongside the Switch's release was the universally praised The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, giving it the killer app it needed to quickly rise to the top of console sales charts and dramatically increase Nintendo's revenue. In the year since its launch, there has been no shortage of amazing games coming, from huge first-party games like Mario and Splatoon to indie darlings like Owlboy and Celeste. There's even great third-party games, like Octopath Traveler and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. The library only seems to be expanding and improving with every consecutive release. In this feature, we're taking a look back at the best Switch games so far. This includes games that have received a score of 8 or higher on GameSpot since the console's release, as well as reviews for new games and updates to reviews of older games that were ported to Switch. Check out our choices for the best games released on the Switch. And with the console's library continuing to expand, make sure to check back often as we update this feature over the coming weeks and months. For an analysis of Nintendo Switch's first year, be sure to read our retrospective feature discussing the console's various successes and failures. In addition, you can also check out our features detailing all the Wii U games we ported to Switch, 13 things we want to see from the console. The Switch already has hundreds of games, so many that some are bound to fly under our radar. The games covered here are only a small handful of the experiences out there. Which games do you think are some of the Switch's finest? Let us know in the comments below. Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2 "In a way, the entire collection itself is the museum--an entire series, with all its beauty and its blemishes, on display for its audience to judge and assess years later. Parts of this legacy have aged horribly, but they're still undeniably a piece of Mega Man X history. We've been told that the upcoming Mega Man 11 was greenlit thanks in part to fan interest in the original Mega Man Legacy Collection. If Capcom follows with a proper sequel to Mega Man X, this compilation provides valuable lessons on what the series is, what it isn't, and what it can be when given the chance." [Read the full review] -- Steve Watts Octopath Traveler -- 8/10 "Despite the lackluster stories that pull you through the world, Octopath thrives on its character progression and the temptations of high-level challenges and rewards. The promise of new jobs, exciting boss fights, and powerful gear will inspire you to poke around every corner, and there are no shortage of discoveries to strive for. And all the while, you're treated to one of the most interesting and effective re-imaginings of a retro aesthetic around. Octopath will likely be a divisive game due to its fractured storytelling, but it's one worth playing despite its lesser qualities. Its high points are simply too good to ignore." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor Captain Toad "Despite a smattering of minor complaints, Captain Toad stands as a pint-sized version of Nintendo's stellar first party pedigree. It's among the best Mario spin-offs around and a delightful iteration on old ideas." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus -- 8/10 "As long as you're able to play the entire game in docked mode, The New Colossus is the same fantastic game it is on other platforms. It runs well and, despite some minor visual compromises, it still looks pretty good. Handheld mode is unfortunately far less optimized, and the Joy-Cons simply don't feel as good to use as the Pro Controller. If Switch is your only way to play it, The New Colossus is absolutely worth your time--just not on the go." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor West of Loathing -- 8/10 "There are a few minor issues--inventory management on Switch becomes cumbersome as you collect an increasing amount of things, fights with a lot of enemies can obscure some pertinent information, and the stakes sometimes feel a little too low to be completely motivating. But West of Loathing's focus on maintaining a flexible, open-ended nature and lighthearted, humorous feel keeps you engaged in what feels like an imaginative pen-and-paper Dungeons and Dragons campaign, led by a game master whose only goal is to make sure you're laughing and having a fun time. West of Loathing's visuals are monochromatic, but there's enjoyable comedy painted between every line, a pitch-perfect Spaghetti Western soundtrack, and a full spectrum of role-playing possibilities to choose from that make it a consistently enjoyable madcap cowboy jaunt." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Video Producer BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle -- 9/10 "Whether playing through the story mode alone or against hardened opponents online, Cross Tag Battle is an absolute joy with a surplus of possibilities within its wide roster and versatile fighting system. Even with all the ridiculousness of the overarching plot, I reveled in the charm of my favorite characters and embraced the many moments of fan service. It's a masterful unification of styles and mechanics from four different universes that compels you to dig deeper and dedicate the time to getting the most out of the beloved members of this cast." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham, Associate Editor Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection -- 8/10 "That's more or less the story of the 30th Anniversary Collection. It won't satisfy every specific demand, but it's still a big collection of awesome games and behind-the-scenes content that no Street Fighter fan should miss. Street Fighter is a series worth celebrating and Digital Eclipse has managed to do so in a manner that feels respectful to the series and to the people who keep the spirit of arcade battles alive." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition -- 8/10 "Those returning to the fray will likely be a little disappointed as there just isn't enough new content to rouse fresh excitement. For newcomers, though, Hyrule warriors is a delightful, bizarre outing that opens up the Zelda series, taking us places we've been before, just with thousands of monsters and awesome, screen-clearing magical attacks." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey Battle Chasers: Nightwar -- 8/10 "Beyond the challenge of combat, Battle Chasers is sustained through the strength of its story, a rollicking tale that takes our heroes literally to hell and back. It's bolstered by some sharp dialogue, gorgeous artwork, and an ensemble that plays extremely well off of each other. Lots of work has gone into Nightwar since its first release, and the balancing improvements make it an easy game to recommend on all platforms." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze -- 9/10 "Tropical Freeze isn't a heavy-hitter from Nintendo in the same way Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey are, but it's a fantastic platformer that's bursting with creativity and expertly designed challenges. It's tuned just right--always tough but rarely frustrating--to ensure that even the most common moments feel great. If you missed out when the game first debuted back in 2014, give it a shot today. It easily stands the test of time." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor Bayonetta 2 -- 10/10 "But it's a challenge you'll want to experience again as soon as you put down the controller. Bayonetta 2's combat is so expertly constructed, and its presentation so joyously insane, that you'd have to try so very hard to get bored of it all. In a year filled with the promise of ever more elaborate experiences on all the shiny new hardware, that Bayonetta 2--a homage to classic game design and escapism--should be the most fun I've had playing a game all year is unexpected. But maybe it shouldn't have been. After all, its predecessor still stands as one of the finest games of its genre. To have surpassed that with Bayonetta 2, and to have created a game that will be remembered as an absolute classic, is nothing short of astonishing." [Read the review] -- Mark Walton Celeste -- 9/10 "It's a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I'd been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain." [Read the full review] -- Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer Dragon Quest Builders -- 8/10 "The excellence of Dragon Quest Builders illustrates the versatility of this 30-year-old franchise as much as it speaks to the engrossing appeal of Minecraft-inspired creation. The story-advancing draw of quests goes hand-in-hand with the depth of a crafting system that cleverly uses monster drops as some of the game's building tools. Whether you want to focus on completing assignments or build with no specific purpose, the game is feature-rich enough to suck up untold hours, even if this happens to be your first Dragon Quest experience." [Read the review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim -- 8/10 "The original version of Skyrim is still an immense, engrossing RPG, and the quality, number, and variety of its quests makes it as easy to become lost in its world as ever. With the addition of Zelda-themed gear that's actually useful--and the fact that you can play anywhere--the Switch version of Skyrim is a great excuse to revisit a much-loved RPG." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor Golf Story -- 8/10 "It can take a little while for the narrative to ramp up in Golf Story and for you to feel like you've really cultivated the skills of a champion, but based on the sheer scope of what the game delivers, there's likely something for everyone to enjoy whether their shtick is mini-golfing or terrorising delinquents with frisbees. It has successfully captured the trappings of yesteryear's RPGs, and the witticisms and idiosyncrasies of the characters you encounter are a great palate cleanser between rounds. Switch has had a swathe of indies hit its eShop recently, but if you're looking for something that'll give you satisfaction in terms of an interesting story and a rewarding mechanic, then Golf Story is certainly par for the course." [Read the full review] -- Ginny Woo Gorogoa -- 8/10 "Few games take the concept of altering reality to as artistic a level as Gorogoa. This labor of love made chiefly by one developer is a gorgeous and intriguing puzzle game that works because of its stunning art and intelligent puzzle design. Far from a traditional game, Gorogoa is a slow and methodical trip into the surreal." [Read the full review] -- Jason D'Aprile Kirby Star Allies -- 8/10 "Star Allies is yet another Kirby game, but it's up there with some of the best. It's an artistic showcase, and a great opportunity for co-op platforming. The one real complaint you can levy at it is that it gates off its more challenging aspects, but the fact that they are present to begin with will please anyone who's grown weary of the series' painless platforming." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -- 10/10 "No matter how gorgeous its environments are, how clever its enemies are, and how tricky its puzzles get, the fact that Breath of the Wild continues to surprise you with newfound rules and possibilities after dozens of hours is by far its most valuable quality. It's a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery--which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience. Breath of the Wild is a defining moment for The Legend of Zelda series, and the most impressive game Nintendo has ever created." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle -- 9/10 "Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle exudes off-beat optimism that never dissolves. It's a consistent delight, no matter how challenging the road becomes, because Kingdom Battle's unique turn-based tactics system is in every way a pleasure to engage with. Coupled with the annoyingly infectious allure of Rabbids, and the always delightful, colorful world of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is an implausibly engrossing formula that is positively challenging and endlessly charming." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- 9/10 "For Mario Kart fans, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe might look like more of the same with small Double Dash-inspired tweaks. But thanks to a series of updates both big and almost unseen, it's the version of Mario Kart to get. If you don't own a Wii U or skipped out on Mario Kart 8 the first time around--or even if you've played it before--Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is worth your time. It plays beautifully on Switch in both handheld and docked mode, and its core racing is as exciting as ever. And, most notably, it completely revamps the original's lackluster Battle Mode, rounding out an already great racing game." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor Mr. Shifty -- 8/10 "Mr. Shifty isn't a huge game in terms of length, but the three- to four-hour campaign is ample. It's like a shot of adrenalin, offering an exciting, intense experience, and it's easy to forgive the game's performance flaws when it so consistently makes you feel like a badass." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor NBA 2K18 -- 8/10 "NBA 2K18 is a hardcore sports simulation. If you want to get good, you have to put in the work. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve your skills no matter how you want to play. And the fact that there's so much to do is a bonus, because on the court, NBA 2K18 is also an amazingly well-crafted experience." [Read the full review] -- Seth Macy Night in the Woods -- 9/10 "From beginning to end to epilogue, Night in the Woods is ultimately open to individual interpretation. How you relate to it depends on your own experiences and choices, including Mae's dialogue and who you decide to spend time with. Though its charming and angsty story works well on its own merits, it's special because of how it prioritizes conveying emotion over telling a straight narrative." [Read the review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor Owlboy -- 9/10 "Owlboy is consistently charming and surprising, and when its final act doubles down on every front, it's bittersweet to see it end. As you relish the outcome of the final battle and watch the closing cutscene, you can't help but reflect on the beginning of your adventure and how far the world and its inhabitants have come. You'll never be able to play Owlboy for the first time again, but the memories of its magic moments stick with you. This is more than a treat for fans of old-school games; Owlboy is a heartfelt experience that will touch anyone with an affinity for great art and storytelling." [Read the review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 Plus -- 8/10 "Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 creates an exciting dynamic where ghosts are still dangerous, but the overall game is more forgiving than the original--and it's more entertaining as a result. Arcade ports tend to be games we play in short bursts--mostly for the nostalgia factor. Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 certainly relies on that nostalgia to a point, but it handles the classic game in a way that plays with expectations to surprise you. It's the same game enhanced in the right directions to be make an old concept fun, innovative, and challenging all over again." [Read the review] -- Jason D'Aprile Puyo Puyo Tetris -- 8/10 "Overflowing with colorful personality, Puyo Puyo Tetris revels in its weirdness. It provides solid versions of both puzzle games and merges the two in bizarre, frantic ways that adds a fresh dash of style to these long-running series. With an array of game variations spanning single-player, along with on- and offline multiplayer, it's an incredibly meaty package that should satisfy gamers for a long time to come." [Read the full review] -- Jason D'Aprile Rive -- 8/10 "Rive is demanding, but it pushes the kind of near-thoughtless play that shoot-em-ups strive to achieve. When faced with an onslaught of enemies and environmental hazards, you'll have to think fast or die. Rive also doesn't run all that long, but what's here is excellent, top-notch action, and the game delivers some of the most memorable moments in a shoot-em-up in years." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey Rocket League -- 9/10 "For people new to the game, they have a lot to look forward to regardless, as it's one of the most fascinating sports games in memory. Nevermind if you don't like soccer or couldn't care less about the growing esports community. Rocket League is a unique game that redefines the concept of what a sports game can be, and Psyonix continues to support it with new content on a regular basis. It's been around for a while, but now that it's on Switch, there's no better time to give it a shot." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment -- 8/10 "Specter of Torment is a finely-crafted 2D platformer that is satisfying in all respects. Simply controlling Specter Knight--flying through the air and slicing through enemies--is a joy in itself, and being able to push your ability to control these skills in overcoming the game's cleverly-designed and challenging levels is always an exhilarating feeling. Specter of Torment is a focussed, polished, and satisfyingly challenging game that's well worth experiencing whether or not you've had the pleasure of playing Shovel Knight." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor Sonic Mania -- 9/10 "Sonic Mania methodically uses its sentimental appeal to great effect, but in the process, it heals the wounds inflicted by its most disappointing predecessors and surpasses the series' best with its smart and interpretive design. An excellent 2D platformer, Sonic Mania goes beyond expectations, managing to be not only a proper evolution of the series' iconic formula, but the best Sonic game ever made." [Read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor Splatoon 2 -- 8/10 "At first glance, Splatoon 2 seems very similar to the first game. But all the small changes, and even the bigger ones in single player and League Battles, make for a fresh take on the already unique shooter. If you played a lot of the original, the sequel has enough to keep you coming back, and if you're new to the game, it's a fantastic place to jump in." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor Stardew Valley -- 9/10 "The sheer number of things to accomplish in Stardew Valley can keep you interested beyond the original three in-game years you need to reach the end of your story--you may just want to start over rather than continue on. You'll work quite hard to gather enough money for your first horse, so that you can quickly move to the mines to get a mineral to complete a bundle at the community center. It's all centered around whatever it is you want to accomplish that day. And that's truly what makes Stardew Valley such a lovely experience, it encourages you to go out and be the best you can be, in whichever task that brings you the most joy. Stardew Valley motivates naturally, with blissful optimism." [Read the full review] -- Mary Kish SteamWorld Dig 2 -- 9/10 "Every advancement Dig 2 makes to its story and mechanics strengthens your initiative to progress. There's an overwhelming sense of momentum that runs through the adventure; as if developer Image & Form sifted the original in a pan, removing its redundancies while expanding upon what made it so fun to persistently play. In your quest to acquire every upgrade and explore every nook and cranny, there's no shortage of hidden collectables to discover. And with post-game content that unlocks after you unearth every secret, the desire to keep digging intensifies. Dig 2 manages to not only be an exceptional successor, but a great adventure in its own right. Where the first game was a diamond in the rough, Dig 2 is a polished jewel." [Read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor Super Mario Odyssey -- 10/10 "Odyssey is sustained beyond its major milestones not only through colorful worlds and hidden challenges, but through the sheer joy of controlling Mario, who's never felt more responsive or dynamic in action. Even with everything new that's been introduced, Nintendo's forward-thinking platformer retains the series' classic handcrafted appeal, which is even more impressive when you realize how densely packed each kingdom is. Mario's latest outing is big, bold, and bursting with new ideas, and like Breath of the Wild, is another instance of Nintendo going above and beyond to redefine our expectations. It's a shining example of refined creativity, and another crown jewel for Switch that is without equal." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor Lumines Remastered -- 8/10 "Lumines is the kind of game that temporarily rewires your brain, splicing together its ability to recognize visual patterns and audible rhythms simultaneously and forcing you to do the hard but delightful work of putting that ability to use. Having that experience so lovingly presented--and on the Switch, having Lumines handheld again for the first time in six years--is an occasion worth celebrating." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark The Flash Season 5 Spoilers: Cicada, Nora West-Allen, A New Wells, And More We Learned At SDCC 2018 By Chris E. Hayner on Aug 01, 2018 02:55 am When The Flash returns for its fifth season, there's going to be a strangely familiar new face taking up residence in Central City. At the end of Season 4, the mysterious girl that popped up around nearly everyone on the team revealed herself to be the daughter of Barry (Grant Gustin) and Iris (Candice Patton) from the future. Her arrival will present the team with an entirely new set of problems, as she reveals exactly what's made her come back in time to confront her parents. On top of that, though, there's also a new villain coming to town, a new Wells on the way, and plenty of other issues to deal with. To figure out what, exactly, is going to happen, GameSpot was part of a small group interview with showrunner Todd Helbing and the cast of The Flash at San Diego Comic-Con. While they remained tight-lipped about many aspects of the season to come, the Flash gang was surprisingly open about how the first few episodes of the season are going to play out. Take a look at the spoiler and teases we managed to get out of Team Flash about what's to come in Season 5, then sound off in the comments with your own hopes for the new episodes. Also make sure to check out all of the Arrow Season 7 spoilers we were able to find out. The Flash returns Tuesday, October 9, at 8 PM ET on The CW. San Diego Comic-Con 2018 Coverage Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 1 Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 2 Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 3 Best Marvel Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 All The Miserable, Discarded Electric Scooters We Saw At Comic-Con 2018 The Rarest And Most Shockingly Expensive Funko Pops On Sale At Comic-Con 2018 DC Universe Titans Trailer: F*** Batman Everything We Learned About DC Universe Taco Bell Built Its Demolition Man Restaurant At Comic-Con, And It Was Amazing All The Exclusive Funko Pop Figures You Can Buy At SDCC Doctor Who's New Sonic Screwdriver Revealed Alongside New Trailer Star Wars The Clone Wars Animated Series Is Back In New Trailer Cool-Looking Spider-Man PS4 Pro Bundle Announced Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie Trailer Reveals Some Big Fights DC Collectibles Reveals Toys From Batman, Justice League, And More This Huge Lego Thanos Demands You Bow Before Him Netflix's Iron Fist 2 Gets Release Date, Teases Daughters Of The Dragon DC Holds Weird, Cult-Like Event To Promote Heroes In Crisis James Gunn Fired From Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 What's Up With The "F*** Batman" Line In The New Titans Trailer? Andrew Lincoln Confirms The Walking Dead Season 9 Will Be His Last Netflix's Disenchantment: Everything We Learned About Matt Groening's New Show Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Footage Debuts Venom Debuts New Footage, Teases Spider-Man Crossover Guardians of the Galaxy Star Dave Bautista Is "Not OK" With James Gunn Firing Fantastic Beasts 2 Footage Introduces Nicolas Flamel At Comic-Con 2018 The Lego Movie 2 Comic-Con Footage Shows The Two Sides Of Chris Pratt The New Godzilla: King Of The Monsters Trailer Is Dope Shazam Trailer Makes Exclusive Debut Wonder Woman 1984 Panel Addresses The Chris Pine Question, Shows Footage Aquaman Trailer Finally Arrives, Exclusive Footage Shows Classic Costume Star Wars Figures From Sideshow Look Incredible Why Alita: Battle Angel's Eyes Are So Big, Trailer Coming Soon The Purge TV Show Trailer Teases A Night Of Mayhem DC's The Flash Season 5 Trailer Reveals New Villain Supergirl Season 4 Trailer Reveals New Suit DC's Legends Of Tomorrow Season 4 Airs This Fall Sideshow's Avengers: Infinity War And Black Panther Figures Are Amazing Vikings Season 5B Trailer Shows A Bloody War Between Ivar And Lagertha The theme for this season. After introducing the time-traveling daughter of Barry and Iris from the future, Nora West-Allen (Jessica Parker Kennedy), Season 7 will focus a lot on The Flash's legacy and what that means to practically everyone on the team. None more than Barry and Iris, though, as they are confronted by their own personal future. "Our theme this year is legacies," Helbing says. "There's a lot for Barry and Iris, and everybody has their sort of thematic challenge with this, but with them, it's truly like, what's more important? Is it more important to be a great father? Is it more important to be the Flash? Are you friends with your kids? Are you parents? You know, when can you be either? All those questions that new parents grapple with, we're playing with Barry and Iris. It's a lot of fun." What Nora's arrival means for the show. In its first few seasons, Barry was constantly screwing up the timeline by going back in time. Now, his daughter has done the exact same thing, which is going to have an impact on the show. "She clearly messed up something majorly," Helbing teases. "In the first episode, you'll find out a lot of what that is. We're not doing Flashpoint again, but there's certainly a ripple effect." For Barry, her arrival makes him immediately question himself as both a speedster and a parent. "Was he around to teach her?" Gustin wonders. "Did he not want her to be a speedster as all? What? We're going to answer those questions in the first couple episodes though, and see Barry and Iris' kind of different takes on her being here." Nora's relationship with her parents is strange. Now that Nora has made herself known to her parents, she's going to be a bit distant from Iris--an idea introduced last season. That's something the show is going to confront early on. "She's a little standoffish with Iris," Gustin explains. "We don't know why. And she's like extra clingy with Barry." Candice Patton, who plays Iris, adds, "We'll get into that in Season 5, why they don't have the best relationship and why Nora is so much more of a daddy's girl." Nora's arrival makes Barry feel robbed of his life. While the idea of meeting your future child might sound exciting, it's not for Barry. After all, this is a man who had his parents taken from him at a young age, and now, he's losing the opportunity to first meet his daughter when she's born. "Something we touched on in the first episode is, it's kind of hard for him because he's always wanted a family. He's always wanted a kid and now getting her like this. He almost feels like he's having another kind of thing stolen from him," Gustin admits. "His mom was killed because of his powers. He grew up with his dad in prison because of his powers and time travel, and now he doesn't even get to meet his daughter the normal way, he meets her at mid-20s… We'll see him deal with it in stages but it is kind of tough, kind of weird for him at first because he does feel like he's been robbed of a lot, and this is a gift at the same time its like, what is this going to affect? How will this affect the future?" A tease for this season's big bad. It was revealed that this season Team Flash will face off with a villain named Cicada, played by American Pie alum Chris Klein. In the comics, Cicada leads a cult of people that kill those the Flash has saved, using daggers shaped like lightning bolts. It won't play out exactly like that on the show, though. "What we do on our show is always inspired by it," Helbing says. "So we've changed a lot of it to create a story that, or a villain that's formidable in a way that we haven't done before." As the trailer makes it clear, though, the lightning bolt daggers are still being used. Get ready to meet more than one new Wells. With Harry gone, it's time to bring in another new Wells for Tom Cavanagh to play. However, the actor teases that there will likely be more than one this season. The Wells we will first meet is a strange one, though. "This year I thought, we'll add a little flair, and this guy is going to be called [Sherloque Wells], following along with the myth and the legend of Sherlock Holmes-ian type, but we might turn that a little bit on its head, the way they did with Iron Man," the actor says. How Sherloque will be like Iron Man remains to be seen, but Cavanagh seems to have big plans. "What was nice about Iron Man, I thought, was they took the superhero trope and kind of turned it on its head a little bit," he explains. "He had so many weaknesses, and when I say that, I mean that in a good way. It humanized him. He was quick. He was funny. I guess one of the great ways of describing him, one of the things that I'm drawn to when I see the superhero characters, are flawed people doing extraordinary things, because it sort of humanizes them to me." There might not be a Wells and Cisco friendship this year. Though it's too early to know for sure, Carlos Valdes (Cisco) is championing the idea of Wells finding a new BFF on Team Flash. "Well, I'm not going to lie. I've loved playing opposite Tom for any and all iterations of Wells," the actor says. "I think we work really well together and I love that and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world, but I think, I mean, I have to be honest, I would love to see him explore that kind of dynamic or that close or entertaining of a dynamic with somebody else. Do you know what I mean? Just, I'm a big fan of change and changing things up, so I don't know, that's my hope. We haven't really gotten into too much Wells stuff yet, but yeah, that's my hope." Get ready for a new suit. As revealed in the first trailer for Season 5, Barry is wearing the Flash ring. With that ring will come an upgraded suit--finally. What it will look like has yet to be seen, but given how constant the Green Arrow has changed up his look, it's good to know Flash is getting something new. Iris might get to actually be a journalist this year. One of the biggest issues The Flash grapples with every season is whether Iris is a journalist or not. In the first two seasons, her journalistic pursuits were central to the character. At a certain point, though, that side of her got buried as she became integrated into Team Flash. Now, though, it sounds like she may be putting her reporter hat back on. "I have been told that that is the plan," Patton says. "To get Iris kind of back on track being a journalist. I don't know how in depth they'll get with that. I'm always a little skeptical 'cause there's always so much going on but the plan is to kind of move in that direction. I mean, have you seen that article from 2024? Iris wrote that article so we do have to get to a place where that is possible to some degree. So I think we're moving that direction." Is Cisco developing a drinking problem? With the Thinker dominating so much of Season 4, the show didn't get to spend a lot of time with Cisco in the aftermath of his relationship with Gypsy (Jessica Camacho). That will be addressed in Season 5, though it sounds like Cisco may be spending too much time drinking to get over his heartbreak. "I think that party that we end at in Season 4, where they're all at the West House, I think that was his first opportunity to start processing things and his only tool, the only tool at his disposal there was some champagne," Valdes hints. "So you can expect that to play a part, in terms of how he processes that break-up… Champagne plays a big part." Caitlyn isn't giving up on Killer Frost. It was revealed in Season 4 that Caitlyn had some form of Killer Frost inside of her before the particle accelerator explosion in the show's first episode. Now, armed with that information, she's going to dig deeper into her other half in a quest for answers. "I think we're gonna see at the top of this season Caitlin really trying to get more information about Killer Frost and how she came to be and understanding that a little bit more," Danielle Panabaker says. "Which is exciting and I think that'll help us understand her motivations as well." SDCC's Rarest And Most Shockingly Expensive Funko Pops On Sale At Comic-Con 2018 By Michael Rougeau on Aug 01, 2018 01:35 am These Funko Pops will definitely pay for themselves. Whether we're talking about Beanie Babies, Pokemon cards, or Funko Pops, there's always someone willing to pay more for a "holy grail" than what you might happen to consider reasonable. At San Diego Comic-Con 2018 earlier this month, we went on a hunt to discover where that upper limit might lie. The results were shocking and, to be honest, incredible. Just how rare is rare when it comes to Funko Pops? As we discovered on this amazing journey, some Pops are rare because they were only ever released at a single event. Some were produced in hyper-limited quantities, including the most expensive Pop we found at Comic-Con--which you'll see at the end of this gallery. And some are just incredibly cool and in high demand. At the end of the day, these Funko Pops are just cheap chunks of colored plastic. Their only actual value is the imaginary worth we assign to them. But as with any popular collectible, that doesn't stop Pop hunters from dropping hundreds--and even thousands--of dollars on them. And in the end, if they bring someone happiness, isn't that worth it? SDCC was of course filled with more than just the most expensive Funko Pops. Also check out all the exclusive Pops only available at Comic-Con, every exclusive Disney Funko at Comic-Con, and the brand new PS4 Spider-Man Funkos that debuted last week. San Diego Comic-Con 2018 Coverage Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 1 Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 2 Best Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 Day 3 Best Marvel Cosplay From Comic-Con 2018 DC Universe Titans Trailer: F*** Batman Everything We Learned About DC Universe All The Exclusive Funko Pop Figures You Can Buy At SDCC Doctor Who's New Sonic Screwdriver Revealed Alongside New Trailer Star Wars The Clone Wars Animated Series Is Back In New Trailer Cool-Looking Spider-Man PS4 Pro Bundle Announced Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie Trailer Reveals Some Big Fights DC Collectibles Reveals Toys From Batman, Justice League, And More This Huge Lego Thanos Demands You Bow Before Him Netflix's Iron Fist 2 Gets Release Date, Teases Daughters Of The Dragon DC Holds Weird, Cult-Like Event To Promote Heroes In Crisis James Gunn Fired From Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 What's Up With The "F*** Batman" Line In The New Titans Trailer? Andrew Lincoln Confirms The Walking Dead Season 9 Will Be His Last Netflix's Disenchantment: Everything We Learned About Matt Groening's New Show Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Footage Debuts Venom Debuts New Footage, Teases Spider-Man Crossover Guardians of the Galaxy Star Dave Bautista Is "Not OK" With James Gunn Firing Fantastic Beasts 2 Footage Introduces Nicolas Flamel At Comic-Con 2018 The Lego Movie 2 Comic-Con Footage Shows The Two Sides Of Chris Pratt The New Godzilla: King Of The Monsters Trailer Is Dope Shazam Trailer Makes Exclusive Debut Wonder Woman 1984 Panel Addresses The Chris Pine Question, Shows Footage Aquaman Trailer Finally Arrives, Exclusive Footage Shows Classic Costume Star Wars Figures From Sideshow Look Incredible Why Alita: Battle Angel's Eyes Are So Big, Trailer Coming Soon The Purge TV Show Trailer Teases A Night Of Mayhem DC's The Flash Season 5 Trailer Reveals New VillainSupergirl Season 4 Trailer Reveals New Suit DC's Legends Of Tomorrow Season 4 Airs This Fall Comic-Con 2018: Sideshow's Avengers: Infinity War And Black Panther Figures Are Amazing All The Miserable, Discarded Electric Scooters We Saw At Comic-Con 2018 50. Spikor and He-Man ($115, $150) Fugitive Toys 49. Sheldon Cooper ($175, $165) Fugitive Toys 48. Super Shadow E3 2018 and Taika Waititi Comic-Con 2018 exclusives ($140, $175) Fugitive Toys 47. Tigger and Goofy ($185, $150) Fugitive Toys 46. Syndrome and Cruella De Vil ($200, $100) Fugitive Toys 45. Hordak and Skeletor ($75, $200) Fugitive Toys 44. The Thing ($200) Fugitive Toys 43. Snowth and Emperor Zurg ($100, $200) Fugitive Toys 42. The Flash chrome Comic-Con 2018 exclusive set ($200) X-Treme Toys 41. Deadpool Fugitive Toys exclusive ($225) Fugitive Toys 40. Deku (Battle) Hot Topic and James Wan Comic-Con 2018 exclusives ($225, $200) X-Treme Toys 39. Marge Simpson ($225) Fugitive Toys 38. Animal and Kermit Comic-Con 2013 exclusives ($140, $235) Fugitive Toys 37. Freddy Flux Comic-Con 2017 exclusive ($275, $250) Fugitive Toys 36. Renly Baratheon ($250) Fugitive Toys 35. Ozzy Osbourne and The Catman ($250, $100) Fugitive Toys 34. Toucan Sam ($250) Fugitive Toys 33. Whiz Comic-Con 2018 exclusive ($250) Matt's Cavalcade of Comics, Cards and Collectibles 32. Avengers: Infinity War Thanos, Iron Man, and Iron Spider chrome set ($250) Matt's Cavalcade of Comics, Cards and Collectibles 31. Conan as Ant-Man signed and not signed ($250, $150) Fugitive Toys 30. Beerus Comic-Con 2016, Golden Frieza Comic-Con 205, and Robot Devil Toy Tokyo exclusives ($300, $300, $200) Fugitive Toys 29. James Gunn New York Comic-Con 2017 exclusive ($300) Fugitive Toys 28. Nerd Cthulhu Emerald City Comic-Con 2016 exclusive ($300) Fugitive Toys 27. Bilbo Baggins Hot Topic and Sloth Comic-Con 2014 exclusives ($250, $300) Fugitive Toys 26. Boo ($300) Fugitive Toys 25. Flavor Flav and Michael Jackson ($350, $200) Fugitive Toys 24. Indiana Jones Comic-Con 2016 exclusive ($350) Fugitive Toys 23. Lotso and Steamboat Willie ($400, $300) Fugitive Toys 22. Edna E. Mode ($400) Matt's Cavalcade of Comics, Cards and Collectibles 21. Notorious BIG ($400) Fugitive Toys 20. Dr. Doom 2014 convention exclusive ($400) Fugitive Toys 19. Goofy and Mayor ($150, $425) Fugitive Toys 18. Ghost Rider Comic-Con 2013 exclusive ($450) Fugitive Toys 17. Sinestro and Hal Jordan Comic-Con 2011 exclusives ($450, $400) Fugitive Toys 16. Batman blue chrome Toy Tokyo 2017 exclusive ($700) Fugitive Toys 15. Shazam! Gemini exclusive ($750) Fugitive Toys 14. Skeletor Comic-Con 2013 exclusive ($750) Fugitive Toys 13. Cheshire Cat Comic-Con 2012 exclusive ($750) Fugitive Toys 12. Rorschach Comic-Con 2013 exclusive ($750) Fugitive Toys 11. Spider-Man Comic-Con 2012 exclusive ($900) Fugitive Toys 10. Haunted Mansion Gus set ($1,100) Animetasia, Inc. 9. Genie Comic-Con 2013 exclusive ($1,100) Fugitive Toys 7. Batman Comic-Con 2010 exclusive ($1,250) Fugitive Toys 8. The Penguin Chase limited edition ($1,200) Fugitive Toys 6. The Riddler Chase limited edition ($1,400) Fugitive Toys 5. Green Arrow Gemini exclusive ($1,500) Fugitive Toys 4. Shadow Trooper Comic-Con 2011 exclusive ($2,000) Fugitive Toys 3. Holographic Darth Maul Comic-Con 2012 exclusive ($2,500) Fugitive Toys 2. Sulley and Mr. Incredible Comic-Con Disney Store exclusives ($2,800, $2,400) Animetasia, Inc. 1. Clown makeup Dumbo ($5,000) Fugitive Toys Mission Impossible: Tom Cruise's Wildest Stunts, Ranked By Dan Auty on Aug 01, 2018 01:28 am As the Mission Impossible movies have gotten bigger, so too has star Tom Cruise's desire for danger. While many action stars slow down a little as they hit middle age, 56-year-old Cruise has gone the other way, pushing his body for the sake of our entertainment in ways that would terrify many actors half his age. The sixth movie in the series, Mission Impossible: Fallout, has arrived in theaters and reviews have suggested that it's the most spectacular entry to date. That's certainly translated to early success, as the opening weekend's US box office set a franchise record. Some of Cruise's Fallout stuntwork was notorious long before Fallout had even finished shooting, with an on-set accident causing the star to break his ankle and production to shut down for several months with a costly delay. Behind-the-scenes promotional videos have teased some of the movie's other amazing action sequences, such as the terrifying-sounding HALO jump, showing that the movie's marketers know that Cruise's willingness to risk his life is now a big selling point for the series. The previous five movies all feature some incredible moments--from climbing onto planes and being thrown around by explosions to getting way too close to knives and cliff edges. So as we get ready to marvel at Cruise's latest batch of movie-set madness, here's a look back at the wildest stunts from the series so far. Despite Cruise's age, Fallout is unlikely to be the last entry in the series. It reportedly opened with a strong Thursday night in the US, racking up $6 million (up from the $4 million earned by Rogue Nation), and expectations for the full opening weekend are high. Forecasts suggest it will top $50 million in the US, potentially even cracking the $57.8 million record set by Mission Impossible 2. 10. Mission Impossible – Train Chase Back in 1996, Cruise--or perhaps his agent--wasn't prepared to go to quite the same lengths to endanger his life, and there's a good chance in 2018 that Tom would've spent the climax of the first movie actually strapped to the top of the Eurostar train. But although the stunt was mostly achieved through greenscreen, a powerful wind machine was set up to blast 140mph winds at Tom as he clings to the speeding train. 9. Mission Impossible 2 – Knife Fight It's not the biggest stunt in the second Mission Impossible movie, but in some ways it's the hardest to watch. In the final confrontation with bad guy Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott), Cruise, of course, insisted that real knives were used. There's a moment where Ambrose gets his blade scarily close to Hunt's eye, in extreme close-up. To get the dramatic effect, the blade was attached to a retractable cord that was measured precisely to stop just before it hit Cruise's eye. An inch further and it would've plunged straight into Tom's eyeball. 8. Mission Impossible – Hanging Around Sometimes a great stunt doesn't involve running, jumping, and swimming. Sometimes it just involves staying very still under very difficult conditions. For the iconic scene in which Ethan Hunt hangs upside down in the vault while attempting to break into Langley in the first movie, Cruise was suspended 40 feet from the ceiling, maintaining incredible control over his body to remain absolutely still while he taps away at the computer. 7. Mission Impossible III – Bridge Blast During the bridge confrontation towards the end end of MI3, a missile smashes into the ground, causing an explosion that sends Cruise flying several feet into the side of a car. In any "normal" film this shot would've been performed by a stuntman in long shot, before cutting to a final close-up of Tom. But of course we get to see the whole thing in one spectacular take. The car was padded, but man, it looks painful. 6. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation – Bike Chase Rogue Nation is packed with so many great stunts that this bike chase is sometimes forgotten, but it still a stunningly dangerous sequence. Ethan races after Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson) in order to get some stolen files back, skidding around the alarming bends of the Marrakech Highway in Morocco, while also trying to evade the henchmen on his trail. And of course, Cruise ensures that we know it's him performing these alarming high-speed stunts by refraining from wearing a helmet for the entire sequence. 5. Mission Impossible – Exploding tank The first Mission Impossible fully established Cruise as an action movie star. Although the set pieces are a little more modest than in later movies, there are still some great moments that show that the star was very willing to put himself in danger. During a tense standoff, Ethan Hunt uses some detonating gum to blow up a huge fish tank that surrounds the actors, causing 16 tons of water to explode, right next to the star. A huge wave of water crashes through the room, as Cruise sprints just ahead. Director Brian De Palma was reportedly reluctant to let Cruise perform the stunt, on account of the risk from both the glass and sheer volume of water. But an earlier take with a stuntman didn't look any good, so Cruise went ahead and did it himself. 4. Mission Impossible 2 – Rock Climbing It was MI2 that truly established the franchise's--and its star's--dedication to the dangerous. The movie opens with a sequence in which Cruise scales the cliffs of Dead Horse Point in Utah. While the actor was wearing a safety harness that was later removed digitally, it's still 100% Tom up there, jumping between rocks with no safety net below him. From that stunt on, there was no going back. 3. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation – Taking Off Like the Bond movies, the Mission Impossible franchise is known for its spectacular opening sequences. At the start of Rogue Nation, Ethan Hunt clings to the side of a plane as it takes off. Cruise performed the stunt four times over the space of two days, and subsequently provided some alarming details about it. "While we were going down the runway, we were worried about bird strikes," he said. "Any kind of particle that the propellers could pick up, any kind of stone. I remember I got hit by a stone that was so tiny, you cannot believe it. I thought it broke my rib. Luckily it went to my vest, and not my hands or my face, or it would have penetrated and gone right through." Ow. 2. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol – Dubai So High It's not all running, jumping, and nearly drowning. Cruise also seemingly lacks a fear of heights, even when scaling the world's tallest building. In Ghost Protocol, Ethan Hunt is seen on the side of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, 2,722 feet above the ground. And as the behind-the-scenes footage reveals, it's 100% Tom--swinging, climbing, and clambering around the outside of the building, as the camera crew circle him in a helicopter. 1. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation – Water Lunatic Given that Rogue Nation starts with the Cruiser hanging off the side of an airplane as it takes off, you'd be forgiven thinking that the movie had peaked early in terms of life-endangering stunt work. But you're be wrong. An hour later, Ethan Hunt attempts to crack open an underwater safe, a sequence that took two weeks to film and required Cruise to not only act underwater but also reportedly hold his breath for up to six minutes at a time. Tom's physical training took months, as he trained alongside a freediving expert and taught his mind to believe "that you don't have to take a breath." Recent Articles: Best Cosplay From SDCC 2018 -- Pokemon, Power Rangers, Street Fighter, More (Day 3) The Best PS4 Game Exclusives Now Available (July 2018 Update) You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website. https://Gamefeed.us10.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=b01828b2bfdd2acf079c9de40&id=55a5ab23e0&e=96854223cb&c=9e414411ea Gamefeed https://Gamefeed.us10.list-manage.com/profile?u=b01828b2bfdd2acf079c9de40&id=55a5ab23e0&e=96854223cb demo-mailchimp-gamefeed15032015@mailcatch.com VCard: Gamefeed Gamefeed Mumbai, Mh 400001 Add us to your address book