By Jordan Ramée on Sep 22, 2018 09:30 pm
Classic PS1 Games
Sony has announced that the company is taking a page out of Nintendo's book and producing a mini version of an old console that plays classic games. Called PlayStation Classic, the console comes preloaded with 20 different PS1 games. Sony has already announced five of them, but the remaining 15 are still a mystery. We've got our own ideas as to what should be included on the PlayStation Classic. In the following gallery, we've laid out our choices for 14 games that we hope make it onto Sony's upcoming console. We've left one spot open, so let us know in the comments below which PlayStation game should fill out that final slot and why it deserves to be there. The PlayStation Classic costs $100 / $130 CAN and will release on December 3, exactly 24 years after the original console launched in Japan. You can pre-order it right now. Currently, only Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms have been confirmed for the Playstation Classic. First releasing in Japan in 1994, the original PlayStation spread across the world in 1995. For the following four years, hundreds of different games arrived on the console. The PlayStation would ultimately be superseded by the much more popular PlayStation 2 in 1999, but Sony's original console set the stage for some of gaming's longest running franchises and gave the Nintendo 64 some healthy competition.
Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
If Sony wants its mini console to be a time capsule of influential games from the PS1 era, it's hard to find a better inclusion than Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. It seems as if every other week there's a slew of new "Metroidvania" games hitting the market, and half of that moniker is due to this masterclass in game form and function. It defined Castlevania for a generation, and it changed action-RPGs forever. But this is no staid relic or academic slog. Everything about Symphony of the Night holds up beautifully and is still fun to play today. The combat is so sharp and responsive that modern games like Dead Cells are praised for matching it. The RPG hooks are deep but not suffocating. The exploration is rich and varied and surprising. It's one of the pinnacles of the genre and the platform, and it absolutely deserves to be included. -- Steve Watts
Chrono Cross
To say that Chrono Cross had some big shoes to fill would be a massive understatement. Its predecessor, Chrono Trigger, stands as one of the 16-bit era's most impressive and memorable role-playing games, with an inventive time-travel focused narrative and several different endings over the course of its story. Chrono Cross would rekindle the same type of magic when it released on PlayStation, but it also did enough to make a name for itself. Chrono Cross is still one of the original PlayStation's finest RPGs. Though it remains a contentious game among fans of the series, it still provided a memorable and heartfelt journey through time and space. Joining the lead character Serge was a massive roster of smugglers, rangers, magicians, and other vagabonds from across two parallel dimensions. Throughout the mostly non-linear story, you'd often head to places and run into people you'd least expect. Even without a fondness for the original, Chrono Cross works as a complex and involved RPG, and its spot in the PlayStation Classic's lineup would allow a new audience to see what was so special about it. -- Alessandro Fillari
Digimon World
Digimon and Pokemon have butted heads on a lot--anime, card games, and video games mostly--with the latter franchise winning out popularity-wise when it comes to games. In Japan, PlayStation's Digimon World came out about a month before Game Boy's Pokemon Red, and the pocket monsters beat out the digital ones in a landslide. That doesn't mean Digimon World deserves to fade into obscurity, though. Bandai Namco's 1999 game has you team up with a partner--either Agumon or Gabumon--before venturing out and catching "feral" Digimon that you then train, raise, and evolve. Where Pokemon Red and Digimon World differ is in how you raise your monsters, with Pokemon solely focusing on growth through combat and Digimon relying on both battles and multiple systems of micromanagement, such as sleeping and feeding. Remember Tamagotchi? Digimon World is like that but in 3D and with an actual story. The game would be great on PlayStation Classic as something relaxing to check on between playing other titles. -- Jordan Ramee
Driver
While it was Grand Theft Auto that would go on to receive much of the acclaim and success (and huge amounts of money) with its open-world games, it was Driver that first offered a similar style of driving action. Unlike the top-down games in the GTA series on PS1, Driver presented you with a third-person perspective not unlike that of Gran Turismo and Need for Speed, but it offered a wide-open world to explore. It's hard to overstate how thrilling the prospect of this was in 1999; you weren't bound to closed tracks, but instead were free to explore condensed versions of real-world cities like San Francisco. While there are games like the Forza Horizon series that continue to offer open-world driving action, there's still nothing quite like Driver, with its thrilling, mission-based police chases and dedicated burnout button. It's been bested in countless ways, but its basic formula remains enjoyable to this day, and it well deserves a spot on the PlayStation Classic alongside any of the other, bigger-name racing games that Sony could choose. -- Chris Pereira
Grand Theft Auto 2
Fortnite might be the hottest thing going right now, but it's hard to overstate the sustained success that Grand Theft Auto V has enjoyed since its release. GTA as a franchise has been hugely popular ever since it went 3D with PS2's GTA III, and PlayStation Classic could offer a fun nostalgia trip (and history lesson) by taking us back to GTA's more modest days as a top-down action game. Rockstar has done this to a small degree with a special mode in GTA Online, but why not do it right and include GTA 2 in the PlayStation Classic? Particularly for those who have played the GTA III-era of games but none of the earlier entries, GTA 2 would be a great way to see how many of III's ideas were already firmly established. Stealing cars, freely roaming the city, Rampages, wanted levels, side missions with vehicles like taxis, hidden packages--this was a game that firmly had the roadmap of GTA established. It simply took the less abstract third-person viewpoint of III to really catch on. All of that aside, GTA 2 would be worth including because it remains very fun. -- Chris Pereira
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver
As the years go by, it seems like the cult favorite Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is slowly getting lost to time. Developed by Crystal Dynamics and directed by Amy Hennig (Uncharted series), Soul Reaver is the quintessential entry in the long-dormant Legacy of Kain series, whose last entry released in 2003. The game puts you in control of Raziel, a vampire lieutenant turned soul-sucking wraith after being betrayed by the tyrannical vampire lord Kain. Brought back to life by the Elder God, Raziel must embark on a journey across the desolate kingdom of Nosgoth to exact vengeance against his former master and vampiric brethren. Soul Reaver's grim narrative and intriguing characters remain some of gaming's most memorable. Its combat system--which focused on taking advantage of vampiric weaknesses--is incredibly clever and creative. And its bevy of puzzles to solve and secrets to unearth still keeps you constantly engaged with the lore that covers the game's haunting world. Sony could do right in including this dark gothic epic in the PlayStation Classic's game lineup--not only to remind folks what it is, but to give them an opportunity to experience one of the console's best third-person action-adventure games. Make it happen, Sony! -- Matt Espineli
Mega Man Legends
Mega Man has had plenty of spin-offs. Maybe too many. But even by the gonzo standards that brought us Mega Man Star Force, Legends is uniquely zany. Capcom's first attempt to experiment with Mega Man in full 3D produced a strange Zelda-like concoction with loot and dungeon-crawling elements. Exploring the ruins underneath a humble town uncovered mechanized destroyers--Reavers--and a compelling mystery about their origins and purpose. It didn't work perfectly. Mega Man Legends was oftentimes difficult and imprecise to control, a side effect of new technology finding its footing. What set Mega Man Legends apart the most, though, was its lovable cast of characters. This was an early example of a game taking full advantage of the PS1 disc space with a staggering amount of voice acting, and each of them brought character and flavor to their roles. Mega Man and Roll were the earnest heroes, of course, and they were joined by a quirky cast of villains: the frazzled Teisel, take-no-guff Tron, and baby Bon-Bonne. It would be worth revisiting just to fall in love with these characters again--and revive demands for the cancelled Mega Man Legends 3. -- Steve Watts
Metal Gear Solid
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Metal Gear Solid was a defining game of the PlayStation era. Featuring a unique brand of stealth-action gameplay, Hideo Kojima's homage to western-centric military action films featured a remarkably mature story, coupled with some fourth wall-breaking weirdness that ultimately made for one of the 1990s' most memorable 3D games. And with the coming release of the PlayStation Classic, Metal Gear Solid totally deserves a spot on the throwback console's lineup. What made Metal Gear Solid so groundbreaking at the time was that it was keenly aware of itself as a game. Along with some clever use of the then-new controller vibration, several moments throughout the game pulled tricks on players. In one of gaming's most iconic boss battles, the villain Psycho Mantis uses his mind-bending powers to read the protagonist Solid Snake's mind. But as it turns out, he was reading the player's memory card to name drop Konami games they played recently. While it seems like a neat gimmick, this was mind-blowing back in the day, and it's also a testament to the game's forward and out-of-the-box thinking. Metal Gear Solid, even today, is a remarkable game, and the PlayStation Classic would be sorely lacking without it. -- Alessandro Fillari
Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee
If you thought Limbo was the world's first dark puzzle-platformer, you probably haven't played Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. In Abe's Oddysee, you controlled an enslaved alien who discovers the factory in which he and his fellow Mudokons are forced to work is preparing to turn them all into snack cakes. That's when this unlikely hero burst into action, trying to escape the factory and save as many of his fellow slaves along the way. If you made one mistake, you'd get peppered with bullets, ground up by saw blades, mauled by dog-like creatures, or subjected to other, even worse fates. It was a tough game, but by the time you made your way to freedom you probably loved the doofy, farting protagonist. -- Chris Reed
Resident Evil 2
Following up on the original Resident Evil's success, Resident Evil 2 took things much further. Bringing the scares and sense of dread to an overrun city, the sequel introduced two of the series' most memorable characters and upped the stakes by making their struggle for survival more of a connected journey. While the original game introduced the concept of the survival horror game, Resident Evil 2 perfected it, making for one of the best action-horror games on the PlayStation. With the remake of Resident Evil 2 releasing next year on January 25, now would be a perfect time to get players refreshed or even introduced to the original game. What made Resident Evil 2 so innovative was that it greatly expanded upon the concept of two playable protagonists. Known as the Zapping system, each character had their own particular campaign and perspective on events. After finishing one character's story, you'd move on to the next, and often deal with the choices from the previous run--such as one character leaving little to no ammo for the other survivor. It all made for an experience that tasked players to think ahead, which was a series hallmark. Though Resident Evil and Resident Evil 3 were fantastic games, the middle point of the trilogy is the game that best used all these aspects of survival horror, making for one of the PlayStation's best horror titles. -- Alessandro Fillari
Silent Hill
The original 1999 Silent Hill has this eerily timeless quality that still produces a good scare in even long-time horror game veterans. Ironically, it's been able to stand the test of time by relying on the PlayStation's hardware limitations instead of trying to push for realistic graphics. The mysterious fog that blankets the town is supposed to hide that draw distance on the original PlayStation isn't very good, but it also keeps Silent Hill's frightening horrors hidden from you until they're within striking distance. It's terrifying to hear the soft sounds of something approaching and not being able to see what it is. If the Resident Evil franchise is the primary inspiration behind shooter-heavy modern-day survival horror games like Dead Space and The Evil Within, then Silent Hill is the precursor to horror titles where your options for fighting back are very limited. For that alone, it deserves to be remembered, but Silent Hill is also a major influence for moving horror video games away from the Western-style of blood and gore and towards the Japanese style of psychological terror. Putting it on the PlayStation Classic is a good way of keeping the game from fading into grainy obscurity and will help dull the pain of losing PS4's Silent Hills. -- Jordan Ramee
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
While skateboarding was popular in the late '90s, the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series elevated it to unbelievable levels and acted as somewhat of a gateway for many future skaters. This was done by way of an easy-to-learn, hard-to-master trick system that had players pulling off grinds, flips, and grabs in an attempt to land a high score. Of course, that was just the first game; Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 allowed you to link all of these tricks together into mind-bending combos. At first, these combos seemed impossible and only doable by those who made the game, but to the players who just didn't stop playing, they soon became second nature. I can't count how many times I've played through each entry in the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series. Even today, I'll throw the disc into my console just to speed through each level and revisit the virtual playgrounds that are burned into my mind. The game I revisit the most is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 on the original PlayStation, as its levels are some of my favorite in the series. However, none of them are quite as memorable as Warehouse from the original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Paired with Superman by Goldfinger, it's my generation's version of Super Mario Bros.' 1-1. Thanks to those licensed soundtracks, and the roster of real pro skaters, THPS 1 and 2 are not likely to be included on the PlayStation Classic, but that doesn't mean either shouldn't. This series is one of the best the PlayStation has ever seen. -- Mat Paget
Twisted Metal 2
A system like PlayStation Classic is surely meant to evoke nostalgia and represent what made the platform special back in the day. If so, an entry from the Twisted Metal series--one of the platform's defining exclusive franchises--is an essential inclusion. There are plenty of Twisted Metal games to choose from, as a total of five were released on PS1. The easy choice is Twisted Metal 2: the final PS1 entry from David Jaffe and developer SingleTrac before 989 Studios took over and created a lesser copycat that lacked the soul of the first two games. Twisted Metal 2 represents the best the series would have to offer until the PS2's Black in 2001. It offers a demolition derby-style arena filled with gun-equipped cars, with the simple goal of wiping out the competition. With a varied arsenal of weapons, distinct vehicles, and numerous secrets to uncover, it made for a killer multiplayer experience--which would pair nicely with the predominantly single-player lineup of games revealed for the PlayStation Classic so far. -- Chris Pereira
By Mat Elfring on Sep 22, 2018 09:30 pm
FX's It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia just entered its 13th season, and over the years, the gang has done some incredible and despicable things. From exploiting the gas crisis, to getting drunk on planes, to putting on a rock opera that's just a marriage proposal ploy, the show contains some hilarious and truly memorable episodes. The show follows the owners--and employee--of Paddy's Pub in Philadelphia: Ronald "Mac" McDonald, Dee Reynolds, Dennis Reynolds, Frank Reynolds, and Charlie Kelly. Together, this group of friends is toxic and ruins the lives of everyone around them through malicious schemes and plots to try and make themselves seem like better people. In honor of the show's 13th season, the folks at GameSpot came together to debate which episodes are the best. Obviously, this is no easy task because so many of these episodes are amazing. After plenty of debate, looking at every scheme, every violent encounter, and every hilarious moment, we figured out the best 13 episodes from the series. Let us know what your favorite episodes are in the comment section below. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia currently airs Wednesdays at 10 PM on FXX.
13. The Gang Gives Frank An Intervention
Season 5, Episode 4 Frank has gone off the wagon with his drinking so Dee, Dennis, and Charlie want to give him an intervention. Meanwhile, Frank is trying to have sex with his sister-in-law, who Mac is pursuing as well. However, Frank settles for her daughter, Gail the Snail, who is simply the worst (and one of the show's best side characters, despite being underused). This episode is the point where Frank really goes off the deep end--Season 2 Frank is very different from what the character eventually becomes--and once he starts plumbing the depths of his depravity here, he'll never stop. This episode is a great example of the group dynamic, which involved getting as drunk as possible (this time with wine in soda cans) and berating each other.
12. The Gang Wrestles For The Troops
Season 5, Episode 7 This episode has the first appearances of both Da Maniac and Ben the Soldier. Mac, Charlie, and Dennis decide nothing is more American than wrestling and decide to put on a wrestling show for the troops. They book Da Maniac, played by the late Roddy Piper, a deranged wrestler with a heart of gold who ends up getting arrested before the show. Meanwhile, Dee meets her online boyfriend Ben but passes him off to Artemis when Ben shows up in a wheelchair after spraining his ankle. One of the best moments of the episode is when Charlie, Mac, and Dennis come to the wrestling ring as "The Birds of War," singing their entrance with drawn on abs. It's one of the few times the majority of the gang actually tries to accomplish something where they aren't benefiting from it in some way and gives the viewer some hope that these people aren't all that bad. Also check out Season 9, Episode 4: "Mac and Dennis Buy a Timeshare"
11. Maureen Ponderosa Wedding Massacre
Season 8, Episode 3 This is the only episode on this list where it really helps to have watched previous episodes revolving around the relationship of Dennis and his ex-wife Maureen Ponderosa. The Wedding Massacre all takes place in flashback form as Frank, Dennis, Charlie, and Mac are telling the story of what happened at the Maureen Ponderosa/Liam McPoyle wedding, which ended like a zombie movie. It's a combination of two major antagonists in the gang's lives that haven't crossed over before. It's tonally a bit different than a traditional Always Sunny episode, as it's darker and a tad creepy, but it works. This episode is a pivotal point in Maureen's storyline, right before she begins transitioning into a cat. Plus it's always fun to spend time with the whole McPoyle clan--not least the raving mad Pappy McPoyle, played for some reason by none other than Guillermo del Toro. Also check out Season 6, Episodes 1 & 2: "Mac Fights Gay Marriage" and "Dennis Gets Divorced."
10. Paddy's Pub: Home of the Original Kitten Mittens
Season 5, Episode 8 While the series had already been on the air for five years at the time, The original TV spot for the "Kitten Mittens" episode went viral, as a cat wearing socks tried to walk across a table as Charlie looked on. In the actual episode, everyone in the gang tries to develop products to market Paddy's Pub, which leads them to The Lawyer (played again by Brian Unger). This episode sets up a couple recurring gags, like Charlie believing he's a lawyer or "man of the law" and Frank trying to sell an egg dyed green as a stress ball and "jumping off point." The episode also has one of the best sight gags in the series, with Mac's "D**k towel," a crudely drawn penis on a shower towel. It's a stand-alone episode that's just moment after moment of really solid comedy writing.
9. The Gang Broke Dee
Season 9, Episode 1 For eight seasons, the gang has been brutal to Dee Reynolds, and at the start of Season 9, she cracks like the shell of an egg that she would lay (because she is a bird). Mac, Charlie, and Frank try to lift her spirits by encouraging her to try stand-up comedy again. She actually does well for herself. While this is happening, Dennis tries to hook her up with a "select," a mediocre man Dee can settle down with. The turn at the end episode is outstanding and unbelievably mean. It's so malicious toward Dee, and it ends up breaking Dennis, for very different reasons. While it's an extremely cold-hearted episode, it's amazing to see the depths these characters will go just to one-up each other.
8. Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare
Season 2, Episode 3 Right after Danny Devito joined the cast as Frank Reynolds, Always Sunny started finding its footing, as the series offered more of a variety in how the gang split up into different alliances and they began to get more depraved than ever. "Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare" is a great early example of this. As the title suggests, Dennis and Dee quit their jobs to milk the welfare system--which leads them to become crack addicts--while Charlie and Mac spend all of Frank's money in his secret bank account. This episode sets up a few reoccuring things in always Sunny, like Dennis and Dee's addiction problems and Frank's casual racism. It's actually a great starting point for the series, as it gives the audience a greater understanding of how far these characters are willing to go in order to please their own egos, even if it means turning to addiction so they don't have to work anymore.
7. A Very Sunny Christmas
Season 6, Episode 13 Originally a straight-to-video release and added a year later to Season 6, this 43-minute episode gives the audience plenty of insight into the gang's childhood and why they're all such damaged people. As kids, Frank would buy himself what Dennis and Dee wanted for Christmas and rub it in their faces. Mac learns his family would steal gifts from other families. Charlie learns his mother was a prostitute that had sex with men dressed like Santa Claus. Also, there's a claymation sequence that is bonkers, and one of the top Sunny gags ever, involving a stark naked, glistening Frank bursting from the bowels of a saggy leather couch in the middle of an office holiday party full of strangers. While this episode tends to be overlooked, it is crucial to understanding these characters, as nowhere else do we see a better blueprint for who these characters are and where they came from.
6. The Gang Solves The Gas Crisis
Season 4, Episode 2 The gang is always coming up with schemes, none of which are good on paper nor do they play out as planned. "The Gang Solves The Gas Crisis" sees Mac, Dennis, and Charlie selling barrels of gasoline to people door-to-door in order to profit from the high gas prices at the time. Meanwhile, Frank and Dee try to besmirch Bruce Mathis (Dee and Dennis's real father) after he plans on donating the late Barbara Reynolds' inheritance. This episode starts the trend of Charlie as the "wild card" of the group, as he dresses up like a Texas oil man, tries to seduce a banker, and throws a fireball at Mac's head. "The Gang Solves The Gas Crisis" sets the trend for how the group's schemes will turn out--poorly--but it delivers the idea that they can work together, despite being despicable people. Out of all of the schemes the gang has come up with throughout the series, this one tops the list. Also check out Season 8, Episode 2: "The Gang Recycles Their Trash"
5. The Gang Beats Boggs
Season 10, Episode 1 Throughout its 13 seasons, Always Sunny had plenty of road trip episodes where the gang leaves the bar to go on adventures. The best of them all is "The Gang Beats Boggs." With Mac acting as commissioner, the gang goes on a cross-country flight in order to try and beat Wade Boggs' record of drinking 70 beers in one flight. Meanwhile, Frank wants to start "The Air Sex Society," by getting it on with someone on the flight. Where the episode shines is in the group dynamic. The gang is reved up for their plan, but as the episode goes on, one by one, they give up or find something they deem more interesting to focus on. This is a repeating trend throughout the series, and an element we've seen before, but no other episode does it as well as "The Gang Beats Boggs," as it contains this all within a tight location, weaving multiple storylines, and keeping the dialogue comedic. Also check out Season 13, Episode 3: "The Gang Beats Boggs: Ladies Reboot"
4. Charlie Work
Season 10, Episode 4 Not only is "Charlie Work" a hilarious and chaotic mess (in the best way possible), but it is shot beautifully, with plenty of long, single-shot takes following Charlie throughout the bar. In the episode, Charlie learns that the health inspector is on her way to inspect Paddy's Pub, so Charlie kicks into high gear to make sure the bar is up to code. However, while this is happening, the rest of the gang has a convoluted scheme involving live chickens, airline miles, and steaks. Charlie has to make sure the health inspector isn't wise to the scheme, all while keeping her none-the-wiser. The episode shows that Charlie is actually incredibly competent as one of the owners, and one of the best gags of the episode is set up right under your nose the entire time. It gives the audience a whole new perspective on the character, and you'll come to respect him more.
3. "The D.E.N.N.I.S. System
Season 5, Episode 10 It's well-established now that Dennis Reynolds is a full-blown sociopath, but it was this 2009 episode that really defined how awful the character is. Dennis explains to the gang his technique for seducing women, which involves Demonstrating his value, Engaging her physically, Nurturing her dependence, Neglecting her emotionally, Inspiring hope, and Separating entirely. A good portion of this system relies on Dennis making threatening phone calls as a disgruntled neighbor. We also learn about the M.A.C. System, which is just Mac trying to swoop in after Dennis leaves these women. This episode is a big turn for the character. Instead of being a typical scumbag who uses women, we learn that he's a straight-up monster who plays a game to inflate his own self-worth. You'll never look at Dennis the same way again. Fun fact: The pharmacist Dennis dates in this episode is Glenn Howerton's wife in real life.
2. Charlie MacDennis: The Game of Games
Season 7, Episode 7 Without anything fun to do, the gang introduces Frank to a convoluted board/drinking game they created, Chardee MacDennis. Based on board games they loved as children--combined with their love of alcohol--the gang's homebrew tabletop game is pure insanity and the whole goal of the game is to belittle the losers. It's one of the more bizarre episodes and shows that this group thrives on being awful to other people, even if it's to each other. The episode expands on the relationships between the characters and delivering a really fun plot, while never leaving the bar. More importantly, it's one of the most light-hearted episodes in the series, with the endgame of the gang not being anything too crazy. Also check out Chardee MacDennis 2: Electric Boogaloo (Season 11, Episode 1)
1. "The Nightman Cometh"
Season 4, Episode 13 In the Season 4 finale, Charlie and the gang decide to put on a rock opera based on Charlie's song "Night Man" from Season 3. The opera's story revolves around a young boy who must stop the Night Man in order to win the heart of a princess of a coffee shop. He does this by turning into the Day Man. There's a huge turn at the end, as Charlie appears and asks the Waitress--who is in the audience--to marry him. While it's undeniably one of the funniest episodes, especially when Frank--who plays the Troll--can't get the lyrics right, it's incredibly dark when you realize that this could be the story of Charlie, as a young boy, escaping the clutches of his Uncle Jack. It's a prime example of taking a character who the audience tends to perceive as dumb and showing another side to him, as Charlie is--in many ways--a musical genius, even if the content of the music is disturbing. Also check out "Sweet Dee's Dating a R****ded Person" (Season 3, Episode 9)
By Dan Auty on Sep 22, 2018 02:01 pm
Solo: A Star Wars Story is now available buy on digital formats, giving fans a second chance to dig into the latest movie in the much-loved franchise. The movie didn't have the smoothest ride to the screen, with original directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord fired during production and veteran filmmaker Ron Howard brought in to take over and reshoot a reported 70% of the entire movie. Solo made its May release slot this year but underperformed at the box office, putting a sequel and further standalone Star Wars spin-offs in doubt. Nevertheless, it's a hugely entertaining movie well worth a revisit at home. The film, which focuses on the adventures of the young Han Solo, was written by Star Wars veteran Lawrence Kasdan with his son Jon. Last week, Jon took to Twitter to release a lengthy list of behind-the-scene observations and opinions about the film, which makes for fascinating reading as you watch it. Kasdan goes into detail about the many influences that he and the other filmmakers used for Solo, the film's many Easter Eggs, and how the new characters were developed. He explains what changed from earlier drafts of the script and what scenes were shot but ended up on the cutting room floor. He also reveals that, despite the reshoots, the influence of Lord and Miller was greater than many fans might expect, with several key moments remaining from their time on the movie. Finally, Kasdan speculates on the future of the younger incarnations of Han, Chewie, and Lando, and if we'll get to see them in another movie. So here's our pick of Kasdan's most fascinating insights into the making of Solo, presented in chronological order and in his own words.
1. Mother Proxima
"I always hoped Linda Hunt would voice Mother Proxima because she had done the haunting opening narration (an Edgar Allen Poe quote) for the short-lived and criminally-underrated Shelley Duvall Showtime series Nightmare Classics, which you can find on YouTube. When I told Linda this was why I'd thought of her, she had absolutely no recollection of having recorded that narration and disputed it. But it's definitely her. Also, Linda is one of the coolest people you're likely to meet."
2. Speeder Chase
"In early drafts of the script there was no speeder chase. This was something Chris and Phil conceived and Chris and Phil and Ron Howard executed, in my opinion, beautifully. They all felt we needed to see Han's skill "behind the yoke" and that it could it pay off later in the Kessel Run. Lawrence Kasdan, much more focused on the Dickensian element, was more passionate about the foot-chase and the deleted eel barrel scene which is included in the extras."
3. Coronet Spaceport
"Coronet Spaceport was a name we found on Wookieepedia while looking for spaceports on Corellia. We wanted the sequence to feel like the Ellis Island sequence in The Godfather Part 2, to give a sense of how small Han and Qi'ra are in the scheme of things and the cruel, impersonal machine that is the Empire."
4. Mimban
"We wanted Mimban to evoke Kubrick's Paths of Glory and put Han into the most hellish-possible war environment. Originally, there was a fourth member of Beckett's crew, Korso, and in some shots you can even see him. His performance was great but, given the hectic environment, it became confusing to introduce that character we were going to immediately kill off. The original logic for Korso, who was a rather large man, was that Beckett had lost his muscle and Chewie is a useful replacement."
5. The Beast
"Chris and Phil had the idea that Chewie would be 'the beast,' a punishment for disobedient soldiers (and I suppose droids) on Mimban. They also had the brilliant idea to have Han, at the crucial moment, speak Shyriiwook. The mud pit is pure Chris and Phil and for my money, it's one of the best scenes in the movie."
6. Beckett Leaves
"One action sequence that was never filmed but survived several drafts fairly deep into production involved Beckett's crew leaving WITHOUT Han and Chewie, forcing Han and Chewie to steal an Imperial garbage ship on which they could escape. At one point, they dump the garbage onto several Stormtroopers who are chasing them. Writing this now, I'm relieved we didn't actually shoot that. It would've cost a fortune and NEVER would've made the cut."
7. Vandor 1
"We Kasdans spent many a Christmas, while I was growing up, in the Rocky Mountains of Southern Colorado which is only odd when you consider that NONE of us ski. The environment of Vandor 1 was always meant to evoke that beautiful landscape. It also made sense for the space-Western feeling we were trying to invoke."
8. The Conveyex Job
"The Conveyex Job was in every draft of the script. It was something we conceived very early on that people were consistently responded to. Originally, the cargo was not Coaxium but rather an extremely-dangerous criminal en-route to a maximum security prison. Our idea was that Beckett's crew was hired to bust this guy out by members of his gang. The criminal and his gang wordlessly departed after the job and wouldn't return until some unspecified sequel where they would rescue Han at some crucial moment."
9. Val
"In retrospect, Thandie Newton may actually have been too good and too interesting as Val. It was always in the design of the story that Beckett would lose his trusted crew members during the Conveyex Job-gone-wrong and be forced to rely on newbies, Han and Chewie, and this would also open the door for Lando, Qi'ra, and L3 to join the crew. But Thandie is so compelling to watch that the death of her character feels a little like a cheat. It's an odd and unexpected problem that comes with working with such amazing, compelling actors in the Star Wars universe. You just want more of them."
10. Dryden's Base
"Dryden Vos's base of operation was originally not a ship but an island fortress like Mont-Saint Michel but with an elaborate system of canals. In the third act Lando drove a Star Wars-version of a go-fast boat through the canals. It was pretty cool stuff but ultimately impossible to execute and incredibly time-consuming."
11. Dryden Dispatches The Governor
"There was debate surrounding how exactly Dryden would dispose of that unfortunate regional governor. Some of us really wanted him decapitated and we actually shot a version where a head rolls across the floor. Others felt that was a little too rough for Star Wars."
12. Dryden's Influences
"Vos was Robert Prosky's character Leo in Michael Mann's Thief. Robert Prosky worked with Ron on Far and Away. Another influence was Don Draper. We wanted this character to be, physically, the antithesis of that other Star Wars crime boss. Ya know, the one with the weight problem."
13. Kessel Planning
"The scene in Dryden's study in which the Kessel Heist is first proposed is one of my personal favorites in the movie. It's where Han really becomes Han in a lot of ways. The way he improvises to save their skin in that scene felt true to the man he eventually becomes. 'We'll get the ship, we've already got the pilot.' felt like pure Han."
14. The Lodge
"The Lodge at Fort Ypso was something that came from Chris and Phil. They were inspired by Robert Altman's McCabe & Mrs. Miller and really wanted to have that dark, wintery mountain lodge-feeling in the movie. [Cinematographer] Bradford [Young]'s work on that particular set is especially beautiful and was an anchor point for the look and feel of the whole movie."
15. Lando
"At this point it goes without saying, but Donald [Glover] was born to play Lando. I remember the thrill of seeing his screen test. Then the thrill of watching Bob Iger and Alan Horn watch his screen test, all of us knowing how much fun that was going to be and that he would steal each and every scene he was in. This was before Atlanta or Awaken My Love but after Community. In my opinion, Donald NEEDS to don the cape again and the sooner the better."
16. L3
"L3 was a character conceived in conversations between Chris and Phil, Lawrence, and myself. It's interesting to see how divisive she's been in these extremely divisive and politically-charged times. If you're interested in that particular conversation, there was a great piece by Spencer Kornhaber in the Atlantic and another by Kate Gardner on The Mary Sue that illustrate differing points of view and the passion people feel about Star Wars. The truth is, she actually evolved out of Chris's astute observation that it was funny that the bartender at Mos Eisley objected to Threepio, considering droids seem to be the least rambunctious folk in the galaxy."
17. The Falcon
"The night we shot the scene where Han sees the Falcon for the first time was one of the most fun nights of our shoot. I vividly remember the cast sitting around listening to Ron tell stories about growing up in the business and his experiences. Ron is a world-class storyteller and almost no one alive has worked more consistently, since they were five, than he has."
18. The Cape Closet
"Lando's cape closet, another great idea that's pure Chris and Phil. That scene was always meant to parallel the scene between Leia and Han in the avionics closet in Empire. We liked the idea of seeing Han in a similar situation, with a similar type of banter, but a very different partner, one who maybe teaches him a thing or two. The relationship between Han and Qi'ra was never intended to be concluded at the end of this movie. It's a story I hope we get to tell more of someday 'cause I like their diverging paths."
19. Beckett and Han
"The scene between Beckett and Han in the lounge really demonstrates the Michael Mann influence on the movie. We wanted Beckett to be cut from same cloth as [Heat's] Neal McCauley. We wanted Beckett embody a moral cynicism that Han would, later in his life, outwardly project but never really posses. This kind of scene Woody does without a single false note. There was no take of his performance in this scene we couldn't have used. Some actors, they say it and you just believe it. Woody is one of those guys and every moment you spend with him, whether on set or in a restaurant, is pure fun. Also, if you haven't seen it yet, I can't recommend his movie Lost In London enough. It's truly sort of a marvel of filmmaking."
20. The Maelstrom
"The Maelstrom. This is another idea that stuck from the first draft. Trying to solve the problem of how to make the Kessel Run visually exciting, inventive, and at least somewhat logical, weighed heavily on all of us throughout the process. It was something we discussed endlessly and knew would never satisfy everyone, and specifically never satisfy Neil Degrasse Tyson. We wanted a Jules Verne flavor and we loved the idea of a storm in space, what that might look like. The Hubble image of the Pillars of Creation was a huge influence on this concept. ILM did tests in which they blow up canisters of different colored powder and photographed the explosion in slo-mo. Those test were fun to watch."
21. Qi'ra's Job Title
"Is Qi'ra's made-up job title, 'Assistant to the Vice Admiral of Trade Route Allocation and Monetization' a good-natured poke at some of the more confusing bits of exposition in previous Star Wars adventures? Of course not, we take all this s*** very seriously."
22. The Kessel Heist
"While figuring out the Kessel Heist, we kept revisiting the Mission Impossible movies because we wanted the sequence to have the kind of momentum and feeling of coordinated effort that the best sequences in those movies always have. Ultimately though, Han's personality is very different from Ethan Hunt. He's much more... laid back, and things tend to go best for him when he just sorta bulls***s his way though. Which is why Han Solo is the patron saint of screenwriters."
23. Lando's Memoirs
"Would the movie have made more money if it had just been two hours of Lando dictating his memoirs into his holorecorder? Perhaps. You live and learn."
24. Beckett's Armor
"I wish there was a special feature where you see Beckett toss aside the Tantel Armor and Gondar-tusk mask he uses as a disguise on Kessel, then just settle into a time-lapse shot of that gear lying in a closet in the Falcon for like, fifteen years... until Lando picks it up and wears it as a disguise himself for Jabba's Palace. And if you're wondering why or objecting to how interconnected the movie is with the others, it's 'cos that's the kind of nonsense I think about."
25. Han And Lando Get Blasting
"When I was growing up, there was a stack of Star Wars Marvel comics in my grandparents' house in Michigan that, I assume, belonged to my brother. It remained there, in exactly the same spot, for twenty-five years. I really wanted the shoot-out on the landing pad at Kessel to evoke the feeling of those wonderful Marvel comic covers from the '80s, Han and Lando, their blasters blazing. I think Ron achieved that and then some. Seeing those three guys beneath the Falcon is the absolute realization of that particular childhood fantasies. Thank you Ron and George Lucas."
26. Han The Pilot
"Does the movie work? I'm not the person to ask. But here's what I think DOES work: the moment when Han jumps into pilot's seat of the Falcon for the first time. It's directed beautifully, Alden nails every movement and look, and unless you're actively resisting it, John Powell's perfect cue will make your heart swell. That moment is as good as this movie gets in my opinion."
27. Imperial Blockade
"An Imperial Blockade was something we wanted to see the burgeoning smuggler deal with. We went through many iterations of that bit as well. For a long time, the idea was that the Falcon got stuck in a tractor beam and Han has the idea to disrupt it by removing a small amount of Coaxium, putting it into Lando's mini-ship and launching the mini-ship at the destroyer. We even filmed this version but it was incredibly time-consuming and the Kessel Run hadn't even started yet."
28. The Kessel Run
"Love it, hate it, or indifferent, watch the Kessel Run on the best screen with the best sound you can find. It's truly a technical marvel of visual effects and sound design that really represents the state of that art form at this moment. I'd put that sequence up against any visual effects in movie history. Rob Bredow knocked out of the park. It's simply gorgeous. It's also a testament to Chris Rouse, the brilliant writer and editor who came in and helped us streamline the Kessel Run sequence and the Conveyex Job."
29. Summa-Verminoth
"SUMMA-VERMINOTH, the creature the Falcon encounters in the Maelstrom had a long road to the screen. In the earliest drafts, the Kessel Run was interrupted with a forced pit stop on a spooky Ridley Scott-type planet. On that Nameless Planet, Beckett's crew encounters enormous Lovecraftian monsters that claim one of their number. When Chris and Phil got involved, they determined (correctly) that that pit-stop would kill the momentum of the Kessel Run. Later, when working on the sequence with Ron, the notion of a Lovecraftian monster returned (as we are both huge Lovecraft fans). "I remember Kathleen Kennedy would go into her office and google images of frilled sharks and giant squids for reference. She loves that stuff. One thing we stumbled across while working on this was a fantastic short film/teaser directed Ruairi Robinson called The Leviathan. You can find it on YouTube and Vimeo. It has been long-rumored to be turned into a feature and I sincerely hope it will be. The name Summa-Verminoth is another Cthulhu mythos homage to Robert Bloch's fictional tome, De Vermis Mysteriis."
30. Savareen
"In the script, the area of Savareen where the refinery is located is identified as the Pnakotic Dunes, another Lovecraft nod. Where we shot it, on Fuerteventura, was an incredibly remote and punishing location. You'd return to the hotel at the end of the day, chapped everywhere and with your boots full of sand. But there were moments when you'd be standing on that set, and look off in a certain direction, away from the crew, at Neil Lamont's incredible set and the hundreds of costumed extras, and you would swear you really were IN another galaxy."
31. Efts Nest
"Erin Kellyman was a discovery of [casting director] Nina Gold and Chris and Phil that exceeded our wildest hopes for Enfys Nest. She has a face made for the movies and is, I believe, busy shooting a new version of Les Miserables as I write this. Personally, I'd love to see more of Enfys Nest."
32. Warwick
"While shooting in Fuerteventura I had another dream-fulfillment experience, getting to know and hang out with Warwick Davis. Maybe it was partly the way Bradford photographed him, but that guy just seems to get handsomer and cooler as he gets older. He's playing the same character he played in The Phantom Menace, Weazel, but I think maybe it's time Ron and I worked with Warwick to bring back another legacy character he once played. I don't know, what do you think?"
33. Qi'ra's Betrayal
"Qi'ra's betrayal/departure was also in the DNA of Solo from the very beginnIng. She was always intended to be more complicated and ambiguous than Han, at least at this point in their lives. This was a tricky thing to pull off as you're constantly weighing how invested you want the audience to be in that relationship with properly setting up the choice she makes in the end. Again, this was always intended to be just the first and second acts of their story. The third act, the resolution of Han and Qi'ra, has yet to be told."
34. Maul
"If you felt like it was just a cheap stunt, I suppose that's fair, but the the truth is Maul was built into the design of Solo in many subtle ways, including the name Crimson Dawn, the artifacts in Dryden's study, and Qi'ra's use of Teras Kasi. Maul is my favorite character from the prequel trilogy. I love that Dave Filoni brought him back and expanded on his story in The Clone Wars and Rebels. I love that there is at least some continuity between the shows and the movies. For me, Maul was destined to pass through Solo as the ultimate Star Wars Keyser Sozé."
35. Final Thoughts
"Will there ever be a sequel, 'cos it really seems like you guys were setting one up? To be honest, I think the challenge has much more to do with the foreign box office than the US. Personally, I think there are great Star Wars movies to be made that don't need to cost quite so much. Hopefully that will be the trend in the years to come, and maybe, just maybe that trend will allow us, one way or another, to tell more stories with Alden, Joonas, Emilia, and Donald. With those actors and Ron, I would jump at the opportunity. Given the way Hollywood, and the culture at large, seem to run from anything labeled a disappointment, the odds seem like they're against it happening anytime soon. But, I suppose, Han wouldn't have it any other way. "We really appreciate the feedback, love talking about this stuff with the fans, and we couldn't be more excited that Solo is now available to anyone who wants to see it anytime they want to. May the Force be with you... always."
By Dan Auty on Sep 22, 2018 01:58 pm
We're into the fall now, but there's loads of great TV 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 more offerings from Marvel and DC (Daredevil, Titans, The CW's Arrow-verse), reworkings of classic and contemporary sci-fi and horror properties (The Haunting of Hill House, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), long-running favorites (House of Cards, Doctor Who, The Walking Dead) and a handful of intriguing new titles (Nightflyers, Into the Dark). So here's the biggest TV shows to watch over the rest of the year...
The Gifted, Season 2
Fox, September 25 Of the two X-Men spin-off TV shows that premiered in 2017, Legion seemed to get most of the attention in terms of acclaim and online discussion. However, The Gifted was a more popular series and ended up as one of Fox's most watched new shows of that year. Season 2 arrives next week. The show is produced by Burn Notice's Matt Nix and follows a suburban family who are forced to go on the run after they discover that their children have mutant powers. With no new movies in the franchise due until 2019, this is as close as fans will get in 2018 to some classic X-Men action.
The Good Place, Season 3
NBC, September 27 One of the funniest, smartest sitcoms returns this month. Created by Parks & Recreation's Michael Schur, this hilarious look at the afterlife mixes warm, witty storytelling with ambitious philosophical concepts. Season 2 ended with all four of the main human characters returning to the living world, with their memories wiped and a second chance to live their lives. Quite how their stories will intersect and how Ted Danson's morally-flexible immortal Michael will figure remains to be seen, but it's sure to stimulate both the heart and the brain.
Big Mouth, Season 2
Netflix, October 5 Netflix's uproariously funny animated show looking at the trials of adolescence is back for a second season in October. The show is co-created by The League's Nick Kroll, who provides the voice for a fictionalised seventh grade version of himself as he navigates the nightmares of parents, girls, and puberty. The show's gimmick is the foul-mouthed hormone monsters Maurice and Connie (voiced by Kroll and SNL's Maya Rudolph), who appear throughout, occasionally helping but mostly hindering Nick and his friends.
Into The Dark
Hulu, October 5 October is, of course, the month of Halloween--and that means horror movies and TV shows. Hulu and Purge producers Blumhouse are marking the season with a new monthly horror anthology show titled Into the Dark. Every month a new feature-length episode will premiere, inspired by a particular holiday from that month. The first two episodes are already lined up--the series opens in October with 'The Body', a Halloween-set tale of a hitman having to dispose of a corpse, while November's Thanksgiving episode 'Flesh & Blood' sees a woman menaced by someone--or something--in her home.
Star Wars Resistance
Disney XD, October 7 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.
Doctor Who Season 11
BBC, October 7 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 Haunting of Hill House
Netflix, October 12 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.
Titans
DC Universe, October 12 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 Conners
ABC, October 16 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.
Daredevil, Season 3
Netflix, October 19 Although the third season of Netflix's Daredevil series is yet to be given a premiere date, it is still expected this year. A trailer was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con back in July, where Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed that we'd see it in 2018. It's been well over two years since Season 2, in which time we've had several other connected shows set within the MCU version of New York--some have been great (The Punisher), others less so (Iron Fist). But hopes are high for the return of Matt Murdock, particularly because the villainous Wilson Fisk is making his return. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio helped create one of the most interesting and complex villains in the entire Marvel universe, and it is rumored that Season 3 will be an adaptation of Frank Miller's classic Born Again series from the '80s Daredevil comic book.
Legends Of Tomorrow, Season 4
The CW, October 22 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.
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.
House of Cards, Season 6
Netflix, November 2 House of Cards was Netflix's first original production and has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed shows of the past decade. There was much uncertainty over the future of the political drama in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations against star Kevin Spacey, but it returns for its final season in November. Spacey is, of course, no longer part the show. His character, Frank Underwood has been killed off, with Underwood's wife Claire (Robin Wright) now taking center stage as US President. Wright's performances have been incredible throughout the show's run, so expect this modern classic to go out with a bang. Can't wait.
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.
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.
By Array on Sep 22, 2018 05:58 am
Show us your games, Tokyo!
Tokyo Game Show 2018 is under way and, like all major video game conventions, the biggest upcoming games are out in full force. While Tokyo Game Show tends to have quite a healthy selection of mobile and indie titles, console blockbusters also receive a great deal of attention. This year we walked around the show floor, visiting booths and taking note of the biggest games being exhibited so we could give you an overview of the hot up-and-coming experiences that Japanese gamers are eager to play. While we made an effort to take pictures of every booth for the relevant games, in some cases photography was prohibited, so we've used recent screenshots for them as a substitute. Tokyo Game Show has already delivered some exciting news and trailers. Most notably, Capcom has released a new Devil May Cry 5 trailer and detailed the Deluxe Edition. A Resident Evil 2 Remake trailer focused on Claire also made its debut during the show. In the week leading up to the start of Tokyo Game Show, Sony held the PlayStation LineUp Tour and provided a fresh look at some brutal Sekiro: Shadow's Die Twice gameplay, played host to the announcement of a new Samurai Shodown, and revealed Judge Eyes, a new project from the team behind the Yakuza series. Coinciding with the start of Tokyo Game Show was also the announcement of the PlayStation Classic, a mini version of the original PlayStation that comes with 20 "generation-defining" games. The PlayStation Classic is set to launch in December. Without further ado, join us on an abridged look at the massive show floor at Tokyo Game Show 2018.
Ace Combat 7 - PS4, Xbox One, PC
The Ace Combat series has always deliver satisfying aerial dog fights, with players desperately chase after aircrafts at breakneck speeds, weaving in and out of incoming gunfire, and opportunistically launching missiles to swat their target out of the air. However, what really makes this series hit hard with fans is the melodrama and surprisingly human stories that are occasionally told in between the bombastic jet-on-jet showdowns. To ensure fans won't be disappointed, Ace Combat 7 returns to its roots and the "strangereal" universe of earlier entries in the series, which means there's more of an opportunity to get weird and cheesy with the story, which is exactly what everyone wants. For those who can stomach the speed and neck-breaking twists and turns, Ace Combat 7 will also have a PlayStation VR experience when it launches in January 2019.
Catherine Full Body - PS4/Vita
Catherine was a sleeper hit on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and Atlus is giving it a second chance on both PlayStation 4 and Vita in 2019, despite the handheld ceasing production next year. There are some additions planned, including a new major character. At Tokyo Game Show, the Catherine Full Body booth stood out for its size, but also due it its unusually on-brand entryway.
Days Gone - PS4
Days Gone will be one of the early 2019 PS4 exclusives when it releases next February, and though it didn't have a massive presence at Tokyo Game Show, the motorcycle at Sony's booth proved to be a popular attraction with attendees.
Dead Or Alive 6 - PS4, Xbox One
Dead or Alive 6 is the first mainline entry in the series in six years, and the first for the current console generation, running on a new engine that allows for visible damage on fighters. We got the chance to play a few rounds on the show floor and found the fighting to feel very familiar, but there are two new systems at play for veterans to explore when the game ships next year: Fatal Rush and Break Gauge. Fatal Rush is a mechanic that lets you initiate a series a heavy, slow attacks that deal a lot of damage. The first strike counts the most, but the wind up leaves the initiator vulnerable to incoming attacks. Your Break Gauge, once full, can be used to break free from holds and combos to interrupt your opponent's momentum and regain the upper-hand in a fight. There are 12 characters revealed from the roster thus far, but there is still a lot more to learn about this promising sequel, which is scheduled to release in 2019 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Death Stranding - PS4
Death Stranding has a presence at Tokyo Game Show, though more in spirit than anything else. Lead creator Hideo Kojima is scheduled to have a live chat on stage with several of the game's voice actors but attendees otherwise have the chance to warm up to a lifelike statue of actor Norman Reedus, decked out in his lookalike space/hazard suit, baby in a bottle and all. There's still no telling how Death Stranding will function as a game, but Kojima's track record is all most people need to be excited for what's to come--whenever and whatever that may be.
Deracine - PSVR
Nowadays From Software is mostly known for the Souls series of games, but if you look back in the studio's history you'll find an eclectic mix of games across a wide range of genres. While the upcoming Sekiro seems to follow in Souls' footsteps, Deracine is a PSVR game that veers in a very different direction. It's pitched as an adventure game set in a boarding school, and while the details therein remain a mystery, it's clear that the game is going for a foreboding and mysterious approach to its storytelling. Deracine is due to come out later this year, and is a PSVR exclusive.
Devil May Cry 5 - PS4, Xbox One, PC
Capcom has made a big deal about Devil May Cry being back in a big way for the fifth entry in the mainline series and, based on what's been shown so far, it seems like a return to the over the top, quintessentially Japanese take on action that fans have come to know and love. While Devil May Cry 4's Nero is technically in the lead protagonist role, the series' flamboyant favourite son Dante will also be returning for another outing. During Tokyo Game Show, Capcom released a trailer for Devil May Cry 5 showing him in action using the Cavaliere motorcycle weapon. The trailer also featured a nice nod to another iconic Capcom hero: Mega Man. Devil May Cry 5 launches for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on March 8, 2019.
Dragon Quest Builders 2 - PS4, Switch
The original Dragon Quest Builders was something of a surprise when it released--most people expected it to be nothing more than a simple cash-in on Minecraft's success. It turned out that surface level comparison belied the game's distinct Dragon-Quest charm and true RPG-like qualities, and Builders ultimately earned a reputation all its own. A sequel is on the way later this year in Japan, with a little help from Koei Tecmo no less, but there's no telling at the moment when it will come to the West.
Dragon Marked For Death - Switch
Inti Creates is a Japanese studio that's all but dedicated to crafting 2D games that recreate the magic of mid- to late-'90s action games. Dragon Marked For Death stands out from the rest of the team's output (Mega Man Zero, Azure Striker Gunvolt) with its multiplayer structure. Players can team up in this side-scrolling RPG locally or online, and pick from four classes to diversify their squad. The grand mission at hand is yet unclear, but based on Inti Creates track record, we're optimistic that the gameplay and art are reason enough to keep an eye out as its December 2018 release date draws near.
Everybody's Golf VR - PSVR
Sony's long-running Golf series is headed to PSVR, and while the game will continue the tradition of offering welcoming and charming golf courses, the shift to VR means that players can now simulate swinging their clubs using either a Move or DualShock 4 controller. Everybody's Golf VR is currently scheduled to release in 2019.
Fortnite
It will come as no surprise to you that Epic's quirky battle royale title is also a pretty big deal in Japan. While perhaps not the cultural phenomenon that it is in the western world, Fortnite maintains a healthy presence, in thanks due to its availability on so many platforms and the fact that it offers players small, achievable tasks on a regular basis. If you haven't been keeping up with it, Fortnite Season 5 is set to official wrap up on September 25, but Season 6 is on the horizon. A mysterious cube has shown in the game world and submerged itself in the water, completely changing the area around it. What this will mean for the game and the new seasons remains to be seen, but we don't have long to wait for those answers as Season 6 is scheduled to begin shortly after Season 5 ends.
Ghost of Tsushima - PS4
One of the most exciting upcoming PlayStation 4, Ghost of Tsushima exclusives is actually set in Japan. Specifically, it's set in Tsushima, an island that was invaded by Mongols in the 13th century. Having faced the ruthless Mongols and watched the population get captured and subjugated, the samurai are forced to evolve and adapt Ninja-like tactics. Developer Sucker Punch strives to balance realism with its own dramatic fictionalization of Japanese history. It does not have a confirmed release date yet.
Judge Eyes - PS4
It should come as no surprise that the developers behind the Yakuza series, in which you play as a gangster embroiled in the politics and scheming of the Japanese mafia but also spend time managing cabaret clubs and do menial tasks for random members of the public, is weird. On its surface, Judge Eyes seems like a more serious project from the developers. You play as a lawyer and investigate murders, but also use drones to find out if husbands are cheating on wives and drop kick hoodlums in the street, for some reason. At this point, the Yakuza team has turned taking baffling scenarios and making them compelling into a fine art, so expectations for Judge Eyes are high. The game is set to launch for PS4 in Japan in 2018. A western release will follow in 2019.
Kingdom Hearts 3 - PS4, Xbox One
After an excruciatingly long wait, the Kingdom Hearts saga is set to come to a close, at least when it comes to Sora's journey anyway. From what we can tell, developer Square Enix is looking to go out with a bang and has managed to get some of the most popular recent Disney properties into the game. For Tokyo Game Show, Square Enix showed off more of San Fransokyo, the city from Big Hero 6. Players will be able to travel to the futuristic city and meet up with Baymax and Hiro to adventure together. Sora's journey will also take him to a Toy Story and Frozen world, among others. The Kingdom Hearts 3 cover art, which is designed by Tetsuya Nomura, also made its debut around TGS. Kingdom Hearts 3 is set to release on January 29, 2019 on Xbox One and PS4.
Mega Man 11 - PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
It remains to be seen if Capcom will heed the cries of Mega Man fans everywhere and restore the stalled mid-air transition that happens when entering boss battles in classic Mega Man games, but that nitpick aside, Mega Man 11 is nonetheless one to look forward to if you long for classic side-scrolling action. It's been eight years since the last mainline Mega Man game, and in that time we saw the spiritual successor Mighty No. 9 ride the wave of nostalgia before crashing on a beach of disappointment. Hopefully Mega Man 11 will prove that there's still life left in the classic formula when it releases next month.
Ninjala - Switch
Ninjala projects the same candy-coated attitude of Splatoon, but its PvP battles are designed around a very different set of mechanics and rules that distinguish it from Nintendo's light-hearted shooter. Rather than pit players against each other with ranged weapons, every combatant blows bubblegum bubbles to generate melee weapons of relative strength: the bigger the bubble, the stronger (and slower) the weapon. There's an inherent risk to the process as well--you will get trapped by your gum should another player knock you out of commission. It's too early to tell if Ninjala's mix of presentation and game design will rise meet the expectations from its perceived visual mimicry of Splatoon, but based on the extravagant booth at TGS 2018, it's clear that publisher Gung-Ho is betting big on its flagship 2019 Switch release.
Persona Q2: Full Cinema Labyrinth - 3DS
Persona Q2 is an upcoming 3DS dungeon-crawler from Atlus that combines characters from Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5. The Tokyo Game Show booth was a surprisingly accurate recreation of the counter from Persona 5's in-game cafe, offering a familiar and fitting setting to demo the upcoming game. Western Persona fans are anxiously awaiting an announcement of a Western release, but Persona Q2 will release in Japan this coming November.
Resident Evil 2 Remake - PS4, Xbox One, PC
Capcom's overhaul of the beloved Resident Evil 2 is a major star at TGS, both for having a killer booth and for offering a great demo, pitting players against the ghastly mutated form of poor William Birkin. Resident Evil 2 Remake comes out early next year, but we've got plenty of new coverage on the way in early October. Stay tuned!
Tetris Effect - PS4/PSVR
Tetsuya Mizuguchi is a game developer with a penchant for mixing music and digital dreamscapes, as seen in his work on games like Rez and Child of Eden. His relatively young production house, Enhance, Inc., is hard at work on Tetris Effect in an effort to bring these qualities to the tried and true Tetris formula in VR. The PlayStation 4 exclusive is scheduled to come out this coming November.
Warriors Orochi 4 - PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Don't be fooled by the photo above; Orochi Musou 3 is technically Warriors Orochi 4 in the West. It had a major presence at TGS 2018 at the Koei Tecmo booth, and with a cast of over 170 playable characters, it wasn't hard for the publisher to fill out its floor space with dozens of unique faces, all ready for battle. The Orochi series takes place in an alternate dimension where Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors characters fight side by side at the behest of the one, the only, Zeus, the Greek god of thunder. Warriors Orochi 4 releases soon in Japan (September 27) and will arrive in other territories this October.
By Edmond Tran on Sep 22, 2018 03:30 am
Red Dead Redemption 2: All The New Features
A number of GameSpot staff members recently were able to play a near-final build of Red Dead Redemption 2, which releases in about a month's time (October 26) on PS4 and Xbox One. Despite some initial familiarity as a Rockstar game, we discovered a wealth of new features and systems once we scratched the surface. There are a lot of mechanics to tell you about, a lot of stuff that we haven't seen the full scope of, and potentially a lot of things we haven't even seen yet. And that's without diving into Red Dead Online, which largely remains a mystery and won't launch until November (and even then, only as a beta). But we're excited to share all the things we discovered in our time with this highly anticipated open-world Western, so we've compiled all the things we noticed in this handy gallery. You'll learn more about the nitty-gritty details about towns, your horse, your weapons, customization, Arthur himself, and more. We'll continue to update it as we uncover the breadth of Red Dead Redemption 2's systems. Please note that due to the limited amount of available media, not all images will be completely representative of the features they're depicting. If you haven't already seen our primary Red Dead Redemption 2 preview covering the story missions we saw, make sure you read: Red Dead Redemption 2: We Played It, Here's Everything We Saw. What do you think of all these new additions? Lets us know in the comments below, and check out all of our coverage through the following links. Red Dead Redemption 2 News And Details
You Can Play The Whole Game In First Person
The entirety of Red Dead Redemption 2 can be played in first-person, much like Grand Theft Auto V when it was released on PS4, Xbox One, and later, PC. Like GTA V, this feels like a much more involved first-person experience than a conventional FPS because your actions feel more weighty, and animations are more confronting. We were trampled by a horse at one point, and it felt awful.
You Can Disable The HUD
The HUD is minimal by default, only showing the mini-map in the bottom left corner, with meters fading in as it becomes necessary. An expanded HUD option shows you a larger minimap, but there's also the option to turn everything off, as well as an option to only have a compass on the screen.
Cinematic Camera Has A New Implementation
If you're familiar with Rockstar open-world games, then you're probably familiar with the cinematic camera mode, which can be triggered while you're driving and activates when you're fast-traveling in a cab. In Red Dead Redemption 2, the cinematic camera will now automatically trigger in certain instances, like the long journey to a mission location, and will frame the journey with a montage of shots that emphasize the landscape and traveling group. You can break out of it at any time, but it's a nice touch, an enjoyable filmic framing of what might have otherwise been a standard journey. As long as you hold X on PS4 or A on Xbox One to keep pace with the pack (like RDR1), you can just sit back and enjoy the naturally-flowing conversation and scenery. This feature can also be triggered manually during gameplay.
You Can Inspect Everything
We spent a lot of time in town exploring stores, where items could be examined and purchased off the shelf individually, or via a catalog at the front counter. Switching to first person, you can make Arthur manipulate the object in his hands as he takes a close look at it. This is also how you'll interact with environmental narrative objects like notes and photographs. You can also inspect your weapons, which is great for appreciating any customizations you've made to them.
There Are A Variety of Business, Activities, and Secret Stores
We spent time in town browsing the gunsmith and general store, sitting down for a bowl of oatmeal and playing some Five Finger Fillet. Rockstar told us that some stores would have more illicit secret businesses in back rooms.
Your Weapons Are Visible On Your Person
Drawing on learnings from Max Payne 3, all of the weapons Arthur carries will be visible on his body. You'll be limited to carrying two long guns (or one long gun and one bow), two sidearms, a knife, a lasso, and a bunch of throwables. When we switched weapons in the demo, Arthur would carry his rifle in his left hand while he used his pistol in the other.
There's A Kill Cam That Changes Depending On Your Honor
Visible weapons aren't the only Max Payne 3 DNA in the game--when you take out the final opponent during a gunfight, a kill cam will frame that final blow. This will change depending on Arthur's moral standing: If you've been a naughty cowboy, these kill cams will be gorier. If you've been upstanding and honorable, they'll be framed in a more heroic fashion.
You Can Break Enemy Weapons
Speaking of heroic behavior, if you want to go the more non-lethal route, it's possible to shoot weapons out of enemy hands. Not only that, but you can even shoot directly at their weapons and break them. This seems like a handy technique if you're looking to be an outlaw with a heart of gold as opposed to a straight-up cold-blooded killer.
Dead Eye Has Five Levels Now
Red Dead Redemption's version of bullet time-style slowdown returns in the sequel, and it has more levels to it. We were able to deduce that Level 1 allows for slowdown, Level 2 allows you to paint targets and unleash a barrage of shots, and Level 3 allows you to manually pick your shooting points. However, Rockstar also mentioned that you had the ability to highlight critical hit points with higher levels, which will come in very handy for making clean kills when hunting animals.
You Can Customise Your Guns
In Red Dead Redemption 2, you're able to examine environmental objects in great detail, and you can do the same to your weapons, by clicking the right analog stick from the weapon wheel. That's handy because it lets you admire the customizations you can perform on them at gunsmiths, like personalized engravings and leather wraps.
You Can Craft Weapons
Aside from gun customization, you can craft special kinds of weapons and ammo. For example, you can craft molotovs and split-point bullets. This should make the going easier when caught up in firefights.
Your Guns Can Degrade And Jam
You need to take care of your weapon in Red Dead Redemption 2. You have the option to clean it, which is incredibly important to do regularly because guns can rust and jam due to disrepair and environmental conditions. This one's sure to be a controversial feature, if Far Cry 2, which also featured gun jamming, was anything to go by.
You Can Fire Warning Shots
By having your gun unholstered and holding Up on the d-pad, you can fire warning shots into the air. This is handy for intimidating people, scaring off animals, or generally being a rowdy buffoon while you're riding around.
Shooting Is Not Your Only Option, Try Talking
Aiming at people with your gun holstered will give you access to a contextual menu, which lets you chat to people in the world. You'll often find the option to verbally defuse or agitate situations with other inhabitants in the world, and these interactions seemed quite fluid and natural during our short time with the game. For example, when a carriage rode past us, we had the option to call out to them to stop, greet them in a friendly manner, or antagonize them. We called out to the carriage and were then given the option to hitch a ride among other things, but we took too long to make a decision and the driver rode off. We called out again, and Arthur's dialogue was more unsure and desperate.
The Eyewitness System Returns
The eyewitness system means that nearby onlookers to a crime can report you to lawmen, and like the first Red Dead Redemption, the effect of eyewitnesses can be mitigated if you manage to catch up with them and either kill or bribe them before they report the crime. In the sequel, however, you have more options. You can speak to them in various temperaments in an attempt to intimidate or convince them not to report you, or you can beat them like a heartless jerk.
Melee Combat Has Been Expanded
We weren't able to get into the mechanical intricacies of this one during our demo, but Rockstar reps mentioned that melee combat had been expanded. We were shown a fistfight where Arthur used grapple moves, blocks, and a variety of different punches to knock out his opponent.
Hunting Is More Realistic, Laborious, And Confronting
The ability to hunt animals and sell their meat and pelts returns, but with a more realistic (and therefore more confronting) presentation. Once you successfully kill an animal, you can skin it. But where Red Dead Redemption's skinning animation didn't focus on the animal, Red Dead Redemption 2's most certainly does. You'll see Arthur pull his knife out, get on his hands and knees, plunge his knife into the poor beast, carve the pelt from its flesh, peel it off the body, and roll it up into a bundle. You'll almost certainly wince the first time you see it. Arthur actually carries the pelt now, and he'll need to store it on his horse to free up his hands. Similarly, to get the meat off a hunted animal, you'll manually have to pick up the bloodied carcass and carry it to a butcher. We had to load a hunted deer on our horse and ride it into the nearest town, where we had the option of getting it chopped up into cookable components or simply selling it whole.
Time Is Cruel
Rockstar reps wanted us to know that these meat components had an expiration date--time would eventually take its toll and both the fresh pelt and carcass would start to rot and attract vermin, reducing its value and making us generally unpleasant to be around.
Time To Shave
Time also has an effect on Arthur's hair, which will grow longer over time. Customizing Arthur's haircut and facial hair styling is also dependent on length since you're allowed to cut things shorter, but won't have access to anything that requires more hair--a more realistic take on personal grooming compared to GTA V.
Time To Open
Time will also affect towns over the course of the game. While exploring, we noticed a half-constructed building and were told that these would eventually become new storefronts as days passed.
Stay Clean
NPCs will certainly react to the stink of your rotting deer corpse if you've been around it too long, or just haven't taken a bath in a while. Arthur needs to get clean and change his clothes every once in a while, since townsfolk may refuse to talk or serve him based on his appearance--having a lot of blood on your jacket doesn't attract the best reactions.
You Can Layer Your Clothes
Rockstar reps explained that the game's clothing customization options will be comprehensive--each character will have different sets to coincide with weather conditions, while customizations would allow layering and minor adjustments, like the option to roll up your sleeves or tuck your pants into your boots. It's unclear whether outfits will have perks like RDR1, but we know that the type of clothes you wear will affect Arthur's performance. For example, if you wear a weighty jacket during a hot summer day, your running stamina will take a big hit.
You Get A Camera. Yes, You Can Take Selfies
We started a side quest during our time with Red Dead Redemption 2, and the mission giver handed Arthur a camera. This camera could be used at any time via your inventory, and yes, the first thing we did was take a selfie. These aren't arm-out handheld selfies, though. The mode is titled "self-portrait" and will frame Arthur's whole body as if the camera was set up on a tripod. You'll be able to adjust expressions and poses, too--expect to see a whole bunch of self-portraits depicting Arthur squatting in front of various things.
You Need To Eat
Arthur's core meters are health, stamina, and dead eye, and you'll need to keep him fed with snacks and meals to keep his well-being topped up. If your health or stamina falls below a certain level, Arthur will experience dizziness--he'll have trouble walking, and his vision will be blurry. Arthur can carry snacks on him for a quick boost, but eating meals in town areas and in camp are more effective.
You Can Gain And Lose Weight
Sure, you need to eat. But don't overdo it! Arthur can both lose and gain weight, much like Carl Johnson in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Presumably, you'll also lose weight by performing strenuous physical activities like sprinting.
Get Better By Doing
In our demo, we noticed that stamina limit could be raised by running. This suggests a similar progression system to previous Rockstar Games where your skill with something increases the more you perform that action.
Horses Are Complex Creatures
Your horse will have its own set of health and stamina meters, and like Arthur, you'll need to keep it fed as well. You'll also need to keep it clean and brushed, since it can become less effective, and you can pet your horse, which acts as a mechanism to calm it down after it's been spooked. We were told that bonding with your horse by caring for it and riding it regularly can unlock additional skills and improve responsiveness. During our hands-on, we were able to rear our horse on its hind legs, perform drifts to change direction quickly (apologies to equestrian enthusiasts), and move our horse precisely by performing dressage techniques. You can bond with multiple horses and stable them in different locations around the world, as different breeds will be better suited to certain situations. A Clydesdale warhorse, for example, would be more suitable in a battle than the Tennessee walking horse, which is more of an all-rounder. And yes, they poop.
Your Horse's Saddlebags Hold Everything
Because Arthur can only carry a limited amount of weapons, your horse also acts as your storage. Being in close proximity to your horse will give you access to your entire arsenal, but you'll need to transfer guns onto your person if you decide to stray. You can move your horse without mounting it, thankfully, by grabbing the reins and leading it on foot. This gamut of horse interactions is accessed by Red Dead Redemption 2's new contextual menu, by holding L2 with your gun holstered and aiming at your horse. Also, you can also rob other people's saddlebags. Just make sure no-one is watching.
Side Missions Are Potentially More Involved
The aforementioned side quest was a multi-part mission that we weren't allowed the time to pursue. In it, a biographer fed up with his drunken subject asked Arthur to track down a number of famed gunslingers to ask them about who was the best, with the strong insinuation that we would have to duel them ourselves. We were handed a number of photographs of the targets, each with some handwritten notes on the back. Physically analyzing these notes and photographs was likely the key to narrowing down our search, reminiscent of the Treasure Maps from the first Red Dead Redemption.
Camps Are Complex And Affected By Time
Your camp will not wait for you. We were told that the members of your gang who reside at camp will come and go, and finding out where exactly they've gone from others will be the basis of a number of quests and side quests. We found that the day and night cycle will also affect who you're able to interact with at camp. For example, we looked for our gang's cook to try and fix up some of the deer we had prepared earlier, but he was sleeping, and though we prodded him awake, we didn't feel mean enough to make him cook. The stockpiling of supplies like these is just one of the ways you can affect camp morale. We're told camp morale is an optional mechanic, but keeping this raised can provide Arthur with additional supplies and bonuses.
Gang Members Can Join You In Free-Roam
Rockstar told us that if available, gang members will offer to join you on free-roam activities, giving you access to the same kind of assistance saw in the story missions, like asking them to go ahead and take out an enemy. You can also spend time talking to gang members at camp, including Read Dead 1 protagonist John Martson, and even butt into conversations midway to add your two cents. Unfortunately, due to the time of day in our demo, we didn't have many of these opportunities to explore.
You Can Swim
Unlike John Marston, it's possible for Arthur to swim. Though, it's worth noting that he isn't all that great at it.
You Have An Instinct Vision Called Eagle Eye
When you're tracking and hunting animals, you can activate what's called the Eagle Eye system. This displays key details in the environment that can help you close in on nearby game. It can also be used to see the scent coming off your body; a handy detail you can use to determine whether or not you should approach animals who might catch onto your presence.
You Can Swap Your Hat
Last, but certainly not least, we noted that while you can easily lose your hat in the midst of a shootout, Arthur can swap his hat for any other hat that just happened to fall off someone else's head by no doing of your own. Because at the end of the day, if you can't wear the hat you want, what is the point of even playing? We'll continue to update this gallery as we discover more things about Red Dead Redemption 2. If you haven't already seen our primary Red Dead Redemption 2 preview covering the story missions we saw, make sure you read Red Dead Redemption 2: We Played It, Here's Everything We Saw.
By Mat Elfring on Sep 22, 2018 03:20 am
Even more WWE superstars were added to the roster for WWE 2K19 recently, as 2K revealed its DLC for the upcoming game. This batch added 11 wrestlers to the game, none of which were playable in previous versions. It includes Raw superstar Bobby Lashley, and NXT superstars Lacey Evans, Ricochet, and EC3. We've also gotten to go hands-on with MyCareer and found that overall, 2K19 is fun again. One of the selling points of the WWE 2K games is the gigantic roster of playable rosters, and WWE 2K19 will not be scaling things back. 2K has shared a huge portion of the game's lineup of wrestlers, and 2K19 offers a sizable plethora of superstars to choose from when the game releases on October 9, 2018. Last year's WWE 2K18 ended up with over 180 wrestlers--the largest in the history of the series to that point--and 2K19 has already topped that. Here's a detailed look at every member of the 2K19 roster. During the most recent weekly roster reveal from 2K, Rusev and Lana revealed the latest WWE 2K19 playable superstars with Cesaro and Sheamus, also known as The Bar. The focus for this batch was legendary WWE wrestlers. The large reveal had a few new additions to the game, including Ted DiBiase, who has been only a manager in previous games. Additionally, fan favorites like Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Booker T will be included in the new game. Fans of both Daniel Bryan are going to be very happy as 2K is bringing back Showcase Mode for WWE 2K19, which follows the career of the superstar. From his first match as Bryan Danielson to his feuds with The Miz, it will be covered in the upcoming game. Among the new features are the Million Dollar Challenge, which takes place within the new Challenge Mode. Cover star AJ Styles headlines the roster, while those who pre-order will get bonus characters Ronda Rousey and Rey Mysterio. Additionally, the $130 Wooooo! Edition of the game has been announced which comes with a bunch of exclusives including a season pass, exclusive roster additions, a piece of Ric Flair's robe, early access to play, and more. This year's edition will be skipping Nintendo Switch, after last year's port featured a bevy of problems from frame rate issues to resolution dropping down to 540p, even in docked mode. However, the game will still be released in early October for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. If you're interested in pre-ordering WWE 2K19, check out our pre-order guide, with all the info about what each edition contains, where to buy it, and pricing. As release approaches, we'll keep you updated with all the newly confirmed superstars in the game, as well as a breakdown of which shows these wrestlers are from and how many new additions will be playable. You can find links to the latest updates below as well. Above, you can find every playable character we know about so far. Confirmed playable characters breakdown (so far): - Total wrestlers: 200
- New to the series: 40
- Raw superstars: 52
- Smackdown superstars: 50
- Legends: 54
- NXT superstars: 28
- 205 Live: superstars: 12
- Men's division: 159
- Women's division: 41
Jump ahead to the latest updates:
AJ Styles (Smackdown)
Cover star.
Ronda Rousey (Raw)
New to the series. Pre-order bonus character.
Rey Mysterio (Legend)
New to the series. Pre-order bonus character.
Ric Flair (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains exclusive Wrestlemania 24 attire.
Charlotte (Smackdown)
Deluxe edition contains exclusive Wrestlemania 32 attire.
Dusty Rhodes (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains '80s-inspired character.
"Macho Man" Randy Savage (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains '80s-inspired character in his Wrestlemania VIII attire.
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains '80s-inspired character.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains '80s-inspired character.
2002 Undertaker (Legend)
Deluxe edition contains the character in his 2002 Bikertaker outfit.
Daniel Bryan (Smackdown)
2K announced that the Daniel Bryan's career will be the subject of WWE 2K19's Showcase Mode. There will be 11 different models of Bryan, each with its own unique moveset and look. Additionally, GameSpot talked to Bryan about his longtime feud with WWE superstar The Miz.
Randy Orton (Smackdown)
John Cena
Kane (Smackdown)
Kofi Kingston (Smackdown)
Tyler Bate (NXT UK)
Pete Dunne (NXT UK)
Angelo Dawkins (NXT)
Braun Strowman (Raw)
Finn Balor (Raw)
Kairi Sane (NXT)
Liv Morgan (Raw)
Montez Ford (NXT)
Sarah Logan (Raw)
Ruby Riott (Raw)
The Velveteen Dream (NXT)
Adam Cole (NXT)
Akam (Raw)
Aleister Black (NXT)
Alexa Bliss (Raw)
Alicia Fox (Raw)
Apollo Crews (Raw)
Baron Corbin (Raw)
Bayley (Raw)
Bianca Belair (NXT)
Big Show (Raw)
Bo Dallas (Raw)
Bobby Fish (NXT)
Bobby Roode (Raw)
Bray Wyatt (Raw)
Brock Lesnar (raw)
Chad Gable (Raw)
Curt Hawkins (Raw)
Curtis Axel (Raw)
Dana Brooke (Raw)
Dash Wilder (Raw)
Dean Ambrose (Raw)
Dolph Ziggler (Raw)
Drew McIntyre (Raw)
Elias (Raw)
Sasha Banks (Raw)
Ember Moon (Raw)
Fandango (Raw)
Goldust (Raw)
Heath Slater (Raw)
Jason Jordan (Raw)
Jinder Mahal (Raw)
Johnny Gargano (NXT)
Kassius Ohno (NXT)
Kevin Owens (Raw)
Konnor (Raw)
Lana (Smackdown)
Lars Sullivan (NXT)
Matt Hardy (Raw)
Mickie James (Raw)
Mojo Rawley (Raw)
Natalya (Raw)
Nia Jax (Raw)
Nick Miller (NXT)
No Way Jose (Raw)
Oney Lorcan (NXT)
Otis Dozovic (NXT)
Rezar (Raw)
Titus O'Neil (Raw)
Rhyno (Raw)
Roderick Strong (NXT)
Roman Reigns (Raw)
Rusev (Smackdown)
Sami Zayn (Raw)
Scott Dawson (Raw)
Seth Rollins (Raw)
Shane Thorne (NXT)
Shayna Baszler (NXT)
Triple H
Tucker Knight (NXT)
Tyler Breeze (Raw)
Viktor (Raw)
Zack Ryder (Raw)
Kyle O'Reilly (NXT)
Aiden English (Smackdown)
Akira Tozawa (205 Live)
Alexander Wolfe (Smackdown)
Andrade Cien Almas (Smackdown)
Ariya Daivari (205 Live)
Asuka (Smackdown)
Becky Lynch (Smackdown)
Big E (Smackdown)
Billie Kay (Smackdown)
Brie Bella (Smackdown)
Carmella (Smackdown)
Cedric Alexander (205 Live)
Cesaro (Smackdown)
Chris Jericho (Legend)
Drew Gulak (205 Live)
Epico Colon (Smackdown)
Eric Young (Smackdown)
Gran Metalik (205 Live)
Harper (Smackdown)
Hideo Itami (205 Live)
Jack Gallagher (205 Live)
Jeff Hardy (Smackdown)
Jey Uso (Smackdown)
Jimmy Uso (Smackdown)
Kalisto (205 Live)
Karl Anderson (Smackdown)
Killian Dane (Smackdown)
Lince Dorado (205 Live)
Luke Gallows (Smackdown)
Mandy Rose (Smackdown)
Maryse (Smackdown)
The Miz (Smackdown)
Mustafa Ali (205 Live)
Naomi (Smackdown)
Nikki Bella (Smackdown)
Noam Dar (205 Live)
Paige (Smackdown)
Peyton Royce (Smackdown)
Primo Colon (Smackdown)
Rowan (Smackdown)
R-Truth (Smackdown)
Samoa Joe (Smackdown)
Sheamus (Smackdown)
Shelton Benjamin (Smackdown)
Shinsuke Nakamura (Smackdown)
Sin Cara (Smackdown)
Sonya Deville (Smackdown)
Tamina (Smackdown)
TJP (Smackdown)
Tony Nese (205 Live)
Tye Dillinger (Smackdown)
Xavier Woods (Smackdown)
Alundra Blayze (Legend)
Andre The Giant (Legend)
Bam Bam Bigelow (Legend)
Batista (Legend)
Beth Phoenix (Legend)
Big Boss Man (Legend)
Booker T (Legend)
Bret "Hit Man" Hart (Legend)
British Bulldog (Legend)
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake (Legend)
Christian (Legend)
Diamond Dallas Page (Legend)
Diesel (Legend)
Eddie Guerrero (Legend)
Edge (Legend)
Goldberg (Legend)
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (Legend)
Ivory (Legend)
Jacqueline (Legend)
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart (Legend)
Kevin Nash (Legend)
Kurt Angle (Legend)
Lex Luger (Legend)
Lita (Legend)
Mr. McMahon (Legend)
Mr. Perfect (Legend)
Papa Shango (Legend)
"Ravishing" Rick Rude (Legend)
Razor Ramon (Legend)
Sycho Sid (Legend)
Rick "The Model" Martel (Legend)
Ricky Morton (Legend)
Rikishi (Legend)
Robert Gibson (Legend)
Tatanka (Legend)
Ted DiBiase (Legend)
Scott Hall (Legend)
Shawn Michaels (Legend)
Stephanie McMahon (Legend)
Sting (Legend)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin (Legend)
The Godfather (Legend)
The Rock (Legend)
Trish Stratus (Legend)
Ultimate Warrior (Legend)
The Undertaker (Legend)
Vader (Legend)
Bobby Lashley (Raw)
DLC
Candice LeRae (NXT)
DLC
Dakota Kai (NXT)
DLC
EC3 (NXT)
DLC
Hanson (NXT)
DLC
Lacey Evans (NXT)
DLC
Lio Rush (205 Live)
DLC
Mike & Maria Kanellis (Smackdown)
DLC
Ricochet (NXT)
DLC
Rowe (NXT)
DLC
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