By Mat Elfring on Oct 03, 2018 10:24 pm
The release date of WWE 2K19 is coming up quickly, as it's now less than a week away. One of the most exciting aspects of any new entry in the WWE 2K series is its enormous roster of playable characters, and 2K19 will not disappoint in that regard. 2K has announced the majority of its lineup of wrestlers, and it 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 comfortably topped that. Here's a detailed look at every member of the 2K19 roster announced so far. More WWE superstars were added to the roster for WWE 2K19 toward the end of September, 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. Alongside this news, we were able to go hands-on with MyCareer and found that overall, 2K19 is fun again. During another recent roster reveal from 2K, Rusev and Lana revealed more 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 and former WCW stars 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
By Mat Elfring on Oct 03, 2018 08:59 pm
If you live in North America, chances are you might end up missing WWE's Super Show-Down live on Saturday, October 6, simply because you're going to have to wake up super early to watch it. Why is WWE's next PPV happening so early? Well, it's airing on the WWE Network from the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, and because of the time difference, it will air on at 5 AM ET in North America. Yep, that's early, and it's even earlier for people on the west coast--2 AM PT (check out the show times for each time zone below). Regardless of the start time, this gigantic show from down under will be a big deal, with 10 matches booked as of this writing. Superstars from both Raw and Smackdown will compete. However, there will only be four title matches the entire evening, which is a nice break from the usual "every title on the line" pace WWE has been pulling the past year. The most promoted match on the card is Undertaker vs. Triple H, which WWE has titled "Last Time Ever." This will more than likely be the main event of the evening and is the main draw for the PPV. Additionally, both the main rivalries from Smackdown, Miz/Daniel Bryan and Samoa Joe/AJ Styles, will continue at this event with their own individual matches. Neither of them have any crazy stipulations though. We'd like to think we know how it's all going to go down this Saturday, so we've made a few predictions as to what will happen at this monumental show. Check out the full match card below and the times the show will start and move forward to see what we think. Super Show-Down Match Card:- Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Buddy Murphy (Cruiserweight Championship)
- Asuka & Naomi vs. The IIconics
- The New Day (c) vs. The Bar (Smackdown Tag Team Championship)
- Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
- John Cena & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Elias
- Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair (Smackdown Women's Championship)
- Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins vs. The Riott Squad
- AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe (WWE Championship)
- The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyre
- The Undertaker vs. Triple H
Super Show-Down Start Times- 7 PM AET
- 10 AM BST
- 5 AM ET
- 4 AM C
- 2 AM PT
Make sure to come back to GameSpot on the morning of Saturday, October 5 for coverage of the PPV.
Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Buddy Murphy
(Cruiserweight Championship) Having a cruiserweight match to highlight what these superstars are doing is a no-brainer, and this will be an exciting match. However, I don't see the title changing hands that evening, as it may just be more of a promotion for the 205 Live product more than anything else. Prediction: Alexander wins
Asuka & Naomi vs. The IIconics
This match is a double-edged sword for WWE. On one hand, you have The IIconics, who are from Australia, on a big PPV in their home country for the first time. Then you have Naomi and Asuka, and WWE has done Asuka no favors since breaking her streak. However, considering how over Billie Kay and Payton Royce are right now, I do not see them losing in Australia. Prediction: The IIconics win
The New Day (c) vs. The Bar
(Smackdown Tag Team Championship) The New Day and The Bar are dominant tag teams in the WWE. The Bar hasn't been as active lately, but this latest push for the tag titles puts them back in the spotlight. While the New Day have been champions on and off for quite a while, this current run hasn't even lasted two months. So while The Bar will become champions again, it won't be at Super Show-Down, as New Day's run needs to last a bit longer so the titles aren't bouncing around. Prediction: The New Day wins
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
It's looking like the Bryan/Miz feud is going to be a long one, and I couldn't be happier. Their mixed match at Hell in a Cell wasn't the best, and fans want to see these two fight each other one-on-one. Luckily, that's what we're getting at Super Show-Down. I'm giving Daniel Bryan the win, hoping it will enrage The Miz to try and get revenge on his former protege. Prediction: Daniel Bryan wins
John Cena & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Elias
Yeah, sure, whatever. While Kevin Owens and Elias teaming up has been working, since Owens' return to weekly programming, the addition of John Cena to this match just makes it feel like they're tossing in Cena wherever they can. It feels like it's another attempt to get Bobby Lashley over. Because of all of this, I'm giving Cena/Lashley the win. Prediction: John Cena & Bobby Lashley win
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
(Smackdown Women's Championship) It's hard to work heel when the entire world loves you, but Becky Lynch is doing her best. This has been a fantastic storyline between two of WWE's top main event women, and this will be a great match. As you can guess--if you've read any of these before--I always pull for Lynch to win, and that's what I'm doing here, yet again. Prediction: Becky Lynch wins
Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins vs. The Riott Squad
Much like a lot of matches on this show, WWE is putting in some of its biggest names to draw crowds to the arena. Of course, that means teaming The Bella Twins with Ronda Rousey against Raw's biggest heels in the women's division, the Riott Squad. It's a classic "good vs. bad" match, and because the Raw Women's Champion is a part of this match, we're giving the good guys the win. Prediction: Ronda Rousey and The Bella Twins win
AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe
(WWE Championship) The feud between AJ Styles and Samoa Joe is intense. Joe has been on a rampage, and it's been mentally breaking down Styles, as the head games are in full effect. Joe will eventually become champion, but this rivalry still has a lot of legs. I don't see a title change coming at Super Show-Down, but it will happen soon, most likely at Crown Jewel or Survivor Series in November, and for that reason, I'm giving the win to Styles. Prediction: AJ Styles wins
The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyre
Six superstars in a single rivalry is a bit much, but it's working for this stable vs. stable feud. The Shield has had quite a problem on their hands while facing the dominant team of Strowman and company. This will be a powerhouse battle featuring all of Monday night's top superstars. We already know that Reigns and Strowman's feud will continue into November's Crown Jewel PPV, so I'm giving the win to Team Strowman, with the hopes that the Monster Among Men will then demand a title match next month. Prediction: Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, and Drew McIntyre win
The Undertaker vs. Triple H
Closing out the night will be Triple H and Undertaker, bringing closure to a rivalry that fans haven't thought about in years. Again, this match is simply booked to draw people to the gigantic stadium where the event is taking place. Having the Undertaker come back is a huge deal--not as much so for Triple H--so because of that, I'm giving the win to Undertaker. Prediction: Undertaker wins
By Dan Auty on Oct 03, 2018 06:59 pm
We're now ten months through 2018, and most movie fans would agree it's been a great year of cinema so far. Disney's three big properties--Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar--all had major releases, but many of the year's best films so far have come from more unexpected places. Following the huge success of Get Out last year, independent horror has shown that it's as strong as ever, with a handful of low budget chillers that have earned some of the best reviews of the year so far in any genre. And there have been some distinctive movies from some of the most singular directors working today, including new films from Lynne Ramsey, Alex Garland, and Wes Anderson. Of course, it's been hard to escape the huge movies too, but luckily most have been great. Solo might have floundered at the box office but the fans who did see it weren't disappointed, and Marvel delivered two of its biggest movies ever, Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. In fact, these two movies have dominated the superhero genre so completely in the first half of 2018, it's hard to see how they can be topped throughout the rest of the year, much less in 2019--but knowing Marvel, we'll be back in 12 months saying exactly the same thing. Every year throws sequels our way, but 2018 has been stronger than most when it comes to follow-up films. The Mission Impossible movies continue to get bigger and better, Deadpool 2 doubled down on everything that made the first so successful, The Nun became the biggest movie in the Conjuring universe to date, and the Sicario sequel surprised many by being a superb, utterly uncompromising sequel to the acclaimed original. So in order of release, here's a look at the very best movies of 2018 so far...
Paddington 2
The character of Paddington has existed since 1958, but recent movies have brought the iconic bear to a whole new generation of fans. Paddington was one of the best family movies of 2014, and this year's sequel was even better. As before, a beautifully-animated CG Paddington is surrounded by a cast of great British actors, including Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, and Peter Capaldi. Best of all is Hugh Grant ,who gives a brilliant performance as the villain, a bitter, once-famous actor who conspires to get Paddington wrongly imprisoned. It's warm, witty, imaginative, and gloriously entertaining.
Black Panther
"Black Panther is a movie that succeeds in challenging that type of preconceived idea, from the gut-punches of Killmonger's condemnations to the simple reality of seeing an affluent African nation never touched by--to borrow the movie's own terminology--any of history's many "colonizers." The fact that Wakanda isn't real only emphasizes the point. It's is a top tier Marvel movie with all the humor, style, action, passion, and fun that the MCU has come to embody. Black Panther is a cultural event that's going to be hard for Marvel to top." [read the full review]
Game Night
The R-rated comedy made a big comeback this year with Game Night, which starred Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman as a game-loving couple who are highly competitive. It's one of those single-night-of-chaos movies, in which the characters find themselves trapped in an increasingly ludicrous series of events, in this case involving deadly Eastern European gangsters and a stolen black market Fabergé egg. Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein--who also wrote Spider-Man: Homecoming and will direct The Flash for DC--combine raunchy laughs and wild, inventive action, and the supporting cast includes Kyle Chandler, Jesse Plemons, and Michael C. Hall. While most movies like this quickly run out of steam and energy, Game Night remains consistently funny, entertaining, and unpredictable from start to finish.
Annihilation
"Annihilation brings up all the right questions. Its gruesome, unsettling body horror becomes all the more disquieting because it's layered on top of a core of hard science, and the discussions among the five scientists--who all come from disparate disciplines--as they try to comprehend their experiences are some of the best parts. If you're looking for a traditional story arc or familiar sci-fi beats from Annihilation, look elsewhere. Alex Garland's second turn in the director's chair is a weird, Lovecraftian blend of cosmic and body horror with sci-fi themes and a hokey aesthetic that doesn't always work. It's also an incredibly detailed, thoughtful film that will warrant multiple viewings--and, hopefully, an expedition into the absolutely phenomenal source material--for those who find themselves sufficiently intrigued." [read the full review]
A Quiet Place
"The tone overall is pessimistic, but these few moments of happiness help you empathize with the Abbotts even more. They're complemented by cinematography that uses equally warm colors, and a few striking reds during particular moments of tension. A Quiet Place does its job well: It clearly establishes ground rules, continually ups the danger, and makes dynamic use of all types of sound. Any hope of progress or safety in this world can be crushed by a dropped object or even the soft crying of a baby. There are precious few seconds where the Abbotts--and you as the viewer--can relax. While it certainly doesn't shy away from trying to make you jump, it's the sonic nature of the scares and unending threat of everyday actions that make this film stand tall." [read the full review]
You Were Never Really Here
Joaquin Phoenix will be seen next year as the Joker, in DC's upcoming prequel movie about the Clown Prince of Crime's origins. If you want to get a taste of what Phoenix can do with a darker role, then this searing thriller should do the trick. Phoenix plays a former FBI agent turned freelance enforcer, who specialises in rescuing kidnapped girls from some very bad men. Reminiscent of classic movies about urban alienation such as Taxi Driver, it's dark, violent, and very intense, and is free of the clichés you often find in this sort of movie. Scottish director Lynne Ramsay directs with incredible style, and Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood delivers an amazing score.
Isle Of Dogs
"This is Anderson's second stop motion animation film, after 2009's Fantastic Mr. Fox. That alone sets it somewhat apart from the rest of his movies. But in Isle of Dogs he also foregoes some of the stylistic quirks he usually relies so heavily on, from the frequently deployed slow-mo to the normally Kinks/David Bowie/Rolling Stones heavy soundtracks. Isle of Dogs charges forward toward its conclusion like a dog chasing a ball, and when it gets there you might experience emotional whiplash. The climax comes and goes before you can fully process it, and it's all denouement from there. At just over 100 minutes, Isle of Dogs could have used a little more time spent on some of its side characters and subplots, and a little more at the end. But there's a silver lining there: Isle of Dogs is Wes Anderson's most focused film ever, and you'll want to go through it again." [read the full review]
Avengers: Infinity War
"This is still an Avengers movie, and the payoff really comes from the unions and reunions we've come to expect from that name. When the first Avengers movie brought Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye together in 2012, the goosebumps that came from seeing heroes from disparate franchises fighting on-screen together proved that the Marvel blueprint works on a large scale. And that was after just a few movies and four years; Avengers: Infinity War extrapolates that same sensation over a decade and 18 films, and the results are exponentially more fun, exciting, and awe-inducing. It does justice both to the promise Marvel has been riding on for the last decade, and the source material that inspired it. Infinity War reminds us why these characters, one and all, matter, and why they mean so much to fans." [read the full review]
Hereditary
"The horror doesn't come from jump scares, of which there are very few. It's more the sense of reality coming undone--of forces beyond control manipulating the characters into acts of self-destruction. Hereditary isn't overly concerned with its own metaphors, but it does leave things open to interpretation. Nuanced performances from the leads sell every moment of it. As the supernatural scares become more prominent, those questions get harder to answer. But it's a gradual shift. Afterward, you won't know quite how to process what you've just seen. But if you love great horror, you'll be dying to see it again." [read the full review]
Revenge
While the ordinary title and basic plot might not suggest that this French movie is going to be anything special, the movie is one of the wildest, goriest action/horror hybrids for a long time. A young woman is brutalised and left for dead in the desert by three men; unluckily for them, she survives and returns to exact her bloody vengeance. Coralie Fargeat's debut film quickly abandons reality to deliver a hypnotic, exciting, ultra-stylised and hyper-violent thriller. Matilda Lutz delivers a stunning performance as the party girl who transforms into a superhuman killing machine.
Solo: A Star Wars Story
"Solo may not have been the Star Wars story every fan wanted. Did we really need to see the Sabacc game that won Han the Millennium Falcon, or find out exactly what the Kessel Run is? Definitely not, but it all turned out surprisingly fun, and there are some really juicy surprises and Easter eggs that connect Solo to the larger Star Wars universe in delightfully unexpected ways. Solo wasn't an essential story to tell, and some of this might have been better left to the imagination. It's valid for some fans to wish Disney would devote resources to telling fresher tales that don't rely so heavily on nostalgia and existing plots and characters. With who knows how many more Star Wars releases planned from now until the end of time, we'll no doubt get those at some point. But Solo: A Star Wars Story is what we have right now, and if it's simply an enjoyably well-crafted side story, well, is that really so bad?" [read the full review]
Deadpool 2
"Deadpool 2 is still hilarious. The character's best jokes always come from breaking the fourth wall and making references to other superhero movies and characters. Deadpool 2 pokes fun at the DC movies universe, Infinity War, the other Marvel movies, the other X-Men movies, and even certain previous Ryan Reynolds superhero roles. The action is still a stylish blast to watch, too, especially when the new characters get involved. There are some extremely fun cameos, and the introduction, through Cable, of time travel into Deadpool's "continuity" (such as it is) makes for a collection of fantastically clever gags. Overall, Deadpool 2 mostly works for all the same reasons that the original did." [read the full review]
Teen Titans GO! To The Movies
"This is the kind of superhero film adults and small children can go to and both find something they'll love. In a superhero movie landscape where the world is constantly being destroyed by massive CGI abominations, this is a refreshing change. Will Teen Titans Go! To the Movies save the DC Comics movie universe? Not in the least. However, like the recently released Ant-Man and the Wasp, it doesn't forget how funny and exciting these types of movies can be." [read the full review]
Sicario: Day Of The Soldado
"Sicario: Day of the Soldado is just as violent, tense, and relevant as the original. Without the masterful talents of Denis Villeneuve directing and Roger Deakins on cinematography, it does look and feel a little less special than the original. But director Stefano Sollima and cinematographer Dariusz Wolski do a more than adequate job shaping this sequel in the original's style and form, and you'll easily become engrossed in the movie and stop thinking about who directed what. With a gripping climax that focuses on the danger faced by migrants as they risk everything to cross the border, Sicario: Day of the Soldado couldn't possibly feel more relevant." [read the full review]
Incredibles 2
"Incredibles 2 is yet more proof that Pixar is currently at the top of its game. The original is a favorite among fans, and given the state of superhero movies today compared with 2004, it seems downright prescient in retrospect. Making Incredibles 2 now, in a post-Avengers world, no doubt came with a whole new set of unique challenges. It even puts the sequel at a slight disadvantage; Incredibles 2 being a better-than-decent superhero movie isn't as novel as it once would have been. There are a half dozen of those coming out every year, now. Thankfully, Incredibles 2 is much more than simply better-than-decent--it's beautiful, creative, smart, funny, and more fun than a barrel full of Jack-Jacks. It was well worth the wait." [read the full review]
Ant-Man And The Wasp
"Like the original Ant-Man, Ant-Man and the Wasp is primarily a palette cleanser in the MCU as a whole. Ant-Man and the Wasp is hilarious, fun, silly, self aware, and creative. Filled with pseudo-science gobbledigook, crazy action, and multiple villains all vying for screen time, it's one of the most comic-booky MCU movies yet. The fates of all our favorite heroes after Avengers: Infinity War may still be up in the air, but in the meantime, Ant-Man and the Wasp is a welcome distraction." [read the full review]
Sorry To Bother You
July saw the release of two acclaimed social satires set in Oakland, California, both written by hugely talented musicians. While Blindspotting took a more dramatic approach, Boots Riley's Sorry To Bother You is absurd, ambitious, hugely imaginative dark sci-fi comedy. Atlanta's Lakeith Stanfield plays an African-American telemarketer who discovers that using a white accent on the phone means he excels at his job. Soon he is climbing the corporate ladder but finds himself embroiled in a sinister conspiracy. Riley assembles a stellar cast--including Tessa Thompson, Forrest Whittaker, Terry Crews, Danny Glover, and Armie Hammer--and directs with flair and imagination.
Blindspotting
Daveed Diggs was already an award-winning Broadway star for his role in the hugely popular Hamilton and part of the acclaimed hip-hop group Clipping, and with Blindspotting, he made his move into cinema. Diggs co-writes and stars in this outstanding comedy/drama, which follows a paroled man trying to see through his last few days on the tough streets of Oakland before his full freedom is restored. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't all go according to plan. Blindspotting is of the best indie movies of the year, with inventive photography and camerawork from music video director López Estrada and a confident blend of laughs and searing social commentary.
Mission Impossible: Fallout
"The action is so unbelievably cool that the rest is mostly forgivable. Convoluted exposition dumps, weepy melodrama, cheesy dialogue, and Henry Cavill's absolutely terrible American accent are really just filler designed to get us to the next major action climax, of which Fallout has at least four or five. The bathroom fight glimpsed in the trailers is brutally awesome; who cares how implausible it is that the men's restroom at a packed rave would go unoccupied for long enough to allow it to happen in the first place? There's a question like that at the heart of most of these scenes, along with a readily available way to dismiss it and just enjoy yourself. On that front, Mission Impossible: Fallout delivers." [read the full review]
BlacKkKlansman
Director Spike Lee has never shied away from controversial material--classic movies such as Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever, and Malcolm X addressed issues of race and relationships within American society, while his recent Chi-Raq was a musical that addressed inner-city gun violence. BlacKkKlansman is his highest profile movie in years, and is produced by Get Out's Jordan Peele. It's the amazing but true story of a black FBI agent who managed to infiltrate the KKK in the 1970s, and it works both a gripping, hilarious, crowd-pleasing comedy thriller and a powerful indictment of racism. It stars John David Washington, son of regular Lee collaborator Denzel, plus Adam Driver, fresh from his role as Kylo Ren in the recent Star Wars movies.
The Nun
"The Nun embraces all horror tropes--its tributes and homages to past horror movies are countless. Although it can be inconsistent, silly, and predictable, it's also terrifying and atmospheric, with a great monster, phenomenal setting, and likable characters you'll never stop rooting for. It doesn't quite hit the highs of The Conjuring 1 and 2, but it's definitely a fun, scary ride that horror fans will enjoy." [read the full review]
Hold the Dark
"Hold the Dark is a mysterious, uncompromising movie that won't be for everyone. It's very dark--there is little humor, and with the exception of Jame Badge Dale's police chief Donald, the bleak tone keeps us from feeling much sympathy for even the "good guys," let alone Skarsgård's psychotic Vernon and his accomplices. The violence is strong and the movie leaves as many questions as it starts with. But for those who like their thrillers to provoke and challenge as well as thrill, it's an impressive achievement that won't be quickly forgotten." [read the full review]
By Meg Downey on Oct 03, 2018 05:41 pm
The late '80s and early '90s were a special time in the world of superhero comics. Collector culture was really starting to take hold and the pressure increased for publishers to make their books bigger, flashier and more appealing to teens and adults looking for multiple variant covers and first appearances, as opposed to a crowd who were more interested in disposable entertainment. This, of course, meant that those publishers had to start getting pretty creative, especially with the general trajectory of pop culture heading in a direction that was decidedly more "extreme." This was the dawn of superheroes who carried huge guns, wore utility belts covered in pouches and always looked just this side of succumbing to a roid rage fugue state. Hair got longer in the back and shorter in the front, covers got holographic and metallic, and the characters got increasingly more over the top. The inadvertent brainchild of a fan who thought it might be cool for Spider-Man to wear black instead of red and blue and a team of creators who took the idea and ran with it, Venom and his plucky parasitic family are as emblematic of '90s superhero culture as any blaster-slinging mega-yolked cyborg with tiny feet. It was a spirit that persisted, even through the decades since Venom's initial introduction--and clearly plays a role in the new movie, out October 5. Even modern Symbiotes carry with them the DNA of the radical, the spiked leather jacket wearing, the foil cover holographic variant covered. Feeling like the unholy union between a Saved By The Bell bully and a laser tag arcade is really just part of their charm. So, using a complex system of algorithms and deeply tested scientific methods cataloging everything from the first ever "Do The Dew" commercial to POG slammers with flaming skulls, we've ranked Marvel's Symbiote characters based on their quantifiable '90s xtremes.
9. Lasher
Wildly, the name "Lasher" isn't enough to earn this particular Symbiote a higher position on the list. One of the original forced Venom "children" created by the Life Foundation (a name you'll definitely become more familiar with come the Venom movie), Lasher didn't really do much in his original comic book appearance. In fact, he wasn't even properly named--the codename came from his action figure. He really just looks like a smaller Venom with a few more tentacles added for flavor which isn't much to write home about. Eventually, it became bonded with and used as a sort of Symbiote hunting dog-slash-monster which was pretty cool--but not exactly over the top enough to boost it up any higher.
8. Mania
Mania wasn't introduced until the early '00s, which does bring its ranking down a bit here--though not by much. It was created as a clone specifically from Venom's tongue which is inherently pretty radical and designed (like many of the earlier Symbiotes) as a weapon to exterminate all life on earth, so it has that going for it. In its most easily recognizable form, Mania bonded with a high school student named Andi Benton where it takes on the appearance of a lithe, feminine figure covered in spikes with almost Anime-styled hair. Also, it's worth noting that one of Maniac's main defeats came at the hands of "Anti-Maniac" antibodies which, despite being a modern invention, earns it some real points.
7. Agony
Another one of the Venom "children" created by the Life Foundation, Agony's special Symbiote ability was hurling organic acid, sort of like a Xenomorph because really, why not? Like Lasher and her Symbiote siblings (syblings?), Agony wasn't even officially named until much later down the line--instead, her name came from excited '90s fans doing their excited '90s things and assigning codenames they thought sounded the coolest. Agony was also one of the early female-coded Symbiotes alongside her "sister" Scream who you'll meet a bit later in the list, meaning she, of course, had some absolutely absurd hair. Why would a parasitic goo monster need hair? Probably because it looked cool, we guess.
6. Phage
Like Agony and Lasher, Phage was another early Life Foundation symbiote, made distinct from his relatives by his bright yellow color and "special power" which, really, was just making his arms turn into giant gooey blades. Why giant hand-swords instead of literally any other cool alien ability? Great question. Despite not really getting much in the way of unique development early on, Phage was usually a pretty prominent member of the Life Foundation bunch. He also almost got the name "Rampage," but "Phage" stuck in honor of the Xenophage, a giant monster that eats Symbiotes. It's the Symbiote equivalent of naming a human something like "Butcher" or "Chainsaw."
5. Riot
Riot managed to net itself some real notoriety by grabbing a named cameo in Venom as a particularly bad bad guy. Like his fellow Life Foundation originals, there isn't much distinguishing him from his family aside from the fact that he just looks really cool. He's the biggest of the original group and, honestly is almost indistinguishable from Venom itself aside from a slightly different eye shape and a slightly different coloration. Riot gets a bit of a boost for being notable enough to actually be the antagonist of the film, and burly enough to look at least a little intimidating in a very '90s roid-rage aesthetic way.
4. Scream
The last of the Life Foundation five, Scream earns a special place on the list just by virtue of its completely buck wild design. Like Agony, Scream was decidedly female-coded but unlike Agony who just managed to have the curves and long hair going for it, Scream went the extra mile and wound up looking like an early 90s pop ballad singer given a punk rock overhaul. Scream's special power actually came from her hair, which was prehensile (mostly because it was made of the same goo as the rest of her body, which is pretty gross to think about) and weaponized. Think a slimy Medusa of the Inhumans. Additionally, she was the de facto leader of the group, making her even cooler.
3. Venom
Of course, the original has to rank somewhere on this list. Beyond being the actual blueprint from which the Symbiote race was designed and constructed, virtually everything about Venom from the ground up relates in some way back to the pervasive mode of operation in the '90s for comics. Conceptually, Venom spiraled out of a fan-submitted suggestion for a new, totally badass black Spider-Man costume which was bought by Marvel and incorporated into the Secret Wars event. It became a built-in excuse for all sorts of hilarious and edgy antics for Peter before it took the whole alien parasite twist, and then it eventually became a huge musclebound, tongue-lashing monster. The spirit of the '90s is alive in Venom and always will be--that's why we can't help but love him.
2. Toxin
Another more modern addition to the roster, Toxin earns a pretty high ranking by really embodying the level of over the top absurdity the '90s were all about, even though he technically missed the boat by four of five years. The "son" of Carnage, a Symbiote bonded with a serial killer, Toxin's origin story leaned pretty hard into the whole idea of the Symbiotes literally being born from one another. It even went as far as to explain Carnage's general hatred for its own offspring as the result of its male host, Cletus Kasady. In terms of the xtreme, having your murderous, monstrous teen angst wrapped up in a Junior-like male pregnancy scandal is certainly something.
1. Carnage
Only one Symbiote has what it takes to come out on top of the '90s xtreme battle royale and that is Carnage, the creature that took the whole Symbiote concept and said, "This is great but we can go bigger." Venom's accidental "son," Carnage bonded to an imprisoned psychopathic serial killer named Cletus Kasady while Eddie Brock was locked up in a neighboring cell. If Venom became a dangerous monster when bonded to the angry but otherwise pretty normal Brock, then what, Carnage seemed to ask, would happen if a Symbiote bonded with someone who was truly unhinged? The answer was a giant fleshy, blood-dripping behemoth covered in tendrils that delighted in murder and chaos and all things xtreme--you know, because comics aren't for kids anymore.
By Array on Oct 03, 2018 04:02 pm
Season 6 of Fortnite is here, and it introduces a brand-new Battle Pass full of items to unlock. As in the past, a free tier exists that allows you to earn a select number of rewards, but to unlock the full customizable potential of Epic's Battle Royale title, you'll need to spend 950 V-Bucks to get the premium Battle Pass. If you own that, all you've got to do is sink time into the game and complete challenges, which in turn level up the pass and unlock the corresponding rewards. As the Battle Pass ranks up, new items will unlock that you can equip. There's over 100 rewards to get and, if previous seasons are any indication, it'll take you between 70 to 150 hours of play to get it all. If you're new to it all, we've got a rundown of how the Battle Pass works to get you up to speed. For the Fortnite veterans, we've put together a look at everything that's included in the Battle Pass. Over the next few pages you'll see all the skins, emotes, bling, and pretty much everything available. The start of Fortnite Season 6 brings with it a big new update and numerous changes to the game. As detailed in the Fortnite update 6.0 patch notes, there's a bunch of new things to keep an eye out for in-game. Perhaps the most exciting is the introduction of Pets, which tag along with you in game and will react to things that happen around you. In battle, for example, they growl, and if you're leaping great distances they'll hang on for dear life--and look adorable while doing it. You can get your hands on all three Pets through the premium Battle Pass; you can see them above. In addition to that, a number of items and weapons have been put into the Vault, meaning you'll no longer find the through regular play. These include the Impulse Grenade, Suppressed Submachine Gun, Light Machine Gun, Bouncer, and Remote Explosives. Although they're not usable in the core gameplay mode, you can jump into Playgrounds if you miss them. The update also makes some changes to the Island by introducing new map locations to Fortnite. The patch notes name the Floating Island, Corrupted Areas, Corn Fields, and Haunted Castle as being among them, but also tease players with more by saying "drop in and find the rest in-game," so there's bound to be plenty more. The Floating Island is actually moving, so it seems the story of the cube will continue into this season.
DJ Yonder Outfit (Epic)
Calamity Outfit (Epic)
Spiderweb Spray (Uncommon)
Pickaxe Spray
Calamity Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Bang Emoticon (Uncommon)
Calamity Spray (Uncommon)
Regal Wave Emote (Uncommon)
Picnic Glider (Uncommon)
Campfire Spray
Battle Bus Emoticon (Uncommon)
Emoticons Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Floating Island Spray
Bonesy Pet (Epic)
Squeaky Clean Music (Rare)
Fabled Cape Back Bling (Epic)
Ghost Spray
Smash Up Harvesting Tool
GG Potion Emoticon (Uncommon)
Exhaust Contrail (Rare)
Meow Moon Spray (Uncommon)
Pastel Patrol Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Crossfire Glider (Uncommon)
Crack Spray
Giddy-Up Outfit (Epic)
DJ Yonder Loading Screen (Uncommon)
GG Potion Spray (Uncommon)
Plunger Emoticon (Uncommon)
Tomato Toy (Rare)
Camo Pet (Epic)
Guiding Glow Harvesting Tool (Rare)
Manhole Cover Spray (Uncommon)
Running Man Emote (Rare)
Dice Banner Icon
Valkyrie Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Fireflies Contrail (Rare)
Llama De Muertos Spray (Uncommon)
Waveform Back Bling (Epic)
Camper Emoticon (Uncommon)
Covered Crusader Glider (Rare)
DJ Yonder Spray (Uncommon)
Rock On Banner Icon
Scales Pet (Epic)
Fate Loading Screen (Epic)
It's Go Time Emote (Rare)
Ghost Emoticon (Uncommon)
Fable Outfit (Epic)
Wallcrawler Spray (Uncommon)
Supply Llama Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Lightning Banner Icon
Black Cat Emoticon (Uncommon)
Eerie Music (Rare)
Jack-O-Lantern Contrail (Rare)
Cactus Maze Spray (Uncommon)
Dusk Wings Back Bling (Epic)
Meeet Emoticon (Uncommon)
Bat Banner Icon
TP Emoticon (Uncommon)
White Bonesy Style (Epic)
Tomato Temple Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Fancy Tomato Toy (Epic)
Game Over Spray (Uncommon)
Ravage Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Brick Pattern Banner Icon
Slitherin' Emote (Rare)
Bug Banner Icon
Chopmasters Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Bats Contrail (Rare)
Bubbles Banner Icon
Dusk Outfit (Epic)
Gremlins Spray (Uncommon)
Pink Scales Style (Epic)
Dusk Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Swarm Glider (Epic)
Oni Spray (Uncommon)
Skull Banner Icon
Spectral Essence Contrail (Rare)
Nightshade Outfit (Epic)
Flamenco Emote (Epic)
Night Cloak Back Bling (Epic)
Pixel Raven Spray (Uncommon)
Mocha Bonesy Style (Epic)
OG Remix Music (Rare)
Dire Loading Screen (Uncommon)
Clown Emoticon (Uncommon)
Black Scales Style
Dire Spray (Uncommon)
Dire Outfit (Legendary)
By Edmond Tran on Oct 03, 2018 03:38 pm
Red Dead Redemption 2: All The New Features
A number of GameSpot staff were able to play a near-final build of Red Dead Redemption 2 recently, which releases in a few week'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). Rockstar recently released a second gameplay trailer that shows off a few other new features that we didn't get the chance to see first hand, but it's easy to imagine how they might fit into the game based on our experience. We'll continue to update this gallery as Rockstar releases new details up to launch. 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.
You Can Discover Secret Passages
The latest trailer showed Arthur moving a bookcase to reveal a secret stairwell. Could this be how you get to the aforementioned secret shops, or could it lead to some a secret stash of riches?
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.
You Can Donate Money To Those In Need
About halfway through the second gameplay trailer, we can see Arthur donating money to a beggar on the sidewalk, following a button prompt. Odds are that this will impact Arthur in some way, whether it be related to his reputation stats or a potential quest down the road.
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.
You Can Fish
If the gruesome realities of hunting and cleaning your kill are too much for you to stomach, you can opt to fish instead.
You Can Herd Cattle
Life in the old west isn't all about looting and shooting and running away from bounty hunters. Sometimes you need to take in some fresh air and get to work on some good, old-fashioned chores. Herding cattle could be the relaxing respite from hard livin' we need. After all, what's a cowboy without cows?
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. This manifests itself in a new way via what's known as the Core system. Although health, stamina, and Deadeye meters are separate from the Cores, how they perform depends on the state of a corresponding Core. For instance, the health Core dictates how quickly health regenerates, and likewise for stamina. If you're low on health but the corresponding health Core has been maintained well, the rate at which you generate health will be increased. To keep your individual cores in good shape, you'll need to level up Arthur's strength, grit, dexterity, and instinct attributes. Leveling up Cores is reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which reflected the way CJ behaved on the character itself; if you ate too much junk food, you'd gain weight, or if you spent a lot of time sprinting around the city, you'd have better stamina. Similarly, in Red Dead Redemption 2 there are activities that you'll do simply by playing the game which, over time, will improve your Core. Running, for example, once again improves your stamina, while taking damage and then restoring health will build your Health core.
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.
You Can Dance (If You Want To!)
If you find yourself at camp and the mood strikes you, you can break a leg and dance with your gang. The simple moves in the trailer seems fairly traditional, but we'll put good money on there being sillier options whenever Red Dead Online launches.
Catch A Stage Show
Assuming he isn't too stinky to make it past the ushers, Arthur can kick back and catch a show at the local theater.
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 Jordan Ramée on Oct 03, 2018 05:30 am
Classic PS1 Games
Taking a page out of Nintendo's book, Sony is producing a mini version of an old console that plays classic games. Called PlayStation Classic, Sony's upcoming console comes preloaded with 20 different PS1 games. Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms have been confirmed, but the remaining 15 titles 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. First releasing in Japan in 1994, the original PlayStation spread to the west 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 Kallie Plagge on Oct 03, 2018 03:09 am
Top Tier
PC gaming has been around for decades, but as technology grows, so too do the possibilities! Many, many games come out on PC--especially Steam--at a pretty fast pace, so it can be hard to know what to play. There's also a wide variety of genres to keep track of, plus all those games you buy during the Steam sale. To help you out, we went back a few years and rounded up the best PC-exclusive games. For this feature, we included some (but not all) of the PC games that received a score of 8 or higher on GameSpot, with priority going to games that were nominated for awards at the end of their release years. To narrow the scope further, we only picked games that released in 2013 or later--sorry, CS:GO. Many of the games on this list are relatively new, including Frostpunk, Into the Breach, and Divinity: Original Sin II, and a lot of them are among the best released on the platform. You can spend tons of hours in classic CRPG-style games or immerse yourself in more narrative-driven indie adventure games. Suffice it to say, there's plenty of high-quality options available to you. What PC games from 2013 onward do you love the most? Let us know in the comments below. And for more PC recommendations, be sure to check out our new show, Steam Punks, where we pick out a few hidden gems on Steam for you to try each week. You can also see our list of the biggest PC games to play in 2018 for more of what's to come.
Frozen Synapse 2 -- 8/10
"It's hard not to be drawn in by Frozen Synapse 2's style, but it's even harder to pull away once the game's combat gets its hooks in you. While the single-player mode ambles through both high and low points, the multiplayer remains a steadfastly enjoyable experience. The anticipation as squads approach in preparation for battle is both thrilling and nerve-wracking, and the ability to switch between multiplayer games on the fly makes tracking multiple games elegantly simple. Technical hiccups aside, Frozen Synapse 2's incredible style and strong tactical combat make it wonderfully gratifying." [read the full review] -- James Swinbanks
Two Point Hospital -- 8/10
"It's remarkable that it's taken so long for a spiritual successor to Theme Hospital to show up, but now that it's here, it feels like it's been well worth the wait. The exaggerated, cartoon look and relaxed approach to management make it inviting enough for most players, while the deeper aspects of its economy are enough to keep seasoned players engaged. Two Point Hospital not only re-works an old formula into something modern and enjoyable, it also iterates on the classic brand of irresistible charm and wit, making something that's truly wonderful." [Read the review] -- James Swinbanks
Unavowed -- 9/10
"Unavowed's greatest strength is that it maintains an admirable focus on incredible characterization that feeds into every quest and conversation. Every question you ask, every decision you make, and every sacrifice you make carries you and your team members on an impassioned journey that epitomizes the best qualities of an adventure game. It never rests on tropes, a strong sense of empathy is present through its entirety, and not only do you come to wholly understand character motivations, the way these people deal with supernatural situations helps to build a bond between them and you as a player. From its wonderfully realized locations and its inviting, three-dimensional characters, Unavowed will have you eager to discover the captivating stories lurking in the demonic underworld of New York City." [read the full review] -- David Rayfield
Battletech -- 8/10
"Battletech is a game that selfishly takes its time to be meticulous in every respect, and pushing through the density and idiosyncrasies of its many, slow-moving parts can be tough. But if you have the will to decipher it, albeit, at a deliberate and punishingly plodding pace, you can find yourself completely engrossed in its kinetic clashes. Battletech's intricate components ultimately foster a fascinating wealth of nuanced systems that build a uniquely strenuous, detailed, and thoroughly rewarding tactical strategy game." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Total War: Thrones of Britannia -- 8/10
"Thrones of Britannia is an exciting experience despite the cuts to integral components of the Total War series, such as city planning hinging on military needs, specific building customization, and expanded intrigue options. But this has given Creative Assembly room to focus on enhancing parts of the strategy experience that aren't quite as impenetrable to newcomers, and to allow the series to return to some of the beloved parts of previous historical games to balance out its newer, slimmer form. While there are minor issues with AI, and pacing suffers when you've comfortably gotten the upper hand, this is still a worthy and engaging contribution to the Total War stable that has successfully taken its cues from history's winners and losers alike." [read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Far: Lone Sails -- 8/10
"Lone Sails is a transfixing, lovely experience, one that takes recurring indie game tropes and does something unique and fun with them. It's short enough that you could play through it in a single two or three-hour session, but it will likely stick with you for a long time. I can see myself going back in a few months just to revisit the ship, like checking in on an old friend." [read the full review] -- James O'Connor
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire -- 8/10
"Deadfire is dense, and it isn't a small game, easily dwarfing its predecessor in terms of scale. There's a lot to do, and it's easier than ever to get lost in the little stories you find, without following the arcs that the game has specially set out for you. Still, it's worth taking your time. The richness of Deadfire takes a while to appreciate, and like the brined sailors that call it home, you'll be left with an indelible attachment to these islands when you do finally step away." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Frostpunk -- 9/10
"Frostpunk is among the best overall takes on the survival city builder to date. Its theming and consistency create a powerful narrative through line that binds your actions around the struggle to hold onto humanity in uncertain times. Hope is a qualified good, but you may not always be strong enough (or clever enough) to shelter that flame from the cold." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Into the Breach -- 9/10
"There is so much strategic joy in seeing the potential destruction a swarm of giant monsters is about to unleash on a city, then quickly staging and executing elaborate counter maneuvers to ruin the party. Into The Breach's focus on foresight makes its turn-based encounters an action-packed, risk-free puzzle, and the remarkable diversity of playstyles afforded by unique units keeps each new run interesting. It's a pleasure to see what kind of life-threatening predicaments await for you to creatively resolve in every new turn, every new battle, and every new campaign. Into The Breach is a pristine and pragmatic tactical gem with dynamic conflicts that will inspire you to jump back in again, and again, and again." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Divinity: Original Sin II -- 10/10
"From lonely farmhouses through pitched battles with gods in far-flung dimensions, Divinity: Original Sin II is one of the most captivating role-playing games ever made. Its immaculately conceived and emotion-wrought fantasy world, topped by brilliant tactical combat, make it one of the finest games of the year thus far, and it has to be regarded as an instant classic in the pantheon of RPG greats." [read the full review] -- Brett Todd Note: Divinity: Original Sin II is coming to PS4 and Xbox One in August.
Total War: Warhammer II -- 9/10
"With Warhammer II, Total War doesn't reinvent anything so much as it iterates on the ideas that made the first so special. At its heart there's still the marriage of Total War's big-scale strategy and Warhammer's precise tactical play. But, through a thousand tiny tweaks, they've refined the experience into one of the most intriguing and exciting strategy games ever." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
The Red Strings Club -- 9/10
"From the game's opening piano chords, The Red String Club's futuristic exploration of themes regarding human emotion, strong writing, and exciting situations create an experience that is deeply gratifying. The cast of relatable, three-dimensional characters elevate the stakes of every bullet fired, secret divulged and cocktail poured. They are flawed and dangerous, but also convey admirable human characteristics that feel inspirational. The Red Strings Club is a tense adventure about a cast of characters that endanger themselves for goals that aren't necessarily guaranteed, a rewarding journey into the human soul, and a game that pushes the limits of what a point-and-click adventure can do." [read the full review] -- David Rayfield
Civilization VI -- 9/10
"Civ 6 has a few rough edges, but they're pushed far into the periphery by spectacular strategic depth and intricate interlocking nuances. Any frustrations I experienced were immediately eclipsed by my desire to continue playing. Just one more turn, every turn, forever." [read the full review] -- Scott Butterworth Note: Civilization VI's latest expansion, Rise and Fall, received an 8/10 on GameSpot and adds "several key features that both complement and change up the base game." You can read our full review for more.
Endless Space 2 -- 8/10
"4X space sims have long been known as the territory of the serious strategy gamer, but Amplitude has broken away from the pack here. Outstanding depth and tactical challenge have been preserved, although not at the expense of the strong storytelling needed to emphasize the sense of awe and wonder in galactic exploration that's always been a huge part of the genre's appeal. Amplitude has done a masterful job combining these two elements into a single game, where the quests and strategy and politics and economy are all tied into a whole much greater than the sum of its parts." [read the full review] -- Brett Todd
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III -- 8/10
"An odd chimera of its forebears, there's a lot in this fast-paced RTS that's a little bit off. Parts of the interface don't work sometimes, inter-match army management is half-baked, and the micromanagement needed to use the game's signature hero units effectively doesn't jibe with the extensive base-building you'll need to support them. But those problems fall away when you're in the heat of battle. Dawn of War III builds and maintains an organic tension that yields huge pay-offs, and there's nothing else quite like it." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Hacknet - Labyrinths -- 8/10
"The feeling of playing Hacknet in a dark room with headphones on and being absorbed by its engrossing puzzles and soundtrack--full of heavy beats and filthy synth sounds--feels as close as you can get to the Hollywood hacker experience. The puzzles are uniquely challenging without feeling inaccessible, and the Labyrinths expansion takes the formula further by integrating deeper investigations and adding more puzzle variety. Despite the stumbling climax and steady learning curve, Hacknet - Labyrinths is one hell of a ride that leads you down the rabbit hole and back again." [read the full review] -- James Swinbanks
Orwell -- 8/10
"Orwell is a hard experience to pull back from, even as the dirtiness of your job sinks in. It uses simple mechanics to tell a complex and engaging story, one that feels particularly relevant right now. This is a game where your choices matter and resonate, and which will leave you with plenty to think about once it's over." [read the full review] -- James O'Connor
World of Warcraft: Legion -- 9/10
"With Legion, it's hard to remember when WoW's narrative and questing were ever this strong before. Time will tell if Blizzard will serve up a healthy dose of new content to keep the expansion and game alive (a la Mists or Lich King) or if it will suffer the fate of Warlords of Draenor, but right now (about a month after the expansion's release) Blizzard has proven it can still craft an MMO experience as well as--if not better--than anyone else." [read the full review] -- Don Saas
Quadrilateral Cowboy -- 9/10
"Quadrilateral Cowboy succeeds in astonishing ways: It makes you feel like an incredibly accomplished computer hacker and agent of espionage. It creates an eccentric, thorough world that feels good to exist in and creates characters you can empathise with, despite the lack of a clear plot thread. Quadrilateral Cowboy presents you with a spectrum of moments, and each moment makes you feel great." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Total War: Warhammer -- 9/10
"When you're in the middle of a siege and you're coordinating an assault with a friend, Total War: Warhammer approaches perfection. You'll be tested on all fronts and asked to manage complex battles with broad, nuanced outcomes. Every system and piece feeds into others, and your choices make all the difference. It's a triumph of real-time strategy design, and the best the Total War series has ever been." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Offworld Trading Company -- 9/10
"It's a bit chilling to think that in Offworld you're playing out the same obsessive pursuit of capitalism that led to the fall of its finctional Earth--an event hinted at in tutorial dialogue--yet it's so recklessly entertaining and biting with its satire that I couldn't help but get lost. When combined with truly deep and intricate strategic options, Offworld is a revelation. It's almost unparalleled in the genre. Each and every game is thrilling. Every moment is a challenge. And the brutality of the free market ensures that you can never rest on your laurels, less you be quashed by the invisible hand." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Devil Daggers -- 8/10
"Most of the time, Devil Daggers finds elegance in its simplicity. By stripping the pomp of many modern shooters, it reveals the complexity beneath, molding the fundamentals into something exhilarating, something always worth one more try." [read the full review] -- Mike Mahardy, Video Producer
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak -- 9/10
"Homeworld was always about loneliness. It was always about clarity and focus. Kharak isn't new in that regard, but it is special. It shows us that when you get things right--and excel--that formula isn't easy to exhaust. Kharak does its part to add to that, though. Its use of voice acting and efficient visuals is a brilliant addition that's far from superficial. It helps narrow the scope of what you need to manage, so that it can load you up with as much as your brain can handle. It's a fast, daunting experience that's tough to shake, making Kharak as intoxicating as Homeworld has ever been." [read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
That Dragon, Cancer -- 9/10
"It's virtually impossible to not bring one's own biases into That Dragon, Cancer, because death and disease are universal. Just as it's impossible to quantify whether the exploration of those two heavy topics is worth the time and considerable emotional energy, it's impossible to truly quantify the immeasurable value of being able to not just forever present the best version of a person to the world, but being able to earn his presence in every way his parents did." [read the full review] -- Justin Clark
The Beginner's Guide -- 8/10
"The Beginner's Guide is an absorbing journey into the thoughts and processes involved during the creation of a video game. It succeeds in helping you understand and sympathize with game developers as artists and people. It equips you with important tools to perceive and think about both video games and other mediums in intelligent ways. It's a game that lives up to its namesake--it's the beginner's guide to the meaning of video games." [read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, AU Editor / Senior Video Producer
Her Story -- 8/10
"We have an intimate level of knowledge about this woman in the wake of her own personal tragedy, and the strength of Her Story as a narrative experience is that even as the right clips put the truth in sharp relief, your ability to uncover it is both satisfying and horrifying. This feat of intelligence and insight sticks with you long after the credits roll." [read the full review] -- Justin Clark
Interloper -- 8/10
"Interloper distills the core elements of every good RTS and adds a little extra to put it over the top. No matter if you love or loathe traditional real-time strategy, the deep tactics and puzzle solving crammed into a nicely condensed package here come highly recommended." [read the full review] -- Brett Todd
The Stanley Parable -- 9/10
"The Stanley Parable is both a richly stimulating commentary on the nature of choice in games (and in other systems, too, like our workplaces and our families) and a game that offers some of the most enjoyable, surprising, and rewarding choices I've ever been confronted with in a game. Going the wrong way has never felt so right." [read the full review] -- Carolyn Petit
Arma 3 -- 8/10
"ARMA III is a game with few modern counterparts. The influence of Operation Flashpoint isn't felt in many current games, even the modern OF, leaving the ARMA series to lead a charge accompanied by Red Orchestra, Iron Front, and too few others. With that uniqueness comes a dedicated community willing to overlook the flaws because they crave a kind of tension and large-scale teamwork unavailable anywhere else. You should consider joining that crowd. ARMA III is a beast. It occasionally flails and moans, but once you learn how to balance yourself upon it, it gives you a marvelous, turbulent, and memorable ride." [read the full review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Dota 2 -- 9/10
"The original Dota was an unexpectedly powerful blend of clashing genres and disparate elements that ended up taking over the world, and Valve's successor retains the original rules and characters while adding in a cheery free-to-play model and slick production values. The experience of playing Dota changes day by day--some evenings will be exhilarating, while others will kick your morale to the curb--but there are few games as worthy of your time investment as this. Those who choose to commit to Dota 2 will find many happy hours within this immaculate update." [read the full review] -- Martin Gaston
Antichamber -- 8.5/10
"There are moments in Antichamber that remain with you long after you've uncovered your last clue and solved your last puzzle. What has been created within its barren walls is supremely intelligent and wildly inventive, and Antichamber doesn't give up its ideals for the sake of accessibility. The few spells of frustration are fleeting and never compromise Antichamber's powerful achievements in design and style. 'Every journey is a series of choices,' you're told at the beginning of your adventure. You should choose to begin yours in Antichamber: it really is quite unlike anything else." [read the full review] -- Mark Walton
By Matt Espineli on Oct 03, 2018 02:52 am
Assassin's Creed Through The Ages
It's hard to believe, but Ubisoft has released 20 Assassin's Creed games in the span of a decade, and we're about to receive the upcoming Assassin's Creed Odyssey. In the years since the franchise's 2007 debut, we've received a wealth of fantastic games that have each managed to refine the series' classic open-world formula, while at times pushing it in exciting new directions. Of course, not every Assassin's Creed game has met fan expectations, but the franchise is still packed with a ton of thrilling adventures that are well-worth experiencing and even revisiting today. It all began with the first Assassin's Creed, a flawed game that showed great promise with its innovative climbing mechanics and sci-fi/historical drama narrative. This potential was eventually realized with Assassin's Creed II, which proved a remarkable improvement thanks to more varied design and a historical setting that stood out from other open-world games of the time. Its follow-up, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, remains a satisfying sequel that refined much of what we loved about AC II while giving us new combat and exploration mechanics to engage with. The next major highlight in the franchise came from Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, a pirate-themed adventure telling the redemption tale of Edward Kenway, an errant thief soon to be made an Assassin. The game's naval combat and exploration brought new life to the series' increasingly stale urban environments. Rounding out the series' most noteworthy entries are Assassin's Creed Syndicate and Assassin's Creed Origins. Syndicate brought hope back to the series after one of its most debilitating lows, but Origins completely revitalized the franchise while transforming it into an action-RPG series, which now seems to be cemented into its identity with Odyssey. You can experience the highs and lows of Assassin's Creed by checking out our reviews of nearly every single game in the franchise in the slides ahead. It's worth noting that we do not have reviews of lesser-known games in the series: Assassin's Creed: Pirates and Assassin's Creed identity. Though, if you're interested in the deeper cuts of the franchise and want an in-depth look at Assassin's Creed in all of its ups and downs, be sure to watch the video above discussing the franchise's history and its impact on the gaming industry. In the meantime, which Assassin's Creed games do you love the most? Which games disappointed you the most? Feel free to discuss all your thoughts in the comments below.
Assassin's Creed -- 9/10
"Assassin's Creed will stay with you long after you finish it. Here is one of the most unique gameworlds ever created: beautiful, memorable, and alive. Every crack and crevasse is filled with gorgeous, subtle details, from astounding visual flourishes to overheard cries for help. But it's more than just a world--it's a fun and exciting action game with a ton of stuff to do and places to explore, rounded out with silky-smooth controls and a complex story that will slowly grab you the more you play. Make no mistake: Assassin's Creed is one of the best efforts of the year and a must-own game." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles -- 6/10
"You could finish Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles in around four hours, but even the promise of a harder difficulty level won't likely lure you back for a second play-through. It's hardly a bad game; in fact, the final hour mixes the various elements together nicely and hits a smooth stride as a result. Nevertheless, the game offers few surprises, and some sloppy execution problems get in the way far too often to make it outright recommendable." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines -- 5/10
"Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines doesn't get it. On the surface, it offers many of the features you'd want from an Assassin's Creed game on the PSP. It puts you in control of Altair, the first game's nimble protagonist, and sends you on a mission to assassinate your Templar enemies, who are equally eager to plunge their swords into you. If you delve a little deeper, however, you'll find that Bloodlines skimps on what makes the console games so special. The joy of rooftop running has been diminished by flawed platforming and smaller environments, bustling cities have been replaced by barren districts on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, and AI problems render the stealthy approach all but irrelevant. Bloodlines still delivers the brief bloody thrills you get from a well-timed counterattack, but on the whole, it is a neutered and unsatisfying adventure." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Assassin's Creed II -- 9/10
"At first, Assassin's Creed II might seem as if it has added more than its foundation was meant to handle, but once all the new features are completely introduced, it develops that magic that so few games can cast. This is the rare sequel that offers fans of the original the basics they would expect, while adding and changing so many other aspects that even those who didn't appreciate the first should take the plunge, without hesitation. A few more contrivances notwithstanding, Assassin's Creed II is a better game than its forebear and is a beautiful and memorable experience on its own terms. But it's more than just a game--it's an escape to a place and a time that feel so welcoming, you'll be making return trips even after your initial adventure is over." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Assassin's Creed II: Discovery -- 7/10
"In spite of its flaws, Assassin's Creed II: Discovery does a good job of bringing the Assassin's Creed vibe to a handheld platform. The scope is condensed but the spirit remains, thanks to fluid combat animations, familiar sound effects, and little touches, like cowering citizens, that pay homage to the vibrant cities of the console games. It's got its share of quirks, but Discovery is the first right step toward fitting a world of secret assassins and crazy conspiracies in your pocket." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood -- 8.5/10
"Almost every aspect of the series has seen enhancements in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, from travel (you can whistle for a horse and ride it almost anywhere) to value (you can now replay any completed memory). There is joy in leaping across the Roman rooftops, taking in the grand sights in front of you and realizing that it is all your own playground. Stealing a combatant's spear from him and impaling him on it is a brutal pleasure. And the little touches--the way Claudia meets Ezio's stare with one of her own, or the fluid animations that characterize your agile maneuvers--are constant reminders of what makes these games so enchanting. This may not be Assassin's Creed III, but like Ezio's smirk, Brotherhood is too irresistible to ignore." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Assassin's Creed: Revelations -- 8/10
"Even the greatest heroes can't live forever. And so it goes for Ezio Auditore di Firenze, who finally steps aside to make room for new champions in Assassin's Creed: Revelations. This is another quality entry in a quality series, and it unleashes you in a visually stunning re-creation of 16th-century Constantinople. Additions to the movement mechanics make exploring the city a joyous exercise in high-flying parkour, with you as Ezio leaping across rooftops and flinging yourself up exterior walls like a Renaissance superhero. Like many sequels, Revelations giveth, and Revelations taketh away, so you lose certain elements (horses) in favor of a slew of new ones (bomb crafting). Lots and lots of new ones. Assassin's Creed: Revelations is sometimes a lumpy Frankenstein's monster of a game, half-formed appendages stitched into place regardless of whether they belong there or not. Thankfully, when Revelations remembers to be an Assassin's Creed game, it soars into the Turkish skies, reminding fans why they fell in love with this freewheeling series." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Assassin's Creed III -- 8.5/10
"Assassin's Creed III is a big game that gives you a lot to do, some of which is fleshed out relatively well, and some of which isn't. It is not, however, content to rest on the series' laurels. It takes chances with its opening, with its story, and with its characters. It expands the series' gameplay in enjoyable and sensible ways. As with many ambitious games, not every arrow fired hits the bull's-eye, yet this big, narratively rich sequel is easy to get invested in. Other games stimulate emotion with manipulative music and teary monologues; Assassin's Creed III rouses your mind and your heart by giving you a glimpse into its characters' souls and letting you judge them on their own merits." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Assassin's Creed III: Liberation -- 6.5/10
"Though Assassin's Creed III: Liberation toys around with intriguing concepts and centers its story around a character you desperately want to know more about, none of it comes together especially well. Liberation often excels, but it stumbles just as much. The result is a game that fails to bear the standard of quality that has defined this series for years." [Read the review] -- Shaun McInnis
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag -- 9/10
"Black Flag presents a world full of adventure and opportunity, where treasures scavenged in a remote jungle can be used to turn the tide in a massive naval battle against mighty Spanish warships. It's a game where you can sail the seas for hours at a time, either hunting great white sharks or simply listening to your crew sing one infectious sea shanty after the next. There's an incredible scope to what you can do in Black Flag, with a level of harmony between its component parts that encourages you to try it all, and a story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some." [Read the review] -- Shaun McInnis
Assassin's Creed: Freedom Cry -- 6/10
"With the strongest ensemble cast in the franchise, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag wasn't short of assassins and pirates worthy of their own playable tales, DLC or otherwise. Freedom Cry is more than just another Assassin's Creed IV chapter with a reskinned protagonist, but its troubled handling of dark themes makes this a turbulent voyage." [Read the review] -- Miguel Concepcion
Assassin's Creed Unity -- 7/10
"Not all of Unity's more progressive touches are for the best then, but you might spend more time noticing what's old than what's new. The terrific city atmosphere of Paris, the focus on parkour, and the incentives for performing stealthy assassinations, all these things hint at a game that's trying to return to its roots after branching out so wildly in its past two iterations. Yes, Unity is the most ACII-like of the series since, well, ACII, and while it never really hits the dizzying heights of Ezio's jaunt through 15th century Italy, Unity's similarities are comforting enough to take the edge off its less-than-successful changes. But is it the next-gen Assassin's Creed game we've all been waiting for? Not quite. It's very good, maybe even great in places, but the story's smaller focus has come at the expense of its exquisitely rendered backdrop. The grandness and spectacle that so often graces the finest Assassin's Creeds is sadly sorely lacking here." [Read the review] -- Mark Walton
Assassin's Creed Rogue -- 6/10
"Outside of a few additions like an air rifle and grenade launcher (which is used exactly one for mission), there's next to nothing in Rogue that moves the franchise forward. And even if you simply wanted more of Black Flag, that the missions are so sparse makes it difficult to want to drag yourself across the vast expanse of Rogue's oceans. Instead of a rich, fleshed-out game, Rogue is a short, mildly entertaining adventure that's thin on core content, but thick with information. It's intriguing information though, particularly if you're a series fan, just don't expect the best of adventures while you're taking it all in." [Read the review] -- Mark Walton
Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China -- 6/10
"Assassin Shao Jun really wants a box. Apparently, the box holds a precious artifact left from the time of the First Civilization, but it is simply the ultimate in MacGuffins; it's the Maltese Falcon, the briefcase from Pulp Fiction, and the Ark of the Covenant. What it does is irrelevant and never elaborated upon, at least not in this story, for its purpose is to kick an adventure into action--in this case, a beautiful and ultimately boring trek that cribs from Mark of the Ninja but can't capture the earlier game's cleverness or excitement. It's tempting to praise Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China for squeezing the series' signature elements into two-and-a-half dimensions, and for making stealth gameplay more vital than it has been in an Assassin's Creed game for years. But Chronicles rests on being pretty, adding new mechanics over time but flattening the pace and allowing exploits and glitches to suck out the rising tension." [Read the review] -- Kevin VanOrd
Assassin's Creed Syndicate -- 9/10
"[Assassin's Creed Syndicate] is a triumphant return to form for the franchise, and presents a beautifully structured tale with heart and soul to spare. Ziplining through London is thrilling, and the game allows you to organically discover missions and leaves you open-ended solutions lets you to create a meaningful, personal experience within its world. Coupled with strong, loveable leads and a seemingly endless procession of ways to leave your (fictional) mark on London's history, Assassin's Creed Syndicate is a shining example of gameplay and storytelling." [Read the review] -- Alexa Ray Corriea
Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India -- 7/10
"For the mainline Assassin's Creed games, the history and characters are the bones holding the gameplay upright. For the Chronicles series, the curiosities presented by the setting act as a thin veneer that only momentarily distracts from the flaws beneath. Like Arbaaz himself, these great moments have a bad habit of vanishing into thin air when you least want them to, bit there is still a lot of fun to be had in this Indian adventure." [Read the review] -- Justin Clark
Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia -- 5/10
"[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia's] art style is ultimately indicative of the problems with the series, in that, even at its most colorful or active, it falls flat. We're given few reasons to care about the story or characters, and gameplay doesn't escalate in a way that make sticking around for the complete three-game journey worthwhile. Newcomers may still find fleeting joy in one of the games for being a bite sized portion of Prince of Persia-style journeys through an exotic land. But the idea of sticking around for seconds or thirds has been proven to be a fool's errand, and that single portion turning out to be Russia would give a lackluster impression of the rest. Chronicles ends not with a bang or a whimper, but a shrug." [Read the review] -- Justin Clark
Assassin's Creed Origins -- 7/10
"While Assassin's Creed Origins reaches great heights in this new setting, it routinely runs into issues that bog down the overall experience. Technical issues make for an inconsistent experience and its new gameplay pillars wobble under the weight of its systems. But despite this, the world of Origins remains fresh and exciting to explore, which is a testament to the remarkable setting and compelling story. Assassin's Creed has undergone many changes in its long and storied history, and Origins feels like the first step in the start of a new journey. It has its fair share of problems, but the vision for its future is one worth pursuing." [Read the review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- 8/10
"Despite this, Assassin's Creed Odyssey's ambition is admirable, which is reflected in its rich attention to detail for the era and its approach to handling the multi-faceted narrative with strong protagonists at the lead. While its large-scale campaign--clocking in at over 50 hours--can occasionally be tiresome, and some features don't quite make the impact they should, Odyssey makes great strides in its massive and dynamic world, and it's a joy to venture out and leave your mark on its ever-changing setting." [Read the review] -- Alessandro Fillari, Editor
By Matt Espineli on Oct 03, 2018 02:47 am
Switch Games That You Need To Play
The release of the Nintendo Switch marked the beginning of a new generation for Nintendo. After the lukewarm reception of the Wii U, many were beginning to wonder if the company would be able to survive in today's console market. However, it defied all expectations with its hybrid console/handheld console. Alongside the Switch's release was the universally praised The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, giving it the killer app it needed to quickly rise to the top of console sales charts and dramatically increase Nintendo's revenue. In the year since its launch, there has been no shortage of amazing games coming, from huge first-party games like Mario and Splatoon to indie darlings like Owlboy and Celeste. There's even great third-party games, like Octopath Traveler and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. The library only seems to be expanding and improving with every consecutive release. In this feature, we're taking a look back at the best Switch games so far. This includes games that have received a score of 8 or higher on GameSpot since the console's release, as well as reviews for new games and updates to reviews of older games that were ported to Switch. Check out our choices for the best games released on the Switch. And with the console's library continuing to expand, make sure to check back often as we update this feature over the coming weeks and months. For an analysis of Nintendo Switch's first year, be sure to read our retrospective feature discussing the console's various successes and failures. In addition, you can also check out our features detailing all the Wii U games we ported to Switch, 13 things we want to see from the console. The Switch already has hundreds of games, so many that some are bound to fly under our radar. The games covered here are only a small handful of the experiences out there. Which games do you think are some of the Switch's finest? Let us know in the comments below.
Dragon Ball FighterZ -- 9/10
"FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance. Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series' characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Undertale -- 9/10
"Three years after its initial release on PC, Undertale has found its way to the Nintendo Switch--and of course, the game is every bit as charming, challenging, and harrowing as it was the first time around. Undertale may seem like a straightforward retro-style RPG, but it subverts player expectations every chance it gets, which never gets stale because of clever writing and an evocative chiptune soundtrack. Thankfully, it plays just as well as it does on other platforms without any performance hitches or bugs after putting about four hours into this version. Like its console counterparts, you can fill the screen with an adaptive border that thematically fits with the location you're in (Undertale plays in a 4:3 aspect ratio). Dodging enemy attacks in the bullet hell-style defensive phase in combat works just as well with the Joy-Con analog sticks. Undertale isn't afraid to break convention, and because it does so in a way that's thoughtful and humorous throughout, the result is an emotional rollercoaster that fills us with determination." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham
Into the Breach -- 9/10
"There is so much strategic joy in seeing the potential destruction a swarm of giant monsters is about to unleash on a city, then quickly staging and executing elaborate counter maneuvers to ruin the party. Into The Breach's focus on foresight makes its turn-based encounters an action-packed, risk-free puzzle, and the remarkable diversity of playstyles afforded by unique units keeps each new run interesting. It's a pleasure to see what kind of life-threatening predicaments await for you to creatively resolve in every new turn, every new battle, and every new campaign. Into The Breach is a pristine and pragmatic tactical gem with dynamic conflicts that will inspire you to jump back in again, and again, and again." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran
The Messenger -- 8/10
"The Messenger takes the best parts of the action-platformers it takes influence from and reinterprets them well. With clever writing, well-designed levels, and balanced difficulty curve, the game continuously hooks you with enticing skill-based challenges and satisfying payoffs. Your character might have an immediate imperative to delivering a world-saving scroll, but the journey there is definitely one to savor." [Read the full review] -- Alexander Pan
Dead Cells -- 9/10
"Dead Cells is a fascinating amalgam of several of today's most popular indie genres. It juggles elements of tough-as-nails action games and Metroid-inspired exploration platformers, with the procedurally generated levels and random item allotments found in roguelikes. It's impressive how it all comes together without a hitch, especially given that the persistent character growth found in games like Dark Souls or Metroid squarely conflicts with the randomized resets emblematic of Rogue-inspired games." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2
"In a way, the entire collection itself is the museum--an entire series, with all its beauty and its blemishes, on display for its audience to judge and assess years later. Parts of this legacy have aged horribly, but they're still undeniably a piece of Mega Man X history. We've been told that the upcoming Mega Man 11 was greenlit thanks in part to fan interest in the original Mega Man Legacy Collection. If Capcom follows with a proper sequel to Mega Man X, this compilation provides valuable lessons on what the series is, what it isn't, and what it can be when given the chance." [Read the full review] -- Steve Watts
Octopath Traveler -- 8/10
"Despite the lackluster stories that pull you through the world, Octopath thrives on its character progression and the temptations of high-level challenges and rewards. The promise of new jobs, exciting boss fights, and powerful gear will inspire you to poke around every corner, and there are no shortage of discoveries to strive for. And all the while, you're treated to one of the most interesting and effective re-imaginings of a retro aesthetic around. Octopath will likely be a divisive game due to its fractured storytelling, but it's one worth playing despite its lesser qualities. Its high points are simply too good to ignore." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Captain Toad
"Despite a smattering of minor complaints, Captain Toad stands as a pint-sized version of Nintendo's stellar first party pedigree. It's among the best Mario spin-offs around and a delightful iteration on old ideas." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus -- 8/10
"As long as you're able to play the entire game in docked mode, The New Colossus is the same fantastic game it is on other platforms. It runs well and, despite some minor visual compromises, it still looks pretty good. Handheld mode is unfortunately far less optimized, and the Joy-Cons simply don't feel as good to use as the Pro Controller. If Switch is your only way to play it, The New Colossus is absolutely worth your time--just not on the go." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
West of Loathing -- 8/10
"There are a few minor issues--inventory management on Switch becomes cumbersome as you collect an increasing amount of things, fights with a lot of enemies can obscure some pertinent information, and the stakes sometimes feel a little too low to be completely motivating. But West of Loathing's focus on maintaining a flexible, open-ended nature and lighthearted, humorous feel keeps you engaged in what feels like an imaginative pen-and-paper Dungeons and Dragons campaign, led by a game master whose only goal is to make sure you're laughing and having a fun time. West of Loathing's visuals are monochromatic, but there's enjoyable comedy painted between every line, a pitch-perfect Spaghetti Western soundtrack, and a full spectrum of role-playing possibilities to choose from that make it a consistently enjoyable madcap cowboy jaunt." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor and Video Producer
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle -- 9/10
"Whether playing through the story mode alone or against hardened opponents online, Cross Tag Battle is an absolute joy with a surplus of possibilities within its wide roster and versatile fighting system. Even with all the ridiculousness of the overarching plot, I reveled in the charm of my favorite characters and embraced the many moments of fan service. It's a masterful unification of styles and mechanics from four different universes that compels you to dig deeper and dedicate the time to getting the most out of the beloved members of this cast." [Read the full review] -- Michael Higham, Associate Editor
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection -- 8/10
"That's more or less the story of the 30th Anniversary Collection. It won't satisfy every specific demand, but it's still a big collection of awesome games and behind-the-scenes content that no Street Fighter fan should miss. Street Fighter is a series worth celebrating and Digital Eclipse has managed to do so in a manner that feels respectful to the series and to the people who keep the spirit of arcade battles alive." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition -- 8/10
"Those returning to the fray will likely be a little disappointed as there just isn't enough new content to rouse fresh excitement. For newcomers, though, Hyrule warriors is a delightful, bizarre outing that opens up the Zelda series, taking us places we've been before, just with thousands of monsters and awesome, screen-clearing magical attacks." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Battle Chasers: Nightwar -- 8/10
"Beyond the challenge of combat, Battle Chasers is sustained through the strength of its story, a rollicking tale that takes our heroes literally to hell and back. It's bolstered by some sharp dialogue, gorgeous artwork, and an ensemble that plays extremely well off of each other. Lots of work has gone into Nightwar since its first release, and the balancing improvements make it an easy game to recommend on all platforms." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark
Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze -- 9/10
"Tropical Freeze isn't a heavy-hitter from Nintendo in the same way Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey are, but it's a fantastic platformer that's bursting with creativity and expertly designed challenges. It's tuned just right--always tough but rarely frustrating--to ensure that even the most common moments feel great. If you missed out when the game first debuted back in 2014, give it a shot today. It easily stands the test of time." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Bayonetta 2 -- 10/10
"But it's a challenge you'll want to experience again as soon as you put down the controller. Bayonetta 2's combat is so expertly constructed, and its presentation so joyously insane, that you'd have to try so very hard to get bored of it all. In a year filled with the promise of ever more elaborate experiences on all the shiny new hardware, that Bayonetta 2--a homage to classic game design and escapism--should be the most fun I've had playing a game all year is unexpected. But maybe it shouldn't have been. After all, its predecessor still stands as one of the finest games of its genre. To have surpassed that with Bayonetta 2, and to have created a game that will be remembered as an absolute classic, is nothing short of astonishing." [Read the review] -- Mark Walton
Celeste -- 9/10
"It's a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I'd been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain." [Read the full review] -- Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer
Dragon Quest Builders -- 8/10
"The excellence of Dragon Quest Builders illustrates the versatility of this 30-year-old franchise as much as it speaks to the engrossing appeal of Minecraft-inspired creation. The story-advancing draw of quests goes hand-in-hand with the depth of a crafting system that cleverly uses monster drops as some of the game's building tools. Whether you want to focus on completing assignments or build with no specific purpose, the game is feature-rich enough to suck up untold hours, even if this happens to be your first Dragon Quest experience." [Read the review] -- Miguel Concepcion, Editor
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim -- 8/10
"The original version of Skyrim is still an immense, engrossing RPG, and the quality, number, and variety of its quests makes it as easy to become lost in its world as ever. With the addition of Zelda-themed gear that's actually useful--and the fact that you can play anywhere--the Switch version of Skyrim is a great excuse to revisit a much-loved RPG." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Golf Story -- 8/10
"It can take a little while for the narrative to ramp up in Golf Story and for you to feel like you've really cultivated the skills of a champion, but based on the sheer scope of what the game delivers, there's likely something for everyone to enjoy whether their shtick is mini-golfing or terrorising delinquents with frisbees. It has successfully captured the trappings of yesteryear's RPGs, and the witticisms and idiosyncrasies of the characters you encounter are a great palate cleanser between rounds. Switch has had a swathe of indies hit its eShop recently, but if you're looking for something that'll give you satisfaction in terms of an interesting story and a rewarding mechanic, then Golf Story is certainly par for the course." [Read the full review] -- Ginny Woo
Gorogoa -- 8/10
"Few games take the concept of altering reality to as artistic a level as Gorogoa. This labor of love made chiefly by one developer is a gorgeous and intriguing puzzle game that works because of its stunning art and intelligent puzzle design. Far from a traditional game, Gorogoa is a slow and methodical trip into the surreal." [Read the full review] -- Jason D'Aprile
Kirby Star Allies -- 8/10
"Star Allies is yet another Kirby game, but it's up there with some of the best. It's an artistic showcase, and a great opportunity for co-op platforming. The one real complaint you can levy at it is that it gates off its more challenging aspects, but the fact that they are present to begin with will please anyone who's grown weary of the series' painless platforming." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -- 10/10
"No matter how gorgeous its environments are, how clever its enemies are, and how tricky its puzzles get, the fact that Breath of the Wild continues to surprise you with newfound rules and possibilities after dozens of hours is by far its most valuable quality. It's a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery--which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience. Breath of the Wild is a defining moment for The Legend of Zelda series, and the most impressive game Nintendo has ever created." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle -- 9/10
"Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle exudes off-beat optimism that never dissolves. It's a consistent delight, no matter how challenging the road becomes, because Kingdom Battle's unique turn-based tactics system is in every way a pleasure to engage with. Coupled with the annoyingly infectious allure of Rabbids, and the always delightful, colorful world of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is an implausibly engrossing formula that is positively challenging and endlessly charming." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- 9/10
"For Mario Kart fans, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe might look like more of the same with small Double Dash-inspired tweaks. But thanks to a series of updates both big and almost unseen, it's the version of Mario Kart to get. If you don't own a Wii U or skipped out on Mario Kart 8 the first time around--or even if you've played it before--Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is worth your time. It plays beautifully on Switch in both handheld and docked mode, and its core racing is as exciting as ever. And, most notably, it completely revamps the original's lackluster Battle Mode, rounding out an already great racing game." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Mr. Shifty -- 8/10
"Mr. Shifty isn't a huge game in terms of length, but the three- to four-hour campaign is ample. It's like a shot of adrenalin, offering an exciting, intense experience, and it's easy to forgive the game's performance flaws when it so consistently makes you feel like a badass." [Read the full review] -- James O'Connor
NBA 2K18 -- 8/10
"NBA 2K18 is a hardcore sports simulation. If you want to get good, you have to put in the work. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve your skills no matter how you want to play. And the fact that there's so much to do is a bonus, because on the court, NBA 2K18 is also an amazingly well-crafted experience." [Read the full review] -- Seth Macy
Night in the Woods -- 9/10
"From beginning to end to epilogue, Night in the Woods is ultimately open to individual interpretation. How you relate to it depends on your own experiences and choices, including Mae's dialogue and who you decide to spend time with. Though its charming and angsty story works well on its own merits, it's special because of how it prioritizes conveying emotion over telling a straight narrative." [Read the review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Owlboy -- 9/10
"Owlboy is consistently charming and surprising, and when its final act doubles down on every front, it's bittersweet to see it end. As you relish the outcome of the final battle and watch the closing cutscene, you can't help but reflect on the beginning of your adventure and how far the world and its inhabitants have come. You'll never be able to play Owlboy for the first time again, but the memories of its magic moments stick with you. This is more than a treat for fans of old-school games; Owlboy is a heartfelt experience that will touch anyone with an affinity for great art and storytelling." [Read the review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 Plus -- 8/10
"Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 creates an exciting dynamic where ghosts are still dangerous, but the overall game is more forgiving than the original--and it's more entertaining as a result. Arcade ports tend to be games we play in short bursts--mostly for the nostalgia factor. Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 certainly relies on that nostalgia to a point, but it handles the classic game in a way that plays with expectations to surprise you. It's the same game enhanced in the right directions to be make an old concept fun, innovative, and challenging all over again." [Read the review] -- Jason D'Aprile
Puyo Puyo Tetris -- 8/10
"Overflowing with colorful personality, Puyo Puyo Tetris revels in its weirdness. It provides solid versions of both puzzle games and merges the two in bizarre, frantic ways that adds a fresh dash of style to these long-running series. With an array of game variations spanning single-player, along with on- and offline multiplayer, it's an incredibly meaty package that should satisfy gamers for a long time to come." [Read the full review] -- Jason D'Aprile
Rive -- 8/10
"Rive is demanding, but it pushes the kind of near-thoughtless play that shoot-em-ups strive to achieve. When faced with an onslaught of enemies and environmental hazards, you'll have to think fast or die. Rive also doesn't run all that long, but what's here is excellent, top-notch action, and the game delivers some of the most memorable moments in a shoot-em-up in years." [Read the full review] -- Daniel Starkey
Rocket League -- 9/10
"For people new to the game, they have a lot to look forward to regardless, as it's one of the most fascinating sports games in memory. Nevermind if you don't like soccer or couldn't care less about the growing esports community. Rocket League is a unique game that redefines the concept of what a sports game can be, and Psyonix continues to support it with new content on a regular basis. It's been around for a while, but now that it's on Switch, there's no better time to give it a shot." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment -- 8/10
"Specter of Torment is a finely-crafted 2D platformer that is satisfying in all respects. Simply controlling Specter Knight--flying through the air and slicing through enemies--is a joy in itself, and being able to push your ability to control these skills in overcoming the game's cleverly-designed and challenging levels is always an exhilarating feeling. Specter of Torment is a focussed, polished, and satisfyingly challenging game that's well worth experiencing whether or not you've had the pleasure of playing Shovel Knight." [Read the full review] -- Edmond Tran, Editor
Sonic Mania -- 9/10
"Sonic Mania methodically uses its sentimental appeal to great effect, but in the process, it heals the wounds inflicted by its most disappointing predecessors and surpasses the series' best with its smart and interpretive design. An excellent 2D platformer, Sonic Mania goes beyond expectations, managing to be not only a proper evolution of the series' iconic formula, but the best Sonic game ever made." [Read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Splatoon 2 -- 8/10
"At first glance, Splatoon 2 seems very similar to the first game. But all the small changes, and even the bigger ones in single player and League Battles, make for a fresh take on the already unique shooter. If you played a lot of the original, the sequel has enough to keep you coming back, and if you're new to the game, it's a fantastic place to jump in." [Read the full review] -- Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor
Stardew Valley -- 9/10
"The sheer number of things to accomplish in Stardew Valley can keep you interested beyond the original three in-game years you need to reach the end of your story--you may just want to start over rather than continue on. You'll work quite hard to gather enough money for your first horse, so that you can quickly move to the mines to get a mineral to complete a bundle at the community center. It's all centered around whatever it is you want to accomplish that day. And that's truly what makes Stardew Valley such a lovely experience, it encourages you to go out and be the best you can be, in whichever task that brings you the most joy. Stardew Valley motivates naturally, with blissful optimism." [Read the full review] -- Mary Kish
SteamWorld Dig 2 -- 9/10
"Every advancement Dig 2 makes to its story and mechanics strengthens your initiative to progress. There's an overwhelming sense of momentum that runs through the adventure; as if developer Image & Form sifted the original in a pan, removing its redundancies while expanding upon what made it so fun to persistently play. In your quest to acquire every upgrade and explore every nook and cranny, there's no shortage of hidden collectables to discover. And with post-game content that unlocks after you unearth every secret, the desire to keep digging intensifies. Dig 2 manages to not only be an exceptional successor, but a great adventure in its own right. Where the first game was a diamond in the rough, Dig 2 is a polished jewel." [Read the full review] -- Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
Super Mario Odyssey -- 10/10
"Odyssey is sustained beyond its major milestones not only through colorful worlds and hidden challenges, but through the sheer joy of controlling Mario, who's never felt more responsive or dynamic in action. Even with everything new that's been introduced, Nintendo's forward-thinking platformer retains the series' classic handcrafted appeal, which is even more impressive when you realize how densely packed each kingdom is. Mario's latest outing is big, bold, and bursting with new ideas, and like Breath of the Wild, is another instance of Nintendo going above and beyond to redefine our expectations. It's a shining example of refined creativity, and another crown jewel for Switch that is without equal." [Read the full review] -- Peter Brown, Reviews Editor
Lumines Remastered -- 8/10
"Lumines is the kind of game that temporarily rewires your brain, splicing together its ability to recognize visual patterns and audible rhythms simultaneously and forcing you to do the hard but delightful work of putting that ability to use. Having that experience so lovingly presented--and on the Switch, having Lumines handheld again for the first time in six years--is an occasion worth celebrating." [Read the full review] -- Justin Clark
By Jordan Ramée on Oct 03, 2018 02:41 am
The PlayStation 4 launched in November 2013 and Sony's done a phenomenal job making sure a stream of excellent exclusives continues to launch on the platform. That trend isn't slowing down in 2018, with the phenomenal God of War releasing earlier this spring and Insomniac Games' Spider-Man on its way in just a few months. Click ahead to view GameSpot's highest-rated PS4 exclusives since the console's launch. The titles are in alphabetical order and don't reflect our own personal ranking of each game. The list only includes games we've awarded an 8/10 or higher. We've also limited the gallery based on console exclusivity, so you'll see a few games in this gallery that are also available on PC or PS Vita. This means games that originally released for PS2 or PS3 and launched again on the PS4 without any additional content (like Beyond: Two Souls) are not included. Remasters, remakes, and reboots are all fair game though. Be sure to check out our list of the best cheap PS4 games to find the best deals on some of these exclusives, including top-tier titles like The Last of Us Remastered and Bloodborne. Think you've got an insane amount of GameSpot knowledge? Put it to the test. We've reviewed a lot of PS4 exclusives since the console's debut in 2013, but only one of them has gotten a perfect 10/10 review score. Do you know what it is? Click ahead to find out, and we'll send a virtual high five your way if you happen to know the answer. If you also happen to know which PS3 game released again on PS4 with a perfect 10/10 GameSpot score (but couldn't make this list because it's not a remaster), then we offer you a virtual salute. Also, let us know what your favorite PS4 exclusive is in the comment section down below. Doesn't matter if the game was critically acclaimed or criminally underrated. Be sure to check out our list of the best Nintendo Switch console exclusives and best Xbox One console exclusives as well.
Marvel's Spider-Man -- 9/10
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Marvel's Spider-Man review, Edmond Tran wrote, "Minor shortcomings don't detract from Insomniac's achievement in creating a game that feels like an authentic interpretation of a beloved creation. The feeling of embodying Spidey and using his abilities is astonishing, and the time spent on exploring its major characters help make its story feel heartfelt, despite superhero bombast. There have been open-world Spider-Man games before, but none so riveting and full of personality, none that explore and do justice to this many facets of the universe. Insomniac has created a superior Spider-Man experience that leaves a lasting impression, one that has you longing for just one more swing around New York City, even after the credits roll."
Alienation
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Alientation review, Jason D'Aprile wrote, "Alienation is a refined and intense shooter that looks and sounds great, and offers fantastically chaotic and violent action. While the game sometimes feels a little too eager to kill players and lacks local play, with a full troop online, it's easily one of the best all-out action multiplayer games in recent memory."
Alone With You
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Alone With You review, Jason D'Aprile wrote, "This is a game that warrants repeated playthroughs to see both endings and experience other relationship choices. Alone With You bears some heavy thematic overlap with [games] like SOMA, Everyone's Gone to Rapture, and other story-centric releases that focus on the nature of what makes you human, the importance of relationships and contact, and mortality. It's different enough to feel new despite its retro roots, delivering impactful scenes that shine thanks to a stellar script that brings its few, but emotionally charged, characters to life."
Bloodborne
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Bloodborne review, Kevin VanOrd wrote, "The finest treasures are found within the city of Yharnam and the forests, lakes, and purgatories beyond it. Only Bloodborne would be so bold as to bury an entire factional player-versus-player mechanic within an optional region, which is in turn buried within a series of oblique steps you might miss if you aren't exploring every nook and cranny, or ignore the game's enigmatic hints. I finished Bloodborne in less time than I did Dark Souls II, yet I treasure it more in spite of its few missteps. In death there is life, and in blood, there is redemption. More hyperbole, yes, but for a game this theatrical, only hyperbole will do."
Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviours
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviours review, Heidi Kemps wrote, "Even with [its issues], Darius Burst is one of the best traditional shooters to come out in years. The visual design is excellent, the music is avant-garde and memorable, the boss encounters are thrilling, and it's chock-full of challenges to keep you coming back and playing more. If you enjoy these sorts of games at all and are craving a finely-crafted, intense shooting experience that will keep you hooked for a long time, then Darius Burst: Chronicle Saviours is a worthy."
Everybody's Golf
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Everybody's Golf review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "Ultimately, [bothersome NPCs] are the only notable blemishes in an otherwise splendid and activity-loaded sequel, which also happens to be the best golf game on the PlayStation 4. Longtime fans will find comfort in the familiar controls and deep progression system, while newcomers will find the on-boarding experience easy and welcoming. Between the lengthy career mode and online play, you are never short of competition to test your nerves. And no matter how ridiculously superhuman your linksman skills become--there are awards for getting a hole in one on a par-5, after all--Everybody's Golf's strict adherence to the sport's strategic underpinnings is never compromised."
Everybody's Gone To The Rapture
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Everybody's Gone to the Rapture review, Alexa Ray Corriea wrote, "Everybody's Gone to the Rapture uses subtle cues to guide you through its world and then gives you the space to digest what you find. It's a wonderful example of what games can achieve narratively while presenting minimal physical engagement and tasking player imagination with the rest. That sense of futility never leaves you, but whether or not you cling to the story's threads of hope is entirely up to you; no happy ending is forced on you--just an ending. The moral of the story is whatever you think it is, and there's no wrong way to feel as you sift through its bright, empty world. And while I had my moments of frustration in navigation, that didn't stop it from dazzling me. I left Shropshire exhausted, spent, and utterly impressed by The Chinese Room's magnificently crafted journey, both in how it brought me to its conclusion and the conclusion itself."
Fighting EX Layer
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Fighting EX Layer review, Heidi Kemps wrote, "On a pure gameplay level, Fighting EX Layer is an absolute treat. What it lacks in bells and whistles it delivers in pure, fun combat. This is a game made for the sort of people who will spend hours perfecting an impractical, extremely-precise combo in training mode simply for the satisfaction of having done it. If that describes you, then Fighting EX Layer will be worth everything you put into it."
Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "While its enhancements do not translate into a brand new game for existing fans, [Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age] is nonetheless invigorating. For an experience that can last over a hundred hours, the subtle tweaks therein go a long way in showcasing Final Fantasy 12's grand trek in a new light. Its epic, lore-abundant story and its time-tested Gambit System should also appeal to those who missed out on the mainline series' trip to Ivalice the first time around. And thanks in part to the new audio and speed options, The Zodiac Age is an ideal definitive edition: one that improves the game over its original version across the board.
Final Fantasy 14 Online: A Realm Reborn
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Final Fantasy 14 Online: A Realm Reborn review, Pete Davison wrote, "There's no traditional PVP, and at times the grind can grow tedious, but if you press on, you find a vast and charming supporting cast, complex classes with plenty of interesting augmentations along the way, and a reworked MMORPG that combines new and old elements to weave together a satisfying and modern Final Fantasy that does its part to cater to longtime franchise fans and MMO enthusiasts alike. This is an admirable redesign, especially on the PlayStation 4, which very well may be considered the best venue to experience the staggering world and cornucopia of additional content. Even if you're still trekking through Vana'diel, consider making yourself a new home in Eorzea--we'd love to have you."
Galak-Z: The Dimensional
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Galak-Z: The Dimensional review, Mike Mahardy wrote, "But in the end, [Galak-Z: The Dimensional] is about learning as you go, and making the best of what you have. It's a layered, complex system, and even now, 20 hours after I started it, there are upgrades I haven't found, techniques I haven't practiced, and possibilities I haven't considered. Galak-Z pummelled me, knocked me to the ground and kicked me when I was down. But when I finally got the upper hand, and beat the final season with only a sliver of health left, the victory was all the more rewarding.
God Eater 2: Rage Burst
We gave the game an 8/10. In our God Eater 2: Rage Burst review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "Good sequels strike a balance between reproducing familiar systems and introducing new features. Rage Burst shares many similarities with Resurrection, to the degree that you wouldn't be blamed for mistaking the former for an expansion pack of the latter at a glance. But Rage Burst is bolstered by a beefed-up combat system and scores of stylish, powerful loot, making frequent, sometimes repetitive questing, more enjoyable than it was in Resurrection."
God Of War (2018)
We gave the game a 9/10. In our God of War review, Peter Brown wrote, "In many ways God of War is what the series has always been. It's a spectacular action game with epic set pieces, big-budget production values, and hard-hitting combat that grows more feverish and impressive as you progress. What may surprise you is how mature its storytelling has become. Like Kratos, God of War recalls the past while acknowledging the need to improve. Everything new it does is for the better, and everything it holds onto benefits as a result. Kratos is no longer a predictable brute. God of War is no longer an old-fashioned action series. With this reboot, it confidently walks a new path that will hopefully lead to more exciting adventures to come."
God Of War 3 Remastered
We gave the game an 8/10. In our God of War 3 Remastered review, Kevin VanOrd wrote, "Then again, this is not a series known for its sophisticated storytelling. Kratos is the vessel for an instinctive kind of gameplay that is rarely this successful. Your rewards for following God of War III's linear trail are genre-defining combat, excellent pacing, and the innate joy of watching enemies spew forth clusters of glowing red orbs when they fall. It's the ever-compelling quest for shinies, accomplished by slamming your cestus into the ground, then gutting a centaur and watching its viscera spill onto the floor. Your reward is more power, which you use to earn more shinies and to see more entrails. That the game finds so many ways to stay consistently fresh within this traditional structure is a feat worthy of the gods."
Gravity Rush 2
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Gravity Rush 2 review, Peter Brown wrote, "With a wealth of stories big and small to chew on, Gravity Rush 2 fulfills the needs of both a sequel and a prequel. The first Gravity Rush had enough going for it, but Gravity Rush 2 is stuffed with things to love. While its stealth missions are lame and it's disappointing to experience camera issues from time to time, Gravity Rush 2 excels in almost every other respect, making its predecessor seem quaint by comparison. This is easily one of the best video game sequels in recent memory, and an adventure truly worthy of its excellent lead character."
Gran Turismo Sport
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Gran Turismo Sport review, James Swinbanks wrote, "Ultimately, where you fall on GT Sport will mirror how you feel about racing games in general. If you're looking for a highly focused console racing sim, GT Sport is excellent, but don't come looking for a robust 'Gran Turismo' experience. You won't find it. Casual fans will feel the pinch of the scaled-down offering and the intimidating push towards racing online. But for sim-racers with a competitive spirit, it's easy to look past the smaller car and track roster and appreciate the incredibly detailed and responsive driving model, which is better than anything the series has offered before."
Grim Fandango Remastered
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Grim Fandango Remastered review, Kevin VanOrd wrote, "Grim Fandango's greatest triumph, however, is that you needn't overflow with nostalgia to appreciate its greatness. There is only this boisterous world and the unionized bee-demons that inhabit it, which you see through the eyes of one Manny Calavera, an everyday hero that has rightfully earned a place in video game history. Even if you don't know what happens at the end of the line, you're guaranteed to enjoy the trip."
Here They Lie
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Here They Lie review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "Here They Lie pulls you in by appealing to your curiosities of what's around the corner--but you're also motivated to stick to the main path, because a part of you just wants to get the hell out of this urban nightmare. As a dark, well-crafted psychological journey in VR, the game captures the distinct duality of being a curious observer--and, conversely, a participant who simply wants to survive and escape. Its enigmatic visuals, choice-driven narrative, and provocations on morality are the driving forces that warrant multiple playthroughs, and all of those aforementioned elements combine to make Here They Lie one of the standout offerings among the PSVR's launch lineup."
Horizon Zero Dawn
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Horizon Zero Dawn review, Peter Brown wrote, "This is the first departure from the Killzone series for developer Guerrilla Games, and though you might think the team took a risk by stepping out of its FPS comfort zone to create a third-person open-world action game, you'd never know it was their first rodeo. For every minor imperfection, there's an element of greatness that recharges your desire to keep fighting and exploring [Horizon Zero Dawn's] beautiful and perilous world. Guerrilla Games has delivered one of the best open-world games of this generation, and redefined its team's reputation in the process.
Iconoclasts
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Iconoclasts review, Matt Espineli wrote, "When Iconoclasts' end credits begin to roll, it's bittersweet to see the journey come to a close. After solving every puzzle and witnessing the finale of its poignant narrative, you can't help but reflect on the growth of its characters and your impact onto the world. The game will shock and surprise you with how gripping its story is, and it's likely to do so again in subsequent playthroughs of New Game+ with your expanded knowledge of character histories and events. Iconoclasts may be a callback to the style and mechanics of old-school games, but it's also a sincere and compelling adventure that anyone with respect for fantastic storytelling and 2D-action can enjoy."
I Expect You To Die
We gave the game an 8/10. In our I Expect You To Die review, Mike Mahardy wrote, "But the annoyances caused by these hiccups pale in comparison to the thrills I Expect You to Die delivers. Through well designed puzzles, intense escape room scenarios, and a kineticism absent in video games on standard screens, I Expect You to Die knows exactly how to leverage the magic of VR, and proves it almost every step of the way."
Infamous: Second Son
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Infamous: Second Son review, Tom McShea wrote, "[Infamous: Second Son] focuses on pure enjoyment. It communicates that through the excellent combat that forces you to concoct crazy tactics to overthrow the invading forces. It draws you in further through its incredible visuals that not only hint at the PlayStation 4's impressive power, but employ a sensible artistic touch that makes Seattle a place you want to explore. It uses a complementary score to underline dramatic moments, and the sound effects pop with flair. And yet, for all of the elements in which Second Son excels, the narrative fails to carry its share of the weight. Still, don't become mired in the negativity as Delsin so often does. Instead, just laugh at the cheesy dialogue and chortle at how extreme the morality system is. Second Son is a great game that knows exactly what it is, and sucks you in with its unfiltered fun."
The Inpatient
We gave the game an 8/10. In our The Inpatient review, Justin Clark wrote, "The Inpatient doesn't just do right by Until Dawn, but stands right alongside it as one of the strongest horror experiences on PlayStation 4. It's a game far less concerned with pushing you towards what's lurking down every corridor than feeding you the worst ideas of what could be."
Invisible, Inc. Console Edition
We gave the game an 8/10. In out Invisible, Inc. Console Edition review, Kevin VanOrd wrote, "Nonetheless, this emotional distance is merely a minor issue. I don't care much about Invisible, Inc.'s throwaway story and its last-minute grasps at meaningful themes, or about my agents' personal backgrounds. Like the game, my efforts are focused on getting the job done, emotionally disengaged but intellectually centered. I bask in the stylish cutscenes and the sharp voiceover, but my attachment is not to the agency or its people but to the sheer pleasure of a successful heist."
The King Of Fighters XIV
We gave the game an 8/10. In our The King of Fighters XIV review, Matt Espineli wrote, "With plenty of opportunities available online or off, [The King of Fighters XIV] is a well-executed addition to the revered fighting series. Those disappointed in its new visuals may be unwilling to give it a chance, but if you remain steadfast in parsing through the multiple layers of its mechanics, you'll be rewarded with one of the most accessible, satisfying entries in the series to date."
The Last Guardian
We gave the game a 9/10. In our The Last Guardian review, Peter Brown wrote, "It isn't clear whether or not The Last Guardian means to be frustrating at times--if it's a concerted effort to test your patience for a lovable-yet-stubborn creature. Your affection for Trico and sympathy for both characters blossom nonetheless, culminating in an enrapturing series of revelations that cements your attachment to their personalities. Trico is the undeniable star of the show, exhibiting believable physicality and emotional range, but the boy is a valuable lesson in how to be patient and resilient when faced with unforeseen challenges."
The Last Of Us Remastered
We gave the game an 8/10. In our The Last of Us Remastered review, Carolyn Petit wrote, "In addition to the visual enhancements and the inclusion of map packs and story DLC, The Last of Us Remastered has other nice little features, like a photo mode that lets you stop the action at any time, position the camera to your liking, and share the screenshot with others, applying frames and filters if you choose. And there are commentary tracks on in-game cinematics featuring the creative director and principal actors. The Last of Us is a great action game that you should play if you haven't already. And if you have played it before, the improvements here aren't so dramatic as to make the game feel like a new experience, but it is definitely one worth revisiting. In the world of The Last of Us, as in our own world, love might destroy you, but it's also one of the only things worth fighting for."
MLB The Show
For review, we gave: MLB 14: The Show an 8/10 MLB 15: The Show an 8/10. MLB The Show 16 an 8/10. MLB The Show 17 an 8/10. MLB The Show 18 a 9/10.
Moss
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Moss review, Alessandro Barbosa wrote, "It's a testament to just how well Moss understands PlayStation VR and works with the device instead of trying to bend it to a will it was never designed for. Moss wouldn't feel right without it at all, and its many strengths are married to the interactions that only full immersion can manufacture. Unsurprisingly, then, Moss is easily one of PlayStation VR's best titles to date, even if it's a little too eager to get you in and out of its world."
Nex Machina: Death Machine
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Nex Machina: Death Machine review, Jason D'Aprile wrote, "Limited multiplayer options aside, [Nex Machina: Death Machine] is a game that confidently meets expectations. It's difficult, intensely satisfying, and packed with enough secrets and lofty secondary objectives to keep you enraptured for hours. It's a classic game at heart, but with refined challenges and exacting mechanics, it feels right at home in the modern era."
Nioh
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Nioh review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "Although the spectre of potential failure hangs heavy over any play session, dying in Nioh is never genuinely disheartening. This is thanks in part to the various avenues of character growth and many approaches you can utilize to tackle a difficult section or boss fight. It shouldn't be surprising that the foresight and patience needed to survive a battle in Dark Souls translates well to the fundamentals of samurai combat here. Nioh's most invigorating and intimidating moments occur when you feel you're at equal footing with your opponent. And it's during these encounters that one careless move can result in your demise or the right string of thoughtful actions can make you feel invincible."
Persona 5
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Persona 5 review, Lucy James wrote, "Within Persona 5 is a complex set of interconnected gameplay mechanics, and in almost every aspect Atlus has executed on its vision exceptionally, barring the pacing issues towards the end. At every turn, it presents something to marvel at, whether it's the fluid combat, vibrant world, or the many memorable characters. It's a game I could talk about for hours; I haven't mentioned the ability to connect to the Thieves Guild, which lets you see how other players spent their day or ask them for help answering questions at school. Or the thumping acid-jazz-infused soundtrack that I've not been able to get out of my head. Or even just the joy of seeing how it stylishly transitions between menus. But that encapsulates why Persona 5 is a game that shouldn't be missed. It's stuffed to bursting point with gameplay ideas and presentation flourishes--there's an overwhelming level of artistry in every part of Persona 5, making it a truly standout entry in the series. It's a refined, effortlessly stylish RPG that will be talked about for years to come."
Pyre
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Pyre review, Peter Brown wrote, "And thus it's all too easy to fall in love with Pyre. It's immediately attractive. Its songs dance in your head long after they debut. And before you know it, you find yourself driven to get better at rites and perform at the top of your game. Likewise, you can't help but reflect on your partners in the Downside--those you trained, as well as those you neglected. Supergiant Games has created something special that lives on in your heart. And against great odds, it's invented a sport that could have stood on its own without the story it's attached to--but it's so much better because it is."
Ratchet & Clank (2016)
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Ratchet & Clank review, Cassidee Moser wrote, "Ratchet & Clank is every bit as dynamic and fun as the 2002 original. It's endearing and entertaining, a veritable power fantasy fueled by rockets and carried by specialty gadgets. Re-introducing a classic franchise to a new generation is a difficult task indeed, but Ratchet & Clank is a shining example of how it can be done."
Republique Remastered
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Republique Remastered review, Justin Clark wrote, "Needless to say, despite its mobile game roots, the world of [Republique Remastered] is meant to immerse, to beckon the player's curiosity, and to involve them enough in the city-state's ins and outs enough to get Hope out of danger. In transitioning to consoles, the game remains largely successful at that."
Salt And Sanctuary
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Salt and Sanctuary review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "Salt and Sanctuary is wholly engrossing from every angle, from its happy marriage of combat and exploration to its ominously gripping art direction. Its world is rich in ambiguity, well designed to fill up message boards with discussions on the theoretical histories of its bosses to the origins of the seven Creeds. For as much as it unabashedly borrows from Dark Souls, it's an achievement that Ska Studios managed to give its homage an identity of its own that can be appreciated on its own merits."
Shadow Of The Colossus (2018)
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Shadow of the Colossus review, Edmond Tran wrote, "Shadow of the Colossus is a tremendous journey, and one well worth taking and retaking. The visual overhaul is stunning, thoroughly enhancing every facet of Wander and Agro's excellent adventure. Galloping through the tranquil world is always breathtaking; felling a monumental colossus is always humbling. Shadow of the Colossus is a beautiful reconstruction of an already exceptional title. It continues to be a modern classic and is an extraordinary game that everyone must experience."
Super Rude Bear Resurrection
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Super Rude Bear Resurrection review, Chris Pereira wrote, "For all of these minor gripes, none of them stand in the way of enjoying nearly every second of playtime. On the strength of its pacing and basic mechanics alone, Super Rude Bear Resurrection would make for an extremely engaging platformer. The addition of its corpse mechanic elevates it to something greater, allowing it to simultaneously serve as an extreme challenge for the most diehard platforming fans as well as a game that can be enjoyed by the novice crowd. Super Rude Bear Resurrection demands a lot from you, but the satisfaction of success is immense in the end."
Tearaway
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Tearaway review, John Robertson wrote, "Tearaway's most lasting feature is not within the game itself, but through the inclusion of printable blueprints. Through standard progression and by taking photographs of certain objects, you earn blueprints that allow you to create your own origami editions of your favourite elements from within the game. Be warned, though, that even when you follow the instructions, some of these are incredibly tricky propositions, but if you've got the patience, it's worth the effort to take the theme of connecting worlds to that next step. The fact that it's so tempting to spend time creating these paper models is a testament to how appealing and attractive Tearaway is. It's just a shame that one of the Vita's best experiences feels as long as a piece of paper is thick."
Tooth And Tail
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Tooth and Tail review, Daniel Starkey wrote, "Rotating through the band of 20 fighters will offer plenty of depth on its own, too. There's plenty of room to fake out foes by overbuilding one type and feinting a foe into countering that so you can sweep them with your own reserves. If you don't have quite the squads you need to deal with enemies in the best way, you'll have to adapt -- and strong variety will give you the tools to come up with unique combinations and tactics on the fly. When all of that comes together in a tight, four-player battle royale, it is a thing of beauty."
Transistor
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Transistor review, Carolyn Petit wrote, "Transistor is always a good-looking game, but in [certain] instances, it demonstrates a rare knack for combining its visuals and music to powerfully convey both narrative information and tone, driving the story forward with Red's own unwavering resolve. So in the end, yes, Transistor is a fun action role-playing game with a neat combat system, but beautiful moments like these make it more than that. They make it a game with a soul."
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
We gave the collection an 8/10. In our Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection review, Mike Mahardy wrote, "At various times throughout the Uncharted games, our protagonist carries the ring of Francis Drake on a leather band around his neck. The ring's inscription reads: "Sic Parvus Magna," or, "greatness from small beginnings." I can't imagine a better way to encapsulate this collection. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was a fine game in 2007, but its wrinkles are deeper now, its age more apparent. With Uncharted 2 and [Uncharted 3], though, Naughty Dog transcended Drake's own small beginnings. The Nathan Drake Collection is a firsthand account of Naughty Dog's growth as a storyteller, and this collection is the best way to relive that history, and witness its transformation up close."
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
We gave the game a perfect 10/10. In our Uncharted 4: A Thief's End review, Mike Mahardy wrote, "And most of all, as its final moments make clear, this is a story about storytelling--the importance we lend our idols, legends, and myths. How we pass down the ones that inspire us. How an old photo of three friends sitting on a pile of gold can unleash a flood of memories. Uncharted 4 is a challenge to the medium. In its writing, in its design, in its understanding of what makes games unique, Uncharted 4 is something to aspire to. It's a shining example. And we'll be talking about it for years to come."
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Uncharted: The Lost Legacy review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "The Lost Legacy doesn't signify a new era for Uncharted so much as it presents an opportunity to show the series from new perspectives, for which Chloe and the AI-controlled Nadine are perfectly capable. With a new playable treasure hunter comes new settings and character motivations, wrapped in a comfortingly familiar Uncharted package. The thrill of playing through set pieces that call back scenes from the earlier games is all the more enhanced when seen through the gameplay mechanics introduced in A Thief's End. The initial hours of The Lost Legacy give an "Uncharted Greatest Hits" vibe, but it grows into a more nuanced, clever experience, ranking among the best in the series while also making its own mark as a standalone Uncharted that isn't anchored to Nathan Drake's harrowing exploits."
Until Dawn
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Until Dawn review, Alexa Ray Corriea wrote, "I didn't expect to have so much fun with Until Dawn, and the depth with which my choices mattered and affected the final outcome encouraged repeat playthroughs. The visuals can be wonky at times, but in the end Until Dawn succeeds in being a thoughtful use of familiar mechanics, a great achievement in player-driven narrative, and a horror game you shouldn't miss."
Wipeout Omega Collection
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Wipeout Omega Collection review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "By focusing on this specific era of the series, Wipeout Omega Collection maintains a level of cohesion you wouldn't get if this compilation included, say, Wipeout Pure or Fusion. While each of the three games exude style and stimulation in their own distinct ways, they collectively showcase the best elements of franchise's engrossing racing and silky smooth visuals. And even though it doesn't completely scratch the itch that only a completely new PS4 sequel can offer, this collection is easily the next best thing."
Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Yakuza 6: The Song of Life review, Edmond Tran wrote, "Yakuza 6 reins in its scope, but doubles down on what has made the series great. It's a unique and fascinating representation of the modern Japanese experience, worth playing even if you're a newcomer. The narrative is dramatic and sincere, and the game's endearing characters--coming from all walks of life--are interesting studies. The world is dense and rewarding to exist in, the dynamic combat system stays exciting even after you've kicked the crap out of five thousand enemies, and perhaps most importantly, Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life serves as a fulfilling conclusion to the turbulent, decade-long saga of its beloved icon, Kazuma Kiryu."
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise review, Matt Espineli wrote, "Lost Paradise may replicate the Yakuza series' format, but it's filled with a passion for FotNS that makes it fantastic all on its own. While previous games based on the property have adapted its story and characters with some success, few have managed to not only nail the style and tone but redefine what's possible with its world and characters. RGG Studios has done a splendid job at evoking the justice-fueled power fantasy Kenshiro represents, succeeding in revealing more about the historic and beloved character in amusing and unexpected ways."
By Dan Auty on Oct 03, 2018 12:53 am
The new Netflix Original Series Maniac is one of the most complex, challenging shows of 2018. It's a sci-fi comedy drama, loosely based on a Norwegian show of the same name, with The Leftovers' Patrick Somerville acting as showrunner and True Detective Season 1's Cary Fukunaga directing every episode. Maniac is set in alternative retro-futuristic New York, where advanced technology is realised using designs from the '70s and '80. It stars Jonah Hill and Emma Stone as Owen and Annie, two damaged people who submit themselves to a mysterious pharmaceutical trial for different reasons--Owen needs money, has delusions of grandeur about saving the world, and is looking for anything that will help with his schizophrenia, while Annie is addicted to one of the pills being tested in the trial. The trials involve the subjects entering hallucinatory states--known as reflections and simulations--and almost immediately Annie and Owen's start to overlap, suggesting some unique bond between these two strangers. As the series continues we see them in a variety of imagined situations--from a 1940s heists caper to a Tolkien-esque land of elves and fairies. But the boundaries between reality and fantasy frequently break down, with dialogues, faces, music, and events occurring in different contexts and Annie and Owen attempt to traverse the inner worlds of their damaged psyches. As a result, Maniac is one of those shows that demands a second viewing. The compelling nature of the drama means that it's easy to miss many of the references and callbacks that Fukunaga and Somerville have scattered across its ten episodes. There are many moments that seem strange at first, and only make sense when viewed within the context of later events. But there are also breadcrumbs dropped by the show's creators that can help viewers on their journey through this fascinating show. And there are small jokes that have little to do the with the plot but are highly amusing when spotted--in particular the references that Fukanaga has placed to his other movies and TV shows. So here is our guide to the key callbacks, Easter Eggs, references, and hidden clues in Maniac. This list is by no means comprehensive, and we haven't listed every single actor that appeared in multiple roles throughout the series. And, of course, there are many spoilers ahead. But these will provide a helpful guide if you are going back for a second view of the show. So sit back, take Pills A, B, C--and don't forget to let us know any hidden clues and callbacks that you've spotted. Utangatta!
1. Mantleray's Monologue (Episode 1)
The first episode opens with a monologue from Dr Mantleray: "Two billion years ago, an amoeba..." We hear him begin this exact same monologue at the very end of the final episode.
2. One and nines (Episodes 1-10)
The numbers one and nine are the numbers that Owen and Annie are assigned in the experiment, and they recur throughout the show. References include Owen and Annie's names being anagrams (OwEN and aNNIE), Bruce's car registration plate (O19-A91), the one on Bruce's football shirt, the nine of Hearts that Owen pulls out during Episode 5's magic trick, Bruce and Linda's street number (901), and that of the mobster mortuary in Episode 7 (1101).
3. Bladdergate (Episode 1)
Annie steals quarters from a New York Post box, and we see the front page. It's the Milgrim family, with headline: 'Bladdergate Milgrim Poopbot Empire In Peril', hinting at Jed's court case and revealing that the Milgrim fortune is down to the manufacture of Poopbots, the show's robotic dog poop collectors.
4. Not All Hugs Are Created Equal (Episode 1)
Annie walks past a poster advertising Greta Mantleray's latest book at the same moment we hear her son, in the monologue, say: "It's quite terrible to be alone."
5. Milgram (Episode 1)
Owen's surname is Milgrim, a reference to Stanley Milgram, a social psychologist who performed controversial behavioral experiments in the 1960s.
6. Solving The Cube (Episode 1/Episode 9)
Annie stops outside the Milgrim Industries building to look through a pile of discarded junk. She picks up a Rubik's cube and throws it on the ground. Owen stops to pick it up before headings into the building. He fiddles with the cube throughout multiple subsequent episodes. Finally, in Episode 9, Owen (as Snorri) rescues the test subjects from GRTA by solving a Rubik's Cube-like puzzle.
7. Don Quioxte (Episode 1/Episode 4/Episode 5)
Annie also picks up Miguel de Cervantes' classic book Don Quixote from the junk. References to Don Quixote occur throughout the show. In a recent interview with Time, Fukanaga explains that "Don Quixote does relate to both of [Annie and Owen's] characters. His break from reality and the lessons learned within Cervantes' book mirrors a lot of what we're doing." In Episode 4, we see Annie/Linda reading the book to Nan, while in Episode 5, Annie tells Owen that it was her sister's favorite book and that it led her father to believe Ellie was smarter than her.
8. "Not much of a difference, authority-wise." (Episode 1/Episode 4)
When the Milgrim Industries security guards tries to move Annie along, she asks him if he's a cop. "Not much of a difference, authority-wise," he replies The same actor, Jojo Gonzalez, appears in Episode 4 as a Fish and Wildlife Officer searching for Wendy the lemur and delivers the same line--in two different scenes.
9. Popcorn problems (Episode 1/Episode 9)
Popcorn is a recurring theme. The term "popcorn problems" first occurs as a joke when Owen is on the phone to Neberdine--he asks the woman taking his details to repeat the phrase and she says "prostate problems." Later in the same episode, we see kernels popping as Owen feeds pigeons, shortly after Grimsson tells him "the pattern is the pattern." In Episode 9, the small metal "recall trigger" that Annie removes from Owen/Snori's nose pops into a kernel of corn.
10. Snorri Agnarsson's Icelandic Fish (Episode 1/Episode 9)
We see a neon sign on a bridge advertising Snorri Agnarsson's Icelandic Fish. In Episode 9, Owen becomes Snorri Agnarsson during the Pill C trial.
11. "Exactly Like You" (Episode 1, Episode 4, Episode 5)
We hear this 1930s dance song at several points during the series. It is playing in Episode 1 in the background while Owen walks with his dad, at the end of Episode 4 when Bruce and Linda return to their house, and in Episode 5 it is described as Owen and Annie's song shortly before they dance to it at the seance. It is also the title of Episode 5.
12. Annia and Ellia (Episode 2/Episode 7)
During Annie's Pill A reflection, she remembers the events that led up to her sister Ellie's death. The pair of them are seen watching a fantasy movie, during which Ellie pretends to be an Elf and calls herself and her sister "Annia" and "Ellia". This entire fantasy scenario plays out in Episodes 7 and 8.
13. Dancing Lemurs (Episode 2/Episode 4)
There's a large picture of a dancing lemur on the wall of Annie's dad's house, foreshadowing the hunt for Wendy in Episode 4.
14. Windmills (Episode 2)
Episode 2 is titled "Windmills". This is another reference to Don Quixote, who fights Windmills in the book, believing them to be ferocious giants. In the scene where Annie refuels her car, we see a windmill in the background.
15. Every breathe You Take (Episode 3)
During Owen's possibly-faked Pill A reflection, we see Jed serenade Adelaide with the Police song "Every Breath You Take," which, lyrically, is a very creepy song about a stalker. Muramoto asks Owen "So Sting was at the party?" Owen's mom is played by Trudie Styler, who is Sting's wife in real life.
16. Floppy Discs (Episode 3)
The VR porn floppy discs that Azumi sees in Mantleray's apartment are named after Fukunaga's previous shows and movies, including Sin Number 3 (Sin Nombre), True Erection (True Detective), Beasts of Urination (Beasts of No Nation), and Jane Derriere (Jane Eyre).
17. JC and Lance (Episode 4)
Sebastian's two dancer sons are called JC and Lance--members of '90s boyband *NSYNC. They talk about rehearsals the next day with Joey, another member of that group.
18. Paula Nazlund (Episode 4)
Nan's estranged daughter is Paula Nazlund. She tells Annie/Linda that she is pregnant with a son she plans to call Greg "F*** U Nan" (F.U.N.) Nazlund--which is the name of the truck driver who killed Ellie. As Paula is telling Annie this, an 18-wheel truck thunders by in the street outside. Annie then turns to her and says: "Maybe you shouldn't have children."
19. Olivia (Episode 4/Episode 3)
While Owen/Bruce waits in the car outside the Nazlund house, he starts to read a Greta Mantleray book. We see Olivia, the girl Owen was once obsessed with, that he has told Annie about in Episode 3. Olivia is pictured in the book and described as his "emotional poltergeist." The memory of Olivia will return to haunt him throughout the show.
20. Owen's cars (Episode 4/Episode 7/Episode 10)
Owen drives two cars in separate simulations--Bruce's Volvo in Episode 4 and his flaming gangster Mercedes in Episode 7. We see both of these cars next to each other in the garage towards the end of Episode 10.
21. Searching for Quixote (Episode 5)
Ollie and Arlie Hightower (ie. Owen and Annie) are both searching for the legendary lost final chapter of Don Quixote at the Nerberdine mansion seance. Legend has it, reading this chapter will allow you to live in your fantasies forever.
22. "I don't do partners." (Episode 5)
Olivia is attending the seance as a girl desperate to team up with Ollie/Owen on his missions of intrigue. Owen tells her he works alone and leaves her sadly on the mansion doorstep. "I keep my fantasies to myself," he tells her.
23. McMurphies (Episode 6)
We hear Azumi mention the need to avoid creating McMurphies--ie. test subjects left in a permanently catatonic state. The reference derives from the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, in which Jack Nicholson's character Randle McMurphy is lobotomised near the movie's end.
24. Ceci N'est Pas Une Drill (Episode 7)
The title of Episode 7 translate as This Is Not A Drill. It comes from a painting by Belgian surrealist painter Magritte titled The Treachery of Images. The painting depicts a pipe, under which a caption reads: "Ceci n'est pas une pipe"--translated to mean This is not a pipe. We see a version of the painting on the wall of the basement, with a drill replacing the pipe--the drill being the favoured tool of torture and murder used by Owen's father (in this simulation, depicted as a psychotic mob boss). But of course there's a double meaning here too--the phrase "this is not a drill" can also be seen to refer to the fact the fact that Owen is now onto the Pill C stage of the trial and there's no going back from where it will ultimately lead him.
25. Heatwaves (Episode 7)
In Owen's Pill C simulation, Olivia appears as a waitress who is attracted to his character, a sensitive gangster-turned-FBI-informant. She tells him that she has chronic hyperthermia, with a skin temperature of 106 degrees--the same temperature that the subjects trapped in the testing room by GRTA are currently suffering under. As she stands there, shimmering heat waves are visible all around her body.
26. "Annie, I'm a hawk!" (Episode 8)
If you've stayed to the end of every episode, you'll have heard Owen yell "Annie, I'm a hawk!" over the Paramount logo. In Episode 8 we finally see Owen deliver that line as a hawk, as he races into her fantasy world to rescue her.
27. 5-6-7-8 (Episode 9/Episode 4)
The mainframe code is 5-6-7-8, which is the same number as the updated door code in the fur shop in Episode 4, as well as the count that leads into the brothers' dance in the same episode.
28. Big Hug Mug (Episode 10)
In the pre-trial conference, Jed sits with a Big Hug Mug in front of him. In Fukunaga's True Detective, Matthew McConaughey's character Cohle drinks from the same mug.
29. Signing In (Episode 10)
When Annie signs into the hospital in which Owen has been committed, she enters a pair of fake names--Bruce Marino (Owen's character from Episode 4) and Wendy Lemuria (ie. Wendy the Lemur).
30. "This is it." (Episode 10/Episode 5)
Owen and Annie escape from the hospital, laughing together, which is exactly the fantasy that he describes to her in Episode 5. Owen seems to realise this and joyfully delivers his final line in the show to her as they speed away: "This is it."
31. Movie References
There many movie references throughout the entire series. These include Alien (the clinic dining area, plus the extremely similar ULP/Nostromo patches), The Graduate (Annie's and Owen's final escape), Dr Strangelove (the United Nations scenes), Lord of the Rings (the fantasy sequences), and Raising Arizona (Bruce and Linda's lemur adventures).
By Mat Elfring on Oct 03, 2018 12:17 am
Venom is a weird character. It's an alien symbiote that had a special bond with Spider-Man, and the character is one of the few surviving ones from the '90s comic boom to survive and thrive. The symbiote's powers are bizarre and at times, ever changing. He is one of the weirder characters to come out of that decade of Marvel comics. Venom--the one we're familiar with that bonded with Eddie Brock--has been around for 30 years in the comics, and since then, the symbiotic alien has bonded with some really weird people/creatures and had some team ups with unexpected heroes and villains. We're going through the history of the character to find the 10 weirdest. If you're interested in more Venom, make sure to check out Sony's new movie of the same name, hitting theaters on Friday, October 5. If you'd like to know more, check out our video detailing the history of Venom and Eddie Brock, who the villain of the movie is, and while it may not have Venom in it, there is also a new trailer for December's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Venom And A Dinosaur
During the buddy road trip story, Old Man Logan, Hawkeye, and Logan find themselves being chased by a Tyrannosaurus Rex that's hosting the Venom symbiote as the duo travels across Illinois. Venom had been tracking and following them since South Dakota, and felt that bonding with a T-Rex was the best way to attack them. Venom-Rex was quickly destroyed by Black Bolt.
Venom And Hulk
In a one-shot comic, Venom--now trying to be a good guy--is saving people from the aftermath of an earthquake, but he crosses paths with the Hulk--who is totally smart during this time--and the two fight each other. Venom proves he's changed his ways by teaming up with Hulk to become a professional wrestler. That's where the comic ends. We never get closure on this very important storyline.
Venom and Deadpool
During the miniseries Back in Black, which takes place during the '80s, Venom bonds with Deadpool--before it bonds with Eddie Brock, when Spider-Man is still running around in his black suit, which is pretty confusing as far as continuity and canon go. It's a weird miniseries and makes you wonder if all of this is inside Deadpool's head; however, there are some fun scenes of Venompool eating people's heads and severed arms.
Venom And A Giant Space Panda
Pik Rollo--who looks exactly like a giant space panda--was on a mission to kill Venom/Flash Thompson. Venom was traversing the cosmos, and found himself an enemy to Mercurio, an old Thor villain from space. Mercurio hired Pik Rollo to kill Venom, but Pik and Venom found themselves working together in order to take out Mercurio. Even after taking down the enemy, Pik and Venom's partnership continued in the Venom: Space Knight series.
Venom Joins The Thunderbolts
Things with Venom got a bit weird during the '00s when one of Spider-Man's old school villains, Scorpion, found himself permanently teaming up with the symbiote. From there, he joined the Thunderbolts and was tasked with the hunting down the Secret Avengers. As far as continuity goes, this is the first time we've seen Venom successfully work on a team.
Venom Joins The Dark Avengers
With Mac Gargan still wearing the Symbiote, Venom got to be on the Avengers. This wasn't the traditional Avengers though. This was a Norman Osborn-run Avengers team called the Dark Avengers. During this time, Gargan went under the guise as Sinister Spider-Man, which looked exactly like Spider-Man in his black suit. No one thought they'd ever see Venom on an actual Avengers team.
Venom Joins The Guardians Of The Galaxy
When you think about Venom, you tend to think about Eddie Brock's fights with Spider-Man throughout the years. However, in 2011, Spider-Man's former bully, Flash Thompson had bonded with the Venom symbiote to become Agent Venom. That's not a particularly weird team-up, but Venom did briefly become a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy and went on adventures with them, including to the Symbiote's home planet. Seeing Venom as part of Marvel's greatest cosmic team was jarring to say the least.
Venom And Wolverine, Working For Apocalypse
In a tale that comes from a distant time, the X-Men find themselves 1,000 years in the future, fighting Apocalypse. One of the Four Horsemen just happens to be Venom. In a even more bizarre turn, Venom is bonded with none other than Wolverine. It is one of the weirdest, most overpowered turns for the character, in a surprisingly good story.
Venom And Nightwatch
Everyone's favorite '90s Marvel character Nightwatch had a quick team-up with some no-name symbiote named Venom. The Spawn look alike--who was alive for roughly three years during the '90s--got all his powers, from strength to speed to pain suppression, from the nanites in the suit. He and Venom teamed up to take down some shadowy villains in a storyline that really only had Venom in it to sell more issues of the series.
Zombie Venom And A Bunch Of Zombies
In the mid-2000s Marvel mini-series Marvel Zombies, a zombified Eddie Brock was still the host for the Venom symbiote. In this world full of the walking dead, Venom teamed up with other undead supervillains in order to fight off reanimated superheroes. It was a big cash-in on the growing re-popularity of the zombie genre, and it was actually a pretty fun series, regardless of how weird a zombie-Venom was.
By Dan Auty on Oct 02, 2018 11:39 pm
It used to be the case that movie studios kept all their big budget tentpole titles for either the Holidays or the summer months. But this is no longer true--you are as likely to see a hugely successful superhero movie arrive in March as in June, and a summer release slot is no guarantee of a hit. Venom, which arrives this week, is a case in point. It's a $100 million movie designed to kickstart Sony's universe of connected heroes and villains taken from Spider-Man comic books, but with nothing superhero-related on the calendar until Aquaman in late November, it's a perfect time to launch it. Of course it doesn't hurt, with Halloween around the corner, that it also focuses on a fanged, man-eating alien symbiote. In a classic case of counter-programming, the only competition this week comes from the highly acclaimed musical drama A Star is Born, which stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga and will appeal to a very different audience to Venom. There's also the digital debut of the Marvel sequel Ant-Man And The Wasp, while Sicario: Day of the Soldado and The First Purge are now available to rent. The landscape for consuming movies has really changed over the past few years. The biggest films still debut in the old fashioned-way--in theaters, with home releases still a few months off. But with the rise of streaming and Video on Demand, we are increasingly seeing simultaneous releases for smaller movies, with films getting a limited theatrical release on the same day that they are available to buy and rent digitally. The rise of Netflix and Amazon as major players in film production has also disrupted standard release patterns. Netflix in particular has attracted some major directors, and their movies will bypass theaters entirely and premiere worldwide on the streaming platform. And of course, movies that did get a theatrical release continue to move to digital platforms after a few months. This is a great way to catch up on movies you might have missed on the big screen--or are keen to rewatch. So here's our look at the best and most interesting new movies in theaters and available to watch at home this week.
Venom
Watch it in theaters from October 5 Although the deal between Disney and Sony has ensured that Spider-Man is currently part of the former's Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie rights to the character ultimately remain with Sony. As a result, the studio has launched its own interconnected universe of characters from the canon of Spidey comic-books. Venom is first up, and it hits theaters this week. Tom Hardy plays Eddie Brock, a photographer who ends up with superpowers after he is taken over by the alien parasite of title. It's directed by Zombieland's Ruben Fleischer, and the supporting cast includes Michelle Williams, Woody Harrelson, and Riz Ahmed. Early reports on Twitter haven't exactly been overflowing with praise, but box office predictions are high, so expect Venom to do well.
A Star is Born
Watch it in theaters from October 5 The classic 1937 movie about a rising star who is coached by a fading veteran has been already been remade twice--most famously as a rock musical with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in the 1970s--and this week, a fourth version arrives. This time, we have Bradley Cooper as a hard-living musician who discovers a talented unknown, played by Lady Gaga, and helps put her on her way to stardom. A Star is Born also marks Cooper's directorial debut, and the buzz for this one very high, with reviewers singling out the songs, the chemistry between the leads, and Gaga's performance. Expect big box office and many awards.
Ant-Man And The Wasp
Buy it digitally from October 2 Ant-Man might not have had the immediate audience recognition of Captain America or Spider-Man, but the character's first standalone Marvel movie was a hugely entertaining hit, and the sequel followed this year. This time, Paul Rudd's criminal-turned-superhero teams up with Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) for another adventure in which they must save Hope's mom from the Quantum Realm. In his review for Gamespot, Michael Rougeau said that Ant-Man And The Wasp is "hilarious, fun, silly, self aware, and creative. Filled with pseudo-science gobbledigook, crazy action, and multiple villains all vying for screen time, it's one of the most comic-booky MCU movies yet. The fates of all our favorite heroes after Avengers: Infinity War may still be up in the air, but in the meantime, Ant-Man and the Wasp is a welcome distraction."
Await Further Instructions
Buy it digitally from October 5 October is the month of horror movies, and this creepy British movie should deliver enough chills to keep fans happy for a couple of hours. It's actually set at Christmas but has a great low-budget premise--a dysfunctional family (including Game of Thrones/Doctor Who star David Bradley) wake up on Christmas morning to discover that they cannot leave their house. Barriers surround the building, their phones don't work, and they are receiving strange messages through the TV. Await Further Instructions got strong reviews at genre festivals this year, and anyone who has been trapped with their family over the Holidays will appreciate just how horrifying this situation can be.
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot
Buy it digitally from October 5 Gus Van Sant has made some of the most acclaimed dramas over the past 20 years, including Good Will Hunting, Elephant, and Milk. His latest movie is produced by Amazon and hits VoD this week. Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot stars Joaquin Phoenix (to be seen next year as the Joker) as John Callahan, a real-life man who was both an alcoholic and paraplegic, but found redemption and hope through both therapy and drawing. The movie also stars Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, and Jack Black, and reviews suggest that Van Sant has once more found that balance between a dark subject matter and uplifting human drama that he is so skilled at.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
Rent it digitally from October 2 The drug cartel thriller Sicario was one of the most gripping movies of recent years, and this sequel continues to deliver the brutal goods. This time the movie focuses on attempts by the CIA to incite an all-out war between rival drug gangs in Mexico, and Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro reprise their roles as a shady CIA operative Graver and vengeful Mexican mercenary Gillick respectively. In his review for GameSpot, Michael Rougeau said that Day of the Soldado is "well written, well acted, tense, topical, and complex, and in every way a worthy follow-up to Sicario--even if it wasn't needed to begin with."
The First Purge
Rent it digitally from October 2 The Purge series has become one of the most successful horror franchises of recent years--there have been four movies since 2015, and the TV show is currently airing weekly. The First Purge is the latest film and it hits digital formats this week. It's a prequel that looks at the creation of the single night of legalised crime known as The Purge. While reviews weren't as good for this one as previous entries (GameSpot's review said that "Whatever thin veil of subtlety this series ever possessed is gone from this movie"), the series goes from strength to strength commercially and fans will want to check this out.
By Matt Espineli on Oct 02, 2018 11:15 pm
Throughout your travels in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, you'll no doubt come across many battles and conflicts that will put your wits and reflexes to the test. Taking on the role of a Spartan-turned-mercenary, you'll need to rely on every tool to your disposal to stand a chance against the warring armies and the dangerous cults that seek to rule the known world during Ancient Greece. Much like Assassin's Creed Origins, Odyssey blends together RPG elements within the framework of an open-world action-adventure game, allowing you to explore and uncover resources at your leisure, while strengthening your character in the areas that you wish. But in Odyssey, the level of customization for your character is far more flexible, giving you more room to specialize the protagonist across several different archetypes. Centering around the Warrior, Hunter, and Assassin archetypes, these areas are tied to melee, long-range, and stealth respectively. Each archetype possesses its own set of abilities and passive skills that add new options for you to take advantage of, many of which can be used in clever ways for some effective combos. With the amount of skills to choose from, you're free to respec your character at any time, allowing you to rebuild them to make a stronger and more refined adventurer. In this feature, we've come up with several tips to help you out in battle, and along with our selection of the most useful abilities to overcome the deadly foes of Ancient Greece. Of course, this is all spoiler free, and only focuses on the core skills that can be unlocked from general progression. For more info on the series' new entry, check out our full Assassin's Creed Odyssey review along with our look back on every Assassin's Creed game we've reviewed over its 11-year history.
Critical Assassination
When sneaking up on your foe to pull off an assassination, you may discover that they're more powerful than you estimated as they survive your would-be killing blow To avoid this common occurrence, it's good to invest in the Critical Assassination skill. With this enabled, you can spend a single bar of Adrenaline to put some extra force into your silent attacks, allowing you to take out enemies that are more powerful than usual. When fully upgraded, this skill can deal three times as much Assassin damage than normal.
Sixth Sense
When performing stealth, there's the occasional chance that a guard may catch you in the corner of their eye. As a precaution, the Sixth Sense ability in the Hunter tree would be a valuable skill to have. With this enabled, you'll be given a short grace period after being noticed by guards, slowing down time and allowing you to get a shot off from your bow. If your aim is sharp, you might be able to land a headshot, keeping you in the clear. Upgrading this ability further can extend the slow-mo duration and increase your Hunter damage.
Spartan Kick
As one of Odyssey's most useful and versatile abilities, the Spartan Kick is a fast and vicious strike that can push foes back several feet--and it's also a lot of fun to use. As one of the first abilities you can acquire in the Warrior tree, the kick is especially effective for forcing an overly aggressive enemy back, or sending an unsuspecting foe flying. However, elite enemies are able to resist the pushback from this move, only resulting in normal damage. When upgraded to its max potential, the Spartan Kick will also let out a shockwave, stunning nearby enemies. You'll occasionally find enemies standing at the edge of cliff, and you'll find that it's difficult to resist the urge to kick them off and see them fly off into the distance.
Arrow Master
As a hunter, you may find yourself in situations that can make you rethink how you'll want to engage enemies at long-range. The Arrow Master skill will grant you the ability to craft different arrow types, opening up new ways to take on opponents. After the initial unlock, you can create flame and paralyzing arrows. Fire arrow are pretty self-explanatory--they ignite targets. The paralyzing arrows, however, can knock out and stun enemies. This is useful when you want to clear through locations without getting any blood on your hands, or when you want to recruit some elite enemies to your ship's crew. Upgrading the Arrow Master ability will allow you to craft Poison and Explosive arrows, which can be extremely effective in both stealth and combat.
Shield Breaker
While you can't use shields in Odyssey, the many foes you come across take advantage of them readily. While you can parry strikes and dodge their attacks, sometimes it's better to get rid of their shield altogether. With the Shield Breaker move, you can yank an enemy's shield out of their hands and bash them with it. However, Elite enemies wielding shields will require a bit more force to strip. Upgrading Shield Breaker to its max will not only deal more damage to the single target, it will also shatter the shield outright--harming nearby foes in the process.
Devastating Shot
When using the bow, you're most effective when you can fire off quick and powerful shots. With the Devastating Shot ability, one of the most useful skills in the Hunter tree, you can charge up a powerful shot to take out enemies in a single blow--at the cost of an Adrenaline bar. If you have the Arrow Master skill unlocked, the special arrows will also have increased effectiveness. Upgrading this ability further will increase the damage done from a single shot, with the max level hurling enemies back with incredible force. While this is useful for getting a clean kill while simultaneously pushing a body into some bushes, it's also invaluable during combat when dealing damage from a distance.
Second Wind
You'll often come across fights that get overwhelming quickly. With this in mind, it's useful to have a skill at the ready when you need a pick-me-up. As the closest thing to a healing potion, the Second Wind ability will regain a portion of your health at the cost of some Adrenaline. When upgraded to maximum, this ability can restore up to half your life, while also negating the effects of fire and poison damage outright. This is especially useful when fighting against foes that use special elemental weapons.
Overpower Attacks
Similar to Origins, you can use up a significant portion of your adrenaline to unleash a deadly attack. By pressing both the light and heavy attacks, the Overpower Attack will cause massive damage to a single enemy, with some light damage done to surrounding targets. This can be especially handy when up against elite and legendary foes with lots of health and plenty of skills to dish out. Depending on your weapon type, you'll see different types of Overpower Attacks.
Rush Assassination
During your infiltration missions, there may come a time when you need to take out a set of foes quick and quietly. Using the Rush Assassination, you can launch a series of quick assassinations. You'll immediately take down the first tagged enemy by throwing your Spear of Leonidas which activates a slow-mo effect to give you time to pick your next target. While the first rank of Rush Assassination only allows for two quick kills, upgrading it further can extend the chain to up to four different enemies. Though bear in mind, just like normal assassinations, some enemies are more powerful than they appear--resulting in heavy damage instead of an instant kill.
Hero Strike
As a blend between the Warrior and Assassin skill-sets, the Hero Strike executes a fatal multi-hit move. While it seems like a more elaborate version of an assassination (that's not too far off,) this skill is also usable during combat. The Hero Strike is an incredibly powerful ability that gets in quick damage, and when fully upgraded, it uses maximum Assassin strength to deal greater damage--which is especially deadly to foes in combat encounters.
Stealth Master
With the amount of bases and enemy compounds you'll need to sneak into, it's important that you know how to move undetected. With the Stealth Master skill, noise made during traversal will be minimized, and enemies will have a more difficult time seeing you while in the crouched position. Upgrading the skill further will make your stealth traversal more efficient and also increase your Assassin and Hunter attack power during night time.
Battlecry Of Ares
When you're up against multiple enemies, you may need to call upon your inner strength to even the odds. After you've invested points into the Overpower Attacks skill, you can acquire the Battlecry of Ares ability to amplify your base damage for a short period of time, while also increasing your defense against enemy attacks. As the peak ability in the Warrior tree, this ability is at its best when used with other skills like Overpower, Spartan Kick, and Shield Breaker. When fully upgraded, this special buffs becomes even more useful, with repeated attacks boosting damage power and activation that requires no Adrenaline.
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