By Array on Nov 20, 2018 12:23 am
All The Things We Want
Red Dead Online is coming soon, bringing players into a new version of Rockstar's Old West, populated by other gun-toting, lasso-flipping, online outlaws. However, two major questions still weigh heavily on those cowpokes, raiders, and gunslingers who eagerly await the multiplayer portion of Red Dead Redemption 2: when will it arrive, and what will it entail? A vague answer to the question of when came in early November from a Take-Two earnings call, which suggested Red Dead Online would be available sometime near the end of the month. Any answers to the second question, though, are purely speculative. We have a vague sense from Red Dead Online's Trophies and Achievements that we'll be performing familiar tasks like gathering plants and hunting, but we've also caught whiffs of a mysterious posse system. There's much we don't know about what we'll be doing while moseying around Red Dead Online. If Grand Theft Auto Online is any indication, we can guess that robberies, heists, and other outlaw-type activities will be a big part of the experience, and we might also do things like create homesteads and gather stables full of horses. With so much unknown, though, we've taken a few minutes to think about all the Old West activities we'd love to see show up in Red Dead Online. There are plenty of ways the multiplayer portion of Red Dead 2 could expand on the game, and not just in the thievin' and killin' you might do with a bandanna wrapped around your face. We've put down a few of our favorite ideas, ranging from little tweaks and additions to pie-in-the-sky dreams. And while you're waiting for Red Dead Online, there's plenty to do in the story mode of Red Dead 2--but finding everything can be pretty daunting. Luckily, we've got guides to help: whether you're new to the game, hunting Legendary Animals, trying to track down the best and rarest guns in the game, tallying Easter eggs, or getting into the business of breaking horses. And if you just want a series of handy shortcuts, check out these cheats.
Becoming The New Sheriff In Town
The West was full of outlaws, but it was also full of grizzled lawmen--and some of whom were closer to anti-heroes than actual heroes, like their outlaw counterparts. Red Dead Online might have something in this vein already baked in, but the ability to stroll into a town and pick the tin star off a fresh corpse as the desperate townsfolk beg you for help routing local bandits seems essential. There's some indication that Red Dead Online will let you form a posse, so making those posses composed of temporarily deputized players with plans to take down another gang's hideout seems like a no-brainer. Just as long as there are plenty of opportunities to look stern, maybe chew a piece of hay or spit, and tap that star on your chest with righteous judicial menace. -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor
GTA Online-Style Heists
For as frustrating as GTA Online can be--there's nothing like getting wrecked by an overpowered troll in a flying car with an orbital cannon at their disposal--it has also provided me with some of my all-time favorite online multiplayer experiences. Specifically, its heists, where you and three friends perform various set-up missions and then execute on some larger plan, have provided me with some unforgettable thrills. Red Dead Online seems like a natural fit for heists of its own. It's not hard to imagine establishing a gang with some friends, carrying out set-up missions where you steal horses, carriages, or plans, and then each of you simultaneously performs your independent tasks as part of a complex, large-scale mission. One player providing cover from a hilltop, two breaking into an enemy encampment to steal something, and a fourth coming in at the last minute with the getaway horses sounds like great fun. And it's just the sort of focused missions that will nicely complement the more relaxing, low-key activities that are sure to make up much of Red Dead Online. -- Chris Pereira, Engagement Editor
The Ability To Act Out a Character
The assumption is that Red Dead Online will be a lot like Red Dead 2's story mode, but with other people. Already there are predictions of heists and train robberies, riding against other players' gangs, and other outlaw-type things. There's a lot more to the Old West than shootin' and robbin', though. A Red Dead Online that allows you to make your way in the world as a smooth-talkin' gambler, who never robs anybody (except of their chips), could be an awesome opportunity not often seen in video games. In fact, the possibility of a bunch of Western roles being available in Red Dead Online gets exciting in a hurry. What about buying a ranch and working it, occasionally fending off wolves and (probably more often) cattle-rustlers, as you try to lay claim to a small chunk of America? Or turning away from the trail and the law to become not a gunslinger, but a gunslinging entertainer like Wild Bill Hickok? Or making a fortune panning for gold (or freezing to death one winter in the attempt)? Or becoming a robber baron railroad tycoon other players would work to take down? It's easy to expand the scope of Red Dead Online to the point of being impossible to support, but even some inkling of the possibilities of the West that go beyond duels at high noon could be really fun and different. -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor
Lots Of Free Roam Events
One area where Rockstar has made some terrific advancements with GTA Online are in the events that periodically take place in the open world, without any matchmaking or loading. It's all well and good to decide you want to queue up for a particular mode or activity, but having things seamlessly unfold while you roam the world provides some dynamism and unexpected fun the world would otherwise lack. My favorite things in Red Dead Redemption 2's single-player campaign are the stranger encounters and other events you happen upon without formally starting up a mission. I hope to see these same types of things littered throughout Red Dead Online's world, but I also want to encounter low-commitment, silly competitions that include the dozens of players in your session. While Red Dead might not lend itself to many of the events that GTA Online offers (many of which rely on flying vehicles or fast cars), there's still room to spice up your time in free roam. -- Chris Pereira, Engagement Editor
Owning And Taking Care of a Homestead/Farm
One of the major features of Grand Theft Auto Online was property ownership. It was mostly a cosmetic element of the game and existed more for your own satisfaction than for gameplay. While I'd like the same for Red Dead Online, it would be awesome if there was more of a management system attached to it. This would be well-suited if you were able to purchase land to operate a ranch, farm, or even a homestead you can manage alongside multiple players. What I'd love even more is if the game made it completely viable for you to spend all of your time managing your property and doing the daily tasks required to maintain it. You could raise crops, tend to livestock, purchase supplies and materials in town, and just take care of the folks who live on the property. But what I really mean to say out of all this is that I'd love to be spending all my time managing a pig farm only for one day to have another player ride through on horseback asking me to help him fulfill a bounty. I'll then respond, "I ain't like that no more." He'll then tell me where I can meet him should I change my mind before riding off. After giving it some thought, I'll decide that I do in fact want to take that bounty and end up getting caught in a deeper drama that ultimately has my once peaceful farmer avatar falling back into a world of violence. And before you ask: yes, I just described the plot of Unforgiven. -- Matt Espineli, Editor
Gang Hangs
Since I made such a big deal about how much I liked hanging out with the Van der Linde gang members in the story mode of Red Dead 2, I'd be remiss not asking for something similar to make its way into Red Dead Online. It looks as though players can band together in posses, but can they form gangs? Hopefully so, complete with their own well-defended hideouts where they can hang out, get drunk, sing campfire songs, and generally cut loose in the same relaxed capacity that Red Dead 2 leans into on the story side. A social space where groups can lounge around together in-game would be pretty nice, especially if it contains some of the cool things the Van der Linde camp does, like spots to play Poker and Five-Finger Fillet together. -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor
Play as Other Members of The Van der Linde Gang
Arthur Morgan is cool 'n all, but there were times when I was playing Red Dead 2 where I really wished I could play as other members of the Van der Linde gang. While I fully support the artistic decision to have you play as only Arthur the whole way through, it didn't stop me from desperately wanting to inhabit characters like Lenny, Charles, and Sadie. I'm hoping Rockstar can figure out a fun way to implement playing as them--maybe as unlockable skins or during the competitive multiplayer activities. -- Matt Espineli, Editor
Quick Draw Duels
It wouldn't feel right if Red Dead Online didn't allow you the ability to engage in quick-draw duels with other players. While it was lightly featured in Red Dead 1's multiplayer in gang shootouts, it never quite reached the same cinematic highs as the ones in single-player. With the improved quick-draw mechanics in Red Dead 2, it would be awesome if you could challenge any player to a duel--should they wish to accept it, of course. While it won't stop folks from indiscriminately shooting each other, it would be a much-appreciated gesture to at least have the option to fight one another in the only civil way that cowboys and outlaws know how. -- Matt Espineli, Editor
A Horde Mode Like In RDR's Undead Nightmare DLC
While I'm all for having in-depth heists and other activities to do with friends online, I also want something that lends itself to turning my brain off. Red Dead Redemption's zombie-themed Undead Nightmare DLC had just the ticket with its Undead Overrun mode, a co-op affair where you fight off waves of enemies. It's mindless, but that's what I'm hoping for here. Introducing some complexity would be fine, but I'm not looking for an experience along the lines of Call of Duty's Zombies modes. All I want is a relatively basic co-op mode where my friends and I can dispatch waves of enemies (whether they're zombies, rival gang members, or something else) with little regard for much beyond weapon choice and ammo count. This isn't what I want from all of Red Dead Online, but as one option among a variety of activities, it would be a welcome way to kill some time. -- Chris Pereira, Engagement Editor
More Campfire Songs To Learn, Along With Musical Instruments
When it comes to campfire songs in Red Dead 2, we need more. There will never be enough. For that matter, I want to be able to buy a guitar, get my character to learn a few chords, and become the Javier or Uncle of my outlaw band--always at the ready with a song on the trail and by the fire. The campfire moments in Red Dead 2 are pretty great in general, and those long horseback rides will always be a little better if you can strike up a song session with your buds to pass the time. Playing your own music was one of the best features of another cooperative outlaw multiplayer game, Sea of Thieves, and Red Dead Online could take it even further. What's more, it'd be great if part of the experience of exploring Red Dead Online's multiplayer Old West included the ability to learn new songs, and maybe even teach them to friends and other players. Coupling that with the capability to find and equip some musical instruments, including and beyond just the guitar mentioned above, and Red Dead Online could become a perfect trailblazing multiplayer experience. -- Phil Hornshaw, Editor
More Gun Twirling Animations
I mostly highlighted my love for gun twirling in our feature on what we love about Red Dead 2, but let me reiterate it here. When it comes to what constitutes some of the best moments of Western films, the quickdraw duels are often the first to be mentioned, but the coolest is what follows them when the lone gunfighter on-screen twirls their revolver back into the holster of their gun belt. It's stylish flourish that's almost cocky, but gosh, don't I just adore it. One of my biggest wishes for Red Dead Online would be for more gun twirling animations. I could definitely see them implemented as possible emotes to use after duels or just when you're hanging around with friends. Though, if it were up to me, I'd just be linking together twirling animations to look like Revolver Ocelot from Metal Gear Solid. I can see it now: just lil' ol' me juggling revolvers on the side of the road. -- Matt Espineli, Editor
A Ton Of Easter Eggs From Every Western Ever
The number of classic Western films is really enormous, giving Rockstar the opportunity to slip all sorts of fun references and callbacks into the Red Dead Online world. I want an emote that makes me cough like Doc Holliday, a chance to stumble across a blacksmith shop (or tombstone) belonging to one Doctor Emmett Brown. While a bunch of callbacks to westerns might have been a little distracting in the story mode of Red Dead Redemption 2 (not to mention potentially taking away from the sombre tale the game tells over its runtime), Red Dead Online is a perfect playground to go nuts with mentions of all sorts of things, from Rooster Cogburn to a particular poncho-sporting desperado who shall remain nameless. Finding the Easter eggs would be fun, but getting an excuse to check out each of the westerns to which they pertain would be even better. --Phil Hornshaw, Editor
By Steve Watts on Nov 20, 2018 12:19 am
Black Friday 2018's Best Movie And TV Deals
Black Friday is almost upon us once again, and that means retailers will be offering deep discounts on everything from coffee machines to baby cribs. Chances are you have an eye on getting some gifts this holiday season, or maybe just treating yourself to some great prices on items from your own wish list. The annual retail holiday makes for a great time to catch up on your movie and TV show collection. Whether it's finding a movie at an impulse-curiosity price or catching up with a season of a TV show, you can snag plenty of watch time for your dollars with some of these discounts. These deals run the gamut from DVD to Blu-ray to the 4K Ultra HD options, so you can find some deals that are right for you no matter what your viewing preference or fidelity. As always, keep an eye on all of our Black Friday round-ups for regular updates on the best deals you can find this shopping season. All The Game Deals
Avengers: Infinity War (Blu-ray) - $7
Avengers: Infinity War is the big event film the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe has been building to, and this year we finally saw it in theaters. If you want to check out all the Blu-ray special features and relive some heroic (and some emotionally devastating) moments, you can pick it up at Best Buy for a song and seven bucks. Also available at this price at Best Buy are Coco, Dead Pool 2, and fellow Marvel film Black Panther. Purchase at Best Buy
Avengers: Infinity War (4K Ultra HD) - $15
Then again if you have a 4K TV, you may want to view Avengers in the highest possible resolution. Best Buy has that covered too, with the 4K Ultra HD version of the movie for $14.99. Ant-Man and the Wasp is also available at this price for 4K, in case you want the biggest tiny action around in all its high-definition glory. Purchase at Best Buy
The Incredibles 2 (DVD) - $8
The long-awaited sequel to The Incredibles finally came this year, and you can already snag it for a pretty incredible price. Walmart has it available for $8, making the family hit less than the price of a single movie ticket. Purchase at Walmart
Justice League (Blu-ray) - $6
Part of Black Friday means deep discounts on older blockbusters you may have missed. Such is the case with 2017's Justice League. You can get the big DC team-up on Blu-ray for just $6 at Target. As long as you're there, you may want to pick up action film John Wick 2 on Blu-ray as well. Purchase at Target
Ready Player One (Blu-ray) - $6
A veritable love letter to video game and geek culture, Ready Player One was a hit novel turned movie by visionary director Steven Spielberg. You can pick it up and play a game of spot-the-reference for just $6 at Best Buy. Purchase at Best Buy
Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom (Blu-ray) - $8
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom takes the new Chris Pratt-helmed series and heads back to the doomed island on a dinosaur rescue mission. Of course, everything goes according to plan and no one gets eaten. If you want to see how profoundly incorrect that last sentence is, you can pick it up at Walmart for less than ten bucks. Purchase at Walmart
Solo: A Star Wars Story (DVD) - $8
Judging by its disappointing box office performance, plenty of Star Wars fans haven't seen this standalone story that explores the younger days of everyone's favorite roguish nerf-herder. You can change that at Walmart by picking it up for just under eight dollars. Purchase at Walmart
Westworld: Season 1 (DVD) - $10
Westworld continued its unique blend of cowboy futurism this year, but if you want to start from the beginning, Best Buy has you covered. You can pick up the entire first season on DVD for just ten bucks, making HBO's prestige series nicely accessible for everyone. Purchase at Best Buy
Game of Thrones Box Set (Blu-ray) - $114
We're nearing the final season of Game of Thrones, but what if you want to catch up on all seven previous seasons first? Walmart has a big box set of all the seasons on Blu-ray for just over a hundred bucks. It's perfect for that special Dothraki in your life or a little early holiday gift for yourself. Purchase at Walmart
Rick and Morty: Season 3 (DVD) - $10
Rick and Morty are continuing their bonkers journey through the multi-verse, and you can see all of its latest season for just ten bucks at Best Buy. Finally you'll understand all those Pickle Rick references. Purchase at Best Buy
Band of Brothers (Blu-ray) - $10
The critically acclaimed war drama Band of Brothers is just ten dollars at Best Buy too. It's a great gift for the war buff in your family, or to recognize some familiar tropes and storytelling from WW2 games like Call of Duty and this year's Battlefield V. Purchase at Best Buy
The Flash (DVD) - $10
The CW has its own superhero universe, and the Flash is one of the most popular additions. You can catch up on the first season at Target with this series set, but be careful: it might go fast.
By Kallie Plagge on Nov 19, 2018 11:49 pm
Be The Best
Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee are more accessible than most mainline Pokemon RPGs, but that doesn't mean everything in the them is obvious. There are both returning mechanics from previous games and significant changes to the well-established Pokemon formula to contend with, so whether you're an experienced player or a total newcomer, there are a few things you should know before you get started with the new Nintendo Switch game. The Let's Go games are reimaginings of 1998's Pokemon Yellow, in which you started the game with Pikachu instead of Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. Because they're based on a Gen 1 game, Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee include only the first 151 Pokemon and the Alola forms introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon, with the addition of Meltan. We'll have more information on how to get Meltan in Pokemon Go and Let's Go soon. One of the biggest changes introduced in Let's Go shakes up how you catch Pokemon. If you've played Pokemon Go, you'll be familiar with how it works. Instead of battling a wild Pokemon to whittle down its health before catching it, you simply have to toss a Poke Ball. Your chance of successfully catching the Pokemon goes up with a more accurate and better-timed throw, among other factors. On top of that, there are semi-hidden stats, strategies, and more to familiarize yourself with as you play. This feature covers our best tips for beginners, so you won't find anything spoilery or super-advanced here. Let us know in the comments what your best Let's Go tips are, and be sure to read our Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee review for our full thoughts on the game.
Catch Everything
If you've played previous Pokemon games, you might be used to catching a Pokemon once just to get it in your Pokedex, then battling the rest for experience. But in Let's Go, catching tons of the same Pokemon has its benefits. It's the best way to get experience points for your whole team, and you can transfer the extra Pokemon to Professor Oak for candies that can be used to improve your Pokemon's stats. Plus, it's a lot quicker and easier than in other Pokemon games, since you don't have to go through the hassle of battling them.
Get Catch Combos
The biggest benefit to catching a ton of Pokemon, though, comes from catch combos. To get a combo started, just catch the same species of Pokemon multiple times in a row. As your combo increases, you'll have a greater chance of finding rare Pokemon--even ones you normally wouldn't find in the wild, like evolved forms--and the ones you catch will have better and better stats. High combos can even cause Shiny Pokemon to spawn, which is never not exciting. And if you accidentally run into a different Pokemon, just run from the battle to avoid breaking your combo.
Know Your Stats
Once you've registered 30 different species of Pokemon in your Pokedex, head to the building connecting Route 11 to Route 12. Go upstairs to find one of Professor Oak's assistants, who will give you the Judge function in your Pokemon Box. This allows you to see the base stats of your Pokemon at a glance. These are also called individual values, or IVs, and they play a large part in how well your Pokemon performs in battle. As a bonus, your partner Pikachu or Eevee has perfect IVs!
Talk To Everyone
As you travel around Kanto, be sure to talk to every NPC you see. A lot of them say random things, but many others will give you helpful hints, items, or even Pokemon. You can trade with NPCs in different Pokemon Centers to get the Alolan forms of certain Pokemon, like the super-tall Exeggutor, for example. There's even someone in Vermillion City who will give you a Pokemon that's exclusive to the other version of the game. And speaking of NPC gifts...
Get The Original Starters
Like in Pokemon Yellow, NPCs in Let's Go will give you the three original starters from Red and Blue as long as you meet certain requirements. In this case, you have to have caught a certain number of Pokemon total--they can be the same Pokemon, so it's just about quantity. Get Bulbasaur in Cerulean City once you've caught 30 Pokemon total; head to Route 24 to get Charmander after you've caught 50; and get Squirtle from Officer Jenny in Vermillion City once you've caught 60. You can also catch the three starters in the wild, but any Pokemon you get from an NPC will have good stats automatically.
Make EZ Money
The more Pokemon you catch, the more Poke Balls you'll use. And Poke Balls aren't cheap. Luckily, there are a few ways to make a quick buck. Your best bet is to sell stuff like Nuggets, Pearls, and Stardust, since their only purpose is to be sold. There are also NPCs who will give you items like these once per day. If you're early in the game, a woman in the northwest corner of Pewter City will give you a Big Pearl if you watch her Slowpoke for a bit; if you're a bit further along, use Strong Push on the block in the warden's house to get a Nugget from his Diglett.
Watch Your Partner's Tail
In Pokemon games, you can find items in Poke Balls throughout the world. But there are also hidden items strewn about, and they're easy to find if you know where to look. Specifically, watch Pikachu or Eevee's tail--it'll start to wag as you get closer to a hidden item, and when it's going really fast, press A. You can find rare and valuable items this way, so always keep an eye out.
How To Change Your Partner's Hairstyle
If you watched any of the pre-launch trailers for Let's Go, you might have seen that you can change your partner Pokemon's hairstyle. We had a hard time figuring out how to do it, though, so to save you the trouble: In handheld mode, rub Pikachu's or Eevee's head with two fingers instead of one to muss up their fur. You'll get different hairstyles by playing around with it for a bit.
Befriend Your Pokemon
"Friendship" in Pokemon is a somewhat hidden stat in Pokemon, but as long as you treat your Pokemon well--heal them in battle, avoid letting them faint, and so on--they'll grow to love you. In Let's Go, you can also pick one Pokemon at a time to follow you around the world. This is in addition to your Pikachu or Eevee, which you can play with to increase your friendship. As you bond with your Pokemon, they'll sometimes make clutch moves in battle, like healing their own status conditions or avoiding attacks entirely. Maybe it's cheating, but hey, it makes the Elite Four a little less stressful.
By Peter Brown on Nov 19, 2018 11:05 pm
Best Buy's Best Early Black Friday 2018 Game Deals
We've officially reached Black Friday week! If you're interested in video games, there's a good chance that something you care about will be seeing some kind of sale. It's even possible that sale has already begun, as Best Buy has kicked off its sales for My Best Buy Elite/Elite Plus members, and a select number of deals are open to all My Best Buy members (which you can get for free). This gallery will focus on Best Buy's best Black Friday game deals: that includes discounts on PS4 and Xbox One bundles, PS Plus, and games like Assassin's Creed Odyssey. If you're interested in other retailers too, be sure to check out our coverage of Target's offerings and what Walmart has in store, and stay tuned to GameSpot in the week to come for more great sales. What's that? You're ready to take the leap into 4K HDR but you don't have a compatible TV yet? If you've earmarked Black Friday as the time to buy, consult our collection of the best cheap TV deals on Black Friday, where you can find everything from $200 4K TV's being sold on location Meijer stores, to a massive 75-inch 4K TV for the relatively low price of $1,200 directly from Samsung online. To make sure you don't miss anything, check out our complete lineup of Black Friday deals, and our article covering the dates and times every deal goes into effect. And now, onto Best Buy's best game deals of Black Friday 2018.
1-Year PlayStation Plus Subscription -- $40
While you'd typically have to pay $60 for a year of PlayStation Plus--the online service for PlayStation 4 that gives you access to free games everything month, cloud storage, and exclusive multiplayer access for specific games--Best Buy will hook you up for only $40 during its Black Friday sale. Even if you have a subscription going, the year you purchase will simply be tallied on top of your current plan. Buy at Best Buy: PlayStation Plus
Xbox One X w/ Battlefield V & Extra Controller -- $430
An Xbox One X will usually run you $500, whether for a standalone console or with a free game--who wouldn't take the latter? $500 is a lot of money, of course, but for $70 off, with an extra controller (a $50 value) and a copy of Battlefield V, Black Friday might be the best time to splurge on an X with Best Buy selling the bundle for only $430. Even with Microsoft discounting its consoles by $100 from Nov. 18 to Nov. 26, this bundle is still a great deal. Buy at Best Buy: Xbox One X Consoles
1-Year Xbox Game Pass Subscription -- $70
Like PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass is an online subscription service that adds everyday value to your console by way of giving you a rotating selection of games to play. Unlike PS Plus, the number of games is vastly higher, at over 100 different titles, and games will be slowly cycled in and out over time, rather than monthly, as is the norm for PS Plus. The cherry on top: if you like a game enough that you'd rather own it than play it on a temporary basis, Game Pass owners enjoy a 20% discount on games that are also available on the service. Buy at Best Buy: Xbox One Game Pass
PSVR with Astro Bot and Moss -- $200
With Tetris Effect making waves recently, there are a lot of people wondering if now is the time to pickup a PSVR headset. Though not as widely talked about, both Astro Bot and Moss are two other well-received VR games in recent memory, and they might be the icing on the cake if you pickup the headset bundle with those two games for the cost of the headset alone, at $200, on Black Friday. To put the savings in context: this bundle is normally $300. Buy at Best Buy: PSVR Moss and Astro Bot Bundle
Fallout 76 with Blackout Yeti mic -- $100
Fallout 76 will have launched only days before Black Friday arrives, yet it's part of a very good deal on a bundled Yeti mic, in the Blackout color scheme (normally $140 alone). That bundle is available today, but at an increased cost of 50% over the Black Friday price, at $150; save $50 during Black Friday if this bundle helps you check off two "needs" at once. Buy at Best Buy: Fallout 76 and Blackout Yeti
God of War for PlayStation 4 -- $25
God of War is one the most beloved games of the year, and if you haven't played it, Best Buy selling it for a mere $25 is as good a sign as any that your time has come. As far as we can tell this is the cheapest it's ever been, so don't hesitate to pick it up if you've been waiting. Buy at Best Buy: God of War
SoulCalibur 6 -- $35
SoulCalibur VI has only been out for a few weeks, and by all accounts it's an excellent fighting game that has rekindled interest in the series at large. The fact that Best Buy will be selling it for a paltry $35 is hard to believe, but believe it, and jump on the deal when it goes live later this month. Buy at Best Buy: PS4 Xbox One
Bayonetta 2 -- $40
Nintendo is known to keep the price of its games at the original MSRP for years after release. So when you see a deal for a game like Bayonetta 2 on the horizon, it's worth paying attention if you've got Nintendo on the mind. Not only is Bayonetta 2 an incredible action game, but it's just half the story here--every copy also includes a download code for the original Bayonetta on the Switch eShop. In other words: you can get two excellent games for less than the price of one. Buy at Best Buy: Bayonetta 2
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $30
Speaking of heavy discounts on new and popular games, Assassin's Creed Odyssey for half price at $30 is a heck of a deal. Odyssey veers sharply into RPG territory, more so than last year's Origins, and is a massive game dense with missions and interesting people to meet. This is the cheapest it's ever been, so what're you waiting for? Buy at Best Buy: PS4 Xbox One
Forza Horizon 4 -- $30
Whether you are into more serious simulation racing games, or prefer a bit of arcade action behind the wheel, the Forza series has a game for you. The Horizon games take the more hardcore racing model of the Motorsport series and soften the difficulty a bit to let you explore a vast open world at your leisure. It's one of the best-looking racing games on consoles, and it offers an incredibly detailed and varied world with seasons that change week-to-week. Buy at Best Buy: Forza Horizon 4
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age -- $30
Dragon Quest is a classic series, and one of the most popular in Japan. The latest game, Dragon Quest XI, is very comfortable upholding tradition, and focusing on the basics isn't a bad thing--it works in the series' favor. In Dragon Quest XI, players can enjoy a highly refined iteration of the seminal Japanese RPG formula that kicked off an entire genre. Dragon Quest XI is a massive, great looking, and infinitely charming game that may fly under a lot of people's radars, but it's a steal at $30. If you have any interest in seeing why Dragon Quest is such a big deal in Japan, now is the perfect time to test the waters. Buy at Best Buy: Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
By Array on Nov 19, 2018 10:16 pm
On Sunday, November 18, WWE held it's major fall PPV, Survivor Series. There were a few memorable moments and quite a few cringe-worthy moments as well. This was an evening where wrestlers from WWE's premiere shows, Raw and Smackdown, would face each other in numerous matches to determine who is the dominant brand. There were three Survivor Series elimination matches: men's, women's, and tag team. Additionally, there were three champion vs. champion matches--four if you count Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte. According to commentator Michael Cole, Raw swept the evening, with Smackdown losing all its matches. However, Smackdown's tag team match on the Kickoff Show beat Raw's, so Cole's ability to count is subpar at best. The evening delivered some thrills, chills, and yawns. That may not rhyme, but that's all I've got after watching an almost 6 hour long PPV. Like every human on the internet, I have opinions about how everything went down at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during Survivor Series. Here are the rankings of all the Survivor Series matches, presented in the order they aired on the PPV. Match Card: - Tag Team Survivor Series Match [Kickoff Match]
- Women's Survivor Series Match
- Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins vs. United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
- Raw Tag Team Champions AOP vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bar
- Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Mustafa Ali (Cruiserweight Championship)
- Men's Survivor Series Match
- Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte
- Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan
Tag Team Survivor Series Match (Kickoff Show)
I completely forgot about how long it takes to kick off each Survivor Series match, as everyone gets an entrance. I'm all about the luchas having a tag team, but the team name "Lucha House Party" is pretty awful. Then, there's The Ascension. I feel bad for them. Remember when they were this really dominant force in NXT, then when they came up they were repackaged as a poor man's Legion of Doom and buried? Raw's tag division is packed with potential that feels wasted, as Raw doesn't really care about it. This match was doomed from the start. There were a few botched moments and others where I thought someone was close to dying. Most of the time, the only thought in my mind was, "Is this over yet?" The only highlights were Chad Gable German suplexing Big E and Bobby Roode giving E a neckbreaker. It picked up toward the end, but it's hard to really get excited about this when Smackdown is the only show with a strong tag team roster. 3.5/10
Women's Survivor Series Match
Three of the participants in this event weren't booked until the Kickoff Show. I just want to make note of that because it seems bonkers to me. I made a little joke on Twitter that anyone that hits Nia Jax turns face, but it didn't seem like so much of a joke five minutes in. It's reality. Jax has tons of heat from fans because she busted up Becky Lynch. The first 10 minutes of this match felt like they moved too quickly, with lots of eliminations happening in quick succession. I think my expectations for this match are askew from watching 1987's Survivor Series earlier this week, where all the matches were like 45 minutes long. Anyway, the last few minutes of the women's Survivor Series match were totally not what I expected, in a good way. I was pumped for a Jax/Asuka rematch, but what we got was a Jax stampede, and it worked. WWE played really well into Jax being a monster, and this ended up being a really nice opening match. 7/10
Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
I'm going to be honest here, which is what I'm supposed to be doing anyway. I spent a good amount of this match trying to decide if the dude in the second row was Enzo Amore or not. He kept hiding his face behind the dude with sunglasses and long hair, but I got some quick glimpses of him, and I'm like 75% sure it's Enzo. Note: I was later notified by someone sitting two rows behind this guy that it was Enzo, and he got kicked out. As for Rollins vs. Nakamura, this is exactly what I expected from these two. It was a solid and enjoyable match, with lots of back and forth moments, proving why they're two of the best competitors on their respective brands and in WWE as a whole. The finish was fantastic, and this is the finest match from Nakamura we've seen in quite some time, even though he lost. If WWE were smarter, they'd put both these gentlemen in a match against each other soon. 8.5/10
AOP vs. The Bar
Drake Maverick peed his pants, and that was the highlight--or lowlight from my perspective. Also, Enzo Amore got kicked out. As far as these champion vs. champion matches go, this was the one I cared about the least. AOP just became Raw's tag team champions, and I don't find them interesting at all. Big Show's presence in this match seemed utterly pointless, but apparently, he was needed in order to make Maverick urinate into his own pants. It made no sense. 2/10
Buddy Murphy vs Mustafa Ali
This was not the outcome I wanted. I'm a huge Mustafa Ali fan, and I was really pulling for him to win. These guys put everything out on the line for this match. It was filled with tremendously dangerous spots, and it's another amazing match for both these men. Like all 205 Live matches, it felt buried in the card, this time between a man peeing himself and the titular Survivor Series match. However, it was a fantastic transitional event to bring the crowd back and breath new life into them in order to get through the second half of the show. 8.5/10
Men's Survivor Series Match
This is the fun I'm looking for in a Survivor Series match and a little something different from what we saw from the women earlier. Raw's team isn't so much of a team as it is a barely-functional group of men about to implode. Meanwhile, Smackdown is working together real well, even though they're a bit outpowered. Speaking of outpowered, the clothesline that Braun Strowman gave to Shane McMahon during his second coast-to-coast is one of the highlights of the night for me. It was just utter domination for team Raw, which was kind of expected for the match. However, I like seeing those types of elimination matches from time to time. 7.5/10
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair
I wasn't expecting Charlotte to be so dominant so early in this match. I was also not expecting to like Rousey as much as I do. She's really improved as a competitor since Wrestlemania earlier this year. She's not on the same level as Flair or Becky Lynch, but Rousey puts on consistently entertaining matches, and she was actually getting the crowd pumped up. There were a few times where I really felt this match could go either way, and that's exactly what I want out of it. This was, so far, Rousey's best match in WWE. The DQ finish I was not entirely into, but it really works for the overarching Lynch/Rousey storyline that's been built up the past few weeks. We got to see Flair at her breaking point, where she's lost it and she gave the Natural Selection to Rousey onto a chair, which was the icing on the cake. I was a fan of Flair's before, but I'm now a super fan. 8/10
Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan
I don't feel great about a heel Daniel Bryan, especially when there hasn't been a lot of establishing of Bryan as a heel, since he turned less than a week prior. During the match, Lesnar suplexes Bryan, walks around for a few minutes, bear hugs him, suplexes him, repeat. This match is filler. It's nothing but stalling. By the 9-minute mark, I have had enough of this. This is why I can't stand Lesnar as champion. It's paced so incredibly slow and is never competitive. It didn't get interesting by any means until about 12 minutes in. After this point, it became like a solid match with Daniel Bryan doing his whole "underdog rising to the occasion" thing, even though he's a heel now, and the effect isn't the same. There were genuine moments where I, as well as the audience, really thought Bryan was going to win--he didn't--and were feeling the spirit of the match. And that last third of the match was a ton of fun, but it still doesn't make up for 12 minutes of "more of the same" from Lesnar. Why is he still here? 5/10
By Tamoor Hussain on Nov 19, 2018 08:36 pm
Black Friday 2018 is almost here, and if you want to make the most of it you'll need to do a fair amount of research and preparation. To make that easier, we've put together a number of guides on the discounts Target, Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop, and more have. PlayStation has also now kicked off its big Black Friday sale, and we've picked out a few highlights for you to consider. The PS4 Black Friday sale is a nice mixture of new games, a few from earlier in 2018, and some from before that too. For those that have been looking for an opportunity to pick up Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the sale has the standard edition available for $41, which is down from $60. The deluxe, gold, and ultimate editions of the game are also available for between $20 - $30 off the usual asking price. If you'd like a little PlayStation nostalgia, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is down to $20, which is a pretty good price considering the package contains the original Crash Bandicoot, Cortex Strikes Back, and Warped. Beyond that, there's Destiny 2's Forsaken expansion for $30 and Detroit: Become Human for $22. Perhaps the most enticing deal of them all is God of War for $22. If you own a PS4, that's a must-play, and at that price it's also a no-brainer. In terms of older titles, Arkane's Dishonored 2 is being bundled with Prey for $26, while Blizzard's Diablo: Eternal Collection is $20. In both instances, that's a lot of game for a relatively low price tag. Keep reading to see all the best game deals we've found in the PlayStation Black Friday sale. If you'd like to see the full list of discounted, head over to the PlayStation Blog. Best Black Friday DealsAll The Game Deals
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $40
This year's entry in Ubisoft's open-world series, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, picks up where its predecessor, Origins, left off, offering players more in-depth role-playing opportunities and spinning a big story that will have them interacting with numerous little and large characters as they journey across ancient Greece. See all the Assassin's Creed Odyssey Black Friday deals Read our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review
Assassin's Creed Origins -- $24
It might be 2017's Assassin's Creed title, but Origins still has plenty to offer. If the unique setting--a painstaking recreation of ancient Egypt--wasn't enough, Origins has arguably the series' most charismatic lead character since Assassin's Creed 2's Ezio. Bayek is an incredibly likeable hero, and his journey to avenge the death of a family member is worth experiencing. Read our Assassin's Creed Origins review
Batman: Return To Arkham -- $5
Good superhero games are very few and far between. In 2018, Insomniac Games, Marvel, and Sony have been very kind to fans of Spider-Man by releasing a stellar take on the web-slinger's adventure. If that has given you an itch for virtual vigilantism, Batman: Return to Arkham is the perfect game to scratch it. When it comes to superhero games, Rocksteady's series is the high bar which all others aspire to meet, delivering beautiful worlds, faithful characterization, varied gameplay, and engaging stories in each of the three games in the collection. Read our Batman: Arkham Asylum review Read our Batman: Arkham City review Read our Batman: Arkham Knight review
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- $48
Black Ops 4 drops Call of Duty's story campaign in favour of going bigger on multiplayer. While the standard multiplayer suite is present, accounted for, and still an electrifying experience for those after gunplay at a breakneck pace, the star of the show this year is Blackout--Call of Duty's take on the battle royale experience. If you've wanted a polished battle royale game that has the satisfying feedback of a Call of Duty game, this is it. Of course, there's also a robust Zombies mode too. See all the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Black Friday deals Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy -- $20
Last year, Vicarious Visions brought back a PlayStation icon in fine fashion. While some of the gameplay is undoubtedly dated, which in turn might leave newcomers scratching their heard about what all the fuss was about, for those that have cherished memories of munching down Wumpa Fruit, running from giant boulders, and crushing wooden boxes, this will be a nice trip down memory lane. Read our Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy review
Destiny 2: Forsaken -- $30
If you're a longtime Destiny 2 player, Forsaken is an expansion that will give you a lot of what you've been asking for. It's a large serving of fresh content that has a rejuvenating effect on Bungie's loot-driven shooter. However, it also places a great deal of emphasis on its darker, more personal story. The new Gambit mode, which we described as a "clever combination of seemingly disparate elements," is also a welcome new addition. See all the Destiny 2 Black Friday deals Read our Destiny 2 review
Detroit: Become Human -- $22
If it's a narrative-driven game you're looking for this holiday season, Detroit: Become Human may be worth considering. Developed by Quantic Dream, the studio behind Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls, it asks players to make touch decisions in a story that touches on complicated subject matter such as humanity, free will, and oppression. Read our Detroit: Become Human review
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection -- $20
Diablo 3 is an excellent entry in Blizzard's dungeon crawling series. After a somewhat shaky launch, it has been updated repeatedly to refine the experience and provide more meaningful content for players to hack and slash their way through. The Eternal Collection collects all of the post-release content into one package, so you'll get the base game, the Necromancer class, and the Reaper of Souls expansion. The gameplay experience has been tweaked to suit controllers, so it's just as good on console as it is on PC. Read our Diablo 3 review
Dishonored 2 & Prey Bundle -- $26
Arkane Studios has become the leading developer of open-world action games that afford players the freedom to approach each of its challenges in a variety of ways. Whether it's facing the corruption rife in Karnaca or the spread of deadly organisms on Talos I, both Dishonored 2 and Prey will deliver unique, rewarding gameplay opportunities. Both games encourage outside-of-the-box thinking and creative problem solving, and are well worth checking out for that price. Read our Dishonored 2 review Read our Prey review
God of War -- $22
God of War manages to achieve what some thought could not be done: Bringing back Kratos, a character that has spent his entire video gaming career murdering gods ruthlessly without a shred of remorse or a thought given to consequence, and humanizes him. 2018's God of War reboot takes place many years after the originals and now Kratos has a son to raise, which means he is set on ensuring the apple falls as far from the tree as possible. Their journey together is a heartfelt depiction of strained father and son relationships, and a fascinating deconstruction of a character most thought of as being one-dimensional. See all God of War deals Read our God of War review
Horizon: Zero Dawn Complete Edition -- $15
One of 2017's big surprises, Horizon: Zero Dawn is developed by Guerrilla Games, the studio known for the Killzone series. Horizon was a big departure for the studio, which traded linear first-person shooting for open-world hunting. But Guerrilla's execution was spectacular; from its compelling main character and beautiful world to its intricate hunting gameplay, Horizon: Zero Dawn was hailed as one of the best games of 2017 and, to this day, remains an impressive technical showpiece for the PlayStation 4. Read our Horizon: Zero Dawn review
Persona 5 -- $20
Persona 5 is a game about waking up, getting up, getting out there. It encourages the youth of the world to raise their voice against liars; to feed their anger like fire. It asks, why does nobody want change? Through a cast of colorful characters--the majority of which are idealistic teens striving to create a better world--it invites players to just imagine they're out there, swatting lies in the makin'. It's a high-energy reminder that you can't move fast without breakin' and if you hold on life won't change. Play it. Read our Persona 5 review
By Steve Watts on Nov 19, 2018 06:06 pm
Walmart's Best Black Friday 2018 Game Sales
Black Friday 2018 is right around the corner, which means deep discounts on gifts for family and friends or just games and hardware for you to treat yourself. The retail holiday is set for November 23 but some sales have started early. If you're in the market for Nintendo Switch discounts, it can be difficult to know where to start. Should you set your alarm to hit retailers early in the morning? Camp out after finishing Thanksgiving dinner? Or just sit in your pajamas with a laptop waiting for a deal to go live online? We've picked through the best deals to highlight some that need your attention Since retailers are competing for your dollars, the range of stores and sites to visit to get the most bang for your buck varies greatly. As usual for this time of year, though, Nintendo is offering its own special deal on a Nintendo Switch console. A new holiday bundle offers the Switch system with a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe download for $300, so you're essentially getting the game for free. White Joy-Con wheel accessories are also on sale for $15, in case you want to use motion controls. Those prices are valid at Target, Best Buy, Walmart, GameStop, and Amazon starting on Black Friday. For many more Nintendo Switch deals and discounts, check out our selection of some of the best games and accessories on sale this year. And for a wider range of Black Friday sales across various consoles and PC hardware, take a gander at our Black Friday deals roundup. Best Black Friday DealsAll The Game Deals
Kohl's Nintendo Switch Console Deal
If you don't necessarily want Mario Kart 8 with your Nintendo Switch purchase, you may want to consider the Kohl's Black Friday sale. For $330--or $30 above the standard price--you get a standard console, Turtle Beach headset, carrying case, and $90 in Kohl's Cash. You could apply that store credit towards the store's (somewhat limited) selection of games, making it a good deal for bargain hunters who may want to pick up other items at Kohl's anyway.
Arms ($35) -- Walmart
Nintendo's first-party games are notoriously resistant to price drops, so picking up a steep discount on even an older game can be a steal. Arms was a cute and quirky take on the fighting genre and received a positive reception in GameSpot's Arms review. At $35 it's almost half-price from its still-hanging-in-there MSRP of $59.99. Buy at Walmart
Bayonetta 2 ($40) -- Best Buy
Bayonetta 2 is one of the finest character action games of the last few years, and its transition onto Nintendo Switch didn't miss a beat. As with many ports from the Wii U, though, you may have felt uneasy paying full price again. At $40, this is a more inviting price point to jump in, and it even includes the original Bayonetta as a bonus. Buy at Best Buy
Kirby Star Allies ($35) -- Walmart
One of the more recent first-party games going on sale, Kirby Star Allies brings back the pink puffball for another adventure. This time he brings his friends along, with a mechanic all about forging alliances with the other denizens of Dreamworld. Our review called it "an artistic showcase, and a great opportunity for co-op platforming." If you miss out on Walmart's price, you can get almost as good a deal at Best Buy for $40 instead. Buy at Walmart Buy at Best Buy
Lego DC Supervillains ($30) -- Best Buy, Target
Some games just get marked down incredibly quickly for Black Friday, and Lego DC Supervillains is one. It just came out in mid-October, and it's already going for half-price. That may be that the reception was middling, with our own review calling it a "cookie-cutter Lego game." If you haven't tired of the tried-and-tried-and-tried-and-true Lego gameplay yet, though, the price is right. Buy at Best Buy Buy at Target
Mario+Rabbids: Kingdom Battle ($20) -- Best Buy
One of the biggest surprises on the Nintendo Switch last year, this crossover between familiar Nintendo characters and Ubisoft's Minion-like bumbling bunnies was shocking both as an announcement, and then that it was actually really good. If you missed out on Mario+Rabbids: Kingdom Battle the first time around, this is a can't-miss price. Buy at Best Buy
South Park: The Fractured But Whole ($17) -- Walmart
This particular Switch port sheds the console's family-friendly image for the very mature (and immature) humor of South Park's youngsters. South Park: The Fractured But Whole is a direct sequel to The Stick of Truth, but you don't really need to have played the first, and the combination of stellar writing and solid RPG mechanics made it an inviting combination again. At less than twenty bucks, it's easy to recommend. Buy at Walmart
Starlink: Battle for Atlas Starter Pack ($35) -- Best Buy
Ubisoft's own take on the toys-to-life genre is another very recent game going on sale for Black Friday. Starlink: Battle for Atlas takes arcade ship combat and lets you customize your own ship with swappable weapons and pilots. The result was a solid and engaging take on the genre, but like most toys-to-life games the starter pack may have caused some potential players sticker shock--especially since many players will want to keep buying more ships and weapons to augment their fleet. Marked down to $35 makes it a much easier pill to swallow, and on top of that, the Switch version includes exclusive Starfox missions and an Arwing ship. Buy at Best Buy
Valkyria Chronicles 4 ($40) -- Best Buy
After an initial debut that became a cult favorite, Valkyria Chronicles fumbled for some identity. The second and third games didn't hit as big, and the less said about Valkyria Revolution the better. Valkyria Chronicles 4 takes the series back to its roots with a lengthy story campaign, a wide cast of JRPG characters, and the same tactical gameplay that made the first game stand out. The Switch version compares well with the PC, PS4, and Xbox One versions, but also lets you take it with you wherever you go. Buy at Best Buy
By Jordan Ramée on Nov 19, 2018 06:05 pm
Best Black Friday 2018 Game Deals
Even though the holiday is still a few days out, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and several other stores have already announced Black Friday 2018 deals. To help you sort through it, we've compiled the best discounts for Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch games--and you can take advantage of some of them already, with Best Buy kicking off limited access to its full slate of deals. Exclusive titles for all three consoles--such as Forza Horizon 4, God of War, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2--are included in this gallery, as are third-party titles like Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. The game deals are listed in alphabetical order and do not reflect any sort of ranking in the quality of each game or the amount of money you save. The specific price for each game is not always the same across retailers. We've listed all the discounted prices for each product at each store, so you can see all of your options and plan accordingly. Also keep in mind that each store will open and close at different times on Black Friday. We will continue to update this gallery as additional Black Friday 2018 deals are announced. If you're looking for a sale for a particular family of consoles or gaming accessory, you can check out our other Black Friday gaming guides. Black Friday 2018 Video Game Shopping Guides Best Black Friday Gaming Deals By Console
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review, Alessandro Fillari gave the game an 8/10, writing, "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." Assassin's Creed Odyssey is available for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Xbox One PlayStation 4
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review, Kallie Plagge gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Blackout pushes Call of Duty in an entirely new direction, making use of aspects from both multiplayer and Zombies for a take on the battle royale genre that stands on its own. Sure, there isn't a traditional single-player campaign, but with the depth and breadth of what is there, Black Ops 4 doesn't need it." Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is available for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Xbox One PlayStation 4
Dragon Ball FighterZ -- Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
In our Dragon Ball FighterZ review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "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." Dragon Ball FighterZ is available for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Xbox One PlayStation 4 Nintendo Switch
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age -- PS4
In our Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age review, Heidi Kemps gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Innovation in games is talked about a lot, but it's also great to see traditional gameplay formulas that have been around for decades presented exceptionally well. Dragon Quest XI is one of the best modern examples of this; its beautiful presentation, both visual- and story-wise, combines with a tried-and-true gameplay formula for a journey that's full of heart and soul." Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is currently a PS4 console exclusive, with plans to port the game to Nintendo Switch. PlayStation 4
Forza Horizon 4 -- Xbox One
In our Forza Horizon 4 review, Edmond Tran gave the game a 9/10, writing, "There's such a diverse range of activities stuffed into every corner of Horizon 4, and meaningful changes contribute to smart driving dynamics and a more consistent sense of achievement. Everything you do in Horizon feels valuable, no matter how big or small...." Forza Horizon 4 is an Xbox One console exclusive. Xbox One
God Of War -- PS4
In our God of War review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "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." God of War is a PS4 exclusive. PlayStation 4
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle -- Nintendo Switch
In our Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle review, Edmond Tran gave the game a 9/10, writing, "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." Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Nintendo Switch
Middle-earth: Shadow Of War Definitive Edition -- Xbox One, PS4
In our Middle-earth: Shadow of War review, Justin Haywald gave the game a 7/10, writing, "[Shadow of War] tries to be larger than its predecessor, there are more abilities, more weapons, more Orcs, yet it leaves you wanting less. But at its core, it's a fun experience with brilliant moments that provide fascinating insight into some of the untold stories of Middle-earth." Middle-earth: Shadow of War Definitive Edition fixes the largest issues--loot boxes and story pacing--of the original game. It is available for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Xbox One PlayStation 4
Nier: Automata -- PS4
In our Nier: Automata review, Miguel Concepcion gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Thanks to Platinum Games' knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro's most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression." Nier: Automata is available for PS4 and PC, and as a digital-only title for Xbox One. PlayStation 4
Sushi Striker: The Way Of Sushido -- Nintendo Switch
In our Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido review, Kevin Knezevic gave the game a 7/10, writing, "Despite its imperfect transition to Switch, Sushi Striker is one of the more enjoyable puzzle games in the console's library. With a substantial campaign that's propped up by clever mechanics and a charmingly ludicrous story, the game offers a wealth of single- and multiplayer content to dive into." Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido is available for Nintendo 3DS and Switch. Nintendo Switch
Valkyria Chronicles 4 -- Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
In our Valkyria Chronicles 4 review, Ginny Woo gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Valkyria Chronicles 4 doesn't necessarily tell a new tale, but it doesn't have to; for all of its clichés and expected twists, there's a charm to the game's unwillingness to let up as it drives you and your friends forward at a rapid clip towards its bittersweet end." Valkyria Chronicles 4 is available for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 -- Nintendo Switch
In our Xenoblade Chronicles 2 review, Peter Brown gave the game a 7/10, writing, "Adventurous types that enjoy complex combat systems can easily spend more than 100 hours uncovering Alrest's secrets and developing their team of Blades, provided they can come to terms with a handful of unavoidable shortcomings. It's equal parts pleasing and frustrating, but the struggle to keep up with everything thrown your way is more of a hurdle than a roadblock." Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Nintendo Switch
Xbox Game Pass -- Xbox One
Subscribing to Xbox Game Pass unlocks a library of over 100 free titles--that includes backwards compatible Xbox 360 games--for your Xbox One, Xbox One S, or Xbox One X. The list is updated with new titles each month. This Black Friday, you can buy a 12-month subscription from Best Buy for $70, which is only $10 more than the normal price for a six-month subscription. The Microsoft store also has a pretty good deal for a one-month subscription if you don't want to make a year-long commitment to the service. Best Buy 12-Month Subscription -- $70 Microsoft Store 1-Month Subscription -- $1
By Jordan Ramée on Nov 19, 2018 06:04 pm
PlayStation 4's Best Black Friday 2018 Deals
Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and several other retailers have already advertised Black Friday 2018 deals for PS4 consoles, games, and accessories. This gallery compiles the best of those deals all in one place. While we're primarily looking ahead to what will be on sale during Black Friday week, you can already take advantage of discounts in the PSN Black Friday sale that is now live. Ebay has also brought some terrific deals, including some things that we otherwise haven't seen advertised from any retailers: namely, PS4 Pro and Spider-Man. PlayStation has seen more acclaimed triple-A console exclusives this year than Xbox, and many of them are on sale this Black Friday. This includes games released earlier in the year--like Detroit: Become Human and God of War--as well as more recent titles. Like last year, the PS4 Slim is also being sold at a discounted price, but surprisingly no retailer has announced a deal for the more powerful PS4 Pro yet. This Black Friday, third-party titles are also on sale, like Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Assassin's Creed Odyssey. PSVR is also getting a discount, and with the recent release of Tetris Effect and upcoming addition of Beat Saber to the system's game library, there's never been such a good time to invest in a headset. Specific pricing on some deals may fluctuate depending on where you choose to shop this year. We've listed all the discounted prices for each product at each store, so you can plan ahead and have a back-up plans. Not every retailer has listed ads for Black Friday yet either, so we will update this gallery if better deals become available.
PlayStation 4 Consoles
There are currently two versions of the PS4 console being sold in stores, the Slim and the Pro. The Slim is essentially a thinner variation of the original PS4, while the Pro is a more powerful console that can support 4K for certain games. Currently, retailers are only offering Black Friday deals for the PS4 Slim, but that doesn't mean Pro deals won't pop up closer to the holiday. If you do decide to go for a Pro, regardless if it's on sale or not, consider taking advantage of a Black Friday deal on a TV or computer monitor that supports 4K. It really makes a difference with games like God of War and Marvel's Spider-Man. PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB and Spider-Man
PlayStation VR
VR hasn't been able to reach as many people as some other forms of gaming tech, most likely because of the high price tag and lack of quality games. However, PSVR library's now includes titles like Tetris Effect--one of the best games of 2018--and Beat Saber. Plus, you save $100 if you decide to buy a PSVR bundle from Best Buy or Target this Black Friday. There's an even cheaper PSVR bundle at Walmart if you don't want Creed: Rise to Glory and Superhot VR, two games that come included in the bundle at Best Buy and Target. PlayStation VR Bundle with Camera and Move Controllers + Creed: Rise to Glory and Superhot VR PlayStation VR Astro Bot Bundle
Detroit: Become Human
In our Detroit: Become Human review, Peter Brown gave the game a 7/10, writing, "I played with my best intentions. Things didn't always go the way I wanted, but that was a burden I chose to bear, and the story benefitted from my commitment, flowcharts be damned." This PS4 exclusive currently sells for $40 on the PlayStation Store, but you can buy it for half off at Best Buy this Black Friday. If you happen to miss out on this deal, both Target and Walmart also have a fairly large discount on the game.
Doom VFR
In our Doom VFR review, Justin Clark gave the game a 7/10, writing, "For the most part, shooting your way through Hell's armies feels just as brutal as it does in the 2016 game. Demons explode into bloody, fleshy messes. ...The big missing element here is the Glory Kill system, where hitting the melee button on a blinking enemy let you demolish them with a quick, gruesome fatality." In Doom VFR, you experience the pulse-pounding first-person shooter action of one of 2016's best shooters in an immersive VR experience. Best Buy is selling the game at a discount, so hurry on over if you're looking for another title for your PSVR.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
In our Dragon Ball FighterZ review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "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." This Black Friday, Walmart is offering one of 2018's best fighting games at one of the lowest price points it's ever been.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
In our Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age review, Heidi Kemps gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Innovation in games is talked about a lot, but it's also great to see traditional gameplay formulas that have been around for decades presented exceptionally well. Dragon Quest XI is one of the best modern examples of this; its beautiful presentation, both visual- and story-wise, combines with a tried-and-true gameplay formula for a journey that's full of heart and soul." You can purchase Dragon Quest XI from Best Buy at half price this Black Friday, which is quite the deal for one of 2018's longest and best RPGs.
F1 2018
In our F1 2018 review, James Swinbanks gave the game a 9/10, writing, "F1 2018 is brilliant, and the most complete Formula One game to date. The changes to career mode make it the strongest and most appealing it's ever been thanks to the revamped upgrade system, while the simulation-like additions to the driving model bring you closer than ever to the feeling of sitting on the grid with 1000+ horsepower at your feet, without overwhelming those who just want to jump in and drive." Just as Xbox One has Forza Horizon 4, PS4 has F1 2018. Both racing games are on sale this Black Friday, and Best Buy and Target are offering the latter at half price.
God Of War (2018)
In our God of War review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "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." God of War continues Kratos story in one of the most well-written video games of 2018, and this Black Friday, you can buy the game for a major discount from several retailers.
MLB The Show 18
In our MLB The Show 18 review, Eddie Makuch gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Sony's flagship baseball franchise has never been better. With its best-in-class controls and visuals, and impeccable attention to detail for the small stuff, MLB The Show 18 is worth catching for any baseball fan." If you haven't gotten the chance to play the newest title in the MLB The Show series, Walmart is offering the game at a major discount this Black Friday.
Monster Hunter World
In our Monster Hunter World review, Ginny Woo gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Ever since the title was first announced, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been." Monster Hunter World brought a new generation of players into the Monster Hunter series, with its accessible gameplay. If you've ever wanted to play a Monster Hunter game, then try World. It's on sale this Black Friday at a fraction of its normal price.
Nier: Automata
In our Nier: Automata review, Miguel Concepcion gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Thanks to Platinum Games' knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro's most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression." The less you've been told about Nier: Automata before going into it, the better. Just know that this phenomenal 2017 RPG is on sale this Black Friday at Best Buy.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2019
In our Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 review, Richard Wakeling gave the game a 9/10, writing, "The lack of licences for top-tier leagues remains a disheartening sticking point, but PES continues to make brilliant strides on the pitch, building on what was already an incredibly satisfying game of football to produce one of the greatest playing football games of all time." If you're tired of FIFA and Rocket League, but still want to play a soccer video game, then Best Buy's Black Friday deal on PES 2019 might interest you.
Shining Resonance Refrain
Shining Resonance Refrain originally released on PS3 in Japan, before coming to the west on current generation consoles and PC. The game mixes together action-based combat and relationship forming conversations. If you're at least interested in Refrain, but are wary of paying full price for something you've heard little about, then take advantage of Best Buy's Black Friday deal on the game.
SoulCalibur VI
In our SoulCalibur VI review, Tamoor Hussain gave the game an 8/10, writing, "SoulCalibur VI is a fighting game that's easy to recommend. Like all the best titles in the genre, it has a low barrier to entry and high skill ceiling. For those looking to get in a few games with friends it's welcoming and immediately enjoyable. For those committed to ploughing the depths of its systems to get tournament ready, it has plenty to unpack and understand." You can buy SoulCalibur VI for almost half off this Black Friday.
PlayStation Plus
For Black Friday, Best Buy is selling a 12-month subscription to PlayStation Plus for $40, which is one of the lowest prices the service is sold at these days. Subscribing to PS Plus both allows you to play games online with others and provides you with new free digital games to download every month.
By Tamoor Hussain on Nov 19, 2018 05:54 pm
Walmart's Best Black Friday 2018 Game Sales
The Black Friday 2018 deals are coming in thick and fast, and the event hasn't even started yet! This year, the annual shopping holiday is set to officially begin on November 23 but retailers are giving prospective spenders a heads-up. The first off the starting line was Target, but others have now followed. If you're anything like us, you'll find it all a bit overwhelming. The ridiculous amount of deals whizzing about the internet right now makes it hard to focus on the best, so we've decided to pick through them and pull out the ones we think are worth consideration. Online shoppers will get access to Walmart's discounts through Walmart.com on Wednesday, November 21 at 10 PM ET (7 PM PT). Since supplies can be limited, it's worth scoping out what you want ahead of time to give yourself the best chance of scooping it up. Walmart has a nice selection of hardware and games on offer. For example, if you're in the market for Sony's latest system, the PS4 Slim 1TB with Spider-Man will be available for $199--it's not the more powerful PS4 Pro, but this is still a great price for current hardware. Similarly, the Xbox One S Minecraft Creators Bundle is going to be knocked down to $199. Alternatively, you can opt for the Xbox One X and save $100 on it, meaning you'll pay $399. Nintendo Switch, meanwhile, will be available for $299 with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In terms of games, Walmart has recent releases such as Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Destiny 2: Forsaken Legendary Collection, among others. Take a look through this gallery to see the best deals we've seen at Walmart. If you want more options, take a look at all of our coverage in our Black Friday deals roundup.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $35 (PS4/Xbox One)
The latest entry in Ubisoft's series, Assassin's Creed Odyssey follows in Assassin's Creed Origins' footsteps by leaning further into role-playing, taking inspiration from CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3. It offers a massive open world to explore, both on land and at seas, and numerous quests to undertake. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One See all the Assassin's Creed Odyssey Black Friday deals Read our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- $40
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 makes some big changes to Activision's blockbuster first-person shooter series. This year, it launches without a story campaign, but instead doubles down on multiplayer with a variety of modes. In addition to the standard multiplayer suite, there's also the Zombies mode. However, perhaps the biggest surprise is Blackout, Call of Duty's take on the battle royale genre. It manages to provide an exciting new flavour to proceedings by adding perks and Call of Duty's satisfying gunplay into the mix. Well worth checking out, especially for $40. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One See all the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Black Friday deals Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review
Forza Horizon 4 -- $35
With Forza Horizon 4, developer Playground Games cements itself as the premier racing game studio of today. Bringing its brand of highly customizable racing to the shores of Great Britain, Horizon is an incredibly fun and satisfying game that can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone. If you're into racing games as a genre, it's a must-play. If you haven't played one in a while, we'd consider picking this up, as it's very approachable and immediately fun. It must be noted that, like all first-party Xbox One games, Forza Horizon 4 is also available through Xbox Game Pass. This means you get access to the game if you sign up to the service. Buy at Walmart See all Forza Horizon 4 deals Read our Forza Horizon 4 review
Destiny 2: Forsaken Legendary Collection -- $35
Destiny 2: Forsaken is a huge helping of new content for fans of Bungie's online shooter. Perhaps the most exciting contribution to the broader Destiny 2 experience is a story that adopts a darker, more personal tone, making for what is arguably one of the most memorable narrative moments in the series' history. But for those looking for exciting new gameplay ideas, Bungie has Gambit, which we described as a "clever combination of seemingly disparate elements." If you fell off Destiny 2, this may be the excuse you need to jump back in. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One Read our Destiny 2 review
Monster Hunter World -- $17
If you've ever met a Monster Hunter fan you'll know just how dedicated and passionate they are to Capcom's franchise. Until now, however, it's been quite difficult for the average person to jump in and see what all the fuss was about. For Monster Hunter World, the first console entry in the series for quite some time, Capcom has made a number of smart tweaks that make it welcoming for newcomers. However, it has done this without sacrificing what makes Monster Hunter a unique, compelling experience. If you're going to be converted, this is the game that'll do it. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One Read our Monster Hunter World review
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds -- $17
While Fortnite might be the talk of the town right now, PlayerUknown's Battlegrounds still presents a compelling battle royale experience, especially for those who want realistic shooting and tactical strategy above everything else. PUBG is still the tense, skill-based shooter it was when it took the world by storm last year, and if you haven't played it yet this is a fantastic price. Buy at Walmart See all the PUBG deals Read our PUBG review
SoulCalibur 6 -- $35
SoulCalibur VI brings Bandai Namco's weapons-based fighting game series to the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. This entry is a surprisingly feature-rich package, with a lengthy single-player story that asks players to create a unique character and take it across the world to fight against enemies and complete quests. There's also a second single-player mode that focuses on the story of the main cast, and this is all held together by satisfying and easy to learn fighting mechanics. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One See all the SoulCalibur VI deals Read our SoulCalibur VI review
Resident Evil VII Gold Edition -- $17
Resident Evil VII may have been released in January 2017, but it remains one of the best survival horror games in recent memory. Switching to the first-person perspective was a risky move for Capcom, but it managed to deliver an exceptional experience that marries the tension of older entries in the series--achieved through both cinematic presentation and constrained gunplay--with the trimmings of a modern, big budget game. It's got a great story, and some very memorable scares--perfect for the Christmas period. Buy at Walmart: PS4, Xbox One Read our Resident Evil 7 review.
PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB with Spider-Man -- $199
Marvel's Spider-Man, which was developed by Insomniac Games, is easily one of the best games of the year and undoubtedly Spidey's greatest video game adaptation. If you're a fan of the character, you have to play it, and this bundle just so happens to be one of the cheapest ways to do so. Walmart is offering the game, along with a 1TB version of the PS4 Slim in one bundle for just $199, which is a nice price. See the best places to buy a PS4
Xbox One X 1TB Console -- $399
The Xbox One X is currently the most powerful video game console on the market, giving those with a 4K TV the option to output in native 4K resolution and have their games looking their best. If you've heard all the buzz about Red Dead Redemption 2 and have been thinking about picking up a console to play it, we'd recommend the Xbox One X. Microsoft also has a variety of services that can be beneficial for new Xbox One owners, most notably Xbox Game Pass. Subscribe to this and you'll be able to download and play games from a library of digital titles spanning numerous genres. See the best places to buy an Xbox One
By Jordan Ramée on Nov 19, 2018 05:53 pm
Xbox One's Best Black Friday 2018 Deals
There are plenty of opportunities to save money on a new Xbox One console or game during Black Friday 2018. The deals extend from online stores to major retailers, such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. In this gallery, we highlight the best deals for anything in regards to Xbox One. This includes the family of consoles, consisting of the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, as well games, both third-party and exclusives titles. For the most part, games are where you're going to find the most sales, but the Xbox One S is also getting a major discount this Black Friday at plenty of locations too. If you don't see what you're looking for, read our list of every Xbox One deal being offered this Black Friday. If you've been considering picking up an Xbox console to play some of the system's console exclusives--like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds--then Black Friday 2018 presents the opportunity to snag a deal on a bundle. There are deals on third-party console bundles--tied to Minecraft and Battlefield V--as well. And if you're an Xbox Live Gold member, Xbox Live's digital games sale is already live. Specific pricing on some of these consoles and games fluctuate depending on where you choose to buy them from. We've listed all the discounted prices for each product, so you can plan ahead and have a back-up plan if your chosen retailer runs out of stock. Not every retailer has listed ads for Black Friday yet, so we will update this gallery if better deals become available.
Xbox One Console Deals
Both the Xbox One S and Xbox One X are on sale this Black Friday. On either console, you'll be able to play all Xbox One games, as well as select Xbox 360 titles. Unlike the original Xbox One, both the One S and One X can be stored horizontally or vertically if you have the right accessory. The major difference between the One S and One X is how much smoother games run on the latter. The One X is the first and only Xbox console to render games natively in 4K. It also offers faster load times and enhanced framerates despite being smaller than the One S. To take full advantage of a One X, you'll want to invest in a 4K TV, which are also on sale this Black Friday. Best Buy Target Walmart - Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft Creators Bundle -- $199
- Xbox One X -- $399
Kohl's - Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft Creators Bundle + $60 Kohl's Cash -- $200
- Xbox One X 1TB PlayUnknown's Battlegrounds Bundle + $120 Kohl's Cash -- $400
Microsoft Store
Xbox Game Pass Subscription
Xbox Game Pass has proven to be an excellent subscription service for anyone looking to play a majority of new games on Xbox One. Subscribing to Xbox Game Pass opens up a vast library of over 100 free Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles that's updated every month. During Black Friday 2018, Best Buy is offering a fairly large discount on a 12-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass. At $70, that's a year's access to dozens of new games--such as Forza Horizon 4--as well as older classics like Mass Effect and Sunset Overdrive. For context, the 6-month Xbox Game Pass subscription is normally offered at $60, so if you take advantage of this Black Friday deal, you get twice as much time for only $10 more. Best Buy 12-Month Subscription -- $70 Microsoft Store 1-Month Subscription -- $1
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
In our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review, Alessandro Fillari gave the game an 8/10, writing, "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." Best Buy has the best deal on Ubisoft's new action role-playing game, but both Target and Walmart offer fairly substantial discounts as well.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
In our Borderlands: The Handsome Collection review, Cameron Woolsey gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Let's be clear: You don't have to be Handsome Jack's number-one fan to appreciate Borderlands: The Handsome Collection. But even if you're not, you will still find an impressive archive, chock full of dozens upon dozens of hours of laughter and exciting combat." The Handsome Collection combines both Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel into one bundle, and you can get it for just $12 at Walmart.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4
In our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review, Kallie Plagge gave the game an 8/10, writing, "Blackout pushes Call of Duty in an entirely new direction, making use of aspects from both multiplayer and Zombies for a take on the battle royale genre that stands on its own. Sure, there isn't a traditional single-player campaign, but with the depth and breadth of what is there, Black Ops 4 doesn't need it." Black Ops 4 hasn't been out for very long, but it's already making waves with its phenomenal Blackout battle royale mode. There's a $20 discount on Black Ops 4 at Walmart this Black Friday, and the game is on sale at Best Buy and Target too.
Destiny 2: Forsaken Legendary Collection
In our Destiny 2: Forsaken review, Kallie Plagge gave the expansion an 8/10, writing, "There is a lot to do in Forsaken, so much so that it can be difficult to see it all. That also means that, for the average player, this expansion has a much longer tail than previous iterations of Destiny 2." Forsaken Legendary Collection includes Destiny 2, Expansion I: Curse of Osiris, Expansion II: Warmind, Forsaken, and a level 30 character boost. It's pretty much everything you need to catch up with other players, and Target is offering the entire collection for half the cost of normal triple-A title.
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection
In our Diablo 3: Eternal Collection review, Mike Mahardy gave the game a 9/10, writing, "Diablo 3 is a game about long term goals accomplished in short, thrilling bursts. It's rewarding and subtle. It's flashy and boisterous." Eternal Collection includes Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition and the Rise of the Necromancer expansion. That's dozens of hours of looting, and both Walmart and Best Buy are offering the collection at a third of its normal cost.
Doom (2016)
In our Doom review, Peter Brown gave the game an 8/10, writing, "But without a doubt, the loud and chaotic campaign is Doom's strongest component. It's straightforward and simple, but it serves its purpose: to thrust you into increasingly dire scenarios fueled by rage and the spirit of heavy metal. Many shooters chase the thrill Doom delivers, but few are as potent in their execution." Doom may have been overshadowed by Overwatch in 2016, but it's still one of the best first-person shooters seen in recent years. With Doom's sequel scheduled for 2019, it's the perfect time to catch up with the first game. This Black Friday, Walmart is selling it for $12 and Target also has a discount that's nearly as good.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
In our Dragon Ball FighterZ review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "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." One of the best fighter games of 2018 is being sold at a fraction of its original cost at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target.
For Honor: Marching Fire Edition
In our For Honor review, Matt Espineli gave the game an 8/10, writing, "After slaying countless foes, it's clear the impact For Honor's combat has had; its fundamental tenets of discipline and restraint are bestowed upon you permanently, forever changing the way you perceive a melee-combat encounter in a game." The Marching Fire expansion adds a Chinese faction to For Honor, a brand-new army to confront the vikings, knights, and samurai of the original game.
Forza Horizon 4
In our Forza Horizon 4 review, Edmond Tran gave the game a 9/10, writing, "There's such a diverse range of activities stuffed into every corner of Horizon 4, and meaningful changes contribute to smart driving dynamics and a more consistent sense of achievement. Everything you do in Horizon feels valuable, no matter how big or small...." Possibly the best racing game of 2018, Forza Horizon 4 is being offered half off this Black Friday at Best Buy.
Injustice 2: Legendary Edition
In our Injustice 2 review, Peter Brown gave the game a 9/10, writing, "With AI battles, online and local versus matches, the diverse and ever-changing Multiverse, and an impressive story mode, Injustice 2 offers numerous ways of engaging with its characters and testing your abilities without feeling repetitive." The Legendary Edition of Injustice 2 includes every DLC fighter, which adds Power Girl, The Atom, Sub-Zero, John Stewart, Reverse Flash, Raiden, Black Lightning, Black Manta, Starfire, Hellboy, Red Hood, Darkseid, Enchantress, and all four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the game. It's normally offered for $60.
Middle-earth: Shadow Of War Definitive Edition
In our Middle-earth: Shadow of War review, Justin Haywald gave the game a 7/10, writing, "[Shadow of War] tries to be larger than its predecessor, there are more abilities, more weapons, more Orcs, yet it leaves you wanting less. But at its core, it's a fun experience with brilliant moments that provide fascinating insight into some of the untold stories of Middle-earth." The Definitive Edition of Shadow of War fixes almost every problem with the original game, removing a huge chunk of the game that promoted buying loot boxes and also streamlining parts of the story.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Gold Edition
In our Resident Evil 7: Biohazard review, Scott Buttersworth gave the game an 8/10, writing, "The boss fights may be slightly inconsistent and certain sections might drag after a while, but RE7 is still a remarkable success. It has a clear vision and executes it with impressive patience and precision." At Walmart, you can buy the Gold Edition of Resident Evil 7--which includes all three of the game's DLC packs--for $17, which is only $5 more than the store's Black Friday deal of the standard edition of the game.
Rocket League: Ultimate Edition
In our Rocket League review, Miguel Concepcion gave the game a 9/10, writing, "The joy of Rocket League rests on the countless plans that are conceived and discarded every other second in any given match. Trying to predict where and how the ball will bounce next is a game within the game." The Ultimate Edition of Rocket League includes four DLC packs, the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice bundle, and seven DLC battle-cars.
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
In our Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus review, Kallie Plagge gave the game a 9/10, writing, "You're never given a chance between cutscenes, missions, and even downtime on the U-boat to lose sight of the Reich's cruelty. Wolfenstein's tense gameplay elevates this further by giving you the power to truly resist--and come out of each battle ready for another fight." Chances are, you missed out on The New Colossus, which released the same day as Assassin's Creed Origins and Super Mario Odyssey. This Black Friday, Target is selling this hidden gem for a fourth of its original cost.
By Chris Pereira on Nov 19, 2018 05:52 pm
Target's Best Black Friday 2018 Game Sales
Black Friday 2018 is now a week out; while the day itself might be November 23, Black Friday starts sooner than that, depending on the retailer. Full preview ads have been released for many stores, including Target, but what are the best deals on games and consoles it's offering? Most of Target's gaming deals involve PS4 and Xbox One, with individual games (rather than accessories or consoles) representing the bulk of the offers. Still, there is a nice mixture of things, including a great doorbuster deal on a PS4 bundle with Spider-Man (albeit one you'll find at a number of stores), as well as a free game for buying a Nintendo Switch (again, mirrored by other retailers). And while not every big fall release is on sale--you'll be paying full price for Red Dead Redemption 2, at least at Target--many others are discounted. Among others, those include NBA 2K19, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, and Forza Horizon 4. One thing to be aware of is that specific pricing can vary somewhat significantly from store to store. We've now gotten Walmart and Best Buy's respective ads, and they beat Target pricing in some cases. Luckily, all of this is coming out well in advance of Black Friday, so you should have time to make a plan. Black Friday this year takes place on November 23, although Target's deals will be available from November 22-24. Specific store hours on Thanksgiving Day will vary by location, as some states have previously banned stores from opening on Thursday. You can see the store's full ad on its website. Read on for all the best gaming deals at Target (in no particular order), and see all of our coverage in our Black Friday deals roundup.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $35 (PS4/Xbox One)
The newest game in the Assassin's Creed Odyssey series is a good one, embracing the foray into Witcher-style RPG gameplay that 2017's Origins experimented with. It boasts a huge map, some fun naval gameplay, and a ton to do. It only just released in October, so $35 is a nice price to see so soon. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One See all the Assassin's Creed Odyssey Black Friday deals Read our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- $45 (PS4/Xbox One)
Call of Duty games tend to hold their value for a long time, and significant discounts are uncommon. $15 off for a game that launched just last month represents a solid deal, and perhaps makes the asking price a bit more palatable if you're upset over the lack of single-player or only care about a single one of its modes (such as the new Blackout battle royale). Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One See all the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Black Friday deals Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review
God of War -- $25 (PS4)
One of the standout games from the first half of the year is God of War. The series formerly known best for its violence returned with a surprisingly touching father-son story--paired with some excellent combat featuring Kratos's new axe weapon, which works a lot like Thor's hammer. Familiarity with the franchise helps, but this is certainly a game you can jump into without having played the previous ones. Buy at Target Read our God of War review
NBA 2K19 -- $30 (PS4/Xbox One)
NBA 2K is routinely considered the best NBA sim series around, and this year is no different. While its microtransactions remain a sore spot for some players, $30 gets you a lot of game here, as you can focus on running a team, managing your own created character, or any number of other modes. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One Read our NBA 2K19 review
SoulCalibur VI -- $35 (PS4/Xbox One)
Another recent release, SoulCalibur VI released in late October and represented a welcome return for the weapons-based fighting game series. Alongside a robust character creator, it continues the series' proclivity for including fighters from other franchises--in this case, The Witcher's Geralt. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One Read our SoulCalibur VI review
PS4 with Marvel's Spider-Man -- $200
Although Target isn't selling Spider-Man itself at a discount, those who don't yet have a PS4 are in for a nice bundle. $200 for a PS4 on its own represents a decent deal, but Target is throwing in a free copy of Insomniac's fun open-world take on the webslinger to sweeten things. Read our Spider-Man review
Forza Horizon 4 -- $35 (Xbox One)
Forza's alternating release schedule continued this fall, with its Horizon sub-series of open-world games seeing the launch of Forza Horizon 4. It's an incredibly fun game that offers a surprising amount of variety for a racing game. One thing to be aware of before buying it is that, like all first-party Xbox One games, it's available through Xbox Game Pass, meaning you get complete access to the game for as long as you're a subscriber. If you want to own a copy, $35 is easily the cheapest price offered so far. Buy at Target Read our Forza Horizon 4 review
Xbox One S Minecraft bundle with $20 Target gift card -- $200
Those in the market for an Xbox One have a variety of options at Target this Black Friday. While this specific bundle includes Minecraft and a Target gift card, the store's ad says all Xbox One consoles will be $70 off, potentially letting you get any pack-in game you want.
Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- $300
While this doesn't represent a discount over Switch's standard price, we don't tend to see the system go on sale often (and certainly not outside of places like Ebay). As such, getting a $60 game (which itself, like most Nintendo games, is rarely discounted by much) for free by picking up the system isn't half bad, especially considering that Deluxe is a great package of Mario Kart content. Read our Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle -- $25 (Nintendo Switch)
When Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle first leaked, it looked like a joke of an idea. In fact, it turned out to be a truly pleasant surprise, offering a take on XCOM-esque tactics gameplay that filled a void which otherwise still hasn't been well addressed on Switch. Kingdom Battle hasn't been discounted steeply often, so getting it for $25 is a bargain worth considering. Buy at Target Read our Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle review
Doom -- $15 (PS4/Xbox One)
If you're looking for a new game on the cheaper end of the spectrum, you could do far worse than Doom. The reboot offered a stellar blend of intense shooter gameplay and extreme violence, complemented by a great soundtrack. Buy at Target: PS4, Xbox One Read our Doom review
PS4/Xbox One controllers -- $40
Whether you already own a PS4 or Xbox One, or you're getting one for the first time this Black Friday, you may want to pick up extra controllers for some local multiplayer action. Regular prices on controllers are steep, but $40 is close to as cheap as we ever see official controllers go, so this represents a good opportunity to stock up on what you need.
By Mat Elfring on Nov 19, 2018 03:18 am
WWE's Tuesday night show, Smackdown's, card has changed quite a bit in the past week, hasn't it? Well, everything should be set for today's Survivor Series PPV, and this show features WWE's Raw and Smackdown superstars taking each other on in the ring. The Staples Center in Los Angeles, California will host the PPV, which starts at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT with a Kickoff Show starting two hours prior. The event will be available to watch on the WWE Network as well as PPV, and there are plenty of different ways to watch Survivor Series. The main attraction of the the event is none other than the multiple Survivor Series matches. Men, women, and tag teams will all get their own elimination tag matches, which will be scattered across the evening. The only one of these matches with any type of build is the women's match, which we previously mentioned. In total, there are eight matches taking place during the evening. Survivor Series Match Card:- Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan
- Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte
- Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins vs. United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
- Women's Survivor Series Match
- Men's Survivor Series Match
- Raw Tag Team Champions AOP vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bar
- Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Mustafa Ali (Cruiserweight Championship)
- Tag Team Survivor Series Match [Kickoff Match]
Make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday, November 18 for live coverage of the show as well as a review.
Tag Team Survivor Series Match [Kickoff Show]
Ignoring the fact that only Raw superstars are pictured above, the Monday night and Tuesday WWE shows will have its tag teams square off in the ring. I love Smackdown's tag division, especially with the recent inclusion of Sanity, but I feel as though Raw is really trying to rebuild its division. In order to make to do that, Raw needs the win here. Prediction: Raw wins
AOP vs. The Bar
I was really hoping Seth Rollins would have beaten AOP on his own and retained the Raw Tag Championship. Sadly, he lost to AOP, and I have no clue what to make of this match anymore. Big Show teaming with The Bar will give them the extra push they need to beat AOP, who are monsters in their own right. But there's nothing on the line here, and I can see it going either way. Prediction: The Bar wins
Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Mustafa Ali
(Cruiserweight Championship) The only match with something on-the-line is for the Cruiserweight Championship. Out of every match on the card, this will be the best one to watch, and honestly, it's the only one I really care about now that Becky Lynch has been pulled from the card. Regardless, both of these men consistently put on great matches, and I'm a big Mustafa Ali fan--not just because he's from my hometown of Chicago--so I'm giving him the win. Prediction: Mustafa Ali wins
Men's Survivor Series Match
Now that Daniel Bryan is out, he's been replaced by Jeff Hardy. This match really boils down to speed (Smackdown) vs. brute force (Raw). Lashley, McIntyre, and Strowman are three of the strongest men on the main rosters. However, on the Smackdown side of things, everyone on the team is a longtime veteran, while Raw has a rookie--comparatively--leading the charge with Braun Strowman. This should be a good match, with a lot of fun spots, and I'm giving the win to Smackdown, but I could see this going either way. Prediction: Smackdown wins
Women's Survivor Series Match
Even though Survivor Series is only a few days away, Smackdown's team is not complete--because Charlotte took Becky Lynch's place in the champion vs. champion match. More than likely, we'll get a big surprise as to who is joining team Smackdown on Sunday, unless WWE just tosses Nikki Cross in there. Anyway, I'm digging Smackdown's lineup for this match than Raw's, so I'm giving Smackdown the win, but it will more than likely be very close as Nia Jax and Tamina will probably dominate a lot of the match for Raw. Prediction: Smackdown wins
Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Right next to the Cruiserweight Championship match, Rollins/Nakamura will be a must-watch Survivor Series bout. WWE has been trying to build something between these two, but Rollins has been intensely involved with Dean Ambrose. Sadly, that's going to play heavily into this match, as Ambrose will undoubtedly interfere. However, instead of going after Rollins, I have a feeling he'll attack Nakamura after a long battle in order to give him the win. Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura wins after Dean Ambrose interference
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte
WWE is trying to make the best out of a bad situation by having Charlotte replace Becky Lynch for the champion vs. champion match. And while Charlotte is fantastic in the ring and could easily carry this match, there is no heat between the two. Originally, I had Lynch to hand Rousey her first loss, but because of this change, I expect Rousey to come out on top. Prediction: Ronda Rousey wins
Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan
I can't wait to see AJ Styles beat Brock Lesnar! Wait, that's not happening anymore? Wait, Daniel Bryan beat AJ Styles for the WWE Championship after a low blow? What is happening? This feels like weird fan service after the Becky Lynch debacle. People want to see these two fight, I guess. As much as I love Daniel Bryan, I don't see him beating Brock Lesnar, especially after the November 13 switcharoo. This champion vs. champion match just feels weird now, and it will most likely be Lesnar squashing Bryan. Prediction: Brock Lesnar wins
Recent Articles:
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment