By Jordan Ramée on Nov 25, 2018 10:05 am
Save Big On Your Favorite Series
The wild Black Friday shopping bonanza is ongoing into the weekend, and--luckily for all you fans out there--there are plenty of good deals to be had on anime and manga. Sentai Filmworks is lowering the prices of its online store's 600+ titles by up to 85% and offering free shipping on all orders that are $75 or more. Rightstuf, meanwhile, has close to 1,000 anime and manga on sale this week, as well as figures, art books, and soundtracks. Funimation is offering huge discounts on massive Blu-ray bundles, and Crunchyroll is discounting pretty much everything from games to plushes. We've outlined the more noteworthy deals in the following gallery. Sentai, Rightstuf, and Funimation's deals are all up prior to Black Friday, but Crunchyroll's deals won't go live until November 23 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. We will continue to update this gallery as more retailers announce their Black Friday anime and manga deals. As such, the specific advised discount for each series may change over time, as each store tends to offer different prices on similar items. Also keep in mind that some stores that sell anime--like Best Buy and Target--will open and close at different times on Black Friday, so it's best to plan ahead if you know you're going to be shopping from a specific outlet. More Anime Guides
Box Sets
Box sets are specialized collections of different anime that typically include the full season or the entire series of a show, as well as exclusive physical items like art books, CD soundtracks, collector's pins, and more. As such, box sets typically run anywhere between $100 and $200 on average. Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Premium Box set is one of the better deals this Black Friday. Normally priced around $140, you can buy the box set for $38 during Sentai Filmworks' pre-Black Friday and Black Friday sales. The set includes the popular series about a young adventurer who delves into a dangerous dungeon in order to become stronger and impress the woman who saved his life, and the comedic hijinks that occur between him and almost every other female he meets. Armed Girl's Machiavellism Premium Box Set Flip Flappers Premium Box Set Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Premium Box Set Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Collector's Ultra Edition Box Set Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun Premium Box Set My Love Story!! Premium Box Set Tokyo Ghoul Season 1 Collection's Edition
Action Series
There's never a dull moment in an action anime, as anything from magic to the living undead transform the lives of ordinary people into a never-ending series of explosive battles. Action anime are typically also fairly funny, using humor to lighten the mood between fights. One such series is Trinity Seven, an anime about a high school boy, named Arata, who joins a magical school in order to learn how to control his powerful abilities. Arata is flippantly open about his opinions and feelings, which leads to him getting into a few problems with the Trinty Seven, the seven girls at his school who each embody one of the seven deadly sins. If you're looking for something a little more serious, take advantage of Sentai Filmworks' Black Friday deal for Princess Principal. The anime follows five girls who live in a steampunk Great Britain and work as spies trying to topple the royal family. During the day, they attend a prestigious school for young ladies, and by night they hunt down and torture, kill, and spy on the corrupt nobility. Aldermin on the Sky Complete Series (Anime Essentials Version) Armed Girl's Machiavellism Complete Collection Arpeggio of Blue Steel Complete Series Assassination Classroom Complete Collection Assassination Classroom Season 2 Complete Collection Black Bullet Complete Collection Chaika - The Coffin Princess Complete Series Code Geass Complete Series Coppelion Complete Series Cowboy Bebop Complete Series Digimon Adventure Tri Coexistance Digimon Adventure Tri Confession Digimon Adventure Tri Determination Digimon Adventure Tri Loss Digimon Adventure Tri Reunion Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker Dragon Ball Complete Series Bundle Dragon Ball Z Complete Series Bundle Dragon Ball Super Complete Series Bundle Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works Fairy Tail Season 1-5 Bundle Flip Flappers Complete Collection Gachaman Crowds Insight Complete Collection High School DxD Season 1-3 + Tissues Bundle High School of the Dead Complete Collection Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Complete Collection Knights & Magic Complete Series My Hero Academia Season 1 Complete Collection My Hero Academia Season 2 Part 1 My Hero Academia Season 2 Part 2 One-Punch Man Complete Collection Overlord Complete Collection Princess Principal Complete Collection Seven Deadly Sins: Knights Of Britannia Complete Collection Soul Eater Complete Series Trinity Seven Complete Collection
Comedy Series
This Black Friday, Engaged to the Unidentified Complete Collection, the Blu-ray for one of the funniest romantic comedies out there, is going on sale. The series focuses on Kobeni, a girl who finds out on her 16th birthday that her grandfather has engaged her to a young boy who lives in a village in the mountains. As she begins to live with her fiance and his energetic younger sister, Kobeni begins to realize that the family she's marrying into aren't exactly human. If you prefer your comedy to be fast-paced, then take advantage of the Black Friday deal for Student Council's Discretion or Tonari No Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time. Both shows focus on contained tongue-in-cheek skits as opposed to an overarching story. Discretion follows a student council that's filled with weirdos that engage in numerous hijinks, while Killing Time is about a young girl who watches the boy next to her in class come up with numerous ways to not pay attention to the teacher. Engaged to the Unidentified Complete Collection Food Wars! Complete Collection I Couldn't Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job Complete Collection Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Complete Collection Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Complete Collection Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun Complete Collection Pop Team Epic Complete Collection Prison School Complete Collection (Anime Essentials Version) Sabegebu! Survival Game Club Complete Collection Space Patrol Luluco (Anime Essentials Version) Student Council's Discretion Complete Collection Student Council's Discretion Level 2 Complete Collection Tonari No Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time Complete Collection
Horror Series
Another is usually sold for around $70. This Black Friday, you can buy the whole series of anime's version of the Final Destination movies for just $19. If you want to be scared, but you need something cute to cleanse your mind between moments of horror, then go for School Live. You definitely want to go into that anime with as little knowledge beforehand as possible. Another Complete Collection Corpse Party OVA Collection Elfen Lied Complete Collection School Live Complete Collection
Fantasy Series
This Black Friday, several fantasy anime are going on sale as well. Although it's not as popular as Sword Art Online, Log Horizon is a great fantasy anime to watch if you love video games. The anime follows Shiro, a young man who's become locked in a virtual reality video game with hundreds of other people and no way to log out. However, instead of acquiring followers through his explosive power like SAO's Kirito, Shiro decides to use his mind to find ways of controlling the game's governments and economy. If you like Log Horizon, chances are you'll like Maoyu too. The anime follows several characters, but mostly focuses on a hero who is chosen to defeat the demon king and their army. However, when he meets the king, she turns out to be not very demonic and she convinces the hero to work with her behind the scenes of their fellow kingdoms in order to ensure both sets of people survive the war. Clockwork Planet Complete Series In Another World With My Smartphone Log Horizon Complete Collection Made in Abyss Complete Collection Maria The Virgin Witch Complete Series Maoyu Complete Collection No Game No Life Zero Saga of Tanya The Evil Complete Series The Dragon Dentist The Familiar Of Zero Complete Series
Romance Series
Momokuri might be one of the funniest romance anime out there, and that's largely because it subverts viewers' expectations. In Momokuri, it's the girl who's a perverted stalker and the boy who's shy and blushing all the time. The anime is full of the adorable misunderstandings associated to the romantic comedy genre, much to the chagrin of the characters. If you take advantage of any romance anime Black Friday deal this year, though, you'll want to buy the complete collection of Maid-Sama! from Sentai Filmworks. Normally priced at $100 or higher, the Blu-ray can be bought from Sentai for $14. Maid-Sama! is one of the most popular shojo manga ever, and the anime based on it perfectly captures the hilarious romance between the smooth Usui and loud-mouthed Ayuzawa. Beyond the Boundary Complete Collection Clannad / Clannad After Story Complete Collection Dusk Maiden of Amnesia Complete Collection Fruit of Grisaia Complete Collection Labyrinth of Grisaia + Eden of Grisaia Complete Collection Golden Time Complete Collection Maid-Sama! Complete Collection Momokuri Complete Collection My Girlfriend is a Gal Complete Series My Love Story!! Complete Collection Sakura Trick Complete Collection Say "I Love You" Complete Collection Tsuredure Children Complete Collection
Slice Of Life Series
The genre of slice of life isn't seen in many mediums outside of anime--think along the same lines as Seinfeld for the closest western comparison. As the name implies, they usually showcase a sliver in the life of a particular person or group of people. In most cases, this is done to create a relaxing show that's easy to binge through and pretty much almost anyone can enjoy, like One Week Friends, Love Lab, and Outbreak Company--all of which have excellent Black Friday sales this year. However, slice of life anime can also be used to teach the viewer a lesson. The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, for example, is an emotional rollercoaster about a couple of ordinary students living in a dorm that's designed for those who are born geniuses, and the anime is one long message about how life is just unfair but that doesn't mean it's not worth living to the fullest. A Centaur's Life Bunny Drop Complete Series Dagashi Kashi Complete Collection Dagashi Kashi Season 2 Complete Collection Gamers! Complete Series HaNaYaMaTa Complete Collection Interview with Monster Girls Love Lab Complete Collection My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Complete Series New Game! Complete Collection New Game!! Season 2 Complete Collection One Week Friends Complete Collection Outbreak Company Complete Collection Place to Place Complete Collection Rail Wars! Complete Collection The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors & Hostel Behavior Complete Collection The Pet Girl of Sakurasou Complete Collection
Tragedy Series
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is really good, and absolutely worth experiencing if you haven't already. Just forewarning, this anime is devastatingly sad. It's about three people--two siblings and the woman they run into--working together to find their way home after an earthquake wrecks Tokyo. Normally priced at $70, Sentai Filmworks is selling the Blu-ray for $19. 91 Days isn't nearly as sad, but it's no less tragic. It's about a young boy--who watched his entire family get murdered by the mafia--growing up to join the mafia so he can take his revenge and destroy the crime family from the inside. Along the way, he slowly sacrifices everything, including his friends and remaining loved ones, and his actions create a cause-and-effect of murder and revenge that lasts 91 days. 91 Days Complete Series (Anime Essentials Version) Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 Complete Collection
Mystery
Hyouka is a one of anime's many modern retellings of Sherlock Holmes. Series protagonist Oreki is a pragmatic high school student with a natural talent for deduction. Much to his annoyance, the energetic Eru is fascinated by his ability and ropes him into helping her solve mysteries across the city. The two are joined by Oreki's best friend Satoshi, who has an amazing memory, and childhood acquaintance Mayaka, who harbors animosity for Oreki and feelings for Satoshi. Hyouka Complete Series
Drama
Sharing several themes with tragic anime, the most notable difference with dramatic anime is typically the happier ending. That doesn't mean these shows are any less emotional to get through, and quite a few are just as sad as a tragedy for touching on triggering content and events, such as bullying, self-harm, suicide, and gender discrimination. Orange is a perfect example. The series follows high school girl Naho, who receives a letter one day that claims to be from her future self. The letter lists all of Naho's future regrets, as well as how to avoid them. Most notable is the regret that she didn't do more to befriend Kakeru, a new transfer student that will supposedly commit suicide in the near future. The anime follows Naho's efforts to save Kakeru's life, as well as improve her own by overcoming her own shortcomings outlined in the letter. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day The Movie Classroom of the Elite Complete Series In This Corner Of The World Orange Complete Series (Limited Edition)
Manga And Light Novels
Although some anime are created as an original series, most are adapted from manga, light novels, or video games. Manga, Japan's versions of comics, and light novels, which are just bite-sized versions of full-fledged novels, are the two usual inspirations. Below are some of the better Black Friday deals for manga and light novels, many of which have already been turned into anime. Both Land of the Lustrous and That Time I Go Reincarnated As A Slime are now anime, for example, with 2017's Lustrous regarded as one of the best anime ever that use CGI and 2018's Slime is one of the better anime of the year. If you're a fan of Nichijou, a popular manga and anime comedy, then try City. Written by the same author, City takes Nichijou's absurd school-related hijinks and adapts them to apply to the lives of young adults and college students. 5 Centimeters Per Second Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Volume 1-4 Bundle City Volume 1-3 Bundle Land of the Lustrous Volume 1-3 Bundle Land of the Lustrous Volume 4-6 Bundle One-Punch Man Volume 1-6 Bundle One-Punch Man Volume 7-12 Bundle That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Volume 1-4 Bundle That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Volume 5-8 Bundle
By Steve Watts on Nov 25, 2018 10:04 am
The Best Black Friday 2018 Game Sales For Nintendo Switch
Black Friday 2018 is now technically over but, thankfully, Nintendo Switch deals are still available, and they're more plentiful this year than last, both on the system itself and games for it. 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? Or just sit in your pajamas with a laptop and make use of the online deals? We've picked through the best discounts 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. Individual games are on sale at all different places, and now Nintendo itself has expanded the full list much further by kicking off the Eshop Cyber Deals sale that discounts both Switch and 3DS games. There, you'll find an assortment of games--both third-party, like Undertale, and Nintendo's own, like Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze--on sale, though these discounts aren't generally as steep as what you might find at other retailers. As usual for this time of year, 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 Chris Pereira on Nov 25, 2018 10:04 am
The Best Target Black Friday 2018 Video Game Deals
Black Friday 2018 has come and game but, naturally, the Black Friday deals are still live most everywhere--and some things are already selling out as we head further into the weekend. Full preview ads were released for many stores, including Target, but the deals are constantly being updated. So, what are the best deals on games and consoles that 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. Target's deals are going to be available from November 22-24, giving you another full day to take advantage before whatever Cyber Monday might bring. 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 Tamoor Hussain on Nov 25, 2018 10:01 am
Walmart's Best Black Friday 2018 Game Sales
Black Friday 2018 is over but there are a lot of great discounts to be had still. For this year's annual shopping holiday retailers have provided prospective spenders a heads-up through their ads. First off the starting line was Target, but others such as Best Buy and Sam's Club have now followed. This means that there's no time to waste, especially if you haven't already figured out what you want. 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 got access to Walmart's discounts through Walmart.com on Wednesday, November 21 at 10 PM ET (7 PM PT). Since supplies can be limited, there's a chance it could be slim picking there already but it's still worth having a look, as you may find yourself a surprise bargain. 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 Array on Nov 25, 2018 08:25 am
Best Steam "Autumn Sale" Black Friday 2018 Game Deals
This isn't an official Black Friday sale, but don't let that stop you from saving lots of cash on PC games. Steam has launched its annual Autumn Sale, which serves as the equivalent of the digital storefront's sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Steam operator Valve is known for offering games at a discount for most of the year round, so it takes the annual shopping event as an opportunity to dig even deeper than usual. As a result there are plenty of sales to be had. The Autumn Sale lasts through November 27 at 10 AM PT. Alongside some of the software listed below, Steam is also offering discounts on its own hardware, like 30% off a Steam Controller, or the soon to be hard-to-find Steam Link for $2.50. In some cases you may be better off using a third-party that distributes Steam codes like Fanatical, so be sure to comparison shop even when the bargains look great. Alongside the Steam Autumn Sale, the company is hosting the Steam Awards. These user-voted awards are giving accolades for some expected categories like Game of the Year and VR Game of the Year, along with more esoteric categories like The Labor of Love Award and the Best Alternate History Award. Participating by casting your ballot can earn you XP and badges on your Steam profile. Check out below for a selection of some of our favorite games discounted in the Steam Autumn Sale, and plan your purchases accordingly. Best Black Friday DealsAll The Game Deals
Valkyria Chronicles 4 - $30
Valkyria Chronicles has had its ups and downs as a series, but this latest entry is a return to form. The strategy series follows a loose retelling of World War 2 as a dreadful fascistic army ruthlessly takes over lands. This being an RPG, of course, the telling is supplemented by magical elements, but Valkyria Chronicles was first and foremost memorable for its strong characters and surprising themes. Valkyria Chronicles 4 takes the series to a new theater of war and adds some new mechanics, but it ultimately keeps all the systems in place that made the original a cult classic. Buy Valkyria Chronicles 4 on Steam Read our Valkyria Chronicles 4 review
Yakuza 0 -- $13.39
The long-running Yakuza series is known for its juxtaposition of a serious story and wacky side activity hijinks, and Yakuza 0 makes for a perfect entry point. Set years before previous entries, this serves as a fine introduction to Kiryu and company. While its combat system is fairly basic, it's still satisfying to beat fools down with a giant motorcycle in between karaoke sessions. Buy Yakuza 0 on Steam Read our Yakuza 0 review
Hollow Knight -- $10
You're a fragile beetle when you first start Hollow Knight and begin your descent into its massive subterranean world. As you explore, you'll find many powerful enemies, including intimidating bosses that can overtake you in just a few swipes. But if you stick with it, you'll gain all sorts of new powers and abilities, unlocking new areas, and unraveling the many mysteries of this gorgeous underground world. It's an adventure worth taking. Buy Hollow Knight on Steam Read our Hollow Knight review
Shadow of the Tomb Raider -- $30
Crystal Dynamics' reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise has been met with quite a bit of acclaim. While Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the third post-reboot entry, stumbled a bit with fans and critics, there's still a lot to like about the game--especially at half off. An even stronger focus on exploring tombs and an emphasis on the dark and spooky dangers within means there are lots of cool depths into which to delve. New stealth mechanics make Lara Croft even deadlier and encourage new strategies. And new DLC through the season pass introduces cooperative play through some puzzle-heavy levels that shift the dynamic of the game. If you're a Tomb Raider fan, this is a great price at which to check out Shadow. Buy Shadow of the Tomb Raider Read our Shadow of the Tomb Raider review
Sonic Games -- 66-85% off
Sega's output of games starring its iconic blue hedgehog certainly hasn't slowed down in the mascot's 27-year history. Sonic has had some serious ups and downs in that time, but if you're a hardcore series fan, you're likely in it for the long haul. Luckily for you, many of the blue blur's most iconic adventures and spin-offs are on sale, so if you've been holding off on grabbing certain entries you might've missed, now's your chance. If you've yet to play any Sonic games, the original Sega Genesis trilogy and the Sonic Adventure games are each priced below $5. You can also pick up the wonderful Sonic Generations for $5, as well as both his kart racing spin-offs together for under $10. But let's face it, the game you should really be playing is Sonic Mania, an astounding throwback adventure that showcases why Sonic games were so fun, while also expanding its fast-paced 2D platforming in new and exciting ways. It'll be the best $6.79 you spend in a long time. Buy Sonic Mania on Steam Buy Sonic Generations on Steam Buy Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed on Steam Buy Sonic the Hedgehog on Steam Buy Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on Steam Buy Sonic 3 & Knuckles on Steam Buy Sonic Adventure 2 on Steam Read our Sonic Mania review Read our Sonic Generations review Read our Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed review
Far Cry 5 -- $30
Traditionally, Far Cry games find Americans traveling to faraway lands that are overtaken by enemy groups you can kill on sight. This year's installment takes place in Hope County Montana, a swath of land that's been seized by an apocalyptic murder cult. Your job is to run, drive, fly, and wingsuit your way into the many enemy compounds dotting the landscape, bringing them down with as much or as little firepower as you see fit. In short, it's a whole lot of dumb fun. Buy Far Cry 5 on Steam Read our Far Cry 5 review
Final Fantasy Series -- 50% off
The Final Fantasy series has been around for decades, making big-budget games in the not-always-popular JRPG genre. And unlike some other series--ahem, Dragon Quest--each installment brings new ideas (and usually entirely new worlds) to the table. Most Final Fantasy games are half off on Steam right now, making it a perfect time to fill out your game library with any that are missing. And if you're new to the series, you can try the latest one, Final Fantasy XV, or one of the time-tested classics, like Final Fantasy VII. Buy Final Fantasy IV on Steam Buy Final Fantasy VII on Steam Buy Final Fantasy IX on Steam Buy Final Fantasy XV on Steam Read our Final Fantasy XV review Read our Final Fantasy VII review
Nier Automata -- $30
Nier Automata is much more than the hack-and-slash action RPG you see at first glance. Gameplay-wise, you'll be tasked to fight from different perspectives and occasionally take control of a mech that transforms the game into a top-down shooter. Being effective in traditional combat means you'll be dodging at the precise moment and firing off your pod, and you'll be configuring a chipset that acts as a set of abilities to cater to your playstyle. However, that's not what makes Nier Automata the tremendous game it is. Series producer Yoko Taro has a knack for unconventional storytelling, and he pulls out all the stops here. There are many layers to this tale of android existentialism with multiple playthroughs, alternate endings, and ambiguous story elements all contributing its overall impact. Its soundtrack has a significant role, too, as it communicates tone as strongly as any line of dialogue. You'll be thinking about this game well after you've completed all its story paths. Buy Nier Automata on Steam Read our Nier Automata review
Resident Evil franchise -- 35-80% off
The granddaddy of the survival horror genre has gone through so many iterations, reboots, alterations, and retcons that there's something for just about anyone to enjoy. The series has been hugely influential through the years, setting the stage for survival horror games of the 1990s with Resident Evil, then upending the formula and redefining third-person shooters with Resident Evil 4. You can get zombie-blasting co-op play in Resident Evil 5 and 6, dial back to a more story-focused experience with the Revelations series, or watch RE simultaneously cover new ground and return to its roots with the excellent Resident Evil 7. If you're a horror fan, there are plenty of Resident Evil games you shouldn't miss, and Steam has them all at deep discounts. Buy Resident Evil Remaster -- $7.99 Buy Resident Evil 0 Remaster -- $7.99 Buy Resident Evil 4 -- $4.99 Buy Resident Evil 5 -- $4.99 Buy Resident Evil 6 -- $7.49 Buy Resident Evil Revelations -- $6.89 Buy Resident Evil Revelations II: Episode 1 -- $0.89 Buy Resident Evil 7 -- $19.49 Read our Resident Evil 7 review
Dead Cells -- $20
The core of Dead Cells is a hack-'n-slash rogue-lite that sees you fighting your way through a satisfying cycle of killing, dying, learning, and repeating. The game keeps things interesting by interspersing a few minor moments of Metroidvania-inspired exploration, allowing you to find abilities that permanently unlock certain areas. New enemies pop up in every level, and each one proves more challenging than the last. However, Dead Cells' responsive controls and easy-to-grasp mechanics means you're never at a complete disadvantage. Even when you do die, the quick respawn time has you itching to get back into the fight and try out a different strategy or weapon combination against whatever killed you. Buy Dead Cells on Steam Read our Dead Cells review
Danganronpa series -- $45
The murder-mystery series of Danganronpa games are all well worth a look for visual novel fans. Each game's cast of distinct, eccentric characters makes the story well worth seeing through, and the class trials where you determine who carried out a murder are almost always full of fun twists. The entire core series can be had for $45 right now, or you can pick up just the first game (Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, pictured above) for a mere $10 if you'd prefer to just try a taste. Just be sure to start from the beginning rather than jumping right to the most recent game, Danganronpa V3. Buy Danganronpa 1/2/V3 -- $45 Buy Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc on Steam -- $10 Buy Danganronpa 1+2 on Steam -- $18 Buy Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair on Steam -- $10 Buy Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony on Steam -- $30 Read our Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc review Read our Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair review Read our Danganronpa V3 review
Dragon Quest 11 -- $42
Even in a year rife with marquee releases, the latest chapter in Square Enix's illustrious RPG franchise, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, stands as one of the best games of 2018. Featuring a touching tale, a charming cast of characters, and traditional turn-based combat (accentuated by new mechanics like the pep system), Dragon Quest XI is a must-play for RPG fans. And as one of the more recent releases on this list, Dragon Quest XI hasn't been on the receiving end of too many discounts, making this a good opportunity to pick the game up if you haven't yet. Buy Dragon Quest XI on Steam Read our Dragon Quest XI review
Into the Breach -- $10
One of the year's best new strategy games, Into the Breach hasn't seen many discounts, so hacking $5 off an already reasonable price makes this one of the most irresistible deals in Steam's sale. From the same developer as the excellent FTL, Into the Breach puts you in command of a group of mechs on a tile-based map and tasks you with defending buildings from invading monsters. What distinguishes it is the level of transparency it provides: You know exactly what enemies will do on their turn and what effect your actions will have, making it into a game of chess that does away with the guesswork. It's immensely satisfying, particularly when manipulating enemies' positioning to make them attack each other rather than their intended targets. Buy Into the Breach on Steam Read our Into the Breach review
Mega Man 11 -- $24
The classic action platforming hero Mega Man just had a return to form with the recent Mega Man 11, and it's on sale along with other games from the blue bomber's back catalog in case you need to catch up. Mega Man 11 can be had for $24, while the Mega Man Legacy Collection Combo Pack is $15 and the Mega Man X Legacy Collection Bundle is $30. If you just need a tiny taste of the classic platformer, your cheapest option is the first piece of the Legacy Collection for just $6. Buy Mega Man 11 on Steam -- $24 Buy Mega Man Legacy Collection Combo Pack on Steam -- $15 Buy Mega Man X Legacy Collection Bundle on Steam -- $30 Read our Mega Man 11 review Read our Mega Man Legacy Collection review Read our Mega Man X Legacy Collection review
Full Metal Furies -- $10
Teamwork makes the dream work in Full Metal Furies, a challenging game that features strategic brawler combat and puzzling riddles. You can either go it alone as two of the four women who compose the Furies, or team up with three others in co-op play. The Furies' quest across their war-torn world to kill the monstrous Titans is not without its drama, but it's mostly a humorous collection of tongue-in-cheek skits. When Triss, Alex, Erin, and Meg aren't goofing off or killing monsters, they're trying to solve the collection of riddles marked on mysterious stones hidden throughout their world. Figuring out each riddle is key to unlocking Full Metal Furies' extended ending, but you'll have to think outside the box--and sometimes even look to resources outside the game itself--to figure them all out. Buy Full Metal Furies on Steam Read our Full Metal Furies review
Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe -- $12
In the fictional kingdom of Victusia, Brigadiers protect the land by killing monsters and cooking them into delicious dishes for the hungry population. In Battle Chef Brigade, you play as Mina, an aspiring Brigadier, who runs away from home to pursue her dream. To prove her skill, you'll control Mina through several cooking competitions where you'll have to hunt down specific monsters for the correct ingredients and then play through an intuitive, yet challenging puzzle game in order to cook your dishes to perfection--all while keeping an eye on how much time you have left. It's satisfying to pull off perfect last second combinations in the kitchen, and the well-written story will leave you smiling ear-to-ear from start to finish. Buy Battle Chef Brigade on Steam
Monster Hunter World -- $40
Capcom's long-running Monster Hunter series has cultivated a passionate following thanks to its deep loot and crafting systems, but the franchise has traditionally struggled to attract a wide audience. That all changed with the release of Monster Hunter World, which makes some smart tweaks to the series' formula in order to to open it up to newer players, all without sacrificing any of the depth that has made it so beloved among fans. With a regular stream of updates and seasonal events, there is plenty to see and do in the New World, whether you're a new hunter or a seasoned veteran. Buy Monster Hunter World on Steam Read our Monster Hunter World review
By Array on Nov 25, 2018 01:16 am
Surviving West Virginia
The time has finally come for a new Fallout game. Like previous entries, Fallout 76 is a massive game filled to the brim with RPG systems and mechanical details many of which aren't explained in detail. Add that on top of the new multiplayer functionality and it's more than likely you've got some questions that need answers to. Fortunately, we're here to help with our collective knowledge having each played the game for a couple dozen hours. Many of the series' classic idiosyncrasies remain in Fallout 76. You'll wander the land, gather resources, craft items, kill a super mutant or two, and get involved in all sorts of questlines. In this feature, we go over tips you should know about the game's survival and progression systems, as well as call out important details to keep at the forefront of your mind as you play--whether it's taking time to build up your C.A.M.P. or pilfering whatever Power Armor you see. If you're keen for a more basic rundown of what to expect when you first jump into the game, be sure to check out our Fallout 76 survival guide. In that feature, we offer recommendations of cool places to check out, as well as a few beginner's tips. Fallout 76 is out now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, but be sure to read our Fallout 76 early review impressions to see how it turned out! For more guides, you can check out our survival guide, as well as our feature highlighting where to get some easy Power Armor sets. If you've still got questions about how Fallout 76 plays, be sure to check out our feature highlighting everything you need to know about the game. In the meantime, what are some of the craziest discoveries you've made in Fallout 76? Got any useful tips to offer, too? Let us know in the comments below.
Tackle the Main Story Early On
Once you leave Vault 76, you are free to go anywhere you want. But don't let that freedom go to your head, as you most definitely lack the resources needed to survive. If you're not careful, you're likely to end up somewhere high leveled and dangerous. We strongly recommend at least doing the first couple quests in the main story, which act as an extended tutorial and also provide you with a ton of important supplies and blueprints. The story missions in the Overseer's Camp, the town of Flatwoods, and the Morgantown Airport teach you about workbenches, diseases, and how your C.A.M.P. works. You also gain a ton of basic weapons, ammo, aid supplies, recipes, and plans for building. After Morgantown, you'll be in much better shape to start exploring freely. Keep in mind that the main story is in general a great way to get new stuff and learn the game, so it's a good idea to hop back in and do it every once in a while.
Use the C.A.M.P
The C.A.M.P. is a new feature in Fallout 76 that acts as your own personal base that you can use to rest, repair equipment, and eventually build your own home. Because it's technically a camp, that means you can move it to anywhere you want on the map--for a small fee, of course. But don't fret, as stuff you've already crafted is stored and can be replaced at no cost, so you only have to worry about building something like a workbench once. Traveling to your C.A.M.P. is always free, so try to place it strategically. That means putting it near resources, existing crafting benches, and water until you have unlocked crafting stations and water purifiers to do the work for you. Even if you aren't interested in building up your C.A.M.P., it's worth creating a basic one that has all the stuff you need, like a cooking station, workbenches, and a stash. It's also worth noting that you can't just set up your C.A.M.P. anywhere you please. It needs to be in a location that isn't named. In addition, if you want to preserve your stuff from the elements, make sure to store your stuff in your Stash (more on that in the slide ahead) before leaving. There's a lot to the C.A.M.P., so be sure to check out our separate video that goes over all the nitty-gritty details.
Build a Stash
Like previous Fallout games, your character's inventory limit is going to be a consistent obstacle, because when you're carrying too much stuff, your Action Points are sapped just from moving around--compared to past games where you just became incredibly slow. Because of this, your Stash at homebase is one of your most valuable assets. Always have a Stash in your camp and use it store stuff to make space for yourself. Only you can access your Stash, so anything you place in there is safe from the hands of unfriendly players. You'll notice other Stash boxes throughout the world and in other people's camps, but using them will only access your Stash and not anybody else's. If you're far away from your camp and need to know where to look for a Stash, there will usually be one at a Train Station or Red Rocket. Always throw whatever junk you've picked up into your Stash; there's actually a command that instantly offloads all your junk in the Stash menu. Once all your junk is in your Stash, you have access to all of it at any workbench for crafting, so you don't need to worry about carrying it around everywhere you go. Do keep in mind that the Stash does have an item limit. It's not possible to build a second one, so eventually you're gonna have to start getting rid of stuff. You can't put off Spring cleaning--not even in Fallout 76!
Repairing Weapons and Armor is Different!
Weapon and armor conditions return for Fallout 76 after having been absent from Fallout 4. However, unlike Fallout 3 and New Vegas, where you could use another weapon or armor of the same type to improve the first's condition, you need specific junk to repair your gear in Fallout 76--much like how you upgrade mods. If you're missing materials, you can tag them for search just like in Fallout 4 to help you find what you need when scavenging. While armor takes a little time to bust, weapons can degrade rather quickly, so make sure to keep an eye on them--lest they break in the middle of combat.
Beware of Diseases
One of the newest additions to Fallout 76 are diseases, and they can really harm you if you're not careful. You can get them from pretty much anything. The obvious comes from enemies labeled as "diseased," such as a Diseased Radroach, which can easily infect you by simply touching you. When you see an enemy marked as "diseased," it's always best shoot them from a distance. You wouldn't think it, but beds have a high chance of giving you disease, specifically any bedding that's not raised off the ground. You also also catch diseases from eating rotten or raw food, swimming in water, or even just walking in certain areas that contain airborne diseases. That last one can be avoided by wearing certain equipment, like Hazmat or Space Suits, or Gas Masks like the Fire Breather Helmet. If you're unfortunate enough to catch a disease, your options are to either to wait it out, or cure it with medicine. Waiting for a disease to go away on its own can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the disease. Curing a disease is obviously the prefered method, but Cure Disease (actually what the item is called) can be tough to find. Alternatively, if you're in a real pinch, you can set up your camp and wait to die and then respawn, which will cure your disease.
Pilfer Power Armor
Power Armor is high-level equipment that comes in handy later on. But in your early runnings, you'll come across plenty of Power Armor chassis out in the world, but they'll only have a few pieces of armor on them. These pieces are usually around level 40, so you can't even use them most of the time. But don't ignore these just because you're at a low level, as you can still take advantage of them. Remove all the armor pieces attached to the Power Armor, and if you have the space, bring them with you to store in your Stash. After that, hop into the Power Armor chassis, as even without any armor plates attached, it'll give a defense bonus and a boost to your carrying capacity. It's worth noting that once you hop into a Power Armor chassis, it's yours, which means you can store it in your inventory or place it in your Stash. Taking the time to scavenge Power Armor pieces early on will put you in a better place when you reach the appropriate level to actually use fully decked-out Power Armor.
Pay Attention To The Verdant Season
Regions will gain what the game calls a "verdant season" where resources like plants will be more abundant. It cycles through different regions, so pay attention to the tip messages on the right of the screen so you know where to visit if you want to collect extra resources. Pay special attention for ingredients needed to cure diseases such as blood leaf, which is found near streams.
You Can Change Your Look At Any Time
If you're you're the type to spend an hour or two in the game's character creator, know that you're not locked into your choices after you confirm your appearance. Unlike previous games, Fallout 76 lets you change your appearance at any time. Simply bring up the map, tap R1 or RB to access the menu, and choose the "Change Appearance" option. Resort to this if you're in a rush to play the game and want to think about your looks later.
Don't Forget To Unlock Plans And Recipes In Your Inventory
Crafting is an important part of the Fallout experience. After all, if you're going to survive out in the Wasteland, you'll need to leverage all that useless junk you grab into functional items. As you explore, you will find new plans and recipes that'll expand your repertoire of craftable items. You might think these will get added to the workbench recipe list upon picking them up, but you'd be mistaken. To unlock them in your crafting list, simply pull up your Pipboy and confirm them in the Notes section of your inventory.
Make It A Point To Scavenge Bobby Pins And Radaway
Classic necessities from previous games, like Bobby Pins and Radaway, are much harder to come by in Fallout 76. Make it a point to investigate every nook and cranny of an environment, as these items are often tucked away in the most unexpected places. And if you've got enough money or resources, make sure to stock up by buying, trading, or crafting them. Work at it enough and before long these won't be so hard to keep in constant supply.
Interact With Others!
Fallout 76 is a multiplayer game so interacting with other players is major component. But you must be wondering: "What's possible?" First off, there is in-game voice chat that's area-based, letting you hear people close by. Direct communication is a useful tool for asking players if they want to trade or help you out. If you don't want to to hear other players you can always turn this off in the audio settings, and it's still possible to communicate with visual emotes. Trading with other players is as simple as walking up to them and pressing a button. You can get a full look at someone's inventory and request specific items you're interested in. Of course, there's also PVP. You can't attack or be attacked by other players until you're level 5, which is meant to prevent spawn camping outside Vault 76 and killing all the newcomers. Once you can attack others, you'll notice that when you first start shooting players, you will actually be inflicting a reduced amount of damage. Again, this is meant to prevent random people from just killing you, or you from killing them. If the other player attacks back, the two of you have officially engaged in combat with the damage safety turned off. While it's difficult, it's possible to kill a player who isn't fighting back, but doing so is considered murder. That puts a bounty on your head and replaces your icon on the map with a bright shiny red star, letting everyone know where you are. Any player can then murder you and be rewarded with a bounty of caps, which comes out of your personal supply. You'll get some rewards from the bodies of dead players, but looting them isn't gonna score you their armor or weapons. Instead, you only get their junk and crafting supplies. While this may not seem like much, scoring a large supply of junk can be a nice boost for you, while losing a lot of junk you just spent the last hour collecting can be pretty devastating. Luckily, your dead body will be marked on the map, so you can recover your stuff regardless of what killed you. When an encounter stops being fun and games, you can block a player by finding them on the social menu and then flagging them.
How Parties Work And Some Useful Tips
Teaming up as party comes with its own benefits. Party members can share Perks with each other (more on Perks later), as long as your Charisma stat is three times the rank of the Perk. It's best to work together with your party and figure out which perks to share to maximize the benefits of the group. When you're in a group, the questline the party leader has active is shared with the whole party, and completing the quest gives everyone the reward--even if party members have already beaten that specific quest. Party members can also fast travel to each other without needing to pay caps. You aren't tethered to each other, so you're free to split up and travel separately and then rejoin as a group whenever you want. In fact, if you're friends with someone and in the same server, you can fast travel to them for free even if you aren't in a party together. If you have a large group that needs to be broken up into multiple teams, this is a great way to stick together and form a supergroup.
Good Perk Cards To Get
Fallout 76's new leveling system is quite a bit different from previous games. This time it's based around Perk cards. Every time you level up, you can put a point into one of the seven S.P.E.C.I.A.L. skills that make up your character's stats, and then pick a card to equip for the skill. The number of points you have in that skill determines how many cards you can have. For example, if you have four points in a particular skill, you can unlock four Rank 1 cards, or two Rank 2 cards, or one Rank 3 card and one Rank 1 card. A Perk card always starts at Rank 1. If you want to upgrade its rank, you need to combine it with duplicates of the same card. There are dozens of Perk cards, many of which we've yet to find. You generally earn them by leveling up, opening up Perk card packs, or by completing challenges. Below is a rundown of which cards you should look out for. As you probably know, the Charisma skill is based around working with other players. If you're in a team, you want to use Charisma Perk cards that provides team bonuses. A useful one is Inspirational, which nets you bonus XP when in a team. But make sure to share the card if you want your whole team to get the XP boost rather than just you. Even if you aren't in a team, Charisma still has Perks, like Lone Wanderer, which reduces damage and boosts AP regen for solo players. As you play, an important factor to consider is your weight limit. Running out of space is a problem you'll face often. The Strength Perk card, Pack Rat, can reduce the weight of your junk items up to 75% at max rank. However, in our experience two of the most unexpected sources of weight are food and first aid supplies. The Agility Perk card Thru-hiker can reduce food and drink weight to a max of 90% and can easily clear up to 60 lbs from your inventory. Another good Agility Perk card is Action Girl/Boy, which lets you regenerate your AP faster. This is incready useful as it ties into your sprint, which tends to run out quickly early on. Endurance cards are useful in managing the game's survival requirements, such as reducing radiation, not needing to eat or drink as much, or preventing diseases. Make sure you and your party always have lockpick and hacking perks handy so you can unlock safes or hack terminals. Gunsmith is an incredibly useful Intelligence Perk card that makes slows gun degradation and lets you crafter higher tiers of guns as you rank it up. There's also First Aid, which increases the amount of health gained from stimpacks. These are only few examples of cards we found useful during the early parts of the game. Remember you can swap your perks at anytime, so always take the time to set them up to fit your current playstyle.
Complete Challenges to Earn Atoms
Fallout 76 has an in-game microtransaction store called the Atomic Shop you can access from the main menu. Everything it offers is purely cosmetic, like new outfits, paint jobs for you Pipboy or Power Armor, photo mode poses, and player emotes. It all costs Atoms, a currency that you can buy with real-world money. But chances are you'd rather earn those Atoms by completing in-game challenges. There's a series of set challenges you can complete along with a rotating set of daily and weekly challenges. You'll naturally complete a lot of these just from playing, but if you're itching to get more Atoms, check out the challenges page in the menu to find some of the easy ones to complete.
Rapid-Fire Tips (Other General Tips)
There's a lot of small stuff packed into the game that's worth being mindful of. Below are some tips we didn't think would suffice as their own slides, but are important to mention nonetheless: - Holotapes still play when you enter a loading screen but you no longer hear them. So if you have a tape playing wait until you leave or enter a building or fast travel until you're done listening to it.
- Always carry a Hazmat suit with you. There are tons of areas with heavy radiation that can quickly kill you the more you spend time there, so a Hazmat suit is essential. That, and they can prevent airborne and waterborne diseases.
- If you find an instrument, take 30 seconds to play it and receive the Well-tuned status, which grants you a bonus +25% AP regeneration for 1 hour.
- Be warned, if you murder someone while in a party, your teammates can start attacking you right away. You won't be able to attack them, however, because you're on the same team.
- Use a Tinker's Workbench to bulk your materials, which will condense them and reduce the weight, freeing up more space in your inventory or Stash.
- If your meat, veggies, or fruit spoil, don't eat them but also don't throw them away. You can convert them into fertilizer.
- Sleep at the start of every play session until you get the well rested icon. It means you get more XP on your adventures.
- You can swap your Pip-Bboy between two viewing modes: the standard one takes up your entire view, but the alternate version lets you see what's around you while you navigate menus.
- When building the CAMP, many objects in the world block larger saved bases from being placed. Fortunately you only really need one point of contact and can float your entire base on a single set of stairs. Minimizing your base's footprint will reduce your chances of not being able to deploy it.
- Even if you don't like VATS, it's still very good for quick shots with bolt action weapons.
- Remap the grenade button if you play on PC and plan on using ShadowPlay. Its currently set to Left ALT, and trying to start and stop ShadowPlay will have you accidentally throw a grenade. Also it's just an awkward key to put melee/grenade on anyways.
By Jordan Ramée on Nov 25, 2018 01:10 am
Best Black Friday 2018 Game Deals
The annual Black Friday shopping bonanza is ongoing. It's now Saturday, but most deals--save for those that have sold out--are still available at places like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and GameStop. Their Black Friday 2018 offerings include hardware and highly-rated Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch games, but it can be hard to find the deals that are worthwhile. Here, we're breaking down the best deals we've spotted. Fallout 76 is our latest addition to the gallery; it's already dropped to $40 on Xbox One despite being only a week old, with equivalent PS4 and PC deals still slated to come. While the reception has not been especially positive, that's a notable price drop for something released so recently. 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, PC
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 PC
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
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
Marvel's Spider-Man -- PS4
In our Marvel's Spider-Man review, Edmond Tran gave the game 9/10, writing, "The feeling of embodying Spidey and using his abilities is astonishing, and the time spent on exploring its major characters help make its story feel heartfelt, despite superhero bombast. There have been open-world Spider-Man games before, but none so riveting and full of personality, none that explore and do justice to this many facets of the universe." Marvel's Spider-Man is available exclusively on PlayStation 4. PS4
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
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
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
Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition -- PS4
In our Horizon Zero Dawn review, Peter Brown gave the game 9/10, writing, "For every minor imperfection, there's an element of greatness that recharges your desire to keep fighting and exploring Zero Dawn's beautiful and perilous world. Guerrilla Games has delivered one of the best open-world games of this generation, and redefined its team's reputation in the process." Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition is available on PS4. PS4 $10 -- GameStop
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. Xbox One PlayStation 4 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
Fallout 76 -- PS4, Xbox One
Fallout 76 is the series' first foray into online multiplayer. It's a major shift for the franchise, as this is an online-only game. The critical reception has not been especially warm, but regardless, those interested will be able to pick it up for $40 despite it having only just released last week. PS4 Xbox One
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