By Dan Auty on Dec 03, 2018 11:30 pm
While horror has remained popular throughout the years, the genre does seem to be going through a particularly healthy phase at the moment. It has become a major critical and commercial force, with stunning independent horror movies, mainstream box office smashes, and award-winning modern classics helping raise its profile to an all-time high. From Hereditary and Suspiria to A Quiet Place and Halloween, 2018 was a great year for fans and the success of these movies has ensured that the next few years should be just as awesome and scary. 2019 has much to live up to, but there's tons of great stuff on the way. Horror is of course a genre that thrives on sequels, so there is inevitably plenty of those to come over the next 12 months. The most anticipated sequel is unquestionably It: Chapter 2, the second part of the hugely successful Stephen King adaptation. Other sequels include Rob Zombie's 3 From Hell, long-awaited follow-up to cult favorite The Devil's Rejects, the Blumhouse-produced horror comedy Happy Death Day 2U, and the third Annabelle movie. There's also some notable reboots and adaptations. Stephen King's Pet Sematary gets a new version, while the classic novel The Turn of the Screw has been updated in a classy new adaptation produced by Steven Spielberg. Hellboy returns to the screen with Stranger Things' David Harbor in the lead role, and we finally get to see if the X-Men horror movie, The New Mutants, has been worth the very long wait. But of course, it's not all sequels and reboots, there are some intriguing original movies too. The ever-busy James Wan produces the spooky ghost story The Curse of Llarona, while former Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn brings us the mysterious Brightburn. Finally, Jordan Peele follows Get Out with Us, which will reportedly be every bit as provocative as his stunning directorial debut. So here's the biggest horror movies to look for in 2019....
Escape Room
Release date: January 4 This dark thriller kicks off 2018's horror slate. It features Lost in Space star Taylor Russell and Daredevil's Deborah Ann Woll. Both are part of a group who are invited to compete in an escape room challenge. Of course, this being a horror movie, the penalty for being the last to leave each room is death. The movie is directed by Adam Robitel, who helmed this year's Insidious: The Last Key, and has seemingly taken influence from the both the Saw series and the Cube movies.
Happy Death Day 2U
Release date: February 14 Happy Death Day was perhaps the most purely enjoyable horror movie of 2017, and the fantastically titled sequel arrives on Valentine's Day next year. The movie picks up after student Tree has escaped the time-loop that saw her killed by a masked psycho again and again.This time round she reenters the loop to find out why she got stuck in it the first time, but discovers that her murderous nemesis, Lori, has been somehow resurrected and wants revenge. The first movie was a smart, knowing horror spin on Groundhog Day that balanced laughs and scares in equal measure, and featured a stand-out lead performance from rising star Jessica Rothe. With Rothe, director Christopher Landon, and producer Jason Blum all back for the follow-up, this is an absolute must-see.
The Turning
Release date: February 22 Henry James's 1898 novel The Turn of the Screw has been adapted numerous times over the years, and this latest version arrives in February. It comes with plenty of calibre both in front of and behind the camera; the cast is headed by Mackenzie Davis (Blade Runner 2049, the upcoming Terminator 6) and Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things, It), and there's a role for Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright. The Turning is directed by acclaimed music video maker Floria Sigismondi, and it is something of a passion project for producer Steven Spielberg, who reportedly wanted to be involved with a scary movie again. This tale of a nanny and her spooky experiences while looking after two kids in a old house is a true classic, and a new take on the material is very welcome.
Us
Release date: March 15 Almost nothing is known about Us, Jordan Peele's follow-up to his modern horror classic Get Out, even though it hit screens in March. But it's got an impressive cast--it reunites Black Panther's Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke, and also stars Elizabeth Moss and comedian Tim Heidecker. Beyond that, all we know comes from this story story in The Hollywood Reporter which says that the movie "centers on two couples, one white and one black," and that it will be "as provocative and thought-provoking" as Get Out. We can probably expect a trailer soon, but either way, this is one to get excited about.
Pet Sematary
Release date: April 4 The Stephen King adaptations keep on coming. Expectations are extremely high for It: Chapter 2 in September, but before we get to that, we have this new adaptation of King's classic 1983 novel Pet Sematary. The movie focuses on a family who move into a new house near some typically spooky woods. There are stories about local kids who buried their dead pets in a makeshift cemetery (with a misspelled sign), and it soon becomes clear that there are some dark forces at work. The movie stars Jason Clarke (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), John Lithgow (The Crown, Dexter), and Amy Seimetz (Alien: Covenant, Stranger Things), and is directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, who picked up much acclaim for their indie horror Starry Eyes. King's novel is one of his scariest and most harrowing works, and while the 1989 movie holds up pretty well, there's plenty of scope for really diving into the story's darkest themes. Pet Sematary arrives in April--in the meantime check out the impressive first trailer.
Hellboy
Release date: April 12 While Guillermo Del Toro's two hellboy movies are fan favorites, they weren't financially successful enough to produce a third movie. But the wise-cracking, cigar-chomping demonic anti-hero is set to return in this reboot, with Stranger Things stars David Harbour taking over from Ron Perlman the lead role. While Del Toro's films were fantasy-based action movies, it sounds like this new Hellboy will be a much darker, more horrific affair. Director Neil Marshall (Game of Thrones, The Descent) has stated that he has returned to the tone of Mike Mignola's comic books and has described the movie as "more violent and more bloody" than the previous entries. Hell yes.
The Curse of Llarona
Release date: April 15 While James Wan's biggest movie are Furious 7 and the upcoming Aquaman, he remains a key part of the modern horror genre. He helped create three of the genre's biggest franchises--Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring--and continues to produce movies for other filmmakers. The Curse of Llarona is his latest; it's the directorial debut of Michael Chaves, and stars Linda Cardellini (Mad Men, Bloodline) as a social worker who discovers her family is being targeted by a ghost from Mexican folklore, who wants to claim her children. The first trailer was released in October, and it looks like a suitably scary ride.
Brightburn
Release date: May 24 Brightburn was originally set to get a big launch at San Diego Comic-Con in July, but the abrupt firing of the movie's producer-James Gunn-from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 meant that the event was quickly cancelled. The film was also pushed back from its November 2018 release to May 2019. We don't actually know anything about the plot yet--the title was only revealed in October--and no images or footage have been revealed yet. Brightburn stars Elizabeth Banks (who previously appeared in Gunn's 2006 horror fave Slither), and the fact that Sony has decided to release it in a prime May slot suggests there is plenty of confidence in the movie.
Grudge
Release date: June 21 The Grudge series is one of the more confusing horror franchises, with various sequels, reboots and remakes spanning two decades and two countries. It all started with the Japanese straight-to-video horror movie Ju-On: The Curse in 2000, which spawned several sequels. In 2006, the third movie in the Japanese series was remade in Hollywood as The Grudge (by the same director, Takashi Shimizu), which itself was followed by two sequels. In 2016 we had the Japanese Grudge/Ring crossover Sadako vs. Kayako, and next year, another American series reboot, simply called Grudge, hits theaters. Phew! Like the first remake, his latest one is produced by Sam Raimi's Ghosthouse Pictures, and the impressive cast includes Andrea Riseborough (Mandy), Demián Bichir (Alien Covenant), Betty Gilpin (GLOW), and John Cho (Searching). Whether or not we need what will be the 13th Grudge movie remains to be seen, but it remains a popular, scary supernatural series.
47 Meters Down: The Next Chapter
Release date: June 28 47 Meters Down was one of 2016's surprise hits. The low budget shark thriller was weeks away from being dumped onto home entertainment platforms, when the sale to a new company meant that it was suddenly given a theatrical release. And it went on to do very well, earning $67 million in the US against a $5 million production budget. Inevitably a sequel follows, which once more traps a bunch of victims underwater with hungry sharks around them. The first teaser didn't exactly reveal much, but Collider reports that it will be set in Brazil.
Annabelle 3
Release date: July 3 The Conjuring universe is one of the most successful horror franchises of recent years, and next up is Annabelle 3, the latest in the series of scary doll spin-offs. Producer James Wan has described this one as "Night at the Museum with Annabelle," in which the titular doll activates all the other spooky artifacts owned by paranormal investigator the Warrens. Annabelle: Creation was way better than this year's The Nun, and this next entry sounds like massive fun. It's helmed by Gary Dauberman, who wrote the first Annabelle and the smash hit Stephen King adaptation It, and who makes his directorial debut here.
The New Mutants
Release date: August 2 The horror-themed X-Men spin-off New Mutants was originally set to hit theaters in April 2018, but a series of delays means that we won't get to see the movie until August next year. The movie has undergone extensive reshoots, but while that often doesn't bode well, in this case it sounds like it might be good news for fright fans. According to a report earlier this year, in the wake of the huge success of It, the studio decided that The New Mutants should fully embrace horror, instead being the more teen friendly movie they were insisting director Daniel Boone delivered. With any luck this tale of mutant teenagers undergoing some terrifying experiences in a sinister hospital is the Elm-Street influenced "'rubber-reality' supernatural horror movie" that Boone promised in early interviews. We'll find out in August.
It: Chapter 2
Release date: September 6 Although Stephen King movies have been a box office draw for decades, no previous adaptation matched the huge success of 2017's It. The movie stands as one of the biggest horror movies of all time, and there's no reason to think that the sequel won't be just as huge. It: Chapter 2 completes the story of the Losers Club and their battle against the ancient shapeshifting evil being, most famously personified by the terrifying clown Pennywise. This time we follow the adult versions of the kids from the first movie, played by the likes of Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Bill Hader. Director Andy Muschietti is back--as is Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise--so expect another expertly crafted commercial shocker that puts as much emphasis on character as on scares.
Zombieland 2
Release date: October 11 Although the zombie comedy Zombieland was a critical and commercial success, it's taken nearly a decade for the sequel to happen. Since then lead actors Jesse Eisenberg and in particular Oscar-winning Emma Stone have become major stars, while the movie's writers--Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese--have scored major success with the Deadpool movies. But all are returning for the sequel, as are director Ruben Fleischer (Venom) and co-stars Woody Harrelson and Abigail Breslin. With all the main players back on board, hopes are high that Zombieland 2 will be every bit as funny, gory, silly, and heartfelt as the original. Unfortunately, there's no word if Garfield-regretting Bill Murray is coming back too.
3 From Hell
Release date: TBA It's fair to say that musician/filmmaker Rob Zombie's directing career has been a divisive one to date, with movies such as Lords of Salem, 31, and the Halloween remakes really splitting critics and fans. However, many agree that 2005's The Devil's Rejects is his strongest movie, so expectations are high for the belated follow-up, 3 From Hell. It reunites the three main characters from that film--Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig), Otis B. Driftwood (Bill Moseley), and Vera-Ellen "Baby" Firefly (Sheri Moon Zombie). These murderous, degenerate lunatics were last seen facing a barrage of police gunfire at the end of The Devil's Rejects, so how exactly they survived remains to be seen; all we know is that Zombie says 3 From Hell will be "different" to its predecessor. Nevertheless, it will still hopefully feature the same unwholesome mix of violence, gore, sleaze, and dark humor that made Devil's Rejects such a cult favourite.
By Jordan Ramée on Dec 03, 2018 11:13 pm
Looks Like A Good Future For Xbox
Microsoft's Xbox One turns six years old in 2019, and the console has plenty of new games on the near horizon. In the following gallery, we list our 35 most anticipated new Xbox One games that are currently scheduled for release in 2019 and beyond. Remember, this gallery is just for the games we're anticipating, not every game coming to Xbox One. Some of these games don't have a set release date either, so they could end up being delayed to 2020 or later. After the initial collection of games that are scheduled for 2019, we outline the titles that might or definitely will release after 2019. These second collection of games have been marked as "Beyond 2019." This gallery is not ranked and we've simply listed titles in alphabetical order. For the games we're looking forward to on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, or PC, check out our other galleries that are outlined below. As of publishing this gallery, Crackdown 3 is the first major console exclusive coming to Xbox One in 2019, but it certainly isn't the last. Gears 5 is probably the biggest one, but there are a few indies--namely Tunic and Ori and the Will of the Wisps--as well. Some, including all of Microsoft's first-party titles such as Crackdown and Gears, even come included in Xbox Game Pass on the day of their launch. Like the past few years, it looks like third-party titles are where Xbox One is getting most of its most anticipated games though. BioWare's Anthem and Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts III come early in the year, with Devil May Cry 5, Doom Eternal, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and many more following throughout 2019. Xbox One is getting some third-party indies too, like Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Indivisible. More Games To Look Forward To:
Anthem
Anthem appears to be BioWare's most ambitious project to date, and the developer has a lot to prove after the lackluster reception of Mass Effect Andromeda. Yet Anthem looks as if it can meet the expectations that BioWare has laid out: allowing players to seamlessly traverse between a single-player narrative that's built around forging relationships and a multiplayer shared world. In Anthem, you take control of a Freelancer, someone who pilots exosuits called Javelins to explore the lush jungles of an alien world. How you upgrade your suit is totally up to you, and Anthem launches with four different Javelin models. There's the all-rounder Ranger, tank-like Colossus, close-quarter specialist Interceptor, and damage-dealer Storm. You'll be able to build and use multiple Javelins, all of which you can use to fly through the air like you're Iron Man. Anthem can be played solo, but gameplay footage has revealed that teaming up with others is the ideal strategy for surviving against harder enemies. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: February 15, 2019
A Plague Tale: Innocence
We don't know much about A Plague Tale: Innocence, but the puzzle survival game developed by the same folks behind ReCore looks promising. First shown off at E3 2018, A Plague Tale puts you in control of Amicia, a teenage noble who's on the run with her younger brother, Hugo, from Inquisition soldiers during the Hundred Years' War. Although Amicia can knock out soldiers with her trusty sling, she and her brother aren't strong enough to take on multiple armed guards. A distraction can work in a pinch, but a much more direct, and more gruesome, method of dispatching enemies is using fire to scare hordes of hungry plague rats towards them. Even when you're not watching a man being eaten alive by rats, A Plague Tale is full of disturbing imagery--including a scene where Amicia has to convince Hugo he won't wake up a pile of "sleeping" soldiers if he steps on their bloated corpses in order to cross a field. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Battletoads (2019)
After years of speculation that another Battletoads might exist, Microsoft announced during its E3 2018 briefing that a new game in the series would release in 2019. Currently just called Battletoads, this new game will be presented in hand drawn 2.5D graphics and feature three-player couch co-op. In terms of details, that's pretty much all that's been announced. However, the fact that we're getting a new Battletoads at all is pretty exciting. The last title in the franchise, Battletoads Arcade, released in 1994, so fans have been clamoring for another game for over two decades. Hopefully this game can live up to expectations. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
The recent trend of indie-developed Metroidvania-inspired games continues in 2019 with Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. In Bloodstained, you'll play as Miriam, a woman cursed to crystalize if she absorbs too many discarded shards from demons. Awoken from a coma by an alchemist, Miriam is tasked with stopping Gabel, another victim of the same experiments that changed her, and the army of demons he's summoned. Much like the Castlevania games it is inspired from, defeating enemies in Bloodstained unlocks new abilities. Bloodstained itself looks a lot like a Castlevania game, with Miriam jumping and attacking with precise movements along a 2D plane. The core game is scheduled for 2019, with additional content planned to release post-launch. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Code Vein
Even if it's not based on an anime, it's exciting to see a game that looks like Code Vein on Xbox One. This action role-playing game features stamina-based melee combat that's inspired by the critically acclaimed Soulsborne games, and also adds its own vampire mythos to build fascinating backstories for its varied cast of characters. Originally planned for a September 28, 2018 release, Bandai Namco delayed Code Vein to 2019 after noticing the game had developed a fairly large following. "Armed with knowledge of how well the game has already been received, we made the decision to postpone the release of Code Vein to further refine its gameplay in an effort to exceed the expectations fans already have of the title," Bandai Namco vice president of marketing Eric Hartness said. Fingers crossed this translates into Bandai transforming a good-looking game into a great one. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Control
Developed by Remedy Entertainment, Control seems to borrow narrative themes and gameplay mechanics from several of the studio's previous games, such as Alan Wake and Quantum Break. Control puts you in the shoes of Jesse Faden, a woman with supernatural abilities who breaks into the Federal Bureau of Control--a fictional government agency that researches ways to explain and exploit paranormal phenomenon--in search of answers to how she has powers. Of course, things don't work out very well for her, and Jesse ends up confronted with threats she has to handle with her powers and a shapeshifting pistol. Combat looks explosive, with Jesse able to use the destructible environment to her advantage. The story feels a lot like the 2018 film Annihilation, and delves into the dark side of science fiction--something Remedy excels at and is happy to get back to. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Crackdown 3
The long-awaited sequel to 2010's Crackdown 2, Crackdown 3 has been delayed numerous times over the past few years. Hopefully its 2019 release date sticks so we can finally play it. Taking place 10 years after the events of the previous game, Crackdown 3 sees the Agency going up against a mysterious terrorist organization called Terra Nova. Similarly to Saints Row, the Crackdown series has become more outrageous with every iteration and Crackdown 3 takes the Agency's soldiers' antics to ludicrous levels of ridiculous. In your quest to stop the enemy, you'll probably cause almost as much damage to the city as the people you're fighting. It's all good though, as taking down baddies in the most explosive way possible is what Crackdown is all about. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: February 15, 2019
Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course
Although not a standalone game, The Delicious Last Course DLC adds a fair amount of content to Cuphead. The expansion includes a third playable character, Ms. Chalice, as well as a new isle that contains more bosses to beat and weapons and charms to unlock. In our Cuphead review, Peter Brown gave the game an 8/10, writing, "[Cuphead is] beautiful to look at, and with a pitch-perfect soundtrack, it flawlessly captures the era its developers so clearly revere. It's also an intense action game that pulls no punches. It could benefit from a few tweaks, and two-player co-op doesn't feel like the valuable addition you might imagine, but Cuphead remains a rare, unique game that truly stands out." Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan
Supermassive, the developer of Until Dawn, is creating a new collection of standalone, cinematic horror games, and the first one is scheduled for 2019. Man of Medan is the first part of The Dark Pictures Anthology and it looks just as creepy as the studio's wendigo-infested PS4-exclusive that released back in 2015. In Man of Medan, you guide the actions of a group of young adults that are trapped aboard a ghost ship. Your decisions will shape the outcome of the story, including who's left alive by the story's end. We're excited for the release of Man of Medan, both to relive the same type of terror experienced in Until Dawn and to find out what Supermassive has in store for the rest of The Dark Pictures Anthology. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Dead Or Alive 6
In an effort to attract a larger playerbase, Team Ninja is trying to make Dead or Alive 6 more approachable and accessible for series newcomers. The sexual fanservice and intricate system of blows, blocks, and grabs are returning, but the former has been toned down and the latter has two new mechanics to make entry-level combos easier to learn. 23 fighters have already been confirmed for Dead or Alive 6, including series' protagonist Kasumi and newcomers Diego and NiCO. The game's story picks up after the events of Dead or Alive 5 and sees Kasumi coming out of hiding to respond to a new threat. Despite the seriousness of the story's direction, the franchise's absurd humor will return. One of our favorite examples is an arena that takes place in a prehistoric era and includes dinosaurs that will attack or eat fighters if they get too close. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: February 15, 2019
Devil May Cry 5
In 2019, Devil May Cry returns with its first mainline series game since 2008's Devil May Cry 4. We've only seen bits and pieces of Devil May Cry 5, but each new gameplay trailer reveals more of the high speed combo-based combat and colorful humor we've come to love about the series. Devil May Cry 5 sees you play as three different characters. Both Dante and Nero return, while the mysterious "V" is a brand-new character for the franchise. In the game, Nero is manning his own demon hunting agency while Dante and V attempt to figure out why demons are attacking certain locations around the world. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: March 8, 2019
The Division 2
The Division didn't release to universal praise, but it had some good ideas and improved through post-launch updates. Its sequel, The Division 2, handles much better and fixes many of its predecessor's problems. Most enemies are no longer bullet sponges for one, and the more varied specializations encourage you to reach the challenging end game and then stick around to complete more objectives and unlock additional loot. In fact, The Division 2 has been structured in order for players to reach the end game as quickly as possible. When you do, you can unlock some powerful new weapons--including an explosive-tipped crossbow, a 50-caliber sniper rifle, and a grenade launcher. This is when The Division 2 really opens up, and you'll want to team up with other players to tackle the game's most difficult missions and help civilians set up settlements. Although Ubisoft hasn't confirmed the inclusion of either, the developer hasn't ruled out a revamped Dark Zone or a new battle royale mode. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: March 12, 2019
Doom Eternal
2016's Doom reboot pulled the classic franchise into the modern day limelight while maintaining the original games' fast-paced first-person shooter combat, over-the-top violent tone, and welcome variety of weapon types. Doom Eternal takes this same amazing formula and ups the level of mobility that Doom Slayer can achieve by allowing him to wall run and grapple hook onto enemies or objects in the environment. The modern day landscape has no shortage of first-person shooters, but Doom Eternal has us excited. The original PC game pioneered the FPS genre back in the early 1990s and the rebooted games evoke the same type of enjoyment. Gameplay trailers for Doom Eternal look delightfully violent and bloody, but we're happy to see the series' small moments of humor present too. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Gears 5
Dropping the "of War" portion of the title entirely, the fifth mainline Gears of War game is the first in the series to have a female main playable protagonist. First appearing in Gears of War 4, Kait Diaz and her strange connection to the Locust is at the center of Gears 5. Despite the changes, this is still the same Gears of War experience that fans have come to love. Kait can eviscerate enemies in the same bloody fashion as the Gears' protagonists before her. We're happy to see Kait take the spotlight in Gears 5, as her story arc was left fairly open in the final hours of Gears of War 4. Ideally, Gears 5 will reveal the answers to the many questions we still have. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Indivisible
Indivisible has plenty going for it. The game features an animated opening done done by the same studio behind Kill la Kill, a soundtrack created by Secret of Mana composer Hiroki Kikuta, and a mix of party-based RPG combat and Metroidvania-inspired platformer exploration. In Indivisible, you play as Ajna, a rebellious tomboy who sets out on a quest to avenge her destroyed village. Ajna has the power to absorb other individuals into her being, allowing her to use their skills to traverse through obstacles or call upon her allies in combat. The world in Indivisible is very diverse, featuring an assortment of landscapes and a wide variety of people--many of whom have unique animations that are fun to watch. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Jump Force
In 2018, we've seen anime and anime-inspired characters find plenty of success beating each other up in video games like Dragon Ball FighterZ, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, and My Hero One's Justice. Jump Force aims to continue that trend in 2019 by throwing together dozens of characters from different Shonen Jump manga and anime into one game. Admittedly, 2D fighting games like FighterZ and Cross Tag Battle have found more popularity than arena fighting games like One's Justice, and Jump Force falls into that latter group. However, Jump Force appears to feature slightly more nuanced mechanics than your typical arena fighter, so we're hopeful it delivers a more enjoyable experience than what's been seen in similar games. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC | Release Date: February 12, 2019
Kingdom Hearts III
We've gotten sneak peeks at some of the worlds and characters that Kingdom Hearts III will contain, including Tangled, Toy Story, and Pirates of the Caribbean. We're not sure exactly where this new game will specifically take Sora and friends, but we're just happy to finally get a conclusion to the trilogy that hasn't seen a mainline entry since 2005. Considering the series has primarily been filled with PlayStation exclusives, we were surprised to see Square Enix announce that Kingdom Hearts III would be coming to Xbox One as well. We're not complaining, though. A bit of advice: if you haven't played a Kingdom Hearts game before, you should go back and play the series before jumping into III. The story told throughout the franchise is good, but it's also pretty convoluted and fairly difficult to understand at times. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4 | Release Date: January 29, 2019
Metro Exodus
The story of survivors making it through a post-nuclear apocalypse by hiding underground in the Russian subway returns in Metro Exodus. This new game sees series protagonist Artyom continue his journey, but this time he'll be leaving Moscow's Metro. Dangerous new threats, from both mutant creatures and surviving human factions, meet Artyom on the surface. It's going to take quite a bit of ingenuity to survive. But Artyom also gets to experience a world that's finally beginning to show the first signs of recovery, and it makes for quite the beautiful game. We can't wait to play through a game like Metro Exodus on an Xbox One X, which enhances the experience with 4K graphics and HDR. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: February 22, 2019
Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
Ori and the Blind Forest was a critical hit when it launched in 2015, and now developer Moon Studios is making a sequel for 2019. Ori and the Will of the Wisps builds on the first game's ingenious platforming and compelling story, and there's plenty of new weapons to use too. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Rage 2
Rage 2 is perhaps the most unlikely sequel to come out of E3 2018, but with id Software bringing Avalanche Studios along for the ride there's plenty of reason to be excited about this 2019 game. Avalanche has years of experience crafting large and chaotic worlds in its franchises, like Mad Max and Just Cause, with vehicle combat and special effects chief among their notable talents. Id Software is the studio that pioneered first-person shooting and continues to deliver hard-hitting games like 2016's Doom. It could be a match made in heaven, but we won't know until Rage 2 ships. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Resident Evil 2 (2019)
Resident Evil 2 takes the 1998 survival-horror game of the same name and remakes it from the ground up. While it faithfully recreates the game's environment and story beats, it takes liberties with the appearance and gameplay of the original. We think plenty of these changes are for the better though, as they create an experience that both seasoned Resident Evil fans and franchise newcomers can enjoy. The new graphics are a vast improvement over the original, ensuring that your nostalgic memories of this creepy classic remain intact. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: January 25, 2019
Sea Of Solitude
Sea of Solitude is an upcoming EA Originals game about a lonely girl whose emotions transform her into a monster and her surroundings into a flooded post-apocalyptic world. She's searching for a way to revert the process.Other than that and a launch scheduled for early 2019, there's been little shared about Sea of Solitude. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Between Demon Souls, the Dark Souls trilogy, and Bloodborne, From Software has made quite a name for itself. The developer's knack for creating challenging, stamina-based action-RPGs has spawned an entirely new sub-genre of games: the Souls-like. From Software's legacy welcomes a new game in 2019, and it looks to be the developer's most difficult title yet. Just as Bloodborne is a vampiric Victorian twist of Dark Souls, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a steampunk feudal Japan rendition of From Software's games. You have access to a whole new set of stealth and acrobatic abilities in Sekiro, including assassinations and free running, but enemies will come at you with attacks and tricks that haven't been seen in previous Soulsborne games too. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: March 22, 2019
Session
Session is a brand-new skateboarding simulation game which was Kickstarted in early 2017. Not much else has been shown about it, but it's at least great to hear that the skateboarding video game genre isn't dead. For now, the game is scheduled as a console exclusive for Xbox One. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Skull & Bones
Xbox One console exclusive Sea of Thieves didn't have the best critical response, but perhaps Ubisoft's upcoming Skull & Bones can deliver a pirate simulation that will satisfy players. Ubisoft has already made a pretty stellar pirate action-RPG before, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, but Skull & Bones will solely focus on naval combat instead of a mixture of land and sea. Skull & Bones takes place in the Indian Ocean during the golden age of piracy, and sets you on a quest to become a pirate legend. The game will feature both single- and multiplayer options, including a PvPvE mode called The Hunting Grounds. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order
Respawn has three games in the works--an unannounced VR title, a new Titanfall, and Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order. At least two of those games are coming out in 2019, and Respawn has already confirmed that Jedi Fallen Order is one of the them. At E3 2018, Respawn CEO Vince Zampella revealed Jedi Fallen Order takes place between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope and will put players in the role of a Jedi apprentice who escaped Order 66. Other than being able to use a lightsaber, Respawn has remained rather silent on what you'll be able to do in Jedi Fallen Order, but we're hoping the game has us meeting Ahsoka Tano or visiting Coruscant 1313. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC (Expected) | Release Date: Holiday Season 2019
Trials Rising
Trials Rising is the next entry in Ubisoft's motorbike platformer. Rising evolves the franchise even further with additional types of challenges and new co-op content, but at its core it's still a game about flipping a motorcycle through an assortment of perilous levels. And honestly, that's really what we want more of anyway. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC | Release Date: February 12, 2019
Tunic
Tunic is an upcoming indie game that stars a cute little fox who wields a sword and shield and explores massive dungeon-like environments to take on larger-than-life bosses. Frankly, it looks a lot like what's seen in The Legend of Zelda franchise. We liked what we saw for Tunic at both E3 2018 and Gamescom 2018. An Xbox One console-exclusive, Tunic looks amazingly detailed on One X. Hopefully the game is as lengthy as your typical Zelda game, because Tunic's world seems like a fun one to get lost in while exploring. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Twin Mirror
Dontnod Entertainment is partnering with Bandai Namco to create Twin Mirror, a new psychological thriller. The game focuses on a character named Sam who wakes up one day to discover a shocking amount of blood on his clothing and no memory as to the cause. As Sam attempts to piece together the events from the night before, he explores both the real world and surreal manifestations of his own psyche. Twin Mirror looks intriguing so far, but since it's just one big mystery, we'll have to wait until we see more of it to get a grasp of how Sam ultimately fits into the game's harrowing investigation. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Wasteland 3
The gameplay of the original Fallout games lives on in InXile's Wasteland series, which continues in 2019 with Wasteland 3. It's clearly a game that people want, as its crowdfunding campaign was fully funded in just three days and then went on to make over $3.1 million in total. The new game aims to be the most ambitious Wasteland title to date, introducing co-op support, vehicles, and several other new features. We're excited to get our hands on Wasteland 3 but are sad knowing that it will be Brian Fargo's last hurrah. The head of InXile, Fargo is an industry veteran who worked on the original 1997 Fallout. He plans to retire after Wasteland 3 launches. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Wolfenstein Youngblood
Wolfenstein Youngblood is set in an alternate 1980s Paris and follows the events of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. It stars series protagonist BJ Blazkowicz's twin daughters, who are working together to continue the fight against the Nazis. The game can be played solo or co-op. Like Doom, Wolfenstein's reboot perfectly blends the tone of the original games with modern-day first-person shooter mechanics and features. It's been fun getting the chance to once again blast through hordes of Nazi soldiers as BJ, but the change in series protagonist--even if it happens to turn out to be a temporary one--is a nice change of pace. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA 2019
Beyond 2019 -- Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is an upcoming third-person action-adventure survival game. Taking place 10 million years ago in Africa, Ancestors puts you in control of one of humanity's earliest prehistoric ape-like ancestors, a Nakalipithecus. Early pre-alpha footage showcases a Nakalipithecus free-running through the trees of a forest and standing up on two legs to gaze out at an African plain. Ancestors will have a documentary-style twist to its gameplay, allowing players to glimpse the earliest stages of human evolution. Unfortunately, not much else has been announced about Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. However, given that the game is being developed by indie studio Panache Digital Games, we're pretty excited about it already. Panache Digital was co-founded by Patrice Desilets, who now works as the studio's creative director. Desilets is most well-known for being involved in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and being the creative director for the first three mainline Assassin's Creed games, so it there's anyone who knows how to make a history-based adventure game, it's him. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA
Beyond 2019 -- Beyond Good & Evil 2
The first Beyond Good & Evil released in 2003 and we never thought we'd see another one. But we were wrong, and Ubisoft is creating a prequel story in Beyond Good & Evil 2. A beta for Beyond Good & Evil 2 is coming out in late 2019 so it's a fairly safe bet to say that the full game will be launching in early to mid-2020. This sequel is a bit more of a traditional RPG in comparison to its predecessor, but it looks to have the same levels of explosive action and goofy humor. Oh yeah, and Jade is back too. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA
Beyond 2019 -- Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red hasn't announced a launch window for Cyberpunk 2077, but given producer Richard Borzymowski's comment that the game is already playable start to finish, we're hopeful that means the first-person shooter RPG is scheduled for a late 2019 or early 2020 release. The developer behind The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt needs no introduction, and we're already desperate to get our hands on a cyberpunk version of CD Projekt Red's work. Cyberpunk 2077 allows you to explore a futuristic world at your leisure and interact with numerous parts of it. You have complete control over your character, from their physical appearance and morality to their combat abilities and weapons. The game's world and its characters react to the player's actions and choices, so you and a friend might have completely different experiences for the same mission. Upgrading your character with high-tech abilities is one of the cooler parts of the game, allowing you to pull off feats like ricocheting bullets off walls to hit someone behind cover or transforming your arms into blades that let you skitter across surfaces like a spider and pounce on your prey. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA
Beyond 2019 -- Dying Light 2
The mixture of Mirror's Edge's first-person parkour and Dead Island's zombie dismemberment and stamina-based melee combat returns in Dying Light 2. Techland is improving on the already pretty stellar world and story of the original game in this sequel, and also throwing in a few multiplayer surprises. The biggest change between Dying Light 2 and its predecessor is how you'll be able to interact with the world and its characters. Although you'll be able to go it alone for a while, eventually you'll have to choose a side in the ever-present struggle between Dying Light 2's factions. Your decisions will shape the city, for better or worse, which hopefully paves the way for repeated playthroughs. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA
Beyond 2019 -- The Elder Scrolls VI
Apart from an overhead shot of some mountains and that the game has been in development since the release of Fallout 4, Bethesda has announced nothing for The Elder Scrolls VI. Bethesda producer Todd Howard asks players to be patient as "It's gonna take a while for what we have in mind to come out." We assume that means 2020 at the very earliest, but it's more probable that the game releases even later than that. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC (expected) | Release Date: TBA
Beyond 2019 -- Halo Infinite
Master Chief returns in the sixth mainline Halo game, titled Halo Infinite. Despite the decision to ditch the numerical labeling system, Infinite is a direct sequel to Halo 5: Guardians and continues the story from where the series left off. Co-developed by 343 Studios, which has been at the helm of the franchise since Halo 4, and SkyBox Labs, the developer responsible for Halo 5: Forge for Windows 10 and Halo 5: Guardians' Xbox One X enhancement, Infinite has been kept under wraps since its E3 2018 reveal. Microsoft has confirmed that the game won't have a battle royale mode though. Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA
Beyond 2019 -- Psychonauts 2
There's a good chance Psychonauts 2 isn't released in 2019, as Double Fine has said that's the earliest the game will be completed, but we can hope. The original released back in 2005 and fans have been clamoring for a sequel for years. Double Fine promises the new game will be filled with plenty of surprises and feature better platforming than the original. Unfortunately, we haven't had many major updates on the state of the game since 2017 so it's a little unclear on how close it is to being done. Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Beyond 2019 -- Starfield
Starfield is so far out from being finished, we're not even positive we'll see it within this console generation. If it does come out for Xbox One and PS4, we see it possibly being a cross-generational title where an HD version of the game is available on whatever consoles Microsoft and Sony have planned next. As for details on the game, it's being developed by Bethesda and it looks like it takes place in space. That's pretty much it. But Starfield is also the first new IP that Bethesda has had in 25 years, so we're intrigued to see what new types of ideas the developer might have in store. Platforms: TBA | Release Date: TBA
By Chris E. Hayner on Dec 03, 2018 10:59 pm
Are you ready for what is likely to be the biggest moment in the history of The CW's Arrow-verse? "Elseworlds" will bring together Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl to fight a massive threat--notable DC character The Monitor (LaMonica Garrett)--and they won't be doing it alone. For the first time in the history of any of the shows, "Elseworlds" is heading to Gotham City for the introduction of Batwoman (Ruby Rose), as well as Lois Lane (Elizabeth Bulloch), Nora Fries (Cassandra Jean Amell)--wife of Mr. Freeze--a new version of The Flash (John Wesley Shipp) that looks surprisingly like the one from the '90s TV show, and likely a long list of other interesting faces. Of course, there's also that bit where Oliver Queen and Barry Allen switch bodies and Superman is wearing a black suit. Of course, that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to "Elseworlds." With so much mystery surrounding the crossover event, GameSpot went straight to the source. During a visit to the sets of Arrow and Supergirl with other outlets, as well as the 100th episode celebration of The Flash, we has the chance to ask Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen), Melissa Benoist (Kara Danvers), and Grant Gustin (Barry Allen) to find out exactly what we should be expecting from the crossover. Read on to see what they were willing to reveal, including one scene of two characters meeting that is likely going to be one of the highlights of the crossover. Don't forget to also take a look at over 40 photos from the crossover event, showing all of the heroes in action as they prepare to take on The Monitor. "Elseworlds" begins Sunday, December 9, on The CW.
Elseworlds won't impact the rest of any show this season
While previously crossovers have impacted the timeline and Earth 1 in a variety of ways, fans won't have to worry too much about that with Elseworlds. As Gustin explained if to GameSpot on the red carpet for The Flash's 100th episode celebration, Elseworlds will essentially exist in its own piece of the multiverse. "We go pretty quickly into the Elseworlds crossover following the 100th episode, and the Elseworlds is kind of a standalone, if you will, I guess, because it's like a different reality," he said. "So, our reality isn't really affected by that. And we mostly move forward when we come back with this Cicada kind of storyline."
Only Kara realizes Barry and Oliver switched bodies
While we know Barry and Oliver will switch bodies in the crossover, they'll have one ally who realizes something is wrong in Kara. "Kara plays a really fun role in this dilemma that Barry and Oliver find themselves in," Benoist told GameSpot. "She's the only one that really recognizes them for who they are in this Freaky Friday situation. And it's really comedic. The whole thing. I think people will really get a kick out of it."
Yes, they shot on the Kent farm from Smallville
When photos of the Flash, Arrow, and Supergirl casts filming on a farm surfaced, fans began wondering if the location looked familiar. As it turns out, yes, the crossover did shoot on-location at the Kent farm from Smallville. "We shot on the Smallville farm," Benoist teased. "That was really, really exciting. All of us were beside ourselves. To pay tribute to that show felt good. When you're there, even though it's in Canada, it feels like pure Americana. It's kind of weird. There are some really, really lovely, heartwarming scenes on the Kent farm."
Stephen Amell has never had more fun playing Oliver Queen
Oliver Queen trapped in the life of Barry Allen is a funny concept and for Amell, it was the acting experience he never knew he needed. "I wouldn't call it the most rewarding, but it was the most fun that I've had maybe ever throughout the course of doing the show," he said. One of the most important pieces of the puzzle for the Arrow star was collaborating with Gustin to figure out how they'd play each other. "I had so much fun, but we had a discussion very early on that if this was going to work, that we really had to go for it, right?" Amell said. "So there are elements of because he has my learned abilities, and I have his superpowers, there are elements of each other's personality that each of us have to embrace in order to be successful at the mission that's in front of us."
There's one mystery location yet to be revealed
We know a few interesting places the crossover definitely will visit, from the Kent farm in Smallville to Gotham City. Additionally, the tease that aired during Supergirl shod Earth 90. However, Amell teased one more spot we can't wait to learn more about. "I definitely got to shoot on sets both in Gotham City and Star City and Central City and Earth 38 and somewhere that I can't even properly explain that I just never thought that that would have happened," he said.
This crossover is smaller than Crisis on Earth-X
The Legends of Tomorrow are sitting this crossover out, so there won't be quite as many costumed heroes as last year. As Amell explained it, though, that's a good thing. "Even if we don't have as many DC characters necessarily as we did last year, this feels like the first time or at the very least the best example of us just embracing the fun of it all and embracing all of the opportunities that we have because of all of the things that we've had a chance to do over the years," he said. "The idea that we get to go to Gotham City is really exciting, and we got to do something that I've never done. I've never shot the show anywhere but Vancouver, so we go to Chicago and do all that felt amazing. Ruby's fantastic, I think she's going to do great. I'm all for expanding the universe."
Brainy meets Cisco
Sure, Elseworlds as a whole is an exciting crossover concept. What's better, though? Getting Cisco (Carlos Valdes) and Brainy (Jesse Rath) into a room together. The Flash and Supergirl's primary nerds will share a scene together and it's all Rath could have wanted. "You blink, and you'll miss me," he said. "It was enough to make me happy. I think they put me in the crossover as a personal favor for me, as Jesse. It was so over-budget, so everything was getting cut. Things were getting cut right and right. I had more stuff that was cut and I was just praying I would stay in it because I'm such a fan. I love those crossovers, so to be in it is very cool for me. I was such a fan of The Flash and I would watch that show and see Cisco, and kind of see myself in that character. I saw myself represented in that character. To be shooting a scene with Cisco was very cool for me."
Caitlyn Snow plays a role
While we still don't have a cast list, Danielle Panabaker (Caitlyn Snow) confirms at least one more character that will show up during the event--hers. "I had a lot of fun on the crossovers this year," she told GameSpot. "It felt a lot like our season one when we started doing the crossovers. It was a much smaller cast of people who did them this year unlike last year, which was everybody." Now we just need to know if she'll be playing Killer Frost or not.
Filming Gotham City in Chicago was very special
It remains to be seen how much of the crossover will be spent in Gotham City, which was filmed in Chicago like Christopher Nolan's Batman films, that piece of the crossover definitely made an impact on Amell. "It was pretty special going to Chicago," he admitted. "It was right at the end of the 5-week long shoot, so we were dead tired, but we kept walking by all these locations that were used in a lot of the Nolan Batman movies, and you know, it gave us a little goosebumps and got us excited about what we were doing and this one shot specifically that kind of establishes Gotham and is a really cool hero shot for Ruby, for Batwoman and it's, I think it's pretty big scope.
By Mat Elfring on Dec 03, 2018 10:30 pm
2018 was filled with some incredible movies, many of which we all knew were going to be gigantic hits, like Avengers: Infinity War and Black Panther, but the year was also filled with movies we didn't anticipate as successful but blew us away like Annihilation or Searching. There are hundreds of movies that come out theatrically, and even more that are straight-to-video or for streaming services, each year, so it can be exceptionally hard to keep track to what you need to see in the upcoming year. And 2019 will be no exception with plenty of huge movies hitting theaters. Most notably will be Marvel's yet-to-be-titled Avengers 4, the follow-up to last year's Infinity War. Additionally, there is a live-action Pikachu movie coming in the late spring. Then, there are films that just have incredible talent behind them like Jordan Peele or Quentin Tarantino. There is a ton of movies to sift through, and it's even harder to figure out what is worth your time and hard-earned money. Luckily, we've skimmed through all of 2019 to figure out what movies we cannot wait to see next year. We've narrowed it down to 27. Why 27? We don't know, but there's something on this list for everyone, and here are our most anticipated movies for next year, listed by their release dates.
Glass
Release date: January 19 A follow-up to both Unbreakable and Split, Glass follows David Dunn (Bruce Willis), Mr. Glass (Samuel Jackson), and Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy) from M. Night Shyamalan's previous movies. Mr. Glass teams up with Crumb's various personalities, including The Beast, to pit him against Dunn. The first trailer is exceptional, as Shyamalan has quickly crafted the start of a great superhero-esque universe.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
Release Date: February 8 Is everything still awesome in the world of Lego? A follow-up to the 2014 smash hit, Chris Pratt returns as Emmett and plays Rex Dangervest--which is all of Pratt's movie roles rolled into one--and the two venture into space to save all of Emmett's friends. It looks imaginative and as fun as the original.
Happy Death Day 2U
Release Date: February 14 The 2017 horror click Happy Death Day was a nice twist on the "everyday keeps repeating" movie formula. The Valentine's Day sequel continues to follow Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) two years after the events of the first film. She finds herself returning to the same time loop--with one deadly difference--and has to figure out how to escape it. If it's anything like the first movie, it will be a blast.
Captain Marvel
Release Date: March 8 Marvel's first big release of the year is Captain Marvel, which we already know a ton about. Brie Larson will play Carol Danvers, AKA Captain Marvel, one of the universe's most powerful heroes, who finds herself in the midst of an intergalactic war between alien races. It's a Marvel movie, so there's like a 99% chance it will be amazing.
Us
Release Date: March 19 Did you love Get Out? Well, you'll probably want to see Us. Directed and written by Jordan Peele, the horror movie stars Lupita Nyong'o, and that's all anyone knows about it.
Shazam!
Release Date: April 6 Maybe DC has finally started to turn it around because the first trailer for Shazam was awesome. Billy Batson (Asher Angel) gets magical powers which turns him into the superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi). This is DC's first movie that truly embraces the comedic element of its characters, which it truly needs. And how awesome is it that we're getting two Captain Marvel movies in one year?
Pet Semetary
Release Date: April 6 There's been a revival for Stephen King's work the past few years, and Pet Semetary is the next one on the docket for 2019. In the upcoming movie, a family moves to a rural town where there's a local legend that a pet cemetary in the woods can bring the dead back to life. The family's cat gets killed and buried in the cemetery, and the family quickly realizes that burying it there was a mistake. We've seen one trailer so far, and it looks exceptionally creepy.
Hellboy
Release Date: April 12 Almost 15 years ago, Mike Mignola's mythological Dark Horse comic book series, Hellboy, made its first big-screen appearance. In 2019, it will be getting a remake and David Harbour (Stranger Things) will play big red. In the reboot, Hellboy takes on Nimue (Milla Jovovich), a sorceress who wants to end the world` in the new adaptation. The movie will heavily draw from the Hellboy comic "The Wild Hunt," which is a brilliant story from 2009, and one that comic fans have been dying to see on the big screen.
Avengers 4
Release Date: May 3 In 2018, Marvel shocked the world with the finale of Avengers: Infinity War, the third installment in the Avengers franchise. Thanos' story will conclude in May, but very little is known about the movie. We know Captain Marvel will be a part of it, thanks to the Infinity War post-credit sequence, and aside from a couple of cyptic posts--one of which may have revealed the title of the movie, "Endgame"--the movie is still shrouded in mystery. Regardless, it's a huge Marvel movie, and it will more than likely be amazing. At this time, there has not been a movie poster or official images for the movie released.
Detective Pikachu
Release Date: May 10 There have been plenty of Pokemon movies, all of which only really appeal to fans of the gaming series. However, May's Detective Pikachu is just weird enough to have a broader appeal, especially after seeing the fantastic first trailer. Ryan Reynolds plays the titular character, who befriends Tim Goodman (Justice Smith)--a human who can understand the little yellow Pokemon. Tim is looking for his father, a detective, and Pikachu wants to help. This movie looks like an incredible amount of fun and a perfect way to get people that aren't as experienced with Pokemon to watch a movie about the pocket monsters.
John Wick 3: Parabellum
Release Date: May 17 Following the events of Chapter 2, which had Wick killing someone inside The Continental, the third movie in the series has the former hitman on the run for his life, as there is $14 million contract on his head. Wick is trying to escape from New York, and as you've seen in one official image, he's doing it on a horse. That's awesome, and we cannot wait to see what insane action sequences are planned for the next movie.
Aladdin
Release Date: May 24 Disney has been revamping many of its classic animated movies into live-action remakes--of sorts. The second one of these to come out in 2019 is Aladdin--with Dumbo coming in March. Thus far, there has only been a teaser for the movie, since it's more than 6 months away, but Disney's track record, as of late, has been very good for its movies, especially the remakes.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Release Date: May 31 2018's San Diego Comic-Con revealed plenty of trailers for upcoming movies, many of which are coming out in 2019, but the one that get everyone talking was Godzilla: King of the Monsters. There are going to be plenty of giant monsters in this one, and a massive amount of action. It doesn't even matter what the story is about because it's all about destruction, chaos, and classic Japanese monsters beating each other up.
Dark Phoenix
Release Date: June 7 The day after the first trailer hit the internet, Dark Phoenix was pushed back from its February release date to June. Normally, that's not a great sign, but with Disney's buyout of Fox, things had to be shuffled around. We caught a glimpse at some exclusive footage at New York Comic-Con, and what we saw looked great. Forgetting X-Men: The Last Stand exists, we'll get to see the story of Jean Grey's transformation into the Dark Phoenix in this film, and it's going to tear the X-Men apart.
MIB
Release Date: June 14 We're getting a new Men in Black movie, and it's not a reboot. Hooray! The movie will actually be a spinoff following a new team of agents in London. F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton, The Fate of the Furious) will direct and MIB will star Tessa Thompson, Chris Hemsworth, and Emma Thompson as the agents. Not much else is known about the film aside from that.
Toy Story 4
Release Date: June 21 So far, there has been a couple teasers for Toy Story 4, but it didn't give us much, aside from briefly introducing us to the new characters, like Forky (Tony Hale). However, it's Pixar, which usually has a good track record. Additionally, all the Toy Story movies are amazing and somehow, the sequels keep getting better and better.
Untitled Annabelle Film
Release Date: July 3 The currently untitled third Annabelle movie comes to theaters right before Independence Day in the US. Gary Dauberman, who wrote the previous two movies as well as The Nun, will make his directorial debut for this one. That's currently all we know, but thus far, all the Conjuring universe movies have been a ton of fun. At this time, there has not been a movie poster or official images for the movie released.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Release Date: July 5 The final MCU movie of the year is the Spider-Man sequel. Jon Watts returns to direct, and the movie takes place after the events of Avengers 4. According to some reports floating around on the internet, the movie follows Peter Parker and his friends who are on a trip to Europe, where Parker has to suit up as Spider-Man to fight Mysterio. If it's anything like the previous movie, it's going to be amazing.
The Lion King
Release Date: July 19 It may be filled with a lot of CG, but the first trailer for the live-action The Lion King looked so realistic. The trailer is so beloved that it passed over 200 million views on YouTube in its first 24 hours. Much like Disney's Beauty and the Beast remake, The Lion King will more than likely be the same, almost shot-for-shot, but that won't matter if the movie is as good as that first video from Disney. This will more than likely be Disney's biggest hit of the year, right behind--or alongside--Toy Story 4.
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
Release Date: July 26 Quentin Tarantino's next film hits theaters mid-summer. His newest movie takes place during the late-1960s, during the era of the Manson murders. And it follows a TV actor and stuntman who are trying to make it big in the film industry. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Brad Pitt. Of course, if you're a fan of Tarantino's work, this is a must-watch.
Hobbs & Shaw
Release Date: August 2 Spinning out of the Fast and the Furious franchise, this new movie follows the titular Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Shaw (Jason Statham), former foes who are now obviously best friends. A synopsis for the 2019 film has not been released, but it's another addition to the Fast & Furious franchise, and it's being directed by David Leitch (John Wick, Deadpool 2). That's more than enough reason to be pumped for it.
It: Chapter Two
Release Date: September 6 2017's It took the world by storm, bringing it over $700 million at the box office, which is a huge feat for a rated-R horror movie. While there won't be a trailer for the movie for quite some time, it takes place 27 years after the first film, when the members of the Losers Club have to head back to Derry to take on Pennywise one more time. The first movie was so incredibly good, and everyone who saw it has been salivating for the next chapter.
Joker
Release Date: October 4 The first of numerous planned Joker movies hits theaters in October. No, this isn't the Jared Leto Joker we've seen in Suicide Squad. This will be an origin movie--of sorts--for a version of the Clown Prince of Crime played by Joaquin Phoenix and probably won't take place within the DC cinematic universe. We've seen what Phoenix will look like in the movie, but it's still in production, so details about the project are sparse. DC doesn't have the best track record, but we have a feeling Todd Phillips is going to bring something special to this movie.
Sonic: The Hedgehog
Release Dates: November 8 You know it's going to be a wild year when Sonic is getting a live-action movie. The plot is a bit crazy though. James Marsden plays a police officer from South Dakota who teams up with Sonic on a trip to San Francisco to--wait for it--collect rings. While they're on this adventure, Robotnik is trying to stop them. This may be just weird enough to work. At this time, there has not been a movie poster or official images for the movie released.
Kingsman 3
Release Date: November 8 Although the movie won't start filming until January, there is a third Kingsman movie coming out in late 2019; however, Taron Egerton will not be reprising his role as Eggsy. Thankfully, it won't be the last time we see that character. The next installment is a prequel that takes place during World War 1, following a character named Conrad. It could be a nice change of pace for the franchise, giving viewers more insight into what the Kingsman were early in the 20th century. At this time, there has not been a movie poster or official images for the movie released.
Jumanji 3
Release Date: December 13 Director Jake Kasdan returns for the next installment of the series, and according to Dwayne Johnson--who will reprise his role from Welcome to the Jungle--Karen Gillan, Jack Black, and Nick Jonas will return to the sequel. Johnson also jokingly said Kevin Hart's character will die right away. Considering how much fun Welcome to the Jungle was, the next installment has us really excited, even when there are no details. At this time, there has not been a movie poster or official images for the movie released.
Star Wars: Episode IX
Release Date: December 20 We've seen a few shots from the set of the next Star Wars movie and heard a few casting rumors, like Matt Smith will be playing a role, but it's been relatively quiet as to what the movie will be about. It's supposed to conclude this trilogy, and director JJ Abrams was vocal about taking the film in a new direction, even before Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi hit theaters. Even if the last Star Wars movie wasn't your cup of tea, it seems like Abrams has big plans, and that has us excited. At this time, there has not been a movie poster or official images for the movie released.
By GameSpot Staff on Dec 03, 2018 10:30 pm
Across movies and TV, these actors and actresses absolutely killed it in 2018.
There were many fantastic movies and TV shows in 2018, but what would they be without the actors that brought their characters to life? This year, we watched some truly memorable performances on both the big screen and on TV. We saw actors playing against type, scene stealing pop stars and former wrestlers in starring roles, three of the best villains the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever had, and lovable talking animals. It was difficult to narrow down a list of the best performances of 2018, so we have over 25 of them to praise. The actors we chose all did an incredible job disappearing into their roles, and hooked us into their worlds. They made us reflect upon ourselves, made us fearful, made us feel their pain, made us laugh, and inspired us. In no particular order, here are our favorite actors/performances of 2018. Check back on GameSpot.com for the 10 best movies of 2018, and our list of the 10 best TV shows of 2018 as well. And let us know which performances you loved this year in the comments below.
1. Amy Adams (Sharp Objects)
In HBO's Sharp Objects, Amy Adams stars as Camille Preaker, a journalist who returns to her childhood town, Windgap. Ostensibly, her purpose to report on a local child murder; her editor fills her head with dreams of writing the Southern sequel to In Cold Blood. But he also has a more implicit motive: to force Camille to confront, and perhaps overcome, her past traumas. Camille drinks a lot, and there's some harrowing reasons as to why. Wind Gap is an insufferable hellscape where "everyone knows everyone." Its culture is simultaneously lewd and repressed; Wind Gap is the type of place that values a girl's sexual purity while simultaneously leering at her. "Smalltown values" provide cover for predators to stalk and groom their prey. And Adams plays Camille as a product of this environment; she's a familiar type to anyone raised in small town America. Her defensive sarcasm distances her from family and old acquaintances. She reframes traumatic experiences to claim ownership over them. She simultaneously hates her mother Adora and seeks her approval. Camille is often unsympathetic, but Adams always finds humanity underneath the rationalizations. The makeup artists applied the 350+ scars onto Adams' body as an approximation of her handwriting; they even distorted the letters on her back, to ensure her wounds would appear self-inflicted. Adams' Camille always turns inward; she talks but avoids self-reflection, and thus, she never heals. Constant pain exacts a devastating, psychological toll. -- Kevin Wong
2. Will Arnett (BoJack Horseman)
Over the course of its five seasons, BoJack Horseman has evolved from a surreal, Family Guy-esque comedy, filled with bizarre non-sequiturs and cutaway gags, to one of Netflix's best Originals, balancing cutting commentary on modern Hollywood (or 'Hollywoo') culture with crushing emotional beats. And over these five seasons, BoJack as a character has evolved too. He's far from the washed up has-been we met in season one; on paper at least, things are going his way for once. He's landing increasingly high profile roles, tries to build bridges, and even manages to get a girlfriend. But BoJack being BoJack means that it's never enough, and in Season 5 in particular, a lot of his troubled past comes back to haunt him. BoJack shouldn't be likeable: he's a selfish ass (pun only partly intended), an addict who crashes through the lives of those around him. But Will Arnett manages to take the character of BoJack and make him affable and vulnerable--just watch the expertly delivered eulogy in Free Churro to see some of his best work. -- Lucy James
3. Toni Collette (Hereditary)
Hereditary is an incredible horror movie and one of the best films of 2018, filled with complex, nuanced performances from its talented cast. It tells the story of the Grahams, a dysfunctional family of four who all deal with grief in different ways. The standout performance that holds the movie together comes from star Toni Collette as Annie Graham, an artist of miniatures and protective mother of two who deals with the loss of her own mother, who she seems to have a deep-seated resentment toward. It's a demanding role that spirals into mania, and Collette truly delivers and doesn't hold back. The audience follows Annie's descent into grief and obsession with bated breath, from begrudgingly telling a support group about her tragic family history to a sudden, terrible accident that shatters her completely. We feel everything she feels so intensely--her hopes, her fears, her sadness, her rage, and we are filled with a relentless sense of dread that never lets up through the entire film. This is emphasized in a key moment when Collette delivers one of the most agonizing, gut-wrenching screams in film in the last decade. Collette digs deep into Annie's psyche, giving us the most intense performance of her career thus far. -- Chastity Vicencio
4. Bill Hader (Barry)
If you had told us a year ago that Saturday Night Live alum Bill Hader would win an Outstanding Lead Actor Emmy for playing a hitman on an HBO series, we'd be a little surprised. Hader is the star and co-creator of Barry, a refreshingly original series that blends dark comedy with crime drama, which also won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. Hader plays Barry Berkman, a listless and lonely former US Marine working as a low level hitman in the Midwest. He travels to Los Angeles for a job and ends up finding a new calling in an acting class. Known mostly for his comedic work, Hader breaks from the mold of being the SNL "impressions guy" in Barry as he makes for a convincingly skilled assassin and shows incredible range, moving seamlessly between moments of levity, self-loathing, numbness, satire, despair, action, and heartache. He's no clown looking for laughs--a profound sadness emanates from everything Barry does or says. In addition, the character of Barry loves his acting class but is a terrible actor himself, which lends to the show's comedy but gives Hader yet another challenge in purposely acting poorly. The show is as dark and violent as it is funny, and Hader strikes the perfect balance in his performance and never misses a beat. -- Chastity Vicencio
5. Vincent D'Onofrio (Daredevil)
It's well accepted in the Marvel-Netflix fandom that Vincent D'Onofrio's Daredevil villain Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk is the best bad guy these shows have to offer (with Jessica Jones's Kilgrave coming in a close second). Fisk has made brief appearances since Daredevil Season 1, and fans eagerly awaited his return in Daredevil Season 3 this year, even though it was never guaranteed that he'd come back. That faith paid off, though, because D'Onofrio once again managed to portray the unstoppable Kingpin as an incredibly complex villain who can somehow be sympathetic while he's ordering the murder of innocent people and FBI agents. Fisk at once embodies an unassailable force of pure malice and physical power, and a big, insecure baby who needs Vanessa to tuck him in every night. And as great as Daredevil Season 3 was, D'Onofrio's performance as the Trump allegory Kingpin was the best part. -- Mike Rougeau
6. Richard Madden (Bodyguard)
Bodyguard is a BBC political thriller available in the US on Netflix, credited by The Guardian as "the biggest drama hit in the UK in more than a decade." Its success is due in large part to a spectacular performance from its star, Richard Madden, best known for playing Robb Stark on Game of Thrones. Madden had to share the spotlight with a larger ensemble cast on GoT, but in Bodyguard he truly gets the opportunity to shine and showcase his range of talent. Bodyguard tells the story of David Budd, an Afghanistan war veteran turned Police Sergeant. He gets assigned to specialist protection detail for Home Secretary Julia Montague, whose controversial politics clash directly with his own. David has two children with his wife, who he is separated from but longs to reunite with. The series hooks you in from the start as David singlehandedly deals with a suicide bomber on a train, which his children are also riding in, and he does so expertly and calmly. From there, we learn that David is a complex character who wears many faces, maintaining professionalism and authority on the job as he protects someone he despises, silently suffering from PTSD and reluctant to take part in a support group, being a loving father to his son and daughter, and messily drunk dialing his estranged wife on a regular basis. Madden's performance exudes the trauma and sadness lingering within David, while captivating us as a take charge action hero in the line of fire. After his performance in Bodyguard, press rumors and headlines have spun up discussing the possibility of Madden being cast as the next James Bond. And after watching him in this role, I could picture it. -- Chastity Vicencio
7. Zahn McClarnon (Westworld)
On the whole, Westworld Season 2 was something of a muddled disappointment after the heights of Season 1. But there was one standout episode that ranks among the best that the show has offered. Episode 8, titled Kiksuya, almost works as a beautiful short film in its own right and it's all down to one actor--Zahn McClarnon. McClarnon plays Akecheta, the leader of the Ghost Nation and one of the oldest hosts, who becomes an increasingly important character throughout this season. The episode charts Akecheta's history within Westworld, as he sits with Maeve's daughter and tells her his story, and we discover that his consciousness emerged a long time ago. The focus of this episode, which sticks to this single story, allows McClarnon to truly explore his character. His performance is magnificent, as Akecheta experiences grief, vengeance, determination, and enlightenment across several decades within the deserts and mountains of the park. McClarnon turns a mysterious, shadowy figure into a character with incredible emotional depth. In fact, it's a shame when Episode 9 returns to some of the show's less interesting protagonists. Here's hoping McClarnon gets plenty more screen time in Season 3.--Dan Auty
8. Richard Armitage (Castlevania)
Netflix's Castlevania is easily one of the best video game adaptations to date--one that pays homage to the existing material, but makes it fresh, exciting, and crucially, funny. And a huge part of why the humor works so well is the cast--in particular, Richard Armitage's portrayal of Trevor Belmont. Season 1 of Castlevania was criminally short, so we only really scraped the surface of his character: a drunk outcast, but deep down, a decent enough guy. Thankfully Season 2 gives him more time to shine, more laugh out loud moments, and a bromance with Dracula's son Alucard that the internet fell in love with. The back and forth between Belmont and Alucard (played by Battlestar Galactica's James Callis) was a surefire scene stealer, each firing out perfectly delivered pithy remarks at an astounding rate. Armitage is no stranger to voice work--he also plays Wolverine in the excellent scripted podcast Wolverine: The Long Night, but he really shines as the beleaguered monster hunter, Trevor. -- Lucy James
9. Jimmi Simpson and Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror, "USS Callister")
Black Mirror's love letter to Star Trek was the standout episode from the anthology series' fourth season. Taking place both in the "real world" and aboard the simulated spaceship USS Callister, the episode required the cast to play two versions of their characters, and none rose to the challenge better than Jesse Plemons and Jimmi Simpson. Plemons was the one to watch as both the odious CTO Robert Daly, skulking through the drudge of the real world, and his charming, charismatic avatar counterpart, Captain Robert Daly. The reveal midway through the episode that Daly is ultimately not the "good guy" wouldn't be as impactful without Plemons' subtle performance, and during his portrayal of Captain of the USS Callister, Plemons chews on the scenery enough to make William Shatner blush. Likewise, Jimmi Simpson clearly had fun playing both versions of James Walton: the stuck up asshole CFO, as well as Daly's whipping boy aboard the simulated ship, Lieutenant Walton. He gets the cattiest lines and most emotional speech. In an ensemble cast, both stole the show, and it's no wonder they each received award nods for this episode. -- Lucy James
10. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys (The Americans)
From the start, The Americans always depended entirely on the performances of its two leads. If we couldn't believe that these two Russian spies living on American soil had some good in them, then we'd really just be watching a couple of heartless murderers do their grim jobs. But Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys did an absolutely incredible job portraying Phillip and Elizabeth Jennings--AKA Mikhail and Nadezhda--as complex, nuanced characters who we could root for even while a small part of us hoped they would get caught. In its final season, The Americans tested everything about the dynamic it had spent the five previous seasons setting up. It strained Philip and Elizabeth's relationship--and their relationships with their kids--more than ever before, not to mention their allegiance to their country. And it put them in tons of great disguises (we're going to miss those wigs now that the show is over). Through it all, Rhys and Russell always said a lot with a little and gave us everything we needed to keep rooting for the bad guys. -- Mike Rougeau
11. Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther/Creed II)
Michael B. Jordan had a banner year for his career, bookended by two great films: Black Panther and Creed II. Black Panther was not just a fantastic first entry for a superhero in the MCU but also a groundbreaking cultural phenomenon. It's notable for being the first Marvel film with a predominantly black cast, a critical success and the second highest grossing film of 2018. Jordan delivers Black Panther's most compelling performance as Erik Killmonger, and for the first time in the MCU, we meet a villain that we strongly empathize with. He challenges King T'Challa and his nation of Wakanda for living in secrecy despite having the means and technology to help those oppressed and in need. Killmonger grew up struggling in America--he sees the suffering of others and the effects of racism, and the fire within him drives him to want to start a revolution. Killmonger proves a serious threat to T'Challa with his commanding presence and sheer intensity, fueled by his inner rage and unwavering ideology. He's one of the best written villains in Marvel, and Jordan completely sells it with his performance. Jordan stepped back into his starring role as Adonis Johnson, A.K.A. Adonis Creed, in Creed II, the gripping sequel to Ryan Coogler's Creed, which is a continuation of the Rocky film series. Adonis is challenged by Viktor Drago, the son of Ivan Drago, who killed Adonis's father Apollo Creed in the ring back in Rocky IV. Adonis starts the film as a champion, so there's nowhere to go but down. We go on an emotional journey with him as he hits rock bottom and pushes himself physically, and deals with new developments in his personal life. Jordan gives an affecting, powerful performance, committing to the physicality and the heart of his character with his own blood, sweat and tears. -- Chastity Vicencio
12. Letitia Wright (Black Panther/Infinity War)
In its early years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe became something of a proving ground for star power, igniting massive careers of little known actors like Chris Hemsworth or TV favorites like Chris Pratt. It's been a few years since we've had a proper breakout MCU performance from an unexpected actor, largely thanks to the level of prestige now associated with superhero films--it's a lot harder for relative unknowns to net themselves roles when big guns like Cate Blanchett and Michael Keaton are popping in to play. And then along came Letitia Wright. It's probably safe to say no one could have predicted Shuri going into Black Panther. A comic book character with a less than familiar history and a completely revised role for her big screen debut, Wright transformed what could have easily been a forgettable tertiary character into the MCU's biggest breakout star of 2018. Even though Shuri was ostensibly Wright's first ever blockbuster role, she stole scene after scene from her powerhouse co-stars like Chadwick Boseman and Lupita Nyong'o, bringing an indispensable level of vibrance and life to our first trip in Wakanda. Wright is going to be an actor to watch, both in and outside the MCU in the future, and Shuri will remain one of Marvel Studios' major live action master strokes thanks to her incredible performance. -- Meg Downey
13. Josh Brolin (Infinity War/Deadpool 2/Sicario 2)
Josh Brolin is no stranger to playing comic book characters, with roles in Jonah Hex and Sin City: A Dame To Kill For in the past. However, Brolin got to play two iconic Marvel characters in 2018: Cable and Thanos. The actor had already played the role of Thanos in two previous Marvel movies, but Infinity War was the first time the Mad Titan took center stage. For Marvel's most ruthless villain, Brolin presented a strangely empathetic side of the character filled with emotion and sadness. That's a tough thing to deliver, especially when the character looks like a big pruny ballsack and wants to wipe out half the life in the universe. Mere weeks after Brolin graced the screen as Thanos, Marvel fans got to see him take on the role of Cable, the leader of X-Force--a character X-fans have been dying to see on the big screen. Brolin brought a tremendous amount of intensity to the role of the no-nonsense, time-traveling mutant, and he was the antithesis of Deadpool, which made the two a perfect team even though they were fighting each other most of the movie. Aside from the Marvel characters, Brolin returned to play Matt Graver once again in Sicario: Day of the Soldado. He evolves the role of Matt Graver by leaning on the conceit that the morally grey area he operates in leads to horrible outcomes for just about everyone around him. -- Mat Elfring
14. Tilda Swinton (Suspiria)
It's safe to say that Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria has left audiences torn. The movie, a remake of Dario Argento's 1977 horror classic, is designed to test your patience. But if you stick with it, the film will reward you with its complex story and dazzling visuals. Suspiria is largely the story of Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson), a ballet dancer from Ohio who travels to Berlin in 1977 to join a dance academy only to find out that it is run by a coven of witches. While there are a ton of great performances throughout the film, we would be remiss if we didn't praise Guadagnino's regular muse, Tilda Swinton. Swinton delivers not one, but THREE great performances: She plays the troupe's artistic director, Madame Blanc, coven leader Helena Markos, and Dr. Josef Klemperer--an aged psychoanalyst, who, while still mourning the loss of his wife, begins investigating the mysterious goings-on at the dance academy, where a young patient of his (Chloë Grace Moretz) has disappeared. While the trailers were a bit coy, it's clear from the moment the character opens his scrupulously wrinkled mouth that Klemperer is also played by the Oscar-winning actress, in full on makeup. The movie, which is otherwise almost entirely void of male characters, opens and closes with him. This is obviously by design, due to Guadagnino and Swinton's approach to Suspiria as a film about female identity. Speaking to the New York Times, the director explained that casting Swinton in the only significant male role would guarantee "there will always be this element of femininity at its core." Hollywood's favorite chameleonic actress is always a thrill to watch on screen--and at this point, it's anyone's guess as to who (or what) Swinton will portray in her next Guadagnino project. -- Greg Thomas
15. Ben Whishaw (Paddington)
Of all of the names on this list, Ben Whishaw is likely the one you're least familiar with. However, he also played one of 2018's most notable characters: Whishaw, who also features in Mary Poppins Returns, was absolute perfection as the voice of the titular Peruvian bear in Paddington 2. In what was a very tough year, the voice of Paddington telling you, "If you're kind and polite, the world will be right," was a soothing mantra I repeated again and again in my head. There's no doubt that the visual effects team that worked hard to integrate a believable CGI creation into a live-action world has earned a lot of credit for what makes Paddington 2 so good, but just as important is Whishaw's contribution. The choices the actor makes are what create Paddington's personality on the big screen so wonderfully. It's not an over the top comedic performance; instead, this is a character that's oddly grounded in reality, given how fanciful the movie often is. This is clearly an idealized version of London and the world, but with the voice Whishaw gives Paddington, you want to be that bear's friend. -- Chris E. Hayner
16. Joaquin Phoenix (You Were Never Really Here)
Joaquin Phoenix is one of the most versatile actors working today, equally capable of both wild, offbeat comedic performances and searing, intense dramatic roles. 2018 saw him deliver one of his most powerful performances. In Lynn Ramsay's dark thriller You Were Never Really Here, Phoenix plays Joe, a former marine and FBI agent, traumatized by years of working in hellish situations, who now exists as a freelance enforcer. Joe specializes is rescuing young girls from sex trafficking operations, which takes him--and the movie--into some very dark places. Phoenix barely has any dialogue, but it's impossible to take your eyes off him. With his hulking frame, sad, distant eyes, and unpredictable tendency to explode into violence, the actor succeeds in making Joe both very scary and totally sympathetic. Phoenix's physicality tells us more about his character than most actors could convey with pages of dialogue. We'll see what he does with the Joker in the DC prequel movie next year, but it will be hard to top this performance. -- Dan Auty
17. Ensemble (The Haunting of Hill House)
Netflix's acclaimed horror drama The Haunting of Hill House is an acting masterclass, and yet it is ultimately impossible to single out one performance. The show does not have a "main character," instead focusing on six members of the same family over two very distinct time periods, decades apart, each role of equal importance to the unfolding narrative. The skill with which writer/director Mike Flanagan merges the two timelines means that the child and adult versions of the Crain children feel totally intertwined, and both sets of performers do fantastic work in making us believe we are seeing two eras of the same people. Henry Thomas and Timothy Hutton are both well known actors, but they absolutely sell that we are looking at one man. Carla Gugino is the only star who appears in both timelines, and she is the ghostly glue that unites the story. The ten-hour running time means that each character has plenty of screen time, producing some incredible moments of individual drama--from Luke's experiences in and out of rehab to Nell's heart-rending mental disintegration. But no one performance stands out above any other, making for the year's greatest ensemble. -- Dan Auty
18. Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul)
The title of Better Call Saul might reference shady lawyer Saul Goodman--real name Jimmy McGill--but fans of the Breaking Bad-spinoff know that the most important character is Kim Wexler. The constant girlfriend, business partner, supporter, and defender of the increasingly undeserving Jimmy, Kim is one of TV's strongest and most interesting female characters, brilliantly played by Rhea Seehorn. This year's Season 4 was the one where she really came into her own, as the gulf between her and Jimmy grew even wider. As Jimmy killed time working in a phone store while temporarily banned from practicing law, Kim worked, negotiated, and hustled her way to a dream job, basically cancelling out the plans that she and Jimmy had to work together. And yet she still found time to help Jimmy get back on his feet. Better Call Saul is a show populated by gangsters, drug dealers, and money-hungry lawyers, and Seehorn's sympathetic, captivating performance provides the show with a much-needed antidote. Sure, Kim is not above bending the rules, but always at the service of someone else, never for her own gain. While the Episode 9 showdown with Jimmy was filled with verbal fireworks, it was the final moments of Episode 10 that resonate most. As Kim realizes that Jimmy's "performance" in the appeal to get his license back was built entirely on deception, her face falls from jubilation to a look of surprise, disappointment, and disgust. It's no accident that the final shot in the entire season is not of Jimmy, but of Kim, standing betrayed and alone.--Dan Auty
19. Lady Gaga (A Star is Born)
Bradley Cooper's directorial debut, A Star Is Born, is the fourth remake of the 1937 film of the same name--the fifth version overall. This critically acclaimed romantic musical drama tells the story of alcoholic rock star Jackson Maine (Cooper), who discovers and falls for a talented singer/songwriter named Ally, played by Lady Gaga. While Cooper is great in this film and his chemistry with Gaga is electric, Gaga absolutely steals the show with a knockout, transformative performance. As a confident pop star we've known for a decade now, we've never seen her this vulnerable. Ally has incredible talent but has closed in on herself and given up on trying to become a star. The soundtrack is filled with catchy, beautiful tracks, sung by Cooper and Gaga. From Ally's show stopping performance of "La Vie En Rose" to singing self written folk rock songs with Jackson to a heart wrenching pop ballad in the final act, it's hard to imagine anyone than Gaga better suited for the range of music genres, stage presence and singing talent that the role requires. For her first starring role in a feature film, Gaga completely blew me away. -- Chastity Vicencio
20. Dolph Lundgren (Creed II/Aquaman)
For years, Dolph Lundgren's incredible physical appearance dwarfed his acting ability. He made his name in Hollywood by playing big scary men of few words, most notably in his star-making turn as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. Everything the man said became iconic: "I must break you." "If he dies, he dies." But Lundgren was capable of far more. In Creed II, Lungren imbues his monstrous character with pathos. Ivan Drago is an older, broken shell who feels cheated--by the Russian government, who used him as a propaganda tool, and by his ex-wife (Brigette Nielsen), who used him for his money. There's so much anger and hurt feelings bubbling out of the guy that you can't help but pity him. In Creed II, Lundgren turned an overblown comic character into a human being. And funnily enough, he'll be doing the same thing in Aquaman, when he plays the role of Nereus, king of Xebel. -- Kevin Wong
21. John Cena (Blockers)
John Cena may be one of the most popular WWE wrestlers, but he's also quickly becoming one of our favorite actors. And if you thought he didn't have much range, you were probably surprised by his portrayal of overprotective dad Mitchell in this year's coming of age comedy Blockers. Cena showed that he can do emotional, nuanced scenes just as well as physical comedy. Plus, he did a butt chug. We can't wait to see Cena in Bumblebee this holiday. -- Mike Rougeau
22. Nicolas Cage (Mandy)
Was Mandy's Red Miller the role Nicolas Cage was born to play? Who knows, but it sure was a triumph either way. Cage is best when he fully embraces characters that play back into his meta meme-made-human persona, and Mandy was the perfect vehicle for that. The movie as a whole is a f***ed up fever dream about revenge, forging battle axes, and macaroni and cheese, and it's amazing. But it wouldn't have worked a tenth as well without the intensely excellent Cage wailing and screaming in a bathroom chugging vodka. -- Mike Rougeau
23. Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween)
Jamie Lee Curtis is a fantastic actress. She has a number of movies, including the original Halloween, to back that up. Unfortunately, in recent years her most notable roles have been as the Dean on Scream Queens of the star of a series of commercials about probiotic yogurt, neither of which made appropriate use of the legend. Then comes the new Halloween, which features Curtis going back to her roots as Laurie Strode. This time, though, Laurie was a completely different character, one shaped by the traumatic experience of her youth into a warrior and survivor. Obviously, nobody could have played the role of Laurie but Curtis. But for those that didn't already know how incredible a performer she was, Halloween is a master class. -- Chris E. Hayner
24. Donald Glover (Solo/Atlanta)
Donald Glover has shown time and time again why he is one of the most versatile performers of today. Aside from his striking music video for "This Is America" and an appearance on Saturday Night Live back in May that included an utterly bizarre sketch titled "80's Music Video," Glover appeared in the Star Wars universe for a role he was born to play: Lando Calrissian. In Solo: A Star Wars Story, he absolutely nailed a younger Calrissian--originally portrayed by Billy Dee Williams--and stole the show. He completely encapsulated everything that made Williams' charismatic performance so memorable, while adding his own flare to the role. And he wore those capes so damn well. Glover also returned to his FX series Atlanta for a second season as Earn, who manages his rapper cousin Paper Boi. Glover's character walks through life dealing with the realities of growing older, trying to be a responsible adult and father, and navigating cultural minefields. However, he gave the performance of the year as Teddy Perkins in the episode of the same name. Perkins is an older white man who lives in a mansion and is unbalanced, homicidal, and sadistic, but his ulterior motives are hidden throughout the episode. Glover is completely transformed for this performance, and it's near impossible to tell it's him playing the role. --Mat Elfring
25. John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman/Ballers)
John David Washington had a breakout performance in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman. Based on a true story, the movie starred Washington as Ron Stallworth, the first black police officer in Colorado Springs during the civil rights movement of the '70s, who--with the help of his Jewish partner Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver)--infiltrates and becomes a member of the KKK. The story itself is bizarre and outrageous, and Washington straddles the line of comedy and seriousness exceptionally well. There's so much hope within this character, and that's apparent from the get-go in this movie. Washington's most memorable scenes come in the form of a few "gotcha" moments that Stallworth has with David Duke (Topher Grace) over the phone and in person. Nothing feels as sincere as Washington holding back laughter during these scenes. Additionally, Washington reprised his role as aging wide receiver Ricky Jerret on the HBO series Ballers. His character is in a transitional phase and shedding the selfish side of him we've seen in the past, but still remains stubborn throughout Season 4. One of Washington's final scenes in the season with Omar Benson Miller--who plays Charles Greane--is a defining moment for Jerret, and Washington emotionally drives the scene home., His struggles are laid bare, and physically visible on him as he delivers some bad news to his boss. --Mat Elfring
26. Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal (Blindspotting)
Coming off of the wildly popular Broadway musical Hamilton, triple-threat performer Daveed Diggs set his sights on telling a more personal story set in a heavily gentrified Oakland, California. With his co-star and co-writer Rafael Casal, Blindspotting is a showcase of the constant hustle of Bay Area living. Interestingly enough, both Diggs and Casal went to the same high school in the Bay Area, and that connection between them makes the film and their dynamic performances all the better. When the lead characters Colin and Miles aren't dealing with the encroaching influence of gentrification--with new residents pricing out the old and corner stores hawking expensive green health drinks--they bond over the better days of Oakland while dropping some smooth freestyle flows that focus on the good they still have in their lives. Featuring an already solid script that manages to balance the high-highs and low-lows of life in modern Oakland, what really propels the movie to amazing heights are the fantastic performances given by Diggs and Casal. With an undeniable chemistry between them, both stars riff off one another with ease--even when they're at odds. There's a surprisingly Shakespearean-like cadence to the dialogue and set-up of scenes, which is exemplified when Rafael Casal's character proudly states, "Everybody listen more when you make it sound pretty." In one of the movie's most profound moments, this line of thinking is taken seriously when Diggs' character Colin breaks off into a freestyle that's raw and poignant--showing frustration at being treated as an outsider in his own home, along with his struggles to figure out his place in "the new Oakland". This very pivotal scene sums up what Blindspotting is all about, and it's given even more gravitas thanks to the stellar performances given from Diggs and Casal. -- Alessandro Fillari
27. Justin Theroux and Sonoya Mizuno (Maniac)
Whenever someone tells me they only watched the first one or two episodes of Netflix's Maniac this year, I beg them to get further. The show's opening episodes follow Jonah Hill and Emma Stone's characters, but it's not until later that they get to the real stars: Justin Theroux's Dr. James K. Mantleray and Sonoya Mizuno's Dr. Azumi Fujita. Mantleray is a perverted genius who's based his entire career on eliminating the need for his mother, while Fujita is maybe the coolest human alive. And yet their romance, such as it is, somehow completely works. Theroux becomes a mad genius whose entire psyche is constantly on the verge of implosion, and Fujita is basically the opposite--her chain-smoking scientist is so cool and collected that you really feel it when the actress finally lets the cracks show. Maniac is worth a second and third viewing just to see these two in action again. -- Mike Rougeau
28. Henry Cavill (Mission Impossible: Fallout)
In a key moment during Mission Impossible: Fallout, during a thrilling bathroom fight scene, Henry Cavill, who plays CIA Agent August Walker, "reloads his fists." It was a simple, badass move, the sort of thing that popcorn action flicks are made of. Superman, eat your heart out. August Walker is a jerk and a tool. He almost gets Ethan Hunt killed during a parachute jump. He has the subtlety of a lead pipe; Ethan is twisting himself into pretzels to pull off a clean mission without even the enemy being the wiser. And along comes this big, dumb lummox with his shotgun fists, and no subtlety or grace at all. Amidst the sleek modernity of the IMF, Cavill is a throwback muscle hero. That he doesn't mesh well, at all, should have tipped us off that he is not who he says he is. -- Kevin Wong
By Matt Espineli on Dec 03, 2018 09:30 pm
There was no shortage of fantastic Nintendo Switch and 3DS games this year that were all well worth your time. But in about a month's time, a new year filled with exciting new games for both platforms will begin and the cycle will repeat. Nintendo has been on a roll with the Switch, supplying a steady roster of new games in some of its most iconic franchises. Not to mention it still manages to keep 3DS alive with several solid releases throughout the year. Nintendo fans have a lot to look forward to in 2019 and beyond. We're going to see brand new games in several of the company's other franchises, like Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, Metroid Prime, Bayonetta, and Luigi's Mansion. There's even entirely new IPs too, like the mech-action game, Daemon X Machina, as well as the latest RPG by Pokemon developer Game Freak codenamed "Town." The third party support continues with a strong lineup of upcoming releases. Like its predecessor, Doom Eternal is coming to Switch. And if you're fixing for some RPGs, both Dragon Quest XI and Shin Megami Tensei V are coming to the hybrid console-handheld. But what would the upcoming Switch and 3DS lineup be without some new remasters and remakes as well? You can expect to replay or play for the first time classics like New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr's Journey, and nearly all the PS1 + PS2 era Final Fantasy games. In the slides ahead, you'll find the latest details on many of the games Nintendo has to offer in 2019 and beyond. We'll be updating this gallery in the months ahead as more games get announced, so be sure to check back often. If you're curious about other platforms, we've created features like this for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. We also made a condensed list of games from all those platforms too. Check for those in the links below. But in the meantime, which games are you look forward to the most in 2019 and beyond? Let us know in the comments. More Games To Look Forward To:
Animal Crossing (Working Title)
Animal Crossing fans, rejoice! It's finally happening. The Switch is getting an entirely new game built from the ground up. The game was announced after the reveal of Isabelle during the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct presentation in September, which made for quite the bait-and-switch for loyal fans. Slight disappointment and shock was replaced by love and excitement. We wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Since the reveal, little has been said about Animal Crossing Switch. Next to nothing is known about how the game will play or what new features are being added, but seeing as it is set to launch in 2019, new details are more than likely to come sooner than later. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed character action game series by developer Platinum Games. Revealed at The Game Awards 2017, little has been said about the game since. In the years before its reveal, series creator Hideki Kamiya had often discussed the possibility of a third game. Both Kamiya and Bayonetta 2 director Yusuke Hashimotoexpressed interest in a new entry and stated that they still had ideas they'd love to pursue in future games. Bayonetta 3 will be a Switch exclusive as a result of its development being funded by Nintendo--similar to Bayonetta 2 for Wii U. With so little known about Bayonetta 3, there's still so much to learn. We're hoping that 2019 will hold some answers. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Renowned Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi is almost ready to launch his first project after striking out from Konami, and if you're familiar with his past, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. This side-scrolling action game is set in an anime-tinged gothic world built on top of a sprawling map, with plenty of puzzles, boss battles, and upgrades to uncover. Originally pitched on Kickstarter back in 2015 (a campaign that was fully funded in a single day), Bloodstained is currently set to launch on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC sometime in 2019. It was initially planned to release in 2018, but it was delayed in order to add more polish to the experience. Developer Wayforward was brought in to aid with finishing up development. Anyone interested in Bloodstained's ongoing development can follow the latest announcements over at the game's Kickstarter page. But if you're already eager to enter the world that Igarashi is crafting, you can curb your excitement with Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, an 8-bit Castlevania-esque platformer that serves as a prequel to the upcoming Ritual of the Night. Platforms: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Daemon x Machina
Do you like giant heavily-armed robots? If your answer to that question is a resounding "Yes!" then Daemon x Machina is probably for you. It's the latest game by Kenichiro Tsukuda, the main producer of the PS2-era Armored Core games. Early trailers have showcased a colorful display of over-the-top action complete with heavy machine-gun fire, missile barrages, and beam saber fights. It's not every day that we get a mech-action game, so it's certainly refreshing to see something like Daemon x Machina get made. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal is the upcoming sequel to the critically-acclaimed Doom reboot from 2016. The game takes everything that the previous game did and pushes it forward: the Doomslayer is more powerful than before, the number of enemies have doubled, and it takes place on Earth. Not to mention there's a bunch of new weapons and maneuverability options this time around that make you an even more powerful force to be reckoned with. Like its predecessor, it's coming to Nintendo Switch by way of developer Panic Button, which should come as pleasant news to fans of that port. It was enough of a technological marvel to see the game run on the console, so to see the sequel getting the same treatment has us excited at what lies ahead. Platforms: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Dragon Quest XI S
Square Enix's ever-so-charming Dragon Quest XI is heading to Switch in 2019. Titled Dragon Quest XI S, this new version will largely be the same as its PS4 and PC counterparts; though, it will include both English and Japanese voice acting. If you're an RPG fan and Switch owner, you owe it to yourself to experience this adventure. While the jury is still out on how well the game will run on Switch, you can hopefully find reassurance in the quality of the original PS4 version. GameSpot gave Dragon Quest XI a 9/10 and said in its review: "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. Once you find yourself sucked into the world of Dragon Quest XI, it's going to be hard to put down until you reach the grand finale." Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Final Fantasy Remasters (VII, IX, X, X-2, XII, Crystal Chronicles)
Nintendo has quite a substantial history with the Final Fantasy franchise. After all, it was the platform in which the series debuted and launched several of its formative sequels. But after Sony swooped the franchise away from Nintendo after its sixth game (third in the west), the series has only ever appeared in the form of spin-offs on Nintendo's consoles. Since then, several mainline Final Fantasy games have released and re-released not only on Sony platforms but Microsoft as well. Fortunately, Square Enix is looking to make up for lost time by re-releasing a batch of Final Fantasy games on the Nintendo Switch. That's right, you're going to be able to play Final Fantasy VII, IX, X, X-2, and XII on Switch in 2019. And if you were a fan of the spin-offs, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is getting remastered too. This should come as exciting news for old-time fans of the series, as well as for those who may have not played any Final Fantasy games before. We're crossing our fingers that there's plans for more Final Fantasy to come to Switch. Perhaps Final Fantasy VIII, XIII, and XV? Time will tell. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the latest game in the long-beloved tactical-RPG series. The game was initially announced under a working title in January 2017, but was finally revealed at E3 2018 under its current name. The game tells the story of four different protagonists who are all caught up in a conflict fueled by the Church of Seiros, an organization that exercises immense control over the land and its people. While the game will feature the series' classic turn-based battles, there's also some new features thrown in, such as expanded unit control and the ability to freely roam the map and interact with characters to gather intel. Three Houses is the first Fire Emblem to appear on a Nintendo home console since 2007's Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn on Wii; the 3DS has received all of the series' mainline entries since. It has certainly been a while, but it's a homecoming that we're looking forward to. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn is a 3DS port of the much-loved Wii game, Kirby's Epic Yarn. This expanded version contains new features, like the ability to craft bigger yarn balls, as well as two new modes where you get to play King Dedede and Meta Knight. If Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn is anything like the Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker 3DS port, then it's bound to be an impressive piece of software well worth grabbing just for the novelty of it all. Platforms: 3DS | Release Date: TBA 2019
Luigi's Mansion 3
There's a lot of love going around for Luigi's Mansion, which is why it's great that Nintendo has committed to making a third game in the franchise. In Luigi's Mansion 3, the easily-frightened plumber embarks on yet another sinister adventure through what appears to be a haunted tower of sorts. Nintendo hasn't discussed too much about the game, but early footage seems to showcase many of the classic elements the previous games made their name on, like ghost-sucking vacuums, spooky corridors, and a whole lot of ghosts. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr's Journey
Continuing in line with the Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga remake, Nintendo is giving the same treatment to 2009's Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. As its name implies, the game will include extra content in the form of Bowser Jr's Journey, in which you play the mischievous son of Bowser as he gathers an army to stir up chaos. This comes in addition to updated graphics and mechanics, which should be welcoming for those who missed on this critically-acclaimed adventure the first time around. Platforms: 3DS | Release Date: TBA 2019
Metroid Prime 4
Beyond the fact that Metroid Prime 4 exists and is coming to Switch at some point in the future, there's very little we can say about the game with absolute certainty. We also know that longtime Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe will lead a new team of talented developers for the project, but what that studio is and who is on the team beyond Tanabe remains a mystery. With nary an official word from Nintendo following the announcement at E3 2017-- consisting of a teaser video set against a star field, with familiar Metroid music, and the reveal of a logo--we are left to sift through rumors and wonder. The current working theories include: Bandai Namco is co-developing, it is scheduled to launch in 2019, and it may feature the character Sylux, who was confirmed by Tanabe to be in a spaceship featured in the special ending of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. What we know about Sylux is mostly based on lore introduced in Nintendo DS's Metroid Prime: Hunters and, oddly enough, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (in a trophy description). But at the end of 2017's Metroid Prime: Federation Force, we also caught a glimpse of Sylux releasing a metroid from captivity. Is it a hint? Only time will tell. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is an upcoming collection that compiles both New Super Mario Bros. U and Super Luigi U, which both released on Wii U in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The games will remain largely the same for the collection, but will include some added features, like the ability to play as Nabbit and Toadette across both games. If you missed these games the first time around, this collection just might be your chance to finally experience the chaotic multiplayer platforming that is the New Super Mario Bros. U games. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: January 11, 2019
Pokemon Switch
At E3 2017, Nintendo announced a new Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch. The tease didn't include a title, logo, key art, or really any details at all--just that series developer Game Freak would be making the game, which will be a "core RPG" that "may not release for over a year." It's been over a year now, of course, and although nothing has been confirmed since then, it would make sense for Nintendo to give more details soon. After all, the game is set to launch in late 2019. While Pokemon Let's Go helped satisfy some hunger for a new Pokemon game, it won't be long before all eyes are back on the upcoming Switch game. In recent news, developer Gamefreak recently confirmed that it's looking into ways for players to transfer their pre-existing Pokemon roster from Let's Go into the new game. There's still so much we don't know about the new Pokemon on Switch, but we're hoping that'll change soon. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
Tales of Vesperia is often considered one of the best games in the long-running Tales series of action-RPGs. It released in 2008 as an Xbox 360-exclusive, while an expanded PS3 port with extra story content launched a year later only in Japan. If you've been looking to play this much-loved Tales game, your options were previously limited. But all of that is changing with the release of Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition, which is a remastered version of the PS3 port. Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC | Release Date: January 11, 2019
Team Sonic Racing
Team Sonic Racing is the third game in the well-received Sonic kart racing series. Unlike its predecessors, the game will only contain characters from the Sonic franchise. It differs from traditional kart racers due to its focus on cooperative play, having you be a part of a team of other racers that must work together and share power-ups in order to win a race. Teams are judged based on how well they work together, as their actions helping one another earns them points that are tallied up at the end of a race. It's an interesting concept that should serve as a nice change-of-pace from the typically cutthroat nature of the Mario Kart games. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: May 21, 2019
Town (Working Title of GameFreak game)
Town is the working title of an upcoming RPG by GameFreak, the studio responsible for the massively popular Pokemon franchise. The game is set in a village with a mysterious secret that you must work to uncover. The entire adventure unfolds within this town, which once enjoyed peace and prosperity until monsters suddenly appeared to make a mess of things. To survive, you'll need to battle these invaders while also enlisting the aid of other villagers. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Trials Rising
Trials Rising is the latest in Ubisoft's over-the-top series of physics-based motocross games. If you've played previous entries, you know what to expect: more crazy courses filled with obstacles that'll test your riding finesse. New to Rising are tracks themed around famous real-world landmarks, as well as additional challenges, multiplayer modes, and the ability to create custom courses. Platforms: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: February 12, 2019
Yoshi's Crafted World
Revealed during Nintendo's E3 2017 presentation, Yoshi's Crafted World looks as adorable as you'd expect. While it appears to be a rather straightforward 2D side-scroller, it offers a subtle twist to the formula in which levels appear as dioramas, and you switch from the front view to a behind-the-scenes look to reveal the stages' secrets. Yoshi's Crafted World oozes a charm that'll likely put a smile on your face as you play it. You can even experience the game with a friend, as it'll also support two-player local co-op. Regardless of your player configuration, Yoshi's Crafted World seems like it'll surely delight. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Beyond 2019: Pikmin 4
Nintendo announced Pikmin 4 and even went as far as saying that it was "very close to completion." A year later, Miyamoto reassured Pikmin fans that the sequel was still happening. We've heard next to nothing since, which is admittedly a little worrying, but we're holding out hope that the company hasn't secretly abandoned the project. Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA
Beyond 2019: Shin Megami Tensei V
Persona 4 and Persona 5 elevated the Japanese RPG series to new heights in the West, but Shin Megami Tensei, the series Persona spun off from, remains a niche product despite having been around for the better part of three decades. With the upcoming release of Shin Megami Tensei V on Nintendo Switch, Atlus has a chance to bring new people into the fold, and while little is known about the game thus far, there's a good chance that Nintendo or Atlus will reveal more in 2019. When SMT V was first announced in 2017, producer Kazuyuki Yamai stated that the game's metropolitan setting and story would invoke contemporary social concerns such as unemployment and the threat of nuclear war to form the basis of its story. Of course, the series is also well known for presenting cities (Tokyo, usually) overrun by demons, and that will be the case once again. Given that this will be the first HD game in the series, Yamai pointed out the 3D modelling process for the many demons in the game (and their combined fused forms) will take three times as long as it did for the previous games. There's currently no firm release date in sight, but according to the official english website, SMT V is "coming soon to the Americas and Europe." Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA
By Chris E. Hayner on Dec 03, 2018 09:30 pm
If you thought 2018 was a great year for TV, it's got nothing on what's to come. In 2019, several fan-favorite series will come to an end, while a number of very exciting new shows will premiere, either on TV or via a streaming service. From the end of Game of Thrones to the launch of the new Twilight Zone from Get Out director Jordan Peele, there's plenty to be excited about. With peak TV breathing down everyone's neck, though, it's hard to figure out exactly what you need to be watching. Imagine getting through 2018 without seeing The Haunting of Hill House or the second season of G.L.O.W.? Can you imagine surviving this year without The Good Place? And, honestly, how were you supposed to know just how good a YouTube Premium series like Cobra Kai could be? Figuring out what the best TV to spend your time on takes some serious assistance. Luckily for you, we're all about lending a helping hand when it comes to deciding the shows you're not going to want to miss next year, from those that are sure to be new classic comic book adaptations to returning gems like Star Trek: Discovery. Take a look at the TV series we think you need to mark down on your calendar as you get ready to ring in the new year. And make sure to check out our most anticipated Netflix exclusive shows for 2019, as well. When it comes to content, Netflix always has a lot to offer and their library is only getting bigger next year.
Gotham's Final Season
Release date: January 3 on FOX Whether or not you're a fan of Gotham, it's hard to argue how creative and different this show is. From the beginning, it's embraced the stranger side of the Batman universe and has heavily borrowed from a Gotham City aesthetic that hasn't been seen since Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns. Now, going into its fifth and final season, Gotham is channeling the comic book story No Man's Land, which sees the titular city cut off from the rest of the world as maniacs and criminals take control. Opposing Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), Jeremiah (Cameron Monaghan) and the rest of the show's rogues gallery is Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz). We already know we'll see Batman himself in the series finale, but more than that, fans should be excited to watch the final chapter for these characters that have built steam over the past four seasons. Gotham is weird and great, and chances are we won't see anything like it for a very long time.
Game of Thrones' Final Season
Release date: Sometime in April on HBO The end of Game of Thrones is going to be a major TV moment. We know practically nothing about the final six episodes of the series, other than your favorite surviving characters may or may not die by the time all is said and done and there is a massive battle still to come. Whatever the case, we're calling it now: The final season of Game of Thrones is going to be the TV event of 2019.
Deadly Class
Release date: January 16 on Syfy Deadly Class is Syfy's latest comic book adaptation and might be its coolest yet. Set in the 1980s, the series follows the students of a high school for assassins, as they learn the ins and outs of being world-class killers for hire.
Ultraman
Release date: April 1 on Netflix Loosely based on the manga of the same name, Netflix's Ultraman is a CGI animated series that follows a young man named Shinjiro, as he follows in his father's footsteps to become the next Ultraman.
Doom Patrol
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on DC Universe The second DC Universe live-action series also happens to be a spin-off of the first--Titans. Doom Patrol, with heroes like Elasti-Woman, Robotman, Crazy Jane, and Mr. Nobody, is going to be a very weird show. However, it's also the exact kind of show hardcore comic book fans will likely love.
Stargirl
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on DC Universe DC Universe has a lot of interesting things happening in 2019, including Stargirl. At this point, though, we don't know a lot about this particular series other than actress Brec Bassinger will be playing the titular hero.
Swamp Thing
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on DC Universe This is a real wild card thrown in there by DC Universe. Swamp Thing, unlike Titans, Doom Patrol, and Stargirl, is going to be a horror series. The series is being produced by Aquaman director James Wan and will star Friday the 13th alum Derek Mears as the titular Swamp Thing, with Andy Bean (Power) playing his human alter ego Alex Holland.
Carmen Sandiego
Release date: Sometime in 2019 From Netflix's official description, we know that this reimagining of the classic franchise will be "a modern day Robin Hood" in which the titular hero steals from the evil organization V.I.L.E. and gives back to its victims. Carmen is viewed as a master criminal around the globe, but it sounds like the new series might take her to some unexpected places.
The Umbrella Academy
Release date: February 15, 2019 Scheduled to hit Netflix in February, The Umbrella Academy is the latest promising comic book adaptation we're looking forward to on the streaming service. Here's the official description: "On the same day in 1989, forty-three infants are inexplicably born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by a billionaire who creates The Umbrella Academy and prepares his "children" to save the world. Now, the six surviving members reunite upon the news of their father's passing and must work together to solve a mystery surrounding his death." Yeah, sounds awesome.
Creepshow
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on Shudder The horror anthology film Creepshow is getting a TV adaptation on Shudder. There are not many details yet about what stories the series will tell, but special effects guru Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead) will direct, executive produce, and handle creative elements on the show--meaning he's bringing his blood and gore expertise to the project.
The Twilight Zone
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on CBS All Access Jordan Peele is resurrecting The Twilight Zone as presenter and executive producer, giving us another horror anthology to be excited about. The first season will consist of 10 episodes and star, among others, Sanaa Lathan and Kumail Nanjiani. Of note, we know the series will feature a remake of the classic story "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" starring Adam Scott.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 2
Release date: January 17 on CBS All Access There are some big things in store for the new season of Star Trek: Discovery. In the Season 1 finale, it was revealed that the crew of the Discovery would come into contact with those on the USS Enterprise, meaning the new episodes will introduce Captain Christopher Pike. What's more, the season will also see the arrival of Spock, the son of Sarek and adopted brother of Michael Burnham.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on Disney+ It's been nearly five years since Star Wars: The Clone Wars ended its initial run. However, at San Diego Comic-Con, executive producer Dave Filoni announced that the show was coming back as part of Disney's new streaming service, complete with the original voice cast. For fans of the Star Wars animated universe, this is great news. Now Disney+ just needs to greenlight a followup to Star Wars Rebels.
Veronica Mars
Release date: Sometime in 2019 Veronica Mars is the show that just won't quit. It started on UPN and move to The CW, before it was canceled. Then a Kickstarter campaign funded a movie that was released in theaters years later, followed by a series of novels. Now, once again, Veronica is back and this time she's on Hulu. Not a lot is known about the new season, but you can expect most of the familiar faces you love to reappear.
Stranger Things
Release date: Sometime in 2019 Netflix has confirmed that Stranger Things Season 3 will arrive in 2019, and bring with it even more special effects. It's been way too long since Eleven and the gang's last adventure back in 2017, so we're extremely excited to get back to Hawkins, Indiana and the Upside-Down.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
Release date: Hopefully in 2019 on Netflix No confirmation on this one, but we're hoping that Netflix and The Jim Henson Company's Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, a 10-episode prequel series to the 1982 Jim Henson fantasy movie, will hit the streaming service this year. It reportedly began filming back in 2017, so there's a good chance it will be ready for release in 2019.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Release date: January 10 on NBC Not even cancellation can kill the Nine-Nine. After FOX decided to end the show last season, NBC saved it from extinction. Now, Brooklyn Nine-Nine returns for an 18-episode sixth season on NBC, allowing fans to watch Detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and his co-workers continue to massively screw up law enforcement to hilarious results.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Season 2
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on Netflix Netflix's first season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was one of the best Halloween surprises this year, and we're already looking forward to Season 2. Star Kiernan Shipka recently told Bloody Disgusting that the cast and crew went straight into filming Season 2 after wrapping Season 1, so here's hoping it arrives sometime in 2019.
By Oscar Dayus on Dec 03, 2018 09:30 pm
Missing The Mark
When you consider Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, Spider-Man, Celeste, Iconoclasts, and the many, many more great games to have come out over the past few months, you'd have to call 2018 a good year for video games. You can read our coverage of all those titles and the other best games of the year around GameSpot for the whole month of December, but we're here to take a look at the games that didn't achieve quite the same level of acclaim. In this feature, we take a look back at the many games released this year that weren't reviewed as favorably. While these games may still have some noteworthy positives--such as unique art styles or interesting stories--they also missed the mark in a number of ways. We've included everything to score a 5/10 or lower in the calendar year of 2018; this doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad game but, well, we needed to draw the line somewhere. And we've ranked them in descending order of review score, for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
Black Bird -- 5/10
"It's a shame Black Bird is so shallow, because the core action is so appealing. The lighthearted atmosphere and sharp controls make it a joy to wreak havoc on the unprepared people and the difficulty hits a nice sweet spot where it provides a good challenge without ever being frustrating. I would have gladly spent more time in this sepia-toned world if there were more stages and more strategy, but with such meager offerings, I'd fly right by Black Bird." -- Tom McShea [Full review]
Call Of Cthulu -- 5/10
"Dwelling on these few low points may seem overly harsh--they account for no more than a small portion of the whole game, after all. But they are not merely poor moments in an otherwise solid game; they're awful pieces of game design utterly inconsistent with the rest of the game. Much of Call of Cthulhu is a perfectly competent adventure game built on firm, if uninspired, point-and-click traditions. And while it won't dazzle you with ambitious, creative puzzle-solving, its central story is as haunting and consuming as you want a good Lovecraft tale to be. But then, like some nightmare creature, an action sequence comes out of nowhere and ruins the experience." -- David Wildgoose [Full review]
Deracine -- 5/10
"Deracine has the building blocks of a good VR debut from Dark Souls creator FromSoftware, but it lacks the engrossing gameplay and mystique that has made the studio's previous titles so successful. It is a good example of a PSVR-exclusive title that uses the medium effectively, giving you ample control over your movement and an enticing space to explore fully with the flexibility of using your own two hands to pick it apart. Its narrative ambitions fail to meet the same bar, though, with intriguing themes that get lost within a poorly constructed narrative that's difficult to follow. Its puzzles fall prey to the same inadequacies, failing to leverage the more exciting mechanics presented from the start and instead relying on trivial scavenger hunts though frozen time. Deracine is a disappointingly flawed adventure that won't likely stick with you long after its conclusion." -- Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT -- 5/10
"For all its attempts to honor Square-Enix's long-running series, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT stumbles far too often when trying to replicate some of the many core gameplay tenants of the series in the framework of its own game. While it manages to offer fun and responsive combat, along with an infectious charm throughout, it struggles to advance much from the previous Dissidia titles. With a story that's fed piecemeal behind arbitrary gating, several combat encounters that feel out of place, and unreliable online systems that don't function when you need them to, this online brawler isn't able to live up to the series that it steadfastly tries to celebrate." -- Alessandro Fillari [Full review]
FIFA 19 (Nintendo Switch) -- 5/10
"All that's left is to lament the ongoing absence of The Journey, which of all FIFA's modes appears the best fit for Switch--a deep, offline story playable in small chunks--and yet it's omitted entirely from the port. And that sums up the Switch version of FIFA 19: a playable, competent game of football encased in a package of outdated modes and lacking the controls and features you really want." -- Oscar Dayus [Full review]
Golem -- 5/10
"It's the fizzle at the end of the fuse that encompasses a disappointing journey into an otherwise visually captivating world. Golem attempts but fails to find harmony in bringing a vague tale together with any sort of emotional resonance. That might have been easier to forgive if the journey itself was exceptional. Instead Golem's inconsistent puzzles and jarring difficulty spikes will infuriate you more than they infatuate." -- Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
Gravel -- 5/10
"In my mind's eye, Gravel's bland visuals contribute to a game that doesn't look too dissimilar from the seven year old titles it most closely resembles. There's something appreciable about its no-nonsense style, and there's definitely some intermittent fun to be had with its arcade style racing. But it doesn't do anything that its contemporaries haven't done better before, and it fails to stand out as an enjoyable alternative, which is unfortunately reflected by its barren multiplayer component. Like the fireworks that occasionally ignite throughout select races, Gravel's attempts at excitement don't quite dazzle." -- Richard Wakeling [Full review]
Lego DC Super Villains -- 5/10
"Ultimately, Lego DC Super-Villains goes down as another cookie-cutter Lego game, and while there's still plenty of merry mayhem to unleash, it's the same kind of mayhem we've seen before. What should be as wild and riotous as the Clown Prince of Crime comes off as just another mild-mannered reporter." -- Justin Clark [Full review]
Metal Gear Survive -- 5/10
"For the most part, Metal Gear Survive feels oppressive, demanding, and obtuse, and needlessly so. It's a shame because there's actually a good survival game in there, but the pressures it places on you make uncovering and enjoying that unappealing. Over time the ability to manage thirst and hunger becomes slightly more manageable, especially if you play the multiplayer, but the lead up to that is debilitating. There's some satisfaction to be had if you persevere and savor the small victories, but you'll quickly find yourself thinking about if your time would be better spent playing something else." -- Tamoor Hussain [Full review]
My Memory Of Us -- 5/10
"My Memory of Us feels misguided; a concept that doesn't sit well, marred by puzzle gameplay that fails to challenge or excite. It means well, and divorced from the game's context, the game's aesthetic is charming. But it doesn't really work as either a puzzle game or as an educational experience." -- James O'Connor [Full review]
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 -- 5/10
"It's fun to jump in for a few games and rack up points through extravagant slam dunks with your favorite players from the past and present. However, the novelty of arcade-style basketball wears thin quickly in NBA 2K Playgrounds 2. There isn't much to keep you coming back once you've had your fill, and the nagging gameplay flaws hold back the experience. The game lacks a distinct personality, and that's a missed opportunity for any basketball game, let alone one that tries so hard to have one." -- Michael Higham [Full review]
Payday 2 (Nintendo Switch) -- 5/10
"Ultimately it doesn't matter which way you decide to play; you're having to compromise somehow, which is the story of Payday 2 on the Switch. It is an entirely functional video game that (in most respects) looks, feels and plays like Payday 2, and given the right circumstances, can also be a bit of fun. But given how readily available it is on other platforms and the concessions made with this version, it doesn't highlight Payday 2's unique brand of shooting and looting the way other platforms have for years." -- James Swinbanks [Full review]
The King's Bird -- 5/10
"Rainbow Skies is the RPG equivalent of a store brand Cola--cheaper, but with far less flavor than the bigger brand names, and liable to go flat on you much faster. It gets the job done if you're looking for a real time sink, and there's potential depth there if you're willing to wade through repetitive combat to get there, but it's simply isn't enjoyable enough to justify the commitment it demands." -- James O'Connor [Full review]
State Of Decay 2 -- 5/10
"Perhaps if State of Decay 2 had the kind of depth that drew you in, these technical faults would be easier to overlook. But it's because of the lack of meaningful motivations that they stick out so predominantly. State of Decay 2 settles into a rhythm that might be easy for you to pass some hours with, but it's never a ride with genuine surprises, excitement or purpose. There's promise in so many systems that it introduces, but they're woefully underutilized to make space for repetitive activities that are nowhere near as exciting to engage with. State of Decay 2 feels like the lumbering enemies that populate its country mountains. Aimless, wandering, and just out of place." -- Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
The King's Bird -- 5/10
"It's a shame A King's Bird falters because the concept is so enticing. After braving my way through the dozens of increasingly maddening levels, I revisited the early stages and was once again transported to a dreamlike world where beauty and serenity shine through. Difficulty has its place in platformers, but there are games where too much challenge can distract from the core conceit. A King's Bird locks you in a hopeless cage when all you want to do is fly." -- Tom McShea [Full review]
Zone Of The Enders: The 2nd Runner - MARS -- 5/10
"While Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner pushed the envelope when it first launched, it's more admirable for the ways in which it tries to inject depth into a formula that never required it to be successful. There are certainly ambitions to be appreciated, and Konami has at least put some effort into preserving the experience as it was, for better or worse. Still, those ambitions aren't enough to fight the feeling that it hasn't been outclassed several times over in the years since." -- Justin Clark [Full review]
Aegis Defenders -- 4/10
"Aegis Defenders is disappointing because it had potential, and I still think that potential exists. There is satisfaction to be found in setting up its towers and combining them in interesting ways to make bigger and better turrets. And its loop of exploring, defending, and upgrading is alluring. But the game never meets your expectations. Whether it's the nonsensical narrative, the frustrating combat, the numerous bugs, or the simplistic platforming, Aegis Defenders stumbles more often than it excels." -- Oscar Dayus [Full review]
Bravo Team -- 4/10
"Instead, Bravo Team slogs on, stranding you in huge spaces, throwing wave after wave of cannon fodder your way, making its short play time feel hours longer that it actually is. Bravo Team is a game that feels unsure and tentative about ideas that have been tried and tested for years now, even in VR." -- Justin Clark [Full review]
Bridge Constructor Portal -- 4/10
"This game falls short in just about every area; an amusing story or eye-catching visual design could have at least distracted from the dull puzzles, but you get no reprieve here. The game doesn't even feature any music while you're building the many bridges. Long after you've figured out how to pass a stage, you're still left tinkering with minute portions, adjusting ramps by mere pixels at a time, crossing your fingers that you landed on the exact angle needed to guide a companion cube or bounce a ball of light toward the wall trigger. Instead of testing your puzzle-solving ability, Bridge Constructor Portal just sees how long you can withstand tedium before you want to walk away from the whole endeavor." -- Tom McShea [Full review]
Darksiders 3 -- 4/10
"There are other elements worth mentioning, like the way the game length is padded out by the exclusion of an vague in-game map that makes fast travel worthless since you never know where exactly you're going, or the counter-intuitive way letting an enemy kill you is the best option when it comes to replenishing your healing items. But saying any more at this point is just too disheartening. Darksiders 3 retrogrades on its predecessors with an unfocused approach that constantly clashes with itself. There are remnants of a good game here, buried within the vivacious combos of a combat style this game doesn't want to embrace. Unfortunately, it's buried far too deep to ever salvage." -- Darksiders 3 [Full review]
Earthfall -- 4/10
"Earthfall follows a proven concept, but its delivery feels outdated, derivative, and woefully underdeveloped. The thought of a new game in the style of Left 4 Dead sounds great, but you would hope that whatever comes out surpasses its inspirations or at least matches it. Earthfall simply doesn't have the content or concepts to make a case for itself in a world where the two Left 4 Dead games are still viable options, and far better ones at that." -- James Swinbanks [Full review]
Extinction -- 4/10
"Extinction shoots itself in the foot time and time again. It's so frustrating to see its good ideas buried under repetitive missions, a forgettable story, and embarrassing production values for its AAA price. Play one hour of it and you've basically done a bit of everything it has to offer; then it's rinse and repeat for as long as you can bear to stick with it. It's a frail and monotonous game destined for the bargain bin." -- Peter Brown [Full review]
Fallout 76 -- 4/10
"Bethesda has stated it intends to continue supporting the game for a long time, but at launch, Fallout 76 is a poor experience. There are echoes of the series' admirable qualities, but look past that facade, past the cute Vault Boy animations, past the familiar radio tracks, and you'll find no heart--just an inconsequential wasteland doomed to be nuked over and over again." -- Edmond Tran [Full review]
We Happy Few -- 4/10
"But even if you are able to overlook its technical shortcomings or perhaps wait for more stable patches in the future, We Happy Few's biggest problems are ones that are hard to remedy. Its entire gameplay loop is underpinned by boring quests and long stretches of inaction. And even when it forces you to interact with its world beyond just walking to waypoints, combat, stealth, and otherwise fascinating societies fail to impose the right balance of challenge and tension. There's a clear lack of direction that We Happy Few is never able to shake, which wastes its intriguing setting. It does manage to weave each of its three stories cohesively into a larger tale, but it's also one that's never critical enough to earn the right to repeat "happiness is a choice" any chance it can. There are just too many hurdles to overcome to enjoy We Happy Few, and not enough Joy in the world to cast them aside." -- Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
AO Tennis -- 3/10
"The developer, Big Ant Studios, has promised to continually improve AO Tennis throughout the year, promising an ambitious slate of content that includes new players, events, and game modes. But with its poor presentation, lack of content, and frustrating controls, AO Tennis in its current state is subpar at best, and requires much more refinement to even meet the standard of last generation's tennis titles. Rather than a Roger Federer-esque ace, AO Tennis is more akin to a double fault whose shots don't even make the net." -- Alexander Pan [Full review]
Agony -- 3/10
"These are issues ironically exacerbated by the fact that it's all taking place in one of the most abominable, depressing, and fundamentally disgusting environments imaginable. Worst of all, you grow numb to Agony's uniquely repulsive flair over time. You start thinking about the environment in practical nonplussed terms, instead of the grim wonder that strikes you in the beginning. Distress turns to disinterest, then--even as the bigger revelations about the protagonist and the nature of his torture come to light--turn to total apathy. I entered Agony's Gates of Hell with a slack-jawed gasp. It is such a disappointment to have to have left it with a shrug." -- Justin Clark [Full review]
Conan Exiles -- 3/10
"Ultimately, Conan Exiles is one of the most unsatisfying games I've ever played. Its crafting and resource systems may be dense enough that the ultra-patient could find something to enjoy here, but anyone else would likely walk away with their hands thrown up in defeat. The mind-numbing tedium of harvesting resources, woefully boring combat, and a slew of bugs left me feeling completely underwhelmed and unimpressed when it was all said and done." -- James Swinbanks [Full review]
Overkill's The Walking Dead -- 3/10
"From its restrictive mission structures, unbalanced difficulty and frustrating means of progression, The Walking Dead struggles to justify the time it requires from you. It's a collection gameplay blueprints stacked upon one another without thoughtful consideration on how they might cohesively work together, wrapped up in a dull presentation and mundane combat that very rarely excites. The Walking Dead is a mess of scattered ideas and a lack of direction, and there's no reason to make sense of it all." -- Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
Rust -- 3/10
"Rust is also disappointing because of just how long it took to realize its own inescapable faults. Its lack of survival depth and inclination to only reward time served instead of clever play saps whatever life it might have had to give. Its survival systems show their age, while its community does its best to chase off those who might dare try surviving a new night on the island. Rust might make for an interesting discussion on what it brings out of its players, but it's not one you need to experience firsthand." -- Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
The Quiet Man -- 2/10
"Simplistic, ungainly combat is all the more surprising given that it is The Quiet Man's only gameplay mechanic. From beginning to end there is nothing else to do--no places to navigate, no items to collect, no weapons to wield, no puzzles to solve. It's just those same mind-numbing punches and kicks broken up by extended narrative scenes that by virtue of the enforced silence you can't hope to follow or understand. The broad contours of the plot are vaguely discernible: the drama involves childhood trauma, a seedy metropolitan underbelly, various acts of conspiracy and revenge. As for the details, it's impossible to say. The game's final moments tease an upcoming addition that will allow you to play it through a second time with the sound restored. This feels like both a preposterous cop-out--that's the main conceit!--and a cruel punishment. With sound the story will surely make more sense. But having suffered through The Quiet Man once, I can't bear to try it again." -- Calum Marsh [Full review]
Underworld Ascendant -- 2/10
"For many players, especially the time-poor, the save system alone will be enough to render Underworld Ascendant unplayable. But even if it were addressed, and a more conventional system patched in, it would be impossible to recommend this game to anyone. Framed as a spiritual successor to Ultima Underworld, Underworld Ascendant misses the mark with almost every shot, much like my aforementioned hapless archer. At the same time, even freed from the expectations its historical baggage brings, it is a clear failure. The spirit of Ultima Underworld lives on elsewhere." -- David Wildgoose [Full review]
By Michael Rougeau on Dec 03, 2018 09:30 pm
Here's what you'll be watching on Netflix next year in 2019.
Tons of people have Hulu, Amazon Prime, and even Shudder subscriptions nowadays. But Netflix remains the undisputed ruler of all video streaming platforms, thanks mostly to the unholy amount of original programming it now puts out every year. Not all of it is great. OK, a lot of Netflix's exclusive stuff is terrible. But for now, the streaming giant's strategy of throwing everything at the wall is working. Some things have managed to stick. In 2018, we had almost too many great Netflix originals to count. There was the quirky sci-fi instant classic Maniac, the cult horror hit Apostle, the insane action banger The Night Comes For Us, the wonderfully scary Haunting of Hill House, the heartfelt Queer Eye revival, the back-on-top Daredevil Season 3, the hard sci-fi series Lost in Space and Altered Carbon, great new seasons of Ozark, G.L.O.W., Castlevania, American Vandal, Black Mirror, and Big Mouth, and countless more. And since you're obviously caught up on all of those, it's time to start looking to the future. What does Netflix have coming out in 2019 that's worth getting excited over? Well, how about Stranger Things Season 3? What about the final season of Orange is the New Black, another season of G.L.O.W., and the comic book adaptation Umbrella Academy? There are many more new shows and movies coming to Netflix in 2019, so click on to find out what we're most excited about.
1. Stranger Things Season 3
Release date: Sometime in 2019 Netflix has confirmed that Stranger Things Season 3 will arrive in 2019, and bring with it even more special effects. It's been way too long since Eleven and the gang's last adventure back in 2017, so we're extremely excited to get back to Hawkins, Indiana and the Upside-Down.
2. Carmen Sandiego
Release date: Sometime in 2019 From Netflix's official description, we know that this reimagining of the classic franchise will be "a modern day Robin Hood" in which the titular hero steals from the evil organization V.I.L.E. and gives back to its victims. Carmen is viewed as a master criminal around the globe, but it sounds like the new series might take her to some unexpected places.
3. Umbrella Academy
Release date: February 15 2019 Scheduled to hit Netflix in February, Umbrella Academy is the latest promising comic book adaptation we're looking forward to on the streaming service. Here's the official description: "On the same day in 1989, forty-three infants are inexplicably born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by a billionaire who creates The Umbrella Academy and prepares his "children" to save the world. Now, the six surviving members reunite upon the news of their father's passing and must work together to solve a mystery surrounding his death." Yeah, sounds awesome.
4. Sex Education
Release date: Sometime in 2019 Gillian Anderson will star in this show about two teenagers who set up an underground sex therapy ring at their high school. Netflix hasn't release so much as a trailer yet, but we're looking forward to it based simply on the premise: "Meet Otis Milburn--an inexperienced, socially awkward high school student who lives with his mother, a sex therapist. Surrounded by manuals, videos and tediously open conversations about sex, Otis is a reluctant expert on the subject. When his home life is revealed at school, Otis realizes that he can use his specialist knowledge to gain status. He teams up with Maeve, a whip-smart bad-girl, and together they set up an underground sex therapy clinic to deal with their fellow students' weird and wonderful problems. Through his analysis of teenage sexuality, Otis realises he may need some therapy of his own."
5. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
Release date: Hopefully in 2019 No confirmation on this one, but we're hoping that Netflix and The Jim Henson Company's Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, a 10-episode prequel series to the 1982 Jim Henson fantasy movie, will hit the streaming service this year. It reportedly began filming back in 2017, so there's a good chance it will be ready for release in 2019.
6. Russian Doll
Release date: Sometime in 2019 Co-created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler, Russian Doll has an intriguing official description: "A woman gets caught in a mysterious loop, repeatedly attending the same party and dying at the end of the night, only to awake the next day unharmed." Combine that Groundhog Day/Happy Death Day concept with an all-female writing and directing team, and we're excited for this one to arrive.
7. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Season 2
Release date: Hopefully in 2019 Netflix's first season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was one of the best Halloween surprises this year, and we're already looking forward to Season 2. Star Kiernan Shipka recently told Bloody Disgusting that the cast and crew went straight into filming Season 2 after wrapping Season 1, so here's hoping it arrives sometime in 2019.
8. Orange is the New Black Season 7
Release date: Sometime in 2019 It's confirmed that Orange is the New Black's seventh season will be its last, and that it will air in 2019. If you think you understand how emotional it's going to be, just watch this video the cast posted on Twitter and try not to cry.
9. GLOW Season 3
Release date: Hopefully in 2019 GLOW Season 1 hit Netflix on June 23, 2017, while Season 2 arrived June 29, 2018. Now that we know GLOW Season 3 is happening, we're hoping for another summer release for the excellent wrestling comedy in 2019.
10. Ozark Season 3
Release date: Hopefully in 2019 Ozark star, executive producer, and sometimes director Jason Batemen announced on Twitter that the blue-hued white collar crime drama will return for a third season. "I'm happy for me, but concerned for Marty," the actor wrote, leaving us a little more concerned than usual for the Byrde family's well-being. The only question remaining is when, and to that, all we can say is hopefully it arrives in 2019.
11. Our Planet
Release date: April 5 2019 An eight-part series from the creators of Planet Earth? We don't need to hear anything else to be excited about this Netflix exclusive coming in April.
12. A Series Of Unfortunate Events Season 3
Release date: January 1 2019 These books seemed to last forever when we were kids, but the Netflix adaptation is coming to a close at the start of 2019 when Season 3 hits the streaming service on January 1. That makes this holiday break the perfect time to catch up on the charming Neil Patrick Harris-starring series.
13. The Dragon Prince Season 2
Release date: Sometime in 2019 In our review of Netflix's Dragon Prince Season 1, we called it "Avatar meets epic fantasy:" "The Dragon Prince succeeds in creating a lush, engaging new world, a mostly likable trio of new heroes, and at least for now, some interest in seeing what happens in Season 2." The series' Twitter account recently announced that it would return in 2019 for Season 2, and we're already looking forward to it.
14. Santa Clarita Diet Season 3
Release date: Sometime in 2019 According to Deadline, Season 3 of Netflix's Santa Clarita Diet will arrive in 2019. We're not yet sure exactly when, or what the new season will entail, as Netflix has release little information about it. What we do know is we're excited for more Drew Barrymore-as-a-zombie fun.
15. The Irishman
Release date: Sometime in 2019 Martin Scorsese's next big crime drama has quite a cast: Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran, Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa, plus Joe Pesci, Anna Paquin, Bobby Cannavale, Harvey Keitel, and Ray Romano. It marks the first time Pacino has appeared in a film directed by Scorsese, believe it or not. And it's coming exclusively to Netflix sometime next year. What a world.
16. The Central Park Five
Release date: Sometime in 2019 A Wrinkle in Time may have been an absolute stinker, but we're very much looking forward to Ava Duvernay's next project: An expansive look at the plight of the five NYC teenagers who were falsely accused and convicted of rape starting in 1989. The series stars Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga, and John Leguizamo, among others, and we're expecting it to be a grim and gut-wrenching--but necessary--watch.
17. Polar
Release date: Sometime in 2019 "When a retiring assassin realizes he's the target of a hit, he winds up back in the game going head to head with an army of younger, ruthless killers." That official Netflix description makes this upcoming comics adaptation sound a lot like John Wick, and we're OK with that. Add in the fact that Mads Mikkelsen is starring alongside Vanessa Hudgens, Katheryn Winnick, and Matt Lucas and we're looking forward to this one.
18. Dolemite is My Name
Release date: Sometime in 2019 n Rudy Ray Moore, this upcoming Netflix movie stars Eddie Murphy and Keegan-Michael Key, among many other great actors and comedians. It's expected out sometime in 2019.
19. Raising Dion
Release date: Hopefully in 2019 Raising Dion is yet another comic book adaptation coming to Netflix hopefully in 2019. It's the story of a single mom raising a kid who develops magical superpowers. It's based on a short film and comic book by Dennis Liu.
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