A new sale is underway in the Microsoft Store. From now through January 28, Xbox One and Xbox 360 owners can find some steep discounts on a variety of games for each console, with some particularly good deals available across the wide-ranging Tom Clancy series.
On the Xbox One side, players can pick up the popular tactical shooters Rainbow Six Siege and Ghost Recon Wildlands for $15 each. If you're looking for even more Wildlands content, the game's season pass is also on sale for $26, while its Year 2 pass is $22.49. If you're interested in trying out The Division before its sequel arrives this March, the first game is available for $10, and its various DLC packs are also discounted.
Beyond the Tom Clancy sale, a number of other recent and popular games are also discounted as part of this week's Deals with Gold. Xbox Live Gold members can grab the Xbox One versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 for $39, NHL 19 for $19.80, Hitman 2 for $42, and Grand Theft Auto V for $15. On the Xbox 360, each entry in the Dead Space trilogy is on sale, as are Dante's Inferno and Alice: Madness Returns, among other titles.
This week's sale will run until 3 AM PT / 6 AM ET on January 29. We've rounded up some other notable deals below; the full list of discounted titles can be found on Major Nelson's blog. Xbox Live Gold members also still have a few more days to grab the remainder of this month's Games with Gold, which will remain free through the end of the month.
The huge success of the first Deadpool in 2016 took many surprise--the modestly budgeted X-Men spin-off was not only the most successful R-rated movie of all time, it made more money than most of the "regular" movies in the franchise. Last year's Deadpool 2 was also a huge hit, and inevitably a third movie is in the works. Star Ryan Reynolds has now hinted about what fans can expect from Deadpool 3.
In a recent interview with Variety, Reynolds revealed that development on Deadpool 3 had already started. Unsurprisingly he didn't give many details away, but he did suggest that the film won't be what is usually expected from the third part of a successful franchise. "[We're] looking to go in a completely different direction," he said. "Often, they reboot or change a character maybe like four movies too late."
It had previously been reported that Deadpool might appear in an X-Force movie ahead of Deadpool 3, with Bad Times at the El Royale's Drew Goddard directing. However, earlier this month, Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld revealed that X-Force had now been cancelled, due to the impending merger between Fox and Disney. Fox currently own the rights to all X-Men characters.
As for Deadpool 3, the film does not have a release date and it hasn't been confirmed if director David Leitch will return. Leitch joined the production of the second movie after the exit of director Tim Miler, who helmed the first film but left Deadpool 2 due to reported clashes with Reynolds.
In related news, there are two X-Men movies set for release in 2019. All the main X-Men cast return for Dark Phoenix, which releases in June--check out the latest trailer. This will be followed by the much-delayed New Mutants, which is currently set to arrive in August.
With the weekly refresh of Destiny 2, another Ascendant Challenge is now available to help you climb toward the Power level cap of 650 that came with the game's latest expansion, The Black Armory. This week's Ascendant Challenge returns from the third week of Forsaken. Here's where its portal is located and what to do inside.
If you've done an Ascendant Challenge (or several at this point) before, you'll have an idea of how this goes. Start out by buying the appropriate bounty from Petra in the Dreaming City. Alongside that, you'll need a Tincture of Queensfoil. Once you consume that, you get the Ascendance buff that allows you to see the Taken portal--after you've found it.
This particular portal is located in the Spire of Keres; you can see its location in the video above. Go through it to visit the Shattered Ruins in the Ascendant Plane, where are tasked with climbing a tower made of rocks without dying. Enemies will try to snipe you, and Taken rifts will try to boop you off the tower to your death. Be careful with where you move as you go toward the top; once you're there, kill the boss to complete the Ascendant Challenge.
Your reward is a chest that may not have anything special inside, but you'll also complete the bounty you picked up from Petra. This offers a piece of Powerful gear, making it a task worth tackling. With the recently released Black Armory expansion, the Power cap for characters has been raised to 650, so it's definitely worth revisiting the Ascendant Challenge as you grind up to those new heights.
As noted above, the prerequisite for doing an Ascendant Challenge--aside from access to the Dreaming City, which only comes after finishing the Forsaken campaign--is a Tincture of Queensfoil. These can be obtained through chests and Public Events in the Dreaming City, but that's not the only means.
The video above details a location you can go to trade 50 Baryon Boughs, the planetary material you earn in the Dreaming City, for a Tincture of Queensfoil. If you're desperate to get your hands on one to try the Ascendant Challenge, follow our video guide to help you find your way to the spot where you can trade with Huginn.
Destiny's next big event is The Draw, which drops with the next weekly reset on Jan. 29. It's an Exotic weapon quest that's expected to bring the Destiny 1 hand cannon, The Last Word, into Destiny 2. It should also be accompanied by more story about the mysterious Drifter, the guy who runs the Gambit matches introduced with Destiny 2's Forsaken expansion.
By Anonymous on Jan 22, 2019 10:30 pm Trials Rising brings serious fun to it's tracks and certainly some challenges as well. Here's some quick runs captured on PS4! Trials Rising comes out in February 26, 2019.
By Anonymous on Jan 22, 2019 10:30 pm In Trials Rising, we take a look at what tandem, cooperative play looks like in this gameplay video captured on the Nintendo Switch. Trials Rising is available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
The main thing I've learned from having a sibling is that you can be polar opposites who bicker endlessly, but when push comes to shove there is nothing you wouldn't do to keep them happy, safe, and protected. This sentiment is the heart and soul of Life is Strange 2 and continues to ground the strong narrative through the second chapter of the Diaz brothers' journey away from their home in Seattle and toward a new one in Puerto Lobos.
The second chapter of Life Is Strange 2 begins in the snow-laden Willamette National Forest in Oregon. It is several days after Daniel learned the tragic truth of why they had to flee Seattle, and the ensuing outburst that revealed his telekinetic powers. The brothers are now faced with the reality of managing not only their survival while on the run, but also the nuances of how to handle Daniel's abilities. Sean sets down ground rules for keeping the powers a secret while working with his younger brother to hone them. This supernatural element adds a new dimension to gameplay in that certain situations and objects can be manipulated by Daniel with your say-so.
More interesting, however, is the difficult balance you must strike as Sean by either encouraging or discouraging Daniel's use of these powers. Using them may be helpful in certain situations, but there is the danger of being exposed or hurting someone in the process. The tribulations of decision-making in the second episode are far more complex due to this supernatural factor. The options to scare or prank your little brother are almost gone, but in their place you'll have the more difficult choice between keeping him safe and repressing his abilities or allowing him to use his powers--which is sometimes the only way to save others--but potentially put him at risk in the process.
In playing the second chapter through multiple times and making different choices, it became clear that there are no options to have Sean behave in a nasty manner because Sean is not a nasty person. While you can make choices for the brothers, they aren't puppets. If you choose to have Sean yell at a loved one, he will likely apologize; you can ask Daniel to do certain things but he won't necessarily obey. This feature can diminish the feeling of ownership over the characters, but the way it bolsters the fundamentals of their characterization and relationships increases your fondness for them and investment in their journey. Choosing to act more dismissively or short-tempered doesn't stop Sean from wanting the best for Daniel, nor does being unhelpful or sacrilegious around conservative family members stop them from loving you or wanting to help you. The decision-making in Life Is Strange 2 isn't as simple as being kind or being callous, and this makes the episode far more interesting and nuanced.
Daniel remains as impressionable as he was in the first episode. Swearing in front of him will enable him to do the same, telling him you don't believe in heaven will change his beliefs, and being unkind or unsupportive will make him disinclined to listen to you. This puts a huge weight on the way you choose to conduct yourself and how you treat others in Daniel's presence. The supporting characters in this chapter are less colourful than those in the last episode, and a couple of grungy train-hopping standouts are underutilized. While Sean and Daniel's grandparents are well-written, they aren't as unique or interesting as Episode 1 characters like Brody the travelling blogger or Lyla, Sean's bubbly best friend. As a result they don't contribute to the character development of the brothers in the same meaningful way.
Much of the episode is spent in relative comfort, which is a change of pace for the brothers on the run, although the beginning retreads some story beats from the first chapter and as a result they feel less impactful this time around. There are a couple of instances that feel like cheap emotional shots, one of which is related to an Episode 1 choice that ripples out in a dramatic way, yet doesn't feel entirely earned. Even in these cases, however, the stellar performances of Roman George as Daniel and particularly Gonzalo Martin as Sean keep every moment engaging and sympathetic--from the mundanities of playing dice games to coping with heart-wrenching losses.
While this episode is bookended by tense, gasp-inducing moments, the plot has a slower pace than the previous episode. It spends time filling in the blanks of the Diaz family tree and answers important logistical questions as to where the brothers can find a safe haven. This chapter also incorporates the story of Captain Spirit, or Chris, who we first met in the standalone game The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit. Chris' character is used as a clever device to display different sides of Sean and Daniel. He enables Daniel to flaunt his childlike creativity, while Sean can earn his trust and serve as a confidant for his troubled home life. The impressive writing from Episode 1 persists, making every conversation feel natural and relatable. This ensures that even the new characters that aren't as unique as those introduced previously still have layers and avoid cliches.
This care and attention to detail extends to the environments, which feel genuine and lived-in. The particulars of places and objects also subtly clue you in to the personalities, priorities, and relationships of those they belong to; like kitschy plaques that signpost the interior of rooms in a house, a recycling bin full of beer cans, and a guitar covered in stickers. Underpinning all of this are acoustic folk tracks that punctuate the plot, echoing the feeling of teenage ruminations. The grounded, everyday vibe of the soundtrack helps drive home that Sean and Daniel are still normal teens and makes it easier to understand their mindset.
One minor issue is the meta-knowledge that the Diaz brothers are two episodes into a five-episode journey, so you have an acute awareness that no matter how positively things are going, you're never too far from it all unraveling. However, even if you can see where things are going, there's a joy in taking each new step of the adventure and in managing the careful balance between being a guardian and a friend to Daniel. The larger consequences of how you've chosen to guide Daniel are still to come, but the cracks are starting to show and the pressure is heightening. That said, no matter how you leave Daniel and Sean at the end of this chapter, there is the palpable sense of hope, of a new way forward, and of the unconditional love between two brothers.
Reliving familiar frights can often make for a less-than-exciting horror experience. But with the remake of Resident Evil 2, Capcom shows respect for the original while also going to great lengths to give the macabre atmosphere and tense gameplay a noticeable upgrade. In doing so, this revamp of the classic survival horror game shows that the series can still offer a terrifying experience like no other.
You once again play as either Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield. A viral outbreak has unleashed hordes of zombies and other grotesque monsters upon Raccoon City, leading to a series of dangerous and nightmare-inducing encounters for the two characters. While both protagonists' storylines have similar plots and take place in the same locations, there are different supporting characters and unique challenges in each that set the two playthroughs apart.
In traditional Resident Evil fashion, you're tasked with surviving through the night and overcoming the nightmarish creatures and devious puzzles found throughout the infested streets of the city, the tight, dimly lit halls of the Police Station, and in the subterranean passages below. RE2 is a great mix of the understated survivalist approach from the original games and the tactile, reflex-oriented gameplay from more recent entries. It's very much a game about escalation; as your resources dwindle and the monsters become fearsome and more elaborate, the pressure is always mounting as the story progresses, and each moment feels just a bit more desperate than the last. Even the smallest of victories can feel like major wins in RE2, and you'll often find yourself onto the next struggle before you know it.
While those who played the original game will enter with an idea of what's to come, the remake does a lot to refresh certain encounters and locations. Though many locales and their layouts are similar--save for the addition of a brand-new area and a new monster to deal with--the events therein are new. Jump scares don't trigger when you expect them to, or a room that once spelled certain doom in your head is now a safe haven--but then the question arises: if this room is safe, which room is the real dangerous one?
Early Resident Evil games have a reputation for being melodramatic, often unintentionally, but the RE2 remake a more serious tone that makes for a more evocative story. While there is still the undercurrent of the hokey tone from the classics, with the characters cutting the tension with humor when appropriate, the remake's narrative is far more convincing, propped up by some impressive writing and strong performances that help convey urgency and despair. This is especially evident during the more quiet moments, when the protagonists will try to psych themselves up for what's to come. Even minor characters are given additional substance in the remake, with poignant moments given to the doomed police lieutenant Marvin Branagh and gun shop owner Robert Kendo.
Both Claire and Leon have two different versions of the campaign, and after finishing the first run for one, you'll be prompted to start a follow-up with the other. Called Second Scenarios, they allow you to see the larger story from a different perspective. Both scenarios are totally isolated from another, and choices therein won't impact the other, but what makes these second runs worthwhile are the different encounters and sub-plots that don't occur in the first. It's a very interesting way to experience the narrative, and with four versions of the campaigns between the two leads--with the first two averaging 12-15 hours--you constantly uncover new details and events that weren't present in the previous playthroughs.
Resident Evil 2's more serious tone is further enhanced by the renewed, fantastically atmospheric presentation, which gives familiar details from the classic game more of a pronounced look and feel. Moving away from the static camera angles of the original, everything has been redesigned with over-the-shoulder gameplay in mind, giving more of a palpable and invasive sense of dread when exploring. This is heightened even more by the impeccable audio and visual design of the game, creating an eerie, isolating vibe throughout. In a number of cases, you'll only have the illumination of your flashlight as you walk the dark hallways of the bloody and ruined police station, with the ambient rain and distant monster sounds ramping up the tension. You rarely feel safe in RE2, even when you actually are.
The remake's impressive level of detail is consistently noticeable, but especially so during gorey moments. These gruesome encounters channel the same macabre and staccato approach from the classics, but are now honed through the visual luster of modern rendering and animation. As the zombies are the one constant threat throughout, you quickly become accustomed to seeing flesh chip away as you fire off pistol shots, along with watching the undead torn in half by well-placed shotgun blasts. Though RE2 easily proves to be the goriest game of the series, it never comes off as excessive, and the grizzly details all serve to highlight the grim circumstances of the desperate situation.
Resident Evil 2's more serious tone is further enhanced by the renewed, fantastically atmospheric presentation...
At the beginning, your meager selection of weapons doesn't seem like a match for the game's most intimidating horrors, but there are means available that can give you the upper hand in a lopsided fight. In addition to dismembering enemies with well-aimed shots hindering zombies' speed and offense, you can barricade certain windows to block ravenous undead from entering from outside. While many of these options are simply a temporary solution to a long-term problem, which can make it seem like they're not all that worth taking advantage of, they are helpful in a pinch.
While you will no doubt settle into tactics that work well, RE2 throws in some fresh challenges. In one of the game's more tense encounters, you cross paths with the Tyrant, a hulking presence whose footsteps echo throughout the environment. Though it was a serious foe shown in small doses in the original, this imposing force of nature is now more of a persistent threat that actively stalks you during key periods in the story. Simply ducking into another room isn't enough, as it'll quickly follow you in to keep the chase going--similar to the RE3's Nemesis in that regard. If you manage to create enough distance and it loses line of sight, it'll disengage, but will remain lurking throughout the halls. With this dynamic, the Tyrant also makes the common foes you've gotten a handle of become genuine threats once again. As you find yourself trying to stay focused on the stalking figure, it's all too easy to round a corner and run into a group of zombies.
Though the Tyrant offers a nerve-wracking surprise during some of these key moments, which makes the feeling of getting the best of it all the more satisfying, there are other times when it can disrupt Resident Evil 2's pacing. This is especially frustrating when you're simply trying to acquire an item or solve a puzzle in a room that the Tyrant and zombies frequent. What should be tense encounters can sometimes become annoying exercises in trying to lure it away, and in some cases it comes off like you're taking advantage of the Tyrant's rather limited AI to do just that. The Tyrant can overstay its welcome, but in most cases, its presence is a constant reminder of the looming threat throughout the game.
While RE2 often keeps things serious, it's not all doom and gloom. In addition to occasional references that break the tension, there's also a suite of unlockable content available to the delight of RE fans, including the classic RE2 outfits for both Leon and Claire. After completing the campaign for both characters, you'll unlock a set of bonus modes starring fan-favorites Hunk and Tofu, the later of which is a sentient knife-wielding block of coagulated soy. Both of these extra modes take you on timed gauntlets battling through many intense encounters, with Tofu's mode being the most difficult scenario in the entire game. They also allow for a chance to cut loose against hordes of monsters without the worry of the larger survival-horror mechanics during the main game.
Resident Evil 2 is not only a stellar remake of the original, but it's also simply a strong horror game that delivers anxiety-inducing and grotesque situations, topping some of the series' finest entries. But above all, the remake is an impressive game for the fact that it goes all-in on the pure survival horror experience, confidently embracing its horrifying tone and rarely letting up until the story's conclusion. Though Resident Evil 2 has its roots firmly in the past, it reworks the familiar horrors into something that feels brand new and all its own.
Resident Evil 2 is considered a classic, and one of the best games in Capcom's genre-defining survival horror series. Following the success of a remake for the original Resident Evil, the company has released another fresh take on the classic with the Resident Evil 2 remake. This version retells the story of Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield attempting to survive the infested Raccoon City.
The critical consensus has been largely positive, with most critics agreeing that Capcom has modernized the classic with enhancements that make it look and feel both fresh and respectful to the original. The gruesome horror game also includes some callbacks to secrets from the original, and Capcom is planning a free post-launch DLC mode to give it more longevity.
Check out our and story recap and pre-order guide for everything you need to know before you get started. Read below for a sampling of reviews, and check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic for more impressions from around the industry.
Game: Resident Evil 2
Developer / Publisher: Capcom
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release date: January 25
Price: US $60 / £40 / AU $77
GameSpot -- 9/10
"Resident Evil 2 is not only a stellar remake of the original, but it's also simply a strong horror game that delivers anxiety-inducing and grotesque situations, topping some of the series' finest entries. But above all, the remake is an impressive game for the fact that it goes all-in on the pure survival horror experience, confidently embracing its horrifying tone and rarely letting up until the story's conclusion. Though Resident Evil 2 has its roots firmly in the past, it reworks the familiar horrors into something that feels brand new and all its own." -- Alessandro Fillari [Full review]
CNet -- No Score
"Despite a few niggles, the Resident Evil 2 remake drags the 1998 classic into 2019 wonderfully and represents the pinnacle of the survival horror genre. If you're looking for a tough, old school adventure with plenty of scares, come and explore in the Raccoon City Police Department." -- Sean Keane [Full review]
The Guardian -- 5/5
"For veterans who remember the original (and I reviewed it at the time), it is an unmissable nostalgic treat. For those who don't know their T-Viruses from their Code Veronicas, the experience is easily vivid and entertaining enough to stand on its own merits. This is horror game design as true craft." -- Keith Stuart [Full review]
Game Informer -- 9.5/10
"Over the years, Capcom has experimented with several different approaches to Resident Evil, but this is one approach I hope gets revisited. Resident Evil 2 not only looks great, it plays well, and it forces you into a series of dark encounters that are a total rush. Resident Evil is finally running on all cylinders." -- Ben Reeves [Full review]
EGM -- 9.5/10
"In the end, however, that--and the other minor complaints I had here and there--did nothing to lessen the unadulterated joy and emotional attachment I felt during my entire playthrough of Resident Evil 2. More than just a new chapter in Capcom's legendary franchise, this is the culmination of said franchise's 22 years of existence, and the near-perfect combination of retaining everything we once loved about Resident Evil while trying to figure out how to move those things into the future." -- Mollie L Patterson [Full review]
US Gamer -- 4.5/5
"The sense of fear and terror when playing Resident Evil 2 never leaves you. It's unlike anything else I've encountered in a Resident Evil game previously. I'm just going to go ahead and call it: Resident Evil 2 is the best Resident Evil game in the franchise and represents a series and developer at its peak. Don't be distracted by the pretty graphics and gore, Resident Evil 2 is straight-up dangerous." -- Matt Kim [Full review]
Destructoid -- 9/10
"My complaints about the Resident Evil 2 remaster are minimal. An argument could be made that Capcom could have done more, but the spirit of the original has been preserved and in many cases, enhanced. I hope every legacy game in the series gets this loving treatment, as I'll probably be playing them for the rest of my life." -- Chris Carter [Full review]
Games Radar -- 4/5
"A beautifully made and reverent take on the original game that works both as a remake and a completely new game." -- Leon Hurley [Full review]
As it often does, Epic has followed up the recent big Fortnite patch (and subsequent Ice Storm event) with a content update. This one, content update 7.20, makes some adjustments to various items and also introduces a new one, the Sneaky Snowman, vaults several weapons, and adds a limited-time mode. Here are the patch notes detailing what's new and different.
The very brief video below sums it up fairly well, but in short, the Sneaky Snowman is a wearable disguise not unlike the bush. It's a Common rarity item and can be found as floor loot or in chests and supply llamas. They drop in stacks of five (you can hold up to 10), and the reason for that is you can opt to wear it (by pressing Secondary Fire) or you can throw it (with Primary Fire) to create a destructible snowman. This way, your opponents will never be sure if a snowman they come across is an actual player or just a decoy.
Of course, enemies can destroy these snowmen by shooting them, but they have 100 health, so dispatching them won't be as simple as shooting them once. When worn, they function as a shield but are destroyed if the wearer switches to another item or goes into building mode. You can, however, still move around as usual.
Alongside this, the new patch vaults several items, meaning they've been temporarily removed from standard Battle Royale game modes. Those include the quad rocket launcher, port-a-fortress, and grappler. And while they haven't been pulled entirely, several other items and vehicles are also now less likely to be found, and two types of potions have had their drop rates swapped. As detailed in the patch notes:
Altered Spawn Rates
Reduced the drop chance of Gliders.
Reduced drop chance from Chests from 11.89% to 4.43%.
Reduced the drop chance of Balloons.
Reduced drop chance from Chests from 7.58% to 3.24%.
Reduced the spawn chance of Quad Crashers from 100% to 50%.
Reduced the spawn chance of X-4 Stormwings from 80% to 50%.
Swapped the drop chance of Shield Potions and Small Shield Potions.
Shield Potion
Reduced drop chance from Floor Loot from 16.53% to 13.22%.
Reduced drop chance from Chests from 14.26% to 9.51%.
Small Shield Potion
Increased drop chance from Floor Loot from 13.22% to 16.53%.
Increased drop chance from Chests from 9.51% to 14.26%.
A new but returning limited-time mode has also arrived: Sniper Shootout. All weapons in this mode have scopes, floor loot is less common, and there is no reviving teammates in duos/squads versions. Since the last time this LTM was available, the suppressed sniper rifle has been added, and supply drops can now include the Legendary scoped pistol.
At The Block, you'll find Omega Pyramid, a new creation by player Directingpete. You can see it in the image below.
You can read on for the full patch notes, courtesy of Epic. Fortnite Creative sees a few additions, while Week 4 of the Cold Chaos event kicks off in Fortnite: Save the World. Elsewhere in the game, a new Ice Storm event began over the weekend, complete with new challenges.
Fortnite 7.20 Content Update Patch Notes
Battle Royale
LIMITED TIME MODE: SNIPER SHOOTOUT
Summary
In this limited time mode, players will do battle using scoped weapons only. May the best aim win!
What's New?
Suppressed Sniper Rifles have been added.
Legendary Scoped Pistols have been added to Supply Drops.
Mode Details
Floor Loot spawners reduced by 50%
Reviving "Down But Not Out" teammates in Duos & Squads is deactivated - be careful peeking!
Profile Stats (K/D & Wins) are tracked in this mode
WEAPONS + ITEMS
Sneaky Snowman
Use Primary Fire to throw a projectile that creates a destructible snowman.
Use Secondary Fire to wear the Sneaky Snowman.
Sneaky Snowman has 100 Health and acts as a shield when worn by a player.
Sneaky Snowman is destroyed when its Health reaches zero or when the player wearing the snowman swaps to a different item or building mode.
This means that a player wearing a Sneaky Snowman cannot build or use other items. Movement of all types is allowed.
Available in Common variant.
Can be found from Floor Loot, Chests, and Supply Llamas.
Drops in stacks of 5.
Max stack size of 10.
Swapped the drop chance of Shield Potions and Small Shield Potions.
Shield Potion
Reduced drop chance from Floor Loot from 16.53% to 13.22%.
Reduced drop chance from Chests from 14.26% to 9.51%.
Small Shield Potion
Increased drop chance from Floor Loot from 13.22% to 16.53%.
Increased drop chance from Chests from 9.51% to 14.26%.
Vaulted the following items:
Quad Rocket Launcher
Port-A-fortress
Grappler
Reduced the drop chance of Gliders.
Reduced drop chance from Chests from 11.89% to 4.43%.
Reduced the drop chance of Balloons.
Reduced drop chance from Chests from 7.58% to 3.24%.
Reduced the spawn chance of Quad Crashers from 100% to 50%.
Reduced the spawn chance of X-4 Stormwings from 80% to 50%.
PERFORMANCE
Fixed an issue where building would cause a major drop in FPS.
EVENTS
Added additional dates for Explorer Pop-Up Cup.
Updated additional materials gained on elimination to now drop with the eliminated player, rather than being granted immediately.
Creative
WHAT'S NEW?
This is an early release so you may experience client crashes, loss of progress, or other unexpected errors.
WEAPONS + ITEMS
Sneaky Snowman
Use Primary Fire to throw a projectile that creates a destructible snowman.
Use Secondary Fire to wear the Sneaky Snowman.
Sneaky Snowman has 100 Health and acts as a shield when worn by a player.
Sneaky Snowman is destroyed when its Health reaches zero or when the player wearing the snowman swaps to a different item or building mode.
This means that a player wearing a Sneaky Snowman cannot build or use other items. Movement of all types is allowed.
Available in Common variant.
Can be found from Floor Loot, Chests, and Supply Llamas.
Drops in stacks of 5.
Max stack size of 10.
Added to Creative
Light Machine Gun
Suppressed Sub-Machine Gun
Revolver
Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle
Smoke Grenade
Remote Explosives
Save the World
WHAT'S NEW?
Frostnite Weekly Challenge 4 - Cold Chaos
Focus your fire! Enemies gain modifiers when attacked, so work as a team and defeat the threat to unlock the banner and the Guardian's Will Sword.
Lynx Kassandra
A new Hero arrives! Fast on her feet with catlike reflexes, unlock her in the Event Store for a limited time.
MISSIONS + SYSTEMS
Weekly Frostnite Challenge 4: Cold Chaos
Enemies gain modifiers when damaged. Focus your attacks for maximum efficiency.
Enemies receive a certain combination of mutators per wave: Quickened, Enraged, Exploding Deathburst, Frenzied Deathburst, and Smoke Screens.
Survive for 30 minutes (three times) to collect the Week 4 Challenge Banner.
Survive for 30 minutes to collect the Medieval Sword.
Available on January 23 at 7 PM ET.
HEROES
Lynx Kassandra
Mythic variant of the Fleetfoot subclass.
Available on the Event Store from January 23 at 7 PM ET.
Note: Lynx Kassandra will be unique when the new Hero Loadout launches.
WEAPONS + ITEMS
Guardian's Will Sword
Rewarded for completing the week 4 Frostnite Weekly Challenge.
A large sword with high damage and moderate impact.
Leap Attack
A Heavy attack that jumps to the targeted foe and damages nearby enemies.
AUDIO
Improved Low Health state audio mix so that gameplay sounds aren't ducked as severely.
Celeste may be a super-challenging game, but the music is pleasing and serene. A new Celeste music album goes further still, transforming the tunes into lovely piano adaptations.
The Celeste Piano Collections is part of Materia Collective's Piano Collections series, which sees performers adapt popular video game albums in piano fashion. For the Celeste album, Trevor Alan Gomes arranged and performed the new takes on Celeste's music, which was originally written by Lena Raine. GameSpot is excited to be able to announce the album today and premiere a track, "Scattered And Lost," which you can listen to in the video embed above.
"Lena has a way of brilliantly hyper-saturating the music with rhythmic ideas, counterpoint, and even multiple lead lines, so taking those full-to-the-brim tracks and transforming them into equally complete piano solos was my greatest challenge to date," Gomes said in a statement.
"My favorite track on the album, 'Confronting Myself,' was a puzzle to arrange for solo piano. I wanted to somehow capture the 'glitched' sound, so I translated that sensation to time signature and harmonic changes. 'Exhale' was also a joy to arrange for the super talented violinist Michaela Nachtigall, aka 'Otama-Mama.' Having just one track with an additional instrument feels like the strawberry on top that completes the album and gives it a lovely roundness."
Materia Collective is also launching the Celeste Piano Collections on vinyl, and the artwork is stunning. Click through the images in the gallery above to get a closer look.
Jett Galindo (Sony/The Bakery) did the mastering, while Rozen handled the layout and design. The illustrations were created by David Rene Christensen. There are 13 tracks in all, and you can see a listing of them below.
The Celeste Piano Collections album arrives on January 25. You can buy/stream it at all the places you'd expect, including Spotify, iTunes, and Bandcamp. On Bandcamp, you can choose from MP3, FLACC, and other high-quality formats. You can also order the album on vinyl through Bandcamp, where you can also get the album's sheet music.
This is not the first time Celeste's music has been remixed for a new album. Last year, a lullaby/jazz album for the game's music was released.
Capcom has announced a new mode coming to Resident Evil 2 after launch, which aims to add some longevity with repeatable missions and random elements. The "Ghost Survivors" mode will be free for all players, and it will be released in multiple volumes.
A post on ResetEra details the announcement from Capcom's launch event stream. Ghost Survivors will release across three volumes. The first volume will include the mayor's daughter Katherine and a USS member named Robert Kendo as playable characters. The mode is also said to include at least one new enemy type that doesn't appear in the main campaign. To keep the mode fresh, it will introduce random elements and an in-game shop that lets you purchase upgrades based on good performance in the challenges.
The RE2 remake will also sport the bonus 4th Survivor and Tofu modes from the original, giving you a little more to do after you've completed the main campaign. 4th Survivor puts you into the shoes of special agent HUNK, while Tofu lets you explore the zombie-infested city as a big block of substitute soy meat.
If you need to catch up on Resident Evil before the game drops, check out our story recap to refresh yourself on the world of survival horror. Plus you can read up on our pre-order guide to check out the bonus items available, and why Akuma should make a guest appearance.
This year's Oscar nominations have been announced. Roma and The Favourite leads the pack, with 10 nominations each, and there was also a strong showing from Black Panther, Bohemian Rhapsody, and BlacKkKlansman.
Best Picture nominees were Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Favourite, Green Book, Roma, A Star Is Born, and Vice. Black Panther is the first superhero movie to be nominate for Best Picture.
Best Actress nods went to Yalitza Aparicio (Roma), Glenn Close (The Wife), Olivia Colman (The Favourite), Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born), and Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?). Best Actor nominees this year include Christian Bale (Vice), Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born), Willem Dafoe (At Eternity's Gate), Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), and Viggo Mortensen (Green Book).
You can see a rundown of categories and nominees below. You can also find a full breakdown off all the 2019 Oscar nominees at Variety. The 91st Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 24.
Best Picture
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star Is Born
Vice
Lead Actor
Christian Bale, Vice
Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
Willem Dafoe, At Eternity's Gate
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book
Lead Actress
Yalitza Aparicio, Roma
Glenn Close, The Wife
Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Supporting Actor
Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott, A Star Is Born
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Rockwell, Vice
Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Vice
Marina de Tavira, Roma
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Emma Stone, The Favourite
Rachel Weisz, The Favourite
Director
Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Pawel Pawlikowski, Cold War
Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite
Alfonso Cuarón, Roma
Adam McKay, Vice
Animated Feature
Incredibles 2, Brad Bird
Isle of Dogs, Wes Anderson
Mirai, Mamoru Hosoda
Ralph Breaks the Internet, Rich Moore, Phil Johnston
Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse, Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
Animated Short
Animal Behaviour, Alison Snowden, David Fine
Bao, Domee Shi
Late Afternoon, Louise Bagnall
One Small Step, Andrew Chesworth, Bobby Pontillas
Weekends, Trevor Jimenez
Adapted Screenplay
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Joel Coen , Ethan Coen
BlacKkKlansman, Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott, Spike Lee
Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty
If Beale Street Could Talk, Barry Jenkins
A Star Is Born, Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper, Will Fetters
Original Screenplay
The Favourite, Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara
First Reformed, Paul Schrader
Green Book, Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly
Roma, Alfonso Cuarón
Vice, Adam McKay
Cinematography
Cold War, Lukasz Zal
The Favourite, Robbie Ryan
Never Look Away, Caleb Deschanel
Roma, Alfonso Cuarón
A Star Is Born, Matthew Libatique
Best Documentary Feature
Free Solo, Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Hale County This Morning, This Evening, RaMell Ross
Minding the Gap, Bing Liu
Of Fathers and Sons, Talal Derki
RBG, Betsy West, Julie Cohen
Best Documentary Short Subject
Black Sheep, Ed Perkins
End Game, Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Lifeboat, Skye Fitzgerald
A Night at the Garden, Marshall Curry
Period. End of Sentence., Rayka Zehtabchi
Best Live Action Short Film
Detainment, Vincent Lambe
Fauve, Jeremy Comte
Marguerite, Marianne Farley
Mother, Rodrigo Sorogoyen
Skin, Guy Nattiv
Best Foreign Language Film
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Film Editing
BlacKkKlansman, Barry Alexander Brown
Bohemian Rhapsody, John Ottman
Green Book, Patrick J. Don Vito
The Favourite, Yorgos Mavropsaridis
Vice, Hank Corwin
Sound Editing
Black Panther, Benjamin A. Burtt, Steve Boeddeker
Bohemian Rhapsody, John Warhurst
First Man, Ai-Ling Lee, Mildred Iatrou Morgan
A Quiet Place, Ethan Van der Ryn, Erik Aadahl
Roma, Sergio Diaz, Skip Lievsay
Sound Mixing
Black Panther
Bohemian Rhapsody
First Man
Roma
A Star Is Born
Production Design
Black Panther, Hannah Beachler
First Man, Nathan Crowley, Kathy Lucas
The Favourite, Fiona Crombie, Alice Felton
Mary Poppins Returns, John Myhre, Gordon Sim
Roma, Eugenio Caballero, Bárbara Enrı́quez
Original Score
BlacKkKlansman, Terence Blanchard
Black Panther, Ludwig Goransson
If Beale Street Could Talk, Nicholas Britell
Isle of Dogs, Alexandre Desplat
Mary Poppins Returns, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman
Original Song
All The Stars from Black Panther by Kendrick Lamar, SZA
I'll Fight from RBG by Diane Warren, Jennifer Hudson
The Place Where Lost Things Go from Mary Poppins Returns by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman
Shallow from A Star Is Born by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, Andrew Wyatt and Benjamin Rice
When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch
If you're having trouble waiting until Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens at Disneyland this summer to find out exactly what a Star Wars land will be like, this should be some very good news. Marvel is releasing a comic book based on the land that will be available in April, giving fans their first taste at the mythology behind Black Spire Outpost, the trading post located on the planet Batuu that serves as the setting of Galaxy's Edge.
According to The Marvel.com, the five-issue miniseries will be set on the planet of Batuu and will introduce Dok-Ondar, a "collector of rare antiquities" that will appear in the theme park. The character was first mentioned in Solo: A Star Wars Story. According to Ethan Sacks, who's writing the comic, readers will get to know the character quite a bit.
"There's a reason Dok-Ondar's name ripples far and wide in the Star Wars universe," he told Marvel.com in an interview. "He's a mysterious Ithorian who is the proprietor of the most notorious antiquities shop in the galaxy. And every item has a story behind it. Some more dangerous to listen to than others."
To create the world of Batuu and keep the Black Spire Outpost as close as possible to what fans will be available to visit as possible, Sacks said he and illustrator Will Sliney were given plenty of concept art from the theme park expansion to make sure it's accurate. "Armed with top-secret sketches and information from Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm, we are keeping this authentic to the spirit of this rich new setting," he said.
The first issue of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will be released in April. Galaxy's Edge is expected to open at the Disneyland Resort in the summer, with Walt Disney World's version following in the fall.
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