By Mat Elfring on Feb 15, 2019 11:08 pm
DC ¡LUCHA EXPLOSIVA! 7" Action Figure Line
Today feels like my birthday. My two favorite worlds have collided: wrestling and DC Comics. Announced at New York Toy Fair, from the Javits Center, DC Collectibles revealed its newest set of seven-inch action figures, and they are fantastic. Inspired by the world of lucha libre--Mexican professional wrestling--the Lucha Explosiva line takes DC characters you know and love and reimagines them as luchadors. The trinity is here--Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman--and they have a few villains from their rogues gallery to fight: Metallo II, Cheetah, and Deathstroke. Thus far, these are the coolest-looking figures to be revealed at the toy convention. DC Collectibles always produces some unique and high-quality action figures that are exceptionally imaginative. No, I'm not just saying that as a wrestling or DC fan. This line will be available this August, but price points have not been announced yet. Check out our other Toy Fair stories so far: Stay tuned to GameSpot over the weekend for more Toy Fair reveals.
Batman
Cheetah
Deathstroke
Metallo II
Superman
Wonder Woman
By Mat Elfring on Feb 15, 2019 10:18 pm
Reveals of this year's newest toys from various companies are all happening from Toy Fair right now, which is located in New York City's Javits Center. Funko kicked off Friday morning with a few announcements of what Pop collectors can expect in the upcoming year. Funko has a Pop figure for any fandom, and that includes music, and this batch of collectibles reaches into the past, the present, and across oceans. Coming straight from the '90s, you can now pick up Pops of Backstreet Boys and NSync, and have them battle to see who is the greatest boy band of the late '90s. Speaking of boy bands, there are now Pops of South Korea's biggest pop group, BTS. This latest batch is diverse, reaching many different genres within music. As of this writing, all the collectibles shown below are listed as "Coming Soon." Release dates and price points have not yet been listed. Until then, check out Funko's musical batch of Toy Fair reveals. Check out our other Toy Fair stories so far: Stay tuned to GameSpot over the weekend for more Toy Fair reveals.
Pop Rocks: Backstreet Boys
Nick Carter
Pop Rocks: Backstreet Boys
Brian Littrell
Pop Rocks: Backstreet Boys
Kevin Richardson
Pop Rocks: Backstreet Boys
AJ McLean
Pop Rocks: Backstreet Boys
Howie Dorough
Pop Rocks: KISS
Starchild, The Demon, and The Spaceman Sold separately
Pop Rocks: KISS
The Catman
Pop Rocks: Johnny Cash
Pop Rocks: Johnny Cash
Man in black edition
Pop Rocks: NSync
Justin
Pop Rocks: NSync
JC
Pop Rocks: NSync
Joey
Pop Rocks: NSync
Lance
Pop Rocks: NSync
Chris
Pop Rocks: Post Malone
Pop Rocks: Migos
Offset
Pop Rocks: Migos
Quavo
Pop Rocks: Migos
Takeoff
Pop Rocks: BTS
RM
Pop Rocks: BTS
Jin
Pop Rocks: BTS
Suga
Pop Rocks: BTS
J-hope
Pop Rocks: BTS
Jimin
Pop Rocks: BTS
V
Pop Rocks: BTS
Jungkook
Pop Rocks: BTS
7-pack exclusive to Barnes & Noble
By Mat Elfring on Feb 15, 2019 09:37 pm
New York Toy Fair has kicked off at the Javits Center, and companies have already begun revealing their products for the upcoming year. Pop culture giant Funko unleashed a new wave of Pop! and 5 Star figures on the world on Friday morning. This time around, Funko has put the focus on anime and animation with this latest round of reveals. From American staples such as the Simpsons to Scooby Doo to anime favorites like My Hero Academia and Yu Yu Hakusho, there is something for everyone here, unless you hate animation. There are even early designs for Netflix's Castlevania series to check out as well. As of this writing, all the collectibles shown below are listed as "Coming Soon." Release dates and price points have not yet been listed. Until then, check out Funko's first batch of Toy Fair reveals. Check out our other Toy Fair stories so far: Stay tuned to GameSpot over the weekend for more Toy Fair reveals.
Pop Animation: Fairy Tail
Panther Lily
Pop Animation: Fairy Tail
Zeref Dragneel
Pop Animation: Fairy Tail
Gajeel Redfox
Pop Animation: Fairy Tail
Frosch
Pop Animation: Yu Yu Hakusho
Detective Yusuke Urameshi
Pop Animation: Yu Yu Hakusho
Kurama
Pop Animation: Yu Yu Hakusho
Kazuma Kuwabara
Pop Animation: Yu Yu Hakusho
Botan
Pop Animation: Yu Yu Hakusho
Hiei
5 Star: My Hero Academia
Izuku "Deku" Midoriya
5 Star: My Hero Academia
Ochaco Uraraka
5 Star: My Hero Academia
Katsuki Bakugo
5 Star: My Hero Academia
Shoto Todoroki
5 Star: My Hero Academia
All Might
Pop Animation: My Hero Academia
Deku Exclusive to Entertainment Earth and Hot Topic
Pop Animation: Castlevania
Trevor Belmont
Pop Animation: Castlevania
Vlad Dracula Tepes
Pop Animation: Castlevania
Adrian Tepes
Pop Animation: Castlevania
Blue Fangs
Pop Animation: Castlevania
Sypha Belnades
Pop Animation: The Simpsons
Homer Simpson as Radioactive Man
Pop Animation: The Simpsons
Lisa Simpson with her saxophone
Pop Animation: The Simpsons
Bart Simpson as Bartman
Pop Animation: The Simpsons
Maggie
Pop Animation: The Simpsons
Grandpa
Pop Animation: The Simpsons
Moe
Pop Animation: The Simpsons
Mr. Burns
Pop Animation: The Simpsons
Muumuu Homer Exclusive to Hot Topic
Pop Town: Scooby Doo
Haunted Mansion with Scooby Doo
Pop Town: Spongebob Squarepants
Spongebob's Pineapple House with Spongebob and Gary the Snail
Pop Comics: Garfield
Garfield
Pop Comics: Garfield
Odie
Pop Comics: Garfield
Garfield with "I Hate Mondays" mug
Pop Animation: Betty Boop
Mermaid Betty Boop
By Phil Hornshaw on Feb 15, 2019 05:23 am
Apex Legends has stormed onto the battle royale scene in its first week, gathering some 25 million players into three-person squads, according to developer Respawn Entertainment. That's a lot of players--although not quite as many as the huge 200 million registered Fortnite players. The speed at which Apex Legends has gathered a massive community, however, has caused many to speculate that it might be the next big thing. And it seems that Epic Games has taken notice: the Fortnite developer made its Battle Pass for Season 8 free if you earn it by completing challenges. Each season's battle pass dishes out a bunch of free in-game items and normally runs about $10. For those who aren't already dedicated Fortnite players or on the Apex Legends train, that leads to a question: which of the two should you play? Both games are free, making their money from selling in-game cosmetic items. And both use the battle royale formula, in which players compete against a huge number of competitors to be the last one standing. There are a lot of differences between Apex Legends and Fortnite, though, and knowing what they are can help make the decision of which is the game you should be playing. Here's a complete breakdown of what Fortnite does, what Apex Legends does, and how they're similar and different, to help you decide.
Third Person Versus First Person
The most noticeable difference between Apex Legends and Fortnite is the perspective each uses. Apex Legends is a first-person shooter, and everything you do other than jumping into a match from the drop ship happens from the perspective of your player character. Meanwhile, Fortnite is a third-person game, so the camera is positioned behind the player character. The difference in camera makes for a different experience in each game. In Apex Legends, you can only see what's in front of you. Third-person games give you a little more situational awareness thanks to the distance of the camera from the character, but it generally makes for reduced accuracy when aiming.
All Squads Versus 1-Against-100
Unlike just about every other battle royale game out there, you can't play Apex Legends alone. You can jump into the game to get matched up with other players, but the game only supports three-player teams right now, who face off in a game of 20 squads until only one remains. That's an important design choice, since Apex Legends is full of elements that bolster the emphasis on team strategy and tactics--we talked about a bunch of them in our review. Fortnite supports squad play, but it also allows you to try to survive as a single player all on your own against as many as 99 others (and sometimes throws in crazy 50-vs.-50 modes). While the ability to play alone gives you more options for how you can engage with Fortnite, it also means the experience is a little less focused than Apex is.
Characters
Apex Legends' major addition to the battle royale formula is adding characters. At the start of each match, players pick one of the current roster of eight characters, each of whom has their own special abilities. Like in Overwatch and other character-based shooters, the special abilities of the characters are best used to complement each other, and a well-balanced team can often be key to victory. Like in all battle royale games, players in Apex Legends start with nothing and have to find their weapons on the ground. That's true of Fortnite too, but Fortnite doesn't have any characters to add extra abilities to the mix. All the player characters in Fortnite are interchangeable; the only thing they start with is a pickaxe for cutting down trees, demolishing buildings, and smashing rocks for building materials. More on that shortly.
Building Stuff
The biggest thing that sets Fortnite apart from other games is its set of building mechanics. In Fortnite, it's as important that you cut down trees and break rocks to get building materials as that you find weapons. Having those materials allows you to construct things like walls and stairs that can help change the tide of battle. Building things can protect you from gunfire or help you escape bad situations, and can help you navigate the map. There is no building in Apex Legends, for better or worse, although some character abilities can serve similar functions. Pathfinder's zip lines and grapple can help him reach high places and Gibraltar's shield can block bullets and grenades.
Destroyable Environments
Along with the ability to build in Fortnite is the ability to destroy. Most anything can be torn down, and that includes houses and buildings you'd otherwise use for cover, as well as the structures you create yourself. Firefights in Fortnite can get pretty hairy as structures are wrecked, and when players climb up on top of things like buildings or staircases, it's even possible to eliminate them by shooting the supports out from under them and watching them fall to their deaths. By contrast, structures are indestructible in Apex Legends, even if they're just wood huts like those found in places such as Cascades or Bridges. The one exception is doors, which can be kicked open with a melee attack, or blown open with explosives, stunning people on the other side.
Movement And Verticality
One of the main things that Fortnite has that other battle royale games don't is a big sense of verticality. The ability to build things on the fly wherever you go leads to players constructing elaborate towers and staircases, using height to get over and around enemies and find advantageous positions. The fact that you can reach extreme heights in Fortnite is one of the things that sets it apart from other battle royale games. Apex Legends also has a number of ways it makes its game vertical. The terrain throughout the map varies greatly in elevation, so it's very possible to take high ground and shoot down on enemies below. You can't build stuff, but there are a lot of options for getting up high. First, you can grab ledges and climb up lots of things in Apex Legends, and characters have the ability to scramble up vertical faces to reach heights that are about twice as tall as they are. Pathfinder, one of the game's current eight characters, can use his grapple hook and zipline launcher to reach high places and bring the rest of the team along with them. Fortnite has Apex Legends beat in how vertical the game can get, but Apex has smoother movement mechanics for getting around in general.
Weapons, Attachments, And Loot
Like most shooters, both Fortnite and Apex Legends have a smattering of different kinds of guns to use in various scenarios, ranging from pistols and shotguns to assault rifles and sniper rifles. Apex Legends' guns come from the Titanfall universe, and therefore tend to mix in sci-fi types like energy weapons, while Fortnite's are usually a little more traditional--but also throw in a few weird ones now and again, like the Boogie Bomb, which causes enemies afflicted by it to start dancing uncontrollably. One of Apex Legends' better improvements on the battle royale formula is how it deals with inventory management. Guns all take a specific kind of ammo, but that ammo is color-coded so that when you find some in the world, you immediately know if it goes with the guns you're carrying. When you find weapon attachments, they're added to your guns automatically if they fit. If you trade a gun with something new you find on the ground, any appropriate attachments will be added to it, as well. Anything you find in the world that's worse than what you're currently carrying is marked as such. Fortnite, meanwhile, doesn't include attachments, but instead color-codes its weapons to denote how good they are. Rarer, higher-tier guns have better attachments like scopes and suppressors, reload faster, or do more damage. For Apex Legends, guns are all the same until you add attachments that make them better, and some attachments are higher tier--and therefore more effective--than others.
Reviving And Respawning
Fortnite and Apex Legends both support squad play with teammates. In both games, taking a certain amount of damage causes you to be "knocked down," which means you're unable to fight. You can still move around in the downed state, but in most cases, you need to wait for a teammate to revive you (in Apex, you can find a piece of equipment that lets you revive yourself--but it's very rare). If you stay down for a certain amount of time or you sustain enough more damage while knocked down, you're eliminated from the match in both games. In Apex Legends, being eliminated doesn't necessarily mean your match is over, though. Teammates can recover your "banner" from the loot you drop when you're knocked out of a match. If they manage to take it to one of several respawn beacons scattered around the map, they can bring you back into the game--albeit without any gear--and return your team to full strength. It's an Apex Legends feature that other battle royale games, including Fortnite, don't have.
Secrets, Seasons, And Strange Events
One of the things that really defines Fortnite is how much it has grown and changed as a live service game. Recently, there was an in-game performance by DJ Marshmello, and each season it includes new themes, weapons, skins, events, and challenges. There are weird things to discover hidden in Fortnite, and they're constantly changing. It's one of the things that continues to keep the game compelling. It's early yet in Apex Legends, so it's unclear just what the game will look like as a continuing live service. We know Apex Legends is starting its first season in March, when it'll add new characters, weapons, and loot to the game. Respawn has mentioned that it intends to add in-game events, and we've already seen one hidden Easter egg pop up in the game. Players discovered 10 Loch Ness monster plush toys hidden in several areas around the King's Canyon map, and when they destroyed them all, it caused a huge version of Nessy to appear in the waters just off the shore of the Swamps area. That's a pretty chill Easter egg, all things considered, but it seems Respawn might have designs to do things similar to what Epic does in Fortnite when it comes to surprises, secrets, and new events.
The Verdict: Which Is Better?
Likely if you're reading this, you're hoping to find a decision point that can help you say definitively whether you should spend your time playing with the reigning battle royale champ in Fortnite, or switch to the upstart Apex Legends. The fact is, it's impossible to boil the differences and similarities between the two games down to simply saying one is better than the other. Apex Legends and Fortnite are likely to serve very different audiences. Fortnite has caught fire among younger players, it's true, but Epic is also pushing the game to become something more like a platform for various experiences than just a battle royale game--of which the Marshmello concert is a good example. Meanwhile, Apex Legends is more for the traditional FPS crowd, leaning on tight shooting and movement mechanics. The addition of characters makes it more of a melding between Overwatch and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's Blackout mode than something more akin to the jumpy, flighty nature of Fortnite. Apex is about team strategy over Fortnite's twitch reaction. In a big way, the two games are serving totally different goals. Choosing which one is right for you comes down to deciding what kind of experience you want. Is it goofier, jumpier, buildier, and generally more chaotic? You want Fortnite. Is it more tactical, more team-based, with a bigger focus on strategy and gunplay? Apex Legends is for you. But luckily, both games are free--which means you can try both.
By Matt Espineli on Feb 15, 2019 05:19 am
Far Cry: New Dawn continues series tradition, sporting a large arsenal of guns to cause havoc with. While many of these guns are ones you'll remember from last year's Far Cry 5, they've each been changed up to fit the new post-apocalyptic premise. With so many options available, you're probably asking which weapons are worth purchasing. To help you out, we've gathered four of the best guns in each of the four ranks. These are more solid recommendations than guns to live by. After all, Far Cry is a game that welcomes different playstyles and personal creativity. However, what we've highlighted here are great to consider if you're unsure which guns to buy. Check back in the next days for more Far Cry: New Dawn guides and features. We'll be covering more general tips, as well as showcase the game's coolest Easter eggs. In our Far Cry: New Dawn review, GameSpot editor Edmond Tran said: "There's a lot of potential in the ideas seeded in New Dawn, but there isn't enough room for many of them to breathe, so none of them feel like they realize their full potential. Not the post-apocalypse theme, not the RPG mechanics, not the weapons, vehicles, plot, or characters. Regardless, progressing through the adventure is an enjoyable experience, especially once you get your superhuman powers, but this is largely because Far Cry 5's combat and progression models remain compelling enough to propel you forward. For its part, New Dawn is a palatable but unremarkable spin-off that feels like it could have achieved so much more." But what are some of your favorite weapons in Far Cry: New Dawn? Let us know in the comments below.
Rusty SMG-11 (Rank I)
The moment you start Far Cry: New Dawn, you'll want to grab the Rusty SMG-11 to replace your starting pistol. It's always an upgrade to have something a little more...fully automatic.
Rusty AR-C (Rank I)
An assault rifle should always be a part of your repertoire, as you'll be needing one to get through most firefights. The Rusty AR-C is a solid all-around assault rifle that can effectively deal with the game's early threats.
Rusty RPG-7 (Rank I)
If you're not great at headshots, no amount of bullets is going to take out enemy vehicles in an instant. The Rusty RPG-7 is an essential weapon to have in your arsenal to deal with those junky Highwaymen cars before they have a chance to roll up on you.
Saw Launcher V.0 (Rank I)
The Saw Launcher weapon type is a bit of an acquired taste. We personally love it because the blades it fires can bounce around and hit multiple enemies. However, we understand that others personally prefer more direct, potentially explosive options. If you're on the fence about this makeshift weapon, we suggest at least picking up the Saw Launcher V.0 to see how it feels.
Makeshift AK-47 (Rank II)
The Makeshift weapons is where our opinion of "best" starts leaning towards the ridiculous territory. After all, Rank II is where the weapons start having special death animations that are well, not pretty--but in a good way. Take the Makeshift AK-47, for example, which has a literal screwdriver as its bayonet. You can only imagine the gruesome results. Aside from that lovely perk, the higher damage, better handling, and increased magazine make it a great step up from the Rusty AR-C. The rate-of-fire may be a bit lower--but that screwdriver, though.
Makeshift RAT4 (Rank II)
The explosive force of the Makeshift RAT4 isn't much different from the Rusty RPG-7, but an increase in handling makes this the obvious next step up. Its lock-on capabilities makes it easier to drop helicopters.
Makeshift Slingshot (Rank II)
The Makeshift Bow may seem a solid choice for stealthing about, but the Makeshift slingshot should be the one you get. Its statistics are identical, but it has the added perk of firing three different ammo types as opposed to the bow's two. It's a small difference, but if you like to sneak around, it helps to have options to dispatch foes.
Makeshift P226 (Rank II)
When your attempts at stealth go downhill, sometimes you need a gun that can respond quickly without alarming nearby guards. The Makeshift P226 can easily take down a target, sparing you from the time required to line up a shot with the Makeshift Slingshot.
Optimized AKMS (Rank III)
The Optimized AKMS is one of the best Rank III assault rifles you can get. Its high accuracy and handling makes it a fantastic upgrade from its predecessor. In addition, it can shoot armor-piercing rounds, which is a must against armored enemies. As to be expected, it has a pretty gruesome stabbing animation (that scissor attached isn't just for show). It's a must against the Gold-tiered enemies that start showing up once you unlock Rank III weapons.
Optimized Steel Bat (Rank III)
Melee weapons make for a great way to take down the baddies without expending hard-earned ammunition. The Optimized Steel Bat is a solid one to brandish, capable of easily downing enemies with a simple strike to their faces. You can also keep throw them at enemies for heavy damage, which is a joy all its own.
Optimized 1887 (Rank III)
We know what you'e thinking: "Did they pick this because it has a kitchen knife attached to it?" You're right, but the lever-action shotgun makes for a fun curiosity that packs a decent punch against enemies. If one shot doesn't do them in, one quick melee will undoubtedly finish the job. The ability to fire different ammunition types also helps make this a gun well worth having.
Optimized Recurve Bow (Rank III)
The Optimized Recurve Bow has a much higher accuracy rating, quick draw speed, and double the damage. It's your logical next step up from the Makeshift Slingshot.
Reality Shovel (Elite Rank)
The next iteration of Far Cry 5's Optimism Shovel is quite the upgrade. Titled the Reality Shove, this smiley face printed melee weapon is well worth using for its power and core gimmick. If you're a fan of throwing melee weapons, this is the one to have once you gain access to Elite Rank weapons.
"Blood Dragon" A.J.M.9 (Elite Rank)
Far Cry: Blood Dragon fans, rejoice! You can use Rex Colt's iconic pistol in Far Cry: New Dawn. While not a massive upgrade in damage from other pistols, its burst fire capability makes it a valuable asset in any firefight.
"Spraypaint And Pray" SPAS-12 (Elite Rank)
The "Spraypaint And Pray" SPAS-12 can make short work of enemies. Its firepower and ammo capacity makes it a great way clear through groups. In addition, the suppressor is a nice perk that makes it a worthwhile gun to use for predator play.
"Bear With Me" Saw Launcher V.3 (Elite Rank)
By the time you're able to acquire Elite Rank weapons, you'll be forced to decide between two different Saw Launchers: V.3 and V.T. The V.3 is simply a more powerful version of previous iterations, which is worthwhile if you've enjoyed the way that weapon functions. However, we recommend the Saw Launcher V.T's, as its boomerang capabilities allow you to preserve ammo.
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