Rare has issued a roadmap detailing its upcoming plans for Sea of Thieves on Xbox One and PC. The centerpiece of the plan includes big content updates through the rest of the year. Those big updates will be supplemented by regular weekly events with new goals and rewards. The weekly updates and regular content updates will be available for free. The first big update, coming this May, is called The Hungering Deep. It will add a new AI threat, as well as new mechanics and rewards. This summer, the Cursed Sails update will include a new ship type, and then Forsaken Shores will add a new area to the map. After that, three more updates are planned for release by the end of 2018. The studio stressed that its plans will evolve based on feedback. Other systems it planned to introduce within a few months of launch--such as Pets and Ship Captaincy--have been placed on the back-burner due to other priorities. "Expect our plans to continue to be fluid but always with the goals listed above as our guiding principles," the update read. Rare has already shown some capacity for rolling with the punches, as it dropped a planned death penalty feature shortly after announcing it. It has been supporting the game with regular patches, mostly to fix bugs and performance issues so far, but now we know it has much bigger plans than that. It's a good sign for a game that was criticized in GameSpot's review for feeling repetitive and light. If the promise of regular updates is enough to bring you aboard, check out some tips on things to know before you set sail.

Otherside Entertainment also dropped a new developer diary video talking about 'crafting an immersive sim The first full trailer for Underworld Ascendant, the modernized followup to the great Looking Glass RPG Ultima Underworld, showcases colorful dungeons, broken stone halls, magic, traps, and a bunch of underground beasties looking to do you harm. Developer Otherside Entertainment also released a new dev diary video in which writer and game director Joe Fielder, lead designer Tim Stellmach, and lead engineer Will Teixeira talk about their approach to "crafting an immersive sim." "Players love to change everything in the world," Fielder explains at one point. "Agency is my player's ability to affect things in the world. And so the more that we allow players to mess with the world, even if it looks kind of broken, I think that's great. I love it because it means that players have way more to do in that game." "You have the space in which to solve problems in ways that we might not have even foreseen," Stellmach says. "We've seen this, where people come up with solutions to challenges that we are surprised by. There's nothing we like better than to be surprised by the way that our players solve a problem that we pose them." Player agency is something that Otherside has talked about in previous updates, and I very much hope that the focus on "systems" doesn't come at the cost of "game." Ultima Underworld was very open-ended, but it also provided a narrative experience that led players from top to bottom along a fairly consistent path. That's really what I'd like to see more of in Underworld Ascendant trailers: Less about how I'll do things, and more about what I'm doing, and why. That trailer does look pretty great, though. I'm really looking forward to getting back into the Abyss. Underworld Ascendant is expected to be out later this year. We spent an hour with Otherside founder Paul Neurath and studio director Warren Spector at SXSW in March, and you can watch the full talk below.

Star Wars: Battlefront II is getting a new update next week, and it'll mark the return of Crystals, the currency that you can buy with real-world cash. The Night on Endor Update is headlined, however, by the limited-time Ewok Hunt mode. Night on Endor brings back Crystals, which allow you to purchase in-game items with real money. However, DICE has implemented some significant changes following the backlash that caused the studio to entirely remove microtransactions from the game. First, Crystals can only be used to buy Appearances, which are cosmetic items. The update also adds a slew of new Appearances, such as Endor Leia and Endor Han; Appearances can be bought with normal, in-game Credits as well. Second, Star Cards are not coming back; gameplay and progression-related items are contained solely within the progression system. The microtransaction system will be strictly contained to cosmetic items. The update will also introduce the first game mode that allows players to play as Ewoks. Ewok Hunt is a limited-time, asymmetric mode that pits a team of Ewoks against a team of Stormtroopers. It is the Ewoks' task to eliminate the Stormtroopers; the troopers must withstand the attack until evacuation. Every Stormtrooper that is killed spawns a new Ewok. DICE hasn't yet said when this mode will be removed from the game. The update goes live on April 18 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and includes various other tweaks and balance fixes. In addition, DICE announced that Season Two of Battlefront II content will arrive in May. Seasons will revolve around specific themes; the studio hasn't revealed what Season Two's theme will be, but focusing on the upcoming Solo film is a possibility.

Far Cry 5: Prepare To DIE - The Best Arcade Maps This Week This week's Far Cry 5 live event rewards you for playing in Arcade Mode, but maybe you're just getting started and you have no idea where to look. Fortunately, we have you covered. Our latest look at the best Arcade maps with Jacob Dekker and Joey Yee highlight some of the community's coolest creations. It starts with Assault Garage, a well-designed map without a lot of bells, whistles, or gimmicks. Sometimes you just want to play Far Cry 5 to get more sandbox combat action, and this one delivers. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Shovel Souls. This map pays homage to Dark Souls with limited weaponry and even a tough boss fight. A Portal-inspired puzzle parkour challenge tests the limits of first-person precision jumping. It all wraps up with Favre Town, a nicely expansive map that explores two separate locations. It's a nice mix that shows the flexibility of Far Cry 5's map editing tools. If you play these stages (or any others) for 40 minutes by April 17, you'll have completed the "Arcade Dawn" event. Your reward for participating is a Vector .45 ACP, and the Community Reward is a matching Arcade Pro outfit. As usual, you'll also get Silver Bars for progression through the live event.

If you're planning to buy a Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ on Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint, we have a friendly advice: purchase the phone(s) directly from Samsung. That's because, at this moment, Samsung is offering the S9 for $719.99, and the S9+ for $839.99 - regardless of carrier and method of purchase (outright, or with monthly payments). This means you can save at least $70 on the AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint variants of the two handsets. In case you're wondering, Samsung hasn't lowered the prices of T-Mobile's Galaxy S9 and S9+. But that's okay, as T-Mobile's models have been offered for $719.99 and $839.99, respectively, since the very beginning. Meanwhile, prices for the Samsung Galaxy S9 series start from $790.20 at AT&T, $792 at Sprint, and $799.99 at Verizon Wireless.Another reason to buy a Galaxy S9 or S9+ directly from Samsung is that, until April 30, you can get a free Dex Pad with any variant of the two smartphones. If all this generosity from Samsung has persuaded you, go ahead and order yourself a new Galaxy via the source link below. And maybe also read our Galaxy S9 and S9+ review, assuming you haven't done it already.

If you're planning to buy a Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ on Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint, we have a friendly advice: purchase the phone(s) directly from Samsung. That's because, at this moment, Samsung is offering the S9 for $719.99, and the S9+ for $839.99 - regardless of carrier and method of purchase (outright, or with monthly payments). This means you can save at least $70 on the AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint variants of the two handsets. In case you're wondering, Samsung hasn't lowered the prices of T-Mobile's Galaxy S9 and S9+. But that's okay, as T-Mobile's models have been offered for $719.99 and $839.99, respectively, since the very beginning. Meanwhile, prices for the Samsung Galaxy S9 series start from $790.20 at AT&T, $792 at Sprint, and $799.99 at Verizon Wireless.Another reason to buy a Galaxy S9 or S9+ directly from Samsung is that, until April 30, you can get a free Dex Pad with any variant of the two smartphones. If all this generosity from Samsung has persuaded you, go ahead and order yourself a new Galaxy via the source link below. And maybe also read our Galaxy S9 and S9+ review, assuming you haven't done it already.

Kingdom Come Deliverance patch 1.4.2 has been completed and it’s currently being tested, Warhorse Studios co-founder Daniel Vávra has confirmed. The patch will fix some crashes and various other issues that have occurred following the previous update. “Regarding patch 1.4.2 which is gonna fix some crashes and few other issues”, Vávra wrote on Twitter. “It’s done and being tested now”, he added. “I would love to give it to you before the weekend, but we know how it “worked” last week, so give us some more time.” The update will also be deployed for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One alongside patch 1.4 which is currently still being certificated by Sony and Microsoft. “It’s gonna be released for consoles as well with 1.4”, Kingdom Come Deliverance’s creative director tweeted. Kingdom Come: Deliverance is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. We will keep you updated as soon as patch 1.4.2 releases.

While gamers anxiously await more news about CD Projekt Red’s next game, Cyberpunk 2077, one fan artist created a mash-up design of a character from one of that developer’s previous games, The Witcher 3, with what the new game might look and feel like. The artwork shows Geralt, The Witcher himself, in all his glory. But in this art, he wears a more modern cyberpunk suit, has a robotic arm and carries a shotgun. The art imagines what CD Projekt Red’s new Cyberpunk 2077 world might look like, based on early concept art released by the developer. Geralt remains one of the most popular video game characters of all time, and Cyberpunk 2077 will probably be one of the most anticipated titles of all time. The artwork is by Johnson Ting, a concept artist who specializes in AAA games and movie visual development. This isn’t just some fan artist, but someone who has put a lot of time and effort into his work. His resumé list includes experience working with Microsoft, Warner Bros., DICE, ID Software and 2K games, among other companies. He refers to this piece as “a fan art for fun and practice, based off a 3D model of Geralt’s face and some photobashing.” In spite of Geralt’s popularity as a character, CD Projekt Red continues to confirm that his story is over. Fans might clamor for another title in The Witcher franchise, but the developer states that The Witcher 4 will never happen; the series was only meant as a trilogy to begin with. The developer created an ending for Geralt’s story with the “Blood and Wine” DLC, and then moved on to their next project, Cyberpunk 2077. And although it seems like it’s been some time since CD Projekt Red gave any updates on the project, there are sources that believe players will get to see a lot more of Cyberpunk 2077 at this year’s E3, including a first look at the playable version of the game. For fans who just can’t get enough of Geralt, though, there is good news. Geralt is a playable character in Soulcalibur VI. Most importantly, though, he will appear in the Netflix TV series adaptation of The Witcher. This fan art imagines a world that probably will never exist, but combines a beloved character with a new franchise that gamers can’t wait to get a first look at. Although it serves as a nice throwback to what was, it also teases the future of Cyberpunk 2077. https://static0.srcdn.com/wp-content.../geralt-cp.jpg

Quick bit of news for you: Steam users can download Crusader Kings 2 for free until tomorrow morning. Strategy title Crusader Kings 2 is free to download and keep forever on Steam now through Saturday, April 7 at 10am PDT, 1pm EDT, 6pm BST. If you are interested in DLC for the game, expansions are currently on sale for up to 50% off. Bundles are also on offer for up to 66% off. After the free download period ends on Saturday, Crusader Kings 2 will be available for 75% off for the rest of the weekend. Go grab it before it’s no longer free.

It's pretty well established at this point that Fortnite is popular--like, ridiculously popular. So popular that schools are having to ban it from class, and hip-hop artists and professional athletes are talking about it and playing it. But the hours and hours of gametime that some players are logging is creating a bit of a backlash to the game--and some people have banded together to try and resist it. Frustrated with how engrossed their loved ones have become with Fortnite, hundreds of people have signed a petition simply titled, "Get rid of Fortnite." Its mission is to ban the game so that significant others' free time can be reclaimed. As reported by the Washington Post (which, it should be said, is itself evident of Fortnite's popularity), the Change.org petition has accumulated about 730 signatures at the time of this writing. Most express frustration that their loved ones are neglecting them in favor of the game; as Chloe DePalma wrote, "It's taking over our boyfriends lives and brainwashing them." This petition is obviously meant in jest; Fortnite will in no way be banned, and it's likely that the majority of petitioners know that. But it's a testament to the Fortnite phenomenon that this petition has resonated with many people across social media. As for the anonymous creator of the petition, they updated the change.org site with an explanation that it was started as a joke--and, recently, they've begun playing Fortnite and actually enjoy it

Final Fantasy XV got DLC last year consisting of a multiplayer mode, called Comrades, that allows players to team up and take on enemies together. At the moment, Comrades is only available as an expansion to FFXV. But later this year, Comrades will get a standalone release alongside an update that adds raid bosses and battle challenges. Square Enix announced the news today at its PAX East panel, explaining that players will soon no longer need to purchase the full game to play its multiplayer mode. Comrades allows people to team up to complete quests, defeat enemies, and take on monster-hunting contracts, and this summer it'll get a bunch of new content with the addition of raid bosses and other challenges. There's no word yet on a price for the standalone Comrades; it currently costs $20 as DLC for FFXV. Square also hasn't announced when it'll be released. This is one part of what appears to be a big new wave of post-release support for the game. In addition to the Comrades standalone release, Square has also revealed that a Shadow of the Tomb Raider/FFXV crossover is in the works, and four more episodes will be added in 2019.

Top Guns in Far Cry 5 Previous Far Cry games have always sported a diverse roster of weapons, and Far Cry 5 is no different. With so many options available, you're probably asking which weapons are worth purchasing. To help you out, we've gathered nine weapons that we believe to be some of the best in the game. It's important to note that some of our choices are Prestige weapons, which are specialty weapons that can be unlocked for purchase by playing through the game's campaign or with real-world money. Some of the game's best weapons include the AR-CL semi-automatic rifle, the SA50 sniper rifle, the M-79 grenade launcher, and many more. Each weapon has their own special uses and functionality. Though, what you choose from our recommendations is also going to depend on your playstyle. After all, someone who specializes in stealth may not find it useful to use the RAT4 rocket launcher. It's also worth noting that many of the weapons you see in this feature are Prestige Weapons, which are higher-priced special skinned versions of normal weapons you can purchase with in-game money or real money. If you'd prefer, you can purchase a standard non-skinned equivalent of the same weapon in the shop for cheaper and without the fancier attachments. Regardless of which version of each weapon you choose to get, we stand by their quality and functionality. The SPAS-12 "Flameout" Shotgun You can never go wrong with a shotgun in your loadout, but the "Flameout" Shotgun is particularly amazing for its rate of fire, being able to make short work of any approaching enemy groups. In addition, it can also be equipped with incendiary rounds, which makes it all the more destructive against multiple foes and deserving of its title. The Slingshot Despite what you might assume it does, Far Cry 5's slingshot actually lets you fire arrows. It sounds absurd, but its quick firing speed puts it a slight step above the standard bow at close range; it can even fire specialty arrows, like the incendiary or explosive arrows. If you're a fan of stealthily picking off cultists with arrows, the slingshot comes highly recommended. It also comes with an unlimited supply of rocks as an alternate ammunition, which while nowhere near as powerful as arrows, makes for a good laugh when you're able to use them to land a headshot. SA50 "Free State" If you're looking for an all-around great sniper rifle that balances heavy stopping power, range, and a semi-auto rate of fire, then the SA50 "Free State" comes highly recommended. It sports a solid rate of fire with little recoil when aiming down sights. And when equipped with a suppressor, you can make short work of enemy camps with little consequence. M-79 "Shark Shooter" When a firefight goes south and cultists start showing up in trucks, the M-79 "Shark Shooter" grenade launcher offers a quick way to recover. With its destructive splash-damaging grenades, you can make short work of enemy groups and easily take out incoming vehicles. It sports a short firing range, so be mindful of your aiming arc and general spacing between you and potential dangers ahead. In addition, the "Shark Shooter" replaces your sidearm slot, freeing up your other slots to equip powerful weapons. .44 Magnum "Sixer" There's not a whole lot to say about the .44 Magnum "Sixer." It's simply an incredibly powerful sidearm that can down enemies in a single shot. If wielding a powerful handgun sounds like your idea of a good time, then "Steel and Ivory" is well worth using. As long as you're quick and precise, it's guaranteed to get you out of a pinch. RAT4 If you're interested in adding a rocket launcher to your loadout, then the RAT4 is a solid choice. It can lock onto vehicles and planes, which makes it incredibly useful if you're not accustomed to handling rocket launchers. In addition, you can even manually guide its missiles--similar to the LK-1018 from Far Cry 4. The RAT4 becomes essential later on when enemy helicopters and attack planes show up in greater numbers. AR-CL "Sharkbite" The AR-CL "Sharkbite" strikes a fine balance between an assault and sniper rifle, being capable of semi-automatic fire while retaining minimal recoil for precision firing. It can be a great way to free up an equipment slot if you’re tired of lugging around both a sniper and an assault rifle. Magnopulser The Magnopulser is one of the few weapons in Far Cry 5 to have unlimited ammo, which can be useful when you're in a bind. Earned by completing a series of sidequests with Larry, the mad scientist of Holland Valley, this alien weapon fires a blast of energy that either vaporizes enemies or sends them flying (depending on the range you fire it from). It's best to use the Magnopulser against a crowd, but if you must use against a single enemy, try shooting it at their feet to stagger them and follow up with a melee attack. Otherwise, fire it at point-blank range to instantly dissolve enemies into pink mush; be wary, however, as you can't loot a vaporized body. And avoid using the Magnopulser against heavy enemies, as it cannot instantly vaporize them. All Melee Weapons (Seriously) Unlike past games, melee weapons in Far Cry 5 are incredibly useful. While they make for great short-range damage dealers, it's also possible to throw them long distances at enemies for massive damage or to stagger them. The Close Combat Mastery perk further enhances the damage dealt, and with the aid of performance-enhancing drugs, like The Fast and The Furious, melee weapons are made even deadlier. When standard firearms wear out their welcome, you can't go wrong with hurling shovels, bats, or pipes at unsuspecting cultists. If you're looking for a melee weapon with a finer aesthetic touch, purchase the Optimism Shovel at one of the local weapons shops. It's literally a shovel with a smiley face painted onto it. Brilliant.

Looks like some kind of collaboration between Final Fantasy XV and Shadow of the Tomb Raider is heading our way. The brief teaser came today via Square Enix during a panel at PAX East. Below, you can see the slide shown during the panel (via IGN). The crossover is said to be "coming soon," but that's about all we know so far. Final Fantasy XV has been no stranger to crossovers since its release in 2016. In August of last year, the game got an infusion of Assassin's Creed. To celebrate the game's release on PC, it got some (bizarre) Half-Life and Sims 4 content added for good measure. That's all we know about the crossover between Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy XV for now. In the meantime, you can look forward to Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which is set to release on September 14. Square Enix said more information about the game will be released on April 27. Four new DLC episodes for Final Fantasy XV have also been announced.

Ubisoft recently confirmed plans for a second year of content for Ghost Recon Wildlands. Now, we have an idea of an exciting addition that may be coming in one of those future updates: some kind of appearance by Splinter Cell's Sam Fisher. A new teaser trailer has been released that features Fisher speaking about heading to Bolivia, the setting of Wildlands. It also references his relationship with the game's Ghosts, the squad of playable characters. We don't actually hear Fisher's name used, but the silhouette--and accompanying night-vision goggles--leave little doubt about who we're looking at. Notably, the voice seems to be that of Michael Ironside, the longtime voice actor for Fisher. Ironside was absent from the most recent game, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, with Eric Johnson taking over the role. What this means, if anything, for future Splinter Cell games is unclear. The teaser video concludes by saying more information will be shared on Monday, April 9, so we don't have long to wait to find out exactly what Fisher's role in Wildlands will be. We know a new update is coming to the game on April 10, but only its additions to Ghost War have been detailed. Each of the four major updates for Wildlands in Year 2 will carry some kind of theme, and perhaps this one will be centered around Splinter Cell. Ubisoft previously offered a Wildlands crossover event with the limited-time Predator update. Blacklist was released in 2013 and is the latest game in the Splinter Cell series. There's been no official word about a sequel (or a remaster), though Ubisoft's CEO did tease Splinter Cell news of some kind last year. Meanwhile, a Splinter Cell movie starring Tom Hardy is in the works.

Call of Duty: WWII is getting a new DLC pack soon, but that's not the only thing that's coming. Developer Sledgehammer also recently announced an overhaul of the game's playable classes, called Divisions. And from the first details, it appears that it'll bring about quite the change to multiplayer. The overhaul is sweeping and affects every Division in the game. Some of the tweaks swap out gear perks, while others boost certain stats. Overall, the update reshuffles certain skills and perks while also applying some changes across all Divisions. For example, Call of Duty: WWII will now have unlimited sprint for all Divisions, although the sprint speed has gone down. Certain Division-specific abilities have been changed as a result; for instance, Infantry no longer grants players a longer sprint, but in exchange it boosts movement speed while aiming down sights. The Armored Division has, in particular, received a big buff as a result of the universal change of giving all Divisions at least one Lethal and one Tactical equipment (Expeditionary gets two of each). Armored players now take much less explosive and fire damage, are immune to Shell Shock and Tactical equipment, and have greatly reduced flinch when shot. LMGs, when mounted on bipods, also pull first from reserve ammo and then from the currently loaded clip. All of this means that Armored and LMGs will likely be much more attractive. The full list of patch notes is expansive; you can see the whole thing below. The update is expected to go live on Tuesday, April 10, on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. In other news, Call of Duty: WWII's next DLC pack is also arriving on April 10, and it includes a War Mode map that features dogfighting.

A release date for World of Warcraft's latest expansion, Battle for Azeroth, had remained something of a mystery since its announcement. We knew it was due out by mid-September, but now Blizzard has finally confirmed an exact date that it arrives on PC: August 14, 2018. Battle for Azeroth takes a great deal of influence from the early Warcraft games, bringing a renewed emphasis on the Alliance vs. Horde conflict. It takes players to new areas where the two factions will vie to amass naval resources from their respective islands, Zandalar (Horde) and Kul Tiras (Alliance), as they complete new quests and progress through the story. The expansion also adds 10 dungeons, new Raid zones, and new world quests. There's also something called called Warfronts, which is a 20-player co-op PvE mode meant to resemble classic RTS games. You'll try to build up a substantial force and then attack objectives and deal with enemy commanders. In terms of your character, the level cap increases to 120, and purchasing the expansion will grant you a level 110 boost for use with a new or existing toon. There are also new playable allied races; Alliance gets the Lightforged Draenei and Void Elves, while Horde gets Highmountain Tauren and Nightborne. Blizzard also confirmed that, alongside the standard and Digital Deluxe editions, it will offer a Collector's edition for Battle of Azeroth. This will include a hardcover novella, soundtrack, and more.

DICE’s long-running first-person shooter franchise returns this year with Battlefield 5. The acclaimed video game developer saw enormous success with the release of Battlefield 1 in 2016. It quickly outsold both 2013’s Battlefield 4 and 2015’s Battlefield Hardline. And by taking place during WWI, the studio was able to circumvent the fatigue players were experiencing with modern-day shooters. Now, DICE is looking to build off all that success with the release of Battlefield 5 or Battlefield V as was revealed from internal screenshots. WHEN DOES BATTLEFIELD 5 RELEASE? There isn’t a confirmed release date for Battlefield 5 yet, but EA did mention during an investor’s call in 2017 that they plan on releasing the next Battlefield title in 2018. Based on the franchise’s history, however, Battlefield 5 will presumably release sometime towards the end of October 2018 – as was the case for Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield 1. BATTLEFIELD 5 IS REPORTEDLY SET DURING WWII In December 2017, known leaker and YouTuber AlmightyDaq revealed that the next Battlefield game would take place during WWII. That news was later confirmed by GamesBeat in March, who said that reports of Battlefield 2018 being a Vietnam War-set Bad Company 3 were inaccurate. Rumors then suggested that the game will primarily follow the German side of the war, but GamesBeat‘s Jeff Grubb denies those reports, saying that the game will instead follow a similar structure to Battlefield 1. Each mission will place players in a different situation, playing as a different soldier in presumably a different battle. While the Battlefield series got its start in WWII with Battlefield 1942 in 2002, this will be the first time since 2009 that an installment has been set during the Second World War. It follows Activision’s Call of Duty WWII from 2017, which became that series’ best-selling installment since Black Ops II debuted in 2012. EA may be criticized for copying Activision, but the fact is, games take years to develop and this has most likely been in the works for quite some time, at least long before Call of Duty WWII even released. BATTLEFIELD 5 IS REPORTEDLY TITLED BATTLEFIELD V (& HAS A LOGO) Battlefield 4 debuted in 2013 as a cross-gen release, and rather than continuing with yet another modern-day shooter, DICE decided to head to WWI with Battlefield 1. And so, Battlefield 5 seems to have been pushed to 2018. But rather than go with a numbered title, DICE’s next mainline release is reportedly named Battlefield V, similar to NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive’s Mortal Kombat X, which was the 10th installment in that series. A potential logo was leaked in March, showing off a similar design and layout to recent installments such as Battlefield 4 and Battlefield 1. Jeffrey Grubb @JeffGrubb 1 Mar Replying to @JeffGrubb In the same way that DICE was holding onto WWII as a place to retreat when modern/near-future military games started fizzling out, I would expect Bad Company to hit when this current World War trend starts growing stale. Jeffrey Grubb @JeffGrubb Late-breaking update: after the story went live, I was able to confirm that this image is real. The name was changed internally from Battlefield 2 to Battlefield V. It is still set during WWII, and is coming this year. https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/01/n...-ii-this-year/ … pic.twitter.com/H8zkJ8QS8m 2:52 PM - Mar 1, 2018 What’s important about the new Battlefield game using the Roman numeral V is that it not only represents the number 5 but it’s also a clever way to represent the reported WWII setting. The Allies would frequently display a “V” sign with their fingers as a gesture for “V for Victory.” Only if the sign is faced outward, though. It was used throughout the rest of the 20th century as a sign of peace but its origins are deeply rooted in WWII. BATTLEFIELD 5 WILL REPORTEDLY HAVE A CO-OP MODE After skipping Battlefield 4 and Battlefield 1, DICE is reportedly bringing cooperative play back for Battlefield 5. The last installment to feature cooperative play was Battlefield 3. While that game allowed players to go through an online campaign together, Battlefield 5‘s co-op mode will instead be a special mode that has squads go through certain conquest missions. Nothing is known about the mode beyond that at the moment. But the same leak also alleged that players will now be able to go prone on their backs, something that GamesBeat confirms is indeed happening. That will certainly increase movability in particular situations. BATTLEFIELD 5 WON’T BE PAY-TO-WIN After the entire Star Wars: Battlefront II loot box debacle, EA and DICE are making sure that they don’t make the same mistakes again. It was a transformative experience for the video game industry and something that desperately needed to happen. Even though Battlefront II isn’t the only perpetrator in this matter, it just happens to be the game that got picked as the scapegoat. So, DICE is being cautious about microtransactions in Battlefield 5. According to US Gamer, Battlefield 5‘s microtransactions and loot boxes will all be cosmetic items that have no effect on gameplay. That report was later confirmed by Kotaku when they reported that an inside source told them: “No one’s gonna do any pay-to-win stuff anymore. We didn’t take any of the loot box controversy lightly.” BATTLEFIELD 5 WILL BE PLAYABLE AT E3 2018 EA is opting not to return to the E3 show floor in 2018 and instead will be hosting another EA Play – an event that allows the publisher to connect directly with their consumers. Tickets are free, but attendees must pre-register in advance to secure a spot to prevent overcrowding. In addition to showcasing the traditional sports titles, EA will also be providing hands-on time with DICE’s Battlefield 2018 and BioWare’s Anthem, which again is reportedly the WWII-set Battlefield V game. EA Play is being hosted at the Hollywood Palladium just outside the E3 convention halls in Los Angeles, CA, from June 9 to 11. THERE ISN’T A BATTLEFIELD 5 TRAILER YET EA DICE hasn’t released the Battlefield 5 trailer yet, but it’s on the way. The studio’s senior video & media director Randy Evans confirmed in late February that the Battlefield 5 trailer was being worked on. It was believed that the announcement trailer would then come during GDC 2018 in March, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, DICE may be waiting to unveil the game at a special event – just as they did with Battlefield 1 in May 2016 – or perhaps they’re waiting for E3 2018 in June.

15 Ways To Quickly Beat Nintendo Games The name Nintendo will forever be a part of the pop culture pantheon, and with good reason. Their video games and consoles have been lighting up living rooms and imaginations for more than thirty years, bringing elation to countless gamers while constantly innovating and redefining what gaming can be. To this day, the company still produces games that keep veteran fans coming back for more and enticing a whole new generation of young minds. Countless hours of joy can be spent in beautiful worlds from landmark series such as Mario, Zelda, Kirby, Metroid, among a plethora of others. Through all of this, one fact always remains true: some of these games are absolutely unforgiving in their difficulty. Fear not, because a few Nintendo classics can be beaten with lightning speed if the correct steps are followed. These exploits range from glitches, passwords, and knowing the game mechanics well enough to bypass any challenge. Adversely, some of the methods require flawless reflexes and timing, making the challenge more effort than it is worth for some. Nevertheless, it’s still impressive to see somebody else pull off these feats. Whether one is looking for an easy route to the credits or a challenge outside a video game’s established rules, these secrets will provide both. 15. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA (NES) The title that started off one of gaming’s most iconic franchises is a challenging trek that punishes adventurers bold enough to try and save Princess Zelda. Thankfully, through some very specific actions involving specific file names, it is possible to activate a glitch allowing The Legend of Zelda to be finished in around three minutes.(link ) The steps needed to perform the trick are rather simple compared to the complex reasons it works, but it involves using the file names to start the journey on the second quest, and write new code into the game. If everything is done right, the player will have rescued the Princess before Gannon knows what hit him. The exploit was only recently discovered, and will not work on an American NES. 14. METAL GEAR (MSX2/NES) Hideo Kojima’s first game Metal Gear, was created for the MSX2, but a NES port was also released that deviated from the original in numerous ways. The MSX2 version is already difficult, but on the NES certain sections are nearly impossible without a walkthrough or blind luck. For those looking to sneak into Outer Heaven and defeat Big Boss without breaking a sweat, the password system is here to help. If players input the password “DIANE JENNY SOLID SNAKE 12345”, they’ll teleport to the last boss fight with all required equipment to defeat it. There is also a password containing a harsh expletive that will bring Snake to the same area, but with no weapons and no chance of winning the fight against Big Boss. 13. FRIDAY THE 13TH (NES) The Friday The 13th film franchise has terrified audiences with its menacing villain and unrelenting gore. The 1989 video game adaptation also dwells in the nightmares of those who played it, mainly because of its frustrating design that is nearly unbeatable without help from a strategy guide. However, if one knows the mechanics of the game, they can zip through the story in about ten minutes.(link ) Friday the 13th is not difficult in any way that requires one to think about the puzzles or the inputs. It’s solutions are simply so obtuse to the point where progression through the game is unwittingly stumbled upon instead of discovered through determination and attention to hints. With this being said, if the player knows what to do, Jason Voorhees can be dispatched with little to no effort. 12. POKÉMON YELLOW (GAMEBOY) Pokémon is a mammoth-sized series whose addictive formula has kept people glued to their handheld for more than twenty years in their journey to be “the very best, like no one ever was.” For players looking to become the greatest without all of the effort, this glitch in Pokémon Yellow will help fulfill that promise. In the beginning of the game, if the game is reset at the correct time after saving, it will be possible to access a glitched items menu. From here, manipulating the correct items and tossing out sixty eight of a certain one will then allow the main character to teleport to the hall of fame. Not only will this fill up the Pokédex to one hundred percent, but also reward a completion time of zero hours and zero seconds if done fast enough. 11. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST (SNES) The third entry in The Legend of Zelda games is not as enigmatic as its predecessors, but some busy gamers with families and packed work schedules may not have time to go through the quest in the conventional manner. For them, there is a way to sabotage Agahnim’s plans and save Hyrule before dinner time. With a few relatively easy steps (link) involving saving and quitting during a mid air jump, and phasing through a wall after taking some damage, it is possible to finish the game during the introductory dungeon. On the first try, it should not take the average player more than an hour to perform, but with some practice the trick can be pulled off in a few minutes. It’s just a shame Link’s uncle was not aware of this trick, otherwise he’d still be with us. 10. DONKEY KONG (NES) Donkey Kong and Mario (known as Jumpman back then) used to be adversaries, but they have since seemed to reconcile their differences; perhaps they settled it in Super Smash Bros. For those still interested in reliving the rivalry in the fastest way possible, there is a way to bypass one third of Donkey Kong on the NES. The game consists of three levels, and the most challenging part of the first level can be skipped over if Mario climbs down on the first ladder instead of up. This causes Mario to descend through the bottom of the screen and reappear at the top. From there he can easily beat the first level. Afterwards, the next two levels will have to be conquered legitimately, but this simple step significantly cuts down the time needed to finish the whole game. 9. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: LINK’S AWAKENING (GAMEBOY) Link’s Awakening is the outlier of the Zelda series, featuring cameos from famous Nintendo characters and lacking several staples from the series. The whole story is set in a dream, and similar to most dreams that can feel either several hours long or just a few minutes, this adventure can go on for days or only five minutes (link )with the correct maneuvers. Much like Ocarina of Time and A Link To The Past, this way of beating the game utilizes glitches in order to circumvent the entire journey. Unlike the two previous entries, all of the glitches and exploits make perfect sense in the game world. After all, most dreams are filled with all sorts of inexplicable nonsense, and Link’s is no different. 8. FINAL FANTASY IV/II (SNES) For many years, American fans knew Final Fantasy IV as Final Fantasy II since the real second and third installments of the series were not released in the region. This is far from the strangest thing about the eclectic Japanese RPG. The oddest thing of all may be a certain method of beating the game in around two hours. A glitch requires you walk up and down the same flight of stairs sixty-four times, which causes literal graphics chaos. If done at the correct point(link), the whole game can be over and done with in the time it takes to watch the animated masterpiece Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Many of the party members in Final Fantasy IV bite the dust, so it’s good to know the game can be completed without all of the morbid events. 7. CHRONO TRIGGER (SNES) Chrono Trigger is a timeless classic in both video game storytelling and game play. One part that makes the game so special are the myriad of possible endings players can access, one of which is available near the very start of the game. In the new game plus mode, if Crono steps into the right telepod instead of the left, the last boss can be accessed at very early points in the game. For those brave enough to try, Lavos can even be conquered with just two party members. Of the many ways to end the game, this one can be initiated the quickest. As of now there is no way to activate the ending on a first play through, but the speedrunning community will surely find an exploit someday soon. 6. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME (N64) Link’s first 3D adventure is a landmark title for any gamer, filled with memorable dungeons, a compelling narrative, innovative boss fights, and a fully explorable world. If on a particular play-through one feels like experiencing absolutely none of these, they can try their hand at this incredibly tough and specific method of rushing through the game in seventeen minutes.(link) This speedrun is not for the inexperienced, however, as it utilizes several glitches requiring near perfect timing and reflexes. With item manipulation and a trick that warps the player to Gannon after the first boss fight in the Great Deku Tree, all of the developer’s hard work can be completely bypassed. Countless people have fond memories of Ocarina of Time, and how appropriate to the time-traveling theme that the game can be beaten without those memories ever actually existing. 5. SUPER MARIO WORLD (SNES) The Super Mario games’ endless creativity has always been on the verge of psychedelia, but this method of beating Super Mario World is so trippy, it’ll make the rest of the game look like a boring Wednesday afternoon. With a multitap adaptor and four controllers plugged into it, it is entirely possible to beat the SNES platformer in under a minute(link). It requires extremely specific timing and placement of a red shell, but if all of the steps are followed correctly, the game rolls the credits. There is nothing indicating whether the actions are activating anything, but all of a sudden the screen will go black and the game will be completed. We’re not sure why that happens, but the sweet satisfaction of beating the game is always nice to savor. 4. METROID (NES) Nintendo’s first foray into the sci-fi genre proved to be a successful move, treating gamers to a spooky atmosphere and a labyrinthine design. In additional to the amazing gameplay, the ending surprised everyone when Samus was revealed to be a woman. This was a great reward for those who navigated the maze like world, but with a password it is possible to access the ending just as easily with the correct inputs. All that is required to access the ending, and the best possible ending at that, is to type the password “X—– –N?WO dV-Gm9 W01GMI”. Then, all the player has to do is sit back, relax, and feast their eyes upon the victory screen congratulating them for completing the game. Now, it’s possible to claim to have beaten the original Metroid, but no one needs to know just how it was done. 3. MIKE TYSON’S PUNCH OUT!! (NES) The famous boxing title on the NES is known by two names: Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!! or simply Punch Out!! once the licensing of Tyson’s name expired. The classic Nintendo game is a rigorous test of timing and pattern recognition, or it can be a test of looking up passwords on the internet. Simply entering “007 373 5963” will take you to the bout with Tyson, or Mr. Dream as he is known in the Tyson-less edition. Those expecting an easy win from there will be disappointed to learn that the final fight is the toughest of the whole game, and having no prior training will only make it harder. That being said, the code skips every other fight, significantly cutting down on the time needed to go through the boxing game 2. SUPER MARIO RPG (SNES) A collaboration between two developers at their peak, Super Mario RPG is an experience unlike any other. Being an older RPG, the game does require its share of grinding, but there is a trick to speed up the process and even reach the maximum level in a relatively short amount of time. When there is a star next to a save point, it is possible to activate the star, dispatch as many enemies as possible, game over, and reload the save while keeping all of the experience earned. Wash, rinse, and repeat until the party is at a satisfactory level and continue on. You can now make quick work of enemies and bosses with the overpowered characters. The game will still take some time, but at least one can cut out the unnecessary grinding. 1. A BOY AND HIS BLOB (NES) Opinions regarding the NES title A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobonia tend to vary. The graphics and concept were highly revered, but some felt the actual execution needed more polish, being frustrating and hard to manage. There are some people who adored the game so much they eventually found a way to complete the whole campaign in fifteen minutes.(link) Through patience and precise actions with the titular boy and blob, the game can be tricked into sending the players to the last boss. From there, victory can be swiftly achieved and A Boy and His Blob will have been conquered. There are also ways of overwhelming the game with massive amount of inputs using the help of tools, but it is always better to do things the old fashion way; with just a controller in hand.

Resident Evil 7 launched in January 2017 to critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its atmosphere, appearance, and narrative. Over the past year, it's also done well commercially: Capcom revealed recently that the game has passed 5.1 million copies sold. In a blog post about Resident Evil 7 winning Best VR Audio at the 2018 Game Audio Network Guild awards, Capcom also shared that the game has hit a pretty significant sales milestone. It's hit 5.1 million units sold across PS4, Xbox One, and PC; according to Steamspy, about 550,000 of those are on Steam. These are very good numbers for the game, but it's worth noting that RE7 has currently sold fewer copies than any other mainline RE game besides Resident Evil 3, according to data compiled by the Resident Evil fan wiki. The previous installment in the series, Resident Evil 6, has sold close to 10 million units since its launch in 2012. In other RE7 news, Capcom just recently released an update to the game that boosts its graphics on Xbox One X. It now can run at 4K and features HDR support. In addition, be sure to check out our Resident Kinevil video series.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds on Xbox One has garnered a large playerbase since its release, but content-wise it still only features one map. Developer PUBG Corp. announced today at PAX East that this will change in May, when the studio adds Miramar, the desert map that has already been available for PC players for a few months. PUBG Corp revealed today that the desert map, called Miramar, will come to the Xbox One version of the game next month. Right now, only the original map Erangel is playable. The studio hasn't provided a specific release date yet for the map, although it promises that more info will be announced soon. As you can see in the video embedded at the top of this article, Miramar is a lot different than Erangel. Where the original map is green and lush, with lots of trees and vegetation to provide cover, Miramar is much more sparse. Players are a lot more exposed when running between buildings. In addition, the map includes three additional vehicles: the minibus, the pickup truck, and the jetski. In other PUBG news, the developer is currently working on a third map for the PC version. This is a much smaller arena, a quarter of the size of the other two. As a result, it encourages much quicker confrontations and more aggressive play styles; in fact, it feels a bit more like Fortnite. An early version was recently playable on the PC test servers for select players.

Overwatch's next event may be turning back time for its former self Blackwatch, but not all of them are turning to the dark side. Hanzo is one of the few taking a more cleaned up and formal approach with his event-exclusive skin. Clad in a black and blue pinstripe suit and rolled up sleeves, the Scion Hanzo skin is more than just its dapper and domineering appearance. Scion refers to a descendant of a notable family--and the Shimada clan, to which both Hanzo and Genji belong, is just that. This year's spring event is similar to last year's Uprising event, but instead of looking into Tracer's first mission, this year's Retribution mission travels eight years into the past as Blackwatch attempts to secure a member of the Talon organization in Venice. Check out all the lore details we know of as this year's Archives event will feature a big story moment. The Archives event will begin this coming Tuesday, April 10. While Scion Hanzo is the second skin to be revealed after Moira's Blackwatch skin, we expect more to be revealed soon, as 60 new items have been confirmed. You can snag the new skins and cosmetics from this event, and last year's Uprising event, until April 30.

The Best Around It feels just like yesterday, but PS4 launched over four years ago, and a ton of games have come out in that time. As such, it can be tough to sort through all of them and decide what to play. Luckily, we at GameSpot have played tons of PS4 over the years and have more than a few recommendations to start you off with--whether you're a new PS4 owner or have had the console and are just looking for something you might've missed. In this feature, we've collected the best PS4 games so far. This includes many of the games that have received an 8 or higher on GameSpot, and we've prioritized games that were nominated for our end-of-year Best PS4 Game lists. Check out our choices for the best games released on the PS4. And with the console's library continuing to expand, make sure to check back often as we update this feature over the coming weeks and months. Bloodborne -- 9/10 "The finest treasures are found within the city of Yharnam and the forests, lakes, and purgatories beyond it. Only Bloodborne would be so bold as to bury an entire factional player-versus-player mechanic within an optional region, which is in turn buried within a series of oblique steps you might miss if you aren't exploring every nook and cranny, or ignore the game's enigmatic hints. I finished Bloodborne in less time than I did Dark Souls II, yet I treasure it more in spite of its few missteps. In death there is life, and in blood, there is redemption. More hyperbole, yes, but for a game this theatrical, only hyperbole will do." Monster Hunter: World -- 8/10 "Ever since the title was first announced last year, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large." Celeste -- 9/10 "It's a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I'd been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain." What Remains of Edith Finch -- 9/10 "Developer Giant Sparrow managed to strike the delicate balance between joy and sorrow in 2012's The Unfinished Swan, but What Remains of Edith Finch transcends even the latent sadness of that game, finding the beauty--even sometimes the fun--in what's always fundamentally a tragedy. It's not often that a game's plot slips past the bitterness of grief to finally get to the acceptance, but that's the triumph in What Remains of Edith Finch. Ultimately, if the game has any resemblance of a moral, it's that the bravest, most beautiful thing every one of us does is choose to keep going, despite knowing what's coming." Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus -- 9/10 "The New Colossus never lets you forget who and why you're fighting. Nazi brutality is on full display, from the blown-out, irradiated remains of Manhattan to each of the resistance members, who all carry mental scars if not physical ones. You're never given a chance between cutscenes, missions, and even downtime on the U-boat to lose sight of the Reich's cruelty. Wolfenstein's tense gameplay elevates this further by giving you the power to truly resist--and come out of each battle ready for another fight." Sonic Mania -- 9/10 "Sonic Mania methodically uses its sentimental appeal to great effect, but in the process, it heals the wounds inflicted by its most disappointing predecessors and surpasses the series' best with its smart and interpretive design. An excellent 2D platformer, Sonic Mania goes beyond expectations, managing to be not only a proper evolution of the series' iconic formula, but the best Sonic game ever made." Stardew Valley -- 9/10 "On the surface, Stardew Valley is a game about farming, but there are more adventures awaiting curious players beyond cultivating a rich and bountiful garden. From mining and fishing to making friends and falling in love, Stardew Valley's Pelican Town is stuffed with rewarding opportunities. As modern day woes give way to pressing matters on the farm and within your newfound community, Stardew Valley's meditative activities often lead to personal reflection in the real world. It’s a game that tugs at your curiosity as often as it does your heart." Resident Evil 7: Biohazard -- 8/10 "By the end of the campaign, I was ready for the game to be over, but that's okay. RE7 ends just as it starts to outstay its welcome, and after the fact, I felt like I'd survived a truly harrowing journey. The boss fights may be slightly inconsistent and certain sections might drag after a while, but RE7 is still a remarkable success. It has a clear vision and executes it with impressive patience and precision. By returning to horror, Resident Evil has once again become something special." Night in the Woods -- 9/10 "Both intensely personal and widely relatable, Night in the Woods doesn’t just tell a story--it gracefully captures complex, often unpleasant feelings and experiences. From the quiet melancholy of doing nothing on a rainy day to the emotional vacuum of severe depression, I felt deeply, sometimes too deeply, while wandering through the cartoon-animal version of a small Midwestern town. Its witty writing and character development keep its crushing existential themes grounded, making Night in the Woods one of the most evocative games I’ve played in a long time." Overwatch -- 9/10 "Overwatch is an exercise in refined chaos. There are multitudes of layers hiding beneath the hectic surface, and they emerge, one after another, the more you play. This is a shooter that knows how to surprise, one that unfolds at a frantic pace, one that takes a handful of great ideas, and combines them into something spectacular." Titanfall 2 -- 9/10 "Titanfall 2 demonstrates a vitality that its predecessor couldn't. Whereas the first Titanfall kept up its breakneck pace throughout the entirety of every match, Titanfall 2 understands that sometimes, dialing things back for a few moments can make the long run much more enjoyable. In many ways, Titanfall 2 feels like the game Respawn should have made in 2013. It's a fantastic sequel. It's a fluid shooter. It's a spectacular game." Dishonored 2 -- 8/10 "Any time I'm given a choice between stealth and action, I go stealth. I love the hold-your-breath tension of hoping a guard didn't spot you and the hard-earned triumph of executing a perfectly timed plan. Dishonored 2 delivers that sneaky satisfaction, arming you with stealth essentials like hiding bodies, peering through keyholes, and silent takedowns. But it's also an incredible engine for gleeful chaos, one so engrossing and amusing that I kind of accidentally beat the entire campaign raining hilarious, elaborate death on my enemies." Dark Souls III -- 8/10 "Dark Souls III is a game of valleys and peaks, down through dungeons and up over castle walls. It's a plummet into places we shouldn't be--an escape from places we don't belong. But of course, we fight our way through the darkness, and find our way out. There are a few stumbles along the way, but in the end, Dark Souls III is well worth the riveting climb." The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt -- 10/10 "Where the Witcher 2 sputtered to a halt, The Witcher 3 is always in a crescendo, crafting battle scenarios that constantly one-up the last, until you reach the explosive finale and recover in the glow of the game's quiet denouement. But while the grand clashes are captivating, it is the moments between conflicts, when you drink with the local clans and bask in a trobairitz's song, that are truly inspiring." Rise of the Tomb Raider -- 9/10 "Rise of the Tomb Raider's first shot pans over the vast, foreboding landscape we'll soon come to know. In many ways, it functions as a promise on the part of Crystal Dynamics: there are big things ahead of us. And at the end of Lara's journey, after we've seen her through this adventure, and experienced everything the world has to offer, it's clear that promise was kept." Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain -- 10/10 "There has never been a game in the series with such depth to its gameplay, or so much volume in content. The best elements from the past games are here, and the new open-world gameplay adds more to love on top. When it comes to storytelling, there has never been a Metal Gear game that's so consistent in tone, daring in subject matter, and so captivating in presentation. The Phantom Pain may be a contender for one of the best action games ever made, but is undoubtedly the best Metal Gear game there is." Fallout 4 -- 9/10 "Fallout 4 is an engrossing game that lures you in with mystery and the promise of adventure. Its wretched wasteland can be captivating, and you never know what odd person or settlement lies around the next bend. Fallout 4 uses its dark world as a canvas for exciting combat and gripping stories, and when you dig deeper into its post-nuclear-apocalypse version of Boston--defending yourself from violent scavengers and using your wits to climb social ladders--you become attached to the new you, and ultimately invested in the fate of your new world." Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- 8/10 "This is a great game in its own right, narratively disjointed but mechanically sound, made up of excellent parts pieced together in excellent ways. I already knew what future lay in store for Middle-earth as I played Shadow of Mordor; I'm hoping that my own future might one day bring another Lord of the Rings adventure as stirring as this one." Dragon Age: Inquisition -- 9/10 "Inquisition's characters and world recall the grand gestures of the original Dragon Age, even though the game as a whole is so structurally different to its predecessors. It offers the thrill of discovery and the passion of camaraderie. It features a glee club called The Sing-Quisition, and a dwarf with writer's block. It establishes connections with its world in big ways and small, with the sight of a titanous temple and the smirk of an Orlesian commander in love. Dragon Age: Inquisition is a wonderful game and a lengthy pilgrimage to a magical world with vital thematic ties to one we already know." NBA 2K17 -- 9/10 "Despite its few drawbacks, NBA 2K17's excitement for basketball is contagious, and it's hard not to get wrapped up in it. Apart from the lacking 2KU mode and stiff recreations of commentators, the rest of the game looks great and plays even better. After finally devoting a significant amount of time to one of these games, I now see why it's such a well-regarded series, and it makes me wish that every sport got the same treatment that basketball does in NBA 2K17." Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag -- 9/10 "There's an incredible scope to what you can do in Black Flag, with a level of harmony between its component parts that encourages you to try it all, and a story that keeps you invested throughout the whole thing. If there was ever any question that Assassin's Creed needed something ambitious to get the series back on track, Black Flag is that game and then some." Uncharted 4: A Thief's End -- 10/10 "Uncharted 4's gameplay pushes the narrative forward, the narrative feeds off its gameplay, and every detail coalesces to create something bigger. Uncharted 4 bounces between set pieces and personal moments with such grace, with such skill and poise and affection for its characters, that you don't mind when the guns stop firing, and the smoke clears, and Nathan gets a moment to breathe." Until Dawn -- 8/10 "I didn't expect to have so much fun with Until Dawn, and the depth with which my choices mattered and affected the final outcome encouraged repeat playthroughs. The visuals can be wonky at times, but in the end Until Dawn succeeds in being a thoughtful use of familiar mechanics, a great achievement in player-driven narrative, and a horror game you shouldn't miss." The Last Guardian -- 9/10 "It isn't clear whether or not The Last Guardian means to be frustrating at times--if it's a concerted effort to test your patience for a lovable-yet-stubborn creature. Your affection for Trico and sympathy for both characters blossom nonetheless, culminating in an enrapturing series of revelations that cements your attachment to their personalities. Trico is the undeniable star of the show, exhibiting believable physicality and emotional range, but the boy is a valuable lesson in how to be patient and resilient when faced with unforeseen challenges. When the book closes on their story, it's hard not to open it up again and begin anew. The trials you overcome endear you to both characters, but the emotions Trico elicits make you want to give it another chance--to be the patient, effective partner it truly deserves." Rocket League -- 9/10 "The joy of Rocket League rests on the countless plans that are conceived and discarded every other second in any given match. Trying to predict where and how the ball will bounce next is a game within the game. Despite the use of cars, Rocket League emulates the emotional surges typical of The Beautiful Game, such as the rush of an unexpected fast break or a well-timed header into a goal. With Rocket League, the promising concept of combining two wonderful things--cars and soccer--is equally magnificent in execution. You can't say the same thing about, say, combining cake and fruit to make fruitcake, as the comedian Jim Gaffigan observed." Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice -- 8/10 "Hellblade's most notable achievement is the handling of an incredibly sensitive subject matter within an engaging and well-crafted action/adventure game. At its heart, the story is about Senua's struggle to come to terms with her illness. In the process, she learns to find the strength within herself to endure, and to make peace with her past. And in a profound and physical way, we go through those same struggles with her, and come away with a better understanding of a piece of something that many people in the world struggle with." MLB The Show 18 -- 9/10 "Sony's flagship baseball franchise has never been better. With its best-in-class controls and visuals, and impeccable attention to detail for the small stuff, MLB The Show 18 is worth catching for any baseball fan." Horizon: Zero Dawn -- 9/10 "This is the first departure from the Killzone series for developer Guerrilla Games, and though you might think the team took a risk by stepping out of its FPS comfort zone to create a third-person open-world action game, you'd never know it was their first rodeo. For every minor imperfection, there's an element of greatness that recharges your desire to keep fighting and exploring Zero Dawn's beautiful and perilous world. Guerrilla Games has delivered one of the best open-world games of this generation, and redefined its team's reputation in the process." Nier: Automata -- 9/10 "Thanks to Platinum Games' knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro's most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression. Moreover, this multi-ending trip is generously peppered with surprises and revelations, as well as easter eggs that call back to the first game and the Drakengard series from which Nier spun off. It's a meaty, often exhilarating trek that showcases Platinum Games' and Yoko Taro's unique blend of genius." Persona 5 -- 9/10 "Within Persona 5 is a complex set of interconnected gameplay mechanics, and in almost every aspect Atlus has executed on its vision exceptionally, barring the pacing issues towards the end. At every turn, it presents something to marvel at, whether it's the fluid combat, vibrant world, or the many memorable characters. It's a game I could talk about for hours; I haven't mentioned the ability to connect to the Thieves Guild, which lets you see how other players spent their day or ask them for help answering questions at school. Or the thumping acid-jazz-infused soundtrack that I've not been able to get out of my head. Or even just the joy of seeing how it stylishly transitions between menus. But that encapsulates why Persona 5 is a game that shouldn't be missed. It's stuffed to bursting point with gameplay ideas and presentation flourishes--there's an overwhelming level of artistry in every part of Persona 5, making it a truly standout entry in the series. It's a refined, effortlessly stylish RPG that will be talked about for years to come." Madden NFL 18 -- 9/10 "Overall, Madden 18 marks an unusually large shakeup in a series that, due to its annualized releases, rarely features much more than small, iterative changes. The Frostbite engine allows the game to reach new levels of realism in its visuals, and EA has put a lot of effort into constantly evolving the game to keep it in line with real-world events. But it is the Longshot story mode that defines Madden 18. Some of Longshot is unnecessary spectacle, but its lasting value comes from the humanity that it brings to the game. The moments of vulnerability and sincerity between Devin Wade and Colt Cruise during the story are worthy of celebration and give the overall game a weight that Madden hasn't had before. And if that's not enough to entice you, it's also simply a terrific football game." Far Cry 5 -- 9/10 "Despite some brief irritations and missed opportunities with its narrative, spending time in the world of Hope County remains absolutely delightful. Far Cry 5 boasts a wonderfully harmonious flow to its adventure, with its smart changes to exploration, discovery, and progression distinctly bolstering the enjoyment of creatively engaging and experimenting with its spectacular open world." Transistor -- 8/10 "Transistor is always a good-looking game, but in these instances, it demonstrates a rare knack for combining its visuals and music to powerfully convey both narrative information and tone, driving the story forward with Red's own unwavering resolve. So in the end, yes, Transistor is a fun action role-playing game with a neat combat system, but beautiful moments like these make it more than that. They make it a game with a soul." Yakuza 0 -- 8/10 "Unless you have a strong aversion to violence, sex, or middling graphics, you owe it to yourself to give Zero a chance. Its story will surprise you, its inhabitants will make you laugh at every turn, and its ambitious scope will redefine how you think about open-world games. It's a fascinating adventure no matter how you approach it, and it’s proof positive that a game can be wildly inconsistent yet remain a great experience." Inside -- 8/10 "This is a beautiful, haunting, and memorable game, a worthy follow-up to Limbo. Its puzzles, although rarely difficult, are engaging complements to the story. The real achievement of this game, though, is the way that it crafts its narrative: detailed environments convey the bizarre world that you travel through; introspective moments are filled with minimalist sound design and just the barest touches of music; and the things you must do to complete your journey force you to confront the realities of humanity, freedom, and existence."

Soulcalibur VI Producer Says The Witcher Is The Best Game Featuring Middle-Age Style World The Witcher fans were very happy to learn a few weeks ago that Geralt, the beloved main character of the stories written by Andrzej Sapkwoski and the games made by CD Projekt RED, would make a guest appearance in Bandai Namco’s upcoming fighting game Soulcalibur VI. He’ll also have his own stage of Kaer Morhen, the witcher stronghold. Interviewed by Official Xbox Magazine (issue 163, May 2018) Soulcalibur VI producer Motohiro Okubo praised CD Projekt RED and their games based on The Witcher. "We have not felt pressure, but more so a sense of mission. There are many fans of Witcher and it’s the best game featuring a Middle Age-style world. It’s just natural for gamers to think ‘I’d like Geralt to fight in a weapon action game.’ We have to meet their expectation." Marcin Momot, Community Coordinator at CDPR, explained how the collaboration came to be. "The Soulcalibur series is known for featuring awesome guest characters, it’s one of the series’ staples. As a fan myself, and someone who’s involved with The Witcher games, I always thought Geralt would be an awesome addition to Soulcalibur’s fighter roster. And then Bandai Namco reached out with the idea – we worked together on previous Witcher games – of having Geralt in Soulcalibur VI, which, at the time, wasn’t announced yet. We have a lot of fans of the Soulcalibur series in the studio, myself included – it was a great opportunity for folks on the team to contribute to something they’re passionate about. Most importantly, we thought this is something that The Witcher community would really enjoy." The folks at CD Projekt RED worked extensively to make sure that Geralt would be properly implemented in Soulcalibur VI with his signature fighting style and move set. Animation Director Sebastian Kalemba Our role was making sure that the Geralt in Soulcalibur VI moves, feels and – ultimately – plays like Geralt from The Witcher 3. And it’s not as simple as one might think. It’s not copy-pasting something from one game to the other. Timings, perspectives, responsiveness – these work very differently in a fighting game and in an open world RPG. Basically, in order to make this work, it boils down to having to go back to the drawing board on many things. We decided to start with a detailed brief on the character – who he is, what he’s like, why he moves the way he does and so on. Character Art Director Paweł Mielniczuk We also shared dozens of The Witcher 3 assets with creators of Soulcalibur VI as part of that briefing. We wanted artists at Bandai Namco to have ample source material to use as reference when working on Geralt’s model – his weapons, animations etc. Everything needed to be perfect. It’s the little things that sometimes make all the difference. We’ve helped with the hair, face and body – little tweaks here and there. I think they really did an outstanding job transitioning Geralt into the world of Soulcalibur. Lead Writer Borys Pugacz Muraszkiewicz Aside from providing art and assets and reviewing those, there’s more that went into the process. We worked on polishing proposed battle barks and dialogue in cutscenes, oversaw remotely the recording of Geralt’s voice for these lines, and generally acted as ‘lore keepers’ for Geralt’s appearance in Soulcalibur. I was thrilled to hear Geralt would be traveling to a new plain and embarking on an adventure there. It seems a nice extension and a fuller fleshing out of the kind of travel through time and space he did with Avallac’h for a brief spell in The Witcher 3. And from what I’ve seen, I must say that Geralt seems very much himself and not at all out of his element in this world. Kudos to the developers for the idea and its subsequent implementation. Soulcalibur VI is this year’s most anticipated fighting game. There’s no concrete release date yet, but the game will be available for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Let’s not sugar-coat it: Microsoft has a problem with its Xbox One console, and it stems from its current roster of exclusive games… or lack thereof. Now, the tried and true first-party blockbusters have already appeared on the Xbox One – with Halo, Gears of War, and Forza all making their presence felt on the system – while new properties like Sea of Thieves and Sunset Overdrive have helped provide a unique reason for console gamers to invest in the hardware outside of its expected lineup. Still, there’s something that lacks within the library when compared to competitors’ critical darlings like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Horizon: Zero Dawn. Indeed, it appears as if the competition has a stranglehold on triple-A exclusive games, and in that light, Xbox’s titles are lacking when placed head-to-head against the barrage of titles coming from Nintendo and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Admittedly, games like Sea of Thieves and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds have managed to garner significant player counts within their first few weeks of availability, and that’s great news for the firm. But the long-term appeal of these games remains to be seen, and the initial quality is far removed from that of the immediate competition’s. That’s not to say that the publisher is without exclusive titles, with the likes of Crackdown 3 and State of Decay 2 being the two known exclusives arriving in 2018, but when stacked up against Sony’s God of War and Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. the choice of which console to purchase likely won’t lean in the Xbox One’s favor. This is a subjective take to be sure, but there’s truth in recognizing the popularity and raw sales numbers from each of the franchises included; at the end of the day Smash and God of War are just bigger names. Still, Microsoft’s Xbox team appears to know where its brand is currently lacking, and they’re beginning to get back on the right track, if recent promises are anything to go on. According to recent rumors and reports, Microsoft-owned properties like Fable and Perfect Dark are set to be resurrected in the near future – the former by Forza Horizon series developer Playground Games and the latter with help from Gears of War 4 studio The Coalition. Plus, there are also rumors that Forza Horizon 4 will also debut this year. Provided all this information is true, these games are a good start for Xbox as it begins taking advantage of the I.P. currently at its disposal, but it’ll take more than a few games down the road. Fortunately, Phil Spencer (Executive Vice President of Gaming at Microsoft) knows this all too well and is in the midst of turning things around. As Bloomberg reports, Spencer claims that the focus moving forward for Microsoft will be in software as it will begin to either create new studios or purchase them. He said: “We need to grow, and I look forward to doing that. Our ability to go create content has to be one of our strengths. We haven’t always invested at the same level. We’ve gone through ups and downs in the investment.” Furthermore, Spencer indicated on Major Nelson’s podcast that there are going to be some “positive changes” at this year’s E3, presumably meaning that they are truly starting to turn things around with regard to first-party content. There’s promise in this move for the company, as it increases the quality and capabilities of its first-party arsenal. Whether that means extra polish for games like Halo 6, development of brand new intellectual properties, or resurrecting forgotten favorites like Banjo-Kazooie, the development power will soon be there for all of these plans take root. The only issue with this strategy is that building studios and acquiring others takes time, and there’s a strong likelihood that these plans will take years to come to fruition if Microsoft is only just acting on them. Knowing this now, it’s hard not to feel as if the closure of Lionhead Studios and the cancellation of Platinum Games’ Scalebound were done so with this plan in mind as Microsoft rearranged its assets, but there’s no denying the immediate disappointment of it all for fans. The now cancelled Fable Legends and Scalebound could have acted as wonderful stopgaps during the wait for bigger titles. Instead, fans are left with a library that feels noticeably lighter in quality and quantity when compared to the current and impending lineup of PS4 titles. In some ways, even the Nintendo Switch has already delivered more promise in just over a year on the market than Microsoft has delivered with its Xbox One thus far. And what makes the wait for more first-party titles all the more troublesome is that Microsoft just released the Xbox One X – the most powerful video game console ever created – and they should be leveraging all that power by making Xbox One X exclusive games. On that note, one thing to keep in mind is that, because of those aforementioned cancellations and delays, Microsoft may be waiting to announce any new titles until they are sure those games will hit store shelves in a reasonable amount of time. Granted, they are doing exceptional work with Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Backwards Compatibility, but those aren’t enough when gaming is about looking to the future as much as it is about preserving the past. Let’s just hope that gamers aren’t left waiting too long for new, truly worthwhile content.

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