Month: June 2018

Here is part of Wolfenstein 2’s opening being played on the Nintendo Switch showing a recovering BJ Blazkowicz fighting Nazis from a wheelchair.

Following Doom in 2017, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is the next Bethesda shooter to make its way to Nintendo Switch. It’s a bit strange to see The New Colossus on a new platform before its predecessor, The New Order, but jumping in for a second playthrough is a nice excuse to try it out on different hardware. Unfortunately, The New Colossus suffers from significant performance issues in Switch’s handheld mode; in docked mode, however, it runs smoothly, albeit with rougher textures than other versions of the game. But as long as you play docked, preferably with a Pro Controller, some lower-quality textures hardly detract from what makes The New Colossus such a memorable game.

The base game is here in its entirety, with no edits or changes to its themes or story. For those who haven’t played The New Order, the optional recap at the beginning of The New Colossus will get you up to speed on most important characters and plot points. The opening level is as hard-hitting as ever; gravely injured, protagonist BJ Blazkowicz has flashbacks of his abusive, racist father before waking to a Nazi attack and fighting back from his wheelchair. It sets the tone for a game that’s both serious and completely over-the-top, with frequent shifts between the two that generally enhance the story’s impact.

The New Colossus’ campaign is hard; Wolfenstein newcomers will probably find a challenge on the second of the game’s six difficulty levels, while returning players can safely bump up the difficulty. You can approach a fight from a number of angles–from very stealthy to extremely loud and bombastic–and weapon upgrades and unlockable perks can help you more effectively pursue your strategy of choice. Things go awry often, and there’s a fantastic tension in knowing you’ll have to adapt to (and overcome) anything the game throws at you. All of this is maintained on Switch, though not without caveats depending on how you play.

With a Pro Controller, combat works as well as it does on other platforms. Using the Switch’s Joy-Cons instead, however, presents unwelcome challenges. Stubbier analog sticks and clickier triggers noticeably alter the feel of combat, making aiming in particular more choppy. The added motion aiming smooths it out somewhat, but it’s hard to use while running or strafing, since you have to manually re-center your view if it goes off-kilter. The regular aim assist, which locks on to enemies when you first aim down sights rather than tracking them continuously, can also help with the inevitable frustration. But neither option is a great substitute for using the Pro Controller.

The New Colossus runs impressively well in docked mode, especially considering the Switch’s capabilities compared to other platforms. The game’s beautifully directed, pre-rendered cutscenes maintain their quality here, and the frame rate is generally consistent even when combat is at its most frenetic. There are some muddier textures to contend with, but the resistance fighters get the worst of it; weapons, armored enemies, and levels themselves still look good, though not as good as they do elsewhere. According to The New Colossus’ director–and based on the Doom port’s performance–the game maxes at 720p. As long as you can overlook some lower-quality visuals, the story and gameplay make The New Colossus well worth it.

Unfortunately, handheld mode doesn’t hold up nearly as well. There’s an ever-present blur, and combined with the small screen, it can be hard to see enemies and items. Frame rate drops in combat (and even some cutscenes) made me motion sick at worst, rendering the game unplayable. Even if you aren’t susceptible to motion sickness, the inconsistent frame rate is noticeable enough to be annoying. Combined with the drawbacks of using Joy-Cons, it’s hard to recommend playing The New Colossus handheld at all.

As long as you’re able to play the entire game in docked mode, The New Colossus is the same fantastic game it is on other platforms. It runs well and, despite some minor visual compromises, it still looks pretty good. Handheld mode is unfortunately far less optimized, and the Joy-Cons simply don’t feel as good to use as the Pro Controller. If Switch is your only way to play it, The New Colossus is absolutely worth your time–just not on the go.

All The Games

There are plenty of new and exciting games to play on Xbox One this year, but what about next year? In this feature we’re rounding up all the Xbox One games that are launching next year or later.

At a glance, these include titles like BioWare’s multiplayer shooter Anthem, Rage 2 from Bethesda, Ubisoft’s ambitious pirate game Skull & Bones, and the gorgeous-looking platformer sequel Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The Xbox and PC exclusive Crackdown 3 was supposed to launch in 2018, but was recently pushed to 2019. While not absolutely confirmed, we’re expecting CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 to also come out next year or potentially later. Below you can find a full list of the games. Otherwise, you can click through this feature to see a full roundup of all the games that are coming next year or later.

Xbox One Games Releasing in 2019 And Beyond

• Battletoads
• Sea of Solitude
• Crackdown 3
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Gears 5
• Doom Eternal
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
• Metro Exodus
• Ori And the Will of the Wisps
• Beyond Good & Evil 2
• Dying Light 2
• Anthem
• Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
• Gears Tactics
• Session
• Kingdom Hearts III
• Sea of Solitude
• Control
• Dead or Alive 6
• Wolfenstein: Young Blood
• Babylon’s Fall
• Skull & Bones
• The Quiet Man
• Rage 2
• Twin Mirror
• Starfield
• The Elder Scrolls VI
• Devil May Cry 5
• Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order

Waiting is tough, but games like these are massive endeavors that take time. Also, there are plenty of games big and small due out this year, including Red Dead Redemption 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Battlefield V, and many, many more.

In the meantime, which Xbox One games are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below.

Anthem

Anthem is easily BioWare’s most ambitious title. Focusing on the exploits of heavily armored freelancers on a hostile alien planet, you’ll work together with other players online to take on dangerous missions while exploring the furthest reaches of the world. While this sounds a lot like Destiny, BioWare’s approach to the concept of the shared-world shooter looks like an interesting change of pace from other games of the genre, and we can’t wait to see more.

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One | Release Date: February 22

Crackdown 3

Crackdown 3 is one of Microsoft’s biggest upcoming Xbox One exclusives. The game utilizes cloud-based server technology for its multiplayer mode, which allows for environmental destruction on a large scale. It retains the gameplay of its predecessors, featuring a number of different organizations controlling the city of New Providence that you’ll need to take down by killing their kingpins, destroying their bases, and destabilizing their infrastructures.

Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: February 2019

Cyberpunk 2077

The next game from the creators of The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077, is set in a dystopian, sci-fi future world. It appears more bright and vibrant than the initial tease a few years back. It appears to take place in a dazzling city of dreams, a metropolis of giant buildings adorned with dazzling screens, where organic skin is meshed with futuristic tech.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA

Dead or Alive 6

Kasumi, Hayate, Helena, and plenty of other familiar faces return to the arena in Dead or Alive 6. This fighting game will continue to utilize the franchise’s staple complexity when it comes to combos and counters, while upping the realism of its visuals. Two new mechanics, Fatal Rush and Break Gauge, shake up the combat by introducing an easier way for beginners to compete.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: Early 2019

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Xbox One console exclusive Ori and the Blind Forest was a critical hit when it launched in 2015, and now developer Moon Studios is back with a sequel. Ori and the Will of the Wisps builds on the first game’s ingenious platforming and compelling story, and we can’t wait to see more.

Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: 2019

Rage 2

Rage 2 is perhaps the most unlikely sequel to come out of E3 this year, but with id Software bringing Avalanche Studios along for the ride there’s plenty of reason to be excited about its potential. Avalanche has years of experience crafting large and chaotic worlds in games like Mad Max and Just Cause, with vehicle combat and special effects chief among their notable talents. Id, of course, is the studio that pioneered first-person shooting and continues to deliver hard-hitting games like 2016’s Doom. It could be a match made in heaven, but we won’t know until Rage 2 ships.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: 2019

Sea of Solitude

Sea of Solitude is an upcoming EA Originals game about a lonely girl whose emotions manage to turn her into a monster and her surroundings into a flooded post-apocalyptic world. She must explore in order to find a way to turn back into a human.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA

Skull & Bones

Skull & Bones sets sail in the Indian Ocean, setting you on a quest to become a pirate of the ages. The game will feature single- and multiplayer options and is centered around naval warfare.

Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: 2019

Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order

Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order is the upcoming Star Wars game created by Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind the well-received Titanfall 2. Jedi Fallen Hunt takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope when the galaxy was at its darkest.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: Holiday 2019

Twin Mirror

Dontnod Entertainment is partnering with Bandai Namco to create Twin Mirror, a new psychological thriller. Based on the E3 2018 trailer, the story focuses on a character named Sam who wakes up one day to discover a shocking amount of blood on his clothing and no memory as to the cause. As Sam attempts to piece together the events from the night before, he will explore both the real world and surreal manifestations of his own psyche. Twin Mirror looks intriguing so far, but being one big mystery, we’ll have to wait until we see more of the game to get a grasp of how we ultimately fit into Sam’s harrowing investigation.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: 2019

Battletoads

A brand-new Battletoads game has been announced. No gameplay was shown, but we did learn that it will have three-player couch co-op and 2.5D graphics. In addition, the art in the game appeared hand-drawn–at least according to the announcement trailer.

Platforms: Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: 2019

Control

Control is the latest game by Remedy Entertainment, the studio behind Alan Wake and Quantum Break. The debut trailer showcased a strangely shifting world, with a protagonist who can fly and control objects using telekinesis.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: 2019

Devil May Cry 5

After years of waiting, we’re finally getting a brand new Devil May Cry game. And in a rather surprising twist, it’s a direct continuation to Devil May Cry 4. The debut trailer mainly focused on returning protagonist Nero, who appears to be accompanied by an unnamed woman. However, the last few seconds indicated that Dante will return too.

Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: Spring 2019

Doom Eternal

Doom Eternal is the upcoming sequel to the critically-acclaimed Doom reboot from 2016. The game takes everything that the previous game did and pushes it forward: the Doomslayer is more powerful than before, the number of enemies have doubled, and it takes place on Earth.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA

Dying Light 2

In the sequel to the first-person apocalyptic survival shooter, players will have plenty more chances to practice their sweet parkour while killing zombies. However, this time around, player’s choices will have real effects on the world and push the story down different paths.

Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA

The Elder Scrolls VI

Bethesda finally announced the next game in the Elder Scrolls series: The Elder Scrolls VI. No other details about the game were provided at E3 outside of a short teaser. It shows a mountainous region and some fog accompanied by a version of the iconic Dovahkiin music. A setting wasn’t specified, although fans are sure to do some sleuthing to narrow down the list of possibilities. Hopefully, we’ll get more details sooner than later.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA

Gears 5

Gears of War returns with its fifth entry. This time around you play as Kait, who originally appeared in Gears of War 4. Gears 5 sees Kait embark on a journey to discover the truth behind the visions plaguing her mind–most likely an effect of the Locust necklace she inherited from her grandmother.

Platforms: Xbox One, PC | Release Date: 2019

Kingdom Hearts III

We’ve gotten sneak peeks at some of the worlds and characters that Kingdom Hearts III will contain, including Hercules, Monsters Inc., and Toy Story. We’re not sure exactly where the story will specifically take Sora and friends, but we do know it is the direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts II and an end to the saga.

Platforms: Xbox One, PS4 | Release Date: January 29, 2019

Metro Exodus

Metro Exodus puts players back in control of Artyom. Even though Artyom will be venturing above ground this time, there will still be plenty of mutated creatures to gun down and unsettling environments to explore.

Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC | Release Date: February 22, 2019

The Quiet Man

The Quiet Man is a brand-new game where you play as a silent protagonist who appears to be deaf. The brief trailers show him getting into a fight and quickly dispatching two hooligans in an alleyway. As the title implies, the game’s mechanics will likely involve silence and sound in some manner. According to Square Enix, more information concerning The Quiet Man will be revealed in August.

Platforms: PS4, PC | Release Date: TBA

The Division 2

Ubisoft Massive’s The Division 2 continues its predecessor’s open-world and shooter mechanics, and looks to build upon that foundation. This time around, Division agents fight in Washington D.C. and attempt to reclaim the capital.

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One | Release Date: March 18, 2019

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the long-awaited new game from acclaimed studio, From Software. It appears to be expanding upon the classic Dark Souls formula by introducing stealth-action elements and more acrobatic maneuvers.

Platforms: Xbox One, PC (Expected) | Release Date: Early 2019

Session

Session is a brand-new skateboarding simulation game, which was kickstarted early last year. Not much else was shown about the game, but it’s at least great to hear that the skateboarding video game genre isn’t dead.

Platforms: Xbox One | Release Date: 2019

Starfield

For the first time in 25 years, Bethesda is creating a new IP. We don’t know much about Starfield. However, based on the game’s title and brief teaser trailer, it’s probably safe to say that this RPG will take place in space.

Platforms: The next generation of consoles, PC (Expected) | Release Date: TBA

Wolfenstein Youngblood

Wolfenstein Youngblood is set in an alternate 1980s Paris and follows the events of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. It stars series protagonist BJ Blazkowicz’s twin daughters, who are working together to continue the fight against the Nazis. The game can be played solo or co-op.

Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch (Expected) | Release Date: 2019

When we first reviewed Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus we gave it a 9.1 for Amazing. Here’s what we said about it then:

“Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is a fantastic single-player shooter, but what really got me invested was the brilliantly written characters and the performances of its cast. BJ and his crew are full of spirit and personality, and General Engel is as memorable a nemesis as you’re likely to find in games. Machine Games has once again turned the well-worn act of mowing down Nazis into something to get excited about.” Read our original Wolfenstein 2 review.

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Pokemon Go developer Niantic has just released three trailers showing off its new Augmented Reality technology.

The AR experiences are currently codenamed Niantic Occlusion, Tonehenge, and Neon, and all show what looks like real-time gameplay with a more realistic nature than what we’ve seen in Pokemon Go so far.

Tonehenge has players using their phones to view an AR environment in which they can cooperatively move and turn statues to unlock energy orbs. Once this has been completed it gives them access to a jigsaw puzzle and completing the puzzle as a team looks to be the ultimate goal. You can view the full trailer below for a better look.

Neon, on the other hand, is more fast-paced and combat focussed.

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Update: The Kickstarter backer demo for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is available today.

Alongside the demo’s release, a new story trailer has been debuted, you can watch below.

After its delay last week, the demo can now be played by backers who supported at the $60 or higher tier. For more on the demo, as well as IGN’s coverage of Bloodstained from E3 2018, read on.

Original story follows:

Kickstarter backers of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night will have to wait just a little bit longer than expected for the game’s demo. While it was supposed to go live yesterday, that didn’t happen. Instead, the demo has been delayed to June 28.

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Luke Cage season 2 follows the Marvel hero in the aftermath of The Defenders. Greg breaks down season 2, dives into the best Easter Eggs and references, and tells you what it all means for season 3. Warning: SPOILERS!