Orbán has pushed a Soros-backed school out of the country, the latest sign that Hungary’s democracy truly is failing.
Fortnite Season 7 Start Date Confirmed, Teaser Released
Season 6 of Fortnite is coming to an end this week, which means Season 7 of the hit battle royale game is just around the corner. As it has done in the lead up to previous seasons, developer Epic has now shared the first teaser image for Season 7 on Twitter, confirming that the season will kick off later this week.
“A bitter ice spreads… 3 days to Season 7,” the official Fortnite Twitter account tweeted. That means that the new season is set to begin this Thursday, December 6–the same day that Season 6 formally ends. That’s a much shorter gap between seasons than usual; typically, there would be at least a day or two between when one season ended and the next one began, as was the case with Season 6.
The tweet also seems to confirm that Season 7 will have some sort of winter theme, as players had speculated. The accompanying teaser image further reinforces this, as it features a mysterious icy silhouette of what will presumably be one of the new skins coming to the game. If that wasn’t enough, the right side of the image also features a character skiing or snowboarding down a slope.
Players first began speculating that Season 7 would be winter themed when they noticed distant clouds appear in the ocean surrounding the island. Since then, there have been other subtle indications that the temperature on the island is dropping, and players have discovered that the aforementioned clouds are actually shrouding an iceberg that is slowly approaching.
What all this means for Season 7 remains to be seen, but we won’t have to wait too long to find out. In the meantime, you still have a few more days to complete any remaining Season 6 challenges and unlock the last Season 6 Battle Pass rewards. If you need a helping hand, you can find tips for the trickier missions in our complete Season 6 challenges guide.
THQ Nordic Buys Carmageddon IP
THQ Nordic has announced that it has acquired the Carmageddon franchise from Stainless Games.
The original Carmageddon is a vehicular combat game developed by Interplay Productions and Sales Curve Interactive and released for PC in 1997. Carmageddon was once owned by Square Enix Europe, but original publisher Stainless Games purchased the rights in 2011.
Stainless ported Carmageddon to iOS and Android in 2013. A series reboot, Carmageddon: Reincarnation, followed with a 2015 PC release after being partially funded via a Kickstarter campaign.
Fortnite: Season 7’s First Tease Warns That ‘A Bitter Ice Spreads…’
Fortnite has begun teasing its seventh season, which begins in three days, with a warning that “a bitter ice spreads…”
Announced on Twitter, the ominous message is accompanied by an image of some mysterious icy figure that may hint at a potential skin in the upcoming Battle Pass or something else entirely.
Even though this is our first official tease, there have already been certain leaks that may or may not indicate future events, including one involving Tilted Towers.
Black Mirror’s Return Teased In Deleted Netflix Tweet
The fourth season of Black Mirror arrived on Netflix nearly a year ago, and while we know that Charlie Brooker’s acclaimed sci-fi satire is set to return at some point, it hasn’t been clear when this would be. However, a now-deleted tweet from the streaming giant suggests we might be getting some more Black Mirror before the end of the year.
As reported by Forbes, Netflix tweeted a list of shows and movies that are set to debut on the service throughout December. While most of these have already been announced, there was one title that had not–Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, which is seemingly scheduled for December 28. The tweet was rapidly deleted, but not before it was screen-captured.
Netflix is yet to confirm this show, and we don’t know for sure what ‘Bandersnatch’ refers to. However, it has rumored that an interactive “choose-your-own-adventure”-style Black Mirror episode has been in development, and if this was to be a standalone episode it would make sense that it might get released ahead of a full season. Netflix are also reportedly working on a number of other interactive shows.
The Bandersnatch is a creature in Lewis Carroll’s classic fantasy story Alice Through the Looking-Glass. In addition, a video game with that title was developed back in 1984, and behind-the-scenes images of the Black Mirror set taken in April this year suggest that an episode with an ’80s setting was in production.
It had also been rumored that the next season of Black Mirror will also return to the worlds of two previous episodes–namely, Season 2’s White Bear and Season 3’s Juniper. However, Brooker has subsequently denied this.
For more on Black Mirror, check out GameSpot’s guide to the most WTF moments in Season 4.
A New $250 Limited Edition Super Nintendo From Analogue, Shipping Now
Analogue has just announced a collaboration with Ghostly International, a music and fashion label with a logo that may look familiar to fans of Pac-Man. Available today, Analogue is selling a limited run of 1,000 bright white Super Nt consoles, bundled with a matching controller and receiver, for $250. The Ghostly Edition also features a new boot animation from Phil Fish, with a rotating assortment of accompanying sound effects produced by musicians on the Ghostly label.
The Super Nt is an FPGA-based Super Nintendo clone from Analogue that is the best third-party solution money can buy. It supports games from all regions, and most important of all, it’s designed to play nicely on modern displays without the usual blurry image stretching or input delay found in cheaper products. You can check out our full impressions of the Super Nt in our review.
Analogue usually charges $190 for the standard Super Nt color schemes, but the $250 price point for the Ghostly International version isn’t as outrageous of a markup as it sounds: the included wireless controller and receiver are usually sold separately for $40. In the end, the price of exclusivity tops out at an extra $20. It’s worth noting that Analogue doesn’t ship for free; UPS ground shipping in the in the US will cost an additional fee of roughly $20, depending on the destination.
Also on the way, coming in April 2019, Analogue will release the previously announced Mega Sg, an FPGA-based 8- and 16-bit Sega console. It’s also priced at $190 plus shipping, and is currently available for pre-order in four different color schemes.
Xbox One 2018 Report Card: Year In Review
Xbox One, Microsoft’s successor to the Xbox 360, turned five-years old in 2018. This year, Xbox One still lacked the sheer volume of quality exclusives that its competitors produced. However, Microsoft took steps towards improving Xbox One’s future by increasing the appeal of the console for anyone who already owns one.
So as we say goodbye to 2018, let’s look back at the type of year Xbox One had.
More Controller Options Makes Games More Accessible For All
Xbox One still has one of the better standard controller designs out there, but Microsoft’s decision to expand on what people can use to play games in 2018 is an excellent step towards appealing to players who don’t like it or can’t easily use it.
Of the major strides Microsoft made on the controller front this year, the release of the Xbox Adaptive Controller is the bigger of the two. First announced in May 2018, the Xbox Adaptive Controller released on September 4 for $100 USD. Although it’s nearly double the price of a standard controller, the Adaptive Controller fills a void that’s existed in gaming for far too long. There have been third-party devices before, but the Adaptive is the first official modern-day game controller for those with limited mobility. It’s pretty forward-thinking, and an important piece of game tech for the industry as a whole (the controller can be used on other platforms). Microsoft even designed the Adaptive’s packaging to be easier to open for those with mobility considerations. It’s a shame the company hasn’t taken the same steps with the boxes for the One S or One X, but at least Microsoft is moving in the right direction.
In 2018, Microsoft also added mouse and keyboard support to Xbox One. Developers still need to decide whether or not they’ll implement the control scheme in their game, but adding the option opens up new play styles that Xbox One can support in the future. Some computer role-playing games, like Divinity: Original Sin II, have been adapted to work with a standard controller on Xbox One, but those games are originally designed to be played with a mouse and keyboard and it stands to reason that they handle better that way. Both InXile Entertainment and Obsidian–recently acquired by Microsoft and responsible for computer RPGs like Wasteland 2 and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II respectfully–are sure to take advantage of the new control scheme in upcoming titles.
If anything, this announcement hopefully paves the way for more developers to consider porting their PC-exclusive games to Xbox One. Despite how powerful the One X is–it could theoretically play certain PC titles the original Xbox One can not–it still has the same game library as its predecessors. Giving the One X an extended library of games that include PC titles might motivate some more players to upgrade to Microsoft’s more powerful console.
Some Good Exclusives, But Not Enough To Compete
The divide in quality exclusives between Microsoft and its two main competitors, Sony and Nintendo, is a bit smaller this year than it was in 2017. But that’s mostly because both Sony and Nintendo had fewer exclusive games this year. In terms of quality, Microsoft still feels like it’s pulling up the rear.
It would have been difficult for Sony to match the number of quality exclusives that launched on the PS4 last year, but 2018 still saw a few Game of the Year contenders like God of War and Marvel’s Spider-Man. Nintendo had some strong exclusives in 2018 too, such as Octopath Traveler and Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu / Let’s Go Eevee, not to mention what looks like a very promising game in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Meanwhile, Microsoft went another year without a new Halo or Gears of War, and Crackdown 3 was delayed again. Halo Infinite and Gears 5 were at least announced at E3 2018, but we don’t even have scheduled release dates for them yet.
2018 saw the release of Forza Horizon 4, as well as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds leaving Early Access–both of which are pretty good games. However, Xbox One’s other big 2018 exclusives, State of Decay 2 and Sea of Thieves, were not as well received, and PUBG has been overshadowed by the far more popular Fortnite and Black Ops 4 Blackout mode. Xbox One did have some good-looking console exclusive indie titles lined up this year, but for whatever reason Microsoft did little to market or push many of them. Games like Pit People could have done more for Microsoft’s console with additional marketing, and titles scheduled for 2018 that still haven’t come out and are probably being delayed to 2019–such as The Last Night–are an unfortunate loss.
True, in 2018 Microsoft did manage to secure ports of some of Sony’s 2017 exclusives, like Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice in March and Nier: Automata in June. Getting more first-party titles would have been better than playing catch-up, but at least securing these games is a major plus.
Games As A Service Is Finally Worth It
Microsoft started its Game With Gold program back with the Xbox 360, first supported EA Access in 2014, and implemented Game Pass last year. 2018 saw dozens of quality games offered through all three programs, allowing people to play new titles for a fraction of the retail price. For the first time, Microsoft’s promised dream of a Netflix-style library of games seems both practical and desirable.
Although Games With Gold had a weak start in 2018, it ended Q1 with Crazy Taxi and Superhot and then went on to offer quality games like The Witness, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, Forza Horizon 2, Overcooked, Battlefield 1, Dead Space 2, Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, and Dragon Age II. Including For Honor as a Games With Gold in August–a few months after Ubisoft announced its Marching Fire DLC and one month before the expansion actually released–was an especially nice touch.
Xbox One is still the only console to support EA Access, which lets people play whatever they want from a collection of 50 plus games after paying a subscription fee. Subscribing also gets you 10 percent off all digital purchases for EA games on Xbox One and early access to certain new titles. This year, that includes games like Madden NFL 19 and Battlefield V. Next year, EA Access members get early looks at titles like Anthem and Sea of Solitude. Respawn’s Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and third Titanfall game will probably have early access through the subscription too.
Xbox Game Pass was the true star, though, as Microsoft announced in January 2018 that the service would now include all first-party titles on the day the games launched. So not only were older Xbox One console exclusives added to the service, like Halo: The Master Chief Collection, but new 2018 games like Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, and Forza Horizon 4 all launched on Game Pass on day one. When Crackdown 3, Halo Infinite, Gears 5, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps launch, it will be the same thing. Plenty of excellent third-party games from 2016 through 2018 joined Game Pass as well, such as Laser League, OnRush, Fallout 4, and Doom, with more titles like Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice scheduled to be added this December.
Smart Acquisitions Could Spell A Promising Future
Disappointingly, Microsoft spent most of its E3 2018 presentation showcasing games that wouldn’t release until 2019 or later. However, it was a pleasant surprise to hear that the company had acquired four game studios and established another. Later in the year, Microsoft followed up with an announcement that the studio had acquired both InXile Entertainment and Obsidian as well. That’s seven more studios developing games for Xbox One.
The four acquired studios that Microsoft announced at E3 2018 are Undead Labs, Playground Games, Compulsion Games, and Ninja Theory, which are responsible for this year’s State of Decay 2, Forza Horizon 4, We Happy Few, and the Xbox version of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, respectively. The fifth studio, The Initiative, is established by Microsoft and based out of Santa Monica. It’s led by Darrell Gallagher, who’s best known for heading up 2013’s Tomb Raider and working in the past for Rockstar, Sony, and THQ. As stated before, InXile develops the Wasteland series, but it also created Torment: Tides of Numenera and The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep. Obsidian is responsible for plenty of solid RPGs, but its most well-known titles are Fallout: New Vegas, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords, South Part: The Stick of Truth, and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.
That’s a lot of new talent working for Microsoft. It doesn’t do much for this year, but it does mean we can probably expect more first-party titles at the end of the Xbox One’s lifespan and on whatever console Microsoft has planned next. Of course, there’s no way of knowing if these studio acquisitions translate into good exclusives for Xbox One until we see what games are being developed, but given some of these companies’ track records–especially Playground, Team Ninja, and Obsidian–it inspires a hopeful future.
Other Matters, In Brief
- As more studios begin honing in on player’s nostalgia, Xbox One is still the best when it comes to playing older games. Xbox One features an ever-growing list of backwards compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games–some of which are freely offered through Games With Gold, EA Access, and Game Pass. This allows you to play older titles if you still have the disc or by downloading them. Some classics, such as Final Fantasy XIII, are even Xbox One X-enhanced so their more noticeable flaws are patched away for a superior gaming experience.
- Rather than improve the Xbox One UI–which the console desperately needs–Microsoft’s October 2018 patch implemented updates that added new Avatar customization options as well as Cortana and Alexa voice support. Neither changes how confusing it is to navigate through the Xbox One dashboard, with the latter only making things slower since you have to speak specific phrases instead of press buttons.
- In 2018, Microsoft has seemingly left behind its consoles’ 500GB standard and instead switched to mostly selling Xbox One S and One X with 1TB hard drives. With game sizes getting larger–and X-enhanced assets being a mandatory download on Xbox One regardless if you have a One X to utilize them–this is a welcome change.
Verdict
Everything Microsoft did for Xbox One in 2018 is all well and good if you already own one of the consoles, but it might not have been enough to convince people to go out and buy a new Xbox this year. The Adaptive Controller opens up gaming to a new audience, but since it works with other systems, you don’t need to buy an Xbox One to take advantage of its unique design. Despite how good Xbox Game Pass has been in 2018, the heavy hitters–the console exclusives for Microsoft’s major IPs–are primarily scheduled for 2019 or beyond. And, as stated before, the studio acquisitions mostly set a stage for future releases that could be years away.
Microsoft spent most of 2018 looking forward. That’s great, as it could mean Xbox One has a chance to have a really good 2019 or 2020. But as it stands, 2018 was mostly a repeat of 2017. Microsoft doubled down on its attempts to improve its relationship with its existing player base–and it succeeded–but players were faced with another year where Xbox One doesn’t have many exciting exclusives to point to.
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The Biggest New Switch And 3DS Games To Play In 2019
There was no shortage of fantastic Nintendo Switch and 3DS games this year that were all well worth your time. But in about a month’s time, a new year filled with exciting new games for both platforms will begin and the cycle will repeat. Nintendo has been on a roll with the Switch, supplying a steady roster of new games in some of its most iconic franchises. Not to mention it still manages to keep 3DS alive with several solid releases throughout the year.
Nintendo fans have a lot to look forward to in 2019 and beyond. We’re going to see brand new games in several of the company’s other franchises, like Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, Metroid Prime, Bayonetta, and Luigi’s Mansion. There’s even entirely new IPs too, like the mech-action game, Daemon X Machina, as well as the latest RPG by Pokemon developer Game Freak codenamed “Town.”
The third party support continues with a strong lineup of upcoming releases. Like its predecessor, Doom Eternal is coming to Switch. And if you’re fixing for some RPGs, both Dragon Quest XI and Shin Megami Tensei V are coming to the hybrid console-handheld.
But what would the upcoming Switch and 3DS lineup be without some new remasters and remakes as well? You can expect to replay or play for the first time classics like New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey, and nearly all the PS1 + PS2 era Final Fantasy games.
In the slides ahead, you’ll find the latest details on many of the games Nintendo has to offer in 2019 and beyond. We’ll be updating this gallery in the months ahead as more games get announced, so be sure to check back often.
If you’re curious about other platforms, we’ve created features like this for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. We also made a condensed list of games from all those platforms too. Check for those in the links below. But in the meantime, which games are you look forward to the most in 2019 and beyond? Let us know in the comments.
More Games To Look Forward To:
Animal Crossing (Working Title)
Animal Crossing fans, rejoice! It’s finally happening. The Switch is getting an entirely new game built from the ground up. The game was announced after the reveal of Isabelle during the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct presentation in September, which made for quite the bait-and-switch for loyal fans. Slight disappointment and shock was replaced by love and excitement. We wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Since the reveal, little has been said about Animal Crossing Switch. Next to nothing is known about how the game will play or what new features are being added, but seeing as it is set to launch in 2019, new details are more than likely to come sooner than later.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed character action game series by developer Platinum Games. Revealed at The Game Awards 2017, little has been said about the game since. In the years before its reveal, series creator Hideki Kamiya had often discussed the possibility of a third game. Both Kamiya and Bayonetta 2 director Yusuke Hashimotoexpressed interest in a new entry and stated that they still had ideas they’d love to pursue in future games.
Bayonetta 3 will be a Switch exclusive as a result of its development being funded by Nintendo–similar to Bayonetta 2 for Wii U. With so little known about Bayonetta 3, there’s still so much to learn. We’re hoping that 2019 will hold some answers.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Renowned Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi is almost ready to launch his first project after striking out from Konami, and if you’re familiar with his past, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. This side-scrolling action game is set in an anime-tinged gothic world built on top of a sprawling map, with plenty of puzzles, boss battles, and upgrades to uncover.
Originally pitched on Kickstarter back in 2015 (a campaign that was fully funded in a single day), Bloodstained is currently set to launch on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC sometime in 2019. It was initially planned to release in 2018, but it was delayed in order to add more polish to the experience. Developer Wayforward was brought in to aid with finishing up development.
Anyone interested in Bloodstained’s ongoing development can follow the latest announcements over at the game’s Kickstarter page. But if you’re already eager to enter the world that Igarashi is crafting, you can curb your excitement with Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, an 8-bit Castlevania-esque platformer that serves as a prequel to the upcoming Ritual of the Night.
Platforms: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Daemon x Machina
Do you like giant heavily-armed robots? If your answer to that question is a resounding “Yes!” then Daemon x Machina is probably for you. It’s the latest game by Kenichiro Tsukuda, the main producer of the PS2-era Armored Core games. Early trailers have showcased a colorful display of over-the-top action complete with heavy machine-gun fire, missile barrages, and beam saber fights. It’s not every day that we get a mech-action game, so it’s certainly refreshing to see something like Daemon x Machina get made.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal is the upcoming sequel to the critically-acclaimed Doom reboot from 2016. The game takes everything that the previous game did and pushes it forward: the Doomslayer is more powerful than before, the number of enemies have doubled, and it takes place on Earth. Not to mention there’s a bunch of new weapons and maneuverability options this time around that make you an even more powerful force to be reckoned with.
Like its predecessor, it’s coming to Nintendo Switch by way of developer Panic Button, which should come as pleasant news to fans of that port. It was enough of a technological marvel to see the game run on the console, so to see the sequel getting the same treatment has us excited at what lies ahead.
Platforms: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: TBA 2019
Dragon Quest XI S
Square Enix’s ever-so-charming Dragon Quest XI is heading to Switch in 2019. Titled Dragon Quest XI S, this new version will largely be the same as its PS4 and PC counterparts; though, it will include both English and Japanese voice acting. If you’re an RPG fan and Switch owner, you owe it to yourself to experience this adventure.
While the jury is still out on how well the game will run on Switch, you can hopefully find reassurance in the quality of the original PS4 version. GameSpot gave Dragon Quest XI a 9/10 and said in its review: “Innovation in games is talked about a lot, but it’s also great to see traditional gameplay formulas that have been around for decades presented exceptionally well. Dragon Quest XI is one of the best modern examples of this; its beautiful presentation, both visual- and story-wise, combines with a tried-and-true gameplay formula for a journey that’s full of heart and soul. Once you find yourself sucked into the world of Dragon Quest XI, it’s going to be hard to put down until you reach the grand finale.”
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Final Fantasy Remasters (VII, IX, X, X-2, XII, Crystal Chronicles)
Nintendo has quite a substantial history with the Final Fantasy franchise. After all, it was the platform in which the series debuted and launched several of its formative sequels. But after Sony swooped the franchise away from Nintendo after its sixth game (third in the west), the series has only ever appeared in the form of spin-offs on Nintendo’s consoles.
Since then, several mainline Final Fantasy games have released and re-released not only on Sony platforms but Microsoft as well. Fortunately, Square Enix is looking to make up for lost time by re-releasing a batch of Final Fantasy games on the Nintendo Switch. That’s right, you’re going to be able to play Final Fantasy VII, IX, X, X-2, and XII on Switch in 2019. And if you were a fan of the spin-offs, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is getting remastered too. This should come as exciting news for old-time fans of the series, as well as for those who may have not played any Final Fantasy games before.
We’re crossing our fingers that there’s plans for more Final Fantasy to come to Switch. Perhaps Final Fantasy VIII, XIII, and XV? Time will tell.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the latest game in the long-beloved tactical-RPG series. The game was initially announced under a working title in January 2017, but was finally revealed at E3 2018 under its current name.
The game tells the story of four different protagonists who are all caught up in a conflict fueled by the Church of Seiros, an organization that exercises immense control over the land and its people. While the game will feature the series’ classic turn-based battles, there’s also some new features thrown in, such as expanded unit control and the ability to freely roam the map and interact with characters to gather intel.
Three Houses is the first Fire Emblem to appear on a Nintendo home console since 2007’s Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn on Wii; the 3DS has received all of the series’ mainline entries since. It has certainly been a while, but it’s a homecoming that we’re looking forward to.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn
Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn is a 3DS port of the much-loved Wii game, Kirby’s Epic Yarn. This expanded version contains new features, like the ability to craft bigger yarn balls, as well as two new modes where you get to play King Dedede and Meta Knight. If Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn is anything like the Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker 3DS port, then it’s bound to be an impressive piece of software well worth grabbing just for the novelty of it all.
Platforms: 3DS | Release Date: TBA 2019
Luigi’s Mansion 3
There’s a lot of love going around for Luigi’s Mansion, which is why it’s great that Nintendo has committed to making a third game in the franchise. In Luigi’s Mansion 3, the easily-frightened plumber embarks on yet another sinister adventure through what appears to be a haunted tower of sorts. Nintendo hasn’t discussed too much about the game, but early footage seems to showcase many of the classic elements the previous games made their name on, like ghost-sucking vacuums, spooky corridors, and a whole lot of ghosts.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey
Continuing in line with the Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga remake, Nintendo is giving the same treatment to 2009’s Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story. As its name implies, the game will include extra content in the form of Bowser Jr’s Journey, in which you play the mischievous son of Bowser as he gathers an army to stir up chaos. This comes in addition to updated graphics and mechanics, which should be welcoming for those who missed on this critically-acclaimed adventure the first time around.
Platforms: 3DS | Release Date: TBA 2019
Metroid Prime 4
Beyond the fact that Metroid Prime 4 exists and is coming to Switch at some point in the future, there’s very little we can say about the game with absolute certainty. We also know that longtime Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe will lead a new team of talented developers for the project, but what that studio is and who is on the team beyond Tanabe remains a mystery.
With nary an official word from Nintendo following the announcement at E3 2017– consisting of a teaser video set against a star field, with familiar Metroid music, and the reveal of a logo–we are left to sift through rumors and wonder. The current working theories include: Bandai Namco is co-developing, it is scheduled to launch in 2019, and it may feature the character Sylux, who was confirmed by Tanabe to be in a spaceship featured in the special ending of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
What we know about Sylux is mostly based on lore introduced in Nintendo DS’s Metroid Prime: Hunters and, oddly enough, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (in a trophy description). But at the end of 2017’s Metroid Prime: Federation Force, we also caught a glimpse of Sylux releasing a metroid from captivity. Is it a hint? Only time will tell.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is an upcoming collection that compiles both New Super Mario Bros. U and Super Luigi U, which both released on Wii U in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The games will remain largely the same for the collection, but will include some added features, like the ability to play as Nabbit and Toadette across both games. If you missed these games the first time around, this collection just might be your chance to finally experience the chaotic multiplayer platforming that is the New Super Mario Bros. U games.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: January 11, 2019
Pokemon Switch
At E3 2017, Nintendo announced a new Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch. The tease didn’t include a title, logo, key art, or really any details at all–just that series developer Game Freak would be making the game, which will be a “core RPG” that “may not release for over a year.” It’s been over a year now, of course, and although nothing has been confirmed since then, it would make sense for Nintendo to give more details soon. After all, the game is set to launch in late 2019.
While Pokemon Let’s Go helped satisfy some hunger for a new Pokemon game, it won’t be long before all eyes are back on the upcoming Switch game. In recent news, developer Gamefreak recently confirmed that it’s looking into ways for players to transfer their pre-existing Pokemon roster from Let’s Go into the new game. There’s still so much we don’t know about the new Pokemon on Switch, but we’re hoping that’ll change soon.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
Tales of Vesperia is often considered one of the best games in the long-running Tales series of action-RPGs. It released in 2008 as an Xbox 360-exclusive, while an expanded PS3 port with extra story content launched a year later only in Japan. If you’ve been looking to play this much-loved Tales game, your options were previously limited. But all of that is changing with the release of Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition, which is a remastered version of the PS3 port.
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC | Release Date: January 11, 2019
Team Sonic Racing
Team Sonic Racing is the third game in the well-received Sonic kart racing series. Unlike its predecessors, the game will only contain characters from the Sonic franchise. It differs from traditional kart racers due to its focus on cooperative play, having you be a part of a team of other racers that must work together and share power-ups in order to win a race. Teams are judged based on how well they work together, as their actions helping one another earns them points that are tallied up at the end of a race. It’s an interesting concept that should serve as a nice change-of-pace from the typically cutthroat nature of the Mario Kart games.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: May 21, 2019
Town (Working Title of GameFreak game)
Town is the working title of an upcoming RPG by GameFreak, the studio responsible for the massively popular Pokemon franchise. The game is set in a village with a mysterious secret that you must work to uncover. The entire adventure unfolds within this town, which once enjoyed peace and prosperity until monsters suddenly appeared to make a mess of things. To survive, you’ll need to battle these invaders while also enlisting the aid of other villagers.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Trials Rising
Trials Rising is the latest in Ubisoft’s over-the-top series of physics-based motocross games. If you’ve played previous entries, you know what to expect: more crazy courses filled with obstacles that’ll test your riding finesse. New to Rising are tracks themed around famous real-world landmarks, as well as additional challenges, multiplayer modes, and the ability to create custom courses.
Platforms: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: February 12, 2019
Yoshi’s Crafted World
Revealed during Nintendo’s E3 2017 presentation, Yoshi’s Crafted World looks as adorable as you’d expect. While it appears to be a rather straightforward 2D side-scroller, it offers a subtle twist to the formula in which levels appear as dioramas, and you switch from the front view to a behind-the-scenes look to reveal the stages’ secrets.
Yoshi’s Crafted World oozes a charm that’ll likely put a smile on your face as you play it. You can even experience the game with a friend, as it’ll also support two-player local co-op. Regardless of your player configuration, Yoshi’s Crafted World seems like it’ll surely delight.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA 2019
Beyond 2019: Pikmin 4
Nintendo announced Pikmin 4 and even went as far as saying that it was “very close to completion.” A year later, Miyamoto reassured Pikmin fans that the sequel was still happening. We’ve heard next to nothing since, which is admittedly a little worrying, but we’re holding out hope that the company hasn’t secretly abandoned the project.
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA
Beyond 2019: Shin Megami Tensei V
Persona 4 and Persona 5 elevated the Japanese RPG series to new heights in the West, but Shin Megami Tensei, the series Persona spun off from, remains a niche product despite having been around for the better part of three decades. With the upcoming release of Shin Megami Tensei V on Nintendo Switch, Atlus has a chance to bring new people into the fold, and while little is known about the game thus far, there’s a good chance that Nintendo or Atlus will reveal more in 2019.
When SMT V was first announced in 2017, producer Kazuyuki Yamai stated that the game’s metropolitan setting and story would invoke contemporary social concerns such as unemployment and the threat of nuclear war to form the basis of its story. Of course, the series is also well known for presenting cities (Tokyo, usually) overrun by demons, and that will be the case once again. Given that this will be the first HD game in the series, Yamai pointed out the 3D modelling process for the many demons in the game (and their combined fused forms) will take three times as long as it did for the previous games. There’s currently no firm release date in sight, but according to the official english website, SMT V is “coming soon to the Americas and Europe.”
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: TBA
The Biggest TV Shows To Look Forward To In 2019
If you thought 2018 was a great year for TV, it’s got nothing on what’s to come. In 2019, several fan-favorite series will come to an end, while a number of very exciting new shows will premiere, either on TV or via a streaming service.
From the end of Game of Thrones to the launch of the new Twilight Zone from Get Out director Jordan Peele, there’s plenty to be excited about. With peak TV breathing down everyone’s neck, though, it’s hard to figure out exactly what you need to be watching. Imagine getting through 2018 without seeing The Haunting of Hill House or the second season of G.L.O.W.? Can you imagine surviving this year without The Good Place? And, honestly, how were you supposed to know just how good a YouTube Premium series like Cobra Kai could be?
Figuring out what the best TV to spend your time on takes some serious assistance. Luckily for you, we’re all about lending a helping hand when it comes to deciding the shows you’re not going to want to miss next year, from those that are sure to be new classic comic book adaptations to returning gems like Star Trek: Discovery.
Take a look at the TV series we think you need to mark down on your calendar as you get ready to ring in the new year. And make sure to check out our most anticipated Netflix exclusive shows for 2019, as well. When it comes to content, Netflix always has a lot to offer and their library is only getting bigger next year.
Gotham’s Final Season
Release date: January 3 on FOX
Whether or not you’re a fan of Gotham, it’s hard to argue how creative and different this show is. From the beginning, it’s embraced the stranger side of the Batman universe and has heavily borrowed from a Gotham City aesthetic that hasn’t been seen since Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns.
Now, going into its fifth and final season, Gotham is channeling the comic book story No Man’s Land, which sees the titular city cut off from the rest of the world as maniacs and criminals take control. Opposing Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), Jeremiah (Cameron Monaghan) and the rest of the show’s rogues gallery is Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz). We already know we’ll see Batman himself in the series finale, but more than that, fans should be excited to watch the final chapter for these characters that have built steam over the past four seasons. Gotham is weird and great, and chances are we won’t see anything like it for a very long time.
Game of Thrones’ Final Season
Release date: Sometime in April on HBO
The end of Game of Thrones is going to be a major TV moment. We know practically nothing about the final six episodes of the series, other than your favorite surviving characters may or may not die by the time all is said and done and there is a massive battle still to come. Whatever the case, we’re calling it now: The final season of Game of Thrones is going to be the TV event of 2019.
Deadly Class
Release date: January 16 on Syfy
Deadly Class is Syfy’s latest comic book adaptation and might be its coolest yet. Set in the 1980s, the series follows the students of a high school for assassins, as they learn the ins and outs of being world-class killers for hire.
Ultraman
Release date: April 1 on Netflix
Loosely based on the manga of the same name, Netflix’s Ultraman is a CGI animated series that follows a young man named Shinjiro, as he follows in his father’s footsteps to become the next Ultraman.
Doom Patrol
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on DC Universe
The second DC Universe live-action series also happens to be a spin-off of the first–Titans. Doom Patrol, with heroes like Elasti-Woman, Robotman, Crazy Jane, and Mr. Nobody, is going to be a very weird show. However, it’s also the exact kind of show hardcore comic book fans will likely love.
Stargirl
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on DC Universe
DC Universe has a lot of interesting things happening in 2019, including Stargirl. At this point, though, we don’t know a lot about this particular series other than actress Brec Bassinger will be playing the titular hero.
Swamp Thing
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on DC Universe
This is a real wild card thrown in there by DC Universe. Swamp Thing, unlike Titans, Doom Patrol, and Stargirl, is going to be a horror series. The series is being produced by Aquaman director James Wan and will star Friday the 13th alum Derek Mears as the titular Swamp Thing, with Andy Bean (Power) playing his human alter ego Alex Holland.
Carmen Sandiego
Release date: Sometime in 2019
From Netflix’s official description, we know that this reimagining of the classic franchise will be “a modern day Robin Hood” in which the titular hero steals from the evil organization V.I.L.E. and gives back to its victims. Carmen is viewed as a master criminal around the globe, but it sounds like the new series might take her to some unexpected places.
The Umbrella Academy
Release date: February 15, 2019
Scheduled to hit Netflix in February, The Umbrella Academy is the latest promising comic book adaptation we’re looking forward to on the streaming service. Here’s the official description: “On the same day in 1989, forty-three infants are inexplicably born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by a billionaire who creates The Umbrella Academy and prepares his “children” to save the world. Now, the six surviving members reunite upon the news of their father’s passing and must work together to solve a mystery surrounding his death.” Yeah, sounds awesome.
Creepshow
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on Shudder
The horror anthology film Creepshow is getting a TV adaptation on Shudder. There are not many details yet about what stories the series will tell, but special effects guru Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead) will direct, executive produce, and handle creative elements on the show–meaning he’s bringing his blood and gore expertise to the project.
The Twilight Zone
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on CBS All Access
Jordan Peele is resurrecting The Twilight Zone as presenter and executive producer, giving us another horror anthology to be excited about. The first season will consist of 10 episodes and star, among others, Sanaa Lathan and Kumail Nanjiani. Of note, we know the series will feature a remake of the classic story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” starring Adam Scott.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 2
Release date: January 17 on CBS All Access
There are some big things in store for the new season of Star Trek: Discovery. In the Season 1 finale, it was revealed that the crew of the Discovery would come into contact with those on the USS Enterprise, meaning the new episodes will introduce Captain Christopher Pike. What’s more, the season will also see the arrival of Spock, the son of Sarek and adopted brother of Michael Burnham.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on Disney+
It’s been nearly five years since Star Wars: The Clone Wars ended its initial run. However, at San Diego Comic-Con, executive producer Dave Filoni announced that the show was coming back as part of Disney’s new streaming service, complete with the original voice cast. For fans of the Star Wars animated universe, this is great news. Now Disney+ just needs to greenlight a followup to Star Wars Rebels.
Veronica Mars
Release date: Sometime in 2019
Veronica Mars is the show that just won’t quit. It started on UPN and move to The CW, before it was canceled. Then a Kickstarter campaign funded a movie that was released in theaters years later, followed by a series of novels. Now, once again, Veronica is back and this time she’s on Hulu. Not a lot is known about the new season, but you can expect most of the familiar faces you love to reappear.
Stranger Things
Release date: Sometime in 2019
Netflix has confirmed that Stranger Things Season 3 will arrive in 2019, and bring with it even more special effects. It’s been way too long since Eleven and the gang’s last adventure back in 2017, so we’re extremely excited to get back to Hawkins, Indiana and the Upside-Down.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
Release date: Hopefully in 2019 on Netflix
No confirmation on this one, but we’re hoping that Netflix and The Jim Henson Company’s Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, a 10-episode prequel series to the 1982 Jim Henson fantasy movie, will hit the streaming service this year. It reportedly began filming back in 2017, so there’s a good chance it will be ready for release in 2019.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Release date: January 10 on NBC
Not even cancellation can kill the Nine-Nine. After FOX decided to end the show last season, NBC saved it from extinction. Now, Brooklyn Nine-Nine returns for an 18-episode sixth season on NBC, allowing fans to watch Detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and his co-workers continue to massively screw up law enforcement to hilarious results.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Season 2
Release date: Sometime in 2019 on Netflix
Netflix’s first season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was one of the best Halloween surprises this year, and we’re already looking forward to Season 2. Star Kiernan Shipka recently told Bloody Disgusting that the cast and crew went straight into filming Season 2 after wrapping Season 1, so here’s hoping it arrives sometime in 2019.
GameSpot’s Lowest Reviewed Games Of 2018
Missing The Mark
When you consider Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, Spider-Man, Celeste, Iconoclasts, and the many, many more great games to have come out over the past few months, you’d have to call 2018 a good year for video games. You can read our coverage of all those titles and the other best games of the year around GameSpot for the whole month of December, but we’re here to take a look at the games that didn’t achieve quite the same level of acclaim.
In this feature, we take a look back at the many games released this year that weren’t reviewed as favorably. While these games may still have some noteworthy positives–such as unique art styles or interesting stories–they also missed the mark in a number of ways. We’ve included everything to score a 5/10 or lower in the calendar year of 2018; this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad game but, well, we needed to draw the line somewhere. And we’ve ranked them in descending order of review score, for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
Black Bird — 5/10
“It’s a shame Black Bird is so shallow, because the core action is so appealing. The lighthearted atmosphere and sharp controls make it a joy to wreak havoc on the unprepared people and the difficulty hits a nice sweet spot where it provides a good challenge without ever being frustrating. I would have gladly spent more time in this sepia-toned world if there were more stages and more strategy, but with such meager offerings, I’d fly right by Black Bird.” — Tom McShea [Full review]
Call Of Cthulu — 5/10
“Dwelling on these few low points may seem overly harsh–they account for no more than a small portion of the whole game, after all. But they are not merely poor moments in an otherwise solid game; they’re awful pieces of game design utterly inconsistent with the rest of the game. Much of Call of Cthulhu is a perfectly competent adventure game built on firm, if uninspired, point-and-click traditions. And while it won’t dazzle you with ambitious, creative puzzle-solving, its central story is as haunting and consuming as you want a good Lovecraft tale to be. But then, like some nightmare creature, an action sequence comes out of nowhere and ruins the experience.” — David Wildgoose [Full review]
Deracine — 5/10
“Deracine has the building blocks of a good VR debut from Dark Souls creator FromSoftware, but it lacks the engrossing gameplay and mystique that has made the studio’s previous titles so successful. It is a good example of a PSVR-exclusive title that uses the medium effectively, giving you ample control over your movement and an enticing space to explore fully with the flexibility of using your own two hands to pick it apart. Its narrative ambitions fail to meet the same bar, though, with intriguing themes that get lost within a poorly constructed narrative that’s difficult to follow. Its puzzles fall prey to the same inadequacies, failing to leverage the more exciting mechanics presented from the start and instead relying on trivial scavenger hunts though frozen time. Deracine is a disappointingly flawed adventure that won’t likely stick with you long after its conclusion.” — Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT — 5/10
“For all its attempts to honor Square-Enix’s long-running series, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT stumbles far too often when trying to replicate some of the many core gameplay tenants of the series in the framework of its own game. While it manages to offer fun and responsive combat, along with an infectious charm throughout, it struggles to advance much from the previous Dissidia titles. With a story that’s fed piecemeal behind arbitrary gating, several combat encounters that feel out of place, and unreliable online systems that don’t function when you need them to, this online brawler isn’t able to live up to the series that it steadfastly tries to celebrate.” — Alessandro Fillari [Full review]
FIFA 19 (Nintendo Switch) — 5/10
“All that’s left is to lament the ongoing absence of The Journey, which of all FIFA’s modes appears the best fit for Switch–a deep, offline story playable in small chunks–and yet it’s omitted entirely from the port. And that sums up the Switch version of FIFA 19: a playable, competent game of football encased in a package of outdated modes and lacking the controls and features you really want.” — Oscar Dayus [Full review]
Golem — 5/10
“It’s the fizzle at the end of the fuse that encompasses a disappointing journey into an otherwise visually captivating world. Golem attempts but fails to find harmony in bringing a vague tale together with any sort of emotional resonance. That might have been easier to forgive if the journey itself was exceptional. Instead Golem’s inconsistent puzzles and jarring difficulty spikes will infuriate you more than they infatuate.” — Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
Gravel — 5/10
“In my mind’s eye, Gravel’s bland visuals contribute to a game that doesn’t look too dissimilar from the seven year old titles it most closely resembles. There’s something appreciable about its no-nonsense style, and there’s definitely some intermittent fun to be had with its arcade style racing. But it doesn’t do anything that its contemporaries haven’t done better before, and it fails to stand out as an enjoyable alternative, which is unfortunately reflected by its barren multiplayer component. Like the fireworks that occasionally ignite throughout select races, Gravel’s attempts at excitement don’t quite dazzle.” — Richard Wakeling [Full review]
Lego DC Super Villains — 5/10
“Ultimately, Lego DC Super-Villains goes down as another cookie-cutter Lego game, and while there’s still plenty of merry mayhem to unleash, it’s the same kind of mayhem we’ve seen before. What should be as wild and riotous as the Clown Prince of Crime comes off as just another mild-mannered reporter.” — Justin Clark [Full review]
Metal Gear Survive — 5/10
“For the most part, Metal Gear Survive feels oppressive, demanding, and obtuse, and needlessly so. It’s a shame because there’s actually a good survival game in there, but the pressures it places on you make uncovering and enjoying that unappealing. Over time the ability to manage thirst and hunger becomes slightly more manageable, especially if you play the multiplayer, but the lead up to that is debilitating. There’s some satisfaction to be had if you persevere and savor the small victories, but you’ll quickly find yourself thinking about if your time would be better spent playing something else.” — Tamoor Hussain [Full review]
My Memory Of Us — 5/10
“My Memory of Us feels misguided; a concept that doesn’t sit well, marred by puzzle gameplay that fails to challenge or excite. It means well, and divorced from the game’s context, the game’s aesthetic is charming. But it doesn’t really work as either a puzzle game or as an educational experience.” — James O’Connor [Full review]
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 — 5/10
“It’s fun to jump in for a few games and rack up points through extravagant slam dunks with your favorite players from the past and present. However, the novelty of arcade-style basketball wears thin quickly in NBA 2K Playgrounds 2. There isn’t much to keep you coming back once you’ve had your fill, and the nagging gameplay flaws hold back the experience. The game lacks a distinct personality, and that’s a missed opportunity for any basketball game, let alone one that tries so hard to have one.” — Michael Higham [Full review]
Payday 2 (Nintendo Switch) — 5/10
“Ultimately it doesn’t matter which way you decide to play; you’re having to compromise somehow, which is the story of Payday 2 on the Switch. It is an entirely functional video game that (in most respects) looks, feels and plays like Payday 2, and given the right circumstances, can also be a bit of fun. But given how readily available it is on other platforms and the concessions made with this version, it doesn’t highlight Payday 2’s unique brand of shooting and looting the way other platforms have for years.” — James Swinbanks [Full review]
The King’s Bird — 5/10
“Rainbow Skies is the RPG equivalent of a store brand Cola–cheaper, but with far less flavor than the bigger brand names, and liable to go flat on you much faster. It gets the job done if you’re looking for a real time sink, and there’s potential depth there if you’re willing to wade through repetitive combat to get there, but it’s simply isn’t enjoyable enough to justify the commitment it demands.” — James O’Connor [Full review]
State Of Decay 2 — 5/10
“Perhaps if State of Decay 2 had the kind of depth that drew you in, these technical faults would be easier to overlook. But it’s because of the lack of meaningful motivations that they stick out so predominantly. State of Decay 2 settles into a rhythm that might be easy for you to pass some hours with, but it’s never a ride with genuine surprises, excitement or purpose. There’s promise in so many systems that it introduces, but they’re woefully underutilized to make space for repetitive activities that are nowhere near as exciting to engage with. State of Decay 2 feels like the lumbering enemies that populate its country mountains. Aimless, wandering, and just out of place.” — Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
The King’s Bird — 5/10
“It’s a shame A King’s Bird falters because the concept is so enticing. After braving my way through the dozens of increasingly maddening levels, I revisited the early stages and was once again transported to a dreamlike world where beauty and serenity shine through. Difficulty has its place in platformers, but there are games where too much challenge can distract from the core conceit. A King’s Bird locks you in a hopeless cage when all you want to do is fly.” — Tom McShea [Full review]
Zone Of The Enders: The 2nd Runner – MARS — 5/10
“While Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner pushed the envelope when it first launched, it’s more admirable for the ways in which it tries to inject depth into a formula that never required it to be successful. There are certainly ambitions to be appreciated, and Konami has at least put some effort into preserving the experience as it was, for better or worse. Still, those ambitions aren’t enough to fight the feeling that it hasn’t been outclassed several times over in the years since.” — Justin Clark [Full review]
Aegis Defenders — 4/10
“Aegis Defenders is disappointing because it had potential, and I still think that potential exists. There is satisfaction to be found in setting up its towers and combining them in interesting ways to make bigger and better turrets. And its loop of exploring, defending, and upgrading is alluring. But the game never meets your expectations. Whether it’s the nonsensical narrative, the frustrating combat, the numerous bugs, or the simplistic platforming, Aegis Defenders stumbles more often than it excels.” — Oscar Dayus [Full review]
Bravo Team — 4/10
“Instead, Bravo Team slogs on, stranding you in huge spaces, throwing wave after wave of cannon fodder your way, making its short play time feel hours longer that it actually is. Bravo Team is a game that feels unsure and tentative about ideas that have been tried and tested for years now, even in VR.” — Justin Clark [Full review]
Bridge Constructor Portal — 4/10
“This game falls short in just about every area; an amusing story or eye-catching visual design could have at least distracted from the dull puzzles, but you get no reprieve here. The game doesn’t even feature any music while you’re building the many bridges. Long after you’ve figured out how to pass a stage, you’re still left tinkering with minute portions, adjusting ramps by mere pixels at a time, crossing your fingers that you landed on the exact angle needed to guide a companion cube or bounce a ball of light toward the wall trigger. Instead of testing your puzzle-solving ability, Bridge Constructor Portal just sees how long you can withstand tedium before you want to walk away from the whole endeavor.” — Tom McShea [Full review]
Darksiders 3 — 4/10
“There are other elements worth mentioning, like the way the game length is padded out by the exclusion of an vague in-game map that makes fast travel worthless since you never know where exactly you’re going, or the counter-intuitive way letting an enemy kill you is the best option when it comes to replenishing your healing items. But saying any more at this point is just too disheartening. Darksiders 3 retrogrades on its predecessors with an unfocused approach that constantly clashes with itself. There are remnants of a good game here, buried within the vivacious combos of a combat style this game doesn’t want to embrace. Unfortunately, it’s buried far too deep to ever salvage.” — Darksiders 3 [Full review]
Earthfall — 4/10
“Earthfall follows a proven concept, but its delivery feels outdated, derivative, and woefully underdeveloped. The thought of a new game in the style of Left 4 Dead sounds great, but you would hope that whatever comes out surpasses its inspirations or at least matches it. Earthfall simply doesn’t have the content or concepts to make a case for itself in a world where the two Left 4 Dead games are still viable options, and far better ones at that.” — James Swinbanks [Full review]
Extinction — 4/10
“Extinction shoots itself in the foot time and time again. It’s so frustrating to see its good ideas buried under repetitive missions, a forgettable story, and embarrassing production values for its AAA price. Play one hour of it and you’ve basically done a bit of everything it has to offer; then it’s rinse and repeat for as long as you can bear to stick with it. It’s a frail and monotonous game destined for the bargain bin.” — Peter Brown [Full review]
Fallout 76 — 4/10
“Bethesda has stated it intends to continue supporting the game for a long time, but at launch, Fallout 76 is a poor experience. There are echoes of the series’ admirable qualities, but look past that facade, past the cute Vault Boy animations, past the familiar radio tracks, and you’ll find no heart–just an inconsequential wasteland doomed to be nuked over and over again.” — Edmond Tran [Full review]
We Happy Few — 4/10
“But even if you are able to overlook its technical shortcomings or perhaps wait for more stable patches in the future, We Happy Few’s biggest problems are ones that are hard to remedy. Its entire gameplay loop is underpinned by boring quests and long stretches of inaction. And even when it forces you to interact with its world beyond just walking to waypoints, combat, stealth, and otherwise fascinating societies fail to impose the right balance of challenge and tension. There’s a clear lack of direction that We Happy Few is never able to shake, which wastes its intriguing setting. It does manage to weave each of its three stories cohesively into a larger tale, but it’s also one that’s never critical enough to earn the right to repeat “happiness is a choice” any chance it can. There are just too many hurdles to overcome to enjoy We Happy Few, and not enough Joy in the world to cast them aside.” — Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
AO Tennis — 3/10
“The developer, Big Ant Studios, has promised to continually improve AO Tennis throughout the year, promising an ambitious slate of content that includes new players, events, and game modes. But with its poor presentation, lack of content, and frustrating controls, AO Tennis in its current state is subpar at best, and requires much more refinement to even meet the standard of last generation’s tennis titles. Rather than a Roger Federer-esque ace, AO Tennis is more akin to a double fault whose shots don’t even make the net.” — Alexander Pan [Full review]
Agony — 3/10
“These are issues ironically exacerbated by the fact that it’s all taking place in one of the most abominable, depressing, and fundamentally disgusting environments imaginable. Worst of all, you grow numb to Agony’s uniquely repulsive flair over time. You start thinking about the environment in practical nonplussed terms, instead of the grim wonder that strikes you in the beginning. Distress turns to disinterest, then–even as the bigger revelations about the protagonist and the nature of his torture come to light–turn to total apathy. I entered Agony’s Gates of Hell with a slack-jawed gasp. It is such a disappointment to have to have left it with a shrug.” — Justin Clark [Full review]
Conan Exiles — 3/10
“Ultimately, Conan Exiles is one of the most unsatisfying games I’ve ever played. Its crafting and resource systems may be dense enough that the ultra-patient could find something to enjoy here, but anyone else would likely walk away with their hands thrown up in defeat. The mind-numbing tedium of harvesting resources, woefully boring combat, and a slew of bugs left me feeling completely underwhelmed and unimpressed when it was all said and done.” — James Swinbanks [Full review]
Overkill’s The Walking Dead — 3/10
“From its restrictive mission structures, unbalanced difficulty and frustrating means of progression, The Walking Dead struggles to justify the time it requires from you. It’s a collection gameplay blueprints stacked upon one another without thoughtful consideration on how they might cohesively work together, wrapped up in a dull presentation and mundane combat that very rarely excites. The Walking Dead is a mess of scattered ideas and a lack of direction, and there’s no reason to make sense of it all.” — Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
Rust — 3/10
“Rust is also disappointing because of just how long it took to realize its own inescapable faults. Its lack of survival depth and inclination to only reward time served instead of clever play saps whatever life it might have had to give. Its survival systems show their age, while its community does its best to chase off those who might dare try surviving a new night on the island. Rust might make for an interesting discussion on what it brings out of its players, but it’s not one you need to experience firsthand.” — Alessandro Barbosa [Full review]
The Quiet Man — 2/10
“Simplistic, ungainly combat is all the more surprising given that it is The Quiet Man’s only gameplay mechanic. From beginning to end there is nothing else to do–no places to navigate, no items to collect, no weapons to wield, no puzzles to solve. It’s just those same mind-numbing punches and kicks broken up by extended narrative scenes that by virtue of the enforced silence you can’t hope to follow or understand. The broad contours of the plot are vaguely discernible: the drama involves childhood trauma, a seedy metropolitan underbelly, various acts of conspiracy and revenge. As for the details, it’s impossible to say. The game’s final moments tease an upcoming addition that will allow you to play it through a second time with the sound restored. This feels like both a preposterous cop-out–that’s the main conceit!–and a cruel punishment. With sound the story will surely make more sense. But having suffered through The Quiet Man once, I can’t bear to try it again.” — Calum Marsh [Full review]
Underworld Ascendant — 2/10
“For many players, especially the time-poor, the save system alone will be enough to render Underworld Ascendant unplayable. But even if it were addressed, and a more conventional system patched in, it would be impossible to recommend this game to anyone. Framed as a spiritual successor to Ultima Underworld, Underworld Ascendant misses the mark with almost every shot, much like my aforementioned hapless archer. At the same time, even freed from the expectations its historical baggage brings, it is a clear failure. The spirit of Ultima Underworld lives on elsewhere.” — David Wildgoose [Full review]