It was inevitable that “Fallout” was going to be a bit of a letdown. Arrow is coming off its best episode ever, a dramatic finale that culminated with the destruction of Lian Yu and the potential deaths of nearly everyone close to Oliver Queen. There was never any chance that the writers would truly embrace that development and kill off the show’s entire supporting cast. Nor was this episode likely to continue the incredible momentum of “Lian Yu.” But that all being said, I was at least hoping for a stronger start to Season 6 than this episode delivered.
The various casting announcements and set photos of the past few months made it pretty clear that few members of Team Arrow actually met their end on Lian Yu. But you’d think the writers would make at least one or two big sacrifices in order to ensure that Adrian Chase’s master plan had real, lasting consequences for these characters. But as it turns out, only one character is confirmed to have died in the massive explosion – Samantha. And despite being caught in a blast powerful enough to have vaporized her completely, Samantha managed to stay alive and conscious long enough to give Ollie the old “Take care of our son” speech.
In the month since Destiny 2‘s release, fans have already spent countless hours exploring its world and completing all the activities. One of the biggest criticisms of the game that’s arisen is that its endgame isn’t deep or involved enough to support its most dedicated fans. It’s too easy to hit the level cap, the argument goes, and there’s not enough high-level content to keep players going.
In its Weekly Update, Bungie revealed that it has heard this critique and it’s taking it to heart. Although it didn’t provide any specific details, the developer nonetheless said that discussions about endgame improvements are happening internally. Further, Bungie will talk more in depth about its plans to address the problem soon.
“Right now, these discussions are also happening in our studio,” community manager Chris “Cozmo” Shannon wrote. “We are listening, but need time to digest everything and draw up the best plans for the future. We will have more to say on this soon. Please stay tuned, and keep the conversation rolling.”
Russia’s efforts to influence the United States were, and are, expansive, according to the American Intelligence Community and government officials. As we learn more, we are discovering that the scale of the interference efforts is much larger than previously thought–and even Pokemon Go was targeted.
According to a new report from CNN, Russian-linked accounts leveraged the popularity of the mobile game in an effort to play up a divisive topic. Across Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter accounts, actors linked to the Kremlin-backed Internet Research Agency posted under the name “Don’t Shoot Us.” The posts and videos all related to police brutality.
The name “Don’t Shoot Us” is likely a reference to “Hand’s Up, Don’t Shoot,” a slogan popularized after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. The slogan became widespread among Black Lives Matter and social justice activists. According to CNN, the Russian accounts probably hoped to galvanize black activism–and thus possibly spark a counter-reaction against black activists.
In July 2016, the “Don’t Shoot Us” Tumblr account held a competition, which tasked its audience to go out to the locations where alleged police brutality took place and to catch Pokemon in Pokemon Go. They would then have to name their Pokemon after a victim of police brutality–the account used a Hypno named Eric Gardner as an example.
“It’s clear from the images shared with us by CNN that our game assets were appropriated and misused in promotions by third parties without our permission,” developer Niantic told CNN in a statement.
It’s worth reading CNN’s full report; the Don’t Shoot Us account owners have been linked to several other interference efforts, as well. You can check it out here.
Research has discovered accounts and individuals linked to the Russian government and other powerful Russian actors which have attempted to sow discord and divisiveness within Internet communities, with the bulk of the efforts happening before the 2016 Presidential election.
Over the past few weeks, it has become clear that social media giants Facebook, Google, and Twitter were specifically targeted by the interference efforts–and that Russian-linked advertisements were shown to users during the election season. Representatives from these companies will testify in front of the Senate and House of Representatives Intelligence Committees on November 1.
Innovating within the bounds of horror’s familiar tropes and rules is a difficult task, but one that The Evil Within 2 handles with grace. Developer Tango Gameworks cleverly introduces old-school horror design within the confines of a semi-open world that ultimately makes for a refreshing trip into a world of nightmares.
Picking up several years after the first game, we find the former detective Sebastian Castellanos in dire straits, still wracked with guilt over the loss of his family and haunted by his last visit into a nightmare version of reality. When a shadowy organization gives him the chance to set things right with his past and rescue his daughter from the dangerous and unstable world of Union, he willingly re-enters the haunting realm despite his residual trauma.
Right from the beginning, there’s a sense of deja vu as Sebastian wanders the eerie and unreal locations in Union. Despite being one of the few survivors from the first game, he oddly finds himself falling for the same tricks and set-ups that the world and its inhabitants lay out for him. While this could be chalked up to a simple retread, much of these instances make a point of illustrating some key differences from this game and the last.
There’s generally more of an adventurous feel compared to the original’s isolated levels. With more side characters to interact with–opening up moments of dialogue that flesh out the story–and optional events scattered around the world, there’s a level of freedom and variety in The Evil Within 2 that was largely absent from the first game. However, there are a few notable sections where backtracking is required, which slows the pacing and sense of progression to a crawl.
Despite this, exploration is consistently enjoyable, rewarding treks to the places tucked away, where you can find details about Union’s history and meet other characters looking to survive the nightmare. With so many little details that add a lot to atmosphere, there’s a clear respect for The Evil Within’s world. The many nods to original game feel more impactful for it, giving a renewed appreciation for Sebastian’s previous adventure.
Compared to its predecessor’s singular levels in unique chapters, The Evil Within 2 possesses a more organic and interconnected set of places to explore–focusing on several large maps with multiple points of interest. While there’s still plenty of mind-bending and perspective-skewing set pieces, such as a tentacle creature with a large camera for an eye, the explorable spaces are the real standout. In many ways, it’s like traversing through a demented amusement park filled with hideous creations, forcing yourself to face past horrors. Adventuring to places not marked on the map often yields valuable resources, and also leads to some surprising encounters with obsessive ghosts and multiple unnerving, fourth-wall breaking events.
It takes more than just going for the head to take out some of the tougher enemies.
Over time, environments descend into chaos when Union inevitably grows unstable, turning a small town into a horrifying and unnerving shell of its former self. Streets vertically upend, and fire and blood exude from places they shouldn’t. The visual design of The Evil Within 2 successfully juxtaposes vastly different settings and aesthetics, and presents them in a bizarre package that illustrates the erratic and unpredictable nature of the world.
While Sebastian felt more like a mere sketch of a hardened and weary protagonist in his first outing, he feels better realized and more grounded in this sequel, giving a certain gravitas to his struggle. Showing bewilderment and confusion throughout the first game, he’s more confident and determined this time, even throwing in some fitting one-liners that poke fun at some of the dangers in the last game. The supporting cast of villains also feel more active in the ongoing events, and have a greater sense of place this time around–particularly with the eccentric serial killer artist who photographs his victims upon their deaths.
The Evil Within 2 successfully juxtaposes vastly different settings and aesthetics, and presents them in a bizarre package that illustrates the erratic and unpredictable nature of the world.
While there’s occasional moments of cheese and humor throughout–such as the inclusion of a goofy shooting range and collectible toys related to other Bethesda games–the levity never feels out of place, which is an accomplishment considering the game’s pervasive macabre atmosphere.
Putting a greater emphasis on the survival aspect of survival horror, The Evil Within 2 demands resource management and bravery in its relatively spacious world. While common enemies are fewer in number compared to the original game, they’re far more threatening alone and can easily manhandle Sebastian. There’s a thoughtful approach to engagement and progression this time around, which means you’ll have to think twice about whether or not to engage a group of enemies. With that said, you have a sizable arsenal of weapons and gear–including the return of the Crossbow with six different ammo types–to take on the enemies as you see fit.
Some encounters will pull out all the stops to prevent Sebastian from making progress.
Throughout his journey, Sebastian carries a communication device, allowing him to keep track of main objectives, along with points of interest and intel on the fates of side characters in the area. How you go about dealing with these characters and exploring is up to you. Similarly, whether you avoid conflict with enemies or take out as many as possible along the way is down to your preferred playstyle. The Evil Within 2 accommodates those that prefer action as much as those that like to be stealthy. Combat is robust, thanks to improved weapon handling and character upgrading that allows you to focus on the specific areas of Sebastian’s skillset to enhance stealth, combat, and athleticism.
Sebastian can return to the safe haven of his mind to upgrade weapons and skills, and review case files and intel on various characters. With the Green Gel collected from fallen enemies–and the new Red Gel that unlocks upper tier upgrades–the core upgrading system has been greatly improved. Going beyond simply increasing damage of melee strikes and stamina length, new special perks can be unlocked such as the ever-useful Bottle Break skill that uses bottles as self-defense items when grabbed by enemies. Along with the expanded weapon upgrade system, using only weapon parts, the systems of progression feel far more nuanced and open.
Sebastian will have to scavenge for supplies and other materials to make up for the lack of ammo boxes and health items. While this may seem like it can make things easy, efficient crafting can only be done at dedicated workbenches, whereas crafting in the field via the radial inventory menu should be done a last resort as it costs twice as many materials. This crafting element adds a bit of a survivalist feel to The Evil Within 2, where you’re scrounging around corners to find materials, all while avoiding packs of enemies looking to pummel you.
Though the game is challenging even on its standard difficulty level, it’s not unfair, and there are options for multiple playstyles. The standard Survival difficulty mode is manageable, and you won’t find yourself hitting a way due to lack of resources. However, the Nightmare mode raises the stakes, featuring slightly altered combat encounters, harder enemies, and fewer resources to find. If you’re up for a challenge of a different kind, the unlockable Classic mode will disable auto-saves, upgrades, and limit you to a finite amount of saves. In addition to extra unlockables for completing the tougher difficulties, the experiences they offer is more in keeping with the true survival horror experience, where resources are hard to come by, and the enemies are deadlier than before.
There’s a clear respect for the horror genre in The Evil Within 2, with a number of references to classic films and games. The game channels that style and tone into combat that feels brutal and raw, stealth that has an air of suspense, and unsettling confrontations with dangerous, otherworldly creatures. The Evil Within 2 doubles down on the core of what makes survival horror games great: the focus on disempowerment and obstacles, and the ensuing satisfaction that comes with surviving a harrowing assault.
Though there’s some occasional technical hiccups that result in some particularly frustrating moments and weird pacing issues, this horror sequel elevates the tense and impactful survival horror experience in ways that feel fresh and exciting. What this cerebral horror game does isn’t totally new, but it rarely feels routine, and offers plenty of surprises. Coming in at a lengthy and surprisingly packed 15-hour campaign, the sequel does an admirable job of ratcheting up the tension and scares when it needs to, while also giving you the freedom to explore and proceed how you want. It’s a tough thing to balance, but The Evil Within 2 does it remarkably well, and in a way that leaves a strong and lasting impression after its touching conclusion.
Penned by Gotham star Ben McKenzie, who’s previously stepped behind the camera to direct an episode, “The Demon’s Head” felt like a run-of-the-mill chase episode for the series (someone’s being hunted, Jim has to find someone, etc) with the exception that Ra’s al Ghul was the one doing the chasing (or, his dog-man Anubis was at least) and the outcome seemed to hold serious consequences for Bruce.
Admittedly, as soon as I saw that the story pivoted around the fate and well-being of a young boy (in this case, Benjamin Stockham’s Alex), I expected the worse. But not only did Alex help us see just how much Bruce had changed and hardened, for a teen his age, compared to his peers, but we also heard from Alex what all the other kids think of him. That he’s some sort of reclusive “weirdly cool” Howard Hughes-type who just holes up in his mansion all day and ditches school. Yes, the fact that Bruce doesn’t go to school got a nice shout-out.
Bethesda’s horror sequel The Evil Within 2 from Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, is tomorrow on the appropriately scary date of Friday the 13th for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Part of what makes the game scary is that you have to strategically manage resources. You cannot always go in guns-blazing. To help you on your way, GameSpot’s Jean-Luc put together a video that calls out six things you should know before starting.
In the video, he covers things like hunting for resources, exploring the world around you and unlocking the “bottle break” perk as soon as you can. This ability allows you to smash a bottle onto an enemy’s head to break free of their clutches. Making use of the environment around you can also help. For example, you can kick over an oil drum, let the oil spill, and then shoot it to set the ground ablaze, killing your foes in the process. Check out the video above to see all six of Jean-Luc’s tips for getting started.
GameSpot’s Evil Within 2 review scored the game an 8/10. Reviewer Alessandro Fillari said, ,”The sequel does an admirable job of ratcheting up the tension and scares when it needs to, while also giving you the freedom to explore and proceed how you want. It’s a tough thing to balance, but The Evil Within 2 does it remarkably well, and in a way that leaves a strong and lasting impression after its touching conclusion.”
Additionally, Bethesda has announced a new charity campaign themed around The Evil Within 2. Titled “The Good Within,” the fundraising campaign is raising money on CrowdRise to support the American Red Cross’s disaster and humanitarian relief efforts globally.
New evidence points to Russian interference in Pokemon Go, among other popular online services.
A report from CNN claims Russian political meddling used YouTube, Tumblr, and Pokemon Go to “sow discord among Americans.”
It’s not quite as cut and dry as planting a hard to find Pokemon somewhere and hoping to gain intelligence information from a hapless NSA Pokemon Go addict. In fact, the meddling was more of a bait and switch as far as Pokemon Go is concerned.
According to the report, Pokemon Go wasn’t directly changed, but rather “game assets were appropriated and misused in promotions by third parties,” according to a statement in the report from Pokemon Go creators Niantic.
Horizon: Zero Dawn‘s “Frozen Wilds” expansion is coming next month, taking players to an area called the Cut. This is a “boreal wasteland” outside of the base game’s region. It’s a cold, snowy place, and quite a marked change from the lush, colorful areas from the base game.
Now, Sony has released a new trailer for Frozen Wilds that shows off some of the environments players will find, including snowswept mountains and icy rivers. “It is a place where none but the most skilled hunters dare venture, and those that do must survive against dangerous new machines and freezing temperatures,” developer Guerrilla Games said in a post on the PlayStation Blog.
The Frozen Wilds contains new storylines and characters, along with new machines to fight against. The expansion is enhanced for PS4 Pro with better graphics.
The Frozen Wilds launches on November 7. It costs $20, but if you’re a PlayStation Plus member, you can pre-order it now for $15. Pre-ordering gets you the Banuk Aloy avatar.
In other news, Sony recently announced a Horizon: Zero Dawn complete edition that comes with the base game and the Frozen Wilds expansion, along with all Digital Deluxe edition content. It launches on December 5, priced at $50 in the US.
Zero Dawn launched earlier this year and has sold more than 3.4 million copies. The open-world action game is a marked change from what the first-person Killzone series that Guerrilla is perhaps best known for.
