Category: Gamespot

Super Mario Odyssey is a quirky, fun, critically-acclaimed success for the Nintendo Switch. While the game’s main story will keep you busy for some time, another task will take some of your focus after you beat it. If you haven’t beat the game and are worried about spoilers, stop reading now.

After Mario saves Princess Peach, she’ll take a well-deserved vacation, touring the Kingdoms you’ve visited throughout the game. Whenever you find her, she’ll reward you with a Power Moon and give you a clue as to her next destination.

If you want a little helping hand, we’ve got you. We’re put together a guide on all the places you’ll find Peach in the video above.

Check out our Super Mario Odyssey review, in which GameSpot awarded the game a 10/10 (here’s why). For more on the platformer, check out our roundup article containing features, gameplay videos, and everything you need to know about Super Mario Odyssey. You can also check out our roundup containing tips, guides, and things we wish we knew.

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Just days remain until Microsoft’s latest console, the Xbox One X, launches worldwide. The new device–which Microsoft days is the most powerful console in the world–brings upgraded specs and enhanced games, as well as a sleeker, smaller design than the original Xbox One.

However, what we all want to know is: is it any good? Thankfully, we’ve collected a roundup of Xbox One X reviews from around the web below. For more on the new system, check out our Xbox One X vs PC vs Xbox One graphics comparison, or take a look at everything you need to know about the Xbox One X.

• Platform: Xbox One X
• Publisher: Microsoft
• Release date: November 7
• Price: US $499 / £449 / AU $649

GameSpot — No score

“Should you get an Xbox One X? That answer should largely depend on whether you’d be happy with the console’s library of games. You can check out a list of all the Xbox One X-enhanced games here. If you’re happy with the lineup and are thinking about jumping in, allow me to outline three different scenarios for you. If you game on a 1080p TV and don’t have any plans to upgrade to a 4K one, the Xbox One S is going to be a better fit for you. While you will get some graphical enhancements with the X, you don’t really get your money’s worth if you don’t have a 4K HDR TV. But what if you already own a 4K HDR TV and an Xbox One? In this case, I’d only recommend getting the X if you have the disposable cash to spare for the increased visual fidelity and performance benefits. If you have a 4K HDR TV, don’t have a current gen console, and are looking to purchase one, however, the Xbox One X is a great choice.” — Jimmy Thang [Full review]

IGN — 8.7/10 (Review-in-progress)

“The Xbox One X is a very impressive collection of hardware crammed into a sleek case. It runs cool and quiet as it delivers impressive performance in the enhanced games we’ve been able to test out so far. It’s hard to believe Microsoft exclusives like Gears of War 4 can look so good and run so smoothly on a box that costs less than half of what you’d pay for a high-end gaming PC. Plus, it caters to home theater enthusiasts with 4K ultra-HD Blu-ray playback and Atmos sound. However, the big question of how it compares to the PlayStation 4 Pro in running third-party games remains, for now, unanswered.” — Brandin Tyrrel [Full review-in-progress]

Polygon — No score (Pre-review)

“The Xbox One X is undeniably the best console to play multiplatform games; they’ll look and run better on it than on the PS4 Pro. For some people, that peace of mind–knowing that they’re guaranteed to get the highest image quality and smoothest performance–will be enough to justify the purchase price. And the ancillary benefits of Microsoft’s ecosystem, such as Xbox Play Anywhere and backward compatibility going back to the original Xbox, can’t be discounted. But I’ve been floored by plenty of games on the PS4 Pro, like Horizon Zero Dawn. For now, with the limited number of enhanced Xbox One X titles I’ve been able to test, I haven’t seen enough to be able to recommend the console in light of its high price–especially when the audience for these mid-cycle upgrades still seems so specific.” — Samit Sarkar [Full pre-review]

Tech Advisor UK — No score

“The Xbox One X is massively powerful and comes at a steep price. But compared to the equivalent gaming PC, it’s exceptionally good value for money. Right now, the appeal is slightly limited by the number of people with 4K TVs in the UK, but if you’re a Forza, Assassin’s Creed or Gears of War fan, then there could be enough to tempt you. Ultimately, the One X isn’t for everyone, but if you have a 4K TV that can take advantage of that extra graphical power, you’re in for a real treat.” — Lewis Painter [Full review]

The Verge — 8.5/10

“Sony really has some impressive exclusives on the way, and it’s hard for Microsoft to counter this despite its great job on the hardware. Microsoft promised the best hardware, and it delivered–but that’s nothing without games.” — Tom Warren [Full review]

The Guardian — 4/5

“Multiplatform titles will almost certainly look better on Xbox One X than on PS4 Pro, sometimes very noticeably (and elements like increased draw distance and smoother frame-rates can have a palpable effect on your gameplay experience), but is it worth the extra £100? That’s a conversation you need to have with your aesthetic standards and your wallet.” — Keith Stuart [Full review]

Engadget — 87/100

“Ultimately, the Xbox One X offers some major performance upgrades that gamers will notice–especially if you’re coming from an original Xbox One. But it’s also a bit disappointing since it’s coming a year after the PS4 Pro, and it doesn’t offer VR yet. For Microsoft fans, though, none of that will matter. It’s exactly what the company promised: the fastest game console ever made.” — Devindra Hardawar [Full review]

Eurogamer — No score

“Really, it all comes down to whether you own a 4K screen or are considering investing in one. The right ultra HD display with decent HDR support really does offer a huge improvement in many cases over standard 1080p. Forza 7‘s precision lines and often beautiful lighting are a world apart from the base Xbox One experience, while the richness of detail in Gears of War 4 (or the doubling in frame-rate, if you prefer) are transformative experiences. Work needs to be done on beefing up the lacklustre 4K media support, but as a top-tier games machine, Xbox One X is an excellent piece of kit.” — Richard Leadbetter [Full review]

Wired — No score

“Microsoft has pulled off something impressive here. 4K gaming previously required a noisy desktop PC with a flamin’ hot graphics card, and now it’s something you can get for $500 that fits under your TV. That’s awesome, even if the benefit is small and only for a select few. For devotees who worship at the altar of Master Chief, the Xbox One X is an offering that optimizes the Xbox experience. It’s an opportunity for fans to re-up their membership and prepare for the higher-def, higher-dynamic range future.” — Brendan Nystedt [Full review]

TechRadar — 4/5

“If you’re the kind of gamer who stops to look at the scenic vistas in games like Skyrim, The Witcher or Dragon Age, or a streamer who can point out a 4 frame-per-second difference while looking at two videos side by side, the Xbox One X is a worthwhile investment.

“That said, if you’re a gamer who just wants a console that plays great-looking games without digging too deep into your pocket books, the Xbox One X is a bit overkill – save some money and buy yourself an Xbox One S … preferably the one with a 2TB hard drive.” — Nick Pino [Full review]

CNET — No score

“Xbox One X lays a credible claim to the title of most powerful game console ever, but it has an uphill battle for your gaming dollar, especially if you already own an original Xbox One.” — Jeff Bakalar [Full review]

This post has been updated with more reviews.

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The speculation that Watch Dogs and Assassin’s Creed take place in the same universe is essentially a meme at this point. After all, they’re both freerunning-focused, open-world, stealthy Ubisoft games featuring main characters who obscure their faces in pretty conspicuous ways. But in Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Ubisoft gave fans the clearest sign yet that this is more than just speculation.

Minor spoilers for Assassin’s Creed: Origins ahead.

In Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, the CEO of Abstergo Industries is named Olivier Garneau. He plays a fairly major role in the modern-day sections, before departing for Chicago. In the first Watch Dogs–set in Chicago–Garneau then appears as an Easter egg in a side mission, during which main character Aiden Pearce can kill him.

As reported by Eurogamer, in Assassin’s Creed: Origins, if you delve into the laptop during the modern-day sections, you can unearth a security-cam photograph of Pearce standing over the body of Garneau. This strengthens the connection between the two game worlds, even if it is still just a fun nod from Ubisoft. It also keeps the slim hope alive for a real Assassin’s Creed/Watch Dogs crossover one day.

In other news, Assassin’s Creed: Origins recently received an update that fixes bugs and adds a photo mode. The game was generally well-received when it launched at the end of October; GameSpot gave it a 7/10, with critic Alessandro Fillari writing, “Assassin’s Creed has undergone many changes in its long and storied history, and Origins feels like the first step in the start of a new journey. It has its fair share of problems, but the vision for its future is one worth pursuing.”

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NetherRealm held a livestream today where it provided an in-depth look at Injustice 2‘s next DLC character, Hellboy. If you missed the stream, you can watch the Hellboy part of it through the video embed above. Watch and you’ll see developers from NetherRealm show off and discuss Hellboy’s moves and combos.

As you’ll see, Hellboy is a bruiser and a brawler. He also appears to be quite quick, despite his larger-than-life size. Check out the video above to see him in action.

Hellboy is the final character to come to Injustice 2 through the game’s Fighter Pack 2. He arrives on November 14, so there isn’t much more time to wait. After that will be Fighter Pack 3, which includes Atom and other characters to be revealed later. NetherRealm will release the reveal trailer for the Fighter Pack 3 this week, so we will soon probably know a lot more.

In other news, NetherRealm today announced the release date for Injustice 2’s PC version. You can play the game’s 1v1 open beta on PC right now ahead of launch.

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Horizon Zero Dawn‘s new DLC, The Frozen Wilds, is out very soon. The add-on expands Horizon’s world and adds a bunch of welcome new features.

First up, there’s a new Traveler skill tree focused on exploring the new environment. Many of the skills you can unlock center around abilities used while riding a mount, culminating in one move that lets you leap off and attack enemies with a lethal one-hit-kill spear assault. And you’ll need that new attack: you’re recommended to be at level 30 to play The Frozen Wilds, so it’s not going to be a walk in the park. Thankfully, all those new skills can also be used in the main game.

The Frozen Wilds, as you can probably guess, is set in a new, snowy environment that we think looks beautiful. Its new storyline runs parallel with the main game, adding around 15 hours of content, and features improved motion capture performances and animations. Finally, The Frozen Wilds adds the ability to customize Aloy’s spear, while the excellent photo mode includes a new snow angel emote. Check out some footage of the DLC’s new features–as well as our impressions of the expansion–in the video above.

The Frozen Wilds launches November 7 and costs $20 / £16 / AU $30; keep an eye out for our review, which will be dropping very soon. In other Horizon Zero Dawn news, Monster Hunter World will receive add-on content based around Aloy. You can also check out The Frozen Wilds’ latest trailer here.

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This year’s BlizzCon has finally arrived, which means there’s a multitude of news for some of Blizzard’s biggest games. From the new Overwatch character reveal to the announcement of the new World of Warcraft expansion, there’s a whole lot of exciting news and announcements waiting to be revealed. We’ve compiled all the biggest ones from the show below.

What news and announcements are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check back often as we update this article with more news and trailers.

But first, even with the glut of new announcements, managing editor Justin Haywald and video producer Erick Tay argue that there were a few things missing from this year’s Blizzcon.

Hearthstone

Hearthstone’s Next Expansion Includes A Free New Single-Player Mode–During BlizzCon’s opening ceremony, Blizzard revealed Dungeon Run, a brand-new single-player mode for Hearthstone that pits players against eight random bosses.

All The Cards From Hearthstone’s Kobolds & Catacombs Expansion Revealed So Far–With the latest Hearthstone expansion revealed, here are all of the cards we know about so far.

Heroes of the Storm

Overwatch’s Hanzo, Warcraft’s Alexstrasza Announced For Heroes Of The Storm–Blizzard also reveals some major changes coming to HotS, including refinements to a variety of mechanics.

Heroes Of The Storm Devs On The Fate Of Hanamura And Balance Changes: From Battlegrounds and balance changes to new heroes Hanzo and Alexstrasza, here’s what we learned about Heroes of the Storm.

Overwatch

New Overwatch Map Is A Blizzard Theme Park–Alongside a new character, Overwatch is adding a new map that fans of any Blizzard game will likely enjoy, with areas themed after Warcraft, StarCraft, and more.

New Overwatch Hero Revealed, Moira The DPS Healer–New hybrid character revealed with ties to Reaper’s past.

Overwatch’s New Reinhardt Short Will Make You Cry–Like past Overwatch shorts, this new Blizzard animation focusing on Reinhardt gets emotional.

New Overwatch Skins Based On Diablo, StarCraft, And Other Blizzard Games–Have a look at these new BlizzardWorld skins coming for Widowmaker, Torbjorn, Zarya, and more based on Blizzard’s other franchises.

Check Out The First Skins For Overwatch’s New Character, Moira–Overwatch’s new hero, Moira, already has some alternate skins, and we also got a look at early concept for the character.

Here’s who won the Overwatch World Cup–which country took home top honors in this year’s competition?

In our Blizzcon Overwatch interview, the devs talk about addressing player toxicity and whether there’s a chance we’d ever see a real-life “Blizzard World.”

StarCraft II

StarCraft II Will Soon Be Free To Play–Beginning this month, players will be able to play through StarCraft II’s Wings of Liberty campaign and co-op mode for no cost.

How will going free affect the Starcraft II? We talked to the devs to get the answers.

World of Warcraft

One World of Warcraft dev explains why this might be the best introduction for new players yet.

World Of Warcraft Classic Announced, Lets You Play Without Expansions–Blizzard finally answers fans call for a vanilla version of the MMO, however, our dev interview shows there are still a lot of questions left to answer.

World Of Warcraft: Battle For Azeroth Expansion Revealed, Increases Level Cap And Adds New Continents–Blizzard reveals the MMO’s most ambitious expansion to date, showing new lands and siege battles.

WoW Update To Overhaul Leveling To Let You Play Expansions, Zones In Any Order–World of Warcraft patch 7.3.5 will introduce changes to the level-up process to give you far more flexibility with the order in which you tackle the game’s content.

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Another weekly reset has arrived for Destiny 2, which means it’s time for a new Nightfall Strike… except it doesn’t. The Flashpoint has moved to the EDZ, but despite the reset, players still have access to the same Nightfall as last week: The Arms Dealer. It features the same exact Challenges but different Modifiers, which is unusual. We do know that a new Destiny 2 update is slated to arrive this week, and it’s possible the Nightfall will change following that. We’ll update this story if that proves to be the case, but for now we’ll look at the Nightfall version of The Arms Dealer.

The time limit is in place and can be extended because of the first of the two modifiers, Timewarp: Killing Time. By slaying enemies, you’ll receive additional time–up to a limit–to complete the Strike. The other modifier is Prism, which cycles through each of the damage types. The selected damage deals more than usual, while the others are less effective.

In terms of Challenges, Speed of Dark is active, which asks you to finish the Strike with at least five minutes left on the timer. Unbroken requires you to make it through the mission with fewer than three deaths. And finally, Trash the Thresher tasks you with bringing down a Thresher (the Cabal gunship) during the fight with Bracus Zahn.

The reward for completing the Nightfall is Powerful Gear. This is one of the few activities to offer those, and they’re among the best items you can get your hands on. It’s also a reliable way to increase your Power level past 265, should you be struggling to pass that point. If you haven’t made it to that point, you may want to consider waiting until after you’ve raised your Power level before grabbing the Nightfall reward. This Nightfall will be available until the next weekly reset, which occurs at 2 AM PT / 5 AM ET / 9 AM GMT / 4 PM AEST on Tuesday, November 7.

The Nightfall is available from the start for the PC version, which is out now. If you haven’t yet unlocked the Nightfall, you’ll need to complete two Strikes and approach the suggested Power level of 240 before Zavala will allow you to take part in them. Traditional matchmaking is not available, but in its place we have Guided Games, providing players with the opportunity to be matched up with members of a clan for the mission (which requires a Nightfall Ticket). Alternatively, clan members can sign up to serve as guides through the Nightfall. Doing so does not require a Ticket.

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As expected, Call of Duty: WWII has finished top of the UK chart in its first week on sale (ending November 5). Interestingly, after the relatively poor sales of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, sales monitor Chart-Track says WWII’s sales were “significantly higher” than that 2016 title.

Below Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed Origins drops one place to No.2, while FIFA 18 continues to chart well at No.3. The rest of the top 10 is filled with huge titles, while the only new title this week is Spintires: Mudrunner, which debuts at No.24.

Although Call of Duty: WWII’s launch has so far been a successful one for publisher Activision, it has not been without its problems. The game has suffered from server issues, prompting developer Sledgehammer to close its leaderboards and make a number of other temporary changes. Despite this, the shooter has garnered a positive reception since launch, and GameSpot’s Call of Duty: WWII review awarded the game a 9/10. Critic Miguel Concepcion wrote: “As one of the most comprehensive and filler-free Call of Dutys in recent memory, Call of Duty: WWII successfully capitalizes on the series’ strengths.”

For more on Sledgehammer’s huge title, check out our guide on how to get the Tesla Gun in Zombies Mode or take a look at the quest that rewards you for watching other players open loot boxes.

You can read the full top 10 sales chart below, courtesy of Chart-Track. Note this table does not include digital sales data, and so should not be considered representative of all UK game sales.

1. Call of Duty: WWII
2. Assassin’s Creed Origins
3. FIFA 18
4. Super Mario Odyssey
5. Gran Turismo Sport
6. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
7. Forza Motorsport 7
8. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
9. Forza Horizon 3
10. Middle-earth: Shadow of War

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