Category: Techradar

  • Nintendo would 'love' Red Dead Redemption 2 on Switch – here's why it isn't

    Nintendo would 'love' Red Dead Redemption 2 on Switch – here's why it isn't

    Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aimé has explained why Red Dead Redemption 2 didn’t release on the Nintendo Switch.

    In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter,  when asked if he would be interested in having a game such as Red Dead Redemption 2 on the Switch, Reggie explained that though Nintendo would “love” to have the title on its platform, it wasn’t that simple.

    “Absolutely. We’d love for it to be there,” Reggie told The Hollywood Reporter. “But again –  and this is where there needs to be an understanding of just the development process –  Red Dead has been in development for years, time that predated any communication of Nintendo Switch. So, from the developer’s mentality, they need to move forward and finish the game they’ve been working on and then be in a position to look at other opportunities.”

    Reggie went on to explain that most big third-party titles began development before the Nintendo Switch, which is why they potentially haven’t made it to the platform. “What happens moving forward? We’ll see,” he teased. 

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  • PlayStation Classic now supports wireless DualShock controllers thanks to 8Bitdo

    Sony’s PlayStation Classic retro console certainly takes its inspiration from Nintendo’s miniaturized machines – right down to the ‘nostalgia factor’ of bundling the box with old-school wired gamepads. Wired gamepads, might we add, that have cables so short you’ll be sat right next to your TV – a recipe for the square eyes our parents warned us about.

    Accessory makers 8-BitDo have come to the rescue however – it’s opening up pre-orders for a USB adaptor that lets you use all manner of wireless pads, lag free, with the mini console.

    That opens up the newer DualShock 4 and DualShock 3 pads for use with the console. But that’s not all – the dongle can be used with the Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac and Raspberry Pi machines, and can also support the Nintendo Switch Pro, Switch Joy-Cons, Wii Mote, Wii U Pro and a number of other lesser-known wireless USB pads, giving all the mentioned computers and consoles use all manner of other pads.

    A real classic?

    It’s a pity then that the PlayStation Classic itself is a bit of a disappointment. Though its external design is a great mini mimic of the original groundbreaking console, its pre-installed game library is missing out on some of the “classics” to make it justify its name.

    The console also uses a lackluster emulation system that sees some games run in ways inferior even to Sony’s own previous emulation efforts with the PSP, PS Vita and PlayStation 3.

    Still, if you’ve got that retro bug and want the comfort of a wire-free life in the near future, pre-orders are open now at $19.99 (around £16 / AU$28).

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  • The best Xbox One prices, deals and bundles for Christmas 2018

    The best Xbox One prices, deals and bundles for Christmas 2018

    Freshly discounted Xbox One prices have appeared for this year’s Christmas sales and we’re already seeing some of the lowest prices of the year. We’ve added plenty of brand new Xbox bundles today too as new deals are arriving all the time now. Better still, Microsoft is really pushing discounts on the 1TB consoles, which are much more accommodating for your library of games and their large install sizes than the regular 500GB models. Red Dead Redemption 2, FIFA 19, Forza Horizon 4 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider are all getting in on the Xbox One deals train today for some of the best deals of the year so far.

    Microsoft still needs to pull its socks up as the Xbox One sales are way behind those of the PS4 and owners of Sony’s console may by eyeing up a Nintendo Switch purchase soon instead.

    Retailers are stocking some cheap Xbox One deals as standalone purchases, but the best value is to be found with the bundles with extra games. Xbox One bundles nowadays often cost less than the standalone consoles prices too, so be sure to check out our hand-picked list of the best Xbox One offers below the comparison charts. Or maybe you’re looking for a 4K upgrade? Then you’ll want to take a look at the latest Xbox One X bundles.

    Looking to buy in the US or Australia? You’ll want to head on over to our US page or AU page.

    cheap xbox one s deals

    Xbox One deals

    The slimmed-down design of the Xbox One S looks much better than the original chunky box and the power brick is now a thing of the past. The main draw though is 4K visual support meaning you’ll be able to watch specialised Blu-Ray and Netflix content in 4K on your new 4K TV

    The Xbox One S is now the standard console and has replaced the older model that’s been phased out at retailers. The Xbox One S is cheaper too, so in all honesty we’ve generally stopped covering deals on the older model as you’re getting better value with the newer version and we’ve not spotted any decent stock for months now.

    Xbox One Deal of the Week

    The best Xbox One bundle deals

    More Xbox One prices

    Still not found your ideal Xbox One deal in our highlights of the best offers out there? Why not check out more Xbox One bundles directly from the retailers from our list below?

    The best Xbox One X deals

    The new Xbox One X is capable of displaying games in glorious HDR 4K and is the most powerful console ever made. Sadly, it has the price-tag to match too as it’s way more expensive than the Xbox One S. The comparison chart below is mainly full of prices for the new console on its own. However, we’re starting to see better offers appear online where you can get discounted (or sometimes free) games included too. For more details, head on over to our extensive Xbox One X bundles page for the best value deals.

    Xbox Live Gold deals

    If you’re looking to play your Xbox games online or take advantage of the free Games with Gold initiative, you’ll want to check out our cheap Xbox Live Gold deals page where’s we’ve found prices considerably cheaper than the default RRP.

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  • How Doom changed PC gaming forever

    How Doom changed PC gaming forever

    It’s been so long since Doom first slipped into floppy disk drives the world over that there’s an entire generation of console and PC players out there who’ve never even heard of Doom, let alone played it. 

    And yet, despite its age, this dusty old relic lives on every shooter that’s come and gone since. Every single First Person Shooter that’s taken over the world – or failed miserably – can doff its cap to Id Software’s seminal piece of software.

    Not many games can call themselves genuine milestones, but Doom can claim such a title with confidence. For its 25th anniversary, we look at how Doom helped change PC gaming forever.

    Bloody blueprint

    There are just so many elements that programmers John Romero and John Carmack helped popularize back in 1993 – concepts that laid out a fundamental blueprint not just for shooters, but for western videogames as a whole in the decades that followed.

    The use of immersive 3D graphics at a time where games were still resigned to flat 2D sprites in 16-bits. It helped set the groundwork for networked multiplayer matches. It promoted the use of mods (or ‘WADs’ as they were known back then). Even how it deftly juggled everything from realistic gun physics to intricate level design. There’s a reason why plenty of games that came after were called ‘Doom clones’.

    Doom was a breath of fresh air in so many ways. Rather than burying the player in needless narrative and the crushing presence of lore, Id Software let the levels themselves tell the story for it. 

    The sharp corners and constrictive corridors that exploded out into open arenas. Secret rooms full of treasure and death. It was a nightmare and a playground all in one, offering a stark alternative to the repetitive tunnels of, say, Wolfenstein 3D.

    From the use of disorientating ways teleports would whisk you to a new part of the map, or how some chambers would be near pitch black while others were bright with daylight. It featured a labyrinthine approach that fostered a sense of chaos, long before the randomised concept of procedural generation. 

    But by learning where every turn would take you, where every secret was hidden and where every shotgun could be found, Doom empowered you in a way few other games did at the time.

    History of violence

    Of course, when you’ve created your own gaming subculture and established a flashpoint in the development scene, you’re always going to get copycats. However, among all those forgettable instalments you could finally see developers taking the principles Doom set in place and taking them one step further.

    Marathon, for example – which arrived a good year later in 1994 – made a far smoother and more user–friendly take on networked multiplayer (a concept which Bungie would take countless steps further with Halo: Combat Evolved seven years later). It would take another five years for deathmatches to fund their feet online in 1999, but Doom’s influence was already spreading its roots.

    In the same year, System Shock – the precursor to BioShock and its own gaggle of copycats – also dropped, and it too took considerable inspiration from Id’s seminal corridor shooter. 

    It took the sense of dread Doom had captured so well and made you even more vulnerable, placing more emphasis on puzzle solving and storyline. The result was a game that was well ahead of its time in the early ’90s, especially in regards to its 3D visuals and physics engine.

    Right away, the formula of Doom’s DNA continued to thrive in the burgeoning ‘corridor shooter’ scene. Who would have thought it would be this genre that would help rejuvenate the Star Wars licence? Not only that, but those core tenants would evolve as a result. So, when LucasArts unleashed Star Wars: Dark Forces it presented a considerable step forwards for the genre.

    Previously, shooters had mostly stuck to using an X–Y axis for movement (where you could look left and right, but not up or down). Thanks in part to the in-house Jedi engine, players in Dark Forces could look around in true 3D fashion, which – when coupled with the game’s innovative use of multi-tiered levels – created one of the most immersive shooters yet.

    In the three years after Doom’s first release in December 1993, 3D graphics evolved in leaps and bounds, and studios began finding new ways to innovate in terms of both aesthetics and programming ideas. Duke Nukem 3D was less of trendsetter and more of a pastiche, but it still took countless features from Doom and riffed on them.

    Levels were filled with secret rooms and shortcuts, weapons were over-the-top in their sheer violence and no one had managed to make a shooter quite as humorous as one starring the titular Duke. It was satire, but Doom’s legacy was there for all to see.

    In the same year, Bethesda Softworks unleashed The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall on the world, finally freeing the corridor shooter from its traditional linear environments. 

    Embracing more of a traditional RPG setup, Daggerfall was a revelation in its approach to ‘open–world’ level design (an entirely new term at the time) and grander storytelling.

    In all honesty, it was a world away from the flat The Elder Scrolls Arena in 1994, but even as an antithesis to the speed and mechanical purity of Doom (especially with its heavy focus on story and world-building), it still owed much to Doom’s pioneering presence.

    Mod scene

    Of course, another big game launched in 1996, and it just happened to be from the makers of Doom itself. Quake was a giant leap forwards in every way for the genre, taking countless elements that made Doom so quintessentially addictive and making it even more irresistible.

    While Doom employed the use of flat sprites in a 3D environment, Quake’s new engine used fully-rendered 3D assets, and the difference was night and day. It made for more intricate levels, far more detailed enemies and set the stage for some of the decade’s best online multiplayer arenas, including the still-brilliant Quake 3 Arena.

    By the late ‘90s, Doom’s popularity continued to grow, despite its age. Why? Because of how its developer had embraced the huge modding community. The programmers of tomorrow were building their own levels, playing with the game engine and finding new and ingenious ways to play online.

    John Cormack even went as far as releasing the source code for Doom in 1997. This set a precedent for fan-made content and informed everything from the rise of Counter–Strike out of Half-Life and the sheer volume of mods for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim years later.

    Just before the Millennium, the blueprint for networked multiplayer had evolved once more, as online matchmaking became an affordable and technically proficient means of connecting shooter fans. 

    Within the space of a month in 1999, the PC gaming community saw deathmatches taken to new heights with Quake 3 Arena and Unreal Tournament. Inspired by both the deep creativity of the modding community and the groundbreaking work of Id, these two games made online multiplayer fast, fun and endlessly replayable.

    The advent of online multiplayer played right into one of Doom’s most misunderstood traits: that movement, momentum and positioning are far more important than firepower alone. 

    For the likes of Unreal Tournament and Quake 3 Arena, speed was everything. Jump pads, teleporters and collecting health/shield power–ups tapped directly into Doom’s focus on tactical movement. Doom was always about survival: learning to use every resource at your disposal to go from desperate survivor to untouchable god.

    Doom eternal

    Of course, in the modern era, shooters have taken on a very different guise, where various new systems and ideas and have long weighed the genre down. XP progression, crafting mechanics, over–the–top set–pieces and convoluted stories all convalesce to pull the genre in countless directions.

    It’s a good thing in its own way, as games should always be moving forwards, and it’s the prerogative for developers to push the envelope, but it does make you long for a shooter that’s free from over–complication.

    With only six weapons to its name, Doom didn’t need a Matrix–style rack of upgradeable weapons, skill–trees and myriad characters. It just needed a problem-solving mind and an itchy trigger finger. So it’s fitting that 25 years on, Doom feels more relevant than ever. There’s a purity to its simplicity. It can be an arcade blaster for some, but for others it’s a far more nuanced creature filled with strategies, secrets and more.

    The 2016 reboot has retained some of that purity with its focus on unbridled creative violence and the strategy of momentum, movement and positioning – and its sequel, 2019’s Doom Eternal looks to continue that mantra – but even it has lost some of the magic that spartan early ’90s approach bestowed upon its predecessor.

    Being a product of inferior technology and limited resources has resigned plenty of games to irrelevance as the medium continues to grow and change, but Doom’s characteristics have somehow defied age. Every pixel has its place, and every element has its purpose, even now, 25 years later. Here’s to another 25 years of blowing us away, Doom.

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  • The best PS4 Pro prices, deals and bundles for Christmas 2018

    The best PS4 Pro prices, deals and bundles for Christmas 2018

    So you’re thinking about PS4 Pro deals or maybe a bundle? Well we can help you out there especially as you’ve come to say hello around the Christmas sales. This is a fine time of year to grab the best prices as you can get at least one free game with the console compared to last week and save some money on the console itself too. Maybe you’re upgrading from your older PS4 so you can dive into 4K gaming. Or maybe you’ve never had a PS4 and are thinking you may as well start with the best. All solid choices, especially if you’re already set with a 4K TV, even better if it has HDR too.

    There are some fantastic-looking games out now to really make a PS4 Pro shine, with this year alone rocking with Spider-Man, God of War and Detroit: Become Human and things are looking bright later on too with Red Dead Redemption 2, The Last of Us Part 2 and more set to drop jaws around the world once again.

    You’ll find all of the latest and best PS4 Pro prices from the big name stores in our comparison chart below. There’s not too much difference in price between retailers at this time of year, but we’re constantly on the lookout for the latest deals and bundles. Looking to buy in Australia? You’ll want to take a look at our AU page.

    If you’d prefer a standard PS4, then check out our PS4 bundles page. Don’t forget to top up your subscription with one of our discounted PlayStation Plus deals too.

    So keep this page bookmarked to stay informed of the latest PS4 Pro bundles when they arrive. If you’re looking for more information on the PS4 Pro, take a look at our handy Q&A below the bundles.

    PS4 Pro bundle deals (USA)

    Worthwhile PS4 Pro bundles have been pretty much non-existent in the US for the last few months. The PS4 Pro on its own has seemingly sold out at the regular $399 price, meaning we’ve only seen units for sale via third-party sellers on sites like Amazon/Walmart for prices often at least $40 more than usual. This long after release, we’re not cool with that you shouldn’t be either. As a bare minimum, you want at least one game with the console for $399, ideally less in the next few months. The only decent PS4 Pro bundle today is the Read Dead Redemption 2 one we’ve just added below, don’t expect stock to last long on this one though.  

    PS4 Pro bundle deals (UK)

    Need an extra controller on the cheap? Take a look at the best DualShock 4 deals. We also have a guide to the best PlayStation VR deals too.

    Cheap PlayStation Plus deals

    If you’re buying a PS4 Pro, you’ll probably need a cheap PlayStation Plus deal too. PlayStation Plus (aka PS Plus or PS+) allows you to play PS4 games online, along with access to the Instant Game Collection, a bunch of free games for PS4, PS3 and Vita each month. The default price for a year is £40. We’ve shopped around for you though and found a range of prices. So check out our guide of you want the best PlayStation Plus deals.

    What is the PS4 Pro?

    Essentially, the PS4 Pro is an upgrade of the PS4, rather than a ‘next-gen’ console. The keywords to take in from the PS4 Pro are 4K and HDR. The new machine will allow game developers to include 4K options in their games, so expect the like of Uncharted 4, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Days Gone, Horizon: Zero Dawn and more to look even better on a 4K TV.

    HDR, or High Dynamic Range is the other buzzword to be excited about as the PS4 Pro will allow for extra detail to be seen on a range of games and also a wider range of colors not usually displayed by traditional HD TVs.

    Will my old PS4 games work on PS4 Pro?

    Absolutely. If you’re planning on upgrading to a PS4 Pro from an older PS4, all of your games will still work. Not every title will be patched to take advantage of the new 4K/HDR capabilities, but the default upscaling (if you have a 4K TV) will more than likely see some improvement to the visuals and the improved console power may give the frame-rate a boost on some titles.

    What else can I watch in 4K/HDR on PS4 Pro?

    The PS4 Pro is compatible with 4K and HDR, and the content options for both are increasing all the time on services like YouTube and Netflix.

    Does the PS4 Pro support 4K Blu-rays?

    No. This was a surprise if we’re honest, especially as the new Xbox One S console does. It’s a bit of a gamble for Sony, but at the same time, 4K Blu-rays are very expensive for now and many consumers look to digital services to provide their 4K movies and TV content.

    Do I need a 4K TV to run a PS4 Pro?

    No, the PS4 Pro will still work on a regular 1080p TV, you won’t get the benefits of upscaling or HDR though. You may see a slim amount of extra detail, or frame-rate boost, but we wouldn’t expect a massive leap.

    If you are thinking of buying a 4K TV soon, then it’s probably a good idea to splash out on the PS4 Pro instead of the regular or new PS4 Slim as it’ll future proof you for a while. Be sure to look out for a TV that supports HDR too, in order to take full advantage of the PS4 Pro’s capabilities.

    Will PlayStation VR be better on the PS4 Pro?

    Early reports say yes. The PlayStation VR frame-rate is better on PS4 Pro and the resolution gets a bit of a bump too. PlayStation VR will certainly work on the older PS4s, you don’t need a PS4 Pro to get involved there.

    Does the PS4 Pro have optical audio support?

    Yes! The optical audio output has been removed from the PS4 Slim though, which is a massive shame. PS4 Pro owners though will still be able to use optical connections for their soundbars and sound systems.

    What are the best games on PS4 Pro?

    We’ve dived through our back catalog of PS4 games that have received a PS4 Pro update patch to see which ones look the best and have a noticeable difference. Take a look at our extensive feature – The best PS4 Pro games.

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  • The best Boxing Day sales 2018: what to expect before the January sales

    The Boxing Day sales have turned into a special event to finish off the year in style for all those last-minute bargains. But with so many stores shouting about new deals it can all turn into a bit of a blur, or maybe that’s the eggnog and excessive amounts of turkey lulling us into a slumber.

    The short version: you’ve got better things to be doing on the Christmas break than checking all the usual retailers and shifting through deals. So let us do it for you and roundup the finest ones right here!

    When do the Boxing Day sales start?

    Not a silly question at all. We actually saw lots of retailers push the button (probably with gravy on their fingers) quite early on Christmas Day. But it’s not unusual to see some stores unleash new deals a few days earlier too. With so many super fast delivery options available now, or in-store pickup, retailers are keen to keep the deals going right until the last possible moment before Christmas Day. And a good thing too given how many of us tend to buy late – we’ll start soon, honest. Maybe next week. 

    If just before Christmas is the time to scramble for last-minute gifts, anytime from the day itself onwards is the chance to treat yourself or use those gift vouchers to make a great deal a truly spectacular bargain. Let’s do this!

    When do the January sales start?

    Expect an early start here too. Although if we’re going off the last few years, the January sales haven’t been particularly special. It’s been all about the Boxing Day deals really, although we’re pleased to report some of the better ones stayed online a good few days into January. January sales are more of a continuation of the Boxing Day sales so you can probably expect to see many stores simply rebrand the sales to ‘January’ ones from the day after Boxing Day on December 27th. 

    Given many workplaces are off until around January 2nd, retailers are keen to show you the best deals as soon as possible while you’ve got time off at home rather than try to push deals on you while you’re heading back to work or nursing that New Year’s Eve hangover.

    Who’s having a Boxing Day sale?

    All the big stores get stuck in. With so many keen shoppers going online over the Christmas period in recent years, it’s just too good a chance for them to finish 2018 off with some extra money in the bank. Let’s take a look at the big hitters below and what you can nab from each.

    Boxing Day sales retailer quick links

    More a fan of browsing through the sales for your own special deals? Well, let us give you a head start. The links below will take you through to a wide range of retailers we’re used to seeing get stuck into the Boxing Day and January sales spirit.

    The best Boxing Day sales and deals from last year

    Want a little taste of what to expect in the upcoming Boxing Day sales? Directly below you’ll find a selection of some of the best deals we saw last year. Naturally, these prices expired a long time ago, but they they could be even cheaper now too! We’d certainly keep our fingers crossed for lower prices each year too. 

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  • 40 best PC games 2018: the must-play titles you don’t want to miss

    Now that we have the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti and Intel has launched its Coffee Lake Refresh lineup that promises to hold the best processors for gaming, 2018 is the best time to dive into the best PC games. So, if you want to get in on the action of the top PC games 2018 has to offer, like Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey or Shadow of the Tomb Raider, we’ll show you the best PC games of 2018.

    We gathered up the 40 best PC games you can buy today. And, trust us – you really need to try these out for yourself. You don’t even need to have skills with a keyboard and mouse – many of the best PC games can be played with a controller. Even if you don’t have one of the best gaming PCs at your disposal, you can pick up many of the best PC games on other platforms, like PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

    If you’re new to PC gaming, you picked an awesome time to join in on the fun. We’d love to extend you a warm welcome. While some PC gamers might be elitist gatekeepers, we here at TechRadar embrace anyone that wants to play. So, with that in mind, it’s time to explore the best PC games you can play in 2018.

    Linux, Windows or Mac – which one is best for you? Watch our guide video below:

    Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article

    If you ask someone who’s been playing the best PC games for years, they’ll likely tell you the premier game to benchmark your new gaming rig with was either Metro 2033 or Metro: Last Light. And, if you missed out on those exciting times, you’re in luck. This PC-centric shooter series will be pushing another generation of PCs to their limits when Metro Exodus launches later this year – and if Nvidia’s RTX demo showed us anything, it’s that you’re going to want a beefy rig to play this game.

    Forgoing the cramped metro tunnels of the first two titles, Metro Exodus will instead focus on the surface, offering players large areas to explore – without sacrificing the tension that the previous games’ linearity allowed. 

    This game is sure to be one of the most beautiful games when it eventually launches. Unfortunately, it was just pushed back to 2019, so we’ll have to wait just a bit longer to get our hands on it.

    Expected: 2019

    Look, we know that this game is starting to get old, but it is aging like fine wine. Even three years after its release it’s one of the most ambitious open world games that’s ever existed – combining Skyrim’s unabashed scale with Grand Theft Auto V’s insane depth. It’s such a jam-packed games, that it’s still one of the best PC games in 2018. Huge, beautiful and an absolute time sink – in a good way – The Witcher 3: Wild hunt isn’t just the best PC game in 2018, but it may be one of the best video games of all time. 

    Dragon Age: Inquisition, while not perfect, puts you in the midst of a huge, vibrant world on a much larger scale than past Dragon Age titles. Packed with hours of engrossing story and a wealth of side content, Dragon Age: Inquisition brings the series to an open world setting in a smart and compelling way. It might not be a new game, but for this excellent blend of Elder Scrolls and Baldur’s Gate, it’s still one of the best PC games available in 2018. 

    Assassin’s Creed is basically a household name among the best PC games in 2018. And, starting with last year’s Origins, Ubisoft has been making huge efforts to revitalize the aging franchise. Well, we’re happy to report that they’ve succeeded. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey feels like an improvement in every sense of the word over last years entry, feeling like a completely different game than older games in Ubisoft’s flagship series. 

    This time around, despite the drama about microtransactions, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey places you in the shoes of Kassandra or Alexios, in the middle of the Peloponnesian War, as you look for your lost mother and father. And, while the main story – which will have you switching alliances between the Spartans and the Athenians – will likely get lost in the mix along the way, the world that Ubisoft has created is as rich and beautiful as ever before. 

    Just make sure you have one of the best graphics cards before you even try to run Assassin’s Creed Odyssey at a higher resolution. 

    If you’re looking for one of the best open world games on PC, you can’t go wrong here. So, join us in exploring ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey.

    Although it’s arguably not as difficult as previous entries in the series, From Software’s Dark Souls 3 takes everything you like about the Souls series and combines it with elements found in Bloodborne, the developer’s more recent game for PS4.

    We’re not going to lie – Dark Souls 3 isn’t easy. It still takes skill and, more importantly, patience to master its complex combat system, but it plays fair too, inviting more casual gamers to take part in its bleak, fantastical world. Plus, on the bright side, it brings remarkably better PC optimization than that of the first game. And, now that you can pick up Dark Souls: Remastered and see where this apocalyptic series got its start – there’s never been a better time to link the first flame.

    Pillars of Eternity made a huge splash in the PC gaming scene when it launched a few years ago – Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire follows faithfully in its footsteps. Not only is this one of the best RPGs you can play today, but it’s also one of the best PC games 2018 has to offer. 

    Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire puts players in the middle of the Deadfire Archipelago in pursuit of an ancient god. Along the way you’ll find yourself immersed in a rich, dense and long story crafted by Obsidian Entertainment – arguably the masters of RPGs.

    If you enjoy old school RPGs like Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights, and long for a return to those storied days – do yourself a favor and don’t miss out on Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. It’s one of the best RPGs we’ve ever played. 

    Do yourself a favor, though, and check out Pillars of Eternity first – it still holds up as one of the best PC games and your story will carry over to the sequel. 

    Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most anticipated console ports to ever hit the PC. You probably didn’t need telling twice to head back into Los Santos’s hugely detailed and interactive world, but it’s 10 times more fun with the PC’s richer graphics and smooth 60 frames per second gameplay. After you’ve completed its 30-hour campaign, there’s an overflow of post-game content to enjoy here. Most recently that includes The Doomsday Heist in GTA Online and even a radio station hosted by Frank Ocean.

    BioShock is a first-person shooter that takes concepts from Ayn Rand’s Atlast Shrugged and tosses them underseas. To be exact, BioShock takes place in an underwater city called Rapture, free from government regulation, designed for artists and entrepreneurs to thrive. Of course, not all goes well in a city where the residents have all the power and, well, stop what you’re doing and play it right now if you haven’t already.

    You’re in for one of the great games if you play BioShock, one that balances story elements with horror nigh-perfectly. There’s a remastered version out there now, too, which is free of charge if you own the original.

    Set 15 years after the events of the first Alien film from 1979, Alien: Isolation is the suspense-packed game that fans of the franchise have been crying out for. Playing the role of Amanda Ripley, daughter of Alien protagonist Ellen Ripley, your mission is to track down and recover the flight recorder of the Nostromo spacecraft from the first Alien film which has been located aboard the Sevastopol space station. First and foremost a stealth game, Isolation ramps up the tension by providing you with minimal weaponry. Its excellent graphics shine on high-end PCs and clever AI helps ramp up the dread, leaving you to quiver when turning every corner.

    Overwatch, if nothing else, completely changed the landscape away from the norm of gray-ish cover shooters in the realm of competitive gaming. Its bright, vibrant colors are complemented by likeable characters, each decorated with their own interesting backstories which, though not present in game, make for a collection of awesome webcomics and cinematics.

    Overwatch is also one of the best PC games, because of how well it runs on all kinds of different hardware. Sure, it’s a bit old now, but even in 2018, it’s the best PC game for anyone looking for some competitive action. If somehow you’ve missed out on this game, do yourself a favor – sign in to your Battle.net account and take Overwatch, and its colorful cast of characters, for a spin today.

    Even if it came out almost 6 years ago, Counter-Strike Global Offensive is still a fantastic update to a timeless classic that continues to thrive thanks to its vast online communities – it’s truly one of the best PC games. Global Offensive is a well-rounded tactical shooter that builds on the simple Terrorists vs Counter-Terrorists gameplay of Counter-Strike 1.6, by updating classic maps such as Italy and Dust – while also adding new modes in Arms Race and Demolition. Simpler than Battlefield, but more complex than Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a shooter for those who like to think – if only just a little bit. 

    In a lot of ways, Far Cry 5 is the ultimate Far Cry game – combining all of the elements that has made the series successful, while cutting a lot of the fat (including the towers, thank god). And while on its own it doesn’t do anything entirely new, it perfects the Far Cry formula to a point where Far Cry 5 is one of the best open world First Person Shooters you can play in 2018.

    After a very heavy and intense intro, you’re dumped in the middle of rural Montana and given the task of dismantling the local cult. But, that quickly fades into the background as a myriad of activities – from hunting down aliens to taking out outposts – ultimately become your focus. But it’s precisely this focus on playing your own way that makes Far Cry 5 so special. 

    For years, Monster Hunter has been one of the biggest franchises you’ve never heard of. However, with Monster Hunter: World, the series has not only broken into the mainstream, but it has also come home where it really belongs: it’s now one of the best PC games 2018 has offered so far.

    Monster Hunter: World places you in the shoes of a, well, monster hunter, and you’ll hunt progressively bigger and nastier monsters, strip them for parts and craft bigger and badder armor. It’s a deceptively simple gameplay loop, that ends up being one of the most enthralling and rewarding PC games you can play today. 

    There’s a never-ending onslaught of content in this game, and Capcom, the developers of this monster hunting hit, are dedicated to bringing a wealth of free DLC to the game. So, if you’re looking for an addictive, engaging and most importantly, fun game to play by yourself or with all your best friends cooperatively, check out Monster Hunter: World – it really is one of the best PC games you can buy today.

    A 90s classic brought back to life (unlike its main protagonist), Grim Fandango Remastered is a successful attempt at reviving one of the PC’s best adventure games of all time. Combining writing that matches the funniest dark comedies with clever puzzles and a still-impressive art style, Grim Fandango was the most entertaining work of art to take place in a Mexican setting for years until Breaking Bad came along. Now with updated graphics, sound and better controls, Manna Calavera’s adventure has never looked so good.

    Six years after its initial release, Skyrim is going as strong as ever thanks to a vast selection of mods and high-resolution texture packs. Even if you’re only interested in playing the vanilla version of the RPG, it offers more than 100 hours of gameplay.

    Throw in three action packs DLC expansion packs (Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn), and it lasts even longer. That Skyrim has been compared to graphically superior but similar RPG blockbuster The Witcher 3 is testament to its enduring popularity. Step into Skyrim and you too can be an adventurer – just try not to take an arrow in the knee.

    And, if you’re looking for a more, well, special version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Bethesda has you covered – it can’t seem to stop releasing and re-releasing Skyrim for every platform. You can even play it in VR.

    If you’re anything like us, and you secretly pine for the days of ultra-fast arena shooters, you’re going to absolutely love Quake Champions. 

    Unlike many 90’s series, Quake Champions completely retains that classic Quake style. You’re dumped into a relatively small map with a ton of verticality and armed with the craziest weaponry you could imagine. And, there’s no battle royale or any other trendy game modes here – it’s deathmatch all the way, baby.

    Much in the same way that Id Software mastered the reboot of Doom and brought it to a modern audience, Quake Champions is a nostalgic shooter that still manages to feel fresh in 2018. The kicker? If you act fast, you can score it for free on Steam ahead of its full release.

    The phrase “build it, and they will come” literally rings true when it comes to Minecraft, the survival-based sandbox RPG that has now been purchased more than 100 million times since its conception in 2009. In it, you can create your own worlds using resources you find in the wild or explore worlds created by other players online. 

    In Minecraft, you can either limit yourself to the numerous tools and blocks provided by the developer, Mojang, or you can install mods to truly capitalize on your investment. What’s more, come 2018, you’ll be able to take part in the Super Duper Graphics Pack, an optional piece of DLC that adds more realistic lighting effects and textures to an already fantastic product.

    The Orange Box may be showing its age, but it remains a must-play collection of games – particularly for FPS fans. Half-Life 2, technically still the most recent game in Valve’s franchise (excluding its Episode 1 and 2 add-ons), remains a modern masterpiece and is famed for being the first game to intelligently apply physics to its puzzles and combat set-pieces.

    The collection’s other titles aren’t too shabby either: Portal takes gravity-based puzzles to the extreme by equipping the player with the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device (also known as the Portal Gun), which places two portals for objects to pass through, while Team Fortress 2 continues to go from strength-to-strength thanks to the introduction of custom gear and well-balanced team combat.

    Sometimes a game that’s been out for 10 years becomes temporarily free on Origin and you just have to play it. Dead Space is one of those games. A survival horror game by definition, this acclaimed piece of science fiction stars a fittingly named Isaac Clarke, whose name itself is a combination of the famous sci-fi authors Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov. Told from an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective, Dead Space is a rescue mission story, wherein you (as Isaac) are tasked with investigating a mining ship mysteriously full of alien virus-infected dead bodies. All the while, you’ll have to stay on top of upgrading your futuristic ‘RIG’ suit too.   

    Id Software’s Doom was a phenomena for PC gamers in the 90s. The crudely rendered first-person shooter series was as controversial as it was beloved, largely thanks to its cutting-edge depictions of gore and violence that only a computer could deliver. Parents be damned, the franchise has made a comeback in 2016 with a fresh restart, appropriately titled Doom. Although the multiplayer might not appeal to shooter fans regardless of age, the single player campaign will pit you against demons in Hell for a lengthy experience that’s as bloody as it is satisfying.

    If Forza Horizon 3 is the racing game for newcomers to racing games, Asetto Corsa is the game for the grizzled experts. Its obtuse handling and insane difficulty straight from the get go makes it a toss up for one of the most realistic racing simulators of all time. And, even if you can get it on consoles, unlike Project Cars, this is a game that was developed for PC first. Everything about this game, from its demanding career mode to its deep seated driving mechanics – which basically require a racing wheel accessory – make it a joy for die-hard petrolheads, even if its difficulty curve is often just backbreaking. 

    Modelled after the 1984 game Elite, Elite: Dangerous is one of the most ambitious space sims around. Featuring an in-game galaxy based on the real Milky Way (how’s 400 billion stars for depth?), the ultimate goal is to advance your rankings to Elite status by levelling up combat, trading and exploration.

    Starting out with a rickety ship and 1,000 credits in your space suit’s back pocket, you’ll need to turn to piracy, trading, exploring, mining or bounty hunting to rise through the intergalactic ranks. Doing so takes time and requires serious graft, but the experience provides a level of satisfaction that few other titles can match. And then there’s the Oculus Rift

    Sometimes, you just want to jump into a virtual world and blow stuff up. Luckily, that’s exactly what Just Cause 4 allows you to do. This open world sandbox of destruction lets you loose on a completely made up island, where you’re tasked with overthrowing an oppressive regime – by causing as much mayhem as possible. Why? Well, just ‘cause.

    You’ll have access to a ton of different gadgets, weapons and vehicles that’ll see you soaring through the air, sailing across the waves and crashing into the ground when you screw up that epic stunt. You knew it wasn’t going to work, but you had to try it anyway. If all you want is unbridled chaos, Just Cause 4 is easily one of the best PC games of 2018.

    Described as “achingly beautiful” by Unity Engine boss John Riccitiello, Ori and the Blind Forest borrows its game mechanics from old-school 2D games such as Metroid and Castlevania while adding a modern twist. If any word can describe Ori’s atmospheric world, it’s alive. You’ll have to think fast and use new abilities gained along the way to bash, stop and manoeuvre your way through its gorgeous locations, and with no automatic saving system or easy difficulty level, it’s no walk in the park. As satisfying to master as it is to look at, Ori and the Blind Forest will re-open your eyes to what 2D games still have to offer.

    Grow Home is an experimental PC platformer that looks like an “indie” game but is in fact the latest release from Rayman developer Ubisoft. Similarly charming thanks to its distinctive 3D art style, you play as BUD, the game’s robot protagonist, whose main job is harvest seeds and grow a beanstalk-like ‘Star Plant’ by grabbing its branches and connecting them to nearby floating islands in the sky.

    There’s a fair bit of trial-and-error involved, and while having to climb all the way back up again after a fall is frustrating, grabbing a passing vine at the last minute by the tips of your fingers can be equally as exhilarating. The ability to move BUD’s arms and legs independently helps put you in control – just try not to get them tangled up. Because you will – a lot.

    Besides Final Fantasy, there isn’t a franchise that carries as much weight in the Japanese RPG genre as Dragon Quest. For decades, these have been the penultimate JRPGs for many – even inspiring many modern classics like Pokemon. And, for the first time in 14 years, Dragon Quest has made its way to home consoles, and more importantly to PC for the first time ever.

    Dragon Quest XI is a beautiful, colorful JRPG that’ll put you in the shoes of a young prince that’s set out to – save the world, obviously. You’ll get about 80-100 hours out of the game, and every moment will be memorable and magical. It even features art from Akira Toriyama, best known for his work on Dragonball – it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best PC games of 2018. 

    Already familiar to millions before they’ve played a played a second of it, Rocket League turns the age old game of football (or soccer, depending) on its head. Played with rocket-propelled cars in futuristic low-gravity environments, the aim is simple: knock the ball into the opposing team’s goal. Doing so is harder said than done because there could be up to three cars on the opposing team trying to steal the ball off you – or ram you into submission – at any one time. Gorgeous to look, simple to learn but difficult to master, Rocket League is the surprise smash hit of 2015 – and a wonderfully addictive one at that.

    Read: 8 real-life footballers in Rocket League: which one are you?

    As inevitable as sandals in summer, Blizzard finally launched its first MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game in June. Featuring a ton of characters from Blizzard games such as Warcraft, World of Warcraft and Starcraft 2, Heroes of the Storm sees two teams of five attempt to destroy the other’s base. When not sounding out enemy units to destroy, its expansive maps give you room to take on secondary objectives such as finding skulls or unlocking special siege units to help your team.

    Accessible to newcomers while packing plenty of depth, Heroes’ finely balanced gameplay mechanics, shorter matches (compared to League of Legends) and ability-based levelling system make it a refreshing alternative to established MOBA titles and a fine game in its own right.

    Metal Gear Solid V, the last Metal Game which will be helmed by Hideo Kojima after his forceful ejection from Konami, is a hugely ambitious title. Its massive open world setting allows you to tackle missions using stealth, but you’re still able to go in guns blazing if you prefer – though you won’t get as good a score.

    Taking place nine years after the events of Ground Zeroes, The Phantom Pain’s story unravels through its main missions and more than 100 Side Ops tasks. The action is interspersed with beautiful cutscenes, and while you sometimes have to decode annoying pseudo-military babble to figure out what’s happening, TPP’s fast pacing and beautiful Afghanistan and African settings make sure the game never feels like a chore.

    You can ask basically any veteran PC gamer, and they’ll tell you that Battlefield games have always been among the best PC games. And, with Battlefield V, the trend continues – it’s one of the best PC games 2018 has to offer, period. 

    The core mechanics remain the same, drive, fly, or run to capture points on a map and defend them against the enemy team. However, this year’s offering refines the Operations mode from 2016’s Battlefield 1, and transforms it into, well, Grand Operations. This epic game mode takes place across up to 4 maps, and is meant to portray crucial battles of World War II. It’s an absolute blast, just make sure you have an hour to spare. 

    Battlefield V is also one of the best PC games when it comes to visuals. Never before has war looks so terrifyingly real in a virtual space. The environments are more realistic than ever before, and if you’re rocking an Nvidia Turing card, like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, you can turn on ray tracing and experience out-of-this-world reflections. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s the best PC game in 2018 for FPS fans.

    The 2016 revival of Hitman was a revelation, a rebirth of a classic series that showed what Hitman could be. So, we went into Hitman 2 with high expectations – expectations that paid off. Hitman 2 puts players in even bigger environments, with more complicated missions that will test your creativity in deadly ways. 

    What’s especially notable here though, is the new game modes on offer. You’ll have access to a new Sniper Assassin mode, and most importantly, a co-op game mode – a first for the Hitman series.

    If you’re looking for an engaging stealth experience, you really can’t go wrong with Hitman 2 – it’s one of the best PC games of 2018, easy.

    Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide was one of the best PC games for anyone who loves playing the best PC games with friends. And, we’re delighted to say that Warhammer: Vermintide 2 takes the deep co-operative gameplay of the original and improves on it in every conceivable way.

    Although it technically allows you to form complex strategies with your teammates, the action often turns into chaos, where the only way you can survive is mindlessly bashing at enemies until you, and your teammates (preferably), are the only things left standing. And, because Vermintide 2 adds a wide range of Orc enemies on top of the familiar Skaven enemies, you’ll never run out of things to hack to pieces.

    It’s official: Fallout 4 has lived up to the hype. Despite feeling a little bit like Fallout 3 but with nicer graphics at times, its tighter shooting, in-depth crafting system and well-thought out story make it a wholly more enticing affair.

    As the Sole Survivor (the first fully-voiced protagonist in the Fallout series) in Boston’s post-apocalypse wasteland, you’ll take on Feral Ghouls, Raiders, Syths and Bloodbugs and more with high-powered weaponry that includes the Fat Man mini nuke cannon and the fusion cell-powered Laser Musket.

    If the Call of Duty series is the poison that dumbed down the FPS genre with its run-and-gun gameplay, then Rainbow Six: Siege is the antidote. Working as a team to out-wit the enemy, Siege plays out like a thinking man (or woman’s) Counter-Strike that doesn’t simply encourage cooperation if you want to win – it requires it.

    When you’re not peering down your gun’s iron sights, you’ll be laying traps, scouting ahead using drones, strategising with your teammates and building walls that could keep a herd of demented bulls at bay. While Siege’s heavy reliance on tactical team-based gameplay can prove its biggest weakness if you’re hoisted into a server with a particularly uncooperative bunch, when it does click, it provides a level of satisfaction rarely found in online multiplayer games.

    After the rebooted Tomb Raider and its sublime sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider, the seminal series has won its place among the best PC games with Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Instead of simply porting over a console version and calling it good, Crystal Dynamics has created a technical masterpiece with Lara Croft’s latest adventure. 

    Shadow of the Tomb Raider finds Lara heading down to South America to thwart a Mayan apocalypse. While the scenery isn’t as diverse as in previous titles, it’s still just as arrestingly beautiful throughout. And, with Nvidia’s RTX technology coming later this year, it’s going to be a great way to put the best graphics cards to the test while having some fun at the same time. 

    Imagine a survival-based shooter where every match starts with your avatar being ejected from a cargo plane alongside 99 other players with no weapons or items. That’s PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, or at least the solo, free for all mode. After spending the early minutes of the game digging for resources, you’ll soon be forced to reckon with your own mortality as the body count ticker at the top of the screen descends into desolation.

    Abbreviated PUBG, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is based on another “last man standing” game released back in 2013: PlayerUnknown’s Battle Royale. It doesn’t require a copy of Arma III or H1Z1 to run, but you’ll need to keep your wits about you. There’s no respawning in PUBG, so it’s less about the precision of your aim as it is about your ability to scavenge quickly for weapons, first aid kits and clothing. 

    Picking up immediately after the events of Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will inevitably be heralded as a classic. For some, it’s the punishing old-school gunplay that’s to thank for this. Even on the default difficulty, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will have you fretting for your life. 

    Yet, for others, story reigns supreme. And, if The New Colossus serves as an interactive showcase for anything, it’s story, the most interesting parts of which are told through flashbacks. We won’t go as far as to spoil the plot, but what we will say is that B.J. Blazkowicz’s motives become a lot clearer in this iteration of Wolfenstein, not that he needs to justify killing Nazis.

    Originally created as an entry to the 7 Day FPS Challenge, Superhot’s Polish developers were inspired by a top-down game called Time4Cat where time only moves when the player does. They took this concept one step further and turned it into a FPS. Falling somewhere between Portal and Max Payne, nifty reflexes, patience and an eye for puzzle solving is required.

    The aim is to defeat a finite number of enemies by dodging bullets and returning a few yourself. The game is now available to buy and download on Steam, but you can head back to where it all began by playing the flash version of Superhot online for free. You’ll need the Unity Web Player plugin which is currently not supported by Chrome.

    X-Com 2 is one addictive game, and we still can’t put it down. Following up from 2012’s XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which reimagined the 1994 cult classic UFO: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2 has delivered everything we wanted in a sequel. Bigger, deeper, faster and even easier on the eyes, the turn-based tactics game takes place 20 years after its predecessor.

    It pits you in control of the Avenger, a converted alien ship that serves as your mobile base of operations used to devise strategy and execute fight plans against otherworldly enemies. With a greater focus of stealth, more intelligent alien AI and deeper customization options, XCOM 2 is bound to end up one of our games of the year.

    Anyone familiar with World of Warcraft knows that it’s among the most successful and influential massively multiplayer online role-playing games (or MMORPGs) of all-time. Comprising nearly 14 years of content, with over thousands of hours just waiting to be invested, there are few better games to spend your money on than World of Warcraft.

    With Battle For Azeroth, the all-new expansion pack, players will be able to explore two new continents – Kul Tiras for Alliance players and Zandalar for the Horde. Blizzard has kept the leveling system from Legion, as well, meaning you can tackle the new zones in any order you feel like. This will of course come with all the new raids and dungeons we’ve grown accustomed to over the years and a storyline that will see the two playable factions at each other’s’ throats in a major way.

    From PlatinumGames and Square Enix, Nier: Automata is a sequel to the 2010 cult classic Nier, which itself is a spin-off of the Drakengard series. Technically an action role-playing game, Nier: Automata’s most gripping quality is that it never truly adheres to one particular genre. At times, it’s a 2.5D platformer and, at others, it’s a twin-stick shooter. It’s unpredictable and a breath of fresh air when compared to other PC games out on the market.

    The story centers around a femme android by the name of 2B who is aided by a survey android called 9S, or Nines. With many questions being asked along the way, both of these characters are tasked with extricating Earth from alien machines that have engulfed the planet. Just be conscious of how you play because not only does Nier: Automata feature different endings, but with each new path comes vastly different gameplay. 

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  • Obsidian unveils sci-fi RPG that could steal Starfield's thunder

    In amidst a host of new game announcements – Far Cry: New Dawn, Crash Team Racing, and Dragon Age 4, to name only a few – Obsidian grabbed our attention with the announcement of a new, sci-fi RPG titled The Outer Worlds. 

    The developer is behind some of the best RPGs of recent years, including Pillars of Eternity and South Park: the Stick of Truth – not to mention 2010’s well-received Fallout: New Vegas. And the new RPG, coming in 2019, is giving us serious Fallout-in-space vibes.

    The developer has been teasing its upcoming game for a few months now, but it was only at this week’s Game Awards 2018 that we got an official title and a general sense of the game.

    The Outer Worlds will be a single-player RPG  set on “the frontier of space”, according to the trailer’s narrator – but a frontier that big-brand corporations have bought out and run for their own financial needs.

    Check out the trailer below:

    Setting aside, the trailer shows off some slick animation, bleak but hard-hitting comedy, and a knowing awareness of usual RPG tropes (“You know you didn’t have to shoot either of them, right?”).

    It’s a vibrant twist on the often dour worlds of Fallout, in a fun an expansive new setting – though this is essentially what we expected from Starfield.

    Starfield remains a bit of a mystery, but was confirmed at this year’s E3 2018 as another expansive RPG franchise from Bethesda, alongside The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series. There’s no release date, though we expect it on next-gen consoles not earlier than 2020, and possibly after.

    While the original Starfield trailer was sparse on details – effectively just a shot of a satellite in space getting sucked into a wormhole – we know the game is planning on being made in the same engine as Fallout and Skyrim, with the mechanics – and technical issues – that entails.

    However The Outer Worlds turns out, it may be difficult for Bethesda’s eventual take on the space RPG not to feel like retreaded ground.

    The closing tagline of the trailer sums up both the fun Obsidian is aiming to bring to its space RPG – and possibly fires a parting shot at Bethesda’s plans for something similar with its outdated engine:

    “Welcome to the future… Try not to break it.”

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  • PUBG Mobile 0.10 update: Snow theme, Vikendi map might arrive soon

    PUBG Mobile 0.10 update: Snow theme, Vikendi map might arrive soon

    Soon after kicking off season 4 in PUBG Mobile, players received a fairly rich 0.9.5 update with tons of in-game changes, bug fixes and new weapons. It’s been less than a month and the freshly leaked patch notes suggest that PUBG Mobile will soon receive the 0.10 update with even more substance in the game-play. 

    Of all the new features and improvements, what’s most exciting here is the hotly anticipated snow map, now officially known as Vikendi. If you don’t already know, PUBG has released an official beta of the map on test servers for its PC version today.

    PC version of Vikendi (new snow map)

    Vikendi – Quick gameplay, intense firefights in snow

    The new map is said to be 6Kmx6Km in dimension and is all covered in snow. Unlike the deserted Miramar or topical Sanhok, this one is going to be a new challenge. Tencent in its announcement said, “the gameplay of Vikendi is quicker than Erangel and Miramar, but offers an arguably more tactical experience than Sanhok”.

    There aren’t many details about the map yet, but the leak does tell that there will a new Snow weather mode, and a ‘Snowmobile’ to ride through the snowy ridges of Vikendi. 

    In the spawn area, players will get to throw snowballs at each other instead of Apples. Lastly, the leak says Vikendi will be available for download at 0:00 UTC on 20 Dec 2018 and will be available for matchmaking 24 hours later.

    Bonus: Although the leaked changelog does not mention it, footprints and vehicle tracks might appear as players travel in snow-covered areas. This will help identify if enemies have passed by. 

    PUBG Mobile 0.10 update

    Thematic changes

    If you noticed the new Halloween theme in the main menu, be ready to get a new Snow theme with the update. Players will collect bells from all Classic mode matches and exchange them for rewards. 

    Shop’s front page will look even more focused on the themes of each major update. 

    Matchmaking changes

    Players will now be able to match players from other servers by enabling the option in settings. This will match players of the same tier from different servers in the game. 

    If you have been quitting matches right after they start, beware, because such players will be banned from finding matches for a period of time.

    Other improvements and fixes

    The update comes with several tiny improvements. The leaked changelog suggests there will be a new control layout for players with large hands. 

    To make the gameplay fair and secure, players will be allowed to report for any suspicious behavior while spectating. 

    If things go as per the leak, players might soon get a relief from tapping the screen million times while collecting rewards. The new update is said to allow players to collect all daily mission rewards at once. 

    Also, there will be a Firearms Finish Upgrade System, where players can use materials at the Lab to upgrade certain weapon finishes getting additional kill effects, unique kill broadcasts, and death crate appearances.

    Other Improvements include support for Arabic language, new quick chat commands and memory efficient chat system. Players now do not need to select a second language for matchmaking and chat.

    Note that all the information is based on a leaked changelog of PUBG Mobile version 0.10. We will try and get our hands on the beta as soon as it is available, visit again for all the latest updates. 

    PUBG Mobile 0.10 update: Release date

    The PUBG Mobile 0.10 update does not have a confirmed release date yet, but we expect it to land somewhere around December 18. 

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  • The Game Awards 2018: Crash Team Racing Remaster, Dragon Age 4 and other expected announcements

    The Game Awards are back, and this year promises the biggest lineup of game announcements to date. Producer Geoff Keighley has revealed that more than 10 new games will be announced at The Game Awards 2018, alongside updates on upcoming titles.

    While some announcements have been confirmed, such as the official reveal of the latest addition to the Far Cry series, others are merely rumored. So, let’s take a look at what we can definitely expect, and what we hope to see, at The Game Awards 2018.

    What are The Game Awards 2018?

    The Game Awards are an annual award show hosted and produced by videogame journalist Geoff Keighley – this is the fifth year the show has taken place. Winners are chosen through a mix of public fan votes (10%) and a voting jury (90%).

    The Game Awards aims to ‘celebrate the best video games and esports of the year’, but we can also expect to see world premieres and exclusive announcements of upcoming games. Keighley has promised at least 10 new game announcements this year.

    How to watch The Game Awards 2018

    The Game Awards 2018 will be streamed live on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook Live, Xbox Live, Mixer, Steam and PlayStation. You can see all the available streaming platforms on the The Game Awards website. We’ve also embedded the YouTube stream below:

    The Game Awards 2018 takes place in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 6 at 5:30pm PST. 

    This means the livestream will start at 8:30pm EST on Thursday, December 6 or on Friday, December 7 at 1:30am GMT / 12:30pm AEDT.

    What announcements can we expect?

    The rumor-mill has been working in overdrive around what announcements we can expect at the Game Awards 2018. While we know some of the announcements we can expect, others have only been teased. 

    So here’s what announcements we expect to see:

    A new Far Cry title

    Ubisoft released a teaser trailer earlier this week teasing a new post-apocalyptic Far Cry game. The trailer also confirmed an official worldwide reveal for the title will be shown during The Game Awards 2018. You can check out the trailer below:

    Fortnite

    Geoff Keighley has confirmed there will be a big Fortnite announcement. However, a leak by a YouTuber has meant we already know what it was going to be. Fortnite is getting a new Sandbox mode called Creative, which will operate separately from Battle Royale and will allow players to design games and battle friends on their own private island.

    Creative Mode will be available week one of Season 7 for Battle Pass owners and will roll out to all players on December 13.

    While the full announcement may have been spoiled, there’s a possibility this wasn’t what Epic Games planned to reveal at all and we could be blown away by something entirely different. 

    If that’s not the case, we can hopefully at least look forward to some more details on Creative Mode. Geoff Keighley has said the Creative Mode announcement is just “part 1 of the story”.

    Obsidian’s new RPG

    We know Fallout: New Vegas developer Obisidan is working on a new RPG, and it looks like we might finally get a glimpse of it at The Game Awards 2018. Obsidian’s official website and Twitter page have been counting down to the awards, teasing a “special message” is on the way.

    Crash Team Racing Remaster

    While this hasn’t been officially confirmed, all signs point to a CTR remaster being officially revealed at the awards and, with the success of the Spyro and Crash Bandicoot remasters, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise..

    Several influencers have received teaser items from Activision including Crash cookies and a pair of fuzzy orange dice.

    Dragon Age 4

    According to a report by Venture Beat (and confirmed by Eurogamer), Dragon Age 4 will be unveiled at The Game Awards. Though we we get a glimpse at the upcoming game, its release date is currently “at least three years away”.

    Nintendo

    We’re not really sure what to expect from Nintendo, but we do know the company is planning an announcement of some sort. Nintendo tweeted urging fans to tune into the awards before the release of Super Smash Bros Ultimate next week, so it’s likely the announcement will be related to that.

    What we hope to see

    We’re hoping to see more of Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding (especially since he sits on the Advisory Board for The Game Awards). In addition, we’re hoping to see more of Anthem and just maybe a look at Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order – though it’s a bit of a stretch.

    We definitely know we won’t be seeing any of The Last of Us: Part II, as Naughty Dog confirmed as much in a tweet.

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