Month: May 2019

This week has been jam-packed with Golden Week game deals at Steam, the PlayStation Store, and the Nintendo Eshop, and the latest deal is actually a freebie that Final Fantasy XIV Online players will want to snag. If you don’t already own Heavensward, the critically acclaimed DLC is available for free on both PC and PS4 until June 27.

Important things to know: The PC edition is free from the Square Enix Store as part of its Golden Week sale, while the PS4 version is available from the PlayStation Store. However, both the PC and PS4 expansion require The Final Fantasy XIV Online Starter Edition to play (and in PlayStation’s case, you must own it to even claim). Square Enix notes that its PC download of Heavensward isn’t compatible with Steam’s version of the Starter Edition, so you’ll have to own the base game in some capacity outside Steam.

Here’s where a Twitch Prime membership comes in handy–the streaming site is currently giving away a free PC download of Final Fantasy XIV Online: Starter Edition, but that deal ends tomorrow, May 3, so grab it ASAP if you’re also planning to get the Heavensward DLC while its free. On the Twitch Prime website, scroll right under “Free In-Game Loot & More,” and you’ll see the FFXIV offer.

Get Final Fantasy XIV Online Starter Edition for free on PC »

(US) Get Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward for free on PC »

(EU) Get Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward for free on PC »

(US) Get Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward for free on PS4 »

The Heavensward expansion earned a 9/10 from GameSpot for its exciting and epic continuation of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn’s story, gorgeous visuals, detailed environments, and variety of dungeons and challenges.

“Heavensward is an essential purchase for those who have spent more hours than they’d care to admit in Eorzea,” wrote critic Pete Davison in his Heavensward review. “While new players–or those who never beat A Realm Reborn’s complete story–may feel aggravated at being locked-out of the expansion until they catch up, there’s little denying that Final Fantasy XIV as a whole offers astonishing value for those willing to immerse themselves, and it will only continue to grow and expand over time.”

Avengers: Endgame is setting box office records left and right, so chances are pretty good that you’ve already seen it. If you haven’t made time, though, you might want to head to the cinema over the next few days, because directors Joe and Anthony Russo have declared that the statute of limitations on spoilers is almost over. As of Monday, May 6, spoilers are fair game.

Co-director Joe Russo gave the end date in an interview with Good Morning America, and then the brothers collectively shared the clip on Twitter. Russo said he feels there has to be an end-date when spoilers are no longer off-limits, because part of the reason they make movies is to encourage discussion. With that in mind, it’s fair enough if you couldn’t make it out opening weekend, but after two weekends the conversation should be free to spoil.

This film is the final one in the Infinity Saga, and culminates in a lot of story and character payoffs that have been building for more than ten years. As a result spoiler sensitivity has been higher than usual, as fans eagerly await seeing what happens to earth’s mightiest heroes. If you’ve managed to avoid plot details so far, now you have a firm due date. The Russos have previously pleaded with fans not to spoil the film, and of course not everyone has or will abide by their own determination of when to begin spoiling.

If on the other hand you already have seen Endgame, you may still be puzzling out some of the finer details. In that case check out the endings explained and read up on plot holes. Or for the lighter side you can catch up with a ton of Easter eggs and scenes that weren’t in the trailers.

It’s been 35 years since The Karate Kid crane kicked its way into theaters–and our hearts. In the time since, there’s been a long list of movies of varying quality and a revival series on YouTube Premium that, against all odds, is pretty amazing. Now, celebrating its milestone 35th anniversary, the original Karate Kid is back with a 4K release. Is it worth replacing the copy you already own, though?

The answer, honestly, depends on what you’re looking for in the set. If film’s quality is what you covet the most, this is by far the best-looking version of The Karate Kid you’re going to find. That said, this is still a 35-year-old movie shot on 35mm film. The 4K scan of the original camera negative can be grainy, but that’s to be expected–and it a bit comforting–when it comes to a movie this old. The colors are definitely more vibrant in this release, though.

The sound has also been given an upgrade. There’s still stereo and 5.1 mixes of the movie’s soundtrack; however, there’s also a new track option for those with Dolby Atmos audio systems.

If the movie’s picture quality isn’t as important to you as the bonus content packaged with the set, this is what might hold you back. While the 4K release comes with all of the special features that the 2010 Blu-ray release, including audio commentary with Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi), director John G. Avildsen, and writer Robert Mark Kamen, there’s not a ton of new content offered. On the 4K disc, you’ll find a 1080p version of the movie’s theatrical trailer, along with a new 10-minute featurette that looks back on the movies featuring interviews with Macchio, William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence), and Martin Kove (Sensei Kreese).

Were it not for Cobra Kai, this featurette would be a truly exciting addition. However, that trio has done so many interviews promoting the series over the last year that there’s only so much new ground to cover. That said, it’s still a short and fun watch.

Even without a bunch of new bonus features, though, it’s hard to ignore just how good this movie looks. This is the best transfer of The Karate Kid you’re going to find. So if you’re looking for an excuse to upgrade from your DVD or Blu-ray copy, it’s definitely worth it–especially if you’re planning to watch it on a large TV or have an impressive home audio setup. And if you somehow don’t own a copy of The Karate Kid, what are you waiting for? It’s an ’80s classic and it’s going to be hard to ever get a better version of it than this.

The Karate Kid is available now on 4K at participating retailers.

Disclosure: GameSpot was provided a copy of Karate Kid’s 4K release by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Epic Games has updated Fortnite: Battle Royale once again, and as usual there’s plenty to sink your teeth into in terms of new content. Update 8.51’s big new item is the shadow bomb, which you can read more about in the patch notes at the bottom of this article, via Epic. The update is available now on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile.

The shadow bomb shrouds the user in, as you might expect, a shadow, and makes them invisible to enemies. It also increases movement speed and provides the ability to double-jump and jump off walls. However, you’re unable to attack, build, or loot while under a shadow bomb’s effects, which last for six seconds. You can hold up to six shadow bombs, which are available in uncommon rarities in floor loot, chests, supply drops, and supply llamas.

Update 8.51 also brings a fix for the audio issues some people were experiencing with jetpacks, while Epic Games says it’s investigating a problem “where players are unable to access the Battle Royale map from Creative and Playground modes.”

It was announced just recently that Epic Games is purchasing the developer of Rocket League, Psyonix, which is one of multiple aggressive moves the company has made following the success of Fortnite. The studio has been challenging Steam with its own Epic Games Store by offering free games.

Fortnite: Battle Royale Update 8.51 Patch Notes

Shadow Bomb

Become one with the shadows! Engulf yourself in darkness with this new item, becoming invisible to enemies, increasing your speed, and allowing the ability to perform double jumps.

Weapons And Items

• Shadow Bomb
  • Shrouds yourself in shadow, briefly becoming invisible to enemies.
    • 6-second duration
    • User becomes more visible to others near the end of the effect.
    • Increases your movement speed, provides the ability to double jump, and wall jump.
      • Players are unable to attack, build, or loot while under the effects of the Shadow Bomb.
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Can hold a maximum of 6
  • Can be found from Floor Loot, Chests, Supply Drops, and Supply Llamas.

Gameplay

Bug Fixes & Improvements

• Sound effects for Jetpacks were occasionally playing much louder than they should be.

UI

Bug Fixes & Improvements

• The Victory Royale UI animation was displaying for all players in Limited Time Modes with respawning enabled.

John Wick isn’t the only action hero that Keanu Reeves will be playing on the big screen this summer. The actor is also set to provide the voice of plastic motorcycle stunt star Duke Caboom in the Pixar sequel Toy Story 4, and a new teaser featuring the character has now been released.

The promo starts as a retro commercial for “the Canuck with all the luck,” which is very reminiscent of ads for ’70s star Evel Knievel. Of course, this being Toy Story, Duke Caboom can also walk and talk–but not, to Woody’s dismay, perform the hair-raising stunts that the commercial suggests. Check it out below:

This latest teaser follows the full trailer that was released in March. Toy Story 4 sees all the main cast of the previous movies return, including Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz), Annie Potts (Bo Peep), Joan Cusack (Jessie), Blake Clark (Slinky Dog), Wallace Shawn (Rex), and John Ratzenberger (Hamm), plus Arrested Development’s Tony Hale as new character Forky. It hits theaters on June 21, 2019.

In a recent interview, Hanks spoke about what fans can expect from the movie. “Toy Story 4 is going to have an impactful ending,” he revealed. “The way you record Toy Story; you’re in a room with the team that has created it. When I went in for my last day of recording, I wanted to have my back to them, because usually you’re facing them so you can look right up and you can talk about it. But I didn’t want to see them and I wanted to pretend they couldn’t see me. When I realized what they were going for, I realized, ‘Oh, this is a moment in history.'”

Toy Story 4 isn’t the only doll-related movie hitting theaters on June 21. The horror reboot Child’s Play also arrives that day, and this week a new poster was released, showing evil Chucky having murdered poor Woody.

Season 8, Week 10’s Fortnite challenges are now available. While they are largely easy, in amongst them is one challenge that requires you to locate a treasure map and then follow it to the loot. As always, we’ve put together a little guide that you can follow to get it done quick.

As the challenge states, you’ll need to head over to Junk Junction to find the signpost with the treasure map on it. More specifically, you’ll have to venture to the center of the location and keep your eyes peeled for the purple shipping container. Just in front of it you’ll find the signpost with an image of what looks like a couple of weird cacti.

Those are actually the underground mines, which you can find north-west of Fatal Fields. Open your map and zoom in on the grid reference F8 and you’ll see the same shapes as the ones depicted on the treasure map. Make a trip to that location and you’ll find the precious Battle Star awaiting. Done!

Fortnite Junk Junction Signpost Treasure Map Location

• Signpost treasure map: This can be found at the center of Junk Junction, just in front of the purple shipping container.
• Treasure location: North west of Fatal Fields at the grid reference F8.

The only other tricky challenge for Season 8, Week 10 involves launching yourself through Flaming Hoops. These hoops have popped up on the island and, to complete the challenge, you’ll need to use the pirate cannons to send yourself hurtling through them. We’ve outlined exactly where you need to go in our Fortnite Flaming Hoop location guide.

If you’ve wrapped up the weekly challenges, make sure to check out the new Avengers Endgame LTM, which has its own set of unique quests to complete. Many of the challenges in this crossover include wielding the iconic weapons used by Earth’s greatest defenders, or playing as Thanos and his horde of Chitauri. If you manage to complete 10 of the challenges, you’ll get a very cool Quinjet glider.

Those who want to quickly catch up on older challenges. Season 8 is going to end soon, so you’ll want to get as much done as possible if you’ve got your heart set on any of the current unlockable cosmetics. Check out our full Fortnite Season 8 challenge guide for assistance.

Epic Games has also released the Fortnite update 8.51 patch notes, which includes a brand new tool that you can use to be sneaky. The Shadow Bomb cloaks its users in shadows and gives them the ability to move much faster for a little while, but the trade-off is that they can’t build or fight. Still, sounds pretty handy for causing some mischief.