Month: November 2020

Berserk: Anime VS Manga (1997/2012)

The tale of Guts, Griffith, and Casca has now been told for over 30 years, with Kentaro Miura’s Berserk manga beginning in 1989. Since then, his ongoing masterpiece has seen several adaptations, including multiple video games and anime.

In this episode of Anime vs. Manga, Dave looks at the Berserk 1997 anime and 2012’s The Golden Age Arc films to find what these adaptations have in common with the manga, and the major differences.

The Walking Dead Casts Negan’s Wife, Lucille

Due to the rather exhausting news cycle of this election week, we’re playing some catch-up here as this item broke a few days ago.

It being reported that The Walking Dead has cast the role of Negan’s late wife, Lucille. Yes, that Lucille. The one Negan named his famous barbed-wire baseball bat after.

But that’s not the only fun element of this particular casting. Per ComicBook.com, Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s real life wife, actress Hilarie Burton, will be playing Lucille. The two of them host AMC’s Friday Night in With the Morgans, based out of their upstate New York farm, which began during quarantine back in April.

This also means…fans are finally getting a Negan flashback!

Though, at this point, we don’t know it’ll be an entire episode focused on Negan’s past or if Lucille will just be in a handful of flashbacks. We do know, however, that Burton’s Lucille will featured in one of the extra six Season 10 episodes AMC ordered for early 2021.

Little is known about Lucille on the show except that, prior to the zompocalpyse, she was dying from cancer and that she actually passed away from the disease and not due to the undead outbreak.

Burton, a former MTV TRL host, is known for One Tree Hill and, more recently, Fox’s Lethal Weapon and NBC’s Council of Dads.

Back in September, AMC announced that The Walking Dead is ending after Season 11 and that Season 11 will consist of 24 episodes (which will air over the course of two years, concluding in 2022).

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Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

Demon’s Souls: Watch 12 Minutes Of Gameplay With The Director

Demon’s Souls is one of the most exciting PS5 exclusives releasing this year, with Bluepoint Games fully remaking From Software’s 2009 masterpiece to take advantage of the new hardware. In a new 12-minute gameplay walkthrough, creative director Gavin Moore showed off offline gameplay, as well as the HUD that was disabled during previous gameplay demonstrations.

After showing off the robust new character creator, Moore shows off the Nexus area, a hub comparable to the Hunter’s Dream from Bloodborne or the Firelink Shrine in Dark Souls 3. From here, you can use the game’s five Archstones to travel to the game’s various regions–there isn’t a sixth one, as the unfinished content from the original game wasn’t completed for the remake.

The loading times for traveling to the first Archstone’s area–the Gates of Boletaria–are nearly non-existent. After a short cinematic featuring a dragon, the gameplay begins, and it’s nothing short of stunning.

Dodging and attacking are both silky-smooth, with the same rhythm of whittling down enemies’ health bars and looking for opportunities to deliver backstab attacks as in the original game. In fact, the game still uses the original PS3 version’s code for combat timing to ensure it feels perfect for veterans. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, after all.

For higher frame rates, you can play the game in Performance Mode, which runs at 60 frames per second and uses a dynamic 4K resolution. In Cinematic Mode, the game runs in 30 frames per second but runs at a native 4K resolution.

Near the end of the gameplay walkthrough, we see a boss fight against the Dirty Colossus, which is a grotesque and toxic foe that will punish you if you get too close. Fire can help make things easier, and the entire creature is set ablaze when attacked with a flaming sword. In classic Souls demonstration fashion, it isn’t enough, and the player is killed.

Demon’s Souls releases exclusively for PS5 on November 12. Check out our full PS5 review to learn more about the system itself. Our Demon’s Souls preorder guide can also help you score the game on time.

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Demon’s Souls’ State of Play Shows Off 12 Minutes of PS5 Gameplay

PlayStation has shared a brand new State of Play that shows off 12 minutes of PS5 gameplay for Demon’s Souls.

As revealed on PlayStation.Blog, this new deep dive into PS5 launch title Demon’s Souls is presented by creative director Gavin Moore, and it focuses on the offline experience of this remake of the 2009 PS3 classic.

It gives an overview of many details we’ve previously learned, like the expanded Character Creator, but also details many of the improvements PS5 owners will be able to experience on November 12, 2020.

This gameplay walkthrough shows players the Nexus – Demon’s Souls main hub – and how quick the load times are getting players into a level. Moore also discusses how players can choose to play Demon’s Souls in Performance Mode, which runs at 60FPS with Dynamic 4K, or in Cinematic Mode, which runs the game at a more “cinematic 4K” at 30 FPS.

The team at Bluepoint Games also added “thousands” of new sound effects for Tempest 3D audio that will immerse owners of headsets like Sony’s Pulse 3D Wireless headset like never before.

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The DualSense will also make combat feel “grittier and darker,” and will have players feeling “steel clash against steel” or the “crackle of a fireball” before it’s cast against an enemy.

It was also discussed how the score of the original was rearranged by a 120-piece orchestra at AIR Studios in London, how all the original code was used to preserve the feel of the original while new animations will add flourish, and much more.

We also got a first look at the Dirty Colossus boss, and it gives adventures a look at another one of the horrors they must face if they undertake this challenging journey.

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For more on Demon’s Souls, check out IGN’s PS5 review and read on about how it will feature over 180 guide videos in PS5’s UI to help players and how Bluepoint is remaking this classic game.

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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Includes A Big Tribute To Black Lives Matter

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales returns players to the New York City of its predecessor. But the political climate in the real world has changed significantly since Marvel’s Spider-Man came out in 2018, with months of protests against police brutality taking place in cities across the country following the death of George Floyd in May. Insomniac Games’ new title takes current events into account in an unambiguous way, paying tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement with a massive in-game mural that unlocks after you complete a line of sidequests.

As Games Radar reports, you’ll find the mural upon completion of a series of sidequests in which Spider-Man helps out various people in New York, and specifically in his home neighborhood of Harlem. When you knock out all the quests, you receive the Uptown Pride suit, which is black and yellow–the colors associated with Black Lives Matter. The cutscene awarding you the suit takes place in front of a mural featuring the slogan.

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Miles is a half-Black, half-Puerto Rican teenager, and his experience is a major part of his character, both in the game and the comics that inspired it. Still, it’s notable for a big-name game to take such a prominent stance, especially since game developers and publishers are notorious for backing away from politics–even when their games seem to pretty clear in their messages. The BLM tribute in Miles Morales also comes after Insomniac was criticized in 2018 for making Peter Parker’s Spider-Man work so closely with the New York Police Department, especially after other nationwide protests against police brutality.

GameSpot’s Jordan Ramée wrote in his Spider-Man: Miles Morales review that Miles Morales stumbles in pacing and in differentiating itself from its predecessor, but it’s still a superhero journey worth taking, specifically because of its focus on Miles’s identity and experience.

“It’s a bit of a bummer to see Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales trip up at certain points, but thankfully, that doesn’t happen often,” he wrote. “The game wastes little time jumping you into Miles’ story and rarely lets up on the brakes, packing the young wall crawler’s first solo outing with more super powers and radio chatter than the game needs. And yet, despite its frantic pace, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a compelling open-world action game that helps highlight why Miles is so special: his culture. It’s Miles’ unique differences and earnest attempts at figuring out how to protect his community that make him into such a wonderful hero, not the mask he wears and superpowers he wields.”

Now Playing: Marvel’s Spider-Man PS4 vs PS5 Comparison

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Lo-fi Chill Beats To Test Loading Times On PS5 Vs PS4 Pro

Among the big selling points of the PlayStation 5 is its NVMe SSD, which speeds up loading times in a pretty significant way. But the SSD doesn’t just speed the loading of PS5 games–it also has a noticeable effect on the loading times of backwards-compatible PS4 games as well, slicing the amount of time you’ll spend staring at splash screens and reading gameplay tips on some of your favorite titles.

A whole lot of PS4 games are backwards-compatible, and we’ve tested 10 of them on the PS5 against the PS4 Pro to see just how big the improvements are. Check out the video above to see the differences in load times.

We compared the PS5 to the PS4 Pro’s internal hard drive, and in a lot of cases, the difference was pretty stark. Destiny 2 in particular shaves minutes off its load times, but you’ll see at least moderate improves on all the games featured here.

We’ve got lots of PS5 and next-generation console coverage with more on the way in the coming days and weeks, so be sure to check it out on GameSpot.com.

18 Best Minecraft Gifts 2020: Lego, Games, And More Gift Ideas For Fans

With how much this year may have brought some people down, the holidays are a great time to cheer your loved ones up with the wholesome things they love, and there are few things as purely fun and inviting as Minecraft. The block-building survival game first took the world by storm over 10 years ago and has yet to let go.

Because of Minecraft’s massive popularity, many companies have licensed the series to make loads of great toys, games, and other products over the years. In fact, the sheer quantity of Minecraft items out there can make shopping for fans of the game a real task, but fortunately, we’ve scoured the internet for you and found the best Minecraft gifts for Christmas 2020. Keep in mind the prices shown below reflect an item’s list price–with holiday sales in full swing, you could find a discount when you click through.

If you’re looking for more great gift ideas, take a look at our 2020 holiday gift guide, which includes the best Nintendo gifts, PlayStation gifts, and Xbox gifts as well as Fortnite gifts, Animal Crossing gifts, gaming Christmas ornaments, and much more. There are also a number of non-gaming guides, such as the best Lego sets, Funko Pop gifts, and Baby Yoda gifts.

$30

Minecraft is a fantastic game that lets players build anything they want and then protect it from the creatures of the night. Of course, if you’re looking at this gift guide, your loved one likely already owns the game. However, with the PS5 and Xbox Series X coming out, you may want to get them a new copy if they’re switching from Xbox to PlayStation (or vice versa). These current-gen physical copies will work on the next-gen consoles that have disc drives (not the Xbox Series S or PS5 Digital). And there’s always the Switch version, which they can play on the go or at home, thanks to its portability.

$30

Minecraft Dungeons is a fun, charming action-RPG where players make their way through dungeons and fight hordes of enemies. Players can work together in defeating these waves of monsters as well as finding new paths and looting loads of gear. If you’re buying for a Minecraft fan, it’s a good supplement to the original experience. It’s also a great time to jump in as we’re about to see new Minecraft Dungeons DLC released and crossplay added as well.

$50

PowerA’s Minecraft Grass Block wireless controller is a great option for Nintendo Switch owners. Not only is it cheaper than the Switch Pro Controller; it also features remappable back buttons and motion controls, though it does use AA batteries (which are included) for up to 30 hours of gameplay at a time. It also connects directly to the Switch, which means you don’t need to plug in and keep track of a USB dongle.

$32

Lego and Minecraft go together like spaghetti and meatballs, and this Steve BigFig is one of the best sets you can buy. It’s also an easy build with only 159 pieces. Of course, you can’t forget Steve’s little parrot buddy, who comes with the set so Steve won’t be so lonely.

$10

Steve also comes in a smaller size, and if you’re looking for a gift that would work as a stocking stuffer, this is the Lego set to go with. At 74 pieces, you get Steve, an enemy skeleton, a fox, a wolf, and a nice little plot of land that has a very nice block of TNT just waiting to help its owner blow up that skeleton.

$24

Weighing in at 372 pieces, the Blaze Bridge Lego set is for those looking to put some time into their construction. This set lets its owner build a flame-covered bridge populated by a number of mini-figures, including one equipped with a diamond sword and armor set.

$60

Ninjas are cool, and with this Lego set, builders can use the ninja Kai minifigure to protect the village from pillagers. It’s an important task, too, as this village is full of valuable trinkets like full diamond armor. There’s also a cute cat, pig, and a ton of other bricks that bring this set up to 562 pieces.

$16

Another great option for a stocking stuffer, this Minecraft survival pack comes with Steve in addition to a bed, chest, weapons, and crafting table. This is perfect for the kid who’s not as fond of building with Legos and just wants to get right to playing.

$22

These heavy-duty, die-cast metal figurines are really cool. This pack includes a number of iconic characters and enemies, including Steve and Alex as well as the iconic zombie and Enderman. At $22, that’s almost a dollar a figure, making this a great deal and an excellent gift for any Minecraft fan.

$17

Halloween may be behind us, but it’s always fun to dress up and pretend. This officially licensed Minecraft diamond sword is an excellent plastic addition to any fan’s inventory and will help complete their blocky costume.

$46

There is a lot to know about Minecraft, and it can be too much to take in at times. That’s where the official Minecraft guide collection comes in handy. This box set is made up of eight books that cover almost everything a player needs to know and would make a great gift for someone wanting to improve their creations or make it further into the deep mines. The included books cover ocean survival, farming, PVP minigames, enchantments and potions, Redstone, Survival mode, Creative mode, and–of course–the Nether and the End.

$40

The Builders & Biomes board game is a great way for the family to bond over Minecraft together. Its rules are easy to pick up and learn, so don’t worry if you don’t know anything about Minecraft. It comes with 64 resource cubes, 64 building and monster cards, 36 weapon tokens, and many more pieces that make each new adventure unique. This allows for new strategies every time you play, adding to the game’s fun and replayability.

$6

It’s hard to beat the classics, and Uno is one of the best out there. This special edition features the exact same rules as classic Uno, but it’s adorned with Minecraft characters, enemies, and other game elements fans will recognize. It’s also a great way to introduce young fans to the classic card game.

$20

Plushies always make excellent gifts, and this Shoulder Cat plush is adorable. Featuring the same blocky design as the cat you find in Minecraft, this one stretches and wraps around the wearer’s neck, serving as a comfy friend.

$20

When it comes to Minecraft’s creatures, nothing beats the pig. It’s pink, cute, and makes a great companion. This particular plush features the animal with a saddle, so it’s ready to take your loved one anywhere they go. Standing at 6.5 inches tall, this plush would make a great companion for a young Minecraft fan.

$20

Giving the pig a run for its money, this Minecraft wolf plush is absolutely adorable. It’s called the Untamed Wolf plush, but there’s no doubt the Minecraft fan in your life will be able to tame this cute beast and make them a part of the family.

$43

Perhaps one of the coolest gift ideas on this list, the Minecraft Glowstone lamp resembles an in-game lamp and actually lights up. It comes with a sturdy wooden base and stands around 11 inches tall, making it an excellent addition to a nightstand or play area.

$36

With all the gifts your loved one is likely to get this Christmas, they’ll need something to store them in. This 15-inch square storage cube will do the trick wonderfully. Emulating a Minecraft grass block, it’ll also look great in a Minecraft fan’s room.

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9 Hidden PS5 Features

We know a lot about the PlayStation 5, like its graphical prowess, performance capabilities, and of course, its games. But Sony has been tight-lipped about the PS5 UI, and crucially, all the new things we’ll be able to do within it.

In the video above, we walk you through nine new things that you can now do on the PlayStation 5. Some are hidden deep in menus but are well worth seeking out, like setting your camera, subtitle, and difficulty preferences at a system level to automatically apply to games that support it. There are also cool new changes to Trophies, and additions to Profiles, like the Accolade system and being able to see how much playtime you’ve put into a game. We also point out hidden PlayStation symbols on the DualSense controller and on the PlayStation 5 console itself.

There are cool tweaks to the Game Library, how you store PS4 games, and changes to your screenshots and video clips. There’s a lot to go through, so watch the video to get the most from your PS5.

For our PlayStation 5 review, check out the site or our YouTube channel. We also have lots of other PlayStation 5 content, including load time comparisons between the PS4 and PS5, and a look at backwards compatibility.

The Ten Best Black Friday Deals Today (Apple Watch, iPhone, and AirPods Trifecta)

For those of you who want to get into the Apple mobile ecosystem but have shied away because of the price, today might just be your entry ticket. You can get a new 2020 iPhone Se, new 2020 Apple Watch, and the newest generation AirPods, all for about the cost an iPhone 11 by itself. Check these deals out and the rest of the top ten Black Friday deals below (you can get all of them today).

#1: New Apple Watch SE for $229.99

Today the new Apple Watch SE has dropped to an all-time price low. It’s $50 below MSRP and $30 less that the previous “Black Friday” price from earlier in the week. The 2020 Apple Watch SE features a large Retina OLED display, 2x faster CPU than the Series 3, heart rate monitoring, GPS, swimproof design, and haptic feedback.

The Best Black Friday Deals So Far

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More Video Game Deals

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Eric Song is IGN’s deal curator and spends roughly 1/4 of his income on stuff he posts. Check out his latest Daily Deals Article and subscribe to his IGN Deals Newsletter.