Author: Trafficblast

A little over a year after the release of Devil May Cry 5, Capcom has delivered Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition, an updated version that positions itself as a great next-gen launch title showcasing the power of the PS5. Along with the increased technical performance, the Special Edition sees the return of a few gameplay modes, a host of performance options, and the return of fan-favorite edgelord Vergil.

Like with previous Vergil campaigns, don’t expect much in the way of new story content outside of new cutscenes at the beginning and end. You’ll be running through the same scenarios as the other characters, minus any story and dialogue. The result is a lean campaign where the star of the show is Vergil’s moveset, which is fantastic. Those who played him in Devil May Cry 4’s Special Edition will feel right at home, as pretty much all of Vergil’s moves have been carried over. His biggest new tricks include a doppelganger he can summon to help with crowd control, as well as the ability to temporarily transform himself into V, which allows you to regain health while dealing some damage.

Vergil may be familiar, but as someone who just enjoys how DMC5 feels to play, I still had a blast blazing through his campaign. Vergil is incredibly fun to control, and that carries over here as you pit him against the demon horde. It also helps that his battle theme, Bury the Light, whips and I will never tire of hearing it.

Aside from Vergil, there’s the inclusion of the staple Turbo mode, which runs the game 20% faster, and Legendary Dark Knight, which ups the chaos by throwing a ridiculous number of enemies on the screen. Both are welcome additions, particularly Legendary Dark Knight, which, like how it was in DMC4 Special Edition, makes for a great way to re-experience the original campaign. Even as the game throws countless demons at you, gameplay remains smooth on PS5.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about DMC 5 Special Edition is the new graphics and performance options made available thanks to the power of next-gen consoles. You can run the game with ray tracing at 4K 30fps or at 1080p at 60fps. You can also turn ray tracing off if you want to play at 4k 60fps. It’s a nice set of options, and I appreciate the ability to prioritize gameplay performance over visuals to suit my needs. That said, DMC 5 doesn’t feel like it benefits all that much from the inclusion of ray tracing. The wet pavement and window reflections do look nice, but I didn’t really notice their visual flourishes until I stopped to admire them–and even then, it quickly faded into the back of my mind as I focused more on slicing up demons. In a game all about combat, the trade-off of a lower frame rate didn’t feel worth it, and I preferred using the modes that offered a higher one.

Speaking of which, if you have a TV that can support it, you can turn on high frame rate mode, which pushes the game past 60fps. It doesn’t quite hit the ceiling of 120fps, but the increased frame rate delivers the smoothest DMC experience you can get on console, and it became my preferred way to play. It is worth noting that you can’t use high frame rate or ray tracing when playing on Turbo or Legendary Dark Knight due to the high performance demand those modes put on the game.

Another benefit of the PS5’s improved performance is fast loading thanks to its SSD. Loading times in the original DMC5 were by no means the worst, but having to wait did slow things down at times and feel at odds with the pacing, which encourages you to spend as much time kicking demon ass. Reducing the multiple loading screens it takes to go from launch into a mission to only a few seconds each feels great, and it’s no longer a pain waiting to load into the void to try out a move before you buy it. Fast loading might eventually stop feeling incredible as it becomes more common, but seeing the experience of DMC dramatically improve because of it still makes it feel magical.

Overall, these are great additions to Devil May Cry 5. Vergil feels fantastic to play, and it’s great getting to go through the original campaign with Legendary Dark Knight difficulty. The real winner, though, is the improvements enabled by next-gen consoles. The result is an experience that brings enough new to the table for returning fans while being the definitive Devil May Cry 5 experience for those looking to pick it up for the first time.

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Microsoft has partnered with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for a new charity campaign that will see the actor deliver special edition Xbox Series X consoles to children’s hospitals across the US.

Microsoft created 20 unique “Rock Xbox Series X” consoles for this campaign, and The Rock will deliver them to the hospitals where they will reach an estimated 50,000 children who are suffering from illnesses.

Microsoft and The Rock are working with the charity Gamers Outreach on this. The new consoles will be installed through the charity’s “Go Karts,” which are portable gaming kiosks made specifically for hospitals.

“These kids are battling through their illnesses with incredible bravery and I’m thrilled Microsoft, Gamers Outreach, and myself can provide some joy and smiles. You kids show me and the world, what real strength means. Stay strong & Keep smilin … and stuff like this will always be the best part of my fame.”

Microsoft and The Rock go way back, as The Rock appeared on stage with Bill Gates to announce the original Xbox back at CES in 2001. Getting him on board for this new charity campaign should go a long way to helping the visibility of the endeavor and the charity, as The Rock has more than 200 million followers on Instagram.

For more, check out GameSpot’s Xbox Series X review and our review of launch title Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Johnny Depp has been ousted from Fantastic Beasts 3 as villain dark wizard Gellert Grindelward as a result of and in connection with the actor losing a libel case against his ex-wife. Both these decisions happened in quick succession parallel to lots of other events taking place in the United States last week, and The Hollywood Reporter has filed a report digging deeper into Warner Bros. decision to sever ties with the iconic actor.

One head-turning revelation that’s come out as the dust is still settling on the decision is that the studio will reportedly be paying a full eight-figure salary to Depp for the work he had done so far since production started on September 20 in London–a total of one scene. What’s more, many publications have already been speculating and even recommending actors who should step in to take on the role. It will likely be a while before that or any related decisions come out–unnamed sources at Warner Bros. told The Hollywood Reporter that they “want due process to take its course” before major decisions involving the film are made.

JK Rowling, the author of the Fantastic Beasts series who is no stranger to controversy herself, reportedly “did not push back on Warners’ move to cut the actor from the franchise.” Depp was expected in the upcoming film to have an equal share of screen time with Jude Law (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) and Eddie Redmayne (The Trial of the Chicago 7). It is hardly a silver lining for Depp, but an eight-figure salary for one scene is likely an unusual record set for any actor–and at the very least, an unusual bit of trivia.

On November 6, Depp responded to the recent developments on Instagram, thanking fans for their support and loyalty while also clarifying that when asked to resign from the movie, he “respected and agreed to that request.” It’s still unclear how this change will affect production.

The Xbox Series X and Series S release tomorrow, November 10, and if you haven’t secured your preorder yet, you’ll have an opportunity to snag one at GameStop. The retailer announced on Twitter that it will have Xbox Series X and Series S bundles available for purchase online tonight. Unfortunately, a specific time wasn’t provided, so it looks like you’ll have to constantly monitor the Series X and Series S product pages.

GameStop said a “very limited number” of console bundles will be available. We imagine stock will sell out in minutes, so you’ll have to be quick (and a little lucky). GameStop hasn’t revealed the contents of the bundles, but the retailer previously offered three different Series X bundles ranging from $770 to $905 and one Series S bundle for $505.

GameStop will also have consoles available for purchase in stores tomorrow, which makes the company the only retailer to confirm in-store availability at launch. In fact, Best Buy has already said it won’t have any next-gen consoles in stores until 2021. If you plan on heading to your local GameStop, you’ll probably want to arrive before they open and call ahead of time to check availability and see what protocols are in place to keep people safe (wear a mask, please).

If you don’t secure a console at GameStop, you’ll have an opportunity at multiple other retailers. Walmart will have a restock available online at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET tomorrow, and Target will also have consoles–though a specific time hasn’t been provided. Make sure to check out our Xbox Series X/S buying guide for more details on purchasing a console on launch day.

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A Quiet Place Part 2 was one of the first movies to be pushed back at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled to hit theaters at the end of March, it found a new release date on April 23, 2021. Still, despite this major setback, the minds behind the Quiet Place franchise are hard at work coming up with ways to expand the line-up with more stories. A new installment is set to release in 2022 with filmmaker Jeff Nichols (Midnight Special) to helm, Deadline reports.

It’s not clear whether Nichols’ new film will be A Quiet Place Part 3 or a spin-off movie set in the same shared universe. For the uninitiated, the Quiet Place films take place in a world besieged by sound-hating monsters that arrived one day without warning and proceeded to violently take over, slaughtering anything that so much as made the slightest noise and forcing people to either adapt to this new world order or die. Because of the first film’s zoomed-in scope, it’s hard to tell exactly how far the monsters’ reign of terror extends–we only really see and experience the lives of one family, the Abbotts, who have carved out a very quiet life for themselves. But we can easily assume, based on the glimpses we see in the first movie and some of the hints dropped in the second movie’s trailers, that the Abbotts aren’t the only ones out there surviving.

It is similarly unclear whether any of the current stars of either A Quiet Place movies will be returning for this new installment. Both films feature Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds, and John Krasinski, with the second adding Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou to the mix. Krasinski also wrote and directed the first two films, making the third installment the first in the franchise to be directed by a newcomer. Krasinski will remain onboard as a producer. The movie will, reportedly, be based on an idea of Krasinski’s.

A Quiet Place Part 2 will hit theaters April 23, 2021.

Over the past decade and change, Disney has made huge moves, acquiring Marvel, Lucasfilm, and most recently, 21st Century Fox. Although Disney’s catalog has expanded to include two of the largest entertainment franchises around–the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars–that doesn’t mean classic Disney has been pushed into the shadow. Mickey Mouse, the most iconic animated character of all time, remains a cultural staple, and people still flock to Disney Parks (though not nearly as much in 2020). If you have a Disney fanatic in your life, we’ve rounded up 20 great Disney gift ideas for 2020.

We’ve kept the focus on original Disney and Pixar properties for this gift guide, which means no Star Wars or Marvel. However, we also have separate gift guides dedicated to Marvel and Star Wars as well as a bunch more in our 2020 gift guide hub.

While it’s certainly possible–and maybe even probable–that the Disney fan on your list already has a subscription to Disney+, a one-year subscription really is the safest gift. Disney+ features a bevy of classic animated Disney movies, Pixar hits, Star Wars films, and Marvel content. And if the person you’re shopping for already has a subscription, this gift subscription can still be added to their account.

Lego released this Steamboat Willie kit to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th anniversary. Fans of Lego and Disney’s rich history will surely enjoy building this adorable black-and-white model. It’s a sizable build at 751 pieces and comes with cute Mickey and Minnie figures.

A Disney Sketchbook is a fittingly imaginative piece of work that makes for a unique and thoughtful gift for the Disney fan on your list. Inside this hardcover book are sketches and illustrations from animators, dating all the way back to 1928. The evolution of Disney animation is on display here, and that means practically all diehard Disney fans will embrace this coffee table book.

Disney bought the rights to Winnie the Pooh in the 1960s, and the lovable bear has been a staple ever since. This official Pooh Bear plush is equal parts adorable and soft.

The Frozen franchise is a modern phenomenon for Disney, and this playset is great for young fans. It comes with eight figures, including Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf.

Disney’s Villainous is a fun asymmetrical board game starring villains from six Disney films. Each player takes command of Captain Hook, the Queen of Hearts, Prince John, Jafar, Maleficent, or Ursula. Depending on who you play as, you’ll have different goals to achieve. The first player to complete their mission wins.

Codenames is a popular party game that tasks you with answering riddles using clues, both pictures and words. The Disney edition skews toward a younger audience, making it great for families to play together this holiday. Codenames is a lot of fun, and games tend to be both breezy and unique.

Toy Story 4 introduced the world to a “toy” having an existential crisis. Forky is perhaps more relatable to adults, but kids will surely love creating their own Forky with this creativity set. It also has materials to create Buzz Lightyear, Bunny, and Ducky.

This large travel backpack features classic Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto. It’d be an ideal gift for boys or girls.

Pillow Pets used to be quite trendy, and while they aren’t as in demand as before, they are still cute and comfy. This Mickey Pillow Pet is sure to comfort the youngster in your life who loves Mickey Mouse.

If you’re shopping for a baby, chances are they don’t know they are a Disney fan just yet. But you can introduce your love of Disney with this cute Mickey Mouse baby blanket. This soft plush blanket has a three color scheme and measures in at 30 x 36 inches.

This five-pack of women’s socks features some really cute Disney designs. The set comes with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy socks. They are only available in women’s size 7-9.

You can combine the love of Disney with birthstones with these cute Minnie Mouse earrings. All 12 birthstone colors are available, making this a truly special and personal gift.

Simply Modern’s Disney tumblers and water bottles feature slick Disney designs featuring Mickey, Minnie, The Lion King, or Jack Skellington. The tumblers are stainless steel and insulated to keep drinks warm or cold.

It’s a slinky and a dog–it’s Slinky Dog, the toy canine from the Toy Story franchise. This Slinky Dog plus is soft and cuddly, and cloth covers the slinky portion of the little guy to give him optimal cuddle capabilities.

Available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC

Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and Lion King is a really neat collection of retro console games. While game adaptations of movies tend to fare rather poorly, Aladdin and Lion King stood out. Both are side-scrolling action games that released for multiple platforms. What’s really cool about this collection is that it comes with multiple versions of each game (Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, etc.) The result is one of the best retro collections around. It should be noted that both of these games, especially Lion King, are quite challenging.

Available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC

If someone on your list loves The Incredibles, there’s a solid Lego video game that would make for a nice gift. Lego Disney Pixar’s The Incredibles released in 2018 for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It covers story beats from both the original movie and The Incredibles 2. Like all Lego games, The Incredibles is wonderful for couch co-op.

Little Golden Books are a fond childhood memory for many, and this box set compiles some of the most iconic Disney Golden Books in one elegant package. The set comes with Alice in Wonderland, Bambi, Cinderella, Dumbo, The Lucky Puppy, Mother Goose, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Scamp, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Three Little Pigs, and The Ugly Duckling. This would be a great gift for kids and parents alike.

One Day at Disney gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite resorts. What’s really interesting about this book is that every photograph you’ll find was taken on the same day. From Disney Parks to studios and much more, One Day at Disney offers a global look at the many wheels that turn each day to keep Disney chugging along.

Symphony Conductor Mickey is one of the most iconic “roles” the Disney mascot has played in his lengthy career. If we had to pick one Mickey Funko Pop to get the Disney fan in your life, it would certainly be Conductor Mickey. Dressed in his snazzy mouse suit, Conductor Mickey would look great on any Disney fan’s shelf.

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