Author: Trafficblast

Hot on the heels of Fortnite‘s 9.21 update, a new set of challenges is now available in Epic’s hit battle royale game. As usual, this week’s missions arrive in two categories: a small handful that are available to everyone, and some that are reserved for those who’ve purchased a Season 9 Battle Pass.

As has been the trend this season, most of Week 6’s challenges are self-explanatory and can be completed fairly easily with a little persistence. On the free side, there are two multi-stage challenges. The first begins by asking you to land at Lucky Landing, while the second starts off with searching chests at a Hot Spot. The final free challenge is to deal 500 damage to opponents using SMGs.

Battle Pass owners have access to an additional four challenges to complete. These are likewise fairly straightforward. You’ll need to deal damage to a vehicle driven by an opponent; use the new Storm Flip item in three different matches; eliminate three opponents either in The Block or Fatal Fields; and use two different vehicles in a single match. You can see the full list of this week’s challenges below:

Fortnite Season 9, Week 6 Challenges

Free

• Stage 1 of 5: Land at Lucky Landing — 1 Battle Star
• Deal damage with SMGs to opponents (500) — 5 Battle Stars
• Stage 1 of 3: Search chests at a Hot Spot (3) — 3 Battle Stars

Premium

• Deal damage to a vehicle driven by an opponent (200) — 5 Battle Stars
• Use a Storm Flip in different matches (3) — 5 Battle Stars
• Use different vehicles in a single match (2) — 10 Battle Stars
• Eliminate opponents in The Block or Fatal Fields (3) — 10 Battle Stars

If you own a Season 9 Battle Pass and complete any four of this week’s challenges, you’ll earn 6,000 XP for your troubles. Each challenge will also reward you with Battle Stars, which will help level your Battle Pass up and, in turn, unlock more of this season’s new skins and other cosmetic rewards. If you need help clearing any previous challenges from this season, you can find guides for the trickier ones in our complete Fortnite Season 9 challenges roundup.

The aforementioned 9.21 update arrived on June 12 and added another new weapon to the game: the Proximity Grenade Launcher, which lobs bouncing explosives at opponents. It comes in Epic and Legendary varieties and can be found in chests, supply drops, vending machines, or from Loot Carriers. The update also kicked off a new, PvE limited-time mode called Horde Rush, which comes with its own assortment of challenges to complete. You can find the full patch notes for the update on Epic’s website.

E3 2019 has finally come and gone, which means it’s time to reflect on the convention’s biggest news and show-stealing announcements. There is a lot to dissect out there, from the new Xbox Scarlett system to Final Fantasy VII Remake and so much more. Be sure to head over to our E3 hub to read up on all the headlines as they slowly tumble in. For now, check out the list of the best game trailers from this year’s E3 we’ve compiled below.

Challenger Approaching: Banjo-Kazooie In Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate‘s roster is getting bigger, with both Dragon Quest heroes and Banjo-Kazooie entering the ring, Nintendo revealed during the company’s E3 2019 Direct. The honey bear-red breegull duo will arrive sometime this fall, and though no price has been confirmed, the two are part of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Fighter Pass, which retails for $25 USD / $31 AUD / £20 GBP.

Cyber-Keanu-Punk Reeves 2077

Not only did CD Projekt Red get Keanu Reeves to star in Cyberpunk 2077, but the prolific action star also attended E3 2019 to reveal the sci-fi, first-person shooter’s release date. Cyberpunk 2077 launches on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on April 16, 2020.

Watch Dogs Legion And Helen The Retired Assassin

Helen looks like a nice old lady, but this isn’t your grandma’s grandma. She’s packing heavy heat and isn’t afraid to get down and dirty, easily becoming Watch Dogs Legion‘s breakout star assassin. Watch Dogs Legion launches on Google Stadia, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on March 6, 2020.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Trailer Smorgasbord

A lot of information came out of Square Enix’s E3 2019 press conference, including details about combat for the hotly-anticipated Final Fantasy VII Remake. Sporting two discs worth of gameplay content, the action-RPG launches on PlayStation 4 on March 3, 2020.

Groundhog Day In 12 Minutes

Microsoft’s E3 2019 press conference came with quite a thrill, as the company showed off a tense psychological thriller called 12 Minutes. Published by Ashen and Florence publisher Annapurna Interactive, 12 Minutes launches on PC and Xbox One sometime next year.

Link’s New Look In Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Previously announced back in February 2019, Nintendo showed a decent amount of footage of the reimagined Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening during the company’s E3 2019 Direct, including an official release date. The cutesy Link’s Awakening launches on Nintendo Switch on September 20.

Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel Teased

Nintendo closed its E3 2019 Direct with a brief announcement that a Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel is now in development for the Nintendo Switch. No release date or window has been confirmed, but we do know Link will return to Hyrule for yet another adventure.

Lego’s Speed To Forza Horizon 4

Forza Horizon 4‘s DLC continues to surprise us, with Microsoft unveiling the Lego Speed Champions expansion for the open-world racing game during E3 2019. Forza Horizon 4 is available now for PC and Xbox One, and Lego Speed Champions is available to purchase now for $20 USD / $29 AUD / £16 GBP. The expansion comes at no additional cost for those who own the Ultimate Edition, or either the Expansions or Ultimate Add-Ons bundles of Forza Horizon 4.

Halo Infinite Returns To Xbox As Launch Title

Microsoft gave details about its next-gen console, codenamed Project Scarlett, during E3 2019. Alongside the announcement of when to expect the new Xbox Scarlett system, Microsoft also announced Halo Infinite as a day-one launch title, both of which will arrive holiday 2020. Marking the first time a Halo game was an Xbox system launch title since 2001’s Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo Infinite will also launch on PC and Xbox One.

Back To Hell In Doom Eternal

Bethesda showed off some extensive Doom Eternal gameplay during the company’s E3 2019 press conference. We also got a look at a new asymmetrical multiplayer mode coming to the upcoming hell-infested, first-person shooter–and it looks devilishly gory. Doom Eternal launches on Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on November 22.

Frights Return In Luigi’s Mansion 3

Luigi’s off on another ghostly adventure in Luigi’s Mansion 3, Nintendo unveiled during the company’s E3 2019 Direct. Along with a release window, we also saw some gameplay of the ghost-wrangling adventure game. Luigi’s Mansion 3 launches on Nintendo Switch sometime this year.

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While Microsoft unveiled its next-gen console plans in the form of Xbox Scarlett, the company also showed off some new Borderlands 3 gameplay during its E3 2019 press conference. One extensive clip sees a player taking control of Moze the Gunner, the upcoming looter-shooter’s soldier class and most versatile character.

The gameplay looks like standard Borderlands fare: shoot stuff, loot stuff. The player enters an area called Leery Hamlet–a likely reference to William Shakespeare’s tragedies Hamlet and King Lear. What makes the new Vault Hunter unique is the level of customization that comes with her giant mech, the Iron Bear. Our own Jordan Ramee believes Moze “is able to accomplish a wide variety of tasks,” making her what might be the most versatile character Gearbox has ever created. Check out the 10-minute gameplay clip below.

Borderlands 3 launches on September 13 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The upcoming looter-shooter will also be a day-one Google Stadia launch title this November.

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Gears Tactics is not dead, according to publisher Microsoft, despite its E3 2019 no-show. The Xbox One and PC game was first unveiled at E3 2018 alongside Gears 5 and Gears Pop, but while those were shown off again at Xbox’s press conference this time round, Tactics was not.

This prompted fears from some that the game was canceled or experiencing development struggles. However, the publisher has now reassured fans that the strategy title is still on the way.

Longtime series producer Rod Fergusson told Kotaku: “Last year we wanted to really talk about all three games [Gears 5, Pop, and Tactics] and show that Microsoft is tripling down on the Gears of War franchise, but now that we’ve had that we’re really trying to make sure it’s not always this three-pack … We’ll talk about Gears Tactics later.”

No release date has been revealed for Gears Tactics, while Gears 5 launches on September 10. Gears Pop, meanwhile, will come to iOS and Android in “late summer” this year.

Microsoft’s E3 2019 conference focused heavily on Gears 5, which will receive a Terminator crossover in which you can play as the T-800 himself or Sarah Connor. Players will also have a couple of chances to try out Gears 5 ahead of its release. In July, The Coalition will launch a versus multiplayer test that includes a new competitive game type called Arcade. Then the following month, on August 19, you can test out Horde Mode.

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E3 2019’s press conferences are over. The Electronic Entertainment Expo delivered some huge news, including a Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel, a new Xbox console named Project Scarlett, and plenty more.

However, it also contained some wacky moments none of us expected, and it gave rise to some stars we never thought would shine at a gaming expo. Let’s take a look at some of the people–and animals–that have brightened up our E3.

Doug Bowser Picking A Fight With, Uh, Bowser

After Reggie Fils-Aime’s recent retirement, Nintendo needed a new star to present its E3 Directs. Thankfully, Bowser was there to take over–in style. Doug Bowser, that is.

The Koopa King thought he was the one to tell us about Nintendo’s new games at E3 2019, but it turns out there was a mistake, and D Bowser promptly put Mario’s longtime enemy in his place. Sorry, Bowser.

Keanu Reeves Is In Cyberpunk 2077

Keanu Reeves had already captured the internet’s hearts for being an all-round Good Egg. So when he emerged on-stage at Microsoft’s E3 2019 press conference, everyone understandably went wild. The actor, perhaps best known for his roles in the Matrix and John Wick franchises, is in Cyberpunk 2077. He plays a character named Johnny Silverhand, who is described by developer CD Projekt Red as a “legendary rocker boy” who gets his name from the fact that he has a robotic, silver arm. Silverhand is a “key” character in Cyberpunk 2077, so we may see a lot of him.

Reeves not only provided the voice and likeness of Silverhand, but he also performed full-body motion capture. This means Silverhand will look and act like Reeves. That’s good news, because as behind-the-scenes John Wick training videos have shown, Reeves is a talented actor who commits to his craft to ensure the best possible result.

Ubisoft Brought An Adorable Dog On Stage

Ubisoft’s E3 2019 press conference was as varied as ever, bringing us news on Watch Dogs: Legion, Rainbow Six Quarantine, and more. But by far the most adorable moment was when actor John Bernthal (The Wolf of Wall Street, Daredevil, The Punisher) arrived on stage accompanied by his dog, Bam Bam. Bernthal was there to discuss his role in Ghost Recon Breakpoint, while Bam Bam was merely there to be A Good Boy. Watch the wholesome moment above.

Ikumi Nakamura Is The Internet’s New Favorite Game Developer

The grey clouds of Activision’s reduced E3 presence and Sony’s no-show seemed ready to unleash a shower of disappointment on E3 2019. And then the Bethesda press conference happened. Tango Gameworks creative director Ikumi Nakamura took to the stage, and like a beam of light from the sun, she cut through the miasma to energize and uplift us all. Nakamura arrived on stage to announce Ghostwire: Tokyo, a new game from the studio behind The Evil Within and The Evil Within 2.

Nakamura casually strolled onto the stage with an enthusiastic, “Yayyyyyyy!” This was followed by, “Wow, wow, wow, so many people.” Obviously, Nakamura was feeling overwhelmed by the size of the audience, but at the same time, she stayed cool, calm, and collected.

Nakamura’s minor case of stage fright belies her experience in game design and development. Though she may not be a familiar name or face to the greater video game fanbase as a whole, she has been involved in the creation of some of the most beloved games of all time, including Okami and Bayonetta, and of course The Evil Within.

Over the course of a few minutes, Nakamura’s earnestness and excitement won hearts and minds. She admitted her nervousness, said she’d give speaking English–which she is doing for our benefit–a solid shot, and then delivered a charismatic pitch for her new “spooooooky” game. People are vanishing in Tokyo, and we the player must find out why, unraveling conspiracies and delving into the occult along the way. She promised we’d meet spirits that were [ominous voice] “dangerous” and [playful voice] “peaceful.”

Helen, Watch Dogs: Legion’s Killer Grandmother

Ubisoft’s E3 2019 press conference had quite a few unexpected surprises–one of which we’ve of course been over already–but none seems to have hit as hard as an octogenarian with a mean streak. Helen, one of the showcased playable characters from Watch Dogs: Legion, has captured the hearts of the internet.

That’s no small feat, because the pitch behind Legion is that anyone is a playable character. All of London’s residents you find wandering around have their own stories, backgrounds, and habits, and you can hack into their lives and learn more about them to recruit them. Many of them have specialized skills like brawling or robotics expertise. Helen, according to the trailer, is a former assassin, and the wrinkles have made her no less deadly.

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Epic’s month-long Mega Sale ends after today, but the digital store announced it’s extending one particular offer through the rest of 2019. During the Mega Sale, Epic began offering a free PC game to its users on a weekly basis (rather than biweekly, as it was doing before), and the store will continue giving one free game away every week through the rest of the year, starting with Enter the Gungeon.

Available for free starting today, Enter the Gungeon is a gunfight dungeon-crawler that takes place in the Gungeon, a “bullet-hell fortress” that’s constantly evolving and upping its challenges. The “gungeoneers” are a group of misfits with deep regrets seeking a powerful treasure at the Gungeon’s core: a legendary gun that can kill their past. The heroes must brave traps, chasms, and wave after wave of bullets to make their way through the dungeon, and a variety of wacky weapons are at your disposal, including guns that shoot lasers, cannonballs, rainbows, fish, darts, and more.

The game received a 7/10 in GameSpot’s Enter the Gungeon review, in which critic Cassidee Moser took issue with its guns feeling similar and certain gameplay elements, but praised its finely tuned shooting mechanics, challenging enemies, and dynamic visuals. “Care has been placed in the smallest details, mixing retro-inspired pixelated artwork with more contemporary styles of visual feedback,” wrote Moser.

As a reminder, you’ll need a free Epic account to claim Enter the Gungeon, and once you do add the game to your account, it’ll be yours to keep. Enter the Gungeon will be available until June 20, when it will be replaced by space adventure Rebel Galaxy.

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The dungeon-crawler Torchlight 2 is coming to consoles with extra content this fall. The original game was a PC exclusive, but now it will come to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It’s due on September 3 for $20.

Torchlight 2 was originally developed by Runic Games, and the port is being handled by Panic Button. These console ports feature an improved targeting system and revised console-friendly UI, and new pets. The Nintendo Switch version will let up to four dungeon divers play with their friends on a local wireless connection.

The original Torchlight was released on PC and Xbox 360, and helped scratch the Diablo itch for action-RPG fans. Torchlight 2 came in 2012, and went head-to-head against Diablo 3. Torchlight is a bit lighter in tone than Blizzard’s series, though, and includes some mechanical differences.

“We’ve discovered that the core mechanics featured in Torchlight II translate really well onto consoles,” says Panic Button’s Andy Boggs. “It’s a solid multiplayer experience with fast-paced action and an almost endless progression system. Our team has been working hard on the console version to make sure that the combat feels just as fun and satisfying as it did on PC.”

GameSpot’s review of Torchlight 2 was positive, crediting its distinct character classes, enticing loot, and vibrant visuals. Publisher Perfect World is currently preparing a brand new Torchlight game, called Torchlight Frontiers.

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