Was This Year Nintendo’s Sophomore Slump?: Year In Review 2018

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Most Anticipated Games Coming In 2019 Montage

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Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Won’t Get More Games Until 2019

There will be no further additions to the Xbox One’s backwards compatibility catalog until the New Year, Microsoft has confirmed. Microsoft’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb wrote on Twitter that Xbox is pausing releases until 2019 because the team is taking some time off for the holidays.

2018 was another big year for the backwards compatibility library, as Microsoft added more than 100 titles to the catalog during the year. There are now more than 550 games in the library, of which 57 are “enhanced” for Xbox One X.

Microsoft historically temporarily stops releasing major new features or content to its platforms in the weeks leading up to the holidays so it can instead focus on making sure its devices like Xbox One and others are steady and reliable for the many new people coming online during the holidays. All Xbox One models are currently $50 off in the US, and that sale, along with the regular uptick in sales during the holidays, will surely mean many new Xboxes are being switched on during the holidays, so it makes sense that Microsoft would want to focus on that being a good experience.

The Xbox One backwards compatibility library includes Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. New titles are added on a semi-regular basis (apart from this holiday season break), with the latest batch–Duke Nukem Forver, The Darkness, and The Bureau: XCOM Declassified–arriving this week.

As always, if you own these games already, you can simply put the disc into your Xbox One and start playing. If you own them digitally you can find them in your game collection and redownload them. Check out our full list of backwards compatible games for more.

Announced In 2013 And Later Delayed Indefinitely, Xbox One And PC’s “Below” Is Finally Coming Out

Below, the tough roguelike from Capybara Games, is finally–yes, really this time–coming out. The indie title for Xbox One and PC will launch on December 14, the studio confirmed today.

It has been a very long road to release, as Capybara originally announced Below all the way back in 2013. In 2016, Capybara delayed the game indefinitely. Speaking to GI.biz, Capybara boss Nathan Vella said it was probably a mistake to announce Below so early.

“We’re definitely not going to announce things too early [in future], that’s for sure,” he said. “That’s the No.1 learning. We know a lot more about when games are ready to be discussed. In the five years since we announced, we’ve learned a lot and that’s a big chunk of our experience.”

Below is a rougelike dungeon crawler where players wash ashore on a mysterious island, and the only place to go is into a cave. Then you delve deeper and deeper in the mysterious “below.”

You can watch the launch trailer for Below above. In addition to that, you can check out nine minutes of gameplay in the embed at the top of the page.

A New Far Cry Game Might Be Announced At The Game Awards

Ubisoft has teased an impending Far Cry announcement for The Game Awards with a short video that hints at a post-apocalyptic theme. Though the brief look doesn’t explicitly say the announcement is connected with Far Cry 5 or that it’s explicitly Far Cry 6, the setting of this new game or expansion appears similar to be similar to the latest game in the series. Spoilers for Far Cry 5 follow.

The teaser begins with a nuclear explosion over a track of farm land, echoing the ending of Far Cry 5 when the cult leader Joseph Seed was proven right after all. His prophecy came true and the world–or at least a sizable chunk of rural Montana–was obliterated by nukes. The connection suggests this game will follow the events of Far Cry 5.

The teaser says the world recovered and vegetation regrew, and the survivors thought the threat had passed. But, in an ominous twist, the narration says they were wrong, as we see a figure picking up a sawblade for an apparent makeshift weapon. This would appear to be a post-apocalyptic Far Cry, complete with scrappy survivors.

The brief video doesn’t indicate much about whether this will be downloadable content for Far Cry 5, a new standalone spin-off like Blood Dragon, or an entirely new game. Far Cry 5 already had a full season pass of content, complete with zombies, outer space, and Vietnam.

We’ll know more tomorrow when the full reveal airs live during The Game Awards. It all kicks off starting at 8:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM PT / 1:30 AM GMT (Friday) / 12:30 PM AET (Friday), and you can watch it right here at GameSpot. While some studios are teasing reveals for The Game Awards, others have stepped forward to say they won’t be showing their games.

What Is 2018’s Best PS4 Exclusive Game?

BEYOND!

On this week’s episode of IGN’s weekly PlayStation show, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano and Max Scoville to debate what was this year’s best PS4 exclusive game. In a year with both Marvel’s Spider-Man and God of War, plus great PSVR titles like Astro Bot: Rescue Mission and more, the crew discusses what experience stuck with them most, and what exactly constitutes a “best” game.

Plus, the crew takes a look at December’s free PS Plus games, The Game Awards rumors, and a look ahead to what’s to come to PlayStation in 2019.

  • Intro – 00:00
  • What is the Best PS4 Game of 2018? – 1:06
  • December PS Plus Free Games – 15:39
  • Continue reading…

Devil May Cry 5: Release Date, Main Characters, And Everything We Know So Far

After a long hiatus, Capcom is bringing the Devil May Cry series back to its core storyline and set of characters in serious style. Set for a worldwide release on March 8, 2019 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, Devil May Cry 5 is the next major entry in the series, bringing back a sense of style and action that the series helped popularize since its debut in 2001. With multiple playable characters, new weapons systems, and a surprising number of callbacks to previous games, DMC5 looks to be the game that many long-time fans have been waiting for.

Though we’re still a few months away, we’re still in the dark regarding the new game and what it’s setting out to do with its current outing. Ever since its first reveal back at E3 2018, there was a lot to take in, so we’ve broken things down to a few key points. Here’s everything we know about Capcom’s upcoming return to stylish-action with Devil May Cry 5.

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What Is Devil May Cry 5?

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Devil May Cry 5 is an upcoming action-adventure game. Developed by Capcom, the long-running DMC series has always been about fast, stylish action while using a variety of unique weapons. Over the last 16 years, the series has gone on to inspire a particular brand of action gameplay, where fast-paced action and challenging battles go hand-in-hand. With every game, the stakes and scope of the series has grown, and DMC5 looks to the most detailed and elaborate entry yet.

DMC5 seeks to continue that tradition of stylish action by telling the next major story in the series. With three playable characters–Dante, Nero, and the newcomer V–you’ll go through a main story slashing and shooting demons and other monsters. Running on the RE Engine, the same framework powering Resident Evil 7 and the Resident Evil 2 remake, the game will feature the most detailed and richly realized visuals the series has seen yet. According to the developers, DMC5 will be the biggest game in the series, and seeks to incorporate a number of new features and innovations into the core gameplay.

When Does It Release And How Can I Catch Up?

DMC5’s release date on PC, PS4, and Xbox One is set for March 8, 2019. If you want to catch up and play the previous games, you can check out the DMC HD Collection compiling the first three games on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Also, DMC4 Special Edition is available on the same platforms and offers a revised take on the game with a total of five unique characters to play as. DmC: Definitive Edition, an update of Ninja Theory’s reboot, is also an excellent entry in the series. If you’re interested in checking that out, the Definitive Edition is available on PS4 and Xbox One (no PC release, unfortunately).

The Reveal Trailer

After years of rumors and speculation, Devil May Cry 5 made its debut during Microsoft’s E3 2018 press conference. The trailer began with an enigmatic voice-over talking over widespread carnage and bloodshed as a result of a demonic invasion. Afterward, we finally saw the return of Nero, riding around in his mobile headquarters with a neon blue Devil May Cry logo on the side. The trailer ended with a tease of Dante riding along on an strange, demonic motorcycle–giving a familiar smirk to the viewer.

Can I Start With This Game?

Though this game references storylines and characters from across the 17 year history, it’s totally possible to jump straight into DMC5. Just like with previous games, there will be digest material to help you get up to speed. But more importantly, the game will work as a standalone title, and won’t require you to know every single character and their relationships. With that said, the game’s plot will make more of an impact if you’re familiar with the series.

What’s New In DMC5?

Though many details about DMC5 are still under wraps, the game focuses on offering the same thrilling moments of action–with some added twists. In addition to new weapons and tweaks to existing characters, DMC5 will also feature a new training level called the Void mode. In this practice area, which can be pulled up in between missions, you’ll be sucked into a space that allows you to experiment with the different moves and weapons you have available for the three playable characters. Pulling from Capcom’s wealth of experience from fighting games, you can apply a whole set of options to your sparring partner–adjusting AI, attack damage, and other options–allowing you to get a feel for what your character can do.

How Does Nero Play?

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Returning from DMC4, Nero is one of the main leads in DMC5. However, some things have changed since his first appearance that was quickly apparent from watching the debut trailer. For starters, his primary moveset is largely the same, using his Blue Rose revolver and Red Queen sword in tandem, which can charged up for extra damage. However, the Devil Bringer from the previous game–allowing him to yank and grapple enemies from afar–is gone, and he’ll now have to rely on the new Devil Breaker system.

Crafted by series newcomer Nico, who works as a shopkeeper in their mobile headquarters, you’ll be able to purchase upgrades and new items from her–including new Devil Breakers. Essentially, Devil Breakers are disposable arms that offer Nero different skills and modifiers to his moveset. For instance, the Gerbera arm will allow Nero to fire off projectile lasers, the Tomboy will amplify Nero’s sword and gun strength (at the cost of disabling lock-on), and the Buster Arm will function similarly to his original Devil Bringer. There is a tradeoff to having these weapons, unfortunately. The arms are extremely fragile and will break once you’ve taken enough damage from enemies or if you want to switch over to another weapon–destroying the equipped arm. However, there are plenty of arms scattered around the levels, allowing to find a new one fairly easily.

Where Does DMC5 Fit In The Series Timeline?

Devil May Cry 5 is a direct sequel to the events of DMC4, which saw Nero and Dante face off against Sanctus and the Order of Sparda. While the previous games only seldom referenced past events, opting to keep things more in the moment, DMC5 will have some direct callbacks to past games–even explaining who crafted some of Dante’s iconic weapons. Interestingly enough, Devil May Cry 2 will also play into the canon despite having been largely dismissed by fans and the developers in past years. Here’s the current chronological order for the series.

DMC5 is a continuation of the story prior to Ninja Theory’s reboot. Though DmC: Devil May Cry ended at a point that hinted at a another game, the upcoming DMC title is a direct sequel to 2008’s Devil May Cry 4. There are no plans to continue on with Ninja Theory’s reboot.

The Gamescom 2018 Trailer

In this new trailer, we got to see more of Nero in action–including his time-stopping devil breaker Ragtime–while also getting a peak at Dante’s new weapons and moveset. During the debut trailer, we got a tease at Dante riding a motorcycle, which is a constant throughout the series, but this video showed that it also serves a new weapon for him, called the Cavaliere-B. The weaponized motorcycle turns into two large chainsaws, allowing him to combo back and forth into the vehicle and weapon forms.

How Does Dante Play?

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The original devil hunter makes a comeback, and he’s exactly how you remember him from previous games. With the largest arsenal of weapons, Dante will be able to swap between a variety of swords, gauntlets, and other firearms on the fly–all while taking advantage of his signature devil trigger, which greatly amplifies his core damage and restores any lost health. After defeating major bosses throughout the game, Dante will acquire a new weapon for him to take advantage of, adding another deadly tool to his set.

One of the newer innovations for Dante is the option to customize specific loadouts for his weapons. In the pre-mission menu, you can pick and choose which weapons you want to bring with you in mission. If you want to come in fully armed–with up to four melee and firearms each–then you can do so. But if you’re feeling more traditional and want to stick with one melee and firearm, you can do that too.

Are There Microtransactions?

During TGS 2018, we learned from our demo that DMC5 will feature a form of microtransactions for players to take advantage of. Using a similar method from Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition, these purchases will only allow you access to Red Orbs–DMC’s currency–and they won’t throw the game’s balance out of whack, according to Capcom. Many of the major abilities and upgrades you can find are tied to the story, thus requiring you to earn access to them.

The TGS 2018 Trailer

In the most recent trailer, we saw Dante and Nero revealing more of their respective movesets and weapons. The original devil hunter also shows off a brand-new weapon known as the Balrog. This close-range, brawler-focused weapon features two distinct fighting modes channeling punches and kicks. At the end of the trailer, we also got another tease of the elusive third playable character referred to as V.

How Does V Play?

So far, we don’t have much information to go on regarding how V will play. However, series director Hideaki Itsuno has stated that V is very different compared to Dante and Nero. In the only firm bit of info we have, the enigmatic character is able to control demons in combat for his own ends. We’ll have more information regarding how V plays in the months before the game’s launch.

Is There A Special Edition?

Capcom plans to offer deluxe editions of Devil May Cry 5 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The Digital Deluxe Edition (priced at $80) comes with the full game, four unique Devil Breakers for Nero–including Mega Man’s mega-buster–DLC song packs, and alternate color-schemes for characters and weapons. The US will also get a special Collector’s Edition ($150) that comes with the Deluxe version, an artbook, enamel pins, a bumper sticker, and special model of the Nico’s motorhome. You can read more about these in our DMC5 pre-order guide.

However, if you’re looking for the ultimate way to experience Devil May Cry 5, then you may to check out the Japan-only Limited Edition. Cost upwards of $8600, this edition comes with the deluxe edition and a replica leather jacket modeled after Dante’s threads in-game. If you’re a die-hard fan that won’t miss spending several thousand dollars for video-game memorabilia, then you want to invest in this edition of the game.

Former Dragon Age Director Joins Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Studio For A Mysterious Project

Ubisoft has made a big-name hire at its Quebec office, the studio that most recently led development on Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The Canadian developer has hired former EA veteran Mike Laidlaw, who worked at BioWare on the Dragon Age franchise and others.

Laidlaw takes on the role of creative director at Ubisoft Quebec, but Ubisoft did not say what he’ll be working on. In a blog post, Ubisoft acknowledged that Laidlaw had been consulting with Ubisoft Quebec on an “unannounced new project” for the past nine months, so it could be that Ubisoft has now brought him on full time for it.

Laidlaw was the creative director of BioWare’s Dragon Age franchise for eight years, most recently leading the team on 2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition. He also worked on BioWare games like Mass Effect, Jade Empire, and Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike into the Ubisoft Quebec family,” Ubisoft Quebec managing director Patrick Klaus said in a statement. Senior producer Jeff Skalski added, “We’re excited to have him onboard. He’s the perfect fit for our project and I can’t wait for everyone to experience the results.”

In his own statement published on LinkedIn, Laidlaw said his current project at Ubisoft Quebec is so compelling that it convinced him to move halfway across Canada from his former home in Edmonton to Quebec.

Laidlaw left BioWare in October 2017. He went on to contribute to the Kickstarter-funded RPG Waylanders, but he’s stepping back now that he’s joined Ubisoft. In his place, the Waylanders team has brought on former Telltale Games writer Emily Grace Buck to take over “many of the parts” that Laidlaw was contributing to.

Beyond hiring Laidlaw, Ubisoft Quebec is expanding in a major way. The studio recently opened a second office in the Saint-Roch neighbourhood, while it has also talked about its plans to hire 200 more people over time.

No new Dragon Age games have been announced, but just recently, BioWare teased that it might have some news to share very soon. This week, VentureBeat reported that Dragon Age 4 will be revealed at The Game Awards on Thursday evening, so keep checking back with GameSpot for more.

Here’s When Fortnite’s Season 7 Update Goes Live

Season 7 of Fortnite is upon us. The new season kicks off on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile this Thursday, December 6. Ahead of that, developer Epic Games announced that it will be taking Fortnite servers offline early in the morning at 1 AM PT / 4 AM ET / 9 AM GMT as it rolls out the big Season 7 update.

Epic hasn’t provided an estimate for how long Thursday’s downtime will last, although previous maintenance periods have typically run a couple of hours. In any event, the new update looks like it’ll be a significant one, as Epic has been teasing that some major changes are in store for the hit battle royale game.

Just as it has every season, Epic will offer a new Battle Pass for purchase beginning Thursday, which gives you access to weekly challenges and can be leveled up to unlock new cosmetics and rewards. This time, Battle Pass holders will get another incentive; they’ll have early access to Fortnite Creative. The new mode will be available to everyone on December 13, but those who purchase the Season 7 Battle Pass will be able to jump in beginning December 6.

Beyond that, we don’t yet know what awaits in Season 7, although Epic has dropped some clues. The developer has been sharing teaser images each day leading up to the start of the season, confirming some sort of snow theme for the new season. The images have also depicted characters snowboarding and ziplining, while the latest featured a biplane hidden in the background, suggesting that an aerial vehicle may be on the way.

With Season 7 just around the corner, there’s only a little more time to finish any remaining challenges from Season 6 and unlock the final Battle Pass rewards. You can find tips and guides for all of the season’s tricker tasks in our complete Season 6 challenges roundup.