Warning: Full spoilers for Vikings’ Season 5 midseason premiere follow…
“The Revelation,” featuring Clive Standen’s Rollo return to the fold as Lagertha’s lovelorn opponent once again, is a good opener for the second half of Season 5, though most of it operates as a dry piece-mover, getting characters into proper position for the stories ahead.
Rollo’s arc, and his moments with Lagertha and Bjorn, are the heart of this chapter while the rest features acceptable aftermath-ish scenes, showing the consequences of Ivar’s conquering of Kattegat. Cliffhangers, like Floki’s yearn to sacrifice himself out in Iceland, are answered in short order (Helgi casts the deciding vote against the idea), while King Alfred (with Prince Aethelred as his attack dog) is briefly shown ruffling the feathers of his court by suggesting education be made available to all – while the realm’s under constant attack from Norsemen on all sides.
After breaking out of jail and hiding in a bunker, it didn’t take Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) long to realize Riverdale wasn’t big enough for both Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos) and himself. Warning: The following contains spoilers for the November 28 episode of Riverdale, “Manhunter.”
So with his best friend Jughead (Cole Sprouse) in tow, Archie has broken things off with his girlfriend Veronica (Camila Mendes) and hit the road. Where the two friends will end up is anybody’s guess, but according to Sprouse and Apa, it’s going to make for a very different Riverdale in upcoming episodes.
“It’s really an Archie-Jughead narrative, which is kind of in rare supply,” Sprouse told GameSpot and other reporters during a visit to Riverdale‘s set. “So you get that for a good chunk of episodes. It’s really just Archie and Jughead for a little bit and it’s a lot of fun and they’re on the lam and they’re running away, kind of [like] Stand By Me. It’s really fun.”
He’s not wrong when pointing out that there are very few storylines centered on the friendship between Archie and Jughead. While they are the best of friends in comic books, the two are so heavily weighed down by the trials and tribulations in living in a horrible and dangerous town like Riverdale to have any time to be friends.
Now, with Riverdale in their rear-view, thanks to Hiram’s obsession with destroying this teenager, Archie can have an adventure with his buddy, wherever it may take them. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’ll last too long. Eventually, both will have to come back to Riverdale. As Apa tells it, though, they may not come home at the same time.
“Eventually, they end up finding themselves having to kind of — like the fork in the road,” he said. “They have to go their separate ways at some point.”
What breaks them up remains to be seen, but there’s plenty unraveling in Riverdale that’s going to need their attention. Betty (Lili Reinhart) is locked up in Sisters of Quiet Mercy, while her mom has run off to join a cult. The Gargoyle King is leaving a trailer of bodies because some people take Dungeons and Dragons too seriously, and Hiram is seemingly involved in every dastardly thing happening within city limits. Archie and Jughead can only ignore the atrocities literally happening in their backyard for so long.
Nintendo will be ending its Nintendo Creators Program (NCP) next month, so it can “make it easier for content creators to make and monetize videos that contain Nintendo game content.”
To make a long story short, as long as those who are creating videos or livestreaming with Nintendo Game Content include “creative input and commentary” and are not just re-posting gameplay, trailers, tournaments, etc., they will be able to monetize their work.
As announced previously, the title will be published by Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two Interactive’s new indie publishing company Private Division. Microsoft recently acquired Obsidian, but the developer’s new game will still be published by Private Division. It remains to be seen how Microsoft may be involved.
The Obsidian website now features a pop-up that displays a number of interesting teasers. You can see them all below. According to Kotaku’s Jason Schreier, the new game is being worked on by two Fallout 1’s designers, Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky.
Private Division is Take-Two’s new indie publishing label. In addition to Obsidian’s next RPG, the company is publishing Assassin’s Creed creator Patrice Desilets’ Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, along with an unannounced RPG from former DICE developers David Goldfarb and Ben Cousins at their new studio The Outsiders. Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto’s unannounced sci-fi FPS at his studio V1 Interactive will also be published by Private Division.
The Game Awards 2018 take place on the evening of Thursday, December 6. One of the other reveals could be Alien: Blackout for console and PC, but that’s all we know so far.
This Thursday, November 29, at 4pm PT, 7pm ET Sydnee pits YouTuber and Disney XD host ParkerGames against professional League of Legends player Aphromoo in a battle on the Fortnite field. Why? Why not??
As always, you can watch right here on the front page of IGN.com, or you can find us on YouTube, Twitch, and Mixer. And remember, if you’ve read this far, you get a *free bowl of soup.
Reading Heroes in Crisis has been a jarring experience, to say the least. The first two issues quietly killed off several major DC characters with zero fanfare. And as much as that speaks to the random, senseless nature of so many real-world cases of mass-murder, it’s still difficult to come to terms with these deaths. It’s probably just well that DC elected to roll a pair of planned tie-in issues into the main Heroes in Crisis miniseries. Issue #3 takes a step back and shines a light on some of the fallen heroes whom Sanctuary failed. In the process, readers are given crucial added context for the larger story being told.
Tom King remains the writer here, but apart from the two bookend pages, regular artist Clay Mann is replaced by guest artist Lee Weeks. It’s hard to be too upset about that switch-up when King and Weeks have proven themselves to be a fantastic team in their own right. Weeks’ art really gels with the pervasive tone of melancholy fueling Heroes in Crisis. Whereas Mann’s sleek figures and Tomeu Morey’s vivid colors in the main issues seem to create an ironic clash between visual tone and subject matter, Weeks really dives into the darker, moodier side of being a hero in the DCU. There’s an aching sadness and a poignant beauty to most of Weeks’ pages.
Variety reports that Activision Blizzard Studios, the video game publisher’s TV and movie division, has hired Black Panther writer Joe Robert Cole to pen the script. Activision Blizzard Studios has yet to officially announce Cole as the writer, and the company did not respond to GameSpot’s request for comment.
The first Call of Duty movie doesn’t have cast or a release date yet, but things can move fast (or very slowly) in Hollywood, so it’s not unreasonable or unprecedented for Activision Blizzard Studios to be moving forward already with a sequel.
There is no word for what the plot might be for any of the Call of Duty movies, but it sounds like they might be part of a Marvel-style cinematic universe with multiple connecting stories.
“We have plotted out many years,” Sher explained. “We put together this group of writers to talk about where we were going. There’ll be a film that feels more like Black Ops, the story behind the story. The Modern Warfare series looks at what it’s like to fight a war with the eyes of the world on you. And then maybe something that is more of a hybrid, where you are looking at private, covert operations, while a public operation is going on.”
“It’s going to have the same sort of high-adrenaline, high-energy aesthetic as the game, but it’s not a literal adaptation,” added van Dyk. “It’s a much more broad and inclusive, global in scope … a big, tentpole, Marvel-esque movie.”
What would you like to see from the Call of Duty movie? Let us know in the comments below!
Reports indicate that the Gears of War movie has found a new writer, who has some experience with action films.
Per The Wrap, F. Scott Frazier, who previously wrote Collide, xXx: Return of Xander Cage and more, has been brought on to write Universal’s Gears of War adaptation. This news comes after last year’s report that the film would be written by Avatar 2 screenwriter Shane Salerno, who has apparently been replaced by Frazier.
The Gears of War film was announced back in 2016, though soon after reports indicated that it was still in “early days of exploration.” The film will be produced by Dylan Clark and Gears of War alumni Rod Fergusson, with Scott Stuber executive producing.
This week, Rockstar Games launched the beta for Red Dead Online, the hotly anticipated multiplayer mode for Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS4 and Xbox One. Much like in the original game, players will be able to take part in missions, themed events, and take out rival players as they explore the massive open world at their leisure. This time, however, Red Dead Online is taking more cues from Grand Theft Auto V‘s online mode, allowing you to create your own character and build up their influence as they rub shoulders with some of Red Dead’s most well-known individuals.
With the beta, players will get an early look at what to expect from the online experience of Red Dead 2. Unlike the main story, the entire map is available to explore early on, allowing you to freely move about once you’ve gotten your feet wet. During our time spent exploring and taking part in a variety of events, we had a number of takeaways of how Red Dead Online functions as a whole, which we’ve detailed here in this feature. In addition to some familiar faces making a return, we’ve also gotten a better look at the new character progression system, which is a big change from the main story. There was certainly a lot to take in with how Red Dead Online works, be sure to share your thoughts below on what stuck out for you with the new mode.
Rockstar plans to gradually roll more players into the beta. So far, it’s just limited those who played the game in the initial days after launch or if you own the ultimate edition. In the coming days, more players players will be able to dive in and experience the online mode. If you want to see when you can play, check out our write-up here.
For more on Red Dead Online, be sure to keep up with our continuing coverage. And if you’re still playing the main story, be sure to check out our guide on the hidden weapons in the game, along with some other strange events and easter eggs that are worth keeping an eye out for.
It’s Set Before The Main Story
Taking place sometime before the events of Red Dead Redemption 2’s story–just prior to the disastrous Blackwater heist that forced the Van der Linde gang on the run–you’ll play as a newly incarcerated prisoner in Sisika Penitentiary. After creating your character, you’ll quickly dive into the lengthy tutorial detailing the new systems–such as the new ability cards, multiplayer, and co-op, you’ll also get to know some of the new characters exclusive to the online mode. Once you’ve set up your own camp, you’re free to take part in a number of activities, which include horse racing, co-op missions, and of course competitive gunfights with rivals. By setting the online mode’s story before the main game’s plot, it will allow newcomers and those that haven’t finished the main story to dive into the different setting spoiler-free.
Familiar Faces Return
While exploring the online world, you’ll come across many new characters in your travels who won’t be seen outside of Red Dead Online. However, some missions will not only have you cross paths with some returning characters from Red Dead 2, but also those from the previous game. In one early mission, your character will meet up with the Davies brothers, who helped Arthur Morgan flip stolen horses during the main story. In RDO, they assist you with purchasing horses and supplies, and will even offer up a free upgrade from your default steed. In another, more surprising appearance, players will meet up with Bonnie MacFarlane, a returning character from the original game who is notably absent from Red Dead 2’s single-player story. Just like in GTA Online, you’ll see different sides of some returning characters, as they task you with helping them out with various missions.
There’s A Battle Royale Mode
Similar to Red Dead 1’s online mode, there are a variety of gameplay modes to dive into. In addition to free-roam, letting you loose in the open world, there’s also a suite multiplayer modes called the Showdown Series. By selecting this option, you can join different multiplayer modes, including team-deathmatch, capture the territory, and free-for-all. However, Red Dead Online is also taking cues from the biggest trend in recent years, allowing you to take part in the open world western’s take on the popular battle royale game-mode. Known as Make It Count, this mode puts 32 players together in a large-scale skirmish to see who’s the top outlaw. Armed with a bow and arrow, and along with a knife, you’ll have to use your wits and quick reflexes to stay one step ahead of the others, all while the field of battle shrinks down. Here’s a list of the multiplayer modes on-hand in RDO.
Shootout & Team Shootout:Classic gunfight modes with unlimited lives. Compete to rack up the most kills before the timer runs out. Sudden death will trigger in the event of a tie: whoever gets the first kill wins.
Make it Count:A true test of resourcefulness in two game modes: use nothing but a bow and a handful of arrows or throwing knives to be the last one standing. With a gradually shrinking player area, there’s nowhere to run.
Most Wanted:A tactical race to the top. Every kill pushes you up the scoreboard, but watch out: the closer to the top you are, the more points everyone else gets for killing you.
Hostile Territory:Work in teams to control the land. Capture a territory to start racking up points: the team with most points wins – or you can win outright by capturing every territory.
Name your Weapon:Demonstrate your personal specialty in this free-for-all or team based match: the trickier the weapon you use to land the killing blow, the more points you get.
Character Growth Works A Bit Differently
In Red Dead Redemption 2’s campaign, the Cores systems divide Arthur’s attributes across three different areas: Health Stamina, and Dead Eye. To upgrade these areas, you simply have to perform actions associated to each area, which included hunting, fist-fighting, shooting, and sprinting long distances. While the basic concept of Cores carry over to Red Dead Online, actual character growth is very different. During character creation, you’ll be able to form the basis of your character’s stats–letting you put points into whichever attributes you prefer. Your character will gradually rank up after gaining enough experience points and acquire Ability Vouchers to unlock new perks–including the perk A Moment To Recuperate, which allows health regen during Dead Eye. With up to four perks available to you, one focused on Dead Eye, and the others offering passive traits that help you and your teammates, you’ll be able to gradually mold your character into the style of outlaw you wish.
The New Economy
Over the course of your journey moving up the outlaw ladder in New Hanover and New Austin, you’ll slowly acquire more funds to purchase better gear and resources. Many of the systems and the economy from the base game carry over, but with the online mode, there have been some changes to make things a bit more balanced. In addition to access being restricted by your level, many of the items are much more expensive compared to the single-player mode. Along with earning cold, hard cash money from fallen enemies, completing missions, and looting chests, you’ll also acquire gold, which is used to purchase premium items. Unsurprisingly, many of the more elite items in Online will require gold, which can be found on your own, or purchased with real money (though this option is not yet available).
There’s much more to see and find in Red Dead Online, and we’re still learning more about what the mode has to offer. Be sure to check out our roundup of all the details in RDO.
[Update: The price has gone back up to $60. It might be worth checking the link again to see if it dips back down.] Daily Steals is a retailer that sells a range of products both on its own site and through Facebook. As we saw during the lead-up to Black Friday, the Facebook side of the operation occasionally offers ridiculously good deals. The only problem? Stock is limited, so the best deals can sell out in seconds. That said, right now Daily Steals is selling Spider-Man for PS4 for just $30. Our advice? If you want it, grab it quickly.
There are two caveats lurking behind this deal. One is that you need a Facebook account to get it. The other is that the game comes with the Latin American packaging, which the retailer says differs from the US version only in the language of the text on the box. PS4 games are region free, so it will play just fine on US consoles, and it still has English language dialog. But if having Spanish or Portuguese on the box bothers you, you’ll want to wait for a different deal.
As for the game itself, it’s fantastic. Critic Edmond Tran awarded it 9/10 in GameSpot’s Spider-Man review, writing, “The feeling of embodying Spidey and using his abilities is astonishing, and the time spent on exploring its major characters help make its story feel heartfelt, despite superhero bombast. There have been open-world Spider-Man games before, but none so riveting and full of personality, none that explore and do justice to this many facets of the universe. Insomniac has created a superior Spider-Man experience that leaves a lasting impression, one that has you longing for just one more swing around New York City, even after the credits roll.”
Spider-Man’s DLC expansions are still rolling out. Two episodes are available now, with the third and final one due by the end of the year.
