How To Win Your Pet a Chance to Become a Monster Hunter Rise Pet Pal

In celebration of Monster Hunter Rise’s recent launch on Nintendo Switch, we want to give YOUR amazing pets a chance to become part of the Monster Hunter universe.

We are looking for the most adorable dogs and cats so the randomly selected winners will see their furry (or scaly!) friends all done up in the armor and style of Monster Hunter Rise’s Palicoes and Palamutes.

IGNMonsterHunterRisePetPals_TeaserPhoto_V3Monster Hunter Rise Pet Pals Event Time and Date

The Monster Hunter Rise Pet Pals event will begin on March 29, 2021, at 1pm PT/4pm ET/9pm GMT. It will run for four hours and will end at 5pm PT/8pm PT/1am GMT (March 30).

How to Enter Your Pet in the Monster Hunter Rise Pet Pals Event

If you want to see what your pet would look like in the world of Monster Hunter Rise, there are two ways to enter. This first is to reply to @IGN on Twitter with a photo of your pet and the hashtag #MHRPetPals. We strongly encourage a clean background behind your pet to help make them the best pet pal possible!

The second option is to go to petpals.ign.com to submit your photo. If you choose to go this route, we will need your first and last name, Twitter handle, pet name, and e-mail.

Only entries submitted during the event entry period will be considered for editing.

Monster Hunter Rise Pet Pals Winner Selection

Winners will be selected randomly, and all are encouraged to enter their pets for a chance to see them become a pet pal from Monster Hunter Rise!

After the event entry period noted above, IGN will edit the winners’ pets and will send them back to them directly as a reply to their tweet or via e-mail. All edited photos will also be posted in a Monster Hunter Rise Pet Pals Winners article 24 hours after the close of the event.

Monster Hunter Rise Is Out Now on Nintendo Switch!

Monster Hunter Rise was released on Nintendo Switch on March 26, 2021, and will be released on PC in 2022.

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

Assassin’s Creed Writer Leaves Ubisoft After 10 Years

Assassin’s Creed writer Darby McDevitt, who worked on numerous entries in the series over his 10 years at Ubisoft, is leaving the developer. He announced on Twitter that today, March 26, is his final day at Ubisoft Montreal.

McDevitt said he has “decided to set forth on a new adventure,” though he did not say where is headed next, whether it be in games or something else entirely.

“After a decade of working with brilliant people, creating stories & characters for an incredible series, & interacting with our wonderful fans, I have decided to set forth on a new adventure,” he said. “A special thanks to all the fans & content creators that have supported & expanded on our work over the years. Thank you for your kind attention! You have my deepest respect & admiration. It has been the honor of a lifetime to get to know so many of you.”

McDevitt’s extensive and impressive resume covers numerous games and roles. He was the lead writer on Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Revelations, along with the Assassin’s Creed short film, Embers. He also worked on Assassin’s Creed Bloodlines and Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery. Most recently, McDevitt wrote for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Outside of the Assassin’s Creed series, McDevitt wrote for The Sims 2 and licensed games based on The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. He’s just the latest high-profile developer to leave a prominent developer, as BioWare’s Jonathan Warner has left the company as well.

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Shiny Lilligant Is Appearing In Pokemon Sword And Shield For A Very Limited Time

The Pokemon Company has kicked off a new spring-themed Max Raid event in Pokemon Sword and Shield. The limited-time event runs until this Sunday, March 28, and features various Grass-type Pokemon, including Shiny Lilligant.

Throughout the Max Raid event, you’ll be more likely to encounter Vileplume, Bellossom, Cherrim, Comfey, Lurantis, and their pre-evolved forms in Max Raid dens across the Wild Area, Isle of Armor, and Crown Tundra. You’ll also have a chance to encounter a Shiny Lilligant in five-star Max Raids. The odds of finding one are slim, however, so you’ll need to be persistent if you’re hoping to catch it.

The Max Raid event is scheduled to end at 4:59 PM PT / 7:59 PM ET / 11:59 PM UTC on March 28, giving you only a few days to participate. Before you can take part, you’ll need to refresh your Max Raid dens. You can do so either by connecting the game online via the Y-Comm, or by opening the Mystery Gift menu and selecting Get the Wild Area News.

Once the spring Max Raid event ends, March’s regular Max Raid event will resume. That event will run until March 31 and features Fairy- and Flying-type Pokemon like Corviknight, Cramorant, Braviary, Weezing, Gardevoir, and Hatterene. You’ll also have a better chance of encountering Gigantamax versions of Corviknight and Hatterene as part of the event.

In other news, The Pokemon Company recently announced two more Pokemon projects for Switch. First, remakes of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are coming to the system late this year. After that, a brand-new open-world Pokemon game called Pokemon Legends: Arceus will follow in early 2022.

Now Playing: Pokémon Presents – Complete Pokemon 25 Presentation

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New DC Fan Movement #RestoreTheSnyderVerse Trends, Hits 1 Million Tweets

After the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, DC fans are backing a new social media campaign to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse.

DiscussingFilm announced that the hashtag to “Restore the SnyderVerse” hit a major milestone when it was spotted trending worldwide with over one million tweets calling for Warner Bros. to allow Snyder to finish his DC Extended Universe plan. More SnyderVerse supporters joined the movement in the aftermath of Snyder’s Justice League, which debuted on HBO Max on March 18, 2021.

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The Snyder cut itself was released after a legion of fans coalesced into an online collective that, ultimately, a major motion picture studio could not ignore, resulting, in part, with the studio giving them exactly what they demanded by greenlighting Snyder’s version of Justice League, the movie he began but which Joss Whedon finished after Snyder left the project.

As many DC fans already know, the planned Justice League trilogy is no longer happening, even though the newly released Snyder cut ends on a massive cliffhanger. Snyder has already explained why the film sets up a direct sequel that is now not likely to happen, despite having ideas on how the potential trilogy could have ended with a shock new superhero, and much, much more.

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Plot rumors about Snyder’s Justice League 2 have circulated for years, with Kevin Smith claiming the sequel would have seen the superheroes traveling to Apokolips to confront Darkseid. There was even chatter the second film would have ended on a downbeat note in the vein of Empire Strikes Back, while a third and final film would have been the final end battle between the Justice League and Darkseid.

For now, though, we have four hours of Snyder’s Justice League to sit and dissect, with extended fight scenes, a different aspect ratio, new character designs, and deleted scenes to examine. IGN has put together a breakdown of how the new iteration of the film differs from Whedon’s theatrical version of Justice League from 2017, including how much of the film is presented in slow motion.

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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

It Takes Two Review Roundup — Here’s What The Critics Are Saying

After years of development, Hazelights’s follow-up to A Way Out is here and it’s getting very good reviews across the board. To help you get a quick snapshot of the review scores, we’re rounding up excerpts from a variety of publications.

Written and directed by Josef Fares, It Takes Two tells the story of Cody and May, a struggling couple going through a divorce. Through magic, their child turns them into dolls and they are transported to a fantastical world where they must solve puzzles together to escape and re-forge their relationship.

The game can only be played in co-op, but every copy comes with a Friend’s Pass that allows anyone to play the entirety of the game for free with someone who owns the game. Additionally, there is a Friend’s Pass Free Trial, separate from the main game, that allows you to play the first level of the game at no cost (except for Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus if you’re playing online).

  • Game: It Takes Two
  • Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC
  • Developer: Hazelight
  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Release Date: March 26
  • Price: $40 USD

GameSpot — 9/10

“It Takes Two is the best 3D platformer I’ve played since Super Mario Odyssey, and like that game, it has a flair for variety. You may ride a frog or fly a plane with wings made from Cody’s boxers or hack-and-slash through a Diablo-style castle. Despite the downright wild amount of things to do, It Takes Two manages to handle every mechanic well. This is the second release from Hazelight, and while A Way Out had plenty of fans, it seems that it may just take two to make a thing go quite this right.” — Andrew King [Full review]

IGN — 9/10

“It Takes Two is a spectacular co-op adventure that lays down a path of great gameplay ideas and uses it to play a giddy game of hopscotch. It’s beautiful, breakneck-paced, and bubbling over with creativity, and playfulness and experimentation are rewarded at every turn. If you have any kind of co-op partner in your life, be they spouse, friend, sibling, or other (even a child, though the themes might be too mature for them), It Takes Two is a truly joyful trip you really need to take together.” — Tristan Ogilvie [Full review]

Polygon — No Score

“Most big-budget games could use an editor to trim away the unnecessary bits that seem to exist to pad the length of the adventure and justify the price on the box. It Takes Two would benefit from a similar trim, requiring a more experienced writer to fix the weak narrative and dialogue, alongside a producer to make the tough choices of which segments of the game are fun versus those that are downright dull. Without that edit, the game feels unbalanced, like a solo performed by a singer going on one too many runs, unaware that the audience has shifted from entertained to annoyed.” — Chris Plante and Russ Frushtick [Full review]

Eurogamer — Reccomended

“If you can swat the story away to the background, and consider it a slightly ill-chosen set-up for an adventure, then there’s a lot about It Takes Two to enjoy. This is a rare kind of co-op experience, with an energy and imagination and playfulness that sometimes rivals Nintendo’s. As a toy, it can be a joy, and it will create some co-op moments to remember.” — Robert Purchese [Full review]

GamesRadar — 5/5

It Takes Two is a unique experience that makes the most of what it means to offer truly co-operative gameplay. Your relationship with whoever you’re playing with is just as important as that of May and Cody, as you’ll get nowhere without robust communication and teamwork. But its blend of reality and fantasy is also refreshingly different, especially within a framework that offers the kind of unique gameplay that never stops surprising.” — Sam Loveridge [Full review]

VG247 — 5/5

“Honestly, It Takes Two is one of the most pleasant surprises in video games I’ve ever had. I went in more or less expecting a fairly gimmick-laden brief but fun escapade, but it’s so much more than that. This is a game that I would recommend to anyone who longs for the kind of no-holds-barred childlike fantasy so common in the 80s but seems less common today. If that is you, don’t sleep on this real gem.” — Tom Orry [Full review]

Now Playing: It Takes Two – Official “We’re Better Together” Trailer

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STALKER 2 Video Shows Off Seriously Impressive Graphics

The developers of STALKER 2 have offered an update on the much-anticipated game with a new diary video, which comes shortly before the game was scheduled to appear at the ID@Xbox Showcase.

Rather than show a full new trailer, the team at GSC Game World opted to give an up-close look at some of the models you’ll see in the game. These include costumes, and the boots you can see near the beginning of the video are impeccably detailed. There is texture on everything, ranging from worn leather on the sides to fabric on the straps. The characters themselves look fairly terrifying, waging war in a nuclear-apocalyptic environment while wearing huge gas masks.

There will be several different factions in STALKER 2, each fighting for dominance and furthering their own ideologies. Because of the time that has passed, there are more factions this time around.

There are more than 30 different weapons to use in the game, as well, with modifications to choose from. If you’ve played the Metro games, this should sound familiar–those games were essentially spiritual successors to the original STALKER, albeit with an enormous conflict wiping out much of humanity rather than a nuclear power disaster.

STALKER 2 doesn’t have a firm release date yet, but it’s planned for Xbox Series X|S and PC. The game will launch on Xbox Game Pass at the same time.

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Does Sony Care About Its Back Catalog? | Console Crew

The Console Crew is back, with a new face temporarily joining its ranks. Kurt Indovina steps in to host the show while Lucy is away, joining Tamoor and Jordan to discuss the biggest console-related events of the week.

The trio start with a discussion about Xbox Live, which is now called Xbox network. The name change seems to precede plans that Microsoft has for transforming Xbox Live Gold, as Xbox Insiders are reporting that they’ve begun testing online multiplayer for free-to-play games, Looking 4 Groups, and party chat without the need to pay for them.

Following all the Xbox talk, the group dives into a conversation about video game preservation, especially in the light of reports that Sony may be closing the online stores for PS3, PSP, and PS Vita. Tamoor gets a tad heated about it.

Console Crew is your weekly Friday roundup of the biggest news from PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, hosted by Lucy James, Tamoor Hussain, and Jordan Ramée. Subscribe to youtube.com/GameSpot to never miss an episode.

Hasbro Reveals Fortnite The Foundation: Zero Crisis Edition Toy

Fortnite’s The Foundation is getting its own action figure. Hasbro revealed the first of The Seven in action figure form, which will arrive in April 2022.

Hasbro’s Fortnite The Foundation: Zero Crisis Edition is inspired by the character which was introduced in Fortnite: Chapter 2, Season 6. Retailing for $40, the figure is available exclusively at Hasbro Pulse and you can preorder it there, a year before the figure comes out. Check some images of The Foundation below.

Photo: Hasbro
Photo: Hasbro

Gallery

This is the first character from The Seven to be included in the Victory Royale Series line. The figure comes with the ‘Brella Glider and a unique Back Bling. Additionally, it features package design that is exclusive to The Seven.

The news comes one month after Hasbro and Epic Games extended their contract, which in turn will mean more Hasbro Fortnite products for consumers. So you can expect more Fortnite figures, Nerf blasters, and more in the near future from Hasbro. And speaking of Foundation, there’s actually an interesting theory out there that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is voicing the character.

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Godzilla Vs. Kong Opens In China To Big Box Office Results

Godzilla vs. Kong has opened in Chinese theaters to impressive box office results. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the big-budget monster movie is set to make more than $20 million in its first day alone.

The movie, which arrives in the US next week, had made $18.2 million by 8 PM on opening night in China. THR states that the film is on course to beat the $20.9 million that its predecessor, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, made on its opening day in 2019. That film made $70.6 million in its first weekend in China.

While Godzilla vs. Kong has had a full theatrical release in China, in the US, the movie will hit theaters simultaneously with HBO Max on March 31. The film will have a digital-only release in the UK, where theaters don’t open until May.

The movie stars Millie Bobby Brown, Kyle Chandler, Alexander Skarsgård, Rebecca Hall, Zhang Ziyi, Brian Tyree Henry, and Demián Bichir. It’s directed by Adam Wingard (Death Note, The Guest) and is the fourth movie in the MonsterVerse, following Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017), and Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

In related news, Wingard’s next movie will be a sequel to John Woo’s ’90s action favorite Face/Off. The director recently hinted that he wants original stars John Travolta and Nicolas Cage to return for the follow-up.

Now Playing: 18 Biggest Movies To Watch in 2021: Dune, Top Gun Maverick, Snyder’s Justice League

This Year’s Call Of Duty: Vanguard Goes Back To World War 2, Report Says

New information about 2021’s Call of Duty game have been revealed ahead of an official announcement, including a return to a World War II setting and more. Eurogamer backed up Modern Warzone’s report that claimed 2021’s game is coming from Sledgehammer Games, the studio behind 2017’s Call of Duty: WWII.

According to Eurogamer, the game is called Call of Duty: Vanguard. Modern Warzone reported that this may be a placeholder name, but Eurogamer said the current plan is to call in Vanguard, though the site also acknowledged this could change.

What’s more, the report says Vanguard–or whatever the new game is called–will take place in a “traditional WWII setting.” This contrasts Modern Warzone’s report that the game takes place–at least in part–in an “alternate timeline” where WWII did not end in 1945.

Neither Modern Warzone nor Eurogamer said where their information came from, beyond unnamed sources who indicated the information to be accurate.

It would be no surprise to learn that Sledgehammer is developing 2021’s Call of Duty, as the studio historically releases new Call of Duty titles on odd-numbered years, except for 2014, when it shipped Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

2017’s Call of Duty: WWII brought the series back to the historical period and changed up the gameplay in a major way. It brought the series back to basics after 2016’s Infinite Warfare, which was set in the future and featured all manner of futuristic warfare technologies and systems.

Activision management has said 2021’s Call of Duty game–whatever it is–will not sell as well as Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. But that’s nothing unusual or unexpected, especially given that 2020 was a banner year for games due in part to the pandemic, which in turn will make comparisons with this year’s game difficult to match. Also, Black Ops is a well-established and fan favorite sub-brand that historically performs very well.

The new Call of Duty game from Sledgehammer, if it is indeed real, will be made under new leadership. 2017’s Call of Duty: WWII was led by co-game directors Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey, both of whom have since left Activision. Condrey now heads up the new 2K studio 31st Union, while Schofield’s new studio Striking Distance is making a horror game called The Callisto Protocol.

Another big unanswered question is how 2021’s Call of Duty will be incorporated into the battle royale game Warzone. Activision has said Warzone is the connective tissue that will tie together future Call of Duty premium games, and this is expected to continue.

In April, it’s believed that a nuke will go off inside Warzone and re-launch the map with a new theme focused on 2020’s Black Ops Cold War. After that, Activision might change the Warzone map again in 2022 based on 2021’s Call of Duty game, or it might not, according to VGC.

GameSpot has contacted Activision in an attempt to clarify the latest rumors and reports about this year’s Call of Duty game.

Now Playing: Black Ops Cold War & Warzone – Official Season Two Cinematic Trailer

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