Most Recent: Xbox One

Fallout 4’s S.P.E.C.I.A.L. series of videos comes to an end with a visit from Lady Luck

Posted on October 22, 2015 by John Scalzo

“Following total atomic annihilation, the rebuilding of this great nation of ours may fall to you. Study these materials carefully to ensure your survival and to discover what makes you S.P.E.C.I.A.L.”

Bethesda’s series of educational videos highlighting the seven attributes players need to survive Fallout 4‘s Wasteland has finally come to an end with a look at Luck. After mastering six other S.P.E.C.I.A.L. skills (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, and Agility), players will need Lady Luck on their side if they hope to randomly find treasure or defeat enemies with a magic bullet. But watch out, the finger of fate is fickle and it may just squash you like a bug (or, you know, send a colony of mutant bugs to eat you).

Thanks to Bethesda (and to Vault-Tec) for producing the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. series of videos. I feel much better informed on life (and Luck) than I did during the Summer. There’s just a little more than two weeks to go before Fallout 4’s November 10th launch on the PC, PS4, and Xbox One… so there’s plenty of time to watch these videos over and over again. After all, knowledge is a wonderful thing.

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Telltale’s Game of Thrones series will conclude on November 17

Posted on October 21, 2015 by John Scalzo

Telltale’s Game of Thrones adaptation will come to a bloody conclusion (I’m assuming) on November 17. That’s when the game’s final episode, The Ice Dragon, will be released for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and mobile devices.

“The epic conclusion to the season is the most ambitious and diversely presented episode we’ve ever produced,” said Kevin Bruner, CEO and Co-Founder of Telltale Games. “The fate of House Forrester has been in the hands of players all season long, and the finale will be tailored to provide a uniquely harrowing conclusion for each and every player based on the decisions they’ve made in the game thus far.”

If you missed out on Telltale’s adaptation of HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s expansive series of novels, don’t worry, a retail disc collecting all six episodes will also be available on November 17 for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The developer will even let you try before you buy as the first episode, Iron From Ice, is now free to download on the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and mobile devices.

To get players excited for the final episode of their Game of Thrones adaptation, Telltale has produced a featurette starring the show’s cast chatting about their experiences with the game.

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Xbox Store Today: Life Is Strange: Episode 5, Tales From the Borderlands: Episode 5, Just Dance 2016, more

Posted on October 21, 2015 by John Scalzo

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Two episodic adventures will come to an end in this week’s Xbox Games Store update.

Dontnod’s Life Is Strange will conclude with the release of Polarized. Max finally learns about the full extent of her time travel capabilities and must make a decision that could spell the end for Arcadia Bay. Apocalyptic storms might only be the beginning. Telltale’s Tales From the Borderlands is a bit more upbeat, but the conclusion to its story, The Vault of the Traveler, will likely offer up a similar amount of thrills. Rhys and Fiona are heading back to Pandora, but the promise of “sweet alien riches” is sending them on a short detour first. Life Is Strange: Polarized and Tales From the Borderlands: The Vault of the Traveler will be released for the Xbox One and Xbox 360.

Also available this week is a pair of new Just Dance games from Ubisoft. Just Dance 2016 will include 42 new songs from artists such as Meghan Trainor, Bruno Mars, The Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Jason Derulo, and more. And a different set of dance moves will be available in Just Dance: Disney Party 2, which will include songs from Violetta, Girl Meets World, K.C. Undercover, and more. Both games will be released for the Xbox One and Xbox 360.

Finally this week, what time is it? It’s time to play Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations, a crime-solving detective game, on the Xbox 360. An Xbox One version will be released at a later date.

More information about all of these games (and a few other new releases) can be found after the break. (more…)

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NBA 2K16, Madden NFL 16 lead off September 2015’s top ten list of best-selling games

Posted on October 20, 2015 by John Scalzo

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Sports! Sports! Sports! Sports!
Sports! Sports! Sports! Sports!

With the Fall gaming rush off to a slow start, Electronic Arts and 2K Games more-or-less split the month with four sports titles in the NPD Group’s monthly top ten. NBA 2K16 slammed it home to take the #1 spot, while EA’s Madden NFL 16 slipped to #2 in its second month on the chart. Rounding out this month’s murderer’s row was FIFA 16, which bicycled kicked its way into the #4 spot; and NHL 16, which safely skated into the #9 spot.

While most of this Fall’s biggest games are still a few weeks away, new releases did take up the majority of the remaining slots. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain sent off Hideo Kojima in style with a #3 ranking, while Bungie’s Destiny: The Taken King expansion took the #5 spot. Nintendo’s Super Mario Maker was the only platform-exclusive title to break into the top ten and it did so at #6. A pair of licensed games, Disney Infinity: Star Wars at #7 and Mad Max at #8, claimed the next two spots.

Finally, Minecraft continues to hold on by claiming the #10 slot. Expect Mojang’s creation to rise as we get closer to the holiday shopping season.

September 2015’s top ten can be viewed in handy list format after the break. (more…)

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Aerosmith Hits Pack 02 is now available to download for Rock Band 4

Posted on October 19, 2015 by John Scalzo

Harmonix is back with another batch of downloadable content for Rock Band 4… and this time its a six-pack of songs from Aerosmith.

The Aerosmith Hits Pack 02, which spans Aerosmith’s career from Get Your Wings to Pump to Get A Grip, is now available to download on the PS4 and Xbox One. Its six songs include “Cryin’,” “Dude (Looks Like A Lady),” “Eat The Rich,” “Love In An Elevator, ” “Seasons of Wither,” and “Rats In the Cellar.” Downloading the full pack will set you back $9.99, which individual songs can be obtained for $1.99 apiece.

While Harmonix has yet to make an official announcement, I think it’s safe to say that weekly Rock Band updates are back.

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Sony’s “Official Holiday 2015” commercial for Star Wars: Battlefront is Force Pushing the nostalgia hard

Posted on October 19, 2015 by John Scalzo

Sony is a multibillion-dollar company, a member of the prestigious Forbes 500, and yet, their advertising for the PlayStation brand has been absolutely abysmal over the last 20 years. Even ignoring the (multiple) accusations of racism levied against the consolemaker’s commercials, they’ve also attempted to use demon babies, drug-induced hallucinations, and other baffling weirdness to sell the brand to gamers.

Which is why it’s so surprising that Sony’s “Official Holiday 2015” commercial gets it so right. Eschewing the company’s first party lineup, the commercial instead turns its focus on Star Wars: Battlefront and the joy we all felt growing up in the shadow of a galaxy far, far away. From late night Lightsaber fights to ridiculously elaborate cosplay to an X-Wing outside your window, this 60-second spot zeroes in on your nostalgic love for Star Wars like a T-16 bulls-eyeing a womp rat.

Star Wars: Battlefront will be released for the PS4 on November 17. A Limited Edition bundle featuring the game and a Darth Vader-themed PS4 will also be available. PC and Xbox One owners won’t need to feel left out, as Star Wars: Battlefront will also be available for those platforms as well.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

New Releases: Guitar Hero Live, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, More

Posted on October 18, 2015 by John Scalzo

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Are you ready to rock? I said… are you… Ready. To. Rock? Activision is certainly ready to rock as they’ve brought back the Guitar Hero franchise this week with the release of Guitar Hero Live . Scheduled for launch on the PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One in a Standard Edition and Two Guitar Bundle, Guitar Hero Live will include more than 100 songs on the disc and an ever-changing lineup of artists available through its GHTV mode.

But Guitar Hero Live isn’t the only arena act looking to put on an encore this week. New entries in four of gaming’s biggest franchises will soon be available in stores:

  • Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate (PS4 and Xbox One) brings the Templars-versus-Assassins saga to Victorian England. And you better believe that Jack the Ripper is involved (though not until the downloadable expansion).
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is yet another multiplayer Zelda game, this time for the 3DS.
  • Tales of Zestiria is the latest Tales game from Bandai Namco and the first to appear simultaneously on the PC, PS3, and PS4.
  • Just Dance 2016 (PS3, PS4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One) and Just Dance: Disney Party 2 (Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One) will have you beboppin’ and scattin’ all over your living room one more time.

Finally this week, Microsoft is releasing Halo 5: Guardians a week early if you’re willing to pay extra for it (sort of). The Limited Collector’s Edition includes a digital download of the game, but it won’t unlock until next Tuesday, October 27. You can also spring for the 1 TB Xbox One + Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition Bundle, which features a Halo-themed Xbox One system, along with a digital download of Halo 5 that won’t unlock until next Tuesday.

A complete list of this week’s new releases can be found after the break. (more…)

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Xbox Store Today: Marvel Puzzle Quest, Bedlam, Rock N Racing Off Road DX

Posted on October 16, 2015 by John Scalzo

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Well that was fast. An Xbox 360 launch for Marvel Puzzle Quest was announced a little more than a week ago and it looks like its already available on the Xbox Games Store. The match-3 puzzler brings a Marvel makeover to the Puzzle Quest formula and includes classic characters like Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor alongside a “deep RPG leveling” system. Marvel Puzzle Quest is also in the works for the Xbox One.

Also available this week is a pair of Xbox One games…

  • Bedlam is based on Christopher Brookmyre’s novel of the name and gives players a history lesson of online gaming’s early days in a first-person perspective.
  • Rock N Racing Off Road DX is a top-down off road racer that should stir pleasant memories in anyone who remembers Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road.

More information on all three of these games is available after the break. (more…)

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