Monthly Archives: August 2020
Skater XL Review – No Superman Here
The world is full of spots. They invite you, seducing you into skating on them. A great skate spot encourages you to nail a line of tricks on it, pushing you to keep trying after every bail. An expertly placed ramp that leads you to a rail and down a flight of stairs is one of the many Mona Lisas that skaters strive for. The idea of successfully conquering said spot is what drives them to push themselves, learn from their mistakes, and grow. It's all about the location, something some skateboarding games have nailed for over two decades. And while newcomer Skater XL has a good foundation for its trick system, it fails to inspire the practice of those mechanics on its small number of largely lacklustre levels.
Skater XL's trick system is easy to understand and rewarding to learn. Each analog stick is assigned to a foot, and your job is to twist and push those sticks to pull off a cavalcade of tricks. A kickflip requires you to pull the right stick (your right foot) back, snap it up for an ollie and then kick the board with your left stick (left foot) to cause it to flip. It's an engaging way to perform the simplest tricks, and while it may sound complicated, Skater XL's physics give you a lot of room for nailing tricks.
At times, it feels somewhat weightless and more like you're controlling a board with no one on it than an actual person that has to twist their body and manipulate the board with their feet. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as many games have utilized less-than-realistic physics to create great skateboarding power fantasies. Unfortunately, Skater XL's levels aren't the interesting playgrounds for your skateboarding endeavors that they need to be for a compelling experience.
Continue Reading at GameSpotSkater XL Review – No Superman Here
The world is full of spots. They invite you, seducing you into skating on them. A great skate spot encourages you to nail a line of tricks on it, pushing you to keep trying after every bail. An expertly placed ramp that leads you to a rail and down a flight of stairs is one of the many Mona Lisas that skaters strive for. The idea of successfully conquering said spot is what drives them to push themselves, learn from their mistakes, and grow. It's all about the location, something some skateboarding games have nailed for over two decades. And while newcomer Skater XL has a good foundation for its trick system, it fails to inspire the practice of those mechanics on its small number of largely lacklustre levels.
Skater XL's trick system is easy to understand and rewarding to learn. Each analog stick is assigned to a foot, and your job is to twist and push those sticks to pull off a cavalcade of tricks. A kickflip requires you to pull the right stick (your right foot) back, snap it up for an ollie and then kick the board with your left stick (left foot) to cause it to flip. It's an engaging way to perform the simplest tricks, and while it may sound complicated, Skater XL's physics give you a lot of room for nailing tricks.
At times, it feels somewhat weightless and more like you're controlling a board with no one on it than an actual person that has to twist their body and manipulate the board with their feet. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as many games have utilized less-than-realistic physics to create great skateboarding power fantasies. Unfortunately, Skater XL's levels aren't the interesting playgrounds for your skateboarding endeavors that they need to be for a compelling experience.
Continue Reading at GameSpotSplinter Cell’s Sam Fisher to Join Rainbow Six Siege as an Operator Named Specialist Zero
Splinter Cell's Sam Fisher will be the next operator to join Rainbow Six Siege, and he will arrive with the Operation Shadow Legacy update as Specialist Zero.
While his possible addition was leaked a few months ago, Sam Fisher was officially revealed in a teaser trailer, and even though he wasn't wearing his iconic night vision goggles, those three dots did appear on his gun with the classic sound.
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Additionally, night vision activates part-way through the trailer, all while Fisher says, "You should know better than to write me off. Consider this a teaching moment."
Ubisoft also released a key art of Sam Fisher, which you can see below, and it looks like those three dots may also be part of a device that can burrow through walls to provide a glimpse of what is on the other side.
We have yet to see Specialist Zero in action, but the end of the trailer promises his full reveal will take place on Sunday, August 16, at 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm BST.
On Fisher's official page on Rainbow Six Siege's website, Lera "Fink" Melnikova pens a letter, giving background for Zero's arrival;
We have yet to see Specialist Zero in action, but the end of the trailer promises his full reveal will take place on Sunday, August 16, at 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm BST.
On Fisher's official page on Rainbow Six Siege's website, Lera "Fink" Melnikova pens a letter, giving background for Zero's arrival;
"He seems to have kept in good shape despite being off active duty, though he also seemed a little more frazzled than usual when he arrived. I wonder what has Zero using Rainbow as his home base, he wouldn’t be here without his own motivations and we should take advantage of his experience. His military expertise will be a good balance to your psychological insight. As he’s coming in as the first member of the Rainbow Operational Staff (ROS), I’m curious and cautious of the changes he’ll bring to our organization. I’m sure his instruction will be a necessary, and painful, experience. I imagine there’s something he’s not telling me regarding his sudden appearance, but that’s not surprising. Zero operates on a need to know basis, I’m sure he’ll tell me when he thinks I need to know."While we haven't gotten a proper Splinter Cell game since 2013's Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Fisher has appeared in other games like Ghost Recon Breakpoint. Clearly, Ubisoft hasn't forget about Fisher, as it was recently revealed that a Splinter Cell Netflix animated series is in the works with Derek Kolstad, one of the creators of John Wick. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-tom-clancy-game-review&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Disney Reportedly Tells Exhibitors New Mutants Will Still Open This Month
Disney has reportedly told exhibitors The New Mutants will still release in theaters this month as originally planned.
The New Mutants, and its many release dates, have spanned years, but its most recent release date update came with the news that it had been rescheduled for August 28, 2020.
A new report from Variety says that Disney sent an email to exhibitors on Monday, August 10, with detailed theatrical plans and more, including the news that theaters can begin selling tickets to the movie on August 18.
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Not only is it strange to hear about a movie actually opening in theaters, but having it be The New Mutants, a movie plagued with a history of delays, is especially surprising. After Disney purchased 21st Century Fox, The New Mutants fell under the company's umbrella and speculation began immediately about the movie's future. Perhaps it would release on Hulu, which Disney owns a majority stake of, or maybe on Disney's exclusive streaming service, Disney+.
However, the movie will not debut on either of those platforms and will instead attempt to bring theater goers back to the cinema. The movie theater industry, and probably Christopher Nolan, will be watching come August 28.
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The movie was originally slated to hit theaters on April 13, 2018 but it was pushed to February 22, 2019. Then, it was delayed again to August 2, 2019, and then once more to April 3, 2020. Its final release date was announced earlier this year as August 28 and it seems Disney is intent on the movie hitting theaters that day. These delays started as production-related before becoming delays due to COVID-19.
If you're looking for more New Mutants coverage, check out our Comic Con 2020 footage breakdown and then read about the 7 best New Mutants comics worth binging. Here are some ways to help, and stay safe, during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Xbox Series X Confirmed for November Release Window
Alongside the news that Halo Infinite has been delayed to 2021 and is no longer a launch game for the Xbox Series X, Microsoft has offered more info on what's in store for its next-gen console's launch lineup.
Without specifying an exact release date for the Series X, Microsoft narrowed its launch window down from holiday 2020 to November for a global launch of the Series X. Microsoft has also promised that over 100 games optimized for Xbox Series X, either released across generations or developed exclusively for Xbox Series X, will be available before the end of 2020. We count 101 games confirmed for the Series X on our own list (including 2021 and beyond).
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Microsoft's Launch Window Plans for Xbox Series X
Here's the breakdown of what players can expect from Series X before the end of the year:- "More than 50 new games planned for this year across generations and optimized for Xbox Series X, including Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dirt 5, Gears Tactics, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Watch Dogs: Legion. With Smart Delivery you only have to buy these games once to play the best versions for your console, across generations."
- "New games developed exclusively for Xbox Series X and launching with Xbox Game Pass, including The Medium, Scorn, Tetris Effect Connected and more."
- "More than 40 popular games newly optimized to take full advantage of Xbox Series X such as Destiny 2, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Forza Horizon 4, Gears 5, Madden NFL 21 and more."
Halo Infinite Delayed to 2021
Microsoft has announced that Halo Infinite has been delayed from its planned Holiday 2020 launch to an unspecified 2021 release date. That means the upcoming Halo sequel from 343 Industries will not launch alongside the Xbox Series X, as Xbox had previously planned.
Xbox did not confirm a new release window other than next year for Halo Infinite, explaining that the delay comes as the "result of multiple factors that have contributed to development challenges, including the ongoing COVID-related impacts affecting us all this year."
Xbox Series X will still launch this year, with Microsoft confirming the Xbox Series X will arrive in November, 2020.
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Microsoft's full statement on the delay of Halo Infinite reads:
"Today I want to share an important Halo Infinite development update with the community. We have made the difficult decision to shift our release to 2021 to ensure the team has adequate time to deliver a Halo game experience that meets our vision. "The decision to shift our release is the result of multiple factors that have contributed to development challenges, including the ongoing COVID-related impacts affecting us all this year. I want to acknowledge the hard work from our team at 343 Industries, who have remained committed to making a great game and finding solutions to development challenges. However, it is not sustainable for the well-being of our team or the overall success of the game to ship it this holiday. "We know this will be disappointing to many of you and we all share in that sentiment. The passion and support the community has shown over the years has been incredible and inspiring. We wanted nothing more than to play our game with the community this holiday. The extra time will let us finish the critical work necessary to deliver the most ambitious Halo game ever at the quality we know our fans expect. "Thank you for your support and understanding."[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="legacyId=20098018&captions=true"] Halo Infinite was arguably the marquee launch game for Xbox Series X, but Microsoft has clarified its launch plans for the next-gen console following the announcement. The console maker makes clear that there are, "More than 50 new games planned for this year across generations and optimized for Xbox Series X." Last E3, Microsoft confirmed Halo Infinite was planned as an Xbox Series X launch game. While 343 remained relatively quiet about the upcoming sequel since then, we've recently seen and heard a lot more about Halo Infinite. 343 Industries recently confirmed that Halo Infinite's multiplayer will be free-to-play and support 120 fps on Xbox Series X. Xbox also showcased the upcoming Halo adventure as part of its recent Xbox Series X event, at which point we learned more about Infinite's story and villain, how Halo Infinite's open world will work, why Halo newcomers shouldn't be afraid to jump into infinite, and how 343 is setting up Infinite to be a platform for the Halo franchise. Since its showcase, however, the demo encountered some controversy due to discussions around its graphical fidelity. Infinite's developers addressed the blowback about Halo Infinite's graphics, explaining some of the developer's artistic goals and influences while also acknowledging some of the concerns. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor and host of Podcast Beyond! Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Be Rebooted as a Drama
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air may be returning to the airwaves at long last, but not in the form you might expect. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series is being rebooted with a darker and more dramatic tone.
The new series is being developed by Morgan Cooper, who achieved Internet fame in March 2019 with the release of Bel-Air, an unlicensed faux-trailer for a proposed Fresh Prince reboot. That trailer seems to have had the desired effect, with THR reporting Cooper's work caught the eye of original series star Will Smith (who actually interviewed Cooper about the project in April 2019). The reboot is also titled Bel-Air and is a co-production between Smith's Westbrook Studios and Universal TV.
Cooper is co-writing and directing the pilot and will serve as co-executive producer on the new series. Chris Collins (The Wire) is serving as showrunner and executive producer and is co-writing the script with Cooper. Original series creators Andy and Susan Borowitz and producers Smith, Quincy Jones and Benny Medina will also executive produce Bel-Air. No cast members have been announced, and it's unclear if any of the actors from the Bel-Air trailer will return.
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While Bel-Air hasn't yet found a home, THR notes "Peacock, Netflix and HBO Max are among the streamers who are bidding on the potential series." It's worth noting the original series is streaming exclusively on HBO Max.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ran for six seasons on NBC between 1990 and 1996. The series starred Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, following his character's struggles after leaving the hard streets of West Philadelphia for plush, sunny Bel-Air. The series also starred James Avery as gruff Uncle Phil, Janet Hubert-Whitten and later Daphne Maxwell Reid as Aunt Vivian, Alfonso Ribeiro as Will's preppy, nerdy cousin Carlton and Smith's musical collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff as his best friend Jazz.
While The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a multi-camera sitcom, the idea of a dark and dramatic reboot isn't necessarily a huge stretch. The series was notable for featuring more serious moments, with Season 4's "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse" and Smith's emotional performance being especially well-regarded.
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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is just the latest classic series to get a new lease on life in 2020. ABC has ordered a pilot for a Wonder Years reboot featuring an African American family in '60s-era Alabama. Comedy Central, meanwhile, is reviving Beavis and Butt-Head and MTV's short-lived Clone High animated series.
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Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
New York Comic Con 2020 Will Go Digital With Live YouTube Panels
New York Comic Con 2020 will be an all-digital event with live YouTube panels.
NYCC and ReedPop announced that what is usually a massive in-person event held at the Javits Center in New York City will instead be digital this year as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The event will still take place in October this year, but instead of watching panels in exhibition halls at the center, panels will be held live on YouTube.
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"NYCC doesn't just stop because we can't do what we've done in the past," the company said in a statement. "Instead, we look to the future: We may not be meeting in the queue hall each morning, but we're excited to join forces with our sister event, MCM Comic Con in London, to bring you New York Comic Con's Metaverse, our new online portal dedicated to delivering pop culture experiences, right into your homes NYCC weekend, October 8-11."
This news comes as no surprise as many of the year's largest con experiences have moved to all-digital if not cancelled altogether. NYCC said it is partnering with YouTube to bring to fans four days of "incredible content from the biggest studios, publishers and creators in the business." Future information about panel guests, exhibitor profiles and more will be available here.
Alongside panels will be publisher and retailer roundtables, networking opportunities, digital courses, and educational opportunities for educators.
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"We can't thank you enough for how supportive and understanding you've all been as we've cancelled nearly all our ReedPop events this year," the company said. "It's been amazing to see the community turn out, time and time again, in support of our exhibitors and creators. The loss of virtually all conventions in 2020 has leveled a devastating blow on their businesses. We know a lot of you are fans of their work yourselves, and we ask that you continue to support them."
NYCC encourages people to check out the content of Emerald City Comic Con, Keystone Comic Con, Florida Supercon and MCM Comic Con Manchester in the meantime. Be sure to catch up on the biggest announcements from IGN's Comic-Con@Home 2020 show too. Here are some ways to help and stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Atomic Heart: New Story and Next-Gen Console Details
Atomic Heart has surprised and delighted ever since the strange and mysterious first-person shooter was originally revealed two years ago. It gives off hints of BioShock, but with a decidedly more sci-fi twist, and now it's back with another new gameplay trailer.
This one, which you can watch at the top of this page, shows off a very sadistic looking melee weapon as you roam the halls of VDNKH and eventually come face to face with Plyush, a mini-boss that appears to be mostly blood and tendons and is 100% disgusting. So just what is Plyush? "It's an organic enemy which might just be a product of some secret governmental deeds," the development team at Mundfish told IGN. "Who knows? You'll have to find out. Maybe its a pure jelly," they added with a laugh. Mundfish themselves call Plyush a mini-boss, too, noting that, "While Plyush shows how agile your enemies can be it's definitely not the biggest nor it the deadliest foe."
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Meanwhile, though Atomic Heart will be released for PS4 and Xbox One, it is primarily a next-gen game, with PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC versions planned. "Our game will have no loading screens due to [the] fast SSD," Mundfish told IGN. "Next-gen hardware also provides an exclusive opportunity to fulfill our artistic vision and deliver our game with stunning visuals with no downgrading, which was absolutely essential for current gen."
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If you're still wondering just what Atomic Heart is all about, you're not alone – and the developers plan to keep that sense of mystery. We asked for some kind of hint, and Mundfish said only this: "The game kicks off when robots start attacking people. P-3 will have to investigate what has caused all these events and deal with what (or who?) is behind all of this." P-3 is, presumably, the player character.
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Finally, while COVID-19 has affected Mundfish just like it has everyone else, they are on track. "We've had our part of issues with COVID, but that just made us stronger in the end," they told us. "We're in active development." And renowned Doom composer Mick Gordon will be lending his talents to Atomic Heart, which you can hear a bit of in the new Plyush mini-boss gameplay video at the top of this page. "He is taking part in music production along with our in-house sound team," Mundfish said. "You will have an opportunity to experience both recognizable Mick Gordon's sound and the initial vision of our team we have started with."
For more on Atomic Heart as development continues, stick with IGN.
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Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s Executive Editor of Previews. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan, catch him on Unlocked, and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.
Fall Guys’ First Post-Launch Patch Fixes Major Issues and Adds Fan-Favorite Level From Beta
Fall Guys will receive its first post-launch patch tomorrow, which will add a level featured in the beta as well as fix many issues and bugs.
The new level is Jump Showdown, which is very similar to Jump Club; the survival game where you must jump over a rotating bar while avoiding getting knocked off the platform. Jump Showdown ups the challenge, adding falling platforms and another bar to avoid.
The update will also fix issues in specific minigames, change the odds for which game gets selected in the final round, resolve some matchmaking issues, and more. Here are the full patch notes, as posted on the Fall Guys Twitter:We're about to drop a new level into rotation!!!
Jump Showdown - A fan-favourite from the beta! We'll be adding it in our first update TOMORROW! Patch-notes in the thread More new levels will be coming soon - along with new features & costumes pic.twitter.com/zQ4hOI70MP — Fall Guys (@FallGuysGame) August 11, 2020
- Lowered the weighting for Royal Fumble to add more final round variation
- Fixed crash at launch with certain regional calendars set in the operating system
- Improved messaging for matchmaking and server errors
- Fixed physics behaving erratically at high framerate on levels like Tip Toe
- Fixed crown in Fall Mountain not being grabbable in rare situations
- Addressed some collisions in Block Party allowing players to bypass the blocks
- Fixed Parties sometimes failing due to too many requests
- Addressed some special characters causing display issues in player names
- Fixed Big Tease Achievement not unlocking in specific regions
- PC only - Fixed certain game controller models not being detected on PC