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Spring games guide 2018: 12 reasons to stay indoors this season

Spring 2018 is looking like it could one heck of season for gamers.

Ah, spring! The bees are buzzing, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming and the gamers are…still pretty much staring at their screens. Can you blame us? The weather might be improving, but so are the games.

Spring is a time of rebirth, and for the games industry, a great time to launch a huge product or three. Here are the coolest games coming out over the next three months. Note: Only games released between March 20 and June 20 are included. You know, spring!

Editor’s pick:

“God of War” (April 20 | PS4)

‘God of War’ is shaping up to be an early contender for Game of the Year.

Angry god-killer Kratos shows a softer side in this heavily-anticipated reimagining of Sony’s flagship franchise. Now a father, Kratos must mentor his young son and manage his legendary temper as the two explore a strange Scandinavian world. “God of War” is a total refresh, offering a more intimate camera, brutal new weapons, and an emotionally-charged story of parenthood and acceptance. Early looks (including one by Yahoo’s own Daniel Howley) have been magnificent. If you own a PS4, go ahead and clear your calendar on April 20.

“Sea of Thieves” (March 20 | Xbox One, PC)

It’s a pirates life for everyone in ‘Sea of Thieves.’

Every day is Talk Like a Pirate Day in this swashbuckling online game from Microsoft and developer Rare. “Sea of Thieves” lets you and a crew of your best mateys pillage and plunder across a massive world. Teamwork is tantamount; virtual buccaneers need to work together to steer galleons, take down skeleton armies and dig up treasure chests while fighting off other pirates. Though some critics consider its waters to be a bit too shallow, “Sea of Thieves’” remarkable graphics and co-operative fun make it worth a look.

“A Way Out” (March 23 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)

‘A Way Out’ is a co-op game in every sense of the term, as you’ll need a trusting partner to complete this title.

You’ll need a friend to truly appreciate this co-operative jailbreak from the creator of the critically-acclaimed fairy tale “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.” Considerably darker, “A Way Out” lets two players help inmates Leo and Vincent bust out of the hoosegow and survive car chases, shootouts and other unpleasantries as they search for freedom. Playable side by side or online, “A Way Out” has been lauded by critics for its smart storytelling and excellent look.

“Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom” (March 23 | PS4, PC)

‘Ni No Kuni’ is a deep role-playing game that is stunning to behold.

Fans of beloved filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki flipped over the first “Ni No Kuni,” and will likely flip over the sequel. Stunning graphics and a sweeping score set the stage for another deep role-playing game, this time featuring a new mechanic that lets players build their own kingdom from scratch. As adorable as it is addictive, “Ni No Kuni II” offers a much-needed burst of color to your spring gaming.

“Far Cry 5” (March 27 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)

This very good boy will help you take down the doomsday cult at the center of ‘Far Cry 5.’

The latest version of Ubisoft’s open-world shooter is the first to take place on U.S. soil. Set in Montana, it spins a fictitious yarn about a militia-like cult and the sheriff’s deputy (that’s you) tasked to bring the lunatics down. Mostly, that means getting up to the kind of open-world hijinks that has defined “Far Cry”: stealing a car, running over a bad guy, crashing into a tree, taming a bear and rampaging through an enemy outpost with your new bear buddy. Sign us up!

“MLB The Show 18” (March 27 | PS4)

How do you improve on the best MLB game out there? A new stance editor and improved franchise mode, that’s how.

Sony’s “MLB: The Show” franchise is the Cal Ripken Jr. of sports games: consistently great and constantly improving. In addition to improved graphics and audio, this year’s model includes a new batting stance editor and an overhauled Franchise mode interface. Score another one for Sony.  

“Nintendo Labo” (April 20 | Switch)

Yes, that’s a Nintendo Switch wrapped in cardboard. And yes, it’s fun.

It happens to every parent: you buy your kid a sweet toy and they wind up playing with the box it came in. Nintendo’s (NTODY) taking that love of cardboard a step further with “Nintendo Labo,” cardboard construction kits that transform your Switch into a DIY toy. Players fold cardboard cutouts into fishing rods, pianos and more, which interact with the Switch via the system’s array of motion controls and infrared sensors. Clever, creative and shockingly fun, “Labo” looks like another quirky hit from the current king of the consoles.

“Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire” (May 8 | PC)

Looking for an incredibly deep role-playing game? ‘Pillars of Eternity II’ has what you want.

Released in 2015, the original “Pillars of Eternity” was a love letter to classic isometric role-playing games like “Baldur’s Gate” and “Icewind Dale.” It was also one of the highest-rated games of the year. The sequel hopes to add to this legacy by expanding the size and scope of an already huge game. In addition to ridiculously deep combat and lore, “Deadfire” introduces a pirate theme, letting players captain a ship as they sail across a fantasy world chasing down a rogue god. If painstakingly-crafted party-based role-playing is your bread and butter, be prepared for a serious feast.

“State of Decay 2” (May 18 | Xbox One, PC)

‘State of Decay 2’ will see you and three survivors take on zombies. But you’ll need to use your brains if you’re going to keep them safe.

Looking for a little more brains in your zombie game? “State of Decay 2” has plenty. The sequel to the under-appreciated 2013 original challenges players to survive an undead outbreak. That means scavenging items and weapons, fortifying buildings, and even dealing with the mental and emotional hangups of your band of survivors. With a four-player co-op mode built-in, that might mean dealing with the hangups of your real-life friends, too.

“Detroit: Become Human” (May 25 | PS4)

‘Detroit: Become Human’ is bound to look beautiful.

Solve murders, ignite a rebellion and contemplate the nature of your existence as a trio of androids in this mysterious thriller. Penned by game auteur David Cage (“Heavy Rain,” “Beyond: Two Souls”), “Detroit” lets players shape their story through branching dialogue trees and difficult moral choices. Like developer Quantic Dream’s past work, it’s a lock to look amazing. We’ll find out if the gameplay and story are equally impressive when it launches in May.

“Dark Souls Remastered” (May 25 | PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)

‘Dark Souls Remastered’ is coming to the Nintendo Switch. But be careful when playing in mobile mode, because throwing your controller means throwing the entire console.

The video game industry loves remastering things, and in this case, we’re loving it, too. Released in 2011, the extremely challenging “Dark Souls” was an immediate hit, nabbing several Game of the Year awards and ushering in the era of “hard games.” The remaster keeps its core intact but gives it a much-needed graphical boost. While it’s bound to look best on the PC and the burlier consoles, the Switch version is particularly exciting, marking the first “Dark Souls” appearance on a Nintendo system.

“Jurassic World Evolution” (June 12 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)

‘Jurassic World Evolution�� will let you build your own dino park. Just don’t let the power go down.

If we’ve learned anything from the “Jurassic Park” films, it’s that a theme park filled with dinosaurs is a categorically terrible idea. Nevertheless, gamers can try to calm the chaos by managing their very own dino park in this upcoming simulation. Led by the soothing voice of Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum), players will build attractions, manage visitors and even create their own friendly dinosaurs, which will undoubtedly go exactly as planned and not result in an aggressive 60-foot tall eating machine with the brain of a chess grandmaster.

More games news:

‘Far Cry 5’ review: Destruction and doomsday in America

‘God of War’ could be 2018’s first must-have game

‘Kirby Star Allies’ review: How to make friends and eat them

Despite Trump’s meeting, video games and violence still don’t add up

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoo-inc.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

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GDC 2018: The 5 biggest game industry trends for 2018

The Game Developers Conference runs from March 19 to March 23 and lays out the industry’s plans for the year.

It might lack the headline-grabbing software bonanza of a consumer-oriented event like E3, but when it comes to the business of games, the Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the most important show of the year.

Now in its 29th year, GDC drills down into the beating heart of video games by appealing to perhaps the most important gamers of all: the ones who make them. GDC 2018, which runs from March 19 through March 23 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, is part expo, part summit and part job-fair. It’s where the future of the games industry is discussed — and often formed.

Here are four of the biggest game industry trends emerging from GDC 2018:

1. AR is the new VR

Despite tons of investor interest and loads of hype from critics, virtual reality has had a tough time getting off the ground. The current headsets remain expensive and unwieldy, and though tech pundits believe that they’ll shrink enough in both size and price in the next few years to become a major technological force, it’s taking longer than many expected.

“VR is still important – we see interest in it – though it’s true that the VR hardware has not become as popular as some people hoped, which often happens early in the lifecycles of technologies,” said Simon Carless, EVP of GDC parent company UMB. “I think we’re seeing now a bit of a retrenchment.”

In the meantime, augmented reality has not only delivered a massive hit in “Pokemon Go,” but remains more attractive for developers thanks to its lower cost of entry.

Niantic is making it easier to log into Pokemon Go, perhaps in an effort to

“I think people are looking forward to AR in particular,” Carless said.  “Given that in the longer term we may not use phones – we may actually be using glasses with phone-like information on them – I think that enables AR to be an exciting possibility. A lot of the technology that games is pioneering will be needed to make that AR work. The space is exciting and there’s cool stuff going on there.”

Noteworthy tech companies certainly agree. Just before the show, Google (GOOG, GOOGL) released its Google Maps API to the world through the Unity game engine, making it much easier for developers to craft games using real-world locations. AR games based on Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters and The Walking Dead are already in the works. And Tim Sweeney, CEO of game developer and Unreal engine creator Epic Games, believes AR  glasses could replace smartphones within 10 years.

2. Games as service

At the end of 2017, you couldn’t scroll two lines into a gaming forum without being bludgeoned by the words “loot crates” and “the death of single-player games.”

Ultimately, both issues (which we won’t litigate here) boil down to the success of “games as service” – games that operate on a continuing revenue model through subscriptions or post-release updates that keep players coming back (and spending money). Some of the industry’s biggest games function this way, from Blizzard’s (ATVI) hit shooter “Overwatch” to Supercell’s mobile mainstay “Clash Royale.”

Loot boxes in games like “Overwatch” have become a flashpoint in the industry, but help finance titles long after the’ve been published. (image: Digital Trends)

“There are so many games that have been released three or four years ago that have greatly improved themselves because they’re being run as a service,” Carless said. “How do you compete if you’re new off the block with some of these games that have been around for a long time?”

That’s a good question, and one that countless game companies will spend the year trying to answer. Getting it right — creating a game embraced by players that also works as a long-term revenue generator — is no easy task.

3. Getting discovered

Even harder? Just getting noticed in the first place.

Between the consoles, PC and mobile devices, tons of new video games are released every week. As more and more players opt to buy those games digitally rather than make the trek to retail stores, the old models of how a game gets discovered are breaking down.

“Beyond your ‘Grand Theft Autos’ or your ‘Assassin’s Creeds,’ everyone is competing on the same playing field nowadays,” Carless said. “Even if you’re an established company with 50 or 100 people, you may have to compete with the really scrappy three-person development team who have done a really good job of building their game. There are more and more amazing looking games being released, but it’s really difficult to find them.”

‘Fortnite Battle Royale’ saw its popularity explode this year after a slow start in 2017.

That means figuring out new ways to get a game noticed. Building buzz in a sea of software requires planning beyond a commercial or two. Social outreach, press coverage, changing the revenue model — there’s no one right answer.

Just ask Epic Games, creators of the pop-culture juggernaut “Fortnite.“ Originally released in July of last year, “Fornite” was met with middling reviews and slow sales until the developers added a new free-to-play “Battle Royale” mode in September 2017. Within a few months, “Fortnite” has become the biggest game in the world (over 45 million players, 3.4 million peak concurrent users back in January). Rapper Drake and streamer Ninja recently played live on Twitch,  which is owned by Amazon (AMZN), breaking viewership records. No one saw it coming, its developers included.

Plenty of GDC panels about PR and marketing hope to give clues about achieving this sort of success, though expect companies to spend the bulk of 2018 actively searching for ways to cut through the noise.

4. Fighting toxicity

All too often, players fire up an online game, sit through matchmaking and emerge in a virtual world only to find themselves the target of obscenities that would make George Carlin blush. Online gaming drama can quickly take a turn for the worse, such as when a swatting prank resulted in the death of a Kansas man at the tail end of 2017.

No matter the form, bad behavior is bad for business. In turn, game companies will be spending a great deal of time in 2018 trying to clean up their communities.

GDC helps kick that movement off by introducing a new organization called The Fair Play Alliance. Its goal is to take the fight to the trolls by sharing best practices to encourage healthier player relationships. Over 30 of the world’s biggest game companies are on board, including Blizzard, Epic, Riot, Rovio, Supercell and Twitch.

Other notable trends covered at GDC 2018 include the continuing rise of esports, representation and diversity, game engine wars and the potential use of cryptocurrency in gaming.

More games news:

‘God of War’ could be 2018’s first must-have game

‘Kirby Star Allies’ review: How to make friends and eat them

Despite Trump’s meeting, video games and violence still don’t add up

‘Far Cry 5’ preview: Exploring cults and terror in the American West

The 10 best iPhone and Android games of the month

Follow Ben Silverman on Twitter at @Ben_Silverman.

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The 10 best iPhone and Android games of the month

These are the best mobile games of the month.

Cutting-edge consoles like the Microsoft’s (MSFT) Xbox One, Sony’s (SNE) PS4 and Nintendo’s (NTDOY) Switch might score more headlines and pump out flashier games, but when it comes to sheer size, no gaming platform on the planet can compete with that smartphone in your pocket.

With an astonishing 6 billion mobile devices expected to be circulating worldwide by 2020, there’s an exceedingly good chance you have a smart something or other a few yards away right now. That also means you have access to the largest – and fastest-growing – segment of the gaming market.

But with hordes of mobile games arriving with little fanfare on a weekly basis, trying to figure out what, exactly, you should be playing on your iPhone or Android device is a daunting task. Still mindlessly crushing candy? Tired of catching ‘em all? Then put your thumbs to good use and try something new.

Here are the 10 coolest mobile games of February 2018:

“Alto’s Odyssey”

Ditch the slopes and head for the dunes as you surf on sand in ‘Alto’s Odyssey.’

(iOS | $4.99)

The long-awaited sequel to one of the best mobile games of 2015, “Alto’s Odyssey” shifts the endless snowboarding of “Alto’s Adventure” to mysterious sand dunes. The core is intact — you once again jump and flip to grab coins and cross chasms — but developer Snowman has added cool new features like wallriding and upgradeable gear. Serene, demanding and absolutely gorgeous, it’s another must-have mobile triumph. (Never fear, Android owners — it’s coming to your devices later this year.)

“Florence”

‘Florence’ is a powerful game about love and heartbreak.

(iOS | $2.99)

This surprisingly earnest interactive story tells the heartbreaking tale of a couple who find love and, as is often the case, find a way to lose it. Told through stylish comic strip sequences, “Florence” uses simple game mechanics in brilliant ways; an awkward first-date conversation becomes a jigsaw puzzle that grows easier as you loosen up, for instance. “Florence” is brief but memorable, a liaison that, and like any meaningful relationship, stays with you long after the credits roll.

“Dandara”

‘Dandara’ is a sci-fi game styled after the likes of ‘Metroid’ and ‘Castlevania.’

(iOS, Android | $14.99)

Don’t let the hefty price tag scare you off – “Dandara” is a burly enough game to warrant a decidedly un-mobile hit to the wallet. A Metroidvania with fantastic style, “Dandara” is all about unlocking new abilities to open up more of its fascinating sci-fi world. Though it’s out on other platforms as well, it works wonderfully on mobile devices thanks to a perfect marriage between touchscreen controls and the lead character’s Spider-Man-like movements.

“Dig Dog – Treasure Hunter”

‘Dig Dog’ lets you dig for treasures and fend of monsters. But most importantly, you’re a dog!

(iOS | $2.99)

Who’s a good boy? The star of this weird, roguelike bone digging game “Dig Dog,” definitely. Sure, he can’t stop digging — not exactly good boy material — but he’s cute and heroic, constantly searching for bones despite tons of monsters and spiky things ready to send him to that place where all dogs go. It plays a bit like the excellent “Downwell,” though the controls are a little frisky.

“Cat Condo”

Love cats? Want to make your own cat by combining other cats? ‘Cat Condo’ was made for you.

(iOS, Android | Free)

More of a cat person? February’s got you covered, too. This adorable clicker lets you purchase cats, combine them into cooler cats, then combine those cats into even cooler cats, and so on. Where does the cat coolness stop? If you have to ask, you’re clearly not a cat person. Like a real cat, “Cat Condo” is addictive, cuddly and too cool to explain itself to us.

“Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition”

‘Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition’ takes the fighting and fun of ‘Final Fantasty XV’ and trims it down to its most portable form.

(iOS, Android | Free to try, $19.99 for full game)

  Kudos to Square Enix for finding a way to get a mobile version of their immense console RPG not only working, but working pretty darn well. The Pocket Edition of “Final Fantasy XV” jettisons the original’s open world, but it features the same cast and hits all the big story beats. Travel, combat and questing have been streamlined for your phone or tablet, and it all works surprisingly well. That $20 price is a tough boss fight (you can find the full console version for around $30 these days), but checking out the first chapter won’t cost any Gil.

“Dissembler”

‘Dissembler’ is a puzzle game with style and flair.

(iOS | $2.99)

Puzzle aficionados will flip over this colorful mind-bender. Players solve shapes by swapping colored bricks — easier said than done — but the real joy is found in the satisfying, tactile clicks when snapping bricks into place. Aesthetics matter, too: a soothing soundtrack and color schemes ripped out of a Pantone catalog make playing “Dissembler” a bit like hanging out in an architect’s design studio.

“Game Dev Tycoon”

Live through the horrors of building your own video game in ‘Game Dev Tycoon.’

(Android | $4.99)

Making a blockbuster video game takes time, money and all kinds of luck. Or you can skip all that and play some “Game Dev Tycoon.” Already a hit on other platforms, this game-making sim finally made its way to Android devices in February, and if you’ve yet to play it, it’s absolutely worth a look. Pick a genre, allocate development time, manage budgets, squash bugs, hire some staff and pray that the fickle masses will dig Loud Shooty Man 4 half as much as Loud Shooty Man 3 (though they probably won’t.)

“Rogue Hearts”

‘Rogue Hearts’ is a dungeon crawler that is worth far more than its $0.99 price tag.

(iOS, Android | $0.99)

At only a buck, “Rogue Hearts” is a dungeon crawler that punches above its weight with lots of cool features. Simultaneous turn-based combat design turns every encounter into a fast-moving chess match, as you anticipate where enemies will wind up and plan attacks accordingly. It’s a bit confusing — some shaky localization and wonky menus make getting to the good stuff a little harder than it ought to be — but fans of action-RPGs will find a lot to love.

“Unicycle Hero”

‘Unicycle Hero’ is a balancing act of a physics game that is sure to make you laugh at its absurdity.

(iOS | Free)

What happens when an untalented unicyclist takes on the Summer Olympics? “Unicycle Hero” may hold some answers. Your goal: to throw balls, javelins, logs and other heavy items as far as possible while balancing on the back of a rickety unicycle. Spiritual successor to impossible physics games like QWOP, it’s hilariously hard. It’s also hilariously fun and hilariously free.

And in case you missed it, play catch up with the best iPhone and Android games of January 2018.

More games coverage:

‘Secret of Mana’ review: Can’t capture that old-school magic

Nvidia is scrambling to get graphics cards to gamers amid crypto boom

How Nintendo is pulling off an incredible comeback

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The coolest mobile games of the month: January 2018 edition

These are the best mobile games of January 2018.

Cutting-edge consoles like the Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch might score more headlines and pump out flashier games, but when it comes to sheer size, no gaming platform on the planet can compete with the smartphone in your pocket.

With an astonishing 6 billion mobile devices expected to be circulating worldwide by 2020, there’s an exceedingly good chance you have a smart something or other a few yards away from you right now. That also means you have access to the largest – and fastest-growing – segment of the gaming market.

But with hordes of mobile games arriving with little fanfare on a weekly basis, trying to figure out what, exactly, you should be playing on your iPhone or Android device is a daunting task. Still mindlessly crushing candy? Tired of catching ‘em all? Then put your thumbs to good use and try something new.

Here are the 10 coolest mobile games of January 2018:

“The Room: Old Sins”

‘The Room: Old Sins’ sees you searching through a creepy old house to reveal all of its secrets.

(iOS |$4.99)

Few iOS releases are as eagerly anticipated as a new “The Room” game, and for good reason: Fireproof Games’ challenging puzzle series is consistently among the platform’s best. Once again, you’ll need patience and an eye for detail as you twist, turn, prod, and pull all kinds of levers and gadgets as you suss out the secrets of a creepy dollhouse mansion. “The Room” series has always been a graphical showpiece, and “Old Sins” is no different: this is a stunningly beautiful game that shines brightest on larger screens.

“Hero Academy 2”

‘Hero Academy’ pairs the collectibility features of games like ‘Hearthstone’ with tactical board game mechanics.

(iOS, Android | Free) The iPhone 5 was the freshest phone on the block when mobile gamers first fell for the fast-paced tactical strategy game, “Hero Academy.” A great deal has changed in six years, however, and that’s all reflected in this smart, gorgeous sequel. Now real-time, “Hero Academy 2” takes a cue from “Hearthstone” by tying a collectible card mechanic to its tactical board game vibe. Well worth a look, though you’ll definitely want to play it on something faster than an iPhone 5 this time around.

“Thumper: Pocket Edition”

‘Thumper’ is now on your smartphone. Just make sure you don’t move too much.

(iOS | $4.99)

One of the best console games of 2016 thumped its way to iOS devices this month, and the result is absolutely unmissable. Players guide a metal-plated scarab down a Lovecraftian rhythm highway, slamming around turns to the beat of unsettling noise rock. The mobile version’s tilt controls aren’t quite as tight as a gamepad, but it’s just as gripping an experience.

“Antihero”

Take down crooks as a crook yourself in ‘Antihero.’

(iOS, Android | $4.99) Sneak, steal and stab your way through the Victorian underworld in this devious turn-based strategy game. “Antihero” has you burgling homes, hiring thugs and sabotaging businesses as you try to take over a city and defeat an opposing crook. Its colorful, cartoonish graphics belie a great deal of strategic depth. Offering both a single-player campaign and various multiplayer modes, it’s a must-play for digital board game geeks.

“Rusty Lake Paradise”

‘Rusty Lake Paradise’ is a stylish puzzle game that will is well worth checking out.

(iOS, Android | $2.99) The third entry in the delightfully morbid “Rusty Lake” series has you exploring an island in an attempt to rid your family of ten plagues. Mostly that involves solving increasingly difficult inventory puzzles, but what really sticks is the game’s “Twin Peaks”-meets-“The Wicker Man” sense of dreadful foreboding.

“It’s Full of Sparks”

‘Full of Sparks’ sees you try to keep from blowing up.

(iOS | Free)

Another quirky freebie from prolific publisher Noodlecake, “It’s Full of Sparks” lets you play as a firecracker attempting to fling itself into a pool before the fuse on its head turns it into a depressing light show. That means quickly solving puzzles while running for the water. That’s easier said than done; you’ll soon run out of firecrackers, which can be replenished by waiting a bit or dropping a couple bucks for an infinite supply. Either way, you’ll have a blast.

“Marshawn Lynch Pro Football”

Beast Mode is coming to your smartphone. Get your Skittles ready.

(iOS, Android | $4.99)

While the Raiders are sitting around waiting for the Big Game just like the rest of us, their beast of a back is still picking up yards…on your phone, at least. This rushing-focused football game lets you juke, truck and, yes, Beast Mode downfield in pursuit of high scores. It’s nowhere near as deep as other iOS sports games like “Madden” or “NBA 2K,” but solid controls and simple gameplay will scratch that NFL gaming itch for just a few bucks.

“Meteorfall: Journeys”

‘Meteorfall: Journey’ is a collectible card game with a slick style that will have you coming back for me.

(iOS, Android | $2.99)

Trendy gaming buzzwords “rogue-like” and “collectable car game” combine in this polished, um, rogue-like collectible card game. “Meteorfall” takes a cue from the excellent “Reigns” games (or Tinder, even) by letting you swipe left or right to pick fights, cast spells and trade iron. The longer you last, the higher the score. Smooth, fast and eminently replayable, it punches well above its weight.

“Four Last Things”

Who said point-and-click adventures were old school?

(iOS, Android | $3.99)

Renaissance paintings come to life in this absurd point-and-click adventure. Your goal: commit the seven deadly sins and receive absolution by puzzling your way through what looks like a smartly written Monty Python animation. A solid catch if you dig art, adventure or dry British humor; perfect if you dig all three.

  “Jydge”

‘Jydge’ is definitely not based on Judge Dredd. Not at all.

(iOS | $4.99)

There’s certainly no shortage of twin-stick shooters on the App Store, so you might not be in the market for a new one. But “Jydge” (*pronounced “judge,” apparently) is a pretty good one, letting players customize their very own totally-not-Judge Dredd supercop and blast criminals to oblivion. Also available for consoles, “Jydge” is generally best played with a controller, though the touch screen controls will do in a pynch. Punch. Pinch.

More games coverage:

‘Shadow of the Colossus’ review: One of the best games ever made is reborn

Razer’s Project Linda concept fuses a smartphone with a laptop

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The 20 most anticipated games of 2018

‘Spider-Man’ is one of the biggest releases hitting consoles this year.

How do you possibly top a video game year as flat-out awesome as 2017? You probably don’t — the past year was an all-timer, right up there with 2007 and 1998.

But no one loves a challenge like a game maker, and the men and women who toil to build amazing gaming experiences have their eyes set on 2018. While we’re sure to get countless surprises between now and next December, the year to come is already shaping up to be another one for the record books. A new “Red Dead,” the return of Kratos, another “Last of Us,” that crazy looking “Far Cry” — a ton of heavy-hitters are slated for release in 2018. Here are 20 worth watching (and playing, eventually).

Note: Only games with currently confirmed 2018 release dates are included. All release dates subject to change/delay.

“Red Dead Redemption 2” (Spring 2018 | PS4, Xbox One)

‘Red Dead Redemption II’ is easily the most hotly anticipated game of 2018.

Few companies can raise their stock price 6% simply by tweeting little more than their logo against a red background. But Rockstar Games, which is owned by Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), isn’t just any company. Best known as the mad geniuses behind “Grand Theft Auto,” Rockstar also happened to make the best Old West video game of all time in 2010’s legendary “Red Dead Redemption.” First hinted at by a simple tweet back in October of 2016, the prequel follows nefarious new protagonist Arthur Morgan and his gang of outlaws as they rob, cheat and steal their way across the American Frontier.

“The Last of Us: Part II” (TBD 2018 | PS4)

‘The Last of Us II’ has a lot to live up to, but there’s high hopes for Naughty Dog.

Emotions ran high in the post-apocalyptic hellscape of the PS3 giant, “The Last Us.” So did the game’s score, coming in at a staggering 95 on Metacritic. The sequel, naturally, has a lot to live up to, but with ace developer Naughty Dog on the job, we’re expecting another masterpiece. Taking place a few years after the original, it lets players guide a 19-year-old Ellie through a world somehow more violent and dangerous than before. We simply can’t wait.

“Anthem” (Q4 2018 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)

We’re not entirely sure what to expect from ‘Anthem’ yet, but based on developer Bioware’s pedigree, we’ve got high hopes.

Look out, “Destiny” – EA (EA)and Bioware are prepping an online shooter of their own. We think. It’s actually hard to say for sure at this point. Outside of an outstanding trailer shown at EA’s pre-E3 press conference in June, precious little is known about Bioware’s take on online multiplayer action. Players don customizable exosuits to fly, shoot, and chat through gorgeous sci-fi worlds. So yeah, sounds like “Destiny.”

“God of War” (Q1 2018 | PS4)

God of War transports Kratos from ancient Greece to the frozen wastes of Norse mythology.

Deity-defying madman Kratos returns to action in 2018, but he’s changed quite a bit over the years. Now a dad, the god killer is tasked with teaching his son how to survive a harsh new land while keeping his epic anger in check. With a new camera, deeper RPG elements, and a brand-new signature weapon (goodbye chains, hello axe), “God of War” will offer a fresh perspective on an old anti-hero.

“Far Cry 5” (March 27 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)

‘Far Cry 5’ looks to reinvent the franchise, forcing you to confront religious zealots on U.S. soil.

Ubisoft (UBI.PA) takes its chaotic open-world shooter to a fictional town in Montana run by a brutal doomsday cult. Your job? What else — unite the town’s residents, deal with the crazy cult leaders, and try not to get eaten by a bear. Touching on hot-button ideological issues like religious fanaticism and domestic terrorism, it’s a controversial move that should help “Far Cry 5” inject new life into the popular series.

“Kingdom Hearts III” (TBD 2018 | PS4, Xbox One)

After years of anticipation ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ will land on consoles in 2018. As long as it’s not delayed … again.

Fans have been wishing upon this particular star for roughly a decade now, but they’ll finally get their heart’s desire in 2018. This long-awaited RPG returns players to the bizarre, mashed-up universe of Square and Disney, dropping them into the boots of series star Sora as he attempts to stop a second Keyblade War. With appearances by countless Disney (DIS) characters and a new “Attraction Flow” move that lets players summon attacks based on Disney rides, it’s sure to thrill die-hards. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get delayed again.

“Monster Hunter World” (January 26 | PS4, Xbox One)

‘Monster Hunter World’ is the most ambitious entry in the series yet.

Capcom’s hugely popular beast-tracking action game embraces the open-world craze, and the result is shaping up to be one of the biggest early releases of 2018. You’ll still spend hours chasing down massive creatures, but with no load screens to break up the fun. It’s also fully online and boasts far and away the most impressive “Monster Hunter” graphics yet. If you’ve never given it a chance, this might be the time to start.

“Sea of Thieves” (March 20 | Xbox One, PC)

‘Sea of Thieves’ drew plenty of attention when it debuted at E3 2017. We’ll find out if it’s worth the hype in 2018.

If you wish every day was Talk like a Pirate Day, batten down the hatches and sweep up the poop deck: Microsoft’s (MSFT) got some sweet, sweet booty headed your way. This swashbuckling co-op game lets you and a few friends plunder, pillage, and probably sink your way across a huge open world. Early looks have been positive — getting three people to properly hoist sails and steer a frigate is riotous fun — but we won’t know if we’re looking at treasure or fool’s gold until “Sea of Thieves” docks this March.

“Psychonauts 2” (TBD 2018 | Xbox One, PS4, PC, Mac)

After 13 years ‘Psychonauts” is back. And we’ll find out if it was worth the wait in 2018.

It’s been 13 years since gamers spent an extremely weird season at the Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp, where making friendship bracelets took a backseat to exploring the brains of fellow campers. The sequel sees Raz and friends back at it, using their Psi Powers to save the Psychonauts from being undermined by a nefarious villain. If that means another platform level even half as cool as the legendary Milkman Conspiracy, it can’t get here soon enough.

“Detroit: Become Human” (Q2 2018 | PS4)

‘Detroit: Become Human’ will explore what it means to be alive in a game where your decisions drive the story.

Man meets machine in this neo-noir adventure from the mind of game visionary David Cage. Playing as a trio of androids, gamers grapple with artificial consciousness in a futuristic Detroit. With a branching story shaped by player choice and remarkable graphics, this cinematic thriller is one of Sony’s (SNE) biggest PS4 bets in 2018.

“Shenmue III” (Q3/Q4 2018 | PS4, PC)

It’s taken quite some time, 17 years to be exact, but Shenmue III is finally coming in 2018. We hope.

Ryo Hazuki’s tale of revenge began, amazingly enough, on the Sega Dreamcast in 1999. Thanks to a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, it will finally continue in 2018. With series creator Yu Suzuki at the helm, the third “Shenmue” picks up where 2001’s “Shenmue II” left off. That will likely mean tons of plot, a helping of kung-fu, and maybe, just maybe, a forklift.

“Mega Man 11” (Q4 2018 | PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)

The Blue Bomber is trading in his pixels for some lines and slick moves in ‘Mega Man 11.’

We don’t know much at all about the Blue Bomber’s eleventh game. According to its internet-breaking announcement trailer, it’s coming out in 2018 (at the moment), it stars our favorite weapon-gathering robot boy, and it trades old-school pixels for fresher polygonal graphics. It also looks super hard, which sounds about right. It’s Mega Man!

“Metro Exodus” (Q4 2018 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)

‘Metro Exodus’ returns to Russia’s post-apocalyptic wastes in 2018.

The third game in the tragically underappreciated “Metro” series takes gamers back to the frigid post-apocalyptic Russian wastelands, where they’ll scavenge gear, shoot mutated beasts, and try their damnedest to survive. Based on the other two “Metro” games, that’ll be plenty scary – and hopefully, plenty fun, too.

“Days Gone” (TBD 2018 | PS4)

‘Days Gone’ will have you fleeing seemingly endless hordes of zombies.

Another year, another batch of post-apocalyptic zombie games. When it comes to sheer undead numbers, however, “Days Gone” might take the rotting cake. Waves of walking corpses descend upon our hero in this impressive-looking open-world game, which looks like a creepy blend of World War Z and Sony’s own “The Last of Us.” Here’s hoping the final game is closer in quality to the latter.

“Dragon Ball FighterZ” (January 26 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)

‘Dragon Ball FighterZ’ looks so good, it’s as if you’re actually playing the long-running anime series about people yelling for 20 minutes.

Goku and his spiky-haired pals are back, and unsurprisingly, they look pretty amazing in this new fighting game based on the long-running anime franchise. Featuring a large cast of Dragon Ball characters and a slick, team-based fighting system, it will surely make the fighting game community go super Saiyan when it arrives early in the year.

“Soulcalibur VI” (TBD 2018 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)

‘Soulcalibur Vi’ is bringing the series’ weapons-based combat back for another round in 2018.

The legend will never die, after all. Released back in 2012, the last version of this weapons-based fighting game didn’t exactly set the world on fire. But the franchise’s roots run deep – Dreamcast fans still swear by the first “Soulcalibur” – and with “Tekken 7” producer Motohiro Okubo in charge, there’s reason to believe the sixth installment will recapture some of the series’ glory.

Spider-Man (Q2 2018 | PS4)

‘Spider-Man’ is swinging onto the PS4 in 2018.

Having enjoyed a spectacular big screen rebirth, the webslinger swings over to the PS4 in 2018. Developed by Insomniac, the new Spider-Man sees Peter Parker scurry around Manhattan saving citizens from the likes of the Kingpin and Mr. Negative. Its acrobatic combat and open-world exploration helped it win countless Best of Show awards at E3 2017, and with loads of smart, authentic fan touches (playable MJ! Miles Morales!), it’s shaping up to be the coolest Spidey game since 2004’s seminal Spider-Man 2.

“Crackdown 3” (Spring 2018 | Xbox One, PC)

‘Crackdown 3’ will let you destroy everything you can see, which is absolutely worth it.

Initially planned for 2016, this open-world action romp has run into a few speed bumps on its way to your Xbox One. But when you’re building a game in which every single thing can be destroyed, bumps are bound to happen. Expect ridiculous super powers, intense action, and more busted up buildings than a Transformers movie.

“The Last Night” (TBD 2018 | Xbox One, PC, Mac)

‘The Last Night’ is a stylish platformer that we’re hoping will have equally stunning gameplay.

Of all the indie games shown during Microsoft’s E3 2017 press conference, this is the one that had people talking. Blending a 16-bit visual aesthetic with contemporary animation techniques, this cyberpunk side-scrolling game is a stunner. We’re still not entirely sure how it plays – its developers call it a “cinematic platformer” – but we’re anxious to find out.

“Darksiders 3” (TBD 2018 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)

Want to fight the Seven Deadly Sins while cracking a sweet whip? ‘Darksiders 3’ should be game.

The fate of the third “Darksiders” game was up in the air for a few years there, but now it’s actually happening. That’s a good thing indeed. The first two “Darksiders” were critical hits, big, bold action adventure games each starring one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This time out, we’ll play as Fury, a whip-wielding mage out to destroy the Seven Deadly Sins.

More games news:

The best video games of 2017

‘Resident Evil Revelations Collection’ review: Fear the past

Microsoft Xbox One X review: A beast of a console at a steep price

‘Wolfenstein II’ review: Great fun if you’re into punching Nazis

‘Super Mario Odyssey’ review: Nintendo tips its cap to the past

[yahooben]

Fall games guide 2017: Your free time is history

Hope you had a nice outdoorsy summer, because for the foreseeable future, you’re going to have a hard time leaving the living room. The fall video game season is just about underway, and the 2017 edition is keeping with tradition by slinging enough massive games your way to tax both your wallet and your eyesight. From Mario to Marvel, here’s what the next few months have in store.

“Destiny 2”

Destiny 2 will a new story and weapons to Bungie’s popular online shooter.

PS4, Xbox One – Sep. 6 | PC – Oct. 24

There are tons of cool games coming out in September, but for “Destiny’s” legion of fans, there can be only one. “Destiny 2,” sequel to Bungie’s insanely popular online shooter, offers a new story, baddies, weaponry, subclasses and features, though mostly it means once again zipping around the galaxy, blasting stuff in the face and rooting around for that sweet, sweet loot. PC players can finally get into the action as well, though their destinies will have to wait until late October.

“Metroid: Samus Returns”

You’ll be able to hunt alien monstrosities from the comfort of your daily commute with ‘Metroid Samus Returns.’

3DS – Sep. 15

Nintendo (NTDOY) broke the internet when they revealed a logo for the long-awaited “Metroid Prime 4” during their E3 presentation back in June. But while that game won’t arrive any time soon, fans can get their hands on a 3DS remake of a Game Boy hit this September. “Samus Returns” hits all the right “Metroid” notes: it’s a 2D side-scroller set in a massive labyrinth that you slowly unlock by collecting awesome new abilities.

“Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite”

Pit your favorite gaming and comic heroes against each other in ‘Marvel vs Capcom Infinite.’

PS4, Xbox One, PC – Sep. 19

Doctor Strange vs. Chun Li? Mega Man vs. Spider-Man? Mahvel, baby! The legendary brawler is back  this time letting 30 characters from the Capcom and Marvel universes slug it out. It’s also packing a full cinematic Story mode, addressing a major complaint fans had with Capcom’s “Street Fighter V.” Boasting a multi-character tag-team system and Infinity Stone power-ups, it’s aiming to be both deep and accessible. That’s a tricky combo. Here’s hoping these heroes step up to the fight.

“NBA 2K18” 

2K is going to have to change Kyrie’s jersey for ‘2K18.’

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC – Sep. 19

2K’s basketball blockbuster has led the league for the past decade, and it looks to return healthy and motivated to keep its crown with “NBA 2K18.” So how do you improve the top-rated sports game in the world? How about overhauling the controls, tightening up the graphics and adding tons of features to MyCareer and MyGM modes? This year’s model will also include All-Time teams, letting gamers finally figure out which NBA franchise is the best ever. (Hint: It’s the Lakers. Or maybe Celtics. Um, Bulls?)

Super NES Classic Edition

To say you’ll have trouble getting your hands on Nintendo’s SNES Classic is an understatement.

Sep. 29

While Nintendo’s pint-sized, plug-and-play version of the beloved Super Nintendo console technically releases on September 29, the chance of you walking into a store and buying one — or even just adding it to an online shopping cart — is effectively zero. Due to Nintendo’s inability (planned or otherwise) to meet demand, the Super NES Classic has turned into a pre-order nightmare. That’s too bad, because this $80 box gives gamers 21 Super Nintendo classics in beautiful HD, including all-time greats like “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past,” “Super Metroid,” “Super Mario World,” and the never-before-released “Star Fox 2.”

“Cuphead”

‘Cuphead’ promises to be a gorgeous and difficult good time.

Xbox One, PC – Sep. 29

Inspired by 1930’s cartoons, “Cuphead” is one of the most beautiful games you’ve ever seen. But don’t let its sweet, surreal look fool you – this is also a brutally difficult side-scrolling shooter. If its looks don’t kill you, a wave of cheerful bullets most certainly will.

“FIFA 18”

You might know EA’s ‘Madden’ as the company’s premier football game, but ‘FIFA’ is far more popular around the world.

PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC – Sep. 29

EA Sports might be best known in the U.S. for “Madden,” but their other football game is a lot bigger. “FIFA 18” heads to the pitch with a revamped version of its acclaimed story-based Journey mode, tasking gamers with guiding Alex Hunter through another tale of redemption. With over 80 stadiums and just about every major (and not so major) soccer club in the world, it’s as authentic as video game soccer gets.

“Forza Motorsport 7”

‘Forza 7’ looks like the perfect game to show off your fancy new 4K TV.

Xbox One, PC – Oct. 3

Ferrari on the fritz? Lambo in the shop? Don’t fret! Microsoft’s (MSFT) simulation showstopper will let you live out your fanciest automotive fantasies. This year, “Forza” gets a hefty 4K upgrade, meaning shinier cars, prettier tracks and physics-ier physics. Best of all, it’s about .05% the cost of a new Porsche.

“Middle-earth: Shadow of War”

‘Shadow of War’ brings back all of the over-the-top battles from ‘Shadow of Mordor,’ while upping the ante through an improved ‘Nemesis’ system and new Ring of Power.

PS4, Xbox One, PC – Oct. 10

The sequel to 2014’s incredible “Shadow of Mordor,” “Shadow of War” puts you back in the ethereal boots of Talion the ranger, who has forged a new Ring of Power and wants to use it to take down Sauron. That means slicing, dicing and enslaving lots of orcs, though you’ll get much more control over your hero thanks to a deeper role-playing and expanded “Nemesis” systems that turn the entire world into a personalized playground. In a year filled with open-world games, this one really could rule them all.

“The Evil Within 2”

Believe it or not, this is one of the tamer screenshots for ‘Evil Within 2.’

PS4, Xbox One, PC – Oct. 13

A few years ago, “Resident Evil” mastermind Shinji Mikami transported gamers to the gory glory days of survival-horror with “The Evil Within.” This follow-up expands the nightmare with a bigger world, deeper customization and an emphasis on psychological terror. And probably a couple dozen super gross monsters.

“South Park: The Fractured But Whole”

‘South Park: The Fractured But Whole’ is the follow-up to the award-winning ‘Stick of Truth.’

PS4, Xbox One, PC – Oct. 17

Cartman and company are at it again, this time transforming into superheroes for another hysterically NSFW RPG. “The Fractured But Whole” picks up after 2014’s excellent “The Stick of Truth,” giving gamers a dozen new character classes and (butt)loads of turn-based combat hijinks set in and around the not-so-sleepy Colorado town. Will there be strippers? You can bet your space cash on it.

“Super Mario Odyssey”

‘Super Mario Odyssey’ takes Mario back to a 3D open world. And yeah, seeing him next to a real person is strange.

Switch – Oct. 27

The biggest video game day of 2017 is headlined by the world’s most famous mustached mascot. The first main “Mario” game for the Switch looks spectacular, a return to the open-ended form of all-time greats like “Super Mario 64.” Thanks to a stirring combination of classic “Mario” platforming and inventive new mechanics – you can possess enemies using your hat, for instance – the game won countless awards at the E3 2017 conference in June. If it isn’t on your wishlist, you must be Bowser.

“Assassin’s Creed Origins”

This origin story takes you back to ancient Egypt and sports big improvements to combat, which could make ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ the best yet.

PS4, Xbox One, PC – Oct. 27

If you don’t own a Switch, October 27 will be a fine day to clamber around the rooftops of ancient Egypt. Telling the origin story of the Assassin’s Brotherhood, “Assassin’s Creed Origins” is a departure for the long-running (and climbing, and stabbing) series, adding a deep looting system and completely revised combat to the parkour-inspired action.

“Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus”

‘Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus’ looks every bit as gory and intense as its predecessor. And that’s a good thing.

PS4, Xbox One, PC – Oct. 27

Remember when protecting an America overrun with emboldened Nazi scum seemed like a perfectly ridiculous basis for a shooter? Despite its headline-grabbing, white-hot premise, this over-the-top fragfest looks incredibly fun. Once again shoot futuristic fascists in the face as famed Nazi hunter BJ Blazkowicz, though the real star of “The New Colossus” is the game’s sharp writing and insane cast of Nazi evildoers. Who you get to shoot. In the face.

“Call of Duty: WWII”

Activision is hoping to put the ‘Call of Duty’ back on top by bringing it back to World War II.

PS4, Xbox One, PC – Nov. 3

After flexing its sci-fi muscles for a few years, the world’s biggest shooter returns to its roots. “Call of Duty: WWII” takes gamers back to the trenches of the European theatre, trading the impossibly mobile exosuits of recent Call of Duty games for the physically grounded realism of World War II. Boasting a full solo campaign, five classes, various multiplayer games and another co-op take on the popular Zombies mode, it’s shaping up to be another big year for “Call of Duty.”

Xbox One X

The Xbox One X is purpose-built for 4K, HDR gaming with a beefy graphics chip.

November 7

The video game console arms race is about to get another jolt. Tailor-made for 4K gaming, Microsoft’s Xbox One X outmuscles Sony’s PS4 Pro to become (upon release) the world’s most powerful home console. Fully compatible with all current and future Xbox One software, it’s built to last. That power will cost you, however: it’s $499, and you’ll need a 4K TV and a fresh new game like “Forza 7” to show off all that new juice. But if you’re in the market for a new system, you won’t find a burlier one.

“Need for Speed Payback”

EA is hoping to get the ‘Need for Speed’ franchise back on track with ‘Need for Speed: Payback.’

PS4, Xbox One, PC – Nov. 10

The next iteration of EA’s speed demon takes a turn for the “Fast and the Furious,” pushing you to drive like a maniac while taking out enemy vehicles in the most explosive ways possible. Cop chases, deep customization and sprawling environments should hopefully wash the taste of that terrible “Need For Speed” movie out of our mouths.

“Star Wars Battlefront II”

Finally, ‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ will let you wage arial battles in space.

PS4, Xbox One, PC – Nov. 17

How do you follow a hit as big as 2015’s “Star Wars Battlefront?” You add a full single-player campaign set between “Return of the Jedi” and “The Force Awakens”, for starters. You also add new multiplayer modes, characters and locations spanning the original, prequel and sequel eras. Luke vs. Darth Maul! Rey vs. Boba Fett! Thankfully, this shooter’s release date isn’t far, far away.

More gaming news:

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Fitbit’s Ionic smartwatch is here to take on the Apple Watch

Galaxy Note 8 preview: Samsung’s big bet

Norton’s Core wants to be the ultimate watchdog for your home tech

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Google drops neo-Nazi site out of ‘immediate concern of inciting violence’

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Email Daniel at dhowley@yahoo-inc.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.

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The top 10 games of E3 2017

E3 2017 had a lot of great games, but these are the best of the entire show. (image: Flickr E3 Expo)

The greatest video game show on Earth has ended, but the hype is just heating up.

Nearly 70,000 gamers flooded an overpacked Los Angeles Convention Center for three straight days (not counting a few days of fancy media briefings) of digital insanity, and game makers of all shapes and sizes delivered enough gaming goodness to last a lifetime — or at least until the holidays.

Though E3 2017 lacked the explosive punch of last year’s incredible show, it was home to dozens of cool games spanning every system under the sun. So how do you narrow that down? Some games were playable; others were little more than a trailer and some concept art. You’ll get your hands on a handful of them in 2017, while many more won’t see the light of day for years. But regardless of development state (and in no particular order) these are the 10 titles we’re most excited to play.

‘Super Mario Odyssey’ (Switch | Release Date: 10/27/17)

Nintendo’s portly plumber is coming back to consoles this October.

How do you follow-up a game as great as “Breath of the Wild?” You call a plumber.

It’s been 15 years since gamers busted bricks in a 3D sandbox version of the Mushroom Kingdom (that would be “Super Mario Sunshine” for the Gamecube), so to say that “Super Mario Odyssey” is a big deal is an even huge understatement. The next entry in Nintendo’s (NTDOY) flagship series is the company’s holiday pillar and a surefire system seller, provided it’s as good as we all expect.

And based on the E3 demo, it certainly will be. Odyssey’s charming world is densely packed with secrets, and Mario is equipped with incredibly cool new moves to help him explore every nook and cranny. His iconic hat is now a crucial tool, used to both thwart and even temporarily possess enemies. Mario the T-Rex? Believe it, and circle October 27 on your calendar. Switch owners absolutely won’t want to miss it.

‘Beyond Good and Evil 2’ (Platforms: TBD | Release Date: TBD)

The E3 audience went crazy for the surprise appearance of ‘Beyond Good and Evil 2.’

You don’t often see a grown game developer weep onstage in front of millions of viewers, but that’s exactly what happened when Ubisoft’s (UBI.PA) Michel Ancel shocked the gaming world with a trailer and quick chat about the long-awaited follow-up to the beloved “Beyond Good and Evil.” The new game is a much different beast, a prequel that, based on an off-the-floor tech demo, hopes to combine the original’s memorable characters with an absolutely immense, seamlessly rendered universe.

Yes, it’s absurdly ambitious, and yes, ambitious games often don’t pay off in the end (see: “Spore” and “No Man’s Sky.”) I also don’t believe we’ll actually play this game in the next year or two, or possibly three. But E3 is about the future, innovation and risk-taking. “Beyond Good and Evil 2“ hits all the right notes and provided the most thrilling chatter of the show.

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ (PC, Xbox One, PS4 | Release Date: 10/10/17)

Get ready to dive back into the battle for the fate of Middle Earth with ‘Shadow of War.’

How do you improve upon one of the best open-world games ever made? You make it bigger, naturally. But to simply say that “Shadow of War” is “bigger” than the 2014 hit “Shadow of Mordor” is like like saying that a Balrog is bigger than a labrador.

Giant fortress battles, a deep loot system, beefier combat, an expanded Nemesis system that turns just about every inch of the world into a unique, procedural snowflake — “Shadow of War” is shaping up to be a monstrous video game and a worthy successor to “Mordor.” This one may very well rule them all.

‘Spider-Man’ (PS4 | Release Date: TBD 2018)

‘Spider-man’ looks like the best video game incarnation of the wall crawler in years.

The web slinger’s been a little hit-or-miss as a video game. Fans point to the seminal “Spider-Man 2” as a high point, but a wealth of decent if forgettable action romps have left them longing for a game that gets its sticky star right.

Sony (SNE) and developer Insomniac’s take on “Spider-Man” might do just that. It’s already being compared to the tremendous “Batman: Arkham” games thanks to a similar combat system, but it’s also gorgeous, cinematic and seems to nail the thing we all really want to do as the webhead: swing freely through the streets of Manhattan. It’s also treating the comic lore with love by including new Spidey Miles Morales in the amazing trailer.

‘Echo Arena’ (Oculus Rift | Release Date: 7/20/17)

‘Echo Arena’ is the future of ultimate frisbee.

E3 2017 wasn’t a great show for VR, but tucked away in a corner was the sort of experience that got us all raving about the pricey tech in the first place. Created by well-known developer Ready At Dawn, “Echo Arena” is the closest you’ll get to the low-gravity training scenes from the sci-fi classic Ender’s Game. Two teams of five float around an arena, launching off walls as they try to toss a ball into a goal. It’s a smart solution to VR’s locomotion issues, and thanks to Oculus Touch and voice support, it feels like you’re really sharing a space together.

‘Sea of Thieves’ (Xbox One | Release Date: Early 2018)

‘Sea of Thieves’ will let you live the life of a pirate on the high seas.

It was a pirate’s life for just about everybody who met with Microsoft (MSFT) at E3 courtesy the swashbuckling silliness of “Sea of Thieves.” Turning up to four players into a gang of marauding buccaneers, it’s a surprisingly complicated game about ship sailing, treasure hunting and, most likely, lots of dying. But ace developer Rare’s gift for colorful characters and playful features is on full display here, making “Sea of Thieves” one of the most likable games at the show.

‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ (PC, Xbox One, PS4 | Release Date: 11/17/17)

Fight through all aspects of the Star Wars universe in ‘Battlefront II’

The fan favorite from 2015 strikes back later this year, and based on what we saw from “Star Wars: Battlefront II” at E3, it’s aiming to fix up the ship.

A full single-player story mode should attend to the biggest complaint about the last game, though “Battlefront II” also expands its popular multiplayer with customizable classes, more weapons and environments and heroes spanning every major Star Wars era. Ever wonder how Jedi Luke would fare against Darth Maul? (OF COURSE!) You’ll find out in November.

‘Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus’ (PC, Xbox One, PS4 | Release Date: 10/27/17)

Take down nazis in America by any means necessary in ‘Wolfenstein II: The New Colossas.’

The game that put first-person shooters on the map got a killer reboot in 2014’s “Wolfenstein: The New Order,” which featured over-the-top combat against some of the craziest nazis this side of a Mel Brooks movie. But developer Machine Games was just getting started.

“The New Colossus” continues brawny hero BJ Blazkowicz’s fight to survive in a future world ruled by cruel dictators; good thing he’s the toughest man in the world, as evidenced by an incredible 20-minute E3 demo that let you mow down mobs of SS soldiers while putting around in a wheelchair.

‘Anthem’ (PC, Xbox One, PS4 | Release Date: Q4 2018)

‘Anthem’ is a an online multiplayer game aimed right at ‘Destiny.’

From “Baldur’s Gate” to “Mass Effect,” game developer Bioware is best known for making enormous, detailed role-playing games. For their next trick, however, the legendary studio is taking a page from the “Destiny” playbook with fast-paced sci-fi combat set in a shared online universe. In “Anthem,” players don exosuits called Javelins as they jetpack around a massive world looking for trouble (and, presumably, XP and loot). Details are still scarce — E3 was more of a coming out party for the game than a deep dive — but suffice to say, fan of Activision’s juggernaut and games like “Borderlands” should pay attention.

‘Far Cry 5’ (PC, Xbox One, PS4 | Release Date: 2/27/18)

‘Far Cry 5′ brings the series’ signature run and gun chaos to American soil for the first time.

Ubisoft had a tremendous E3, showing off a portfolio bursting with both established franchises and risky new endeavors. “Far Cry 5” somehow fits both definitions. The first game in the series to be set on U.S. soil, it courts controversy with its socio-political undertones, pitting a small-town Montana deputy against a militia-like cult that shares more than a few similarities to real-world American extremist groups. But it’s also “Far Cry” through and through, letting you romp around a stunning, grounded open-world begging for exploration and experimentation. Best of all, you have a pet dog. Careful, he bites.

More games news:

These are the coolest VR games at the world’s biggest video game expo

Nintendo shows off new ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ and more at E3 2017

Microsoft’s new Xbox One X is a beast, but faces an uphill battle

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass will end your free time forever

‘Injustice 2’ review: Kneel before this sublime superhero fighter

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.

[yahooben]

E3 2017's best VR games

Sony’s PlayStation VR headset.

There’s no getting around it: virtual reality has stalled out.

After years of gushing previews and bold corporate stage shows, reality seems to have virtual reality. It’s clunky, pricey and still mostly a curiosity. We know that will eventually change — the headsets will slim down, the prices will drop and the experiences will get more exciting — but it’s safe to say that our virtual future is taking a lot longer than many anticipated.

Take a gander around the massive E3 video game conference in Los Angeles this week, however, and you’ll find plenty of proof that game makers are still very much on board the VR hype train. Sony (SNE) prominently displayed a half-dozen VR games during their fancy media briefing, Bethesda went all-in with three VR games based on hugely popular franchises and games for Facebook’s (FB) Oculus and HTC and Valve’s Vive were scattered throughout the show floor.

While Microsoft (MSFT) is playing the waiting game and Nintendo (NTDOY) has yet to dive in, it’s clear VR game development is moving forward quickly, undaunted by tepid hardware sales.

On that note, these are the five coolest VR games at E3 2017:

‘Echo Arena’ (Oculus Rift)

Remember the training sequences in Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi classic, Ender’s Game? That’s the gist of “Echo Arena,” a five on five multiplayer game of zero-G indoor frisbee soccer. That’s a lot to think about, but once you’re thrown into a match, “Echo Arena” snaps into focus. Players navigate arenas by slingshotting off walls, course correcting with tiny wrist rockets in an effort to track down a floating ball and hurl it into a goal. It’s just the sort of social experience VR evangelists believe will shape the future of the tech. But more than that, it’s uproarious fun. “Echo Arena” is due out July 20.

‘Starchild’ (PSVR)

The latest from the makers of the Oculus Rift launch hit “Lucky’s Tale”, “Starchild” enjoyed a quick spot during Sony’s big E3 media event on Monday. You don’t really get it, however, until you stare into the gorgeous world of this side-scrolling action-puzzler through a PSVR headset. Unlike many VR games, this beautifully detailed game isn’t about frantic action or cheap frights; it’s a fully-realized diorama in which you guide a tiny space heroine through a colorful, intimidating and mysterious world.

‘DOOM VFR’ (HTC Vive)

Bethesda might best be known as the publisher of sprawling open-world role-playing games, but they were also on the ground floor of the new wave of VR (they recently hammered that point home with a successful lawsuit.) While a VR version of their blazing fast bloodfest “DOOM” sounds like a one-way ticket to nausea town, “DOOM VFR” is pleasantly playable thanks to smart movement options, clean graphics and potent weaponry.

‘Fallout 4 VR’ (HTC Vive)

Two years after sending gamers into the wastelands with the immense RPG “Fallout 4,” developer Bethesda is aiming to give them a new way to explore it. “Fallout 4 VR” isn’t just a quick trip — it’s the full game, but now instead of pressing a menu button to raise your arm-mounted Pip Boy, you literally raise your arm. And if you thought fighting a Deathclaw was terrifying on your Xbox One, try doing it when he’s clawing at your virtual face.

‘Brass Tactics’ (Oculus Rift)

Strategy gaming seems tailor-made for VR, and this game from a former “Age of Empires” designer is proof positive that it’s a great match. Build clockwork armies, manage resources and go to war on a virtual tabletop. Despite the carnage, it’s easy on the eyes (and stomach) and immediately exciting for fans of the genre.

More games news:

Nintendo shows off new ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ and more at E3 2017

Microsoft’s new Xbox One X is a beast, but faces an uphill battle

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass will end your free time forever

‘Injustice 2’ review: Kneel before this sublime superhero fighter

How Microsoft is bringing VR to the masses

The New 2DS XL could be Nintendo’s best handheld yet

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ lets you lead orcish armies — and destroy them

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ review: A new classic for a new generation

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.

[yahooben]

E3 2017: Nintendo details new ‘Super Mario’ but stays mum on bigger picture

Nintendo’s ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ is one of the most anticipated games for the Switch.

If you’re interested in upcoming Nintendo Switch games, Nintendo’s got you covered.

Nintendo of America (NTDOY) president Reggie Fils-Aime and a number of developers introduced a slew of new and previously announced Switch titles during its brief Nintendo Spotlight online event at the annual E3 gaming conference in Los Angeles. While other companies put on lengthy, lavish media briefings in cavernous event halls, Nintendo once again streamed a simple, pre-taped online video detailing some of the big games coming to its fast-selling home console.

But for all its pop, Nintendo left some of the biggest consumer concerns about their complex ecosystem and business interests unanswered. Here’s what we learned — and what we didn’t.

It’s a Mario world

The biggest game in Nintendo’s upcoming stable, “Super Mario Odyssey,” got the star treatment. Due out October 27, the next game from the portly plumber is a densely-packed adventure that eschews the side-scrolling flavor of recent “Mario” games in favor of the large, explorable sandbox environments that made games like “Super Mario Galaxy” and “Super Mario 64” instant classics.

‘Super Mario Odyssey’ will let you become a Mario T-Rex.

Mario will also feature prominently in the bizarre mash-up “Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle,” a goofy slice of tactical strategy that somehow squeezes Ubisoft’s Rabbid characters into Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom. Other Switch games coming out this year include the massive role-playing title “Xenoblade Chronicles 2,” kid-friendly ink-shooter “Splatoon 2,” action-packed brawler “Fire Emblem Warriors,” competitive Pokemon fighting game “Pokken Tournament DX” and two downloadable content packs for “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.”

Despite little info beyond a title card, undoubtedly the game that will get the most chatter is “Metroid Prime 4.” Unfortunately, the long-awaited next entry in Nintendo’s beloved action-adventure series doesn’t yet have a release date. New Switch games based on “Yoshi”, “Kirby” and “Pokemon” won’t be out until 2018.

‘Pokkén Tournament DX’ will let you battle pokêmon on the Switch.

Nintendo also plans to continue supporting esports with tournaments based on “Pokken Tournament,” “ARMS” and “Splatoon 2.” News about a potential remake of the company’s biggest esport, the aging “Super Smash Bros. Melee,” was MIA.

A pretty small party

While the core Nintendo fanbase will undoubtedly be pleased by the steady drip of Nintendo franchises, the company did little to change the conversation about its slow rollout of third-party offerings.

Switch versions of “FIFA 18,” “Rocket League” and “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” are crowd-pleasers, but Nintendo has once again distanced itself from noisy (and lucrative) franchises like “Assassin’s Creed,” “Call of Duty” and “Star Wars: Battlefront II.” If you want to play those kinds of games, you’ll need to invest in another system.

Bethesda’s ‘Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ is coming to the Switch with special ‘Zelda’ armor.

But Fils-Aime isn’t too worried about that.

“Certainly when you look at ‘FIFA 18,’ ‘Skyrim,’ ‘NBA 2K,’ third-party content is coming to the platform,” he told Yahoo. “But Nintendo is on a journey, and that journey is propelled by first-party content.”

That’s certainly true, but Nintendo’s lukewarm relationship with companies like Activision, Take 2 Interactive and Warner Bros. is often a focus when hardware sales stall out. That’s not yet the case with the Switch (Nintendo can’t keep it on shelves), but it’s undoubtedly a concern for those interested in owning a system that can play both first-party games and huge third-party franchises.

Fils-Aime, however, sees third-party games in more of a support role.

EA’s wildly popular ‘FIFA’ franchise is coming to the Switch.

“Both Sony (SNE) and Microsoft (MSFT) have spent a lot of money to be first with DLC and things of that nature, but I wonder if that’s truly driving hardware,” he said. “Versus as a consumer saying ‘I want to buy into the Switch’ and then ask, ‘where’s my FIFA, where’s my NBA 2K, etc.’

“We view the role of first-party software as what needs to drive the install base. And if we do that effectively, we create an opportunity and environment for fantastic third-party content.”

Virtual shutout

Nintendo is also staying in its lane in regards to the buzzy world of virtual reality. While Sony is doubling down with its PSVR headset and Microsoft endlessly tinkers with Hololens, Fils-Aime remains unconvinced it’s worth the effort at the moment.

“To date, I still have not seen anything that is a “wow” on the fun scale or a “wow” on the social scale.” he said. “Do I think the content gets better and better? I do. I think the tech gets better and better, but I think the tech is also getting more and more expensive. And from a Nintendo perspective, that’s a challenge.”

Nintendo does’t have much interest in VR at the moment.

“We are mainstream. We believe in consumers from 5 to 95 engaging in our content. So, when the technology starts to be more exclusive from a pricing standpoint, that’s just not as interesting to us. So, I do believe there is going to be a time and place for VR. I just don’t know if it’s here yet. Personal opinion? I think AR will succeed before VR.”

Of course, Nintendo had a hand in the most successful alternate reality game ever in “Pokemon Go,” but there’s still no word on that game’s follow-up just yet.

Nintendo kept quiet with regards to a potential follow-up to its hit plug-and-play NES Classic Edition. Despite glowing praise from critics and rabid fan response, the company unceremoniously stopped production on the unit in April. Rumors have flown about a Super Nintendo version, but the company hasn’t given us any information one way or another.

There’s still no word on whether we’ll see a successor to the Nintendo NES Classic.

Nintendo also avoided talk of other significant topics like its handheld 3DS line during the 30-minute Spotlight event. And while 3DS games will be on display during the show itself (including “Metroid: Samus Returns,” a 3DS reimagining of the Game Boy classic), doing sends sends a dubious message. News about the formal launch of the Switch’s online network, now pushed back to 2018, was also left out, along with any sort of new bundle or pricing options for Nintendo hardware.

It’s a bit unusual — competing hardware companies often use E3 as a launchpad for huge announcements (Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One X just two days prior) — but Nintendo has always followed its own playbook for outlining its vision. Here’s hoping they’ll reveal a few more pages soon.

More games news:

Microsoft’s new Xbox One X is a beast, but faces an uphill battle

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass will end your free time forever

‘Injustice 2’ review: Kneel before this sublime superhero fighter

How Microsoft is bringing VR to the masses

The New 2DS XL could be Nintendo’s best handheld yet

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ lets you lead orcish armies — and destroy them

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ review: A new classic for a new generation

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.

[yahooben]

E3 Preview: What to expect from 2017's marquee video game expo

The E3 video game trade show kicks of in Los Angeles, California Saturday, June 10. (image: ESA)

Hope you like video games, because your social networks are about to get flooded with countless tweets, posts, pics, hot takes, snarky asides and full-on rants about interactive entertainment. The reason? E3, otherwise known as the Electronic Entertainment Expo.

You’ve likely heard of E3 — it’s in its 24th consecutive year — but you might not know why the annual video game industry convention/circus is such a big deal. Focused primarily on upcoming games and hardware, E3 offers a glimpse into the strategic motivation of some of the world’s biggest entertainment companies. Microsoft (MSFT), Sony (SNE), Nintendo (NTDOY) and others parade their latest and greatest wares, hoping to drum up pre-orders, dominate headline, and ride a wave of gamer goodwill into the lucrative holiday season.

Here’s what you need to know about the most important video game show of the year.

When does it start, exactly?

E3 2017 descends upon the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 13 through June 15, though it unofficially begins a few days earlier with a smattering of gaudy press conferences from major players. This year Electronic Arts kicks things off with an event on Saturday, June 10, followed by Microsoft, Bethesda, Ubisoft and Sony on Sunday and Monday. Here’s the official press conference schedule.

How big is it?

The size and scope of E3 has fluctuated over the years. After flirting with fire code violations in 2005 by letting over 70,000 attendees roam its halls, the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) yanked on the reins, moving the shebang to a series of hotels in Santa Monica and trimming the guest list to a tidy 5,000. Eventually they moved back downtown and the show enjoyed a sort of rebirth. Last year’s E3 had more than 50,000 showgoers, and 2017 will likely exceed that.

Attendees at E3 2016. There were … a lot. (image: ESA)

Some 200 game makers will tout games big and small in booths at the cavernous convention center, but the show is much bigger than that. Twitch and T-Mobile will host an esports arena next door at L.A. Live. Game Awards producer Geoff Keighley will host developer chats, panels and demos at the fan-friendly E3 Coliseum, including appearances by the likes of Jack Black, Ivan Reitman and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Add in dozens of mixers, a handful of huge parties and an untold number of hotel suite showings and it basically takes over L.A.’s thriving downtown district for three full days.

Can I go?

Not if you didn’t buy a ticket. E3 2017 model is the first show to be open to the public. The ESA sold 15,000 and, as you can imagine, they’re all sold out.

But E3 has increasingly become less dependant on conventional on-the-ground reporting to get the word out. The major pre-show press conferences will all be streamed live at various sites (IGN, for instance) and Sony sold movie theater tickets for those interested in watching their gala on a big screen.

Sites like Youtube, Twitch and even Twitter will be streaming all sorts of coverage live from the show floor, including interviews with developers and live gameplay demonstrations. You might not be there in person, but it’s easy to stay informed.

So what big news should we expect?

That’s a super hard question, voice in my head, but here’s a handful of relatively safe predictions:

Microsoft’s Project Scorpio

E3 is often a launchpad for big new hardware announcements, and this year the stage belongs to Microsoft. Expect to get a pretty thorough demo of Project Scorpio, an upgraded version of the company’s One console and counter to Sony’s beefy PS4 Pro.

Microsoft is expected to reveal its Project Scorpio console at E3 2017.

Though Microsoft launched the slim (and excellent) Xbox One S console last year, Scorpio is a different beast, packing even more power at what will likely be a significantly higher price. Microsoft calls the 4K-capable machine “the most powerful console ever built,” and indeed, recently revealed tech specs indicate a faster CPU and a GPU that’s nearly 5 times burlier than the tech found in a standard Xbox One.

We should get a final name, price and possibly release date for the system at E3, and Microsoft is expected to show off a few games specifically designed to take advantage of the console’s extra horsepower including a new “Forza” game maybe a new “Halo” collection.

Sony’s surprises

For the past few years, Sony has developed a terrific E3 rhythm by talking directly to gamers with huge announcements. They haven’t always paid off (where’s that “Final Fantasy VII” remake, or that weird VR game “Dreams”, or, um, “Shenmue 3”?), but a tight mix of both imminent and far-off software like “Uncharted,” “Horizon,” “God of War”, “Spider-Man” and “Days Gone” have endeared them to their fanbase.

Sony is expected to bring us more information about its highly-anticipated ‘God of War.’

And we’ll see more of that this year. Expect a lengthier showing of the rebooted “God of War,” which wowed showgoers with its intense, dad bod approach to the bloodthirsty Kratos. We should also see “The Last of Us 2,” the sequel to one of the highest-rated games of all time, and perhaps an appearance by “Bloodborne II” as well.

Pricing changes in their PS4 hardware ecosystem could also be in the cards, and if you believe the rumor mill, that might include some sort of new PlayStation handheld to replace the company’s ailing Vita line. The company has excelled at surprising us at recent E3s, and that trend should continue this year.

Nintendo’s future

After stealing last year’s E3 with a booth dedicated to a single game —  “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” — Nintendo went on an absolute tear. They dominated smartphones with “Pokemon Go,” introduced the holiday’s hottest toy in the NES Classic Edition, and gave Nintendo new hope after the disappointing Wii U with the immediately successful Switch not to mention 2017’s best game in “Breath of the Wild.” Not bad a for a company most folks had written off just a few years back.

Expect Nintendo to drop a boatload of new games on us at E3.

But gamer goodwill doesn’t last forever. The Kyoto giant has to prove to early adopters that the Switch has a long, healthy life ahead of it while convincing investors that they can reach beyond their die-hards to maintain the system’s impressive sales momentum.

To do that, the company will show off a wealth of Switch games, headlined by the system-selling “Super Mario Odyssey.” Beyond that, brace for the usual suspects: a new “Pokemon,” a “Mario” spinoff or two, some big Japanese role-playing games, loads of Wii U ports and, if we’re lucky, the long-awaited return of the “Metroid” franchise. And while the company has been treading lightly into the competitive waters of esports, an updated, HD version of “Super Smash Bros. Melee” for the Switch would be huge.

VR’s big push

There is a good chance you’re a VR skeptic. You have every right to be. After years of breathless stories about the new wave of VR, systems like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive arrived with exorbitant price tags, excessive cabling and a scarcity of truly compelling software. Those hurdles will eventually vanish as the hardware gets friendlier and the costs drop, but the VR revolution isn’t exactly happening overnight.

We’re hoping to see a few interesting VR titles at E3.

VR game makers have moved forward largely undaunted, however, and we expect to see the fruits of their labor on full display at E3 2017. Sony will likely push its PSVR pretty hard at the show, perhaps with a lengthy demo of EA’s anticipated “Star Wars: Battlefront II” and other full-featured games running on the headset.

Bethesda also has a history with VR; rumor has it their VR version of its blockbuster RPG “Fallout 4” will make an appearance. Though neither Oculus nor HTC have formal E3 booths, games from VR developers on both platforms will be all over the place.

The VR dark horse at this point is Microsoft, who gave us a glimpse into their plans with the mixed-reality Hololens headset in 2015. They were mum on the subject last year, however, and the company isn’t planning a big Xbox-related VR reveal at E3. But Microsoft is more than just the Xbox — expect some big Windows-related VR/AR news.

More games news:

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass will end your free time forever

‘Injustice 2’ review: Kneel before this sublime superhero fighter

How Microsoft is bringing VR to the masses

The New 2DS XL could be Nintendo’s best handheld yet

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ lets you lead orcish armies — and destroy them

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ review: A new classic for a new generation

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.

[yahooben]

‘Injustice 2’ review: Kneel before this sublime superhero fighter

‘Injustice 2’ brings back the all the super hero brawling you loved from its predecessor.

All heroes are not created equal, especially when it comes to the expanded universes of comic book titans Marvel and DC.

From The Avengers and The Guardians of the Galaxy to lesser-known but equally potent stars like Ant Man and Doctor Strange (an original Defender, back in the day), Marvel’s mightiest have outmuscled DC’s potent roster cinematically. “Suicide Squad” somehow won an Oscar, but it also nabbed two Razzie nominations. “Batman Vs. Superman” scored eight (and won four).

When it comes to video games, however, DC has fared a bit better. DC franchises — mostly Batman, honestly — have carried the torch for console superhero games. That includes 2013’s excellent fighting game “Injustice.” And though it failed to match the success of developer NetherRealm Studios’ more famous series, “Mortal Kombat,” it served as a fine thirst quencher for comic book gamers.

The sequel is, in just about every sense, an improvement. It’s a bigger game in both character and mechanics, playful but intense and absolutely packed with clever ways to maim the members of “The Superfriends.” It’s also pretty addictive thanks to a new loot system that’s as much “Diablo” as it is DC.

We could be heroes

True to form, NetherRealm has given “Injustice 2” a full Story mode right out of the box. Picking up where the original left off, “Injustice 2” envisions a future torn apart by Superman, now captured after going full tyrant in the first game. As Batman wrestles with rebuilding the world in Superman’s wake, the Kryptonian’s nemesis, Brainiac, shows up hell-bent on destroying Earth. A few thousand plot twists later, and the gang has to save multiple universes while figuring out, once and for all, what to do with a power-mad Clark Kent.

Harley Quinn takes it to Batman in ‘Injustice 2.’

There’s a bit more agency here — you occasionally choose between two characters as you navigate through the linear narrative — but this is not NetherRealm’s best work. It relies too heavily on overused reasons to get superheroes to beat each other up (lots of inexplicable mind control … again), and full play through takes just about four hours. The stress between Batman and Superman, once novel, is a little played out at this point, and if you didn’t play the first game or possess at least a BA in Superhero Lore, the ins and outs of the drama can be tough to follow. It’s a brief, somewhat disjointed tale.

That said, the voice work and cinematics are top notch. And Story Mode does ultimately what it sets out to do: introduce you to the game’s mechanics and offer a veneer of justification for socking Robin in the head as Swamp Thing.

Get in gear

“Injustice 2” keeps the basics of “Injustice” (which itself felt a bit like a retooled “Mortal Kombat”) pretty much intact. You can still knock enemies into different stage areas, engage strategic “clashes” to swing the tide of a battle, trigger temporary character buffs, and, most memorably, unleash hysterically awesome Super Moves. I will never, ever get tired of watching Flash grab an enemy by the collar and literally drag them through time to smash their face into a feeding Tyrannosaurus. This is a thing you can do in this video game.

Superman gets an attitude adjustment in ‘Injustice 2.’

New this time around is the ability to burn your super meter on evasive maneuvers and blocks. Advanced tactics like move cancelling are also baked in, though most players will get by just fine with the intuitive combo system and merciless “Mortal Kombat” style juggling. “Injustice 2” is at once accessible and deep, a game easy to jump into but packed with subtleties begging for your time and attention.

The biggest new addition, however, isn’t in what you do while fighting, but what you get when you win. A new Gear System doles out loot after every match (you can also buy boxes of loot with in-game currency); like a traditional RPG, each piece of loot works with a specific character. You might win an exciting new bow for Green Arrow, for instance, or a fresh new head for Blue Beetle. The more you play as a character, the higher their level and the more potent the gear they can equip. This is crucial, because it’s not just for show: the gear tweaks stats for each of the game’s 28 characters, increasing strength, resilience, and other qualities.

It’s a bold move. Most fighting games rely on obsessively tight balancing to ensure that no one character outshines the rest. The gear throws that off, making your character faster, stronger, or stouter than the standard version. Cosmetic changes occur as well, too, making “Injustice 2” one of the most customizable fighting games ever made.

Gear is, unfortunately, marred by a baffling, overly complicated array of resources to gather and manage. You’ll acquire various kinds of credits and tokens (one of which can be purchased with real-world funds) to spend on gear, upgrades, and more. While you never feel pressured to spend cash, it’s an inelegant system that feels weirdly fussy for a full-priced game. Expect to grind a lot.

Aquaman and Deadshot tangle in ‘Injustice 2.’

But in case you were concerned about gear and competition, put down your red flag – the gear system won’t ruin competitive play, as Warner Bros. wisely created a separate, official tournament mode that resets all characters to their standard versions in order to ensure a level playing field.

Close competition

Of course, hopping online feels anything but level. As good as you get with your offline Aquaman, playing online opponents, with or without gear, is the real test. And since the “Injustice” core remains largely intact, expect to meet more than a few extremely talented amateurs online.

The good news is that “Injustice 2” includes a Practice mode that offers a window into pro considerations, including detailed character frame and move data for really dialing in moves. This is a game well aware of its esports aspirations; even before release, the game was added to the roster of titles at the upcoming Evo 2017 fighting game tournament.

Blue Beetle is ready to rock in ‘Injustice 2.’

Sadly, it doesn’t go the full distance getting amateur players up to speed, failing to include deeper character-specific training to help newcomers learn more advanced tactics. But it’s clear that there’s a lot to dig into here, and since fighting games these days function more as long-term competitive platforms than one-off games, “Injustice 2’s” depth, even if a little opaque, should serve it well in the long run.

If getting pummeled by other players is too much, you can hand the reigns to the game’s AI, building teams of heroes to take on other computer-controlled teams and watching them duke it out online. You even gain some loot from these battles, giving you yet another avenue for earning precious Super Pants.

Worlds within worlds

Even if you never test your mettle against other players, “Injustice 2” offers plenty to do. The game takes a cue from “Mortal Kombat X’s” Living Towers with the Multiverse, a constantly changing, timed set of matches that yield big rewards and often feature curious modifiers. You might play a series of matches in low-gravity or collect health-boosting hearts.

Multiverse battles dole out some of the game’s best gear and loot boxes, ensuring repeat visits. It’s a nice way to extend the solo game beyond the Story and Single Fight modes, and though it feels a little derivative, it delivers a wealth of variety that will undoubtedly keep players coming back. And at least until “Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite” steps into the fight, you’ll want to come back to “Injustice 2.” It’s the complete package — beautiful, nuanced, and inviting — and though it trips up a little with its short, uninspired Story, it more than makes up for it with the most rewarding superhero power fantasy this side of Batkid.

Platform reviewed: PS4

  What’s hot: Accessible yet deep; wildly creative super moves; addictive gear system; plenty of ways to play

What’s not: Story mode is a disappointment; resource mania

More games news:

How Microsoft is bringing VR to the masses

The New 2DS XL could be Nintendo’s best handheld yet

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ lets you lead orcish armies — and destroy them

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ review: A new classic for a new generation

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.

[yahooben]

'Call of Duty: WWII' to explore the emotional toll of war

‘Call of Duty: WWII’ will bring an emotionally powerful story to the series.

“I can tell you one thing — it’s the best game of our lives.”

Glen Schofield doesn’t mince words when it comes to “Call of Duty: WWII.” The co-founder and studio head of developer of Activision’s (ATVI) Sledgehammer Games leads a team tasked with taking the series back into the trenches of World War II, and he’s well aware that it’s a tall order.

Due out Nov. 3 for Microsoft’s (MSFT) Xbox One, Sony’s (SNE) PS4 and PC, the historical shooter is in a tricky spot. On one hand, it has to cater to the finicky whims of an expansive fanbase with built-in expectations of what a “Call of Duty” game is supposed to deliver. At the same time, Sledgehammer has great reverence for the subject matter, and in turn hopes to craft a game as much about the emotional challenge of dealing with war with the big, noisy explosions the series is known for.

“These guys were 17 years old with eight weeks worth of training and were thrown into the war,” Schofield said during a demo at the company’s Bay Area’s office. “They had to dig deep in their life for the knowledge and lessons from their family to get through the experience. That’s sort of how we’ll bring you through the game.”

Battle cry

Set in the European theater between 1944-45, “Call of Duty: WWII” follows U.S. Army private Ronald “Red” Daniels and the 1st Infantry Division (the “Fighting First”) as they struggle through some of the most intense battles of the war, including legendary encounters in occupied France, Belgium and across the Rhine river into Germany.

Of course, “Call of Duty” has been here before. The first three games in the series were all set during World War II, but while they performed well with both critics and consumers, the franchise didn’t turn into the sales juggernaut it is today until the switch to a contemporary setting in 2007’s “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.” That was also the game that set the tone for what most folks think of when they hear “Call of Duty”: insane, over-the-top action, amazing set pieces and robust multiplayer.

‘Call of Duty: WWII’ trades in spaceships for the visceral battles of the Eastern Front.

“WWII” will have plenty of that, but Sledgehammer’s goal isn’t to just wow you with fancy pyrotechnics and empower you with ridiculous abilities.

“In that time period, it was common men at war,” Sledgehammer’s co-founder Michael Condrey pointed out. “You didn’t have Tier-1 super-soldiers. It was a group of young enlisted men coming together and forming bonds of camaraderie and fighting against an overwhelming enemy. It gives us the canvas for true emotional storytelling that’s really important for the studio.”

An emotional “Call of Duty?” That’s the pitch, and it’s echoed by just about every member of the development team. To nail it home, Sledgehammer showed off a bit of gameplay, starting with perhaps the most iconic of all World War II encounters: the storming of Normandy beach.

Grit and grime

From the epic opening sequence of “Saving Private Ryan” to the entirety of “The Longest Day” to games like 2002’s “Medal of Honor: Allied Assault” (a game co-written by “Ryan” director Steven Spielberg), D-Day is no stranger to media treatments. And sure enough, “Call of Duty: WWII’s” take hits all the expected notes. Soldiers nervously bob towards shore in a rain-soaked landing craft, the doors opening to a hail of gunfire that decimates the platoon save for a lucky few who escape overboard, only to emerge in a chaotic spray of bullets and blood.

Expect ‘Call of Duty: WWII’ to be far more brutal than the franchise’s recent incarnations.

It’s not new, but “WWII”‘s Omaha Beach is terrifying. Trudging up the beach and diving to cover behind battered Czech hedgehogs, your character (Daniels, presumably) can’t tear his eyes off his fallen, bloodied comrades. It’s ugly and harsh and gripping.

Having fought his way to a German bunker, Daniels finds himself in hand-to-hand conflict with an enemy soldier, struggling to stop a knife to the liver by grabbing a discarded helmet and gruesomely beating the nazi to death with it. Compared to the super-powered antics of recent “Call of Duty” games like “Advanced Warfare,” “Black Ops III,” and “Infinite Warfare,” it’s shocking blunt and weirdly refreshing.

Another level is set in the lesser-known Battle of Hurtgen Forest. Daniels and his squad creep through the dense foliage, ambushing a group of enemies before the nazis literally blow up the treetops. It’s here that “WWII” shows its lineage – the squad dodges falling trees in a hectic run to safety – but it’s more organic and feels much more personal than the cacophonous set piece moments in past “Call of Duty” games.

Honor role

That’s by design. Schofield and Condrey repeatedly emphasized the importance of honoring the legacy of those who fought in World War II, in part because they feel that time isn’t on their side.

‘Call of Duty: WWII’ will still pack large set pieces, but don’t expect giant laser weapons.

“We have an incredible military historian who’s been with us since the beginning in Marty Morgan, who worked ten years ago on [HBO show] ‘Band of Brothers,’” Condrey said. “He knew the real winters and the whole 101st airborne crew. He documented their stories. And this year he said to us, “None of them are around anymore.” In 10 years we’ve lost an entire generation of heroes…you think back 75 years ago now, that’s a long time.

“It’s been nearly 30 years since the Berlin Wall came down. There’s a whole generation of kids that don’t even remember the wall. So this is an important story we don’t want to have fade because we can’t let it happen again.”

Though Schofield balks at calling his team preservationists – they’re making a commercial video game, after all – he shares his partner’s urgency in telling these stories.

“‘Private Ryan’ was two decades ago…there are so many stories out there that haven’t been told,” he said. “We are telling some stories in here that we never heard of, including a very big part of the game that has only been uncovered in the last five to 10 years. We discovered some things that at the point of WWII ending were just swept under the rug. I don’t know if it’s preserving, uncovering…it’s just about telling great stories.”

‘Call of Duty: WWII’ will touch on recently uncovered events from the war.

Naturally, the juiciest details of “Call of Duty:WWII” are still under wraps. Players will be able to “enlist” in different divisions and play objective-based, narrative-driven multiplayer maps, while a new section called Headquarters will serve as a social space that Condrey says will “radically transform” the way players interact. There’s a co-operative mode as well, but the company is keeping mum on all of this stuff until the E3 conference in June.

The team may talk a big game, but delivering on their lofty goals won’t be a cakewalk. For the last decade or so, “Call of Duty” has been less about authenticity and more about exaggeration. Bringing the series back to a grounded, heavily-researched historical setting will undoubtedly please older fans of the franchise, but connecting with younger gamers who grew up on fancier weapons and popcorn power fantasies might not be so easy.

To Schofield, that’s a challenge the team relishes.

“We learned a lot on the last few games about how to tell a story … the more we can have people relate to this — ‘I was 17 once and I don’t know if I could have gone to war’ — the better. Art is meant to provoke thought.”

More games coverage:

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ lets you lead orcish armies — and destroy them

Nintendo Switch launch games: The must-haves, the maybes and the probably nots

‘For Honor’ review: You’ll need skill to survive this online fighter

‘Horizon: Zero Dawn’ Review: Combat and storytelling shine in spectacular sci-fi epic

The $450 Analogue Nt mini brings new life to old-school NES games

‘Resident Evil 7’ review: It’s a screaming good time

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.

[yahooben]

‘Call of Duty: WWII’ is the next ‘Call of Duty’ game

The ‘Call of Duty’ franchise is heading back to its WWII routes.

“Call of Duty” is going back to its roots.

Activision (ATVI) confirmed months of speculation on Friday by unveiling the name for the next effort in their long-running shooter franchise, and it’s surprisingly straightforward. Simply called “Call of Duty: WWII,” the new game is being developed by Sledgehammer Games and, as rumors have hinted, will head back into the trenches of the Second World War.

This marks an abrupt change of direction for the series, which hasn’t explored the World War II era since 2008’s “World at War.” Recent releases, including “Black Ops III,” “Advanced Warfare” and “Infinite Warfare,” featured increasingly over-the-top sci-fi weaponry and settings.

As of February 2016, over 250 million copies of “Call of Duty” games have been sold worldwide, earning over $15 billion for publisher Activision. Last year’s “Infinite Warfare” was the top selling game of 2016, while 2015’s “Black Ops III” landed in the eighth spot.

However, sales have generally fallen off since the franchise’s heyday, when every annual release would break entertainment industry sales records. Despite leading 2016, “Infinite Warfare” couldn’t quite reach the lofty heights of “Black Ops III.”

“Call of Duty’s” trip back in time mirrors EA’s decision to set last year’s “Battlefield 1” in World War I. That game was the second best-seller of 2016, trailing only “Infinite Warfare.”

More details about “Call of Duty: WWII” will be revealed at 10:00 am PDT on Wednesday, April 26 in a livestream on http://www.callofduty.com.

More games coverage:

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ lets you lead orcish armies — and destroy them

Nintendo Switch launch games: The must-haves, the maybes and the probably nots

‘For Honor’ review: You’ll need skill to survive this online fighter

‘Horizon: Zero Dawn’ Review: Combat and storytelling shine in spectacular sci-fi epic

The $450 Analogue Nt mini brings new life to old-school NES games

‘Resident Evil 7’ review: It’s a screaming good time

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.

[yahooben]

Scarecrow and Captain Cold are coming to Injustice 2

Scarecrow will terrify Injustice 2 players this May (WB Interactive)

Supervillains are getting their due in Injustice 2.

A new “It’s Good to Be Bad” trailer showcases four frightful members of the upcoming fighting game’s cast: Gorilla Grodd, Bane, Scarecrow, and Captain Cold:

Though Grodd and Bane were revealed in previous announcements, Captain Cold and Scarecrow are new to Injustice 2.

Captain Cold (née Leonard Snart) dates back to 1957. The Flash nemesis doesn’t possess any innate special abilities, instead relying on a multitude of icy weapons and gadgets to slow down his arch-rival. The trailer shows off a few different moves and combos that utilize his Cold Gun, including an ice wall and an awesome ice slide Super Power.

Scarecrow appeared as a background character in the original Injustice, but is fully playable in the sequel. Batman’s foil looks pretty gruesome, hooking enemies with a chain scythe and barfing his fear toxin all over their poor faces.

The reveal brings the total number of known playable characters to 27 (28 if you include pre-order bonus character Darkseid). Check out the full roster at our Injustice 2 character gallery.

Injustice 2 is due out May 16 for the Xbox One and PS4.

Ben was a big fan of Grodd whenever he appeared in the Super Friends cartoon. Make fun of him on Twitter @ben_silverman. 

[yahooben]

'Mass Effect: Andromeda' review: A sprawling space drama that struggles to stay on target

‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ invites you to strap in for another space opera.

“Space is big,” beloved author and interdimensional traveler Douglass Adams noted in his seminal towel-seller, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” “You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big,” he wrote, hammering home the point that when it comes to bigness, even our new president has nothing on the universe.

That size presents quite a challenge to game makers, but few have hacked away at the quandary with as much gusto as developer Bioware. The team behind the blockbuster “Mass Effect” trilogy managed to capture the epic scope of the big unknown while keeping our eyes trained on the intimate interactions between characters, a space opera in its truest — and, in terms of video games, among its best — form. So when they announced a return to their beautifully realized universe with “Mass Effect: Andromeda” ($60 for Xbox One, PS4, PC), we all got very excited indeed.

But a great deal has happened since 2012’s “Mass Effect 3” simultaneously wowed and enraged gamers; namely, “The Witcher 3,” “Fallout 4,” Bioware’s own “Dragon Age: Inquisition” and a host of other genre-blending RPGs (you could arguably toss recent greats “Horizon: Zero Dawn” and “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” into that mix, too). Big-budget role-playing games have blossomed in the past five years.

‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ has the makings of a great game, but misses the mark with a number of missteps.

And unfortunately, “Mass Effect: Andromeda” picked up some unwelcome visitors on its long journey to your gaming machine. Though it has some stellar moments, “Andromeda” tries to cram too many ideas into one package, turning its obsession with the bigness of space into a crutch for uncharacteristically shoddy workmanship.

The (next) final frontier

To answer your most obvious question: no, you do not need to have played the prior “Mass Effect” games to understand what the hell is happening here. “Andromeda” tells a self-contained story featuring entirely new characters, planets and star systems, though references to elements from the original trilogy (the Citadel, the Geth, Spectre, etc.) do occasionally pop up.

The game is set roughly 600 years after the events of the original trilogy. Just as things were heating up in the Milky Way (around the “Mass Effect 2” timeframe), several giant Ark ships were launched towards the faraway heart of the Andromeda galaxy. Snuggled in cryo beds and dreaming of a new life, the adventurous souls aboard these vessels were hoping to discover habitable new worlds and plant some flags.

‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ sees you exploring the Andromeda galaxy for a new home. But – spoiler alert – things go very wrong.

Naturally, things go sideways. You play as either Scott or Sara Ryder, a twin thrust into the role of ‘Pathfinder’ and tasked with guiding a ragtag group of aliens in a quest to find a new home. It’s all pretty standard sci-fi stuff — a bite of “Star Trek,” a nibble of “Battlestar” — but Bioware crafts a well-told tale that rises above its derivative vibe to keep you, um, engaged throughout.

Mostly, that’s done though a tweaked version of the branching narrative structure Bioware is known for. Conversation options have expanded beyond the binary Paragon/Renegade of prior games, adding flexibility and giving you a bit more agency over your particular Ryder. Despite some nasty bad guys and extremely high stakes, it’s also significantly more lighthearted than the trilogy’s dour doomsday scenario. Regardless of how you play Ryder, he (or she) is quick to joke and seems intent on keeping the joy of discovery intact.

The dialogue system isn’t as thrilling as it used to be, however. Other franchises have taken the cue and built branching narratives with greater emotional value. “The Witcher 3,” “Life is Strange” — heck, the entire Telltale Games catalog (whose Season 1 of “The Walking Dead” bested “Mass Effect 3” in most 2012 Game of the Year Awards) have pushed the envelope of branching narrative design, making each choice feel impactful. Though your tone changes based on your responses in “Andromeda,” Ryder’s playful, at time snarky attitude takes some of the gravitas out of the decision-making. You rarely break a sweat.

‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’s’ dialogue system lacks the kind of gravitas that makes games like ‘The Witcher 3’ so addictive and powerful.

Still, developing relationships, opening/closing paths, trying to get busy with a blue lady — it’s all here, and thanks to an interesting story, likable characters and great voicework by both male and female Ryders, “Andromeda” does a convincing job of turning you into Captain Kirk.

A downright uncanny job, you might say.

Valley of the Dolls

Unless you’ve been avoiding the internet for the last week, you’ve likely caught wind that gamers are, to put it mildly, displeased with the “Andromeda’s” animations, particularly its facial close-ups. And, well, yeah, the facial animations aren’t great. The game doesn’t just glide over the uncanny valley, it builds a big space house and moves right in.

I typically don’t put too much stock in this; plenty of outstanding games are kind of ugly up close (I’m looking into your lifeless eyes, “Fallout 4”). What makes it so rough here is the amount of time you spend staring at close-ups. A good third of the game is spent chatting with people and developing relationships, but when they look like broken robots, it breaks the spell. About halfway through the game, my Ryder inexplicably developed two wicked lazy eyes that lasted for a good 10 hours.

‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’s’ human characters look like dead-eyed androids.

Perhaps the increased power of modern consoles/PCs (I played on PS4) is the culprit — as the theory goes, the closer you get to reality, the deeper the valley. But as ugly as it gets for humankind, the power leads to some amazing aliens. The brutish, dinosaur-like Krogans have never looked better, and jittery eyes and smooth skin give the amphibious Salerians incredible life. I relished every chance to chat with non-humans, both to bask in Bioware’s great work and as a respite from the mannequin onslaught.

This sort of uneven delivery extends to the rest of the game’s graphics. The art design is triumphant – Issac Asimov would commend the look and feel of the game’s colorful terrain, sweeping interstellar views and massive starships – but technical glitches abound. Flickering textures are common, load times are excessive and occasional pop-in mars the stunning planetside vistas. These sorts of glitches aren’t game-breaking, but they speak to a project struggling to bear its own weight.

Humans might not look good in ‘Mass Effect: Andromeda,’ but the aliens are gorgeous.

Galaxy quest

And make no mistake: “Andromeda’s” scope is massive.

Much of the game takes place on explorable planets that are significantly bigger than the regions found in “Dragon Age: Inquisition.” You can spend hours scouring the nooks and crannies of each location from the comfort of your Nomad rover. And as you find ways to make life more hospitable, the areas open up even further.  

‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’s’ worlds are vast and beautiful.

A star map gives you free reign to explore the Heleus cluster of the Andromeda galaxy. You can only land on and explore a handful of planets, but you rarely feel hemmed in, and the desire to build outposts pushes you to approach Andromeda like a real pioneer. It’s a good hook.

But this goal is quickly buried beneath a ridiculous number of less essential Things to Do. Some are classic “Mass Effect” – your shipmates have needs, and if you want to unlock their highest-level abilities or get them into bed (perv), you’ll need to attend to those — but you pick up other, seemingly unwanted side quests with alarming ease.

Checking in on an outpost? Be careful who you talk to, because apparently every single life form in the galaxy is incapable of handling their own business. Even if they don’t have a gigantic exclamation point on their head, they’ll probably ask you to shuttle something somewhere or look into a mild, pointless drama. And you’ll feel pressed to track down every one, because you never know which insignificant-sounding rabbit hole will yield some legit XP or loot.

‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ piles on the quests like every other RPG, but organizes them poorly.

This is fairly common to RPGs, but “Andromeda’s” flood of quests is compounded by terrible quest tracking. A Journal ostensibly keeps tabs on them, but inexplicably lists them based on where you picked them up rather than where they are located in the world. It’s a crazy way to organize quests; land on a planet and you’ll have to either scour dots on the map or rummage through your Journal to figure out what, if anything, you’re supposed to do there.  

This alone drove me nuts. I may be a real-world organizational disaster (I am a writer, after all) but this is definitely a trait I don’t want to carry into my sci-fi power fantasy.

Laser tag

On the other hand, I did get to carry lots of guns. And this is one area where “Andromeda” really fixes something.

The game does a fine job of improving and even amping up “Mass Effect’s” combat. Jump jets and a handy dash make you far more maneuverable, which is a boon since you contend with enemies in open-world locations. Skills and proficiencies can totally alter the way you play. Focus on Combat to be a Rambo, invest in Biotics to be a Jedi, stick with Tech to hurl fire and ice, or spread the wealth and be a bit of each. Deep but approachable, the system serves as a solid backend for the on-the-field action.

If there’s one thing Bioware improved for ‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ it’s the game’s combat.

I forgot exactly how shooty “Mass Effect” was, and once you get used to the fact that you’re not playing a game quite as refined as the “Halos” and “Horizons” it attempts to ape, it falls into a pleasant rhythm. Nice touches abound, like jumping and pausing in the air for a few seconds while aiming down your sights. Experimenting with different abilities is also a snap thanks to a handy respec option, quelling the FOMO that rules most games that force to to stick with one class. It’s flexible and fun.  Bioware upped their game here, for sure.

But it isn’t perfect. The wide-open universe only yields a handful of enemy types, and none of them are particularly exciting. You have little control over your two fellow squadmates, and the weak enemy A.I. means you never need to think strategically when deciding which companions to bring into battle. I mostly stuck with the Krogan warrior because he looks cool. A baffling “auto” cover system claims that you just need to move close to an object with your gun drawn to hide behind it, but it doesn’t work very well. It just ends up getting you shot a lot, even when you think you’re safe.

You want jump jets? You’ve got jump jets.

Systems overload

“Andromeda” just doesn’t know when to quit, layering on screen after screen and system after system to make even the simplest task, like equipping a hot new weapon, painstaking.

Find a gun? You’ll need to head back up to your ship or find a “forward station” to switch your loadout, because, well, who knows. Tiny, uniform iconography turns inventory management into a slog. You know the thrill of finding and ogling a gorgeous, exciting new rifle in “Destiny?” That ain’t here.

Scanning planets for resources takes forever due to pretty but infuriatingly slow pans and zooms. Tracking down a specific resource to, for instance, craft a new helmet, is a total crapshoot. Bioware’s focus on the big picture has left a surprising number of holes in its basic RPG foundation.

They even tossed in co-op multiplayer, because it’s 2017 and I think that’s required by law now. “Mass Effect 3” toyed with this and it returns largely unchanged, as you and some pals clear out waves of increasingly stubborn baddies. It’s got its own progression system and offers a decent break from the RPG slog, though considering the core game could take a good 80 hours to complete, I’m not sure anyone needs it.

So do they need “Mass Effect: Andromeda” at all? That’s a tough call. A cool game is buried beneath “Andromeda’s” issues. When the guns are on point and you’ve exploded a Biotic combo, or when the ramifications of some difficult choice made hours ago comes back to haunt you, “Mass Effect: Andromeda” scratches that old space itch. But getting past the technical gaffes and unfriendly interface requires a great deal of patience. Space is big, indeed, but it’s supposed to be fun, too.

Platform reviewed: PS4

What’s hot: Cool story; outpost settling is a good hook; improved maneuverability; deep combat options

What’s not: Technical issues; aggravating interface; seriously uncanny valley; quest quantity over quality; dated feel

More games coverage:

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ lets you lead orcish armies — and destroy them

Nintendo Switch launch games: The must-haves, the maybes and the probably nots

‘For Honor’ review: You’ll need skill to survive this online fighter

‘Horizon: Zero Dawn’ Review: Combat and storytelling shine in spectacular sci-fi epic

The $450 Analogue Nt mini brings new life to old-school NES games

‘Resident Evil 7’ review: It’s a screaming good time

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.

[yahooben]

shadow of war preview

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ will bring the Tolkien-inspired action to new heights.

The Eye of Sauron might see everything, but even the observant dark lord himself probably didn’t see “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” coming.

The captivating open-world game was one of the best of 2014, breathing new life into Tolkien’s overexposed universe with tight combat, killer graphics and an innovative ‘Nemesis’ system that turned every no-good goblin into a diabolically unique snowflake.

It turns out, however, that “Mordor” was just the first chapter. For their next, Warner Bros. Interactive, owned by Time Warner (TWX), and developer Monolith are increasing the stakes exponentially. Due out Aug. 27 for PC, Xbox One and PS4, “Middle-earth: Shadow of War” aims to give gamers a bigger, badder and, based on a recently revealed gameplay trailer, significantly crazier Middle-earth to dominate.

Set immediately after the events of “Mordor” (and in between “The Hobbit” and “The Fellow of the Ring”), “Shadow of War” once again puts you in the vengeful boots of the ranger Talion and his wraith pal Celebrimbor. The specifics are still hush-hush — the game’s debut trailer shows off a new ring of power (“ring forger” was Celebrimbor’s gig before becoming an undead pain in the neck) — but suffice to say, the battle over Mordor is still raging.

“Shadow of War” hopes to harness that rage and expand it with a revamped Nemesis system. It will still generate charismatic enemies for you to contend with, but Nemesis will now reach past interpersonal drama and affect the shape of the whole gory game world.

Imposing, multi-leveled fortresses ruled by vicious Overlords control various regions. Orcs are now members of various warring tribes, the characteristics of which influence both individual overlords and, in turn, the regions themselves. A Beast Master overlord, for example, will result in a region teeming with wild beasts and orcish hunters.

‘Shadow of War’ will let you control your own orchish army.

That interplay between orcish bigwig and his environment includes the nature of each fortress. A war chief who favors fire could result in a fortress defended by flaming oil and explosive barrels.

To counter this, Talion leads his own army of converted baddies. You’ll use the new ring to raise your own war chiefs, each of whom will have specific abilities that may prove useful when taking down fortresses. An Olog-hai (the troll version of the Uruk-hai) war chief becomes a battering ram, able to break down doors with his giant, sturdy face. Infiltrate the enemy ranks with a sniper spy and they could turn the battle by taking down a challenging enemy.

The demo touched on a number of other awesome features, including a deeper gear and loot system, the ability to split up the ranger and wraith to tackle multiple enemies at once and, coolest of all, rideable dragons. Once again, for posterity: RIDEABLE DRAGONS.

It’s easy to be excited by the direction the franchise is heading, but the initial demo didn’t really break into the broader open-world gameplay. That was the real meat of “Mordor” — mounting caragors, scaling towers, bumping into gangs of orcs, hunting down hidden baubles — and while all of that stuff is likely in here, we don’t know yet what that all looks like. WB confirmed that the world is substantially bigger than “Mordor’s”, so I’m hoping we get some new traversal methods. Eagles, anyone?

We’ve got some time to find out. Expect more “Shadow of War” in the coming months.

More games news:

Nintendo Switch launch games: The must-haves, the maybes and the probably nots

‘For Honor’ review: You’ll need skill to survive this online fighter

‘Horizon: Zero Dawn’ Review: Combat and storytelling shine in spectacular sci-fi epic

The $450 Analogue Nt mini brings new life to old-school NES games

‘Resident Evil 7’ review: It’s a screaming good time

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.

[yahooben]

Nintendo Switch launch games: The must-haves, the maybes and the probably nots

The Nintendo Switch is here, and these are the games you’ll want to buy and avoid.

Nintendo’s innovative home console/portable hybrid machine, the Switch, is finally here. We’ve put the system through its paces, and while the tech is impressive, the real reason to consider buying it is for the games themselves. After all, hardware is only as good as the software it powers.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a great deal to choose from at launch. The Switch arrived with only 10 launch games, a paltry list compared to the other consoles and handhelds that have released in the past decade or so.

But even with a relatively small pool, you likely still have questions regarding which games, exactly, should top your Switch list. Here’s your guide to the best — and the rest.

The Must-Have

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ is the only exceptional launch game for the Switch. But it’s incredibly exceptional.

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” ($60)

I could happily write a few thousand words explaining why Link’s latest adventure is so superb, but my colleague Dan Howley already did that. Go read his review.

If that’s TL;DR, just check out its insane Metacritic score (a jaw-dropping 98 at the time of this writing). “Breath of the Wild” is an incredible video game, a fresh, fascinating, open-world take on a venerable franchise. Immediately ranking as one of the greatest launch games (and “Zeldas”) ever, it’s a shoo-in for Game of the Year contention and light years ahead of any other Switch game. If you own a Switch, you should own this video game. Period.

The Maybes

‘Snipperclips’ is a fun, interesting game, but not a system-mover.“Snipperclips: Cut it Out Together!” ($20)

This adorable downloadable game turns your Switch into scissors. Cut, move and rotate two weird little shapes to fill holes and solve puzzles either with a few friends or by yourself. Lightweight but clever, “Snipperclips” recalls quirky handheld games like “LocoRoco” for the PSP and makes a fine Day One purchase.

‘Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove’ brings back the 8-bit magic of the series.“Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove” ($25)

Indie developer Yacht Club Games hit pay dirt in 2014 with this loving homage to 8-bit RPG action. It’s a fine fit for the Switch; the “Treasure Trove” version contains the full original game plus three extra campaigns starring unique characters one of those, “Specter of Torment,” is sold separately for $10. It’s not the revelation it was when it first launched, but if you missed it on other platforms, consider remedying that here.

‘Fast RMX’ is a lighting quick, exciting game in the vein of ‘F-Zero’ and ‘Wipeout.’“Fast RMX” ($20)

A blend of “F-Zero” and “Wipeout,” “Fast RMX” is a Switch-specific “remixed” take on a Wii U racer called “Fast Racing Neo.” And fast is right. Players careen down a wealth of futuristic tracks in floaty space cars, grabbing turbos powerups and trying desperately not to smash into walls. It’s not the newest idea on the block, but it’s pretty, small-ish (only 900 MB) and priced right.

The Probably Nots

‘1-2 Switch’ is a quirky game, but overpriced for what it offers.“1-2-Switch” ($50)

Nintendo presumably hopes this mini-game collection will do for the Switch what “Wii Sports” did for the Wii. Sadly, it won’t. While a handful of the 30 or so included games do a decent job of showing off the Switch’s Joy-Con tech, many are just too dull and simplistic to warrant repeated play. Worse, it’s being sold at a ghastly price. This should have been a free pack-in, not a premium buy.

‘Super Bomberman R’ is a more Bomerman fun, but it’s also overpriced.“Super Bomberman R” ($50)

Overpricing is also an issue with this otherwise solid entry in the vaunted “Bomberman” series. It’s perfectly suited for the Switch’s local multiplayer gaming focus, featuring both single tablet co-op gameplay along with up to 8-player multiplayer for seriously hectic Bombermanning. And while it comes with a 50-stage Story mode, this old-school jam simply doesn’t warrant the $50 price tag.

‘Just Dance 2017’ is coming to the Switch. But for some reason it’s more expensive than it is on other consoles.

“Just Dance 2017” ($60)

Ubisoft’s long-running (dancing?) series makes it way to the Switch, but this club raised its cover charge since “Just Dance 2017” was originally released for consoles in October of 2016. As with those versions, smartphone integration means you don’t even have to use the Switch’s controllers to play. That’s kind of a bummer in this case; the Joy-Cons offer all kinds of cool tech to tinker with that the game doesn’t really take advantage. Other than your wallet, that is. At $60, “Just Dance 2017” is actually $10 more than it was for other systems five months ago. Stop the music!

‘I am Setsuna’ offers ‘meh’ gameplay and was released last year.“I am Setsuna” ($40)

Nintendo’s Switch event back in mid-January was pretty big on Japanese role-playing games, and indeed, we get one at launch in this throwback. First released last year, “I Am Setsuna” scores points for a thoughtful story steeped in tragedy, but its ho-hum, derivative gameplay makes it less exciting for genre fans.

‘Skylanders: Imaginators” is a decent addition to the series, but it’s just another re-release, and an expensive, one at that.“Skylanders: Imaginators” ($60)

Full disclosure: this is the one Switch launch game I did not play … at least not on this particular console. I played it on the PS4, where it was another solid, money-grubbing effort in the toys-to-life franchise. At this point, you’ve likely played it or purposefully passed on it, and while the Switch version gets around the pesky Portal of Power accessory by letting you scan toys using your Joy-Con, it’s just not an exciting game for a brand new system.

More games news:

‘For Honor’ review: You’ll need skill to survive this online fighter

‘Horizon: Zero Dawn’ Review: Combat and storytelling shine in spectacular sci-fi epic

The $450 Analogue Nt mini brings new life to old-school NES games

‘Resident Evil 7’ review: It’s a screaming good time

Ben Silverman is on Twitter at ben_silverman.