Winter sales are popping off for pretty much every games retailer out there, including GOG and Green Man Gaming. And now Ubisoft's own store has kicked off its winter sale, which discounts not only its games but also its various series' merchandise and clothing. Anyone who shops on the Ubisoft Store can get an extra 20% off their purchase with promo code EXTRA20--this code is valid until December 19 at 8 PM PT / 11 PM ET.All of Ubisoft's latest and most popular games are on sale, including the recently released Ghost Recon Breakpoint, The Division 2, and Rainbow Six Siege. Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Assassin's Creed Origins are discounted, as are Ghost Recon: Wildlands, Far Cry 5, and Far Cry New Dawn.The discounted merchandise, on the other hand, spans across almost every Ubisoft franchise--most notably Rainbow Six Siege, Assassin's Creed, Ghost Recon, and Watch Dogs. My personal favourite is from the Six Collection: an Operator jacket that features velcro that you can affix your go-to Siege operators' emblems to.You can see our selection of the best deals below, but if you want to see all of the winter sale's offerings, head over to the Ubisoft Store. Prices do not reflect the discount received from the EXTRA20 promo code. Some items are marked for clearance, which means you won't be able to return them and get a refund--and of course, sizes are limited.Ubisoft games dealsRainbow Six Siege Deluxe Edition | $9.90 ($30)PC onlyAll of Rainbow Six Siege's various editions are on sale, but if you're just getting started, you should pass on the standard edition and go for at least the Deluxe edition. The Deluxe gets you the entire base game, in addition to Year 1's eight DLC operators. You also don't have to grind to unlock the base operators, as they're all instantly unlocked from the get-go. See at Ubisoft Ghost Recon Breakpoint | $24 ($60)Available for PS4, Xbox One, and PCGhost Recon Breakpoint receives a winter sale's discount of $24. Its special editions are also on sale. See at Ubisoft The Division 2 | $15 ($60)Available for PS4, Xbox One, and PCThe Division 2 is one of the best action RPGs of 2019, featuring a huge campaign and exciting endgame. $15 is a steal for The Division 2, but its special editions are also discounted. See at Ubisoft Assassin's Creed Odyssey | $24 ($60)Available for PS4, Xbox One, and PCAssassin's Creed Odyssey is the latest game in the series, and it's currently discounted to $24 on Ubisoft. See at Ubisoft Far Cry New Dawn | $16 ($40)Available for PS4 and PC; Xbox One sold outFar Cry New Dawn released earlier this year. It's set in a post-apocalyptic open world set after the events of Far Cry 5. See at Ubisoft Far Cry 5 | $15 ($60)Available for PS4, Xbox One, and PCIf you didn't play last year's Far Cry 5, then it might be a good place to start before heading into Far Cry New Dawn. It's currently $15 at the Ubisoft Store. See at Ubisoft Ubisoft merchandise deals (* indicates clearance item)Rainbow Six SiegeOperator jacket -- $86.65 ($130)Spetsnaz Operator hoodie -- $72 ($90)US Nationals official hoodie -- $40 ($60)Pro League esports snapback hat -- $27 ($30)Pro League three-way gamer bag -- $72 ($80)Pro League esports jacket -- $90 ($100)Defender sweater -- $49.79 ($60)Assassin's CreedConnor long sleeve shirt - Assassin's Creed Legacy -- $30 ($40)Altair long sleeve shirt - Assassin's Creed Legacy -- $30 ($40)Altair hoodie - Assassin's Creed Legacy -- $60 ($90)Spartan hero hoodie - Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $60 ($90)Generation hoodie - Assassin's Creed Legacy -- $70.19 ($90)Elise sweater - Assassin's Creed Unity* -- $25 ($70)Aguilar jacket - Assassin's Creed movie* -- $89.30 ($190)Medjay sweater - Assassin's Creed Origins* -- $30.10 ($70)Bayek hoodie - Assassin's Creed Origins* -- $35 ($90)Desmond Miles hoodie (white with eagle)* -- $40 ($70)Desmond Miles hoodie (black with eagle)* -- $40 ($70)Connor's belt - Assassin's Creed III* -- $30 ($60)Bayek's shield belt - Assassin's Creed Origins* -- $19.80 ($60)Canvas backpack - Assassin's Creed Origins* -- $25.20 ($60)Ghost ReconCole D Walker figurine -- $42 ($60)Reversible Nomad hoodie -- $39.60 ($90)Polar fleece jacket -- $42 ($60)Ghost cargo pants -- $35 ($50)Ghost backpack -- $40 ($60)Nomad t-shirt -- $15 ($20)Wolves t-shirt -- $15 ($20)Watch Dogs LegionDedsec cap -- $24.89 ($30)Keep Calm and Resist t-shirt -- $15 ($20)Dedsec scarf -- $16.59 ($20)The Division 2Agent backpack -- $40 ($60)Agent shirt -- $40 ($50)Agent pants -- $40 ($50)Agent vest -- $30 ($60)Far CryCrewneck sweater - Far Cry New Dawn -- $30 ($60)Highwaymen beanie - Far Cry New Dawn -- $10 ($20)Far Cry New Dawn t-shirt -- $15 ($20)Info from Gamespot.com

Borderlands 3 has joined the games line-up for the Google Stadia, bringing its brand of online co-op mania to Google's streaming platform. But the version of Borderlands 3 that Stadia owners will get is not on par with the one currently playable on PS4, Xbox One, or PC.In a post on the official Borderlands 3 site, Gearbox has announced that they are hoping to reach parity in early 2020, but for now Borderlands 3 on Stadia is a few updates behind. It is at the point the other versions were at as of October 24, which means that it is missing a few features. The big November update, for instance, which increased the bank size and added the Mayhem 4 difficulty level, is not integrated yet.It also means that the game's first major DLC, Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, won't arrive in the Stadia version until 2020. It's due on December 19 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One players. Some players on Reddit are also finding that the game does not run at 60FPS, which was one of the promises of the system. However, later comments in the same thread are arguing that it actually does run at 60FPS in "balanced" mode.The game is available at a discount on Stadia for a limited time. The standard edition is on sale for $39, while the Deluxe Edition costs $52. That deal ends on January 7 at 7:00am PDT.Borderlands 3 is not the only game coming to Stadia today--Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 is also out now. Ghost Recon: Breakpoint will release for Stadia on December 18. Info from Gamespot.com

Apex Legends is closing out a huge 2019 with the announcement of the Global Series, a new esports program where players from all over the world will compete against each other for a $3 million prize pool. Registration will open in January, and qualifiers will happen online. The Global Series will be played across the PC version of the game.Players who qualify during the online rounds will move onto one of 12 live events, and eventually the top players from over 60 countries will compete in the Apex Legends Global Series Majors. The first three of these will see 100 three-person squads competing against each other, and the fourth will be the grand finale, where just 60 players will compete.The winners of the Majors will be dictated by the Match Point system used in the Apex Legends Preseason Invitational earlier this year. This system has players scoring points for both kills and match placement, competing to hit a certain threshold to pass through to the next round.The first online tournament will begin on January 25, 2020, and registration will open up earlier that month. The first Major will be held at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Virginia, and will run from March 13 to 15, 2020.Apex Legends recently launched its Holo-Day Bash event, coating the game world in festive cheer until January 7, 2020. It's also one of our top ten games of 2019.Info from Gamespot.com

State of Decay developer Undead Labs is opening a new studio. Currently unnamed, the new studio will be located in New Orleans, Louisiana and will be partnered with a broad-discipline game development academy."Game development needs a bigger base, where the know-how, grit, and ideas of even more people can find their way to the public," Undead Labs writes in a blog post. "As a small-town guy himself, [Undead Labs studio head and founder Jeff Strain] is dedicated to opening a new studio and a partnered broad-discipline game development academy in New Orleans, Louisiana. With the support of Xbox and Microsoft, Jeff's going to continue in his role as studio head at Undead Labs while also building opportunities to bring in people who might not otherwise consider a career in the game industry."During E3 2018, Microsoft announced it had acquired four studios and established another in order to get the ball rolling on new first-party titles for Xbox One and Xbox Series X (then codenamed Project Scarlett). Undead Labs was one of the four studios that had been acquired, alongside Forza Horizon's Playground Games, We Happy Few's Compulsion Games, and Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice's Ninja Theory. The newly created studio is called The Initiative.Since then, we've slowly learned what each of these five studios is doing for the Xbox brand. Playground Games is hard at work on a brand-new game, rumored to be Fable 4. Compulsion Games finished up We Happy Few with one final expansion, We All Fall Down. Ninja Theory is developing the multiplayer-focused Bleeding Edge for Xbox One and PC, and single-player-focused Senua's Saga: Hellblade II for Xbox Series X and PC. The Initiative has accrued a large amount of notable talent and is in the playtesting phase of its new game. Undead Labs hasn't officially revealed what it's working on, though the aforementioned blog post does seem to suggest the studio is working on the next State of Decay.Info from Gamespot.com

Stardew Valley has received a major update on consoles this week, with the 1.4 patch finally arriving for the Switch, PS4, and Xbox One versions of the game. The PC version received update 1.4 on November 26, and has since received additional bug fix patches specific to that release. The patch's arrival was announced by developer ConcernedApe on Twitter.The Stardew Valley 1.4 update is now available on Switch & PS4, and should be coming to Xbox in the next couple of hours. I hope you enjoy it and happy holidays everyone! — ConcernedApe (@ConcernedApe) December 17, 2019Update 1.4, which was talked up a lot in the lead-up to its release, introduces a bevy of changes to the beloved farming game. There's a huge list of things that have changed, but there are some clear highlights. A new movie theater is unlocked near the end of the game, and there are new 14-heart events for every spouse, plus other events with the rest of the game's cast. There are also lots of new items and clothes to wear, plus a new co-op map, Four Corners. You can also add fish ponds to your farm now.New mine content has been added too, including "a quarry mineshaft dungeon with new Haunted Skull and Sludge monsters." Perhaps the funniest change is that ex-spouses will no longer show up at your wedding, or treat you normally during festivals.Literally hundreds of other changes have come to the console versions of the game now. These changes are expected to come to the mobile version of the game too; sadly, the PlayStation Vita version will not be receiving additional content.Info from Gamespot.com

We joined forces with Blizzard Entertainment so that 10 of our readers could win a bundle that commemorates the history of Azeroth. The 15th Anniversary Collector's Edition of World of Warcraft includes:Ragnaros StatueOnyxia PinMap of Azeroth Mouse PadFine Art Prints30 Days Game TimeAlabaster MountsYou can enter this giveaway by filling out the form below, but make sure you read the official rules and accept the terms and conditions of the sweepstakes. Remember that you can increase your odds of winning by competing the additional actions outlined in the form, like following us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you don't see the form on your mobile device please click here.Don’t forget to check your email on December 31 because we will be reaching out to the potential winners (don’t forget the junkmail!)Head to the comment section and let us know about your first visit to Azeroth. Good luck! Info from Gamespot.com

Warcraft III: Reforged--a complete remaster of Warcraft III and its expansion, The Frozen Throne--is not far off. Blizzard has announced that Reforged, which will make a few changes to the original, will release for PC on January 28, 2020 from 3PM PST. Blizzard says that the goal was to release the game in 2019, but it's been delayed.The game will feature over 60 missions and a complete visual overhaul. It will be available digitally for $30, or for $40 you can grab the Spoils of War edition, which comes with some in-game bonuses for numerous Blizzard titles. Here's what you get for your extra $10:Warcraft III: ReforgedChampion of the Horde Thrall Hero SkinDaughter of the Seas Proudmoore Hero SkinFallen King Arthas Hero SkinEmerald Nightmare Cenarius Hero SkinWorld of WarcraftMeat Wagon MountOverwatchPlayer Icons: Human, Orc, Undead, Night Elf, and Lich KingAnimated Sprays: Footman, Grunt, Ghoul, and ArcherDiablo IIIMal’ganis petHearthstoneThird War card backHeroes of the StormAnub’arak HeroJaina HeroThrall HeroTyrande HeroStarCraft IIAlliance Console SkinHorde Console SkinSentinels Console SkinScourge Console SkinStarCraft: RemasteredSpoils of War Console Pre-order Warcraft III: Reforged The original Warcraft III received a 9.3/10 in our 2002 review, and reviewer Greg Kasavin called it a "must-have game." Blizzard has previously said that there are currently no plans to make a Warcraft 4.Info from Gamespot.com

Apple's mobile game subscription service Apple Arcade now offers an annual plan, which can save you some money if you already know you want the service for a full year. The new plan costs $50 per year, which saves you about $10 off purchasing each month individually.This is similar to the model Apple uses for its music and TV Plus services, giving a slight discount for committing to a full year. If you're already a subscriber, you can change your subscription to an annual one. You can find that option by tapping on your profile, then going to Subscriptions > Apple Arcade.Apple Arcade is an all-you-can-eat subscription service that offers access to roughly 100 games, some of them timed exclusives to Apple's service. Plus Apple promises that the games curated for Arcade have no in-app purchases.Arcade had a strong debut and has only added more since then. In fact, several of our picks for the best mobile games of 2019 are available through Arcade. Those include Mini Motorways, What the Golf?, Manifold Garden, and Grindstone.Info from Gamespot.com

Even though Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order released just last month, it's possible to find discounts on Respawn's well-received action game. In fact, you can find it for its lowest price yet at Walmart right now. Walmart is selling Jedi Fallen Order for $40 on PS4 and Xbox One. There's also an intriguing $45 bundle that includes a free Star Wars: A New Hope collectible box.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order with A New Hope collectible boxStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order | $40 ($60) See at Walmart (PS4) See at Walmart (Xbox One) Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order + A New Hope collectible box | $45 ($80) See at Walmart The collectible box is really a classic metal lunchbox. Inside, you'll find a small Death Star planter, a pair of socks, an art print featuring A New Hope's movie poster, and a droid pin with buddies C-3PO and R2-D2. While the collectible box is normally sold for $20 by itself, Walmart currently has it for 50% off.Overall, this is the best Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order deal we've seen since launch. GameSpot's Phil Hornshaw awarded it an 8/10 in our Jedi Fallen Order review. He praised the balanced combat, which in many ways feels like Sekiro-lite in practice. The characters are well-developed and the overarching story does a great job at examining important Star Wars themes.If you're looking for more last-minute holiday deals, you're in luck. Best Buy and Walmart are both running 12 Days of Deals sales that span across gaming, tech, and entertainment. Sony also has its own last-minute sale, which features Death Stranding for $40 and the return of the awesome PS4 Slim holiday bundle. Unsure of what to get the gamer or techie on your holiday shopping list? We put together a last-minute gift guide filled with ideas that are sure to be hits. Best Christmas Deals This Huge Winter Game Sale Includes Resident Evil 2, DMC 5 For $18 Each 10 Free Nintendo Switch Games Are Up For Grabs--Here's How To Get Them Best Buy: Nintendo Switch, 4K TVs, And More Featured In Pre-Christmas Sale Switch, Xbox One X, PS4 Pro, And More Featured In Walmart's Holiday Sale 19 Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas For Gamers And Techies Info from Gamespot.com

There is too much quality content releasing this week, and most of us don't have time to watch it all. Between a new Star Wars movie, and all the content releasing on streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix, there isn't enough time to watch it everything you want to. Check out all of the new movies, TV series, and originals coming to Netflix for this week (December 15-21) below, along with a few recommendations--although undoubtedly the biggest arrival of the week is that of The Witcher.One of the strangest titles arriving this week is the Netflix documentary Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer. The film, which arrives Wednesday, follows people trying to track down the maker of a mysterious online video that shows someone killing two cats, as well as more disturbing videos released afterwards. Netflix has done well with its true crime movies in the past, and while the title of this movie may be a bit silly, the trailer makes it seem very interesting.On December 20, the TV shows you've all been waiting for comes to Netflix. The first season of The Witcher arrives. The show will follow monster hunter Geralt and other characters like Yennefer and Ciri. At this point, you know what The Witcher is because we've been talking about it for months. More recently, it was revealed that the show has been picked up for Season 2, so that's something new. Netflix News What's New To Netflix This Week? Movies, TV, And Originals What's New On Netflix In January 2020 Best Things To Stream For December 2019 - Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video What's New To Netflix In December 2019? Movies, TV Shows, And Originals Below, you'll find everything coming to Netflix this week, and if you're interested in more streaming news, check out what's coming to Netflix in January.What's new to Netflix this week?Sunday, December 15A Family ManDil Dhadakne DoKarthik Calling KarthikMonday, December 16BurlesqueThe Danish GirlThe Magicians: Season 4Tuesday, December 17Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America!Wednesday, December 18Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet KillerSoundtrackThursday, December 19After The RaidUltraviolet: Season 2Twice Upon a TimeFriday, December 20The Two PopesThe WitcherInfo from Gamespot.com

Square Enix has released a new batch of art and screenshots from the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and it's quite a nostalgia trip for longtime fans. Among the new artwork are familiar character shots of Tifa and Sephiroth, along with new looks at characters like President Shinra, Aerith, and more.The batch of art and screens comes from Famitsu. It includes the iconic images of Tifa looking up at the stars and Sephiroth walking through fire, plus character renders of Sephiroth, Shinra, and Shiva. Mixed in are several new screenshots, mostly consisting of the main cast in this first episodic release: Cloud, Aerith, and Tifa.This comes just after a new Game Awards trailer that focused primarily on Cloud. We've also seen recent indication that, while it is slated as a PS4 exclusive for release this fall, that exclusivity may be temporary.The Final Fantasy 7 Remake will launch on March 3, 2020, so a year of exclusivity would mean it could hit other platforms in 2021. We already know that this is being planned as a multi-part series, with the first release remaking and expanding on the original game's events in Midgar, the large opening area. Square Enix has not detailed how many more parts there will be, or when they'll release.Info from Gamespot.com

Jurassic World 3 doesn't hit theaters until 2021, so if you've been living under a prehistoric rock, you have plenty of time to catch up on the blockbuster film franchise. Unlike many wildly popular movie franchises, none of the Jurassic Park/World movies are currently available to stream for free on popular streaming services. Luckily, the Jurassic World 5-Movie Collection is one of Amazon's Deals of the Day. Normally $55, the Blu-ray + Digital collection is discounted all the way down to $23 right now. It's eligible for Prime one-day shipping, making it a perfect last-minute gift idea.Jurassic World 5-Movie CollectionJurassic World 5-Movie Blu-ray Collection | $23 ($55) See at Amazon The Jurassic World 5-Movie Collection comes with all five movies in the franchise thus far:Jurassic Park (1993)The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)Jurassic Park 3 (2001)Jurassic World (2015)Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)At just $23, you're getting each Blu-ray for less than five bucks a pop. For the (many) who have already seen all five movies in the franchise, this set comes with a ton of special features, including behind-the-scenes looks at the making of each film, interviews with the star-studded casts, a conversation with the late Jurassic Park scribe Michael Crichton, and much more.If you're a collector, you may want to look at the limited-edition steelbook version of the collection, which is currently discounted to $33. Though not sold directly from Amazon, it is fulfilled by Amazon and also is eligible for Prime shipping.The Jurassic World collection isn't the only worthwhile Blu-ray discount at Amazon right now. The Back to the Future 30th Anniversary Trilogy is more than 50% off at $17.Both of these Blu-ray collections would make for great holiday gifts. For more gift ideas, check out GameSpot's wide-ranging gift guide hub, which includes gift ideas for movie lovers, stocking stuffers, and last-minute Christmas ideas. Best Christmas Deals This Huge Winter Game Sale Includes Resident Evil 2, DMC 5 For $18 Each 10 Free Nintendo Switch Games Are Up For Grabs--Here's How To Get Them Best Buy: Nintendo Switch, 4K TVs, And More Featured In Pre-Christmas Sale Switch, Xbox One X, PS4 Pro, And More Featured In Walmart's Holiday Sale 19 Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas For Gamers And Techies Info from Gamespot.com

Are you ready for some Disney+? Of course you are, as it's the hottest streaming service of the year. There isn't a whole lot of content arriving this week; however, if you aren't planning on seeing Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker on Friday, then there's plenty of content to binge on the streaming service that day.Here's an important reminder. Chapter 7 of The Mandalorian arrives on Wednesday this week, not Friday. While Disney did not outright state it, the rescheduling of the Star Wars original series is most likely because Episode IX arrives on Friday, and they wanted to have the releases of these two products on different days.However, on Friday, Disney+ is still releasing plenty of new content including new episodes of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Encore, Marvel's Hero Project, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, and Forky Asks A Question.Below, you'll find everything arriving to Disney+ this week, and for more on the Disney streaming service, check out what's coming out for the rest of December. Disney Plus News What's New To Disney Plus This Week? Movies, TV Shows, And Originals The Mandalorian Episode 6: 13 Star Wars Easter Eggs And References You May Have Missed The Mandalorian Schedule: When Does Episode 7 Release On Disney Plus? Disney Plus: 16 Essential The Simpsons Episodes You Need To Rewatch Right Now What's new to Disney+ this week?Wednesday, December 18The Mandalorian "Chapter 7"Friday, December 20George of the Jungle 2High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Episode 107: "Thanksgiving"TogoEncore! Episode 107: "Godspell"Marvel’s Hero Project Episode 107: "Dazzling Lorelei"The World According to Jeff Goldblum Episode 107: "Bikes"Pick of the Litter Episode 101: "Meet the Dogs"Forky Asks A Question: "What is a Leader?"Info from Gamespot.com

Mario Kart Tour is getting ready to celebrate the holiday season with its next event. Nintendo has announced that the aptly named Holiday Tour will begin on December 17 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. A teaser image showed off a couple of new outfits and karts, along with one possible hint of a brand-new racer.In the teaser image from the official Twitter account, we can plainly see Yoshi with a red Rudolph nose and a Christmas sleigh kart, alongside Pauline sporting a shiny new dress in a New Years 2020 kart. Eagle-eyed fans have also noticed that in the distant background, just under Pauline's arm, is the so-far unreleased character Birdo with the Turbo Birdo kart.This time of year is jam-packed with holiday fun, so it's no surprise that the last tour of the year is the aptly named Holiday Tour! And it starts Dec. 17, 10:00 PM PT! Rev up festive fun with #MarioKartTour! pic.twitter.com/AqGLxxsM88 — Mario Kart Tour (@mariokarttourEN) December 13, 2019Mario Kart Tour had a very successful start according to Nintendo, and Apple says it's 2019's most downloaded iPhone game. It appears to be generating revenue as well, and Nintendo has implemented a similar subscription model to Mario Kart's gold pass in another of its mobile games, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. It's also been updating regularly with quality-of-life features, like the ability to swap steering modes mid-race.Mario Kart Tour is a live game, offering a new set of races and challenges roughly every two weeks. It already had a Winter Tour in late November with a Santa Mario character and Christmas decorations, so this is actually the second holiday-themed tour.Info from Gamespot.com

On December 17, we will reveal which of the 10 nominees gets to take home the coveted title of GameSpot's Best Game of 2019. So be sure to come back then for the big announcement, and in the meantime, follow along with all of our other end-of-the-year coverage collected in our Best Games of 2019 hub.Death Stranding is the anti-open-world game of the 2010s. Instead of hinging on combat encounters and large-scale thrills in an expansive world, Hideo Kojima's experimental game focuses more on the struggles of a lone character exploring a massive landscape on his own two feet and with the weight of the world on his shoulders. It takes a step back to observe the foreboding sense of isolation when in the wild, which can give rise to a surreal sense of calm when embracing your routine amid a paranormal, post-apocalyptic setting. Death Stranding wasn't the kind of open-world game we were expecting, but in truth, it was the one we needed this year.It can be a contentious game to grasp, and it's undeniably a different flavor when compared to Kojima's previous open-world game Metal Gear Solid V and others like it. Yet, what makes Death Stranding one of the best games of 2019 is how it sticks incredibly close to its broader theme of connection. This aspect is not only felt in the emotional narrative that deals with coming to terms with grief and loss, but also in the gameplay loop of traversal and delivery missions across the United Cities of America. Easing players into this strange world is Death Stranding's clever prologue: a mood piece set to the tune of Low Roar's "Don't Be So Serious," which has you clumsily picking up stray packages in an extended sequence that culminates in a shocking conclusionWhat truly makes Kojima's new open-world game so unique is that it's often a rumination on the concept of the open-world game, taking a subversive look at what you'd actually do if you were walking in an expansive game world. As the jaded protagonist Sam Porter Bridges, played effectively by Norman Reedus, states in the opening, "I make deliveries, that's all." When Sam isn't contending with the weirdness found in the ruins of North America--which entails confronting rogue deliverymen, enduring bouts of corrosive rain known as timefall, or avoiding spectral entities known as BTs--he's making deliveries.With so much of the game focused on making deliveries to rebuild the UCA's Chiral network, it mostly sticks to a passive tone. Death Stranding's stellar worldbuilding not only details the new rules of reality following a worldwide disaster but also how humanity's relationship to death has changed. Combat itself, while present, plays a minor role in the larger story. Even when you're given a gun to defend yourself several hours into the game, Sam's closest allies stress that using it should be a last resort. To kill someone would require you to dispose of their body, as not to bring the attention of supernatural forces. Above all, Death Stranding's narrative is about the struggles of the human condition following a catastrophic change. But as a game, it's about a character contending with hardships while exploring a changing world, yet still finding those brief moments of splendor at times when you least expect.There is a profound connection to be made with the setting by figuring out the best trails and pathways across the landscape, which showcases some of the haunting beauty of the quiet ruined earth. There are also many bonds to be formed with the oddball cast of characters, who do their best to explain the new rules of reality, including subtle oddities like personal hygiene and lost common comforts. However, the most significant bond formed in Death Stranding is with the lead character Sam. The game has a clear affinity for Reedus--along with many of the other notable cameos, for that matter--and there are numerous instances where you observe many of his actions and gestures in minute detail.As it turns out, this sort of pacing and focus on the little details are a necessary part of what makes Death Stranding such an evocative and immersive open-world game to play. There's a remarkable weight and heft in Sam's actions. The very mechanism of walking in games is something that's almost as old as video games themselves, yet actions and scenarios that are often implied in other games must be felt and endured in Death Stranding. You have to be mindful of Sam's movement speed and balance and the total weight of your cargo in order to successfully traverse Death Stranding's harsh world.There's a constant sense that your actions, whether it's how you organize cargo or how you choose to move around, can have serious consequences. Some of the game's more compelling moments don't come from extended action sequences but from the tension and stress you feel when carrying several loads of important cargo through steep or rocky pathways. Along with ensuring Sam is safe, you have to make sure your cargo stays intact, knowing that one misstep can ruin an important delivery. You have to be in sync with the locomotion. In doing so, many of those anxious feelings of stepping out into the wild will slip away, resulting in extended hikes that are incredibly meditative and relaxing.While the journey itself can be lonely, you are always present within an active and bustling community of other players who are on the same difficult journey. The asynchronous multiplayer approach is in tune with Death Stranding's larger theme of connection, where the feeling of gratitude and appreciation can inspire you to pay it forward with positive messages and crafting new structures, ensuring those following in your footsteps will have an easier time than you did. The larger commentary of getting "likes" can be a bit on-the-nose, but it still makes for an incredibly effective system that can bring out a smile when you know someone used a ladder you left behind ages ago.The realization that you are not alone in your journey, which is fraught with confrontations with supernatural monsters and the occasional embarrassing stumble, is a powerful one. This feeling also comes across in the weird cast of characters, with many initially coming off as hokey and off-the-wall, but eventually come to be Sam's closest allies in his expedition. As the story progresses, with more characters revealing past trauma from the America of old, it becomes clear that the goal isn't to rebuild the country back to what it was, but into something better for all. This larger message of unity makes for an incredibly emotional core, which is especially felt in the final hours when all your connections come to fruition.This sentiment also makes Death Stranding a remarkably appropriate game for 2019. With our present being rife with political turmoil and a general feeling of angst towards our future, there's a comfort that can be found in a routine and the positivity from others who come from different backgrounds. Sam's routine as a delivery man in a post-apocalyptic setting reveals its larger message of hope and perseverance in the face of depressing circumstances, which is a touching message that resonates deeply. As the Porter saying goes, "keep on keeping on." See Death Stranding on Amazon Info from Gamespot.com