At a certain point in Rage 2, you become an unstoppable force, a lone wolf that can take down bandit camps, monsters 10 times your size, and crowds of deformed humanoids with your gratifying, destructive abilities and weapons. Not only does your suite of superpowers make combat a blast, it's the key to developing a satisfying momentum. It's too bad that, more often than not, the game doesn't do enough to keep that momentum going.Rage 2 doesn't waste a lot of time trying to explain to you why things are the way they are. It instead thrusts you into an open world with its fair share of places to go and things to do. In addition to bandits, mutants, and monsters, there's the villainous organization, The Authority, who wiped out your hometown. As the last ranger--elite soldiers with superpowered suits--it's up to you to corral three key leaders by carrying out their missions and finishing Project Dagger, a biological weapon to kill the Authority's seemingly immortal tyrant General Cross. It doesn't really matter who's who, just that you need to destroy those who are hostile. You're only marginally "super" at the start, but the gradual ascent to hero status is rewarding in that you accumulate a roster of devastatingly fun toys.Arks spread across the map unlock powers called nanotrites as well as multi-purpose weapons, and these tools pave the way for dynamic approaches to some intense combat scenarios. Nanotrites can be used in isolation or in sequence, creating a diverse yet easy-to-understand set of abilities that allow you to efficiently rip through enemies. For example, Slam is a strong ground-pound that does area-of-effect damage, and Shatter tears through armor and forcefully sends foes flying backward. Their strong impact is matched by their effectiveness, and when combined with a beefy shotgun or rocket launcher, you create a distinct, destructive flow in combat. It's not unlike nailing down an attack rotation in an RPG and seamlessly swapping firearms for the right situation in an arena shooter.Once you start stringing kills in succession, you can go into overdrive for a temporary boost where you essentially become invulnerable and weapons fire in an even more powerful mode. With all these capabilities in mind, you never have to resort to one individual tactic in fights because you're consistently cycling through all of your extraordinary tools. It's easy to see and feel the parallels with the modern Doom and Wolfenstein games, but Rage 2 distinguishes itself with how much you have at your disposal and how it's all intuitive to use.You constantly evolve your arsenal via extensive upgrade trees. It's not just about enhancing weapon damage or increasing overall health; nanotrites can be made more useful with shorter cooldown timers, bigger target areas, and additional effects. Weapons also have branching perks, and special unlocks called Projects stack even more buffs on top of all your other capabilities. Upgrading all these facets can fundamentally change how you operate during the moment to moment action and open up new, devastating approaches in combat.Rage 2's biggest issue is that it's structurally bare; most of its wasteland is made up of short, fragmented activities that hardly ask much from you and don't lead to anything worthwhile.What Rage 2 is short on, however, are opportunities to put all those abilities to good use. The main campaign structure makes itself clear early on; do a mission for each of three different leaders, fill a trust meter by finishing corresponding side activities, then complete one more mission for each of them before the finale. It doesn't sound like much, because it isn't. Some of these missions make for the game's better moments, but combat sequences wrap up just as you get into a rhythm. And the main questline as a whole comes to an underwhelming head rather quickly.Take a late-game mission, for example. You bust into a base with a massive tank, then blast through rooms of enemies before fighting a beast that takes more than a few shots to kill. But the tank sequence is essentially a thin on-rails drive-by, the rooms of enemies are recycled, and that beast is the same as ones you've fought before. There isn't much surprise or imagination for a campaign mission that's supposed to build toward a conclusion. Only once did the campaign put me in a position to get creative or extensively use my powers, and that was at the final boss.Main missions rarely make use of the vast open world the game has to offer, too. There's a sprawling jungle to the north and wide desert plains in the southwest, and only one main quest takes you to each of those locations. At no stage are you introduced to their central towns, so they really exist for faceless NPCs to tell you about side quest locations, which you can very well find on your own by chasing down question marks that populate your map.Side quests litter Rage 2's expansive wasteland, though it's made up of standard open-world fare, like clearing out a bandit den or pumping a huge mutant full of lead. Although fairly one-note, Convoys add some variety by incorporating car combat. Perhaps the best of the bunch is in taking over recharge stations where you have to fend off waves of increasingly stronger enemies with deadly efficiency--it's the most challenging type of mission as you have to pull out every stop and get creative with your powers and weapons, especially at higher difficulties.Rage 2 also lacks an identifiable charisma, which is disappointing for a post-apocalyptic world. While it makes a good first impression by kicking off with an unhinged, in-your-face attitude, it unfortunately never builds upon it.However, it gets to a point where you wonder why you're taking on all these brief missions. Sure, you get currency and materials for upgrades, but you're just getting them for the sake of it. Rage 2's biggest issue is that it's structurally bare; most of its wasteland is made up of short, fragmented activities that hardly ask much from you and don't lead to anything worthwhile.Rage 2 also lacks an identifiable charisma, which is disappointing for a post-apocalyptic world. While it makes a good first impression by kicking off with an unhinged, in-your-face attitude, it unfortunately never builds upon it. In fact, the narrative devolves into a series of interactions with bland characters that make the storytelling come off as hamfisted. It makes a few attempts at humor which don't land, and the setting's deranged archetypes fall flat. It doesn't let the subpar narrative get in the way for the most part, though stilted dialogue sequences try to bridge the gap between missions.It's as if the game is trying to strike a balance between the nonchalant badassery of Doom and the larger-than-life characterizations of Wolfenstein, and missing the mark on both ends of the spectrum leaves it directionless. As a result, it's hard to care about what you're doing in the world without much intrigue or a sensible thread to weave all your standard open-world activities together.Other minor issues may frustrate you as well, like the constant game-pausing notifications for rewards and progress that interrupt the pacing. For a game all about fast-paced combat, it's truly an odd choice to stop everything to say you completed a mission even as conversations are playing out. Also, dialogue may just cut out completely mid-conversation.I spent some time after finishing the campaign flying the Icarus gyrocopter from side quest to side quest while overlooking the vastness of Rage 2's open world. It's a gruesome wasteland with the potential to be a wide playground of opportunities to flex your robust set of abilities and weapons. And at times, it gave me just that. Yet I couldn't stop thinking about how that potential was left untapped. Open world games sometimes overstay their welcome, and it's odd to see Rage 2 have the exact opposite problem.Rage 2 is at its best when you're given the chance to keep up a gratifying momentum in combat, but struggles to setup the scenarios its combat deserves. It's satisfying in the way clearing out an open-world checklist is, especially because powers are such a joy to use. The disappointment comes from the fact that those activities are rudimentary in nature and the decent ones end well before you get your fill.Info from Gamespot.com

One of the most macabre scenes in A Plague Tale: Innocence is the eponymous plague, manifesting in the form of cursed rats. These vermin have a malevolent, otherworldly presence, their incessant screeching and scratching on stone pavements and atop piles of corpses making for a nightmarish, cacophonous din. Like sewage sludge, these creatures pour out of crevices towards their unwitting victims, ravaging them until they are just skin and bones. It’s an incredibly grotesque and spine-chilling sight--one that will linger in your mind hours later.But even though the rats are a constant presence in Innocence, they merely serve as the backdrop for its more poignant moments, featuring the two characters you’ll spend the bulk of your time with: Amicia and Hugo de Rune, a pair of young siblings who are suddenly thrust into this hellscape of war and pestilence. Set amidst the Hundred Years’ War during the Middle Ages, the comfort the siblings once knew as children to a noble French family has been ruthlessly shattered. The Black Death, too, has wrought terror upon the country, with the bulk of the French population either dying from the plague or eaten by rats. Compounding this is the Inquisition, a fanatical group of knights keen to get their hands on the last of the de Rune descendants. Surrounded with sludgy pools of grimy rats, and with murderous knights hunting them down at every other turn, the duo need to gather their wits, leaning on stealthier means to escape from this mess. But not only do you have to navigate through the bedlam as the teenage Amicia, you’ll also have to take care of the five-year-old Hugo; he panics and shouts for Amicia when she ventures too far from him--as any young child will presumably do when surrounded by a neverending miasma of death and decay.This arrangement does give Innocence the appearance of an elaborate escort mission, but fortunately, the game knows how to subvert the tedium that’s so typical of such games. A huge part is due to how human Innocence is. Despite his neediness and naiveté, Hugo is easy to grow fond of. His childlike wonder cuts through the wretchedness of their circumstances, allowing him--and helping Amicia--to appreciate the beauty even in the bleakest of times. In one scene, he quickly takes off to a nearby pier, fascinated by the curious sight of bubbles from frogs in the lake. Even a small gesture from him, such as plucking a flower--a symbol of tenacity in such trying times--to gently place it among Amicia’s braids, captures the warmth of their relationship. Such moments are heart-wrenchingly sweet, and you’ll share Amicia’s growing attachment to Hugo; his companionship is even greatly missed when she has to be paired up with other characters you meet along the way. On a mechanical level, it also helps that the artificial intelligence behind the characters isn’t hopelessly illogical, at least most of the time. Hugo isn’t usually one to chase after a butterfly in the thick of trouble, but the game still has its moments where a companion might accidentally take a kamikaze dive into a pool of quivering rats. Thankfully, these blunders are mercifully rare.With survival being the thematic core of the game, Innocence is, at its crux, a series of survival puzzles; you’ll need to avoid the ravenous rat colonies, as well as evade the knights of the Inquisition. The rodents are terrified of light and will scuttle away at its mere presence--a weakness you can exploit to make your way across death-stricken battlefields and cities. Yet key to survival is also vigilance; wander too close to the rats, and they will attempt to devour you, clawing at the fringes of the light as their teeth chatter with insatiable hunger. And when a few stray rodents manage to latch onto you, Amicia can drown in a whirlpool of vermin, as they viciously and noisily gnaw on her. Few scenes in video games manage to be quite as eerie as this, heightening the game’s cloying atmosphere of despair and danger.What’s decidedly less impressive, however, are the members of the Inquisition. As children, Amicia and Hugo won’t survive most direct confrontations with these armored brutes, who are only too eager to swing their cudgels and swords upon discovering them. Luckily for the de Rune siblings, the knights are also dumb as rocks; these barbarians are easily distracted by loud noises or sudden movements, such as by smashing a pot near their feet or tossing a rock towards a nearby chest full of armor. After staring at the offending object for a minute, the knight will mutter a variant of “Guess it’s just my imagination”--the most hackneyed and quintessential line used by hilariously obtuse NPCs in stealth games--and lumber back to their post, completely bewildered by the sound. In another far more egregious gaffe, another knight, while gawking at rats stripping his comrade to the bones, would grouse about the pointlessness of searching for his murderer, since they must be far gone by now. He then settled back to his programmed patrol, his back turned against the torrent of crazed rodents. For a game whose storytelling relies heavily on its atmosphere of dread and fear, such illogical instances absolutely butcher the mood.That said, the game’s puzzles eventually ramp up in difficulty in later chapters, which renders combat and confrontations unavoidable at certain points. As dim-witted as the knights are, they’re still mostly decked out in heavy armor and weaponry--and can make devastating enemies. To compensate for her lack of brute strength, Amicia can modify and augment her trusty slingshot and ammunitions with the right materials and a dash of basic alchemy, turning the humble tool into a deadly and versatile weapon. Hugo isn’t a passive companion either; reaching cramped, hard-to-access places is his forte, and he’s gutsy enough to crawl through smaller breaches in walls alone to open up new paths for Amicia--provided the coast is cleared. Other characters, like a talented young alchemist named Lucas and a pair of orphaned thieves called Mellie and Arthur, will come with vastly different capabilities--and each with their own affairs to settle in this dire tale.Scenes of desolation and tragedy mark Innocence’s dark, intriguing world, tied together with a narrative that’s genuinely moving without resorting to fetishizing the children’s sufferings. Despite their challenging situation, the siblings make do with what little help they get, bolstered by Amicia’s astounding resourcefulness, to survive this catastrophic mess. The game also magnifies the cataclysmic impact of the Black Death through a lens of cosmic horror, invoking the frightful atmosphere of H.P. Lovecraft’s macabre stories; the slithering rats, whether they are scurrying in the dank blackness beneath the city or trailing around half-eaten cadavers, never fails to be disconcerting. On the other hand, its villainous characters are almost painfully one-dimensional, with predictable twists and turns in the plot. This renders some of its revelations lackluster.Powerfully ghoulish depictions of the plague and rats aside, Innocence is ultimately an emotive story of resilience against harrowing odds. The game’s title is an obvious nod towards the loss of innocence the endearing young cast faces throughout their journey. But more than that, it also speaks of the depths of human depravity and the agonizing cost of survival in the midst of war. Despite the unremitting horrors of Innocence’s beginnings, the game occasionally lets in a faint glimpse of hope. One of my favorite moments is when Amicia spots another wildflower in a lone trek across the city, nestled among the decay of the rats’ revolting nests. Without her brother around, she picks it up, and places it gingerly in her own hair--a personal reminder to keep trudging on amidst the hardships, and a testament to her growing strength and tenacity. Despite flashes of predictability, moments like these will bring a lump to your throat, as it did mine. Info from Gamespot.com

For a limited time, Pokemon fans in the US will be able to add a special Pokemon to their collections in Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee. The Pokemon Company is giving away a free Shiny Pikachu or Shiny Eevee for the Switch games from May 11 to June 23 at participating Target stores around the country, but this time around, the process to claim one is a little different than usual.Rather than just walking into the store and picking up a download code, you'll first need to download a new phone app called Pokemon Pass, then use that to receive a code for the free Pokemon. This process may sound a little confusing, so we've outlined exactly how to get your free Shiny Pikachu or Eevee below.What Is Pokemon Pass?Pokemon Pass is a new mobile app that allows users to take advantage of special promotions and rewards. The app can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the App Store and is compatible with most Android and iOS phones. In order to use it, you'll need to log in with a Pokemon Trainer Club account. If you don't have one, you can create an account for free on the official Pokemon website.How Do I Get My Free Pokemon?Once you've installed the Pokemon Pass app and signed into your Pokemon Trainer Club account, head to a participating Target store and look for signs with QR codes on them in the toy and video game aisles where Pokemon merchandise can be found. Use the app to scan the QR code and you'll receive a serial code, which you'll then need to input into your copy of Let's Go Pikachu or Eevee to complete the process.Shiny Pikachu And EeveeThe Pokemon you receive will be the opposite of the version you own, so players with a copy of Let's Go Pikachu will get a Shiny Eevee, while those with Let's Go Eevee will get a Shiny Pikachu. Each Pokemon comes at level 10 and already has four moves in its arsenal. You can see their movesets below.PikachuThunderboltDouble KickDouble TeamThunderEeveeDouble-EdgeIron TailHelping HandFacadeHow Do I Redeem My Download Code?After you've received your serial code from Target, fire up your copy of Let's Go Pikachu or Eevee and choose Mystery Gift from the game's main menu. Select the option to receive a gift with a code/password, then input your serial code to download the free Pokemon. Finally, open your save file and pick the Pokemon up from the deliveryman waiting inside any Pokemon Center.Are There Any Other Freebies?In addition to the free Shiny Pikachu and Eevee, you can use Pokemon Pass to claim a couple of free photo stickers based on the Detective Pikachu movie. On May 11, The Pokemon Company also gave away a Detective Pikachu Psyduck promo card and movie poster at participating Target stores. Additional Pokemon Pass distributions will be announced in the future.Info from Gamespot.com

While the PS4 and Xbox One may be approaching the end of their life cycles, the Nintendo Switch is still very much just getting started. Nintendo's hybrid console burst onto the market two years ago and has been riding a wave of momentum ever since. As of March 31, the system has sold more than 34 million units worldwide, already overtaking the Nintendo 64's lifetime sales and putting it on pace with those of the company's most successful home console, the Wii.Despite the system's impressive sales, reports have begun to circulate that Nintendo is already working on new iterations of the Switch that will supposedly launch later this year. Nintendo, for its part, has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, so whether such models exist is still conjecture at this point. That said, Nintendo has a long history of refreshing its consoles every few years, particularly its handhelds, and there's enough evidence to suggest the company will take the same approach with the Switch. With that in mind, let's take a look at everything we know so far about these rumored new Switch models.Table of Contents [hide]How Many New Switch Models Are Coming?What Has Nintendo Said About The New Switch?Will The New Switch Be At E3 2019?How Will The New Switch Be Different?How Many New Switch Models Are Coming?This past March, the Wall Street Journal reported that two new Nintendo Switch models would be released in 2019: a less expensive iteration with pared down features, and an "enhanced" version targeted at "avid" gamers. The following month, Japanese newspaper Nikkei published its own report about a lower-cost Switch, saying that a less expensive version of the system is coming this fall. Nikkei's story didn't touch on the "enhanced" Switch model mentioned in the Wall Street Journal's report, but it did claim that development on a "next-generation" version of the system would begin following the less expensive model.Lending further weight to the rumor, Bloomberg also published a report in April claiming that a cheaper Switch would be released this year. According to the publication, the system will launch as soon as the end of June. However, Bloomberg's report noted that the more powerful Switch model mentioned by the Wall Street Journal was "not in the works;" rather, the current Switch would get some kind of "modest upgrade" this year, although what that entails was not specified. While that likely rules out the possibility of an "enhanced" version of the system being released any time soon, there seems to be enough evidence that a cheaper model is on the way sometime this year.What Has Nintendo Said About The New Switch?Nintendo typically has a policy of not commenting on rumors or speculation, but the company has made general statements in response to the reports about potential new Switch models. During an earnings call last month, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said, "As a general rule, we're always working on new hardware and we will announce it when we are able to sell it." While not an outright denial, Furukawa's response is carefully worded and doesn't rule out the possibility that a new iteration of the Switch could be coming this year.Will The New Switch Be At E3 2019?While new game consoles are traditionally unveiled at E3, it doesn't appear that will be the case with the rumored new Switch. Despite not outright denying the existence of a cheaper model, Nintendo president Furukawa categorically dispelled rumors that a new system would be revealed at the annual trade show, saying the company has "no plans to announce [new hardware] at this year's E3 in June." Still, while Furukawa may have put the breaks on an E3 reveal, his comments leave open the possibility that Nintendo could announce a Switch revision sometime before or after the expo.How Will The New Switch Be Different?While nothing has been confirmed yet, the Wall Street Journal reports the new, less expensive Switch model would be positioned as a "cheaper option for casual gamers." In order to cut costs, Nintendo would reportedly remove certain features, such as controller vibration. Nikkei claims the cheaper Switch is being "designed for portable use," although the system would still be compatible with a dock and playable on a television.According to the Wall Street Journal, Nintendo is viewing the new Switch as a "successor" to its 3DS line, which the company has in recent years marketed as a budget-priced handheld aimed at children. This would seem to further support Nikkei's claim that the system is being designed primarily for handheld play. The reported timing of the system's release would make sense as well, as Nintendo has a number of Switch games on the way this year that will assuredly be big hits among children, including Pokemon Sword and Shield and a new Animal Crossing.Info from Gamespot.com

The latest box office report is in, and Pokemon and Avengers dominated. Pokemon: Detective Pikachu opened to a massive $58 million in the US and Canada this weekend, according to a box office report from Entertainment Weekly.That is a tremendous result, and it's the biggest opening for a Pokemon movie of all time not adjusted for inflation. It was enormously successful, but it wasn't enough to take down Avengers: Endgame. The Marvel team-up pulled in $63 million in the US and Canada to stay at No. 1 for a third week running.Endgame has now made $723.5 million domestically, which is only behind Avatar ($760.5 million) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($936.6 million). Worldwide, Endgame has now made $2.485.5 billion, which brings it even closer to reaching Avatar's all-time record of $2.78 billion.The new movie about Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien also opened this weekend, and it landed at No. 9 with $2.2 million. As EW notes, the film did "modestly well" considering that it only screened at 1,495 locations in the US and Canada. Other new releases this weekend included the Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson comedy The Hustle (No. 3, $13.5 million), and the Diane Keaton movie Poms, which made $5.1 million to come in sixth place this weekend.You can see the full box office report for May 10-12 below, as compiled by EW.May 10-12 US/Canada Box Office:Avengers: Endgame -- $63 millionPokemon Detective Pikachu -- $58 millionThe Hustle -- $13.5 millionThe Intruder -- $6.6 millionLong Shot -- $6.1 millionPoms -- $5.1 millionUglydolls -- $3.9 millionBreakthrough -- $2.5 millionTolkien -- $2.2 millionCaptain Marvel -- $1.8 millionInfo from Gamespot.com

GameSpot and Sony Pictures Australia are excited to give readers the chance to win tickets to see the new superhero horror film from producer James Gunn, Brightburn, in cinemas.What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister? With Brightburn, the visionary filmmaker of Guardians of the Galaxy and Slither presents a startling, subversive take on a radical new genre: superhero horror.Elizabeth Banks and David Denman play a couple who adopt a child who crash-lands on earth. The boy, who is played by Jackson A. Dunn, is not a good boy. "Maybe adopting an alien baby you find in the woods isn't the best idea," advises director David Yarovesky.Brightburn opens May 23 in Australia and then a day later on May 24 in the United States over the Memorial Day weekend. The movie is produced by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn; his brother Brian Gunn and cousin Mark Gunn wrote the script.There are a total of 10 double passes up for grabs! To be in the running, all you have to do is fill in the form below, and answer a simple trivia question. Good luck! Entries close on May 22, 2019. ©2019 CTMG. All Rights Reserved.Info from Gamespot.com

The Epic Games Store has locked down yet another timed exclusive PC release. Developer Mobius Digital has confirmed that its crowdfunded sci-fi game Outer Wilds will be released on PC through the Epic Games Store as a timed exclusive. In an update to its page on the crowdfunding site Fig, Mobius said the game will come to "additional platforms" later.The game is also coming to console on Xbox One through a partnership with Xbox.Mobius said it is is aware that fans want Outer Worlds on Steam (and other systems). The studio said fans can "rest assured" that their feedback is heard. The overall goal is to "bring the game to your preferred platform as quickly as possible."Regarding its deals with Xbox and Epic, as well as publisher Annapurna Interactive, Mobius said these deals have allowed the studio to "keep our small studio running long enough to ship the game at the level of quality that it is today." The team added: "Each of these partnerships has enabled us to make the game better and more accessible for everyone who will play it."Some backers are not happy about the Epic Games Store exclusivity. A number of people wrote in the Fig comments to voice their displeasure over the announcement.Outer Wilds is just the latest title that Epic has scooped up as a timed exclusive. Just last week, Epic announced a deal with Ubisoft to bring Ghost Recon: Breakpoint to the Epic Games Store as a timed exclusive (it will also be available on Ubisoft's Uplay, but not Steam at launch).The games Metro: Exodus and The Division 2 launched on the Epic Games Store as timed exclusives, while upcoming titles like Borderlands 3, The Outer Worlds, and Control also have deals in place. Valve's Steam marketplace has historically dominated the PC gaming space, and it still does, but Epic is trying to take a piece of the pie by spending money on exclusives. Epic also offers a seemingly attractive package where it offers publishers/developers an 88 percent of game sale revenue compared to what is believed to be 70 percent on Steam.Epic's decision to buy exclusives has frustrated some fans, so it will be interesting to see how the company deals with the public relations factor of the situation. All of this has been made possible thanks to the unthinkable global success of Fortnite and all the money it's brought in.Mobius raised more than $126,000 in 2015 to develop Outer Wilds.Info from Gamespot.com

One of Microsoft's newest internal development studios, The Initiative, continues to add to its already impressive lineup of talent. The company recently hired former Naughty Dog developer Robert Ryan as a senior systems designer for the studio's new, unannounced game.Ryan worked at Naughty Dog from 2011 through 2017 where he was a game designer for Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, The Last of Us, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, and the upcoming The Last of Us: Part II. He moved to EA's Motive Studios where he worked on an unannounced title before coming to The Initiative.WindowsCentral first reported Ryan's move to The Initiative, working off changes made to his public LinkedIn profile.Ryan joins a team at The Initiative that is already stacked with talent. God of War veteran Brian Westergaard is the director of production, Drew Murray (Sunset Overdrive, Resistance 3) is a lead designer, William Archbell (343 Industries) is the technical director, and Blake Fischer (Xbox) is director of world and narrative. Daniel Neuburger, who worked on Rise of the Tomb Raider, is The Initiative's game director. The Initiative also hired Rockstar Games veteran Tom Shepherd, while among the other high-profile hirings include Red Dead Redemption 1 writer/designer Christian Cantamessa.The studio aims to stay "small," but the company's ambition is to "push boundaries," "challenge convention," and take risks as they make something "spectacular and unique."The Initiative is just one of seven studios that Microsoft either set up or acquired in the past year. At E3 2018, Microsoft announced that it acquired Playground Games (Forza Horizon), Compulsion Games (We Happy Few), Ninja Theory (Hellblade), and Undead Labs (State of Decay). At Microsoft's X018 event in Mexico City, Microsoft announced the acquisition of Obsidian Entertainment (Fallout: New Vegas) and inXile Entertainment (Wasteland 3).The acquisition of these studios and the formation of The Initiative came after Microsoft was criticized for not having enough exclusive content.Info from Gamespot.com

The mystery at the center of Detective Pikachu takes protagonist Tim and his buddy Pikachu all through Ryme City as the pair try to find out what happened to Harry Goodman, Tim's detective father. Of course, things escalate as they get nearer to the truth, with sinister figures (and their Pokemon) trying to stop Tim and Pikachu from solving the case. Be warned: We're about to explain, as well as spoil, the ending of Detective Pikachu, so read on at your own risk!Things get a little confusing as the movie progresses, though. Tim and Pikachu, along with journalist Lucy and her partner Psyduck, discover a strange laboratory. It turns out that Howard Clifford, the founder of Ryme City, had the powerful psychic Pokemon Mewtwo captured and studied in that lab in order to discover the secrets of Pokemon evolution. Through their work on Mewtwo, the scientists discovered two things: the strange R chemical that's key to the mystery, and a Mewtwo power that nobody previously knew about.At the climax of the movie, Tim learns the truth about what's happening: Howard is obsessed with Pokemon evolution and wants to find a way for humans to evolve into better versions of themselves. He intends to beat his degenerative illness (and to become the ultimate Pokemon fan) by using the newly discovered Mewtwo power to transfer his spirit into a Pokemon's body. Yup, his plan is to take over the body of a cartoon animal with magic powers.Howard doesn't just plan to Pokemon himself, though. He also transfers everyone else's spirit into their Pokemon, too. Why would he want to do that? That's a very good question. Anyway, let's press on.As Howard explains it to Tim, there's an obstacle to transferring the humans into their Pokemon--it can only happen when the Pokemon are in a wild, crazed state. That's the real reason for the R chemical: R causes Pokemon to lose control of themselves, and in the process, to lose their sentience. When the R chemical freaks Pokemon out, it leaves them open for the spirit transfer.The thing is, Mewtwo doesn't really want to cooperate with this plan. It escaped from the lab at the start of the movie, with the help of Harry Goodman and his Pikachu. As the detective pair fled the lab, Howard sent his genetically modified Greninja Pokemon to attack Harry, causing his car to crash and leaving him for dead. Mewtwo, grateful for Harry and Pikachu's assistance in escaping, came to their aid, and Pikachu volunteered to let Harry's spirit take over his body, in order to save Harry's life after the crash.That's why Detective Pikachu can talk throughout the movie. (Why he can only talk to Tim is maybe some kind of father-son bond thing? Let's just go with it.) It also explains Detective Pikachu's amnesia and why he can't remember how to use his Pikachu powers. All through the movie, Detective Pikachu is actually Harry, who can't remember being human.When Tim and Detective Pikachu find Mewtwo in the middle of the movie, they accidentally lead Howard (and Howard's Ditto, posing as his son Roger) straight to the powerful psychic Pokemon. Howard recaptures Mewtwo and uses a special helmet on the Pokemon that allows him to take control of Mewtwo with his mind. Then, Howard dispenses the R chemical that he's hidden in the Pokemon parade balloons, zapping all the Pokemon in the city and making them wild. Finally, he uses Mewtwo's powers to transfer all the humans' spirits into their Pokemon.Luckily, the R chemical doesn't affect Detective Pikachu, because he already had Harry's spirit inside him. That allows Detective Pikachu to fight Howard-as-Mewtwo and win. That allows them to break Howard's control over Mewtwo.Once the plot is uncovered and Mewtwo is back to normal, it uses its powers to undo everything Howard did, separating all the human spirits from the Pokemon and restoring everyone to normal--including Harry.In the end, Howard Clifford is arrested for his plot to turn put an entire city of people into Pokemon bodies, Mewtwo gains his freedom, and Tim and Harry reconcile. Most everything is wrapped up, except for a few dangling threads, like what happened to those huge, genetically modified Torterra who could annihilate Ryme City with a fart, or those genetically modified Greninja who have repeatedly attempted to murder people on Howard's orders? And where's Mewtwo headed with the power to turn people into Pokemon? Could he zap the spirits of people he doesn't like into anything else, like rocks or trees or lamps?Maybe those are cases for Harry, Tim, and Pikachu to solve at some later point. Hopefully, before anybody is killed, accidentally or on purpose, or turned into furniture.Detective Pikachu is in theaters now. Next, read our full Detective Pikachu review. Then check out how Ryan Reynolds originally wanted to play Pikachu--it could have turned out very different--and all the Pokemon Easter eggs, references, and inside jokes we spotted. We also have a video breakdown, a report from Detective Pikachu's movie set, and the Pokemon Go tie-in event that's happening this week.Info from Gamespot.com

Detective Pikachu introduces fans to Ryme City, a place where humans and Pokemon live side-by-side, rather than as trainer and trainee as in the games and other stories. But though it seems like a standalone story of its own, Detective Pikachu actually connects to Pokemon: The First Movie, making it part of the larger Pokemon franchise. (It might also be part of the Home Alone universe.)With Detective Pikachu coming on the heels of the release of Avengers: Endgame, the culmination of 11 years of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, one can't help but wonder: Is Detective Pikachu part of a burgeoning cinematic universe as well? After all, the movie links up to one released 20 years ago, and we already know that a Detective Pikachu sequel has a writer. There could easily be a teaser for another sequel included with Detective Pikachu.So does Detective Pikachu take a page from the MCU and throw in a post-credits coda scene, or are you free to leave your seat as soon as the credits roll?The good news (or bad news, depending on your point of view) is that you don't need to stay in your seat once Pikachu inevitably cracks the case--there's no post-credits scene at the end of Detective Pikachu, and you won't miss anything if you cut out before the end of the credits.Of course, that doesn't mean there aren't possible hooks for a sequel in the movie. Check out our Detective Pikachu ending explainer for a rundown of what happens at the conclusion, and what hanging threads could potentially need solving in a future movie. You might also want to read our full Detective Pikachu review and check out how Ryan Reynolds originally wanted to play Pikachu--it could have turned out very differently. We've also catalogued all the Pokemon Easter eggs, references, and inside jokes we spotted, and every Pokemon that made it into the movie. You can watch our video breakdown of the movie, read a report from Detective Pikachu's movie set, and find out about the Pokemon Go tie-in event that's happening this week.Info from Gamespot.com

For a limited time, Pokemon fans in the US will be able to add a special Pokemon to their collections in Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee. The Pokemon Company is giving away a free Shiny Pikachu or Shiny Eevee for the Switch games from May 11 to June 23 at participating Target stores around the country, but this time around, the process to claim one is a little different than usual.Rather than just walking into the store and picking up a download code, you'll first need to download a new phone app called Pokemon Pass, then use that to receive a code for the free Pokemon. This process may sound a little confusing, so we've outlined exactly how to get your free Shiny Pikachu or Eevee below.What Is Pokemon Pass?Pokemon Pass is a new mobile app that allows users to take advantage of special promotions and rewards. The app can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the App Store and is compatible with most Android and iOS phones. In order to use it, you'll need to log in with a Pokemon Trainer Club account. If you don't have one, you can create an account for free on the official Pokemon website.How Do I Get My Free Pokemon?Once you've installed the Pokemon Pass app and signed into your Pokemon Trainer Club account, head to a participating Target store and look for signs with QR codes on them in the toy and video game aisles where Pokemon merchandise can be found. Use the app to scan the QR code and you'll receive a serial code, which you'll then need to input into your copy of Let's Go Pikachu or Eevee to complete the process.Shiny Pikachu And EeveeThe Pokemon you receive will be the opposite of the version you own, so players with a copy of Let's Go Pikachu will get a Shiny Eevee, while those with Let's Go Eevee will get a Shiny Pikachu. Each Pokemon comes at level 10 and already has four moves in its arsenal. You can see their movesets below.PikachuThunderboltDouble KickDouble TeamThunderEeveeDouble-EdgeIron TailHelping HandFacadeHow Do I Redeem My Download Code?After you've received your serial code from Target, fire up your copy of Let's Go Pikachu or Eevee and choose Mystery Gift from the game's main menu. Select the option to receive a gift with a code/password, then input your serial code to download the free Pokemon. Finally, open your save file and pick the Pokemon up from the deliveryman waiting inside any Pokemon Center.Are There Any Other Freebies?In addition to the free Shiny Pikachu and Eevee, you can use the Pokemon Pass to claim a couple of free photo stickers based on the Detective Pikachu movie. The Pokemon Company is also giving away a Detective Pikachu Psyduck promo card and movie poster between 10 AM-1 PM local time on May 11. Supplies will be limited, however, so you should show up early if you're hoping to snag one.Info from Gamespot.com

The enormous scale of Monster Hunter World is set to grow even bigger this year with the release of Iceborne. Releasing on September 6 for the PS4 and Xbox One, with the PC release coming later this winter, you'll be able to explore the new region of Hoarfrost Reach, revealing new challenges and gear to craft. Though this new expansion is intended for new players, Capcom has plans to make its launch a great entry point for new players. To celebrate the launch of Monster Hunter World's expansion, players who haven't had the chance to dive into the game will be able to purchase the Master Edition of the game, which features all existing content along with the Iceborne expansion. At launch, this edition of the game will cost $60.During Capcom's Monster Hunter livestream, the developer detailed what to expect from Iceborne, and how much there is to find in the new expansion. For fans who've already spent hundreds of hours hunting and crafting new gear, you'll be able to buy the expansion separately for $40 MSRP. There's also a special deluxe edition of Iceborne, which includes special items and gear, including a new Yukumo armor set and additional items for your hunter.Iceborne features a massive amount of new content to uncover. In addition to new challenges to tackle, there's also a suite of new upgrades and gadgets to use, including a new grappling hook and modifiers to existing gear. Moreover, there's also a suite of new monsters to battle, such as the brute wyvern Banbaro and the new elite monster Velkana.In our review of 2018's Monster Hunter World, Ginny Woo gave the game a 9/10 and stated:"Ever since the title was first announced, it was clear that Capcom was gunning for something grander than Monster Hunter Generations. It has succeeded, and this is likely the biggest and best that the franchise has ever been. It's not just the comparative depth of the narrative; it also boasts almost seamless integration between combat systems that were previously incomprehensible for amateurs. The Monster Hunter formula has definitely honed its claws, and all the above factors play their part in making Monster Hunter World a meaningful evolution for the series at large."Be sure to check out our more detailed breakdown of Iceborne following Capcom's livestream, along with some of the highlights from Sony's recent State Of Play.Info from Gamespot.com

The popular free-to-play Nintendo Switch game Tetris 99 is expanding. A new paid DLC, Big Block, is available today, and it adds multiple offline modes and more. The $10 Big Block DLC adds the following modes:CPU Battle -- Lets you play offline against 98 CPU opponents.Marathon -- Clear as many lines as you can.The #Tetris99 Big Block DLC is available on Nintendo eShop for $9.99 and adds offline modes! Battle 98 bots in CPU Battle, and survive in Marathon mode to clear the most lines possible! Stay tuned for more on additional upcoming game modes. https://t.co/t6cp0KnJLT pic.twitter.com/VKvai3xRCe — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 10, 2019These modes are playable offline, and that's notable because the main Tetris 99 experience is an online-only game. It also means that you no longer need to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership to play Tetris 99 (if you buy the $10 DLC). Nintendo also announced more details on the next Maximum Cup online event for Tetris 99. Maximus Cup 3 begins May 17, and just like the previous ones, you get points for the matches you play regardless of how you finish. Those who get 100 points or more will receive a new theme modeled after the original Game Boy. The event runs until May 19 at 11:59 PM PT. Nintendo teased that it will announce even more new modes for Tetris 99 at a later date. Tetris 99 has been very successful. Just this week, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa talked about how the game has "helped maintain Nintendo Switch engagement" and also get more people to sign up for Nintendo Switch Online. Info from Gamespot.com

Ryan Reynolds has shared some further insight into the voice he originally wanted to do for Pikachu in the new Pokemon movie Detective Pikachu.He told Collider that he thought about making Pikachu sound like a "hardened" detective from Brooklyn to make him sound like what people might recognize as a detective's voice. But the movie producers told him, "Just do Ryan Reynolds," and that was that.We've seen Detective Pikachu, and Reynolds definitely nailed it in regards to his voice-acting performance as Pikachu. He is charismatic, silly, and emotional where it suits, and the end result is Reynolds' performance being one of the strongest elements of the film.Also in the interview, Reynolds talked about a potential Detective Pikachu sequel. He said, "The sequel doesn't even have to have detective pikachu in it. The Pokemon universe is pretty friggin expansive. They could do a lot of stuff. I would love to do it again. I had so much fun."Reviews are relatively positive, though critics appear to agree that fans of the franchise will get more out of it. GameSpot's review concluded that against all odds, live-action Pokemon works."Detective Pikachu should prove enjoyable for any and all Pokemon fans, young or old," Michael Rougeau wrote. "It presents fun answers to the fantasy of what life would be like if Pokémon were real. It introduces new wrinkles to the world of Pokemon, although not all of them completely work. Still, as the first official live-action trip to the world of Pokémon, Detective Pikachu presents characters I want to see again and a setting I'd like to return to."Info from Gamespot.com

Sony has announced a new PlayStation 4 model--and it looks pretty slick. The "Days of Play" edition was announced during Sony's State of Play video broadcast this week.The console features the Triangle, Circle, X, and Square logos on the side of the system, which features a steel-grey look with a matching DualShock 4 controller. It's a 1 TB system for the newer, slimmed down model. Pricing wasn't announced, but it's expected the system will cost in the area of $300 USD if it's in line with the standard PS4 base model. This is that model of system, rather than the faster PS4 Pro.Sony also released a limited-edition Days of Play PS4 system last year that had more of an eye-catching design. The new console will presumably go on sale in June alongside the start of the Days of Play event. Days of Play is Sony's annual PlayStation celebration where the company offers lots of deals on games and hardware.This week's State of Play event featured a lot of news, including more details on Monster Hunter: World's next expansion and a new look at a game where you play as a cute possum. Check out GameSpot's State of Play news rundown to find out everything that was shown off.One thing that wasn't there--which Sony made clear beforehand--was the PS5. Sony recently shared the first details about the upcoming console, despite its release potentially still being more than a year or two away. It offered specs and a high-level overview of what to expect, although it didn't actually confirm the system would be called PlayStation 5.Info from Gamespot.com