This week, Epic Games began teasing a Fortnite crossover event with the upcoming blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, which releases in theaters this week. Epic initially shared an image that showed a Battle Royale character wielding Captain America's iconic shield. Now, a second teaser image for the game's upcoming event features another piece of famed superhero equipment: Thor's enchanted axe, Stormbreaker.Like the first teaser, this one quotes the "Whatever it takes" tagline from Endgame and gives a release date of April 25, along with the #FortniteXAvengers hashtag. We see less of the character this time around, instead just barely seeing the hand clutching the axe. It seems safe to assume we'll get another teaser--perhaps one with Iron Man's suit or Hawkeye's bow?--on Wednesday before the event begins on Thursday.It stands to reason that the Battle Royale event will let players use equipment like Cap's shield and Stormbreaker, likely in a special limited-time mode. Last year, Epic released a crossover mode to mark the release of Avengers: Infinity War. In that mode, the Infinity Gauntlet would crash into the island, and players would scramble to recover it. Doing so would transform them into Thanos himself and were able to wield various powers. It was so strong that it got nerfed almost immediately, a move made so that players would have a better chance to take down Thanos and have a chance to assume his power for themselves. Despite seeming like a natural fit, that event did not bring with it any Avengers-themed skins, although the game does have outfits that reference various movie characters (including one that looks a lot like Guardians of the Galaxy's Star-Lord).Whatever it takes.4.25.19.#FortniteXAvengers pic.twitter.com/6EQLbCFgKq — Fortnite (@FortniteGame) April 23, 2019In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor's hammer was broken during the events of Thor: Ragnarok. He needed a new weapon to channel his power against Thanos, so he made a special trip to a star forge and helped to craft Stormbreaker. But when it finally came time to use the powerful new weapon in Infinity War, he struck Thanos in the chest, leaving the villain conscious enough to fulfill his plan to decimate half the population of the universe. Whoops!Avengers: Endgame is releasing on April 26, though some screenings will take place the evening of April 25. Spoilers have started to leak on the Internet, so be sure to follow our very practical advice on how to avoid spoilers in the meantime. You can also check out our Avengers: Endgame review for some thoughts on what to expect.Meanwhile, Epic is also teasing the game's next big seasonal event as Season 9 approaches for the free-to-play game. Epic tends to always have a major event introduce new elements and map changes, and it appears this time around it will somehow related to several runes that have begun to slot into a vault at the bottom of Loot Lake. This is presumably unrelated to the Endgame being teased for the game, though we'll know for sure in just a few days. In the meantime, you can continue to try earning battle stars through challenges--the Battle Pass will soon wrap up with the end of Season 8, locking off any remaining rewards you might not have yet earned.Info from Gamespot.com

Godzilla is one of the most famous movie monsters of all time, but after the critical and commercial failure of the 1998 movie, it took another 16 years for him to return to the big screen in the US. Thankfully Gareth Edward's 2014 movie Godzilla was a big hit and the follow up--Godzilla: King of the Monsters--hits theaters next month. The final trailer has now been released.This trailer sets up the movie's big conflict, between Godzilla and his terrifying nemesis--the three-headed King Ghidorah. Ghidorah is one of several monsters who have emerged from the depths of the Earth to wreak havoc, and only the Big G can stop him. The movie looks set to deliver action on an incredible scale--check the trailer out below.Godzilla: King of the Monsters stars Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Kyle Chandler (Game Night), and Millie Bobbie Brown (Stranger Things), plus Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water), Ken Watanabe (Inception), and O'Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton). It hits theaters on May 31. For more check out everything we know about Godzilla: King of the Monsters, plus this recent trailer.In a recent interview with Collider, director Michael Dougherty spoke about how his movie will differ from its predecessor. "I hesitate to say it, but I would call it the Aliens to Gareth's Alien," he said. "So it's a bit more on an ensemble film. The first movie was really about Brody's character kind of weaving his way through that adventure and Monarch kind of was the backdrop for that. Here Monarch is the focus, because I find that concept really fascinating. The idea that there is a secret agency that tracks giant monsters--that is a dream come true for me too. I think if the government said to me, 'Tomorrow you have to fake your own death and abandon everyone you know to go hunt the paranormal,' I would be gone in a heartbeat."Godzilla: King of the Monsters is the latest entry in Legendary Pictures' so-called MonsterVerse, following Godzilla and 2017's Kong: Skull Island. The fourth movie in the series will be Godzilla vs Kong, which is now in production and scheduled for a May 2020 release.Info from Gamespot.com

Mortal Kombat 11 is now available, and already NetherRealm has announced it plans to address one of the most common criticisms raised by reviews. An incoming hot fix will adjust the Krypt and Towers of Time to make them feel more rewarding and less difficult, respectively.A tweet from studio head Ed Boon recapped the news from the Kombat Kast. It says that the update will address "those super hard Towers of Time as well as better rewards/economy to be used in the Krypt." He added that the studio is aiming to have it done within hours rather than days, so depending on when they crack it open, even day-one players may never see these frustrating elements.Many reviews agreed that the Krypt and Towers were one surprising weak spot in an otherwise standout fighting game. GameSpot's review-in-progress addressed the problematic live content as well."I've only seen four days worth of Towers during the pre-release review period, so their behavior and difficulty may well change in the future," critic Edmond Tran wrote. "I'll continue to monitor the challenge varieties in the Towers Of Time during the week of launch to see whether the feeling of overwhelmingly unbalanced odds continues. While MK11's "Premium" microtransaction store wasn't live during the review period, the reliance on Konsumables to help even the odds in Towers Of Time, as well as the random nature of their acquisition, certainly makes me curious as to how you'll be able to spend the game's virtual currency, 'Time Krystals,' when the store goes live."The final Kombat Kast also announced the last playable character, Frost. She's a hidden character who doesn't appear on the main roster, and is unlocked as you progress through the story mode. She joins an already lengthy roster of Mortal Kombat veterans, recent additions like the Kombat Kids, and new characters including Geras and Cetrion.Info from Gamespot.com

While checking out what is new on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu seems to be a daily part of our routine in this day in age, there are still plenty of people buying physical copies of movies, as well as shopping for them digitally. This week, there are a few new movies to check out from digital sellers like Google Play and iTunes, and a couple new DVD/Blu-ray releases of note.It's a pretty light week for releases, but there is one worth picking up, and that's Escape Room. It wasn't a huge hit and critics felt lukewarm about it, but the movie ended up being a ton of fun. The movie follows a group of people who are trying to win a cash prize by beating an escape room that can kill you. It's like Cube meets Saw, but they took out all the gore. It's very much a "turn off your brain and enjoy the ride" type of movie, which is a nice refresher between movies where superheroes are punching people through walls. GameSpot recently spoke with Escape Room star Deborah Ann Woll about her role in the film: "Generally in my career, I get cast as the sort of strong willed person with their heart on their sleeve. And it was really nice to play a physical person [this time]." You can check out an exclusive clip from the film above.Additionally, What Men Want hits digital markets today. In the 2019 comedy, Taraji P. Henson stars as a sports agent in a male-dominated profession who gains the ability to hear men's thoughts. Also available is Under The Silver Lake, a thriller starring Andrew Garfield. He plays Sam, who meets a mysterious woman at his apartment complex's swimming pool. The woman disappears and Sam goes on an adventure to find her, only learning there's a conspiracy behind her absence. Under The Silver Lake is also available to rent for $5.Below, you'll find a listing of the most notable digital and physical releases for this week. If you plan on shopping digitally, make sure to check multiple retailers as prices and availability may vary.DVD/Blu-ray/4K releasesEscape RoomBUY AT AMAZONDestroyerBUY AT AMAZONI Spit On Your Grave: Deja VuBUY AT AMAZON Digital releasesWhat Men WantBUY AT GOOGLE PLAY | VUDU | ITUNESSerenityBUY AT GOOGLE PLAY | VUDU | ITUNESArcticBUY AT GOOGLE PLAY | VUDU | ITUNESUnder The Silver LakeBUY AT GOOGLE PLAY | VUDU | ITUNESInfo from Gamespot.com

Avengers: Endgame is nearly upon us. A whole year after the traumatic events of Infinity War, the next movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe finally releases in theaters this Friday, April 26. Ahead of that, another new TV spot has been released, as has our Endgame review.The teaser trailer is very short and doesn't offer any footage of Iron Man, Black Widow, and company that we've not already seen in previous teasers, but we do get some new dialogue. It's really just a countdown--both to the movie's release in three days time and the Avengers' mission to save their friends and stop Thanos. We see Earth's Mightiest Heroes gathered and ready for some kind of operation to undo the catastrophic events of Infinity War, seemingly with Bruce Banner counting down to some kind of go signal. Nonetheless, it's all still very exciting--check it out above.This is the latest in quite a bit of promotional material released over the past few weeks. There was a TV spot featuring new footage of Captain Marvel's new suit, another that showed Hawkeye getting into a fight on a street, a teaser that focuses on the team's mission, and the first full clip from the movie.Endgame is reportedly on track for a record-breaking opening. We already knew its first-week pre-sales were very strong, but it could set the all-time record for a movie opening in the US. Given that this is the culmination of 10-plus years of Marvel movies--from the original Iron Man up through more recent movies like Ant-Man, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, and Black Panther--that really is not much of a surprise, especially after Infinity War's strong opening last year.Endgame premiered in Los Angeles last night--check out our roundup of the first reactions from the movie. To get ready for Endgame, you might also want to read our guide to the best order to rewatch the MCU movies, plus this look at how powerful Thanos is without the Infinity Gauntlet.Avengers: Endgame releases on April 26. It stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Brie Larson, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Danai Gurira, Paul Rudd, and Josh Brolin.To coincide with the big release, Marvel appears to be collaborating with Epic Games on another Fortnite-Avengers crossover event. Last year saw a limited-time mode added to the game that allowed players to equip the Infinity Gauntlet and transform into Thanos. This time around, we don't know what to expect, but teasers have suggested you might be able to wield Captain America's shield and Thor's Stormbreaker.Info from Gamespot.com

With E3 2019 less than two months away, many publishers have begun detailing their plans for this year's show. Last week, Microsoft confirmed the date and time of its annual Xbox press conference, and now Square Enix has announced it is holding another live presentation of its own at this year's expo.The Square Enix Live broadcast is scheduled to take place on Monday, June 10, at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET--the time slot traditionally occupied by Sony's E3 press conference. Sony, of course, won't be using that time slot this year, as the company announced back in November that it won't be attending E3 2019, leaving a sizable gap for other publishers to fill.The Square Enix Live presentation will be broadcast online on the company's website and other social media channels. As for what will be revealed during the broadcast, Square Enix has only hinted that it will focus on "another exciting line up of titles." Last year, the company showcased Kingdom Hearts 3, Just Cause 4, and even revealed a handful of unannounced games like Babylon's Fall, a new title from Bayonetta developer Platinum Games.What was conspicuously missing from last year's presentation was the Final Fantasy VII remake. Little has been said about the title since it was first announced back at Sony's E3 2015 press conference, so there is a chance it may make an appearance in this year's broadcast. Square Enix also has an Avengers game in the works that we know very little about, and a Nintendo Switch version of Dragon Quest XI is on the way this year, which will presumably be one of the games highlighted during its live event.E3 2019 officially kicks off on Tuesday, June 11. This is notably the last year the show has been confirmed for its current venue, the Los Angeles Convention Center, which has traditionally served as the site of E3 for most of the expo's history. Microsoft's E3 2019 conference is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, while Nintendo traditionally airs a pre-recorded presentation on the day E3 proper begins. Be sure to check out our roundup of all the E3 2019 conferences announced so far.Info from Gamespot.com

While Fallout 76 has gotten off to a rough start, Bethesda continues to implement bug fixes and patch updates to get the game into a more playable state. The game's latest patch update, Wild Appalachia Patch 8.5, intends to address growing pains, adds the controversial repair kits, introduces a new photo mode, and more. Here's a rundown on the highlights and the full patch notes.The update is out now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. On consoles, it's approximately 2GB in size, while the PC version is a little under 1GB. The headlining feature is the addition of repair kits. These single-use items, which restore an item to 100% (Basic) or 150% (Improved) condition, have been added to the Atomic Shop and can be purchased using Atoms unlocked with either microtransactions or by completing in-game challenges.In response to criticism, Bethesda has explained why these new items have made their way into Fallout 76. "While Repair Kits do offer a way to fix an item in the field, we feel you will find that they are a convenient option you can utilize during your adventures," the patch update reads. "If we find that Repair Kits do offer any sort of competitive advantage once they are available, we will make any changes necessary to ensure that advantage is removed."Alongside that, the patch adds a new photo mode (along with accompanying challenges) and includes numerous bug fixes to C.A.M.P., items, quests, and more. Issues like infinite loading screens and incorrect Survival scoreboards have also been addressed. Additionally, balance tweaks have been made to what you receive when scrapping certain items, including aluminum oil cans, aluminum trays, and empty cans.You can read the full patch notes below.Fallout 76 Update 8.5 Patch NotesNEW FEATURE - PROSNAP DELUXE CAMERAThe ProSnap Deluxe is a functional in-game camera you can use to fill your Photomode Gallery with snapshots of your adventures.The ProSnap Deluxe can be equipped and favorited like a weapon. Use the “Aim” button to look through the Camera’s lens, and then press the “Attack” button to snap a photo.You can use a Tinker’s Workbench to build a ProSnap Deluxe and apply mods, like lenses.The Camera uses Film to take photos, and you can use the Tinker’s Workbench to craft additional Film.When you take aim with the ProSnap Deluxe, it will also display the names of nearby locations and creatures it recognizes in the viewfinder.Learn to craft a ProSnap Deluxe Camera by finding a broken one on the corpse of a tourist who met their end in the Wasteland. Once you’ve acquired a Camera, you’ll begin the new “Bucket List” quest, which allows you to finish the tourist’s photography collection, if you so desire.Many new Camera-related Challenges have been added to Fallout 76 that you can complete using your ProSnap Deluxe.GeneralNEW CONSUMABLE UTILITY ITEM – REPAIR KITSRepair Kits are new, single-use consumable items that immediately restore the Condition of an item in your inventory. They come in two forms: Basic Repair Kits and Improved Repair Kits.BASIC REPAIR KITSEach Basic Repair Kit you own can be used to restore one item in your inventory or Stash to 100% Condition. Basic Repair Kits do not consume any of your crafting materials when repairing an item.Additionally, they cannot be crafted, dropped, sold to vendors, or traded with other players.After acquiring a Repair Kit, use it by opening your Pip-Boy, finding an item that you’d like to repair, selecting the “Inspect/Repair” option, and then choosing “Repair Kit" The number of Repair Kits you own will be displayed to you on the “Repair Kit” button in the “Inspect/Repair” menu.Basic Repair Kits are unlockable in the Atomic Shop using Atoms you’ve purchased or those you’ve earned by completing in-game challenges. Please note: If you purchase Basic Repair Kits by entering the Atomic Shop from the game’s Main Menu, they will be added to your most recently played Character’s inventory. Prior to purchasing Repair Kits, please ensure you’ve logged into a world with the character that you’d like to receive them.IMPROVED REPAIR KITSEach Improved Repair Kit you own can be used to buff one of the items in your inventory or Stash to 150% Condition. Like Basic Repair Kits, Improved Kits cannot be dropped, crafted, traded, or sold, and do not use any of your crafting materials when consumed.Improved Repair Kits are not available in the Atomic Shop. They are rare items you can earn by completing in-game content. They are currently dropped as loot by the Scorchbeast Queen and may be added as rewards for other types of in-game content in the future.If you own both Basic and Improved Kits, you will be prompted to select which type you’d like to use when repairing an item.Design and BalanceJunk: Aluminum Oil Cans now each grant 1 Aluminum when scrapped, rather than 1 Steel, and the can’s base value has been increased from 9 to 13 Caps.Junk: Aluminum Trays and Empty Cans now each grant 2 Aluminum when scrapped, rather than 2 Steel, and their base values have each been increased from 1 to 10 Caps.SoundNews Screen: Sound effects have been added and will play when interacting with the News Screen.Bug FixesC.A.M.P., CRAFTING, AND WORKSHOPSBlueprints: Attempting to add an object that was built on top of another object to a Blueprint, such as a chair on a foundation, no longer sometimes prevents the Blueprint from including those objects.Bulb Lettering: The letter “W” now correctly lights up when powered and activated.Wall Décor: The Nuke Mobile is now correctly located in the Wall Décor build menu rather than Lights.CHALLENGESGeneral: A number of Challenges and Subchallenges have received updated descriptions to improve clarity.Rad Storm Challenges: Nuke zones now count toward Rad Storm-related Challenges, such as the “Kill a Glowing Creature in a Rad Storm” Daily Challenge.ITEMSApparel: All Fasnacht masks are now immune to Condition damage.Headwear: The Baaad News Billy mask is now correctly located in the Headwear crafting menu rather than Outfits.Mods: Found Mods can now be correctly applied to Power Armor and weapons.Weapons: The Salvaged Assaultron Head’s crafting requirements now correctly include the Science Expert Perk rather than the Gunsmith Perk.PERFORMANCE AND STABILITYLoading: Fixed an issue that could cause players to encounter an infinite loading screen.Performance: Implemented an improvement to reduce hitching while running the game client.Stability: Fixed an issue that could cause the PC game client to crash after exiting to the desktop from the Main Menu.Stability: Addressed an issue that could cause the game client to crash when entering the Atom purchase screen from the Atomic Shop.QUESTS AND EVENTSEncryptid: Individual Pylons during the Encryptid Event will only register one interaction at a time and only count as one of the three required Pylons.USER INTERFACEPhotomode: Players who have unlocked the Looking to the Future Pose can once again select and use it in Photomode.Pip-Boy: Item stats now correctly remain visible when inspecting an item in the Pip-Boy.Power Armor: The Bone Raider Excavator paint preview image no longer incorrectly appears when inspecting unpainted Excavator Power Armor.Repair: Item stats now remain visible after entering and exiting the Inspect/Repair menu.Scoreboards: Survival Beta Scoreboard icons on the Map now correctly update to reflect new rankings after a player disconnects from a world.Scoreboards: The first score type listed on the Survival Beta Scoreboard now correctly matches the Top 3 for the week.Shop: Addressed an issue that could cause controls to become unresponsive upon returning to the Main Menu after exiting the Atom purchase screen.Social: The Friends List once again sorts friends based on their current status: Online, Online Different World, Main Menu, Offline, Ignored, and Blocked.Workshops: The Corvega Small Water Purifier variant is now correctly marked as a premium item in the Workshop build menu.Info from Gamespot.com

The games industry has been grappling with crunch as companies rush to complete projects by their release date, but staff at Epic Games have reportedly complained of similar conditions due to the explosive success of Fortnite.Polygon reports that several current and former staff members spoke under the condition of anonymity about the crunch culture at the studio. While Epic had always needed to pull long hours at some points, developers felt they knew when the periods were coming and could prepare themselves. Fortnite was different because the wild popularity of its battle royale mode was so sudden and unexpected.The result was reportedly long work weeks, some as much as 70-100 hours, with employees complaining of stress and unhealthy behaviors. While it wasn't strictly required, they said, some employees were fired for missing deadlines after choosing not to work weekends. That helped create a culture of expectation for the long hours.The studio was said to be impacted in other ways as well. One was a sudden influx of contract workers, who needed training to catch up with the rest of the work force. One source in customer service said the support requests went from 20-40 per day to 3,000, and so the company added 50 more contractors. The other was turnover, as some employees would quit. This period was punctuated with large bonuses, roughly three times their salary, and so some employees would stay to earn a few bonus checks before leaving.A representative for Epic conceded many of the major points of the story to Polygon."People are working very hard on Fortnite and other Epic efforts," a spokesperson said. "Extreme situations such as 100-hour work weeks are incredibly rare, and in those instances, we seek to immediately remedy them to avoid recurrence."The spokesperson also said that Fortnite "achieved a far higher level of success than we had ever anticipated" and that the team "rapidly expanded the game to grow the audience."Epic has taken some steps to remedy the situation, including mandatory break periods twice per year. One source said younger employees are still especially vulnerable to working long weeks, as the competition for promotions is fierce. The spike in long hours was a natural outcome of Epic shifting its infrastructure to support a live global service, but now that it has gotten there the workload is still heavy. The game's seasonal nature requires Epic to put out substantial updates on a fixed schedule. One source described the current workload as "just endless."GameSpot contacted Epic Games, which declined further comment.Info from Gamespot.com

BioWare has launched a new update for Anthem--introducing several balancing changes and features. Called Patch 1.1.0, the update adds The Sunken Cell stronghold, which becomes available once you've completed Anthem's main campaign. Many of the new features introduced in the update add long-requested features to the game, such as the ability to change Javelin gear loadout during a mission.Patch 1.1.0 allows you to select contracts from the start of any expedition, as opposed to needing to pick contracts from their corresponding boards in Fort Tarsis. You can also now immediately launch new missions after completing an expedition instead of having to return to Fort Tarsis and climb back into your Javelin. Patch 1.1.0 allows you to access the Forge during missions, strongholds, and freeplay too, so you can experiment with new gear loadouts without needing to return to Fort Tarsis first.Several general changes have been made to Anthem as well. A new cortex entry has been added to the game that explains exactly how combo, detonator, and primer abilities work. Three new Masterwork components have been added to the game as well--an extended sniper rifle magazine, rapid hollow point ammo for machine pistols and autocannons, and extended special arms magazines for heavy pistols and grenade launchers.The remaining changes are bug fixes and minor changes. For example, the bug causing the Arcanist Loyalty 3 trophy to remain locked on PS4 has been resolved, as has the issue causing challenge notifications to not appear correctly. New primer and detonator icons have been added in the cortex next to gear entries as well.The full patch notes for Anthem's latest update can be found on the game's main website. Below, we've outlined the major gameplay balance adjustments now live in Anthem. Anthem is available for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.Anthem Patch 1.1.0 Gameplay Balancing ChangesMasterwork WeaponsRetaliation of Garretus - Trajector Machine Pistol Increased bonus from 200% to 400%Rolling Carnage - Vengeance Shotgun Increased bonus from 50% stacking 3 times, to 83.33% stacking 3 times.The Last Stand - Mauler Autocannon Increased bonus from 200% to 225%Fist of Stral - Cloudburst Autocannon Increased bonus from 10% stacking 10 times, to 16% stacking 10 times.Unending Battle - Fulcrum Machine Pistol Increased bonus from 110% to 135%Death From Above - Guardian Marksman Rifle Increased bonus from 65% to 235%Wyvern Blitz - Deadeye Sniper Rifle Increased bonus from 40% to 185%Masterwork GearColossus Final Judgment - HE Mortar Increased bonus from 35% to 55%Fist of the Crucible - Flamethrower Increased bonus from 12% *10 to 24% *10Interceptor Serpent's Veil - Venom Bomb Increased bonus from 100% to 202.5%Ruthless Stalker - Searching Glaive Increased bonus from 60% to 110%Bitter Harvest - Cluster Mine Increased bonus from 60% to 110%Ranger Cold Blooded - Frost Grenade Increased bonus from 235% to 270%Avenger's Boon - Pulse Blast Increased bonus from 210 % to 220%Storm Ponder Infinity - Lightning Strike Increased bonus from 60% to 165%Chaotic Rime - Frost Shards Increased bonus from 125% to 250%GearFriendly player projectiles should now be able to pass through Javelins in your squad.Colossus' Firewall Mortar should now more reliably spawn the Firewall effect when directly hitting enemies, sloped surfaces, or next to walls.Status Effects / CombosDelay between when players and creatures are frozen and when the visual effect is applied has been reduced to improve readability of the status effect.If a player applies a status effect that already exists on a target, but the new status effect has a higher damage than the existing one, the damage will now scale to that higher value.Players who prime targets for combos will now also see the "Combo" text when detonated by another player.Increased the damage of the Electric status effect when applied to creatures.Info from Gamespot.com

As reported yesterday, a new update introduces a new difficulty mode to Kingdom Hearts III. The update, a set of two patches, will also implement a host of quality-of-life additions to enhance the game's playability. They will be available later today.Patch 1.04 will see Critical Mode--a new, higher difficulty setting--make its way to the game. In a tweet, director Tetsuya Nomura teased adjustments to the mode, saying, "We've changed things up from the previous games, so I hope you enjoy."The second patch, 1.05, will add 100 more photo slots--upping the total to 200--and introduce item carryover (such as Keyblades) to New Game+. Both patches will implement various fixes, but there are no specific details about what these fixes are.Additionally, certain enemies have had changes made to their behavior, but again, no specifics were mentioned. Additionally, when at the Moogle Shop, you'll be able to see which Synthesis items you've already synthesized; these will be designated by a checkmark.The full patch notes were published by Square Enix in Japanese. You can see a translation courtesy of Kingdom Hearts Insider.According to the official Kingdom Hearts Twitter account, at least one of the patches will be released today at 7 PM PT / 10 PM ET (3 AM BST on April 24). Info from Gamespot.com

When Dragon's Dogma first came out, many people treated it as an amalgamation of all kinds of games, ranging from Shadow of the Colossus to Dark Souls, with hints of Monster Hunter and hues of The Elder Scrolls. Despite seeming to be a mish-mash of gameplay ideas and fantasy tropes, Dragon's Dogma asserted an unwaveringly confident sense of self that people became enamored with. At the same time, some of its most ambitious efforts only proved successful at the expense of more standard details; characters were considered flat and it was plagued with technical issues.Despite this, back in 2012, Dragon's Dogma was a game that received a great deal of praise. GameSpot gave it an 8/10 score almost seven years ago. You can read our original review here.The Switch port for Dragon's Dogma is derived from the Dark Arisen version of the game, which has since become the standard form, and it performs spectacularly. It's a magnificent world filled with goblins and griffins, prairies and palaces. Sometimes the road dissipates into forests and over precipices, out of foliage and under edifices. At all times, it's alive, its beating heart pulsating in every creek and creeper dotted across its boundless landscape.The controls are clean and intuitive, with combat wheels mapped to the bumpers. The left set of buttons commands ally pawns, whereas the right set triggers abilities. The game wonderfully juxtaposes real-time combat with tactical squad play, and runs smoothly throughout the entire experience. Perhaps the only issues that date the game are how stiff the characters are in certain cutscenes, and how lifeless some of the secondary voice acting is. It's a world where everything seems awry, largely thanks to its diverse well of influences, so the voice acting does have a curious way of making things seem even more obscure. However, on occasion it uproots your sense of immersion. One second you'll be traversing the wilds of the Witchwood, utterly encapsulated by the game's charm; the next, you'll remember that you're not really in Gransys, but sitting on your sofa, listening to deadpan voice acting.Dragon's Dogma's iconic and idiosyncratic opening sequence looks better than ever on Switch. The gargantuan dragon that plucks your heart from your chest does so in vivid color, and the sharp visuals make this extraordinary episode even more enchanting. In a way, this asserts the Switch port's relevance to the contemporary circuit, as if it's immediately attempting to make a case for why it deserves another look in 2019.Another common critique of Dragon's Dogma in the past was to do with its grey, earthy palette. Cassardis--the first town you come across on your adventures across the land of Gransys--was always considered the worst offender, its stone buildings standing amid a wish-wash of brown and green. However, as I walked the winding paths around the town's outskirts in handheld mode, I became lost in a world of wonder.On one occasion, I was playing before bed with the lights off. As the moon rose in the game and visibility was swallowed by the encroaching night, I drew my lantern, illuminating both my room in real life and the path ahead in Dragon's Dogma. This begot a peculiar phenomenon that couldn't ever be experienced on anything other than a handheld console. There's a strange solemnity endowed in playing handheld, huddled up with the Switch close to your face, the sound turned down to conjure a quietness seamlessly locking with the surrounding atmosphere. In a way, it almost summons a sense of borrowed nostalgia for the handheld consoles of the 90s, playing with the lights out and sound off, lest you wake up your parents three hours after you feigned sleep to continue playing.Dragon's Dogma performs brilliantly in docked mode too. Technically, it's a vast improvement from the original versions of the game, being closer to the performance of the newer, Dark Arisen re-releases. The aesthetic disparity between this version and older ones was immediately striking when it launched six years ago, and the Switch port follows suit spectacularly.However, there's something experiential about making the most of the Switch's portable capabilities. Maybe it's because Dragon's Dogma is a slow-burner that prioritizes exploration over gratification, or maybe it's due to the intimacy created by its vivid soundscapes and arresting visuals, but it's easier to get lost in the small screen than a bigger one. When I played handheld, Dragon's Dogma received my undivided attention--in fact, it demanded it. This is the first time Capcom's iconic RPG has ever been condensed to a small screen, but it seems as if even the 2012 game was made for this exact purpose.However, there's more to it than that. When you consider Dragon's Dogma's vast array of influences, it becomes abundantly clear that several of them haven't had the Switch treatment either. I named my main pawn Geralt, gave him white hair and yellow eyes, one of which was scarred, and had him specialize in sword fighting. However, it wasn't until I saw him tangoing around the thrusts of a cyclops that I truly noticed how well-suited this kind of immersive RPG is to a handheld console. Switch porting is a phenomenon that's still working out its own kinks, but large-scale open worlds previously considered incompatible with handheld consoles have found a welcome home on Switch, unfurling beautifully on the small screen. Games like Breath of the Wild and Skyrim already tested the Switch's mettle, and now the ability to undertake odysseys across the worlds of Gransys and The Continent whilst sat on a train is another compelling option for those looking to immerse themselves in fantasy worlds. The Switch's capacity to persuade you into utter immersion goes hand-in-hand with what fantasy is all about.As for its mechanics, Dragon's Dogma's control mapping is refined and intuitive on the Switch. The Joy-Con layout allows for clean combinations and instinctive reactions, to the extent that action can be spontaneously taken instead of being the result of a measured calculation. You're never pulled out to consider your next move--you just know what to do. Whether you're a majestic mage or a belligerent brawler, even the most boisterous battles are uncluttered in makeup and meticulous in execution.Dragon's Dogma's iconic pawn system functions in much the same way as it always did, which is a bit of a missed opportunity. Despite their intuitive AI in combat and world traversal, their occasionally endearing chatter is often overbearing. It's intriguing hearing your main pawn describe a nearby encampment as a "bulwark against the forces of evil" early on, but when they mention it for the tenth time in 10 minutes, Dragon's Dogma's age betrays its appearance.Unfortunately, the weakest aspects of Dragon's Dogma are the same as they were seven years ago: its dialogue and voice acting. At times the cutscenes are at odds with how fresh the rest of the game looks, as characters make unnatural gestures that rarely match the tone of their words, and the secondary voice cast sounds dull and lifeless. It's as if someone mapped voice lines to a control pad and simply pressed the relevant buttons in sequence, without respect for intonation, emotion, or expression. Luckily, this is only the case for the minor cutscenes--the major ones look phenomenal, and the writing is at its best in these short, sporadic bursts of tension.In 2012, Dragon's Dogma was considered an excellent game that made some questionable decisions. The Dark Arisen re-release rectified the majority of the issues the original game faced, mostly in terms of technical performance, but the Switch port continues to build on the game's legacy because of how well-suited it is to handheld experience. However, even with its revamped graphics, updated mechanics, and improved functionality, it's somehow managed to retain that same sense of weirdness that both complements it and stunts it, depending on the occasion. In the Witchwood, for instance, the sparse, disconcerting conversations affect the atmosphere in a wonderful way, playing upon the mysterious enchantments at work in this curious forest. However, in scenes with more urgency, it's difficult to take characters seriously because of the deadpan delivery of the voice acting, and even with subtitles enabled it's easy to miss what's going on. The gameplay is fantastic, but the narrative is lackluster at crucial points in the story. Despite this, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen on Switch is a drastically improved version of a game already recognized as great, mostly thanks to the fact that you can hold the game's wonderful world right in the palms of your hands. Info from Gamespot.com

Ubisoft has announced a new Hero for For Honor, who is scheduled to release at the start of the game's Year 3, Season 2. For Honor's Year 3, Season 2 starts May 2 on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.Each season for Year 3 brings a new Hero to For Honor. Season 1 added the new Knight Hero, Vortiger. A new Samurai Hero, named Hitokiri, is coming in Season 2, with a Viking Hero scheduled for Season 3 and Wu Lin for Season 4. Hitokiri is a fearsome warrior who possesses both a male and female version. The female version, Sakura, has a new trailer, which can be watched below. She's very creepy and sounds like she'd fit a lot more as a boss in From Software's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice."The Hitokiri are ghostly warriors who have lost all faith in humanity," Ubisoft wrote in a press release. "They wander the land clutching their Masakari, the mighty axes they used to sentence criminals, their presence on the battlefield spreading a black cloud that can terrify all enemies." Both versions of Hitokiri will be automatically unlocked for Year 3 pass owners on May 2. On May 9, Hitokiri will become available for everyone else, but you'll need to purchase them for 15,000 Steel--For Honor's in-game currency.Like Year 3's first season, Season 2 also adds a special limited-time event to For Honor. A first look at what that event might be, as well as a few more details for Year 3, Season 2, will be announced during a For Honor Twitch livestream on April 25. The new season also contains balancing changes for Lawbringer and Raider, and adds a new map, Canopy.In our For Honor review, Matt Espineli wrote, "After slaying countless foes, it’s clear the impact For Honor's combat has had; its fundamental tenets of discipline and restraint are bestowed upon you permanently, forever changing the way you perceive a melee-combat encounter in a game. In its highest moments, For Honor is difficult to put down. Its slow combat pace and narrative shortcomings might turn off those unwilling to take the time to dive deep into what it has to offer. However, make no mistake--those who do will be rewarded with some of the most satisfying multiplayer melee fighting conceived in recent years."Info from Gamespot.com

The PlayStation Store adds new PS4 game deals on a weekly basis, but this week, the best discounts are limited to PlayStation Plus members, who can get some game titles for up to 80% off until Tuesday, April 30 at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET.The PS Plus Specials include quite a few sports titles for just $18, such as FIFA 19, NBA 2K19, NHL 19, and WWE 2K19. Madden NFL 19 is marked down even lower, to just $12. Other notable deals include Assassin's Creed Origins for $15, A Way Out for $18, Dragon Age: Inquisition's Game of the Year edition for $10, Titanfall 2's Ultimate edition for $7.49, and Warhammer: Vermintide 2 for $21. There's also a worthwhile bundle containing Battlefield 1, Titanfall 2, and bonus content for only $30.PS Plus is Sony's premium subscription that grants access to online multiplayer, greater discounts, and free monthly games (check out April's free offerings here). You can pick up a one-month membership for $10, three-month for $25, and 12-month for $60, and with new deals popping up all the time, it's a worthwhile investment for PS4 owners.Shop this week's PS Plus Specials »See some of our picks below. The price reflected is for PS Plus members only -- you must be logged into your account to claim the discount.Assassin's Creed Origins -- $15A Way Out -- $18Battlefield 1 & Titanfall 2 Ultimate Bundle -- $30Battlefield 4 -- $5Battlefield V -- $30Burnout Paradise Remastered -- $5Dirt Rally 2.0 -- $36The Division -- $10Dragon Age: Inquisition - Game of the Year Edition -- $10Everspace -- $7.49Fe -- $5FIFA 19 -- $18Forgotton Anne -- $12Jurassic World Evolution -- $25Layers of Fear -- $5Madden NFL 19 -- $12Moonlighter -- $12NBA 2K19 -- $18NHL 19 -- $18Need for Speed -- $5Overcooked 2 -- $17.49Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 -- $4Star Wars Battlefront - Ultimate Edition -- $5Titanfall 2 - Ultimate Edition -- $7.49Warhammer: Vermintide 2 -- $21WWE 2K19 -- $18Info from Gamespot.com

If there is one thing all Marvel Cinematic Universe movies have in common, it's that you can enjoy a little something extra after the main story is done. Every movie has a mid-credit or post-credit sequence, and many times, the films feature both of them. That all changes with Avengers: Endgame.Don't worry, there are no Endgame spoilers here. For more on the movie, check out our Avengers: Endgame review.Avengers: Endgame marks the 22nd movie in the MCU and the first time in the shared film universe that will not have a visual sequence tacked on to the end, teasing what's next for Marvel. However, there may be a reason to stick around as there is an audio stinger at the end, when the Marvel logo appears. The metal hitting metal sound is open to interpretation, but it's been suggested it sounds like Tony Stark forging his first Iron Man armor. So as soon as the credits begin to roll, the choice is yours. You can leave the theater or stay through the credits to hear a noise.Endgame is the end of Phase 3 of the MCU, and as we learned last month, those 22 films will be known as The Infinity Saga. As far as recent mid-credits and post-credit sequences go, Infinity War ended with Nick Fury contacting Captain Marvel on a pager, Ant-Man and the Wasp left Scott Lang trapped in the Quantum Realm with his friends snapped to dust, and Captain Marvel showed us Carol Danvers answering the pager's call in the present, meeting the Avengers. Additionally, there were a couple of comedic post-credit moments as well.These sequences always give the audience a hint as to what's coming next. But with Endgame being the end of the 22-film journey, there's nothing left to tease before Phase 4 begins. Check out our review of Endgame, which GameSpot's Mike Rougeau said, "Endgame is truly a love letter to the entire MCU--the whole thing." Additionally, enjoy our predictions of who will die in the video above, the latest teaser for the film, and the best ways to avoid spoilers for Endgame, which hits theaters on April 26.Info from Gamespot.com

If you still haven't picked up Kingdom Hearts III, today's a good day to make the purchase, as the game is currently on sale for $37 on PS4 and just under $40 on Xbox One at Amazon. New copies of the game are still selling for $60 elsewhere, so this is a good chance to pick it up for more than $20 off. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you'll also get free two-day shipping on this one.Buy Kingdom Hearts III for PS4 -- $36.98 »Buy Kingdom Hearts III for Xbox One -- $39.90 »It's been nearly three months since Kingdom Hearts III released back in January, and the game is finally getting a huge update--a series of two patches that include a higher difficulty setting known as Critical Mode. Based on previous games, we can assume the new mode will increase damage dealt and taken by enemies, among other things, but not many details have been shared. The update was announced yesterday via Twitter, and the first patch containing Critical Mode will be released today at 7 PM PT / 10 PM ET (2 AM GMT on April 24).In addition to the higher difficulty mode, the update brings quality-of-life improvements to the game, such as bumping up the number of photo slots from 100 to 200 and introducing item carryover to New Game+, among other fixes. Another improvement: When at the Moogle Shop, you'll now be able to identify which Synthesis items you've already synthesized, as they'll have a checkmark beside them. Some enemy behaviors have also been changed, but details are slim in that regard.With the game cheaper than ever, there's no better time to hop in and see all the changes to Kingdom Hearts III. On Amazon, there's no knowing how long the game will be marked down, so act fast if you're interested in this deal. Info from Gamespot.com