If there's one thing that's been a hallmark of Vikings since the very beginning, it's the deaths of major characters that viewers hold near and dear. Still, in the latest episode-- titled "Hell"--a death came that was particularly surprising, even to the show's creator Michael Hirst. In a battle against King Harald Finehair (Peter Franzén) and his forces Bishop Heahmund (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) was killed, bringing his short story in the Vikings universe to a close. With his final breaths, as he was being pierced by arrows, he screamed out "Lagertha," showing his ultimate allegiance to the former queen of Kattegat one last time.It was only the end of Season 4 that saw the introduction of Heahmund, who became enamored with Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) in Season 5. So it comes as something of a shock that he was dispatched of so quickly. "It was a bit of a surprise for me," Hirst told GameSpot. "These things sometimes, you have different possibilities in your head and then you think, not just about that character but how they fit into the pattern--the general pattern of where you want to take the other characters."And while Heahmund's death will have a lasting impact, especially on Lagertha, his death also meant something to the tale being told about the bishop himself. In the episode, he saw visions of Hell that led him to believe his soul was doomed, after aligning with the pagans and falling in love with one. For Hirst, that's what was so surprising. He didn't realize that in writing Heahmund's story the way he did, he was also crafting the most logical ending for a bishop and a warrior for Christ."Because he felt he was a great sinner and that he was bound for hell, itt was difficult for me then to think how I could regroup and where I could take it," he admits.In the end, though, Heahmund died in a way that was true to himself, regardless of where he may have ended up in the afterlife. "He's not particularly, political and scheming he's a warrior--a warrior for Christ," Hirst said. "And so when all those things were added up, then it made sense, that he should die, spectacularly, and he should die recognizing that, although he was going to hell, he loved her. He loved her. To me, that was a beautiful thing that despite his real fear of going to hell he was willing to admit that he was in love and that was great."Still, Hirst admits it would have been nice to keep Heahmund around, should it have made sense in the story. "I thought Johnny was brilliant," the writer said. "He's absolutely wonderful, but it just seemed a kind of natural place to do that, poor guy."As is usually the case with Vikings, though, nobody is truly safe or eternal. Viking history is long and caked in the blood of the fallen. From Ragnar Lothbrok to Christian monk Athelstan. When the time comes, everyone in this world faces certain death and chances are it's not going to be pretty.Info from Gamespot.com

Jordan Peele's next horror movie is just right around the corner, and since his last film Get Out was such a huge success, Us should be on everyone's "must watch" radar. Today, on Christmas Day, the very first trailer was released for the upcoming film, which releases in March.In the first trailer, which you can see above, the movie follows a family who goes on vacation. They quickly find themselves being stalked by a deranged family. However, these psychopaths has something peculiar about them. They look exactly like the people they're hunting.Us stars Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, Winston Duke as Gabe Wilson, and Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker as members of the Tyler family. The film also features Yahya Abdul-Mateen II from Aquaman and Anna Diop from the DC Universe streaming series Titans.Additionally, Peele has more in store for fans in 2019, as he's producing and hosting CBS All Access' new Twilight Zone. So far, we've only seen a teaser for the new show, and the only other information that's been released is that Marco Ramirez (Sons of Anarchy, Daredevil) will serve as writer and showrunner.Us comes to theaters on March 19, 2019.Info from Gamespot.com

With 2019 right around the corner, we've polled GameSpot's staff to find out what games they are looking forward to most in the new year. To be eligible, a game must simply have a release date currently planned for 2019. Of course, we all know nothing is set in stone; there's always a chance some games could slip into 2020. When you're done reading this entry, follow along with all of our other end-of-the-year coverage collected in our Best of 2018 hub.I have a soft spot for Dontnod games. I'm one of the few people I know who got really into Remember Me, the studio's first offering. It was a flawed game that struggled with its moment-to-moment gameplay, grabbing weaker versions of the combat from the Batman: Arkham series and the environmental climbing puzzles of the Uncharted franchise. But Remember Me had a ton of great ideas about delving into characters' minds and reconstructing their memories, and it managed to tell an affecting story using those mechanics.Vampyr, another fascinating Dontnod offering, contains a deep story into which it looks to integrate its gameplay. It expanded on the idea of narrative choices as mechanics by putting you in the role of a vampire who's also a doctor, torn between feeding on people and saving them. If you don't murder people, you stay weak, and you have a hard time completing the various investigations (and fighting the various scary monsters) that obstruct your path through the game; but if you do murder people, you'll irrevocably change the game world and the story. Not every decision that went into the game worked, but Vampyr definitely pushed the envelope in the realm of games that react to player choices.And then there are the Life is Strange games. I bounced off Dontnod's best-known titles, but I appreciated the attention to story and character development in what I played of them. And from all accounts, the first episode of Life is Strange 2 is a powerful start to the sequel.Dontnod's willingness to experiment means that whatever project the developer is working on is always pinging my internal video game radar, and Twin Mirror looks like it could have potential. It's about Sam, an investigative journalist, heading back to his Rust Belt town for his best friend's funeral. Things aren't great for Sam--he has an imaginary friend who constantly hassles him called The Double, and he wakes up the morning after the funeral with his clothes covered in blood, unable to remember what happened or what awful thing he might have done. The setting and aesthetic give the whole thing an alluring Twin Peaks meets Life is Strange vibe.Twin Mirror seems like it's trying to riff on some of the ideas of visiting and viewing memories from Remember Me, a very cool mechanic that was sadly underused in Dontnod's first effort. And while a lot of games, from the Batman: Arkham series to LA Noire and beyond, have tried but struggled to make investigating crime scenes an engaging mechanic, Dontnod's past attempts with tough systems mean it might have a novel mechanical solution in mind.Not all of Dontnod's titles have been raucous successes, and not all of the ideas they put into their games manage to stick the landing. But the developer is constantly trying interesting things, for better or worse. I'd much rather play a game like Vampyr, which takes a run at trying new and exciting things, than a much safer AAA title. There are some things about Twin Mirror that give me pause (the imaginary friend conceit is extremely played, for one, and lots of games have attempted investigation mechanics but not many do them well), but I'm willing to go with Dontnod on its journey. I know no matter what, their game will care about its story and its characters, and it'll make attempts at bringing new ideas into the lexicon of video games.Info from Gamespot.com

Xur is around for one more day of rare Exotic deal-making in Destiny 2. His arrival marks your latest chance to snag a few Exotics you might be missing from the Year One collection, provided you have a few Legendary Shards burning a hole in your pocket.Until the weekly reset on Tuesday, you'll find Xur in the Tower, behind the Dead Orbit area on the Hangar side. Since we're halfway through The Dawning, Destiny's holiday event, you might want to bake a few Strange Cookies to deliver to him as well--and you're going to want to take advantage of this chance if you want to unlock all the Dawning event Triumphs. Use our Dawning baking guide to get all the recipes you need for the event.As usual, Xur has Exotic weapons and armor from before the launch of the Forsaken expansion, so you're out of luck if you were hoping for one of those cool new Black Armory Exotics. Xur's bag of Exotics includes Merciless, along with one piece of armor for each character class. Merciless is a high-powered fusion rifle, with one of the highest damage outputs in Destiny 2. Its Conserve Momentum perk makes it handy in a lot of boss fights and PvP situations, too--every time you score a hit with Merciless but don't rack up a kill, the charge speed on the next shot is increased, making it possible to fire faster and faster until you finally wreck your opponent.In the armor department, Titans can get the Aeon Safe gauntlets, which speed up class ability charge time for allies, especially if they're also wearing Aeon Exotics. For Hunters, there's the Knucklehead Radar helmet, which maintains your radar while you're aiming down sights and offers an enhanced radar when you're crouching. Finally, Warlocks get the Apotheosis Veil helmet, which instantly recharges your melee, grenade, and class ability when you activate your Super, and gives a buff to recharges for allies as well.Here are all the Exotics Xur offers this week and what they'll cost you:Merciless (Exotic auto rifle) -- 29 Legendary ShardsAeon Safe (Exotic Titan gauntlets) -- 23 Legendary ShardsKnucklehead Radar (Exotic Hunter helmet) -- 23 Legendary ShardsApotheosis Veil (Exotic Warlock helmet) -- 23 Legendary ShardsYou can also buy a Fated Engram, if you can afford it. Dropping 97 Legendary Shards on the item will grant you one Year One Exotic you don't already have for that character. You can also snag a Five of Swords challenge card for free, which allows you to add difficulty modifiers that increase your score in Nightfall runs.This week also saw the opening of the Izanami Forge, the third of the four Forges that are part of the Black Armory expansion. Here's everything you need to know if you're still working on the lengthy quest to unlock the Forge, as well as the latest on unlocking the Mystery Box, which requires a key from each Forge and seemingly holds an Exotic weapon.Info from Gamespot.com

The status of A Nightmare on Elm Street has been stuck somewhere in limbo over the past several years. After a 2010 reboot failed to reignite the franchise, fans have been waiting for yet another return for Freddy Krueger, in some form. It was first reported in 2015 that David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (Orphan, The Conjuring 2) would write a new reboot, though there's been no news of the film in the time that followed.However, Johnson-McGoldrick was able to give GameSpot a bit of an update. While promoting Aquaman--which he's one of the screenwriters of--the writer revealed, "It's still happening." Of course, that doesn't mean you'll see it just let. "Nothing is percolating just yet," he continued.Instead, Johnson-McGoldrick is currently focused on The Conjuring 3. "The Conjuring universe is sort of first and foremost on [New Line Cinema's] horror burner," he admitted.There is clearly still a desire for the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, though, and Johnson-McGoldrick recognizes that. "Everybody wants to see Freddy again I think, so I think it's inevitable at some point," he added.Of course, when it finally comes to pass, there's plenty to learn from the last reboot of the franchise. The 2010 film wound up with a score of 35/100 on GameSpot sister site Metacritic, leaving most reviewers underwhelmed for a variety of reasons--many related to Freddy Krueger himself. While Jackie Earle Haley is a fine actor, his take on the monster of a bladed glove simply didn't hold a candle to Robert Englund's original version--in terms or terror or humor.As it stands now, there's no set release date for a reimagining of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Still, hearing that the interest is still there is reassuring. The world needs more Freddy Krueger creeping us out in our nightmares.Additional reporting by Michael RougeauInfo from Gamespot.com

Editor's note: Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is out now in Japan, but hasn't been confirmed for the West yet.There are few things I love more than the Persona franchise. Each of the separate stories from Persona 3, 4, 5, and the spin-offs in between have brought me boundless joy, lessons learned, and unbreakable bonds with their respective cast of characters. However, I often see each game as its own contained world, as they all portray their own captivating struggles and triumphs. And I just as often wonder what it would be like if these characters met somehow, which is why I hold Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth so dear. It retained the unique aspects that made 3 and 4 special and proved that it's far from a game simply thrown together for the sake of fan service.Naturally, I wondered the possibilities with Persona 5's flamboyant Phantom Thieves, and how they could fit into the already-endearing crossover mix. Well, Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth makes that dream come true. Its premise revolves around each crew getting stuck in a supernatural movie theater, which lends itself so well to the idea of three separate worlds colliding in a light-hearted, yet consequential fight for liberation of friends, both new and old.As with any entry in the Persona franchise, mainline or spin-off, music plays such an immense role in creating a specific vibe. It's the most important part of creating lasting memories of these games, and from what I've heard already, Q2 hits just as hard as everything else in this series.Persona Q2 uses the familiar tried-and-true dungeon crawling mechanics from the Etrian Odyssey series, incorporating its non-traditional turn-based combat and challenging fights into the eccentric JRPG. You have to think differently about the sequence of turns and who's able to perform what in relation to enemy agility and movesets, since turns don't play out until all actions have been decided. And of course, the intricate system of persona fusion and party composition were factored in seamlessly in the first Persona Q game, emphasizing the strategic aspect of the original RPGs. With Q2, I'm hoping for another deft execution of that formula featuring tough fights that encourage devising clever sequences of actions each turn whether it be endurance-testing boss battles or normal encounters during exploration.Persona Q2's biggest challenge is in how it balances this monstrous list of charming personalities and dedicating enough time and opportunity to let them have their moments. The Phantom Thieves are the focus in Q2, but if the first Q game is any indication, I'd trust Atlus to devise ways to let everyone shine and remind me of why I loved them in the first place. The fact that the cheery, yet sassy female protagonist from Persona 3 Portable is being brought into the same timeline tells me that they're pulling out all the stops to celebrate the past three games.It's an ambitious crossover that unites my favorite games, characters, and soundtracks in one place. It's as if I had different groups of dearly beloved friends somehow meet each other, get along, and band together in a stylish fight for what's right.As with any entry in the Persona franchise, mainline or spin-off, music plays such an immense role in creating a specific vibe. It's the most important part of creating lasting memories of these games, and from what I've heard already, Q2 hits just as hard as everything else in this series. It's evident in the groovy new opening track "Road Less Taken" and the Persona 3 Portable-themed battle song "Pull The Trigger" that already has me hooked. There are plenty of remixes of familiar tunes, but when they're paired with interactions between characters from other games, it brings a sense of cohesion that emphasizes the idea that they're all in it together. I'm always quick to attribute these wonderful soundtracks to series composer Shoji Meguro, but hearing the voices from the lead artists from each original game (Yumi Kawamura, Shihoko Hirata, Lyn Inaizumi, Lotus Juice, and Mayumi Fujita) belting out their unique styles in brand new swing-inspired jazz-rock tracks hits me right in my feelings.Persona Q2 is already out in Japan and it's been tough not to peruse through the footage that's already out there. Everyone is here. It's an ambitious crossover that unites my favorite games, characters, and soundtracks in one place. It's as if I had different groups of dearly beloved friends somehow meet each other, get along, and band together in a stylish fight for what's right. This might be the 3DS's swan song, and it'd be a hell of way for the storied handheld to end its tenure.Info from Gamespot.com

With 2019 right around the corner, we've polled GameSpot's staff to find out what games they are looking forward to most in the new year. To be eligible, a game must simply have a release date currently planned for 2019. Of course, we all know nothing is set in stone; there's always a chance some games could slip into 2020. When you're done reading this entry, follow along with all of our other end-of-the-year coverage collected in our Best of 2018 hub.Obsidian Entertainment have proved time and time again that they craft excellent single player RPGs. Their next project is The Outer Worlds which is being created by Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky, known for their work on Fallout 1 and Fallout 2.The first-person action RPG will arrive on PC, PS4, and Xbox One and is set in a future where megacorporations are colonizing and terraforming new planets. It kicks off with the player character exiting cryosleep on a colony ship only to find that the ships other inhabitants have yet to awaken. The Outer Worlds will include the management of NPC factions as well as a story that changes direction based on player choices. Right now it looks and sounds like a mish-mash of Fallout, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Mass Effect, and I am very on board.There appears to be a large focus on vibrant characters and environments, coupled with a great sense of humor. It's wonderful to see a hardcore RPG that's comfortable with not taking itself too seriously and I'm hopeful that this sense of humor is threaded through the entire game. While your player character is voiceless, you will meet and recruit companions who have their own missions and motivations. You'll be able to elect dialogue choices when you engage with NPCs in the open world and your companions will change their opinion of you based on your actions.Combat appears to be fairly similar to what you'd find in the 3D Fallout games. It includes a kind of bullet time ability where you get extra time to aim your shot, but the feature doesn't replicate the targeting of specific body parts like VATS. The roleplaying elements will include a variety of social, technical, and combat skills, so it looks like there will be plenty of opportunity to shape your character in the way you want to. As is the case in other Obsidian RPGs, you'll be able to leverage the skills of your party to accommodate for or bolster your own.The Outer Worlds will arrive sometime next year and is being published by Private Division, a subsidiary of Take Two Interactive. Despite Microsoft's acquisition of Obsidian last month, it appears that the Xbox publisher are not currently involved in the development of The Outer Worlds, but how that will affect the game down the line remains to be seen. There's plenty more details to be mined from the gameplay footage and various interviews released so far, but The Outer Worlds is particularly exciting for fans who felt let down by Fallout 76 this year. With a fleshed out party system, a focus on single-player, and plenty of NPCs to interact with and take quests from, The Outer Worlds could be the perfect antithesis to 76. Info from Gamespot.com

My introduction to anime was 1999's Digimon Adventure, so the franchise's story about humans and digital monsters working together and becoming stronger has always held a soft spot in my heart. Back in the day, one of my favorite aspects of the show was that the stories matured with subsequent seasons, allowing the anime to continuously appeal to its audience as they grew up.This pattern finally peaked with Digimon Data Squad, where most characters are 18 or older, before the series refocused on a new generation of children with more kid-centric material in Fusion and App Monsters. This trend, however, has not translated over to the Digimon games, which have mostly been designed to appeal to the franchise's younger audience.Digimon Survive could finally break that trend though, and that has me so excited. One of the few advantages the Digimon anime has over the Pokemon one is its willingness to embrace more adult material and age its characters; it's been frustrating to see that element mostly absent in the games. Survive is the first Digimon game to seemingly lean into that element by focusing on a group of teens and implementing a choice system with heavy consequences--even the death of major characters.Admittedly, Survive doesn't need a more adult story to be good, but Tamers and Frontier are so well regarded for their willingness to approach that type of content. In both series, problems aren't resolved in one episode with someone learning to be brave or trust their friends, but instead slowly chipped away at through the continued growth of the entire group. Tamers' Jeri learning to cope with depression and Frontier's Zoe overcoming her crippling self-doubt as a result of cultural ostracization are satisfying to watch because both instances showcase the protagonists' grit. Sometimes life is just hard and you need more than the power of friendship to persevere through it. I want to see those types of stories in Digimon again, and I'm hopeful that Survive provides that.So far, the only definitive details we have about Digimon Survive are that it tells the story of three teenagers accidentally stumbling into an unknown world. You control Takuma Momozuka, who's partnered with Agumon. Takuma's companions, Minoru Hinata and Aoi Shibuya, are partnered with Falcomon and Labramon respectfully. Aoi is older than the two boys, and is quiet and hardworking. Her partner is rather direct and outspoken in comparison. Minoru is the group's irresponsible jokester, and often tries to talk his way out of a fight. His partner balances him out by being level-headed. Together, the six work together to find a way for the humans to return to their world. Trailers and images seem to imply the group will encounter other humans on their adventure.Some of Digimon Survive plays out as a visual novel, with the ending dependent on what dialogue options and actions you choose. The rest of the game is a turn-based strategy RPG. In combat, you'll move your team of Digimon across a battlefield and determine what type of action they take against enemies, with the ability to digivolve or warp digivolve dependent on the characters' bonds with one another.Digimon Survive is scheduled to release for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Switch in 2019.Info from Gamespot.com

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is the next game from Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Desilets. The ambitious concept--playing as hominids through different periods of ancestral time--caught my attention right away, and after seeing it in action for the first time at The Game Awards, I'm even more intrigued. A single-player, third-person exploration survival game, your journey in Ancestors begins as a hominid in Neogene Africa some 10 million years ago.Over time, you grow and literally evolve to the Australopithecus popularly known as Lucy. On your way to becoming Lucy, you'll learn new skills and abilities as you take the form of the next subspecies of hominid that would eventually become the human form of today. It is quite an ambitious concept to say the least.Based on early footage, you'll be clambering through the jungle and swinging through trees, escaping predators, gathering resources, and essentially trying to survive and live another day. It looks like no other game I've played before, and the novelty and ambition of the concept has me eager to see and learn more.It's too soon to say how it all works out in practice, but it's exciting to think about where the chapters after that will go in the future. I can imagine playing as other hominid species such as Homo Erectus and Homo Neanderthalensis, among others.Another interesting element of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is how it will be released. Like the Life Is Strange series, the title is episodic in nature. Volume 1: Before Us is due out in 2019, and it takes place in Africa 10 million years ago and spanning up until 1 million years ago. Future instalments will focus on different periods of human evolution.Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is the first game from Desilets' studio, Panache Digital Games in Montreal, which was formed back in 2014 after Desilet's rocky breakup with Ubisoft.The game's first chapter is set to launch sometime in 2019, though there is no word on when the subsequent releases will follow. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey will be published by Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption parent company Take-Two Interactive's independent games label, Private Division. It is coming to PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, and right now is planned as a digital-only release. Info from Gamespot.com

We're giving away free PS4 and Xbox One codes for Subnautica to twenty (20) lucky fans! (Scroll down to enter below.)Subnautica is an underwater adventure game set on an alien ocean planet. A massive, open world full of wonder and peril awaits you!This is not an instant win. No purchase necessary. Competition ends at 12:00 PM PT on January 7, 2019, in which 20 winners will be chosen at random and emailed a code for the full game (MSRP: $30).Enter below: More about the game:Subnautica lets PlayStation®4 and Xbox One players discover a breathtaking, but perilous underwater world. An unexpected crash on a mysterious planet tasks explorers with scouring an alien ocean to locate vital resources, while escaping terrifying creatures who dwell in the deepest, darkest crevices of the sea. Each player’s journey through this immersive underwater world also allows them to catalog alien wildlife, craft equipment needed for survival and build a customized underwater base of operationsInfo from Gamespot.com

I know Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee have only just been released, and I've enjoyed diving back into Kanto all over again, but more than anything else that journey has just made me crave a brand-new adventure. Seeing old creatures brought to life in ways we've not seen before with the Switch's superior graphical capabilities was thrilling, and while the nostalgia Kanto carries with it is welcome, I feel a new region with all-new monsters would help use the Switch's hardware in a more interesting way. It's for that reason I can't wait for the "core" Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch.I'd also welcome the return of the traditional catching and battling mechanics, as well as the slightly more strategic elements omitted by Let's Go, such as abilities. Forgoing random encounters in favor of physical Pokemon in the overworld was a masterstroke though, so I hope that remains in the "core RPG" Game Freak is working on for Switch.Plus, how great will it be to play a proper Pokemon adventure on your TV? Being able to take a Pokemon game on the go has always been great--and of course, that will be no different on Switch--but I'd always dreamed of exploring Johto or Hoenn on a bigger screen with more powerful hardware.Right now, we don't know a huge deal about the upcoming Pokemon game for Switch. The Pokemon Company has confirmed the title will launch during the latter half of 2019, and that it's working on a method of transferring old monsters to the new games."We're definitely always thinking of that kind of forward-moving functionality, especially since we've introduced [Pokemon transfer service] Pokemon Bank," Pokemon director Junichi Masuda told GameSpot in October. "Now, up to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you're able to store your Pokemon, and we know they're very important to everyone. I mean, obviously, people would be very sad if they couldn't use their Pokemon in a future game. So, it does get complicated when you talk about the details and we're still figuring it out, but we do have plans to find ways to let players use their Pokemon in the next game."Neither The Pokemon Company nor Game Freak have actually stated whether the new Pokemon game will be a brand-new entry--or entries--in the series, signaling the start of generation eight, or if it will simply be a remake or "upper version" of a previous game. However, since Let's Go Eevee and Let's Go Pikachu are Pokemon Yellow remakes of sorts, and the previous games, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are upper versions of old games as well, it would be a surprise if the upcoming RPG was not a totally new game. With any luck, that means we'll get to explore a new region with all-new creatures in just a few months! Roll on 2019.Info from Gamespot.com

Campo Santo's Firewatch is one of my favorite games in recent memory. It tells a memorable, heartfelt story, exploring solitude and human relationships through a unique premise--You're a fire lookout in 1989, and the only emotional connection you have is restricted to a single person on the other end of a walkie-talkie. Its art direction is superb, its music is evocative, and the way it comes together to tell its story is unforgettable. We heralded it as one of our top games of 2016, and perhaps unsurprisingly, a film adaptation is currently in the works.Naturally, my love for Firewatch makes me incredibly eager to see the kinds of interesting things the Campo Santo team are going to attempt with their next title, In The Valley Of Gods. Revealed at The Game Awards in 2017, its sole trailer depicts another fascinating premise--Set in 1920's Egypt, you play disgraced explorer and filmmaker Rashida, who is taking one last grand adventure to try and document the discovery of the tomb of Queen Nefertiti (which still remains undiscovered to this day). Rashida is joined by her former partner Zora, whom she has troubled history with.On its face, the setup already reveals a relationship that I'm eager to see unfold--there's a dynamic of codependence and trust required by two people who presumably have some serious issues with one another. I'm also curious to see how Campo Santo uses physical space and body language to explore this relationship. Creating compelling physical performances is going to be a new challenge for the team, for one, and the fact that you'll presumably be in close proximity to Zora the majority of the time has me keen to see how the tension and dialogue ebbs and flows.I'm also curious to see how the backstory is revealed and dealt with--if at all. Company founders Sean Vanaman and Jake Rodkin were directors on Telltale's The Walking Dead, and the way that seminal first season handled the mysterious past of its protagonist Lee in the first few episodes made for an interesting dynamic--you had to embody and converse as him, despite not knowing anything about his past. Needing to paint your own a picture of him in your head with your own assumptions was a neat way to get invested.Then there's the overarching plot--I'm eager to see how the more grounded, historical mystery unfolds. Firewatch's chronology was fragmented and told over a long period of time, and I'm presuming that the expedition of In The Valley Of Gods will be more concentrated and uninterrupted. Campo Santo have said in interviews that they're aiming to take into account the real-world happenings in history, archeology, and technology of 1920, which I also look forward to learning more about.The trailer revealed some kind of cinematography aspect to the game--Rashida and Zora are filmmakers, of course, and they're documenting events with a 35mm camera. I'm curious to see how that mechanic ends up being implemented, and I'm eager to see what kinds of new dimensions that might add to what you might typically expect from a daring archeological adventure. Will players be able to frame the events of the adventure differently, and how might that impact the narrative and relationships between the characters?Though the slated release window for In The Valley Of Gods changed from 2019 to "TBD" at some point, I'm still hoping to learn more about it next year. Campo Santo has been busy in the meantime, however. The studio was acquired by Valve Corporation (you know, the company behind Dota 2, Half-Life, and Steam) in April of 2018 and relocated to Seattle. This means that In The Valley Of Gods will be released as a Valve game. The team also worked on bringing Firewatch to Nintendo Switch, which released in December 2018.Exploring ancient civilizations isn't a unique premise in games, the Tomb Raiders and Uncharteds of the world have reveled in making the concept exciting and action-packed for a number of years. But In The Valley Of Gods looks like its take will be more grounded, where the major conflicts are more interpersonal and less... fatal, I hope. I know the team is capable of creating fantastic narrative adventures, and I can't wait to spend time with Rashida and Zora. Info from Gamespot.com

The first season of Titans has come to a close, and the DC Universe original series is clearly unlike any other comic book TV show we've seen. Instead of aiming for a mainstream audience, Titans is a show whose primary goal is appealing to hardcore comic books fans and that was never more clear than in the Season 1 finale. Warning: The following contains spoilers for the finale Season 1 episode of Titans.After spending an hour following Dick Grayson as he chases a homicidal Batman, it's revealed that he's actually mentally trapped in his darkest possible timeline. In this timeline, which is set five years from present day, Dick and Dawn have settled down to start a family, though they clearly don't trust each other when it comes to those they previously had relationships with. Meanwhile, Jason Todd has been paralyzed and left in a wheelchair, Commissioner Gordon was killed by the Joker, and Batman finally snapped.The episode as a whole was thrilling, watching Dick team up with the Gotham City Police Department to track down his former mentor, even revealing Batman's true identity to the world before ultimately killing the Dark Knight to prevent him from murdering anyone else. None of this was actually happening, though. Instead, it was the doing of Trigon, who allowed Dick to embrace his darkness by infecting him with his demonic evil and essentially trapping him in his worst possible future. What this means for the future of Dick Grayson and the Titans remains to be seen and will obviously be a driving force in Season 2.That wasn't the last image viewers were left with, though. In a post-credits scene, another major revelation was made in the form of two new characters that DC Comics fans know very well. We first saw Cadmus Labs, a notorious location in DC lore. Inside the building, viewers were briefly introduced to a very naked Superboy and Krypto the Superdog.No, they weren't mentioned by name but that's clearly who Titans is bringing to the table for Season 2. First and foremost, Superboy is a creation of Cadmus Labs in the comics. He is a metahuman clone of Superman that was created after the Man of Steel's death in 1993. He was eventually given the name Kon-El by Superman himself--who obviously didn't stay dead long.It will be interesting to see how he's woven into Season 2 of Titans. Just as intriguing, though, is the prospect of Krypto. The Superdog was first introduced in a 1955 issue of the Superboy comics, back when Superboy was just Superman as a teenager. He's made numerous appearances throughout the comics over the years and even had his own animated series at one point. Krypto the Superdog ran for two seasons between 2005 and 2006.With Dick Grayson stuck in his darkest possible future and the addition of Superboy and Krypto, Titans sure has set up a massive cliffhanger for the second season. Now they just need to get to work filming it so we can see how it all turns out.The entire first season of Titans is available for streaming on DC Universe.Info from Gamespot.com

I've been a bit of a slow convert to From Software's work throughout the years. While I'm still learning to love Dark Souls, Bloodborne remains an all-time favorite of mine and the first (and only) game from the studio that I ever beat. Its moody gothic setting and speedy tactical combat resonated with me more than the slower, more defensive Dark Souls. But it seems the studio's latest, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, just might dethrone Bloodborne for me in 2019.I won't lie to you, I'm a big fan of feudal Japan as a setting, so you can imagine why the mere sight of Sekiro has me excited. I can't wait to experience From Software's fantastical interpretation of Sengoku-era Japan, as well as see how it chooses to reimagine both history and myth. In addition, the premise of playing as a nameless shinobi with a weaponized prosthetic arm seeking to save his lord and get revenge appeals to me in its resemblance to ancient Japanese myths and legends.Similar to Dark Souls and Bloodborne, Sekiro challenges you to make repeated runs through dungeons packed with fierce enemies and hidden traps. But what I find alluring about Sekiro is how it appears familiar but totally reevaluates all the mechanics you generally associate with From Software games. Absent are many of the RPG elements you'd expect, such as character creation, classes, and equipment upgrades. Instead, Sekiro is an entirely new experience set apart from the studio's previous work that emphasizes action, stealth, and platforming.It's thrilling to see your progotanist use a grappling hook to string together acrobatic jumps from one ledge to the next. The emphasis on split-second attack deflection and hit-and-run assaults in combat is refreshing and exciting. Sneaking around and stabbing foes while their guard is down provides variety to your modes of attack. And then there's the new resurrection mechanic where you can purposefully die to trick enemies, and return when their backs are turned to inflict a lethal surprise strike. There's a bold confidence in the new mechanics From Software introduces in Sekiro, displaying a willingness from the studio to step away from its near-decade-old Soulsborne formula.Not much more has been revealed about Sekiro since its most recent showcase at Tokyo Game Show 2018. One of the most notable news stories to come out about the project was the fact that it started life as a Tenchu game, From Software's long-dormant stealth-action ninja series. This fact alone was more than enough to seal my interest in Sekiro, as I have many fond memories playing Tenchu in the early 2000s. Regardless, more news is bound to come in the new year--likely once we get closer to the game's March 22 launch.For a brief rundown on everything there is to know about Sekiro, be sure to read our feature highlighting all the essential details. Info from Gamespot.com

Ever since its reveal back at E3 2018, Devil May Cry 5 has continually impressed me with every new trailer and detail we learn about it. Sure, it's sticking close to the classic formula of battling legions of demons with gloriously over the top and somewhat impractical weapons, but Capcom's action game series has always been in a class of its own when it comes to high-flying, stylish combat. This all works thanks to its likeable cast of characters, including lead protagonist Dante and his familiar devil-may-care attitude that's just too fun to roll your eyes at. That sort of confidence in its identity, even after all these years, is something I've always loved about the series, and Devil May Cry 5 certainly aims to make up for lost time by offering the most refined and visually stunning outing yet.Of course, fans who've been keeping up with the series will no doubt notice the obvious elephant in the room when looking at this game. Ninja Theory's 2013 reboot, DmC: Devil May Cry, was a valiant effort that offered an interesting twist on the DMC mythos, but Capcom decided that there's still more to be said with the original series. Though DmC is among my personal favorites--and I wish more players would give it a fair shake--there is something rather special about seeing classic Devil May Cry back in action, especially when many of the trailers and playables demo show that it hasn't missed a beat since its hiatus. With three playable characters in Devil May Cry 5--Dante, Nero, and newcomer V--and a larger campaign that can bring them all together for co-op gameplay, the next game will be upping the ante in a more extravagant way. It's also especially satisfying to see that DMC5 has taken several cues from the stylish and modern flair that Ninja Theory brought to the series. This is most apparent with the return of dynamic battle themes that ramp up based on performance topped off with the slick slow-mo finishes to the end of an intense clash.One of the things I've been really enjoying from our early looks at Devil May Cry 5 is that it seems to be keenly aware of its place in the series. Directly referencing the original games, the anime and manga, and even acknowledging the black sheep Devil May Cry 2 in some form--the next entry is aiming to be the title that brings many of the events and characters from past games full-circle. It all seems fitting for Capcom's next stylish-action game to look back on its lineage as a whole, as it plans to finish the main story of the Sparda saga. Whether it'll close things proper, or if it'll lead into the next phase of the series remains to be seen, but Devil May Cry 5 will no doubt revel in the time it has--and it'll definitely look good while doing it.If you're in need of a refresher with what's new in DMC5, check out our feature on everything we know about the game so far. Info from Gamespot.com