When you start a new island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you'll find an assortment of flowers of one type on your cliffs. As you play, you'll be able to buy more flower seeds and plant a variety of flower species to spruce up your island paradise. All of these flowers will be red, yellow, or white, but there are also quite a few other colors you can get if you learn to garden the Animal Crossing way.These "hybrid" flowers include black, blue, purple, pink, and orange variations of the flowers you can plant normally. Hybrid flowers aren't just pretty--they can sometimes attract rare bugs you couldn't get otherwise and can also be used as crafting ingredients, so it's a good idea to have at least a few on your island.Types Of FlowersLike with your native island fruit, there will be one type of flower that grows on your cliffs when you start the game; keep in mind that you'll need a ladder to scale the cliffs. You can buy other varieties of flowers (in seed form) from Tommy in Resident Services or at Nook's Cranny when it opens. The flower varieties include:Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

There are a ton of reasons to use a VPN in today's world. Being able to connect to a private network and hide your true location has a lot of security benefits, but it can also be a great way to access content that's restricted to specific regions from around the web--I even use one to look at other region's prices for GameSpot's deals coverage. And if you're stuck inside during these trying times, you may be looking at another country's available movies and TV shows, wondering how you can watch them. A safe, secure VPN is the answer.Now, there are a ton of free VPN options out there, but I wouldn't recommend any of them. It can be hard to tell which ones are actually of good quality and even harder to know if any of them are monitoring, using, and/or selling your personal information. My suggestion is to avoid all the free options.Thankfully, there are a number of affordable and great VPN providers out there, all of which have been tested and verified by us or our sister site CNET. We've selected a handful that we trust and included their best deal, but if you're looking for even more options, be sure to check out CNET's guide to the best VPN service for 2020.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic continues, companies are being forced to revise the dates they intended to reopen. For Disney, that means its United States theme parks--Disneyland and Disney World--will not be welcoming visitors by the end of the month, as originally planned.In a new statement, the company said, "While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remain The Walt Disney Company's top priority. As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with direction provided by health experts and government officials, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice."Furthermore, Disney addressed the status of its employees as the parks and resorts remain closed. "The Walt Disney Company has been paying its cast members since the closure of the parks, and in light of this ongoing and increasingly complex crisis, we have made the decision to extend paying hourly parks and resorts cast members through April 18," the statement read.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Naturally, monumental expectations accompany the first Half-Life game in 13 years, and for the iconic franchise's return to come in the form of a VR exclusive is undoubtedly bold. But at each step of the way, Half-Life: Alyx proves that almost everything the franchise did best is elevated by VR: the environmental puzzles that require a keen eye, the threat of a headcrab jumping for your face, the cryptic storytelling. The series' staples are as great as ever here, and in its most powerful moments, Half-Life: Alyx confidently shows you why it couldn't have been done any other way.What's a day in the life of Alyx Vance? In true Half-Life form, the entire game goes from morning to night in a single shot of first-person action in which you, as Alyx, trek through the undergrounds and abandoned zones of City 17. At first, it's to save your dad Eli Vance from the clutches of the Combine. However, you're subsequently led to uncover the nature of that massive floating structure that hovers over City 17, referred to as the Vault. With a cheeky sidekick Russell in your ear, and a trusty, prophetic Vortigaunt who comes in clutch, Alyx is more than prepared. A basic premise for sure, but the journey is thrilling, and the payoff is immense.There's a newfound intimacy captured in doing the things that Half-Life always asked of you. Because it's a VR game, the way you look at and process your surroundings fundamentally changes, thus making the solutions to environmental puzzles more of a personal accomplishment than before. Simply finding the right objects to progress was fine with a keyboard and mouse, but when it's your own hands turning valves, moving junk to find critical items, pulling levers, or hitting switches while turning your head to see the results of your actions, these become enticing gameplay mechanics rather than means for breaking up the pace. Without waypoints or objective markers to guide you, subtle visual cues and calculated level design lead you to the solutions, and progress feels earned because of that.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

MLB The Show 20 suddenly finds itself in an unprecedented position. The COVID-19 coronavirus has disrupted sports across the globe, and baseball is no different, as Opening Day of the 2020 Major League Baseball season was recently postponed for at least the next two months--and even that seems optimistic. It's an unfathomable turn of events, yet it also means Sony San Diego's latest baseball sim is now one of the only ways to experience the 2020 season of America's favorite pastime. It's a good job, then, that MLB 20 maintains the series' consistently high quality. Refinements to fielding and hitting may only be incremental this year, but they add more depth to what is still one of the most compelling sports games on the market, while new additions and modes off the field increase the game's variety as you chart a course towards World Series glory.Fielding and defense received a lot of love in last year's game, so MLB 20 adds a few more wrinkles without rocking the boat too much. The distinction between Gold Glove caliber outfielders and mere mortals is now slightly more pronounced, particularly when the CPU is in control. The best outfielders in the game are much more dialed in this year, reacting to the ball off the bat with authentic accuracy and a dependable first-step. On the flip side, the square peg you've lodged into the round hole in left field might struggle when it comes to reading the flight of the ball, committing a fair few errors over the course of a season as balls careen off the edge of his glove instead of nesting in its palm.There's also a new Extreme Catch Indicator that identifies those bloop singles and hard-sinking line drives that are right on the edge of being catchable. If you have a player like Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton patrolling the outfield, you might take a chance and attempt a risky diving catch on one of these tough-to-reach balls, knowing full well that he's skilled enough to pull off a spectacular grab. With an average defender hustling towards the ball, however, you might prefer to play it safe and get yourself in position to gather the ball after it bounces. Surrendering a single is a much more positive outcome than laying out for a catch and completely missing the ball, resulting in a triple for the fortunate hitter.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

In the banal future-war fiction that serves as set dressing for the battlefields of Corruption 2029, soldiers are remote-controlled living machines. These humanoid husks are devoid of humanity, mechanized units designed to be disposable as they fight the second American civil war. Both sides sport bland three-letter initials, the NAC (New American Council) and the UPA (United Peoples of America), their full names reading like soulless corporate think-tanks, their motives as opaque as they are forgettable. Actual people are seemingly absent in this conflict. Lifelessness permeates the entire experience, sapping all interest in what is otherwise an accomplished tactical combat game.In this sense, Corruption 2029 is a disappointing step backward from the developer's debut title, 2018's Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, a game that elevated the XCOM formula primarily through a charismatic cast of characters. The mechanics of combat work in essentially the same way they did in Mutant Year Zero with similarly distinguished results. You control a squad of three units (and occasionally a fourth unit you might acquire mid-mission) and you're able to explore the map in real-time until the enemy spots you or, preferably, you trigger an ambush. Once the fight's underway, you and the engaged enemies alternate between ducking behind cover, firing your weapons, lobbing grenades, and deploying special abilities in turn-based combat.The tactical combat is a triumph of clarity. The UI conveys all the pertinent information flawlessly, leaving you reassured that each move you make is going to play out with a high degree of certainty and few unintended consequences. When deciding where to move, for example, you can hover over each accessible square on the grid and see your exact chance to hit every enemy in range with the weapon you have equipped. Swap that weapon and all the percentages update. Clear icons inform you that the destination is in low cover or high cover and if an enemy is currently flanking that position. Having these details reliably presented on-screen is a constant benefit to the decision-making process and goes a long way to ensure success in each combat encounter is determined by preparation and smart choices rather than an unexpected fluke.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Remedy Entertainment's Control was one of GameSpot's favorite games of 2019, and now you can pick up the paranormal action title for its best price yet on PS4. Until March 31, Control is discounted to just $24 on the PlayStation Store, which is more than 50% off. The deal coincides with the release of Control's first story expansion, The Foundation, on PS4 and PC.Control revolves around a secret government agency known as the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC). You play as new FBC Director Jesse Faden, who investigates paranormal activities in the agency's headquarters. Along with having a mysterious, gripping story, Control has a bevy of cool combat mechanics thanks to Jesse's supernatural abilities.In GameSpot's Control review, critic Peter Brown praised the game's complex story, art style, and varied combat. "It's not often that a game invades my thoughts the way Control has. I'm at the point where I want to consume every last thing it has to offer. And if I'm honest, it also makes me want to go back and replay Remedy's past games, too. Sure, it's a faulty metroidvania in some respects, but there are so many exceptional qualities afoot that Control handily deflects any momentary ire," Brown wrote.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

During today's surprise Nintendo Direct Mini, it was revealed that King's Bounty II is coming to the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2020. The upcoming turn-based RPG was previously announced for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and is now making its way to Nintendo's handheld hybrid, too.Developed and published by 1C Entertainment, King's Bounty II is the belated sequel to the original King's Bounty, which was first released in 1990 for the Amiga, C64, and PC. The sequel blends classic turn-based combat with third-person, open-world exploration, ditching the familiar isometric experience for a more modern style of questing and NPC conversing. The combat sticks more closely to the series' roots, offering strategic hex-based traversal, while also introducing a few contemporary touches with a renewed focus on the landscape of each battlefield.You'll choose from one of three characters at the game's outset, each with their own unique story. These will change as you explore the realm, however, with your own choices and actions altering the course of the narrative as far-reaching consequences come back to haunt you. Each squad you lead into battle is made up of wholly unique units, too, each with their own skills and visual appearance. You'll build armies of humans, elves, trolls, and other creatures, forming a growing bond as you fight side-by-side.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Nintendo kicked off its surprise Nintendo Direct Mini presentation with another look at Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition, the upcoming Switch remaster of the acclaimed Wii RPG. Along with showing off a new trailer, Nintendo announced the game's release date: May 29.The trailer, which you can watch below, provides an overview of the game's story and showcases the improved visuals, which have been touched up considerably in the move to Switch. Most interestingly, the video ends with a look at Xenoblade Chronicles: Future Connected, a brand-new epilogue story included in the game that takes place following the main storyline.Nintendo also announced a special Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Works edition. This version comes with a physical copy of the game and a hardcover art book. Europe, meanwhile, is receiving an even more lavish Collector's Edition, which includes a steel book game case, art book, poster, and vinyl and digital soundtrack.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Resident Evil 3 Remake is just over a week away from launch, and along with it comes a new Resident Evil multiplayer offering. Resident Evil Resistance is a 4v1 asymmetrical multiplayer mode shipping with the remake, but you can give it a go this weekend for free.Resident Evil Resistance puts four players in control of four survivors in Raccoon City, with another player assuming the role of the all-seeing Mastermind. In a similar vein to the multiplayer in ZombiU, the Mastermind will deploy enemies and traps to try and stop other players from progressing, while the survivor team needs to fight co-operatively to overcome hordes of zombies and time-sensitive puzzles alike.You can pre-load the open beta for Resistance right now, with the downloads now live on PS4 and Xbox One. You will only be able to start at 12AM PDT on March 27, and be able to play through April 2 on both consoles. For PC players, the open beta can be accessed through Steam, but will only go live at 10AM PDT. The download rings in at just over 10GB.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The latest Borderlands 3 downloadable content, Guns, Love, and Tentacles, is now available for purchase and for season pass holders. The new expansion adds a story focusing on the wedding of Sir Alistair Hammerlock and Wainwright Jakobs, and takes place on a brand new planet called Xylourgos.To access the DLC, just visit the starship Sanctuary 3 and look for the invitation in Hammerlock's study. You can also create a new game from the main menu and select an option to jump straight to Xylourgos. The DLC adds new legendary weapons, class modes, and various cosmetics. It costs $15 individually or it's included with the $50 season pass.Even if you don't partake in the wedding festivities, though, the DLC is coming alongside a free update for all players that will raise the level cap to 57. That's enough to unlock two capstone skills, which Gearbox says it expects to be a big boon for the overall end-game power level.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Publishers and storefronts have been offering a ton of free games recently to help people combat the boredom of being stuck inside, and the Epic Games Store is continuing to give away free games on a weekly basis as well. This week, Epic users can snag three more free games--World War Z, Figment, and Tormenter x Punisher--but the company also revealed the two free games coming up next. Starting April 2 at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET, Gone Home and Hob will be free to claim on the Epic store. To claim any Epic free games, you just need a free account.Gone Home is a first-person exploration game where you play as a woman who's just returned home after spending a year abroad. Despite expecting your family to be there to welcome you, you quickly discover no one is home, and you must explore the empty house to discover what has happened. The beginning of Gone Home is eerie, but this is no horror game; instead, it's a deeply personal story about a family's struggles and heartache. While Gone Home was derisively called a "walking simulator" by some when it released in 2013, the genre has since blossomed, with Gone Home paving the way for other acclaimed narrative adventures like What Remains of Edith Finch, Firewatch, and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture. If you're a fan of these games, you shouldn't miss out on Gone Home, which earned a superb 9.5/10 in GameSpot's Gone Home review."Gone Home gives you a house to explore, and as you do so, that house slowly reveals to you the story of the people who live there," wrote critic Carolyn Petit. "That story is intimate and honest and beautiful, and the active way in which you piece that story together, coming to understand the Greenbriar family through the things you find as you investigate their house, makes Gone Home one of the most captivating story-driven games in the medium's history."Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

PC game bundles are a great way to get a collection of awesome games in one nice and easy package. Most bundles usually come from sites like Humble Bundle, but this week, Steam has two of the best collections we've seen in quite some time. The Polish Spring Festival and Dark Cult bundles collect some excellent games from recent years, which span genres from strategy and survival to action and horror, and if you're looking for some games to keep you occupied while you're stuck inside, it doesn't get much better than this.The Polish Spring Festival bundle is $60.32, down from $109.95, and contains nine Polish-developed games, many of which have received great reviews from GameSpot. Frostpunk, This War of Mine, Darkwood, Superhot, Get Even, and Observer were all praised in GameSpot's reviews of said games, while Wanderlust Travel Stories, My Memory of Us, and We. The Revolution all boast positive user ratings on Steam. If you already own any of these games, then the price of the bundle decreases.The Dark Cult bundle, on the other hand, contains games that involve--you guessed it--dark cults, some of which were reviewed positively in our reviews. Many of the games also involve survival-horror themes. The games you get are Blasphemous, Darkest Dungeon, Outlast 2, The Shrouded Isle, and The Church in the Darkness. The Dark Cult bundle is $36.29, down from $109.95. Just like the previous bundle, the price decreases if you already own some of these games.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

If you're stuck at home and thinking of upgrading your PC hardware, now's a pretty good time. Newegg is hosting a huge slate of deals, dubbed the Ultimate Gaming Sale. Among the featured products are new Nvidia and AMD graphics cards as well as SSDs. There are also a number of PC game codes on sale, including Borderlands 3 on Steam for $30.The Ultimate Gaming Sale runs through the end of March, though some deals are only available for a couple of days. We've collected some of the best deals for you, in addition to noting the end times for each one. Be sure to check out Newegg for the full Ultimate Gaming Sale. See Ultimate Gaming Sale at Newegg Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The next DLC character in Bandai Namco's long-running fighter, SoulCalibur VI, will hit PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on March 31 as a standalone purchase and part of the game's Season Pass.Haohmaru from SNK's Samurai Shodown brings the aggression with his signature katana Fugudoku at his side. His playstyle looks similar to the game's sole samurai Mitsurugi; however, Haohmaruo has a few tricks up his sleeve, like counters and a kind of buffing mechanic. You can check out his official launch trailer below.Haohmaruo can be obtained either as a standalone purchase for $6 USD or as part of SoulCalibur VI's Season Pass, which retails for $34 USD. The Season Pass comes with a bunch of other bonus content, including additional DLC characters, multiple character creator sets, tons of extra songs, and more.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com