Plugged In

‘WWE 2K18’ roster reveal, Part 3

September 1, 2017 by Jeff Rider

It can — and probably is —  said every year, but the roster for this year’s WWE video game is shaping up to be the most impressive collected.

Indeed, the most recent group of 43 playable characters announced for “WWE 2K18” continues the trend from the first two roster reveals by including NXT stars, established main-roster guys (and girls), popular legends and a few first-timers.

The big names that jumped out at me from this week’s list are two of those aforementioned first-timers, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, formerly known as the tag team DIY. Like many fans, I was pretty bummed that the “powers that be” saw fit to break up this duo, so I’m already looking forward to correcting that wrong and reuniting them in my virtual WWE universe.

For a look at another tag team making its series debut, check out the entrance video for the Authors of Pain above.

Here’s the complete list of names revealed this week: Akam, Alexa Bliss, Apollo Crews, Asuka, Big Cass, Carmella, Cedric Alexander, Chad Gable, Chris Jericho, Dana Brooke, Dash Wilder, Finn Bálor, Jason Jordan, Jimmy Garvin, Johnny Gargano, Kevin Owens, Lex Luger, Michael P.S. Hayes, Mick Foley, Miss Jacqueline, Mr. Perfect, Neville, Nia Jax, Nick Miller, Randy Savage, Razor Ramon, Rezar, Ric Flair, Rick Martel, Rick Rude, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Rikishi, Roderick Strong, Rusev, Samoa Joe, Scott Dawson, Seth Rollins, Shane Thorne, TJP, Tommaso Ciampa, Tye Dillinger and Vader.

“WWE 2K18” releases Oct. 17 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

‘NBA 2K18’ welcoming players to The Neighborhood

August 31, 2017 by Jeff Rider

2K is bringing together some of the most popular elements from its “NBA 2K” franchise to create The Neighborhood, a virtual online world that lets players experience the life of a basketball star on and off the court.

In The Neighborhood, you and your MyPLAYER avatar can interact with other players and AI characters in various activities such as shopping for new gear at Foot Locker or getting a new haircut at the local barbershop. Oh, and you can play some hoops, too.

For more on what to expect in The Neighborhood, check out the trailer above. “NBA 2K18” launches Sept. 19, but gamers can get an early taste of the game Sept. 8 with “The Prelude,” a free downloadable experience that lets you begin your journey toward NBA stardom.

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ Terror tribe video released

August 15, 2017 by Jeff Rider

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has unleashed a new video for “Middle-earth: Shadow of War,” this one highlighting the Terror tribe of orcs you’ll encounter during your adventures in Mordor.

Here’s a quick description of what to expect from the tribal system, courtesy of the news release:

“In ‘Shadow of War,’ orcs now belong to tribes, which extend their influence stemming from the Overlords ruling the mighty fortresses throughout the open world, providing a rich ecosystem of missions, exploration and a dynamic Orc society with diverse Orc cultures, all brought to life through the expanded Nemesis System. As master tormentors, the Terror tribe rely on their infamous reputations to inspire fear among their enemies.”

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ launches Oct. 10 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

New ‘Call of Duty: WWII’ trailer, private beta details

by Jeff Rider

It’s been awhile since I’ve been legitimately excited for a new “Call of Duty” game, but I am downright giddy with anticipation over “Call of Duty: WWII.”

Thankfully we won’t have to wait much longer to get our hands on the multiplayer portion of Activision’s FPS as the private beta — available to players who pre-order the game — is slated to run Aug. 25 -28 for PlayStation 4 users. A second beta, for both PS4 and Xbox One gamers, will begin Sept. 1 .

For more information about what to expect in the beta, click here and be sure to check out the trailer above.

 

Review: ‘Batman: The Enemy Within’ Episode 1

August 11, 2017 by Jeff Rider
batman_ep1

The announcement last month of a second season for Telltale’s Batman series was certainly a welcome one. The first five-episode arc of “Batman: A Telltale Series” was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I was hopeful Telltale would give us another opportunity to don the cowl and become the Caped Crusader once more.

And if the first episode of “Batman: The Enemy Within” is any indication, this season appears poised to surpass the original both in terms of quality and surprises.

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Review: ‘Battlefield 1’

October 27, 2016 by Jeff Rider
battlefield1

While other first-person shooters continue to push into the near-future and beyond, developer DICE has taken a step back with its “Battlefield” franchise. Back in time, that is.

Set during the first World War, “Battlefield 1” stands out from the crowd by offering a more grounded shooting experience that draws heavily from the source material with era-specific weapons, vehicles and settings. Indeed, playing “Battlefield 1” is an adrenaline-fueled history lesson that manages to pay reverence to the tens of thousands who fought and died during that brutal conflict while still providing an intense gaming experience.

This is especially true during the campaign, which plays out in a series of stand-alone missions centered around specific characters and their respective stories. Each of these bite-sized adventures also help serve as an introduction to the skills you’ll need to be successful in the game’s multiplayer modes. Whether you’re taking on the role of a hotshot fighter pilot, driving a tank through the German lines or facing insurmountable odds as a member of the Harlem Hellfighters, the single-player portion of “Battlefield 1” is both a learning tool and a painful reminder of the horrors of war.

While the campaign certainly deserves your attention, the real star here is the vast multiplayer suite.

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‘LEGO Harry Potter Collection’ coming to PS4

September 8, 2016 by Jeff Rider
LHPCollection_KeyArt

In what may well be the greatest surprise gaming announcement of all time, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced the “LEGO Harry Potter Collection” for PlayStation 4.

Combining the two previously released LEGO Harry Potter games — “LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4″ and ‘LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-7” — the new game features enhanced graphics and visual effects, along with two DLC packs which offer additional characters and spells.

The original LEGO Harry Potter games were fantastic and I can’t wait to experience them again with my kids, who have recently discovered the wizarding wonders of the Potterverse.

The “LEGO Harry Potter Collection” will retail for $49.99 and apparate into stores Oct. 18.

Review: ‘Batman: The Telltale Series, Episode 1’

August 4, 2016 by Jeff Rider
batman telltale
A scene from “Batman: The Telltale Series, Episode 1.”

Gamers are no strangers to donning the cape and cowl and defending Gotham from all manner of villains as the iconic Batman, thanks in large part to Rocksteady Studio’s classic “Arkham” trilogy. But what happens when the costume comes off and Bruce Wayne is left to fend for himself?

That’s the side of the superhero mythos being explored in “Batman: The Telltale Series.”

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Review: ‘LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

July 10, 2016 by Jeff Rider
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens

 

There has been an awakening …

Yes, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was just the shot in the arm that the “Star Wars” film franchise needed after the much-maligned prequel trilogy. And in a similar fashion, “LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is exactly the kind of effort developer Traveller’s Tales needed to deliver in order to get its family-friendly video game series back on track after a string of so-so offerings.

As such, “LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is easily the most enjoyable LEGO-branded game since “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” way back in 2013.

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Review: ‘Layers of Fear’

March 29, 2016 by Jeff Rider
layers of fear

When it comes to horror games, I have no problem dealing with hordes of zombies or twisted creatures ripped straight from someone’s nightmares. It’s the unseen terrors, those things that go bump in the night and lurk in the dark corners of the mind, that make the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

And that’s exactly the kind of horror you’ll find in “Layers of Fear,” the recent release from independent development studio Bloober Team.

Continue reading…