Path of Exile’s Synthesis expansion arrives in March, brings new way to progress
Grinding Gear Games has announced Synthesis, the newest expansion to online action-RPG Path of Exile. The expansion will add a new map meta-game, new items that can be combined in numerous ways to create top-tier loot, and balance changes that improve the lives of wizards.
Scalebound could be revived for Switch following Xbox One cancellation
Microsoft canceled the Xbox One and PC exclusive Scalebound more than two years ago, but a new report claims Scalebound could have found a new home as an exclusive on Nintendo Switch. It had been in development at PlatinumGames, which is already working on multiple Switch exclusives.
A beginner’s guide to Far Cry New Dawn’s postapocalyptic Hope County
Far Cry New Dawn will feel fairly familiar to those who have played the series, especially Far Cry 5, since it uses a revised version of the same map. But as a postapocalyptic game, progressing through New Dawn requires more forethought than previous entries. Our beginner's guide is here to help.
Over 16,000 Apex Legends cheaters have already been banned by Respawn
Respawn Entertainment revealed that it has already banned over 16,000 cheaters in Apex Legends in less than two weeks since its release. The developer may be working on an in-game feature to report cheaters, which have become so prevalent that streamers are even implementing hacks while live.
Bayonetta 3 still in the works, could launch on Nintendo Switch this year
Bayonetta 3 was notably absent from the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, raising concerns that development of the game was delayed. A Nintendo executive clarified that the Nintendo Switch exclusive remains in development, and is on track to still be released within the year.
Apex Legends dataminers discover upcoming characters and weapons
Dataminers have discovered code in Apex Legends that refers to characters named Octane and Wattson, and weapons named the Havoc Rifle and the L-Star EMG. Octane is believed to have a Stim Pack ability, which is likely similar to the Stim ability of Titanfall 2, while Wattson has the Tesla Trap.
Kingdom Hearts 3 on Nintendo Switch reportedly never going to happen
Kingdom Hearts 3 for the Nintendo Switch will likely not happen, according to Game Informer's senior editor, Imran Khan, as the console is said to be not powerful enough to run the RPG. Square Enix is reportedly considering an alternative in bringing the franchise to the Nintendo Switch.
Niantic promises to make Pokémon Go less troublesome for homeowners
Niantic is looking to settle the lawsuits filed by angry homeowners who were affected by hordes of Pokémon Go players trespassing on their properties. Niantic promised to resolve complaints within 15 days and maintain a database to avoid poor placements of the PokéStops and gyms, among other things.
Razer Game Store to shut down at end of February, less than a year after opening
The Razer Game Store, which offered exclusive deals on games and discounts on gaming accessories, will shut down on February 28, less than a year after it opened. Games purchased from the digital store will continue to work, but purchased keys will need to be used before its closure.
The best weapons in Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus is a very difficult game, and choosing the right weapons is key for surviving the post-apocalyptic Russia that 4A Games has created. These are the best weapons in Metro Exodus, as well as some tips for maintaining and getting the most out of them during your adventure.
Thrive in the nuclear apocalypse with our Metro Exodus survival guide
Metro Exodus is a difficult shooter, especially if you're new to the series' blend of stealth, action, and scavenging. Here is what you need to know to survive the nuclear apocalypse, including tips on the interface, crafting, combat, and scavenging your surroundings for resources.
Buy a new Switch console and get a $35 eShop gift card at some retailers
Multiple retailers are currently offering the Neon Blue and Red Nintendo Switch console with a free $35 eShop gift card. The system still costs the standard $300 and includes Joy-Con controllers and the dock, as well as the Joy-Con Grip for a more traditional gaming experience.
So many games, so little time: How Fortnite, Apex Legends monopolize our lives
Riding on the coattails of World of Warcraft and Grand Theft Auto V is an incredible number of games that have adopted the live service model. Fornite and Apex Legends dominate our attention as my backlog of games suffer, and it appears the gaming industry is struggling to keep up as well.
Fortnite season 7 overtime challenge guide: Collect 15 coins in Creative mode
The first Fortnite overtime challenges are available. These will tie players over until the release of season 8 later this month. The hardest overtime challenge available tasks you with collecting hidden coins in the featured Creative mode islands. Use our guide to complete it and get a free Battle Pass.
District 9 director made a live-action trailer for Anthem, and it’s pretty cool
Neill Blomkamp's production company Oats Studios has created a live-action trailer for BioWare's upcoming game Anthem. It's more of a movie trailer than anything else, but it does feature a detail that may prove to be important in the game. Plus, it has some really cool special effects.
After Twitch ban for using homophobic language, musician Deadmau5 apologizes
Electronic musician Deadmau5 has been suspended from Twitch after using homophobic language during a PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds match. He later said he wouldn't be returning, and offered an apology for his language. He is far from the only celebrity who has drawn controversy for language during gaming streams.
Far Cry New Dawn review
Far Cry New Dawn is essentially an extension of Far Cry 5 than a full blown sequel. It outshines its predecessor, though, in many ways. It makes better use of the open world by focusing on scavenging and crafting, and this makes the post-apocalyptic Hope County far more rewarding. It could use a better story though.
Nintendo Direct 2019: Here are all the biggest announcements
Nintendo revealed new information on multiple upcoming Switch games during its February 13 Nintendo Direct. Here are the biggest announcements, including information on Fire Emblem and Zelda, as well as a just-revealed game from one of the world's most acclaimed action developers.
Pre-order The Division 2 for PC to get a free Ubisoft game
Ubisoft is adding an extra incentive for PC pre-orders of The Division 2. If you pre-order a digital PC copy before March 14, you'll get a free Ubisoft game. Those who pre-order will get to choose from Watch Dogs 2, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands, and Far Cry Primal.
Apex Legends proves battle royale is no fad. In fact, it’s just getting started
Apex Legends came out of nowhere to take the top spot as battle royale in 2019, and it now looks as if it'll be the biggest game of the year. Its sudden success proves the battle royale fad still has plenty of life left in it, and the biggest games may yet to come.
Metro Exodus review
Metro Exodus moves the action out of the Moscow subway system and across a devastated Russia, but 4A Games’ latest shooter didn’t forget what made the series so beloved in the first place. Only occasional technical and structural issues hamper what is the best Metro game to date.
Metro Exodus isn’t the ray tracing showcase Nvidia needs
The arrival of Nvidia's long-awaited DLSS feature has finally come, and it's for the post-apocalyptic action game, Metro Exodus. We took the implementation of both ray tracing and DLSS to the test to see how it affects both the overall visual appeal and performance of the game experience.
Asus ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) review
RTX graphics have finally made it to gaming laptops, and the first we've tested is the new Zephyrus S. Now with a 17-inch display and those powerful graphics inside, the Zephyrus' unique design has some additional power for smooth gaming. The downsides of the keyboard design, however, remain.
These are the games we could see at the February 13 Nintendo Direct
Nintendo will hold a 35-minute Nintendo Direct presentation on February 13, focused on upcoming Switch games. Fire Emblem: Three Houses has been confirmed, and these are the other games we could see, including a few previously announced Nintendo Switch exclusives slated for a 2019 release.
One-armed Marine veteran wins ‘Apex Legends’ match using his feet
Twitch user ToeYouUp may have had one of his arms amputated, but that hasn't stopped the Marines veteran from competing in his favorite games. He recently won an Apex Legends match using his feet, and based on only the gameplay footage, you wouldn't know he controls his weapon with toes.
The ‘Apex Legends’ Battle Pass and seasonal rewards arrive in March
In an FAQ on the EA website, it was revealed that Apex Legends players can expect seasonal rewards and a Battle Pass to arrive in March. Similar to Fortnite's own seasonal content, players will be able to earn exclusive skins, Apex Packs, and more by advancing through 100 levels of rewards.
‘Apex Legends’ players may soon be able to battle on their own or in teams of 2
Apex Legends, which may have what it takes to challenge Fortnite, currently only allows players to enter battle royale matches in groups of three. That may soon change though, as datamined code allegedly refers to Solo Mode and 2-Man Squads, which will allow players to fight alone or with one partner.
‘PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds’ wins Game of the Year in 2018 Steam Awards
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds took home Game of the Year at the 2018 Steam Awards, beating the likes of Monster Hunter: World, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Hitman 2, and Assassin's Creed: Odyssey. The other awards handed out include Labor of Love, Better with Friends, and Most Fun with a Machine.
‘Apex Legends’ bug traps players in the Supply Ship for an easy win
A newly discovered Apex Legends bug gives players easy wins by trapping them in the Supply Ship, where they are immune to damage while the circle closes in on their opponents. Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind the battle royale shooter, said that a patch to fix the issue is on the way.
Leak allegedly reveals new ‘Animal Crossing,’ ‘Luigi’s Mansion 3’ release dates
A U.K.-based retailer reportedly leaked the release dates for the new Animal Crossing and Luigi's Mansion 3 for the Nintendo Switch. While the alleged launch dates may be legitimate, gamers are advised to wait for an official announcement from Nintendo on when these exclusives will roll out.
Activision offers ‘Guitar Hero Live’ refunds after obliteration of song library
Activision launched the Guitar Hero Live refund program as support for Guitar Hero TV ended, obliterating the system's song library. Players who want their money back will need to accomplish a claim form and meet certain requirements, including proof of purchase through a receipt or credit card statement.
‘Anthem’ faces a rocky launch after its kinda-ok demo leaves players cold
Bioware bravely allowed gamers to see a large chunk of 'Anthem' over two demo weekends, but the decision may have backfired. Lackluster missions, performance issues, and muddled messaging over micro-transactions leaves the game facing an uphill battle.
‘Anthem’: Everything we know about Bioware’s next game
Anthem is an upcoming Destiny-esque game from BioWare with plenty of features to offer and we're here to tell you all about it. From gameplay, Javelin skins, and DLC, to microtransactions, boss fights, and post-launch content, here is everything you should know before you jump and fly into this new world.
Fortnite season 7, week 10 challenge guide: Score 5 or more at the shooting gallery
The Fortnite week 10 challenges for season 7 are finally here. This marks the end of this great season and it's going out with a bang. The biggest obstacle we face this week is the shooting gallery challenge. We'll take you to all the locations and tell you how to best complete them fast.
Section Editor, Gaming
Giovanni is a writer and video producer focusing on happenings in the video game industry. He has contributed stories to Inverse, Fanbyte, The Inventory, and more. He was previously a segment producer on Polygon’s daily gaming show Speedrun and he currently hosts the Left Trigger Right Trigger podcast. Four Tetris 99 wins, and counting.