In case you missed it, at E3 EA revealed the title of their upcoming Star Wars game as “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.” The game is being developed by Respawn Entertainment, a team made of up of former Infinity Ward developers who worked on the “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” and “Titanfall” series. Details on the game are scarce; there are no trailers or screenshots to be seen and the platforms the game will be playable on have not been announced. Just about the only thing we do know is that the game will be a large-scale single-player adventure where the player controls a rogue Jedi Padawan in hiding after the events of “Revenge of the Sith.”
Since 2013, Disney signed a deal with EA that would grant the publisher the exclusive right to develop and publish Star Wars games. The results of this deal have been shoddy for fans so far, with “Star Wars Battlefront” and the infamously microtransaction-ridden “Star Wars Battlefront 2” receiving middling reviews. Rebellions are built on hope, however, and many fans have placed their hopes in Respawn’s upcoming Star Wars single player epic. Here are a few ways it can give fans the single player adventure they’ve been craving for years:
Show unexplored corners of the galaxy
The Star Wars franchise has shown us countless alien worlds with their own distinct landscapes, creatures, and cultures. From the sandy bazaars of Tatooine to the hellish fires of Mustafar, we’ve seen countless unique planets and alien societies. Instead of returning players to Hoth for the countless time, the game should feature all-new locations to explore. The expanded universe comic books and novels alone feature plenty of locations ripe for the big screen, and Respawn should be unafraid to tread new ground.
Have an in-depth lightsaber combat system
“Star Wars Jedi Academy II: Jedi Outcast” is considered one of the best Star Wars games ever made for its lightsaber combat. The game features many lightsaber styles and techniques, and these different techniques can be combined into combos. These techniques, combined with an assortment of light and dark Force powers, turn each lightsaber duel into a flashy but nuanced fight. Similar to a fighting game, players must anticipate and react to their opponents quickly, as one missed strike could spell death. The fast-paced combat is a near 1:1 match with the choreographed duels seen in the prequel trilogy. “Jedi Outcast” came out 16 years ago, and Star Wars fans are long overdue for another in-depth dueling system. Footage of Jedi Outcast lightsaber duels in action can be viewed here:
Focus on new characters and stories
Despite taking place in a galaxy with limitless possibilities, Star Wars famously recycles themes and character arcs to tie major stories together. Speaking on this method of storytelling, George Lucas has said,
“It’s like poetry. It rhymes. Every stanza rhymes with the last one.”
While the franchise has been home to many iconic and memorable stories, its time for the storytelling to break away from the rhymes and get more experimental. Whether you love it or hate it, last year’s “Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi” told a story that deconstructed all of the storytelling “poetry” told by the original and prequel trilogies. “Fallen Order” should continue this trend by telling its own unique story, free from the rhyme schemes of the rest of the franchise. Additionally, the Star Wars universe allows for an infinite number of character possibilities, so Respawn should focus on creating new characters rather than falling back on old favorites to drive the story. Fan-favorite characters should make brief appearances or cameos only, giving the narrative freedom from establish continuity and allowing Respawn untapped access to the rich Star Wars universe. May the Force be with them.
We added 60+ hours of replayability to Star Wars: Jedi Academy (with these five cheats and one free mod)
The summer Pokémon Go came out was the closest we’ve ever come to world peace. Thousands of players from across the world ventured outside to battle gyms, to catch wild Pokémon, and to talk smack about opposing teams. The game was downloaded over 800 million times, and the resulting Pokémania attracted everybody from senior citizens to toddlers to longtime Pokémon veterans. That summer, if you saw somebody walking and making upwards swiping motions with their phone, you could pretty much guarantee they were playing Pokémon Go. Despite the massive initial success of the game, within a few months, the game fell out of mainstream popularity, with some dismissing it as a fad. The dropoff is mostly attributed to technical issues that plagued the game at launch, as well as a lack of in-game content.
However, developer Niantic has really stepped up their game and it shows. Not only are most of the technical issues gone, but many new features have been added to the game. So if you have deleted the game since the summer of 2016 We highly recommend you give it another try. Below are our favorite new features:
New Pokémon
While the original 151 Pokémon are certainly the most recognizable, later games brought hundreds of unique and memorable new Pokémon. Pokémon Go now features Pokémon from generations 2 and 3 (Gold & Silver and Ruby & Sapphire respectively). If you’re sick of seeing the same old Rattatas and Pidgeys, fear not, because you can now catch old favorites like Mudkip, Torchic, Totodile, and Lugia.
Trading and Friends
Trading, one of the most heavily requested features of the game, is finally here. In order to train with somebody, you first need to add them as a friend using their Trainer Code. Once you’re friends with somebody you can trade Pokémon as long as you’re close by. In addition to being able to trade Pokémon, friends can earn unique bonuses and send each other Gifts. Gifts are unique items found by spinning Pokéstops that can be sent to friends once a day. Within these gifts, you can even find Alolan Pokémon eggs. These will hatch into Alolan Pokémon, which resemble generation 1 Pokémon but feature different colors, typing, and stats. Additionally, when friends play the game together they can earn bonuses, such as extra attack power while fighting gyms.
Raids and Legendary Pokémon
Using items called Raid Passes, players can fight powerful Pokémon in raids. Raids are found at Pokémon Gyms, in which strong Pokémon emerge from eggs at predetermined times. These Raid Pokémon can be fought by teams of up to 20 people (which is sometimes necessary, I once found a Ho-Oh that had a CP of 50,000). Many of these Raid Pokémon are legendaries from generations 1-3, including Mewtwo, Groudon, Kyogre, and Zapdos. Beating these Raids gives each player a chance to catch the Pokémon they fought. You only get 10 balls to throw, and these Raids are your only chance to catch these legendary Pokémon, so throw carefully!
Community Days and other events
For a few hours on one day every month, Niantic hosts in-game Community Days. If you play the game during these active hours you can receive a slew of bonuses, including reduced egg hatching distance, Pokémon with exclusive moves, and free 3 hour lures. Additionally, these Community Days are the easiest way to obtain Shiny Pokémon, with last month’s Community Day featuring shiny Larvitars and next month featuring shiny Snorlaxes. Other events, such as Safari Zones, are routinely announced by Niantic, so stay tuned to their social media channels to find out more.
Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee Integration
The upcoming Nintendo Switch games Let’s Go Pikachu!/Eevee! feature Pokémon Go integration. Players can transfer Pokémon caught in Go to their Switch games using a feature called the Go Park. This marks the first time that Pokémon caught in Go can be used in other games. If you’re planning on picking up Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee! We recommend stocking up on Pokémon in Go now.
The relese of EA’s Star Wars: Battlefront II received about as much flack as Jar Jar Binks. Reviewers pulled no punches in speaking out against the overly corporate taste it left in their mouths. The game got so much bad press that Oskar Gabrielson, the General Manager at DICE, tweeted a formal apology about its design revolving so much around in-game purchases.
The result was a surprisingly immediate removal of all micro-transactions, followed by a re-balancing overhaul shortly after. Fortnite, for the scant few that have not heard of the title, dropped on July 25, 2017 – less than four months before Battlefront II’s November release. Critically acclaimed and still boasting a lobby of an estimated 125million people, Fortnite is the clear victor between the two. But what was it that made such a glaring difference between the two games? Where did Battlefront II go wrong?
Both are shooters, both have extensive focus on multiplayer, both are professionally polished in their own way. On paper, Battlefront’s addition of a single player campaign should have made it a shoe-in. Plus the (officially canon) campaign set in the beloved Star Wars universe should have had fans falling in love with from the first few minutes in.
Not as much as EA and DICE had hoped.
There’s obviously any number of huge differences between these two titles, but we’ve singled out five crucial choices that led to Fortnite’s resounding success compared to their competition of EA’s Battlefront II.
1. Fortnite: Battle Royale is 100% free
Getting the big one out of the way first, the major gripe the gaming community had with EA’s Battlefront II was the prevalent and glaringly tacky focus on micro-transactions. The outcry was so loud that ‘loot boxes,’ an integral part of Battlefront II’s reward and level-up system, were being compared to gambling. Yep. U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan went so far as to say such methods were especially dangerous for kids, stating that “in many cases, these are being marketed to and used by children, who are obviously particularly susceptible to being addicted to them.”
It does seem like an ill-disguised slot machine. Hassan might have a point. So is Fortnite exempt from this egregious offense?
Well … Yes and no.
While Battlefront II sold for a minimum of $60 on release, Fortnite was and still remains completely free to download. The game doesn’t have any ads either, so how exactly does it make money? Without going off on too much of a tangent, the simple answer is micro-transactions. That’s right, the same flaw everyone was up in arms about with Battlefront II. It’s present here in Fortnite as well. There’s more information on how this process generates income here.
So what hypocrisy is it that we’re okay with this transpiring in one game, yet furious about it with the other?
The reason is actually quite simple. In Fortnite there are really only two things that’ll cost you money: Buying cosmetic items and the Battle Pass. Neither of these have any impact on your gameplay, and are just there for aesthetic or to freshen up various aspects of your game.
Meanwhile, we put 65 hours into Battlefront II’s multiplayer, and this was after the removal of any in-game micro-purchases. However, players who pre-ordered the game still had a huge leg up over the competition, with higher-tier weapons and epic level star cards. We shudder to think what things were like before the update, and just how much content was originally supposed to be available to players willing to cough up the extra money.
While Fortnite is not the first game to reach this monumental landmark (that title goes to Sony and Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XI), this is a genre that sorely needs this element. With 100 players per match, having access to players from Xbox, PlayStation 4, Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, and even mobile devices widens the net so much that the longest waiting time we had before a match was about 30 seconds. Battlefront II, confined to one platform per lobby, took longer – upwards of a couple minutes loading a match.
Besides enjoying faster load times, Fortnite, like any game, is made better simply by virtue of playing with friends. Having a team helps your survivability (and your sanity), and we were excited for this first opportunity to play a game like this with our mobile gaming friends. With such a focus on multiplayer, Fortnite’s inclusion of cross-platform gameplay is a huge sigh of relief.
3. Aesthetic
Going up against the iconic lore and look of Star Wars, we couldn’t believe that Fortnite’s presentation left a better impression. We’re not talking strictly about visuals here. If we were, Battlefront II has it in spades, being one of the prettiest games we’ve ever seen.
What we’re trying to highlight here is more that Fortnite’s vibe is consistent. With zany character and weapon models, dancing players, an intro cutscene that made us chuckle, and even just the general feel of the map, we never questioned starting each match skydiving off a party bus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONN7pk9oY9E
Did Battlefront II fail at its aesthetic?
No. But there were some odd inconsistencies. The silly animations and dances of Fortnite’s emotes were just one more element that added to the game’s playful personality. From the get-go players get a taste of what they’re getting into. Battlefront II had <emotes> as well, and they just feel … dumb.
It’s out of place. And so is the bearded Han Solo, and the utterly bizarre choice to feature Bossk so heavily before ever introducing fan favorites like General Grievous, Count Dooku, or Jango Fett.
What set Fortnite apart from other massive online shooter games like PUBG or H1Z1 was the clever implementation of a build system. Players can build forts using varying degrees of build materials that are harvested around the map. Comparing a mechanic like this to Star Wars seems like apples and oranges, but hear us out.
Building in Fortnite can be much more than a game mechanic. It’s a personality, maybe even an art form. For such a simple idea, a player’s expression can really come through in a visually striking way, which promotes some sorely-needed sense of individuality in a map you’re sharing with 99 other players. Skilled players can find clever ways to out-build and outmaneuver their opponents, and 1v1 scenarios quickly become a contest of not only a player’s aim, but of their ingenuity and foresight.
Battlefront II features a maximum of four playable classes at the start of each Galactic Assault match, each class having their strengths and weaknesses. For further depth, each class can be outfitted with different star cards and weapons so they can better specialize at their chosen niche. While this is a generally good start, it’s crazy to think that the build system adds so much unique choice to a game with one hundred players, all of whom are starting the match on equal footing without a class.
We’re not saying we want a build system in Battlefront II. Far from it. But we are missing the greater sense of player freedom and creativity that really shone in Fortnite. If Battlefront II gives players a paint-by-number book, Fortnite hands them a blank easel, a handful of colors, and says “go crazy.”
5. Elements of randomness
From the first seconds of a Fortnite match, the player begins by skydiving in with access to virtually any corner of the giant map. Immediately upon landing, they’re either engaging in a firefight or furiously scavening for resources and weapons. What makes the mad dash exciting match after match is the element of randomness that comes with opening a chest, predicting the ever-growing storm, or looting the body of another player. The items found in the chests sprinkled throughout the map are randomized, meaning that even if you choose to land in Junk Junction every time, you’re not guaranteed the same outcome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0E8vsttaqw
The implication of a die roll keeps Fortnite fresh and adds a subtle underlying excitement – a ‘what if’ scenario that plays in the head, speculating what could have been had the loot been different. What you chance upon can radically affect your game, with good equipment sometimes carrying you all the way to the white-knuckle endgame.
The only random elements Battlefront II features are the map chosen and the skill and choices of other players, but that’s really a given with a multiplayer game. Matches in Battlefront II progess through stages. Naboo is a ground assault in the city of Theed, then a push inside the palace, culminating in a King of the Hill for the throne room. We landed on this planet numerous times and the only instance where this was not the formula was if the Separatist faction gets skunked before the next stage can occur.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdrDvUc8Sls
A decision from EA’s first Battlefront title that got a mixed response was the spinning blue tokens hovering on the map. Picking these up granted a one-shot item, vehicle, or hero that the player could use. While maybe not the best way to implement such core features in a Star Wars game, there was at least a feeling of anticipation every time you picked up one of these tokens.
While we think removing these was a step in the right direction, we do love the feeling Fortnite gives us every time a chest spews out a handful of randomly-generated loot. It’s this idea that you could at any time bump into a game-changer that can instill hope in a less skilled player, and it’s the same idea that encourages caution in players resting on their laurels. You can’t sit pretty in Fortnite until you’re the last player standing; there’s always someone who could stumble on a sniper rifle or a shield in a chest that might knock you off your mighty tower.
Despite its flaws, we still enjoyed a lot of things that EA Star Wars: Battlefront II offered, and this is not meant to be a scathing condemnation. Rather, like the Dalai Lama teaches, “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” We think that EA has to keep aware of design decisions other games are doing that ARE widely successful. There’s a lot to be gained from seeing what fans like, from Fortnite and even from Pandemic’s original 2005 Battlefront II. We’re hopeful that they might!
By 2018, we totally expected we’d have flying cars. We don’t. But what we do have are some of the most exciting video games ever created. Here is our list of our favorite new entries for 2018 so far…
DragonBall FighterZ (January 26) (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
The ultimate Dragonball Z experience. Period. The previous releases in the Dragonball series have been plagued by junky controls and an overly cell-shaded aesthetic, but Dragonball FighterZ is the game fans will want to get their hands on. With an engaging storyline, smooth transitional gameplay, and a fantastic art style, this has been a certified hit. Though the multiplayer is lacking a bit with its matchmaking algorithm, there’s enough content packed into Dragonball FighterZ to keep you occupied for a lengthy amount of time.
Kicking the year off, Monster Hunter World made its way to North America where it saw rave reviews. Its tactical, almost Souls-style gameplay makes every move crucial to survival. The Capcom product runs well on the PS4 with beautiful graphics and the occasional framerate drop, but with over 100+ hours of gameplay, if you’re not still playing it, it’s never too late to join the community.
Shadow of the Colossus was a quiet beast for a decade and a half. You take control of Wander and ride across a forgotten expanse to defeat Colossi. Its initial release in 2005 saw near-perfect reviews and it’s a blessing to have this title come to current gen consoles. For its release, the gameplay of pitting David vs. Goliath was unexplored. However, Team Ico absolutely nailed the experience and cemented their product in the history books. Do yourself a favor and enjoy this game.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance (February 13) (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Much unlike The Witcher and Skyrim, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a medieval simulation. With weighty combat and defensive moves, Kingdom Come strives to bring the most realistic medieval experience to video game fans all over the world. It’s a step in a risky direction, but if you love engaging RPGs, be sure to give this game a try.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition (February 20) (PC)
The Real-Time Strategy titan returns to PC with upgraded graphics and a heavy dose of nostalgia. Most everything in AoE: Definitive Edition is the same as its older generations. You’re still building a civilization to conquer a procedurally generated landscape via force and diplomacy. If you’re a fan of AoE, you know what you’re paying for. If you’re new, this is the best place to start. An old legend polished and re-released for a new generation.
An ambitious title from relatively new developers, Hazelight, A Way Out puts the player into a split-screen, dialogue-driven story of prison life, escape and survival. The story is told strictly through a split-screen experience. It’s an ingenious creative device that ropes the player in immediately and never lets its foot off the gas.
The Far Cry series has seen its ups and downs (Far Cry 4 and Far Cry Primal). Ubisoft has turned a new corner recently, putting more emphasis on the actual content of their games, rather than milking a map structure and bland quest objectives. As with most Far Cry games, you know what you’re in for. But with a setting rife with murderous evangelicals in the United States, this is a Far Cry game that we haven’t quite experienced yet.
The juggernaut of 2018, to say the least. At its E3 reveal in 2016, the gaming world went bonkers. A new God of War game is enough to make any PlayStation owner salivate, but the newest installment brought a two-year hype-fest. Gone are the Twin Blades, but here to stay is a tremendous axe and an ever-present, but never-in-the-way companion. This time around, God of War is a story-based experience at its core and the IP has never been better.
A sleeper hit of 2018, Ninja Theory’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice brings real-world issues into a virtual world. The main character is plagued with mental issues, most prominently Schizophrenia, and the story unfolds as you battle your inner demons and put past trauma to rest in a landscape of nightmares. While this title was available for Windows and PS4 last year, it’s a welcome addition to the Xbox library in 2018.
Quantic Dream has done it again. They have created an original story with top-tier graphics and gameplay mechanics. Focusing around three main androids in a future Detroit, the player battles with complex decisions and an expansive decision tree that warrants multiple playthroughs. If you liked Heavy Rain and Beyond Two Souls, you’re going to fall head over heels for this title.
Gamers have raised millions of dollars for charity by playing their favorite video games. Watch all of the epic action and find out exactly how they did it.
“Do your homework,” they said. “Get a job.” “What are you going to do with your life?” “How are you going to make a difference?” Non-gamers always assume that playing video games is a waste of time and that people who play games too much are a waste of space.
We’ve got news for people who think that way. Thanks to the participants in the recent Summer Games Done Quick event, all gamers can come together and say shut it. In your face. Summer Games Done Quick has just raised over $2 million for Doctors Without Borders.
Speedrunning is the name of the game at Games Done Quick events. This means that by learning how to complete some of the most popular games in the world as quickly as is humanly possible, these gamers have been able to raise a lot of money for a fantastic cause. We’re proud of our gaming brethren and salute their efforts. It is events like this that make gaming a little easier for the rest of us. We’ve included videos of some of the best speed runs below, but we thought we’d a little about Doctors Without Borders. Games Done Quick is still taking donations so if you’re in a giving mood, click here to donate.
Altogether, Games Done Quick has raised over $16 million for good causes
Doctors Without Borders provides medical aid where it is needed most. This aid is offered independent from political influence, is neutral and impartial. This independence is dependent on private donations, which Games Done Quick have now helped to secure. According to the Doctors Without Borders Wikipedia page:
“In 2015, over 30,000 personnel—mostly local doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, logistical experts, water and sanitation engineers and administrators—provided medical aid in over 70 countries.[ The vast majority of staff are volunteers. Private donors provide about 90% of the organization’s funding, while corporate donations provide the rest.”
OK, so thanks for reading about the charity. Remember you can still donate here, but as promised here are some of the best speed runs from the amazing gaming event that took place between June 24 and July 1:
Whether it’s your first time playing Fortnite or you’re simply looking for a few pointers to finally get to the top of the leaderboard, this article will outline five easy tips to help you snag the elusive Victory Royale.
Even if you’ve never played a video game in your life, you’ve probably heard of Fortnite. The smash hit from Epic Games is known for its Battle Royale mode, a game that drops 100 players into a massive map to fight to the death. The last player standing wins, and there are no respawns and no second chances.
These odds may seem impossible, especially for new gamers or those unfamiliar with Battle Royale games. Whether it’s your first time playing Fortnite or you’re simply looking for a few pointers to finally get to the top of the leaderboard, this article will outline five easy tips to help you snag the elusive Victory Royale.
1. Plan Your Drop
Every round of Battle Royale begins with all 100 players crammed into the Battle Bus. After a timer counts down, players can choose when and where to drop into the map, either skydiving or using a glider to control their descent. Though it may be tempting to drop into one of the many towns or settlements on Fortnite’s map, most other players will have the same idea. Though more developed areas contain more supplies, this means that they are a magnet for enemies, and should be avoided until you are properly equipped. Dropping into an isolated patch of wilderness and then searching for chests or exploring through areas after the first few chaotic minutes of a round is a smart way to stay alive.
2. Be a Better Builder
New players may be tempted to think of Fortnite as a shooter, but mastering the game’s building mechanic is an essential part of climbing to the top of the leaderboard. The general rule of thumb in Fortnite is to build first and shoot second. This means spending time stockpiling supplies, learning building controls, and being ready to throw up a quick defensive wall should the bullets start flying. You can check out this article for more in-depth and detailed strategies to help you become a master builder.
3. Use Your Inventory Wisely
Inventory space in Fortnite is limited, and with so many different items it can be difficult to decide what to keep and what to discard. So, what should you have in your five inventory slots? The first three slots should be reserved for weapons. Usually, this means an assault rifle, a shotgun, and either an explosive weapon or sniper rifle, depending on your play style. Which weapons should you pick? Check out this article for the best three weapons that will give you the best bang for your buck (pardon the pun). The final two slots should be reserved for shields and healing items, should you find yourself in a sticky situation. It pays to keep your inventory well rounded, rather than hoarding more weapons or more healing items. Having a balance of both means you’ll be prepared for whatever a battle might throw at you.
4. Keep Moving
Staying alive means staying on the move. The quickest way to die is standing out in the open with no cover. From the second the game starts, the storm begins closing in. What is the storm, you might ask? It’s essentially a wall of death that shrinks the map, forcing players into combat. This means hunkering down and waiting for other players to kill each other isn’t a viable strategy. Sure, you can do it for a while, but eventually, you’ll have to move. When you do, make sure your shields are full, and make sure you keep an eye on the storm timers andmini map. These will keep you updated as to how long you have left until the storm closes in, and where the new safe area is.
5. Pick Your Battles
Though it may be tempting, you don’t have to fight every player you see. For example, if you see a player running along a hillside in the distance, taking potshots at them with a shotgun might not be the smartest idea. Sometimes avoiding a fight can be a better option than picking one. If you’ve got the drop on another player, think strategically. Before starting a fight, ask yourself if what advantages you might have. Do you have the high ground? Better weapons? Better cover? If the answer to these questions is yes, then start shooting. If you aren’t feeling confident, then avoid the encounter if you can and live to fight another day.
Though all this information may seem a little overwhelming for first timers, fear not. Fortnite is incredibly fun once you get the hang of it, and with these tips, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your very first Victory Royale.
Wish you could play the classic Star Wars: Jedi Academy with all-new options? Dust off that old copy and jump back into the game!
To anyone unfamiliar with Star Wars: Jedi Academy, this 2003 game developed by Raven, Vicarious Visions, and Lucasarts was the final installment of their Dark Forces franchise. Most famous for mixing shooter elements with lightsaber mechanics that were both intuitive and elegant, it was this happy unity of hack n’ slash and FPS that made the game so successful.
For those of you who are familiar with the game, you probably know that the campaign is three acts of non-linear missions separated and punctuated by story-driven multi-part missions that were a little more plot heavy. Upgradable force powers served as the RPG element while the player character (Jaden) also gradually progresses to learn different lightsaber styles, including the option to dual-wield or use the famous doublesaber like Darth Maul.
The first playthrough of this game is a dream: It’s got the exciting combat, the logical level design, the tried and true Star Wars mythos, and even multiple endings for light side and dark side. Despite all that, there’s one modern aspect where this game falls short, and it’s an important one:
Replayability.
We’re not saying the game is short, with the average run through the main story typically taking around nine hours on average. We’re saying that once you’ve completed that story, there’s not much to do other than play the same missions over again. This game came out before the time of ‘Campaign Plus’ or other such modes that increase the difficulty but allow for a second playthrough with your endgame character and stats (something we think would have been a great addition to this game).
The PC version of this game has a drop-down for console commands if you press ‘Shift + ~‘ during the game. Here’s where the fun stuff begins. Now for those of you pointing fingers and accusing us of cheating, remember that we played this game numerous times before using any of the upcoming commands, and we’d strongly encourage you to do the same. Remember, this is a way to add more hours of replayability to the game, not to cheapen your experience with what we think is a fantastic experience!
Once you’ve opened the drop-down for console commands, the first thing you’ll need to do is type ‘helpusobi 1’ (haha) to enable the game to register codes. From that point you can enter any of the following to achieve these results:
Jedi Knight®: Jedi Academy
1. addsaberstyle fast OR addsaberstyle strong –
This will allow for you to add the additional lightsaber forms that are only unlocked later in the game. Being able to switch between the given styles from square one makes the experience far more tactical without really altering the difficulty of the game.
2. sabercolor 1 ‘color’ –
While this is merely an aesthetic difference, it means you can change lightsaber colors whenever you feel like a change of pace. This includes the otherwise forbidden red lightsaber, which makes your evil playthrough exponentially more immersive. It may seem like a small change, but when you’re desperate to freshen up your eighth or eighteenth run through the campaign, size matters not.
3. setforceall 3 –
This code will give you all the Force powers at their highest level. By the time you’ve beaten this game as many times as we have, it’s sometimes more frustrating than fun to have to play the early levels without your full arsenal of force powers. While having to pick and choose carefully adds a deeper level of strategic choice, the gameplay from level to level is much more fun when you can Force choke or heal without having to spend level after level building up to it. Plus, you get to do all the neat little acrobatics and flourishes, and that stuff is cinematic no matter what level you’re on!
Jedi Knight®: Jedi Academy
4. saber 1 saber 1 –
Allows you to use dual lightsabers like the player character can do late game. Usually, this is only restricted to the third act, but we think that’s a shame given the rock-paper-scissors style of combat that depends so strongly on what kind of saber style you pick. Also once you’ve made that choice you are locked in, which means that while a single saber might be better in one level, you might wish you’d chosen dual sabers later on. You can also change the colors of the blades by using the ‘sabercolor’ code above.
5. saber dual_1 –
Similar to the above code, this allows for the player to use a doule-ended lightsaber immediately (and you can change its colors, too). All the same justifications for dual sabers apply here, with the added bonus that you also unlock the option to kick with this. Considering how many pitfalls and catwalks there are early in the game, having a double-ended lightsaber early on may radically change the way you approach each encounter.
And you can find many more codes here if you’re looking to add still more.
If all these codes still aren’t enough for you, we’ve got one more ace up the sleeve: Star Wars: Move Duels 2.
This mod takes you through the climactic fights of the prequel trilogy as well as several battles from the Force Unleashed series (including Starkiller as a playable character). So if you’ve ever wanted to play as Darth Maul against Qui-Gon on Tatooine or test your skill against Count Dooku or General Grievous, this mod makes it all happen and it uses lines directly from the films. Did we mention it’s also 100% free to download? Regardless of whether you like the story campaign of Jedi Academy, the lightsaber combat of this game makes playing these famous scenes extremely fun for any Star Wars fan.
If you’re looking for a fun, comedic multiplayer experience with a huge amount of gameplay variation and creative spell combinations, this is the game for you. Less than three dollars, now is a great time to give this game a chance. Since it was released back in 2011, there’s a ton of content and reviews readily available online if you want to check it out beforehand.
Immensely popular and extremely addicting, see what the hype is all about! Easy to pick up yet difficult to master, join up with a group of friends either online or via splitscreen and try your hand at this fast and furious propane-fueled take on soccer.
Practically every title in this franchise is on sale right now for under ten dollars. For veterans, this is a great time to snag any titles in this series that you haven’t gotten the chance to experience yet. For novices, there’s no time like the present to grab one or two of these games to see if it’s your cup of tea.
If you’re a fan of the Tomb Raider license (or even if you’re not), for under three dollars, this is an unforgettable experience. Play as Lara Croft as she goes on her first adventure to a mysterious island rife with danger and intrigue. Released in 2013, this game holds up surprisingly well in the gameplay and graphics departments, and features a great mix of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving.
While EA’s Battlefront 2 had an infamously mixed response, the original Battlefront 2 from 2005 remains a gem of a shooter game. We should know. We’ve sunk well over 300 hours into this game. With its online capability recently restored, highly intuitive gameplay, multiple game modes, and full campaign, it’s a fantastic $4 investment. Did we mention it has mod support too?
With last year’s release of Shadow of War, anybody looking to get their feet wet before grabbing the game might consider buying Shadow of Mordor first. Though Shadow of War boasts many notable improvements to the formula, Shadow of Mordor introduces the nemesis system and open world gameplay that its sequel improves upon. For the price, this sale is a very economical way to test the waters of this popular series.
With Netherrealm and WB Games releasing their most recent additions to its Injustice 2 roster a few months back, players who are unfamiliar with the series might consider grabbing the prequel while it’s on sale. For less than the cost of lunch at McDonald’s, the Ultimate Edition of Injustice is a highly replayable game featuring a solid story, a large number of playable characters, and all the DLC costumes and characters. A must-have for any fan of Mortal Kombat and/or the DC universe.
Sid Meier’s Civ series is known for two things: addicting “one more turn” gameplay, and long matches. Those two elements combine to make Civ 5 one of the most engaging and in-depth real-time strategy games on the market, and it’s a title we keep coming back to when we want to really sink our teeth into a game. While the most recent Civ 6 is not priced quite so low yet, for under $8, Civ 5 should sate you and then some if you’re on a budget.
If you’re looking for hours of an excellent narrative story, solid stealth gameplay, tactical espionage, and player freedom that’s through the roof, it’s all here for less than ten dollars. Even if you are unfamiliar with the Metal Gear license, Hideo Kojima’s farewell to the franchise features some of his best work to date. Grab it now while it’s on sale!
It’s summer of 2018 and none of these games are fresh out of the oven by this point. But we can’t overstate the replayability or the charm of ANY title in this bundle. Featuring some of Valve’s best work, grabbing this while it’s a mere $2 is a STEAL, particularly if you haven’t experienced Portal’s excellent puzzles or Half-life’s superb level design and story-telling. Even if you have played them before, the Team Fortress 2 community is still going quite strong, and we guarantee hours of highly entertaining online competitive play. Just boot it up. We promise you’ll have fun.
Dungeons & Dragons defined the role-playing game as we know it today. The fantasy setting, character progression, and story-driven quests have delighted millions of players around the world, inspiring a host of movies, novels, and video games.
One of those games is Neverwinter: a story-driven, action MMORPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. Unlike most MMORPGs, Neverwinter is entirely free to play, with no forced micro-transactions or subscription fees to complete the game’s many quests. With over 15 millions players already, it’s the perfect choice for novice and seasoned adventurers alike.
Neverwinter expands upon the rules laid out in the fourth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, picking up after the fall of the titular city as described in the first book in the Neverwinter Saga, Gauntlgrym. The evil Lich Queen Valindra wants to destroy Neverwinter forever, fomenting discord between the survivors that’s threatening to become all-out war. It’s up to you and your chosen companions to defeat Valindra and save Neverwinter from annihilation.
Neverwinter thrusts you into a massive world of over 35 questing zones, filled with bloodthirsty monsters, powerful bosses, and hordes of the undead. You’ll need the best team you can assemble from Neverwinter’s thirteen races and eight character classes. Should you be an Elven Wizard or a Dragonborn Rogue? Neverwinter lets you become the hero you’ve always wanted to be – just make sure you recruit a healer so your quest doesn’t end too soon.
Neverwinter’s gameplay engine is what you’d expect from a AAA MMORPG. The graphics are immersive, gameplay is fluid, and the action-RPG combat will get your palms sweaty. Every fight generates action points which you can use to perform special abilities, but you’ll need to be quick and accurate to take down your enemies – and don’t forget to bring lots of health potions.
Once you’ve thwarted Valindra’s plans for good, your journey certainly isn’t over. Neverwinter has an ever-growing number of free quests, campaigns, and dungeons. Campaigns are particularly fun, taking you to far-flung places where you’ll meet new characters and fight new enemies. Each campaign has a tree-like structure and to ascend you must complete each section in a specific order, whether that’s defeating a monster, recovering a special item, or clearing a dungeon.
Though unlikely, if questing every gets boring, you can create your own in Neverwinter’s Foundry. Community quests can be fun to do, though sometimes a tad frustrating – us gamers have a rather twisted sense of humour.
Neverwinter is available on PC, XBOX One, and PS4, making it one of the most accessible MMORPGs around. We’re awed by how much there is to do, and the developers seem committed to releasing new content in the future. While you can speed up your progress by buying gear, companions, or loot, you don’t have to, which is a pretty amazing boast for such a premium title.
If you’re a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, want a classic RPG with modern gameplay mechanics, or are simply bored with shooting games like Fortnite, give Neverwinter a try. You never know – you could be just the right kind of hero Neverwinter needs.
For more than 25 years, gamers have been able to race one another in various versions of Mario Kart. But if we add virtual reality to the mix, Mario Kart looks like the most fun humans can possibly have. Check this out.
In addition to the VR headset, gamers sit in a cart that moves around to complete the sensory experience. This video was shot at VR Zone in Osaka, Japan. And we need to book a flight there immediately.
It’s probably frowned upon to whip turtle shells at fellow drivers in the real-life go-karts, you can do it all day long in the VR world. Man, what a time to be alive!
This crazy version of Super Mario will trip you out
