Gaming

Editor's Note: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's expansion comes in two parts and can't be purchased individually. Because of this, we've decided to share our impressions of Part One and will update it with a full review of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero when both parts are available. The score attached to this review is subject to change based on this.The fan reception to Scarlet and Violet's launch varied wildly within the community. Every Pokemon fan seems to know what's best for the series, and they were happy to share their opinions on Scarlet and Violet with anyone who would listen. Some fans decried the bugs, the struggling frame rate, and other technical problems, while others appreciated the new mechanics, open world, and story enough to make peace with these issues. W...

Microsoft and Xbox appeared in court earlier this year over its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Various previously unseen documents from those court proceedings have leaked, revealing Xbox head Phil Spencer considered acquiring Nintendo and Warner Bros. Games at one point, an Xbox Series X/S refresh and a new Xbox controller planned for 2024, and potential remasters of Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Another leaked document details the company's plans for a next-gen hybrid console in 2028, as reported by The Verge. This document stops short of revealing what the console is, what it could be called, and what it might look like one day. However, it reveals some key details about its architecture and how Xbox views it as a hybrid game platform that uses the clou...

One of the biggest Transformer toys of all time is making a comeback, and if you missed out on the first run of one of these gargantuan Cybertronian guardians, then here's your chance to get your hands on Fortress Maximus without having to pay exorbitant aftermarket prices.Originally released in the Titans Return line of Transformers action figures, Fortress Maximus lives up to his name. There's big, and then there's Titan-class big. We're not exaggerating when we say that this replica of the living Autobot stronghold is roughly the size of a small child. It stands in at 23.5 inches, which is taller than the average length of a newborn baby. Fortress Maximus costs a lot less than a baby, though.After the original run ended, this figure saw a hefty increase in its value by ...

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a fantastic game, largely due to the fact that it does such a good job of mimicking the Star Wars cinematic style. Whether it's the rush of stars streaking past a ship going into hyperspace or the distinct hum of a lightsaber, Respawn really went all out to match the aesthetic of one of the world's biggest movie franchises. One of the most important elements in achieving that is through music, and while the Star Wars sound is iconic and well-known, a good video game score has to be more than just an imitation of what came before. The music for Jedi: Survivor was written by Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab, and when I ask them what makes a good video game soundtrack, they answer in unison. "Emotional weight." Our interview is done on a video call with each compose...

A new batch of Fortnite Funko Pop figures is set to launch in the coming months. The new collectibles include figures based on popular character skins, including The Foundation, Gumbo, Shadow Midas, and Toon Meowscles. All four will be available for $13, and you can preorder the figures ahead of time at Amazon. The release date is listed as January 1, 2024, but that may be a placeholder date.Considering how popular Funko Pops and Fortnite are, it's probably a wise decision to preorder before they sell out.Fortnite Funko PopsThese four new figures join Funko's ever-expanding roster of Fortnite collectibles, many of which are still available from third-party sellers at Amazon. You can grab most for reasonable prices, like the Skull Trooper skin Funko Pop for $13....

Lies of P developer Neowiz proudly calls its The Adventures of Pinocchio-inspired action game a Soulslike, drawing direct attention to its From Software inspiration. The proclamation is a bold and risky move. While there are great contenders in this action subgenre, even the best are a few marks from what From Software creates and I went into Lies of P with that expectation. But then I put 40 hours into Lies of P in just five days, something I rarely do with any game. And then I doubled back on a save to get a different ending. And then I started New Game Plus because I wanted more. Lies of P masterfully wields familiar Soulslike combat and worldbuilding and infuses it with a few twists to set it apart from its various inspirations. The result is a pondering and memorable exploration of a ...

First 4 Figures makes some awesome collectibles, including a handful of The Legend of Zelda statues that would make for great gifts for those who have played Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch. Typically retailing for around $90, you can now snag some of the premium Zelda statues for your home office or game room for as low as $60.Here's a look at all five First 4 Figures Zelda statues on sale, plus a Majora's Mask statue from Dark Horse Comics that's on sale:All Breath of the Wild figurines from First 4 Figures stand around 10 inches tall, are constructed from PVC for a durable, premium build, and faithfully replicate their in-game counterparts. Many of them also come with a collectible box and a decorative base to help display them ...