This has been a stellar year for games, making choosing the perfect gift your either yourself or the gamers in your life rather difficult.

Gaming giants, Activision, have outdone themselves this year with some great titles offering months of gameplay for all ages. From Spyro to Call of Duty, they have you covered.

To say Call of Duty is a gaming phenomenon is an understatement. Each game releases with day one-takings that would make a Hollywood producer envious.

This year’s entry, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, concentrates on the multiplayer game. Featuring gritty, grounded multiplayer combat, the biggest Zombies offering ever and Blackout, where the universe of Black Ops comes to life in one massive battle royale experience.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

Activision has sci-fi fans covered with the Destiny 2: Forsaken- Legendary Collection. This epic package contains the original Destiny 2 game, Expansion I: Curse of Osiris, Expansion II: Warmind and the new chapter in the Destiny 2 story, Forsaken.

Whether you’re jumping into the Destiny 2 universe for the first time, or one of the millions of players seeking revenge for Cayde-6, the Destiny 2: Forsaken – Legendary Collection offers the complete Forsaken experience for new, returning and veteran players.

Again, Destiny 2: Forsaken- Legendary Collection is available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

Gamers young and old will have fun with the return of Spyro the Dragon in his remastered Spyro Reignited Trilogy. For a budget price veteran gamers and newcomers alike can enjoy three games featuring the star of the Skylanders games.

The package includes the remastered version of the original Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripo’s Rage and Spyro Year of the Dragon.

Featuring the same sick burns, smouldering attitude and scaled up in stunning HD, this is the perfect stocking filler for younger gamers, families and old school Spyro fans who want to relive their childhood memories.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is available now for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Another classic Activision character returning with remastered adventures is Crash Bandicoot, bringing some marsupial mayhem with the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy.

Crash fans can spin, jump, wump and repeat in the three-game pack. Players take on the epic challenges and adventures through remastered version of the games that started it all, Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot: Warped.

The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is out on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One X, PC and PlayStation 4.

Activision’s Christmas line-up has you covered with gifts for gamers of all types and ages.

The post It’s an Activision Christmas! Again. appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Telling the tale of two worlds – one real, and one virtual – on the brink in the near future.

Created in Unreal Engine, State of Mind from Daedelic Entertainment casts a cold eye over the colossal technological advances currently gripping the globe, jumping forward to Berlin in 2048 to see just how said ‘progress’ has impacted our lives. Needless to say, all is not what it seems. Players take on the role of Richard Nolan, a journalist whose life is starting to fall apart. His wife and child have disappeared and his memories are fading away.

State of Mind boasts a unique low-poly visual style – designed to represent the fragmented nature of Richard’s world – as well as several playable characters and about 15 hours of engaging gameplay.

The world is on the edge. Lack of resources, polluted air and water, rising crime and rampant wars have left the world’s population detached from reality and disenchanted with pillars of power. Drones and humanoid robots have replaced people in the public sector, all adding to a sense of mistrust in a world where everything is interconnected and surveillance has become omnipresent.

As a result, Richard sets out to get to the truth, both in his own life and in the world around him. It’s a search that unearths secrets behind the new and supposedly perfect virtual world “City 5” – a ‘utopia’ to which more and more of the globe’s depressed populations are being drawn. What happens when Richard discovers that his life in the real world is somehow linked to that of a complete stranger living out their days in this new virtual one?

“What happens when people are promised a better world thanks to technology, but what they actually get is a life full of division? That’s the question we look to answer with State of Mind,” adds the game’s author, Martin Ganteföhr. “Part of the reason the game is set in the very near future is because a lot of the problems the world in State of Mind encounters are problems we could well face in the real world in the years ahead. This is a game about transhumanism and its all-in bet on the future, and that’s a theme I think many players will find disturbingly familiar.”

One of State of Mind’s leads, Richard Nolan, is one of the few journalists openly criticizing the world’s headlong charge towards transhumanism. When he wakes up in hospital after an explosion and finds that his wife and son have mysteriously vanished, Richard realizes: he and his family have become more than just bystanders in a storm of rivaling ideas pertaining humankind’s salvation between dystopian reality and digital utopia. Instead, they find themselves right at the centre of it.

Ganteföhr concludes: “Richard has to sort out his life, to rearrange things in a way he can understand. He has to overcome issues in his personal life, and technological issues plaguing the whole world. These fragments are a motif we’ve carried throughout the game – from the plot and dialogue to the visuals themselves – all reinforcing the core concept behind everything: one of ‘Reconstruction’.”

State of Mind now released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, GOG and Steam for both PC and Mac.

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Konami Digital Entertainment will release PES 2018, the latest edition of its highly regarded football series on September 14th, 2017. The publisher has also pledged that the new game aims high and will unveil a wide-range of improvements to award-winning series.

Having established the PES series as the most realistic and intuitive football title for home systems, Konami has set its stall early with an extensive range of new elements that build upon the previously laid foundations. Centred on the concept that PES 2018 is “Where Legends are Made”, the new game hits the floor running with new features, new ways to play, a PC version to the standard of the leading console iterations, and an unrivaled gameplay experience.

PES 2018 features more new additions than any other PES title in the last 10 years, and no part of the game has been left untouched. At its heart remains the famed gameplay where users enjoy complete control over the on-field action, using players that behave, move and react just like their real-life counterparts. New additions to the control systems add more fluidity to the game, while a new user interface makes accessing the many facets of PES 2018 a simpler process.

Control is everything in a football game, and PES 2018 retains the immediacy and total control the series is famed for alongside new refinements that hone its authenticity. Matches are played at a more realistic pace, while a new strategic dribbling system offers greater close control, including contextual shielding to protect the ball. Similarly, simple movements of the control stick can be used to initiate shimmies designed to wrong-foot defenders. Konami has also implemented a REAL Touch + process, wherein players will react to receiving a ball using permissible parts of the body, such as chest, head and legs to bring a pass under control dependent on the height and pace of the incoming ball. All set piece routines have also been totally reworked, notably the way penalty kicks are taken and a one-player kick off routine as well.

PES 2018‘s visual acuity has also improved. A new REAL Capture system provides true-to-life lighting across day and night games, while over 20,000 components have been faithfully recreated to recreate the turf, tunnels, and the surrounding areas of stadia such as Camp Nou and Signal Iduna Park. The individuality of how players move, shape to shoot and make passes is also closer to real life, with Konami motion-capturing players within realistic environments in a complete overhaul of the in-game animation system. Core movements such as walking, turning, and posture have been reworked also, while the player models now have greater variety, with attention paid to the way kits fit differing physiques. Konami’s agreements with partner teams will also see tattoos recreated on players as well.

With the renowned gameplay and visuals upped in every respect, PES 2018 also allows more ways for people to enjoy the match day experience. Full 11-Vs-11 online options and the eternally popular myClub challenge where players build a team from scratch, are joined by co-operative 2-Vs-2 and 3-Vs-3 modes with support for local guests. The much-requested ‘Random Selection’ match returns with all new content, while the Master League implements pre-season tournaments, a new transfer system and pre-match interviews and an insight to the changing rooms.

The continuing success of the PES series as an eSport staple has also been reflected with the PES LEAGUE fully integrated into the main game. With 16 of the world’s greatest PES players set to gather ahead of June’s UEFA Champions League final to compete for a $200,000 prize, PES 2018 will allow for easy entry to next year’s competition, and add related PES LEAGUE modes surrounding myClub, Online Co-Operative matches and the Random Selection matches.

“PES 2018 is a title that finds the series at the very top of its game,” commented Masami Saso, President of Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. “It is a game that builds on the foundations of the resurgent series and has taken on board requests from our growing fan base. It is also a game with an eye on the future. As eSports continue to develop as a worldwide force, PES 2018’s inclusion of a dedicated PES LEAGUE mode removes any barrier to entry to die-hard fans and newcomers alike. KONAMI is committed to breaking new ground with the PES series, and PES 2018 sees us enter the field more confident and determined to excel than ever.”

PES 2018 will be released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game will also be available via Steam in a version that has undergone substantial improvements in terms of aesthetics and content, ensuring the game enjoys parity with the current gen formats. Pre-order the digital FC Barcelona Special Edition on PlayStation 4, Xbox One or Steam now and receive additional content at launch:  including 1,000 myClub coins and 5 myClub player agents – guaranteeing a top UEFA Champions League player, as well as a top club and LEGEND player from FC Barcelona, will be added to your winning eleven!

The post Konami to Cement PES 2018 as Definitive Football Title appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Racers, start your engines! Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Disney and Interactive Media have announced details about Cars 3: Driven to Win, the world-class competitive racing game that features beloved characters from the upcoming Disney | Pixar Cars 3 film in an entirely new interactive experience. 

“It’s been an amazing experience to work with the team at Pixar once again for this new game for the beloved Cars franchise,” said John Blackburn, Vice President and General Manager, Avalanche Software. “With Cars 3: Driven to Win, we wanted to create a game that allows fans to extend their experience with this great film, and also feel the thrill of speeding through the tracks, participating in races, and mastering tricks and techniques for fun with the whole family.” 

Picking up after the final big race in the film, Cars 3: Driven to Win extends the storyline of Cars 3 with all-new action packed adventures and takes players through a high-speed competition that is filled with both familiar and new faces. Players will be able to join Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez as they prepare to take on rival racer Jackson Storm. The game features more than 20 customisable playable characters including popular heroes from the Cars franchise and next generation racers. Players can also select their favorite race environments from a series of iconic settings from the film, such as Radiator Springs and Florida International Speedway, with over 20 unique tracks to choose from across 13 different locations.

Cars 3: Driven to Win is a game that empowers players to master their driving skills for the ultimate competitive racing experience. With six thrilling modes for gamers to learn and advance their abilities, players can progress their character through training and tests of racing proficiency that unlock new modes, tracks, characters and more. Players can hone a wide variety of skills and abilities including Drifting, Turbo, Two-wheel Driving, Driving Backwards and Side-Bash. Each unique mode and ability allows players to explore the deeper gameplay mechanics and earn rewards for their expertise. Cars 3: Driven to Win provides an exhilarating, action-packed experience where training and skill give players an edge in a racing experience that anyone can win. 

Additionally, players will be able to experience Cars 3: Driven to Win with their friends or on their own to perfect the various racing styles and modes available to them. Available for pre-order now, the game will include local split-screen cooperative play, allowing players to compete or team up and play at home together, making it easy for friends and family members to join the race – and the fun – at any time. 

Cars 3: Driven to Win is being developed by Avalanche Software, newly re-opened under Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and will be available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch and Wii U beginning in June 2017.

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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment recently revealed to us at StG details around three highly collectible new expansion packs for LEGO Dimensions, the LEGO toy and videogame hybrid, that will be available on May 10, 2017.

The Goonies Level Pack, the Harry Potter Fun Pack and LEGO City Fun Pack will broaden the selection of the world’s most popular entertainment brands available for the game, allowing players to customize their experience by mixing and matching favorite characters and universes with full compatibility. In addition, LEGO minifigures included within each of these expansion packs come with special golden Toy Tags which unlock a free play Adventure World of the corresponding entertainment brand, as well as a Battle Arena that can be reached through Vorton. Each Battle Arena is unique to the world of the character used to unlock it and features competitive split-screen local gameplay for up to four players, with four exciting gameplay modes including Capture the Flag, Objective, Base Bash, and Tick, Tag, Boom!.

The Goonies Level Pack includes a complete level of The Goonies gameplay where players can help Sloth and Chunk escape the Fratelli hideout and join the rest of the Goonies on their search for One Eyed Willy’s treasure. Players can use Sloth’s Super Strength to smash through walls or play as Chunk and use his infamous Truffle Shuffle. The rebuildable One-Eyed Willy’s Pirate Ship will sail on water and can also be built into the Fanged Fortune and the Inferno Cannon; while the rebuildable Skeleton Organ has Sonar Smash abilities and can also be built into the Skeleton Jukebox and Skele-Turkey for added game play capabilities.

Sloth provides access to a new The Goonies Battle Arena, and also the Adventure World where players can explore Mikey’s House, Inferno Cove and the Goon Docks. Once the level is complete, players will be able to replay through the game and other levels as any of the seven other Goonies characters to solve additional puzzles and access more collectibles in their journey through the LEGO multiverse.

Players can extend their wizarding adventures in LEGO Dimensions with the Harry Potter Fun Pack which includes a Hermione Granger LEGO minifigure. She can cast magical spells such as Wingardium Leviosa to levitate objects and Lumos to light up dark places. She also allows players to unlock the Harry Potter Battle Arena for a competitive match, along with the Adventure World where they can explore locations in Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Players can build the 3-in-1 rideable Buckbeak the Hippogriff and use its Stomp Attack to smash Silver LEGO bricks, then rebuild it into the Giant Owl and the Fierce Falcon for additional in-game abilities.

Players can help stop crime in the LEGO Dimensions multiverse with the LEGO City Fun Pack featuring a Chase McCain LEGO minifigure.  Chase can become a Miner to break Silver LEGO bricks or a Fireman to use his Water Beam to put out fires. Gamers can use his LEGO City Detective Scanner to track down bad guys and change his disguise to unlock more abilities.  In the LEGO City Adventure World, there are new areas to explore like Blackwell’s moon base and the LEGO City Police Department.  Players can also compete with up to three of their friends in the LEGO City Battle Arena. Additionally, Chase’s 3-in-1 Police Helicopter can be built to fire off bolts, then rebuild it into the Police Hovercraft and Police Plane for additional in-game abilities.

Developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, LEGO Dimensions is now available for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and the Wii U.

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2K have announced to us at StG that NBA 2K17, the latest iteration of their NBA video game simulation series, will kick off an in-game music series dubbed Park After Dark tipping off on November 27th, 2016 in Australia and New Zealand. Park After Dark will transform NBA 2K17’s MyPARK mode into a high-energy music destination with special performances from music icons, including Future, Snoop Dogg AKA “DJ SNOOPADELIC”, DJ Premier and more to be announced. These one-of-a-kind performances are open to anyone with NBA 2K17 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC.

“As the world’s greatest NBA 2K17 player, it’s only right that I get to Snoopify the Park After Dark,” said Hip-Hop legend Snoop Dogg, who DJ’S under the name “DJ SNOOPADELIC”, and was recently scanned into NBA 2K17 for the appearance. “I’m going to set off the park with a SNOOPADELIC set that’s going to have house parties around the globe JUMPING OFF.”

Park After Dark will feature an eclectic nighttime setting reminiscent of today’s biggest music festivals, complete with a center stage for the performance featuring a superstar avatar, glowing décor and MyPLAYER apparel, and light shows to make this the most lit NBA 2K experience ever. Players who attend can compete in traditional MyPARK games while they soak in the ambiance or opt for exclusive Park After Dark 3Pt Shoot-Out and Dunk Show-off challenges.

“Music is such a big part of the NBA 2K franchise and greater basketball culture, so taking such an innovative approach demonstrates our commitment to evolving the game into a destination for more than just hoops,” said Alfie Brody, VP of Marketing for NBA 2K. “Park After Dark is something we hope further connects our community and elevates their NBA 2K17 experience.”

The NBA 2K17 Standard Edition is now available in both digital and physical formats on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, and Windows PC platforms.

The post Tune In and Turn it Up with NBA 2K17! appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

2K today announced that NBA 2K17, the latest iteration of the top-selling and top-rated NBA video game simulation series, has partnered with Fitbit, the leader in the connected health and fitness market, to reward healthy activity amongst gamers through in-game rewards. In a first of its kind integration, gamers who achieve 10,000 steps in a day tracked with their Fitbit device will receive a temporary attribute boost to their MyPLAYER in NBA 2K17, enhancing their MyPLAYER’s performance on the court.

“Any athlete will tell you a healthy lifestyle is a major key to success, and by rewarding gamers for healthy lifestyle habits we hope to help motivate them to achieve their goals in life and in-game,” said Alfie Brody, VP of Marketing for NBA 2K. “Our brand has never shied away from breaking down boundaries of what a game can achieve, and we are thrilled to continue that tradition through this Fitbit integration.”

“It’s exciting to see Fitbit and 2K working together to reward gamers like me in a unique way,” said Harrison Barnes, Fitbit Ambassador and professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks. “It’s an extra incentive to get my target steps per day because not only am I getting a physical edge, but a gaming edge, too in NBA 2K17. Now my friends and family will have to step up their game to keep up with me.”

The all-new NBA 2K17 feature makes it easy for players to boost their MyPLAYER by keeping active in the real world. Once users connect their Fitbit tracker with NBA 2K17 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, their real-world step activity can start working toward the 10,000 steps per day goal for receiving in-game boosts. After users reach the steps milestone, the game will prompt them to apply temporary +5 attribute boosts and success rate to their MyPLAYER in categories like agility, layups and dunks, and more that will significantly improve performance for the next five games played that day.

“As a former video game industry executive, I’m excited to help shape the first-of-its-kind integration between a wearable and a console video game, motivating gamers of all ages to be more active throughout the day by giving them in-game rewards for their real-world fitness activity,” said Tim Rosa, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Fitbit. “This partnership speaks to the long history of innovation from both of our brands. We think it’s just the beginning of what’s possible as we create new ways to keep our community engaged and motivated to be healthier and more fit.”

With this integration, 2K is added to the growing list of brands that are part of the Works with Fitbit program, which lets developers, brands and users seamlessly connect the Fitbit platform to popular health and wellness apps, services and hardware products, and now games and interactive entertainment making it easier for consumers to achieve their wellness objectives.

The NBA 2K17 Standard Edition is now available in both digital and physical formats on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation and Windows PC platforms. The integration between NBA 2K17 and Fitbit will be enabled for all users later this month.

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Ubisoft has released Just Dance 2017, the latest installment of the top-selling music game franchise, available on Wii U, Wii, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 today and for the first time in the history of the franchise, the game will be launched digitally on Windows PC.

Just Dance 2017 will also be available on Nintendo Switch™ in March 2017.

Just Dance 2017 delivers its most fun and diverse track listing yet, from blockbuster chart-toppers to throwback favourites everyone will find something to get down to. Featuring bangers like “Lean On” by Major Lazer Ft. MØ & DJ Snake, “Like I Would” by Zayn and   “Worth It” by Fifth Harmony Ft. Kid Ink as well as Maroon’s 5’s brand new single “Don’t Wanna Know”, party favourites like “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) by Beyoncé and classics like “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.

More accessible than ever, players can use their iOS and Android smartphones as controllers with the Just Dance Controller App. The Just Dance Controller App works with current-gen platforms and allows players to dance without additional accessories like cameras.

Players can start warming up for Justin Bieber’s 2017 Australian and New Zealand tour with the playable demo of his blockbuster hit “Sorry”. Available now, the demo has given thousands of fans their first taste of Just Dance 2017 and is free to download from the Nintendo eShop,PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.

For players who just can’t get enough, Just Dance  Unlimited, the dance-on-demand subscription streaming service is available for current-gen consoles owners and PC players. Offering a catalogue of more than 200 songs at launch, Just Dance Unlimited includes access to exclusive content and tracks such as the newly announced addition “Youth” by Troye Sivan. The standard version of Just Dance 2017 will include three months access to Just Dance Unlimited on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Wii U and Digital PC.

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Adventure game veterans, Telltale Games – responsible for the excellent game serial based on The Walking Dead comics, turn their attention to the Dark Knight Detective.

I just can’t get enough of Batman. Behind Daredevil, he is, when done right, my favourite superhero. It possibly gives you an insight into my pent up frustrations that they are both mildly psychotic, very flawed characters.

Batman has had many different incarnations over the years. We’ve the camp Batman ’66 TV show, and its subsequent effect on the comicbook. There’s Denny O’Neil’s 1970s take on the character, complete with Neal Adams’ beautiful art. Then, of course, you have Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns- one book that redefined the superhero genre and formed the darker interpretation of the character that we have today.

There’s been dips and peaks (I’m looking at you Joel Schumacher), and sometimes they’ve gone a bit too far (Chris Nolan). And now we have another on-screen interpretation, the older, more bitter incarnation played (very well, in my opinion) by Ben Affleck.

Batman must be one of the most fluid comic book characters out there.

In the digital realm, the Dark Knight Detective exists in many forms. We have the light and mildly comedic Lego version set in a DC Universe built from the famous toy brand. There’s Warner Games the beat ‘em up version from the Mortal Kombat-inspired Injustice: Gods Among Us.

More in keeping with the darker, 1990s comicbook reimagining, Rocksteady’s Arkham games have managed to take the essence of the Batman and create a new, but familiar take on the Batman mythos.

Batman: The Telltale Series is yet another reimagining of the character, unrelated to any of the previous video games, movies or comic books. Like the previous Batman games, it too takes some liberties with the established canon of the character.

Set toward the start of Batman’s career, the first episode, Realm of Shadows, is as much about Bruce Wayne as it is Batman. Caught up in the shady dealings of Gotham’s underworld kingpin, Carmine Falcone, Bruce Wayne find himself having to enlist his caped alter-ego fight to clear his family name.

The story does a good job of introducing a variety of familiar supporting characters, with Batman meeting Catwoman for the first time right at the beginning of the game. We also have Alfred, Bruce Wayne’s long suffering butler, a pre-Two-Face Harvey Dent, Vicki Vale, the aforementioned Falcone and a young Oswald Cobblepot.

The visuals are of a similar, comic-book, style as Telltale’s The Walking Dead games. It is a shame that they didn’t opt to emulate Neal Adams’ or David Mazzucchelli’s art styles, or even that of Frank Miller and Klaus Jansen. What we have, though, is a very competent look, far slicker that the ‘paper cut-out’ art in their earlier games.

Whilst the characters still move in a very stiff manner, they are given a bit more real estate to walk about it. There’s a lot of cursor hovering to discover interesting items, but the ability to link areas of interest during investigations is inspired. Again, following Rocksteady’s lead, it’s good to see Batman’s detective skills come into play- reminding us that he isn’t just a thug.

Telltale’s Batman is slightly more violent than I’d have liked. Whilst you could put this down to this being the early part of his career, I’m not sure that Batman would be breaking arms to get answers. It seems forced, trying to be gritty but lacking the subtlety.

As a first chapter, Realm of Shadows was a great intro to this new Batman adventure. My only issue with it was that, even though it is a reasonable length, it was over all too soon.

Roll on Episode 2!