Like a burst of crips fall air, "Just Dance 25" comes along just as last year's game was starting to seem a little stale. A vivacious party game, breezily fun solo experience and gently encouraging workout regime, the game manages to get you off the couch, makes you comfortable with acting silly and gets you grooving to some wacky choreography set to an eclectic spread of music.
Due out Tuesday, "Just Dance 25" incrementally pushes the series forward in meaningful directions. With an array of game modes geared to keep you coming back for more each day.
After pairing your phone to the game, your device acts as a rather forgiving motion tracker to assist with your scoring. You may be able to get away with minimal movements in order to fool the tracking system and rack up scores, but you'll get the most out of it if you clear out some floor space and bust all moves with full gusto.
A partnership with Ariana Grande includes themed maps that let you follow along a journey themed to her hits and accompanying lyrics. Five exclusive songs from the artist are included, joining 35 new tracks. On top of all that, the "Just Dance+" subscription service grants access to the vast majority of previously released songs on the platform. A free trial of the service comes with the game.
Akin to the Ariana Grande partnership, there is also a collab present with "SpongeBob SquarePants," partly because it's the series' 25th anniversary, but mostly because... "why not?
New songs included with the game include the likes of Doja Cat's "Paint the Town Red," Billie Eilish's "LUNCH" and Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso." The wild mix of the familiar and avant garde keeps thing invigorating. With a planned spread of seasonal content in the offing, the dev team is sure to keep gamers on their toes.
That mentality enthuses the anything-goes thinking that provides the game's beating heart. Wackiness abounds, with vivid colors, dazzling visuals and bouncy background music encouraging you to plunge into the silliness. "Just Dance 25" is a glimmering smile in video game form.
A game that has been elevated to legendary status since its 2001 release, "Silent Hill 2" thrived on tone, pregnant pauses and a steady deluge of psychological torture. The task of remaking the game for current consoles is a formidable challenge, but it's one that Bloober Team proves ready to tackle with fervor. The new "Silent Hill 2" feels like a full-fledged reinvention of an all but dormant classic.
Diabolically creepy from the outset, the game casts you as a forlorn traveler, haunted by devastating loss, who desperately seeks out answers in the seemingly abandoned town of Silent Hill.
To give away any more of the story would be a disservice to the sprawling, surprisingly incisive narrative, but know that your journey is a haunting, often jarring voyage into a dark night of the soul that grows increasingly bleak and horrific. A twist-filled exploration of interwoven mysteries, you have limited resources and physical abilities at your disposal to take on daunting, sometimes inescapable forces geared to make you seethe with dread.
Yup, "Silent Hill 2" is one for masochists.
That said, the march into darkness is never a slog. The sense of satisfaction in confronting not only your own fears, but a seemingly insurmountable challenge, only to develop your skills and tactical approach up to a level that hoists you to success, is hard to match. That's due to the consistent level of challenge at play, as well as the thread-pulling writing that keep you hooked enough to soldier on to the next save point.
Yup, I said "save point." The remake sticks with the old-school bugaboo that eschews the hand-holding auto-saves modern gaming has gotten us all used to. Clearly a strategic choice by Bloober Team, the presence of save points ratchets up the stakes considerably when there are no simple checkpoints to fall back on. Thus, failure costs you considerable time and often causes commensurate anguish. But that sense of failure only fuels your drive to succeed and makes it that much more satisfying to overcome the darkness both within and without.
True, many of the hokey archetypes from the original are still around. Some ham-fisted moments tend to sap away the elegance of some otherwise fascinating tale spinning, but there is also an old-school charm to the game's archaic ways. They sure don't make 'em like this anymore. To experience true horror, try booting up the original "Silent Hill 2" after experiencing Bloober Team's infinitely smoother, better-looking and sounding remake. You will wonder how you ever got by in the olden days.
"Silent Hill 2" brought a sadistic smile to my face more than once, as I was made to look like an idiot by skillful design elements and slyly effective jump scares. This is a gorgeous, ominously frustrating and ultimately indispensable adventure. Its genius is that it knows thoroughly that, when it comes to horror, less is more and insinuation is twice as sharp as explicitness.
Yup, 23 years have passes, and like the protagonist, you have still yet to escape the dingy town of Silent Hill.
Publisher provided review code.
Today, KONAMI announced that SILENT HILL 2, the anticipated remake of the 2001 psychological horror, has released on PlayStation®5 and PC via STEAM®. Developed by Bloober Team, composer Akira Yamaoka and concept artist Masahiro Ito, the unsettling town shrouded in the brooding fog is now available with enhanced visuals, sounds and gameplay from the original.
The remake also expands the areas players can explore, introduces an over-the-shoulder view, revamped combat capabilities and thrilling new cut-scenes to give new and returning players different ways to experience the game.
Experience the guilt, grief and existential horror of James Sunderland as he explores the town of Silent Hill – the special place he and his late wife Mary used to visit –a symbolic backdrop now shrouded in fog. The remake expands the areas players can explore, introduces an over-the-shoulder view, revamps the combat system, and adds new cut-scenes to give new and returning players different ways to experience the game. What awaits in the shrouded alleyways and corridors of Silent Hill?
Like a highly touted draft pick who has put in his time in the minors and ready to debut on the biggest stage, "EA Sports NHL 25" makes its grand debut as a current-gen only product.
While the last few years' editions of "EA Sports NHL" have been solid on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, there was a nagging sense that devs were holding back in order to keep a sensible parity with the PS4 and Xbox One editions. Now unleashed by demands of the previous generation, the new game manages to scratch the ice with a fresh new pair of skates and some charged-up legs. "EA Sports NHL 25" feels like the franchise has come into its own.
The EA Vancouver dev squad channeled its blood, sweat and raw obsession into crafting as realistic and energetic hockey sim as it could. The visuals, buffed by Sapien technology, are crisper than previous editions, the AI is ramped up due to the integration of a gameplay learning suite dubbed Empowered AI, operating with a subset of hockey dynamics called ICE-Q, and an overlay called Next-Gen Vision Control makes it easier to skirt the blue line, confront the puck carrier and lock in on your target while you're winding up for a shot.
With ICE-Q, players won't blindly skate into danger. They deploy gamesmanship to chip at a crossing wing, disrupting the offensive flow, or strike aggressively to fence off an attack. The often subtle multitude of additions makes for an experience that feels more vivid and gritty than the silk-smooth, arcade-style movement of the past. The upshot is that this new playstyle can be choppier and grittier, providing opportunities for confluences of iterative dynamics that allow for eye-popping plays you'll never see occur the same way twice.
Street hockey-flavored World of Chel Live Events integration helps beef up the multiplayer mode, and Hockey Ultimate Team Wildcard mode adds some spice to the deck-building fantasy squad creator. The Grudge Match System, which seems geared to me an my online friends, tracks conflicts between teams across just about all modes, providing opportunities for X-Factors to be activated that provide some satisfying moments of retribution.
It was key that EA Vancouver stepped into this face-off with aggression, because this year's edition is a crucial purchase for true NHL fans, since it marks the re-emergence of the old Arizona Coyotes as the new Utah Hockey Club. The bedraggled franchise is all about new life and new starts, much like this gorgeous game.
The "Vessel of Hatred" expansion is just the injection of lifeblood the game needs to reclaim its spot atop the pantheon of gothic, loot-grinding obsessions.
Due out Tuesday, "Vessel of Hatred" includes a new campaign. You can access this from the jump if you choose the "skip campaign" option while creating a new character.
The $40 expansion amounts to something close to a full-blown sequel. The Blizzard wizards delved into the DNA of the 2023 title and reinvigorate it in innumerable ways.
Coinciding with a standard build update accessible to all players, as well as a new season of content, the launch makes the year-old game seem new again, and an enticing destination for lapsed players to squad up with old friends. Players who complete the Dark Citadel will be able to land the Nahantu Cat Mount with their weekly reward haul. There will also be weekly Twitch Drops, which will dispense cosmetic items Oct. 8 through Nov. 5.
Those who elect to hold off on the "Vessel of Hatred," though, will miss out on the bulk of the new experience. Descending into the jungles of Nahantu, you tangle against a new slate of enemies, challenging environments and labyrinthine dungeons that house tempting goodies. New characters and mercenaries invite distinct playstyles and challenge you to shake up your previous strategies in order to optimize the new flow. There is also a new slate of runes you can use to upgrade, enhance or unbalance your slate of attacks and defenses.
There is so much to explore in "Vessel of Hatred" that I feel I have barely scratched the surface of its darkly alluring offerings. One thing that's certain is I am every bit as hooked by "Diablo IV" as I was at the outset. The inspiring level of support Blizzard is showing to the game proves that it's as worthy an investment of re-upping for the expansion as it was for the initial purchase. There is much to love in this Vessel of Hatred.
Establishing itself as one of the dominant sitcoms of the 1990s and early 2000s, "Friends" thrived from 1994-2004, emitting witty humor, iconic moments and insanely refined chemistry among its chief cast, which was made up of Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer. A joyous, exuberant experience, the series is a masterclass on running gags, tight writing and establishing a winning, aspirational tone. Now featured in 4K, the visuals have never looked sharper.
Extras include two hours of previously unreleased bonus content.
THE WEST WING
Aaron Sorkin's 1999-2006 show was a political potboiler that made incisive observations about the American political system while also maintaining a strong sense of patriotism and hope. Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Mary McCormack, Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits were some of the standout stars. The show's tone, with its witty banter and fast-paced walk-and-talk tone, established a tone that would be imitated but never replicated.
Extras include featurettes, gag reels and deleted scenes.
YOUNG SHELDON
"The Big Bang Theory" spinoff, which stars Ian Armitage as the pint-sized version of Sheldon Cooper, follows the boy genius' struggles and successes as he comes of age in small-town Texas. Taking on a sweeter, more family-oriented tone than its progenitor, the sitcom developed into a delightful ensemble, successfully generating a spinoff of its own, in the form of "Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage." The storytelling manages to stand on its own while tying into "Big Bang Theory" lore.
Extras include a featurette that spotlights Easter eggs and Cooper family origins for the length of the show's 2017-2024 run.
I am every bit as much of a sucker for side-scrolling beat-em-ups as I am "Karate Kid"/"Cobra Kai" content, so there was no question that I would adore "The Karate Kid: Street Rumble."
Building off the moderate success of the "Cobra Kai" brawler adaptations, the game takes a "River City Rampage" approach to the 1980s trilogy that fuels my beating heart. From the outset, absurdity reigns supreme. You can start off as Daniel, Miyagi, or, oddly, Ali, as you immediately take to jump-kicking, karate-chopping and round-housing a barrage of faceless minions. As you'd expect, villains such as Johnny, Kreese and Silver await for wall-breaking, crane-kicking slugfests.
This cheery, if unimaginative, approach harkens back to the standard way films and TV shows of the 1980s and 1990s, when the formula was to plop the main character in a side-scrolling hellscape and force them to punch and jump their way out.
While incongruous to the plot, leaving the storytelling to clumsy cutscenes, the style makes for a delightful throwback to the ancient ways.
While a $40 asking price is heavily on the steep side, I'd be lying if I said I had anything but a glorious time with this thin, admittedly rail-thin content.
This game is geared for those in their 40s who seek it as a nostalgia trip, as well as "Cobra Kai" devotees looking to steep themselves in the OG source material. The bare here was low, and the developers barely cleared it. But boy, am I grateful they attempted this delightfully silly and simple tribute to the cheeseball masterpieces from days of yore.
Czech developer KO.DLL channels its adoration of 8-bit gaming into "BZZZT," a passionate love letter to the glory days of 1980s gaming.
Proudly wearing its influences, including the likes of "Mega Man," "Jackal," "Strider" and "Blaster Master," the Switch exclusive is a challenging, quick-hitting platformer that dares you replay its wares time after time in order to perfect your speed and technique.
Charm oozes out of every pixel. Set in the year 4096, you play as tiny robot ZX8000, leaping through treacherous, bite-sized levels crawling with enemies and spiked walls. The ultimate goal is to take down robotic megalomaniacal mad scientist Badbert and his horde of nefarious, mechanical lackeys, making the world safe for your creators, Doctor Emily and Professor Norbert.
Level design, musical cues and a deceptively high rchallenge ramp-up give "BZZZT" dollops of charm. Those who want a more palatable experience can opt for casual difficulty, and masochists can work their way up to the brutal hardcore setting. Leaderboards allow you to compare your best runs with friends and the worlkd at large, and an array of time challenges awaits for you to test your limits.
The retro soundtrack, orchestrated by Rytmik Ultimate/Studio's Martin Linda, serves as the backdrop for your misadventures. Expect to fail miserably time after time, only to hone your strategy and break through in glorious fashion. The old-school sense of achievement is largely lacking in games of today, but present in ample portions in "BZZZT."
Publisher Czech Cinemax Games flexes its considerable muscles with this release, which will undoubtedly pop up on many top 10 lists. A sweet-hearted, hard-edged charmer, "BZZZT" gives you a healthy dose of Vitamin 8-Bit.
Merging the technique and savvy of a seasoned veteran player with the spark and daring of an up-and-coming star, "EA Sports FC 25" tears up the pitch with a vigorous soccer sim ready to capture players imaginations as the MLS heads to the playoff and international club leagues get into the swing of their new seasons.
Due out Friday, the game dazzles with its motion-captured play styles, astounding attention to visual detail and herculean effort to capture hundreds of real-life players, stadiums and uniforms. Serving as an ambassador for the beautiful game, the sim soaks up the nuances that make up the cultural tapestry of the global passion, crafting a fitting tribute to the sport that captivates the globe.
Like its cover star, 21-year-old British dynamo Jude Bellingham, "EA Sports FC 25" bursts with energy, pep and creativity. Fresh menus and musical backgrounds infuse a sense of urgency into every game mode, giving the game a refreshed feel that drives home the point that the reinvented franchise has firmly entrenched itself as a post-FIFA icon.
The onfield action gets a major upgrade in the form of FC IQ, an AI upgrade that allows players to adapt to tactics and evolving game situations on the fly. The change emulates the real game in the ways opposing managers act and react to opposing strategies, and how player leadership manages to shut down holes in execution that emerge as the game unfolds.
The upshot: You can't stick with go-to strategies and expect them to work the same way every time. If you fail to keep up with the way the opposition adapts and deploys counter-strategies, you'll be left in the dust.
Also new is the 5-on-5 Rush Mode, which takes on the easygoing yet hypercompetitive feel of pickup matches. Gathering with friends and strangers, you take part in a mini-MMO experience that feels ripe for esports adaptation. It will be fun to see the ways this mode evolves as the community begins to embrace it.
Goalkeeping has also gotten a refresh. Gone are the cookie-cutter animations and behavioral tendencies from years' past, replaced with a suite of dynamic styles that replicate some of the most notable players on the scene.
EA's second year without the FIA license shows some holes in its mosaic of real-life teams. A few Italian Serie A clubs, including Inter Milan and AC Milan, are swapped out for dummy squads with goofy names, and you won't find the Belgian national team or Canadian women's team in this game. To level things off, there are some returning squads and first-ever appearances, including Azerbaijan's Qarabag and the Finnish women's team.
Ultimate Team continues to stake its claim as one of the more entrancing card-based fantasy squad builders around. Chemistry-altering Hero and Icon cards are fresh new touches that allow you to spice up your roster as you build toward international domination.
Manager and Player Career modes benefit from all-around improvements. In a nod to gender equity, in which the franchise has been leading the way in the sports realm since its FIFA days, you can now embark on a career as a female player.
Whether you're a dabbler who likes to get a sense of the way teams look and play around the world, or a die-hard who wants to replicate your favorite team's successes and make up for its failures in the virtual realm, "EA Sports FC" gives you the toolbox to live out your dreams to the fullest extent. The anthems have been sung, the whistle has blown and it's time to get set for kickoff.
A foldable device that stretches out to the size of a plus-size smartphone when unfolded, the Galaxy Z Flip6 folds up into something minute enough to get lost in your front pocket. Geared toward travelers, fitness enthusiasts and minimalists who are looking to lighten their loads without sacrificing smartphone power or capabilities, the lithe, speedy Z Flip6 emits an intelligent, cosmopolitan air.
Testing the device on T-Mobile's standard-setting 5G network, I appreciated the way the Z Flip6 managed to ease its way into my life. Its slim form function encouraged me to pick it up to knock out quick tasks, such as checking a game score or tapping out an email. I also found it particularly useful for streaming and photo viewing, with the screen crimped at a 9-degree angle to make for hands-free, stand-free watching.
Said to be a minor upgrade over the well-regarded Z Flip5, the Z Flip6, which is my first experience with the product line, wowed me with its size-defying capabilities.
A certain novelty always accompanies foldable phones, and the Z Flip6 is always a joy to pop open and experience its 6.7-inch, 1080p AMOLED display. Its as engaging to spot the small, mid-screen crease as it is to forget it's there as you get lost in your social media, gaming or streaming exploits.
On the go, I enjoyed snapping photos and capturing video with the upgraded-from-last-year 50Mp main camera and 12MP ultra-wide lens. T-Mobile's 5G helped it download and upload content at eye-popping speeds.
The battery life was impressive, lasting full days of work and play. That's because the battery has been powered up to 4000mAh from last year's 2700Ah. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor is also a model of efficiency, helping the phone do more with less. While charging, as is typical with Samsung devices, takes its fair share, it won't be much of a burden to those who pop it on an induction charger overnight.
Originally priced above $1,100, the device is generally available south of the $900 mark, and could be even more of a bargain as it seeks to compete with other new devices in the sprint for the holiday dollar.
The range of AI integration is impressive. You have, of course, the standard photo and video touch-ups, but it goes deeper when you infuse the implications with the tight little package. A popular Samsung ad, embedded at the top of this review, shows off its capabilities as a translator.
Samsung, here is selling the dream of the jet-setter who doesn't have time to waste with Duolingo and wants to be able to walk into any bar and speak with anyone after whipping out a tiny foldable phone. While audacious, the vision isn't all that absurd when it comes to the Z Flip6. Samsung is selling a fleeting dream, here, and the phone makes it one you'd rather not wake up from.
Geared toward the visual thinker, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra embraces the art of tactile writing, allowing you to scribble down notes, diagrams and doodles. As its foldable brethren has established itself, the standard smartphone embraces classical thinking as it continues to build on past successes and stretch toward the pinnacle of the smartphone hierarchy.
A supersized, amped-up version of its smaller, less-capable brethren, the standard S24 and S24 Plus, the Ultra enthuses the spirit of its maximized moniker to deliver the best and brightest of its generation, as well as fire an annual warning shot at its Apple-born rival.
The device, which started around an MSRP above $1,299 when it was first released, is now available for $800 or much less with a trade-in or carrier deal. It should approach bargain status as the holiday season approaches and the market braces itself for the inevitable release of the S25 generation.
Until the new crew arrives, though, the S24 Ultra remains king. I was floored by the way the phone seamlessly thrives on WiFi, or especially, the T-Mobile 5G network, to find infinite ways to make your life more fun, engaging and informed as you go about your day.
To start, the S24 Ultra just feels right. Designed with ergonomic precision to feel fluid and natural in one hand or two, the smartphone excels at day-to-day use. Samsung may have reached a certain comfort zone in its Galaxy S line of products, but it's still hellbent on shaking up the formula to cram in new features that pay dividends.
The S Pen stylus is ideal for jotting down notes, which the S24 Ultra's AI quickly translates to letters, or drawings. The new AI integration fabulously handles photo improvements, note-taking, summarizing and other writing and meeting-digestion aids. Circle-to-search and QuickShare, in particular, comes in particularly handy during research material gathering and file compilation, making the phone excellent for reporters, instructors or students.
Boasting what seems to be the brightest, most vivid AMOLED 2120 x 1440 pixel display among this generation of smartphones, the phone stays durable due to Gorilla Armor coating, which, I can ashamedly confirm, manages to survive my standard gauntlet of fumbles, bumps and scrapes I inadvertently put smartphones I test through.
The camera suite, as expected, rocks your socks, with a 200MP rear camera with 100x optical zoom that seems like something out of a Bond movie. The 3.39 GHz processor handled streaming, gaming and file demands with awe-inspiring speed and precision.
Whether wired or by induction, charging took its fair share of time, but it was worth the lengthy effort because of the way the battery managed to power the device through day after day of heavy use without even hinting at the need for a recharge until bedtime.
During rest, there isn't much need to dream of your smartphone future if you manage to secure the stunning Galaxy S24 Ultra as your present.
If your taste in the smartphone game is for the best, biggest and brightest, option No. 1 is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, a foldable marvel that's an instant attention-grabber at a social gathering. When its 7.6-inch, 2,160 x 1,856 pixel inner screen is unfolded and on display, it makes girthy competitors such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max look up in awe the way Rocky did to Ivan Drago.
There are substantial positives, as well as passing drawbacks, to a phone of this size. That's why the Samsung engineering team channeled its effort into making this year's model lighter and slimmer. It melds nicely on T-Mobile's incredibly fast 5G network, working with the real estate of a tablet that folds up nicely to fit in your pocket.
A substantial, if incremental, improvement on last year's impressive Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, the Fold 6 is something of a butterfly with bruising capabilities. There is an unmistakable, hardly matchable sense of awe that ensues when you pull out the phone in public, watching Thursday Night Football or tapping through Wordle at a scale that makes others crane their necks.
Because the Z Fold 6 is so massive and powerful, it takes a lot of juice to power its escapades. That means relatively long charging times and short battery life. Still, the device fared impressively during my testing, taking on a whirlwind of gaming, streaming and app multitasking with vigorous aplomb, enduring more than 11 hours of nonstop, heavy use.
I was thoroughly impressed with the 6.04-inch display cover screen, which handles quick-hitting, day-to-day duties with ease, as well as the sturdier hinges that don't make you as wary of the wear and tear of the standard grind. The promise of seven years of software support assures you that you're buying a device that will stick with you for the long haul, rather than a one-year investment that amounts to a rental.
The Galaxy wizards infused the new device with Armor Aluminum, which is said to be 10% stronger than the variety used on last year's model, and the new version is dust resistant to boot.
Whether you are knocking off work tasks, watching videos or creating social media content, the Z Fold 6 manages to adapt to your needs. Functioning in a laptop-style manner, the hinge holds its angle anywhere from 45 to 135 degrees. This allows you to set it up for smooth image capturing without the need of a tripod or other stabilizing prop.
Galaxy AI features are well-integrated into the stunning package, helping you touch up crisp, gorgeous photos taken with its camera suite to erase background noise, combine the best aspects of several images taken in succession and rounding out flubs such as blurring or poor lighting.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy system ona chip works in concert with 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM to keep your workflow humming. Thanks to T-Mobile's everpresent 5G, I was able to keep up with my streaming on the go without a hiccup.
The device weighs in at an MSRP of more than $2,000, but there are trade-in and carrier-switching deals out there that can hack into that price considerably. The new iPhone release and the approach of the holiday season will no doubt draw the Z Fold 6 closer to the realm of affordability.
If you are a Fold fanatic who has skipped a generation or two, the Z Fold 6 is an enticing overture for an upgrade. If you are a holdout who is looking for the right time to splurge, your wait will be well rewarded with a glistening, head-turning spectacle that folds up nicely into your pocket.
Jason Tatum's determined visage on the cover of "NBA 2K25" — due out Friday — seems to set a grim tone for NBA teams not named "Boston Celtics." Elevated to superstardom after seizing his first NBA title, as well as a gold medal in a bizarrely muted role on the national team, Taco Jay looks to assert himself as the usurper to King James' throne.
At the outset of the new game, you're tasked to choose a team and created player to slug it out with Tatum and the Celtics in overtime of Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. The setting serves as a sparkplug to your entryway into the world the new entry in the annual series casts. This is Tatum's domain, and you need to do all you can to dethrone him.
It's clear that developer Visual Concepts put in the work during the offseason grind in order to polish its new product to an impressive sheen. The cost of doing business is still there -- expect to be bombarded at the outset with Virtual Currency-building offers -- but the on-court product is as swift and flawless as Tatum and the Celtics' dominating 2024 NBA Playoffs effort.
I appreciated the nods to past glory, with uniform sets dating back decades with which to deck out your squad. The upcoming addition of 2024-25 City Edition jerseys will round things out nicely.
Bolstered by a new in-game physics suite dubbed ProPLAY, players mimic their real-life counterparts in not just movement, but exuberance and spirit. With more than 9,000 motion-captured and footage-synthesized animations added to the repertoire, dribble-drives, step-back shots, layups and dunks all flash distinct personality rather than slipping into pre-defined tracks. You are left to feel like an artist on the court, free to impose your personality and vivacity on the opponent.
Tweaks to shooting, such as Pro Stick Rhythm Shooting, force you to capture the flow and rhythm of the court action to give your shot a better chance at dropping. The control stick plays a mirrored role on defense, allowing you to shift footwork with a flick in order to cut off an opponent's first step and guide him into help side trouble.
MyPLAYER mode continues to thrive as a go-to suite to simulate your life as a rising star in the league. Tasked with the balancing act of showing off your attributes to your coach while playing your part in the team scheme, the gripping melodrama plays out enticingly.
MyNBA, focused on the Steph Curry dynasty, allows you to alter or replicate history in some of the Chef's finest moments. There is also plenty of energy focused on the WNBA side, welcoming Caitlin Clark to the fray in the league's ever-growing popularity.
The open-world facet of the game is The City, a virtual playground in which you can build up your attributes, rack up rewards in skills and pick-up challenges, deck your avatar out in the latest drip and live the high-rolling lifestyle of a star player at the peak of his or her abilities. MyTEAM, the game's answer to EA's Ultimate Team modes, lets you build up fantasy squads and test their mettle against the best bot and online squads out there.
While it remains to be seen whether the multiplayer mode elevates the rest of the content to fever pitch, it's clear that "NBA 2K25" is off to a roaring start, teasing fans to skip football season altogether and get back to wearing out Jordans on the hardwood. Hope springs eternal for all teams ready to face down Tatum and the Celtics, even for my beleaguered Big 3 in the Valley. The game's release stokes the fires for a fascinating season to come.
Enthusing the mentality and appeal of rogue characters in the "Star Wars" mythos such as Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, Boba Fett and the Mandalorian, "Star Wars Outlaws" — due out Friday — revels in exploring the bountiful riches of the franchise's grey area, where heroism and villainy can be bought and sold in favor of personal gain.
Abounding in rich culture, subtle social commentary and indulgent escapism, the effort from Ubisoft, Lucasfilm Games and Massive Entertainment heaps on fan service in a canonical entry that revisits memorable locations and characters while also heaping on a delightful dollop of realms and creatures previously unknown.
That such a morally ambiguous effort — along with the recently released film "Deadpool and Wolverine: — gets the Disney stamp of approval marks the corporation's willingness to embrace the scummier fringes of its properties as well as its core white knights. This is a game that dares you to challenge perceived norms and stretch moral boundaries in the name of a barrier-free exploration of situational ethics.
The open-world venture has you play as new character Kay Vess, a bitter scoundrel who seeks to scrap together the means to outwit all sides of the military industrial complex and the underworld in order to survive and thrive in a galaxy far, far away. You start off by scrounging for credits in a seedy back alley in order to pay a sketchy repairman to fix a device that will allow you to hack appliances.
How you choose to approach the task varies depending on the amount of exploration, grinding and risk you can stomach. You can gamble your savings -- probably only the right move if you can catch a hot tip on the fixed race on which you'll bet — sell scavenged merchandise or endeavor at odd jobs.
You are then tasked to infiltrate a night club, sneaking your way past security with a combination of sweet talk and false innuendo, with the goal of obtaining a forged security card that seems to be your ticket out of the slums.
I had a blas playing as Kay, and feel that the story would translate well to a miniseries format on Disney+. There were enough familiar locales and icons to satisfy my fanboy side, and enough new content — all of which was seamlessly integrated, rather than forced — to intrigue my yearning to explore.
The freedom of choice of how you choose to navigate this quirky netherworld is captivating, making "Star Wars Outlaws" a first-of-its-kind effort in the franchise's video game oeuvre, and I enjoyed the ride. This is a game that thoroughly understands how much untapped exuberance there is in George Lucas's creation. I’ve never had so much fun in a Star Wars game.
Yeeeeah! Listen, you can stop what you're doing right now. Drop whatever you're holding, because we gotta talk about this Hard Knocks! The boys and I have been locked in, watching every single second, and let me tell you, this ain't your grandpappy's Hard Knocks. This is a whole new animal, a whole new vibe, and it's absolutely electric. What a beautiful thing!
Right off the bat, you can feel it. The energy, the hope, the sheer potential bursting out of that building in Lake Forest. It's not just a football team; it's a movement. You got a quarterback, Caleb Williams, who walks in with the weight of a city on his shoulders, and he's not even flinching. You see him out there, throwing absolute dimes, making plays with his feet, just being an absolute dude. The show does a fantastic job of showing you the human side of it all—the rookie dinners, the jokes, the pressure, the grind. This ain't just a highlight reel; it's a window into a franchise trying to build something special, and it's captivating.
And can we talk about the coaching staff? Matt Eberflus, man. The "H.I.T.S." principle isn't just some slogan on a t-shirt. You see it in action. The intensity, the focus, the attention to detail. It’s contagious. The defensive line is flying around, the secondary is locked in, and the offensive play-calling… they're letting it rip! You see the trust he has in his guys, and more importantly, you see the players buying in. It’s a culture shift right before our eyes, and the cameras are right there to capture every single moment of it.
Then you got guys like D.J. Moore, a veteran who’s leading by example and making sure the young guys are ready for prime time. The running backs, the offensive line, everyone is just putting their head down and working. This show isn't about drama; it's about the pure, uncut passion of football. It's about a city that's been waiting for a winner, and you get the feeling, after watching this, that the wait might just be over.
So, if you're a Bears fan, a football fan, or just someone who loves a good story about a team coming together, you gotta check this out. It's the most honest, raw, and exciting look at a team I've seen in a long, long time. Let's go!
Billed as "Genshin Impact" meets the Metroidvania realm, "Frontier Hunter: Ezra's Wheel of Fortune" packs a bevy of anime hijinks into an expansive, exploration-driven package.
The dev team at IceSitruuna follows the success of "Tower Hunter: Ezra's Trial" with a game that takes bigger swings and packs more dynamic twists and turns into the cleverly written tale.
Often in games of this ilk, combat is a monotonous chore that bottlenecks the storytelling. The throwdowns in "Ezra's Wheel of Fortune" (2019), however, is the opposite. An invigorating mix of tactics, twitch skills and light puzzle dynamics, the conflicts make for invigorating triumphs and, with the challenging boss battles, devastating setbacks.
The sound and graphics designs are top-tier, and there is just enough quirkiness to keep the tone on the whimsical side rather than stumbling into mawkishness.
"Frontier Hunter: Ezra's Wheel of Fortune" may not rewrite the book on 2.5-D Metroidvania escapades, but it does manage to pen its own compelling chapter.
With all the hype surrounding EA Sports College Football 25 this season, Madden NFL 25's release feels almost like an afterthought. However, it doesn't take much time with the new entry to get the stark feeling that this is still THE football sim, and for all the well-deserved love heaped upon NCAA, it's still relegated to the status of Little Bro when it comes to comparisons with the real big dog.
Due out Friday, the game marks the series' continual evolution as it strives to capture the grit, brutality and emergent thrills of the league itself.
Like cover athlete Christian McCaffrey, the gameplay is quick, flashy and energetic.
Chief among additions to this year's roster include a FieldSENSE upgrade that captures the cinematic flair of the game's sights and sounds by giving you control of small touches that add up to big changes. For instance, you can alter the touch on a pass in order to float it past the outstretched hand of a defender, or stutter step to make a defender fall on his face in the open field, allowing you to squeeze a few more yards out of a scamper.
Also new is the physics-based tackling system, dubbed BOOM Tech, which allows defenders to level ball carriers, scrape past blockers, and also lets superstars wriggle their way free of the grip of certain doom.
Many facets of the visuals and presentation have been adjusted, with the concentrated aim of making the on-field product echo the wild battles you experience while watching on TV, as well as synthesizing the sights and sounds in the crowd at games.
I appreciated the array of uniforms available for each team. Even though my beloved Arizona Cardinals aren't rocking official throwbacks this year, they can don uniforms from the Pat Tillman era, the mid-20th century reds, or even the recently replaced Color Rush unis that are now collecting dust in my jersey closet.
Other modes with considerable upgrades include the card-based Ultimate Team, which has been made more accessible and replayable, Franchise Mode, which carries more customization options, and Superstar Mode, which allows you to take the field in a created player of your design and live out your pro football dreams.
The new commentary team of Greg Olson and Mike Tirico make consistently astute observations that help reframe each game's narrative at key junctures, tossing out key stats to underline points and reacting to the ebb and flow of the game. I was justly chastised for my five-interception performance in Buffalo.
With the promise of fresh content set to drop throughout the year, tracing the steps of the way the real-life drama unfolds week to week, "Madden NFL 25" promises to be the go-to watercooler of sorts for NFL obsessives to devour the intricacies of the game, scheme out potential fantasy squad trades or live out virtual echoes of the triumphs and defeats they witness on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays.
Overall, "Madden NFL 25" plasters a grin across the face of even a perennially defeated Cardinals fan like myself. Hope springs eternal in August, and "Madden NFL 25" is stoking the fires of an invigorating season to come.
A remastered version of the fondly remembered 2002 release, "Star Wars: Bounty Hunter" gives the game creaky old game a much-needed reworking.
Armed with an updated camera system, modernized control options, graphical upgrades and deeper, more detailed textures and lighting, the game feels like a wholesale Mandalorian Beskar replacement.
Feeling nearly like a wholesale re-imagining rather than a quick-and-dirty port for a nostalgia grab, the new game shows off the care and passion for the old title held by the team at Aspyr, which worked in tandem with Lucasfilm Games to make sure the upgraded effort matched the spirit of the original.
Perhaps the most welcome, if also the most controversial, addition is a flashlight, which allows you to perk up some of the game's drab, washed-out environments.
Set amid the prequel trilogy, you play as Boba's father, Jango Fett, at the height of his reign as one of the galaxy's most feared mercenaries. You navigate with a jetpack, strafing opponents with elements of verticality.
Fan service abounds. After you complete your first run-through, you unlock the Boba Fett skin, allowing you to redo your run as gravelly-voiced Junior.
The third-person shooter definitely suffers from design flaws of its time, but those are often as charming as they are irritating. There is a certain, pre-Disney/J.J. Abrams purity to the sensibilities offered by "Bounty Hunter." You mangle your way through the enviroments with a whipcord, flamethrower and dual blasters.
Although I was groaning just as often as I was smiling, even my grimaces were joyful ones. Like the recent remasters of the older "Tomb Raider" games, this one is mainly for those who came of age with the game and want to re-experience it, as well as for those who feel they have missed out on a key chapter of "Star Wars" history and want to experience it in its finest form yet. Either way, you are in for a wild, slightly aggravating, good time.
An odd, strangely satisfying lark, "Hairdresser Simulator" sets you up in a shop with a parade of demanding clients. It's on you to use your vision and handcraft skills to send them home happy with their new 'dos.
Developer Petard Games, working with publisher Frozen Way, adds plenty of flourish to what might have been a stale effort. You can experiment with colors, straightening or curling and layering in order to attain your vision.
If you'd like to experiment with your own look, you can upload a photo that the game morphs into an in-game model, letting you try out your wild ideas without having to suffer the actual consequences in the mirror.
While the game challenges you to build your own hairdressing empire by taking on more clients, expanding and upgrading your facilities, products and tools, the game offers the most fun in its sandbox mode. Creations are limited only by your imagination.
A simple and staunch creation, "Hairdresser Simulator" accomplishes its modest goals. You can probably find something similar in the form of a free app, but in the console realm it seems to be a rare breed.
Taking on themes such as grief, despair, regret and loss, Skybound Games produces a daring and captivating narrative in "Closer the Distance."
The dev squad behind the episodic classic "Orwell" ties together a group of family and friends who are coping with an accidental death of a young woman named Angela. Set in the town of Yesterby, you take the role of Angela, using supernatural abilities to explore the town, uncover secrets both dark and innocent, learn the intimate thoughts of everyone and do what you can do ease the pain of everyone that remains.
The characters develop their own relationships over time, and your actions as Angela carry heavy influence. You can stand back and let things take their course, intervene to set people up for unexpected happiness, or cause havoc that hastens the descent into darkness. The game gently pushes you in the direction of helping to inspire hope and catharsis of all you touch.
A game like this lives or dies by its writing, and thankfully, "Closer the Distance" shines in that department. Characters are crafted with dignity, care and elegance, making it a pleasure to get to know each of them and do what you can to ease their lives.
The design encourages multiple playthroughs, because the choices you make can cause the story to branch off in decidedly different directions. This is a game to get a friend to buy along with you, so you can discuss your differing experiences as you move along, sort of in the manner of an interactive book club.
"Closer the Distance" is one of the under-the-radar gems of the 2024 gaming year, and will doubtless end up on many players' top 10 lists while vying for awards contention. The true reward, though, comes in taking the time to enjoy its small, fleeting delights and use them to reflect on your own existence.
A quirky platformer with intriguing characters, snappy storytelling and a signature style, "SteamWorld Heist II" is geared to swipe your attention for hours on end.
The latest from indie outfit Thunderful Games, the long-awaited sequel, due out Thursday, doubles down on the whimsy and absurdity that made its predecessor a cult hit.
The game follows the swashbuckling original, which was released back in 2015 on the 3DS. The game quickly made the leap to consoles and PC, and dazzled audiences with its oddball writing, intriguing mission structure and wild character design.
You tag along with Captain Leeway and his goofball crew as you sail the Great Sea and rack up treasure and resources to tangle with a mysterious threat. Via turn-based, side-scrolling gun battles and real time strategy-flavored combat at sea, you set sail through a steampunk-infused world.
Customization is king, with the ability to upgrade your ship, swap out and enhance robotic crew members and adjust your arsenal often meaning the difference between easy success and stiff challenge.
Despite the adherence to the preset formula, there is plenty of fresh content to enjoy. The story is filled with wild twists, and the strange characters you encounter always have something interesting to say. There is also plenty of fun to be had in the offbeat combat system, which encourages strategic maneuvering and trial and error.
"SteamWorld Heist II" may not rewrite the manual, but it manages to recapture the elusive charm that the first game so thoroughly nailed. It should bring a smile to veteran gamers that the SteamWorld ship has dropped anchor yet again.
