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'Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled' gets a dinosaur-themed grand prix
If you've already mastered Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, the game has another challenge for you. When Activision and Beenox revealed their revival of the Naughty Dog classic last month, they kicked off the Nitro Grand Prix. With that first race complete, Activision is ready to launch the second: the Back N. Time Grand Prix.
'Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled' revives a classic on June 21st, 2019
What, did you think that Activision would stop at remastering the first three Crash Bandicoot games? True to the teasers, Activision and Beenox have revealed Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled. The overhaul of Naughty Dog's marsupial karting classic includes all the familiar characters, tracks and game modes of the PlayStation original (including Battle Mode), but throws in massively improved graphics and, naturally, online play.
'Call of Duty: Black Ops 4' on PC is all about the customization
Call of Duty is no stranger to the PC. Previous versions of the game have been available on the platform before this year's Black Ops 4, but Treyarch is putting way more energy behind the PC edition than it has in the past. That means a much larger team is working on this version of the game. There's much more attention to detail, customization and other features specifically for the PC faithful.
Skylanders Trap Team review: Broccoli Guy's unjust desert
Skylanders' success is borne of equal parts solid game design and marketing savvy. Its central conceit – buy small plastic figurines in order to summon in-game characters – is instantly appealing for kids, and its Gauntlet-styled action-RPG gameplay makes it a guilty pleasure for adults. The franchise's "toys to life" mantra, despite its potential for audience exploitation, rewards dedicated fans with bonus content and unlockables that mirror the size of their toy collections. There are now hundreds of Skylanders toys to collect, but to date, the series has maintained a delicate balance that ensures a fun experience both for hardcore collectors and for casual fans. Skylanders Trap Team, the fourth major entry in the series, is the first Skylanders game to upset this balance. Trap Team still offers a fun journey at its core, but longtime fans will be disappointed to find out that they need to purchase several new figures in addition to an expensive starter set in order to explore the game to its fullest.
Skylanders Trap Team takes character-driven action to ridiculous extremes
Today, I saw a monstrous piñata who spews candy and bludgeons his enemies with a gigantic lollipop, a tomato-blasting sentient artichoke who eats his own ammo to grow stronger, and an honest-to-god rock'n roll werewolf who shreds on a guitar and slides into his enemies on his knees, Pete Townshend-style. Believe it or not, I have not yet contracted E3 Flu, and my brain is not currently being wracked by fever dreams. These characters are all part of Skylanders Trap Team's playable cast, and developer Toys for Bob is clearly ramping up the creativity for the latest entry in its toy-powered adventure game series with an army of ridiculous characters and outlandish settings. [Image: Activision]
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 review: Who am I?
The latest Spider-Man game is a cry for help. Yes, there's breezy swinging through New York corridors on a silky strand, and the Cirque du Soleil-style beatdowns that make Spidey so fun to watch, but don't let the swagger fool you. For reasons that go unexplained by the plot, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 sees our hero struggling to wake from a sadistically engineered nightmare. Has he been hypnotized by Mysterio? Knocked out by the Green Goblin's hallucinogenic gas? Maybe he's been poisoned by the Marvel equivalent of Scarecrow, which is ... oh, also Scarecrow. We recognize the urban dreamscape as Manhattan, but it's a taunting, badly constructed recollection of the real thing, paved with unsettling oddities, cartoonish British accents, meaningless tasks and Spider-Man's own insecurities turned corporeal. It may look like just another sloppy licensed game, but beneath the surface squirms a dissonant yet introspective deconstruction of the genre (probably).
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 on Xbox One Store at launch after all
It's surprising, perhaps even amazing: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is currently listed as releasing today on the Xbox One Store in the US, despite Activision's dithering and seeming postponement two weeks ago. Beenox's adventure is on the Xbox Games Store priced $60, and some players have apparently already purchased, downloaded and started playing it on Xbox One. We've reached out to Activision to clarify what's going on. The Amazing Spider-Man 2's arrival on Xbox One was, much like Peter Parker, up in the air after Activision wouldn't commit to the game being on the system at launch. "We are working with Microsoft in an effort to release The Amazing Spider-Man 2 video game on Xbox One," the publisher told Joystiq in a statement on April 17. "Currently, the game will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and the PC on April 29, 2014 as previously announced." It's a curious situation: There's been no official word from Activision yet about the Xbox One version releasing today, and Xbox One boxes and logos remain unseen on the game's official site. Meanwhile, retailers Amazon and GameStop have it listed to release on July 1. [Thanks, StrmOfConscious] [Image: Activision-Blizzard]
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 caught in PS3 bundle's web
Sony announced a new PlayStation 3 bundle via Twitter today, boxing up the latest Spider-Man game with a 500 GB console. The $270 package is available for pre-order through Walmart and includes the Activision-published game The Amazing Spider-Man 2, as well as the The Amazing Spider-Man movie. The bundled movie is available via the movie streaming service Vudu. Developed by Beenox Studios, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 follows the next adventure for the web-slinging hero from the upcoming film, and features supervillains The Kingpin and Kraven. The PS3 bundle is expected to ship on Tuesday, April 29, the same day the game launches. While it will stick its landing this month on PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, 3DS and PC, Activision postponed the launch of the game on Xbox One yesterday. [Image: Sony]
The amazing no-neck Kingpin in The Amazing Spider-Man 2
The Kingpin is a big guy. Big shoulders, big suits, big cane, big power. Spider-Man, on the other side, is a scrawny dude in spandex. Doesn't seem like a fair fight – for Kingpin. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is due out on April 29.
WWE 2K14, Amazing Spider-Man and DLC discounted on Xbox Live this week
This week's Xbox Live sales include two games and their associated DLC packs. Starting now through Tuesday, April 8, Xbox Live Gold subscribers can pick up WWE 2K14 for 25 percent off ($29.99 / £29.99 / 44.99 euros) and The Amazing Spider-Man at 66 percent off ($13.59 / £10.19 / 13.59 euros). Downloadable add-ons for WWE 2K14 are half-off this week as well, including the game's online pass ($4.99 / £3.99 / 4.99 euros) and season pass ($9.99 / £7.99 / 9.99 euros), the latter granting access to all of the game's DLC except for Undertaker's "American Badass" character and the Ultimate Warrior, each on sale for $0.99 / £0.64 / 0.94 euros. For The Amazing Spider-Man, each of the game's four DLC packs are 66 percent off, including the Stan Lee Adventure Pack ($1.35 / £0.91 / 1.28 euros) and the Oscorp Search and Destroy Pack ($1.01 / £0.67 / 0.96 euros). [Image: 2K Sports]
Amazing Spider-Man 2 swings into action April 29, pre-order for extra costumes
Developer Beenox and publisher Activison have revealed a release date for movie tie-in The Amazing Spider-Man 2: April 29. Would-be wallcrawlers in the UK will receive the game on May 2, the same day that The Amazing Spider-Man 2 hits theaters. Those who pre-order the game from either UK retailer GAME or GameStop will receive a code for the Web Threads Suit Pack DLC. Included in the Pack are Spider-Man's red and gold Iron Spider Suit, the Cosmic Spider-Man Suit he wore while possessed by the Power Cosmic, the Spider-Man Noir costume from the pulp-homage comic of the same name, and of course, the Black Suit that would eventually go on to spawn Spider-Man's nemesis Venom. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is slated for release on Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Wii U, 3DS, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. [Image: Activision]
Kraven, Spidey go hunting together in The Amazing Spider-Man 2
This spring, Beenox and Activision will launch The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – the next game to release alongside Sony's movie property of the same name. In this new trailer, we're introduced to Kraven, who joins in on Spidey's hunt for the man who killed his uncle Ben.
Skylanders: Swap Force swaps next-gen release date, out tomorrow
Skylanders: Swap Force will launch tomorrow on PS4 and Xbox One. The Activision-published action game was initially expected to arrive at each console's launch, November 15 for PS4 and November 22 for Xbox One, respectively. We were impressed with the current-generation version of the game, as our review noted that the game's "main quest is straightforward but challenging on the higher difficulty levels, and its optional content will keep older fans hunting for secrets long after the credits roll." It's a safe bet that the toy-wrangling game will operate similarly on PS4 and Xbox One.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 video game set to sling webs in 2014
You won't need spider-sense to see this coming: Activision and Beenox are teaming up again to create an Amazing Spider-Man 2 game. The title is scheduled to swing onto PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, PC and 3DS systems alongside the film, which is currently slated for May 2014. Polygon reports the announcement was made by Marvel representatives during a panel at New York Comic-Con. The game will take place in an open world Manhattan, and like the previous Amazing Spider-Man game, will not be a straight movie-to-game translation in terms of plot. Players won't just be playing as the wisecracking superhero, as some portions of the game will also place control within the more mundane shoes of Peter Parker. The game will also feature a morality system dubbed "Hero or Menace," which will reward or punish players depending on how they respond to crises within the city. We doubt J. Jonah Jameson will be swayed regardless.
New Skylanders teased in trio of Swap Force videos
Activision touts the swappable possibilities (or "swappabilities," if you will) of its new Skylanders toy line debuting next month alongside the multiplatform action-adventure game Skylanders: Swap Force in the new trailer above. Warning: contains farts. Swappable farts. Swap Force's character-combining mechanics are further explored in today's second trailer, which can be seen after the break below. A third trailer introduces the short-fused character Countdown, who joins a recent quartet of newly announced figures. Skylanders: Swap Force will launch next month for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and PC platforms. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions will premiere later this year.
Skylanders: Swap Force tags in four new characters, trailers
Activision has released a quartet of new trailers featuring the latest playable additions to the cast of Skylanders: Swap Force, giving an early look at some of the game's figure-swapping possibilities. Above, you'll get an early look at Boom Jet, an engine-propelled Air character capable of firing volleys of rockets at enemies. Like other Swap Force Skylanders, Boom Jet's base can be removed and attached to other swap-capable figures, giving their in-game counterparts the ability to hover over rough terrain. A trailer for fellow Swap Force initiate Grilla Drilla can be seen below, along with preview videos for the new core (non-swappable) Skylanders Slobber Tooth and Zoo Lou.
Skylanders Swap Force debuts worldwide this October
Activision announced that its kid-friendly action-adventure sequel Skylanders Swap Force will launch worldwide in October. As part of today's announcement, the company also added PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Swap Force to its multiplatform lineup, joining previously announced ports for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Wii, and Nintendo 3DS. The Skylanders series allows players to summon playable characters via collectible toy figures. Skylanders Swap Force introduces a new series of toys that can be split in half and reassembled for unique mix-and-match ability combinations. Figures released for previous Skylanders games are also compatible with Swap Force. Series creator Toys for Bob is taking a break for this year's Skylanders release. The console versions of Swap Force are helmed by Vicarious Visions, who previously tackled the 3DS port of 2011's Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure. The Nintendo 3DS version of Swap Force is being developed by Heroes of Ruin creator n-Space, while developer Beenox is working on the Nintendo Wii version. Skylanders Swap Force will launch in North America on October 13, Australia on October 16, and Europe on October 18.%Gallery-190681%
Amazing Spider-Man spins a Wii U web on March 5 in NA, March 8 EU
In the chill of the March 5 night, The Amazing Spider-Man arrives like a streak of light on Wii U in North America - well, in the cool of the March 5 day to be accurate. Europeans can take a look overhead to see it swing a thread onto continental retail shelves on March 8.The Wii U is getting the Ultimate Edition of The Amazing Spider-Man, which bundles in the four DLC packs released for the other versions, including the one that lets you play as Stan Lee - every DLC pack for every game should let you play as Stan Lee. It also supports off-TV play, or if you prefer you can turn the GamePad into a cell-phone with which you can take on new challenges, find your way around the city, and order Spider-pizza sustenance.
Skylanders Swap Force assembles this fall, developed by Vicarious Visions
Skylanders proprietors Toys for Bob will step aside for the latest franchise installment, Skylanders Swap Force. Vicarious Visions is handling development this time, which Activision says will allow Toys for Bob the space and freedom to come up with their next thing.The main toy gimmick of Skylanders Swap Force is simple: 16 new special figures have inter-connecting torsos and bottom halves. Once you've combined two pieces, you place the resulting amalgam on the portal to realize your creation within the game. I replaced the tentacle-laden bottom half of a squid with the electricity wheel of a robotic Skylander, making my new squid-machine hybrid much more agile. Tentacle feet aren't an ideal form of transportation on land.Skylanders Swap Force is still early in development, so I wasn't able to see much in the way of gameplay – there was only one small area and a miniboss encounter, and it was a hands-off demo. Vicarious Visions has added jumping, though, one of the most requested features missing from the last two games.Of course, Skylanders Swap Force is compatible with all the previously released Skylanders figures. Swap Force will also present 32 new core Skylanders figures – 16 are new and the rest are updated versions of older figures. Considering the potential of lost halves, Activision tells me its customer support team will be ready to help replace or otherwise assist with any issues the new figures incur. The Skylanders Swap Force starter pack will come with a copy of Skylanders Swap Force, the new portal, two Swap characters and one standard Skylander. Old portals from Skylanders and Skylanders Giants will be incompatible with Swap Force.Skylanders Swap Force will launch on the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, Wii and 3DS. The Wii version is being developed by Beenox, while the 3DS version is coming from n-Space.%Gallery-177993%
Amazing Spider-Man: Ultimate Edition swings onto Wii U this March
Spider-Man Spider-Man Freshly Rebooted Spider-Man Sometime March, the Wii U Gets the Spi-Der-Man too
