Yearly Archives: 2020

Overwatch 2: Release Date, Gameplay, Characters, and More

Announced at Blizzcon 2019, Overwatch 2 will not only feature new co-op modes, new maps, and heroes with customization and leveling but will also help build out the story behind the game's beloved heroes. To get players ready for the upcoming sequel to the original, here's a roundup of what we know about Overwatch 2 so far.

What is the Overwatch 2 Release Date?

At the time of writing Overwatch 2 does not have an official release date. When the game was officially announced at BlizzCon 2019, game director Jeff Kaplan said, "We [Blizzard] don't have a date in mind." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=overwatch-2-gameplay-reveal-screens&captions=true"] In January, a tweet from PlayStation Brazil's Twitter account seemingly revealed that Overwatch 2 would be released on PS4 in 2020. The tweet has since been deleted. However, this was never confirmed by Blizzard and for now, it seems developers aren't offering up any new information about the Overwatch 2 release date.

What Does Overwatch 2 Gameplay Look Like?

Overwatch 2 will reportedly expand the universe through an all-new story-focused PvE mode. This mode aims to bring more of the world and lore that Overwatch has to offer to players, which has been mostly experienced in bits and pieces through cinematic trailers, comics, and occasionally cutscenes via seasonal events. While details about Overwatch 2's story are unclear, it seems to revolve around the ongoing fight between Overwatch and Null Sector, as seen in the Overwatch 2 announcement cinematic Zero Hour. If you're not caught up on Overwatch lore, be sure to check out our recap of the Overwatch story so far. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/01/overwatch-the-story-so-far-cinematic-trailer"] Overwatch 2 will also feature a PvP game mode called Push, which has been shown on an all-new map set in Toronto, Canada. Push is a new 6v6 mode in which players will fight for control of a giant robot. Essentially, players need to gain control of the robot, in an effort to push the marker towards the opposing team's base. IGN's Matt Kim was able to go hands-on with Overwatch 2's Push mode at Blizzcon 2019. He said, "The most impressive part of Push is the new Toronto map in which it’s set. The map showcases some of the graphical improvements that are also coming to Overwatch 2, and there’s a noticeable improvement in the visuals just based on the map alone." For more of Matt's thoughts, be sure to check out his Overwatch 2 hands-on preview.

Who Are the New Overwatch 2 Characters?

In November 209, there were reportedly four unannounced heroes teased for Overwatch 2. One of these teased characters could have been Echo but they were recently confirmed to be the last new hero in Overwatch. Jeff Kaplan, the Overwatch game director confirmed this to IGN Nordic, saying, "Yes, currently Echo is the last hero coming to standard Overwatch. The focus for the next couple of heroes will be on Overwatch 2. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/01/overwatch-2-gameplay-overview-trailer"] A tease shown at Blizzcon revealed Sojourn as a new hero coming to Overwatch 2. So far, we know Sojourn is from Canada and was featured in an Overwatch seasonal event called Storm Rising as a captain. Fans also noticed her in Ana's origin story as one of the founding members of Overwatch and she was spotted again in a quick flash as a hero on a computer Winston uses to put out a call for help in an animated short called Recall. She will be the first black female hero to join the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Andrew Smith is a freelance contributor with IGN. Follow him on Twitter @_andrewtsmith. 

Fallout 76: Wastelanders Review – A Disappointing Return

Since its launch in late 2018, Fallout 76 has lacked one element crucial to the series’ identity. The series' best moments predominantly involved stories of its survivors, the poor souls unfortunate enough to have been exposed to nuclear war and the horrors of its fallout. Fallout 76's latest free expansion, Wastelanders, attempts to inject some of that humanity into the game by introducing human NPCs and their stories to the auburn hills of Appalachia, while also expanding upon available role-playing options. Taken as a separate part, Wastelanders represents some of the best Fallout content since New Vegas, but Fallout 76's flawed structure and mechanics prevent it from shining.

It's been more than a year since I played Fallout 76, and it's likely that I'm not the only one returning from a prolonged absence now that Wastelanders has launched. This made me decide to start a new character in a bid to see just how much Fallout 76 has changed since then. Wastelanders' changes are apparent from the start. After the tutorial, you emerge from Vault 76 to something new: Two human travelers, marking the prominent return of human life to West Virginia wasteland, greet you at the entrance to the vault. They mention a treasure rumored to be buried in the hills of Appalachia, which quickly leads you to a newly established bar under the management of Duchess and her party of ragtag brains and brawn. This alternative start to Fallout 76 is more gripping than the previous audio logs that initially introduced you to its world and serves to illustrate how Wastelanders' content affects the rest of the game.

Initial tutorial quests take you through the broad strokes of Fallout 76's survival elements and base-building, interspersed with contextual dialogue for each action delivered by a character you can actually interact with. The disembodied audio logs and impersonal robots of the original tutorial are still there if you choose a different route, but running through the same lessons while advancing a more captivating story in Wastelanders make Fallout 76's opening hours more akin to a traditional Fallout adventure. It can be easy for brand-new players to miss this pair of human NPCs entirely, but for returning players their mere existence will quickly draw you to their new introduction.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Fallout 76: Wastelanders Review – A Disappointing Return

Since its launch in late 2018, Fallout 76 has lacked one element crucial to the series’ identity. The series' best moments predominantly involved stories of its survivors, the poor souls unfortunate enough to have been exposed to nuclear war and the horrors of its fallout. Fallout 76's latest free expansion, Wastelanders, attempts to inject some of that humanity into the game by introducing human NPCs and their stories to the auburn hills of Appalachia, while also expanding upon available role-playing options. Taken as a separate part, Wastelanders represents some of the best Fallout content since New Vegas, but Fallout 76's flawed structure and mechanics prevent it from shining.

It's been more than a year since I played Fallout 76, and it's likely that I'm not the only one returning from a prolonged absence now that Wastelanders has launched. This made me decide to start a new character in a bid to see just how much Fallout 76 has changed since then. Wastelanders' changes are apparent from the start. After the tutorial, you emerge from Vault 76 to something new: Two human travelers, marking the prominent return of human life to West Virginia wasteland, greet you at the entrance to the vault. They mention a treasure rumored to be buried in the hills of Appalachia, which quickly leads you to a newly established bar under the management of Duchess and her party of ragtag brains and brawn. This alternative start to Fallout 76 is more gripping than the previous audio logs that initially introduced you to its world and serves to illustrate how Wastelanders' content affects the rest of the game.

Initial tutorial quests take you through the broad strokes of Fallout 76's survival elements and base-building, interspersed with contextual dialogue for each action delivered by a character you can actually interact with. The disembodied audio logs and impersonal robots of the original tutorial are still there if you choose a different route, but running through the same lessons while advancing a more captivating story in Wastelanders make Fallout 76's opening hours more akin to a traditional Fallout adventure. It can be easy for brand-new players to miss this pair of human NPCs entirely, but for returning players their mere existence will quickly draw you to their new introduction.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Will Daredevil Be in Spider-Man 3? Charlie Cox Addresses the Rumor

The rumor mill -- OK, more specifically, filmmaker and fanboy Kevin Smith -- claims that Daredevil may pop up in the forthcoming sequel to Spider-Man: Far From Home. But Charlie Cox, the actor who played Daredevil on the MCU Netflix series as well as The Defenders, said if the character is in the film the role won't be played by him. In a chat with ComicBook.com, Cox said he was unaware of the Daredevil/Spidey crossover rumors. "I hadn't heard those rumors, but it's certainly not with my Daredevil. I'm not involved in it," Cox said. He added, "If that's true, it's not with me. It's with another actor." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-netflix-marvel-series-review&captions=true"] That said, Cox went on to express his eagerness to reprise the role and how grateful he was to play Matt Murdock for as long as he did. "Of course, I'd love to keep going. I'd love to be involved with it," Cox said of the third Spidey/MCU movie. Right now, there's not much known about what other MCU characters might appear in the film, which will see Peter Parker dealing with the fallout of the life-altering events from the end of Far From Home. The release of the third Spider-Man movie was recently postponed to November 5, 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/sony-moves-spider-man-movie-dates"] Do you want to see Charlie Cox's Daredevil in the next Spider-Man film? Or perhaps a different Netflix MCU character? Let us know in the comments!

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s Massive 15 GB Update Is Hiding a Mystery

There’s a new patch today for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and it clocks in at a whopping 15GB for console players. Along with the usual bug fixes and balance updates, the new patch seems to have added a mysterious item as well. While the latest patch is overwhelmingly about fixes and adjustments, it appears that it added a new item in Warzone that players haven’t quite figured out what to do with. After the update there’s a chance you’ll come across something called the “Red Access Card.” While the in-game icon lists it as a health item, it currently serves no immediate purpose. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-call-of-duty-review&captions=true"] The loot item doesn’t provide any new abilities or open any kind of lock just yet, but there’s speculation that this is a teaser for an upcoming event of some kind. Considering the update went live today, it might be some time before we figure out the true purpose of this new item. As a note, Call of Duty players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will need to download a data pack for the new patch. After installing the update, select a mode (multiplayer, campaign, Special Operations, etc.) and players will be taken to an install menu where they can download Data Pack 1. Afterward, they’ll need to hard close and re-open Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/09/call-of-duty-warzone-official-trailer"] Here’s a full list of updates in today’s patch via InfinityWard.

PLAYLIST UPDATE

Modern Warfare
  • Blueprint Gunfight
  • Reinfected Ground War
  • 3v3 Cranked Gunfight
  • Shoot the Ship 24/7 (includes Cranked and Grind!)
Warzone
  • Solos, Trios, Quads
  • Plunder Trios
  • Most Wanted Contract – Instead of a random Operator being marked on your Tac Map, you are voluntarily putting a Bounty on yourself for any squad to see in Verdansk. Of course, this great risk does have some great rewards…

GENERAL FIXES:

  • Added a Challenges tab to the main multiplayer screen for easier access
  • Adjusting how the audio is played for the Precision Airstrike so it follows the plane more precisely
  • Fixed a bug where players using KBM in Game Battles could make custom weapon blueprints that could also be used in multiplayer or Warzone.
  • Currently, white text will appear when someone is speaking, regardless of team. Now, when someone is on an enemy team, their text will appear red.
  • Fix for an exploit on Hackney Yard while playing Infected
  • Fixed a bug that would prevent players from being able to melee an enemy while on top of an ATV
  • Various out of bounds and exploit fixes
  • After the last update, Talon’s character model appeared stretched with graphical corruption issues while in the squad walk. This has been fixed
  • Fix for some Season 3 emblems appearing with incorrect text
  • Fixed an issue with Kreuger’s eyes while completing a finishing move
  • Fixed a bug where some watches were appearing in the wrong direction when gesturing
  • Fixed a bug where players could lose the option to pick their favorite Faction in the Operator menu
  • Fixed a bug where white lighting could be seen while moving or firing a weapon near specific locations
  • Added a gamepad-only Deadzone option that allows players to adjust the inner range in which stick input will not be registered.
  • Fixed an issue that prevented Party members from editing their CDL Loadouts when the CDL Quick Play Filter was active.
  • Fixed an issue where the Auto Run feature would stop when players opened their in-game text chat.
  • Fixed an issue that prevented players from zooming in/out on the Tac Map if Jump was bound on Mouse Wheel Up/Down.

WEAPONS:

  • Fix for a bug where completing the completionist challenges for the SKS are unlocking the associated camos for the Renetti
  • Fix for a bug where unlocking camos for the SKS was inconsistent with other camo challenges for marksman rifles
  • Fixed a bug where the “Hard Wired” skin for Alex would appear in thermals while Cold Blooded is equipped

WARZONE:

  • The ability to view available XP tokens is not visible in the Warzone Menu. This has been fixed.
  • After being brought back into the match, a player was in a state where they couldn't interact with the team’s loadout drop, and they had the revive prompt on them even though they were alive. This has been fixed
  • Adjusted the speed and sizing of the circle
  • We’ve added the cargo truck back into BR Solos with reduced turning speed, acceleration, and top speed
  • Moved the scoreboard to be visible in the pause menu
  • Fix for an issue where the After-Action Report was not displaying the total team earnings
  • Fixed a bug where players were unable to equip Armor Plates while Dead Silence is activated
  • New item – Armor Satchel – finding one of these allows you to carry up to 8 armor plates instead of 5.  These drop on death and can be looted by other players.  These do not contain any armor plates by default, only increase the player carry amount.  Guaranteed reward upon completing Scavenger contracts (replaces Gas Mask as the guaranteed item)
    • Gas mask will remain rare in loot and purchasable at the Buy Station.
  • Plunder: Plunder Rating
    • When you finish a match of plunder you’re now given a rating in the form of a coin. Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and more! The more cash your team collected the cooler the coin. Get above 3.5 Million to find out the highest rating!

SPECIAL OPERATIONS:

  • Fix for a bug where selecting the USEF 1 skin for the Mil-Sim Operator appears as the default skin in Co-op
  • The Munitions Shop can now be accessed while in the safehouse at the beginning of each Special Operation.
  • Operation Crosswind: Fixed various situations where players could get stuck outside of the plane when the rest of the team regroups.
  • Fix some rare instances where players in last stand could be revived, or have started a self-revive, but still bleed out anyway.
  • Fix an instance where the player's revive icon color could quickly shift from blue to red after they had been successfully revived.
  • Fixed players being able to exit a Juggernaut suit, and then gain the ability to revive others even if they themselves were in last stand.
  • Operation Harbinger – Players can now exit the safehouse earlier and ‘capture’ the first intel item faster following the dialog from Kamarov.
  • Operation Harbinger - Fixed missing audio on the large cargo truck.
  • Operation Crosswind - Fixed some instances of soldiers giving armored hitmarkers, but not having visible armor.
  • Fixed an issue where a syringe could be seen floating while reviving a teammate.
  • Fixed an issue with helicopter audio.

PC:

  • Fix for a bug where players using a Vega64 GPU could see corrupted outlines around their character models and weapons.
  • Fixed a crash that occurred to players using a GeForce 900 Series graphics card when they loaded the Crosswind Special Operations Mission.
[poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Binding of Isaac Creator’s Newest Game Fully Funded in 4 Minutes

Tapeworm, the latest game from The Binding of Isaac creator Edmund McMillen, launched its Kickstarter campaign early Tuesday only to immediately reach its funding goal in just four minutes.

After hitting its $25,000 target Tapeworm continued to climb far past it, currently sitting at just over $325k raised at the time of publishing. This isn’t the first time McMillen has found success on Kickstarter either, with The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls card game raising $2.65 million in late 2018.

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While not related to McMillen’s past games in any way, Tapeworm follows in Four Souls’ footsteps as a multiplayer card game with his signature strange (and unsurprisingly gross) style. In it, players take turns playing and connecting cards to create as long of a worm as they can, which can be manipulated by special effects or even cut off entirely.

In its Kickstarter video, McMillen said he originally came up with the idea for Tapeworm nine years ago, with the focus being on making a card game where spacing and positioning of cards really mattered. He also explained that he wanted it to be “as simple as Uno, but have a good amount of depth," so that it would be accessible to anyone but still strategic.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/14/return-to-dark-tower-unboxing"]

Tapeworm’s breakneck funding is undoubtedly impressive – multiple stretch goals have already been met, some of which actually add special cards for Four Souls – but it’s also part of a larger trend of success tabletop gaming has found on Kickstarter in recent years. Most recently we covered the Return to Dark Tower Kickstarter in January, which went on to raise over $4 million, and the Kickstarter for Frosthaven (a sequel to the wildly popular Gloomhaven) ends Saturday while on pace to break $10 million.

You can check out Tapeworm on Kickstarter here, but it could be on a path find similar, seven-figure success before its campaign ends in late May. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Tom Marks is IGN's Deputy Reviews Editor and resident pie maker. You can follow him on Twitter.

PS Plus Games for May 2020 Revealed

Sony has announced that Cities: Skylines and Farming Simulator 19 are the PS Plus free games for May 2020. Revealed on the PlayStation Blog, both games will be available for PlayStation Plus subscribers from Tuesday, May 5. They’ll be available to claim until Monday, June 1. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/29/playstation-plus-free-games-lineup-may-2020-trailer"] Cities: Skylines is a city builder and management game from strategy legends Paradox Interactive, focused on developing small little communities into a sprawling metropolis. The PlayStation 4 Edition of the game has an overhauled UI and control system, making a genre that has typically been a PC affair into something that works just right on console. Farming Simulator 19, meanwhile, does exactly what it says in the title. Harvest crops, raise livestock, drive around in a bright green tractor (other colours are available) and generally live the life of a farmer. It’s exactly the kind of methodical, peaceful escapism many of us need in our current strange times. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-playstation-first-party-exclusive-review&captions=true"] If Cities: Skylines or Farming Simulator 19 are not for you, there’s still time to grab April’s PS Plus games, which include Uncharted 4. Or if you also have an Xbox, then Xbox Games With Gold for May 2020 include V-Rally 4, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr, and a couple more. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter

Reggie Fils-Aimé Has Launched a Gaming Podcast

Former president of Nintendo of America Reggie Fils-Aimé has launched a gaming podcast alongside journalist Harold Goldberg, with donations helping to bring mentorship and technology to disadvantaged youths in New York City. Talking Games with Reggie and Harold is a seven-episode podcast featuring Reggie and Goldberg, the latter of whom is the founder of the New York Videogame Critics Circle, a non-profit organization that mentors those less fortunate in journalism and game development. You can learn more about what the NYVGCC does over on its website. According to The Washington Post, the first guest on Talking Games will be Geoff Keighley, head honcho of The Game Awards. As for Fils-Aimé's intentions with the podcast, he told The Post, "Our vision is to create a fun, entertaining, informative podcast with its goal to benefit the nonprofit.” As for his connection to the NYVGCC, Fils-Aimé grew up in the New York neighbourhood of The Bronx, where he's returned following his retirement to mentor local students. As well as the podcast announcement, Fils-Aimé and Goldberg have launched a funding campaign with plans to raise $15,000. If your wallet is ready, donations are being gathered via GoFundMe and will help fund the NYVGCC's mentoring work, as well as providing gaming technology and education to homeless youths in New York City. The NYVGCC is also moving its journalism courses online free of charge so they can be accessed by educators and prospecting students. Those who wish to donate will receive "extra content" from Fils-Aimé and the forthcoming podcast guests, as well as a means to bid for special gaming memorabilia held by the NYVGCC. Reggie Fils-Aimé recently joined GameStop's Board of Directors to help save the struggling retailer. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Hellraid DLC Announced for Dying Light

Hellraid lives! At least as an upcoming DLC pack for Techland’s zombie shooter Dying Light. A new teaser released today announced some kind of Hellraid content is coming to Dying Light this summer. The trailer is short but shows an abandoned hallway right before a demonic arcade cabinet appears from an otherworldly portal. The screen quickly displays the Dying Light logo along with a new subtitle, “Hellraid.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/29/dying-light-hellraid-dlc-teaser"] Techland confirmed to IGN that this is a paid DLC game mode for Dying Light set in a dark fantasy Hellraid world but featuring Dying Light gameplay. The DLC is coming to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One this summer. Hellraid was a new project for the developer, announced in 2012. A year later Techland announced that the project was “on hold.” The developer confirmed to IGN that today’s announcement is just DLC and that the company is not working on any other Hellraid projects. Developers are still working on Dying Light 2 at its Wrocław, Poland studio, as well as an unannounced IP in its Warsaw location. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=18-games-that-seemingly-vanished&captions=true"] Still, when we reached out to Techland for our games that vanished feature, the developer seemed to have a soft spot for the dark fantasy world of Hellraid, so it makes sense the developers are visiting this idea through DLC. Check out IGN’s Dying Light review and Dying Light 2 preview for more. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Apex Legends Job Listing Points To Next-Gen Release

A new job listing for a position at Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment has revealed that the battle royale is seemingly planning to take the leap to next-gen consoles. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/03/apex-legends-season-4-assimilation-gameplay-trailer"] EA’s recruitment website currently features a job listing for a senior rendering engineer at Respawn Entertainment. The job description states that “Respawn is looking for Senior Rendering Engineers to push next-gen platforms and the PC to their limits on Apex Legends.” That’s a pretty clear cut indicator that Apex Legends is set to receive an upgrade for next-generation consoles. The job specification asks for a “shader enthusiast” who enjoys “maintaining or improving visual fidelity”, indicating that Respawn could be looking to improve the graphical quality of Apex Legends for next-gen consoles and PC. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="legacyId=20093211&captions=true"] EA nor Respawn have yet to make any official comment on the possibility of Apex Legends on next-generation consoles. Backwards compatibility is supported by both the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 so theoretically there should be no problem playing the existing version of Apex Legends on the new platforms, but it does appear that Respawn has bigger plans than simply keeping the game as it is. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter