Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 2048
June 12, 2017
SPIDER-MAN Takes on Mister Negative and Introduces [SPOILER] in E3 Gameplay Trailer
Last year, Sony unveiled a new Playstation 4 Spider-Man title from Insomniac Games that left a big impression on the E3 crowd. At Sony’s E3 2017 presentation, Insomniac showed off an extended look at the gameplay and some very familiar faces from Marvel’s comic book universe.
In the nearly nine minute video, gamers had the chance to see Spidey in action against two New York-based criminal organizations: the men loyal to Wilson Fisk, and the Demons, a newer gang that is looking to muscle in on the Kingpin’s territory. Many of the action sequences were scripted events, but the gameplay itself looked smooth and precise. It was almost Metal Gear Spidey in the way that everyone’s favorite wall-crawler was able to use stealth attacks to take down his enemies…even if it put him in the odd position of saving bad guys from other bad guys.
Unlike many previous Marvel games, this title appeared to be based on the Spider-Man comics of the last ten years. The leader of the Demons, Martin Li a.k.a. Mister Negative is one of the few modern Spidey villains to make the leap to video games. Spidey was remotely assisted in this clip by Captain Yuri Watanabe, a woman who also moonlights as a vigilante in her Wraith identity. But we think that the cameo appearance at the end of the video is what will get people really excited: Miles Morales.
That’s right, the Ultimate Spider-Man is also in this game. But whether fans will able to play as Miles and Peter remains to be seen.
Spider-Man will swing on to the Playstation 4 in 2018.
What did you think about the latest footage from Spider-Man? Spin a web, any size in the comment section below!
Images: Insomniac Games/Marvel
HORIZON ZERO DAWN Expansion THE FROZEN WILDS Trailer Revealed at E3
Horizon Zero Dawn hasn’t just sold over 3 million copies to date; it’s regarded one of the greatest titles of the year (read our full review here), and now the game is getting an icy DLC. At PlayStation’s 2017 E3 showcase, Sony revealed a quick trailer for Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds, the previously announced expansion that takes our hero Aloy to a new, frozen wasteland.
The trailer has not fully dropped online yet, but you can catch a tease of it here:
Just revealed: Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wastes. #PlayStationE3 pic.twitter.com/ucf1TQgxDh
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) June 13, 2017
More on this (and the trailer!) as it becomes available…
What would you like to see in the Horizon Zero Dawn expansion? Let us know in the comments below.
Image: Sony
Stay tuned for more E3 coverage all week long, right here on Nerdist.
LEGO Space Shuttle Might Not Reach Space, But It Can Fly Around The Room
The Space Shuttle LEGO set is an all-time classic. It first came out in 1990, and if you happen to have yourself an original complete set in-box, you might be able to get over a couple hundred bucks for it on eBay. Don’t get me wrong; It’s definitely a quality set of bricks, but if I’m going to pay that much for it, the shuttle had better be capable of actual flight.
This is where aerospace engineer Adam Woodworth comes in, since he uploaded a video of his version of the shuttle, which is able to zip freely around the room (via Sploid).
The clip shows Woodworth building the LEGO 1682 set up from its core brick components, but the surprise is that once he’s done it flies around the room with seemingly very tight control. He doesn’t explain in the video how this works, but he later told Sploid that his craft is actually a 2.5 gram recreation made with 1 mm foam.
LEGO crafts aren’t exactly known for their aerodynamic qualities, but if anybody was going to make this happen, Woodworth is sort of an authority in the very nuanced field of making seeming non-flight-ready LEGO crafts fly. Just a month or so ago, he made a version of the classic LEGO airplane that was navigating the airspace above a field like nobody’s business.
Watch the video above, and let us know in the comments what others sorts of Lego vehicles you’d like to see Woodworth take a stab at legitimizing next.
A post shared by Adam Woodworth (@ajwoodpiece) on May 14, 2017 at 9:12pm PDT
Featured image: TheyMightBeBricks/YouTube
Police Dog in Australia Deemed ‘Too Friendly’ to Catch Bad Guys
This week in “They’re good dogs, Brent” news, an intrepid young pup lost his chance at a life of police work. His downfall? His own sunny disposition. Yes, Gavel, a young German shepherd in Queensland, Australia, was too friendly for a position in law enforcement, according to the BBC.
Gavel, a very good boy, seemed suited for a police dog position given his bloodline. Family members before him had sported ceremonial coats as part of the Queensland Dog Squad. However, he soon proved too friendly for the force, approaching strangers with enthusiasm rather than caution. Four outgrown police uniforms and zero successful criminal captures later, it was determined that a career in criminal justice wasn’t in the cards for Gavel.
Fortunately, Gavel has friends in high places. He first became a member of Governor de Jersey’s household when he was only six weeks old and in the de Jersey family’s foster care at Queensland’s Government House. After police work didn’t go quite as planned, Gavel–already an old pro at greeting guests and seeing to tour groups at the mansion–was given his official title, along with a customized uniform decorated with Queensland’s state emblems.
When he’s not fulfilling his Vice-Regal Dog duties (and sometimes when he is), Gavel enjoys gnawing on foreign objects, snuggling with the governor and his wife, and rooting for the Maroons rugby team.
Who’s better: Gavel or the cat who squirms out of the police vest in the greatest GIF of all time? Let us know in the comments!
Images: Governor of Queensland Facebook
FAR CRY 5 Takes Aim at Crazy Cult Militias in Rural America
Today at E3, Ubisoft unveiled Far Cry 5 during their presentation with a hauntingly poignant teaser and a good portion of gameplay footage. It was an impressive display of the familiar explosions and over-the-top action that the series is best known for, but for fans of the franchise things are very different this time around.
Far Cry 5 takes place in modern America, a first for the series, in the small area of Hope County, Montana where a fanatical doomsday cult called the Project at Eden’s Gate has begun a violent takeover that threatens the whole country. Their leader is a terrifying preacher, named Joseph Seed, who believes that he alone can lead the citizens of Hope County to salvation through any means necessary. Seed uses intimidation and religious manipulation to eventually form a militaristic unit that turns against the law to usurp the town’s leadership. Players will fight the good fight as the newest junior deputy of Hope County against the rising insurgence of crazies in this stunning open world RPG. On your side is an A-team of outlandish and foul-mouthed misfits who specialize in everything from sniping to piloting, but more importantly you get a cute companion pupper named Boomer to send after your enemies.
As always, Far Cry looks to impress with gorgeous graphics and some seriously intense action gameplay. There’s everything from classic handguns to plane turrets to 18-wheeler trucks at your disposal and it couldn’t look prettier. Far Cry 5 will also support Co-op play, so you can share the mayhem with your family and friends. Finally a game that encourages bonding with family over the destruction of evil cultists.
Ubisoft has also announced their collector’s edition that will be exclusive to the Ubisoft Store. This edition comes with a lot of in-game goodies that will no doubt peak some interest for those wanting to really invest. Ubisoft released the following description:
The Hope County, MT Collector’s Case – Available exclusively from the Ubisoft Store, this edition is made for fans eager to immerse themselves in the troubled region of Hope County, Montana. This premium edition offers high-quality collectibles and extends the game experience with extra playable digital content, including:
The Far Cry 5 Gold Edition
A 45 cm–wide and highly detailed deer skull Trophy, with a Far Cry twist
A SteelBook
A double-sided tourist map of Hope County
The game’s original soundtrack
To broaden the player’s in-game experience, the Hope County, MT Collector’s Case gives access to the Far Cry 5 Season Pass, which includes additional stories, content and gear, and the Digital Deluxe Pack, which includes additional vehicles, weapons and outfits.
The newest installment in the award-winning Far Cry franchise, will release on February 27, 2018 for PlayStation®4 Pro computer entertainment system and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and the Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One X, Xbox One S and Windows PC.
Featured Image And Trailers: Ubisoft
Alex Tisdale is a writer and illustrator who runs on coffee and pop culture. You can find him covered in ink and rambling on his website or on Twitter.
SKULL AND BONES May Be the Open World Pirate Game We’ve Always Wanted
Open world games have been around for years, but now, Ubisoft may be able to provide open seas in Skull & Bones, a new online naval title that will put players in command of their own pirate vessels. Today at E3, Ubisoft officially unveiled Skull & Bones with a stylish announcement video that remixes Seal’s “Crazy.”
If the game follows the tone of this trailer, then it won’t have the sometimes comedic tone of Pirates of the Caribbean. In fact, this game is skipping the Caribbean altogether by setting the action in the Indian Ocean. Players will have the option to create their own pirate captains and ships, while the gameplay incorporates elements like wind and sea currents to add an extra layer to the experience. Players will also have the option of joining pirate gangs or taking on each other in deadly maritime confrontations. While Skull & Bones is still unfinished, the gameplay demo was also released today.
Skull & Bones is being developed by Ubisoft Singapore, and it appears to have immense potential as a game. The initial footage is very enticing, and the title is reuniting several members of the Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag team. However, the developer video below makes a point of saying that this game is much more than Black Flag 2, and it will offer a unique experience.
Skull & Bones is expected to set sail in Fall 2018 for Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Are you excited to get your hands on an open world pirate game like Skull & Bones? Share your comments below!
Image: Ubisoft
New SOUTHPARK: FRACTURED BUT WHOLE E3 Trailer Takes on Superhero Movies
It feels like only yesterday when South Park: The Stick of Truth dropped on last generation hardware. At the time, it absolutely blew everyone away with its stellar RPG elements and ability to make you feel like you were playing through a real episode of the show, so you can imagine how excited we were when South Park: The Fractured But Whole was announced at E3 last year.
Today, Ubisoft dropped a brand new trailer for the next entry in the South Park video game saga during their E3 press conference, and it does not disappoint. We already knew Fractured But Whole would take on the ever-growing number of superhero franchises, but after a year of films like X-Men: Apocalypse, Suicide Squad, and Batman v Superman, well, let’s just say the South Park team has even more barbs to fling.
And just like your standard superhero movie trailer, there are a ton of easter eggs hidden in here:
In this new title, you’ll be playing as the new kid in town who has a super-powered butt (because of course), who joins Cartman and his friends in an epic superhero showdown. There’s even a hint of a Marvel Civil War-like battle, so there’s definitely a lot to look forward to. With great power, comes great responsibility… Only you can bring peace to South Park.
The game will be launching later this year on October 17 for the Xbox One, PS4, and PC. As an added bonus, those who purchase the game will also get South Park: The Stick of Truth, a great game in its own right.
Stay tuned to Nerdist for more trailers, game announcements, and commentary coming out of E3 this week, and make sure you follow us on Twitter for live updates from the press conferences!
Image: Ubisoft
June 11, 2017
WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS Is the Craziest Trailer We’ve Seen at E3 (So Far)
When it comes to establishing the world of a game, we really admire the commitment of Bethesda. How many gaming companies would premiere their biggest E3 trailer with a hilariously bizarre live-action Lassie parody starring a young mountain girl and her ferocious mechanical dog? That sequence, and the taste of alternate world programming that followed, was just a way of inviting gamers back to Wolfenstein‘s vision of German-occupied America.
To close out Bethesda’s E3 press event, the company officially unveiled Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, the eagerly awaited follow up to Wolfenstein: The New Order. The subtitle of the new game comes from the famous sonnet by Emma Lazarus that lies at the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Wolfenstein’s hero, William “BJ” Blazkowicz recited The New Colossus as he lay dying in the closing moments of The New Order. But apparently BJ is back for more, and the world has only gotten crazier in his absence.
The reveal trailer for The New Colossus shows that BJ’s mission wasn’t the crippling blow to the Nazi regime that he hoped it was. To spark a second American Revolution, BJ is going to travel the country and recruit resistance leaders while taking on cyborgs and the new Nazi über soldiers. Along the way, several American iconic locations will be visited, including…Roswell, New Mexico.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will hit Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC on October 27.
Are you excited about the return to Wolfenstein? Unleash your thoughts in the comment section below!
Image: Bethesda Softworks
Billie Lurk Returns in First Trailer for DISHONORED: DEATH OF THE OUTSIDER
The Dishonored franchise isn’t taking the year off, and a few familiar faces are looking for some payback from the man behind all of the chaos. At Bethesda’s pre-E3 event, a new standalone story in the franchise was revealed: Dishonored: Death of the Outsider.
In the first trailer for Dishonored: Death of the Outsider, Billie Lurk reappeared with a few new upgrades including an impressive eye implant. More importantly, Billie is teaming up with her mentor, Duad, to pull off the ultimate assassination on the Outsider, the enigmatic and supernaturally powered man who has shaped the destiny of Corvo Attano, Daud, Emily Kaldwin, and many others within the game’s world. Billie and Duad’s success is by no means assured, but we won’t be betting against them!
Billie Lurk made her debut in The Knife of Dunwall expansion as Daud’s apprentice and companion. There are some spoilers ahead for Dishonored 2 if you didn’t make it through that game! After parting ways with Daud, Billie reappeared under an assumed identity in Dishonored 2 as an ally to Corvo or Emily. Once Billie confirmed her real identity, the player was given the option to spare her or kill her. Presumably, Billie’s survival is now canon.
The new footage from Death of the Outsider seems to indicate that Billie has significantly advanced in her skills, and this will be her first game as a playable character. Whether she makes it out alive this time remains to be seen.
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider will be released on September 15th of Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Are you excited to take control of Billie in the next Dishonored expansion? Let us know in the comment section below!
What you missed by not playing Dishonored
Image: Bethesda Softworks
Gear Up Like Link in SKYRIM on the Nintendo Switch
A few months ago, Nintendo and Bethesda teamed up to announce The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim‘s upcoming debut on the Nintendo Switch. Unsurprisingly, we got a brand new trailer during Bethesda’s E3 2017 press conference. What we weren’t expecting, however, was to see Nintendo content make an appearance in the game. Considering The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild‘s popularity (because it is seriously a perfect game), we were beyond excited to see the addition of BoTW gear to the wonderful world of Skyrim. Check out the fun trailer below!
Umm, run around as Link, wielding the Master Sword to slay enemies in Skyrim? Yes please! As you’ll see in the trailer above, all of the cool LoZ gear magically appears in your game when you use the Breath of the Wild Link Amiibo. According to the video’s description, Amiibo from the Super Smash Bros series and the 30th Anniversary The Legend of Zelda series will be compatible with the game. I for one can ‘t wait to see what these unlock. All I’m hoping for is some sweet Princess Zelda garb for my female Kajit.
In addition to downloadable content, Bethesda has also taken advantage of the Nintendo Switch capabilities and added motion controls to the game for combat and lock-picking. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for the Nintendo Switch will include all of the official add-ons for the game: Dawnguard, Heathfire, and Dragonborn. We can’t wait to get this in our hands and see how it plays. The thought of Skyrim on-the-go was enough to get us excited. Adding Link gear is just icing on the cake.
Will you be taking an arrow to the knee in Skyrim on the Nintendo Switch? Let us know in the comments below!
Relive the hilarity of COPS: Skyrim while you’re at it!
Image: Bethesda
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