Among Us Review - Better Late Than Never Publisher: InnerSloth Developer: InnerSloth Release: June 15, 2018 Reviewed on: PC Also on: iOS, Android Publisher: InnerSloth Developer: InnerSloth Release: June 15, 2018 Reviewed on: PC Also on: iOS, Android Among Us released over two years ago, but the jellybean/astronaut online game is currently seeing a massive surge in popularity that began in early September. The world may have started out quarantine by playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a wholesome game about friendship and taking care of our islands, but after many months of pandemic life, we're hungry for the void of space filled with chaos and deceit. That’s what Among Us is all about. Developed by InnerSloth, the foundation of Among Us is simple: a social deduction game where a player is either a crewmate or the lone imposter. The imposter must pretend to do the assigned daily tasks in the game while stealthily killing off each crewmate one by one. If a body is discovered, a crewmate can call an Emergency Meeting to have a group chat trying to figure out who the imposter truly is. The main level (of three) is aboard a spacecraft where players see sectioned rooms where daily tasks are. Using basic vertical and horizontal movements, the imposter and crewmates move from room to room to accomplish their respective goals without giving any other players cause to vote them out. Each Emergency Meeting discusses who is suspicious and who is not, and the player that has the most votes against them is effectively gets the boot. Players that are killed then become "ghosts" to see how the rest of the match plays out. Click here to watch embedded media This is where the game gets hilarious. Picture this: It's my first time playing Among Us, and I am the imposter. I don't know the tasks or where they are; I am just a blundering 2D astronaut bumbling around looking for stealthy ways to try to eat my crewmates. I'm confused, but I use that to my advantage. One crewmate suspects me, "purple," and hurls out the most offensive accusation ever seen in-game: "Purple is sus" (a popular slang version of "suspicious" that is the root of all Among Us memes). I panic, but then try to see myself through their eyes. "I'm sorry, I was just following you guys," I reply. "This is my first time playing, I'm not really sure what I'm doing." My response lands the way I need it to, the rest of the players now feel the need to teach me instead of suspect me. Little do they know it's the last thing they will ever do – at least until this match is over. This is the level of intrigue that makes Among Us so fun despite having basic visuals and only one level. Another charm is that it also has meme-quality features as seen in its comedic art style and low-budget animations. Friends turn against one another, bonds are broken, and the chat is absolutely comedic. Among Us takes meme culture to its highest peak with parody costumes, my absolute favorite being the sticky note for your face that has "dum" written on it. That, or the toilet paper. The costumes add a personal touch to gameplay in addition to several color options, skins, and even pets. Does this add stat value? No, but it adds customization that allows players to immerse themselves fully in a way that stays inline with the "don't take this too seriously" feeling that Among Us offers. What makes this game such a hit for me is that a lot of online games today are set up in a way that you have to play with friends, otherwise the entertainment value can decline drastically. One aspect of online gaming that turns me off when I want to play solo is the severe level of trolling that can turn hateful and malicious at the drop of a hat. While it's easy to just turn the other cheek, sometimes I don't want to have to do that, I just want to enjoy the game. The entire nature of Among Us is basically one giant troll, so the usual suspects in the online gaming community really lose their power here; you're encouraged to troll, making it an ingrained mechanic, removing the feeling of satisfaction from people acting in bad faith. Another refreshing aspect that makes Among Us worth checking out is the minimal time investment it requires. Some online games are built to keep you playing for months on end; I often joke that Destiny 2 and Apex Legends are second marriages because of the grind for the former, and the desire to be the best in the latter. With Among Us, you can play as much or as little as you want and still have a good time. When I want to stream for a few hours, this is a good fit because of the type of interactive content it produces, but I can also pick up the free mobile version and play for 10 or 15 minutes during my lunch break. There are no player levels, there is no Battle Pass; there is no penalization for playing as little or as much as I want, which makes it easy to return to again and again. As much as I enjoy playing Among Us, I have just as must fun watching it. Its simplicity makes it easy to boot up for streamers, and the conversations about who is sus are great entertainment for active livestream chats. Diving into Among Us, I see the charm despite its simplicity, and I can't help but to love the way this game makes me look at everyone as if they are super sus. Among Us is what it is, and unapologetically so. This year may be bad, but having fun experiences definitely isn't; Among Us provides a much-needed reprieve from reality without taking itself too seriously. Click image thumbnails to view larger version Score: 8.5 Score: 8.5 Summary: Among Us is hitting its stride two years after launch, and is the perfect representation of how integrated memes are within our entertainment infrastructure. Concept: Complete assigned tasks as a crewmate or kill your way to victory as an imposter Graphics: Minimalistic graphics that appeal to meme culture while inspiring insanely realistic fan art Sound: No voice acting and sparse sound effects help facilitate the suspicious atmosphere that Among Us thrives on Playability: Though simple and one-track, this s an experience that has unlimited replayable potential due to its hilarious and unpredictable in-game chat feature Entertainment: A clever take on the "whodunnit" genre while a tapping into what makes meme culture so relevant and universal Replay: High Click to Purchase

10 Games That Deserve Their Own Netflix Animated Series Netflix has delivered several animated series based on video games in recent years, adapting projects like Castlevania, Dragon’s Dogma, Resident Evil, and (probably) Splinter Cell. That’s a good start, but some major contenders are conspicuously absent. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 10 games that we think deserve their own animated series. No one wants a show that just tries to follow the events of a game exactly; something is bound to get lost along the way, leaving fans upset and newcomers confused. So what makes a game a good candidate for this sort of adaptation? The world should be full of characters and stories worth telling, and have a distinct visual vibe that would look great in an animated format. It doesn’t need to replicate the exact magic of playing the game – the show can be its own thing. Different media do different things well, and that’s okay. So here’s what we’re thinking would work well for our games of choice. Destiny Destiny People who play a lot Destiny and Destiny 2 know that the universe has a lot of interesting stories. The problem is that you need to invest so much time to see what makes Bungie’s world interesting – and even then, it’s handled largely through written text. An animated series would let Bungie bring those journal entries to life, telling the tales of long-dead guardians and the origins of legendary weapons. One episode doesn’t need to be connected to the next; it would work great as a collection of unrelated stories add color to the bigger picture. Overwatch Overwatch The world behind Blizzard’s smash-hit shooter has plenty of lore – but you just don’t get much of it in the game. You can read the companion comic books and watch video shorts for extra context, but Overwatch’s roster is too cool for the minimal narrative we’ve seen so far. We want a full show that finally gives a shape to the larger story that has been in the background all this time, delving deeper into the characters’ backstories and relationships. What happened before the Omnic Crisis? What’s the deal with Blackwatch? It’s about time we found out. The Legend of Zelda The Legend of Zelda The franchise is called The Legend of Zelda, so it’s time to put Zelda in the leading role. Link is great as a silent avatar for players to connect with, but he doesn’t exactly have the personality to propel a story. We’d love to see a show with a visual style along the lines of Breath of the Wild, but featuring a version of Hyrule that hasn’t been seen in any game. That would give Zelda the chance to encounter familiar locations, characters, and creatures without being bound to any predetermined events. Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed Earlier games in the Assassin’s Creed franchise almost had an episodic structure already, with heroes like Altair and Ezio tracking down and killing specific targets in sequence. That format would work great for an animated series; each season could focus on a different assassin and time period, while each episode would have the hero taking out a different mark. Plus, historical dramas are notoriously expensive to make as live-action shows, but an animated approach could still convey all of the majesty and wonder of Assassin’s Creed – especially when the plot veers into the series’ sci-fi elements. Transistor Transistor Many people are currently playing and enjoying Hades from Supergiant Games, but we’re going to pick one of the studio’s earlier projects for an animated adaptation. Transistor has a haunting combination of music and art that make its world feel both alluring and dangerous. However, even though Transistor’s isometric perspective works well for its combat system, it can keep you at a distance. We want a series that closes the gap, giving us a closer at the technology-filled city and its denizens, telling the same breed of melancholy story that has become Supergiant’s signature. Kentucky Route Zero Kentucky Route Zero Kentucky Route Zero is a narrative-driven game that starts out weird and only gets weirder – and that’s one of its best qualities. The fascinating characters and bizarre dream logic would be a great fit for an adaptation, taking players across an inter-dimensional highway to unpredictable locations. Each episode could be another stop on the road trip, with the core cast of misfits encountering mystifying things like androids, giant birds, and glowing skeletons. To capture the spirit of the game, the Kentucky Route Zero show doesn’t need a traditional narrative arc; it’s all about the journey, not the destination. Nier Nier Post-apocalyptic stories are common, but the Nier games blend philosophy, desolation, and hope to give this universe a unique vibe. It would be hard to get right, but an animated show could be a powerful way to bring even more people into Nier’s destroyed world. This series would not be an uplifting one; episodes would focus on different sentient inhabitants – humans, robots, or otherwise – finding meaning in different ways. With hulking machines and the ruins of lost civilizations everywhere, the potential for visual splendor is undeniable, and the accompanying music would need to come from composer Keiichi Okabe. Disco Elysium Disco Elysium Disco Elysium drops tantalizing hints about the broader history of its world, including old wars, strange technology, and inexplicable phenomena. The game only shows you a tiny sliver of the massive world, and all of those threads on the periphery would be perfect material for an anthology series that fleshes out the intriguing teases. Maybe one episode involves a character traveling through the Pale, while another is focused on a servant of Dolores Dei. This universe is just full of things we want to know more about. Night in the Woods Night in the Woods A bunch of friends hang out, have band practice, and do crimes. That’s basically what happens in Night in the Woods, and like many other coming-of-age stories, the relatable characters and snappy writing would transition wonderfully to a show. Don’t let the cartoony visuals fool you; the series would deal with complex themes while also presenting characters who are believable (despite looking like animals). After all, who wouldn’t want to spend more time with Gregg? Gregg rulz ok. Animal Crossing Animal Crossing Here’s the key to a good Animal Crossing show: low stakes. You know how sometimes villagers in Animal Crossing get mad because they disagree with each other about soup or something? That’s as intense as this animated show should get: no death, no destruction, and no high drama. Just give us cute, upbeat adventures about a bunch of animal friends who catch bugs, go on walks, and buy suspicious art. Maybe that’s too close to the experience of playing the game, except the show wouldn’t make you wade through so many menus. What games would you like to see get animated adaptations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Godfall Among Next Gen Games Retailing At $70 Talk about the pricing of games for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S has been a hot topic with many studios confirming that this new price point will be a common occurrence for select games. Among the upcoming titles with the new $70 price, as confirmed by Counterplay Games and Gearbox Publishing, is Godfall. The studio behind Godfall has confirmed the pricing for the three editions of the game coming out on November 12, with pre-orders now available. For those interested in scooping up the upcoming title, here are the three different versions that are available to pre-purchase: Godfall Standard - $69.99 Godfall Deluxe Edition - $89.99 Godfall Ascended - $99.99 Godfall Standard - $69.99 Godfall Deluxe Edition - $89.99 Godfall Ascended - $99.99 All versions, if pre-ordered, will come with a special Godfall Starter Pack: Godfall Starter Pack: Set of Augments and Trinkets Chrome skins for three Valorplates Zer0's longsword from Borderlands Yellow Valorplate skin for Typhon Godfall Starter Pack: Set of Augments and Trinkets Chrome skins for three Valorplates Zer0's longsword from Borderlands Yellow Valorplate skin for Typhon The Deluxe Edition will come with the first expansion and the Ascended version will offer all of the above in addition to a red Valorplate skin, a Gold Weapon Pack, a Gold Shield, a Gold Royal Banner, and the Zodiac Knight Lobby title. The studio also shared a new trailer with more on Godfall and the different pre-order bonuses: Click here to watch embedded media As for the game itself, Godfall will release on PlayStation 5 and PC through the Epic Games Store on November 12. What are your thoughts on Godfall so far? Are you going to be scooping up the Ascendent edition on day one? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below. There are no pre-order bonuses for commenting, but we like to hear from you anyway.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon Won't Offer Save Transfers From PS4 To PS5 Click to watch embedded media Yakuza: Like a Dragon will be releasing a few months later for PlayStation 5 users, but PS4 game owners will receive a free upgrade when March 2, 2021 rolls around. Unfortunately for those planning on scooping up the PS4 version of the game in November, those save files won't transfer to the PS5 in March. Ryu ga Gotoku Studio (RGG Studio) took to Twitter to clarify that though both the physical and digital version of the PS4 title will be upgraded to the PS5 version for free, the save data between the two generations will not also transfer. To clarify, physical owners of Yakuza: Like a Dragon on PS4 can also use the original disc to upgrade to the PS5 version when it releases on March 2, 2021. Save data will not be transferable between the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game. — RGG Studio (@RGGStudio) — RGG Studio (@RGGStudio) September 28, 2020 "To clarify, physical owners of Yakuza: Like a Dragon on PS5 can also use the original disc to upgrade to the PS5 version when it releases on March 2, 2021," reads the above post. "Save data will not be transferable between the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game." The news isn't all bad, however. The release date for all other platforms for Yakuza: Like a Dragon has been bumped up, now releasing on November 10 for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. There's also a new movie coming out, which gave us the perfect opportunity to gush about our dream casting picks. What are your thoughts on the state of transfers between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 systems? Understandable, or does that make you want to wait to play on March 2? Weigh in with your thoughts on the latest info dump in the comment section below. You can also see what else is going on with the Yakuza universe with our previous coverage here revealing a new upcoming movie!

Judge Says Epic Games "Lied" By Omission In Fortnite vs Apple Lawsuit The Epic Games vs. Apple lawsuit continues with the most recent hearing on September 28. The lawsuit began when Epic Games implemented their own pay system in the mobile version of the game, effectively bypassing Apple's 30 percent cut regarding in-game purchases. While still ongoing, the latest update favors Apple's stance that this move was a breach in agreement and a security concern, with the judge stating that Epic lied by omission. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers says that Epic Games was "not honest" with their intentions regarding in-game purchase actions, even stating that Epic's defense actually bolster's Apple's initial claims that the former took a contract-breaking stance when implementing its own programs against Apple's app review standards. "You did something, you lied about it by omission, by not being forthcoming" stated the judge during the most recent hearing. She continued, "That's the security issue. That's the security issue!" During the proceedings, the judge called into question Epic's motives behind the move and how its actions has impacted fans of all ages that enjoy Fortnite, especially given its free entry. "There are a lot of people in the public that consider you guys heroes for what you guys did, but it's still not honest." Epic Games is currently seeking a temporary court order that will result in Apple unblocking Fortnite from its app store following its removal in August. It's clear by Epic's immediate response to the removal that they were preparing for this move and were wanting a public engagement as a means to challenge antitrust laws. Its first big move against Apple following the removal of the game was to make a parody video based on a 1984-inspired Apple ad in addition to a global social campaign under the tag #FreeFortnite. "When you are taking on the biggest company in the world, and you're taking it on where you know it's going to retaliate, you don't lie down in the street and die," said Epic's attorney, Katherine Forrest, during the hearing. "You plan very carefully on how you're going to respond." "Mr. Sweeney is trying to be the Pied Piper of other developers," responded Apple lawyer Ted Boutrous. Apple's stance has firmly been that Epic is attempting to cheat the agreement between the two companies regarding in-app reviews by Apple. The acting judge has stated that the full trial is not likely to commence until mid 2021, according to reports, though these preliminary hearings are a gauge of each side's stance before moving forward. [Source: CNN]

Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition Comes With New Gear & Consumables PlayStation 5's Demon's Souls is an exciting remake that looks to immerse Soulsborne veterans and newcomers in a classic, hardcore adventure. However, the remake isn't merely an upgraded carbon copy of the original action/RPG. The Demon's Souls pre-order content includes the Reaper Scythe – an enemy boss' weapon that appeared in the old game. But in a recent PlayStation tweet, we can get a clearer picture of all of the never-before-seen gear and consumables that will come with the Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition. First look at the Digital Deluxe Edition of Demon's Souls, coming to #PS5 on November 12: https://t.co/nFRBshdAdR pic.twitter.com/p6z4h8fS1o — PlayStation (@PlayStation) — PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 29, 2020 Like the Reaper Scythe, some of the weapons belong to Demon's Souls bosses like the Golden Skeleton and Hoplites. Other items like the three Grains and the Ring of Longevity are a mystery. Demon's Souls releases alongside the PlayStation 5 on November 12. [Source: Polygon]

Spider-Man: Miles Morales PS4 Saves Can Be Transferred To PS5 In an answer to player queries, Insomniac Games released a tweet affirming that Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales saves are transferable. Players that own the PlayStation 4 version of Spider-Man: Miles Morales will not only get access to a free next-gen upgrade of the game, but they can rest assured that their save data will be easily available too. Insomniac Games plans to release more info on the transfer process closer to launch. The original Spider-Man game will come as a remastered addition to the Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition but, unfortunately, it will not have transferable saves. Hi there, you will be able to transfer your save to PS5. We'll share details closer to launch — Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) — Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) September 29, 2020 You can purchase the base version of Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales for $50 or the Ultimate Edition for $70. The game launches for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on November 12.

New Assassin's Creed Valhalla Story Trailer Dives Deep Into Eivor's Legacy A new Assassin's Creed Valhalla story trailer has arrived bringing with it a deep dive into the legacy that is Eivor. Additionally, Ubisoft also revealed a new podcast documentary series called Echoes of Valhalla that talks more about the historical inspiration behind the latest tale. We've seen quite a bit of Eivor previously, but the latest video goes deeper into who they are in terms of their impact and relation to their identity as a Viking and what happens when duty interferes with family. Click here to watch embedded media After Eivor's clan was driven out of Norway because of war and a dimming allocation of resources, it's up to Eivor to carve out a new future for their clan and place in the kingdoms of England. Throughout Valhalla, players will transform into Eivor as they encounter notable and powerful names in history, including the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok. There are also a few mysteries to uncover as well, including a looming threat that is intricately tied to England and its destiny. According to the video's official description: "Driven from Norway by endless wars and dwindling resources in ninth century AD, players will lead Eivor’s clan of Norsemen across the icy North Sea to the rich lands of England’s broken kingdoms. Players must carve out a new future for their clan, reliving the ruthless fighting style of Viking warriors with a revamped combat system that includes the ability to dual-wield weapons against a greater variety of enemies than ever before. To secure resources, players can lead raids to select locations using their longship to earn much-needed riches and supplies. As the Vikings begin to settle in their new home, they encounter resistance from the Saxons, including King Aelfred of Wessex, who denounces them as heathens and looks to be the sole ruler of a civilized England. Against all odds, Eivor must do what is necessary to keep Valhalla within reach." For the debut of the Echoes of Valhalla podcast, you can check out what the devs have to say about the upcoming game right here through Spotify. Assassin's Creed Valhalla makes its grand debut on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One on November 10.

Genshin Impact - New Gameplay Today Live Day 2 Click to watch embedded media Did you check out our New Gameplay Today yesterday for the free-to-play Genshin Impact? Well, you have a second chance to ask all your questions and get immersed in the action today as Dan Tack continues his adventure through the wild open world. Strap in to do some extreme cooking, feed some ducks, slash some slimes, and sail through the sky. And that's just the start of things! Will we earn enough currency today for a "gacha" pull? What the hell is a gacha pull anyway? What actually is Genshin Impact? Find out all this and more on today's extreme stream! Genshin Impact is currently available on PlayStation 4, PC, and mobile devices. We'll be going live at 12 p.m. CT so be sure to join us in the chat and let's have some fun! If you can't get enough of our live shows, remember to subscribe on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and Facebook to get notified when we go live each week!