Pokemon Yellow: How To Catch Bulbasaur

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With Pokemon Yellow now officially available on the Nintendo 3DS, we’ve made a guide detailing how to catch one of the original three starter Pokemon – Bulbasaur.

As any aspiring Pokemon Master has come to realize, catching ’em all is a rather challenging task in the original pair of games. Indeed, with one-off starter monsters only being made available by owning a second version of the same game, it can become challenging and expensive to secure all of the beasts. Fortunately, Pokemon Yellow has done away with that by allowing fans to obtain every single one of them by completing tasks and talking to trainers. The only catch is that they can be easily missed.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a brief guide on how to secure one of the more challenging original starter Pokemon, Bulbasaur. This Grass-type can only be added to your party by ensuring that Pikachu is incredibly happy, but (as many will attest) this can be a rather challenging affair. Fortunately, we’ve got a few tips to help make the process a little less painful for those struggling to lock the creature down in.

Without any further ado, let’s catch a Bulbasaur!

Step 1: Go to Cerulean City

This is somewhere that players will naturally end up in due time, as it’s the fourth town encountered after defeating Brock in Pewter City. For those struggling to identify the area, it’s the town that appears after trekking through My. Moon and it features the Water-type trainer Misty as its gym leader.

Step 2: Ensure There’s Space in Your Party

Provided you didn’t go hog wild with your limited Pokeball supply, there’s a good chance that there’s still room left in your 6-Pokemon party for an extra monster. Ensure that this is the case, as Bulbasaur will only be given to you if you’ve got the spot. Of course, it’s also possible to deposit Pokemon into your PC as well, so it’s always an option to go back and get the starter after you’ve done that.

Step 3: Make Pikachu Happy

This is the only way to secure Bulbasaur and it’s the most challenging part of this whole process. There are several ways to make Pikachu happier, and they can usually be figured out shortly after arriving in Cerulean City – provided the electric rodent is at a high enough level.

Here are some bullet points detailing what makes Pikachu happy: Levelling Pikachu up. Defeating gym leaders. Using back-to-back health potions.

Allowing Pikachu to faint or storing it in the PC will drop the Pokemon’s happiness, so try to avoid doing these at all costs. Players can identify once the Electric-type is happy enough to secure Bulbasaur by looking at it and clicking the ‘A’ button. For reference, if you look at it and it jumps in the air several times then you are one happiness-related stage away from being able to receive your prized Grass-type starter Pokemon.

Step 4: Enter Melanie’s House to the Left of the Pokemon Center

After completing all of these steps, just talk to the girl located at the back of the house and she’ll happily hand over your prize. Congratulations, you’ve just added Bulbasaur to your ever-growing team of Pocket Monsters!

Hopefully you found this guide of use, as it’s a task we’ve struggled with accomplishing in the past as well. After launching our review of Pokemon Yellow , it was evident that a guide for capturing Bulbasaur needed to happen. Of course, the ability to trade the Pocket Monster over to Pokemon Sun and Moon will is also another reason to lock up the starter, as many fans can likely attest.

Struggling with capturing the other starter Pokemon? We’ve got guides to help you there too! They can be seen by following the links below:

Are you enjoying Pokemon Yellow so far? Did you manage to add Bulbasaur to your party? Get at us in the comments.

Gears of War 4 Reveals JD is Marcus Fenix’s Son

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In the magazine’s latest cover story, Game Informer reveals new details about the characters of Gears of War 4 , including the fact that JD is Marcus Fenix’s son.

When Microsoft first revealed Gears of War 4 to the world, it did so with very little context in regards to the game’s story and its characters. With the game set to release by the end of the year, that is starting to change, as Game Informer’s latest cover story features a big blowout on all things, including the identities of the game’s main characters.

The Gears of War 4 reveal trailerintroduced main protagonists JD and Kait to the world, but told us very little about either of them. We now know that JD’s full name is JD Fenix, and he is the son of Marcus Fenix from the original Gears of War trilogy. When JD was young, he ran away from home in order to join the COG militia, only to get wrapped up in a classified incident that made him go AWOL. Players will learn more about the mysterious incident when they get their hands on Gears of War 4 . JD Fenix is played by television actor Liam McIntyre of Spartacus fame.

Kait’s last name is Diaz, and she is a survivalist that lives outside the walled-cities where JD is from. Kait’s father died tragically years prior to the events of Gears of War 4 , which will probably be important to her character arc in the game. Kait Diaz will be played by Laura Bailey, known for her voice acting roles, including her stint as Spartan Olympia Vale of Spartan Locke’s Fireteam Osirisin Halo 5: Guardians .

JD and Kait will be joined by a third character that wasn’t seen in the game’s reveal trailer. Played by accomplished voice actor Eugene Byrd, Delmont “Del” Walker is JD’s childhood friend. Walker accompanied JD into the COG militia, and also witnessed the mysterious incident that sent them both fleeing from the military. Little else is known about Walker at this time, but expect to learn more about the character in the months leading up to the game.

These fresh details on the cast of Gears of War 4 point to the game’s development going along smoothly, and suggest the game will meet its 2016 deadline. There have been numerous instances lately of Microsoft executives praising the development progress of Gears of War 4 , even more than they usually do for their games, which should instill some confidence in consumers that Gears of War 4 stands a decent chance at living up to the hype.

Hopefully this Gears of War 4 character reveal means that a new trailer for the game will drop soon as well. It would be nice to see these characters in action again, and to see if Gears of War 4 is the graphical showcasethat Coalition studio head Rod Fergusson claims it to be. In the meantime, fans will have to tide themselves over with the Gears of War 4 concept art released by Game Informer earlier today.

Gears of War 4 will be available later this year, exclusively for Xbox One.

Source: Game Informer

See Gears of War 4’s New Enemies and Weapons

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The Coalition reveals some of the new weapons and enemy types that players will encounter when playing the upcoming Gears of War 4 after it launches later this year.

Since the beginning of the franchise, one of the most important pieces to the Gears of War puzzle has been brutal, creative weaponry. The chainsaw lancer, for example, has become a symbol for Gears of War in general, and The Coalition hopes that some of the new weapons introduced to franchise fans in Gears of War 4 will develop a similar following.

Besides the previously confirmed combat knife, The Coalition has now revealed two more new weapons that fans can expect to use in. Firstly, there’s the Dropshot. The Dropshot originated as construction equipment, and what it does is launch aerial mines with drills attached to them. Players hold in the right trigger to launch these mines, which will then go in a straight line until the player lets go of the trigger. At that point, the mines drop straight down (hence the weapon’s name) and either drill a hole into the skull of an unsuspecting foe, or explode upon making contact with the ground.

Joining the Dropshot in the ranks of Gears of War 4 ‘s arsenal of new weapons is the Buzzkill. This rapid-fire killing machine was also fashioned from construction equipment, and it sends saws flying in all directions. These saws are capable of ricocheting off walls, and if players aren’t careful with it, can even cause damage to JD Fenix and the other protagonistsin the game.

Players will be able to utilize the Dropshot, the Buzzkill, and returning favorites such as the Gnasher and Lancer to take on Gears of War 4 ‘s monsters, the Swarm. The Coalition has revealed six Swarm enemy types that players will encounter in Gears of War 4 ‘s campaignand multiplayer so far, ranging from standard foot soldier-like foes to more imaginative dangers.

There will be four different drone enemies in the game, each filling a different combat role, similar to many of the Locust archetypes encountered in past Gears of War games. For example, players can expect to do battle against drones that are snipers, grenadiers, and more in Gears of War 4 .

Other than the drones, players will also do battle with the creepy-looking Juvies, which are slimy, fast-moving creatures that are especially dangerous in groups. There’s also the armored Pouncers, which were actually seen for the first time in the Gears of War 4 E3 2015 gameplay reveal trailer.

From the looks of things, it appears as though these new weapons and enemies will be mixing up the typical Gears of War formula quite a bit, while still remaining true to the spirit of the franchise. The Dropshot and Buzzkill should give players even more creative ways to take out their enemies, and the new threat the Swarm presents should keep even veteran Gears players on their toes. With a Gears of War 4 multiplayer betascheduled for next month, fans won’t have to wait long to experience some of the new weapons and enemies coming in what may be the year’s biggest Xbox One exclusive game.

Gears of War 4 will be available later this year, exclusively for Xbox One.

Source: Game Informer

More Games Should Have Split-Screen

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With ARK: Survival Evolved bringing split-screen gameplay to the Xbox One, one writer discusses whether it’s time for split-screen multiplayer to make a return.

The premise offeels as though it was written by an eight-year old on a sugar high, and in the best possible way. The Studio Wildcard title revolves around hunting down dinosaurs with improvised weaponry, alongside base building mechanics. However, the early-access project has raised eyebrows down to an interesting multiplayer choice – the game is getting split-screen on the Xbox One.

In a way, split-screen multiplayer is nearly as extinct as ARK: Survival Evolved’s dinosaurs. Once a necessary part of almost all console multiplayer games, the growth of online multiplayer saw a large number of developers eschewing split-screen in favor of its newer sibling. Very few AAA developers have kept split-screen in their most profitable releases, with Nintendoone of the remaining torch-carriers of local multiplayer.

Along the way, a number of huge franchises have lost split-screen support. Many Halo fans were devastated to find out that Halo 5: Guardians was dropping split-screen, and with good reason. The Halo franchise had become synonymous with split-screen up to that point, meaning that the loss of the mode caused a lot of tension within the Halo fanbase.

Of course, studios and publishers alike have their reasons for dropping split-screen from their multiplayer development cycle. Over the years, different developers have cited everything from a lack of player interest to too harsh a drop in graphical quality when split-screen has been utilized. Although there’s certainly truth behind some of the claims, particularly when it comes down to straining frame rates, studios have overlooked one, simple fact: split-screen is a lot of fun, and gamers love having the option of local multiplayer.

The reason behind why split-screen has proved so popular over the years is quite clear: local multiplayer is easily one of the most social ways to play games. Although online gaming can try to replicate a social aspect to gaming, largely through the use of headsets and web communities, it isn’t quite the same as a split-screen gaming session, or even playing LAN with friends. Some publishers may disagree, but there’s a lot more to social gaming than the number of players involved.

In spite of how far online gaming has come, and the huge quality of the online experience, there is still something incredibly isolating about playing a large number of these games alone. Left 4 Dead may have built its success on the back of hugely popular online play, but playing through the series with others in-person gave an entirely different dynamic. If the news of a Left 4 Dead 3 does turn out to be true, keeping split-screen in any console versions that may appear is a must.

Of course, some of the reasons many gamers love split-screen comes down to a strong feeling of nostalgia. It’s easy to reminisce about simpler days of gaming, and overlook such annoyances as having a significantly smaller view of the game and the ever-dramatic accusations of screen watching. However, there’s more to the feeling of passion that some players have for couch co-op that isn’t lost in recollection through rose-tinted glasses.

For one thing, split-screen is perfect for gamers who live together. Whether in a household of video game aficionados or with a significant other, playing local multiplayer is one of the most fun experiences cohabitants can have whilst gaming. Personally, there’s a reason why Dynasty Warriors 8 is never far from circulation in my home, and it’s not exactly down to the game’s quality in the face of newer releases.

As mentioned before, there are certain technical reasons why some developers have shied away from local co-op over recent years. In particular, gamers have been dismayed by the drop-off in racing games that included split-screen races. The desire to be at the cutting edge of graphic quality has meant that studios have avoided anything that could slow down development, with Slightly Mad Studios even dropping the Wii U release of Project CARS because the console couldn’t perform as well as its peers.

However, it’s been proven time and time again that the gaming community is more than willing to accept a lower graphical quality in local multiplayer modes. One such example ison the Wii U, where quality is sacrificed across the board in co-op play, so that one player can use the Wii U gamepad whilst the other uses the main screen. The The Legend of Zelda title is not alone either, with this trade-off being used for plenty of other games in the past. In recent years, however, this has been low on studio priority.

Thankfully, some games do still try to keep split-screen as part of the multiplayer conversation. Star Wars Battlefront may lack in terms of overall content, but the legacy of the first two Battlefront games lives on through the continued use of specified multiplayer typer. Meanwhile, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 also contained split-screen for up to four players– although in that particular example, the quality of the overall experience did not quite come up to scratch.

There’s every chance that ARK: Survival Evolved’s split-screen may be a little rough around the edges, too. The title already suffers from some severe frame rate issuesfor players, so the addition of a split-screen multiplayer mode is hardly going to help matters in that respect. However, there’s still a will for this local multiplayer choice to prove to be a success. Kudos are certainly deserved for trying to keep this gaming legacy around, and plenty of gamers are bound to appreciate it.

Regardless of the quality, I hope developers continue experimenting with keeping split-screen in the modern gaming age. A huge number of my favorite gaming moments have come from split screen or local multiplayer, from Timesplitters 2 through to Mario Kart , and it would be unfortunate to see that die out. In particular, being able to share an entire campaign, a la Borderlands or Gears of War , is an experience that it would be a shame to lose.

When it comes down to it, of course, technology is always going to keep pushing video gaming forward. At this moment, though, online has yet to replicate that same giddy high felt when four friends crowd around a tiny television to play a game of Halo . And until that same sense of joy can be reproduced, there should always be a place in gaming for split-screen multiplayer.

Gears of War 4’ First Trailer & Gameplay Details Drop at E3 2015

‘Gears of War 4’ First Trailer & Gameplay Details Drop at E3 2015
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The wait to see Gears of War 4 in action is finally over.

in action is finally over. Xbox fans everywhere have been counting down the days to Microsoft’s E3 2015 press conference for the opportunity to see the gory and glorious return of one of gaming’s most beloved third-person shooter franchises, and the wait was worth it.

In the weeks and months leading up to E3,‘s appearance was hyped to the moon and back by Microsoft. The official Gears of War Twitter account started an E3 countdown, and Black Tusk Studios was re-branded as The Coalition, both steps to prepare for the epic reveal of Gears of War 4 during E3 2015.

Microsoft’s E3 2015 press conference began with a look at some of the company’s most iconic characters. Among them, Gears of War ‘s Marcus Fenix, who put on his trademark bandanna while rubbing shoulders with Master Chief. This came after a brief tease of seeing what’s next for the Gears of War franchise, the simple image of a dead body stuck with a knife with some cogtags dangling from the top.

However, Microsoft and The Coalition had a lot more in store for Gears of War 4 at the conference than just brief teases. They ended their presentation with the first ever gameplay footage of Gears of War 4 , featuring new protagonists JD and an unnamed female character exploring a dark countryside. An epic storm brews up, forcing the heroes to seek shelter, and displaying absolutely incredible weather and lighting effects in the process.

JD and the unnamed female protagonist manage to find refuge in a dark, creepy castle-like building. The game seems to lean more towards the slight horror themes of the original Gears of War , with more focus on building atmosphere than the last few games in the series. While exploring the castle, it is made abundantly clear that there is a brand new threat to humanity, replacing the Locusts from the Xbox 360 entries.

For the most part, it seemed as though the gameplay that has defined the franchise is retained in Gears of War 4 . JD battles the strange creatures using a chainsaw lancer, cover shooting mechanics, and the type of versatility gamers have come to expect from Gears protagonists.

Gears of War 4 wasn’t the only Gears reveal for E3. Even though details on Gears of War Remastered leakedahead of the event, it was still nice having a chance to see the Xbox 360 classic reborn on Xbox One, with updated graphics and gameplay. To help tide them over until the release of Gears of War 4 , fans can look forward to picking up Gears of War Remastered on August 25th of this year.

Gears of War 4 doesn’t have a set release date or release window yet, but it will be coming exclusively to Xbox One.

Gears of War 4: Meet New Characters Oscar and Reyna

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Game Informer’s continuing coverage offers a closer look at the characters of Gears of War 4 , including Kait Diaz’s uncle Oscar, and her mother Reyna.

Earlier this month, The Coalition revealed the main characters of Gears of War 4 to the world, and have now pulled the curtain back on two more characters that will be joining JD Fenix, Del Walker, and Kait Diazin the game’s story. These characters are two that The Coalition has briefly mentioned before: Oscar and Reyna Diaz – Kait’s uncle and mother, respectively.

Oscar Diaz is Reyna’s brother-in-law in. According to The Coalition, Oscar resents JD and Del for abandoning the COG, but doesn’t appear to harbor the same ill feelings for his niece for joining up with them.

Oscar reportedly loves “wine and women,” and is recruited by the trio to help find villagers that have been kidnapped. Oscar himself winds up kidnapped by an unknown creature, and one has to imagine that at least part of the game will be about trying to rescue him.

The aforementioned kidnapped villagers were snatched away by Swarm creatures, the new enemies in Gears of War 4 . The Swarm is also responsible for kidnapping Kait’s mother Reyna early on in the game, despite the fact that she is said to be a capable warrior that leads her own group of “Outsiders” (tribes that live beyond the COG’s walled cities). Whereas Oscar dislikes JD and Del, Reyna actually goes out of her way to protect them after the two abandon their duties with the COG.

Along with the new information on the characters, fresh concept art for all five of them has been released as well:

The Coalition also revealed more information about the other three previously revealed characters. For example, we now know that JD reached the rank of lieutenant before abandoning the COG. We also know that JD has a humorous outlook on life despite the bleak situation his planet is in, and has a generally cheery disposition when compared to his father, Marcus. Speaking of JD’s parents, The Coalition hasn’t revealed what JD’s relationship is like with Marcus, let alone who his mother is. However, considering JD’s blonde hair, it seems like the most obvious candidate for his mother is Anya Stroud.

As for Kait Diaz, she is said to have a “strong connection” with JD. Even though Reyna is apparently fine with JD and Del living in their Outsider village, she takes exception to this bond. The Coalition stopped short of saying that Kait and JD have a romantic relationship, but the language does seem to suggest it.

The Coalition didn’t reveal much more about Del Walker, except that he will trade witty banter with JD throughout the campaign. It’s unknown at this point how far Del made it in the COG military, what other character traits he possesses besides being JD’s best friend, and what other motivations he may have. At any rate, players will have to choose between Del and Kait when playing ‘s campaign in co-op.

While it’s nice to learn more about Gears of War 4 ‘s characters, fans would likely prefer to see footage of them. So far, we’ve only seen JD and Kait in Gears of War 4 ‘s gameplay reveal trailer, so it would be interesting to see Del, Reyna, and Oscar in action. With E3 still a few months away, hopefully Microsoft doesn’t make gamers wait that long to see ‘s “stunning progress”for themselves.

Gears of War 4 will be available later this year, exclusively for Xbox One.

Source: Game Informer

Gears of War 4 Going Back to 2-Player Co-op

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When gamers think of the Gears of War franchise, a number of aspects of the series immediately spring to mind.

franchise, a number of aspects of the series immediately spring to mind. From the gruesome violence against the alien locust, the grim, grey-and-brown aesthetic of the graphics and a story full of amazing set pieces, the Gears of War series brought the video game community a number of memorable moments. For many players, a huge factor insuccess was the chance to complete the main campaign using 2 player co-op.

Fans of co-op gaming can now rejoice, as developer The Coalition has announced thatis going to return to the series staple of 2 player co-operative play. The news was revealed by Rod Fergusson from The Coalition during an interview with. Fergusson revealed that the developer was “going back to co-op,” noting that “the two of you sharing that experience” would be a major factor in Gears of War 4 .

The announcement of 2 player co-op is bound to be a relief for those who enjoyed the original titles in the Gears of War series. Although the original games in the franchise had co-operative campaigns, many were worried that Gears of War would go down the route of many other game series in dropping a co-operative element. Thankfully, The Coalitiondoes not have that on the agenda just yet.

The Coalition’s decision to bring co-op gameplay back flies a little in the face of modern gaming trends. Although Nintendo has continued making co-op an important part of its gaming strategy, the same cannot be said for other developers. Most famously, the announcement that Halo 5 would not include local split-screen co-opin its campaign was met with raised eyebrows, whilst Ubisoft has seemingly dropped Assassin’s Creed co-operative play after the botched attempt of Assassin’s Creed Unity .

The news came as part of a larger discussion on the role of the Gears of War franchise’s history and the effect it had on the development of Gears of War 4 . Fergusson notes that although Gears of War 4 aims to innovate, the aim is also to be respectful to the original game in particular. “I’d rather lead by being true to what makes Gears Gears,” explained Fergusson.

Fergusson continued to state that Gears of War 4 would try to emulate the first Gears of War through its done, as well as gameplay modes. “We’re going back to something personal, intimate, dark, and mysterious, being afraid of the boogeyman,” said Fergusson – a thematic shift that was certainly visible in the title’s E3 2015 trailer. Whether this creative decision will be fully realised in the final game remains to be seen, but The Coalition will certainly be happy to receive even a fraction of the critical and commercial success that the original Gears of War accrued.

Source: IGN

Gears of War 4 Release Date Emerges for Xbox One

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Microsoft finally reveals the release date for its hotly anticipated Gears of War 4, setting the game to arrive exclusively on Xbox One later this October.

Longtime fans of the Gears of War franchise have been chomping at the bit for more information on the upcoming installment for the Xbox One, and they’ve been on the receiving end of just that in recent weeks. Following an onslaught of information – including the fact that the new protagonist, JD, is none other than former franchise lead Marcus Fenix’s son– the only major thing that Gearsheads have left to learn is just when Gears of War 4 will be hitting store shelves. Fortunately, Microsoft has now let gamers in on that crucial tidbit.

In an official press release, Microsoft has confirmed that consumers can mark October 11, 2016 on their calendars as a newfound Emergence Day of sorts. That’s right,will at long last be arriving on the Xbox One later this October, which makes it a rather perfect Halloween-time game since the fourth numbered iteration is said to be going back to its horror-esque roots. Of course, the trademark gameplay that fans have come to adore will still be present, so it’s hard to gauge just how many of those intimate and terrifying encounters will occur at this point in time.

Interestingly enough, Microsoft claims that “today’s announcement is set to ignite a chain of upcoming revelations about what’s in store for JD Fenix and the next generation of Gears heroes.” Building off of that, it sounds like there is still a lot more that both Microsoft and developer The Coalition have planned to reveal. Evidently, that indicates that there will be plenty of news and asset drops to keep the hype levels of consumers slowly building until the title reaches its inevitable debut.

Those that are eager to dive into the action, however, won’t have to wait until October to try Gears of War 4 out. The multiplayer beta for the next core entry in the Gears franchiseis set to open this month, meaning that fans will be able to hop on and play a few matches beginning April 25th. That said, those that have playedwill be able to get in on the action even sooner, kicking off on April 18th.

Are you relieved to finally have a release date for Gears of War 4 ? Will you be picking up the game on day one? Get at us in the comments.

Gears of War 4 will arrive exclusively for the Xbox One on October 11, 2016.

Gears of War 4 Release Date Emerges for Xbox One

733
Microsoft finally reveals the release date for its hotly anticipated Gears of War 4, setting the game to arrive exclusively on Xbox One later this October.

Longtime fans of the Gears of War franchise have been chomping at the bit for more information on the upcoming installment for the Xbox One, and they’ve been on the receiving end of just that in recent weeks. Following an onslaught of information – including the fact that the new protagonist, JD, is none other than former franchise lead Marcus Fenix’s son– the only major thing that Gearsheads have left to learn is just when Gears of War 4 will be hitting store shelves. Fortunately, Microsoft has now let gamers in on that crucial tidbit.

In an official press release, Microsoft has confirmed that consumers can mark October 11, 2016 on their calendars as a newfound Emergence Day of sorts. That’s right,will at long last be arriving on the Xbox One later this October, which makes it a rather perfect Halloween-time game since the fourth numbered iteration is said to be going back to its horror-esque roots. Of course, the trademark gameplay that fans have come to adore will still be present, so it’s hard to gauge just how many of those intimate and terrifying encounters will occur at this point in time.

Interestingly enough, Microsoft claims that “today’s announcement is set to ignite a chain of upcoming revelations about what’s in store for JD Fenix and the next generation of Gears heroes.” Building off of that, it sounds like there is still a lot more that both Microsoft and developer The Coalition have planned to reveal. Evidently, that indicates that there will be plenty of news and asset drops to keep the hype levels of consumers slowly building until the title reaches its inevitable debut.

Those that are eager to dive into the action, however, won’t have to wait until October to try Gears of War 4 out. The multiplayer beta for the next core entry in the Gears franchiseis set to open this month, meaning that fans will be able to hop on and play a few matches beginning April 25th. That said, those that have playedwill be able to get in on the action even sooner, kicking off on April 18th.

Are you relieved to finally have a release date for Gears of War 4 ? Will you be picking up the game on day one? Get at us in the comments.

Gears of War 4 will arrive exclusively for the Xbox One on October 11, 2016.

God of War 4 Leaked Art Suggests Norse Mythology Setting

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Leaked concept art for God of War 4 suggests that the next game in the series will be based on Norse mythology instead of Greek, and star a Viking version of Kratos.

Anyone that has played through the God of War franchise should know that, due to the events of God of War 3 , pulling off a sequel still based on Greek mythology could be difficult. However, if recently leaked concept art is any indication, it seems as though God of War 4 will be able to avoid any plot issues by getting rid of Greek mythology altogether in favor of a Norse mythology setting.

The concept art has been posted on NeoGAF, after initially being obtained by NerdLeaks. NeoGAF user shinobi602 confirmed the leaks to be accurate, but also expressed regret that the leak occurred, as NerdLeaks apparently bypassed a password-protected portion of former Sony Santa Monica artist Finnian Macmanus’ website in order to obtain the allegedconcept art.

The concept art shows many different locations that appear to be based on Asgard, complete with the rainbow bridge and what appears to be the great hall of Valhalla. The art also seems to depict a Viking version of Kratos, dressed in the garb from the era and equipped with two hatchets, as opposed to the Blades of Athena that he usually uses to slay his enemies.

Unlike other leaks and rumors, it does appear as though fans can assume that this concept art is legitimate, for a few different reasons. For one, the art was taken from the website of a former Sony Santa Monica studio artist, which is the Sony studio behind most of the God of War titles. Secondly, we already know that God of War 4 is in development, so it makes sense that concept art for the game has already been created.

Something else in favor of the legitimacy of the God of War 4 concept art leak is the confirmation from NeoGAF user shinobi602. Shinobi602 is a proven industry insider, and in the past correctly predicted things like Assassin’s Creed Unity having 4-player co-op. Shinobi602 also recently leaked the information that next Call of Duty will be set in the far future, and also had information to share about the recently leaked Mass Effect: Andromeda jetpack footageas well.

Having said that, there is still a possibility that this art is not indicative of the final game. Plans change during development all the time, and there is a chance that this Norse mythology take on the God of War series was a discarded idea. With E3 2016right around the corner, we will likely find out soon if God of War 4 will be based on Norse mythology, like the leaked concept art suggests, or something else entirely.

God of War 4 has yet to be officially announced, but will likely release as a PlayStation 4 exclusive.

Source: GameSpot

Quantum Break is Biggest Selling, New Microsoft Studios IP in Current Generation

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One week after release, Microsoft confirms that Remedy Entertainment’s Quantum Break is the ‘biggest selling, new Microsoft Studios IP this generation.’
Last week’s release of Quantum Break for Xbox One and PC has been a huge success for Microsoft.

for Xbox One and PC has been a huge success for Microsoft. Topping the UK software charts immediately following the title’s launch, Microsoft has now announced that the game is the “biggest selling, new Microsoft Studios IP this generation.”

In order to earn this prestigious title, Remedy Entertainment’s Quantum Break has surpassed such titles as Sunset Overdrive , Ori & the Blind Forest , and Ryse Son of Rome, which puts the game’s success at a noticeably high mark. Xbox Studios senior category manager, Jon Edney, commented on the game’s success:

“We’re delighted that Quantum Break has been so well received by fans and critics. It’s a testament to the hard work, ambition and commitment of the team at Remedy that the game is already surpassing expectations.”

In general, Quantum Break has been favorably reviewed, which may mean that we will see more of the TV show format from development companies in the future. Spending so much time on developmentfor a title with such an unexplored setup was a risk for Alan Wake developer Remedy Entertainment but, as with the aforementioned story-driven game, the unique gameplay is intriguing enough to attract the crowds.

Quantum Break is performing so well at the moment that there is little doubt that Remedy Entertainment will produce yet another unique IP sometime in the future. Many fans would likely want a sequel to 2010’s Alan Wake , especially since it was teased through use of an in-game TV show. Sam Lake, the creative director for Remedy has confirmed the company’s long-term plan for, which will hopefully be made better by the team’s development of Quantum Break .

Though the game itself is a huge success, Quantum Break is suffering from a number of issues at present. For example, while Microsoft made the choice to make the title available to PC gamers as well as its Xbox One market, the PC version is having trouble reaching a consistent frame-rate. The company is also issuing refundsto fans who pre-ordered the game on Xbox One but have had to wait for their free PC version codes to arrive. Although the Xbox One version appears to be performing with very few problems, it’s certainly disappointing that one of Microsoft’s early attempts to welcome PC gamers to the Xbox experience has been a rocky one.

Would you rank Quantum Break as the best new IP for Microsoft this generation? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Quantum Break is currently available for Xbox One and PC.

Fallout 4: Where to Find All the Unique Weapons

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For the Lone Wanderers looking for the best combat gear in Fallout 4 , check out our guide on where to find all the unique weapons in Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic RPG.

There are a good many Fallout 4 fans who might simply choose to use console command cheatsin order to wield the best guns and gear that the game has to offer, but the most enjoyable way to experience Bethesda’s action-RPG is through scavenging and exploration. Of course, everyone gets stuck and frustrated from time to time, especially when we’re looking for a certain pistol, rifle, or in the case of Fallout 4 , a coveted energy weapon.

Thankfully, for those Wastelanders who are still roaming the Boston Commonwealthin search of their next favorite firearm or bludgeon, we’ve decided to put together a guide to assist in finding each and every one of the unique weapons that Bethesda’s retro-futuristic title has to offer. By our count, there are 44 in total—excluding legendaries—so for the sake neatness and organization, we’ve compiled them all alphabetically underneath the umbrella of their categories, starting with ballistics and ending with melee. So without further ado, spoilers are indeed inbound.

BALLISTIC WEAPONS
Deliverer

For those players who wish to remain stealthy during their exploits, the Deliverer, well, delivers in spades. For starters, the weapon improves upon the VATS combat systemby increasing the hit chance and costing 25% less Action Points. Plus, with its suppressor in place, the 10mm variant will provide those who use it with ample sneakiness as its shots are somewhat silenced, but accuracy at medium to long distances can be an issue due to its lack of a frame for a scope.

The Deliverer is rewarded to fans who complete The Railroad quest Tradecraft, and they can upgrade the sidearm in two ways. They can use crafts after acquiring the appropriate rank of the Gun Nut perk, or add on to the gun with purchases from the merchant and engineer Tinker Tom following the completion of the quests from the Weathervane Missions series.

Eddie’s Peace

Eddie’s Peace is without a doubt the perfect revolver for those who want a gun reminiscent of old-school gangsters and mob members, for not only does it use a play on words by referring to a firearm as a “piece”, it also packs quite the punch. The seemingly standard .44 pistol is certainly more than meets the eye, as it has a scope attached to the top of its frame, and dishes out 50% extra limb damage.

The handgun can be found on the former crime lord and current ghoul Eddie Winter after killing him. However, players should be careful in its acquisition, for just like his weapon of choice, the once-Mafioso is definitely a tough customer.

Justice

Nothing doles out the damage quite like the Fallout series’ combat shotguns, and with Justice being one of them, it positively serves up plenty of its namesake. And, of course, being a unique short-range shooter gives it an extra edge in battle, as it provides a chance to stagger on successful hits.

The only way that would-be Vault Dwellers can get Justice is by heading to the small town of Covenant. After getting in by sweet-talking the door guard, find Penny in the general goods store to purchase the shotgun. However, should the shopkeeper die for any reason throughout the game, the weapon is unobtainable.

Kellogg’s Pistol

As if it needed to be said, the mercenary known as Conrad Kellogg is one bad mama-jama, and a lot of that has to do with the potency of his signature six-shot magnum revolver. The gun definitely has a lot of power, as it’s able to kill most humanoids and Generation 2 synthswith 1 to 2 bullets. Also, its Relentless effect allows for Action Points to be refilled after critical strikes, making it even more formidable.

Fans can only get Kellogg’s Pistol after facing him in combat during the Reunions quest in Fort Hagen. The gun can be procured on or near the hired soldier’s body once players kill him, but it should be noted that this battle is not for the faint of heart.

Le Fusil Terribles

This French-named weapon is apparently a rough translation of a unique combat shotgun found in the title’s predecessor, Fallout 3 , as it directly translates to “The Terrible Rifle”. The correct term that should have been used is “fusil de chasse”, but perhaps it was a bit unwieldy for developers. Furthermore, “terribles” is in the plural, while the noun and the determiner are in the singular. With that being said, that’s enough grammar for now.

Players can find Le Fusil Terribles on top of a yellow wooden crate in the captain’s cabin after fighting through pirate Raiders in the coastal camp of Libertalia. The shotgun is laying on a box straight ahead from the quarters’ entrance next to a lit lantern, with +25% damage and limb damage intact. The weapon can also be discovered immediately after the cut-scene with X6-88 during the Synth Retention quest that’s a part of The Institute narrative.

Overseer’s Guardian

The Overseer’s Guardian is essentially a short-barreled combat rifle with the ability to shoot an additional projectile for every shot without using an extra bullet, and it comes equipped with a nifty night-vision scope. With that being said, it can be modified with all of the standard variations of a typical rifle of its ilk.

Fans can buy the Overseer’s Guardian from the merchant Alexis Combes as soon as they enter Vault 81. Really, the only deterrent keeping players from obtaining the gun might be its cost of 3936 bottle caps, which is pretty pricey when compared to other weapons in the game.

Reba II

Aside from sharing its name with the world renown country star, the Reba II is famous for being a powerful .50 caliber hunting rifle. Those lucky enough to obtain it will be privy to its effects of dealing 50% extra damage to bugs and Mirelurks.

The Reba II is located at the Rook family house in the town of Salem in a locked back room in the basement. Gamers can either nab the gun as a reward for helping Barney Rook—founder of the Salem Volunteer Militia—set up his turrets, by killing him in order to steal his key to the locked room, or by pick-pocketing the key after being invited into his house.

Silver Submachine Gun

Shinier than a normal firearm of its kind, the Silver Submachine Gun also has a darker colored wood for its handle in stock, making it easier for players to pick out amongst lookalikes. Other than that, however, there really are no additional advantages to having the weapon, as it has no special stats, properties, or mod slots.

At any rate, should fans wish to obtain the Silver Submachine Gun, they need to start The Silver Shroud quest, as it will be given to them upon its completion. The ghoul manning the Silver Shroud Radio Station named Kent Connolly will reward players with it after returning the Silver Submachine Gun prop to him.

Spray n’ Pray

In addition to its suppressor, recoil compensating stock, and large quick-eject drum, the Spray n’ Pray is a legendary submachine gun equipped with an extremely strong receiver. While the base version of this unique weapon is solid enough, it can be modded even further from the game’s Weapons Bench if folks wish to do so.

The Spray n’ Pray also has an Explosive Legendary Mod of which gives each shot a dealing of 15 points of A.O.E explosive damage on impact, and it would become even more potent should players build their Demolitions Expert perk. The weapon is extremely rare, but it can be found in the caches of random vendors. However, the best bet in getting it is to buy it from wandering merchant by the name of Cricket, who occasionally can be found in Bunker Hill, and just outside of Vault 81, Warwick Homestead, or Diamond City.

The Gainer

When in doubt, one of the best standbys in any video game is a sturdy pistol, and Fallout 4 ‘s The Gainer is definitely one of the strongest around. Not only does it have an attack of 76, but it also can set targets on fire for 15 points of additional damage.

The Gainer is relatively easy to find, and it has no prerequisites for players to use. The unique magnum can be found on the ground next to a skeleton after solving the Vitale Pumphouse number puzzle with the combination of 10-4-5-1.

The Last Minute

Coming with the Shielded Barrel, Capacitor Boosting Coil, Long Night Vision Scope, and Compensator mods already installed, the Last Minute is a Gauss rifle variant that is a sight to behold. On top of its base attack of 192, the unique weapon includes a legendary modification that causes 50% extra limb damage.

Gamers can purchase the gun from the Minutemen veteran Ronnie Shaw after completing the Old Guns quest. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that she will only sell items when standing outside of The Castle’s armory, so players will need to jump on buying it as soon as possible when she’s in position.

Tinker Tom Special

The sole drawback to owning the Tinker Tom Special hunting rifle is its 16.7 weight value. Other than that, this unique gun packs a wallop with a damage count of 99.

After taking part in the engineer and vendor Tinker Tom’s Weathervane Missions series to prove one of his harebrained theories, the weapons expert will sell the Tinker Tom Special at the Railroad HQ.

Wastelander’s Friend

Nothing’s better than having a pal on which one can rely, and the Wastelander’s Friend is just that. Compacted in a simple frame of a pre-modded 10mm pistol with a recon scope, this unique weapon deals 50% more limb damage than the average iteration, and can be modded with the Gun Nut perk for even better results.

Obtaining the Wastelander’s Friend is simple enough. For those looking for a reliable companion in the form of a sidearm to keep them company out in the harsh nuclear wilds, they can head over to the trader Deb at Bunker Hill and pick it up for 1776 caps.

Fallout 4 Guide: Where to Find Every Companion

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Use this guide for Fallout 4 to discover the location of all 13 companions in the game, what perks they have to offer, and what needs to be done to recruit them.

There is plenty for players to do in Fallout 4 . They can pursue the main quest, focus on building settlements, explore the wasteland, and even recruit companions to their cause. These companions have varying personalities, skills, and perks that they bring to the table, so it is beneficial for players to seek out as many as they can.

In total, there are 13 companions that can be recruited in. This guide details the location of each one and what needs to be done to recruit them. Some of the companions have personal quests tied to them, and some can even be romanced, which will be noted below.

Cait

The Combat Zone’s importance is one of the things that was cut frombefore release, but players can still find the valuable companion Cait there. Before recruiting Cait, it is necessary to clear the Combat Zone area of the raiders that have infested the place, and then chat with her as well as the Combat Zone’s owner, Tommy Lonegan. By the end of the conversation, players are given the opportunity to recruit Cait as one of their companions.

Cait is more than capable in combat, and comes with the Trigger Rush perk once maximum affinity has been reached. To reach maximum affinity with Cait, players need to be somewhat devious on their adventures, which can be accomplished by stealing and killing on a semi-constant basis. For some strange reason, Cait also likes it when players fast-travel naked, so keep that in mind. Raising Cait’s affinity also gives players a chance to romance her, as well as unlocks her personal quest, “Benign Intervention.”

Codsworth

First seen during the Fallout 4 E3 2015 presentation, Codsworth has been one of the most marketed companions in the game, perhaps second only to Dogmeat. Before the apocalypse, Codsworth was the player character’s cheery robotic butler, but in the post-apocalypse, Codsworth is an effective killing machine.

Codsworth is encountered very early on in the game, in Sanctuary Hills, and simply chatting with him is enough for recruitment. Raising his affinity for the player character isn’t quite as easy, but the quickest way to make Codsworth idolize the player is by creating as many armor and weapon mods as possible. Once Codsworth’s affinity for the player is at maximum level, the Robot Sympathy perk will be added to the player’s list of perks.

Curie

Curie is located in in Vault 81, and is acquired after the quest “Hole in the Wall.” While traveling with Curie, keep in mind that she likes seeing the player heal other characters with stimpaks, and doing so is the quickest way to raise her affinity for the player character. On the road to maximum affinity, Curie’s personal quest “Emergent Behavior” becomes available. Completing it and reaching maximum affinity with Curie earns players the Combat Medic perk…and also gives players a chance for some robot love.

Deacon

Deacon is a member of the Railroad, and as long as players don’t outright betray the Railroad for one of the factions that trigger Fallout 4 ‘s other endings, he will stick by the player’s side indefinitely. Deacon can’t be romanced and doesn’t have a personal quest tied to him, but he does have the Cloak & Dagger perk as a reward for reaching maximum affinity with him.

Dogmeat

Dogmeathas many uses beyond the usual combat support role that most of the companions play, such as sniffing out and retrieving helpful items for the player. In fact, thanks to a glitch, players can even use Dogmeat to obtain the powerful Cryolator weaponearly in the game.

Dogmeat himself is found at the Red Rocket garage, which is just outside of Sanctuary Hills. Simply speak with Dogmeat and he will become a loyal companion. Dogmeat has no personal quest and can’t be romanced (perhaps that’s a good thing), but he can still earn players a helpful perk in the form of the Attack Dog perk, which is unlocked by having a Charismalevel of 4.

Hancock

Hancock is one of the most ruthless ghouls that can be found in the Commonwealth. When players meet him, he is the mayor of Goodneighbor, and that is exactly where he can be found. By completing the side quest called “The Big Dig,” players can convince Hancock to put his mayoral duties on hold and join them in their adventures. Hancock can be romanced, and reaching maximum affinity with him will give players the Isodoped perk.

Nick Valentine

To recruit Nick Valentine, players should visit his detective agency in Diamond City, and then complete the subsequently gained quest “Getting a Clue.” An honorable gumshoe, Valentine prefers the player to make “good” decisions, and also enjoys it when the player hacks computers, so keep those things in mind when trying to reach maximum affinity with him. Besides maximum affinity, players also need to complete Valentine’s personal quest “Long Time Coming” in order to unlock his Close to Metal perk.

Paladin Danse

Paladin Danse of the Brotherhood of Steel can be found hanging out at the Cambridge Police Station. After meeting Paladin Danse, complete the quest “Call to Arms” for the Brotherhood, and he will be willing to journey with you through the wasteland. Danse’s Know Your Enemy perk will unlock once players complete the “Blind Betrayal” personal quest and raise his affinity to maximum. When trying to get Danse to maximum affinity, remember that he generally wants the player to treat people fairly, except when it pertains to synths and ghouls. Follow this advice and Danse will fall in love with the player character in no time.

Piper

Piper, the wasteland’s resident journalist, can be found shilling her newspaper Publick Occurrences in Diamond City. Piper can be recruited by completing the quest “Story of the Century,” and raising her to maximum affinity will unlock the helpful Gift of Gab perk, as well as give players the opportunity to romance her.

Preston Garvey

Preston Garvey, the man who had the honor of being the first Fallout 4 character in Fallout Shelter , is also one of the first companions players can recruit in the game. A prominent member of the Minutemen, Garvey looks to the player to liberate settlements across post-apocalyptic Boston after recruiting him by completing the quest “The First Step.” Garvey’s United We Stand perk as well as romance options can be unlocked by reaching maximum affinity with him.

Robert MacCready

Visitors of the seedy Third Rail establishment in Goodneighbor can find and pay Robert MacCready to be their companion-for-hire for a mere 250 caps. To earn MacCready’s affection, players should play the game with as evil a slant as possible, in addition to completing his personal quest “Long Road Ahead.” Reaching maximum affinity with MacCready and completing his personal quest will earn players the Killshot perk, as well as the chance to romance him.

Strong

Strong is the only super mutant that is available as a companion in all of Fallout 4 , and can be recruited after the quest “Curtain Call” at Trinity Tower. Strong can’t be romanced, but raising his affinity to maximum will unlock the Berserk perk for players. The fastest way to raise Strong’s affinity is by generally making decisions that fall under the “good” alignment, but being a super mutant, Strong also enjoys his fair share of violence as well.

X6-88

We’ve already established that players gain Deacon as a companion by siding with the Railroad, and Paladin Danse as a companion by joining the Brotherhood of Steel. To gain X6-88 as a companion, players must stay loyal to Fallout 4 ‘s third major faction, the mysterious Institute, and complete the quest “Mankind-Redefined.” Raising X6-88 to maximum affinity will unlock the Shield Harmonics perk, but it won’t give players the chance to romance him, which is understandable considering he is an Institute courser synth and all.

While that covers all 13 companions available in the core Fallout 4 game, more companions could potentially be on the way. Bethesda has a number of Fallout 4 expansion packsplanned, which are expected to add new quests, possibly new areas, and maybe even new companions as well. If new companions do indeed come to the game, stay tuned to Game Rant to discover how to find them, recruit them, and, if applicable, romance them.

Which Fallout 4 companion is your favorite? Which one do you like the least? Leave us a comment and get at us about Fallout 4 and the game’s 13 different companions in the comments below.

Fallout 4 is currently available for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Source: Fallout 4 Wikia, GameSpot

Fallout 4’s First Three DLC Packs Detailed; Season Pass Price Increased

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Bethesda reveals the first three DLC expansions for Fallout 4 , which will add robot building, creature taming, better weapons, and a new landmass to explore.

At this point, most gamers that picked up Fallout 4 on day one have probably had their fill of. Many are likely ready to dive into Bethesda’s planned post-launch DLC support for the game, and now we know when those gamers can finally get their hands on‘s DLC expansions.

The first expansion will be available at some point in March. Called Automatron , it will be a part of Fallout 4 ‘s season pass, or can be purchased separately for $10. The Automatron DLC for Fallout 4 features a new antagonist called The Mechanist, who has unleashed hordes of evil robots on the unsuspecting Commonwealth. The goal of the DLC will be to discover the identity of the Mechanist, while also destroying his robots. Players will also be able to create their own robots, and outfit them with hundreds of different mods.

Following Automatron , the second DLC pack for Fallout 4 will be coming in April, and will be of a smaller scale. Costing only $5, April’s Fallout 4 DLC is called Wasteland Workshop . Instead of adding new story content, it instead adds an intriguing new gameplay mechanic that allows players to build traps, capture enemies in the wasteland, and then either tame them or have them fight to the death – think Pokemon with a Fallout -inspired twist.

Finally, the largest expansion for Fallout 4 will be available in May. Priced at $25, the Far Harbor expansion adds a brand new area for players to explore, which Bethesda is describing as the largest landmass for an add-on that the company has ever created. Far Harbor will add new quests, enemies, dungeons, settlements, characters, and equipment to the game, as well as a new case to complete for Nick Valentine.

Besides these three expansions, even more content is planned for Fallout 4 throughout the rest of 2016. This will include free content updates, like the recent one that improved Fallout 4 ‘s graphics on consoles, in addition to more paid DLC. To reflect this, Bethesda has also announced plans to increase the price of the game’s season pass.

Currently, Fallout 4 ‘s season pass costs $30. Starting March 1st, the price will be increased to $50. However, anyone that currently owns the season pass or purchases it before March 1st will be able to enjoy all the additional content Bethesda has in store for Fallout 4 at no extra charge.

With Fallout 4 ‘s DLC right around the corner, fans of the game will soon have plenty more to do in the wasteland. The three add-ons announced so far appear to be adding significant content to the base game, and hopefully they prove to be worthwhile experiences. In the meantime, those interested in testing out this add-on content in advance can sign up for their closed betas across PC and consoles on Bethesda’s website.

Fallout 4 is currently available for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Source: IGN