Digital Trends • 21st June 2017

Do you watch a VR film or play it? ‘Life of Us’ makes it hard to tell

“You have to experience virtual reality to truly appreciate it.” It’s a common refrain, but that’s not always true. Some VR experiences can captivate those watching from outside a virtual reality headset. Some, like Within’s Life of Us, can catch the eye of just about anyone who walks by.

Digital Trends • 15th June 2017

'The Crew 2' creates crazy hijinks with instant vehicle swaps

The original The Crew had a great core idea; take a road trip in an awesome car. That game’s enormous map spanned the entire United States, and you could drive from one end to the other. The sequel, The Crew 2, keeps that foundation and adds boats, planes and, hopefully, a significant amount of polish.

Digital Trends • 15th June 2017

'Ashen' is a lot like 'Dark Souls' with extremely clever multiplayer

Ashen may look and feel like Dark Souls, but this indie game for Xbox One has several unique multiplayer features that might set it apart.

Digital Trends • 15th June 2017

Musical game 'Dropmix' may be a good reason to buy another big plastic accessory

Dropmix is a fun and unique musical party game from Harmonix and Hasbro that combines competitive card battling with a music remixer like DJ Hero. But convincing anyone to buy yet another plastic gaming accessory might be a hard sell.

Digital Trends • 15th June 2017

'Skull and Bones' pillages the best part of 'Assassin's Creed' for intense pirate battles

When Assassin’s Creed 3 introduced shipbound naval combat to the series in 2012, some said it was the best part of an otherwise somewhat lackluster game. When Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag cast a pirate as its protagonist and made seafaring gameplay its focus, few were surprised. And when Ubisoft unveiled Skull and Bones during its E3 2017 presentation, it made perfect sense.

Digital Trends • 13th June 2017

‘Hello Neighbor’ is an unfinished look into a fascinating breed of terror

Hello Neighbor is available right now in alpha form on the game’s official website, where a FAQ section still notes that the developers “are not announcing any console plans at this time.” That part will likely change soon, as the “stealth horror” game emerged this week onstage during Microsoft’s E3 2017 presentation as an Xbox One console exclusive.

Digital Trends • 12th June 2017

After 2 years away, Assassin's Creed returns as a wannabe RPG in 'Origins'

It’s been two long years since the last Assassin’s Creed game, AC Unity, met with tepid reception from fans and critics. Ubisoft responded by taking a break to put AC back in the oven for a while, and the resulting game, Assassin’s Creed Origins, was unveiled for the first time during Microsoft’s E3 2017 presentation in Los Angeles.

Digital Trends • 10th June 2017

‘Need for Speed Payback’ tries too hard to look like ‘The Fast and the Furious’

Need for Speed Payback looked great onstage during the 2017 EA Play keynote presentation, but many of the explosive features that make it resemble a Fast and the Furious movie also serve to distract and detract from its actual gameplay.

Digital Trends • 20th May 2017

Why virtual reality developers think AR is going to be bigger than VR

Virtual reality has taken the tech world by storm, but there is a growing consensus among experts that augmented reality has even more potential. The assertion that AR will become the more ubiquitous of the two fields was popular among VR and AR developers attending Unity’s Vision VR and AR summit in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Digital Trends • 9th May 2017

‘Gravity Rush 2’ combat guide: Making gravity work for you

You might think of Gravity Rush 2 as an action game, but it’s really a flying simulator first and foremost. That’s why its combat can occasionally feel like an afterthought — sometimes too simplistic, while later in the game, hopelessly chaotic.

Digital Trends • 9th May 2017

‘Gears of War 4’ Horde mode guide: How to succeed against overwhelming odds

Horde mode is the main draw for many Gears of War fans, and for good reason — it’s a tense and demanding battle royale that rewards dedication, skill and teamwork. “Horde 3.0,” the newest version, is arguably the highlight of Gears of War 4. It’s also the most complex version of Horde yet, and it won’t be easy for players to master.

Digital Trends • 9th May 2017

‘Bloodborne’ starting guide: ‘Dark Souls,’ this is not

As the first game in Dark Souls’ lineage that doesn’t actually have “Souls” in its name, you might expect Bloodborne to be a little different — and you’d be right. Dark Souls, this is not.

Digital Trends • 9th May 2017

How to avoid feeling lost in ‘Zelda: Breath of the Wild’

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the most open-ended game in the series since the original Legend of Zelda over 20 years ago. That game handed you a sword and told you, essentially, “good luck.” Breath of the Wild quickly gives you a multitude of tools, from bombs to a paraglider, but the message is effectively the same.

Digital Trends • 9th May 2017

‘Persona 5’ tips: How to make the most of your time in Tokyo

Persona 5 is absolutely massive, a 100-hours-long role-playing game with nearly endless choices when it comes to how you spend your time. Will you hang out with social contacts? Go shopping? Read a book or watch a DVD? Grind some combat? The choice is always yours, but it can be difficult to make.

Digital Trends • 8th May 2017

‘Gravity Rush 2’ manhole locations: Get your shortcuts on

There are more ways than ever for Kat to get around in Gravity Rush 2, whether you want free fall in Jupiter mode or jump like Superman as Lunar Kat. But the game’s world — which includes the cities of Jirga Para Lhao and Hekseville — is also massive, and the series’ warp manholes are more important than ever.

Digital Trends • 8th May 2017

Get all the best horses, including the Lord of the Mountain, in ‘Zelda: Breath of the Wild’

If you played Ocarina of Time in the ‘90s and loved nothing more than riding Epona around Hyrule field as the sun set Castle Town, you’re going to be happy to learn that Breath of the Wild is the most horse-friendly Zelda game yet.

Digital Trends • 8th May 2017

How to use Nintendo Switch Joy-Con and Pro controllers on your PC

There’s one serious benefit that’s emerged from Nintendo’s choice to use standard Bluetooth technology in the Nintendo Switch: You can easily use the console’s unique, high-quality controllers on PC, in MacOS, and even on Android devices.

Digital Trends • 8th May 2017

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ survival guide: Tips for getting by in Hyrule

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild may be the most difficult Zelda game ever released. It asks you to survive amid harsh conditions and gives you few tools beyond what you can scavenge. Then you have to defeat Ganon with whatever you can muster.

Digital Trends • 8th May 2017

‘Nioh’ beginner’s guide: Everything you need to know that the game won’t tell you

Team Ninja’s Nioh is one of the coolest games to come out so far this year. As a “Soulslike” — a challenging action RPG with mechanics based on From Software’s Dark Souls series — it isn’t the easiest game to get into. But Nioh’s fast-paced combat, intricate levels, and story of a demon-infested alternate-history Japan make it worth the investment.

Digital Trends • 29th April 2017

‘Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’ is Nintendo’s first victory lap on the Switch

The Sega Dreamcast didn’t die for a lack of good games, but many of the gems that launched on Sega’s final console, like Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and Seaman, never got the love they deserved. If Nintendo had let the Wii U be its swan song, Mario Kart 8 would have gone the same way.