The Binding of Isaac franchise's growth continues with the reveal of a mysterious new project known as The Binding of Isaac: Repentance.

The only thing we know for sure is that developer Nicalis sent out the teaser trailer (and we mean teaser) for this project. We can also tell you that the ominous tone of the trailer suggests that this will not be a family-friendly game. 

Beyond that, we can only speculate as to what Repentance actually is. At the moment, the popular theory is that it's a piece of DLC. The Binding of Isaac has received a few pieces of DLC over the years, and there is little indication that the developers are eager to create a fully-fledged sequel to the game just yet. The base Binding of Isaac game (as well as the expanded Binding of Isaac: Rebirth) is still quite popular despite being about seven years old, so there's little reason for them to abandon it just to offer more adventures based on the same concept. 

However, there's also a chance that this is an entirely different project. We've already seen that there's a Binding of Isaac roguelike card game in development (or at least seeking funding on Kickstarter), so it's not entirely absurd to suggest that Nicalis is interested in exploring the creative reach of the property. 

Since the smart money is currently on a DLC expansion, though, that leaves us to wonder what the "Repentance" part of the title refers to. The nature of the game's plotline means that you must consider the religious implications of that word, but it's also possible that it's being used in a meta kind of way. That is to say that Repentance could prove to be a kind of expanded take on the existing Isaac games that features previously unseen content and improvements to existing mechanics. 

If the game's teaser trailer is any indication, we should know much more about Repentanceafter PAX West. 

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Fallout 76is the next entry in the Fallout series from Bethesda Game Studios. Based on a brief teaser, the game is set in 2102 and centers around a survivor from Vault 76. The story takes place in the hills of West Virginia. You play as one of the first survivors to leave a vault in the aftermath of the nuclear war that turned the planet into a wasteland. It'll be your job to rebuild civilization.

This sequel is actually an online survival RPG in the same vein as Rust and DayZ. The game, which reportedly began as a multiplayer mode for Fallout 4, will feature quests and a story as well as base-building mechanics. Bethesda confirmed at E3 2018 that the game is four times the size of Fallout 4.

Here's everything else we know about the game:

Fallout 76 Release Date

Fallout 76 will arrive on Nov. 14, 2018. The game is coming to XBO, PS4, and PC. 

Fallout 76 Beta

Bethesda has also confirmed the first details regarding Fallout 76's beta. As previously noted, Xbox One players will be the first to gain access to the beta. At present, the plan is to extend the first beta invitations in October to Xbox One gamers who pre-ordered Fallout 76 at "participating retailers." The initial group of beta players will be small, but Bethesda will expand the player pool in the weeks leading up to the game's release. That pool will eventually grow to include PS4 and PC players, but Bethesda hasn't confirmed when additional invitations will be sent.  

Fallout 76 Trailer

A new trailer for Fallout 76 dropped at Gamescom! Check it out below:

Here's a gameplay video previewing the base-building element of Fallout 76. Check it out below:

Another trailer debuted at E3 2018. Check it out below:

Check out the announcement trailer:

Fallout 76 Details

According to an interview with Todd Howard, Fallout 76 will not feature an offline single-player option. 

What that means is that there is no way to play the game without other people somehow being involved in your experience. Why you don't technically have to interact with them, they can theoretically interact with you whenever they'd like. However, there will be private servers meaning that it is possible to host a server for yourself or a small group of people. 

Additionally, it seems that the game will not include any NPCs that are not robots. This does raise some questions regarding how, exactly, quests in the game will be given out. Our guess is that most of the game's quest will be very simple fetch and enemy elimination affairs. 

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

John Saavedra is an associate editor at Den of Geek. Read more of his work here. Follow him on Twitter @johnsjr9. 

Nobody was quite sure what to make of the reports that a sequel to Rage was in the works. While Rage was a fairly well-received shooter, it didn't set the world on fire or establish much of a fanbase for the franchise. 

Nevertheless, Rage 2 is now official, and we're honestly incredibly intrigued by what we've seen of it. Developed by id Software and Mad Max developer Avalanche Studios, the next Rage game looks to combine open-world wasteland exploration with the trademark quality action that we've come to expect from id Software games. On top of that is a bizarre vision of the end of the world that includes a large number of themed gangs doing battle over what precious resources remain. 

In other words, it sounds like we're going to be getting the unofficial Mad Max game adaptation that we've been dreaming of for years. 

Here's everything that we know about Rage 2: 

Rage 2 Release Date

There's no release date available for Rage 2, but it seems that the plan is for the game to launch sometime in 2019. Bethesda has promised to reveal more about the title during E3 2018. 

Rage 2 Trailer

The Rage 2 QuakeCon trailer is here! Check it out below:

E3 2018 brought us our first look at Rage 2's gameplay. This exciting upcoming game looks to combine the shooting of Doom and the open-world brilliance of Mad Max. Take a look:

Here are the first two trailers:

Rage 2 Multiplayer

New information reveals that Rage 2 will feature multiplayer but won't include heavy social elements. 

In an interview with Eurogamer, id Software studio director Tim Willits said that Rage 2 won't feature "typical multiplayer" in terms of its social aspects. While he doesn't share the full details of Rage 2's multiplayer, he does note that you won't just be "running around together with your friends" in the game. We tend to think that suggests a more "classic" deathmatch multiplayer mode (or at least the option to play such a mode). 

Willits also stops short of revealing how Rage 2's DLC and live service elements will work, but he does suggest that it will include a mix of free updates and premium content. Unfortunately, he could not say for sure whether Rage 2 would feature loot boxes or other microtransactions. 

Rage 2 Microtransactions

Id Software boss Tim Willits informed GameStar that Rage 2 will not feature loot boxes or live service elements. 

Actually, Willits joked about the game's novel approach to revenue by stating that players will be able to buy the game and just play it. Bethesda later confirmed to USGamer that the game will not feature loot boxes or live service elements, but there's no word on whether or not the game will feature any post-release DLC content (whether it be free or premium).

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Anthem is the new game from BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age. The new IP is a departure from the developer's past work in the RPG genre. In fact, Anthem isn't an RPG at all. It's described as an action-adventure game running on a "live service," similar to Destiny. 

In Anthem, you play as a freelancer in a city protected by a wall from the dangers of the wild. Freelancers use special exo-suits called Javelins. There are two types of suits: Ranger, a balanced suit, and Colossus, which is basically your tank version. 

Here's everything we know so far:

Anthem Release Date

Anthem will be released on February 22, 2019, for XBO, PS4, and PC. 

Anthem Trailer

Here's the E3 2018 cinematic trailer for Anthem: 

And here's a bit of gameplay:

Here's the first gameplay trailer for Anthem:

Enemies showcased in the trailer include a mixture of wildlife and robots. The game will take place in an open-world environment and will feature cinematic dialogue sections, which isn't a surprise from BioWare.

Also be sure to check out the first teaser trailer for the studio's next game:

Anthem Details

When EA executive vice president Patrick Söderlund hinted during an investor’s call that BioWare was working on a new IP, many fans assumed that they were working on a new PRG. However, that's not the case.

During a recent investor meeting, EA CEO Andrew Wilson referenced BioWare’s next IP by confirming that: “At the end of the fiscal year, our BioWare studio will be delivering an all-new IP.” Interestingly, he had this to say regarding the game itself:

"A clean-sheet design with new concepts, new gameplay mechanics, and new stories set in a unique new universe. This game has the potential to fundamentally disrupt the way people think about an action title, bringing friends together to play in exhilarating new ways. We’re very excited about the future of this new franchise and its ability to attract a large global audience."

The one term that Wilson did not use when describing the game was “RPG.” Given that BioWare and RPG go together like Nintendo and sequels to 30-year-old properties, this comes as quite the shock. BioWare general manager Aaryn Flynn later took to the studio’s blog to expand on Wilson’s comments by stating that the project is designed to “bring players together in exciting new ways” and that their ambition is to "draw upon 20+ years of development knowledge and lessons to create something fun and new for you to enjoy with your friends.”

A non-RPG is certainly a departure from BioWare’s usual development territory, but given that they’ve been evolving their combat systems over the years to be more action-oriented, perhaps this is a natural evolution of the company’s design style.

Wilson also stated that he is able to describe the game as more of an action-adventure title with RPG elements that will operate off of some kind of live service. This seems to indicate some kind of online multiplayer experience. Indeed, it seems that this delay is at least partially due to EA's desire to develop that service a little while longer.

John Saavedra is an associate editor at Den of Geek. Read more of his work here. Follow him on Twitter @johnsjr9. 

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

The highly anticipated third installment in the main Kingdom Hearts series has been in development since at least 2012. First announced at E3 2013, it's been a long journey for this Disney-Final Fantasy mashup. There's some indication from Square Enix that Kingdom Hearts III will finally see the light of day in 2018, but only time will tell!

Until then, Square Enix hasn't been shy about slowly revealing some of the incredible Disney inspired worlds included in the upcoming game. From Toy Story to Monsters Inc., Kingdom Hearts 3 looks to explore nearly every aspect of the Disney universe while delivering an incredibly compelling RPG in the tradition of previous Kingdom Hearts adventures. 

Here's everything we know about the game:

Kingdom Hearts 3 Release Date 

Kingdom Hearts 3 will arrive on Jan. 29, 2019. It's coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. 

Kingdom Hearts 3 Trailer

The PlayStation E3 2018 conference included a special preview of Kingdom Hearts 3 that focuses on the game's Pirates of the Carribean world. 

This trailer for Kingdom Hearts 3 serves as a cinematic rundown of the stories and worlds that we've seen from the game thus far. Included is a brief look at a few new environments and what seems to be a glimpse at the sequel's basic plot. 

This next trailer showcases what is being referred to as Classic Kingdom. However, reports indicate that the Game and Watch footage included in the trailer doesn't pertain to an entire kingdom, but rather a collection of classic minigames featured throughout the adventure. 

This trailer introduces the world of Monsters Inc. to the series. Check it out below:

Additionally, Disney showed off a trailer that confirms a world based on the Toy Story films will make an appearance sometime during Kingdom Hearts 3's campaign. Characters like Woody and Buzz will also make an appearance as party heroes during your time in this new world. 

Here are the rest of the trailers that have been released:

This next trailer teases Rapunzel’s tower from Tangled and what looks like the streets of New Orleans from The Princess and the Frog:

Finally, here's the very first trailer from E3 2013:

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the story of outlaw Arthur Morgan and the Van Der Linde gang as they rob, fight, and steal their way across the vast and rugged heart of America in order to survive.

The studio said of the game in a press release that Red Dead Redemption 2 is "an epic tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland. The game's vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience."

Here's everything else we know:

Red Dead Redemption 2 Trailer

The new trailer has arrived!

This next Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer reveals a few new details about the story. Check it out below:

You can check out the first two trailers below:

Red Dead Redemption 2 Release Date

Red Dead Redemption 2 will be released on October 26, 2018. The game is coming to XBO and PS4.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Preview

The first demo of Red Dead Redemption 2's gameplay has been revealed. Click here to learn all about it!

Red Dead Redemption 2 Story

Here's the official synopsis of the game:

America, 1899.

The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed.

After a robbery goes badly wrong in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Editions

Rockstar has revealed the special editions of Red Dead Redemption 2 that will be available on release day, and they include some exclusive content.

Those that pre-order Red Dead Redemption 2 will unlock the War Horse and the Outlaw Survival Kit. If you digitally pre-order the game, you'll unlock bonus cash for the game's story mode and a treasure map that will reveal some of the hidden items in the game. 

If you choose to splurge on the Special Edition, you will be able to access a special bank robbery mission, an additional gang hideout, a black thoroughbred horse, gameplay bonuses via wearable items, a cash bonus, a gunslinger outfit, and access to additional weapons. The Ultimate Edition comes with all of that plus more outfits, a survivor camp theme for the game's online mode, more weapons, and an online rank bonus. 

If you're really feeling like dropping some coin, you can spend $99.99 on the Collector's Box and get a ton of physical goodies that include the box itself, cards, a catalog of in-game weapons, and six pins. There is also a reference to content that will be available first to PlayStation 4 owners, but Rockstar has not yet shared any details regarding that exclusive content. 

However, you can find the full details of what you get with every edition of Red Dead Redemption 2 - and where to pre-order them - via this website.  

Red Dead Redemption 2 Screenshots

Rockstar has released new screenshots from the game. Check them out below:

Red Dead Redemption 2 PC Version

The good news is that publisher Take-Two thinks very highly of the PC market. The bad news is that they don't sound like they're preparing to port Red Dead Redemption 2 to PC when it releases next year. 

During a recent investor's call, Take-Two president Karl Slatoff stated that "The great news is that the PC market is vibrant for us. It’s a great market for us. It’s a big market. It’s a core market in consumers that are highly engaged. It’s a predominantly digital market, which also removes friction in terms of ongoing engagement with a consumer. So, for us, the PC market as a company is very important and very exciting and something we focus on."

That's the great news. The bad news is that Take-Two was directly asked about the possibility of Red Dead Redemption 2 coming to PC and CEO Strauss Zelnick responded by stating: "Any updates about any of our titles will come from our labels."

That being the case, it's possible that Rockstar could decide to put the work in for a PC port, but it's doubtful that it will release alongside the game's console versions.

John Saavedra is an associate editor at Den of Geek. Read more of his work here. Follow him on Twitter @johnsjr9. 

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Since its N64 debut, the Super Smash Bros. series has been one of Nintendo's most beloved properties. What began as a simple amusement that pitted some of Nintendo's best characters against each other in a brawler fighting game has become an institution. Everyone from casual Nintendo console owners to hardcore fighting fans has fond memories of waging war across Smash Bros. many levels. 

Now, Smash Bros. Ultimate is preparing to make its debut on the Nintendo Switch. Following the success of Super Smash Bros. Wii U - a game that grew to include one of the most incredible rosters in fighting game history - expectations are high for the next entry in the long-running franchise. If Nintendo's history with highly-anticipated Switch titles is any indication, though, then we fully expect this will be a special title that will boast a truly impressive collection of playable characters. 

Here is everything we know about Super Smash Bros. for Switch:

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Release Date

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will arrive on Dec. 8, 2018. The game is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch. 

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Trailer

Nintendo fully unveiled Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at E3 2018. Here's the full, 25-minute announcement video:

The game was first teased in a Nintendo Direct earlier this year. Check it out below:

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Characters

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will feature every single character who has ever appeared in the series, including Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid, Ryu from Street Fighter, and Cloud from Final Fantasy. That means that the game will boast a roster of over 60 characters!

Here's the full list of fighters:

• Bayonetta
• Bowser
• Bowser Jr.
• Captain Falcon
• Charizard
• Chrom
• Cloud
• Corrin
• Daisy
• Dark Pit
• Dark Samus
• Diddy Kong
• Donkey Kong
• Dr. Mario
• Duck Hunt
• Falco
• Fox
• Ganondorf
• Greninja
• The Ice Climbers
• Ike
• Ivysaur
• Jigglypuff
• King Dedede
• King K. Rool
• Kirby
• Link
• Little Mac
• Lucario
• Lucas
• Lucina
• Luigi
• Mario
• Marth
• Mega Man
• Meta Knight
• Mewtwo
• Mii Brawler
• Mii Gunner
• Mii Fighter
• Mr. Game & Watch
• Ness
• Captain Olimar
• Pac-Man
• Palutena
• Peach
• Pichu
• Pikachu
• Pit
• Pokémon Trainer
• R.O.B. the robot
• Richter Belmont
• Ridley
• Robin
• Rosalina
• Roy
• Ryu
• Samus
• Sheik
• Shulk
• Simon Belmont
• Snake
• Sonic
• Splatoon Inklings
• Squirtle
• Toon Link
• Villager
• Wario
• Wii Fit Trainer
• Wolf
• Yoshi
• Young Link
• Zelda
• Zero Suit Samus

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

John Saavedra is an associate editor at Den of Geek. Read more of his work here. Follow him on Twitter @johnsjr9. 

Age of Empires IV is finally on the way!

Microsoft has passed off development duties of the famous real-time strategy game to Relic Entertainment, creators of the Dawn of War franchise. What Relic Entertainment have in mind for the franchise is truly anyone's guess. The above reveal trailer only serves as a stylish confirmation that the game is in development. It showcases war throughout various time periods and regions which is, creatively speaking, in-line with the standards of the series thus far. 

Of course, some people are a bit worried that Relic Entertainment might not be the premier name in strategy game design that they used to be. Dawn of War III was berated by many longtime fans for its changes to the franchise formula as well as for some of the features it lacked in comparison to previous Dawn of War games. 

Still, Relic Entertainment's library contains far more hits than misses, and there is a timeless quality to the Age of Empires franchise which has helped ensure that the original titles remain some of the most popular strategy games in the world. There's a great chance that this will be the Age of Empires game you've been waiting for. 

Here's everything else we know about the game:

Age of Empires 4 Release Date

Age of Empires IV doesn't have a release date at this time. The game will arrive on PC.

Age of Empires 4 Trailer

Here's the first trailer:

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Team Ninja is working on a surprising sequel to their well-received Souls-like title, Nioh. Here's your first look at Nioh 2. 

In a way, it's not too surprising to hear that Team Ninja is working on a sequel to Nioh. After all, the game reportedly sold even better than they were expecting it to sell and performed especially well on PC where the developers had some worries regarding its ability to succeed. 

On the other hand, nothing leading up to E3 2018 suggested that Team Ninja was going to reveal a new Nioh game. After all, the original Nioh was released in February of 2017, so we're not that far removed from the franchise's debut. 

We get the impression that there still might be quite a bit of work to do on Nioh 2 considering that Team Ninja didn't showcase any gameplay from the sequel or revealed any details regarding what we can expect from the upcoming game. However, we'd be a little surprised to hear that it will differ too wildly from the original game given its relatively quick turnaround time and the fact that the first game didn't demand too many improvements. 

Story-wise, it's entirely possible that Nioh 2 will pick up relatively close to where Nioh left off, but it's not too much of a stretch to suggest that the game could go in a new direction entirely given that the story of the first game was clearly not specifically intended to be picked up at a later date. 

Regardless, it's enough to know that Team Ninja is working on a new Nioh game given that the original title was a pretty fully-realized take on the Dark Souls concept. While there's still a lot we need to learn about this game, we're very excited to learn more about Nioh 2 as it nears its 2019 PS4 release date.

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

This is not a drill: The Elder Scrolls VI is officially in development! While we really wish that we had more information to share with you regarding the finer details of this game, we tragically do not. See, Bethesda's Pete Hines remarked that this isn't a game that is going to come out this year or even the next year. Instead, it's a title that they are working on that is somewhere on the horizon. 

However, that's really not the important detail of this story. What really matters is that Bethesda is, right now, working on a new Elder Scrolls game. Not Skyrim, not a Skyrim sequel, not a Skyrim spin-off, but a game that is actually being called The Elder Scrolls VI. At present, we have no reason to believe that this is not a proper single-player epic Elder Scrolls adventure in the style of classic Elder Scrolls experiences. 

Here's everything else we know about the game:

The Elder Scrolls 6 Trailer

Bethesda shared the first trailer for the game at E3 2018:

If you're really reaching for more information, you can try to figure out where the game will take place based on the teaser footage that we saw in the trailer. However, we have a feeling that nothing about that footage is anywhere close to being finalized. However, it does seem like we're leaving the snow-covered world of Skyrim for a more diverse climate that somewhat resembles the world seen in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. 

The Elder Scrolls 6 Release Date

No release date has been set for The Elder Scrolls 6. Expect a long wait for the next installment in Bethesda's coveted fantasy RPG series.

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Bethesda has revealed that there are two new Wolfenstein games in development. The first is a title known as Wolfenstein: Youngblood. 

While this isn't the next mainline Wolfenstein game - there's still no word regarding whether or not we'll be treated to a Wolfenstein III - it is a fascinating "spin-off" of sorts that is primarily meant to be played as a co-op shooter. Yes, Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a co-op shooter that lets you play as B.J. Blazkowicz's daughters as they shoot their way through an alternate version of 1980's Paris. 

This does seemingly make Youngblood a pseudo-sequel to the events we saw in Wolfenstein II, but it's not entirely clear whether or not this game will touch upon the story threads that were left lingering by Wolfenstein II. Instead, it appears that this game will tell a story that more of its own. 

The good news is that Youngblood is being developed by the folks at Machine Games (who have been responsible for the modern Wolfenstein games we've enjoyed thus far) and that you'll be able to play it by yourself in some form if you aren't able to find a friend to stick with you until the end. It also seems like Machine Games is planning on releasing the game for major platforms sometime in 2019. 

We, unfortunately, know less about the other Wolfenstein game on the horizon, but we can tell you that it is a VR title called Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot where you play a hacker who is trying to turn the Nazis' own machinery against them. There's no word on when this game will be released or which VR platforms it will be available for. 

Even though we'd love to hear something about the next mainline Wolfensteingame, these projects look like fun deviations from the norm that should manage to kill the time until we get our hands on what figures to be the final game in the mainline Wolfensteinreboot series.

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Cyberpunk 2077 will be CD Projekt Red's first game outside The Witcher universe, and its first foray into science fiction. Based on the Cyberpunk series of tabletop games, it is, as its name suggests, inspired by the pioneers of the cyberpunk subgenre - namely William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. We can therefore expect plenty of cyborgs, AI, benighted cities, and scary corporations.

While Cyberpunk 2077's very different in setting from The Witcher, we'll see the same mature themes and unforgiving difficulty level in this new outing.

"The Witcher helped Cyberpunk quite a bit, because the game got so big and so complex that it really taught us,” visual effects artist Jose Teixeira told MCV. “If anything, working on The Witcher 3 was a really good and often brutal learning experience. Cyberpunk is going to benefit greatly from it. I can almost guarantee it."

Here's everything else we know about the game:

Cyberpunk 2077 News

CD Projekt Red has just unveiled our first look at gameplay from Cyberpunk 2077! Check it out here:

The studio also showed off new concept art for Cyberpunk 2077 at Gamescom 2018. Check it out in the gallery below:

Image 1 of 8

Cyberpunk 2077 Release Date

Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't have a release date at the moment. The game is coming to XBO, PS4, PC.

Cyberpunk 2077 Trailer

The official E3 2018 trailer for Cyberpunk 2077 showcases a more playful and lively vibe for the game than we were expecting to see. Expected or not, the game looks incredible. 

Here's the first teaser trailer from 2013:

Cyberpunk 2077 Details

Adam Kiciński, president of CD Projekt Red, recently shared a little more information about Cyberpunk 2077. 

Along with the usual comments regarding how Cyberpunk 2077 is a very technologically ambitious game, Kiciński stated that the team is theoretically "ready to interface with future generations" of gaming hardware. He also noted that the game will allow players to create their own characters and choose between various character classes. Previously, it had been suggested that the game wouldn't utilize RPG character classes. 

While Kiciński noted that the team is focused on delivering a single-player experience above all, he did note that the team is still interested in utilizing some kind of online component. Kiciński wouldn't confirm, though, whether or not the studio is considering adding some kind of competitive multiplayer mode to the game or something a little different. However, the team does not plan to add any microtransactions to the game if it does end up featuring some kind of multiplayer option. 

Finally, it doesn't sound like there are any plans in place for a Switch version of Cyberpunk 2077. Sorry, Nintendo fans. 

CD Projekt Red also spoke briefly about the scope of the upcoming sci-fi RPG at a seminar (via PCGamer). As the developer has said before, Cyberpunk 2077 will be much bigger than The Witcher 3, which is itself a HUGE fantasy RPG.

"Cyberpunk is our new Witcher 3, but even more ambitious," CD Projekt CEO Adam Kicinski said. "Our goal is to establish a new blockbuster franchise from the beginning. We work [in a] new universe, futuristic universe. We believe it's very appealing to players, not only RPG players — but this is [a] true RPG, like Witcher, like Witcher 3, for mature audiences. It's handcrafted, detailed, of course, open-world, with open-ended gameplay.

Additional rumors have emerged which suggest that Cyberpunk 2077 might take place in a "living city" that functions on its own accord regardless of whether or not the player is actively involved in a certain area or not. The actions of this city will apparently be governed by a complex series of AI rules that will allow for developer CD Projekt Red to maintain the illusion of a truly dynamic world.  

Furthermore, Cyberpunk 2077 may very well feature a complex multiplayer mode that involves the use of several technological tools and grants the developers have apparently applied for. When PC Gamer reached out to the developers for comment, they were told that CD Projekt Red have been applying for such tools but are not able to elaborate on their functionality at this time. 

In a post on CD Projekt Red's forums, the developers not only assured fans that the game is still being worked on, but revealed a rather shocking figure concerning the resources they are pouring into it. 

According to the forum post made by the development team, there are "more game developers working on Cyberpunk 2077 than on The Witcher 3 in its most intensive month." While the developer didn't reveal the exact number of developers currently working on the game, previously revealed figures regarding the development of The Witcher 3 suggest that the game was worked on by over 240 staff developers and over 1,500 people in general. 

Interestingly enough, the careers page of CD Projekt Red's website suggests that they are still looking to fill somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 positions devoted exclusively to the development of Cyberpunk 2077.

While it's clear that the developer's work on the upcoming standalone Gwent game isn't hindering their focus as it concerns completing Cyberpunk 2077, there is a bit of bad news that accompanies this information. We still don't know exactly when Cyberpunk 2077 is going to be released, and its absence from last year's E3 suggests that it's not likely to debut until sometime after E3 2018 at the very earliest.

Either way, it's still very likely that you've got enough uncompleted side missions in The Witcher 3 to keep you occupied until the game debuts.

“Cyberpunk is far bigger than anything else that CD Projekt Red has done before,” visual effects artist Jose Teixeira told MCV. “Far, far bigger. We're really stepping into the unknown in terms of complexity and size and problems we encounter.”

Following a statement by developer CD Projekt Red regarding Cyberpunk's online elements and their "games as a service" approach, the studio has stepped forward to clarify that they do not currently intend to add microtransactions to the game. 

"Worry not," reads a post on the studio's Twitter account. "When thinking CP2077, think nothing less than TW3 [The Witcher 3] — huge single player, open world, story-driven RPG. No hidden catch, you get what you pay for — no bullshit, just honest gaming like with Wild Hunt. We leave greed to others."

It's still unclear what the games as service comment applies to, but it could just be a comment related to the possibility that Cyberpunk may feature expanded online modes. That makes sense given that the game is based on modern and futuristic technology as opposed to The Witcher 3's fantasy setting.

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

John Saavedra is an associate editor at Den of Geek. Read more of his work here. Follow him on Twitter @johnsjr9. 

Yes, one of the greatest games of the previous console generation is getting a sequel. Fans hoped that Naughty Dog might find a way to return to the world of The Last of Us, but the nature of the original game's ending left some to speculate that the developers had said all there was to say about the adventure of Ellie and Joel. 

It's not entirely clear exactly what the story will be this time around, but the ominous and fearful tone of Ellie's looming threats suggest that this will be a story of revenge. The recipient of said revenge seems to be fairly obvious based on context clues in the trailer, but in the interest of not completely outlining the ending of the original game, we will not speculate on their identity here.

Speculation is all we have as it concerns the release date for The Last of Us Part II, however. It appears that the game is still very much in development, which means you shouldn't hope to see it before late next year at the earliest. Neil Druckman, the title's creative director, took to the PlayStation Blog to clarify that the eventual release of the game could be "a ways off," and to assure fans that Naughty Dog is only making a sequel to this game because they feel they have a new story that is worth telling. 

Well, we're sold. Here's everything we know about The Last of Us Part II:

The Last of Us Part 2 Release Date

The Last of Us 2 doesn't have a release date as of yet. We expect Sony to reveal that information at E3 2018. 

The Last of Us Part 2 Trailer

At the Sony E3 2018 conference, we were treated to a brilliant and highly cinematic - also possibly very scripted - gameplay sequence from The Last of Us Part 2. Check it out now. 

Here's another trailer:

Next, feast your eyes on the reveal trailer for The Last of Us Part II:

The Last of Us Part 2 Story

At PSX 2016, Naughty Dog director and writer Neil Druckmann shared the first bits of Last of Us Part 2 story details, including what the focus will be in the sequel. Druckmann revealed that Ellie is the star of this installment and that the game takes place several years after the original. Ellie is 19-years-old in The Last of Us Part 2. 

Druckmann talked a bit about the tone and direction of the sequel's story, saying that while the original was a story about love, "[Part 2] is about hate." He also confirmed that this game will exclusively continue the story of Ellie and Joel instead of jumping to other characters.

It looks like The Last of Us Part 2 will have a couple of connections with Westworld. It's been revealed that Halley Gross, a writer on the show, will be co-writing the game's story with Neil Druckmann, who wrote the first game. 

Additionally, Westword actress Shannon Woodward will have a role in the game. No details on her character were revealed. Her casting was revealed in a tweet:

It's also been revealed that Bruce Straley, who directed the first game, will not return for the sequel. Instead, Druckmann will be directing the game. 

The Last of Us Part 2 Music

Writer/director Neil Druckmann confirmed that Gustavo Santaolalla, the composer of The Last of Us' wonderful score, will also create the music for the sequel. 

The Last of Us Part 2 Poster

In celebration of Outbreak Day - the day in The Last of Us when the world fell apart - Naughty Dog has released some promotional materials and free items related to the game. You can read a full breakdown of the announcement (which includes information regarding a new The Last of Us t-shirt and PS4 theme) via this PlayStation blog post. 

However, there is one Outbreak Day release we do have to highlight. The fine folks at Mondo have teamed up with Naughty Dog and artist Kevin Tong to release a new poster that seems to be related to The Last of Us Part 2. It's a fairly stunning design that serves as a callback to the previous Mondo The Last of Us poster and an effective teaser. 

You can buy the poster from Mondo's website starting today. 

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

John Saavedra is an associate editor at Den of Geek. Read more of his work here. Follow him on Twitter @johnsjr9. 

After years of Nintendo dancing around fans' pleas for a new Metroid game, the studio finally decided to drop a humble reveal for one of the most anticipated games of the last ten years right in the middle of their E3 2017 showcase. What a truly Nintendo way to make such an announcement.  

Since the announcement of this project, Nintendo has confirmed that Retro Studios will not be handling the development of this new Metroid title. Instead, they have stated that the development is being handled by a "talented new development team.”

According to Eurogamer, that studio is none other than Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, which is collaborating with Nintendo on the new game. However, Metroid producer Kensuke Tanabe will be overseeing the development of this new title.

Here's everything else we know about the game:

Metroid Prime 4 Release Date

There is currently no release date for Metroid Prime 4. The game is coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch.

Metroid Prime 4 Trailer

On the list of games that could possibly show up at E3 2017, Metroid Prime4 ranked somewhere alongside Half-Life 3. Nevertheless, here is the first preview for Metroid Prime 4.

Unfortunately, the reveal of Metroid Prime 4 doesn't actually tell us anything about the game itself aside from the fact that it is being worked on. However, given that most people had already given up hope that a new Metroid game would ever be released for the Nintendo Switch, we're going to go ahead and name this one of the best announcements of E3 2017.

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Henry Cavill (Justice League) has been tapped to star as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix's upcoming The Witcher series. Cavill, of course, is best known for his turn as Superman in three DC movies. The actor also happens to be a huge fan of The Witcher games from developer CD Projekt Red and the books by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski.

"Absolutely. Yeah, that would be an amazing role," said Cavill in an interview with IGN regarding his interest in playing the protagonist of The Witcher series. "The Witcher 3. I just replayed all the way through. Love that game. Really good game."

If the thought of the Man of Steel himself sitting down to enjoy a marathon Witcher 3 session throws you off a bit, that's only because you haven't heard some of the other interviews in which Cavill has professed his love for video games (particularly fantasy games). Along with The Witcher 3, Cavill has played quite a bit of Skyrim and World of Warcraft in the past. Actually, his love for WoW supposedly almost cost him the opportunity to play Superman. 

Cavill also told IGN that he has read The Witcher books and believes that they are "amazing" and "well worth a read." 

Cavill's casting lends some real star power to the series, and he has the kind of on-screen presence that an actor can never really "learn." His presence in Mission Impossible: Fallout certainly convinced us that he can make a larger-than-life character like Geralt come to life. 

The Witcher could hit the streaming service as early as 2020, according to showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich. Not much else about the series is set in stone as of yet. We do know that the first season will consist of eight episode and will each be about an hour long - though Hissrich claims there might be a little variation in each episode's runtime. The show is being filmed in Eastern Europe. Read more about the show here.

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014.

John Saavedra is Games Editor at Den of Geek. Read more of his work here. Follow him on Twitter @johnsjr9. 

Battlefield V's battle royale mode is officially titled Firestorm. 

As revealed in the latest Battlefield V preview (which includes details of the game's various modes), Firestorm is Battlefield's take on the battle royale mode, but it's not quite like most of the popular battle royale modes out there. Firestorm sees 16 teams of four players battle across an open-world map described as the largest in the franchise's history. Knowing the size of many Battlefield maps, that's actually saying something. 

This map is filled with vehicles, weapons, and destructible environments that will ideally help you eliminate your competition. It appears that the size of the map will slowly be shrunk by a giant ring of fire that closes in on the player. It's not entirely clear how quickly this ring of fire moves, but we imagine that it will work like most other battle royale games (which is to say that it will work in stages that allow you a little breathing room). 

The fact that the brief section of this new trailer devoted to Firestorm focuses on the vehicles is probably not a coincidence. Fortnite features relatively few vehicles and PUBG's vehicles are largely for darting around the map as quickly as possible, but it seems like Firestorm is going to allow you to utilize tanks and other high-impact combat vehicles within the designated play zone. 

What's especially interesting about Firestorm is that it doesn't sound like it's going to be a tacked-on battle royale mode that is designed to remind you of other popular games. The idea of a large-scale squad battle is both true to the spirit of the Battlefield series and sounds like a mode that Battlefield fans will be happy to try out based solely on the reason that they play Battlefield in the first place. 

Sadly, though, that's all still a bit speculative at the moment as we're still waiting to hear more about how this mode will work and what it looks like in action. Do you start with standard gear (or no gear)? How do classes come into play? Is there some kind of revival system? Once questions like these are answered, then we should have a better idea regarding whether or not you should be truly excited about this addition to the Battlefield mode family.

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Netflix has begun production of a series based on author Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher books. The upcoming Netflix series is not directly related to the CD Projekt Red video game franchise aside from the similarities that the two will naturally share. 

That fact adds a slightly humorous twist to this announcement when you consider that Sapkowski recently spoke out against the artistic merit of the Witcher game saga by calling into question the medium's ability to properly tell such a grand story. Before that, Sapkowski also admitted that he chose not to take a percentage for the adaptation rights, which he later came to regret when the series went on to gross over a billion dollars. 

Apparently, the author has worked out a much better deal for the Netflix series, as he spoke quite fondly about the upcoming adaptation in the official press release. 

"I'm thrilled that Netflix will be doing an adaptation of my stories," said Sapkowski. "...staying true to the source material and themes that I have spent over 30 years writing. I'm excited about our efforts together as well as the team assembled to shepherd these characters to life."

While The Witcher games do take some liberties with the source material, this series should feature quite a few familiar faces and storylines. We should know much more once the cast is in place.

Here's everything we know about The Witcher TV series thus far:

The Witcher Cast

Henry Cavill (Justice League) has been tapped to star as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix's The Witcher. Read more about his casting here.

The Witcher Release Date

The WitcherTV series could hit the air as early as 2020, according to showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich:

The Witcher Story

Here's the synopsis from Netflix:

"The witcher, Geralt, a mutated monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts."

The Witcher Episodes

Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher will reportedly start with an eight-episode first season. Lauren S. Hissrich, a writer working on the adaptation, confirmed the eight-episode first season on Twitter while addressing concerns that eight episodes aren't enough. Hissrich states that the smaller season allows the team to produce "tight, action-packed" episodes that are free of lagging story moments. She also states that the decision is not representative of any lack of faith in the series or any other financial concerns. 

The episodes will each be about an hour long - though Hissrich claims there might be a little variation in each episode's runtime - and that the show is being filmed in Eastern Europe. However, it seems that most of the episodes haven't been formally written as of yet and exist only as ideas. 

The Witcher Crew

To run the series, Netflix has brought on Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, writer and executive producer for other successful Netflix properties Daredevil and The Defenders. Hissrich joins the previously announced producing team of Sean Daniel (The Mummy) and Jason Brown (The Expanse).

Tomek Baginski, the man who directed the cinematics for the Witcher games, will also be involved with the project.

In case you haven't yet read our review of the show, we thought quite highly of Castlevania's first season and look forward to seeing what the show's incredibly talented team can do when they have a full-length season to work with. So the good news for fans of a classic horror game and the promising new animated series, is that Castlevania Season 2 will hit Netflix very soon!

Here's everything else we know about the show:

Castlevania Season 2 Release Date

Castlevania season 2 arrives on Oct. 26, 2018. It will air exclusively on Netflix.

Castlevania Season 2 Trailer

It's time to drink some blood! Here's the first trailer for Castlevania season 2:

Castlevania Season 2 Episodes

Netflix officially confirmed the show's renewal in a brief statement that included the very welcome news that Castlevania's second season will be eight episodes long. While that's hardly the length of a network program - or even an HBO show - it's a nice upgrade from the first season's meager four episode offering. 

Castlevania Season 2 Cast

All the principle participants of the show's first season appear to be onboard for Castlevania season two, which means that showrunner Adi Shankar, writer Warren Ellis, and voice actors Graham McTavish, Richard Armitage, James Callis, and Alejandra Reynoso will all reprise their respective voice roles. 

Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach recently stated that he does not believe the Olympics can rightfully incorporate violent video games as the source of recognized competitive events. 

"We cannot have in the Olympic programme a game which is promoting violence or discrimination," said Bach in an interview with the Associated Press. "So-called killer games. They, from our point of view, are contradictory to the Olympic values and cannot, therefore, be accepted."

When pressed to explain the difference between violent video games and certain Olympic sports that are either outright violent or based on violent activities, Bach offered a somewhat questionable clarification. 

"Of course every combat sport has its origins in a real fight among people," said Bach. "But sport is the civilized expression about this. If you have egames where it's about killing somebody, this cannot be brought into line with our Olympic values."

There are a couple of key takeaways from Bach's statement. This first is Bach's debatable stance on sports such as fencing being a civilized expression of actual violence while video games (which utilize digital avatars, weaponry, and battlefields) are not a civilized expression of human violence. Of course, that discussion regarding the merits (or lack thereof) of violence in video games has existed since we've had violence in video games, and there's no reason to suspect that it will be resolved anytime soon. 

However, it's also important to realize that Bach is not necessarily saying that the Olympic committee is outright opposed to featuring video games in some kind of format. He's only calling out violent video games. That means that titles like Rocket League or Hearthstone might theoretically be on the committee's radar. 

Of course, whether or not that committee is fully aware of the variety of non-violent competitive video games that exist is another matter entirely. 

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014. 

Release Date: September 7, 2018
Platform: PS4
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Action-Adventure

2004’s Spider-Man 2 is often considered to be the definitive Spider-Man game even though it is not necessarily the best game featuring the character. Why? Well, that was the game that made players truly feel like they were Spider-Man. More importantly, Spider-Man 2 was a superhero game that showcased what our friendly neighborhood hero can contribute to the world of gaming that no other character can. The title’s revolutionary web-slinging mechanics offered an open-world navigation system that none of the many open-world titles of that era could properly replicate without triggering some rip-off alarms.

Insomniac’s Spider-Man for PlayStation 4 is not that game. It is very much a game of its era, and it reflects many of today's popular trends. However, at a time when superhero titles are bigger than ever in every medium except for gaming, it might just be the title that shows us not what Spider-Man can do for gaming, but what modern gaming can do for the increasing number of superhero fantasies that a new generation of fans harbors.

While it may be the dawn of a new era of superhero games, Spider-Man is thankfully not an origin story. The game opens with a young Peter Parker who has already lost his Uncle Ben, has already been Spider-Man for quite a few years, and who is already comfortable with most of his powers. He’s also still quite enthusiastic about his abilities and responsibilities. Simply put, this is Spider-Man in his prime.

That’s a time period that we don’t often see in Spider-Man adaptations. Many storytellers rely on the burden of being Spider-Man as a source of drama. Insomniac, though, has decided to tell a slightly more classic Spider-Man story. Peter Parker still struggles to balance his superhero and personal lives, but the main source of intrigue in this story revolves around his battles with the city’s many villains.

It’s a battle that starts with the fall of The Kingpin and the crime lord’s threat that his downfall will trigger a criminal underworld battle for NYC that Spider-Man is not prepared to deal with. His threat proves to be anything but empty as everyone from pickpockets to a new threat known as Mr. Negative begin to tear the city apart in order to claim whatever may remain.

Granted, that’s a somewhat familiar premise so far as superhero entertainment goes, but what keeps Spider-Man's story from feeling superfluous is both Insomniac’s ability to tell that story well and the studio's willingness to alter certain elements of the Spider-Man mythology. While the latter aspect of the story will likely draw all the attention because of how easy it is to sensationalize (“Mary Jane is a journalist!” “Spider-Man’s suit is different!” “Character origin stories have changed!”), it’s actually the former aspect of the story that makes it easy to recommend Spider-Man based solely on the overall quality of the game's campaign.

What makes Spider-Man special in that respect is that it manages to tap into the pure comic book origins of the character and this world (classic villain outfits, an underlying foolish optimism about being a hero) while incorporating darker elements like shocking violence, character flaws, and other “mature” storytelling that remarkably doesn’t feel out of place with the rest of the experience. There are times when the game’s plot is dragged down by the inevitability of certain events and a few dry sections that border on filler, but for a superhero game campaign that will likely take you at least 15 hours to complete (likely more), Spider-Man’s story remains remarkably compelling throughout.

Yet, Spider-Man’s best moments aren’t found in the story. Those come from the thrill of the game’s open-world web-slinging. While some may say that Spider-Man’s web-slinging system isn’t quite as tight as the legendary one featured in Spider-Man 2 (due to slightly decreased sensations of speed and momentum), Spider-Man more than makes up for any minor shortcomings by offering a slightly complex (yet immediately accessible) series of movements that force you to do more than just hold down a trigger in order to get around the city.

In fact, Spider-Man’s movement system is at its best when you’re near Central Park or another area of the game’s sizeable map that doesn’t allow you to easily zip between buildings. Instead, it’s Spider-Man’s ability to run up walls, zip forward for extra momentum, dive bomb to gain speed, and launch off the edge of rooftops that make you feel like you’ve truly mastered the full range of this character’s unique set of abilities. 

Said abilities also never fail to impress visually thanks to the game's wonderful animations and overall graphical design. We've heard those fans who have speculated that this game has suffered a visual downgrade since its initial E3 gameplay trailers, but if that is the case, it's certainly not immediately obvious while you're actually playing the game. Every movement looks incredible, environments are colorful and varied, and the raw graphics are certainly worthy of its best AAA PS4 competitors. 

While much of the game's visual flair is found when you're exploring the city, Spider-Man's combat system also offers many moments of spectacle. As many have speculated, Spider-Man doesn’t try to overhaul the decidedly unbroken Batman: Arkham combat system. That means you can expect to do battle against waves of foes while utilizing a quick counter system and many punches and kicks.

However, Spider-Man does manage to improve upon the familiar by giving the player access to a variety of attacks based on Spider-Man’s abilities. Granted, many of those abilities involve webbing one or more enemies in some way, but the sheer number of moves and gadgets available to you mean that you’ll rarely have to rely on jamming the basic attack button. A typical fight may see you use your webs to hurl a grenade back at an enemy before dodging a rocket just in time to launch a web bomb that traps nearby enemies. The game’s boss battles don’t offer quite as much variety (and we're not sure why there are so many enemies with rocket launchers in NYC), but Insomniac at least attempted to ensure that each utilizes some kind of unique scenario.

Where the game’s Arkham imitations fail to flatter is in Spider-Man’s stealth system. There are many, many, many stealth sections in Spider-Man. If you think using the word “many” that much is a bit repetitive, know that I only use it three times to prepare you for the experience of encountering yet another stealth sequence as this game progresses.

To be fair, some of those sequences are quite good and make sense to the character and plot. It’s actually quite fun to see how many enemies you can quietly take out as Spider-Man before you descend on the rest of the gang. There are also some stealth sequences that don’t involve Spider-Man which actually enhance the tension of certain scenarios.

Still, for a game that is at its best when you’re confidently using Spider-Man’s various powers at lightning fast speed, the sheer number of these sequences begins to wear you down. It’s easy to spot the ones that could have (perhaps should have) been cut in order to enhance the experience of those with something more substantial to contribute.

More than Arkham, though, the most obvious (and curious) game you can compare Spider-Man to is 2018’s God of War. We’re not going to accuse anyone of copying anyone’s homework, but the amount of mechanical and visual similarities between Spider-Man and God of War is truly remarkable. Of course, God of War itself is based on some popular modern design trends that Spider-Man so happens to also utilize. 

That’s especially true of the game’s upgrade systems and open-world objective format. Much like God of War, Spider-Manallows you to upgrade various aspects of our hero. New gadgets can be unlocked, new enhancements can be added to your suit, there are all kinds of character skills that become available as you progress, and even the unlockable suits come equipped with new abilities (that are thankfully transferable between suits).

Most of these unlockables are acquired through spending various resources. While many of the game’s gadgets are acquired through the course of the game’s story (and Spider-Man’s skills can be purchased through points earned as you level up) just about everything else is unlocked by spending tokens. These tokens are acquired in many ways. For instance, crime tokens are rewarded when you stop certain crimes around the city. Backpack tokens are issued when you find some of Pete’s old backpacks. Base tokens can be acquired by cleaning out various thug hideouts.

The idea behind this system seems to be to encourage you to complete many of the “optional” side missions in order to unlock better gear. There are times when that system works quite well (it’s actually kind of cool that acquiring certain items also means exploring various game mechanics), but its hindered by a frustrating in-game economy.

Simply put, not all of the game’s upgrades are created equal. There are some that feel strictly better than others, and they’re not always the ones that you unlock later in the game. For instance, the “Spider Bro” ability (a drone that shoots electrical charges) that comes with Spider-Man’s Stark suit is so good at fights against crowds of enemies (which make up the majority of the game’s battles) that I never really felt the need to use anything else outside of boss fights and one or two very specific situations. I also just forgot about the ability to buy suit enhancements as it never really felt necessary to change the set of enhancements I purchased early on.

While some of the game’s various token-based objectives are fun enough to complete without the added incentive of unlockables, others (like most crime objectives) are easy enough to ignore unless you’re really jonesing for a new suit that requires them. It’s great that there’s so much variety in the game’s side missions and objectives, but the lack of a consistently compelling unlockable system means that those who choose to complete everything this game has to offer will likely do so because they are completionists or because they simply enjoy playing the game that much.

Of course, that would be a bigger problem if playing this game wasn’t as much fun as it is. As frustrating as Spider-Man’s familiarity and specific design shortcomings can be, we’re ultimately talking about a game that is based on some fundamentally enjoyable core mechanics (swinging, combat, and, seeing what that next objective marker has to offer). On top of that, you’ve got a story that’s fairly strong on its own but really shines once you realize that it’s just one part of the larger experience.

There’s going to come a day when the industry will have to move beyond open-world levels peppered with various objectives, towers that unlock portions of the map, RPG-lite mechanics, Arkham combat and stealth, and all the other tropes that fuel Insomniac’s Spider-Man. However, at a time when superhero games - much less good superhero games - are few and far between, it’s easy enough to recommend Spider-Manas a simply enjoyable game of its time that will hopefully lead us towards something a little more timeless.

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014.