The beta has shown some interesting results…

Halo Infinite had its first technical beta this past weekend, giving players a first taste of the highly anticipated shooter. The multiplayer took place across three maps with various bots, giving us a brief overview of the game. Digital Foundry has used this limited test to gather some initial findings on the performance of Halo Infinite across all its platforms, with some surprising results.

Firstly, the game was found to run exceedingly well on the new generation consoles. The Xbox Series X and Series S both manage to maintain frame rate targets of 60fps, while both run well in 120fps modes, too. The Series X exhibits some oddities at times with judder present at high frame rates, even with Variable Refresh Rate enabled. However, these don’t exist on the Series S, which means it might not be due to the console’s CPU but rather something on the GPU front.

On the older generation consoles, however, things did not run so smoothly. The Xbox One X does an admirable job maintaining a 30fps target while aiming at higher resolution gameplay, but the Xbox One S struggles to match that frame rate target even with aggressive dynamic resolution scaling. It’s a method of playing that will likely make you consider an upgrade, with Digital Foundry expressing some curiosity about how this will play out in the more visually demanding single-player mode.

Some work will likely be done before launch to make the game run more optimally on older consoles. Hopefully, there aren’t any Cyberpunk 2077 type issues for older generations. Of course, it is unlikely that any game will launch in the same condition that Cyberpunk did, but there is definitely room for caution for the developers.

In other news, there have been rumours that the new Halo will feature a Battle Royale mode, an interesting development to say the least.

Make sure to tune in to our upcoming charity Gameathon with Legacy Youth Zone on Saturday the 7th of August.

For those interested, we have a big sale going on, a summer sale. Use the codes SIZZLE10 (summer)  to access discounts. The discount codes are only valid for the products listed on their respective URLs (linked above). This sale ends 9th August so move fast!

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The post Halo Infinite Beta Struggles On Older Consoles first appeared on Get2Gaming.

The game is moving in the right direction…

Hood: Outlaws and Legends launched in May with a unique PvPvE model. Two teams complete the same heist simultaneously, both competing for the same loot, utilising stealth to get it done efficiently, and inevitably clashing at some point during the heist. The idea of a stealth PvPvE experience got many players excited, including me. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to play this game for free in return for me giving feedback to the developer Sumo Newcastle. In summary, I concluded that despite the stealth aspect of the game being where Hood generally excels, the game has a few mechanics which cause it to turn into a chaotic brawl too early and too frequently. The open combat is also fun despite being quite raw and having some issues (upon release). Still, the game, from my experience, turned into an all-out brawl almost instantaneously every game, which was clearly not intentional by the developer.

I noted there are a few game mechanics that draw players away from some of the best aspects of Hood, namely the stealth. I found there was little motivation to play the game stealthily, which is how it was intended to be played (at least at first). With some small tweaks and some bigger changes that place more emphasis on the stealth side of the game, I believed this game had huge potential at the time of writing my review.

I suggested that a future avenue (alongside changes to the main mode) was simply a PvE mode with heightened difficulties and rewards, where the co-operative stealth aspect can truly shine, as I believe this is where Hood’s true strengths are, with the open combat intended as extra (as I saw it).  It seems either others who reviewed the game must have said something similar, or the company itself had this in mind from the jump because the new game mode is exactly that.

The new mode called “State Heist” sets teams of four players against a deadlier computer-controlled enemy than those they’ve faced before, with players encouraged to take a stealthy approach to this heist.

The mode introduces new mechanics, including limitations on respawning, emphasising creating a game mode that rewards a cooperative and methodical approach. While the game’s regular mode sees two teams of four players facing off against each other, State Heist only requires one team of four to play.

It launched with an in-game event that’ll award players with unique skins if they manage to complete a State Heist without dying. The Shadow Lords costumes will be unlocked for the character used to complete the challenge, with dedicated players able to unlock all the skins.

Hood really is a game with great potential. The game concept is exciting enough in itself to draw players in. It just had a few flawed mechanics that made each game not play out as intended, and players, therefore, did not get the experience they had expected. Well, this game mode is a big step in the right direction. Players can now experience the greatness of Hood’s stealth and cooperative play without the hassle of a chaotic brawl. Of course, the brawl can be quite entertaining the first couple of times, but after a while, you realise Hood’s true greatness lies in the cooperative stealth aspects, which we can now enjoy with no limitations. I am excited to see how the developers also tweak the main game mode going forward to emphasise stealth instead of an all guns blazing approach, which they are evidently taking strides towards with the introduction of this new mode. See the new game mode’s trailer below:

Stay tuned to Get2Gaming for any Hood: Outlaws & Legends updates.

For those interested, we have a big sale going on, a summer sale. Use the codes SIZZLE10 (summer)  to access discounts. The discount codes are only valid for the products listed on their respective URLs (linked above). This sale ends 9th August so move fast!

To keep updated with the shop activities and weekly competitions, follow Go2Games on social media:

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The post Hood: Outlaws & Legends Gets New PVE Mode first appeared on Get2Gaming.

Skyward Sword HD is No.1 in the UK, the fourth No.1 for the Zelda series.

The latest UK physical video game software charts are now in, and Nintendo Switch’s newly released The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is No.1 for the week ending 17th July. The game is the fourth game in The Legend of Zelda series to reach No.1 following Link’s Awakening (Switch), Wind Waker (Gamecube) and Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64). You may be wondering why The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild wasn’t No.1, but it went up against Horizon: Zero Dawn on the PlayStation 4 in 2017. Here’s the GfK Top Ten for the week ending 17th July:

The original Skyward Sword, released in 2011, was one of the lower-rated Zelda games due to a few tedious mechanics which worsened the experience. Well, Nintendo listened and made various changes to the game this time around. The game has received positive early reviews and is clearly doing well (at least in the UK). Their conscious effort to remove such mechanics for the remaster seems to be paying off.

For those intrigued by the title, see the most recent trailer below:

Similarly, for those who are eager to purchase the game for themselves, you can do so from our Go2Games website.

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The post The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD UK’s No.1 first appeared on Get2Gaming.

The reviews are rolling out…

We recently reported the changes between the upcoming Skyward Sword HD remaster and the original, alongside briefly detailing the first review for the title. Well, more reviews have since been completed, and we are going to take you through a few of them here. If you are more interested in the specific changes between the two games, see the previous article.

Video Game Chronicle – 5/5

“While even an excellent remaster such as this can’t make Skyward Sword a perfect Zelda game, this is such a drastically improved version of one of the most overlooked entries in the series, and Switch owners simply mustn’t overlook it a second time around.” – Chris Scullion. (Full Review)

The Verge

“…this port is improved in all of the expected ways. It runs smooth, the graphics look cleaner (despite a few muddy textures here and there), and the new control scheme makes it a more accessible version of Skyward Sword. There are even some nice little tweaks, like a slightly less chatty talking sword that serves as your guide. The biggest barrier is your expectations. Yes, it can feel dated after Breath of the Wild. But for me, at least, the fantastical world, clever puzzles, and challenging dungeons made it worth pressing through. And given that the still-untitled sequel to Breath of the Wild looks like it’ll feature a similar sky-themed world, this could be just the thing to hold you over until its release.” – Andrew Webster. (Full Review)

Game Informer – 8/10

“In some ways, Skyward Sword was the end of an era. It follows the pattern Nintendo established back in 1998 with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and it was the last game in the series before Nintendo reconceived the series with Breath of the Wild. In some ways, Skyward Sword perfects Ocarina’s template, but that formula also feels well-worn and stuffed with unnecessary junk. Despite all the ways Nintendo updated this package, Skyward Sword remains far from my favourite entry in the series, but this is clearly the best way to play this blemished gem.” – Ben Reeves. (Full Review)

GameSpot – 7/10

“The various quality-of-life tweaks that Nintendo has implemented here, welcome as they are, don’t fix Skyward Sword’s biggest issues, and it remains the most uneven 3D entry in the Zelda series. Even so, the improvements in this Switch remaster make the overall experience more enjoyable, and the characteristic Zelda magic ultimately outshines the game’s faults.” – Kevin Knezevic (Full Review)

The Guardian – 4/5

“Nintendo has done an unconvincing job of trying to position this remaster as a kind of prototype Breath of the Wild, and it sets newcomers up for disappointment–and undersells Skyward Sword’s unique charms. It’s hard to think of two Zelda games less alike: one a celebration of unbridled freedom and emergent thrills, the other an on-rails rollercoaster built by Nintendo’s brainiest puzzle architects. Somewhere in the middle, there is a potent compromise – and the skydiving in the forthcoming sequel to Breath of the Wild suggests it may have been found. But until then, Skyward Sword is doomed to feel less ambitious. After Breath of the Wild, though, what game isn’t? A backward step it may be, but Link still holds that sword arm high.” – Matthew Castle. (Full Review)

Famitsu – 34/40

As reported previously,  the first review was done by Japanese publication Famitsu, with western reviews still a few hours away from publication at the time of writing. Famitsu’s scoring system is different from the typical. Four different reviewers rate the game out of ten; in this case, the magazine’s reviewers opted for scores of eight, nine, nine, and eight, resulting in an overall score of 34/40.

The general consensus seems that if you expect a Breath of The Wild calibre game, you will be quickly disappointed, as the formula is more reflective of older classic Zelda games. However, the remaster seems to have corrected a lot of the tedious mechanics players found vexing in the original, and despite the controls not being perfect, it is seemingly still a good edition in the Zelda franchise and the perfect game to sink your teeth into until Breath of The Wild 2 comes around. Of course, I have not played the game myself, so my voice is formed through a collection of reviews, not by my own experiences. I will have to wait to play it before taking you guys through how I perceived the game. It is due to be released on July 16th (for £49.99), and I cannot wait for another dose of The Legend of Zelda.

For anyone interested in also picking up the game, you can do so from our Go2Games website.

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The post ‘The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD’ Review Roundup first appeared on Get2Gaming.

A promising start…

When the original game released for the Wii in 2011, it came with mixed reviews. Much of the negative response it received was related to a few questionable game mechanics. It seems Nintendo has listened as they have made some quality-of-life changes for the upcoming Switch remaster.

First and foremost, players no longer have a fixed camera angle like in the Wii edition. Skyward Sword HD now lets you rotate the camera freely. Players will have a choice between motion controls like that of the Wii edition or a new button-based format. According to the official Zelda account on Twitter, players who opt for the new, button-based controls can hold down the left bumper to free up the right stick for scanning the environment.

【カメラのみまわし】#スカイウォードソードHD では、カメラを自由に回せるようになりました。いろいろな角度から世界を見渡してみてはいかがでしょうか？
（Joy-Con 2本持ちならRスティックを回す。ボタン操作ならLボタン＋Rスティックを回す。） pic.twitter.com/I4g94H2SNi

— ゼルダの伝説 (@ZeldaOfficialJP) July 13, 2021

However, that right stick is a crucial part of Skyward Sword HD’s updated control scheme, acting as a replacement for the motion-based sword attacks that vexed players in the original. This means (at least as far as I can tell without the game in my hands) that players won’t be able to attack and move the camera simultaneously. An annoyance, for sure, but it’s still better than nothing.

Other more general improvements include enhanced visuals and framerates, a reduction in companion Fi’s interruptions, the ability to fast-forward through dialogue and skip cutscenes, and no more repeat item descriptions after you’ve already encountered them. Many of these details contributed to the game’s poor reception in 2011, therefore, it seems Nintendo is committed to getting it right this time around.

The first review for Skyward Sword HD has also been rolled out. This review was done by Japanese publication Famitsu, with western reviews still a few hours away from publication at the time of writing. Famitsu’s scoring system has four different reviewers rate the game out of ten; in this case, the magazine’s reviewers opted for scores of eight, nine, nine, and eight, resulting in an overall score of 34/40. A strong start for the latest Legend of Zelda title.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD launches exclusively on Switch on July 16th – and you can pre-order it now from our Go2Games website.

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The post ‘The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD’ Changes & Early Reviews first appeared on Get2Gaming.

The Xbox One S is out next month, so today we will be looking at why you should invest in the new Microsoft console.

For starters, the main idea to make the Xbox One S was so that the console was a lot smaller than the huge original Xbox One. The Xbox One S is 40% smaller than the original Xbox One. As the Xbox One S is considerably smaller, you can use a stand so that you can have you Xbox standing vertically or you can lay the Xbox down.

The Xbox One S will also feature 4K graphics, which is four times the resolution of standard HD. You will be able to stream content on your favourite streaming apps such as Netflix and Amazon Instant Video in 4K resolution. The new console will also be able to upscale all previously released Xbox One games to 4K graphics and will support HDR visuals.

All.

— Mike Ybarra (@Qwik) July 1, 2016

Along with the console, you will also be able to get the new and improved Xbox One controller. The new controller will have a sleeker design and be able to reach up to twice the wireless range of the original controller. The new controller will also have textured grips and Bluetooth® technology so you can use the controller for PC and smart phone gaming.

Finally, the Xbox One S will have an IR blaster so you will be able to turn on devices such as your TV without needing the remote. The console will also have 2TB of storage meaning you have loads of room for all of your Xbox One and Xbox 360 games.

The only reason against buying an Xbox One S is that Project Scorpio is out next year. The console that will arrive with 12GB of RAM and 6 teraflops of power.

The post Why You Should Buy the Xbox One S first appeared on Get2Gaming.

With over half the year gone already, we thought we would take a look at our favourite top 5 games so far! 

5. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D

Having originally being released on the Nintendo 64 in 2000, Nintendo decided to release, one of the strangest Zelda titles to say the least, on Nintendo 3DS. The game takes Link out of the better known Hyrule and strands him in the strangle lands of Termina, a dark twisted universe. In this time-travel themed game, Link has three days to try and stop the moon from falling and, in that case, burning the world. Although Princess Zelda makes only a slight appearance during a flashback, this fantastic N64 game have been remastered to perfection for Nintendo 3DS users and comes in at number 5 in our top 5 games of 2015 so far.

4. Splatoon 

The Wii U haven’t had too many games to boast this year but we’ve given there hit Splatoon number four in our list. A light-hearted ‘Battlefield’, Splatoon redefines the genre of shooters taking away realistic violence and bringing some good ole’ innocent fun, whilst swapping blood and bullets for ink. The atmosphere of the game is uplifting, and although it is primarily a multiplayer title, the single-player mode is brilliant fun. Splatoon is packed with charm, plays like a dream whilst suitable for all ages, bringing a new experience to the shooting genre.

3. Lego Jurassic World

Lego games are always good fun and Lego Jurassic World is no different. We’ve enjoyed it so much its managed to take the third spot in our top 5 games so far. Along with the recent release of the hit new film in the iconic series, Jurassic World, this game also follows the epic storyline of the three previous Jurassic Park films, giving the user plenty to do. As well as playing through the films, you can spend hours going off story and exploring the well-designed open islands, finding all the little secrets and hidden areas on the way. The addition of being able to play as a dinosaur makes the experience even better. The producers have delivered on the nostalgia, along with adding a comical side to the story, and all in all creating a game that us lot down here have enjoyed very much!

2. Batman: Arkham Knight

Been out less than a week and it slots straight in to number two, one of the most highly anticipated games of the year has without doubt lived up to the hype. Rocksteady Studios along with Warner Bros. have produced a near-flawless game, which I have no doubt will be in a lot of people’s top ten list when they sit down at the end of the year. The previous Batman games were brilliant and they’ve only gone and done it again, with the addition of the Batmobile and a larger city to explore, the producers have created a stunning game in terms of both gameplay and the visuals. Flying around Gotham, coming up against the well-known super villains such as The Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn, whilst teaming up with Robin, Nightwing and Catwomen; giving the gamer a superb experience.

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

There was only one game that was going to take our top spot and it has to be The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Let alone 2015, its one of the best games we’ve seen and played in a long time. It defines the RPG genre and the developers down at CD Projeck Red have produced one of the most convincing fantasy open-worlds, full of quests and land to explore; be it run, sail or ride. CD Projeck Red are putting out a free DLC each week to give the gamer consistency something new to sink their teeth into, as well as two massive expansions expected later in the year. The storyline is amazing to say the least, put together with the gameplay system and ridiculous (in a good way) graphics, this is as good as it gets and I’m sure will be competing for top spot come the end of the year. Kudos CD Projeck Red, Kudos!

Drop us a comment below to tell us your favourite games of the year so far!

The post Our Top 5 Games of 2015 So Far first appeared on Get2Gaming.