Added: 19.06.2015 3:26 | 6 views | 0 comments

It Takes Place in Snowy Siberia

The sequel to Tomb Raider will mainly be set in Eastern Europe, after the search for the mythical city Kitezh leads Lara Croft to Siberia. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

It's Not a Prequel

Rise of the Tomb Raider is set to take place one year after the dangerous events of Yumatai. Lara Croft will further her journey to becoming the Tomb Raider. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

Lara Croft Will Be More Mobile

Lara Croft will kick even more butt in Rise of the Tomb Raider. She'll be able to take underwater swimming sessions, and her combat skills are much improved. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

There's a New Day-Night Cycle

Depending on the time of day, Lara Croft may encounter certain wildlife that could help her upgrade her inventory. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

The Previous Game Still Affects Lara Croft

After the events from the prior Tomb Raider game are covered up, Lara Croft is out to prove her sanity. With so much doubt swirling around her, Croft will demonstrate how she is "uncertain about her identity, her direction, or her ability to come out alive," says the game's director. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

There Are Enhanced Options for Building Gear

The Rise of the Tomb Raider will feature an upgraded crafting system. Lara will use plants, minerals, metals, clothes and other mementos to create goods. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

Tombs and Puzzles Will Have a Bigger Impact

With Lara evolving into the iconic character of the Tomb Raider, there will, of course, be more tombs and puzzles to explore in the sequel. The game's developer confirmed that Rise of the Tomb Raider will rely heavily on interactive puzzles and tombs to further the plot. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

Lara Croft's Partner Returns

A familiar face will join Lara Croft's adventures to Siberia. The only other survivor from Yumatai, Jonah Maiava, will return to help Croft raid some tombs. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

It'll Be Released Before Thanksgiving

The highly anticipated sequel Rise of the Tomb Raider will be released on Nov. 10, 2015, exclusively for the Xbox One. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

It's Exclusive

Fear not, non-Xbox One fans. You'll also have your chance to play. Rise of the Tomb Raider is being described as a timed exclusive, meaning it will eventually be released on other consoles. (Photo credit: Crystal Dynamics)

Added: 19.06.2015 2:45 | 12 views | 0 comments

E3 is over; let's review Microsoft's showing.

Click through the images here for all the highlights, biggest games, and areas of improvement for Microsoft.

Highlights: Xbox One Backward Compatibility

Microsoft may have had the biggest news--across all companies--this week with its announcement of backwards compatibility for the Xbox One. Yes, the initial lineup of supported Xbox 360 games is somewhat limited, and the feature won't roll out publicly until this fall, but it's an exciting first step.

Highlights: Fallout 4 PC Mods on Xbox One

Through a partnership with Microsoft, Bethesda announced plans to bring Fallout 4's PC mods to Xbox One sometime in 2016. This is a big deal, since this has never happened before on console, and it could be a way for Fallout fans to find new fun long after release. Of course, there will be some limitations on what mods make it to console, but it's an exciting feature all the same.

Highlights: Early Access Comes to Xbox One

The Xbox Game Preview will allow developers to release in-development versions of their upcoming games on Xbox One. This has been available on PC for some time through Steam Early Access (with a fair amount of controversy), and the Xbox One becomes the first console with such a program. Your move, Sony.

Highlights: Xbox One Elite Controller

Microsoft announced a new Xbox One controller during its E3 briefing. It was a total surprise, and particularly noteworthy, too. We haven't seen dramatic controller revisions from Microsoft before, especially not so soon after launch. The controller cost $150 and launches in October. Visit our E3 hub for more about the controller.

Needs Improvement: What's Up With Kinect?

Microsoft had a strong E3 showing, but there is always room for improvement. Microsoft didn't talk about Kinect whatsoever at the briefing or during E3 itself all week long. The company tells us there are still some more Kinect games in development. But people who bought an Xbox One with Kinect or purchased the camera separately probably want to know more.

Needs Improvement: Missing Games

We didn't see exclusives like Quantum Break, Scalebound, Inside, or Crackdown at Microsoft's E3 briefing. This was no doubt a bummer for fans who were looking forward to new footage. But you can rest assured that Microsoft will talk about these games (and probably more) during Gamescom in just two months.

Biggest Games: Gears of War 4

In addition to the Gears of War Ultimate Edition, a remastered version of the 2006 original due out in August, Microsoft announced a brand new Gears of War. Details are light at the moment, but it appears we'll be getting new characters and a new setting. And of course, chainsaws will return. Gears 4 launches holiday 2016.

Biggest Games: ReCore

A total surprise announcement, ReCore is the next game from Mega Man and Dead Rising designer Keiji Inafune exclusively for Xbox One. The game will be developed by Inafune in collaboration with Armature Studio, the team founded by former Metroid developers. It's early days, but the trailer alone has us excited.

Biggest Games: Rise of the Tomb Raider

We saw a thrilling new Rise of the Tomb Raider trailer this week at E3, showing Lara Croft in a snowy Russian region, using her climbing axe to scale icy walls and escaping danger. The game looks darn impressive, and Microsoft locking it up as a timed exclusive could be a big win for the company this holiday. Rise of the Tomb Raider launches November 10.

Biggest Games: Halo 5

Halo 5: Guardians isn't new, but we learned a lot more about it this week at E3. The main takeaway was a new, massively scaled multiplayer mode called Warzone. It's a 12v12 mode that combines PvP and PvE, a first for the series. This could end up being a big deal for Halo. You can read our impressions on the site and pick up the game on October 27.

Added: 19.06.2015 2:45 | 9 views | 0 comments

E3 is over; let's review Microsoft's showing.

Click through the images here for all the highlights, biggest games, and areas of improvement for Microsoft.

Highlights: Xbox One Backward Compatibility

Microsoft may have had the biggest news--across all companies--this week with its announcement of backwards compatibility for the Xbox One. Yes, the initial lineup of supported Xbox 360 games is somewhat limited, and the feature won't roll out publicly until this fall, but it's an exciting first step.

Highlights: Fallout 4 PC Mods on Xbox One

Through a partnership with Microsoft, Bethesda announced plans to bring Fallout 4's PC mods to Xbox One sometime in 2016. This is a big deal, since this has never happened before on console, and it could be a way for Fallout fans to find new fun long after release. Of course, there will be some limitations on what mods make it to console, but it's an exciting feature all the same.

Highlights: Early Access Comes to Xbox One

The Xbox Game Preview will allow developers to release in-development versions of their upcoming games on Xbox One. This has been available on PC for some time through Steam Early Access (with a fair amount of controversy), and the Xbox One becomes the first console with such a program. Your move, Sony.

Highlights: Xbox One Elite Controller

Microsoft announced a new Xbox One controller during its E3 briefing. It was a total surprise, and particularly noteworthy, too. We haven't seen dramatic controller revisions from Microsoft before, especially not so soon after launch. The controller cost $150 and launches in October. Visit our E3 hub for more about the controller.

Needs Improvement: What's Up With Kinect?

Microsoft had a strong E3 showing, but there is always room for improvement. Microsoft didn't talk about Kinect whatsoever at the briefing or during E3 itself all week long. The company tells us there are still some more Kinect games in development. But people who bought an Xbox One with Kinect or purchased the camera separately probably want to know more.

Needs Improvement: Missing Games

We didn't see exclusives like Quantum Break, Scalebound, Inside, or Crackdown at Microsoft's E3 briefing. This was no doubt a bummer for fans who were looking forward to new footage. But you can rest assured that Microsoft will talk about these games (and probably more) during Gamescom in just two months.

Biggest Games: Gears of War 4

In addition to the Gears of War Ultimate Edition, a remastered version of the 2006 original due out in August, Microsoft announced a brand new Gears of War. Details are light at the moment, but it appears we'll be getting new characters and a new setting. And of course, chainsaws will return. Gears 4 launches holiday 2016.

Biggest Games: ReCore

A total surprise announcement, ReCore is the next game from Mega Man and Dead Rising designer Keiji Inafune exclusively for Xbox One. The game will be developed by Inafune in collaboration with Armature Studio, the team founded by former Metroid developers. It's early days, but the trailer alone has us excited.

Biggest Games: Rise of the Tomb Raider

We saw a thrilling new Rise of the Tomb Raider trailer this week at E3, showing Lara Croft in a snowy Russian region, using her climbing axe to scale icy walls and escaping danger. The game looks darn impressive, and Microsoft locking it up as a timed exclusive could be a big win for the company this holiday. Rise of the Tomb Raider launches November 10.

Biggest Games: Halo 5

Halo 5: Guardians isn't new, but we learned a lot more about it this week at E3. The main takeaway was a new, massively scaled multiplayer mode called Warzone. It's a 12v12 mode that combines PvP and PvE, a first for the series. This could end up being a big deal for Halo. You can read our impressions on the site and pick up the game on October 27.