2016 will be the year virtual reality (VR) makes its first, hesitant steps into the public market. Multiple tech giants will be putting serious VR headsets into the wild, and they all had something to show at gaming conference PAX Prime 2015, which took place in Seattle this past weekend.

For years, gaming industry enthusiasts have shouted the gospels of VR and all its limitless potential. With just one piece of technology, we can escape our immediate reality and enter a fully simulated alternative. It’s the dream of anyone who enjoys escapist entertainment, yet the hyper-immersive experience might be more than people are ready for.

Running on a PS4 console, PlayStation’s Project Morpheus headset currently looks like the easiest entry point for modern virtual reality. PlayStation offered a test-run of its in-development VR hardware at PAX.

For my introduction to Project Morpheus, I got to sit down with their horror demo titled “Kitchen.” I opened my eyes to a dark and derelict kitchen, tied up to a chair. As I moved the PS4 controller, my bound hands followed. Deep in the darkness, hints of movement suggested a nefarious presence. Just as any person would do in the night, I darted my eyes across the horizon. A fellow hostage attempted to cut my straps with a knife, forcing the point right between the eyes. Soon enough, I could hear something right behind me, yet couldn’t bring myself to turn around. No game has ever made me feel this physically uncomfortable.

These reactions were only intensified when I got the chance to try Valve’s VR headset, the HTC Vive. Using a series of cameras to track physical location and a pair of motion controllers to simulate hands, I had free movement around a 6-12-ft space. I walked across a sunken pirate ship, feeling a distinct lack of air in my lungs as I looked up to see the ocean’s surface above. In a demo set in Valve’s Portal, I laughed with awe when a robot my own size walked into the room. Unconsciously, I stepped out of its path as it crossed. The pit of my stomach opened wide as the walls of the room were lifted away, leaving me in the center of a seemingly infinite warehouse. To close the demo, robotic villain GLADoS — larger than any living creature I’ve ever seen — swung into the room.

Every part of my rational mind knew that none of this was real. The robots of Portal weren’t in my personal space, and the knife being pointed to my forehead was only sharp in resolution. Yet judging by my body’s reactions, a part of me clearly believed the illusion.

If virtual reality is going to dominate the mainstream, a hard fact is going to come to roost. This technology is tricking the same part of our minds that controls our basic awareness. There’s a difference between seeing the top of a 100-story ledge on a television screen and standing on top of it yourself. VR can push our entertainment closer than ever to our reality, which just might send the mainstream over the edge.

There’s an old story about the early-film pioneers, the Lumière brothers, who publicly screened a 50-second film they’d shot at a train station in the late 1890s. The train barrels down the tracks from the station. The story claims that the audience, unaccustomed to witnessing an image of an oncoming train, feared for their lives and scattered to avoid being hit.

For the first time in my life, I saw the train. My brain said to scatter.

Follow Chris Berg on Twitter @Mushroomer25

While Seattle’s PAX Prime 2015 is underway, the gaming industry has come out in full force for the massive conference. It comes on the heels of a notable week in gaming news. Here are this week’s biggest gaming stories.

Borderlands and Assassin’s Creed are heading to a theater near you.

Video game adaptations have long been elusive material for Hollywood movie producers. While there are countless games with incredible universes, deep stories, and cinematic moments, only a few have made it to the big screen. Fewer have achieved any sort of meaningful financial or critical success.

But all that may be changing, with two big developments in the world of game-to-film translations. This week, Yahoo! provided our first look at Michael Fassbender in costume for Assassin’s Creed. Rather than take on the identity of Altair or Ezio, Fassbender will be playing a new member of the AC universe.

The film will tell the story of Callum Lynch, a bartender in the near future who discovers that one of his ancestors was a master assassin in 16th-century Spain. Marion Cotillard (Inception, Iron and Bone) is set to co-star, in a production directed by Justin Kurzel. This same trio is coming hot off their adaptation of Macbeth, set to release later this year. Assassin’s Creed is set to release on December 21, 2016.

Meanwhile, LionsGate Films (the studio behind the The Hunger Games and Divergent series) have announced plans for a movie based on video game developers Gearbox’s hit Borderlands franchise. Producer Avi Arad (The Amazing Spiderman, Blade) is heading the project alongside his son, Ari Arad.

LionsGate executives promised in a press statement that the film would have “the same in-your-face attitude that has made the series a blockbuster mega-franchise.”

Google officially steps up to Twitch with YouTube Gaming

Longtime fans of live-streamed gaming content have often decried the lack of real competition in the marketplace. For the longest time, Twitch has reigned supreme and held a near-monopoly over the biggest talent, events and games. It’s that dominant market placement that spurred a billion-dollar acquisition by Amazon, and now big competition from the biggest name in online video.

Launched this past week, YouTube Gaming is a new live-streaming hub for gaming-focused content. While YouTube’s live broadcast feature has been available for a few months, this is the first targeted effort at using it to usurp the Twitch empire. The new service has a few distinct advantages over the competition, as well as some key policy differences. Unlike Twitch, YouTube’s player works natively in HTML5, rather than the buggy & increasingly insecure Flash. It also boasts a sharp interface that makes going live easier than ever and allows users to replay streams while they’re still broadcasting.

However, there’s an important distinction. While YouTube has brought in plenty of successful gaming channels, it’s always been prone to content flags from copyright holders. The site’s ContentID system automates the process of identifying copy-written material (helping to ensure pirated content doesn’t plague the service). However, these flags have often been contested with many companies claiming dubious ownership over various works.

Getting flagged means any ad revenue that a video generates will be lost until the dispute is settled, an intensely unfriendly practice for content creators. Pair that with the growing potential seen in streaming as a career, and YouTube may turn away the audience capable of making YouTube Gaming a standard.

Follow Chris Berg on Twitter, @Mushroomer25

This weekend, Seattle will host PAX Prime, one of the biggest video game fan conventions in the U.S.. The Penny Arcade Expo has been running for more than ten years, expanding into an empire of panels, demos and cosplay for four days of insane, nerdy fun. To help get you prepared, we’ve reworked our Summer Convention Survival Guide from earlier in the summer to bring you the ultimate prep guide for this year’s convention. Stay tuned for more updates straight from the show floor.

Poster Tube – The utility belt of the convention fan. Not only is it the only satisfactory way to keep that signed Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. poster in mint condition, but it also doubles as a great swag carrying case AND a sash for all your dope pins. Recommended – Alvin Ice Tube – $15 on Amazon

External Battery – You never quite realize how short-lived your phone battery is until it’s flashing red after just a short afternoon of selfies and excited tweeting. Recommended – Anker Astro 2nd Gen – $22 on Amazon

Snacks – Convention centers are some of the most price-gouged locations on Earth, second only to theme parks and movie theaters. Beat the system. Load that poster tube up with as many granola bars as you can stuff.

Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo’s handheld gaming console is more than just a great distraction for long lines and plane rides. The built-in StreetPass feature allows you to trade Miis with fellow 3DS systems and unlock cool hats and accessories. Conventions become a hive of StreetPass activity, allowing you to amass Miis from across the globe. It’s simple, but incredibly addictive.

Sharpie – PAX Prime attracts all manner of gaming celebrities, so you’re bound to bump into at least one of your favorite YouTube stars. A commemorative selfie is always great, but if you want something a bit more tangible, make sure you’re always packing. Grab a black Sharpie and start collecting signatures. Either find an autograph book or just have your favorite sign your daily admittance badge.

Tips & Tricks:

• Keep Comfortable – Standing around playing video games doesn’t sound like a trying activity, but PAX can get to be a strain. Make sure you’re staying hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, and try to keep cool in the stuffy main halls.
• Prioritize Your Time – You’ve only got so many hours to explore the majesty of PAX, and there are nearly countless games to see. So is it worth it to sit in a line for three hours, just to play a game that will be out in a few weeks anyways? Plan ahead, determine what’s a must-see (or must-skip) and ask around if the demo with the biggest crowd is actually worth it.
• Get Outside – While the show floor is an amazing sight, don’t get trapped in its web. Remember: you’re in Seattle. One of the most stunning metropolises of the west coast, with more amazing food and drink than you can shake a stick at. Make some time to embrace your vacation outside the convention center,
• Embrace Twitter – No social network is better for getting news ASAP than Twitter. Need to know how much seats are left for the Gearbox panel? Follow @pax_lines. Looking for something to do after the show floor closes? @paxparties has the scoop on every after-hours meetup. Of course, make sure you’re also paying keen attention to @Official_PAX for any major updates.

Follow Chris Berg on Twitter, @Mushroomer25

On a gorgeous Friday afternoon, Aug. 21, the second annual Musicfest Northwest graced Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park. A clear sky welcomed two main stages, dozens of vendors and countless indie/alternative music fans. Boasting a wide variety of genres, and with acts both local and national — this was the perfect cap for a hot Portland summer.

Early standout Misterwives dominated the stage on Friday afternoon with a high-energy stage show that kept the crowd dancing. Lead singer Mandy Lee might be a relative newcomer to the scene, but her stage presence is better than most headline acts. Covers of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars showcased the band’s distinct hybrid sound blending bubblegum vocals with rock guitar and a pumping horn section.

Foster The People closed the first night with a blowout set, boasting the best theatrics in indie music. Heavy fog, pumping rainbow lights and two dueling drummers gave tremendous depth to “Houdini,” which evolved into a sonic jam worthy of the big stage. Vocalist Mark Foster closed the band’s set with “Fire Escape.”

Saturday’s festivities were accompanied by a heavy serving of smoke, delivered by the various wildfires plaguing Oregon and Washington. The air was dense and dry, but that didn’t stop the crowds from flocking to unique acts such as instrumental experimentalists Battles, or passionately loud punk rockers Title Fight.

Indie rock darling Twin Shadow delivered a powerful performance in the mid-afternoon haze. This was one of his first since a near-fatal tour bus accident last April, which seriously injured his right hand and hospitalized several band members. They had been in Portland for a few days, commenting that it “just keeps getting more beautiful.” Shadow did have one complaint though — a distinct lack of all-male strip clubs. To help the cause, he called upon every guy in the audience to throw their tops off for the final song of the set.

Beirut closed Saturday night with a sultry and soulful set of jazzy pop, rich with Zach Condon’s brooding vocals. As the group crooned on “Santa Fe,” fireworks burst over the waterfront, which lit the smog-ridden skies with the twinkle of stars.

The smog persisted into a hot Sunday, but couldn’t keep the crowds away. Rapper Danny Brown brought a packed crowd, who provided some additional smoke of their own. With just a DJ and a microphone, he got dozens moving with an absolute fervor.

After crowd-pleasing performances from The Tallest Man On Earth and The Helio Sequence, the time came for the final act, Modest Mouse. The biggest crowd of the weekend turned up for a powerful evening of rock. Modest Mouse’s live sound is a full production, lavish with detail and passion. The set was heavy on the band’s more unknown tracks, even eschewing iconic single “Float On.” Even after the encore, plenty of audience members couldn’t quite believe it.

Despite air dense with smoke and the sweltering sun, MusicfestNW was an undeniable success. After three afternoons of nearly non-stop live music, no fan left unsatisfied.

Twelve Angry Men

Sometimes a classic is held in high esteem for a simple reason: it’s worth the hype. Twelve Angry Men has been around for nearly 60 years, having been adapted and revised many times. Yet Sidney Lumet’s 1957 original still stands out as the must-see version. And why wouldn’t it? Angry Men may be shot in black and white and dense with 50s culture, but the questions it asks are eternally relevant. Twelve jurors sit in a room and weigh the fate of a young man accused of murder. It’s a film entirely set in a single location, propelled by the performances of a simply excellent script.

The Lincoln Lawyer

It wasn’t too long ago that Matthew McConaughey was a punchline. Former star of countless romantic comedies, mostly known for refusing to wear a shirt. It wasn’t until 2011’s The Lincoln Lawyer that he commanded mainstream respect as an actor by taking on the role of defense attorney Mick Haller. He’s a street-wise attorney brought on by a high-profile client to get him out of an attempted murder charge. McConaughey’s confident, yet nuanced performance leads an outstanding ensemble cast — including Micheal Pena, William H Macy, and Marisa Tomei. The legal process is often dense with mind games and moral landmines, which this film weaves into a dynamite watch.  The Lincoln Lawyer is a sharply directed legal drama with an engaging script that fits the mold.

The Devil’s Advocate

There’s a longstanding stereotype in American culture that lawyers are evil, often the perpetrators of the unjust rules that society writes. It’s a practice that makes many question their morals, and make so-called “deals with the Devil.” Enter The Devil’s Advocate. This is a fantastically odd film hidden in a deceptively bland wrapper. The film looks into the life of rising small town lawyer Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) as he’s recruited by John Milton (Al Pacino) to work for one of NYC’s most prestigious firms. However, Lomax soon finds himself torn between family, career and his own moral center as the stakes rise. As the title may suggest, the film is heavy with religious symbolism, building into a triumphantly mad climax. Reeves and Pacino are iconic actors with distinct styles, each pushed to the peak of intensity. It’s a gorgeously shot film, which you can’t often say about this genre.

My Cousin Vinny by: Thomas Dal Pino

We like to think of trial lawyers as cool and collected, but anyone who’s been in a courtroom knows that it’s not as easy as it looks. That’s why Joe Pesci’s gleefully vulgar performance in My Cousin Vinny remains as funny as it was thirty years ago. What exasperated lawyer hasn’t wanted to just tell the jury, “Uh… Everything that guy just said is bullshit”? The film pits Vinny Gambini, a New York-bred, night-schooled lawyer, against the stuffy formality of Southern courts using a clever fish-out-of-water twist on the classic American courtroom film. By toeing the line between farce and drama, My Cousin Vinny is able to offer sharp critiques of legal procedure while simultaneously telling a compelling underdog story. While it doesn’t get points for legal accuracy, it has heart,  and Vinny’s ultimate victory is all the sweeter for it.

Music biopics are a difficult genre to sell.

While countless artists have lived lives practically written for the screen, only a handful of movies have excelled at telling their story. Straight Outta Compton defines the history of N.W.A., the rap supergroup that launched the careers of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E and, by association, nearly every other significant name in ’90s hip-hop. Director F. Gary Gray casts a wide net in this project and has delivered a film that resonates beyond expectation.

Straight Outta Compton displays a grand understanding of its music. It’s easy to tell the story of how iconic songs came to be written, but Compton goes a full step further.

There’s a real effort taken to explain why “Straight Outta Compton” (the song) resonated with a generation, and the effect it had over society. It’s the peripheral details that make the movie effective, the quick glances at history happening just outside a tour bus window. Contextualizing N.W.A. is critical to understanding the band’s significance, and it’s all delivered in the atmosphere.

Gray shoots Compton with a bold eye, soaking in every second of excess and intensity. He makes the story feel grand, almost mythic in scale.

A sequence in which Ice Cube records the iconic diss track “No Vaseline” is stunningly cut together against Eazy-E listening to it for the first time. A recreation of the Rodney King riots raises all-too-familiar goosebumps. A hotel room party is captured in a single fluid take, showcasing the superstar lifestyle under both real and fantastic lights.

Of course, the true focus of the film is on the iconic trio: Dre, Cube, and Eazy-E. Their unification, falling out and following careers showcase the true arc of the film. It’s here that the challenge of Gray’s scope becomes a bit more apparent. Compton essentially attempts to tell three concurrent narratives in one film, each of which has a personal story that frankly deserves more time. While the first two acts excel at building these characters and relationships, the last third feels pressed for time. Iconic moments of early ’90s rap are touched upon rapidly, losing the delicate pace and atmosphere core to the experience. Cameo appearances by actors portraying Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg feel almost like fan service, contributing little to the final product.

The world of gangsta rap is difficult to explain to an outsider, a trait taken on with intention. Straight Outta Compton accomplishes something beautiful by making it seem understandable. You may not leave the theater a fan of N.W.A’s music, but you will gain an immense respect for its creators.

Follow Chris Berg on Twitter @Mushroomer25

Resident Evil 2 tapped for current-generation remake

Last week, Resident Evil producer Yoshiaki Hirabyashi took to social media, looking to gather support for a remake of Resident Evil 2. It wasn’t quite an announcement, but rather a rallying call – proof that the masses hungered for a return to Raccoon City.

Well, it sounds like the call has been heard. Hirabyashi himself announced that the project has been green-lit by Japanese developer Capcom, and is now starting production. While this may have seemed like an obvious step after the success of RE1 on current-gen machines, the work for 2 looks to be far more substantial. The recent release of the first game was actually an HD touch-up job on a previous remake of the first game for the GameCube.

RE2 has never received such a treatment, so this new version will be starting from scratch.

RE2 has had a place in fans’ hearts for many years, as it expanded upon the first game’s concept in some massive ways. The two playable characters (Claire Redfield and fan-favorite Leon S. Kennedy) had meaningfully different paths throughout the campaign. The setting shifted from a stuffy mansion to iconic Raccoon City and set the standard for zombie fiction in gaming.

While the game has been ported to a handful of systems, the core visuals have never been retouched, and the same tank-like controls have plagued every version. If this remake is anything like its predecessor, expect a far more visually impressive and responsive experience.

No release date has been announced for the project, but keep an eye out for details as they emerge.

EA insists you likely won’t play single-player campaign in Battlefront

Star Wars: Battlefront is still a few months away from being released, but we already know quite a great deal about what the reboot will contain, and what it will leave out. One of those omissions happens to be a single-player campaign and a staple of DICE’s first-person shooter games for decades. While Battlefield‘s campaigns have never been anything to write home about, the prospect of a flashy cinematic campaign set amongst the iconic Star Wars backdrop sounded alluring. So why did EA choose to leave out a single-player campaign for Battlefront? They doubted that you’d even play it.

In an interview with Gamespot, EA CEO Peter Moore commented on the issue saying, “Very few people actually play the single-player on these kinds of games. That’s what the data points to.”

It’s long been assumed that fans of multiplayer shooters like Battlefront, Call of Duty and Battlefield simply skipped past the single-player campaigns of these titles, but this seems to be the first time that data has informed how a developer structures a game.

Follow Chris Berg on Twitter, @Mushroomer25

Resident Evil 2 tapped for current-generation remake

Last week, Resident Evil producer Yoshiaki Hirabyashi took to social media, looking to gather support for a remake of Resident Evil 2. It wasn’t quite an announcement, but rather a rallying call – proof that the masses hungered for a return to Raccoon City.

Well, it sounds like the call has been heard. Hirabyashi himself announced that the project has been green-lit by Japanese developer Capcom, and is now starting production. While this may have seemed like an obvious step after the success of RE1 on current-gen machines, the work for 2 looks to be far more substantial. The recent release of the first game was actually an HD touch-up job on a previous remake of the first game for the GameCube.

RE2 has never received such a treatment, so this new version will be starting from scratch.

RE2 has had a place in fans’ hearts for many years, as it expanded upon the first game’s concept in some massive ways. The two playable characters (Claire Redfield and fan-favorite Leon S. Kennedy) had meaningfully different paths throughout the campaign. The setting shifted from a stuffy mansion to iconic Raccoon City and set the standard for zombie fiction in gaming.

While the game has been ported to a handful of systems, the core visuals have never been retouched, and the same tank-like controls have plagued every version. If this remake is anything like its predecessor, expect a far more visually impressive and responsive experience.

No release date has been announced for the project, but keep an eye out for details as they emerge.

EA insists you likely won’t play single-player campaign in Battlefront

Star Wars: Battlefront is still a few months away from being released, but we already know quite a great deal about what the reboot will contain, and what it will leave out. One of those omissions happens to be a single-player campaign and a staple of DICE’s first-person shooter games for decades. While Battlefield‘s campaigns have never been anything to write home about, the prospect of a flashy cinematic campaign set amongst the iconic Star Wars backdrop sounded alluring. So why did EA choose to leave out a single-player campaign for Battlefront? They doubted that you’d even play it.

In an interview with Gamespot, EA CEO Peter Moore commented on the issue saying, “Very few people actually play the single-player on these kinds of games. That’s what the data points to.”

It’s long been assumed that fans of multiplayer shooters like Battlefront, Call of Duty and Battlefield simply skipped past the single-player campaigns of these titles, but this seems to be the first time that data has informed how a developer structures a game.

Follow Chris Berg on Twitter, @Mushroomer25

It’s no secret that Hollywood is currently in the midst of a major superhero high. Studios are seeing stars from the insane profits coming out of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. We’re all buzzing on the hype for DC’s coming Justice League revival. The entire industry is at the peak of its trip, making decisions to keep the party going.

But every addict pushes things just one step too far in search of that next hit. 20th Century Fox’s latest Fantastic Four reboot is just that move.

A film that squanders brilliant talent on an abysmal script, and single-handedly makes the entire ‘gritty superhero’ genre seem soulless. All for a shallow pursuit of profit.

I’ve spent the past few months eagerly anticipating Fantastic Four, and it’s not hard to see why. The cast is loaded with exciting young talent, including Miles Teller (hot off last year’s Whiplash), Kate Mara (formerly of House of Cards) and Micheal B Jordan (the rising star of Fruitvale Station). Director Josh Trank was responsible for Chronicle, one of the most exciting original superhero stories in decades.

The darker tone suggested vibes of cold science fiction, exploring the Kafka-esque horror of seeing ones body change overnight. The final product offers but a brief, momentary glimpse at this great ideal.

In its place is a slow, dull spin on the tired superhero origin story — stripped of any sense of originality, humor or passion. Most of the film focuses on Reed Richards, a wunderkind tech genius who has been seemingly ignored by every adult around him. After showcasing a working teleportation device at a high school science fair, he’s discovered by the father/daughter pair of Franklin and Sue Storm and immediately given the billions of dollars in funding to build the ultimate version of his device — which holds the key for inter-dimensional travel.

Along the way, Franklin’s son, Johnny, and the not-at-all-forebodingly-named Victor Don Doom join the team. When the group gets drunk on moonshine, they decide to travel through dimensions unsupervised and gain superpowers.

The ludicrous narrative is dense with plot holes, contradictions and terrible attempts at character building. It’s also an incredibly dark, self-serious project.

I can get past a blockbuster film that tries to pass off fantasy as science, or makes some sacrifices in logic for the sake of pace. Simultaneously, I can appreciate a more grounded superhero film that ties itself to reality, and passes over action for character development. Fantastic Four somehow manages to capture the worst of both worlds, using a serious, understated style to sell a nonsensical script.

It’s a testament to the power of Hollywood incompetence that this many talented people could be collected behind one project and produce something this unenjoyable.

Follow Chris Berg on Twitter, @Mushroomer25

Microsoft teases their 2016 catalog

Early Tuesday morning the head of Xbox took to the stage in Cologne, Germany to showcase and debut the biggest games hitting the Xbox One in 2016. Promising the “greatest lineup in Xbox history,” Phil Spencer opened the show with Quantum Break, the latest from Remedy (best known for Max Payne and Alan Wake). This was our first lengthy peek at the time-bending third-person shooter. We also got our first real look at the game’s live-action cutscenes, which feature Shaun Ashmore (X-Men), Aiden Gillen (Game of Thrones) and Dominic Monaghan (Lost).

Platnium Games (Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising) were also on hand to showcase their new Xbox One exclusive, Scalebound. The game appears to be a mashup between a standard fantasy action RPG and the studio’s iconic brand of fast-paced character action. Powered by a close bond with a dragon and some sick dubstep beats, you’ll slash through armies of knights and take down massive monsters. Four-player co-op was also confirmed.

Microsoft also gave us a quick glance at Crackdown 3, which still appears to be in deep development. Destructibility appears to be the law of the land, with massive skyscrapers that can be leveled through your super-powered antics. The most interesting new feature is that this mass destruction appears to be processed outside of the console itself, using cloud computing to produce stunning chaos.

Finally, Microsoft announced the return of a fan favorite. The real-time strategy game Halo Wars. Halo Wars 2 will be developed by Creative Assembly (Total War) and seems to focus on a conflict between Brutes and Humans. Not much is known about the RTS sequel, but a release on both Windows 10 and Xbox One should be expected next year.

World of Warcraft invites you to the Legion

World of Warcraft may be more than a decade old, but its millions of dedicated players show no signs of slowing down. Soon, dedicated citizens of Azeroth will be invited to pick up Legion, the sixth expansion set for the MMORPG. Key additions with this expansion include a new player class for Night/Blood Elves: the super-agile, transformable Demon Hunter. Explore the Broken Isles for new dungeons, raids and more to hit the expanded 110 level cap. No release date has been attached to Legion, but you can opt-in to an early beta on Blizzard’s website.

Hot Trailers

If you’re afraid that 2015 has been dry on explosion-heavy action blockbusters, worry not. This trailer for Just Cause 3 should fulfill your daily recommended dose of explosions several times over.

Mafia III moves the story of the mob forward to 1968 and takes it down south to the bayou. This trailer is an excellent piece of scene setting for the full game, establishing a moody post-Vietnam style determined to tear down the old ways.

Homefront: The Revolution has seen a rocky path to release, surviving its initial publisher-ending bankruptcy and a developer that nearly collapsed when they took on the project. Deep Silver has since picked up the game, and it’s looking worth the effort. Depicting an America thrown into martial law by North Korea, this trailer gives a sense of the high-tech rebellion behind the Revolution.

Follow Chris Berg on Twitter, @Mushroomer25