Free Fightin'

Still waiting on River City Girls 2??? Aren't we all? Still, if you're a Nintendo Switch owner and need a little bit of schoolgal sluggin' to tide you over, then you're in luck, as WayForward's cartoonish brawler is now available to play for "free" as part o??f the Nintendo Switch Online Game Trial service.

From today until December 12, all Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can download and play the 2019 scrapper in its entirety, guiding Kyoko and Misako through the avenues and alleyways of River City on a mission to discover the truth behind the disappearance of boyfriends Kunio and Riki. Should you decide to bag the full game for yourself, then RCG is currentl??y available on the eShop for a discounted price for?? the duration of the trial.

As for River City Girls 2, well, Japan already has the long-awaited sequel, though seemingly not in its complete and fully featured form. WayForward announced earlier today that the western release will be blessing us on December 15. That's next week! So while the fist-throwing sequel might be hitting these shores a little later than expected, at least we can expect to receive the title as nature intended �complete with its roster of cool characters and its wild '?n' chaotic four-player mode.

River City Girls 2 launches December 15 on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Be sure to check out our previous write-ups on both River City Girls and River City Girls Zero, as well as our interviews with director Adam Tierney, and awesome composer Megan McDuffee.

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You wanna step outside?

Capcom's flagship fighting title Street Fighter V: Champion Edition has been graced with another free trial. From today until February 25, PS4 play?ers can download a special "trial edition" of the one-on-one fighter from the PlayStation Store before throwing fists and feet in both on and offline warfare.

The trial includes every single character from seasons one through four, amounting to a grand total of 40 fighters. So whether you're a fan of Ryu or Chun-Li, Guile or Alex, Sakura, Falke, or even new weirdo on the block G, you can take your favorites out for a bout of bone-crunching mayhem. Playe?rs require a PlayStation Plus account in order to to fight online, and be sure to specifically download the "Trial Edition" of SFV from the PlayStation Store.

Earlier today, Capcom hosted its Street Fighter V: Champion Edition Winter Update presentation, where it previewed new DLC characters Dan and Rose, as well as a new training stage, and an interesting new mechanic called V-Shift, all of which should hopefully help Street Fighter V go out with a bang as it enters its twilight ph?ase.

Play as all characters from Season 1-4 in the #StreetFighter V: Champion Edition Free Trial happening right now on #PS4!

Trial lasts through Feb 24!
👊 //t.co/Yt9A3d5iKB pic.twitter.com/Fu4bOOjgGQ

— Street Fighter (@StreetFighter) February 10, 2021

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Play the full game from February 10�6 and try to be civil

I don't always make the most of my Nintendo Switch Online membership, but ?it's cheap enough annually that I'm not too bothered, and lately, I've enjoyed seeing more limited-time game trials pop up.

The next Switch Online trial is for Overcooked 2, a game that doesn't need an introduction other than to say it's a fantastic local co-op game that speaks to a wide range of players. I pe??rsonally adore this frantic cooking series. I honestly couldn't tell ?you how many hours I've spent replaying it. Too many.

If you have a Nintendo Switch Online account, you'll be able to go to town with the full version of Overcooked 2 from February 10 at 9:00 am Pacific until Feb. 16 at 11:59 pm Pacific. Download it here.

Should you want to keep playing after the trial, the full game is down to $12.49 and the Overcooked 2 ??Season Pass is down to $9.99 right now &nda??sh; that's half price in both cases. The DLC is worth it!

Maybe, uh... maybe save this game for any day other than Valentine's. You've been warned!

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You have until February 2 to get your seven-day trial code

Just in time for the Monster Hunter Rise demo, there's another seven-day trial for Nintendo Switch Online. You'll just need a My Nintendo account to get your free code – no Platinum Points necessary.

The only restriction is that you can't "top up" your membership if you're already a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber. Otherwise, once you get the code, you will have until February 8 to activate it. (Reminder: you can redeem Switch codes in the eShop on your console or in a browser using this page.)

Even if you have no intention of playing Monster Hunter Rise with other people, there's some fun stuff to check out in the NSO library – namely, the treasured Donkey Kong Country trilogy, Mario's Super Picross, and Super Mario Bros. 35, which is bafflingly still set to expire on March 31, 2021.

Are any of you hopping from trial ??to trial? I often? forget I'm even subbed to Nintendo Switch Online.

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The week-long trial is playable from December 30 to January 5

Full game trials are something I'd like to see more of in general and also specifically for multiplatform games. Sometimes you want?? to see – an?d feel – how a particular game runs on Switch, y'know?

This week, Nintendo is hosting another one of its infrequent Nintendo Switch Online game trials. If you have a membership and you're in a kart-racing mood, you can play the full version of Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled from Wednesday, December 30 at 11:00 a.m. ??PT until Tuesday, January 5 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

By "full version," they mean you play CTR Nitro-Fueled alone, locally, or online – the latter is a bloodbath! This is one of those games that a lot of folks are b??ewilderingly good at. They're monsters.? Trust no one.

If you're wonderi?ng if this limited-time promo is worth the trouble, I'd say so. The file size is 9.3 GB.

Crash Team Racing isn't currently on sale on Switch, but it's down to $14 on PS4 and Xbox One.

@NintendoAmerica [Twitter]

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While you're staying home being a family man

Street Fighter V has seriously grown in scope and scale since its somewhat bland launch back in February 201?6, and with another season of content on the horizon, Capcom's flagship fighter isn't ready to go down for the count? just yet. If you fancied seeing the state of play with Ryu and co. then the next fortnight will provide you with just such an opportunity.

Street Fighter V: Champion Edition will be receiving a two-week free trial from August 5, allowing all players access to the entire roster of all 40 fighters. No details have been revealed as to what modes will be available in the trial, but it stands to reason that practice and online play will be available. Full details will be revealed by Capcom during a special Street Fighter V live stream on August 5, wherein the developer/publisher will be announcing some of the new content headed to SFV's fifth - and seemingly final - season.

I make no bones about my up-and-down relationship with SFV. Specifically in regards to its controversies, penny-pinching, awful gacha-style mechanics, and bullshit advertising ideas, it's the most disappointing entry in the series. But when it comes to actually throwing hands and its expansive ??superstar roster, it's still a riot, and well worth checking out.

Street Fighter V: Champion Edition is available now on PS4 and PC.

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Chicken's served

Everybody's working for the weekend. And when the weekend comes, everyone's playing PUBG. At least they could at no extra cost.

Once the world's most popular battle royale game (but now fourth or lower), PUBG will be free on Steam this weekend. PUBG has changed a fair bit since the Early Access period, that summer in 2017 when it seemed like everyone was playing. It now has five maps, a dedicated ranked playlist, bots in casual lobbies, and a batt??le pass that's hinged on compl??eting daily/weekly/seasonal challenges.

For anyone who hadn't already bought PUBG, the idea of paying for a major battle royale may seem a little strange. PUBG was the first to explode in popularity and it cost $30. Since then, Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone all surpassed PUBG and are free-to-play.

(Tangent: You'd think the $30 price tag would deter cheaters but nope. Cheating is still fairly rampant. I play about once a week and most sessions involve me filing at least one report that's verified by that player catching a permaban. In fact, here's a new message from PU?BG Corp regarding the influx of chea??ters who are ruining ranked.)

Anyway, PUBG is free for the weekend and chicken's on the menu. If you like what you taste, it's also on sale for ??$15 (50 pe?rcent off).

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds [Steam]

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A chance to check out the Season 3 maps

If you went to the trouble of clearing up space for Call of Duty: Warzone, then you might be down to check out some Call of Duty: Modern Warfare multipla??yer this weekend while it's temporaril??y free.

Prep the squad. #ModernWarfare Multiplayer Free Access Weekend is coming to #Warzone. pic.twitter.com/7j3s5ODVkL

— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) April 23, 2020

Infinity Ward is running a Modern Warfare multiplayer trial that includes Season 3 maps like Hovec Sawmill, Aniyah Incursion, and Talsik Backlot, and modes like Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, and Domination. The trial is accessible from the free Warzone client's lobby &nd?ash; look for the 24/7 Playlist.

The promo runs until 10:00 a.m. Pacific on April 27, 2020. I like when these events last until Monday morning rather than wrap up ?late Sunday afternoon. That always feels way too rushed.

If your schedule's all booked up, something tells me this will be Activision's go-to move for Warzone.

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Stick Around

Anyone looking forward to Illfonic's Predator: Hunting Grounds will have the opportunity to dive deep into the jungle and face off against the galaxy's greatest hunter this weekend, with a free trial going live on PS4 and PC from March 27 (starting at 5:00 p.m. Pa??????????????????????????cific) to March 29, 2020.

The developer has released two new trailers, featuring the two sides of the hunt players might find themselves on while engaged in Hunting Grounds' asymmetric multiplayer gameplay. Some games will see you play as a member of an elite Fireteam, who must complete several obje?ctives in order to escape the jungle with their skin still attached to their bodies, while other games will see you don the mask and? shoulder cannon of the fearsome Predator itself.

The action takes place in the heart of the fictional South American jungle Overgrowth. In sweltering heat, with trees and greenery as far as the eye can see, the Fireteam must comple??te several missions to cut the legs off of a dangerous mercenary group, Project Stargazer, then return to your helicopter and lift out of the danger zone. If dealing with the heat-seeking Predator wasn't enough of a challenge, Stargazer has also deployed some of its elite soldiers to hamper your efforts. In Overgrowth, danger lurks both on the ground and up in the trees, so stay frosty, soldier.

As the Predator, th??e numbers will be against you, with both the Fireteam and Stargazer out to for your gooey green blood. You will, however, have access to an arsenal of high-tech weaponry and deadly abilities. The Predator's classic shoulder-cannon and wrist-blades are in full effect, as are its infra-red vision and cloaking skills. There are three distinct classes of Predator, available in both male and female form. As players level up, they will unlock further weapons and skills, slowly becoming the single most dangerous entity on this planet and beyond.

If you want to try out Predator: Hunting Grounds for yourself, then simply download the game client and you can get in on the action all weekend, free-of-charge. Predator: Hunting Grounds launches on PS4 and ?PC via Epic Games Store April 24.

Predator: Hunting Grounds — Tr?ial Weekend Overvie??w [PlayStation Blog]

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Anytime... (provided it's next weekend)

So, I hear that you think you're a finely tuned extra-terrestrial killing machine from another planet, yeah? Well, big mouth, you'll have the chance to prove it next week, as developer Illfonic has announced a free trial for multiplayer title Predator: Hunting Grounds.

The trial will run on both PS4 and PC from Friday, March 27 until Sunday, March 29, offering up a sneak peek at Hunting Ground's asymmetric 1v5 gameplay. The "five" in question will take up the roles of an armed strike team, who must complete various objectives in order to escape the jungle alive, while the lucky "one" gets to slide into the scaly skin of the unstoppable hunting force, Predator.

So whether if you fancy your chances against a gang of hapless meat-sacks, or want to square off against the heat-seeking alien, then be sure to get in on the action next week. Nobody on chat i?s going to shout "Get to the chopper!" in a terrible Arnie voice. Nobody.

Predator: Hunting Grounds launches? on PS4 and PC via Epic Games S??tore on April 24.

Predator: Hunting Grounds trial weekend begins March 27th on PC and PS4! Will you be hunting?#PredatorHuntingGrounds #Predator #Yautja pic.twitter.com/LMAPtFM2gF

— IllFonic (@IllFonic) March 17, 2020

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Season 4

When you think of "long-supported games by Ubisoft" your mind probably goes immediately to Rainbow Six Siege or The Division 2. But hanging out in the rafters, low key, are projects like Trials Rising.

Rising actually debuted back in February of 2019 (it's nearly a year old!), and Ubisoft is still pumping out tracks for it. We're? on season four actually, and five new tracks are out today, all with an arctic theme. The pack is calle??d "Polar Expedition," and pretty much all of them sing with an icy glory.

The tracks are Permafrost (which promises lots of airtime), Glacial Mass (which takes place on an actual glacier), Inuit's Paradise (described as the most atmospheric), Out Cold (featuring an X-Files vibe) and Iceferno (which wins "m??ost absurd? title in 2020" fairly early on). They all look pretty great!

Polar Expedition Track Pack [Ubisoft]

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OpFor neutralised, good work

In a new video posted to its YouTube, Ubisoft has announced that the original team behind Rainbow Six Siege finally feel that the time is right for them to move on to new projects, with the continued development and mainte?nance of the tactical team shooter handed over to those who have joined the crew in recent years.

Rainbow Six Siege initially launched back in 2015, well it stumbled with a variety of teething problems from both technical and gameplay stances. As the years have passed, the team has constantly poked and tweaked at all aspects of the twitchy title, drop-feeding new maps, operators, gadgets and modes across Siege's many seasons.

But with Siege now boasting millions of players and in a much healthier place than it was in those early days, some of the old guard - including Brand Director Alexandre Remy and Creative Director Xavier Marquis - are ready to move on to new projects. Going forward Rainbow Six Siege will be in the capable hands of Game Director Leroy Athanasoff and the new "core team."

"We are under the impression that we are transmitting a legacy to these people," notes Remy in the video. "We could not have hoped for a better outcome. I think it's awesome and I'm looking forward to being able to look at Rainbow through the eyes of a fan."

Rainbow Six Siege is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One. Its most recent season, Operation Shifting Tides, is live in-game right now. A new game in the series, Rainbow Six Quarantine, is currently in development fo??r an unspecified date in 2020-2021.

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Shifting Tides on the horizon

Anyone who fancies a weekend of boarding up windows, barricading trapdoors and "Fuzing" hapless hostages should jump on board Ubisoft's tactical shooter Rainbow Six Siege, which is holding a free-to-play weekend ahead of the launch of new season Operation Shifting Tides, expected within the next week or two.

You and your buddies can jump in on the twitchy action from today until November 24 gratis. Should you get a taste for all the rappelling, crawling and not-knowing-what-you-did-wrong action,? then the full ga?me is available at various levels of discount, some ranging all the way up to 70% off. Any progress made during the weekend will, of course, carry over into the main purchase.

I jest about Rainbow Six Siege frequently, but I genuinely think its an excellent game. It's undeniably litt??le rough around the edges - and it definitely takes a little commitment to get the pace, tactics and teamwork down - but when it all comes together, it can be a very exciting and satisfying experience. Just keep your hands o?ff my girl N0kk, I'm nothing without her.

Rainbow Six Siege is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One. You can find out more about Operation Shifting Tides, its new operators, map rework and other features on the Rainbow Six Siege website.

Invite your friends to join the Siege family for up to 70% off the game and play free ??now through 11/24.

— Rainbow Six Siege (@Rainbow6Game) November 21, 2019

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Partially out of concern over spoilers

While EA Access and Origin Access subscribers can normally expect to get 10-hour trials for new EA games, one of the publisher's most alluring titles this year – Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order from Apex Legends and Titanfall creator Respawn Entertainment – won't offer a trial or any sort of early access.

Instead, when Fallen Order launches on November 15, EA Access members will get a pair of "exclusive" skins for Cal Kestis' dro??id buddy, BD-1, and his ship, the Stinger Mantis. What gives?

According to EA, Fallen Order doesn't have a Play First Trial "in part to reduce the risk of spoilers??."

It's not the worst justification in the world, I'll admit, but more candor would've gone a long way. Spoilers are a concern for anything Star Wars-related, but they're bound to happen with or without a trial. You can't help but feel EA just wants people to pony up for a chance to check out?? this game.

Even if there won't be a Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order trial on launch day, it would be nice to see one pop up eventually, long after spoilers have ravaged YouTube. It doesn't even need to be 10 hours long!

EA Access [Twitter]

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Get over here

Mortal Kombat 11 is super popular, but there's bound to be people out there that haven't tried it. If you own a PS4 or Xbox One and are looking to get into NetherRealm's super gory latest entry, be sure to check out the free trial being hosted this weekend. Running from October 11 to 14, players will be able to download a trial version of MK11 that includes a pretty decent portion of the content on off?er.

You'll have access to the first two chapters of the game's campaign mode, the entire base roster of characters and all of their variations, and a preview of?? Kombat Pack characters Nightwolf, Shang Tsung, and The Terminator in the "Towers of Time" mode. All progress made in the trial will carry over to the full version whenever you choose to buy it. The game will also be 40% off on both platforms as the trial is running.

While PlayStation Pl??us/Xbox Live Gold will be required for online play, you won't need either service to sample the trial. That's a pretty decent incentive, especially if you just want to get some friends over for a gory weekend of fisticuffs.

Mortal Kombat 11 – Free Weekend Trailer | Oct. 11-14 [Mortal Kombat via YouTube] 

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See what all the fuss is about

The Wasteland is a?bout to get a lot more populated. Well, at least temporarily.

Bethesda has decided to try selling people on Fallout 76 with a free trial. Starting tomorrow, everyone can play Fallout 76 free for a week. The promotion period runs J?une 10 through Jun?e 17 on all platforms.

This wouldn't be a very enticing offer last November, but Fallout 76 is different than when it first launched. Bethesda has ironed out a lot of the problems. It's not still the trainwreck that it once was. This is a good low-stakes opportunity to see if Fallout 76 is something that speaks to you.

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Ninja Gaiden 3 also joins the backward compatibility list

It's wild to think about where Trials started and how far the series has gone. For better or worse, it's an institution at this point. If you're ever feeling wistful about the care-free Xbox Live Arcade days, it's not too late to revisit Trials Evolution and rekind??le your dormant leaderboard feuds. The challenging time-trial platformer is playable on Xbox One through the backward compatibility program.

Trials HD is also compatible, in case you missed that news, but Evolution is arguably the fan favorite. While I still enjoy the series to this day, most of?? my fond memories are ??tied up with these two titles.

NINJA GAIDEN 3: Razor's Edge and Trials Evolution are coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility today //t.co/qPMRNrLoTQ pic.twitter.com/tBeZTGSQoy

— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) May 2, 2019

And that's not all for Xbox 360 fans. Not long ago, Microsoft added support for Ninja Gaiden II on Xbox One, and as of today, it's possible to continue Ryu's crimson-soaked saga on the same console. Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge is backward compatible. Ayane, Momiji, and Kasumi – the gang's all here.

I have zero interest in Ninja Gaiden 3, if I'm being blunt,?? but it's good to see all three games represented.

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Back on track

After nearly a decade of high-flying bike antics, I haven't grown tired of Trials. I doubt I ever will. The series' nuanced platf?orming has proven to be eternally satisfying, and RedLynx hasn't let up on the creative, unconventional course designs either. As long as those two elements are sound, I'm in.

2014's Trials Fusion and 2016's Trials of the Blood Dragon, the two most recent games, fell below expectations for most fans. Fusion had an uninspired futuristic theme and ill-advised emphasis on tricks. I was willing to cut it a lot of slack back then, but time hasn't been particularly kind. Trials of the Blood Dragon leaned even harder into strange gimmicks. It never should've used the Trials name.

2019 is looking up for fans of Trials HD and Trials Evolution. This year's installment, Trials Rising, is a return to form. That's not to say every single aspect or desi??gn choice is flawless, but with stellar bike handling, a more grounded aesthetic, and well-thought-out tutori??als, this should be a crowd-pleaser.

Trials Rising (PC, PS4 [reviewed on a PS4 Pro], Xbox One, Switch]
Developer: Ubisoft RedLynx
Publisher: Ubisoft
Released: February 26, 2019
MSRP: $24.99

I'm relieved to report that there aren't any wild new features or concepts in Trials Rising. If you're a returning player, you'll be able to fall right back in without missing a beat. If you're a newcomer, you'll have the best odds yet at quickly picki?ng up the game's simple but deceptively layered controls.

Ubisoft is really looking to expand the fan base with Trials Rising. One of the bigger additions is the University of Trials, a series of narrated videos and accompanying levels custom-built to teach (or just reinforce) specific techniques. I can't overstate their usefulness. Each tutorial is set up like a gauntlet that gradually grows more demanding at each checkpoint. You can brute force your way to a middling grade, but to earn top honors, you'll need to master Trials' physics system and precise input timings.

University levels open up throughout Trials Rising, so they aren't front-loaded. And like all the best tutorials, they're entertaining in their own right. Once you grasp the fundamentals of acceleration and leaning, so much of the Trials experience comes down to ??obstacle recognition and muscle memory. If you've never fully understood how to bunny hop, this might be the game to break that cycle. These distraction?-free courses are a good way to warm up before facing the leaderboards at large.

One of my other favorite inclusions is the Tandem bike, which lets two players use two separate gamepads to ride as co-pilots. Even when you're on a familiar level that you've gone through dozens of times before, it's a totally diffe?rent experience in local co-op. The bike has its own distinct weight and feel, to say nothing of the inherent chaos that arises when out-of-sync minds attempt to work in h??armony. I figured this would be little more than a distraction, but it's genuinely fun to team up.

RedLynx has always faced a tricky balance when it comes to meeting the needs of hardcore and novice players. A game like Trials encompasses a wide range of skill sets, and the developers need to nurture the whole spectrum if they want to continue growing their audience year after year. This time, there's more of a reason to replay tracks beyond the basic human desire to trash a rival on the leaderboard. 

In short, you can't just get gold medals and fly right on through to the next set of stages, one after another, until they're all open. The XP-based progression system is far more drawn out than that, and for accomplished players, it'll take some adjustment. Trials Rising begins with a b??are world map that slowly fills in with new tracks, mini-games, and advanced tutorials as you level up your rider.

It's a fine idea in theory and it'll keep middle-of-the-pack players engaged longer than they otherwise might've been, but if you're itching to try the toughest levels, you're in for a wait. I prioritized high-paying Contracts (bonus objectives like landing a bunch of flips or never leaning) and Challengers Mode (asynchronous matches against three players in a row). Even then, the rate of progression tested my patience. It took me a week of consistent play before I go?t to Extreme-tier tracks?? like Inferno V.

On top of those padding concerns, the world map becomes a chore to navigate once it's full of icons and the leveling system incorporates tacky loot boxes. When you level up, you'll obtain assorted outfit pieces, bike cosmetics, and stickers with which to customize them further. (You can also buy items using in-game currency.) The sticker system is akin to a livery editor in racing games, so there's huge potential for invent??iveness (and vulgarity). It goes without saying, but I could definitely do without loot boxes.

A few other annoyances like slightly-too-sluggish load times while getting into levels and occasional frame-rate hitches chip away at Trials Rising. That said, RedLynx got the important stuf??f right.

The bike handling is as natural and rewarding as it's ever felt to me, and the level theming is, for lack of a better term, on brand. The designs?? are interesting enough to draw your eye without being so over the top that they distract you while racing. It's just the right mix. Some of my favorites include a killer theme park, a plane spewing its cargo mid-flight, and a castle whose gates you enter atop a battering r??am.

Nothing in Trials Rising caught me off guard, but then again, I wasn't expecting or hoping for a surprise-filled sequel. I wanted a game in the same vein as Trials Evolution. I'm left mostly happy.

Even if you never end up touching the head-to-head online multiplayer, local co-op, ambitious track editor, or any of the ensuing user-made creations, Trials Rising will keep you plenty busy at launch. Some of the out-of-level elements could use another pass, but progression pacing issues, loot-box bloat, and technical hiccups weren't enough to put me off what is ultimately another great Trials game.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of ??the game provided by the publisher.]}

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Banned in D.C.

Following up on its casual mention on a recent live stream, Ubisoft has announced that an open beta will take place for upcoming tactical shooter Tom Clancy's The Division 2. The beta will be accessible by ?all and will run from March 1 to March 4.

It is expected that the new beta will feature various tweaks and bug fixes that were noted by players in The Division 2's private beta, which took place last weekend. If you ??want in on the gang-busting action, then all you need do is download the client on your preferred platform when the beta goes live.

The Division 2, much like its predecessor, concerns the actions of a team of civilians-turned-mercenaries, forced to take violent action when their city of Washington D.C. falls under mob rule. The full ??game laun??ches on PS4, PC and Xbox One March 15, to be followed by three free DLC expansions.

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Because it's not out yet but this is the world now

Developer RedLynx has released a short video detailing the DLC and post-release plans for barmy motorbike stunt sequel Trials Rising. A glut of content is on the way, mostly tied to a pre-sale pass that comes with the Trials Rising Gold Edition.

The Trials Rising Expansion Pass will ad?d a further 55 tracks to the insane physics game, covering not only the Americas but the jungles of Peru and the sub-zero environments of Antarctica, along with a glut of outfits and decals for your wrecked bike and its hapless rider. The pass also includes access to the Stuntman Rider and Samurai packs, adding more customisation items to your wardrobe and garage.

There will, fortunately, b?e some free content added post-release, including weekly challenges, season-themed events and other extras. ?Pre-order customers can also bag themselves the Jungle Rider and Wild West Rider packs.

Trials Rising launches on PS4, PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch? February 26, with all? of the above-mentioned content expected to be drip-fed throughout the year.

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Strive to survive

Anyone who couldn't quite pull the trigger on Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is gett??ing a golden opportunity to see what all the fuss is about. The game's most notable mode, the Blackout battle royale, is the subject of an upcoming free trial.

Activision is throwing a week-long Blackout trial from January 17 through January 24. It's available on all platforms -- PC, PS4, and Xbox One. This comes a little more than three months after Black Ops 4 originally released.

Of course, this isn't the full Black Ops 4 experience. It's without the Zombies mode and the standard Call of Duty multiplayer. It does, however, showcase the most novel addition to Call of Duty in a number of years. Even if it's just chasing a trend, it does so in an und??eniably enjoyable way.

Bring your friends — the Blackout Free Trial is coming.

Play #BlackOps4’s Blackout Battle Royale for free from January 17th to the 24th on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. pic.twitter.com/jfOw2diCV9

— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) January 15, 2019

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Odd, I see

A few months ago, Google had opened a beta of its "Project Stream" service with Assassin's Creed Odyssey as the headlining title. Whether the results were good or not, Google is holding another test and the incentive is a bit more appetizing. Anyone that participates in December's "Project Stream" test will receive a Uplay copy of Assassin's Creed Odyssey to keep.

To get in on the offer, make sure you have Google Chrome installed and head over to this website. You'll need to enter your e-mail address and request a code from Google. If you're accepted, you'll be able to test the streaming service by playing Odyssey immediately. You'll need to clock in a minimum of one hour played before January 15 to receive your Uplay copy. All participants will also be given 1,000 Helix credits (Odyssey's moon money) for their troubles.

[Update: Ubisoft has contacted us to clarify that unused Helix credits will disappear. "All game saves and any in-game items earned via gameplay or purchased with the free Helix credits will also transfer over to the free PC copy, but any unspent credits will not transfer," Ubisoft mentions on its site.]

You'll need to link your Uplay account to Chrome to make use of the offer, but your save games will actually transfer over to the download copy next month. At the moment, the of??fer ??is only applicable to US residents.

Nab a free copy of Assassin's Creed Odyssey for testing Google’s Project Stream [VG 24/7]

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Original 16 fighters available

With the "Capcom Cup 2018" happening soon, Capcom is hosting a free week of Street Fighter V to get play??ers hyped. Available on both PS4 and PC, players will be given access to the original 16 character roster along with Guile, Akuma, and Sa?gat. Everyone will be able to download the client, but a PlayStation Plus membership will be required for online play.

You'll have access to Arcade Mode, Trials, Challenges, Offline Versus and Training as well as online features. Capcom will also be introducing sponsored content into the game for the "Capcom Cup 2018," which will be available to trial members. This content will include things like ads on loading screens and special character c??ostumes. A feature will be available to turn off all adv??ertisements if you so choose.

The trial will be running from December 11 until December 19. There is no mention if the story mode will be playable, but you're probably best skipping that anyway.

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All-platform trial starts today

It may be getting on in years, at least by online shooter standards, but Ubisoft's wetworks open-world shooter Ghost Recon: Wildlands is still pulling in the players, drawn to Bolivia and the undercover a??ssault on the Santa Blanca drug Cartel.

This weekend, new players on all platforms will have an opportunity to get their trigger-fingers in on the action, as Ubisoft has announced ??a trial weekend on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Starting today, you can jump into the deadly, high-stakes world of Delta Company's "Ghost" division, taking on insurmountable odds in an effort to free the territory from the grip of cartel leader El Sueno.

Ghost Recon: Wildlands can be played for free from today ??until September 23, and is available?? now on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

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Hope you like breaking planks of wood

Ubisoft's ubi-popular online military shooter Rainbow Six Siege continues to enthrall its mammoth community with its exciting brand of highly-tactical shooter action. For those of you still on the explosive-laden fence, a new free trial will give? you the chance to check out the action for yourself.

The free "weekend" runs from August 16 to August 20 (one of those five-day weekends, I guess) and will include all of the Operators, maps and modes of the full game. Leave Dokkaebi alone, her phone shenanigans are mine. Players can jump straight into the game and enjoy all the fun of moving ever-so-slightly and immediately getting your?????????????????????????? head popped like a watermelon.

I kid, Siege is genuinely an excellent and intense multiplayer experience, if a little unforgiving. Now in its fourth year, Siege is about to receive another batch of new content with its upcoming seasonal expansion, Operation: Grim Sky, so its? as good a time as any to get bitten by the counter-terrorist bug.

Rainbow Six Siege is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

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T: Theft. Determination. To steal what you can and run from the nation

If you ever wanted to jump in on the carnage-filled online world that is GTA Online, but were unable due to a lack of a PlayStation Plus subscription, then you're in luck. For a limited time, Rockstar's lawless online world is open to all? PS4 players, whether you are a subscriber or not.

You of course need to find of Grand Theft Auto V, it's the best-selling video game of all-time, so that shouldn't be too hard. Other than that just jump in and let the mayhem commence. The offer ends on August 6, and is in celebration of new expansion After Hours, which sees the return of GTA IV's nightclub entrepreneur, Tony Prince, a??ka Gay Tony.

GTA Online continues to make a ridiculous amount of money for Rockstar, with players pumping thousands upon thousands of dollars into the game's various microtransactions, allowing them to pick new wheels, aircraft,?? clothes, weapons accessories and much more. There is no sign of this den of inequity slowing down anytime soon.

Grand Theft Auto V is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

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Along with digital pre-orders

If you've been itching to get a taste of Yakuza Kiwami 2, then boot up your PS4 and get to the store. Sega has just unleashed a demo that lets you take a look at the remade Sotenbori district from the original (which was also in Yakuza 0 and 5). Much like the Japanese demo, this is a short sampler that won't let you carry progress to the main game (unlike the Yakuza 6 demo).

If you like what you play and intend to grab the game digitally, Sega has now put digit?al pre-orders live. Along with that, you'll get a "Dragons" theme for your console and a bonus "Special Item Pack" for use in the main game. That pack includes the demonfire blade, a one million yen bonus, a comedian costume for Kiryu, a couple of bonus cards for the "Clan Creator" mini-game and the absolutely wonderful Ono-Michiyo hostess.

To get yourself hyped for the August 28 release date, Sega has uploaded a new trailer that sets the stage for the story. It is remarkably faithful to the direction of the original Yakuza 2's cutscenes, which is sure to please fans.

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A good-feeling sequel without the fluff

It's been several years now since Trials Fusion and that means it's getting to be about time for another installment. While Fusion had the right mechanical foundation, I thought it fell short with its futuristic theme and misplaced emphasis on tricks. It felt like a step down from the stellar Trials Evolution.

With that aftertaste lingering in my mouth since 2014, I wasn't feeling super confident about Trials Rising. Ubisoft's demo at E?3 has lifted my spirits??, though -- the game seems like a return to form.

There wasn't any one particular element that stood out to me as the difference maker, but it had the right look and more importantly the right handling. Levels themed around a skate park and an amusement park were lively yet easy to read, and despite not playing Trials in a good long while, I slipped right back into my old ways in Rising. This is shaping up to be comfort food for fans.

The main new aspect of Rising on display at E3 was a cooperative Tandem Bike mode in which two players share control of one bike. You each use your own controller and have influence over your ride. That might sound like a nightmare in a platforming game as technical as Trials, but it was genuinely fun seeing the look of horror on my partner's face as I went for? an extra flip (or two) she wasn't expecting.

I only played a few levels shown in the trailer above (and then replayed them with the Tandem Bike), so my experience was admittedly surface-level. It's clear Trials Rising is heading in the right direction, though. I've come away expecting a palate cleanser, which?? is exactly what I w??ant from this game.

Ubisoft is planning a closed beta before the February 2019 launch on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Sw??itch.

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