Hayden DingmanGames Reporter, PCWorld
Hayden writes about games for PCWorld and doubles as the resident Zork enthusiast.
Need for Speed: Heat review: The best Need for Speed this generation, but the formula's well-worn
Need for Speed: Heat is probably the best series reboot EA's put out this entire console generation, but it arrives as the open-world racing formula is running out of gas.
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 review: More of the same, but better
With a rechargeable battery and Bluetooth support, the redesigned Elite Controller Series 2 is Microsoft's most convenient wireless controller to date.
This week in games: IO confirms Hitman 3 development, BioWare teases Dragon Age news for next month
Plus Payday 2 restarts active development with a new heist, Hideo Kojima goes into film production, and Kerbal Space Program 2 gets delayed. This is gaming news for November 4 to 8.
HP Omen 17 (2019) review: Solid performance that's shockingly affordable
HP's Omen 17 has a reputation as a solid performer with a budget price, and its 2019 model follows suit. It's a heavy gaming laptop and the battery is a bummer, but a full RTX 2070 at this price? Believe it.
Red Dead Redemption II PC impressions: Drop-dead gorgeous, if you can run it
Witness, Red Dead Redemption II is a game that can bring a GeForce RTX 2080 Ti to its knees...at 1080p. Seriously.
Planet Zoo review: Zoo Tycoon, but for people who want to build bear-themed bathrooms
Planet Zoo's management layer is thin and its construction kit occasionally frustrating, but a cast of lifelike animals and an if-you-dream-it-you-can-build-it spirit make this one of the most charming builders ever.
This week in games: Look at this Terminator-themed Xbox One X and its ominous red eye
Plus Death Stranding's coming to PC next summer, Netflix puts out the first trailer for The Witcher, and Red Barrels teases Outlast 3 (or maybe not). This is gaming news for October 28 to November 1.
BlizzCon 2019: Blizzard announces Diablo IV, Overwatch 2, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Blizzard had quite a few announcements in store for BlizzCon 2019. Still no Warcraft IV, but what can you do?
Alienware m15 R2 review: Power in a stylish and portable package
Alienware's redesigned m15 R2 is a gorgeous laptop that puts out impressive performance—though you should probably opt for the OLED upgrade.
EA's games are coming back to Steam
The eight-year Origin experiment effectively draws to a close, as Jedi: Fallen Order, Apex Legends, Battlefield V, The Sims 4, and more head back to Valve's storefront.
Cooler Master MK850 review: Don't throw away your controller just yet
Cooler Master's MK850 keyboard integrates analog controls to replicate using a controller, but the experience is far from seamless, like a neat tech demo that's not yet a fully realized product.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare campaign review: War never changes, and neither does Call of Duty
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tries to be a serious (and controversial) commentary on present-day armed conflicts, but it's mostly just another Call of Duty game.
This week in games: First look at Command & Conquer remaster, Payday 2 back from the dead
Plus: Battlefield V heads to the Pacific, a handful of Ubisoft delays, and everyone celebrates Halloween—even Agent 47. This is gaming news for October 21 to 25.
The Outer Worlds review: A stellar argument for deeper games, not wider ones
While it bears surface-level similarities to Fallout: New Vegas, Obsidian's created a deeper and more meaningful role-playing experience in The Outer Worlds, though it can still be frustratingly old-fashioned in regards to combat and exploration.
Fallout 76 adds $100 yearly subscription for private servers and crucial game improvements
Fallout 76's "Fallout 1st" $100 private server rental isn't actually all that expensive. On the other hand, tying the same subscription to a bunch of quality-of-life upgrades and dangling mod support for paying subscribers feels sort of dirty.