GamersHeroes Thursday, January 27, 2022 7:26 AM Both weather and time of day play an important role in Arceus. This Pokemon Legends Arceus Weather & Time Symbols Guide breaks down the symbols and icons both for what time of day it is and the current weather system on the region you're in. The post Pokemon Legends Arceus Weather & Time Symbols Guide appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:00 AM  Stop encasing your old gaming hardware in resin to make furniture, there is a better way to honor the handheld systems that came before. Art studio Grid is taking apart old Game Boy, PSP, Nintendo DS, and Game Gear consoles, and transforming them into stunning technological dioramas you can hang on your wall. |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 10:43 AM  It's official – the Oculus Quest is now called the Meta Quest, and fans of the VR headsets aren't pleased. The brand's retirement was announced using a metaverse themed two buttons meme on Twitter, alongside the caption "New Name. Same Mission." Meta acquired Oculus for $2 billion USD in 2014, following the success of the original Oculus Rift headset. Since then, the company has used the brand to establish itself within the VR space and establish a foundation for its metaverse ambitions. While the Oculus Quest 2 is primarily designed with VR gaming in mind, upcoming products like Project Cambria aim to offer a high-end mixed reality experience. The social media giant also intends to release an Oculus Quest 3, but its recent announcement means it'll likely be called the Meta Quest instead. It's worth noting that the company hasn't announced official names for its next-gen VR headsets, so we'll need to wait and see whether Meta's new moniker belongs to one device or its entire lineup of metaverse accessories. RELATED LINKS: Best VR games, Build yourself a VR-ready PC for $793, How to set up your Oculus Rift |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:41 AM  Looking for a list of the best Valorant guns and how to use them? We've spent countless hours playing Riot's tactical FPS game, and we've got some solid Valorant weapon recommendations to pass on. Keep in mind that the best Valorant weapon always depends on your current situation - use this list as a guideline to help inform your buying decisions. All aboard the Valorant hype train. Riot Games has taken a fresh approach to its multiplayer first-person shooter by leaning heavily into its competitive credentials. So it makes sense that the studio bases so much of their game - especially the weapon behaviour - off two of the best competitive shooters around: CS:GO and its predecessor Counter-Strike. It's clear that many of the weapons in Valorant have a CS equivalent, but there are some key differences to all of them, and if you've never played a CS-style shooter then there's a good chance they'll all feel alien to you. Either way, we've put them all to the test in order to bring you a tier list of Valorant guns, as well as some tips for handling each one so you can master your favourites. RELATED LINKS: Valorant - all you need to know, Valorant system requirements |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 7:09 AM  Minecraft enchantments can be crafted using an enchanting table and are how you create magic armour, weapons, and tools in Minecraft. There is a significant gamble associated with enchantments in Minecraft, as there's no way of knowing what the enchanting table will spit out when you're done. You could end up wasting a perfectly good diamond sword, or you could imbue it with the Fire Aspect enchantment so that it also deals burn damage with each strike. As you can probably tell, Minecraft enchantments are very powerful, and you'll want to rack up as many as possible to stand the best chance of surviving in this cruel, blocky world. To offset their extraordinary power, getting to the stage where you can build and use a Minecraft enchanting is no mean feat, and there are a lot of steps involved in creating a weapon with a decent enchantment. Join us as we break down the basics on building a Minecraft enchanting table, using enchantments, and offering some additional tips on this advanced crafting mechanic. RELATED LINKS: Minecraft console commands, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:58 AM  Transforming everyday appliances into Doom gaming machines is something of a sport. We've already witnessed the FPS game running on everything from a digital camera display to a restaurant order system, and it even runs on holographic displays. Thanks to developers over at Adafruit, the id Software classic is now playable on a gaming PC that's smaller than a credit card, providing you're not prone to hand cramps. The Adafruit QT Py Doom playing device (codename PINKY) uses a ESP32 Pico v3 02 SoC at its core, complete with a dual Tensilica 240MHz CPU and 2MB PSRAM. The device meets the classic shooter's system requirements by also wielding a 1.3 inch TFT display, and a bunch of tiny micro switches to boot. The device uses Retro-Go port of Prboom, an overhauled version of the original Doom engine. While getting the game onto unconventional appliances usually requires some tinkering, Adafruit says the DOS shooter "pretty much just worked" after simply loading the shareware DOOM1.WAD file from an SD card. RELATED LINKS: Doom PC release date, Play Doom |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:56 AM  Windows 11 has been around for just under four months now, quickly becoming the second most popular version of Microsoft's operating system among gaming PCs. While it will undoubtedly eventually replace Windows 10, there's still plenty of troubleshooting to be done before then, especially when it comes to AMD Ryzen CPUs. A thread on the Linus Tech Tips forums contains multiple testimonies of users experiencing stuttering issues on their Windows 11 PCs, while running an AMD Ryzen processor. Worse still, these reports date back to July 2021. The problem appears to be related to the 'fTPM' BIOS setting (firmware Trusted Platform Module), which must be enabled in order for Windows 11 to be installed. However, users say that turning 'fTPM' not only resolves the issue, but also has no impact on the functionality of their OS. It's unclear what plans Microsoft has to address this issue, or how quickly a fix can be deployed, but the company was previously quick to address other issues relating to AMD Ryzen CPU performance on Windows 11. RELATED LINKS: Best SSD for gaming, How to build a gaming PC, Best gaming CPU |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:46 AM  Looking for the best Yae Miko build? The popular pink-haired priestess is arriving in an upcoming Genshin Impact banner - nothing has been officially announced yet but data from beta testers indicates she'll be playable as part of the Genshin Impact 2.5 update. Based on this beta information, Yae Miko looks like a powerful Electro DPS character, capable of dealing substantial damage. However, she requires a lot of energy for her burst so if you're planning to take on the most difficult content, we recommend running her as a sub-DPS alongside a good "battery" - a character who generates lots of energy for their team. To help you figure out how to play Yae Miko, we've put together a guide to the best Yae Miko build and team composition. Bear in mind, however, that this is all based on unreleased data and is subject to change when the Yae Miko release date arrives. If you're preparing to pull for her then we recommend checking our Yae Miko ascension materials guide so you can start stockpiling everything we think you'll need to get her levelled up. RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:43 AM  Preparing to farm Raiden Shogun's materials? If you've heard the Genshin Impact 2.5 update rumours that Raiden Shogun, also known as Raiden Ei, is coming to the next Genshin Impact banner - then here's where to find her ascension materials to fully unlock her master Electro potential. Raiden Shogun has been a playable character for a while now, but if you didn't get the chance to pull her in the 2.1 update, then you might be in luck in the near future. If you plan to pull on Ei's banner, it's best to prepare beforehand, so you can unlock her additional abilities and ascend her character quickly. Fortunately, her materials are all readily available, although they take a while to obtain. It's also worth noting that you need to be a certain Adventure Rank to ascend Genshin Impact characters, but if you want to think ahead - here's where to find all of Raiden Shogun's ascension materials and the best Raiden Shogun build in Genshin Impact. Want to see what abilities are in store if you manage to get the powerful Electro Archon? Here are all of Raiden Shogun's abilities. RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:26 AM  It's Thursday, friends, and that means it's reset day for GTA Online. Rockstar Games will have the full rundown on its newswire later on in the day, but the update is already live, so players are visiting Los Santos to see what's new and worth taking note of. This week, the big swanky addition is a new car from The Contract update known as the Declasse Granger 3600LX. You may recognise it from the recent slice of new content as it looks like a four-door, full-size SUV. You can buy it from Southern San Andreas Super Autos for $1,380,000 in-game currency (or $1,035,000 if you have something to trade in). If you're looking to make some money to put towards your new set of wheels, you can get triple the usual GTA$ and RP rewards on the Every Bullet Counts adversary mode and bike races. Weed and document forgery alongside MC work, meanwhile, are paying out double rewards. Weed farms and document forgery offices are also 50% off this week so it's an ideal time to nab one of those if you haven't already - and, no, I can't believe I wrote that sentence either. RELATED LINKS: GTA 5 mods, GTA 6, Buy GTA V |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:20 AM  Valve still hasn't officially confirmed that we're even getting a Steam Lunar New Year Sale for 2022, but as always, the dates have leaked thanks to developers who've gotten early word on the discount promotion. So if you're eagerly awaiting the Steam Lunar New Year Sale start time, here's when you can expect to commit unspeakable acts of savings. The start comes at the usual Steam store reset time, and you can usually expect the store to be broken for a few minutes after the sale begins. The discounts will start showing normally shortly after the start time, don't worry. This will be the first Steam sale starting in 2022, though the 2021 Steam Winter Sale lasted a few days into January. As such, you can expect pretty similar discounts to those of the recently-ended sale, and if you were holding out on anything, now might be the time to splurge. Here's some personal advice, though: don't buy anything you don't immediately plan to play. You can be confident it'll be just as cheap - or even cheaper - by the time the next sale rolls around. Though with the Steam Deck release date coming up, maybe you've got a reason to bulk up your library. RELATED LINKS: Steam FAQ, Steam family sharing, Steam in-home streaming |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 5:58 AM  Riot Games has rolled out a small follow-up update to League of Legends patch 12.2 to make some balance changes to the MOBA game's newest champion. Zeri, the Spark of Zaun, joined the live game last week with the arrival of the patch, but it seems her interactions with a key item have proved a bit too powerful so far, so the studio's nipped the issue in the bud. "We just micro-patched out a nerf for Zeri's hurricane interaction," principal character designer August 'RiotAugust' Browning says on Twitter. "It was looking very strong." This relates to the champ's interaction with the legendary item Runaan's Hurricane, which it seems was adding a significant boost to Zeri's prowess on the Rift due to the way it worked alongside her ultimate, Lightning Crash. "R chain lightning is no longer an on-hit effect (which means hurricane bolts no longer apply it)", the dev explains. So, it appears her ultimate's lightning attacks were capable of dealing some big damage to multiple foes by acting as on-hit effects when paired with the item in certain builds, which was giving Zeri just a little too much of an edge. RELATED LINKS: Best LoL Champions , League of Legends patch 12.3 notes, LoL tier list |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 5:59 AM  Want to learn how to create and customise your Minecraft shields? Shields are a state of the art defensive tool to aid in pixelated combat, used instead of blocking with swords. Minecraft shields are not upgradable, so it's one size fits all, but they can be customised using a Minecraft banner. Minecraft shields will completely negate all front-facing attacks of up to four damage, with the shield taking damage equal to the strength of the attack if the incoming attack exceeds that value. Minecraft shields can be used to deflect some incoming attacks, including arrows that will ricochet and deal damage back at the enemy who fired it, and melee combat which will knock an enemy backwards. All non-damage effects through a ranged attack, such as being set on fire or poisoned by an arrow, are prevented when blocking with the shield. Knockback from melee attacks or projectiles is negated, except explosions, which are reduced to one block or less. Find out how to create, customise, and enchant your shield in Minecraft with these handy tips. RELATED LINKS: Minecraft console commands, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:49 AM  What is the GTA 5 podium car this week? GTA Online vehicles are expensive things, so we're happy to take a spin on the Diamond Casino's Lucky Wheel to get a discount. Winning isn't guaranteed, sure, but it isn't out of the question either. Look, we don't have a problem - leave it alone. You can spin the Diamond Casino's Lucky Wheel once a day, and each Podium Car refreshes after seven days on a Thursday. Basically, you have seven shots to get the vehicle of that given week. If you own a Penthouse, you can spin it for free, but if you don't it's $500 a spin. Don't fret if you don't win, though, as you can win something else. You have a one in 20 chance of getting the podium vehicle, a car discount, or a mystery prize. There's a four in 20 chance of getting clothes, chips, and cash. Finally, there's a five in 20 chance of getting RP. Keeping tabs on the GTA Online podium car can be a bother, though, so we're going to keep this GTA 5 guide updated so you have somewhere to check back on. On that note, here's the GTA 5 podium car for this week. RELATED LINKS: GTA 5 mods, GTA 6, Buy GTA V |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:51 AM  The GTA Online Los Santos Tuners update introduced plenty of new content, all focused on the city's underground tuner scene. There's a new 'social space', called the LS Car Meet, where you can show off your souped-up cars, race with fellow gearheads, and take on jobs - here's how to join the LS Car Meet in the Los Santos Tuners update. Throughout your time spent in the Car Meet, you can level up your reputation and unlock new benefits as you progress. There's also a huge Test Track inside the warehouse, where you can try out Test Rides - a great opportunity to take different vehicles for a spin. Becoming an LS Car Meet member sets you back $50,000 in-game bucks, but it grants you access to a bunch of underground shops - the Merch Shop, Tattoo Shop, and a Modding Area where you can tweak your car in real time. At higher levels, you can create your own customised area in the Car Meet, called a Private Takeover. LS Car Meet members can also compete in Prize Ride challenges, in order to be in with a chance to win a Prize Ride. RELATED LINKS: GTA 5 mods, GTA 6, Buy GTA V |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 4:13 AM  As we head further into the new year, the League of Legends patches keep on coming. League of Legends patch 12.2 has headed to live servers, bringing new champion Zeri, the Spark of Zaun, and a whole lot of new skins. It seems 12.3 will be a somewhat humbler affair, at least as far as cosmetics are concerned, but there are still plenty of key changes fans will want to know - so, read on if you're keen to know what's next. It appears that League of Legends patch 12.3 won't be bringing new skins - given that these tend to hit the PBE first thing in a new testing cycle, and there doesn't seem to be any as yet - but we do have some big Ahri balance changes coming up. Principal character designer August 'Riot August' Browning has posted some details around this on Twitter. Goals for the refresh include "lean[ing] into her mobile mage identity by allowing R to partially reset, giving her more opportunities to carry fights" and reworking her passive ability to "be more useful throughout the game". Additionally, the devs want to "make her spells feel better to cast in lane". You can check out all the changed abilities in the notes below. RELATED LINKS: Best LoL Champions , League of Legends patch 12.3 notes, LoL tier list |
PCGamesN Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:23 AM  Looking for Yae Miko's ascension materials? According to rumours about the Genshin Impact 2.5 update, Yae Miko, the elegant Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, is going to be one of the new Genshin Impact characters on an upcoming Genshin Impact banner. Although she's still in development and her skills are constantly being tweaked on the 2.5 beta server, players have uncovered plenty of early information about the pink-haired kitsune maiden. This includes her abilities, constellations, and passives ahead of the Yae Miko banner release date. As a result, we have a list of the required ascension materials for Yae Miko, which you'll need in order to unlock additional abilities. As these materials take a long time to accumulate, many players are stockpiling them in anticipation of pulling Yae Miko when her banner arrives. It's important to note that in order to ascend a character, you must meet the required adventure rank and character level, too. We've put together a list of all the Yae materials for ascension, and how to obtain them. As this information is based on beta testing, be aware that it may change so even if you prepare everything in this list there's no guarantee the requirements will be the same come release. RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, January 27, 2022 10:26 AM  After basically remaking Bullfrog sim Theme Hospital with their first game, Two Point Studios are preparing to return with a new comedy management game. Today they announced Two Point Campus will launch on the 17th of May, inviting us to build and run universities. All I need to know is that it seems one of the courses you can run involves cooking giant pizzas the size of a minibus. Is this real? Did I miss megapizza when I dropped out of university? |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, January 27, 2022 10:00 AM  Boomerangs are cool as hell. The sleek wooden objects careen through the air in a perfect circle - in theory, at least - before returning right back to where they began in the palm of your hand. They're something that fascinated me as a child, and 20-something years later I still don't really know how or why they work. Deflector is like someone taped two swords to a boomerang, Mad Max-style. How does the boomerang still operate with twin blades slashing back and forth on either end? Don't know. How does it always circle its way back to where you're standing after dashing around an arena filled with enemies? Not a clue. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:00 AM  When warp-tunneling multiplayer shooter Splitgate came zooming out of its beta portal, gun barrels aflame, it was joyful madness. The maps were some of the best things about it. Old-school mega-arenas adorned with portal-zappable walls that functioned as DIY shortcuts. As virtual coliseums of chaos go, they were pretty cool. Well, now you can make your own. Splitgate is launching into season 1 this week (the developers insist the last four months have been "season 0") and alongside a couple of new game modes, there's now a map creation tool. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:44 AM  Tell you what's the opposite of cosy: watching the world crumble from your bedroom window. Tell you what is cosy: playing as a fox who repairs quirky machines and eats nice meals cooked by furry friends. That's FixFox for you, an upcoming sci-fi adventure game developed by Rendlike which looks like the video game equivalent of a soothing balm. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:39 AM  Official support for same-sex marriages will arrive in Crusader Kings 3 as part of Update 1.5, launching alongside the first expansion in February. It'll come as both a game rule for everyone and new options for modders to work with. It's taken longer than expected, but Paradox adding an option for same-sex marriage without using mods is more than they had initially planned, so that's nice. |
Twinfinite Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:37 AM Pretty much anyone who was around in the '90s will know the words to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song by heart, and if you don't – we feel sorry for you. In all seriousness, Will Smith's iconic TV show – which helped catapult the fledgling star into worldwide popularity – was a staple […] The post Latest Bel-Air Teaser Trailer Finally Reveals That "One Little Fight" Scene appeared first on Twinfinite. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 10:30 AM
There's a chance to see exactly how Horizon Forbidden West will look on a PS4 Pro. In addition to PlayStation Blog clips, there is a new trailer. It spends under a minute showing off how it looks there. Here's the PS4 Pro clip. In addition, the game went gold. This means the master version is complete. It also means there shouldn't be any delays.
As for perhaps seeing more, there are quite a few Horizon Forbidden West trailers out now. One video looked at the tribes living in the new region. Another went over its story. One trailer featured the voice actors talking about their roles. Among them is Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays a new character in this installment. Should someone get a Horizon Forbidden West PS4 version, they can always upgrade. Initially, Sony wasn't going to offer a free path to a PS5 copy. However it changed its stance in September 2021. So now someone who does get the last generation version can also get a next-gen one. Horizon Forbidden West will come to the PS4 and PS5 on February 18, 2022. The post See the Horizon Forbidden West PS4 Pro Gameplay Teaser appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 10:00 AM
The Genshin Impact alternate outfits for Amber, Jean, Mona, and Rosaria will be distributed starting January 27, 2022. People will get them for free. MiHoYo went over the process. All someone needs to do is log in between January 27, 2022 and the launch of the 2.5 update for them. They will be included via an in-game letter. However, after 2.5 they will be unlocked in a different way. The letter with the costumes will be available for 30 days after you get it. Once you do, you can change the way they look from the character menu. On the main page there, you can press a button to choose between available outfits. Amber, Jean, Mona, and Rosaria's original outfits and alternate costumes will all be available there when you get them. (So will any paid outfits if you have them and are available. After 2.5, the costumes will unlock once you get the characters. Of the four characters, Amber is the only person who is earned for free. As people go through the Genshin Impact tutorial, they unlock the four-star Pyro archer. Rosaria is a four-star Cryo character who uses polearms and is available via banners. Both Jean and Mona are five-stars available all the time via Wanderlust Invocation standard and event wishes. (Jean is an Anemo swordswoman, while Mona is a Hydro catalyst-wielder.) So once people would pull one of those three from a banner for the first time, they'd get them and the extra outfit. MiHoYo also announced that the alternate outfits will be used for the characters in the banner, in-game, and for animated cutscenes after 2.5. The NPCs and banner will show them in the outfits after 2.5. After 2.6, they'll be in animated scenes. This is due to these outfits becoming the default in China. Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices. It will also come to the Nintendo Switch. People can claim the alternate outfits for Amber, Jean, Mona, and Rosaria immediately in Genshin Impact. The post Genshin Impact Alternate Outfits Will Be Distributed Today appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:30 AM
Good Smile Company has opened pre-orders for a Nendoroid of the Hololive VTuber Oozora Subaru. The figure is also available at $64.99 on GoodSmile US Shop for North American. Subaru's Nendoroid will come with a removable hat and several facial expressions. The set will also come with a couple of plates featuring her famous tweets—her first-ever tweet and the "Subaru is a girl too" quote. As with other Hololive VTuber Nendoroids, Subaru's figure will have a pedestal with her name. A small figure of the mascot-like duck Subarudo will complete the set. [gallery columns="4" link="file" ids="914258,914259,914260,914261,914262,914263,914264,914265"] Unlike other recent Nendoroids like Jojo Bizarre Adventure's Jolyne and Zagreus from Hades, Good Smile Company has put a hard limit on pre-orders for the Oozora Subaru Nendoroid. It will close the pre-order session when the amount has reached the limit. The company may re-open orders at a later date, but it will also produce and deliver subsequent batches later than the initial release. The first batch of pre-orders for the Oozora Subaru Nendoroid is open until March 9, 2022. It may close earlier when the pre-order amount has reached the limit. Those who manage to pre-order early can expect the figure to ship in September 2022 in Japan or November 2022 in North America. The post Oozora Subaru Nendoroid Will Come With Her Mascot Duck appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:01 AM
It's been over six years since the original Atelier Sophie debuted in Japan. Since then, four other mainline entries appeared. Simply put, a lot's happened! Now Atelier Sophie 2 is about to appear and take things Gust's learned to apply it to new and existing characters and a new world. The result is something in which the changes are evident, even though it might also feel a bit familiar. As before, characters dreams from the original game are still building in Atelier Sophie 2. Sophie still wants to be as grand an alchemist of her grandmother. She wants to be licensed. Plachta, while now in a doll body due to the events of the first game, hopes for a human form again. While working toward this goal, Plachta dreamed about a mysterious tree. Sophie and her found their way to it. When they do, it looks different than it did in her mind. Upon investigating it, it pulls Plachta in. Sophie grabs her hand to save her, and the two get dragged into another realm. Said other realm being Erde Wiege. It is a dream world filled with unfamiliar characters. But it's also one where perhaps both women could continue to work toward their goals.
Once people arrive in Erde Wiege, everything is a mystery! Alette and Pirka find Sophie. They take her to a shop to rest and recover. When she wakes up, they're surprised she (and by extension the player) doesn't know what's going on. Turns out the Goddess of Dreams Elvira should have explained it all. But she didn't. Fortunately, Sophie and Alette learn from Olias that a Plachta who is an alchemist did recently arrive there! But she seems to be "a" Plachta, rather than "the" Plachta. What follows is a test to prove Sophie is an actual alchemist, so you can share this Plachta's atelier, look for your Plachta, and figure out what's going on. From the very beginning, it's easy to see how Atelier Sophie 2 is influenced by the more recent Atelier Ryza entries. There are big, open areas. The early characters I met and places I explored were quite detailed. Roytale is a very large town, separated into different districts and with a lot to see. When you head into the fields outside of the residential district, there are a lot of accents around the landscape. It gives the impression that things are really alive, even given the nature of Erde Wiege. Given that gathering spots are highlighted with an accent, it's also easy to pick them out from other environmental objects. Not to mention each one shows you what you can collect. It will even note that some ingredients might be locked. But while it is big, the Journey Stones mean you have the security of knowing you can fast travel to get around. Not to mention the world map also lets you know what potential materials each location holds. But while the more care put into creating the world around Sophie and detail into characters might call Atelier Ryza 2 to mind, the other gameplay elements in Atelier Sophie 2 are more distinct. For example, whereas the Atelier Ryza games offered a more active battle system, Atelier Sophie 2 returns to the series' more leisurely and slower-paced turn-based roots. When you run into a monster, you immediately fight them exactly where they're encountered. There's no break in the action. It immediately heads into a fight without loading, adding to the immersion. You manually dictate each person's actions. Everyone can attack, defend, use skills, or flee. Looking at an enemy tells you if it is "vulnerable." All of the turn-based JRPG and Atelier staples are there, right down to being able to use items you synthesized in a fight. But the execution meant it felt little more thought out even in the first few hours I played. As though Plachta and Sophie are more thoughtful and tactical, whereas Ryza might have been a little more impetuous. Three people are with you and active at once. However, there are actually six people around. You could have three are in front and three in back. But even with smaller parties, you can take advantage of positioning. For example, swapping in a Back-up Team member to take a hit for someone in the current Attack Team. Using Twin Actions to have two people attacking at once as one enters the field and another leaves. Having some characters use a Dual Trigger attack when the gauge is full.
Alchemy also follows some familiar rules in Atelier Sophie 2, all while adding a few new elements. For example, you still need to get recipes. You have to have Sophie's alchemy skills at a certain level to make certain items. You also have to get items from different categories to complete a synthesis. However, once you meet all those requirements, you'll find yourself placing pieces on a grid in a manner not totally unlike the original Atelier Sophie. The first game involved a grid with colored spaces, and each ingredient would be a certain shape that you'd need to fit into place. We still have a grid in this entry! Items involve different elemental components, all tied to certain colors. Just like in the original game, you can see the elemental effect at the top of the synthesis panel and the current effect levels. Hitting certain plateaus in the synthesis can increase the effects, just as before. It feels very familiar. You're trying to match elements, fill panels without overwriting them, and continue to unlock special traits. Doing all this also contributes to a Super Success Rate that might increase the product's quality. Once you're done, you choose three traits and make the item. It might sound daunting in writing, but it really clicks together easily in practice. Especially since it is building on the original Atelier Sophie alchemy system. And given the way things go early on, battling and gathering are all in the service of being able to perform more alchemy.
While going through my first few hours with Atelier Sophie 2, I definitely noticed growth between the original game and this, but the focus on its characters really struck me. There's a marked effort to show how certain people developed, for one. Sophie starts out with an alchemy level of 50, to show her experience. She's already recognized by Alette and Olias as an alchemist, and one that's capable of protecting herself in battle. (Even though we, you know, do need to gather a lot of recipes again.) The other Plachta is even impressed with her first synthesis. I also felt like this sequel early on tries to make characters who aren't Sophie or Plachta engaging. Not that Atelier Sophie didn't also pay attention to other cast members. But perhaps in part because Sophie is trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Plachta, there is a chance for others to feel really important too! Not to mention some of the side characters are very important figures in their own right. (People who played Atelier Sophie will understand shortly after meeting them.) In my first few hours, I was interested in how these other folks ended up in Erde Wilde. I wanted to know who they were. And while I only went through a sample, I felt like some of the supporting cast here made a very strong impression.
After only a short time, I felt like Atelier Sophie 2 is a game that really focuses on making sure its characters and strange new world are detailed. Erde Wiege is a detailed place. One that feels quite large. One where its battles keep you centered in place, rather than detached. It's also filled with people who can sometimes feel as interesting as Sophie and Plachta because, well, one of the main heroines isn't present. Since it isn't focusing on that relationship between the two, I got the early impression that other folks get more of a chance to stand out. The early impressions it leaves are rather positive and show progress. Atelier Sophie 2 will come to the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC on February 25, 2022. The post Preview: Atelier Sophie 2 Focuses on Its Characters and World appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 8:30 AM
Capcom will hold a new Devil May Cry collaboration event at Capcom Cafe Aeon Lake Town from February 25 to April 14, 2022. The new event will help celebrate the 20th anniversary by featuring multiple versions of the series' characters. Capcom Cafe has held multiple Devil May Cry collaboration events in the past. However, those events only focused on a specific title. The December 2020 and July 2021 events, for example, focused on the fifth mainline entry. The company has yet to publish the new menu and merchandise lineup. However, it has shared the key art showing characters for the upcoming collaboration. The front row showcases multiple iterations of Dante from every series title, including DmC: Devil May Cry. The art also shows different versions of Vergil, Nero, Lady, and Trish. The Devil May Cry 5 debutant V is the only character with a single design in this art. Capcom is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Devil May Cry, which began in August 2021. Besides Capcom Cafe, it is currently holding a temporary Pop Up Store at Prime1Studio Gallery Shop in Shinjuku. It primarily sells merchandise decorated with Dante's designs from five mainline titles. The limited shop will remain open until February 28, 2022. The entire Devil May Cry series is immediately available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The first three titles in the series are also on the Nintendo Switch. The post Capcom Cafe Will Feature Multiple Devil May Cry Characters appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 8:00 AM
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp has received a new 5.0 update. Nintendo shared just how extensive this update is, and a new quality of life feature that accompanies it. Through the new Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp 5.0 update, players can now invite a total of 16 villagers to their camp. Additionally, a new Diary feature has arrived. The Diary feature will allow for players to check the event schedule in-game and see when certain items will be available to purchase. Players can also add stickers to their Diary. [Thanks, Famitsu!] Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will soon have new items for players to obtain. In February, seasonal items will arrive, along with entirely new item sets. This includes a "Detective" inspired set, which includes new outfits. Additionally, players will be able to receive dog themed items. This includes a special skin for your caravan. To coincide with the release of the update, Nintendo has uploaded a trailer to its official YouTube channel and Twitter account. You can watch the trailer below. [embed]https://twitter.com/Pocket_Camp/status/1486519327784382464[/embed] In October 2021, new villagers were made available in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. A total of eight villagers were released. Several of these villagers later appeared in Animal Crossing: New Horizons through the 2.0 version update. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is available for Android and iOS devices. The post Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp 5.0 Update Adds More Villagers to Camp appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 7:30 AM
Koei Tecmo and Gust revealed new details regarding the Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream Digital Deluxe Editions, and the Season Pass. Additionally, those who pre-order the digital version of Atelier Sophie 2 before February 23, 2022 will receive two special costumes. The Atelier Sophie 2 Digital Deluxe Edition will come with a total of six swimsuits, one for every character. It will cost 9,900 yen ($85). The Digital Deluxe Edition with the Season Pass will cost 14,740 yen ($128). It will come with an extra costume for Sophie and Ramizel. It will also include future content scheduled to be released through the Season Pass. [Thanks, 4Gamer!] The two special costumes consumers will obtain by pre-ordering Atelier Sophie are the "Easy Breezy" and "Comfy and Casual" costumes. However, the "Comfy and Casual" costume may be available to purchase at a later date. And, as mentioned previously, a total of six swimsuits will come with the Digital Deluxe Edition of Atelier Sophie 2. Each major character will receive a special swimsuit. You can take a look at the swimsuits below. [gallery ids="914238,914239,914240,914241,914242,914243" link="file"] Additionally, consumers will also receive six weapons that will provide beneficial skills to each character. Players will also receive a special item set that will include items that increase the speed at which Sophie runs, and a charm that increases experience points earned. Those who purchase the Atelier Sophie 2 Digital Deluxe Edition with Season Pass will receive an additional six swimsuit costumes, meaning they will receive a total of twelve swimsuits. Consumers will also receive an the "Grandma's Outfit" for Sophie and Ramizel. Other costumes and recipe packs will be released through the Season Pass through the months of April and May. Koei Tecmo and Gust state that these items will be available to purchase separately at a later date. Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream will release for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC via Steam on February 25, 2022. The post Atelier Sophie 2 Digital Deluxe Edition Will Come With Swimsuits appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 7:00 AM
Bandai will release three variations of Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc Tamagotchi toys from June 18, 2022. They will cost 2,530 JPY, or $22.15, each. This is the fourth round of Tamagotchi toys in which you can raise your own demon slayer. [Thanks, Hobby Watch!] There are three different color models: Hinokami Kagura, Burning Blood, and Water Breathing. Additionally, the Water Breathing color is limited to Amazon. The Water Breathing and Hinokami Kagura Tamagotchi use the pattern of Tanjiro's haori. Meanwhile, the Burning Blood Tamagotchi has vines. In total, there are 18 characters to raise. Aside from the nine Hashira members and the four main characters, you can also raise Sumiko, Zenko, and Inoko. Though you cannot raise them, Akaza, Daki, and Gyutaro also show up as you play. You can also meet characters like Koinatsu Oiran and Shinjuro Rengoku, who will re-enact scenes from the anime. Other Demon Slayer Tamagotchi toys available include designs of Inosuke, Zenitsu, and the Hashiras. While the characters you can raise and gameplay are essentially the same, the color of the device is different. Like a normal Tamagotchi , you can raise them and transform them into different characters depending on how you treat them. The Bandai Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc Tamagotchi will become available from June 18, 2022. The post Demon Slayer Tamagotchi Will Focus on Entertainment District appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:30 AM
enish announced Attack on Titan Brave Order will release for mobile devices in Japan on February 11, 2022. Pre-registration for the title is immediately available for Android and iOS devices. Players will assume the role of a member of the Survey Corps, and take down Titans. The game will feature miniature 3D models, with full voice acting. Additionally, players will be able to customize their own headquarters. There is no word of a potential Western release. [Thanks, Dengeki!] Pre-registration for Attack on Titan Brave Order opened in October 2021. However, at that time, the mobile game did not have an official release date. A February window of release was then announced sometime after. Pre-registration rewards include in-game currency for gacha pulls. If Attack on Titan Brave Order has over 300,000 pre-registered users, players will receive enough currency to perform ten gacha pulls. The pre-registration announcement also included the release of a trailer. It showcased various aspects of the game, which includes how combat will function. As mentioned previously, players will be able to decorate their own headquarters. Popular characters from the Attack on Titan series are shown idling or interacting with objects within the headquarters. Attack on Titan Brave Order will release for Android and iOS devices in February 11, 2022. The post Attack on Titan Brave Order Will Release for Mobile Devices in February appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:00 AM
Koei Tecmo announced Atelier Online: Alchemist of Bressisle will end service in Japan on March 31, 2022. Additionally, leading up to the end of service, paid currency purchases will be disabled. This will take place after February 28, 2022. Consumers will then have until June 30, 2022 to request and receive refunds. However, they will need to retrieve their refund code and attached password to file for a refund. This can be found in-game. Boltrend Games, the North American and European publisher of Atelier Online, has yet to announced an end of service for the title in those regions. [Thanks, 4Gamer!] Additionally, Atelier will not receive an offline version of the game. A statement made through the official website states that when end of service arrives in March, players will no longer be able to access the game. Additionally, in-game currency purchases for new players are now immediately cut off. The development team also thanks users for their support and hopes that players will continue to enjoy their remaining time with Atelier Online. Atelier Online originally released in Japan in October 2018. A North American and European release arrived in July 2021. The title features several characters from the Atelier series, and allowed for players to gather materials and craft items. Atelier Online: Alchemist of Bressisle is immediately available for Android and iOS devices. However, the title will end service in Japan on March 31, 2022. The post Atelier Online Will End Service in Japan in March appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, January 27, 2022 5:30 AM
Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Japan, Good Smile Company has cancelled WonHobby 35 two weeks ahead of the event date. The company initially planned to host the event during Wonder Festival 2022 Winter, on February 6, 2022. The pre-order dates for figures that were planned to be available during the event will be adjusted accordingly. While WonHobby 35 is cancelled, it doesn't necessarily mean that it won't be held at all. In the announcement, Good Smile Company states that it will be adjusting its plans for the WonHobby 35 event internally. This could indicate that the company may choose to hold the event entirely online or reschedule to a later date. Accordingly, Good Smile Company will update fans on further details in the near future. Furthermore, the cancellation means that fans will have to wait a little longer to get their hands on the Snow Miku figma and Nendoroid. Originally the figures would have opened for pre-order on February 6 along with the start of the event, in addition to a series of Nendoroid More heart bases. The company will adjust the sales dates of the two figures and heart base. Good Smile Company will provide further updates regarding the future of WonHobby 35 in the coming days. For more information, you can also check out the official WonHobby 35 website. The post WonHobby 35 Exhibition Cancelled, Pre-order Dates To Be Adjusted appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:00 AM Boxing Clever Tate Multimedia has been quiet this past year, as it has been busy preparing for the return of... The post Kao the Kangaroo bounces back this summer, and he's looking sharp appeared first on Destructoid. |
Destructoid Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:00 AM Looks great, plays great Where are my Gunvolt fans at? It's crazy to think that this series has been in... The post Review: Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 appeared first on Destructoid. |
Destructoid Thursday, January 27, 2022 7:00 AM There's a new Oceania tab too [Update: Square Enix has explained that Final Fantasy XIV congested servers have led to congestion... The post Final Fantasy XIV updates list of congested and non-congested servers appeared first on Destructoid. |
Destructoid Thursday, January 27, 2022 7:00 AM New team to develop standalone titles Industry giant Epic Games has announced that it has established a new studio in... The post Epic Games establish new studio expansion in Poland appeared first on Destructoid. |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, January 27, 2022 10:00 AM  With the introduction of the B20 streaming microphone, EPOS now has a desktop mic on offer that's designed to make audio recordings easier without recording equipment. We tested out the EPOS B20 microphone to see how it performs, and this review will highlight its many strengths along with a few weaknesses to be aware of. Built primarily for livestreamers and podcasters, this minimalistic USB microphone has almost everything you need right out of the box. Users can simply attach the microphone to the included desktop stand or onto a boom arm with a standard 3/8 inch thread. It also comes with a nine foot USB cable, so cable routing options are versatile. Once the physical setup is done, you just need to download and install the EPOS software, connect a quality pair of headphones for monitoring, and you're all set to go. EPOS B20 microphone specs Measuring about nine inches tall with its stand and only weighing 19 ounces, the B20 certainly gives USB desktop microphones s... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:00 AM  Copen being added to the roster in Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 was a shot in the arm for the series. I'm a huge fan of the Mega Man X/Zero games, but the first Gunvolt didn't do much for me. I appreciated it, but shocking foes with darts didn't hit the high notes brought by the games it attempted to ape. With the sequel, though, Copen dashing into foes and zooming across the screen added a lot to the gameplay. Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2, the second of Copen's solo games, may still not touch the classics, but the addition of a melee attack alongside the still-enjoyable series gameplay makes this a brief, but fun, 2D romp. The plot of Luminous Avenger iX 2, much like the plots of all the Gunvolt games, is pretty hard to take seriously. For the first time, the series is dubbed in English, and quite capably I might add! The narrative seems almost like a complete throwaway, though. After the events of the first game, Copen, Kohaku, and Lola are just han... |
Gamer Empire Thursday, January 27, 2022 8:20 AM This article was taken from https://gamerempire.net/ from the RAID Shadow Legends Guides category: https://gamerempire.net/category/raid-shadow-legends/. It was written by Tim Stadel Clausen. The overall goal of RAID: Shadow Legends is to beat stages of enemies and bosses to progress through the game. Because of this and the fact that much of the content in the game is first unlocked later, […] The post RAID: Shadow Legends – Progression Guide: How to Progress Fast appeared first on Gamer Empire. It was written by Tim Stadel Clausen. |
Tabletop Gaming News Thursday, January 27, 2022 10:00 AM |
Tabletop Gaming News Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:00 AM |
Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, January 27, 2022 10:14 AM Like many RPGs, Genshin Impact is built around a party system where each character plays a specific role. In addition to damage dealers and healers, there are shield users. Similar to tanks in other RPGs, shield users specialize in absorbing damage. To effectively use each character's shield, you need to understand the characteristics of their […] |
Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:00 AM The Chained Ogre is the first boss that players encounter in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. However, if you're not aware, the game is ridiculously challenging, especially at the early stage when equipment isn't effective enough. As such, you might find yourself dying instantly many times. Don't worry. We'll give you some essential tips for beating […] |
Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, January 27, 2022 8:00 AM Dragonspine is a snow-capped mountain area located south of Mondstadt. It has harsh weather conditions and features a mechanic called Subzero Climate. Stepping out onto the icy areas of the mountain will trigger Sheer Cold. The more you stay out there, the more it will accumulate. When Sheer Cold is triggered, a blue meter will […] |
Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, January 27, 2022 4:52 AM People have been arguing about the influence of video games for years, and Grand Theft Auto has been the go-to title that angry parents point at when they mean "video games teach violence". In a very ironic turn of events, evidence has been found that an actual drug cartel has been using GTA Online to […] |
Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, January 27, 2022 4:31 AM Overcooked meets Hannibal Lecter in this cute (but morbid) game from Rocket Vulture. After the success of the kid-friendly Overcooked, game developer Rocket Vulture decided to add a little more flavor to the genre by actually having players cook actual people. What's more, they have to hunt them down first before preparing them for their […] |
Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, January 27, 2022 4:26 AM 2021's Mortal Kombat movie may have been kind of a mixed bag, but it looks like New Line Cinema is ready for one more trip into the Nether Realm. As per Deadline, Mortal Kombat 2 is officially in development, and Jeremy Slater (Moon Knight) has been hired to write the script. We don't have any […] |
MonsterVine Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:00 AM Game of the Year – Halo Infinite Tom: I'd never been a big Halo guy because I'm a PC snob and it was alright, but I didn't get the big deal. Infinite made ME the guy that wouldn't shut up about Halo when I was playing Halo, when I was planning to play Halo, and […] The post MonsterVine Game of the Year 2021 appeared first on MonsterVine. |