Dec 22, 12:00


Kotaku Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:18 AM
    

The 2022 Game Awards ended with a random kid sneaking up on stage and muttering nonsense about "reformed Rabbi Bill Clinton." The 2022 Game Awards is now, understandably, trying to pretend that never happened, blurring the kid out of a picture celebrating Elden Ring developer FromSoftware's second Game of the Year win.

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Kotaku Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:45 AM
    

A game not included on our list of major 2022 games that died this year was Square Enix's kart racer, Chocobo GP. There's a reason for that, as it will remain playable for the foreseeable future. However, as Square Enix announced on December 21, the game is effectively dead now since "no further large scale updates"…

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Kotaku Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:40 AM
    

The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) works pretty hard to keep its monsters in their proper pens, fervently stamping out any attempts to use pocket beasties without a licensing agreement in place. Just a few months ago, we saw the company going after six Chinese firms that had crossed the line with their own

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PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:59 AM
     Genshin Impact leak lists Spiral Abyss enemies coming in version 3.4

This Genshin Impact leak shows us which enemies will be turning up in the Spiral Abyss during the anime game's version 3.4 update. HoYoverse tends to set up the abyss challenge in ways that best suit the current character banners, and this seems to be the case for the next update as well.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:11 AM
     High on Life's Justin Roiland knew some people would hate the FPS game

High on Life and Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland says that he and the development team at Squanch Games knew the FPS game would be polarising, and that some players would "just hate it," as the shooter becomes the current most popular release on Game Pass – above even Minecraft – despite the issues noted in our own High on Life review.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Should you kill 5-Torg in High on Life?, Should you stab Gene in High on Life?, High on Life mission list

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:02 AM
     Epic Games Store giving away daily free games – here's what they are

The Epic Games Store is running a free games giveaway over the festive season, with a new game being given away to all every day for a 15-day period. You don't have long then to get each game you want, so we're putting together a list of what's currently free to help you keep track of what you can pick up during the Christmas period.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best SSD for gaming, How to build a gaming PC, Best gaming CPU

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:05 AM
     The best games to play over Christmas

To those looking for the best games to play over Christmas; we've got you. Each year, people spend time with family and get all the latest updates on the lives of friends. We PC gamers on the other hand have something much more vital to do in the process of whiling away those many hours of light intoxication: we have a pile of shame to tackle.

It grows ever more insurmountable each year: saddled by the insufferable need to eat, sleep, and work, promising games inevitably slip by the wayside. As games get longer and more become fully-fledged 'services', we are increasingly encouraged to play fewer games, but each of them for longer. Nobody tells us where the extra hours are supposed to come from.

Christmas, then, is an important time for gamers. Each year, on Jesus's special day, we can pretend to our royally-soused selves that we can conquer the heap of games we picked up in many a Steam sale, only to remain untouched. The following games are the ones you should think about releasing from their digital purgatory this holiday season.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, The best Elden Ring classes

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:53 AM
     A new Witcher 3 hotfix improves stability and fixes photo mode

Another Witcher 3 hotfix is available today that makes some further corrections and enhancements to CD Projekt Red's new next-gen update for the celebrated RPG game. While the hotfix won't change the version number, it includes some key fixes that could help make your trip through ray-traced Novigrad a bit more pleasant.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The Witcher 3 mods, The Witcher 4 news, Play The Witcher 3

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:45 AM
     GTA podium car: here's what vehicle you can win in GTA Online

What is the GTA 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.

Finding out what is the GTA podium car is simple enough - it's winning it that's the challenge. You can spin the Diamond Casino's Lucky Wheel once daily, 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, as you can try for 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. On that note, here's everything you need to know about this week's GTA podium car.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: GTA 5 mods, GTA 6, Buy GTA V

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:36 AM
     GTA 5 update lets you roleplay Die Hard, kill The Grinch

The latest GTA 5 update sees Rockstar's sandbox game get into a festive, but characteristically brutal spirit, adding a new random event inspired by Die Hard, and the opportunity to chase down and murder beloved Dr. Seuss creation The Grinch, the ideal way to spend Christmas in GTA Online, and proof there's still plenty more to come as we await the GTA 6 release date.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: GTA 5 mods, GTA 6, Buy GTA V

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:05 AM
     Apex Predators update swoops into War Thunder

If you're into war games and still need to check out Gaijin Entertainment's incredible vehicular combat simulator, then what are you waiting for?! This free-to-play multiplayer combat game is famous for its extensive arsenal of military hardware, featuring planes, tanks, warships, and pretty much any other war machine you can imagine.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Play War Thunder for free, Tank games, Best WW2 games

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 9:43 AM
     The best games like Age of Empires in 2022

Let's talk about games like Age of Empires. Ensemble's classic set a gold standard in RTS game design with few competitors, most of which hail from contemporary challengers such as Command and Conquer or Starcraft. Since these halcyon days, no newcomer has managed to topple these titans from their gilded thrones.

Even the creators of Age of Empires were reluctant to challenge the series' own legacy, with the fourth instalment arriving in 2021 (read our Age of Empires 4 review here), 16 years after the release of part three. If you are still looking for something similar, we've thrown together a quick guide on a few strategy games that we think are pretty neat and follow a similar formula.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Age of Empires 4 release date, Age of Empires 4 review, The best RTS games on PC

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 9:00 AM
     How Trucky changed Euro Truck Simulator 2

Games aren't just about pulse-pounding action anymore. There's plenty of room for slower, more relaxing experiences, and no game exemplifies this variety better than Euro Truck Simulator 2. If the thought of driving a heavy truck across Europe makes you yearn for the open road, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more suitable game to satisfy your haulage needs.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Euro Truck Simulator 2 system requirements, Best VR games, How to set up your Oculus Rift

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:56 AM
     Blizzcon finally returns after two year hiatus

Yes you read that right folks, Blizzcon will be making a triumphant return after a two year hiatus, finally giving players an in-person forum to discuss iconic action RPG game Diablo, MMORPG World of Warcraft, and hero shooter Overwatch.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 release date, Diablo 4 gameplay preview, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 8:05 AM
     The best PC board games in 2022

After some of the best PC board games available on Steam? Modern board games can get very complex. Too complex, even. On the other side of the coin, modern board games are extremely good. They are so good that you might want to play them at a faster rate than you can set them up to play because, again, they are complex.

What if we told you that you can play some of the best PC board games with zero setup time and far less impact on your wallet? That's what we're telling you because this is a list of the best board games on Steam.


PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:46 AM
     Best quickscope class in Modern Warfare 2

Knowing the best quickscope class Modern Warfare 2 can elevate your montages and push your KD through the roof, as long as you're set up correctly. Nobody will be able to touch you once your class is set, as you'll have ultra-fast ADS time, sprint to fire speeds, and huge one-shot kill potential.

The act of quickscoping refers to a player aiming down sights with a sniper rifle and firing almost instantaneously. The weapon centres on the crosshair a few milliseconds after you ADS, and although the screen may seem to be obscured, you'll know the bullet is going straight down the middle of your display. It's perhaps the flashiest of Modern Warfare 2 plays, so here's how to set yourself up to get some of those highlights.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Modern Warfare 2 guns, Best loadouts in Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 2 maps

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:40 AM
     Best Warzone 2 LMG for Season 1 Reloaded

The best Warzone 2 LMG might be a bit more unwieldy than most weapons, but they make up for that in both their damage output and fire rate. If you're looking to nail down a defensive position, there aren't many better options than a high-capacity LMG for keeping your enemies at bay.

The best Warzone 2 LMG is the RPK. It takes attributes from the best Warzone 2 AR and pushes the stopping power and range to the extreme. With controllable recoil and reasonable mobility, the RPK isn't just the best LMG in Warzone 2, it's potentially the best gun overall. If you're looking to jump into Season 1 reloaded with a powerful, fast-paced primary weapon, this is the LMG for you.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:39 AM
     Best Warzone 2 shotgun in Season 1 Reloaded

The best Warzone 2 shotgun might not immediately spring to mind when you think about the sprawling Al Mazrah and its high, long-distance vantage points. Still, you may be surprised about just how well it might serve you. After all, the map is dense with buildings, and you're likely to run into an opponent tucked into the corner of a room eventually. You will also certainly get more up close and personal once the storm circles close in.

The best shotgun in Warzone 2 is the Expedite 12. Provided your opponent isn't wearing three plates, the Expedite 12 can one-shot anyone within five metres in the battle royale game. However, we'd certainly recommend running Overkill - more on that in our guide to the Warzone 2 perk packages - so you can accompany your shotgun with one of the best Warzone 2 guns with a bit more range.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:36 AM
     Best Warzone 2 Chimera loadout for Season 1 Reloaded

The best Warzone 2 Chimera loadout makes the most of the assault rifle's fire rate and built-in suppression. Having been released to the game late as part of Season 1 Reloaded, the new gun gives casual players a great new weapon to close the gap. More advanced players, meanwhile, get something new to work with, so getting new weapons introduced with new seasons is a win-win. Whichever camp you fall into, set your new assault rifle up with the best Warzone 2 Chimera loadout:

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:47 AM
     Best Warzone 2 SMG in Season 1 Reloaded

The best Warzone 2 SMG is part of a versatile group of weapons, able to fill in as a solid secondary when paired with one of the best Warzone 2 sniper rifles, or as a primary if you're the type of player who enjoys getting up close and personal. Ideal for pushing a wounded enemy, these lightweight guns may not carry a long effective range, but when you're up close, you'll decimate the opposition.

The best Warzone 2 SMG in Season 1 Reloaded is the Lachmann Sub, also known as the MP5. This gun has the best mobility out of all the best Warzone 2 guns, and it packs a serious punch up close if you kit it out with the right attachments, so much so that it also features in our guide to the overall best Warzone 2 loadout drops. Here's our full list of the best Warzone 2 SMGs and the attachments you'll want to kit them out with before dropping into one of the best free PC games of the year.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:34 AM
     Best Warzone 2 Kastov 545 loadout for Season 1 Reloaded

If you're looking for the best Warzone 2 Kastov 545 loadout, then look no further. A less cumbersome version of the Kastov 762, the Kastov 545 utilises a slightly smaller calibre of bullet. While the damage per round isn't quite as high as its brethren, the faster fire rate and controllable recoil make hitting your shots and confirming those kills a lot easier.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:28 AM
     Best Warzone 2 Vel 46 loadout for Season 1 Reloaded

If you want the best Warzone 2 Vel 46 loadout then you'll want to focus your build on enhancing the SMG's already exceptional mobility and hip fire accuracy, while adding some bigger mags to keep you in gunfights for longer.

The free PC game blurs the lines between each weapon class with its platform system, but there's no mistaking the Vel 46's role on the battlefield. There are a few alternatives to this build, which we've included below, building on the modular beauty that is the Vel 46.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:31 AM
     Best Warzone 2 MX9 loadout for Season 1 Reloaded

The best Warzone 2 MX9 loadout is an SMG that has controllable recoil and an extremely high rate of fire, able to take down distance enemies with surprising efficiency. Complete your MX9 loadout with a sniper rifle to engage opponents in any combat scenario. Our MX9 build focuses on reducing its recoil and extending its effective damage range. With these attachments, the MX9 is able to consistently hit targets at a range of up to 50 metres, so you'll have every situation covered should your other rifle fail you.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:25 AM
     Best Warzone 2 Lachmann 556 loadout for Season 1 Reloaded

With the best Warzone 2 Lachmann 556 loadout equipped as you drop into Al Mazrah, this weapon can score plenty of kills if you use the right attachments. Our loadout focuses on improving its range, recoil control, and mobility to get ahead of the competition. The Lachmann 556 boasts excellent damage range and fire rate, so improving other key areas will take you far when trying to survive on the huge map.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:23 AM
     Best Warzone 2 SO-14 loadout for Season 1 Reloaded

Looking for the best Warzone 2 SO-14 loadout to make your battle rifle into an accurate, stable killing machine? Getting a win in Warzone 2 requires a weapon that can deal with medium-to-long-range combat, while also retaining accuracy and damage range at those distances - and this SO-14 battle rifle loadout gives you just that.

Battle royale games demand versatility, and with single fire and full-auto, this weapon can be adapted on the fly to a changing combat scenario. With the best Warzone 2 SO-14 loadout, you'll be able to deal with anything that the free PC game can throw at you.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:19 AM
     Best Warzone 2 FSS Hurricane loadout for Season 1 Reloaded

For the best FSS Hurricane loadout in Warzone 2, you should seek to improve the SMG's range while keeping it fast and light. After all, the Warzone 2 map is bigger than ever, so the action may primarily focus on mid-to-long-range combat. Another priority of this build is to reduce kickback as much as possible, so we've included attachments that reduce recoil control, enabling you to fire out those bullets quickly and accurately.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:22 AM
     Best Warzone 2 RAPP H loadout for Season 1 Reloaded

Searching for the best Warzone 2 RAPP H loadout? This LMG already boasts incredible damage and fire rate, so by increasing its range, accuracy, and recoil control, it can become a beast. This is particularly useful when you take into consideration the fact that most firefights in Al Mazrah will take place over mid, to long ranges.

With deep ammo reserves, you'll be able to control the enemy, pinning them down so your squad can mop up things up, or simply eliminate them yourself if the opportunity arrives. So, if you want this to be the best Warzone 2 LMG it can be, follow our attachments setup.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:15 AM
     Best Warzone 2 BAS-P loadout for Season 1 Reloaded

Looking for the best Warzone 2 BAS-P loadout? While there are tons of great options for SMGs, we're like magpies in that we can't possibly ignore this shiny new arrival to the WZ2 armoury. Kitting out the BAS-P for the longer sight lines and armour carriers for Warzone 2 means taking a knock to traits like damage and ranged effectiveness and doubling down on what this gun does best, which is speed and accuracy. It's too early to tell if the BAS-P is worth adding to your loadout, but with the right attachments, this thing can chew through armour plates while your team mops up.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 12:00 PM
    

Nope, you don't need to get your eyes tested. Alt254 is a minimalist action adventure game that plays out on a small (albeit greatly enlarged) map that measures just 21x26 pixels. In this tiny space, you, a black dot, must venture forth, solving puzzles, deciphering the strange, colourful world around you and piecing together your broken memory along the way. It's a very enigmatic little game, but one that's instantly charming in its old-school vibes and artfully constructed world. Its soundtrack is a bit of a corker, too.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:47 AM
    

Yesterday, I used my amazing arithmetical reasoning abilities to surmise that there were only eight free games left to come from the Epic Games Store's Winter Sale giveaway. I was wrong. Don't look shocked, it happens. Today sees three of the earliest Fallout games being offered up for nothing. They're Fallout: A Post-Nuclear Role-Playing Game, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood Of Steel. I already own all three elsewhere, as you might well too, but if you don't then it's a good way of picking up three classics of 90s PC gaming.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:46 AM
    

I expect the life of the average person in ninth-century England was a lot tougher than the fantastical future full of video games we inhabit more than a millennium later. Well, Ubisoft and Capcom have teamed up to make the lives of digital peasants even harder, by shoving some Monster Hunter World themed gubbins into Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. Have a watch of the trailer below to see just how bizarre this crossover is.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:32 AM
    

Tradition is a transformative power. Often unintentionally, something happens during an event and, if people want, it becomes more than an occurrence, it becomes part of the event. They repeat it, and they share it with other people in their lives and hearts, and the tradition grows. Often the original food/game/gesture/saying/joke/whatever had nothing to do with the event's core, and that doesn't matter. Sometimes it simply brings joy and feels right. For example, the use of 1956 pop song Green Door in free festive indie game Dracula Cha Cha feels so right that to me, it is a Christmas song. Green Door has run through my head for weeks, and it is once again time for the annual go on Dracula Cha Cha.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:19 AM
    

CD Projekt RED have pushed out another hotfix for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's ever-so-slightly borked next-gen update that was released last week. You can expect some extra stability compared to the previous version of the update, something that'll always be welcome on my PC. Along with Roach's early Christmas present of some stabilisers, the hotfix also tackles the annoying bug that caused toxicity to be stuck at max level, along with some minor tweaks to photo mode, and unexplained improvements for The Witcher 3's performance on Steam Deck.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 9:33 AM
    

Nvidia's marketing team this week announced an Nvidia-branded shower gel and deodorant as a PR stunt for social media giveaways. As far as I can tell, they Sphynx Ampere toiletries do not smell like new graphics cards, so who cares? However! This does make me wonder: which PC gaming smells would you like as a shower gel, perfume, deodorant, aftershave, air freshener, or such? What are the good smells of PC gaming? Which would you eagerly accept as a boxed toiletry set from your aunt this Christmas? I'll go first.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 8:59 AM
    

Not content with chucking a whole bunch of dragons and dragon-adjacent stuff at players, World Of Warcraft: Dragonflight is planning six more updates in 2023. Blizzard have released a roadmap for the next year's worth of shenanigans for the expansion, with new zones, raids, a megadungeon, and profession changes planned. Two major updates, one each scheduled for the first and second halves of the year, will kick off new seasons for Dragonflight.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 8:03 AM
    

As we enter the end of year and awards season, it would be remiss not to revisit FMV match-cutting three-movies-in-one detective game Immortality, one of the most innovative and thought-provoking games I played this year. But given the game's subject centres on the depiction of women on film, and their exploitation in the film industry by male creators, it felt appropriate to examine it from the extremely talented femme members of the team. That means not just the star Marissa Marcel herself, played by the award-winning Manon Gage, but other women and non-binary creatives who played different roles in bringing this game to life.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 8:00 AM
    

For day 22 of our RPS Advent Calendar, we're going to make a break for it. Let's escape our enforced drudgery and make a new life for ourselves, out on the outer reaches of space in a lawless space station where we can be anything we want!

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:03 AM
    

Creepy stealth fest Gloomwood snuck into early access a few months ago and made fans of immersive sims look out from under their hoods - but sadly the work-in-progress won't let you slip past its city gates. With Gloomwood's final update for this year, though, you can at least nip in the local tavern now. Only, it seems there's something pretty nasty dwelling inside its presumably one-star walls. Have a watch of the trailer below, and get us a Guinness and a packet of Golden Wonder from the bar. Ready salted, please.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 6:41 AM
    

If I were a PC graphics bigwig, choosing which aged game to spruce up with ray tracing as an elaborate mod tools advert, I wouldn't have gone for one with as timeless an aesthetic as Portal's. Maybe that's why I'm not one – Portal with RTX is a gorgeous return to Aperture Science, a borderline must-play for anyone with a premium GeForce RTX GPU, and a mightily impressive demonstration of the Nvidia RTX Remix tools that built it.

Admittedly, that's in spite of some shortcomings, including utterly broken performance on even the strongest Radeon RX graphics cards. Equip yourself with RTX hardware, however, and this free mod is a real Christmas treat.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, December 22, 2022 5:58 AM
    

Sometimes, I like to daydream about what games could have been like if they'd taken another direction during development. Raising The Bar: Redux is exactly that, a reimagining of Half-Life 2 as though Valve never dropped their original concepts for the sci-fi shooter sequel. The next instalment in the modding project to bring that abandoned game to life, Division 2, is releasing soon. You can watch the fairly hefty trailer for Raising The Bar: Redux: Division 2 below.

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Twinfinite Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:54 AM
     Will Norman Reedus return as Sam.

Twinfinite Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:13 AM
     Say no more to vanilla The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:30 AM
    

Initial D Arcade Hatsune Miku

Sega launched a new crossover for the arcade game Initial D The Arcade. From December 2022, players will be able to drift along to music from Hatsune Miku Project DIVA . They'll also be able to unlock collaboration items for their profiles. The Initial D Arcade x Hatsune Miku Project DIVA crossover lasts until April 5, 2023 in Japan.

Check out a trailer for the event below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB_Jffv2zrM

The Initial D ArcadeHatsune Miku Project DIVA event focuses on adding new music and special car livery for players to obtain. Songs selected from the Project DIVA soundtrack include pieces like "Luka Luka Night Fever", "World End Dance Hall", "Romeo and Cinderella", "Butterfly on Your Right Shoulder", and "Solitude's End."

The livery is based on the three main Vocaloids present in Hatsune Miku Project DIVA: Hatsune Miku herself, the Kagamine twins, Len and Rin, and Megurine Luka. The livery can be applied as a vinyl sticker to car models. For demo purposes, the trailer features Hatsune Miku livery on a Toyota Supra RS, Kagamine Twins livery on a Suzuki Swift, and Megurine Luka livery on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Other car customization items include neon underglow lighting that projects the Vocaloids' logos, Vocaloid-themed speed and rev counter dials for the HUD, and standees of the characters. Players can also earn avatar customization items which allow their character to cosplay as the Vocaloids. A set of special "story" stages will pit players in a drift duel against two die-hard Vocaloid enthusiasts.

The Initial D ArcadeHatsune Miku Project DIVA crossover event runs until April 5, 2023 in Japan.

The post Initial D Arcade x Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Crossover Launched appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:00 AM
    

Shin Ultraman BD DVD

The physical media release of Hideaki Anno's Shin Ultraman "reboot" film is coming in the spring of 2023. An post on the film's official account announced that the Blu-ray (BD) and DVD edition of Shin Ultraman will arrive on shelves in Japan on April 12, 2023. The movie first debuted in Japan on May 13, 2022. It premieres in US theaters in January 2023.

The Shin Ultraman BD and DVD release comes in several variants:

  • Standard 2-disc set (BD/DVD) - 4,180-5,280 Yen (about $32-$40 USD)
  • Blu-ray Special Edition 3-disc set - 7,480 Yen (about $57 USD)
  • Blu-ray Special Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray 4-disc set* - 9,680 Yen (about $73 USD)

*The fourth disc is a 4K UHD Blu-ray of the film, but the content is otherwise the same as the 3-disc set.

In all packages, the second Shin Ultraman BD or DVD contains approximately 100 minutes of bonus footage. The footage consists of:

  • A 3-part special report
  • Promotional clips
  • Commercials and trailers
  • Mefilas clip collection
  • Zarab clip connection
  • Zoffy and Zetton clip collection
  • Music video of Kenshi Yonezu singing the Shin Ultraman theme song
  • Footage from the red carpet premiere
  • A special "The Birth of Shin Ultraman" featurette
  • Footage from press events and stage presentations

Additionally, all packages come with a serial code redeemable on the Tsuburaya Imagination service. The code unlocks limited access to archived Ultraman episodes featuring kaiju and aliens from the film, like Neronga, Gabora, Zarab, Mefilas, and Zetton.

The 3-disc and 4-disc Shin Ultraman BD sets have a second bonus footage disc containing even more featurettes:

  • The Making of the Film ~The Space Between~
  • CG modeling feature
  • VFX Breakdown
  • Shin Ultra Fight (all episodes)

Of particular note is Shin Ultra Fight, as it is a Tsuburaya Imagination-exclusive mini-series. Spinning off from the film, Shin Ultra Fight was organized by the Shin Ultraman staff, including Hideaki Anno. It's 1970 Tsuburaya series Ultra Fight, which was conceived as a "zero cost" program made to cater to folks who just want to see fight scenes. Similar to modern fan-made "battle edit" videos that pit two characters against each other by mashing up their fight footage, Ultra Fight used edits of existing footage and minimal-budget shoots using existing costumes to create new, low-cost content. Shin Ultra Fight does similar things with the heavy CG used for Shin Ultraman by using uncorrected motion-capture data, placeholder textures, and even recycled digital assets to get that "budget production look" down deliberately.

The Blu-ray and DVD versions of Shin Ultraman arrive in Japan on April 12, 2023. International release plans have not yet been announced.

The post Shin Ultraman Blu-ray and DVD Has 100 Minutes of Bonus Footage appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:30 AM
    

Alear and Marth Can Team Up for a Lodestar Rush in Fire Emblem Engage

In Fire Emblem Engage, players can use Emblem Rings with their characters to team them up with legendary heroes, which means avatar Alear and Marth can work together. To help show a bit how that works, Nintendo shared new screenshots of that particular pairing. It points out the Engage Attack Lodestar Rush, which Alear can use when working with Marth. It also offers a look at some skills and damage that can be dealt.

First, there is a Fire Emblem Engage status screen showing Alear and Marth paired up. At the time it is taken, Alear has three sorts of swords in her inventory. She has an Iron Sword, a Rapier, and one called Liberation on hand. Three skills are shown. There's one called Divinely Inspiring, the aforementioned Lodestar Rush Engage Attack, and one called Divine Speed. Divine Speed is highlighted, to show how it enables Alear to perform an extra attack and recover HP based on it.
Alear and Marth Can Team Up for a Lodestar Rush in Fire Emblem Engage 1

The other three images show Alear and Marth performing the Lodestar Rush during a Fire Emblem Engage battle. The details there show the attack, when used, had a 100% hit rate and would deal six damage to an enemy nine times.
[gallery size="full" ids="944646,944644,944647" link="file"]

Fire Emblem Engage will launch on January 20, 2023.

The post Alear and Marth Can Team Up for a Lodestar Rush in Fire Emblem Engage appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:00 AM
    

DNF Duel Switch Release Date Set, Grand Balance Patch Released Now

Arc System Works ended 2022 by giving people a DNF Duel Switch release date, DLC Season Pass character release window, and dropping the Grand Balance Patch on the PS4, PS5, and PC. People can start playing the fighter on Nintendo's console on April 20, 2023. The Season Pass will roll out in 2023, with Spectre again teased. Finally, the new patch appeared the evening of December 21, 2022. There's also a temporary sale on the available versions coming that will drop the price by 50%.

Here's the trailer going over everything. Particular attention is paid to the Grand Balance Patch. While it doesn't detail the character changes, it shows more footage than other segments. The DNF Duel Switch version and Spectre Season Pass DLC character segments can feel a bit briefer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIG1gEQquKk&ab_channel=DNFDuel

More details about the DNF Duel Grand Balance Patch actually appeared when it was first announced at the beginning of December 2022. People who update the game can expect buffs for Evades, Guard Cancels, Awakening Skills, and Skills.

DNF Duel is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC. So is its Grand Balance Patch with rebalancing. The DNF Duel Season Pass DLC characters will begin appearing in 2023, and the Switch release date is set for April 20, 2023.

The post DNF Duel Switch Release Date and DLC Season Pass Set for 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 9:30 AM
    

Final Fantasy XIV Sale Starts in Stores, Subscription Not Reduced

When the holidays roll around, Square Enix tends to discount all of its games at stores, and Final Fantasy XIV is no exception. The company revealed a 50% off sale on digital copies of the game. Going by the PlayStation Store listings, it will be in effect until January 19, 2023. However, while the Complete Edition and Endwalker expansion are reduced, the Final Fantasy XIV time codes used for a subscription remain full price.

The PlayStation Store, Square Enix Store, and Square Enix's Mog Station all discounted Final Fantasy XIV Online Complete Edition and Endwalker. For reference, the Complete Edition includes the A Realm Reborn base game and the Heavenward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker, along with a 30-day subscription. That is normally $59.99 for the standard version, but it is $29.99 now. The Collector's Edition with bonus virtual items is also marked down from $139.99 to $69.99. If people already own the MMORPG, Endwalker's standard edition is currently $19.99, rather than $39.99. That Collector's Edition, which adds an Arion Mount, Death Scythe, and Wind-up Porom Minion, is $29.99 instead of $59.99.

This comes ahead of two notable occasions. First, the holiday season kicked off this week, with Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years happening or on the way. There's also a big update for FFXIV on the way. On December 23, 2022 at 3am PT/6am ET/12pm CET, Director and Producer Naoki Yoshida will discuss patch 6.3 in Letter from the Producer Live LXXV. That patch will appear in January 2023.

Final Fantasy XIV and the Endwalker expansion are available for the PS4, PS5, and PC, and a time code for a 60-day subscription is $29.99.

The post Final Fantasy XIV Sale Starts in Stores, Cuts Price in Half appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 9:00 AM
    

Hololive Anniversary Quiz

It's time for Hololive fans to undergo a test of their knowledge. Parent company Cover released the official Hololive 5th Anniversary Quiz. Those who participate could win various prizes, depending on their score. The quiz runs until March 22, 2023, and is accessible at the official site.

Created to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Hololive, the quiz promises to get participants thinking about their favorite Hololive performers and trying to remember trivia and key details. Four categories of quiz are available, focusing on Hololive, Hololive English, Hololive Indonesia, and the Holostars group. Those who participate will get "limited edition digital rewards."

The Hololive Anniversary Quiz charges admission, making it more of a digital fan kit with a quiz attached. Each category of quiz costs 4,500 Yen (about $34 USD) to join for newcomers. Participants who took a previous quiz will only need to pay 3,500 Yen (about $27 USD). Once admitted, they can take and retake the quiz as many times as they want. It is timed and includes questions in categories related to the VTubers' profiles, streaming activities, and music.

Those who want to bone up on their Hololive lore can narrow their scope of study to any given Hololive production member's activities from the time of their debut through August 2022. For example, the July 2022 debut of Tempus Holostars group would fall in the scope of the quiz, but Hololive English member Gawr Gura's recent hiatus would not.  A score of 70% or above is considered passing. Fans who pass with a perfect score are entered into a raffle to win a "special celebration voice" with their faves congratulating them and addressing them by name.

Simply participating entitles a quiz-taker to some prizes:

  • A Hololive University Digital Student ID
  • Quiz-exclusive Wallpaper
  • Quiz-exclusive Profile Icon of their Fave
  • Quiz-exclusive Twitter Header of their fave

Completing the course adds a few more prizes:

  • Fave Talent Replica Signature Digital Poster
  • Digitial Copy of the Completion Certificate
  • Quiz-exclusive Fave profile icon
  • Quiz-exclusive Twitter header

The Hololive 5th Anniversary Quiz promotion runs through March 22, 2023.

The post Hololive 5th Anniversary Quiz Offers Prizes for Passing appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 8:30 AM
    

Himeno Chainsaw Man

Ahead of the show's season finale on December 27, 2022, the Chainsaw Man official account is uploading a series of character-focused commercials. The promos put a spotlight on the various members of the cast. The promo aired on December 21st highlights Chainsaw Man character Himeno. The previous promo highlighted Denji's partner Aki Hayakawa.

Check it out below.

Note that some of the scenes highlighted may be considered spoilers for Himeno in Chainsaw Man.

As she plays more of a supporting role in Chainsaw Man, the Himeno promo doesn't get into deep detail about her past or identity. Unlike Aki Hayakawa, readers and viewers don't even know her given name (though this is true of many Chainsaw Man characters, including Denji himself). A Public Safety Devil Hunter, Himeno works under Makima's command, though in a separate unit from Denji, Power, and Aki. As a contractor to the Ghost Devil, Himeno can summon its arms to do her bidding. Himeno is voiced by Mariya Ise, who also voiced Killua in Hunter x Hunter, Rengoku in Demon Slayer, Yu Mei-ren in Fate/Grand Order, and Tataru in Final Fantasy XIV.

In Chainsaw Man, Himeno and Aki share a bond, as they were once partners. Her influence even got him into smoking. Ironically, Himeno and Aki are almost opposites in the way they present themselves to others. Aki's outward stoicism and cold demeanor guards an empathetic, caring inner self. Himeno's upbeat, outgoing, party-girl behavior masks a bitter cynicism born from intimate knowledge of the hazards of Devil Hunting. Even her smoking habit reflects that fatalism, with Himeno reasoning that most Devil Hunters won't live long enough to suffer any of smoking's drawbacks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa8c3ZQLAec

Chainsaw Man streams on various services, including Amazon Prime Video, Ani-One Asia, and Crunchyroll. The manga is published in English by Viz Media.

The post Chainsaw Man Himeno Commercial Emphasizes Her Appeal appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 8:00 AM
    

snow halation hololive

Some Hololive EN Vtubers released a cover of "Snow Halation" for the holiday seasons. Takanashi Kiara, Gawr Gura, Watson Amelia, and IRyS sang the song, which was originally from the Love Live franchise. You can watch the Hololive EN version of it via YouTube.

According to the tweet, more covers will appear in the future. However, it is unclear if they will still be from the Love Live franchise or if they will sing ones from other series. The video for "Snow Halation" shows the various Hololive EN Vtubers standing in a snowy city, and the lyrics appear on-screen as they sing the lines for the cover song.

You can watch the Hololive EN version of "Snow Halation" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPzV-3vLRd8

"Snow Halation" originally came out in 2010 and was μ's second single. It is a well-known song even outside of the Love Live fandom, and often appears in concerts for the franchise. In 2010 and 2011, it appeared on the Billboard Japan Top Singles and the Japan Oricon Weekly Singles, peaking in the 70s.

You can follow Takanaashi Kiara, Gawr Gura, Watson Amelia, and IRyS on their respective YouTube channels. However, as of the time of writing, both IRyS and Gawr Gura are on a break for health reasons.

The post Hololive EN Vtubers Release Snow Halation Song Cover appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:30 AM
    

persona velvet room wedding escrit

Escrit, which is a Japanese wedding service company, announced a collaboration with the Persona series. "Welcome to the Velvet Room Party!" will run from February 3, 2023 to March 30, 2023. Tickets will cost 7,700 JPY, which is about $58.70.  [Thanks, Persona Central!]

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If you order the "Welcome to the Velvet Room Party!" package, you will get a buffet, photograph spots, and exclusive merchandise. As the name implies, it uses the Velvet Room aesthetic for the wedding. You will only be able to use the Escrit Persona wedding package in six specific venues. They are located in Roppongi, Kobe, Shibuya, Omotesando, Ikebukuro, and Osaka.

So far, there is not a lot of official information on the Persona wedding events yet. We do not have any pictures of the aforementioned merchandise, for example. However, we do know that there will be acrylic keychains, acrylic stands, can badges, and tapestries. Though this collaboration is with the Persona series, it actually specifically focuses on P3P, P4G, and P5R. This is likely because these three titles in particular are in the spotlight thanks to recent ports.

The Escrit and Persona collaboration package will be available from February 3, 2023 to March 30, 2023. P3P and P4G will appear on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC on January 19, 2023. Persona 5 Royal is readily available on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC.

The post Escrit Will Offer Persona Velvet Room Wedding Buffets appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 7:00 AM
    

one piece odyssey combat

The official PlayStation YouTube channel uploaded a new trailer detailing the various systems and mechanics that will be in One Piece Odyssey. The trailer is over ten minutes long. It also includes a synopsis of One Piece Odyssey's plot, a look at the history of the game's development, and a rundown on the game's overall flow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9ZWAD_-wR0

The trailer looks specifically at how battles and adventuring in One Piece Odyssey will work. It also shows the graphics and environments that will help players to lose themselves in the world of One Piece. To make the game feel like an extension of the show, the developers focused on camerawork and character expressions in combat.

There is a turn-based combat system in order to best showcase the talents of the Straw Hat Pirates. As well, a rock-paper-scissor mechanic with Power, Speed, and Technique is present. This will help you to lay down the groundwork for strategies. The Scramble Area Battle system randomly places characters in the arena, and you have to incorporate everyone's positions into your tactics. There are also "dramatic scenes" that act as mini-missions, which will grant a boost to post-battle rewards.

For the adventuring portion, you can switch freely between different characters to explore. As Usopp, you can use his slingshot to hit distant objects. Meanwhile, Chopper is small enough to fit in small spaces. You can use Zoro to cut open chests, Sanji can look for cooking ingredients, and Nami can find money on the ground. You can also use these field actions to solve dungeon puzzles.

Finally, you can fully customize characters with accessories. As well, there are multiple options to make items or foods with Usopp, Sanji, or Robin. How many accessories a character can equip will increase as you play through the story.

One Piece Odyssey will come out on the PS45, PS5, and Xbox Series X on January 12, 2023. The Windows PC version will come out on January 13, 2023.

The post One Piece Odyssey Trailer Details Battle System appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, December 22, 2022 6:00 AM
    

disgaea 7 netherworld tourism

It seems that in Disgaea 7, you will be able to freely wander around the Netherworld and engage in minigames or buy exclusive items. As these are from leaks, we do not have videos or screenshots of these features yet. As well, until NIS reveals them in a trailer, there is no concrete information on when in the game you can access them. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!]

A new system called Netherworld Tourism will apparently be available in Disgaea 7. There will be special conversations that fill in blanks in the story, and you can participate in minigames. It seems like, through Netherworld Tourism, you can freely wander around the Netherworld in a way that you could not before. There will also be quests and battles exclusive to when you are touring the Netherworld.

One of the minigames that you can play is Netherworld Tsume Shogi. It is unclear if there will be a PvP feature for this minigame. There will also be a Hinomoto Martial Arts Tournament, in which you participate as one of eight teams. Finally, you will be able to purchase items that you cannot normally find in stores in the Netherworld shops. However, you have to first unlock the Netherworld Tourism function.

Disgaea 7 is in development and will come out on January 26, 2023 for the PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.

The post Tour The Netherworld in Disgaea 7 appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:30 AM
     Modern Warfare 2 Warzone 2 Claim Prime Gaming RewardsThere are always an array of cosmetics available to pick up through either the Call of Duty store, the season battle pass, or by participating in events. Most recently, the mid-season update saw a festive operator named Klaus join the fight, along with a range of other holiday-themed cosmetics. Now, the Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 Prime Gaming rewards are live. This isn't the first time Prime Gaming and Call of Duty has collaborated, with goodies being up for grabs in previous titles such as Vanguard and Black Ops Cold War. However, if you need a reminder, this handy guide will show you how to get your hands on the latest rewards. The Prime Gaming bundle available to claim is the Showdown bundle. It contains a range of goodies for you to show off in-game: Twenty Paces FTAC Recon Battle Rifle Weapon Blueprint Cold Steel P890 Pistol Weapon Blueprint Revenge Sticker Smoke Time Weapon Charm How to claim Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 Prime Gaming drops To claim you...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:31 AM
     High On Life Nipulon Boss Fight 1It's time to take on the G3's second-in-command. The boss fight against Nipulon in High on Life is far from the most difficult in the game, as it's more of an extended narrative sequence than anything. But it can also be a bit confusing if you're not sure what to do. No worries, though. We're going to break down exactly how you should go about giving the cartel leader a space dirt nap so that you can collect that bounty cash. Here's how to beat Nipulon in High on Life. After waiting to be called in (takes a couple minutes), Nipulon will invite you into his office. Once inside, he won't waste much time before jumping over his desk and shooting at you. Standard rules apply here. Shoot him with whatever you want in any manner you want. As long as you hit him, it'll be fine. There's not really anything to keep in mind here: just move and shoot. Once you take down a third of his health, he'll flood the room with a drug and the Bo...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, December 22, 2022 9:20 AM
     Pentiment How To Solve Volvelle Puzzle Guide Brother Ferenc Zodiac Signs Gerhard's GraveThe townsfolk and clergymen of Pentiment have many secrets that they hold dear. One, in particular, might have something to do with the occult, leading you down a particular path that lets you accuse someone of murder. Here's our Pentiment Volvelle Puzzle guide to help you with Brother Ferenc, the Zodiac Signs Cypher, and Gerhard's Grave. Note: For more information, check out our Pentiment guides and features hub. Likewise, please be reminded that this guide contains spoilers.   Pentiment Volvelle Puzzle guide – Brother Ferenc, Zodiac Signs Cypher, and Gerhard's Grave Finding the Volvelle Puzzle The Volvelle Puzzle in Pentiment is a somewhat hidden objective in Pentiment, given that you're not required to solve it as part of the story. Rather, there are specific actions that you need to do: Optional: Heavens and Earth background – Andreas can select various character backgrounds to open up additional dialogue options. One is called Heavens and ...

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, December 22, 2022 11:00 AM
     Franklin goes on an unplanned thrills trip in the mountains. Of the three protagonists in GTA 5, Franklin is the most likely to play things safely. Franklin often prefers the most logical and least obnoxious approach, which is probably why he and Lamar do not get along very well. Do not expect Franklin to be […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:00 AM
     Team Cherry's Metroidvania action-adventure game, Hollow Knight, follows the journey of a nameless warrior called the Knight as he travels through Hallownest, which is now a kingdom ruined by a supernatural disease. As the Knight journeys through Hallownest, he will encounter various characters that will help fully unravel the story in the game. Some of […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, December 22, 2022 6:00 AM
     With the successful reception of Digimon Survive last July, Bandai Namco is now looking at the next entry into their library of Digimon games. Just in, Bandai Namco has announced that they will be unveiling a game at Digimon Con 23 which is set to take place on Feb. 12, 2023. Here's the post: Not […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, December 22, 2022 5:38 AM
     After much anticipation, Nintedo has finally announced that the sequel to Breath of the Wild will be coming out this May. Just in, it's been revealed that the ESRB (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) has finally given the game a rating, inching us closer to the release. As per GamingBolt, the ESRB has rated The Legend […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Thursday, December 22, 2022 5:25 AM
     EA Motive is hyping up the release of their Dead Space remake next month, and out of all the iconic things about the game, we have a new featurette looking into the creation (and recreation) of Isaac's suit. Check this out: Though games like Mass Effect and Doom have given us a standard when it […]

Latest Games on Play iDev Games Thursday, December 22, 2022 8:39 AM
     Avoid the blocks but hold clicking to boost. The more you boost the faster you boost....