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Mar 07, 10:00


PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:55 AM
     Destiny 2 Unfinished Business quest guide

What are the Destiny 2 Unfinished Business quest steps? Unfinished Business is worth completing because it grants the Deterministic Chaos, a powerful Void exotic machine gun and one of many impressive Lightfall exotics. If you want to get your hands on this monster, you'll have to finish some business to earn it.

You can only start this quest once you've finished everything on the Lightfall mission list, being sure to check out our tips on how to beat the Calus boss fight if you're struggling. Once you're done with that, you'll have completed the Destiny 2 Lightfall campaign and can get started with the Unfinished Business quest to earn Deterministic Chaos in the free PC game.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 exotics, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:46 AM
     AMD to show off its take on Nvidia DLSS 3 GPU upscaling at GDC

AMD will provide a closer look at its Nvidia DLSS competitor, FSR 3.0, at GDC 2023, meaning RDNA 3 graphics cards could benefit from the tech soon. Just like the green team's AI toolkit, the new version of FidelityFX aims to boost gaming PC performance by generating more frames using the power of AI.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7000 CPUs - everything we know, RDNA 3 GPUs - everything we know, Best gaming CPU

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:47 AM
     Hogwarts Legacy Merlin Trials locations and solutions

Want to solve the Hogwarts Legacy Merlin Trials? If you're fretting about inventory space, you definitely haven't solved enough Merlin Trials. These mini-challenges appear after you save Nora Treadwell in Lower Hogsfield from some nefarious Ashwinders who are giving her a hard time. After all, they are looking for you, so it only makes sense to help.

It turns out that Nora is a historian and archaeologist specialising in Merlin's work. She was exploring the highlands to find what she calls 'The Trials of Merlin'. They're essentially Hogwarts Legacy puzzles designed to test what students have learned in class, giving more inventory space for completing these open-world game tasks. There are a whopping 95 Merlin Trials to find, so grab your Hogwarts Legacy map and crack on finding all of them.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:53 AM
     Destiny 2 Desperate Measures guide – how to complete the mission

Want to know how to beat the Destiny 2 Desperate Measures mission and reveal the ending of the Lightfall campaign? The game's finale mission is an all-out brawl, so if you're having a hard time, you're not alone. We've put together a guide to get you through it because, as they say, desperate times call for... well, you know. We'll set out exactly what the mission involves and how to beat each step.

The goods news is that Desperate Measures is the eighth and final mission on the Destiny 2 Lightfall mission list, so you're nearly there. It's among the most challenging missions in Destiny 2's newest expansion, so don't be surprised if it takes a bit of trial and error to get right. Just a quick warning that there are endgame spoilers for the free PC game ahead.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 exotics, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:43 AM
     Best Mac VPN 2023

Which is the best Mac VPN for you to use in 2023? Why, what a good question that is. If you're a Mac user you're going to want to make sure that your virtual private network of choice will be optimised for your preferred platform - you don't want to get something all set up, only to discover that it runs really slowly on macOS.

That's why we've picked out this list of the best Mac VPNs. Not only did we want to give you a list of services that are Mac-friendly, but we wanted to highlight how each of them meets the unique needs of different users. To make things as easy to understand as possible, we've highlighted the best features of each service (e.g. which is the fastest VPN, which is the best free VPN) and included a little table to get the details of each service at a glance.

Continue reading Best Mac VPN 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best SSD for gaming, How to build a gaming PC, Best gaming CPU

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:27 AM
     Stalker 2 release date, trailer, gameplay and system requirements

A Stalker 2 release date was announced at the Xbox and Bethesda Games E3 2021 showcase, with the developers also revealing gameplay, tidbits of the story, and characters. The game's official title is Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl, following on from the first in the series, Shadow of Chernobyl.

Stalker 2 is an RPG game set in the exclusion zone, where monsters run riot, and humans can be friends and foes alike. You'll have to find a way to survive the zone while also unraveling its mysteries. The scope for Stalker 2 looks huge, and could easily be one of the best PC games this year once it's released.


PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:19 AM
     Best Destiny 2 builds for the Crucible and Raids

What are the best Destiny 2 builds? Whether you're a seasoned player or a blueberry, you can always learn something new about the complexities of buildcrafting in this popular looter shooter. While the game used to heavily limit how players could develop their character subclass builds, it now contains a host of Aspects and Fragments for each subclass, as well as armour mods to produce elemental wells and Charge with Light buffs, weapons that synergize with specific build elements, and exotics that amplify specific character traits.

Whether you want to be the most overpowered Guardian in the free PC game, you're gearing up to take on the upcoming Lightfall raid, or you're just struggling to beat the Calus boss fight, we've compiled the top-tier builds for each of the classes so you can dominate whatever game mode you like with ease.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 exotics, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:15 AM
     The best open-world games on PC 2023

Looking for the best open-world games on PC? From the early days of gaming, with Ultima and Lords of Midnight, open-world games have always been right at home on PC - indeed, those pesky consoles often couldn't handle it. Compare the ambitious early version of Halo to the final, more confined result, for example - and only the PC could hold sprawling regions in the very first Elder Scrolls games. Nevertheless, the leap into full 3D with Grand Theft Auto 3 and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind really brought the idea of open-world gaming to the masses.

These days, open-world games are their own genre separate from single-player MMOs. You can find accurate depictions of real-life cities or countries, huge fictional expanses with their own landmarks, complete worlds to check out - or even entire galaxies, depending on where you want to go on your next adventure. Not only are these the best open-world games, but a lot of them show up in our best PC games list, too.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best GTA 5 RP servers, GTA 6 release date speculation, GTA 5 system requirements

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:02 AM
     How to get Destiny 2 Leviathan's Breath exotic bow

Want to get your hands on Destiny 2's Leviathan's Breath Exotic bow? Bungie has launched another new Exotic quest so this top-tier weapon is the current talk of the tower.

The bow itself comes with the Big-Game Hunter intrinsic perk which allows you to stagger unshielded enemies in the free PC game. The Exotic weapon also comes with the Leviathan's Sigh perk, which means that when the bow is fully drawn, the bolt creates a large concussive blast that knocks enemies back. As we take a peak at Leviathan's Breath in the armoury, we also know that it'll take up your heavy ammo slot.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 exotics, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:07 AM
     Hogwarts Legacy Twitch drops

Hogwarts Legacy Twitch drops give you the chance to bag some exclusive customisation items for your player character in the wizard game. As with any Twitch drops, all you have to do to be rewarded is watch streams, so it couldn't be easier to claim these in-game goodies.

As we touched upon in our Hogwarts Legacy review, the RPG game's clothing items can be pretty drab, so any excuse to increase your Hogwarts Legacy wardrobe collection and transmog options is a welcome one - especially when that includes pointy Dragon-Eyes spectacles and the exclusive Merlin's cloak. Here's everything you need to know about Hogwarts Legacy Twitch Drops.

Continue reading Hogwarts Legacy Twitch drops
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:27 AM
     Company of Heroes 3 release date, launch editions, and features

After five long years in development, the Company of Heroes 3 release date is here. Initially, we only knew about the Italian campaign with its new, Total War-style strategy map, and about the tailor-made Company of Heroes development program that's driven a lot of the design decisions to date.

Since then, we received a further announcement that revealed the second campaign, which is in the more traditional mission-only style. We also have some idea of the vague plans for Company of Heroes 3 DLC, which is sure to prolong one of the best PC games available for military strategists. Here's everything we know about the Company of Heroes 3 release date and gameplay features.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Company of Heroes 3 release date, Company of Heroes 3 pre-alpha impressions, Company of Heroes 3 system requirements

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:00 AM
     Valorant patch notes – 6.04 update adds new agent Gekko, Oni 2.0 skins

The Valorant patch notes for Episode 6 Act 2 are the gift that just keeps on giving, with the FPS game's 6.04 update introducing new Valorant character Gekko and the highly coveted Oni 2.0 skins.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Valorant Night Market dates, Valorant ranks order, distribution, and ranking system explained, Valorant crosshair codes

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:52 AM
     Destiny 2 Beyond Light – Deep Stone Crypt raid guide

The Destiny 2 Deep Stone Crypt raid is now live and we've put together a guide on each encounter you'll face along with the best loadouts, potential complications, and a step by step of each encounter. If you're new to Destiny, the raids are the space game's endgame activity. You'll need to wrangle up five other players to attempt one and make sure your guns and armour are levelled up to the point that you won't be blown away instantly.

Each raid poses various boss fights that have various mechanics for you to figure out, making each encounter almost puzzle-like. You'll be finely rewarded for your efforts, too, as each raid comes with high-level loot such as armour and weapons.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 exotics, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:20 AM
     The best MMORPG and top MMOs you should play 2023

What is the best MMORPG on PC? If you're wondering, those oft-used letters represent the words Massively Multiplayer Online, and refer to games where thousands of players come together in the same world. Is it one with spells to sling and demons to slay? Working your way through the stars as a miner or a corporate bigwig? Solving ancient conspiracies and fighting Lovecraftian horrors? Maybe it's all of them.

Ultimately, the deciding factor for the best MMORPGs on PC largely comes down to personal preference, so with that in mind, here's our list of the top MMOs currently alive and kicking. You're sure to find something that will swallow up entire days at a time, and many of these entries can also be considered some of the best PC games around. While there are plenty of new MMOs to consider, the golden oldies on this list have withstood the test of time.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMORPG – top MMOs you should play, Lost Ark class tier list, All Lost Ark Mokoko Seeds locations

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:20 AM
     The best games like Sims 4

Looking for games like Sims? If you're fed up with setting your Sims on fire, watching them struggle to control their own bladder, or seeing them wash their dinner plate in the bathroom sink, then these games are very similar to The Sims, but offer a nice alternative to EA's Truman Show simulator.

You may be able to download The Sims 4 for free these days, but sometimes it's fun to try something different. From farming, building, and property management, these are the best games like The Sims on PC to tide you over until the Sims 5 release date or a Project Rene beta rolls around.

Continue reading The best games like Sims 4
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PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:20 AM
     Free MMOs: RPGs and other massively multiplayer greats

It can be surprisingly difficult to find the best free MMOs to suit your gaming taste. There's been an explosion of free-to-play options in recent years, especially in the massively multiplayer online space. From sprawling warzones to story-driven RPGs, there's something for everyone out there.

Even if your bank account is best friends with the number zero, our list of the best free MMOs currently available on PC promises endless hours of gameplay at absolutely no cost. So without further ado, let's take a look at some of the best free PC games that are available to play without breaking the bank.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Play RIFT for free, Free MMO list, New MMOs

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:57 AM
     Dead Cells gets Castlevania roguelike revamp and Steam sale slash

With the Dead Cells Return to Castlevania DLC finally dropping, one of the absolute best roguelike games you could ever play gets a whole lot better. The base game and its extra content are all part of a bargain Steam sale for a limited time, so be sure to pick up the whole bundle or just your missing DLCs.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games, Best indie games on PC, Best soulslikes

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:57 AM
     Best Destiny 2 Warlock builds for PvP and PvE

The best Destiny 2 Warlock builds have diversified massively since the subclass overhauls gave players more freedom to customise in this FPS game. Now players can not only customise their elemental subclass, armour, weapons, and mods, but they also have the opportunity to choose aspects and fragments, leading to some rather complex character builds.

These builds reflect the state of the current meta in the free PC game, considering the nature of the season's available activities and the broader context of the subclasses and playstyles currently popular in PvP, not to mention the best PvP weapons. Another shake-up is on the way with Destiny 2 Lightfall and the forthcoming Strand subclass, but for now, we have you covered. Here are the best Destiny 2 Warlock builds for PvP and PvE.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 exotics, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:49 AM
     Best Hogwarts Legacy mods 2023

If you're looking for the best Hogwarts Legacy mods, you're in luck. The wizarding world of Harry Potter is vast, and Portkey Games' offering looks to give players a full, rich Hogwarts experience. But what if you want to change something, or what if there are things you wish to add? Mods could be the way for you to put your own stamp on the game.

Open-world games are notorious for their mods. They give RPG games a second life once the main story is done and dusted and you've explored every inch of the world. Some of the best PC games have found a way to extend their life tenfold due to the inventiveness of their players. Which Hogwarts Legacy mods will you use to leave your mark on the world of Harry Potter?

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy mods, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:23 AM
     Dota 2's new hero Muerta is here, accompanied by new event and sets

Strap in folks, Dota 2's new hero Muerta is set to pop heads and take names. Dropping into Valve's iconic MOBA on March 6, the spectral gunslinger is accompanied by a new mini-game and some Day of The Dead-inspired character sets that are a must-have for players who love the aesthetic.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Dota 2 heroes, Dota 2 custom games, Best MOBAs

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:24 AM
     Best graphics card 2023

Choosing the best graphics card can enhance your gaming PC tenfold, enabling you to enjoy lofty resolutions and frame rates. While Nvidia and AMD are arguably the strongest competitors in the GPU race, there are countless cards out there at a variety of price points, all of which provide varying levels of graphical performance.

Continue reading Best graphics card 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best SSD for gaming, How to build a gaming PC, Best gaming CPU

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 6:15 AM
     Overwatch 2 One Punch Man may herald map IP crossovers, Blizzard says

With a handful of popular Overwatch 2 characters getting One Punch Man skins, like Genji Genos, Mumen Ride Soldier 76, and Kiriko Terrible Tornado, developer Blizzard has addressed if we can expect further IP crossovers for the multiplayer game, with Overwatch 2 maps a possibility in the future.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: All Overwatch 2 characters, Best Overwatch 2 settings, Overwatch 2 tier list

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 6:09 AM
     Best Destiny 2 Solar builds for Warlock, Titan, and Hunter

Looking for the best Destiny 2 Solar build for your subclass? The Solar rework introduced a number of new ways to customise your character if you're using the Dawnblade, Sunbreaker, or Gunslinger subclass. However, with so many possible grenade, melee, super, and special ability combos, which you can further enhance with fragments, it can be tough to figure out the best build for your Guardian.

The best Destiny 2 Solar build after the 3.0 rework uses the same system of Aspects and Fragments as the Void 3.0 rework that launched with The Witch Queen. In case you're returning from a very long Destiny hiatus, Aspects affect a class-specific ability and also come with a number of slots that can hold Fragments. The effects from Fragments aren't quite as strong, but they're universal across their subclass in the free PC game. The best build boasts Aspects and Fragments that synchronise for massive buffs.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 exotics, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 6:06 AM
     How to get Destiny 2 Outbreak Perfected exotic pulse rifle

How do you get Destiny 2 Outbreak Perfected? There's quite a bit to do here, but it's not nearly as complicated as the quest to get Outbreak Prime in the first Destiny, which involved using binary inside the Wrath of the Machine raid to open several doors, alongside more math-oriented quest steps.

Much like the Destiny 2 Outbreak Prime, the Outbreak Perfected comes with the Corruption Spreads perk in the free PC game, which spawns SIVA nanites that deal damage to nearby enemies on rapid hits and precision kills. There's a new perk, too, though called Parasitism and it causes Outbreak Perfected to deal bonus damage to the enemies the SIVA nanites have stuck to.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 exotics, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Tuesday, March 7, 2023 5:56 AM
     Best Warzone 2 sniper rifle for Season 2

No top loadout is complete without the best Warzone 2 sniper rifle. The best snipers are crucial if you're going to dominate across the long, open expanses offered by the new map. It's no secret that Al Mazrah is the biggest and most ambitious map to come to the free game so far, so preparing appropriate custom loadouts will be a game-changer, and hopefully keep you out of the gulag.

The best Warzone 2 sniper is the MCPR-300. All snipers, by definition, have excellent range and deal high damage, so the best stats to improve when building your rifle are handling, mobility, and fire rate. Unlike Warzone 1, one-shot kills aren't always possible in the free PC game, and even a close-range headshot won't drop an enemy if they have three plates of armour equipped, so being faster makes all the difference. Here's everything you need to know about the best Warzone 2 sniper.

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

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:30 AM
    

2020's Mars Horizon was a space flight management game where you were in charge of constructing bases, building rockets, and leading missions into the black abyss. Nate (RPS in peace) liked it quite a bit for its "masterfully crafted strategic dilemmas," despite his findom relationship with the game. Now Mars Horizon is getting an expanded sequel, taking us to the outer reaches of the Solar System. Mars Horizon 2: The Search For Life is releasing sometime in 2024 on PC.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:00 AM
    

I'm the sort of person that likes the idea of a rural, low-tech lifestyle, where you have a lovely little wooden house and know all your neighbours, and all your food is locally sourced from the farm down the road - but I'm self-aware enough to know that I'd hate it in practice. In the case of new town builder Outlanders, I'd have to share a house with five other people, the farmer just died of old age, and my leader wanders around doing nothing while occasionally issuing edicts forcing me to have children. But at least there's a chance of pumpkin pie.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, March 7, 2023 6:56 AM
    

Paradox pulled a nifty trick when they supplanted EA's urban city builder with their own, and they're now hoping to strike twice with Life By You, a competitor to The Sims, complete with all the top-down interior design and people management you'd expect. We only have a very brief glimpse at Life By You, but developer Paradox Tectonic and former Sims boss Rod Humble are holding an announcement event on March 20th - so, we'll see more of the life sim later this month.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, March 7, 2023 6:14 AM
    

Yesterday's Paradox Announcement Show saw the reveal of some new games, including the turn-based strategy The Lamplighters League, and a sequel to their hit city builder Cities: Skylines 2. But, with a bucketload of ongoing games, Paradox weren't content with the newbies, and announced a blast of DLC. Flagship historical grand strategies Crusader Kings 3 and Europa Universalis 4, as well as colony builder Surviving The Aftermath, are all getting expansions.

Read more


Twinfinite Tuesday, March 7, 2023 10:00 AM
     Slice and dice with death.

Twinfinite Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:29 AM
     Test your knowledge on Naughty Dog's incredible survival horror masterpiece right now.

Twinfinite Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:00 AM
     After over 11 years, the Crossbell arc is finally fully localized.

Twinfinite Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:00 AM
     A slight improvement for some.

Twinfinite Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:00 AM
     Objection!

Twinfinite Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:00 AM
     Pedro Pascal is leading the way and we're not mad about it.

Twinfinite Tuesday, March 7, 2023 8:58 AM
     Surely it can't be dangerous if it looks this cool?

Twinfinite Tuesday, March 7, 2023 5:47 AM
     The Synthetic Nightmare could be getting a lot more mobile.

Twinfinite Tuesday, March 7, 2023 4:47 AM
     A temporary reprieve.

Siliconera Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:30 AM
    

Atelier Marie Plus in the Atelier Marie Remake Digital Deluxe is in English

People won't just get the Atelier Marie Remake in July 2023, as Koei Tecmo confirmed an English localization of Atelier Marie Plus will be in the Digital Deluxe Edition. The company previously confirmed that earlier game would be part of that edition worldwide. However, it didn't confirm if the game, which originally only appeared on the PlayStation in Japan, would be translated. Now it has and shared early screenshots.

Atelier Marie first showed up in Japan on the PlayStation, then the Sega Saturn. However, the Saturn version had extra features. For example, there were more events. The Atelier Marie Plus version added the additional elements when it released a year later.

Here's a closer look at the new English localization for Atelier Marie Plus present in the Remake Digital Deluxe Edition.

For reference, Atelier Marie games also appeared on systems like the Game Boy, Dreamcast, and PlayStation 2.

Atelier Marie Remake: Alchemist of Salburg will come to the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC on July 17, 2023 worldwide.

The post Atelier Marie Plus in the Atelier Marie Remake Digital Deluxe is in English appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:01 AM
    

For those following The Legend of Heroes games since XSEED picked up The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, Trails to Azure is something to be celebrated. While the reliable stream of recent releases is appreciated, it wasn't always such a given. The Crossbell duo is a long absent missing piece, only rectified after Trails from Zero finally appeared worldwide in 2022, 12 years after its original PSP debut. Trails to Azure is a long-awaited piece of a puzzle providing context fans longed for, and as expected it's a solid conclusion and appreciated RPG.

That is, for people who do have all this context. This isn't for people who haven't played Trails from Zero or, ideally, kept up with the Crossbell, Liberl, and Erebonian Empire events. Go play the first game or one of the other titles and come back in 120-360 hours.

Trails to Azure even begins with a story segment that helps tie it to the first game and wrap that "case" up a bit more clearly. Lloyd Bannings and Noel Seeker are working with Alex Dudley and Arios MacLaine to apprehend Ernest Reis and Hartmann, who are apparently after the vestiges of the D∴G Cult's power. So right away, you're seeing the Special Support Section (SSS) leader, the soon-to-be-SSS-member but still current Crossbell Guardian Force person, a Crossbell Police inspector, and a Bracer's Guild A-rank member all working together. Not to mention the Gralsritter Dominion Kevin Graham pops up at the end, introducing a number of different factions coming into play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPAQQLf8PY&ab_channel=NISAmerica

Once that's tied up, Lloyd explains to Noel that due to the fall of Revache, the mafia that basically helped keep order despite being a criminal enterprise, and possible political instability that might come from the rise of new mayor Dieter Crois, Crossbell's independence, and the approaching West Zemuria Trade Conference. The SSS is bulking up by adding Noel and the mysterious Wazy Hemisphere to their ranks, as well as by having existing members like Elie building up more ties with possible allies. This also, of course, means encountering all of the groups above and the Septian Church, not to mention people from other countries.

Right from the outset, it's establishing that Trails to Azure isn't a game for you if you haven't been keeping up. It brings in person after person who was critical in the first part of this duology, expecting you to be up-to-date. It will also reference characters from the Trails in the Sky series, organizations present in all recent The Legend of Heroes series, and even drops Ries' appearance with little introduction. It 100% is a game that requires context. Which means it is great and feels like a connected part of a vibrant world if you are aware of everything! It relies on Nihon Falcom's well-built foundation. Not to mention if you do know people, they do still feel true to themselves and in-character.

Review: Trails to Azure Closes Out the Crossbell Chronicles

At the very least, playing Trails from Zero is mandatory. This is because a character introduced in it, KeA, is a central figure throughout Trails to Azure's plot. It's handled in a very good way, and I really appreciated playing a The Legend of Heroes offshoot that can wrap up its plotlines relatively succinctly in two games following the four-part Trails of Cold Steel.

Okay, well, that's 500 words alone trying to explain exactly how many spinning plate plot points come up in Trails to Azure without major spoilers. It's a lot! Fortunately, the actual gameplay isn't nearly as overwhelming. Like Trails from Zero and the Trails in the Sky series before it, Trails to Azure is a turn-based RPG. You have a party of characters who can use Arts as a result of equipped quartz in each person's Enigma II tactical orbments, as well as special craft abilities tied to each person. Characters can use team attack Combo Crafts with certain allies. There are also S-Crafts, essentially limit breaks, that can be used at any time once the proper gauge is filled. Also, while it involves a fairly straightforward, turn-based battle system, each unit's position also matters to determine range of attacks and area of attack effects. Also, there are casting times for arts to consider. So really, it's all much more strategic and thoughtful than most turn-based games.

Review: Trails to Azure Closes Out the Crossbell Chronicles

That thought extends to the SSS missions themselves. You'll always get some optional and other "urgent" support requests. The former can and will disappear if you don't get to them when they show up. The consequences usually mean missing out on some rewards or even an interesting sequence of events. The urgent requests advance the story and are always labeled as such. So there's this distinction that allows people a lot of freedom when choosing what to do and which, which I appreciated.

It's also great that, like in other The Legend of Heroes recent released, Trails to Azure also offers these more lighthearted elements and events. Bonding returns, allowing you to connect to certain allies. You can customize your orbal car and get items for allies' rooms. There is an amusement parks and beach to visit, though these feel more event-geared than something like the actual Pom! Pom! Party! puzzle minigame, and opportunity to once again fish.

Review: Trails to Azure Closes Out the Crossbell Chronicles

Not to mention how it preserves the continuity. In some games with multiple parts, carrying over save data might just mean additional items or costumes. Trails to Azure acknowledges things you experienced and did in the previous game, as well as bonding events. In my case, I was fortunate to pick up from the Switch version of Trails from Zero, which means I noticed differences in Lloyd and Elie's relationship because I maxed out their relationship before. It's a fantastic "reward." You paid attention to this series and spent the 50-odd hours necessary to beat Trails from Zero and connect, so Nihon Falcom rewards us for it.

Trails to Azure also looks rather good on the Switch. Yes, I noticed some textures that didn't look as great in some dungeon areas or during some Craft sequences. But in general the characters and environments look great, considering the original age of the game. There can sometimes feel like there's some disconnect when you compare the visual direction and style of some monsters to people in your party. But in general, it looks and sounds great.

Lloyd Wazy Ellie Noel

But even if it didn't look exceptional or was more dated than it appears, finally getting Trails to Azure feels like a special occasion handled with the honor it deserves. This is a JRPG that I didn't think we'd ever see released worldwide about 10 years ago, and now it's here. It's a joy to play. As long as you've been keeping up with the series over the last decade, it will likely delight you as well.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure will come to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC on March 14, 2023 in North America, March 17, 2023 in Europe, and March 24, 2023 in Australia.

The post Review: Trails to Azure Closes Out the Crossbell Chronicles appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, March 7, 2023 8:30 AM
    

Hololive Figures

The 2023 Hololive Super Expo is happening soon. Scheduled for March 18-19, 2023, the convention will accompany the yearly Hololive Festival (HoloFes) concert. Good Smile Company will also sell a large number of existing Hololive figures through a special site. The orders  open on March 18, 2023, to coincide with HoloFes and the Expo. [Thanks, Hobby Watch!]

Though the 2023 Hololive Super Expo will only last two days, Good Smile Company's sale will last for a full week, running from March 18-26, 2023. A total of 23 figures across four product lines will be sold, including stock of some figures that were previously sold out. The lines included in the sale  of Hololive figures are the Nendoroid, Pop Up Parade, Figma, and Scale Figure lines. Though not every Hololive Vtuber is represented, a number of the most popular performers have been rendered in Good Smile Company's product line. Characters like Fubuki Shirakami, Marine Houshou, Gura Gawr, and Pekora Usada have multiple entries. Prices also range from the more affordable Pop Up Parade items to premium figures of Marine and Aqua Minato.

Here's a full list of the Good Smile Company Hololive Figures set to be sold at the 2023 Hololive Super Expo via this special site. They're arranged by product line.

Nendoroid

  • Akai Haato - 5,900 Yen (about $44 USD)
  • Gawr Gura - 5,900 Yen (about $44 USD)
  • Houshou Marine - 6,200 Yen (about $46 USD)
  • Inugami Korone - 6,200 Yen (about $46 USD)
  • Minato Aqua - 6,100 Yen (about $45 USD)
  • Nekomata Okayu - 6,200 Yen (about $46 USD)
  • Ookami Mio - 6,100 Yen (about $45 USD)
  • Oozora Subaru - 6,500 Yen (about $48 USD)
  • Shirakami Fubuki - 7,299 Yen (about $54 USD)
  • Tokino Sora - 6,300 Yen (about $47 USD)
  • Usada Pekora - 6,200 Yen (about $46 USD)

Figma

  • Usada Pekora - 8,800 Yen (about $65 USD)

Pop Up Parade

  • Houshou Marine - 5,500 Yen (about $40 USD)
  • Minato Aqua - 5,500 Yen (about $40 USD)
  • Ookami Mio - 3,900 Yen (about $29 USD)
  • Oozora Subaru - 5,500 Yen (about $40 USD)
  • Sakura Miko - 4,900 Yen (about $36 USD)
  • Shirakami Fubuki - 3,900 (about $29 USD)
  • Tokino Sora - 5,500 Yen (about $40 USD)
  • Usada Pekora - 4,900 Yen (about $36 USD)

Scale Figures

  • Houshou Marine - 29,800 Yen (about $220 USD)
  • Minato Aqua Aqua Iro Super Dream Ver.  - 27,500 Yen (about $203 USD)
  • Shirakami Fubuki 2019 Summer Event Ver. - 11,000 (about $80 USD)

Hololive figures will go on sale during the 2023 Hololive Super Expo, which begins on March 18, 2023.

The post Hololive Figures Go on Sale for 2023 Hololive Super Expo appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, March 7, 2023 8:00 AM
    

Earthbound Evil Mani Mani Statue

Fans of Earthbound will have a chance to induct their shelf into Happy Happyism soon. On March 8, 2023, pre-orders will open for a "life-size" replica of the Earthbound Evil Mani Mani statue in Japan. Mother series creator Shigesato Itoi's Hobonichi Mother Project created the item, based on a one-off replica used for events. According to the press release, Itoi received an "overwhelming" amount of interest from fans who wanted their own copy. [Thanks, Dengeki!]

Like the original, the Earthbound Evil Mani Mani statue is based on the item (and enemy) from Earthbound (a.k.a. Mother 2). It's also known as the "Mani Mani Demon", and is a shiny, golden statue. It stands about 30 cm tall (about 1 foot), and is described as having a "heavy, comfortable weight." The statue depicts a horned figure (the Evil Mani Mani) standing straight and holding a sword in its hands. The bottom of the statue's base has the Mother logo engraved on it. A special sticker with the character "封" (for "Seal") is included with every purchase, in case one is concerned that the statue's ominous appearance may actually be unlucky.

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Each statue will cost 9,999 Yen (about $74 USD). The pre-order period will last from March 8-29, 2023. Delivery is expected around late May 2023 in Japan, though overseas shipping is available from the official site. To promote the Earthbound Mani Mani statue, the Hobonichi Mother Project is also publishing a series of interviews with Itoi about the game, and the character.

In the game itself, the Evil Mani Mani is a mystical object said to spread the influence of Giygas and bring out human beings' evil tendencies. It was used to control the minds of the Happy Happyism cult.

Earthbound can be played on the Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Switch Online SNES game library.

The post Earthbound Evil Mani Mani Statue Pre-Orders Open appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:00 AM
    

one piece on ice

For the first time in history, you will be able to see the One Piece pirates kicking butt and taking names on ice, rather than the sea. The One Piece on Ice show will take place some time during Summer 2023. More concrete information on dates or ticket prices will appear later on.

There is very little information on the One Piece on Ice show. For example, aside from not knowing when it will be or how much it will cost, we also don't know what arc it will cover. In fact, it might even have an original story, much like One Piece movies or games. However, since the show will be in Summer 2023, it is likely that we will see more promotional content of it in the near future.

One Piece has been a juggernaut piece of media since its inception in 1997. Though this is the first time that it has appeared on ice, there have been multiple adaptations of the story. As mentioned earlier, there have been many movies and games based on the Straw Hat Pirates' adventures. As well, there are a wide variety of figures of the characters.

One Piece on Ice will take place in Summer 2023. More information will appear on its official website in the future.

The post One Piece on Ice Show Will Take Place in Summer 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, March 7, 2023 6:00 AM
    

404 Game Re:set gameplay

A new interview from Sega shed a bit more light on the concepts and characters that animate 404 Game RE:SET gameplay. Announced in early February 2023, the game is a collaboration between Sega and NieR series creator Toko Taro. The interview reveals more detail about what players will actually do in the game and how they'll interact with some of the characters introduced earlier. [Thanks, 4gamer!]

The new interview features commentary from Gosuke Nakamura, the game's producer. As outlined earlier 404 Game RE:SET gameplay involves classic Sega games reimagined as humanoid characters. These anthropomorphizations (a.k.a. "gijinka") actually take two forms: Type: Anode and Type: Cathode. Each type has a different personality that can best be summed up as "Light Side" and "Dark Side." The Anode versions (the "Light" side) were introduced in a previous reveal. The "Dark" side Cathode personalities emerged as a result of Sega's actions, which is why Sega is portrayed as the antagonist faction of 404 Game RE:SET. The members of the cast are initially "Cathodized" by Sega, and use their powers to adversely affect the world around them. For example, Outrun Type: Cathode runs wild throughout the cities, taking joy in her speed heedless of the dangers she poses to innocents. One screenshot shows Outrun Type: Cathode interacting with another character named Ribbon.

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In 404 Game RE:SET gameplay. Players will infiltrate Sega servers, pretending to be Sega employees. In-game game functions are patterned off of Sega's organizational structure. PVP matches take place in the "Director's Arena" before members of the Sega board. The members of a player's in-game guild are their coworkers in the same section. In terms of actual mechanics, the game blends RPG progression with scrolling shooter games. To sum things up, Nakamura described the game as a "shooting RPG where you purify girls that have fallen to the dark side."

Sega also released character art of the Type: Cathode incarnations of Outrun, Afterburner, Virtua Cop, Virtua Fighter, and Fantasy Zone. They're voiced by the same performers that voice their purified Type: Anode versions.

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404 Game Re:Set is in development for release on iOS and Android devices. It'll go live in Spring 2023 in Japan. An international release has not yet been confirmed.

The post 404 Game RE:SET Gameplay Involves Purifying Sega Games appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Tuesday, March 7, 2023 4:05 AM
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WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:46 AM
     I'm a day late publishing this because it has been a crazy week. My dog went in to have a lump on his side removed (completely benign, but in an awkward place for his comfort) and managed to pick up an infection that resulted in necrosis. He had to go back in to have the necrotic flesh removed, so now he has an open wound to heal instead of a stitched one, increasing recovery time. Have you ever tried explaining to a German Shepard that he can't have his three walks a day? It doesn't go well.

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Pivotal Gamers Tuesday, March 7, 2023 3:56 AM
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