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May 22, 12:00


Kotaku Monday, May 22, 2023 10:53 AM
    

Another day, another way to duplicate some of the rarest items in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. But wait, there's even more good news. This latest infinite item exploit is even faster and easier than the others. Give me one minute of your time and I will give you all the diamonds you can carry.

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Kotaku Monday, May 22, 2023 10:13 AM
    

GameStop's customer loyalty program is getting a huge makeover in June, according to screenshots of internal corporate training materials shared with Kotaku. The existing PowerUp Rewards membership will see its name changed to GameStop Pro, with the price going up from $15 a year to $25 in exchange for bigger…

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PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:58 AM
     How to find Diablo 4 Whispering Keys

In order to open silent chests, you need to find Diablo 4 Whispering Keys. These elusive containers are locked, but opening them grants you valuable treasures that could contain exactly what you need to make the build of your dreams. Therefore to ensure you have a Whispering Key whenever you come across a silent chest, it's worth stocking up on as many keys as you can physically carry.

So far, we've found one way to find the Diablo 4 Whispering Keys to open the silent chests. The good news is that it's rather easy to achieve in the RPG games, but it does require that you complete optional randomly generated side objectives. So if you want the best chance at getting some of the top items in Diablo 4, we're here to help you get more than enough whispering keys to last your entire adventure.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 release date, Diablo 4 system requirements, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:57 AM
     The best Sims 4 mods 2023

Are you looking for the very best Sims 4 mods? Well, you've come to the right place. The Sims became a must-have simulation game on the PC when it was first released in 2000, and over 20 years later, the series is still going strong with a new Sims game on the horizon. You only need to look at the game's strong library of user-generated content to see where all this success coming from.

The Sims 4 mods scene is thriving, with plenty of weird and wonderful additions to one of the best PC games for living your alternate virtual life. Suppose you want more customization options before the Sims 5 release date. In that case, loads of Sims 4 CC packs and expansion packs are available, while the mods below completely overhaul gameplay mechanics. We've compiled a list of just some of the best Sims 4 mods, accompanied with links to all the download pages. Be sure to read the install instructions for each mod.

Continue reading The best Sims 4 mods 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Sims 4 mods, Best Sims 4 sex mods, The Sims 4 cheats

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:52 AM
     Adam Jensen wants a new Deus Ex game

Deus Ex Adam Jensen voice performer Elias Toufexis is, like us, wondering when we might get a sequel to Mankind Divided and Human Revolution. It's been seven years since the last mainline entry in Eidos' futuristic RPG game, and - to paraphrase the mechanical man himself - when it comes to a new Deus Ex, we're all asking for this. Lending his talents to Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, and Fallout in the meantime, Deus Ex Human Revolution's gravel-throated star is now seemingly eager to know when Jensen will re-emerge.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best cyberpunk games, The best RPG games, The best stealth games

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:43 AM
     Valorant ranks order, distribution, and ranking system explained

Want to know about Valorant ranks and how the ranking system works? We've taken a deep dive into the Valorant ranking system, to show you how they work, and what the current distribution is. Looking at these figures, we can glean all kinds of information, like where you sit against the average player, as well as time and energy is being put into the FPS at the moment.

Like all competitive FPS games, Valorant has a couple of different ways it measures ranking progress and the overall rating of players against each other. Each player has an overall Valorant rank, but there's also a dedicated 'Act rank' for each act. On top of that, there's also a concept called 'rank rating', which is connected to MMR. Here is everything you need to know about Valorant ranks, the current rank distribution, and competitive play.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Valorant Night Market dates, Valorant ranks, Valorant crosshair codes

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:42 AM
     The 26 best Minecraft mods 2023

Looking for the best Minecraft mods in 2023? Every game of vanilla Minecraft might already be very different, but the best Minecraft mods go one step further to provide an entirely new experience over a decade into the game's lifespan. Whether you love creative building, terrifying survival, or speedrunning the story, there's sure to be a mod for you. From interface changes, to tools to aid your hours of exploration, and even new mobs, you have the option to make Mojang's classic even better on PC.

The following list compiles some of the best Minecraft mods out there right now. All are divided into sections, depending on what you want to do with the sandbox game – from simple utility changes to deep, intricate Minecraft mods you can get lost in for months. If you like to browse, the Minecraft CurseForge game mods hub has a whole section dedicated to the best Minecraft mods and add-ons - as well as equivalents for many of the other best PC games right now.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:45 AM
     Destiny 2 Spire of the Watcher guide, loot table, chests, and boss

Looking for a Destiny 2 Spire of the Watcher dungeon guide? It features a fight for control of a Seraph facility currently overrun by Xivu Arath-led Vex forces. If you're looking at this guide, you probably want to know how to beat the Destiny 2 Spire of the Watcher dungeon. You'll do this by ensuring these forces won't succeed in their activities by taking down Persys, Primordial Ruin.

Of course, it's not that simple. Like all dungeons and raids in one of the best free PC games, this involves solving a series of puzzles while facing challenging enemies in an environment that restricts respawning. Therefore, you'll want to know as much as possible about the new Destiny 2 Spire of the Watcher dungeon before you tackle it. Do note that using the best Destiny 2 Warlock builds, the best Hunter builds, and the best Titan builds will serve you well here.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 Lightfall review, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:39 AM
     The 13 best Minecraft shaders 2023

Want the very best Minecraft shaders? With shaders, you can instantly level up the look of your Minecraft world - even without a fancy schmancy RTX graphics card. But with so many downloadable mods for the sandbox game, if you're unsure, let's start with what Minecraft shaders are.

One of the best PC games of all time and the ongoing king of sandbox games, Minecraft has incredible replayability, keeping fans and newbies coming to the game time after time. While the vanilla game gets regular updates, with the Minecraft 1.20 release date coming later this year, Minecraft mods, texture packs, resource packs, and shaders can completely reinvent the game, affecting its overall look. For example, mods can completely alter gameplay, and Minecraft texture packs and resource packs change the appearance of existing blocks and add new blocks, respectively. Meanwhile, shader packs give you the same game with fancier graphics and effects.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:38 AM
     Minecraft enchantments guide: how to use your enchanting table

Looking for the best Minecraft enchantments? There are a lot of enchantments to get to grips with in the sandbox game, they're expensive, and some are better than others, so it's worth knowing which to prioritize as you start out your survival journey.

While Minecraft Netherite tools, and the very best armor go some way to protect you in the survival game, enchantments level up your gear in a number of ways. Minecraft enchantments are added to your items using an enchanting table or an anvil, but involve some level of luck as there's no way of knowing what the enchanting table will offer up. There are certain ways of obtaining the best enchantments in your first few Minecraft days though, and obtaining them in the right order can make all the difference.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:34 AM
     How to install Minecraft Forge 1.19

Wondering how to install Minecraft Forge? The mod program is a place to keep track of all your mods, and is pretty simple to set up once you know how, so we'll tell you exactly how to download and install Minecraft Forge, and how to use it.

Minecraft is one of the best PC games of all time, not least because of Mojang Studios' efforts to keep it regularly updated with new content over a decade on. That said, the incredible Minecraft community is also part of the reason the game remains great, and the incredible number of Minecraft mods are just one of the things keeping players coming back year after year. Mods are not in short supply for Minecraft either, so when it comes to managing them, the sheer volume can be overwhelming. That's why you might want to install Minecraft Forge.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:39 AM
     How to get Destiny 2 Timelost weapons

Want to know how to get Destiny 2 Timelost weapons? Like Nightfall weapons, Timelost weapons are only available at set times, following a predefined schedule. Timelost weapons are essentially better versions of the basic Vault of Glass weapons, with an extra third and fourth perk slot and a slot for Adept weapon mods.

To get a Destiny 2 Timelost weapon, you will need to complete its particular challenge in the Vault of Glass on Master difficulty. You can check out our Destiny 2 Vault of Glass walkthrough for tips on how to beat it. Bungie used to set one challenge per week in the free PC game, meaning players had to complete each raid challenge on Master difficulty each week over the course of five different weeks to gain all five Timelost weapons and earn Found Verdict, which requires the completion of all five challenges. But now, the Master Vault of Glass raid is only available on specific weeks when Vault of Glass is the featured raid. These changes also mean that players can complete all five challenges in a single week.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 Lightfall review, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:26 AM
     AMD RX 7600 price may undercut Nvidia RTX 4060, according to leak

The price war for this generation's entry level GPUs has truly begun. At least, that's according to yesterday's leak of several custom AMD RX Radeon 7600 models' prices by a Canadian retailer. The alleged cost of these AIB GPUs in Canadian Dollars suggests the RX 7600 could have an MSRP of $299… Or maybe even less, which could have it cheaper than the Nvidia Geforce RTX 4060.

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

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:32 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 build crafting 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 armor 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 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 Lightfall review, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:20 AM
     We're hiring! PCGamesN and The Loadout are looking for new editors

PCGamesN and The Loadout, our excellent sister site, are searching for new editors. The successful candidates will be responsible for the management and growth of their respective brands. If that sounds interesting to you, we've got all the details down below.


PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:09 AM
     Stardew Valley character creator will have you changing profile pics

ConcernedApe's iconic farming game, Stardew Valley, has only gotten more popular over time. Inspiring a variety of content creators and modders globally, there is no shortage of fan-made creations about and for Stardew Valley to be found online. The artist behind the one of the game's most beloved mods has recently come forward to release yet another banger, this time in the form of a Stardew Valley character creator.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Stardew Valley multiplayer, Stardew Valley realism, The best Stardew Valley mods

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:35 AM
     Minecraft Warden – drops, biome, and how to spawn

Want to know how to get the Minecraft Warden to spawn? Or even where? What it drops, and how to avoid or fight it? Lucky for you, we've got the answers to all these questions and more in our guide to one of the most terrifyingly cute mobs in the sandbox game.

Most Minecraft mobs are pretty cute, let's be honest - even if they are trying to kill you. With that in mind, it might be difficult to keep your distance from the glowing Warden if you see one in its Ancient City home, but get too close and it could well be the last thing you see. It won't see you, however, as the poor thing has no sight and instead sniffs and sounds you out, so you might be able to get up close and personal if you stay quiet enough. Knowing how to do that is key to your survival, so here's everything you need to know about surviving the Minecraft Warden.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:16 AM
     How to get the Destiny 2 Gjallarhorn and the Gjallarhorn catalyst

Wondering how to get the Gjallarhorn in Destiny 2? The Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack has arrived, bringing with it a myriad of weapons, the new Thorn Armor sets, and various activities paying homage to three decades of Bungie. One of the most interesting weapons players can acquire is the Gjallarhorn, a fan-favorite rocket launcher from Destiny 1 that makes its triumphant return as part of the anniversary celebrations.

Obtaining this massive gold-and-white rocket launcher in Destiny 2 involves quite a few steps - you must finish a dungeon, collect various components, and re-assemble them to bring this legendary weapon back to life in the free PC game. While these steps demand a certain level of expertise in order to complete them - especially the Grasp of Avarice Dungeon - overall, this Destiny 2 exotic quest is thankfully very straightforward.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 Lightfall review, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:39 AM
     Diablo 4 skill trees explained

Wondering how Diablo 4 skill trees work? Our descent into Hell is creeping ever closer, so you may want to learn more about how skill trees shape your character over the course of your playtime.

To help you make the most of the Diablo 4 skill trees following the Diablo 4 release date, we've collated all the best Diablo 4 classes to play. Blizzard is "currently aiming for 30-40% of the nodes filled in for endgame, so that players can have very distinct, and different ways they build out their character." Consequently, we can expect an increased emphasis on choosing particular skill branches, in contrast to building characters around powerful items and equipment. To help you decide, here's how Diablo 4 skill trees work, so you can be ready once the dungeon-crawling RPG game finally arrives.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 release date, Diablo 4 system requirements, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:44 AM
     Diablo 4 Necromancer build

Want the best Diablo 4 Necromancer build? If you're familiar with the Diablo series, you'll know the Necromancer to be an incredibly powerful class archetype, and that's no different in Diablo 4. To get you ready for Diablo 4, we've taken a look at the Necromancer's skills so you can jump straight in with the most powerful build available.

In order to make the best Necromancer build, we've worked out which of the many weapons and armor available in Diablo 4 complement the Necromancer class skills with the best synergy. While there have been some nerfs to the Necromancer's skills since a previous beta, and they have been taken into account here, don't forget that information and gameplay we've used could still change before the final Diablo 4 release date.

Continue reading Diablo 4 Necromancer build
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 release date, Diablo 4 system requirements, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:01 AM
     Stalker 2 release date, trailer, gameplay and system requirements

Looking for the Stalker 2 release date? The FPS game 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 we think it could be one of the best PC games this year once it's released.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best apocalypse games, Best survival games

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:45 AM
     How to find and kill The Butcher in Diablo 4

Want to know where to find The Butcher in Diablo 4 and, more importantly, how to defeat the brute? You might have heard of some players having already gone up against the legendary Butcher while he's nowhere to be found in your game, and your confusion as to the boss' location isn't misplaced. We, too, took a while to find the Butcher, and it turns out there's a good reason.

The Butcher turns up in Diablo 4 randomly, so it could take a while for you to come against the hulking killer. This does mean you don't have to worry about going after him specifically, and you can just work through the campaign until you find the boss. It doesn't matter which of the D4 classes you choose as The Butcher will appear for any, and his unique drop can be wielded by any class, too. He is a tough foe though, so make sure whichever class you choose, you're using the best build when you go up against the Diablo 4 Butcher.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 release date, Diablo 4 system requirements, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:25 AM
     GTA 5 money cheat

Looking for a GTA money cheat? There's something so appealing about roaming the streets of Los Santos with a limitless credit card, heading into every shop like you're about to go on a spending spree. They say money can't buy you happiness, but those people clearly never experienced life in Los Santos on a strict budget.

Fortunately, we have plenty of Grand Theft Auto V cheats that should be able to satisfy almost every need you have. Give our GTA 5 cheats guide a read to see which vehicles are available to spawn right away, in addition to the console commands that can instantly change the way you play the open-world game. Here's what you need to do to activate the GTA money cheat.

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

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 10:48 AM
     Destiny 2 Iron Banner dates, start time, rewards, and quest

Looking for details on the Destiny 2 Iron Banner event? Iron Banner is always an exciting time for PvP aficionados, with the most skillful of players being rewarded handsomely with exotic armor, weapons, and unique shaders. Iron Banner doesn't come around often, so it's important to know exactly when you'll be able to compete with the best of the best in the fiercely competitive multiplayer mode.

Iron Banner is a staple of the FPS game, celebrating Destiny 2's PvP activities at their most chaotic. Although it operates similarly to Crucible, this special timed event offers a limited set of rewards that players can only get by completing Iron Banner activities. It's available to all players in the free PC game, regardless of whether they own in-game expansions or seasonal DLC.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 Lightfall review, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 10:22 AM
     AEW Fight Forever gets a release date to rival WWE games

The AEW Fight Forever release date has been officially announced and you know what that means, as professional wrestling superstar Kenny Omega presents a video revealing when the sports game (yes, sports game) is coming out, and it's incredibly soon. As an avid AEW enjoyer I can't wait for this, and I hope it reignites the wrestling fandom for games in a way we haven't truly felt since WWE Smackdown Here Comes the Pain.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sports games, Best fighting games, Best simulation games

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 10:36 AM
     The Elder Scrolls 6 release date speculation, trailer and rumours

When is the Elder Scrolls 6 release date? We finally have our first official look at the game courtesy of a short teaser trailer. The video opens with the classic musical motif from the series and a panning shot of some mountains before the logo appears, confirming that The Elder Scrolls 6 is real, at least.

We might have been spoilt by excellent games in the series already, but, frankly, we're ready to dive back into the Elder Scrolls universe - they're still some of the best PC games ever made, and it's likely that Elder Scrolls 6 will follow suit. Bethesda director Todd Howard says we'll be sinking our teeth in The Elder Scrolls 6's gameplay "for a decade at least". Here's everything we know about The Elder Scrolls 6, from settings and gameplay features, to when we might be able to get our hands on it.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Elder Scrolls 6 release date, Elder Scrolls 6 setting, Fallout 5 news

PCGamesN Monday, May 22, 2023 10:17 AM
     Left 4 Dead dev says Valve meeting was

Left 4 Dead has one of the best box art designs in recent gaming history. Simple, eye-catching, and memorable thanks to that neat little joke with the fingers, the bright-green, L4D cover was a staple of everyone's PC gaming desk, or on the floor near their TV, back in the zombie game's heyday. Chet Faliszek, however, a Valve developer whose credits also include Portal and Half-Life, says getting the Left 4 Dead art exactly right was a bit of a nightmare, with one particular meeting at the future Steam Deck maker being especially "brutal."

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Left 4 Dead 3 release date, Best games like Left 4 Dead, Best zombie games

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, May 22, 2023 11:27 AM
    

Every weekend, indie devs show off current work on Twitter's #screenshotsaturday tag. And every Monday, I bring you a selection of these snaps and clips. The difficulties of writing a column reliant upon a collapsing platform continue to be felt in a week when the #screenshotsaturday tag became overrun with spambots, but the games still shone through. This week, my eye was caught by colourful driving experiences in run 'n' guns and visual novels, multiple terrible squiggly beasts from horror games, a cute N64-style platformer, and lots more attractive and interesting indie games. Come see!

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, May 22, 2023 8:00 AM
    

Planet of Lana has all the hallmarks of a story-rich platformer. Across its six-hour run time, you'll encounter a string of environmental puzzles, an evil plan concocted by a group of baddies, a rich orchestral soundtrack that swells at all the right moments, a cute animal companion, and a gorgeous world that needs saving.

On paper, it has everything you could possibly want from this kind of game, but in practice, it can also be Lana's undoing at times. It does everything well - admittedly some much better than others - but it feels like this sci-fi tale is missing something. That gut punch, that sigh of relief after a thrill, that unexpected surprise... You know, that extra edge to really make it sing. It's still a very enjoyable adventure, but its lack of emotional highs means it doesn't linger long in the memory once you've seen the credits roll. Is that a roundabout way to say that Planet of Lana is a solid 7/10? Maybe, but we don't do that here.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, May 22, 2023 6:51 AM
    

Add another one to the list of weird and delightful ways to play ye olde Doom: teletext. A new mod converts Doom to a teletext signal, letting you play the seminal shooter rendered in blocky teletext art on a telly. You can even control it with your TV remote. Have a look in the video below! I really, really like the smiley face replacing Doomguy's gurn.

Read more


Twinfinite Monday, May 22, 2023 9:00 AM
     To me, my Marvel skins.

Siliconera Monday, May 22, 2023 11:00 AM
    

2 Street Fighter 6 Videos Show How to Play as Dhalsim and E. Honda

Capcom continued its "How to Play" Street Fighter 6 video series with Dhalsim and E. Honda. Both are returning characters who have been a part of the series essentially since the beginning. Each brief trailer highlighted their general style, as well as called attention to one especially useful attack.

First, here's the Street Fighter 6 video focusing on how to play as Dhalsim. It shows the extended reach for his attacks, allowing us to force opposing players to stay away. However, after that it shows how we can teleport in closer. The specific move highlighted in the segment is his Yoga Arch, which is cited as a "spacing tool" to again give a player more room and control over the situation.

Next, here's the "How to Play E. Honda" Street Fighter 6 video. It begins by referencing how strong the close-range character can be. It also noted that many of the attacks feature multiple hits or can chain together to apply pressure. Finally, it closes by focusing on the Sumo Dash attack to give him a quick burst of speed.

These sorts of videos are showing up on a daily basis, basically. The last one involved a look at Ken. Prior to that, Guile and Juri had their moments.

Street Fighter 6 will appear on the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on June 2, 2023, and a demo is available now. It will also show up in arcades.

The post 2 Street Fighter 6 Videos Show How to Play as Dhalsim and E. Honda appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 22, 2023 10:30 AM
    

Final Fantasy XVI Demo Save Carries Over to Full Game a

In the PlayStation Blog discussion of the Final Fantasy XVI hands-on session, it came up that the demo save data will carry over to the full game. Senior Specialist, Content Communications Gillen McAllister brought it up while discussing the features of Square Enix's upcoming RPG. However, the announcement only told us that detail and didn't reveal when this trial will appear. It only noted the Final Fantasy XVI demo "drops ahead of the full game's launch." Previously, Producer Naoki Yoshida noted in an interview that we could expect the trial to appear about two weeks before the game launches.

The reveal did tease what this initial Final Fantasy XVI demo will entail. It will look at early moments from Clive's life. Part of this segment also came up during general preview sessions. This means we'll see Clive when he's younger and potentially serving as a First Shield of Rosaria to protect his brother Joshua.

Final Fantasy XVI will come to the PlayStation 5 on June 22, 2023. There will be a six-month exclusivity period. There is also a PS5 console bundle with a digital copy. A demo will also appear for the game ahead of its debut, but there's no set date for its appearance yet.

The post Final Fantasy XVI Demo Save Carries Over to Full Game appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 22, 2023 10:01 AM
    

Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection Gameplay Video Shows How to Use New Features

Atlus shared a new Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection gameplay video, with this one basically attempting to set potential players up for success. It not only goes over existing features and tips, but also points out some of the new additions or updates present in all three games.

The video begins by showing the difficulty options. Picnic, Basic, and Expert all appear when you start the game. Picnic is specifically cited and noted to be the easiest one for people who want to focus on the installments' stories. After that, it shows the enhanced 2D character designs and UI and 3D dungeons. From there, it shows how to create a guild and get additional quests from the local restaurant, bar, or bistro. Dungeon exploration comes up after that, though the video did cite how we can build a party of any kinds of characters we'd like. From there, the new automap option shows how it fills in floors and walls. It wraps up by showing FOEs and stronger enemies, as well as facing them by ensuring characters learn skills after leveling up.

Here's the full Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection gameplay video going over how to play the games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy_xaKfUfaI&ab_channel=OfficialATLUSWest
At the end of the video, it shows the six pre-order portraits people can get. In Etrian Odyssey, that means people could look like Joker or Ringo. In Etrian Odyssey 2, the DLC adds the Demi-Fiend and Teddie as options. Finally, for Etrian Odyssey 3, that means getting to make characters look like the Nahobino or Aegis.

Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection will release on the Nintendo Switch and Windows PC on June 1, 2023.

The post Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection Gameplay Video Shows How to Use Its Features appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 22, 2023 9:30 AM
    

bocchi the rock movie

Aniplex announced that a movie adaptation of Bocchi the Rock will appear in theaters in Japan some time in Spring 2024. Though there aren't many details about the movie, it appears to be a compilation film. That means that it will retread episodes and events that the show has covered. We don't have a worldwide release date for it yet. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

[gallery columns="1" ids="964348" link="file"]

Even if the movie is a recap film, there might still be some new content for fans who watched the show. For example, it might have new songs or scenes. Kerorira, who is the character designer and chief animation director, was the one who drew the key visual for the Bocchi the Rock film. It features the titular Bocchi along with the other members of Kessoku Band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKbfk7vXmc4

The announcement trailer for the Bocchi the Rock movie sounds like a normal preview for the next episode. But the girls aren't in unison so they decide to try again. Afterwards, they announce the compilation movie.

Bocchi the Rock is a manga and anime series that follows the Hitori Goto, who is very anxious and socially awkward. Despite these issues, she dreams of becoming a rock musician and make new friends. After Nijika Ijichi invites her to join Kessoku Band, she gets the chance to fulfill her lifelong dreams. The series is incredibly popular and in January 2023, Manga Time Kirara Max announced that there are a million physical copies of the manga in circulation.

The Bocchi the Rock movie will come out some time in Spring 2024. Aside from the movie, the new single from Kessoku Band, "Into The Light," will come out on Ma 24, 2023. Genki Fujimori from Sakanamon is both the composer and the lyricist.

The post Bocchi the Rock Recap Movie Will Come Out in 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 22, 2023 9:00 AM
    

Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy is a hallmark series within the gaming sphere, solidified as one of the longest-running RPG franchises in history. Final Fantasy XVI is the next entry that attempts to create a new tone. While its predecessor Final Fantasy XV did have a heavy action-focused combat system, FFXVI attempts to take this up a notch with a more varied combo system that is easy enough for those unsure about the gameplay to pick up. But more importantly, will Creative Business Unit 3 create a narrative as engrossing as its predecessors, allowing Final Fantasy XVI to truly stand on its own legs?

Final Fantasy XVI plays better than it looks, which is probably no surprise to some. As a very avid fan of Devil May Cry and someone who deeply enjoyed Devil May Cry V, there was some expectation for the combat system in Final Fantasy XVI to meet those same standards. While Clive's set of skills is extremely rudimentary at first, with the power of the Phoenix strengthening his natural prowess with the blade through the use of special attacks, it is enough to introduce those unfamiliar with action-RPGs to the more complex "stance dancing" players will be expected to do some hours later. Switching between Eikon powers keeps the flow of battle natural and adds a level of depth and excitement that left me interested in the kind of combos players will be able to create. That said, all combat is focused around a stagger system, similar to Final Fantasy XIII, which means you will need to build up the stagger bar when attacking enemies and unleash your most powerful combos once an enemy is temporarily stunned. Planning around these burst windows may not be entirely appealing to players, but it's the system that they will have to work with.

[caption id="attachment_964334" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Final Fantasy XVI Image via Square Enix[/caption]

Torgal is also available as a companion in the game, and even on the standard difficulty he felt extremely overpowered. Capable of knocking flying enemies from the air or charging at targeted foes, he would quickly make work of smaller creatures or wild animals set on attacking Clive. He can also heal you, but it's barely noticeable and you're better off relying on potions. In an open area segment I was allowed to explore, Jill was available as a temporary companion. She can also heal Clive. Her ice magics felt particularly potent when it came to staggering enemies, whereas Cid, when he was traveling alongside Clive in his journey through a densely packed forest, felt like he did more direct damage to enemies. A part of me wonders if each of these companions will have their own specific utility, making them useful to the player in their own unique ways.

Perhaps one of the most distracting things about combat during the preview session was the QTE segments. The entire border of the screen is filled to the brim with particle effects, which can be distracting. They mostly felt unnecessary and didn't have the same kind of impact as scripted QTE segments in the Yakuza series, for example, which have clear demonstrations of a character's strength and play into the overall thematics of the fight itself. Final Fantasy XVI just sort of has them there, and they mostly exist just to have you mash a button to deal increased amounts of damage against an enemy in a flashier, more stylized way. The one Eikon battle I played felt similar as well, mostly in the way that while it was visually interesting, mechanically it felt flat. Perhaps the other Eikon battles will prove more engaging, since this one happened fairly early on in the game itself.

[caption id="attachment_964333" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Square Enix Image via Square Enix[/caption]

Final Fantasy XVI is also perhaps one of the most gorgeous Final Fantasy titles to date. That probably sounds reductive, as most Final Fantasy games in the past often pushed graphical limits and used stylization to achieve mostly timeless looks—Final Fantasy XII comes to mind, with the original Final Fantasy VII effectively ushering in the era of 3D Japanese RPGs. However, once I got to actually explore a handful of the unique zones in Final Fantasy XVI, it's clear how much attention to detail went into these select locations and why it benefits from not being a true open world experience. The previously mentioned forest was utterly stunning, with clusters of flies congregating around rotten trees. Once I reached a cliff face that allowed me to look over the horizon, I was stunned at just how gorgeous it actually was. You can see clearly into the distance, the clusters of trees below are fully rendered, and the snow covered mountains some distance away were just beautiful. In that moment it made me realize just how long it had been since I'd played a game that stopped me in my tracks to just take time to view the scenery.

Generally, there is some kind of connective tissue between Final Fantasy titles, either through a recurring character, enemies, or the foundational element of tearing down an empire, or authoritarian power, to create a better society. Final Fantasy XVI does this; it has all of these things. It has Cid, it has dragoons, it has an empire, it has armor sets from Final Fantasy XIV, and it has music with leitmotifs to earlier entries in the series. But from what I played of the story (which was the good first few hours of an otherwise 35-ish hour game), I am somewhat concerned as to how a lot of the themes the game presents—specifically classism—will be discussed further down the line.

While Final Fantasy XVI tries to make itself distinct enough from earlier entries in the series by being more "adult" in the way that character curse and have sex and there's gore and blood and all of the hallmarks consumers quantify as being mature and worthy of attention, it felt oddly surface level. Like an homage to Western prestige television like Game of Thrones, without the meat of what made Game of Thrones interesting to begin with; which was the tension and drama between houses, and complexly written characters. (The developers have gone on record to say that there are fans of the show on the team, though Localization Direction Michael-Christopher Koji Fox did state that these would be mostly outward similarities, which is probably true.) Final Fantasy XVI could absolutely have this, but what I played leaves me feeling somewhat skeptical, especially concerning several major female characters introduced in the early hours of the game.

[caption id="attachment_964332" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Final fantasy xvi Image via Square Enix[/caption]

There also begs the question, concerning how specific factions are portrayed, of representation. While almost all characters have distinctly Eurocentric features, there is a specific group that are portrayed as oppressive, religious fanatics that wear Middle Eastern headwear and communicate in a non-English subtitled language that definitely raised some concern, for very obvious reasons. While Producer Naoki Yoshida did make comments about the lack of representation we've seen thus far in Final Fantasy XVI, this seems like a very specific choice given those previous comments about the absence of Black people or general lack people of color in the game. It left me nervous as to how this will be handled further down the line, as the Final Fantasy series has always had an issue with orientalism in its inclusion and portrayal of SWANA inspired characters and cultures.

Ultimately, Final Fantasy XVI is engaging and does show some promise. While a lot of what I experienced in the narrative feels somewhat half-baked by comparison to the early hours of its predecessors or other more overly politically driven Square Enix RPGs, I am interested to see how Clive's journey will end. I think this story could be compelling, but I am cautious how it will ultimately choose to handle its female characters from what I have seen. It's an interesting thing to walk away from something feeling almost inspired, but also conflicted. But maybe that's the sort of feeling the developers are aiming for, something that will leave you thinking or even wanting to pursue the questions those early hours of the game begs to be answered.

Final Fantasy XVI will release for PlayStation 5 on June 22, 2023.

The post Preview: Final Fantasy XVI Has an Interesting Foundation appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 22, 2023 8:30 AM
    

Honkai Star Rail Version 1.1 special program

Information on the first major patch update 1.1 for Honkai Star Rail will appear on May 26, 2023. "Galactic Roaming" seems to be the title of the next patch. You can watch the stream from 7:30pm CST, which will be 4:30am PT/7:30am ET. It will be available on both YouTube and Twitch.

If the Honkai Star Rail special program follows the same pattern as Genshin Impact ones, then we will also receive gift codes. These will give rewards such as Stellar Jades. Aside from limited-time rewards, this event should tell us more about upcoming banners and events, as well as tease what's coming next in the Honkai Star Rail storyline.

The current patch 1.0, which is the launch edition of the game, ends right in the middle of the Xianzhou Luofu story. So we will likely see a continuation of it in the next update. HoYoVerse also commented in the past on some of the feedback it received for version 1.0. So we know of some fixes and changes that will roll out in future updates. These include changes to facial expressions in Camera Mode, changes to Seele's Ultimate animation, and adjustments to the story pacing.

Honkai Star Rail is readily available on mobile devices and Windows PC. It is in development for the PS4 and PS5 as well. The special program for Honkai Star Rail Version 1.1 will air on May 26, 2023 at 4:30 AM PT/7:30 AM ET/7:30 PM CST.

The post Honkai: Star Rail Version 1.1 Special Program Announced appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 22, 2023 11:29 AM
     Tears Of The Kingdom Tarrey Town House FeaturedThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is all about your own creativity. You can create contraptions from just about anything and turn them into just about anything as well. This is true for many aspects of the game, such as the weapon fusing as well. This also applies to one aspect of the game as well, which is home owning. In Tears of the Kingdom's predecessor, you could build your own house with the help of some people, but in Tears of the Kingdom, thanks to the game's new abilities, they let you build your own house by hand. Here's how to get and build your own house in Tears of the Kingdom. How to get and build your own house in Tears of the Kingdom The first step to getting your own house in Tears of the Kingdom is to head to Tarrey Town, which is the town that Link helped build in the original game. This location can be found on the east of the map, and can be seen in the map below. Here's Tarrey Town on a map. Screenshot by PC Invasion After ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 22, 2023 11:25 AM
     Tears Of The Kingdom Hinox Guts GuideHinox Guts are one of the rarer enemy drops to get in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. That's a bit weird considering Hinox are fairly common bosses in the open world. But their Guts can be hard to get when you don't have a solid method. So, let's walk through the best way to get some Hinox Guts in Tears of the Kingdom. Tears of the Kingdom: How to farm Hinox Guts Hinox aren't very hard enemies to fight in Tears of the Kingdom. All you need to do is launch an arrow into their eye to stun them and follow it up with plenty of melee attacks. That means farming them isn't too annoying. Unfortunately, Hinox Guts are a fairly rare drop from these guys. Most of the time you'll find plenty of Hinox Toenails and a Tooth here and there. But depending on the kind of Hinox you fight, Guts may be quite elusive. Screenshot by PC Invasion Red Hinox are the most common type of these enemies, and while they can drop Guts, it's rar...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 22, 2023 8:49 AM
     All Luminflux Pyxis Puzzle Solutions in Honkai Star RailThe Luminflux Pyxis Puzzles are the Loufu's answer to the Minecart tasks on Jarilo VI. A few of these are mandatory as they are story-based. If you want to try a few harder puzzles, there are an optional 12 more to solve. These tasks get complicated quickly, and solutions aren't obvious thanks to the fixed camera angle. If you're struggling, let me show you all the Luminflux Pyxis Puzzle solutions in Honkai Star Rail. The easiest way to explain these solutions is in picture form. In each picture, my character is standing next to the Trigger Node. If you adjust the angle of the other nodes to match mine, you'll finish each Puzzle in no time.   All Luminflux Pyxis Puzzle Solutions in Honkai Star Rail The following solutions match the order you'll find them while playing. These puzzles are time-gated, and you're limited to just three per day. The timer for the next day starts upon completion of the current day's tasks, so...

Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Monday, May 22, 2023 11:00 AM
     ortal Games, the renowned publisher of board games, has announced the introduction of the 17th army for the popular game Neuroshima Hex – the Merchant's Guild. This latest addition to the post-apocalyptic board game is set to revolutionize gameplay by offering a unique twist on token draw. The Merchant's Guild faction introduces an innovative approach …

WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews Monday, May 22, 2023 11:51 AM
     Fans of the 2010 cult-hit Alan Wake have been waiting a long time for a proper sequel. The strong remaster in 2021 helped remind people about the original game, as did Alan Wake themed DLC for Remedy's incredible Control which officially tied the two game universes together. The existence of a true sequel was confirmed at the Game Awards in 2021 with a planned release in 2023.