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May 25, 12:00


Kotaku Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:40 AM
    

Not every game announced at yesterday's PlayStation Showcase will be available to play only on PlayStation consoles, it turns out. Xbox revealed—only a little smugly—on Twitter after the show that 12 of the games PlayStation publicized will also come to Xbox.

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Kotaku Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:05 AM
    

With the wind at their back, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan and head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst recently presented the state of the PlayStation 5 ecosystem to investors and hinted at what's coming in the near future. Among other things, the company promised new IPs, more live-service games, and a

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Kotaku Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:03 AM
    

Rumors of a Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater remake have been swirling for years. Now we know all the fan speculation wasn't for naught. Konami revealed at Sony's PlayStation Showcase that the PS2 classic is getting modernized for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC so players can enjoy it all over again.

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Kotaku Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:52 AM
    

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is apparently a hot mess. The narrative-driven stealth game set in-between J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit and the War of the Ring trilogy has garnered some of the lowest review scores I've ever seen. One website even decided against reviewing it altogether because it was so wonky to play prior…

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Kotaku Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:44 AM
    

The Master Sword is one of the best weapons in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but even it is susceptible to the game's gradual weapon degradation.

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Kotaku Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:00 AM
    

I have awoken from my sliced ham and prosecco-induced holiday slumber and am ready to acknowledge (with only a little bit of a tremor) that we are in a new year. New year, new me? No. Spiral ham and prosecco remind me that it's okay for some things to always remain the same. New year, new set of video game release…

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PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:47 AM
     Best gaming VPN 2023

The best VPN for gaming will help to completely revolutionise your experience in games like Call of Duty: Warzone, FIFA, and League of Legends. They can help to reduce ping, give you access to easier lobbies, improve download speeds, protect you from DDoS attacks, give you access to regional exclusive content, and much more.

While virtual private networks are known to slightly lower download speeds, that's not always the case. Internet service providers often throttle your speeds when you engage in bandwidth-heavy activities such as gaming, but since the best gaming VPN hides what you're doing from prying eyes, ISPs are none the wiser when you're connected to one. They also keep your IP address private, which is an important step towards maintaining your internet anonymity.

Not all VPNs are built equally, however, and free VPN services just don't cut it. Fortunately, you can offset the cost of the subscription by using the VPN to hunt for better deals on games that are cheaper in other regions. You'll get more for your money if you subscribe in bulk, as a year costs less overall than the monthly subscription - and if you're still not convinced, you can try them out no-strings attached, as some of them have a VPN free trial.

Continue reading Best gaming VPN 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:21 AM
     Slayers Unleashed codes May 2023

What are the new Slayers Unleashed codes? Slayers Unleashed takes its inspiration from Demon Slayer, making it the go-to game on the Roblox platform for fans of the series. However, you might not be too happy with your randomly generated slayer. Lucky for you, our Slayers Unleashed codes can help you reroll many of their attributes, from their Demon Art, Slayer Mark, and more. We'll also be regularly updating this page, so you'll never miss an opportunity to grab a freebie or two.

Slayers Unleashed is one of the best Roblox games, so it should come as no surprise that there's a mountain of codes at your disposal. Aside from character customization, we've also included some drop boost codes, as well as stat resets if you'd prefer a clean slate. While you're here, take a look at our Roblox promo codes for some free cosmetics. We've also got the best Roblox music codes across all genres, so you can fire up your radio as you reroll Slayers Unleashed  codes.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:27 AM
     Best Diablo 4 Barbarian build

What is the best Diablo 4 Barbarian build? After a rocky performance in earlier beta tests, the Diablo 4 Barbarian received a slew of balance changes that may leave you feeling unsure how to spec at launch. Thankfully, our best build rises to the occasion, and – in our experience – puts all other builds to shame.

Of course, our hunt to find the best Diablo 4 Barbarian build necessitated a trip into Sanctuary during the Diablo 4 beta, where we got to grips with all the changes to the RPG game's well-loved classes. While the Barbarian's kit has received a bit of a shake-up with the introduction of the arsenal system, it's still the dedicated melee class we know and love. That said, Diablo 4 skill trees are as versatile as they've ever been, and it's easy to spec into a sluggish skill rotation. To avoid that, here's the best Diablo 4 Barbarian build if you're looking to get your hands dirty in potentially one of the best PC games of this year.

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

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:13 AM
     Windows 11 will soon take control of all your RGB PC lighting

If your PC setup includes RGB accessories, peripherals, and parts,  you'll likely know the pain of having to use multiple Windows 11 apps for customisation. Thankfully, Microsoft is here to save us from drowning in that same sea of third-party programs, as built-in controls are headed to the operating system.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:06 AM
     Snag some free Honkai Star Rail rewards with Prime Gaming

Honkai Star Rail rewards are available right now for your June Amazon Prime Gaming subscription on top of the ongoing Honkai Star Rail codes, as it's joined by plenty more in-game rewards and an avalanche of free games for the next month. Free rewards for Honkai Star Rail will also run throughout the rest of this year too, so there's lots on offer.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Honkai Star Rail review, Honkai Star Rail codes, Honkai Star Rail tier list

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:20 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 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 Thursday, May 25, 2023 9:07 AM
     Dead Island 2 smashes records, selling two million copies in one month

Dead Island 2 has become the "biggest launch" in Deep Silver's history, selling more than two million copies during its first month, and setting a huge new record for the combined development studio and publisher. A gory, gutsy, and constantly creative zombie game, Dead Island 2 revives the series after over a decade, dropping you into the blood and sun-soaked 'HELL-A' to wreak undead havoc. Embracer Group, which owns Deep Silver's parent company Plaion, says Dead Island 2 has "far surpassed" expectations.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Dead Island 2 characters guide, Dead Island 2 review, Dead Island 2 map

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 8:59 AM
     AMD Radeon RX 7600 review

This AMD Radeon RX 7600 review comes hot on the heels of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB launch, and the two graphics cards make for some illuminating comparisons. The RX 7600 commits the same cardinal sin as its closest GPU competitor by only packing 8GB of VRAM, but it doesn't cost nearly as much and can offer better performance in some scenarios.

Continue reading AMD Radeon RX 7600 review
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7000 CPUs - everything we know, RDNA 3 GPUs - everything we know, Best gaming CPU

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 8:07 AM
     Genshin Impact tier list May 2023: the best characters in 3.7

Looking for a Genshin Impact tier list? There are currently 68 Genshin Impact characters available, so there's no shortage of candidates for your dream team. But with so many different weapons, elementals, talents, ascension bonuses, and constellation upgrades, finding your favourites can be challenging.

Don't let the placement of the characters on our Genshin Impact tier list deter you from pulling on the next character banner. While base stats and elemental abilities are important, the value of a character also depends on personal playstyle, available weapons and artifacts, and team composition. It doesn't matter if your favourite Genshin Impact character is on one of the lower tiers; you can still make it work with our recommended Genshin Impact builds. Being on a lower tier in the free PC game means that there are better alternatives, or the character needs a very specific build or team to shine. We've spent hundreds of hours trying different variations of teams in Spiral Abyss to establish who the best characters are in Genshin Impact.

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

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 7:31 AM
     Counter-Strike 2 release date window, skins, trailers, leaks

When is the Counter-Strike 2 release date? After weeks of countless rumours, Valve has finally confirmed Counter-Strike 2 is real and is coming a lot sooner than you might expect.

We've gathered up every scrap of information about Counter-Strike 2 on the internet, from the latest on the CS2 release date, Valve's official trailers and announcements to patent filings and even datamines of the limited test build itself. In this guide we'll lay it all out for you in a clearly categorised way so you too will know everything there is to know right now about the sequel to one of the best PC games of all time. Here's everything we know about the Counter-Strike 2 release date, leaks, skins, news, and more.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Counter-Strike 2 release date, Counter-Strike 2 beta access, Counter-Strike 2 maps

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 7:28 AM
     Assassin's Creed Mirage brings back a feature we've missed for years

The new Assassin's Creed Mirage trailer, unveiled at the PlayStation Showcase, offers a bunch of details on Ubisoft's latest, as AC Valhalla's best supporting character Basim heads to Baghdad for the latest chapter of the stalwart stealth game. We've had a blast with Assassin's Creed Origins, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and AC Valhalla, but they were missing one cool, subtle feature that hopefully Mirage is bringing back - based on details of the Assassin's Creed Mirage Deluxe Edition, it'll be the first time we've had this useful customization option since Assassin's Creed Syndicate. The Assassin's Creed Mirage release date can't come soon enough.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Best stealth games, Best sandbox games

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:46 AM
     Alan Wake 2 will be cheap on PC, but there's a catch

25/05/2023 THQ Nordic has offered to do the physical PC release of Alan Wake 2 on Twitter, in a statement saying: "I mean... we did the disc version of Alan Wake for PC back in the day ICYMI ;) And just because ONE person (or company) does not love physical, there is plenty who still do. Give it some thought. We'd love to go at it again! Full circle and all."

Alan Wake 2 is set to be cheap on PC, where it'll be on the Epic Games Store, but the better deal for the Remedy horror game comes with a pretty significant catch - if you're super excited for Alan Wake 2, you'll want to hear this.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best story games, Best upcoming games

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:51 AM
     All Diablo 4 fast travel points

Looking for all the Diablo 4 fast travel points? Walking is your only option when starting out in Diablo 4, you're exposed to Sanctuary and all its horrors from the off, and while this is a great way of earning XP and discovering the hidden gems of the land, it can wear thin after a while. Thankfully, there is another way.

The fast travel points of Diablo 4 are a way to instantly teleport each of the Diablo 4 classes from one point to another. They can be found in towns and occasionally in the wild, so if you're like us, it's worth taking some time out and activating as many of these waypoints as possible to make darting around the Diablo 4 map much easier. While you wait for the Diablo 4 release date to roll around, why not plan your route ahead of time using the fast travel points we've found?

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

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 7:16 AM
     How AI is helping PC gamers win more

We're willing to bet that word of the year for 2023 won't be a word, it will be an acronym: AI. It's absolutely everywhere right now, generating art, producing music videos, and even putting together shockingly convincing pizza commercials. But in the world of game development, AI has always been a key part of the process.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How much have I spent on League of Legends?, League of Legends patch 13.10, League of Legends tier list

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 7:57 AM
     Diablo 4 map – all regions

Looking for every region on the Diablo 4 map? Even the small corner of Sanctuary we got to play in during the beta was vast and held a dizzying array of icons. Knowing your way around Sanctuary, and the regions located within is vital if you want to succeed in your mission against the Daughter of Hatred.

Wandering around Sanctuary in Diablo 4 is an assault on the senses; you'll go from the snowy landscape of the Fractured Peaks to the arid Dry Steppes in a few minutes, with and ever-increasing threat looming around ever corner. The Diablo 4 release date is right around to corner, so get up to speed with every region in on the Diablo 4 map while you can.

Continue reading Diablo 4 map – all regions
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 release date, Diablo 4 system requirements, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 6:39 AM
     Diablo 4 transmog system explained

Want to know how the Diablo 4 transmog system works? Diablo 4 looks set to be rich with unique features when it finally reaches its release date in June. One of the features of Diablo 4 is transmog, also known as transmogrification, meaning players can alter their appearance using different sets of equipment. An abundance of clothing and gear is open to customisation, ensuring players appear as the deadliest of warriors.

The transmog feature helps players achieve such splendor without losing any hard-earned stats. Before we get into it, it's worth noting that all of the information in this guide has been taken from Diablo 4's beta weekends. We will update our guide following the RPG game's full launch if things change. For now, let's get into it. Here's everything we know so far about the Diablo 4 transmog system including how to unlock it, how to change up your gear and clothing, and most importantly, how to use it.

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

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 9:40 AM
     Diablo 4 Rogue build

If you're after the best Diablo 4 Rogue build, you're in the right place. The Rogue class in Diablo 4 is one that excels in both melee and ranged combat, with an emphasis on agility. The Rogue can output a lot of physical damage while staying nimble enough in a battle so as to not take damage - perfect for taking on Lilith's hordes.

We've perfected a Diablo 4 Rogue build that focuses on Cold Imbuement; utilising the Rogue's core skills in tandem with the freezing power of Cold means that whatever doesn't die immediately will be frozen in place. Check out this build ahead of the Diablo 4 Server Slam start time, and prepare yourself for what could be one of the best PC games released this year.

Continue reading Diablo 4 Rogue build

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 6:24 AM
     Grab this super cheap Logitech PC controller before MGS returns

Some games are begging to be played with a controller on PC, and Metal Gear Solid is certainly one of them. Whether you're planning on picking up the new Snake Eater Remake on Steam or Konami's refreshed MGS Master Collection, you'll probably get on better using a gamepad rather than a mouse and keyboard. Luckily, this Logitech PS1-style controller is super cheap right now, and it should feel like a familiar friend to long-term fans of the stealth franchise.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Logitech G Pro Wireless review, Logitech G PowerPlay review, Logitech G502 Lightspeed review

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 8:30 AM
     Marathon will stand on the shoulders of Halo and Destiny, Bungie says

Marathon is back, as Bungie revives its '90s FPS game as an extraction shooter to rival the likes of Escape From Tarkov. For the curious among us, Bungie has outlined how this new version of Marathon aims to stand on its own, but also come from what the studio has made before with both the Halo and Destiny games.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games , Best multiplayer games, All Destiny 2 news

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 5:59 AM
     Nightmarish Diablo 4 chocolate shop is Willy Wonka in hell

If you, like me, are looking to declare your love for Diablo 4 antagonist Lilith ahead of the RPG game's launch in June, then boy, do I have news for you. For a single weekend, Blizzard is opening Lilith & Co's Goremet chocolate emporium in the heart of London, UK, where you'll be able to pay some sweet, sweet tribute to Diablo 4's Blessed Mother herself.

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

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 5:54 AM
     Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake trailer has a cryptic, meaningful easter egg

Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake is real and it's headed to PC. But as Konami reveals the whole-new version of the seminal Hideo Kojima stealth game, formally titled Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater, we're left pondering precisely why there's a picture of the triangular, delta symbol in the name. Do we call it Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater Delta? Is this all part of some cryptic, ARG thing, that eventually plays out in the full game itself? It's a neat little easter egg, with a nice cryptic meaning. Konami outlines the MGS3 delta mystery.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best stealth games, Best survival games, Best old games

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 5:49 AM
     WoW Diablo 4 event brings back some fan favorite rewards

World of Warcraft and Diablo 4 collide in the new Greedy Emissary event, a limited-time hellfire-themed party that celebrates the Diablo 4 release date. With plenty of rewards on offer for avid MMORPG enthusiasts - including an adorable pet to a very, very cool transmog, here's what World of Warcraft Dragonflight's latest event has in store for us.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: WoW Dragonflight tier list, The best WoW addons, WoW Dragonflight review

PCGamesN Thursday, May 25, 2023 4:06 AM
     The Lord of the Rings Gollum review – far from precious

I have always been a massive fan of J. R. R. Tolkien's creations. From experiencing The Hobbit as a young child with my father to writing up my university dissertation on women in Middle-earth, his writing has had a profound impact on me. Unfortunately, my quest to review The Lord of the Rings: Gollum has proved to be an unexpectedly perilous journey.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best fantasy games, Lord of the Rings Gollum review, Best RPG games

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:44 AM
    

Amazon Prime subscribers can claim 13 free games during the month of June. Well, at no extra cost to their Prime subscription, anyway. That's on top of the recently announced extras that are available for the next few weeks, including Turnip Boy and Calico. But next month's lineup of freebies - which includes the ever-lovely SteamWorld Dig 2, Neverwinter Nights and Autonauts - starts on June 1st, with more free games being made available every single week after that, so be sure to check back every Thursday.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:01 AM
    

This week, inspired by Doom running on teletext, the Electronic Wireless Show podcast investigates: what other devices, mechanisms, or live animals can join the immortal shooter's vast empire of unlikely ports? Despite not even being on the show this week, Alice Bee tasks us with finding the best, worst, or weirdest cases of Can It Run Doom from across the internet. And, sometimes, inside Nate's mind.

We also discuss what we've been playing this week, with a double bill of disappointment in The Lord of the Rings: Gollum and Darkest Dungeon 2, before Nate transforms the Tower of Jocularity into a marketplace of Dark Bargains. Capitalised for terrible, terrible emphasis.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:31 AM
    

If Dead Cells is a 2D roguelike with a focus on melee combat, Ultros looks similar, except it's ingested a wad of magic mushrooms and runs a vape store on the side. Revealed at last night's PlayStation Showcase, Ultros not only looks gorgeous and action-packed, it has a peaceful side where you nurture lots of lovely plants. For now, I'm sold.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 9:40 AM
    

I'm a sucker for any game with a gorgeous art style, so guess which announcement caught my eye at last night's PlayStation Showcase. Neva is a new puzzle platformer from the creators of Gris that tells the story of a red-capped swordswoman named Alba and her faithful wolf pup as they "embark on a perilous journey through a once beautiful world as it slowly decays around them." That's not much to go on, but feast your eyes on the stunning animated trailer below. It's a looker.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 9:13 AM
    

My happiness comes at a small price: give me a paraglider that I can whip out at any second and a strangely beautiful open world, and there you go, I'm a happy bunny. It's the Zelda formula. Or the Tchia formula. Or the Just Cause formula. Either way, it's good fun. That's why Towers Of Aghasba caught my eye when it debuted a stunning trailer at last night's PlayStation Showcase, offering a glimpse at an alien open world and some settlement-building.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 8:14 AM
    

If you loved Journey's shimmering deserts and fluid sand-surfing, then let me draw your attention to the newly announced Sword Of The Sea. Revealed during Sony's PlayStation Showcase, Sword Of The Sea comes from Giant Squid Studio, the folks behind 2016's Abzû and 2020's The Pathless, and sees you play as The Wraith, a lone explorer on a quest to restore submerged cities that have been buried beneath a sea of golden dunes. You're able to slickly travel across the sandy terrain thanks to a rad-as-heck hoversword, a traversal tool that's described on the PlayStation blog as a "snowboard, skateboard, and hoverboard all in one." You can witness some major sand-shredding and see what else Sword Of The Sea has in store by watching the lavish announcement trailer below.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 7:15 AM
    

I see a game that looks anything remotely Soulslikey and I perk up, it's like a fight or flight response only I'm not fighting or flying, I'm just staring at a video game trailer in some sweatpants with my fingers curled into a Cadbury's Milk Tray. Hence why Phantom Blade Zero has perked me up to no end, as it's an action RPG announced at last night's PlayStation Showcase which marries Chinese martial arts with a steampunk aesthetic. I'm on board, if cautious! The action seems rad, but it's so fast, it's hard to tell how it actually plays.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 7:05 AM
    

Along with confirming a shiny remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 at last night's PlayStation Showcase, Konami announced a collection of ye olde Metal Gears Solid 1-3. These sound like straightforward rereleases of the classic stealth games and I'm cool with that because I am deeply wary of Konami touching Metal Gear at all. I just want Snake Eater on PC at long last. Konami are vague about platforms, but I'm expecting/hoping we'll see this collection on PC? And more vintage Gears Solid might follow.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 6:49 AM
    

Philosophical pondering and first-person puzzling returns this year with The Talos Principle 2. The sequel was discreetly announced many moons ago, but developers Croteam and publisher Devolver Digital debuted its first trailer at last night's PlayStation Showcase. Come take a look below and maybe contemplate robo-sentience while you're at it.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 5:43 AM
    

Ubisoft's Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time remake seems to be rewinding the clock on production since the game is still in the "conception" stage of development. The remake was originally supposed to come out four months after its reveal in 2021, tripped into 2022, and was then delayed indefinitely after switching developers. Essentially, this sounds like a Benjamin Button situation.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, May 25, 2023 4:45 AM
    

I didn't get as deep into The Lord of the Rings: Gollum as our reviewist Rachel, but I do share her view that it is not A Good Game. In fact, I've had about as much fun with it as I would on a spa day in the Barad-dûr sulfur pits. Between the soulless platforming, undercooked stealth, tedious storytelling, and framerate stuttering so bad it's got me killed twice, Gollum is perilously short on likeable qualities. Especially if you're not into LOTR lore, or fine hattery.

In my unclad head, then, Gollum's highlight so far has been DLSS 3. It's one of just a few dozen games to support the newest, most artificially intelligent version of Nvidia's deep learning-powered upscaler, and frankly makes a very compelling argument for switching it on. Graphics card allowing, obviously.

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Twinfinite Thursday, May 25, 2023 9:56 AM
     Reach for the sky!

Twinfinite Thursday, May 25, 2023 5:56 AM
     Great expectations.

Siliconera Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:30 AM
    

Metal Gear Solid Board Game

The board game adaptation of Metal Gear Solid is now available to preorder. Containing 24 miniatures, Metal Gear Solid The Board Game - Integral Edition allows players to relive the events of the game through either 6 independent missions or a 14 mission campaign. Pre-orders include a miniature of Metal Gear Rex and a 109 page graphic novel. The game is expected to ship in May 2024. It will cost $100 plus shipping and VAT.

Snake, Meryl and Otacon are playable, with Gray Fox able to be used as a player character or a boss. 12 soldiers patrol the board, led by 6 boss characters including Liquid Snake and Psycho Mantis. Also included are a disguised Meryl mini and two cardboard box disguises. The game was designed by Emerson Matsuuchi and illustrated by Marco Chechetto, with miniature sculpts from BigChild Creative and Kenneth Loh illustrating the graphic novel.

You can watch the trailer for the game below:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCUrUtIEqy0[/embed]

We've seen a lot of Metal Gear news this week. A remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and new set of ports for the older games in the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection both were announced at Sony's Playstation Showcase on May 24, 2023.

Metal Gear Solid The Board Game- Integral Edition is immediately available to pre-order . The game will cost $100 plus shipping and VAT and is expected to ship in May 2024.

The post Metal Gear Solid Board Game Available to Preorder appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:00 AM
    

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Patch Fixes Private Tournaments

There's a new Pokemon Scarlet and Violet patch, and this one is designed to fix private tournaments. Apparently, the official ones weren't working as they should. Updating to 1.3.1 fixes the issue.

The official Nintendo support page doesn't offer more detailed patch notes yet. At the moment, the only "patch notes" for the 1.3.1 update for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet addressing private tournaments are in the official tweet.

The announcement doesn't mention anything about Pokemon HOME support for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Initially, an announcement said it would be available this week. However, shortly after they walked back the initial release date for compatibility.

It also doesn't bring up a fix for another major Pokemon Scarlet and Violet issue. Right when the Chesnaught, Great Tusk, and Iron Treads Tera Raids were about to begin, a major flaw appeared. People who participated wouldn't get a reward tied to them, and the game would crash as a result. That issue is also supposed to be repaired sometime in the near future.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available for the Nintendo Switch, and patch 1.3.1 is live now.

The post Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Patch Fixes Private Tournaments appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:30 AM
    

Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Will Feature the Same Voice Actors

Following the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase reveal of Metal Gear Solid Delta, the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake, Konami announced the voice actors will be back for the game. However, the announcement only noted "the remake will star the original voice characters." It didn't specify if this means remastered past recordings or new recordings from the original cast.

As a reminder, here are some of the more notable voice actors from Metal Gear Solid 3 ahead of the remake. As Keiji Fujiwara, the original Japanese voice actor for Sigint, died, it would mean some recasting would be in order if the remake will involve new performances.

  • The Boss: Lori Alan and Kikuko Inoue
  • The End: J. Grant Albrecht and Osamu Saka
  • The Fear: Michael Bell and Kazumi Tanaka
  • The Fury: Richard Doyle and Masato Hirano
  • Naked Snake: David Hayter and Akio Otsuka
  • Ocelot: Josh Keaton and Takumi Yamazaki
  • The Pain: Gregg Berger and Hisao Egawa
  • Para-Medic: Heather Halley and Houko Kuwashima
  • Sigint: James Mathis III and Keiji Fujiwara
  • The Sorrow: David Thomas and Yukitoshi Hori
  • Zero: Jim Piddock and Banjo Gunga

David Hayter, the voice of Naked Snake, didn't comment on possibly returning as a voice actor for Metal Gear Solid Delta, the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake. However, he did turn to Twitter to confirm he'll appear in another PlayStation Showcase 2023 title. People will hear him in Synapse on the PSVR 2.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is in development for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam.

The post Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Will Feature the Same Voice Actors appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:00 AM
    

honkai star rail luka

HoYoVerse teased the playable version of Luka, who is a member of Wildfire in Honkai: Star Rail. This is the first upcoming character who has not made an actual appearance in the existing story yet. He will be a four-star unit. He will also be a Fire Nihility character.

It's highly likely that he, along with Kafka and Blade, will appear on a Version 1.2 banner. HoYoVerse usually teases playable characters a version in advance, and we already know the characters who will be in Version 1.1. For reference, new characters in the next major update will be Silver Wolf, Yukong, and Luocha.

Luka is the star of the Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat Light Cone, which is for Nihility characters. The description of the Light Cone didn't offer much information on him as a character. However, HoYoVerse's teaser Tweet reveals that Luka is part of Wildfire, and has a mechanical arm. He is very optimistic and carefree, and wants to protect the people of the Underworld. He seems to have a dark past as well. It's unknown where Luka was during the events of the Jarilo-VI storyline if he's a member of Wildfire.

Honkai: Star Rail is readily available on mobile devices and Windows PC. It is also in development for the PS4 and PS5. Luka will appear as a playable character in Version 1.2 of Honkai: Star Rail.

The post Luka Is a Member of Wildfire in Honkai: Star Rail appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, May 25, 2023 9:00 AM
    

What Is the Disgaea 7 Release Date?

NIS America announced the worldwide Disgaea 7 release date for every region. We already knew it would appear this year. Now the date's pinned down. People in North America will get it first, as it will appear in places like the US and Canada on October 3, 2023. A few days later, it will appear in Europe on October 6, 2023. Finally, it will show up in places like Australia and New Zealand on October 13, 2023. To go along with the release date, there's also a new story trailer explaining what's going on in this installment.

In Disgaea 7, the Netherworld we're visiting is Hinomoto. It's actually a collection of multiple Netherworlds Demmodore Opener got ride of the bushido code, replacing it with a Code of Destruction. Fuji is a broke samurai who ends up agreeing to a contract with the visitor Pirilika, who adores bushido and Hinomoto culture. As a result, the two end up working together.

Here's the full Disgaea 7 story and release date trailer.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCWjdX2GRwM[/embed]

The Disgaea 7 release date is October 3, 2023 in North America, October 6, 2023 in Europe, and October 13, 2023 in Australia. We will be able to play the game on the PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC.

The post Disgaea 7 Release Date Falls Just Ahead of Halloween appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, May 25, 2023 9:00 AM
    

Interview: How Disgaea 6 Feedback Influenced Disgaea 7

In October 2023, we're going to head into a whole new Netherworld, meet a new Overlord, and deal with all sorts of tactical challenges again in Disgaea 7. It looks to be a much bigger game, in terms of options, than its predecessor. Siliconera got an opportunity to talk to Director Shunsuke Minowa about what we can expect from the latest entry and how past games like Disgaea 6 and fan feedback influenced what we'll see in Disgaea 7.

Jenni Lada: When did development on Disgaea 7 begin?

Shunsuke Minowa: Development for Disgaea 7 began around June of 2021. We were taking into account the mixed reception to Disgaea 6, as well as player feedback from Disgaea 6, and decided that we wanted to quickly get a game into players' hands that they would enjoy. Additionally, the series' 20th anniversary felt like an appropriate time for Disgaea 7 to come out.

In the past, you worked on Disagea 4 and Disgaea 5. How did those experiences assist with the shaping of Disgaea 7

Minowa: I believe that Disgaea 5 had the highest level of refinement system-wise of all previous Disgaea [games]. In the pursuit of the deep level of customization and granularity as well as the "anything goes" approach to combat that make the series so much fun, I realized some things: deep customization and granularity should not exist just for their own sake, but rather be presented as a playground for players to find their own way of playing effectively. In order to achieve that, we made auto-battle have an associated cost, as well as improved Demonic Intelligence to make it more efficient.

Regarding the "anything goes" combat, in Disgaea 5, in terms of representative elements, you could lift and throw characters, had area-of-effect skills and Overlord Skills. But in terms of just beating the game, if you leveled these skills to a high degree, the balance would be completely broken. In other words, while still finding the perfect balance, it's important to allow those players to train their characters to an absurd degree throughout the course of the game, rather than just at the beginning to avoid the game becoming less interesting.

[caption id="attachment_964618" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Interview: How Disgaea 6 Feedback Influenced Disgaea 7 Image via NIS America[/caption]

What did Nippon Ichi Software, Inc do to ensure Disgaea 7 is well-balanced and approachable for newcomers, but still challenging for returning players?

Minowa: In my understanding, each feature that allows the player to deeply customize their own experience is there to give players the tools to be as creative as they would like. Disgaea 6's auto-battle system, which could be used indiscriminately, took this creativity away from the player by removing a core aspect of the series and depriving players of the joy of raising their characters.

As previously mentioned, in Disgaea 7, the auto-battle feature now has a cost associated with it and cannot be used indiscriminately. Players will have to balance its cost with its usage, requiring them to think carefully. Additionally, we made it so that the player had to manually choose to skip playing in battles so that the player's experience wouldn't be lessened by just having the game automatically proceed.

We've also improved the scope of the tutorial and its availability so that new players won't get lost, and added quests that gradually introduce various gameplay systems so that players are led to a natural understanding of the game's various elements.

Disgaea has always featured large numbers – whether that be in levels or damage – why do you think this ended up being a hallmark feature for the series? How does Disgaea 7 handle big level and damage numbers?

Minowa: The series features large numbers so that players can have a concrete feeling of the work they're putting into raising their characters. I think one of the most important elements of RPGs overall is seeing your characters grow in power. High levels and damage output are a clear visual way of representing this.

Aside from leveling, players can also make use of [Character] Reincarnation, the Item World, Item Reincarnation and other systems to strengthen their characters so that they can constantly have a feeling of their progress [throughout the game].

[caption id="attachment_964619" align="alignnone" width="1200"]NIS America Image via NIS America[/caption]

Disgaea 6 greatly scaled back the number of available classes, with ones like Cleric, Flora Beast, Great Wyrm, Magician, Nekomata, Slumber Cat, and Valkyrie all absent. Will Disgaea 7 include a smaller roster of possible humanoid characters and monsters or will it be more like past entries and offer a larger array? Will we see certain missing classes return?

Minowa: For Disgaea 7, there are more than double the number of classes that were available in Disgaea 6, for a total of 45.

The decreased number of classes in Disgaea 6 was something often brought up by players and something we put at forefront when developing this game. We have both male and female versions of certain classes, and made sure to bring back fan-favorite classes. We also have new classes: Maiko, Bandit, Zombie Maiden, and Big Eye. Each has their own special characteristics, so please enjoy using each of them!

In Disgaea 6, gameplay elements like Magichange, monster weapons, tower skills, and weapon skills were removed and missed by fans of the series; how did Disgaea 7 change in response to that?

Minowa: The lack of weapon skills in Disgaea 6 was a feature that we vowed to bring back once development on Disgaea 7 started. Related to this, we introduced a new feature called Item Reincarnation, which allows you to carry over weapon skills from one weapon type to another.

Due to the introduction of another new feature, Hell Mode, we were not able to reinstate Magichange. This was because changing out weapons and then increasing their skill created an overlapping turn limit with Hell Mode. However, there is a good chance we will bring back Magichange in a future installment.

In terms of tower skills, we feel that being able to move and attack when in a tower are its only uses. When conducting research in the past, there didn't seem to be a big desire for this feature from players. However, depending on future player feedback, this is something that we could also bring back in the future.

[caption id="attachment_964620" align="alignnone" width="1200"]NIS America Image via NIS America[/caption]

What kind of quality testing measures are being done to ensure parity on every platform and avoid things like frame rate issues and crashes?

Minowa: We knew there were performance issues in Disgaea 6, so when developing Disgaea 7, we made sure to consistently check this. Every time we found issues, we made sure to address them so that there are no performance issues during normal gameplay. In terms of crashing, even after master submission, we continued debug and patched lingering issues so that by the time the game comes out in the West, all high frequency crash bugs should be addressed and eliminated.

Which past entry do you think most influenced Disgaea 7's story and characters? What about its gameplay?

Minowa: With this game, our motto was "back to basics" and we aimed to make a game that retained all the elements that make Disgaea what it is. In terms of the story, I think the influence of Disgaea 1 is strong. In terms of gameplay and systems, I think Disgaea 5 had the strongest influence.

Graham Russell: The Disgaea series is built around near-infinite play time, so sequels have needed to be different and not just more. Given recent entries' mixed-at-best reception to its new mechanical gimmicks, how is Disgaea 7 implementing new ideas that more effectively both change and integrate with gameplay?

Minowa: At the very start of this project, we went carefully over all fan feedback and came to the conclusion that we must address the following things:

  • Increase the amount of character classes.
  • Revive weapon skills.
  • Remove or improve auto-battle.

We believe that these directly impact the most important elements of Disgaea, such as the volume of customization options and elements that allow the game to be delved into deeply. They were also what caused fans to be dissatisfied with Disgaea 6 and thus needed to be addressed.

For the character classes, we increased the number of classes to make it more in line with other titles in the series, and further enhanced that by allowing players to choose between male or female versions for all the lower tier classes.

For weapon skills, we decided that giving players the latitude to allow for sword or magic-users to be able to use weapon skills was a necessity. As an additional element, we also created Item Reincarnation whereby the player can keep certain skills, allowing them greater flexibility in how they train their characters.

I already covered auto-battle in a previous question, but to summarize, we added a cost in order to use it, and made it so that players must manually choose to skip playing in battles. This makes using the feature a more conscious choice from the player.

Item Reincarnation is a completely new element that allows players to, after leveling up an item in the Item World, reincarnate it as they would characters, allowing them to create more powerful items. Players did express that they wanted the Chara World to be revived. However, we decided to give players the option to focus on strengthening items rather than weapons. This is due to the Ranked Battles feature; we thought that as the Ranked Battle seasons and special rules changed, the player would have to go through the trouble of training new characters. We thought that allowing items to be strengthened would have broader applicability. That said, if enough players express interest in reviving the Chara World, it is definitely something we will consider in the future.

Disgaea 7 will come to the PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC on October 3, 2023 in North America, October 6, 2023 in Europe, and October 13, 2023 in Australia.

The post Interview: How Disgaea 6 Feedback Influenced Disgaea 7 appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:24 AM
     Tears Of The Kingdom Frox Fangs GuideFrox are boss-type enemies that roam large portions of the Depths in Tears of the Kingdom. They're a fairly common enemy, but their materials can make powerful weapons. So farming things like the Frox Fang is a very good idea. Luckily, Frox Fangs are also a very easy material to acquire. So, let's quickly run through the best ways to get Frox Fangs in Tears of the Kingdom. Tears of the Kingdom: How to get Frox Fangs Frox Fangs are one of the common drops that these enemies can provide. And unlike getting fangs from something like the Light Dragon, farming Frox is nowhere near as annoying. You just need to kill a Frox in order to get it to drop the Fang. Of course, this is easier said than done if you're still fairly early in the game. So be sure to check out our guide on how to beat Frox to get prepared for the fight. Frox can deal a surprising amount of damage, so ensure you're ready to take them on. Screenshot by PC Invasion Once you're r...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:46 AM
     Tears Of The Kingdom Boulder Breaker GuideThe Boulder Breaker is essentially a beefed-up version of the Goron's Cobble Crusher. It deals more damage and looks a lot cooler than its cheaper counterpart. Breath of the Wild fans may also remember that this was the weapon of Daruk, the Goron Champion. And while there's a short quest involved before you get to use it, it's worth doing. It also doesn't take too long, so let's go through all the steps to getting the Boulder Breaker in Tears of the Kingdom. Tears of the Kingdom: How to get the Boulder Breaker Before you can get the Boulder Breaker yourself, you need to talk to Rohan and Fugo on Goron City. They're located just in front of a building surrounded by water at the back of the village. Check the map below for the exact location. Screenshot by PC Invasion Once you've spoken to the Rohan and Fugo you'll get a quest called "Soul of the Gorons" afterward. Fugo needs a Cobble Crusher, three diamonds, and five pi...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:42 AM
     Destiny 2 Arbor WardenDestiny 2 Season of the Deep introduced the new Exotic Titan Chest called Arbor Warden. If you don't know what this Exotic is or how to get it, you've come to the right place. Here, I'll describe what Arbor Warden does and how to get Arbor Warden in Destiny 2. Let's get into it. Note: If you want to know what the new Exotic Hunter Arms are and how to get them, check out my guide on Triton Vice. What is Arbor Warden in Destiny 2? Arbor Warden is the newest Exotic Titan Chest introduced in Destiny 2 Season of the Deep and it has a unique Exotic Perk called Barri-nade. What Barri-nade does is after you use your class ability, your grenade will create a barricade on impact. In my opinion, Arbor Warden sounds like a fun Exotic to use but it might not be the best choice. While you could very easily surprise enemies with grenade barriers in PvP by blocking alleyways and pushing up to them with added cover, there are other Exotics that provide a bette...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:27 AM
     Destiny 2 Triton ViceTriton Vice is the new Exotic Hunter Arms introduced in Destiny 2 Season of the Deep. First, we'll discuss what this new Exotic does and then we'll tell you how to get it. Without further adieu, here is how to get Triton Vice in Destiny 2. Note: If you want to learn how to get all the new Strand Aspects, check out the guide I wrote on attack of the Fanboy. What is Triton Vice in Destiny 2? Triton Vice in Destiny 2 has the Halberdier's Reach Exotic perk. Halberdier's Reach increases Glaive reload speed and melee damage when surrounded. Glaive melee final blows overflow one round into the magazine from reserves. Finally, Glaive projectiles that match your subclass deal explosive final blows. Since Glaives are not even close to being the best weapons in the game, I think Triton Vice is an okay Exotic. It sounds like it's a lot of fun to use and it could make for a very viable Glaive build, but it's definitely not the best Exotic for PvP...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, May 25, 2023 10:05 AM
     Destiny 2 Cenotaph MaskCenotaph Mask is the new Exotic Warlock Helmet introduced in Destiny 2 Season of the Deep. This Helmet is exclusive to Warlocks and only acquired through a particular method. Here is how to get Cenotaph Mask in Destiny 2. Note: If you want to know what each new Season of the Deep Exotic is, check out the guide I wrote at Attack of the Fanboy. What is the Cenotaph Mask in Destiny 2? Before you learn how to get the new Destiny 2 Season of the Deep Exotic Warlock Helmet, you first need to know what the Cenotaph Mask does. Cenotaph Mask has an Exotic perk called High Priority. This perk provides a steady auto-reload to equipped Trace Rifles' magazines from reserves. When you damage a vehicle, boss, or Champion with a Trace Rifle, you mark them as a target. When an ally assists in defeating the marked target, you generate Special Ammo and your ally generates Heavy Ammo. In my opinion, Cenotaph Mask is a decent Exotic that could be good in both PvE a...

WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews Thursday, May 25, 2023 8:19 AM
     Microsoft has helpfully highlight how many games shown at the Playstation Showcase will be coming to Xbox