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Aug 18, 16:00


Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 3:03 PM
    

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre asymmetrical survival horror game is cleverly mapped out and atmospheric, but it isn't scary. That's too bad, because down to the birdsongs lilting in the game's terracotta vision of Texas (as developer Gun CEO Wes Keltner told me earlier this summer), Texas is a faithful interpretation of…

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 2:45 PM
    

After 18 years, David Vonderhaar, the studio design director at Treyarch, announced he's leaving Activision after shipping eight Call of Duty games since 2004.

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 2:20 PM
    

While Super Mario and Pokémon have gotten movie adaptations, The Legend of Zelda series has yet to hit the big screen, despite being one of Nintendo's most-celebrated franchises. But even with rumors circulating that Link and Zelda may soon show up in a theater near you (though it doesn't sound like it's in active…

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 1:00 PM
    

If you ever play me in Pong, you will win. Atari's simple 1972 game is like Dark Souls-level hard to me; I've no idea how anyone can react that fast. But, finally, there might be a version of the game with a screen wide enough that I'd have time to respond. It's currently located in the UK in a pretty neat and unique…

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 12:58 PM
    

On Friday, Sega revealed the second trailer for its latest upcoming Yakuza game, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, which sees longtime series protag Kazuma Kiryu take on the role of a gangster super spy with Spider-Man gadgets and explosive cigarettes at his disposal.

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 12:50 PM
    

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 12:45 PM
    

Baldur's Gate 3 can put up quite the challenge in terms of combat. And given that the RPG's narrative is fixed across a finite set of outcomes and the fights running strictly by the numbers of D&D, the game presents a solid opportunity for those who enjoy a bit of minmaxing. One such player has devised a Monk build…

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 12:40 PM
    

If you had told me back when the Switch came out that Nintendo would release a major Mario motion picture five years later starring Christopher Pratt, I might have believed you, but I wouldn't have ever guessed it would go on to be one of the biggest box office hits of 2023. I also would never have guessed that it…

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 12:35 PM
    

Elon Musk, the man who once showed his ass to the entire internet with his terrible Elden Ring build, has the FromSoftware blockbuster on his mind once again. But this time, instead of boasting about his playstyle, it appears that the billionaire manchild is turning to Hidetaka Miyazaki's world for design inspiration.

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 11:40 AM
    

Guilty Gear Strive, Arc System Works' popular 2D anime fighter, is still dealing with some hacking issues that are so bad, a recent tournament had to get canceled and its prize pool refunded.

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 11:20 AM
    

Roblox has long been accused of not doing enough to make sure its massively popular gaming platform is free of toxicity and exploitation. Now parents are joining together in a class-action lawsuit to take the $17 billion company to court over allegations that it gets children into online gambling and profits off of it.

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 10:43 AM
    

Update: 8/18/2023 10:30 a.m. ET: Larian Studios has reissued hotfix 4 as of August 17. In an update detailing the second release of the patch, the developer stated that the problem was due to "compiler corruption, which caused certain exceptions that normally wouldn't cause crashes to—you guessed it—cause crashes."

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 10:27 AM
    

Once again, another week comes to an end and, for many of us at least, there's time to get some gaming in. This week we've got a game that will maybe make you question your sense of reality (or sanity), another multiplayer title headed for imminent server shutdown, the return of a classic multiplayer, some classic…

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 10:12 AM
    

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide was one of my most anticipated games of 2022. I couldn't wait to play Fatshark's first-person shooter evolution of the rat-infested melee frenzy that was Vermintide 2. Unfortunately, it had its fair share of issues at launch, from performance frustrations on PC to a lackluster progression…

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Kotaku Friday, August 18, 2023 9:15 AM
    

My Tamagotchi's CR2032 batteries recently gave out, killing my virtual pet for good. I've been too busy to feel sad about it, but I managed to set aside some time today to finally deliver his eulogy.

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PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 3:04 PM
     Slime Rancher is coming to the big screen, and I can't wait

Slime Rancher is an all-time favorite sandbox game of mine, thanks to its absolutely adorable premise and cozy gameplay. If you also love the wholesome experience provided by Monomi Park's duo of games, then you'll probably be just as excited as I am to learn that an official Slime Rancher movie has just been confirmed to be underway. That's right, the indie developer is teaming up with Story Kitchen for a film adaptation of the hit games.


PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 2:48 PM
     Overwatch 2 lead

Overwatch 2 is one of the most popular multiplayer games around, offering players a variety of heroes to choose from alongside some thrilling gameplay. Blizzard's iconic game recently launched on Steam, resulting in a review bomb of overwhelmingly negative ratings. Despite this, the developer has been hard at work on the release of Overwatch 2's latest season, Invasion. The game director just posted an update detailing the hero shooter's future, its new content, and its poor Steam reviews.

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

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 2:16 PM
     The Texas Chain Saw Massacre tier list – best killers and survivors

Who are the best Texas Chain Saw Massacre family members and victims? Obviously we don't condone becoming a terrifying killer, but behind the safety of a screen and a terrifying multiplayer horror game, by all means go for it. Our Texas Chain Saw Massacre tier list will help you to do just that, as three family members team up to hunt down the opposing team of four teenage victims.

Each killer and survivor in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has their own unique ability, as well as a range of changeable perks that are shared across the killer or victim category in the multiplayer game. It's those abilities that set the characters apart from one another, so here's our TCM tier list for the best family members and victims to choose from. If you need more advice, we've got some TCM tips we wish we knew when we first got started - and you might want to know how to select your chosen Texas Chain Saw Massacre character in the lobby screen.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre review, Best survival games

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 2:53 PM
     The Texas Chain Saw Massacre character selection explained

Can you choose your character in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre? The multiplayer game, based on the 1974 movie of the same name, brings seven players together in one iconic location: three killers versus four victims. In a unique twist to the genre, you can't have multiple of the same character in a match, so can you choose who to play as?

As we highlight in our Texas Chain Saw Massacre review, there is a range of characters to choose from in the horror game, including familiar faces and brand-new friends. Since the game is based before the events of the 1974 movie, there's plenty of room for developer Sumo Nottingham to release more new characters and maps. All survivors so far are original character, while the new killers are already among the fan favorites - but what if you do have a preferred character? Can you choose to play them in every Texas Chain Saw Massacre match?

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre review, Best survival games

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 1:49 PM
     Cult of the Lamb joins Don't Starve Together in upcoming collab

Cult of the Lamb is one of my all-time favorite indie games, as is Don't Starve Together. I love playing the former for a fun single-player simulation experience of sorts while I look to the latter for chaotic fun with friends. If you've played either Cult of the Lamb or Don't Starve and feel the same way I do, then you'll be excited to hear that the two iconic indie gems are teaming up with each other for a mysterious collaboration according to some cryptic posts made by both Devolver Digital and Klei Entertainment.


PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 12:57 PM
     Baldur's Gate 3 mods make it a true Dragon Age experience

Baldur's Gate 3 has been out for a short while now, and I've already got over a hundred hours in the Dungeons & Dragons-style RPG game. If you've been playing Larian Studios' new release, then you may have noticed some familiar features in Baldur's Gate 3 from BioWare's own Dragon Age series. You can now amp those up even more and turn the recently launched gem into a true BioWare experience thanks to these Baldur's Gate 3 mods.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 12:52 PM
     The final FIFA is free on Steam this weekend, ahead of EA Sports FC 24

FIFA 23 is a milestone in the history of football games. Marking developer EA's final entry in the nearly 30-year series as it drops the license and prepares to launch its upcoming EA Sports FC 24, FIFA 23 really is the last of its kind. As we await the rebirth of the series, the current entry becomes a free Steam game for the weekend; even better, if you really enjoy it you can pick up this little slice of sports history cheaply in a Steam sale.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: FIFA 23 career mode guide, FIFA 23 ratings, FIFA 23 Icons

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 12:45 PM
     WoW Classic Hardcore devs remind you

If there's one thing I am bad at in videogames, it's survival, so imagine my face when Blizzard announced that Hardcore was actually coming to World of Warcraft Classic. While I was beyond excited, a little part of me died (much like my Diablo 4 hardcore character) inside - it's a new look for the age-old MMORPG, but it seemed like something that I wouldn't be able to take part in. Having chatted to the WoW Classic Hardcore dev team, though, my fears have (largely) been put to rest.

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

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 12:38 PM
     Best Starfield settings speculation

What are the best Starfield settings? Just like actual astronauts blasting off into space, performing a launch status check of your Starfield settings will save you from a choppy flight and even adventure-ending crashes. Thankfully, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to get this Bethesda RPG running with out of this world performance with visuals to match, and we're here to help your frame rates blast off.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield release date, Starfield companions, Starfield system requirements

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 12:05 PM
     Best Baldur's Gate 3 settings and PC options

What are the best Baldur's Gate 3 settings? You must adjust your options before venturing forth, if your adventures in Baldur's Gate 3 are to both look and run well. Successfully attaining high frame rates isn't determined by dice rolls or saving throws, so let us lend you our experience so that you may land critical hits on the right graphics settings.

As covered in our Baldur's Gate 3 review, there's so much to see and do in this D&D RPG that you'll want to make sure your options are set up correctly for a equally beautiful and smooth journey through Faerûn. The game shouldn't test your PC's constitution too much, but don't forget to check whether your system meets the Baldur's Gate 3 system requirements. You don't need to be a dungeon master extraordinaire to find the right Baldur's Gate 3 settings for your rig, and tweaking just a few things should give your frame rate stats a noticeable boost.

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

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 12:03 PM
     Total War Warhammer 3 update 4.0 reworks its grandest empire

Total War Warhammer 3 update 4.0 is set to arrive at the end of August alongside the TWW3 Shadows of Change DLC, and developer Creative Assembly outlines what we can expect as part of the free update for the Grand Cathay faction in the strategy game. The arrival of new lord Yuan Bo in the expansion pack means a big update for Cathay, and there's lots of changes to some of the faction's core systems on the way for the upcoming Total War Warhammer 3 patch.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Total War: Warhammer 3 DLC, Total War: Warhammer 3 races, Total War: Warhammer 3 review

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 12:11 PM
     How long is Starfield?

How long is Starfield? It's the question everyone embarking on this space journey into the unknown will be wondering because as we all know, there's usually enough content in a Bethesda RPG to keep players occupied years after release. While we know a decent amount about Bethesda's upcoming title, one thing that wasn't apparent is how long you can expect to be playing Starfield.

We've learned about how Starfield base building will work, and we know there'll be over a thousand Starfield planets to explore, but what about the length of the game? If you've played another Bethesda RPG game such as Fallout 4 or Skyrim, then you probably have a good idea of how long Starfield is.

Continue reading How long is Starfield?
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield release date, Starfield companions, Starfield system requirements

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 11:44 AM
     Is Baldur's Gate 3 Steam Deck compatible?

Is Baldur's Gate 3 Steam Deck compatible? Those of us wanting to take our Baldur's Gate 3 adventures on the go for a portable D&D experience will be pleased to hear the RPG plays well on the Steam Deck. However, Larian Studios has rolled just shy of a natural 20 in managing the handheld experience, and there are a few things that hold it back from being a critical hit.

Players with a high passive perception will note that the Baldur's Gate 3 system requirements demand 150GB of your storage before you can start exploring the Forgotten Realms. With how expansive the Dungeons and Dragons universe is, that hefty storage demand should come to no surprise. Nevertheless, you can always check out our guide to the best microSD card for Steam Deck if you find yourself struggling to make space.

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

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 11:56 AM
     All Starfield traits and their effects

What are Starfield traits? Touted by Todd Howard as "the most flexible yet", Bethesda's latest suite of creation tools allows you to select unique character traits that apply positive and negative modifiers to your spacefarer. There's a wide variety of options on offer, so we've collected them all into one handy list to help you decide your favorites ahead of time.

Starfield traits can offer additional choices when completing missions, such as granting access to additional dialogue options and determining faction allegiances. They also supplement your background and skills when shaping the character you've created in Starfield. Are you an introverted homebody that prefers to stay planetside, or a wanted street rat with alien DNA? Either is possible with Starfield traits - just take a look.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield release date, Starfield companions, Starfield system requirements

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 11:32 AM
     Baldur's Gate 3 Half-Elf race overview

Who is the Half-Elf in Baldur's Gate 3? Among the 11 playable races in Baldur's Gate 3 is the Half-Elf. Choosing the Half-Elf brings innate abilities, which include buffs and effects, as well as their appearance. Choosing the right race, class, and background is important if you want to dominate Faerun.

There are lots of things you should learn if you want to venture deep into Baldur's Gate 3 as the Half-Elf. This includes their racial features, subraces, traits, spells, and cantrips, as well as the best class for them. In order to make your choice, you should be familiar with all of the Baldur's Gate 3 races and classes in Larian's fantasy RPG, so here's everything you need to know about Half-Elves.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 11:10 AM
     Baldur's Gate 3 system requirements

What are the Baldur's Gate 3 system requirements? You must gather the right party of components before venturing forth into the world of Baldur's Gate 3, but this quest shouldn't prove too taxing. In fact, PCs built around the time of D&D 5e's release back in 2014 should just about manage.

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

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 11:05 AM
     Is Dead by Daylight Steam Deck compatible?

Is Dead by Daylight Steam Deck compatible? When it comes to playing Dead by Daylight on the Steam Deck, you have nothing to fear. Whether you decide to take on the role of a killer, or help fellow survivors repair generators and escape, this asymmetrical team-based horror plays great on the Steam Deck.

As per the Dead by Daylight system requirements, you'll need a 50GB worth of storage space before you face off with The Entity. Pick up one of the best microSD cards for Steam Deck, especially if you're rocking that 64BG model of the handheld, and you'll be good to go to start getting your spooky on.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 11:25 AM
     Can you use mechs in Starfield?

Can you use mechs in Starfield? A recent animated short in the Starfield: The Settled Systems series showed for the first time that humans have created and utilized mechanized armor suits for both war and interplanetary exploration. They were a significant factor in the Colony War, fought just outside of Akila City, so there's a good chance that we'll at least see some ruined husks in the deserts beyond the city walls.

With a whole universe to discover in Starfield, there's every chance we could find traces of these old mechs on some of the planets in the galaxy. There are tons of cool features to look forward to, and it's already shaping up to be a big game, so you may want to ensure your rig meets the Starfield system requirements. As the Starfield release date comes ever closer, there are two big questions: are there any Starfield mechs, and will you be able to pilot them?

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield release date, Starfield companions, Starfield system requirements

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 11:07 AM
     Baldur's Gate 3 Wyll companion guide

Who is Wyll in Baldur's Gate 3? More so than Sorcerers and Wizards, the Warlock class is a bit complicated. BG3 Wyll is no different, as he, too, has a demonic patron that he draws his power from. For Wyll, a fiery Fiend makes him a powerful ally.

Wyll fits into just about any party makeup in Baldur's Gate 3 and is one of those companions who, according to our Baldur's Gate 3 review, makes part of a thoroughly memorable experience. Other handy guides that'll give you an edge in the dangerous land of Faerun include our skills overview and in-depth look at all the BG 3 classes in the game.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 10:50 AM
     Baldur's Gate 3 Elf race overview

What is the Baldur's Gate 3 Elf race? Ah, Elves. You know Elves. Beautiful, wise, and blessed with very long lives, Elves live in harmony with nature. They appreciate art, music, poetry, magic, and every other lovely thing found in the world. Elves are slender and taller than humans, with elongated, pointed ears. While their hair is long and beautiful, they do not have facial hair.

One of the most famous fantasy races, Elves are a fan-favorite and will be high on the list of created characters in Baldur's Gate 3. Check out our BG3 classes guide if you're struggling to decide what to pair your sleek warrior with.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 10:34 AM
     Path of Exile 3.22 – PoE league start time for Trial of the Ancestors

When is the PoE league start time? Path of Exile Trial of the Ancestors is about to kick off, and the new season for one of the best free PC games promises plenty to enjoy, whether you're a long-time Path of Exile veteran excited by the PoE 3.22 patch notes, someone looking for a change from Diablo 4 Season 1, or just tempted to check out what PoE is all about after the big Path of Exile 2 reveal last month.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: PoE 3.21 details, Best free PC games, Best ARPG games

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 10:35 AM
     Best cheap VPN 2023

Looking for a cheap VPN? Well, don't you worry. Hush now, sweet child. There are affordable options available. It may feel like there's nothing you can do to stop your most private pieces of internet data being carved up and fed to the highest bidder, but we have a number of recommendations for you.

We've picked out four best cheap VPN providers (plus a free VPN). Each of them offers a unique service that caters to different needs and despite their lower price tag, they could all be considered among the best VPN services overall.

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

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 10:19 AM
     Baldur's Gate 3's Auntie Ethel is inspired by a real grandmother

Baldur's Gate 3 is teeming with foes that want to either tear you asunder, or yeet you off of a cliff on your third attempt at trying to free The Nightsong (I'm not over it). One, however, is Auntie Ethel, the RPG game's seemingly harmless grandma. But don't let that Irish accent fool you - trust me when I'll say you'll end up wondering how to beat Auntie Ethel in Baldur's Gate 3 because she's pretty damn strong. It turns out, however, that the woman who inspired Baldur's Gate 3's resident pensioner is just as tough as her virtual persona.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 10:39 AM
     Baldur's Gate 3 camp explained

What is the Baldur's Gate 3 camp? Everyone needs a place they can call home, even a band of mismatched adventurers, heroes for hire, and a bald man with a pet mouse. In BG3 you have the ability to set up your own camp, so you and yours can recuperate from the last near-death experience and forge a plan of attack for what's ahead.

While it can be easy to get lost in crafting the best Baldur's Gate 3 builds for your favorite classes, you need to find a place for your party to rest their head. Whether it's to pursue a blossoming romance or respec and revive characters via the ever-present Withers, it's time to get yourself up to speed with how to set up a BG3 camp. Let's go.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Baldur's Gate 3 quests, Baldur's Gate 3 review, Baldur's Gate 3 class

PCGamesN Friday, August 18, 2023 10:07 AM
     How bleedout works in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

How does bleedout work in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre? Victims in the horror game have the deck stacked against them right from the beginning. They're trapped in an unfamiliar place, hunted by a trio of crazed killers, and time itself is against them too.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre can be confusing to new players as it may not be clear what exactly is happening with your character's heads-up display and how you're supposed to withstand the negative effects as you rush for one of the TCM exits. Arguably, the most important status effect you need to be aware of is bleedout. We're address bleedout in our TCM beginner's tips, but here's a more detailed break down of bleedout in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to help you avoid a trip to an early grave.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre review, Best survival games

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 18, 2023 2:32 PM
    

ONCE AGAIN, SPOILERS. PLEASE DO NOT READ BECAUSE THERE ARE SPOILERS PRESENT. SPOILERS. HEY LOOK SPOILERS.

I'm playing Edders Sheeran in Baldur's Gate 3, a bard with a Dark Urge to lash out and murder largely anything and everything. He doesn't know what causes it, and he doesn't know when the urge might strike. For a first playthrough, it's been a learning experience. Namely, I have learned that friends aren't safe, lest I puncture their guts with my bare fists in the middle of the night.

I thought the urge would only bring downsides (what you'd normally get as a murderer), but I've also learned that it actually has benefits? You get capes in exchange for pulping people! I love capes! Here's to more of them.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 18, 2023 12:27 PM
    

"Everything is floating islands and airships and we're not going to explain how or why" is a setting I nearly always respect, but fighting a campaign against pirates leaves me feeling distinctly uncool. This is the dilemma Black Skylands leaves me with.

You're a very young officer of... something, battlefield promoted to captaincy of the Fathership, essentially a giant floating base from which you set out on your airship in an open world kinda way to trade broadsides with baddies and land at occupied islands to do the twin stick shooter thing on foot. I… don't like it as much as I want to.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 18, 2023 12:08 PM
    

Hello everybody! This is Edwin, your resident news-wrangler. I've been in this glorious job for a whole two weeks now, and alas it is time to say goodbye... because I'm off on holiday. Genius-level journostrategist that I am, I managed to book a week away walking in Scotland during Gamescom before landing the gig, and I can't rebook without incurring the everlasting hatred of Caledonian Sleeper. I do have a few under-embargo stories and a review going live next week, but beyond that I'll be up a mountain somewhere until 29th August. Apologies - if you're up that neck of the woods and we happen to sight each other on opposing hillsides, I'll try to bellow something about Starfield.

Before I go, though, I wanted to check in about this whole "news" concept that's doing the rounds. The past two weeks have essentially been an exercise in tentatively pressing buttons and apologising to Katharine when half the website backend catches fire. I've tried to put together a fun mixture of stories - I particularly enjoyed the chat below yesterday's musings about pacifism - but I've mostly been settling in, and dealing with such evergreen journamalism questions as whether companies are singular or plural, and what proportion of any given article should consist of begging Blackbird Interactive to reveal something else about Homeworld 3.

Read more


Twinfinite Friday, August 18, 2023 10:00 AM
    
The countdown is almost up!

Twinfinite Friday, August 18, 2023 9:00 AM
    
Embrace your inner weirdo.

Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 2:30 PM
    

When Does Boruto Two Blue Vortex Manga Chapter 81 Appear

This week, we'll see the Boruto manga return in chapter 81 with the Two Blue Vortex timeskip. The new chapter will appear on August 20, 2023. People will be able to read it for free on MangaPlus and Viz Media's official sites. It also means we'll get to see the Boruto timeskip look in action for the first time.

There's been quite a gap between chapters. Back in April 2023, a three month hiatus was announced. Chapter 80 of the Boruto manga appeared back on April 18, 2023, and it is still available to read for free on both MangaPlus and Viz ahead of the debut of chapter 81. This allows people to catch up with what happened before the cliffhanger.

Ahead of the new release, we did get a peek at how Boruto looks after the timeskip. The cover for the V-Jump magazine showing the older version of the character already appeared online. Viz Media also released a new piece of art highlighting his appearance.

Here's how the older Boruto looks:
[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="978941" link="file"]

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex will return with chapter 81 of the manga on August 20, 2023. The chapter will be free to read online. The anime is streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga volumes are published outside Japan by Viz Media.

The post Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 81 Arrives This Weekend appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 2:00 PM
    

FFXIV Moogle Treasure Trove 10th Anniversary Hunt Begins in August

Square Enix announced the details for the FFXIV Moogle Treasure Trove 10th Anniversary Hunt event. It will begin on August 27, 2023. We'll be able to earn Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry from different kinds of activities until patch 6.5 arrives in October 2023. Then, we have until patch 7.0's release to trade those new Tomestones for the 10th Anniversary Hunt items.

First, here are all the objectives that give Irregular Tomestomes of Tenfold Pageantry during the FFXIV Moogle Treasure Trove 10th Anniversary Hunt:

  • Asphodelos: The First Circle level 90 raid: 3 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Asphodelos: The Second Circle level 90 raid: 3 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Asphodelos: The Third Circle level 90 raid: 3 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Asphodelos: The Fourth Circle level 90 raid: 3 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Abyssos: The Fifth Circle level 90 raid: 3 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Abyssos: The Sixth Circle level 90 raid: 3 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Abyssos: The Seventh Circle level 90 raid: 3 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Abyssos: The Eighth Circle level 90 raid: 3 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Aglaia level 90 raid: 12 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Aitiascope level 89 dungeon: 8 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Anabaseios: The Ninth Circle level 90 raid: 4 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Anabaseios: The Tenth Circle level 90 raid: 4 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Anabaseios: The Eleventh Circle level 90 raid: 4 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Anabaseios: The Twelfth Circle level 90 raid: 4 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Castrum Meridianum level 50 dungeon: 8 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Containment Bay Z1T9 level 90 trial: 8 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Copied Factory level 80 raid: 10 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Dead Ends level 90 dungeon: 8 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Dun Scaith level 60 raid: 14 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Euphrosyne level 90 raid: 14 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Fields of Glory (Shatter) level 30 PvP: 6 or 10 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Hidden Gorge level 30 PvP: 6 or 10 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Ktisis Hyperboreia level 87 dungeon : 8 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Labyrinth of the Ancients level 50 raid: 6 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Onsal Hakair (Danshig Naadam) level 30 PvP: 6 or 10 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Orbonne Monastery level 70 raid: 14 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Porta Decumana level 50 trial: 6 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Praetorium level 50 dungeon: 14 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Puppet's Bunker level 80 raid: 12 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Ridorana Lighthouse level 70 raid: 12 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Royal City of Rabanastre level 70 raid: 10 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Seal Rock (Seize) level 30 PvP: 6 or 10 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Syrcus Tower level 50 raid: 6 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Tower of Babil level 83 dungeon: 8 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Tower at Paradigm's Breach level 80 raid: 14 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Tower of Zot level 81 dungeon: 8 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Vanaspati level 85 dungeon: 8 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Void Ark level 60 raid: 6 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • Weeping City of Mhach level 60 raid: 10 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry
  • World of Darkness level 50 raid: 6 Irregular Tomestones of Tenfold Pageantry

Next, here's a list of some of the more notable items you can get during the FFXIV Moogle Treasure Trove 10th Anniversary Hunt. You can actually trade them in at the designated Itinerant Moogle until patch 7.0 arrives. You'll find that character at Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks at X:9.4, Y:11.6, New Gridania at X:12.4, Y:12.1, and Ul'dah, Steps of Nald at X:9.6, Y:9.1.

  • Auspicious Kamuy Mount Fife - 30 Tomestones
  • Big Shell Mount Whistle - 50 Tomestones
  • Blissful Kamuy Mount Fife - 30 Tomestones
  • Disembodied Head Resonator - 50 Tomestones
  • Euphonious Kamuy Mount Fife - 30 Tomestones
  • Fat Cat Minion - 7 Tomestones
  • Fat Cat Parasol - 100 Tomestones
  • Fate Gwiber Mount Trumpet - 50 Tomestones
  • Forgiven Hate Minion - 50 Tomestones
  • Hallowed Kamuy Mount Fife - 30 Tomestones
  • Legendary Kamuy Mount Fife - 30 Tomestones
  • Lunar Kamuy Mount Fife - 30 Tomestones
  • Modern Aesthetics - Both Ways - 100 Tomestones
  • Modern Aesthetics - Styled for Hire - 50 Tomestones
  • Reveling Kamuy Minion Fife - 30 Tomestones
  • Samurai Barding - 100 Tomestones
  • Shoebill Minion - 50 Tomestones
  • Taoist Moogle Minion - 1 Tomestone
  • Ten Year Anniversary Framer's Kit - 10 Tomestones
  • Toad Head - 30 Tomestones
  • Toad Suit - 30 Tomestones
  • Tyrannosaur Mount Horn - 50 Tomestones
  • Warrior of Light Card - 100 Tomestones

The full list of items is on the official event site.

This is one of two events that will begin on August 27, 2023 and run until 6.5 drops. The Rising will take place at the same time.

Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC. The FFXIV Moogle Treasure Trove 10th Anniversary Hunt will begin on August 27, 2023. It will end when patch 6.5 appears in October 2023.

The post FFXIV Moogle Treasure Trove 10th Anniversary Hunt Begins in August appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 1:30 PM
    

First JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R Season Pass 2 DLC is Leone Abbacchio

Bandai Namco announced the first Season Pass 2 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R DLC will be Golden Wind's Leone Abbacchio. There's no exact release date for his debut yet. However, we do know he'll show up in Early Autumn 2023. There's also an initial teaser trailer showing him and his Stand Moody Jazz, also known as Moody Blues.

In JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Leone Abbacchio is a part of Bruno Bucciarati's team. His Stand Moody Jazz is capable of recreating past events, with Abbacchio controlling those actions.


The end of the video also reminds people of what's coming in the rest of Season Pass 2. The Giorno Giovanna Haruno Shiobana costume is the bonus for buying the pass instead of specific characters. There will also be two more characters. One person from Diamond is Unbreakable will join in Autumn 2023. In Late Winter 2023, a JoJolion character will become part of the cast.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. Season 2 DLC is on the way, with

The post First JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R Season Pass 2 DLC Is Leone Abbacchio appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 1:30 PM
    

Like a Dragon Gaiden Developer Update Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth demo trailer

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio released a new overview trailer for Like a Dragon Gaiden. This included a new trailer detailing new story elements, an overview of gameplay elements and the announcement of a Special Trial Version demo for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

The new Like a Dragon Gaiden story trailer features a lot of new information. Kiryu has to take on a job to prevent harm coming to the kids in his orphanage. He must venture into the underground of Sotenbori after a failed smuggling operation and get wrapped up in more Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance conflict. The trailer also showed brief glimpses of other high-profile characters from the series, including Ichiban, Majima and Saejima, although their roles in the story are unclear. There is also a brief mention of Hawaii, suggesting the story will tie in with 2024's Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

A lot of new gameplay elements for Like a Dragon Gaiden were shown off in the overview trailer. This included new gadgets for Kiryu's previously announced Agent Style of combat, such as rocket boots. The series' trademark side activities were also detailed. There will be a Battle Arena mode, which can include team battles with large customizable squads. There will also be the usual Cabaret Club interactions, only now the hostesses appear in live-action video. Other side activities include karaoke, darts, pool, and a golf driving range. Classic arcade games will also feature, with Flicky, Fantasy Zone, Alex Kidd, and Sonic the Fighters all making appearances.

Like a Dragon Gaiden will come bundled with a Special Trial Version demo for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. This will also feature unique scenes if you beat Like a Dragon Gaiden first. In addition, Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed that Like a Dragon Gaiden will be available to play at the 2023 Gamescom, PAX West and Tokyo Game Show events. It will also be appearing at other shows in other locations ahead of its release.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is set to release on November 9, 2023. It will release for PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

The post Like a Dragon Gaiden Overview Trailer Show Off New Side Activities appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 12:30 PM
    

Pokemon Scale World Paldea Region Set

Bandai put the latest set in its series of Pokémon Scale World figures up for pre-order. This new set is the Paldea Region Set, which features 9 different Pokémon from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, as well as the trainer Juliana. The set is listed at a pre-order price of 3,300 yen ($22.68) and will be released at retailers across Japan and on the Bandai online store in December 2023. In the past, Big Bad Toy Store sold previous sets in the series, so they may end up being available worldwide.

Here's a list of all of the Pokémon and trainer figures included in the Pokémon Scale World Paldea Region Set:

  • Crocalor
  • Floragato
  • Fuecoco
  • Juliana (Violet ver.)
  • Meowscarada
  • Quaquaval
  • Quaxly
  • Quaxwell
  • Sprigatito

You can get a closer look at the figures in the gallery below:

[gallery ids="978887,978888,978889,978890,978891,978893,978894" link="file"]

Pokémon Scale World is a series of 1/20th scale figures. This line centers around the concept of evolution, producing first evolution forms that are small enough to hold in your fingertips to further evolutions that are large enough to fill both hands. The toys are recommended for ages 15 and up.

The Pokémon Scale World Paldea Region Set by Bandai will be available in December 2023 for 3,300 yen ($22.68) from mass merchandisers across Japan as well as the Bandai online store. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on the Nintendo Switch worldwide.

The post Paldea Pokemon Scale World Figures Drop in December appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 12:00 PM
    

Nijisanji Vtuber Maimoto Keisuke Taking an Indefinite Hiatus

Due to health issues, Nijisanji Vtuber Maimoto Keisuke announced an "indefinite hiatus" in a recent stream and on social media. His activities will halt on September 1, 2023. The announcement specifically referred to this as a hiatus, rather than a graduation.

Here's the stream in which the Nijisanji Vtuber discussed the situation. (It is only available in Japanese.) In it, he noted that this is a health issue he's been dealing with for a while.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUdElrpDs_Q&ab_channel=%E8%88%9E%E5%85%83%E5%95%93%E4%BB%8B

And here is his official announcement. He confirmed the day his hiatus will start and thanked people for their support.

This comes after his first appearance on the Nijiban Nijisanji Vtuber talk show on August 13, 2023 and his participation in the company's Koshien Summer this month. However, we did have some idea something was going on. Back on August 5, 2023, he confirmed he wouldn't participate in NIJIFes 2023. At the time, he said he'd have more news later. That event will be held in Japan between December 23-24, 2023.

Maimoto Keisuke debuted back in August 2018. He joined the company with fellow Nijisanji Seeds Amemori Sayo, Asuka Hina, Harusaki Air, Kanda Shoichi, and Takamiya Rion.

The hiatus for Nijisanji Vtuber Maimoto Keisuke will begin on September 1, 2023.

The post Nijisanji Vtuber Maimoto Keisuke Taking an Indefinite Hiatus appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 11:30 AM
    

Mega Man X Dive Offline Release Date Set

In the beginning of June 2023, Capcom announced Mega Man x Dive service would end on September 27, 2023. However, it also followed up saying an offline version would appear in 2023 to succeed it. Now there's a release date for Mega Man x Dive Offline. We'll see it on Steam in North America on either August 31, 2023 or September 1, 2023, depending on your time zone. It will cost $29.99, and pre-orders are open.

As a reminder, this is a paid version of the former gacha game. This means everything from the previous release is there and able to be earned. There are over 100 playable characters from various installments and over 900 stages. You'll be able to choose who you use to go through each level, with characters becoming more viable depending on the weapons you get, use, and improve.

The Steam product page also noted some things people can expect. You can earn Achievements as you play. Your save data will also be backed up via the cloud. There's also some controller support for it. However, there is also an EULA to agree to after you buy the game before you can begin playing it.

Mega Man x Dive Offline will launch on September 1, 2023. The original game will be around until service ends on September 27, 2023. Nothing will happen to Mega Man x Dive Mobile, which is available on Android and Apple iOS devices.

The post Mega Man X Dive Offline Release Date Set appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 11:00 AM
    

NIKKE NieR: Automata Event Begins in September

Back in April 2023, Level Infinite and SHIFT UP teased a NIKKE NieR: Automata crossover. At the time, there was only a brief video that altered the logo to replace the "NI" in the game's name with the ones used in the NieR: Automata logo. Now, the full event is confirmed. It will begin on September 1, 2023 and bring 2B, A2, and Pascal to the game.

A few details about the appearance of 2B, A2, and Pascal came up. All three will show up in some capacity. Yui Ishikawa, who is already in the game voicing major heroine Rapi, is also known for being 2B. (She also plays Mikasa in Attack on Titan and Philia in Sword Art Online.) Ishikawa also reprised her role in other crossovers, such as for SINoALICE and Soulcalibur VI. 2B will also feature a "new weapon design" for this crossover.

Teaser art already appeared showing the YoRHa androids and Machine Lifeform alongside the Nikkes. Pascal is in the back holding a Lunar Tear. In the middle are A2 and Rapi. In the front row, there's Neon, 2B, and Anis.
[caption id="attachment_978628" align="alignnone" width="1200"]NIKKE NieR: Automata Event Begins in September Image via Level Infinite and SHIFT UP[/caption]

Here's the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryV700pf0Ok&ab_channel=%E5%8B%9D%E5%88%A9%E3%81%AE%E5%A5%B3%E7%A5%9E%3ANIKKE

This will mark the second major crossover for NIKKE in 2023. Earlier in the year, Chainsaw Man characters appeared in the game. We were able to recruit Himeno, Makima, and Power.

NIKKE: Goddess of Victory is available on PCs and mobile devices. NieR: Automata is on the PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC, and its anime adaptation is streaming on Crunchyroll. The NIKKE NieR: Automata event runs September 1-27, 2023.

The post NIKKE NieR: Automata Event Begins in September appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 10:30 AM
    

Persona 5 Joker Nendoroid Doll

Good Smile Company announced that the Persona 5 Royal Joker Nendoroid Doll is releasing in 2024. It will also be releasing Joker's Phantom Thief outfit set separately so it can be worn on other Nendoroid Dolls. This Persona 5 Royal figure and outfit set are both set to release April 2024 in Japan and in Q3 2024 in the United States.

The Nendoroid Doll series features a similar head design to the regular Nendoroid line, but includes a doll-like body with many articulated points for optimal posing, and also can be dressed up in different outfits that can be purchased from Good Smile Company. The Persona 5 Royal Joker Nendoroid Doll comes with his iconic Phantom Thief coat, pants, boots with magnets in the soles, a dagger, interchangeable hand parts, a magnetic base, and an articulated stand.

The Joker Nendoroid Doll Outfit Set will cost ¥5,200 (~$36), and it is only available in the Japanese storefront. The Joker Nendoroid Doll will cost ¥9,000/$61.99 and is in both stores. Pre-orders will remain open for the Joker Nendoroid Doll until September 14, 2023.

The Persona 5 Royal Joker Nendoroid Doll was first announced in February 2023 alongside a Kasumi Nendoroid. The Persona 5 figure was eventually shown off during WonHobby 37 Summer in July 2023 as well.

[gallery columns="7" link="file" size="full" ids="978862,978861,978860,978858,978859,978857,978856"]

Persona 5 Royal is available on the Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.

The post Persona 5 Royal Joker Nendoroid Doll Releasing in 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 10:00 AM
    

FFXIV The Rising Event Adds Rising Phoenix Mount

Square Enix announced the FFXIV The Rising event. It will begin on August 27, 2023. This is an event specifically designed to celebrate the MMORPG's anniversary. Those who participate will get a Rising Phoenix mount to use in FFXIV, as well as new items for their home. People will have plenty of time to get them, as the event will run until 6.5 appears in October 2023.

To start The Rising in FFXIV, people will need to head to Ul'dah - Steps of Nald. Kipih Jakkya is waiting at X:10.1, Y:8.7. If you're at level 15 or higher, you can start her quest. The Raven reporter needs your help with the "Siblings Rising" quest. There will also be a vendor in-game selling some past The Rising items.

These are the four items you can earn during The Rising 2023.

  • "The Land Reborn" Orchestrion Roll
  • "Pom from the Heavens" Orchestrion Roll
  • The Rising Advertisement
  • Rising Phoenix Whistle

Here are the Rising Phoenix mount and The Rising Advertisement wall-mounted decoration you can earn during the event:
[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="978916" link="file"]

It seems this Rising Phoenix mount may match the Phoenix Riser equipment we could earn during the FFXIV Moonfire Faire. That will run in-game until August 26, 2023. So almost immediately after one event ends, another will begin.

Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC. The Rising will be available in FFXIV from August 27, 2023 until patch 6.5 arrives in October 2023.

The post FFXIV The Rising Event Adds Rising Phoenix Mount appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 9:30 AM
    

NIS Concept Store 30th Anniversary Disgaea Merchandise

Nippon Ichi Software, the publisher behind the Disgaea series, among other titles, released the latest information on its concept store celebrating its 30th anniversary. The concept store will pop up on the sixth floor of the Shinjuku Marui Annex store, a large department store in Tokyo, Japan. Commemorative merchandise from Disgaea and other titles will be sold. Yakuzukuri Puzzle Yumeiro Yuramu will also be playable. The store will be open from September 1-10, 2023. [Thanks, Game Watch!]

Here is a complete list of Disgaea and Mad Rat Dead merchandise announced to be sold at the concept store, along with their prices:

  • Acrylic Calendar - 2,530 yen ($17.40)
  • Mad Rat Dead Acrylic Magnet (10 variants) - 770 yen ($5.30) each
  • Milk Crunch Chocolate - 1,980 yen ($13.61)
  • Prinny Eye Mask - 2,200 yen ($15.14)
  • Prinny's Jewel Confetti - 1,650 yen ($11.34)

You can view the promotional images of the merchandise in the gallery below:

[gallery link="file" ids="978877,978878,978879,978880,978881"]

"Prinny's Jewel Confetti" will come with a newly drawn acrylic charm of Prinny, the company penguin mascot. It will have a blue citrus flavor in the mascot's image. The "Milk Crunch Chocolate" will come with a commemorative illustration by Takehito Harada, the illustrator who worked on NIS games such as the Disgaea series. It will also come packaged with a random sticker of which there are 12 variants. The acrylic calendar will also come with an acrylic keyholder of Prinny.

There will also be a hands-on demo for the upcoming puzzle game Yakuzukuri Puzzle Yumeiro Yuramu for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. In addition to being able to play the game, participants will also have the chance to compete against each other in the battle mode on September 2-3, 2023 and September 9-10, 2023. The winner will receive an NIS game of their choice. The platform the tournament will be held on is the Nintendo Switch. All participants will also receive novelty goods from the game. As we know now, the game is only being released in Japanese.

In addition, Sayaka Oda, the artist and writer behind The Cruel King and the Great Hero, will visit the store on September 2-3, 2023 and September 9-10, 2023, and sign autographs for any customer who spends 10,000 yen ($69) or more. She will also include a mini-illustration of any one of eight characters from the game at the customer's request. The Cruel King and the Great Hero is available worldwide on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.

The NIS concept store will be held from September 1-10, 2023 at Shinjuku Marui Annex. Currently, merchandise produced for the concept store will only be sold in Japan on location.

The post NIS 30th Anniversary Concept Store and Merchandise Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 9:01 AM
    

fate/samurai remnant preview header

My first hours of Fate/Samurai Remnant ended up being a refreshing reminder of the Fate IP's appeal. The plot is intriguing, and the characters are all charming, both as individuals and as part of a Master/Servant pair. My impression of Koei Tecmo Musou games is that they're button-mashing fun, but ultimately the story is secondary. In contrast, Fate/Samurai Remnant feels very focused on telling a good story with well-developed characters. Though initially, the battle portions can feel a little weak.

The story of Fate/Samurai Remnant follows Miyamoto Iori, the adopted son and apprentice of Miyamoto Musashi, after he inadvertently becomes a Master as part of the Waxing Moon Ritual. This is the Edo version of the Holy Grail War. Though he and his partner, Saber, don't see things eye to eye, they still have to work together if they want to survive. Along the way, he comes across several other Masters, each with their own Servants and dreams, and Rogue Servants that are linked to specific Spirit Fonts (cities with strong spiritual energy) around Edo.

[caption id="attachment_978840" align="alignnone" width="1200"]fate/samurai remnant lancer Screenshot by Siliconera[/caption]

Fate/Samurai Remnant is sort of a reminder of how many interesting stories you can get out of the Holy Grail War even when you play it straight. The intersection of the cultures and eras of all the characters, combined with their differing dynamics, means that even characters who have made multiple appearances in past works can seem fresh when placed with a new partner or in a new setting. Lancer (Jeanne d'Arc Alter) is a prominent character in Fate/Grand Order. Even a casual fan should be familiar with what she generally wants and how she acts. But Jeanne d'Arc Alter in Samurai Remnant is completely different. What's her deal? Why's she so gloomy? How come she is a Lancer and she isn't the normal Jeanne? These questions, along with similar ones for other characters, make it hard to put down the game.

[caption id="attachment_978836" align="alignnone" width="1200"]fate/samurai remnant saber and iori Screenshot by Siliconera[/caption]

Iori and Saber are also a lot of fun. They're pretty much playing straight the Shirou and Saber (Artoria) dynamic. Iori is the straight man to Saber's funny man, the cook to Saber's glutton, the brakes to Saber's gas pedal... It's definitely on purpose. Their relationship is cute, with enough differences in their individual personalities that it doesn't literally just feel like Shirou and Saber. It works as a familiar touching point for existing Fate fans. On the flip side, it's a pretty basic Master/Servant dynamic that will be easy for newer fans to jump in.

That kind of is what Fate/Samurai Remnant feels for me so far: a love letter to the series that both new and old fans can enjoy. The lore is deep enough and contains enough references to existing series that those familiar with the series don't feel like the game is babying them. But it's also so separate from the existing series that you really don't need any knowledge to play it. Plus, its accessible and fun battle system so far seems like it may be easy to recommend to others. It's not like Fate/Extra or CCC, which were a slog to play through.

[caption id="attachment_978841" align="alignnone" width="1200"]battle Screenshot by Siliconera[/caption]

To be quite frank, my impression of Koei Tecmo games based on existing IPs is not the best. I didn't have a great time playing Fire Emblem: Three Hopes. I had an absolutely terrible time playing Persona 5 Strikers. Realizing that Fate/Samurai Remnant plays similarly to Strikers made me very nervous going in. But I was pleasantly surprised. The battle system is not particularly complex, as you may already expect from a Musou game. Iori can change between stances, as well as cast magic. You can also command Saber to use moves in combat and when you fill up your gauge, you can take direct control of her. She's kind of like the game's super mode, since she's overwhelmingly stronger than Iori is and you can only use her for a limited amount of time.

I already talked at length about how much I like the characters and story so far. That by itself already makes it seem like this will be an enjoyable experience, but Fate/Samurai Remnant feels full of content. The towns all feel like legitimate places to explore, and there are so many other mechanics that make you want to get busy. You can maintain Iori's katanas and customize them to have the skills you like. Moving from town to town involves a simple area control board game that offers temporary level ups. It's quite a bit of content that feels natural to the plot and characters rather than as padding.

Though I only just finished part of Chapter One of Fate/Samurai Remnant, I'm already ready to sing its praises from the rooftops. I appreciate the way it feels like a legitimate full-blown RPG rather than another hack-n-slash or a retread of a familiar story. Hopefully, it continues to maintain its quality until the end.

Fate/Samurai Remnant will come out on the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC on September 29, 2023.

The post Preview: Fate/Samurai Remnant Brims With Promise appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 8:25 AM
    

honkai star rail 1.3

During the Honkai: Star Rail version 1.3 Special Program, HoYoVerse revealed what will debut in the game when it releases. "Celestial Eyes Above Mortal Ruins" is the title of the new patch. Not only will there be new characters to pull for, there will also be a major update to Simulated Universe. The new version will go live on August 30, 2023.

You can watch the version 1.3 trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nc844bD15M

HoYoVerse already teased the new characters several months ago. We know that Dan Heng - Imbibitor Lunae and Fu Xuan will be the limited 5-star characters. Lynx Landau, the younger sister of Gepard and Serval, will be the new 4-star character. The major Simulated Universe update will also bring little mini-games, such as one where you have to beat up as many Trotters as possible within a timeframe.

While version 1.3 will not have a major story update, there will be lots of new companion quests. You'll be able to know more about four different characters: Lynx, March 7th, Dan Heng (Imbibitor Lunae), and Luka. There will also be a limited time quest that focuses on Sushang, which will also give a free copy of her.

Currently, in version 1.2 of Honkai: Star Rail, Kafka and new 4-star character Luka are available in the gacha. The Underground Treasure Hunt event is also still available. It will end on August 27, 2023, just a few days before the next update.

Honkai: Star Rail is readily available on mobile devices and Windows PC. Version 1.3 of Honkai: Star Rail will launch on August 30, 2023.

The post Honkai: Star Rail Version 1.3 Will Go Live in Late August 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 8:12 AM
    

Four Honkai: Star Rail Character Companion Missions Appear in 1.3

During the Special Program for 1.3, HoYoVerse announced new Honkai: Star Rail character companion missions. Four will appear. Two will feature the Astral Express members Dan Heng and March 7th. The other two follow Belobog characters Luka and Lynx.

The Dan Heng and March 7th Honkai: Star Rail character companion missions will take place on the Xianzhou Luofu. His is called The Dragon Returns Home. In it, he'll meet with Bailu. She's the current High Elder of the Vidyadhara. This will go into his past. March 7th's is Total Recall, and it sees March asking Fu Xuan if the Matrix of Prescience Ultima can help her learn more about her past. As a reminder, she's an amnesiac, with her name being the day the Astral Express found her.

When people take on Luka and Lynx's Honkai: Star Rail character companion missions, they'll interact with Belobog folks again. In Luka's story, he'll be showing up in Boulder Town again. When he does, the Trailblazer and Seele will need to help him with a trading mission he's working on. As for Lynx, when she comes back from an expedition to Belobog, she won't seem like herself. Her siblings Gepard and Serval ask us for help.

There will be a number of major additions in 1.3 alongside the event. Imbibitor Lunae, a five-star version of Dan Heng who appeared in the story in a past update, will become playable. So will Fu Xuan. The new four-star will be Gepard and Serval's younger sibling, Lynx. New Light Cones and quests will come as well.

Honkai: Star Rail is available for PCs and mobile devices. Its 1.3 update will arrive on August 30, 2023. When it does, the Simulated Universe will experience Swarm Disaster.

The post Four Honkai: Star Rail Character Companion Missions Appear in 1.3 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 18, 2023 8:05 AM
    

Here Are Honkai: Star Rail's Stellar Jade Codes for Special Program 1.3

In addition to knowledge, Stellar Jades are one of the perks that came out of Honkai: Star Rail Special Program 1.3. Throughout the course of the presentation, HoYoVerse again shared three codes. This followed the typical format of appearing briefly on screen with some splash art from the update. Call dibs on them all on August 18, 2023, and you get 300 Stellar Jades to use in-game. As a single Warp pull is 160, that gives you at least one chance at a character or Light Cone.

Here is the full list of new Honkai: Star Rail Stellar Jade codes from the Special Program 1.3

Here are all of the Stellar Jade codes for Honkai: Star Rail 1.3. If you're redeeming via the official site, you can copy and paste them to claim them.

  • BA7NCHFA9HWX – 100 Stellar Jade, 5 Traveler's Guides
  • ASN6CHXBRHW3 – 100 Stellar Jade, 4 Refined Aether
  • LANPVGET8HFT – 100 Stellar Jade, 50,000 Credits

And here's a gallery showing all three as they appeared during the presentation:
[gallery size="full" ids="978892,978899,978903" link="file"]

Your preferred platform determines how you redeem codes in the game. If you play Honkai: Star Rail on a PC, bring up your (in-game) phone menu. You then tap the Trailblazer Profile button. Hit "Redemption Code" when that option appears. You can then type those codes into the game. Those on a phone or tablet will need to go to HoYoVerse's official website. First, log in. After that, select your server and choose your character nickname. You'll then be able to redeem each code one-by-one. All items will be sent to your in-game mailbox.

Honkai: Star Rail is immediately available on the PC and mobile devices. The new codes from the 1.3 Special Program are valid only on August 18, 2023. The new version update will come on August 30, 2023.

The post Here Are Honkai: Star Rail Stellar Jade Codes for Special Program 1.3 appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, August 18, 2023 3:15 PM
     Genshin Impact Fragment Of Ancient Chord Echoes Of Deep Tide 4Genshin Impact is an ever-evolving game, and with the introduction of Fontaine, HoYoverse has expanded on Genshin Impact's diverse combat system even further. This is through the brand new "Arkhe" system, a special form of energy exclusive to characters hailing from Fontaine. The Arkhe system takes the form of different flowers of energy, Pneuma, and Ousia. If you look closely at your Fontaine characters, such as the Hydro Traveler, you might notice they can utilize "Pneuma" and "Ousia" within their attacks. But what are Pneuma, Ousia, and the Arkhe system in Genshin Impact exactly? What are Pneuma and Ousia in Genshin Impact? Pneuma and Ousia are described as "the properties found in the life forms, earth, air, and water veins of Fontaine." It is the "collision between energies of different properties [that] causes annihilation and the production of greater energies." However, what's more important in the case of ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, August 18, 2023 2:30 PM
     Baldur's Gate 3 Rescue Wulbren And TieflingsThe first thing you should do in Moonrise Towers in Baldurs Gate 3 is rescue the tieflings and Wulbren. If you wait and continue forward, there will be irreversible consequences that you don't want. So, here's the best way to rescue Wulbren and the tieflings in Baldur's Gate 3. Note: As you explore the Shadowlands, you should learn every way to negate Shadow Curse. It's really important and basically the only way forward. Where to find and rescue Wulbren and the Tieflings in Baldur's Gate 3 I've seen a lot of Reddit threads confirming that if you don't rescue the tieflings or Wulbren and his fellow gnomes before progressing through the Shadowlands, they'll die permanently. Because of that, I highly recommend rescuing Wulbren and the tieflings as soon as you reach Moonrise Towers. To rescue the tieflings and Wulbren in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to safely traverse the major Shadow Curse sections (I recommend you read ou...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, August 18, 2023 2:23 PM
     How to unlock the M13C in MW2 & Warzone 2The Shadow Siege event has brought a brand new Assault Rifle into Warzone 2 and MW2, along with several other rewards. The M13C is a versatile weapon that boasts a fast rate of fire and works well with a mobile play style. The issue is its unlock requirements are a little unclear. With this in mind, let me show you how to unlock the M13C in MW2 and Warzone 2. How to unlock the M13C in MW2 & Warzone 2 The Shadow Siege event offers players multiple rewards for completing specific objectives. To unlock the M13C, you need to kill or assist in killing '5 Enemy Commanders.' The following enemy types count as 'Commanders' for the event: Juggernauts  Wheelsons Armored Helicopters These enemies won't show up until the final part of the event beneath the observatory. This section has a timer, so make sure you get to the location fast. Once inside, visibility is poor thanks to the gas mask, but take on the Juggernauts and get stuck into combat. Ju...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, August 18, 2023 2:19 PM
     Best Classes In Wayfinder Tier List Featured Image(1)It's been a while since we heard of Airships Snydicate's new ARPG Wayfinder. But now, we're finally able to get access to the developer's new world. Just like any ARPG, Wayfinder is made up of a colorful and vibrant cast of heroes, all of which players can pick from. Each of these heroes has a specific playstyle unique to them, so if you play in a party, the synergy between all members should create some interesting moments in Wayfinder. Picking a character to use can be overwhelming, but, if you read this tier list of the best classes in Wayfinder, things should be easier. Wayfinder: Best classes in the ARPG – tier list This list will go from worst to best. Starting with the B tier and working its way to the coveted S tier.  B Tier Wayfinder Niss – If you prefer playing as glass cannon then Niss could be for you. Just like any stealth-based character in any game, Niss requires more movement to be efficient. For example, her Umbral Aura skil...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, August 18, 2023 2:12 PM
     Finding Match The Texas Chain Saw MassacreAre you wondering if The Texas Chainsaw Massacre game is cross-play so you can play with your friends on a different platform? A game being cross-play is crucial since there are multiple generations of consoles and different PC platforms a game can be played on. Since this game is an asymmetric horror that relies on matchmaking, it is only natural for you to wonder how many people from different platforms can play together since finding matches in a reasonable time is always a worry. Here is the answer to is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre game cross-play, plus some additional information you will find helpful! Is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre cross-play? Image: Gun Interactive Yes, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre game is cross-play. However, that yes is not as simple as it sounds because The Texas Chain Saw Massacre can be played on two different generations of platforms, and not all of these are crossplay. This means there will be different matchmaking based on the platform and g...

Gamer Empire Friday, August 18, 2023 11:29 AM
     Artisan Goods in Stardew Valley are the best way to make money. They are usually goods that you get from refining and changing raw crops and resources from your farm and animals. These Artisan Goods will double or even triple the base price of your raw resources, making them incredibly profitable. Recommended Read: Where to […]

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, August 18, 2023 3:24 PM
    

It shows several enemies, locations, bosses, and some gameplay footage

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