PCGamesN Saturday, September 30, 2023 11:10 AM  Dark and Darker is holding an anniversary event for its players, as the Ironmace dungeon crawler marks a whole year since its QA Playtest 1. You'll be able to hunt down Wardens for extra treasure, and can even sign up to be a Bounty Hunter for the event too. Continue reading Dark and Darker celebrates one year anniversary with a new event MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Dark and Darker release date, Dark and Darker system requirements, Dark and Darker classes guide |
PCGamesN Saturday, September 30, 2023 9:50 AM  There's one incredibly powerful Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty gun you need to snag, and it's actually really easy to get. With so many extra weapons to choose from in the new Cyberpunk DLC from CD Projekt Red, we've discovered one that you can get with basically no effort that offers up not just a solid gun but allows for a fair bit of customization too. Continue reading You can easily grab Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty's best gun MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty review, Best Cyberpunk 2077 mods, Buy Cyberpunk 2077 |
PCGamesN Saturday, September 30, 2023 8:54 AM  "Serum is life." That was the message given to me by Game Island CEO and creative director Michal Ojrzyński during our preview of the upcoming survival adventure game at Gamescom 2023. With backing from Toplitz Productions, the Polish studio is hoping to score big with survival fans with Serum in what is undoubtedly a crowded market. Continue reading The Witcher's next game is Sons of the Forest meets Bioshock |
Twinfinite Saturday, September 30, 2023 12:21 PM  |
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Siliconera Saturday, September 30, 2023 3:00 PM
Back in 2022, Square Enix started releasing Final Fantasy XIV Eorzea Academy, an alternate reality manga placing familiar heroes and villains in a high school setting. It was a brief tale spanning only seven chapters. Now that it's available worldwide in English, I can't help but wish it was longer. It's so fun and packed with personality, and the characters translate over to their new roles quite well.
The stars of Final Fantasy XIV Eorzea Academy are primarily Alisaie and Alphinaud Leveilleur, with other Scions of the Seventh Dawn, Garlean Empire, and side characters like Ryne and Tataru also playing fairly large parts. Depending on characters' ages or personalities, they end up being students or faculty. So, for example, Alisaie and Alphinaud are first-year students who are living away from home, so they're staying in the same place as teachers Y'shtola, Thancred, and Urianger.
As the school actually merged the Academy of Light and Academy of Darkness, students haven't really adjusted to being around each other yet. So members of the former Light school, which consist of students like the twins, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Krile, Ysayle, and Aymeric, are essentially at odds with Darkness students like Zenos, Asahi, and Yotsuyu. There are exceptions. (Ryne and Gaia are still quite close. But Tataru proposed a competition of sorts that will result in members of the "winning" class getting a wish granted if they earn enough points through activities and good actions over the year.
Of course, unlike Final Fantasy XIV, there are no real hostilities in the manga. In fact, the rivalry between Alisaie and Zenos almost struck me as a similar dynamic as a pairing like Tsukushi and Tsukasa in Boys Over Flowers or another shojo manga where the heroine and hero are at odds, which very much amused me. All of the chapters feel like slice-of-life situations that wouldn't be out of place in any school-based series, only with some clever references to the original game within.
Speaking of which, I like how the manga still maintained certain dynamics and personalities for Final Fantasy XIV characters. For example, the sibling dynamics between Alisaie and Alphinaud, as well as Asahi and Yotsuyu, are entertaining. I loved Emet Selch's characterization as a teacher, especially his magical tendencies. There's a great moment during the Field Day sports festival involving Y'shtola. (Though, honestly, that's one of my favorite chapters overall.) Speech patterns are maintained for certain folks like Urianger, which works and doesn't feel awkward given the general role in the story and actions.
The thing is that it's all so delightful that I wanted more. The art, the characterizations, the situations, and everything mangaka Esora Amaichi did comes together so well. Also, you can tell the oversight and insight the Final Fantasy XIV Operations Team offered, because it makes the Eorzea Academy manga feel true to the series and characters. Even the way it wraps up made me feel like "this can't be it."
I think Final Fantasy XIV Eorzea Academy is something special. It's really a fun manga, and I'm so glad that Square Enix took this chance and had Amaichi create it. I just wish it was the start of an even larger project, because the stories here are executed so well. But I suppose better short, sweet, and actually existing than never having it at all.
The Final Fantasy XIV Eorzea Academy manga is available via Square Enix worldwide now. The game is available on the PS4, PS5, and PC. Its 6.5 part 1 patch will arrive on October 3, 2023.
The post Final Fantasy XIV Eorzea Academy Manga Makes Me Want More appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, September 30, 2023 3:00 PM
Viz Media often releases these "catch up" DVDs and Blu-rays. They're a way to bring older series back. Think of it as a means of ensuring certain things aren't lost to time. Ranma 1/2 Ova and Movies Collection is essentially that. It's a simple release that keeps 14 items and ensures they're more easily accessible in a pleasant way.
In terms of what you get on the discs, the Ranma 1/2 Ova and Movies Collection is a rather robust selection. It's a complete compilation of these 14 additional stories in an easily accessible format. So you get the following to watch at your leisure:
And honestly, it was a lot of fun to see some of these either again or for the first time. For example, I'd seen The Battle of Nekonron years ago when it was called Big Trouble in Nekonron, China. It looked great in this release. Meanwhile, I'd never seen OVAs like Shampoo's Sudden Switch: The Curse of the Contrary Jewel or Akane vs Ranma: The One Who Inherits Mom's Recipes Will Be Me, and both were a lot of fun! They all looked good in HD, considering their age.
The bonus features are a bit slim. However, I felt like that was understandable given the age of the media. We get the clean opening and endings, which is always a bonus. Especially since the music is great and such a blast of nostalgia. There are also the OVA preview trailers, which is another fun look back.
I do wish there was a little something more in the actual package. For example, Viz Media's Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan Blu-ray release included a nice booklet. It went over the episodes in the collection. There were interviews with people involved with the project. We could see art. It was a brief pamphlet, but I appreciated it a lot. I'd have loved to have seen something similar here.
Still, the Ranma 1/2 Ova and Movie Collection Blu-ray is a good way to catch up and preserve installments of a classic series. Everything here is still fun to watch. Viz's collection covers all of the essentials. It's missing some niceties of other releases, which I wonder if the age had something to do with, but it's still a good way to ensure a classic anime doesn't get left behind.
The Ranma 1/2 Ova and Movie Collection is available now via Viz Media. The anime is streaming on Hulu. Viz Media handles the manga outside Japan.
The post The Ranma 1/2 Ova and Movies Collection Preserves the Past appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, September 30, 2023 12:30 PM
Disney Tsum Tsum Land will end service on January 31, 2024. Colopl apologized on its official website for how it wasn't able to meet player expectations and thanked everyone for enjoying the game over the years. The site also has a schedule for the days leading up to the end of service.
As of September 29, 2023, you will no longer be able to purchase new Diamonds or invite people through Line. There will also be an event and a campaign from October 2, 2023 to thank all of the players for their patronage. Colopl has not yet uploaded details on that event. More information on it will come out soon. Finally, service will end on January 31, 2024. Colopl will announce its plans for how it'll handle any leftover premium currency players may still have at this time.
Disney Tsum Tsum Land came out in November 2017 as a puzzle game in which you have to shoot Tsum Tsums at other Tsum Tsums to delete them. It's similar to Puzzle Bobble in that sense. Tsum Tsums include Disney characters from its past animations and movies, as well as characters from Disney properties such as Star Wars.
Disney Tsum Tsum Land is available on mobile devices. Its service will end on January 31, 2024.
The post Disney Tsum Tsum Land to End Service in 2024 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, September 30, 2023 11:30 AM
The My Pikachu plush will re-appear in Pokemon Centers around Japan from October 14, 2023. These Pokemon plushes have minute differences in their expressions, ears, and tails to create a unique Pikachu plush. Each My Pikachu plush will cost 1,650 JPY ($11.05).
After you get a plush, you can fill out a memorial tag. You'll be able to hang the tag off of the Pikachu to serve as a name tag. Aside from the Pikachu's nickname, you can also record their personality and their Ability. Back when the plush first came out, you were also able to fill out a tag then. However, it doesn't look like the Pika Pika Tree or Pika Pika Forest attractions will make a return.
Originally, you could pay 1,650 JPY to participate in the Pika Pika Forest or Pika Pika Tree. Instead of choosing a doll on your own, it would recreate the idea of meeting a Pikachu in the forest. While you couldn't choose the physical traits of the plush you got, you could experience what it's like to find a wild Pokemon in real life.
The My Pikachu plush will be available again in Pokemon Centers from October 14, 2023. The toy originally came out as part of the Pokemon 25th anniversary and was available from April 22, 2023 to June 30, 2023.
The post My Pikachu Plush Will Return From October 2023 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, September 30, 2023 11:00 AM
Arc System Works will release a Bridget outfit for you to put on your VRChat avatar. The release date is October 6, 2023. It will also re-run the May outfit. As a note, the avatar does not actually turn you into Bridget or May. Instead, they're costumes that you can place on an existing one. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
The Guilty Gear Strive Bridget outfit in VRChat will cost 3000 JPY. You can place it on Moe, Manuka, Kikyo, or Selestia. While the May outfit already came out, an updated version of it will be released on October 6, 2023. The May outfit will cost 2000 JPY, and will now include her weapon and glove. Merino and Kikyo can wear her outfit.
Though not Guilty Gear Strive, there are also avatar costumes you can get of characters from Guilty Gear Xrd. There are outfits of Elphelt, Dizzy, Baiken, and Jam. All of these outfits are for the Kikyo avatar.
Since her addition to the playable roster of Guilty Gear Strive, Bridget has been a popular character for marketing purposes. T-Shirts with her on them appeared at TGS 2023, and you can get a figure of her or a plush of her teddy bear Roger. This is likely due to her design, as well as the enduring popularity of her character from previous Guilty Gear titles.
Guilty Gear Strive is readily available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Windows PC. The Guilty Gear Strive Bridget and May Version 2.0 outfits for you to use on your VRChat avatar will cmoe out on October 6, 2023.
The post Guilty Gear Strive Bridget Outfit Will Appear in VRChat appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, September 30, 2023 9:00 AM
NetEase recently revealed Project Mugen, an upcoming free-to-play open world RPG with an emphasis on freedom of exploration, combat, and an urban aesthetic. The game is being developed by the recently founded Naked Rain division from NetEase's ThunderFire studio. To learn more about what Naked Fire aims to achieve with Project Mugen, Siliconera spoke with Producer Ash Qi during TGS 2023 about the upcoming open world RPG.
Daniel Bueno: What will be the focus of the narrative of Project Mugen?
Ash Qi: Project Mugen is an open world RPG with lots of interconnected cities. The role of the player is that of an investigator exploring these cities looking for Chaos. In the process, the player will encounter allies and friends, and will discover the truth of why Chaos is manifesting in the world, as well as the truth about the player character's identity.
What could you tell me about some of the characters shown so far that hasn't been shared yet?
Ash Qi: Our philosophy behind character development is that each character will have their own background and identity, as well as their own weapons and features. The characters in Project Mugen are also designed to be relatable, normal people like us. For example, Taffy (the girl with bunny ears,) she is a lazy girl that can also show a lot of energy, and move very fast in her vehicle, a hammer that turns into a motorbike. Taffy doesn't like to work, and sometimes will be tired while driving and almost fall asleep.
In footage shown so far, we've seen some of the tools for exploration and combat, such as the grappling hook, many vehicles, and swimming. What will the verticality that some of these tools add offer in terms of exploration and combat.
Ash Qi: We want players to feel freedom when playing Project Mugen, and provide an outlet to relieve stress within the urban environment of the game. We have various options for traversal and fighting. In terms of combat, we wanted players to be able to be able to user their environment to their advantage.
For example, if enemies are on an elevated platform, players can destroy the platform and throw the enemies to the ground. We are including many such objects and tools in the map that players can throw or interact with to defeat enemies, just like in a Jackie Chan movie.
In the most recent trailer, we could see some interior urban areas. Can we expect to see many of these, and what will they add to the game?
Ash Qi: We designed those interior spaces from two perspectives. The first one is, when the player is acting as an investigator in the game they are at work, and their target is to look for Chaos. Some of the Chaos are good and living peacefully in the world alongside human beings. But some of them are evil, and will be hiding in places like warehouses. These are some of the interior locales that will be present in the game.
The second perspective involves the player when they are not working as an investigator. When they are relaxing, players might want to experience the urban life. It's just like us as gamers, or game developers. Sometimes we might want to go to a bar, or a café, or other cities. But often in real life we might be trapped in our worlds and we might not be able to go to these places. So, we wanted to reflect those feelings in the game and allow players to visit all of these places freely.
Going back to the methods of transport. Will these methods of transport distinguish themselves other than aesthetically? For example, having exclusive content for each one like swimming minigames, racing, or parkour challenges?
Ash Qi: Actually, we wanted to do the opposite. Since the game is already very complex and offers many challenges, we wanted to make it very easy and smooth to be able to move from one place to another.
With Naked Rain based in Hangzhou, China and having another team in Montreal, has that inspired the layout of the cities and the world of Project Mugen? What other big metropolis have served as inspiration for the world of the game?
Ash Qi: Our philosophy when designing cities for Project Mugen is that we are basing the cities of the game in reality, but we are also looking to surpass reality. For example, the first city shown might seem very familiar, like it belongs in an animation or comic. This city is based on a typical metropolis in Eastern Asia, and aims to reflect cultures of East Asia. We are currently developing new maps and cities based on cities such as London and Paris, among various other cities in the world.
Being a free-to-play game, what methods of monetization can players expect to be present in the game?
Ash Qi: Currently our focus is on developing the game itself, so we haven't considered the business model yet. Of course, once we are close to launch, we will communicate it. However, we consider the game itself is very important, so if the product is of high quality you can compete in the market. Because of this, we don't think business model is a problem for the development of the game.
What makes Project Mugen unique and distinguish itself from other possible competitors in the free-to-play market?
Ash Qi: Actually, not only in the free-to-play market but in the whole market, we think our game is quite competitive. Because we can provide so many emotions and experiences in our open world, we think our IP is unprecedented.
In the current free-to-play market there are a few open world games, but few of them are of this urban open world style. There are also some open world games in the North American market, but the focus of these games is on criminal themes. We provide a different feeling and tone. Our team is younger and we are aiming to provide more positive and relatable emotions.
Project Mugen is currently in development for the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices. There is currently no release date set.
The post Interview: Project Mugen Producer Discusses Freedom and Relatability appeared first on Siliconera. |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, September 30, 2023 3:43 PM  When Riot Games released Valorant in 2020, we saw a lot of CSGO players transitioning to the new FPS title. Although the initial player base of Valorant consisted of mostly ex-CSGO players, the game surely did succeed in developing a unique player base of its own. While this still remains a debatable topic, to my mind, Riot's Valorant greatly impacted popularizing FPS titles to a greater audience. With the release of the newest version of CS, Counter-Strike 2, many players from Valorant are also looking to try out the newest version of the legendary FPS franchise. Counter-Strike 2 has similar features to Valorant, but the basics and fundamentals of these two games are still very different. One of the fundamental things in both Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant is the sensitivity that the players use in these games. If you try to play Counter-Strike 2 with your Valorant settings, your crosshair movement in CS2 will likely be very slow. Fortunately, you can still keep the same sensitiv... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, September 30, 2023 2:23 PM  All RPGs need to come with a final boss that leaves you wondering how you even got to the end level in the first place. They need to put you in your place and make sure you use every little bit of arsenal available. Adam Smasher is certainly the big bad for the job in Cyberpunk 2077, and he will have you sweating before you manage to beat him. By the time you reach this stage in the game, you will battered, bruised, and not completely in control, but with some practice and guidance, he can be defeated. Who is Adam Smasher? PC Invasion If you are familiar with the term ghost in the shell, then Adam Smasher's existence will be no mystery to you. As a young man growing up on the streets of Night City, Adam was no more than a street punk. After things went bad for his gang, he decided his future was with the military. On one fateful mission, a stray RPG turned Adam Smasher into burger meat, only to be carted off in various bags by his comrades. Due to his barbaric yet lo... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, September 30, 2023 11:50 AM  Playing MyCareer in NBA 2K24 provides you with boosts, known as Takeovers, that help you on the court. They are a few abilities that help with both offense and defense, but must be filled before use. When being used, they pretty much give you the upper hand but can't used for very long. Below we'll go over them all and how to activate them. How to use all Takeovers in NBA 2K24 Press RS on Xbox or R3 on PlayStation to activate an unlocked takeover. You'll see your unlocked takeovers in the top right, which are five in total: Defensive/Rebounding: Makes up for lack of possession by providing boosts. This is represented by a shield with a basketball's lining. LB on Xbox, L1 on PlayStation Finishing: Boosts your ability to finish near the basket, represented by a checkered flag. A on Xbox, X on PlayStation Shooting: Enhances your ability to shoot from the field, this is represented by a crosshair. X on Xbox, Square on PlayStation Rel... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, September 30, 2023 11:39 AM  In the Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 update, you can represent the Trauma Team by winning the rewards from the Trauma Drama arcade machine. This is no easy feat, but like anything, there is a cheeky strategy that only the committed can accomplish. If you really want to feel like a part of the team, then you better get ready for a lot of high-stakes arcade action. Here's how to get all the Trauma Drama rewards in Cyberpunk 2077. Where to find Trauma Drama Trauma Drama is an arcade game that you can play, found dotted around Night City. They are all over the place, but one of the easiest to get to is the one in El Coyote Cojo. Fast travel to the point El Coyote Cojo in The Glen (Haywood) and travel to the bar of the same name, the one with Mama Welles. Cross the road that the fast travel point is facing and keep going down that road. You can also get to the Trauma Drama arcade in Kabuki Market. Any will do. Screenshot: PC Invasion Once you've found your arcade, you can play... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, September 30, 2023 11:38 AM  It's very easy to go off on a tangent in Starfield. One minute you're off to search for an artifact with Constellation, and before you know it, you've wound up in the custody of a government operation that wants you to infiltrate the Crimson Fleet for them. Fortunately, Starfield has plenty of things for you to do, but the high level of freedom and choose-your-own-adventure aspects of the story make it very easy to get distracted from the main quests. But don't worry, because we've got you covered. If you're wondering what the main missions are, what future missions await a humble space explorer like you, or you're just curious how long Starfield's main campaign is, rest assured we've got the full scoop. Below you can find all about Starfield's main story missions. How many main story missions are in Starfield? Image: Bethesda Starfield boasts a total of 20 main missions which kick off with "One Small Step" and finally culminate poetically in �... |
EA Sports FC 24 is the newest edition of EA Sports' footballing franchise, after the name change from FIFA to EA Sports FC. In changing over to the new name, there are a few new additions to the game, like Evolutions in Ultimate Team. But another one is PlayStyles, a new feature that allows EA to try and define a players play style more accurately, and to great effect. Some of these help in attacking, possession, midfield, and defense. Speaking of defense, Advanced Defending is something that you can use in defense to try and gain the upper hand on your opponent, but it can take some time to get used to. Here's our guide on how to use Advanced Defending in EA Sports FC 24 How to use Advanced Defending in EA Sports FC 24 First things first, you can change over to Advanced Defending from what you usually use by going into the game's settings on the main menu and scrolling down in the gameplay section until you reach defending and changing the option – from Tactical Defending ... 
Starfield has so many planets that you might never visit them all, even if you spend hundreds of hours with the game. Some of them, like Serpentis, are well worth a visit even if you leave half the galaxy unexplored. Here is our guide telling you where to find the Serpentis system in Starfield. Starfield – where to find the Serpentis system Like a lot of systems, Serpentis has hidden depths once you begin to explore beneath the surface. First, however, you need to find it. You will find the Serpentis system near the Starmap's right side, to the upper right from the Kryx system. Screenshot: PC Invasion Start by finding the Kryx system. It is located directly to the right of the Cheyenne system, which you will likely visit fairly early in the game. From Kryx, travel to Ophion, and then head to the upper right to reach Serpentis. Ideally, bring along a ship with good defenses. You may need to activate and upgrade the Astrodynamics skill, depending on the vessel yo... 
To complete each heist in Payday 3 you must do the objective quiet or loud. If you do it quite, you'll get some bonuses more so than loud. Regardless, if you do more than what's asked for, the payout will have more bonuses. For the Rock The Cradle heist which has a bunch of moving parts, will have you wanting to get all the loot in the mission. Since the Rock the Cradle is a complicated mission in Payday 3, this guide should help you find all the loot. So follow along below. Where to find all the loot in Rock the Cradle for Payday 3 The map is broken up into 2 parts, most of which are a part of the main goal. So this guide will break down both sections separately. This way, it's easier to follow. Main Level loot There are 2 floors on this level, the main one and the second level. You'll spend most of your time on the upper floor. The first 4 pieces of loot are in Private Booth 1 and 2. Once you enter the club, there will be a staircase on the right, an... 
Although you spend much of your time on the surface of planets when you play Starfield, you often take to space in your ship. While there, you might encounter numerous wonders, including derelict space stations and even a floating casino. One location you should visit fairly early in your adventure is The Den. Here is our guide telling you how to find The Den in Starfield. Starfield – how to find The Den The Den is a nice waypoint where you can find a Trade Authority office and even a Ship Technician. It is within United Colonies space in a small system. To find the Den, check near the planet Cthonia in the Wolf system. Screenshot: PC Invasion The Wolf system itself is easy to find. You begin the game in the Alpha Centauri system. When you access your Starmap, the Wolf system is located a short distance to the upper right from Alpha Centauri, within easy distance. Related: Where to find the major cities and settlements in Starfield When you access the Wo... 
If you asked me what xDefiant was, I'd tell you to imagine what the Ubisoft cinematic universe looked like. Try to imagine what an Avengers-type film would be, but with Ubisoft franchises. It's a very strange way to describe xDefiant, as I didn't know what it was until booting it up. But this online first-person arena shooter has factions from five different Ubisoft franchises competing with and against each other. Sounds kind of silly, right? Well, after playing it for a couple hours during the short public test sessions, I can say that xDefiant looks like a promising start to a fun free-to-play experience. I'll be honest upfront and say this isn't the typical game I play. I've never really tried an arena shooter, although I do enjoy first-person shooters. In my first few matches, I really felt disoriented and confused, but it takes a bit of practice to learn what the game is all about. After starting to get the hang of it, I was having a lot more f...