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Sep 07, 12:00


Kotaku Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:34 AM
    

After it was announced that legendary voice actor Charles Martinet would no longer portray Mario in future Nintendo games (starting with October 20's Super Mario Bros. Wonder) but would become a "Mario Ambassador," fans were confused. What is a Mario Ambassador? Why isn't Martinet voicing the Italian-American plumber…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:46 AM
    

Mortal Kombat publisher Warner Bros. Games has announced that vampire warrior Nitara, who debuted in 2002's Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance and was rarely seen again, will return to the series in forthcoming reboot Mortal Kombat 1. If you've tragically lost Nitara in the 21 years of cobwebs that crowd your gaming…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:39 AM
    

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which controls E3, and ReedPop, which organizes events like PAX, announced they're no longer working together after failing to put on the biggest gaming showcase of the year back in June. The once-annual, once-dominant trade event hasn't been held in person since 2019, and…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:40 AM
    

A successor to Nintendo's massively popular Switch gaming console has been rumored for years, but actual Switch 2 hardware now appears to be out in the wild. Eurogamer reports that Nintendo used a special version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to demo the new console for developers at Gamescom 2023 last…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:15 AM
    

FLCL, otherwise known as Fooly Cooly, is uniquely a product of the early 2000s, something that comes through in its provocative art direction, its hectic action sequences, and its unforgettable alternative rock soundtrack. It's also a cult classic, known for its disorienting fever-dream-esque story which fans like me…

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PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:57 AM
     Razer reveals BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed gaming headset

Razer has revealed the Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed gaming headset as a mid-range option for those who aren't ready to make the jump to the BlackShark V2 Pro. Better yet, it's available right now! 

While it seems like the objective here is to strip back features in order to make it more affordable, in reality, Razer has instead created a product that could easily have sat alongside the V2 Pro as a flagship release. 

We reviewed the BlackShark V2 Pro and found it to be among the best wireless gaming headsets you will find on the market. With the BlackShark Hyperspeed, Razer wants to retain as much quality as possible, while also making it more affordable given the V2 Pro retails for $199.99.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Razer Viper V2 Pro review, Razer Barracuda Pro review, Razer Enki Pro review

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:25 AM
     Best Steam Deck games 2023

What are the best Steam Deck games? Narrowing down the list of the best Steam Deck games is no easy task, as the device is capable of playing a myriad of genres and titles from across the decades. Yet whether you play your Steam Deck in small bursts, have it hooked up to an external display, or use it as your official travel buddy, there are perfect games for every occasion.

Continue reading Best Steam Deck games 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:10 AM
     Cities Skylines 2 base game lacks some useful features, dev suggests

Cities Skylines 2 is overhauling almost every single feature from the original city-building game, using fan feedback and some of the most popular Cities Skylines mods as the inspiration for new road tools, traffic systems, service AI, and more. But with the Cities Skylines 2 release date on its way, Colossal Order seems to suggest that a couple of extremely useful features that were added to Cities Skylines by players and DLC packs won't be integrated into the CS2 base game. It seems like modders will still have a place in Cities Skylines 2.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cities Skylines 2 release date, Cities Skylines 2 system requirements, Cities Skylines 2 maps

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:03 AM
     The best Ark mods 2023

What are the best Ark mods in 2023? The dino-survival multiplayer game has been immensely popular ever since it was released seven years ago, with a whole host of content added post-launch. If you've exhausted everything vanilla, however, or you fancy some unofficial extra goodies to wrap your talons around, these Ark mods are for you.

Worry not, Ark fans, because we've got a list of the best Ark mods right here. Ranging from rideable dodos and turtles to volcanoes and pirates, this has everything you need to spice up the dino-based survival game. You can get each mod working on your Ark server by simply subscribing to it on the linked Steam Workshop page - it's that easy! Alternatively, pay attention to our Ark admin commands guide if you fancy using what are essentially cheats - we won't tell anyone, promise.

Continue reading The best Ark mods 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ark 2 release date, Best survival games, The best Ark mods

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:09 AM
     Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 release date and beta details

When is the Modern Warfare 3 release date? There were rumors last year that Activision might be taking a break from its annual cycle of Call of Duty games, giving Sledgehammer Games more time to craft a sequel.

Modern Warfare 2 was originally intended to last two years, with Sledgehammer Games set to work on a 'premium release' expansion to continue the FPS game's single-player campaign. This plan pivoted to a full-blown release, and now we know Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 launches later this year. MW3 is set to become one of the biggest upcoming games, so here's everything we know about the MW3 release date, including the latest rumors and leaks.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, CoD Modern Warfare 3 release date, Best war games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:36 AM
     Nvidia DLSS 3 is now strong with Stars Wars Jedi Survivor

When Star Wars Jedi: Survivor first forced its way onto PC, there were no signs of support for Nvidia DLSSAs a product of the ongoing partnership between AMD and EA, this wasn't surprising, especially with FSR being a direct competitor to Team Green's upscaling technology. Yet, in a surprising twist, a brand-new update coming to the Star Wars game means that Stars Wars Jedi Survivor DLSS compatibility is finally with us, including DLSS 3 frame generation.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: RTX 4060 review, DLSS explained, Best graphics cards

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:23 AM
     The best Sims 4 mods 2023

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

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

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

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:24 AM
     Best external SSD for gaming in 2023: top portable drives

The best external SSD for gaming is a relatively inexpensive way to expand storage and speed up the loading times of the best PC games without the hassle of rummaging around the insides of your machine. Simply plug one into a free USB port on your gaming PC or gaming laptop, install your game, and play to your heart's content.

Portable SSDs don't have to be bland boxes. Adata leans into a distinct RGB-lit honeycomb effect and Sandisk makes a dust- and water-resistant NVMe drive that fits into the palm of your hand. You can even do it yourself if you own a spare internal NVMe thanks to an enclosure from Asus turning your existing drive into a portable storage device.

Portable and external options do come with some caveats, of course, such as slower speeds. They're a marked improvement over hard drives, but you'll want to grab the best SSD for gaming if you're all about performance. Check out our guide on how to install an SSD to make sure it sits correctly.

So why buy an external SSD? The advantage of a portable SSD is that you can swap it between devices without any fuss. With so many prices to choose from and read speeds ranging from 540MB/s all the way up to 2,800MB/s, we've rounded up a selection of drives for every usage and budget so you can choose the best external SSD for you.

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

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:12 AM
     You can rob the Starfield casino in the best possible way

In Starfield's vast intergalactic world that's teeming with life, of course there's going to be a casino. However, there's a neat little trick that will let you nab some sweet, sweet credits and get some vengeance if you've lost out on the Starfield jackpot. Stealing is part of every RPG game in existence, so go on, it's fine, steal the cash - I won't tell anyone, I promise.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield review, Starfield companions, Starfield traits

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:02 AM
     Is Starfield Steam Deck compatible?

Is Starfield Steam Deck compatible? Having a Bethesda RPG installed on your Steam Deck feels like you don't need any other game on the handheld, and Starfield is no exception. Unfortunately, it appears we'll need to wait a while longer to take our space flights on the go.

As stated in the Starfield system requirements, you'll need 125GB of storage space if you want to head out exploring new planets. There's over a hundred different solar systems on offer, so it's not exactly a surprise the game takes up so much space. If you're hoping to play Bethesda's latest title on the go, you might want to check out our guide to the best microSD card for Steam Deck, especially if you've got the 64GB model.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield review, Starfield companions, Starfield traits

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:56 AM
     Baldur's Gate 3 romance and sex explained

How does Baldur's Gate 3 romance work? Love is in the air in BG3, and you can spend a lot of time romancing your companions and some NPCs, too. Every character you can seduce in Baldur's Gate 3 is different, and you'll have to get to know them and understand what they like and dislike if you're hoping to build a relationship. Here's what you'll need to do to quite literally charm the pants off of every character.

As we've explained in our Baldur's Gate 3 review, we love BG3, especially knowing that Halsin will open up all kinds of doors if you're into bears, and all bear-love-related experiences. We'll let you decide if this makes the Druid the best BG3 class. Whichever of the classes or BG3 races you choose though, you of course don't have to become romantically involved with anyone if you prefer fade to black on that stuff. If one of the BG3 companions does take your fancy though, here's everything you need to know about Baldur's Gate 3 romance and sex.

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

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:00 AM
     Best gaming CPU 2023

What is the best gaming CPU? Competition between AMD and Intel has never been more fierce, with the 13th Gen Core and Ryzen 7000 series each offering high levels of performance. You're effectively spoiled for choice at the moment when it comes to picking the perfect processor for your PC, but we're here to make your search much simpler.

While it's easy to underestimate the value of your CPU, it plays a large part in determining the capabilities of your system. This bit of silicon can make all the difference in hitting your target average frame rates, particularly if you play on a high refresh rate display or enjoy gaming with ray tracing enabled.

Right now, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D rules the roost according to our testing. However, the Intel Core i9 13900K can pull ahead in some benchmarks, providing you have a strong enough cooler and power supply to tame that particular beast.

As a general rule of thumb when looking for a new processor, we'd suggest looking at options with at least six cores. Hexacore chips are now the standard among gamers, and a growing number of AAA releases expect as much. There are great current generation options that fit this bill, like the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, but don't feel sheepish about opting for a 12th Gen Core or Ryzen 5000 series model as they'll be fine for years to come too.

Continue reading Best gaming CPU 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming mouse, Best gaming monitor

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:46 AM
     Win one of ten WASD x IGN event tickets in our giveaway!

WASD x IGN, the event that brings together over 100 playable games, is coming to the Truman Brewery in East London next week. Meet up with like-minded individuals as you play through a mix of upcoming PC games, with some retro ones thrown into the mix, too. WASD x IGN runs from 10am to 6pm on Thursday September 14 to Saturday 16, giving you plenty of time to experience everything the event has to offer.


PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:33 AM
     Fallout meets SimCity in new roguelike strategy game

Fallout is the ultimate post-apocalyptic survival sim. You scrounge for weapons, barely keep yourself alive with old boxes of Sugar Bombs, and slowly rebuild and protect settlements with the - ahem - help of Preston Garvey. On the contrary, SimCity is a stone-cold PC classic, one of the earliest city builders and testament to simple premise and crisp, clean UI can actually create one of the greatest gaming experiences of all time. So, if Fallout is great, and SimCity is also great, how about we throw them together? Meet Wastelander, a new roguelike strategy game that's just launched on Steam with a nice introductory discount.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best strategy games, Best roguelikes, Best building games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:31 AM
     The best Western games on PC 2023

What are the best Western games on PC that you should be playing? It's not an easy decision to make. The Wild West is a time of lawlessness, striking gold, and perilous shootouts - no wonder it's the subject of many top cowboy games. We've donned our stetson and cowboy boots, and set out on horseback to find you the best of the Wild West.

The best PC games based in the Wild West are inspired heavily by the cowboy media that has come before them, and it's fair to say that the humble Western is a cornerstone of American culture. The game studios that decide to take on the challenge of bringing the American Frontier into our lives have a lot of pressure to get it right. Luckily, a number of them have absolutely nailed what being a cowboy is all about, and we've done the hard work of corralling the varmints right here, from open-world games, to strategy games and even vampire games, so here's our pick of the best Western games.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Fallout New Vegas mods, Fallout 5 release date, Best RPG games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:15 AM
     Best Starfield ships and how to design your own

What are the best Starfield ships? These interstellar space vessels are how you'll travel between the stars. You'll come across countless ships warping between solar systems; most friendly, some incredibly hostile. You're fine to settle on your starting ship and make it your own mobile home, but you're just as free to make your own if pilfering one from angry space pirates isn't your style.

Not sure what you'll be getting up to in a custom Starfield ship of your own design? By adding cargo modules, you'll be able to make a good go of amassing Starfield contraband to rapidly gain Starfield money. You might also get a little too invested in the Starfield photo mode as well.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield review, Starfield companions, Starfield traits

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:13 AM
     Best Starfield skills and full skill list

What are the best Starfield skills? According to Todd Howard, Starfield;s skill system "combines the best" from Bethesda's previous games, and we're inclined to agree. These skills are split into five separate paths: Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech, and are unlocked through a combination of spending skill points and completing challenges.

As mentioned in our Starfield review, it's vital to customize your character to your playstyle to power through Bethesda's interstellar RPG gameAfter choosing your spacefarer's Starfield background and Starfield traits, the best Starfield skills are your next stop to shape how you'll navigate combat, diplomacy, and survival in the long term.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield review, Starfield companions, Starfield traits

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:56 AM
     The best Minecraft YouTubers

Who are the best Minecraft YouTubers? Ever since the blockbuster indie game Minecraft was originally released back in 2009, we've watched empires of blocks rise and fall on YouTube as players share their adventures with the world. There are innumerable Minecraft content creators on YouTube - and we can see why: the wildly popular sandbox game has a wealth of potential for creating entertaining videos that cater to all kinds of audiences.

There are thousands of Minecraft YouTubers out there sharing meticulously composed Minecraft builds, exploring fun Minecraft servers with their friends, discovering weird and wonderful Minecraft mods, publishing Minecraft tutorials, let's plays, or even racing to complete the sandbox game as fast as humanly possible. If you're looking for brand-new blocky entertainment, we've headed down into the mines to find a range of creators who offer all kinds of Minecraft videos.

Continue reading The best Minecraft YouTubers
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:41 AM
     Minecraft ideas – inspiration for your next Minecraft build

What are the most inspiring Minecraft ideas? Minecraft gives players a sandbox to build almost anything they want, but after years of creating new worlds in the sandbox, you may understandably be running out of ideas.

Luckily, there are plenty of unique builds, farms, and creations out there to inspire your next Minecraft project. Unlike our favorite Minecraft builds or Minecraft house ideas, this list contains a more mixed variety of ideas, from a stylish Minecraft Nether Portal to automated farms, from massive decorative builds to homely aquariums. The world is your oyster in the building game, and this list of the best Minecraft ideas just goes to prove that - and will hopefully inspire you, whether it's a Redstone contraption or a new base you're after.

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

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:29 AM
     Best Starfield settings for PC

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.

Before heading out on interplanetary voyages, come back to down earth and make sure your PC meets the Starfield system requirements, as you may need to postpone your launch otherwise. It's also worth noting that, unlike the console versions of the game, Starfield fps isn't arbitrarily capped and will vary depending on the power of your system and which Starfield settings you opt for.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield review, Starfield companions, Starfield traits

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:27 AM
     Best Clicker games 2023

What are the best clicker games and idle games? Some interesting connotations come along with clicker games. Also known as 'incremental' or 'idle' games, the name betrays certain expectations: click your mouse, get a tiny reward, and repeat until you can make the process more efficient and lucrative like a lab rat pulling away at levers until it gets a tasty food pellet.

In most cases, a snowball effect accompanies your progress that makes your clicks more productive, hence the "incremental" moniker. Many games operate automatically even when you're not playing, which justifies the "idle" nickname. Clicker games manage to distill high-complexity concepts into a series of single clicks and automation, and while they might not be among the best PC games for their depth or storylines, clicker games are certainly among the most calming and relaxing games.

Continue reading Best Clicker games 2023

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 8:13 AM
     All Starfield console commands and cheats

What are the Starfield console commands and cheat? We've all been guilty of it. You get to the shop and see the perfect piece of kit for your spacefarer; an absurdly large rifle that runs on the power of friendship. But what's that? You're short on credits. Typical. Nothing a quick console command can't solve, though.

As mentioned in our Starfield review, this is one huge game. While it's always advised to play games like Starfield without these boosts the first time around, you might want to get familiar with the Starfield console commands to instantly get the best Starfield weapons or shower your Starfield companions with your ill-gotten riches. Before you venture too far ahead, be warned that one of these commands reveals some late-game story information. Now, here's everything you need to know about Starfield cheats, every Starfield console command, and what they do.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield review, Starfield companions, Starfield traits

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:14 AM
     Best gaming chairs 2023

What is the best gaming chair? We've broken our backs sorting through the sea of seats on the market today, to help you find the most comfortable, supportive, or downright flashy throne for you. So, lean back, and check out our recommendations and reviews for the next place you could be parking your posterior.

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

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:08 AM
     Starfield's Todd Howard dismisses complaints about PC optimization

Starfield director Todd Howard says that the new Bethesda RPG game is "running great" and tells players who are experiencing optimization issues that they "may need to upgrade" their PCs. The best Starfield settings are the ideal way to avoid any performance issues, but Howard says that Bethesda has already optimized the game, and that the studio's objective is to "push the technology." It comes the same day as the Starfield Steam launch, as the Skyrim and Fallout successor leaves its early access period and enters global release.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield review, Starfield companions, Starfield traits

PCGamesN Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:06 AM
     The best Minecraft servers 2023

What are the best Minecraft servers? We've jumped into some of the many multiplayer servers around to find the best, friendliest, and most fun of them all. Joining any one of the varied Minecraft servers in this list will invite you into a magical world full of like-minded fans, builders, redstone masters, and survival experts. Minecraft worlds are infinite, so what better than sharing one with others?

While vanilla, single-player Minecraft is still one of the best games ever, there's nothing better than jumping into a world with friends and creating a world together. The servers below aren't just for builders, though, and there's something for you whether you want Minecraft mods, parkour, PVP, or a number of other things. So, dive into the expansive world of multiplayer with these incredible Minecraft servers, or head to the bottom of the list if you need to know about hosting your own Minecraft server.

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

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:50 AM
    

Space will neither save nor free us. Like Starfield, it will not be glamorous or exciting. As billionaire jebends plot to establish their own corporate fiefdoms amongst the stars, our descendents' potential spacelives are looking as miserable as collecting 5 spacewolf livers. But I find some hope in spaceship salvage sim Hardspace: Shipbreaker, both in the overt plot about unionisation and in the small satisfaction of doing a job well. Head down, shut up, and focus on dismantling this spaceship carefully and efficiently. It's an attitude that won't save the world but can get you through one more day, and sometimes that's enough.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:35 AM
    

When I finished Part 1 of my perverse effort to play Starfield entirely as a space sim, I was both terrified and tantalised. A quick reminder of the rules: I can only acquire new ships by commandeering them, which also means that I can't just shuffle between ships at whim after adding them to my hangar. Any ship I abandon is essentially gone for good.

My first trophy as greenhorn orbital bandit Mary Read was a UC Transpo, which is essentially a shoebox with toilet roll tubes and detergent bottles glued to the outside, its ordnance limited to a single laser. I began my second leg confidently expecting to spend many hours in this Fisher Price starmobile, vainly searching for a wounded battlecruiser or an abandoned space yacht or some other, more capable vessel accessible to a space pirate of extremely modest means. This is going to be Jalopy: Galactic Edition, I said to myself. Imagine my shock (and slight disappointment) when I jumped to the very next planet and proceeded to comprehensively ding over a Crimson Fleet Spectre.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:17 AM
    

Greetings, starchildren. This week on the Electronic Wireless Show podcast we talk about Starfield, the game on everyone's lips! We got code late due to an unknown random happenstance, but we've now put a bunch of time into playing it so can have a blimmin' great chat about Bethesda's space RPG. I sound like I hate it, but don't. James actually likes it. Nate has not played it but he asks us about it.

As you might imagine, the field of stars also makes up the bulk of our What We've Been Playing this week, although Nate is considering whether to start that or Baldur's Gate 3 - we give conflicting answers... Plus, some interesting recommendations, and Garfield.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:39 AM
    

Hello folks. How was Baldur's Gate 3 August for you? Ready for Starfield September? I hope you are, because lemme tell you, it's coming all right. In truth, I was surprised (and somewhat saddened) by some of the comments we received around our Baldur's Gate 3 coverage. If you missed them, they were mostly in the vein of saying our increased volume of BG3-related posts felt like "spam", harking back to when we (and the internet at large) all went similarly bananas over Elden Ring last year. I know it can sometimes seem like writing about these games - particularly on RPS - feels like we're somehow neglecting everything else going on in PC gaming. But the truth is a little more complicated than that, so I wanted to take some time to talk a bit about this in this month's Letter From The Editor, because there are a number of reasons why this happens - and will probably continue to happen more generally as websites fight for survival.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:59 AM
    

Sometimes, a game sits at such a cross section of my interests that it almost feels made specifically for me. In the case of Affogato, it's three of my favourite types of games mashed together: it's Coffee Talk by way of Persona by way of any card-based tower defence game – only here it's sort of "reverse tower defence", as the game's Steam page is keen to point out. It's your own card units that are the ones moving along pre-defined tracks wreaking havoc on stationary enemies, not the other way around. Maybe tower assault would be a better term, but that's by the by. Served with a dollop of anime froth on the top, Affogato should be my exact cuppa joe. But despite its intriguing ingredients, I wouldn't say it's been wholly successful in slooshing them all together.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:30 AM
    

Oft' am I struck by the fact that video game homes belonging to characters in the depths of despair are nicer that all of the homes I've lived in myself. Granted, I'm a thirty-something in a country with a years-long housing crisis, so even the Baker House in Resident Evil 7 is of "I think I could just about afford that one day" status. But it comes to something when a 70s depresso-capsule at the bottom of the sea has more square footage and storage space than I do.

Under The Waves (which got patched today, and not before time because I've had one fatal error crash per play session since it came out last week so far) is about a deep sea diver called Stan, who is living and working at the bottom of a big wet metaphor for grief. You will know this because a) its Steam page says this up front, and b) it's not super subtle (this game is published by Quantic Dream). But, as newsman Edwin pointed out to me today, when was the last time the sea wasn't a metaphor for grief? It's never a metaphor for enjoying a nice raspberry ripple ice cream. And despite Stan making reference to "what [he's] been through" half an hour in, I think it does a great job with its chthonic sadness. You float about in your tiny little sub in a great misty darkness, listen to the extremely melancholy music, and you start thinking about sad stuff in your own life. But you get into Stan's capsule living area and you think "this guy has a carpet and a book nook, what the hell?"

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:06 AM
    

I like to think that I'm above the lure of Cool Violent Thing in Videogame these days, but when I see a lanky robot parry a nuclear shockwave with a katana as though swatting a wasp, I find myself Enthused.

The videogame in question is Pyrolith's V.A. Proxy, which I've had my eye on for a while, on account of it being inspired by Nier: Automata and Devil May Cry, with a landscape of megastructures and bruised and rusty art direction that calls to mind The Signal from Tölva. In this moody open world action game, you play one of three robots who awaken to find their memories gone, and promptly set out in search of their creator. It'd be an eye-catcher even without the atomic parry, which you can witness for yourself in the embedded clip below.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 7, 2023 5:33 AM
    

Are Starfield's planets continuous spaces? Are they just collections of sealed-off maps that fake the presence of landmarks such as named cities beyond their invisible boundaries? I just don't even know any more, but Starfield mod creators are looking into it. One intrepid soul, Draspian, has tinkered with the code to disable said invisible boundaries, and in the process, revealed that planetary maps do, in fact, join together, though as you might be expecting, Starfield doesn't take kindly to being treated this way.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 7, 2023 4:30 AM
    

Here's a thing. RPS now has a Tools section! But what does that mean for you, our readers? Well, it will depend if you're the kind of person who consults our daily Wordle answer guides, as our first tool is, in fact, a Wordle Solver. It's a new experiment we're trying that's been put together by our guides and tech teams, and the aim is to help you arrive at those sometimes tricky Wordle answers without, necessarily, just resorting to looking up the answer. We'll see how it goes! And if you want to find out more about what it is and why we're doing it, read on below.

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Twinfinite Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:00 AM
    
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream. GTA VI, and new teaser scenes...

Twinfinite Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:00 AM
    
Discover the secrets across the galaxy.

Siliconera Thursday, September 7, 2023 12:00 PM
    

The Entertainment Software Association

There's an update on the state of E3. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) made two announcements regarding the future of the event. The first is that Reedpop, a company that runs events, will no longer assist in the event. The second is that if E3 2024 does happen, it won't be at the Los Angeles Convention Center anymore. [Thanks, GameIndustry.biz!]

The ESA statement didn't go over why it will no longer use the Los Angeles Convention Center as a possible E3 2024 location. However, it hasn't been the spot for the event before. While it was the home of the show in 1995 and 1996, it was also held at Georgia's World Congress Center in 1997 and 1998 and the Santa Monica Airport in 2007. However, the majority of the years it ran, it was held in Los Angeles. The only exception in recent years is 2021, when E3 was held online.

E3 2020, 2022, and 2023 were all canceled. When the news about E3 2023 came out, the ESA and Reedpop said they would "re-evaluate the future of E3."

There's no confirmation yet as to whether or not E3 2024 will happen. The ESA also didn't detail what the future of the show could end up looking like.

The post E3 2024 Won't Be at LA Convention Center if It Happens appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:30 AM
    

Persona 4 Golden Izanagi Figure

Megahouse revealed more information about the new Persona 4 Golden figure of Izanagi. The figure costs ¥28,380 yen (or about $192), and it is expected to release on March 2024 in Japan. Pre-orders for the new Izanagi figure will open on September 8, 2023 at 1pm JST, and it will be available from the Premium Bandai online store.

The new Izanagi statue belongs to the Game Characters Collection DX line of figures. This is version 2 of the original character figure, which appeared originally on January 2012. This new version was revealed as an unpainted prototype back in late May 2023.

The figure depicts the Persona in a combat pose, surrounded by blue flames. These flames are a characteristic visual in the Persona games that occurs when a character summons their Persona.

You can take a better look at the new Persona 4 Golden Izanagi version 2 statue here:

[gallery size="medium" ids="982909,982910,982911,982912,982913,982914" link="file"]

Izanagi is the starting Persona of the Persona 4 protagonist, Yu Narukami, and as such is a very popular character. Other recent Megahouse Persona merchandise includes a figure of Loki from the Persona 5 series.

The new Persona 4 Golden figure of Izanagi costs ¥28,380 yen (~$192). Its expected Japanese release date is March 2024, and it will be available for pre-order on September 8, 2023 from the Premium Bandai online store.

The post Persona 4 Golden Izanagi Figure Returns in March 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:00 AM
    

Switch 2 Gamescom

Nintendo may have been showing off the Switch 2 at Gamescom 2023, according to reports. Eurogamer said the company apparently was presenting the new hardware to tech partners in private demonstrations. [Thanks, Eurogamer!]

Due to the private nature of the Switch 2 demonstrations, the reports don't tell us much about what we can expect from the new Nintendo hardware. However, reports do state that the game being used to show off the hardware was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This suggests that either the game will be re-released on the new hardware or the new system will be backwards compatible with existing Switch games.

While there is no official confirmation of the existence of a Switch successor, rumors have been circulating about its existence for a while. VGC reported in July 2023 that dev kits for the Switch 2 may already be in the hands of some studios, although details on the system itself were scarce. If reports are true, the console may see a release in late 2024.

In confirmed Switch news, Nintendo recently revealed more details about Super Mario Bros Wonder, which releases on October 20, 2023. Other confirmed Switch releases before the end of 2023 include a remake of Super Mario RPG and a new WarioWare game. A remaster of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and a new game starring Princess Peach are also on their way.

The post The Switch 2 Reportedly Shown Off at Gamescom appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:30 AM
    

FFXIV Patch 6.5 Zero Key Art Shared, Site Updated

Square Enix shared new Zero key art and website updates for FFXIV patch 6.5. The art shows Zero with some of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Meanwhile, the website also shows that art and lists some of the things coming in patch 6.5. However, the site only offers a general overview and doesn't divide the additions up into 6.5 part 1 or part 2. One half will show up in October 2023, while the other debuts in January 2024.

First, here's the FFXIV key art that prominently shows Zero at the center of things. Square Enix introduced her in the Endwalker expansion. However, it was the 6.2 Buried Memory story quests that she came more to the forefront. The art features characters like the Warrior of Light, Y'shtola, Alisaie, Alphinaud, and Estinien.
[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="982956" link="file"]

When it comes to the Growing Light additions mentioned on the website, we already learned about many of them from past Letter from the Producer LIVE presentations. For example, it mentions the Growing Light main scenario quests, which will be split between part 1 and 2 of 6.5. It mentioend The Lunar Subterrane dungeon, Myths of the Realm, Part 3: Thaleia Alliance Raid dungeon, Aloalo Island Variant dungeon, Another Aloalo Island Criterion dungeon, Abyssal Fracture Trial, The Singularity Reactor (Unreal) Unreal Trial, and various quest updates. This update will also bring in the Xbox open beta, as well as the Fall Guys collaboration.

As a reminder, we'll learn more about FFXIV 6.5 Part 2 at the 2023 Tokyo Game Show. The Letter from the Producer LIVE Part LXXIX will air at 11pm PT on September 23, 2023/2am ET on September 24, 2023. It will be on YouTube and streamed worldwide, though there will be no translator and only the slides will be available in English and Japanese.

Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC, and patch 6.5 part 1 will arrive in early October 2023.

The post FFXIV Patch 6.5 Zero Key Art Shared, Site Updated appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 7, 2023 10:00 AM
    

Free FFVII Ever Crisis Blue Crystals Given Out for App Store Milestones

Square Enix released FFVII Ever Crisis, and it also offered up free Blue Crystals and started guaranteed five-star weapon banners to celebrate its launch. The 2,000 free Blue Crystals are to celebrate the game being the number one game in app stores in different countries. The weapon banner is a general welcome one.

Here are all the countries where the game was number one at launch. 1,000 of the free FFVII Ever Crisis. Blue Crystals are for hitting number one in Japan, while the other 1,000 are for getting to that point in the other four countries. This is the game's premium currency, as a reminder.

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

As for the FFVII Ever Crisis five-star weapon guaranteed draw banners, there are two. Both will run until October 6, 2023. One involves weapons for FFVII and Crisis Core, with equipment for Barret, Cloud, and Zack shown in the image. There will also be a similar one for The First Soldier characters, with three focus weapons shown for Glenn, Lucia, and Matt. People need to spend 1,500 Red Crystals to perform a ten-pull and be guaranteed a five-star piece of equipment.
[caption id="attachment_982949" align="alignnone" width="1200"]FFVII Ever Crisis Blue Crystals Weapons Banner Image via Square Enix and Applibot[/caption]
There's also some launch art to celebrate its debut. Square Enix and Applibot had Lisa Fujise, who is a character illustrator for the game and also worked on Chocobo GP, create a new design. It shows Cloud and Reno fighting during FFVII.

Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is available for Android and Apple iOS devices.

The post Free FFVII Ever Crisis Blue Crystals Given Out for App Store Milestones appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:30 AM
    

Eiyuden Chronicle Hundred Heroes English Japanese Dual Audio

Rabbit and Bear Studios confirmed that Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will include English and Japanese dual audio options. Players will be able to change between the English or Japanese dub at any time from the Settings menu. The developers also revealed new Japanese voice actors that will appear in the game.

The confirmation of dual audio in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes was shared through a Kickstarter update. In it, the developers also confirmed that they have included more than 30 playable characters into the game. However, players can expect over 100 total characters to be available in the final release of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.

Additionally, new Japanese voice actors were revealed for various characters. These are the new people confirmed to appear in the game:

  • Dux Aldric: Jouji Nakata
  • Chapell Winlart: Kiyosato Takaya
  • Perrielle Grum: Maaya Uchida
  • Melridge: Yohei Azakami

The original release date for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes was aiming for a general 2023 window. However, on late July 2023 the developers gave a more specific release window, and confirmed that the game would be delayed to Q2 2024.

There is currently another Eiyuden Chronicle game available. Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is an action-RPG with Metroidvania elements. It stars CJ, Isha, and Garoo, who will also appear in Hundred Heroes.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is currently in development for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. The game is expected to come out sometime in Q2 2024.

The post Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Will Include Dual Audio appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 7, 2023 9:00 AM
    

tgs 2023 kodansha

Kodansha announced that it will showcase 14 games at the upcoming TGS 2023 presentation. As a reminder, TGS 2023 will be from September 21-24, 2023. All 14 games are available to play as demos, and they're all from indie creators. Kodansha will also be a platinum sponsor for Selected Indie 80, which is a free indie game exhibition. [Thanks, PR Times!]

The games that will be available to play are:

You can check out more information on each game via their official website or store page. Some of them don't have a dedicated site. However, their creators have a social media account where they introduce their work.

Some of these games are from creators that may be familiar. SZK_Vdoll is the creator of Gucha Gucha Ban no Sho and they also previously released indie game GOHOME. Guns Undarkness is by Shoji Meguro. Atlus fans may recognize him as the composer for the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series.

TGS 2023 will take place from September 21-24, 2023 and Kodansha will be there with 14 demos to check out. Other companies that have confirmed their attendance and game list include Square Enix and Level-5.

The post Kodansha Will Offer 14 Game Demos to Play at TGS 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 7, 2023 8:30 AM
    

Megan Fox Becomes Nitara in Mortal Kombat 1

Warner Bros. Games announced that actress Megan Fox will be the voice of Nitara in Mortal Kombat 1. As well as the voice, Megan Fox will be lending her likeness to NetherRealm Studios for Nitara's design.

Nitara is the latest main fighter to be revealed for the upcoming fighting game, and the latest trailer gives fans their first look at her story and gameplay. She is a vampire that comes from the realm of Vaeternus, and she is fighting to save her fellow vampires from death. In Mortal Kombat 1, Nitara's main skill set in utilizes speedy claw attacks, fang bites, and aerial abilities.

Megan Fox is best known for her role as Mikaela in the Transformers film franchise, Jennifer in Jennifer's Body, and April O'Neil in the live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films.

You can see Megan Fox as Mortal Kombat 1's Nitara in the trailer below:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah8VyRhiWiE[/embed]

The most recent Mortal Kombat 1 trailers showed off characters like Sindel and Shao Kahn as well as Reptile and Ashrah. The game features a variety of iconic fighters from the Mortal Kombat franchise including  Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Smoke, Rain, Liu Kang, Raiden, Kung Lao, Jonny Cage, and more. The game will also feature a separate roster of Kameo Fighters who assist the main playable characters during matches.

Mortal Kombat 1 will release on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 19, 2023. People who have preordered the Premium Edition will gain early access to the game on September 14, 2023.

The post Megan Fox Becomes Nitara in Mortal Kombat 1 appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:53 AM
     Best Things To Research First In StarfieldAs soon as you get your hands on the multiple workbenches in Starfield, you'll probably feel a headache coming on. Learning new things in video games can either be incredibly easy, or surprisingly difficult. I was stuck somewhere in the middle when trying to learn how and what to research. To make things easier for you in your first playthrough, here are the best things to research first in Starfield. Note: Struggling to find the Research Laboratories? Check out our guide on all workbench and research lab locations in Starfield. Starfield: What to research first There are five main categories of research at the Research Laboratory: Pharmacology, Food and Drink, Outpost Development, Equipment, and Weaponry. In each category, there are research topics available from the get-go, and some locked behind skills in the skill tree. Are you not sure what's best to invest research in at the start of your game? Let's dive into the best things you should research fir...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:49 AM
     Starfield Musgrove Featured ImageDecisions in Starfield will lead to confrontation, agreements, and even special loot. From time to time, even you will get to decide between life and death. Depending on what character you are creating or what reputation you are trying to build for yourself, perhaps you already know what to do. So, should you spare or kill Musgrove in Starfield? Let's find out. What to do with Musgrove in Starfield? Screenshot via PC Invasion During the All That Money Can Buy mission you will go to Neon City with Walter to collect a new Artifact. However, you will find out that the artifact was stolen by the seller, Musgrove. After purchasing it, we will experience the backlash of his actions. That means, shooting and healing all the way. Eventually, you will face Nicolaus Slayton, the original owner of the Artifact. If you make a deal with him, you will get to decide Musgrove's fate: Set Musgrove free: While this can be one noble action on your behalf, there is a possibility ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:47 AM
     Ship Is Missing A Weapon Assignment StarfieldDesigning ships in Starfield can be a fun but daunting task. If you misplace a ship part or forget to assign a weapon to a weapon group, you won't be able to save customizations or ship upgrades you just spent time doing. Your ship can have multiple weapon types ranging from lasers to missile launchers to more powerful weapons like a railgun, but they must all be assigned to a weapon group to work correctly. Otherwise, you'll get those dreaded error messages in the Flight Check window. Here's how to assign weapons to a weapon group in Starfield. How to fix ship has weapons that must be assigned to a group error in Starfield Image: PC Invasion Here's how to fix the "Ship has weapons that must be assigned to a group" error in Starfield: Open Ship Builder Open the Flight Check menu Select the Weapons tab Look at your Weapon Groups (W0, W1, or W2) Assign a weapon to an unassigned Weapon Group When building custom ships or upgrading your sh...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:47 AM
     Best Armor In Starfield How To Get Unique And Legendary Armor Featured ImageTo survive the harsh conditions of the galaxy in Starfield, having a good amount of protection is paramount. Your space suit plays a pivotal role in this department because it has to meet the demands of what you're doing. Having a sub-par suit can be detrimental, and from learning the hard way, the suit can make things a lot more challenging. But don't fret, Starfield has a ton of gear just waiting to be found in its massive world. You'll have plenty to choose from. This guide will show you how to get the best unique and legendary armor in Starfield. It would be a good idea to read on before attempting to go blindly into space. This way you won't be searching for hours just to find high-end gear.  Starfield: How to get the best legendary and unique armor  Just like any RPG in today's gaming world getting both legendary and unique armor can be done in a few ways.  First, is by fighting the more tougher legendary enemies in Starfield. Now, this method i...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:11 AM
     Starfield Leave And Join ReligionsStarfield has three unique religions that each have their own ideologies and practices. To help you learn more about joining and leaving a religion in Starfield, let this guide be your guide. Note: If you want to learn more about Enlightened and Universal and which one you should pick, then you definitely need to read our guide. I gained a better knowledge of the religions in Starfield when writing it and it definitely made me want to check out one of those religions. All ways to join a religion in Starfield Screenshot: PC Invasion The easiest way to join a religion in Starfield is through a religion Trait in the character creation menu. However, when I was making my character, I felt like the religion descriptions didn't provide enough information to join one (but I knew I didn't want to join Serpent's Embrace because it's one of the worst Traits in Starfield). I asked myself: is there a way to join a religion in Starfield after ch...

Gamer Empire Thursday, September 7, 2023 5:41 AM
     Master Recipes in FFXIV are tomes that crafters use to create unique recipes. There are nearly a dozen Master Recipe books for each crafter. These tomes differ from the Special Recipes, with Master Recipes being unique tomes collected primarily with White Crafter's Scrips. Recommended Read: How to Meld Materia in FFXIV To get Master Recipes […]

WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews Thursday, September 7, 2023 8:30 AM
     According to the King of Xbox Phil Spencer, Starfield has surpassed one million concurrent players in its first full day of launch. It's slightly confusing because in reality Starfield actually launched last week for any with the Premium Edition, while the rest of us unwilling to fork out even more money had to wait.

WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews Thursday, September 7, 2023 8:06 AM
     Nintendo's next console has been a point of discussion for what feels like forever now, but the rumours and reports have slowly been solidifying into a consensus that it will launch sometime next year. Now, a new report has seemingly reinforced this belief.

Pivotal Gamers Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:40 AM
     What's up all? We have another remarkable giveaway from gamehag for multiple games. Their message follows. To get: 2000 KD, 1500 KD, 1000 KD, 850 KD, 700 KD, 500 KD, 250 KD, 200 KD, 100 KD, 50 KD, 25 KD, 10 KD To get this key your Steam level must be at least 2. Last minute notes Login with your gamehag account, complete all steps to get your key. Still here? Click on the button below to cla...

Pivotal Gamers Thursday, September 7, 2023 6:15 AM
     Hello fellow gamers. We have another excellent giveaway from gamehag for multiple titles. Their message follows. To get: 2000 KD, 1500 KD, 1000 KD, 850 KD, 700 KD, 500 KD, 250 KD, 200 KD, 100 KD, 50 KD, 25 KD, 10 KD To get this key your Steam level must be at least 2. Last minute notes Login with your gamehag account, complete all steps to get your key. So hustle. Just click on the button below an...

Pivotal Gamers Thursday, September 7, 2023 4:23 AM
     What's up folks? We have another remarkable offer from Giveaway Of The Day for Road Stones. Their message follows. Road Stones is available as a Giveaway of the day!You have limited time to download, install and register it. A few words about Road Stones Discover the true power of magical crystals in Road Stones! By any means necessary stop the hordes of undead monsters with their sole aim t...