GamersHeroes Tuesday, December 19, 2023 11:57 AM The team at Creepy Jar announced that their next title has been renamed from Chimera to StarRupture. The post Creepy Jar's Chimera Renamed StarRupture appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:15 PM  We recently asked you, dear Kotaku readers, what your most anticipated games of 2024 might be. The list y'all presented mirrors some of the titles I'm stoked about, but you also shared a bunch of games that weren't yet on my radar. Thank you for that. Most of all, there appears to be one game we all—myself… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:00 PM  What if I suggested that you download the Best Buy app? Okay, please don't close this tab, because you should do so if you want to save almost $60 on the recently discounted Xbox Series X for either you or someone you love—and you have to act fast. |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 19, 2023 1:45 PM |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:30 PM  The last few years have been pretty tough both within the game industry and beyond it. Between the pandemic, ongoing wars, greedy corporations squeezing money out of us all, politicians becoming even more vile, and a general sense that things aren't getting better, it's hard to stay positive. All of this has led to a… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 19, 2023 11:15 AM  If you haven't heard, over 1.3 million internal documents from Spider-Man and Ratchet & Clank developer Insomniac Games were leaked after Sony didn't meet ransomware group Rhysida's demands for $2 million worth of Bitcoin. The documents include early footage of the team's Wolverine game, the studio's roadmap for the… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:20 AM  The 1.3 million files leaked as part of the recent ransomware attack on Insomniac Games contain tons of confidential information, including Sony's projected plans for all of the studio's upcoming games on PlayStation 5 and beyond. Those alleged roadmaps include a standalone Venom game, a Ratchet and Clank sequel,… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:17 AM  Well, they've done it. The hacker group that breached Sony subsidiary Insomniac Games on December 12, demanding $2 million for the terabytes of data it stole, has published almost all of it online now that Sony has refused to open its wallet. This unprecedented hack contains all kinds of internal documents about the Sp… |
Kotaku Tuesday, December 19, 2023 9:15 AM  Entire generations of Pokémon history often feel defined by a single game. As wide-ranging as this franchise is—games, anime, trading cards, lifestyle merchandise—Game Freak's video games provide the single creative wellspring from which everything else springs forth. As such, games like Scarlet and Violet often… |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 2:33 PM  World of Warcraft recently made waves with its big reveal of World of Warcraft's three-part expansion, the Worldsoul Saga. Following the big sneak peek at Blizzard's upcoming storyline, we've been wondering when the first piece of its first chapter will launch. Various preorders and story speculations later, we now know that the behemoth developer plans to release the beginning part of the Worldsoul Saga much sooner than you may think. Continue reading WoW The War Within release coming soon, but first there's pirates |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:27 PM  December 19, 2023 Another new code has been added to the list! What are the latest Disney Dreamlight Valley codes? We've done some digging to make sure we've got the latest codes available from Gameloft. To celebrate the release od Dreamlight Valley multiplayer, there are two new codes below. The Dreamlight Valley golden potato code was the first to come to the Disney game, and gives you just that, a golden potato. It doesn't even do anything yet, but the exciting news is that it appears to be part of a future Dreamlight Valley quest. The code might no longer available, but if you still don't have a golden potato, you can pick one up in Scrooge's shop. Notes hidden around the valley right now suggest that the potato might be put to any day now. Other codes have since been released with various celebrations, including the Dreamlight Park community challenge and the Festival of Foolishness, for which all the Dreamlight Valley codes can be found below. Continue reading All Disney Dreamlight Valley codes December 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Disney games, What's the next Dreamlight Valley update?, Disney Dreamlight Valley guide |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:16 PM  If you've ever wanted to try Destiny 2, you now have just under 24 hours to redeem $60 worth of expansions and extra content in Bungie's free game, before the Epic Games Store cycles the shooter out for something else. Perhaps you want a new FPS, your friends are already big on D2, or you want something new without breaking the bank over the holidays after purchasing all those gifts. Continue reading You've got a day to get $60 worth of Destiny 2 for free MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 Lightfall review, Destiny 2 builds |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:15 PM  There was a time, some years ago, when I could call myself a Resident Evil 2 speedrunner. Playing a PAL version of the Capcom survival horror classic (an important detail, since it means more enemies), I was able to beat the first Leon scenario in a quasi-impressive time of one hour, 16 minutes, and six seconds. Naturally, I came to know the Raccoon City police building, the sewer system, and the Umbrella labs very, very well. But even I'm taken aback by this new, fan-made version of RE2, which transforms the entire original game into a fully functional FPS. I know these places, but I've never seen them like this. It's remarkable work, and an amazing way to replay the original Resident Evil 2. Continue reading Classic Resident Evil 2 remade as an FPS game, available now MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best zombie games, Best horror games, Best survival games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 1:21 PM  When is the Harmonium the Musical release date? Melody Macato is a Deaf musician who longs to create a new type of music that people can feel, and one that is available and accessible to all of her friends. This venture takes her to a fantasy world called Harmonium, and face to face with an evil being named Cacophony. Harmonium the Musical is an action-adventure game that presents music as something for everyone, utilizing American Sign Language and visual puzzles to weave its tale of good versus evil. It's a sign language musical that takes its inspiration from Deaf theater, with characters communicating using ASL and show-stopping musical numbers. Continue reading Harmonium the Musical release date estimate and latest news |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:00 PM  When it comes to choosing my gaming surface, I must confess I typically choose anything that means I don't have to play directly on my desktop, but the SteelSeries QcK Prism has shown me that I've been missing out. This XL RGB surface is more than just a pretty addition to my desktop, it's improved every aspect of how I interact with my mouse and keyboard. My time with the SteelSeries QcK Prism XL has shown me that it's one of the best gaming mouse pads you can buy right now. It's easy to overlook how a mouse pad might integrate with your current setup, but SteelSeries knows exactly how to pack its product full of useful features. Continue reading SteelSeries Prism QcK XL mouse pad review MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:00 PM  Size isn't everything, and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini knows this, packing incredible performance into an incredibly small frame. While mini keyboards aren't my preference, the Apex Pro Mini goes to show that if you're not too attached to a number pad and arrow keys, smaller is certainly better. Following my time testing the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini, I can easily say that it is one of the best gaming keyboards available right now. Through the responsiveness of its Omnipoint switches, and a layer of customization that is deceptively deep, SteelSeries has made me approach every other keyboard I own with a new perspective. Continue reading SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini review – Unrivaled gaming performance MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 11:25 AM  Cities Skylines 2 traffic management is a constant and very frustrating battle. You make the perfect grid system. You install roundabouts, interchanges, and subway tunnels for pedestrians. You carefully set the road maintenance budget to prioritize rush hours. And then you sit back and watch the whole thing implode. In some cases, it's because the pathfinding AI has thrown you a curveball. In other cases, it's because proper Cities Skylines 2 road management is a dark, arcane art, seemingly understood by only a few visionary elders. Channeling this wonderful, prophetic magic, one CS2 player has created a revolutionary solution to inner-city traffic. If Colossal Order's latest has been driving you wild - pun very much intended - this one's for you. Continue reading Cities Skylines 2 traffic problems fixed by stunning new road system MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cities Skylines 2 review, Cities Skylines 2 roads, Cities Skylines 2 maps |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:45 AM  What are the best offline games? If you're disconnected from the internet for any time, you'll need the best offline PC games to help tide you over. Not every game lets you play offline, though. Some games require a license check before launching, for anti-piracy reasons - and although this doesn't take long to perform, it means you can't access the game without an internet connection. There's a lot to consider when preparing a stockpile of the best PC games, but luckily for you, there's no shortage of fun offline games to choose from, whether you're a fan of classic RPG games or the biggest modern open-world games. We've got something to suit nearly every need. Continue reading The best offline games for PC 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best story games on PC, Best western games, Best sandbox games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:31 AM  Black Mesa is a dangerous place. Collapsing walkways, exploding pipes, laser beams burning through the walls. And that's not to mention the headcrabs, barnacles, and special forces soldiers all trying to chew you up and spit you out. Gordon Freeman is protected by the good old HEV suit, but what about the unfortunate science team? We've all seen them, dangling off ladders and getting caught by the HECU satchel charges. The Half-Life scientists remain some of the most iconic NPCs in all of PC gaming. Now, a new multiplayer survival game essentially casts you as the Black Mesa research team, trapped underground, caught between invading aliens and hostile military clean-up crews. With shades of The Forest and Lethal Company, it's available to play on Steam right now. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best co-op games, Best PC FPS games, Best classic PC games |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:05 AM  What are the best medieval games? Rare is a videogame that doesn't feature at least one sword, suit of armor, or roast chicken. Still, they're usually mixed in with bearded hermits slinging magic fireballs, which we're reliably informed your average medieval peasant had very little knowledge of. To that end, we've assembled a list of the best PC games that eschew all the prophecy and pyrotechnics for good old-fashioned steel-on-steel action. Medieval games come in all different shapes and sizes, with some opting for a more fantasy game style. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is, after all, no basis for a system of government. Similarly, a level ten Necromancer against a blacksmith wearing a potato sack is no basis for a fair fight. Continue reading Best medieval games on PC 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Crusader Kings 3 DLC guide, Best Crusader Kings 3 mods, Crusader Kings 3 review |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:03 AM  December 19, 2023: We've added two new Monopoly Go dice links to our list. How can I get Monopoly Go free dice links? The classic board game has made its way to a free-to-play format, and you'll be doing laps of the board collecting houses and hotels and completing a variety of multiplayer minigames along the way. You can't get far in Monopoly Go without dice rolls, which you'll have a limited amount of to begin with. To earn more dice rolls, you'll need to log in daily to collect bonuses, invite your friends to the game, or progress further. If you don't want to spend your hard-earned money on more dice, you can use dice links for the board game instead. Now, let's run down all the currently active Monopoly Go free dice links for today. Continue reading Free Monopoly Go dice links December 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Free PC games, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 11:37 AM  The videogame industry has come out in support of Insomniac Games after a ransom group leaked confidential employee information, game plans for the rest of the decade, and more, after the Spider-Man developer and publisher Sony allegedly didn't pay a ransom fee of over $2 million. Insomniac recently announced a Wolverine game, which is part of the data breach. Continue reading Insomniac Games leak is "disgraceful and shameful," developers say MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Spiderman PC specs, Spider-Man PC games, Spider-Man Remastered PC review |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 9:31 AM  What are the best PC games like Stardew Valley? We can't think of much more enticing than the idea of simply leaving the world of work and offices behind and moving out to the country to do something simpler and more rewarding. This escapism is one of the things that makes Stardew Valley such an extraordinarily enjoyable game, so we've found some alternatives that are equally as indulgent. Possibly one of the best PC games of recent years for it's cute combination of romance, relaxation, and retail, you'd be forgiven for wanting more games like Stardew Valley. There are different aspects to the games below, so none are direct clones: some are among the best management games, while others might be more focused on farming. They all have something in common with Stardew Valley, though, so you'll enjoy at least one or two. Continue reading The best games like Stardew Valley 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Stardew Valley multiplayer, Stardew Valley realism, The best Stardew Valley mods |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:11 AM  Who is on the Honkai Star Rail tier list? Judging the best Star Rail characters can be tricky. Not only is your roster subject to the whims of HoYoverse's infamous gacha mechanics, but each character's abilities are so varied that it can be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Lucky for you, we've put each character through their paces to provide you with the definitive Honkai Star Rail tier list. When choosing the best Honkai Star Rail characters for our tier list, we've taken great care to evaluate how each character excels in a variety of situations, including battling through story quests, boss challenges, and game modes. It should also go without saying that this tier list goes hand in hand with our Honkai Star Rail builds. Of course, with more Honkai Star Rail banners on the horizon, you might want to check out the latest Honkai Star Rail codes to net some free Warps while you're here. That said, here are our expert tier list rankings for the best Honkai Star Rail characters in the free PC game following the second phase of the 1.5 update. Continue reading Honkai Star Rail tier list – best characters December 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Honkai Star Rail review, Honkai Star Rail codes, Honkai Star Rail tier list |
PCGamesN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:11 PM  What are the best Cyberpunk 2077 mods? CD Projekt Red released its own REDmod tools for free, allowing everyone to install Cyberpunk 2077 mods through a dedicated client they can download from Steam or GOG. This release comes as we also see mods that alter the range of facial features, change your looks in small ways after character creation, and even access stuff we were never meant to see. That last one's important as it adds new functionality to the cyberpunk game. What starts with a shove one day could evolve into giving your character superpowers. Continue reading The best Cyberpunk 2077 mods MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty review, Best Cyberpunk 2077 mods, Buy Cyberpunk 2077 |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:41 PM  I don't tend to write up Steam bundle discounts, but this is a rather good one. As the name suggests, LudoNarraCon and Fellow Traveller's Story-Rich Megabundle nets you 10 well-received narrative-heavy games for around £20, €23 or $25, including three games I'd personally say are among the choicest chunks of digital scribble to ever grace an SSD. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, December 19, 2023 11:42 AM  Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 publisher Activision Blizzard plan to end hybrid remote/in-office work for QA staff based in Minneapolis, Austin, and El Segundo next year, with employees who are unwilling to fully return to the office offered severance, in what the ABK Workers Alliance are calling the basis for a round of "soft layoffs". |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:57 AM  It's been encouraging to see how post-Steam Deck handheld PCs aren't merely copying Valve's homework. The Asus ROG Ally made a (mostly) successful attempt at slimming down while upping performance, and now we have the Lenovo Legion Go: an even higher-concept portable with Switch-style detachable controllers. One of which transforms into a mouse. It's a bit mad but I've always loved the concept's ambition, even as I rendered working protypes a little less... working. I'm happy to report that this, the Legion Go's retail version, is far more resistant to such improprieties. Moreover, it's basically the best Windows handheld out there right now – though some occasional fiddliness, and the looming issue of the Steam Deck OLED, mean it isn't necessarily the finest palmable PC outright. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:30 AM  With Christmas barely a week away, it's time to start celebrating my own RPS Christmas traditions. Games to play, songs to time, surprises to spring. Let's start with a wee surprise. Pull on your mittens, fill your flask with cocoa, and clip-click-skkrachk those ski boots, for it is time to play the free downhill slalom game Skeal. |
Twinfinite Tuesday, December 19, 2023 11:37 AM  |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 4:00 PM
HoYoverse released a new character trailer for Navia, the latest five-star character headed to Genshin Impact. The trailer showcases her personality and combat abilities ahead of the release of Version 4.3 on December 20, 2023.
Navia is a five-star Geo claymore user, set to become available as part of the "In the Name of the Rosula" banner alongside Sucrose, Candace, and Rosaria. Her weapon, the Verdict Mistsplitter Reforged, will be available as part of the weapon banner.
The trailer features Navia and her organisation, the Spina di Rosula, searching for a criminal known as the "Sea-Shadow". A chase ensues by land, sea, and air before we transition to a showcase of Navia's combat animations against the unlucky thief. In battle, Navia uses her cannon-umbrella hybrid and an axe, which is classified as a claymore in-game. She finishes with her elemental burst, involving a battery of golden cannons.
You can watch the full Genshin Impact character trailer for Navia below:
Navia featured in the recent web event Macaron Melange, which could reward players with primogems, mora, and other materials . HoYoverse also gave us a look at upcoming characters Gaming and Xianyun, also known as the adeptus Cloud Retainer.
Navia will become available in Genshin Impact some time after the Version 4.3 update on December 20, 2023. The game itself is readily available on the PC, PS4, PS5 and mobile devices.
The post Genshin Impact Navia Trailer Packs for a Rainy Day appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:30 PM
The next Hello Kitty Island Adventure event is Lighttime Jubilee with Badtz-Maru. It will involve lighting up the Resort Plaza starting on December 21, 2023.
Unlike the Give and Gather Celebration, which is a Christmas sort of affair, this Hello Kitty Island Adventure event covers New Year's as well. It also will add another cosmetic change to the main hub area and involve new rewards. The teaser image shows a number of light displays that can be placed in cabins, including tile rugs that light up, arches, stands, and new wallpaper and flooring.
There is a Hello Kitty Island Adventure Lighttime Jubilee trailer starring Badtz-Maru that offers a hint as to what to expect. After teasing the rewards, it shows him talking with Chococat. The two attempt to light up displays around Resort Plaza. However, things go out. The player will then need to go around collecting light bulbs on the island. This will then fix the displays. Badtz-Maru is also shown giving one of the light fixtures as a reward during the restoration process.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure is available on Apple Arcade for iOS and Mac devices. It's Lighttime Jubilee event will run between December 21, 2023 and January 10, 2024.
The post Hello Kitty Island Adventure Lighttime Jubilee Event Stars Badtz-Maru appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:00 PM
In 2018, House Flipper filled a niche in the building sim genre not quite realized before. Now, House Flipper 2 is here, and Frozen District and Empyrean seemed to follow the motto, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
House Flipper 2 offers a lot of what you'll be familiar with from the first game. The main gameplay loop is the same. You're a flipper and you take on jobs around your city. These start as simply just cleaning up garbage, but grow to be full scale renovations. Eventually, this leads to you to buying and renovating homes to sell. While this is more or less the same loop as before, the process is streamlined. Accessing different tools and gear feels natural, and the current quests offer clear objectives and checklists.
One complaint I had is it seems the game eases you into it a little too slowly. You don't unlock the ability to do certain jobs, such as painting or tiling, until a quest requires it. You spend the first few hours picking up garbage before you ever get to pick up a paint roller. I would have liked options to be a little more open to me right away. However, given the choices you can make in these renovations, that may have been overwhelming.
Once you do have access to all your tools, it's impressive how much control you have. During renovations and when buying new furniture, you can tweak everything from the build quality to the color. Even seemingly minor details, such as whether a door opens from the left or the right, are completely up to your discretion. This is where the game shines. It gets out of the way and lets you go to town. There are plenty of tools at your disposal. From knocking down walls to putting down tile, your only constraints are your money and quest objectives. Often, you'll find yourself working within certain constraints in the campaign. However, most of the time it still gave you a tremendous amount of leeway within those confines.
When you're not tackling quests, you can actually build up your own home in House Flippers 2. Between quests, you're sent back to the house (which your parents in-game gave you for free) to use your money for whatever you want. I spent hours between some missions just messing around, trying out different things and making it my own.
The game gives you that chance to experiment. Most things you buy you can sell right back for no loss. This means you can, quite literally, throw things at the wall to see if they stick. And, it's pretty easy to fix a mistake or redo a room you don't like.
You can even assemble your own furniture and gear. This is a separate minigame during which you have to use the tools correctly to create the item. While I found this to be not much use to me as I played, I'm sure there are some fans out there who will make a lot of use of the feature. I experienced that a lot in this game as a relatively casual fan to this genre. I found myself constantly thinking, "Wow, someone is going to put a lot of work in using this." That's the fun of these types of games I think. You can, to an extent, play your own way.
If you played the first game and found it fun, you'll really enjoy the gameplay here. It's so familiar, yet built on enough to see improvements. They didn't reinvent the wheel, but they did make another really good wheel. One new addition is a very welcome Sandbox Mode. This is separate from the main campaign and is basically just a big playground. It gives you even more creativity and lets you more or less run wild within the games limits. You can even create your own custom jobs to send to friends. Usually, in crafting games like this, I struggle to actually build things from scratch. However, once I jumped into Sandbox Mode in House Flipper 2, I was able to pretty easily build a functioning house from the ground up. The game really balances the complexity of the customization with the ease of execution.
Overall, I think there's a lot of content in House Flipper 2. It doesn't try to do too much and really understands why people pick these kinds of games up. Additionally, the first game got a lot of really solid DLC. It's possible that House Flippers 2 will eventually get some new content down the road. However, I'm not even sure what I'd want in a game about house flipping and renovation that House Flippers 2 doesn't already offer. I'll always take some more items and build options though.
Graphically, the game is solid, but nothing to write home about. There's enough detail in the items and furniture to help you make choices, such as glossy or matte plastic actually showing up differently on the models. This helps to immerse you in the experience better. The little details, especially visual ones, are things the first game couldn't do so they're very welcome here.
However, in my time with the game I did find there were a few too many technical issues to ignore. Nothing was major or game breaking, but problems were frequent enough to be frustrating. One major issue is that it seems like the game struggled to understand when I have turned motion blur off. Sometimes the game would just decide it wanted to do it anyway. This is obviously quite jarring, especially when it's only for a few seconds at a time. Another technical hiccup was randomly losing all speed. The character would walk around like they were over-encumbered in Skyrim. As far as I know, this isn't some byproduct of the gameplay that I missed, but a random technical issue. More than once I had to completely restart to fix this.
The game isn't priced like a AAA title, so I'm more lenient than I would be with a full priced game. However, if it only happened a couple times it wouldn't be enough to mention at all. Three or four times per session though? Yeah, I think that needs ironing out. The game is far from a buggy mess or anything, and actually ran quite well. It's just a few small issues stuck out like sore thumbs in an otherwise mostly smooth experience. Luckily, these issues could potentially be addressed in the future.
If you're a fan of this genre, I don't think you could find a better game in it than House Flipper 2. Some of the edges need a little sanding, but that polish could come from patches or future DLC. However, these hiccups don't hold the game back and it's still a blast to sink hours into.
House Flipper 2 is now available on PCs. The scheduled release date for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S is March 21, 2024.
The post Review: House Flipper 2 Builds on Sturdy Foundation appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 2:30 PM
Famitsu shared an interview excerpt with Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Katsura Hashino in which the developer talked about some of the themes present the upcoming fantasy RPG. The full interview will be available on the January 4, 2024 issue of the magazine, which will release on December 21, 2023 in Japan. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
Hashino said that the core theme surrounding Metaphor: ReFantazio are "ideals vs reality." However, since ideals are a very personal thing, Hashino said that the game does not have a simple answer to which values are right and wrong. The developers hope that players will not get stuck thinking about the current state of the game's world, nor will accept it without questioning. Instead, they want players to interact with the various tribes and characters during their journey, and bring back with them their own feelings and thoughts.
When asked if there will be elements in the game that try to paint one of these clashing ideals in a more sympathetic light, Hashino answered that the synopsis of the game makes the assassins of the king seem like the main antagonists, but at the same time these characters may have a point in their reasoning.
Hashino added that these elements are different from the themes of "children vs adults" and "justice and evil" depicted in the Persona series, and that he's been meaning to create a story that would allow players to understand the motivations of the opposing side. The protagonists have "ideals" of justice, but the ideologies of opposing side seem more "realistic," and this is what makes the core theme of the "ideals vs reality" so important in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
On the topic of the 8 tribes of the world of the game, Hashino said that some of the problems between these races are deep-rooted. The main character seems to be the only one motivated by an idealized sense of justice, wanting to help those in need. Because of this, those considered outsiders to their own race are inspired by the protagonist to join in his travels, eventually leading to a party made of different tribe members.
Metaphor: ReFantazio will come to the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC in Fall 2024. The official website for the new Atlus RPG is already open. The full Famitsu interview with director Katsura Hashino will be available on December 21, 2023.
The post Metaphor: ReFantazio Core Theme Revolves Around Ideals vs Reality appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 2:00 PM
Limited edition VShojo merchandise based on the Vtuber Kson that was previously only available at her Japan Fan Meeting event is now available to purchase via the official online store. According to Kson's announcement post, these six collector's items will only be available online and internationally for a short time, but no dates were shared.
This lineup of limited Kson items include a few acrylic stands, keychains, and other collectables that feature two different art styles. One of them is a full-body illustration of the person behind the Vtuber, while the other is in a chibi style with thicker lines. The photorealistic acrylic stand of Kson has her wearing the same off-shoulder red dress she is pictured wearing in the 2D illustration version of the stand.
Below is a list of the new limited Japan Fan Meeting Kson merchandise along with their prices:
See all of the new Kson merchandise in the gallery below:
Six new items from the Kson limited Japan Fan Meeting event will be available for a short time from the VShojo online store.
The post VShojo Kson Japan Fan Meeting Merchandise Available Online appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 1:30 PM
Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada recently revealed some details about the creation of Azucena, one of the new additions to the Tekken 8 roster. He answered fan questions about the character in a video on his YouTube channel, Harada's Bar.
When asked about the creation of Azucena, Harada discussed the popularity of Tekken in South America. While he acknowledged a large Brazilian fanbase, he also noted that Peru has a lot of players who love Kazuya Mishima. He also picked a Peruvian character thanks to an interest in the Nazca Lines. He claims they left an impression on him when they appeared in the classic Namco arcade game Xevious.
Harada explained that Azucena was designed in reverse to how Tekken characters are usually created. While normally the team start with a fighting style and build a character around it, for Azucena they started with her personality. After reading anthropological studies about national character, he discovered that Peruvians are considered cheerful and optimistic. This led to the creation of a happy-go-lucky character who is always dancing, which led to her fighting style. Harada also mentioned that the team did consider a character using Incan boxing, a style of boxing unique to the country.
Harada also discussed the positive reaction that adding characters from different countries to Tekken has brought. After a Peruvian fan's message says their family celebrated Azucena's inclusion, Harada says that he wished he'd announced her at a local event to see the live reaction. He also briefly mentioned how he'd heard that Peruvian news had covered her announcement. He compared this to newspapers in the Middle East and TV news in the Philippines reported on Shaheen and Josie Rizal's Tekken 7 announcements.
The full video can be seen here:
Azucena is one of three new characters added to the base roster of Tekken 8. She is a coffee-loving Peruvian with an evasive, dance-like fighting style. The other new additions to the roster are Victor and Reina.
Tekken 8 will be released for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S on January 26, 2024.
The post Harada Discusses the Creation of Azucena in Tekken 8 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 1:00 PM
Square Enix announced the FFXIV Fan Festival 2024 Tokyo schedule for streams, and confirmed it includes events like a keynote and Mahjong tournaments. The streams, which will be on YouTube and Twitch, all begin on January 6, 2024.
First, here is the schedule for events that begin on January 6, 2024. Note that since the FFXIV Mahjong tournaments are on the secondary stage, it won't be streamed on the official YouTube and Twitch streams focused on the main stage.
Next, here is the schedule for the second day.
Square Enix also already has placeholder YouTube streams for both days of the event. First, here's the one that begins on January 6, 2024 at 5pm PT/8pm ET.
Next, here's the day two stream, which begins at 5pm PT/8pm ET on January 7, 2024.
As a reminder, the FFXIV holiday event is on ahead of the Fan Festival 2024 in Tokyo. The Starlight Celebration runs until December 31, 2023. People can earn an Unorthodox Saint's armor set inspired by Santa.
Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2024 will be held January 7-8, 2024 JST (January 6-8, 2024 PT and ET) in Tokyo, Japan. FFXIV is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC. It is also headed to the Xbox Series X in Spring 2024. The Dawntrail expansion is in development for a Summer 2024 release.
The post FFXIV Fan Festival 2024 Schedule Includes Keynote, Mahjong appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:30 PM
Square Enix's latest Final Fantasy VII Rebirth screenshots shared allow people to compare Dyne to his original FFVII version. It also offers a look at his official character art and reminds people of his voice actors.
Like Barret, Dyne also has a gun arm from when the two worked in Corel. However, while Barret's is on his right, Dyne's is on his left. While one escaped the area, the other remains there and is happened upon once players get to the Gold Saucer and Corel Prison area.
Here are the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and original FFVII screenshots showing Barret and Dyne. In both case, we're seeing the two reunite after an extended period of time and meet up once again. In the original PlayStation version, we're seeing the scene from a distance. However, in the remake we're getting a closer view of the two together.
Dave B. Mitchell plays Dyne in the English version of the game. He's also appeared as Knuckles new voice actor in games like Sonic Dream Team and Sonic Frontiers. Kenjiro Tsuda plays him in Japanese. He's also well known as the voice of Kento Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen, Jack in Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, and Dainsleif in Genshin Impact, as well as appearing in series like Yu-Gi-Oh as Seto Kaiba and The Prince of Tennis as Inui Sadaharu.
This is the second batch of comparison screenshots to also feature Barret. Earlier in December 2023, we got to see two images comparing Barret on a date with Cloud at the Gold Saucer ferris wheel both in the PSX game and the PS5 installment. This mechanic will return again, allowing players' choices to determine if Cloud ends up spending time with people like Barret, Aerith, Tifa, and Yuffie.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will come to the PS5 on February 29, 2024, with the console exclusivity arrangement ending on May 29, 2024. FFVII Remake is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC. FFVII Ever Crisis is available now on both the PC and mobile devices.
The post Dyne Shown in Final Fantasy VII and FFVII Rebirth Screenshots appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:00 PM
A new, limited edition Hello Kitty necklace is available to commemorate the Sanrio mascot's 50th anniversary. It will be available online from FanFun Market, with international shipping offered via WorldShopping proxy service, for the price of 16,500 yen ($114.55).
The design of this Sanrio necklace features a gold version of the character's face surrounded by hearts, ribbons, stars, and other jewel accents. The necklace will have a small gold chain. It is also made up of SV925 silver, pink gold coating, and cubic zirconia. The Hello Kitty charm attached to the chain will be approximately 14.8 millimeters long, 16.3 millimeters wide, and 3 millimeters thick.
This 50th anniversary necklace will come included with an original jewelry cloth and box featuring the newly illustrated design. The cloth and box both feature a close-up of Hello Kitty's face, but the cloth uses the colorful original design while the box uses silver.
See the 50th Anniversary Hello Kitty necklace in the gallery below:
Even more merchandise using this same design has been made available to celebrate Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary. For example, there are 18 other anniversary items available now on the online Sanrio shop.
The Hello Kitty 50th anniversary necklace is available online now on FanFun Market for 16,500 yen ($114.55).
The post Limited Edition Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Necklace Costs $114 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 11:30 AM
Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra announced a series of concerts featuring anime titles owned by the Bandai Namco group, including Code Geass and Gundam. The concerts will take place in Sendai City in 2024 and beyond.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion will be the highlight of the first orchestra concert scheduled to run on May 4, 2024. The second concert on August 10, 2024, will focus on two Gundam titles: The 1985 TV anime Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and the 1988 movie Char's Counterattack. Both concerts will take place at Sendai Bank Hall Izumity 21, which will have its major renovation completed at the end of March 2024.
Code Geass and Gundam will not be the only franchises to get orchestra concerts in Sendai. The philharmonic orchestra group will first perform tracks from Sunrise's 2016 musical comedy anime ClassicaLoid as the "zeroth" concert at Hitachi Systems Hall on March 20, 2024. It will also hold an Aikatsu Orchestra Katsudo concert at Izumity 21 one year later on March 20, 2025.
Sendai, the capital city of Japan's Miyagi prefecture, has been getting more events related to popular Japanese subculture franchises to help promote its tourism. Before these orchestra concerts take place, the city's Umino-Mori Aquarium will host a collaboration event featuring the Hololive English VTuber Gawr Gura in January - February 2024.
The Code Geass and Gundam concerts by the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra will take place on May 4, 2024, and August 10, 2024, respectively.
The post Code Geass and Gundam Orchestra Concerts Will Run in Sendai in 2024 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 11:00 AM
A product page for The Suika Game (Watermelon Game) appeared on the PlayStation Store, suggesting a PS4 or PS5 version of the game is on its way. The Aladdin X game has previously been a viral hit as an exclusive Nintendo Switch title.
This might also not be the official Suika Game. The name specifically is listed as The Suika Game. Also, GOGAME CONSOLE PUBLISHER is listed as the publisher, while the Switch version is an Aladdin X game. The official art on the page also looks different than the designs on the eShop or in browsers.
Here are the two images to compare.
The Suika Game page currently does not list much information for its PlayStation version. The release date is currently listed as "to be determined" and no price has been confirmed. The store page doesn't confirm if the game will be for the PS4 or PS5, or if it will be a cross-gen release. However, there is a full English description of the game, which suggests a worldwide release.
The Suika Game is a puzzle game where players must drop fruit into a jar, with matching fruit combining into larger fruit like a watermelon. Ultimately, once you get watermelons, they must be matched to remove them from the jar. It became a huge hit online after being featured in live streams. Vtubers, along with popular figures such as CDawgA and LilyPichu, were a big part of this push.
The viral hit originally released exclusively in Japan for Nintendo Switch in 2021. It did receive a worldwide release in October 2023, although it was initially not localized for an English-speaking audience. It's unknown if the PlayStation version will feature English text, although the game's simplicity means a language barrier isn't an issue.
Suika Game is out now for the Nintendo Switch. A PlayStation version is on its way at an unknown date.
The post 'The Suika Game' Dropping Like a Watermelon Onto PlayStation Store appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:30 AM
The Monster Hunter Wilds PlayStation Store and Steam pages are live for the PC and PS5 versions of the game. Information on both is very limited, and the Microsoft Store page isn't live for the Xbox Series X version yet.
Capcom revealed very little about the new installments in the Sony and Valve product listings. Both basically confirm the 2025 launch window and that it is the next entry in the series. The PC one only notes English is a language, with others to be revealed, and it doesn't mention any system requirements. It does, at the moment, only list it as a single-player game. The Steam page and PlayStation Store listing for Monster Hunter Wilds basically serve as means to wishlist the title.
The Steam page did offer a number of screenshots. These feature the same scenes as the ones shown in The Game Awards 2023 announcement trailer for the Monster Hunter game. It showed monsters that appeared to be Arzuros and Rathalos. The hunter shown is also riding a new, bird-like mount capable of gliding, though we don't know exactly what this new Canyne-like ally's name is.
Monster Hunter Wilds will come to the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2025.
The post Monster Hunter Wilds PlayStation Store and Steam Product Pages Live appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:00 AM
Kotobukiya has opened pre-orders for its upcoming plastic model kit of Mega Man X in his Falcon Armor. People can now place orders for the kit, which has a price tag of 8,360 yen (~$58). The 1/12 scale kit will have an overall height of around 140mm (~5.5 inches) when completed.
After previously revealing an unpainted prototype in May 2023, Kotobukiya has shared new sample images with the prototype now fully painted. The full package will come with pre-painted parts so that anyone can simply build the kit. The set will come with interchangeable hands, facial expression parts, and arm crystals. Some of the sample images show X wielding the Z-Saber, which is only available separately in Zero's model kits.
The model kit may come with different bonus items based on where people place their orders. The Japan-exclusive Kotobukiya Online Shop offers effect parts with alternate colors that change the saber's glow from blue to green. AmiAmi, which supports international shipping, will instead include an A5 acrylic character plate of the Falcon Armor X.
The Falcon Armor originally appeared in the 2000 PlayStation entry Mega Man X5. It also reappears in Mega Man X6, albeit with reduced capabilities like the omission of flight mode. Both games are included in the second volume of Mega Man X Legacy Collection, which is available immediately on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC.
The 1/12 scale Mega Man X Falcon Armor model kit will be officially available in May 2024.
The post Mega Man X Falcon Armor Model Kit Pre-Orders Open appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Tuesday, December 19, 2023 9:30 AM
An Armored Core 6 behind-the-scenes seminar will be held online in Japan. .Too has opened registrations for prospective viewers to attend the webinar. It will start on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 4:30 PM JST (2:30 AM ET) and it will run for approximately 100 minutes.
Kozo Maeda, the sub-leader of FromSoftware's 3D graphics section, will be the main speaker at this Armored Core 6 seminar. He will explain how the game has undergone reforms and evolutions after ten years have passed since the release of Armored Core Verdict Day in 2013. Other than revealing behind-the-scenes talks about the game's production and development, Maeda will also show 3D artwork made with digital tools like Autodesk 3ds Max.
The webpage also includes an agenda list of topics that Kozo Maeda will cover at the seminar:
The webinar will not require any fees to attend, and viewers will be able to watch with any PC or mobile device connected to the internet. However, pre-registrations are required and only Japanese residents can legally apply. The registration form includes a compulsory input for a Japanese phone number. The prefecture selection tab also only lists Japan's 47 prefectures without an additional "other" or "overseas" option.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is immediately available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC. FromSoftware has also just released a new update that adds ranked matchmaking, new PvP maps, and more customization parts. The game's behind-the-scenes online seminar will take place in Japan on January 19, 2024.
The post Armored Core 6 Behind-the-Scenes Seminar Will Be Held Next Month appeared first on Siliconera. |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:18 PM  Wish-Keeper, the Exotic Strand Bow in Destiny 2, joins Revision Zero as a craftable Exotic weapon that has four Catalyst Refits to collect and use. Here, I'll detail what all the Wish-Keeper Catalyst Refits are and how to get them. How to get all Wish-Keeper Catalyst Refits in Destiny 2 Currently, we don't know how to get all four Wish-Keeper Catalyst Refits. Once I, through personal experience and research, figure out how to get all four Wish-Keeper Catalyst Refits, I'll update this article to inform you on how exactly to get each Refit. Related: Destiny 2 Familiar Felines guide: How to find all Starcats locations Assuming the Wish-Keeper Catalyst Refits are similar to Revision Zero's Catalyst Refits, the Wish-Ender Catalyst Refits will be unlocked through the Starcrossed Exotic mission. More specifically, we'll need to interact with the environment or complete puzzles to get all the Refits. For Revision Zero, we n... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:17 PM  I thought this issue was isolated to me, but I guess not. In Fortnite, a bug appears that throws your key binds into a flux. The issue is never noticed until I play a match and realize something is off. On top of that, it seems to be impacting controllers as well. The good news is that if you use custom key binds in Fortnite, there is a fix for these errors, and we'll show you how to deal with them. Fortnite: How to fix custom key binds errors This problem doesn't just appear in the battle royal but also in the LEGO mode of Fortnite as well. But the solution is almost the same. According to X user iFireMoney, you're going to have to reset the key binds first. Doing so is easy, it just takes time rebinding the keys again if you don't have them memorized. Related: How to get and use the Snowball Launcher in Fortnite Winterfest 2023 To reset your key binds, head into Fortnite and hit the Esc Key. This will open up a panel on... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:12 PM  This year's holiday event is now live in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and there are a bunch of challenges that give players free rewards as a part of the Santa's Slayground event. Some challenges are easier than others, however, and players are struggling with a few of them. Easy Way to Get Melee Kills With Stalker Boots in MW3 While you can do the Santa's Slayground challenges in any Call of Duty mode, including Warzone and Zombies, many players are choosing to get them done in standard multiplayer matches. The first challenge requires you to get 40 Operator melee kills with Stalker Boots equipped. That sounds easy enough on paper, but it gets more frustrating once you realize just how long it'll take to get 40 kills. Before you can even attempt this challenge, you need to equip the Stalker Boots. To find them, open the loadout screen and customize a class of your choosing. The Stalker Boots are located at the far right end of the class ... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Tuesday, December 19, 2023 2:56 PM  Lethal Company is a relatively error-free game, and you will likely not get many error messages unless you have a problem with your PC or the internet. While trying to join any crew in Lethal Company, you might encounter an "An Error Occurred" issue, and we've got the fix. What is the "An Error Occurred" issue in Lethal Company Screenshot: PC Invasion While trying to enter a crew hosted by other players, you will encounter an error message that says "An Error Occurred." This does not seem like a Lethal Company server issue, and neither does it look like a connection error. Unfortunately, without fixing this, you cannot get into a crew and start your journey to collect some scraps and meet your profit quota. Related: Lethal Company: All items and how to use them How to fix the "An Error Occurred" issue in Lethal Company Here are all possible troubleshooting and fixes that you can try for t... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Tuesday, December 19, 2023 2:53 PM  Gale in Baldur's Gate 3 may not be everyone's first pick, but personally, I can't enter a fight without him anymore. So, here's the best Gale build you can create in Baldur's Gate 3. His amazing Wizard spells come in handy, and Counterspell is a must-have in your party. But do you find your Gale to be a little squishy, or just not as powerful as you want? Luckily, we're here to help! Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3): Best Wizard Gale build Personally, when it comes to Wizard subclasses, the best build for Gale in Baldur's Gate 3 has to be either Evocation or Abjuration. If you choose Evocation, Gale's AoE spells won't damage his allies. And if you go for Abjuration (which I went with), you can create Arcane Wards for you and your party members to reduce attack damage. Both are great choices! Screenshot via Larian Studios Best Ability Scores for Gale Since Wizards use Intelligence as their spell... |
Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 2:55 PM  Green Ronin Publishing has officially announced the launch of a Kickstarter campaign for the "Valiant Adventures Roleplaying Game" set to begin on January 16. This exciting development comes after Green Ronin first disclosed their licensing agreement with DMG Entertainment and Valiant Entertainment in April 2023. The "Valiant Adventures RPG" is based on Green Ronin's acclaimed … |
Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Tuesday, December 19, 2023 2:44 PM  Catilus, an artist and Dungeons & Dragons player, has recently initiated a Kickstarter campaign for "Periodic Table of Elementals." This project, aimed at D&D 5E players, has already surpassed its funding goal, with $13,766 pledged of a $4,363 target, supported by 382 backers. The campaign is set to conclude on January 14, with 28 days … |
WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:53 PM Review aggregator Metacritic has put out its list of the worst games of 2023, based on the average score and its own weighting system which assigns more importance to some outlets than others. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:04 PM Several sales numbers for several first party PlayStation titles on PC have been revealed The post Horizon Zero Dawn Is the Best Selling PlayStation Exclusive on PC appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, December 19, 2023 1:09 PM Over 1.3 million stolen internal Insomniac files have been leaked to the internet The post Insomniac Leak Reveals a Venom Game, Spider-Man 3, Spider-Man Online Games, and More appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:15 PM These files include confidential information about several of the studio's upcoming projects The post Over 1.3 Million Leaked Insomniac Files Reveal Lots of Wolverine, Ratchet and Clank Details appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Pivotal Gamers Tuesday, December 19, 2023 2:22 PM What's up folks? Steam holds a new giveaway for The Sims 4. Read on for their offering. Get The Sims 4 Romantic Garden Stuff on Steam for Free! This content requires the base game The Sims 4 on Steam in order to play. A few words about The Sims 4 Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that's wholly unique. Explore and customiz... |
Level Up Tuesday, December 19, 2023 12:00 PM Fresh off its <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c48e08e7-97c5-461f-a105-3d959db52ea3" href="https://www.gameinformer.com/the-game-awards-2023/2023/12/07/every-winner-at-the-game-awards-2023">win for "Most Anticipated Game" at The Game… |