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Jan 18, 16:00


Kotaku Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:15 PM
    

I'm barely a minute into the premiere episode of HBO's TV treatment for The Last of Us and I'm already uncomfortable. No one's died yet, and no one's speaking in a cringe-worthy Texas accent, but as two experts chat about the threats to human society from airborne illnesses, I realize that I'm not quite sure if I'm in…

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:00 PM
    

Following rumors earlier this week from Sky News, tech giant Microsoft has announced a slew of layoffs affecting 10,000 workers, some within its game studios, blaming slowing e-commerce sales and a potential economic recession. Kotaku has confirmed that a number of developers at 343 Industries, The Coalition, and…

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:35 PM
    

Last month, Fortnite's newest season, Chapter 4 Season 1, started. With it came some big changes, fresh content, and a new island to explore. Most of the new stuff this season has been great! But one change to how quests work has frustrated some players, myself included, and while Epic's recent attempts to fix this…

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:05 PM
    

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:35 PM
    

Action games are often like rock music: it's hard to pinpoint one definable essence, and most borrow liberally from other genres. That said, the genre is often at its best when you don't have too many mechanics to memorize, and can mostly rely on your wits and your reaction time to get through each challenge.

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:36 PM
    

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot faced tough questions from some exhausted and fed-up staff about recent missteps and future plans in a company-wide Q&A session on Wednesday. The meeting comes just a week after the Assassin's Creed publisher announced new cancellations, delays, and cost-cutting measures, and told employees…

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:52 AM
    

Yesterday, Blizzard announced the latest event for Overwatch 2. In celebration of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit seasonal event brings some holiday-themed stylings across maps, and some returning game modes. But a lack of compelling and earnable skins and cosmetics has fans disappointed, pining for the…

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:44 AM
    

The original Mass Effect is coming up on its 16th anniversary this year, but even now, new secrets are being revealed about BioWare's science fiction RPG. That's because Series Director Casey Hudson has confirmed the first game's iconic text intro is actually an homage to the 1986 movie Top Gun.

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PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:43 PM
     The best Minecraft maps

What are the best Minecraft maps? Minecraft is the inventor's paradise, but, of course, it is also the connoisseur's nightmare. Thanks to the huge number of user-created Minecraft maps out there, it's almost impossible to find the finest creations around. Who has time these days to sift through hundreds of Minecraft maps, devour them with their digital senses, and come to a conclusion on which ones are worth your time?

Well, us, actually. We have scoured forums, marathoned YouTube videos, and sampled more of the best Minecraft maps than we can count on in order to bring you the definitive list. No, no need to thank us, we just like seeing you smile.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:34 PM
     Call of Duty Season 2 start date set for February

Infinity Ward has announced when the next season of Call of Duty begins. The Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2.0 Season 2 start date is February 15, and the developer says it'll have more information on what to expect next week. Right now, we know that changes will be coming to both multiplayer games based on player feedback, and that Season 2 will add ranked play, new maps, new modes, and more.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Modern Warfare 2 guns, Best loadouts in Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 2 maps

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:24 PM
     Valheim update shows off various Ashlands weapons concepts

Another Valheim update from developer Iron Gate Studio shows off some of the Ashlands weapons that it is considering for the Viking survival game. The Valheim Ashlands update is set to be the next biome that gets a full-scale implementation following the release of the Mistlands update, and the Valheim team says it is aiming to be more forthcoming with the development process to let fans know how things are shaping up.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Valheim system requirements, Valheim building tips, Valheim progression guide

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:02 PM
     PowerWash Simulator gets free Tomb Raider DLC on January 31

There's new PowerWash Simulator DLC coming for free at the end of January, adding five new levels in a mini-campaign based on the Lara Croft action-adventure games from Square Enix, who publishes PowerWash Simulator alongside games including Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The free update will feature you cleaning up the iconic Croft Manor and all its associated assault courses and vehicles.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best simulation games, Best co-op games on PC

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:48 PM
     Steam's Chinese New Year sale includes big hits and hidden gems

The Lunar New Year sale is no more, but Steam is holding an event for the new Year of the Rabbit all the same. The Steam Chinese New Year sale is a 'minor' sale in Steam's reorganised calendar, and it's a chance to check out some great Chinese games that in many cases aren't as well known in the west.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Steam FAQ, Steam family sharing, Steam in-home streaming

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:31 PM
     Dead by Daylight codes for January 2023

DBD codes can actually be quite hard to keep up with, since they are given out pretty regularly - but of course that's no bad thing. We're never going to complain about in-game giveaways, and Dead By Daylight codes can give you anything from outfits to charms, and even Bloodpoints and Iridescent Shards.

Currently, Dead by Daylight is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a Moonlight Burrow early celebration, before the main event kicks off on January 24. To prepare you, Behaviour is giving away a bunch of cosmetic items from previous Lunar New Year celebrations, which can be claimed through Prime Gaming, daily login rewards, and daily redemption codes in the multiplayer game. So, whether you want your favourite DBD killers to get a stylish new look, or you want to add to your survivors' wardrobes, be sure to redeem the codes below before it's too late, which are accompanied by some other ongoing codes to snap up if you haven't already.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, Hooked on You: A DBD Dating Sim gameplay review

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:29 PM
     How Minecraft server hosting works

You need to know about Minecraft hosting if you want to play the popular sandbox game online with your friends. Hosting your own server on Minecraft Java Edition allows you to play in the same world as others at the same time - whether that's for PVP battles, build competitions, manhunts, or just surviving side-by-side.

There are a few different ways to host your own Minecraft server, depending on your skill level. To get you started, Mojang Studios has helpfully provided free-of-charge server software that you can download. However, this requires some knowledge of java. If you don't have that, there are other ways to get online with your friends.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:27 PM
     Returnal PC release date revealed alongside Nvidia DLSS support

You read that right, we finally have a Returnal PC release date after the never-ending push of Steam updates, hints, and rumours. PlayStation continues in its quest to release many of its incredibly successful exclusives onto PC via platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store. Prepare for the bullet-hell action-adventure game everyone, it's coming very soon.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Returnal PC localised, Best gaming mouse

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:24 PM
     PUBG map redesign gives core battle royale game fresh energy

When it comes to making a PUBG map, Krafton and the Battlegrounds development team have a lot of factors to consider -- a lot of people to please. Add too many weapons and vehicles, and you might tip the meta, making the battle royale game suddenly too gung-ho and easy. Strip everything back and you face the same problem. Not enough buildings; too many buildings. Snipers are overpowered; there's nowhere built for long-range combat.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best battle royale games, PUBG 2 release date, Best PC games you can play on mobile

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:14 PM
     Forspoken map – every point of interest in Athia

If you're looking for details on the Forspoken map, we've got your back. When Frey is transported to Athia, she's met with almost alien-like scenery - floating rocks, giant monoliths, and of course, those pesky winged feline creatures that just won't seem to sit still. There are plenty of things to distract you while you're trying to secure the safety of this new world, but is there a reward for venturing off the beaten path?

If you want to get strong enough to decimate your enemies in Forspoken, you're going to have to take a detour or two. Knowing the Forspoken map inside and out will give you every advantage in your fight against the Tantas, and might even help you make a friend along the way in what will hopefully be one of the best PC games released this year.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Forspoken release date, Toughest Forspoken dungeons, Forspoken system requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:09 PM
     Genshin Impact update finally adds icons to indoor teleport waypoints

The latest Genshin Impact update has added a highly-requested quality-of-life feature, as icons now let players know whether or not a teleport waypoint is located indoors or outdoors. Players who have explored Sumeru to unlock all of its waypoints know that this change is a godsend. The anime game's forest and desert regions are full of large underground pathways containing waypoints that would often cause players to accidentally warp themselves into tombs or ruins.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:09 PM
     How to find a Minecraft saddle

If you're wondering how to craft a Minecraft saddle, then we've got some bad news for you: you can't. Despite Minecraft's adoration of all things, well, crafty, the saddle is one of the items that you literally can't make in the crafting game no matter how hard you try.

So naturally, finding the Minecraft saddle is hard to achieve if you're new to one of the best PC games. Now, we're all left praying to the RNG gods that we'll find one in a Minecraft dungeon somewhere. Maybe we should just go craft a Minecraft boat instead, or something.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:08 PM
     Minecraft Dripstone Cave guide

The Minecraft Dripstone cave, and it's greener sister, the Lush cave, were new underground biomes added with the long-awaited Caves and Cliffs update. The update completely overhauled the sandbox game, adding these unique biomes for the first time, extending the world height (both up and down), and changing the way you mine.

Already one of the best PC games of all time, Minecraft players return year after year for the huge content updates that Mojang Studios put out - and let's not forget the Minecraft 1.20 release date is coming soon. Caves and Cliffs might have been one of the most game-changing, making mining and caving considerably more dangerous, but it also made it more jaw-dropping - there's nothing quite like stumbling across an expansive Dripstone cave. So here's everything you need to know about the new biome, and the new blocks found within it.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:00 PM
     Ayaneo could take on Steam Deck using a next-gen discrete AMD GPU

The Steam Deck is arguably the best gaming PC for on-the-go players, but Ayaneo is looking to steal the crown using a discrete next-gen AMD graphics card. The company's Next 2 handheld also boasts an 8-inch display, but the whole package borrows aesthetics from Valve's portable powerhouse.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best SSD for gaming, How to build a gaming PC, Best gaming CPU

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:53 AM
     Dead by Daylight killers tier list: all 30 deadly characters ranked

On the prowl for a DBD killers tier list? Six years in, the Dead by Daylight character roster is bigger than ever, boasting a massive 30 killers at the time of writing, and a further 34 survivors. Thanks to that huge list of names, it's certainly difficult to keep track of who you should main. Combined with the 2022 overhaul of 40 killer and survivor perks which has completely shifted the game, there's even more to consider.

Among the best PC games out there, the joy of asymmetrical horror games has always been the ability to be the bad guy. While there's certainly something thrilling about putting yourself in the shoes of a survivor (there must be a reason we all wonder how we'd do in a zombie apocalypse, right?), nothing gets the heart racing like shirking the lawful-good responsibilities of real life and taking on the role of a blood-thirsty killer. Every one of the following DBD killers has their own terrifying unique power, from ranged axe throws, to infectious bile and close-range chainsaw attacks. But which is best? Find out with our Dead by Daylight killers tier list.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, Hooked on You: A DBD Dating Sim gameplay review

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:59 AM
     Hogwarts Legacy Gobstone locations

The Hogwarts Legacy Gobstone locations aren't essential to your life in wizard school, but you might as well test your might with the smelly spheres. If you want to be the very best, it's time to set your sights on obtaining every Gobstone you can get your hands on and put your classmates to shame.

Gobstones, for the uninitiated, is a wizarding game that resembles marbles. Each player takes turns rolling their Gobstone in an attempt to knock their opponent's stone outside of the area of play. The aim of the game is to capture your opponent's Gobstones, with the loser getting a spray of awful-smelling liquid whenever they lose a point. It's one of the many side-quests and minigames that Hogwarts Legacy will contain, and is one of the reasons it could be one of the best PC games released this year.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy release date, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:49 AM
     Minecraft Ender Dragon, Ender Dragon egg, and more

So you want to know about the Minecraft Ender Dragon? This magnificent beast spawns as soon as the player enters The End - a nightmarish realm accessible only through a portal found in strongholds. It doesn't matter what difficulty you're playing on, the Ender Dragon will come for you. She shoots dragon's breath and charges at players by swooping down from the sky. If she gets hit, she will retreat, but she can also instantly destroy most blocks she comes into contact with.

If the popular crafting game has any end goal, it is to march into The End and defeat the Ender Dragon, also known as 'Jean'. Minecraft's only true boss is no joke and can be tough to beat, so make sure you stock up on plenty of Minecraft potions, don that diamond armour, and remain calm because once you beat her, you will complete one of the best PC games ever.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:38 AM
     Hogwarts Legacy Sorting Hat explained

The Hogwarts Legacy Sorting Hat is one of the most crucial things to consider when starting off your new life at the Wizarding School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After all, it decides which house you'll be a part of, and, therefore, where you spend your time, who you socialise with the most, and which house you will help towards House Cup victory.

One of the biggest questions prospective Hogwarts Legacy players have been asking, then, is how does the Sorting Hat work? Fans of the franchise will remember Harry Potter pleading with the sorting hat not to place him in Slytherin, so will you have any control over your placement in what could be one of the best PC games of the year? Well, while you can use your Wizarding World account to import your House and wand in Hogwarts Legacy, you might instead want a fresh start and are willing to let the game place you, so here's what we know about the Hogwarts Legacy Sorting Hat.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy release date, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:34 AM
     All Genshin Impact Dehya ascension materials

So, you want to farm Dehya ascension materials? This newly announced five-star character is the first Pyro character we've seen in a while, after the influx of Dendro characters thanks to the new Sumeru region and introduction of the Dendro Archon.

We've known about Dehya ever since Genshin Impact 3.0 when she made an appearance in the Sumeru Archon quest. Dehya looks to be an interesting new Genshin Impact character and one that could rank highly on our Genshin Impact tier list. Here are the materials you need to farm ahead of time in the free PC game to hopefully land her on a future Genshin Impact banner.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:24 PM
     Returnal system requirements

The Returnal system requirements don't require a cutting edge gaming PC to meet, despite the PlayStation 5 origins of the roguelike game. However, budget builders may need to upgrade their graphics card to avoid undesirable levels of performance.

Continue reading Returnal system requirements
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best SSD for gaming, How to build a gaming PC, Best gaming CPU

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:43 AM
     How to import your house and wand in Hogwarts Legacy

Want to know how to import your house and wand to Hogwarts Legacy? It's not surprising - our house is important to us witches and wizards, and we don't want to risk getting placed into the wrong one.

So how do you determine your house before even loading up the RPG game? First, you need to have a Wizarding World account, and you must have completed your house sorting over there. Once you've done that, you can link your Wizarding World account to Hogwarts Legacy for a predetermined house and wand, and even an exclusive customisation option.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hogwarts Legacy release date, All Hogwarts Legacy spells, Hogwarts Legacy system requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:51 AM
     The best auto battlers and auto chess games 2023

Looking for the best auto battlers? The auto chess and auto battler genre may have been a flash in the pan, but it's been a fascinating one. It all started with Dota Auto Chess, a custom game mode for MOBA game Dota 2 which then spun off to do its own thing, simply called Auto Chess. Valve took notice, and decided to create the ill-fated Dota Underlords.

If you're interested in auto chess games, our list of the best auto battlers available to play will steer you in the right direction. Underlords has sadly stopped receiving support since the end of 2020. However, while there aren't too many decent contenders for the crown of best auto battler, the entries on this list all do something a little different, and represent the best PC games the scene has to offer.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: How to play Teamfight Tactics, Best Teamfight Tactics items, How to upgrade Teamfight Tactics champions

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:00 AM
     Overwatch 2 PvE

While the Overwatch 2 PvE release date is set for later this year, there's still a fair bit we don't know about the multiplayer game's co-op campaign mode. In fact, we don't know exactly how Blizzard even intends to release the mode once it starts actually rolling out, but now Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller has revealed what's going on over at Blizzard and how it's been thinking about the upcoming PvE mode.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:51 AM
     How to get Destiny 2 Timelost weapons

Want to know how to get Destiny 2 Timelost weapons? Like Nightfall weapons, Timelost weapons are only available at set times, following a predefined schedule. Timelost weapons are essentially better versions of the basic Vault of Glass weapons, with an extra third and fourth perk slot and a slot for Adept weapon mods.

To get a Destiny 2 Timelost weapon, you will need to complete its particular challenge in the Vault of Glass on Master difficulty. You can check out our Destiny 2 Vault of Glass walkthrough for tips on how to beat it. Five encounters in the raid have a challenge associated with them, which is basically an extra condition to meet when completing the fight (for example, the 'Wait For It' challenge on Confluxes requires you to wait until the Wyverns have started sacrificing themselves before you kill them).

Bungie used to set one challenge per week in the free PC game, meaning players had to complete each raid challenge on Master difficulty each week over the course of five different weeks to gain all five Timelost weapons and earn Found Verdict, which requires the completion of all five challenges. But now, the Master Vault of Glass raid is only available on specific weeks when Vault of Glass is the featured raid. These changes also mean that players can complete all five challenges in a single week.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 exotics, Destiny 2 builds

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:03 AM
     Warzone 2 season 2 release date speculation

When will Warzone 2 season 2 release date be? It's tough to think that far ahead, especially when we're still in the midst of the first mid-season update for the BR. As Warzone 2 finds its feet, it's impossible not to look ahead. Warzone 2 season 1 marked the beginning of the game cycle, and with that came new guns, operators, and of course, the new map, Al Mazrah.

While we don't know what Warzone 2 season 2 will look like just yet, we can take an educated guess at when it will be released, along with some potential new features that didn't quite find their way into the FPS game with the first season. While Raids were introduced with season 1 Reloaded, we're still waiting on a potential resurgence map. With Rebirth island being one of the most popular modes in the free PC game last time around, it makes sense for that to be a priority this time too.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Warzone 2 guns, Best Warzone 2 loadout, Warzone 2 map

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:46 PM
    

I still say the Hylics games are some of the prettiest around, with their striking mix of claymation and video capture. So I'm delighted to realise that, unbeknowst to me, creator Mason Lindroth occasionally give behind-the-scenes peeks at props and animations on Twitter. It is very interesting to see those original handcrafted figures. And it is very funny to discover that the process of animating one character's hands involved wearing a little cardboard green screen like a shroud while waggling a sexy gloved arm through the hole.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:46 PM
    

At last! Returnal, the hit bullet-hell roguelike that set PS5 owners hearts' a flutter back in 2021, is launching on PC on February 15th. It'll be prettier and ray-tracier too, if this new PC features trailer is to be believed.

I played Returnal last year and can confirm that it is splendid, and also that you will grow to hate the kamikaze squid in the final area with every fibre of your being. Presuming you get that far.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:00 PM
    

Crap, it's an attack ship on fire off the shoulder of... no wait, it's the upcoming full release of Blade Runner-inspired city builder Industries of Titan, from Crypt Of The Necromancer developers Brace Yourself Games. They've announced Titan will be out for realsies on January 31st, when it will unshackle itself from its early access chains while forcing thousands more workers into indentured labour.

It's more than just a slick sci-fi city builder, boasting battleship combat and the ability to tinker with what goes on inside your buildings.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:00 PM
    

Far Cry 2 is a lot of things, based on the memories I have from playing it a decade ago. First and foremost, I recall Far Cry 2: Parasitic Pain, which tasks you with running around begging for pills to stave off a growing infection. Next comes Far Cry 2: Buddy Bonanza, which lets you make lots of lovely AI friends, charge into battles together, and then hide while they die. Then, there's Far Cry 2: Firewatch, which is all about watching fire. It's the best.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:00 PM
    

You may have seen I was dead excited about The Pale Beyond in our most anticipated games list the other week, and now we finally know when it's coming out. Publisher Fellow Traveller have announced this Arctic naval expedition gone wrong will be setting sail on February 24th, so ready your blankets and hot cuppas, folks. This icy, story-driven survival 'em up will chill you the bone.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:51 AM
    

The EU have voted to push for reform in the videogame industry, backing a report that takes aim at everything from loot boxes to human rights violations tied up with gold-farming. The report includes calls for better parental control options, "harmonised rules" compelling sellers to show more information about game content, and a clamp down on third-party skin gambling.

Those are all laudable goals, but time will tell how much change this actually amounts to.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:42 AM
    

Something you could never accuse A Plague Tale: Requiem of is a lack of eye candy. As grim, gory, and engulfed in rats as this medieval stealth adventure is, mon dieu is it a looker on PC. For those among us with one of the brawnier graphics cards on the market, it's just become even prettier too, via the slightly delayed implementation of ray tracing.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:30 AM
    

I've been holding something in for 5 years. It first started as a deep joy, like a ray of sunshine in the palm of my hand. Then it became a deep sense of longing for something I'd lost, like a cascade of sand that fell from my palm as I wept gently on an empty beach. The "it" is a mobile and Nintendo Switch game called Pokémon Quest (don't laugh), which was the first - and only - mobile game I've actively obsessed over.

The game's an auto-battler where you gather a small trio from the original 150 Pokéfolks, level them up, and then tackle trickier and trickier stages. After a frankly disgusting number of hours, I'd finished all the stages. So, I thought, "Yes, of course they will add the 2nd generation of Pokéfolks with a bunch of new stages. This is its natural evolution, if you will". It still hasn't happened and probably never will. And I hate that I can't find anything else that'll replace it.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:25 AM
    

Thunderful Games have announced they're going to be holding a special SteamWorld stream next Monday January 23rd, where they'll be unveiling what's next for the series. Taking place at 9.30am PST / 5.30pm GMT, it's not clear what the SteamWorld Telegraph: Special Broadcast will entail just yet, but given we already know several SteamWorld games are in development at the moment, here's a rough guess-timate of what to expect.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:00 AM
    

Indonesian studio Mojiken have been making games for years. Most of them are less than an hour long. They're short, punchy adventures and cover everything from digital fortune tellers, violin-playing owl-men, and poetic folktales about potato-shaped forest creatures.

A Space For The Unbound is Mojiken's first 'big' release in that sense, clocking in at around nine-ish hours. What begins as a YA coming-of-age tale about a small-town romance quickly gains remarkable momentum, and suddenly you're dealing with supernatural teens trying to desperately stop a world-ending calamity. Part sci-fi drama, part high school romance, A Space For The Unbound manages to have incredible weight and grandeur while also being poignant, sweet, and honest at the same time. It's a triumph.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:44 AM
    

Last time, you decided that programmable party members are better than optional grinding. I can respect that. Yeah, it's sometimes fun to turn your brain off and grind out a bit, but there's a lot to say for doing the work up front to get your party and builds running correctly then just watch them go. This week, I ask you to choose between one thing which speaks to my inner teenager, and one thing which speaks to my inner child. What's better: big engines rising from the bonnet, or knocking folks over edges?

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Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:42 PM
     Under the seaaaaa.

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:54 PM
     The fact that they were only now added is pretty suspicious.

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:49 PM
     "Changes are coming."

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:14 PM
     Just take a seat, you got this!

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:37 PM
     A new episode full of tales and lattes is coming!

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:03 PM
     Get lost on purpose.

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:59 AM
     Good bye, my best friend.

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:45 AM
     Time to do it all again on PC, Selene.

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:36 AM
     No more exploits (probably).

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:32 AM
     Zack's back!

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:31 AM
     Who said you had to choose between mother-daughter relationships and murder mysteries?

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:23 AM
     Bunnies!

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:21 AM
     Magic Mike did not like this movie at all.

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:08 AM
     Be careful what you wish for.

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:49 AM
     Can you name the Valorant maps these images are from? Let's find out how well you know the game!

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:34 AM
     DANGER ZONE!

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:31 AM
     Santa Claus is coming for the bad guys.

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:07 AM
     Let's find out how well you know these 12 Valorant map callouts.

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 9:50 AM
     Why couldn't it have been follow the butterflies?

Twinfinite Wednesday, January 18, 2023 9:36 AM
     She's not going on an adventure.

Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:30 PM
    

genshin impact plush keychains

Banpresto released even more Genshin Impact plush keychains of characters from Inazuma. They are four of the main heroes from the region: Ayaka, Ayato, Kazuha, and Thoma. Like the previous Ganyu and Xiao ones, they are available in crane games across Japan.

All of the Genshin Impact plush keychains are around 11 centimeters in length. They also all share the same smiling expression. If you are in Japan, you can find them in over 300 stores and arcades in the country. However, those outside of the country would need to find a proxy service or online vendor in order to get these keychains.

This is the first time that Banpresto has released plush of the Kamisato siblings. In the past, it released a large plush and a doll keychain of Kazuha. Thoma was also in the same release as the Kazuha keychain. They are also still in over 300 stores in Japan if you want other versions of them.

The Genshin Impact version 3.4 patch is now available. This update introduced Alhaitham and Yaoyao. There are no limited Inazuma characters on the banner, nor are any of them on pick-up. Players who do not yet have Ayaka, Ayato, or Kazuha will have to wait until their next re-run.

Genshin Impact is available on PS4, PS5, Windows PC, and mobile devices. You can play for the Genshin Impact Inazuma character plush keychains in over 300 locations in Japan.

The post Genshin Impact Inazuma Character Plush Keychains Appear in Arcades appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:00 PM
    

Monster Hunter Rise PS5

Monster Hunter Rise will soon be available on PlayStation consoles, roughly two years after its initial debut on the Nintendo Switch and about a year since its release on PC. In the interim, Capcom opted not to fix what isn't broken. As such, Monster Hunter Rise on PS5 (as well as on PS4) perform perfectly well, as one might expect from the major leap in hardware capacity afforded by both consoles over the Switch.

Fans who want to see how the game performs prior to release on January 20, 2023, would do well to take a look at the PC version. Monster Hunter Rise on PS5 appears much the same way as it does on PC, and includes an expansive list of graphical settings options players can tweak to adjust the game's performance to their liking.

MH Rise

That said, things aren't exactly the same as on PC. The graphical options aren't quite as granular - for example, you can't select your resolution - and like recent cross-generational titles, if you'd rather not get into the nitty-gritty of option-tweaking, you can just choose to have the game "prioritize graphics" or "prioritize framerate" broadly. The "graphics" option will render Monster Hunter Rise on PS5 at up to 4K resolution with a framerate of 60 FPS. The "framerate" option turns a few settings down and aims for up to 120 FPS at 1080P resolution. This is all, of course, dependent on if your TV or monitor can support the relevant modes.

For my part, I only had a 1080p monitor attached to my PS5, so I couldn't test the game's performance at 4K. However, Monster Hunter Rise definitely ran at a smooth and locked framerate, and didn't drop any frames in a way that I noticed playing normally. It should be noted that the cutscenes still seem paced for 30 FPS (as on the Switch), so you may see a bit of "slowdown" during these moments, but they're not because of any particular hardware struggling. Other options from the PC version, like the visual and color filters, are also included, though they're fairly impractical to use unless you're looking to take photos.

On PS5, Monster Hunter Rise also supports a few of the console's more unique bells and whistles. The DualSense controller's haptic trigger and rumble features are supported. Sure enough, you can feel a bit of extra resistance when letting off shots with the Bow and Bowgun weapons. Melee weapons with a shield like the Lance, Gunlance, Charge Blade, and Sword and Shield also give a little "kick" when blocking a monster's attack. The game also supports the PS5's Tempest 3D Audio. With a headset, I found the sounds of a hunt quickly drowned out much of the background noise. I even accidentally checked behind myself in real life when I heard a pair of Jagras approaching from behind my character.

MH Rise

That much was to be expected from Sony's newest machine, but in fact a PS4 Pro works almost as well at running Monster Hunter Rise, too. Even set to its 4K graphics mode, the game is eminently playable, running more smoothly than on Switch (though with a few noticeable framerate drops while looking at wider vistas). Additionally, the PS4 Pro was working its fans quite hard to render the game at 4K, and during even short hunts it sounded like a jet engine spinning up.

One other benefit of being on the PS5 is the machine's use of fast SSD storage. This cut down loading times to a fraction of what they were during my PS4 Pro tests. A load into Kamura village that took 20 seconds on PS4 Pro took 5 or 6 seconds on the PS5, so fast that I couldn't even read the loading screen tips before the screen changed. If the choice is available to you, I'd recommend the PS5 over the PS4.

Even PS5 users won't miss out by sticking with the bigger machine, since the game supports cross-platform matchmaking for PlayStation platforms. They will, however, miss out on cross-save. The PS4 and PS5 cannot share Monster Hunter Rise save data, which means for the testing, I went through the first few hunts again on my PS4 Pro before continuing on my "main" PS5 save. It's a little annoying not to be able to take advantage of having both consoles to play across screens and, to a limited extent, replicate the convenience of the Switch's "get up and go" portability. Given that the Xbox One and Xbox Series versions of the game will support cross-progression, I can't help but wonder what issue prevents Capcom from making it happen on PlayStation.

MHR PS4 PS5

That relatively minor issue aside, the PS4 and PS5 versions of Monster Hunter Rise meet all expectations, making for a perfectly good version of one of Capcom's best Monster Hunter entries. About the only way it could disappoint is if some player was still holding out hope for a more substantial graphical overhaul.

Monster Hunter Rise is available on PC and Nintendo Switch. The PS4 and PS5 versions will launch on January 20, 2023. The Sunbreak expansion will launch on PlayStation in Spring 2023.

The post Monster Hunter Rise on PS5 (and PS4) Meets Expectations appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:30 PM
    

fire emblem engage three houses characters dlc

Nintendo shared detailed information on how the Dimitri, Edelgard, and Claude DLC will play in Fire Emblem Engage. The three of them work as a single unit. You have to purchase them separately from the game, since they are expansion pass characters. But since the add-on will be available as soon as the game is out, you can get them right away.

Since December 2022, we knew that the Three Houses Lords would be part of the first Expansion Pass in Fire Emblem Engage. Tiki, who has been a recurring character in the Fire Emblem series, is also part of the same Pass. Aside from getting the two units, you can also get new accessories and maps.

Every turn, the game randomly selects whether you are using Dimitri, Edelgard, or Claude. However, all of them share the same Engage Skills. The first one is a series of hits (with an ax, lance, and arrow), and their second boosts how much EXP the equipped character gets.

https://twitter.com/FireEmblemJP/status/1615615410182979586

Dimitri, Edelgard, and Claude were the three Lord characters from Fire Emblem: Three Houses. They will look like they did when they were at the Academy. In addition, all three of their voice actors reprised their roles. As a reminder, they are:

  • Dimitri: Kaito Ishikawa (Genos in One Punch Man, Iida in My Hero Academia)
  • Edelgard: Ai Kakuma (Lenalee in D.Gray-Man Hallow, Rosaria in Genshin Impact)
  • Claude: Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Oberon in Fate/Grand Order, Cheng Xiaoshi in Link Click)

Fire Emblem Engage will come out on January 20, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, and the Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass DLC that contains Dimitri, Edelgard, Claude, and Tiki will come out on the same day.

The post Here Are the Three Houses Characters in Fire Emblem Engage appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:00 PM
    

One Piece Art Book Wano

A report from tipster Ryokutya2089 says that a new One Piece art book is on the way. The book, titled One Peace Eiichiro Oda Art Book Color Walk10 Dragon, is due out on March 3, 2023. [Thanks, Ryokutya2089!]

According to the report, the One Piece art book will collect "an unprecedented number" of pieces across its pages. The art will consist of color illustrations and Shonen Jump cover pieces from a period of One Piece's history.

That history stretches from the beginning to the end of the epic-length Wano Country arc, which lasted roughly 16 volumes of the manga (or about 150 chapters). In the Wano Country arc, Monkey D. Luffy, the Straw Hat Pirates, and their allies attempt to infiltrate Wano, a nation with strong similarities to medieval Japan. Their goal is to take down The Beasts Pirates and their Emperor, Kaidou.

The One Piece art book will also collect pieces from the One Piece films. It'll also feature a "triple-large-size poster." The first film work included is 2019's One Piece Stampede and 2021's One Piece Film RedStampede follows the crew as they visit Delta Island to attend Pirate Fest, a large pirate gathering. There they'll race against crews from across the world to locate a treasure that belonged to the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Red, the most recent One Piece feature production, features a concert by Uta, the world-famous singer and daughter of Shanks. One Piece Film Red recently broke into the top ten all-time box office ranking in Japan, having earned over 19 billion Yen (about $149 million USD) in Japan alone.

The One Piece art book One Peace Eiichiro Oda Art Book Color Walk10 Dragon will go on sale in Japan on March 3, 2023. An RPG based on the series, One Piece Odyssey, is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Check out Siliconera's review.

The post One Piece Art Book Includes Art from Wano Country Arc appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:30 PM
    

chainsaw man cafe

A Chainsaw Man cafe will be open for a limited time in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. The concept for the cafe is "a luxurious patisserie," with the key visual reflecting that. Aside from snacks based on the characters of Chainsaw Man, you can also buy merchandise of them in their baker outfits. You can visit the cafe from February 2, 2023 to April 2, 2023.

The Nagoya cafe will have slightly different operating dates than the Tokyo and Osaka ones. Instead of running for two months, it will only run for a little over a month. It will end on March 12, 2023. However, other than that, it is the same as the other two cafes. While you do not need to make a reservation, the cafe highly suggests doing so.

Here are the menu items that you can purchase at the Chainsaw Man cafe:

  • Denji's Best Omurice (1400 JPY)
  • Makima's Afternoon Toast Quiche Lunch (1400 JPY)
  • Hayakawa Aki's "Kon" Corned Beef Sandwich (1400 JPY)
  • Power's Croquette Hammer Short Pasta (1400 JPY)
  • Chainsaw Man Cake (1200 JPY)
  • Chocolate Cake After the Battle (1500 JPY)
  • Devil Montblanc (1300 JPY)
  • Pochita's Pudding Parfait (900 JPY)
  • Denji's Apple Tea That Won't Waste Even the Peel (900 JPY)
  • Makima's Alluring Berry Cafe Latte (600 JPY)
  • Hayakawa Family Black Coffee (800 JPY)
  • Power's Bloody Orange Soda (800 JPY)
  • Hot Tea With Jam (900 JPY)

[gallery columns="6" link="file" ids="947421,947420,947427,947424,947418,947417,947422,947425,947419,947426,947423,947428"]

 

Speaking of the store, it mostly sells basic goods such as acrylic stands and can badges. All of them feature Denji, Makima, Aki, and Power dressed like patissiers. You can purchase the aforementioned spoon, as well as a mug with Pochita on it.

The Chainsaw Man cafe will be open from February 2, 2023 to April 2, 2023 in Tokyo and Osaka. It will run from February 2, 2023 to March 12, 2023 in Nagoya. You can watch Chainsaw Man on Crunchyroll or read it via Viz Media.

The post Chainsaw Man Cafe Will Open in February 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:00 PM
    

Tales of Symphonia Anime Episode Shared Ahead of Remaster Release

Bandai Namco released the first episode of the Tales of Symphonia anime OVA worldwide ahead of the remaster's February 2023 debut. The Japanese Twitter account noted all 11 episodes will eventually be released in this manner. However, the English Twitter and YouTube accounts don't note if people worldwide can expect a new episode every Wednesday.

Ufotable, the studio that also worked on Tales series game animations, worked on the Tales of Symphonia anime. While there are 11 total episodes, this animated adaptation actually showed up in blocks years apart. The first part of the Tales of Symphonia anime consisted of the Sylvarant arc, which consisted of four episodes released in 2007. It was followed by the four episode Tethe'alla arc and three episode United World arc. There was about a three year gap between the Sylvarant and Tethe'alla ones.

As someone can expect, the first episode picks up from the very beginning of Tales of Symphonia. We first meet Lloyd, Colette, Genius, Kratos, and Raine as the group helps the chosen one Collette on her journey to reach the Tower of Salvation and save their world.

Here is the first Tales of Symphonia anime episode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp1yRAOiA7Q&ab_channel=BANDAINAMCOEurope

Tales of Symphonia Remastered will show up on February 17, 2023 on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. People can also find the Tales of Symphonia Chronicles remaster on the PlayStation 3 and PC.

The post Tales of Symphonia Anime Episode Shared Ahead of Remaster Release appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:30 PM
    

dragon quest champions mobile game

During the live stream that Square Enix announced on January 11, 2023, Square Enix revealed Dragon Quest Champions. This title will be both a single-player and multiplayer game and is a joint effort with Koei Tecmo. There will be a story mode, as well as a tournament mode, and the mobile game will use a turn-based battle system just like mainline Dragon Quest entries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T3QzqFt620

In Dragon Quest Champions, you can form a party of three characters. During the live stream, you can watch how the game and field looks. There seems to be an open world and towns that you can run around and explore in. The story is a fairly simple one. The Protagonist's father has gone missing, and so they decide to enter a Hero Fighting Tournament to look for him. You can choose between a male or a female protagonist.

[gallery ids="947411,947410,947409" link="file"]

As for the PvP tournament mode, it is a brawl comprising of up to fifty players. You fight against them until you are the last one. There is also a rank system as well, and you will only play against players in the same league and around the same class. You start from Bronze III and the maximum is Gold I. What your level is in the tournament mode will reflect what it is in the story mode.

Like PUBG, you will drop down from the sky and decide where you want to land. As you wander around the battlefield, you can collect items that will raise your stats, as well as fight against monsters to earn experience spheres. If you encounter a player in combat with a monster, you can also hop in and turn it into a three-way battle. Collecting experience will help you power up your party for fights against actual people. Each match in tournament mode takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

Dragon Quest Champions is in development for mobile devices, and it will hold a beta test from February 6 to 13, 2023. There is no release date yet.

The post Dragon Quest Champions Will Have PUBG-like PVP Mode appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:00 PM
    

Alear and Celine Were the First Fire Emblem Engage Characters Drawn

The latest Fire Emblem Engage interview with Director Tsutomu Tei and Entertainment Planning & Development Department Production Group No 2 member Kenta Nakanishi goes over Mika Pikazo's character art. It noted how the "vivid" and "vibrant" designs were a fit for the new game, with both Tei and Nakanishi noted they knew immediately and "unanimously" that she was the one. Tei then noted that it would be a several year long game, given Intelligent Systems was asking for 50 character designs. They then noted Alear and Celine were the first Fire Emblem Engage characters Pikazo drew.

First, Tei noted that the company was "upfront" about the request. Then, he shared details about Alear and Celine being picked as the first Fire Emblem Engage characters for Pikazo to draw. Here's the exact quote.

The first characters were Alear and Celine. We thought it was best to start off with the base male character and female characters. These are some of the rough designs from the first draft.

Based on the game's setting, [Pikazo] proposed many variations with different hairstyles and color schemes and such. Then we had back and forth discussions with our internal staff to decide the character's image.

Here's a closer look at the early Pikazo sketches of Alear and Celine in Fire Emblem Engage. The first three are of Alear, and Celine is on the far right side of the sketch.
Alear and Celine Were the First Fire Emblem Engage Characters Drawn

Alear and Celine are also two of the first Fire Emblem Engage characters in another sense. Both are among the initial cast members joining the mobile game Fire Emblem Heroes.

Tei also noted how Pikazo's designs influenced the game. For example, he mentioned her design for Kagetsu led to an in-game event.

Yes, I think it was really impressive of her to put it together to this scale. I just remembered this funny moment. Mika Pikazo-san draws very detailed items even in the rough draft. For example, there's a sword master character named Kagetsu, and he comes from a place with a unique culture that's different from the other characters. We don't have any Japanese-style nations in this title, but when I looked at the rough sketch, I noticed this character was holding a rice ball in his hand. (Laughs)

That gave us some ideas that have been implemented into an in-game event.

Here's that image showing Zelkov, Kagetsu, and Rosado.
[caption id="attachment_947406" align="aligncenter" width="950"]Zelkov, Kagetsu, and Rosado Zelkov, Kagetsu, and Rosado[/caption]

Fire Emblem Engage will come to the Nintendo Switch on January 20, 2023.

The post Alear and Celine Were the First Fire Emblem Engage Characters Drawn appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:30 AM
    

Genshin Impact Raiden Shogun Doll

A new Genshin Impact Raiden Shogun doll is up for pre-order in Japan. It's a replica of a statuette seen in-game during the 2022 "Hues of the Violet Garden" Inazuma event. [Thanks, Inside!]

The Genshin Impact Raiden Shogun doll is formally named the "Statue of Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, God of Thunder." In the game it is sold at the Inazuma shop Eipekkusu and was the centerpiece of the Irodori Festival side quest "Buyer's Guide to the Statue of Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, God of Thunder." During the quest, players assist Sara and Sayu in obtaining a limited edition version of the figure.

[gallery columns="4" size="medium" ids="947390,947391,947392,947393" orderby="rand" link="file"]

Fans can obtain a physical replica for themselves, to properly show fealty to the Electro Archon. The figure stands (or rather sits) at 11 cm tall (about 4.3 inches), and is made of PVC plastic. It depicts the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, God of Thunder in deformed "chibi" style. The Genshin Impact Raiden Shogun sits in the traditional seiza position, with her face expressing contemplation of eternity. In her hands is a replica of her sword. The sword can be detached, and the ruler of Inazuma can hold other thin items, like pens or spoons, as the owner prefers.

Though the in-game quest limited purchases of the statue to one per person, the pre-order limit for the real-life replica is three per person, via the Tokyo Figure online store. It costs 5,720 Yen (about $45 USD).

The pre-order period for the Statue of Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, God of Thunder lasts until February 22, 2023. Deliveries are expected to start in June 2023. Genshin Impact is available on Android, iOS, PS4, PS5, and PC.

The post Genshin Impact Raiden Shogun Doll Is Straight From the Irodori Festival appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:00 AM
    

fire emblem engage tiki

Nintendo gave people a look at how the Tiki DLC will work in Fire Emblem Engage. Veterans of the series should be familiar with Tiki, who has been a recurring character. She is a cheery young Manakete who can turn into a dragon in battle. Despite that, Tiki will be more of a support for your other characters.

Like other Manaketes in the series, Tiki will get a stat boost while in her dragon form. She gains 10 HP, and all of her stats increase by 5. With her Engage Skill, Tiki can give an ally next to her a Stone of Resurrection. A character can only hold one Stone at a time. If an attack would otherwise kill a character with a Stone, they can survive the hit at the cost of the Stone.

https://twitter.com/fireemblemjp/status/1615251353726746624?s=61&t=BD31K2RB9hutlaMhTwy22w

When a character Syncs with Tiki, their Engage Weapon is the Eternal Claw. This weapon has a very high Crit Rate. Her Synchro Skill is a passive one that will make it easier for their base stats to grow when leveling up.

https://twitter.com/fireemblemjp/status/1615250320929746947?s=61&t=BD31K2RB9hutlaMhTwy22w

https://twitter.com/fireemblemjp/status/1615249705289797636?s=61&t=BD31K2RB9hutlaMhTwy22w

Nintendo also shared a conversation between Alear and Tiki. The two of them find common ground as dragons who were asleep for a long time. Tiki does not remember much from before she slept. However, she recalls fighting alongside and journeying with other friends. In Japanese, Sumire Morohoshi voices Tiki. She has voiced Tiki since Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, and has also appeared in shows like Bungo Stray Dogs (Kyoka Izumi) and The Promised Neverland (Emma).

https://twitter.com/fireemblemjp/status/1615249017675599875?s=61&t=BD31K2RB9hutlaMhTwy22w

Fire Emblem Engage will come out on January 20, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.

The post Tiki Will Support Your Army in Fire Emblem Engage appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:30 AM
    

Hololive EN Vtuber Amelia Watson's ChikuTaku Song Released, Game Coming

Hololive EN Myth Vtuber Amelia Watson announced not only her first original song, but also a game. The track "ChikuTaku" is immediately available to stream, and there's also an official music video. As for the ChikuTaku game, it isn't live yet. However, its itch.io placeholder page is available. The game itself is expected to launch in January 2023. This comes after a brief delay that pushed the launch of the new track to January 17, 2023.

Here's the full music video for "ChikuTaku." As she's a time traveler herself, the song also features those themes. Her mascot dog Bubba also appears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYVweqOW31w&ab_channel=WatsonAmeliaCh.hololive-EN

Wunder Riku worked on "ChikuTaku." Previously, the composer worked on other Hololive EN Vtuber songs like Sana Tsukumo's "Astrogirl" and Amelia's "Ookami Blues."

This means Amelia Watson achieved all of the goals she announced in her debut stream. When she first joined Hololive EN Myth in September 2020, she noted she wanted to reach 100,000 subscriptions, design merchandise, get a 3D model, improve her Japanese language skills, "investigate" her coworkers and group members, and "make a Hololive game."

The Amelia Watson "ChikuTaku" original song is now available and, while her game isn't available on itch.io yet, it will appear "in the next day or so." She'll also be getting Nendoroid and Figma figures soon.

The post Hololive EN Vtuber Amelia Watson's 'ChikuTaku' Song Released, Game Coming appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:00 AM
    

Genshin Impact Alhaitham Collected Miscellany Trailer Shows His Moves

The new Genshin Impact Collected Miscellany showcase is here, and this time Dainsleif is discussing Alhaitham. This video series appears whenever a new playable character comes up. Someone like Dainsleif or Alice, Klee's mother, shows up to talk about a character's background and moveset. This offers a more focused look at their capabilities.

Dainsleif first establishes Alhaitham's personality and how he doesn't use his Dendro vision to aid or advance his research. Instead, he uses it in other ways, which applies to the Law of Reductive Overdetermination Exploration Talent that gives a chance at extra Weapon Ascension Materials.

From there, the video looks at his attacks. It starts with the Abductive Reasoning Normal Attack. That's followed with the Universality: An Elaboration on Form Elemental Skill. The Particular Field: Fetters of Phenomena Elemental Burst shows up after that.

Here's the full "Alhaitham: Profound Reasoning" Genshin Impact Collected Miscellany video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jym31IdMZYM&ab_channel=GenshinImpact

This is the second recent trailer for Alhaitham. Another character demo offered a more personal look at him and his moveset. It also featured other Sumeru characters like Cyno, Kaveh, and Tighnari, as they were all gossiping about him and acting as "narrators."

Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the Alhaitham banner will be around until February 7, 2023. After that, a Hu Tao and Yelan one will appear.

The post Genshin Impact Alhaitham Collected Miscellany Trailer Shows His Moves appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 18, 2023 9:30 AM
    

New Naruto Top 99 Special Character Poll Asks About Akatsuki Members

There's another mini character poll going on during the Naruto Top 99 worldwide popularity poll, and this one involves Akatsuki members. In short, it's a My Akatsuki Classmate one. It asks people to share the villain they'd most want to attend school with.

To take part in this My Akatsuki Classmate Super Special Vote regarding its members, people must first cast votes for characters in the standard Naruto Top 99 poll. After they do, they can scroll down to participate in the briefer poll. You can then click a "release the seal" button to open up the additional question.

There are only five options total in this poll. It asks which one of them you'd most want to sit next to if you hypothetically got to attend the same class as them. The options are Deidara, Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Konan, and Sasori. Once you pick one, it tallies your vote.

This is the third special vote to appear during this character poll. The first asked which jutsu people would most want to use. Shadow Clone Jutsu took first, Kamui appeared in second, and The Infinite Tsukuyomi placed third. The second poll asked about the best potential teacher. Minato Namikaze came in first, Kakashi Hatake was second, and Jiraiya was third.

Both the overall Naruto character popularity poll and Akatsuki member special vote will run until January 31, 2023. The Naruto Top 99 characters' results will be announced in April 2023. Presumably, the My Akatsuki Classmate results will be announced on January 31, 2023, as that happened with the teacher poll. The Naruto and Boruto manga are localized by Viz Media. Both anime adaptations can be watched on Crunchyroll.

The post New Naruto Top 99 Special Character Poll Asks About Akatsuki Members appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:30 PM
     Goose Goose Duck is not your ordinary social deduction game. While it's almost always compared with Among Us, Goose Goose Duck amps it up by a couple of notches by having a total of 45 roles. Being familiarized with all of them gives you a serious edge as you can have better strategies that can guarantee you victory no matter which role you end up having. What are all the roles in Goose Goose Duck? It can be a bit overwhelming for new players, so we're here to explain all roles in Goose Goose Duck. We have divided them into three: those who play in favor of the good guys which are the Goose, those who play for the bad Ducks, and those who only meddle with the game and will win if neither Goose nor Duck are successful with their objectives. For the Classic game mode, only the two basic roles apply: Goose and Duck. However, for other game modes with expanded roles, more special roles are added. All special roles for Goose Screenshot by PC Invasion Here are all the roles of t...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:15 PM
     Park Beyond Trailer Sweets SectionUp until this point, the trailers for Bandai Namco's park management sim Park Beyond have exuded nothing but positive and bubbly vibes. They all try to emphasize the sheer sense of wonder associated with creating rides and attractions beyond our wildest dreams. Just today, however, a newly uploaded trailer shows that the world of Park Beyond is not all sunshine and rainbows. This trailer introduces players to Giles Hemlock, a comically ruthless businessman who will serve as your main rival in Park Beyond. If players wish to create their dream park, then they will have to learn how to contend with Giles' nefarious schemes. The trailer depicts Giles describing his business methods to a large audience live on stage. Naturally, he emphasizes the supposed importance of lying, cheating, and sabotaging competitors to come out on top. In the middle of his speech, however, he receives a call informing him that the overwhelming success of his competitor's (i.e. the player...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:03 PM
     Love Ball Pokémon Scarlet Violet AuctionThere are a variety of Pokéballs that have all kinds of effects. Most people are familiar with the iconic Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Master Ball, but these four are only a small selection of what's available. One of the more unique Poké Balls players can use is the Love Ball. Here's our guide on how to get Love Balls in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Note: For more information about the game, check out our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet guides and features hub. How to get Love Balls in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Love Balls are special Poké Balls that made their first appearance in Generation Two. When thrown at a Pokémon that is of the opposite gender to your own Pokémon, they have an 8x catch rate modifier. For comparison, an Ultra Ball has just a 2x catch rate modifier. This makes Love Balls the joint most effective Poké Ball outside of Master Balls when used in the right scenario. Unfortunately, getting a hold of them isn't easy. Unlike an Ultr...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:15 PM
     Definitely Not Fried Chicken Early Access ReleaseIf you've ever wanted to manage a fast food restaurant that's definitely not a front for an illegal operation, then there's a new game for you. Definitely Not Fried Chicken, from the fittingly named developer Dope Games, is a new game entering Steam's Early Access program. And it certainly seems to have a lot to offer for players that want something a bit different. For comparison, Definitely Not Fried Chicken is essentially a mix between The Sims, Breaking Bad, and the wackiness of Two Point Campus. Players will be able to build up their fried chicken restaurants and manage their businesses. All the while, you handle the actual business of selling drugs behind the scenes. And eventually, you'll be able to manage venues like nightclubs and laundromats. It goes without saying that Definitely Not Fried Chicken seems like an interesting addition to Steam Early Access. Definitely Not Fried Chicken enters Steam Early Access The two sides of Definitely Not Fried...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:30 PM
     Returnal PC Release Laser Flying DronesDuring The Game Awards 2022, we received official confirmation that the hit PlayStation game Returnal would make its way to PC early this year. Now, developer Housemarque has come out with a concrete release date for this much-anticipated PC port. Players eager to purchase Returnal on PC as soon as possible can do so once it sees its release on February 15, exactly four weeks from now. Mikael Haveri, the marketing director at Housemarque, uploaded a post on the official PlayStation Blog explaining what advanced settings and other features PC players can expect with this port. According to Haveri, Returnal on PC supports both NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR, which means that players can experience high framerates and high resolutions in tandem. For those with PCs that don't support DLSS or FSR, Housemarque has implemented NVIDIA NIS so that those players can still crank up the performance. Not only does the PC port feature ray-traced shadows like the PS5 version, but it also boasts r...

Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:00 PM
    

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Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:00 AM
    

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:01 PM
     Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a bang. Blizzard just released the first Content Update for the year, celebrating the Lunar New Year with a new set of events, Cosmetic Sets, the new Season Nine Battle Pass, and a new set of Legendary Items for all classes in Diablo Immortal. For this year's first Content […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 18, 2023 2:00 PM
     Infinite Potion is a reusable item in BDO that allows players never to have to buy another pot again! Infinite Potions replenish HP (Ornette's Spirit Essence) or MP/WP/SP (Ordore's Spirit Essence). Such items require great dedication and time to obtain because they are truly rare but worthwhile treasures to obtain.  An Infinite Potion has the […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:00 PM
     Ships in Black Desert Online allow players to traverse and travel across water bodies like rivers and oceans. You can do such things without needing the NPC ferry when you have a ship. Ships in this game come in different types and tiers, each with specific features like durability and skills. This guide will show […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:00 PM
     Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set in olden times in the Pokemon world when it was rare to find harmony between people and Pokemon. Set in Hisui, modern-day Sinnoh, you will join the Galaxy Expedition Team (Galaxy Team for short) as a member of the Survey Corps stationed in Jubilife Village. You will be tasked to […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:00 AM
     Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set in olden times in the Pokemon world when it was rare to find harmony between people and Pokemon. Set in Hisui, modern-day Sinnoh, you will join the Galaxy Expedition Team (Galaxy Team for short) as a member of the Survey Corps stationed in Jubilife Village. You will be tasked to […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:00 AM
     Back when Insomniac revealed Spider-Man 2, we also got a tease for a Wolverine game. We haven't gotten an update on the title yet, but while some were hoping for a release this year, it looks like we would have to wait a bit longer. As pointed out by PlayStation Lifestyle, the latest trailer for […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 18, 2023 9:47 AM
     With Hideo Kojima being the driving force behind the Metal Gear games, the franchise has been awfully quiet since he went off to start Kojima Productions. With Konami making the huge Silent Hill announcements recently, it looks like the studio could be teasing a return for Metal Hear as well. This was confirmed by Raiden […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 18, 2023 9:31 AM
     While PS4 and Xbox One players will have to wait until April, next month will see the launch of Hogwarts Legacy for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. To hype up the release, we have a new cinematic trailer showcasing the vast magic world that the game will be bringing to life. Watch this: […]

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:55 PM
    

A new trailer was also released.

The post Returnal Launches February 15 For PC appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, January 18, 2023 3:19 PM
    

A "Tomb Raider Special Pack" will launch for all platforms

The post PowerWash Simulator Gets New Tomb Raider Trailer, Launches January 31 appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Level Up Wednesday, January 18, 2023 9:31 AM
     Developer Avalanche and publisher Warner Bros. Interactive have released a new cinematic trailer for Hogwarts…