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May 07, 22:00


Kotaku Sunday, May 7, 2023 8:50 PM
    

There are, by my count, 1732 indie games coming out every day now, which makes promoting them (for devs) and covering them (for us) almost impossible. One trend I've enjoyed lately, though, is an attempt to market a game not just by showing the game, but by showing what went into making the game.

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Kotaku Sunday, May 7, 2023 7:55 PM
    

As the writer's strike enters its second week, the effects of not having some of most important people on set around are already starting to show: two of the biggest projects currently in production—Marvel's Blade reboot and the fifth season of Stranger Things—have been put on ice (along with loads more movies and…

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Siliconera Sunday, May 7, 2023 5:00 PM
    

How to Complete the Honkai: Star Rail Jeweler's Pagoda Bottle of Draconic Tears Task

Honkai: Star Rail is unusual in that there can be little "mini" sidequests that are more like chores than actual missions that show up in your log. This means unless you interact with certain items, you might not notice the bonus is there. The Honkai: Star Rail Jeweler's Pagoda errand from Pawnbroker Handian that involves a Dirty Mechanical Part, Iron Box, and Bottle of Draconic Tears on Xianzhou Luofu's Central Starskiff Haven is a good example. You won't happen upon it unless you're checking every store, and it's a good way to get a few extra Stellar Jade.

After grabbing for the Dirty Mechanical Part you can investigate and try to take at Jeweler's Pagoda in Honkai: Star Rail's Xianzhou Luofu Central Starskiff Haven area, Pawnbroker Handian will give you the item. They'll then say to talk to the young man nearby ranting about revenge. He's right in front of the shop at the location shown in the map below, next to the Space Anchor. Giving him the part gets you an Iron Box.
[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="962055,962056" link="file"]

Now that you have the Iron Box, you can go back to Pawnbroker Handian to ask what to do with it. This is optional, though. You can also head straight to the next step, which is to go to the Xianzhou Luofu Spare Time Book Shop at Exalting Sanctum. Approaching it will let you start hearing from the sad woman. This Honkai: Star Rail NPC is looking for the Iron Box you're holding, and she'll give you the Bottle of Draconic Tears for it.
[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="962057,962058" link="file"]

This leads to the last part of this Bottle of Draconic Tears task in Honkai: Star Rail and means heading back to the Jeweler's Pagoda area in Central Starskiff Haven in Xianzhou Luofu. If you want, you can check with Pawnbroker Handian again for a final tip, but I recommend just going over to the IPC Specialist Howard who is sitting nearby. If you walk past at the right time, you'll even see the speech bubble "Are Draconic Tears real?" He's sitting right near the vending machines and restaurant to the north the Jeweler's Pagoda.
[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="962060,962059" link="file"]

Give him the item and you'll get 10 Stellar Jades, 10 Strales, and 5,000 Credits.

Honkai: Star Rail is available for PCs and mobile devices, and PS4 and PS5 versions are in development.

The post How to Do the Honkai: Star Rail Jeweler's Pagoda Bottle of Draconic Tears Task appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Sunday, May 7, 2023 3:00 PM
    

What's the Best Gundam Anime

Mobile Suit Gundam anime adaptations have been stunning viewers for years. These aren't just shows about cool, big mechs using incredible abilities to attack each other. All kinds of political intrigue, moral conflicts, and incredibly human storylines get interwoven into these tales. It's amazing when you realize that, and also when you get to share these sorts of stories with others. So this week, we decided it's a good time for all of us to talk about and recommend some shows.

I'm completely enamored with Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. The characters are fantastic, with Suletta and Miorine are so much fun to watch. It's especially interesting how the first season works on setting the stage and building up lore, before the second really reminds us, "Oh, right, this is Gundam." The latest episodes do a lot, and it's one of the more enthralling entries I've enjoyed. It may still be ongoing, but it's shaping up to be one of the great ones! -- Jenni

The anime series that introduced me to the franchise were Gundam: The Witch from Mercury and Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, both of which I really hold dear, but the best I've seen to date must be the Gundam Thunderbolt movies. I never expected to actually feel fear because of a Gundam (there may be needed a trigger warning for some mature themes), but the realism, pacing, and style are just top-notch. -- Frank

Iron-Blooded Orphans, The Witch From Mercury, and G are all really good but I have a particular soft spot for Gundam 00. I really liked how the story sets itself on Earth, though the governments and factions still border on the usual space politics of the series. All of the Gundam Meisters were really endearing, even including the fact that Allelujah essentially vanishes five episodes into the second season (which we don't talk about). The first season was a great balance of character interactions and development, action, and exposition. The second season and the movie don't exist. Special shout out to SeeD and Destiny, which grind my gears like crazy but I still love to watch just so that I can hurl popcorn at the screen from how much it activates my monkey instinct. -- Stephanie

The post Which Gundam Anime Do You Most Recommend? appeared first on Siliconera.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, May 7, 2023 4:32 PM
    

The trailer showcases, the game's combat system, enemies, exploration, and more.

The post Darkest Dungeon II Gets Launch Trailer appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, May 7, 2023 4:17 PM
    

The video showcases her cards, abilities, upgrades, and more.

The post Marvel's Midnight Suns Gets New Storm Gameplay Showcase Video appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, May 7, 2023 3:50 PM
    

Whether or not the title comes to PC as well is currently unknown.

The post The Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Might be Announced at PlayStation Showcase, Will be Exclusive to PS5 appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

May 07, 14:00


PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 1:44 PM
     Dominate Ashava in the Diablo 4 Server Slam with these loadouts

The Diablo 4 Server Slam is almost upon us, and while it's certainly exciting to have another chance to play the RPG game ahead of the Diablo 4 release date, there's another big draw in the form of the unique Cry of Ashava mount trophy you can earn if you're able to hit level 20 and defeat Ashava before the trial period ends. As such, you'll want to pick what loadout you fancy before the next Diablo 4 public test begins.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 release date, Diablo 4 system requirements, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 11:43 AM
     PC Game Pass

Launching on PC Game Pass has been "100% worth it" for Ravenlok, according to developer Cococucumber. The fantasy action-adventure game is the latest release to arrive on Microsoft's subscription service, coming to both PC and Xbox Game Pass alongside the option to purchase the game outright via the Microsoft and Epic Games stores.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, Best fantasy games, Best action-adventure games

PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 10:34 AM
     Dota 2 The International 2023 is coming to Seattle

Dota 2 The International 2023 is headed for Seattle. The annual esports tournament for Valve's MOBA is both the culminating moment in the Dota 2 year and also traditionally able to boast the biggest prize pools in all of competitive videogame tournaments. Now, its twelfth instalment is heading to Washington state as the TI 2023 date is marked down for October.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Dota 2 heroes, Dota 2 custom games, Best MOBAs

PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 10:20 AM
     Take The Sims back in time with a new spin on the classic life game

Tiny Life could very well be a The Sims 4 and Life By You competitor, as the new life game just entered early access, and it offers up an excellent alternative for fans of the genre both in its visual style and more open design. The best part? Tiny Life also has a free demo and Steam Early Access sale.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best life games, Games like The Sims, Best simulation games

PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 8:52 AM
     Stardew Valley mod lets you cultivate a Genshin garden

A new Stardew Valley mod allows you to bring a taste of Teyvat to the world by adding Genshin Impact crops to one of the best farming games. With the next Stardew Valley update set to further improve mod tools, there's never been a better time to explore the best Stardew Valley mods than right now, and this simple but satisfying addition is a perfect starting point.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Stardew Valley multiplayer, Stardew Valley realism, The best Stardew Valley mods

PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 7:34 AM
     Fallout creator praises Bethesda for

Fallout creator and The Outer Worlds director Tim Cain has talked about Bethesda's direction with the iconic RPG games, praising what they brought to the Fallout series while continuing the legacy. In fact, Cain's even mentioned how he'd love to see Bethesda listen to modders ahead of the Fallout 5 release date.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Best old games, Fallout 5 release date

PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 7:09 AM
     Here's the biggest mistake Honkai Star Rail players are making

Honkai Star Rail players are prone to one big mistake that's costing them potential gains. With Honkai Star Rail being a free game, plenty of players are looking for the best Honkai Star Rail characters to use without spending money. However, in pursuing that ideal team, there's one huge mistake that can be easily fixed to make your whole crew stronger, and it all comes down to respect.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Honkai Star Rail codes, Honkai Star Rail characters, Honkai Star Rail tier list

PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 6:47 AM
     Steam's defining turn based strategy games are 90% off

XCOM 2 sees its price drop drastically for a limited time as part of a Steam sale, with all the DLC also available at a massive discount as well, meaning you can grab one of the greatest modern turn-based strategy games for next to nothing and experience XCOM 2 with all the bells and whistles, which makes it even better than it already is.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: XCOM 2 tips, XCOM 2 DLC guide, XCOM 2 system requirements

Siliconera Sunday, May 7, 2023 12:00 PM
    

Minabo: A Walk Through Life Is a Low-Stress Sim

Minabo: A Walk Through Life is an unusual sort of life sim. It's a very low-stakes game, after all. There are really no penalizations for losing. The win conditions for the missions tend to involve trying to live your best life in various ways by getting to certain ages or forming certain relationships. It's calming, in its way. However, that also can mean it feels very dry and repetitive since there aren't many curveballs.

Minabo can come across like something of an experiment or learning experience, rather than a life sim, due to this execution. Every life begins with your turnip rising up from the ground as a bud to two parents. You then start your journey, first by pressing B on the Switch to crawl and eventually walk. You can select different other turnips, both related to you or strangers, to maintain your three needs. These are physical contact, intimacy, and belonging. By looking at their gauges, as well as your own, you can keep characters satisfied and extend their life expectancy. Keeping pace with certain characters can also help serve to deepen relationships, eventually allowing you to find best friends, partners, and raise a family.

[caption id="attachment_962042" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Minabo: A Walk Through Life Is a Low-Stress Sim Screenshot via Siliconera[/caption]

However, because of this relaxed approach, Minabo lacks the "bite" needed to keep things interesting. You won't immediately die from loneliness. Your overall life expectancy will go down instead. You don't need to worry about more critical needs like food or rest. Also, because so many other turnips are constantly around you, there's no need to worry about failing to fulfill a need. If your best friend or partner doesn't want to talk to encourage intimacy, then there will be sprout or stranger on hand who does. You will always meet your objectives. In four runs, I've yet to see a turnip not reach 80 years old.

There's also an element that's a bit antithetical to its casual atmosphere. It's absolutely a low-stress pastime. This is a relaxed life sim. A run on the Switch will probably take between fifteen and twenty minutes. However, you constantly need to keep pressing a button to walk. Also, the needs bars drop at a rather steady pace, meaning you're repeatedly seeking out contact with other turnips. There's no downtime or moments to appreciate what you've accomplished, because you must keep walking and "talking."

[caption id="attachment_962043" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Minabo: A Walk Through Life Is a Low-Stress Sim Image via Siliconera[/caption]

It left me feeling like Minabo was attempting to teach me something, rather than offer an entertaining experience. "When was the last time I interacted with someone else?" "Have I been maintaining my relationships?" "Should I check in on people I know, to see what their gauges look like?" It's not so much about actually playing. It made me suspect the ulterior motives were to get me to play for 15 minutes, then go actually interact with people instead.

Minabo is essentially an effortless life sim. The most challenging part can sometimes feel like keeping pace when your turnip is taking their first steps. But once you start striding down the street, it's very easy to meet pretty much any objective sent your way. In a way, it feels more like an exercise to relax and clear your head, rather than a real game.

Minabo: A Walk Through Life is available on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC.

The post Minabo: A Walk Through Life Is a Low-Stress Sim appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Sunday, May 7, 2023 9:00 AM
    

Street Fighter 6 Fighters Crossover AKIBA

Japanese Twitch streamer and fighting games organizer Junichi Kagezawa, also known as Kagecchi, announced that the Fighters Crossover AKIBA (FCA) fighting games event will return alongside the release of Street Fighter 6. Previously, Street Fighter V FCA events have been held between 2016 and 2020 at the e-sports SQUARE Akihabara venue. [Thanks, Game Watch!]

Kagecchi said that the FCA event was suspended due to scheduling problems with his day job and due to the launch of NTT e-Sports in 2020. However, Fighters Crossover AKIBA will return as a privately-led event from June 2023, coinciding with the release of Street Fighter 6.

Going forward, new FCA events will be held at Akihabara, in addition to Shibuya, Yokohama, Nagoya, and Kanazawa. In addition to offline events at said locations, FCA events will also be held online, using the Japanese platform Battle Hub and Discord.

This year 2023 event will be held in collaboration with Japanese e-sports professional Nemo, a member of Wellplayed Rizest (WPRZT,) a Japanese e-sports that offers services such as event planning and management. FCA expects their relationship with WPRZT to continue over a long term, as well.

Street Fighter 6 will come out for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on June 2, 2023. The game will appear in arcades as well.

The post Fighters Crossover AKIBA Will Return for Street Fighter 6 appeared first on Siliconera.

May 07, 06:00


PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 5:57 AM
     Steam's defining turn based strategy games are 90% off

XCOM 2 sees its price drop drastically for a limited time as part of a Steam sale, with all the DLC also available at a massive discount as well, meaning you can grab one of the greatest modern turn-based strategy games for next to nothing and experience XCOM 2 with all the bells and whistles, which makes it even better than it already is.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: XCOM 2 tips, XCOM 2 DLC guide, XCOM 2 system requirements

PCGamesN Sunday, May 7, 2023 4:51 AM
     Skyrim mod imbues you with Geralt's Witcher magic

The best Skyrim mods never disappoint, and a new Skyrim mod introducing the Witcher magic of Geralt of Rivia himself to the Bethesda RPG game is no exception. That's right, you can now wander around Whiterun, Solitude, and Dragonsreach rocking the Witcher signs employed by Geralt in The Witcher 3, as well as the past games and Netflix series. It's a great way to stir up your next playthrough of Skyrim, and another reminder why it remains the best Elder Scrolls game to date.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Skyrim mods, Elder Scrolls 6 release date, Games like Skyrim

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, May 6, 2023 10:16 PM
     Dragonriding Customization World Of WarcraftWith so many players soaring through the Dragon Isles on, well, dragons, customizing your dragonriding mount in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight is a great way to stand out amongst the crowd. By following this guide, you'll be able to create the perfect dragon to compliment your transmog, match with your guildmates or show off your achievements. We've also included the location of each Rostrum of Transformation and how to unlock new appearances. How to Customize Dragonriding Mounts in WoW Dragonflight To customize your dragon in WoW Dragonflight, you need to visit a Rostrum of Transformation. Right-clicking a rostrum will open a menu similar to a Barber Shop and the character creation screen. Here, you can personalize any of your Dragonriding mounts to your heart's content with the appearances you've unlocked or purchased. Image: PC Invasion / Blizzard Entertainment In addition, you can also preview appearances you've yet to unlock on...

May 07, 00:00


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, May 6, 2023 5:02 PM
    

RPS will mostly be slumbering this Monday, May 8th, as the UK has a national holiday for some reason or other. That means I won't be around to tell you about a stagecoach's journey across a decaying land. I'm referring, of course, to Darkest Dungeon 2 hitting 1.0 and arriving on Steam for the first time.

I'm telling you now, instead. Helpfully there's already a launch trailer and Red Hook have shared some details of their post-release plans.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, May 6, 2023 4:14 PM
    

The Case Of The Golden Idol was one of our favourite games of last year. It's a detective game in which you solve a dozen murders, each presented as a freeze frame at the moment of death.

It now has an expansion. The Spider Of Lanka offers three more murders to solve and acts as a prequel to the main game.

Read more


Siliconera Saturday, May 6, 2023 6:30 PM
    

Silent Hill make-up

Vampyre Cosmetics will launch a Silent Hill makeup collection some time in the future. According to the Silent Hill Twitter account announcement, it will feature imagery from the games. It's unclear if we'll see that in the design of the palette itself, in the colors, or in both aspects.

The Silent Hill games always featured a rather dreary gray aesthetic in the titular town. But once you're in the Otherworld, things change. The red is dark and rusty, and the mold ranges from green to black. In saying that though, Vampyre Cosmetics does sell a variety of palettes with bright and vibrant shades. So you likely will have more choices than the games' color schemes. Vampyre Cosmetics also sold palettes in the past that resemble books. So there is the possibility that the palette will look like items such as the Lost Memories book in Silent Hill 2.

Vampyre Cosmetics is a brand that markets itself as a beauty disruptor, which bucks conventional beauty constructs for more individual ones. All of the products are vegan, cruelty-free, and talc-free. The company itself is owned by women, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT+. It has had collaborations with Emily the Strange, Alice Cooper, and the Winchester Mystery House.

Though the Silent Hill series has fallen on hard times after years of no releases, Konami announced a flurry of activity during 2022. Silent Hill: Townfall, Silent Hill: Ascension, and Silent Hill F are all new titles that are currently in development. There is also a remake of Silent Hill 2 in development for the PS5 and Windows PC.

The Silent Hill makeup collection from Vampyre Cosmetics will appear on the company's site in the near future.

The post Vampyre Cosmetics Will Release Silent Hill Makeup appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, May 6, 2023 10:16 PM
     Dragonriding Customization World Of WarcraftWith so many players soaring through the Dragon Isles on, well, dragons, customizing your dragonriding mount in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight is a great way to stand out amongst the crowd. By following this guide, you'll be able to create the perfect dragon to compliment your transmog, match with your guildmates or show off your achievements. We've also included the location of each Rostrum of Transformation and how to unlock new appearances. How to Customize Dragonriding Mounts in WoW Dragonflight To customize your dragon in WoW Dragonflight, you need to visit a Rostrum of Transformation. Right-clicking a rostrum will open a menu similar to a Barber Shop and the character creation screen. Here, you can personalize any of your Dragonriding mounts to your heart's content with the appearances you've unlocked or purchased. Image: PC Invasion / Blizzard Entertainment In addition, you can also preview appearances you've yet to unlock on...

Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Saturday, May 6, 2023 7:30 PM
     Target stores are set to welcome a new addition to their shelves, as Catalyst Game Labs introduces a new BattleTech boxed set, BattleTech: Essentials. This Beginner Box experience provides new players with everything they need to join the world of BattleTech, including two of Solaris' most iconic 'Mechs, the Legend-Killer and Yen-Lo-Wang, a mapsheet depicting …

Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Saturday, May 6, 2023 7:00 PM
     Templar Miniature Wargaming has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for their newest product, the Templar Objective Markers for Warhammer 40k & Age of Sigmar. The campaign has already raised over €54000 by 1,551 backers so far, with many more backers expected to join in as the campaign continues. The Templar Objective Markers are the …

Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Saturday, May 6, 2023 6:00 PM
     Magic: The Gathering fans, get ready for Commander Masters, the latest addition to the beloved trading card game. Set to release on August 4, 2023, Commander Masters promises to be a game-changer with its powerful reprints, returning legends, and four ready-to-play decks. The set features fan favorites like Jeweled Lotus, The Ur-Dragon, and Capture of …

Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Saturday, May 6, 2023 5:00 PM
     Are you tired of using the same old magic items in your Dungeons and Dragons game? Look no further than The Emporium of Wonders 5E, which is currently on Kickstarter! This exciting new book is jam-packed with 400 new and imaginative magic items that will surprise and delight your players. The Emporium of Wonders is …

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, May 6, 2023 4:15 PM
    

An announcement trailer was also released.

The post SHADOWMAN: Darque Legacy Announced For PC and Consoles appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.