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May 28, 22:00

Kotaku Sunday, May 28, 2023 4:05 PM
    

Valve removed the Steam listing for Dolphin, a popular emulator for the GameCube and Wii, after it received a cease and desist from Nintendo, developers behind the project claim. The company behind Mario and Zelda accuses the emulator of illegally circumventing its protections, and says it's merely protecting the…

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PCGamesN Sunday, May 28, 2023 6:17 PM
     Destiny 2 Ghosts of the Deep dungeon guide

Are you searching for a guide on the new Destiny 2 Ghosts of the Deep dungeon? The Ghosts of the Deep dungeon is here, along with all-new armor, a new Exotic, and the wicked voice of Xivu Arath. If you're working through Destiny 2's newest endgame activity, we have everything you need to know here.

Added in Destiny 2 Season of the Deep, the new Destiny 2 dungeon builds on the game's nautical theme, taking players underwater and into the depths of the Titan.

Here's everything you need to know about the Destiny 2 Ghosts of the Deep dungeon in Bungie's popular FPS game.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 Lightfall review, Destiny 2 builds
PCGamesN Sunday, May 28, 2023 6:25 PM
     Destiny 2 fishing explained: Exotics, focused fishing, and more

How does Destiny 2 fishing work? Fishing is an all-new activity in Bungie's popular space-themed looter-shooter. There are a lot of details to catch in the minigame, so if you find yourself fishing for answers as well as a Kherprian Axehead or two, you've come to the right place.

Introduced in Destiny 2 Season of the Deep, the fishing activity allows your daily catches for loot, including Legendary weapons and armor. Fishing also grants the chance to earn several Triumphs in the FPS game, which you can redeem for more fishing bait and XP toward the season pass.

Here's what you need to know about fishing in Destiny 2 so you don't get baited into catching run-of-the-mill common fish.

Siliconera Sunday, May 28, 2023 3:00 PM
    

Who's the best Which One Piece Character Do You Like Best

The cast of One Piece is massive, with hundreds of major and minor characters. From heroes to villains and even incidental folks who show up briefly in movies or spin-off games, there are lots of people to love. For this week's Siliconera Speaks Up, we decided to talk about the ones we like best, even if they might not be the strongest or most influentual.

Chopper is definitely the One Piece character I like best. Why? Well, because he is also one of the better mascot characters in the anime world. His character design is good. He's genuinely helpful both as a supporter and strong fighter. Plus he's got a story arc I enjoy. -- Jenni

I guess many people will choose a member of the Straw Hat pirates or the Warlords of the Sea for obvious reasons, but my favorite character must be Koby. I just love how much he grows throughout the series through his perseverance and arduous training. His journey kind of mirrors Luffy's, but shows what he is able to do without the power of a Devil Fruit. I think he encapsulates that sense of hope and personal growth that is such a key part of One Piece. -- Frank

My favorite One Piece character has to be Ace. He's a cool, fun dude with an awesome Devil Fruit power, but for as incredibly strong as he is, he only ever wants what's best for the people he cares about. He goes way above and beyond to help the people who need him and does it all with a smile. -- Adam

The post Which One Piece Character Do You Like Best? appeared first on Siliconera.

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Sunday, May 28, 2023 4:03 PM
     Destiny 2 One Moment Please ErrorThe 'One Moment Please' message is the toughest foe most Guardians face in Destiny 2. And whenever a new expansion comes around, it's the thing that every player dreads to see. I know that I hate to see this error pop up on my screen for sure!  Unfortunately, that's what's happening to some players in Destiny 2: Lightfall. Sometimes it isn't there for very long. But when you've been sitting looking at this screen for upwards of 30 minutes, it gets old. In the past, it's taken hours for some players to finally log into Destiny 2. Obviously, it's an annoying issue to deal with, especially when you have friends waiting on you. But you're probably wondering if there's any way to actually get past this screen besides waiting. Related: How to fix Error Code Chicken in Destiny 2 Can you fix the 'One Moment Please' message in Destiny 2? Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do to get past thi...
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Sunday, May 28, 2023 3:28 PM
     Totk Gloom Club Phantom Ganon CombatThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom features a return of fragile weapons that break following regular use. It pays to find weapons with a high attack rating. That way, you have to strike less frequently to fell an enemy. Here is our guide on how to get the Gloom Club in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Tears of the Kingdom – how to get the Gloom Club The Gloom Club is a ludicrously powerful weapon. It has an offensive rating of 50 that shreds enemy defenses. However, it has a nasty side effect. The very gloom that makes it so effective gradually wears down your body. To get the Gloom Club, defeat Phantom Ganon in one of the locations where he spawns with a club. He appears in various locations throughout Hyrule, but might carry one of three weapons: a spear, a sword, or the club. Whatever he carries to the fight, he drops. Screenshot by PC Invasion The tricky part is finding the Phantom Ganon that carries the Gloom Club. I have the ...
Gamer Empire Sunday, May 28, 2023 5:57 PM
     "I am the senate." One of the most memorable lines from Star Wars and one of the most popular memes in the Stellaris community. When the Galactic Community update got released, people compared it to the Republic from Star Wars. When the Nemesis DLC was released, it allowed players to re-create Senator Palpatine's creation of […]
Gamer Empire Sunday, May 28, 2023 4:52 PM
     Influence is the hardest basic resource to come by. You can't flip a switch or build something to get more influence in Stellaris. You have to be more deliberate. Influence represents the sway your empire has in the galaxy. Without influence, you will be unable to expand your empire, maintain diplomatic pacts, build megastructures, make […]
Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Sunday, May 28, 2023 6:00 PM
     Diorama, the creative minds behind "The Vandermist Dossier," has launched a Kickstarter campaign for their latest tabletop puzzle game, "The Medusa Report." With 22 days still left in the campaign, they have already surpassed their initial goal of $12,877, with pledges currently totaling $51,751 and 701 backers enthusiastically supporting the project. "The Medusa Report" is …
Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Sunday, May 28, 2023 5:00 PM
     Filler Gaming has made an impressive splash on Kickstarter with their unique and innovative storage system for pocket board games, FILLER. Within days of launching, the project surpassed its original funding goal of $10,731, and currently stands at an impressive $87,256 pledged from 1,086 backers. The campaign still has 24 days to go, ending on …
Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Sunday, May 28, 2023 4:00 PM
     The underworlds of Warhammer continue to evolve, with Games Workshop revealing its latest set of additions to the ever-expanding universe in the recent Sunday Preview. This week's offering includes a new starter set, a spectral warband, blind-box Space Marines, exciting literature, and much more. The popular Space Marine Heroes range sees the addition of the …
Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Sunday, May 28, 2023 3:00 PM
     Hatchlings Games is bringing a unique solarpunk tabletop role-playing experience to Kickstarter with their latest offering, Dragon Dowser, having pledged $12,583, surpassing its initial goal of $3,703, with still 24 days left until the campaign ends on June 22. Dragon Dowser utilizes Peach Garden Games' Carta system, inviting players into a desolate future reminiscent of …
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, May 28, 2023 3:42 PM
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, May 28, 2023 3:37 PM
    

Alone in the Dark: Prologue is available now for all platforms.

The post Alone in the Dark Reboot Gets New Demo, Launches October 25 For PC and Consoles appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, May 28, 2023 3:20 PM
    

The collection was originally announced to include the first three Metal Gear Solid games

The post Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Will Also Include Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

May 28, 14:00

PCGamesN Sunday, May 28, 2023 12:54 PM
     SGDQ 2023 kicks off gaming's purest celebration event for charity

SGDQ 2023 is about to begin, which is a sentence that fills me with both gleeful anticipation at the prospect of some incredible runs and a rather concerned sensation that nearly half the year has already slipped by. Existential crises aside, the in-person celebration of beating the best games as quickly as possible runs May 28 - June 4, and there's everything from GTA, The Elder Scrolls, and Elden Ring to Pizza Tower and Choo-Choo Charles on the cards, raising money for charity organisation Doctors Without Borders.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, The best Elden Ring classes
PCGamesN Sunday, May 28, 2023 10:45 AM
     Explosive Skyrim mod lets you unleash the wrath of the heavens

I've seen and tried a lot of the best Skyrim mods in my time, but this has to be one of my favorites. Skyrim has been around for many years now, and the legendary Bethesda game is among the best RPG games, remaining at the pinnacle of the series while we wait on the Elder Scrolls 6 release date. Yet while Skyrim encourages you to look to the stars for your skills, it stops short of actually bringing the very heavens down on your enemies… until now.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Skyrim mods, Elder Scrolls 6 release date, Games like Skyrim
PCGamesN Sunday, May 28, 2023 9:47 AM
     The Sims 4 is about to fix one of its most useful exploits

The next The Sims 4 update is set to fix one of the most handy glitches in the life game. As developer EA Maxis reveals its latest Laundry List of issues that it's planning to resolve in the next Sims 4 patch notes, one of the featured fixes is likely to leave some players disappointed. The popular photo exploit is a great way to quickly make friends in The Sims 4, but it's about to vanish from the game forever.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Sims 4 mods, Best Sims 4 sex mods, The Sims 4 cheats
PCGamesN Sunday, May 28, 2023 7:58 AM
     Steam's top modern FPS games are up to 90% off, but not for long

Several of the biggest modern FPS games on Steam are currently on sale with discounts up to 90% off, but you'll need to move fast to grab them. Love a good shooter? So do we here at PCGamesN, and some of the best FPS games from recent years are part of an ongoing Steam sale, but you'll have to act quickly if you want to grab the bargains. Whatever your flavor of FPS, you'll likely find something of note among these Steam bangers.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Battlefield 5 weapons, WW2 games, Tank games
PCGamesN Sunday, May 28, 2023 6:45 AM
     Disney Dreamlight Valley update all but confirms next character

Disney Dreamlight Valley update 5 is set to arrive in June, and now a tease from developer Gameloft confirms our suspicions about who we'll be meeting in the upcoming patch for the magical life game. The next Dreamlight Valley update promises to take us to "familiar, but Forgotten, places" and an unmistakable piece of furniture gives away the game as to the next Disney characters heading to Dreamlight Valley.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Disney games, What's the next Dreamlight Valley update?, Disney Dreamlight Valley guide
Siliconera Sunday, May 28, 2023 1:30 PM
    

Final Fantasy VII Remake Red XIII

Square Enix revealed new details about Red XIII and his design in the Final Fantasy VII Remake through the game's official Twitter account. The tweet also included concept art of Red XIII and information about the materia slots in the weapon he uses as a guest near the end of the game. His weapons in the original Final Fantasy VII were hair ornaments, such as combs and clips. However, the remake has him use collars instead.

You can take a better look at the weapon Red XIII uses as a guest in the FFVII Remake below.

https://twitter.com/FFVIIR_CLOUD/status/1662020752630075393

Red XIII only acts as a guest party member in Final Fantasy VII Remake, and as such players can't see details of his equipment from the start screen. Square Enix revealed Red XIII's weapon is the Mythril Collar. This is a re-imagining of the Mythril Clip, which was his default starting weapon in the original FFVII. Both the clip and the collar have two connected materia slots and an independent one, and it is a relatively powerful weapon by the time he joins the party.

The tweet also revealed that the Mythril Collar can be found in the Shinra Branch Office in Lower Junon. The purpose of the materia slots in the collar is so that non-human Shinra experiment samples like Red XIII could still use their properties. Professor Hojo had the collar especially crafted so that it would include materia slots.

The last piece of information shared on the official FFVII Remake Twitter account revealed that Tseng, leader of the Turks, wears a custom made suit.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is immediately available for the PS5, PS4, and Windows PC. The PS5 and PC versions of the game are FFVII Remake Intergrade, which includes Episode INTERmission, an extra DLC campaign.

The post Final Fantasy VII Remake's Red XIII Uses a Collar as a Weapon appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Sunday, May 28, 2023 12:00 PM
    

Spider-Man 2 Kraven the Hunter

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is one of the most highly anticipated games coming to the PS5, and the gameplay trailer revealed during the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase fueled up the hype even more. Just like in the last game, we are very likely to see new depictions of iconic foes from the rogues' gallery. Plenty haven't been confirmed yet, but there are a number of villains we could see make an appearance during Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

Green Goblin

The Green Goblin may be the the most recognizable villain from Spider-Man's stories. There have been many individuals to take the mantle, but the best-known one has to be Norman Osborn. During the first game's events, we saw Osborn as the New York City mayor with some dark secrets that led to the devil's breath crisis. Moreover, the game's revelations and details about Miles Morales could lead one to believe that the gears are set in motion for the appearance of the Goblin.

Sandman

If you watched 2007 Spider-Man 3 movie, you may have already thought of this character as a possible villain who could appear in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Although in the comics it's never stated that William Baker (a.k.a. Flint Marko) was Uncle Ben's murderer, it wouldn't be the first time we see characters repurposed for the game's storyline. Moreover, it would be an interesting reference to Sam Raimi's movie to make him a villain here.

Mysterio

Another one of the classics, Mysterio is possibly one of the most interesting candidates to potentially appear as one of the Marvel's Spider-Man 2 villains. This master of disguise appeared previously in games such as 2000's Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, presenting himself as a real threat to the web-slinger. In addition, the Halloween party scene in Marvel's Spider-Man would confirm this villain already exists in the game's universe.

Sin-Eater

We may see an iteration of this villain, as he played a key role in the creation of Venom as one of Spidey's sworn enemies. In the comics, his hatred of Eddie Brock began after he wrote an exclusive interview with a guy claiming to be Sin-Eater, only to later be revealed as a fraud when Spider-Man caught the real criminal. It incidentally ended Brock's reporting career in the process.

Chameleon

The appearance of Kraven the Hunter in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 may lead to his half-brother joining the fray as well. Dmitri Nikolaievich Smerdyakov, better known as the Chameleon, has proven to be a headache for Spidey due to his uncanny ability to mimic any person's looks and behavior. He may be an interesting challenge to confront in the new web-slinger game.

The post Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Could Be a Chance to See These Classic Villains appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Sunday, May 28, 2023 11:20 AM
    

When Does Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Start release date

Like the Zom 100 anime, we knew Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 release date would fall in July 2023. Now we know they will kick off one after the other. The new Bleach episodes will begin airing on July 8, 2023. Zom 100 begins on July 9, 2023. Both Disney+ and Hulu are mentioned as streaming sources. There's also key art and a new trailer.

Here's the official Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 release date announcement, which includes the anime's new key art. It shows both Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryu Ishida on opposite sides, with the keywords "the separation" between them.

Here's the new trailer to go along with the announcement, which explains why Uryu and Ichigo are now removed from one another. If people haven't kept up with the series and seen part 1, there will be spoilers. It also features part of the new opening theme song, "Stars" by w.o.d.

Episodes of Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 will begin airing on July 8, 2023.

The post Here's the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Release Date appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Sunday, May 28, 2023 11:10 AM
    

What Is the Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Anime Release Date?

The Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead anime release date isn't too far away. We knew it'd show up in July, and now we have an exact date. Viz Media announced it will air worldwide starting on July 9, 2023. People in regions like North America can find it on both Hulu and Netflix starting that month. In addition, new key art and theme song details appeared.

First, here's the new Zom 100 anime key art that appeared alongside the announcement. From left to right, Akira Tendo, Kencho, Shizuka Mikazuki, and Beatrix Amerhauser appear. All four are surviving the zombie apocalypse. For those unfamiliar with the series, it takes its name from the fact that former office worker Akira is attempting to complete his "bucket list" of 100 things he'd like to do before possibly also becoming a zombie.

As for the music, both the first opening and ending theme details appeared. Kana-Boon will perform "Song of the Dead" as the opening theme. They previously did theme songs for shows like Naruto Shippuden, Boruto, and My Hero Academia. Shiyui is in charge of the ending song "Happiness of the Dead." She also is behind the Gundam: The Witch from Mercury theme song ""Kimiyo Kedakakuare."

The release date for the Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead anime is July 9, 2023, and people can stream it on Hulu and Netflix. The manga localization is being handled by Viz Media.

The post Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Anime Release Date Announced appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Sunday, May 28, 2023 10:50 AM
    

VShojo's Kson Wins Yakuza Grand Prix To Be in 2 Like a Dragon Games

VShojo VTuber Kson won the Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Grand Prix to not only appear in the Yakuza spin-off Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name as a cabaret hostess, but also Like a Dragon 8. She beat out fellow competitors Ai Kaname, Ai Sayama, Ayu, and Kokoro Nakayama. She was also the only VTuber to participate. As a reminder, this process began with auditions, with the five winners selected in April 2023. While all five will be in Like a Dragon Gaiden, only Kson will appear in both as the grand prize winner.

Here is the announcement tweet from VShojo regarding Kson's win. Because of this, she will appear as a hostess in both games and appear in promotional materials. The banner she's holding noted both the 1,000,000円 prize and Like a Dragon 8 appearance.

Here's Ryu Ga Gotoku's announcement:

And you can see the reveal that Kson won the Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Grand Prix vote starting at the 39 minute mark of the official presentation below. Ayu earned 20 votes, Ai Kaname got 25 votes, Kson ended up with 35, Ai Sayama had 30, and Kokoro finished with 33.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVV--HCgNI4&ab_channel=%E9%BE%8D%E3%81%8C%E5%A6%82%E3%81%8F%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B8%E3%82%AA%E5%85%AC%E5%BC%8F

Over the years, Kson has been vocal about her love of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series. She's also been tweeting about the competition frequently. Another recent tweet involved her sharing a picture of a cake with Goro Majima on it.

In other news, an unpainted prototype of the Kson VShojo Nendoroid was among the Good Smile Company WonHobbyG 2023 Spring announcements.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will come to the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC in 2023. Like A Dragon 8 will come to the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC in 2024.

The post VShojo's Kson Wins Yakuza Grand Prix To Be in 2 Like a Dragon Games appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Sunday, May 28, 2023 10:30 AM
    

404 Game Re:Set Fatal Fury

During the first official livestream for 404 Game Re:Set, Sega revealed that the game will hold a crossover event with the Fatal Fury series. The game will add new playable characters inspired by the Fatal Fury series. The Anode version of the character is designed after Terry Bogard. In addition, in-game collectable figures based on Terry and Andy Bogard will appear as log-in bonuses and gacha prices. The event kicks off on May 30, 2023. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

As part of the collaboration event, 404 Game Re:Set will include two new playable Anode and Cathode versions of characters representing the Fatal Fury franchise. Both Anode and Cathode versions of the character will be voiced by Ayane Sakura. She is also known for voicing Ochako Uraraka in My Hero Academia, Gabi Braun in Attack on Titan, and Yotsuba Nakano in The Quintessential Quintuplets.

You can take a better look at the Anode and Cathode versions of the Fatal Fury characters being added to 404 Game Re:Set here:

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="965346,965345" link="file"]

404 Game Re:Set is a game set in an alternate universe where Sega took over the world and rules it with an iron fist. Players take control of Casts, the personification of classic arcade games, in order to take down Sega. Sega recently announced that the game achieved one million downloads.

404 Game Re:Set is now available to download on Android and iOS devices in Japan. Terry and Andy Bogard will appear in the upcoming Fatal Fury event, which starts in Japan on May 30, 2023.

The post 404 Game Re:Set Will Feature a Fatal Fury Crossover appeared first on Siliconera.

Siliconera Sunday, May 28, 2023 9:00 AM
    

Review: Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord

In the world of Fairy Fencer F, there are people called Fencers who can wield special weapons crafted by gods known as Furies by making contracts with magical creatures called Fairies which have various looks from animal and robot-like to fully human-like. If this sounds familiar to you, you're not the only one, as the whole game feels like many anime tropes I've learned to love mixed together in a tight, well-developed package.

The case of Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord is noteworthy in its own right; it is a sequel being released almost a whole decade after the first game. It completely changes the gameplay from turn-based combats to a tactical RPG, and it does it right. The game's story follows Fang and his group of Fencers as they try to gather all the Furies to ask for a wish from the Goddess, but on the road, they meet Muses capable of healing or brainwashing anyone who listens to their songs. Now they must be prepared to uncover many secrets and plots that threaten the fate of the whole world.

[caption id="attachment_962333" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord - Main Cast Screenshot via Siliconera[/caption]

Playing it for the first time made me feel as though I was watching the episodes of a seasonal anime, thanks to its recognizable visuals and its humorous and convoluted storytelling. The most remarkable of all is its endearing main cast, composed of complex and flawed characters that feel like real friends, each with their own distinctive personality. Plus, the game raises its stakes with antagonists that can feel very threatening and interesting, to a degree.

Fang, the leader, can be self-absorbed and overly confident to a fault many times, but the dialogues and side interactions flesh him out as a very caring character capable of protecting his friends. The same happens with every other character. Although at first glance they may fall into various anime archetypes (e.g.: the goofy one, the serious one, etc), each one shows real growth and proves they're more nuanced than the usual tropes. This makes it very worthwhile to accept any character interactions and follow the story just to see how they overcome the many challenges ahead of them. However, just like a traditional anime, the writing has its hit-or-miss moments, with jokes that can be cheesy, silly, or even just plain off-putting, but I still generally found those scenes worth it for some good punchlines or just to keep moving the already engaging story along.

[caption id="attachment_962334" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord - Fang Interaction Screenshot via Siliconera.[/caption]

As for the gameplay, Sting once again nails it by providing a very fun and well-rounded tactical RPG. Combat takes place in grid-based locations, where every turn counts with plenty of astounding animations. Each character has a set of abilities defined by the primary Fairies they're paired up with and sub-Fairies you can unlock by beating quests. All the Fairies can be leveled-up using a system of points that increases the more you play with them, making it feel natural to keep on using skills at any moment possible. In addition, there's a positional mechanic where if you hit an enemy from the side or behind you can maximize the damage done, but they can do the same to you. All of this mixed with a Fire Emblem-like prediction system pushes you always to be planning two steps ahead. I ended up challenging myself to destroy enemy units in as few turns as possible.

Nevertheless, the real jewels in the crown of Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord are the special skills and attacks, mainly the new Muses' songs. In every battle, you'll have the power of Fleur at your disposal as your team's Muse. With her, you can activate a Fairy Aria, a skill that will affect a determined area of the stage giving your team different buffs according to the chosen song. The same can be said for the enemy team, which will also have its own Muse on every battle whose song can also alter the bonus effects if placed over Fleurs' for both allies and enemies. This mechanic may be the most interesting of all, as it can not only change the outcome of a battle in a few turns, but also replace the game's music itself with the songs sung by the muses, sometimes even colliding in a very attractive duet with as many variations as songs available.

[caption id="attachment_962335" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord - Combat Screenshot via Siliconera[/caption]

That being said, the game is not without its problems. A large number of different area abilities used at the same time can make the stage somewhat difficult to see at times. Sometimes the camera can end up behind a wall or an enemy's back during attack animations, but not so much that it becomes game-breaking. Furthermore, there are a lot of things to learn, such as the Fairize and Avalanche group attack mechanics, which can seem quite overwhelming. At least the game takes its time to teach you everything in a way that is more fun than tedious.

Besides, the gameplay elements don't just end with the combat. After eight hours in, I still kept on unlocking new tutorials for activities like interacting with NPCs to enrich the worldbuilding or synthesizing materials into new elements at the shop. Out of all these, the most unexpectedly fun must be the Location Shaping minigame. In it, you get to dig out materials and treasures in a minesweeper fashion with the sub-fairies you have unlocked. This activity offers something different to do in between the battle and story segments that can feel a bit repetitive every now and then.

[caption id="attachment_962336" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord - Location Shaping Screenshot via Siliconera.[/caption]

The story in Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord is told using dialogue scenes in a visual novel style with text in front of portraits. However, the use of live2d models (the same technology used for many VTubers) allows the characters to move their mouths as they speak or add effects to each emotion, making the interactions more interesting than watching normal still images. While there are many skippable scenes, such as the conversations at the inn, each one helps flesh out all the characters and ultimately pays off in following their adventures.

To be honest, the story as a whole doesn't bring much new to the table, but it doesn't need to either. The whole time I was playing it, I felt like I was watching a seasonal anime with different narrative arcs that either left me quite at ease or even kept me on the edge of my seat. Annoyingly enough, there were also moments with some common tropes, such as misunderstood comments or awkward dialogue, that also felt very anime-like to me. However, I would dare to say the most remarkable element narrative-wise must be the pacing. I never felt like the 40-ish hour story ever dragged on, and some of the plot twists felt actually very rewarding to play through.

[caption id="attachment_962337" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord - Story Screenshot via Siliconera[/caption]

At the end of the day, Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord was a great time. The gameplay was very entertaining, every battle felt like a fair challenge and I ended up taking on almost every quest both for the rewards and just for the sheer fun of it. The story has its ups and downs but nothing that made me abandon the game completely, on the contrary, it felt the high points mattered the most. And finally, the characters made it all worthwhile, it was refreshing to follow the adventures of friends that don't feel heroic in a standard way, yet still completely endearing all the time.

Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord is readily available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5. It will be coming to PC via Steam on May 23, 2023.

The post Review: Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord Feels Like a Fun, Seasonal Anime appeared first on Siliconera.

Gamer Empire Sunday, May 28, 2023 7:36 AM
     As you continue on your quest to catch all 67 fish in Stardew Valley, you will realize that catching a Catfish is going to be very hard. First of all, the Catfish is hard to find. The locations where you can catch it are normal, but you will need to meet special conditions to actually […]
Gamer Empire Sunday, May 28, 2023 7:21 AM
     As you move to your grandfather's farm in Stardew Valley, you will slowly purchase new buildings to improve the decrepit place. Though you already have a house, you will need to place many more things to make the farm work. Unfortunately, at the start of the game, you have no idea where you should place […]
Tabletop Gaming News – TGN Sunday, May 28, 2023 1:08 PM
     The Seraphon armies are returning to rule the Mortal Realms. Fierce lizard legions led by the Slann Starmasters are set to bring justice and order with fresh unit updates and significant rule changes. The Seraphon's scaled warriors are back, taking center stage in the newly updated "Battletome: Seraphon." This handbook contains all the required rules …

May 28, 06:00

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Sunday, May 28, 2023 6:00 AM
    

Sundays are for using an old receipt as a bookmark. Before you remind yourself of how much you spent on that McDonald's breakfast, let's read this week's best writing about games (and game related things).

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Gamer Empire Sunday, May 28, 2023 5:35 AM
     In Project Zomboid, seasons play a significant role in affecting what happens to you daily. Winter, in particular, brings its own set of advantages and disadvantages. So, when does winter start? Recommended Read: Can You Die Of Old Age in Project Zomboid? In Project Zomboid, the winter starts in December and lasts through February. If […]
Gamer Empire Sunday, May 28, 2023 5:21 AM
     Being an Action RPG where you slay hordes of mobs constantly, you'll quickly fill up your bag in Diablo 4 with gear dropped from enemies. One of the things you can do to clear your bag is sell the items for gold. Here is where you can sell gear in the game. Recommended Read: Diablo […]
iDev Games Feed Sunday, May 28, 2023 5:37 AM
     Parking Madness is a crazy challenging parking game that will test your skills....