Sep 11, 16:00


Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 3:41 PM
    

Even if you've just barely scratched the surface of Starfield, Bethesda's massive new spacefaring RPG, you've probably met companion Sam Coe. The single dad who always wears a cowboy hat is available to join your crew early on along with his daughter, Cora, who tags along on your ship. And because he's bisexual, he's…

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 3:30 PM
    

Starfield doesn't have a whole lot of in-game options to mess with, but that doesn't mean you can't tweak the game to be a bit more immersive. After playing a number of hours, I've discovered a few ways to make that big 'ol galaxy feel a bit more spacious and help you feel like the game's simulated worlds are a little…

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 2:33 PM
    

Starfield is "the biggest Bethesda game launch of all time," the developer announced on Twitter, with over 6 million players as of September 6, and its initial sales numbers appear to match its splashy reception. After releasing in Early Access beginning on August 31 and then launching globally on September 6, Starfiel…

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 1:22 PM
    

Over the weekend, I continued exploring the galaxy of Starfield, Bethesda's recently released giant space RPG. I was looking for a new planet or moon to create an outpost on, but instead, I discovered that Starfield's planets are often covered in dead aliens, their bodies usually gathered together near a big rock.…

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 1:13 PM
    

Although thousands of fan-made Starfield mods are already available—such as an early inventory screen overhaul, and Hello Kitty gun skins—official supported modding tools aren't planned to hit Bethesda Game Studios' open-space RPG until next year, game director Todd Howard said in an interview.

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 12:43 PM
    

If the last time you were at the store you thought, "I wish it was more clear that I am a gamer while buying these groceries," then Xbox has a solution for you: the official Xbox Mastercard. Announced in an Xbox news blog on September 11, the new Xbox Mastercard (issued by Barclays) will let you use points earned from…

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 12:25 PM
    

A fan-made poster for Gran Turismo, a movie inspired by a video game inspired by a real-life racing event, which tweaked the flick's tagline of "From Gamer To Racer" to "From Gamer To Racist," somehow made its way onto the Roku streaming app, and fans are having a laugh.

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 11:48 AM
    

After four years of updates, Nintendo has announced that its mobile racing game Mario Kart Tour will no longer receive new content after October 4.

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 11:20 AM
    

A patent for a new Nintendo controller, published by the United States Patent Office on September 7, indicates the Super Mario developer is at least considering how to permanently shake its Joy-Con drift issue. Joy-Con drift, a phenomenon in which your Switch responds to phantom Joy-Con movement, has frustrated Switch…

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 10:45 AM
    

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 10:25 AM
    

Gearbox Software, the studio most well-known for the Borderlands franchise, is reportedly up for sale as parent company Embracer Group considers options to "shore up its finances," according to a September 11 Reuters report.

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 9:56 AM
    

As an RPG, Starfield is all about statistics and chance. Combat, persuasion, crafting, lock-picking, virtually every activity has some matrix of math behind it. But unlike previous Bethesda games in which you often earned progress in a Skill for simply performing its associated action, Starfield only lets you get…

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Kotaku Monday, September 11, 2023 9:15 AM
    

Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game Baldur's Gate 3 has tough combat and rewarding, deeply tangled plot lines, but I wouldn't know—I only ever play it when it seems like I might get to kiss someone.

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PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 3:45 PM
     Starfield length – how long to beat

How long is Starfield? It's the question everyone embarking on this space journey into the unknown will be wondering because as we all know, there's usually enough content in a Bethesda RPG to keep players occupied years after release.

We've learned about how Starfield base building will work, and we know there'll be over a thousand Starfield planets to explore, but what about the length of the game? If you've played another Bethesda RPG game, such as Fallout 4 or Skyrim, you probably have a good idea of Starfield's length. As we mentioned in our Starfield review, it's a bit of a chunky one.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 3:07 PM
     Marvel legend and former Riot dev joins Fortnite team as new Epic CCO

Fortnite is the most well-known battle royale game around, with action-packed gameplay and visually stunning landscapes. Even if you haven't played Epic Games' iconic shooter before, you likely know just how influential Fortnite has been. Donald Mustard, one of the game's developers, recently stepped down from his position as the chief creative officer at Epic. The new CCO was just revealed and is none other than Charlie Wen who happens to be a Marvel mastermind, the creator of God of War's Kratos, and a former Riot Games developer.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fortnite Chapter 4 map - key locations, Free PC games, All Fortnite Chapter 4 weapons

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 2:16 PM
     Starfield proves that side quests reign supreme in Bethesda games

Starfield is undoubtedly Bethesda's biggest RPG game release to date. From its expansive interstellar setting to its cast of unique characters, there is plenty of immersive gameplay to go around. As further detailed in our Starfield review, the main story is not the only questline you can follow. Every Bethesda game is known for its great side quests, with entries like Skyrim coming into mind first. You can lose hundreds of hours to its various missions. Starfield is no exception it seems, as player statistics prove that old questing habits die hard.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:48 PM
     Dead by Daylight flashlights axed until devs resolve survivor exploit

Dead by Daylight is one of those horror games that absolutely stays winning as Behaviour Interactive steadily releases updates fighting bugs and player exploits. The most recent Kill Switch master list change details a variety of features and perks disabled in Dead by Daylight in order to resolve a popular survivor exploit. This means that if you've experienced it or have even used the technique at some point to become invincible yourself, you won't be encountering it anymore. Killer mains in DBD, rise up. Now's your opportunity!

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:29 PM
     Starfield romance and relationships explained

What are the Starfield romance options? If you're looking for love in outer space, you've come to the right place. Starfield is set to be a sprawling epic, with over a thousand planets on your doorstep. Of course, this is a Bethesda game, so we already know that you're bound to bump uglies and develop Starfield relationships with a companion or two while you're off exploring the Milky Way. Well, never fear, because we're here to guide you through the birds and the bees in Starfield.

Starfield will absolutely let you have sex with a jetpack on, but it doesn't delve into the specifics of who can join you on this romance expedition. However, we've adventured our way into the ins and outs (oo-er) of Starfield romance during our Starfield review writing process, so you can get lucky in the RPG game with whoever you want ... almost.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:25 PM
     Check out Tekken 8 and the new Prince of Persia game at WASD

Excited for Tekken 8? Or is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown your style? WASD 2023 has playable for demos for both: and that's just the beginning. If you've been desperate to check out the upcoming fighting game ahead of Tekken 8's official launch, or are intrigued by this new installment of the Prince of Persia franchise, you can snag yourself a ticket for WASD ahead of time.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Tekken 8 roster, Tekken 8 release date, The best fighting games on PC

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:25 PM
     Genshin Impact codes September 2023

What are the new Genshin Impact codes? Gathering currency in Genshin Impact can be quite the grind. While you can earn Mora and Primogems by completing quests such as daily commissions, an injection of extra funds will always be gratefully received. Fortunately, developer Hoyoverse occasionally sends out free gifts in the form of a Genshin redeem code. Most codes only work for a limited time - and they grant essential goodies like free Primogems and Mora - so it's a great idea to redeem them as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Genshin Impact codes are released periodically, frequently appearing in Hoyoverse's special programs, revealing information about future updates to the free PC game. They can also drop to celebrate milestones or to coincide with new Genshin Impact events.  You can find all the active Genshin codes for August 2023 below, and we'll also detail what they get you, explain how to redeem them and fill you in on where to look for more.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:26 PM
     All Starfield research projects and what they do

What are Starfield research projects? Spread across five distinct categories, laboratory research projects are another reason why you'll want to stuff your ship full of trinkets, materials, and minerals as you journey across the stars. You're free to fly the cosmos without hitting the books, but you'll be holding yourself back.

The more you tinker with all that good stuff during your Starfield crafting sessions, the more powerful Starfield guns you'll be able to piece together. You'll also have plenty of room to improve the restoratives you craft at other stations. All in all, taking a peek under the microscope can help perfect your preferred Starfield build. You'll just have to navigate the dozens upon dozens of Starfield planets out there to find what you need.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:22 PM
     Dead Cells meets the X-Men in this Steam roguelike with billionaires

I love roguelike games, so when Tax-Force came across my desk (or email inbox, I should say) I was very excited. Tax-Force looks great, has a unique hook, can only be described as Dead Cells meets X-Men, and you can check it out below.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best superhero games, Best platform games, Best roguelike games

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:23 PM
     Best Starfield crew

What is the best Starfield crew? There are those among us who prefer a life of solitude - wandering lonely as a cloud from gas giant to barren planet, relying on themselves, safe in the knowledge that they can't be let down if they simply don't trust anyone. Because the Settled Systems can be a barren, hostile place, though, it's the company of others that can make your trip worthwhile, and if you want to build something that lasts, you're going to need some help.

Starfield crew mates can include any number of random NPCs you meet throughout the universe, including Starfield companions - as long as you've got the money to pay them. The different is that you can have more of a relationship with companions - or even a Starfield romance, if you play your cards right - but when you get sick of having them on aboard your Starfield ship, you can always put them to work at an outpost and leave them there.

Continue reading Best Starfield crew
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield review, Starfield companions, Starfield traits

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:20 PM
     All Starfield factions and how to join them

What are the factions in Starfield? Many Starfield factions live in the Settled Systems, all with wildly different ideologies, areas of expertise, and fashion sense. While the far reaches of the blackest sea present a whole host of dangers, it's still your fellow humans who pose the greatest threat to your survival, as well as your greatest allies.

When you begin your voyage in the space game, you do so on behalf of Constellation, one of a number of Starfield factions. As a new Constellation recruit, it's your mission in one of the best PC games to seek out and expose the secrets of the known galaxy. Now that the Starfield release date is finally here, you may come face-to-face with one of the other factions during your travels, and first impressions are vitally important if you want certain Starfield companions to join your cause.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:23 PM
     Fable 4 release date speculation, trailers, and story

What is the Fable 4 release date? Fable was finally revealed at the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase a few years back, but details about the long-awaited sequel have been thin on the ground following that announcement. But don't despair, young chicken chaser - we do have some details that we can share ahead of the Fable 4 release date, especially after the follow-up trailer revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase this year.

For one thing, we know Fable 4 is currently being developed by Playground Games, the studio behind the Forza Horizon series. We also know that it won't be called Fable 4 at all. Join us while we dig through the juicy details, discuss what's likely to appear, and gush openly about what we're hopeful about in the whimsical action-adventure game.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fable 4 release date, Best RPG games, Best story games

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:15 PM
     The best PC games 2023

What are the best PC games available today? From triple-A world-beaters like GTA V to enchanting indie releases such as Rocket League, these classics are the biggest games across Steam, Epic Games Store and more.

Finding the top PC games is no easy task. There are, you may have noticed, quite a lot of them. From the 50,000 plus Steam games to… all those other platforms you love so much, there has never been more choice available to the discerning PC gamer.

Continue reading The best PC games 2023
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, The best Elden Ring classes

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:02 PM
     Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 4 map and how to find hot spots

September 11,2023: Checked to see if there are any new POIs since the start of Chapter 4 Season 4.

What does the Fortnite map look like in Chapter 4 Season 4? With the Vampire Kado Thorne now making the island his home, the once prosperous land is now being drained of its wealth and treasures, now stored in one of Thorne's estates. These three areas finally get rid of some of the outdated locales from all the way back in Chapter 4 Season 1, refreshing the island fully to a more futuristic state.

The battle royale game is constantly in flux, so everything in this guide could change throughout the season. As things like Fortnite NPC Fortnite locations, Fortnite weapons, and more change throughout the season, we'll update you right here. So, pull up a chair and grab your best map-reading glasses; here's your handy guide to the new Fortnite map for the latest season.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fortnite Chapter 4 map - key locations, Free PC games, All Fortnite Chapter 4 weapons

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 12:10 PM
     Best Baldur's Gate 3 settings and PC options

What are the best Baldur's Gate 3 settings? You must adjust your options before venturing forth, if your adventures in Baldur's Gate 3 are to both look and run well. Successfully attaining high frame rates isn't determined by dice rolls or saving throws, so let us lend you our experience so that you may land critical hits on the right graphics settings.

As covered in our Baldur's Gate 3 review, there's so much to see and do in this D&D RPG that you'll want to make sure your options are set up correctly for an equally beautiful and smooth journey through Faerûn. The game shouldn't test your PC's constitution too much, but don't forget to check whether your system meets the Baldur's Gate 3 system requirements. You don't need to be a dungeon master extraordinaire to find the right Baldur's Gate 3 settings for your rig, and tweaking just a few things should give your frame rate stats a noticeable boost.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:57 AM
     Grab the Logitech G502 Lightspeed for under $95 in an unmissable deal

It may be getting on a bit now, but the Logitech G502 Lightspeed gaming mouse remains one of the most capable and versatile gaming mice around. While it isn't currently on our [add links] best gaming mouse or best wireless gaming mouse list, it's still a favorite for many and well worth trying, especially at its currently discounted price.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:43 AM
     Baldur's Gate 3 Halsin companion guide – where to find the First Druid

Where is Halsin in Baldur's Gate 3? Halsin is one of the many companions you'll be able to recruit to take along with you on your adventures through Faerûn. As a shape-shifting Druid, he can turn into a bear to shred your foes – or you, should you make an enemy of him. As one of the most versatile classes in the game, having a good idea of what Druids can do will help immensely when battling demons, goblins, dragons, and more.

For more information on the myriad of BG3 classes and their subclasses in Baldur's Gate 3, check out our comprehensive guide. As BG3 Halsin is another Elf companion, you may have heard in our Baldur's Gate 3 review that more diverse races exist, such as the regal Dragonborn or boisterous Halflings. If that's the case, our overview of all the Baldur's Gate 3 races has you covered. Read on to find out all there currently is to know about Halsin.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:49 AM
     Skate 4 release date speculation, gameplay, and all the latest news

When is the Skate 4 release date? While we've seen plenty of early footage of Skate 4 already, EA's upcoming Skate revival is a rare case of a triple-A studio showing off very early in-development footage of a game. Though we've seen plenty of Skate 4, we can also clearly see it's not ready yet. It's already been over a decade since the last Skate game, so we can hold on a little longer.

The first Skate was among the most innovative skateboard games around, from its analog control scheme and semi open-world game structure to its more realistic, less edgy representation of the skating scene. The development team behind Skate 3 was disbanded after its release in 2010, and the series' community has been consistently bombarding EA message boards with questions about the series and its potential return ever since. Now, the team is very open about the development process for Skate 4, so here's what we know so far.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Skateboard games, Skate 4 release date speculation, Best sports games

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:50 AM
     The best dinosaur games for PC 2023

What are the best dinosaur games on PC? Whether you're looking to hunt the Mesozoic monsters or want to stomp and chomp humans while playing as them, the appeal of dinosaurs in gaming is endless.

What is not endless, however, is the number of dino games that successfully realize that fantasy. Let's be honest: until recently, fans of dinosaurs and big guns haven't exactly walked the primrose path. It's been a long hard road, marked by velociraptors that look like lumpy dogs, rifles that feel as satisfying as lobbing a bullet by hand, and jeeps that seem to magnetically roll themselves into a nearby ditch, no matter what keys you press. Fortunately, dino games like Monster Hunter: World have managed to reach a point where they have earned a place on our best PC games list. If dino thrills are what you're looking for, here are the best dinosaur games on PC.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: MHW: Iceborne release date, MHW: Iceborne Banbaro guide, Monster Hunter World review

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:24 AM
     Genshin Impact leak reveals upcoming map expansion for Fontaine

Genshin Impact version 4.1 should arrive near the end of September, and if recent leaks are to be believed, it'll add a whole new section of map to Fontaine. HoYoverse has expanded new regions like this before, with both Inazuma and Sumeru becoming larger soon after being added to the anime game.  Fontaine's above-ground map feels relatively small as-is, but this Genshin Impact update looks like it'll be adding both land and underwater areas.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:21 AM
     When is the next Steam sale?

September 11, 2023: Publisher week is currently taking place until September 18, 2023.

When is the next Steam sale date? It feels like one Steam sale has just ended when the next one begins, but with some events offering better discounts than others and genre-specific sales, it's a good idea to keep these dates to hand.

Fortunately, Valve has released the entire Steam sale dates for the rest of the year so that you can plan your wishlist beforehand. Whether you're looking for new PC games to sink your teeth into or survival games to test your endurance, there's something for everyone on Steam. The seasonal sales are much bigger and last one to two weeks, with more games, DLC, and bundles available with chunkier discounts. The Steam summer and winter sales are the big ones for the calendar, and summer is not far off.

Continue reading When is the next Steam sale?
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Steam FAQ, Steam family sharing, Steam in-home streaming

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:26 AM
     Here's how to hit level 100 in Starfield in five hours

If you're looking to check out the vast expanse of space in Starfield but keep finding that you're just too low level to take on its challenges, I have some good news for you. Using a nifty little trick with Starfield outposts, you can actually hit level 100 in around five hours, cutting out dozens of hours of grinding in Bethesda's colossal space game.

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:05 AM
     Is Starfield Steam Deck compatible?

Is Starfield Steam Deck compatible? Having a Bethesda RPG installed on your Steam Deck can unlock endless hours of exploration, and Starfield is no exception. Although it runs on Valve's handheld PC, there are a lot of performance issues.

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

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:24 AM
     Best Starfield ships and how to design your own

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

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

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

PCGamesN Monday, September 11, 2023 11:36 AM
     The best LoL champions for beginners 2023

Which are the best LoL champions for beginners? Understanding who is easy to play is half the battle if you want to find success early in your League of Legends career. The Summoner's Rift map can be a daunting place for those starting out on their MOBA journey, especially when you find yourself dying over and over. With over 150 options to choose from, the sheer amount of playable champions can also feel overwhelming.

When you begin playing League of Legends, it's best to get a grip on the core concepts of the game before committing to a role, and ultimately, a champion. Playing through basic training will familiarise you with the broader concepts of the free PC game, such as minion waves, towers, skills, and items. We've got the best LoL champions for each role below, followed by an explanation of exactly what champions actually are, and how roles work.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends Arena tier list, League of Legends patch 13.16, League of Legends tier list

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, September 11, 2023 2:13 PM
    

Assassin's Creed: Black Flag's unexpected disappearance from the Steam store is down to nothing more exciting than a tech bug - and definitely isn't a sign of an upcoming remake for the pirate entry in the stealth-action franchise.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, September 11, 2023 1:38 PM
    

Following the sudden closure of veteran Saints Row devs Volition earlier this month, the next storied video game studio owned by mega-conglomerate Embraver Group to be facing an uncertain future is Borderlands makers Gearbox Entertainment, a new report claims.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, September 11, 2023 1:26 PM
    

Overwatch 2 has banned a quarter of a million cheaters since it launched last October, Blizzard has revealed as they outlined incoming improvements aimed at cracking down on "disruptive behaviour".

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, September 11, 2023 12:30 PM
    

Having already surpassed Skyrim and Fallout by becoming Bethesda's biggest launch to date - with over six million players, according to the developer - Starfield has now smashed another of its predecessor's records.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, September 11, 2023 11:44 AM
    

Every weekend, indie devs show off current work on Twitter's #screenshotsaturday tag. And every Monday, I bring you a selection of these snaps and clips. This week, my eye has been caught by cool fog, several grappling lines, and honestly just a great moody first-person animation for sitting down in an immersive sim. Check out these attractive and interesting indie games!

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, September 11, 2023 10:41 AM
    

Hitting pause in a video game is like dropping a wall across it. On one side of the wall lies what is called the diegetic space of the game, aka the fictitious world, which is generally the aspect that receives the most interest, the aspect that tends to attract the weasel word "immersive". On the other side of the wall lie menus, settings and other features that form a non-diegetic layer of bald operator functions - technical conveniences and lists of things to tweak or customise, from graphics modes to character inventory, that are cut adrift in a vacuum outside of time.

In theory, the pause screen and its contents are not truly part of the game. There is no temporality, no sense of place, no threat, no possibility of play, no character or narrative, no save the princess, no press X to Jason or pay respects, no gather your party before travelling forth. As the scholar Madison Schmalzer points out in the paper I'm wonkily paraphrasing here, "the language of the menu itself emphasizes the menu's position as outside of gameplay by labeling the option to continue as 'resume game.' The game world is always privileged as the site that gameplay happens."

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, September 11, 2023 8:19 AM
    

There was a time back in my school days when cardgames were all the rage. Everybody had a deck of playing cards in their pocket for cheeky 15 minute rounds of Texas Hold 'Em between lessons, with Milky Way segments and Niknaks wagered in place of chips. Yes, I'm aware I'm starting to sound like Grandpa Simpson, and no, this wasn't from some murky era before the invention of videogames. It was the heyday of the Gameboy Advance! I'm not sure what we were thinking. But two things: 1) decks of playing cards are cheaper than game consoles, and 2) part of the fun, possibly, was that nobody really knew how to play the ostensibly well-known cardgames we were playing.

With the benefit of hindsight, I suspect there may have been creative liberties taken with the rules at times. I knew hair-pulling wasn't a legal move in professional poker. Anyway, I'm reminded of all this by Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers, a warped and mildly satirical, 90s-styled take on Blackjack from Purple Moss Collectors.

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Twinfinite Monday, September 11, 2023 1:35 PM
    
Feeling green today?

Twinfinite Monday, September 11, 2023 12:00 PM
    
Gotta play em' all!

Twinfinite Monday, September 11, 2023 9:30 AM
    
There's a whole lot more than just what you see on your hard drive.

Twinfinite Monday, September 11, 2023 9:00 AM
    
There are no shades of gray.

Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 3:30 PM
    

Final Fantasy VII Remake Tifa's Exotic Dress Explained

Square Enix shared design details about Tifa's Exotic Dress in Final Fantasy VII Remake on the official Japanese social media account, giving fans a better look at the small details that brought the outfit together. The company also shared a screenshot from the game with a close-up of Tifa's upper half of her body to highlight the small details added to her makeup.

Tifa's Exotic Dress is modeled after Japanese kimonos and features an obi with a metallic animal print wrapped around her waistline. When Tifa attacks enemies in battle, the shiny detail of the obi sparkles under the game's lighting. Also, the color red is used as an accent color to contrast against the black and grey of her dress. To create a unique charm to Tifa's design, red eyeshadow was added to her eyes which further accentuates the red details of the kimono-style dress.

Here's a closer look at the new Final Fantasy VII Remake Tifa concept art.
[embed]https://twitter.com/FFVIIR_CLOUD/status/1701158650461479010[/embed]

Tifa's Exotic Dress is one of three options that can be chosen for her to wear when infiltrating Don Corneo's mansion in Chapter 9 of Final Fantasy VII Remake. In Chapter 3, Tifa asks Cloud what kind of dress would suit her if they went out on a night in town. The player can chose between "Sporty," "Mature," or "Exotic." If they player choses "Exotic," Tifa will be wearing the kimono-style dress in Final Fantasy VII Remake.

Square Enix also recently shared information about the design work for Rufus Shinra's outfit and Cloud's dress in FFVII Remake.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC.

The post Final Fantasy VII Remake Tifa's Exotic Dress Concept Art Shared appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 3:00 PM
    

kizumonogatari koyomi vamp

A trailer for Kizumonogatari: Koyomi Vamp is available on the official Aniplex YouTube channel. At a little under a minute long, it only really focuses on Koyomi and Kiss-Shot. The movie will come out on January 12, 2024 in Japan. There is no news yet of an international release, whether in theaters or on streaming services. [Thanks, KaroshiMyriad!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvI1NbcwtTk

This is a compilation film of the three Kizumonogatari movies. As such, it's unlikely that there will be any new scenes. The Kizumonogatari film trilogy aired from 2016 to 2017 in Japanese theaters, and adapts the Kizumonogatari light novel, which came out in 2008. It serves as a prequel to Bakemonogatari, and shows Koyomi's past with Meme and how he became a vampire.

The Monogatari series of light novels by Nisio Isin follows Koyomi Araragi, who is a high school student and part vampire. He uses his past experiences with aberrations to help his classmates when they get in trouble with one. While episodic in nature (with each arc focusing on a different girl and issue), the character development and relationship changes carry over as the story progresses.

Kizumonogatari: Koyomi Vamp will air in Japan from January 12, 2024. You can watch the other shows in the Monogatari series via Crunchyroll.

The post Kizumonogatari: Koyomi Vamp Will Air in January 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 2:00 PM
    

Splatoon 3 Anniversary Splatfest

Nintendo announced the winner of the Splatoon 3 Anniversary Splatfest is Shiver. In the battle to decide who makes the best leader of Deep Cut, she was victorious. People competed to determine who would win between September 8-10, 2023.

Here's the announcement about the Shiver victory in Splatoon 3.
https://twitter.com/SplatoonNA/status/1701071217925496848

The latest Splatfest for Splatoon 3 was held to mark the first-year anniversary of the release of the game. It was a battle between the members of the game's main idol group Deep Cut. With Shiver declared the winner over Frye and Big Man, it marks her fifth consecutive Splatfest victory. It's her sixth overall victory since the release of the game. If the pre-release Splatoon 3 Splatfest World Premiere is counted, it's her seventh. Her previous victory saw players declaring money to be more important and fame or love. To contrast with Shiver's bandmates, Big Man has won two. Frye has only won one.

The winner was declared as part of the full results of the Splatoon 3 Anniversary Splatfest. Shiver won on the popular vote (55.18%), along with Clout gained from the Open competition (33.51%) and Tricolor Battles (34.06%). It wasn't a full sweep, however, as Frye's team managed to gain the most Conch Shells ahead of the event (34.65%) and Big Man's team won on Pro Clout (35.35%).

The Splatfest closed out with the debut of a new song in the plaza, "Daybreaker Anthem" by Deep Cut themselves. After a hectic and highly competitive Splatfest, this chilled-out track offers players a chance to cool off. In the Inkopolis DLC, this was replaced by "Maritime Memory", the end credits song from the first Splatoon performed by the Squid Sisters. Both songs are now available from the jukebox in the Lobby.

https://twitter.com/SplatoonNA/status/1701219421216186608

Splatoon 3 Anniversary celebrations will continue into the current Drizzle Season, with Deep Cut related items in the catalog. Amiibo based on the trio will be released on November 17, 2023.

Splatoon 3 is out now for the Nintendo Switch.

The post The Winner of the Splatoon 3 Anniversary Splatfest Is Shiver appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 1:30 PM
    

New Shonen Jump Manga MamaYuyu Debuts

Shueisha announced Shonen Jump will get a new series of manga debuts, with MamaYuyu leading the charge. It is the first of three new stories. This one is by Yoshihiko Hayashi. It is the mangaka's first full series, as previously the author released a one-shots like E ni Kaita Mochi wa Kaita Mochi. The first chapter is available to read for free online at MangaPlus and Viz Media.

MamaYuyu is set in a world with humans and demons coexist peacefully following years of war. This means the current 18-year-old hero Corleo, who is an orphan who had the sigil signaling he's the new hero appear on his hand as a baby, really has nothing to do. He's talking about this with the 38-year-old Demon Lord Mamama when discussing his future, with him thinking he should consider going into the military and her saying he should go to college. However, when a hero from another world called Evan All Green teleports to Corleo's and says a Demon Lord is following him, everything is about to change.

We already know the names of the other new manga series that will be showing up in Shonen Jump in September 2023. Comic Natalie revealed Kagurabachi will be the second one to appear. It will be followed by Two on Ice. Each of the mangaka who penned these series won the Tezuka Prize.

Chapter two of the manga MamaYuyu will appear on September 18, 2023.

The post New Shonen Jump Manga MamaYuyu Debuts appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 1:00 PM
    

witch on the holy night steam pc

About a year after its initial worldwide release, Witch on the Holy Night on the Windows PC will come out via Steam on December 13, 2023. The Steam page does not show a price just yet. This version of the game will only have Japanese audio, and it will have subtitles in English, Japanese, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

You can watch the PC trailer for Witch on the Holy Night here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF-ufWNtZ88

The trailer showcases the major characters and their voice actors, as well as a brief description of who they are. Witch on the Holy Night is a visual novel that serves as a prequel to Tsukihime. It follows the story of Aoko Aozaki, Alice Kuonjij, and Soujyuro Sizuki working and living together after unforeseen circumstances. The game originally came out on the PS4 and Nintendo Switch in early December 2022. The original version of the game came out in April 2012 for the PC.

The 2022 release of Witch on the Holy Night sold 150,000 copies as of July 2023. This number includes physical and digital copies, as well as both available platforms. A film adaptation by ufotable is also in development.

Witch on the Holy Night is readily available on the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, and it'll come out on Windows PC via Steam on December 13, 2023.

The post PC Version of Witch on the Holy Night Headed to Steam appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 12:30 PM
    

Armored Core 6 Fires of Rubicon Patch 1.02

FromSoftware and Bandai Namco released a brand new patch and notes for Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. It improves gameplay stability and makes balance adjustments for various weapon units on all consoles and PC. For the Patch 1.02 update, FromSoftware stated it is aiming to allow players more diverse builds for their AC in the early and mid-game segments. This patch has also introduced a fix for the reported save issue that caused the game to not save properly if the player put their PC or Xbox console into sleep mode.

In order for players to continue using online features, they must install this patch to their copy of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. Also, if owners of the console version of this game have their game set to boot to offline mode, the patch update will not be downloaded even if they apply the update to the game through the console's update function. Players will need to set the game to online mode in the Network Settings inside of the System Menu in order to apply this update

The patch notes for Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Patch 1.02 can be viewed below:

Balance Adjustments

  • Weapon Unit balance adjustments:
    • MA-J-200 RANSETSU-RF: Increased attack power/rate of fire, decreased reload time.
    • LR-036 CURTIS: Increased attack power, decreased reload time.
    • RF-024 TURNER: Increased attack power/projectile speed, decreased reload time.
    • RF-025 SCUDDER: Increased attack power/projectile speed, decreased reload time.
    • MA-J-201 RANSETSU-AR: Increased attack power/projectile speed, decreased reload time.
    • MG-014 LUDLOW: Increased attack power/total rounds/projectile speed, decreased recoil and reload time.
    • DF-MG-02 CHANG-CHEN: Increased attack power/total rounds/projectile speed, decreased reload time.
    • MA-E-210 ETSUJIN: Increased attack power/total rounds/projectile speed, decreased reload time.
  • Adjusted certain attacks performed by the enemy units AAP07: BALTEUS, IA-13: SEA SPIDER and IB-01: CEL240.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a bug that prevented certain weapons from dealing damage to the boss of the mission "Destroy the Weaponized Mining Ship".
  • Fixed a bug that caused the boss of the mission "Prevent Corporate Salvage of New Tech" to be unable to detect the player.
  • Fixed a bug that caused certain enemies to not be displayed correctly during the mission "Survey the Uninhabited Floating City".
  • Fixed a bug that caused certain enemies and background objects to be displayed incorrectly during the mission "Attack the Old Spaceport".
  • Fixed a bug that caused vertical missiles and certain coral weapons to deal unintended amounts of damage.
  • Improved camera controls when spectating online arena battles.
  • Fixed a bug that caused the punch animation to not be displayed correctly on the opponent's screen during online arena battles.
  • Other bug fixes.
  • [Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S / Steam] Fixed a bug that caused the game to enter offline mode and unable to save progress after the device recovers from sleep mode.
  • [Steam] Fixed the text displayed onscreen after selecting "Quit Game" from the System Menu on the title screen.
  • [Steam] Fixed a bug causing certain bosses to be rendered incorrectly.

PvP-related patches will come at a later date.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC.

The post Armored Core 6 Patch 1.02 Fixes Save Issues, Balances Weapon Units appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 12:00 PM
    

Pokemon Halloween T-shirts

New customizable Pokemon Halloween t-shirts are now available from Pokemon Center stores in Japan. The Pokemon featured in the new line of t-shirts include Gengar, Pikachu, Fuecoco, Sprigatito, Quaxley, and Greavard. The available sizes for adults include S, M, L, XL, and XXL and they cost ¥4,400 yen (or about $30). Meanwhile, child sizes cost ¥3,300 yen (~$22), and there are five sizes available between 110-150cm.

The new line of Pokemon t-shirts is part of the Pokemon Design Lab line of customizable T-shirts. Customers are able to design their own T-shirt using a touch screen and can access their purchase on the spot.

You can take a look at some of the designs for the new Pokemon Halloween t-shirts here:

[gallery size="medium" ids="983586,983587,983588" link="file"]

The Halloween designs used for the new line of clothing include the same costumes as the ones featured in the recent line of Pokemon Halloween plushies and merchandise. Gengar and Sprigatito are both dressed in different Chef outfits, and Quaxley is dressed as a restaurant server. Meanwhile, Fuecoco is disguised as a taco, and Pikachu is wearing festival clothes. Greavard is not wearing any special costumes, but is hiding inside a pumpkin.

The new Pokemon Halloween t-shirts are now available in adult and kid sizes in Japan.

The post Paldea Halloween T-Shirts Available From Pokemon Center Japan appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 11:30 AM
    

COSPA to sell Guilty Gear Strive Bridget and Ramlethal T-shirts at TGS 2023

COSPA revealed a new collection of merchandise featuring Bridget, Ramlethal Valentine, and Dizzy from the Guilty Gear series. Tokyo Game Show 2023 visitors will have the first chance to buy the new items, which include keychains, tote bags, t-shirts, and parka jackets.

The new merchandise will feature artworks of the characters based on their latest playable appearances. Ramlethal appeared in Guilty Gear Strive at launch and Bridget joined later with the second season pass. Meanwhile, Dizzy will still have her latest appearance from Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2.

The Guilty Gear t-shirts and jackets will be available in four sizes: S, M, L, and XL. However, COSPA will not bring the S-sized apparel to its TGS 2023 booth. While the brand also revealed high-quality full-graphic t-shirts, the latter will not be available at the event venue either.

The full tax-inclusive price list for the new merchandise collection is available in Japanese yen right below.

  • Regular t-shirts - ¥3,300
  • Full-graphic t-shirts - ¥6,930
  • Parka jackets - ¥7,700
  • Large tote bags - ¥1,980
  • Keychains - ¥880

[gallery link="file" ids="983581,983580,983579,983576,983577,983578"]

COSPA will sell most of its new Guilty Gear merchandise featuring Bridget, Ramlethal, and Dizzy first at Tokyo Game Show 2023, which will take place physically at Makuhari Messe in Japan on September 21-24, 2023. The brand will then put the items up in general stores in mid-November 2023. The full-graphic t-shirts of Bridget and Dizzy will be available later in December 2023.

Online pre-orders for the new merchandise collection are also available on COSPA's website until October 1, 2023. Although the site does not directly ship items outside Japan, it recommends third-party forwarding services like Tenso for people living overseas.

Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 and Guilty Gear Strive are both available on PlayStation 4, PC, and arcades. The Xrd sub-series also appeared on PlayStation 3, while the latest entry Strive has dedicated versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.

The post Guilty Gear Bridget, Ramlethal, & Dizzy T-Shirts Will Appear at TGS 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 11:00 AM
    

Final Fantasy XVI Alphabet Translated in FFXVI Ultimania

The in-game Valisthean language and writing system in Final Fantasy XVI isn't English or Japanese, and is instead an entirely original alphabet created for the game. People might notice this as they go through the adventure. However, now it might be easier to know officially what is said. This is because Square Enix released an official translation of the alphabet and numbers in FFXVI Ultimania. [Thanks, Audrey Lamsam!]

Editor's Note: There will be Final Fantasy XVI Ultimania and game spoilers below.

Here's the official tweet from Aitai Kuji owner Audrey Lamsam that showed the translation of the Final Fantasy XVI alphabet and numbers translated.


Previously, Lamsam revealed the book contains character ages.

It isn't unusual for Final Fantasy games to feature an original alphabet to go with their in-game worlds. Final Fantasy XII uses Ivalician. You could see the Al Bhed, Spiran, and Yevon alphabets in Final Fantasy X and pick up Al Bhed Primers as you'd go through the game to help you decipher it.

Final Fantasy XVI is available for the PS5, and a PC port is on the way. FFXVI Ultimania is out now in Japan and is ¥2,970 (~$20) at Amazon Japan, ¥3,500 at Aitai Kuji (~$24), and $33.99 at Play-Asia.

The post Final Fantasy XVI Alphabet Translated in FFXVI Ultimania appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 10:30 AM
    

aniplex movies fullmetal alchemist gintama heaven's feel anohana

Aniplex will release several 4K ultra HD Blu-Rays of past anime movies in Japan starting from September 27, 2023. The majority of the movies are older fare, such Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa. The only date that we know for certain is the September 27, 2023 release of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. [Thanks, KaroshiMyriad!]

As mentioned earlier, the only release date we know is the one for the two Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann movies. The other movies, like the Fullmetal Alchemist ones, will come out later on. Aniplex will release:

  • Anohana the Movie: The Flower We Saw That Day
  • Boruto: Naruto the Movie
  • Fate/stay Night Heaven's Feel
  • Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa
  • Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos
  • Gintama: The Very Final
  • Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale
  • The Anthem of the Heart

All of these movies came out within the past twenty years and were major releases for Aniplex. It's unknown whether Aniplex plans on releasing more 4K ultra HD movies from its past catalog after this batch. More information on prices and how to purchase them will come out closer to the release date.

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann the Movie will come out on September 27, 2023. Aniplex will release its other past titles following that date.

The post Aniplex Will Release Blu-Rays of Past Anime Movies appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 10:00 AM
    

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mezase! Saikyou Taishi! - new Demon Slayer board game for Nintendo Switch

Aniplex revealed that it will release a new Demon Slayer board game for the Nintendo Switch in 2024. The game is currently known by its Japanese title Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mezase! Saikyou Taishi!, which we can also translate directly to Demon Slayer: Aim to be the Strongest Soldier!

This board game will support up to four players in both offline and online modes. Each player will move around the board by using dice rolls. The game will have two time phases. Daytime will feature various mini-games to help players muster their strength. Nighttime will have them find and slay hostile demons.

The Japanese press release revealed that the board game will feature Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and all nine Hashira members as playable characters. Tanjiro's sister Nezuko will only appear as a supporting character, as she would not be able to do activities in the daytime.

Aniplex has published the reveal trailer for Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mezase! Saikyou Taishi! on its YouTube channel. This video is also available to watch outside of Japan.

[tnm_video layout="mnmd-post-media"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTE19wee424[/tnm_video]

Aniplex also announced that this Demon Slayer board game for Switch will be the second video game adaptation for the franchise. The first one was Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles, an arena fighter game developed by CyberConnect2. While Aniplex focused on publishing the game in Japan, Sega helped release it worldwide for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mezase! Saikyou Taishi! will be available for Nintendo Switch in Japan in 2024.

The post A Demon Slayer Board Game Will Appear on Nintendo Switch in 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 9:30 AM
    

blue exorcist shimane illuminati

A new trailer for Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga is available. It'll start airing in January 2024. News of this new season first came out in 2022, though details were unclear. All of the cast members from the previous series will reprise their roles. [Thanks, AnimeTV!]

You can watch the Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga trailer here:

https://twitter.com/animetv_jp/status/1700730348684939641

The trailer shows familiar faces such as Rin, Yukio, Mephisto, and Izumo. Izumo takes center stage in this trailer as one of the only two characters to have voice lines. She states that she doesn't trust anyone and that she has her own goals that she is chasing after. This will be the third season of Blue Exorcist, which started airing in 2011. The second season, Kyoto Saga, came out in 2017.

Blue Exorcist is a fantasy manga that started serialization in Jump Square in 2009. It follows the story of Rin and Yukio Okumura, twin brothers who are the sons of Satan. Because of this heritage, Rin has demonic powers and features, as well as control over Satan's blue flames. He wants to become an exorcist like his adoptive father and enrolls in True Cross Academy only to find out his twin brother had been an exorcist almost his entire life.

Blue Exorcist is readily available on streaming services such as Crunchyroll. The Shimane Illuminati Saga arc for Blue Exorcist will start airing in January 2024.

The post Blue Exorcist Will Return with Shimane Illuminati Saga appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 9:15 AM
    

FFVII Ever Crisis Beach Festival Fun Banner

Square Enix introduced its very first seasonal event into Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis. To usher out the end of summer, players can obtain unique rewards through event participation, and even pull on a themed banner. The banner itself features weapons and Gear for Tifa and Red XIII, and with the event hot on the heels of the game's release, you may be wondering if it's worth spending all of your hard earned Blue Gems. This guide will answer the burning quest of whether or not it's worth pulling on the FFVII Ever Crisis Beach Festival fun banner.

Is It Worth Pulling on the FFVII Ever Crisis Beach Festival Fun Banner?

The simple answer, if you are looking to keep up with the already growing power-creep of the game, is yes. The FFVII Ever Crisis Beach Festival Fun banner features two unique pieces of Gear and two unique weapons for Tifa and Red XIII, respectively. What makes the Gear worth obtaining, is that it is 5-Stars and will increase a specific stat by +10.

You may not think this is a big deal, but keep in mind that this is better than any of the 5-Star Gear you can obtain, entirely for free, through the use of the Gear Ticket that was distributed as part of the Ever Crisis pre-registration rewards. Those pieces of 5-Star Gear only increase specific stats by +8, with the free Gear you get from progressing The First Soldier Story coming in at 4-Star rarity with a +8 stat increase upgrade.

What also makes this banner worth investing in are the Lifeguard Wraps, which is a unique weapon for Tifa. This is because of the Healing Waves ability that comes with this event exclusive weapons. The Lifeguard Wraps will allow for Tifa to heal all allies for 38% of her Healing Potency. This makes Tifa one of three characters that can perform a group heal without requiring Materia, the only other two being Red XIII and Aerith. Additionally, in combination with the Lifeguard Gear, it makes her natural healing potency rival Aerith's since it boosts her Healing Potency by +10.

Unfortunately, Red XIII's weapon isn't worth that investment, unless if you are looking to specifically build a party comp around Thunder damage. The Seaside Collar decreases the Thunder Resist of any enemy hit by Power Fang, which is a single target attack. Used in tandem with any Thunder spell or Cloud's Murasame, this could be a powerful weapon to build a team around. However, as it stands, it isn't all that useful. With the banners in Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis allowing you to pick what weapon and Gear drops potentially every six pulls, you can easily get Tifa's event exclusive equipment without running the risk of getting Red XIII's.

If you don't care about the power creep and don't mind taking longer to clear content, then you don't need to pull on this banner. But know that you will be missing out on a weapon that will put Tifa on par with Aerith in terms of healing. If you don't have Aerith's Fairy Tale weapon, which lets her cast Curaga, and you do have some currency saved up, you may want to consider rolling on this banner anyways.

Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is immediately available on Android and iOS. The Beach Fun Festival will last until September 28, 2023.

The post Is It Worth Pulling on the FFVII Ever Crisis Beach Festival Fun Banner appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 9:01 AM
    

Eternights Review 1

Eternights is the prime example of taking so many ideas from other games that a title loses some of what makes it special in the process. As a result, it fails to live up to its promise. I was originally excited for this game, due to its indie take on the Persona formula of dating the party members you fight alongside. To the game's credit, it certainly full-on into this idea of being an indie Persona, which is a welcome change of pace in this huge break between Royal and a presumed Persona 6. That said, what it offers is a bit problematic and not the most enjoyable experience.

At the start of Eternights, you play as a protagonist who finds himself suddenly thrust into the apocalypse when all he wanted to do was go on a date and find the love of his life alongside his best buddy. This abrupt premise happens so fast that it loses some of the believable parts. It instantly escalates from zero to 100 in intensity. Before you know it, the unreachable singer you were watching on TV at the start of the game is a party member within a span of 10 minutes. That is a problem with much of the story in Eternights, which is either forgettable or downright rushed when it matters.

[caption id="attachment_983488" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Eternights Review 6 Screenshot by Siliconera[/caption]

To its credit, the plot isn't the most important part of the Eternights experience. What truly matters are the gameplay and characters. When it comes to the former, I'll be the first to admit this is the greatest departure for the game compared to Persona. Ironically, it's why it is an issue.

Instead of copying its inspiration for a turn-based combat format, Eternights is a hack-and-slash action-RPG more in the vein of something like Tales of Arise or Nier Automata. You have a couple of buttons to press to slash at enemies, a button for dodging, and some skills you can occasionally use. These are all the usual features for a game like this, but the implementation leaves something to be desired. Fighting is a bit slower than I'd like and not as deep as it could be. Worse still, I'm not sure who decided to map the dodge button to the X button on PS5 without an option to change it, but that was a mistake.

[caption id="attachment_983486" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Eternights Review 4 Screenshot by Siliconera[/caption]

While I could be fine with the monotonous combat in Eternights, the enemies make it worse. The difficulty ranges considerably and without warning. Most of the time, the game is extremely easy. You'll slash through foes without much thought. However, it will randomly spike out of nowhere. This usually comes from larger enemies with specific attack patterns you need to dodge or die. However, unlike other action games with similar strict mechanics like Elden Ring, the enemies rarely follow meaningful or memorable patterns. The window of time to dodge is far too brief and random to react. This creates an oddly disparate difficulty balance between the far-too-easy normal enemies and the occasionally unfair bosses. I also wasn't a huge fan of the highly repetitive break system you need to use to get far enough in these larger fights. Again, if there was anything Studio Sai should have taken from its sources of inspiration, it should have been a turn-based system.

Exploration in Eternights is not that intriguing, either. It mostly involves going through the same linear corridors in each dungeon and area. Not to mention it is lacking substantial hub locations. Also, while I could get around the combat some of the time, puzzles were my worst enemy in this game. Many of them are fairly simple and would require the player to do something like turn all squares green without touching a previous one, and then return to the starting spot all in the same go. The only problem with this was a single mistake meant a total restart, which became annoying the deeper the puzzles got.

[caption id="attachment_983484" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Eternights Review 2 Screenshot by Siliconera[/caption]

While I didn't have a ton of fun with Eternights' gameplay, I at least appreciated the characters. You have a few core allies you're able to romance in and get to know on a deeper level. This works similarly to Persona 5 Royal, where you have a day and night portion of each day. You can choose how to spend that day, such as training a certain skill or spending time with a companion.

Your schedule is limited, too, since you typically have a core objective you need to complete. If you don't complete it in time, it is game over for you. This system is one of my favorite parts of the Persona series, and the concept transfers over relatively well in Eternights. I had the most fun in this game when I was managing my calendar and figuring out how to max out my social stats so I could wife up Yuna. It helps, too, that there are some fun side activities like a dancing minigame, when doing so.

[caption id="attachment_983485" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Eternights Review 3 Screenshot by Siliconera[/caption]

It is in these social aspects that the ideas of Eternights start to shine, even if it is a bit too derivative and occasionally shallow. I only wish the combat and exploration nailed this aspect as well. The game could have been so much more.

Eternights will be available for PS4, PS5, and PC on September 12, 2023.

The post Review: Eternights Relies Too Much on Derivative Ideas appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, September 11, 2023 8:30 AM
    

madoka magica walpurgis no kaiten

A new trailer for Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten movie is now available via YouTube. The movie will air some time in Winter 2024 in Japan and there is no information yet as to whether there will be a Western release. Since the previous movies appeared outside of Japan, there's a high chance that other territories will be able to watch the movie either online or in theaters.

You can watch the trailer for the Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten movie here:

https://twitter.com/madoka_magica/status/1700783605893730384

The trailer is a minute and a half long. It starts with Homura's past and her descent into darkness before focusing on the other magical girls. It appears to take place in the new version of the world that Homura created at the end of Rebellion. However, since the trailer almost completely focuses on Homura, it's unclear if she will be a straight protagonist, a villain protagonist, or a straight villain in the film.

Aniplex and Shaft first announced the movie as part of the Madoka Magica franchise's 10th anniversary. News of it first appeared in 2021. At the time though, there was not a lot of information on it outside of the fact that the movie will be a sequel to Rebellion.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten will air in Japan some time in Winter 2024. You can watch Puella Magi Madoka Magica via streaming services such as Crunchyroll.

The post New Madoka Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten Trailer Focuses on Homura appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, September 11, 2023 4:00 PM
     Starfield Best Evil BuildStarfield is a massive sci-fi RPG that lets you play as evil as you want. However, if you really want to lean into being evil, then you need to know what the best evil build is. Note: If you want to combine the best evil build with the best stealth build, I recommend you check out our best stealth build guide to give you ideas. How to make the best evil build in Starfield Aside from always picking the snarky, rude dialogue options, the best evil build in Starfield needs the best Background, Traits, skills, weapons, armor, and companion. There are a few ways you can build the best evil build, namely a tank evil build, a stealth evil build, or a diplomatic evil build. With that said, you should experiment and branch out to create an evil build you're proud of, here are my personal recommendations to make the best evil build in Starfield. Best Background for evil build in Starfield Screenshot by PC Invasion Starfield has a lot of excellent Backgrounds to...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, September 11, 2023 3:53 PM
     How To Escape Space Combat In Starfield Featured ImageOne of my favorite things to do in Starfield is engage with the enemy in space. I feel like I'm an X-Wing fighter from Star Wars by weaving around and dodging incoming attacks. Stuff like that gets the heart pumping. Bethesda Softworks has honed in the feel of navigating and fighting with your ship in the dark void that is space. Everything the developer has done regarding ships feels super immersive.  That has made me do less fast travel because I get to spend more time with my ship. On the other hand, no matter what, there will always be threats. Even if you have the powerful Star Eagle ship, you'll still face issues. When things get too hot, you can quickly zip out of combat a few ways. The method below is probably the best, fastest, and safest way to escape space combat in Starfield. It could save your life and time.  Starfield: How to escape space combat Regardless if you already have the Pilot skill, knowing how to escape is something to keep in mind. First and foremost ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, September 11, 2023 3:53 PM
     How To Go Outside Your Ship In Space In Starfield Featured Image(1)Sometimes mods are for the betterment of a game, to improve where the developers missed out. They are able to improve graphical settings, smoothness, and inventories for the better. Running a game on a PC allows you to tweak and tinker exactly the way you need to. However, sometimes mods are just for the fun of it all, and for me, these are the best ones. These are some of, what I think, are the funniest mods in Starfield. Funniest mods in Starfield After trawling through the thousands of Starfield mods, I find that a lot of the ones that aren't improving the quality of life are simply NSFW. However, I dug far enough to find some rather outlandish and funny mods for Starfield too. Nicholas Cage flashlight mod Screenshot via Nexus Available here. I have no idea why this one wasn't included in the original game, quite frankly. Once you install it, you will never look back. This essential mod turns your flashlight beam into a rather flattering projection of N...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, September 11, 2023 3:53 PM
     Starfield Wolf Star System Featured ImageMany star systems in Starfield are very popular for the best and worst reasons. Today, we will take a look a the latter, although it might as well be the former, from a certain point of view. However, we all eventually will have to visit some of these less-than-honest places. That is how this game plays out. Time to visit the Wolf Star system in Starfield and here is how to do it. How to get to the Wolf Star system in Starfield Screenshot by PC Invasion To get to the Wolf Star system in Starfield, you will have to open up your star map and locate it just next to both the Sol and Alpha Centauri systems. Depending on where you are currently located or the Grav jump capacity and Fuel Consumption of your ship, you will probably have to make two jumps or more. However, since it is close to Alpha Centauri, you are probably near enough for you to jump once to get there. After the cutscene, you will arrive at the system, which is a good place for certain players who enjoy picking ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, September 11, 2023 3:52 PM
     Starfield Andreja Romance Guide Commitment CloseupSpace can be a vast, often desolate space, even in Starfield. You'll learn to cherish time you spend talking to other humans, including the companions that explore the stars with you. One of those possible companions is Andreja, who keeps to herself when you first meet her but may open up to the right individual. Here is our romance guide for Andreja in Starfield. Starfield – romance guide for Andreja In some games, players might romance one character or another in hopes of seeing some intimate scenes with bare skin. In Starfield, the big reward is that you can produce the Emotional Security status, which increases the speed with which you generate XP. To romance Andreja, keep her happy until you access and complete the Divided Loyalties and Commitment: Andreja missions. Screenshot by PC Invasion Honoring her wishes To keep Andreja happy, remember her preferences as you engage in your usual activities. Here are a few key suggestions: Don't h...

iDev Games Feed Monday, September 11, 2023 2:21 PM
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MonsterVine Monday, September 11, 2023 8:00 AM
     I try to avoid dating apps whenever possible. You know how it goes, you download a dating app, match up with a god, and suddenly everyone's a zombie and you're stuck on a train with your best friend and an idol. It's a tale as old as time, and that's just the beginning. Eternights is […]

Level Up Monday, September 11, 2023 3:21 PM
     Exit Plan Games' and Untold Tales' Bang-On Balls: Chronicles will be launching on PC, PlayStation,…

Level Up Monday, September 11, 2023 8:27 AM
     Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon has been out for a couple of weeks now,…