Meta Connect 2023: Quest 3 unveiled, plus big AI announcements

iPhone 15 delays latest, AI is coming to Microsoft Paint, Google turns 25, and more
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September 27, 2023
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Meta Connect 2023
Meta unveils the Quest 3, smart glasses and some new AI
Meta unveiled hardware and new AI projects at Connect 2023 (Meta)
Meta has unveiled the Meta Quest 3 headsest and new smart glasses at its Meta Connect showcase, but its latest AI efforts all but stole the show, with Mark Zuckerberg teasing AI avatars that combine chatbots with personalities brought to life by celebrities.
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Meta Quest 3 hands-on: the VR headset to rule them all?
Meta has fully unveiled the Quest 3 (Meta)
The hardware highlight of Meta Connect was the full announcement of the Meta Quest 3 VR and MR (mixed reality) headset. We've already had the chance to try out the device, immersing ourselves in games and other experiences, and we're hugely impressed.
Read More
iPhone
Here's how long you might be waiting for your new iPhone
Deliveries of some iPhone 15 models are delayed (Apple)
Whether it's due to unexpectedly high demand or Apple being let down by its supply chain partners, we're not sure, but you're going to be waiting for quite some time time for certain iPhone 15 models to be delivered – we've got the latest on the lead times.
Read More
Internet
Google turns 25, and we're all living in its web
Google founders Larry Page (left) and Sergey Brin (Google)
Google is celebrating 25 years of directing the world's internet searches, so we're looking back at the impact the technology giant has made over two-and-a-half decades – and at how its domination of the web continues to influence our online lives.
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    Audio
    More details of Spotify's next HiFi tier leak out
    Spotify has made promo pics for its HiFi tier, but hasn't launched it (Spotify)
    We're still waiting for Spotify's long-promised high-resolution audio tier, but it looks as though a launch could be imminent at last: code spotted in the streaming app hints at AI playlist generation as well as better bitrates, and a new Spotify Supremium name.
    Read More
    Computing
    Windows Paint is first in line for a Copilot upgrade
    Paint is getting an injection of AI (Microsoft)
    Microsoft has gone into more detail about how its Copilot AI tool will improve its standalone programs, including Paint, in upcoming operating system updates – and you'll soon be able to generate unique images using nothing more than a text prompt.
    Read More
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    Sep 27, 10:02


    Kotaku Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:41 AM
        

    Horizon Forbidden West will come to PC in "early 2024," Dutch port house Nixxes Software confirmed today. The sci-fi action-RPG marks the latest in a steady drumbeat of Sony's first-party exclusives making the jump from PlayStation 5 to Steam and the Epic Games Store.

    Read more...


    Kotaku Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:15 AM
        

    Cyberpunk 2077 proudly wears its love of anime on its chromed-out sleeves. Proof? Look no further than its many JoJo's Bizarre Adventure photo mode poses, or the fact that Kaneda's iconic red motorcycle from Akira is in the game. With Cyberpunk 2077's game-changing 2.0 update and its just-released expansion, Phantom Liberty

    Read more...


    Kotaku Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:03 AM
        

    You can no longer buy last year's hit soccer game, FIFA 23. Nor any other older game from the famous Electronic Arts sports franchise. At least, not digitally.

    Read more...


    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:34 AM
         PS5's best-looking open-world game is finally coming to PC and Steam

    The next PlayStation port coming to PC has been revealed, as Horizon Forbidden West brings Aloy's adventure to both Steam and the Epic Games Store early next year. The recent robot dinosaur adventure from Guerilla Games has already proven to be a colossal success, as the second entry joins the growing PlayStation library on PC soon.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best single-player games, Best open-world games, Best story games

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:22 AM
         Ghostrunner 2 system requirements

    What are the Ghostrunner 2 system requirements? You don't need high-powered hardware to take on the Ghostrunner 2 specs, as the hardcore FPP cyberpunk slasher is capable of running on some older hardware. However, if you want to save the population of the Cybervoid in style, upgrading your rig will make sure you can focus your attention on slashing through enemies with your katana, instead of being distracted by low frame rates.

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

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:18 AM
         The best game you've never played is less than $3

    When you think of the greatest survival horrors, the first names that come to mind are usually Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and then latter-day classics like Amnesia, Alien Isolation, and Outlast. Similarly, cast your mind back to the mid '00s, or maybe try to think of the best games ever, and The Suffering, from Surreal Software and Midway, probably doesn't enter your memory. A superlatively good horror shooter from 2004, despite paving the way for the likes of Dead Space, The Suffering has faded somewhat from gaming history. Bold, bloody, and with a terrific story, if you've never played it, or want to revisit this bona fide forgotten gem, The Suffering is now available for less than $3.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best old games, Best survival games

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:17 AM
         How to take screenshot on Steam Deck

    How do you take a screenshot on Steam Deck? The Steam Deck is a powerful PC gaming handheld, and in an age where social media runs supreme, it's likely you'll find yourself wanting to take screenshots of your Steam Deck games and share them with the world.

    Whether you want a keepsake of a moment from the best Steam Deck games, or want to share an image with a friend, there are plenty of reasons why you'd want to take a screenshot on the handheld. With no dedicated 'Share' button on the Steam Deck, it can be confusing to find out how to take a screenshot at first. However, once you realize how easy it is, you'll be snapping away at the click of a button. (Or two.)

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

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:16 AM
         Nami's new League of Legends skin has a Wednesday inspired secret

    When I saw the new League of Legends Coven Nami skin I was obsessed. As someone who owns every Coven cosmetic (even for champions I can't play), to see one of my go-to supports finally get her spot in the moonlight has made my week. Given the skin is also an 1820RP one, there's a secret little dance that triggers when Nami emotes, and it's channeling some Wednesday Addams spooky and cooky.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends Arena tier list, League of Legends patch 13.18, League of Legends tier list

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:14 AM
         Football Manager 2024 system requirements

    What are the Football Manager 2024 system requirements? It's safe to say that you won't need to invest in a record transfer fee for a new PC or laptop to run FM24, but it's well worth making sure your hardware is tailored to breeze through season after season of success or anguish.

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

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:13 AM
         Project L release date speculation, trailers, gameplay, and roster

    When is the Project L release date? If you ever wondered what an all-out League of Legends champion brawl would look like, you're about to find out. Project L is the work-in-progress title of an upcoming 2D fighting game featuring the likes of Ahri, Darius, and Jinx. In the developer's words, you'll be able to "walk, run, dash, chain dash, jump, long jump, and super jump," your way to victory. Lots of jumping.

    If you can't wait to learn more about this League of Legends fighting game, here's everything we know about the Project L release date so far, from trailers and gameplay to the champion roster, assist and tag system, netcode, and more.


    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:19 AM
         Counter-Strike 2 smokes – how to use new responsive smoke grenades

    Want to know about Counter-Strike 2 responsive smokes? From a visual standpoint, Counter-Strike 2 mostly looks the same as its predecessor, with only minor changes such as cleaner and brighter maps. While this familiarity is a positive for players who can quickly adapt to the game without learning new mechanics, one notable feature may prove to be a pest in Counter-Strike 2.

    In Counter-Strike 2, smokes have been revamped from top to bottom - they are no longer a blob of smoke rotating randomly in a single spot. Instead, smoke grenades are now 3D models that can interact with bullets, objects, and even light. There are a lot of Counter-Strike 2 changes you need to be aware of before the free PC game launches later this year. Here's everything you need to know about responsive smokes in Counter-Strike 2.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Counter-Strike 2 release date, Counter-Strike 2 beta access, Counter-Strike 2 maps

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:48 AM
         Every map in Counter-Strike 2

    What are the CS2 maps? The arenas in which glory is earned. The crucible to which you and your rag-tag squad will attempt to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The lovely-looking maps where you're bound to hit a few sick AWP shots, probably.

    Counter-Strike 2 is a free upgrade to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, reusing a number of important elements that fans know and love such as CSGO console commands and the CSGO ranks system. While the free PC game retains the same competitive energy, Valve has put a fresh coat of paint on maps and visuals. Here is every confirmed Counter-Strike 2 map:

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Counter-Strike 2 release date, Counter-Strike 2 beta access, Counter-Strike 2 maps

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:11 AM
         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 Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:41 AM
         Lies of P patch notes nerf some of its hardest boss fights

    Lies of P patch notes 1.2 are here, and the main focus is making the game just a little bit easier, nerfing some of its toughest boss fights and buffing your carry weight and parries. If you've been playing the 'Pinocchio does Bloodborne' fairytale soulslike, and finding some of its encounters to be a bit too challenging, this Lies of P update should make your life a little more bearable.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Lies of P weapons, Lies of P review, Best games like Dark Souls

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:59 AM
         Genshin Impact tier list September 2023: the best characters in 4.1

    Looking for a Genshin Impact tier list? There are currently 72 Genshin Impact characters available, so there's no shortage of candidates for your dream team. But with so many different weapons, elementals, talents, ascension bonuses, and constellation upgrades, finding your favorites can be challenging.

    Don't let the placement of the characters on our Genshin Impact tier list deter you from pulling on the next character banner. While base stats and elemental abilities are important, the value of a character also depends on personal playstyle, available weapons and artifacts, and team composition. It doesn't matter if your favorite Genshin Impact character is on one of the lower tiers; you can still make it work with our recommended Genshin Impact builds. Being on a lower tier in the free PC game means that there are better alternatives, or the character needs a very specific build or team to shine. We've spent hundreds of hours trying different variations of teams in Spiral Abyss to establish who the best characters are in Genshin Impact.

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

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:50 AM
         Baldur's Gate 3 hotfix 7 flooded with

    Baldur's Gate 3 hotfix 7 is here, and while it focuses on minor improvements to prevent crashes and help with save game issues, players are still asking Larian to "shave the cat" since His Majesty was given hair in patch 3. Whether or not Larian will turn the hissing cat back into a Sphynx remains to be seen.

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

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:46 AM
         Cities Skylines 2 meets Stalker, with a free Steam download

    Cities Skylines 2 is almost upon us, and from what we've seen, it's delivering every minute and specific little detail we could want in a city builder. At the same time, the late Soviet era aesthetic of Stalker - and the upcoming Stalker 2 - provides one of the best-looking environments in all of gaming. Those big factories. The chunky old cars. Metro 2033, Metro Last Light, and Metro Redux make the most of the Soviet style, which brings to vivid life a kind of decrepit old world waiting to be reborn. You put all this together, the mechanics of Cities Skylines, and the visual flair of Metro and Stalker, and you get Workers and Resources: Soviet Republic, a superlative city sim that's just signed to a new publisher, and available to try with a free Steam download.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best city-building games on PC, The best management games, The best strategy games

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:44 AM
         Huge Dark and Darker update delivers big class and weapon rebalancing

    Dark and Darker patch notes are here for the first major early access update to the cutthroat dungeon-crawling RPG. Developer Ironmace isn't revealing all its changes in detail, but gives us a pretty good overview of what's changed in this big Dark and Darker update. With multiple class changes including a huge Rogue Cutthroat buff, some nice Ranger buffs, and a Bard rework, there's a lot to discover in Dark and Darker patch 1.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Dark and Darker release date, Dark and Darker system requirements, Dark and Darker classes guide

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:34 AM
         Best EA FC 24 cheap players for career mode

    Who are the best cheap players in EA FC 24? For most clubs, the idea of signing players like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham is nothing but a dream - those players are as close to the finished article as you can get and have both justified their enormous price tags already. Do you always get what you pay for in football, though? Maybe not, as we've dug out some diamonds in the rough - cheap players who can grow to become world-beaters in their own right.

    When you begin career mode in EA Sports FC 24, you have some decisions to make. Evaluate your team, figure out your strengths and weaknesses, and then use the transfer window to create the most balanced team you can. Whether that's signing one of the EA FC 24 wonderkids, or trawling the free-agent market, you have to work within the financial confines of your club. For those looking for a great deal though, here are the best FC 24 cheap players.


    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:14 AM
         Destiny 2 Imbaru Engine – all puzzle solutions

    How do you solve the Imbaru Engine puzzle in Destiny 2? The Imbaru Engine puzzle room becomes available at step 34 in The Bladed Path quest, which is the Season of the Witch seasonal questline. Once unlocked, you can enter the Imbaru Engine, which is situated within the oubliette in Savathun's Throne World, via a new node at the Helm.

    If it's not showing up in Destiny 2 for you right away, you may need to claim the Gift of Cunning Minor Arcana card from the Lectern of Divination, which is located via the portal in the Helm. You might need your best build for this, but it doesn't matter which of the classes you enter as - there are different challenges on offer in the Imbaru Engine and some do require combat.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes, Destiny 2 Lightfall review, Destiny 2 builds

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:37 AM
         CS2 release date window, skins, trailers, and news

    When is the CS2 release date? After weeks of countless rumors, Valve has finally confirmed Counter-Strike 2 is real and is coming a lot sooner than you might expect.

    We've gathered up every scrap of information about Counter-Strike 2 to zero in on the Counter-Strike 2 release date. In this guide, we'll lay it all out for you in a clearly categorized way so you too will know everything there is to know right now about the sequel to one of the best PC games of all time. Here's everything we know about the CS2 release date, leaks, skins, news, and more.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Counter-Strike 2 release date, Counter-Strike 2 beta access, Counter-Strike 2 maps

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 5:57 AM
         Bethesda jank kills Starfield's most emotional moments

    There's been a lot of discourse around the Starfield character models and face tech recently. Well, there's been a lot of discourse around Starfield in general, and its reception has certainly been the hottest topic I've witnessed since starting in the industry. Personally, I've tried to stay on the edge of it. Despite being a Fallout and space game fan, the pre-launch buildup to the Bethesda RPG game left me cold. With Starfield on Game Pass, though, curiosity got the best of me and I've given it a try, kicking any FOMO to the curb. During that time, one key issue has held it back for me, and there's no greater example of this than the sad case of Claire Mensah.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield mods, Starfield outposts, Starfield traits

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 5:50 AM
         Cities Skylines 2 system requirements

    What are the Cities: Skylines 2 system requirements? The eight years separating the original city builder and its sequel naturally mean you'll need much more powerful hardware to run Cities: Skylines 2. However, before thinking your city building dreams are done for, you'll be relieved to hear the PC specs aren't too demanding.

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

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 5:36 AM
         The old FIFA games have all been deleted from Steam and Epic

    As EA Sports FC 24 draws closer, old FIFA games including FIFA 23 have disappeared and been made unavailable to buy on digital stores including Steam, Epic, and the respective stores for PlayStation and Xbox. FIFA 23 is seemingly still available via the EA app, but otherwise older games in the football series are currently not available on PC.


    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:36 AM
         Cyberpunk 2077 has 3x more players than Starfield on Steam right now

    Cyberpunk 2077 is already having a massive Steam resurgence thanks to the combined releases of the 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty expansion from CD Projekt Red. In fact, the concurrent player count for players in Night City is the highest it's been in three years, and Cyberpunk is even seeing triple the players of Starfield right now too.

    MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty review, Best Cyberpunk 2077 mods, Buy Cyberpunk 2077

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 5:30 AM
         Best Warzone 2 Signal 50 loadout

    What is the best Signal 50 loadout? The range of engagement in Warzone 2 can vary wildly - sometimes you'll be embroiled in a close-quarters skirmish, where the SMG is king, but most of the time, you'll be forced into combat over a much larger range. Having a sniper rifle in your back pocket for these situations is advisable, as you'll be able to take your opponents down before they can fight back.

    One-shot kills are very difficult to secure when there are armor plates at play, so if you want to quickly put an enemy squad on notice you'll want a sniper that can down - or at least severely hurt - an enemy with a single well-placed shot in the free PC game.

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

    PCGamesN Wednesday, September 27, 2023 5:57 AM
         What is the current and next Genshin Impact banner?

    Genshin Impact banners rotate every few weeks on a precise schedule, and we always know what to expect thanks to regular updates from Hoyoverse. The developer of the anime game always keeps its fans in the loop with regular Twitter posts and livestreams, so you can plan where you want to spend your hard-earned primogems.

    With a two to three-week turnaround for banners, the roster of Genshin Impact characters is always changing, and the free PC game regularly introduces two new characters to wish for. Every limited-time character banner - or event wish - contains a five-star character, and three four-star characters with increased drop rates. There's also a Genshin Impact weapon banner, which runs alongside each character banner and changes weapons every update.

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

    Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:42 AM
        

    Horizon Forbidden West will follow its predecessor Horizon Zero Dawn away from former PlayStation exclusivity with a PC release early next year.

    Read more


    Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:10 AM
        

    Chris Metzen, one of Warcraft's longest and most influential lore-crafters for more than two decades before he retired back in 2016, has returned to work at Blizzard full-time.

    Read more


    Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:02 AM
        

    A friend recently found her old floppy disks from the 1997, uncovering a treasure trove of poetry, MS Paint art, homework, screensavers, and fanfic. Delightful finds which I feel privileged to have seen. I very much do not have my old floppies. They're all long-gone, chucked along with all my old websites and blogs and CDs and everythings in strict sentimentality purges. I don't know if I now regret that. So with vintage Internet simulator Hypnospace Outlaw being our game of the month in the RPS Game Club, I'm wondering: do you have your old sites and stuff? Dare you share it with us?

    Read more


    Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:38 AM
        

    Larian have released a new Baldur's Gate 3 hotfix - lucky number seven - which fixes several crash bugs while also stopping characters and items cloning themselves when you move between levels, under certain conditions. Gosh, I do love patch notes for massive RPGs. Even the relatively minor ones read like failed alchemical experiments plucked from a mage's workshop, like the one you find behind [REDACTED] in [REDACTED] in Baldur's Gate 3 Act [REDACTED].

    Read more


    Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, September 27, 2023 5:15 AM
        

    Neowiz have released Lies of P update 1.2.0.0, a major patch for the puppet-ridden action-RPG which educated souls are describing as the closest we may ever get to a Bloodborne PC port. It introduces Dualshock 4 and DualSense controller support alongside a host of changes to enemies, the execution of the game's Fable Arts or gear-specific special moves, item drop rates and the duration of stagger windows. The overarching aim seems to be to make the game easier, and as I'm sure you're expecting, a few Lies of P fans - and, it turns out, RPS staffers - are ticked off about that.

    Read more


    Twinfinite Wednesday, September 27, 2023 10:00 AM
        
    A monster shaped from grief and loss.

    Siliconera Wednesday, September 27, 2023 10:00 AM
        

    Wargroove 2 review Chucklefish Robotality

    The original Wargroove had a lot of things going for it. Great pixel art! Robust creation systems! A return to a classic strategy formula that'd been gone for too long! For some, though, there was just one nagging problem: it wasn't enough like Advance Wars. After years of missing that feel, the game occasionally trying to do its own thing got in the way.

    But now? Things may be different. The recently-released Re-Boot Camp brought back Advance Wars exactly as you remember it. Perhaps to a fault, too? It simply didn't try to do anything new, even a little bit. So as a genre-expanding release rather than its sole standard-bearer, Wargroove 2 hits a bit differently.

    wargroove 2 review

    The mechanical variety in the Wargroove games is built around its commanders, so of course we see some new ones in the sequel. There's a new faction of animal-folk, the Faahri, and the early campaigns teach you about what they do. They're sort of weird? Which is fine for returning players, but if you missed the first Wargroove you may need to adjust a bit to them.

    There are also some strange new units! There's a unit that flies but lands, giving it maneuverability while leaving it vulnerable to ground attacks and making it reliant on finding an open ground square in range. There's a frog that can pull units with its tongue, giving the game a reposition function for new formation strategies. You'll also encounter "mini-commanders" in single-player modes, with gimmicky pseudo-COs adding to the variety. These seem to suggest possibilities for custom map creators, as a normal unit with special equipment can be an interesting foe.

    chucklefish robotality playtest commander select screen

    Wargroove 2 also integrates from the start the additions in the first game's expansion, Double Trouble. The commanders are just in the world (having found some new pirate allies), and you'll occasionally have access to rifles and thieves on maps. In many ways, that DLC now feels like Wargroove 2 Prologue, with a similar tone and tendency toward the weird.

    If the first game was a take on Advance Wars, the sequel fittingly takes inspiration from Advance Wars 2 with its "tier-2 groove" system. These are, put plainly, the Super CO Powers from Black Hole Rising, with enhanced effects in exchange for waiting for a second meter to charge. We won't say these are particularly balanced; some COs are obviously better off waiting for the charge and others definitely shouldn't. But given how the game works, you may situationally end up using the other if the timing works that way.

    What doesn't feel like Advance Wars is Wargroove 2's robust online system. In our tests, this worked just as well as the original's, offering almost all the options you want and using the game's turn-based nature to its advantage to survive network turbulence largely unscathed.

    wargroove 2 review

    There's a lot of ambition in Wargroove 2's storytelling, perhaps beyond the team's grasp. It's nice to see factions that aren't patently good or evil. It makes sense to see personalities that are just a bit more prone to violence than average. There are times when the game tries to do something poignant or mysterious, and it just doesn't manage to earn it. It's harmless and easily skippable! Regardless, it's good to set your expectations appropriately.

    Robotality and Chucklefish clearly built Wargroove 2 atop the first game's tools. Which isn't a bad thing! But you'll certainly see the seams when playing, especially in the new Conquest mode. This mode turns the game into a roguelite, with sequences of smaller battles interspersed with opportunities to recruit and equip units.

    This mode worked way better than we expected, making for an engaging experience that we wanted to come back to more than the main campaign. It runs out of steam pretty quickly, though, as it was a breeze to unlock the full skill tree. We'd love to see updates to this mode that extend the experience and add a bit more challenge.

    wargroove 2 conquest mode

    But as we said, this is stitched together in a way that lets you feel the development behind it. It's more than players could probably make themselves with the in-game scripting tools, but here's an example: a "store" between maps loads you into its own map with one building, and then you have to manually quit from the menu to continue. It basically ends up feeling like a very cool mod?

    Similarly, we encountered a decent number of bugs and crashes. Error messages about lua script! Full freezes in the middle of an animation! How about a field of effect that should last one turn, but never goes away? The game's auto-save functionality means we didn't lose a lot of progress, but it was still a bummer to have to quit and relaunch so often. Of course, this was the pre-launch review period, so it feels like these are the sort of hiccups that can be quickly patched.

    chucklefish robotality online co-op screenshot

    There are some in-game UI touches that could use a polish. The addition of equipment for units can make for interesting strategy, but the tiny icon indicating a unit is equipped? It's hard to see. It's placed in a spot that regularly lands on the unit above it. And in a mode with different types of equipment, it'd sure be nice to see which is the soldier with a shield and which is holding a magical necromancy totem. Instead, we get little identical arrows.

    Moving on from the caveat emptor section of the review, we really did enjoy our time with Wargroove 2. Its approach leaves some rough edges, as well as room for fun ideas and creative player content. And now that we can go play the polished alternative if we want? That's just fine by us.

    Wargroove 2, developed by Chucklefish and Robotality and published by Chucklefish, launches on PC and Nintendo Switch on October 5, 2023 for $19.99.

    The post Review: Wargroove 2 Paints Outside the Grid Lines appeared first on Siliconera.


    Siliconera Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:30 AM
        

    Spy x Family Peach John Collection

    The series Spy x Family will be part of a Japanese clothing brand Peach John limited edition collection. The collection consists of both safe and not safe for work clothing based on a few of the main characters from the series, including Anya Forger, Yor Forger, and even Bond, the family dog. Some of the outfits, like the dresses, could be used as Spy x Family costumes. The collection will become available on October 6 at select Peach John stores in Japan as well as the official online store. International shipping is provided by WorldShopping. [Thanks, Oricon News!]

    The full lineup for the Spy x Family Peach John limited collection consists of one set of lingerie, two loungewear sets that act as costumes, and one pouch. One piece mirrors the dress worn by Yor Forger while she is performing her job as an assassin in the series. The first set of loungewear is based on Anya's school uniform, and the other is a fluffy, warm parka with ears and a hood in the shape of Bond's face. The pouch is a reproduction of Mr. Chimera, Anya's beloved stuffed toy.

    You can view the collection in the gallery below:

    [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="full" ids="988110,988111,988112,988113"]

    The Spy x Family limited collection from Peach John will be available for purchase beginning on October 6, 2023. It will be available at select Peach John locations in Japan and on the online store. Spy x Family is available to stream on Crunchyroll, while Viz Media handles the manga.

    The post Spy x Family 'Costumes' Appear in Peach John Clothing Collection appeared first on Siliconera.


    Siliconera Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:00 AM
        

    Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections trailer

    Bandai Namco shared new story and systems trailers for Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, showcasing the original Special Story Mode as well as new systems and mechanics being added to the game. The new entry in the series will feature 10 new playable characters, a new simple control style, and other new gameplay additions. A History and Special Story Modes will be available as well.

    The new Systems trailer highlights some of the new additions and returning mechanics that the game will include. One of these additions involves each character being able to use two Ninjutsu abilities in combat, instead of a single ability. The new simple control style allows players to chain combos easily by pressing a single attack button.

    You can check out the systems trailer in more detail here:

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

    Additionally, the Special Story Mode features a new original story with Boruto as its protagonist. Two original characters will be central to the story, in which a former follower of Pain threatens the ninja world with the objective of completing the plans of his former leader. The new Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections Special Story Mode trailer shows a sneak peek of the beginning of the story, which features a fight between Sasuke and Naruto.

    Check out the sneak peek trailer for the new Special Story Mode of Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNC6Pt72T50

    Furthermore, the game will also include a History Mode. This mode will be a retelling of the events of the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden anime and manga series. This mode will include highlights from the anime, and fixed battle challenges from the series' past.

    Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections will release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC on November 17, 2023.

    The post See Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections Story and Systems Trailers appeared first on Siliconera.


    PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:37 AM
         How to complete Rock the Cradle mission in Payday 3Payday is known for letting its players take on daring Bank heists, but if high-security vaults aren't your thing, you're still spoiled for choice. I love robbing a bank as much as anyone, but my favorite locale in Payday 3 is the nightclub. In Rock the Cradle, your team of heisters is tasked with breaking into a shady club, but you'll quickly realize it's far more fortified than it looks. Here's how to get the goods and complete the Rock the Cradle mission in Payday 3. Related: How to farm XP fast in Payday 3 How to complete Rock the Cradle mission in Payday 3 It's best to think of Rock the Cradle as a two-part heist. The first half is spent gaining access to the VIP area, and the rest is what to do inside. Naturally, you can do this heist loud or take a stealth approach. I usually do this one silently, but I'll explain every objective in order. I recommend doing the first half of the heist in stealth, as if you trigger the alarms...

    PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, September 27, 2023 3:06 AM
         Genshin Impact Version 4.1Genshin Impact is a free-to-play gacha game from HoYoverse, creators of other popular gacha games such as Honkai Impact 3rd and Honkai: Star Rail. Like any gacha game, you'll need to collect premium currency to summon for new powerful characters and weapons. You'll also need to earn in-game money, character experience materials to level up your characters, and other unique items. Fortunately, HoYoverse frequently hands out codes for free, allowing players to get a small boost in Primogems, Mora, and other items for no extra charge. Here's our guide to all the Genshin Impact Version 4.1 codes for September 2023. To redeem a code in Genshin Impact, note that your account must be Adventure Rank 10 or above. Any accounts below this Adventure Rank will not be able to redeem a code. Any code listed below can only be redeemed once, so be sure to redeem it on your desired account. Codes do not have a defined lifespan and can expire at any moment, so if you see a code on this ...

    WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:18 AM
         Following several accidental leaks, Sony has officially confirmed the existence of the Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition.

    WGB, Home of AWESOME Reviews Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:59 AM
         Let's delve into a rather baffling news story, shall we? Purveyors of gaming-related statues and merchandist Gaming Heads is claiming that Sony told them to destroy all of their existing PlayStation merch and are now directing customers to Sony in order to claim refunds.

    MonsterVine Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:00 AM
         Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai has fun ideas strewn throughout, but its repetitive nature makes it only really appeal to fans of the series. If you're a fan of anime arena fighters with light musou action, though, then Dai may be worth your time. Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai […]