PCGamesN Saturday, February 3, 2024 5:07 PM  In November 2020, the gaming community was introduced to the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Wireless controller. This controller guided us through the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic as we embarked on adventures in Star Wars Fallen Order and Halo MCC. Many of us, seeking the optimal gaming experience, turned to the PC, wielding the Xbox controller. Why, you might wonder? Well, because it's one of the best PC controllers around. Join me as I dissect the merits and shortcomings of the Xbox wireless controller. Continue reading Xbox Wireless Controller review – it's got the X factor MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
PCGamesN Saturday, February 3, 2024 12:16 PM  Blending the style of classic co-op action RPG Castle Crashers with the roguelite stylings of Dead Cells, Hades, and Rogue Legacy, Lost Castle 2 is the sequel to an oft-overlooked 2016 action roguelike that itself boasts a very respectable 88% Steam rating, giving it a 'very positive' score from almost 20,000 user reviews. As developer Hunter Studio continues to work ahead of the game's planned Steam Early Access launch, a Lost Castle 2 playtest lets you try out the new game right now with a free Steam demo including the first two levels. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games, Best indie games, Best co-op games |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, February 3, 2024 11:09 AM  If you pay attention to industry layoffs, you'll know the news media - media in general, really - is in a bad spot right now. I can't remember the last time it wasn't in a bad spot. Perhaps in the 1930's, which is the setting for News Tower, a newspaper management sim in which you attempt to construct your empire in New York from 1929 onwards. |
Siliconera Saturday, February 3, 2024 3:00 PM
If you follow Japanese merchandise sites, you might have already realized that Tom and Jerry is surprisingly popular in Japan. So much so that Cartoon Network Japan even aired short, incredibly cute episodes of an original anime based on the duo. I mean, look at this.
But what I love about this is both the range and execution of such things. The array of items are really embracing the nostalgia of the series. Yes, we have that incredibly cute spin-off Warner Bros. did based on the characters. However the majority of the actual Tom and Jerry merchandise we're seeing on a regular basis embrace the original designs and characters, as well as the absurdity that goes along with them.
For example, there were two Banpresto Ichiban Kuji featuring the characters, with one that appeared in February 2023 and another in February 2024. The former was a more peaceful one with the "always together morning till night" one with a blanket, figures, keychains, and towels of the cat and mouse generally relaxing together. The more recent "one peaceful day" one featured a plush of Tom hugging Jerry, another figure, and more keychains and accessories. They're these really wholesome ones that show both of the characters at their best.
Even the Japanese Warner Bros store direct is just packed with things I didn't expect. Like sure, there are the sorts of keychains and novelties like chocolates that you'd probably expect. I didn't expect things like ¥6,600 (~$44) wallets and ¥4,620 (~$31) grocery bags, but there they are. Even more shocking was the fact there's a themed hot plate (complete with takoyaki insert) that not only came in at ¥12,900 (~$87), but sold out.
Speaking of the more expensive items, did you know that costly accessories involving Tom and Jerry characters are incredibly common? I had no idea. But a quick peek even showed Q-pot is releasing jewelry that, once again, is selling out and involving the cat and mouse. Some are pretty normal, like Jerry perched on a wedge of cheese as a charm or necklace. But the companies making them are embracing the more absurd nature of the duo too. For example, there's an $82.80 Tom double finger ring. It makes it look like the cat is trapped between two of a person's fingers. It calls to mind some of the more slapstick scenes.
It's that absurdity that perhaps makes Takara Tomy's various merchandise and toys based on Tom and Jerry the best pieces of all. Like as I'm search for ideas for topics to cover for news and such, happening upon these gachapon keychains and figures makes my day. There's the Yummy Food line, which puts Tom, Jerry, and Tuffy/Nibbles in various food items like sandwiches. The cube and squashed Toms in the Funny Art Collection 4 are great. (Though maybe the Funny Art Collection 3 with paper doll tail Tom is better?) I almost imported a 3D rubber mascot keychain of "Waffle Jerry."
I guess it's just really amusing to see these different takes and ways another country is appreciating characters I didn't expect them to enjoy so much. Which means getting to see Tom and Jerry merchandise that makes me realize that oh, right, I used to love that show as a kid too. (Though I still 100% believe Jerry could be a jerk.) Plus, exploring the items means getting to see some silly things brought back to life.
The post I'm Fascinated by All the Tom and Jerry Merchandise From Japan appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, February 3, 2024 12:00 PM
There is no better time than the present to be a visual novel and adventure game fan. The genre has experienced a sort of renaissance within the last decade, with plenty of new and creative titles like the AI: The Somnium Files series or Paranormasight keeping things fresh, and timeless classics like Famicom Detective Club or Type-Moon's legendary Fate/stay night receiving their first ever English release. However, among the genre's vast catalog, I am sorely missing Kyle Hyde's Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Last Window: The Secret of Cape West.
For those unfamiliar, the Kyle Hyde series of games are two investigation titles developed by the now defunct King and released in 2007 and 2010, respectively, for the Nintendo DS. The series focuses on jack of all trades and former NYPD detective Kyle Hyde, a man whose job is to snoop around buildings, bother the inhabitants of apartments, and fulfill the mysterious and hyper-specific contracts that his employer sends him. Nothing shady and mysterious, surely.
The main attraction of the series was its paperback novel aesthetic and gameplay style. To play the games you needed to hold the DS console sideways like a book. You would control Kyle and explore environments with the touchscreen. Characters would occupy a different screen each during dialogue, lending an air of tension and confrontation to the delicate verbal clashes and questionings. The Last Window sequel even included an in-game novel retelling the game's story.
This novel approach (pun intended) wasn't just a fun gimmick, as it made for two very charming and unique titles in the Nintendo DS catalog. And I don't think that the gimmick would necessarily translate poorly into modern platforms. Undeniably, the games would require a lot of work to update them to modern standards, but we have a perfect example of how to revise a series like Hotel Dusk and Last Window. Also developed by Cing, the Another Code games just received a remake in the form of Another Code: Recollection for the Nintendo Switch, and I never thought the games would ever see the light of day again.
The new remake offers a jump in graphical fidelity accompanied by an unavoidable change in style, as well as the gameplay being adapted to suit the Switch. However, developer Arc System Works was able to accurately retain the tone and feel of the series thanks to the company housing many former Cing staff members, including designer, artist, and Kyle Hyde series director Taisuke Kanasaki.
The remake even includes a small nod to the detective that wasn't present in the original, and that I won't spoil for those looking to jump into the remakes (and you definitely should.) Seeing folks at Arc System Works still remember the detective fills me with nostalgia, and makes me want to play as Kyle Hyde once again, maybe even see his story continued.
Among dedicated fans of Cing's catalog, Kyle Hyde also received some renewed attention back in the summer of 2023, thanks to data miners discovering some of the original actors that served as models for the rotoscoped character animations in Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Last Window: The Secret of Cape West.
Over a decade after its last detective adventure, it is clear that Kyle Hyde persists in the minds of its original creators and the minds of fans. And with Arc System Works and Nintendo willing to give another chance to the Another Code series, there is no better time than the present for Kyle Hyde to return.
Another Code: Recollection is now available for the Nintendo Switch.
The post It's the Perfect Time for Hotel Dusk and Last Window to Return appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, February 3, 2024 11:00 AM
RGG Studio has announced that it will release free DLC for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. This is to thank fans for its 1 million units milestone.
The free DLC is an in-game Celebratory T-Shirt Set. Some of the designs that RGG Studio shared in the Tweet include one of the playable characters, one of the Sega logo above pixel art versions of the main characters, and two shirts with Kiryu and Kasuga's full names on them. The replies to RGG Studio's Tweet have been very positive. Some users are even asking if there are any plans to manufacture and sell these shirts in real life. There will be more designs as well. Sega will give more information about when the Celebratory T-Shirt Set DLC will come out for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth in the future.
Since the game came out on January 26, 2024, it has already sold over a million copies worldwide. According to Metacritic, critics gave it an average score of 89 and users gave it an average score of 7.3. Famitsu also gave it a perfect score, making it the 30th game ever and the second Like a Dragon title to get a perfect score from Famitsu. You can read our review for the game here.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is readily available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC. More information on the DLC will come out in the near future.
The post Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Sold 1 Million Units, Gets Free DLC appeared first on Siliconera. |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, February 3, 2024 5:20 PM  If you want to play the smash hit game Palworld on your Android phone or tablet, you will need to download it through an APK. These are compressed files that are able to use your phone's hardware to emulate the game. How to install Palworld on your phone To begin, you must find yourself a trusted APK. These files can be found on various websites. However, you must be cautious of where you get them. They are always going to be third-party websites, and they are often known for malware. Only download the Palworld APK from a trusted site. You can use something like URLVOID to see the safety rating. Screenshot: PC Invasion Before downloading and installing a Palworld APK, you should be aware that it will demand a lot from your Android phone. Ensure you have the hardware actually to emulate the game. Trying to run a big game like this with insufficient hardware will damage your phone. Installing the Palworld APK Follow these steps to install your Palworld APK. Dow... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, February 3, 2024 4:52 PM  If you've had the joy of playing Palworld or even seen any media surrounding it, you may have noticed that the similarities to Pokémon are uncanny. Nintendo is notoriously protective of its intellectual property, so it begs the question, how have Pocket Pair not been sued into oblivion? Not the first of its kind I think the main fortress Palworld can stand behind is the freedom of the genre. Palworld isn't the first game to use the pocket monsters idea and develop it into an RPG. Other titles like Monster Sanctuary and Nexomon have both taken the concept and turned it into a role-playing game. Nintendo has left both of these games well alone. Screenshot: PC Invasion Along with these pocket monster RPG-style games are a huge selection of other similar manga/anime. Yu-Gi-Oh and Digimon have had huge followings and all the related media that goes along with it. Games, cards, toys, and other merchandise have existed off the back of these franchises without a so much... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, February 3, 2024 4:01 PM  The 29th request from Elizabeth in Persona 3 Reload asks you to find a fashionable item for her, but where can you get one? This quest is a little tricky if you don't know where to start looking, but we can help you out. Here's how you can help Elizabeth become more fashionable. Persona 3 Reload: How to find the fashionable item for Elizabeth There are a few steps involved in this request, but it's worth it for the reward. Where you can get the fashionable item for Elizabeth in Persona 3 Reload is at Club Escapade in Paulownia Mall. To enter this club, you'll first need to reach level two Courage, one of your three Social Stats. Screenshot: PC Invasion After speaking to the Luxury Shopkeeper behind the bar, you'll learn that he's selling some fashionable glasses. The only problem is that they cost 150,000 yen, unless you can give him a Black Quartz. But where is this Black Quartz? Speak to Elizabeth about the matter, and she'l... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, February 3, 2024 3:06 PM  Have you accidentally collected too many Personas, and now you're not sure how to release them? Luckily, we can tell you how to get rid of Personas in Persona 3 Reload. There are a few ways you can give yourself more space for other Personas, but there is a definitive method to releasing them. Persona 3 Reload: How to release Personas You have a limited amount of space to hold Personas, so what happens if you run out of precious space? How you can get rid of Personas in Persona 3 Reload is by releasing them in your Persona menu, or Fusing them. One useful method of creating space in your Persona inventory is simply by Fusion. If you Fuse two Personas, it'll get rid of both and turn them into one, giving you one extra spot. But let's say you're either in Tartarus and can't Fuse them, or you just don't have any Fuse options you like, what do you do then? Screenshot: PC Invasion Well, the easy way is to release them through the Persona... |
PC Invasion - FeedDDD Saturday, February 3, 2024 2:44 PM  Similar to the old Persona 3 games, Persona 3 Reload allows you to join clubs, but how can you access them all? If you want to be a decent student and join all the clubs offered you'll also gain access to certain Social Links. Here's what clubs you can join and how to get into them. Persona 3 Reload: All clubs and how to join them While past Persona 3 versions would give you a choice between a few clubs and sports teams, Reload only gives you one option per Social Link. Those would be the Track team, Arts Club, and Fashion Club. There are certain prerequisites to joining some of these clubs, which we'll explain further below. How to join the Track team Screenshot: PC Invasion On 4/23, you'll first hear about the Track team. In previous versions of this game, you could choose the Track, Swim, or Kendo team, but not in Reload. On this same day, you can join the Track team by entering the Gym Hallway and walking into the Practice Field. This wi... |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, February 3, 2024 5:41 PM These claims have yet to be confirmed The post Gamestop is Rumored to be Preparing Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |