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May 15, 12:00


GamersHeroes Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:11 AM
    

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER provides a fantastic futuristic experience that we were all too eager to dive into. While we would have appreciated more runway with its brief tale, ES88's hunt for the Golden Butterfly is well worth a trip down memory lane.

The post Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:45 AM
    

Final Fantasy XIV makes it easy to accessorize your character, but glamming up your display name requires great responsibility. Those little crowns you see next to certain players' names indicate that they are Mentors, who are (in theory) experienced players who can show newer players the ropes in Eorzea. It's a neat…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:35 AM
    

Everyone who's ever played an online game with voice chat has probably experienced something that made them never want to do so again. Toxicity in online games, especially in shooters and other competitive genres, can feel as ingrained and immutable as bad weather. Companies keep saying they're working hard on fixing…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:26 AM
    

Earlier this week, we saw some set photos from the upcoming The Last of Us season two that gave us a look at Bella Ramsey's new get-up as protagonist Ellie. HBO apparently thought that wasn't enough, and has now released the first official images from the second season showing both Ramsey and Joel actor Pedro Pascal…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:15 AM
    

King Charles III, the current monarch of the United Kingdom, unveiled a new portrait of himself on Tuesday, May 14. The portrait, painted by British artist Jonathan Yeo, marks the first official portrait of the king since his coronation one year ago. In the reveal video of the portrait, Charles pulls back a shroud…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:42 AM
    

Street Fighter 6 has a huge roster of martial artists, each with different fighting styles and training methods. Each comes from a different discipline, which means they all have different body types, from Zangief's hulking bodybuilder frame to E. Honda's heavier sumo build. As such, developer Capcom decided to…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:55 AM
    

If it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, and has previously developed extremely popular duck-based video games, then it's fairly safe to say it's a duck. NieR series producer Yosuke Saito, NieR series director and writer Yoko Taro, and NieR series composer Keiichi Okabe are all working on a new game together, but…

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PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:32 AM
     The best new PC games 2024

What are the best new PC games in 2024? Perhaps you've just been paid, your bank account is filled with virtual dosh, or you simply want to get caught up with the latest PC games because they're, well, new and shiny.

It's all well and good starting another round of Warzone, taking on a new 100-hour Football Manager save, or embarking on yet another Skyrim adventure. But, as much as we love firing up our old favorites, there are loads of new PC games that deserve some attention, too. To keep you in the know, we've got the definitive list of the best PC games from the last few months, from big-budget RPG games to indie strategy games. Whatever you're into, stay up to date with all the latest and greatest releases right here on PCGamesN.

Continue reading The best new PC games 2024
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PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:28 AM
     AOC's new 180Hz gaming monitor has a surprisingly low price

AOC has just announced a new budget gaming monitor with a surprisingly low price for the spec on offer. The new AOC 24G4XE has a price of just $146 (£139), but still offers a 180Hz refresh rate, Nvidia- G-Sync compatibility, and a fast IPS panel. If you're on a tight budget, but want a fast gaming monitor, then this new display looks like just the ticket.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: AOC G2590FX review, AOC AGON AG322QCX review, Best gaming monitor

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:10 AM
     It's official, now is the time to buy an OLED gaming monitor

OLED gaming monitor sales have exploded this year, according to a new report. Shipments have already hit 200,000 units, up 121% from the same period last year, making it clear that OLED gaming monitors are becoming a go-to choice for premium gaming screens.

This tallies with our tests, with several of the entrants on our best gaming monitor guide now being OLED models. In particular, displays based on Samsung QD-OLED technology are leading the charge but LG's competing WOLED tech is also proving popular.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Samsung 970 EVO 1TB review, Best SSD for gaming, Best gaming monitor

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:07 AM
     How to play Minecraft snapshots - snapshot 24w20a

How do you install and play a Minecraft snapshot? These snapshots are the very first iteration of Minecraft updates, and are a way for Mojang to test out bug fixes, technical changes, and new mechanics before officially rolling them out. Anyone with the Java edition of the creative game can try these features without any risk to your current world, so let's find out how to be the first to try the next big Minecraft update.

During Minecraft Live each year, the next big Minecraft update is revealed to the community. In past years, we've had the likes of the Caves and Cliffs update, The Wild Update, and the Trails and Tales update - each of them overhauling the base game with new Minecraft biomes, blocks, and mobs. Since these updates come with so much new content, they need to be tested out first, and that's where Minecraft snapshots come in. Use them to test out new experimental features before anyone else, and feedback to Mojang if you have any issues. It's a win-win situation.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:04 AM
     Grab this Lenovo RTX 4060 gaming laptop for $849 while you can

If you're looking to buy a portable gaming machine, but don't have several grand burning a hole in your pocket, then this Lenovo gaming laptop deal from Best Buy is for you. For just $849.99, you can now bag yourself a slimline Lenovo gaming laptop, complete with an AMD Ryzen Zen 4 CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, but you'll need to get in quick as this deal closes soon.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:00 AM
     Upcoming PC games 2024 and beyond

Which games are coming out in 2024? If you're anything like us, your time is already stretched trying to play all the great games out right now, and the year isn't slowing down any time soon. Hope and anticipation, agony and elation - the endless cycle of emotions we go through during the annual PC release schedule.

Year in, year out, games are produced in such varying degrees of quality that not a single one of them is destined for certain success. Some of the best PC games of all time are released alongside utter disasters, series are born while others dwindle, and occasionally a game actually lives up to our expectations. Below you'll find all the upcoming PC games you should keep on your radar, and it's wildly varied. There are racing games, story games, city builders, and more, plus all of their expected release dates.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best PC survival games, Best PC zombie games, The Day Before release date

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:54 AM
     FF14 server status and maintenance times - is FFXIV down?

Is FF14 down? It might be because of ongoing maintenance or server issues if you can't log on to FF14 or access your character. Before worrying about any problems with your game, you'll want to check the FF14 server status and currently scheduled maintenance times below to see if the MMO is offline.

If you can't log into FF14, it's typically because of planned maintenance. The critically acclaimed MMORPG occasionally schedules downtime to implement patches, updates, and other hotfixes or to perform maintenance on the game's servers. Developer Square Enix usually announces these well ahead of time, so be sure to read on and see when future maintenance times are planned.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best MMOs, FF14 Dawntrail release date, FF14 Island Sanctuary guide

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:49 AM
     Sci-fi roguelike with Diablo style combat lands via Steam Early Access

Diablo 4 and its rivals have long had their hardcore modes, where a single death brings an end to your character. Yet the action RPG format has felt somewhat underrepresented when it comes to roguelike games, despite the satisfying gameplay and random loot elements feeling like a perfect fit. Fortunately, one such indie game that I've had a close eye on - Gatekeeper, a sci-fi ARPG roguelike with up to four player co-op - has just arrived via Steam Early Access.


PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:50 AM
     Indie dev delists Steam game to remove all microtransactions

After delisting Wayfinder once it was given publishing control of the game, developer Airship Syndicate has announced some big changes coming to the online fantasy RPG. Namely, when it comes back to Steam there will be no microtransactions or an always-online requirement. Airship Syndicate admits that Wayfinder has had a "rocky past" during its Steam Early Access launch, but sees this pivot as better for the game and its players, especially compared to a complete shutdown.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Wayfinder preview, Best multiplayer games, Best RPG games

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:24 AM
     World of Warcraft's Mists of Pandaria Remix is less WoW, more Diablo

Mists of Pandaria is the best World of Warcraft expansion - there, I said it. The emerald fields and towering bamboo of the Jade Forest, the masterful storytelling: MoP just has it all. WoW Remix: Mists of Pandaria, however, puts a twist on all of that amazingness, offering players the chance to speedrun the leveling process and scale infinitely. That sounds relatively similar to one of Blizzard's other demonic franchises, so I ask senior game designer Brian Dowling and senior tech analyst Ciji Bambrick whether or not WoW's latest LTM borrows anything from Diablo.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: WoW The War Within beta sign up, WoW The War Within release date, The best WoW addons

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:22 AM
     Diablo 4 Season 4 release date

When does Diablo 4 Season 4 start? A much-loved feature from Diablo 3 makes its return in D4 with the (re)introduction of seasons, adding everything from new questlines to items, gameplay mechanics, and more. Expanding on the rich, gothic world of Sanctuary, Blizzard makes sure players have plenty to sink their teeth into, whether you're a fresh-faced player taking their first steps into Sanctuary or a grizzled veteran of the Burning Hells.

We recently saw the Diablo 4 Season 4 release date roll around, and the good news is that it is there in time for the arrival of D4 on Game Pass. Just like every other seasonal event, it added a whole bunch of new content to explore in Blizzard's action RPG game, no matter whether you're a level 100 player who's been around since the Diablo 4 release date or someone who is considering jumping into the game now it's coming to Game Pass.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4 review, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:17 AM
     The Red Queen has taken over this AMD-powered Resident Evil gaming PC

Somebody call the S.T.A.R.S because we have a problem on our hands. This Red Queen gaming PC build is an awe-inspiring homage to the character from the Resident Evil movie franchise. With gorgeous red lighting and stunning water-cooling, this has to be one of the best Resident Evil-themed builds we've seen. 

Thanks to our rapidly growing PC building Facebook page, we've seen many custom gaming PCs, from mods based on existing case designs to scratch builds. You can even submit yours for consideration right here. Here we chat to 'Realm_Aus' about how they assembled and designed this PC.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:33 AM
     Best Marvel Snap decks May 2024

What are the best Marvel Snap decks? The Marvel Snap 'A Blink in Time' season is here, bringing with it new cards including Sasquatch and Nocturne, new variants, and more. If you're wondering which existing decks they fit with, or which new meta decks they might create - as well as the best decks for Marvel Snaps Conquests - you're in the right place.

The Marvel Snap meta is constantly changing, but whether you're a well-traveled veteran well into series four or five, you're still unlocking some deck staples in series three, or you're still in the early days getting to grips with how all the cards interact with one another in one of the best card games on PC, we're here to help. We have a list of all the best decks in the Marvel Snap meta at the moment, followed by the best beginner decks for new players.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Marvel Snap decks, Next Marvel Snap season release date, Marvel Snap Silver Surfer deck

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:06 AM
     After fifteen years, one of the greatest RTS games gets a full sequel

It's gratifying, of course, when you get to the end of Civilization or Cities Skylines 2 and step back to marvel at your colossal creation. Personally, though, it's all about the little moments in strategy games - the perfect ambush in XCOM, forming the ideal blocking position in Company of Heroes, capturing a single base in Command and Conquer. Add-ons, spin-offs, and pseudo follow ups have come and gone, but one classic RTS game series has been absent in the main for fifteen years. Thankfully, that's just changed - Men of War is finally back.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Men of War II announcement, The best RTS games on PC, The best war games on PC

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:06 AM
     One of 2023's best and most overlooked games is now on PC Game Pass

From Baldur's Gate 3 to Sea of Stars, 2023 was a year packed with some of the best PC games around. But amid highlights like Diablo 4, Lethal Company, and the Resident Evil 4 Remake, you might have missed the fantastic Chants of Sennaar, an indie game from developer Rundisc. Rated an 'overwhelmingly positive' 98% on Steam from almost 12,000 Steam user reviews and a personal favorite of mine, you can now play it at no additional cost if you're a subscriber to PC Game Pass.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, Best puzzle games, Best story games

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:45 AM
     When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event?

When is the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz? This special, limited-time event allows players to trade the usually locked golden stickers up to five times a day. This is an ideal solution for grabbing elusive missing stickers and completing albums quickly. While you can trade these up to five times a day, each event is limited to two specific stickers, set by Scopely.

There's no official schedule for Monopoly Go's Golden Blitz event, so a lot of sites that confirm dates are actually speculating based on the current Monopoly Go events. While you're waiting for the next Golden Blitz, make sure to keep on top of other freebies with our free Monopoly Go dice links guide, which is updated several times a day with the newest links.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Free PC games, Monopoly Go dice

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:45 AM
     The 47 best Minecraft mods May 2024

What are the best Minecraft mods in 2024? Every game of vanilla Minecraft can vary quite dramatically, and the best Minecraft mods go one step further to provide an entirely new experience. Whether you love creative building, terrifying survival, or speedrunning the story, we've got the mod for you below. We've included interface mods and tools to make things easier, too.

All the Minecraft mods below are divided into sections, depending on what you want to do with the sandbox game – from simple utility changes to deep world mods you can get lost in for months. If you like to browse, the CurseForge Minecraft game mods hub has a whole section dedicated to the best Minecraft mods and add-ons - as well as equivalents for many of the other best PC games right now.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:46 AM
     Best Fallout 4 mods 2024

What are the best Fallout 4 mods on PC? Despite having been around for nearly a decade, Fallout 4 remains one of the most popular games in the series, thanks in no small part to its vibrant modding community. With the Fallout TV series now spiking interest in the Bethesda series again, what better time than to jump back in with more modded gameplay.

Thanks to mods like these, RPG games like Fallout 4 enjoy such longevity after launch. To celebrate the weird and wonderful creations of the Fallout 4 mod community, we've picked more than 50 of the best Fallout 4 mods to get you on your way to a more interesting Boston Wasteland. If that's not enough tinkering for you, check out our list of Fallout 4 console commands, which give you even more customization in one of the best PC games around.

Continue reading Best Fallout 4 mods 2024
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fallout 4 console commands, Fallout 4 mods, Fallout 4 System Requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:40 AM
     Hades 2 Arcana Cards explained

What are the Hades 2 Arcana Cards? The Hades 2 early access is now out, giving fans a sneak peek of their favorite roguelike as it returns for a daring sequel. One of the new mechanics are the Arcana Cards, a special set of cards that contain power-ups capable of turning Melinoë into a killing machine.

We still don't know how far away the Hades 2 release date will be, as the game is currently in early access. That said, there's plenty about the roguelike game to help you get the best Hades 2 build. We've also found most of the Hades 2 Boons and Hades 2 Keepsakes so you see what the best ones are to match with this new mechanic. Here's what the Hades 2 Arcana Cards do and how you can use them to power up Melinoë.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games, Hades 2 boons, Hades 2 Gods

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:01 AM
     13 of the best dating sims on PC

What are the best dating sims? These games all feature carousels of cute, courtable characters ready for romance. Whether you're moving into a sleepy seaside town searching for love or ready to find that spark with a kick-flipping dinosaur schoolmate, players have more options now than ever to date around.

While dating is at the forefront of these simulators, great examples of the genre are feature-rich, captivating settings, underlying intrigue, and unique art direction, some of which could even be considered the best PC games overall. The top dating simulators tend to twist the traditional visual novel style and fork it into a new genre, such as adventure games or dungeon crawling - and, believe it or not, one or two even take inspiration from horror games. Regardless of where you want to look for love, this list has you covered with the best dating sims to play in 2024.


PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:18 AM
     Starfield Shattered Space DLC release date window and latest news

When is the Starfield Shattered Space DLC release date? Despite being one of the biggest Bethesda games ever made, the developer isn't content with leaving it as it is, revealing that at least one expansion is on the way.

Bethesda has already confirmed the space game's first DLC: Shattered Space. While we don't know if there will ever be a Starfield sequel, we at least know the world will be broadened with expansions, perhaps in a similar fashion to Skyrim or Fallout 4. So, what do we know about Shattered Space, the first Starfield DLC?

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PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:13 AM
     Life by You mods, support, and wishlist

What are the Life by You mods? Publisher Paradox Interactive takes a positive stance on mods across all the games in their portfolio, and the likes of Cities Skylines, Stellaris, and Crusader Kings all have rich modding communities. It stands to reason that Life by You would be no different, and creator Rod Humble has already given his stamp of approval.

The upcoming life game includes built-in tools that allow modders to create custom content for just about anything their heart desires, from build lots to wardrobe customization. Developer Willem Delventhal calls Life by You "one of the most moddable life sims out there" in the official 'Modding 101' YouTube series, and we're inclined to agree. So, whether you're a seasoned content creator or a mod fanatic, here's the lowdown on Life by You mod support and the top mods we want to see.

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PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:02 AM
     Genshin Impact tier list May 2024: the best characters in 4.6

Looking for a Genshin Impact tier list? There are currently 85 Genshin Impact characters available, providing you with a wide variety of candidates to construct your dream team. But with so many 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, May 15, 2024 9:00 AM
     Retro RPG with big new version is like Commandos meets Baldur's Gate 3

It's nine months since Baldur's Gate 3 launched in full, which means you're probably on your twentieth playthrough by now. Epic, open, and impelled by choices that have real, tangible consequences, Larian's opus remains the pinnacle of the genre. But maybe it's time for something a little different. Finally available in a huge new version, a CRPG, played from the classic, isometric viewpoint of legends like Fallout and Planescape, feels like a fantastical twist on the beloved - and soon to be returning - Commandos series. This is definitely worth a look.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPGs on PC, Best old games on PC, Best co-op games on PC

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 15, 2024 7:59 AM
     Grimoires Era codes May 2024

May 15, 2024: We're still waiting for Grimoires Era codes to drop for the upcoming update.

What are the new Grimoires Era codes? This Roblox experience has you choosing between the forces of good and evil in an open-world adventure. Will you fight for justice, or is being bad all too enticing? No matter which side you choose, you'll need to get your hands on freebies to help you get started.

Grimoires Era is one of the up-and-coming Roblox games, thanks to its anime inspiration. It's a trendy genre, with some of the best experiences out there also having their own set of codes. We have all the active Blox Fruit codes, Blade Ball codes, and Anime Champions Simulator codes if you fancy something a little different, but with that said, we've done all the hard work to gather all the active Grimoires Era codes below.

Continue reading Grimoires Era codes May 2024
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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:08 AM
    

Graham said he wanted someone to write about Little Kitty, Big City, asked if I liked cats, at which point my soul was possessed by some kind of deep animus. "I really like cats, I just hate the internet UWU nonsense about cats," I said. "God it's awful, I can't stand it, Jesus Christ it's just an empty and terrible way to talk about cats, cats don't deserve to be the internet animal-" at which point Graham managed to interrupt and said I was exactly the person who should write about Little Kitty, Big City.

I promise, I approached Little Kitty, Big City with an open heart, because I do really like cats. But given my aversion to their babification by the internet, it may be surprising that my chief complaint about Little Kitty, Big City is that the hats in it are largely not cute enough. This is a bold claim, because there are more than 40 to collect.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:00 AM
    

Nic reckons Homeworld 3, the long-awaited spacefaring RTS, is mostly pretty good. Qualified hoorays for that, as well as for the fact that it doesn't make especially mad demands of your hardware: besides netting a Steam Deck Playable badge from Valve, its minimum PC specs only list the likes of the Intel Core i5-6600 and Nvidia's GTX 1060. Easily doable, for most aspiring galactic admirals.

Once a battle gets underway, however, Homeworld 3's performance can start tanking, turning an initially smooth engagement into a more stutter-prone light show. The good news? You can more than double your framerates with a relatively small handful of graphics setting changes, even if some these (including the DLSS and FSR 2 upscalers) can be a tad inconsistent in their own right.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:38 AM
    

The characters in Read Only Memories: Neurodiver are deeply into anime. They love manga and figurines and trashy movies and horror novels. The interests of the game's creators have not so much leaked into this fictional world as they have been generously pumped in with an industrial hose. Even the visual novel's loading screens take the form of those two-second intermission panels that flash up to signal an anime's commercial break, complete with random characters announcing the game's name ("Neurodiver!"). In moments like that, the passion is endearing. But in other places, it is overwhelming. Neurodiver is obsessed with media in a way that often distracted me from the bright-eyed cyberpunk story it wants to tell.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:30 AM
    

Last week, I watched one of my favourite badminton players Kento Momota play his final match. As he stepped off court for the last time, I found myself welling up. He doesn't know me - of course he doesn't - and I don't know him. But for ten years I'd watch him at every opportunity and see him grow into one of the all-time greats. For me, his retirement wasn't only devastating in the sense he was a great ambassador for the sport: a positive soul, a good speaker, a hard worker. No, it also spelled the end of us being able to witness something impossible to replicate, a 'game' of badminton uniquely his. And for a magical two years, he had the best game in the world.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:14 AM
    

I have a couple of takes on Nico Papalia's new RPG Athenian Rhapsody, which launched on Steam yesterday and still has a demo. The first is that it's a brighter, glitzier version of Toby Fox's Undertale that looks like it belongs on Gameboy Advance - a retro parody created in GameMaker whose turn-based combat houses many an inventive minigame, and whose writing doesn't so much break the fourth wall as moonwalk along the parapet, showering the player in poop, anime tropes and off-colour mental health advice.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:00 AM
    

Wayfinder, currently a free-to-play RPG developed by Airship Syndicate, is undergoing a pretty drastic change in its upcoming Echoes patch. Right now it's a live-service game with microtransactions, but soon it'll continue as a paid co-op RPG with no in-game monetisation. And that's alongside promised tweaks to how progression works, too. Huh. It's often you see paid games go free-to-play, but this is an unexpected switcheroo.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 6:58 AM
    

The Sims 4 is nothing if not a teetering jenga tower of updates and add-ons and DLC packs, and the latter half of 2024 will be no exception for EA's life sim king. Yesterday saw the release of an update to the base game's swimwear, kicking off the updates teased in the recently-revealed new roadmap, Season Of Love. The roadmap video's vibe is that it and its partner saw you from across the bar and wondered if you'd be interested in joining them, and it kind of weirds me out.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 6:29 AM
    

I think most would agree that the artist formerly known as Twitter has never been in more need of a thermonuclear cleansing. The Musk era has transformed what was already fondly known as a hellsite into something at once more obnoxious and sadder, whether you're talking about the web3 grifters or the resurgent debate-me cryptofascists or the recommendation algorithm's perceptibly greater enthusiasm for quote-tweet flamebait.

Still, there are lights in the darkness. Yesterday, Graham pointed us towards a thread started by The End Is Nigh developer Tyler Glaiel in which he challenged other developers to "take a short break, pick a number in your code or data files, multiply it by 1000, and post the results". Other developers have heeded the call. Here's a round-up of the results that doubles as a watery echo of Alice0's (RPS in peace) old Screenshot Saturday Monday features.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 6:09 AM
    

Old-school FPS adventure The Explorator contains much more intense shooty violence than the adorable lizardy folk that populate it might immediately suggest. I really want to use the word 'zany' without irony here to describe its hand-drawn 2D style and animations, but I'm afraid that ship has long since sailed into the sun. I'll go with 'caffeinated' I think. Like the Adult Swim cartoons it reminded me of, it's got a sense of the sardonic and a penchant for violence, but still comes from a place of having recently devoured several bowls of suspiciously colorful cereal. Anyways, forget all that. I mentioned an FPS in the title, so I must assume you're here for the violence.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 5:43 AM
    

Look, you've had 15 years to play that well-regarded time-bending puzzler sitting in your Steam library, staring at you this whole time. Well, now you can have another 15 years. Braid Anniversary Edition is out on Steam now, a high definition remastering of a classic indie. It got stuck in time following a few delays but it's finally defrosted now. The sharper look will appeal to pixel perfectionists, but there are also 40 new levels for serial rewinders. And - for those interested in the thought processes of designer Jonathan Blow - a bunch of developer commentary.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 5:28 AM
    

Do you love the smell of napalm in the morning? If so, you'll probably love the smell of Valheim's Ashlands biome, which has just launched for all players after a period of beta testing. Sadly, my computer is incapable of producing smells beyond a faint reek of encrusted pasta sauce and regret, but if it did, I imagine I'd even now be basking in the aroma of burning bone and feather, because that is what the 10 new creatures you'll meet in the Ashlands consist of, broadly. Shout-out in particular for the monster that resembles a combusting sink clog with spider legs. Very Possum-esque.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 15, 2024 4:44 AM
    

Thrones of Decay - the expansion for strategy game Total War: Warhammer 3 that finally made it viable to steamroll the old world with a doomstack of 20 tanks, just as Franz intended - just released around three weeks ago, but developers Creative Assembly are already on their third hotfix. This one is mainly aimed at re-balancing an overly demanding new grudge system for the Dwarfs that punished players for stopping to enjoy a swift pint of Bugman's instead of constantly being on the offensive, but also includes so many other fixes it's veering into larger patch territory.

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Twinfinite Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:17 AM
    
Melinoe will kick your arsenal

Twinfinite Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:11 AM
    
The chequered flag is on the horizon.

Twinfinite Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:08 AM
    
Tu-tu-du-du!

Twinfinite Wednesday, May 15, 2024 5:24 AM
    
Never say no to freebies.

Twinfinite Wednesday, May 15, 2024 5:14 AM
    
Freebies? Don't mind if I do.

Twinfinite Wednesday, May 15, 2024 5:08 AM
    
Can you rig RNG into your favor with these?

Siliconera Wednesday, May 15, 2024 12:00 PM
    

See the Fate/Samurai Remnant Saber Nendoroid Prototype `

Good Smile Company offered an update on the Fate/Samurai Remnant Saber Nendoroid by sharing a picture of the unpainted prototype on social media. There's still no release window for it, however. 

Due to the identity of this Saber character being one of the game's mysteries, they are only referred to as that to avoid spoilers. It is shown with a smiling face and wearing a standard outfit. There is a sword in its sheath on the back, suggesting the full figure will come with one the character can also wield. The Japanese version of the announcement also noted it is on display at the Fate/Samurai Remnant Collaboration event in Motto Cafe in Japan.

Here is how the Fate/Samurai Remnant Saber Nendoroid prototype looks alongside a screenshot of the character from the game.

Since the Fate/Samurai Remnant's launch, we've seen quite a bit of DLC for the game. For example, The Record's Fragment: Keian Command Championship DLC pack appeared in February 2024 and focused on Gilgamesh.

Fate/Samurai Remnant is available for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. The Saber Nendoroid is in development, and there is no release window for the figure yet.

The post See the Fate/Samurai Remnant Saber Nendoroid Prototype  appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:30 AM
    

New Darkstalkers Morrigan Figure Leans on a Coffin

First 4 Figures opened pre-orders for its latest Darkstalkers Morrigan figure, though technically there are four options due to variants and special editions. All of them are expected to ship in Q2 2025, with standard versions costing 469.99 and exclusive editions with light-up bases costing $489.99.

People can get Morrigan in her standard attire or her player two version. (The second option gives her the same color scheme as Lilith, the entity created from part of Morrigan's soul.) Each of them is almost 17 inches tall when posed on their bases. Both are resin, numbered figures. In each case, the exclusive edition is identical, save for the lights in the base. 

There is also an early bird offer in effect. Normally, the standard figures are $469.99, the exclusive editions are $489.99, and a combo edition includes both exclusive editions for $949.99. However, the early bird offer in effect until June 16, 2024 takes $25 off the standard ones, $30 off the exclusive models, and $70 off the bundle.

Here is a closer look at how the standard version of the First 4 Figures Darkstalkers Morrigan figure looks from all angles.

This is how the player two variant of the figure looks:

Finally, this is how the exclusive editions of both the standard and player two versions of the statue look when someone turns on the LED lights on the base. While Morrigan herself looks different in both versions, the lights and bases remain the same.

There is also an official trailer looking at both variants:

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

One of the last Morrigan figures to appear ahead of this one came from Good Smile Company. She and Lilith joined the Pop Up Parade line. Both of those are available in Japan and expected to appear globally later in 2024.

First 4 Figures' Darkstalkers Morrigan standard and player two figure variants are scheduled to be released in Q2 2025. The early bird pricing offer is in effect until June 16, 2024.

The post New Darkstalkers Morrigan Figure Leans on a Coffin appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:00 AM
    

See Street Fighter 6 AKI, Akuma, Ed, and Rashid Outfit 3 Costumes

The Street Fighter 6 DLC characters AKI, Akuma, Ed, and Rashid will be getting Outfit 3 costumes in the game. Ahead of their May 22, 2024 debut, Capcom shared a trailer going over all four of the new looks. 

Names for the four costumes weren't shared. However, to help people get a better idea of what to expect from the Street Fighter 6 AKI, Akuma, Ed, and Rashid Outfit 3 costumes. Things start with Rashid in green and black athletic wear and Edd in a long, black and red coat over a full uniform. They are walking to meet Akuma, who is wearing a traditional outfit with oni elements, and AKI, who is in a fashionable, trending outfit with glasses, ahead of a match.

From there, the focus is on showing how the new Street Fighter 6 costumes compare to DLC character original outfits. First, we see Rashid in his new and old looks during a fight. This is followed by AKI in her new attire. Ed shows up in his jacket, hat, and uniform. Finally, Akuma appears in his mask. 

Here is the "Street Fighter 6 - Rashid, A.K.I., Ed, Akuma Outfit 3 Showcase Trailer."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bklcJ8uiuMY

Prior to this Capcom showed off Akuma's Outfit 2.

Street Fighter 6 is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC, and the Akuma and Outfit 3 DLC character add-ons release date is May 22, 2024. Rashid, AKI, and Ed are all already available as DLC.

The post See Street Fighter 6 AKI, Akuma, Ed, and Rashid Outfit 3 Costumes appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:30 AM
    

xFinal Hi-Fi Rush Patch and Physical Release Confirmed

The official social media account for Hi-Fi Rush announced that the physical release of the Tango Gameworks game will still release, as will one last patch. Limited Run Games also suggested it would still happen last week online on May 9, 2024.

The Hi-Fi Rush patch will arrive first. The announcement noted that will debut sometime on May 15, 2024. It will only focus on "minor issues." This means it might just be bug fixes to ensure it will continue to run properly.

As for the Limited Run Games Hi-Fi Rush physical release, it noted the team is still working to make that happen. It was announced in February 2024, alongside the PS5 reveal. Both PS5 and Xbox Series X retail copies were confirmed at that time. 

Here is the tweet. Note that it is the first one to appear on the social media account since an April 29, 2024 one that appeared in honor of Golden Week.

https://twitter.com/hifiRush/status/1790728899875213673

This reassurance comes after we learned Microsoft decided to shutter Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin. 

Hi-Fi Rush is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and a physical Limited Run Games release is in development. The final patch for the game will appear on May 15, 2024.

The post Final Hi-Fi Rush Patch and Physical Release Confirmed appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10:01 AM
    

Review: Read Only Memories: Neurodiver Is Worth the Wait

When a game is delayed once or twice, it can seem like a natural part of the process. Multiple delays? That might leave someone a little concerned. Read Only Memories: Neurodiver initially had a 2020 release window. That got bumped back to 2021. Then, it was delayed to 2022. That was followed by a 2023 window. The release date trailer even lampshaded all this. But now it is finally debuting on May 16, 2024, and it feels well worth the wait.

In Read Only Memories: Neurodiver's future, there exist espers with special abilities that allow them to tap into other people. One of them is Esper-8801, a young woman working with a company called MINERVA that is on the cutting edge of all types of technology. As the game begins, we see her preparing for an exam that will allow her to freely work with the Neurodiver, a bioengineered organism that she works alongside to step into people's memories, repair them, and uncover valuable information. After the prologue that sets the stage, we flash forward to a more confident ES88 who is comfortable in her role and dealing with a menace called Golden Butterfly. This individual is messing with people's minds, and it is up to ES88 and the Neurodiver to set things right.

Like the original 2064: Read Only Memories, Read Only Memories: Neurodiver is again set in a colorful, cyberpunk world and features a diverse cast of characters. It also mixes point-and-click adventure elements with visual novel staples, what with ES88 interacting with the real world, speaking with individuals, and obtaining items in people's memories to repair anomalies and uncover truths. There's a lot of exploration here and opportunities to interact with environments and folks, which I appreciated. 

Especially since it all looks and sounds so gorgeous. Neo-San Francisco is a lavish and detailed world, with elaborate sprite work making everything feel unique. It's otherworldly, which is appropriate given how the supernatural elements like espers and high technology mix. At the same time, it's familiar and reassuring in ways, with otherworldly spaces still feeling comforting and familiar due to natural elements like trees or seeing that people still enjoy things like magical girl series. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it is a well actualized, so that even it can almost feel alien due to the color schemes, technology, and types of encounters, the combination of the work put into the lore, design, and art makes it feel plausible. 

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

Of course, a big part of what makes Read Only Memories: Neurodiver work so well is the script. The story is absolutely fantastic, and it's engaging and thrilling. Characters' personalities are handled well and make them all feel memorable, even if you only interact with them briefly in the grand scheme of things. The mystery is handled well, with a climax that builds up in a satisfying way. Not to mention I found it quite well-paced. Add a stellar cast of voice actors, and it really is a delight to play. 

Now, it's been years since I played the original 2064: Read Only Memories. So long that, by the time I played Read Only Memories: Neurodiver, I admittedly forgot a lot. But the good thing about this is that it almost made me feel like I was coming in as a new player. As such, I can say the game is incredibly accessible and friendly to someone who didn't play the first game. There are references to events and returning characters, but it really does feel like a new experience, with new heroine ES88 helping us ease into things.

Read Only Memories: Neurodiver is worth the wait. As you play through it, you can see why it took Midboss so much time to craft the adventure, its characters, and its world. As I went through different people's memories and delved into the mystery, it constantly felt like a labor of love for everyone involved.

Read Only Memories: Neurodiver will appear on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and PC on May 16, 2024

The post Review: Read Only Memories: Neurodiver Is Worth the Wait appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:30 AM
    

lapras pokemon plush header

The Pokemon Center is selling a giant, 34-inch Lapras Poke Plush. It's available for $300 and will come out in mid-December 2024.

According to the description on the website, the Lapras plush is big enough to play on. So you can pretend like you're riding on a Lapras in your house. It's made of polyester fiber, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyurethane foam. It can go into the water, technically, but you definitely cannot ride it into a pool. Some key details on the Lapras plush include the individual spikes on its shell and the two blue dots at the back of its head.

Lapras is one of the original 151 Pokemon and is a dual Water and Ice type that originates from the Kanto region. It seems to take cues from marine monsters such as the Loch Ness Monster. In Japan, Lapras is the ambassador Pokemon for the Miyagi Prefecture. This means that Lapras often appears in tourism campaigns for that prefecture, such as a Lapras-themed cafe that was around for a limited time from December 2021 to January 2022.

The Pokemon Lapras Poke Plush will come out in mid-December 2024. You can put in your orders now via the Pokemon Center website.

The post Big Lapras Pokemon Plush Almost 3 Feet Tall appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:00 AM
    

demon slayer usj

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba will be returning to USJ, as the theme park will once again hold a collaboration with the show. This time, there will be attractions based on the Swordsmith Village and Hashira Training Arcs. [Thanks, Oricon!]

The Demon Slayer collaboration at USJ will run from July 19, 2024 to January 5, 2025. There is a new key visual, featuring characters from the aforementioned arcs such as Mitsuri and Muichirou. There will be two new attractions: an XR ride and a Dream Ride. USJ's XR rides usually are a slower roller coaster in which you go through and "experience" the events of the theme, including with some 4D elements like fog and voices.

As for merchandise you can get during this event, you can get a gourd that looks like the one Tanjiro used for his breathing training. This gourd will contain popcorn. More food and drinks based on Demon Slayer will be available in the USJ collaboration restaurant.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga series. The manga ran from 2016 to 2020, and ufotable's anime series started airing in 2019. It's so popular that the movie adaptation of the Mugen Train arc even surpassed Spirited Away to become the highest grossing film in Japan. Currently, it's airing the Hashira Training Arc, which you can watch on services like Crunchyroll.

The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba collaboration event will be at USJ from July 19, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

The post Demon Slayer Will Return to USJ in Summer 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 15, 2024 12:00 PM
     Lorelei And The Laser EyesI won't often choose to pick up a puzzle game unless I am playing alongside a friend. However, it's games like this that remind me that I should give them more of a chance. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is stylish, a little funny, and certainly satisfying if you have the patience. A slow starter While playing Lorelei and The Laser Eyes for review, I have to admit that it took my brain more than a minute to get warmed up to the process. It had been a long time since I had played a puzzle game like this, and I don't even do crosswords or sudoku in my spare time. I hardly have a brain prepared for cryptics. However, after an hour or so of playtime, things started to come together. I began to understand how the game was trying to fool me with the way it constructed its brain teasers. It was at this point that Lorelei and The Laser Eyes started to become fun, and I really got into the swing of things. Screenshot: PC Invasion Lorelei and The Laser Eyes isn̵...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:57 AM
     Diablo 4 Season 4 Iron Wolves Featured ImagePlaying through Diablo 4 Season 4 sees a whole ton of new items and gear coming in from the open-handed but needy Iron Wolves. However, sometimes it is best to hold off collecting Iron Wolf rewards until you have reached a higher level, triggering higher-level Diablo 4 items. Should you wait to open Iron Wolf rewards? What this really comes down to is the change in how Diablo 4 plays and the loot system works. The Iron Wolf rewards are indicative of this, and you're going to be absolutely rolling in loot throughout Diablo 4 Season 4. So, open and unlock all the Iron Wolf rewards as you get them, including the Unique Caches. Diablo 4 Season 4 has been dubbed Loot Reborn for a good reason. You needn't worry about opening things like caches and rewards too early because, before long, you'll have more loot than you know what to do with. Within a few hours of playtime, I had more uniques and was scrapping things for their aspects constantly. Image: Blizzard ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:35 AM
     Wuthering Waves CharactersThere are 17 characters (known as resonators) in Wuthering Waves that we'll get to draw and play with. Each of them are fully voiced, with a great cast of voice actors, both English and Japanese. All voice actors for Wuthering Waves The information I have about the voice actors for the characters in Wuthering Waves have come from leaks and the X pages of the game itself. However, not all information is public, so unfortunately this is an incomplete list. Many of the voice actors have been announced or found out, however, so you should be able to recognise a few. As more information becomes public, I'll update the following information. As it stands, this list is the most up-to-date I could find. Image: Kuro games CharacterEnglish Voice ActorJapanese Voice ActorRover (male)Chase BrownToshiki MatsudaRover (female)Jane JacksonInori MinaseLinyinNaomi McdonaldAmi KoshimizuLingyanAleksander VaradianNatsuki HanaeJiyanAlex JordanYuki OnoTaoqi Clare Louis ConnollyHin...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:21 AM
     The Diablo 4 Helltide changes make the game fun again as leveling up is a breezeSoldiering through the levels is fun in Diablo 4, albeit tiresome if you've done it multiple times. Fortunately, the Helltide changes in Diablo 4 Season 4 make leveling up a breeze. Let me show you how to level up in record-breaking time. How to level up fast in Diablo 4 Season 4 One of the most impactful changes to Diablo 4 this season, aside from fast travel crashes, is the Helltide changes. Helltides are now accessible at any World Tier and are always active bar the short cooldown when the area moves. We used to use other methods to level up quickly, but Helltides provide a steady source of enemies we can use instead. The enemy density in Helltides is so high they are hands-down the best place to level up. Gear also drops at a decent rate, so you can chase Helltides through the entire leveling process if you wish. To level up fast in Diablo 4, I recommend playing on World Tier 1 with a brand new character and heading straight to a Helltide. You can fight enemies ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 15, 2024 11:12 AM
     Where To Get Royal Jelly In BaladinsWhile completing The Love Doctor quest, you'll be asked to find Royal Jelly. But where can you get Royal Jelly in Baladins? Baladins: Where to find Royal Jelly You can't find the hidden ending to The Love Doctor quest if you don't find Royal Jelly, but it isn't an easy item to find. To earn a Love Letter, you need to give Bungus Royal Jelly. You can get Royal Jelly in Baladins by Beekeeping at the Guild Hall. One of the first quests you'll probably pick up during your first time loop in Baladins is The Love Doctor. The only way to acquire a Love Letter is to give Bungus (who resides in the Cork Forest) Royal Jelly, yet the game doesn't exactly tell you where to find this item. Luckily, you don't have to move too far to get this item, as it's located in the same region. Screenshot: PC Invasion I wasn't able to get this done in the first time loop, but in your second or third you should head to the Guild Hall. Then und...

WGB Wednesday, May 15, 2024 8:26 AM
     PlayStation 5 may be outselling the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series S at a ration of 5:1.

WGB Wednesday, May 15, 2024 8:05 AM
     The Xbox 360 digital store closes on July 29. To celebrate, Xbox has announced a massive sale across a bunch of Xbox 360 titles with more to come.