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Aug 30, 12:00


Kotaku Friday, August 30, 2024 11:55 AM
    

Red Thread Games' adventure/rhythm/action game Dustborn has been out for a week and a half now, and it's spent most of that time at the center of culture war bullshit. The game certainly has some problems we laid out in our review, but if you search the game on Google right now and look at the user reviews, you'll see

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Kotaku Friday, August 30, 2024 11:30 AM
    

On paper, Visions of Mana seems tailor-made for on-the-go play. The combat doesn't require complex strings of button mashing, the clearly marked story objectives help orient you even on a small screen, and the many side quests are perfect fodder for pick-up-and-play sessions. The remakes of the first three Mana games…

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Kotaku Friday, August 30, 2024 10:40 AM
    

This morning, August 30, Nintendo dropped a new look at the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. At a little over five minutes long, the latest trailer shows off a number of new features for the Hyrule Princess' adventure. A realm called the Still World, full of complex dungeons and inventive puzzle…

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Kotaku Friday, August 30, 2024 10:30 AM
    

Visions of Mana is a vibrant and charming role-playing game that harkens back to the classics many of us grew up enjoying, providing hours of enjoyable exploration, character customization, and storytelling. If you're diving into this new adventure in the Mana franchise, here are some tips for your travels so that you…

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Kotaku Friday, August 30, 2024 10:10 AM
    

Releasing September 4, Age of Mythology: Retold is the fourth and final remake of Assemble's classic early 2000s Age Of… RTS series, following on from the legendary Age of Empires III. Released at a time when strategy games ruled PC gaming, all four games have remained well loved over the intervening 15 to 20 years,…

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Kotaku Friday, August 30, 2024 10:00 AM
    

Touted as the world's first "AAAA" game by Ubisoft, Skull and Bones launched exclusively on Ubisoft Connect and Epic Games Store to middling reviews from the gaming community. It was a live-service game that players and critics thought lacked substance, and the memes began to pour forth poking fun at the "AAAA"…

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Kotaku Friday, August 30, 2024 9:30 AM
    

Star Wars Outlaws is a massive game teeming with stuff to do, and it can feel a little bit overwhelming at first. But before you even start playing, there's a range of options that could make your life easier. As is so often the case with Ubisoft games, there's a wide variety of settings relating to both difficulty…

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PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 11:38 AM
     FF14 server status and maintenance times - is FFXIV down?

August 30, 2024: We've updated the FF14 server status for today.

Is FF14 down? If you can't log on to FF14 or access your character, it might be due to ongoing maintenance or server issues. 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 Friday, August 30, 2024 11:23 AM
     DBD codes August 2024

August 30, 2024: We've checked for new DBD codes.

What are the new DBD codes? These freebie-granting DBD rewards can actually be quite hard to keep up with since they arrive pretty regularly, which is no bad thing. We're never going to complain about in-game giveaways, and Dead by Daylight codes can give you anything from outfits to charms, and even Bloodpoints and Iridescent Shards.

Whether you want your favorite DBD killers to get a stylish new look, or you want to add to your survivors' wardrobes, be sure to redeem the codes below before it's too late. There may also be codes for Dead by Daylight Bloodpoints, Rift Fragments, and charms, so there are plenty of goodies to be had. Some of these Dead by Daylight codes are ongoing though, so you may have snapped them up already.

Continue reading DBD codes August 2024
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 11:29 AM
     All confirmed Black Ops 6 maps

What are the Black Ops 6 maps? The multiplayer experience, especially in Call of Duty, hinges on a few key factors: the feel of the guns, the quality of the movement, and how good the maps are. The maps on offer with each CoD release can turn it from a dud to an instant classic, with several old-school maps finding their way into each release due to their popularity.

We've been given a sneak peek at what's to come, and even though the Black Ops 6 release date is still a ways away, we've got the 16 confirmed multiplayer maps for CoD at launch. The development team went into some detail about how they want these maps to feel, and their mindset behind what they hope will be an FPS game classic.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 release date, Best FPS games, New Warzone season

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 11:41 AM
     Zenless Zone Zero tier list - the best characters in ZZZ

Who is at the top of the Zenless Zone Zero tier list? HoYoverse's latest gacha comes with a full roster of playable agents that sport unique abilities, attributes, and combat specialties. With so many characters to choose from, it can be difficult to decide who to add to your team. We've tested each one to bring you a complete and reliable tier list that ensures you're investing your time and level-up materials into the right units.

Our expert ZZZ tier list is based on the current stats and performance in the latest Zenless Zone Zero update, so be aware these rankings may be subject to change. However, we plan to regularly update this tier list as new characters are introduced in Zenless Zone Zero banners, so check back regularly for the latest developments in the gacha game. All that being said, let's get into the best (and worst) characters in Zenless Zone Zero 1.1.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 11:17 AM
     How to lose your Star Wars Outlaws wanted level

How do you lose your Star Wars Outlaws wanted level? If you go against powerful regimes, you're more than likely going to get some unwanted attention from time to time. In Star Wars Outlaws, you gain a wanted level whenever you stick it to the Empire, which can make existing… difficult.

The Star Wars Outlaws release date is here, and scoundrels everywhere are gearing up to pull the biggest heist the galaxy has ever seen. The adventure game is a true Star Wars experience, complete with speeders, blasters, and the return of a few fan-favorite Star Wars characters. You'll likely rub the authorities the wrong way, so here's how to lose unwanted attention and reduce your wanted level in Star Wars Outlaws.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Star Wars games, Star Wars Outlaws review, Star Wars Outlaws blaster

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:49 AM
     Fallout 76 reveals Season 18 rewards and lays out 2024 roadmap

Despite Fallout 5 being a mere speck on the horizon, it feels like Bethesda's beloved RPG series is having a moment right now. Since the success of the Amazon show, we've seen the launch of the spectacular fan mod project Fallout London, alongside a wealth of new Fallout 4 mods. At the same time, Fallout 76 continues to go from strength to strength, having grown from a rocky start into a fantastic, fun open-world multiplayer survival game, and it looks like we've still got a lot to look forward to in 2024.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best games like Fallout, Fallout 5 release date, Best Fallout 4 mods

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:26 AM
     Grab a free Call of Duty Black Ops 6 beta code if you're fast

Want to grab a free Call of Duty Black Ops 6 beta code? We've got just that for you in our latest giveaway. We've been granted five beta keys from Activision so that you can be in with a chance of playing the beta on your platform of choice. We'd go PC, naturally, but we don't judge.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 release date, Best FPS games, New Warzone season

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:24 AM
     Mech survival game Forever Winter gets launch date, cracks down on MTX

I love the premise of The Forever Winter. In a bleak, post apocalyptic future, not dissimilar in appearance to the ruined cityscapes of Terminator, the final remnants of humanity are hunted by gigantic, building-high mechs that seemingly want to use our flesh for fuel. First revealed earlier this year, the new survival game looks like a cross between Fallout, Armored Core 6, DayZ, and Silent Hill. Now, The Forever Winter Steam Early Access launch date is confirmed, and developer Fun Dog has explained its matter-of-fact, industry-defying approach to microtransactions. Do you long for a world where you pay a single flat fee and get to keep the game and everything that's in it forever? So, apparently, do the makers of The Forever Winter.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best horror games on PC, The best co-op games, The best games like Borderlands

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:58 AM
     The best story games on PC to play right now

What are the best story games on PC? If you're looking for a great story that you can't put down, you've come to the right place. Escape into something special with our list of the best story games on PC, from endings that will have you weeping to heart-racing action titles.

Some of the most unforgettable stories in recent pop culture have emerged from some of the best PC games. They can go to many different places, such as surviving the Wild West as Red Dead Redemption 2's antihero protagonist, solving crimes in Disco Elysium, or exploring the fraught relationships in God of War. Story games are living, breathing narratives; the best ones let us have our say in how the plot unravels, and many are also some of the best single player and fantasy games.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Disco Elysium review, Best RPGs on PC, The best PC games

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 11:22 AM
     Black Ops 6 modes and playlists

What are the Black Ops 6 modes? While you can always expect the bread-and-butter game modes to appear in every Call of Duty game, each new entry offers up some much-needed variety to ensure you're not left in a Domination hole for the year. Black Ops 6 is no different, and this year's addition, Kill Order, is a real treat for Halo veterans in particular.

So far, several modes have been revealed in time for the Black Ops 6 beta, with more set to arrive with the Black Ops 6 release date. The FPS game is already shaping up to be an explosive one on the action front, with plenty of shiny new Black Ops 6 weapons already confirmed. Read on to find out everything we know about the Black Ops 6 modes.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 release date, Best FPS games, New Warzone season

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:07 AM
     Black Ops 6 weapons and how to unlock them

What are the Black Ops 6 weapons? Call of Duty Black Ops 6 breaks new ground for the storied series, taking us back to the early 1990s. While the Cold War may have just about come to its conclusion, the US became embroiled in another conflict - the Gulf War. When it comes to the sorts of weapons set to feature in the latest CoD, you can expect plenty of familiar firearms from previous games, mixed with some new metal.

If you're resistant to change, don't worry. Mainstays like the XM4 and MP5 (now known as the C9) are back, though they'll be facing stiff competition in the FPS game from the likes of the AS Val - Modern Warfare (2019) vets know how good it was - and the brand new Tanto .22. To learn more about all of the Black Ops 6 weapons and how to unlock them in the Black Ops 6 beta, read on.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 release date, Best FPS games, New Warzone season

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:06 AM
     Grab a free Smite 2 Steam key before they're all gone

Smite is one of the most enjoyable MOBAs around but often gets overlooked in favor of bigger names like DOTA and League. It's a shame, as its neat animations, cool characters, and isometric view make it a solid choice for both MOBA experts and genre newbies. If you're already a Smite fan or wondering what the series has to offer, then now is the perfect time to play with Smite 2 right around the corner - and we've got free Steam keys up for grabs for the Smite 2 open alpha.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MOBAs, Best multiplayer games, Upcoming PC games

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:33 AM
     All Monopoly Go events, tournaments, dates, and rewards

What is the next Monopoly Go event? With so many limited-time events in Monopoly Go, it can be hard to keep track of the rewards you can get your hands on. Monopoly Go events can last anywhere from a few hours to a week, so bookmark this page as we'll keep it regularly updated with the next events and their start and end dates.

Monopoly Go is the latest online board game sweeping the globe, but completing all of these events won't be easy without some free Monopoly Go dice links, so check out our daily updated guide for some freebies and rewards before you get started on the next Monopoly Go tournament.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:53 AM
     Star Wars Outlaws gear and outfits explained

Wondering how Star Wars Outlaws outfits work and how to get new gear? You can change Kay Vess's outfits to gain perks and change your appearance. Your pet, Nix, is also customizable, though these changes don't add any benefits to Nix, you can still earn items like ear wraps, goggles, and sashes from missions.

Many things in Star Wars Outlaws can be upgraded; Kay is on a journey, so it makes sense that her gear would grow as her character does. You'll have Star Wars Outlaws speeder upgrades to make planet navigation easier, and also Star Wars Outlaws trailblazer upgrades to make space travel a much smoother experience.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Star Wars games, Star Wars Outlaws review, Star Wars Outlaws blaster

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:07 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, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 9:42 AM
     All Genshin Impact Shrine of Depths locations

Where are the Shrines of Depths locations in Genshin Impact? Opening the Shrines of Depths is a great way to get your Genshin Impact characters the best weapons, artifacts, and level-up materials.

Before you start your search in Genshin Impact, make sure you have at least one key to open a shrine. This gives you access to the luxurious chest inside. Keep in mind that the keys meant for the Liyue region will not open shrines in Mondstadt, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, or Natlan and vice versa. And once a shrine has been opened, it cannot be opened again. You have to find a new shrine for every single key you get! These shiny blue and orange temples also provide plenty of Adventure Rank Experience, as well as primogems to use for on Genshin Impact banners. The only problem is; where to find all those shrines?

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

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 11:14 AM
     The best anime games on PC 2024

What are the best anime games for PC? As varied as the Japanese film, television, and manga that inspired them, anime art styles are everywhere in games. Whether you fancy being trapped in a school with a sadistic remote-controlled bear, defending yourself from gargantuan humanoid monsters, or joining a book club with a dark side, we've got plenty of anime games to choose from in 2024.  

We've got everything from the biggest anime games based on Japan's hottest export shows to the finest JRPG games and MMOs influenced by its signature style. Persona, Dragon Ball, and Naruto are all present and correct, plus a few other gems you may not have heard of before. If you're an anime fan, consider these entries some of the best PC games available on the platform. Let's go.

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

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 9:25 AM
     Intel could stop making its own CPUs entirely, according to report

Intel is reportedly considering spinning off its chip manufacturing business, meaning future Intel CPU models would no longer be made in-house any more. The company is reportedly in talks with its bankers to get advice on turning around its fortunes after a bleak set of recent financial results, and splitting from its foundry business is apparently one of the last-resort options being considered.

Intel has had a troubled time lately, with its share price dropping from $47.80 in January 2024 to just $20.13 at the moment. Not only have its current best gaming CPU options been beset by stability problems that are only just now being fixed, but it's also facing an Intel shareholders lawsuit, which alleges that "Intel's foundry business was floundering, costing billions of dollars more than investors had been led to believe."

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Core i5 14600K review, Best gaming CPU, Core i9 14900K review

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 9:12 AM
     Special Anime Defense codes August 2024

What are the new Special Anime Defense codes? Another fun anime-themed Roblox game, Anime Special Defense stands out with its colorful neon aesthetics and character drops. By redeeming codes in the game, you can instantly enjoy a whole bunch of helpful rewards even if it's your first time diving in.

Just like using the latest Anime Defenders codes or Blox Fruits codes, getting free rewards in Anime Special Defense makes the Roblox experience even more of a great time. Let's get into all of the active bonuses available to redeem right now.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 9:40 AM
     All Black Myth Wukong chapters and how long to beat

How many chapters are in Black Myth Wukong? Like its literary source material, Game Science's adaptation of Journey to the West is a linear, story-driven action game split into several episodic chapters. Each chapter occurs in a different location and concludes with an epic stand-off against a Yaoguai King to retrieve one of Sun Wukong's sacred relics.

All chapters in Black Myth Wukong include a selection of main, optional, and secret Black Myth Wukong bosses to defeat. Certain Black Myth Wukong spells and transformations are only available in certain chapters, so it's important to watch out for them on your quest through the action-adventure game. Here's how many chapters you need to complete before you see the Destined One's epic journey through to the end.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Myth Wukong bosses, Black Myth Wukong abilities, Black Myth Wukong weapons

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 8:54 AM
     Honkai Star Rail codes August 2024 and how to redeem codes

August 30, 2024: We added the new Honkai Star Rail codes from the 2.5 livestream.

What are the new Honkai Star Rail codes? If you're just starting your adventure through developer HoYoverse's gacha RPG, you might be wondering if there are any freebies to give you a boost. Thankfully, HoYoverse has delivered, and we've got the complete list of working promo codes for you to redeem.

Honkai Star Rail redeem codes are released periodically and typically appear in livestreams and social channels ahead of major updates. These codes can net you some high-value currency, including Honkai Star Rail Stellar Jade, which you can use to pull the best characters from Honkai Star Rail banners. To save you time, we've collated all the promo codes and how to redeem them in Honkai Star Rail, so be sure to check back regularly before they expire.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Honkai Star Rail review, Honkai Star Rail codes, Honkai Star Rail tier list

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 9:11 AM
     Free Monopoly Go dice links August 2024

August 30, 2024 We've added two new Monopoly Go dice links for free dice rolls.

How can I get Monopoly Go free dice links? The household favorite board game has been reimagined as a free-to-play app on smartphones, allowing everyone to experience the thrills of Monopoly on practically any device. Everything that makes the board game special is here in Monopoly Go, so you'll be collecting properties and building hotels as you go around the board, and there are a variety of multiplayer minigames to get through along the way.

You're going to need to get your hands on Monopoly dice rolls, but they are difficult to come by no matter how far you are into the board game. There are ways to earn additional dice rolls, including logging into the game every day to collect daily bonuses, progressing further in the game, and inviting friends to try Monopoly Go. While you can also spend real money to unlock more dice rolls, you may want to give our list of Monopoly Go dice links a try instead, especially if you're waiting for the next Monopoly Go Golden Blitz event. Take a look at all the currently active Monopoly Go free dice links for today.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 8:00 AM
     Terraria 1.4.5 makes weather much more dramatic and dangerous

Every new glimpse of the Terraria 1.4.5 update shows that developer Re-Logic is continuing its trend of turning patches that start out small into major overhauls. As the month comes to a close, the Terraria State of the Game for August 2024 has arrived, bringing with it fresh new spoilers for one of the best-selling PC games ever made. This time, we get a look at something I absolutely wasn't expecting: a complete rework for weather, alongside new ways to make use of your critters.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best Terraria mods, Terraria happiness guide, Terraria bosses guide

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 7:39 AM
     Play Kingdom Come Deliverance for free this weekend, or keep it for $3

There's nothing quite like a good ol' fashioned medieval brawl. Sure, the seedy speakeasies of futuristic dystopias like Night City have their charm, but I'd trade a laser gun for a greatsword to pommel strike my enemies with any day. It's a fantasy that I think a lot of people adore, and if you fancy spending your weekend as a knight in bloody armor, I have some good news for you. Ahead of the highly-anticipated sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is having a free weekend on Steam, and if you enjoy it, you can pick it up for less than the price of a coffee (although I don't think they had that back then).

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 release date, Kingdom Come: Deliverance review, Best RPG games

PCGamesN Friday, August 30, 2024 10:10 AM
     Original Risk of Rain 2 devs share concerns about new Gearbox DLC

Risk of Rain 2 was originally published by Gearbox Software, the long-running studio behind Borderlands, the Half-Life expansions, and the erstwhile Brothers In Arms series. In November 2022, however, Gearbox purchased the rights to the roguelike game outright; three days ago, on Tuesday August 27, Gearbox released its first Risk of Rain 2 DLC, Seekers of the Storm. It hasn't been going well. Only 30% of user reviews on Steam are favorable, and the DLC has a damning 'mostly negative' rating. Now, developers from the original Risk of Rain 2 base game have shared comments about the state of the new DLC, alongside Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games, Best platform games, Best upcoming PC games

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 30, 2024 6:37 AM
    

It is with quiet anticipation (and some nervousness) that I await to be stepped upon by a freaky mech in The Forever Winter. If you missed its announcement in May, The Forever Winter is a co-op extraction shooter set in a grim future where you struggle to survive amid an unending hyperindustrial war. Since that reveal developers Fun Dog Studios have mostly been sending out small "burst transmissions" - essentially footage from the hellfront - like this patriotic beheading and some panicked gunfights. But today they've made a longer video revealing an early access release date. And - oh! - it's quite soon.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 30, 2024 6:29 AM
    

I won an awful board game from Nickelodeon once. I say "won". Actually, I got disconnected phoning into a competition line after I'd gotten through, got upset loudly, my mum called them to complain, they fast tracked me to the next competition thing, I got the quiz answer wrong, and the presenter pretended he'd heard the right answer and pulled a prize out of the big prize bucket. It was a copy of The Game of Life, possibly the least exciting board game a child can win.

The game was dog water, and there's probably a lesson in there somewhere about how cool and good it is to whine until you get free things, but we don't have time for that. Instead, I'd like to draw your attention to Floops Big House Adventure. It's a grungy, slimy, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters meets Ren and Stimpy Saturday morning shooter. Some of you will already hate it from the header screenshot, I imagine. Personally, the art drew me right in.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 30, 2024 6:02 AM
    

Here's one we missed from this week's release round-up, possibly because Konami appear to have given it precisely zero promotion: the Castlevania Dominus Collection, a four-game bundle spanning PC ports of three well-regarded DS Castlevanias, plus a redesigned version of Castlevania Haunted Castle, the first Castlevania game to grace an arcade machine. It'll set you back $25, £20 or €25, and my drive-by analysis of the trailer below is that they've done a decent job with the ports.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 30, 2024 5:15 AM
    

Darkest Dungeon 2's Kingdoms mode - a free turn-based boardgame reimagining of the hellish roguelike roadtrip RPG - will release in three modules, Red Hook have announced. The first of this fearful trio, Hunger Of The Beast Clan, is down to launch in Q4 2024, which translates to sometime during the period 1st October to 31st December.

It'll accompany a new paid Darkest Dungeon 2 DLC, Inhuman Bondage, which introduces a new region, a new hero with "...unique" mechanics and a fresh faction of seemingly excrement-themed fiends to slaughter.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, August 30, 2024 5:04 AM
    

Remedy were "thrilled as Finnish people can be" to announce yesterday that they've secured funding for a Control sequel in a co-financing deal with Annapurna, who are also helping the Alan Wake studio bring their connected universe to "film, TV, and beyond".

While I'm pretty jazzed to see what the coffee-addled minds that brought us Threshold Kids can conjure up under that tantalising 'beyond' label, I'll skip the speculation from now. Here's the skinny from Remedy's communications director Thomas Puha:

Read more


Siliconera Friday, August 30, 2024 11:30 AM
    

Pokemon Lampent LED light

The Pokemon Company has revealed new Pokemon merchandise that will turn Lampent into an LED lamp in the real world. The item will be available in Japan in early September 2024 with a price tag of 7,920 yen (~$54.40).

The company has yet to confirm the actual size of the Pokemon's lamp, including whether it will be accurate to the height listed in the Pokedex, which is 2'0" / 0.6 m. However, it has showed that the LED light can glow blue in a dark room.

Here are the sample images for the Lampent LED lamp. One of them shows how it will glow in the dark.

Lampent, which is also better known in Japan as Lampler, debuted in the fifth-generation DS entries Pokemon Black and White. The Ghost/Fire type Pokemon is the mid-evolution entry between Litwick and Chandelure. The whole line is available in the Switch mainline entries Sword and Shield, as well as Scarlet and Violet. For the latter pair, players can obtain them directly if they have installed The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC.

The Lampent LED lamp will be available at Pokemon Center outlets across Japan on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The Pokemon Company will open online pre-orders on its Japanese web store two days earlier on September 5, 2024.

The post Pokemon Lampent LED Lamp Will Light Up September 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 30, 2024 11:00 AM
    

See the Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Swordfighter Zelda

While most of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom early footage showed Zelda summoning up monsters and others to fight for her, a new trailer shows a Swordfighter form for her that seems to put her in Link's costume and let her fight with a sword and shield. The new gameplay footage shows her taking advantage of these abilities in the Still World area in Hyrule.

The new The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom trailer with Swordfighter Zelda actually primarily focuses on the Still World rifts Zelda can enter to rescue her father and Link. Going into these shows all of the items stolen away from Hyrule. She'll go through the wreckage and summon Echoes to reach the ruins dungeons within them. When there, she'll get the chance to sometimes grab a sword and become Swordfighter Zelda to fight against enemies herself for a limited time. That energy is restored by further exploring the Still World. However, she can also still summon Echoes to help against bosses and enemies within that area.

Here's the full trailer, which shows how Zelda can use a sword in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUdJF8gyO4A

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will come to the Nintendo Switch on September 26, 2024, and pre-orders are open.

The post See the Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Swordfighter Zelda  appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 30, 2024 10:45 AM
    

Download the Elden Ring Spirit Eel Twitch Emote

Bandai Namco announced on social media that the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Spirit Eel emote that appeared on Twitch is now free to download for everyone. There are three different sizes available on the official site.

If you didn't get the Shadow of the ErdtreeDLC expansion, then odds are you have never seen this Spirit Eel creature in Elden Ring. It looks like an eel with two eyes and a mouth emerging from the ground. Unlike most beings in the game, they won't seek you out to try and kill you. They will only attack us if we attack them. You do have a chance at getting Ghost Glovewort for attacking them, so it might be wise to know where they are if you need those for your renowned spirit ashes. They look like a blue Wiglett from Pokemon, in a way. 

As for the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Spirit Eel Twitch emote, there are three options Bandai Namco shared. You can get them in 28x28 pixel, 56x56, and 112x112 sizes. Given the nature of the png files, you aren't limited to just using them for Twitch. They could be used on other messaging or social services like Discord. 

Here's a gallery showing off the 112x112 size of the emote.

Elden Ring and its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is available on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.

The post Download the Elden Ring Spirit Eel Twitch Emote appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 30, 2024 10:30 AM
    

Honkai Star Rail Bait apparel released in Japan

BAIT has revealed a new lineup of collaboration apparel like shirts featuring characters from Honkai: Star Rail. The brand also announced that it has released the items on its Japanese web store.

This Honkai: Star Rail apparel collection consists of T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and hoodies that individually feature Aventurine, Blade, Firefly, and Kafka. Prices for the items range from ¥7,920 (~$54.50) for the T-shirts to ¥17,600 (~$121.15) for the hoodies.

Even though BAIT's web store can only formally ship the apparel domestically in Japan, that still does not dampen enthusiasm for the game's merchandise in the country. The brand posted the announcement tweet at 9 AM JST. However, in just less than half a day later at 8:30 PM JST, more than half of the items listed—including both of Aventurine's items—are already sold out, and only the T-shirts featuring Blade, Firefly, and Kafka are still available for purchase.

The new Honkai: Star Rail apparel collection by BAIT is available in Japan while stocks last. The lineup features characters from the popular game available worldwide on PC, Android, iOS, and PlayStation 5. HoYoverse is working on a Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works crossover event that will feature the appearance of the Servant character Archer in the game.

The post New Honkai: Star Rail BAIT Shirts and Clothing Appears in Japan appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 30, 2024 10:00 AM
    

Hatsune Miku 0x27 Eternal Stream Figure

Good Smile Company revealed a new Hatsune Miku 0x27 Eternal Stream figure. The company has also opened pre-orders for the figure globally on both its international and North American web stores. People can place their orders for the figure at ¥38,000 / $229.99.

The company is using the illustration redjuice made for the Spring 2024 Miku Fes as an inspiration for this figure's design. The figure will have a scale of 1/4, with a total height of around 41.2 cm / 16.22 inches. The "0x27" in the figure's title is a hexadecimal code that translates to "39," the number that can also be pronounced "Miku" in Japanese.

Good Smile Company has shared an image that compares the size of the upcoming Hatsune Miku figure to a chibi Nendoroid of the same character:

Hatsune Miku 0x27 Eternal Stream Figure - compared with Nendoroid
Image via Good Smile Company

Here are some more sample images that show the upcoming Hatsune Miku figure in more detail:

This will not be the only Hatsune Miku figure releasing in 2025 or beyond, as Good Smile Company has also revealed many other figures based on the same Vocaloid character. The company is working on two chibi Nendoroids with different outfits, as well as a Nendoroid Doll with a loungewear outfit and a figma with the NT design.

The pre-order window for the Hatsune Miku 0x27 Eternal Stream figure will close on December 25, 2024. Good Smile Company will start shipping the finished figures from Japan in October 2025 and North America in Q1 2026.

The post Hatsune Miku 0x27 Eternal Stream Figure Pre-Orders Open appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 30, 2024 9:34 AM
    

See 2.5 Honkai: Star Rail Release Date, Banner Characters

The 2.5 Honkai: Star Rail Special Program came and went, and it revealed the release date, six upcoming banners with new and returning characters, and that we'll both get a Gift of Odyssey and Gift of Comet to celebrate Feixiao's debut. It all kicks off on September 10, 2024.

First, let's go over the freebies. The Feixiao Gift of Odyssey gives us 10 Star Rail Special Pass pulls. Since that is a login campaign, you need to show up for a seven-day period. Meanwhile, the Gift of Comet is a one-time gift to claim. It gives us 1,000 Stellar Jades, 150 Tears of Dreams, and 10 Fuel. There are also three codes for free Stellar Jades to redeem on August 30, 2024, as usual.

As for the 2.5 Honkai: Star Rail banners with new and old characters, HoYoVerse is doing something different. Phase 1 won't just add the new 5 star Wind, Hunt character Feixiao. It will also bring back the banners for the 5 stars Black Swan, Kafka, and Robin. That runs until October 2, 2024. The 4 stars for that phase will be Asta, Luka, and the new Hunt, Lightning character Moze. Starting on October 2, 2024, the Fire Abundance 5 star Lingsha will show up with her banner for the first time. The rerun banner during that part will be the 5 star Topaz & Numby. The 4 stars for that banner will be Guinaifan, Misha, and Natasha. 

Also, as expected, the Wardance and cliffhanger from Honkai: Star Rail 2.4 will be resolved in 2.5. The trailer for the update gives a hint as to what to expect. In addition, it shows how Feixiao and Lingsha work in a fight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMHigW8mq9g

In case you've got an hour to spare, the 2.5 Honkai: Star Rail Special Program archive is on YouTube for us. That way you can see the new Feixiao and Lingsha gameplay footage in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFu-eSscT10

Honkai: Star Rail is available on the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the release date for the 2.5 update is September 10, 2024. 

The post See 2.5 Honkai: Star Rail Release Date, Banner Characters  appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 30, 2024 9:00 AM
    

Bleach Tensa Zangetsu Proplica

Bandai Spirits has revealed via its Tamashii Nations website that it will release a Proplica sword of the Tensa Zangetsu from Bleach for fun or cosplay purchases. The company will sell official replicas of Ichigo Kurosaki's signature sword worldwide in early 2025 at 19,800 yen (~$136.35).

The product will be a life-size replica of the sword, so it will also be suitable for completing a cosplay set of Ichigo Kurosaki. However, this item will also have many audio gimmicks. Besides the sword-swinging sound effects, it will contain over 140 voice lines. In addition, the replica sword can also play short versions of the Bleach theme songs "ALONES" and "Number One."

Bandai Spirits has also uploaded a promotion trailer featuring the Tensa Zangetsu Bleach Proplica and someone in Ichigo cosplay on its YouTube channel:

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

Even though the original manga series had concluded in 2016, the Bleach franchise is still actively getting new content following the anime adaptation of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc that launched in 2022. The third part of the above adaptation will start airing in October 2024. New games themed after the arc, such as Rebirth of Souls for consoles and Soul Puzzle for mobile devices, will also appear worldwide.

The Proplica of Ichigo Kurosaki's sword Tensa Zangetsu from Bleach will be available worldwide in January 2025. Bandai Spirits will start accepting pre-orders for the product on September 3, 2024.

The post Bleach Tensa Zangetsu Sword Cosplay Proplica Will Appear appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 30, 2024 8:41 AM
    

Get the Honkai: Star Rail Stellar Jade Codes for 2.5

The 2.5 Honkai: Star Rail Special Program just ended, and we have three new free Stellar Jades codes showed up. Each time one of these showcases appear, we get the limited resource. So to take advantage, you must use them before August 30, 2024 ends or they run out. 

These are the Honkai: Star Rail Stellar Jade codes for Special Program 2.5: 

The free 2.5 Special Program Honkai: Star Rail Stellar Jade codes each include 100 Stellar Jades and some character building items. The Traveler's Guides is the Character EXP one. Refined Aether is Light Cone EXP. Also, 50,000 Credits are doled out again. You get 300 Stellar Jades total from the codes, which is just short of the 320 needed for two pulls on a banner.

Here's the full list of three codes and what each one provides:

  • NB2W2XZ46VJT – 100 Stellar Jades, 5 Traveler's Guides
  • 2BKWKEHL6DJX – 100 Stellar Jades, 4 Refined Aether
  • DB3FKWZ4NUG7 – 100 Stellar Jades, 50,000 Credits

If you play Honkai: Star Rail on an Android or Apple iOS device, you redeem these codes via the HoYoVerse website. The rewards will appear in your inbox in-game after being entered. On the PS5 and PC, bring up your phone. When you are in that menu, go to your Trailblazer Profile. there will be an option to redeem them one by one there. 

Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the free Stellar Jade codes for Special Program 2.5 expire after August 30, 2024 or when they run out. The 2.5 update will appear on September 10, 2024. 

The post Get the Honkai: Star Rail Stellar Jade Codes for 2.5 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, August 30, 2024 8:00 AM
    

Pokemon TCG Stellar Crown set review

After a few sets celebrating its first DLC adventure, the Pokemon Trading Card Game is moving onto the second half of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero with its latest expansion. Scarlet & Violet — Stellar Crown introduces the world of The Indigo Disk to Pokemon TCG, with Blueberry Academy characters and the legendary Terapagos making debuts. So what does it have to offer? Let's dig in.

Terapagos is clearly the centerpiece of the set, as the legend is the focus of all the set visuals. It feels like perhaps the world of the second DLC adventure only gets a few cameos, so that a subsequent release can focus on those elements. That makes sense to us, as Terapagos brings with it a new type of Tera Pokemon that would really need effort to build a deck around. These ex variants have super-strong attacks that require three different energy types.

Lapras seems like a viable one to us, as a Basic with the ability to search and attach all energy in the top 20 cards of your deck. Galvantula is a harder sell, as its three-energy move is a 180-damage attack that does stop the opponent from playing Items next turn but makes you discard all the energy to do it. Truly, a lot of these creatures may see play exclusively to use their not-special attack instead.

The Terapagos ex itself may be the most intriguing, which is a rarity to see! Usually the face of the set has a big, flashy attack, but it's rarely a competitively viable one. Its Crown Opal attack does 180 damage (yawn), but it prevents damage from "Basic non-Colorless Pokemon." So it's vulnerable to a mirror match — Terapagos is itself Colorless — but it's protected from a lot of threats in a professional scene that has always shied away from the effort and uncertainty of relying on evolutions.

Koraidon Celebi Diancie Tornadus Mewtwo cards
Photo by Siliconera

We mentioned in our coverage of the previous set, Shrouded Fable, that it was nice to see powerful legends and mythics at uncommon rarity. After all, one of the biggest problems of CCGs in general is how much of a pack is instant garbage in most contexts! So making uncommons interesting and fun lowers that percentage a bit. Among those appearing in Pokemon TCG Stellar Crown: Koraidon, Celebi, Diancie, Tornadus, and… Mewtwo! Those of us who have been playing the game since the last millennium can remember just how wild and fun it was to pull a Mewtwo in a pack, and now that pleasant memory resurfaces a bit more frequently. Excellent.

Speaking of nostalgia! Stellar Crown also features Venusaur and Blastoise, with the former built around shutting down the opponent and healing up while the latter's about taking hits and dishing them out. The Venusaur strategy could be assisted by the new Hydrapple, which lets you play an extra energy every turn and heal a bit when you do, and a Cradily that flips a coin from the bench every turn to inflict a status effect of your choice. (Of course, that'd be a lot of evolutions to play.)

Even though this is an Area Zero-focused set, don't expect to see a lot of Ancient and Future appearances. There's one each, for Iron Boulder and Raging Bolt? Though the factions made some serious appearances in this year's world championships, it may be a one-time thing as we may be nearing the end of them in the TCG.

Pokemon TCG Stellar Crown set review
Photo by Siliconera

The three-energy Tera scheme introduced in Stellar Crown seems to be the new big thing for Pokemon TCG, so we'd expect to see more of these creatures in sets to come. After all, they've got to keep doing something until a new game debuts! And hey, we've seen worse ideas. It's a bit of a shame that they never made the type-changing version as relevant as we'd hoped, though.

The latest Pokemon Trading Card Game expansion, Scarlet & Violet — Stellar Crown, launches September 13, 2024. For more on the Pokemon TCG, check out our archive.

The post Pokemon TCG Stellar Crown Set Digs Deep Into Area Zero appeared first on Siliconera.


iDev Games Feed Friday, August 30, 2024 6:14 AM
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MonsterVine Friday, August 30, 2024 9:00 AM
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