Pages

Sep 03, 12:00


GamersHeroes Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:48 AM
    

Learn more about the story, characters, and gameplay awaiting players in Koei Tecmo and GUST's JRPG magical adventure Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land with the first trailer for the game.

The post Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land First Trailer Released appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:50 AM
    

If you didn't see the first live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie, you still have plenty of time to rectify that before the third movie starring Keanu Reeves as the blue blur's rival Shadow Sonic the Hedgehog 3 premieres on December 20. The 2020 film is mostly fine and pales in comparison to the substantially better…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:40 AM
    

It's 1913 and young Nancy Maple, an amateur geologist, travels from Toronto to the remote Canadian town of Crimson to investigate the discovery of a large diamond. However, things are more perilous than they initially seem, and before long our plucky heroine finds herself investigating an apparent murder instead.…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:30 AM
    

The launch of Season 5 in Diablo IV introduced numerous unique legendary items, many of which completely change how a few of the game's top meta builds function. While Barbarian is no longer sitting pretty at the top of the pile, Godslayer Crown—a new Unique Helm—ensures the class remains viable. But it's not solely…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:20 AM
    

Game Pass has been making big inroads on PC with a growing catalog of games for that side of the subscription service, and September is shaping up to be a bigger (and more expensive) month in that regard with plenty of resource gathering, geopolitical warfare, and fraught moral decisions to navigate.

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:55 AM
    

Enotria: The Last Song is a new, sun-drenched Soulslike inspired by Italian folklore and it's out in just a couple weeks. But not on Xbox. While the game will be available for PlayStation 5 and PC players on September 17, the game has been indefinitely delayed on Series X/S over problems with the platform submission…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:40 AM
    

Gamescom is something of an anomaly. The annual event, in the German city of Cologne (or Köln to the locals), is the largest, most visited gaming exhibition in the world, dwarfing its nearest rivals, and has outlasted many alternative public and industry events. It adapted rapidly to covid, and became a successful…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:30 AM
    

Cult of the Lamb's Unholy Alliance update, released in August 2024, introduced an impressive amount of new content to the wild cult-building action game. While the most prominent feature was the addition of co-op, plenty of new items and mechanic changes were added too. And what will likely change your dungeon runs…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:00 AM
    

The weird drip-feed of information about Nintendo's fall Switch line-up continues with a bunch of new details and combat trailers for Mario & Luigi: Brothership. The latest entry in the long-running RPG-lite adventure series will have the titular plumbers exploring a new set of islands and using powerful new "Brother…

Read more...


Kotaku Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:30 AM
    

Is there a greater joy in a loot based game than coming across a new piece of gear that not only has better stats than your current equipment, but also just looks rad as hell? Final Fantasy XIV has no shortage of armor that fits this bill, including the Augmented Ironworks sets. But how do you get these gear sets and…

Read more...


PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:57 AM
     Best Black Ops 6 loadouts

What are the best Black Ops 6 loadouts? In theory, you're on a level playing field with everyone you come across in Call of Duty Black Ops 6; you all have access to the same weapons, attachments, and perks. It might not always feel that way, though, with weapons flowing in and out of the meta with each new patch. We've done the research, put in the hard yards, and figured out the best Black Ops 6 loadouts.

The Black Ops 6 beta is in full flow, and players are not only getting to grips with a host of new Black Ops 6 weapons but also the new Black Ops 6 Omnimovement system. Skill expression has never been more prevalent in the FPS game, and while movement can be king, the best loadouts will put you in great stead to dominate every match you enter.

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

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:57 AM
     Does Monster Hunter Wilds have crossplay?

Does Monster Hunter Wilds have crossplay? If you're excited for the upcoming Monster Hunter game, but want to find out which platforms you can play it on and across, here's everything we know about Monster Hunter Wilds crossplay.

We're still a long way off the Monster Hunter Wilds release date, but that hasn't stopped Capcom from releasing a bunch of new information about weapons, characters and the Monster Hunter Wilds monsters, alongside gameplay details regarding crossplay, so you can team up with pals on either console of PC. Here's everything we know about whether cross-platform is coming to Monster Hunter Wilds next year.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best games like Monster Hunter, Best open-world games, Best RPG games

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:56 AM
     Co-op roguelite Void Crew overhauled with new bosses and upgrades

If I were sent into space, I wouldn't stand a chance. One miscalculation, a tiny error with the ship, or just spending too long in the infinite darkness would send me over the edge. If I went into the vast reaches of the cosmos with a few friends, though, we'd at least have a hell of a time before everything went wrong. That's the core premise of Void Crew, a roguelike space game that gives you and three friends control over your own spaceship. You need to keep an eye on vital signs, engage in chaotic space battles, and avoid interstellar dangers as you fly through the universe. If the single-player restriction of Starfield has you down or you want a fresh take on the universe of No Man's Sky, Void Crew's latest Steam update is for you.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best co-op games, Best roguelike games, Best space games

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:57 AM
     Free Monopoly Go dice links September 2024

September 3, 2024: We've checked for 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 Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:41 AM
     The 36 best Minecraft texture packs September 2024

What are the best Minecraft texture packs? These colorful and game-altering texture packs can make your world a new experience. Of course, Minecraft's low-fi charm is part of the draw, but texture packs range from subtle changes to an all-over reskin, so you can choose just how much you want to leave vanilla Minecraft behind. We've scoured and tried a bunch of different packs to be able to recommend the very best.

Just like the best Minecraft mods and shaders, texture packs can help give an entirely new feel to one of the best PC games of the last decade, and it's just one of many ways of keeping the sandbox game feeling fresh after all these years. While some mods can alter Minecraft gameplay, and shaders change the quality and style of the graphics, texture packs allow you to add a new skin to existing blocks. Included in our list of the best Minecraft texture packs are realistic blocks, cartoonish overhauls, and cute changes to the way Minecraft mobs look.

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

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:34 AM
     The first Age of Mythology Retold DLC is already being review bombed

Players are criticizing the first DLC for RTS game Age of Mythology: Retold, before the full game is even out. The Legacy Deity Portrait Pack costs $6 - but potential buyers are frustrated because all the DLC includes is portrait art from the original AoM. Although Retold's advanced access is well underway, and the preorder version already includes the maligned DLC, anyone waiting to buy the standard edition will need to fork over extra cash for the nostalgic JPEGs. While this is completely optional, it's safe to say it isn't going down well with the community.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RTS games, Best strategy games, Best PC games

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:28 AM
     Acer could be about to take on the Steam Deck with an Intel handheld

It looks as though Acer could be about to enter the burgeoning gaming handheld market, after it posted a teaser photo on the X (formerly Twitter) account of its Predator gaming brand. The company is gearing up to unveil some new PC gaming hardware tomorrow, and it looks as though there's an outline of a new Steam Deck competitor in the picture.

Acer has started to spread out in the PC gaming industry lately, not only by producing Predator-branded gaming monitors and laptops, but even by producing graphics cards. The race to make the best handheld gaming PC is getting a bit crowded now, though, with several companies, including Asus, Lenovo, and Zotac already looking to take on the Steam Deck. Now Acer could also be joining the charge, potentially unveiling a new handheld at the IFA show in Berlin.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best gaming monitor

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:23 AM
     All Deadlock characters, abilities, and hero tier list

Who are the Deadlock characters? Blending the lane-dominating, creep-farming gameplay of a MOBA with pew-pew hero shooter action, Deadlock is quite the chimera. Currently in its fledgling state, Deadlock's slowly adding new characters to the game as developer Valve looks to expand its already-diverse roster to include even more options.

Below, we'll give you the full rundown on what each of the Deadlock characters does in-game. While there's a lot to get to grips with in Valve's new MOBA game, especially if you're coming from more conventional shooters, our accompanying Deadlock tier list - found at the bottom of this guide - will help you out when deciding which heroes are worth investing your time into as you acclimate.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Deadlock release date , Best MOBAs, Best FPS games

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:20 AM
     All Disney Dreamlight Valley recipes and how to cook them

What are all the Dreamlight Valley recipes? Cooking is crucial to success in the Disney life sim as you'll need to cook up some tasty grub to earn Dreamlight, make friends, and keep your stamina up. There are over 200 recipes in the base game so far, and even more in the DLC - that's a lot of recipes to keep track of. Luckily, once you've made a recipe once it automatically saves to your in-game cook book, so we're here to fill your recipe book up to the brim.

The way to the hearts of all the Dreamlight Valley characters can be found through their stomachs, but it's equally important to keep yourself well-fed, too. Some Dreamlight Valley recipes - like the Dreamlight Valley bouillabaisse recipe - offer more stamina than others, and while some can be obtained from completing quests, others are unlocked by trying different ingredients together. To make it easier to get the most nutritious meals, we've compiled all the current Dreamlight Valley meals below, with five-star recipes offering the most energy.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Disney games, What's the next Dreamlight Valley update?, Disney Dreamlight Valley guide

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:20 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, and 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: Black Ops 6 release date, Best FPS games, New Warzone season

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:02 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 Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:07 AM
     Brutal RPG built by Total War modder is like a new Darkest Dungeon

Of all the Total War: Warhammer 3 mods in existence, 'Simply Fun Overhaul,' also known as 'SFO,' is perhaps the most beloved. Designed for the ultra devout and the lore faithful, it's a complete overhaul of the Creative Assembly strategy game that aligns the world and all the units more closely to the established story of the Warhammer universe. Now, its creator, 'Venris,' as part of new studio Evil Gingerbread, is branching out. Following a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign, the mod-maker is launching a fully fledged, standalone, brand-new turn-based RPG, inspired by some of the best in the genre including Loop Hero and Darkest Dungeon. A mix of base building, combat, management, and psychology, this is Whispers of the Eyeless.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPGs, Best turn-based RPGs, Best upcoming PC games

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:43 AM
     AFK Journey tier list - best characters September 2024

Who are the best AFK Journey characters? Paying close attention to the shifts in character meta and team-building tactics can keep you from wasting valuable pulls on units that just don't cut the cake. Resources are scarce the further you go into Farlight's gacha adventure, so you always want to invest in top-tier characters wherever possible.

Our AFK Journey tier list includes all free and premium characters in the anime game, so don't forget to redeem the latest AFK Journey codes for some free currency to pull the units most likely to make a difference to your team. If you're just getting started, be sure to also use the quickest AFK Journey reroll method to grab top-tier AFK Journey characters right from the start. Now that you're all set, let our definitive AFK Journey tier list guide you to the best characters.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: AFK Journey tier list, AFK Journey codes, AFK Journey reroll

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:33 AM
     When is the next Steam sale?

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

Fortunately, we've got a complete list of all the official Steam sale dates for 2024 and beyond, so you can make a dent in your Steam wishlist without breaking the bank. Whether you're looking for new PC games to sink your teeth into or simply the best PC games of all time, there's something for everyone on Steam. Genre sales can introduce you to hidden gems if you can snap up the bargains in time, while seasonal Steam sales can last for weeks, with more games, DLC, and bundles available at chunkier discounts.

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

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:58 AM
     Blox Fruits stock - restock times, fruits, and how stock works

What's the latest Blox Fruit stock? If you're hoping to buy a new fruit to try out a fresh fighting style, you're bound to be at the mercy of the Blox Fruit Dealer. Though you'll find him all around the three seas at any one time, his stock remains the same even across multiple servers. There's a trick to getting what you want. You'll have to be quick, and we'll walk you through the whole process from start to finish.

Below, we'll explain essential Blox Fruits stock details: from a stock list with costs, how best to keep on top of stock rotations while you're away from the Roblox experience, and exactly how stock rotations work across servers and timezones. The latest Blox Fruits codes can get you the cash you need to buy your next fruit. Our tips on how to grind levels in Blox Fruits go over the best fruits for the job, and our ultimate Blox Fruits guide is handy for anyone starting this otherwise daunting game.

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

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:39 AM
     Black Ops 6 Twitch drops and how to claim

How do you get Black Ops 6 Twitch drops? We love chilling out watching others game when we've had our fill of being behind the keyboard for the day. Twitch drops make supporting our favorite streamers even more rewarding by gifting in-game items for watching live Twitch streams.

Any FPS game is all about how you handle your weapons, but it still doesn't hurt to make sure they look the part - the least you can do is ensure the last thing your opponent sees is something nice. There are plenty of Black Ops 6 camos for this, but you can also get stickers and weapon charms, as well as emblems, loading screens, and even blueprints with these Black Ops 6 Twitch drops.

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

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:35 AM
     New Cities Skylines 2 update tackles the game's most sensitive issue

Deciding what to prioritize in Cities Skylines 2 must be challenging. Since the city-building sequel launched in 2023, Colossal Order has had to fix performance issues, repair and improve fundamental aspects of the simulation such as the economy and building demand, and also mitigate the criticism aimed at the Beach Properties DLC. Almost 12 months since CS2 was released, however, I would like to think the developer can begin to focus on more intricate, micro elements of Cities 2. The new Cities Skylines 2 patch makes some pretty fine changes, but in an attempt to fix one of the game's most sensitive problems.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cities Skylines 2 review, Cities Skylines 2 roads, Cities Skylines 2 maps

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:07 AM
     Honkai Star Rail codes September 2024 and how to redeem codes

September 3, 2024: We added one new Honkai Star Rail code and removed three expired codes.

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 Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:31 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.

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 that have been released recently, 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
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Palworld bosses, Palworld map, Palworld settings

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:17 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 Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:14 AM
     Best budget gaming PC 2024: great cheap builds

Picking the best budget gaming PC for your needs will ensure you get the performance that matters to you without spending more than you need. It's all about compromises and knowing where to make concessions to price without necessarily tanking gaming performance.

Each cheap desktop option in this guide will bring you solidly into the gaming sphere for considerably less cash than the best gaming PC flagships. The convenience of a prebuilt PC means you avoid having to learn how to build a gaming PC and how to install a graphics card.

But while top-end rigs, which combine the very best gaming CPUs and best graphics cards, are not purchases that can be made lightly, a cheap gaming PC will allow you to play most titles for a fraction of the price.

We've picked out high-quality, low-cost PCs (under $1,5oo/£1,000) that can fling frames around without a care and nail 1080p gaming in the best PC games. Once you've got a cheap gaming PC in your arsenal, you can start wading into the exciting world of more demanding, next-gen PC games.

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

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:00 AM
     Special Anime Defense codes September 2024

September 3, 2024: We have checked for new Special Anime Defense codes.

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 Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:58 AM
     FF14 server status and maintenance times - is FFXIV down?

September 03, 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 Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:54 AM
     Space Marine 2 Twitch drops and how to claim

What are the Space Marine 2 Twitch drops? Gears of Warhammer is nearly upon us, with Focus Entertainment's grizzled action game set to treat us to scenic views of Tyranid innards very soon. And it looks like the devs are going to make sure Twitch subs are suitably dripped out while we rip and tear (oops, wrong game).

That's right, Space Marine 2 Twitch drops are on the cards, and one of this year's most exciting co-op games isn't pulling its punches when it comes to serving up the cosmetic juice. So, without further ado, let's dig into the shiny shinies you can get your hands on in Warhammer 40k Space Marine 2 via the popular streaming service.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Space Marine 2 system requirements , Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 release date, Best Warhammer 40k games

PCGamesN Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:46 AM
     Nvidia's new GeForce RTX 5090 draws more than 550W, according to leak

Nvidia's new lineup of Blackwell GeForce gaming GPUs will reportedly consume more power than their predecessors, according to the latest leak. Not only that, but the difference apparently becomes even more pronounced as you go up the chain, with the Nvidia RTX 5090 at the top of the stack reportedly drawing more than 550W at full load.

The RTX 5090 is expected to be released either at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025, and it looks increasingly as though there will be no immediate competition from AMD against this new top-end Nvidia GPU, giving it a free run at the best graphics card title. However, it looks as though it's going to require a lot of juice from the mains.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: GeForce RTX 4070 Super review, DLSS explained, Best graphics cards

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:00 AM
    

Keeping your eyes on the road isn't easy when the horizon hosts crackling azure nebula; when the voluminous nightglow from the planet below makes even the gargantuan industrial indicators look like so many tiny, twinkling cat eyes. I, a terrestrial chump, cannot help be taken in by it all. But I get the sense all this spacey wonder is just so much unremarkable grease pooling at the rim of a diner plate for my Star Trucker. He's seen a couple things, that's for sure. Taken the long way round the spiral arm to slip past security checkpoints and offload cases of booze for off-the-record cash. Seen reduced-to-clear Ginster's wrappers glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. Hummed that Freebird solo a thousand times while waiting for the traffic to thin out near the shoulder of Orion.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, September 3, 2024 7:20 AM
    

Hopoo Games, the studio who made chewy roguelike Risk Of Rain and its moreish 3D sequel Risk Of Rain 2, are shutting up shop and taking jobs at Valve. They're no longer working on a previously unannounced game called "Snail", say the developers on Xitter. Instead, the studio co-founders Paul Morse and Duncan Drummond (plus "many other talented members") are taking up game development roles with the Steam owners.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, September 3, 2024 6:35 AM
    

I can't read the title of OneShot without hearing Eminem singing "do not miss your chance to blow" immediately afterwards. But this mental deficiency is probably not shared by the thousands of folks who fell in love with the purple-tinted puzzle RPG in 2016. If you are among that number, and fancy a handheld way to replay the game, then good news. OneShot: World Machine Edition is a remastered version that is Steam Deck compatible, and it's coming out on PC this month.

Read more


Twinfinite Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:00 AM
    
It's a Scream, Baby!

Siliconera Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:40 AM
    

My Time at Sandrock PS4 Release Date Set, Next Game Coming

Pathea Games announced not only a September 2024 release date for the PS4 version of My Time at Sandrock, but confirmed crowdfunding for the next new game in the series will also begin this month. PS4 owners can pick up this entry on September 12, 2024. There's no exact date for the Kickstarter for the next title beyond September 2024.

With the PS4 version of My Time at Sandrock, the release date was always going to follow the launches of the other platforms. Even when all entries were delayed, it didn't have an exact window. Pathea didn't note anything about the physical launch, as it only said the digital copy would appear at 5pm PT/8pm ET on September 12, 2024.

As for the next new My Time at game, the Kickstarter will begin in September 2024. Pathea didn't announce a name for the entry just yet. The first one was My Time at Portia, and Sandrock followed. An important thing to note is that so far, we've only seen titles set in the Alliance of Free Cities in the in-game world. Cities we've heard about, but not visited yet, also include Atara, Highwind, Lucien, Tallsky, Vega 5, and Walnut Groove. 

Finally, Pathea's round of updates also included information on the online multiplayer for the Switch and PlayStation versions. It is working with Nintendo and Sony for approvals and feedback. The Switch version's North American and European co-op is already approved. At the moment, PC players can already play online.

My Time at Sandrock is available on the PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the PS4 release date is September 12, 2024. The next My Time at game Kickstarter will launch in September 2024 as well.

The post My Time at Sandrock PS4 Release Date Set, New Game Coming appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:30 AM
    

Phantasy Star Online 2 PSO2 New Genesis - Kaiju No 8 crossover content

Sega has revealed new crossover content for Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis from the anime adaptation of a shonen manga series at the September 2024 NGS Headline program. The title in question is Kaiju No 8, and its content will appear in PSO2 in mid-September 2024.

Most of the content will be available in the "Kaiju No 8 Style" scratch ticket that Sega will launch in PSO2: New Genesis on September 18, 2024. Just like recent prior crossovers with Code Geass, The Eminence in Shadow, and Shangri-la Frontier, the Japanese voice actors will provide new in-game lines based on the anime version's characters.

After collecting the required parts, players will be able to turn their avatars into Reno Ichikawa (with voiceovers by Wataru Kato), Kikoru Shinomiya (Ai Fairouz), Mina Ashiro (Asami Seto), and Soshiro Hoshina (Kengo Kawanishi). Even though the protagonist Kafka Hibino will not be available in person, players can get a full-body suit and voice set that lets them become the transformed Kaiju No 8 with Japanese voiceovers by Masaya Fukunishi.

Players who do not plan on purchasing the scratch tickets can still get Kaiju No 8-themed items by simply logging into the game for seven days within the event period. They will be able to get acrylic stands of the titular Kaiju and the five main characters, which they can place in their Creative Spaces.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is available worldwide on PC and PlayStation 4, with an additional Nintendo Switch cloud version in Japan and an Xbox One release elsewhere globally. The Kaiju No 8 crossover content will be temporarily available for about a month starting from September 18, 2024.

The post Kaiju No 8 Will Strike PSO2: New Genesis in September appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:00 AM
    

ace attorney investigations review

2024 has been a fantastic year for Ace Attorney fans, between the Apollo Justice Trilogy in January and now Ace Attorney Investigations in September. As Miles Edgeworth, you get to prosecute criminals and bring them to justice. Psych! No you don't, but you do get to solve cool mysteries, overwhelm opponents with the might of logic, and look snazzy with a fancy cravat and sleek new visuals. As a longtime fan of the series and a big Edgeworth fan, I can say with absolutely no bias at all that this was well worth the wait.

The plot of Ace Attorney Investigations focuses on Miles Edgeworth, one of the main characters from the original Ace Attorney trilogy and Phoenix's rival. Though he is a prosecutor, he never goes to court in the games. Instead, Edgeworth focuses on solving cases outside of the courtroom. The cases all connect into an overarching story compared to somewhat more episodic first trilogy. It plays very similarly to the main series though. You still have to collect clues, put them together, and find contradictions in testimonies. Edgeworth's unique mechanic of Logic doesn't introduce anything too radical like the Emotional Matrix from Dual Destinies or the Jury of The Great Ace Attorney. But it's still a fun way to advance the story and shake things up.

ace attorney investigations interpol
Screenshot by Siliconera

When I first played Investigations in high school, the story didn't really resonate with me. At first, I thought it was because I liked how the more episodic first trilogy allowed for "breather" cases. However, the port helped me to figure out my initial disinterest. The setting for the duology reminds me a bit too much of how 5 and 6 became way grander in scale.

Edgeworth is a prosecutor, yet he's doing work that seems far beyond his pay grade. I don't know how the rules work in Japanifornia, but prosecutors leading a criminal investigation into an international smuggling ring seems pretty divorced from reality. Not that the games were ever trying to be realistic, but there was still some degree of credibility. It's like watching CSI or Criminal Minds. I doubt those agents in real life go out in the field and apprehend criminals. It's easier to accept Edgeworth doing this now than it was back then. I suppose I have 5 and 6 to thank for that, since those games jumped the shark in a way that nothing can really surprise me anymore in Ace Attorney.

This is subjective, but I really enjoy the cast of characters in the second game. They're so much more colorful than ones in the first entry. The story is also a lot better, in my opinion, and I can see why some consider it one of the top three games in the entire franchise. I'm also a lot more receptive to Lang this time around, since I'm no longer a diehard Edgeworth-stanning teenager. Now I feel bad that the first thing I said when Lang appeared was, "Was he always this ugly?"

ace attorney investigations running
Screenshot by Siliconera

Something I vividly remember from when Ace Attorney Investigations first came out was an interview with the development team. Someone mentioned that they put a lot of care into Edgeworth's running animations to make it look natural and effortless. The updated sprites in the game make those animations look even better than they were on the DS. He looks great jogging around, as do all of the characters. At no point did I ever feel like switching back to the original sprites and, during the brief period I did, it looked so wrong that I had to go back. It's when the portraits appear that they revert to the ye olde "three frames per action" style of the DS era. The change is a little jarring, I admit, but not enough that it actively bothers me.

The little avatars on the field are so cute, especially now that we can see so many more details. I love Edgeworth's smug little face when he does that annoying shrug. I love Gumshoe's pathetic cringing animation. The guys in this duology are really lovable this time around thanks to their overall goofiness and the new sprites. I've liked Edgeworth and Gumshoe since the very first game, and this one really reinforced my affections for them. As for Eustace, he's a ridiculous clown boy but I adore him all the same. He was one of the things I was most excited for when Nintendo first announced this port, and all of his scenes were as delightful as I hoped they'd be.

The girls are no slouch either in that department, especially with Kay's lively little animation cycles. She's so similar to what Maya and Trucy (and later Athena) brought to the table though! It's way too late now to complain about the writing, but sometimes I wish that they'd gone a different route with her personality. Her rapport with Edgeworth was fun regardless and I enjoyed her integration into the overarching lore. So this isn't me pushing an anti-Kay agenda, mind you.

ace attorney investigations localization
Screenshot by Siliconera

One thing that kind of takes me out of the experience is the occasional wordiness in the localization. This is only prevalent in the first game. I decided to reread my review for the Apollo Justice trilogy while writing up this one and to my shock, I realized I repeated my past mistake. Once again, I chose to replay a bit of The Great Ace Attorney during Investigations, and the memory of that game affected my impression of this one. I should stop doing that. While the localization for Investigations is strong, there are a few points where a different translation might have been snappier to read. The sentences can be long to the point of awkwardness, making them feel unnatural for dialogue.

It's one thing if the lines are, say, Edgeworth's. He talks in an overly stuffy and formal manner in the Japanese as well. But it's another thing for random characters who should be a lot more casual. That being said, I don't believe that the occasional odd line is detrimental to the overall experience, especially if you're someone who doesn't work with words and writing all the time. It's also a personal preference thing. I firmly believe all periods and commas should be in quotations, and that people should use harebrained rather than hair-brained. But according to my research, some people don't share this opinion.

ace attorney investigations cover art
Image via Capcom

Ace Attorney Investigations is a fantastic port that looks and plays beautifully on modern consoles. I'm so happy that people can finally experience the second game with an official localization! So happy that we can finally see that little wiener Eustace in HD glory! It strikes that perfect middle ground between the old Ace Attorney (the original trilogy and I argue even the fourth game) quality and the new Ace Attorney (Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice) zaniness that most fans of the series can enjoy it, so long as they suspend their disbelief. Just pretend you're watching something like Criminal Minds!

Ace Attorney Investigations will come out on September 6, 2024 for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows PC.

The post Review: Ace Attorney Investigations Can Get Pretty Wild appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:30 AM
    

NieR Automata jewelry by FanFun Market

FanFun Market has revealed new jewelry themed after characters from the NieR Automata Ver1.1a anime. The brand has also started accepting orders for these items on its web store. People residing outside Japan can also order the products with international shipping via the WorldShopping widget.

The collection consists of silver rings and necklaces inspired by 2B, 9S, and A2. Each item will come encased inside its own box. All rings will have the same price tag of ¥13,200 (~$90.25), while the necklaces will be available at ¥14,300 (~$97.80).

Here are the sample images showing each NieR Automata anime jewelry in more detail:

There has been a plethora of merchandise themed after the NieR Automata Ver1.1a anime adaptation produced in Japan in recent months. Good Smile Company, Kotobukiya, and Proof had each revealed their own versions of character figures like 2B and 9S in July 2024. SuperGroupies is also restocking its merchandise based on the same anime, which it originally released in late 2023.

FanFun Market will close the order period for the new jewelry themed after NieR Automata Ver1.1a characters on September 27, 2024. It will start shipping the items in early December 2024.

The post New NieR Automata Anime-Themed Jewelry Will Appear appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:00 AM
    

MegaMan.EXE Kotobukiya model kit Premium Charge Shot edition

Kotobukiya has revealed a new premium version of its MegaMan.EXE plastic model kit. This kit will have the new moniker "Premium Charge Shot Ver." and it will be available in December 2024 at 7,480 yen (~$51.20).

This will not be the first kit to feature the moniker, though. Kotobukiya had previously released a Premium Charge Shot Version of the Mega Man X model kit in 2019. The company applies pearlescent or iridescent to the main model to add light-reflective effects while also changing the colors of attack effect parts.

"Premium Charge Shot" is a bit of a misnomer for the upcoming new version of MegaMan.EXE model kit though, as the set will not include a shooting effect from his Buster. Kotobukiya will instead change the colors of the Life Sword and its attack effects from clear green to iridescent green.

Here are the direct comparison images showing the color differences. The left one is from the original version that came out in 2022, and the right one shows the new upcoming Premium Charge Shot version.

The kit will be exclusively available on the Kotobukiya Online Shop in Japan with guaranteed stocks for people who have pre-ordered by September 17, 2024. The company suggests those who reside in other countries contact local partner retailers for the kit's availability.

Kotobukiya will release the MegaMan.EXE Premium Charge Shot Version model kit in December 2024.

The post MegaMan.EXE Premium Color Version Model Kit Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:30 AM
    

Anycolor Addresses YAB Abuse Allegations of Nijisanji Vtuber

Anycolor shared a post on the company's official X (formerly Twitter) account detailing the recent allegations regarding an external audio engineer involved in a case of identity leaking and abuse towards Nijisanji Vtubers. The accused in question is a freelance audio engineer named Toshiki "YAB" Yabunaka of YAB Entertainment (also known as YEM.)

The lengthy post is written in Japanese and it details that, as part of a YouTube livestream, an external audio engineer collaborating with Anycolor took photos and videos of a Vtuber belonging to Nijisanji without the individual's consent. The pictures and videos were sent to a third party alongside defamatory statements towards the liver. Additionally, Anycolor suspects that the accused employed "illegal tangible force" against the victim. The company hasn't given any further details on what this entails.

https://twitter.com/anycolor_inc/status/1830301821463822698

As a response, Anycolor began an investigation on August 30, 2024 and discovered some undisclosed information regarding the date, location, and people involved in the aforementioned incident. Anycolor condemned the unlawful and forceful acts taken against the Vtuber, and stated its intention of taking legal action and pursuing a criminal case against the accused.

Due to the ongoing internal investigation, various "Utattemita" (or "I tried singing" in Japanese) songs involving the accused have been made temporarily private and social media posts mentioning them have been deleted. The company also addressed the rumors that employees from within Anycolor, including managers or performers, were involved in this case. However, Anycolor stated that no evidence regarding the allegations was found.

Yabunaka himself shared a post via his personal X (formerly Twitter) account in which he expresses his apologies for the remarks and leaked LINE videos and pictures. YAB Entertainment also shared another post explaining that the company is conducting its own investigation.

As a reminder, Anycolor has been involved in a variety of issues involving their Vtubers and talents since December 2023, including a plethora of Vtuber graduations and the termination of Selen Tatsuki.

The post Anycolor Addresses YAB Abuse Allegations of Nijisanji Vtuber appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:01 AM
    

The Casting of Frank Stone Review

Behaviour Interactive allowing Supermassive Games, who previously developed the 90's slasher inspired Until Dawn, to create a more "cinematic" title set within the Dead by Daylight universe seems like an optimal choice. However, Supermassive Games carries in the same flaws and meandering and uninteresting direction that has plagued the developer since The Dark Picture Anthology's Little Hope.

Within the first hour of trudging through The Casting of Frank Stone I was so bored I was on the verge of tears. Because while the game does have some interesting narrative threads (particularly the stuff concerned with lore connected to Dead by Daylight's mysterious Entity), the character writing is cliched and at worst, just uninteresting. The tale begins in the 1960's, where players assume the role of a sheriff sent to investigate the disappearance of an infant. The game warns you that your choices will have consequences, much like every Supermassive Game, place a deep emphasis on player choice and how these actions could ripple outward.

From there you bounce between the 1960's, 1980's, and 2024 — with a different cast of characters to play in each decade. Something as simple as trusting a character with a bit of information impacting characters you meet throughout the established timeline. However, this isn't always the case. It felt like some decisions were just there to add tension when there wasn't any, just to warn me that I might have done something wrong or potentially killed a character when all routes ended up leading to the same outcome anyways. There are a few deviations here and there, but when I had to figure out how to get my hands on a new camera for an aspiring group of filmmakers, there wasn't much actual choice to be had.

All of these characters are also interconnected through the titular character, Frank Stone, in some way, and a supposedly cursed movie that was filmed where this mysterious killer met his end. Which I guess is supposed to make the narrative more compelling, but it all felt kind of lazy. It felt like a way to try and add stakes and pull something out of the player when something bad does happen to a character. I won't be elaborating on this for the sake of spoilers, but this was definitely something I was able to spot a mile away. Which isn't a bad thing. Cliches and tropes have existed in media and continue to exist in media for a reason, and when these ideas are executed on properly, they can be extremely compelling! Even in B-horror films, or games that give off the same kind of vibe.

But this has always been an issue for Supermassive Games, and continues to be an issue here. Along with the general pacing and direction of scenes. The game either goes at a breakneck pace or is agonizingly slow. The two hours of the game after the prologue chapter had me falling asleep in my chair, even if the narrative kept dangling bits of more interesting story or gameplay in front of me. Because The Casting of Frank Stone is as it's best when it's more Dead by Daylight than one of Supermassive Games' attempt at making a playable horror film.

I loved the little touches that reminded me of a game I enjoyed significantly more. The incorporation of scratch marks (a mechanic from Dead by Daylight that shows a killer where you've been sprinting towards survival) or little bits of lore tied directly into Behaviour Interactive's asymmetrical horror game. You can pick up little artifacts throughout the game that are nods to the game's Killers, and the antagonist of The Casting of Frank Stone does shed some light on the ominous Entity that has pulled some of the most twisted individuals and their soon-to-be victims into these weird little pocket dimensions that have been frozen in time that exists in a realm beyond ours.

But scenes drag on, the motion capture in a lot of them have prioritized facial capture over refining the whole of the performance of the actor, and transitions after making choices can be clunky and awkward. For those unfamiliar with Supermassive Games' catalogue, their games function are playable films where you do some light walking and exploration while choosing how to react to characters and do a QTE here and there to ensure the survival of the cast. It's sort of like a choose your own adventure novel, just a lot more linear. It worked for Until Dawn, even if it isn't my favorite horror game or kind of horror game, because of how it managed to balance these systems. The Casting of Frank Stone has an uneven mix, and you'll be sitting through characters chatting amongst one another for upwards of twenty or thirty minutes before actually being allowed to do something, until maybe something more exciting happens that has you interested, only for it to cool down again or for you to be forced to solve uninteresting puzzle or engage in boring combat.

If you do want to see how a different decision might have shaken out, you don't need to play the game again at the very least. Instead you can take advantage of the "Cutting Room Floor" option, which allows you to jump in at specific points in the story to see how a different choice might have gone. Unfortunately, you cannot skip cutscenes or right to the decision in question, even if you've seen the scene before. So you're stuck there waiting for fifteen or so minutes of the same, grating dialogue just to see if deciding to repair a camera at an old curio shop or the local pharmacy will have any other real outcome.

The game also has some issues when it comes to textures popping in, and was struggling on my PC even at medium settings. Thankfully the subtitles are easy to read, but there were some inconsistencies in terms of how the subtitles would display actions. Sometimes they would be in brackets, other times they wouldn't. But the game does have a fair amount of accessibility options ranging from text size, controller vibration, and even changing the kinds of QTE's you can get, or if they can time out.

For those that want to loop their friends into the fun, there is a multiplayer mode that facilitates five different players. However, there is only local multiplayer, which means that you have to physically hand over your controller to whoever you're playing with. I imagine players on PC might be able to finagle something where you'll be able to remote play with friends or family, but I didn't test that out.

Overall, The Casting of Frank Stone is an interesting attempt at feeding Dead by Daylight fans more lore through different means. I think there's a lot of potential there, but so much of the game could have just remained on the cutting room floor, tightening up the tension and overall experience to make it a more engrossing B-horror flick. Because there isn't anything wrong with bad or corny, it just isn't enough to be so bad that it's good. It's just kind of there, and it's a game I won't be playing again.

The Casting of Frank Stone is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.

PC Specs:

  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core Processor
  • RAM: 32-GB
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060

The post Review: The Casting of Frank Stone Meanders too Much to be Thrilling appeared first on Siliconera.


MonsterVine Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:00 AM
     After nearly a decade, Square Enix and Deck Nine Games return to an older Max Caulfield as the lead character for Life is Strange: Double Exposure. This weekend at PAX West, I spoke with Deck Nine Games Game Director, Jonathan Stauder and Narrative Director, Felice Kuan, about what it means to bring back a beloved […]