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Sep 04, 08:00


PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 7:51 AM
     Acer Predator Helios Neo 14 review

Acer has been making laptops for an age, and the pedigree shows in this affordable 14-inch machine. For a price of just $1,249.99, the Acer Predator Helios Neo not only gives you a well-built system with a decent screen, but it also contains one of Intel's latest Core Ultra 7 CPUs.

From the price and specs list to the build quality, I've looked at this machine from every angle, and it's a strong contender. It's not flawless, don't get me wrong. There are a few infuriating cut corners, which are somewhat expected at this price, but I'm nonetheless impressed by what Acer has managed to achieve with the Neo 14. It might not be the best gaming laptop out there to date, but it's well-rounded nonetheless.

So who's this for then? Well, the core spec alone gives us a great deal of insight on that front. Acer's picked up one of Intel's Core Ultra 7 155H chips. These latest Meteor Lake laptop chips have some of the best AI tech Intel has available, paired alongside a high-performing and efficient processor architecture.

Acer's Predator line has always been a well-equipped and stylish product stack, and the Helios Neo 14 is no different. It's sleek yet potent. Gaming yet professional. What I'm looking for here, though, is a laptop that blurs the lines between gaming and professionalism. It needs to be flexible, solid enough for gaming, yet capable enough to render, work in Photoshop, or edit video on the fly.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best gaming monitor

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 7:43 AM
     Riot increases regional League of Legends currency costs by up to 70%

The price of virtual currency in League of Legends - and Riot's other live games - is changing. Some prices are going down, but most are going up. Sharing a full list of the price changes, Riot says they are intended to combat regional third-party traders, who sell currency for games including LoL, Valorant, and Legends of Runeterra at discount rates. The new prices differ per region, but in some cases, they have been increased by as much as 70%.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, League of Legends tier list

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 7:37 AM
     Best Marvel Snap decks September 2024

What are the best Marvel Snap decks? With every new season of Marvel Snap, new cards can always be expected to shake up the meta. Add to that new modes, limited-time events, and featured locations, and it's hard to keep track of the best decks to use from one day to the next.

If you want to make it to Infinite, or destroy your opponents in Conquest mode, we've got the latest decks to dominate in the current Marvel Snap meta. Whether you're a grizzled veteran well into series four or five, you're still unlocking deck staples or you're getting to grips with how all the cards interact in one of the best card games on PC, we're here to help. That's why we have a list of all the best decks in Marvel Snap right now, followed by the best beginner decks for new players.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 7:36 AM
     All Infinite Craft recipes and combos list

What are all the Infinite Craft recipes and combos? We've been addictively playing this since we learned about it, and as a result, there are hundreds of combinations and recipes now known. Here's our guide on all of them, including some of the most obscure suggestions.

Infinite Craft is a browser game that's recently been taking the web by storm, with endless possibilities and some that'll give you quite a giggle. Think of it as a puzzle game by ways of god; it's a great game to open if you want to while away an hour or two figuring out all of the combinations.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Browser games, Puzzle games, Upcoming games

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 7:24 AM
     Qualcomm's new gaming laptop CPUs promise nearly 30 hours battery life

Qualcomm has unveiled the latest addition to its X Series of laptop CPUs, with the new Qualcomm X Plus 8-Core range offering a lower spec than previous X Elite and X Plus 10-Core chips, making them ideal for super thin and light laptops. With their incredibly low power consumption, yet capable CPU and GPU components, these new chips should usher in a new wave of ultra-portable, incredibly long-lasting but still (just about) gaming-capable laptops.

While the best gaming laptops still predominantly use either AMD or Intel CPUs, and focus more on gaming performance than battery life, Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X chips are carving out a place for gamers who need to prioritize battery life but occasionally want to play too.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:53 AM
     The 20 best Minecraft shaders 2024

What are the best Minecraft shaders? With shaders, you can instantly level up the look of your Minecraft world - even without an RTX graphics card. But with so many downloadable mods for the sandbox game, if you're unsure, let's start with what Minecraft shaders are.

One of the best PC games of all time and the ongoing king of sandbox games, Minecraft has incredible replayability, keeping fans and newbies coming to the game time after time. While the vanilla game still gets regular updates, Minecraft mods, texture packs, resource packs, and shaders can completely reinvent the game, affecting its overall look. For example, mods can completely alter gameplay, and Minecraft texture packs and resource packs change the appearance of existing blocks and add new blocks, respectively. Meanwhile, shader packs give you the same game with fancier graphics and effects.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:45 AM
     The best indie games on PC 2024

What are the best indie games? The great indie boom triggered by digital distribution a decade ago turned out to be more of a Big Bang, firing small-team development into a plethora of directions that now defy simple categorisation. The sheer volume is intimidating, so we have plenty to choose from when compiling our list of the best indie games. Perhaps too much.

But we should take stock, from time to time, to appreciate everything publisher-less development has given us. Some of the games listed below were built in a weekend by first-time coders, while others were crafted by former triple-A creators who've instilled their independent work with the same technical standards. They barely have anything in common but a healthy dose of idiosyncrasy and ideas that make Steam worth spelunking and make our list of the best PC games.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:31 AM
     Borderlands 3 codes and how to redeem

September 4, 2024 We added one new code.

What are the active Borderlands 3 Shift codes? If you just can't get enough of the chaotic shooter from Gearbox, you can redeem codes that you can find on the company's social media platforms on the official website to earn golden keys, or other trinkets to expand your arsenal further.

If the multitude of guns that Borderlands 3 offers aren't enough for you, these Borderlands 3 Shift codes will serve up more of the good stuff in the form of rare weapons and various cosmetics. Several ways to earn vault points in the FPS game include watching videos, reading articles, and checking social media for Borderlands 3 updates, just in case.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Borderlands 3 Shift codes, Borderlands 3 legendary weapons, Play Borderlands 3

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:10 AM
     Paradox is giving away $60 worth of Europa Universalis 4 DLC for free

Paradox Interactive is giving away multiple Europa Universalis 4 DLC to all players for free, and you don't even need to do anything to get them. Collectively, all of the expansions are worth $60, and massively expand the grand strategy game. They're about to be integrated into the EU4 base edition, which means you can get Europa Universalis 4 and a lot of its DLC for one single price - a price that's also significantly lower right now thanks to a new Steam sale.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Europa Universalis IV DLC guide, The best Europa Universalis 4 mods, Play Europa Universalis 4

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:08 AM
     Free CS2 contender Spectre Divide lowers MTX prices after mixed launch

Newcomer Spectre Divide is taking the big guns such as CS2, Valorant, and Call of Duty Black Ops 6 head-on. Built in collaboration with legendary FPS streamer Michael 'shroud' Grzesiek, the new 3v3 competitive multiplayer game infuses the Counter-Strike style of shooter with a  unique twist, whereby you control two bodies that you can switch between on the fly. It's also packed with player-led customization - and now, just one day after launch, developer Mountaintop Studios announces that it's dropping prices in response to feedback from players.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best free PC games, Best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:21 AM
     Best Zenless Zone Zero Jane Doe build

What is the best ZZZ Jane Doe build? Most characters in HoYoverse's gacha game make no effort to hide their allegiances, but Jane Doe is a striking exception. As her name suggests, Jane's identity is a big question mark, so you might be looking for a ZZZ Jane Doe build to shed some light on this mystery agent.

Jane Doe is the second S-Rank Anomaly character to arrive in Zenless Zone Zero. She's a Physical DPS unit that attacks enemies to stack Passion Stream and enter the Passion State, unleashing a sequence of rapid attacks to trigger Anomalies. This powerful combination of damage and support is due to send her straight to the top of our Zenless Zone Zero tier list, and we've got a ZZZ Jane build for the gacha game's resident fan favorite.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 7:02 AM
     Zenless Zone Zero banners - next, current, and 1.2 banners

What are the Zenless Zone Zero banners? If you're looking to expand your roster of playable agents, then wishing on banners is your best bet. These digital gacha machines form the basis of developer HoYoverse's monetization strategy, and they should be instantly familiar to anyone who's dipped into Genshin Impact or Honkai Star Rail.

Zenless Zone Zero includes several event banners that offer the chance to pull characters, weapons, and Bangboo. Banners rotate regularly, so it's important to think strategically about whether to spend your ZZZ Polychrome on the current banner, or hold off until the next one. The ZZZ 1.1 banners include brand-new agents that can shake-up your Zenless Zone Zero team comps, so get set to start spending in HoYoverse's urban gacha game. Here's who you can pull in Zenless Zone Zero banners.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 7:07 AM
     Best Metroidvania games to play in 2024

What are the best Metroidvania games on PC? With mechanics that have spread to all genres, few games beat a sprawling Metroidvania. Mostly 2D with some straightforward combat, tricky platforming, and light RPG mechanics, a Metroidvania demands you use all the abilities at your disposal to explore castles, alien-infested planets, whimsical forests, and so on.

Nintendo's Super Metroid and Konami's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night popularized the Metroidvania, but the genre has come into its own since these inaugural titles. While many of the best Metroidvania PC games try to recapture the spirit of their forebears, others expand into new territories by incorporating mechanics from pinball and soulslikes. The result is a dynamic genre that offers a wealth of familiar and fresh experiences - some recent, many of them cheap, and a few of them some of the best PC games ever made.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hollow Knight system requirements, Best action-adventure games, Best games like Dark Souls remastered

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:55 AM
     New tactical FPS Dagger Directive feels just like classic Ghost Recon

I have a theory - or maybe it's more of a personal belief - that videogames looked their best between 1996 and 2005. Now we have photorealism, immeasurable polygon counts, and cloth physics, but in the old days, games looked like games. They had their own aesthetic. They were unique. With that in mind, and also recalling the halcyon days of Ghost Recon - Desert Siege, Jungle Storm, and so on - meet Dagger Directive, a new tactical FPS just signed by simulation game legend MicroProse that looks like it comes from the year 2000 and plays like a mix of Arma, Operation Flashpoint, and Delta Force. This is the kind of shooter that the PC was made for.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best strategy games, Best war games

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:47 AM
     Grab eight Steam Deck games for $12, including Guardians of the Galaxy

The September Humble Choice games are live, and there's a special surprise this month as an extra game has been made available via an alpha playtest. All of the standard eight games are, once again, great for the Steam Deck, and you'll save big versus buying each game individually. These games will be available to claim until Tuesday, October 2.

Valve's Steam Deck became the best handheld gaming PC in large part because of how easy it makes playing games of all sizes and genres compared to buying and maintaining a gaming PC. Meanwhile, Humble Choice, the monthly games subscription service, has long offered a great way to collect games that work great on the Steam Deck, and this month is no different.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:55 AM
     Warframe codes - redeem for glyphs, weapons and boosters

September 4, 2024: We checked for new Warframe codes.

What are the current Warframe codes? If you're looking for free glyphs and cosmetics, you're in luck. There's a long list of available codes released by content creators for the Digital Extremes shooter. If you don't want to spend money on unlocking cosmetics, then using codes for in-game character cosmetics, emotes, and glyphs is the best way to get around it.

You can usually obtain new codes from content creators and codes are easy to redeem, too, here's a list of all the new codes and how to redeem them. It's also worth noting, sometimes temporary promo codes for boosters, cosmetics, and items pop up around big updates or special events. as well as rewards from Warframe Twitch drops. Our team at PCGamesN will be sure to update this guide as and when promo codes are available, so bookmark this page, and check our hub for all the latest Warframe news.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Warframe on Steam Deck, Warframe builds, Warframe codes

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:41 AM
     When is the next Escape from Tarkov wipe?

When is the next Escape from Tarkov server wipe? We all know that the main aim in Escape from Tarkov isn't to rack up a high body count - it's the loot. The glorious mountains of weapons and equipment you can stockpile after several months' worth of grinding. The only issue, then, is when the Tarkov servers get wiped and you have to start again, but when do these wipes occur, and is there one planned soon?

The tense FPS game is all about getting in and out as efficiently as you can, and staying alive also means that you keep whatever swag you managed to pilfer during your time in the world. Increasing the quality of your gear means you're much more likely to stay alive during your next run, and the run after that, and so on. Every once in a while, though, the servers undergo a complete EFT wipe, putting all players back to square, and level, one, but when is the next Escape from Tarkov server wipe?

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Escape from Tarkov system requirements, Escape From Tarkov Steam, Best FPS games

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:34 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 Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:27 AM
     Stalker 2 weapons - every confirmed gun so far

What are the Stalker 2 weapons? It has now been confirmed there are 35 different weapons in Stalker 2, and each weapon can be modified with attachments and upgrades to make them feel distinctly different. Though we're not sure exactly how that works just yet, we do have a good idea of the guns coming to the FPS game.

We've managed to list a fair few guns ahead of the Stalker 2 release date, thanks to eagle-eyed fans scouring several gameplay trailers, and a developer deep dive that explores different stages of the game. Though some of these guns aren't confirmed yet and are only spotted in gameplay, here's a list of every Stalker 2 weapon we've seen in the game so far, broken down into categories.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best apocalypse games, Stalker 2 release date, Best survival games

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:31 AM
     How much have I spent on LoL?

04/09/2024 The Riot support page for finding money spent is still showing as 'under construction'. We will update this page once it is back up and running. Fortunately, there is an alternative Riot support ticket method that only takes a couple of extra clicks - a method we've also outlined below.

How do you see how much you have spent on League of Legends? Riot Games' hugely successful MOBA is technically a free game, but if you ask any avid fan if that's the case, you'll no doubt receive a wry laugh in response. The champion pool is diverse and wonderful; each character can be purchased with currency earned while playing. Premium cosmetics, however, are bought with real-world money.

These League of Legends skins and other cosmetics can be purchased directly using an in-game currency called RP. RP itself, though, must be purchased with your hard-earned cash. LoL skins change the base look of the character you're playing, with premium cosmetics adding new effects, voice lines, and animations. Then there's the battle pass that can be bought using RP, too. So, while League of Legends is technically one of the best free PC games around, you can see just how easily it can sway you into parting with your money. This guide will give you the information needed to find out exactly how much you've spent in League of Legends - you just might not like the answer when you get it.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, League of Legends tier list

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:26 AM
     Delta Force Hawk Ops alpha dates

When is the next Delta Force alpha? The beloved Delta Force series is back with Delta Force, a new free-to-play title in the series. Deemed the "next generation of Delta Force", and previously titled Delta Force: Hawk Ops, the upcoming game combines classic campaigns with new ones, as well as a range of multiplayer modes.

The Delta Force release date is still a way away, but that doesn't mean you can't get a look at the latest installment in the classic FPS game series before then. Despite still being in the alpha stage of development, developer Team Jade is inviting some players to try out the free PC game already. Read on to find out how to get your hands on the latest Delta Force Hawk Ops playtest.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best upcoming PC games, Best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:53 AM
     Best Steam Deck dock 2024

The best Steam Deck dock can transform your handheld into a hybrid gaming PC. Valve's official docking station isn't the only option, and we've tried and tested an array of portable and cheap docks that come with everything you need to hook up a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

A dock is one of the best Steam Deck accessories you can buy for the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED, as it gives you more ways and places to experience your handheld. It'll let you play the best Steam Deck games on a big-screen TV, or play while charging inside the best Steam Deck cases. Whether you're looking for a desktop replacement, a console alternative, or want a way to charge your device in style, scroll down to find the best Steam Deck dock for you.

Continue reading Best Steam Deck dock 2024
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:02 AM
     Roblox promo codes

September 4, 2024: We've checked for new Roblox promo codes.

What are the new Roblox promo codes? Whether you're after new cosmetic pets, clothes, or accessories, promo codes are the easiest way to keep your avatar looking fresh. New Roblox codes constantly appear in events and giveaways, and our up-to-date list of valid codes is the best way to find out what's currently available to redeem. However, these codes won't hang around forever, so be sure to check back regularly to redeem new codes before they expire.

Unlike codes for specific Roblox games – such as Blox Fruit codes, Anime Champions Simulator codes, and Project Polaro codes – promo codes unlock free items you can show off to your friends across all Roblox communities. While Roblox music codes unlock universal tracks for your boombox, promo codes exclusively consist of cosmetic items. So, if you're looking to scoop up shiny new goodies without spending any Robux, here are all the Roblox codes you can redeem for February 2024.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:01 AM
     SharkBite 2 codes

September 4, 2024 We have checked for new SharkBite 2 codes.

What are the new SharkBite 2 codes? Abacadabra's seafaring survival game is an intense battle against the ocean's deadliest predator, but you can thankfully redeem free items to take the edge off as you upgrade your weapons and boats.

One of many Roblox games offering an adventure on the waters, SharkBite 2 offers up a bunch of freebies similar to the latest GPO codes or Meme Sea codes. Now let's dive into all the active SharkBite 2 codes.

Continue reading SharkBite 2 codes
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Roblox games, Roblox promo codes, Roblox music codes

PCGamesN Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:10 AM
     FF14 server status and maintenance times - is FFXIV down?

September 04, 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

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:41 AM
    

Babbdi was a game of stark and severe Brutalist aesthetics, and also, a game about playing scales with a trumpet, walljumping with a baseball bat and using a leafblower to fly. Snuck out over winter 2022, it was a sombre but delightful freebie with immense though well-hidden imagination, in which your only explicit objective was to find a way out of a small concrete city.

Now, developers Lemaitre Bros are making a gott-dang 1v1 FPS called Straftat, slated for release on 24th October 2024 with over 100 arenas. It's similarly in love with concrete, but it also has blunderbusses, dual-wielding, Gatling guns, corner-peeking, curved swords, cowboy hats and beehive hairdos.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:56 AM
    

Concord, that 5v5 multiplayer first-person shooter about Guardians Of The Galaxy-like space persons, will be taken offline on the 6th September. Anyone who bought it is being offered a full refund and it's been wiped off storefronts. All of this comes just shy of three weeks since the game dropped, with Sony citing a launch that "didn't land the way we'd intended".

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:29 AM
    

It is 1959. The cold war is in full swing, television is taking over, and environments have just become fully destructible. What a time to be alive. Deliver At All Costs is a chaotic courier sim set in those heady days that sees the player barrelling around a "semi-open" US town as they take on absurd odd jobs. "From delivering a giant flailing Marlin, to the disposal of an atomic bomb teetering on the edge of explosion," say the developers, "always expect the unexpected." It's maybe best understood by witnessing the moment in the trailer below where the player drifts right through a menswear store, bringing the whole building down. Yep, that looks like a good time.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:20 AM
    

When I catch word of a chocolate-and-peanut-butter blend of genres such as "cyberpunk survival horror RPG", my eyes light up. Literally, they light up like the pilot lights of flamethrowers, like glyphs on a cursed monolith that has been exposed to fresh blood after a billion years of dormancy. When I hear that the aforesaid RPG is set on a "dying space station", I begin to emit a monotonous reverberation, like the mysterious banging recently heard aboard the Boeing Starliner. And when I hear that it's being made by the people behind Shadowrun and Battletech, I extend dozens of independently cognitive motorised tentacles and begin writing a news article.

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Twinfinite Wednesday, September 4, 2024 4:23 AM
    
BangBang Survivor or Survivor.io - which is better?