Kotaku Sunday, October 13, 2024 11:25 AM  With the release of Vessel of Hatred, Diablo IV has seen its most significant changes since its original launch in June 2023. Adding a completely new region, Nahantu, along with a wealth of added characters and modes and a brand-new story, the expansion pack is the very definition of a game changer. But it goes even… |
Kotaku Sunday, October 13, 2024 10:10 AM  Pokémon maker Game Freak has suffered a massive data breach that saw employee info as well as tons of details about past games and upcoming sequels stolen from the developer. Fans are calling the leaked data the "Teraleak" as insider accounts pore over everything from unused Pokémon designs to the codename for the… |
Kotaku Sunday, October 13, 2024 10:00 AM  With both the epic role-playing gameMetaphor: ReFantazio and Diablo IV's Vessel of Hatred expansion having just released, we've got heaps of pointers to help you start off on the right foot in both. Also, players are getting their butts kicked by Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero's Great Ape Vegeta, and we've got tips on… |
PCGamesN Sunday, October 13, 2024 12:46 PM  With Command and Conquer almost entirely silent for a few years now, plenty of others have come for the throne. C&C's RTS excellence is a hard nut to crack though, as even two decades later Red Alert and the original remain unmatched. That simple but effective base building and combat loop can be found almost everywhere on Steam, but Battlefall looks like one of the most promising attempts at bringing the RTS back in full force. With C&C, Mad Max, and Terminator all heavy inspirations, you can try a brand-new multiplayer demo for Battlefall right now, and make that call for yourself. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RTS games, Best strategy games, Best grand strategy games |
PCGamesN Sunday, October 13, 2024 12:43 PM  The number of active players in Nexon's live service free-to-play shooter, The First Descendant, has fallen by almost an average of 90% since the game's initial release. Meanwhile, fellow free shooter Once Human is still thriving, and that even had a very similar number of players at launch from around the same time. The First Descendent is by no means quiet, still raking in around 30,000 players a day, but the numbers aren't what they used to be. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The First Descendant system requirements, The First Descendant characters, The First Descendant crossplay |
PCGamesN Sunday, October 13, 2024 12:51 PM  Concord was, by all accounts, a tragic end to a promising game. Sony's Firewalk Studios made a hero shooter aiming to rival Overwatch, but player interest was almost nonexistent. The Steam playercounts were frightfully low, and within weeks Concord had been pulled from sale and refunds were given out. Is that the end of the story though? I certainly hope not. I want Firewalk to get another chance, and it looks like we're getting a glimmer of hope. Continue reading Concord might be back soon as mysterious Steam updates ramp up MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best multiplayer games, Best cross platform games, Best FPS games |
PCGamesN Sunday, October 13, 2024 10:55 AM  We've seen thousands of Doom mods that add new gameplay, restore lost content, and expand upon the iconic original game. Even when not modding the game itself, hardware modders are getting it to run on all sorts of devices. But that's not where the list of amazing Doom creations ends, as now a good chunk of Doom 64 is running inside the first two Doom games. I promise it's not deliberately confusing, this is actually monumentally impressive. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best old games, Best FPS games, Best zombie games |
PCGamesN Sunday, October 13, 2024 10:30 AM  Before playing Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, my favorite Blizzard game ever made was Diablo 2. Dripping with darkness, and oozing malice, Diablo 2 set the tone for the ARPG genre, inspiring generations of games like Path of Exile and, more recently, indie competitors like Last Epoch. There's no denying that the Dark Wanderer's saga of strife changed the course of videogame history, but having played Diablo 2 Resurrected while I waited for Vessel of Hatred to drop, the rose-tinted glasses have come off. Continue reading Having replayed Diablo 2, Diablo 4 is now the series' best game MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review, Diablo 4 classes |
PCGamesN Sunday, October 13, 2024 9:07 AM  If you've ever read Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines series and thought you'd thrive in life on a locomotive town or city, then you're in luck. The first demo for Sand, a walking mech-based PvPvE extraction shooter, is live right now. You'll construct a Trampler and set out stomping across a post-apocalyptic alien desert in search of contracts to complete and other players to blast to pieces. Sand has the tense gameplay of Escape From Tarkov, dressed up in a Sea of Thieves-style adventure that trades oceans for land. Continue reading You can try this steampunk FPS with giant mechs for free right now MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best multiplayer games, Best space games |
PCGamesN Sunday, October 13, 2024 8:08 AM  I've said it before and I'll say it again, Skyrim's combat is by far its weakest element. Over a decade later, fights are more like hitting a giant sponge with a hammer than actual bandits. I don't think what Bethesda made in 2011 was bad - Skyrim's a huge game that works in so many ways it's a miracle - but fighting hasn't aged well. With so many Skyrim mods aiming to fix that, I've got a new creation that completely changes how NPCs act around you. It's a real treat. Continue reading New Skyrim mod empowers the weak and spongy NPCs to fight back MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Skyrim mods, Elder Scrolls 6 release date, Games like Skyrim |
PCGamesN Sunday, October 13, 2024 7:18 AM  Developer Atlus' Metaphor: ReFantazio was released this week with a couple of major milestones. It is not only the company's fastest-selling game on Steam, but also the biggest launch. While this might come as a surprise to some, it shouldn't, because turn-based RPGs pull in thousands of players every week. Atlus' latest is part of a long line of turn-based hits, and it once again proves we need more of them. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metaphor Refantazio review, Best RPG games, Best JRPGs |
PCGamesN Sunday, October 13, 2024 6:04 AM  If there's one thing Paradox Interactive is great at, it's making grand strategy games. We've got Stellaris, Hearts of Iron 4, Crusader Kings 3, Victoria, and of course Europa Universalis 4. With over a decade of updates and DLC, EU4 is a Steam stalwart that's easily the pre-eminent Middle Ages games out there. If you've never played it, then, you can grab it for the cheapest it's ever been alongside a slate of free DLC right now. With Paradox continuing to tease Europa Universalis 5, there's no better time to give its predecessor a try. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Europa Universalis IV DLC guide, The best Europa Universalis 4 mods, Play Europa Universalis 4 |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Sunday, October 13, 2024 11:00 AM  Hello reader who is also a reader, and welcome back to Booked For The Week - our regular Sunday chat with a selection of cool industry folks about books! I need to start getting a 'Gene Wolfe referenced' reaction image for these things, I swear - although this reference is at least hidden behind a couple of links. Which links? That'd be spoiling the layered environmental storytelling that keeps you coming back. This week, it's Senior Technical Narrative Designer at Remedy, previously of Fullbright, Bioshock 2, and Where The Water Tastes Like Wine fame, Johnnemann Nordhagen! Cheers Johnnemann! Mind if we have a nose at your bookshelf? |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Sunday, October 13, 2024 7:17 AM  It's not far away, you know. The promised land of never having to experience a game the way it was intended again. That long sought after holy grail of sticking your fingers in your ears and going wahwahwah. But it's not going to be something created by people with talent, vision, expertise, drive, a dream, or a story in their hearts. No, as with everything in our imminent future, it will be achieved by putting a bucket over your head. |
Siliconera Sunday, October 13, 2024 12:00 PM
Tsuma Shougakusei ni Naru (My Wife Becomes an Elementary Student), or simply known as TsumaSho, is one of the most controversial anime series in a while. I mean, just look at the name and you'll see why. But for the most part, the premise of this series is just there to garner attention and controversy when, in fact, it actually features pretty great storytelling so far.
The idea of the series revolves around a husband and wife, Keisuke and Takae, who fall in love, get married, and have a daughter together. Tragically, though, Takae passes away. 10 years pass, during which both Keisuke and their daughter, Mai, just go through the motions. That is, until Takae shows up alive and well on their doorstep, but now as a reincarnated elementary school student.
It is a quite bizarre premise, to say the least, but an emotional and surprisingly well-done one. The first episode, in particular, immediately grips the viewer with its cold open. It reads almost like a light anime version of Up's masterpiece opening, showcasing the central couple's journey through life together.
I immediately felt similarities to Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again, also released in 2024. The only difference is, that series had such a lighthearted and comedic tone that shied away too much from the serious aspects. However, that isn't the case here at all with TsumaSho. Sure, it has some goofy (and weird) moments throughout, but it dives headfirst into the seriousness of this matter.
We get to see the heartbreak Keisuke goes through, with some solid voice acting accompanying it. This contrasts nicely with the complete 180 his personality has once he realizes his wife is alive again. The elements of grief are explored nicely, even over the course of the first episode and its brief runtime.
But TsumaSho isn't perfect, and no greater example of that is there in its premise. There is no doubt in my mind Takae comes back as an elementary school student solely for attention. After all, she could just as easily show up on his doorstep as an adult and the story would be fine. The only problem with that is "My Wife Reincarnated as a College Student" certainly doesn't feel nearly as rage-inducing as if she is in elementary school.
It is a shame, since this one element will likely hold back many people from watching. And, quite frankly, I don't blame them. I will say the series, thus far, skirts around the creepiness of this idea. Keisuke is mostly respectful of Takae's (now known as Marika) current stature and age. However, it doesn't fully get rid of the general ickiness of the matter. There is always a constant underlying feeling of grossness while watching. This is even if nothing inappropriate is actually happening in the series.
If someone doesn't want to watch this show, even knowing it is pretty good, I completely understand. In fact, I wouldn't even encourage them to try it anyways. It is just a shame that the mangaka Yayu Murata didn't have enough confidence in their own talent to let that shine through on its own. Instead, they opted for a controversial angle to capture the community's attention.
My hope as someone who hasn't dived into the manga yet is that this is a way for Keisuke to get over his grief and find a way to move on. After all, even the first episode hints at a possible new love interest for him that is, fortunately, an adult this time. I would be happy to see him find a new friendship with his wife while moving on and finding new love with someone else. This would be the best way to continue the story and avoid some possible pitfalls. For now, though, only time will tell.
I sure hope TsumaSho finds its footing soon. This way, it can move away from its controversial premise and focus on what it really has going for it: excellent storytelling and characters.
TsumaSho is available to stream right now on Crunchyroll.
The post TsumaSho Has Great Storytelling, Despite Its Ragebait Premise appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Sunday, October 13, 2024 9:00 AM
The AYANEO Remake line is fascinating. Each product is inspired by a retro console or handheld, from powerbanks and mini PCs to Android devices. The AYANEO Pocket Micro is the latest, and you'd be forgiven if you'd mistake it for a GBA Micro at a glance. However, while it is inspired by that comfortable and space-saving design, this is a robust, sturdy system that stands on its own as a potential pinnacle of Android gaming.
While AYANEO's official site describes the Pocket Micro as "a delicate plaything you won't want to put down," the first thing that struck me when I opened mine is how substantial it is. It felt extremely sturdy and substantial when I took it out of the box. The glass paneled front is shiny and clear, and the aluminum case has a perfect amount of weight. It's not so heavy that I felt I'd have trouble playing it over long periods of time, but the design is such that I did feel comfortable putting it in my purse when heading out somewhere.
Also, while I described the AYANEO Pocket Micro as looking like a GBA Micro, it is far more comfortable than Nintendo's handheld ever was. The power button is recessed and allows for fingerprint unlocking, so I found it never turned on inadvertently and felt safe taking an Android system that does have access to all my accounts out without worrying about anyone else cracking into it. The GBA Micro was always a device that, while I enjoyed, I stopped playing as frequently as I got older due to the controls not being comfortable in my hands. Everything is perfectly proportioned here. The analog sticks have a comfortable amount of resistance to them, featured exemplary accuracy, and had a great grip without adding any additional covers to the thumbsticks. The placement of the four trigger buttons is quite intuitive, and I appreciated how many additional inputs are available along the bottom edge and side of the Android handheld to check on the status of things, head to the main menu, or have an instant "out" to back out of programs.
In terms of power, I found the AYANEO Pocket Micro to be quite capable. It has a Helio G99 processor. It played any game I threw at it perfectly. The screen is a 960x640 one with IPS original color, so everything looked bright and clear. With a click of a button, I could check the performance of any title I was playing to see the framerate, adjust the fan, and switch to a different performance mode when needed. I found the "balance" option was best in general, but did swap to the "game" one for HoYoVerse titles. The Controller option of that menu also made it easy to start adapting things and adjusting experiences based on preference in each title.
Speaking of gaming, I was also incredibly impressed with just how compatible the AYANEO Pocket Micro is with different programs and devices. While I couldn't test Xbox Remote Play, I did play quite a few PS5 games with it. Though the size of the text was an issue, it worked perfectly with the app and I experienced no lag or issues thanks to the Android device and my home internet. It's also paired incredibly well with the Crunchyroll Game Library. In particular, Blossom Tales II, Yohane the Parhelion, and are all ones I highly recommend. Captain Velvet Meteor and Wolfstride are a bit uncomfortable to play, due to the text size, sadly. HoYoVerse games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail work exceptionally well on it! Though again, the text size might be an issue and it is frustrating when the mobile versions of those games won't remember I'm selecting the controller-supported option after doing so once. The only game I wanted to play on here, but couldn't, is FFVII Ever Crisis. Which is no big deal, since there are plenty of other avenues for that.
Speaking of minor inconveniences, I've only experienced one issue with my AYANEO Pocket Micro, and it's an incredibly minor one. If I would let the battery completely die, something that happened twice due to how much I've been using it and keeping it in my purse, then recharged it and started, the handheld would start with the internet turned off. I'd have to drag down the menu on the touchscreen to turn WiFi on again. But again, I feel like this is more of an energy-saving move and not any sort of defect! It's something I haven't gotten around to customizing, so I mention it only so if others find themselves in my position, they know to flip the in-menu toggle again.
As this is a dedicated Android handheld, it also means it is incredibly easy to set up and use. Immediately after I picked it up, I was quickly going through my Google Play library and adding any compatible game. (By the way, Square Enix's Final Fantasy games and older titles like Forager run like a dream on it.) I immediately had all of the apps ready to go and customized to my liking within the span of a few hours. There's a certain comfort and familiarity to it all, and it was easier to find my footing and be settled than it was with many PCs I've set up over the years.
I'm constantly impressed with the AYANEO Pocket Micro. I didn't realize how much of my mobile gaming could be covered by this handheld. I'd gotten incredibly behind in Zenless Zone Zero, and now I'm caught up. I never really touched my Crunchyroll Games Library subscription, and now I'm playing the titles there. I picked up Stardew Valley — again — to prepare for the 1.6 mobile update. It's really such a fluid and comfortable handheld, one that I feel safe carrying with me at all times due to the battery life, construction, and its capabilities, and I'm amazed with how well AYANEO's done with this one.
The AYANEO Pocket Micro project is on Indiegogo.
The post Review: AYANEO Pocket Micro Calls to Mind GBA Micro Gaming appeared first on Siliconera. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Sunday, October 13, 2024 1:43 PM Several employee and company details. The post Pokemon Developer Game Freak Hacked, Game Details Leaked appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
Level Up Sunday, October 13, 2024 11:00 AM Game Freak confirmed a significant data breach involving sensitive internal information, including source code and future Pokémon game details. They expressed deep regret and are investigating the incident while enhancing security measures. The company is collaborating with legal authorities and remains focused on managing the situation, though specifics on future projects remain undisclosed. |