GamersHeroes Monday, October 14, 2024 9:58 AM Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines is twice as nice, with pixel-perfect physics between two playable characters. While most enemies don't put up much of a fight, Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines channels the best platformers for a dog-gone good time. The post Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines Review appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Monday, October 14, 2024 9:53 AM Sand Sailor Studio and Thunderful's Viking sandbox survival builder ASKA is getting even bigger with today's release of Update 2: Farmer & Fighters. The post ASKA Update 2: Farmer & Fighters Now Available appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Monday, October 14, 2024 9:20 AM  Pokémon GO added Dynamaxing to the mobile game only just over a month ago, with the accompanying addition of Max Points, all-new Pokéstop-like Power Spots, and the ability to Max Battle your monsters. And today, it's followed up with the announcement of the arrival of Gigantamax Pokémon, with a rather splendid trailer. |
Kotaku Monday, October 14, 2024 9:00 AM  Scalpers are just capitalism working efficiently. As such, they're absolute scumbags who ruin fun things, proven yet again with the release of Larian's physical "Collector's Edition" of Baldur's Gate 3. The enormo-box, sold out by official means, is now being listed for prices over $3,000. |
Kotaku Monday, October 14, 2024 8:15 AM  Few comic book characters are as beloved as Spider-Man. With such a simple and understandable set of powers and a memorably iconic guiding ethos, Marvel's signature character is a shining example of what it means to be a hero. Created in 1962 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has a rich… |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 9:40 AM  If you're looking for a more realistic WW2 game, then turn-based strategy RPG Burden of Command might be right up your street. Much like HBO's Band of Brothers series, Burden of Command explores the journey, both physical and emotional, of a WW2 ground unit, offering a more authentic experience than your average war game. And thanks to Steam Next Fest, you can play the free demo right now. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best strategy games, Best war games, Best turn-based strategy games |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 9:38 AM  The original Nvidia Shield might be nine years old now, but it's still getting some love. Nvidia has just released a brand new update for all Nvidia Shield and Shield Pro models that adds several bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements, including an important fix for GeForce Now streaming. Even with aging hardware, these Nvidia TV boxes are still great for streaming games remotely using the Steam Link app for your local Steam games or GeForce Now for everything else. The newest Shield Pro's Nvidia Tegra X1+ SoC, the same chip found in the Nintendo Switch, is great for streaming. However, if you're planning to stream games locally from your PC, you'll still need a capable rig, though not necessarily the best gaming PC to get the job done. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: GeForce RTX 4070 Super review, DLSS explained, Best graphics cards |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 9:43 AM  October 14, 2024 We added four new Borderlands 3 Shift codes and removed all expired codes. What are the new Borderlands 3 codes? Gearbox's chaotic shooter has plenty to offer, but we can never say no to free loot. Redeem codes are released regularly and include keys to open loot chests, along with other trinkets to expand your arsenal further. Some Borderlands 3 Shift codes are permanent fixtures, while others are only available for a limited time. We've collected all the latest codes so you never miss out. You can even redeem these codes in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands if you just can't get enough of the FPS game series. Now you're all set, gear up for new Borderlands 3 updates with the latest promo codes below. Continue reading Borderlands 3 Shift codes and how to redeem MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Borderlands 3 Shift codes, Borderlands 3 legendary weapons, Play Borderlands 3 |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 7:43 AM  October 14, 2024: We checked for new NBA 2K25 codes. What are the active NBA 2K25 codes? It's another year in the NBA 2K calendar, and as is tradition there are plenty of freebies to collect. Over the lifetime of each game in the storied basketball series, 2K dishes out a slew of locker codes that can be punched in, rewarding you with everything from free packs to top-rated stars as the season progresses. In NBA 2K25, you can expect a similar slurry of goodies to come your way, helping you make the most of your time in the sports game. Of course, NBA 2K25 locker codes don't last forever, so you'll have to act fast when a new code does pop up. Fortunately, we're keeping our eagle eyes eagerly on the latest codes, which you can find below. Continue reading NBA 2K25 codes October 2024 - all locker codes MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sports games, Best multiplayer games, New PC games |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 7:34 AM  Delta Force might have been an oft-forgotten classic of the FPS genre for some time, but not anymore. Team Jade has finally launched the public multiplayer demo as a part of Steam Next Fest, so you can try both the Battlefield PvP and Escape From Tarkov PvE-inspired game modes right now. With an identity itching to outgrow these influences though, and an awful lot of game modes, rewards, and activities to get stuck into over the next week, now's the time to take Delta Force for a spin. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best upcoming PC games, Best multiplayer games |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 7:31 AM  In response to Payday 3's current player numbers, developer Starbreeze Studio says it will continue to produce updates for the crime FPS even if only a single player is online. On its launch day in 2023, Payday 3 attracted more than 77,000 players, but that number quickly dwindled owing to technical problems and widespread criticism of the Payday 2 sequel. While the shooter is steadily making a comeback, it's concurrent user count has never returned to its release-day high. While it says it will keep releasing material for Payday 3 regardless, Starbreeze also recently told PCGamesN it is confident the shooter sequel can recover completely. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best co-op games on PC, The best crime games on PC, The best FPS games |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 7:21 AM  Not every mouse is built the same, and thanks to this gaming mouse deal, you can grab one of the premier Razer MMORPG mice for less. While you can play an MMO with any old mouse, to truly maximize your efficiency you need more than just two or three programmable buttons, and the Razer Naga V2 brings a total of 19 customizable inputs, meaning you're in full control of your in-game actions. The Razer Naga V2 Hyperspeed is one of the best gaming mice for MMORPGs, and not just because of the additional inputs. This mouse also adopts Razer's Hypershift technology, effectively enabling a second layer of inputs on top of the existing ones, doubling the total number of inputs possible with the Naga V2. So, no matter how many action bars you might set up in World of Warcraft, Runescape, or Throne and Liberty, the Naga V2 Hyperspeed can keep up with your demands. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Razer Viper V2 Pro review, Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) review, Best gaming mouse |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 7:11 AM  October 14, 2024: We've checked the Throne and Liberty server status. What's the Throne and Liberty server status? Launching a new MMO is always a challenge, and Throne and Liberty has had to overcome its fair share of them server side. Fortunately, developer NCSoft and publisher Amazon Games have been quick to act, making great strides in improving the player experience. If you can't currently log into the game, there's a good chance Throne and Liberty maintenance is currently underway. Typically, this process takes several hours, meaning you'll just have to find another great MMO game to play until Throne and Liberty is back online. The T&L team usually announces maintenance ahead of time, so we'll be sure to keep this guide updated with the latest developments. Continue reading Throne and Liberty server status and maintenance times MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMORPGs, Throne and Liberty codes, Throne and Liberty weapons |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 7:09 AM  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. Continue reading All Monopoly Go events, tournaments, dates, and rewards MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 7:08 AM  When is the next Delta Force playtest? The beloved Delta Force series is back with Delta Force, a new free-to-play title. Deemed the "next generation of Delta Force", and previously titled Delta Force: Hawk Ops, the upcoming game combines classic campaigns with new ones and 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 early stages of development, developer Team Jade has already invited some players to try out the free PC game in an early alpha. Read on to learn what we know about any upcoming Delta Force alpha or beta tests. Continue reading Delta Force alpha and beta details MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best upcoming PC games, Best multiplayer games |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 7:00 AM  Stereotypically you play videogames for enjoyment, escapism, and to indulge some kind of impossible fantasy, and by that metric, survival sims like The Long Dark and Sons of the Forest shouldn't be popular. These are brutal, unforgiving games where the merest mistake can mean death, and actions that we normally take for granted, like exploration and building, require meticulous planning. But creativity flows through narrow pipes - Don't Starve and its contemporaries work so well because, rather than curtail your imagination and engagement, those impulses are channelled, directed. Inspired by some of the all-time greats, Angst is a new Steam survival game available to play now for the first time, and PCGamesN has an exclusive look at its brutal but beautiful world. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best co-op games, Best upcoming PC games |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 6:22 AM  Throne and Liberty has a guild problem. Amazon's newest MMO venture is finally out in the wild, and while player counts are strong, guilds are ruining the experience for many. With these guilds getting a head start in early access, a lot of servers are having instanced, PvP, and other community content ruined by the domineering groups. It's still early days for the MMO though, and there is a limited-time workaround if you want to jump to a new server. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMORPGs, Throne and Liberty codes, Throne and Liberty weapons |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 6:21 AM  Is Metaphor ReFantazio on Game Pass? Some of Atlus' most successful games have launched on Microsoft's subscription service, including Persona 5 Royal and more recently Persona 3 Reload. It's unsurprising, then, that the studio's latest turn-based RPG, Metaphor ReFantazio, could also make an appearance. The love child of multiple Atlus IPs, including the mainline Shin Megami Tensei games, Persona, and Digital Devil Saga, Metaphor ReFantazio synthesizes the best the studio has to offer into its grandest adventure yet - at least, our sparkling Metaphor ReFantazio review reckons so. This bold new RPG marks a departure from the schoolyard antics we're used to in Atlus' most popular releases, plonking us in the middle of a fierce post-medieval election campaign for the crown. Read on to find out if Metaphor will eventually take place on the Game Pass throne. Continue reading Is Metaphor ReFantazio on Game Pass? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metaphor Refantazio review, Best RPG games, Best JRPGs |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 6:14 AM  The Intel Core Ultra 200 series launch is mere weeks away, so most of the new chips have long since been revealed, and are even up for pre-order at some retailers. However, a new leak is suggesting there's a whole new CPU in the lineup that hasn't been spotted before. The Intel Core Ultra 9 295K is the model in question, and it could be the fastest chip of the whole lot. You can read up on everything we know so far about the 285K and other Intel Core Ultra 200 CPUs in our Intel Arrow Lake guide, which explains the architecture the chips are built on and the models you can expect to see available to buy in shops soon. Meanwhile, we've already seen how the company has accepted that the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D beats the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K. However, this leak could hint that Intel was only willing to admit defeat with the 285K because it knew it had the 295K waiting in the wings. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Core i5 14600K review, Best gaming CPU, Core i9 14900K review |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 6:13 AM  October 14, 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. Continue reading Free Monopoly Go dice links October 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Monopoly Go events, Monopoly Go dice |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 6:00 AM  After a Metaphor ReFantazio guide and walkthrough? Set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, Metaphor ReFantazio thrusts you into a contest to determine its next monarch by gaining the trust and popularity of the people. However, surpassing your rivals and claiming the throne will be an uphill struggle for a relatively unknown candidate of "inferior background." Metaphor Refantazio borrows much of the same sense of style from the Persona RPG games. It primarily opts for turn-based combat systems similar to many JRPGs while including the more familiar social mechanics. Our glowing Metaphor ReFantazio review calls it a "must-play," so you know you're in for absolute peak gameplay. Below you'll find a suite of guides that'll aid you on your journey - be they in the form of farming hotspots, a complete rundown of the game's Archetypes, or even the latest update on its Game Pass future. Continue reading Metaphor Refantazio guide and walkthrough MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Metaphor Refantazio review, Best RPG games, Best JRPGs |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 5:58 AM  Multiplayer indie game Liar's Bar has been steadily gaining interest since its early release on Steam, but now the dark horse sleeper hit has a seriously impressive new player record. On Sunday October 13, Liar's Bar reached a peak user count of 69,083, putting it ahead of Diablo 4's 55,561, Stellaris' 68,602, and Hunt: Showdown 1896's 60,124. As of Monday October 14, the game is 243rd on SteamDB's most played game chart. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, Best multiplayer games, Best co-op games |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 5:46 AM  What are the latest DBD codes? These freebie-granting DBD rewards can reward you with anything from a few bonus Bloodpoints to help prestige the latest character, to new and exclusive in-game cosmetics, so it's crucial you get them while they're live. There are more ways to customize your game than ever with DBD badges and banners, but there are still occasional rewards for items for your DBD killers and survivors, too. All of them let you show off your style, while Dead by Daylight Bloodpoints and Rift Fragments help your in-game progress, so there are always plenty of goodies to be had. Some of these Dead by Daylight codes are ongoing though, so you may have snapped them up already. Continue reading DBD codes October 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 5:28 AM  How do you get Delta Force Twitch drops? The iconic FPS series is back after a long hiatus, and following a change of developer and a 15-year wait, we can't wait to see how the Delta Force series has evolved in in the latest release. Ahead of the Delta Force Hawk Ops release date, you can play the free PC game in an early access demo for Steam Next Fest, and claim free Twitch drops while you're at it. So far, you can get a taste of what the multiplayer game will later offer in the form of "extraction and large-scale PvP modes", with more becoming available on the early access release. Continue reading Delta Force Twitch drops and how to claim MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best upcoming PC games, Best multiplayer games |
PCGamesN Monday, October 14, 2024 4:28 AM  Okay. There are reasons to believe this is genuine, and there are reasons to believe it means nothing. Since RE4 Remake, we've been waiting to hear more about the future of Capcom's survival horror series. A new version of Code Veronica seems possible, or maybe a remake of Resident Evil Zero. On the contrary, rather than bringing back the oldies, there's reason to imagine that a fully-fledged sequel in the form of Resident Evil 9 will be Capcom's next project - the Winters' story might be concluded, or close enough, but there are still questions about Chris Redfield and the rest of the mainline cast. Yes, a Resident Evil 9 Metacritic page has just appeared and, yes, based on previous examples, this could be authentic. But there are also reasons to temper our expectations. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best survival games, Best old games |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, October 14, 2024 9:00 AM  One of the most important lessons in skiing is, presumably, to look where you're going. You wouldn't want to ski with your eyes closed or while viewing yourself from a drone pointed back at the mountain from above. That'd be daft. Or maybe not. Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is the frosty followup to the mountain biking original, Lonely Mountains: Downhill, and like its predecessor it's about going fast while barely able to see what's coming. Yet also like its predecessor, initial frustrations melted away until I was eagerly hitting the slopes in the Snow Riders demo for just one more quick go. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, October 14, 2024 8:00 AM  Normal games for normal people, that's what everyone loves. Cosy experiences where nothing goes wrong and you have absolutely zero things to investigate and no otherworldly mysteries to worry about. It may shock you to learn that we were recently duped by "normal" gardening sim Grunn, which was not normal at all. But don't worry, it won't happen again. Today we bring you the ordinary and not-one-bit-suspicious Trip, which sees players wandering from carriage to carriage, chatting pleasantly with passengers during a long train journey. How long? Let me look at the timetable here, let's see... "Forever," it says. Hm. Must be a misprint. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, October 14, 2024 7:36 AM  What is the cutest type of eyeball? This question has plagued the games industry since Nintendo first allowed millions of unsupervised children to play god with Mii avatars and their customisable peepers. In low-stakes fishing game Webfishing, you can give your fuzzy avatar one of 33 styles of eye (I counted). This is the mark of a solid Animal Crossing-like. There's a lot of other character creation bits and bobs, of course, but you'll have to catch a bunch of bass and sell the haul to unlock every boopable nose and bleppy smile. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, October 14, 2024 6:37 AM  Write travel journalism to imaginary places, my spaghetti once spelled out. Do package holidays count? In Nahantu's jungles, I linger to take shots of vines spilling from verdigris-kissed cages, of footfall-slicked stone paths and mesoamerican mosaics. Even Vessel Of Hatred's malignancy feels like a grimly gorgeous tourist trap. Trip Advisor-recommended cyclopean polyps. TikTok viral demonic cysts. I've even got a leopard cub to pose with. He's not sedated, promise. He's just like that. I told him how much the ultimate edition costs and he's been catatonic ever since. I'd like to stick around, but I keep getting ushered along to the next leg of the tour. There are mobs to pop into goo like ripe spots, each fight as slick and frictionless as a pygmy hippo in a butter bath. There are a dozen different tiered resources and event types designed to make repetition feel like progress, until hell freezes over then melts again. It's fine, Blizzard packed me some wellies. It's all so comfortable I suspect they'd have thrown in some Xanax and a back rub if they could. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, October 14, 2024 6:31 AM  Sometimes, a game needs an original premise before I'll write it up, and sometimes, it just needs a flying car, or a slick revolver with chambers outlined in mouthwatering red neon. Say hello to ExeKiller, which I am filing under "not new, but news to me". I know, "ExeKiller" sounds like a computer virus, though I think the people who make viruses tend to favour less obviously nefarious names, like "Microsoft Werd". Hang on, that's what I'm writing this article with! Quickly, before I lose this PC to ransomware: ExeKiller is actually a "semi-open" world cyber-Western FPS with retro futurist visuals. It casts you as a bounty hunter plying the dunes and gas stations of a post-apocalyptic Earth, and it looks like a mix of Cyberpunk 2077 and Drive. Here's some pre-alpha footage. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, October 14, 2024 6:13 AM  I loved the original Until Dawn - a spruced-up horror take on those old FMV adventure games, with just the right mix of B-movie self awareness and creature feature scares. I was very close to buying the recent remake, actually, until I watched the extended prank scene online and realized, oh no, they're taking themselves seriously now. They prestige-ified it. It insisted upon itself, Louis, so I didn't bother. I still wouldn't say no to a sequel though, and based on a couple of (admittedly vague) hints from two of the game's actors, one might already be in the works. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, October 14, 2024 4:13 AM  Merry mid-October all! It's chucking it down here. This week I'm mostly playing a game of my own devising called There's A Hole In My Raincoat And I Can't Find It. The Maw is unlikely to be sated by such flotsam, so it's just as well there are also a bunch of new PC games on the cards. Please run your eyes over them while I experiment with putting my coat over a lightbulb again. |
Twinfinite Monday, October 14, 2024 6:02 AM  |
Siliconera Monday, October 14, 2024 9:00 AM
The Ys series is one where if you're into the games, you're really into it. It forgoes traditional JRPG conventions by having each game serve as an adventure in the life of protagonist Adol Christin, almost like a throwback to classic adventure novels. The newest title Ys X: Nordics aims to bring it into the swashbuckling world of piracy. However, that's not exactly where the games strengths lie.
The story kicks off with Adol meeting Karja, a fierce "pirate princess," on his travels. Inadvertently, a magical tether binds the two. This connection sets the stage for an action-packed journey during which the pair must confront a looming magical threat. Their dynamic avoids the overdone "reluctant partnership" trope. Instead, Karja actually accepts her bond with Adol pretty quickly, which brings a refreshing sense of camaraderie to their interactions.
Ys X: Nordics draws heavily from Norse mythology, with plenty of Viking-inspired culture sprinkled throughout the game. The pirate ambiance obviously adds to the flavor of the setting. The characters Adol and Karja interact with are enjoyable and the adventures they go on fit all the themes. I found the premise of a swashbuckling Adol to be both refreshing and engaging. However, it quickly becomes clear that the game's sea-based mechanics aren't up to par with its land-based exploration.
Ys X: Nordics introduces an entire naval mechanic involving ship-based exploration and combat. However, ship combat is where Ys X falls short. This sure as heck isn't the intricate, multi-layered naval battles of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It's not even the arcade style system from Kingdom Hearts III's Port Royal. Ys X opts instead for something so simple it's hard to call it a minigame, much less a full mechanic.
Sea battles amount to little more than locking on and firing cannons, with the occasional special volley attack peppered in. After a few encounters, the novelty fades, and it starts to feel quite bland. It doesn't help that the ship moves pretty slow. It especially stands out because the Ys series is famously fast, especially in combat.
Also there's not a lot to do in the water other than just make it to your next destination. Honestly, when I first got the ship, the freedom of sailing around seemed pretty exciting. However, the uninteresting waters and slow pace really takes the shine off of it quickly. It's a shame, as the pirate theme fits Adol and the game so well, but the execution falls short.
On the flip side, exploration and combat on land are where Ys X: Nordics stands tall. Adol and Karja's adventures take them across various islands filled with dungeons, plains, or towns to discover. The smaller, scattered islands break away from the massive single-location structure of recent Ys games. The openness and occasional variety make this aspect feel especially like they're going on some grand escapade.
Navigating once you're on these islands is quite fun, especially with the help of your mana abilities. These are powers that you use in the field not for attacking, but for exploration. For example, one ability emulates a grappling hook. Combining Adol and Karja's natural speed with the additional locomotion from these abilities makes exploration feel so smooth.
However, the meat and potatoes of a Ys game is always going to be the combat. It's why fans pay the price of admission. One of the most compelling aspects of Ys X is its fast-paced combat, a hallmark of the series. Luckily, Ys X: Nordics knocks this out of the park.
The game introduces a new "Duo Mode" where Adol and Karja team up for powerful attacks, and I found this to be the highlight of the combat system. Switching between the two characters mid-battle felt seamless, and the chaotic energy of teaming up added a lot of excitement to fights. Duo Mode is so effective that I rarely saw the need to switch out of it. Most of the fights /i did I ended up just lamming through fight in Duo Mode.
To be fair though, I was playing on "normal" difficulty the entire game. Higher difficulties might demand a bit more strategy before leaping into the fight. I know some of you die-hards don't get out of bed for anything less than "Nightmare."
As you progress, you'll unlock new abilities via a skill tree system. The tree has nodes, which are enhanced by slotting "mana seeds" into them. These provide both passive buffs and for certain nodes along the tree, new combat techniques. While not the most revolutionary system, it's intuitive and offers some flexibility in building your characters. The seeds come in different types, each offering different bonuses and stats. Therefore, experimenting with combining the different seeds is crucial.
As you gain more techniques, it only makes battles look even flashier. Some battles can actually look like an anime episode. This is of course helped by the gorgeous art style of the game. I would say it's the prettiest Ys game yet.
Another area where Ys X: Nordics never falters is its music. The series has always been known for its rocking, high-energy soundtrack, and this entry is no different. Whether you're engaged in a fierce boss battle or exploring a new island, the music elevates every moment. It helps keep you pumped and immersed. Fans of the series will be pleased, the soundtrack lives up to the standards set by its predecessors.
In the end, Ys X: Nordics is a solid addition to the Ys series, but it should have stayed docked. The ship combat, which should have been a thrilling new addition, ultimately feels bland. Despite this, the game more than makes up for it with its land-based exploration and fast-paced, duo-driven combat. Fans of the series will no doubt want to pick it up for the continuation of Adol's story and the exciting new setting. And if you're new to the Ys franchise, this isn't a bad place to start.
Ys X: Nordics will come to the PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC on October 25, 2024.
The post Review: Ys X: Nordics Isn't Always Smooth Sailing appeared first on Siliconera. |
