Oct 15, 08:00


PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:59 AM
     The 41 best Minecraft texture packs October 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, October 15, 2024 7:54 AM
     If you're waiting for GTA 6, Streets of Rogue 2 will take away the pain

The wait for GTA 6 seems unending, and while we finally have a release window in sight, where are we meant to put all our chaos energy until then? Well, immersive, open-world RPG Streets of Rogue 2 might be the answer - and it's got a free demo right now. Published by tinyBuild, the team behind Duckside, Graveyard Keeper, and Hello Neighbor, Streets of Rogue 2 offers an unpredictable world where your aim is to take down a corrupt president, by any means possible.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best open-world games, Best roguelike games, Best sandbox games

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:54 AM
     Huge new Tomb Raider sale gets you some of the best action games for 85% off

The Tomb Raider Remastered Trilogy is currently half-price as part of an ongoing sale over at Humble. If you fancy running through the adventures of one of PC gaming's first leading ladies, from her earliest foray in Peru to the ruins of ancient India, now's a pretty great time to jump in.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best action-adventure games, Tomb Raider Remastered release date, Best single-player games

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:35 AM
     All Fortnite NPCs, locations, and items

Who are the latest Fortnite NPCs? NPC locations change with every new Fortnite season, much like everything else, and more are added during the season as well. This makes it difficult to keep track of the latest NPC locations. That's where we come in.

There are a few reasons you might want to find a Fortnite NPC location in the battle royale game, from hiring some help or buying one of the new Fortnite weapons, to generating a rift from out of nowhere. There are often new hostile NPCs to defeat too, but if you're looking for someone a little more friendly, we have every NPC location marked on the Fortnite map, as well as a list of all of the special items or services you can buy in Chapter 5 Season 4.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Fortnite map, Fortnite skins, Fortnite weapons

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:27 AM
     Helldivers 2 is finally where it should be, so now's the time to give it a go

Helldivers 2 is finally worth playing again. Arrowhead's 60-day plan to revive the chaotic co-op game is over, and with it comes plenty of player-driven adjustments. I'd fallen off the HD2 bandwagon thanks to the constant nerfs that made the PvE game feel less fair, but Arrowhead has been reversing plenty of these missteps. That's why right here, right now is the perfect time to jump back into Helldivers 2. If you've been waiting for the excuse to get back to one of Steam's biggest 2024 success stories, this is it.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Helldivers 2 weapons, Helldivers 2 stratagems, Helldivers 2 system requirements

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:17 AM
     Dragon Ball Sparking Zero sells millions of copies in one day, dominates Steam

Dragon Ball fans have been waiting 15 years for the next entry in the Budokai Tenkaichi series, and it definitely shows. According to Bandai Namco, Spike Chunsoft's Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero sold over three million units worldwide in the 24 hours following its launch on Thursday October 10. It's also dominating Steam charts, leaving the likes of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 in the dust.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero roster, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero release date, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero system requirements

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:51 AM
     The best platform games on PC 2024

What are the best platform games on PC? Back in the '90s and early '00s, you couldn't escape the countless platformers and mascot characters catering to console gamers. However, apart from the likes of Commander Keen, Jazz Jackrabbit, and Duke Nukem, the PC got very little love. Thankfully, this stigma has lessened since those days, and we owe that in large part to the explosion of indies that have flooded onto digital storefronts over the past decade or so.

The best platform games have garnered a reputation for requiring mechanical mastery and sublime timing to complete them, but developers continue to push the genre forward by introducing RPG game elements and Metroidvania game maps. Platforming can also be a staple mechanic in some of the best story games, as demonstrated in releases like Celeste and Ori and the Blind Forest. With so much to choose from, here are the best platformers on PC.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Celeste: a platformer about anxiety, The best PC games of 2018: Celeste, PCGN Awards 2018

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:45 AM
     Silent Hill 2 gallows puzzle solutions

What are the Silent Hill 2 remake gallows answers? When you reach Toluca prison in the original Silent Hill 2, you must make a choice between right and wrong, and whether the reasoning for certain crimes committed makes them justifiable. It's an interesting segment and one that perfectly suits the guilty undertones of James' story.

Things are taken up a notch in the Silent Hill 2 remake gallows puzzle, as you must complete six poems before making your choice. Depending on your chosen riddle difficulty in the puzzle game, there are different answers for each puzzle, one innocent and one not so innocent. That said, it's not as much of a head-scratcher as it is perhaps a moral quandry. If you're unsure, here's our Silent Hill 2 gallows puzzle walkthrough.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Silent Hill 2 remake system requirements, The best horror games, Silent Hill 2 remake review

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:40 AM
     Diablo 4 Season 7 release date estimate

When is the Diablo 4 Season 7 release date? A much-loved feature from Diablo 3 makes its return in D4 with the (re)introduction of seasons, adding everything from new questlines to items, gameplay mechanics, and more. Expanding on the rich, gothic world of Sanctuary, Blizzard makes sure players have plenty to sink their teeth into, whether you're a fresh-faced player taking their first steps into Sanctuary or a grizzled veteran of the Burning Hells.

We're currently at Season 6, with a promise of four seasons a year. Given that there is at least one more DLC planned for Blizzard's action RPG game, we can assume there are also more seasons to come. While it's still too early for Diablo 4 Season 7 to have been confirmed, we can estimate a release date based on preceding seasonal content.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:26 AM
     Grab a 100Hz, 34-inch, Samsung gaming monitor for under $200, if you're quick

It's incredible just how affordable gaming monitors have become in recent years but this new 34-inch Samsung gaming monitor deal takes things to a new level. With its 100Hz refresh rate and high 3,440 x 1,440 resolution, this screen makes few major compromises yet costs just $199.99, down from an original MSRP of $349.99.

With the sort of specs we still seek in the best gaming monitors you can buy, this screen will offer you loads of desktop real estate, an absorbing wide view for your games, and is a perfect match for watching widescreen movies too. There are a few caveats to take note of but if you just want a dependable big screen for very little cash, you can't get much better than this Samsung deal.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Samsung 970 EVO 1TB review, Best SSD for gaming, Best gaming monitor

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:47 AM
     Starfield and Skyrim dev says that Bethesda games could have more

Bethesda games are notorious for their bugs, particularly erstwhile classics like Fallout 4 and Skyrim. Though it's suffered from the occasional disappearing floor or faces, and might sometimes crash, Starfield remains less buggy than some of its Bethesda-built cousins. Nevertheless, in a new interview the space RPG's systems designer (and the lead designer of Skyrim) admits that the studio's games could "have a higher degree of polish."

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Starfield mods, Best RPGs, Best space games

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:07 AM
     Popular Diablo 4 Spiritborn build being nerfed as it ruins the game for everyone

One Diablo 4 Spiritborn build has been ruining the game for everyone else, so much so that Blizzard's about to nerf it. The Spiritborn Evade setup might not be Vessel of Hatred's most powerful, but far too many players are using it at once. It's so bad that Helltides and other events are completely ruined by lag, as players overuse the Storm Feathers ability so much that it slows down the servers.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review, Diablo 4 classes

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:49 AM
     The 13 best soulslike games in 2024

What are the best soulslike games? An off-shoot of action RPGs, the defining principles of this ever-growing subgenre first emerged in FromSoftware's Demon's Souls back in 2009. However, it took the release of its spiritual successor two years later to really light a fire under fans. Dark Souls is a landmark game in many respects, but the soulslike genre is its greatest legacy.

While efforts have been made to diversify soulslike games in recent years, patience in the face of adversity remains the focal point. Characterized by punishing stamina-based combat, risk-reward currency systems, and challenging bosses, victory leads to progression through rich worlds that capture a dark fantasy game aesthetic. Whether you're a newcomer who's not sure where to start or an RPG game veteran looking for a new challenge, we've got the very best soulslikes on PC you can play right now.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Best soulslike games, Best fantasy games

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 5:52 AM
     New realistic FPS Delta Force has already overtaken Battlefield and Helldivers 2

Until 12 months ago, Delta Force felt like one of those partially forgotten PC FPS series, ranked alongside the likes of Soldier of Fortune, SWAT, and the truly brilliant No One Lives Forever. But now it's back - and back big. Combining online warfare with a campaign mode based on the Black Hawk Down game from 2003, Delta Force seems like a seriously credible rival to the likes of Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege, Battlefield, and Escape From Tarkov. Between Gray Zone Warfare and Arena Breakout Infinite, a range of tactical, realistic shooters have arrived this year, but Delta Force seems like it has staying power. Based on its first public playtest, live now, it's certainly winning plaudits among players on Steam.

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

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 5:52 AM
     New World Aeternum release date and changes explained

When was the New World Aeternum release date? It wasn't long ago we were playing the new MMO from Amazon Games, New World, and now it's back and bigger than ever.

For those that are just hearing about New World Aeternum and are planning to jump into the game without knowing or having played New World, you're in luck, as Aeternum is a more polished version of New World, and it's still going to include all the New World content. You'll play as a pirate, whose ship went down on the coast of the strange island of Aeternum, here's what the RPG has to offer.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: New World server list, Best MMORPGs, New World review

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:03 AM
     The best Elden Ring mods

Are you looking for the best Elden Ring mods? The beauty of mods is that they're highly versatile tools that allow players to tweak their experience. In the case of Elden Ring, you might wonder why anyone would want to mod a game that's so well-received. Well, if you find Soulslikes difficult, the Easy Mode mod is a surefire way to tone things down a notch. Some players might consider this goes too far, so why not remove the death mechanic, which stops you from losing your Runes instead?

What makes the best Elden Ring mods stand out is that they have the power to drastically improve someone's experience of the open-world game. Whether you want to change the way ranged weapons work, or you want the option to pause Elden Ring, we've got the mods for you. Here's everything you need to try out the best Elden Ring mods, including seamless co-op, the Convergence overhaul mod, and more.

Continue reading The best Elden Ring mods
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, Elden Ring weapons

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 5:45 AM
     Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 download rate peaks at 180Mbps during flight

With the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 alpha already available for players to try, gamers are understandably jumping at the chance to soar through the skies of the stunning-looking title. However, despite an initial install size of a mere 30GB, the game is proving to put an unexpectedly high strain on users' internet connections thanks to its constant downloading of new environment data.

Even with the best gaming router around, the sheer amount of data you could be downloading via Microsoft Flight Simulator is enough to both put a strain on your home network and quickly max out your data allowance for those not on an unlimited data plan. Not to mention, you'll need a fast enough connection in the first place. 180Mbps is equivalent to 22.5MB/s, which is well inside most modern broadband connection speeds but could be a limiting factor for those with older and slower connections.

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

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 5:30 AM
     ZZZ codes October 2024 and how to redeem

October 15, 2024: We checked for new ZZZ codes.

What are the new Zenless Zone Zero codes? We love a freebie. Whether it's free Polychrome, Investigator Logs, or Bangboo Algorithm Modules, the latest in-game redemption codes are the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to get free items while also skipping the gacha grind.  With that in mind, we've collected all the latest codes available to redeem right now.

HoYoverse periodically release ZZZ codes for their gacha games that coincide with major updates and livestreams, but the developer also loves to stealth drop codes, too. Now that Zenless Zone Zero is finally here, there are a ton of redeem codes waiting for you to scoop up. As our Zenless Zone Zero review attests, there's a lot of currency and materials to gather in the free PC game, so here are all the Zenless Zone Zero codes to get ahead in the latest update.

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

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:00 AM
     Sims 5 release date estimate, gameplay, and latest news

When is the Sims 5 release date? Between EA creator summits and Sims community news, it can be difficult to keep up with all the latest concerning the life sim's future. We're here to help get you up to speed with the future of the life sim, particularly when it comes to The Sims 5 and Project Rene.

It's been over a decade since The Sims 4 assumed its position as the leading life game, and its popularity has only grown since it went free-to-play in 2022. Between the best Sims 4 expansion packs and Sims 4 mods, it's become a giant of the genre, and EA's support doesn't seem to be winding down any time soon. If you're desperate to see a sequel to one of the best PC games of all time, we've got all the latest news on the Sims 5 release date, along with EA's plans for the mysterious Project Rene.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The Sims 5 release date speculation, The best PC simulation games, The Sims 4 goes free to play

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 5:18 AM
     Wuthering Waves codes October 2024

October 15, 2024: We checked for new Wuthering Waves codes.

What are the new Wuthering Waves codes? Everyone loves a freebie, especially when it comes to gacha games. It's no secret that the likes of Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail can be a bit of a grind if you're not prepared to open your wallet. We're here to help you offset that cost with redeem codes that contain free items and premium currency.

The latest WuWa codes are released periodically and often include premium currency to spend on the latest Wuthering Waves banners or level up your favorite Wuthering Waves characters. These redeem codes are only active for a limited time, so you have to be swift to redeem them before they expire. Thankfully, our list of all the latest codes in Wuthering Waves is updated regularly, so you can claim gacha game rewards without upsetting your bank balance.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Wuthering Waves codes, Free PC games, Best anime games

PCGamesN Tuesday, October 15, 2024 5:10 AM
     Honkai Star Rail codes October 2024 and how to redeem

October 15, 2024: We checked for new Honkai Star Rail codes and removed all 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 collected all the latest promo codes 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, October 15, 2024 5:01 AM
     Zenless Zone Zero events - all current and upcoming events

What are the Zenless Zone Zero events? HoYoverse's latest live service gacha game has plenty of content to keep you occupied, whether that's charging through the twists and turns of the main storyline or picking up side commissions. If you're looking for a change of pace that can net you additional rewards like Master Tapes, Boopons, and Polychrome, then look no further than the latest events.

Just like Zenless Zone Zero banners, the current ZZZ events are only available for a limited time, so remember to complete them before they end. HoYoverse often gives us notice about upcoming events ahead of time via Zenless Zone Zero livestreams and social media, so check back regularly to find out what's coming up in the ZZZ next update. In the meantime, here are all the events in Zenless Zone Zero to sink your teeth, sword, or whatever else into.

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

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, October 15, 2024 8:00 AM
    

The developer of Full Fathom describes it as a "thalassophobia sim". You are the lone engineer on a rustbucket submarine exploring the dangerous waters of a submerged country in an alternate reality 1990s. The warning lights on the control panel are flashing, a buzzer is spluttering like a dying bluebottle, and your robotic assistant is about as useful as an umbrella in the Mariana Trench. Things could not get any worse. And then you see it. Something in the green haze outside. Something with a tail.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:00 AM
    

How do official Bethesda bug compilation videos coinciding with a game's launch sound? Or at least, a proper list of known bugs on day one, to preempt any compilations created by vengeful players? Skyrim Lead Designer and Starfield Systems Designer Bruce Nesmith has spoken a little about the "interesting problem" of how open developers should be about technical issues on day one, given the expectation some players have that every game should be "flawless".

When asked by Videogamer if lists of known bugs (Nesmith throws out '700' as an example for Skyrim) should be shared with fans on launch "to temper expectations," he responded:

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:56 AM
    

If I could extend my arm forty times its normal length, while also granting it the flexibility of a sock filled with mince, I'd probably just use it to take the bins out without leaving my chair. But what if someone were to use this power... for evil? That's the gist of My Arms Are Longer Now, a cartoony "stealth-comedy" game about worming a single stretchy limb into people's valuables, which has a Steam Next Fest demo out now.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:00 AM
    

My earliest memory of the Commandos series of tactical stealth games was my dad bringing home a box copy of the original. "The missions take months. Months!" his mate had told him. Get less shit mates, thought I, for I had already played it elsewhere, and knew that the missions took mere minutes if you put the game on easy then rushed your objectives, bonking nazis along the way. I did not rush the new Steam demo for Kalypso's revival, Commandos: Origins, but it's still doable inside half an hour. I had expected a little more, but what's here has certainly given me some optimism that the full game might well be worth sinking - if not months - at least more time than it takes to wildly lunge at a few nazis en route to your objective.

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Twinfinite Tuesday, October 15, 2024 3:00 AM
    
Old world, new platform

WGB Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:52 AM
     18 games are set to leave PlayStation's subscription service next month, so if you want to play them make sure you set aside some time.