Kotaku Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:50 AM  "If there was one piece of feedback that came through loud and clear, it was that you wanted more," writes Astro Bot director Nicolas Doucet in an October 16 PlayStation blog. He is correct, and to satiate fans, the PlayStation 5 exclusive's free DLC will start dropping on a weekly basis starting this month. |
Kotaku Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:40 AM  Microsoft's determination to destroy the great reputation of Game Pass continues apace, with the news that the corporation has suddenly pulled its years-long offer of a two-week trial subscription for a dollar, just a week before it adds Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to the subscription. |
Kotaku Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:30 AM  Flying through the sky at high speeds to lay the smackdown on an opponent is an essential part of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. Even more so when it's to punch a giant ape. It's something you'll often do between regular dashes and "rush supers." Unfortunately, there is a notable lack of consistency when it comes to the… |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:53 AM  When is the Haunted Chocolatier release date? The upcoming 2D role-playing adventure is being developed by Eric Barone, otherwise known as ConcernedApe, who also created Stardew Valley. That means that we should expect some lovely pixel art, a picturesque town, and an awesome soundtrack - but with less farming and more chocolate, of course. If Haunted Chocolatier reaches the heights of Stardew Valley, it'll be up there as one of the best indie games of all time, and possibly one of the best PC games ever. From the first gameplay trailer and boss teaser to the latest news, here's everything we know about the Haunted Chocolatier release date so far. Continue reading Haunted Chocolatier release date estimate and latest news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Haunted Chocolatier release date, Upcoming PC games, Games like Stardew Valley |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:38 AM  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. Continue reading Best Marvel Snap decks October 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Marvel Snap decks, Next Marvel Snap season release date, Marvel Snap Silver Surfer deck |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:23 AM  What are the best city building games? There's nothing more relaxing than sitting down for an afternoon of city building games. We've lost countless hours lining up buildings just how we like them or scrambling to save a population on the brink of collapse (okay, that bit's not so relaxing), and occasionally, we've purposefully brought about that collapse to see how our citizens would cope. Not very well, as it happens. Whether you're after a peaceful experience or want to wreak havoc as a god-like figure, our list of the best city building games offers something for every management game fan. Some of them are even on our best PC games list, so you know you're in for a treat, from hardcore colony builders with strict guidelines to welcoming games with stripped-back interfaces and fewer apocalyptic threats for genre newcomers. Continue reading The best city building games 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cities Skylines 2 review, Cities Skylines 2 roads, Cities Skylines 2 maps |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:10 AM  October 15, 2024: We've updated 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 Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:06 AM  What are the best co-op games? Games offer up magic in lots of different guises, but working with a friend to achieve a goal is, arguably, where they shine. So what are the titles that will pull friends together and offer the best cooperative group-based thrills? The great thing about the best PC games involving co-op play is that you're not restricted to a genre. As long as there's room for two controllers on a split screen or some perfectly coordinated play over a headset, co-op games can be found among the best sandbox games, relaxing games, or even horror games. These are some of the very best co-op games for you to share with your favorite people. Continue reading The best co-op games on PC 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Borderlands 3 Shift codes, Borderlands 3 legendary weapons, Play Borderlands 3 |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:45 AM  GSC Game World is a master of riveting, merciless open-world games. Stalker 2 is no different. The long-awaited new entry in the acclaimed survival horror FPS series is shaping up to be a haunting fever dream, full of terrors that can't wait to reduce my skin to ashes. However, the game's most challenging threat is often the one I can't see on screen: myself. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best apocalypse games, Stalker 2 release date, Best survival games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:45 AM  What are the best gacha games? A spiritual successor to coin-operated gachapon machines, gacha games take the joy of capsule toys and translate them into a live-service videogame format, as players wish on banners with a chance to pull their favorite characters. Whether you love to hate them or hate to love them, gacha games are here to stay, and we've got the top picks for you. The best gacha games balance the low barrier to entry that comes from a free PC game with reasonable odds when pulling for premium characters, so that you can still have fun without being coerced into opening your wallet. We've also endeavored to include gacha games on this list that deliver engaging stories and gameplay alongside the built-in gambling mechanics. From massive open-world games to time-travelling card games, there's a gacha on this list that's perfect for you. Continue reading Best gacha games on PC in 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 8:11 AM  Cellar Door Games has released the source code for one of indie gaming's most beloved titles, Rogue Legacy. In the "pursuit of sharing knowledge," anybody can access the code and learn from it, whether they're an aspiring or experienced developer or just a fan of the game that wants to know how it ticks. From Dead Cells to Slay The Spire, Hades and FTL: Faster Than Light, some of the greatest games of the last 15 years are roguelikes, and this is a vital opportunity to discover how they work under the hood. |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 8:46 AM  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 1.2 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. Continue reading Zenless Zone Zero banners - next, current, and 1.3 banners MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 8:00 AM  The third and final Hearthstone expansion of the year is almost here, and we're lucky enough to reveal some exclusive cards from The Great Dark Beyond. Forced to flee their planet due to the wrath of the Burning Legion, the Draenei took to the stars in search of a new place to call home. The Draenei have always played a part in Hearthstone, but they're now recognized as a permanent minion type. Continue reading Exclusive Hearthstone card reveal - meet Exarch Hataaru MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Hearthstone decks, The best card games on PC, Free card games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 7:43 AM  The PvPvE extraction genre is an interesting one. You're left to your own devices in an expansive landscape, usually with minimal gear, and you need to get out alive with as much loot as you can possibly carry. With both human enemies and demonic entities threatening your survival and the loss of your inventory threatening real consequences of death, there's so much potential for thrilling, non-stop gameplay - yet the genre is often overlooked. This Halloween, we get our first taste of a dark new PvPvE experience that is set to revive the genre as World of the Dead combines PvP, environmental threats, FPS gameplay, survival, crafting, and eldritch horror - and a Steam demo is available right now. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best zombie games, Best multiplayer games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:55 AM  October 16, 2024: We added a new Warframe code. What are the current Warframe codes? You're in luck if you're looking for free glyphs and cosmetics. 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 that sometimes temporary promo codes for boosters, cosmetics, and items pop up around big updates or special events and 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. Continue reading Warframe codes - redeem for glyphs, weapons and boosters MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Warframe on Steam Deck, Warframe builds, Warframe codes |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 7:16 AM  No matter the MMO, be it WoW, FF14, or Guild Wars 2, botting is always going to be an ongoing issue, but the Throne and Liberty bot problem is already being addressed. Players create bots to automate tasks like mundane fishing and mining or even actual combat, but the use of bots contravenes MMOs' terms of service. Now, the makers of Throne and Liberty have started the crackdown. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best MMORPGs, Throne and Liberty codes, Throne and Liberty weapons |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:53 AM  Alan Wake 2 is one of the greatest horror games in recent years. Funny, imaginative, stylish, and dark, it's Remedy's best work since the original Max Payne, and vastly superior to the first Alan Wake from 2010. The Night Springs DLC added three short episodes inspired by the Twilight Zone-esque in-universe TV show. The next Alan Wake 2 expansion, however, named The Lake House, looks a lot nastier and more frightening, closer to a traditional survival horror game. We're expecting more details at the Xbox Partner Showcase on Thursday October 17, but before that, the release date for the new Alan Wake 2 expansion might just have leaked. Continue reading Alan Wake 2 The Lake House release date could be very, very soon MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Alan Wake 2 review, Alan Wake 2 weapons, Alan Wake 2 Words of Power |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:50 AM  Amazon Games' New World has been making waves thanks to a colossal update that nudged the MMO towards the ARPG genre and rebranded the game to New World: Aeternum. Now, the developer is offering several free rewards for those just starting out, but you've only got a limited time to earn them. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best New World Aeternum builds, Best MMORPGs, Best New World Aeternum class |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:46 AM  The Logitech Blue Yeti range has long been a favorite microphone for gamers and content creators alike, thanks to its tank-like build quality, excellent sound quality, and ability to record in multiple different pickup patterns. Always decent value, you can now grab the top-tier Logitech Blue Yeti X for its lowest price ever, thanks to this gaming microphone deal. With the Blue Yeti X's sibling, the Blue Yeti, being our choice of best gaming microphone for streamers, you can be assured it's a quality unit. Yeti X builds on the foundation of the older Yeti design, adding extra condenser capsules (the bit that actually converts the sound to an electric signal), a higher bit-rate output, and slightly higher efficiency. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Logitech G Pro Superlight 2, Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed review, Best gaming mouse |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:42 AM  How do you install and play a Minecraft snapshot? These snapshots are the very first iteration of Minecraft updates and are a way for Mojang to test out bug fixes, technical changes, and new mechanics before officially rolling them out. Anyone with the Java edition of the creative game can try these features without any risk to your current world, so let's find out how to be the first to try the next big Minecraft update. During Minecraft Live, the next big Minecraft update or drop is revealed to the community. At past events, we've had the likes of the Caves and Cliffs update, The Wild Update, and the Trails and Tales update - each of them overhauling the base game with new Minecraft biomes, blocks, and mobs. Since these updates come with so much new content, they need to be tested out first, and that's where Minecraft snapshots come in. Use them to test out new experimental features before anyone else, and feedback to Mojang if you have any issues. It's a win-win situation. Continue reading How to play Minecraft snapshots - snapshot 1.21.2-pre MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:44 AM  When is the Paralives release date? This upcoming life sim has been likened to The Sims, and it's easy to see why. With cute outfits, tons of items, an extensive character creator, build mode, and extra features we wish were in The Sims, there's a lot to look forward to. Paralives is an ambitious project, but we already know a fair bit about what's heading to this simulation game. What first started as a Patreon project by lone developer Alex Massé in 2019 has developed into a life sim game set to rival the genre. Though the studio relies on community pledges to keep the game in development, the official website is great at keeping the community updated with progress and what to expect next. Continue reading Paralives release date estimate and latest news MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best simulation games, Best sandbox games, Best indie games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:27 AM  What are the Infinity Nikki banners? There are a ton of outfits to find, earn, and buy in Miraland, but truly unique outfit pieces can only be found in limited-time "resonances." Aside from their striking looks, banner-exclusive pieces can help you achieve a perfect score in styling challenges. So, if you're overdue for a wardrobe refresh, let us walk you through the banner system. Infinity Nikki takes its cue from acclaimed gacha games like Genshin Impact by offering limited-time banners, otherwise known as resonances, that feature exclusive outfits. The Infinity Nikki beta has given us a sneak peek of the RPG game's banner system in action, including the banner odds and how resonances work. Be sure to redeem the latest Infinity Nikki codes for more banner currency. Continue reading Infinity Nikki banners - next, current, and 1.0 banners MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best relaxing games, Best anime games, Best life games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:15 AM  What are the best games like Pokemon on PC? If you want to emulate the real thing on PC you probably can, but we wouldn't know anything about illegal activities like that. Honest. What we can do is recommend some excellent PC alternatives to scratch that creature collection itch. Let's face it: who doesn't enjoy a spell of kidnapping cute animals and forcing them to scrap, tooth and claw, now and again? Despite our beloved format being the spiritual home of the turn-based combat that monster-collection RPG games are known for, no official main series Pokemon game has yet made the jump to PC. We can't help but feel a small pang of jealousy every time we catch a glimpse of anything yellow and electric out of the corner of our eyes - especially when we know a PC could run Pokemon Scarlet and Violet far better than Nintendo's aging Switch console. We still have a long way to go before we can catch 'em all on the best platform there ever was, but we've compiled this list of some incredible PC alternatives to the adventure games to keep you going. Continue reading Pokemon games for PC - the 11 best alternatives MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Temtem evolutions, Temtem starters, Temtem type chart |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:09 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 Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:12 AM  October 16, 2024: We've added three 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 Wednesday, October 16, 2024 5:53 AM  Can you play Infinity Nikki in co-op multiplayer? Infinity Nikki brings the lovable dress-up series to PC for the first time, introducing our favorite stylish protagonist to an open-world environment and full RPG adventure. If, like us, you want to know if you can bring friends along for the ride, keep reading. Infinity Nikki features dynamic outfits that hold their own properties, such as enabling our heroine to fly or groom floofs, but you can craft, wear, and combine different pieces from the best Infinity Nikki outfits as you hone your skills as a stylist. Then there's the combat element to the anime game, requiring you to battle the Dark Essence taking over Miraland. It's only natural, then, that you might want to invite friends over to show off their outfits or lend a hand in tricky fights, so here's what we know about Infinity Nikki multiplayer. Continue reading Does Infinity Nikki have multiplayer co-op? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best relaxing games, Best anime games, Best life games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 5:53 AM  Does Infinity Nikki have crossplay? In a change from previous Nikki games which were exclusively on mobile platforms, Infinity Nikki is coming to multiple platforms. The game is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile devices, so you may be wondering what this means for cross-platform multiplayer and progression. One of the upcoming PC games we're most looking forward to right now, Infinity Nikki sees the return of the beloved Nikki dress-up series, but as a larger, more involved open-world game with gacha elements. Infinity Nikki banners allow you to unlock the best outfits in the game, but if you're interested in showing off your most impressive pulls to your friends in Infinity Nikki multiplayer, here's whether the game has crossplay compatibility. Continue reading Does Infinity Nikki have crossplay? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best relaxing games, Best anime games, Best life games |
PCGamesN Wednesday, October 16, 2024 5:48 AM  Want a complete list of all the Delta Force weapons and guns? We've had a chance to catch up with the latest weapons available in the Steam Next Fest demo for Delta Force, giving us the opportunity to write up a list of every gun we've seen so far. There's not long to wait until the Delta Force release date, and for an FPS game that's been a long time coming, we were excited to get our hands on the weapons available across the different modes. The standouts for the best Delta Force weapons so far are the AK-12 assault rifle for range and recoil, and the SCAR battle rifle for powerful shots that pack a punch. But if you're looking forward to trying out all the guns in Delta Force, here are the weapons we've seen so far from the first and second playtests, and current demo. Continue reading All Delta Force game weapons and guns MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best old games, Best war games |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:45 AM  Twitch have temporarily banned an account run by streamer Asmongold, otherwise known as Zack Hoyt, after he expressed genocidal sentiments about Israel's killing of Palestinian people in Gaza. According to the eSports journalist Rod Breslau, he's been sent to the naughty step for a grand total of two weeks, which I'm sure will be a huge inconvenience and will really teach him the error of his ways. Assuming Breslau's sources are accurate, it's a great demonstration of Twitch's tolerance for streamers with big audiences, the kind of slap on the wrist you'd expect from a platform that recently reinstated Donald Trump's account after banning him in 2021 for the charge of inciting an insurrection. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:23 AM .png?width=1920&height=1920&fit=bounds&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp) Back in September, open world publisher Ubisoft put out a 3-days-weekly return to office mandate for their entire staff worldwide - a decision that French Video Game Workers Union (STJV) said was "made without any tangible justification or any consultation with the workers' representatives". In response, the STJV called on staff in France to hold a three-day strike beginning yesterday, which the union reports to be underway with the participation of more than 700 workers, via Le Monde. "This decision is announced immediately after the failure of the profit-sharing negotiations," STJV wrote at the time. "Exactly like previous salary negociations: management's proposals were inacceptable, the negotiations' timetable was appalling, and management was deaf to the proposals of the various Employee representatives." |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:55 AM  "Do you have a ping of 1000 or something," my opponent asked, during my inaugural bout of Straftat. Ah yes, this is it, that sense of unpleasantly intimate sheepishness. That's the withering late-90s chatbox scorn I've been missing, in this age of glossy live service multiplayer. I hid under a stairwell in order to meditate upon my response, then laboriously typed: "No, I just suck." Right on cue, the other player tumbled into view and shredded me with an AK. The player I met in my second match was more forgiving. "I honestly think the characters need more HP," they said, generously. My wrists need more HP, actually. My eyes and reflexes need urgent patching. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:43 AM  I've never learnt to drive, and while I've always told myself it's impractical - unnecessary, expensive, potentially dangerous for someone with undiagnosed but, I suspect, incredibly likely dyspraxia - I'm not sure it'll ever stop being one of those quiet regrets; the ambient type that don't really bubble to the surface much unless I'm watching a Noah Gervais road trip video, but just float there and make my mood like, 1.5% worse at all times. So maybe it's just me, but there's a sense of intense freedom and adventure to Keep Driving's Steam demo that belies its prosaic, tractor-tailing subject matter. The opening minutes are oddly silent, until Westkust's Swirl blasts out from your radio as soon as you drive off toward your first destination - your mate's house, to hang out and play console games. It comes on strong and sweet; a rush of wind through an open window on a warm morning. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:45 AM  Riot Games are cutting more jobs at their studios, the company announced today. This is the second time in a year the League of Legends developer has laid off workers. Chairman and co-founder of Riot, Marc Merrill, made the announcement yesterday, claiming that by cutting these jobs the company was "evolving League" and "investing heavily in solving today's challenges". A total of 32 people have lost their jobs, mostly workers on League of Legends, according to a figure the developer gave to our sister site Eurogamer. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:00 AM  You might have caught this one during Day Of The Devs earlier this year. It's stuck with me since because the developer Tanat seemed like a rad dude, and also because there's nothing I cherish more than taking a bad pun and just absolutely going to town on it, marrow and all. Building Relationships is about buildings forming relationships in a Love Islandy scenario, though without the reality TV framing you might find in say, Crush House. But the real gag here is the commitment to the bit. Besides that, it's just a really charming and fun N64-style 3D platformer. It also features the sort wonky physics that definitely wouldn't get Ninty's seal of quality, but work brilliantly here, especially since your character consists largely of angles but still insists on, you know, performing motions. |
Siliconera Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:30 AM
Benelic has confirmed the opening date for Kirby Cafe Osaka. People will be able to visit the new third permanent Kirby Cafe outlet starting on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
Previously in July 2024, the company revealed that it will open the Kirby Cafe Osaka outlet at the Daimaru Shinsaibashi department store. In addition, it will also open a merchandise store near the cafe.
In the new press release, Benelic also revealed some of the menu entries that will be available at Kirby Cafe Osaka. The following entries will be available exclusively at the new Osaka branch:
Meanwhile, the merchandise store will sell various Kirby-related goods, including utensils used in the cafe's menu. The plate inspired by Karby from Kirby and the Forgotten Land will be purchasable at ¥4,950 (~$33.20). Benelic will also sell a large Kirby burger cushion at ¥7,150 (~$47.90).
The opening of Kirby Cafe Osaka will mark the third permanent outlet across Japan after Tokyo and Hakata, Fukuoka. Benelic had previously run a temporary outlet in Nagoya in 2022, although it has still yet to open a permanent branch in the Aichi prefecture city.
Kirby Cafe Osaka will open on the ninth floor of Daimaru Shinsaibashi on November 21, 2024.
The post Kirby Cafe Osaka Opening Date Set in November 2024 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:00 AM
I'll admit right from the start: I have little to no experience with the Fairy Tail anime or manga. My only previous encounter with the series was playing a bit of the first game, which I found surprisingly enjoyable. However, I do know JRPGs. So while it's important how well Fairy Tail 2 translates the anime's world into a new format, my main question when given the opportunity to preview it on PC was, "Could it end up being a good JRPG?"
In the world of JRPGs, you might expect to see a wealth of titles based on anime, given the strong overlap between the two genres. But surprisingly, there aren't as many standout JRPGs based on popular anime as one might expect. (However, I did put together a list of some notable anime-based JRPGs a few months ago.) That context made me more interested in seeing how Fairy Tail 2 might hold up.
In Fairy Tail 2, players again follow members of the Fairy Tail wizard guild as they navigate the series' climactic "Alvarez Empire Arc." If you're like me and aren't fully familiar with the arc, don't worry. From my experience with the first moments of Fairy Tail 2, Koei Tecmo goes to great lengths to make the story at least a little accessible to newcomers. The game sets up the narrative, providing clear context for players stepping into the series for the first time. Additionally, It includes detailed lore, backstory, and character explanations through an in-game encyclopedia. This is one of my favorite modern JRPG quality of life mechanics. I found myself consulting it often. It genuinely helped bridge the gap in my limited knowledge of the anime.
But let's talk gameplay. Fairy Tail 2 builds on the first game's combat system, which was already a highlight for me. It's a turn-based system with a twist, resembling an Active Time Battle (ATB) system. Players build SP (Skill Points) through basic attacks as their action bar refreshes. SP can unleash powerful, flashy moves, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay as you decide when to go all-in with bigger attacks.
One of the standout features of combat is the ability to chain together special moves for devastating combos. Timing and strategy are crucial here. You'll want to set up smaller attacks to build SP before unleashing more powerful abilities. During battle, you also build the Fairy Meter, which gives you access to more SP to extend combos. This can turn longer battles, especially boss fights, into almost cinematic experiences, with explosive attacks flying back and forth. The pacing of combat, alongside the spectacle of special moves, made it fun and engaging, even for someone who doesn't know the source material inside and out.
What's more, the variety of characters available from the outset adds a lot to the gameplay, based on what I saw in these early moments. Each character brings a unique set of skills to the table, with different elemental affinities and specialties. This diversity means that you'll often need to think strategically about party composition and the elements you bring into each battle. Since enemies have their own affinities and weaknesses, planning your approach becomes crucial to maximizing damage and efficiency in combat. This dynamic keeps the gameplay fresh and ensures that encounters never feel like mindless button-mashing.
All of this seems wrapped in a story that still had enough hooks to draw in a relative newcomer like me within about an hour of play. The interactions between characters and their relationships feel authentic. They're presented in a way that even someone unfamiliar with the history of Fairy Tail can appreciate. Fans of the series will probably find even more to love here, with key moments from the anime and manga brought to life.
While I initially approached Fairy Tail 2 as a game first and adaptation second, I came away pleasantly surprised. I wasn't just learning about this world passively. I was experiencing it through the characters and their battles. It piqued my interest in the broader series, making me curious to go back and explore the anime or manga to get the full picture.
Ultimately, Fairy Tail 2 has the potential to be more than just a game for fans of the series. It could be the gateway that brings new players into the fold. The combination of accessible storytelling, strategic combat, and a vibrant cast makes it a strong entry in the world of anime-based JRPGs. And for those like me, who might have missed the Fairy Tail phenomenon the first time around, it might just make a fan out of you too.
Fairy Tail 2 will release on Steam on December 11, 2024, and it will be on the PS4, PS5 and Switch on December 13, 2024.
The post Fairy Tail 2 Might Make You a Fan of the Series appeared first on Siliconera. |
