PCGamesN Saturday, November 30, 2024 3:00 PM  The idea of relaxing during the holidays with a difficult, gruelling soulslike may not suit most people, but, if you're excited about the idea of a game combining Elden Ring-style boss fights with a co-op shooter spin, you should try Remnant 2. Right now the game (and all its DLC) is at its lowest price ever for Black Friday - but it'll shoot back up to full price after the sale season. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best co-op games, Remnant 2 review, Best action-adventure games |
PCGamesN Saturday, November 30, 2024 1:00 PM  Embracing chaos is the best way to play Total War Warhammer 3, and it's about to get even better. With new DLC Omens of Destruction right around the corner and a corresponding patch to match, we're about to have a total of four more legendary lords join the masterful Warhammer strategy game in December. Two of those are allied to the side of Khorne, and developer Creative Assembly gives us a look at just what makes its mighty Skulltaker tick in an extensive new gameplay preview (here's a hint: it's skulls). Continue reading Total War Warhammer 3's Skulltaker proves 2024 is the year of Khorne MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Total War: Warhammer 3 DLC, Total War: Warhammer 3 races, Total War: Warhammer 3 review |
PCGamesN Saturday, November 30, 2024 12:40 PM  I'm always on the lookout for another tactical game or roguelike to play, as both genres are where I find myself sinking most of my free time. That blend of replayability and decision-making is incredibly engaging, as there's always another challenge lurking around the corner. That's why I'm delighted to tell you that Oaken, a fantasy concoction of deckbuilding, roguelikes, and turn-based tactics is free to keep right now. You've got to be fast, though. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best rgouelike games, Best turn-based strategy games, Best card games |
PCGamesN Saturday, November 30, 2024 12:09 PM  As games and apps get ever larger and we get used to keeping dozens of tabs open in our browsers, the upgrade from 16GB to 32GB is steadily moving from a want to a need. Thankfully, with this Crucial DDR5 gaming RAM deal this Black Friday weekend, you can make that upgrade for the incredibly low price of just $79.99. The Crucial kit on offer is understandably a little more basic than some, with no integrated RGB lighting, so it doesn't top the speed charts on our best gaming RAM guide. However, if you just want to ensure your PC has enough memory to make the most of your CPU, GPU, and other components, it's a great option. MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Crucial MX500 review, Best SSDs for gaming |
PCGamesN Saturday, November 30, 2024 11:58 AM  The Marvel Rivals launch trailer is here, and it comes packed with some incredibly surprising reveals. NetEase Games has shown off five more comic book heroes coming to the Overwatch competitor, with some fan favorites among those we'll be playing in the free-to-play game very shortly. The hype is building, and I for one can't wait to jump in incredibly soon. Continue reading Five more Marvel Rivals heroes have just been surprise revealed MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Marvel Rivals release date, Marvel Rivals characters, Marvel Rivals System Requirements |
PCGamesN Saturday, November 30, 2024 12:20 PM  Black Friday PC gaming deals are now available across most online retailers. Whether you want to expand your Steam library with a few games at a discount price, or you're keen to revamp your setup with some shiny new gear, there are loads of bargains that will be available throughout the Black Friday weekend. Continue reading Best Black Friday PC gaming deals for 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming |
Siliconera Saturday, November 30, 2024 4:00 PM
The Suika Game soundtrack is now available on music streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. In total, including the main theme song, there are six tracks to listen to. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]
Aside from the main theme song, you'll be able to listen to BGM tracks for the various holidays and seasons. For example, you can listen to the Halloween music that plays whenever the game becomes Pumpkin Game instead. A different composer created each piece, though they're all affiliated with Audiostock, which worked on the soundtrack for Suika Game.
Audiostock is a Japanese service that specializes in providing different audio content, such as sound effects and music, for creators. You have to pay to use the service after your free trial ends. However, all of the content you can get from Audiostock is completely royalty-free, which makes it ideal for creators like YouTubers.
Suika Game is an immensely popular casual game that recently exceeded 11 million downloads. It became incredibly popular in 2023, despite coming out in 2021, due to the number of streamers and VTubers playing this game on their channels. As for the game itself, it's a matching game in which you have to drop fruits into a box and merge them together to make different fruits. The game ends when the fruits overflow from the box.
Suika Game is readily available on the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.
The post Suika Game Soundtrack Appears on Streaming Platforms appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, November 30, 2024 3:00 PM
When discussing games that embody the spirit of epic fantasy, Dragon Age stands as what I consider one of the best examples. Bioware's series, beginning with Dragon Age: Origins in 2009, captured the sweeping grandeur of low fantasy while grounding its story in gritty realism and political nuance. It masterfully balanced classic fantasy tropes. Heroic quests, ancient evils, and mythic creatures blended with the intricate dynamics of kingdom politics, war, and personal agency.
Dragon Age: Origins series embraced both sides of high fantasy conventions. Fighting darkspawn, demons, and dragons while delving into the political strife that divides kingdoms like Ferelden and Orlais. The Grey Wardens, ancient protectors sworn to fight the darkspawn, serve as a focal point of this tension. The backdrop of Origins is not merely the Blight, a catastrophic invasion of monstrous darkspawn. Additionally a civil war threatens Ferelden from within. These dual conflicts lend the series a unique complexity, as players must navigate both battlefield heroics and political intrigue.
It's impossible to overlook the literary inspirations that influenced Dragon Age. The series bears the unmistakable marks of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. Like Martin's novels, which were later adapted into the Game of Thrones television series, Dragon Age doesn't shy away from morally grey characters, shifting alliances, and the murky ethics of leadership during wartime. In Ferelden, leaders such as Loghain Mac Tir embody this complexity. His controversial actions to preserve his nation's independence blur the line between villain and patriot.
In addition, Dragon Age owes a significant debt to Dungeons & Dragons. As with many RPGs, Bioware built upon the legacy of tabletop role-playing games, borrowing from their deep lore and mechanics. Dungeons & Dragons set the gold standard for collaborative storytelling and detailed fantasy worlds. The influence is clear in everything from branching dialogue trees to its meticulous codex entries cataloging history, religions, and culture.
The game acts as a high point of worldbuilding in the realm of gaming. When Dragon Age: Origins debuted, it felt like the culmination of an era. It came at the tail end of the 1990s and early 2000s PC CRPG boom. This was a time when games like Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment drew heavily from fantasy novels or even adapted them outright. Bioware itself had been instrumental in that era, with Baldur's Gate bringing the Forgotten Realms to life.
It's interesting, then, to see how Baldur's Gate III has sparked a resurgence of this kind of vast, narrative-rich worldbuilding. Set within the official Dungeons & Dragons universe, Baldur's Gate III feels like a natural successor to those earlier games. Yet, some have referred to it as the spiritual successor to Dragon Age. On one hand, this makes sense—the games share sprawling narratives, tactical combat, and a focus on player choice. On the other hand, it's a somewhat redundant comparison, given that Dragon Age borrowed and improved upon the same narrative traditions and mechanics as Baldur's Gate III.
However, This resurgence gives me hope that we might see more games with the kind of expansive worldbuilding that Dragon Age perfected. The series didn't just stop at the games—it extended its universe into novels and comics. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, for instance, is a standout example of how supplemental material can enrich the main narrative. The novel explores the early reign of King Maric and the rebellion against Orlais. Events that are only mentioned in the games but carry immense weight in the series' lore.
What makes this so satisfying is how self-contained these stories feel. The Stolen Throne works as a standalone fantasy novel, even for readers unfamiliar with the games. This kind of depth in worldbuilding is rare and harks back to the interconnected nature of epic fantasy universes. One where every story, no matter how small, feels meaningful within the larger tapestry.
Of course other games feature tie-ins, but many lack the same sense of cohesion. Plenty of modern franchises have books or comics. However, these can often feel like marketing tools rather than integral parts of the lore.
It's worth noting that other games today are celebrated for their intricate lore and worldbuilding. FromSoftware's Dark Souls series is perhaps the best-known example, with its cryptic storytelling and layered mythology. However, the nature of Dark Souls' storytelling is fundamentally different. Its narratives are primarily told through environmental design, item descriptions, and subtle hints, leaving much of the story to interpretation.
While this approach has its merits, it doesn't replicate the experience of Dragon Age's epic, interconnected fantasy world. There's something unique about a series that tells its stories so overtly. Players engage directly with the politics, history, and personal drama of its characters.
Ultimately, what makes Dragon Age special is its ability to create a vast, living world that feels both intimate and epic. The series captures the sweeping scope of epic fantasy while allowing players to shape its narrative through their choices. It's not quite the same as losing yourself in a multi-volume book series, but it's an experience all its own. One that transcends the screen and spills into other mediums.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, I hope we see more worlds like Thedas. One where every character, codex entry, and side quest contributes to the sense of something larger than ourselves. Whether it's through novels, games, or entirely new formats, there's something magical about these epic worlds that keep us coming back for more.
The post Dragon Age Nailed the 'Epic' in Epic Fantasy appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, November 30, 2024 2:00 PM
The Pokemon Company will release goods based on the trainers from the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC. You'll be able to get merchandised themed around Kieran and Carmine, as well as the Elite Four of Blueberry Academy. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]
The Pokemon Center will start carrying these items from December 5, 2024. Then, they'll appear in physical locations from December 7, 2024. These items are limited to the Japanese Pokemon Center, so people who live outside of Japan will need to purchase them via proxy sites or hope that their local hobby stores will carry them.
You can check out the prices and items via the official Japanese Pokemon website. Some of the goods include acrylic dioramas, a Hydrapple plush, Lacey's barrettes, multi-use holders, and pens. The pens show Carmine and Penny (who is from the main game and not the DLC) doing the dance from Mochi Mochi Mayhem. There is also a Kieran-shaped pouch that you can use to hold coins. This pouch is reversible, meaning you can change the design to how Kieran looked in the Indigo Disk.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are readily available on the Nintendo Switch. The Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trainers goods will appear in Japan from December 5, 2024.
The post Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Goods Focus on the Trainers appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, November 30, 2024 1:00 PM
Cover announced that Sakamata Chloe will conclude streaming activities as a hololive talent, though will remain an affiliate of the company. This will go into effect on January 26, 2025.
After January 26, 2025, Sakamata Chloe will no longer stream on YouTube, post on social media, participate in live events, or release new merchandise. However, this doesn't mean she's graduating. According to a note that Cover released, graduating is when a talent leaves the company and stops putting out content. However, because of how sad this is for everyone involved (including the fans), Cover has introduced "conclusion of streaming activities," which is what Chloe chose. Like with graduation, the talent will stop all streaming-related activities, but there's a chance that they may return in future projects as a special guest.
As of the time of writing, Sakamata Chloe has not made any posts about her departure on her Twitter account. Kazama Iroha, a fellow hololive talent who'd debuted in the same generation, referenced Chloe's departure on her own account by acknowledging everyone's shock and sadness, as well as her own. However, she stated that she will still hold her third anniversary stream.
Sakamata Chloe is part of the sixth generation of hololive, debuting in 2021 alongside talents like La+ Darkness and Hakui Koyori. In the holoX lore, she is the Cleaner and Intern of the secret society. She currently has over 1.32 million subscribers on YouTube, with her most recent video being the music video for her single "Moudoku."
Sakamata Chloe will conclude channel activities on January 26, 2025, which is also the last day to send her fan letters. Memberships and member-only content will be available until April 30, 2025.
The post Hololive's Sakamata Chloe to Stop Streaming in 2025 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Saturday, November 30, 2024 12:00 PM
Pinball is a tricky thing to capture and recreate. I mean, there are traditional video game adaptations that might not feel like they get the cabinet experience right. Bounce Arcade attempts to offer the same sort of feel, only from a different type of perspective. While it does manage it for a few of its tables, I also often felt like it was more of a Breakout sort of game than a VR pinball experience due to its execution.
Rather than being played like a traditional pinball game with the perspective of looking down on the field from above, Bounce Arcade essentially places people in the position where the paddles lie. You know that open, empty gap where the balls can slip through? That's your home for the game! Your left hand is the left paddle and right is the right, as you'd expect. However, you aren't limited to only swinging them back and forth, and you can move either hand in the space above, below, to the left, and to the right of that unguarded expanse. So right away, it feels more like Breakout because of that additional freedom in terms of positioning. You're moving more to meet the ball, rather than being locked in place and limited.
The other element that keeps Bounce Arcade from feeling like pinball and instead like a Breakout or Alleyway variant is the additional degree of control over the ball. You can sort of guide it to certain positions on the field, to a degree, with a press of a controller button. In cases like the Monster Manor map, it's actually a necessary mechanic for lighting up the space around you. But it feels more targeted than you'd expect otherwise. Likewise, a gauge can fill that offers something of a homing function to pull the ball toward you. They're the sort of abilities that you'd expect from other games.
Now, there are tables in Bounce Arcade that do feel like ones you'd see in a more traditional pinball games. Gunpowder Gulch, a wild west themed space, is one. There are plenty of visible bumpers and ramps. The forced perspective is right. It has the characterizations you'd expect from a table. The same goes for Monster Manor. It features objectives like you'd see in some pinball games, given you need to light the ball on fire and hit designated markers to brighten up the space. And again, there are the obvious ramps and bumpers around the area. Pirate's Plunder does to a lesser degree, as it starts to feel more like it deviates from the pinball formula, while Asteroid Outpost's perspective and execution 100% made me feel like it was a Breakout background.
Now, all of this isn't to say that Bounce Arcade somehow doesn't succeed. It's quite a fun experience! Chasing high scores is entertaining, and there are enough bumpers and possible objectives to help with racking up points. It just doesn't always feel like what it is billed as. When you do get a map that is more akin to an actual pinball table, it's quite fun! I'd even say Monster Manor feels a bit innovative, since it's the one that best uses the unique features and VR elements while still feeling like a more traditional pinball experience.
With Bounce Arcade, Velan Studios tried to recreate a type of moment and feeling. Sometimes, it accomplishes that. Other times, it feels like an entertaining take on VR Breakout. It's never a bad time. It just won't always feel like VR pinball. As long as you're okay with that, you'll get along fine.
Bounce Arcade is available on the Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest Pro VR headsets.
The post Bounce Arcade Feels More like VR Breakout Than Pinball appeared first on Siliconera. |
TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Saturday, November 30, 2024 3:15 PM Elon Musk, a South African immigrant to the US has threatened to buy Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast. Dungeons & Dragons is already facing a tough time, but this aligns with Musk's recent business philosophy of acquiring dying brands and making them even more dying. Elon posted the message "How much... |