Feb 23, 20:00


GamersHeroes Friday, February 23, 2024 7:52 PM
    

Airing earlier today, the Warframe February 2024 Devstream provided more information around a fresh mission type, a loot goblin enemy, and Warframe Inaros rework specifics.

The post Warframe February 2024 Devstream Highlights appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Friday, February 23, 2024 4:01 PM
    

From now to February 26, PC players can get themselves now Techland Games' Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition during the Free Weekend on Steam.

The post Dying Light 2 Stay Human Free this Weekend on Steam appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 6:00 PM
    

Fans of sprawling RPGs with intricate plots and ensemble casts sure have been eating good the first couple months of 2024. Late January saw the release of RGG Studio's bodacious Hawaiian-style adventure, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The end of February brings with it the extravagant second installment of Square…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 5:30 PM
    

Poker isn't the most exciting game to play alone. Even against computer players in a video game,poker isn't much fun. Balatro—out now on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC—understands this. Instead of playing other opponents and placing bets, this roguelike deck builder is all about making winning hands and collecting…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 5:15 PM
    

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings's co-writer and director Destin Daniel Cretton is making the leap from comics to manga with a live-action adaptation of Naruto. One of the most popular anime and manga properties of the last several decades, Naruto has lived many lives as a comic book, several animated shows,…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 4:30 PM
    

The latest episode of the Paramount+ Halo series is an action-packed throat punch from the moment it starts. That punch to your windpipe will sting a little more if you're a big fan of a certain character from the games, who bit the proverbial dust this week.

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 4:15 PM
    

Since Overwatch 2's controversial launch, Blizzard has made a lot of massive changes to its hero shooter formula. First, it changed the core team makeup from 6v6 to 5v5, then it gutted its promised PvE mode, reworked heroes, added new game modes, and gave every character passive healing abilities. The more these big,…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 4:00 PM
    

The Simpsons has been on for over 30 years at this point. In that time, the show has produced some amazing episodes and some real stinkers. But let's not forget that Fox's hit animated show about a suburban family trying to make ends meet in Springfield has also provided us with some incredible songs, often mixing…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 3:15 PM
    

Video games are the way a lot of us bond with our loved ones. Whether it's family, a partner, or a group of friends gathering to play Helldivers 2, some of our most cherished memories with people we care about are facilitated through games. Thankfully, some games give us a means to immortalize those who are gone, and…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 3:00 PM
    

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 2:45 PM
    

I haven't had the chance to play much of Helldivers 2. At first, server issues due to the game's swell in popularity kept me from playing, but as the situation's improved, I've also found myself too busy or tired to play. Last night, I opted to watch my friends play it and commentate over their largely successful runs…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 2:45 PM
    

A decade ago, The Walking Dead wasn't a mere TV show, it was an impossible-to-escape cultural phenomenon. Crafted with precision, powerful performances, and prosthetics, early TWD rose above regular zombie fare upon its 2010 premiere—that pilotremains flawless even today. In its first few seasons, the AMC series…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 2:15 PM
    

Driving games can loosely be divided into two sub-genres: simulation and arcade. The former category includes the likes of Gran Turismo or Forza (not the Horizon series) and focus on more realistic racing. But the latter is all about fun over realism. 2022's Need for Speed Unbound, the latest release in the…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 2:00 PM
    

As physical video games become harder to find due to never-ending digitization, folks love collecting tangible items, especially if they're of the rare and sealed variety. A 22-year-old Californian named Kiro recently came up on one such rarity: a sealed copy of 1987's The Legend of Zelda, and damn-near let it go for…

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Kotaku Friday, February 23, 2024 1:30 PM
    

The annual Pokémon Day Presents showcase takes place this Tuesday, February 27 in celebration of the series' anniversary. This is where The Pokémon Company typically announces its next big game, and offers updates on its various live service projects. It's usually an exciting day, and it probably still will be, but…

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PCGamesN Friday, February 23, 2024 6:22 PM
     Last Epoch server status and error codes

What is the Last Epoch server status? Chances are that you're looking at this guide because there's an issue you're running into while attempting to play online. You've probably seen one of the Last Epoch error codes, such as LE-61, and wondered what it means.

We'll keep an eye on the Last Epoch server status for now, as it seems somewhat volatile with all the new players playing the RPG game for the first time. While you're here, we have other troubleshooting guides available if you need them; we recommend our Last Epoch best settings guide to make it run as smoothly as possible on your rig or the Last Epoch system requirements to see if you need an upgrade.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Last Epoch review, Last Epoch builds, Last Epoch tier list

PCGamesN Friday, February 23, 2024 5:57 PM
     Helldivers 2 players are killing each other for the dumbest reason

Helldivers 2 has a high-strung, hyper, air around it. Between the frenetic, fiery gameplay and the equally chaotic scramble for a spot on its servers post-release, the shooter taking the gaming world by storm has lit a fire under people's feet.

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

PCGamesN Friday, February 23, 2024 3:20 PM
     This creepy new dystopian simulation game is discounted on Steam

CorpoNation The Sorting Process just fully released on Steam, and like the inciting incident of fellow simulator Stardew Valley, it has us rethinking our entire life in a cold sweat. This creative and bold title is currently 20% off in an introductory offer, too, so there's no time like the present to see what the fuss is about.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, Best horror games, Best simulation games

PCGamesN Friday, February 23, 2024 2:31 PM
     DMCA'd sandbox game is huge on Steam after comeback

Myth of Empires is trending on Steam Charts right now despite past legal issues following a DMCA takedown request. The sandbox had temporarily been delisted from Valve's storefront in December 2021 after a claim filed by Studio Wildcard, which is behind Ark Survival Evolve, alleged that Myth of Empires stole some of its code.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best sandbox games, Best strategy games, Best new PC games

PCGamesN Friday, February 23, 2024 2:01 PM
     A new Age of Empires game is coming, but it's not what you'd expect

Age of Empires remains one of the most iconic names in PC strategy games. Organize your workers, build out your settlement, scavenge for resources, and end up with a grand, sprawling city, replete with magnificent walls that span for miles and filled with armies to conquer all comers. The series stands alongside the likes of Civilization, Crusader Kings, and Total War, along with promising newcomers such as the upcoming Manor Lords, and now there's a new entry on the way - but not, perhaps, what you were expecting.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Age of Empires 4 release date, Age of Empires 4 review, The best RTS games on PC

PCGamesN Friday, February 23, 2024 1:34 PM
     Act fast on this Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree preorder discount

Gaming deals don't get more enticing than an anticipated release being discounted during preorders. That's what's happening with this Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree discount. Why not save some money ahead of the big drop on June 21?

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, The best Elden Ring classes

PCGamesN Friday, February 23, 2024 1:30 PM
     The best detective games on PC 2024

What are the best detective games on PC? We've all seen an episode of CSI or Law and Order, read a John Grisham book, or listened to a true crime podcast and thought, "Yeah, I could do that. I could solve the case." Now you can live out your best detective dream and solve murders, cold cases, and unresolved mysteries through the best detective games on PC - so grab your deerstalker hat and magnifying glass; you'll need them.

We've investigated the best detective games around, from gritty episodic adventures like The Wolf Among Us to old-school point-and-click puzzlers, all with their own unique case-cracking mechanics to test even the cleverest gumshoe. The keen-eye detectives among you may have spotted a few of these titles on our free PC games list. If you're looking for a sprinkling of sci-fi on your mystery, a touch of fantasy in your murder, or a raw police procedural, then we've got you covered with our picks of the best detective games on PC.


PCGamesN Friday, February 23, 2024 1:13 PM
     The best games like Diablo

What are the best games like Diablo? You've come to the right place if you need to get your fill of hitting stuff, leveling up, and wearing unreasonably jagged and oversized shoulder pauldrons.

With Diablo 4 delighting fans in 2023, including us in our Diablo 4 review,  and with frequent Diablo 4 seasons to expand the game further, there's a good chance that you are still sinking your teeth into everything it has to offer. That said, some will want to move on from Blizzard's acclaimed RPG game series. That's where we come in, and in our list, we've also factored in features like the camera angle, the world setting, and the tone. Without further ado, here's our complete list of games like Diablo for your perusal.

Continue reading The best games like Diablo
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Diablo 4 builds, Diablo 4 review, Diablo 4 classes

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 23, 2024 3:00 PM
    

Over 25 years into Age of Empires' history, it seems the storied strategy series is riding a high. Developers World's Edge have announced their plans to follow up last year's The Sultans Ascend DLC for Age of Empires 4 - said to be the best-selling expansion in the entire series' history - with some new additions to the latest RTS instalment this spring.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 23, 2024 2:30 PM
    

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition has revealed its next DLC. Victors and Vanquished will apparently be the remastered RTS' first "campaign-focused" expansion, offering up more playable scenarios than any of its previous packs - many based on popular community creations. Oh, and it's out next month.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 23, 2024 2:00 PM
    

Age of Mythology Retold, the latest remaster of the god-battling Age of Empires spin-off, will finally see a release in 2024, having been revealed back in October 2022.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, February 23, 2024 1:35 PM
    

Petroglyph, the makers of the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection and The Great War: Western Front, have just released their next RTS game into early access. 9-Bit Armies: A Bit Too Far is a sequel to their 8-Bit Armies series of real-time strategy games, the first of which came out all the way back in 2016. 9-Bit Armies retains the cute, voxel look of its predecessors, only now maps are even larger (4x bigger than the original, say Petroglyph), with naval battles, superstructures for your base and lots more to dig into either alone or in online co-op.

Read more


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 6:00 PM
    

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II Arrives in 2024

The new Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II anime season will premiere in 2024. The announcement appeared on the X (previous Twitter) official account, alongside the release of a new character key visual art featuring characters Llenn, Pitohui, Fukaziroh, and M.

The special media post also confirmed that the Japanese voice actors for the 4 characters will reprise their roles in the new season of the anime. The actors in question are Tomori Kusunoki voicing Llenn, Yoko Hikasa as Pitohui, Chinatsu Akasaki as Fukaziroh, and Kazuyuki Okitsu as M.

Studio 3Hz will return to animate the new SAO Alternative: Gun Gale Online II season. You can take a better look at the new SAO Alternative: Gun Gale Online II character key visual in the post below:

https://twitter.com/ggo_anime/status/1760952648281506216

The second season of Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online was announced to be in production back in July 2023, alongside the release of a short teaser trailer. The first season of the anime series first aired in 2018.

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II is currently in production, and the new season of the anime series will premiere sometime in 2024. Season 1 is readily available on streaming services.

The post SAO Alternative: Gun Gale Online II Arrives in 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 5:00 PM
    

madoka magica earrings

Mayla will open up sales for earrings based on the witches and their Grief Seeds from Puella Magi Madoka Magica. You'll be able to order them from the company's official website starting from February 26, 2024.

The witches that you can buy merchandise from are three prominent ones from the original show: Gertrud, Charlotte, and Oktavia von Seckendorff. There are two variations of earrings you can get for each witch. The first kind is a pair of dangling earrings in which the top part is a pearl in the same color as the witches' image, and the bottom is the witches' Grief Seeds in Puella Magi Madoka Magica. The second variation actually looks like the witch's real body.

You'll be able to purchase these earrings from February 26 to March 25, 2024 via Mayla's website. Mayla does offer international shipping. So overseas customers will be able to buy them directly from Mayla's site. The Grief Seed versions of the earrings cost 9790 JPY ($65.11), and the witch body earrings cost 24,640 JPY ($163.90). You can also get a complete set with both pairs, and it'll cost 32,450 JPY ($215.80).

These Puella Magi Madoka Magica earrings aren't the only pieces of merchandise Mayla is selling. It is also offering shoes based on Hatsune Miku and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Other ongoing collaborations include ones with Tsurune, Twisted Wonderland, and Mononoke.

The Puella Magi Madoka Magica earrings from Mayla will come out on February 26, 2024.

The post These Madoka Magica Earrings Look Like Grief Seeds appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 4:30 PM
    

pharah overwatch recast

Following comments from Jen Cohn, the voice actress for Pharah from Overwatch, about freeing Palestine from Hamas, Overwatch fans have been calling for Blizzard to recast her. She made these comments in a livestream. [Thanks, PC Gamer!]

A Change.org petition started on February 14, 2024 in response to Cohn's remarks. As a note, Cohn's livestream where she made the comments about the conflict in Palestine occurred on February 10, 2024. As of the time of writing, the petition has garnered 4359 signatures, with a goal of 5000. The comment in question was, "Yes, free Palestine from Hamas" after someone in her chat commented "Free Palestine." She followed this up with comments about how she hopes Palestinians be healthy and happy, and that they live with autonomy and in safety. However, viewers were angry when she called the conflict a "war" and that it would be wonderful "when both sides are able to stop fighting."

Online, users have been calling for Blizzard to recast Pharah. Their reasoning is that Cohn is a Zionist and is spreading Zionist propaganda using the platform she got from her role in Overwatch. Some have even pointed out that Pharah is a mixed Egyptian character, which makes Cohn's role as her even more inappropriate.

Though the Gaza-Israel conflict has been ongoing since the late 1940s, the recent Israel-Hamas war started in October 2023 after militant Palestinian groups attacked southern Israel. Many groups and activists have called for a ceasefire, citing that Israel is committing a genocide of the Palestinian people. As of February 19, 2024, Israel has killed over 29,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. About two-thirds of this number are women and children.

Overwatch 2 is readily available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Windows PC, and Nintendo Switch. Blizzard has not made any statements about Cohn, or whether it plans to recast her as Pharah in Overwatch, yet.

The post Overwatch Fans Call For Pharah Recast After "Zionist" Remarks appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 4:00 PM
    

New Persona 5 Sadayo 'Becky' Kawakami Maid Merchandise Appears

Sanshee announced a new selection of Persona 5 merchandise, this time based on the teacher and maid character Sadayo "Becky" Kawakami. The new collection includes two t-shirts, a keychain, and a pin.

All three items play with the fact that while Ms. Sadayo Kawakami is a teacher at Shujin Academy during the day, she also works as a maid called Becky with the service Victoria in Persona 5 and its Royal update. Both of the shirts feature the full logo for the Victoria service the protagonist can call on the back and a smaller one on the front. The pin features the logo and a large strawberry, which is also part of the imagery for the maids. Finally, the keychain is of the maid uniform Kawakami wears at work.

Here's the full list of new Sanshee Persona 5 merchandise with prices:

And here's a full gallery that gives us a better idea of how all four items look.

While Sadayo Kawakami is only a minor supporting character and the Temperance social link in the game, merchandise inspired by her isn't an uncommon find. For example, Amakuni released a figure based on her in 2023. That featured her in her Becky persona and work uniform.

Persona 5 Royal is available on the PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC, and Persona 5 is on the PS3 and PS4. 

The post New Persona 5 Sadayo 'Becky' Kawakami Maid Merchandise Appears appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 3:30 PM
    

PlatinumGames Shares Bayonetta Anniversary Art of 2B, 9S, A2

Now that NieR Automata is seven years old, artists from developer PlatinumGames shared an array of art of 2B and 9S for every fan to enjoy. There are seven pieces in total. 

The selection consists of both people who worked on the original game and others from the studio. NieR Automata Cutscene Illustration Artist Tomoko Nishii submitted a 2B piece, for example. Artists who worked on other games include Mai Ishimaru, who was a Bayonetta 3 concept artist, and other concept artists with the company like Yukiya Sasaya. 

Here is the full gallery of all seven pieces of 2B and 9S art for the NieR Automata anniversary celebration for every fan to peruse:

We also learned another interesting tidbit as the game turned seven years old. There have been eight million copies sold worldwide. People could celebrate that announcement with the new 2B and 9S wines that were aged while songs from the game's soundtrack played.

NieR Automata is available on the PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and Windows PC. There is also an anime adaptation that is available to stream via Crunchyroll.

The post PlatinumGames Shares NieR Automata Anniversary Art of 2B and 9S appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 3:00 PM
    

capcom uniqlo

Uniqlo is releasing a line of UT graphic t-shirts based on retro Capcom games. These shirts will appear in Uniqlo stores from March 25, 2024.

This collection is to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Capcom. The line-up of t-shirts have designs for:

  • Ghosts 'n Goblins (1985)
  • Mega Man (1987)
  • Final Fight (1989)
  • Street Fighter II (1991)
  • Resident Evil (1996)
  • Devil May Cry (2001)
  • Monster Hunter (2004)

There is also a Uniqlo t-shirt for the 40th anniversary of Capcom. This shirt has key characters from famous Capcom franchises. Aside from major characters in the above games, we can see characters like Morrigan from Darkstalkers, Phoenix Wright from Ace Attorney, Amaterasu in Okami, and Date Masamune in Sengoku Basara.

All of the shirts come in XS-4XL (Men's) and cost 1990 JPY ($13.25). Aside from giving information on the t-shirts, the Uniqlo website also has information on each game. Aside from the release date and genre, it also provides some information on the game's history and influence. For example, it describes Street Fighter II as a pioneer of the new fighting game genre. Incidentally, even though it lists Resident Evil (1996) as one of the games, the description and design are actually for Resident Evil 4: Remake. This game did not come out in 1996. It came out in 2023.

Aside from making t-shirts, Uniqlo will also make a game. These Uniqlo collaboration games will take inspiration from classic Capcom titles, with eight variations in total. You can give UT Adventure a try here. The game will also appear in arcade stores, with only 40 machines appearing around the world. More information will come out in the future about this.

The Uniqlo Capcom shirts will be available from March 25, 2024.

The post Uniqlo Capcom T-Shirts Celebrate Classic Titles appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 2:10 PM
    

Red Bull Gives Cloud Wings in New Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Ad

Red Bull released a new commercial on social media, and the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ad involves Cloud drinking the energy drink to best Sephiroth. It's now available to watch on social media.

The new spot is relatively short, and it is unknown if it will also appear on TV or off of social media. The tagline for it is, "Limit break a piece of cake?" Both Sephiroth and Cloud are showing off their various attacks. Then, after Sephiroth unfurls his single black wing, Cloud drinks a Red Bull in the ad.

Here is the full Red Bull Final Fantasy VII Rebirth commercial. 

https://twitter.com/redbullgaming/status/1761089108200567185

The message also takes advantage of the fact that using the hashtags #FF7 or #FF7R on Twitter results in a Sephiroth emoji appearing. In Japanese, the hashtags #FF7リバース発売, #早く来いクラウド, and #FF7リバース also work. 

This is one of many special promotions that came up for the game ahead of launch. For example, there are Epos credit cards with the two characters on them in Japan. Insomnia Cookies is also using packaging based on the game for a limited time.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will come to the PS5 on February 29, 2024. Its demo is live now. The game's PS5 exclusivity arrangement expires on May 29, 2024.

The post Red Bull Gives Cloud Wings in New Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Ad With Sephiroth appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 2:00 PM
    

Dragon's Dogma 2 Warrior and Sorcerer vocation trailers

New trailers detailing the some vocations from Dragon's Dogma 2 appeared, this time featuring the brutal Warrior and powerful Sorcerer. Unlike the hybrid vocations like Warfarer and Mystic Spearhand, these will be available for use by your Pawn companions.

The Sorcerer and the Warrior were both part of the original game's selection of nine vocations, which are Dragon's Dogma's version of classes. The Warrior is an advanced version of the Fighter and trades a shield for a two-handed weapon for increased offensive power. The Sorcerer similarly loses out on the Mage's healing magic in order to gain more powerful attacks of various elements, many of which can be seen in the trailer. Also shown is the return of Spell Syncing, which allowed multiple Sorcerers to cast spells of the same element together to speed up the charging time.

You can watch the Dragon's Dogma 2 Warrior vocation trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhKLjaN9nwQ

And the Sorcerer vocation trailer is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2jM8b5ZCEI

Back in January 2024, Capcom unveiled a new vocation coming to Dragon's Dogma 2 called the Warfarer. It that can utilize weapons and skills from a variety of the other vocations. Meanwhile, Director Hideaki Itsuno confirmed that variable frame rate settings would be supported.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is set to launch on March 22, 2024, for the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

The post Dragon's Dogma 2 Sorcerer and Warrior Vocations Detailed appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 1:30 PM
    

gundam breaker 4 closed network test

Bandai Namco opened up applications for its closed network test of Gundam Breaker 4 in Japan. You will have until March 4, 2024 to put in your applications.

In order to apply, you simply need to fill out your information from this link here. However, you must live in Japan in order to participate. The game will be on the PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, so you need to own one of those consoles as well. Because it requires internet access, you'll need to have a PlayStation Plus or Nintendo Switch Online account. If Bandai Namco chooses you for the Gundam Breakers 4 closed network test, you'll receive the news after March 11, 2024. As for the test itself, it'll take place on March 15 and 17, 2024.

During the test, Bandai Namco will be allowing players to hang out in the multiplayer lobby, which can contain 24 players a once. You'll also be able to play online multiplayer and customize your personal Gunpla. As a note, there's a chance that Bandai Namco will end the test early for maintenance purposes.

Gundam Breaker 4 is the latest entry in the Gundam Breaker series of games. These games have hack 'n' slash rogue-like gameplay, as well as Gunpla kits that you can put together. Bandai Namco first revealed the game during the February 21, 2024 Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase.

Gundam Breaker 4 will come out on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and Windows PC some time in 2024. The applications for the closed network test will close on March 4, 2024.

The post Gundam Breaker 4 Closed Network Test Applications Open appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, February 23, 2024 1:01 PM
    

Review: Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island Is Packed With Challenging Dungeons

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island marks the first time a new entry in the series appeared after almost 14 years. While an enhanced port of the fifth game was released in 2020, the original game appeared in Japan on 2010. With such a long gap between releases, there's been a jump from 2D pixel art sprites to 3D models. As for its gameplay, developer Spike Chunsoft decided to revisit the basics and emphasize its best qualities. As a result, the sixth game in the Shiren the Wanderer series delivers a challenging roguelite experience that teaches players to learn from failure, to exercise patience, and to carefully analyze each step taken inside the titular Mystery Dungeon.

As with all previous titles in the series, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a dungeon-crawling roguelike. Each run of the game starts with Shiren at level one, and he's carrying no items or money. Every action the player takes translates into a turn. This means moving, using items, and equipping new weapons. The maps are laid out in tiles, and Shiren can move and aim in eight directions. These seemingly small things are important to remember, as every trek through Serpentcoil Island can be lethal from the very beginning. For example, during my first few runs of the game, my overconfidence and familiarity with the series kept getting the best of me. Common enemies would easily overwhelm and defeat me while exploring the first three floors of the dungeon. This taught me again to carefully consider my steps, pay attention to my items, my health, and the different rooms in each floor.

Progressing through the floors in each of the dungeon can be a fast process, but defeating enemies, keeping your level on par, gathering onigiri, finding new weapons, and picking up shields, useful herbs, and scrolls is the key to surviving the dangers that lurk everywhere. New equipment, Confusion Scrolls, and especially Sleep Scrolls are easily some of the most important items in the game. I found they will help immensely when Shiren is surrounded by enemies to avoid being defeated, something that happens constantly in Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island.

Failing a run will see the player returning to Shukuba Beach, the starting town in the game, having lost everything collected in the Dungeon. However, this is not as unfair as it sounds. The game expects and teaches you to thrive in failure. The start of each new run means being able to progress in the different side-stories that are happening in Serpentcoil Island, which in turn unlocks new secondary Dungeons. Completing these side-stories tend to be easier than progressing in the main Dungeon, and upon completion will unlock functions that can make each progressive run more approachable. The Monster Dojo is a new inclusion that can help newcomers figure out how to defeat monsters or face dangers, as an example.

Compared to its predecessor, the story of Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is equally as whimsical and fantastic. However, I found it a bit lighter. The story starts a few months after the events of Shiren the Wanderer GB: Monster of Moonlight Village, and it follows Shiren and the talking ferret Koppa trying to reach Serpentcoil Island to obtain the treasure hidden inside after having seen visions of it in their dreams. Some of the most prominent character stories in Serpentcoil Island revolve around the theme of greed vs. generosity. Even while seeking treasure, riches, and personal gain, plenty of character blindsided by superfluous goals end up showing compassion for those in need, emphasizing perseverance through cooperation and the strength of community.

During the first few hours, the mechanics of the game are pretty straightforward. It isn't until successfully completing the first run of the main Serpentcoil Island Dungeon that the game truly opens up. What used to be a few side-paths and side-stories snowballs into a plethora of new content and mechanics. I like how these new dungeons serve as tutorial for different mechanics, and help raise the challenge for those wanting to explore dungeons with certain modifiers. One of the most interesting systems featured in this new entry is the Sumo Status. Making the Hunger meter grow over 150 and fully restoring it will make Shiren become a beefy tank. His defense and HP will skyrocket, and his damage will increase. Hoarding food in pots and using them to enter Sumo Status helped me immensely in dealing with some bosses and difficult encounters.

As with many other roguelite games, the Shiren the Wanderer series is not for everyone. Mistakes are very punishing, and defeat can happen suddenly and be frustrating. Fortunately, the online rescue system function can help curb some of that frustration. Players from all over the world can rescue your character by visiting your dungeon. This means you won't be able to play for a while, but in turn you can help by rescuing other players, or even rescue yourself. You can attempt this as many times as you want, but each run will only allow to be successfully rescued up to 5 times. The updated live streaming UI returns from the previous entry, and can be toggled on and off easily. While a very niche addition, I can see this function pairing well with the heavy focus on online cooperation and rescues, and having people share their rescue codes with experienced players and streamers.

The music in Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is memorable, as is to be expected by AI: The Somnium Files and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night composer Keisuke Ito. With how often and for how long you get to hear these songs, it is a treat the the soundtrack has been given such care. The transition from 2D sprites to 3D models works well. While it is difficult to compare it to the stunning pixel art in the previous entry, The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island does a good job at keeping character and enemy models visually appealing and expressive. Due to the procedural nature of the maps, the scenarios are simple yet charming and very distinct from each other. Towns are the standout, being small enough to be detailed and visually interesting, like the Ninja Village, or Icewall Village. However, the choice of very bold and beautiful Japanese-style illustration and art direction is the real responsible behind the successful transition from 2D to 3D art.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is packed to the brim with challenging dungeons. The amount of content available is staggering and will keep returning fans and newcomers alike busy for hours. While the steep learning curve of the series can turn away those jumping in for the first time, the game does a good job at keeping the difficulty intact and welcome newcomers alike. Features like the online rescue systems, Monster Dojo, and plenty of in-game manuals explain the mechanics clearly without subtracting from the experience. I fear that the series might still struggle to connect with new audiences, but if you've ever been curious about it, this might be the best time to jump into the Mystery Dungeon train.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island will come to the Nintendo Switch on on February 27, 2024.

The post Review: Shiren the Wanderer 6 Is Packed With Challenging Dungeons appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, February 23, 2024 6:34 PM
     Jujutsu Kaisen Infinite Craft Featured ImageLet's become Jujutsu Sorcerers and make use of our inner Cursed Energy. Here is how to make Jujutsu Kaisen in Infinite Craft. Infinite Craft: How to make Jujutsu Kaisen Crafting your favorite character, movie, or country in Infinite Craft is a fun journey, but get ready for an adventure that may take quite a bit of time. Jujutsu Kaisen, for anyone who isn't familiar with it, is a very popular manga and anime that is home to characters such as Yuji Itadori and Satory Gojo. And while we might not take down Ryumen Sukuna, we will have to do our best to craft Jujutsu Kaisen in Infinite Craft, which is no easy fit. Let's take a look. Image: PC Invasion Jujutsu Kaisen Infinite Craft Recipes Element 1Element 2ResultKatakanaSatoru GojoJujutsu KaisenBlueSatoru GojoJujutsu KaisenHollowSatoru GojoJujutsu KaisenInfiniteYuji ItadoriJujutsu KaisenPurpleSatoru GojoJujutsu Kaisen As you might expect, the recipes above involve either Yuji or Satoru, which will arguab...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, February 23, 2024 6:09 PM
     How To Make Freddy Fazbear In Infinite Craft Featured ImageNo one wants to make deadly animatronics that haunt people's dreams. But if you're gonna make them, you'll want to start with the main hat man himself. So let's get to building and figure out how to make Freddy Fazbear in Infinite Craft. Making Freddy Fazbear in Infinite Craft Screenshot: PC Invasion Almost everything in Infinite Craft has countless variations when it comes to making elements. Our steps to making Freddy Fazbear in Infinite Craft might not be the same as you, but as long as you have the main ingredients at the end, it shouldn't matter. The main elements you need to make Freddy Fazbear are "Fire" and "Freddy." Which are more accurate elements to the character than making Minecraft out of Paris Hilton. Related: How to make a Gameboy in Infinite Craft Should you happen to find yourself with only one of these elements, or you need even more things, we've got you covered. Here are all the ingredients ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, February 23, 2024 5:47 PM
     Infinite Craft Opposite Featured ImageIt is time to bring a little bit of balance to the world of web browser games. Here is how to make Opposite in Infinite Craft. Infinite Craft: How to make Opposite Many elements are pretty unique and act as a good addition to your collection. And while getting popular characters sure sounds like a fine adventure to undergo, some elements carry a lot of power – and responsibility. Out of these elements, one that can help you get a lot of elements is Opposite, and as you can imagine, this opens up your possibilities. Don't miss out on these and check out how to make Opposite in Infinite Craft. Image: PC Invasion Opposite Recipes Element 1Element 2ResultDust BunnyYin YangOppositeAntonymAreOppositeAntonymSynonymOppositeFictionPalindromeOppositeDifferentReciprocalOppositeLocationReverseOpposite While there are some logical choices out of the recipes above like Antonym and Synonym, the fastest route to take is to combine Dust Bunny and Ying Yang to make Opposite...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, February 23, 2024 4:41 PM
     The Death Penalty In Last Epoch Explained Featured ImageDying has a cost in Last Epoch. If you're worried about losing experience points or gear when you bite the dust, read on as I explain what the death penalty means in Last Epoch. Last Epoch: The death penalty – Explained In most ARPGs when you die, you tend to lose a little currency, or XP, or your gear gets damaged. It's a bit different in Last Epoch. Upon death, don't lose any XP. So your character can get killed off as much as you'd like. I wouldn't recommend it, but feel free. While you're not losing XP, you're still not gaining any either. This makes leveling a little more challenging. On top of that, you don't lose gold either. Dying is more forgivable in Last Epoch than any most other ARPGs. Or most other video games in general. What's interesting about dying in Last Epoch is that the world persists after your death. This is especially beneficial in boss fights. If you die in a boss fight, the boss' health doesn't res...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, February 23, 2024 4:27 PM
     All Runic Invocation Combinations In Last EpochThe best party about the Runemaster Mage Mastery in Last Epoch are all the cool Runic Invocation combinations you can cast. We'll uncover them all and what sort of spell you get with them. Runemasters can cast a combination of three Runes in different orders to cast up to 40 different Runic Invocations. Let's go over all the combinations and how they work. Last Epoch: All Runic Invocation combinations The Runemaster has the choice to use three different elemental runes: Heo, Rah, and Gon, which are Cold, Fire, and Lightning, respectively. Choose from one to three Rune combinations and you'll get a unique Invocation, which makes this a highly versatile skill to have. Screenshot: Eleventh Hour Games There's one unique type of Runic Invocation, and that happens when you don't use any Rune. This will give you an interesting buff: Wordless Invocation: Grants a burst of Ward (80 + 1 per Intelligence). Mana: 12 Cooldown: 15 seconds R...

WGB Friday, February 23, 2024 6:47 PM
     During Warner Bros.'s latest earnings call the company admitted that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has not met their expectations in terms of sales.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, February 23, 2024 4:03 PM
    

It sold over 7.5 million units back in April.

The post NieR: Automata Sales Surpass Eight Million Copies appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, February 23, 2024 3:02 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, February 23, 2024 2:22 PM
    

It will launch for PC and consoles.

The post Mortal Kombat 1 Cross-Play Coming Next Month appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, February 23, 2024 1:51 PM
    

Baldur's Gate III is available now for PC and consoles

The post Baldur's Gate III is Getting Cross-Platform Mod Support Later This Year appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, February 23, 2024 1:23 PM
    

JRPGs are making a comeback in massive way lately and here is our list of games

The post Top 5 JRPGS Coming in 2024 appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.