May 22, 16:00


Kotaku Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:45 PM
    

The Kingdom Hearts franchise is finally coming to Steam next month (most of it is, at least), and now people who don't like the Epic Games Store will be able to see Sora, Donald, and Goofy's story from start to finish. But like any long-running franchise, the series has had its high points and low points. With a bunch…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 22, 2024 1:05 PM
    

There's something uncanny about dancing in video games. It's a fun activity, but once it's put in an unexpected context, things start getting weird. The dancing village in Elden Ring is one example of that, but there are also real-world events like the dancing plague of 1518 (a thing you should read about) that are…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 22, 2024 1:00 PM
    

Valve—the company behind Half-Life and Steam—is working on a new game likely named Deadlock. It'sprobably a third-person team-based hero-shooter with MOBA and tower defense elements. And people are playing it right now via a closed and private beta. However, some of those same people have started leaking footage of…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:35 PM
    

Narrative action-adventure game Senua's Saga: Hellblade II may have relatively simple combat compared to other action games, but that doesn't mean it can't be mastered. As I said in my review, the combat itself has a narrative feeling to it, with Senua's successes or failures in battle feeling harmonious with the…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:29 PM
    

When Diablo IV first came out its economy felt hopelessly broken. Incrementally better but mostly worthless gear was incredibly expensive to buy during the main campaign, while gold was so tangential to the end-game grind that players quickly amassed Scrooge McDuck-like fortunes with nothing really worthwhile to spend…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:01 PM
    

Netflix's The Witcher has finally given fans their first official tease of Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia and yup, he sure does look like another brooding, white-haired himbo, just with an even bigger jawline this time around.

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:41 AM
    

On May 21, developer CD Projekt Red released the long-awaited Redkit, an official modding tool for The Witcher 3. The new tool gives the community new freedom to develop massive content for the game. Only a day later, people are already making great use of Redkit, with one modder recreating the original Witcher game…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:30 AM
    

Overwatch 2's entire concept as a sequel was based on it offering new modes, seasonal cycles, and new monetization plans through battle passes and an overhauled cosmetics shop. Two of those pillars are very much intact, but many of the new game modes have not panned out over the past year and a half. Blizzard's…

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Kotaku Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:15 AM
    

The highly anticipated Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC releases in a month, and we just got a brand-new story trailer from developer FromSoftware to unpack while we wait.

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PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:40 PM
     Morrowind's best quest just got even better with this new mod

If there's one quest that sums up how Morrowind approaches storytelling and worldbuilding all wrapped up into one package, it's Larrius Varro Tells a Little Story. Unlike some other entries in the Elder Scrolls series, the third game aims for a murky and nuanced take on life in this fantasy world. There's nothing that better represents this than the tale dripped into your ear by one Imperial Legion Champion.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Elder Scrolls 6 release date, Best Skyrim mods, Best games like Skyrim

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 1:30 PM
     Dead by Daylight's new interactive DnD adventure asks for your vote

One of the most surprising things about the recent Dungeons and Dragons announcement for Dead by Daylight is how much the game embraces the tabletop RPG. Vecna's upcoming chapter isn't just a new map, survivor, killer, and a bag of perks. Rolling d20s, equipping loot, and a ton of easter eggs are all coming to the game, making it almost feel like a dark twist on a DnD campaign.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: DBD killer tier list, Best horror games, DBD codes

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 1:12 PM
     Save $40 on this brilliant optical gaming keyboard from NZXT

If you're on the hunt for a great gaming keyboard deal in the Memorial Day sales, NZXT has you covered with its Function 2, which is now available on Amazon for just $99.99.

I'm in the process of testing the NZXT Function 2 and it's shaping up to be one of the best gaming keyboards for gamers who want high-end features without the premium cost. At its $139.99 MRSP, the Function 2 already offers a great deal compared to some of its competitors, but if you're quick, you can save $40 as part of a limited-time deal.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 1:01 PM
     Slay the Spire and Resident Evil collide in new survival game, out now

A mist has engulfed the fields beyond the village of Luna Nova. Everything in sight is tainted with a dull, sickly green hue, with small smatterings of light casting dancing shadows through the tall, looming crops. You are The Warden, the town's chosen guardian, sent out to hunt for the precious Ambrosia that will help you rebuild this struggling hamlet. But your adventure is no walk in the park - The Devourer lurks in Harvest Hunt's shadows.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 1:12 PM
     Vampire Survivors gets new rival as gothic survival RPG hits Steam

While it wasn't the first of its kind, there's no doubting the impact that Vampire Survivors had on the roguelike survival space. Since then, we've seen plenty of other games arrive in the run-based RPG format, with the likes of Deep Rock Galactic Survivor among the most successful contenders to the throne. Enter new challenger Necromantic, then, a gothic schoolbound adventure packed to the brim with weapons and abilities that's just launched on Steam.


PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:44 PM
     Stand aside, Steam Deck, this is the gaming handheld we want

There's yet another Steam Deck rival in town with the brand new OneXPlayer X1 Mini being the latest device to enter the battle for gaming handheld supremacy. But this is no boring cookie-cutter copy - this new handheld has just about every extra feature you could imagine.

While the Lenovo Legion Go seemingly already tried the "add more features" approach in an attempt to secure the best handheld gaming PC title, the X1 Mini takes the feature set to a new level. It has similar removable side controllers to Lenovo's Steam Deck rival, but it also adds a detachable keyboard, plus you can easily upgrade its SSD.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:34 PM
     Best multiplayer games on PC 2024

What are the best multiplayer games on PC? Intricate gameplay and glistening visuals only go so far; humans often provide the biggest surprises with schemes that transform even the most average game into an unforgettable experience you'll be talking about until the end of time.

Fast and frantic or tense and calculated, the best multiplayer games come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it's vying for control of the payload in an FPS game or fighting for survival in a co-op game with your friends, these experiences wouldn't be the same without a bunch of real people. We've curated a list of the best PC games with multiplayer functionality so you can go around killing, maiming, or, occasionally, helping random people on the internet.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Apex Legends characters guide, Apex Legends skins, Apex Legends tier list

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:20 PM
     Nvidia GPU production could stop if China invades Taiwan

Nvidia GPU production could immediately halt if China invades Taiwan, as the machines that make them at TSMC reportedly have a kill switch that enables them to be remotely disabled, according to the latest reports. TSMC took over the production of GPUs for Nvidia when it released its Ada Lovelace architecture in 2022, and its forthcoming Blackwell gaming GPUs will also be made there.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Ryzen 7 7800X3D review, Best gaming CPU, Radeon RX 7800 XT review

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:02 PM
     How to play Minecraft snapshots - snapshot 24w21a

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 each year, the next big Minecraft update is revealed to the community. In past years, 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.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:52 AM
     Despite strong reviews, Hellblade 2 is struggling on Steam

After last year's home run of incredible videogames, 2024 is looking equally stacked. We've already had Helldivers 2, Balatro, Dragon's Dogma 2, and Manor Lords, with the rest of the year promising to be packed as well. The newly released Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is one of the year's most anticipated games, yet it looks like despite incredibly strong reviews and positive player sentiment, the game isn't doing too well on Steam.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Hellblade 2 review, Hellblade 2 lore stone locations, Hellblade 2 face locations

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:52 AM
     The 16 best ATS mods 2024 - top American Truck Simulator mods

What are the best ATS mods in 2024? The cult-favorite trucking game is still going strong since its release in 2016. While American Truck Simulator is a fantastic simulation game in its own right, its longevity can also be attributed to its fervent modding community. Given how long the game has been out at this point, finding the very best ATS mods can be a little bit tricky in 2024. That's where we come in.

We've curated our picks for the best mods in American Truck Simulator to download in 2024. We've made sure to include a good variety of mod types in our curation, from striking visual improvements to enhanced navigation and a realistic fuel economy. No matter your experience with the simulation game, our collection of the top American Truck Simulator mods has something for everyone.


PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:34 AM
     Promising new Steam roguelike reveals big updates after demo success

While my Balatro fever has cooled ever so slightly now that I'm past the 100 hour mark, my passion for new Steam roguelikes continues to burn, red-hot and unabated. News of Slay the Spire 2 has me returning to the epochal deckbuilder, but running alongside it in my anticipation levels is Die in the Dungeon. The dice-based strategy game from developer ATICO wowed me with a free demo in December 2023, and now a big update is coming just in time for the imminent Steam Next Fest.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelikes, Best strategy games, Best indie games

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:34 AM
     Best streaming setup for beginners 2024

Streaming has quickly become the epicenter of the online gaming community, and the best streaming setup for beginners can give your content an edge right from the off if you want to join the crowd.

We've picked streaming gear that's affordable and easy to set up. You'll want to look at the best webcams, the best gaming microphone, and the best capture card for recording game footage. While you probably have a webcam and microphone built into your laptop, we recommend investing in dedicated peripherals for better-quality audio and visuals.

Once you have these in place, you'll have your basic setup, but there are a few other bits and pieces you'll almost certainly want to get. Have you considered lights for streaming? How about streaming software? We've got some expert product recommendations here that we hope will be helpful to any budding streamers.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:20 AM
     Ghost of Tsushima looks stunning with this 8K ray tracing mod

Ghost of Tsushima is already a beautiful game on PC, but a YouTuber has taken this one step further. Broken Dream has combined a range of visual mods in the game, including ray tracing, to create what may be the most stunning visual gaming spectacle I've ever seen run on a PC.

To make this work, you're going to need the best graphics card that money can buy, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090. From there, you can download the mod, described as a "graphics overhaul," to take your Ghost of Tsushima gameplay to a whole new level.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:35 AM
     Wuthering Waves codes May 2024

May 22, 2024: We added three new Wuthering Waves codes to our list

What are the new Wuthering Waves codes? Like Genshin Impact and Tower of Fantasy, Wuthering Waves is another free-to-play RPG with open world fantasy elements. This time around, though, there's also a little bit of monster collecting, which will be vital to upgrading your party's gear.

To help you get started, Kuro Games might provide Wuthering Waves codes from time to time, allowing you to get free items. While you can get your hands on free Wuthering Waves characters by playing the campaign, most of these "Resonators" will likely only be obtainable via the RPG game's premium currency. As the anime game gets its claws into you, here's everything you should know about redeeming codes.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:09 AM
     Best streaming software 2024

The best streaming software can be used to convert your content into the right format for platforms like YouTube and Twitch. There are also programs for editing your video footage, so I've separated this list into two sections to make it easier to find what you need.

There are options for every level, including free programs, to help you find what you need at the right price. If you've never streamed before, Streamlabs OBS is the best place to start for beginners. If you want truly pro results, OBS Studio is the way to go – but it's more technical. I love Adobe's Photography package for editing, but it's not the cheapest option.

To make your streams the best they can be, make sure you use the best lights for streaming and the best gaming microphone, (if you're a newcomer, here's what you need to assemble the best streaming setup). But the fanciest light and sound won't mean anything if you don't have the stream itself sorted. That's why we've picked out industry-leading recommendations for you, based on what we've used ourselves. Discover the best streaming software below.

Continue reading Best streaming software 2024
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:53 AM
     Best gacha games on PC in 2024

What are the best gacha games? A spiritual successor to the traditional Japanese 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 limited-time 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 pushed 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 game on this list that's perfect for you.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Genshin Impact codes, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:58 AM
     Best PC case in 2024

What's the best PC case? Some PC gamers might think of a case as a purely aesthetic choice, but the best case for PC gaming can keep temperatures low, prevent thermal throttling, keep things stable, and give you more headroom for overclocking your CPU and GPU.

The best PC case can be almost as important as getting the best graphics card or gaming CPU. Whether you want the build something to replace your console, a build with a fantastic array of RGB lights, or a chassis with superb airflow, we've got something for you on this list.

Continue reading Best PC case in 2024
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:59 AM
     All Infinite Craft recipes and combos list

What are all the Neal Fun Infinite Craft recipes and combos? We've been addictively playing this since we learned about it, and as a result, we've got hundreds of combinations and recipes now known. Here's our guide on all of them, as well as the obscure suggestions like how to get Minecraft in Infinite Craft, and even Taylor Swift.

Infinite Craft is a browser game that's recently been taking the web by storm, with endless possibilities and some that'll give you quite a giggle. Think of it as a puzzle game by ways of god; it's a great game to open if you want to while away an hour or two figuring out all of the combinations.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Browser games, Puzzle games, Upcoming games

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:39 AM
     Free Monopoly Go dice links May 2024

May 22, 2024: We've added one new Monopoly Go dice link for free dice rolls and removed expired ones from our list.

How can I get Monopoly Go free dice links? The household favorite board game has been reimagined as a free-to-play application 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 Go 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.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best board games, Free PC games, Monopoly Go dice

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:21 AM
     Does Wuthering Waves have controller support?

Can you play Wuthering Waves with a controller on mobile and PC? If you're excited to get your hands on the anime game, but you're not excited about having to play on mouse and keyboard or use touch screen controls, here's what you can expect about controller support coming to Wuthering Waves.

Wuthering Waves is already looking to be a huge hit, taking the gacha game world by storm with a fresh take on the formula. If you're just getting started, be sure to check out the latest Wuthering Waves codes, all the Wuthering Waves characters, and what features you can expect in the Wuthering Waves release date.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:20 AM
     Build your dream society with others in this groundbreaking MMO

As the 21st century drew to a close, humanity left Earth behind. They took to the stars and came upon Avesta – a lush, habitable home for humanity. This is SEED, a speculative sci-fi game that melds elements of life simulation games, city builders, and MMOs, to create a truly original gameplay experience. Sign-ups for SEED free play sessions are live now.


PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:10 AM
     Wuthering Waves reroll guide

How do you reroll in Wuthering Waves? As Kuro Game's new free-to-play RPG, Wuthering Waves is more than just a competitor to Genshin Impact & Honkai: Star Rail in look and gameplay style.

Alongside Wuthering Waves codes to redeem for rewards and a plethora of Wuthering Waves characters to enjoy, there are classic gacha mechanics like rerolls too. With that, gacha games fans will surely want to know both how to pull off a Wuthering Waves reroll and whether the process is even worth it. Thankfully, we've laid out both answers to make the start of your WW experience as straightforward as possible.

Continue reading Wuthering Waves reroll guide
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Wuthering Waves codes, Free PC games, Best anime games

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:22 AM
     Beloved Helldivers 2 CEO steps down to focus on making the game

The CEO of Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Game Studios, Johan Pilestedt, is stepping down from the role so he can spend even more time working on the game and remaining close to the community. Pilestedt will take on the role of chief creative officer (CCO) going forward, with a new CEO appointed for Arrowhead.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:01 AM
     The best co-op games on PC 2024

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.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Borderlands 3 Shift codes, Borderlands 3 legendary weapons, Play Borderlands 3

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 22, 2024 1:14 PM
    

Everything And Then The Licensed Kitchen Sink fighting game MultiVersus returns next week after an almost year-long self-imposed post-beta exile. With the decision to pull the game from sale and turn off its servers for months on end after allowing people to sink their real-life money into unlocking costumes and such (with no refunds), its developers are now looking to seemingly give something back in return.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:51 PM
    

The classic anime series Gundam examines the traumatic experience of war, particularly the unalterable effect it has on those young soldiers forced to participate in the horrors of fighting for their life while taking the lives of others using weapons of inhuman strength and devastation. Which clearly makes it the perfect fit for a bit of upcoming DLC for military-fetishising interactive gun range Call of Duty.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:23 PM
    

We already know that a full-blown sequel to swampy extraction shooter Hunt: Showdown probably isn't on the cards right now, but developers Crytek appear to be lining up the next major update for the 2019 PvPvE cryptid-slayer as almost a whole new game regardless.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:30 AM
    

In a twist of fate I've mentioned in some recent Destiny 2 news posts, I am fully back into Destiny. Former vidbud Liam and I used it, initially, as something we could do while catching up on life. But now? Now we're all in. Liam has created a spreadsheet of things we're ticking off to prepare for the upcoming expansion, and I think it's the perfect summation of what the game is to us: something that makes no sense at all and yet something that makes our brains hum with happiness.

And what we've found with Destiny, in all of its bloat, is that we haven't explored for a single second since our return. Everything is accomplished through menus, making it quite Starfield-esque, which is terrible… but also good. We can't make sense of it and we don't think we ever will.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:51 AM
    

I'm not sure it's even worth that, to be honest. Messed my back up a right old treat.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:00 AM
    

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:00 AM
    

Hauntii sets the scene with a rather magical opening sequence. A beam of light shoots out of a mysterious planet and a zoom in reveals the beam to be an asteroid, but not just any asteroid: a crystal shaped like a teardrop, with a little ghost nestled inside. You awaken as this little ghost, who it turns out, has crash landed in Eternity (and who, it turns out, is called Hauntii). Soon you bump into a ghostly girl, who guides you to a tower that thrusts you both up to a higher plane - but though she ascends, you're dragged back to the bottom at the last moment by some netherworldly chains. And so, as Hauntii you travel through Eternity to discover who that girl was and, ultimately, how to ascend to those heavenly skies yourself.

Read more


Twinfinite Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:20 PM
    
Toss a coin to your Witcher

Twinfinite Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:35 AM
    
The beautiful game's best teams.

Twinfinite Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:42 AM
    
New weapons ahoy!

Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 4:00 PM
    

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Season 8 Gets Kawaki (Karma Progression), Summoned Animals

Bandai Namco kicked off the free Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Season 8 update news with with Kawaki (Karma Progression) and the Ninja Hounds Summoned Animals reveals. Both appear alongside the SS+ items tier and  Tailed Beasts Special Ninjutsu in this season. 

The developer announcement for Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker first confirmed that Kawaki (Karma Progression) is a Attack-type DLC character available via the free update. (To compare, Boruto Uzumaki (Karma Progression) is a ranged type.) His Ninjutsu are the ranged Daikokuten: Shokatsu attack and the support skill Sukunahikona: God Hunter that makes it easier for him to dodge. He also has the Karma Progression Secret Technique, which decreases his size like Sukunahikona and enhances his Strong Attack with additional abilities. 

At the Inn after the update, people can now change their Summoned Animals and select different Ninja Hounds. When in a fight, you can ride them for increased speeds and jumps. Rare ones will be acquired via Scroll Appraisal. They are the first animals in the game, with more fully released in June 2024. The initial screenshot however did show various Attacker, Healer, and Supplier Ninja Hounds ranging from A to SS rank.

As for the SS+ items, which involve new poses and abilities, and Ninjitsu, a few came up. People will get to find the Claw Edge Kurama attack, Inferno Sword Flame Control ranged, and Sealed Blade Totsuka Blade heal weapons after the update. It will also be possible to get the Host Transformation: Two Tails Ninjutsu, as well as acquire Kawaki (Karma Progression) abilities in Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Special Ninjutsu Training. 

As a reminder, while this is the debut of animals in-game, isn't the first time we've seen Kawaki appear. He joined the roster as a DLC character back in February 2022.

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker and its Ultimate Edition are available for the PS4, Xbox One, and Windows PC.

The post Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Season 8 Adds Kawaki (Karma Progression), Ninja Hounds appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:30 PM
    

Picross S Namco Legendary Edition Packed Retro Characters

Another Switch nonogram is on the way from Jupiter, as it announced a release date for the Picross S Namco Legendary Edition installment packed with puzzles based on retro Namco characters and series. It will launch on the Switch on May 30, 2024.

As with other recent releases in the Picross S line, 150 Picross, 150 Mega Picross, 30 Color Picross, and Clip Picross puzzles will be included. There are five Extra puzzles as well. Jupiter also noted all of the games that will feature characters represented, with Dig Dug, Pac-Man, The Tower of Druaga, Wagan Land, and Xevious included.

Here's the trailer hinting at some of the retro characters that will appear in the Picross S Namco Legendary Edition puzzles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkXR6o6xfcs&ab_channel=%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A5%E3%83%94%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E5%85%AC%E5%BC%8F%E3%83%81%E3%83%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%8D%E3%83%AB

And here's the full list of all games that will appear:

  • Adventure of Valkyrie
  • Battle City
  • Dig Dug
  • Dig Dug II
  • Dragon Buster
  • Dragon Spirit
  • Final Lap
  • Galaga
  • Galaxian
  • Genji and the Heike Clans
  • Mappy
  • Mappy-Land
  • Metro-Cross
  • Mystery Tower
  • Pac-Land
  • Pac-Man
  • Quest of Ki
  • Rolling Thunder
  • Sangokushi Chugen no Hasha
  • Splatter House: Wanpaku Graffiti
  • Sky Kid
  • Star Luster
  • Super Xevious: Mystery of Gump
  • Tower of Druaga
  • Wagan Land
  • Wagan Land 2
  • Wagan Land 3
  • Warpman
  • Xevious
  • Youkai Douchuki

Jupiter's Picross S Namco Legendary Edition isn't the only case of the company putting together puzzles based on retro games and characters. Back in 2021, the developer worked on Picross S Genesis & Master System for the Switch. That focused on classic Sega titles. It also worked on Nintendo-themed ones like Pokemon Picross and Club Nintendo Picross.

Picross S Namco Legendary Edition will come to the Nintendo Switch on May 30, 2024. 

The post Picross S Namco Legendary Edition Packed Retro Characters appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:00 PM
    

See the FGO Nendoroid Baobhan Sith Nendoroid Prototype Tam Lin Tristan Fate/Grand Order

Good Smile Company offered a closer look at a new Fate/Grand Order (FGO) Nendoroid of Baobhan Sith, who is also known as Tam Lin Tristan, on social media. The figure is still in the unpainted prototype phase.

Tam Lin Tristan first joined FGO as a four-star SR Archer character back in June 2023, and Baobhan Sith since also appeared in-game with a Cait Cú Cerpriestess Pretender swimsuit alt as well. This figure is going to be based on her Stage 1 design. She has her initial dress and black crown in the prototype's design. No weapon or Noble Phantasm accessory is shown, however. 

Here's the latest look at how the Nendoroid is turning out:

https://twitter.com/gsc_kahotan/status/1793089099152376066

To compare, here's her introductory trailer showing Tam Lin Tristan in FGO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkwdY2zMuT8&ab_channel=AniplexUSA

People recently had an increased chance of getting Baobhan Sith in FGO again. The April 2024 20 Million Downloads Pickup Summon banner included her as a featured character.

This is the second May 2024 prototype reveal for a Fate series Nendoroid. We also got to see the progress on the Fate/Samurai Remnant Saber figure.

Fate/Grand Order is available for mobile devices. The FGO Baobhan Sith Nendoroid is in development, though there is no release date for her yet.

The post See the FGO Nendoroid Baobhan Sith Nendoroid Prototype appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 2:30 PM
    

Meet the Wuthering Waves Male and Female Rover Avatars

Like games such as Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves allows people to choose between male or female Rover avatars as their main character. To help offer insight into what they are like, Kuro Games shared videos of their voice actors introducing the characters and discussing the game. 

First, here's the video introducing the male Wuthering Waves Rover avatar, who is voiced by Chase Brown. Brown first says a few in-character lines of dialogue. Then, he describes what the player character is like in-game. If Brown sounds familiar, it may be because he also played Romeo in Lies of P and voices a few Arknights characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naSccBKfEzI&ab_channel=WutheringWaves

Next, here's the video highlighting the female Wuthering Waves Rover voice actress for the avatar, Jane Jackson. It begins like the one for the male equivalent. There's a line of dialogue from the character in-game. After that, we hear Jackson describe the player's character and discuss the game. Like Brown, Jackson also voiced a person from Arknights prior to this role. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMKaJZ6lxeA&ab_channel=WutheringWaves

These two segments are two of many Wuthering Waves trailers released ahead of launch. The launch trailer showed footage of the world and some of the people we get to play as and meet. Other videos also focused on specific four and five-star characters

Wuthering Waves will launch on PCs and mobile devices on May 22, 2024

The post Meet the Wuthering Waves Male and Female Rover Avatars appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 2:00 PM
    

ace attorney novelty items

Novelty items that look like they would be given out by the Wright & Co Law Offices in Ace Attorney have appeared in the Capcom Store alongside other merchandise. They're available online and will appear in physical storefronts from May 24, 2024.

You can get them via the Capcom Store in Parco in Japan. Parco doesn't offer international shipping and so those who are interested in these items will need to make a trip to Japan or employ the use of a proxy service. When they appear in stores, you'll be able to find them at the Capcom Stores in Tokyo, Osaka, and Umeda.

There are three different kinds of Ace Attorney merchandise to purchase. They are:

  • Name card memo pad: 660 JPY
  • Wright & Co. Law Offices pocket tissue: 330 JPY (pack of four)
  • Wright & Co. Law Offices reusable bag: 1650 JPY

The name card looks like one that Phoenix would give to clients as a defense lawyer. It states underneath the logo for his law office that he's a miracle-working defense attorney who's really good in tough situations. It's unclear if such a tagline would instill confidence in a client who doesn't know about Phoenix's reputation or past cases.

The Ace Attorney novelty items are readily available in the online Capcom store. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy is readily available on Android, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Windows PC, Xbox One, and iOS. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is readily available on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, Windows PC, and Xbox One.

The post Ace Attorney Merchandise Looks Like Law Office Novelty Items appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 1:30 PM
    

rubik's cube hello kitty header

Megahouse will release a Hello Kitty Rubik's Cube sometime in late October 2024. This piece of merchandise is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of both properties.

The Hello Kitty Rubik's Cube from Megahouse costs 5500 JPY ($35.20) after tax. You can purchase it from Megahouse's website. However, it does not seem to offer international shipping.

Each block of the Rubik's Cube features a different design. With this cube, you can see the different looks for Hello Kitty between 1974 and 2024. When you take out the cube from the box, it'll be in chronological order. The Rubik's Cube logo in the very middle will have a bow on it. Because it is impossible to actually solve this puzzle (as mentioned earlier, each square on the cube is different), it's more a display you can personalize.

Both Hello Kitty and the Rubik's Cube were created in 1974. Due to this anniversary, Sanrio has been releasing a lot of Hello Kitty collaboration merchandise, such as special jewelry and snack flavors. As for the Rubik's Cube, Erno Rubik (a Hungarian sculptor and architecture professor) designed it in 1974 as a 3D combination puzzle. It has since become a famous pop culture icon, appearing in media and as art pieces. There are records as well for how fast people can solve it.

The Hello Kitty Rubik's Cube will come out in late October 2024.

The post Hello Kitty Rubik's Cube Commemorates Two Anniversaries appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 1:01 PM
    

RKGK Rakugaki 1

Rakugaki, RKGK for short, is here to fill the void in my heart left by the closure of Tango Gameworks. After all, Hi-Fi Rush was one of my favorite games in 2023, so getting another game with similar vibes is welcome.

I'm basing the comparison off little more than both games featuring a protagonist with a rude 'tude taking on The Man with the power of music. Besides that, there's not much else in common. RKGK does still unashamedly wear its influences on its sleeve though. In fact, there's a clear love of classic Sega games here. The movement-based platforming and score system evoke much of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, while the emphasis on graffiti brings to mind Jet Set Radio. All that is mixed with a sprinkle of Splatoon paint splatter and Mirror's Edge parkour thrown into it. The good news is, I love all these things, so we're off to a great start.

RKGK stars Valah, a graffiti artist living in an unnamed cyberpunk dystopia. After a dictator named Mr Buff covered the city in personality-draining screens, Valah vowed to fight back. Her solution? Tag all the screens and bring color back to the people. She's aided by her crew, the titular Rakugaki, who provide support from the hideout.

It's a simple premise, and in fact, so simple you barely need to pay attention to the story. It's all an excuse plot to get you out there looking cool and literally painting the town red (or blue, or green, or several other customizable color palettes). RKGK is a linear 3D platformer built around fluid movement. As Valah, you jump, dash and skate around the city collecting coins, painting screens and beating up robots.

Each level acts as its own little playground for you to chain moves together. You'll be skating, grinding, jumping, dashing and gliding all over the place, with the level design encouraging ways to move seamlessly between these actions. Each level drops subtle hints on where you can bypass parts of the geometry to speed up your run. When you start getting into the flow of it all, you'll find yourself barely touching the ground. It gets addictive fast, and ending one level makes you want to jump straight into the next one.

This is enhanced even further with the presence of Defacer Mode, introduced in the third level. This is activated with a bar at the bottom of the screen that fills up every time you do something cool. Do enough cool things and Valah gets pumped up, increasing her speed and enhancing every ability. Taking damage instantly ends this mode, which creates a sense of tension and challenge. You'll want to go fast, but going fast increases your chances of bumping into something.

Screenshot by Siliconera

Of course, with the game encouraging speed and fluidity at all times, it doesn't take long to get to the end credits. I think I managed it within about six hours, breezing my way to the final showdown with ease. However, this short length is a benefit, because the real joy of the game is in its replayability.

RKGK is constantly keeping track of how fast and stylish you are. Time trials, scoreboards and ranks abound, with every level ending with an assessment of your performance. Seeing special time trial challenges and just missing out on the coveted S Ranks only encourages you to play each level again. And again.

RKGK is a game about mastery of the movement system, constantly improving with each attempt. You'll be seeking out ways to collect as much of the level's collectibles quickly to boost your score, finding shortcuts to get you to the finish line faster and doing everything in your power to never get hit and keep that Defacer Mode x10 multiplier. S Ranks are not easy to achieve, but I found myself desperately pushing closer and closer to that goal, while having a blast the whole time. If you're the sort of person who obsessively replays Devil May Cry or 3D Sonic games trying to make a big S slam onto your screen, you will find a lot to love in RKGK.

Screenshot by Siliconera

Sadly, RKGK has some glaring issues that I found hard to ignore. Sadly, its presentation is one of them, which games like this thrive on. Levels are full of nondescript cubes and bland metallic textures. There's a clear design choice here, as the city is supposed to be miserable. As you skate around, graffiti up the place and amp up the saturation with Defacer Mode, it's supposed to be a vibrant contrast to show the effects of your actions. It just never quite goes far enough.

Sure, there are some flashes of greatness here, whether it's in the enemy designs or the way graffiti bleeds out of every defaced screen, but these are small parts of a wider whole that never fully comes together. There are also moments, such as odd volume issues or some of the flat font choices, where it feels like placeholder assets were left in. It's hard not to compare it to more in-your-face styles like Hi-Fi Rush or Jet Set Radio and think RKGK looks a lot more subdued. Which is one of the worst things a game like this can be.

There's also a weird disconnect between the game's main visuals and some of the 2D art kicking around. The occasional motion comics that tells the game's story all look amazing. The same can be said of the chibi Valah that rides your style meter in Defacer Mode, or the graffiti images that pop when you tag a screen. The 2D artists have done a phenomenal job that hasn't translated well into most of the 3D assets. Valah has much cooler hair in the motion comics than in gameplay, for instance.

Screenshot by Siliconera

The soundtrack also feels a bit lacking. All the games I've mentioned in this review have absurdly catchy soundtracks. Jet Set Radio made Hideki Naganuma one of my favorite video game composers. Hi-Fi Rush had the glorious cafeteria fight set to The Prodigy. Mirror's Edge has arguably the second best theme song called "Still Alive" in games. By contrast, I've forgotten all of RKGK's basement rave soundtrack, and that's a shame.

That said, I can forgive most of this. This is the first game for developers Wabisabi Games, and it's an impressive piece of work for a debut. There's a clear passion for what the team are doing here and they've nailed the gameplay expertly.

If you love mastering movement systems, chasing style ranks or just generally fighting The Man with the power of street art, you need to play RKGK. Its visuals could use some polish but its fluid platforming mechanics are up there with the best.

RKGK is out now for the PC.

The post Review: The Addictive RKGK Needed More Polish appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:30 PM
    

genshin impact 4.7 resin

In a HoyoLab post on May 22, 2024, HoYoVerse revealed that an increased resin cap will be one of the major quality of life changes in Genshin Impact version 4.7. There will also be optimized Artifact custom configurations, making it easier for people to equip Artifacts.

For starters, the Original Resin cap will increase from 160 to 200. This means that players will be able to craft five Condensed Resin at once after Genshin Impact version 4.7 goes live. As of right now, there is no increase on how many Condensed Resins a player can hoard at one time. We will still only be able to carry five. Players will also be able to add up to 100 friends, which is the current cap in Honkai: Star Rail as well.

Genshin Impact Version 4.7 will also have an optimized Artifact custom configuration when it comes to Fast Equip. You'll be able to use the Fast Equip function to get Artifacts on a character based on data from active player in the game. If you want to use a build that might be a bit less popular or quirky, you'll still need to manually equip Artifacts onto your character.

Genshin Impact is readily available on the PS4, PS5, Windows PC, and mobile devices. New characters who'll come out that patch are Clorinde, Sigewinne, and Sethos.

The post Increased Resin Cap Will Be in Genshin Impact Version 4.7 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:00 PM
    

Final Fantasy XI Windows PC Version Planned From the Start

As part of the Final Fantasy XI We are Vana'diel interview series, Square Enix shared insight from former Global Promotion Producer Arata Hanyuda about the Windows PC version's development. The company also released two pre-release event footage showcasing the game to celebrate its 22nd anniversary.

To start, Hanyuda brought up how the team behind Final Fantasy XI were already working on a Windows PC version to appear alongside the PS2 release. He also cited part of this was the hurdle to get the BB Unit for the console release. This is why the PC version appeared six months after the PS2 launch.

Here is Hanyuda's commentary on the BB Unit and PC release:

First of all, the PlayStation BB Unit wasn't available through the regular sales channels. You had to buy it directly from Sony Computer Entertainment (the company name at the time, now known as Sony Interactive Entertainment) or from somewhere like your internet service provider. So we had to make sure any potential customers knew that. Meanwhile, we were already planning a Windows version of the game from pretty much the beginning. I remember [Producer Hiromichi Tanaka] talking about how more and more people were playing games on the PC and that we should work on preparing a Windows version from the start in order to reach them too.

Hanyuda also explained the reaction and outreach to PC manufacturers when Square Enix started working on that version of Final Fantasy XI. He noted, "Out of all the PC manufacturers, Dell was especially enthusiastic. FFXI ran great on their highest spec PC at the time, so they wanted to work together with us when the Windows version launched." He also mentioned the Dell and Intel presidents were at the announcement for that version of the game. 

As for the early Final Fantasy XI footage, it is split into two parts. The first video shows some character models and locations n the world and how in-game chat will look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYuNPmOPuHY&ab_channel=FINALFANTASYXI

As for the second video, it takes people out into the field to look at more locations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxzYMWa_Wwc&ab_channel=FINALFANTASYXI

The post Final Fantasy XI Windows PC Version Planned From the Start appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:30 AM
    

Broly Restrained Joins Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 as DLC

The Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Future Saga Chapter 1 DLC debuts on May 24, 2024, and it turns out Broly (Restrained) will appear as a playable character in it. He'll join the already revealed characters Goku Black (Super Saiyan Rose, Ultra Supervillain), Vegeta (Super Saiyan God, Ultra Supervillain), Android 18 (DB Super), and Videl (DB Super).

Broly (Restrained) comes up in multiple parts in the Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 new DLC trailer. He first appeared when the Broly Arc Extra Missions were discussed. Then, later in the video we get to see gameplay of him as an actual playable fighter in the game.

The announcement trailer also went over some of the other additions we can expect in Future Saga Chapter 1. Of course, we get to see gameplay footage of Android 18, Goku Black, Vegeta, and Videl. It also showed the Goku Black Arc and Vegeta Arc Extra Missions. The end of the video also showed teasers for Anniversary Antics, Videl: Super Mom, 12 Parallel Quests, 15 new Skills, the Piccolo and Videl clothes, and new Loading Screen Illustrations. It ended with a teaser for free update 18, which includes 6 new costumes and 7 Raid Quests. 

https://twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS/status/1793281029622349851

Broly and Broly (Supervillain) are already in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is available for the PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions will debut on May 24, 2024, as will the Future Saga Chapter 1 DLC for all platforms. 

The post Broly (Restrained) Joins Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 as DLC appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 11:00 AM
    

Genshin Impact Special Program 4.7

HoYoverse announced that the Genshin Impact Special Program for the 4.7 update will air on May 24, 2024. The program will be available to be viewed on the game's official Twitch at 5am PT/8am ET/2pm CET, with the archive on YouTube after that.

As with previous special programs, viewers can expect details and likely a release date for the upcoming Version 4.7 update. The announcement tweet also promised more redemption codes and featured an image of Sigewinne and Clorinde, two characters who will be available as playable characters in the new version. Sigewinne is of special note, as she will be the first playable member of the Melusine race, a group of creatures that inhabit the game's Fontaine area. There are no hints as to who the "hosts" of the presentation could be this time.

The previous Special Program concerning Version 4.6 aired back in April 2024, and it detailed the upcoming five character Arlecchino and some of the new events. More recently, Hoyoverse began drip marketing some more upcoming characters, including the playable Melusine Sigewinne.

The Genshin Impact Version 4.7 Special Program will air at 5am PT/8am ET/2pm CET on May 24, 2024.

The post Genshin Impact Special Program 4.7 Announced appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:30 AM
    

star rail boothill

Ahead of his playable debut in Honkai: Star Rail, HoYoVerse detailed gameplay information for Boothill. As a reminder, Boothill will be a five-star Physical Hunt character.

We already knew some information regarding how Boothill will play, thanks to the Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.2 special program. Boothill will want to have lots of Break Effect, as his Ghost Load Trace can increase his Crit Rate and Crit DMG. Like Blade and Jingliu, he has a stance-based fighting style. After he uses his Skill Sizzlin' Tango, he and a target enemy enter the Standoff state. In this state, he uses an Enhanced Basic ATK that does not recover SP. The target can only attack Boothill, and both Boothill and the enemy will receive more DMG. When he defeats an enemy or Weakness Breaks them, he gains a stack of Pocket Trickshot.

As for his Ultimate gameplay in Honkai: Star Rail, it applies Physical Weakness for a number of turns to a single target, deals Physical DMG, and then delays the enemy's action. The Pocket Trickshot stack is also useful for his Five Peas in a Pod Talent. Each stack increases how much Toughness he reduces with an Enhanced Basic ATK. It can also add onto how much Break DMG Boothill deals when he attacks a Weakness Broken enemy with his Enhanced Basic ATK. We can see from his kit information that Boothill will really benefit from Break Effect. As for support characters, he'll likely pair well with Harmony Trailblazer, Ruan Mei, and Robin.

Here's the full "Keeping Up with Star Rail" video dedicated to Boothill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJbazDte5oo&ab_channel=Honkai%3AStarRail

Honkai: Star Rail is readily available on the PS5, Windows PC, and mobile devices.

The post Here's What Boothill Honkai: Star Rail Gameplay Will Be Like appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:00 AM
    

Nijisanji English Vtuber Alban Knox Will Go on Hiatus

Anycolor announced on the Nijisanji English social media account that Vtuber Alban Knox will be on hiatus starting on June 3, 2024. Alban himself also shared a comment about it and appeared on a stream to discuss his break.

First, here's the Anycolor statement about the break. It noted that while Alban Knox won't be streaming during his break, the Nijisanji Vtuber will still appear on social media from time to time. It also noted that this is an indefinite hiatus that could end at the end of September 2024 or beginning of October 2024, but there's no exact confirmation. Both this statement and his own noted the time off is to "pursue personal projects."

https://twitter.com/NIJISANJI_World/status/1793250458414592144

Here's Alban's brief statement on social media about the break. He noted that while it is sad, his fans shouldn't be scared about the time off. 

https://twitter.com/alban_knox/status/1793250786433982752

Here is the full Alban Knox stream going over the Nijisanji EN Vtuber's upcoming break. In part of his one hour announcement, he said, "Recently, some of you might know, I'm trying to gather a creation team. And with this team, I'm going to be working together with them to put a lot of cool things together not just for me, but I'm hoping I can do a lot of cool things for Niji EN as well."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkgyn-JeTKk&ab_channel=AlbanKnox%E3%80%90NIJISANJIEN%E3%80%91

Alban debuted with Nijisanji back in February 2022. He's a part of Noctyx alongside Fulgur Ovid, Sonny Brisko, Uki Violeta, and Yugo Asuma. He has about 694,000 followers on YouTube. His latest schedule noted he'll be playing Crow Country at 7pm PT/10pm ET on May 22, 2024, Supermarket Simulator at 5am PT/8am ET on May 23, 2024, Hatsune Miku: Project Sekai at 5am PT/8am ET on May 24, 2024, and preparing for his birthday countdown on May 25, 2024.

The post Nijisanji English Vtuber Alban Knox Will Go on Hiatus appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:30 AM
    

The Kingdom Hearts Light-up Keyblades Are Back in Stock

Square Enix announced that the Kingdom Hearts light-up keyblades are back in stock from the Square Enix online e-store and are set to release in Japan on August 24, 2024. There are two keyblade models available, and they both cost 6,380 yen (or approximately $40.84.)

The two Kingdom Hearts light-up keyblades are inspired by the classic Kingdom Key and the Kingdom Key D (or Dark Side) designs, wielded by Sora and King Mickey respectively. As the name suggests, the keyblades include a lightbulb at the end of the blade that projects a keyhole shaped light.

The Kingdom Key model features the classic gold handle with a silver blade, joined by a blue connecting piece. Meanwhile, the Kingdom Key Dark Side version has inverted colors, with the handle being light silver, the blade being a darker shade of gold, and the joining piece colored in red. You can check out the Kingdom Hearts light-up keyblades in more detail here:

The light-up keyblades originally released in February 2024, and this new re-release includes improved light sources that project the light with higher intensity than the older models.

The Kingdom Hearts light-up keyblades are now available for pre-order from the Square Enix Japanese online store, and they are expected to release in August 24, 2024. The Kingdom Hearts franchise is heading to PC via Steam on June 13, 2024.

The post The Kingdom Hearts Light-up Keyblades Are Back in Stock appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:00 AM
    

tooru furuya affair

Tooru Furuya, a veteran voice actor, has apologized for committing adultery with a fan, hitting her, impregnating her, and forcing her to abort the baby. Furuya is 70 years old as of the time of writing while the woman is 37 years old. [Thanks, Yahoo!]

Bunshun Online was the first to break this news. Bunshun was also the company that covered the Takahiro Sakurai cheating scandal from 2022. For context, Furuya's marriage to Satomi Majima has been public knowledge since the 1980s. According to the entire apology from Furuya, his affair with the fan went on for about four and a half years, ending only in September 2023. She was a fan of his work and he explains that her wholehearted support of his career caused him to reach out to her first. 

The woman was a huge fan of his work as Tooru Amuro in Detective Conan. She liked the character so much that she went to watch Zero the Enforcer (the 22nd movie which pretty much revolves entirely around Amuro) 45 times. In 2020, they had an argument that got so heated he hit her. He says that this was absolutely vile behavior as both a person and an adult.

After impregnating her in 2021, he forced her to abort the child. He says this is an unforgivable act and deeply apologizes to her because he hurt her both emotionally and physically. He states that there is no way to fully apologize or make up to the fans who have supported him over the years. Furuya acknowledges that his acts may have disappointed people and might cause them to have negative feelings for his characters as well. He plans on using the rest of his life to make up for his actions and is prepared for any punishment.

Tooru Furuya has played many iconic characters since he began to voice act in 1958. His most prominent roles include:

  • Amuro Ray (Mobile Suit Gundam)
  • Amuro Tooru (Detective Conan)
  • Kyosuke Kasuga (Kimagure Orange Road)
  • Pegasus Seiya (Saint Seiya)
  • Sabo (One Piece)
  • Tuxedo Mask (Sailor Moon)
  • Yamcha (Dragon Ball)

As a note, this is not the first time that a voice actor has had a major adultery scandal. Aside from the aforementioned Sakurai, major voice actors like Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Nobuhiko Okamoto, and Daisuke Namikawa also cheated on their partners. While Sakurai and Okamoto have bounced back, Suzuki has not. This could be due to Suzuki's wife being LiSA, who is a popular entertainer in her own right.

It is unknown if this will affect Furuya's professional career, but considering Furuya's stance, he may decide to bow out of his current roles. This means that there may be a voice change on the horizon for characters like Sabo and Amuro (Detective Conan). 

The post Veteran Voice Actor Tooru Furuya Apologizes for Adultery, Assault, Forced Abortion appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:56 PM
     Best way to get point blank kills in XDefiantXDefiant has a plethora of guns to choose from, but players must first complete challenges to unlock them. A recurring challenge is to get a certain amount of point-blank kills — here's the best way to do it. XDefiant: Best way to get Point-Blank kills The range for a point-blank kill in XDefiant is much smaller than you would normally see in other first-person shooters. The best way to describe it is that you must be within melee range of your opponent for it to count as a point-blank kill. With that in mind, you want to make sure you tackle this challenge on one of the smaller maps available. This will increase your chances of getting close enough to your opponent for the kill to count as a point-blank.  I recommend the map "Arena," which is one of the smallest maps available at launch. Not only is the map small, but it also has tons of cover to help keep you alive while you focus on getting the point-blank kills for the challenges.  Once you...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:37 PM
     Destiny 2 Stasis subclassBungie is slightly opening the floodgates of information regarding the end of the Light and Dark Saga: The Final Shape. With news already out there about the new enemy type and more, a Dev Insight gave us a look at the much-needed changes coming to a Darkness subclass. And thanks to these changes coming with TFS, the Destiny 2 Stasis rework adds Frost Armor and revamped Stasis Shards. Destiny 2 TFS Stasis rework adds Frost Armor and revamped Stasis Shards In the post, we can see that the Stasis sub-class will be getting a type of over-shield buff called Frost Armor. It seems like Frost Armor will be similar to other sub-class over-shields like Strand with Woven Mail. Image: Bungie And the changes don't stop there, as Stasis Shards have also been reworked to mesh well with the new Frost Armor. Let's show you just how much they've changed and added with Stasis by getting a quick overlook of all the buffs, fragments, and aspects: New Frost Armor keywor...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 22, 2024 2:46 PM
     Xdefiant Hipfire KillsGetting hipfire kills in XDefiant is going to take some skill and some very up close and personal gunplay. Hipfire is notoriously inaccurate, so spray and pray is the order of the day. What are Hipfire kills? A hipfire kill is when you blast someone to death without looking down the sights of your gun. You simply pull the trigger with the gun at your hip, hence the name. Some weapons are much better suited to this method of execution. Not aiming down the sights of your gun and firing from the hip has some benefits and some problems, too. The biggest issue is the lack of accuracy and bullet spread. Expect your shots to go awry when using hipfire in XDefiant, and probably not hit your target with most. Screenshot: PC Invasion However, hip fire also has some benefits. Firing from the hip means you can go from sprinting to shooting much faster. It is a great option if you're in a rush and need to get those first shots off. How to get hipfire kills in XDefiant To ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 22, 2024 2:46 PM
     How to check XDefiant player countXDefiant has brought out my inner analytical number cruncher.  I'm always checking my stats and other numbers to add weight to my playtime. When I found out how to check my skill rating, it was over for me. Keeping up to date with the player count is a part of this routine as well. So, if you're like me and want to know how to check the player count of XDefiant, follow along. XDefiant: How to check the player count After doing some digging and checking the sites that I usually go to, it seems like at the moment you can't check the player count just yet. There might be some numbers floating around out there, but they may not be accurate. The thing is, XDefiant is still very new. Sites that track player counts for competitive shooters might not have all the data necessary to present an accurate number. Numbers – accurate ones, at least – will start to show up in a few days. Once the player count is tracked, we may be surprised at where the game...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, May 22, 2024 2:20 PM
     Xdefiant Nubel MapYou're not going to be getting many kills if your controller is not working in Xdefiant, but thankfully, there is usually a way to fix the problem. This issue is typically down to a few key problems. Here are some quick tips. How to get your controller to work with XDefiant This was an issue that cropped up in the beta, and it still doesn't seem to be fixed now. If you're a controller player, then switching to mouse and keyboard isn't an option in XDefiant. The sensitivity will be all wrong, and your game will be well off. Use a cable My first piece of advice would be to use a cable with your controller in XDefiant. Sometimes your PC may have a problem connecting to your controller wirelessly, so a cable will bypass this issue. If you are already using a cable, try switching it out for another one. The connection may be a little broken. Screenshot: PC Invasion Check it is actually working A common problem XDefiant players have had with thei...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:49 PM
     The TESA Collective has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the second edition of the cooperative board game "Good Dog, Bad Zombie." This game, which features dogs as the protagonists in a zombie-infested city, was first released in 2018 and quickly gained popularity. Due to high demand, this new edition includes upgraded components, fresh artwork,...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, May 22, 2024 2:58 PM
     Warlord Games, in partnership with Osprey Games, has revealed plans to release "Armies of Germany," a new supplement for Bolt Action: Third Edition. Scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2025, this book will be the first in a series of national supplements titled "Armies of…" The "Armies of Germany" supplement is designed to...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, May 22, 2024 2:36 PM
     EN Publishing is set to launch a Kickstarter campaign for "The Voidrunner's Codex," a new expansion for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5E) and Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition (A5E), introducing players to space exploration and combat. The boxed set includes three books: the core "Voidrunner's Codex," the "Star Captain's Manual," and the introductory...

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, May 22, 2024 3:32 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, May 22, 2024 2:57 PM

Level Up Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:34 PM
     We've known <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/gamer-culture/2022/10/31/the-witcher-henry-cavill-out-after-season-3-liam-hemsworth-to-play-geralt">since October 2022</a> that Season 3 of Netflix's <em>The Witcher</em> would be…

Level Up Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:55 AM
     Crytek has announced the release date for Hunt: Showdown's new-gen update, which will also conclude…