May 27, 22:00


PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 5:11 PM
     Bullet hell and tower defense combine in new free Steam game

Tower defense games used to be huge. For years, the strategy genre was dominated by the launch of massive hits like Kingdom Rush and Plants vs Zombies as well as PC centered projects such as Defense Grid: The Awakening, Sanctum 2, and the Orcs Must Die! series. While some of the fervor surrounding this genre has died down over the years, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of ways for it to return with fresh new ideas. A good example of this is Strong Fortress, an indie game that combines tower defense with Vampire Survivors style bullet hell combat and has just launched an entirely free 'Prologue' on Steam.


PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 2:42 PM
     Legendary physics sandbox game gets player bump alongside big discount

There's an entire subgenre of sandbox games where the greatest enjoyment you can have, whether it's the main objective or not, is destroying things. Red Faction Guerilla, say, or Teardown; the collapsing buildings of Battlefield 1 and Battlefield 5; the matchstick towns and super combustible vehicles of Just Cause 2, Just Cause 3, and Just Cause 4 — each one of these games stands out for how satisfying it is to watch structures fall apart in spectacular ways. They're also in good company with Besiege, a 2020 building game that's been receiving renewed attention thanks to the launch of a big expansion and an ongoing Steam discount.


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, May 27, 2024 2:19 PM
    

It's been three years to the day since we learned that Square Enix planned to remake Dragon Quest 3, unveiling a revamping of the seminal 1988 JRPG in Octopath Traveler's HD-2D engine. Three years have passed since then, but we've finally had an update on the remake - and it's raised a few questions, to say the least.

Read more


Siliconera Monday, May 27, 2024 10:00 PM
    

silent hill transmission

On May 30, 2024, the Silent Hill YouTube channel will post the second Silent Hill Transmission showcase to give information on upcoming games, the movie in production, and new merchandise. The stream will start from 4 PM PT/7 PM ET.

As of the time of writing, the games that we know Konami is working on are the remake of Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill Townfall, and Silent Hill F. There is also Ascension, which is available right now as a sort of interactive video stream. "Players" can vote on the outcome of the story, but you'll need to spend money in order to have your vote mean anything. There was also Silent HIll: The Short Message, which was a free download on the PS5. You can read our review of it here.

As for the movie in production, it's an adaptation of the second game. In mid-May 2024, we got to have our first look at Pyramid Head's design. Christophe Gans, the director for the 2006 Silent Hill movie, is directing this one. It'll also feature Jeremy Irvine (War Horse) and Hannah Emily Anderson (Jigsaw) as James and Mary, respectively.

The Silent Hill Transmission showcase will be available on YouTube on May 30, 2024, starting from 4 PM/7 PM ET.

The post Second Silent Hill Transmission Showcase Announced appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 27, 2024 9:30 PM
    

nikke duel encounter

Movic has announced Nikke Duel Encounter, which will be an acrylic stand card game based on Goddess of Victory: Nikke. It'll come out on August 23, 2024 and will cost 3000 JPY ($19.10). [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

Nikke Duel Encounter will combine acrylic stands with cards in a new multiplayer game. The acrylic stands are on top of a stand that can rotate, and there are designs on both sides of the stand. Because of the usage of both cards and acrylic stands, it's also possible to collect them as pieces of merchandise rather than as a game to play. The first collection of cards and stands will feature Rapi, Neon, Anis, Liter, Diesel, and Alice.

Movic does not have any information on how the game will play. Some of the card effects seem to feature reloading or increase a character's damage though. So it'll probably be similar to other PvP card games in which you try to defeat your opponent's Nikkes and remove the Nikke Duel Encounter equivalent of Life Points.

Goddess of Victory: Nikke is a F2P third-person shooter RPG that came out in 2022 on mobile devices. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic future in which artificial soldier called Nikkes fight against the aliens that have forced humanity to live underground. During the first month of its release, it made over $70 million in revenue.

Nikke Duel Encounter will come out on August 23, 2024. Goddess of Victory: Nikke is readily available on the Windows PC and mobile devices.

The post Nikke Duel Encounter Will Be an Acrylic Stand Card Game appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 27, 2024 6:00 PM
    

Game Freak and Nintendo's Pokemon series is nothing short of a cultural juggernaut, dominating television, movies, merchandise, and more. However, in the midst of its franchise success, it's easy to overlook the Pokemon series' roots as a simple, yet innovative, JRPG.

At its core, Pokemon started as a small JRPG with big influences, drawing heavily from other seminal games in the genre to create something both familiar and revolutionary. For example, its gameplay mechanics and core concepts draw inspiration from titles like the Shin Megami Tensei series. (The original Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei debuted on the Famicom in 1987, while Shin Megami Tensei started in 1992 on the Super Famicom.) In Shin Megami Tensei, players recruit demons to fight alongside them, much like trainers catch and battle with Pokemon. Both games emphasize the importance of building a diverse team to tackle various challenges.

Shin Megami Tensei's demon recruitment involves negotiating with demons, each possessing unique skills and attributes. Pokemon features a similar mechanic, though this JRPG series simplifies the idea by focusing on catching wild Pokémon using Poke Balls. The essence remains the same. Collecting a variety of creatures is necessary to progress through the game.

Image via Atlus

The differences, however, are notable. While Shin Megami Tensei often explores darker themes and complex narratives, Pokemon adopts a more simple family-friendly approach. The gameplay of Pokemon emphasizes exploration and the joy of discovery, encouraging players to "catch 'em all" and form bonds with their Pokemon. This collection aspect, combined with a much more vibrant world, made Pokemon accessible to a broader audience. This of course lay the groundwork for its widespread appeal.

Another significant influence on Pokemon is the Final Fantasy series, particularly in terms of party building. In traditional Final Fantasy games, players assemble a party from a set roster of characters with specific roles and abilities. Pokemon takes this concept and amplifies it exponentially.

Instead of a party of a few pre-determined characters as in other JRPG games, the Pokemon series started by offering players a roster of 151 creatures for players to catch and train. (It's a number that has grown significantly over the years). This massive selection allows for unprecedented flexibility and personalization in team building, as well as makes each player's journey completely unique. Even among longtime fans, players still find new ways to progress through the games using fresh parties of Pokemon.

Screenshot of King Moogle Mog in FFXIV.
Image via Square Enix

Moreover, Final Fantasy's turn-based combat system can be seen in Pokemon's battle mechanics, albeit simplified. Each turn, players choose actions for their Pokemon. You can attack, apply a status effect, use and item or switch to another character. The combat is simple, but leaves room for a surprising amount of strategy and advanced play. Adding in the "rock, paper, scissors" style elemental strengths and weaknesses, akin to Shin Megami Tensei's magic systems, ensures that battles are engaging at any level.

Pokemon carved out its niche by combining these elements into an accessible and endlessly engaging package. The game's premise inherently provides a simple, but compelling goal. Becoming a Pokemon Master by traveling the world, catching Pokemon, and defeating Gym Leaders. Its turn-based battles, exploration, and creature collection were perfectly suited for the Game Boy, making it an instant hit.

Which Paldea Pokemon Do You Like Best?
Image via The Pokemon Company

Then there's what Game Freak did all on its own to elevate Pokemon from a fun JRPG into a phenomenon. The ability to trade and battle Pokemon with friends added a social dimension to the game, encouraging community and competition. This feature has grown into a robust competitive scene, complete with tournaments and world championships, showcasing Pokemon's unique blend of strategy and accessibility. I can't even name another JRPG with a competitive scene, much less one of Pokémon's level and engagement.

While Pokemon's beginnings as a humble JRPG are often overlooked, they form the foundation of the entire franchise. While it's hard to ignore that Pokemon was in the right place at the right time too, it could have flopped without paying homage to what came before it. Pokémon's success story is a testament to how simple JRPG influences, when combined well, can create something truly extraordinary.

The post Simple JRPG Influences Built Pokemon into a Phenomenon appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 27, 2024 4:30 PM
    

The Quintessential Quintuplets Gotopazu Story 2nd Japanese release date falls in September 2024

Mages has announced the Japanese release date for The Quintessential Quintuplets: Gotopazu Story 2nd. The new visual novel will appear in Japan on September 26, 2024.

The company also revealed the game's limited physical editions. The "regular" Limited Edition will come with a Special Artwork book containing over 300 pages. There will also be a more complete Special Box that adds a soundtrack CD, a canvas art paper, and a set of acrylic stands featuring the quintuplets.

Although Mages primarily shared sample images from the Switch releases, the company assured that PS4 versions of the limited editions will also be available.

Mages has also uploaded a new promotional trailer for the game on the franchise's YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeyTuZdih0o

The company first revealed this entry in late April 2024. It will appear as a direct sequel to the first Gotopazu Story entry released in June 2023. This game will feature episodes from the second-year part of the franchise's mobile puzzle game. But just like the prequel, this entry will only feature the visual novel segments while omitting the puzzle gameplay.

The Japanese release date for The Quintessential Quintuplets: Gotopazu Story 2nd falls on September 26, 2024. The visual novel will be available in Japan on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. The latter version will also be playable on PlayStation 5 via backwards compatibility.

The post Quintessential Quintuplets: Gotopazu Story 2nd Release Date Set appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 27, 2024 3:00 PM
    

Review: Rusty's Retirement is Calming and Simplistic

Being a working adult is difficult. We have very little time to enjoy things that bring us joy or take significant time for leisurely pursuits. This isn't some surprising concept to any of you out there reading this review. Despite all of the stress that comes from work, the hope is that all of this will be worth it when we can all (in theory) retire from our decades-long careers and settle into more relaxing tasks. Some people may want to travel, others will probably spend time discovering new hobbies like knitting or gardening. Retirement is still many years out for me, though, but I have found some calm and comfort in experiencing Rusty's Retirement in the midst of completing my grueling work tasks.

Mister Morris Games, the indie developer behind Haiku, the Robot, has created a unique idle farming simulator game that allows players to play this game at the bottom or side of their screen while working on other things. In fact, I had Rusty's Retirement running while I wrote this review because it's just so cozy and rewarding to watch it operate. The game's titular character,  Rusty, is an adorable robot with a walking stick who seems to only want to do one thing that I can observe: grow vegetables, convert it to Biofuel, and earn Spare Parts so he can build homes so his friends can join him on his little farm.

[gallery columns="1" size="large" ids="1031267" link="file"]

The mechanics are straightforward enough from here. Players can plant seeds on crop plots, starting with wheat, radishes, and cabbage. Each crop takes a specific amount of time to grow after being watered, and once fully grown, can be picked to obtain Spare Parts. The vegetables can then be converted into Biofuel on a converter, and that Biofuel can be converted into Spare Parts. As more vegetables are grown and harvested, more vegetables will begin to unlock in order to generate more Biofuel and Spare Parts. Crops cost money to plant, though, so converting Biofuel into Spare Parts is important early on in order to plant more crops. Sometimes giant versions of crops will spawn, and they can be repeatedly clicked on by the player to gain multiples of that vegetable. It's a simple cycle that will see players amass plenty of Biofuel and Spare Parts in order to unlock Rusty's friend's homes, purchase decorations for the farm, and beyond.

Once Rusty's friends are unlocked and their homes are built, they can contribute to various aspect of the farm. For example, Haiku from Mister Morris Games' previous game has joined Rusty in his retirement and can assist with building new homes, plots, and other machines. A gentlemanly robot named Pinion can show players their farm's statistics which includes how much Biofuel is being generated from the currently planted crops. Other friends will unlock beekeeping to generate additional Biofuel, farm animals for fertilizer, and a repair robot who will upgrade helper robots that can plant, water, and pick vegetables for better efficiency on the farm.

[gallery columns="1" size="large" ids="1031268" link="file"]

Eventually players will also be able to unlock different types of farms like a swampy terrain, a sandy desert, a forest with cherry blossoms, and a desert oasis. Each new farm has its own kind of enhancements and restrictions that can make designing a farm more difficult or make it harder to grow vegetables. 

While there is little else to do in the game but watch these little robots spend hours growing and harvesting vegetables to seemingly no end, there is something addicting about watching the farm grow and seeing the number of Biofuel and Spare Parts go up. There were some stretches of time where I would just sit and watch all of the robots work when I should have been doing my own work. Of course, as an idle game, there is also very little input I needed to make while playing except when new crops needed to be planted, bee hives needed checking, vegetables and berries needed unlocking, or when I needed to upgrade the helper robots. As the length of time gets longer for vegetables to grow and all of the helper robots become more efficient, the game becomes even more self-sustaining for the player.

[gallery columns="1" size="large" ids="1031270" link="file"]

What really adds to the charm of this game is the pixelated graphics and really chill, ambient music. Everything on the farm is colorful, distinct, and full of character. Sometimes the robots will float about and idle themselves, taking a break from their endless task of harvesting crops. Rusty and his friends also idle, and even take breaks on benches that can be placed around the farm. The homes have smoke coming up from the chimneys, and the sear on Rusty's home and main crop storehouse can spin and generate Spare Parts if spun five times in a row. Little bees and butterflies flitter about the map, and leaves fall from the sky periodically to give the sense that somewhere there is a giant tree just swaying in the wind. All of these little details help add to the calming nature of Rusty's Retirement.

For such a simplistic game, there were a few issues here and there I noticed. Having played Rusty's Retirement on my MacBook Air, my first time booting the game left me with a black screen with just the game visible. I was confused initially as the game was very clearly advertised as an idle game that allows players to do other things on their computer while having the game open. Once I read the Help section of the game, I found out it was a known problem with the Mac version of the game and all I needed to do was reboot the game again. I haven't experienced the issue since, thankfully. Another minor issue is that sometimes robots would pick crops and almost instantaneously one of the helper robots would be placing that crop onto the Biofuel converter despite that crop had yet to actually be placed into the storage room of the farm. It's clear this happens because the game has already counted that crop as being harvested, therefore even though visually it has not been stored, it is counted by the game as being usable for the Biofuel converter. Also, as a down side to this game, there is no way to view all of the available farming space without zooming out, but the game is near unplayable once zoomed out. 

[gallery columns="1" size="large" ids="1031271" link="file"]

While idle simulator games are not a new concept, I believe the presentation of Rusty's Retirement is rather novel and beyond adorable. It doesn't try to make players babysit the farm, and allows them to interact with it at their own pace. Also, having a game sequestered to the side or bottom of one's desktop screen allows players to really go about their day in Zoom meetings or working on important documents while Rusty and his friends go about their own day, enjoying their retirement and do what they seem to love at their own leisure. As somebody who has been too busy recently to really dedicate myself to any one game, Rusty's Retirement has been the perfect game to just chill with and give myself a bit of a mental reset when certain work tasks became too overwhelming to focus on. Maybe many of us aren't at retirement age yet, but there is something cathartic about helping Rusty with fulfilling his retirement dream. Anybody looking for a calming, simplistic experience that doesn't require too much of their attention should definitely check this game out. 

Rusty's Retirement is available now on Steam for PCs and Macs.

The post Review: Rusty's Retirement Offers a Calming and Simplistic Respite appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 8:10 PM
     Honkai Star Rail Pure Fiction Lexical EnigmaA new Pure Fiction phase is now live in Honkai Star Rail, and Lexical Enigma is yet another DoT-centric challenge. Thankfully, there are quite a few Nihility characters that really excel in this Pure Fiction phase that are easy to obtain. Best Pure Fiction Teams for Lexical Enigma Screenshot: PC Invasion For this phase of Pure Fiction, enemies will take significantly more damage from DoT sources. Plus, enemies inflicted with DoT effects will have their outgoing damage reduced, and their actions will be advanced forward after they're attacked so they'll have more turns and take even more DoT damage as a result. Best Stage 1 Teams Best Stage 2 Teams Best Stage 3 Teams Best Stage 4 Teams Since this isn't the first DoT-themed Pure Fiction phase we've seen in Honkai Star Rail, you should already have an idea of which characters work best here. Kafka and Black Swan are the stars of this Pure Fiction cycle, and other characters like Guinaifen,...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 6:30 PM
     Wuthering Waves Tacet FieldAbsorbing the essence from your recently defeated enemies seems like a wonderful thing to do in Wuthering Waves. Let's do that, multiple times. Here is how to unlock and complete Tacet Field challenges in Wuthering Waves. Wuthering Waves: How to unlock and complete Tacet Field challenges Tacet Fields will unlock in the game once you reach Union Level 19. As you might expect, this could take a while but by completing Daily Activities and quests, and defeating powerful enemies you will get to this Union Level milestone. This will make these fields triggerable, although you can still locate them by the dark spots and Tacet Marks you can see on the map and while exploring. You will want to visit them as soon as you can given the TD Echoes and ascension materials you get for completing them. Screenshot: PC Invasion The way you will beat the Tacet Field challenge is by defeating a specific number of Tacet Discord enemies which will come in rounds. There will be a time limit...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 6:12 PM
     Wuthering WavesResource hunting in Wuthering Waves is a task on its own. If you want to make your Resonaters better including you, resources will play a large role. Iris is important, it can help with many things like Ascending certain Resonators. To learn the best places in Wuthering Waves to farm Iris, check this guide out. Wuthering Waves: Best places to farm Iris Iris is a unique resource to find, the good news is that you can farm it by using different methods. The bad news is that it is one of the harder things to find in the RPG. To make life easier, this guide will go through all the known ways to farm Iris.  In the wild Like most things to find, Iris can be found in the world as you're roaming around. However, the search will be more focused. To get things started, head to the southmost of the map, near Waving Battlefield and Platue Ruins. That's the easy part. The area you're going...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 5:28 PM
     Best Jianxin Team Comps In Wuthering WavesWuthering Waves players have been encountering a wide range of crashes and startup issues since launch, and the Line 258 error is frustratingly common. When starting up Wuthering Waves for the first time, affected players will see a pop-up notification that reads "The UE4 Client Game has crashed and will close." Additional text explaining the problem in more detail looks like gibberish at first, but there's one key phrase that gives players an idea of what's wrong. "Fatal error: [File:Unknown] [Line:258]" is the full name of this startup crash, but most Wuthering Waves players just call it the Line 258 error for short. How to Fix Line 258 Error in Wuthering Waves Fixing the Line 258 fatal error in Wuthering Waves is complicated, but the solution is a guaranteed fix if you do it correctly. Here's an overview of what you need to do. Download SQLite Database Editor. Open the Database Editor and find your Wuthering Waves install dir...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 5:15 PM
     Wuthering Waves Belle PoppyCollecting flowers will not only be a hobby but a means of becoming the most powerful Resonator in Wuthering Waves. Here is how to farm Belle Poppy for character ascension in Wuthering Waves. Wuthering Waves: How to farm Belle Poppy for character ascension Similar to the Whisperin Cores, Belle Poppy is a flower-like material that is used to ascend a specific selection of your Resonators. In this case, Verina, Chixia, and Danjin all use Belle Poppy to ascend across each of their ranks – note that you will also need other materials to do this, so you might want to collect Howler Cores and Shell Credits. Screenshot: PC Invasion While you can purchase some Belle Poppy at the Shifang Pharmacy in Jinzhou city, the best way to get these is to collect them in the wild. Belle Poppy is found surrounding the Sea of Flames, just to the west of the Resonance Nexus next to Donglu Research Station. You might know this location from the We Promise, We Deliver exploration quest which...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Monday, May 27, 2024 5:10 PM
     Games Workshop has revealed two new products set for pre-order next Saturday: a new expansion for the game Kill Team, called "Kill Team: Termination," and a limited edition novel, "Lelith Hesperax: Queen of Knives." Expansion Details: "Kill Team: Termination" "Kill Team: Termination" introduces two new factions, the Hernkyn Yaegirs and the Genestealer Cults Brood Brothers....

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Monday, May 27, 2024 4:54 PM
     Fantasy Flight Games has announced the release of the Ered Mithrin Hero Expansion, now available in the United States. The expansion can be purchased from local retailers or via the Fantasy Flight Games web store. Following the defeat of the dragon Smaug, the city of Dale has emerged as a thriving trade center. A new...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Monday, May 27, 2024 4:06 PM
     The 7th Citadel, a cooperative card-based exploration board game by French publisher Serious Poulp, is scheduled for a new Kickstarter campaign starting June 4. This follows a notably successful initial campaign in 2020, which attracted over 33,000 backers and raised in excess of $3.5 million. The upcoming campaign marks the start of a dedicated partnership...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Monday, May 27, 2024 3:37 PM
     Warlord Games has confirmed the appointment of veteran wargames developer Andy Chambers as the head of the writing and development team for Konflikt '47. Chambers, whose career includes significant contributions to titles such as Warhammer 40,000 and Blood Red Skies, brings decades of experience to his new role. In his new position, Chambers will focus...

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Monday, May 27, 2024 5:40 PM
    

The trailer showcases several of her moves.

The post Tekken 8 Reveals New Lidia Sobieska Gameplay Trailer appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Monday, May 27, 2024 5:27 PM
    

A teaser video was also released on the official Twitter account.

The post Dragon Quest III in HD-2D Remake Coming To PC and Consoles, To Be Revealed Soon appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Monday, May 27, 2024 5:08 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Monday, May 27, 2024 4:49 PM
    

According to an insider, the event will be a State of Play presentation.

The post A PlayStation Event Will Still Be Held This Month appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

May 27, 14:00


PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 1:14 PM
     Diablo influenced farming and building game gets huge new update

Len's Island draws from a large number of influences. It's an open world dungeon crawler, with shades of Diablo 4 and Hades in its combat and exploration. It's also a farming, crafting, survival, and building game that draws on the design lessons of everything from Stardew Valley and Rust to Palworld and Terraria. The game's been available in Early Access since November 2021, garnering an 86% or Very Positive user rating over that time and steadily moving toward its final version's launch. Now, with its huge new Frozen Lands update, that time is drawing nearer, and there's plenty to check out while waiting.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Upcoming PC games, Best farming games, Best PC games

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 12:07 PM
     Skyrim meets Rimworld in new fantasy life sim you can try right now

Mirthwood looks like it could be the next big hit on Steam. Inspired as much by life sims like Rimworld, Stardew Valley, and The Sims as it is fantasy RPG games like Skyrim and Fable, the debut project from Bad Ridge Games seems to offer a lot of what audiences like most right now: crafting, building, exploration, combat, and character based choices, all presented in a pleasant, immediately attractive visual style. Now, with today's news that Mirthwood has just launched its first demo on Steam, players are finally able to get their hands on the project for the first time and see how its many systems work for themselves.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, Best RPG games, Best life games

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 11:50 AM
     Rainbow Six Siege players blast new membership announcement

Rainbow Six Siege has been one of Ubisoft's most significant titles for nearly a decade now. The first-person shooter has been the platform for tons of innovation in the online shooter drama for casual players and the competitive scene and has thrived for years now. Despite this, the developers at Ubisoft couldn't pull a fast one over their fanbase's heads with the new battlepass membership system that was announced with the reveal of Operation New Blood.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best FPS games, Best Rainbow Six Siege operators, Play Rainbow Six Siege

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 11:07 AM
     Dark Souls Remastered just got remastered again with a new free mod

Visual fidelity isn't always the most important part of a FromSoftware project. Games like Elden Ring, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Dark Souls thrive on strong art direction and the atmosphere that defines their environments, though, and anything that helps players get the most out of those design elements is worth highlighting. This makes the news of a Dark Souls remaster mod, itself based on the official Dark Souls Remastered launch from several years ago, worth paying attention to — especially since the changes it brings to the FromSoft classic are so sweeping and available to check out entirely for free.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: best RPG games, Dark Souls PC servers back online, best multiplayer games

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 11:00 AM
     Killer Klowns from Outer Space review - a true DBD rival

Not so long ago, I reviewed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, an asymmetrical multiplayer from one of the co-creators of Friday the 13th The Game that seemed set to fill the gap left by the dead Jason Vorhees tie-in. Now I want to tell you about Killer Klowns from Outer Space, another asymmetrical multiplayer from one of the co-creators of Friday the 13th The Game that looks set to fill the gap left by the dead Jason Vorhees tie-in - and this one is what we've been waiting for.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Horror games, Killer Klowns from Outer Space release date, Multiplayer games

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 11:00 AM
     Songs of Conquest expansion announced along with two new factions

Songs of Conquest has been heralded by hardcore strategy game fans since it launched on Steam just one week ago. The game, developed by Lavapoint and published by Coffee Stain Publishing, is such a success off the bat that the game's post-release content roadmap has already been revealed, giving players a look at what's to come for the next year-plus, including two new factions as well as multiple DLC packs.


PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 11:00 AM
     How Killer Klowns from Outer Space voice chat works

How does KKfOS proximity chat work? Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a unique asymmetrical multiplayer game in that there are a total of ten players per match: three Killer Klowns and seven Humans. These huge lobby sizes make co-operation all the more important.

In any multiplayer game, the key to success is working with other players. At first, it can be quite hard to understand how to do this in Killer Klowns from Outer Space, as you might see the names of other team players popping up on your screen. If you're wondering why, and how this affects your ability to make it out of KKfOS exits alive, or take down Humans with the element of surprise, here's how KKfOS voice chat works.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Horror games, Killer Klowns from Outer Space release date, Multiplayer games

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 11:00 AM
     How to play Killer Klowns from Outer Space - tips for each team

How do you play Killer Klowns from Outer Space? Illfonic's asymmetrical multiplayer game is a gaudy and camp blast back to the '80s. Think big hair, neon colors, and cheesy voice lines. What could be better?

We've spent hours with the horror game, getting to grips with the KKfOS exits, maps, and items, and we have a few tips we wish we'd known when we first started playing Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Despite our glowing KKfOS review, we do acknowledge that some things aren't explained too well in-game, so hopefully these KKfOS tips can help you win, whichever team you're on.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Horror games, Killer Klowns from Outer Space release date, Multiplayer games

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 11:00 AM
     3dfx Voodoo - the graphics card that revolutionized PC gaming

The story of the 3dfx Voodoo 3D is a classic case of being the right company with the right tech at the right time. 3dfx launched its revolutionary Voodoo Graphics chipset just as fully polygonal 3D graphics hit the mainstream and PC gamers wanted an easy and accessible way to get them.

In late 1996, Quake and Tomb Raider had just been released, the Nintendo 64 was out in Japan and North America, and the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn were still in their first year. Reliant purely on CPU horsepower, and with little in the way of dedicated 3D hardware on even the best graphics cards to back it up, the PC was beginning to lose its place as the king of gaming platforms.

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

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 10:10 AM
     Hit Stardew Valley-like deck builder on 30% Steam sale

It's hard to exactly nail down a clear comparison of what Moonstone Island is. The indie title clearly draws massive inspiration from Stardew Valley in its farming mechanics and visual design, but Moonstone introduces so many varied gameplay mechanics that it's almost developing a blended genre all on its own. Now might be the best time to dip your toes in island water because the game is on sale for just a limited time.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best farming games, Best indie games, Games like Stardew Valley

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 10:00 AM
     This wood panel mini gaming PC hides an RTX 3080 in plain sight

At first glance, this open-air rig looks like a wood PC build, but behind the wood paneling is a custom metal chassis, which PC modder Axel Lindmarker made from scratch, before adding the gorgeous wooden panels on the sides. This mini-ITX PC doesn't compromise on spec either, featuring a 16-core CPU, a GeForce RTX 3080 and a full water-cooling system.

Thanks to our rapidly growing PC building Facebook page, we've seen many custom gaming PCs, from mods based on existing case designs to scratch PC builds. You can even submit yours for consideration right here. Now let's talk to Axel about his custom wood and metal PC case, which he calls Tilia.

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

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 9:27 AM
     League of Legends devs reveal Ornn passive rework for patch 14.11

Ornn is one of the most dynamic champions in all of League of Legends. Since the Freljordian demi-god first hit Summoner's Rift in 2017, he's developed a solid player base who enjoy his sturdiness in the top lane and his ability to disrupt team fights with his powerful range of abilities. One of the more unique aspects of Ornn is one of his passive abilities, Master Craftsman, allowing him to upgrade his and his teammates' legendary items upon hitting level 13. Now, developer Riot Games are changing up specifically how this passive ability works.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends patch 14.10, League of Legends tier list

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 9:00 AM
     Frostpunk 2's story mode is brutal city-building strategy at its best

Frostpunk 2 has a knack for creating stories from your mistakes, and you'll make a lot of them during your time as Steward. It doesn't matter how pure of heart you are, or how well-intentioned your motives - not everyone will make it out of the frozen wasteland alive. I recently had the chance to visit 11-Bit Studios in Poland to try out the Frostpunk 2 story mode, and to ask co-game director Łukasz Juszczyk a few questions about how the team organizes what I assume is their giant box of 'really horrible events to ruin a player's day.'

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best city-building games, Best survival games, Upcoming PC games

PCGamesN Monday, May 27, 2024 8:32 AM
     Pokemon-like indie monster collector on Steam sale

Monster-collecting games were popular even before Pokemon exploded in popularity in the 1990s. However, it is impossible to tell the story of the genre without mentioning Nintendo's mega-franchise, as it has grown to be one of the biggest IPs in gaming and entertainment. Despite Pokemon's success, the franchise has not changed much over the years or taken many risks storytelling-wise, electing to stick to the formula that's been its bedrock since the days of the original GameBoy. Cassette Beasts is an indie title that looks to provide Pokemon fans who've grown up a bit and are ready for a more mature story and characters.


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, May 27, 2024 1:47 PM
    

The next Doom game - the first new instalment in over four years, after Doom Eternal - is reportedly taking a leaf out of Evil Dead: Army of Darkness' necronomicon by transporting the Doom Slayer back to a medieval world to presumably battle hellspawn. According to a new report, it's subtitled The Dark Ages and we'll get an official reveal next week.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, May 27, 2024 1:14 PM
    

The director of Baldur's Gate 3 and CEO of developers Larian has revealed that the studio experienced crunch in order to get the sprawling Dungeons & Dragons CRPG finished. While Swen Vincke admitted that "it would be a lie to say that we didn't [crunch]", he insisted that it was less than on past Larian games such as Divinity, staff were paid for the overtime and it seemingly didn't go as far as working late nights or weekends (for the most part, anyway).

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, May 27, 2024 12:42 PM
    

The sheer number and scale of video games released nowadays means that the infamous Steam backlog is better-fed than ever, gorging on half-played hundred-hour RPGs, never-touched indies amassed during summer sales and "I'll get to it one day" PC pipe dreams. If you were hoping to task your descendants with continuing your quest to get all 1,700-plus achievements in Tales of Maj'Eyal or maintain your ranked leaderboard position in Dota 2, bad news: it turns out that you can't pass on your Steam library after you die.

Read more


Twinfinite Monday, May 27, 2024 9:00 AM
    
No walk in the (snowy) park.

Twinfinite Monday, May 27, 2024 8:52 AM
    
Always tip your landlord.

Twinfinite Monday, May 27, 2024 6:20 AM
    
Time to get all roguelike again.

Siliconera Monday, May 27, 2024 1:30 PM
    

Dragon Quest Roto Erdrick silver rings by Square Enix

Square Enix has revealed new customizable silver rings modeled after Erdrick (also known in Japan as Roto) from the Dragon Quest series. People can head to the Semi-Order Made Accessory page on Square Enix's Japanese e-Store to place their orders.

The ring's price will vary depending on whether the buyer wants to have it coated in a different color or not. The regular silver ring will cost 27,500 yen (~$175). A pink gold coating will raise the price to 30,800 yen (~$196). The gold-coated ring will cost the most at 33,000 yen (~$210).

Square Enix will also let buyers customize the rings with their own eight-character texts. The company will accept uppercase alphabet letters, numbers, and the symbols "." (dot), "/" (slash), and "&" (ampersand). It will also allow single spaces to separate the texts.

In addition, buyers can further personalize the rings by choosing one for each of the following icon phrases and birthstones:

  • Slime - "The Slime has joined your ranks!"
  • King Slime - "What?!! The Slimes are..."
  • Liquid Metal Slime - "The Liquid Metal Slime has run away!"
  • Small Medal - "What? You've found a Small Medal!"
  • Sword - "A Critical Hit!"
  • Shield - "The Hero is protecting himself."

  1. January birthstone: Garnet
  2. February birthstone: Amethyst
  3. March birthstone: Aquamarine
  4. April birthstone: Diamond
  5. May birthstone: Emerald
  6. June birthstone: Moonstone
  7. July birthstone: Ruby
  8. August birthstone: Peridot
  9. September birthstone: Blue Sapphire
  10. October birthstone: Pink Tourmaline
  11. November birthstone: Blue Topaz
  12. December birthstone: Tanzanite

The Dragon Quest rings complete the lineup for Square Enix's three major franchises in its Semi-Order Made Accessory collection. The company has previously revealed Final Fantasy VII Remake-themed rings and bangles with Materia jewel options that will return in August 2024. It is also still accepting pre-orders for customizable Kingdom Hearts necklaces and rings that will appear in September 2024.

The Dragon Quest Erdrick-themed silver rings will be available in Japan on November 23, 2024.

The post Dragon Quest Erdrick Silver Rings Will Appear in Japan appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 27, 2024 12:00 PM
    

Mieruko-chan Manga Is Great at Building the Mystery Around Michiru

Mieruko-chan is an interesting sort of manga series, as the mainline volumes can sometimes feel like they have slice of life elements or you could sometimes jump in at any time. (Not to mention we also get things like the Mieruko-chan Official Comic Anthology.) But as the series has gone on, we start to see more threads come together and things build up due to new relationships, leading to some truly compelling mysteries as Miko Yotsuba deals with things. With the ninth volume of Mieruko-chan, we're really learning more about what's going on with Michiru Ichijou.

Editor's note: There will be spoilers for the events of volume 8 of the Mieruko-chan manga, as well as light references to events in volume 9.

Michiru, a teenage model, joined Miko's class ahead of volume 9. While everyone is enamored with her beauty, Miko seems to be the only one who notices something is wrong. Her entire head is obscured by some black, formless, huge face with black tendrils coming off of it. As a result, she's also able to notice that Michiru's behavior is a bit off. Rom tasked Miko with getting pictures of Michiru to do further investigations, though Michiru's sister/manager Yoh insisted it wasn't possible.

While previously, we've mainly seen Michiru from the outside in the manga, Mieruko-chan volume 9 gives us the first chance to really see what's happening in the model's personal life. Frankly, it's just as shocking as the revelations we've seen regarding her Spirit Form. This entry begins with a shock showing exactly how close Yoh is to her younger sister/employer. The degree of control and helicopter nature is concerning. So much so that I felt the coldness of the model in past chapters might be a reaction or even trauma response due to the overbearing control over her life. It even makes me wonder if, rather than a potential villain, she's someone who's become susceptible to or has her supernatural secret due to being a victim.

It's such that when we see her confide in her pet and the obsession with Miko, it feels like a learned reaction to being exposed to Yoh for so long. How can someone know how healthy relationships work when they don't have good role models and they aren't allowed opportunities to socialize. Of course that kind of obsessive behavior directed at someone, as well as not being allowed to do things on one's own, will result in them being awkward or behaving poorly.

But the insights don't just involve us learning more about Michiru and making the mystery around her behavior more compelling. We're also getting new insights into her spirit form and capabilities due to Miko's increased interactions with her. We see them together both at school and at Miko's home with Hana and Yuria for a study session. This means we see how other spirits respond to her and her potential powers. The insights especially from gleaned from the moments there make what's happening to this young woman more curious.

Of course, the thing that really caps things off is how the ninth volume of the Mieruko-chan manga ends with this incredible cliffhanger surrounding Michiru. We've spent a whole volume learning more about what her life is like, as well as seeing new interactions with Miko that hint at her capabilities. Then, it closes with a situation that promises even more revelations, and perhaps even danger. It's like we're so close to some truths, but at the same time Miko and maybe even Michiru might be in danger.

Volume 9 of the Mieruko-chan manga is available now, and there's no English release date for the volume 10 yet.

The post Mieruko-chan Manga Is Great at Building the Mystery Around Michiru appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 27, 2024 10:30 AM
    

TEKKEN 8 Lidia Sobieska Gameplay Trailer screenshot

Bandai Namco has published a new Tekken 8 gameplay trailer starring the upcoming DLC character Lidia Sobieska. The company will add her to the game's roster in Summer 2024.

Lidia was the 18th and final DLC character in Tekken 7, but Bandai Namco will add her earlier in Tekken 8 as the second post-launch fighter after Eddy Gordo. The company first revealed her inclusion via the Season 1 trailer that went live in late April 2024. However, that trailer barely provided any details on her background and actions.

The new trailer confirms that with the title "The Warrior Prime Minister," Lidia is still the leader of the Republic of Poland in the Tekken universe. The Polish karate practitioner will also have special intro conversations with Jin Kazama and Reina. However, this trailer still does not confirm her release date beyond the previously known Summer 2024 window.

The Tekken 8 gameplay trailer featuring Lidia Sobieska is also available to watch right below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wapN3UqjJmI

In addition, Bandai Namco has launched a fanart campaign to mark the Tekken series' 30th anniversary. People who have an X account can join by following either the @TEKKEN or @TEKKEN_Project account and sharing their own illustrations with the #TEKKEN30th hashtag. After closing submissions on October 31, 2024, Bandai Namco will choose the winning art that it will feature in future official streams or even in-game content updates.

Tekken 8 is readily available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Lidia Sobieska will appear as the second post-launch DLC character in Summer 2024. The Tekken 8 fanart campaign is also ongoing until October 31, 2024.

The post See Lidia in Action in New Tekken 8 Gameplay Trailer appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Monday, May 27, 2024 9:00 AM
    

Android and iOS storefronts offer an incredible selection of games you can play on your smartphone or tablet right now, including some solid free JRPGs. However, if you want the best paid mobile JRPGs that you pay for once and never have to worry about ads or anything like that, these are the games you should check out.

Image via Square Enix

Best Paid Mobile JRPG for Retro Fans: Final Fantasy VI

The entire lineup of Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are available on mobile for a premium price, much like their console and PC counterparts. While you could certainly pick up all of them, Final Fantasy VI is a true classic. The stunning and timeless SNES art is fantastic alongside the beautiful world to explore.

If this isn't enough for you, I also suggest other classic JRPG remasters like Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Final Fantasy IV 3D.

Image via Square Enix

Best Mobile-Exclusive JRPG: Chaos Rings 3

While there are classics on Android and iOS, mobile also has its own set of exclusive games. One of the best is Chaos Rings 3 from Square Enix. Unfortunately, the first two games are unavailable at this time. However, the third title works well enough on its own. It features a Sora-like main character and several colorful worlds to explore. Its graphics might be simplistic, but the detailed characters and fun story make it worth a look.

Image via Square Enix

Best Mobile JRPG for Console Fans: Dragon Quest VIII

While plenty of paid mobile JRPGs exist on Android and iOS, few have the console-level of 3D. If you want something with a bit more polygons but not sacrificing quality in the process, check out this port of Dragon Quest VIII. It arguably looks better than the 3DS port and even original PS2 version.

The only downside may be the touch-only controls. Fortunately, the massive world feels solid to explore with even just one hand. It all works so seamlessly you might forget you aren't using a controller.

Best paid mobile JRPGs Android and iOS
Image via Mistwalker

Best Paid Mobile JRPG for iOS: Fantasian

iOS has one of the best paid mobile JRPGs of all time available exclusively on it (for now). Fantasian is unique in you can't purchase the game at this time. Instead, you need to be a subscriber to Apple Arcade. This is one of the strongest games from Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi outside of his work at Square Enix.

It is a full-fledged JRPG with a beautiful world, memorable characters, and a fascinating hand-crafted diorama art style you just have to experience. Plus, it even has controller support for those who prefer a traditional control scheme.

The post Best Paid Mobile JRPGs to Play appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 1:36 PM
     Wuthering Waves Sundial Featured ImageDon't worry, the Sundial will not break if you treat it kindly. Here is how to unlock the Sundial and answer all its puzzle questions in Wuthering Waves. Wuthering Waves: How to unlock the Sundial The Sundial is the final relic we uncover in our travels across Wuthering Waves and while you have it in your inventory, you cannot unlock it right away. This takes place during the Clashing Blades main quest which makes up Act 4 of the first Chapter in the game. You can trigger this quest once you get to Union Level 14 – although it unlocks after Ominous Star – and interact with Yangyang and Chixia outside of Huaxu Academy. Screenshot: PC Invasion Once you speak to them, you will trigger the puzzle for the Sundial which has you select the correct answer to two statements so that you can rotate the Sundial accordingly. Here are both of these answers: StatementAnswerSymbols on the larger disk represent time, and we need to align the correct symbol with this poi...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 1:18 PM
     Clip It Tix Featured ImageFinding all the Tix in Clip It for the Roblox Classic event takes a little time and some know-how. However, with this guide, you'll fly through the challenge in no time. Where to find the Tix in Clip It Pop into the game for these Tix, and check the guide for all their various locations. Once you have these, check out all the hidden surprises in Roblox Classic. Tix #1 (Crossroads) The first Tix you can collect in Clip It can be found by heading to Crossroads in the Classic tab. From here, immediately turn right from the spawn point and head up the white ladder at the end of the pathway. Once you get to the top, jump up the block in front of you to grab the first Tix. Tix #2 (Crossroads) From the location of the first Tix in Clip It, you should be able to see a teleporter just below you in the green area. Use it to be teleported to a tower. Here you need to drop down the ladder and use the teleporter you're dropped beside. This one will transport you to the...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 1:09 PM
     Where To Find And Farm Scarletthorn In Wuthering WavesIf you're looking to craft some nice weapons in Wuthering Waves, you'll need to know where to find and farm Scarletthorn. This is a red ore that is required to craft certain weapons, so here's where to find it. Wuthering Waves: Best farming routes for Scarletthorn When searching for Scarletthorn, you'll want to look for the rock with a light-pink ore. There are a few great farming routes to gather Scarletthorn so you can craft some decent weapons. Here's where you can find and farm Scarletthorn in Wuthering Waves. Screenshot: PC Invasion (via WuWa interactive map) Whining Aix's Mire Head southeast of Huanglong and you'll eventually find Whining Aix's Mire. If you trek along the northern and southern edges of this island you'll spot these two Scarletthorn farming routes. You should find around 13 ore spots near the top, and at the southern route, there are around 14. These spots are great since there are a few ore s...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 12:39 PM
     Peelosopher Bananacrates In FortnitePeelosopher Bananocrates is the wise counterpart to Peely, a beloved Fortnite character that now has many variations. It turns out Bananocrates does in fact have wise words for those enlightened enough to listen. How to understand Peelosopher Bananocrates in Fortnite Despite the current Fortnite season being about chaos, havoc, and wrecking things, Peelosopher Bananocrates steps in to preserve and share knowledge and wisdom. His insights are more powerful than any Power Armor. When approaching Peelosopher Bananocrates in Fortnite, you'll likely only hear a series of "Nana," which doesn't exactly sound very… wise. Now this on its own would be a fine joke – but the real punchline comes when you approach him as a Peely variant. This is hilarious: visiting Peelosopher Bananocrates as a banana byu/Arginnon inFortNiteBR Clearly, it's not Peelosopher Bananocrates that was the blubbering fool – but us! Bananocrates has a full d...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Monday, May 27, 2024 11:52 AM
     Wuthering Waves Journal Of Jinzhou Vol. 2This sisters' magazine surely has a lot of varied content in its pages. Here are all the answers for the Journal of Jinzhou Vol. 2 side quest in Wuthering Waves. How to complete Journal of Jinzhou Vol. 2 quest in Wuthering Waves As the name of this side quest will suggest, Journal of Jinzhoy Vol. 2 is the second part of an ongoing side questline that involves you answering the correct questions asked by Yingzhu and Xingzhu. To unlock this quest you will need to complete Journal of Jinzhou Vol. 1 first and then wait 24 real-time hours – no, waiting in-game won't do anything. You can find Yingzhu and Xingzhu on the east side of Jinzhou city right outside Huaxy Academy. Screenshot: PC Invasion What will differentiate this volume of the Journal of Jinzhou quests from the previous one is that the questions you get will vary depending on which sister you interact with. Yingzhu has a pool of two questions from which to pick one randomly while Xingzhu only has one...

MonsterVine Monday, May 27, 2024 9:00 AM
     I do not have kids but I am an old enough man to be A Dad, which is to say I spent a substantial part of this weekend waking up at 6am, singing a little song about "going to the hardware store," dealing with A Project that spiraled out of control, going to two different […]